The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-01-28

PiiOts-Chamber OF Commerce and Board OF
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. and Penalties.
It was stated in former paper that the Board Of
ed themselves innocuous. That folly has been mani
tested
First. BY presuming to substitute themselves in
the place OF the State, In establishing a constitution
rules and regulations for the government of her cit
Zens, who owe no allegiance either 10 the Chamber
of Commerce, or Board OF Underwriters. E.
Second. In daring TO prescribe and excommuni-
cate by "Papal bull" all those citizens who not
prepared to do them feay, and submit to their dis
cipIlne.
Third. In recommending policy for the obser-
vance of ship masters and owners, tending to en-
nance the dangers OF commerce, expose the lives OF
travellers land sacrifice the interests OF stockholders.
And last as will now appear, by selzlng on the deli
cate and sacred province of sovereignty, In impos-
ing pains and penalties for violation or contempt OF
their usurped authority.
In all these respects are those corporators obnCx-
ious to reproach and IT now only remains to deter
mine whether they have thus offended through Igno-
rance, or IN premeditated spirit OF usurpation-
Who will venture to ascrbe, to men Of education,
ignorance OF the fundamental principles OF our po-
litical institutions That humiating subterfuge
will not shield gentlemen who are presented to the
public as the principal officers OF corporate bodies
indeed, their amour propre" would be more deep
y wounded by thus excusing them, than by placing
their conduct in the other category.
Every member Of Congress should be provided
with copy Of this memorable constitution, that
each, for himself, might determine whether 1t Is the
production OF Ignorance or presumption.
The 18th regulation, establishing tariff of COM
said distance from Sandy Hook Light House, shall
offer his services as Pilot and ,chich said offered
serU,ces shall be Intentionally auoided expressly
fused, such Pilot shall De paid one-ha the amount Of
piotage, his services had been accepted and per-
formed" Imagine the folly OF that regulation, In
the absence Of all law to justify enforce it. What
ship owner will tolerate such Interference with the
navigation Of his vessel, and pay for pilot service,
when his captain Intentionally avoided or express
ly refused to employ the Pllota Gould the claim De
enforced at law-surely nothing can be more alb
surd? Who has invested these ,corporators with
authority to dictate whether Pilot shall or shall
ownerfor the payment OF services which ne elnten-
tionay avoided or expressly refused, and this oo
in the nature of penalty With the same color OF
himself to directors and stockholders OF an Insur
ance other company, and "ofler his services" as
the President of the company, and 'if the services
offered be intentionally avoided or expressly reus-
ed" insist on half the salary or emouments OF the
office. In principle there is no distinction.
With bold hand have these corporators under
taken to designate certain vessels as the objects
pilot taxation, whilst others belonging to citizens OF
the United States, with grave and solemn discrimi-
nation, are exempted. In their high behest foreign
vessels, great and small, are bound ito pay the
PIPER"
posed in addition to pains OF suspension and disnis-
sal but, much OF that criminal jurisprudence 10
exercised over those who voluntarily became parties
to the compact, 1t scarcely deserves notice the last
clause, however, characterizes the imbecity OF the
whole work." Masters Of vesseis are required TO
gre true account to the Pilot, Uhsn boarding, Of
Me druught Of such vessel, under the penalty Of 25"
Will these sapient gentlemen amend their remon-
STRANGE to Congress, and obge their Representa-
tlves, by informing them whence they derive autho-
rly to mulct masters OF vessels, American or Tor
eign, for dlsobeying the preceding or any other
august mandate Will they enghten Congress as
| to the mode Of enforcing such penalty! They have
exercised legislative powers; do they contemplate
to erect tribunals OF justice and appoint ministerial
officers to execute their solemn Judgments! ls Il
not an insult to the common sense OF this coInmlinl-
ty that this mockru should be enacted under the
authority of the Chamber OF Commerce and Board
OF Underwriters OF the city OF New York What,
tain for any reason whatever that can be imagined
Though he would scott at the attempt, how rdicu-
ous would the Commissioners appear IN their essay
to enforce 1t I? Suppose, however, some ignorant
or hmld man should be weak enough to pay the
exacted penalty does it occur to these gentlemen
that the exaction would much OF obtaining
money under false pretences No, II has not occur
red to them they have not reflected on the subject,
few designing individuals they have been led, they
are heartily ashamed Of the ridiculous character IN
which they are presented to the world still II 10
proper "to hold the mirror up to nature" that the
remonstrance OF these same gentlemen may be duly
appreciated by Congress Will they there be listen
ed to with respect nay, are men entitled 10 any
position before the councils OF the nation, who have
trampled under foot the landmarks Of civil liberty
in their vaulting career Of arrogant usurpatlon!
II is not alone the cause OF the Pilot that IS IN
volved these reflections but every citizen OF this
state and country has an equal interest in putting
down this hydra-headed monster Of ambition be-
tore other victims folded in its coils Ours Is
government of laws, and to her ministers ready
support Is cheerfuly accorded but from such du!i-
tul submsson none are to presume degraded will
ngness to tolerate the stealthy Of Inqusition.
Will not Congress affix stern Reproduction to this
attempt at dominion, will they not see that these
ground recently occupied by the Legislation Of New
York, and denounce the presumption as dangerous
TO the State!
The admonition is necessary, and may be whole
some PUBLICoLA.