The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-01-31
LOCAL MATTERS.
The Chamber OF Commerce and the
PilOtaSe Laws.

A meeting of the Board of Directors of
the Chamber of Commerce was held last
evening to receive and act upon the report
of the Committee on Commerce on the
Pilot Laws of the State.
Present: Messrs. David j, Burr, T. w.
McCance, James II. Blair, Thomas Potts,
Nj. Millhiser, 4. Ii. P. Robinson. r. E.
Blankinship, II. W. Pickrell, T. W. Penn
berton, G. P. Stacy, and VIM. G. Paine.
Mr.. James II. Blair, chairman, presented
the following report:
uYour committee have had under con-
sideration the various complaints from time
to time laid before this board relating to the
effect of the pilot laws upon the commerce
of this and other river ports, and the reso..
luton instructing inquiry into the general
effect of these laws, and beg leave to report
as follows
"THE OBJECT OF REGULATING PILoTAGE
and fixing the rates for pilotage by law is to
provide and encourage competent men ne
cessary at certain points for the safety OF
navigation. From sea to Hampton Roads,
inward and outward, this necessity exists.
But up and down the river there is no such
reason for compulsory pilotage and under
the rules and rates prescribed by the present
law, the system becomes a burden which
very seriously affects the river commerce.
"On this tortuous river the tow-boat is
much greater necessity than the pilot.
Every vessel requires the tow-boat as
SAVING OF TINE AND EXPENSE,
and w hen the tow-boat is employed the pi-
lot becomes q supernumerary and his VO-
cation sinecure.
"Under the pilot laws in force in 1860,
these views were, to certain extent, re-
cognized, and the increased shipping and
trade on the river bore testimony to the
sound policy of their provisions. But the
amended act of 1866 has again imposed the
old burdens and the high rates, which, after
long contest, had been removed; and the
laneuishing condition Of these same inter-
ests bears equal testimony to the impolicy
of these amendments.
"a reference to these acts will save the
time and space required to set forth their
provisions in detail here.
GAS an illustration Of the
INJURIOUS EFFECT OF THE ACT OF 1865
upon the foreign trade, we give the follow
ing statement in connection with the sale
and shipments Of -four, coffee, &C.:
"In 1860 the shipments of flour to South
America were almost entirely direct. In
1870 the shipments Of Richmond -four to
South America were 1G5, ZOO barrels, of
which only 81 900 barrels went direct. the
balance being sent first to other coastwlse
ports, mainly to Baltimore. In 1860 the
direct imports of coffee to this port were
10, 900 bags. In 1870 not bag, while the
imports to Baltimore amounted to 499, 900
bags.
Formerly there was large trade with
the British provinces in fish, plaster, &c.,
with q return trade in flour, breadstutfS,
tobacco, SC. /; but now their vessels are rare
" seen here, and the invariable reason
given for not coming here is the heavy
charges upon the river.
"We might multiply facts and argu-
mcnts here to show
TIE EFFECT OF SUCH CHARGES
in shaping and turning the channels Of
trade; but take it for granted all merchants
are familiar with that subject. 1t is we'll
known that the difference of one-eighth of
a cent per pound will generally change the
route of any trade, other things being
equal, from one port to another. Hence it
becomes an
IMPORTANT MEASURE OF PUBLIC POLICY
to remove all expenses which can possibly
be avoided out Of the channels Of COM
merce.
1.-The improvement Of the river is now in
progress under appropriations by the city
and by Congress; the Chesapeake and Ohio
road will soon open communications with
the great West; the head waters of james
river, in the course of year or two, may
become the terminus of lines reaching far
into the interior and ofa large trade. from
abroad. Before that time comes it will be
all important to
SUCCESSFUL COMPETITION WITH OTHER ROUTES
and markets that pllotage and all other
charges be reduced to the utmost minimum
cicta, with SnIa POI ptotIn
I" In view of the premises, and of the diff
ticulty of obtaining all that may be desired,
your committee recommend that ali effort
be made to obtain repeal of the act of
1865 relating to pilotage; and so to amend
the provisions OF the former act (see Code
of 1860 that no compulsory pilotage shall
be charged when a vessel is in tow of
steamboat"
Appended to the report We're extracts
from northern papers bearing out the gene
raj principles embraced therein.
After an interchange OF views by various
members of the Board in relation to the
facts set forth in the report, on motion of
Mr.. Blankinship it was received and
adopted.
MIR. McCance moved that the Committee
on Commerce be instructed to prepare a
bill, and confer with the Richmond dele
gates with view to its presentation to the
Legislature and its passage by that body.
Mr.. Robinson moved as an amendment
that the committee prepare a petition, to
be signed by the officers OF the Chamber OF
Commerce, Corn Exchange, and Tobacco
Exchange, to be laid before the Legislature
with view to the passage of law in con-
formity with the report; which was agreed
to.
The Board then adjourned.
ST. PAUL's CHURCH HoME.-The annual
meeting Of the st. PauPs Church Home