Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-08-20
THE PILOT BILL.
A Talk with Hon. j. E. Dart on the
Merits of the Measure.
From the Atldnta Consultation.

From the AtldR,a Constitution.
Hon. j. E. Darts pilot bill will probably
come up in the House on Friday, and one of
the most interesting debates of the session
is expected. MIR. Dart feels a very deep
interest in the measure, and VIII make a
highly interesting address. A reporter
called on him yesterday and asked if he
would say anything in reply to the arti-
cles recently published against the bill.
be answered:
Ppm much obliged to you, but don't
care to answer the articles"
"Why?" asked the reporter.
because l don't care to trouble my
self and the public with answers to
anonymous writer's. Those of US who
live on the seacoast and know our wants
are we'll aware of the fact that the state
ments made by people will not bear
scrutiny. For myself, | have no interest
in the bill further than desire to see
right and justice accorded to n very
deserving and poorly paid class OF our
citizens. There are no truer men in
Georgia than our pilots. do not seek to
give them more than the law has always
allowed them, butmy bill simply proposes
TO declare what the law isl
show is the law regarded in Savannah
anu at Llle OlH6I
sit is may say universally Endorsed.
The best citizens Of Savannah and all the
sea ports approve it. The charge that the
bill adds new burdens TO commerce is alb
sOlutely untrue. The pilot fees and rates
are fixed by the board of commissioners
for each port. Take, for instance the
board at Savannah. 1t is composed OF
such men as George l.. Cope, Wheaton
Wilder, Hunter and others whose names
are familiar to every business man in
Georgia. They are known for their in
tegrlty and business qualifications, and it
would be hard to make the business pub
lie believe that they would be guilty of
ANYTHING but fair dealing between their
fellow men. These are the men who con-
troll the fees of pilots"
Mr.. Dart showed the reporter the fol-
lowing dispatch from the President Of the
Underwriters Association of New York:
NEW YORK, Aug. II, lsS5-J. E. Dart. Nom
Der Le0is{rt'Sre: New York underwriters re-
gard comp ulsory pilOtage necess airy to secure
efficiency of service, for safety OF life and pro-
lection of property entering and leaving har-
bOrs, The skill of the local pilot familiar
with the intricate and shifting channels is q
recognized necessity. His presence when re-
CURED of the port can only be secured by
certainty OF employment when he offers SER
vice. j. ID. JONES, President.
MIR. Dart continued:
Il have not found it necessary to lobby
around the House, nor amongst the MEM
bers, in behalf of this bill. | place il
upon its merits and leave the General
Assembly OF Georgia to act. feel that
can trust the deliberate judgment of the
members and their sense OF justice in this
matter. 1t is true, at the same time, that
only those who live in the seaports
can well appreciate the Importance Of
the pilOtage system. The pilots not
only protect us in the matter Of life
and property, but from contagious dis
eases, sending infected or suspected yes
sells to quarantine. Night and day the
pilots watch for vessels, and they ought
to receive some consideration for what
they do. 1t takes ten years to become a
pilot. and it takes great many years to
build up pilotage system. We should
be very careful not TO endanger ours.
tell you now If this bill is defeated 1t will
destroy the pilotage system OF Georgia
"But," added Mr.. Dart, II will argue the
question In the House, and not in the news
papers,"