The New York herald., 1845-02-24
Nsw YORK pilots.

NEW York Pilots.
As the Pilot Laws now presented 10 thc
public in an aspect which must soon lead 10
decided and permanent action, 1t is proper, IN
the discussion OF that important question, 10 pre-
sent the point really at issue. II is sought by
those opposed to the views expressed in the Cover
nor's message to agltate the causes which induced
the passage of the act OF Congress. and efforts arr
made by involving the pilots OF New York IN the
disasters OF 1887, to establish that they are unwor
thy of public confidence or Legislative protection
To this attempt the answer Is, that satisfactory
official investigation entirely acquitted tnem OF
any incupatlon in that respect, and so would puo-
lie opinion were il not for the interested agitators
OF New Jersey, who do no! mean to lose the ad-
vantage of prejudice by clamorous accusation
To determine the true points in controversy, It's
necessary to ascertain Who are the parties I % Pa,s
the State Of New Jersey, her Pilots, and the mel
chants and underwriters OF this city. For what
purpose the respective parties contendins! New
York is vindicating her sovereignty. New Jersey
covertly, under the banner of the commercial IN
terests (who Snwittingly have become her ally,) is
striving to open new field OF enterprise tor her r.
lots, while the Jersey Pilots, hungry tor plunder,
are ready to take il on any terms.
The real contest at Albany is New Jersey against
New York though the former may not have the
assurance to send emlssarles TO our Legisatve
Halls, with the insolent request that New YORK
should surrender her domlnlOns to New Jersey,
and accept her citizens to administer our municipal
Offices The single question is shall we MAINTAIN
State rights and uphold State supremacy, or sur
render them to the pretenslons OF grasplng neigh
Dor, who, having no commerce of her own, pre-
sented herself to Congress- by deceltu legislation,
in an attitude to be benefited by unoward excite
ment, and throw her citizens on this State tor sup
port.
On the 9Th of February, 1887, that State enacted
her first Pilot Law; at that moment the present act
of Congress was about becoming alaw; IN order TO
avail herself OF its provisions New Jersey esab-
lished her Pilot system under the pretence of Its
pao IfU xyhp IN tv,,tt tha cir Ia w
make Pilots for New York.
The preamble of her act discoses her dissimua-
tion /; it is, I" That whereas the commerce OF New
Jersey required every facility and aid usually ex
tended TO maratime States-and whereas, at this
time, there are no licensed pilots for the safe con
duct OF our increasing commerce, rendering us
wholly dependent on neighboring State"
That preamble admits the fact that New Jersey
before had no pilots and processes to appoint them
for the safe conduct of her increasing commerce
The motive OF that law cannot be Misunderstood
and it cannot be too much regretted that sove-
reign State should be so unmindful OF her dignity
as to resort to this speciOus subtelfuge OF her In
creaslng commerce.
The inquiry is not whether the New York pilots
violated their trust in 1887, but whether this State
is competent to regulate pilot system adequate to
her commerce. 1t Is not whether the commerce OF
New Jersey is increasing. or whether that .'mara
time State" has the material to make efficient p
lots, but whether we require her fishermen to occu
py our Offices of trust and profit, and at the same
time be exempt from the pains and penalties of our
laws In short, sit is whether we can govern our
selves, should be put out to nurse to charitable
nelghbor
Ii is bindly contended that the act of Congress
DESTROYED the Odious monopoly that formerly ex-
isted, when in truth that benefit was the effect OF
the State law, which provides that "no pilot shall
participate in the earnings of any others than those
attached to the same boat and for breach OF this
provision any pilot pilots shall forfeit his or their
licenses"
How must citizen of New York be impressed,
on comparing the provisions of the act Of Congress
with the laws of this State, in papable conflict
with each other! Will he not:hesitate to abandon
his own family and fly to the arms of strangers?
The act of Congress is as follows:
"Be it enacted, that 1t shall and may be lawful
coming into, or going out OF any port, situate or
watersw which are the boundary between two States,
to employ any pilot duly licensed authorized by
the laws of either of the States bounded on the
said waters to pilot any vessel to from said port
ANY law, usage or custom to the contrary not
withstanding."' Approved March 4,h, 1887. ,
same year, establishes r Board of Commissioners,
and authorizes them to license pilots-and, by the
9th section, declares that"Any person rot holding
license as pilot who shall pilot, offer to pilot,
any ship or vessel to-. or from, the port of New
York, by the way Of Sandy Hook, shall be deem
ed guilty of a mlsdemeanor, and, on conviction
dollars, or imprsonmentno not exceeding one month.
On the 4th March, 1887, Congress invited the
citizens of New Jersey to pilot on our waters. On
the 18th of April following, New York forbade
them, under the pain of fine and imprisonment t.
We are now to determine whether the hospitality
at Washington shall draw locusts to our harvest
or the frugality Of New York preserve our store.
Can New Jersey supply few sober and expe-
rienced men as harbor masters and port wardens
for New York? JUSTICE.