Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-04-05

tvo cents per ton to this fund; the second
time that she arrives, two cents per ton more
is collected ; and the third time. two cents per
ton more is collected. Under any circum-
stances no more than six cents can be col
lected from any vessel over 100 tons, and no
more than two cents from vessels under 100
| tons.
Our customs act does not require a con-
| sular certificate when vessel arrives from
| any of your ports--Dominion or United
| States vessels"
read from a letter which have here
rom another English consul, the consul at
St Stephens, across from Calais:
SIN answer to your inquiry as to the
amount of dues or custom-house fees exacted
rom vessels arriving fiom ports in the
United States or elsewhere in ports in the
Dominion. beg leave to inform you that
| the only dues or fees to which they are SUBJ
ject is two cents per ton, register tonnage
| this is PAYABLE only once per year on vessels
under 100 tons. and three times per year on
all vessels over 100 tons register. These
dues are called the sick mariners fund, and
go to the support of hospitals for sick sea-
men; and all vessels paying these dues, no
matter what their nationality, are entitled 10
| send their sick seamen TO the hospital to be
cared for.
As an example of the requirements under
our laws, may give you that of the United
States schooner l.. A. Boardman (The very
one that named as paying the enormous tax
of $50 or $50 year when sailing from our
port to hers) which entered here July 10,
1881; register ll2 tons, at two cents, 81 "a.
This was all the dues required, except %
cents for furnishing blanks. When these are
furnished by the vessel no charge is made for
blanks
Two dollars and twenty five cents in place
of about $50 that under our laws we charge
that same Louise A. Boardman.
Mr. President, believe fully and entirely
that 1t is the duty of Congress to do some
thing for the revival of American commerce
believe that it should do something that
shall favor American steamship lines. l be-
lieve that it is our duty first, at any rate, to
examine our own laws touching sailing ves-
sells, and see where relief can be brought to
them. believe, further, that it is our duty
to examine the laws, onerous they are,
affecting these coastwise vessels. They be-
ing the nurseries entirely of American sea-
men TODAY, being run entirely by American
seamen, and the only ships or vessels that
are run by them, it is the duty of Congress to
inspect carefully the laws which are burdens
to them, and repeal them so far as safety will
allow.
Mr.. Hawlev-Will the gentleman allo y
me to make a suggestion there? 1t is be-
yond our reach, but am told by men en-
gagged in the business that a very large share
of their burdens is imposed by State taxation,
whereas the British Government taxes its
vessels only as they shall make a profit:
vessel lying idle and making nothing is taxed
nothing. while our State taxation along the
coast varies, running up high as per
cent sometimes. l am told by q commer-iI
cial company largely engaged in the West
India trade that the total of their State and
Federal charges amounts to per cent upon
their capital
Mr.. Beck--The Congress of the United
States by a little persuasion, when we sought
to register all our foreign going ships at the
port of Washington, succeeded by that move
ment in great part in inducing the State Of
New York to take of the a per cent tax on
her ships; and we may by some like persua-
sion induce other States TO do the came
thing or remove other burdens. hope Con-
Rress will exercise all the power it has to
tighten these burdens, whatever they NAV
be-
Mr.. Frye-'rbe Senator from Connecticut
Mr.. Hawley touches upon the question OF
State and municipal tax on vessels. / have
not shadow of doubt that it is in the power
of the Congress of the United States to relieve
vessels engaged in foreign commerce from all
taxation, State or municipal do. however,
myself, have a serious doubt whether that is
possible or the best method for relief for
these coast-wise vessels. Take. for instance
my own district. There is the city of Bath,
which builds more wooden ships than any citv
in the United States, and builds as many
now as it ever built. 1t built thirty-six thou
sand tons last year. IT owns very largely in
ships engaged in foreign commerce, and also
IN these smaller and coastwise vessels.
II we should relieve these vessels from all
State and municipal taxation, it might be
placing a tremendous burden upon the city
of Bath, which would not be an equally
borne burden by interior cities and towns.
That tax does not weigh so heavy as some of
the taxes to which I have called attention,
which are utterly unnecessary. doing no one
any good. the Treasury of the United States
not needing them at all, for to-day it is look
ing around to see where it can cut down and
reduce the revenue.
Mr.. President, ask the pardon of the Sen
ate for occupying so much time. ! did 1t,
because somehow or other the Committee on
Commerce has not seemed to investigate this
subject.
| ask that committee to examine with care
this bill and the accompanying papers, which
will send to the Chair.
Mr.. Beck-I am not sure that I am cor
rectly informed, but received a letter the
other day from gentleman in New York, who
said that the coastwise trading vessels had
right to carry their own pilots into the port
of New York; that is, ship from Maine
going to New Orleans and returning can
sail into the port of New York with her own
pilot, but If she goes to Cuba and brings a
load from Cuba, she is compelled to take
pilot at an expense Of from sl00 to $3.50.
although the pilot who takes her into any
other port is on board and can take her just
a. well when she comes from Cuba as when
she comes from New Orleans. If that is
true. something ought to be done to prevent
that very burdensome tax upon her.
Mr.. Frye-Mr. President, q bill to repeal
or to regulate the pilotage laws Of New
York has been before the Congress Of the
United States for ten wears within nv certain