- - .V:
THE PITTSBTJKG- DISPATOH, THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 1889.-
mt Mmlt
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P1TTSRPRG, THURSDAY, JAN. 10. lbS9.
THE FATAL BUILDING.
The terrible disaster during the storm
yesterday, which blew down a hall-finished
building on Diamond street, ciushing in its
fall the bookstore of J. R. Weldin & Co.,
killing a dozen of people and injuring a
score more, affords a prima facie case ot
reckless and incompetent building opera
tions. The sudden blast of wind, though a
severe one, was not unprecedented; and the
fact that there were in the immediate vicini
ty two buildings in almost the same stage
ot completion, which stood the storm with
out the slightest exhibition of weakness,
argued something inherently wrong with
this structure.
So far as the investigation has gone, this
inference of carelessness and flimsy work
is fully sustained. The building was run
tip to the height of six stories without
regard to the tact that at this time of the
year tbe practical certainty that mortar can
not dry and adhere properlv, makes such
construction a tempting of Providence.
"With the huilding left open and unbraced
against the winds, and with the mortar in a
condition which, as one builder puts it, has
"no more adhesiveness than so much saw
dust," the terrible casualty is fully accounted
for. In short the case looks like one in which
the only effort had been to run up a huge
shell, without regard to security or perma
nence, and the remorseless forces ot nature
exposed the sham with a terrible destruc
tion of property and still more fearful loss
of lire.
The fatality throws a great deal of light
on the practice which has been increasing
o! late years, of erecting high brick walls
during the winter season, when the mortar
cannot set unless artificially dried. Inter
views with builders show a geneial recogni
tion of the fact that a brick wall before the
mortar has dried is not safe: and yet it has
become by no means unusual to see build
ings going up at a season when thorough
drying is practically impossible. To do
such a thing with the knowledge that it im
peiils life is criminal; and the fact that it
lias been done seems to call for legal checks
on the practice.
The question, whether methods of con
struction that work such wholesale loss of
life shall be permitted,rcsts with the people.
As The DisrATCn has often pointed out,
criminal carelessness which destroys life
can only be stopped when the people re
sponsible for it are visited with the penal
ties of manslaughter. It is for the people
to say whether penalties that stop that sort
of thing shall be enforced. So far, the pub
lic have not been aroused as to demand the
enforcement ot effective penalties; and so
the responsibility for every life needlessly
sacrificed yesterday, while resting princi
pally with those who put up unsafe build
ings, is secondarily chargeable to the whole
public
This terrible lesson must also lend force to
the issue already under discussion, namely
the importanceofhaving building inspectors
who inspect. Builders, architects and city
authorities must understand that they are
responsible for lives that ore lost through
their inefficiency or indifference.
NEW THE0EY OF COMMERCIAL JUSTICE.
A very remarkable view of trade influ
ences, as well as individual rights, is ex
pressed in an interview published yester
day from an oil producer. The idea is that
J. W. Craig, by his contumacy in pursuing
the business of an independent petroleum
producer and refiner, is injuring tbe oil
people, because "the Standard will not let
oil go above 51, so long as Air. Craig has
such a hold in the "Washington field." It
might occur to people who had an idea of
personal rights, that if some great power
were depreciating an entire interest in order
to gratify its enmity against a single person,
the proper object of blame would be the
combination that conspires against the mar
ket for illegal purposes. The idea that if
there is an oil producer who has become ob
noxious to the Standard he must be shoved
out of the business in order to make peace
"with the monopoly, is a striking example
of the change that has been wrought since
the day when the oil producers scared the
South Improvement Company out of the
field.
NOT GENERALLY UNDERSTOOD.
The comments on the decision of the
TJnited States Circuit Court at Louisville,
with reference to a case taken up to it from
the Inter-State Commission, show the usual
amount of ignorance with reference to the
law. There is a general disposition to rep
resent the law as "knocked out," to quote
the language of one cotemporary, be
cause the decision states that the Commis
bion has no powerto enforce its findings. It
has not been unusual for people to com
ment on this law without reading it; but
those who have gone through that prelimi
nary know that the only enforcement pro
Tided by the law in case a railroad does not
voluntarily obey the rulings of the Commis
sion is to take the case before the TJnited
States courts. That was the course adopted
in this case. The objection to the jurisdic
tion ot the court came lrom the railroad,
and the ruling of the court that it had juris
diction upholds the law.
"With regard to the practical point in
volved, the effect in preventing discrimina
tion is less clear. The court upholds the
enactment of the law that a railroad must
exchange freights with any connecting line,
on the same terms as it gives to other con
necting roads; but it qualifies the
broad principle in its application, so as
to raise a question whether if this ruling
stands the law will not become inoperative as
to the interchange of freight by connecting
lines. To illustrate the decision locally, it
would start it by asserting that the Penn
- sylvania Railroad can, if it chooses, refuse
- to interchange freight with any Western
railroads; but as it undoubtedly will inter
change freight with some it must give the
tame terms to all railroads as those with
which it makes the first agreement So far,
all is right; but when the courts -make a
ruling that will permit the Pennsylvania
Railroad to interchange freight only with
the railroads that reach its yards at the
Union Depot, and to refuse a connection.say
at Thirty-third street or Brinton, the hair
splitting appears to have nullified and
ignored the provisions of the law, which
enacts that railroads shall receive freight
"from all connecting lines without delay or
discrimination."
The decision is a questionable one in its
operation; but so tar as the abstract princi
ples of the law are concerned, it is worth
while -to recognize that it upholds them in
every respect
TEE SUGAR TRUST ENJOINED.
The fist round of the fight between the
people and the Sugar Trust is decidedly in
favor of the people. The decision of Judge
Barrett, of the Xew York Supreme Court,
forfeiting the charter of the North Eiver
Sugar Refining Company because it has
been reduced to a mere section of the
monopoly, defines the legal status of these
combinations to exact excessive prices from
the people. Other decisions ot the same
import against the trusts have been made by
courts in the South against the cotton
bagging combination and the Cottonseed
Oil Trust. Xone, however, have involved
the significance of this decision right in
Xew York against one of the greatest and
most defiant of the brood of monopolies.
Judge Barrett, who rendered the decision,
is one of the strongest Judges on the Xew
York bench. His declaration that the rights
of a public charter are violated by subject
ing them to the control of a conspiracy
against public policy, is conclusive on the
legal aspect of the case. There has really
been little room for doubt as to the law. All
the other authorities agreed that the trusts
were illegal; and these organizations rested
their operations not on a belief in
their legality, but on their faith that
their wealth and influence enabled them to
defy the law. With regard to that question
the practical effect of such a ruling in
suppressing the trusts the decision is not
so clear. "What will be the result of the
forfeiture of the charter? "Will the property
of the corporation go to the shareholders in
their individual capacity, or will it be for
feited to the State? In that latter case, the
remedy will cause the trusts to vanish; in
the former it will leave the trust undis
turbed. The last decision of the Xew York
Court of Appeals indicates that the latter
will be the disposition of the property in
volved, in which case the public will have
to be content with the declaration that the
trusts are illegal.
