The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-08-03

TIE HENRY CLAY DIsAsrER-WARRANrs ISSUED
AGAINST THE PARrIEs.-We learn that, yesterday,
Mr. Commissioner Morton, of the United States
Court, preliminary to series of indictments, issued
warrants against Thomas Collyer, one Of the pro-
prietors of the steamboat Henry Clay, who was on
board at the time of the calamity; John f Tallman
the captain John Sermaine, engineer James L.
Jessup, clerk andEdward Hurlbut, the pilot
We do not see why the other proprietor should be
exempt from arrest, though not on board. The
racing was doubtless arrangement between all the
owners. However, this is good beginning, and
from the tardy proceedings of the Westchester
Coroner and jury, it absolutely necessary for
the ends of justice. The great object Of the ac-
cused is delay They want the public indignation to
subside and give time to allow other events Of
absorbing nature to intervene, that thus the whole
thing may be forgotten. But the proper time to
bring parties to trial, who are charged with an
offence of this nature, is when all the circumstances
are fresh and vivid in the recollection of the wit
nesscs, and when the officers of the law alive
to the Importance of the bearing of the trial
upon the lives and happiness and interests of
the whole community. We are glad, therefore, that
steps have been taken by the United States
0utD0r1tleS 10 take tue mhtJer out OF nanuS OF
the authorities in Westchester county, who appear
to be slumbering, and to remove it into the United
States courts in this city, where it will be dealt
with according to its merits.
The offence having been committed in a nayigable
river, comes under the jurisdiction of the United
States courts, well as the State courts Of the
county through which the river runs. The act of
Congress passed in 1888, provides fer offences Of this
nature, committed steamboats, in navigable rivers
and is under this act that the parties to be
tried
Though the State District Attorney of this city
does perform his duty in prosecuting the 70 Ndes
aud others, we have every reason to hope that Mr.
Prescott Hail. the United States District Attorney,
i'll do his duty in the present emergency; and that
the Grand Jury, and petty jury, and the judges, will
90 theirs And last, not least, we trust that wit
ncsses of standing and position in society will
come forward promptly, and do their duty to
the cause of justice and humanity. The people
of the United States expect every man TO do
bis duty, and that the atrocities that have been
long perpetrated with mpunity on board of steam
boats will be put an end to by a signal example o.
retributive justice. Let there be no humbug, no
palterpg with the NATTER but let the law take It's
course.
In the meantime, we trust that Congress will pass
the bh before them with such notifications as will
render it more stringent but not with such altera-
tions as some parties, having pecuniary interest,
would suggest, and which would be sure to impair
its efficiency 1t would be well, perhaps, to consult
committee of steamboat captains and proprietors,
but not these on the North river, or out West, or
South but of ocean steamers and others, who do not
race, and whose interest it is to put stop to that
evil, and to render less frequent the accidents that
may happen, even to ocean steamships.
This is a measure in which every human being
from Maine to Texas, and from New York to San
Francisco, is more or less interested. Some member
of every family travels at time another by
steamboats,, and if anything can be done by Con
gress to render such journeys safe, and attend
ed with less anxiety to wives and husbands, fathers
and mothers, or brothers and sisters it is the duty
of members Of Congress to make such provision
1t is for this purpose they have been elected, and
not for wasting their time in talking to Buncombe,
for intriguing to carry jobs and contracts through
or their friends and secret partners. Grave and
reverend seniors, let the people have quid pro
quo for the salaries they pay you.