-w? 5- W&e Bippfclj. ESTABLISHED FEBRUARY 8. 1818. Vol. 44, o. 130. EntereC : Pittsburg Postofflce, November 14, 1SS7, as second-class matter. Business Office 97 and 99 Fifth Avenue, News Rooms and Publishing House 75, 77 and 79 Diamond Street Average net circulation of the daily edi tion of The Dispatch for six month ending June l,lSi9. 27,824 Copies per Issue. Average net rircnlntion of the Sunday edi tion of The Dispatch for May. 1SS0, 47,468 Copies per Issne. TEEMS OF THE DISPATCH. rOSTAGE ritEE IX THE UNITED STATES. DAILT DI6PATCII. One Year 8 00 Daily DibPATCH, Ter Quarter 2 00 Dau,t Dispatch. One Month.. ... 70 Daily Dispatch, Including bunday, one rear 10 00 Daily Diepatcii, Including fcunday, per ouartcr 250 Daily Dispatch, including Sunday, one month. ... ... .. . "0 scj day Dispatch, oneycar 250 V EEKL-i DiSPATviI, one year 1 3 The Daily dispatch is delivered by carriers at IScents per week, orincludlugthcbuuda) edition, at 20 cents per week. PITTSBURG. MONDAY, JUNE 17. 1S89. THE PBOJECT EEVTVED. Prom the Philadelphia special published in our telegraphic columns, it appears that the project of a new competing line from the western terminus of the Heading road to Pittsburg will not down. The scheme as now outlined comprises an alli ance between Western Maryland and Head ing corporations to open up the Cumberland Valley district and thence extend their line to Pittsburg. This is the South Penn in a new form. It aims at the same purpose, runs through the same section, if not over the same route, and comprises theHeading as the important Eastern link, with the addition of the West ern Maryland, giving the new project an outlet to Baltimore. The revival of the project, under new auspices, after the old one has been strangled, prove;1, as The Dispatch has always contended, that it contains the basis of a sound enterprise. If the new project avoids the vice of stock watering and steers clear of the entangling alliance of the Vanderbilts, it has every element or success. The vitality of the project should sug gest to the Pennsylvania Railroad that the costly railway wars and the nullifications of the Constitution which it bas committed to maintain its monopoly of Pennsylvania traffic were thrown away, and should now be abandoned. TOO MUCH COMMITTEE. The speck of war which is arising be tween the committees respectively presided over by Senator Cullom, of Illinois, and Senator Hoar, of Massachusetts, illustrates one of the difficulties that is likely to arise between the jurisdiction of Senate junket ing committees. Senator Cullom's commit tee was authorized to investigate therelation of the Canadian railroads to American commerce, and Senator Hoar's committee was authorized to investigate the commer ial relations of the United States with Canada. It was evident at the start that these two subjects were likely to overlap each other. ..Senator Cullom claims that Senator Hoar agreed that he would not interfere with the subject where it touched upon the railroad side of the case. Yet Senator Hoar's committee has been taking testimony upon the railroad question in St. Paul, and Sena tor Cullom is consequently aggrieved. The fact is that the supply of subjects for Senatorial investigation, which can keep the committees traveling around the coun try during the summer, was not equal to the demand. The subject in this case was not sufficient for one able-bodied committee, and the division of it among two rendered it inevitable that they should cross each other. Senator Cullom should accept this natural result of too little subject and too much committee with the philosophical placidity that the occasion demands. THE USUAL PE0BLEM. It is rather interesting to find that the re port of the National Furniture Manufac turers' Association states that the factory owners realized only three per cent profit last year on a hundred million dollars' worth of stock. This sounds rather unpros perous; but when we reflect that this profit may be turned over several times in a year, it is quite possible that three per cent mar gin on stock may yield 9 to 12 per cent profit on capital actually invested. As the report also makes an earnest appeal for the solution of the problem how to deal with fraudulent debtors, it is a fair inference that this small profit was caused by bad debts. In that case, we are very glad to give our fnrniture friends the solution of their troublesome problem. The only way to deal with fraudulent debtors is to make them pay cash for their goods. PICKLES. The habit of eating pickles does not keep exact pace with the mortality lists. That ib to say the number of persons who eat pickles and of people who die, may not be precisely identical; but the difference between them is not anything to speak of. The method of killing men by electricity has not been properly tested, while the deadly qualities of the pickle are only too well known. We sre surprised that New York State when it started in to abolish the ancient method of hanging a man with a hempen rope did not prefer pickles to electricity. Some of our cotemporaries hare affected to wonder why a Chicago faith-healer re fused to treat longer a man who had dyspep sia because he would keep on eating pickles. to us the laitn-neaier seems to cave pos sessed more sense than most of her sisters have. If her patient had merely had an appetite for chewing carpet tacks or swal lowing linoleum which he would not give up, the faith-healer might have been blamed for refusing to treat him. But she knew donbtless that not even the strongest faith could wrestle with the india-rubber pickle. The pickle is not open to persuasion, neither have the gastric juices the slightest effect upon it if it gets its back up, as it were, and starts in to make a viper's nest of a man's stomach. The faith-healer perhaps had in her bread and butter days absorbed a pickle or two, and the cicatrices upon her wounded spirit reminded her that neither faith nor physic could avail against the petrifaction soaked in vinegar. So with honesty and wisdom she told the dyspeptic to abandon pickles or leave her door. That he stuck to pickles and died subsequently in short order, shows first that he was an obstinate fool, and secondly that Chicago has a faith-healer who has not allowed her hobby to kick out her common sense. THE SEC0HD STAGE. The consultations with regard to the re lief work at Johnstown, yesterday, show that work to be progressing from the first stage of relieving the inhabitants of the destroyed town from the dangers of want and disease to the second stage of aiding them to restore their buried city. The first work was imperative and was discharged promptly by the Pittsburg organiza tion. The second is no leas charitable, and will be materially aided by the generous contributions of houses from other cities. The furnishing of a hundred temporary dwellings for the homeless is anindication of the way the relief work is tending; and that is hacked up by the promise of temporary store buildings to be furnished those who may wish to go into business. With such aids as this the inhabitants of Johnstown can proceed more at their leisure to recon struct their town in a substantial and cred itable manner. It is a good indication that this final work will be done well and wisely, that it is already determined to rebuild the better part of the city on the higher ground as much as possible. The most creditable feature of the Johns town work has been the promptness and gen erosity of the relief. That bids fair to be equaled by the good judgment displayed in its application. A MAKKEl) C0NTEAST. A remarkable illustration of the differ ence between the delays of justice under certain circumstances and its promptitude under others was furnished by the sentence of a man by the name of Templeman in New York last week, for concocting a story which impugned the official honesty of the District Attorney of New York and the Inspector of Police. This criminal was indicted on May 21, and would have been tried on May 22, if the press had not asked what was the need of such hurry. Public opinion having called a halt he was tried on June 3 and sentenced on June 13, to three years and fnine months imprisonment at Sing Sing. Such promptness in the action of justice would