The services rendered during the fiscal years of 1872-1874, are shown in the following statement:

turned by the Jasmine and Uno, the two fected a thorough re-organization of the New York harbor-boats, which, until last service. year, made no returns; but leaving this number out of the account, there remain 493, being more than three times the number seized and reported in any previous year, and more than four times the average.

The reports for the first quarter of the fiscal year, 1873, indicate great improvement even over the last. They give the number of vessels assisted in distress during the months of July, August and September, as 63; the number seized or reported for violation of law, 539; the number of miles sailed, 57,880; the number of vessels boarded and examined, 10,892; and the number of lives saved, 77.

The running expenses of the service for the fiscal year were $930,249.81, being $190,776.62 less than those of the previous year, and $127,389.19 less than the amount appropriated.

Fiscal years
ending-

June 30, 1872.

Vessels assisted

Seized or reported]
violation of law.

in distress.

for

Miles sailed.

examined.

Boarded and

Lives saved.

g

219

210

153

1.594 166.018; 24.932| 1,605 185,658 30,543 109 1,810 169, 882|27,748

37

4

532

5,009 521,64883, 223 150 1,669 173, 882|27, 741| 50

June 30, 1873.
June 30, 1874.
Total...
Average per year 194

$995,308.88 903,601.83 This exhibits a reduction of $94,707.05, notwithstanding the last report of the SecreSince 1864 the expenses of sustaining the tary of the Treasury states that the number

of vessels now in commission is thirty-four,
of which thirty are steamers and four sailing

$1,229,434.04 vessels. They are so distributed as to em-
1,777,230.70 brace in their cruising grounds the entire
1,167,125.41 coast of the United States, with the excep-
1,293,661.67 tion of a portion of the Pacific coast, and
1,185,702.26
afford reasonable protection against the smug-
1,133,670.15
1,121,026.43 gling of goods into the country by the cargo.
930,249.81 For the portion of the Pacific coast alluded
to, a vessel was authorized to be built at the
last session of Congress, and plans and spe-
cifications for her construction are now in
preparation.

Previous to 1864 the cost of maintaining the Revenue Cutter Service cannot well be ascertained, the accounts not having been kept separate from the general expenses of collecting the revenue.

Although there has been a steady decrease in expenses from year to year since 1868, as shown by the above statement, the difference between those of the last year and the preceding one considerably exceeds the reduction of all the intervening years.

THE LIFE SAVING SERVICE.

In 1848, Hon. William A. Newell, a member of the House of Representatives from New Jersey, called the attention of the government to the practicability and duty of providing means for affording relief to vessels navigating the dangerous coast of his State, and advocated the establishment of station houses at suitable intervals, to be furnished with surf boats and other appliances adapted to the purpose of rendering

The increased efficiency and decreased cost above shown are principally due to carrying into effect, as far as practicable, the recommendations of the special commission convened in 1869, and whose report was sub-assistance to vessels cast ashore by stress of mitted to Congress, May 20, 1870, and to the strict enforcement of the revised regulations promulgated August 1, 1871, which has ef

weather. Congress at that session made an appriation of $10,000 " for providing surf-boats, rockets, carronades, and other necessary ap

paratus for the better preservation of life and
property from shipwreck on the coast lying
between Sandy Hook and Little Egg Har-
bor,
" and in subsequent years it extended
the stations and equipment to other States,
and doubled the first appropriation. But it
must be said that during the twenty-two
years intervening between the beginning of
the Life Saving Service and the commence-
ment of the fiscal year of 1871, comparatively
little had been expended in its support, yet

was evidence also of neglect and misuse.
The apparatus was rusty for want of care,
and some of it ruined by the depredations of
vermin and malicious persons. Many of the
most necessary articles were wanting, and at
no station was the outfit complete. At some
of the stations where crews were employed
in the winter months, such indispensable
articles as powder, rockets, shot lines,
At other
shovels, &c., were not to be found.
Some of the ke pers were too old for active
stations not a portable article was left.

service, others lived too far from their sta-
tions, and few of them were really competent
for their positions. Politics had had more

Even

the instances are rare in which so small an
expenditure was productive of so vast an
amount of good. Although no official record
of disasters was kept prior to the appoint-influence in their appointment than qualifi-
ment of Superintendents in 1855, and the cation for the duties required of them.
reports made to the Department since have in the selection of crews for the stations where
not been regular or complete, it is cer- they were employed, fitness was a secondary
tain that 4,163 lives were rescued, and that consideration. The employment of paid
$716,000 worth of property was s ved through crews at alternate stations had provided
the instrumentality of this service. There
crews where they were comparatively little
is reason to believe that these figures would needed, while it had left others, where reg-
be largely increased it accurate statistics ular crews were most necessary, to rely upon
I could be obtained. The total amount of such aid as might be volunteered. It had
money expended in the support of the ser- also excited discontent among those who had
vice is less than $280,000.
habitually volunteered their services at the
intervening stations, and a feeling that an
unjust, discrimination was made against
them.

