s THE PITTSBUBG DISPATCH, THURSDAY, JANUARY 1890. . m. ESTABLISHED FEBRUARY 8. ISM. Vol.41. No. 33!. Entered at nttsbnrg rnstofflee. "November K JSS7. u second-class matter. Business Offlce87 and 90 Fifth Avenue. News Booms and Publishing House 75, 77 and 79 Diamond Street Eastern Advertising Office, Itoom S, Tribune Building. ewYork. TEEMS OF THE DISPATCH. POSTAGE FREE IK THS TJKITXD STATES. DailtDispatch, t)ne1car. I 8 00 Daily Dispatch, rertjuarter 200 DAILY DstrATCH, One Month 70 Daily Dispatch, Including Sunday, lyear. 10 00 DULY Dispatch, includingbunday.Sm'ths. 2 50 DAtLY DlErATCB, includln g bunllay. 1 month 90 SUNDAY DlSPATcn, One Year 2 SO Wezklt Dispatch, One lcar. 1 3 The Daily Diefatcu is delivered bycarrlersxt 35 cents Der week, or Including bunday edition, at 20 cents per week, PITTSBURG. THURSDAY. JAN. 9. 1S90. A EE0.TJF.SrFJ) OPINION. The Dispatch has received from Mr. Boss, District Master "Workman of tho Knights of Labor, a circular addressed to' the press of Pittsburg, asking an editorial expression of opinion in connection with the itrifce on the Pittsburg Traction road, whether it is right to discharge men simply because they belong to a labor organization. If The Dispatch has omitted an ex pression on this point in connection with the cable road trouble it is only because its position is so well known and has been so often stated that repetition seemed unnec essary. It does not think it justifiable to discharge men for belonging to a labor or ganization, and regards such an act as aa unwarranted attempt to dictate their per sonal action. At the same time it is neces sary to say, in the same connection, that this paper has, in the best interests ot labor, always expressed its earnest opposition to ill-considered strikes, and has never con sidered the strike a justifiable resort, unless fall attempts have been made to settle the difficulty by compromise or arbitration, and not even then except when there is a cood chance for success. A retreat is better than a hat tie which is sure to be lost These views have been so often expressed in these columns, as for the Best interests of labor, that elaboration of them now would be mere repetition. VENTILATING THE SYNDICATE. Some very interesting and striking in side history, in regard to the Soldiers Orphans' School syndicate is likely to be disclosed by the pending litigation at Mercer, reported by special dispatch else where. The unsavory subject has been probed by two investigations, each time with the most unsatisfactory results, and now it is promised that the quar rels of the inside parties will throw more light on the snbjeet than all the State's investigation. It is taken for granted in the reports, that the State's charity was made the subject of speculation and exorbi tant profits. If that is proved the disclos ures cannot be too sweeping, or the parties to it made too widely the subject of repro bation. The late syndicate is in a fair way to get a mnch needed ventilation. THE LAW AND THE LIBEAEY. The bringing forward of the law of 1887 to justify the control of the Carnegis Library in Allegheny by the City Property Commit tee, reveais a decided anxiety to find legal basis for that action. The claim that this law places the control of the library in the City Property Committee is, however, avery singular effort of logic The law simply makes library property, donated or created by taxation, the property of the city, and authorizes Councils to levy taxes for its support The parks and fire department are also the property of the city, and taxes are levied by Councils, and it wonld be just as logical to claim the control or these departments by the heretofore rather unimportant body which has suddenly as sumed such prominence. Of course there is room for interminable and discreditable fighting over the matter; hut we have faith that the majority of Allegheny Councils will see that they can not afford to make any disposition of this public institution which does not place it above the mutations and squabbles of municipal politics. KB. BBADLAUOH'S NEW HOLE. It is neither surprising nor especially re-j-retable that the young man known nn popularly as "Collars and Cuffs," and officially as Prince Albert Victor of Wales, has been received by the subjects of his grandmother in India with scowls and jeers. It is somewhat astonishing that Mr. Brad laugh should have been welcomed with effusive enthusiasm by those same Hindoos. Bat this is the latest news from England, and the people who know everything ex plain the warmth of Mr. Bradlaugh's recep tion by attributing to the natives a sympathy with the English M. P. 