Work prisoners, any Plans Earnestly Dis cussed Dy uonnty Omciais. IffiHAT THE KEEPERS SAY. 3am Fleming: Suggests a Huge Boule vard Like Chicago's. ISOME FAYOR THE CHAIMAKG. County Prison Board -was to have met at the workhouse, at Claremont, at 10 o'clock yesterday morning, but attheap- inted time only Judge Ewing and Con troller S peer, of the County Board, and C. G. Donnell and Addison Lysle, of the orkhouse Board, were present. Judge Magee arrived at 12:20, and W. A. Magee, KiTreasurer of the Workhoouse Board, at S o clock in tne alternoon. .Mayor .rearson, of Allegheny, had stated Thursday evening Bthat he intended to be present at the meet ping and advocate his idea of putting the convicts to work on the streets and country -roads. His remarks on the subject, which hrere printed in The Dispatch yesterday morning, were to the effect that all the idle convicts should be used to keep the high ways in repair, and also to improve them in Kaeveryway possible, jiavor .rearson was Inot present, however, ana even it ne nan been it is not probable that any defi nite action would have been taken as there are 13 members of the county board which is composed of the si- common pleas If judges, the mayors of Pittsburg and Alle- w-gneny, voe enenu ui uic cuuuiy, auu me sthree county commissioners. The great question now before tbe board is what to do with the convicts who have been thrown out of employment by the bar rel factory closing, owing to the opposition of outside coopers. Many schemes for giv ing employment to the prisoners have been discussed, but nothing which is satisfactory to all the members ot the board has been suggested. THE LIST OF PEISOXEES. There were 709 prisoners, 633 males and 76 females in the institution on December 26, and of the males at least 250 are practic ally out of employment The barrel lactory in which from 250 to 300 men were working dow gives employment to about 20, and these are engaged in making half barrels. Those who were thrown out of work are given an hour or two to exercise each day, or allowed to pass away the time in clean ing up thegronnds. A number of plans have been devised by which the time of the men could be occu pied. Besides the scheme to put them at work on the roads it has been suggested that more land be purchased and the convicts be instructed in larming. With sufficient land. Br 'it is argued, enough farm products, cattle and hogs could be raised to feed tne inmates of the institution, realizing enough money from the sale of meat and vegetables to W almost pay the expenses of running the place. The gentlemen who visited the workhouse B vestexday were very loath to talk on the buujecL, feiauujc u ii nitsuu uiat me viMb they made was a preliminary one to look into the sitnaHon, and from the result of the visit try to arrive at some satisfactory conclusion. A number of the keepers, when spoken to fc on the subject, said: "We have plenty of EA'worih. ior me euorc-ierin uica, uuv wuai is seeded is work for those who are here tor f three, four, five, six and seven years. For the short-term prisoners we do not care so much, but the others must be given work of some kind which can be done inside of the walls. MAKING BARBELS. E.- "Take, for instance, broom, brush or K barrel making. We can put a long-term if man in any of those departments, at a cer ir tain kind ot work, and during thp time he is b here he kn ws just what he is to do, and be fore long becomes an adept in his work. We have men here m horn it would be extremely dangerous to take outside the walls, and if eight or ten of them were taken out together it is not at all probable that they would all be brought back alive. The chain ing system might be all right lor the bums who have themselves committed in the fall to spend the winter here. They could not be driven away with a club until spring. There are dozens of 'these fellows who sail on the lakes during the summer and when navigation closes strike out for some friendly workhouse where they can get all they want to eat and drink until warm weather commences. That class of prisoners would work any '"where. hnt there are others who would starve r hornr Tkut Vrttild pnnutnl in annua t in nnk. .. V . "V.-... .UUObUI W Uf UU. ... ..? lie Xou can see this feeling among them IhIT ilia ... ... n . . rF 4I...H. ... t H.n .. .1...... Effaces when a visitor is about" Superintendent Warner refused to talk, saying that it was a matter which would be decided by the Prison Board. County Controller Speer was not disposed to say much either. A meeting of the Iboard should be held to take some action. " IV A AfnTAA tdlll TtA Will MAt fnvAa 4Vl. chain cans: svstem. but was in favor of sending Superintendent Warner around the wuuirj uu t& muu vi xuviug uuuimission to to make contracts for such work as the prisoners could do. PEOIECTIlfG HONEST LABOR. County Commissioner Daniel McWill iamssaid: "lam not in lavor of allowing the convicts to do any work which will be detrimental to legitimate labor. A sugges tion has been made bv the real estate dealer. .Mr. Fleming, which I think is averylauda ble one. He suggests that the convict labor pc used to construct a boulevard from Clare- niont to Allegheny and from Allegheny to peiricEiey. xie claims tnac it would be a asting-nefitto the locautv bv materially enhancing the value of property on either Eide, which is no doubt true, Great care 'would have to be exercised. "However, I believe in the selection of the men, as there are many prisoners who would not work on the public roads, and others who belong to respectable families in the two cities who have become inmates of the lace, and whose friends would dbiect most strenuously to any public exhibition being made ot their kindred. I amfstrongly in lavor of buying more land and Ad akin et the prisoners produce their own food at least. -Whatever is decided upon which does not conflict with honest outside labor I will 'heartily endorse. Commissioner Mercer's ""views, as published in The Dispatch yes- tciua), meet wjiuuiv uuquuiiueu approval. After looking over the farm yesterday afternoon those members of the board who had visited the workhouse returned home. The special committee consisting of Judges vrtJuier 411U uiiue auu umiuiE510ner JUer- tcer, which was appointed to look into the situation, will report to the lull board at the Jnext meeting, which will be. held on the first baturdjy in