The occurrence of several fatal disasters in the winter of 1870-71 made it apparent that the service was not in the effective condition that it should be, and Congress, by act approved April 20, 1871. made an appropriation of $200,000, for the purpose of increasing its efficiency, to be expended in accordance with the provisions of the act of December 14, 1854, and authorized the Secretary of the Treasury to employ crews of experienced surfmen at such stations and for such periods as he might deem necessary and

proper.

On the receipt of the officer's report, the proper measures were taken to remedy the defects of the service; and to place it upon a better footing. Inefficient officers were removed and suitable persons appointed in their places. Instructions were given that the strictest regard should be had to experience and qualification as surfmen in the selection of crews, and that proper care should be taken of the houses and apparatus. Specific directions were forwarded to the Superintendent for the keeping of suitable records and making reports to the Departments, and a journal was furnished the keeper of every station in which he was required to make entries of all pertinent facts. Steps were also taken to effect a thorough re-organization of the service, and 'to prepare a suitable set of regulations for its government.

With a view of ascertaining the actual state of affairs, the Department availed itself of the experience of an officer, and directed him to visit both coasts, and carefully examine every station aud report its condition, as well as the condition of the service generally. The duty was thoroughly performed, and the report of the officer was transmitted to the Senate in response to a resolution of that body, January 22, 1872. He found that During the fall of 1871, thirteen new houses most of the stations were too remote from were erected on the New Jersey coast; six each other; that the houses were dilapidated on the Long Island coast; the old houses on and needed repairs and enlargement. There that coast, east of Fire Island, having been

amata regalzet and enlarged, and the erec- twenty-one new stations, at the following points:

tha of genera av hoses contracted for. In 1973 there were 30 Life Saving Stations in the set of Long Island, and 4 on the wat of Sex Jersey: 9 on Cape Cod: 1 on Black Bland; and 1on Narragansett Pier :— *1 atazione in all. And the following shows the service rendered:

In 1973, the Life Saving Service comprised. eighty-one stations, which are located upon the coasts of Cape Cod, Rhode Island, Long Island and New Jersey, and are divided into three districts-the coast of Cape Cod, from Race Point to Monomoy, forming the first ; the coasts of Rhode Island and Long Island, from Narragansett pier to Coney Island, the second; and the coast of New Jersey from Sandy Hook to Cape May the third.

The number of wrecks which have oceurred since the last report, upon coasts where stations were in operation, as shown by the wreck reports of the keepers of stations, is as follows:

9

32

On the coast of Maine:

West Quoddy Head, (near Carrying
Point Cove.)

Cross Islani. (Machias Bay.)
Browney's Island (near Jonesport.)
Whitehead Island, (Penobscot Bay.)
The Pool. (Saco Bay.)

On the coast of New Hampshire:
Rye Beach (near Straw's Point.)
On the coast of Massachusetts:
Plum Island. (Sandy Beach.)
Davis' Neck. (Ipswich Bay.)
Gurnett Point, (near light-house.)
Manomet.

"Surt Side," (south side of Nantucket.) On the coast of Virginia :

Cape Henry.

On the coast of North Carolina :
Dan Neck Mills.

False Cape.
Jones' Hill,
Caffrey's Inlet.

Kitty Hawk's Beach.
Nag's Head.
Trent Woods.
Chicamacomico.

Little Kinnakeet.

Under the Act of March 3, 1873, which appriated $30,000 for the purpose, the Storm 10 Signal system of the Signal Service has been 13 connected with the Life Saving Service at several of the stations on the New Jersey coast, and through it, the Treasury Department is placed in direct telegraphic communication with the stations at Sandy Hook, Monmouth Beach, Squan, Barnegat, Atlantic City, Peck's Beach and Cape May; and the system 33 77 will be extended to the stations on the North $832,230 Carolina coast. 581,2 1 226,029

235 234

The cost of maintaining the service during the fiscal year ended June 30, 1873, exclusive of the amount expended in the construction and establishment of new stations, was $87,893.83..

In order still further to increase the efficiency of the Life Saving Service, regulations for the government of the service, based upon the several acts of Congress relating to the subject, were promulgated, which effected a complete organization of the service, and which, with such changes as its growth will compel, it is believed, will be adequate to its proper and efficient government. They divide the stations into convenient districts, each to be cared for by a superintendent, and

provide for an appropriate supervision of the season of 1873-4 forty-eight vessels, them all by an inspector. They specify the valued, with their cargoes, at $2,331.606, duties of each person connected with the and having on board 1,106 persons, were service, and provide for the proper care of driven on these shores. In twenty-nine inall the stations and their appurtenances. stances the life-saving apparatus was called They include a simple, but ample code of sig- into requisition, and 303 persons were rescued nals, devised by the inspector, for intercom- by it. Of the amount of property jeopardized munication between the stations; instruc- only $457,282 was lost, and the number of tions and drill in the use of the apparatus; | lives lost was but two. Both of these were hints as to the management of boats; in- caused by the falling of the mast of a vessel structions for saving drowning persons by when she struck—a case in which, of course, swimming to their relief, and directions for life saving appliances were not available. restoring the apparently drowned. The number of days' shelter afforded shipwrecked persons at the stations was 494.

