THE PITTSBUEG DISPATCH THURSDAY, imRTTAHY "' 14, 1889. I ESTABLISHED FEBRUARY 8, ISIS. Vol. U, Ko. 7. Entered at Pittsburg Post office, IvovemberH, 1887, as second-class matter. Business Office 97 and99 Fifth Avenue. News Booms and Publishing' House 75, 77 and 70 Diamond Street. This paper lulling woro than Double the circulation affray other In the. feints outside of Philadelphia, Its advantages us an adver tising medium will be apparent. TEIU1S OF TUE DISPATCH. rOSTAGE tree n the united states. BAILT DisrATCn, One Tear I 8 CO Dailt Disr-ATcn, Per Quarter 200 Daily Dispatch. Odc Month '" Daily Dispatch, including Sunday, one year WTO Daily dispatch. Including Sunday, per quarter -50 Daily DisrATCU. Including Sunday, ona month - 90 Cdxpat DisrATcn, oneyear. S50 WtKKLY Dispatch, one jcar 125 The Daily Dispatch Is delivered by carriers at 15 cents per week, orlncludingtuesunday edition. at SO cents per week. PITTSBURG, THURSDAY, FE& 14, 1SS8. PITTSBURG'S PROSPECTS. Mr. Carnegie's remarks on the outlook for the steel and iron interests of Pittsburg, given in an interview elsewhere, show that gentleman's talent at telling the whole story in a few words. This is especially the case in his characterization of the reported Pig Iron trust. It is "onlT an attempt of specu lators to obtain other chips to gamble with." His declaration that Tittsburg will not be drawn into that sort of gambling is the sort of prophecy which we hope may prove true. Mr. Carnegie also says that Pittsburg has nothing to fear from Alabama, and the in ference from his declaration that "when the Edgar Thomson works do not make 1,000 tons of rails a day, it will be because there are no rails to make, also allows the hope that there is no danger of Chicago's taking our steel rail trade away. It is satisfactory to learn that Mr. Carnegie regards the pros pect on these points in a more hopeful light than he did a year ago. "We do not believe, and never have, that either Alabama or Chicago can overthrow Pittsburg's suprem acy in iron and steel, and it is pleasant to note Mr. Carnegie's adherence to that view. But in view of the one quarter from which Mr. Carnegie scents danger the possible diminution of our gas supply it is import ant to point out the necessity of doing all that is possible to strengthen Pittsburg's position. The point which was raised by Mr. Carnegie's letters of a year ago, namely the freight rates on ore and iron to and from Pittsburg, is still a vital one; and the aid which that gentleman could lend in venti lating that question would be of great value. It is also pertinent to remark that what ever the fate of our pas wells, and the bear ing of other issues, the prosperity and supremacy of Pittsburg would have been vastly strengthened if the South Penn pro ject had not been strangled in the house of its friends, at the behest of the trunk line magnates. CUEIOSITIES OF TAXATION. The changes which have been made in the occupation tax, on account of the Su preme Court decision, present a rather sin gular phase of the lengths to which legal fiction can go. By this schedule a person having an occupation yielding 51,000 a year is held to earn only $100; one having a silary of $1,000 to f 2,000 is held to be worth only $300, and one having an income of over 2,000 is held to be worth only $500. This is probably the best that can be done in view of the remarkable decision that a professional man earning J25.000 a year can be taxed no more than one earning but 1,000; but it presents some striking incon gruities. In view of the results to which this system of taxation by occupations and the correlative business tax have attained it is pertinent to inquire how much better they are than the much denonnced income tax? Or the question may be put, in what respect the income tax, which at least levied taxation on the most prosperous, is not better than these forms of taxation? TWO DIFFERENT METHODS. Out West the grangers are attacking the dressed beef packers because they put down the price of cattle. In the East the attack is made because they put down the" price of beef. This affords an indication of the dif ference between the methods. One is an at tack on the alleged combination which pre vents the free competition of buyers, and the other is an attack on the public for the purpose of shutting off competition. There is no doubt that some ground exists for investigation in the wide difference be tween the price of cattle and the price of beef. If there is any combination or control of the routes of transportation or the methods of distribution, that maintains high profits for the middlemen while growers must take low prices and consumers pay high ones it should be corrected. But there is no remedy in proposing to shut off one of the methods of competition. To exclude dressed beef on the allegation ot a combine in that interest would be equivalent to enacting, because there has been a monopoly of refining petro leum, that the public must go back to stear ine candles for lighting. There is a question, too, whether the dressed beef shippers are the worst offenders in this matter of keeping up prices. An illus tration to the contrary is to be found in the local live stock trade The buyerof a 1,600 pound steer at the East Liberty stockyards can get it for 525 less this week than he could six months ago, and something like 550 less than the average price of afewyears gone by. "What consumer has found his meat bills reduced by the 1 and 3c per lb., respectively representing those reductions? If the Pennsylvania farmers will direct their efforts against the agencies that levy exorbitant charges on taking products from themselves to the consumers, they will ac complish something for their own benefit as well as for the public ONLY AN EHRANT COW. A simple errant cow has been disturbing the still, peaceful avenues of Buffalo in a manner that a cyclone might envy. The Buffalonians are still talking of the cow's doings, although days ago she was secured and led away from-the scene ot licr riotous proceedings. A writer in that windy town has been moved to demand for the welfare of his fellow citizens some measure of protec tion, some barrier past which no cow can ever pass to smash plate-glass windows, awake the police and send white-winged peace fluttering beyond the icy verge of Lake Eric The New York Tribune has seen fit to make light of the cow catastrophe, and of the Buffalo editor's serious remarks upon it. But we feel bound to extend our sympathy to Buffalo in her hour of trouble It is true that' Pittsburg has not known what it was to be invaded by a cow for many decades; but we can understand how terrible it must be to see the traffic, the police force and the business interests of one's native town demoralized by a cow especially when the cow has curly horns, as wc understand the animal fn question had. But wnile our friends in Buffalo are build ing barriers against cows, it would be well for them to consider the -donkeys; how they grow and multiply exceedingly upon the streets. Wc allude to the donkeys in human shape, bipeds assumed to have reasoninc powers and entire souls, who with uplifted umbrella points imperil the eyes of fellow pedestrians, or who in a hundred other ways make travel on city sidewalks perilous and abominable Pittsburg has as many of these noxious creatures as Buffalo, prob ably, or any other city, and shewonld cheer fully join in a crusade to rid the earth of them. THE UNSEASONABLE "MOVING DAY." . As the season for renting and for moving approaches, people in this city who know what it is to shift either their household goods or business fixtures in the inclement weather which so commonly comes in the latter days of March, must wonder, for the hundredth time, why the 1st of May is not fixed for the expiration of rentals in place of the 1st of April. Though the American housekeeper is credited with taking a positive pleasure in house-hunting and in taking up new quar