Of course the Sugar Trust will fight this
decision to the last court, and then exhaust
all the means of evading the law. But with
the first step so successfully gained, the
public will be encouraged to keep up the
fight for the abolition of privileged classes
in trade.
FORAKEE'S BAD BREAK.
The remarkable passage in Governor
Foraker's message published the other day,
in which he says that having received as
surances from the "White Caps, who were all
"leading and influential citizens!" that
they would not commit any more illegal
acts, he did not consider it necessary to take
any more steps against them, is a singularly
artless, hut, nevertheless, instructive state
ment in an official document of the preva
lent idea that influential citizens are enti
tled to tender treatment when they commit
crime. The practical acknowledgement of
this idea in the case of millionaires who en
gage in swindling stock manipulations, and
great politicians who indulge in bribery has
been notorious; but Governor Foraker is
the first official to state it in a public docu
ment. The Governor's idea evidently needs
correction. If citizens of social standing
and influence take to midnight assaults on
other citizens' houses, and indulge in riots
and conspiracies, those influential persons
should go to prison like any other common
man. If our laws are worth anything they
should extend the same protection and the
same punishment to all people, regardless
of their position. It is just such idiotic
ideas as that people of standing can commit
criminal acts, and be treated leniently, that
makes the law a byword, and produces
"Whitc-Capism and anarchy.
ANOTHER TRUST BREAKS UP.
The present docs not appear to be a very
favorable season of the year for trusts. The
black eyes which the Sugar Trust got in
the Xew York courts, yesterday, is accom
panied by the statement that the cotton
bagging combination has gone clear to
pieces. The pretexts and professions of the
trusts are fully illustrated by the details of
this break-up. The claim that they do not
advance prices beyond a fair figure is illus
trated in the fact thatin nine days since the
breakup of the trust,prices have declined one
third of the trust prices; and the further
claim that there is no money in the business
at competitive prices, is contradicted by the
fact that tbe mills which were shut-down
under the combine aie preparing to start
up at the reduced prices. The people who
own the mills know when they can make
money by running; and their action in
starting upon an eight-cent market, after
having been shut down under a conspiracy
to main a price fifty per cent higher, gives
an idea of the extent of the abandoned ex
tortion. It is pleasant to note in this case that the
greed of the combination defeated itself.
The monopolists got a chance to squeeze the
cotton planters on their last crop; but they
have called into existence several rival
materials, and they have lost the chance of
selling a great deal of their product at fair
prices. It is to be wished that this legiti
mate penalty for efforts to levy illicit profits
on the public by means of combinations and
conspiracies, was sure to happen to all
such monopolies.
CniKA'S new railroad is giving general
satisfaction to both the people and the stock
holders. This contrast to the results of the
railway system of the United States may
convey a lesson to the railway interests of
this country when the further fact is stated
that its capitalized cost is put at $9,000 per
mile. -
THE reported remark of one of the build
ing inspectors, that "we could not prevent
the big wind," is very true. But if build
ing inspectors cannot prevent buildings be
ing put up so that they will go down before
a big wind, there will be a pretty general
demand for a system that will be able to
stop the erection of fire-traps in the closely
built portions of the city and secure staunch
buildings at the same time.
There is a Mexican law, according to
report, which provides for the punishment
of a joke in the columns of a newspaper.
The Mexicans would have no objections to
Col. Elliott I". Shepard's paper. There are
no jokes in the columns of that sheet It
is the whole paper itself that is the joke.
Tun Germans have grabbed Samoa and 1
evidently intend to stay there, but, as a
cotemporary remarks, "whether any other
civilized country will feel called upon to
interfere is more than doubtful." Of course
it is. Interfercnce'with Germany is a very
distinct thing from interference with Hayti.
The task of wiping the German navy off the
ocean would be too painful for the United
States to undertake it.
Mb. Limbekger, of Xew York, has ob
tained legal authority for eliminating the
first syllable of his name, and will here
after be known only as Bcrger. This is
evidently a case where the interested party
thinks that Limberger by some other name
will smell a good deal sweeter.
The detectives who worked up the case
of Red-Nosed Mike the anthracite coal
murderer must be credited with thoughtful-
ness in keeping their plan of operations
secret. If it had been made public that
they were on the track of a man with a red
nose it might have been the source of much
uneasiness to a considerable number of in
fluential politicians.
At the present price for alcohol, if the
Government tax were removed, the quota
tion ought to be about two gallons for a
quarter. This would establish a halcyon
condition of affairs for the citizeuwho suc
ceeds in striking the passer-by for a quarter
to pay for a night's lodging.
Baenabee, the comedian of the opera
troupe, which has been noted as distinctive
ly American, is quoted as saying: "Let the
loreign actors come in and let the best sur
vive." This is the true policy; and yet it
is rather severe. If none but the best sur
vive, there will be a fearful mortality
among the profession, both foreign and do
mestic. The prediction of warmer, southeasterly
winds given by the "Weather Bureau yester
day morning, was not an unqualified suc
cess. The winds came, and they "increased
in force" about noon; but they were not
warmer, by a good deal.
The astonishing feature of the building
calamity yesterday was that so many who
were involved in the fall escaped with their
lives. It is especially to be remarked of
the young man who fell from the top of the
building, a hundred feet, and, was walking
around last night, that he seems fated to die
of old age. Xothing else is likely to kill
him.
There is every reason to believe that the
public will now make a rather strong de
mand for a thorough and effective system of
building regulations.
The declaration that "the Panama canal
is likely to breed an international scab,"
made by the Chicago Inter-Ocean with
the further deliverance that "no European
power will be permitted to take charge of
the isthmus," would sound very imposing
if it were not for the prevailing donbt as to
which side the scab will be located on.
The Sugar Trust is now fairly confronted
with the question whether it is bigger than
the law. But the question is not fully an
swered yet
hes Mr. Le Grand B. Canner, direc
tor of forty-five railroad corporations, gets
to the point declaring that what the rail
road situation needs is to "insist on honest
management" it is an encouraging indica
tion that the railroad magnates are be
ginning to perceive what has been plain
enough to outsiders from the first.
The Sugar Trust seems to be confronted
with the necessity of buying up a Supreme
Court, or returning to legitimate business
methods.
Of course the prison officials abused
Mr. Harrington, by treating him as if he
were a criminal in need of shaving and
cleansing. "What satisfaction could there
be in sending a popular leader to jail for de
fending the rights of the people, if he could
not be maltreated after h'e was safe behind
prison walls?
PERSONAL FACTS AND FANCIES.
They have actually got up a "Boulanger
Calendar" in France.
"When he is angry Mr. Gladstone's eyes seem
actually to emit flashes of light from within.
Count HehbertJBismarck is particularly
popular among the young offlcei s of Berlin, and
his bachelor dinners and other entertainments
are much sought after.
"Don't talk to me about my voice," said Mr.
Gladstone the other day, "I hate it! Once I
had a voice with which I could do what I
wanted; but I have that no more."
Edward O. Wolcott, who is going to the
United States Senate from Colorado, is a biblio
maniac He has a library of 15.000 volumes, to
which ho is constantly making additions.