The last report of the Life Saving Service embraces the fiscal year of 1874, and shows that twenty-two new stations were established, as follows: Five on the coast of Maine, one on the coast of New Hampshire, five on the coast of Massachusetts, one on the coast of Rhode Island, three on the coast of Virginia, and seven on the coast of North Carolina. They are completely equipped and manned. Contract has been entered into for the construction of six stations on the coast

of Maryland and Virginia, between Cape Henlopen and Cape Charles, under authority of the act of June 20, 1874, and arrangements will be made for the erection of two other stations between these capes, on the coast of Delaware, as soon as possession of the sites selected for them, which are the property of the State, can be obtained. The act of June 23, 1874, appropriated the sum of $342,304.44 to carry out the act above cited.

When these stations are completed and put in operation, the Atlantic coast, from Quoddy Head to Cape Hatteras, with the exception, perhaps, of the vicinity of Point Judith, will be well protected. South of Cape Hatteras nothing is needed, except the houses of refuge provided for by the act above referred

to.

The one hundred and four stations located in the five districts, designated as the Maine district, the Cape Cod district, Rhode Island and Long Island district, the New Jersey district, and the Virginia and North Carolina district, embrace the most dangerous portions of the Atlantic Coast. From the reports of the Superintendents it appears that during

Almost all the disasters which occur upon these coasts are from the stranding of vessels, and it is against death and loss of property resulting from this class of disasters that the Life Saving Service, as thereon established, i designed to afford protection. The success of the system, which the foregoing statistics imply, is all that can be hoped for. It is hardly to be expected that an equal measure of success will be attained upon the lakes, where the causes and character of a large proportion of the disasters are of a different nature. That the benefits to be derived from the extension of the service there, however, will amply justify the expense involved, can

not be doubted.

Reports and statistics of shipping disasters are required to be collected under the provisions of the act of June 20, 1874; and certain statistics have been gathered. The following is a summary of wrecks and disasters which show a sad loss of human life:

Summary of wrecks and casualties on and near the coasts and on the rivers of the United States, &c:

10-|In ballast.

Uknown.

co-Partial losses.

SILENTotal losses

Number lives lost.

5.287.63 26 2.

1,767.01 12

1 2

Collusions

2

Other causes.

43

9 925 53 26 13 4

28

1

12' 3

13

15 28

321

in its breadth, supported by the nation, and regulated with all the precision of the naval service; for there must be periods when its usefulness is crippled by the fluctuation of its means.

The aim of the Republican party has been to place this country at the head of all the nations of the earth. It has done this, to a

great extent; and the United States of North America leads the van in many things which denote the enterprise and earnestness of our 5 daily life. It has given a new career to the Life Saving Service by enabling it to respond

36

188

Total........ 91 17.297.15 65 18 8 56,35 550 to the national desire that aid should be ren

With the proof thus presented of the necessity and the efficiency of the Life Saving Service, its gradual extension will be justified to all parts of the dangerous coasts of the United States frequented by vessels either domestic or foreign. The appropriations of a Republican Congress infused life and vigor into a service which had been allowed to languish for lack of sympathy, and to become almost useless from incompetent men, insufficient equipment, and decaying station houses. Its present condition is an evidence that the Republican party fully realizes the wants, in this respect, of a great maritime nation, and desires to supply them conscientiously. Our Life Saving Service is superior to that of any other country, because no foreign service receives assistance from the government. Even the Royal National Life Boat Institution of England is a private association, called into existence by the bounty of the benevolent. As a private institution, it has rendered great service; but its subscription list must needs be limited; which, limiting the number of stations, must leave many points on the dangerous British coast altogether unprotected. It cannot, therefore, compare in effectiveness with our Life Saving Service, whose numerous stations dot the coasts of the United States, and whose men are ever on the watch, day and night, to rescue unfortunates from the perils of the deep. Nor can a private institution, however grand its character and beneficent its working, when supported only by voluntary contributions though it bask under the patronage of Royalty compete with an institution national

dered to shipwrecked mariners at widely distant places of danger; and property rescued from jeopardy by marine disasters. From the success achieved in the past, and the present, it is but just to the Republican party-the party comprising the best elements in the nation—that the trust reposed in it should be continued. It has left its mark grandeur and strength; and it seems but the upon the age, and built up the Republic in teaching of wisdom that the Republican party should be left to complete its plans for this important service, and plant its stations, boats and crews wherever the claims of humanity and of commerce may call for them.

THE folly and danger of leaving loaded pistols within the reach of children received a sad illustration in Cincinnati on Sunday. A respectable German of that city, who had purchased a new revolver on Saturday, left it lying, loaded, on the mantle-piece of his room. In his absence, a son, fifteen years old, possessed himself of the pistol and began snapping it"in fun". at a little two-year old brother. In a moment the pistol was discharged, and the bullet went crashing into the baby's forehead. The little one lived only half an hour, and the parent survives to mourn his carelessness.

family. It is no less his duty to provide good It is the duty of man to provide for his government for the community in which he lives. This he can do by doing his duty at the primary meeting and at the ballot-box. Nominate good men, and then do your best to elect them. This should be one of the highest obligations of citizenship.