ters, we think the idea is greatly exagger ated; and it is certain, anyhow, that, if left to choice, the bright and balmy days of opening summer would be almost unani mously chosen for migration in place of the bitter ones of closing winter. Heretofore, the change of date has met with no better support than the plea that it could not be made general. No one has cared to institute a beneficial reform at the risk of having his own property become vacant when renters were already out of the market. But now the management of real estate is so largely done through agency firms that if they took the initiative they would assuredly succeed in setting May as the time for moving. How much of discomfort, sickness and annoyance would be saved by this simple and rational proceeding? If the numerous intelligent and energetic real estate agents of Pittsburg desire to prove themselves philanthrophists as well as "hustlers," they can combine on the experiment even yet this year. STANDING BY "OUR RASCALS." The usually outspoken New York JTorW, in reply to some assertions of the Tribune, alleging corruption on the part of the Demo cratic machine, asks the'question: "Is po litical corruption all right when it is done, as Thad. Stevens put it, by ''our rascal?" It is pertinent to recognize that this is practically the view taken by the majority of organs and straight-out party men. The majority will not admit it perhaps, but the actual result of the general rule of shutting the eyes to the corruption that is practiced in the interest of the party to which the pa per or politician belongs, and of raising the outcry against those of the opposition, is to make the corruptionists secure of being whitewashed by their own party. When organs and party men take the po sition of exposing and punishing the cor ruption that is nearest to them in their own parties, the raisidg of huge sums of money to carry campaigns will be brought to a stop. This fact puts the responsibility for corruption on the organs and influential men. They can stop it if they are prepared to insist on the rule of absolute honesty in politics. This fact should be full of signifi cance to the esteemed World. That paper has earned a high reputation for outspoken opposition to Democratic crookedness in off years; bnt is it sure to live up to its stand ard in the heat of a hard fought campaign? If we remember correctly there was an investigation into the aqueduct frauds last year, which left very few shreds to the char acter of one David B. Hill; and somehow we failed to find very much about the dis closures of that investigation in the columns of the esteemed World during the New Tork gubernatorial campaign. AN UNEXPECTED CHAMPION. It is somewhat surprising as well as inter esting to find the St. Stephen's Review in forming Bismarck and the German Govern ment that if there is any idea in Berlin that a German fleet can "shell the towns along the coast from New York to New Orleans," be must know that the ties which bind England to Columbia "will not permit a German fleet so to operate" This is a novel interference in the fuss, because this publi cation is understood to be an organ of the extreme Tories, and its outspoken champion ship of Yankee rights is at wide variance with Lord Salisbury's pliancy toward Bis marck's schemes. Nevertheless its declara tion that "before the Kron Frinz could rain its iron shower on Broadway, the Bcnbovj and the Inflexible would have first to be beneath the waves of the Atlantic" is a warning to Bismarck that England is as restive under his arbitrary course as any other country. His perception of this as well as of France's readiness to jump into the fray at any favorable opportunity, is doubtless the foundation of his willingness to negotiate instead of bully. The gilded circles of New York society stand aghast over the conviction that the new administration will be a social failure Some iconolastic if not imaginative reporter has announced the discovery that Mrs. Har rison bites ber bread. An Italian newspaper warns Italians against coming to this country because Americans have no respect for them. It is true that wc have a prejudice against the importation from sunny Italy of those who practice the profession of Bed-Nosed Mike and the Count de Montercole. The Ameri can idea is very positively that these fields of effort should be reserved for home in dustry. The Allegheny butchers think it a seri ous matter to accuse anyone of selling lump jaw meat. Perhaps so, bnt the millenium for the public will come when it is estab lished that it will be twice as serious for anyone to sell it. The fact that Hon. D. B. Hill, of New Tork is in the field for the Democratic nomination of 1802, is announced; but it was apparent for some time previous to the formal declaration. This is pleasant Presidcntal candidates who get to work four years ahead of time are sure to find their booms frost bitten when it comes to actual returns on the harvest. The prize-fighters thumped each other for sixty-six rounds and then called it a draw. This is great news for the pugs. It indi cates that occasionally they can do a little harmless fighting with something else than their mouths With Union Pacific stock at 65 and Cen tral Pacific at 36, in the 4tock market, the holders of a second mortgage on those pro perties ought to be able' to get something for their claim in Iessthan'SD and 125 years respectively. This should hbld good even when the holders are no more important than the whole people of the United States. The Wheeling and Lake Erie Railroad is reported to be heading toward Pittsburg. It may come here if the Vanderbilts and the Pennsylvania Kailroad do not issue a de cree to the contrary. 1 The report now going the rounds that Congressman Thomas, of Illinois and John C. New, of Indiana, say that they cannot sit at the same table with Mr. Blaine, serves to call attention to the fact, that no one has heard of Mr. Blaine's making haste to get up from the table in order to make room for Messrs. New and Thomas. Is is reported that the price of anthracite coal is going down in the East. This seems to indicate that there is only one thing that can beat a great coal combine and that is an open winter. Congress went through the formality of counting the electoral vote yesterday. There being nothing to make a political fight about, the work was done in the short space of two hours. This places the long-debated question past all dispute. General Harri son is now the President-elect r BATING that Providence will interfere against buying up ignorant voters, is re garded by Senator Grady of New York as an attack on his personal comfort. The animadversions of the Northern and Southern members upon their mutual defi ciencies in their respective treatment of the negro is calculated to convince the colored citizen, North and South, that he does not get his deserts at the hands of either party. At last winter seems to have arrived at the conclusion that it is time to do some thing in the steady, old-fashioned wintry line. tO'BniEN has beaten Balfour in the strug gle as to whether members of Parliament and political leaders shall be treated like common felons. The only way open for Balfour to retrieve his defeat is to clap the whole Liberal party into jail. , PERSONAL POINTS. Maria Anato Is dead, the divorced wife of Signor Nicolini. Most Athos, with Its 10,000 monks, is one of the strongest spots in Southeastern Europe The monks are of the Orthodox, or Greek that is, Russian Church. Sib Morel Mackenzie has been offered 6,000, with 500 additional for his son, to go out to America for the purposo of selecting a spot for a sanitarium. This offer was declined. A Britisher, on reaching home after a week at Paris, was questioned whether he had seen the Eiffel Tower. "Well," ho replied, "lwcnt to see it, but tbero was so much scaffolding round it that nothing of the tower itself was visible but I liked the look of the