January. OPINIONS OP LAKORiLEADERS. SThfy Favor Chnln-Gangs Working an Bad Highways Opposed td Interference With ilie Toiler. The opinion of labor leaders on the ques- lion of finding employment for convicts is favorable to providing them wjth such work us will not compete with regular labor. The officials of tbe Amalgamated Association were teen in relation to the tul ject. Secre fury Martin said: "I am opposed to putting convict labor to Ktrork on roads where it would compete with Rneu who earn a living by such vork, but I Bpbiiik it would beagood'ideatoput them to Entrk on roads which are now altogether fleeted. Take, for instance, the road Jrom yqls city to Homestead. It ism a neglected condition, and it seems to be nobodVy's busi ness to teep-it in repair. There is a good opportunity of employing convict labor. Put to work on such roads as that, and on the worst kind of roads, I don't see how such labor would compete with any other. I am heartily in favor of such a scheme, and I think so would the farmers, who would much rather pay for the performance of such work than do it themselves.". President Weihe concurred, adding: "This is about the only kind of work that convicts could be put at without interfering with regular laborers, if men confined in penitentiaries must be given employment, let the State get the full benefit of the work, and not those on the outside who contract for it. There is no reason why an institu tion of this character should not be self supporting and save the State considerable expense." Assistant Secretary Madden: "And if the roads adjacent to the city were put in good repair, it would be possible to get out in the country at less expense than at present. The road to Broadhead is so bad that many liverymen will not risk sending their horses and carnages over it, especially in the bad season. And the cost to get there is more than it would be if the road was good." Editor John Ehman said: "I should like to see convicts employed in agricultural labor, under the direct control ot the Warden. They would then be able to provide in a great measure their own sustenance with out entering into competition with other labor. Convicts could be employed on public roads where they would not compete with common labor. It wonld be better to have the roads in good order through the employment of convict labor than to have no good roads at all. I would not employ convict labor in a populous community where it would Interfere with ordinary labor, but I think it could be advantageously used to open up roads through wilds and in such places as are now utterly neglected." L N. Boss, of District Assembly 3. Knights of Labor, said: "The Jarmer who now works his taxes out might pay them into the State Treasury and have the State employ convicts to put the roads in good repair. I think convict labor could be properly turned to account in putting our public roads in good shape, provided the employment of the ordinary laborer were not interfered with." C0MPAMKS UX1TED. Conatrnctlon People Consolidate. With a Capital fetock of $500,000. The Keystone Construction Company, the Mair Construction Company and the Wash ington Carbon Company were consolidated yesterday under the name ot the Xorth American Construction Company, with a capital stock of ?500,000. The principal business of the three com panies was putting up plants and lines for the Westinghouse FJectric Light Company. It frequently happened that the companies, though working together and for the same people, would meet in the same town and clash at their work. To avoid these dif ferences the Mair Company made a proposi tion to the Keystone people, and yesterday the stockholders of the latter company met in the Westinghouse building and practi cally accepted the terms. The new com pany will meet again to-day or Monday to elect officers. One of the heaviest stock holders is George Westinghouse, Jr. STILL WOBTH HATING. The Aldermanlc Ball Hai Been Opened In the Eleventh Ward. The turning over that some Aldermen have been getting during the last year or two has not frightened candidates away from the rack, and there promises to be one of the toughest fights in the Eleventh ward this spring that has ever been seen there. There are some half dozen aspirants on the Bepublican side of the honse for the nomi nation, among them ex-Alderman Gallagher, Logan and "Milkshake" John Martin. The latter has been getting around in a some what lively manner. On the Democratic side B. J. Kearney is polishing his armor, and the sheen of his spear can be seen these bright mornings ere the sun glints the hilltops. Mr. Kearney has a host of Bepublican friends, and has faith that they will not forget him in Feb ruary. The contest will be sulphurous in that ward judging from present appear ances. 0L1YE-EATEKS FIGHT. A Swarthy MacaronUt Allcce He Was Badly Beaten bj Compatriots. Antonio Bianco, Angelo Pizannio and Galtano Garofzanio will have a hearing be lore Alderman O'Donnell Thursday after noon on a charge of assault and battery. Antonio Poolo, who lives at No. 4 Spring alley, made the information, alleging that on Christmas night when he was returning home, he was met by the three defendants, who, without any known cause, attacked him. He alleges that he was beaten very se verely. Bianco, it is said, performed the assault, while the other two held him. The defendants live at Ho. 27 High street, and nave ail oeen arrested. THE CASIKO STILL OPEN. Tbe Sceno of the Fire Cannot bo Touched by the Antboritlei. Building Inspector Brown and Fire Mar shal McFadden inspected the Casino yester day forenoon, but did not order the build ing closed. They think the smoke was caused by a cigar stump which was thrown among paper in the cellar. The Casino has been several times condemned by the build ing inspector, but as it was built before the board on wooden buildings was created, the condemnation cannot be enforced. The Casino was open as usual last even ing, and was visited by a large crowd. The injury by the affair of Thursday night was trivial. SQUIEE EIGGS 1NJDEED. The Old Man Fell on a Wagon Wheel and Broke a Rib. 'Squire David Biggs is at the home of Dr. W. J. Biggs, his brother, on the Southside, suffering from an internal injury received a day or two ago. He fell across the wheels of his wagon at the head of Sonth Eighteenth street, and broke one of his ribs. 