The Brunswick times. [volume] (Brunswick, Ga.) 188?-1900, 1897-05-16

idea that the government ought to en-
courage all scientific research with lib
eral appropriations One of these is
Professor Langley of the Smithsonian,
who wants 5000, 600 for his visionary
zying machine. But if the government
is to support science why should it not
substitute music and art? Some persons
will tell you that music and art are as
valuable in the work of civilization
and enlightenment as science is.
OF all the abuses which have grown
up and been suppressed from time to
time in the last century, one of the
worst was the granting of leaves of alb
sence to navy officers who wanted to
engage in private business Just four
years ago this month Secretary Herbert
took this matter up and reformed the
general practice of the department,
though he did not succeed in overcOm-
ing the Peary pull. Mr.. Herbert found
that Commander Folger, who was then
at the head of the bureau of ordnance,
had got leave of absence for two years
on the ground of i'll health and was
working for the owners of the Harvey
process for hardening armor plates. He
was even calling at the navy depart
ment in the interest of his outside en-
ployers. Lieutenant Commander Swift
had been on leave since August, 1890,
in the private employ of Philadelphia
concern which sold great many sup
plies to the navy. Lieutenant Com
mander Symonds and Chief Engineer
| Dah 10
work at the Worlds fair. Lieutenant
Commander Cornwell had been on leave
and drawing two-t thirds pay for two
years, and in that period he was en-
ployed by copper and nickel company
which was doing business with the navy
department. His pay from the govern
ment was $4,000 and from the con-
tractors 1900 year. Lieutenant G.
A. Stone had been on leave for more
than two years, and during that time he
was i'll the employ of the Carnegie COM
pany, which was furnishing armor plate
to the government. Lieutenant A. V.
Wadhams was delivering lectures on
the navy for his private profit. Lieu
tenant briggs had been ON leave for five
years, looking after the manufacture OF
gun which he had invented and which
private corporation was manufactur-
ing to sell to the government. Lieu
tenant Clason was off on leave, settling
up an estate. Lieutenant Seabury was
working for company which was max
ing ordnance for the army. Chief En-.
gineer Towne was working at the
Cramps shipyard at $6, 900 year, su-
pervising the making of machinery
whose designs he, i'll his official capac-
ity, had approved. Lieutenant Wood
had been drawing 81, 800 a year from
the navy department for 81 years, and
in all that time he had been managing
the affairs of a projectile company
which did business with the govern
ment. Naval Constructor Armistead
was representing the interests of some
Boston contractors against the govern
ment while drawing government pay.
Civil Engineer Menocal- had been on
leave for four years, looking after the
interests of the Nicaragua Canal COM
pany, of which he was the chief en-
glneer.
Looking For Easy Places.
A great many of the men who are
here after Office now say they want
''si-ne-cu-rees. =" They want pleasant
places i'll which there will be little to
do. Something like the place held by
Buchanan Schley of Maryland under
Secretary Carlisle would suit them very
well-a place they would not have to
visit more than once week, or, better
still, would be the place of the auditor
just removed by Secretary Gage, who
staid at his home i'll the south and kept
up communication with the treasury
only to the extent of drawing his pay.
Many men want consulates because
they think consuls have little to do.
A great many men want consular
places because they think they will have
plenty of leisure for literary work
abroad. The government has been very
kind to writers. There are many con-
spicuous cases of literary men who have
held places III the consular service.
William Dean Howells did his prentice
work at story writing while holding an
Italian consulship. He won his place by
political work-the writing of life OF
Abraham Lincoln for campaign use. III
the year of Howells' appointment John
Bigelow was sent to Paris, and later he
was made minister to France. Hinton
Rowan Helper was sent to Buenos Ayres
by Lincoln. George Perkins Marsh was
another literary man honored by Lin
coin. He had been in the diplomatic
service, though, for many years before
Lincoln made him minister to Italy.
Literature and Office.
Bret Harte was consul at Crefeld,
Germany, for two years and at elias
gov for five. He was appointed by
Hayes, and Hayes also sent Andrew d.
White as minister to Germany, the
place Mr.. White is going to fill again,
Garfield sent Lew Wallace as minister
to Turkey. Sunset Cox was another lit
erary man who went to Turkey, though
Mr.. Cox was more a politician than 8
htterateur James Russell Lowell, JOIN
Lothrop Motley. George Bancroft ant
Edward Everett were the literary prede
cessors of John Hay at London. Ma
thaniel Hawthorne and Donald Grant