Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-12-17
WASHINGTON.
Boards Of Trade.

WASHINGTON, December lG. delegation
representing boards of trade of various cities
appeared before the House Committee on
Commerce, in the interests of the shipping
and ship owners. Resolutions adopted at the
boards of trade convention at Boston were
read, and the importance urged of some
immediate National legislation to revive our
commerce. The consular system was severe
" criticised and numerous instances of its
inetficiency given.
The National Board of Trade adopted
resolutions for presentation to Congress EN-
bodying requests for legislation upon various
subjects, including adulteration of drugs and
articles of food, to enlarge the scope of the
National Board of Health. to relieve National
banks from taxes on deposits and circulation,
for suspension of silver coinage, in favor of
Secretary Shermans views on the sugar
questions, to provide for speedy distribution
of the unexpended balance of the Geneva
award, and for permanent National bankrupt
laws.
Population Of Maine.
Total population of Maine. according to
returns made to the census office, is 64s, 9i5.
Of this number 324,0si are males and
1924, SCI females: 590.0.6 are native and
IS. $50 foreign born; $4,000 are white and
2,042 colorcd.
Foreign Commerce.
The annual report of the Chief of the
Bureau of Statistics, on foreign commerce of
the United States, was completed to-day.
He saws the United States already surpasses
every other country in the magnitude of its
exports both of breadstuffs and provisions.
Statistics are given of the decadence of the
American merchant marine employed i'll
foreign commerce. The report, after stating
in detail the causes of the decline. says =
1.-The fact that capital finds abundant and
more profitable employment in the home in
dustries and enterprises of this countrys vast
and varied resources, than employment in
vessels upon the ocean, has undoubtedly had
strong influence toward diverting attention
from shipbuilding and ship owning enter
prises. This is the main underlying cause of
our maritime deeadence, so far as it relates TO
foreign commerce. The branch Of American
merchant marine employed in internal and
coastwise commerce of the United States also
exhibits a decline, notwithstanding the fact
that under our navigation laws no foreign
vessel is allowed to engage in this trade.
The report then gives a number of interest
ing railroad statistics and says THE facts
serve to illustrate a most striking commerce
DEVELOPMENT of the fact that the vehicle Of
merchandise on wheels has in our domestic
trade to q great extent superseded the vehicle
of commerce on water Aside from economic
and commercial considerations. however, the
American merchant marine has claims to
public consideration which cannot possibly
be presented by means of statistics. The
subject has not received that thorough in
vestigation its importance demands. II is
highly important that the government OF the
United States should accord as great adj
vantages to American ships when engaged in
commerce with foreign nations as are
accorded by governments of those nations to
their own ships when engaged in commerce
with the United States. The question OF
restoring our merchant marine Is undouoted-
| " a difficult one, but nevertheless the ap.
parent difficulties in the case should be an
incentive to a thorough investigation of the
whole subject and to adoption of all practica.
BILE measures which may tend toward secure
| ing the desired result.
/ Resolutions Preseuted.
A resolution adopted by the shipping con
yeution in Boston was presented to tht
House Committee on Commerce, to-day, BY
| . delegation of the National Board Of Trade