OftTHE UPWARD TUBN Speculation and General Business Show Increased Activity. IRON HAS REACHED THE BOTTOM And Now Expects to Show Marked Signs of Improvement. EEPOETS OP BRADSTEEET AND DUN tSPECIAL TILZGRA.M TO THE DISFATCQ.l NewYobk, February 8. Special tele grams to Sradstreet's show moderate gains in the movement of general merchandise at Kansas City, New Orleans, St. Louis, Bos ton, Chicago and San Francisco, though no great activity is noted at them. The lower temperature of the week has had a good in fluence on the sale of seasonable goods. Jobbers are not specially inclined to add to their stocks in any line. Boots, shoes, pro visions, drygoods and agricultural imple ments at "Western centers have been in re lativelv most active request. At most cen ters, other than those noted, trade is gener ally dull or quiet. The colder weather at the East has not favorably influenced the building materials market. General trade at New York is fair to act ive. Groceries are in increased distribu tion, as is also rye whisky, which is higher, furniture and paints. Paper and cigar manufacturers are reported active. Local trade in paper and wool is quiet. The cold snap has interfered "with, building opera tions and depressed the demand for building materials. Large stocks of fruit, coal and manufactured rubber goods depress trade in above lines. HTCBEASED SPECULATION. Increased public and European buying and enlarged activity are the feature's in stock speculation. The advance of prices is mainly in the specialties. A decision in the Iowa railroad commissioners' case, un favorable to the railroads, depresses the granger shares. Bonds are very active and strong, though manipulative influences are at work in some quarters of this depart ment. Money at Ifew York is fairly easy. Call loans 22 per cent. At Chicago, New York exchange is at par. Funds arefirmer at Kansas City. For eign exchange is lower on buying of stocks by foreign investors. Demand sterling 54 88X 8S Bank clearings at 40 cities chow an increase of 19 per cent over last week, and 30 per cent over the week a year ago. Wheat has advanced some Z cents on the week, at Chicago about 6J4" cents on the week, and as ocean freights continue strong the outlook for shipping our 10,000, O00 or 12,000,000 bushels of surplus grain on the Atlantic seaboard is not bright. This is particularly true inasmuch as French, I English, German and Belgian wheat mar kets tend lower, with 22,000,000 bushels of wheat reported at Odessa available lor ex port. The reshipment of wheat west from New York for milling purposes character izes the scarcity of stocks at the interior. "WHEAT I1T BIGHT. Sradstreet's reports of visible stocks of Wheat east of the Rocky Mountains aggre gate 47,414,612 bushels February 1, a de ciease during January, 18S9, of 5,325,791 bushels 10 percent or more than 1,000,000 bushels per week. The decrease in Janu ary, 1888, was only 3,611,531 bushels 5 per cent about 700,000 bushels per week. One significance of the heavier decline last month lies in our having exported but 111,000 bushels of wheat from Atlantic ports during that period, against 1,468,000 bushels in January, 1888. Counting wheat and flour as wheat, the gross Atlantic ports January exports in 1889 were but 2,095,000 bushels, against 4.222,000 in 1888, yet the decline in the visible supply each week in January, 1889, was 50 per cent heavier than in January, 1888. Jobbers report a larger distribution of cotton and wool dress goods at the East. Prints, ginghams, all-wool dress goods and men's wear, woolens and worsteds note most relative improvement. A better export de mand for brown and bleached cottons 13 re ported by agents. Other lines note little change. Prices are generally firm. The cutting of ginghams' prices has infected jobbers in prints, and some makes have been reduced in the face of an otherwise strong market. Foreign dress goods note a special degree of activity at New York, and all late price advances are firmly held. Raw wool is steady, but without animation, owing to a mild "winter, and the practical failure of clothing woolens to advance in sympathy with the raw product. Some holders are granting concessions to dispose of surplus stocks. The wool-clip of 1889 promises a large yield and good quality. Eaw cotton is 3-16e higher. OUTLOOK FOE IKON. The Thomas Iron Company has fixed the price of forge iron at 515 25 for Northern and $15 for Southern. There has been a heavy demand for Southern forge iron, and it is just as well to recognize the fact Iron shows no improvement from last week, and is still dull. Steel rails have sold at $26, and are only nominally quoted at 27 at the mill in the East. Anthracite coal is ap parently in a very unsatisfactory condition. Jt isn't easy to learn the facts where a busi ness is as closely held as this one, but stocks at tide water are very heavy, the market is clogged, buyers refuse to place orders and many operators are discouraged. Some have shut down and others have threatened to do so. Sugar refiners were enabled to add to stocks of rawsowing to free arrivals. Im porters stocks haven't been increased much, and prices were not depressed. Refined sugar is about steady. Estimates of the Brazilian coffee crop have increased, and interest In the option market has declined. Prices have gone off a little, closing about steady. Really attractive goods have not been freely offered this week, and the dis tribution is less active. Business failures reported to Sradstreet's number 265 in the United States this week, against 294 last week, and 234 this week last year. Canada had 46 this week; 53 last week. The total of failures in the United States, January 1, to date is 1,871, against 1,686 in 1SS8. A CHANGE FOE THE BETTER. B. G. Dun & Co. See an Improvement In General Business. New York, February 8. E. G. Dun & Co.'s weekly review of trade says: The average price of commodities has taken a turn upward dnnng the past week. The ad vance has been abont 1 per cent in the aggre gate, and is shared about equally by specula tive and non-speculative articles. Outside New York the payments through Clearing Houses in January covers about IS per cent larger than last year, and the colder weather tends to re move an important cause of depression. Pork lias declined hlf a dollar per barrel, lard a fraction, and hogs 15c per 100 pounds, half a cent in corn and a cent in oats. Wheat has risen 2Jc, on reports that a power! nl combina tion at Chicago has cornered May delivery, and the margin between New York and Chicago prices has grown wider, Chicago being higher. The highly artificial nature of Western prices needs no other proof than the fact that, in spite of this difference, wheat Is still shipped Irom the West and Chicago to New York. Oil has advanced c and cotton