The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1878-01-25
shall only be liable to the extent Of his
interest in such vessel.

lutbTett III huGu Ntbuoi
Mr.. Townsend said that under that Sec
tion he might be roasted alive In Hud-
son river steamboat owned by Wander
bilt, who was worth his millions, and yet
that gentleman could only be held liable
10 the extent OF tie value Of the hull oil
the vessel.
Mr.. Beebe offered an amendment pro-
yiding that any person sustaining loss
through the carelessness or willful mis-
conduct Of the mate, engineer or pilot
might sue the owner Of the vessel for
damages. lie said that according to the
provisions Of the bill the owner OF q yes
sci was held responsible only TO the ex-
tent Of the value Of the hull, while It
allowed the agents Of the owner to be
sued for an unlimited amount. He was
surprised that the gentleman who had
charge Of the bill (Reagan) should bring
into the eHouse q till which was confessedly
In the interest OF property. It was time
that something should be done In the in
terest OF human life.
Mr.. Reagan denied that he was the
representative Of property instead Of the
people, but he was opposed TO dema-
goguery and he trusted he would be OPP
posed 10 it till he went TO his grave.
After further discussion, the amend
ment proposed by Mr.. Beebee was re-
jected-yeas 81, nays lG2.
Mr.. Field moved 10 amend the para.
graph by inserting the words a0n indict-
ment and conviction Of such careless
ness," Agreed to.
Mr.. Hooker moved to strike out Of the
paragraph the words "but II such explo-
sion, ETC., shall occur without the fault,
priyity or knowledge OF the owner or
owners, his or their total liability shall
not exceed the value Of his or their in.
terest in such vessel.
A long discussion ensued on this propo.
sition, which was finally rejected.
Mr.. Townsend IN. ~ moved to strike
out the whole paragraph relating to the
liability ofowners. Lost, yeas 81; nays
1877.
The paragraph as amended is as fol-
lows:
SEC. 4493. Whenever damage is sus-
tanned by any passenger, in person or
property, from explosion, FIRE, collision or
other cause, 10 which his negligence does
not contribute, the master and owner Of
such vessel, or either Of them and the yes.
eel shall be liable to each and every person
so injured TO the full amount Of damage,
II 1t appears through any neglect or
failure to comply with the provisions OF
this bill or through the defects or imper-
fections Of the steamiug apparatus, or Of
the vessel which conld have been detected
and provided against by reasonable care,
but II such explosion, Gre, collision or
casualty shall occur without the negli-
gence, fault, privity or knowledge Of the
owner or owners the total liability Of
such owners, respectively, shall in no case
exceed an amount equal TO the
amount or value OF his or their
interest in the .vessel at the COM
mencement Of the voyage or trip, and
any person sustaining loss or injury as
aforesaid, without guilt or negligence on
his part, through the carelessness, negli.
gence or willful misconduct Of any mas.
Ter, engineer or pilot or his neglect or
refusal TO obey the laws governing the
navigation Of such steamers, may sue
suc, master, mate, engineer or pilot and
recover damages for any puch injury
caused by any such master, mate, engi.
neer or pilot, and such officer, on indict.
ment and conviction Of such carelessness,
negligence, wilIful misconduct, neglect or
refusal, may also be imprisoned not ex-
ceeding three years.
Mr.. Lockwood moved an amendment
10 the section fixing the salaries Of
Steamboat Inspectors, classifying them
from 81 200 year at New York and New
Orleans down to 500 al Pugets sound,
Apalachicola, 0swego, etc.
Pending the discussion the House, hav.
ing disposed Of all but the last paragraph
in the bill, adjourned.