Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-02-22
,ls4s ,r,os,, - a b,res.ent demand for ships Il

-.
,ncfc would be a present demand. for.ships It
they could be cheaply supplied. That al
though the cost of iron and some other mate
tials would be higher by.the amount paid in
freight, and the wages OF labcf are also higher
With us than in Europe. yet we should have
An advantage In the cost of timber, large
amount of which Is used, even in the con-
structon of iron vessels-and that the higher
rates paid for American labor would be more
than counterhalanced by its greater efficiency
aud skill. Your committee, after the most
careful elaboration, impressed with the great
Importance of restoring our commercial ma
rine not only as means OF increasing the
national wealth in time of peace, but also as
one of the most efficient agencies for national
defence in time of war, respectfully recon-
mend the following measures as calculated TO
promote the desired object;
lst--The remission of the duties imposed
upon the raw material entering into the con-
struction of vessels and steamers, limiting the
amount to the minimum of duties per ton col
lectcd on the material required tor certain
classes of vessels, and where American iron
is uscd in the construction OF iron vessels an
amount per ton equivalent to the duties on
like amount of imported raw materials, limit
ing the amount to be paid
2d--That all stores TO be used by vessels
sailing to foreign ports may be taken in bond
free of duty.
3dFurthcr to encourage investment in
shipping, and to extend the aid to ships al
ready built, and which have been sailed dur
ing and since the rebellion at great disadvan-
tage, allowing to all sailing vessels and to all
steamers running to the British North Ameri-
can provinces one dollar and a half per ton
on steamers to European ports four dollars
per toa, and on all other steamers running to
foreign ports three dollars per ton.
In view Of the fact that the tax upon ton
mage cannot be removed without relieving the
vessels of all foreign nations of the same,
while no such exemption is extended to Amer
lean vessels in foreign ports. and in view OF
the further fact that the shipping interest Of
the country is to receive some relief by the
passage of the proposed measures, the commit
tee recommend only the removal of all ton
mage, harbor, pilotage and other like taxes
imposed upon shipping by State and munich
pal authority (Which taxes have been declared
by the Supreme Court unconstitutionaD, and
the REIMBURSEMENT of the present tax upon
tonnage, so that it will fall more equitably
upon the different classes of vessels affected
thereby. The amount which will be received
from this source is estimated by the commit.
tee to be more than $4,000 per annum,
which is proposed to be granted in aid of the
shipping interest OF the United States. Fer
the purpose of carrying out the foregoing
recomne ndatioIrs your committee report here
with two bills for consideration:
s8tfgefS Esrs OF THE UNITED STATES.
Whereas the mercantile marine Of the country near
y destroyed during the late rebellion in of the
Inability Of the government protect and now, while
is o
foreign competition is afforded to other great national
interests and industries and is therefore steadily declining
And whereas the reservation Of commercial marine,
constituting does Of the most efficient means ofde
fence in time of war is Of great national importance, and
ea 10 the maintenance OF position hrst-ciss
Power therefore, 9 SGD
b. it enacted by the Senate and House Of Representa-
the United Satin Congress- assembled That upon
all imported lumber, timber hemp MANILA and copper
and for iron not advanced beyond rods and bars which
may used and wrought up into the construction Of steam
sail vessels built in the United States whether for the
huh, rigging, equipment machinery OF such vessels
Their shall be allowed nt'ad by the Secretary Of the
Treasury under such regulations he may prescribe,
drawback equal to the duties which may have been paid
such material provided that the amount of such draw
back shall exceed wooden sail vessels eight dollars
per tons sail vessels known as composite that IS vessels
composed of iron frames and wooden pLlnking and sheath
lug dollars per ton WOODEN steamers ten dollars
per toni composite steamers composed Of iron frames
and wooden panking, twelve dollars per ton; iron
steamers fifteen dollars per And provided further
That where American material is used in the construction
of iron or composite vessels or steamers there shall be al
duties imposed similar articles of foreign manufacture
when imported, the full allowance American and for
egn materials not exceed the amounts per ton,
sells of each class respectively hereinbefore specified
SEC g That all ship stores and coal to be used and
sumed by any vessel its voyage from port of the
uited States to any foreign port may In such quantity
and regulations the Secretary ofthe Treasury
may prescribe, be taken in whole packages in bond, and
disposed of for such purposes free Of import and internal
duty and tax. fa- sr rf
SEC g. And further enacted That the Of any
American registered sail steam vessels which shall be
tl.a ~s,&
Dg between American and foreign ports between
he ports OF foreign countries shall at the end of each As
M in which such vessel has been so engaged be paid
by the collector port where such vessel is registered
upon exhibiting satisfactory evidence, In form to be pre-
crbed by the Secretary Of the Treasury that such
has been engaged, upon every sail vessel and upon
steamer running and from the ports Of the North
American Provinces $150 for each registered ton; and
steamer running to and from any European
for each registered ton and upon steamer
running to and from all other foreign ports, So for each
registered ton r-e,g. s. ..tTt /
An ACT IMPOSING TONNAGE DUTIES PURPOSES.
SEC Be enacted by the Senate and House Of Repre-
sentaves Of the United States Of America in Congress
sembled That In lieu of all duties tonnage imposed
by law duty Of thirty cents ton Is hereby imposed
ships, vessels entered in the United States
but the receipts Of vessels paying such shall be
subject TO the tax provided In section l03 Of act
proved June 3d. 1864 by act amendatoy thereof
And provided, further, That ship, vessel steamer
having license trade between different districts OF the
Cnited States to carry the bank, whale other FISH
cries. and no vessel or steamer to or from any port or place
and including Aspnwa and Panama, from any port
phee in the British Provinces North America the
West India Islands, aud employed regularly In these trades
and Others shall be required TO pay the tonnage tax
contemplated by this act than once in each fiscal
year.
SEC And be it further enacted That harbor dues
piloage fees other imports levied, pretended
70 BE- levied on the image, merchandise, trade. imports
Of vessel by virtue OF the authority Of any
State municipal government, except wharfage, perage
and dockage shall be collected and the collection Of
attempt 10 collect the portion thereof shall be
penal offence to be punished as hereafter provided
SEC. 8. Aud be it enacted, DC. That any person who
by virtue Of any authority pretended authority derived
under any STATE municipal government shall collect any
such illegal tax fees dues shall attempt to collect the
same SHALL npon the conviction of each offence, be fined
in exceeding 500 for each offence, the amount
which fine shall paid into the Treasury Of the United
States to the credit Of the judiciary fund.- and he shall
further be liable to pay not exceeding double the
amount OF the Illegal taxes fees dues thus collected
attempted to be collected half to be paid to the inform
aud the other to be placed to the credit Of the appropra
tion for lighthouses
SIC 4. Be enacted, &c, That any captain master
Of vessel any other person being the duly authorized
agent Of any vessel line OF vessels transportation csapa
ny, who shall pay with without protest, any such Illegal
taxes fees dues prohibited by this act may
the from the person collecting the by
ion in appropriate form in the District Court Of the United
states Of the district where the collection made and the
courts Of the United States shall have full jurisdiction in all