The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1870-03-14
Letter from, Washinston.

10 the EdltoF OF the Press:
AMERICAN sHIPPING-INCREAsED INTER-
EST.
The growth of this question is steady, both
in and out of Congress, and despite "Perey's"
declarations to the Journal, think that the
people of Maine may be assured that in the
main the propositions advanced in Mr..
Lynch's Committees report and by the bills
accompanying it, will be successful. One of
the efforts made to prejudice the public
against the report is the declaration that the
committee was not unanimous in its favor.
Though two signatures were wanting. practi-
cally the committee was unit. Messrs Judd
and Holman, one Of Indiana and the other of
Illinois, (Chicaso,) did not sign, though he IA
vored the drawback and bounty both, he was
not clear as to the propriety of refusing regis
ter to foreian-buil, ships, when purchased by
our own citizens. But Judge Holman will
not on the floor make fight against the rec
concentrations OF the majority OF this COL
league. AS Tor Mr.. Judd, he probably antag-
onlzes the bounty idea, but as he has not been
steady attendant on the committees meet
inss, he reserves the right ot private judg-
iy oppose any or all OF The propositions.
One thing is now certain. Ii Congress does
not pass the bill or something similar, AID so
put III operation causes that will aid the re-
Mobilization of our commerce, those who are
recognized as friends OF the protection theory
will have to meet everywhere stern and un-
relenting opposition. A drawback now nav
save reasonable protection hereafter. Defeat
ed now, there are interests that will coa;esce
n pIF1n OF aof f.,f Hn
control the legislation on this subject. Peti-
tions and resolutions are coming in from all
sections.
The President is reported to take so great
an interest in this question, as to be ready to
send in special message asking Congress- at
tention to the subject.
OTHER PROPOSITIONS.
Nearly every Senator and many Repre-
sentatives are understood TO have an Itching
palm, not for money possibly but for power
and notofiety. Hence one sees all sorts of
projects relating to these matters submitted
and referred to all sorts of committees. Sen
atCr Fenton has an elaborate system OF bouu-
ty in connection with a marine apprentice
ship system, which is worthy OF praise, from
its object at least. By the bill OF Mr.. Fen
ton it is proposed to compel sea-going mer-
merchantmen to take one apprentice Tor ev-
cry 200 tons. Every apprentice is to stay for
four years at certain compensation. At
the termination they are to be ex-
amined. and graded. They are to bind
themselves to remain for five ears there
alter in the merchant service, begin
ming at such grade as they prove themselves
to belong on the examination to which thew
must submit at the end of the proposed term
OF apprenticeship. During this last term they
are to hold themselves subject to a call OF the
President for warlike and defensive purposes,
and on proof that dnrias tho period stated
tney have SO held themselves ready, they are
| OF land free OF cost, and to he exempt from
seizure ior debt. This is the apprenticeship
SIDE OF Senator Fenton's proposition. The
bounty idea is worked out BY paving to tb,.
vessel, out of what it earns to the govern
ment in the way of duties, &C., a certain
amount, say ten per cent. for each an, rem
tlce, until it reaches certain sum-
This bill has not yet been presented, but its
provisions are being talked of as one likely to
supersede those which are now pending. The
Senator also proposes to inquire, it is said. as
to what number of vessels have been register
ed under sale of the Navy Department. as
captured prizes, and under what authority of
law captured blockade runners have been so
admitted to register. 1t is claimed that only
foreign built vessels lawfully captured on the
high seas, are entitled to an American regis
ter when sold to our citizens. Blockade rum
ners, or rather vessels engaged in an illegal
traffic, like unto smuggling, are subject to the
same rules as captured smusgler, which
does permit of the issuing of an American
register to them. 1t is said there are quite a
number OF vessels to be affected by this inter-
probation, but if so, Congress would find no
difficulty in granting registers.
FOREIGN SUBSIDIES.
In proof of the manner in which other gov
ernments exert themselves to secure the mail.
passenger and freight service which in the in
PRODUCTION of steam ana screw ships has in
great part been erected, let me mention the
amounts paid by the French government as
subsidies to ocean steamship lines as postal
subsidies.
The following lines are regularly subsidized: