The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-12-21
THURSDAY EVENING, DEC. 81, 1871.

THE controversy on the pilot laws, as
they are supposed to affect the commerce
Of Richmond, is renewed in the Legislature,
and evidence pro and con being heard be-
fore the appropriate committee Of the |
House.
On all questions, except of pure right and
wrong, there may be much that is truthful
said on both sides and more especially does
this hold as to compulsory pilotage.
Before the days of steam-tugs, it is not
likely that much objection was made to the
payment of pilot fees from Hampton Roads
to Richmond because vessel under sail
requires sea room and although a master,
having general knowledge of the river,
might have held mid-channel course with
perfectly fair, or even a good Leading
wind, to work up or down stream, close
hauled would have been hazardous; as he
could not know how long he might safely
stand across stream, on either tack, or
when he would meet counter currents
caused by sinuosities of the river, and he
would gladly avail himself of the pilots SER
vices.
So master, having clear weather and
favorable wind, may, if good navigator,
and by keeping his lead going, reach port
safely; but let him make land without hav-
ing taken observations for several days, and
the weather be stormy and thick, and a
pilot becomes recognized necessity
Much has been said of the exactions of pr
lots, but for every deep-water pilot, who
has made enough to live an old age of COM
Portable competency, two have lost their
lives in the discharge of their duty.
The point attempted to be made most
commonly against compulsory pilotage--
that is, vessel if hailed by pilot mot
having one on board already must pay the
same or moiety fee, even if the master
feels able to navigate his vessel himself lis
that pilots should not be placed on differ
ent footing to doctor or lawyer, who can
collect no fee unless the patient or client
chooses to employ him, at fee which is
matter Of mutual agreement.
This sounds fair; but when we consider
that if pilots could only receive cempensa
ton from vessels IN distress, they could no
afford to keep afoat, consequently, there
would be no pilots at all and apply tn,
rule to doctors ; would not every family
be too glad to contribute its quota wher
threatened with ordinary diseases Or acct
dents only, if this was necessary to hav
them to continue their profession, SO as t,
be ready for extraordinary diseases or &C
cidents.
There is no recurring compulsory pilot
age for regular coasters, if their master
save the requisite license; and steam
'essels have permission, generally inserte,
IN their policies and bills of lading, of sail
ing with or without pilot. The first ar
supposed to be acquainted with the shoals
currents, &C., and thus competent to &C
as their own pilots; the last have propell
ing power under their own control, so tina
they can hold course N. w. one-quarte
w. in the teeth of N. w. gale, if sue
compass course is laid down on thei
chart, as that to be run.
The greatest complaint comes from foreio
ship masters, who, preferring to shorten tn
run from Hampton Roads to Richmond, en-
ploy steam tugs to tow their vessels up 0
down stream, and have TO pay the tug 70
towing them, the master of which vessel
of course thoroughly familiar with III
channel,) and also the pilot for sitting qu
city by, and doing notbing-thc helmsman
duty being simply to keep in line with til
tug.
Some modification of river pilotage o
the James, now that steam is the commo
agency of propulsion for all save fore an
aft coasters, would seem advisable but
pilots are forbidden to charge for service
not desired by ship masters, it will be we
for the Legislature to regulate towae
charges also, or the tugs will collect bot
towage and pilotage.
We have heard, what truth there is in
we are not prepared to say, that the mos
strenuous anti-pilotsge advocates are il
terested in steam tug property !; and Thu
if pilots can be run off the river, shil
masters will be left no resource save ell
ploying steam tugs on their owners terml
We are DESTROYS that every obstacle I
the increase of the water-borne commerc
of Richmond, be removed, and every &C
ditional facility furnished; but we thin
there are other interfering causes than th
collection of compulsory pilotage, chief {
which is the uncertainty and difficulty {
securing return cargoes at paying rates, Q
even at nominal freights; and while W
hope some steps may be taken which wi
regulate the fee demanded for constructs
pilot service, we hope no action will /
had which will drive pilots off the rive
and possibly from below Hampton Road
and leave shipmasters to perhaps the moi
onerous exactions of steam tugs.
THE POSTAL TELEGRAPH
The opposition to this benificeut measul