The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1877-03-08
ARCTIC EXPLORATION.
Favorable Report of the Committee on
Naval Affairs the Bill TO Equip an Ex-
pe,litlOn for Polar Research.

Favorable Report of the Committee ON
Naval Affairs the Bill TO Equip an Ex-
peditlon for Polar Research.
Mr.. Willis, of New York, from the
House committee on naval affairs, SUBJ
mitted a report on the House blu to au-
thorize and equip an expedition to the
Arctic seas. The committee say the OBJ
ject of the bill is SO interesting and i'm
portant in its character that they have,
while not neglecting to gravely consider
it with reference to its results to science
and commerce, availed themselves of all
information accessible, and called into
requisition the testimony of experience
and learning. They discuss the inquiry
whether, under the Constitution or
otherwise, to fit out an expedition such
as contemplated would be an appropriate
and legitimate function of the govern
ment for the exercise of which taxes
could be properly levied upon the peo-
| pie, and, if SO, whether the nation would
! get value received for the expenditure in
Cured and the perils to which its citizens
would be exposed. They review the re-
suits attained from the various exploring
expeditions which, from time to time,
have been organized and dispatched to
! the Arctic regions, and express grave
doubts as to the chances of future sue
cess in the enterprise if continued upon
! the plans heretofore followed
They think that to render success as
srlred the men and the vessels must be
near the channel by which the north
west passage is to be reached at the for
tunate hour and prepared to take prompt
advantage thereof. Polar colonization is
represented to be the plan suited to the
exigency. This plan requires coloniza-
ton party of at least forty hardy, reso-
for such service, provided with
a strong, substantial building, trans
ported on shipboard, and the prin-
cipal depot to be in Lady Franklin bay,
or if possible as high as Cape Union, be-
tween latitude eighty-two and eighty
three degrees; the United States vessels
to be only used for transporting men and
supplies to the location of the colony and
to make annual visits thereto with fresh
supplies and keep the colony in commu-
nication with the outside world; military
discipline to be enforced by officers s.se-
lected for their fitness for the duty, ETC.
An astronomer and two or more natural
lists to be selected by the National
Academy of Sciences, and one or more
members competent to make meteoro-
logical observations. The region pro-
posed for the colony abounds in coal and
i'll fish and game, and never before, the
committee say, has an opportunity offer
ed so promising in its results as now pre-
sents itself.
The committee review what has been
and is being done by various foreign ma
tiCns to attain the desirable ends sought
by the exploration in question, with 6
view to progress in scientific discoveries
The committee say that there is scarcely
natural science but would be enlarged
and utilized by proper observations il
the Polar seas. Natural forces there are
subject to extreme conditions and conse
quently produce phenomena not seer
elsewhere, and which serve to reveal tht
character Of the forces themselves. Won
derful already are the discoveries mad,
in each field OF inquiry noted, but we ar,
yet in the vestibule-the region of thu
unknowable is just beyond. We are in
yited thither. We know enough to real
ize the wealth which awaits us.
But the committee are of the opinion
that to reach the ends desired complet,
change of operations must be had, ant
this change is effected in the bill before
the House and meets the exact need. 1
We make any pretence as friends O
science we must pursue the only method
whereby development can be achieved
, Boards of trade and chambers of com
; merce are now, through memorials, in
voking the national legislature to reney
the honorable work. The cost is slight
the ends arrived at will provoke no in
telligent opposition. The methods pro
posed are not experimental, but the pro
duct of experience. They have the sane
| ton and even the warmest commenda
tiCn CT all scientific men of all nations
; The supervision of the National Academ
of Science will insure wise provision
and safeguards against accident, diseas
OF failure. Dir. Hayes, the eminent an
/ successful Arctic explorer, comedies full
with the views expressed by the com
mittee, as also do others familiar b
actual experience. Their letters are S
conclusive that the committee make ther
a part of their report The committe
conclude by saying: "The honor c
!, the American name is involved. VII
: Congress suppress this jealous spirit c
inquiry and adventure or give it scop
by the passage of this bill and meagr
appropriation of $4,000? To us it az
pears there should be but one answer
Y and therefore We report back the bi
| | with the recOmmen 1atiOn tba+ II poss