K&. The iron trade is thought by some to have touched bottom. The Thomaslron Company has named 115 80 as its contract price for grey forge, equal to flS for Southern iron at tidewater, but has not yet decided upon its opening price for the foundry grades. Borne Southern sellers have withdrawn from the market, and except for Bessemer nig no further depression in price ap pears. No change appears in rails. Coal is phenomenally dull, and many colleries are stopping. The syndicate's stock of foreign copper increased 4,300 tons in January. Tin is steady, and the latest sale ol lead was at $3 75. Business is almost everywhere called quiet, but when comparisons are made some excess over the last year is usually observed. There it nowhere complaint as to the supply of money. The Government report makes the volume of money in circulation $1,408,000,000, against 1.400,000,000 January 1, the larger in crease being in gold certificates, and the prin cipal decrease in silver and bank notes. Dur ing the past week the Treasury has added $3,000,000 to the circulation. The stock market has Deen stronger. A general change in tone has come. The final decision of Judge Brewer adverse, to the Iowa railroads is of consequence, not only to them, but to others which have hoped that the principles of his earlier decision would shield them against State enactments. Re ports of cutting of rates are more definite and frequent. The earnings are still large, and there is a growing belief that improvement will m some way result for shareholders. Foreign trade continues large, and for five weeks imports show a gain over last year of 8.2 per cent, and exports a gain of 17 per cent. The business failures number 30J, as com parea with a total of 332 last week and 342 the week previous. For the corresponding week of last year the figures were 289. A BOARD OP TRADE BUILDING, Wherein All Oor Commercial Organizations Can Meet, is Projected. Messrs. G. W. C. Johnston and C. F. Horning arc at the head of a committee of business men Tho issue a call upon other prominent citizens to co-operate in the con struction of a Board of Trade building for Pittsburg. What they say they want is set forth thus: A commercial center where the different branches of business shall be represented, a central business home or Board of Trade.whero merchant, manufacturer and shipper can come into closer business relations, acquire and dis seminate valuable commercial and economic information and promote a uniformity in all transactions, and inculcate principles of justice and equity in trade. It is proposed to secure a central location and erect a suitable building, similar to those occupied by Boards of Trade in other cities. It will be of such size as will conveniently accommodate the various busi ness interests of Pittsburg, such as Chamber of Commerce, Grain and Flour Exchange, Coal Exchange, Iron Exchange, Coke Indus try, Builders' Exchange, Grocers' Exchange. They want to have one building for all, where each can transact their respective business; likewise to have one main room, offices for the various brokers, railroad representatives, and representatives of other branches of business. The stock, like that of similar institu tions in cities such as Chicago, St. Louis, Cincinnati, New York, etc.would in a short time, they think, have a large commercial value. DR. TIXCEST WILL ATTEND. The Great Chnutauquan to Teach at n Sab bath fechool Institute. A Sabbath school institute will be held in the First United Presbyterian Church, Allegheny, next week, beginuing Monday evening, and closing Thursday evening. At the opening session addresses will be de livered by Eev. J. M. Fulton, D. D., and Eev. B. T. yincent, D. D., of Akron, O. On each of the three succeeding days, fore noon, afternoon and evening sessions will be held, beginning at 9.30 A. M., 2:30 P. M., and 730 P. M. respectively. The time of each forenoon and afternoon session will be divided between a normal class drill on a succession of Biblical topics, addresses on practical Sabbath school topics, actual class drill, the answering of queries by experienced Sabbath school workers, etc. The normal drill will be conducted main ly by Dr. B. T. Vincent, whose work is well known to those who have attended the Chautauqua Assemblies. Eev. Wilbur F. Crafts, author of "The Sabbath for Man," and present Secretary of the American Sab bath Union, will present a number of addresses on important subjects, and Mrs. "W. F. Crafts will present practical plans for the primary department, "Seven Lamps of Teaching," teach the lesson for Sabbath, February 17 to children, etc. A PBOMNENT POLITICIAN CURED. Given Up by tbe Doctors, Ills Daughter Adopted the Faith Method. rSriCIAL TELEGKAM TO THE DISPATCH. Cantos, February 8. A so-called case of cure by the Christian science method, which has a number of firm believers here among a class of intellectual and devoutly religious ladies, is claimed in the person of Uriah Feather, whom the doctors gave up some days ago. Mr. Feather is a retired capitalist and a Republican politician, aged about 70 years, and is well known through out the State. When the attending physicians said his death was only the question of a few days, his daughter, Mrs. John Allen, and Mrs. Angie Manley, believers in the Christian science mode of treatment took charge of the case and their patient is rapidly recov ering, and will be able to be about in a few days. The ladies attribute Mr. Feather's recovery to their treatment, but the skeptics refuse to be converted. Several similar cases of alleged cure by this method have previously occurred here. Sentiment Growing-. Alderman Leslie returned yesterday from the temperance conference at Harrisburg. He hopes to see all the State societies or ganize on the issue of prohibition. A meet ing will be field in the Twenty-fifth Street M. E. Church on Sunday. At the regular meeting, February 6, 1889, of the Board ot Managers of the Ilome for Aged Protestant Women the following ac tion of the board was ordered published: "In the death of Mrs. Anna E. Bennett the Board of Managers of the Home for Aged Protestant Women mourn the loss of another of the original members of the board. "Faithful in the conscientious perform ance of her duties, markedly charitable -in her judgments of the action and motives; .of others, zealous in all good works to which she put her hand, a woman worthy of all commendation has passed from the sorrows, cares and disappointments of life to that peace and joy that remaineth for the chil dren of God. "Though her chair will be vacant at our meetings, her memory will be ever preent with us, for years of association in the work of the institution had so endeared her to us that we feel her loss rather as a dear mem ber of a family than as a mere