The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-09-07
A new JERSEY LEGISLATIVE ALLEGED swNoLe.
The Obnoxious I" Boiler Bill ''-Novement Z,
Resist the Law by the Manufacturers
Curious Particulars.

The Obnoxious "BOiIer Bill ,,-Novemeut to
Resist the Law by the Mauufacturers-
Curious Particulars.
Under the guise OF being for the better protection
OF life and property against accidents by steam boiler
explosions" law was passed by the last Legislature
Of the State Of New Jersey, and duly signed on the
10th OF April, 1868, by Governor Ward, which pro-
vided for the appointment of inspectOr-in. Chief
at a nominal salary Of $500 per annum and one
deputy inspector in each Congressional district OF
the State whose duty it would be to inspect and re-
port the condition Of all boilers Each OF the
deputies was to be a practical engineer
and they, with the Chief were to hold
Office for two years, unless otherwise removed
by the appointing power-the Governor. Each de-
putty, according to the law, to receive three dol
lars chargeable to the county, for every boiler Gin
spected." The second section OF the act, after
requiring that every owner OF boiler shall report
the location OF same to the deputy OF his district
sets forth shat such boiler shall have attached to 1t
lookup safety valve; such valve to be taken
wholly from the control OF the person persons en-
gagged In using or working the boiler, and to be set
by the inspector to blow or steam ut point OF safety
TO be determined 10y him." In the ninth section
owners Of .I boilers are required, under
penalty OF 5000, to have attached "a high
and low water indicator, with an alarm whistle so
constructed and forming part OF said indicator that
high pressure Of steam" The entire law reads very
nice and smooth and was doubtless engineered
through the Legislature with little discussion
so very innocent in Its intentions and thoroughly
careful of the lives Of citizens does 1t appear in
every particular. The law, however, has not found
favor In the eyes Of the boiler owners, comprising
over twO-thirds Of the manufacturing interests OF
the State, but ON the contrary Is considered by
them nothing more more less than huge
Guvred through the Legislature by well
known boat builder in New York who is
various other "paents," and who IL known to be the
owner OF four out OF six OF the patent safety vaves
which the Jersey boiler proprletors are called upon
to use The drift OF this little game will be seen
when 1t is stated that these patent arrangements.
which the manufacturers and eng neers almost TO
man, pronounce inferior to the gauge" now In use,
cost from sl25 to sl75 each set OF two pieces1,he
OF II s said to be clear profit to the holder OF the pat
ent. gentleman OF responsibility, residing In
Newark, states that he overheard a conversation
between two persons on an Albany steamer some
months ago. In the course OF which one OF the par
ties whom he knows to be the holder OF the patents
alluded TO- quietly remarked after the usual meeting
civilities, Il have just got big thing through the
Jersey Legislature by which will carry on nearly
half q Million" The speaker recommended his
friend to do the same with Rhode Island. adding
that stnere millions OF dollars in the scheme"
At meeting OF manufacturers and Others, owners
OF steam boilers, held some time ago in Newark,
N. j., the law was denounced In sound terms and
measures taken to either resist 1t take legal steps
to have its validity tested. In the meantime a
subscription list was opened to raise funds
so as 10 employ eminent legal advice and
and counsel. A canvasser was employed TO obtain
the Individual opinion Of the owners, which resulted
I'm the proprietors OF over three hundred boilers en-
rolling themselves as being opposed to the law. The
same feeling Is manifest throughout the State. So
obnoxious IL the law that In several instances manu-
facturers have given instructions to use force, ne
cessary, In preventing the deputies" few, any, OF
whom are "practical engineers" from making any
examination or affiXature OF the .patent" arrange
ment. II is also stated on good authority that Gov
ernor Ward himself believes the bill to be little
else than fraud. He Is said to have stated that he
regretted having signed the BILL but did so without
thinking what 1t might contain. SinRularly enough,
the bill exempts RAILROAD locomotives" and boilers
for cheating private dwellings" from It's require