The times., 1899-12-17

IH the report presented TO the Secretary
Il the Navy by the Board Of Visitors to
the Naval Observatory, and which was
transmitted to Congress. oscurs a histor-
lcaI sketch OF the observatory and astro-
nomicaI progress in the United States.
"a 1892 when reporting 20 the British
Association for the Advancement Of Science
on The progress that had been achieved IN
Irac.ies- astronomy up to that time, Prof.
Airy remarked on his inability to speak
of AHsr5csa astronomy, because he knew
oE DO rnb}-c observatory in the United
States. PRIOR 70 that date, il is said moth
lng had been done OF nature TO attract
Ehe European astronomer. Prof Winthrop
of Harvard had recorded some observa-
Ji0ns OF eclipses and various other pbe
E0melg. made toward the middle Of the
eighteenth century, and the transit OF We
Egs ol 11es had been observed under the
direction of q committee Of the American
Philosophical Society.
On March 2S. $50. Mr.. Pitkin. OF Con-
UecticUl reported in the Housa OF Repre-
sentatiyes on the necessity OF laying
foundation for the establishment OF a first
meridian for the United States by which
= further dependence on Great Britain or
any other foreign nation for such meridian
nsy r. entirely removed The appoint
ment 0f a select committee. Of which Nj
PitEin was chairman. resulted from the
presentation OF memorial by William
Lambert. who had deGuced the approx
mate longitude OF the Capitol from ObscT-
gatisus or an Occultatlon Of AlcyOne. made
near the Presidents house on the night Of
Oet0bes -. 1904. On July 3, 1872 SecIc-
lary Monroe 90 whom the memorial had
been referred. stated through the Speaker
of TIE House that "the Secretary Of SAFE
mas 20 hesitation 20 declare his accord
with the committee in their opinion IN
favor Of the establishment OF "a first meTl-
dian FOR the United States. and that It
should be at the city OF Washington. the
seat OF their Government. 1t is known
that the best mode yet discovered for es-
tabii ishinE the meridian Of d place is by
obScrvat.0us OF the heavenly bodies. and
that 20 pr0Guce the greatest accuracy IN
the result, such observations should be
often repeated. al suitable opportunities.
through a series OF years By means Of the
best instruments. For this purpose an OBJ
seryatory would be Of essential atility-'
The Views of Monroe.
The comlittee 20 which Mr. Monroe
reply was referred reported that in their
opinion. astronomical observatories are
highly useful 10 . navigating and CONNER
cial people and that the mOst ready way
81 obtaining the information they desired,
from noting the phenomena Of the heavens,
'is hy the establishment OF an observatory.
This may be erected Al the city OF Wash
iHgton- BY such an institution, means may
he adopted, not only 10 fix the first meri-
dian, but 70 ascertain a great number Of
ether Astronomical facts and occurrences
through the vigilance OF complete as
trnnomer"
For various cau-es no action was taken
Upon the bill accompanying this report. IN
1hi5 the original documents OF Mr. Lambert
and the Secretary OF State were referred TO
committee which reported IN favor of
erecting a national observatory. The Pres
ideut Of the United States was aiso re-