scaffolding," never dreaming that he had been looking at the actnal tower all the time "The Prince of Wales." remarks the light gossip man of the Now York Press, "eats clams direct from the shell, which he holds- in his band. The great Napoleon was passionately fond of shrimps. Henry Ward Beecher chewed roast lamb and eschewed roast beef. Charles Dickens, when lecturing in Brooklyn, drank a bottle of brandy and two bottles of champagho during the course of a single evening." It is told that one day last summer, going down to Gloucester, Dr. Holmes sat in a front seat of tho car and entertained a fellow passen ger with some of his brilliant talk. A country man, sitting In tho little corner 6eat before them, overheard the conversation, and finally leaned over, took the autocrat's hat, looked at the number inside, then at his own, and said, very demurely: "I read something in the paper the other day aDout tho size ot great mens heads, and I thought I'd like to know the size of yourn. Bnt what bothers me is my head's the biggest of the twol" A story is told by Dr. Aird,Moderator of the Free Church of Scotland, respecting a minister who In the old days of patronage was forced upon a congregation at Alness. He was coldly received, but calling one day upon an old elder, he took a chair in spite of bis gruff reception. In order to meet an awkward pause, he took out bis snuff box. "Oh," said the elder, "ye tak' snuff, dae yet" "Oh, yes," was the reply. "Weel," said the eliler, "that's the first sign o' grace I've seen in ye" "How's that?" "Dae ye no read 6' Solomon's temple," replied the elder, "that a' the snuffers were of pure gold?" A PLEASANT Incident, illustrative of the tenderness and sympathy of the Princess of Wales, has just been brought to the notice of a correspondent. A friend traveling In Nor folk, near Lynn, met in the train a woman dressed In deep mourning. In conversation she stated that recently she had lost a daughter through consumption. Her husband was a la borer on the Sandnngham estate, and during her dauchter's protraqted illness the Princess of Wales was a frequent visitor, sitting by the dying girl's bedside talking and reading to her on religious subjects, "and after her death," added the mother, "tho Princess gave mo this shawl that I am now wearing." AN INVESTIGATION IN OHIO. Northeastern Ohio Doctors Will Inqnlro Into Those Canton Chorees. Special Telegram to the Dlstmtcn. Akron, February 13. The charges of crimi nal practices by members of the Stark County Medical Society, which caused such a hub-bub at Canton some time ago, arc to be looked into. The Northeastern Ohio Medical Association, at its quarterly meeting here passed resolu tions reciting that the Stark County Medical Society did not dare investigate charges made against physicians, who are members of both organizations, and directing the appointment of a committee to make a thorough investiga tion. The statement being made that the attempt by the Canton society to look into the criminal practices complained of bad resulted in dire threats against the investigators, the President of the Northern Ohio Association was author ized to name the committee privately. It is ex pected that sensational matters will be brought out, which will be reported to the meeting to be held in Alliance in May. NO SENATOR AT CHARLESTON, Bat West Virginia Will Hare a Bureau of Labor Statistics. Special Telegram to the Dispatch. Charleston, W. Va February 13. Noth ing new developed in the Senatorial situation to-day. The vote stood: Kenna, 37; Goff, 39; scattering, 7. The bill to establish a State Bureau of Labor SUtistics passed the Honso to-day, only four members voting against It, and the House resolution requesting Repre sentatives in Congress to favor the passage of the militia pension bill or a similar measure passed the Senate by a vote of 10 to 9, the Democrats voting against It. A resolution was offered in the Senate bring ing up the Virginia State debt question, but It was tabled by a vote of 14 to 6. This settles the matter so far as the present Legislature is concerned. A bill authorizing the Governor to appoint special policemen on the application of any railroad company, the compensation to be paid by the company, passed the Senate with only one dissenting vote. THE NEW AND THE OLD. Civil Service Reformers Will Discuss Cleve land and Hnrrlson. Baltimore, February 13. The Civil Service Reform Association of Maryland has extended a call to reformers In various parts of the United States to attend a conference in this city on February 23. There will be a general discussion as to the policy of civil service re form associations.' There will be two set speeches: "What has been accomplished by civil service reform during the administration of President Cleveland," and "What may be hoped and expected from the incoming ad ministration." The reformers state their object with reference to the administration or .Mr. Har rison is to have retained as many efficient office holders as possible. THE TOPICAL TALKER, Cotton Thread In Watch Works Squeezing Water Ont of Prescriptions ttnd Drnn sists Profits And Other Notes of tho Dny. It is astonishing how much abuse a watch will stand at a boy's hands before it stops short, like grandfather's clock, never to go again. On his last birthday, a month or two ago, a youngster in knickerbockers who lives in the East End received from his father a silver watch, the prico of which, it is safe to say, did not exceed $ 15. It will not surprise you to hear that the boy took the watch to pieces after It had burned in bis pocket but three days. When every wheel lay in his hand the boy naturally fell to thinking how he might put the watch in running order again. He mnst be something ot a mechanical genius, for he succeeeed in get ting the dismembered works inside the case in some sort of shape It is hardly a reflection upon the boy's skill, either, that after the mechanism was put together It failed to re spond to the winding stem. But the boy perse vered. He dotccted the root of the trouble In the balance wheel, which seemed to interfere with other parts of the setting. So at the bal ance wheel ho tinkered, until to his unfeigned astonishment, after he had jacked up the wheel with a bandage of cotton thread, the watch be gan to tick again. And now that boy delights to show his friends the works of his watch with the ligament of cot ton, rattling off the hours with perfect accuracy and cheerfulness. Most of you know that aqua pura is often an expensive item in the prescription which tho druggist obligingly fills. A doctor of my acquaintance has a way of saving his patients money in this matter, which strikes me as very original. When he wrote ont a prescription for me tho other day I remarked to him that medicine was a very expensive luxury. He astonished me by asking in return: "Have you paid your water tax?' "Yes," said I. "Have you plenty of wator?" "Yes." "Then I will glvo you the prescription dry, and it will cost you 3 cents instead of 75 cents." And I found the doctor was right. V In this part of the world the railroads do not advertiso themselves in the prodigal man ner of Western roads. Tho mass of literature floated by the railroads which have their head quarters in Chicago is something prodigious. In books, circulars, almanacs, pamphlets, leaf lets, picture cards and in numberless other and often eccentric forms a Western railroad will often spend tens and even hundreds of thous ands of dollars a year in advertising the advan tages of their lines. Some of these advertising works possess artistic value and contain some literary merit.. A few Eastern railroads, and notably the Baltimore and Ohio, have until re cently exploited themselves in the same way: The value of a great deal of this extraordl nary puffing cannot be put at a bigh figure. The literary quality of most of the handbooks issued by the Chicago railroad bureaus Is low, and Western men generally take