associate in public work. "While our hearts are sorrowful at her death, yet our sympathies go out to her fam ily, whose bereavement is so much greater than ours, and while the natural grief of human affections will flow, it is not withont its consolations to feel their tears are for one who filled her part of wife, mother and woman so bravely and so well during life. "Eesolved, That this expression of our sorrow for her death, our appreciation of her character and our sympathy with her family be entered upon our minutes, published in the daily papers, and a copy transmitted to her husband and children." By order of the board. Maby C. Thubston, Secretary. Eddie, My Dear Boy, You're looking bad; what's the matter? Oh, bad headache; head boiling over with heat; hair all coming out. Look here; let me tell you something. Your hat is doing all this; it's too heavy. Go to Bennett's, corner Wood st. and Fifth avenue, and get one of their light weight You will have no head ache and retain your hair. We have in stock Fisk, Clark & Flagg's, leader and B. A. C; also their new shapes, the protean, rival and lochmont You never saw such an assortment Will Peice, 47 Sixth st Chance of Sentiment. Accident insurance is becoming so popu lar that we may soon expect to see in The Dispatch the annonncement that John Jones, who was hurt or killed, carried $3, 000 accident insurance or $20 per week benefits in tbe National Benefit Association of In dianapolis. J. T. CUlTNnrQHAM, 51 Lewis Block, Agent Will Price's window display of fine neckwear excels any display ever seen in any city East or West Sample Free. Ask your grocer for Electric Paste Store Polish. No dust no dirt Try it FUN AND PLAUDITS. The Elks' Benefit at the Bijou Theater a Financial Success. THE ATTENDANCE QUITE LARGE, The Programme is Very Long, but Hardly Up to the Standard. A YRI PLEASANT PBESENTATI0N The Eleventh annual benefit performance for Pittsburg Lodge, No. 11, B. P. O. Elks, was given yesterday afternoon in the Bijou Theater. The favorite play house was filled with a large audience. The pro gramme was hardly np to the standard, how ever. It is to be regretted that the illness of Miss Minnie Palraer-andothersprevented them from appearing. The Great Western Band opened the en tertainment with a concert. Prof. M. B. Weiss acted as leader. Their rendering of the overtures "Eienzi" and "A Night in New York" was excellent Mr. W. C. Erskine made a short address, but few beyond the orchestra heard him, as he spoke so low. Mr. John W. Bansome gave some of his original specialties as a dialect comedian, and won a round of ap plause. His topical songs are above the average. GOOD MUSIC AND VARIETY. The orchestra, under the leadership of Brother Phil T. Weiss, played an overture. Mr. B. A. Roberts and Paton Gibbs recited selections. C. W. Allison sang "A Dandy Coon." These artists appeared by the courtesy of Mr. Bodgers and Managers B. M. Gulick & Co. Miss Mamie Oswald volunteered and ap peared in a scene from "Borneo and Juliet." It was one of the first good things in the programme, and the young lady was heart ily welcomed. Her performance was, on the whole, very fair. A few errors were apparent, but the young lady will yet suc ceed in that line. The French Twin Sisters sang a solo, danced and looked pretty, all of which they can do in a pleasing manner, "The Sappho Serenade," Misses Lawrence, Wil let and Wood, was good, as was also the singing and drill of the Olympia Quartet It was reserved for Mr. William Hoey, "Old Hots," ot the Parlor Match" Com pany, to make the hit of the afternoon. His renderings of the songs "I Forget" and "Goodby" won him much applause. Mr. Charles Corcoran sane a baritone solo, "Alone inthe Desert" The "Si Perkins" or chestra played an overture. The Perkins com pany gave the second act of the comedy, "Si Perkins." The leading roles were filled by Frank Jones and Miss Alice Mon tague in a creditable manner. The singing by the members of the company and the dancing of Master Frank Young were well done. Manager Harry Williams, of the Academy of Music, and Mr. Frank Jones are to be thanked for their appearance. THE MELAKOE CLOSED. Songs were sung by John B. Wright and Miss Lottie Burns, of the Casino Mu seum; Claire and Lysle appeared in a tumbling act, and J. J. Kaufee performed some marvelous feats on roller skates. The entertainment was closed with "The Elks' Gathering." The members of tbe order formed in a semicircle on the stage. Clarence Burleigh. Esq., then stepped for ward ana, on Denaii oi jurs. w imam unalet, presented a large, well-executed portrait of the late William Chalet to the lodge, of which he was an honored member. Dr. J. P. McCord accepted the gift on behalf of the lodge, and paid a high tribute to their dead brother. The members present then joined hands and sang "Auld Lang Syne." Financially the entertainment was a great success, and the lodge may feel proud thereof. The performance commenced at 1:30 o'clock and concluded after 6. Much of the programme was, even then, cut out The audience was composed princinally of ladies. All of the private boxes were filled, and the body of the house itself presented as pretty a scene as was ever put on a theater stage. SEQUEL OF A SENSATION. John W. Norton Ak lor a Divorce From Bis Runaway Wife. rSFECIAI. TELZGBAX TO THE DISPATCH. 1 St. Louis, February 8. John W. Nor ton, by his attornsy, filed a petition this afternoon asking for a divorce from his wife. Emma S. Norton. In his petition he charged that in the month of July, 1888, she was guilty of improper conduct This is the only allegation made in the petition. Mrs. Norton, on the above date, eloped with Henry W. Moore, managing editor of the Post-Dispatch. Both are now living in New York City. Natural Gas Gets There Once More. An explosion of natural gas took place at 4 o'clock yesterday morning in the. Union Hotel, on Frankstown avenue, which was caused by a defective piece of plumbing. The explosion caused a fire to break out, and 500 damage was done to the house. It is occupied by John Tranger. It Will be a Fine Bridge. The Ohio connecting railroad bridge will cost $1,500,000. The contract has not yet been placed. There will be two spans, one 420 long, the other 525 feet. There is some talk of building a branch np Chartiers creek to Mansfield on the Panhandle, bnt this is denied. The Inspector's Investigation To-Dny. A court of inquiry appointed by Chief Brown will meet in the rooms of the cap tains of the police at 1 o'clock this after noon to investigate the charges made against Inspector McAleese by Dr. Orr. The in vestigation will be public. On Egypt' Light nnd Darkness. Bev. John Giffen, of Asyoot, Egypt, will deliver an address in the Lombard street Chapel, to-morrow evening at 730 o'clock, on the subject, "Egypt's