Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-06-19
RaiIp Aenneber Journal.
Augusta, Thursday Morng, June 10, 1879.
Mr.. Blaine's Letter.


in which Senator Blaine discusses the sub
ject of the decay of American Commerce
snd the Means for Promoting its Revival
though addressed to the Business Men Of
the city of New York" is one that deeply
Interests the people of the State of Maine
Mr.. Blaine first presents very clear
statement Of the causes which have pro
doced the decay of commerce. First
the war, which Withdrew large numbers o
men and vessels from the general carrying
trade, to engage in the blockade and other
operations upon the coast required by the
government, also sent many of our vessels
under the flags of foreign countries. and
gave England a chance which she i'm
proved to the utmost 10 drive our vessels
from the seas and substitute English for
American ships in the carrying business.
Second the substitution of steam for sails
and iron for wood in the construction OF
vessels, and the enormous bounties paid
by the English government to promote the
building of steamship lines by which she
has in that respect taken the lead of the
world. while we have scarcely made an
attempt at competition. Third, the disor-
dered condition of our finances in conse-
quence of the war, by which prices were
raised abnormally high. the expansion and
depreciation of our paper currency putting
us at vast disadvantage in competing
with solid gold
Among the means proposed by Mr..
Blaine to revive commerce is the fostering
and encouraging by this government of
our own shipyards, building Of American
iron and wood. and by American skill
and labor. Private enterprise should be
encouraged, and in the matter of compel
ing with the steamship fleets of other
countries aided. In regard to wooden YES
sells we quote the following very impor-
tant language Of Mr.. Blaine, not simply
asserting that something should be done,
but declaring what that something should
be. He says: IF possessed the power
Ito prescribe policy for the revival of the
American carrying-trade. would make
lit very simple and very specific. would
continue the navigation laws rs part of
1.-The very organic law of the land. For
wooden sailing ships no further aid is
needed than these laws afford, if we will
"only seek in every way to tighten the
'burden of taxation on vessels. We can
"build wooden ships better than any other
country, and we can build them as cheap
Fly; but after they are launched and in
trade they should not be worried and
'harried and burdened with every form of
taxation, port-charge, and quarantine
''exaction at home; and maltreated
land oppressed, as they too often
''are, by our consuls in foreign ports.
They should have every facility for sup
''ply in our ports that England gives to
''her ships. Wooden ships will always be
used SO long as trees grow and winds
elbow and they will form large re-
''source to our country. Indeed it is al
''most the only resource we now have in
''foreign trade. and we should cherish the
Interest rs one inwoven with our history
land prosperity rs a people.-My own
state is more largely interested than any
''other in the Union, in the building OF
wooden ships, and if the specie basis can
''be firmly maintained the United States
land Canada will furnish the sailing YES
''sels for the world. Nothing but the in
''hation Of the currency and the loss OF
1.-THE specie standard will prevent the
STEADY growth of that valuable interest.
Beyond all doubt that would prevent its
revival and increase, and would ultimate
''ly result in its total destruction in our
country"
These be words ofsterling good sense and
value, which every republican and ship
owner in the State of Maine will endorse
we doubt not.
The letter is filled with most valuable
information in every part. and its sugges-
yestions if followed would speedily put a
new and prosperous face upon American
commerce and the construction of Ameri-
can vessels.
When the democrats were in a minority
in Congress, democratic orators and news