them at their proper value. It is seldom that such an entertaining and really instructive little book is published by a railroad as that recently sent out in the interest of the Pennsylvania lines. It is really a valua ble book ot reference, with its wonderfully plain and clear maps of a dozen of the chief cities In the Union including Pittsburg and its data about hotels, cab fares and the like. Mr. L. G. McPherson, of the Pennsylvania Company's passenger department, who is the author of the work and who is, by the way, well known In Fittsbnrg, where he has been stationed for some, years certainly may feel that many men besides travelers on the Penn sylvania will be grateful to him. . As was foretold in this column some weeks ago Mr. Andrew Carnegie has returned to take a very active part in the arrangement of his vast business interests in this city. What a grateful sight the nearly completed library in Allegheny must be to Mr. Carnegie's eyesl The building has already done for Allegheny City what the new Court House did for Pitts burg, transformed the unsightliest spot in its very heart into the most beautiful. But the poor old City Hall of Allegheny looks meaner than ever beside its handsome neighbor. V A German-American citizen whose heart is still tied by natural though not political ties to the Fatherland said to me yesterday: "1 never thought for a moment that America and Germany would come to blows, but neverthe less the latest news from Berlin makes me tremble for the future of my native land. The irritable temper and martial proclivities of tho young Kaiser "and the decay of Bismarck's mind under the pressure of disease and the as saults of his political foes, do not promise a long continuance of peace and unity in the German empire." AN IME.0ETANT DECISION. The Illinois Courts Establish a Precedent for Receivers. Chicago, February 13. The Appellate Court to-day rendered a decision in the case of Charles Catlln, receiver, against Albert L. Se comb, Chicago agent of theBrittanlc Company. Catlln was receiver for Clapp & Davids, a jew elry firm, who failed a year and a half ago. Secomb attached property belonging to Clapp fc Davids in Washington, and Judge Jamieson found him guilty of contempt of court. The finding is affirmed -by the Appellate Court, and the opinion establishes the import ant principle that when a receiver is appointed in this State the jurisdiction of the appointing court extends to property In any other State. This is the first time that this question has been decided in Illinois. NO CANNED GOODS TEDST. Production Will be Limited In Some Other Manner, However. Chicago, February 13. The Association of Western Packers Of Canned Goods met here in annual session to-day, with 112 members present. President William D. Ballinger, In his annual address, recommended that steps be taken to decrease the output, as there Is too much canned goods on the market. There are 83 factories in the association, and each of these is defendant In a suit for In fringement of a soldering patent. The question of how to get rid of these suits will come up, as will also the question of how to reduce the output. The members re pudiate all hints at a trust, and, say it is im practicable. TESTING THE BOODLE. Assay Commissioners Are Examining the Coin of tho Realm, Philadelphia, February 13. The Assay Commissioners appointed by "the President to test the coinage of the calendar year met to day at the mint. From every lot of coin handed over to the superintendent by the' coiner during tne year tncro is a sample taken out and placed in the vault, and it Is for the purpose of testing these to see the weight and measure of each are within the legal tolerance that the commission meets. The sampler tested during the session, which will continue until Friday, represent the coinage of the mints at New Orleans, San Francisco and Philadelphia. DEATHS OF A DAY. Undertaker George A. Morrow. George A. Morrow, the keeper of the public morgue, died suddenly yesterday morning at the residence of his father, on East street, Allegheny. He had been 111 since tho Wood street disaster, when he was kept bnsy preparing mangled bodies for Interment, but was attending to business as usual until Tuesday night. Be lived on Shake speare street, East End, with his wife and two children, but they are visiting friends outside of the city and be had been boarding at his father's house. The Ofceased was well known In this vicinity, and was a member of the Knights of the Mystic Chain, the Royal Arcanum and the Jr. O. U. A. M. He was 33 years of age. The funeral will be held at 2 o'clock Saturday afternoon, and will be conducted by the Knights of the Mystic Chain and the Uoyal Arcanum. c. jr. Hull. Chicago, February 13. A dispatch from Houston, Tex., says that C. J. Hull, of Chicago, died there last evening or Brlgbt's disease. Mr. Hull came to Chicago abont 40 years ago, and up to ten years business. I go was engaged In the rpai 4tfA He lis repu ted to be worth about 81 000. - 000. He had been In Texas since November. Dr. H. 8. Prowell. Special Telegram to the Dispatch. . Carlisle, Februiry U.-Dr. K. 8. Prc-tfell, a prominent practicing physician of New Cumber land and a Bepubllcan county auditor, died after a lingering Illness, at his home, this raornlnr. He was an able politician, and the Republican party In this county has lost one of Its best workers. NEW OTUBAUZATION LAWS To Prevent Foreign Criminals and Lunatics From Becoming Citizens. Washington, February --Representative Oates, of Alabama, from the Committee on the Judiciary, to-day reported favorably to the House a bill to amend the naturalization laws of the United States. The report accompany ing the bill treats the existing naturalization laws In a critical spirit, and calls attention to abuses which have sprung up under them. It says an alien may be a notorious thief, mur derer or anarchist, polygamist, a leper or hard ened criminal, and yet our law allocs him, by making an affidavit of intention before a clerk of courts, all benefits of citizenship within the United States. He Is allowed by the lastd laws of the United States to buy and own any quantity of real estate or other property, or to take a homestead on the public domain and thus receive a benefit of all to the exclusion of the best young men of American birth; and at least one-half of the States of the Union allow such aliens to own and inherit real estate, and to vote at all elections, the same as natives and naturalized citizens. In many of the States an alien who has legally de clared his intention to become a citizen is eligi ble to any office within the State. He may by State law be eligiblo to a seat in Congress, when the Constitution of the United States de nies to him such right until he has been a citi zen f cr at least seven years. So deficient is the present law, and so careless is the practice of the Judges with but few exceptions, that it has become a matter of public notoriety that they perform their duty In such a perfunctory manner that any alien, however bad his char acter or beastly ignorant he may be, can be come a citizen of the United States. There is nothing Id tho law to deny citizen ship even to idiots, insano persons, paupers, criminals or others who have come into the United States in flagrant violation of our im migration laws. The report concludes with a synopsis and ex planation of the provisions of the bill, which are in brief: A limitation of the classes of for eigners who shall be eligible to citizenship in the United States (including Indians adopting civilized life), a prescription of the form of ap plication, a requirement that the District At torney shall delend thd Government against improper applications, and that applications shall be corroborated upon the point of resi dence; a restriction of jurisdiction to high State courts and Federal courts, the preservation of the rights of aliens who have already declared their intention, an allowance of the right to bona fide applicants to make homestead en tries and to receive patents after naturaliza tion, and a requirement of would-bo citizens that they shall have resided five years in the United States and be able to read the Constitu tion in English. IB CAE0N CALLED DOWN. Ho Directly Perverted the Facts Concern. ins Sullivan's Trial. Chicago, February 13. The testimony of Le Caron beforo the Parnell Commission con tinues to be contradicted from all parts of the West; Le Caron swore yesterday concerning the trial of Alexander Sullivan for murder that Frank Agnew was then Sheriff of Chicago, and "fixed" a jury to secure Mr. 