The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-07-31
The Life-savinc Bill.

just AT LnlS the awful VI
the burning of the steamboat Henry Clay, on
the Hudson river, speaks an argument, IN
thunder tones, in favor of the speedy passage
Of Governor DAvIs's important bill for the pre-
servation of life on board of steam and other
vessels, which bill has passed the Senate and
is now in the keeping of the House Committee
on Commerce.
Governor DAVIS, and the Senate Committee
on Commerce--of which he is member
have expended great study, thought and labor
upon this important bill, to make 1t as near as
possible what the country is now loudly calling
Tor at the hands Of Congress. ~
In many respects the bill, as it stands, is be-
lieved to be as perfect as 1t could well be made;
but still it could be made better than it is If 1t
were not for the aversion which members Of
Congress have to any Legislation which re-
quires companies or men to purchase patented
articles. But ought not this aversion, where
thousands upon thousands of lives are to be
saved, to be overcome? For example, the bill
provides that each ocean steamer, or vessel, car
rying passengers, shall carry two or more lie.
boats, one of which is to be metallic lfe-boat.
But the fourth section Of the bill contains
prouiso relieving the owners OF said steamboats,
and passenger vessels from purchasing any
life boats that are patented. Now, as there Is no
sort of if-boat 10 be found that is not patented,
the bill, should it become a law in its present
shape, frees all steamboats, and passenger vessels
from carrying any life boats at all The Fran
els metallic life-boat is patented, and the spe-
ci6cations of Mr.. Francis, filed in the Patent
Office, in the city of Washington, cover every
species of life-boat, whether Of wood or metal,
ever put together or invented. Hence If the
steamboats, and passenger vessels are to carry
life boats, they must carry patented ones.
The inquiry naturally follows, then, OF the
patented life boats, which are the best2 Gov
ernor Davis freely admits that union OF the
Francis metallic life boat with the "Stanton
foat,' or cylinder and fender. made of vul-
canized India-rubber, inflated with air, to run
round the gunwale of the boat, having life
lines attached, would constitute the best,
safest, and most desirable life-boat to be had;
but then both inventions are patented, and
would cost more than unpatented inventions.
Very well; but there are no unpatented inyen-
tons that will answer. The cost of these pat
ented inventions to save life will be inconsidera-
! BILE, for the Stanton float" for each steam
err and the testimony of seafaring men OF high
character, and many practical captains OF mer-
chant vessels and steamboats,, ahundantly sub
stantiates the fact that the Santcn float
and fender" is the best boat and life-p reserver
| ever invented. IL makes q llle-DOaI vi WoOu-
en- or metallic boat.
Let us hope. then, that the public. spirited,
humane and patriotic gentlemen composing the
House Committee on Commerce, will report
the Senate bill to the House on Monday next,
with such amendments as will give life boats
and ife-prcserpers of the most efficient char
acter, whether patented or not. to all those
who go in danger upon the deep ocean, lakes
and rivers, even though they may cost some
thing to the owners of passenger carrying
water-craft. IfCongress legislates to save life.
the expense to which it may subject the own
ers of passenger carrying vessels should not be
first, but secondary consideration. few
dollars, more or less, in the purchase of suita-
able life boats, should not weigh. a feather IN
the great object of saving life
| Let.Mr. SEYMOUR, the worthy chairman OF
the House Committee on Commerce, whose
home overlooks the Hudson. where the Henry
Clay was recently burnt, call the attention OF
his committee to This vastly-important subject
at once, and have the matter promptly and ju-
dicionsly acted upon and reported to the House
for the further and final action of Congress
The work cannot be too speedily or too well
| DONE ...'. ... ....g- .r.sE.