The Austrian Emperor is very fond of out-of-door
exercise, particularly of shooting. His
favorite game is chamois and capercailzie. He
shoots with a muzzle-loading gun, and is
attired in the ordinary Styrian dress. Tho
Emperor is no bureaucrat, he dislikes town
life, and is not a lover of society. A strict
observer of etiquette and conventionalities,
his tastes are those of a wealthy squire; but
before all he is a soldier and a statesman, a
friend to the poor and a bigh-sonled gentleman.
M. COQtJEMN, the French comedian, is a
close student of history. He is, like most of
his countrymen, well up in the details of his
country's past. He considers Napoleon III. a
bungler and knave. He recently remarked:
"Napoleon JH. is responsible for all the trouble
existing in France to-day, and his memory
should be odious to every Frenchman." Coquo
lin is a Republican to the core, and he has no
faith in Boulanger. Ho is studying our institu
tions carefully, and may write a brochure on
'Democracy in America" on his return to
France.
The Earl of Onslow, the new Governor of
Xew Zealand, is an alert, terrier-like little
man, with keen, intelligent eyes, a narrow
profile, crisp manners and brindled hair. He
thoroughly understands the art of dinlnc, and
can drive four horses respectably: loves chil
dren, hates the sea, and has achieved a modi
cum of success as an amateur photographer.
Lord Onslow has no intention of permanently
interrupting his "promising political career."
He goes out, indeed, chiefly in order to study
the colonial question on the spot, and nothing
will persuade him to accept another vice
royalty, or to extend his term of office beyond
the conventional period. Laay Onslow and
family (including Lord Cranlev, a bright lad of
12) accompany his brand-new Excellency, who
will not, however, leave London till February
next
Mb. Nathaniel Burwell, of Clarke
county, Virginia, has in his possession the will
of "King" Robert Carter, of Carotoman Creek,
Lancaster county, in that State. It covers 63
pages of closely written manuscript and dis
poses of 300,000 acres of land and L100 slaves.
Accompanying the will is the report of Robert
Brooke, surveyor, who had been authorized to
survey a tract of land containing 60,212 acres
lying "on the N. W. side of a branch tnat
issues out of the Potomack, now called Shenan
doah," in order to divide the tract into eight
equal parts for the following persons: Landon
Carter and George Carter, sons of "King" Car
ter; Carter Burwell and RobertBurwell, Carter
Burwell, Robin Page, Benjamin Harrison,
great-great-grandfather of the President-elect,
and Robert Carter, son of Robert Carter, Jr.
This survey was ordered by a decree of the
court in 1730, and the return was made ten
j ears later.
Didn't Concur.
"Washington, January 9. The Senate non
conenrred in House amendments, and a Nica-
ragua canal bill couference as appointed.
THERE IS PLENTf OP OIL IN OHIO,
i
But as It Cannot Be Converted Into Kero
seno Its Uso Is Limited.
From the New York World. 1
The statement that Pew fc Emerson aro going
extensively into the-tanKing. piping and refin
ing of oil in the Ohio field in opposition to the
Standard Oil Trust has not attracted much at
tention in the market. So long as the Ohio oil
cannot be Buccessfullyconverted lntokerosene,
entire dependence will have to beplacedon the
Pennslvania product. Although extensively
used as fuel, the production in Ohio Is far in
excess of the demand. The Increase in the
amount "in store" last 5 ear was 7,500,000
barrels. There were 6,000,000 barrels previously
on hand, so that the visible supply is now
12,500,000 barrel". TheStandsrd has expended
something likeS10,00O.0O0intanks,pipelines and
refineries in Ohio, but up to this time its p'ofits
navonoiDeen commensurate wuu uiu uuu.
The asreement among the well owners in
Pennsvlvania to boro no new holes for one year
expired September 8. Since that time 9G9 wells
have been drilled, of which 196 were dry holes.
Wells that were stopped under the same agree
ment and which produced 19,000 barrels a day,
were reopened November 1. But now, with no
restriction on tbo production, the yield is only
4S.O0O barrels a day, while tbe consumption is
about 75,000. Oil wells run out and the supply
from the newwells andtheold ones which have
been reopened has not increased the total very
much.
Oil has not shown the disposition to advance
in price at a rate corresponding to the decline
in the supply. Owing to the limited transport
ation facilities the suppl) from the Russian
field cannot be increased to mako up for de
ficiency of any size in the American supply
sent to the European market. There is plenty
of oil In Russia and tho demand for it may
cause, sooner than expected, the construction
of a pipe line for Its transportation to tide
water. H. M. Flagler, the Secretary of the Standard
Oil Company, speaking of the report of Pew
Jt Emerson's operations, said: "We have heard
nothing of their opposition to us in storing,
piping and refining Ohio oil. I don't think they
are known in the trade. At least I don't know
them. If they can successfully refine the Ohio
oil they can do what we have not been able to
do. I wish we had back tho money we ex
pended in the effort."
SHE FOUGHT THREE WILDCATS.
A Flacky Llttlo Woman's SinIe-Haudcd
and Successful Strngale.
II and AN, Dak., January 9. On a farm 10
miles west of here lives Charles Casperdone
with his family, consisting of a wife and two
little boys. On Sunday night, while Mr. Cas.
perdone was at Mandan, the chicken-roost was
visited by wildcats. When Mrs. Casperdone
heard the noise she bounced out of bed,
grasped an ax and sallied forth.
At the door of the hennery she encountered
a wildcat, which sprang at her, catching one of
its claws in her leit arm and lacerating it ter
ribly. Pushing the animal away, she struck it
a blow which rendered It unconscious. An
other of the cats sprang at her, seizing the calf
of her right leg, and cutting it severely with
his teeth. Mrs. Casperdonelaimed a blow at
the beast, which mised, but the animal be
came frightened and ran into the woods.
The third cat, whieh had been crouching in a
corner, then sprang upon tho plurky little
woman, getting its teeth entangled in her cloth
ing and tearing it almost Into shreds. She suc
ceeded in pushing the infuriated animal from
her, and, as it sprang at her throat the second
timp, dealt it a blow which killed it Mrs. Cas
perdone was so overcome that she fell in a
faint, and was found thereby a neighbor who
had been summoned by one of the boys. She
is still suffering from her wounds, but will re
cover unless blood poisoning sets in.
SHORT EVENING SESSIONS.
The Honso Hcnrs a rrnycr Senator Rntan
Spnres Dclnney for a Day.
Special Telegram to the Dispatch.
HAnniSBUno, January 9. Speaker Boycr
was not ready to announce his committees to
night and the House, after, listening to the in
vocation of the chaplain, adjourned until to
morrow. The Grangers started their fleht against the
Chicago meat kings through Senator Brown by
having a bill introduced intended to stop the
importation of dressed meats, which is said to
be seriously hurting the cattle interests of
Pennsvlvania. Worthy Master Rhone, of the
State Grange, sat by Senator Brown when the
repressive measure was introduced.
Ill health prevented Senator Rutan from get
ting to the Senate chamber to make his prom
ised revelation.
QUAY'S WORD IS LAW.
He Notifies TIN Men Tlmt Prohibition Most
bn Voted on Next Summer.
Special Telegram to the Dispatch.
