The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1875-06-07

gan TO feel pretty uncomfortable. Still,
they made show Of keeping up the
brag, until one black day when every
captain Of the lot wus formally ordered
Immediately TO discharge his outsiders
and take association pilots IN their stead.
And who was it that had the gaudy
presumption TO do thatl Alas, 1t came
from Q power behind the throne that was
greater than the throne itself. II was
the underwriters The latter hal come
to comprehend the excellence OF the ire
port system Of the association and the
safety It secured, and so they had made
their decision among themselves and
upon plain business principles.
There was weeping and wailing aud
gnashing Of teeth in the camp Of the
outsiders now. But no matter, there
was but one course for them 10 pursue,
and they pursued it, They came for
ward in couples and groups, and prof
fered their twelve do1larsand asked for
membership. They were surprised TO
learn that several new bylaws had been
long ago added. For instance, the initi-
alton fec had been raised to fifty dollars;
that sum must be rendered, md also ten
per cent. Of the ewages whiclilt the appi-
cant Ind received each and every month
since the founding Of the association.
In many cases this amounted TO three or
four hundred dollars. Still, the associa-
ton would not entertain theapplication
until the money was present. Even
then a single adverse vote killed the ap-
plicaion. Every member had to vote
yes or no in person, and before wit
nesses so IL took weeks 10 decide can.
didacy, because many pilots were 90
long absent on voyages. However, the
repentant pilots scraped their savings
together, and one by one, by our tedious
voting process, they were added TO the
fold. A time came, at last, when only
about ten remained outside. They said
they would starye before they would ap-
ply. They remained idle q long while,
because OF course nobody could venture
to employ them.
By-and-bye the association published
the fact that upon certain date tho
wages would be raised TO five hundred
dollars per month. All the branch as
sociations had grown strong now, and
the Red river one had advanced wages
to seven hundred dollars 0 month. Re.
luctantly tho ten outsiders yielded, in
view OF these things, and made applica-
ton. There was another new bylaw,
by this time, which required them 10
pay dues not only on all the wages they
had received since the association was
born, but also on what they would have
received II they had continued ut work
up to the time Of their application, in
stead Of going off TO pout in idleness.
IL turned out TO be o difficult matter to
elect them, but II was accomplished OF
Inst. M 'l- q
The association had o good bank ac-
count now, and was very strong. There
was no longer an outsider. A bylaw
was added forbidding the reception OF
any more cubs or apprentices for five
years; after which time o limited num-
ber would be taken, not by individuals,
but by the association, upon these
terms: the applicant must not be less
than eighteen years old, Of respectable
family and good character; he must pass
an examination as TO education, pay .
thousand dollars in advance for the
privilege ofbecoming m apprentice, and
must remain under the commands Of the
association until q great part Of the
membership (more than half, ] think
should be willing 10 sign his application
for o pilots license.
All previously -articled apprentices
were now taken away from their masters
and adopted by tho association. The
president and secretary detailed them
for service on one boat or another as
they chose, and changed them from
boat to boat according 70 certain rules.
II % pilot could show that he was in in
firm health and needed assistance, one
OF the cubs would be ordered TO 60 with
him. sit4fsi fHH a'1iEt .il
The widow and orphan List grew, but
so did the association's financial re-
sources. Tie association attended its
own funerals in state, and paid for them.
When occasion demanded, II sent mem-
bers down the river upon searches fer
the bodies Of brethren lost by steamboat
accidents; search Of this kind some
times cost q thousand dollars.
The nssociation procured q charter
and went into the insurance business
also. 1t not only insured the lives Of
It's members, but took risks on steam
boats. at continued TO grow until the
railroads and tho war broke up the steam.
boat business on the river, and some
Reniusfrom tho Atlantic coast introduced
the plan Of towing q dozen steamer
cargoes down 10 New Orleans at tho tail
Of q vulgar little tug-boat, when the
glory Of the pilot was at amend.