The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1882-12-21
The Shipping Interest.

ON the 18th inst. at Washington. the Joint
select Committee on American Shipping further
discussed various propositions for the relief of
the shipping interest. The following PROPOSE
ton. prepared by the San Francisco Board of
Trade, and introduced in the House by Repre-
sentative Page, was unanimously adopted:
That whenever any vessel, whether steam or
sail, Shall be constructed and equipped in the
United States for the foreign trade. including
| the trade between the Atlantic and Pacific ports
OF the nited States, in whole or in part Of ma
tcrial> of the production of the [ nited States,
the owner or owners of such vessel shall be en-
| titled 10 receive and collect from the United
states sum equal in amount to the duty which
would have been collected upon imported mate
llal> Of like description and of equal quality with
the American materials used in the construc-
ton, equipment. engines, boilers. and other APP
purtenances of such steam or sail vessel.
The Importance of this provision and its value
TO the >hipbuilling interests Of The United States
will be readily seen when ii is estimated that
upon an iron ship of 1000 tons the bonus to be
allowed for the American materials used would
amount TO $4,000 to $4,000. The second pro-
position, also prepared by the San Francisco
Board of Trade, is as follows:
All registered vessels, either sail or steam of
the nited States. engaged exclusively in the
foreign carrying trade. are hereby exempted
from all OF amy municipal taxation.
This was also adopted by the committee. Mi.
DingIey alone dissenting. not to the equity of
the proposition. but for the reason that he be-
lie1ed is matter should be regulated eXcu-
siyely by the States. Representative Cox offer
ed proposition for free ships both for the
foreign and coa>twi>e trade. which was sup
ported by himself and senator Vest, but was
rejected by the committee. Senators Vest and
Miller. of California, and Representative Ding
ley. We're appointed subcommittee to prepare
bill cmbodying the propositions which have
been agreed upon and to present it to the full
committee for its final action Oh Friday. Two
reports We're submitted on that day, the COM
mittee adopting the majority report. subse-
quently introduced in Congress. Its provisions
may be summarized as follows
l. no payment of advance wages.
>. Free entry of materials for repairs.
3 Abolition of tonnage dues and consular
certificates in Canadian trade.
T. Liabilities of part owners made proper
tionatc to their shares.
,. Drawbacks on materials used in construc-
ton.
&. Exemption from local taxation.
The minority report. which is signed by Rep
re>cntatyes :. 5. Cox and Robert NJ McLane
and senator George G. Vest, favors the bill
above outlined, but proposes two radical amend
cn:,-t1r>t, for the admission, free of duty, of
all the materials, finished and perfected and
ready 10 be put together in a ship; and second.
for the free admission to American registry OF
ships built abroad. These amendments, if
adopted, would destroy the industry it is sought
to promote, while the bin as reported is a wise
and Just measure. and we trust it Will be
promptly passed.