Light and Dark ness." Bev. H. H. Bell will preach in the chapel in the morning. Business Offices for Rent The Germania Savings Bank building has been fitted up with 15 new offices of vari ous sizes which can be rented either s'ngly or in suites of two or more. These offices are splendidly lighted and fitted up in elegant style, having all modern conven iences, gas, Water, steam-heat, elevator, etc. Persons desiring a change of location or seeking more room would do well to call and see them before renting elsewhere. Business men who have seen them consider them the most desirable offices in the city. Bent very reasonable. Keep looking young and save your hair, its color and beauty Parker's Hair Balsam. Parker's Ginger Tonic the best cough cure. Nent Fencing Of iron or wire for front of public or pri vate buildings and around cemetery lots. Also stable fixtnres,iron stairs and shutters, tree boxes, fire escapes, and wire windows and door screens for protection atrainst flies and mosquitos. Taylok & Deax, 203 and 205 Market st.and 67 Seoond ave. ITS Society Cbnrmr and Emblems On hand and made to order promptly. A complete assortment of Masonic, Knight Templar, Mystic Shrine, Pythian, Odd Fel lows, American Mechanics, A. 0. U. W. and all secret society pins, charms and em blems, at E. P. Roberta & Sons, corner Fifth avenue and market st vrssu TO DIVIDE A SCHOOL. Sterrett Township Doesn't Want Bruddock Borough to Eob Peler Even If It Does Far rani. An application of the school district of Sterrett township for a division of school property was filed in the Quarter Sessions Court yesterday. In the petition it is stated that prior to October 4, 1837, what is now the borough of Wilkinsburg was a part of tbe township school district On that date the borough was incorporated. The township bad but one school and that was in the borough, and by the decree of court incorporating the latter it was given to tbe borough. The township school district now asks for a share of the property it helped to pay for. Tbe property is valued at $60,000, and has 30,000 of debt on it In proportion to the amount of taxes paid the township claims 23 per cent of the 30,000, or $8,400. They also claim 28 per cent of $465 69, the amount of funds on hand at the time of incorporation, amounting to 130 39. MAKING A NIGHT OF IT. The Second Police Gazette Jnry Hangs Fire for a Little While. Before Judge Blaglo tho greater part of the time was taken up with the trial of AW. Gross for selling obscene literature in the shape of the jPoltee Gazette. The prosecutor in the case is Captain Wishart, and it is one of the lot among which was Schade, who was convicted tbe other day. Five of tbe jurors who were called had served upon the jury that convicted Sohade, and four of them were set aside by the defense. Judge Slagle refusing to do so. The testimony ad duced was similar to that in the Schade case, the defendant admitting the sale ot the paper, At tbe adjournment of court tbe jury, which went out just after dinner, had not reached a verdict WITHOUT MANSLAUGHTER. The Starr Indictment Stripped of an Im portant Connt by Court. A ruling was made yesterday in the proceed ings to quash the indictment against Superin tendent Starr, ot the Ft Wayne Railroad, quashing the count of manslaughter in tbe in dictment The Court has under advisement the three counts charging negligence on the part of railroad emplojes, and will give a de cision on them shortly. Trial List Criminal Court Commonwealth vs John Work, Gustave Heffler, Edward Tinsley, Eu gene McGIUicudy, Peter Reiss. Lines From Legal Quarters. The suit of George Grantz vs William G. Price & Co., over the shot tower on Price street is still on trial. No new evidence is being ottered. The jury is out ifitbTaaulf casebl'DaVIa Bennett, tried before Judge Slagie, for aggra vated assault and battery on James Schade. Both are boys, and Schade had an eye knocked out by a stone thrown by Bennett The County Commissioners yesterday heard appeals from the assessments in the Twenty seventh, Twenty-ninth, Thirtieth and Thirty first wards. None of the complaints amounted to anything, and were easily settled. An argument was had before Judge Stowe yesterday afternoon in the equity proceedings of B. Coursin against Isaac S. Van Voorhis. The case was on a mortgage on some land in McKeesport Major A M. Brown appeared for the plaintiff, and W. B. Bodgers, Esq., for tbe defendant The charter for the Turtle Creek Gas Com pany was filed in the Recorder's office yester day. Tho capital stock is 5,000, divided into 100 shares at $50 per share. The directors are Peter W. Boli, James Gilmore, Jr.,B. A. Jobe, O. O. Tintsman, J. S. Johnson, William E. Evans and S. A. Roth. To-SAV is the last day for the filing of appli cations for liquor licenses. Clerk of Courts McGunnegle will keep his office open until 8 or 9 o'clock in the evening to receive any late comers. Up to date there have been filed nearly 1,000 applications, and it is expected mat tne numoer wui reacn i,zuu. The case of James Mason against Fred Elk is still on trial before Judge Magce. The suit is for damages to the land owned by Mason, Elk haying the right to mine the coal on the land. Tho surface, it is claimed, was damaged by the mines sinking, and by the water drained from the mines running over it Ik Judge Collier's branch of the Criminal Court yesterday, the whole day was taken up trying a case involving a number of cross charges of assault and battery. The parties in the case were John and Ludwig Sims, John and George Malseed, George Bradley and Paul Crooker. Bradley and Crooker were found guilty of assault and battery, and the rest were acquitted upon the payment of the costs. Clerk Hebron, ot tho Clerk of Courts office, is preparing an application to the Gover nor for a requsltion on the Governor General of Canada for the extradition of Frank A. Aldricb, who is wanted here on the charge of robbery, preferred against him by J. K. Lemon, of Allegheny. The requisition has to be ap proved by President Cleveland before sendinjr it to Canada, and the course of red tape will take about five days. Jesse H. Dewees yesterday filed his answer in the equity proceedings brought against him by his former partner in the coal business,John Shields. Dewees admits that the partnership became insolvent and that executions were placed in tbe hands of the Sheriff. One for T. B. Dewees for $10,600 and one for Martin Horn for 5,600. Mr. Dewees denies, however, that tbe judgments were given without considera tion, or to defraud Shields and the creditors of the firm. In Aid of the Indians. A literary and musical entertainment will, on Tuesday evening, be given in the R. P. Church by the Young People's Aux iliary to the Women s Indian Association, in aid of the work for the red men. A