The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1846-02-05

ou'uen par' OF the same is now taken up with
them and the coal bunkers, allowing little room
'or provisions, munitions of war, and the accom-
mediation OF men; if this thirty feet was added
too, 1t would raise her some eighteen inches out
oil The water, thereby decreasing her draft, and
enabling her, with greater certainty to accom-
plish her destined duty, by permitting her to run
into our bays and creeks where smuggling is car
red on, 1t any where. 1t is not too late vet for
this addition to their length to be made, if the
accomplished and energetic Secretary of ahe
treasury, aided by the perseverng and indefati-
gable Head OF the Revenue Bureau, Can't. Fra
ger, would move in the matter. For our own
part, we should like to see these vessels what
they desire them 10 be. but which ii is impossible,
with their present dumpy and contracted length,
they can possibly be made.
we ask pardon for this DEPRESSION, but having
carefully examined the James X. Polk" on
our visit TO Richmond, we could not hut regret.
that stupidity or old fashioned preudicesi, should
compel the Government to lag behind the age,
and go to great expense for thing of compare
tive uselessness' when very trifing additional
sum would have given the country practical
working vessels, fit for any service that could be
required of any thing that floats. and having ex-
pressed that regret on paper, with the faint hope
that 1t will be needed in the quarter where such
folly can alone be remeded, we turn again to our
friend LrGuTHALL.
There is nothing more Indicative of mans
genius and power, than the fact that every thing
prosPers in his hands and when we see an indi
vidual bending the whole of his ener.gies and
mind to the accomplishment of perfection in his
particular business, regardless of pecuniury gain
OF emolument, We set him down as truly great
snch man is WILLIAM A. LIGHTHALL. MANY
years since he invented theo' butterfly valve -
10 the air pump, which is now in use, we believe
throughout the world This invention has saved
hundreds of thousands of dollars to owners, and i
1t had been patented, would have enriched the
patentee-but the inventor let it go for the good
oil the world. He was the original discoverer OF
the cutoff, known as " Sickels's Patent Cut
off," which is now enriching the latter, and saw
ing so much to steamboat owners in fuel and il
was we believe, through him, that sc, many
notifications and Improvements have beer, made,
as are now striving for public favor to save the
consumption of wood and coal. These two i'm
portant additions to the Steam Engine may be,
with nstice, awarded to him, although one is now
common property. and the other is claimed by and
benefitng another; but the great and crowning
glory OF his efforts is The invention of the =" Half
Beam Engine" which his friends induced him to
patent.
by whatever means Lighthall has been broupht
to the notice of the Government, we feel certain
that his services and scientific attainments, will
never be relinquiished-th thanks of the coun-
try are due TO the discriminating eye that brough.
him forward from the tinsel, rubbish and dros:
that is always found in abundance, when tn G
Treasury is to be used for any purpose To th G
Bureau of the Revenue Service and the Head OIL
the Treasury Department, we believe, we are
indebted for this judicous selection. 1t could not
have been through the Intervention of the NAVY
Department proper, for in looking through all Tho
Bureaus there, we do not find practical man at
the Head of single Department, while the
Head of the Steam Bureau, Che who has turne
out OF the service some of the best practical engi
neers in the country,) is known every where. to
be lamenIaby deficient in every matter that
should qualify man for that station.
BY the by, while speaking of this matter, we
would suggest, and earnestly urge upon the Ma
val Committees of the two Houses of Congress
to institute an Inquiry into the manner of appoint
toent to the Bureaus, in the Navy Department
and If they are satisfied with it, just repeal SC
m UGH OF the law, as will make it correspond with
tn g policy and practice of the appointments 1t
do es not look well to see solemn act of Con.
or ess daily violated by the Government itself, as
it sets bad example to the citizen.
1.-THE DAILY TINES"
This paper takes the place of the II. g .Jour.