The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1842-03-16
NEW YORK HERALD.
New York. "wednesday. March 10. Isaa.



Hsw York. "wednesday. March 10, Is1a.
Trip 20 washington aud virginia.
We returned last evening, after having made fly
ing trip, ofneary three weeks duration, TO Wash
ington and Virginia.
We have collected, during this trip consider
able quantity of curious useful, and interesting ma
terlas, showing forth the state OF parties the conai
ton Of the lasbion able and financial world-the I'M
provements in Notes.-The confusion oil things al
Washington, the prospects of Clay, Tyler and Van
Bureu-the sweetness OF the Norfolk oysters-tEe
progress Of civilization in Virginia-and many other
things OF equal importance and moment. Congress
will do nothing at the present sesson-the Difficult
ties with Ensland are increasing every day-John
l. Graham has been nominated to the New York
Post office the ''New York Sun" and another cash
paper (not the Herald) will be appointed to publish
the lists Of letters, purely a matter of business,
&c. sc.
We shall open our budget to-morrow--it will be
rich In information, wit, philosophy TRUTH fact, pro-
phecy, and every thing that render life delights
full. We have not written line fer three weeks
and we are almost like to burst n B. We find the
iunisr editor in capital condition.
The Public School Questionable Meeting
This Afternoon.
meeting 10 10 be held in the Park this afternoon
by all those in favor of the present system Of public
schools in this city and as they numerous class
IL will doubtless be very large and important
meeting.
II is but fair however to state, that the call OF the
meeting is somewhat curousy worded. II calls on
all those opposed 10 the destruction Of the present
school system to attend this meeting. Why this
class embraces every sane man and woman in the
city But those who called that meeting ought to
know, and probably do know that desires the
destruction of the present school system, here or
elsewhere. Some few honestly believe, however,
that it can be improved upon, and rendered more
equitable and more efficient: whilst others are op.
posed to all improvement, and apparently to justice
and impartiality and would like every thing to re-
main in stctu quo TO the end of time.
We sha. see, however, what will be done at the
meeting this afternoon. We desire to see all the
advantages of orr School System retained but we
want to have the same system throughout pursued
this city that prevails in other parts of the State,
and that prevails in Massachusetts,. Let the people
choose their own school commissioners by general
election; there can be fairer test try the
ter by than this. But the opponents OF this plan say
chat would not be safe to trust the eee of COM
missioners to the people at large! In the name of
wonder, then, whom can we trust with it. If The
people not true to the mselves and their in
terests-if we cannot trust to them in this matter
cannot trust to any thing for that is the fornda
ton nj ouy hole svsfeu, of nveynment
However. let US patiently wait and see and hear
what the meeting does to-day about this business.
Above all, let every one keep perfectly cool.
The nav York Pilots, and the Working of
the present Pilot Law.
1t is well known fact that one of the strongest
arguments that has been used in support OF the pre-
cent pilot law is that experience since its passage
has proved it's utility. Now let examine into The
correctness of this assertion.
1t is fac: that, within the last five years, more
vessels have been lost or damaged while under the
charge Of pilots, than were lost or damaged, under
similar circumstances, during the whole period of
time antecedent to the passage of that law. OF this
any one may furnish themselves with proof by
glancing over files Under the old state law,
few accidents occurred to vessels in charge OF pl-
lots, and IT would therefore seem that the present
law has been urlous rather than benefic ia In Is
action. Besides the vessels damaged while under
the charge of pilots quite many have been ost
upon coast within the last five years. either from
unavoidable causes, from carelessness, have |
been lost within any other five years prior to that
time. ThiS also is fact very easily susceptible of
proof.
The public scarcely have forgoitea the wreck |
of the Garrick, Of the Memphis and more lately Of
the Fran kfor; these vessels stranded quite near
to the pilot grounds, as did the Mexico and Bristol
The injury TO property far more extensive in the
former than in the latter; while the terrible
loss Of life resulting from the destruction of those
two vessels is argument neither in favor Of the
guilt nor tie innocence OF the pilots. When the |
vessels first mentioned were wrecked, no man laid
the sin the pilots door, while in 1885, the papers
throughout The Union We'd with each other in heap
ing impreca,ions upon the pilots heads Let US
ask, why they were considered blameess in the one
case, but infinitely guilty in the other!
Now these very prove, that against such ac-
oidents il Is impossible awaysto guard and therefore
common benevolence, If not strict justice, should
teach us to believe that the loss of the Mexico and
Bristol not caused by the neglect of the pilots
II that principle our Lew, which gives to the prison
er at the bar the benefit Of doubt, be correct,
ly the pilot may ask favorable verdict at the hands
OF the public. Apart, however, from this reason
ing. the pilots have shown, by the aidayiss Of ma.
ny uaimpeschabe witnesses, that they were guilt
less in the matter OF those vessels, the Bristol
and Mexico; the Grand Jury acquitted them and
yet, although the calae,ny has been often refu,ed,
the dead arc again called from their graves to chill
the hand OF Justice, and prevent her from giving to
the pilots what's due them. But all the horrible |
scenes spoken OF are comprised in the wreck Of
these two vessels, aud malice itself can point
60 others.