Habeisbubo, January 9. The vote on the
prohibition amendment will betaken at a spe
cial election next summer. Colonel Quay hav
ing given notice that he wants the Legislature
to snbmit the amendment to the people before
the November election. The Republican mem
bers of the Legislature are already being told
of Quay's wishes in this matter, and they will
yield obedience to him.
Lick Qnay, the Senator's son, is said to be
bearer of a message from his father suggest
ing that tho Legislature provide for the sub
mission of the prohibitory amendment to the
voters of the State at a special election.
A STRANGE CASE.
now a Delicate Surgical Operation Saved a
Boy's Life.
Greensboro, N. C, January 9. One of the
most remarkable accidents on record occurred
yesterday at this place. A young lad named
Orrell, in running through a field, ran against
acucklebnrrbusli. and. as he was drawing in
hi breath at the time, one of the burrs was in
lnled into the larynx, producing great pain and
danger of immediate suffocation. Physicians
were summoned and found it necessarv to per
forin tracheotomv so the patient could breathe.
At last accounts the boy w as doing w ell.
CONFERRED WITH BLAINE.
General Agnus lias No Desire for a Cabi
net Position.
Special Telegram to the Dispatch.
Washington, January 9. Gen.Felix Agnus,
of the Baltimore Amerian, came to this city
thismorningand shortly after noon called upon
and remained closeted for some time with Mr.
James G. Blaine. This led to a report that
General Agnus was to bo considered in con
nection with a Cabinet position, but that gen
tleman assured the correspondent of The Dis
PATrn that his viit was only a friendly one
and bad no bearing whatever on the question
of the Cabinet.
The conference took place at the Hotel
Normandy, where Sir. Blaine has arranged for
a suite of rooms which he expects to occupy
with his family to-morrow.
Noff'i England's Chance.
From Life.2
If England desires a casus belli with Ger
many, it ought to be found in the following ex
tract, concerning a state ceremony, from a
South German newspaper:
"After him came Lord Salisbury on his head; a
white hat on his feet: larjre. weil-lilacked boots on
his brow; a dark cloud in his hand; the unavoida
ble walklnfr-stick In his eyes; a threatening look
in gloomy silence. '
The editor ot the newspaper claims that the
seeming reflection upon the dignity of the En
glish Premier is only the result of indifferent
punctuation on the part of the proofreader;
but England is not obliged to accept this ex
planation. '
Church Orgnn Inaugural.
The new organ of the Point Breeze Presby
terian Church will be dedicated to uso on Fri
day evening next by a grand inaugural concert.
A choice programme has been arranged under
tbe direction of Mr, Clarence Eddy, who will
be assisted by the jfnllowing well known musi
cians: Miss Mamie Reuck, violinist; Mrs. Adah
S. Thomas and Prof. Everson, soloists, and the
Alpine quartet, consisting of Messrs. D. E.
JS'uttall. W. K. Haines, W. S. Weeden, John
A. Strauss; Sam. M. Brown accompanist.
A Lost Gns Line Recovered.
The Bellevue Gas Company's line, which re
cently rolled overboard into the Ohio while
resting on barges, was fisheti up yesterday and
the connections made. It was quite a difficult
piece of work, and laborers have been at it for
over a week.
Church Lecture on tbe Life of Christ.
Mrs. E. H. Monroe will g:ve her celebrated
lecture on the "Life of Christ," in the Cen
tenary M. E. Church, this evening at 8 o'clock.
Fifty stereopticon views will be exhibited on a
canvas containing 400 square feet of surface.
One of these views Is Munkacsy's "Christ Be
fore PiUte," colored as in the original.
Two Good Reasons.
The Fort Pitt Natural Gas Company will sell
its oil leases near Crafton. Some of the com
pany object to touching tbe oil question, and
besides, th charter prohibits it.
SUPREME COURT OWLS.
Birds of Wisdom Perched on tho Hlgh
Bncked Chairs of the Justices.
From the Philadelphia Record.
Two little owls are perched on tho back of
each of the chairs in which the Supreme Court
Justices sit in their apartments at tho City
ilall. They look down upon tho Court witn
preternatural solemnity and never blink. Tho
new chairs are of dark mahogany, with un
usually high backs, and in place of the leather
there is old-fashioned horsehair both on the
seats and backs. The most surprising Xhing
about the chairs, however, are the little owls
on each.
These birds aro rather a novelty in Phila
delphia courtrooms,' and Colonel Greene, the
prothonotary of the court, was asked yester
day why they had been placed on tbe chairs,
whether they were supposed to typify the wis
dom which characterizes the decisions of the
Supreme Court, or what the reason was for
their being there.
"Ob, those owls," he replied; "I don't know
who ordered them to be pnt there. You see,
the chairs are copied after those used in the
rooms of the Supremo Court at Pittsburg, and
they have owls on them. I don't know whose
idea it was originally. The owl, you know, was
the pet bird of Minerva, tbe Goddes of Wis
dom, and their reputation for wisdom is prob
ably the reason for their being placed on the
chairs."
Another curious thing about these Supreme
Court chairs is tbe absence from the State coat-of-arms,
which they bear, of the horses that
are usually depicted as being particularly
rampant. Colonel Greene could throw no light
upon the omission of these noble animals from
the crest
ERIE ETCHINGS.
A Tour of Investigation A Division In
the
G. A. R.
Special Telegram to the Dispatch.
Erie, Pa., January 9. A committee com
prising several Councilmen and contractors of
Akron, O., came here to-day on a tour of in
vestigation. Akron is about to have its streets
paved, and tho committee came here to inspect
the Barber Asphalt pavement, and wont from
here to Buffalo, and from there will visit
Scranton, Wilkesbarre, Philadelphia andHar
rieburg. The County Commissioners have elected
officers as follows: Chairman, "W. R, Wade, of
Elgin; Solicitor, D. A. Sawdy: Erie County
Plijsiclan, Dr. Delaney, and Commissioners'
Clerk, Giles D. Price. The Poor Directors
elected Henry Dunn, President; J. A. Robinson,
Secretary; Dr. Seward, County Physician, and
Colonel Gould, Solicitor.
There is a quiet movement on foot in certain
Grand Armv circles to defeat tbe election of
General D. B. McCreary as Department Com
mander of the G. A. R. next month. The feel
ing against the General grew out of his in
dorsement of Major J. W. Walker, of Erie, for
a place in the Soldiers and Sailors' Home
Commission. All the posts in tbe Northwest
ern part of the State bavo indorsed the Gen
eral for Department Commander.
A SLAI1 AT WANAMAKEE.
Senator Vest Donbts the Genuineness
of
His Advocacy of American Lnbor.
Washington, D. C January 9. During the
discussion of the tariff in the Senate to-day
Mr. V est interrupted the reading at paragraph
375 (in relation to velvets and plushes, includ
ing ribbons), and asked whether that was the
item involved in tho suit between Mr. John
Wacamaker, of Philadelphia, and the Govern
ment He said that Mr. Wanamaker's conten
tion was that ribbons came in under another
clause in regard to trimmings for bonnets
which paid a less duty. He saw by to-day's
papers that tho suit had been decided in favor
of Mr. Wanamakcr, and that an appeal had
been ttken to the Supreme Court He had
also seen it stated that Mr. Wanamaker was
manufacturing such goods in Berlin, although
he was one of the most distinguished advocates
of American labor and American workmen.
