Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1906-01-10
FROM WASHINGTON.
Plan to Abolish Small Customs Dis
trfcts- Maine in the Navy.

WASHINGTON, ID. c., Jan. Especially
The State of Maine is doing her part In
keeping up the United States navy. Fig
ures given out at the bureau OF navigation
a few days ago show that there are 277
enlisted men in the navy who were born
in Maine. These are more than half
enough to man one OF the big new BATTLE
ships and make good proportion for the
Pine Tree State, when 1t is remembered
that the total enlisted force OF the navy
is 3,Soa. some OF tne Nff, however, NO"
hail from other states, as but lo2 are now
residents OF Maine
The other New England states 90 even
better than Maine, IN enlistment. Con-
necticut, state OF about the same size,
has 4g7 natives among the Jackies OF the
navy, OF whom a42 are now residents OF
the state. But, OF course, connecticut mas
several cities OF considerable size near the
seacoast and goodiy number oil the sail
ors nowadays are recruited from coast
cities.
New Hampshire, which has only short
coast line and but one city oil any sue on
of whom i65 CLAIM, that state as their pres
ent residence. Bhode Island has Az ma
tive sons in the United States navy and
372 jackies claiming that state as their
place of residence.
Massachusetts, Is the second. state in the
Union In the matter OF navy enlistments,
again emphasizing the patriotism OF the
New England people. The enlistments Of
native born Massachusetts men are 2,17o,
while 1870, or enough to man i've big bat
tleships, claim Massachusetts, as the state
OF their residence.
In the older days OF the republic, re-
cruiting officers could go down on the
coast of Maine and pick up plenty OF com
petent men for service in the navy on
short notice. But matters have changed
greatly. Not emily are the sailor lads on
the coast OF Maine fewer than they used
to be, but they are not as competent 10
fight the 1ountry's ships without tram
ing. The time was when they needed lit
tie training. Now months ana years OF
service on the oattieships are necessary 10
the making OF good Jackies, however
brave and well put up they may be-
movement ON iooe VI 'ne iious ~ ieo'
game the customs service ., tne county,
TO aooiish many Oh the oiu uis'f'o'si "neie
comparatively sn'Aii eoiiee''o's arc
M as Is tne case Win many ""'"e u''
triets' ano SUBSTITUTE inspectors IN Pi'oe
OF COLLECTORS anu oePotss' ing pm" mas
peeh put lor""ro ny fepre'ens"''fe
Iawnes, OF Mihhesoes, in,T enSu l''ir ~
the committee on appropriations"
"Why, all That Is very ofu, saiu oehssof
hals' lhey nave Dee" trying W uo .Ha''
al intervals, lot many years pWs W nnAse
never had difncnity IN oeiea'ins II, ior Tue
present system Is geheraiiy sat"tAc'orys
ana IS not expensive our customs scr
vice IN Maine has been very eHciehht. 4
am sure VIII DC conceoeo tha' 'ne
appointments nave peeh sooa. Hsprer
sentative men In the'r respce'i'e oo"
munitles nave been appointed as eoiiee'ors.
Iher remuneration mas oeeh SHALL III a'
out TWO or three Oh tine MAINE customs
districts out eheir' COCO s'aha.ne mas
conditions, smuggling has been mech less
than it would have been had the govern
ment only kept inspectors on guard.
THE collectors in Maipe hNe hsdS IN
each case deputy or twoT-wher needed,
and these have been capable men. The
result is that, while the annual collections
have been small, except at such ports as
Bangor and Portland, the collections at
Boston and other ports have been. much
larger than they would have been with a
less efficient service at the various points
over Maine.
~ do not anticipate any difficulty in
defeating such plan as Mr. Tawney pro-
poses, even should it ever pass the House"