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THE , PITTSBUKG- - 35ISPATCH,' TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1889.
r
H -EXPEHTVEBD1CT
Intended by the Builders' Ex
change to Undo Things
AS TO A CYCLONE'S WEEOK.
,Tliey Assail tile Coroner and His
Jury for Alleged Errors,
AND LAY IT ALL TO PEOYIDEtfCE.
A Bed Hot but Entirely Unanimous Meet-
ing
and its Kesnlt.
WHATtfE. SHAKOS SATS OP IGNORANCE
The Builders' Exchange has denounced
Coroner McDowell l'or his finding in the
recent JWilley building disaster. At a
special meeting yesterday of the members of
the Exchange the Coroner -was roundly
abused for the verdict of the jury. A reso
lution was adopted and placed on the books
of the Exchange, and a copy with the seal
of the organization ordered sent to the Cor
oner tor his perusal.
A few days after the rendition of the ver
dict of the Coroner's jury the President of
the Exchange called the Directors together
and -sent out a notice of a special meeting to
considw -the verdict After much discus
sion a committee of six of the leading mem
bers of the Exchange was appointed to
make a detailed examination of the ma
terial used in the "Willey building and re
port at a special meeting of the entire Ex
change. The committee was composed of
the very best builders in the city. Each
member was the foremost representative xf
his particular branch of the business. They
went quietly to work, secured samples of all
the material used and analyzed them. -The
mortar was given to a competent chemist
snd an impartial examination of everything
was made. The members of the committee
completed the examination Saturday last
and yesterday made their report. The re
port was as follows: ,
THE EXPERT TEEDICT.
Your committee have carefully examined
the stenographic report of the evidence pro
duced before the Coroner's jury on the disaster
at the Willey building, and we find that there
was no evidence offered before the jury which
in any way shows that the contractors or own
ers, or any persons connected with the erection
of the building, were responsible for the dis
aster. "When the report was read one of the
members jumped to his feet and made a
motion to adopt it. The report was then
put in the shape of a resolution, and a mo
tion made to adopt it as the unanimous sen
timent of the members of the Exchange.
This was carried with an amendment to send
a copy of the resolution to the Coroner.
The object of the investigation by the Ex
change was not for the purpose of protecting
a member of the craft Mr. Hupkestein, al
though a member of the Exchange, is not
the most popular man in it, and there can
be no question of sentiment in the matter.
The majority of the members were-confident
that the disaster was not the fault of poor
material or workmanship, and to contradict
the verdict of the Coroner's jury they were
willing to be put to.great expense.
At the meeting yesterday the members of
the committee stated that everything that
went into the building was first class, and
the Coroner's verdict was at variance with
the facts. They produced the specifications
for the material, and found that parts of the
work had been done in a better manner than
had been specified. This was particularly
the case with the walls, which were thicker
than they needed to have been.
HE CALLED IT EED HOT.
After the meeting W. S. Sharon, editor of
the Builders' Gazette, said:
"We had a red hot meeting, and nearlv
every person there expressed hi3 indigna
tion" at the Coroner's verdict We have
kept our months closed about the matter
until we made an investigation and found
we naa room to taiK. xnere can be no
question about the result of the investiga
tion. The members of the committee are
first class men, of many years experience
and they certainly have" the ability to judge.
One of them is about the finest builder that
can be found in the United States.
"They made a fair examination of every
thing. The walls were found to be better
and thicker than were called for in the
specifications, and everything else was up
to the handle. The specifications called for
first-class workmanship and materials, and
the committer found that the contractor had
lived up to them in every respect. The
resolution was adopted without one dissent
ing voice, and I think the Coroner will find
he has made a mistake."
SEVEKE CRITICISM.
In the current issne of his paper, Mr.
Sharon says:
"Who can contemplate a more disgraceful in
sult to the dignity of the law than the proceed
ing ot the Allegheny County Coroner in the
"W lley-Weldin building catastrophe? It is a
shame that such proceedings shbnld be per
mitted in the land of free schools. Just look a
moment, a Coroner not above the ordinary in
telligence of the every day laborer, a jury con
sisting of men who know no more about tbe
erection of a building than the Arabs, sitting
in judgment on. .the plans of a skilled and
learned architect, and the carrying out of his
speci
this
pecincations uy skilled builders: Certainlv
is the climax of tbe sheerest nonsense.
They might as well condemn the Almighty by
finding the wind guilty of blowinc too hard.
Under what statute could tbe architect
builder or owner be tried, if they should m
their verdict find either guilty of gross neglect?
There is a wide range in diversity of opinion in
respect to winter building. In Norway build
ings are erected, and have been for centuries,
where the thermometer was 40 degrees below
zero, and buildings are in perfect state of pres
ervation that have stood for 1,000 years.
The following named members of the
Exchange left last night for Philadelphia
to attend the convention of the National
Association of Builders, to be held at Phil
adelphia beginning to-day: W. S. Sharon,
T. J. Hamilton, Mr. Mnrphy (of Murphy
& Hamilton), Robert Mawhinnev, S. A.
Steel, M. W. Kaufman, A. Ea'sner and
Reese Lindsay. They go as visitors, and
not as delegates from the local Exchange.
A full report of the programme of the con
vention was published in The Dispatch
some weeks ago.
The banquet of the Pittsburg Exchange,
which was to have been held within the
next few weeks, has been declared off.
PLEASAXT, IF TRUE.
Rumor That the Second Avenue Car
Line
Will Bo Improved.
It is rumored that the Second avenue car
line has been purchased by a syndicate, of
which Mr. James Callery is President, and
that it will be placed in a first-class condi
tion. Tbe line is to be extended to Glen
wood. Neither Mr. Callery nor the Messrs.
Fawcett, the gentlemen who now control
the road, will affirm or deny the rumor.-
Ilaitlnsi on tbe Fence.
Adjutant General D. H. Hastings was in
the city on private business yesterday. He
declared he knew nothing about Harrison's
Cabinet, and he wonld not express himself
either way on the prohibition issue. He
declined also to discuss State politics.
FOE WAYS THAT ARE DARK.
