National Republican., 1881-07-01
THE COAST SURVEY.
SKETCH OF IT'S RISE AND PROGRESS.
History Of the Origin Of This Important Scientific
Branch Of the Government Service
Interesting Details OF the
work Accomplished.

Fronting New Jersey avenue, on Capt.
tol Hill, are a row Of antiquated houses which,
though recently painted and remodeled, show by
their medinyal shape and dingy color that they
arc relics OF bygone days They have been called
for many years 1.-THE old Law buildings and were
for long poried familiarly known as the head
quarters OF the United States Coast Survey, a por-
tion Of which was occupied as a residence by its
world.rcnowned superintendent, Professor Alex
ander Dallas Bache. This learned gentleman, q
graduate Of West Point, president Of Girard Col
iegc and scholar Of distinguished attachments,
succeeded Professor Hazzler In 1913 as superin-
tcndent of the Coast Survey. Our infant Republic
had not yet begun to appreciate the utility and
value Of this scientific innovation, and the intro
ductiou OF a systematic plcn Of general survey was
bitterly opposed by meny OF our leading men, and
t the period of Hazzers death red tape controlled
its operations, the bureau being under the entire
control Of the Secretary Of the Treasury, who as
sumed to be the sponsor and real director Of Its
affairs.
1T REMAINED FOR PROFESSOR BAcuB
TO give character aud solidity to the incompleted
ideas Of his unfortunate predecessor. and by the
generous encouragement Of the undevcloped tai
ent Of the country and the exercise OF a wise and
discriminating Judgment TO add magical i'm
petus to the work in hand. and place our country,
as Il were Der sdlium In the first ranks Of HYDRO
y
taken by the learned professor, and which at once
demonstrated his peculiar tact and fitness for the
position he had assumed, was TO extend the scope
of the survey soothe the then existing jealousics
and facilitate Its progress by separating the coast
into sections, in each OF which basc-lin should
be measured aud the trinngulation extended In
opposite directions from this base to the confines
of the section where the work Of the adjacent one
would meet 1t, thus linking one with the other
nrda nd xyil which
brought the dllicult operations of that great work
to successful issue, his mastery handling of al
its compicatc and intricate details, are facts sc
familiar TO the public as to scarcely need more
than passing reference here Few nj this late
day have the rcmotest idea of the vexatiou
delays,
THE JEALousEs AND SECTIONAL SPIRIT
that continually stood in the way of the accom-
plshment of his paramount object, Cor;ress aftel
Congress attempted to withhold the annual Rpp.o
priations for the prosecution the work and seri
Gus efforts were made at one time TO remove hin
| from q position Of such .obvious usefulness; bu
the courage, perseverance, aud enthusiasm OF Pro
| fcssor Bache bore down all opposition and paved
the way for Coast sr~vey OF practical utility anC
admin trative ability. II cannot be doubted tina
the patriotic services Of this distinguished scientist
scholar. and gentlemen were Of the highest imme
diatc value TO the Government, and the charts an,
mental during the rebellion in capturing impor
tant confederate strategic points and in grndu
ally placing the Southern coast including the har
Dor of New orleans, In our undisturbcd possession
| Proiesso. Bacho was gentleman of the old school
| lineal descendant OF Benjamin Franklin, an
| also OF the well known Dallas family of Philadel
| phia. In statue he was rather below the medium
height, Of a full habit, and with handsome
thoughtful face indicative of his studious life HI
genial manners, fascinating address, coupled will
his humane, generous nature, greatly endeare
him TO his friends, and conspired 10 make him on
Of the most noticeable aud conspicuous men c
the day. lie died In 1868, Ggcd sixty-,wo. TIL
Offices and various divisions Of the Coast Surve
| at this period were huddled together withou
much attempt at convenience or comfort. q
near the entire solid work was performed on,
side of Washington. The details of the Office wer
managed by a few. who, being called early to Il,
field, had little leisure to attend to the subordina
details OF Office routine. The subs,
on THE APPROACH OF WINTER,
were mostly relieved from active duty and qua
tered IN Heterogeneous confusion In the upp'
stories OF some of the old adjacent buildings, whe
they computed, smoked, dabblcd In logarithn
and politics and were indesciibably noisy al
bclligerent. One of the inquisitive reporters
TnE NATIONAL REPuBLcAN dcsirous of notir
some ofthe changes that S'----'nrdye years ha'