very nice programme is announced. Among the performers will be a young Pueblo Indian girl, born in New Mexico; also the Adel phio Orchestra of Geneva College, Beaver Falls. The Carriage Wasn't There. It is denied that the alleged sluggers, Barry and Cornelius, had any carriage in waiting at Dorr's restaurant and saloon,pend ing their reported slugging match. Mr. Durr had nothing to do with the affair or its prin cipals, as in fact he always avoids 2nd gives a wide berth to people of combative temper ament who seek the salubrious beverage. As to Those on tbe Fence. At the Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church to-morrow Rev. E. O. Hughes, will hold a special temperance service. In the morning a sermon will be preached on the Constitutional amendment movement, sub ject, "On the Pence." In the evening the Good Templars will hold a song service. As to B. F. Crowe's Arrest. Friends of B. F. Crowe, who was this week arrested in Cleveland by a Pittsbnrg detective, for alleged forgery, say that he has not before been arrested; that he has not escaped; that he has made no' effort to do so, and that there are reasons behind his prose cution which, if known, would materially mitigate or explain his present position. GAIL HAMILTON, r&!& tne readers of Sunday's Dispatch Aouj we are progressing backward. All who watch the drift of politics and statesmanship should read OaiFs bright letters. For To-Day Only. Here is something that interests every clothing buyer in Pittsburg. For to-day only we offer you your choice and pick of any overcoat in our entire stock for $10, $10. This means that you can look through our magnificent stock ot imported kersey, chin chilla and castor-beaver overcoats, s'ilk and satin lined and trimmed in the most expen sive manner, marked (25, $30, $35, (40, and take your choice and pick to-day only at (10. Our new spring goods are arriving daily, and we must have room. P. 0. O. O., cor Grant and Diamond sts., opp. the new Court House. Whose Bata Do Ton Wear? Benheti's, Corner "Wood st. and Fifth ave. I find them the best. "We have in stock Fisk, Clark & Flagg's, leader and B. A. C: also their new Bhapes, tbe protean, rival and lochmont Yon never such an assortment Will Pbice, 47 Sixth st MAKKIAGE IS BLISS, And Not a Dismal Failure, if Eightly Entered Into. WHY SOME MARRIAGES FAIL. How James Lick Kept a Promise Hade to a Stern Parent HAPPINESS AND SOCIAL TEIUMPHS rwmxrBif ron rax dispatch, l Marriage, after some form or other, has been cotemporaneous with the existence of humanity, and as it has been given by the Almighty to represent the past, present and future of the human race, it properly forms the most important and extensive feature of our lives, comprising love, selection, judg ment, counsel, correspondence, propriety, reticence, expectation, attraction, admira tion, attention, affection, confidence, ro mance, sentiment, sympathy, congratula tion, experience, pride, disappointment, re flection, cupidity, cost, endowment, rela tion, succession, control, result, reward, escape. Around these subdivisions are clustered the lessons of the past, delights of the present, and hopes of the future; each one represents increased acquaintance and added knowledge in the study of that vast science called human nature. Although marriage is rightly called the event ot third importance in our lives, yet it bears a strong influence generally, speak ing, upon the event of second importance, death, and in numberless illustrations has exactly determined the cirenmstances of that final scene. Therefore its importance, logically, exceeds that of death, for while that ends all, may not marriage rightly entered into represent the continuation of the loveliest blessings which the hand of time or the corrosions of casuistry cannot wither, and whose recollections may even survive the tomb? It is not the purpose of the writer to analyze arguments for or against the use of this divine privilege, nor advise those contemplating it a second time as it is presumed they have already had experience, nor to point out to the immoral and mercenary the fearful consequences of its wrongful use, but to illustrate to the erring, indifferent and prejudiced who have strayed from the sensibility of their nobler, natures, its possibilities for personal happi ness, and gently nrge them to a conviction of" the advantage of accepting all the condi tions of our earthly state of being, which, having entered into without our kuowledge or consent, may still be made the means of honorable and dignified success. To love is to admire with the heart. To ad mire is to love with the mind. If we con tinue to love with the mind, we may also love with the heart; but not always, for per sonality appears in such countless forms that a better acquaintance may prove a de lusion what first appeared as growing re gard. On the contrary, it may discover qualities at first unnoticed, which awaken iondness, finally ripening into love. The much talked about LOVE AT FIE3T SIGHT does not differ greatly, except that the re sults of familiar knowledge are more quick ly satisfactory; just as we may choose more readily a gem which sparkles brilliantly than one which requires the light of ex amination to determine its worth. This is probably as safe a rule for jewels as people, fbr the more dazzling their charms the more blinded are those whom they affect "Love is blind," is an accepted proverb, but in that case its physical force may have over thrown the mental balance, which, however, will return in time to sit in judgment on the acts of the heart's late carnival. The feel ings of true love are a fascinatintr revelation in their earliest purity, and theirimportance cannot be questioned, nor can the wisdom be denied of restraining them from following useless or unworthy ideals. It is even tbe duty of some to keep away from those whose qualities, though pleasing.might not be of a standard to match their own, and against an alliance with whom there might be many ob jections. People are pretty apt to choose their company as their hearts' dictate, and it is their right, but it is not always wise to court temptation. There are many young people who go through the round of courtship to find they have only tasted joys they could not drink, that unequaled conditions are not easily harmonized, and with hopes deferred and tastes perverted they are ready to welcome doubt, distrust and suspicion where they could have saved their sensitive fellings for a more promising chance. It is useless to accept an inefficient man or one without capacity. If he be poor he will stay poor, if rich he will be poor some time. He lives away his life, pushed about by the vigorous knocks of active business, dodging to avoid the rude shocks of respon sible position, and as he