Mr. Aldrich stated that the suit referred to
was in reference to the proper construction of
paragraph 413, in schedule , of existing law.
The defect in existing law was radically cured
by tho substitute.
SHE SWALLOWED A PIN.
How Doctors Managed to Snntch Annlo
Riley From tho Grave.
Philadelphia, January 9. Little Annie
Riley, aged 4, is at the Children's Hospital in
as comfortable a condition as a child can be who
who had a three-inch shawl-pin with a largo
brass head on the inside of her throat for 11
days. Annie swallowed the shawl-pin on
Christmas day. She did not say anything
about it for fear of punishment by her
mother. So sharp was this fear
that when the doctor was called into
her father's house. No. 742 North Thirty-sixth
street, she said it was only a little pin which sho
bad swallowed, and that it no longer troubled
her. Spasms of coughing continued, however,
and the little girl was taken to the hospital.
There, as she grew no better, tracheotomy was
performed, and a violent fit of coughing super
vening, the tube which had been Inserted after
the operation was removed. The point of tbe
pin then revealed itself to the astonished
doctors. It was easily taken out, and the child
will soon be out of the hospital.
UNCLE SAM DELINQUENT.
New York Election Officers Making a Rig
Kick for Their Pay.
Fpeclal Telegram to the Dlsnatch.
New York, January 9. The Deputy United
States Marshals and Supervisors of Elections
here wish Uncle Sam to pay them some $100,000
right off, for their services at the last election.
Uncle Sam, as represented by Attorney Gen
eral Garland, is giving little attention to their
loud demands, they say.
Marshal McMahon thinks the deputies will
be obliged to wait for their wages until Con
cress makes the necessary appropriation, "al
though many of them are unable to meet their
obligations and are suffering actual hardships"
on account of Uncle Sam's delinquency. John
I. Davenport is made the scapegoat for the
troubles of the supervisors. He refuses to fur
nish lists of them without being paid 25 cents
per folio. Marshal McMahon tells how scandal
ous this charge is in a half-column interview in
an afternoon paper to-day.
Domestic Democracy.
From the New York World, 1
Lillie Devereux Blako says that the word
"obey" should be omitted from tho marriage
service. Fashionable society 13 beginning to
agree with her, for many of the brides of the
last few months failed to promise obedience to
their husbands as they stood at the altar. Per
haps the time is not far distant when it will be
the custom for tho bridegroom to repeat the
word which so many brides at present find ob
noxious. Domestic democracy majr not prove
practicable. A family must have a court of
last resort
A Biff Morlcage Recorded.
Special Teleeram to the Dlsnatch.
Erie, January 9. A $200,000 bond and mort
gage was recorded here to-day against the Erie
Electric Motor Company in favor of the Cen
tral Trust Company, of New York. The loan
was effected for the purpose of completing the
Erie City Passenger itailwav, which has a paid
np capital of $400,000. The bonds are of the de
nomination of $1,000, 0 per cents, maturing in
30 years.
Ex-President Tluycs Entertained.
Special Teleyram to the Dispatch.
New York. January 9. The executive part
of the Centennial Committee entertained
Rutherford B. Hajes, of Ohio, as its guest at a
meeting to-day. After the meeting the com
mittee took Mr. Hayes to a reception given by
the Entertainment Committee on Army and
States to visiting committeemen.
An Involuntnry Acrobat.
Special Teiepram to the Dispatch.
New York, January 9. Samuel Smith fell
from the elevated railway track this morning.
He keeled a complete somersault, and struck
the pavement in sitting posture. An examina
tion at a hospital showed that he had suffered
only a big bruise on his body. He returned to
work this afternoon.
A Doctor in Five Weeks.
From the New York World.!
Cincinnati, O., has a medical college wbich
turns out a graduate in five weeks. There may
come a time when a man can drop a nickel in
tbe slot ana obtain a doctor's diploma.
For Stcnllna From n Jmlge.
Detective Roger O'Mara yesterday charged
Mary Hurley with stealing some wearing ap
parel from tbe bouse of Judge Magee last Sun
day. She was sent to jail in default of $500.
Crushed attfae Black Diamond.
James Albertsom who lives on Forty-fourth
street, bad his tiot crushed in the Black
Diamond Steel Works yesterday.
DIVORCE LAWS IK ENGLAKD.
Tho Effect of Providing Greater Facilities
for Obtaining Judicial Separation.
From the London Standard.
But the figures now before us are quite suffi
cient to indicate what a great effect the divorce
act of 1857 has had in shaking tbe sanctity of
the marriage vow. From the Reformation un
til the year 1867 the total number of divorces
obtained by acts of Pailiament was 317. Ot
these, considerably over half were passed in
the first 57 years of the present century, the
average even in that period being only a little
over three a year.
The contrast between these figures and the
number of applications for dissolution of mar
riage made to the Divorce Court during tho
past 80 years is most striking. In the first ten
years, 185S-67, after the passage of Lord West
bury's act, it would appear that soma 2,188 pe-'
titions for dissolution of marriage were filed,
and 536 petitions for judicial separation.
During tho next decennial period, lS68-77,the
petitions for divorce numbered 3,272, an in
crease of about 50 per cent on the number re
corded in the previous ten years, while those
for judicial separation rose to 927, an increase
of 72 per cent. In the ten years 1K78-S7 4,761 ap
plications for divorce and 1.230 for judicial
separation were filed, the increase, compared
with the period 1863-77, being over 45 per cent
in the case of the former and 32 per cent in
that of the latter. It thus appears that in the
30 years 1S5S-S7 no fewer than 10,221 petitions
were filed for dissolution of marriage and 2,603
for judicial separation.
Theso figures clearly indicate tho effectwhlch
the great facilities "for obtaining divorces
afforded by the act of 1857 have had upon the
morals of tbe people. Not only has the offense
for which divorce is granted come to be very
lightly regarded but it would seem that tho
easy dissolubility of marriages has led to their
being entered into with considerable reckless
ness. There is. indeed, no doubt, as Lord Jus
tice Stowell once observed, "that the knowl
edge of persons united in marriage must con
tinue husbands and wives often makes them
good husbands and wives, for necessity is a
powerful master in teaching tbe duties which
it imposes."
NEW LIBEL LAWPE0P0SED.
The Michigan Press AsocintIon Outlines a
Bill For Ibo Legislature.
Lansing, January 9. The Michigan Press
Association, in session here to-night, unani
mously approved a draft for a new
libel law which will be put be
foro the Legislature at once. Tho
bill provides that the mere publication
of a libel shall not be presumptive of malice,
and that the burden of proof of malice shall
rest on the plaintiff. In the absence of malice
only actual damages shall be awarded, and no
exemplary or punitive damages. No action
shall be brought unless the plaintiff shall first
ask for retraction and allow reasonable time in
which to publish such retraction. Proof of
such retraction or correction shall be admissi
ble in evidence on the question of good faith
of the defendant and in reduction of damages.
