The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1872-02-01
A Pamphlet from Mr.. Hichborn

recently issued by ann, IN winch the un-
fortunate condition of the shipping inter
est is treated of at some length 1t is
understood to be his purpose 10 induce
action in the Legislature. by a series of
resolves, to be presented by Congress A
perusal of the pamphlet dscloses little
that is new. Indeed there is nothing
new that need be said on the subject The
whole story is told by the silent and de
serted shipyards, the emigrating mechanics
and sailors. and the failing builders. Our
ships were, and are not-that is the whole
story. The chief value which the state
ments and arguments possess which are set
| forth in the document before us, consists
in the fact that Mr.. Hichhorn is promi-
nent member of the administration party.
which holds in its hands the fate Of the
shipping interest While men who take
tavors OF the administration, and news
papers that look for the crumbs that fall
from their masters table at Washington.
are finding frivolous excuses for what is
lHeAcuSdbIe, ME-. Illcnoolu udItS 10 state
the matter as it is. As the conclusions of
man Of experience in shipbuilding, who
has made a study of the causes of its de
cay, his pamphlet should outweigh noun
tans of the froth and fume of the admins
tration newspapers which seek to defend
policy that is tearing the vitals out of their
state.
The main points made by the author
are First That steam cannot take the
place of sailing ships for heavy freight
and long VOYAGES, for economy steps in
and settles the question in favor Of the
latter. Second That iron cannot take the
place of wood, economy, durability and
safety considered. Third That with
lifting of the burdens which have been
imposed upon the business within the last
ten years, American builders anC owners
can compete successfully with any and all
foreign people. and restore Tie navigation
of the country to its former high degree
of prosperity.
For the arguments advanced in sup
port of each proposition, we have not room
in our columns But the summing up,
| and re-stating Of the whole question is it
LII,
II o''''e ''''i'' W ool1 - ''''''
as follows
Nearly every state in the nion his a
specially of business. Of occupations and
hence a definite resource. This is ordi-
narilv indicated by opportunity. aided by
skill and experience. The specially OF
Names industry had been her naviga1le.
Her coast and her climate fitted her fir it
This, aided by her industry, skill and
experience made her the leading ship
building state in the Country: 80 much %
that Tor wears She built more than halt Of
all the sea going vessel, of tie Nation.
Her wealth law largely along her coast.
HAVING been taken from the Ocean when
the builder and sailer OF SHIPS we're per
mitted to follow their W, atoms untr.m-
melled hy legislation.
Every man. woman, and child in the
State we're in some way ppc0niarily inter-
t,te, n the industry and nearly one-thr,l
depending directly upon il
when tbe war came and thr be]E,,er-
enrs aided by ENGLAND. (the aren-, OF
which are today knocking at the doors
of Congress for still further opportunity
In dpnress American tonnaueI \ had for
the time ruined the industry mon which
". depended and when snbsaan 4nt ,eois-
lation holnd IL in I'LL. condition of H.
strprtion fftr III cent ol fb4 whole +hinr
Eli nn,,,, :, St,+cnf i... th.r 250l ull
000 % valuation
NJ one would have ba1arded the
prophecy. ten wears 400. that Maine conId
hava been TIM, dr.pniI4d ri her essential
Industry without an absojut4 rrntnrr of
all he, business relations
Nor has il f,lI.n much short 40 safe
in the Union, North Of Mason K Dixon's
Line. has suffered - much. The none
tarv increase should have Been. during
the last decade, at least SIOO. ND. 900 90,
and the Gain in population 1901 OO Such
would the history Of 49,. tst indicate.
But now stands the fact Her material
rain was merely nothiur. while other
S+atas ,-ora ,,,..l,;,,,, mil gtri3o. ard Lar
ii7 IN