The Portland daily press., 1891-10-22

vice Presldents-Hon. j. III. Manley, Augusta (;
Redfeld Proctor. Vermont; VIM. HI. Lincoln,
Massachusetts; 1. s. Manton. Rhode Island; N.
B. sperry, Connecticut; q. B. Potter, New York;
George III. Brewer, New Jersey; II. +, Cause,
Delaware; Andrew Wheeler, Pennsylvania.
Letters were read from Hon. VIM. P. Frye,
Hon. Eugene Hale, and Hon. VIM. K. Chan
dler. The memorial of the National Ship
ping league previously printed was adopted.
City Hall was packed this evening for at
at the last minute Congressman Dingley had
been pursuaded to change his original plans
and remain with Captain Boutele, and this
fact had been made known to the public in
every possible way. When Mr.. Dingley was
introduced, there was burst of applause, ,and
when at last 1t subsidized this recognized au-
thority OF the subject in hand launched into
q comprehensive and convincing review of
the shipping situation, that left the oppon-
ent OF protection to this grand industry moth
ing to lean against. Mr.. Dlngley showed
that our lack of vessels in foreign trade is
pot the result of lack of cargoes, for where
are two carried now. but only
our c0astwlse trade, protected by
law h0urishes, while the foreign is
nearly dead. The change began in 1866. 1t
was accelerated greatly by the war, but 1t
was the result of causes easily found. A
revolution began In marine circles about this
time. Iron and steam began to succeed wood
ana sail. The extra cost of building with
the extra cost. from the larger crews re-
CURED for sailing the vessels made labor a
more important element in the problem and,
as England seeing her Opportunities. at the
same lime began her Isystem of stupendous
SuDsldles, the combined effect was PRACTICAL
~ TO driYe American ships from the foreign
trade. But people have come to realize the
importance Oh maintaining. a foreign trade
In American bottoms, and since practical
men have discovered that free ships would
only increase the trouble, not remedy II. thew
are looking toward national assistance for
our merchant marine. Most of the dues
nave been removed, the materials are free and
the tonnage bill is logically the next step.
which Mr.. DiDgley is confident, will be tax.
en- In the very near future. Jefferson said
vessels were as essential to a nation as forts,
Ten years ago the tonnage bill would not
have commanded twenty votes. Last year
1t only lacked hye. The tonnage bill is cop
led after the French and Italian, which have
been successful. "You have yard" said
Mr.. Dingley, mot equalled In quality In the
world, and you will soon be building ships
of iron."
Congressman Boutelle followed with a
review of the nations experience In building
its navy. He was not complimentary toward
the Democrats who invariably distrusted the
Americans ability oequal the English al
such work and wanted TO import wherever
possible. Mr. Boutele argued the need OF
time for Yankees to grow to the accomplish
ments, in this line, Of the mechanic Of Great
Britain, but he was proud of what was al
| ready accomplished and predicted that the
navy would lead the way for success for oul
merchant marine. The first ships of the new
navy were from English designs. Now VIZ
| can beat their models. We make our OWL
machinery and use our own material. ln sil
| wears we have beaten the best forgers of Eu
rope. The Bethlehem Iron Works has no equa
| AS chairman of the naval committee he was
| ,sfunctus ofiicio" but Mrs. PaTtington neve
undertook such job as sweeping back ship
| ping sentiment. He paid high com
and Gen. Dipgley visited today and whicl