lives from hand to mouth, his wife sees her lifetime slowly waning with nothing accomplished to bring prosperity, provide for old age. or cratifv with fame. Poverty at first should not be an objection to sensible people, if it can be seen that there is ability also; some of the greatest ability has come out of poverty, and often a wise marriage has assisted in de veloping it. WHY SOME MABBIAGES FAIL. No greater mistake can be made than to marry a man to reform him. Women do not have the power over men after marriage they possessed before, but they do not learn this until it is too late. Besides, a glamour of heroism appears to surround men who have "seen the world," and though few are honest enough to say so, yet many think it an attraction that savors of the romantic. The small boy wants to smoke a cigar, the college youth wants to be considered "tough, and it cannot be wondered at that girls should have a touch of these feelings, and desire to experience the sensational and venturesome. A thing carried to its extreme becomes its contrary. Certain freedom of manners in a girl, though amusing and entertaining to men, does not make them more conrteous or respectful; they are pleased with her, but there is a mighty difference between the girl one smokes or loafs with and the girl one prefers for a wife. In their hearts men es teem gentleness, modesty and purity of thought in women. v Writing letters 3s a leading feature of matchmaking. There is no doubt that al together to much of it is done everywhere. Women like to be told they are loved, but it is far better to tell them in person than to write long letters, often filled with foolish sentimentality, whose exchange is of doubt ful advantage in preparing for the realities of married life. The world must accept things it cannot change just as it finds them, and it is sad to state that many letters sent to young men LOOK INTO OTHEE EYES than those for whom they were exclusively intended and often hear loud laughs also, but it is seldom or never that a girl shows her letters, even from a man she does not care for. though she sometimes does so to the one "dear friend" in strict confidence. There are secrets of home life of both single and married people as sacred as honor, which should never be heard by any other ear; how to shield each other's fanlts and shortcomings from tbe world, always ready for coarse jokes or satirical thrusts, should be a constant endeavor. Ignorance is the best protection from the evils of gossip. Sensible people do not court in poetry and live in prose; how to realize happiness should be the study after as well as before marriage, when possession gives increased interest-to every detail; the pleasures of effort and success in beautifying and adorn ing married life are far nobler than when each was single, being found in embellish ing an association only really begun in marriage. Beauty will always be a primal attraction, bnt the possession of it has frequently hindered the development of others which have great weight with those of culture and education. Attention, travel, luxuries "may be showered on a girl, but the ultimatum is marriage. No matter what other plans may be considered, it is the crowning ambition of nearly every woman to be united to the man of her choice, yet many pass their spare time reading trashy novels or in other useless ways, when they might be developing their talents. Of course domestic accomplishments are not to be despised, bnt the premium certainly goes with the others, as they can make a wile a companion and equal instead of only a drudge and housekeeper. WHAT NVOMEK ADMIBE. Women admire force of character and manly courage in a high degree. A man may be an organist, a musical director, a critic at the opera, a distinguished attorney, even a public speaker, and his wife would delight to honor him with her approbation, and enjoy the gaze of the public turned on him in his place of honor; yet how few wives obtain that sweet privilege! Of course itmaycau3e seme trouble to arrange the matter, yet wh'at chances for promoting happiness are thus wasted by those who, however, manifest surprising tact in turning them to advantage before marriage. Acts of neglect and indifference are the quick indica tion of failing regard. Why it Is that the band once prompt to assist in all tbe little courtesies of life should become weak and forgetful is a mystery indeed, yet of ten seen. Affectionate regard is one of the most powerful character istics of the human race, and is implanted so strongly in our hearts that to pervert it will make misanthropes and even criminals of people: it grows with the advance of years, and can only be gratified in the truest degTee by marriage. To the single, the selfish and those who have 'seen the world" it can be truly said that they have missed the fascination of living; infancy is lovable, notwithstanding fretfulness and tbe troubles of babyhood, and those who have been blessed with such joys of marriage have less to regret than crusty and disappointed bachelors, who do not improve their disposi tions by argument in a bad cause. Many young people like to contemplate an engagement tinged with circumstances of the extraordinary and interesting. Certainly a few betrothals and elopements bordering on the romantic do happen, but are seldom as sure of a successful termination as though occurring in a more conservative manner. It is a grand argument in favor of congenial connections that by communicating our grief we bavo less, and by sharing our pleasure we have more. It is a blessing to a man to have a mother or wife to console him in his trials, and by kindly sympathy prop bis flagging spirits and give him renewed ambition. There is such a thing as social triumph for sr man as well as a woman. Js it not reproachful to a man to fail to make the success of marriage, since he is allowed by consent and discreet wisdom to take the initiative in proposing an alliance? Joyful is the girl who can say "congratulate me, for I am haopy among women, in that my beloved has chosen me." Happy also is the man whose charming wife is his testimony that be has not failed in life and society. No greater ideal can be set up than to live fulfilling tbe mission of our existence, and Dartakinsr of all the nortions of our lot on earth. To lose loved ones even.N anu me sorrow axienuing, is not wiinout its lessons, softening our rugged natures -and in creasing our means of grace. QTEEB CASES CITED. Haughtiness of character, though not out of place in a military General, is liable to play sad havoc with matrimonial prospects. It is re lated of Miss Keene, a niece of Major Lennox, Minister to the Court of St James in the early part of this century, that while in England she was styled "tho American beauty," and was once