The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-06-25
FROA OTHER PENS
PREACHERS PAY.

A census report published only a
few days ago shows that the average
salary paid to clergymen in this coun-
try is about $3.50. Two years ago the
average income of Presbyterian
preachers was only $500, SO that the
pay of the clergy seems to have in
creased at the rate Of $40 per year
since $1908, a, weekly raise of about
IS cents each year.
Wonder is often expressed that in
these days 80 few young men are go
ing into the ministry. Union Theologi-
cal Seminary notes the falling away
of students. So do the Episcopalian
have very few prospective ministers
on their lists, the great proportion of
theological students coming from the
little colleges in the west-colleges
whose names are rarely mentioned.
Almost any trade offers larger in
ducements, in the way of earnings.
than the ministry, and, besides, the
clergyman has to go through long
years Of preparatory education. If
there were no other incentive than
money for men to go into the ministry,
very few would take up this profess
sion.-Newark News.
ENDOWING HOME BUILDERS.
A Missouri farmer. who retired after
having accumulated a modest fortune,
died the other day, leaving a will the
provisions of which open new field
in which philanthropists may make in
vestments that are certain to produce
perpetual returns for the public good.
The farmer, Peter r. Burns, of Lib
erty, Mo-, provided in his will that one
half Of his estate is to go to the coun-
ty of Clay, ITO be administered by the
county court in loans to men who de-
sire to build homes" The loans are to
hn1r q and m n1a6a
in amounts not exceeding $4,000 to any
one individual, and are to be secured
by real estate mortgages, to be paid
back at the rate of at least 500
year.
Half of Mr.. Burns estate will
amount to $4,000. This will provide for
loans of $1,000 each to 10 home builders
Tie interest will amount to $500 year,
and as tina loans are paid back and
the fund grows from the interest pay
ment the benefits will be far-reaching.
It presents an opportunity by which a
good many deserving men may be en-
abled to secure homes, whereas with
cut such assistance they could not do
so without great difficulty. The ultt-
mate effect will be the advancement
of the general good.-St. Paul Pioneer
Press.
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.
The proposition to establish a pub
lie health department of the govern
ment is being discussed before con-
gressional committee, and it is said
the most vigorous opposition has APP
peared. The chief argument against
it is constitutional. 1t is the last straw
on the camel of states rights. The
national government is taking too
much to itself. The significance of
the states is being bewildered by too
much federal interference. That is
fha trend Of the argument.
A person easily sympathizes with
this view, and we cannot say that it is
not a potent consideration. But this
country has become so united in en-
terprise and transportation that it Is
pretty hard to draw state lines upon
subjects of general welfare, as health
is. The fact is that when we saved
the union, we came mighty near over
doing it, and possibly forgot to take
care of some of the state lines. But
the situation is probably within the
scope of evolution. and there are some
things that technically belong to the
state, which federal tendency is apt
to gather in. and this all-pervading
and absorbing subject of health will
probably be one.-Ohio State Journal