New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-04-03
TIRE NEW HARBOR MASTERS.

A. SIGNIFICANT LETTER FROM Gov DIX--vIOLATI0Ns
OF THE LAW NOT TO BE TOLERATED.
The Board of Harbor Masters recently APP
pointed met yesterday afternoon at the office of L. b
Seaman Captain OF the Port, az No 1853 Pearhst After
the organization Of the meeting Capt Seaman read the
following from Gov. DIX:
STATE OF NEw.YoRK, EXECUTIVE CHAMBER,
ALBANY, March 2s 1873. :
DEAR SIR: In consequence of the numerous com
naipts which have been made In pact in regard 10
The conduct Of the Harbor Masters IN the City OF New
York and their completely with the owners OF steam
tugs levying contributions upon the merchants OF the
city under tine preext of extra service, but in re-
aty for the purpose OF obtaining for their
vessels berths which they were entitled to have as
signed them without charge deem lit proper to call
your attention to the law winch to govern yon and the
recently appointed Harbor Masters In the performance
OF and their respective duties refer TO Chapter
4s7 Of the Laws OF 1862 by he Irst section Of TINS act
be interested. directly or indirectly. as owners or
Vessel eanaboat barge or lighter navigating the Port
of NewYork. consider II fairly within the puryiew OF
this section Harbor Masters shall keep them
selves entirely free from all Announcements OF any De
scrpOn with the OF 0wb0ats or steamug lines
tugs They have no night to Interfere IN any manner
with the towing OF vessels-a service which must
and the owners of tug boats The duties VI the HarbOr
Masters defined by the seventh section OF the act
10 all ships and vessels to regulate them IN the stations
they TO occupy at the warves ana IN the stream
etc etc. The assumption of any authority beyond that
conferred by the act by employing tugs oritowboats,
by directing masters OF vessels to employ any particular
boat or line in their respective districts will be regarded
az malfeasance in office for which shall consider it my
duty the power OF removal conferred on me
Section G. You Will please call the special attention
non g. which forbid them to be absent
IRON New-YOrA or Brooklyn without your permission,
powers OF office any persons whatever TO collect any
ices not authorized by you 10 take or receive any
money or valuable thing or compensation Tor their ser
violation OF these provisions will subject them 10
fine and imprisonment and it will also be regarded 10y
IN "A 4
ties in tins and other respects are denDed by Section
II. Your prompt action complaints against the
HarbOr Masters under Section 10, will be expected in
order to prevent repetition OF port abuses. have no
doub that the Harbor Masters have heretofore some
instances been seduced from q faithful and impartial
exercise OF their duties by offers OF money from
masters OF vessels in order to obtain unfair
preference others In the assignment of berhs We
authority to meet such temptations except by
contemptuOus rejection OF them, but we may make
pubic exposure OF their authors, and for tins purpose
you will please request the Haroor Masters to report TO
you overture which may be made TO induce them by
offers OF money or any valuable confederation
Visions s'O Of the act are intended to faci-
tate commercial transactions and for the convenience Of
the mercantile interests, and through them for the ben
eft Of the public, and rely on you with confidence TO
that the execution OF the act is not perverted from
very liberal COMPENSATION for those among
whom they are divided, and there can be
e1olunents Of the office by any unauthorized means
have faith In the integrity OF the gentlemen recently
appointed and do not doubt that they will cooperate
with you earnestly in remedying past abuses and evils
and putting end 10 system OF extoruon which has
serious 10 Iue mercantile ana
stain upon the good name OF the city. very truly
yours, JOHN A. Din
Edmund B. Seaman. esq, Captain OF the Port New
York.
After reading the letter Capt Seaman said:
GENTLEMEN: The communication addressed 10 me by
the Governor Of State OF NewYOrk (which has just
been you and which refers TO the law OF the
State under which your duties are to be performed at
the same time clearly defines those duties and gives Sig
ncant expression 10 his Town intentions in case OF
violation OF the law The Governor clearly expresses
his own confidence that IN appointing you TO the
positions you occupy he has acted wisely and
Tor the public good. He also states that
be relies upon my exertions TO aid in
strictly carrying out the law. For my own part gentle
men shall endeavor so to discharge the duties of my
Office as TO prove the Governor that his reliance has
misplaced, and trust and believe That your
duties will be performed in such manner as not only 10
Justify the Governors favorable opinion, but also to
merit the approval OF those Interested IN the commerce
OF our port Let MS by the faithful discharge Of our
duties AVOID giving cause in the future Tor buch com
plants as have been alluded 10 In the Governors letter