The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1878-05-02
Exchange Clippings.
Cincinnati Commercial, April %:
NEW STEAMBOAT LAWS.

WASHINGTON. April 2s-The bill relating 10
vessels not propelled by steam or sail which
passed the House of Representatives. is given
That from and after the passage of this act
All vessels employed In the nayigabls waters Of
the United States. not propelled by any inter-
nal appliances for propulsion. such as sail or
steam, except ssels of this character en-
gagged In trade with contiguous foreign terri
tory, Shall be exempt from adme aSurement or
enroll ment: provided, however, that the mas
tiers, of registered. enrolled or licensed vessels
herein described shall be liable to pro-
duce manfests of the cargops of yes
sells 50 towed or propelled to the collector
at the port of entry, or the surveyor or col
lector at any port Of delivery nearest the place
at which the delivery, Of any, cargo of a
provided, also. that When being propelled or
towed by other vessels, and vessels of five tons
burden or upward as have no internal appi-
regulations for displaying lights. and to all the
penalties Tor net displaying lights. which are
provided for sail vessels of the United States Of
the mercantile marine by sections 1888 and 1924
OF the Revised Statutes of the United States
Section O. That for receiving such manifest,
and filing the same. the collector or surveyor
shall be authorized to collect a fee Of twenty
cents for each vessel towed or propelled and
Ior failing to deliver such manifest of cargo he
liable to fine of five dollars for every vessel
unladen.
SEC. 3. That vessels not propelled bv sail or
steam. and not wholly owned 10y rltiz ms of the
United States, found transporting cargoes of
American production not destined for exporta-
ton IN the same vessel, on navigabe waters Of
the United States between one collection dis
trict and another. or places In the same district
shall be liable with their cargo"S to seizure ana
forfeiture In any district in which they may be
found"
The Committee on Commerce, by which this
bill was considered, made a somewhat lengthy
and interesting report upon the subject, the
main features of which are appended:
The object of the bill il to provide by law a
general and uniform provision in relation to
that class of floating property not propelled bv
other craft which have no internal application
for propulsion being SO constructed as not to
admit of permit crew nor of a master who re-
mains on board.
tne Revised Statutes a large number of this
class OF vessels, propelled neither by steam
nor sail are subject to fees for admea Srement
enrolment and license; while under the act of
ApTll U.s. 1877. tchapter ITO. page 81 vol. 10; part
81 United States St.tutes at LARGE another
class OF vessels with no internal application for
propulsion are exempt from these fees These
vessels consist of barges and open floats en-
gagged Ia tne tran. portaton of oal and lumber
on the larger navigable rivers of the country;
tnat Ior many years this class has been in
creastng, and the water TRANSFORMATION of mrr-
cnandlSe upon such rivers has b Aen gradually
passing from sic an vessels to bargeS and other
craft OF temp airy structure, which are lowed
by steam or sail vessels
Your committee find that the act nf 1877. ey
empted canal boats and bouts EN- Moved on tine
Internal waters of States from enrolment SO
that discrimination now prevalentIy exists /
between vessels prone led neither bv steam nor
sail as regards their liabi ity 10 on ronmant IA. +
pendent simply on the question whefher tbev
are or are not usually employed in the internal
waters OF a State in connection with thar em
otmeDt navgabla waters of the ITnifed /
sta'ss, That this discrimination as regards en-