The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1870-03-11
SECURITY OF LIFE ON STEAMERS.
The Bill Sent to the Senate by the Secretary
OF the Treasury - RevIsIoa Of Previous
Statutes.
WASHINGTON, March

WASHINGTON, March 3.
The Secretary of the Treasury to day
transmitted to the Senate the draft of bill
TO provide OF the better security of life on
board vessels propelled by steam, and for
other purposes. The draft was prepared by
Benjamin Crawford, OF the board of steam
inspectors ofiice, and was revised and ap
proved by the board OF supervising inspec-
tors, lately III session in this city, and is
warmly commended by the department for
enactment. The Secretary OF The Treasury
says: The proposed bill embodies all the
valuable features OF previous statutes on this
SUBJECT, and makes such amendments and
additions thereto as have been found by
experience to be necessary to the more
effectuai attainments OF their purpose, which
Is the utmost possible security to property
and life. 1t therefore com bnes in one whole
all the essentials Of many statutes that by
reason of the multiplicity aud the differences
OF their dates, render the law actually IN
force regarding the navigation Of of steam
vessels and their inspection uncertain and
difficult to be ascertained." Further on he
says: 'How far steam vessels, exclusively
navigating inland waiers, shall be embraced
in the provisions of the bill, is question
difficult to decide, and the subject is one
which caused great embarrassment to the
Department, in the execution OF the acts
now in force 1t is desirable that 5the ques-
ton be settled by legis alive enactment
The section of the bill bearing upon the
matter OF substantisiity, In accordance with
preceden,s under which the dedartment has
acted. il submitted for such revision as
may be requisite. The section referred to
subject to the provision of the proposed
sct every steam vessel navigated within
the limits Of any State exclusive, whose
cargo, or any part thereof, consists Of goods
or products from any foreign country, or
from any other State, or from the same
State, and destined for use or consumption
in any other country or State also, steam
era engaged In towing such vessels, and
every steamer navigated on any waters
which are the common highways of com
rnerce. Among the prominent features Of
the new bill are provisions for licensing cap
tsins mates In addition TO pilots and eugi
neers; requiring an examination of all these
officers, and requiring tests of the tensile
strength of boiler plates, and the amount Of
pressure they may safely bear; for additional
waschmen on board of every steam vessel 10
guard against fire; tor Increase OF compensa-
ton Of supervising and local inspectors, and
Ter supervising inspector general. 1t also
embodies plan which is expected to serve
as an effectusi check upon the improper
and fraudulent issue Of licenses OF cer,i6-
Gates. The following are added TO the list
Of dangerous articles, which all passenger
steamers are prevented from carrying, name.
ly: Loose hay, loose cotton, camphene, nj
tro glycerine, naptha, beuziue, benzole,
crude petroleum, refined petroleum that will
not stand ll0o Fahrenheit, and other Ike
explosive fluids and other Ike dangerous at
ticles. Provision is made that cotton shall
be compactly pressed and thoroughly COW
cred with bsgging and secured with good
iron bands, on the penalty OF the payment of
s. for every bale not thus secured. a
large number of additional sections relate to
feboe,s. life preservers, safety valves, water
tight bukheads (of which every sea going
ard lake steamer hereafter must have three
number OF passengers permitted to be car
ried, and many other subjects in connection
with the attainment of greater security to
life and property on all steam vessels.