Bow a Xocnl $1,000,000 Dressed Beef
Enterprise Hns Been Pushing the
Bntclicrs' BUI for n. Purpose.
The peculiar phases that are constantly
arising in the fight against dressed beef,
and the constant agitation of the question
in and out of Legislative circles, have long
conspired to present a mystery to local deal
ers and tbe public at large. That there was
some power behind the throne, endeavoring
to undermine the local strongholds of Swift
and Armour, has been a prevalent impres
sion in the minds of many.
Yesterday a Dispatch reporter succeed
ed in delving beneath the surface of corpor
ation secrecy far enough to learn that the
power behind the throne was a reality, and
that dressed beef interests had a greater
power than the local butchers to oppose the
importation and sale in Pittsburg.
It will be remembered that The Dis
patch last summer gave exclusively the
outline of a project of a mammoth local
dressed beef company, composed of promi
nent citizens, with a capital of 81,000,000,
who were secretly working out a plan to es
tablish large slaughter houses, and not only
control the local trade but otherwise en
croach on the Chicago firms' stronghold.
As The Dispatch reporier learned yes
terday, the company formed last summer
has not been lying dormant but has been
watching things, and quietly working on
the sly, not trusting to get their charter
until they were assured that they had a
clear field.
Informal meetings have been hejd from
time to time, and every person connected is
sworn to secrecy, as a leaking of'identity
even in the least degree would give Swift
and Armour the tip, and defeat the local
plans.
WEAK SOUTHERN IRON.
Mr. Andrew Cnrneclc Return From a Trip
Throncli ibe f-onth, and Says That Sec
tion Can't Compete.
Andrew Carnegie arrived in the city last
evening from the South, where he had been
spending a few weeks looking into the iron
industries of Georgia and Alabama. The
millionaire was in a great hurry, and very
little could be learned of his trip.
"I was in Atlanta and Birmingham," he
said, "and I must say that I was pleased
with both cities. I was interested in the
iron industries, but, of course, they can't
be compared to Pittsburg."
"Do you think the South will become a
dangerous competitor to Pittsburg?"
"Certainly not, in the iron business.
This is the great center of the iron trade."
"How about pig metal?"
"Well, we don't pretend to manufacture
much pig metal in Pittsburg. We usually
import that from other places. There are a
great many fnrnaces in Alabama, and they
turn out good pig iron. Now, I don't want
to be quoted any further on this subject I
don't want another Chicago discussion.
That cost me a heap of money and trouble,
and I don't intend to say that this and that
place can more than compete with Pittsburg
in the manufacture of iron."
When asked if he intended to invest in
Southern iron, he did not reply, but jumped
into a carriage and was driven off. Mr.
Carnegie was unaccompanied, and was met
at the Union depot by two of the young
lights in the firm.
NEW CARS AND ENGINES.
The Allegheny Taller Road Experimenting
With Sienm Heating.
Superintendent David McCargo, of the
Allegheny Valley road, started for Old
Point Comfort last night with Mrs. Mc
Cargo, who is not well.
Mr. McCargo stated that he is anxious to
get rid of the car stove, and for some time
has been experimenting with steam from
the engine on two express trains. He finds
that the tubes that carry the steam must be
perfectly horizontal, or the plan won't work.
If there is the slightest bend in the pipe,
the flow of steam is interrupted, and the
pipe freezes up. This is the only fault he
has to find with the experiments, but he
hopes this defect can soon be remedied.
A few days ago the road issued a contract
for 200 more freight cars and three new en
gines of class A. Two of them will be used
in the yards and the other will be sent out
on thu road. Mr. McCargo said that the
road was now well supplied with rolling
stock and motive power.
POUR COLORED TOUGHS
Succeed in Raisins a Row on the 9:20 Walls
Accommodation.
Four drunken colored toughs entered the
920 Walls accommodation last night and
proceeded to make themselves heard. When
warned by Condnctor C. P. Linhart they
produced a revolver,knife and razor. With a
brakeman's assistance the plucky conductor
captmed two, the other pair meanwhile
bombarding the train. A glancing stone
struck Linhart's eye, bnt did not injure it
badly.
The prisoners, whose names are Henry
Whieler and William Eussen, were
lodged in the East Liberty station house,
and, at this morning's hearing, will proba
bly be severely dealt with, as they belong
to a gang ot toughs who have been the
source of serious trouble to the conductors
for a long time.
THE LOCAL PROHIBITIONISTS.
A Mcetln of the County Committee Was
Held Yesterday.
At the meeting of the County Central
Prohibition Committee held yesterday after
noon George Findley, Esq., te viewed the
work done at the Harrisburg Convention.
He said every person there would have gone
to jail if it would advance the cause of
prohibition.
A letter from A. A. Stevens, Chairman
of the State Executive Committee was read.
In it the writer said:
It will be readily seen that the Constitutional
Amendment Association with its Don-partisan
principles could not consistently meet in con
vention a third party whose principles are par
tisan, but since it is assured now that party
politics will be banished, I think our common
cause will be a success.
COKE WORKS MAI CLOSE.
If tbe Valley Farnnceaien Strike, tho Ovens
Will be Banked.
A Pittsburg iron manufacturer says the
action of the Mahoning Valley f urnacemen
in demanding a reduction of 10 per cent in
wages March 1 is due to the depressed con
dition of tbe pig iron market
Ifthemcndo not accept the reduction
and the furnaces are banked this will ne
cessitate the closing down of a number of
coke works in the Connellsville region. If
the fnrnaces close down the coke operators
will not care mnch whether their men strike
March 1 or not
Gas Exploded, bat Did No Harm.
From a leak in the escape pipe of the nat
ural gas line on the corner of Carson and
South Fourteenth streets yesterday, a lot of
gas accumulated in the cellar of the build
ing under the German Savings Bank. A
plumber Went into 'the cellar to repair the
leak, and struck a light, which caused an
explosion; but little damage was done.
A Cole Dodge.
Ella Murray and Anna Walton com
plained to .Mayor ifearson, of Allegheny
yesterday, that they had been swindled by
an employment agency. The latter had a
dodge of clipping from The Dispatch, ad
vertisements for help wanted. After
charging the applicants 50 cents they would
simply send them to answer the "ads."
