The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-02-13


mean people, that not one jot of our right should |
be surrendered 10 the spirit of conquest exhibited
by British diplomacy. But the treaty that has just
gone out to Lord Palmerston-what will that dol
The Steam Boiler FataIlty-Important Yer
diet OF the Coroner's Jury.
We have published all the details of this melan-
choly catastrophe, and we now present our readers
with the result of the Investigation before the
Coroner. The verdict is highly important and
the resolutions Of the jury appended, are not less
SO. The Coroner has discharged his duty fearless
ly, and the jury have discharged theirs. A most
important principle has been estabhshed-the re-
sponsbhty Of the owners of manufactures in
which steam power is used and abused; and the
liability of the makers and sellers Of boilers, which
are found to be incapable of sustaining the degree
of pressure for which they are designed and pur-
chased. IL seemed necessary to make signal
example, before the reckless and mprudent were
brought TO their senses. The opportunity has been
furnished of doing so, and wise ane intelligent
Jury lave not let II pass unimproved 1t was high
time 10 put stop to the sporting with human hfe,
which had been so long practised with IMMUNITY in
ths and other cities of the United States Enough
Of victims have been offered to ignorance, reck-
tessness and cupdty A new leaf must be aurned
A Jury, taken, we may say, at random from The
people, have pronounced unanimously upon the
crmnality of the course that has been ours, I'd in
reference 20 the boiler whose explosion has caused
SO much fermentation, mourning, and wo In cur city,
and has left many joyful hearth shrouded in the
backness of despair. 1t is to be feared that this is
not an isolated instance, even at the present mo
ment, in New York; and that all the guilt exists,
without the consequences, IN hundreds OF cases
which have not yet seen the hight Boilers have
not exploded which have been within hsir's
breadth of it; just as in the Of Tayl boiler
which had been subjected TO higher degree Of
pressure than that under which it gave way, and
thus uled hum and his partners and engineer, into
fatal security The straining Of the metal by
this excessive pressure resulted at last In dessa-
ton and death; and terrible rebuke has been
gwen to those who would dare to trife with the
laws of nature. Alas! the innocent have suffered
for the temeriiy Of the guilty; but God and the
people will set all right
An act has been brought before the Legislature
IN consequence of this calamity May we hope
that Its provisions will fully meet the case In all
It's length and breadth The information devel
oped IN the investigation is of great value. Some
wild ideas and mad theories have been preached
but the chaff may be easily separated from til
wheat; and 1t is hoped that this matter will not
allowed to rest till the public have some secury
against the recurrence of similar disasters.
1t matters little to those whose lives are jeopar-
dlzed or lost what are the theories OF learned gen.
tlemen about steam, "stame," or gas. 1t Is Of
small consequence what the nature of the agent is,
if death and destruction ensus. Whatever may be
the difference in cries the following principles
agreed upon, viz that badly constructed or weak
boilers ought not TO be used-that extreme pres
sure ought not to be resored to the case of good
boers-that the want Of sufficient water in boilers
and excessive heat are fatal; and that In all cases
safety valve ouQh: 20 be used which would infalli
bly, meet the danger A fusible valve, which one
of the witnesses stated is used in France, such
as Mr.. CrommelIn suggests in his very useful
paper ought TO be attached to every boiler and the
authorities OF the State or of the United States
ought 20 be empowered TO enforce il in every in
stance under heavy penalty. The public look
with anxiety to the action of the Legislature.
THE REJECTION OF Col. WEBB.--The rejection Of
Col Webb, who was appointed by the cabinet to
the important post Of minister to Austria, and which
we published exclusively yesterday, is talked Of
great deal Very few entertained the idea that his
not prepared TO see such an overwhelming MAORI
ty against him as was witnessed when his name
was submitted 10 the Senate. If he had been re-
Jected by vote Of two or three, or half dozen,
or even a dozen Senators, II would not excite
much astoni.hment; but the fact Of his receiving
but seven voice out OF forty. one shows conclusive
ly that his was one of the most unpopular appoint
ments, If net the most so, that has been made by
-
the presen, administration came into power.
We do not see that the Senate could have taken
any other course than what they adopted in this
matter. Col. Webb is IN every respect incompe-
tent for such important office as munster abroad
and # General Taylor had not been worried into
making disappointment, there would have been
no necessity for submitting Col. Webb TO the in
dignity which his rejection by such an overwhelm.
ing vote has entailed on him and n the admins
tration. tits very well known that General Tay-
Tor was, from the first, opposed to the appointment
Of Col Webb to any mission, and on one occasion
declined poib, blank to listen to the cabinet on the
Subject The repeated opportunities of Mr.. Clay
ton and his associates, however, finally prevailed
and the appointment was made. The r. suit is be-
fore our readers. Whose turn is n NEXT
TINS Loss or CHE STEAMBOAT RODE Island
in another part Of our paper, of this morning. will
be found an account OF the loss Of the steamboat
Rhode Island, and .nrobably large portion Of the
crew.
II Is mistaken uiea that boats of light drnucht
Of water, and intended only for our rivers, upon
which the stonns have Comparatively little effect are
calculated to ufiet successfully the heavy gales Of
he ocean. Many vessels have left this port, for
: afornis, which were totally unfit for 30 hazar.
ious voyage; b Ut NEST of them have, by good
uok alone. reached their destination; and the con-
equence is, tina, ,essels which were no, before
hought OF, are now. up ier California, and some
Il which WILL in all human probability, share the |
ate Of the Rhode Isls nd.
There are plenty OF vessels Of the right stamp /
entinuslly going to the Pacific; and It is almost /
ulcde for any one TO att smPtso star, on so Tonga |