The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1870-05-31
Efforts for the Revival of A mericmn Com
mcrce-sectional Spirit Of the West.

IFrom the New York Herald.l
Lynch's bill for the revival of American
commerce came up again in the House to-day,
and in order 10 test whether the opposition
which comes mainly from the West, would
favor any measure looking to the relief of the
shipping interests, Mr.. Lynch moved to take
up the substitute offered yesterday and to con-
slider the bill, with all its amendments, as laid
upon the table. AS was expected, the Western
men, who seem to have an idea that no other
interest is to be taken Cal of but that OF the
farmer, were as violent in their opposition as
ever, notwithstanding the fact that the new
proposition contains many concessions to
the demands of the agricultural Representa-
tlves. Farnsworth, who opposed the old
measure, endeavored to explain why he would
support the new one, but he was met by
Logan and others with the cry of you are
on both sides" In order to put the matter to a
test Lynch moved the previous question on the
substitute, and lively debate followed, in
which personal compliments of the left-hand-
ed order were thrown around promiscuously
and the lie was given and returned with inter-
est several times. A more sectional spirit was
not manifested during the reign of the pecu.
liar institution than was shown upon the floor
OF the House to-day by some of the Western
men, like Ingersol and Logan OF Illinois; Al
lison of Iowa, and Shanks, of Indiana They
seemed to ignore all else in the ea~atry except
their own distriets-.ad the farmer Interest,".
''What do 1 care,' said Shanks, "whether the
English or American flag flies at the masthead
of vessels on the ocean? My constituents
have no interest in it," This was evidently the
feeling that governed the opposition to the bill.
Mr.. Lynch finally got the foo: and delivered a
very sharp, clear, concise argument in favor OF
the bill, taking the ground that it was a
national rot sectional measure, and that
not alone New England New York or any
of the seaboard States and cities would be
benefited by it, but the whole country. He
charged upon the opponents of the bill
that they were the conscious or un-
conscious agents OF the Clyde shpbuilders, the
Lairds, the Denneys and other anglo-rebels,
who, failing to destroy the Union, were now
here by their paid agents to prevent American
commerce from recovering from the blow
winch they dealt it during the rebellion. He
SAID the arguments produced against the bill
were borrowed from the pamphlet of John
Goldman and one Oakford, who were in the
employ of the foreign shipbuilders. During
the debate both Goldman and Oakfold were in
the gallery and became greatly exasperated at
the remarks of Lynch. Allison, to test the
strength of the opposition, moved to table the
bill, but met with defeat; nays 1O5, yeas IS
1t is thought this is an indication that the
measure will pass.
From the Boston Adveriser.]
We deeply regret the action of the House.
Tuesday, by which Mr.. Lynch's bill for ti,e
encouragement of American shipping was de-
feated. This measure was the first direct and
well-considered step that had been taken to-
ward bringing our legislation into harmony
with one OF the greatest of national interests
The object of the measure was approved by
the judgment of the most experienced busi-
ness men and by every sentiment of national
PRIDE Public opinion had not been so nearly
united on any question of policy for many
years as it was on the necessity of some legis
latlon in this direction. The President. in
regular and in special messages, urged upon
congress that PROSTATE commerce must be
rebuilt. The Secretary of the Treasury urged
1t Tor the sake of strengthening the national fl
nances. Tue Navy Department urged it as
source OF prosperity in peace and means of de-
renee IN war. Mr.. Lynchs committee was an
pointed to investigate the whole subject and
see how the much-desired object couId he
reached. 1t is only just to say that for thor
oughness of observation, for fidelity and i'm.
partlality of research for earnest effort To trace
the dl1hculty to its source and to Fl nd an ade-
quate remedy, no like investigation of late
years can be compared with this The report
is monument of well-dlrected labor. and the
testimony which goes with it will long be re-
sorted to for facts and statistics bearing Ipon
the history of our mercantile marine
In devispg remedies, the committee avoided
all radical changes Of policy and recommend
t eo only sucn heediul measures as would tend
10 Dring American capital back to a calling
winch 1t has for the most part abandoned-to
calling which till within ten years mast has
contributed more than any other to buid IN
ene wealth. ara the glory OF the country We
hesaru Tue defeat OF the measure as a national
=; rune the more to be regretted because it
IS sacrihced in the face of a public opinion
wnicn seemed to be united in its favor. If is
sun 10 be hoped that Congress will not adj
Jounn without putting some part of the labor
ci MI. Lyhch and his associates to good use
III .ne sahe Oh preventing our shipyards from
Delhg nnally closed, and of saving from do
struction some fragments of the sRinn;na in
terest, with which we may more w;saIv XIII
hereafter. wisely ouio
lfrom despatch to N. Y. Tribune of saturd.v,
In the animated debate yesterday on the h;u
for the revival of shipping interests, it was Mr.
Allison, and not Mr.. Lynch, who made the I'M
friendly motion to lay on the table. This was
defeated by majority of A, and is considered,
under the circumstances, very fair test of
friendly feeling toward the bill as it now stands.
Mr; Lynch, at the close of his effective speech,
Gailed The previous question, on which Mr.. Al
nson offered his motion. While the roll was
oeins called, o'clock arrived, and the House |
!. adjourned under its rule. The previous ques-
tioh motion would have been the first thing in |
order this morning but for previous arrange |
iheht on the Fifteenth Amendment BILL That |
carried the question over till Tuesday, when II |
VIII propabiy be decided. The friends of the
measure beileve it will pass by a respectahle
majority. complaint is made of the nersonaI
character given to the debate by the Western
0ppoSItion, and the attacks made on Mr.
Hyhchs motives have caused a favorable ac
.loh among many hitherto Indifferent. The
Pennsy lvanian REPRESENTATIVE
lor whose particular interests the bill as Il |
stands offers no advantages, have acted |
throughout in the most liberal manner toward
the depressed maritime interests Offering n e,
Voraoie contrast in this respect to the Western