The Republican journal., 1870-03-10

on for remarks. lie >aid he was unexpectedly
present and, though he felt great interest i'll the
subject of the meeting, had not sufficient familiar
ity to treat it a. it should be treated. We all should
feel alike respecting the growth of our shipping.
for it is the interest of all the country that it be to>-
tered. Congress must be made To sec that it is not
entirely local question. In war. an enemy Will
seek the rtas of the country. and the coast must
be its buwark. Such has heretofore been the
policy Of the country, and it is "A sound ono. Mem
bers Of Congress must be urged. and urging will
accomplish much. lie knew how taxes are bur
dening shipping. The tonnage tax operates very
unjustly, for an old and poor vessel pays As much
as new and valuable one. Vessels worth $500
have to pay $50 dollars per year. No business can
stand such taxation that He hoped these meet
inss would be kept up, and if so it will be seen
that Names interests are to be looked after equally
with others.
}. L. Daley, Of Camden, said that rs Il practical
man engaged in shipbuilding he could testify to
the facts that had been sci forth. His business had
been killed by taxation. that il taking 1t ycrv life
blood He owned some vessels that are not paving
expenses and taxes. And these taxes conc i'll every
conceivable shape. ]; is levied onmateraS, yearly
tax Of 30 cents ton. besides municipal County
and State tax. These, with insurance, eat up the
earnings AMI make vessels worthless property. All
engaged N the business are discouraged. and it
must de unless relieved. He had expected relief
and going to build again this wear. but the re-
lies has not come. 1t is incredible that an ntell-
gent nation should be so blinded to its best interests
and its plain duty. a. to suffer it, commerce to die
out.
Capt. Ferdinand Herman. one OF The American
Loyd's Inspectors said he felt great interest i'm the
purposes of the meeting, but could add nothing to
what had been already so well said.
Master Dunning, of Bangor. said he fully con
cured in what had been remarked by the speakers
concerning the need Of relief He had been twenty
years ship builder, and felt great interest in the
welfare of the business. The Importance Of action
was not so Sen>ibly felt us II should be- His own
city had not called public meeting, as she ought
to. There seemed to be now decided movement
and he trusted and believed it would bring the
sought for relief.
c. ?. Carter. Esq. declined to speak at length
but gave his hearty assent to what had been said
Mr.. johnson asked what measures can be taken
to present this matter to Congress and urge action
upon it.
Mr.. Eichborn said that the shipbuilders ought to
TO urge the subject Other interests are represent
led by hundreds of delegates. and they carry their
points, too. It will cost something to send agents,
and he could not say whether the interest was sut-
icently organized to raise funds.
He hoped no question of party politics would Inc
suffered to enter into this. 1t is ana should be
above and beyond politics. And he was gratted
to say that the Democrats of the Congressional
committee We're active and Jealous aS the rcpuh-
Leans upon the subject. Even the carpct-bargers.
whom my friend here turning to the editor Of the
Journal don't like. are not backward. THE Eli
tor of Journal said in reply-'.Tt won't 10 to rely
Just now.
The extent to which the carrying trade has pass
ed into the hands Of foreigner, is not n preciated
even yet. While the committee was at New York
loading at that port, fortythree Were foreign. and
seventeen American. The freight earned by th,
vast prepondcrance of foreign bottoms is drain
upon the country, If a cargo of grain is shipped
If i'll an American ve>sol. we draw against both
cargo and freight. Twenty five millions year are
thus put into the pockets OF foreigners. If we had
cared for our commerce AS they have cared for
theirs, we could have saved that amount.
Capt Henry Mc(,llvcry made some very accept
able remarks, and several other gentleman spoke
briefly, before the meeting adjourned.