be encouraging, if it were not for some remarkable contrasts that it provokes, r.ir instance in the same courts and under the same officers cf justice the boodle trials have been dangling along for nearly four years; Ives and Staynor have been under indictment for the better part of a year without any movement toward trying them; and Jay Gould and Russell Sage were per mitted to secure a prompter disposition of a case against them, by sending their counsel into the grand jury room to argue against indictment. Is it the case that New York justice is swift and severe when the officers of the law are aggrieved and somnolent when only the interests of the people are attacked? SEBVIA'S DIV0ECE EEC0ED. As all the world knows it is easy enough to get a divorce in America too easy a great many of us think but it is not so easy to have a decree of divorce annulled without the consent of both parties. In the latter respect the two-cent kingdom of Servia un doubtedly has the advantage of the United States. It seems to be no difficult matter to secure a divorce, and still less difficult to procure the annulment of a decree of di vorce in the kingdom which was ruled by a dissipated imbecile named Milan. An il lustrious example of the workings of the di vorce machine in Servia has just been fur nished by the spouse of that country's unworthy monarch, Queen Natalie. It will be remembered that King Milan procured a divorce from his wife last win ter. Queen Natalie has now had this de cree set aside; and the fair but frail Queen having been summarily divorced in the first place is now undivorced with equal promptitude. What the next act in this domestic drama will be nobody knows. Obviously the logical step forKing Milan to take is to have the divorce re affirmed by his subservient church, if he recovers power once more. Per haps he may make a compromise with his wife, and obtain a new divorce. 'Natalie wants power and money, and not a worthless scamp like Milan lor a husband. Another thing worth noting in the latest crisis in Servian affairs is that Queen Nat alie returns to rule the domestic roost at Belgrade with the mighty arm of Russia be hind her. All through her troubles Natalie has received the Czar's support, and in the audacious mood which at present controls the ruler of Bussia he is not taking any pains to conceal his intention to take a hand in Servian politics. Natalie's return in triumph bodes evil for the peace of Europe. Commenting on the action of Governor Bulkier, of Connecticut, in vetoing the ballot reform bill, the New York Tribune remarks that it would not insult the Govr ernor "by the suspicion that he has acted under the stress of the ignoble motives which controlled Governor Hill." Of course not. Governor Bulkley is of the Tribune's own party; and it is against the constitution of party organs to attribute ignoble motives to any but the members of the opposite party, even when the act and motiTes are palpably the same on both sides. Otjb esteemed Democratic cotemporaries will miss a point if they fail to point oat that the Indian ontbreak in Minnesota was due to the passionate protest of the aboriginal brethren at the removal of Bishop Oberly's fostering care from them. A Western cotemporary says that "nothing can be more desperately unfunny than a comic weekly in an off year in pol itics. Look at Puck and Judge for in stance." This is a mistake. The time when these publications really are funny is in the off years; and the best part of it is that they do not know how funny they are. That cartoon of Judge's, for example, rep resenting Harrison as taming those wild beasts, Sherman, Cullom, Allison, Hoar, Evarts and Ingalls, is the best example of the involuntary joke omrecord. It sounds like meteorological irony to ob serve in the Minneapolis papers that crops in Southern Minnesota and South Dakota are suffering from the drought We could easily give the dry sections a liberal share of our over-stock of humidity. Whether Mr. Alexander Sullivan was an accessory to the murder of Cronin or not, seems to be doubtful; but there is not much qnestion that the disclosures concerning an organization which can try its members for "treason" and djrect their "removal," with out regard to the laws of this country, will produce a demand that the leaders of that order be instructed as to the fact, that the laws of this land are. superior to those of any organization of foreign character and purposes. The public may not be in a frame of mind to worship Jupiter Pluvius, which makes it all the more remarkable that the THE city authorities are sacrificing to that deity up at the corner of Center-avenue and Soho street. The New York electric company which claimed that a boy who was killed by com ing in contact with a stray electrio wire was negligent, evidently thinks that negligence is inexcusable when committed by private persons. Bnt the unsympathetic Judge held that a corporation which lets its wires become dangerous is negligent; which shows the vital difference it makes whose toes are pinched by the negligence. i it, That Indian trouble at Mille Lacs reser vation on investigation proves to have the usual source in the attempt of white settlers to go at the Indian lands and lumber with out even saying: "By your leave." The declaration of Colonel Elliott F. Shepard that "the war is coming again" conveys also the reassuring fact that the gallant Colonel is prepared for it With due foreknowledge of the fact that pious warrior will be able to rally to the defense of the country more promptly than he did in the earlv sixties. If Attorney General Miller goes on the Supreme Bench it will ba interesting to know what the policy of the administration will be which he is to carry out in that judicial position. When the English press goes into ecsta cies of approval over such a string of amiable common places as that after-dinner speech of Robert Lincoln's, the other day, it at once reveals a remarkable standard of after-dinner oratory in England, and dis plays a determined desire to be friendly with Mr. Lincoln. Yesterday tried to be the exceptional day without a rain storm, but the force of bad habit was too much for it, PEOPLE OP PE0MLSMCE. Sir Julian Patjncefote is an inveterate cigarette smoker. It is thought that Roger Q- Mills will run for Governor of Texas, rather than try again for Congress. Robert P. Porter, Chief of the Census Bureau, has consented to make a tariff speech In Lancaster on July 4. Saratoga has been rejoicing in the pres ence of Senator Eyarts. Senator Hiscocic sticks close to the White House. President Harrison insisted upon paying the fare of his wife and party from Washing ton to Cape May. He said that the inter State commerce law made this necessary. General Butler is set down on the Colby University commencement programme for the anniversary oration on Jul; 2. It is just 51 years since the General was graduated from that college. "People wonder," said Chauncey Depcw the other day, "about what they call the om niscience I display in my after-dinner speeches. Why, it's simply by hunting up men and things in cyclopedias and frescoing them in my mind in my own way that I have become the know everything fellow they're making so much fuss about," and the great; good man laughed heartily at the thought It is not known to all who know Mr. Tracy, the Secretary of Navy, that he was a news paper writer in New York a quarter o a cen tury ago, though he was a Brooklynite even then and kept a law office. An old-timer who worked with him in the editorial line on a morning paper at that period says that he took up only very weighty themes in politics when be sat down with his pen in hand, that he was very exact in his phraseology, and that he took the utmost care in preparing his manuscripts tor the printer. Mr. Tracy was a close friend of Mr. Raymond, who was then editor of the Times, and he was at one time spoken of as Mr. Raymond's snecessor in tie editorial chair. A CAMPAIGN LIE. It 1 Not Necessary to Go to Europe to Write a Poem. From the Chicago News. J It is reported that Mr. Thomas Bailey Al drich, the gifted poet, is about to go to Europe for the purpose of completing a poem upon which he has been engaged for some time. We cannot understand this at alL Boston