The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-01-26
The New York Plots-What arc thcl
Rights

Rights!
The pilot question, soon to be disposed of by
Congress, involves the following considerations
A repeal of the act of Congress of March I'd,
1887, has been sought for by the New York lcens-
ed pilots, on the following grounds, and has been
opposed by the Chamber OF Commerce and
Board of Underwriters for the following reasons:
Nrst-The mercantile interests, represented by the
Chamber of Commerce and Board of Underwriters sd,o
cate free trade in the business of plotting
Sscond-They object, that the New Yorklpots desire
to secure monopoly.
The first point has not been urged with much
zeal. though has been earnestly entertained by
many, Notwithstanding the obvious objection to
it; but the claptrap clamor Of monopoly has ever
been pressed in the cause, with all the odum they
have been capable of attaching to it.
The pilots have addressed the following reasons
to Congress that the law should De repealed
Fgrst-They have sought the repeal Of the act Of
reigny inasmuch that act permits the citizens Of the
State Of New Jersey In virtue OF licenses ssled BY the
municipal aHthors. Of that state to % eI unS
sovereignty and jurisdiction of this state; believ
ing the State Of New Jersey might with as
practice in this State as to license pilots to exc
cute their Office in New York waters. The New Jersey
pilots have established office in the city of NewYork
they offer their services and engaged pilots there
take vessels not only from the wbarvss Of the North
that the waters in common and in navigating them
and fro they pass through the Narrows with Kings
county on side and Richmond county on the other
both counties OF the State Of New York.
SecondTbey have sought repeal OF the act IN pro-
lection ofthemselves against the prescription which has
long been exerted by certain and many merchants,
who have driven them from their vessels without pre-
tence Of misconduct or want OF skill IN order to sustain
that other interest which created through their in
rumenality and has since been fosered by their pa
ronago.
onin Of of
Chamber of Commerce. and late Secretary OF the Navy
OF United States, arrogany constituting themselves
law makers have undertaken to adopt constitution and
established regulations for the government oil pilots an
nexng pecunary penalties for violation OF their ordi
nances.
Fourth-They contend that the anomalous association
of the Secretary of the Navy with corporations created
Of bs FsSers with State
unauthorized either by the constitution OF the United
States or my act of Congress but altogether repugnah
to the genius OF our political institutions
FVth-They contend that in the course pursued by
the above corporations creatures merely OF state autho
ry they have transcribed the powers OF their respec
tive charters and should be deprived Of corporate ex-
istence.
Sirih-That in the course pursued by those corpora
tons they have not only manifested dangerous dispo'
ion 10 usurp prerogaive in attempting to subject free
citizens their will have invaded private rights by
adopting rules imposing pecunary penalties for non 90
servance Of their illegal legislation thereby inconesii-
bly, proving well their unht"ess to administer in the
matter that they should not even be listened to with
respect by the council OF the nation
SeUenh They have sought that the act should be re-
intelligence and integrity sufficient to regulate her pilot
system.
That the senseless clamor OF monopoly may
be understood, the following propositions made
by the pilots to the Chamber of Commerce and
Board of Underwriters, are submitted to the pub
lie I; to which the Chamber Of Commerce gave
their reply. Its tone and spirit needs no criticism;
nothing but utter subjuga,.on will satisfy tn cir
love ofpower, or appease the wound to their i'm
portance, inflicted by the pilots in daring to assert
their rights. The underwriters have not deigned
to answer the respectful communication of tn
pilots, deeming it inexpedient, and probably en-
barrassng to do so.
To the Board Of Underiters of the City Of Nep York
and the Chamber Of Commerce.
GENrLEMEN:-
rous to reconcile the unhappy differences which have
so long prevailed between themselves and the CONNER
cal interests OF this port, with the view to establish an
organised stem the subject Of potago in the stead
of the confusion which at present exists in that respect
impressed with the conviction that the commerce Of the
port and our own prosperity will thus be promoted and
great calamity avoided, respectfully submit the follow
ing propositions -
To attain those essential objects 1t is proposed that
such law be enacted by the legislature of this sato as
may be agreeable to the Chamber of Commerce and
Board of tnderw rers, whereby there shall he csa.
bshed Board Commissioners Pilots of which said
Board one shall be President or Vice President OF
Marine Insurance Company of the City of New YORK. to
shall be merchant md ship owner also Of said
city to be chosen by the Chamber Of Commerce the
remaining shall be pilot elected by the pilots Of the
port of New York, now licensed, who may be herea
ter licensed under said act.
It's further proposed that all the persons perform
ing the duties pilots under the license OF the state OF
Now jersey and those performing the like duties under
the authority conferred them by tho Chamber Of
Commerce, and Board of Underwriters Of tho City of
New York shall be confirmed in their authority to act
pilots under said act.
II being hereby expressly understood that these pro-
itinnf
Underwriters and Chamber Of Commerce will unite
with the Association of Pilots at the present session
Congress IN efforts TO procure tho repeal Of the act Oh
Congress-, entitled " An Act concerning Piion, up
proved March ID, 1887. 80
1t is also requested should the Bo9ri Of Underwn.els
and the Chamber Of Commerce concur with ihe asso
ton OF Pilots IN the ter offered Tor tne sns
tory adjustment of this subject, they viii ~ ~,
their appreciation al their earliest convensn,1Se ~
subscriber JOHN MAo.tt't;;,
'''h' VI 'ho Ne" IO7 South street.
New York, Jan OH, is47.
CaAmBER CoMmERcg,
New York. Jan. a. 1877 }