The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1890-06-14
NAVIGATORS FROM THE CANE BRAKES
Not In Favor With the Hon. Arthur
SewalI of Maine.
A Democrat Who Believes In Protect
Ing American Shipping.
The Bill Which Mr.. Farquhar Thinks
Will DO 1t.
Special to the Press.l

WASHINGTON, June 13.-The Honorable
Arthur Sewall of Maine is great Democrat
in his own state, and, as member of the
Democratic National Committee, is entitled
to his place among the great Democrats of
the nation. But Mr.. Sewall does not held all
the views of the Democratic party, and he
especially abhors those views on the mer-
chant marine ana its needs held by states
men from the cane brakes and cotton fields
of Mississippi and Arkansas. Mr.. Sewall is
in favor of encouraging by government aid
the merchant marine of the United States as
the merchant marines of other great nations
are encouraged. And Mr.. Sewall has been to
Washington to use his influence in behalf of
a tonnage bill.
This is an opportune time for such meas
ure; and the chances indicate that one may
be considered and may likely pass before
this Congress adjourns. perhaps during this
session. There is already before that body
a bill prepared by Mr.. Farquhar of New
York. chairman of the committee on COM
merce. Mr.. Farquhar feels very confident
that this bill will pass the House. The
terms of the bill. which are of great interest
to Maine, are as follows:
BILL
TO place the american merchant marine, en-
gagged an the foreign trade, apon an equdli-
ty toith that Of other nations:
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of
Representatives of the United States of
America, in Congress assembled, That on
and after the passage of this act there shall
the United States not otherwise appropriate
ed, to any vessel, whether sail or steam,
constructed and wholly owned in the United
States, or wrecked in the United States and
registered pursuant to the laws thereof, and
which shall be engaged in the foreign trade.
plying between the ports of the United
States and foreign ports. or between foreign
ports and other foreign ports. the sum of 80
cents per gross registered ton for each 1000
miles sailed, outward and inward, and
pro rata for any distance travelled less than
one thousand miles, on any voyage or voy
ages: Provided, That the foreign port to
which the voyage is made shall be more
than seventy miles from the boundary of
the United States; and such payments to
any vessel as aforesaid shall be paid to the
owner or owners thereof, upon proof of the
distance actually travelled, to be made pur-
suant to such rules and regulations as the
Secretary of the Treasury shall prepare and
promulgate; distances between ports to be
determined by measurements which shall be
furnished by the United States photographic
payment at the rate of 80 cents per ton for
each 1000 miles Travelled, as herein provided,
shall continue for the term of 10 years at
that rate, and thereafter for another term OF
nine years at reduction of three cents per
ton each year upon each 1000 miles travelled,
and pro rata for any less distance.
Sec. 2. That no vessel shall be entitled to
the benefits of this act, except such vessels
whose entire cargo shall be discharged at
one or more foreign ports. or whose entire
cargo shall be loaded at one or more foreign
ports and discharged at a port or ports in
the United States: nor shall vessel be enti-
tied to receive payment under this act unless
1t shall have on board as cargo at least -
per centum of its cargo capacity at the time
OF sailing from its port or ports of depart
ure.
Sec 8. That no vessels shall be entitled
to the benefits of this act unless all the Off
GERS thereof shall be citizens of the United
States. in conformity with the existing laws;
nor unless the following proportion Of the
crew shall be citizens of the United States,
to wit: During the first two years this act
shall be in force. one-slxth thereof, during
the next three succeeding years. one-third
teereof, and during the remaining term
Of this act, at least one-half thereof; nor un-
less there be carried on vessels of less than
one thousand tons gross register one native
born apprentice, and on vessels of one thous-
and tons and upward one such apprentice for
each thousand tons or three-fourths fraction
thereof.
Sec 4. That, to owners Of vessels already
built, payments under this act shall be made
for such time only as each shall stand in
spection and hold character, If wood built,
not lower than the fourth grade "a p, in a
scale of six grades, in the Record of Ameri-
ponding classification in the United States
Standard Steamship Owners, Builders and
Underwriters Association. If iron or steel
built, payments shall be made for such time
only as each vessel shall stand inspection,
and hold character not lower than the third
class "a 1, ten years., in the Record of Amer
lean and Foreign Shipping or the CORES
ponding classification in the United States
Standard Steamship Owners, Builders and
Underwriters Association.
Sec. 5. That vessels keel-laid and built
after the passage of this act, in order to be
entitled to payments after losing or lapsing
from class in the third grade if woodruff,
or from the second class or division If iron
or steel built, must have been so well con-
structed as to have been classed originally in
division, to wit: If wood built, Al, twelve
years; and if iron or steel built, Al, sixteen
years, In the Record of American and For
eign Shipping or the corresponding classif-
cation in the United States Standard Steam
ship Owners. Builders and Underwriters
b Bureau u0'sSf of SavgstOnp 9s apprGHai IN the ds
cretion of the Secretary of the
Treasury. Vessels so built and
classed for the highest character shall
receive payments as in section four provided
for vessels already built Vessels unclassed
in either Of the registers named in this act,
or in register whose rules for building and
inspection are fully equal in requirements,
and all vessels whose class has expired, or
been suspended or Withdrawn shall be dis
entitled to payments while this disqualified
tion exists.
Sec. 6. That the government of the
United States shall have the right, during
the time this act shall be in force, to pur-
chase or charter any vessels receiving the
benefits of this act at price to be fixed
by agreement with their owners or
agents., or by the Judgment Of appraisers,
mutually, selected. in case of disagreement.
Sec. THAT the Secretary of the Treas
ury shall fix the times and manner of pay
ments, prescribe the vouchers, with forms
of accounts and verifcations, upon which
payments shall be made, and shall adopt
whatever regulations may be necessary to
carry out the provisions of this act.