has just that atmosphere which, we are told, is neces sary to the conception, engendering, and par turition of a great intellectual work; without this atmosphere genius cannot produce; in short this Boston atmosphere is fully as es sential to the poet and the author as, according to mythology, the west wind was to the Carthaginian fillies. Is it likely that Mr. Aldrich really thinks of going away from Boston far the purpose of writing a poem? Why, of course it isn't This is a campaign lie a wretcnea campaign lie concocted and disseminated by envious New York. Ko Monument, Flense. From the New Orleans Picayune. Sitting Bnll is slowly sinking away. He was a great soldier, considering the fact that he did not have the advantages of a West Point edu cation. The City of New York, if necessary; should be enjoined .from erecting a monument to Sitting Bull. Opportunities for Experimenting. From the Minneapolis Tnbune.2 How nicely things even themselves up in this world, to be sure. Just as the young doctors begin to graduate and the undertakers bring out their spring styles, pie parties and short cake soirees are announced as the popular fads. We Congrntnlnte the Tribune. The first number of the Johnstown Tribune, issued since the flood, reached this office yes terday. It looks neat and newsy, and we are glad to See its familiar face again. What He Ought to Do. from the Chicago Inter-Ocean. 1 Wiggins says the ocean is drying up, and an unappreciatlve paragrapher advises the Cana dian weather prophet to go and do likewise. THE GRANDMOTHER'S DREAM. Be quiet, heart my lover comes. Ills feet 1 hear upon the stair, And know the lightly springing step That marks a spirit free from care. To meet him blushing at the door Is well, ah well, for life Is sweet Yet who would paint the tender grace That fills the hoar when lovers meet We wander down the orchard lane. Past fruitage blooms and leafy wood, 'Where singing birds and blooming flowers Bnt hymns our joy to God the Good. The pansy spreads beside the way, Uer innocent upturning eyes, The lowing cows, the lambs at play, Bnt make a dream of paradise. Be quiet, heart my husband comes, To hear his step npon the street Our children leave their careless play, And hasten out their sire to greet Bat baby waits npon my lap. And laughs and coos with baby grace, To tell for me the silent joy That fills my heart to see his face. The years glide on in 6hlne and shock, And toll is sweet for love is strong, To soothe the trying scenes of life, And fill our hearts with happv song. Life that though burdened yet la love, With rays from heaven filtering through The canopy that half conceals The good to be from mortal view. He comes again, my husband comes; His head is gray, his step Is slow, The same sweet grace bis presence brings That filled my heart so long ago. We sit together by the hearth. Our children tread lire's busy way, "We closer clasp our trembling hands And journey toward life's closing day. He comes not comes not now again I sit beside the hearth and wait; v No more, no more his step 1 hear, it or list his whistle at the gate. A river dark between us rolls, But God is good and love Is strong; He waits me on the other side. Be quiet, heart he waits not long. uajman zayiaruututT vcttm. 1 - PITTSBURG DISPATCH, THERE WERE PROTESTS. An Important Letter From General Manager John Fnlton Warnings Written by Him nnd John Worrell in 1880 Why They Thought the Dam Was Unsafe Then, and Said So. Mr. John Fulton, now general manager of the iron and steel works of the Cambria Iron Com pany, Johnstown, writes to The Dispatch a letter, inclosing copies of other letters written in the year 1S80, throwing a good deal of clear light upon the condition of the South Fork dam in tbafyear, as officially called in question nine years before the recent disaster. Mr. Fulton's letter follows, with the others ap pended: Caubkia Iron Com pakt, ) John Fulton, general manager, v Johi stows, Jnne is, 1889. ) The Editor or The Dispatch: Dear Sib I have been quite busy during the days that have passed since the great calamity that wrecked this part of the Conemaugh Valley. I have only Just learned that some adverse criticisms have been made, from an incorrect basis, that the writer in a report gave his assur ances of the stability of the Sonth Fork dam, about the year 18S0, at the close of the repairs then being made. Such Is not the fact. I condemned the method of repairs as clearly as I could do so In plain English language. To show this I have copied the original report with the criticisms of Colonel Knff on my report; also the letter of the late Hon. D. J. Morrell, General Manager of the Cambria Iron Company, at the time these reports were made. I have been unable to put my hands on the re ports of A. J. 'Whitney, Esq., who was at the time Kesldent Engineer of the 1'ennsylvania Canal Company, and who is an expert In these matters. The material facts, however, are given in my report. It Is well to understand, in this time of excitement, that the main cause leading to the breaking of the dam was the choking by lumber, brush and logs of the overflow on the north side ol the dam, which was originally 70 feet wide. This caused the water to flow over the central por tion of the dam the portion that had been re- j aired making the break that has caused sucn a terrible disaster to the Conemaugh Valley. After 1 had submitted my report to Mr. Morrell the matter was considered here, and I think it was decided that we had no legal means of arrest ing the repairs of the dam. I may add that Colonel linger appreciated the value of the report which I had made, and had very considerable work done afterward in strengthening the part of the bank that had been assumed to be completed. Very respectfully, Jho. Fulton. Johnstown. November 28, 1880. Hon. 1). J. Morrell, General Manager Cambria Iron Company, Johnstown: Bra: As yon instructed, I met a representative delegation of the "bportsmen's Association of Western Pennsylvania, " at the old reservoir dam fork of the Conemaugh River, two and a half mUes southeast from South Fork station on the Pennsylvania Railroad. This delegation, consisting of Colonel Unger. C. A. Carpenter, Esq., Secretary of the Board of Di rectors, and a number of gentlemen, broughtwlth them N. M. McDowell, Esq , C. K, or Pittsburg, to examine the dam In company with your en gineer. This dam is 70 feet high and 834 feet long. It was originally constructed by State authorities, dur ing the canal epoch, as a reservoir for storing water, for use during the dry season of boating. It Is designed to hold a body of water 60 feet deep, covering abont GOO acres of land, aud containing, at an average depth of 30 feet nearly 6,000 millions of gallons of water. It was built mainly with rocks and faced with earth on Its upper or pool slope, and covered with a riprap of stones. About the middle of the dam a cut stone, arched culvert was constructed In which a large discharge pipe was placed with con nections with a wooden oulkhead. On the north end an ample overfall has been cut through the root. 70 feet wide, to discharge surplus water dur ing ralnv seasons, i The Dispatch engravings. republished Saturday, June 15, 1839, from the Engineering Record, show the situation both as it was and Is, very accurately .John 1 ulton. After the disuse of this reservoir, the wooden bulkhead was burned down and the dam neglect ed. The consequence was that the water, under Its full pressure, with no repairs to dam, found its way through the masonry of the culvert and the result was the washing out of a triangular notch of the dam, 200 feet wide at the top and401eet deep. The resultant flood past South Fork and down the Conemaugh did some damage, the ex tent of which I have been unable to learn. The break occurred during a time of low water In the streams, which very creatly modified its action. During the past season the Sportsmen's Associa tion or Western Pennsylvania, which now owns this property, has put a torce at work to repair the breach in the dam, so as to raise the water to its maximum height of 60 feet. The repair force be gan by placing large rocks In the breach, lacing these with hemlock coughs and hay, and covering the whole with earth and shale. The facing of earth is being