The Portland daily press., 1870-02-21
Hope at Last for tie Shipping snierest.

Nope at LAST fsr tie shipping EniePesf.
Maine has felt the full weight of that de-
preston IN the shipping interest which has
constituted the most remarkable exception to
the general recuperative power manifested by
the nation after the war. 1t is no wonder,
therefore, that our Representatives in Con-
gress have made the decay of one of our most
important industries an object of their especial
solicitude. Much has been said and done from
time to time to stimulate Congress to take
vigorous measures to arrest the progress OF
our maritime decay; but it was not till the ap-
pointment of the select committee OF Whic"
Mr.. Lynch is chairman, that any real pios,e''
seemed TO be made. The report hoii 'H"'
committee which we have iaiu oeioie o"t
readers can hardly .aH to produce d proiouhd
impression. and to induce on the part OF Con-
gress appropriate action. For, in the first
place. there has never before been so startling
disclosure of the terrible inToads that have
been made in our commerce. Tie statement
that from the maritime equal TO that of Great
Britain we have declined till we have only a
third of that country's tonnage; that we are
losing annually s3S,O00,OOO in ne. earnings of
the carrying trade and that only "a per cent.
OF the imports and exports OF this country are
now carried in American vessels is calculated
TO excite the eravest apprehensions for the fu-
ture In the breast of every American.
Inc measures suggested by the committee
ior The relief OF our suffering commerce are
such as will be heartily endorsed in this part
oi tne country, at least, and elsewhere If there
Is any significance in the assent aivon 90 tho
report by members oil the committee living in
all parts Of the country. The suggestion of
certain shipowners in New York and else
where, looking to the admission of foreign
built vessels to American registry, measure
which but few days ago met with the en-
phatic protest of the Maine Legislature, was
wisely ignored by the committee. The allow
ance OF drawback on shipbuilding material
or an equivalent which has always been the fa-
vorite measure of relief proposed here in
Maine, is the principal feature of the Con-
gressonal plan. Next in order of Importance
is the scheme for limited subsidies which is
embodied in one of the bills. A subsidy or a
bounty is thing which in general is viewed
with some suspicion as involving kind of
invidous discrimination to which the people
of this country are naturally averse. But in
this case we believe that no occasion for COM
plant will be found. Instead of subsidizing
particular lines, or particular classes of YES
sells, aid proportioned to their requirements, is
granted to all. The section of the proposed
act declaratory of the law already establish
ed by a decision of the Supreme Court, forbid
ding the collection of every species of tax or
dues by State or municipal authority, will re-
move nuisance for the existence of which
there is no longer any excuse and will afford
considerable relief The proposed amend
ments TO the law relating to tonnage dues are
nicely calculated to make that tax bear eoui-
table upon all classes of American vessels,
giving the most relief where it is most need
ed.
1t is to be hoped that the Jealousy of the
South and West will not devise obstacles to
the enactment ofthese enlightened measures.
So far as we can judge from the expressions
of opinion on the part of the organs of both
political parties there is in the Eastern States
entire unanimity in their favor. A few ex-
tracts from our exchanges will show how the
report has been received:
We repeat that the report is able and ex-
haustlve. 1t ought to carry conviction and
secure the passage of the bills recommended
by the Committee. Mr.. Lynch and other mem
bers Ut the Committee, certainly merit the
thanks OF commercial men and the country.
for their patient and persevering labors in
presenting this whole subject in So clear
light and in proposing measures so well calcu-
iated TO revive and restore our commerce to
Its foimer prosperity and prestee.-Argus.
The most dT1ncuTt task OF all was allotted
to this committee, inasmuch as it was required
to weigh the innumerable remedies offered.
and to find sufficient reasons for accepting
those which were approved. as well as for re-
iecting those which were found wanting. The
members were confronted at the threshold by
patent devices, warran ted to cure or no charge:
ther were compelled 10 examine the yery
groundwork of our navigation laws, the whole
economy OF legislation, so far as it could affect
the building and sailing of ships, and the en-
couragement OF foreign trade, was in one form
or another brought before them. 1t is little
to say that, considering the magnitude of the
task, they have performed it with excellent
Judgment and wisdom.-Boston Aduertiser.
Its review of the state of our national COM
merce is interesting, and its investigation of
the causes OF its decline is Instructive; and as
a whole, it will command wide and atten- |
i've perusal.-B0StOn Post.