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THE MARINE ,RECORD. with the Mississippi river by way of the ' Desplaines and Illinois rivers, so as to afford * continuous water route between the great ; xes and the Quif of Mexico, capuble of use -« the largest river vessels. Same b J] in- veed in the senate (s. 1234) January 9, oy Mr. Farwell, of Illinois. } . * * * * * Sec. 3. That it shall be the duty of said ¢ommission to direct and complete surveys, examinations, investigations, topographical, hydrograpbical, hydrometrical, and_other- wise between the head of Lake Michigan, at Chicago, and the Mississippi river, by way of the Illinois and Desplaines rivers, as may be deewed necessary to seid commission to earry out the parpo-es of this act. And to ennble said commission to complete such surveys, examinations, and investigations, the secretary of war shall, when requested by suid commission, detail from the engi- neer corps of the army such officers and men as may be necessary, and shall place in charge and for the use of said commission such vessel or vessels and such machinery und instruments as may be deemed neces- -sury. The secretary ot the treasury shall, when requested by said commission, in like manner detail from the coast and Goedetic survey such officers and men as may be necessary, and shall place in charge and for the use of such commission such vessel or “yessels, and such machinery and instru- ments aS may be under his control, and may be deemed nevessury. And the sec- yetary of the navy shall, in like man- ner, on request of said commission, detail sneh officers and men from the navy and the naval department as may be necessary to enable said commission to examine, in- “vestigate, and repert upon the importance and relation to the defenses of the Union of ‘the work to be done as contemplated by this uct, and shall place in charge and for the luse of said commission such vessel or ver- sels, machinery, and instruments as may be under his control, and may be deemed neces- gary, and the said commission may, with the approval of the :ec-etary of war, employ such additional force and assistance, and provide by purchase or otherwise such ins, appliances, and property as may be ecessary for the carrying out and n of the purpose of this act. That it shall be the duty of said to take into consideration and ute such plan or plans as | proper to connect Lake Michi- yith the Mississippi river by ; an linois rivers, ther ways as will complete and Je that route, so as to afford a f route between the great € wi i Mexico, capable of use rest. river vessels, the discharge ater from the lakes to be 600,000 cubic inute, or as near thereto, more or pall found practicable, and to to be by him transmitted to con- press. gi) By : Sec. 5. That the said commission shall have under its control the whole of snch water-route from Lake Michigan to the Mis- ippiriver, including all property secured completion and the locks and dams in ¢ Iilinois river and the Illinois and Michi- pap lennel spaacon: as the title thereto is ob. tatned by the United States, or 80 soon as the United States is entitled to the possession or use of the 8 me, or any part thereof. . 6, That the secretary of war is here- by, authorized to expend thesum of $100,000, r 80 much thereof as may be necessary for the payment of the salaries herein provided for, and for the necessary expens: 8 incurred in the completion of such surveys, examina- tiovs. investigation, preceedings, and reports of said commission as they may make us as B ik hap ae for, such sums to be paid out y money in the treasury not other- wise provided for and out of such moneys as may be appropriated for the doing of the work contemplated by this act. —_— Honse Bill 8267.—For the relief of inland navigation. Introduced January 9, 1888, by Mr. Jones, of Alabama. ‘That every master of a vessel of twenty tons burden or upward, navigating and en- gaged in commerce upon the lakes and rivers of the United States, which are com- mon highways of commerce, and open to general or competitive navigation, may make a contract in writing or in print with the seamen on board such vessel, describing the voyage or term of time tor which such sea- men shall be shipped, the services to be performed, and the wages to be received by them, which may be attested by a shipping commissioner, if there be one at the port where such contract is made, Seamen who have signed such a contract shall be entitled to the same relief and protection us now provided by law, and subject to the penal- ties as hereinafter proviaed. See. 2. ‘That any such seamen neglecting and refusing, without reasonable cause, to _ juin or proceed in his vessel, or for absence without leave at any