Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1877-12-15
NORTHERN TRIBUNE.
SATURDAY. DECEMBER Is, 1877.
RANGE LIGHrS.


The increase of traffic to and from this
harbor makes it imperative that some-
thing should be doue to secure the cree
ton of permanent and powerful range
lights, or that there should be a pier
light at the entrance of the harbor cham
mel, to enable the various crafts desiring
TO make this portto enter the channel
without difficulty or being delayed.
AS Is we'll known, there was an appro-
priation of $4,000 made by Congress for
the purpose Of building permanent
ranges, but the appropriation has never
been used on account of the titles to the
land selected as sites for the towers not
being satisfactory TO the government.
We are confident-t that had theproper eff
fort been put forth OIL the part of the cit
liens Of Cheboygan, the difficulty might
have been overcome and the lights haye
been in position during considerable
portion OF the season which has just
closed, but, with the exception of very
few persons, no interest seemed to be
taken i'm the matter, and it could not GER
tainly have been expected that those act
ing OH behalf OF the government would
make much of an effort to secure for this
port benefit that the citizens themselves
seemed 20 care bur little about.
The lack of proper range lights during
the past S, ason has been greatly felt by
those navigating the lakes and touching
at this port. and considerable complaint
was made during the season about the
inadequacy Of the temporary lights
which have been in use. Each season the
business of the haibor has been iDcreas-
ing, and the prospects are that it will
continue To 90 so, and it is time that
something was being done to secure the
necessary arrangements tor lights to en-
able safe and speedy entrance into the
port aU any hour of the night. Ii an eff
tort is nade upon the part OF the citi-
zens, we are confident that. the proper
lights could be secured and put III posi-
sition at an early day next season.
The general impression among those
in command of the several steamers and
vessels plying ut this port during the
past season WAS that their interests would
be best subserved by tie building of a
pier light at the entrance Of the channeI
dredged by the government. and petit
tion, largely signed by different captains,
was sent To the Light House
department. asking that the $4,000
heretofore appropriated be devoted to
that purpose. but those 10 whom the Pc
tition was sent did hot consider the ap>
preparation sufficient to build the pier
and place such Il light upon it Us, in their
Judgment. would be required. In view
of this expressed opinion, we think that
the pier light is preferable, and would
Ike to see all effort put forth to secure
such light. If the pier light cannot be
had, then let the tango lights, as former
ly proposed, be secured, but BY all means
let us make an effort to secure better
HSntS imam tue temporary ones used this
season. Heretofore the Messls. Hum
phreys have BEEN at the expense OF pro-
vIdirg and keeping up these tights, and
we think ii is more than should be re-
quired OF them. 1t is matter i'm which
The whole village is interested, and an
effort should be made to relieve these
gentlemen by securing some p rmanent
arrangement. Let the citizens of Che
boygan all take an interest in This matter
and work uni.edly during the present
winter. and we are satisfied that the de-
sired end can be accomplished.