The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-07-08

U5r now while the venerable | 0 pontIn lie. dying at Rome prse- sr.
 S< tieally the whole world waits in suspence. So great and widespread has been yhe influence of the grand old man life upon human affairs that not only the Catholics but all religions and all men VIII mourn his demise as that of a father, leader in affairs temporal as well as spir- ituai
 The power yielded by the pope is great and far-reaching. although in temporal matters 1t Is only felt and not seen. With out doubt Leo XIII. is one of the most remarkable men the world has ever pro- dueed. The benignity of his life. his won derful vitality, his many accomplishments, the power of his intellect, and the works he has achieved for Mother Church, are more than enough to hand his name down to countless generations of the future.
 One of the interesting features of the present condition of the pope and one that has not been remarked in the excitement spreading out from Rome, is the devotion of millions of Catholics in all parts of the world who are sending up ceaseless pray CTS for his recovery and the welfare of his soul Last night while the vatican was in a turmoil of anxiety expecting the end at any moment, in thousands of of fertories and dimly lighted cathedral naves priests were sending up prayers to heaven for the holy father. There was no spot on the globe last night where the disciples of the Catholic church were not waiting anxiously for news from Rome and when the end does come mourning itself will be catholic.
 There is an alarming increase of in- sanity in the army which has become more noticeable since the occupancy of the Philippines by the United States troops. The cause assigned for this con- dition is the rigorous service which the soldiers endure in the islands and the strange disease called nostalgia or home- sickness. The climate of the Philippines creates fearful ravages among both off, cers and privates. Even the tough con- stitution of the seasoned regular is not able to withstand 1t and the effect on the volunteer troops was much worse Medi- cal men say that the deleterious effects are only physical and temporary but at any rate insanity has ceased to be start ling among officers and men,
 There is one division of the post office service that has not yet come under the censure of the sharp eyed inspectors and that Is the brigade of cat employees. So far no cases of peculation have been re- ported, at least not of government funds. The felines are employed to keep down the rats and they have saved thousands of letters for Uncle Sam by their vigil lance. So far the taint of scandal has never reached them and the industrious gentlemen felines have gone about their duties undisturbed.
 It Is to be hoped that the efficient cat service of the department will not be in- jured by the Investigations which have been in progress A great many human beings were employed who did nothing at all but draw their pay and numbers were never as valuable to the department as the cats. Tn cutting down other appro- priations Uncle Sam should be careful not to decrease the fund set aside for their maintenance. Every postmaster in the larger cities has been instructed to use small sums for purchasing milk and