M INSURANCE KICK.
The Companies Now Strenuously Ob
ject to the Proposed New
VALUED POLICY INSURANCE BILL.'
They Say it Will Drive (tat Capital and
Eaise the Premiums.
NEW FIGTJEES OP GENERAL INTEREST
t Insurance companies and insurance peo
ple are just now greatly exercised over the
valued policy law that has been presented
to the Legislature, passed second reading,
and comes before the sub-Insurance Com
mittee Wednesday evening. This law is
not only of interest to insurance people, but
of vital interest to commercial men and to
the public at large.
In order to get at the exact meaning, pur
pose and effect of the proposed law, a call
was made upon Mr. W. A. McCutcheon, of
one of tbe large insurance companies lo
cated on Fourth avenue. The gentleman
seemed to have the matter very well in
hand, from an insurance side, and, in the
course of the conversation, said:
There are laws in several States resembling
this, but they are not so broad nor so iniquitous
from a general insurance standpoint. This
move proposes to make it obligatory to ex
amine property and place a valuo before it is
insured, and the value so placed is the face of
the loss if the property is destroyed, and no re
course or evidence can be offered to show the
property is worth less.
The second portion of theb'li says any per
son procuring a policy is deemed the agent of
the company, and this will revert against us in
several ways, because 33 per cent of the policies
procured are handled through brokers, and
where heretofore these brokers have been con
sidered the agents of the people desiring tbe
policy, this law makes them tho agents of the
companies.
REASONS AGAINST IT.
How our arguments against this bill are
many, and I think very strong, and a few facts
in regard to insurance will not be without in
terest to a public that is really as greatly inter
ested as we are.
In the first place, the percentage of losses in
the United States has Deen increasing every
year for the last ten years. Not only this, but
the increase in fires of unknown, or suspicious
origin increase in proportion. Now under the
existing laws it is absolutely necessary to
prove actual arson before we can even hope to
have a jury bearing, so it can easily be seen
bow this proposed law puts a premium on
crime.
Suppose, for instance, a factory has been
built, and the original purpose for its erection
having been withdrawn, it is worth perhaps
not one-fifth of its former value. -Still, if this
property were burned the owner would get the
lull value, and if that isn't a premium on arson
I don't know what is.
fto law has as yet ever been passed that pre
vents a proper valuation of goods or personal
property on the same day the fire occurred.
That is. suppose goods which have a fluctuat
ing value were destroyed, we can value them
at tho price at which they may be replaced on
that day, not at what they might have cost
This rule, you see, acts both ways, as the value
may as easily be higher as lower at the time.
With buildings, how ever, it will revert against
us every time, for the value of a building al
ways depreciates, and under this valued policy
law we must pay its former value.uot its actual
present value.
Some years ago the valued policy law went
into effect in New Hampshire. Tbe insurance
companies took action at once, and all foreign
companies not incorporated under tbe laws of
that State withdrew entirely with the conse
quence that in one year tbe ratio of losses de
creased 7.5 per cent
In Wisconsin over three years ago, a similar
law was passed, though somewhat more just
than the .Pennsylvania law. The companies
did not withdraw and the indemnity was still
to be had, with what effect?
Tbe effect was exactly opposite to that of
New Hampshire. The fire ratio increased
steadily until it reached 100 per cent, while the
valuation of property decreased. The increase
in the per cent or suspicious or unknown cases
were so great that the Insurance Commissioner
made a ery strong appeal, seconded by the
Governor, to the Legislature, to have the ini
nuitious law repealed. There is'no easy word
for it: it is increasiug the moral temptation so
largely that it is actually placing a premium on
crime.
ALL AGAIKST THE COMPANIES.
Any one who has watched the laws cannot but
see how legislation has been steadily against
the insurance companies. This is strange when
it is borne in mind that tbe insurance loss is
the greatest of any other bnsiness in the world.
Every other loss but that of insurance is that of
one man to another, thus tending to the other
man's gain. The insurance logs, however, is a
dead loss to the country. We pay for goods
that are absolutely swept out of trade, and out
of existence.
Just let me give you some figures to show the
tremendous business threatened by this law. In
1S79 the loss by fire in the United States was
$77,703,700, or .195 per cent of the entire property
valuation. In 1SS6 the loss was $104,921,750, a
percentage of .21 per cent and ,in 18S8 it was
Sl"3,uuu,uuu, witn a still nigner per cent of tho
total valuation, and were it not for insurance
companies there would be an absolute with
drawal of just that much capital.
In case legislation arid the courts of justice
continue to bo directed as steadily against the
companies as has been in the past, it is only a
question of time when insurance capital will
be entirely withdrawn, and the effect of this
withdrawal can scarcely be calculated if these
enormous losses fall directly upon the com
mercial people and interests of the country, in
stead of being divided as they aie in infinites
imal sums among a legion of stockholders.
Pennsylvania is one of the great insurance
States, and even under present circumstances,
it is a prosperous company indeed that can pay
tho interest on its invested capital. Then what
would our situation be if circumstances are
made to revert against us even more than they
In rnral districts, where this present bill is
largely supported, it is impossible for us to get
a man to accept our agency alone. Ho goes
into other business, and as a result his valua
tions are generally away off. These country
districts are supporting the bill because there
is no insurance capital, and because there are
no insurance interests there.
AT THE MEltCY OP OTHERS.
The law will, if passed, throw us completely
at the mercy of either intentional and fraudu
lent overvaluation, or ignorant overvaluation.
In either case we are the sufferers, and this
law proposes that we shall have no appeal and
that no evidence can be allowed afterward
that tbe property was not worth the stated
value, even though it might have been ten
times overvalued. Outside of speculative
stock there Is no stock so generally held by
citizens as insurance stock, and our own busi
ness men, widows and women who depend en
tirely upon them for a livelihood, will be ut
terly left.
In case tho act does pass tbe companies, if
they do not entirely withdraw, will at least
withdraw a large portion of their outside capi
tal. This will make it difficult to insure, and it
would be very bard to get proper values, as the
companies will certainly place lower values,
besiac's the withdrawal ,of competition wilt
most certainly tend to increase the rates, and
that is where our business people will be
touched.