's proclaimed host ill ty to royalty and the upper'classes in En gland. This sounds very plausible until one remembers how entirely ignorant the aver age Hindoo is of English politic, and how "very personal and local Mr. Bradlaugh's campaigns have been. Bnt supposing for the moment that the Hindoo population has been reading up on Mr. Bradlaugh, and has had the tendency nd motive of his political career explained to them by friendly evangelists is it likely that the extremely radical and original moral ideas and social schemes of the infidel reformer would insure for him the admira tion and respect of such a religious and con servative thinker as the Hindoo? All the descriptions of the Hindoo, his way of life, his ambitions, his social habits and mode of thought we have ever read, stamp such an event as most improbable if not impossible. The Hindoo may be unwilling to honor a libertine son of a libertine Prince, and the rule of England is undoubtedly far from popular in mtny quarters of Hindoostan, but that Mr. Bradlaugh is the sort of man to play prophet in that land, we do not be lieve. Y00BHEES ON TEE DUDLEY LETTES. Senator Voorhees yesterday poured all the Vials of denunciation and invective on the famous "blocks of five" letter, and upon the Interference of the United States District Attorney at Indianapolis, through which Dudley, the author, escaped prosecution. That document is certainly one to mortity the Republican leaders. Whatever chance there might have been to reconcile its in structions with the notion that only legiti mate campaign expenses were in view was dissipated by Dudley's evasion of a legal inquiry. The matter, therefore, makes stinging campaign material bearing upon the corrupt use of money in politics. It is one upon which opinions cannot divide by party lines. The security of the ballot from bribery must always bo as sacred to the honest men of one party as to those of an another. jln act, while the speech of Senator Voor- tyiiees vm neip to arouse pu uuu sentiment on this question, it it not at all probable that it will work the slightest advantage to his own party. In attempting to fasten upon Presi dent Harrison personal knowledge of Dud ley's letter, or of his operations in the cam paign, Voorhees overshoots the mark. There is no evidence to support the assumption. What evidence there is runs the other way. President Harrison had been a long time in political life before tho campaign of '88, and there was nothing in his record or charac ter to warrant Mr. Voorhees' conclusion. Further, the treatment of Dudley since the administration began treatment distin guished for coldness and avoidance shows that Dndley has not had the President un der any of the sense of obligation which such a confederacy as the Senator presumes gratuitously would Imply. Another reason why at this time the speech will work no partisan advantage is that the whole country is now witnessing at the capital of Ohio the spectacle of a Sena torial canvass among the Democrats, in which the influence of money is a con trolling factor. One of the best results of the Senator's ringing utterances would be the conversion of the Democratic Legisla ture of Ohio from the purpose of sending a millionaire non-resident to the United States Senate, to the exclusion of more capable but poorer candidates. With, that pro gramme on the carpet the denunciation of the Dudley letter, fit and pertinent though it is of itself, will lose much, it not all, of the partisan effect it otherwise would have. The bribpry by which Payne was elected, and the undisguised fact that Brice's money has been his strength in the present Sena torial contest, when shown up alongside the Dudley letter furnish simply a picturesque case of "pot and kettle." NOT COMMENDABLE FEATTJBE8. While there may be, and doubtless are, two sides to the pending dispute over the House rules, it will be hard for the outside public to see, in two features that are re parted to be part of the Bepublican pro gramme, anything that is consistent with legitimate purpose's of legislation. Those features are the permission to engraft new legislation on appropriation bills, and the reduction of the requirement for a quorum to the total of 100 members. The engrafting of new legislation on ap propriation bills has been proved by long experience to be an abuse; and the prohibi tion of it by the rules of the House was a step in the direction of reform. Its verv nature made it the usual resort for securing the passage of riders that could not stand examination on their own merits. What class of legislation the Bepublican leaders hope to secure Dy this step in retrograde is not apparent; but it is clear enough that measures of legislation which cannot stand the regular methods should not be per mitted to fasten themselves like barnacles On the appropriation bills, and secure pass age by the votes that are given for entirely different purposes. 