'Squire Biggs resides at Library, and was for 20 years the Justice of the Peace for Snowden township. He is over 70 years of age, but it nothing unexpected turns up he will be about in a few da vs. MOTHER ALOYSIA BUSIED. Bishop Fbelan Paid a Fine Tribnie to the Worth of the Sister. Mother Aloysia was buried yesterday in Greensburg. Bishop Phelan and a number of the Pittsburg clergy were present. The Bishop paid a touching tribute to the de ceased sister and the good work she had ac complished. Among those who mourned her loss were noticed many representatives ot the Bene dictine Monastery, former pupils and friends, and Mr. Josephs and some sisters from Cincinnati. To Enter a Convent. Miss Lillian Wilt, daughter of Peter Wilt, of Watson street, Sixth ward, will be professed into tbe order of Sisters ot Mercy at the convent, corner of Webster avenue and Chatham street, on Thursday morning, January 2, at 6 o'clock. The ceremony will be conducted by the Bt. Bev. Bichard B. Phelan, Bishop of Pittsburg, assisted by the Verv Bev. Stephan Wall and Bev. James Conway. Sister M. Berchmans, known to the world as Miss Katie Wilt, her sister, and Sister M. Elizabeth, known to the world as Miss Bose Bafferty, her cousin, will be present at the profession. The two last named are teachers at the academy at Wilkesbarre, Pa. Db. B. M. H a-tot a. -Eye, ear, nose and throatdiseases exclusively. Office, 718 Pena street, Pittsburg, Pa. s&sa -. '-'jiGxrdrK t ywtyy PEKEINS' ; 'WORKERS.- Outside Private Detectives Engaged on the Tarentnm Harder. AN INFORMATION AGAINST klLLEN A Chain of Circumstantial Evidence Being Wound About Him. NO AERBSTS WEEE ItfADE IESTEEDAY Coroner McDowell will go to Tarentum this morning to continue the inquest on the body of Mrs. Paul Budert, who was mur dered on Monday night last An informa tion will be made to-day by the police officials of the borough charging Alexander Killan, the man who is now in jail, with murder. The officials are positive that Killan is connected with the murder, and they think it is only a question of time until the circumstantial evidence which sur rounds him is corroborated. ' Outside detective aid has been called upon to ferret out the murderers. In addition to the Gilklnson Detective Agency, which has men now at work upon the case, some of Perkins' men are also hunting up evidence against Killan. Detective Bu dolph, who worked up the Fort .Wayne Bailway train wreckers' case at Canton, O., last May, arrived in the town yesterday afternoon, and went to work. Budolph is itn experienced man, and was formerly a resident of Tarentum. He left the borough three years ago. Since then he has been engaged in running down criminals. He took hold of the Fort Wayne train wreck ers' case after the Pinkerton men had al most abandoned every hope, and put the men in the Columbus penitentiary who were connected with tbe crime. HE I-nrAXLY OWNED UP. A Dispatch' representative heard of his arrival in Tarentum yesterday. When ac costed the detective denied that he was an officer, and said he was there on other busi ness. Afterward he admitted that he was looking for the murderers, and had been ad vised to take hold of the case.by Mayor Pearson, of Allegheny. He expects to de velop something within the next few days. Detective Finney and Special Officer Adams, of Tarentum, were in the city yes terday. The former went to Braddock to interview Chief of Police Donovan, who shot at the supposed murderers. Mr. Adams visited Mrs. Killan, who is confined in the Central station, and secured a story which is not in accord with that told by her hus band. The officer also visited a sister of Killan's, who lives on Congress street, and got a statement trom her about her brother s life. To the officer she stated that Killan J had been sentenced eight years to the peni tentiary for shooting at a woman in this city about 1880. He served six and a half years, thi balance of the time being thrown off for good conduct. Upon being released he removed to Tarentum, and has been living there for the past 17 months. He was also in jail for throwing a brick and hitting Detective Coulson on the head with it. To a Dispatch reporter, who inter viewed him in his cell in the Tarentum lockup early Tuesday morning, Killan em phatically stated that he had never been ar rested before. He said he learned the busi ness of basket making from the man he worked for, and not in a prison. SOME DOCUMENTABY EVIDENCE. Detective Finney, who seems to never close an eye, but is always working on the case, received a letter yesterday from Sandy Creek which shows conclusively that the men who fired at the police officers at Brad dock are the same that committed the rob bery. In the letter it was stated that two white men and a negro passed that place early Tuesday morning. One of the white men stopped at the house of a man named Fisher, while the other two went to the residence of Leon Desabers and asked for breakfast. The mdn seemed to have traveled hard all night, but at the time the people of Sandy Creek had not heard of the murder. The negro acted as spokesman for the party in tne house ne visited. ie said they had got on a Valley train at Pittsburg to go to Turtle Creek. They found that they were on the wrong train, and were put on Dy tne conductor at sandy Creek. The white man who went to Fisher's house said the party had stayed all night at Verona. The detective investigated the case and from the description of the men be lieved they were the same persons who were seen at Brnshton and Braddock. The peo ple who saw them were struck$y their sus picious manner. Oncof the men had some thing under his coat which resembled a satchel. The men were seen going up the hollow from Sandy Creek to Brushton. This the detective thinks is proof that the men were acquainted with that country and were in all probability residents of Taren tum. The description of tbe two white men tallies with thatof two men in seen a skiff row ing up the rnn about 4 o'clock Monday af ternoon by Hugh Pugh, engineer at the tower glass worKS. POOR LITTLE MOTHERLESS ONES. Paul Budert, husband of the murdered woman, arrived home yesterday afternoon. The small children were in charge of Mrs. Budert's sister, who will assist in raising them. Hone of them are yet aware of the fact that their mother is dead. They think she is ill and will be back to eee them. One of the little tots, when she asked her father