Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-02-23
COMPULSORY PII.orAGR.
Argument of Henry Harbinson en- Be
half of the New York pilots

Argument of Henry Harbinson on Be-
half of the New York Pilots.
Mr.. Henry Harbinson. on behalf of the
ington special of the New York Herald,
on Wednesday replied to the arguments
already made before the House Committee
on American shipping in favor of the
Dingley bill provision, which would aboi-
ish compulsory pilotage. Mr.. Harbinson
more especially replied to the statements
of Mr.. Chase, of the New York Maritime
Association. He referred to the memoir
ais which the great insurance companies
have, from time to time, presented to Con-
gress praying that there should be no es-
sential change in the pilOtage system of
the port OF New York. because the exist
ing system had proved beneficial to the
mercantile community. He cOntended
that steam, instead of decreasing the ne
cessity for compulsory pilOtage, bad in
creased it, and the danger and the respon-
sibilIty for the safe docking of large steam
vessels was apparent.
Mr.. HarbinsOn then referred to the
severe schooling a New York pilot is
obliged to undergo before he is trusted
to handle a ship, and said:
Commerce demands both punctuality
and safety. In these days of rapid ocean
transportation, when vessels make round
monthly trips, when a days, nav an
hours, delay is considered of vital i'm
pOrtance to commercial interests general
ly, when Captains of steamers in their de-
sire to get at the dock will not even stop
his ship now for pilot; when it is a mat
ter OF the deepest concern to land the
mails as early as possible; when the hun
dreds Of steamers do not pursue one direct
course; nay, when all the world is watch
ing a fast steamers record for swift sail
ing, you can readily understand why there
should be more than ordinary caution dis
played the moment a vessel crosses the bar
inward. Now, gentlemen, the Captains
responsibility ends where the pilots be-
gins. The moment the pilots hand is on
the wheel the uncertainties of the Captain
are removed and the hearts Of the passen-
gers made glad.
The Sandy Hook pilot is held to rigor-
Gus accountability for his actions, his eX-
animation is severe, his training COM
plete. He is compelled to board vessel
when signalled, even if its crew be strick-
en- down with infectious disease. His
whole duty is defined, and none doubt his
efficiency. If you abolish cOmpulsion he
is no longer your servant, and his re-
spOnsibllity is deyOlved upon any person
VINO chooses to set hlmSen up Tor pilot.
Abolish the system and you open the door
for any one, with the probability that a
future Congress might be induced to make
it political creation, such as other New
York departments are. Congress, in its
wisdom, has seen fit to hold fast
the compulsory law. Safety first,
safety always, has been its watchwOrG
and the same principles which actuated
it in 1889 prompts it now. NOtwithstand-
ing all the changes of maritime law, Con-
gress has steadily held the doctrine that
self-preservatiOn is the first law of ma
ture. To protect life is a heaven-bOrn in
junction, and, gentlemen, l submit to you
that the loss of one single steamer, with
her priceless cargo Of human freight,
would amount to more in actual financial
loss to the vessel owner than all the
pilOtage that has been collected during
the past century. Were it not for the
sake of humanity | could wish the sus-
pension of the compulsory law for just
one month when the weather was bad.
That month would satisfy Congress and
possibly our opponents that it required
more skill than Captain could summon
to prevent terrible loss of life.