made with carts, the material dumped down a slope from thellneofthetopof the dam, thus gravitating the coarsest materials to the lowest depths Just the opposite of the result demanded in this case. It did not appear to me that this work was being done In a caretul and substantial manner, or with the care demanded in a large structure of this kind. When this work shall be completed to the full section of the old dam the entire embankment will contain 62,241 cubic yards, or 316,094 gross to-s. The pressure of water 60feetdeep on the slope of this dam Is 73,782 gross tons. The weight of the dam is, therefore, 4 2-W times that of the pressure of the water against it. It is evident, therefore, thar the water cannot overturn, or slide, tho dam en masse. There appear to me two serious elements of danger In this dam : First, the want ot a discharge pipe to reduce or take the water out of the dam lor needed repairs. Second, the nnsubstantlal method of repair, leaving a large leak, which appears to be cutting the new embankment. ' As the water cannot be lowered, the difficulty arlseB ol reaching the source of the present de structive leaks. At present there is 40 feet of water in the dam Y hen the full head of 60 leet is reached. It appears to me to be only a question of time until the former cutting it repeated. Should this break be made during a season of flood, it is evident that considerable damage would ensue along the line of the Conemaugh It is difficult to estimate how disastrous this flood would be, as its force would depend on the size of the breach in the dam with proportional rapidity of discbarge. The stability of the dam can only be assured turn thorough overhauling of the present lining on the upper slope, and the construction of an ample discharge pipe to reduce or remove the water to make necessary repairs. Very respectfully. Jonv Fulton, General Mining Engineer Cambria iron (jo. Pittsburg, December 2, 1S80. Daniel I. Morrell. General Manager: Dbab Sm I have had vour lavor with report of your engineer for some days, and they would have received attention sooner, but 1 have been sick. Knowing your large Interest In the Conemaugh Valley, 1 am not surprised that you feel some anxiety, and shall therefore briefly review your engineer's report. in the first place he was not met by a delegation of tho Sportsmen's Association of estern Penn sylvania, nor do they own the property. It Is owned by the South Fork Fishing and Hunting Club. In the second place he is wrong in saying that the dam was originally built mainly of stone; ex actly the reverse being true. The face on the lake was not rlprappcd, but covered with a slope wall. In tbe'thlrd place the largo arched culvert did not contain a single pipe, but three conduits, and, instead of terminating in a wooden bulkhead were embraced within the base of a wooden tower, which stood out in the lake, extending above the highest water level, to protect rods from ice and drift connected with valves on the conduits, by which the flow of water was regu lated. lie is In error in saying the burning of the wooden bulkhead was the primary cause of the destruction of the dam. Its destruction by fire, while the dam stood, wassimnlv.lmnossible. and It stood many years afterward, and only has been burnt a few years. The dam was destroyed by the arch culvert giving way about the center of the embankment. This danger we have avoided by making it solid throughout He is grossly In error in saying that it resulted in carrying away a notch 200 feet long and 40 leet deep. The fact Is that it swept it clear to the bottom, carrying everything before it, slope wall, embankment and all tne arch but a section of about 30 feet long, embraced in the riprap on the lower side. Von can have some Idea of Its extent when I tell you it took over 22, CO0 yards of material to fill it We did not put hemlock boughs and hay on the rock. We put them in the notch, but put more than 10, 000 vards of material over them before using the hay, etc. lie objected to our throwing material over the face of our embankment be cause tho coarser went to the bottom. This isjust what we wanted to do, and were put ting a riprap of coarse material over our earth face, to protect It from the action of the water di rect. We poltlvcly deny that there are danger ous leaks in our new work. lie makes tho amount of water in our lake about 2,000, COO gallons more than It really contains, lie says we have am Die overfall, also more than four tunes the weight necessary to resist the pressure it was to sustain. "U'c know we have the first and six times Uie lat ter. We consider his conclusions as to our only safe course ot no more value than his other asser tions. I submit herewith the report of onr engi neer, feeling certain you and jour people are In no danger from our enterprise. Very respec fully, B. F. Burr, President Cameeia Iron com pant, 5 JOniiSTOWN, December 22, jsso. J D. F. Ruff. Esq., President South Fork Fishing and Hunting Club, Plltsburgi DEAR BiB-Your esteemed favor of the 2d Inst, with accompanying report of your engineer, Mr. N. M. McDowell, was duly received and handed to our engineer, Mr, John Fulton, for considera tion and report. Mr. Fulton handed me, some time since, his let ter of the 13th, with the communication marked "Ai" from Mr. A. Whitney, engineer, to which he refers, and also a report made to hlmbv bis assistant Mr. Walter A. Fellows, who bad inorc recently examined the South Fork dam. Pressure of business and absence from home has prevented my sooner writing you. I note your criticism of Mr. Fulton's former report and indge that in some of his statements be may have been in error; bnt think that his conclusions In the main were correct. We do not wish to put any obstructions in the way of your accomplishing your object ' the reconstruction of this dam; but we must t test against the erection of a dam at that plate, that will be a perpetual menace to the lives and property of those residing In this upper valley of theuonemaugh, from Its insecure constrnctton. In my Judgment there should have been provided some means by which the water would be let out of the dam la case of trouble, aud 1 think that you will find It necessary to provide an outlet pipe or gate before any engineer would S renounce the Job a safe one. if this dam could e securely reconstructed with a safe means of driving off the water la ease any waakneH mani MONDAY, JUNE 17, fests itself, I should regard the accomplishment of this work as a very desirable one, ana If some ar rangement could be made with your association by which the store of water In this reservoir could be used in time of great drouth in the mountains, this company would be willing to co-operate with you In the work, and would contribute liberally toward making the dam absolutely safe. I herewith return Mr. McDowell's report pre suming that you will wish to preserve It. Yours trnly. D. J. Mobbell, General Manager. CQIONQ BACK WADED. Workmen Who Went Penniless to Johns town and Were Relieved. Special Telegram to The Dispatch. Phixli? sbtog, June 18, It anything wero really wanting to show mistakes in the distribution ol relief had prevailed at Johnstown for the past ten days it coula be found at the depot in this place during the last two days on tho arrival of overy train bringing workmen from that place. On the announcement 12 days ago that work men were needed at Johnstown, from ISO to 200 miners and others left here, taking with them nothing but what they had on their backs, and many of thera coatless. Now they are return ing with two and three suits of clothing each, and carrying bundles containing women's and children's wearing apparel, beside other arti cles. It is related of two men that thoywore'so weighted down with bundles of clothing that they were compelled to secure a wagon to haul their goods from the station to their homes. Not only have they brought clothing, but other articles, the property, no doubt of some of the sufferers by the flood. One of our jewelers yesterday was offered, for a song almost, a gold headed cane, a heav ily plated silver caster and a solid gold ring. It all who went to Johnstown to work fared as well as many from this vicinity, who were compelled to return after the chance went