True American. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1835-18??, 1838-10-13
THE STEAMBOAT LAW.

Objections TO this &C, are daily springing up
not from those interested in the continuance Of
evil generally felt, but from practical men,
whose wish is for remedy, but whose experience
rejects this law as incompetent to its object, yet
deeply onerous to those concerned. The humane
purpose of the law cannot be denied, though its
operation may be violently obnoxious to censure.
We have heard vast numbers of complaints, and
law is, in beginning a remedy at the wrong end
is useless t" i'm agine that the section of an &C.
can exercise the magic Of fairy wand and at
single moment convert old boats into new, crack
ed boilers inte sound ones, or ignorant fremen into
skilful engineers. miracle only could do this
The reform, to be eficacious, must begin with the
engin ers AID pilots, into whose eapa bties suit.
able board should be competent to inquire: TIL,
provision would not only be security to the pub
lie, but would protect the skIful, and experienced
| from the competition Of the underpriced ignoran,
A good engineer is even more .mpor ant than a
new boiler, or if cupdity tempt an owner to en-.
gage an empire TO save expense, the best ach,ne
in the world will not insure safety. If steam boa,
owners, therefore, are still constituted Judges of
engineers, little change is made, and the less good
effected. The principle of the law is thus dsfec.
tive, and its operation liable to many objections.
which seem to spring from a too hasty legislation
on most important object.
| Section 3. Requires that The persons appointed
TO inspect shall be Is skilled and competent vel
| be unconnected with the manufacture of boil
ers, engines, machinery, &c, and gives to such
inspectors five dollars for each boat. Now beside.
me thorough examination of the engine, the in
specor must test the boilers, and try the machine
ny. Totry the power Of the boilers he m ust pump
them full, and test them with competen, force
pump: now many OF our boats have seven boilers,
and very extensive machinery to examine, all
which is TO be done for five dollars. Would any
person really competent, go through this drudgery,
eHectuaily. tor such stipend and If not thorouyh
y done, or by one no, fully capable, the whole ex
animation is a farce.
The captain is required to obtain from tbs in
spector certificate of when his boa, was built,
now long running, &c, which his register will
better show, TOR we never yet knew that boats
age, like that Of horse, could be told by auv
mark of mouth. Any such FIVE dollar examinations
must be superficial and defective.
Then to make the owners underwrie Tor the
good conduct Of all employed in the boat by ma
King them answerable for any accident caused by
real or supposed negligence, is both unjus, and un-
constitutional. The penal section which makes
IL manslasgh'er against the engineer, captain or
Pos, should life be lost by his or their miscon-
suc'' negligence or inas'enlion, is perhaps necss
gary bu, IN order TO make it just it is essential tina,
more suitable measures be taken TO compel The
owners Of boats TO have safe and sound enoines
Men, whose bread depends on pleasing owners,
may rashly venture in defective boats, but the law
to be truly useful, should put oil risk las far as
Practicabe) beyond their power.