The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-02-06


among the militia OF all the States, but the House
by large majority refused TO agree with him. II
Ii more than probable that two more days WIN be
spent discussing this bin, to give the oppor-
tunity to rhetorical gymnasts To indulge In ground
and lofty tumbling on the moor OF the House with
q nation Tor an audience and motley crowd OF
unwashed humanity IN the galleries 10 appland.
Thus whole week will be lost over q bill that could
have been settled IN one day.
Proposed Additional survey OF the Pam
anna Isthmus for . Transportation
Route.
Brevet Major General Humphreys. OF the Engi
neer Corps, Professor Pierce, OF the Coast survey
and Commodore Ammen, of the United states
Navy. Commissioners appointed by the President
met to-day to examine and consider all surveys
and plans proposals or suggestions OF routes or
connections by canal or water communication be-
tween the Atlantic and Pacific oceans over or
near the Isthmus connecting North and soath
America, which have already been submitted. or
which may hereafter be submitted TO the
President during the tendency OF the appointment
OF the Commission. or which may be referred TO
them by the President, and TO report In writing
their conclusions and the result OF such examna-
ton to the President with their opinion as to the
probable cost and practicabilty OF each route or
plan, and such other matters In connection there
with as they may think proper and pertinent.
The Commission organized to-day, and
lected as their. secretary Frank h. Smith,
OF Secretary Robeson's once. The organization
Of the Commission has been delayed until
this time waiting the completion OF the surveys OF
Captains Lull and Selfridge. The reports OF these
On1cers are now before them ana their examine
ton win be proceeded with. 1t Is proposed that
the routes surveyed and commended by these two
oficers, ana OF which they present elaborate re-
MIA ohaitN
engineering officers, acting directly under the
ders Of the Commission. who may be able In their
report, to compare the two routes, consider the
principal engineering difncuties, and report a. to
the feasibility OF the work proposed. For this pur
pose the Secretary OF War has been asked to
detail two engineer Oflcers Of the army and
the Commission will invite to accompany them
over the ground eminent American civil engineers.
Captains Lull and Selfridge viii accompany these
gentlemen. 1t Is expected that this additional
survey will occupy about two months. A naval
vessel win convey the party to the Arrato. where
they will cross by the Napipi route to San Juan
del sur, eastward by the Nicaragua route to
Greytown, and thence to the United States. The
government can pay NO compensation, but food
and accommodations will be furnished. Captain
Lul appeared before the Commission and gave q
brief detail OF his route The Commission ad.
jOurned until tomorrow, when Captains Shufeldt
and Selfridge are expected to appear.
The Rating Of American Vessels and the
Preservation OF Life ON the Sea-Bnn to
Create q Board OF Survey and Record
Rebates in Duties.
The DILL OF Mr.. Houghton, Of California, intro
duced in the House to establish uniform registry
Of sea-going vessels, to AFFORD protection for life
on shipb0ard, and to govern rebates in duties
on merchandise damaged on the voyage of impor.
tat W WQa nil Ind IN in thaoo doou ofcho
yesterday, provides for the appointment by the
Secretary OF the Treasury Of board Of inspectors.
to be known as the Board of Survey and Record OF
Shipping, and to have the once of the same in the
city Of New York, with subnspect0rs at such other
ports as may be required for the surveying OF YES
sels as to condition, seaworthiness and safety OF
life on the same. There are to be three Chief In
spectors with whom are to be associated two
oncers Of the navy. They are to meet annually, at
such times as shall be fixed by them, and whenever
called together by the Secretary Of the Treasury.
The Board win publish monthly a report OF all
vessels surveyed by them, and send copy to the
Collectors OF Customs of the several collection dis
tricts Of the United States. They are to publish
annually book of record, which shall contain the
rules and regulations adopted by them, with the
necessary plans diagrams and drawings required
to illustrate the same, and the particulars in de-
tall governing and regulating the construction OF
iron and wooden vessels and OF surveys, and also
the names OF all sea-going vessels engaged in the
trade and commerce Of the United States. The bill
makes it unlawful for any collector of any custom
district to clear for any foreign port any vessel
with passengers. or with the mails or other prop
erty OF the United States on board thereof which
shall not have been previously inspected and sur
veyed by SAID Board and certified to be seaworthy
and properly provided with liie-saving apparatus.
fhat mr. or nhoto
for damage by sea water or otherwise Of goods or
merchandise imported in any vessel shall be made
by any collector OF the customs other oficer OF
the government, unless the owner or cons.gnee
shall first produce certificate of survey OF said
Board OF Survey and Record. setting forth the
amount and extent OF such damage, and the prob
able cause thereof The certificates OF survey
given by the Board are to be received In evidence
in the Courts of the United States and be-
fore all judicial officers as prfnaa .,dcie
evidence OF the facts stated therein.
1t is alleged that this bill will remedy the great
disadvantage American built ships now labor
under from the want Of an established national
register. as is the case in Great Britain, France
and Germany. BY an act of Parliament every
British built ship has to be rated. Individual en-
terprise has established boards of survey in New
York, but OF course. being without delegated au-
thority either nom the State or general govern
ment, their standard Of classification of vessels,
either with home or foreign insurance companies,
has but little weight, the more so from the fact
that these several selEcOnstituted boards of sur
veyors frequently differ in the ratings OF the same
vessels 1t Is alleged that in order to obtain q
rating that will enable On American built ship to
compete with foreign vessels in the freight and
passenger trafc. and also the lowest rates Of nsu-
rance, such vessels have now to be rated at the
British Ll0yds, which very unjustly rates iron
ships at the same rate or higher than wooden
ships, because 1t Is an advantage to the British
marine, as the larger portion of their sea- going
vessels are built OF iron, that material being
cheaper and more available to the shipbuildeps Of
that country.
The House Military Committee Favor
. Reduction OF the Army.
The House Military Committee will proceed TO-
morrow to perfect bill looking to a reduction Of
the army. 1t Is claimed by members OF the COM
mittee, who have patiently heard for two weeks