The New York herald., 1873-10-11
THE UNITED STATES SHIPPING LAW.


Petition to Congress for Its Repeal
Signed Already by Men Representing
S2O,OOO,OOO OF Capitai-The Sailors
Appcal-Yesterday's Developments.
The existing United States Shipping law meets
with increasing opposition day by day, and stren-
uous effort is to be made when Congress meets to
obtain its repeal or numerous notifications in the
new act. Under the old system the Pacific Mail
Steamship Company had to pay about 5000 year
Tor the engagement lees OF their crews; 1t now
amounts to over SO 600. 1t is therefore, easily url-
derstood that law which falls so heavily on
American shipping is regarded with particular Ill
will by all steam and sailing shipowners Of this
country whose vessels ply to foreign ports.
Sailors before the mast, for whose benefit the new
law was said TO be framed. declare in the majority
that they do not feel grateful to Congress for its
efforts on their behalf. Within the last few days a
petition, OF which copy win be found below
has been signed by shlpowners, representing az
thousand sailors, addressed to Congress. The
petition Is now being signed at every port ol
note in the Union.
oath Of last February, the West India Islands, the
British Provinces and the Republic OF Mexico were
this amendment, Messrs. F. Alexandra 4 Sons, OF
this city, the owners OF line oil Havana steamers,
refused to comply with this law; the consequence
was that one OF their steamers was libelled, and
last Friday they were fined 500, by order OF Judge
Benedict, OF the Supreme Court OF Brooklyn.
The following is the petition, copy OF which can
be seen at Messrs. Ferris i Kohs, In South street,
near WALL
PETITION OF OWNERS, MERCHANTS AND MASTERS OF
AMERICAN VESSELS.
SENATE OF REPRESENTATIVES, In CON-
Of American vessels present this, petition. and
for the repeal Of me act appointing shipping commia-
Because said act is superauous as afoEding fur;
federal, being competent TO administer equity in any
Dispute anS are capable of making
our own contracts without the supervision Of Special
TArd-Beeause in effect the Act is an unjust asperson
ping to witness the Of and "a
pay of our them and US an oneroas
dishonesty to the merchant
tortion, in unawfally exacting US large
shipping articles carriages and boaage Besides we are
constructions Of the act the part OF the commis
Ih-Beeauss in the f,eauent conflicts between the
the past during of such conlsts. me Com
eood s and readily
sqasa na e he %Hst
tcnon whatever while American vessels heavily laden,
e S s5 % and
ss e %
sF sailing as they are under n afs 81 al
By wSeS sy 5: 81 .
the sc. impose. the payment q
ssamsn is not defined Is psIt Othe
1ss
ses s sns.ssa IN nc ss %
and e s1 IN taxation
Of labor Is essentially tia psrnheous such principle 4
ness progress and is destrucve Of ali govern
Is s nat aS eara sq n
law and apply 1t to all Of its citizens -
merchants employers generally throughout
as country o. 81 9 each employed BY
would meet with national approval or be considered
sy ns working classes as law for their further pro-
Ninas-Becau.e the commerce Of the country already
laws and representing branch Of industry We deem
sns sss to the
wsSg nS go0r 20 Tfetn ns s,a Win rs ever pray
THE SAILORS PETITION.
The sailors also are to present petition which
sets forth their wrongs under the present law, and
begs for its repeal.
AMONG THE STEAMSHIP MEN,
Yesterday afternoon HERALD reporter paid
visit to Mr.. Ferris, Jr., Of South street. the agent
OF the Savannah and Newbern line OF steamers, to
ask what action his firm intended taking with
reference to the decision OF Judge Benedict and
captain Duncan's circular OF which copy will
be found below.
In reply Mr.. Ferris stated that a committee had
Captains Association to gather the views OF the
leading shipping houses on the subject, and when
seton viii pe taken. Captain spicer ' of H G.
Mallory Co.. the large steamship owners, Is one
OF the committee. The Vessel owners and Cap
tanS Association, continued Mr.. Ferris, Jr.,.
protest against the United states Commissioners
construction Of the law believing that the reading
Will not warrant 1t and also because it will act as
great impeachment to coasting trade and does noe
give any additional benefit to our seamen. |
may tell you that the steamship men have de-
n
the matter before the Supreme Court at washing
ton. The New YORK Board OF Steam Navigation
also holds that the Commissioner Is in error.
THE OBNOXIOUS CIRCULAR.
o'Ss % 81 TS1sD 1sD IS
sYou are hereby nosss Sst under sH hs neesns
engaged
s pf % Sprh Sf e epo q Sexc S
not compelled to the form Of agreement prescribed
All other sections Of the law remain unchanged and
aas %
of New.
oyrcE UNITED STATES snrprSc coxxrssroSER)
Nos iH AsS SxS lsg Sgas.aT gas. Ks, srsHfg 81,
notified Of e nea sas States nsrDeny D
y as h. sass ~ Ss
ns n psusy o
The Court has further decided that between
icrsn nr yoysges must be made in the ship
United states shipping Commissioner for tho Port Of
New York
WHAT COLLECTOR ARTHUR SAYS.
Yesterday afternoon a HERALD reporter called
upon Collector Arthur at the Custom House, with
reference TO the new troubles In the working OF tho
shipping law, and the following conversation took
place: - tN
RgpoRTES-Thc Custom House. hear. Mr..
Arthur Is clearing vessels In opposition to the CIR
cuiar OF Mr.. Duncan. t8N
General ARrHuR-we are acting here according
to the Treasury order OF February 20, 1878. have
sent my opinion OF the matter to the secretary of
dict in which Mr.. Duncan bases his order for tho
shipment OF all seamen before shipping commits
sioner. Within few days hope TO receive an
answer. Shippers are naturally much interested
In the matter. We clear ships here as we nave
hitherto done since the amendment TO the act.