The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1842-03-10
The New York Pilots-Repeal OF the odlou,
Pilot LAW.

The New York Pnots-Repeal OF the odlous
Pilot Law.
We perceive that, in addition to the recent move
ments in Congress, preparatory 10 a repeal of the
odious Pilot Law, by which the Pilots of New York
are deprived Of their just rights, there has been
movement made in our State Legislature having the
same result in view.
This is no more than right, and an act OF common
Justice 10 the New York Pilots And it is certain
that the good sense Of this community will sooner
or later demand that this law should be repealed. 1t
Is true that there are few men, mlsled by preJu-
dice and false statements, who are opposed to the
repeal Of the Pilot Law which Mr. M'keon was
maid by service OF plate for getting passed
through Congress But immense majority OF
the people of New York, including the merchants
and ship masters. now in favor OF an immediate
repeal of that law. And, although this subject Is be-
fore Congress, and strenuous efforts were made the
other day by the Wall street papers AID Jersey pi-
lots get up large meeting to draft resolutions, to
be sent to Congress, to oppose the repeal OF M
Keon pilot law, only sevetefn persons could be drum
med up 10 attend that needing, including all the Jersey
pilots that were there. The resolutions that nomi-
naly were passed on that occasion, were all cut and
dried before hand and copies were taken round
among the merchants down town afterwards by the
Jersey pilots 10 have signatures attached to them
and after they had manufactured much public
opinion as they possibly could in this way, The docu
neats were sent on to Washington.
Now, we sincerely trust that Congress will look at
this matter in the only light in which they ought TO
look at it; the injustice which the Pilot Law doesto
the New York pilots-and repeal before the session
adjourns We speak independently in this matter
We are fully sensible of the Importance OF having
proper competition among our pilots, and oil Inc I'M
mense shipping interests which are at stake IN this
affair, and OF the thousands of lives and millions OF
property that depend upon the vigilance, activity,
skill and energy Of our pilots and the perfection OF
their system And with keen sense Of the impor-
lance Of all this, and seeing daily and hourly the
working of our New York pilot system, we say to
the members of Congress, 'repeal the Pilot Law
without delaw"
That law was conceived in error, and brought
forth in injustice The most gross and exaggerated
fasehoods were palmed upon the then excited mind
of the public in relation the loss of the Bristol and
Mexico. Time, that generally rectifes all things,
has shown that there was the slightest blame to
be attached to any Of the New York pilots in rea-
ton TO the loss Of either of those vessels. Ii Ia well
known that they were outside the Hook, and had
been out all the winter keeping sharp lookout for
all vessels as their duty and their interest alike de-
manded of them; and frequently, too frequently, at
the risk Of their lives then, and since, as the
sad loss of the New York pilot boat Gratitude, with
all on board, fatally proved.
Look at the whole course and system of our gallant
New York pilots for years and years back. They
all have gone to learn this business OF plotting when
they were mere boys for years and years they risk
ed their lives daily an hourly, exposed themselves
to the fury OF every and tempest,in order mere
ly to learn how bring vessel safely into the har.
Der of New York. An all this time they were
earning merely subsistence. They all had to serve
longer and more tedious apprenticeship, IN obedi-
nce to the laws Of this state, than any other set Of
men, in any other profession under the sun. And
they did this cheerfuly, with the full hope that on
arriving the age of about thirty years, they would
receive the reward due to their patience, skill and
industry in the protection of their right solely 10 p
lot vessels in and out Of this port
To their utter establishment, however, Just rs a
large number of the best citizens we have, had quail
flied themselves to become pilots IN the way we
have stated, they the bread taken out OF theil
rnouths-their wives and children deprived of the
comforts of life-and all their prospects scattered to
the winds, because, through senseless clamor and
unjust prejudices large number OF men were
brought from another State TO eat up that substance
which was solely the RICH, and property OF the New
York pilot, aad for which he had toied and riskec
his life for years. To make this case as plain al
possible TO the great body Of the working classes,
will put case:-
Suppose there was law existing in this State il
relation to the journeymen printers of this cit
(compositors) which compelled every person VIII
intended TO earn his living by working at case t
serve long and tedious apprenticeship of eight @
,Lo hue, hefo he
lowed to wosl, in the city as a journeyman that h
should net be allowed so to work without his art
ces al apprenticeship, certified TO, that he ha
served out his time. And then suppose tina
alter several hundre industrious and worthy youn
men had been brought up 10 the business un
des this law, and being Just out Of their tirae
numbers OF them had married, in the properl
conhdeui belief that they could obtain work enou y
IN the city 10 support their wives and families Sup
pose at this stage OF the business, tina, Congress
should pass a law allowing unlimited number o
journeyman printers (who had picked up their trad
any how, any where, and every where, many
whom were the botches at the bushes
and had only been connected with il year or tw,
20 come into this city, work joxrneymen, 7
ceive full pay as jouneymen, and thus take u
bread GU, Of the mouths of hundreds Of New Yor
ers who had served their time out in good faith, al
also reduce their families TO starvation.
Would not such an act on the part Of Congress
one of the most unjust and Infamous measures II
could possibly be passed And yet it would not
one atom more unjust han Mr.. MKeon's Pilot Ii
was to the Pilots Of the port Of New York, in alo
ing the Jersey Pilots who had served no apprent
ship to the business-who knew little or nothing
the navigation of the harbor-to como and take
bread away from our hardy and industrious pilots
their families.
We speak froma mere sense of duty in this matt
Duty to a worthy, valuable body of men, We hs
NO feelings of envy, hatred, malice to crafty