The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-12-14
Our Washington Correspondence.


The Committee rose and the House adjourned.
Our Washington Correspondence.
WASHINGTON, Dec. IL, 1854.
The Report Of the Light House Board-Higk Price Of
Oil-Necessity IF a Substsxte-G iddinos on the Ad-
Observation-Disclosures in the A6dirs'of Europc, dc.
The Light House Board have just presented to Con-
gress, through the Hon. Secretary of the Treasury
report Of the operations account Of the Light
service during the fiscal year ending June go 1854
Though this report contains startling develope-
ments Of scientific discovery, yet unfolds plan of
incredible financial economy still it shows just what
RATIONAL thinking mind would be led to expect from
commission composed Of gentlemen combining the high
est scientific and professional talent in the country
The designs Of Congress in providing appropriations at
previous sessions for light houses and buoys have
been carried out with zeal and fidelity far Is the
limited time and local difficulties would permit-con-
forming strictly to the requirements Of law in regard t.
the legal title to the sites, nc.
The report exhibits gratifying reduction In ths
heretofore enormous expense of the light hous !
establishment, and promises that when the present
reflector lights on coasts, consuming immense
quantity of supplies, shall have been replaced by
small lens lights, possessing the same brlliancy
the reaecors, yet requiring much less oil, still
further dmunition of expenses will be accomplished
Everything cannot be done at once, and when
slider the immense number Of lighthouses coast
about four hundred and fifty requiring to be removal
ed and that too by the introduction of entirely
system only wond,r is that so much progress has
been made.
The Board after carefully prepared exhibit of the re-
guarly increasing cost Of sperm oil, caused by the d
mnishng supply from the fishing grounds and the gra
attention of the agricultural community to the practical
bty Of cutivating oil yielding plants. Tie COLA
in this as
which is great staple Aquantity of seed of this plant
has been imported by the Lighthouse Board with true
republican foresight and deposited the Patent Office for
gratutous distribution to such persons may feel in
cned to attempt its cultivation 1t is said to be crop
requiring but little trouble and yielding large pecunary
harvests
The Board in their report show that particular atten
ton has been given to the thorough buoyage of the
appear that everything has been done in the way pro-
viding aids to navigation which the soundest profess
sonal knowledge in conjunction with the application Of
high scientific principles could dictate.
Yesterday day OF peculiar interest In Congress,
both in consequence of what was done, and what the
House Of Representatives refused to do. On motion Of
the Chairman or the Committee of Ways and Means the
House resolved itself into Committee of the Whole to
take up and distribute the Presidents Message when
to the establishment of the friends Of the admnistra
ton, Mr. Stanton, of Tenn, out out Opposer OF
President Pierce, called to the chair This the
unkindest cut Of all Ell tn brute, the President might
well excaim for no sooner was the House In committee
than the floor given to Mr.. Giddings who opened
the ball BY scathng philippe against Pierce, Forney
and Nebraska. AT times the whole House convulsed
with laughter the Chairman himself enjoying the rich
ness of the scene as much as those around him. Mr.
Giddings said he did not wish to morfy the feelings
of any gentleman present, but it would be necessary
for him to alhde to the democratic and wing par ties,
spoke fthe dead hnt in terms of respect
HIS remarks called out reply from the friends OF the
administration who the naggellaton brayeiy deem
ing quiet prudence the better part Of vaor for had
In this the least said was the soonest mended
motion made to suspend the rules. in order to
consider joint resolution directing the President of
the United States to tender to the European belgerent
the mediation Of our government On this motion the