The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-03-10

constitution and bylaws. similar 20 all
up date societies and changes the
name Of the association 10 that OF THE
Rhode Island Society"
Mr.. Rounds moved TO give the members
an opportunity for examination. that it's
passage be postponed for one month. II
was 80 ordered.
FOREIGN COMMERCE.
The president then introduced Hon.
Daniel II. Ballou. who. delivered a very
exhaustive. eloquent address entitled
"A Merchant Marine and Its Restoration
TO Narragansett Bay" IL was a very
elaborate and instructive discourse and
treated the subject In all its phases and
bearings from the earliest commercial
times TO the present wonderful extent
OF commercial activity.
lie deplored the fact OF allen crafts en-
joying all our rich shipping passenger
commercial trade. and our own splendid
shipyards famishing for needed patron
age.
He spoke In earnest eloquent terms
Of the Importance and the boundless treas
l~es OF Nara gansett bay, and urged the
Immediate Improvement and occupa ton
OF the grandest commercial opportunities
possessed by any people on earth.
The colonists OF Rhode Island began
very early to seek their fortunes or the
sea. Shipbullding followed that OF agri-
cultude and the young men took TO a sea-
farlng life because farm lands were taken
up before the close OF the nth century.
Narragansett bay, the home OF the daring
fishermen. became a recruiting field for
the prlvateering service OF the incessant
wars with England IN the 18th and 18th
centuries
The rolls Of the great captains. Whip
pie. Hopkins. Hazard and Perry. bore the
names OF hundreds OF brave sailor men
from Narragansett's shores. The British
admiral, Rodney, when they excavated
Newport In IT'S, said IL was the noblest
harbor in America. for squadrons I'm As
hours TO blockade Boston. New York and
Philadelphia.
Had the Puritans landed here Provi-
dence would have been the Boston OF
New England. In l7OS the colony num-
bered 7lN and 81 vessels built I'm II years.
In l70 1t was 1880 and shipping annually
from England. Holland and ~ from the
Mediterranean. In l74s the colony was
4l2s, Newport 1910, Providence SiS2.
Rev DR.. McSparren says. 1--WE are a
vast advantage 10 England in the con-
sumption OF her manufactures, for which
we make return in new ships and whale
oil, bone and dry fish" In 1855 the coll
ony was 10000. In 1864 Newport showed
l52 clearances 10 Europe, Africa and the
West Indies and 1853 vessels in the coast
ing trade.
NEW ERA OPENED.
In 1869 Newport numbered 1000. In 1884
a new commercial era opened on Wash
ington's birthday, the Empire of China
sailed from New York for China, the first
OF a fleet which matched England's ma
rine feet in the orient.
aHH to Call
dence. The first vessel from Rhode ISL
and was the George Washington, Dec.
10, l76. The last clearance and last ar
rival in 1S4l..
In 1890. the shipping OF Providence ex-
ceeded New York. consisting of nine
ships. 36 brgs. 45 sloops and - schoon-
ers.
Rhode Island men have two-fold in
terest for a restoration OF the merchant
marine. First, 10 increase the Industrial
activities, and second, the desire TO see
shipbuilding returned to Narragansett
bay.
The congressional contemplated action
is an opportunity which would not be
disregarded by Providence merchants.
capitalists and captains of industry.
After the address OF Colonel Ballou,
the president introduced Lieutenant Gov
ernor Frederick II. Jackson, president
OF the Board OF Trade. who gave an elo-
quent and interesting relation OF his visit
to Washington, and his call upon Speaker
Cannon and Secretary Cortelyou.
He said that the appropriations had
been greatly increased. n fact which
would greatly benefit Providence He was
greatly pleased and briefly euloglzed the
address OF Colonel Ballou.
The decease OF Mrs. Amy Hazard Ar
mold. mother OF Colonel James n. Arnold.
the only living charter member of the as
sociation. was announced, with a memo
rial service. The president gave notice
OF a horticultural social on the evening
OF March 10. at the FalstaT parlors.
A vote OF thanks was passed 20 Colonel
Ballou and also TO Lieutenant Governor
Jacksn on motion adjourned