Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1871-10-01
RIVER News.

The river continues to recede at this point with
only about p inches on Harpeth Shoals. Weather
clear and cool
i'The principal matter Of interest To steam
bOatmsn here Yesterday the visit Of Hon.
George s. Boutwell,, Secretary Of the Treasury.
About 10 A. N. Mr.. d. crossed the Suspension
bridge, for the purpose Of visiting the steamer
Chas. kOdmann, lying at the Kentucky shore
He was accompanied by Capts. John y. skunk,
Woodburn. Vincent shinkie, Oliver P. Shinkis,
r. NJ. Wade, Hons A f. Ferry, Ben. Egglestonf
Vim. E Davis, and Messrs- j ". Can, David
Gibson, and c. A Partridge, IN addition 70 the
regular committee, the whole being under the
direction Of Capt. J. s. Wise, Superintendent Of
the Nashville Packet Company. After an in
spection of the steamer, the party adjourned .
concerning the new steamboat law, Capt Vincent
Shinkle acting as chairman
Concerning the law about the carrying Of cot
ton and hay, the Secretary thought there could
be no trouble.
"Attention was next called 10 section II,
which the Secretary said could not be helped
without going to Congress. The difference be-
tween the Storage passengers Of Eastern steam
ers and the deck passengers OF western steamers
was explained 10 him
GsCiause was then referred TO, which the
steambOatmen alleged gave more trouble than ali
the other appliances on board a steamboat The
Secretary, however, could not agree with them
on this point, and spoke Of the preference given
them by factors, etc. In fact, he thought they
could not Be given up. However, he could not
control this, and felt confident Congress would
not relieve them
corning the test given TO boilers, the steamboat
owners claiming that in the test pressure nov
given, the strain was unnecessary and too great,
and, in time, rendered boilers more unsafe. They
thought twenty-five pounds over the running
pressure sufficient, and the Secretary acquiesced;
but said the law could not be changed immedi-
ately, could il be changed by the supervising
inspectors. He thought the best way for steam
bOatmen to act in the matter would Be 70 send q
committee to Washington to be present at the
special meeting Of the Board Of Supervising In
spectOrs, to confer with them. The law, he said,
was now III effect only theoretically, but January
l was the time set for its strict enforcement.
1.-The question was asked, if steambsatmen
were compelled to comply with the law would
they be held responsible in case Of incOmpetency
ON the part of employer The Secretary read
the clause following, giving it as his construction
pilot, mate, and engineer were responsible for
their own acts and misconduct, but If the owner
should fail TO comply with the law, and accident
should result therefrom, then the owner could be
held responsible.
''In section n the Secretary could sec no very
great objection 10 the blowing of steam whistles
Is case of fog, save as a temporary annoyance 10
passengers, and as an extra expense Of steam.
f'The matter Of life preservers then came up,
but the Secretary thought there would be no
trouble abOut that He proposed considering the
subject at a special meeting soOnftO be held OF
Supervising Inspectors.
:. A steamiyOatman present asked II any specE
kind Of q life preSerVcr could De forced upOn
them by any inspector. His reason, he said, for
asking this question was that he understood one
of the inspectors had received letter from A. N.
IngersOll, President of the Washington Life Pre-
server Manufacturing, Cork Importing and Cut
ting Company, offering premium or per cent 10
the Inspector the sale Of life Preservers manu-
fact1red by his company.
s'The Secretary gave prompt and decisive mo-
to this question, and said emphatically the thing
should be stopped, and proper provision made
to prevent such mOnOpOlies and such cases OF
blackmailing
"TheSecretary promised the steambOatmen his
assistance in the modification of the laws 80 far
IS 1t was consistent with his views of the matter
and the time allowed fey the interview having
expired, the party resumed their seats in the
carriages, and wsre driven 70 the Chamber %
Commerce.
''In addition 10 the above, We understand thai
the Secretary decided that boat having a license
running % Jan. 1, 1872, is not compelled to com
ply with the regulations imposed by the new lsw
until after the expiration Of its license"