The Men Who Can Be Spared

Recently a gentleman was making official inquiry f'or the purpose of finding a man to fill a responsible position in au insurance company. He carne to a party whom he thought would be likely to give him accurate and honest information of several men whose ñames he had. One was discussed, and another, and another. Then the name of Mr. was mentioned. " The very man for the place ; competent and worthy in every respect ; but he can not possibly be spared from the position he now adoras." " Sir," said the Director, " we do not want a man w?io can be spared " There was a big volume in that remark. We do not want a man who can I spared What a multitude of men who can be spared cumber every avenue to promotion. The barnaoles, the shirks, the makeshift8, soinebodv's nrnihowa somebody's proteges, somebody's good-fornothinga. Young man, please remember that these are not the ones who are called for when responsible positions are to be filled. Would you like to gauge your own fitness tbr a pusition of' prominence? Would you like to know the probabilities of your getting such a position ? Inquire within ! What are you doing to make yourself valuable in the ponlwn you note occupy ? If you are doing with your might what your hands find to do, the chances are ten to one that you will soon become so valuable to that position that you cannot be spared from it; and then, singular to relate, will be the very time when you will be sought out by promotion for a better place. Be content to grade among the men who can he spared, and you may rest assured that nothing will " spare" you so certainly and so easily as promotion. Japanese finalices are getting into a very muddled condition. It wa8 only recently announced that the Minister of France had resigned, and that a new one had taken its place. The latter has also recently resigned, and with him 11 the offioials connectod with the Department of finance, for the very good reason that they oannot aolve the money-problem of their country. The State debt amounts to $104,000,000, and is constantly increasing, while the Government ia unable to raise any inore funda by taxation. It is reported that all the publi works now in progresa are to be stopped, that the isauo of paper money is to cease, and that all the expenses are to be reduced to the minimum, and that no mors Buropean institutions are to be introduced for tho present. It is undoubtedly the blind baste with which the Japanese have gone into the reform business, without stopping to consult the expenae, that has involved them in this lamentable financial suarl. " Punch " think? some people are nevr contented. After having all their limbs broken, their heads smaahed, and their brains knocked out, they will aotually go to law and try to get further damMtM.