The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-02-19
OUR LIGHTHOUSE SYSTEM.

is The EFFICIENCY OF THE DEPARTMENT TO BE
IMPAmED BY POLITICAL BLUNDERERs "A
STRONG LETTER FROM ALEXANDER EVANS.
TO THE EDITOR OF TIE HERALD
The writer OF this article has noticed vita pleas.
ure in your enterprislng journal the cdito rails
upon the alteration or the repeal OF the laws
governing the lighthouses Of this country. !: has
now been twenty three years since the under
signed, acting in his legislative capacity, with
the assistance OF Lieutenant NOW AdmiraD Jen-
kins, or the navy, whose services cannot be too
highly spoken o. devised and carried into legal
operation the act Of the 3lst OF August 1852 whose
intention and whose effect were to put
our lighthouses liehtvessels, beacons, buoys
and illuminating apparatus in condition
comparable TO those OF France and England and
the most advanced nations. The engineering
labOrs OF the Stevensons IN Great Britain; the in
genious devices OF BaDbage for marking and des-
ignating lights and the optical and mathematical
labors OF the ustrlous Ffesncl were not over.
looked and we have enjoyed for more than
twenty years what IL T. TO he Hoped may ne well
founded satisfaction that the lives OF thousands or
ma dy mariners have been saved from loss and
mat millions Ia value OF precious merchandise
have been preserved from destruction by our ac-
ton.
OF them civilians OF nigh scientific attaInmcnts,
should form Lighthouse Board, and tina. the
CNlllans sUCulu serve without any COMPENSATION,
wne The officers OF the engineers and navy dc.
tailed for duty should have their ordinary pay, and
NO more.
IL was then objected 70 the undersigned that
men OF science would not serve without salaries.
his reply was that England furnished au example
10 the contrary, and that he believed the Ike
public and exalted spirit might be found here.
This prediction has been fulfilled, and this de.
partment has been conducted without c0mpen.
sG;IOn, Dv the highest talent OF the country With
perfect Integrity and without reprOacb.
Mr.. Fillmore, at the instance OF the under.
signed, who communicated with bin only by let
te. and In the face OF efforts 10 have political and
inefficient persons appointed, gave pace to such
men as Henry and Bacbe, succeeded aiterwsrd
by PIERCE. among the civilians. IL is Sufficient TO
IL, that the conduct oi a lighthouse system re-
qures special scientific, mathematical and
engineering at'a,nments accorded to lew,
and not TO be ionnd among politicians. IL IL now
proposed 70 return 10 the old bureau system, with
this difference, that IDS cad OF having at It's head
o man Of Integrity, lko Mr. PleasontoD, who bad
been IN the employ Of the government from its
origin, there will be great risk that undefigDedy
It's chief may DC a person OF no attanments IN
society aud with very loose notions with regard
10 supplies Tor THIS important department. In.
deed, the complaint made OF the Lighthouse Board
seems 10 pc tnat II does not c q particular kind
talon or cOmmun cation with any one connected
win tue lighthouse service but can conjecture
mat Professor Joseph Henry and Professor Pcnja-
MN PIERCE may think an oil generating exp,osiye
vapors not proper 70 be trusted Ia the hands OF
the ordinary political sppoloteo an lighthouse
keeper.
Bfirc Isand Ligh, wero blown 10 pieces some