The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1884-05-15
Ocean Wrecks.


Ex-Alderman Woolley furnishes fair ex-
PLANTATION of the reason why so many ocean
steamers have recently gone to the bottom, and
inferiorty of their construction. The New
castle City, a Tyne built ronclad, is now being
repaired in Boston, and the iron plates of her
bull are so poor that slight blow from an or
binary hammer will penetrate through from
side to side, making a hole. Workmen on the
hold, said Mr.. Woolley, say that the angle irons
which form the frame of this steamer instead
of being constructed of the best wrought iron,
are of poor quality of cast iron and quite
brittle. Mr. Woolley says that there are many
other English-built vessels open to the same
objections. Boston Herald.
These are the 'cheap'' vessels built on the
other side with which our builders cannot
compete, in price, and in which the free ship
advocates are anxious that Americans should
invest their money. The Nautical Gazette re-
ports the arrival of another of these British
built collins at New York on her first trip to
America. She is Il new vessel and intended
for the Brazil trade. She had to go on Yam
kee dry dock to have the Feather on her
shaft replaced, having broken it en roate and
the Gazette saws: 'On examination of her
bottom when she was lifted into pure Yankee
air, it was discovered that this bran new ship
for the Brazil trade had her butts all adrift for
about 100 hundred feet in length of her bottom,
and was otherwise in a disreputable condition.
We perhaps ought not to complain, as she is
about as good Il specimen Of an English steam
er as is usually sent out here to go into the
Brazil trade, but we think her builders ought
h,1rn l;ttl, INT mil mfr
her before they sent her out; yet probably they
did not think she would have to 90 on the dry
dock quite so soon" These are specimens of
Capt. Codman's free ships.
'Why not when the Soldiers Monument is
built have it built by home workmcn and of
home materially" asks the Machias Union. The
same question may be put with regard to the
proposed Soldiers Monument in Belfast. We
have the granite and the workmcn here and
what could be more fitting than Maine granite
to commemorate the deeds of those of our citi-
zcns who lost their lives in the Union cause.
We have no doubt that arrangements could be
made 10 secure a monument Of Waldo granite.
that would be an ornament to the city and fifty
serve its purpose as memorial. at very
reasonable cost; ana further, that were csti-
mates secured the money required could be
easily and speedily raised. Is not the matter
worth consideration:
The Home Farm thus concludes an interest
ing and iudicious article on the two State Fair
associations:
Both State Fairs will issue attractive pro-
grammeS. give liberal premiums and be we'll
supported, But one of these days, as we de
voutly hope, with permanent grounds at the
two points, there will be Il union of these So
cieties in holding the grandest agricultural and
exhibitions ever seen in Maine, al
ternately at the West and at the East. Why
not: We believe the greatest good of the great
est number would result from such course. a
harmonious adjustment of all sections be
brought about, and union of the best men for
the furtherance of the best interests of our
State surely follow.
II is feared that the shipping bill will be
buried by reference to committee Of the whole
of the House. The Democrats will have to
bear the responsibility of depriving our ship
ping interest of much needed relief. The IN
drr>anding was that the question of free ships
Sii'tii ~ NOiCh upOI dS d Stpdl dIt IltuSuIt.
and had the Dingley bill been allowed to stand
upon its merits it would undoubtedly have
passed both houses and become a law.
We are Indebted to Hon. Nelson Dingley, j.,
for a copy of his admirable speech on "Protec-
ton TO American industries" delivered ia the
House of Representatives April 18th, and also
for copy of the Agricultural Department Re
port for lSS}. Senator Hale has sent us copy of
his speech on the shipping bill, in which he ably
defends the American shipping interest from
the attacks of the advocates Of free ships.
The Orange Growers journal thinks it would
''fal in plain duty" if it did not counsel its
readers to keep their tempers in discussing 1.-THE
water question:" 1t would seem to be fortu-
nate for the O. &. j., which by the way, is pub
lished in Riverside, California, that its readers
are not discussing anything stronger than wat
er.
The gave that will give the premonitory
hump before the vote is declared at Chicago
that makes the Republican standard bearer,
will be made of pieces of wood from every
state and Territory in the Union. Maine con
tributes piece of rock maple
Do you own a dog: Then you want neat
little book lust published by DIR. Al. Watts, of
Boston, entitled The Dog: containing some
hints on breeding, together with Il description
of the diseases common to dogs. and how they
can be cured
The mind cure, of which the late p. p. Quinn
by, of Belfast, was the originator. is attracting
much attention at this time. Rev. DR.. Bartol,
of Boston, has made it the subject of a sermon
and the newspapers TEEN with articles con-
corning it.
The Presidential outlook has undergone but
little change during the past week. Mr. Blaine
still leads the list of Republican candidates,
and his nomination on the second ballot is not
only possible but probable.
The Senate has passed bill placing Gen
Grant on the retired list with rank and full pay
as General of the Army, and has agreed to Mr..
Frye's motion for a conference on the shipping
bill.
Tuesday May 9Th, was good day for the
country. On that day the free traders were de
defeated in the House, and the free ship lobby
met with Il severe defeat in the Senate.