New-York daily tribune., 1849-02-16
The Pilots.

The following circular has been addressed to
the members OF the Legislature from ibis city and
Brooklyn EEw YORK. Feb r. lsf9
GEx1tEMEv Al meeting Of merchants held on
Saturday lssr, were appointed Committee 70 write
10 YOU on the subject o the pilot law which passed
the Assembly and was recently referred o. the New
York and Brooklyn Delegations. This is subject In
which our constituents have deep interest aud i il
also one of great importance 10 our c.ty.
The underwriters and many of tho merchants assent
cd % bill on the uggestiOn Of many OF the pilots A.
the commencement Of the session which wss printed
bv the Assembly on the l6h of January snd numbered
So which bi.l reported % the House BY Mr Fiske
from the Committee on Colme rcc snd Navigation, aud
on The 26h Of January the same bill was recom'utea
and reported back reprinted and numbered W. with
such ssenfs variations that u j. wholly ursat si-ct0ry
10 those whom We represent. and remonsTsnce has
been numerOusy signed and sent % the Legislature
sgsnst its psssase. embracing among the signatures
the names OF many persons ~ho had sssented 70 tae
bill previously sent numbered f6, as above.
IL ~ii be recollected BY many members Ot the Legs
ls;ure ihs; grea; and repeated efforts were made oy
the merchants and residents o this city 70 obtain soe
modification Of the old pilot laws which operated very
oppres.vely upon the mercantile community securing
monopoly OF the business 20 limited number N
pilots of G long period oi years under system which
produced inactivity snd lsck OF efforts occasionins
great losses Of property and lie, aud many melancholy
wrecks, 80 the records Of former years will make
manifest
variety Of circumstances eventually produced a
tree system Of potage under which the services re-
ships always have pilots ready to ake them outthe in
coming 81 Ds others az sufficient distances from
port 10 answer sl their wants aud tire remuneration
paid by the merchants for hese services satisfactory
10 large part Of the pilots. who ready and com
petent % perform the required services. sui II sp
pears By the alterations in the bill before you that
some influences aud suggestions have Cccssoned i'm
portsnf changes in the bill semitic the Lsesature which
alterations The undersigned required BY their con
situent. 10 oppose.
The free system and open competition now secures
I'D ruaf md
has att nded the new pilots who have entered upon
the business far exceeding most ssnguine expects
tons. The mistakes made by them considered no
zreAter In proportion than those made By the older
pilots and the undersigned would consider II most
fatal the part Of the Legislature % disturb the
full and tree competition existing, By the enforcing
of positive rates Of compensation by law, or by any
Legislative sets discouragng the free system now in
operation.
The section imposing charge Of half pflotage upon
vessels the OF which do not wish pilots Is very
Objectionable. The obligation imposed by the new law
70 awe the vessel out 20 the plot who may have
broug BIT her in is very objectionable and may be
Interference with the law OF Congress the subject
| OF pilots
The bin msniiesty establishes psy and privileges
contrary the spirit Of the and is cslculsed 10
establish slowly but surely the old monopoly system,
which only terminated by the loss a. IS supposed
OF st least QO lives ia one season and much valuable
The undersigned are instructed by their constituents
most earnestly % ssk Of the Neslork and Brooklyn
Delegates - abstain from passing the bin now referred
TO them and If il be restored 10 It's original
shape most respectfully ask them 70 take the proper
measures 70 defeat II altogether
Very respectfully, your obi serv.,s
| ROBT KERMIT. J.. l. sIJRGE>.
WALTER K. JONES
Committee spponted Al meeting OF Merchants n