The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-09-30
COMMENTS ON MEN AND
 MATTERS OF THE WORLD

official business in the islands is steadily increasing and help is badly needed. It was hoped to induce a few of the Wash ington clerks to go over by promising a substantial raise in salary. but the temp. tation was not strong enough. In desper- alton the department offered young men receiving s9o0 a year a compensation much larger and one was on the point of yielding but reconsidered and said he would not go unless he received 5000 a year. This was granted and the lonely emissary of Uncle Sam is now preparing to make his departure. For some reason our new possessions do not seem very at- tractive to the average young man in this country. In the first place they are far away and as yet just a little too wild for enjoying all the comforts of home. It would not be possible to have very good time, even in Manila, and out in the pro- vinces the prospects are even less invit- ing. However, it cannot be denied that the Philippines offer splendid field for making wealth and the future is particu- Iarly bright for civil engineers. In order to fully develop the country it will be necessary to construct railroads and bridges the advance guards of all modern civilization, and in this work civil engi- neers can reap a rich harvest. In few more years it is probable that the profess sion will be well represented in the islands in spite of the unpleasant environs.
 The efforts of the Southern railway to secure settlements of German farmers along its route in the south has been favorably commented upon For several years past the company has labored to develop this section of the country by attracting thrifty German farmers and colonizing them on company lands. The movement has been fairly successful and several settlements along the line have been made. It is to be hoped that many more immigrants of this class may be induced to locate in the south. The thrifty German farmer Is very desirable as a citizen and Is always made welcome, no matter in what part of the United States he desires to make his home. The plans of the Southern will receive the hearty cooperation of all persons interested in the growth and development of our south- land. An infusion of new blood and new methods will prove beneficial to some of our agricultural districts that are now tagging behind.
 The Rev. John J. Doherty. pastor of St. Mary's Catholic church in Norfolk. Va, made a move in the right direction when he denounced men in his congrega- tion who spit on the floor The priest not only scored this filthy practice as a desc cration of Gods house and altogether abominable but announced that he would employ private detectives to watch for expectorators, and that he would not only read out their names from the altar but would have them arrested for violat- ing the city ordinance against splitting in public places Although such measures may be considered radical the custom of splitting on the floors of our churches cer- itainly ought to be stopped. It used to be almost universal and creed makes not a particle of difference. Not only is such a practice unsanitary and filthy but Is in- deed a dissertation. It Is hard to con- ceive how our pious deacons can sit up with devout countenances and unblush ingly defile the floor with their expector- ations as is still the case in some coun- try churches. F. c.