The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-06-04
LOCO-FOCO FEDERALISM THE AID
JUNCT OF MONOPOLY.

JUNCT OF MONOPOLY.
Another Outrage In the House OF Representatives.
II will be recollected that, short time ago,
The pilots Of the city Of New York enjoyed
under law enacted by the Loco-foco Legisla-
lure Of the State of New York, complete mo-
nopoly of the business Of plotting vessels into
and ou Of, that port. The pilots Of New Jer-
sey were excluded from all participation in the
business, and the concern was, in fact, close
corporation Of the most odious character The
public soon experienced all the evils which ever
result from monopolies: the pilots, having no
competitors, became idle inattentive and unen-
lerprising, and they made little or no effort to
meet vessels al sea, and approaching our coast
The most terrible disasters ensued one vessel
after another was cast away; and, finally, the
public mind was electrified, and thoroughly
aroused, by the loss of the Bristol and the Mexi-
co, in which persisted many invaluable lives and
vast amount Of property
An earnest appeal was made to the Loco-focos
Of the New York Legislature to abate this nui
sance; but though they pretended TO hate such
monstrosities in the general, they had very
they refused to grant any relief.
AT length, the people addressed themselves to
Congress, who possessed complete control over
the subject, and that body, on the I'd of March,
1887, enacted a most salutary law providing,
in substance, that the pilots Of different States
are the boundaries Of such States, any law,
usage or custom TO the contrary notwithstand-
ing,
This act was received by the people with ac-
camation; the effect was TO let in the New Jer-
sey piots--a brisk competition ensued--the pilot
boats were improved activity and vigilance
ever more marked the service, and multitude
Of lives and a vast amount Of property were
saved and incalcuable advantages resulted to
the public. But the New York pilots continued
TO "long after the flesh pots OF Egypt" and they
made this session, strong application to Con
gress, for repeal Of the law Of 1887. The
subject was referred to the Committee on Com
merce, at the head Of which is the Hon. Mr.
Curtis, of New York. That committee took
the subject up, and by majority of one, Gall
Federal Loco-focos) agreed to report in favor Of
the repeal Of the law.
IN the mean time, the merchants, ship owners
and insurance companies Of the city of New
York, took the alarm. They sent in strong re-
monstrances against the measure, supported by
the most ample proof. Mr.. Curtis assembled
his commttee-they reviewed their decision,
and decided by a majority Of one, to report
III NJ
prepare report accordingly.
While he was doing this, strange to relate, Mr..
Hlen Of Maryland, "a thorough paced Federal
Loco-foco) presented the first report 10 the
House, as the report Of the committee which
had been reconsidered and set aside by that
body Whereupon, Mr. Curtis arose, and, by
plain narration of facts, showed theirregularity of
The proceedings of Mr.. Hillen, and the nvalidity
Of the report This, at once, aroused all the Fc-
dera Loco-foco strength of the House. Messrs.
Dromgooe, Thomas, and others, seemed to
agonHe, lest the defunct monopoly should not
again "live and breathe, and have being J"
and they, all at once, made the wonderful dis
coyery, that committee Of the House, when
they have once come to a resolution, cannot,
under any circumstances revise or reconsider it ]!
No matter what bunder committee may have
ommitted--though they may wholly misappre-
bend the merits of the case, and though they
be unanimous in favor Of a revision, yet a vote
once taken, is like the laws Of the Modes and
Persans, totally unaltcrable
Now we affirm, that there is not in the his
tory of Congress, the slightest foundation for
such an assumption. II was a base artifce re-
sorted to, TO forward the purposes Of al-grasping
monopolists, and contrary to every principle of
sound policy, and the highest and best interests
Of the public. The people will hear with as
constituent, that the whole Federal Loco foco
phalanx of the House with the exception of
The lntruders from New Jersey) were brought
up to sustain this monstrous proposition, and
actually voted into the House, this report as
emanatlng roma committee of which MAORI
~ are utterly opposed
What beautiful sample Of Loco-foco Fede-
ralism is this! Trampng under foot the prac-
hce OF Congress, from the foundation Of The
Government-interpolating an unheard Of rule
INTO the law of parliament, and treating one Of
The Standing Committees of the House with
ndlgnity and all this, that they might re-es-
'aol'sh Justly hated and most pernlcous mo
nopoiy Stand up! We Loco-foco Federalists,
u 'he presence Of the American People, and
Ivy out monopolies monopoies and we will
''and upon your observation-disclosures uypo-
critics
me speech OF Senator Tallmadge, on the sub
Jec' Of a General Bankrupt Law, will be found
u our columns Of to-day. We ask for this speech