It shall be unlawful for any attorney to con
duct an action for libel for a contingent fee or
on any understanding that he shall receive part
of the damages as bis compensation, nor snail
he advance money to his client or incur any
liability in the case.
TO LASSO ALLIGATORS.
Fire Small Dots From Brooklyn Stnrt Out
to Seek Adventures.
Special Telepram to the Dispatch.
New York, January 9. Arthur Redding,
Albert Stovens,John Fleischman, and Fred and
Harlow Sparks, all about 13 years old, started
for Florida from Brooklyn yesterday to shoot
alligators. They carried two big and two small
revolvers, five knives and a small lariat They
had S5 50 in cash. Eight miles down the Penn
sylvania railway track they found a freight
train standing. They pried open a freight car
and got in. They were carried on to New
Brunswick, N. J., where they decided to put
up for the night
A detective in citizen's clothes gained their
confidence enough to learn their plans. Ho
promised to let them sleep all night in ham
mocks if they would go to the police head
Suarters with him. They did it This morning
le detective brought them home.
MORMONS MAKE POOR CITIZENS.
Governor "West Opposes the Admission of
Utah as a State.
Washington, January 9. Mr. C. W. West
who was appointed Governor of Utah by Presi
dent Cleveland, appeared before the House
Committee on Territories to-day to oppose the
admission of Utah as a State. This
sentiment he says, is indorsed by near
ly every non-Mormon or Gentile in
the Territory. Governor West bases his ob
jection on the ground that the Mormons aro
unfitted to exercise the rnrtits of American
citizenship. He favors leaving it as a Terri
tory, but so amending the law as to greatly
abridge tbe power of the Mormon Church. He
says the Mormons have no political convictions,
bnt affiliate with the party which is the most
useful to them, whether it bo the Republican
or Democratic party.
A MORMON FUNERAL.
The Late William Morris Goes to Heaven
Via Salt Lake City.
Special Telegram to the Dispatch.
New York, January 9. William Morris, a
Mormon, died of asphyxiation in Brooklyn three
days ago. Yesterday his friends celebrated his
funeral with Mormon rites. Some 20 men and
more women sang over bis coffin. Everyone
present who had known Mr. Morris, told all
they knew about Mr. Morris' life. Then an
elder in tho Brooklyn Mormon Church de
scribed what a good timo Mr. Morris was hav
ing in the Mormon heaven. The body was sent
by express to Elders Richards and Morris in
Salt Lake City.
PENNYPACKER PLACED.
Governor Beaver Places a Mnn Named by
Quay on the Bench.
Special Telegram to tbe Dispatch.
Habrisburg, January 9. Governor Beaver
this evening appointed Quay's candidate,
Samuel W. Pennypacker, for a Judge of the
Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia, in
place of Judge Mitchell, elected a member of
the Supreme Court at tho last election. Pen
nypacker is a distant relative of Quay.
The nomination will be confirmed to-morrow
if two-thirds of the Senators are in their seats.
Journeymen Plasterers' Demands.
The Journeymen Plasterers' Protective Asso
ciation has issued a notice to the bos plasterers
to the effect that on and after the first Monday
in August, 1889. the members will do no plaster
ing, work on lath driven by lathers. Only union
plasterers must be employed, but boss plas
terers and apprentices are not included. Frank
Edgen is President of tbe Plasterers' Union.
Filibustering In Consress.
Washington, D.C., January 9. Mr. Weaver.
of Iowa, who desires his Oklahoma bill acted
upon before any other business is accomplished
in the House, to-day raised the point of no
guorum immediately after the House met. The
peaker sustained tbe point, and directed tbe
clerk to call the rolh The filibustering con
tinued until 3:30 P. M., when the House ad
journed. Want a Netv Connty.
Special Telcsram to the Dispatch.
Harbisburg, January 9. Ex-Representa-tize
Boyle, Mino Inspector Rhoderick, and At
torney Kline, of Hazletnn, are here to secure
legislation taking the Fourth Legislative dis
trict out of Luzerne and a slice from Schuyl
kill county to form a new county.
A Broken Leg nnd Thiab.
Thomas Mulveyhill, of Alpine avenue, Alle
gheny, fell down a flight of stairs in front of
his residence last evening and broke his left
leg at tho tbigb. He was taken to the Alle
gheny General Hospital in the patrol wagon.
Dend Brnt Sucar.
From the New York World.i
The sugar used by the electric refining
swindlers was distinctly dead beat sugar.
THEATRICAL NOTES.
Manager Wilt proposes to give a benefit
on next Wednesday afternoon, for tho sufferers
in yesterday's accident. He will devote his
share of tbe receipts from the matinee per
formance to this purpose, and ha' telegraphed
to Prof. Herrmann asking if he will do as much
on bis part. A favorable reply Is looked for.
The Grand Opera House box office opens to
day tor the sale of seats for the Herrmann en
gagement. AT Harris' Theater, "Lights o' London" is
drawing crowds so large tbat the "standing
room only" sign is exhibited at almost every
performance. The Rose Hill Folly Company
is equally successful in filling the Academy
with people every night.
Kate Castleton, in her new and success
ful play, "A Paper DoH,' will be the attrac
tion at the Bijou next week. The sale of seats
begins to-day.
COAL ON THE PKEE LIST.
Senator Vest Wants to Take the Doty On"
Bituminous Coal.
WASnrXGTOX, D. C, January 9. In the
Senate Mr. Vest moved to amend paragraph
393, taxing coal (bituminous and shale) 75 cents
per ton, by making It free. He argued that coal
as well as lumber should be free.
Mr. Gorman opposed the amendment The
Senator from Missouri, he said, proposed to put
coal on the free list and to strike down all the
bituminous coal interests east of the Alle
ghenies, knowing as he did very well that the
hltuminona coal of Maryland wonld not, on ac
count of the cost of transportation, come into
competition with coal in Illinois and Indiana.
The"Senator from Missouri would find the
lesson of the past repeated, and that was that
whenever the old declarations of the Demo
cratic party were departed from, whenever tho
declaration made In the Democratic platform
of 18S4 was departed from, so long that party
would remain the party of the minority.
Mr. Vest replied to Mr. Gorman, and said
that the Demociat who flinched now from the
principles of the party on this subject of the
tariff, gave up his flag and could not justify
hirnselftbefore the country. Democrats had
to stand by their position in the last canvass,
whether they were willing to do it or not.
Mr. Voorhees also opposed the amendment
Tho Mills bill had been indorsed by the Demo
cratic National Convention, and the Dill con
tinued me amy oi 10 cents per ton on Ditumm
ous coal. Other Senators could do as they
ch'se, but be should Btand by the authorized
declaration of his party.
Finally the vote was taken on Mr. Vest's
amendment to put bituminous coal on tho free
list, and it was rejected yeas, 11; nays, 31.
THE CELEBRATED CLEVELAND MAXm.
The Approaching Centennial ot the Origin
of a Famous Phrase.
From the New York Snn.l
The record of the celebrated Cleveland
maxim, therefore, as ascertained to date, is
shown in tbe following synopsis:
1790 Lord Loughborough "Public ofllce a place
of public trust."
