The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1879-02-20
THE EsrABLlsAEsT OF TnE USIrkD
STATES COAST SURVEY.


4 It was 10 1907 that the frst effort was
made TO establish national ooat survey.
Jefferson, 10 his message 70 Congress,
recommended II; and Congress cautious
| y appropriated ifty thousand dollars,
Secretary Albert Gallatiu then addressed
circulars TO the principal scientific men Of
the period, soliciting opinions as 10 the
best method Of conducting the proposed
work. Numerous plans were submitted.
That OF Ferdinand X, Hssslar, native of
Switzerland, was finally adopted. lie
had accomplished trigonometrieal sur
yey OF his own country, and fresh from
scientific researches, was esteemed we'll
htted to snperntend the execution of his
plln. Purpose was TO determine the
geographical position OF certain promI.
nent points along the coast by AstroBomi.
cal and trigonometrioal methods, and TO
connect these points with lines so as TO
! form basis upon which the nautical sur
vey OF the channels, shoals, and shore APP
proscbes could be made
The magnitude Of tho task compelled
special preparations. In 1910 Hasslar
was seut to Europe TO procure instrn-
ments, standards OF measures, and other
Decessaries. The war followed aud be
was detained in England until 1915.
Olher delays, naturally attending new
enterprises, prevented operations untll
1917, when beginning was effected near
the harbor Of New York. Before much
had been accomplished, or the first an
nual report drafted, Congress, in blank
dismay at the pressure upon the public
finances through the effects OF the war,
abandoned the support the work. There
was lapse OF ten years, during which
Knowledge Of the Atlantic coast increased
only through detached surveys OF few
OF It's most important harbors by the ma
Wy and Typographical engineers Of the
army, aud through the services OF Ed
mund w. Blunt aud his sons.
Government waslfaally wakened from
its long nap by Secretary Southard, and
after much discussion the coast survey
was re-established, with Hassar at its
head. lie was authorized to employ as
tronomers and other scientists, 10 addi-
ton TO the officers in the military and ma.
val service. The real work commenced
in 1882. Hasslar was hampered and em-
barrassed continually by limited appro-
priation. His operations were not ofthat
character easily seen Congress wondered
continually what be was about. While
be was systematizing methods and
training assistants, Congress was sbrug-
ging its shoulders and clarnoring because
result were inadequate to the expenditure.
Hasslar was an eccentric man of irascible
disposition and great independence Of
character. On one occasion committee
from Congress waited upon him in his Of
fec to inspect bis work.
Yon come TO 'spect nay work, eh2 Vat
yop know bout tnyyork? Vol you going 10
'spectl
The gentlemen, conscious of their ig-
Borance, tried tosmootb- bis rntiied ten,
per by au explanation, which ouly made
matters worse.
You knows not'iug at all bout my
work. How can you 'spect my work ven
you knows nottinst Get out Vi here;
Il. H.,
to send you to 'specl my YORK ave no
time 10 waste With such as knows noting
yot am bout 60 back TO Congress and
tell dem vat l. say.
The committee didy go back to Congress
and report, amid uproarous laughter, the
result OF their inspecting interview.
When Hon Levi Woodbury. was Sec.
retary Of the Treasury, under Jackson, he
and fIasslar could not agree as TO the
compensation to be allowed TO The super-
intendent, and Hasslsr was referred to
the President, at whose discretion the
law placedthe settlement ohthe dispute.
So, Mr.. Hasslar, it appears the Secre-
ini huN 1Ou Nabhch a EiNN hbput Ahip ahAs-
ter, remarked jackson, when Hssslar
had stated his case In bis usual emphatic
style.
No, Sir, We can't.
Well, how much do you really think
you ought TO havei
Six tousand dollars, Sir.
Why, Mr.. Hasslar, that ls ss much as
Mr.. Woodbury., my Secretary OF the
Treasurer, himself receives.
/ SIR. Woodbury. screamed Hssslar, ris.
Iug from his chain aud vibrating bis long
fOrefnger toward bic own beart Pl-e-e-n-
" Mr.. Yoodburys, pl.e-s-n-ly Mr.. Every
bodys, for Secretary OF De Treasury;
v-o-ne, V-o-ne Mr.. Hasslsr for de bead Of
dc Coast Survey aud erecting himself la
hanghty attitude he booked down upon
Jackson in supreme scorn At bis daring
comparison.
I President Jackson, sympsthiLiaE with
hls own, granted HAsslar's demand, aud
Al the close Of The next cabinet meeting
told the joke, TO the greal entertainment
! Of lbe gentlemen present.