Jed in the dance by George IV. After her return home with the Major, her hand was solicited by a Mr. Powell, who was referred to her aunt The old lady allowed Mm to plead bis case, and then answered: "Miss Sarah Lukens Keene is intended for the son of a duke or A lord, and not for the son of a brewer." The gentleman picked up his hat, made bis adieus and departed, and thus the courtship ended. John Hare Powell married, and his name is a part of Philadelphia history as that of an hon ored and enterprising citizen. Miss Keene. on the contrary, never wedded a scion ot nobility or anyone else, and died in seclusion and re tirement The highest mark of esteem a woman can give a man is to ask his friendship; the most signal proof of indifference is to offer him hers. Though a proposal refused is sometimes a severe trial and has been known to change a man's entire life, yet it has often brought out native strength of character and stimulated to great deeds. When James Lick was a young man be fell in love with a miller's daughter in Pennsylvania. He was poor, but industrious and honest, and facing the stern old miller asked him for her hand. The old man refused, and advised him to wait till he bad a compe tency io support a wiie. xoungLiicE replied: "I shall see the day when your boasted mill would not make a respectable wheat bin for one I shall own." Years passed and James Lick erected in Santa Clara county, California, an immense mill, tbe woodwork of which was of solid mahogany. Afterward be had photo graphs taken of the inside and outside, and sent them to the miller who had refused him tbe hand ol his daughter, as suggestions for reflection. Where we blunder in the pursuit of happi ness, is not to know when we get it or be con tent with a possible and reasonable measure of it Bo men always feel perfectly sure tbe day after being accepted by tbe girl of their choice, that their love bad been correctly placed ? Be cause we are fearful of losrae what we strive to obtain, we feel sure we want it; upon the certainty of its possession we are liable to doubt tbe wisdom of our selection. This is probably the cause of the breach of promise suits occasionally heard of, the defendants in which perhaps conclude that it is too soon to marry when oneis young and too late when one is old and are devoting the interval to picking and choosing. 1 he American greed for wealth is such that money alone gives all the entro de sired, and some of the social antics seen in tbe effort to capture it would be painful to record. Of course there are a few sensible exceptions, but the stock has never greatly increased. It is a universal failing of Americans to desire to live in a style above the means of most yonng married couples, and is the result o( false pride and unwise social ambition. The spring ing up of clubs and FASHIONABLE APARTMENT HOUSES where bachelors can live in luxury on moderate incomes, is not evidence of a general decline in matrimony, as they form but a minlmun of the population, and their style of living gives them undue prominence. There is a vast amount of humbug beard about the mother-in-law. She is pictured as the dread of husbands, and we are taught to believe her a painted devil who frightens de fenceless innocents away from the marriage altar. Wisdom and common sense ought to teach a man to keep on her good side by Deing kind to her daughter. Of all the relatives gained by marriage she can be most useful when not antagonized, and in the fitness of things she has her place. It is becoming well known that fashionable society is leaving the lower classes to replenish the population, and it would seem that society nonnlft vfin efotni In thai, ifnv anrl tlm. disappear at last leaving their lucrative and powerful places to be filled by those of obscure descent, who never in all their lives aspired to social conquest There should be entire confidence between parents and children, who might grow to be honored as associates and not be treated as property. Often parents chastise their half grown children and fill them with mortification and resentment over the most trivial matters. Should parents wish their intelligence and dig nity to bo represented in children who dodge from them in fearful dread? Suppose an artist painting a picture, in fits of blind passion and loss of control, rips holes and rents in it which at other times he seeks to repair, Is it not likely that his creation when finished will be one of shreds and patches instead of an immaculate conception? Yet this is the way that many children are "raised;" with their little minds all in rags and tatters, and still the proportion of criminals in the United States is estimated by prison authorities to be only one in 00 persons, A FOEC1BLE ADAGE. It was an ancient sage who said: '-The good ness of gold is tried by fire, the goodness of women by gold, anil the goodness of men by women." This loses none ot its force when ap plied to the present so far as its last proposi tion goes, for In spite of the difference in habits of a few thousand years, it is still possible for women to bring out all the best qualities of men by marriage. Mrs. Henry Ward Beecher says: "Blessings will follow her who willingly goes forth to help build up another home, knowing that she may encounter many diffi culties, perhaps soma hardships, and may find cause for much self-denial." The parents who live to see their sons and daughters occupy their chosen stations in life can afford to smile at tbe sneers of cynics, who have been too selfish or wicked to venture into this sacred state of self-denying service to others, and to whom the fable ot the sour grapes is then no fable, but truth. Iu reviewing this great subject it is proper to state that as tho discussion entitled, "Is Mar riage a Failure," first started abroad, and as methods of living ot the old world are very different, and poverty and crime much more frequent, tbe arguments from there could not be taken as a fair guide for the enlightened and prosperous people of the United States Of course there are exceptional cases, where one or the other party has fortunately avoided an unwise alliance, and probably very many similar ones in Europe, but the facts will show an overwhelming weight of evidence to prove that when properly undertaken, marriage Is a blessing. Mzphistophjxes. Qll I NVP ana Poet mleV expose the DIUU illb elephant hunting liars and revel in the delights of the chase through the jungles of the Jforthwest. Head all about their funny experience in totnonovfs Dispatch. THEY THINE IT PAID. Managers of a Mansfield Association Believe They Have Arrived at A SATISFACTORY SOLUTION Of the Question, How to Make a Co-Opera-tiye Enterprise a Success. A $435 DIVIDEND ON $1880 OP STOCK The managers of the Mansfield Valley " Co-operative Association think they have succeeded in solving the question, "How can a co-operative enterprise be conducted both safely and profitably?" As proof that they have good reason for such belief they submit the following facts for the considera tion of those interested in similar experi ments: The Mansfield Valley Co-operative Associa tion held its second annual meeting Monday January 21. This association opened its store February 2, 1888, therefore the following report represents but 11 months: Number of stockholders 63 Amount of stock S 1.8S0 CO Receipts from sales 11.000 00 Returned to Durchasers as dividends and interest. 