The Portland daily press., 1881-06-08
NAMES SHIPPING.
THE FIRST ANNUAL MEETING OF THE
MAINE SH1P-BUILDERS AND SHIP
OWNERS.
A Full and Earnest Meeting.

The New York Ship lately had the fol
lowing: SIT is quite time the Ship-owners' As
ISOLATION organized in March last, at Augusta
Me-, was heard from. 1t is said to be compos
ed of 800 substantial members, who believe
that the prosperity of the country at large is
about to make itself felt in the shipyards Of
Maine, and that they propose to aid in the re-
vival of the great industry for which the state
has long been famous. We are advised that
this organization was perfected by the election
OF permanent officers, who have enough al
stake to secure their best services. This asso
citation represents many millions of dollars. We
hope its officers will confer with the commit
tee appointed at the late convention held in
Boston, to represent the ship-owning interest
at Washington, and arrange for another con-
vention, with a fuller representation of bona
fide ship-owners, and that ship-builders may
not be excluded The early part of October
would be the proper time for holding such con-
vention Let us not delay in this matter until
the heated term is upon us"
Such were the late remarks of the above
valuable paper, the editor probably being un.
aware that the Maine Association would soon
hold its annual meeting at Portland. In
accordance with the circular of the society, the
association met for that purpose at the Board
of Trade rooms yesterday afternoon at 2.3C
o'clock. The meeting was fully attended by
ship-builders and ship-owners from all over
the state. Among those present were VIM.
Rogers of Bath, Captain,J. G. Nichols of Sears
port, Thomas j. Stewart of Bangor, Captain
Adams, and Captain VIM. Emerson of Thorn
aston, Guy C. Goss a. H. Blair, and A. G.
Page of Bath, Captain Watts of Hallowell,
Captain Small of Yarmouth, Captain Harring-
ton and Captain Berry of Stockton, Captain
Tenney of Deering, Captain j. S. Winslow,
Captain Washington Ryan, Captain G. III.
Chase, Henry Fox, VIM. Leavitt, j. H. Ham
len, Charles Merrill, Edward Waite, Edmund
Phinney, FL. P. Dewey, W. G. Davis, VIM R.
Wood. Captain ]. w. Deering, T. c. Hersey
and J. L. Farmer of Portland, Norton Slower
of Harpswell, Capt. Edgar Orr, Capt. R. Hard
ing of Yarmouth, and many others.
The convention was called to order by Guy
G. Goss of Bath. who opened the meeting as
follows:
CAPT. Goss's REMARKS.
Gentlemen of the iShip-Builders and Ship
O,Dners' Association: Upon your obedients ervant
was conferred the honor of the Presidency of
this association formed last winter at Augusta
under charter which gives US standing be-
fore the country. Hitherto Maine has had no
organization, and hence there has been no
concert of action with US. We have justly
complained at our declining shipping interest.
We have submitted to the exactions of gov
eminent without protest. We look at the
rapid strides England and other nations are
making towards securing the carrying trade of
the world. with but feeble effort being made
to compete with them in friendly rivalry, and
we talk about discriminating duties on our
products carried in foreign bottoms. We
ought rather to copy after the matchless navi-
cation laws which keep abreast all the de-
mands of this enlightened age. We look at
our navigation laws with but few amendments
since 1903. We look at our consular system,
and we blush with shame when we compare it
with England's; ours a reward for political
service, theirs for meritorious services. We
look over our ship accounts and find unjust
charges made by conSulS, and if the charge
does not exceed 800 we probably submit, but
when it reaches 5000 or 500, as has been the
case, then we appeal to government for re-
dress. The three months extra pay exacted
by the government when sailor is discharged,
was wise provision when the law was enact
ed But now nine-tenths of the sailors are at
home in foreign port. Even were it other
wise and our seamen were discharged on ac-
count OF sickness, or from any other cause,
there are the hospital dues fund, to which
every seaman sailing under the American flag
has been obliged to contribute until it has
amounted to millions of dollars, and sufficient
to provide for the sailor in sickness, and PEN
sion him off when he has rendered long and
honorable service, and is no longer able to
brave the dangers of the ocean or endure the
toll on shipboard. 1t is true we did copy one
part OF the English law in shipping and dis
charging seamen. But we stopped half way and
that part which encourages honorable and
faithful service, and which if it had been
adopted would have given us a better class OF
seamen, was left out And we might 60 on
and enumerate charges singly small, but in
the aggregate burden, which is bearing us
down, and which render competition with
other nations impossible.
other States; some of which are OH par with
the ancient robbers of the Rhine, exact
ing toll when no service is rendered or desired
The formation of this association originated
with the Committee on Commerce in our
State Legislature last winter To this COM
mittee was referred the petition of the citizens
of our seaport towns and cities asking the log
islature to memorabilia the Assembly of the
State of New York to repeal the obnox-
ious Hell-gate pilot laws. This had been done
the previous winter with apparently no
effect. Captain Nichols, member from
association. 1t met the approval of your
efficient member in the legislature, Mr.
Strout, who drew the bill for the charter un-
der which we meet and act to-day. 1t was sig
nifcantly asked by leading New York mari
time journal, "What had become of this asso-
citation of which SO much was expected, with a
membership of 500 of the wealth and influence
of our State" 1t is our earnest wish that we
can show to the country that we have live or
granization that is ready to cooperate with
similar associations for the protection, the adj
vancement, and the upbuilding of our declin-
ing ship building. Individual effort and pro
test will amount to little, but united it will be
a power which will be felt.
All our great industries are organizers Our
agricultural societies, the foremost in our land
upon which commerce depends, have their
wool growers association, milk producers, and
various others. Our mining interests have
their association; also the various manufacture
ing industries and they hold their conventions
and demand of Congress protection. There
are various subjects which will come UP for
discussion at this session, to some of which l
have briefly alluded. 1 would suggest that in
each custom house district auxiliary associa-
lions be formed; that a fair and just represen-
tation may be had of all -Four wide, extended
that abuses arising may be brought
to the attention of the main branch of the asso-
ciation Also that a fair representation may
be had AT the various national conventions
which may be held from time to time
Mr.. A. A. Strout, Recording Secretary, read
the act of Incorporation and the bylaws pro-
posed, which were reported by the committee
through Henry Fox, chairman The bylaws
were amended and adopted. and the following
is digest:
Henry Fox, Esq, chairman of the commit
tee appointed to prepare bylaws for the asso-,
citation, reported as follows:
BYLAWS.
ARTICLE 1.-The objects of this corporation shall
be the protection and promotion of the rights and
interests of shipowners and shipmasters, and the
general interests of commerce and navigation, in
Guiding ship building. 1t shall disseminate useful
information, promote as far it has the power all
both State and national which will tend
to better the condition of our maritime interests
and protect and assist those engaged in building
or navigating vessels.
ARTICLE 1.-THE officers of this association shall
be President, fourteen Vice Presidents, a Treas
urer, Recording Secretary, Corresponding Sec
rotary, an Executive Committee of not less than