The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-02-25

WASHINGTON, Feb. 24.-HouSe.-The ON.
nibus appropriation bill was taken up. 1t
appropriates So, 800, 900, including 1865, 0U0
for the Freedmen's Bureau. 1t contains
appropriations for public buildings in New
Orleans, Charleston, Knoxville, st, Louis,
Nashville, and Montgomery, and an appro-
priation of s. 900 more to be given Winnie
Ream for her statue of Lincoln.
Alter discussing twenty out of the fifty
five pages of the bill, the House adjourned.
Senate.-Senator Miller, from Georgia,
WAS seated, after taking the modified oath.
He was generally congratulated.
The Judiciary Committee reported g to
II that the decision of Attorney-Gene
Akerman on the right of the Government
to withhold the entire amount of money
due by the Government for transportation
over the Pacific railroad is not in accord
ance with the letter and spirit Of the law.
The House amendments to the bill for
the better security of travellers on steam
boats were concurred in, and the bill goes
to the President.
Mr.. Trumbun, from the Judiciary Com
mittee, reported favorably on the bill abol-
i>hing the test-oath.
Mr.. Howard called up the Texas Pacific
railroad bill, and moved for the appoint
ment of committee Of conference.
Mr.. Sawyer wished Senators to under
stand that if this bill was sent to commit
tee of conference there would be great dam
ger of its being lost.
Mr.. Warner moved to concur in the
House amendments.
Mr.. POmeroy moved to recommit the bill
to the Committee on the Pacific Railroad.
Mr.. Blair said if this bill was accepted
as amended By the House, it would be a
northern road, with a northern gauge, and
n a11
branches had been studiously cut Off. Ii
there was anything that this Congress was
pledged to, it was to give the southern
people southern railroad but this bill
Was delusion and snare.
Mr.. Pool said he would sooner have no
bill than such bill as this.
Mr.. Conkling, OF New York, said it was
now evident that the debate on this bill
would last all day. He therefore would
insist upon the regular order.
The enforcement bill was resumed.
The bill incorporating the Southern EX-
press Company was indefinitely postponed.
The New Law for the Preservation of
Life ON Steamboats,.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 24.-The steamboat
bill passed by Congress, and awaiting the
Presidents signature, is the most stringent
and careful yet enacted, and no license, re-
gister, or enrolment is to be granted until
satisfactory evidence that all the provisions
of the act have been complied with. Among
other provisions are the following: Suitable
pipes and valves are to be attached to the
boilers to convey steam to the hold
and different compartments to eXtinsuish
fire. Stoves are to be securely fastened,
and all woodwork exposed to ignition
to be Thoroughly shielded by some incom-
al
alent apparatus for throwing water are to
be kept at all times loose. Hay, cotton,
benzine, powder, and like dangerous arti-
cles are to be placed beyond danger from
fire from the machinery. Watchmen are
to be kept in each cabin and OH each deck
to guard against or give alarm of fire. A
llfe-preserver for every cabin passenger and
person on board to be kept in readiness for
immediate use. Buckets filled with water
are always to be kept in readiness. The
stairs from deck to deck must be spacious
and convenient. Wire ropes or iron rods
TO the tiller are to be used.
The commanders are to be examined as
to skill and whether they can be safely
trusted with command before getting their
licenses, and the chief mate, engineer, and
pilot undergo similar examinations. The
local boards and supervising inspectors are
to do this. The iron or steel plates OF
boilers are to be subjected to tests OF
strength.
Provisions are made about signal lights.
If this law is not compiled with, passen.
gers may sue in case of accident occasioned
by such Noncompliance to recover damages.
Steamers going to sea or navigating the
great lakes, built six months after the pas.
sage of this law, shall have three water
tight cross bulkheads, to be made of iron
plates. Any captain or other officer or
owner Of ship, by whose negligence or
fraud passengers life shall be DESTROYED,
shall be deemed guilty of manslaughter,
and sentenced, on conviction In q United
States court, to ten years imprisonment at
hard labor: Ferry, canal boats, yachts,
and all small craft are to be inspected.