Into effect last Wednesday, the wonder Is that the the relief supply was not wholly exhausted. Fifteen large boxes of goods were sent from this place on Thursday for the flood sufferers at Willlamsport and Lock Haven, and, besides these, several hundred dollars in money will also be sent in tho same direction. Several boxes of clothing, etc., were sent to Johnstown last week. COAL SHIPMENTS EESUMED. Several Northern Tier Minos, Tied Up by tho Flood, Are Open Special Telegram to The Dispatch. Philmpsbdrg, June 16. Coal shipments from the Clearliold region were resumed last Snnday, when 00 cars were sent over the Tyrone and Clearfield Railroad, thence east via the Bold Eagle Valley and Philadelphia and Erie Railroads. Daily shipments of from 200 to 300 curs have since been made. in the Beech Creek region, except at mines so located that they could ship by the Pennsyl vania Railroad, resumption has not yet taken E lace, though if the report is true that tho ;cech Creek and Fine Creek Railroads will be openjto Williamsport by Monday, it will be but a few days until that region will also be at work. Austin King, formerly in the employ of one of the large coal companies at Connellsville, and recently apoointed mine Inspector of the Eighth bituminous coal district arrived here and assumed control of his office. A Congressman as Bridge Repairer. (E FECIAL TELIOUAMTO THE DISPATCH. Phillipsburg, June 10. So great was the destruction of bridges by the disastrous flood in Clearfield county, and the matter of obtaining competent persons to take charge of the construction of the most important bridges so difficult that James Kerr, Congressman elect from this district, has undertaken the work of superintending the building of a tem porary bridge across Clearfield creek at Schrey ver's. ODIi MAIL jVUCCJL Speculative Value. To the Editor of The Dlspatcn: I have read with pleasure your editorials, as well as the communications lately published in Tiie Dispatch, in reference to single tax. Permit me to say a word in reference to the term speculative value, the scope of which, to my mind, vou misapprehend. As I understand it speculative value is that excess above true economio value which is added by the speculator in anticipation of the growth of population and the necessities of the people, pushing the price always just beyond what a purchaser can afford to pay for it at the time that is, what he can pay for it and get a fair return on his investment by use. It is a value entirely apart from true or economic Value. In reality it is a mere scheme of fore stalling a game in which greed plays against human necessities. The single tax contemplates the appropria tion, not only of speculative values, but of eco nomic values also; not only the values which the speculator adds, but those wbicn the com munity creates and are therefore entitled to. Pittsburg, June 15, J. B. S, The Tax Qualification. To the Editor of The Dispatch; Very little Is being said by public speakers, or through the press in regard to the proposed second amendment to the Constitution. The present suffrage article in the Constitution was framed after careful study by as wise a body of men as could be found In the State of Pennsyl vania. It was framed to guard against fraud, colonization, etc and it has worked well for the lost 15 years. The fourth article of the proposed amendment makes a different qualifi cation for electors in municipal elections than is required in county or State elections. It is a change that opens wide the door to fraud, whether it was through inadvertence or design on the part of the Legislature. Purity of the ballot is the only safeguard in a government by the people. Then let us defeat the proposed second amendment by a majority that will settle the suffrage question for the next 15 years. H. 0. C, Allegheny, June 15. It is Illegal. To tho Editor of The Dispatch: Does the fish law allow fishing with night, "trot" or set lines, as they aro called ? H.W. Pittsburg, June 15. Bothered by Bees and Rainbows. From the Baltimore American.l A big Vice Presldental bee is said to be buzz zing at a lively rate in Cal Brice's bonnet Per haps be has accepted the Chairmanship of the National Committee in order that he may get a better view of the political rainbow from that eminence. MECHANICAL AND INDUSTRIAL. A plait for rendering paper as tough as wood or leather, it is said, bas been recently introduced on the continent It consists in mixing chlorida of zinc with the pulp in the course of manufacture. It has beon found that the greater the degree ot concentration of the zinc solution the greater will be the tonghness of the paper. It can be used for making boxes, combs, for roofing, and even for making boats. It is predicted that the cultivation of the sweet cassava, from which is made starch, glu cose and tapioca, will at no very distant date become one of the important industries of Florida. If all that is claimed by those who advocate its introduction be true, it is one of the most productive, easily cultivated and re munerative of crops, and its cultivation will add much to the resources of the State, it is excellent for feeding. stock, and it is also valu able as an addition to the list of vegetables for human food. West Virginia bas a new industry, the making of "Spanish cedar cigar boxes" oat of poplar, dyed with an extract that gives proper color and smell. Paper pulp is now made from forest leaves. If it prove equal to wood fiber it will be a great saving of timber, fortbepulpers have been running a close race with the lumbermen in deforesting the honest face of this good eartfi. A hew industry has been invented by a clever English girl. She calls herself an ac countant and auditor for large households. Sbe finds plenty of employment in looking after tho business of a few families of large expenditure wbose heads have not taste for the work. FBENcnengineers have lately been testing boiler tubes with ribs or flanges on the inside, tho invention of M. Jean Serve. A larger sur face for absorbing the fire's beat is presented, and a saving of fuel ranging from one-third to one-seventh has been indicated. In experi ments on a Rhone steamboat it was found that with ordinary copper tubes the combustion of one pound of coal evaporated seven pounds of water, and the 8vmoke Issued from the boiler at a temperature of 680 Fahrenheit; but when the tubes were taken out and the flanged ones inserted the evaporation immediately rose to nice and one-third pounds of water per ponnd or coal, and the heat of the escaping gases fell to480 . v v V -- -.. ' . -. .. .'j- 1889. O'BRIELN-BAIN GOSSIP. Tho Senate Chamber Daring: a Reeess A Historic Gavel and lis Careful Custo dian A Disappointed Newipnner Man Tho President's Caution In Making Ap pointments. ICOHEESrONDENCE OF THE DISPATCH. 1 Washington, June 15. The Senate cham ber has been cleared of all its furniture, and it presents a very bare appearance to the sight seer who strays, through the Capitol. The only adornment that the floor knows is the, disks of metal that cover air-shafts which have their upper termini under the desks of Senators. There will be eight new desks in the chamber when Congress meets. The Senate carpenter is now at work fashioning them after the pat tern which has been followed in the Senate for more than fifty years. The desks are made of mahogany. They are high and narrow, and the tops con be raised when access to the inte rior is desired, A shelf below each Is intended tq bold the file of the Congressional Record and the books ot reference each Senator keeps at hand. These desks never wear out They are occasionally patched where vandals shave pieces from them for relics. In the House lit tle metal tags designate the desks) by number and each member is numbered to correspond with the number of his desk; but in the Senate the name of each Senator is engraved on a metal plate and his desk is thns designated. The desks that Webster and Clay used are still part of the Senate furniture. There is only one person who can identify them Captain Bassett the veteran Chief of the Senate Pages and be would not point out one of tbem for any consideration. Captain Bassett has been an employe of the Senate since 1831 and be has a great veneration for anything