435 00 William M. Harbison was unanimously elected manager, to sneceed B. McDennot, re signed. Ten additional shares of stock were sold in tbe first week after bis election. This association is chartered under act of Assembly No. 252, entitled an act to au thorize and encourage the formation of co operative associations. It prohibits the sys tem of credit, either in its purchases or its sales, rendering investment under this char ter absolutely safe. "The above report," says J. Hillier, the, Secretary of the association, "representing 11 months, may not be thought a very won derful showing, but it must be remembered that in starting an enterprise of this kind there are many obstacles to contend against, much opposition and misrepresentation to overcome. It was very generally predicted that this store wonld not live six months, so that the very fact that it is still alive and vigorous, and giving promise of better re sults for the present year, the one just past enables us to speak truthfully of it as a suc cess thus for. MANY THINGS TO LEARN. "We must also consider that it takes time to get the true principles of co-operation rightly understood. The people of Pennsyl vania have been so much burdened with what is known as "pluck-me stores," fre quently conducted under false pretenses, that their suspicions are easily aroused, and they stand ready to rebel against any new method they do not thoroughly understand. It therefore takes time to gain their confi dence, in addition to the fact that every new enterprise dealing direct with the public has to build up its trade. In our case the officers and directors themselves had a good deal to learn, had, in fact, to feel their way; with their present experience they teel competent to assert that tbe possibility of successful co operation is no longer in doubt, good man agement and united membership being the chief essentials. They believe that the system of co-operation is demanded by the times; that it furnishes the best scheme yet known by which the consumer may bo able to check the greatest abuse of the age that increased burden placed upon the working classes by speculation in the com mon necessaries of life. Many of those necessaries now pass through an unneces sary number of hands, each transfer in creasing the retail price of goods without improving their quality, and if the con sumer could reach and deal direct with the manufacturing producer and be thus able to dispense with the services oi middle men, or a portion of the middle men, the condi tion of society would be much improved and poverty's problem in a measure be solved. Whether this can or cannot be accomplished is a question that co-operation in its high est, fullest sense, seems at present best able to answer. A POPULAR ERBOR. "We find that a misconception exists con cerning this subject with some who take a very narrow view of the principles of domes tic economy; they look upon the prosperity of a community as depending on its stores, instead of the fact that the stores depend upon tbe prosperity ot the community; and consider it detrimental to the general wel fare to draw enstom from the individual merchant But as the money is still re tained in the neighborhood and the profits divided among the many by the system ot co-operation, we believe it to be conducive to the general prosperity in a greater degree than though placed in the hands of one or two. "We believe that a community wherein the head of each family is a producer, or, in other words, a wage earner, to be in a state of greater prosperity than though 10 per cent were non-producers and living on the earnings of the other 90." A DDUniUSEUM MAN IN LUCE. Ho Receives a Legacy of 8100,000 and Will Bay Oat Ilii Employer. rSMCIAI. TZLXGBAH TO THE DISPATCD.1 Boston, February 8. John A. McDon ald, a doorkeeper at a dime museum in this city, received a telegram to-day mformin" him he had fallen heir to $100,000 bt queathed by the late Lieutenant Governor James A. McDonald, of Michigan. The Lieutenant Governor was killed in a rail road accident January 26, leaving an estate valued at about 84,000,000. John A. Mc Donald was a nephew of the millioniare. Tne nncle had seen him but once in his life. Youns McDonald is abont 23 years old. and has drifted about during the past ten years of his life. Six years ago he was a fireman on the New York and New En gland Bailroad, and after going through IS smash-ups he left in disgust Prom all of those collisions he escaped without a scratch. He proposes to use the money in bnying ont the museum in which he is now employed. Simply Snggeited. The Democrats of the Twelfth ward held their suggestion meeting last evening at the Springfield school, Dr. F. N. Stanb presid ing. The following names were suggested: For Select Council. John W. Exler and Au gust Hendricks. For Aldermen, John W.Dris coll and Thomas C. Rafferty. For constable, J. F. Sweeny and Thomas Brannigan. For ward assessor, William Carroll. The primaries are to be held Monday from 3 to 7.30 v. it. For O'Hara district school directors, James B Mason, three years; Owen Welsh, one year. Signed the Contracts. Chief Brown, of the Department of Publio Safety, is convinced that the Amoskeag controversy is settled by the recent decision of the Supreme Court dissolving the prelim inary injunction of Judge White, and signed the contract for two new engines yesterday. HEALTH NOTES ST&?S of Dr. Hammond, the celebrated New York physician, will be found in to-morrovfs issui of The Dispatch. For To-Day Only. Here is something that interests every clothing buyer in Pittsburg. For to-day only we offer yon your choice and pick of any overcoat in our entire stock for $10, $10. This means that yon can look through our magnificent stock of imported kersey, chin chilla and castor-beaver overcoats, siik and satin lined and trimmed in the most ex pensive manner, marked $25, $30, $35, $40, and take your choice and pick to-day only at $10. Our new spring goods are arriving daily, and we must have room. P. C. C. C, cor. Grant and Diamond sts., opp. the new Court Honse. ' Will Peice for the handsomest line of men's neck dressings ever shown anywhere.