The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-02-23
ARCTIC EXPLORATION,

FAVORABLE REPORT OF THB COMMITTEE ON
NAVAL AFFAIRS ON The BILL TO EQUIp AN
EXPEDITION FOR POLAR RESEARCH
WASHINGTON, d. c., Feb. 90, 1877.
Mr.. Willis. OF New York. from the House COMMITTEES
on Naval Affairs, submitted a report to-day on tho
House bill to authorize and equip expedition to
Arctic seas. The committee say the object OF the bill
is interesting and important IN its character that
they have while not negIecting to gravey consider il
with reference to its results TO science and commerce.
availcd themselves Of all information accessible and
called rcqusition the testimony experience aud
learning They discuss tho inquiry whether under tho
constitution or otherwise, to III out expedition such
contemplated would be an appropriate and
legitimate junction OF the government for tho
exercise Of which taxes could be properly levied upon
the people, and, 20, whothcf the nation would get
value received for tho expenditure incurred nd ihs
periis to which us citizens would be exposed They
the results attained from the various xplor.
ing expeditions which, from timc To time, been
organized and despatched to tho Arctic regions, and
express grave doubts as 70 the chances of uure
cess IN The enterprise II continued upon the plaus
heretofore followed.
AN ARCTIC COLONY NEEDED
They think that to render success assured the men
and the vessels must be near the channel by which
the northwest passage to be reached the
hour aud pared to take prompt advantage thereof
Polar colonization represented to be plan suited
TO the cxigcncy. THIS plan requires colonization party
United States for such SERVICE provided with snppics
Tor at least three years. strong substantial buidng,
transported on sbpboard, AID the principal depot
be IN Lady Franklin Bay, or II possible as high Cape
Union, between latitude 80 and SO deg. tue United
States vessels to be only used Tor transporting mon
and supplies TO the location OF the colony and to mako
annual visits thereto with fresh supplies kocp tho
colony IN communication with the outside world nil
iary discipline to be enforced by officers selected tor
their illness for the duty An astronomer aud two
or moro naturalists to DC selected by tho National
Academy Of sciences, and one or more members COM
potent To make meteo rological observations Tue
glon proposed for the colony abounds IN coal and IN
fish and eamo, and never bciore the committee say,
has opportunity offered promising In its results
as now presents itself
ADVANTAGES BIZ GAINED
The committee review what has been and ia being
done by various foreign nations attain tue desirable
ends sought by the cx poratIon in question, with
view TO progress in scientific discoveries The com.
mttee say that there Is scarcely natural science but
would be enlarged and utilized by proper observations
In the Polar seas Natural iorccs there subject
extreme conditions and consequently produce phcno-
mcna not seen elsewhere, and which serve to rcve,
the character Of the forces themselves Wonderful
already are the discoveries made IN each field OF
curry noted, but we yet IN the vcstioue--tbo
region OF the unknowablc is just beyond We are in
vitcd thiiher We know enough TO roazc the wealth
which awaits us
WISE METHODS TO nE AporrEn
but the committee arc oil the OPINION that to reach
the ends desired complete change Of operations must
DO had, aud TINS change Is effected In the bill beio.e
tue House and meets the exact need. II make any
petence AZ friends OF science we must pursue the only
methods whereby development can be achieved.
Boards OF trade and chambers OF commerce arc now
through memorials, inyokIng the national Legislatures
to renew the honorable work. The cost ~ slight: tho
ends arrived at VIII provoke intelligent opposition
The methods proposed are not experimental but tho
product Of experience They have tho sanction
ana even the warmcst comm ndation OF all scientific
men OF nil nations The supervision oi tho
National Academy OF Science Will insure wke pro-
visions and safeguards against accident disease or
failure. Dr. Hayes, the eminent and successful Arctic
explorer, comedies fully with the views expressed BY
The committee, as also do others familiar by actual
experience. Their letters are conclusive mat tho
committee make them part OF their report rhs
committee conclude by sayIng:"Thc honor OF tho
American name Is involved wiIl Congress suppress
this jealous spirit OF inquiry aud adventure give u
scope by the passage OF this bill aud mcagre appro-
priation OF Sh0,0U0f To US appears III should DO
but one answer and therefore report back the bill
with tho recommendation that II do pass