time from his vessel or his duty, shall be imprisoned for not more than one month. Sec. 8 That the master or owner of such vessel may, if be desires to do so, discharge and pay off the seamen at the expiration of the voyage or term of time for which they may have contracted, before a shipping commissioner, and the commissioner shall in such: case, if required, sign and give to such master or owner a sturement of the amount so paid, and such statement shall, between the master or owner and the seaman or the master and his employer, be received as evi dence that the payments therein mentioned have been made. Sec. 4, That the shipping commissioner shall be e titled to fifty cents for each sea- man named in the contract which he may attest, and shall also be enti led to ten cents for each seaman discharged before him, to be paid as is now provided by law. See. 5. Thut samen may, by agreement, serve on board such vessels a definite time, or on the returu of any such vessel to the port of departure, may reship in the same vessel, without the payment of additional fees to the shipping commissioner. Sec, 6. That in the construction of this act every person having the command of any vessel included withiv its purport and intent shall be deemed the master thereof, aud every person who shall be employed to serve in any capacity on board such vessel shall be deemed a seaman; and the term owner shall be taken and understood to com- prehend all the several persons, if more than one, to whom the vessel shall belong. House Bill 4288 —To create navigable waters between Luke Erie and Lake Ontario, in the state of New York. Introduced January 10, 1888, by Mr. Nutting, of New York. That there be constructed around the Falls of Niagara, within the county of Niagara, in the state of New York, a navigable canal for the passage of merchant ships and ships of war between Lake Erie and Lake Ontario and the navigable waters connected there- ith. See. 2. That the location of said canal shall be made by five commissioners, to be appointed by the president of the United States, no one of whom shall be a resident or citizen of Niagara county, nor interested directly or indirectly in any real estate thercin. Sec, 8. That all necessary surveys ard estimates for said canal shall be made within six months of the passage of this act, and the building thereof shall be- prosecuted to completion under the direction of the presi- dent of the United States. Sec. 4. That in order to defray the ex- penses of the construction of said canal the sum of —— millions of dollars be, and the same is hereby, appropriated. House Bill 4940.—To «mend the admralty law. Introduced January 16, 1888, by Mr. Lawler, of Chicago, Illinois. Thatin al. suits in admiralty, by material- men, for supplies, repairs, or other neces- saries, the libellant may proceed against the vessel and freight in rem, or against. the master or owner in personam; and here- after there shall be no distinction between domestic and foreign ports or vessels in re- spect to the remedies and liens of materisl- men for such supplies, repairs or other neces- saries, but the jurisdiction and practice of courts «f »dmiralty shall be aniform in all cases. House Bill 4977.—T’o amend section forty- four hundred and sixty-three, chapter two, Revised Statutes of the United States. In- trodnced January 16, 1888, by Mr. Tarsney, of Michigan, That section forty-four hindred and sixty- three of chapter two, title fifty-two of the Revised Statutes of the United States, be amended eo as to read as follows: “Sec. 4463. No steamer shall depart from any port unless she shall have in her service afull complement of licensed officers and full crew, sufficient at all times to manage the vessel, including the proper number of watchmen. Butit any such vessel, on her voyage, is deprived of the services of any licensed officer, without the consent, fault, or collusion of the master, Owner, or any per- son interested in the vessel, the deficiency may be temporarily sipplied until others licensed can be obtained.” Sec. 2. This act is ordered to take imme- diate effect. House Bill 5641.—For the relief of cap- tains, pilots, engineers, and mates of steam vessels. Introduced January 23, 1888, by Mr. Tarsney, of Michigan. That the secretary of the treasury is hereby authorized and direcced, under such rues and regulations as may be by him adopted, to cause to be refunded and paid out of any money in the treasury not otherwise ap- propriated, to any captain, pilot, engineer, or mate of steam) vessels, their heirs, ex: ecutors, administrators, agents, Or assigns, the several sums paid by them respectively to the United Sta.es as license fees and for certificates authorizing them to prosecute their occupations, and for renewals of the same, from June eighth, eighteen hundred and sixty-four, to April fifth, eighteen hun- dred and eighty-two, less the sum of fifty cents for each certificate of license, or re- newal of the same, issued by the inspecior or inspectors of steamboats to such captains, pilots, engineers, and mates during said| and range lights in Lake St. Clair and De- period. troit river. [Substantially the same bill introduced in| That the following sums of money be, and the senate (S. 1545) January 19, by Mr.