New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-02-06
THE COAST SURVEY.

We have heretofore directed attention 10 the
Coast Survey as one OF the undertakings OF
the Government in which the economies that
are fast becoming Indispensable m every branch
of the public service might be most judiciously
practced. We have suggested the desirable
meas of a serious reduction, If not of an entire
cessation, of the operations Of this Survey; and
though d suggestion which ia likely to be
deemed very radical one has called forth
earnest aud repeated remonstrances, we do
not find in these replies any satisfactory rea-
son why our counses should not go into effect.
II has been said, in opposition to our views,
that the work should not stop, because the in
.erruptIon OF any useful and creditable enter
prise is confession of weakncss-an acknowledge
ment 20 the world that We distrust the future
Of our country. This reasoning however is
both too romantic and too reckless to suit the
serious condition OF our affairs, and springs
really from the very weakness. of faith which
il rebuke.. Ii is only whep a bankrupts
affairs are growing desperate that he begins to
feel unwilling to practice the economies which
nigh. induce the world TO suspect his neces-
silies
But, for the mos, part, the opposition which
our advice has called forth is by no means of
the lofty kind. The principal obector to the
policy that We propose is Mr.. G. W. Blunt Of
this city, who, in letter OF his OVID, reInon.
strates aeainst the proposed change as calcu-
i A.. ,,,t,, nd rif tuta
disasters. In placing himself thus prominently
before the country as the advocate of this ex-
pensiye and unnecessary Survey Mr.. Blunt in
yites an attention to himself which must be our
apology for the personal reference which we
make to him.
What, then, is Mr. Blunts relation to the
Survey in which he feels so deep an interest ;
lie is, we believe, sort OF agent Of the Sur
yey for the distribution of its maps and charts;
aud for his action in this capacity is receiving
and has for years received, an annual salary OF
two or three thousand dollare. How much of
bis time and attention are given to the work
for which he is thus amply remurerated, We are
unable to say; but we suspect that his duties
are not arduous. Beside this, Mr. Blunt is the
proprietor Of the Coast Pllot-a very useful
and very profitable work, which is a necessity
10 every shpmaster who nayigates our coast,
and which must have, therefore, an extensive
sale. This work contains directions for navi-
eating our coast-lor entering our harbors, and
for avoiding shonls and rocks; information
which we do not doubt ia so essential to those
who need it, that the mariner who pays for
Mr. Blunt's book gets full value for his
money.
The Information which enables Mr.. Blunt, at
no expense to himself, to give the results of
the latest surveys and explorations, to enter
from time to time new and valuable inlorma-
ton in bs useful work, is obtained from the
officers of the Survey. Upon what terms he is
enabled to avail himself of this most costly in.
telligence, We do not know. but wo doubt
whether he is in the habit Of paying for 1t.
We suspect that it is furnished to him gratui-