560 



SCIENCE. 



[Vol. IX., No. 227 



potentialities in the near future will enhance the 

 yalue of the services of the trained statistician. The 

 consular and diplomatic service, as well as other 

 fields of government administration, come under the 

 same necessity." 



One of the objections urged against the civil 

 academy is that we have already plenty of colleges, 

 amply equipped with facilities for political educa- 

 tion, — a point which is sufficiently answered by the 

 distinction between ' political science ' and ' political 

 praxis.' Political science can be acquired in a toler- 

 ably satisfactory manner in many of our institutions 

 of learning, but political praxis is the special prod- 

 uct of contact and experience with administrative 

 work. An academy in Washington, with the most 

 favorable environment that could be found, for the 

 prosecution of theorecical studies, and which fur- 

 nishes contemporaneotisly the opportunity for ap- 

 prenticeship work, manifestly embodies the ideal 

 thing. 



Withoxit contesting what seems to be a favorite 

 proposition with many journalists, that ' American 

 statesmen come up from the masses,' that they, like 

 poets, are born, not made, it is only fair to add that 

 the country has likewise suffered much from assumed 

 heaven-born genius in high places. This fact we are 

 too apt to lose sight of, and think only of conspicuous 

 examples of statesmanship where the only educational 

 train, ig has been the village school. Is it not true 

 that more statesmen who have come up from the 

 masses have turned out to be incubi to congressional 

 society than glittering lights in the political firma- 

 ment ? No argument can be founded upon the state- 

 ment before mentioned, for it is certain that no 

 genius would be spoiled by scientific political study ; 

 that much might be developed that otherwise would 

 never be utilized. 



The strong point of the civil academy is its prac- 

 tical side. Leaving out the disputed question of 

 government aid to higher education, there can be no 

 doubt of the wisdom of expenditure which will 

 create trained and skilful administrators. Colonel 

 Wright says, "The government should supplement 

 college-training with practical administrative in- 

 struction, acquired through positive service in its 

 own departments." Statesmen may be born, but 

 administrators must be made. What may be under- 

 stood as technical training is as much required for 

 them as for the army and navy officer. Whether we 

 will or no, the complexity of modern state life 

 is increasing, is certain to increase still more, and 



we must prepare to meet the change. I do not think 

 we can check the growth of state interference in 

 matters which were once considered of purely per- 

 sonal and private concern, but we can and must 

 regulate it. How ? In two ways, — by multiplying 

 the means for obtaining accurate information uiDon 

 economic and social conditions, and by basing legis- 

 lation upon ascertained facts. Congressmen must 

 be able to do more than put themselves ' on record ' 

 in favor of labor : thej' must grasp the true inward- 

 ness of the labor-problem in its details. Adminis- 

 trators must not be content with the performance of 

 perfunctory duties : they must be ready, when called 

 upon, to furnish facts suggestive of useful construc- 

 tive legislation. The training of both must be pro- 

 vided for, and the civil academy offers the combina- 

 tion of advantages to be desired. 



E. E. L. GoiTLD. 

 Washington, D.C., June 4. 



Sea-sickness. 



It is true that many deaf-mutes are known to have 

 enjoyed what seems to be a surprising immunity 

 from sea-sickness ; but it cannot be said, that, as a 

 class, they are exempt from the misery we all so 

 much dread. 



I travelled last summer on the Pacific Ocean with a. 

 number of deaf-mutes, some of whom paid their 

 tribute to Neptune with the best of us who hear. 



It is my opinion, however, that there is ground for 

 Dr. James's statement {Science, June 3), if care be 

 taken not to say that a deaf-mute cannot be made 

 sea-sick. 



If I may say a word from my own experience of a 

 number of ocean-voyages, with a decided tendency 

 to be sea sick, I think great help may be had by 

 keeping in one's berth at the first approach of rough 

 weather, eating moderately, and not rising until the 

 processes of digestion and assimilation have had 

 time to be quite fully completed after at least two or 

 three meals. E. M. Gallatjdet. 



Kendall Green, Washington, June 4. 



Garbage-disposal. 



Your note as to garbage-disposition in Milwaukee 

 does not express the present state of affairs. The 

 health officers of the siirrounding towns have forbid- 

 den the entrance of garbage-wagons into their dis- 

 tricts. At present many plans are under discussion, 

 but none has yet been,fixed upon. The furnace plan 

 finds much favor. Akthub Stevens. 



Milwaukee. Wis., June 4. 



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