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e picked up this Lighthouse Service Circular in a selection of papers some time ago which

I found to be most interesting and a telling commentary on the operation of the federal government and on the Lighthouse Service. The circular notes that the appropriation, as approved by Congress for salaries of keepers of lighthouses, is insufficient to pay salaries for the entire year — 1889. As a result, there will be a deduction from the salary of each keeper for the current quarter in the amount of four percent. I thought that piece would be most worthwhile reproducing here for you to read and hope that you find it as interesting as I did. As you read it, put yourself in the place of the keepers as they read this. Keepers certainly weren’t overpaid to begin with.

One wonders what must have gone through their minds when they received this.

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Jim Claflin is a recognized authority on antiques of the U.S. Lighthouse Service, Life-Saving Service, Revenue Cutter Service and early Coast Guard.

In addition to authoring and publishing a number

of books on the subject, Jim is the owner of

Kenrick A. Claflin & Son Nautical Antiques.

In business since 1956, he has specialized in antiques of this type since the early 1990s. He may be contacted by writing to him at 1227 Pleasant Street, Worcester, MA 01602, or by calling

(508) 792-6627. You may also contact him by email: jclaflin@lighthouseantiques.net

or visit his website at www.lighthouseantiques.net.

This story appeared in the March 2006 edition of Lighthouse Digest Magazine. For subscription information about the print edition, click here.

All contents copyright © 1995 - 2006 by Lighthouse Digest®, Inc. No story, photograph, or any other item on this website may be reprinted or reproduced without the express permission of Lighthouse Digest. For contact information, click here.