Insurance companies never desire to carry
over 80 per cent of a risk, and while they do not
deny that some injustice has been done, it has
been caused by the over-anxiety of outside ad
justers who are too willing to make, if possible,
some salvage for their companies.
The insurance capital invested in Pennsyl
vania is 513,000,000. with assets of more than
double that. Three and one-half millions are
invested in Pittsburg and Allegheny and the
greater part of the balance in Philadelphia. I
would say in conclusion that these enormous
interests cannot be touched without the gen
eral public being equally affected.
A NEW GALYANIZEE,
Lead Is Well Recomuiendcd as a Protector
of All Kinds of Iron.
A. L. Bonnafon. of Philadelphia, has a
new process to coat iron of all kinds with
lead instead of galvanizing material. It is
not affected by acids, and he claims it will
not corrode.
He is about completing a contract with
the National Tube Works to use his lead
for coating pipes.
All the poisonous material in the lead
is removed by arsenic, so'that water running
through the pipes will not be contaminated.
Mr. Bonnafon is organizing associations in
all branches of the iron industries.
Thnt Grip Gave Way.
The grip on car 201 of the Citizens trac
tion line brokelast night at the, Forks of
the Road, and travel was" delayed for some
time.
THE REBEL SPY. '
Belle Boyd the Confederate Pctticontcd
Courier In the City Lnst Night She ii tho
Gennlno Rebel Spy.
The original Belle Boyd, the famous rebel
spy, was in the city last evening, and left for
Greensburg, where she is now making her'
headquarters. While in the city a Dis
patch reporter had a short chat with her
and she undoubtedly proved that she is the
genuine Belle. To the reporter she said:
I am not seeking publicity, but ,-I would like
to set myself right before the public Since
the publication of tbe stories that Belle Starr,
who was murdered in Indian Territory, was the
Belle Boyd of Stonewall Jackson fame, I have
been considerably annoyed and worried by a
great many people who think I am an imposter.
In Greensburg, where I have been living, the
people believe me as they have the proofs of
my identity. I have fhreo children to raise and
I cannot afford to allow their lives to be clouded
by havine my name associated with Belle Starr
or any other persons who are imposters.
I was born in Martinsburg, Berkely connty
(now West Virginia). May 9, 1313. My father
was Benjamin Reed Boyd, of Martinsburg. I
was educated at ML Washington Female Col
lego at Baltimore county, Maryland. I bad
just left school when tbe war broke out, and I
determined to enter the Confederate service.
During my career as a spy I was a prisoner for
11 months in the old Capitol and Carroll
prisons in Washington. 1 was twice sentenced
to be shot, but each time managed to get re
prieved. In May. 1864,1 ran the blockade, and was
captured and banished by President Lincoln.
I sailed for England August 25, 1864. My first
marriage took place shortly afterward to
Lieutenant Samuel Wylde Harding, of the
United States navy.
I first went on the stage at the Theater Royal,
Manchester. England, in May, 1&66. After the
general amnesty was proclaimed hy President
Johnson I returned to America, and made mv
first appearance at Ben Be Bar's Theater in St.
Louis. A short time afterward I joined a stock
company in Cincinnati, under the name of Nina
Benjamin.
My second marriage was to Colonel John
Swalnston Hammond, on March 17, 1S69, in
New Orleans. My 'health was failing at tho
time and I left the stage. I took a trip to Cali
fornia, and my mind becoming impaired I went
to the asylum for the insane in Stockton, Cat
I afterward came back to Maryland to be
treated by Dr. Stokes, of Baltimore.
The first time anv persons tried to imnerson-
ate me was when f was ill and was reported
dead. Ono or two women tried it but were not
successful. In 1S83, while living in Texas, a
woman calling herself Belle Boyd, but known
in private life a s Mrs. Murphy, was traveling
through the country telling people she was the
'Rebel Spy.' I succeeded in running her down,
and the woman left the State.
A short time afterward I was granted a di
vorce from my husband, and on January 9, 1885,
married Nat R. High, the actor, of Toledo. I
began to travel with him, delivering recita
tions, etc The first recital of my life was in
Toledo at an entertainment under the auspices
of the G. A. R. I have since been delivering
lectures throughout the country, and am wait
ing to hear from several posts in this city.
SUNDAY SCHOOL WORKERS.
The Opening Session of the Allegheny
Presbytery Sunday School Teachers'
Institute Held Last Evening.
The first institute of the Sabbath school
teachers of the Allegheny Presbytery was
commenced last night in the First TJ. F.
Church, on Union avenue The auditorium
of the church was well filled. The Rev. D.
F. McGill was the leader of the meeting.
A choir composed of the choirs of all the
churches, and lead by Prof. W. A. Lafferty,
rendered some beautiful singing. A book
of selections from the Psalms, set to music,
was printed especially for the Institute.
The exercises of the evening consisted of
addresses from Eev, J. 31. Fulton, 1). D.,
and the Rev. B. F. Vincent, D. D.
Dr. Fulton spoke on 'The Aims and Or
ganization of the Sabbath School." In his
address he gave his ideas of a goood Sabbath
school, and the best methods for reaching
perfection.
Dr. Vincent, wljb followed Dr. Fulton,
had for his subject "Mistakes Corrected."
The first mistake, he said, was the relation
of church and Sabbath school as understood
by many. One way to explain it was the
anecdote of the woman who was calling her.
ciiuu. ooiue.uoys piaying uj unu tuey werft,
told that their mother was calling them
One replied: "Her ain't calling we. Us
don't belong to she." Continuing, the
speaker said that the church and Sabbath
school were one. Everyone who ioined
church joined the Sabbath school as well.
One mistake was in teaching the cate
chism as a parrot would be taught to talk,
without thought. Another mistake was the
selection of teachers. Taking young peo
ple and taking ones for convenience be
cause they were handy or a friend had a
class across the way. The speaker advised
advanced classes in the school and a more
thorough knowledge of the church. In
conclusion, he severelycritioised listless
teachers.
A FURTHER HEARING WAIVED.
The Case Acnlnst tbe F. & 31. Rnnk Cashier
Will Go to Court nt Last.
