The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1877-01-31
THE NORTH POLE AND THE BOARD
OF TRADE.

AT this particular Juncture, Wnlle Ousiiless
affairs are moving sluggishly, it may be well
to consider the propriety and utility OF
making one more effort to reach the north
pole. No one as yet has been able
to reach the north pole, but from
all accounts expeditions have succeeded
in approaching within about five hundred
miles of that interesting point Just what
benefits and advantages are to accrue, pro-
vided success finally crowns the labors of
the daring adventures, are not stated,
though it is intimated that many scientific
problems that now bother the heads of
Savants will be solved, and this little world
of ours be better understood. The general
reader finds in accounts of arctic explora-
tons much that is interesting, and students
in geography and science become so COM
pletely carried way with them that no mat
ter what may have been the sufferings or
disasters of those who dared to penetrate re-
gions of eternal ice others are to be found
ready to start on the same perilous expedi-
TONS
The discoveries so far, have not contrib
uted in any degree to the advancement
of civilization. Beyond a certain point
no human beings are found further
north, seals and whales disappear; further
still, birds are unknown. and beyond there is
only ice-and the north pole. There may
be an open sea, and possibly villages,
cities and prosperous communities, in
the neighborhood of the pole, but
the probabilities are against the
supposition. The general opinion is
that northward beyond a certain degree
there are no openings for commerce to the
extent of trading jack knife. No exports
or imports, no statistics of mining, agricul-
ture or manufactures; no schools, no books,
no churches, no anything but ice-icebergs
and ice mountains. There is no pos
sible chance for settlements colonies;
no remote probability of establishing agri-
culture or manufactures. Still in ali civil
lied countries there is an unquenchable
ambition to discover the north pole. The
world has two poles, north and south,
but only the north pole seems
to be regarded with special interest
Just why this is thus is about as
great a mystery the pole itself.
notwithstanding there have been many
faIlNres and many ventursome persons have
lost their lives, the subject is still agitated
and snore expeditions are to be fitted out.
In these bold and daring proceedings it is
gratifying to know that indianapolis
is to have voice-not that she
will send a representative along with
the next expedition, but she will give such
aid and encouragement as can be derived
from well considered resolutions passed by
her board of trade. which yesterday took up
the subject and by vote, which we hope
was unanimous, asked congress to give $780,
600 to the enterprise. To be sure
$50, 600 is not much money for a
great country like the United States, but it
is raised by taxation, every dollar of il, from
q people who complain of being burdened
beyond endurance with taxes. 1t is posi-
be that the people who pay this fifty thous-
aad dollars are interested in knowing all
about the ice of the polar seas, its height
and depth and width, and that
this great scientific problem to be solved is
worth many times the $4,000 congress is
asked 90 bestow. But we submit with all
Difference TO the opinion Of the board of
trade that to postpone the donation for
a while will be more in consonance
with the financial condition of the
country. Fortunately. the discovery Of
the north pole is one of those enterprises
that can be put off for several years to come
without special detriment to the interests of
society. If, however, private individuals
believe there is either money or fame in the
risks required, the board of trade and the
people generally will be willing for private
capitalists to invest their spare funds to any
extent they may deem advisable. -