what all the people were doing around her mamma, was told by her father that her mother was sick. Inchildish innocence she asked, "Why don't you give her something to make her well again?" Mr. Budert saysheisalmost positive that tbe man who scooped the jewelry out of the window had a basket which he held urfder the ledge and put the booty into it This is another link in the chain of cirenmstantial evidence that is being wound around Alex ander Killan. Al Smith, the well-known liveryman of the town, is relating a curious dream he had Thursday night He retired early and dreamed he saw the murderers of Mrs. Budert In his sleep he saw one of them standing over him. He exclaimed, "Ah you guilty murderers." As he did so he turned to grapple with the men and woke up. The description hegave of the men, as he saw them in his sleep, tallies with that of the men who committed the deed. A number of people of the town view the dream in a serious light WATCHING THE CASE LOCALLY. At about 920 o'clock last evening two men walked into the Central police station. One was a man a little above medium height, rather poorly dressed, with exceed ingly long dark side whiskers. He seemed to be under tbe influence of liquor. He took off his slouch hat to Sergeant Gray, and said: "Your Honor, I would like to see two men who were broughtin here to see if I can identify them." He was asked why he wished to identify them. He an swered that be wished to swear ont warrants against them. After much further ques tioning, he reluctantly said that he desireU to charge the men with assault and battery. "On yourself?" the Sergeant asked. "Yes, on mysfelf," replied tbe man with the whiskers. He was then told that he must attend the hearing at 8 o'clock this morn ing. Me was not satished with that, and persisted in his request to be allowed to see the prisoners. At last he said: "It is in connection with the murder at Tarentum." That thrilling announcement was unavail ing, and the-gentleman was ordered to "take a walk." He declared as he left that he would be on hand this morning. County Detective- Langhurst was in the city yesterday afternoon, and held a long conference with Inspector McAleese in re lation to the Tarentum murder. Both gen tlemen said that they could tell nothing new about the case. Mary Clark, who claims to be the wire of Killan, the Tarentum sus pect, is still held in the Central police sta tion. , Assistant Superintendent O'Mara said last night that in his opinion the murderers would never be canght unless they did some? thing hereafter, such as communicatiag the secret to a false friend or attempting to sell tome of the stolen property. J (FT' "Tnw vi TO -EJECT THE READINGS Six Soils 1n EJcrtraent Filed Yesterday Against Austin Corbln's Blc Read A Kesume of an Interesting Case. It will be remembered that the Wall street and Philadelphia stock markets were somewhat shaken about three months since by the filing of several petitions in the United States Circuit Court in this city.pray ing for the appointment of a receiver for the Beading Bailroad. Stock of the company tumbled two points and was only rendered firmer by tbe immediate appearance of Pres ident Austin Corbin in .print with solemn assurances that there was nothing in the suits for damages which accompanied the petition for tbe appointment of a receiver, and that the Bobert Morris Land and Coal Company, which brought the suit, was a business myth resting upon the unsubstan tial foundation of more or less diaphanons Revolutionary land-titles. But the filing of six supplemental suits for ejectment yesterday in the Clerk's office of the United States District Court in this city, looks as if there is business .meant by The Bobert Morris Land and Coal Com pany was formed in last May with a capital of $5,000,000 with the disti.net purpose of wrestling from the Beading Bailroad the possession of 1,100 acres ot valuable coal J lands in Northumberland county. The al legations made by the original suit were that the Beading Bailroad was mining $2, 000,000 worth ot coal annually and that timber etc, was being taken from the land to its great detriment It was claimed that the tides to the land held by the Beading were fraudulent or imperfect tax titles. As a correlative of the suit the claim was made that the railroad was utterly insolvent, etc. The Bobert Morris Land Company has had its movements guided by such eminent legal advisers as Wayne McVeagh and a host of others, and when the case is argued here in the January term, a number of emi nent lawyers will represent both sides. IN DEAD EARNEST. filedleval Fob no Longer Obscnres One of Onr Prettiest Suburbs. At last enterprise in Caraspolis seems to have unlimbered with the intention of keep ing up its present gait The manager of tbe steel tool works company is lying in bed with a broken thigh, but he is hard at work on the plans which are urgently needed and as the weather is equal to summer for build ing operations, things are movi ng merrily. Lashell and Bankin say there are more than the usual number of inquiries for property, many more than usual at this season of the year and the muddy roads are not keeping back operations materially, as material can be landed from ithe railway within a few hundred yards of any place it is wanted, there being three stations within the bor ough, beside one at each end. Some people of moderate means have con ceived the idea of making their small accu mulations work for them and are buying lots and bnilding neat honses that will rent for $10 to (16 a month. They expect to rent them readily when the steel works are started. The cemetery question isn't so exciting as it was a fewtweeks ago, but the impression prevails that the project will win in spite of all opposition. So far the agitation has had a tendency to boom the crematory idea, and it does seem strange that most cemetery projectors should choose hill-top locations. OPENING OP IT! STEEET. The Board or Viewers Wrestle With Prop erty Holder Who Scent Damaees. The Board of Viewers yesterday held final meetings on the grading and paving of Dresden alley and on the opening of Ivy street Considerable interest was mani fested in the Ivy street matter, and a num ber of the property owners came to tbe office of the board with a lawyer whom they had engaged, and were going to make a fight on the assessments. The Twentieth Ward School Board was also