Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-01-16
The Shipping Bill.

IN not such measure as the IrlcnOs OF I'M.
provement in American shipping desired.
Il contains, however, much that will aid
our vessels in foreign trade. relieving
them of many burdens that were onerous
and unjust. As an aid TO shipbuilding it
is not of great Importance. The drawback
clause in the original bill was the chief
feature to promote shipbuilding, but this
10 stricken out Of the bill as it passed the
House, That clause proposed TO grant to
the builders OF ships for the foreign carry
ing trade rebate on the American mate
rails used equal to the duty which would
have been paid had the same materials
been imported. This with other features
of the bill in aid of shipbuilding would
have put that industry fairly upon its feet.
but it was antagonized by free ships"
proposition and both fell to the ground in
the contest.
In the struggle the last day over the
bill the exemption OF registered vessels
engaged in the foreign trade from State
and municipal taxation was stricken out,
and section fourteen was so changed
- 10 permit the bringing in free Of duty
Of raw materials To be used in the build
ing and equipment Of vessels for the
foreign trade. Mr.. Dingley succeeded in
having proviso added to section fifteen
to preserve the provision OF section 2.793
Of the revised Statutes requiring the en-
try and clearance OF vessels on the lakes
bound from port in one collection dis
trict to a port in another district and which
during the voyage touched at intermediate
Canadian ports. Mr.. Dingley's proviso
also limits to 80 cents year per ton the
amount Of tonnage tax which may be col
lected in one year from vessels engaged
In trade with the West Indies or with
ports south of Mexico down to and in
GLIDING Panama and Aspinwall.
Three new sections were added to the
bill. The first provides that any fine, etc.
paid under protest to any collector. or
consul. may, on appeal, be RENTED in
whole or in part by the Secretary OF the
Treasury if upon examination he becomes
satisfied that it was unla~fully imposed.
or is excessive in amount, or may be re-
funded whether or not the same shall
have been covered into the Treasury. The
other two sections extend to sailing YES
sells the same privileges as to unloading
between sunset and sunrise now enjoyed
by steam vessels.
Aside from the foregoing amendments
the following is brief summary of the
bill as il now stands:
Vessels duly registered, except coxsting
vessels, are to be deemed vessels of the
United States so long ~ they shall be wholly
owned by citizens Of the United States and
commanded by citizen Of the United States;
any vessel. any officer of which shall not be
citizen Of the United States, shall pay a tax
Of 80 cents q ton Q payment Of three months
extra wages to . seaman upon his discharge
in foreign port is no longer required; but if
. seaman is discharged on account of injuries
received on shipbosrd, of illness caused by
fault or neglect of the master or owner Of =
vessel, he must be properly cared for by the
master until he is cured dies or ID brought
home. In cases of violation of the contract
with a seaman by circumstances within the
control of the master the latter shall pay him
one months extra wages. The latter shall
be required upon the sale of an American
vessel in a foreign port and the consequent
discharge of her crew. Or, in either case,
the seaman shall be furnished with suitable
employment which he shall accept or be for
warded to the port for which he originally
shipped, or returned to the port at which he
shipped.
Section 6 makes it the duty of consular
officers to reclaim deserters; il it shall be
found that their desertion was caused BY un-
usual or cruel treatment they shall be dis
charged, andlshsll receive the one months
extra wages, or one of the other conditions
before described shall be fulfilled.
Sections I and make consular officers
accountable to seamen for extra wages and
charges collected for them, but provide that
expenses incurred bv seamen after discharge
for board. etc, shsll be paid therefrom.
Section . compete masters of American
vessels to take on board and transport to any
port of the United States to which they may be
bound, destitute American seamen. on such
terms not exceeding $40 each rs may be
agreed upon. Not exceeding thirty cents per
day additional NAV be exacted FOR such SER
vice in exceptional cases, refusal Of . master
to take such passengers, not exceeding two
for each 100 tons burden Of his ship, shall
render him liable TO 4 fine of 500 for each
person so refused.
Section 10 abolishes all consular fees.
Section IL prohibits the payment Of ad-
vance wages to seamen except on whslers,
provided that q seaman may give an order for
wages earned in favor of fsther or other rel
ativee, or of 4 savings bank, but not in favor
Of any other person or corporation.
Section l2 requires that every vessel shall
carry . supply Of extra clothing, blanketa and
other articles necessary for the wear Of
seamen. and also a supply Of tobacco,
all such articles to be sold to seamen
at . profit not exceeding % per cent of
their Wholesale value At the port where
the voyage began.
At American ports the duties now perform
ed By Shipping Commissioners are to be per-
formed by or under the direction Of the Gel
lectors Of said ports without fees.
All foreign articles and materials for the
repair of vessels engaged in the foreign trade,
or to be manufactured into such articles, and
materials aud ship stores, cordage, etc, for
such vessels, are to be admitted free of duty.
In lieu Of all tonnage dues and light money
the tonnage tax shall be 6 cents per ton for
each entry Of vessel engaged in trade with
the West Indies, or any port south Of Mexico.
including Aspinwan and Panama. and IL
cents on all vessels engaged in trade With