Milford chronicle., 1883-07-20
DELAWARE PILOT LAWS.

evident that but one side was ever wei
understood by ourLegislature. Itmay
have been that the interests of few
persons were so identical with this one
side that their little plan would have
been spoiled by full presentation
of the whole question:; and possibly
by broader legislation on this sub
ject it would have been less conven.
lent to have placed in the vest pock.
ct of individuals a great interest OF
the State, and greater interest of
the commerce of a neighboring city.
But whatever injustice our laws
may work to Philadelphia or to the
commerce of the country may form
the subject of future, and more ex-
tended criticism, Now we wish
only to call attention to the great
injustice done our own people and
the dwarfng wrought upon Della
ware.
Our first great objection to the
provisions ofthe law is that it is made
to conform to that legislation which
places our State and our people in the
pockets of a few. By what right
shall twenty or thirty men obtain IL
cense as pilots from under the hand
of one of their number, and then shut
the door against all their fellows of
equal experience viii such a law
stand the test of our courts?
Worthy citizens, who first saw the
light in Delaware, who have been ed
ucated as pilots, and who have spent
their lives within her borders of land
and water; who by peaceable, law
abiding lives have contributed to
her prosperity, are, so far as Della
ware law could effect them, shut out
from the vocation of their lives by
the narrow provisions of this Della
ware enactment This statement
seems too preposterous to be true,
yet the facts prove the statement.
To teach school, all who may pass
certain examinations are granted IL
censes to teach; to compound medi-
cines, all who may pass certain ex.
aminatiOns may receive a druggists
license; but all may not become pi-
lots in our State who may have
served an apprenticeship, and who |
may pass a prescribed examination
Long experience, eminent ability, |
nothing will avail to open the lists of
this vest pocket preserve to the most |
worthy son of Delaware, except, for
soOth, an apprenticeship under the
chief mOgnl of the systeml
The capabilities of this law for
are untold, and beyond es-
innate; and its existence makes a cry
ing demand upon the General Gov
ernment to take this whole matter of
Of pilotage under its own supervision
and away from the conflicting legis-
alton of the several States. The
right to lay this embar-
20 of pilotage upon trade lays in the
necessity that exists to protect lives
md property from the risk to which
some grasping captains would ex-
pose these in seeking port. But
since nOlens UOlenS commerce must
AXE these pilots, it often happens
hat differences arise between COM
nerce and the pilots that ought to
ind ready adjustment in an equita-
)ly constituted court readily con-
7ened; but what redress does our ,
Delaware law offer to complaining
Our board of Pilot Com {
nissioners are, like many another {
title political junta of our State par
,eled out to the several counties upon
he principal of placing things where
hey will do the most good for the
)arty. Commerce has the right to !
lemand that this court to which it !
must occasionally appeal, be equita- c
Dly constituted of men unbiased; and
urely not presided over by pilots, v
iOr constituted of the relatives and c
worn friends of pilots, but of men c
with commerce and nav a
cation and capable in the nature of
heir relations of giving an unbiased
ldgement. The members of such
ourt should be located at the CON-
lercial centre of the State rather b
nan be scattered throughout the by a
pads of the counties, that their ses- :
ons may be prompt to determine . .
ny grievance. The want of such d
holesome provisions in the law has c.
egotten disrespect for our State '
ld its enactments and is calculated i
make us a by-word and a reproach n
our fellows. The inability to get Fl
'ompt and exact justice under this re
elaWare law is making ship masters q
iun DelaYare pilots and seek those q
our sister States. sa