The Washington critic. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1885-1888, 1885-10-02

'Nt I ONt y, ", W /. =, 1850
cause. -------------.-----
10 prohofHE COAST sIKVEY.
Professor Agassiz has at last De.
fnitely declined TO accept the llnttcring
honor of the superincndoncy of the
Coast and Geodctic Survey and in his
letter TO the Secretary of the Treasury,
points out to the Secretary that there
are two gentlemen now in service who
are specially fitted by their scientific
and mathematical attainmnnts to be
valuable in the Administration of the
survey.
The selection of the learned profcs-
orwho has inherited so much of the
talent of his great father, was one that
was an honor to the President and Sec.
retary Manning Professor Agassiz
modcstly disclaims being a specialist
in mathematics, or physicist, and eX-
plains that his health requires an an
nual winter trip toward the tropics
lie has mapped out for himself life
work which will continue the search
almost originated by his illustrious
father, and in the professional love for
science that permeates all scientists.
prefers to pursue his labor of love
rather than accent nm Office of honor
and preferment when that Office re-
moves him to n newer field.
TIE CRrrrc still thinks that the
wiscst of all selections for such place
is Professor Simon Ncwcomb, to whom
Professor Arassiz refers In his declina.
tion. The other gentleman now i'm the
service TO whom Professor Agassiz al.
ludes is Professor Coffin of this city.
bu, he is now on the retired list of the
navy for are. and is thus unsuitable.
Professor Ncwcomb Is the younrest
man in the navy who has attained such
eminence; and while the world knows
of his scientific emincncc. his executive
ability has been proyen by his admins.
ration of the Nautical Almanac Office.
CONGRESS AND THE TREASURY.
The new form OF debt statement
gives the tariff reiormers a cold chill,
and operates disastrously upon their
pet argument OF an excessive surplus
in the Treasury as the result of pro-
tective duties. 1t is calculated TO have
n similar dampening effect upon Sena-
tor Blaines educational scheme, and
npon other expensive projects Ii 1t
can be made to appear that there is
only trliie in the Treasury to spend,
Congress may not feel under such a
high moral obligation to spend it.
1t Is to be hoped, however that the
next Congress Will exhibit that some
what rare quality OF our latter-day
statesmanship-a practical knowledge
OF all the great measures that are
pressed upon its consideration, and Il
business-like discernment of their re-
lation to the interests of the country.
There has always been too much
crude and ill-considered legislation
The history of the tariff furnishes no.
table illustrations of the passage of
measures, with the details of which II
large majority Of members are wholly
unfamiliar and which results show to
be imperfect, unsatisfactory and in
many cases mischievous TO some
Congressman the sight of big appro-
priation is a ruling incentive; the pro-
cess by which it is reached an alto
gether secondary matter.
1t is well, perhaps, that the tendency
of things is to more economical basis
and more honest ways of dealing.
Whether there is an excessive surplus
in the Treasury or M surnlIg ot oll | :