'Sullivan's ac quital. Frank Agnow's term ended December 1, 1878. He was succeeded by Charles Kern, a well-known and respected German-American, during whose term of office the second trial oc curred. That trial began in February and ended in March. 1877. At the first trial in October, 1376, when the jury disagreed, standing 11 for ac quittal and one f or the lightest sentence, Mr. Agnew was Sheriff, but oven then he bad noth ing whatever to do with the selection of the jury, because Charles H. Heed, then State's Attorney, moved that the selection of the special venire be taken out of tho Sheriff's hands. The motion was granted, as a matter of course, and a German bailiff was appointed who summoned the jury. There was only one Irishman and Catholic on the jury. At the second trial, months after Agnew's re tirement from office, the bailiffs were agreed upon by State's Attorney Mills and Judge Moran, representing the State and the defense. There was no Irishman and no Catholic on that jury, and it voted for acquittal on the first pan .Uot, THE CHINESE WAKING DP. They Are Fighting the French and Want the Exclusion Laws Repealed. San Francisco, February 13. The steam ship Rio de Janiero arrived from China and Japan to-day, bringing Hong Kong mail ad vices to January 16, ana from Yokohama to January 25. Serious trouble is reported on the Tonquin frontier, and frequent skirmishes be tween natives and French troops are reported outside, of Haiphong Haner and the coast ports. The French authorities, it Is contended, have little hold upon the country at Monkay, on the Chinese frontier. A band of 1,000 na tives recently attacked the French and have practically driven the French out of Monkay. The latter claim that the rebels were rein forced by troops from the regular Chinese army, encamped opposite Monkay. In these lights tnree French soldiers were killed and five wonnded. The English Governor of Hong Kong bas been petitioned by the Chinese of Hong Kong to request the British Government to address the American Government with a view' to with draw all of the exclusion bills. The petition contends that the action of the United States and Australia is contrary to International treaties, and that if persisted in it will result in the commercial ruin of Hong Kong. FORAKER TO SHERMAN. The Governor Gives tho Senator a Sly Dig la the Ribs. Special Telegram to The Dispatch. Columbus, February 13. The Lincoln Day banquet was not concluded till 4 o'clock this morning, and a number of speeches were made which were not on the programme. Governor Foraker, who refused to respond to the toast to which he was placed, was called out later and proceeded to mako a lengthy argument, the greater portion of which was a eulogy on Gen eral Alger. The enemies of the Governor claim that he had occasion to touch Senator Sherman under the ribs in an indirect way by giving a little of the history of the Chicago Convention, and saying that what the Repub lican party wanted was men who were not squealers after they had been beaten, but who would come up to the battlo and enter It in the thickest, as Alger did at Chicago. The Impression gained from his speech was that Sherman is disgruntled over the result of the Chicago Convention, and that the Republi cans of Ohio were getting tired of carrying that kind of .men. Not Easy lo Remedy. From the New Tork World. Hard upon Mrs. Humphry Ward's protest against the dramatization of hernovel, "Robert Elsmere," comes the news that Sir Arthur Sul livan Is angered at the piracy of his operas by theatrical managers of Vienna. It docs seem rather bard that an author or composer should have no control of his own Intellectual offspring after they have passed the borders of his native land. But it is easier to point out injustice in this world than to remedy it. Simon Cameron Heads n Press Clnb. Special Telegram to The Dispatch. "HAREiSBURG.February 13. Tho Harrisburg Press Club was organized this evening by electing General Simon Cameron, President; Hon. B. J. Meyer, First Vice President; R. H. Thomas, Second Vice President: E. J. Stack pole, Recording Secretary: H. C. Demming, Corresponding Secretary: J. M. Place, Treasu rer; Dr. W.HTEgle, -Librarian; Wm. Rodear mel, Historian. W0NDEEFUL SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERIES. New York Evening Sun.2 Dr. Schlagenfurst, of Copenhagen, has written a paper remonstrating against the En glish expression, "Swearing like a Pyrite." He shows very conclusively that Pyrites do not swear. A committee appointed in Paris to Investi gate the subject of suicide states that the surest method of modern times is to swallow a teaspoonful of prusslc acid and jump into the ocean. Ohmic resistance of conductors increases dl-' rectly with thoir length and Inversely with their weight For this reason the electric sur face car conductors will be instructed to ex clude dhms from the cats of the company along with drunken men and lunatics. The ability of a subpmna to attract bodies from great 'distances baffles the scient ists, who cannot understand why a snbpoana having no magnetic force, specific gravity, or other attractive qualities, should be endowed with the power to bring or draw men froni4ia tances of 1,000 miles and upward. TnE people of Kansas have managed to obtain a much needed rainfall by means of a cannon ade. This scientific means is good as far as it goes, but it doe not suffice on all occasions. Shooting the members of the weather bureau, for instance, Is not a sure cure for a blizzard. The rule is a poor one, because it will not work backward as well as forward. A NOVEL SOCIAL. Ladles of the Frohsinn ' Sinning; Society Entertain the Gentlemen at an Apron and Necktie Social. Another title is to be added to the thousand and one different names of so-called socials in the name of an "Apron and Necktie Social," an innovation which emenated from the ingenuity of the ladies of the Frohsinn Singing Society. The entertainment was given at the Frohsinn Hall last night, and it is probable that the old hall will not again see such a merry and jolly crowd than the one assembled on this occasion. As for the explanation of the entertain ment's original title, one of the ladles stated: "The ladies of our societv have made a num ber of aprons and necktie's of the same mate rial. While the anron is worn bv its maker. tho tie was handed to a committee of ladies who Inclosed them in a large envelope. To night these envelopes are put in a large basket, and each gentleman as he comes into the hall has to pick one out of the basket. Just before the grand march each gentleman, with the tie in Its proper place, goos around and looks for tho lady who wears an apron of the material matching his tie. That lady Is his dancing partner during the evening." A reporter was present when the hunting for the partners took place, and a good many amusing incidents occurred. Chance was the sole arbiter, and while the ties and aprons matched, the wearers frequently were in direct contra distinction of each other. However, everything was productive of the most harm less enjoyment, and 'a very pleasant evening was spent by all. About 11 o'clock the ladies served very delicious lunch, which was also highly appreciated. The committee arranging the affair con sisted of Mrs. Phillip