New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-05-06
HIRBOR,MASTERS TO HOLD OYER.

The harbor-masters were in doubt yesterday
morning whether or not to continue work OF assign
ing herth- vessels and Of regulating their anchorage
In the rivers and bay. etc. The law which went into
effect on FRIDAY egatcd out Of Office all the members Of
the present Board OF Harbor-nl -tcrs. The new act
rp,a the one under which the present harbomasters
were appointed and provides for the payment OF sal
arv of $500 10 each member OF the Boari created
under the new law. As the Governors appointments
under the new law were not confirmed, the question
arose whether the men now in Office could continue to
act
chester Cole Captain OF the Port. who assigns har
hereinafter, 70 the various districts into which the port
/. divided and who has general supervision OF their
work AZ once consulted his counsel In regard 20 the mat
ter when TgIBU>U reportes called upon him TO make
Inquiries on the subject he sad:
The hnrbor.mastcrs viii continue topcriom their du-
,ie. A. heretofore In fact counsel ftcr eV1mina-
linn az the law snys that could bee punished for not
performing duties up such time as We are relieved
by th, appointment OF our successors -
Does not the new Ian repeal the one under which
!|"r The new a~ does rot abolish the Office OF harbor
master 10 remains the same as before with the e1ceP
ton that Zee. are 70 be collected But Is the ices now
collected are paid voluntarily by the shpowners and not
because % my - ~ n,r sti,e which nryidr, that
IN n,bcer shall hold over until succe>sori IA appointed
al the office abolished case of this Kind went 70
, lint NJ Npprals II was IN regard o. the appoint
mpet Of Tax ComInssioneriW oodrld. believe and the
touf decided that whrrr the Legislature did not abolish
,",,nfyr ofce altogether the Incumbent must hold
OF Judges Tho Office OF haroor has not been aho
ishe aud. therefore, must continue 10 act That Is
IN. opinion OF eminent counsel
What would be tho effect II the Office wcre abo-
ishcd
II would result In chaos in the port There Is no
mower lodged with any other officer to do what tie har
bo master has do II vessel OF any Kind, for IN
stance gets into slip belonging 10 one OF the steamship
romantics the harhor- Is the only person with
porr under law 10 compel the Offending vessel 10 be
removed. otherwise ocean steamship might he de
famed the unable 10 gc To her pier for an IN
definite time That Is why the steamship companies,
which tnoir piers willingly pay the small Zee asked
by the harbor-maser. lie Is necessary for the regu
l1ton OF shipping the policeman on he street Is TO
preserve the public peace and order since le present
ho,rl came into office regulations have been made
An regard To anchorage ana there have been no col
.ou such OF frequent occurrence before owing
TO vessels being anchored In the path OF ferry boats
steamships etc 80 FAR a the fees arc concerned As II Is
the shipping that Is benefited Is only right that vessel
owners should pay the expense ~ maintaining the har
bo-maser II their credit that they do without
Crumbhug --,.
INQUIRY among the snip showed a general anN
iey not 10 without harbor-masters aud pOrtwardens
There Il no que stou gard 20 the pOrtwarens hold
ing over aud Will contest th@ right o the hatbor
masters unless the question comes up ON their
night to make an arrest or inhict penalty.