The morning call., 1891-04-22
STATE RIGHTS
Touched Upon i'm a Discussion
Over the Pilot Law.
Quarterly Meeting of the Chamber of Com
msrce-Important Subjects Considered.
Visiting Committee.

The regular quarterly meeting of the
Chamber of Commerce was held yesterday
afternoon, with c. L. Taylor in the chair.
S. G. Hilborn. of the Committee of State
Naval Reserve, reported that the bill drafted
by them and submitted to the Legislature
had since become law. By its provisions
the Governor is authorized to distribute the
arms, equipments materials. ETC., which
may hereafter be provided by the General
Government, and to make all necessary ar
engagements for carrying out the provisions
of the law.
The report adds that as Congress devoted
$4,000 for this purpose, and there are but
five States in position to avail themselves
Of its benefit, California's allotment will
most likely be sufficient to make good start
There is also every reason to believe that
the Monterey, now ready to be launched,
and intended exclusively for harbor defense,
may under proper conditions De used by the
California battalion for exc Sc and drill.
After the report had be-. / duly received
and placed on file fOrmasvote of thanks
was passed to Mr.. Hllborn tf his services and
the committee was dlschargeds
VICTORY FOR THE ia MEN.
On the subject OF the Inlststale Commerce
Commissions decision relatfHs to freight dis
elimination against San FrauYsco A. A. Briggs
of the committee to whom sie matter was re-
ferred gave a succinct Narrative of the causes
leading up TO the complaints * the local tea i'm.
porters and the proceedings t$ken IN relation 10
them. which resulted on January 29th last in
decision being reached whereby the Southern
Pacific Company, Northern Pacific Railway
Company and other roads are ord red TO desist
from carrying Imported goods 1T less rate from
the port of entry 10 the point OF destination tiian
the open aud published rates o. The inland tarin.
The order of the commission is 10 go lnlo effect
on the DIN DrOX- and VIII allow local importers
to compete on equal terms with Eastern firms
for the business OF the Middle and Eastern
States. The Tea trade Is the one most Affected
by ne decision.
The report closed with the declaration that the
successful GU come OF the appeal was meta,
phorical feather in The cap Of tile Chamber OF
COmmerce. whose contentious throughout were
upheld by tile Commissioners.
The next matter taken up WIS consideration OF
the committee report pilGtage at this port,
which provoked considerable discussion between
tie c0ntending forces before II was finally dis
posed OF.
THE PILOT BILL.
The report which was handed in by Captain
James +. Chapman, cited the proceedings OF Inc
board last month W hen II was decided 10 oppose
Assembly Bill 7O3, amenda tory OF the then ex-
listing law and to send a committee TO represent
their views TO the Governor. The Captain de-
tailed the result Of the interview had III accord
ance with the boards directions, In which tbe
Governor apparently sided with their views IN
The matter and promised to call on them Tor a
further explanation of their stand II the Dill
should ever reach his hands.
Tie report then dWet upon the TACT tnat MT.
Markham, on the 9th inst. without ever consult
ing them us promised, appended his signature 10
The act and the Objectionable features thereby
became law, wherefore the committee, feeling
that they could not obtain justice from thc state
government, recommended that the board Pc
titton Congress to take the management OF the
pilots from state control and place II under Fed
sral jurisdiction.
Accompanying the report were the preamble
and resolutions which II was proposed to forward
TO Washington.
AS soon as the matter came up for discussion
the proposed action received sharp criticisms
from Captain GoOdall aud stewart MenZes, who
thought California better able TO take care OF
local interests like tho So than Congress, aud be-
tween these gentlemen on the one side and Cap
tains Chapman and Taylor on The other quite a
debate ensued In wkch the question OF State
rights was a gued pro aud con.
DISCRIMINATION CHARGED.
The only points of public interest that came
out OF the discussion. however, were that twenty
pilots earned IN the aggregate Sl9o,635 In 1881
by their own admission while The tonnage Tor
the year showed that they should have received
S277,OOO, aud that consequently tney olscrln-
mated in favor OF some Ship-Owners 10 the
amount OF $50, 900 a year. 1t also came out
that captains coming from China and Japan Will
take freight at Tacoma at Is I'D per ton less imam
II they have TO load mere, III consequence OF the
piotage ana port charges which are now the
On tile question OF the adoption OF the report
the committees resolutions were adopted by an
overwhelming majority
Captain Merry then presented series OF Tes0-
mtIons inviting the President and MS party 10
meet the members OF the chamber extending
invitations To all representative bodies IN the
city TO be present AT the reception, ana directing
that the Citizens Executive Committee having
charge OF the public welcome be asked to ar
range an evening for the proposed reception.
The resolutions were unanimously adopted.
RECREANT CITIZENS.
A communication from the Port Townsend
Chamber OF Commerce In reference TO the official
proclamation against seal fishing in Behrng sea
was read by the Secretary. 1t asked the coop
Grafton OF Inc chamber IN protest against the
Presidents proclamation, which II claimed mill
tated against American vessels, and III FAVOR OF
those sailing under 70 eign flags. In support OF
this assertion The document gave the names OF
fourteen scnoonerS owned aud operated by resi-
dents of Massachusetts which have taken down
the American flag, and now sail under British
cOlOrs
There was disposition at first to quietly file
away the communication without action. but
Captain Taylor objected 10 that cUuH 'e as a dis
courtesy to The wrlteTS
la n. Rankin thereupon advocated the right
of the administration aud the Government To
foster the industry which had cost tile country
so much money.
Captain Taylor scored those Americans who
go TO British Columbia. whoop themselves up as
English subjects. and invite the British Prem Ter
10 back them In their poaching expeditions.
The discussion was getting particularly lively
when motion 10 refer TO a special committee
was carried. and clicked oil further debate.
After pasSage-at-armS between Stewart Men,
zies and Captain Chapman over the proprety OF
endeavorng 10 put stop TO the eXacti0n OF
blood money on deep water vessels, Committee
OF Irrigationists from all parts Of the State was
presented.
AN IRRIGATION COMMITTEE.
Mr.. Wilbur, as spokesman, introduced Cover
nor Merrill OF san Bernardino, who Informed the
meeting that delegates from all Of the Irrigation
districts In the State were now holding a conven-
ton here and desired the cooperation of lie
Chamber of Commerce In their work, the nature
or purp0Tt OF which was not disclosed or iu-
quired into.
Mr.. Jacobs OF Lusk s. Co. made brief ad-
dress In which lie congratulated the Irrigation
lists upon the TACT that they had united for COM
mon purpose, and moved that committee OF
five be appointed agrerably to their request.
The motion was carried and MeSSrS Jacobs,
HibOrn, Kennedy, Schemes and Captain Merry
were appointed by the Chair, after which the
chamber adjourned.
Governor Merrill and other delegates were sub.
sequenty interviewed by CALL reporter with
regard to the purpose for which they were assem-
bled, but refused all information on the subject.
1t finally leaked out that scheme Is on foot for
floating The bonds of the irrigation districts aud
that they want tue moral support OF the comml-
nifty expressed through its Boards of Trade. etc.,
TO enable them 20 be successfully placed
Crimes Charges.
III ILL