Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1882-05-09
expenses much larger than they would be
if he kept them under the English flag


if he kept them under the English flag |.
The free shipprogramme, therefore, would
destroy our ship building interests, and
at the same time would not increase the
number of steamships carrying the Amer
lean flag.
Mr. Chairman, will the gentleman from
Tennessee point out single one Of the
protective props Notwithstanding to
him" legislation has devised" to aid
the American ship-owner in competing
for ocean transportation with American
vessels; Not single one has been de-
vised on our part, while England has
built up most elaborate system Of pro-
lection and encouragement to enable her
ship-owners to successfully compete with
the world. We have not only avoided
the protection and encouragement of
American shipping, under the influence
of free trade teachings, but we have also
neglected 10 modify our navigation laws,
so as to remove burdens on the running
of vessels which England has removed
from her shipping,
Let me enumerate some of these bur-
dens which practically discriminate against
the American marine engaged in the for
eign carrying trade
|. Under an old law, enacted a; time
when the sailors of our merchant marine
were all Americans, and recourse TO the
law infrequent, an American ship which
discharges any seaman in foreign port,
is required to pay him three months ex-
ira wages, a burden imposed on the ships
of no other nation. The sailor may have
been aboard but fifteen days; his dis.
charge may have been for misconduct or
a, his own request; he may be a, tia
port where he lives. or within few hours
ride, no matter; If his wages are $40 per
month, the ship must pay him sl2O.
A nd the ship does not pay the money to
[ be sailor, but to the United States Con.
sui at the port, who, fter dednc,lng a
liberal fee. pays the balance TO the sailor.
Indeed, it appears from the official report
that las, year over $50, 900 of the three
months extra wages exacted from Amer
ica n shipping, went into the Federal
Treasury. This law has been shamefully
abused by men who had melted sailors
to leave he ship in order to get hold Of
the lions share OF the three months ex-
ira wages.
Is this law one of the protective
props" which according to the gentle
man from TENNESSEE legislation has de-
yised for the encouragement of American
shipping;
?. Under the English consular regu-
la,ions, nearly all services by consuls to
English shipping in foreign ports, are
rendered without charge, the English gov
eminent paying her consuls for their ser
vice from her own treasury. Under our
laws, onsuls are practically paid by fees
axac,ed of American ships and American
merchants. Indeed, j, has been made
subject Of congra,ula,ion, that the Amer
can consular service, costing SS75,229
las, year, was not only self.supporiing,
C., supported by such fees, but actual
y paid profit of s25, 2l3 into the Trea-
,ury.
In the same period, England approPri-
ltel over 81. 900. 900 from her treasury
- support her consular service, service
which is maintained in every part of the
world almost exclu sitely to aid British
and to extend British COM
meIce.
And yet the gentleman from Tennessee
4 ,serts that we have given to our ship
ping " the most ample protection that the
1udest clamorer for special privileges
could wish = while England has left hers
10 stand alone.
8. Under our system Of measurement
If vessels the American ships pays one
third more tonnage and other dues than
he competing British ship. English
includes only that part OF
he ships space to be actually occupied
BY cargo. American measurement in
dudes not only this, but also the room
, coupled by the ships engines, boilers,
md machinery, and the quarters OF the
rev. Thus British ship has a regis
ered tonnage one-third less than an
American ship of equal freight capacity,
therefore pays one-third less tonnage,
light and harbor dues, wharfage and 9th.
,r charges. As ships tonnage means,
,r should mean, its capacity for freight,
5 i, not time that our laws relating to
measurement should be modified SO as to
rot discriminate against American ship |
ping:
Is this anothero of the protective props
. l;L Tho Gentleman from Tennessee