The sun., 1883-12-05
ARCTIC EOLLfES.
Not Fit Subjects for Congressional Appr"-
priatiOns-'rhc Great Discoveries Mostly
Hnxe Heen Nude by Prlvnte ENpIOrers.

To THE EDITOR OF The SUN-SW: Gen.
iazen has pursued this wild dream In the name of
meteorological science aud doubtless Congress will be
called upon the approaching session for fat nplro
pria0n equip and mum expedition to make fresh
attack the Polo hy way Of Smiths Sound. Expert
ence has taught Us that any further interference by
Congress what should be left 10 scientific bodies and
patrons Of explorations in the matter OF Arctic eSIiora
tous would not only be needless waste OF the public
money but would be bound TO end in fusco IA well,
This is only OF the general history Of the jour
ueys toward the North Pole, but IT is true OF the most
ditcut feat. Of land exploration on record II was
Spekc and Grant backed by the Royal Geographical
Society aud not by the English Government who first
discoy cred tile of the Nile. Sir Samuel Baker
tnavgstcd the waters OF the Albert Nyan.a without
any other assistance than that Afforded by his i'll
donitublc pluck and private fortune. Living
stone WAS guided in thirty years labor
and exploration by his religious enthusiasm. AMI
while called "Consnl" in his later years II was AN
empty title stunlcys support is well known, and the
Mighty successful establishment OF line Il stations
across equatorial Africa is the work OF hnely
lied international society without Government subsidy
from any nation Even in attempts III the
Arctic the highest point yet reached by man
in latitude s3o north aud this was the romoniory
from which DR. Hayes looked out upon The open Polar
Sea having seigei his way the great .o barrier
THIS expedition was entirely private enterprise, and
the funds support largely contributed by The
late Henry Grnnell. II Will he remembered too that
the explorer sailed norhwari In little schooner the
United states All! that the entire outlay, covering
period Of years did not exceed $1,000 SO closely
was the expense accOunt kept that DR. Hayes used to
| relate with wry face that Mr. Grnnel charged him
with the COS, Of the telegram from Halifax 10 New York
announcing the safe deycrance Of the survivors Of Two
years pers very near the axis of the earth
But the greatest Of all these navgators Nordenskl
old again afoat in ,hos. high latitudcs In his yacht
the Vega. and u private enterprise, he made the
Northeast Passage. and thus performed the greatest
maritime feat OF the last three centuries There arc
few instanceswhere Government expeditions or even
those which are partially official have accomplished any
| great good for geographical science. The expedition
commanded by Capt Mares consisting Of the Alert and
Discovery cost England the neat sum OF ftob,Voo re
sulting only In giving names 10 old discoveries
Enough has been cited show that the explorer whC
really does original work is one who does not sthnd II
fear Of courts inquiry for ndiscr.,ions Of judgment
who il free from department orders and strikes bod,
out tax es oil risks and battles for the prize with al
hanging in the balance Hence 1t is mistake to pu
original exploration into the hands of perfunctor.
corps OF like that inaugurated by such rare typ
"Howgate U. s. A.. and continued by his fnssy sue
ces-or; and, moreover this very instance of an arm
bureau going into what is practically maritime G.
ploration is an offence Ia good sense.
But the folly may not possibly eni here Nearly ever
year a. will more than probably happen at the comm
session thcr. ere u number OF Arctic crnnks hangin
about tue Capitol exhln,ns chart. and mo,isis nyin
sh9d over glaciers ieebcrss hnnmoekr and ioes a'
ssna,s ss really admrsble These fellows always su
coed IN getting nheang AMI ,hey soms,,,nt IN ~
P"ari. fSne iirs, came before The Geographical socet
g m iS there ,"! @n a s hole s al the Foe % dow
through which poured the Arctic waters to the centre
! the earth.
pl1Ialion let them ss. Their snppor' ard monsy ss
} Ss~ YosE. Nov. ls,