The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-09-27
City Politics.

THE SAILORS AND THE POLITIcIANs-THE MARINERS
MuTINYING.-A MEETING TO BE HELD.
To the public and voters of New York and Brooklyn
appeal s made in behalf Of very large and influential
body citizens among the useful class to the wei
fare and prosperity Of the city Of New Yor-wc tho
nautical men. As body numbering many thousand many
Of whom, as to character, capacity and fitness FOR
public private trust, viii compare favorably with
ary other chs of citizens, they now are aud have
been completely disfranchsed in their political rights
in this city and Brooklyn. Under the juggling and
corruption Of the various political parties, al and
about tho time of elections, the aud influence
mariners most zcaousy courted by the par
tics, with frequent and cytravagant promises of their
friendship and desire TO them. Thos. were the
principles and promises previous 10 elections but what
the practice after clectons The promises falsiGed by
fsing any Office OF Harbor Master Port Warden 20 any
old shipmaster or mariner that applied for such
had qualified them for these situations which were
formerly only nlled by shipmastcrs and pilots.
But these claims have Of late years been set aside
partzan politicians and often for young totally
inexperienced men, and moet generally a class of men
that had practical knowledge Of the duties OF arbor
Masters and Wardens frequently the arbor Masters
knowing the different classes vessels and without the
slightest knowledge of the name Of q rope in the
ship, and ignorant of the rnauucr of directing the
hauling Of ships from one wharf 20 another had 10 cali in
AID deputy To perform their duty: an of which
contrary 20 law, a. no deruy y allowed any deputy
less of sickness Tho consequence has been very
great detention Of shipping tue necessary berths
for loading and siseharrmr; and tho frequently large
mo,'aicns 10 our merchants and ships nis system has
been practccd Of late years. and " Increasing and will
increase 10 long a. corrupt politicians control the city
elections by fraud violence aud vllany ~ all kinds
The number ~ Harbor Masters al present n
eleven, aud Port wardcns nine, and strange
10 say, that there s but nautical man among
tbem-whcn the present Infamous Port Warden law
requires that at least three of their number shall
be nautical men Tho present Governor who Is sworn TO
see the laws aiihy carried ont and executed has
looked that part of his present arbitrary and tyraunca
law, that requires three nautical mon, and he has
appointed but one this s striking instance of tbs great
injustice done 10 the hardy mariner. u well known
that many respectable ship had applied r tho
Office of liarhor Master and rori Warden but their ap
ieaon treated with slshs aud contempt ami 10 ada
stl greater indgnify and injury the hardy of
Neptune the prcsen. Governor and hs political friends a
Aany Passed the present PORT Warens bil pains and
penalties, ny strict party vote making il a msdcncanor
and penalty o one hundred dollars any person other
than Port Warden to make any survey on ship and
Fo also imposing tho penalty any ship owner o.
captain n vessel employing any other than Port warden
This Infamous and exclusive law was made for the soIe
purpose of deprivng number of obi spmastcrs of well
known character and nncss of Earning homes, living
ny Their regular profession mariners and surveyors
many of them having had forty years experience IN the
pursuit of their nautical profession but the services Of
these sons Of Ncptunc overlooked by the present
Governor, 'to provide and make little pudding -
70 use e 6overnor classic cxIrcou and he appointed
young men and relatives, all his political friends 70 the
Offices o. Port Warden and, general thing, noss in
competent set having little knowledge ~ ships
stowaec of cargo. ship owners and masters fully
attest 70 the incapaciiy Of these wardens Now,
- body ot scasaring men, suffering under these
violations Of rights, we declare, ono and
All, that we will every honorable means
IN our power 10 arrest this system of oppression by
Whiting IN solid and compact body, Bimbcring many
thousand voters IN this city and BROOKLYN consisting of
masters, mates, sailors stevcdorcs rggcrs aud many
other casses aud professions connected with and interest
81 M commerce and an honest administration vf tho
laws of our state and city W. stand pledged 10 each
other 20 vote one and all for Governor and members of
state senate and ASSEMBLY, for the candidates that op
pocd 10 the corrupt Legislation of last winter and spring
AZ Ahany, and will pledge themselves Cor The immediate
rcpeal q these vie oppressive and unconstitutional laws
We go Tor no rary ar party, but viii sustain men that
viii pledge themselves for reform motto aud
ever, "Frcc Trade and Sailors, Rghs" /"
The above was drawn mp at q meeting held board the
ship Drcadnought some OF the oldest ship masters and
merchants attended TO discuss their present wrongs and
"a make arrangements Tor general meeting and the
ncautne " set forth thcir grievances before the public
- SANrfIS,
JOSEPH PERKINS
A. w. wEfnFN, r.....n.
JOSEPH TTNkHAu, 4
DrNnAM,