Lange, Mrs. G. W. Backofen, Mrs. William Spriesterbacb, Miss Kohlbeckcr. Mrs. G. Werner, Mrs. Dr. Schweckendieck, Mrs. E. Loos, Mrs. C. Kell ner, Mrs. C. W. Kraus, Mrs. F. Neubert, Mrs. It. Mescbke and Mrs. H. Pfafl. . Toerge furnished the music ILLUSTRATED AST LECTUEE. Louise Randolph, of the Lake Erie TJnl- verslty, at the Pittsburg Clab. Miss Louise F. Randolph, teacher of history of art in Lake Erie Seminary, Palnesville, and lectnrer in the School of Design, Western Reserve University, Cleveland,' O., delivered one of her illustrated lectures at the Pittsburg Club Theater yesterday. There was a fashiona ble audience in attendance, and every seat in the cozy little auditorium was filled. Miss Randolph spoke in a charming manner on the following topics: "Influence of Florence Upon Art," "Dawn of tho Rennalssance," "Revival of Classic Studies," "Giotto from 1276 to 1336," "Portrait of Dante." "Bargello Palace," "Mural Paintings, Church of Santa Croce." "Dramatic Truth and Energy." "Massacco, from 1401 to 1428" "Frescoes Brancacci Chapel," "The Trib ute Money," "Advanced Methods in Art," "The Uffiziand Pitti Galleries," "Original and Ex tent," "Historical Distribution of Paintings," "Fra Angelico, from 1387 to 1455," "The Ma donna of the Tabernacle," "Masters of the Sixteenth Century." "Albertinelli's Saluta tion," "Fra Bartolommeo," "Andrea Del Sarto" (who was the faultless painter), "Ra phael " the master of the highest harmonies in art "Easel Paintings," and "The Madonna de la Sedia." This evening Miss Randolph will deliver an other lecture at the same place. Last night she was entertained at the residence of Mr. George O. Macbeth. In the East End. A BEILLIANT BALL That Was GIvea In Lawreneeville Last Night by Young- Men. A brilliant and well attended ball was given at Patterson Hall, Lawreneeville, last night, under the anspices of several prominent young men of that -section. The company, which numbered abont 85 couples, was select and rep resentative. Gernert & Guenther's orchestra played Its first numbor at 8, opening the dance, which lasted until 11, when Caterer Consumer came upon the scene with a well-prepared sup per. After this had been disposed of dancing was once more taken up, and continued until 2 in the morning. The committee in charge consisted of C. N. Ackerman. N. J. Kirk, N. J. Macanley, T. C. McCullough, C. J. Hook, W. E. Nightingale and E. J. Martin. Among the guests there were Jos. A. Radigan, of Sharpsburg; Bam Bossman, Frank Coates, Max Leslie and wife, Jas. McCauley and wife. M. Ackerman and wife, also Harry Anderson, Charles Davidson, William Burger, Rich Weldln, Edgar Gllmore and John Fox. ELECTION OUTRAGES Reviewed by SenntorEvartsFrom nnAmerl enn Citizen's Standpoint. Washington, February 13. In the Senate the resolution reported from the Committee on Privileges and Elections, instructing that com mittee to revise the existing law regulating the election of members of Congress was taken up, and Mr. Evarts spoke in its support. He re viewed the history of the political troubles In Washington county, Tex., and read the petition to the Congress from several Republicans of the district. Reading it, Mr. Evarts said that the griev ances which the petitioners had suffered had no other cause than the activity of the peti tioners in that canvass in support of the ticket, and of the principles of the Republican party. No greater encroachment on the dearest rights of the common citizen could ever have been practised than that practised on them. The committee had found that those citizens could not be accused of any misconduct such as shonld place them, and had placed them, outside of the ordinary relations that belong to peaceful and quiet citizens. In the testimony taken by the committee there had been no aspersion on the character of those sufferers except such as belonged to the ex citement of the canrass. As to the alleged in cendiary speeches ftt Republican meetings dur ing the canvass of 1886, be stated tbat the exploration of tbat subject by the committee had demonstrated such accusations to be vague and mere hearsay, and tbat there wa3 no substantial support for such imputations. He read from the report of the committee the concluding paragraph and said it had seemed to him that there could have been no more propitious time for the investigation than that when it was begun in March, 1SSS. During its continuance, however, two other prominent citizens of the county (Joseph Hoff man and Mr. Holtl had been shot down, in the execution of what he regarded as a systematic purpose to maintain, at whatever cost, the su premacy of the Democratic party in that county. The great question came at last to. be whether there was to De tolerated in this country an au thority and a persistent power that was to set aside the government of the Constitution and of the laws. If thcro shonld prove to be an Ir reconcilable conflict between public opinion in Texas or in New York and public opinion- in the country at large, his opinion was that the opinion of the whole country must finally pre vail. Free School Books for Ohio. Special Telegram to The Dispatch. Columhus, February 13. The liower House this evening, after an all-day discussion, passed the cheap school book bill by an overwhelming, majority, and it will now go to the Senate. The bill provides for a commission to adopt a eerie3 of books, purchase copyrights, contract for printing the same, and also gives townships local option as to whether they will have books free. The bill bas created a great stir among the book men. ST. VALENTINE'S DAY. THE MAIDED FAIR. She cares not how the snowflaLes fall. How biting Boreal blows; Just now the maiden's thoughts are all Of valentines and beaux. rr. TnE SWEETEST OF CHESTNUTS. "The rose Is red, the violet's blue" Simplicity and truth. "The pink Is pretty, so are you" Oh, golden dayi of youthl in. RETROSPECTION. Higho, what changes we have seen, Since to fair Adallne, An angel fair, of "sweet sixteen, " We cent a valentine! And fair she was: 'twas vain to seek A fairer fir or nigh: The red, red rose was In her cheek, The violet in her eye. Bhe bad a sweet and winning way, A smile like morning light We thought about her all the day. We dreamed of her at ulght Her form was wlllowy-ln line We thought her awral nice," And so we sent a valentine To her to break the Ice. NeTt day we met her strange but true Ofcourse without design; She "laughed at us," and then we knew Bhe liked our valentine. Valr Adallne, dear youthful flame, The best beloved o'f all; Sweet Adallne her other name We cannot now recall. Ml from Boston Courier. NOVEL NOTES PROM NEW YOEK. X Tribute to Hading. CNXW TORS BUREAU SFXCIALS.1 New York, February 13. During his sojourn In San Francisco, M. Coquelln was publicly re ceived and lionized by the largest French club in the city. Mme. Hading, however, was en tirely ignored by this club. Here many ad mirers in the French colony there were much irritated over the neglect. To make amends for the rudeness of the French clubs, they sub scribed several hundred dollats and bought her a fine medalion. They sent the medalion to Lafon, a well known Frenehman here, with in structions to present it to Mme. Hading on the stage of Palmer's Theater the first night of her reappearance In New York. The medalion ar rived to-day. It is of gold, elaborately enam eled and carries a portrait ot Mme. Hading surrounded bv all sorts of flattering little French mottoes.' Its presentation will proba bly add to the unseemly jealously and strained relations already exising between coqueun ana Hading. A Prize Snake Story. Samuel Snowden, of Orange, thought he saw a straight mottled stick on his woodpile last night He picked It up, but dropped it again when he found that he had taken np a torpid black snake, four feet long, frozen stiff. Find ing that it did not move, Mr. Snowden lifted it from the ground and walked toward the house, holding it by tho tail. Seeing his little boy in the