Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-06-05
May 25, 1SS0.
The Observatory Site.


EdttOr 6dr:-ln your last Saturdays issue
was double paragraph on 1.-The New Observa-
tory" few points OF which desire to notice
have no wish 70 enter the controversy, IL any
there be, on either side. / believe that each
member OF the commission desires, as far as be
knows how, to do what is best in the matter. l
do not write, then, 10 antagonize Mr.. Whyte,
Dut 10 contrOverJ Impressions embodied In his
words, and which, though often held here In
Washington, are nevertheless erroneous and II
allowed 10 prevail generally, they will defeat
The very object for which an observatory should
be equipped The statement Is made that ssIhe
people must pay for the observatory, and we
want IL where it Will do them some good" True;
says: Mr.. Morse and hold that the new obser-
YatoTy should be erected somewhere near the
CITY, upon commanding spot and accessible so
lhat CITIZENS here, members of Congress and
'lSltoTS at washington may enjoy going there
and looking through the telescope" In short.
he seems 10 think, with others, that the object
OF the observatory Is TO furnish peep show for
sight-seers. III that Is the purpose for which the
people pay their money, then divide the sum ap-
propriated, purchase less expensive telescopes
set them up at convenient points OF the country
or, setter SILL. send the professors out travel
ing with the instruments, so that every person
OF inc land may get peep for his penny. The
senator knows that II is not the good required
The people OF the United States take little
PRIDE In dumb shows, whether they be In the
form or large armies and nayieS in time of
peace or costly ObSeryatorieS built to be looked
at; but they do favor IN every form the ad-
yancement OF practical science, and In this
they mean TO keep abreast OF any nation The
observatory was founded for workshop, not
q play ground, for accurate Measurement of
time ana place, and not as resort OF mere
star gaZerS or NEUROLOGICAL dreamers. It Is
true 1.-THE obSeryatorie5 In Europe are all To-
Gated near the capitals" SO are the treasures.
the general post-oftices, the Offices OF army and
navy bureaus, &C.; and they are there for work.
not 10 take the places OF theaterS and circuseS
The Hon. senator seems TO think that the pro-
In some obscure spot way out the other side Of
Georgetown. because IL will be convenient to
their residences Had the Senator known
little more OF the regular workers at the obSer-
Fatory, ne would not have made the assertion,
and so unw1ttingly beSmirched the fame of
some OF the most faithful servants OF the Ma
ton OF the I'VE professors, three re-
Two own property there. OF the regular corps
OF assistants the large majority live In Wash
1ngton at points more accessible TO the Soldiers
Home than 10 the site beyond Georgetown.
Moreover, does not the law provide that resi-
dences for professors and necessary assistants,
&c, shall be erected on the site near the ObSer-
yatory? Not much influence pro or con new
oence. Every Site" says Mr.. Whyte, "that
does not please the professors Is condemned by
tnem upon some pretext or other" SO it ought
70 be. Practical astronomers are the only good
Judges of site for an observatory, and when
on scientific grounds they say mo" their voice
should be heard, even though their objection
tcculs 'HluiSy" 10 OtHerS MI. Wnyte, sup
pose, Is only one OF thousands who do not be-
leye In the theory Of tremors from passing We
h1cleS;" but whether the theory of tremOrs Is
accepted or not the fact OF the tremorS exists
and u the senator Will investigate he Will
douotleSSp pc able TO see their effects with bis
One q Ief thing. the professors at the obser.
vstory win not knowingly make fools OF them
selves by putting forward groundless obiec-
tons to any site. Their reputation Is too much
at stake to allow them to risk Statements on
scientific points they cannot maintain.
Perhaps should say that my own personal
Interests and those Of friends would lead me TO