The Republican journal., 1888-03-29
The Shipping Interest.

Massachusetts some time since granted relief
to her vessels engaged in the foreign trade by
taxing only their net income, instead of their
actual value, and this caused the transfer of a
good deal of vessel property to that State. A
bill now before the Massachusetts Legislature,
and which will probably become Il law. eX-
tends the same reform to vessels engaged in
the coaStw>e trade and the fisheries. This
measure, if enacted. must cause further
transfer of tonnage from States which pursue
Il less liberal policy toward the shipping inter-
est. in which category we are sorry to say
Maine must be placed. Unless something is
done here We shall not he able to tax even the
net income. As the Industrial journal well
SAYS: I'VE may continue to build ships but
they will be owned elsewhere. and Maine will
have few or no vessels to tax The same
paper says further:
1t is not lust that vessels should be taxed as
heavily as other and more favored forms of
property. Not only are they--unlke other
property-heavly taxed by the United States,
both indirectly through the custom house fees.
charges of their papers, etc., but directly in
the shape of tonnage tax, burdens to which
other industries are strangers; but their risks
anu lldZiTuS are greater anu IncIF CuduceS LOT
gain less. Nothing receives less benefit from
the state and municipal governments which
they help support than does the shipping.
They gain no protection against fire, from
water works and fire departments, no protec-
ton against crimes of violence from the police,
they reap no increased value from the public
improvements which SO greatly enhance the
worth Of land property, and even in lawsuits
affecting them justice cannot be done by the
state courts, but they must 20 before the ma
tional tribunals. To the never absent danger
of being engulfet in old oceans fathomless
NAV, inland property is not even exposed.
Neither Is any property SO little remunerative
in comparison with its public Importance as
shipping.
There is another direction from which relief
should come. There are various bills before
Congress, sone-of Democratic origin-for the
destruction, and others-of Republican pater-
nity-for the relief and encouragement of
the shipping interest. Every seaport should
strengthen the hands of the members of Con-
gres> who are DESTROYS of maintaining the
prestige of the American flag or the ocean.
and most of them have done 50. Chambers of
Commerce and Boards of Trade have adopted
resolutions. and even the small towns of Maine
have let their voice lie heard on this question,
which is certainl, one of national Importance.
The Boston Chamber of Commerce has adopt
ed a series of resolutions, in which. after pat
riotc preamble which rectcs, among other
things. that "a merchant marine is absolutely
essential to the maritime defence of the Ma
ton. since without it we will not have >camen
to man the navy in time of war; it is
Resolved. that the chamber of commerce
urge upon the Congress of the United States
proper measures for the revival and extension
of the merchant marine. and declare that among
such measures we recognize as timely and
effective the hill known as the tonnage BILL
which provides that every vessel. sail or steam,
built and owned in the United States. trading
with foreign ports. shall be allowed 30 cent,
per ton for each 1000 miles sailed or steamed.
for period of 20 wears, one third reduction of
said rates to be made at the end of the first 10
years from the date the act of Congress shall
take effect. and. in recommending this bill for
immediate passage, we do il on the ground of
urgency to meet the protective legislation and
arttul eNa>ions of free and reciprocal transport
tation treaties with foreign nations.
Resolved. that the United States mails ought
TO be carried between this and foreign countries
in American ships under our own flag as soon
as practicable consistently with certainty of
the service, and for such service this govern
ment ought to pay just and adequate compcn-
>ation, regardless of the price at which other
nation. are willing 10 substitute for this Il
foreign service.
Resolved, that the vast, present and pro>pec-
five manufacturing and commercial interests of
this country entite them to foreign mail ser
vice the promptness and certainty of which
shall he insured in peace and in war by nation
al patriotism. pride and ambition to extend our
influence, our commerce and markets
throughout the world.
AT a meeting in Damarscotta, largely attend