Daily press and Dakotaian. [volume] (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1875-1880, 1877-09-12

remembered Tor Life Time.
Providence journal.
Mars is now superb object seen through
the telescope; we had on Tuesday evening
view Of the ruddy planet through the fine
Instrument of the Roger Williams observa.
tory that is something 10 remember for q
lifetime
A fiery ball of glowing red seemed sud.
denly TO spring into existence as the planet
entered the field of vision. In size it ap-
preached that of the full moon when high
up 10 the heavens, while such was the
brightness and fiercencss of its rays that
we Involuntary sought to shade our eyes
from the glare. Al first We saw nothing
but a brilliant tlamsc6lored disc, its cir
cumterence aglow with p,ismaiic hues
caused by chromatic alteration, without a
trace OF zones of snow or the strange mark.
ings that practised eyes discover on the
Marian globe. AS We observed more care
fully, the ice bound circles came as plainly
into view us the wellknown features of the
moon on our own luminary. and we enjoy
ed peep al the Marian poles, the southern
polar cap being much larger than the north
ern, for 1t is summer in the northern hemi.
sphere and the ice zone around the pole
has partly disappeared Under the Influence
Of the suns heat. A still more careful
scrutiny revealed the presence of dusky
spots Oh the beaming disc. These indicate
the land, which is Of reddish hue when
the planets atmosphere is clear, while the
lighter parts of y greenish hue mark the
| contour of the seas and oceans.
Thus with our own eyes We saw land
water, and ice on the surface of our Mar
ttan ncighbor, and had view OF its ruddy
disc, which, after few weeks have passed
will not be equalled In size and brilliancy
until 1892 Though Jupiter, with its Lril
liant belts and sparkling moons, is grand.
er telescope object, and Saturn, with its
wondrous ring system and numerous moons
exceeds in beauty every sight ~ the ccles-
tlal picture gallery. yet We obtain better
view. and on larger scale, of Mars than ot
any other object in the heavens excep, the
moon. 1t is probably the only planet whose
real surface is ever visible, for Venus
though the most splendid of all planets "a
the naked eye is. on account of its grea,
Iustre. unsatisfactory for telescope obserya
ton while Jupiter aud Saturn are surround
ed by cloud envelopes of immense extent
that hide the solid portions from the ewes
Mars then. for month to come, will afford
| unusual facilities for observation, beautiful
70 the naked eye, and magnificent beyond
description when revealed by the far seeing
eye that picrces the depth Of space.
II recent change made in the interior
department had occurred under Presiden
Grants administration. the entire BODY o.
civil service reformers would have howltd
with indignation. General A. J. Smith, 8
gallant union soldier, was surveyor general
Of Montana, and performed his duties salts
factorily to the government and to the
people, and creditably to himself. A few
weeks ago delegation Of disappointed con.
tractors came to Washington and demanded
his removal, recommending one of theil
own number for his place. General Smith
found that they were trying to unseat him
and came here. He told the president
his term Of Office would expire in Decem.
Der, and he would like to remain till tina,
time, when his resignation would be offered
but the president has ordered his removal
and appointed man named Mason, per
sonal friend and relative Of Private Sec
retary Rogers. One of Secretary Schurz'.
civil service reform rules is that no person.
shall be appointed to such positions without
having practical knowledge of surveying
Mason knows nothing whatever Of the sci
encc hence his appointment is violation
Of this rule.