The adjourned hearing of Mr. H. F.
Voigt, ex-cashier of the defunct Farmers
and Mechanics' Bank, which was to have
taken place yesterday aiternoon, did not
come off, because J. S. Ferguson, Esq., the
attorney for the defense, was busy with an
other case.
To a gentleman who went to see him and
asked him when the hearing might be held,
he said: "I do not know; I am so busy
that I cannot tell when it may be held.
Well, I guess I will waive a hearing of the
defense altogether, and let the case go to
court."
Mr. Voigt is still in jail, and he does not
know whether he will be able to secure the
required $10,000 bail or not.
TO THE BRAZILIAN CAPITAL.
A Tjarse Order of Underground Cable
Shipped to Rio Janeiro.
The Standard Underground Cable Com
pany has shipped 180,000 feet of under
ground cable to Rio Janeiro, Brazil. This is
the largest order of cable ever shipped to
a South American port.
The wire will be used by the Westing
house Electric Light Company, at present
wiring the capital preparatory to lighting it
by electricity.
THE REAL CAUSE.
I. N. Rom S.-iys Pittsburg Foundries Cannot
Tarn Ont Yokes Frist Enough.
In reference to the statement that the
yokes for the Penn avenue cable line were
made in Eastern cities because the labor
was cheaper. Master Workman I. X. Ross,
of D. A. No. 3 says this is untrue. The real
cause was the Pittsburg foundries could not
turn them out fast enough.
The Old Third's Lon-r Idt.
The Republicans of the Third ward, Alle
gheny, met in the North avenue school
house last night, and suggested the follow
ing ward ticket:
Select Council. E. Wcrthelmer, Wm.Wet
tach and Hugh Renwlck; Common Council,
Charles.Gerwig, B. F. Rynd, R. L. Thompson,
Chas. Splane, J. G. Ebbert, Charles Simon.
JohnH. Eback,T. C. Harbison, Henry Stuck
man. Theo. Striepecke, Wm. Swindel and John
Datt: Poor Director, James Brown and Charles
Alston; School Director, Henrv Albright.
Charles Sheriff and George Lysle; Constable,
James Z. Brown. The meeting was harmoni
ous throughout, and was presided over by R.
B. Scandrett '
Slncle Decided It.
The Eleventh ward Republican Club met
last night to decide which, one of three
school directors was elected' for the one
year term. Judge Slagle was one of the
candidates, and he settled the question by
accepting the short term. ,
Tbe Prohibition Convention.
The committee to arrange for the Prohibl
tion County Convention, Friday next at 10
A. M., finished their work yesterdav. The
indications are that every ward, borough
and township will be represented.
PRONOUNCED A FARCE
The Riverside Trial Criticised by
Representative Stewart.
HE CALLS IT NARROW AND UNFAIR
The Legislature Expected to Do a Little
Probing of Its Own.
ANOTHER CASE OP CRDELTI EXPOSED
Representatives Graham, Robinson, Stew
art, Jones, Richards and Chalfant returned
to Harrisburg last night. The general im
pression the legislators say they have of the
Western Penitentiary is that there is tome
thing wrong in the institution, and that,
before any money is appropriated for its
benefit, a full and open investigation, with
power to get and take all the facts, should
be made by the Legislature.
Mr. Stewart expressed himself rather
forcibly on the subject as follows:
Hook on the Western Penitentiary as it is
eonducted at present with a great deal of sus
picion, and I for one will vote in favor of a
legislative Investigation. The late investiga
tion strikes me as nothing more than a farce.
It began at the wrong end. Somebody is the
man who is responsible for the institution, and
it should be seen first that he Is all right.
The idea, in such an investigation, confining
tbe prosecutor to certain Specified charges, and
then
RULING OUT EVERYTHING
that showed that the subordinates were dere
lict in their duties and that tbe Institution was
not properly conducted! It was not a fair
mode of trial. All that tbe prisoners could
bring forward against the management of the
institution should have been beard.
Senators Robbins, who asked for an investi
gation in tbe Senate, told me of a horrible case
of cruelty that came to his ears, long before
this investigation was started. A client of his.
a miner who bad been convicted of manslaugh
ter, was confined in tbe penitentiary. He had
gone with a crowd that got into a riot and a
man .was killed. Somebody had to suffer
for it, and he was. selected. Tbe Senator said
he was impressed with the man's sense of
honor, and he still has perfect confidence in him.
The miner told him, when he was released,
that while he was confined at Riverside be was
asked to do something which he refused. To
coerce him they applied an electric battery to
him until the blood ran out of his ears.
This institution now asks for 387,000 from
the State. I, for ono, will have to be satisfied
that such cruelty is not often practiced before
I will vote for the appropriation,
TBISONERS ALWAYS KICKING.
Hon. James L. Graham said he thought
a Legislative investigation would be ordered,
but he was loth to see it. He was Overseer
of the Poor once in Alleghenv for nine
years, and, while in that position, had
visited all the penal institutions of the
State. His experience was that the
prisoners always had some complaint to
make and were never satisfied.-
Mr. Robison stated that his alien bill
would come up for first reading to-day. He
is confident the measure will pass. It pro
vides that tbe property of aliens, acquired
during a three years' residence in the
country, shall be confiscated, unless they
declare their intention of becoming citizens
at the end of that time. Mr. Robison said
such a law existed in Illinois.
Controller Morrow and Delinquent Tax
Collector Ford also went to Harrisburg last
night; the former to explain a few points in
a new street bill to he introduced, and the
latter to use his influence against the bill to
tax the benevolent features of secret socie
ties. Mr. Ford claimed tbe bill was backed
by the old insurance companies, and that it
took away from the poor man the only op
portunity he has of insuring his life.
AMENDMENT MASS MEETINGS
In Enst End and Oakland to Select Delegates
to tbo Convention.
A mass meeting of East End citizens was
held in Liberty Hall last evening to elect
delegates to the county Constitutional
amendment convention which meets in this
city next Friday. A similar meeting was
also held at Oakland M. E. Church.
