Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1884-01-12

other difficulties Dr.. Newell had 10 en-
coonser in 6rst getting his measur,
tnfouRn Congress, was the want of faitl
10 sne then untried experiment of shoot
ing lines to . ship, or N life cars, aut
the little hopes Of q life boat reachins
snip when the ships boats could no
reach the shore. But the firss year af
YER tho stations were placed on the
coast many lives and much propert,
| we're saved. and In January, 1850, thu
ship Ayrshire came on shore near Ions
Branch with Dl persons on board dur
ing terrible snow storm. II was i'm
possible for q life boat to reach her
The Sea was breaking over the ship and
II seemed as II all on board were doom
ed 70 watery grave. Bot the mortar
was brought out aud 6red and a line at
tached 10 the ship by which the life ca
was drawn to her. lt Was soon loaded
and In three minutes the inmates were
safe on shore. The car kept going back
and forth until every person on board
was saved except one man. This man
was father who wished to get in the
car with his children, bat was prevent
cd. He then jumped on il as it was
leaving the ship and Was washed of
and drowned.
After this there vas no want of faith
in Newell's new-fsneled idea and no
hssltancy in making appropriations to
maintain the stations he had cansed to
be established.
When be waa in Congress again in
1856, he earnestly advocated the paying
BY tho government of the crews for
their services in riskinR their lives to
save others, for reasons be gave in a
speech. delivered July l6 of that year,
and this measure was subsequently,
adopted by the government. The crews
had previously worked voluntarily, but
they sometimes were paid for services
IN saving merchandise by the board of
underwriters or insurance men of New
York.
While Member Of Congress at this
time he WAS associated with X. b.
Hayes. then a Member from Ohio.
When Mr.. Hayes became President be
retained the most friendly feelings for
Governor Newell and rendered him the
position he nov holds. In the same
(.Dth) Congress he was also on tho most
intimate terms with John Sherman,
who, when Secretary of the Treasury,
ALWAYS fav0rably listened to Newell ia
matters relating to New Jersey.
The present official head Of the life
saving bursau. Hon. 3. I. Kimball. has,
In his Official reports, done justice 10
Gov. Newell. In his report TO the SEQ
rotary of the Treasury in 1876 (finance
report 1876, page 1S4O), under tho head
OF Isitiation Of the Life Saving Ser
vice" he says:
"sss The government first gave its
attention to the method of aiding
stranded vessels by the establishment
Of stations along the coast, furnished
With the means Of efectinR Communi-
cation between such vessels and the
shore, in lS48, and to William A. New
ell, OF New Jersey, then q member of
the House sf Representatives, belongs
the honor of first advocating tho merits
OF the plan, IN speech in which he de-
scribed the uses of the surf boat, NOR
tar, line rockets, etc., portrayed vividly
the horrible scenes of shipwrecks upon
the calamitous shores of his State, Of
which he himself had been an eye wit
noaa, = ."
This appeal, made on the 3D. of An.
gust, vas rewarded by an appropriation
Of $4,000. aud here follows the amend
ment already quoted. In Woolman d
Roses New Jersey COsst atlas, in an ar
tiOle ON the life saving service. Mr.. Kim
ball again gives the credit to Newell.
The services of many men connected
with tho ltfe-saving service have re-
ceived substantial recognition. Gold
and silver medals have been awarded to
some. Even the British Government
has bad gold medals specially prepared
and forwarded to men who risked their
lives TO save British subjects. These
have had the names of the persons to
whom they were presented engraved on
taem aud for what purpose il was given,
and also finely finished likuessss of the
Queon ON them. The Legislature of
New Jersey has passed resolutions CON-
plimentary to the services ot the present
head OF the life-saving bureau, Hon.
Sumner |. kimball, aud they are framed
aud hig " priced in his Office. Bot the
founder Of the service, william A. New
ell, 10 not only neglected, but efforts are
even made to deprive him Of the honor
justly due him. Al he was citizen Of
New Jersey and an honored representa-
tive, 1t Ia not only an act OF justice due
him. but it becomes a matter of State
pride that his services TO the State, to
the nation and 10 humanity should in
some fitting way be recognized.
William A. Newell graduated at Rut-
gers College in the class with Secretary
FrslinRhuysen, Justice Bradley and
Cortiandt Parker, and il perhaps about
tbs same age ~ thess men and Senators
Edmunds, Morrell, Dawes and David
Davis, and Judge WIN. ID. Kelley, than
whom there are no more influential men
In the councils Of the nation. The ex-
perienoe Of these men, united with
natural ability. IN with Newell, has in
creased thoir capacity for public useful
ness. EpwIN SALrER,
Ex-Speaker Assembly, N. j.