332 On the Light-House System of the United States. 
That the light-house board be authorized to appoint their chair- 
mati, to preside during the absence of the president, and perform 
such other duties as may be required by their rules and regu- 
lations. : af 
That the light-house board be authorized to prepare such rules 
and regulations as shall be necessary for securing an efiicient, 
uniform, and economical system of light-house administration, 
and for securing responsibility in the inspectors, keepers, and 
others connected with the light-house service, subject to the ap- 
proval of the Secretary of the Treasury, and which, when ap- 
proved, shall be respected and obeyed, until altered or revoked 
by the same authority. i. ; | 
That the light-house board be required to meet four times a 
year, and subject to be convened by the Secretary of the Treas- 
ury, whenever, in his judgment, it may be necessary for the 
transaction of general or special business, a majority of whom 
shall constitute a quornm. vibar | 
at such clerks as are now employed on light-house duties in 
the ‘Treasury Department may be transferred to the light-house 
board without any increase of salaries; that the necessary accom- 
modations for the clerks, secretaries, for the preservation of the 
archives, drawings, &c., and for holding the meetings of the 
board, for their use, in the discharge of their duties. 
tribute among the light-house keepers, inspectors, and others con- 
from them.» o 
That the light-house board be thori = ener | required to cause 
to be prepared by the Engineer-secretary of the Board, or by such 
officer of Engineers of the Army, as may be detailed for that ser- 
vice, all plans, drawings, specifications, and estimates of cost, 
all illuminating, and other apparatus, and of construction and re- 
ir of towers and buildings, &c., connected with the light-house 
establishment ; no bids or contract being accepted or entered into, 
except upon the decision of the Board, at a regular or spec 
mevtiug, and through their properly authorized officer. 
