The difficulty lies rather in the
administration of the laws; and this is certainly a matter that
deserves great consideration, and one of no little embarrassment.
In the first place, the courts have said that public policy requires
the power of the master and officers should be sustained. Many lives
and a great amount of property are constantly in their hands, for
which they are strictly responsible. To preserve these, and to deal
justly by the captain, and not lay upon him a really fearful
responsibility, and then tie up his hands, it is essential that
discipline should be supported. In the second place, there is always
great allowance to be made for false swearing and exaggeration by
seamen, and for combinations among them against their officers; and it
is to be remembered that the latter have often no one to testify on
their side. These are weighty and true statements, and should not be
lost sight of by the friends of seamen. On the other hand, sailors
make many complaints, some of which are well founded.
On the subject of testimony, seamen labor under a difficulty full as
great as that of the captain.
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