At the East End meeting Eev. C. V. Wil
son was the first speaker. Among other
things he said:
Does prohibition prohibit or not? That is
not the question. Tbe question with us is
whether we want it to prohibit or not. I do
not know but some officer may become recreant
to bis trust, but that is not the question. Do I
want prohibition or not? On this I vote yea or
nay. The saloon element are on the alert and
we mnst do likewise and put our force in the
doubtful sections.
Rev. Mr. Wilson was followed by Rev.
Mr. MacKay, Rev. Mr. Challant, Rev. Dr.
Samuel W. Miller of Saltsburg, Pa., Rev.
Mr. Kumler and others, in warm speeches
lor tne amendment, alter which tbe lollow
ing names were announced as delegates:
Nineteenth ward. D. Linhart, Lewis Krebbs.
Samuel Morrison, John Lelyrezom, C. Elwood;
Twentieth ward, John R. Rush, Kev. Mr.
Butler, William Sprague, Rev. R. B. Ewing,
Anarcw nicnmona; xwentv-urst warn, air.
Brissen, J. D. Weeks, Dr. McNeill, Peter Dick,
A. J. E. Means; Twenty-second ward, William
R. Frew, Joseph Lyon, Rev. Mr. Patterson, J.
D. Turner.
At the Oakland meeting the following
were among the speakers: Mr. F. D.
Chantler, Rev. Dr. W. J. Holland, Rev.
Mr. Ross, J. W. Morelandand Major More
land, the latter taking the question from a
legal standpoint.
The following were the delegate elected to
represent the Fourteenth ward:
Rev. Dr. Holland, Rev. Dr. Beazell. Rev. Mr.
Ross, Alexander Murdoch, Earnest M.Morrow.
A DANISH CONSUL
An Old Claim Against tho Danes Expected
to be Soon Settled.
Louis Bagger, Royal Vice Consul of Den
mark, Norway and Sweden at Washington,
arrived in the city last night to attend to
some legal business of a private nature.
Mr. Bagger stated that the best of feeling
prevails between the United States and the
countries he represents.
Away back in 1850 a Danish war ship
fired on an American vessel. The claim
has never been settled, and when brought to
the notice of the Government the matter was
referred to the British Minister at Athens
as arbitrator. Mr. Bagger said that just be
fore he left Washington he heard the Min
ister was ready to report his decision, and
some correspondence between the countries
is expected to pass.
MOVE UP FRONT, PLEASE.
A LnwrcnceTllIe Citizen Refused, and Was
Kicked Oil" tho Car.
Edward Dravo, a resident of Lawrence
ville, refused to accede to the conductor's
modest request to "Move up front, please,"
on a Citizens traction car, the other night,
and as a consequence the conductor, he
claims, kicked him off the car.
For this little pleasantry on the part of the
conductor, whose name is Wm. Galway,
Mr. DraVo entered suit before Alderman
Doughty for assault and battery. The
Alderman held Galway for trial at court.
Mr 1st is D. mv 17th is P, and Dr. Bull's
Cough Syrup is the entirety. Price 25 cents.
Two Days Lonscr.
Onr sale of 59 suits will continue two days
longer, to-day and Wednesday. It is our
first suit sale of the season, and comprises
about 340 elegant tailor-made suits, manu
factured from imported cheviots, fancy
worsteds, English cassimeres, etc., at 59.
We had a great call for them on Monday,
and so extended the sale for to-day and to
morrow. The suit3 are all superbly made,
lined with heavy silk-finished serge, and 5'J
is the quick-selling price thev go tor.
P. C. C. C.xor. Grant and Diamond sts.,
opp. the new Court House.
At Hamilton's
You can buy pianos and organs at less price,
considering the quality of the goods, than
anywhere else.
FURNITURE DEALERS FEASTED.
A Die Banquet Closes Up a Bnsiness Meet
ing of the Pittsburg and Alleghenv
Furniture Exchnnsc
Tbe annual meeting and election of
officers of the Pittsburg and Allegheny
Furniture Exchange was held last night in
the new establishment of A. J. Logan, on
Third avenne, and, as usual, the business
part of the meeting was concluded by a
grand banquet.
The meeting was opened by the retiring
president of the society, MrJ John Hage
nian, who, in a short address, spoke of the
furniture business in Pittsburg during the
last year, which may be summed up by say
ing that the year has been one of the most
prosperous for the business. Then the elec
tion took place, the result being: President,
W. B. McLean; Vice President, W. F.
Eichenlaub; Secretary, A. J. Logan; Treas
urer, Herman Flechsig.
The business having been hurried
through, the assembly adjourned to a floor
below, where a very elaborate spread was
laid, awaiting the guests. There were two
long tables arranged:here, each with a seat
ing capacity of 75 people, and by the time
everybody had found a place there was not
an empty chair to be found anywhere.
While the guests endeavored to
swallow a very hot oyster stew, the
Grand Army orchestra performed a
popular march. Alter the last course
of the extensive bill of fare had been dis
posed of Mr. J. M. Fuller, who acted as
master of ceremonies, called upon Mr. John
Kenworthy to respond to the toast, "The
Pittsburg and Allegheny Furniture Ex
change." The speaker acquitted himself
uuuiu iu me aubisiuukjuu oj ujs audience uy
recounting the success the Exchange had
had, and the benefit it had been to the
trade generally. The next toast was, "Our
City," responded to by Colonel John
Murphy.
The speech of Mr. W. H. Keech, how
ever, in answer to the toast "To the Trade.,'
was ot more than general interest. That
gentleman gave his audience a glance at a
picture of the furniture business in the past,
present and future. He spoke of the beau
tiful antique styles of ;furniture; dwelt for
awhile on the picturesqueness of the re
naissance style of the fashions of the age of
Queen Anne, then the French, Spanish,
etc., until he arrived at our modern period,
of which he said that the artisan was now
able to furnish his little parlor in a style
which would have aroused the envy of mil
lionaires 50 years ago.
KNIVES AND PISTOLS.
An Affray Which Will Probably Result
In
Two Deaths.
