The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-03-24

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STEAx AND FERRY BoArs.--We publish
elsewhere the State statute requiring ferry
boats and steamboats, to carry life and row
boats. This act, as plainly appears, has been
and is still systematically violated by oil the
steamers and ferry boats plying to New York,
with the exception noticed yesterday. We
apprehend, therefore, that the vigilant District
Attorney, Mr. Oakley Hall, will lose no time 10
instituting prosecutions against each vessel
offending, based on the report of the two
policemen. The law has been violated by
about forty vessels, including those visited by
the policemen the fines to be collected there
$3.50 q piece, according to the statute
lucky windfan for the State.
The law given elsewhere was passed April
IL, 1S49. 1t was no doubt very fair law then.
In the last six years, however, steam naviga-
ton has made some progress in the waters of
this State and it is impossible to read this
statute without being convinced of its pre-
sent inadequacy. For instance, it requires
the largest class of inland steamers-those of
over 500 tons measurement--to carry three
boats, two of them capable OF carrying or
sustaining fifty persons each, the third capa-
BILE Of carrying say fifteen or twenty yes
sells of less than 500 tons it requires to
have two ordinary row-boats, capable of car
ryiDg say forty persons; and ferry boats it
directs to be provided with one small row,
or life boat, capable Of carrying from fifteen
to twenty persons. These enactments are, to
| say the least, insufficient. The boats of over
| five hundred tons, and great many under
that measurement, as well as many terry boats
often carry from one to five hundred passen
gers; what is the use of making a law to pro-
vide for the saving of one hundred aud
twenty Of these? If the law steps in at all,
why shall it order some to be saved while it
allows the others to be lost? Would it be any
satisfaction to the relatives OF the three bua-
dred and seventy-6ve persons drowned to
know that the owners of the steamboat had RI
gorously complied with the law, and that one
hundred and twenty of the passengers he'd az,
cordiDgly been saved? Nay, more: does not ex-
perience tell us that, where the supply of boats
lie obviously unequal to the number of passen-
gerr, it generally happens that in the selfish
struggle for the possession Of the boats, they
are swamped or destroyed, or rendered use
less?
1t is understood that Mayor Wood will
visit Albany this week, by invitation from
the City delegation. in order to see if any
thing can be done by the Legislature to re-
medy the state Of anarchy in which this city
exists Among subjects which will neces-
sarily command their attention, that of the
insecurity of life on board steamers and ferry
boats will occupy their early attention.
We desire to commend one principle to their
minds. The day of life-saving by means of
boats carried on board steamers is past. An
instance cannot be mentioned in which they
have fulfilled their purpose. They are in fact
out OF thequestion. The Brooklyn, Jersey City
and Staten Island ferry boats carry at times
five hundred passengers at once. To save
these by means of boats, twenty Of Francis
largest life boats would be required, all in
good condition, all SO placed as to be launch
ed without injury. How is it possible that
ferry boat can carry these? Where shall she
stow them?
must be by life preservers. The life preserv-
ing stool-shaped like an hour glass-will
answer the purpose perfectly. They can be
made very cheap; and can be used on board
as seats--a thing much needed-so that this
expense will not be felt at all Three hun
dred of them, as each is calculated to support
two persons, placed on board each ferry boat,
fra hmm AroH fho Ind ND
Sound steamers, would reduce the salvation OF
life to q mathematical certainty.
ANOTHER SECEDER FROM FHIMORE.-Judge
Conklin, who was Flllmore's Minister to Next
co, has come out in long and not very bril-
liant letter, giving in his adhesion to the MIG
GER WoRsHIPPERs. The Buffalo Express, an
organ of the last named party, says
Judge Conklin, it will be recole,ted, was transferred
the United States District Court Judgeshp Of the North
District Of the State of New York to the mission o.
Ms1sO This was performed l; through process the ma
Office for Mr. Fillmores Postmaster By the ma
taken from position Of usefulness~not Of his own
choice, sureand sent abroad upon . brief mis-
sion to broken down and decaying republic, to whicn
was attached neither honor profit.
We think Conklin was paid pretty we'll
(about thirty thousand dollars,) for doing
nothing during two years.
SLIGHT MIsTAKE.-The New Hampshire
Patriot Pierce's home trumpet) blows as fol-
lows
The New YORK Herald expresses the belief that 4 viii
be impossible to prevent Gen. Pierce's nomnat
Cincinnati. be II there nominated thsre is mo- An
inteeent man in the country who doubts his triumph
ant election.