The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-01-21
ALBANY, January Is, 1919.


Rsvtsto~ Of the Lato in relation to Pilots of the
Port OF New York-Lsg,slattve Affairs, &c. &c.
II is understood in certain political circles that
adeputaton of gentlemen from the anti-Seward
section OF the wing party have waited upon Gov.
Hamilton Fish, for the purpose Of prevailing upon
him to offer himself as candidate for the office
OF United States Senator, IN opposition to William
h. Seward. Such contingency Is not impossible,
and II Is not an unfrequent thing, in some of the
Western and Southwestern States, to elect the
acting Governor to the Senate of the United Stltes
tits even now proposed to return Gov. Crlttenden,
of Kentucky, to the Senate, though he has just
been elected Governor of that State 1t Is probable
however, that he will stand aside in Difference to
the claims OF Mr.. Clay. But in New York State
the case Is different; the very flower of her no
bility-the whole body Of her leading men, who
are attached TO the wing party--are bitterly op.
posed to the election of Seward to the Senate.
The question then IS, who OF all the leading wings
IN New York, shall be presented as the competitor
Of Seward for the splendid honors of this office!
The depuaton of wing members of the Legisla.
ture, who waited upon Governor Fish, repre-
sented to him that, In the opinion of their col
Leagues, he was the man, and the only man
whom they could run against Seward with
said, was extraordinary Mr.. Seward, they de-
clared, could not be supported by the wing party
with unanimity; he did not enjoy the confidence
OF the wing party; but unless Mr.. Fish would allow
his name to be used as candidate, a very consd-
cradle number OF members of the Legislature, who
cherished a strong dislike for Seward, would be
forced to give him their votes preference to any
OF the candidates now named IN opposition to him.
1t Is understood that the deputatlOn made extra
ordinary efforts to procure the Governors consents
but, though he is himself hostile to Seward, he is
represented having utterly refused to allow his
name to be offered as candidate. The aspect of
affairs seem, ut present. to be favorable to the eec
n
Col. Flske, the active and highly esteemed men,
Der from Kings, has reported bill to the House,
from the Committee on Commerce and Naviga-
tlon, entitled San act relating to the Pilots of the
Port of New York" This bill contemplates no.
thing less than the reorganization of the system OF
of plotage, at present conducted at the port OF
New York. Il proposes first, to create an assocl-
of PlIots.' This board is to be composed OF three
representatives; one to be elected by the Chamber
OF Commerce; a second, to be elected by the pres-
dent and vice-presdent OF the marine insurance
companies of New York, comprising the board OF
Underwriters; and a third, to be elected by the
pllols actively engaged IN the business of plotting
vessels to and from the port of New York. 1t is
made the duty of " The Board OF Commissioners
Of Pilots" to appoint secretary and establish an
office IN New York, where they must meet on the
fist Tuesday OF every month, and as much oftensr
us they may deem necessary The commissioners
are authorized to license, for the Office of pilot,
every person making application, who IS Of
good moral character, and who does not hold
any similar license from or under the author
lty or laws Of any other State and the
shall give preference hot. to
actively engaged as pilots the next section auho-
mes the commissioners to compel app cants tor
licenses to give suretles In the sum OF s 600 tor
missloners are authorized to alter or amend any
existing regulations tor pilots; and to enforce new
regulations not inconsistent with the laws OF the
United States, or of this State They are also au.
ihOrlzed to establish rates of pilotage, [QUERY-
Does not the constitution of the United States con-
Ter this power exclusively upon Congress y and
enforce iolieitures of pilotage IN certain cases.
they may also impose fines upon pilots, to prevent
any OF them from combining iDjuriously with each
ether, or with other persons, and to prevent any
pilot from acting as such during his suspension, or
after his license is revoked. They are also autho.
rlzed to reward pilots when they shall have exerted
distress, &c. This bill gives the Board of Com
missioners above mentioned power to regulate aud
control the pilot System OF this State IN oil Its de-
tails. The bill, 1t is said, will become u law, not
wlhsiandlng the doubts which exist In regard to
the power Of the Legislature to interfere directly
with this subject, without infringing the PROVISIONS
OF the constitution Of the United States. l enclose
copy OF the bill.
observe that In consequence OF an error OF your
Geographic reporter, you were unable to compre
bend the meaning OF a reference lately made by
HIM TO an act lately introduced into the House by
Mr.. PruyD and entitled :" An act decaratory OF the
change and prOmssory notes, payable on demand"
The act is as follOwe:-
SEC l. Every draft or bill ofexchsngs or promissory
note, drawn or made payable At sight on demand,
shall be deemed and taken to be duo and payable on
presentmept or demand thereof, without grace.
SEC 2; This act shall taxi effect immediately.
tee OF the Whole House; 1t will be acted upon
speedily, and will probably become law.
resolution offered to the Senate by Mr. Hall,
providing that on Tuesday, the 9th proxmo, the
Sci 10 ceedf IN ale cf "a Spn afnrp
adopted to-day.
twill be recollected that at the last session of
the Legislature, general bill for the organization
Of insurance companies was passed by the Senate
and lott IN the Assembly; the present Assembly
have, however, taken up this bill and will I'M
doubtedy pass 1t. In order to test the OF the
Stnate upon this subject, Mr.. Cook introduced II
resolution IN that body to-day, declaring that ge-
neral law of this character was lnexpedient f; but
the resolution was rejected by vote OF FL yeas to
NAYS.
Mr. Geddes offered resolution, requiring the
Commissioners OF the Code to furnish the draft of
bill to the SeHae, IN accordance with the views
get forth In their late communication to the Legs
laure In relation TO highways and bridges. The
re solution was adopted.
Mr.. Clark, an able and worthy Senator, offered
the following resolutions of inquiry to-day, rela-
ton to the communication lately submitted to the
Senate by the Commissioners on Practice and
Pleadings; you have published this conmunica-
ton -
EeeOIveQ, mat the C0m mtsssoners on Practice and
Pleadipgs be directed to explain their communication
Of the 18th int. by informing the Legislature
lbt How the difficulty Of The work. which the Com
nissoners propose to accomplish has been increased
"by the perseverirg hostity Of large and powerful
bodies Of meD not only to the code but to the const
tuition, Of which 1t is the offspring"
% What large and powerful bodies Of men," are
cbsrgeabe with perseverDg hostility to the consti
tutit n.y.
3D. What "lsrge and powerful bodies of men," are
cbargesbls with perssveriDg hostility to the CODE"
The honorable Senator made some learned OBJ
servatons in support of the resolutions; but, at the
suggestion of Mr.. Fine, he agreed they should lie
upon the table until the report of the
was received, when the subject would be fully be-
fore the Senate.
Every year considerable time Is wasted IN the
discussion OF the question whether capital punish
ment ought to be abolished in this State the pre-.
sent Ii gisaure, In this Respect initiating the
example OF their predecessors The debates are of
course followed by no results; the law will remain
as II stands.
In the Assembly Mr.. johnson introduced hill