New-York tribune., 1884-01-23
R1rRnENS on NEH-YORK CONMERCE.

The Governors message issued year ago
was welcomed by the merchants of this city as
evidence of his desire to remove part ut least
of the heavy burdens npOn the commerce OF
this port 1t was expected that he would use
his influence to secure such legislation as would
assist the merchants in maintaining the su-
premacy of the port against constantly IN
creasing competition but in this the merchants
were doomed to disappointment The reform
of the plotage abuses and of the system OF pay
ing tees to the harbOr masters for berthing
vessels was in substance promised by the
Democratic Governor and the Democratic
Legislature but the end of the year came with
even a more discOuragng outlook than before
A bill was introduced and defeated providing
for a reduction of pilot fees. Another bill was
introduced and passed providing for Captain
of the Port and eleven HarbOr Masters their
salaries to be paid from a Legislative approprl-
alton. One unnecessary feature OF the Dill wa"
the lcgislating out of Office of the present
capabc officials in order 10 make room for those
who had rendered partisan services. Inc
Governors nominees, to whom were to be IN
trusted the important duties OF berthihg III
coming vessels and regulating our commercial
watcr-f front, were persons wholly unlaihlilar
with business of the kind. They were merely
political favoritcs. The merchants were not
| consulted in the matter, aud the Governor Sc
| lected n statesman from Monroe County, an
other from Tompkins County, another from
Greene County, another from Clinton County.
almost as far away from the salt water as 1t was
possible to go for port wardens of New-GOrk
| City.
III i,tnt IA
| leaders uuarTcllcd over a distribution OF the
| spoils. and these nominees were not confirmed.
Since then the old board of harbor masters have
| continued t. care for the shipping without col
| lecting the fees previously allowed, hoping Tor
| recognition by the Legislature under the pro-
visions of the new bill making the Office a
salaried one In his last message the GOvernor
retreats from his former position, perhaps be-
cause he has no chance of getting his rural
nominees confirmed, and advises the repeal OF
the bill and the transfer of the duties of harbor
masters to the Dock Department. The ship
ping interests are opposed to such plan, on
the ground that endless trouble would result be-
tween the parties concerned; and they take
issue with the Governor in regard to his asser-
tiOn tn 1t the berhing of vessels and other DOCK
duties have been discharged during the last lew
months by the Dock Commissioners men. On
the contrary, the harbor masters have done their
duties properly and efficiently and the shipping
men have. in many cases, offered to defray their
expenscs The Maritime Exchange last spring
put itself on record against any invasion by the
| Dock Department.
J The merchants of this city having to do with
| maritime commerce are in accord with that part
I..c4 4bn r. which advocates
reform in the pilot monopoly and will make a
strenuous effort with the present Legislature to
! lessen it's grasp upon commerce. With Re
publican Legislature, it is hoped to get an
equitable measure adopted.