The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-11-15
ALL LOOKING TO THEIR LIGHTS.
Lieut.. Gardens Return Arouses steam
boatmen-A New Revenue Cutter.


How about the lights for my steamer?
Is that stern light fifteen feet above the
masthead light? Are my lights all right?'
are a set of questions which every steam
boatnan is asking. and IN fact they have
all awakened with a terrible start, for
Lieut.. G.. l.. Garden has returned from
his twenty days leave of absence, and IS
now doing business at the old stand, re-
porting all sorts Of violations of the navi-
cation laws. His advent from the East
last Monday had much the effect of an
earthquake shock, for many had been led
to believe that Mr.. Garden had been trans
ferred to another department.
He declines to discuss the fining of ves-
sells which has been referred to SO often,
merely saying: Every steamboatman Is
talking about the new law for steamer
lights, for, because they have never
obeyed the old law, which is, in fact, the
only one, they imagine that it is new.
The law is the same as for years, and the
same which / studied at the naval acad-
envy"
While Mr.. Garden refused to confirm or
deny the report, it is stated on the author
ity OF his Port Townsend friends that he
declined a promotion to an office position
offered him by the commissioner Of navi-
cation in Washington City. the reason
for declining being that an active fight is
being made on him in this district for his
vigorous enforcement OF the laws. lie
therefore decided that he would stay here
and fight Ii out.
There are to be number OF changes in
the cutter service. but the slate has not
been quite made up. The launch Scout
will be taken to Sitka on the next sailing
of the Al-Ki and will be operated there
in conjunction with the Wolcott. Mr..
Garden will have a different boat, possibly
one of the new ones.
when in Washington City" said Mr..
Garden. Il noticed the plans for new
revenue cutter for the Pacific coast. 1t
has not been mentioned in the Coast pa
pers, yet IL is sure to be built on the
Coast. for the bids require that 1t be de-
livered in San Francisco. II will be 225
feet long. IS feet beam, and draw II feet Of
water: the speed must be IS knots, and
the steaming radius $500 miles. The yes
sci Will be bark rugged, and in general APP
pearance will resemble the Yorktown, but
the latter IS fore and aft schooner
rugged
Regarding business in the East, Mr..
Garden said; II found, in New York es-
pecially. that many of the people are as
we'll or better informed Of Seattle and the
state than / am. notwithstanding my be-
ing here. They look upon this as great
country. but they have the state charted
showing spots where bad investments
have been made. and so familiar with
this state are those business men that
they can tell in a moment whether it is
a good or bad place for investment. 1
would as soon accept their advice regard
ing investments as that of anybody in the
state. for they are free from local preju-
dice"
News has reached this city from Port
Townsend that the tug Magic, which was
recently fined 500 upon a report OF Mr..
Garden. has succeeded through a recon-
mendation OF Collector Saunders and the
efforts OF Rothschild & Co. of Port Town
send. in getting the fine reduced 70 SO.
Among other steamers reported and fined
were the Cyrus Walker and the Wild
wood.
Collector Saunders denial that he was
rebuked for questioning the authority Of
revenue cutters to reoort violations OF the
navigation laws does not seem to agree
with the following letter, enclosing the al
ready published opinion Of the solicitor OF
the treasury on the subject!
Treasury Department. Sept. y. 1895
"Sir: Referring TO your letter dated the
1Ith inst. relative to the case Of the
steamer Buckeye, ! viii thank you 10 for
ward 70 Lieut. Garden the enclosed copy
OF an opinion Of the solicitor OF the treas
uTy You have already been instructed
regarding the fine reported TO have been
incurred Respectfully yours,
CHARLES :. HAMLTN."
Acting Secretary.
Collector Of Customs. Port Townsend.
Wash"