| are hereby, appropriated, to be paid out of Bates, of Tennessee. | any money in the treasury of the United Srates not otherwise appropriated, and to be expended under the direction of the secre- tary of war, for the public works herein named: : For the removal of the lighthonse at Pen- | insular Point, in the state of Michigan, to | House Bill 6185.—For the better protec- tion of human Jite on merchant steam vessels of the Unired States. Introduced Jauuary 80, by Mr. Cummings, of New York. That the maximum hours of labor as pre- scribed by law for any licerised officer of a steam vessel shall be not more than twelve hours in exch twenty-four hours. Any own- er, agent, or master compelling any licensed officer to violate this section shall be pun- ished by imprisonment for « term not less than six months or more than one year. the neighboring point upon Eleven-foot Shoal, with an addition of a fog-signal, $60,000. For the erection of a lighthouse and fog- signal at Squaw Island, Luke Michigan, $25 000. For the placing of a fog signal at Beaver Islind, Lake Mishigan, $5,500. For the erection of a lighthouse at White Shoals, Tuke Michigan, $60,000. For the establishment of a tog signal at House Bi)! 6948.—To prevent the overload- ing of vessels and bouts on the great lakes, and so forth. Introduced February 9, by Mr. Nutting, of New York. Mackinac Point, Straits of Mackinac, $5 500. That no vessel or boat loaded beyond it For removal of lighthouse from Mc@Gul- safe earrying capacity shall be allowed to} pin’s Point, Straits of Mackinac, to old commence or continue its voyage on the’ Mackinae Point, $25,000. | American waters of the great lakes Ontario, For the placing ot a fog signal at Twin Erie, Huron, Michigan, and Superior, and} River Point, Lake Michigan, $5 500. the American waters connected the:ewith.! For fog whistle on breakwater at Chicago, Sec, 2. That the coilectors of customs of Lllinois, $5,200. the several customs districts on and along| For the establishment of range lights in said waters shu!l immediately, with the con-| the channel of Detroit river, Michigan, be- sent and concurrence of the secretary of the| tween Fighting Island and Lime Kiln Cross- United States treasury, appoint men in their} ing, $7,000. several jurisdictions to see init the provisions| For placing fog whistle on the breakwater of section one of this act are properly carried | at Cleveland, Ohio, $5,200. out. No one shall be appointed to such For the placing of a fog signal and range position until he by examination shall have] lights at Ashtabula, Ohio, on the end of the shown sufficient knowledge upon the sub-| west pier, $7,000. ject to properly perform bis duty. The| For the placing of a fog signal at Michigan The United States shall pay each one of said} Island, Lake Superior, $5,500, men so appointed three dollars for each day’s For the placing of a tog signal at La actual service performed, and such sum shall} Pointe (Point Chequamegon), entrance to be paid monthly by the several collectors of} Ashland Harbor, Luke Superior, $5,500. custome, For the placing of a tog signal at Point Sec. 3. That it shall be the duty of each| Ircquois, Lake Superior, $5,500, of said men so appointed to prevent any ves-} For the placing of a fog signal at Chehoy- sel or boat entering upon or continuing aj gan Point light station, Lake Huron, $5,500. voyage npon the waters mentioned in the For the placivg of a fog signal at Presque first section of this act, which sball be loaded | Isle, Lake Huron, $5,500. or laden beyond and above its safe carrying| For the establishment of range lights and sea capacity. And said men, andeach of them| stakes in Lake St. Clair from Grosse Point go as uforesaid appointed, are hereby empow- | to the entrance to Detroit river, $3,000. ered, authorized, and directed to supervise} For the establishment of range lights from and inspect each and every vessel and boat} Russell [sland to St. Clair Flats canal, Lake about to start upon a voyage on said waters] St. Clair, $1,500. ; that come to their jurisdiction, and ascertain] For placing a fog whistle at Two Harbors, the carrying capacity of each of said vessels} Lake Superior, $5,500. : and boats; and