[TO THE EDITOR OF "SPECTATOR "I SIR,—With reference to Dr.
Hogan's letter to you in the Spectator of October 29th, I can give you another case of Protestant ascendency, which is perhaps not quite so much to his taste. Up to the year 1899, at which date the Local Government (Ireland) Act came into operation, Irish county surveyors were appointed by open competitive examination conducted by the Civil Service Commissioners, the appoint- ments going to those who obtained the highest marks. The result in 1899 was as follows :—Total number of county sur- veyors in Ireland, thirty-eight; number of Roman Catholic county surveyors, four, receiving about £2,000 a year ; Protestant county surveyors of different denominations, thirty-four, receiving about £17,000 a year. Perhaps Dr.. Hogan will explain. In case he says this result is due to a want of educational facilities, then I will have something more to say. Whatever Dr. Hogan may wish your readers to infer, I regret to tell you that the Catholic Association is at present an active propaganda, none the less so because it is not carried on openly and above board. Its influence is at present one of the most malignant features of life in this country, and is calculated to blight its prospects, and produce a feeling of despair in every Irishman worthy of the
name.—I am, Sir, &c., LesE DIGIT.
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