The New York herald., 1869-03-13
HE'LL GATE PILOrAGE.


Special Meeting Of Directors Of the Vessel
Owners and Captains Association and
teamboatmen-Action 10 Defeat the Pilot
Bill Before the State Legislature.
special meeting OF the Board Of Directors OF the
Vessel Owners and Captains Association OF the
States OF New York, New Jersey and Connecticut
was held at three O'Clock at the rooms OF the asso-
ciation No. 50 Pine street. There was pretty full
attendance.
Mr.. JAMES A. VAN BRUSr, the President, In calling
the meeting to order. explained that the object Of
the meeting was to take some action regarding bill
now before the State Legislature In relation to
Hell Gate plotage. He called attention to the
fact that up to last year all sailing vessels
going through Hell Gate were compelled to employ
pilot pay half poage and tnat last year this law
repealed allowing the taking OF pilot or steam
Ts ana BEEN saving and
money. The pilots, feeling aggrieved, had framed Q
bill. which was virtually renewal Of the former
law. 1t apparent to all that efforts should be
made to kill this bill, which already had been re-
ported upon fayorably and was now before the Com.
mittee OF the Whole. The steamboat men thought
they should have their cooperation, and Of course,
In this regard their interests were united.
Mr.. SUMNER, OF the steamboat association, ex-
defeating the bill OF the pilots, and how, as mem-
Der OF the Executive Committee OF his association,
he, with others. worked for the passage OF the
law this bill OF the pilots intended to abrOgate.
He also went into q detailed account OF the arrests
OF steamboat men, tneH lLnprlSOnuent anu Crlal as
test cases. the results OF the trials and other matters
c0gnate to the subject, with which the public are
familiar He described the pilots representing In
Albany that they were being deprived Of their bread
and butter and that IN his opinion all that was
needed to prevent the passage OF their bill was
correct representation Of the facts OF the case to
our State Legislature.
Mr.. GEORGE H. SARGENT moved the appoint
ment OF committee with instructions to raise what
money was required and then proceed TO Albany
and take such action az they might deem necessary
TO defeat the pilots bin. -
The PREsIDENT gave It as his opinion that money
not required but only exact statement OF the
facts o. the TO the Legislature In this opinion
Mr.. Sumner, in subsequent remarks, conceded.
Captain TERRY, Of the Steamboat Association,
stated that during last year $4,000 vessels OF over
hfty-nve tons measurement passed through He'll
Gate and explained the increase the pilots allowed
half pilotage for services not rendered. would derive
from the passage through He'll Gate Of 80 many ves
sefa
Mr. SUMNER stated that in eight days there had
passed through the channel 700 vessels liable under
the old law to pay pilotage.
After some further remarks, during which no facts
additional to those stated were elected committee
consisting OF Messrs T. A. Van Brunt, Nehemiah
Hand George NJ. Sargent, Nelson Edwards, William
H. waterbury and William W. Baker, was appointed
to proceed to Albany, with power TO take such ac-
ton they might deem necessary and likely In their
view to defeat the bin OF the pilots.
The public meeting then adjourned, the committee
Just appointed remaining after the adjournment to
mature their plan 0 operations.