The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1886-02-18
American Shipping.

y BILL III IfoM'Fl T. / III. IN if-ihINl> VIZ HE
MERCHANT MARINE.
Senator Cameron has introduced a bill to
promote the foreign trade of the United States
ana encourage an increase OF the American
Merchant Marine. 1t declares i'll it, preamble
that prior to 1850 traffic between the United
States and foreign countries was chietiy car
ried on by American vessels, and that Since
that time the increase in such traffic has been
enormous, vet the amount carried by -Ameri-
can vessels has actually diminished: that this
diversion of traffic to foreign vessels i due to
a variety of causes which cannot be overcome
by unaided individual efforts; that the exist
ence Of large and effective merchant marine
under its own fla and manned by trained >cl-
men Away, available for naval operations is
essential to the safety and highest commercial
growth and prosperity of this nation; that all
the important commercial nations of the world
have found it necessary to extend their govern
ment. and in some form to develop and protect
their ocean carrying trade, and that a revival
Of American shipping will open a much needed
field of employment to many. and by providing
cheap and regular transportation to markets
not now 50 reached will enlarge the demand
for the excess of products OF all the American
industries. The bill provides:
SECTION 1.-1hat the provisions of this act
shall apply only to vessels having American
register and conforming to the classification
hereinafter given. and which shall be owned
and controlled bv American citizens or a~socia-
lions thereof. or by corporations formed under
the 'nitcu States law or under the laws of any
of the States.
SECT 2-That no vessel shall be entitled to
the benefit of this act unless it belongs to one of
the following classes and is or shall until other
regulations are provided by law be built in
conformity with rules equal to the British
Llov,ls, or the French Bureau NeritaS. Glass
l. section A.-Sailing vessels of metal or wood,
OF partly of both. engaged in freight traffic only
and of not less than one thousand tons. United
States gross register measurement Section b.
Vessels of metal or wood. or partly Of both
propelled by steam or power applied through
machinery and engaged in freight traffic only
and of not less than one thousand five hundred
tons 'nited States cross register measurement
Glass 9 section A-Ne>sels of metal or wood
or partly of both propelled by steam or some
other form of power applied through machin-
cry and engaged in both freight and passenger
traffic having an average sea speed of not less
than 10 knot, per hour and of not less than
one thousand five hundred tons United States
cross register measurement. section I,-Nes-
SclS SlllllIaf 10 IIDSe ucStfliJtu III section A
Clas, 3 but having an average sea speed of not
less than IA knots ner hollr and of not less than
1000 tons -nited States GROSS REGISTER measure
ment, and first class cabin capacity for not less
than one hundred persons. Section C-Nes-
sells similar to those described in section r of
Glass ., but having an average sea speed of not
les, than Is knots Der hour. and Of not less than
600 tons United States .rross REGISTER measure
ment and first class cabin CAPACITY for NOT less
than 200 persons.
SECT. 3-That every such vessel shall be Ell
titled 10 and shall receive from the Secretary ot
the Treasury the respective rate, of compen.a.
ton hereinafter described and shall as part
consideration therefor carry without further
charge whatever mail matter shall be delivered
to said vessel under such regulations as the
Postmaster General shall from time to tim,
prescribe: provided however. that said yesse
shall only be required TO take mail matter re-
ceved at ports of the United States from which il
clears, to foreign ports it expects to call ant
for whatever NAV be received at said foreign
ports and carried to the port or ports of it.
destination there shall be a further consider
alton. The United States government shall
have the right to purchase or charter any sucl
vessel for a price. the sum to be fixed b,
agreement between the owners and the Secre
tary of the department purchasing or charter
Ing said vessels, and in ease of disagreement t,
be fixed by two appraisers, one to be appointed
| by each of said parties. with the bower in sal,
appraisers to choose "A third in case of disagree
ment.
| SECT. 4.-That the rates of compensation
shall be put as follows for each nautical mill
now between the port of the United States an,
any foreign port including both the outwar,
and inward passage. The mileage between TIN
ports visited shall be computed by the shortes
routes through the water by the great circl
sailing and there shall be paid at the end o
each of such voyages. Glass 1, section A.--Fo
each one hundred tons U. S. gross regis.e
measurement. four cents class > section e.