New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-02-14
Bill to Aid the Maritime Interests Of the
United States.

United States.
WASHINGTON. February 8-The bill pre-
sented by Secretary Boutwell, before the
House Committee on Commerce, to-day, as
his means for aiding the maritime interests
of the United States, authorizes the Secre,
tary of the Treasury to offer a bounty OF
not more than $40 per ton, to be paid each
wear, for the construction in the United
States of iron steamships, of not less than
1000 tons each, the bounties to be PAID not
exceeding 100000 tons in the aggregate, nor
for more than 100, 900 tons in any one year
the said vessels to be employed exclusively
in the foreign trade.
The Secretary shall give public notice
that proposals will be received for the con-
struction OF $4,000 tons upon the Atlantic
coast, q, 900 tons upon the great lakes and
Mississippi river. and 5000 tons upon the
Pacific coast. The vessels shall be first
class. and be constructed after such models
and specifications as shall have been first
approved by the bureau OF construction and
repairs of the Navy Department, and the
government may at any time purchase or
charter said vessels or require them to
carry the mails between the United States
and any foreign country, and payment
shall be made therefor of any such sums
as shall be ascertained and determined
by five DISTINGUISHED persons, three of
whom shall be appointed by the President
of the United States, and two by the owner
or owners of any vessel that may be SO
taken or employed: and the Secretary OF
the Navy may detail an officer OF the navy,
not above the rank of lieutenant, to serve
as the second officer or as officer OF inferior
position, on board any vessel that may be
built under authority of the first Oction of
this act, and upon the request of the owner
of any such vessel he may detail an officer
of the navy to serve as commanding officer
If consistent with the public interests.
There shall be allowed ami paid, under
such regulations as shall be established by
the Secretary OF the Treasury, upon any
tirstcass sailing vessel of not less than 400
tons burden hereafter launched and fin
ished, and to be employed exclusively in
the foreign trade, including the trade be-
tween the Atlantic and Pacific ports OF the
United States, in the sum of eight dollars
for each and every ton of registered ton
mage Of such vessel. There shall be allowed
and paid under such regulation as shall be
established bv the Secretary of the Treas
ury upon every first class sailing vessel OF
not less than 200 tons burden hereafter
launched and finished and authorized to en-
gage not more than three months in any one
calendar year in the coastwise trade OF the
United States, the sum of So for each ton
of registered tonnage of any such vessel. If
the owner of any vessel on which bounty
shall have been paid shall desire to have
such vessel enrolled and licensed for the
coasting trade. such authority may be
granted by the Secretary of the Treasury
upon repayment of the amount originally
paid by the government after making de-
duction of ten per cent for each year that
such vessel may have been in the service;
provided, that at least fifty per cent OF the
amount originally paid shall be refunded to
the government.
For the period of five years there shall be
allowed and paid to the owner or owners
of any vessel engaged in The cod or mackerel
fishery upon the Atlantic Ocean or its coast,
the sum OF Sc per ton of registered tonnage
of such vessel, provided that no payment
shall be made ON account of any vessel that
has not been so employed for at least
four months of the calendar year.
Vessels of the United States, employed in
the fisheries, may purchase ship stores, sup
plies and outfit, not including articles for
the repair or running of such vessels, in
bond. and without payment of duties under
such regulations as may be prescribed by
the Secretary of the Treasury.
Secretary Boutwell, supported the bill in a
speech of nearly an hours duration He was
followed by Secretary Robson, who con
trmed the statements Of Mr.. Boutwell,, in
regard to the great Importance OF the mer
chant marine as means of naval defense
in time of war, especially for the purpose of
engaging as prlvateers.