connected with the memory of Daniel Webster. It was Web ster who had him appointed to the position that he first held in the Senate that ot a page. The Growth of the Senate. When these mahogany desks were first intro duced in the Senate there were only 52 Sen ators. Their number has been increased with the addition of each new State, until now there are 76 desks. Beginning with the next Congress there will be 84. The eight new mahogany desks for the Senators from the four new States will ranged along the back row of the Senate. The side of the chamber, on which they will be placed will depend upon the polit ical complexion of the new Senators. It seems likely now that six of the new Senators will sit on the Republican side of the chamber and two of them on the Democratic side. Senator Blair will be left alone in his glory, the only Republi can on the Democratic side of the chamber. At the time of the war, when the Southern Senators left the Senate chamber and there were only six Democrats left the ReDUblicans sat indiscriminately on either side of the chamber. Since the war Senator Blair is the first Republican Senator to sit on the Demo cratic sido of the chamber. s A Carefully Guarded Gavel. The furnishing of the Senate chamber bas changed but little since Webster and Clay and Calhoun were here. The same desks remain and the same chairs. The desk on which the presiding officer taps with his gavel is tho same and the gavel itself bas not changed. This gavel is something of a curiosity. It is a piece of ivory cut in about the form of an hour glass. It was made in 1S31, when John C. Cal houn presided over the deliberations of the Senate Ever since that time Captain Bassett has made this gavel his especial charge. It remains in his possession during the session of Congress and before the day's session of the Senate begins, he has it In his pocket At 11.55 each morning he steps to the presiding officer's desk and deposits it there. As soon as the Senate adjourns he returns it to bis pocket. Where he deposits it for the night nobody knows. So many questions have been asked by the curious concerning this historic article that he is in constant dread of it being stolen. It is in some safe place of concealment now. When the Senate is called together again. Cap tain Bassett will be on band with the zavel in time for the presiding officer to use it to call the Senate of tho Fifty-first Congress to order. The gavel has no intrinsic value. Its only value is historic. The Senate gavel is not as heavy as that which is used in the House. The Speaker's gavel bas a heavy handle, and it is used with such vigor in calling members to order that the top of the Speaker's desk: bas to be renewed at least once during the session of each Congress. The woodpecker's tap and the blow of the sledgehammer are in no greater contrast than the tapping of the Presi dent of the Senate and the vigorous pounding of the Speaker's gavel. A Work of Art. Eighteen months ago an attempt was made to supplant the historic gavel of the Senate. Alex. M. Kenaday, Secretary of the National Association of Veterans of the Mexican War, sent to the Senate in December, 3837, a gavel which had been made by one of the veterans, a pensioner under the law of January 29, 1887, named Charles Ufferbusto. The gavel was made of 850 separate pieces of wood, taste fully inlaid, the different colors blending har moniously. It had been sent to Mr. Kenaday by the pensioner as a Christmas gift and it was offered to the Senate through Senator Butler. It was Inclosed in a case which was almost as much of a curiosity in workmanship as the gavel itself. At the suggestion ot Senator Butler a resolu.lon was adopted referring: the gavel to the Committee on Rules. Ever since that day it bas lain in a cupboard in the office of the Financial Clerk of the Senate. Occa sionally the Financial Clerk, Air. Nixon, takes it out to show it to someone, and then returns it to that shelf to which the Senate con signed it A Disgusted Newspaper Man. The most thoroughly disgnsted man in Wash ington to-day is Frank Hatton, ex-Postmaster Mr. Hatton is one of the survivors of the Johnstown disaster. He was a passenger on the Chicago limited which so narrowly escaped destruction at Sonth Forks. As soon as it was learned at Washington that Mr. Hatton was a passenger on this train the great public keyed itself up to the highest pitch of expectancy, and began to watch the Washington Post for graphic word -pictures of the awful scene. But day followed day, and the JPost continued to come out with the excellent reports of the United Press and the American Press, and nothing whatever from "Our Special Corre spondent on the Field." Mr. Hatton's friends became uneasy. They feared that the horror of the event bad overcome him; that he was lying sick at some little station of the Penn sylvania Railroad. The President, sharing in the natural alarm, sent messages of inquiry. On Friday of last week Mr. Hatton stepped quietly into the city. He refused to be inter viewed, out after 24 hours of perfect quiet he sat down and wrote a thrilling account of the way in which he was not drowned or crushed to death. I found Mr. Hatton somewhat re covered from the shock of recent occurrences, sitting at his desk in the editorial room of the Post, a few nights ago, and he explained to me the causes of his apparent recreance to the great reading public. "The first dispatch about this disaster was tiled for the Washington Post," he said gloom ily. "1 wrote the story and It was a god story. There was no telegraph station within 13 miles of us, and I hired a man with a horse for $16 to ride to the nearest telegraph office and file my dispatch. He rode; he filed; ho returned be fore the train started and reported what he had done. 1 settled back in my seat assured that the world would know all about the way we were not drowned and that my family and friends would have assurance of my safety within 12 hours. Before long we started u p the road and eventually arrived In Altoona. What was my disgust to learn that my beautiful story ot the flood had been sent only as far as Altoona and there had become "pocketed" by the storm. Tearfully I took it out of the tele graph office and turned it over to the Altoona Tribune. At the same time William Henry firaith consigned to the tender care of tho Al toona Times the story of the disaster which he had prepared for the Associated Press. We had the pleasure of reading thoso stories the next day and of assuring each other that tbov were good stories. But I cannot help feeling that they were lost on the Inhabitants of Al toona. They were written for other readers." The President's Caution. The care which the President Is exercising in the choice of persons to fill responsible offices is well illustrated by an incident, the story of which is being freely told about the hotel cor ridors here. A gentleman who had indorsed for a position of some valne a man in whose in tegrity he bad every reason to place faith was approached by a stranger who took him asldo and said to him: "You indorsed Mr. for the position of , did you not?" He re sponded in tho affirmative. "He is not the sort of man you want to indorse," said the stran ger. "Look st this check. It is forged, and the man who forged it is yonr friend." "And what is your interest in this matter?" was the instant query. The reply, which came as quickly, was the exhibition ot a detective's shield and the an nouncement that tho wearer bad received his instructions from the Executive Mansion. In this caso it happened that tho applicant could prove his Innocence, and It is said that the dis covery was afterward made that there was a plot to prevent his appointment However that may-be, this caso may prove a salutary warning to those people who are in the bablt of signing papers indorsing men with whom they are not acquainted, or of whom they have but a casual Auwntufjei M v -,( A PINE NUMBER. Brief Summary of Leading Features of Yes terday's 20-Page Dispatch. A very complete and newsy number of The Dispatch, consisting of 20 pages, was issued yesterday. Its choice literary matter and its reports of the leading events now attracting attention at borne and abroad were flrst-clasa in every particular. The Cronin