1S64 Justice Field "Public offices are trusts held
solely for the public
good.'1
1ST8 Democratic Platform "Offices are not a pri
vate perquisite, they
area public trust."
1S77 Judge Cooley "Public office is a public
trust."
1882-D. B. Eaton "Public office is a public
trust."
1832 Lalor's Cyclopedia "Public office Is a public
trust."
1835-drover Cleveland "Public offlcelsapabUc
trust."
1883-Johu James Ingalls-Public office is a private
snap.
We shall welcome any information tending
to show that the idea was distinctly formu
lated before Lord Loughborough's time, when
it had apparently already come to be regarded
as a common law maxim. In the lack of such
evidence, we venture to assume that Lough
borough is the author and that the maxim at
tributed to Mr. Cleveland is 99 years old.
A CONJURER'S EEAT.
The Remarkable Trick Which Warn Cleverly
Performed by a Parsee.
From the San Francisco Examiner.!
I saw a remarkable conjuring trick per
formed by a Parsee on a voyage from London
to Calcutta. He was a small landowner travel
ing for pleasure, and had taken up conjuring
for amusement. He asked for a rupee. We
all inspected it; it was a genuine rupee. Then
he gave it to a gentleman to hold and asked
him to think of a country in Europe.
After a moment's pause the gentleman who
held the coin said he had thought of a country.
"Then open your band," said the juggler.
"See what you bavo got, and tell me if it is a
coin of the country you thought of."
It was a five-franc piece, and our friend had
thought of France. He was going to hand the
coin to the Parsee, but the latter said:
"No; pass it to another sahib." As 1 hap-
Eened to be the nearest the five-frank piece was
anded to me. I looked closelv at it. Then,
shutting my hands, thought of America. AVhen
I opened it I found a Mexican dollar. This I
handed to :ho gentleman on my right, who in
turn thought of Russia, and. on opening bis
hand, found a Russian silver piece in place of
the Mexican dollar. The juggler performed
several other tricks during the voyage, but they
were of a commonplace kind and in no way
comparable to the coin trick, which I have
never seen rivaled.
MR. CfllLDS BAY OP SUNSHINE,
It Pierced the Dark Clouds Tlmt Huns Over
a City Editor's Ilcnd.
From the Philadelphia Kecord.1
Every cloud has a silver lining, and so it ha3
proved in tho case of Mr. Robert McWade,
the city editor of the Public Ledger, .vhose
home at Wayne was destroyed by tiro on
Saturday last. After years of toil Mr.
McWade had secured a fine home and
a library of rare merit The labor of
a lifetime was swept away in less
than an hour, and McWade wa3 left on Sun
day in about tbe same condition that he
started some years ago. On Monday last a
gleam of sunshine pierced the dark clouds
when Mr. Geor e V. Childs, proprietor of the
Public Ledger, and Mr. McWade's employer,
kindly Informed the unfortunate editor that he
would restore his home and make the waste
place at Wayne blossom again as the rose, and
defray all the expenses.
A POPULAR EECT0E
Chosen as General Missionary for theUnited
States by Episcopalians.
Special Telegram to tbe Dispatch.
Erie, January 9. A telegram received here
to-night notifies Rev. G. A. Carstensen, rector
of St Paul's Episcopal Church, of his election
as General Missionary of the United States.
Rev. Carstcnsen is of Danish birth. He lsla
gentlman of fine education, and Is one of the
ablest preachers in the church. He is a yonng
man, and is peculiarly adapted for general
missionary work. His salary as General Mis
sionary will be $4,000 a year and expenses. Mr.
Carstcnsen stands highly in Masonic circles,
and, in addition to being a Knight Templar, is
one of the Grand Chaplains of the Grand Lodge
of Pennsylvania.
SCARLET FEVER IN FINDLAT.
Children In the TabUc School Affected
Fenrs of an Epidemic.
Special Teleeram to the Dispatch.
Findlat, O., January 9. Scarlet fever in a
malignant form was discovered in this city to
day, and as the children affected were taken
out of the public scbool3 with the fever upon
them, fears are entertained that the disease
will become enidemic.
Tho Board of Health has been called in extra
ordinary session to provide measures to prevent
the disease preiaiugand to confine it within
its present boundaries.
Advising Kutnn to Lay Low.
Representative J. L. Graham, of Allegheny,
returned to Harrisburg last night. Mr. Graham
expressed the hope that Senator Rntan would
not go Into any fights at present. His health
is not good, and tbe least excitement disturbs
his exceedingly sensitive nervous system.
Can't Find His Wife.
Joseph Nossek, of Sbaler township, reported
to tbe police yesterday that his wife Clara, bad
disappeared on Monday night about 10 o'clock.
He has been unable to find any trace of her,
and fears tbat she has met with an accident or
f onl play.
Panic In a School Room.
A slight explosion of natural gas in room No.
12 of the Third ward school, Allegheny, caused
a panic among tbo pupils. No ono was in
jured. MEDICAL ADVICE GRATIS.
To avoid indulging in the wretched habit of
snoring keep awake.
To bring on a f reo perspiration, wear an over
coat during tbe month of July.
A JIIACKSNAKE whip, properly applied,
never fails to act as a strong stimulant.
Sufferers from cold feet have been known
to obtain relief by putting them near tbe stove.
To bring r. healthy color to the face, draw on
a boot a couple of sizes too small for your foot.
Ladies desiring the removal of superfluous
hairs from their face should go to a barber and
get shaved.
Persons afflicted with aching teeth should
visit a dentist and obtain a new Bet. iV, Y.
Evening Sun.
Biliousness, especially when caused by
high living, may be remedied by living at a
cheap boarding house.
Scarlet fever patients should go to the
Gulf coast for a change if they desire to change
their fever to the yellow brand.
To cool the blood, shut yourself np in a re
frigerator for an hoar. This has not only been
known to cool the blood, bnt the flesh and
bones as well.
CUBI0USC0NMSATI01S,,
An Italian family In Boston
made
$4,500 a year grinding hand-organs.
The Falls of Niagara carrr down 10,
000,000 cubic feet of water per minute, equal to
about 3,000,000 horse power.
Sacramento, Cal., has passed an ordi
nance making it unlawful for any person under
17 years of age to smoke cigarettes within the
city limits.
Mrs. M. S. "Wolf, of Delaware, O., got
a mother's best Christmas present. Her son,
whom she had mourned as a victim of the war,
returned home on Christmas morning.
It is stated that the TJnited States Gov
ernment has paid more money in the investiga
tion of the disease of hogs than it has for aR
the diseases affecting the human race.
A book published in 1832 describes the
devil fish as a fish from 10 to 30 feet long, with
a single horn on either side or the head. The
real monster had not been seen up to that
date.
A butterfly was recently seen flying
about a Hartford, Conn., garden above a bed
of English violets In bloom. Even as the ill
timed voyager disappeared over a wall, the air
was growing colder and the winter sky was
darkening.
James Price, of Oconee, Ga., dreamed
that if he would go to Athens on the second
day after Christmas he would find a draft for
several hundred dollars awaiting bim. He
went and found tbe draft awaiting him ac
cording to his dream.
