The Portland daily press., 1879-01-10
THE FISHERIES.
Report of the Portland Committee on
Resolutions.

The adjourned meeting of the gentlemen
| engaged in the fisheries was held at the Port.
land Yacht Clubhouse at 8 p. "a, yesterday,
when Mr.. o. B. Written, of the firm of Lewis,
Written & Co., presented the following pre-
amble and resolutions. which were accepted
and adopted
The fishing business of Maine has been one of the
most promising of any in the state, and one from
which the state has received large revenue besides
many other advantages but since the ratification of
the Washington treaty, and chiefly owing to this
cause the business has gradually decreased until
the present time. Where stood active and
fourshing fishing towns and villages all along the
COAST, hardly mark is left to remind of the once
prosperous places. Where once were enterprise
prosperity and success, now stares decay ruin and
poverty Where once could be counted by scores the
white sails of the fishing craft, dotiDg every bay
and inlet pursuing their busy avocation, now only
occasionally can be seen struggling vessel. And
what is The of this great revolution? Not be-
cause those engaged in the business have not been
industrious, faithful and economical but largely be-
cause cruel wrong has been imposed upon them by
suffered in like proportion with the cod fishery, and
although nearly 10000 bbls of mackere have been
packed in the city of Portland during the last year,
nevertheless those engaged in the business strug
gllng for living. Mackere which would have been
in The market, and sold, have been obliged to be
piled and stored and only because Colonial fish have
come into our market free of duty and with which
we could not compete. Our business is gone, not
WORTH under the present state of affairs striving to
save. large amount is invested in crafts suitable
Tor the business, and all modern improvements for
carrying on the fisheries introduced, and yet it must
all GO TO the winds as we have no protection from
our Government, but rival nation is protected and
encouraged, permitted to enter our ports free of
DUTY and have many more privileges than we en-
JOY. This being the state of affairs of the fishing
business, which cannot be denied, it becomee our
duty as business men, interested in this particular
branch OF the trade, to make desperate effort to
sustainour business and to act in unison with all in
terestsd in the welfare OF the business in whatever
locality they may be. and also implore our Govern
ment to protect the New England fisheries.
And whereas the fishing clauses of the treaty are
operating disasrously for the New England fisheries
ana unless some measures of relief can be obtained
must be abandoned Therefore
RESOLVED, That it would be CONSTANT and proper
to seek the immediate abrogaon of the fishery clause
OF the treaty and especially at this time the Pro-
vincas insist that it is detrimental their interests
ana desire has been openly aud publicly expressed
iDent member of the Cabinet in the Dominion Nthat
the treaty be annulled therefore it would be con.
sstant Tor our Government to invite cooperation of
the British Government to take measures to nufy
tie fishery clause ofthe treaty at once.
ResotOed, That we should hail with Joy and ex-
uitatlon the consummation of an act to abrogate
fisheries.
Resolved. That we send greetings to the merchants
10 Gloucester who have taken such deep and active
interest in this important business and believing our
nshing interests are identical with them, we heartily
cooperate with them in any measures they may ad-
ries.
ReSofced, That copy of these resolutions be sent
TO to be to the convention to be
hoiden Saturday evening" January llth, 1879
In the discussion which followed the reading
and prior to the adoption of the resolutions, it
was shown that Gloucester ranked first and
Portland second 10 Importance in the fishing
trade. Gloucester has about 500 sail of fishing
vessels and the Portland district about 400.
Perhaps there are eight men 10 a crew on the
average, making 5000 fishermen ia this dis.
trlct alone Besides, Portland is the marke;
for all the towns on the Maine coast During
the last year 10000 barrels of mackerel were
packed here. This large and important in
dustry is languishing and almost dead on
account of free foreign fish Cutting the
market. Ten years ago one firm alone en-
sloyed 200 sail. This year the average share
If fisherman, in five months cruise, has
been $50, to support his family upon. Of
course he had to get in debt. The crews of
he two most successful fishing vessels the
past season only stocked $62 man for six
months.
Messrs. o. B. Written and E. Fl. Chase
we're appointed delega tes to represent the
Portland fishery interests at the Gloucester con-
yention next Saturday.