Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-08-17
THE PILorAoE oUNsTION.
The Proposed Amendment Viewed bV
One who IL Not Pilot.

been somewhat amused at the contro-
versy now going on about the bill intro
duced in the Lower House of the Georgia
Legislature by Mr. Dart, Of Glynn
county. looking to the amendment OF the
present pilotage laws OF Georgia, for,
judging from the names Of the gentlemen
opposed to the bill, the fight is really be-
tween the lumber and mill men OF Georgia,
and the pilots of the different ports OF
the State. This is evidenced by the pres
ence in Atlanta of Messrs. d. {. Bacon,
j. X. Clarke, John J. MoDOnOugh and j. D..
Dale, the latter part owner OF TWO yes
sells. the Annie Bliss and Island Ci.y, ana
the interests they represent must be pro-
tected at the expense OF n large number
of worthy med whose capital is invested
in more tonnage than the value OF all the
mills controlled by Georglans.
This question has been fruitful theme
of discussion for half century, and ship
owners have at each session Of Congress
sought to repeal or 80 modify the pilotage
laws as to nearly abolish the pilOtage
system. Recognizing the importance OF
allowing the States TO regulate this mat
ter, Congress, whilst it has the exclusive
power to regulate commerce, reserved to
the States the exclusive privilege OF regu-
lating pilotage wherever and whenever
Congress had not legislated on the sub
ject, clearly evidencing that the necessity
for maintaining proper pilotage system
was recognized.
Georgia passed a system of pilotage
laws, and under section 1912 OF the Code
gave the pilots Offering their services out
side the bar when their services were re-
fused, the full rate of pilOtage, and at the
same time exempted coasters in this State
and those bound from ports In South Caro-
lima and Florida TO ports in Georgia, and
vice versa. The object Of this exception
was to exempt vessels which, from their
size and character, did not require the
services of pilot. The giving OF this sum
to pilots Offering their services when such
services were refused, was not penalty
by compensation under an implied con-
tract, and was for the purpose of encour-
aging pilots to 90 out and seek vessels
and pilot them into port
In the case Of Thompson "a Savannah
pilot VS.. Sprague, Soulle a. Co., Judge
rOmpkins, in an elaborate and labOred
decision, decided that because of the eX-
ceptiOn referred TO in Section 1912, the en-
tire section was void, and that ''all YES
sells, foreign and domestic, steam or sail,
could enter or depart from ports in this
State without taking pilot" This deci-
sion Of the Judge was incontinentiy re-
versed by the Supreme Court of
Georgia, in a long and able
opinion delivered by Judge Jackson,
and Judge T0mpkins, who had in the in
tervai left the bench, carried the case TO
the Supreme Court of the United States,
where the matter is now pending. If his
position be correct, that BY reason of Con-
gress passing an act that there should
be no discrimination in the rates of pilot
age between the ports of one State
over the ports Of another State
and therefore section 1912 is void, then
what harm can be done by the Legislature
of Georgia eliminating from this section
its Objectionable feature? This is the
primary object Of Mr.. Darts bill.
1t was doubtless the intention OF the
Legislator. to give inward and outward
pilotage to pilots Offering their services
outside the bar, but it has never been
clearly expressed. 1t is for the purpose
of settling this matter that other amend.
ments have been offered.
A writer In the Constitution Of Aug. IL,
over the signature of ''The People" says
The government vessels are all forbid
den to employ pilots, and Congress has
also relieved coastwise steamships Of this
burden. Both OF these statements are in
correct. Government vessels are not sub
ect TO the pilotage regulations Of the
States, but have always employed pilots
to take them into and out of the ports and
harbOrs, and the pilots OF Port Royal,
Beaufort and Savannah reaped rich har-
vest from these vessels sOme few years
since. Further, every revenue cutter on
this coast has pilot regularly employed
to pilot the vessel, SO much for govern
ment vessels. Coastwise steam vessels
are not exempt from State laws, are not
relieved of this burden"
afnncFxa~faa 81 NaGen1 ftpa A
unGer register are not compelled to take
a pilot licensed by State authority when.
ever she lis piiOted by pilot licensed by
authority OF the United States" and Con.
gress has provided hy statute that such
licenses are issued by the inspectors OF
steam vessels Every pilot VINO can
stand the examination as to the manage.
ment OF steam vessels is entitled
TO this license, but no cOastw ise
steam vessel not having on board a
pilot licensed by United States authority
Is exempt from State laws, and any pilot
cruising outside the bar who, in addition
10 his State license has United states
license for steam vessels, can speak an
inward hound steam c0astwise vessel not
piluted by pilot licensed by United
States authority, and If his services are
refused can collect the fail amount OF
pit9tage 10 which be would have
been entitled mad his services been
accepted. SO Congress has iecog-
niz-d the Importance of having some
pilot on vessels. IL is matter Of economy
To owners Of steam vessels to employ
pilots at stated salary, or " have Ger.
titicates ISSUED to masters OF such vessels
1 DO not think there is much force in the
argument used by the enemies Of the
amendment that freights will be increased
~ Georgia ports should the bin pass, and
that Georgia farmers will be hurt
by II. The only persons TO be benefited
bY defeating the bill will be
q tew umLer men. and some four or five
Ow nere Ol a like nuinber % vessels, whilst
the benefit Will accrue 10 a large number
nfdpserving mariners. ttl' termed by the
Supreme Court OF the United States,
"iiardy scntiueis Of the sea- who, tho
The compensation paid them nay seem
large when their duties are performed I'm
daylight and clear weather. serves as
compensation when such duties are per.
formed In tempest, cold and darkness,
ana who leopard their lives thns yessefs
with their crews and burdens may reach
a safe anchorage. NOT A PILOT.
Two Wonderful CURES.