The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1860-02-07
seeamboat Inspeetors coz Evansville.

Attic meeting of the Board of Trade, on
Saturday evening, Mr.. Charles DENLY
brought to the notice of the meeting sub
iect that has heretofore been almost entirely
overlooked-a subject that is of great i'm
portance to this city. 1t was the appoint
ment of two local inspectors of steamboats,
for this port
Mr.. DENLY stated that in his experience
as surveyor of customs for the port, he had
frequently noticed the great need of home
inspectors; and although he did not belong
to the Board Of Trade, he thought it his duty
to lay the subject before that body, it being
the appropriate authority to take action upon
the subject
He instanced cases of great hardship,
where steamers 1.-THE Autocrat amongst them)
built here. had been obliged to go away up
to Louisville, at great expense, when they
had no other business than to get their GER
tiicate from the local inspectors at that city.
He also mentioned the collision case of the
SsIVeT Star and Charley Bo,oen, when the
proprietors and officers of those boats were
to Nashville and then to Louisville to have
the case adjudicated, when, had there been
inspectors here, the business could have been
done with much less loss of time and money.
Mr.. DENLY argued that it would be very
much to the benefit of our city, if these
things could all be done at home, by Inspect
ors living here. The fees, instead of being
carried away, would be expended in our
midst; and it would look much better to
have the papers of Evansville boats show
that the said boats belonged here, than to
have them, as they now do, read as emana-
ting from Louisville. Our city would, if
we had Inspectors, get credit for much en-
terprise and business that she now loses
and she would present claims as boat
building and repairing point, that she can
not, when owners of boats must make a
trip of over four hundred miles Ito Louis
vile and back) with its attendant danger
and expense, before they can get those pa
pers without which their boats can not get
insurance or business.
The meeting unanimously and cordially
Mr.. DENLY. Mr.. P. Horhbrook added his
testimony TO that of Mr. D., and stated, in
addition, that numerous instances had come
under his notice, where great hardship had
been done to pilots and engineers residing
here. They had frequently-unless by
chance they met one of the Louisville in
spectors-to go to Louisville, at n loss of
time and money, to take out papers or get
old ones renewed. 1t was very common
thing, said Mr.. Hornbrook, for them to work
under temporary permit when they should
have their regular papers. Mr.. III. argued
further, that inspectors living right here in
our midst, and we'll acquainted with the
personal character of applicants, were the
ones to grant licenses; for this thing of good
character and steady habits was of more
importance than anything else. If man
be ever 80 good pilot or engineer, he is
not safe man unless his character for
steadiness and faithfulness to duty is estab-
lished.
1t was stated by Mr.. DENLY that the
proper mode of proceeding. in order to pro-
cure the appointment of Inspectors, would
be, for the Board of Trade to pass suitable
resolutions calling upon our member of
Congress from this District particularly, and
upon our Senators and the other representa-
tives, and upon any other person who is
likely to interest himself-to use their in
fuence and exertIons in procuring an am
endment of the Steamboat Law to the effect
that Evansville shall be added to the list of
cities entitled to two local Inspectors each.
And Mr.. DENLY suggested, that citizens in
their private capacity also exert their in
fuence whenever it can be serviceable, in
procuring this act of justice to Evansville.
The meeting, after these remarks, appoint
ed Messrs. Hughes, Gwathmey, Hopkins,
and DENLY to draft suitable memorial and
resolutions in the Premises-said committee
to report at a future meeting-probablyn next
Saturday evening.
1t is unnecessary for US to say that we en-
tirely concur, and will cooperate, in this
movement, and we urge all our readers to
take an interest in it without distinction of
party. Every one has some influence; at
any rate, we all have voice in making
public sentiment; and let it be said that
public opinion in Evansville is altogether in
favor of the movement. When this can be
said with truth, the work is half done
We can then speak in a voice that must be
ebeyed, sooner or later.
\ RGr The Cincinnati Price Current has
I in the West, showing this winters business.