New-York tribune., 1901-11-17
MISS KNOX

perhaps styled simply the director-should be an
eminent astronomer appointed by the President by
and with the advice and consent Of the Senate.
holding the place by tenure at least as perma-
nent that of the superintendent OF the Coast
Survey the head of the Geological Survey, and
merely by detail Of two or three years du-
ration. Only in this way can there be a continu-
and effective policy Of administration which
viii insure astronomical work Of & high order In
rank. salary, privilege and prestige he should be
superior to any other official the ground
There be no Improvement in either the worn
the administration Of the observatory until this
recommendation is carried out AS long its su-
preme official is line officer of the navy, without
the knowledge to direct the work, TO whom the
from whom he is compelled TO take orders, just SO
long Will the observatory be the scene of quaTres
those interesfHd in the administration of the OBJ
servatory have been conlical In the extreme. but
measure has been more productive Of criticism
than the appointment Of an astronomical director
who was declared to be responsible for the scien-
tific standing OF the observatory, and yet mace
little, If anything OF the work in hand This ar.
and the transfer Of the scientiic head. whose diff
ferences with the superintendent OF the obserVa-
tory made the subject Of an investigation by
the Navy Department TO new field OF useful
ness. 49,. 1880, oszo.--
strenuousy object tc the removal Of the OBJ
SO obviously 10 the advantage of that institution.
The reason is easy TO fnd-the superintendency OF
the observatory is the choicest plum in the gift Of
the Navy Department. The superintendent is an
absolute aurnCrat. he make what disposition
he chooses Of the force under him; ne mas the use
of q handsome house, heated and lighted by the
fsree and beautiful mark which is practically pri
vate. Conservatives and gardens worked and kept
in order by the laborers the observatory staff
port which thus disposes of the contention over
the appointment of astronomical director,
post that has not been filed since the removal Of
mendsd that no astronomical director be appointed
at as dual hadh9 has essn f4uRd s tho to
appointment OF astronomer as sole director of
proper solution OF the question-is impracticable'
The report also suggests hat the institution shouId
Under its control In some such way as the rs R1ysi
Admiralty X should be put under the control Of
the Secretary directly. and not through bureau.
as at present
1t is the well known policy of Great Britains
Foreign Office retain its ministers and ambas-
sadors at the post as long their usefulness
IS assured. In the last quarter OF century there
have been only three changes IN the head OF the
British Embassy at Washington. the transfer of
Sir Edward Thornton to Constantinope. who
succeeded by Sir Lionel seckvfe-West, and the
appointment Of Lord Peuncefote 10 assume the Of
fee left vacant at the time SaekvfIle-west was
presented with his passports. The rule governing
the secretaries however is quite the 1t
is the idea that these ministers and ambassadors
in embryo shall have much experience in
given tine possible and they receive every op-
portunity become thoroughly acquainted with
the various capitals and study their politics and
people. While Lord Pauncefote has been IN Wash
fngton for than sixteen years. the personnel
Of his staff has been changed again and again. and
present IL contains who began service
with him the time he presented his credentials
English minister.
The latest change in the English Embassy is the
promotion of Gerard Lowther 10 the rank Of minis
ter and his transfer Chilli While rejoicing IN his
well earned advancement, Mr. Lowfher's friends in
Washington regret his transfer to another post,
and will follow his future career with real interest
CT q dip,omatist OF distinction, the Hon. William
LowtheT. Of Lowther Lodge, time English
Secretary the Embassy in Berlin and subss-
quentiy minister TO Argentina Mr. Lowther's
brother, J. W. Lowther. has made a for him
self IN the House OF Commons. and hi. uncle is tho
third Earl OF Lonsdale. Mr.. Lowther began his
diplomatic career before he reached his majority,
has been stationed in Bucharest and Toxic. Upon
his transfer from Japan Mr.. Lowther visited China
making study OF the conditions there w
OF his colleagues better equipped upon affairs
in the Orient It was assumed, indeed, that his
knowledge of Eastern politics would insure HIS ap-
pointrnent to some post in Asia, bur he goes \
new field where there will he abundant oppor-
tunity repeat the he has already made
The school for colored children now being
bull: in the northeastern portion of the city ha.
been named the Abby S. Simmons School I'm honor
Of the woman who for than thirty years la
bored with unffagging energy and zeal teacher
OF colored children Miss Simmons Northern
woman. and, like most OF her sisters In that eec-