Probably the richest newsboy in tho
West is Moses Jacobs, who sells papers on the
streets of Des Moines, Ix He is 13 years old
and has sold newspapers for the last 14 years,
during which time he has acquired $4,000 worth
of real estate from his savings.
Ski running, a Scandinavian sport, la
becoming popular in Minnesota. The per
former slides down hill on long wooden skates,
or foot toboggans, and at a prepared jolt makes
a leap into space. Ninety-five feet is the long
est ski-jump on record in Norway.
Mr. Charles W. Coombs, taxidermist,
of Belfast, Me., in preparing to mount a great
horned owl, found the owl's body full of porcu
pino quills. The flesh was literally packed full
of them, as well as the roof of tbe mouth. Tha
owl evidently had dined on hedgehog.
A recent sight on the Norwich, Conn.,
town road was a lad leisurely riding a 3-year-old
Alderney bnll northward. Tbe bull bad a ring
in his nose, and the boy beld the other end of a
rope that was attached to the ring. The novel
steed plodded along as placid as yon please.
W. II. Howard, of Lexington, Ga., has
in his possession tbe brand that was used dur
ing the days of slavery for branding slaves who
were guilty of murder. It is a rudely con
structed "M" made of iron, which was heated
redhot and applied to the person, sometimes to
the cheek, of the one to be branded.
The poet "Whittier invariably receives
on his birthday a barrel of pitch pine kind
lings from the Whittier colored school at Tus
caloosa, Ala. The kindlings were accompanied
this year by two photographs one of the 200
children composing tho school and the other
of the children in the act of voting their thanks
to tbe poet.
Theodore Knapp, of Norwalk,Conn., ha3
in his restaurant a sea gull that was captured
down the harbor some weeks ago. The bird
seems perfectly contented, but it is not wise to
trifle with him. He has a very robust appetite,
and will eat two quarts of clams at a meal anil
then call for more. Another queer thicgabont
the bird is the fact that, after he has eaten two
quarts of clams, you can put his body in a
quart measure.
In a list of "the greatest living En
Iishmen." which has been compiled according;
to tbe votes of tbe readers of the Saturday
Journal, Tilr. Gladstone heads-the poll with
twice as many votes as has been given to Lord
Salisbury, who stands second. Mr. Gladstone's
number was nearly 400,000. Mr. Irving is be
tween Mr. Spurgeon and Mr. Chamberlain, who
will be pleased to learn that he received abouti
30,000 fewer votes than the actor.
Nitro-glycerine bids fair, say the doc
tors, to become an important remedy for dis
eases of the kidneys; and experiments are now
making in cases of Bright's disease. Nitro
glycerine of a pure quality, possessing all the
explosive powers of the substance, is prepared
in alcohol (which removes tho explosive qual
ity) in the proportion of one part of the nitro
glycerine to 99 of alcohol, and is then prepared
with sugar or milk in tablets. Thus prepared,
it is called "Trinitrin."
An absent-minded old gentleman of
Snmpter county, Georgia, bathed, shaved and
started for the depot after his wife, who had
been away on a visit He had forgotten the
time the train arrived, and she met him half
way home. She got into the buggy, and after
greeting him affectionately, said: "I'm glad
you didn't come clear to town. I shonld havo
been ashamed to ride with you." "Whyf" ho
asked, innocently. "Look at yourself," sho
replied. He was arrayed in bis underclothing.
Since electric lights were introduced in
Georgia large gray bugs have become common.
Tbey aro called electric bugs. The other'
evening John McLaughlin, of Savannah, was
sitting by an open window and one of these
bugs, about two inches long, flew in, and,,
lin picked it up to throw it out of the window
and the bug sunk its claws into his band. Ho
said tho sensation was as though several flsn
hooks were being pulled through the arm. Im
mediately his hand began to swell, and small
pimples appeared on bis hand, arm, and face
within 24 hours. For over a week the hand
and arm were very sore, and at ono time tha
case looked dangerous.
A tragi-comic romance lately occurred
at Buda-Pestb. A stripling of 17 fell in lova
with a girl three years his' junior, and the chil
dren were in such despair at the prospect of
having to wait so long before they could bo
married that they decided to commit snicidc.
After kissing each other farewell the couple
repaired to tbe Danube, and, with a fortitude
worhy of a better cause, the girl jumped in.
Fortunately she could swim, and availed her
self fully of her capabilities in tbat art. Sho
shrieked for "help," which was soon at hand.
Just as she was safely landed her lover aimed
three pistol sbot3 at himself, but none of them
took effect, and a quarter of an hour later tbe
young folks were handed over to their respect
ive parents.
Perry J. Chace, a retired Providence
merchant the owner of many houses and
various other buildings, a widower and a man
of 12 winters, recently decided that he wanted
a wife, and so he asked a lady friend of his if
she Knew ot any gooa woman aoout ms aga
whom he might marry. She said that Mrs.
Sarah A n Tilton, of Boston, was certainly
good, was S3 vears old and might possibly wish
to marry. "I'll see If she'll let you call on her,"
said the friend, "and if so will take you thero
and introduce you." When she saw Mrs. Tiltoa
tbe widow langhed at the idea, but said Mr.
Chace might call. At his socond call he pro
posed, at the third arrangements for the wed
ding were made and within three weeks from
the first call tbe venerable couple were mar
ried, and are now living happily in Providence.
TAKEJf FRODI LIFE.
Kich relatives are like wine. They grow
dearer with age.
The humorist who said the Potomac waa
running for Congress -was little familiar with pop
ular Congressional beverages.
A la Mode. Miss "W. (from Chicago)
Do you know, my dear, I think I shall have my
new dress made In the empire style.
The Western newspapers relate the case
of a dentist who tried to fill the teeth oTabuzzsiw.
He succeeded, so tbe Coroner thought.
An old motto is: "Start your boys on the
right track." That's easier said than done; it re
quires too much switching in some cases.
Madam (to applicant) Where was your
last place?
Applicant At the hossplttel, mom.
Madam Were you a nurse there?
Applicant .No, mem; I waa a smallpox pa
tient. A Faithful Heart Tumblethwaite had
proposed and been accepted, and as he slipped the
engagement ring upon her anger, he said, tremu
lously: "Darling, you will always wear It upon this An
ger, won't you?" and the girl, with a shy glance
of love, replied:
"Always, George, always when I am with
yon."
In the Music Boom, Sunday Evening.-
Mamma (at the piano) Now, Georgte, what shall
we sing something for Sunday, you know?
Ueorgie (after thought) Let's sing "Shall we
go in swimming."
Mamma Why, Georgle, there's no inch hymn
as that!
Gertie I guess, mamma, he means "Shall We
Gather at the Elver?"
"Gentlemen," said a member of a poker
party, suddenly but solemnly, "is it possible that
we have all forgotten that we're playing poker on
New Year's Eve?
A hnsh fell upon the room.
"Gentlemen," said Brown,as be rose from the
table, "you must excuse mo, lean play no more
to-night."
Presently another one dropped out, and In a
short time the room was empty, with 'the' excep
tion ofthe one who had "busted" them alli-.,-
-MJroi,X4J