New-York tribune., 1869-04-10
THE LAST OF THE HE'LL GATE PILOT
MONOPOLY.

| This measure, which, though repealed last
year by Legislature again presented for resto
the present session. was defeated last week At
Albany by OF IS IS. The respectable size Of the
minority is 60 be taken into account but as the motion
10 reconsider laid the table. 1t is reasonably
tain that 1t finally disposed Of This law
better characterized by the facts than by adecyes
It's history howeve5 % aords .tti6inS & e1amptS OF e
and It's latest defeat speaks commercially for the
wisdom Of our present lawmakers.
The He'll Gate Pilot act, that part OF 1t which gave 20
IL its worst fame, was passed IN 1863 IL provided SUB
santiay follows After naming certain rates for the
pIotage OF vessels through the channel East River
known Hell Gate, 1t forbade all persons other than
towing plotting offering pilot tow. any sailing
vessel through this passage under penalty Of hne and
siderable number Of men-capains OF steam-tugs-are
H the %stes ssses e y e GT S
ing Hell Gate Moreover by the law under which they
vese that may demand H. whether in this channei Or
elsewhere, under penalty OF Sos II Will readily be
sion on the one hand. law Of the State OF HewYork
menaced them In the pursuit Of their calling; on the
state forbade. 1t peculiar dilemma perhaps well
expressed by stanza somewhat freely rendered thus
YS1 YS1 sIil .sn, ,s1 s1G ,5S yST rsn. .S1a''
S:saS'SS1 Ss:sfS.S1$sIiyss sIf g..
The captain Of sailing vessel TO DO sare, might in sd
dtion 10 hts nsual hgurehead take on board Hell Gate
pilot; but it o rather expensive luxury.
The plea upon which the bill was urged and at first
p aAi posBBs ss BHStS tO % %s rcTS JSh so
and large Part Of hS chipping & sTteiPs m & s sc pSEt
tion of experienced pilots the way s exceedingly peril
Gus This was all very good but unfortunately IL did
rot apply TO the case The captains OF steam gs--who
are GENERALLY licensed pilots by officials Of the United
sstes-undergo strict examination as to their cnpa-
CITY TO navigate these waters and their Illness thus
fully assured This argument, therefore fei 70 the
ground There claim that II furnished any rev.
enue 10 State and the only real reason that existed
passage was, that IL small number OF inen-
worthy enough, dOubt-a chance TO make money
But they to make 10 at the OF others, who
entitled TO equal opportunity.
Many reasons urged against the law. and these
induced is repeal at the last session OF the Legislature,
well defeat OF the attempt to bring
life Some OF these have hNrn mentioned
above OF the He'll Gate Pilots with State license,
there are about 40 These offered their services o sail
ing vessels passing the Straits II their offers De
ned they entitled by the act 20 half pOtage. In
case ms payment refused, the offender might he
draeged 10 court and compelled 70 a ne no matter
n he had insured safe and speedy Of his sp
and cargo by enlisng the service OF steam tug In
several instances the captains OF steamtugs Tor thus
obeVjnR the law Of the United States, hned often
the wind would be unfavorable, and steam towboat
wnuld e quite Indispensable Still the vessels must wa
for fayoring breeEe-perhaps for days-0r employ
and pay Hell Gate pilot his fees OF else defy
the law Of the State 1t was also argued that IN conse
Guence Of this burden upon commerce the nteresh 0
dr materially suffered 1t is altogether possible
that in the end they did have 10 pay TOT iuAuy "ch
Is now very properly dispensed WIN.