each of said men so appointed| For the establishment of a red float light at Devil’s Island, Apostle group, Lake Su- perior, $15,000. is hereby authorized to enter into and upon all such vessels and boats for the purpose A aforesaid without process, and shall have} For the establishment of a red and white flash light and fog sigoal at Rock of 4 Isle Royal, Lake Superior, $1,500. =~ aecess to the bills of lading, books, and cargo of each and every such vessel. If it shall be ci For placing a fog bell at the ea-t end of Portage Lake ship canal, $900. : found by said inspectors, or any of them, that any such vessel is loaded beyond its safe as ; sea carrying capacity the said inspectors} For placing a tog signal at Eagle Ri Lake Superior, $5,500. Pye For placing white flash range li shall detain said vessel or boat until its cargo is reduced in bulk or weight to the extentto make the said vesse) safe and seaworthy for} Duluth Harbor, $3,384.12. i $ For erection of i:ghthouse at Midd land, Lake Huron, $1,500. s Fo. placing a fog signa’ at So land, Lake Michigan, $5,500, its voyage. And each of said inspectors shall have the power, and it shall be bis duty, to ascertain whether each vessel and boat so entering upon or continuing its voyage on the aforesaid waters has a proper and cuffici- ent quantity and quality of life preservers and small boats, or other life saving appli- ances, in case of wreck or disaster, to protect the people on said boat or vessel. : Sec. 4. That it is hereby declared to be a felony for any owner, officer, or person to overload or cause to be overloaded any boat or vessel] ubout to start on a voyage on the waters in the first section herein descrived ; and any owner, officer or person, who shall knowingly cause or permit any vessel or boat about to start on a voyage on any of the waters described in the first section herein, to be loaded beyond its safe carrying capac ity, or allow said vessel or boat to start or continue on any such voyage when so over- loaded, or with insufficient lite saving ap- pliances on board, shall be guil’y of a felony, and, on conviction, shall be sentenced to hard labor in some prison for a term of not more thun tive years, or shall pay a fine of not less than one thousand dollars, or both such fine and imprisonment muy be imposed, and the district courts in the several cus- toms districts where any such offense may happen shall have jurisdiction of said offenses. : Sec. 5. ‘That this act shall take effect im- mediately. : ts Senate Bill 263.—Providing — to certain American built vessels duced December 12, 1887, M Maine. i ee ’ j ‘That there shall be paid from the trea of the United States the following bou' : per gross ton, upon all iron and steel steast vessels, built in the United States and firm presented for enro!!ment or registry afte: ‘ first day of July, 1888, to wit: On all s vessels of more than one thousand gross tons and not more than two thousand gross tons, at the rate of fifteen dollars per toi such vetsels of more than two | a gross tons und not more than three thouss gross tons, at the rate of twenty dollars ton; and on all such vessels of more: three thousand gross tons, at the a twenty- five dollars per ton; on all such ves-_ sels under one thousand tons, a d c r Provided, T taken and used by the Ur gove! ment for military purp« ata just reasonable rate of compensstion, — : Sec, 2. The secretary of the treasury the secretary of the na’ ‘ f forms and regulations ni ing out the purpose of th: Senate Bill 40.—As to obtaining the free- dom of certain canals and ship railway therein named for the American mercantile marine, Resolved, by Senate and House of Repre- sentatives, of the United States of America in congress assembled, That in order to en- courage ocean ship building and promote piety — sorpigh Hep it is neces-| yriine : y sary to relieve the merchaht warine as tar as suSiges RO ta ys ; possible trom all oppressive tolls and cus- 3 doen ee toms and duties, and in forwarding this de- States anarsbale ‘and swith 2 sirable object that the president of the under the stea qiaboatal United States be requested to open negotia- compensation of clerks t tions with the governments of Great Britain tori oe aL other: : and the Dominion of Canada forthe purpose eee rovided tor of having the Welland canal made tree to ApS pro : the merchant ships of the United States. Pe eee —_ aes tion of the secretary | Senate Bill 447—To amend the Ie lating to inspection of steam vessi troduced December 12, 1887, by M House Bill 7085.—Mr. Chipman, Michi- gan, lntroduced, February 13, 1888, the fol-| pro luwing bill: Providing for the erection of} sundry lighthouses and fog-signals in Lake} Superior, Lakes Huroi, Erie, and Michigan,