The Portland daily press., 1874-08-28
The Steamboat Interest.

we PUBLISH DtlOW du eAbTdCb HULL Tic NduIl-
cal Gazette of August 10th, detailing the work
of the Nautical Board of Navigation" For
nearly three years the steamboat men of the
country have been trying to rid themselves of
the onerous laws which have been thrust upon
them, and although they have met with severe
opposition from members of Congress, from
s'ringS'' and from patentee men, they have sue
ceeded very fairly, and have every reason for
believing that in the end their efforts will be
thoroughly successful. It is well known fact
to the steamboat men that much of the oppo-
sition to the cause of steam navigation arises
from the railroad interest of our country. Since
the power has SO largely been in the ascenden-
cy, there has manifestly been disposition on
the part of that power to crush out of exist
ence our domestic commerce-whether coast
wise or inland Having wound their iron web
about the country, they have, through control
of legislative power, and policy to reduce tar
iff far below living rates, which has in many
cases made their roads bankrupt, sought to end
all steamboat business and enforce an all rail
system; and to still further aid their object,
they have lent aid in Congress to support the
crroupt patent-rights men. The result of their
success in the west shows plainly what the end
is to be, for, having destroyed the steamboat in
terest on the great lakes and rivers, in accord
ance with policy at a recent meeting of the
railroad kings, they undertook to establish their
own rates, and having no opposition, the public
have little chance of resisting their efforts.
The whole steamboat interest of the country,
from Maine to California, is thoroughly awak-
ened to the situation, and are determined that
no stone shall be left unturned. With such an
immense capital combined as that given below,
we cannot see how Congress can well ignore
the just demands of its interest:
In November, 1871, there was initiated at
Louisville, KY, movement among the steam
boatmen of the country, for a more united ac-
ton of this interest," which represents over
$500,000000 of capital, and which, year by
year, had been suffering from the onerous bur-
deDs OF unwise legislation and over taxation.
caused in part by the exactiOns of ignorant,
and, in many cases, unprincipled officials This
meeting marked very Important epoch in the
history of steam navigation, for it awakened
the almost paralyzed energies of these men,
and they there and then bound themselves to-
gether to work out the needed reforms. A
practical committee set themselves to work to
amend the existing steamboat law, and at the
next session of Congress the work was begun
in earnest. The most determined opposition
WAS u6U Will, DOtu lIOm members OF congress
and horde Of patent rights men, who were
saddling their cap-trap contrivanceS upon the
steamboat owners, and such was their power
ard influence, that it seemed fair to assume
that their action was bought and paid for.
Nevertheless, the committee at Washington
made commendable progress but the end was
not gained. In 1872 the steamboatmen, in
national convention, assembled at Cleveland,
Ohio, and perfected their organization, and re-
newed their labors at Washington, with far
FAR lie hon tboca 10
The dealers in swindling schemes and patents
for rohbng the steamboatmen were driven out
of the capitol, and converts to the justice of the
claims of this great navigation interest were
made among our national legislators; but still
chat logged policy of opposition was pursued
by the senator from New York; yet consider
able progress was made in matters of benefit
to the steamboatmen. The Inspection service
underwent some radical reforms, bad men
were removed, and the Board were chary of
endorsing the clap-trap machines which were
carefully presented to them, In this branch of
public service there was far more healthful
and honest tone. The National Board of
Steam Navigation, through its executive COM
mlttee, began to exert a powerful influence,
and congressman began to open their eyes to
the fact that the organization really welded a
power in the nation, and that, although its
members had lain dormant for years, they were
now aroused to the importance of claiming for
themselves the right to be treated with Justice
labor by the executive committee at Washing
lngtOn produced an amended steamboat law,
which gave general satisfaction to the steam
boatmen, and which passed through the lower
House, and would have passed the Senate and
become law, had it not been for lack of time.
The next gathering of the National Boarl was
at Philadelphia, in September 1873, and was
memorable meeting in all respects.
The Executive COMMITTEES were further en-
powered, and when the Congressional season
set in they were found at their posts, and faith
fully did they perform the trust confided to
them. Opposition that had been encountered
in previous years was no longer experienced in
such volume in Congress, but new feature
arose, in the desire of the Supervising Inspect
or General of Steamboats, to force the passage
of a law of his own creation, which shonld
take the place of all existing and proposed en-
actments. This act on the part of the official
named injured for time the prospects Ut the
bill, prepared so carefully by the combined eff
forts and the patient labor of the skilled talent
of the entire vessel interest of the country. The
new difficulty required all the force and infu-
ence OF the committee to overcome it, but fin
ally the bill was put upon the road to final pas
sage and now awaits but the assembling of
Congress to have the act passed, and the work
OF the committee accomplished as far as that
particular measure is concerned. The next
meeting of the National Board of Steam Nayi-
gators will be held at Buffalo, N. Y, on the I'd
prox., when the detailed report of the commit
tee will be made, and new measures acted upon
whereby the good of the steam vessel int rests
may be extended.