SPECIAL TXLEGIULM TO TBE DISrjlTCH.l
Shakon, February ll.A terrible cut
ting affray which will probably end in the
death of two persons, occurred at Orange
ville, a small hamlet 8 miles north of
Sharon, Saturday night. Jeff Hamilton
and John Martin of Greenville, became in
volved in a quarrel with a German, who re
fused to give his name. Hamilton and Mar
tin drew pistols and opened fire on the Ger
man, who grabbed a knife and stabbed Mar
tin just below the heart and then plunged
the blade into Hamilton's neck. Martin is
dying and Hamilton is in a precarious con
dition. The German was terribly used up
and his ribs were smashed by the infuriated
men.
The principal parties have been arrested.
Yesterday a number of Hamilton's friends
went to Orangeville for the pnrpose of re
leasing him, but the citizens formed a guard
around the building and drove tbe attack
ing party away. Bloodshed was only
averted by the determined action of the resi
dents of the place.
He Will Try nis Go. Here.
B. W. Loomis, the inventor of the pro
cess to make fuel gas, stopped over in the
city last night on his way to Chicago. -He
expects to put one of his machines in a
Pittsburg mill in a short time, but could
not say which one.
A Floating Sawmill Burned. ,
The floating sawmill owned by Messrs.
Cook & Graham, in the Monongahela river,
caught fire from the furnace last night, and
burned to the water's edge. Loss about
55,000, without insurance.
The Boiler Explosion.
Boiler Inspector Neeld said yesterday
that the evidence adduced so far, shows that
the boiler of the steamer Two Brothers
burst under a pressure of over 500 pounds
to the square inch.
Devlne Versus Levine.
Morris Devine yesterday accused Morris
Levine of stealing 517 from his trunk last
December. Devine had Levine arrested,
and he was put in jail in default of 5500
bail.
In tho Co arts. Perhaps.
It is now stated that the trouble between
Inspector McAleese and Assistant Superin
tendent O'Mara and Dr. Orr will be settled
in the courts.
Democratic Nominees.
The Thirtieth ward Democrats met last
night and made the following nominations:
Select Council, William Nolden: School
Directors, Harry Sellers and Ed McMnllen.
LOCAL ITEMS, LIMITED.
Incidents or a Day In Two Cities Condensed
for Ready Rcadine.
Jonx McCallt, employed in Wightman's
glassworks. West End, had his leg broken by
falling from a bench yesterday afternoon.
The Twelfth ward Democratic nrimaries
were held last night and nominated JohnW.
Driscoll, for Alderman, and John Exler. for
Select Council.
The Democrats of tho Fifteenth ward met
in tbe Lawrence schoolbouse an? nominated
J. P. Lentz, for Select Council; Joseph Fuhrer,
Jr., and F. P. Souders, for School Directors.
Tnojf as Packard, one of Alderman Por
ter's offlcers,received a notice that if he did not
behave a Pittsburg branch of the White Caps
would pay him a visit. The officer looks upon
the affair as a joke.
The silk flag presented by the Jr. O. U. A. M.
to the O'Hara School, to be given to the 'room
having the best average attendance during the
month of January, was awarded to Room .No.
10, taught by Miss Jcnnlo De Armit.
Reuben Smith, of the Twelfth ward, who
was defeated by Thomas Perry for the Select
Council nomination on the Republican ticket,
stated yesterday that be would not run inde
pendent, as requested by many Republicans of
that ward.
Martin Simon's barber shop at No. 153
Robinson iStreet, Allegheny, was robbed on
Sunday evening. Tbe thieves secured a num
ber of razors. The robbery occurred before
midnight, as they tamnered with the clock and
stopped It,
NOTES ON NAVIGATION.
The stage of water is about 3 feet.
Both rivers are comparatively free of ice.
The Tom Lysle arrived from below yesterday
with a tow of empties.
"It cannot be denied," said a railroad coal
operator yesterday, 'that the Kanawha river
coal is injuring the river operators in Cincin
nati. The rivermen will deny this and run
down the Kanawha coal as an inferior article
but denials will not replace lost revenues. Tho
coal is inferior, but for all that it is cheaper
than the Pittsburg coal."
River Tclcrtrnmi.
-SrSCIAL TZLEGIUUI TO TIIK DlSf ATCTT.1
WAitKEN River 1 foot 7-10 inches and
stationary. Weather cold and snowing.
Moboantown River closed. Weather
cloudy. Thermometer 32 at 4 v. K.
Brownsvilie River 6 feet and falling.
Weather cloudy. Thermometer 23 at 6 P. u.
G05E TO EUROPE.
A Westlngbonsc Representative to Estab
lish a Brnnch In London. ,
Mr. James T. Humbird, the Assistant
General Manager of the Westinghouse
Electric Company, left this city last night
for New York, en route for Europe.
Mr. Humbird has only returned from
England a few months ago, where he had
been all last summer, in the interest of his
company. It was he who secured the electric
light contract of 25,000 lights in the city of
London, and as that contract has recently
been duplicated, it is thought that Mr,
Humbird will go to England to establish a
branch office of the Westinghouse interests
in London, to be known as the European
branch of the Westinghouse electric works.
When the gentleman was asked last night
at the Union deDot as to the object of bis
European trip he only stated that he was
going on bnsiness. Further than that he
did not tare to say anything, although he
did not deny that an English branch of the
Pittsburg electric plant would be estab
lished by him.
AN ALLEGHENY INVESTIGATION.
Charges Mndo Against the Pay Roll of the
Water Drpariment.
The Allegheny Water Committee met last
night. Bills and the payroll, amounting to
510,746 63 were approved. In this matter
Mr. Steffan stated that a charge had been
made that the payroll contained the names
of a number of employes designated as leak
inspectors, and that the number was far in
excess of the requirements of the depart
ment. In justice to the Superintendent, as
well as the committee, he suggested that the
Chairman appoint a committee to investi
gate the matter.
There was no discussion on the question
whatever, and Messrs. Cochran, Steffan,
Stayton, Henricks and McGearywere ap
pointed to investigate and report as to the
necessity of employing ten leak inspectors
to do the work of the department.
A number of minor contracts were award
ed by the committee.
TO BEAT THE L. & 0.
Drug-risls Working to Have Xo Sunday
Laws Affect Them.
J. J. Miller, an Alleghey druggist, went
to Harrisburg last night to see what legisla
tion he could have enacted to relieve drug
gists from the petty persecutions of the Law
and Order Society for violations of the Sun
day law, as he expressed it.