murder case continues to develop sensational features. A late statement of the prisoner. Woodruff, implicates Coughlfu more directly in the crime. A staff correspondent of The Dispatch interviewed prominent Fhila'delpbiana on the coming election. Most of the political leaders who are not Prohibi tionists seem to think there will be a light vote and a large majority against the amendment A canvass of 10,000 Philadelphia workingmen. made by the Press ot that city, shows that 6Q per cent of them, are opposed to prohibition. The Philadelphia JtecoroVs returns indicate a majority of 91.000 for liquor in the State. A Yankee genius has established a weather bu reau, and is1 furnishing predictions that Massa chusetts people consider far more accurate than those of the Government Work on the ruins at Johnstown is progressing favorably. By the use of immense quantities of dynamite a channel bos at last been cut through the gorge above the railroad bridge. The result of the Samoan negotiations is re garded la Berlin as a victory for Americans. William Walter Phelp3 is looked upon as the coming Minister to Oermany. Newspapers talk of an impending struggle between Ger many and Russia. Gladstone bas been mak ing many speeches, and arousine enthusiasm for the liberal canse. Great preparations are being made for the reception of the Shah of Persia in England. Other minor cable news was of a highly interesting character, n. Local anti-amendmentites claim that their success in the State is certain. They estimate that there will be I50.00Q majority against pro hibition. The Citizen's Relief Committee has closed its office, and though they will continue their work, they will not devote their whole time to it as heretofore. The Soho pond is causing much uneasiness among residents of that portion of the city. Proceedings are to be instituted jn court against those accused of importing foreign gloss blowers. The new city directory shows an increase in the popula tion of Pittsburg and Allegheny of over 16,000 for the year. The spring meeting of the Coney Island Jockey Club opened Saturday. The Pittsburgs were defeated by Indianapolis, 11 to 16. Base ball, pugilism, turf events and the general re View of sports occupied several columns. III. In part second a staff writer contributes an entertaining article on ancient- and modern ar chitecture. It was entitled "Homes of All Ages," and was finely illustrated. G. W. Childs furnished pleasing reminiscences of General Grant Blakely Hall wrote of the poor out casts of London, Mary J. Holmes of the women of Egypt and Peregrine Quill of Irish landlord ism. Interesting facts for apiarians were fur nished by J. W. A. Henry Norman, L. B. France and others also contributed papers that were full of interest "My Heart's Delignt," a complete novelette by the noted writer, Louise Stockton, was a leading feature of the third part of the paper. Frank Carpenter told of hl3 experiences on railroads in British 'India. "Haunted New York" was the subject of a bright letter from Olive Harper. Lillian Spencer gave a pen picture of a Cuban carnival. Bill Nye, In his own peculiar way, told how he and other writers think and reduce their thoughts to manuscript form. E. H. Heinricbs furnished one of his entertaining stories. Other special articles wero contributed by Rev. George Hodges, Shirley Dare, Bessie Bramble, "A Clergyman," Jake Morse and Clara Belle. It was a great paper, full of good, wholesome reading. DEATH OP A HEfiMIT. An Educated But Eccentric Character Who Lived the Life of a Reclase. Dennison, Tex., Jnne 16. An eccentric character named Joseph Grove died southeast of the city the other night Grove bas led the life of a recluse for a period of over 40 years. He was a Virginian by birth, and was edncated at Union College, New York. After graduating he engaged m the practice of law at Richmond, Va. Being disappointed in love be left his home and lived in the fastnesses of the Cum berland range of mountains until the War of the Rebellion broke out when he enliste 1 in Kemper's command of the Army of Nortuern Virginia. After the surrender Grove returned to the mountains, living in a rude log cabin, the nearest neighbor being 15 miles distant Once a year he returned to civilized life and laid in a stock of provisions, clothing, eta B e received a yearly remittance of several hun dred dollars from a sister whose residence was at Petersburg, Va. While in the mountains he divided his time between hunting and reading. Hef translated a portion of the Iliad and committed to memory copious extracts from the works of Shakespeare and Milton. Grove came to Texas several years ago and bas been doing farm work, bnt always lived isolated, putting up a little shanty of boards to protect him from the rigor of the weather. He bad a great aversion to the oppo site sex, and it was rarely that he noticed or spoke to a woman. He wonld receive men in the most cordial manner, and his acquirements made him always companionable to intelligent callers. When be saw a woman coming toward bis.babltation he would either bar the door or rush rapidly to the brush or woods. The de ceased was about CO years of age, and diedap Sarently with heart disease. Since he came to exas his sister died and the remittance was cut off, and he was obliged to perform manual labor. THE LATEST IN J7BENCH. Specimens of Parisian Conversations Likely to be Pat In Books. From the Chicago News, j The new French conversation books will con tain brief colloquies, such as this: "Have you been to behold the long hair Of William of the Buffalor '.'Yes, and also beheld the shooting of the balls of glas3. How superb was it!" "The infants of the cow, did you not them also seer' "Of a truth. The entanglement of the steer with the rope was most skillful. Let us now of the absinthe to take a little." Where Credit Was Due. The Dispatch endeavors to treat Its co temporaries fairly and give credit where His due. Bnt in a Philadelphia dispatch which ap peared on the seventh page yesterday, our good Intentions wero frustrated, and the result of the prohibition canvass among the laboring men of that city was credited to the Mecord in stead of to the Press, which furnished the item. TKI-STATE TEIFLES. A yotoq lady in Wheeling claims to have refused 40 offers of marriage daring the past year. " f AN Akron plumber found 16 dead rats in a house which, the owner said, "smelt of sewer gas. Two young ladles of York, while playing "ring," ran their heads together, so violently that they knocked each other unconscious for several minutes. An Easton piper says Charles Zinc has an amorphophallus plant, the only one of the kind in that section. The odor of the flower is that of stale raw meat, bnt Its color is beautiful. On the death of Jacob Kimes, of Columbia, lately, his bunting dog would touch no food until the funeral was over, and his parrot which bad been garrulous, has not spoken a word since. Conductor Esterly, of a Reading horse car, assisted a lady and two children aboard, and picking up a third little gill, lilted her in, despite her kicks, and struggles. When he tried to collect fares for three children from the lady, ha was told the kicker did not belong to her. The only thing he could do was to take ber back to the starting point and she re ceived a free ride of about four miles. Catching frogs to sell tbem to restaurants is a brisk industry around Chambersburg. The hunter carries a torch which he flashes on the stream, and if a frog is there it sits dazed, and with a dexterous thrust of a spear he pins it A Scbanton mother whose son had tooth- ache took htm to a faith-healer "Look me in tho eyes." said the doctor, fixing a fascinating gaze on tho weeping youth. "Now your tooth ache has entirely disappeared. You haven't a bit of toothache about you." "You lie! I have," yelled the boy, with a fresh bowk. Tho BWtBW the took-Ww to wWHittr CUBIQUS CONDENSATIONS. At Huntaville, Ala., a pink and whits chicken was hatched a short time ago. A small boy killed a blue racer at Ben ton Harbor. Mich., the other day, by cutting off its head with a hatchet The snake was fully 6 feet In length. There are five girl & 01e of the Humphries families of eming county, Ky, and their names are Arkansas, Louisiana, Ten nessee, Florida and