yard, he shook the serpent at him. Freez ing had made the snake brittle, and it broke into two pieces. The tail endqulvered for a few moments and then was quiet but the head part awoke and glided back toward the wood pile. Mr. Snowden kiu.ed tho live half by breaking it into small pieces. A Costly Smash. A freight train on the Erie Railroad, travel ing at a high rate or speed, jumped the tiack to-day over near Hoboken. The engineer saw that the engine was making straight for a big brick wall and leaped from the cab. The huge locomotive dashed against the wall and tore down several hundred cubic feet of brick. Several freight cars were tumbled over and partly smashed. Damago about $12,000. No one was injured. A Great Man Gone. Colonel Ruth Goshen, the biggest giant Barnnm ever had, died of dropsy afchis home in Clyde, N. J., yesterday. He was about 70 years old and stood 7 feet 2 Inches in his-stock-ings. He measured 2 feet 6 inches across the shoulders and 28 Inches through the chest and weighed 631 pounds. During his illness It re quired four men with a block and tackle to move him in bed. Secretary Blaine. Thomas "C. Piatt has settled an important part of the Cabinet question once for all. He did it to-day with these words: "I am willing to stand as authority for the statement that James G. Blaine has been offered and bas ac cepted the office of Secretary, of State. This is positive, and you can quote me as authority for the statement. The matter was accomplished some time ago by correspondence." The Tragedy of the Growler. Franzcreo Paec and Jacques Melia quarreled in Melia's house over a growler which each thought ho had paid for. Paec got the worst of a rough-and-tumble fight and left the house, daring Melia to follow him. As Melia started down the steps after him, Paec shot him twice in the shoulder. Paec then ran down the street to escape a policeman who had been attracted by the shots. The policeman followed, his re volver in hand. Paec shot wide of him twice. As he raised his revolver to shoot again, the policeman sbtt him in the head. He fell, mor tally wounded. Melia's condition is critical. THE INAUGUEAL C0MMANDEES. Gov. Foraker Accepts an Appointment Grnnd military nnd Civic Display. Special Telegram .to The JJispatch. Harrisburg, February 13. Governor Beaver, Chief Marshal of the Presidental In auguration procession, and General Hastings, his Chief of Staff, have completed their selec tion of the various commanders. The last ap S ointment was that of Governor Foraker, of hio, who will have charge of the Third divi sion of the military, which will comprise all the militia outside of those commanded bv General Hartranf t who will bo at the head "f the 8,000 Pennsylvania troops; General Gibson, who will command the regular army in line, and General Ordway, who will head the National Guards of the District of Columbia. Governor Foraker has just accepted his ap pointment. General William Warner, of Missouri, De partment Commander of the Grand Army of the Republic of the United States, will com mand the members of the Grand Army and veterans, and Colonel Myron M. Parser, of Washington, will head the fine civic divition. General Hastings says if all organizations, military and civic, which have asked and been granted a place in the procession come to time on the 4th of March there will be 50.000 men in line. Of these between 16.000 and 20,000 will be United States and State soldiers. DISCODEAGING SILK CDLTDEE. An Adverse Report on n Bill to Establish Experimental Stations. Washington, February 13. The House Committee on Agriculture to-day decided to report adversely the bill Introduced by Mr. Thompson, of California, for the development and encouragement of silk culture in the United States. The bill proposed to create a division of silk culturo In the Department of Agriculture, and to establish experimental silk culture stations throughout the United States for th3 encour agement of silk culture. Virginia Anthracite Conl Fields. Staunton, Va., February 13. Last evening the Staunton and West Augusta Railroad Com panv was organized, with John D. Crowlo President and W. P. Tamms, cashier of the Augusta National Bank, Treasurer. The ob ject is the development of the anthracite coal fields in the northeastern part of Augusta county, 17 miles from Staunton. Capital stock, si,uuullw. On tho Wrong Side of Wheat. Chicago, February 13. A. P. Hart who has been a heavy trader of the class known on 'Change as "scalpers." failed to-day. Mr. Hart would give no statement of his assets or lia bilities. He has been operating quite heavily qi late, ana tne Dig auvance in wueat yester day found him unprepared for the emergency. FEESH POINTS AB0DT PLATS. "The Bunch of Keys" has never jingled more merrily than it has at Harris' Theater this week to packed houses. Next week the Nelsons will bo seen at thisTiouse. "The Still Alarm" Is so improved in its dramatic aspect that the firo engine house scene is no longer the main attraction In it though of course the enthusiasm of the audi ence is still reserved for it The Bijou is almost sold out for the rest of the week. In the performance which the Australian Novelty Company will give next week at the Academy of Music, a great many real novelties may be looked for. In several directions this company has left the beaten variety track, and everywhere;the departures have proved popu lar. Seats are now On sale at Kleber's music store for the concert to be given by the Swed Ish"Lady Singers at Old City Hall next Tues day evening. The ladles will appoar. in pictur esque costumes and sing selections from Swedish music, which abounds In pretty strains. The Casino Company, which brings "Er minle" and "Nadjy" to the Bijou next week, includes undoubtedly the best comic opera actots Pittsbnrg bas seen this season. The In quiry for seats bas already been very greatand tho advance sale Is going to be remarkable, even for the Bijou. "Fascination" Is meeting with tho success which tho play and its actors deserve. Miss Tanner ana ber companions are getting used to frequent calls before the curtain, and the Opera House's seating capacity will be fully tested in the latter part of the week. The splendid scenery is seen to greater advantage than It was on the first night "The Wife," which will be the next attrac tion at the Grand Opera House,, will be pro duced with the rare detail of perfection tbat characterizes the success of Mr. Daniel Froh man's management in the cast are Mr. Frank Carlyle. Henry Herman, S. Miller Kent,' James O. Barrows, John Flood, Charles S. Dickson, A. W. Gregory, Mrs. Berlan-Gibbs, Miss Adeline Stanhope, Miss Adelaide Thornton, Miss Ettie Hawkins, Miss Olive Dunton. AUthe scenery Is brought with the company, and is made from the original models of Mr. W. H. Day, art di rector of the Lyceum Theater. New York. I CUEIOUS COPMSATIOBS. "Bosh" is the trade name in London for all butter substitutes. Several large metal working establish ments are welding Dy electricity. It is proposed in England to operate: dust and garbage carts by electric propulsion. Five new churches are being erected in Jerusalem and Bethlehem at the present time. A reputable author says that the skull of JohnTheach, known as "Blacicbeard," the Virginia pirate of 1718, U in the possession of Virginia family, in the form of a silver-limmeo drinking cup. Another infant pianist has been discoy ered. This one Is but 5 years old. His name is Eaoul Koczalski, and he has captured St Pe tersburg, where the newspapers speak inex travapnt terms of his execution of works of There is a water wheel in use at Bow doinham, Me., which is probably the only one of its kind in existence. It Is 27 feet in diame ter, with a foot ot its rim out of water at high tide; tne spokes are wide and set diagonally, like the vanes of a windmill. It turns 18 hours of the day by tide power, running one way with the flow, the other with the ebb. With one foot fall of the tide this