The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-03-12
FOR THE MADIsoNIAN.
THE PILOT LAW.

The PILOT LAW.
Ma. EDIToR-In my last communication informed
you that attempts have been made in New York to
manufacture public opinion in order thatC Congress may
be deuded into the belief that persons said TO be the
most deeply interested in the proper regulation OF
Pilots are unanimous in their opposition to the repeal
of the act of Congress, this subject, passed IN
1887. la proof Of my assertion, told you that
meeting composed of but twenty-hree persons IS
magnifed into an assemblage comprising " The ship
masters, owners &C." of the port OF New DIRK
The little article which have underlined IS calcu-
lated TO produce the impression that all the ship
masters and owners in the city OF New York were
present in person or by proxy-the &C., that number
less other persons interested in the subject gave the
magnificent convention the benefit of their presence
and the resolutions passed the sanction Of their vote
The ship-masters, the owners the etceteras when
counted formed the stupendous aggregate Of twenty
three The said ship-masters, owners and etceteras
however ordered memorial to be prepared and CIR
cuated for signatures and when the said ship-mas-
ters owners and eceteras shall have obtained sui-
fcent number of foolscap sheets, neatly pasted TO-
gether filled with names, then will Congress be edi-
fled with learned memorial, and with the unrong
tons and post notes. OF signatures and shinpasers,
requires any calculation on these familiar to-
pics OF the probable character OF the memorial and
the signatures, shall therefore say nothing.
But the inference deduced from the fact that a
meeting OF ship-masters owners, and etceteras did
take place and pass resolutions protesting against the
repeal of the law of 1897, requires brief comment
That inference, find it stated in some of the New
York papers, is as follows: Whereas, the "shlp-mas-
tiers, owners, and etceeras of the port of New York
opposed to the.repeal OF the law, therefore Con-
gress should not repeal it, Now, even supposng that
the ship-masters owners, aud etceteras adverse to
the repeal to be not only more than tweny-hree in
number, but to include every man in the city of New
York, whom certain editors may choose to comprise
in these three grand divisions, still maintain that
the consequence is BY means Legitimate, that Con
gress is bound to continue the law as il IS
Congress, NJ doub,, should give respec u con lde-
ration 10 memorials repre- sentaons and argument. r..
speetfuy submitted all matters properly subject to
its legislation but it is unl to legi late tamely
and blindly in accord .nce with the representations
thus made 1.-THE doctrines of a memorial transmitted
by any set of men in New York ia any other place
is an imperative law for the government OF Congress,
then legislation bee mes mere nully and the mem
bers Of both II buses would best subserve the interest,
ofthe country by dispensing a, and going hone
to attend to their private affairs. Such notion may
when thus represented appear absurd II is Sc
rousy inculcated by some of the New York presses
Because ship masters, &c, It's said, in the city Of New
York are opposed to the repeal Of the law Of s37,
therefore il should not be repealed
Congress should respectfully consider, as have
said in the preceding paragraph the arguments OF the
memorials but is not bound blindy to obey them.
After this respectful consideration, It's appropriate duty
of egislation commences lis first inquiry is not who
is friendly or who is hostile to the law, but whether
the law itself is constitutional My own inyestiga-
tons have taught me to believe that il is not My
want legal knowledge teaches me TO place but little
reliance on my own judgment in this matter, but
learn that ninent juriss advise that the law is un
constitutional If such be the case-if the law o
1887 be repugnant the Constitution if after matur,
exam alton the wisdom of Congress becomes salts
fed that it is 50, then it ought to be repealed The
first duty of the Legislature is confined to this simple
inquiry
But il may be objected that the interests of mer-
chants ship-owners, ship-masters, and underwriters
will be materially injured If the law is repealed -
Grant that such may be the consequence the only
Div to the objection Isl that they seek protec
ton for their interests by some means compatible with
the Constitution of the United States The Consti-
tuition is not to DO rodden under foot for their inte-
rests, especially when they be Otherwise secured
With your permission, Mr.. Eder, shallietu tC
the subject Of the Pilot Law.
AN OLD MERCHANT
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