The New York herald., 1870-07-23
OUR COMMERCIAL MARINE.
Views Of u Shipbmllder.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD:-
have read with great interest your editorials on
american Commerce and the Failure OF Congress
to Pass the Bill to Admit Foreign Ships to American
Register" have always been opposed to the ad-
mission OF 70 eiyn shipping to American register,
thinking that Congress might pass some favorable
bin that woul1 allow us some privilege and advan-
tages to build ship so that we could compete with
otner nations; but all these years Of waiting and
nothing done. All this time Is lost and our tonnage
is growing less every day. In Boston, where they
have from twenty-five to thirty sIIpyards there Is
not one keel laid. Let Congress pass any bill to
init all articles that go into the construction and
repairs OF ship, stores, &C., free. This country
cannot compete with Europe; our labor too high.
For the past seven years not q ship carpenter
has had work enough to teach young man the
business, and it is now fact that 1t is almost an
impOssiby to get any first class ship carpenter to
build ships Those that are in the navy yards are so
slow that they OF but little use to outside build
ers. am confident that we cannot build up our
mercantile marine with any aid we can get from
Congress. Our people will not enter into hipping
when the government wants money ana will pay
from seven to twelve per cent for it; they will not
invest in ships OUT OF their sight, they want the cou
pons every SIX months
l have spent much time and many years m ship
impossible for this country 10 compete with Europe
for the reason have named. The natural course OF
events may in years bring about change for our
benefit as well as the last war has brought the
change now. We cannot make nor work impOssl-
bItles The wants OF the country may be III favor
Of American commerce. but where is the money
coming from? YOu are confident that the English
lines have run many years and made losses. They
nave continued. and at last mate a success. But
and % they DON'T draw twenty per cent the
first year It. Is abandoned and the ships
are sold under the flag. The English people
satisfied with much less profits than people.
You might Just as well try to raise sugar cane, ba
nanas, oranges and all other foreign produce In the
city or New York AZ to raise shlpbulding in this
country. 1t cannot be done now; 1t is an utter I'M
possibility, as the tide is against Us, and we m ght
well admit 1t now as wait a4loi her seven years.
What benefit is 1t to the industry the shipbud-
ers. mechanics and the shipyard with all OF Mr.
Kely's protection policys WHAT does 1t add to the
industry Off Not the labor OF one man, and it may
remain for years In the same way with his protec
do think that the people Of this country now
should rise and say to PENNSYLVANIA that we have
been made fools OF long enough by that State with
their high tariff on iron, steel aud coal. Let her
protect herself, the other States. with their own
industry. They want the assistance and co-opera.
ton OF all the other States that ney shall humb 10
them I,nnk thin now the people & can see for them,
be humbusgHd any longer. ! am not IN
favor OF Congress admitting free all the foreign
ships, but am confident that as nation, we must
comply with our circumstances now. The opp0rtu-
nity may ne,e occur again. We may lose this OPP
pOrtunity; then will be entirely left in the cold
and our commerce Will be cipher; and now we
can increase it. We cannot carry the merchandise
with our ships across the Atlantic; our capitalists
viii not invest N them and what we have now are
unfit for the service. Still there is feeling tna we
will not admit foreign ships Why not9 1t cannot
lnjure us, as 1t Will add great deal to our wealth;
and II we do not admit them we cannot have any.
| am In hopes that something wl.. he done at once
that will influence Congress to pass sucf 8 Dlii as
will admit al ships, steamers and vessels Of AL ma
tions that want avail themselves OF our 1ag, and
Tben once registered under our nag they caLnor
clacge to another. THIS clause would only cover
the class that ply regularly between European and
American pOrts. II an owner OF one ship desires
to sell his ship to q party to go under another flag
ne should be allowed; but think q bill to admit
those ships for the present emergency should not be
allowed; they might wans to transfer again imme-
dately after the war closes III Europe. The spbudd-
may talk and importune COisress and do all they
can; they viii not build snip. nor can they.
have abandoned the business or, rather, the bust
ness has abandoned me. They all have to scy some
thing else for living. / received letter to-day
from Quebec from shipowner stating that If Con.
gress passes The bill to admit foreign sh ps he will
come Immediately aud transfer hls ships under the
American nag NATHANIEL MCKAY.