The Portland daily press., 1872-07-19
The Ship-building Interest-Credit to
whom it is due. .r

Hon. N. G. Hichborn publishes in the Whig
and Courier letter which we give below,
relative to the efficient services of the Maine
delegation in obtaining partial relief to the
ship-building interests of the country. The
Wing very appropriately says that in the
Fifth District, the voters should note the fact
of Mr.. Hale's efficient services in contrast
with the damaging effect of the course of his
bitter Calais opponent, who insisted in his
letters from Europe that those interests could
not be revived in this country. The reaction
against iron hulls and the high price of iron
has already stimulated our builders to renewed
hope, and Mr.. Hale, Speaker Blaine, and our
whole Republican delegation are enlisted in
behalf of restoration, to which the party is
pledged to give its earnest support. The let
ter OF Mr.. Hichbom is conclusive answer to
democratic talk about our ship-yards, which
only Republicans have shown disposition to
restore to their wonted thrift and prosperity:
GIN the winter of 1866 few circulars sent
out from Augusta brought together the lead
ing shipbuilders of the State for consultation
on this essential industry of Maine.
In its struggle to provide means for the
country in its condition of war, Congress had
incidentally, or otherwise, so burdened ship
building and sailing, as to clearly foreshadow
their speedy destruction, unless relief in some
way could be had.
Maine had been building more than half of
all the sea-going vessels of the nation, Her
valuation lay largely along her coast. 1t had
been taken from the ocean while operators
were so untramelled as to be able to compete.
on nearly equal ground, with foreigners.
yalI oh
tiers amounted to prohibition.
An association of ship-builders and owners
was formed under the statutes, and q plan
agreed upon, viz: That Congress be request
ed to grant a rebate of duty on all articles en-
terlng into the construction of ships, and that
bond.
This, it was felt, would relieoe Names in
dustry, not protect it. This she had a RIGHT
to ask and reason to expect. The nation was
also as much interested as Maine.
Other sections and States suggested ,noos
ures OF relief, but the views of none exce~+
Maine have finally crystalized into law. and
entered into platforms and become national
1t is granted that the struggle has been long
and hard that relief has come late, and thai
the law is not just what could have been de-
sired; still 1t is not too late trust, and is n
great movement in the right direction, The |
measure is meant for one of relief, and Com |
gress, trust, will be willing to correct and |
improve wherever it shall practically fail of its
object.
The benefit of the enactment cannot be
fully realized at once, as much of the material
Is not now in bond, in the country. A few
months will, it is believed, make all available.
ness. '0- "''-
Is It TOO much to hope that this business,
80 essential 10 the State and Nation. will now
pc revived in Maine; and that the men who
NAY nave oeen mainly Instrumental in securing
'le M enactment tr".t viii be kindly remembered?
timely and effective service in the nranp LUZ
80 OF the earnest and vigilant Representative.
from the LIST and 9Th districts; so of the Sen'
ators IN fact, to the efficient exertions of al
the delegation from Maine. oil
Inc 9th district embraces almost one-balf
OF the Ship-building interest of the State. and