The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-09-28
Thc Pilot Ccnm tssiorsrs and Pilot rfS
gfnu,

TO THE EDITOR OF TIE NEW YORK HERALD
Tia case Las elected much comment from tho press
whor thai proper understanding Of the subject WHICH
would tend to place honorable end greatly
pefsecuted Individual IN position 70 coltes. the usurps
tou Ct his rights citizen agaiOs. wealthy and power.
lu combination whose author y and acts voiatiye Of
every principle Of constitutional justice, a. applicable
either to himself his professional Brethren or their en-
ployers.
In the FIRST place. the professional qualifications or Mr.
kagnn have been questioned, nor has his private
character been assaed An experience OF forty years In
The duties OF his procession has established the
and his standing good citizen is beyond question
He therefore meets the Commissioners equal grounds
Of resp caby aud position except so far they pos
cess the money power and Influence to harass him.
To quote an article on this subject which appeared N
the columns Of New York paper "Three Of the Con-
mnsioners are appointed BY the Chamber OF Commeroc
while the Board OF Underwriters appoints two The COM
mitsion thus constituted 10 sut ently unjust the pilots
having representation in the Board but the Injustice
writer's Concerned thew have no IN what
ever. Nor IL there member OF the commission
ment nci 4uch examination upoa any basis ex-
eept that fund By the coast surve5 charts OF tina har
Dor.
About year since the Board OF Underwriters con.
WINGED that their interests demanded fair representa-
ticu, elected two Of their irspectors-both seanen
one acknowledge pilot, for this portion OF the coast,
ejecting thereby two OF the present commissioners
This Of the Board produced perfect fsrm-n. in
this close corporation and the result OF the commooQ
the swallowing, by portion Of the Board Of The
previous votes and the retention or the present ocou
pants, who are all members Of the Chamber Of Com
merce.
Thus therefore, is this Board OF Commissioners cons
tuted and clothed with Judicial power FROM which they
hold there appeal except back 10 the tribunal,
and these the modern Soons who deuy the author
ity of any tribunal beyond their own.
That shpmasere approaching the coast and arriving
within the limits OF potage Stations should be required
to accept the services OF the lrs duly accredte psk
simple reason that The lives and property entrusted =
their charge might be eapofdzed or lost by refusal but
outward bound. desired that the owner should
be required to provided competent aud duly constituted
pilot % conduct the vessel to but ne certainly snosA
enjoy the privilege Of placing his property the custody
Of these OF his own selection and In whom he reposss
confidence
What eject would have upon the interests OF soma
OF those gentlemen II the law required that the
captains who bring their vessels safely int, prt
should carry them 70 sea again. without their being osa
The charge that Mr. Masiun laid In walt outside, u
certain points designated 70 intercept particular nwara
bound steamers, Is simply ridiculous As well might
they charge tina, Mr. Murphy laid ia wait at Liverpool x
the Great Eastern that pilot who Is sent abroad
pilot ground guilty Of violation OF law II does A.
pear that the selection Of hoee By tho parties most
to their charge furnishes the strongest evidence o. thsr
integrity and professional skill.
The pilots o. this port have 10 oa aSs nss
70 demand that they should be fairly represented In hs
Board.
The law snaxts . penalty 70 tho employment OF IN
licensed pilots. Why, then, does cot this tribunal nst
suse proceedings against the merchants WHO employ Mr.
hsginn, instead OF against hims They fully compe
tent 70 reply 20 this inquiry Themselves.
But the selection Of Mr.. Magnn, as an example
10 this arbitrary exercise OF unconstitutional power,
would appear 10 have originated IN bitterness Of feel
ing epeendered In the breast OF an individual member
OF the Board many years since, hen Mr.. Nagnn
engaged defending the interests Of the New York pilots
before Congress and where his Datura abilities tbs
subject q comment BY many Scnaiors and members Il
the House. and in which contest he proved himself more
than match for hh antagonist. Why do NOT the com
misscnsrs maintain their original position argue n:
question Of cton set aside the Injunction grantsd
by Judge Sutherland, and insist upon trying the case
themsclvess
Do they feel that they have assumed untsnabls
ground In this matter that this last oct Of causing
his arrest By criminal procem viii crush hN energies
and bring him at their feet