wheel gives about oO horse power. A Maine parson who received a nice) large linen duster for a Christmas present is just beginning to wonder if the gift had any particular significance. Another Milne min ister recently received from an admiring fe male parishioner a present of a nicely made burial robe. The gift was made in such evi dent good faith and innocence of any idea of impropriety, that he received it with thanks, and cheerfully laid it by against the need that must come. Fire under water may be produced by placing a small piece of phosphorus in a conl cally shaped glass filled with water and some crystals of chlorate of potash coveting the phosphorus, and then pouring through a long tnbe funnel or a glass tube a few drops of sul phuric acid down on the mixture at the bottom of the glass. Tongues of flame can be seen flashing up through the water, the intense chemical action producing sufficient heat to in flame the phosphorus under the water. Where there is sufficient heat and oxygen fire will burn whether in air or water. Stories about Balzao are now being told, inspired by the proposed Balzac monument One relates that Baron James Rothschild once when Balzac was obliged to go to Austria, ad vanced him 3,000 francs and gave him a letter of recommendation to his nephew in Vienna. The letter was unsealed, and Balzac read it Finding It cold, and apparently unworthy of him, he never took It to the nephew. When he got back to r-ans ne went to see .Baron Hotnscnua. "Well," said the latter, "have you seen my nephew?" Balzac proudly said that he had kept the letter. "I am sorry tor you," said the Baron; "have you got it with youf" "Yes, par bleu: here it Is." "Observe this little hiero glyphic beneath the signature: it would have opened a credit nf 23,000 francs for you at the Vienna firm." Balzac had nothing to say. A suggestive yarn about the abuse of the fee system by constables is told by a Gar diner, Me., man. Officers down on the Ken nebec have pocketed lots of money from fees for arresting tramps. It seems to have been the custom in times gone by that when one of these gentlemen of leisure was committed to jail he was presented with a plug of tobacco by the officer who arrested him. with the under standing that when his time had expired and he came round on the circuit again he should look out for his official friend and help him to get another fee. The increase of this branch of police dnty caused competition to spring up among the members of the force, and it Is stated as a fact that some of the bribes of to bacco run as high as a pound. Captain William Jameson, ot Friend ship, Me., is called the Paul Revere of the Mednncook. He received the name in the fol lowing way: It was during the war of 1812, and the British with mufllcd oars and under cover of darkness were trying to reach and burn the little fleet of fishing schooners at the bead of the Meduncook river, hoping also to gather in some chickens, eggs, etc, from the settlers along the route. Jameson, then a boy of 14, mounted his horse and rode- through the town giving the alarm at every bouse. He then re turned home, jumped from his horse, and catching up his little flint-lock rifle with 21 rounds of cartridges, started off on the run across lots to join his neighbors at Bradford's Point The British soon found that they were discovered and hastened oack to their snip. An improved headlight for locomotives has an adjustment which allows the engineer to conveniently direct the light 3S he may de sire, to various points off the line. The lantern Is supported on a frame or platf orm.wblcb has a movement to right or left about a vertical axis, and also up or tlown by the same means, the operating mechanism leading back to the cab, so as to be within ready reach of the engineer. He is enabled, by this arrangement, to examine dangerous or doubtful parts of the road, and, in stormy weather to turn the light upon threatening trees or masses of earth or rock, upon cither side, and which are liable to fall. The device also permits of the lantern being turned so as to throw the light across sharp corners and exhibit the line of track at some distance ahead of the train and at points which would be entirely ont ot reach of! the light In its usual fixed position. According to the usual construction and employment of locomo tive headlights, they are fixed to the engine front in such a manner that the light is always thrown forward and concentrated in one line only this being, of course, an inadequate ar rangement in the case of sharp curves. One of the attaches of the Court House . in Portland, Ore., is in possession of an old paper that he prizes very highly as a relic and curiosity. It is a small sheet of newspaper not over 18 inches square, representing on one side several of the familiar characters in ancient history. Among the cuts were noticed Marlus, sitting amount the ruins of ancient Carthage; the last moments of Julius Cxsar, representing the great ruler standing in front of Pompey's pillar: Romaics and Remus out walking with their fostermother, the she-wolf; Caligula, dining with his favorite war horse and feeding it ont of a golden dish; the Emperor Nero dancing as he receives the news of the burning of Rome; the Consuls waiting npon Cincin nati, as be is plowing in the field, to accept the dictatorship; brave Horatius holding tne bridge that spans the "yellow Tiber," and sev eral others. The cuts are all made true to life, and show great artistic taste in the designer. Outside of its value as a curiosity the little sheet is put to a good use on election days, and it may be added, it does much good. About the time the opposing candidates become the most anxious for just a few more votes, their attention is called to the scene representing Clncinnatus at the plow and his constituents waiting upon him to accept the office of Dic tator. It always bas the desired effect PICKINGS FROM I'UCK. A pencil will not always follow where it 13 lead. A great de&l of this alleged golden hair Is plaited. Our first impressions are fnll of errors. Time Is the only sure proofreader. It is one of the compensations of nature, that people who are too fresh are always getting into a pickle. Feminine Spite. Miss Butt I think it strange Mr. Kattrldge didn't send me a valentine. Miss Minnie Ball-Perhaps he didn't have s penny In change. Leap Year is Gone, too. Miss Ketchon Did yon knock at the door when you came to night, George? Mr. Tumblety Yes, Amy; why do you ask! Mias Ketchon (shyly)-l thought perhaps yon had. come with a ring. Joining Forces. "Sir," said the mission ary to the departing legislator: "I wish you would do all In your po.rer to reclaim the poor red man of the West" "I will." said the lawmaker,-heartUy; "I'll begin with their reservations nrst." Brain Work. "Uncle Aleck, what are you doing this winter?'" "1'sebookkeepln, boss." t "Bookkeeping!" "Vas, dat's it. De ole 'ooman takes in washln-, 'n' I keeps de count o' de pieces." Enterprising. Street Fakir Shoe strings, sir; shoe-strings! v Mollurry-Can't you see tnat I'm wearing but toned shoes? ? , Street Fakir-Yes, sir: that's whyl thought nuy be your laced ones were at home without strings. The Power Behind the Throne. First Statesman-DIs yere new Mayor of ours U startln' out like one of der reg'lar silk stocking reform ers. Ha seems ter ferglt der boys dat put him up. Second Statesman Oh, don't you fret Teddy. Jest wait till 'till der boss gits back from his va cation, and yer '11 see who's runnln' dls town! Scandal Spoils Trade. "Pardon me," said the detective, deferentially; "but I have no ticed, madam, that while you have been making your purchases In the store, yon have appropri ated Mtveral small articles." "Allow me to congratulate you on your polite bearing." returned the lady, producing a card "you will see Horn this that the Ann has employed me to tee that Its detectives act with good manners toward anybody they may suspect!" All romPuci.