The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1871-02-26
American InteIligencc.

forty eight hours.
American Intelligence.
CHARLESTON, February Arrived
steamer Falcon, and schooner Mary
Stow, Baltimore. Sailed-hrig Marco.
lena, Barcelona; schooner.D. " Streakcr,
Wilmington, N. c.; steamer Champion,
New York.
New York, February 24.-Thc Gus
tom House Congressional Committee
met today, and took additional evidence
In reference to the general order system,
and will conclude its labors tonight, and
proceed to Washington tomorrow to
submit their report. a complete change
IN the general order system of the Gus
tom House is anticipated.
WAsHINaToN. February 24-The Sc
nate indefinitely postponed the bill in
cooperating the Southern Express Com
pany.
The steamboat bill, which hus passed
both Houses of Congress and awaits the
Presldent's signature, is more careful
and stringent than any one Of q similar
character heretofore enacted. No license,
register or enrolment is to be granted
= until satisfactory evidence be produced
that MI the provisions of this Act have
fbeen complied with. Among other pro-
visions, steamers arc required to be pro-
vided with suitable pipes and valves to
be attached to the boiler to convey steam
to the hold and the different compart-
ments thereof to extinguish fire; stoves
to be securely fastened, and all wood
work and other equitable substances
about the boilers, chimneys, cook houses
and stove pipes exposed to ignition, tho
roughly shielded by some incombustible
material; steam pumps, or equivalent
apparatus for throwing water, to be kept
at all times; loose hay, cotton, benzine.
powder aud like dangerous articles are
to be placed beyond danger by fire from
the machinery; watchmen are to be kept
in the cabin and on each deck to guard
against or give the alarm of fire; life
preserver for every cabin passenger to be
provided, and good life preserver or
float for each deck or other class pnssen-
ger to be kept in readiness for immedi-
ate use; buckets filled with water always
to be In readiness. Every steamboat
carrying passengers on the main deck
shall be provided with permanent stair
ways and other sufficient means conve-
nient to such passengers for their escape
to the upper deck, in case of the vessel
sinking or other accident endangoring
life, &c. In addition to wire tiller ropes
and iron rods or chnins, hulls, boilers and
other mnchinery are to be thoroughly
inspected; captains to be examined as to
their character aud skill. If he can
safely be trusted with command, IL
cense shall be granted him. Qnalifica-
tlons OF chief mate, engineer aud pilot
are subject to similar examination by the
local boards Of inspectors. In order to
ru Anf into ~
supervising inspectors now in Office are
to be continued in commission. Twelve
months after the passage of this Act,
every iron or steel plate used in con.
struction OF steamboat boilers and which
shall be subject to tersile strain, shall
be inspected to ascertain it's strength.
homogeneousness, toughness and ability
to Withstand the effect of repeated heat.
ing and cooling; none other to be used
Adequate provision shall be made to pre-.
vent sparks or flame from being driven
back from the fire doors into the vessel.
Other provisions are made to guard
against danger, including stoppage ol
vessel, display OF signals, lights, &c. In
case or loss or accident to personal pro.
perty, owing to noncompliance with the
law, passengers to recover damages by
suit. Every sea going steamer and every
steamer navigating the great Northern
or Northwestern hikes, carrying passen
gers, the building of which shall be com
pleted after six months from tho passage
of this Act, shall have not less than three
water.tight cross buikheads, to bo made
OF iron plates, sustained upon suitable
frame work and properly secured to the
hull of the vessel Any captain, en-
gineer pilot, or other person employed
on any steamboat or vessel by whose
misconduct, negligence or inattentiol
to his or their respective duties on sucl
vessel, the life OF any person shall b,
destroyed, or in consequence of fraud
connivance, misconduct or violation O
law by any owner or inspector or othe