New-York tribune., 1884-01-23
BURDENS ON COMMERCE.
DISCUSSING LOWER FEES FOR PILOTS.

An EFFORT TO REDUCE QUARANTINE CHARGES
n. c. MURPHY EXHIBITS HIS WRATH.
fTR0w rHE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT or THE TRIBUNE
ALBANY. Jan. 22.-The attention Of the Legisla-
ture was called loudly to-day 10 the burdens upon
the commerce of New-York. The large fees exacted
by the pilots was debated b the Assembly, while
in the Senate ere was n preliminary skiTmish
over high charges of the Health Officer and Quar-
anine Commissioners of the Port OF New-fork.
Governor Cleveland may be said TO have opened
the debate on these subjects by his remarks ln MS
message. The Assembly considered Assemblyman
Van Aliens bill lowering the fees of the pilots.
This is the bill favored by the Chamber Of Com
merce. Ii reduces the fees OF the pilots 81 IS por
cent When the dobate opened 1t was found that
the pilots had stout champions in the Assembly.
Nearly all of the Brooklyn Assemblymen opposed
the bill. 1t is believed they inspired to adopt
hspolicy by Senator Jacobs who many years has
successfully prevented ths passage of any bill
ducng the fees of the pilots. Mr. Van Allen opened
the debate with an able speech stating clearly the
opinion of the merchants regarding the fees of the
pilots and arguing tnat the fees were excessive.
Patrick Burns, of Brooklyn, charged that the bill
was in the interest of British commerce. The aver
age paw of the pilots was only S2.422 yearly and
they also supported 20 so persons, the relatives
Of deceased pilots. Mr.. Welch q Democrat
from Niagara County. who followed said. that
he intended tn support the bill because Governor
Cleveland favored such a measure, having fully in
vestIgated the subject. Mr.. Barns horrihed his
feilow-Dcmocrats by expressing his doubt of the
Governors infallibiiIty He interrupted Mr. Welch
by saying: " 1 got NV information fron the chair
man Of the Board Of Pilots whose word is better to
my mind, than that Of tho Governor of the state
Mr. House, of New-York disputed Mr.. Barnss
php . ha rlu of pb
pilot. He said that the statistics of
the Chamber OF Commerce showed that each pilot
received $i,l00 yearly. Mr.. Taylor, Of Brooklyn
said that Mr. Van Aliens bill would at least take
of 81 1866 of this amount.
The debate thcn RAPIDLY drIfted into an appeal
70 the sympathes OF members ID behalf OF the
poor pilots and fierce attack on the Chamber of
Commerce members as heartiess rich men. II was
rescued from this pathway be Dewitt {, LItt.c-
John. who IN steUtOTian tones, said that the
commerce of New York was in danger from tine high
port charges Of New-lOrk lie predicted thar II
such excessive and unjust fees as tn So OF the lots
were not epf away that the commerce OF New
York would be driven 10 other ports ne pointed
ont to members at the slightest advantage IN
price III sending wheat from Chicago To Europe IN
favor Of any other port, would ten It TRADERS IN
grain 10 send that article by another port than
Nev-Ynrk lie said the effect of lowering the pilot
fees and other fees OF ike character, would be to
double the commerce Of New-fOrk, and TINS In
crease vastly the prosperity OF lis working classes
Messrs. Hawkins and Iremper also earnestly
debate was finally closed by Mr.. Howe,
of Ncw-YOrk, stating that he understoOd
the pilots were willing To accepta reduction OF 20
per cent and that time must be obtained to draw
up tais compromise. With this view he moved
that progress be reported on the bill. The motion
was adopted.
senator DAILY introduced the following resolution
in tho Senate:
Wberens The quarantine fees oxacted at the Port OF
NewYO g'arugy excessive and constitute one or
The many vexatiOus and oppressive taxes upon com
Werce; therefore
Rss2 Ucd That the Committee Commerce and Navi-
gaOn De- requested to DRAFT and report bill to the sen
ate providing uch schedule Of charges a. might make
the mmis-iOn Scfsusthnin on basis or reasonable
compensation the Health Officer and Quarantine Com
mi5slOners.
Senator Michael c. Murphy, fellow Democrat.
seemed to be rufed spirit by the Introduction Of
the sJluiion. No er had 1t been read than he
moved that it be referred to the Committee Com
mcrce and Navigation. He then accused Senator
Daily of attempting to mcddle with his district
the quarantine station indeed being in Senator
Murphy's district IL is suspected that Senator
Murphy's indignation at this alleged invasion Of |
his district was due 70 other than he dis
closed. Nevertheless Senator Daily accepted it as
genuine and voted with Murphy TO send the resou-
ton to tae Committee on Commerce and NavIga-
tion. Senator Titus OF Buffalo, was the only Seua-
tor who voted against the motion.