The Lee County journal. (Leesburg, Ga.) 1904-19??, 1911-09-07

service were to aeprehend smugglers and pirates,
but it is not the less suitable In this age when in
addition to the quest for such enemies of the law
the revenue cutter organization is obligated to
lend aid to every form of life saving at sea-for
1t is recognized that the ideal policeman is
charged not only with the duty of protecting life
and property. but also responsibility for aid
ing humanity in distress under any circumstances
The United States revenue cutter service has
had most interesting history After the freedom
of the American colonies had been won through
the Revolutionary war, the country returned to
peace basis and the continental navy was dis
banded. From that time forward there was no
force available for the protection of the coasts
and the maritime interests of the new republic
until there came as a response to longfelt want
the organization Of the revenue cutter service
This was one Of the acts Of our first congress
President George Washington signed the act in
August, 1890, and within little more than year
ten vessels were ready for duty. Thereafter for
a period Of nearly seven years the little fleet
formed the only armed force afoat flying the
stars and stripes, and the ships constantly
engaged in patroling the coastline of the country
and enforcing its maritime laws. The first OPP
pointments of officers in the revenue cutter serv-
Ice were made from among those who had served
In the continental navy, and since that time many
men who prepared themselves for naval serv-
ice have amended their life plans to the extent
Of taking commissions in the maritime police
force.
The work of the revenue cutter service, as de-
fined by the various laws which have been
acted on the subject consists in the enforcement
OF almost every statute bearing upon the maritime
interests Of the nation, At the head of the cate
CORY comes, of course, the protection Of the Gus
toms revenue and If smuggling in any form is
suspected the revenue cutter officers have the
right of search of all merchant vessels arriving
within or near the United States or bound for an
American port. The suppression of piracy is not
heavy responsibility any more, but the search
for wrecked and missing vessels is RESPONSE
bility which has expanded as the other has con-
tracted The enforcement Of the neutrality laws
is always something Of a chore thanks to the
South and Central American revolutions that are
Matched In the United States Another important
task Is found In the enforcement of law and the
protection of property In Alaska, including the
protection Of the seal and other fisheries in Alas
kan water-a form of oceanic patrolng which has
been productive of many exciting episodes in re-
cent years.
The suppression Of mutiny is another duty dele
gated to Uncle Sans police Of the sea, but mu-
tineers alike to pirates have become rather scarce
in the neighborhood Of Uncle Sans domains in
late years On the other hand there has been
tremendous increase in the volume of work re-
CURED in connection with the destruction OF de-
relicts and other menaces to navigation and In
the rendering Of assistance to vessels in distress