Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1886-11-12
THE TORCH OF LIBERTY.
Possible Extiaguish m ent for Lack of an
Appropriation.

Appropriation.
Surprise and regret found free expression
on every hand in New York when it was
learned that no arrangement had been made
to continue the lighting of Liberty's torch,
as there was no appropriation to meet the
expense. One nights respite was gained,
however, at Il late hour, and on the night Of
the 9Th the torch burned as usual.
Early in the morning Lieut.. Melis
came to the city and visited
the Office of L. P. Hampson &
Co., who have teen supplying the power to
run the electric light. His idea was to make
temporary arrangement with the firm,
whereby the light could he continued until
some guarantee could be given that the firm
would be compensated, the expense OF fur
nishing the motive power being about So a
day. Lieut.. Ne is saw Mr.. Haring, and told him
that NJ Bartholdi and several members Of
the American committee wished to SEQ the
statue lighted, and that If he would provide
The power for one more night, it would be
thoroughly appreciated. Mr.. Haring readily
ncquiesced. While they were couyersing
young man entered the Office and asked to sec
a member Of the firm. He told Mr.. Haring
that he represented wealthy man who was
wi ling to lay tho cost of keeping q statue
lighted for a week if n written contract
would be given him that the light would be
kepG Du mug. hr. 1tIluB lulOTlneu MN Ie
could make no contract except through the
American commi tee, and the young man
left
In the evening, NJ. Barthcldi and his wife,
escorted by MeSSrs Butler and Moore of the
American comm ttee, arrived at the barge of
fee and climbed upon the Jul Field, which
lay at the dock. Several friends accompanied
them. The boat steamed over to Liberty
island, and when close to it NJ. Bartholdi
saw the statue lighted for the first time.
He was pleased with the appearance,
and, after long, critical look decided that
it was as well lit up as was possible. After
landing, the party climbed up in o the pedeS-
tai and up the winding stairs TO the base.
After descending to the engine room, they
came back to the city. Mr.. Butler was told
of the offer to maintain the light by the
strange young man, and asked that he be
sent to him when he applied again. Gen.
Schoheld said to reporter that he had no
doubts that all defects in the method of
lighting the torch would be remedied in due
time Congress, he thought, would undoubt-
edly make an appropriation for the continu-
ance of the light.
Di appointment and disgust was every
where apparent when no light flashed from
the great torch. The engine room at the
base OF the ped 'stial was closed and deserted,
and no fire burned under the boilers yet 50)
or 800 people waited on the island until after
sunset to see if the lights would not flash out
from the torch, but no engineer or fireman
CAME
A dispatch from Washington says: Maj
David Potter Heap, secretary of the light
house board, in speaking OF the lighting of the
Liber y beacon by the government, said that
according TO the act of Congress the money
appropriated was confined to defray the ex-
penses of the dedication of the statue, and
that there was no provision for its continued
lighting. Maj. He2p believes that the light
house board cannottako charge Of 1t unless
Congress passes specific act for that pur-
pose. The President will be governed by the
acts of the board, but, Of course, he is power
less to make the necessary provisions for
lighting the statue. y