represented, and two directors thereof came prepared to put in a claim for a portion of the school property taken when the street was opened past the school. They were informed and convinced that they had 'delayed putting in their claim too long, and could not now get any damages at all. The other persons who came to op pose the assessment were shown how their assessment.wonld be increased if certain claims they made were allowed, and they, too, subsided and their attorney had nothing to do.' GOING TO FLORIDA. A Nnmber of Phtsbursers Seeking; tho Warm Southern San. "It is awful curious that with such an open winter as we have had, so many people should want to go to Florida," said District Passenger Agent Thomas E. Watt yester day. "It is generally the custom of Pitts burg people to go to Florida to get out of the cold winds here. This year we have had no cold winds, bnt still the people want to go South. I am just now making arrange ments for a party of 14 people who will leave for Jacksonville the first week in January. I have also another party of eight that will leave Saturday next. The trip to Florida can now be made in such a short space of time that people who travel do not think any more of the jaunt than they would of a run to New YorKand back. By leaving Pittsburg at 8 o'clock in the evening, persons can arrive in Jacksonville in 40 hours. They only have to change cars once." FOR DISABLED YETERlNS. Tho State Home to be Opened January 17 Cost 830,000. The State Home for disabled veterans and their wives will be opened in Brookville on January 17. The property which will be utilized for the Home cost the committee 530,000 and is worth about 560,000. The Home is beautifully situated, with 30 acres of land surrounding it, and has besides a chapel, parlor, kitchen, etc., 60 furnished sleeping apartments. The sum of S5,000 has been subscribed by the citizens of Brookville. .A building wifl be erected close by the Home for bathing purposes and mineral water will be supplied for the use of inmates. TRAVELS 88 MILES IjAlLY. A Stock Broker Who Does nil Reading on A Knilroad Train. During the past ten years' J. L. Dietrich, a dealer on the Pittsburg Petroleum, Stock and Metal Exchange, has traveled 267,000 miles by rail, and he has not often been 50 miles from Pittsburg during that time. He lives- in East Liverpool, and travels 88 miles a day going and coming from busi ness, and yet loses no time of consequence, as he states he does bis daily reading onthe train, and would spend the same time doing it anyhow. MR. DEAN INTEKFEEED. The Superintendent of the AmUCruelty So ciety Rescues nn Abused Woman. Superintendent M. J. Dean, of the Anti Cruelty Society, yesterday afternoon made an arrest. He was walking near the foot of Boss street when he heard a woman scream. He entered thg house at No. 9 Boss and found Charles Schwartz, a German mu sician, giving his wife a beating: Super intendent Dean nabbed the man, called the wagon and sent his prisoner to the station. Mr. Dean is down on wife beaters. CSOUB STATESMEN'S HOMES in Washington, -prith all their mag nificence, are described in to-morrow's DISPATCH by Frank Q, Oar- peuter, ' jEW-aws" -vs: 'tti&3,J.IMI""JW'SSfcKW Marriages, Divorces, Births and Deaths Recorded for 1S89. SOME MATRIMONIAL INFELICITY, Bat Not Enough to Deter Recruits Number a Few Thousand, Wio NECROLOGICAL AND BATAL PIQDEES The study of statistics is usually regarded, as very dry by most people, and yet'if prop erly directcd.they may be made pleasurable as well as instructive. An eminent histor ian states that carefully kept for a number of years they proved what theologians had vaiply sought to establish in thousands of years previous, viz: That monogamy is the natural relation of the sexes in humanity, male births being 21 to 20 female, and the former being subject to casualties, that leav ing war and other unnatural disturbing causes out of the calculation, would equalize tbe sexes when adult Statistics also shoV that where people can marry and be given in marriage underhealthy conditions of society, they are impelled to do so in about the same proportion from year to year, and also that under similar conditions" the corallary gov erns the patronage of the divorce mills. Among vital statistics this is beginning to be regarded as the most vital in some communities in the United slates. Some see in tbe easy dissolution of the marriage tie an evil fraught with the greatest possi ble national calamity, while others are in clined to think that the sum total of human happiness is increased by allowing people who find they have not "sized each other correctly, to tafce a mutual non-suit, and begin de novo. went orrx op blast. In rpund numbers there were 240 hearth stones in this county on which, during the year just ending, the fires of love were extinguished, and the resnlt was that many amplications for a dissolution of as many unions, and the number is not ma terially greater than in late years. As prosperity and connubial bliss are shown by statistics to go hand-in-hand, the number is not as large as it might be were the cost of meat and potatoes greater. "When want looks in at the door, love flies out at the window," is a gray-haired proverb, "love in a cottage" being much more attractive in theory than in practice. Some people regard this nnmber as indi cative of a sorry state of morals, but when it is considered that there are 100,000 couples yoked, and less than 1 in 400 find the yoke gall beyond endurance, yi of 1 per cent, the showing is not necessanly discouraging. It isn't likely that the same percentage of other contracts give equal adjustable results. Prothonotary Bradley, whose practical experience extends over nearly a quarter of a century, states that there is but little chance for easy divorces in this county, ex cept by collusion between tbe parties them selves, as the judiciary is not disposed to drop the bars unless a clear case of wrong on one side is made out, and lawyers, know ing this, generally cool the ardor of the ap plicant nnless the showing makes out a flagrant case. Another official connected with the court says that Judges Ewing. White and Slagle are harder to pass in divorce cases generally than Judges Stowe and Collier. He re fuses to be quoted, but assigns as a reason that the last named Judges mix more with people at large than the other three named, and inferentially