The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-12-05
GENERAL WASHINGTON DISPATCHES.

GENERAL WASHINGTON DISPATCHES.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 4, 1879.
LOSS OF LIFE ON STANDARDIZATION OF THE
SUPERVISING INSPECTOR GENERAL OF STEAM
VESSELS.
Mr.. James A. Dumont. Supervising Inspector Gen
era OF steam vessels. in his annual report shows
that during the last fiscal year there were A.2sO
steamers inspected and 1922 officers licensed. The
total number of lives lost by accidents from various
causes aggregate IT. A Of which not chargeable
to accidents resulting from the Of steam in
navigation. OF the whole number Of lives lost on
steamboats, during tho year AZ were passengers
After giving detailed statement OF fatal accidents
by districts. General Dumont says:-
1t 10 gratifying fact that notwithstanding an in
of 400 vessels to the steam merchant marine
Of the United States since the report from the fiscal
year ending June30. 1876 there has been steady
the passenger capacity of the steamers since built Is
much greater, as illustrated in the difference be-
tween steamers then running from New YORK TO
eighteen hundred passengers. and those now run
ming upon the same route with total capacity Of
about seven thousand passengers. The fatal casual
ties reported during the past five years, including
those given in this report. aggregate as foIows:m
III. To the discipline exercised by this
vice the conduct of the licensed officers of
exemption from disasters Every report affecting
tho Conduct OF an officer of steam vessels is
promptly investigated by the local inspectors and II
havior. negligence unskifulness or the use Of in-
toxicang drink. his license officer is at once
suspended or revoked under the powers conferred
upon the inspectors by section No. 4450 of the Re-
vsed Statutes The promptness with which this
of discipline is carried out has eectually put
end to accidents that were formerly of frequent
occurrence.
themselves satisfied with the Steamboat Law and
its administration by the local officers SO for as
regards its provisions of safety. The only real OBJ
lection to any part Of the law Is to that portion
which scriminates against steamers engaged in in
land navigation in the matter of personal liability
Of the owners thereof. Why certain liabilities
should be imposed upon vessels navigating rivers
or inland waters, which are not placed upon those
plying other waters. is incomprehensible and the
hope is expressed that Congress will take some action
to redress what is claimed by steam vessel to
be great wrong to them.
Attention Is called to the necessity of legislation In
the matter Of taxation for license fees for small
steam pleasure vessels or yachts. which. even
though they may be no larger than common
sloops yawlboat compelled to pay the Same fees
for license as rcial vessels Of 100 tons burden
which excessive tax has in many actually pro-
hibited their use many persons DESTROYS Of own
ing such vessels for their own pleasure feel unwil
ing to pay fee Of $25 yearly for inspection. In
this connection Mr.. Dumont Says
While think that it would be improper to exempt
such vessels from the general requirements of the
Steamboat laws, however small they may be how
ever employed waters open to competitive pavi-
CATION both for their safety and for other
sells governed by said laws think that fee of So
for the inspection of such vessels say Of twenty tons
burden under. would De ample and would encour-
age tho building of many moro than now used.
thereby benettng Of the great industrial inter-
ests Of the country.
LOTTERY MEN STRIKING DAcK-THE SUIT
AGAINST POSTMASTER GENERAL KEY.
The District Supreme Court, General Term. took
up this morning the of NJ. A. Dsuphin against
M M. Key. Postmaster General. In which an injunc-
ton Is sought to prevent the latter from enforcing
an order directing that letters addressed to
Dauphin as agent Of the Louisiana State
Lottery be withheld from delivery. The
complainant was represented by Senator Car
penter and Judge BARLEY. but no counsel ap-
peared for the Postmaster General Judge BARLEY
said they ready to present their case. but no
had been fled by the other side and they did
not wish tho matter disposed of by default Chief
Justice Cartier said that If they intended carry
the case to the United States Supreme Court It
might as well be chalked now Senator Carpenter
said they did not want any chalking." and that he
was satisfied that when tho Court should hear the
case 1t would grant the1njunction asked for After
consultation the set down for Saturday.
MEETING OF THE COMMITTEES
The Chairman Of tho House Committee on Ap-
preparations to-day received a communication from
Attorney General Devens, stating that the amount
needed rs o deficiency appropriation for United
stxtes marshas and deputy marshals during the
current fiscal year is 100000. The Attorney Gen.
erai submits no details. This is the same amount
however that voted by the two houses last Sos
sion in the bill which President Hayes vetoed on &C
count Of it's restrictive clause prohibiting the use
of any portion OF the money for payments to deputy
marshsls Of elections. The committee will meet to
consider the subject tomorrow.
The House Committee ON Agriculture held its
initial meeting this morning. Chairman Covert pre-
siding. and the entire committee being in attend
ance. 1t was determined to hold the regular meet
ing on Thursday. and at the next meeting two very
important matters now before them will DO taken
up for discussion. Those the bill which contem-
plates making the Commissioner Of Agriculture
cabinet officer and the bill to regulate the transpor.
taton Of cattle railroads The latter is the same
as the Mcpherson bill pending in the Senate
Tho Committee on Ways and Means met this morn
ing but did nothing except to provide for the usual
distribution Of the subjects of the Presidents Mes
sage by referring Thorn to tho appropriate CON-
mittecs and TO arrange that two regular meetings
shall be- held each woek-namely. ON Tuesdays and
Thursdays.
PROPOSED STATUE TO GENERAL CUSTER.
Congressman Bingham. Of Pennsyivania, intro
duced in the House to-day joint resolution provd-
ing for IN equestrian statue Of the lato
Brevet Major General George A. Custer. TO
DO ono and one-quarter life size; to cost
$4,000; to be completed inside of three
years. and to be erected suitable reservation
in this city. Tho resolution requires that tho figure
of Custer shall be mounted ON horse and engaged
in life and death struggle with two or more
Indians, so Us to wildly commemorate his gallant
death"
THE UTE COMMISSION.
Los PISos AGENCY, Col. Dec. 3. 1879.
Chief Jack arrived hero this morning. He came