Virginia. An Australian who jra hanging to the, beam of abridge and realized that he must fall made a verbal will to a companion, dispos ing of about $50,000 worth of property, ana tne courts have sustained it. Ten thousand eight hundred and ten persons ascended to the top of the Washington Monument last month, making a total of 110, 882 since October 9, 1888, when the structure was opened to the public John "Williams, a bachelor in Augusta, Me., was told that a certain widow had set her cap for him, and John was so afraid that ha might be roped Into marriage that he went to the barn and hanged himself. A boy in Meriden. Conn., broke the handle off a teacnp belonging to a neighbor, and the trifle has not only made enemies of 'a dozen people, bnt led to several assault and battery cases and three lawsuits. It is said of a Canadian mother who died the other day: "She was a true wife, a fond mother, and so managed affairs as to marry off her nine girls before any other fe male m the neighborhood could even get a beau." The jawbone of a huge monster has been unearthed recently at the Wauchnla, Fla., phosphate beds. It measures 18 inches in length and about 7 in width. Some of the teeth are 0 or 7 inches long and 2or 3 Inches in diameter. A Connecticut woman issuingher neigh bor for damages for putting np fly screens. She claims that the flies which cannot get into the neighbor's house on this account will tome to hers, and she will thereby have double the usual number. An Iowa man advertised in Western papers that he wanted good reliable men to send him $1 each, for which he would send "5 ones, 3 twos, 2 lives and I ten." He kept his agreement but sent postage stamps instead of dollars. Now he is in jalL A test bas been made in France to see whether the color of a horse had anything to do with his characteristics. It has been dem. onstrated that any such idea is all nonsense. Pedigree and early training have all to do with it. and color nothing whatever. They have a new way of planting orange trees near San Diego. Cak They bore a small hole and drop in a dynamite cartridge, the ex plosion of which makes a hole big enough for the tree, and, loosening the soil to a depth of several feet, enables the tree to take root easier. A New York physician names these among other evils to be guarded against at summer resorts: Overfatigue and undue ex posure to the snn, irregular eating, over feed ing on food to which one Is unaccustomed, sit ting or lying on the ground, and unnecessary exposure to the dew and dampness after night fall. A Maine paper bas discovered that many of the alleged new potatoes that people are buying and eating nowadays are not new at all. and nave not been since a year ago. Some fellow has discovered a way of making old potatoes look new by soaking them in a prep aration that makes the rough, outer skin peel off, and leaves only a smooth inner skin like that of a new potato. Tom Fuller, of Geneva, Ga., says that he saw a rabbit whip and kill a snake a few days ago. The snake had caught a young rabbit and was trying to swallow it The old rabbit rushed by the snake and bit it as it passed. It then ran by the snake again and bit it and repeated the run several times, biting the snake each time. The snake finally dropped the young rabbit, crawled off a short distance, and died. Among the most interesting feles dur ing the French exhibition will If the interna tional gymnastic least at Vincennes. It will be a monster athletic demonstration, no fewer than 12,000 gymnasts, French and foreign, tak ing part in it They will be lodged In tents ex tending from the chateau to the Polygons. France will be represented by 450 societies, .Belgium Dy az, ana awitzenana ov w. wane Italy, Denmark. Holland, Sweden and Norway, Luxembourg, and other nations wUlsnd their, crack bands. Friday was the one hundred and twelfth anniversary of the adoption of the Start and Stripes as the flag of the United States. The flag used as early as January, 1776, by the Continental army, had 13 alternate red and white stripes, with the united St George and 8t Andrew crosses in, into the Union. This was changed by act of Congress. June M, 1777, by retaining the stripes ana placing 13 stars in the blue field. An act of 1701 provided that there should be as many stripes as stars, bnt on April 4, 1818, it was determined that the flag should be as it is at present the 13 alternate red and white horizontal stripes, representing the inde pendent 13 original States, and provision being made tbat there should be as many stars in the field as there are States in the Union, one star to be added on the admission of each new State on the 4th of July succeeding the admis sion. A flock of goats were browsing and looking for stray oyster cans, sardine boxes and the like in North Dallas, when all at once there was a commotion among; the foremost ones, which beat a hasty retreat An old billy who had been fetching up the rear with the solemnity of a deacon, walked to the front paused and began to strike the ground right hard in an odd sort of way with his fore feet and at the same time to shake his bead as if going through some sort of superstitions incan tation. He then walked back in the direction he had come, for a few yards, and, taking a running start, made a long jump, alighting with bis legs bunched, and immediately on hitting the ground, made a second long jump far out to one side. The gentleman who witnessed this strange performance, prompted by curiosity, went up to tee what the trouble was, and there lay a big rattlesnake cut nearly in two writhing in the throes of death. THE LAUGHING PHILOSOPHERS. No Engagement "I am like a tree," ha observed, as the clock struck 11. "I am rooted at your side." 'Yea, but you never leave, do you?" And then he "pnt forth." Harper's Bazar. "A Difference. Mrs. Bland How good your little boy is, and how much he resembles his father. Mrs. Testy Tfe; bnt I brought np the boy. I didn't bring up his father. -Veto Xork Meekly. , Quite a Kaise. Friend King Kalakua is so poor that he can't raise S10.C00 to go to the Paris Exposition. Member of Congress I once knew of S10.000 be ing raised by a kln. but I had the other three to my hand. Texas Sitings. How He Saved Money. "Can't I take your name for this new encyclopedic diction ary!" asked the bookazent "It is an encyclo pedia and a dictionary all in one. " "No, sir," said the man addressed; "I hare no use for It whatever. Vou see, 1 married a Boston glrI.-5osiertiu Journal. Grammatical Instruction Free. ""Will these soods wash?"asked a Chicago lady In a Bos ton drygoods store. "Ho, madam," said the clerk, solemnly. "I cannot assure you that they will; but I am credit ably Informed tbat with proper care and the nse of salt they may bo washed successf uUy." Somsr viUe Journal. Up to Bnnff. Golucky As I'm the special summer correspondent of the New Yorlc Daily Blow hard, I suppose your terms to me will be somewhat different from your terms to regular guests. Summer Hotel Clerk (brlskly)-Yes, sir; yes. sir; of course. Our terms to you will be cash in ad-yance.-A'ne Xork Hey. Tramp Mister, give me something to eat: I'm hungry and out of work. Practical Party, In suburbs-What do you work a? Tramp (speaking first thing that comes to mind) I'm a wood engraver, sir. P. P. (dcllghted)-Ab,. very goofl! Just walk around behind the back kitchen; you'll find a saw, wood-horse and some wood. Will you be kind enough to engrave & cord or so while I see about your breakfast But the cloud of dust disappearing down the road answereth not Washington Post. THE MAIDEN'S REPARTEE. Ah, he was a giant both brawny and braTe, And she was the bello of the beach. And he was o'erthrown by a seventeen-lnclt, wave. While she swooned away with a screech. That eve In the ballroom the maiden appeared; Be tenderly asked of her if She fainted that morning because she had feared Jfor his life. Her reply was a sola; And, "2o, it was ifot for your life that 1 feared1 But I was oppressed by the notion- J - une.way you openeayourmuuuj wmn ncirtt. xou tsreirwoma swauow tne occaa.ua -4wtrr;.j iilrr i.iiiiiwiiiriiMnrriTnf'- 4 wSi.- r V!. lo.-ri.-l . .1 " A AjWtWr-llrTi ' '- H' -irfnrirtifr&",iii i iir iti m i. WikmmBBBmBamJ - i . i ' ' ,. j ;!3hsiwsA -. mm:m'- , JaLmihiim'' ' "