concludes that they sym pathize more with the victims ot mar ital chafing than do the other Judges. No one expressed an opinion as to Judge Magee's leanings in this respect, hut it was a generally expressed opinion that no 20- minute investigation would satisfy anv of the Judges regarding the merits of a case, and that divorces wouldlonly be granted on good reasons shown. ONLY IN EXTREME CASES. r Judge Slagle was aske'd Eow he stood on the question generally, and he replied 'that no one need expect to get a severance at his bapds unless a good case were made out, and it is safe to say that noneof our Judges will grant it unless for sufficient cause, though where each side wants it, it is difficult to de termine at all times just what is best to be done, it extreme views of tho indissolubility of the tie beheld. Nearly 1 per cent of the population be lieved during 1889 that marriage was not a failure, for up to 3:30 P. sr. Thursday there were 4,061 marriage licenses granted, and the mill was still running fullliead at the minute named, a Swede ot 46 and a Swedess oi 37 were undergoing the catechism which the catechist. Captain John W. Hieber, fires at all applicants. Thus over 16 times as many people run the risk ot singing their winglets at Hymen's altar as those who sought to slip the noose. According to sta tistical philosophers this result was brought about mainly by the cheapness of food, or the ability to get the wherewithal (o procure it Whatever may have been the inspira tion, the command in Genesis, chap, i: 28, was largely obeyed. These who have gone through the ordeal have an ap proximate idea at least of the num ber of miles Captain Hieber's jaws have traveled in 1889 There is a sympa thetic vein in the Captain's makeup that makes him wondrous kind to his clients, and he wonld doubtless make his office A MATBIMONIAL SPEAK-EAST if be could; but unsymp tthetic lawmakers have decreed that he shall ascertain the de gree of consanguinity in which applicants stand, and many other things which grate like a discord in a wedding march. His benignity, however, gives the lie to his simulated rigor, and the majority of neo phytes go away carrying an enduring pho tograph of his benevolent silver-framed countenance on memory's tablet During 1889 6,500 babies arrived, bearing with them promises of peace on earth and good-will between 13,000 parents in the 'city of Pittsburg, which wonld give for the county a natural in crease of about 20,000 inhabitants. Mr. J. W. McKee, of the Bureau of Health, conld only get at the number approximately. but it will be fonnd near enough for all practical purposes, and it is consoling to know that it exceeds the deaths by more than SO cent, and the mortality in Pittsburg being comparatively greater than in the county generally, both physical health and morality are reasonably good. neceolooy of 1889. The grim reaper cut off 4,303 people of all ages, sexes and conditions in the city during the year, making about half of the necro- logical list of the county. July was hard on the babies and it lead's tbe list with 491 L deaths. The record ran as follows: Jan uary, 320; February, 313; March, 394; April, 355; May, 324; June, 345; July, 491; August, 386; September, 352; October, 321; November, 325; December, 377. The year has been one ot uuexampled prosperity, and while many ripe sheaves were gathered in there has been no pestilence of consequence, and with the exception of July, the infant mortality was unusually light, and vet the weather has been all that might have been expected to breed pestil-1 When through the forest gleaned, The rhododendron and the fragrant breath Or magnolia swept deliciously O'er tho half laden nerve. When the graves In fleeting colors wrote their own decav. When the haze. Soft and as illusive as a fairy dream. Lapped all the landscape in its silvery fold, And when Cold November's surly blast, Made fields and forests bare, the rain, it rained nearly every day, and the gutters ran thick with mud, and yet like Marseilles' good bishop, we drew pure breath, and the pestilence that walketh in darkness and waste th at noonday, passed oyer on the other side. Truly this county has reason to remember 1689 with fervent grati tude, and the perfect year bears on.jis crowji memory that CMoot he. eflflceA. WYITSE STA'TISTICS; r BUSTEING THEWORK. " Superintendent Malone Kcports Progress to be Excellent Some Stntlstlcs as to Re cent Energy Expended Superintendent .Malone, of the Govern ment building, which has been crawling to ward the heavens in much shorter order than the direct route adopted by Elijah's chariot, said last night "The papers have been commenting more or less on the progress of this building. There vou see the men are at work as they have been for a month at night, and you can see that the stones are going in place. When will the builfllng be put under cover? About next June I think as far as the present indications serve. "As far as the advancement of the work is concerned I do not wish by any means to be considered egotistical, but so much comment has been made on our progress that I must make some statement on the condition of the place. I am tree to sa v that I took hold,of the building at about the same time of year as my predecessor, and in the same months have laid up to date 1,000 more cubic feet oi stone than was done in the same time last year." This, it will be observed, at tbe rate, as tbe average will show, ot lbO pounds to the cubic foot, shows 80 tons advantage in the hands of Superintendent Malone. or at least on top of the building. When asked what number of tons he took off the building on first taking charge, Mr. Malone refused to give any information on the subject, al though this would raise the number of tons quite, considerable, by adding the rebuilding to the new building. He said that tbe only thing he wished was to vindicate the management of the Government build ing from tbe charge of slowness. One more ship load of stone he thought would about finish the edifice, and he expected that be fore very long. The yards around the build ing were crowded with the stone already de livered, and if work is held back it will not be for want of material, and, as the night work shows, lack of energy. Wnj? Why should persons be asked to take time from their own business in order to set tle an estate or act as trustee, when we have a trust institution