The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-08-28
ALL RIGHT AS IT IS NOW.
THE BOARD OF TRADE OPPOSES
THE NEW PILOTAGE BILL.

Resolutions Adopted Protesting
Against It's Passage and Tele-
eraphed to Senator Williams and
the Chatham Delegation-Ths Pres
ent Law Satisfactory and Change
Not Deemed of Ilterest to the Port.
The board of trade is opposed to the pas
ssge of the Duuwoody pilotage bill, and SO
expressed itself yesterday by passing reso-
buttons protesting against any change in the
present law.
After Capt. D. G. Purse, president of the
board. had called the meeting to order and
stated its object, Capt. Fleetwood, repre-
senting the pilots, asked permission 20 be
heard in their behalf He started out by
saying that the bill would not materially
affect or benefit Savanuah's pilots, but it
would benefit the pilots of Darien and
Brunswick TO great extent. lie SAID that
the Savannah pilots favored the abolish
nent Of the present system Of fees, and ex-
planned the reasons therefor.
1.-THE law regulating the employment OF
pilots prior to 1886" said Capt. Fleetwood
''exempted from the provisions of compul-
sorry pilotage coasters hailing from South
Carolina and Florida ports. The superior
Oh GHdIUhil ubcldIetl Ntllo t2h u NlOth-
ton of the constitution of the United States.
This decision was reversed by the supreme
court of Georgia, and that courts decision
was subsequently reversed on appeal by the
supreme court Of the United States. Soon
after the last mentioned ruling the act of
1886 was passed, changing the entire
pilotage system of Georgia. This act pro-
vides that vessels changing ports by inside
routes, either in changing ports or going to
sea, after having changed ports by inside
routes are exempted from outward pilot
age. Again. vessels running ooastwise
under United States licenses, paying inward
pilotage for that trip, may pay an annual
license OF % cents per registered ton, which
shall belong to the pilot entitled to the in
ward pilotage fee. Payment OF this license
fee exempts at that port said vessel for
twelve months thereafter from the compul-
sorry employment of a pilot, either III
ward or outward, and payment therefor, un
less services of pilot are accepted The
new law restores compulsory pilotage
emitting the exemption feature in favor Of
South Carolina and Florida.
THE old law worked satisfactorily fol
over eighty years." continued Capt. Fleet
wood, 1.-THE only objection being its uncon
stitutional feature. The act of 1886 did no
simply undertake TO remove that provision
but worked a change in the relation of tn
pilot to his work and took away his full
opportunity to make an adequate liveli
hood. After q vessel now has enteret
any Atlantic port she is at liberty Il
traverse Georgia waters without pilotage
Such a provision is probably peculiar Il
this state. The livelihood of the pilot il
taken away to benefit the vessels of othe
jurisdictions and such vessels can nov
travel at will in Georgia waters under th
control of unskilful hands, a menace Il
commerce aud a constant peril to tn
vouioa 1ia nj, nf
of fixed sum is deemed enough to give oil
the knowledge in navigating that is re-
quired.
7"The practical tendency Of the presen
law said Capt Fleetwood in conclusion
sis TO take the guidance Of vessels out Of
skillful hands and leave it 10 tugs designed
merely for motive power. While the Law
existing hurts the pilots, it does not com
mansurately benefit commerce"
w. b. Stillwell spoke against the measure
at the conclusion of toe exposition of tn,
pilots side He said he didn't want to com
bat the interests of the pilots, but to him i
seemed that the passage of the bill woulC
seriously jeopardizs the interests of SavRu
nah and the state. As result Of the Low
pilotage fees provided for under the presen
law. business is attracted from other port
to Savannah, and its commerce is adeltsC
materially.
Mr.. Stillwell is for whatever tends to
promote the prosperity ana growth OF
Savannah, even though individual inter.
ests might suffer. His business suffered to
some extent from the present law on &C
count of the competition which it causes
here in the lumber business but the people
Of Savannah are now straining every nerve
to get deep water, and it would surely be
impolitic to work for the passage of bill
which might seriously affect the city's in
terests. He offered the following resolution
which was unanimously adopted:
RESOLVED, By the Savannah Board of Trade
that we earnestly protest against tn
passage of the law now before the legisla
ture looking to an amendment of the existing
pilotage law, and we request the representa-
tlyes from this county and district to oppos
the same. The present law was a comproms
measure. agreed to by both sides after q prc
tracted and heated contest and this board i
satisfied that it was favorable to the pilot a
justice to them can demand, or the best inter
est of the port will allow.
The superintendent of the board wa
directed to telegraph the resolution to th
Chatham delegation in the House and +
Senator Williams of the First district.