Mr. Sliller would not say whether he rep
resented the druggists of both cities or no,
but he intimated that he was an advance
guard sent out to feel the way, and if any
thing can be done the druggists will make a
combined effort to have the Sunday law
changed in respect to their business.
Two Days Longer.
Our sale of 59 suits will continue two days
longer, to-day and Wednesday. It is our
first suit sale of the season, and comprises
about 340 elegant tailor-made suits, manu
factured from imported cheviots, fancy
worsteds, English cassimeres, etc., at 5!).
We had a great call for them on Monday,
and so extended the sale for to-day and to
morrow. The suits are all superbly made,
lined with heavy silk-finished serge, and 59
is the quick-selling price they go lor.
P. C. C. C, corner Grant and Diamond
streets, opposite the new Court House.
NO PAIN.
Never Fails.
Dr. Charles S. Scott, 624 Penn ave., oppo
site Home's, never fails to get the teeth and
reots all out, and does it absolutely without
pain, and his artificial teeth always fit.
Marvin's Orange Hlossorn. Have Yoa Tried
Them?
Marvin's Orange Blossom soda cracker is
undoubtedly the finest cracker ever pro
duced. Try it and be convinced. ' tisu
FINEST ON EARTH.
Scott's Mineral Bain Teeth Warranted for
Life.
No other dentist in this vicinity can make
this work. Don't give yonr order until you
have seen them, at 624 Penn avenue, oppo
site Home's.
Cupid Union Message Co.
"Messages of Love" (valentines) in all
shapes and forms can be had in largest
variety and lowest prices at main office of
L. Breuninger& Co., 535 Smithfield street,
Pittsburg, Pa. 3,7,10,13
Removal of a Gun Store.
J. H. Johnston will remove about April
1 to706 Smithfield street, Bissel block.
Clearance sale every day immense bargains
offered at No. 621 Smithfield street.
85, 86 and SS Pants.
For a good fitting suit or pants go to
PiiCAiEif 's Tailoring Emporium,
Tuf 434 Wood street.
At Hamilton's
You get the finest outfit that is given; every
thing rich, tasty and well made.
Secure a sound mind, which seldom
goes without sound digestion, by using
Angostura Bitters.
LrvER complaint cured free at 1102 Car
son st., Southside.
WINTER
GARMENTS.
A VARIETY OF STTLES.
NOT MANY OF EACH.
LOWEST PRICES MADE.
Jackets, $1 25, J2, S3, $5.
Trimmed Mantles, Astracban and
Braided. S5, 56, $8 and $10.
Beaver Newmarkets, Directoire
fronts or tight-fitting, 83, S3, $10 and
$12 many of these only one-third
original price.
Plush Jackets, S3, $3, $10 and $12.
Flush Modjeskas, $10, $12, $15 and
$20.
Alaska Seal Cloaks or Jackets. Will
save you large amounts of money on
best grades.
BIBER I EASTDN,
fe3-rrssu
TWO T00XG MEXICANS. . '
They Keprcsentcd Tbrmselves ns Writers
for n Publishing House and Wanted to
Do Up Pittsburg.
Constable Charles Porter o'f Alderman
McMasters' office arrested two youn? men,
supposed to be Mexicans, just as they were
ahout to embark on the 10 o'clock Baltimore
and Ohio train for Washington last night.
They gave.their names as Francis Vega and
Felipe L. Eguia.
They arrived in the city Friday, Febru
ary 1, and went to the St. Nicholas Hotel.
They represented that they had been sent
out by a Mexican publishing company
to write up the big cities and
the industries of the United States..
Both of them were well dressed, bufhad
neither baggage nor overcoats. On their -representation
that their trunks were com
ing by express, the proprietor, did not in
sist that they should pay in advance. j
On the following Sunday he asked them
about their board, their trunks not having
arrived. They replied that their luggage
was atthe American Express office. They said
they were expecting to receive a good sum
from Jones & Laughlins whose work sthey
were writing up. ;
The two young men had been writing let- ".
ters to all the big firms in the city. Ono
day they sent out 22 such letters, addressed
to all the prominent iron manufacturing
concerns. On Tuesday the hotel keeper
went to the American Express office and '
found that there was no baggage for such
persons there. Then he sent to Jones &
Laughlins and learned that the two young
fellows had written to them for passes to go
through the works, but had no contract to
write them up. On Tuesday the proprietor
entered an information against the two men
for obtaining boarding" nnder false nre
tenses. Before the warrants were served
they left the hotel.
On Sunday they applied to Chief Elliot,
of the Department of Public Charities, for
transportation to Washington. The Chief
questioned them closely. Their knowledge
of Mexico convinced Mr. Elliot they were
all right. He granted them the passes with
the understanding they should depart for
Washington on the 10 o'clock train last'
night. This information reached Constable
Porter, and he was on hand to meet them.
They were taken before the Alderman, and
in default of 5500 each, placed in jail for a
hearing next Monday.
JDS. HDRNE 4 CD.'B
PENN AVENUE STORES..
SPRING GOODS IN STOCK.
HUNDREDS OF PIECES
NEW INDIA SILKS,
i M
NEW INDIA SILKS,
COc to $2 CO a yard. The grades at 60c,
65c and SI are great values. Notice the
quality of the cloth and the novelty of
the designs.
The "mark downs" in Silks are the
greatest bargains you ever saw. Moires,
Satin Rbadames, Failles.
LOWEST NOTCH PRICES
-IS OCR-
CLOAKROOM.
CLOAK ROOM.
Fifty to 100 garments sold every day.
Jackets. Ulsters, Raglans, Newmar
kets, Plush Coats and Jackets. Also,
Children's Coats and Suits.
Our imported French Dresses tX
Half Price, to sell them quickly.
NEW DRESS GOODS
j.
Coming in daily. New Embroideries, .
" '- )
New Iacest New White Goods.
' -
GREAT BARGAINS "
i-f,
MUSLIN UNDERWEAR STOCKS "
JDS. HORNE i m:w.
f
' --.
fl
PENN AVENUE STORES.
ifc.
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