in our city such as The Safe Deposit Company Of Pittsburg, incor porated to attend to such work? Why should people leave their estates or trusts to be administered by a person, in which case there is always tbe contingency of death or incapacity caused by sickness, when permanence can he secured by put 'ting the estate in the hands of The Safe De posit Company Of Pittsburg, a trust institu tion having a perpetual charter? Why should persons be asked to furnish bond, which in many cases is difficult to do, or is not desirable to do, in order to comply with the desire of those who make their wills in this way, when the estate, to say the least, could be as well administered by a trust institution such as The- Safe Deposit Company Of Pittsburg, having a large capi tal full paid as the security required by law? Why should people leave their estates or trusts to be administered by persons, who areinexperienced in the discharge of such duties, and by their inexperience are liable to cause loss or trouble to the estate, when experience can be secured, without a doubt, by providing for the trust being taken care of by The Safe Deposit Company Of Pitts burg, an institution having a facility in business derived from an experience of more than 20 years? In a word, why should people choose an uncertainty when they can have a certainty? Why not decide upon an impersonal admin istration of the estate or trust by The Safe Deposit Company Of Pittsburg, an old and tried institution, and in every way qualified for such work? IT. E. MISSIONARY MATTERS. Tbe Pit tab org Conference Youngsters Have an Enjoyable Time. Oakland M. E. Church, corner Forbes and Boquet streets, yesterday morning was filled with about 400 children who constitute the Children's Foreign Missionary Society of the Pittsburg Methodist Episcopal Con ference. The meeting was their annual one, and the programme was very interesting and in structive. A tempting lnnch was served the little ones at noon by the ladies of the church. The officers of the Pittsburg Con ference are Mrs. Brown, Superintendent; Mrs. YanKirk, Conference Secretary; Miss Ingram, Financial Secretary, and Miss Sutcb, Treasurer. RED-NOSED MIKE. A Man Who Longed for Notoriety and In carceration for the Winter. 'Bed-Nosed Mike" was the name given at the Central station by a prisoner whom Officer Andrew Scott took in last night Tbe man was gazing into a store window on Smithfield street near Fifth avenue. The officer ordered him to move on. He did not move. Scott pushed the man nearly half a block, and when the pushing was stopped the man stopped. The officer then threatened to arrest the fellow, who said: "That's jist what I want, boss. I want to go up to the works all win ter." He was taken in and was recognized as a bum named Lee Smith. Yesterday's Ambitions Builders. Harbison & Walker yesterday took out a building permit for a two-story brick drying kiln at their brickyards, corner Twenty second and Bailroad streets, Twelfth ward. The building is to be 100x144 feet and to cost 6,000. J. B. Youngson took out a per mit to build four two-story brick buildings on Vine street, Eleventh ward, to cost 57,500. REAL ESTATE SAVINGS BANK,LI3L, 401 Smithfield Street, cor. Foni-th Arcnne. Capital, $100,000. Surplus, $50,000. Deposits of $1 and upward received and interest allowed at 4 per cent tts Why Is Dreydoppel Soap Like Mr. Elif Because it gets there; washes clothes clean, beautifully white, sweet and health ful to wear; is the finest, best and most economical for all purposes that soap can be used for. Reduced to 8c a full pound bar, at grocers everywhere. Casey's "Excelsior" rye is their special brand. It is very favorably known in this community, and we advertise only to give outsiders a chance to become acquainted with this fine old brand of straight and pure Monongahela rye. For sale at' T. D. Casey & Co.'s, 971 Liberty st rs Good News For all. Hamilton, Fifth avenue, has a large stock of pianos and organs which can be bought at the very lowest prices and on the easiest terms. Go now while the prices are reduced. Good Ilews. Don't forget Hamilton's greatly reduced prices on pianos, organs and musical goods till January 1. They must be sold, and you can now get the best bargains ever offered; salesroom open every evening till 9 o'clock. B. it B. All the gowns and smoking jackets marked down to close out. About half price ?5 00 from ?8 00 and $10 00. Boo os & Buhl, Allegheny. Men's fine neckwear at James H. Aiken & Co.'s, 100 Fifth ave. D Cloth, plush and fur shoulder capes in endless variety, very greatly reduced in prices. HuGtrs & Hacks. TTSSU Men's fine neckwear at James H. Aiken & Co.'s, 100 Fifth ave. D B2TYOTJTH AND BEAUTY, and how they axe to be preserved, is the theme of Shirely Dare's artiole in I tQ-motraw-'a HISPATjCft 'MR?CAENE6IE'S GIFT. A True Copy of tke San Sisto Madonna Given to the Cathedral. PAINTED BT flEER SCHLESSEB. flow the Kiag of Saxony Granted tbe Great Artist's Bequest BISHOP PHELAN HAS THE SIGN X AKUAL On Christmas Eve Bishop Phelaa jras the pleased recipient of a note from Mr. Andrear Carnegie, requesting his acceptance of a faithful copy of Raphael's famous painting, the "Madonna di San Sisto." The note was dated from New Tork, and was brought to the Episcopal residence in Allegheny by one of Mr. Carnegie's Pittsburg agents. After briefly describing the subject of the painting, the letter goe3 on to 'relate the means by which it was procured. The original San Sisto Madonna, "that noblest of Madonnas," as Buskin calls it, is, ana has been for centuries, in tbe great Dresden gallery. Now the Kings of Saxony have ever and always sternly refused to allow any of their myriad art treasures tibe duplicated. Engravings have been made of the great pictures, but these have not been permitted to go ont of the King's possession. Consequently an authentic copy of any ot the Dresden pictures would be very valu able; and a copy of the gem of the grand collection, the "Madonna di Ban Sisto," ought to fetch a small fortune. A GOOD PEICE PAID. Of course Mr. Carnegie, in his letter, never even hints at the sum paid by him for the picture. He merely describes the man ner in which the King of Saxony was prevailed on to allow the copy to be made. Herr Schlesser, the historical painter of the Saxon Court, suc ceeded in reproducing the royal face and figure upon canvas in a manner that tickled