Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1889-04-25
SMALL PAY FOR BRAINS.

The Salary Congress Provides for an 40
compiished Mathematician.
WASHINGTON CITY, April %. The Nautical
Almanac office has called on Civil Service
Commissioner Lyman for a computer and
Mr.. Lyman can't get one. computer has
to be thoroughly versed in higher mathemat-
les and is engaged in complicated oalcula-
lions for the Nautical Almanac The salary
is only $50 year with a chance to get $780,
congress pays 81, 400 a year to men who
don't need to know anything-men who SIM
ply open doors and run errands, and in the
departments 81. 200 and 81 400 salaries are
paid to clerks who need only very ordinary
education, and no unusual average ability.
but $3.50 is the salary of man who
must he an accomplished mathemati-
cian MIR. Lyman says that the poor
pay OF such employees, who are re-
quired to have knowledge of the higher mathe-
mates, as contrasted with the compensation
of ordinary clerks, is one result of the long
continuance of the system of appointments
through political favor. The offices which
the ordinary political worker could fill were
provided with comfortable salaries The
computer never amounted to much in poll
tics, and hence he was given q salary that
taxed his ability to the utmost in computing
how he could make it cover his expenses
Made the 3Oth National HOLIDAY.
WASHINGTON CITY, April 2a-In his proc
lamation relative to the SOth of April the pres
ident, in pursuance of the act Of congress
passed on March 2 last, called on the people
Of the United States to assemble at their
places of worship and give thanks for the
blessings showered on them since Washing
toms Inauguration. The wording Of the proc
lamation was such as to make the tiay one of
thanksgiving, and not a national holiday.
thus preventing all per diem employees Of the
the government receiving pay for the holi.
day, though obliged to absent themselves
from work. In order that all per diem EN-.
ployes of the United States may receive nav
for that day the president has issued an
amendatory order making the 3Oth a ma
tional holiday
The Flag Did Double DUTY.
WASHINGTON CITY, April 25-Minister
DENLY, at Picking, has notified the state de-
partment that the emperor of China assumed
the reins of government March 4 In his
communication DENLY says: THE has of this
legation was elevated for the double purpose
of signalling the advent of the emperor to
power and in honor of the ceremony Of inaur.
uration which was then TRANSFERRING at Wash
ington City"
Urging the Necessity of Forestry Laws.
WASHINGTON Cry, April IA dslega-
ton Of the American Forestry conersss.
composed of gentlemen from all parts Of the
country. headed by Governor Beaver, Of
Fem sylvania, who is president of the con-
gress, waited upon the president yesterday
for the purpose Of engaging his attention in
behalf OF sound forest policy for the United
States. Senator Hawley accompanied the
delegation and earnestly commended the OBJ
jects of the memorial presented The points
urged by the delegation were the familiar
ones, and were listened TO with attention by
the president
Will Make a Suggestive Investigation.
WASHINGTON CITY, April 2j-Capt Dam
lei Morgan Taylor, of the ordnance depart
ment of the army, has been directed by the
secretary of war to make report on the
concentration Of the militia organizations at
the New York centennial on April 80. Capt
Taylor viii make an investigation Of the ma
tional guards from the different states that
will be represented at the centennial to as
certain how long q time Is necessary for
them to concentrates; whether the different
organizations are properly equipped; IN what
time bodies of different sizes could be con-
contracted in the city Of New York, and other
information bearing on the efficiency Of the
militia Of che country. Capt. Taylor win
mako such Recommendations - he may
DEAN 1t