Weekly national intelligencer., 1851-01-04

4
sdsit the best organization Of the kind IN the world
II is necessary for proper admniaop Of the coast sur,
vey, composed b jointly Of officers Of me army ano
navy that should have civil head some one ~ ,h hs
stand between the rival feelings Of the two branches Of ne
service No chief could be taken from either Diancn ne
service. If he were, be would Be watched WIN ealcus
eye by the branch to which be did not belong civ cne
thus standing between the two permanently a'acned ne
work and devoted to science constitutes the very bond
which binds together the two branches Of ne service engaged
in this work.
But the Senator from Missouri, this occasion, as on
former ONE endeavors make issue between the officers
of the army and Of the navy The issue his own. No
friend Of the coast survey has made friend OF the coast
survey has ever charged any naval officer with ncompeency
to do any thing which belongs 70 MS profession Under toe
duct Of the photographed part Of the work. Topography
belongs not to the navy Hydogrphy is conducted by
the navy and delay has recently occurred because the navy
could not furnish officers to command vessel destined for
the survey on the coast Of Texas How then, when
photography is turned to the navy, which is all that
properly belongs it. could that navy take charge Of the
land work. all the scientific Investigations all the aborious
computation necessary when, in fact they behind
hand The slightest examination will show that the navy
will not suffice Our coast is changing coast The Gull
stream throws its dettus upon the shore from end to the
other. You require something fixed to which the evervay
ing photography of the survey be referred as standing
point. That the Typographical survey, upon the high
lands along the Shore That work belongs to the army the
navy has nothing to do with il has no proper connexion
with it the army must do It, is the hxed and permanent
as a waving line attached to some certain point
Now sir is assumed that the navy officers can do this
land work better than the officers Of the army Isl assumed
that this changing survey more valuable man
not would it be better to send TO the Secretary Of the
War Department. and ask him whether in his opinion, the
work should not be transferred to his department. rather than
to the department Of the navy
tere any before the people involving the ncom
peency Of the navy repeat it made by the friends Of
the present organization Of the coast survey m made by
the officers Of the navy tits not made BY those with whom
have convesed and those with whom have conyersed
such have been most engaged the work. Some Of the
most scientific officers engaged in that work, and have
not who said the work ought to be turned the
navy that naval officer competent to take charge of
all tho scientific abors demanded The gallant sailor
engaged in surveying the coast Of California is one Of the
friends the present organization Of the coast survey
has mention him because he has been referred to- there
are officers of the navy whose feelings grated by the fact
that typographical astronomical and hydrographcal work
il conducted by joint survey Of the officers OF the army and
the navy and civilians they must be those whose palms
itching for work which they brought its present per-
fecon-not those who have been engaged this work and
acquired reputation for what they performed for is fact in
the history of the progress of this survey that due credit has
been given to every for the work which he performed
The charts show by whom the soundng made, by whom
shoals discovered and constant reports made giving
and showing every increment of information which ad
ded to the already possessed and by whom this nforma
ton is made Therefore there is ground of complaint
for any change and do not see Notwithstanding
the argument Of the Senator from North Carolina, why when
have been examining this work from year to year.
should make any call the Secretary Of the Navy for
sons for any change whatever.
Mr.. CAsS. wish to say but word upon this sub
ect have said in the outset, that to me is matter Of
little consequence who directs this work because whoever
placed in charge Of have all the scientific aid which be
needs and he must call in such aid in order to go into
the details of the work l spoke with some knowledge
this subject. This work begun under Mr. Jeersons
administration He sent Europe to sbtan the services OF
Mr. Hasser who believed to be of great scientific
attanments proved that his temperament did not qualify
him for the business of directing such work. At that time
the dispute was not who should have the work. but who
should not have it. When was in the Department, in
consequence of this peculiar temperament Of Mr. Hasser we
had to depend him for his details, and must say that
Notwithstanding his qualifications OF science, his
temperament made dsagreeabe be associated with him
in the service Now have superintendent who has the
charge Of conducting the whole work and the Senator
from Mississippi has said is done in manner which Is an
honor to the country Why not associate officers OF the army
and the navy into board who shall be competent instead OF
having superintendent with the whole work under bis
sole direction? The bead Of depth cannot understand
this work Sufficiently ;he must depend others You have
officers in the army and navy fully competent for this work.
and why such board should not have charge
of the work, if any change is to be made.
Mr.. DAVIS, of Mississippi That work is now done by
officers of the army and the navy. They selected from
these departments Of the public service and detailed for the
work.
Mr.. CASS. What wanted twenty years ago, and what
now want is scientific board, superintend the work
to stand between the Department and the execution of the
work speaking Of the importance Of having these
officers 60 into the field But what objection is there to that
The Senator from Mississippi says that officers Of the army
and navy competent but you cannot them to into
the field for there will be such rivalry existing between them
that they will not execute the work harmonousy. do not
believe that will be the result believe four be got
together who will labor harmoniously carry the work
faithfully do not believe that there will be that jealousy Of
which the Senator has spoken These officers OF the army
can make distribution Of the work, and the officers Of
the army navy perform appropriate portous OF and
thus you will have the benefit Of their combined experience
and skill in the work. while the fact that they from the two
departments will be check upon each of them do not
think there is scarcely member of this body who fully un-
dersands the details of this work, and appeal to the Sena
tor from North Carolina (Mr BApeER) who acquainted
Department it is not SO. There is time for De-
parmen to become familiar with all the details Of the work
believe that in every country in the world where coast
survey carried on it done under the direction OF board
of the navy II you have board taken from these two
departments you have check upon each, which will be
guaranty for the better performance Of the work.
Mr.. BENTON. Mr.. President, when offered that re-
solution did not anticipate such discussion upon it. espe
cially is resolution of inquiry, calling for nfor
nation. When the Senator from Georgia yielded the floor
did suppose that the question would be taken at upon
the resolution had idea that inquiry from any De
pament be resisted and resisted upon the supposon
that the Department called upon say any thing in
port of recommendation which is hasmade. Gentlemen seem
to 60 upon the assumption that there Is nothing which
head Of Department say which have any influence
his seat and perhaps by this time, in short time, he will
retract his
MI. DAVIS, Of Mississippi If the reference is TO me,
mi he tn osavth hat did notaa mn.