The San Francisco call., 1896-03-24
MUST ALL Be CITIZENS.
Senator Frye Reports a Bill Re-
lating to Officers Of United
States Vessels.
Changes in the Revised Statutes That
Will Benefit the Patriotic
SeameD.

WASHINGTON, D. c., March 23.-Sena-
tor Frye from the Commerce COMMITTEE
reported bill to change the Revised
Statutes, es follows:
Sec. 4131. Vessels registered pursuant to law
and no others, except such as shall be duly
qualified according to law for carrying on the
coasting or fishing trade, shall be deemed yes
sells of the United States and entitled 10 the
benefits and privileges appertaining 10 sucn
vessels; but no such vessel shall enjoy sucn
benefits and privileges longer than IL shaii
continue to be wholly owned by citi-
zen or citizens of the United states
or corporation created under the
laws of any of the States thereof, and be COM
manded by a citizen of the United States.
And all officers of vessels OF the United states
who shall have charge of watch, including
pilots, shall in all cases be citizens OF the
United States.
The word Officers shall include the en-
gineer and each assistant engineer in charge
of watch on vessels propelled wholly or IN
part by steam; and after the first day OF
January, 1897, no person shall be qual1ned 10
hold license as commander or watch ofhcer
Of merchant vessel of the United States VINO
is not native-born citizen or whose natural
ization as a citizen shall not have been fully
completed.
Sec q All licenses issued to such officers
shall be for term of three years, but the
holder of license may have the same re-
newed for another three years at any time be-
fore it's expiration; provided, however, that any
officer holding license and who is engaged IN
service which necessltates his continuous alb
sence from the United States may make appli-
cation in writing for one renewal and trans
NIT the same to the board of local inspec-
tors with statement of the applicant verified
hafO pcr11o nfh IF limited
States authorized to administer an oath, setting
forth the reasons for not appearing in person |;
and upon receiving the same, the board OF
local inspectors that originally issued such
license shall renew the same for one additional
term of such license. and shall notify the ap-
plicant of such renewal. No master, mate,
pilot, or engineer of steam vessels licensed
under title So of the Revised Statutes shall
be liable to draft in time of war, except
for the performance of duties such as are re-
quired by his license; and while performing
such duties in the service of the United States
every such master. mate, pilot or engineer
shall be entitled to the highest rate OF wages
paid in the merchant. marine of the United
States for similar services; and, If killed or
wounded while performing such duties under
the United States, they, or their heirs, or their
legal representatives shall be entitled to all
the privileges accorded to soldiers and sailors
serving In the army ana navy unQer the pen
sion laws of the United States.
Sec. 8. Laws or parts of laws in conflict with
this act are hereby repealed. But this shall
not be construed to modify or repeal that pro-
vision of the act of June 26, 1884, which reads
as follows: "In all cases where on foreign voy
age, or on voyage from an Atlantic TO a Pa
cifc port OF the United States, any such vessel
is for any reason deprived of the services of an
officer below the grade of master, his place, or
a vacancy caused by promotion of another
officer to such place, may be supplied by per-
SON not a citizen of the United States until the
first return of such vessel to its, home port
And such vessel is not liable to any penalty or
penalties for such employment of an alien
officer"