The Portland daily press., 1882-11-30

The Revenue Marine and the Life Saving
Service.
To the Editor Of The Press:
The proposition, which the dispatches from
Washington say may be laid before Congress,
to consolidate and absorb, by the Naval De-
partment, the revenue marine, life saving aud
coast survey services, is much mere serious in
its Consequences, than would at first appear
All these branches relate especially to our
commerce and the merchant service, and TO
interests which flourish best in times of peace.
They would seem to fittingly belong to the
Treasury Depar tment and 10 thesSecretary OF
the Treasury under whose management they
have been SO many years, and where they
nave grow from small beginnings to their
present magnitude and efficiency.
The navy is designed and adapted to the de-
fence of the country, in times of war, and to
act as national police abroad in times OF
peace All the traditions aud discipline OF
the navy. and these several departments. are
dissimilar in origin and purpose. Hence 1t is
that the revenue marine and life saving SER
vices, especially, are managed by men who have
grown up with them, who know their wants,
and are thoroughly devoted their sue ess.
To make che oh snges suggested, 1t seems 10
us, would be both unjust and u wise. 1t
wonld be unwise to sui stitute naval officers for
the officers now in charge, because their lives
aud their education do not fiji them to- dir
charge the peculiar duiies in which the pres
ent iDcunbents are experts. Take the life
saving stations for example. The keepers and
men are selected from the hardy fishermen
who reside in the vicinity of the stations
whose lives have been spent upon the coasts
they are to guaro, and amidst the perils of surf
aud storm they are daily called to encounter.
The whole service has been fostered under
the care of men like General Superintendent
Kimhall until II has become of infinite value
in saving life and property upon the stormy
coasts where stations are situated. What is
there in the experience or education Of naval
officer to better fit him to discharge these du-
ties? And what IS there in the experience of
sailors in the navy that would fit them to take
the places of the hardy fishermen OF Maine,
who now fill them so efficiently? Tho same
may be said of the revenue marine service. 1t
is a necessary appendage of the Treasury De-
partment, useful to help collect our revenues,
is manned by experienced officers, and there is
no call for any change. 1t would not only be
unwise, but il would work great injustice.
Why should the officers and men in charge
Of revenue steamers step down and ont
make place for midskipmen and lieutenants in
the navy? In case of war quite as efficient
this school as by many educated at Annapolis.
And in times of peace the commerce and rev
enue of the nation will fare as well at the
hands of men already acquainted with this
special service as elsewhere. Nor is there any
economy promised by the change? 1t will cost
no more TO have the business done by those
now IN charge than it would if
they held position in the navy.
Let rather the two departure nts remain
separate and NOT attempt to aggrandiZ9 the ma
w by doing violence to the civil department.
They work well as they are. We cannot af-
ford to hazard the experiment of a change.