the royal vanity to a great degree. In the good old style of the monarchs of bygone days the King allowed the clever artist to ask any boon the fulfillment ot which was within the bounds of possibility, giving him at the same time substantial pecuniary re ward for his successful labors. The daring painter at once asked permission to copy the "Madonna di San Sisto." The royal word was plighted, and tbe boon had to be granted. An order was issued under the King's sign manual, authorizing Herr Schlesser to reproduce the Madonna, and to do whatever he liked with the copy. This was indeed a departure. Herr Schlesser set to work, and after intense labor finished his copy, which is said to be an admirable one, and well worthy of tbe famous original. Just then the philanthropic millionaire from over seas chanced into cultured Dres den; saw the newly finished coov. and nnr- chased it for the benefit of his Catholic townsmen in far-offPittsburg. Mr. Carnegie's letter was a short and con cise one. It expressed a wish that the pict ure might be hung "in the Cathedral of Pittsburg," and when it arrives Bishop Philan will place it in a conspicuous position there, with a suitable inscription attached. THE .KINO'S DOCUMENT. When Bishop Phelan accepted the prof fered gift he was presented with the original document authorizing the copying of the "Madonna." It is in German throughout, and is sealed and signed by the King of Saxony and one of his Ministers. The docu ment will be an excellent proof of the au thenticity of the copy. The "Madonna di San Sisto" was painted by Baphael between 1517 and 1520. It is said to have been produced as the result of BALANCE OF '. HOLIDAY GOODS TO BE CLOSED REGARDLESS OF CbST. LADIES AND CHILDREN'S FOBS At Slaughter Prices. All our Extra Seal Garments AT CUT PBICES. Special Bargains in Plush Garments. CLOTH NEWMARKETS, J2 50 to $25 00. CHILDREN'S GARMENTS ALL DOWN. Handsome Robe Pattern Dresses, Silk and Fancy Dress Fabrics, All pruned in price BIBER &EASTON, 505 and 507 de25-TTSSU MARKET STREET. NEW YEAR GIFTS DIAMONDS, WATCHES. JEWELRY, and FANCY GOODS. Notwithstanding the fact that our holiday sales were the largest on record we hare re plenished our stock by telegram orders and now show a very completeJlne for those who antici pate making New Year presents. E. P. ROBERTS I SDNS, COR. FIFTH AVE. AND MARKET ST. ' deZ7-D . Tnst MASK French, Kendrick l.Cn., THE CHJNA STORE1, f 618 BMITHFD3LD STREET, Opposite City Halt ttKas? deSMOft a sudden inspiration, and ! without .any pre-,; VlOns Stndv wbfttxnv-i- 7e -rnrHUtntJl thft Virgin, standincr in s maiMtfe attitude, and clasping the infant Christ to her bosom. All oritics, trom Buskin down, have gone into raptures oyer this glorious "Madonna," and the faithful copy ot such a picture is a gift well worthy ot Mr. Carnegie's taste and benevolence. FJoerr Promises to Pay. . A meeting of the Goethe Building and; last night to hear a report from the treas-C Tlrpr .Tnhn TTnprr nf iYii.Tnn. xJt-jtiT Mr. Hoerr had several hnndrAii niL, .nt his care of the association's funds and re-? portea mat in two weeks he could turn the ' money over to tne association. An exten- sion of the required time was granted to him! ' No New Yeab's table should be without? a bottle of Angostura Bitters. 2j JDS. HDRNE k: Ctt'S! ' PENN AVENUE STORES. PmsBUBa. Saturday, Dec;28,ial A genuine rush in the Cloak Depart ment yesterday. The bargains are betas heard of. When Home's announce spe cial sales of anything the people know what is meant, and come. It takes no bluster" to bring them. Bargains lika these: One Jot winter-weight cloth cloaks, stylish and well made Were S15 and J20. Are now $10. A lot of very choice garments, trimmed all round with monkey for, lined throughout with satin, mads of fine broadcloth, price I15v worth. much more, as yon will quickly see. , Wonderfully low prices, aided by the weather, are moving our big stock of fine shoulder capes. Not slowly, but fast The most stylish shapes, the best quality f ur, and everything else right. Prices are more than right, consider ing that ire seem to be coming to our first real need of f nrs. ' Tbe Fur Department annex In the center of the store had a "lion" share of yesterday's big business. , Some of the items mentioned yester day could not be spoken of to-day. Gone, Some here to-day could not be advertised Monday. You know this means come to-day, if possible. Muirj, AT Capes and HALF Boas PRICE. Lyons Silks, in the richest evening shades. Japanese Silks, in the most beautiful tints. Are yon'tnlnklnff about; yonn dresses? The most complete stock in all Silks EVENTNG and Woolens. A big choice yet on that Dress Goods Remnant' table. Yon know the goods that go to remnants first are always the favorites. Some of the handsomest goods shown this season, jusf short of full pattern lengths, sacrifled on' this table. Remnants of all priced goods mast go to-day. The Gents' Furnishing Departments have recovered trom the great Christ mas rush in time for Saturday's trade. New goods constantly arriving, repre senting old lines and adding new ones. Some special new 25c handkerchiefs that are bargains. . All our smoking jackets reduced. Fancy embroidered Japanese silk Jackets, in fancy colors. 6 60 and J8. v Plain jackets, in rich colors, Jap silk, c S4. 5 and $6. Plain and fancy English cloth smok ing jackets at to, $5 and up to 515. Elegantly-trimmed, satin-lined jack- ' ets at all prices. Best lines of men's winter underwear and winter gloves lowest prices. " New goods ilso in all these lines. ' COME TO-DAY. JOS HDRNE k im 609-621 Penn Ave. A.- Never fail to care. SODEN MINERAL PASTILLES , SODEN MINERAL PASTILLES.) SODEN MINERAL PASTHiES;-4- the great European remedy against all -CATARRHAL AFFECTIONS and COUGHS AND HOARSENESS. Sold by all Druggists. Small boxes, 25c; large boxes. 50c OC2M0-W8 CIGAR CABINETS FOR CHRISTMAS gilts, hermetically sealed, so as to preserve the cigars fresh and moist from heat of natural gas. For sale by JOHN A. RENSHaW & CO., Fancy Grocers, cor. Liberty and Ninth streets. , del-ws CLEAR HAVANA CIGARS-A FRESH AR RIVAL just in. The beat dear for S7 per hundred; quality guaranteed. For sale by JOHN A. RENSHAW A CO, 1 Fancy Grocers, comer Liberty and Ninth tteoeiti dai-iri t l nxrtw .HssssssBft -lie 'fa8fl ' ff&Bt W degfe- J, -&, I 9 v:JbS wm i 1 -' i seSb XBBRr '; jfil .? .- s ,? , ,-. s&L . -y;. .. .t- i