The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1873-12-27
The Shipping Act.
To the Editor of the Press:


The PRESS of the oath inst, contains '1et-
ter from shipmaster, OIL the shipping act, TAX
Ell from an exchange published in Philadel-
phia," which, if MT calculated to produce false
Impressions would surely excite smile on the
part of any one having atty practical knowledge
# the manner of shipping sailors under the old
law, and the way in which the contract of ship
neut is executed under tho new. The letter,
wherever first published, and whatey er its par
'ntage, is dictated either by ignorance, or a
willingness to misrepresent. The writer in
quIres if it was necessary to pass an act prohib
ting owners and masters from shipping men
IN board their ships, and paying them accord
ing to the contract; and il such law was
-nacted in consequence Of the fact that ow ners
iud masters more dishonest than men in
,ther branches of the business Such nonsense
$ hardly up TO the level of the Saturdays bum
combe effort of your ordinary Congressman
How many men of average Intelligence, to-day,
engaged or interested in shipping. do not know
that the late shipping act was passed, not to
protect the mariner from the master or owner,
mt to shield him from the villainous extorfions
of those who have wlested the shipping of sail
DTS 1rOW the 0d0uS Oh J0OSe WHO WOulu 10
chem justice? Who does not know that the
master has only the reinotest connection with
he employment of his crew under the old law.
lnd that the owner has absolutely none? L. it
lot notorious that in the obtaining of crews,
masters of vessels were obliged to obtain the
services of pimps and clearinghouse men who
had secured complete control OF the ignorant
md confiding sailor? Is it not known that
there were in every port of any size, men who
lctually make bids for the privilege Of paying
1T crews? Does not everyone who knows any
hing of this business. know that there was
lass of men who had obtained complete con-
troll of the sailor, and could secure and prevent
ais shipment on board any vessel they chose?
When the writer of the letter above alluded
10, attempts to excite the feelings of masters
md owners against the shipping act by putting
such aimle.s and foolish inquiries as the oues
hat figure at the opening of his letter, he is
either ignorant of all the atrocities that for
nery attended the contract of shipment that
ne is not entitled to serious answer, or else he
S not prepared to discuss the question of the
comparative ruerits of the two systems of law
n the light of fairness and truth At least, it
s. safe to say that the writer does not compre-
'end the purport ard intent Of the late sh p
)ing act. This is a measure provided simply to
throw additiona: guards and securities around
he sailor when contracting for a voyage. to
,rovide for his welfare and proper treatment
While on shipboard, and to secure to him the
lust measure OF his wages when the voyage is
performed.
To accomplish this tine law provides for tie
appointment of competent commissioners at
5he leading ports, whose duties are to exercise
I supervision over those contracts OF the sail
,r. to see that he comprehends the nature of
the agreement he makes, to rerder him on
BOARD in fit state for duty, to see to it that
proper provision is made for his comfort while
u board and that he gets his pay when the
voyage is over. To effect this, certain prohib-
tory and penal clauses were of necessity incor-
porated into the act One is that prohibiting
any unauthorized person from attempting to
exercise the duties of the commissioner, and
mother is the penalty of violating this provis-
ion. There is nothing in the law, in the re-
hottest degree, implying distrust of the mas
ter or owner, or indicating that experience has
proved the sailor could not be trusted in their
hands, Far from it. The law has sprung
from widely different cause.
There are men in every post of Importance
who hare made traffic of the creduty and
careless nature of the sailor. Under the guise
Ut superntend ng the execution of his con-
tracts they have plundered him. The money
they have pocketed is the mon ey the sailor has
armed. By the practice of arts to which the
disposition of the sailor rendered him an easy
victim, they came to exercise complete domin
on over him, and so forced those requiring his
services to seek their aid The shipping act
puts the sailor into the hands of an officer re-
'ponslble to the government for the correct dis
charge of his duty, andth Outcry it as excit-
I'd is merely another instance of angry Cpl osi-
tion to just and prudent measure of reform.
1t is not by this INTENDED that all who find
their occupation gone in consequence Of the
shipping act. are dishonest men, aud get their
living BY a system of robbery practiced upon
The sailor, but it would not be strange if even
The best of men should be critically disposed
towards the law that took from him his busi-
ness. Such men are, however, the least bois-
tero"s 10 their opposition. Such men are gen.
rally those of sufficient worth to get respect
tble employment elsewhere. But those with
whom indrect!on is the natural and only means
or getting money know no limits to their Zeal or
noise i'll calling for repeal. w. II. LEWIS