, 1862-02-27


/ The present status, economy or administration
of the Marine Hospital at Port Townsend is un'
known 10 me. Thanks, however, to the gentle
manly eX.Cuector, Col. Frost, / learn that the
annual expense Of the CuStom-IlouSp, Revenue
Cutter, and Marine Hospital is about Sls, 900
aud that upwards Of one third, or about so, 900
is wasted on the Hospital.
W natcvcr pea was urged in favor Of the lOca.
ton of those institutions at Port Townsend in
early days--whrther il was elf cted Oh the plea
OF convenience, or brought about by superior
iog-rol'mg--it must appear very evident to every
practical observer that such causes are now
/ played out, aud that the pressure Of commerce,
trade, population aud progress now calls aloud
for accommodation and adaptation to the wants
/ Oi the people. That the Marine Hospital has
been Instrumental in relieving much pain and
suffering, none will deny; and much credit is
due to Mr.. Taylor, the obigng deputy, who has
so long oiiiciated at the Custom.lIOuse with sO
much credit to himself aud SO much advantage
to the mercantile community for the facilities
which he has ever extended to the unfortunate.
DIR. OBrien has done much in aluyiatiGg the
mlseres Of his feiiOw-men by bis humane treat
ment and generous kindness, and his eminent
qualifications have done much to soften the pangs
of the sickness and suGtrings to which the flesh
require modification Of the Custom House more
loudly demand a modification and accommodation
of the benefits Of the Hospital and, without
entering into any lengthy discussion, We submit
lew reasons.
Ii is well known that lumber forms the chief
article OF our commerce, Centering at the mills,
nearly all os which are propelled by steam, and
the most potent machinery, including edge tools,
are always IN full blast. Imagine hundreds Of
men, constantly exposed to the "gnashing Of
teeth" laboring on the verge Of eternity amidst
the shrill din of the devouring elements, aypa-
rently
Hell's confines that the damned can hear"
You can then readily conceive the scalds, bruises
and cuts so prevalent at the Hospital.
Kitsap county continues ID be the chief seat
OF the numbering del artment Of our Territorial
industry, which is conducted entirely by New
England men and capital. Blessed with nearly
every other good thing, it yet lacks one Of the
greatest npOTtance-a Hospital.
That collection districts will be soon established
in the various ports on the Sound, is now only a
question Of time. When the Collector and his
deputies may employ resident physicians at their
several ports, "a consummation devoutly to be
wished for" then, and not till then, can the un-
fortunate receive the full benefit of hospital ac-
canoe, boat, or wagon, and sent over the seas and
subjected to vexalion Of spirits and suilermgs
worse than death, he will be- immediately placed
under the care OF an able nurse, 10 be skilled or
cured" as the iates decree. Such Is the way
business is conducted in the Atlantic OWfpOrt,
and am satisfied that much suffering viii be
thereby alleviatcd, and ten thousand dollars per
annun saved TO our depleted treasury. go
II is really humiliating TO think Of the helpless
state We are in this coast at the present time.
lam not aware that we have one cannon afloat
on Puget Sound at this moment i am not Of
those who believe that England wants to swallow
US without the "beneiit Of clergy" have no
fears that the British nation entertain any other
than kind feelings toward the American people (;
indeed, am forced to acknowledge that the YES.
sells Of the Royal Navy have done more tor our
suffering shipwrecked seamen on this coast than
We have experienced from our own navy. 1t
does appear most certain that an effort should
now be made 10 obtain q powerful steam reliel
vessel from the Navy Department. The late vic.
tories achieved by the united Efforts Of our arr
mics and navy, in gaining the Southern ports,
are conclusive evidence that many steamers are
now idle. A good steamer should be now pro.
cured, not only to keep the savage h0rdes at a
healthy distance, but also 10 assist distressed
vessels during the winter months in and around
the 6lfNlla OF Euc1.
The University now approaching completion
has been incorporated under the government Of
a Board Of Regents. II may not be generally
known that chair for instruction in the art Of
war is provided for This Is an important fea.
ture, and Distinguishing agency for the devel-
opInent Of the military spirits Of coming genera
tons; q Development always foremost 10 Euro
pean schools, but wholly neglected In our own
peaceful country. Experience, that even teaches
FOOLS teaches our people no longer to neglect this
important branch of science. Desiring to render
our University the real and veritablo West Point
Of the Pacific, lis friends have concluded to ask
Congress for two additional townships Of land
for the endowment and sustenance Of this mill
taFy chair. sln1
10 the end that the wants Of our rising Terri
tory may assume practical shape, purpose to
distribute petitions early in March for signatures
for the following benefits, viz:
LIST. The modification Of the Custom. House.
BY establishing the seat or head custom-housc at
Olympia, and collection districts at Steacoom,
Port Madison, eekalet, Dungeness, Utsaiady
and Bellingham Bay.
I'd. The modification Of the Puget Sound Ma
rine Hospital, TO the end that resident physicians
may be located at the several districts, or as near
thereto as convenient ga
3D.. To obtain from the Navy Department q
powerful feet steamer for our protection from
the Northern hordes in summer, as well as as
slstine our vessels in the severe stormy months
Of winter. .aa. i'
Congress, Of the Military department Of the Ter
ritoral University.
To each Of these subjects we call the attention
and assistance Of your readers. Any suggestions
from any persons will receive early attention.
tsai JOR LANE MID.