The daily union., 1852-09-16

those which are set up by the French government !
And are we to be dependent on the French govern
ment Tor every light we burn Is that sound Just
view oil The subject admit the great importance of The
go with my friend, any other gentleman, to establish
lenses of the first order upon the great points which pro-
ect out into the sea, where first make the land
Those great leading points ought to have the best lights,
regardless oil expense; but when you go into questions
OF expenditure il must be admitted that il takes much
greater portion OF labor to supentend and take Of
s ienses aan nan y does IN The case OF the common reflect
os see that this very board the fifth auditor
ior having an unnecessary number OF superiDiend
Gg The lentcpar lights at the Navesnk, New York
Now happen 10 know personally that the Frenchman
VINO was sent over bY the manufacturers 10 set up those
lights Put IN, 10 take charge Of them, Just the number
OF men ne was directed TO put here by those who
greater number OF men to take charge of these lights
Than OF the reecors and could very easily show you
reasons Tor u II time permitted.
But, without entering into this subject. think enough
has been developed 10 show that this is complicated
system that should be provided for by law with great
care and should be introduced with caution and proper
provisions 10 regard TO economy for you cannot change
the lights OF the United States lentcular ones short
ot az expense OF millions of dollars. You would have
70 alter every lantern The reflector lanterns not
adapted for lenses. They are not high enough. They
are not adapted to the introduction of the machinery
cess1ry tor the leases The Committee on Commerce. il
my Judgment behaved very wisely when they proposed
10 postpone this system and go under the system
which has been 10 operation for years, until
ure plan, and do with Prudence precauton and econ.
omy; Tor you will find any light house system expensive
enough Let take what form il may, il will in
crease TO double It's present expense You have
three hundred lighthouses. Soon the number will in.
crease 70 SIX hundred and you will find the system bur-
densome enough at any rate of economy,
will add one word more. One of the most sagacous
men that know Of, and with whom am acquainted
Scotch light has investigated this subject more thor
oughy than any other individual living see that, in
the last book published by him. be gives ihe preference
TO the reflector lights in certain positions Where certain
N
ne says the reflector light has the preference Ii is true
me lenses give greater light They throw out more rays
but they are not as well adapted to some stations
Then it follows that we should have at the head
OF the system an able and efficient man. One head
is better than ten; and an able and efficient who
understands the subject from top to bottom will be
able go into it, and from his kno Wedge to regulate
according to economy, and according the position in
which the lights should be placed. He should be man
capable 10 discharge his duties, and he should have
suitable organization under him. But must say, how
ever respectable these boards are have thought
them worth anything. You had navy board but were
obliged 10 give it up You had census board, but it
did nothing You had board connected with the Patent
Office but who heard of its doing anything never
did These boards only serve shelter to some
one person who does the business allotted to them Then
do not see any popIiety in limiting such board is
here proposed to the officers OF the army and navy. You
should take talent wherever you find IT, But do not
think this is the time to discuss the subject think
would better be postponed until the next session
Mr.. PEARCE. | understand the senator 10 say that
lhe cost oil lens lgh, Is $4,000 suppose that is the
sooo
subject
Mr. DAVIS The least cost of those lights which
have y, been ssr brought n3gl. here is $4,000.
Mr.. PEARCE. | see in this report comparison OF
the cost OF the lights required light the harbor OF Bal
more.
II may be useful to compare few of the smaller
lights; and as an example, the Lszareio light, Ba-
more, may be taken There eleven lamps and spherical
refectors in this
Reported consumption last year 4sI gallons of oil
ard, 440 gallons.
.'Unted States estimate, ss5 gallons
This lightis required TO lights harbor and the entrance
10 = OF small extent, visibility not exceeding five six
miles
The first cost OF the eleven lamps and redectors,
(Which require To be renewed irequenty frame, ing
NC independently ofsPare lamps burners &c, will be
Annual expense for oil, 4al gallons. at 81 80 per
For chimney, glasses, and wicks IL 80
572 60
Extra burners, supposed not less than 500
Annual cost 577 60
independent Of cleaning, powders rags, &c, &c, not
quiIed for lens light.
does not require be renewed with three lamps, (wo
being extra and pedestal &c, complete, estimating five
Which is less than the first of the reflector
by % 90
The consumption Of oil per annum for the lens
light will be 4s gallons, costing 90 40
For wicks and chmneys, say SO
se3 80
Besides, is 10 be remembered that the lenses are
imperishable; much less ase TO injury than the re-
hecors so that the first expense need not be repeated
Mr.. DAVIS. This comparison does not give a just
view OF The subject IL may answer for that little bug
light The whole OF 1t may be true but II does not touch
the whole subject al all
Mr.. PEARCE. | mentioned that TO show that while
the senator desires 10 begin the Improvement OF lights
the seacoas 1t is desirable 10 have them upon points
where u IS not necessary TO have The lights extended
such distance to the entrance OF the harbors Then
as TO the organization OF the system. find in the
port made by the honorable senator himself in 1888
some account OF the French system He says:
The general supervision OF lighthouses &c devolves
on the Minister OF the INTERIOR but light be
established without the opinion of this minister
and the Minister OF Marine
Subordinate Is Commission dts Phares the members
OF which, except the secretary receive compensation
has hitherto consisted OF certain civil engineers employed
ard with the late distinguished M Fresne
secretary and chief engineer The design Of such
bnnon Is manifesty to bring the public service the
requisite qualifications TO select the best sites,
the suitable buildings, and bring the most
perfect and scientific apparatus"
Mr.. DAVIS. The senator will not understand me as
recommending that system.
Mr.. PEARCE. The senator introduced il into his re-
port without commenting uponi IL Then again, Mr.. Presi-
DENT does not follow II establish this board that ii
Is to go to work al and dsmane all the light houses
and saddle upon the expenditure OF lens lights on all
The places on the coast take IL that il s TO be board
composed OF competent who will proceed cautious
~, much mere cautiously than the present light house
administration does presume that they will have refer
ence TO the OF the country in the Improvements
which they may make in the system from time to time
and thus they may be able gradually 10 correct the evils
OF the present s. stem. But will not detan the Senate
further