'Whatever the intention of this provision its result can hardly fail to be the facilitation of the rankest jobbery. The proposition to permit a quorum in committee of the whole to consist ot 100 members is hardly less objectionable, from the popular standpoint It is practically a proposition to leave one of the important stages of legislation to a mere fraction of the people's representatives. If Congressmen cannot be induced to attend to the business for which they are elected, it is much better to let legislation come to a dead stop until the people have become aroused to the work of letting their representatives understand that they must discharge their duties or re tire to private life. Most certainly the cen tral idea of our Government, that of legisla tion by a majority of the popular representa tion, ought not to be cast aside to permit the most important measures to be framed by the vote of a mere sixth of the members of the House. It will be good party policy, as well as good public public policy, for the Repub licans to keep their rnles in harmony with honest legislation and the principles of democratic government AN UNFOUNDED APPREHENSION. ' Apropos of the Vandcrbilt ball a finan cial writer in New York delivers himself of the old attempt at the justification of so cial extravagance, in the threadbare plea of the employment of labor to supply the ma terials for the display. In the course of his argument, which entirely ignores the fact that periods of extravagant expenditure have always preceded erasof commercial dis aster, the writer attempts to answer the ar gument that if the money was not spent in extravagance it Would have to be spent in productive industry, as follows: How lone would it take to cram the country fall of wheat and corn and pork and cotton and to build houses enough to put a roof over the heads of all its inhabitants? And when this was accomplished, suppose that wo went on producing more wheat, more corn, more pork, more cotton, and more honsesT This dread lest the supply or the staples of life might become so over-abundant as to make them altogether too easily obtained, and make life quite too comfortable for the common people, appears to be a general frame of mind in New York financial cir cles, to jndge from the deliverances of the financial writers ana the monetary policy of restricting production. But as it never has yet been the case that the common population was bothered with too much food to eat, too abundant a supply of clothes to weir, and altogether too many good houses lo live in, it is hardly necessary for the millionaires of N ew York to spend their wealth in extrava gance as a matter of duty. One fact at least shows that no such stern duty imposes itself on them at present At the time that this social manifestation of luxury was pending, a social manifestation of another sort was going on in the same country. It was that of 100,000 anthracite miners in Pennsylvania, held in enforced idleness to swell the dividends of some of these rich people, sconring the roads like cattle in search of forage, and some of them confronting actual starvation in their homes. In the face of such a spectacle the ex treme anxiety of the New York millionaire circle lest there should be an actually ex cessive plenty in the homes of labor, might be temporarily at least, lulled into quiet EZ-FBESIDENTS' DIGESTIONS. If, as i; is alleged, Mr. Cleveland will not eat at the same table with Governor Hill, of New York, there is reason to congratulate Mr. Cleveland. We do not mean any dis respect to the Hon. David B. Hill, bnt simply to remark the advantages likely to accrue to Mr. Cleveland from his-abstention from pnblic banquets. Mr. Carnegie's re mark that ex-Presidents could well be utilized as guests at big dinners, repre sented the popular interest From the ex-Presidents' point of view in a physical sense such use might not seem so beneficial. Nothing under the sun will play havoc with the interior de partment of any man, be he ex-President or private secretary, than -a regular course of big banquets. Physicians indorse this view everywhere. So Mr. Cleveland will do wisely to abstain from unlimited banquet- ing. And this not only considering his present happiness, but his political possi bilities also. For a man with a ruined digestion is not likely to win in the race for the Presidency. If he win he cannot enjoy the sweets of success. The doctors veto the sweets at onoe. Still Mr. Cleveland probably dislikes Mr. Hill's presence at the table. It is not strange either. The reduction of immigration last year by about 100,600 Is regarded bj the Philadelphia -Press as an acrerse sign on the prosperity ot bu'iress. Still the present activity of com mercial Interests will tend to console the busi ness of the country for the idea suggested by the press that immigrants from other countries do not think favorably ot it It is announced with more pr less au thority that Hon. W. L. Scott has retired from Pennsylvania polities. That event is explained by the fact that Mr. Scott has received assurances that Cleveland's Interests will not be antagonized by the Pennsylvania Democ racy. Bat the real fact Is that Mr. Scott re tired from politics when he wrote that letter declaring himself to be acting for tho same corporate interests as Mr. Chaun ceyM. Depew on the Republican side. Al though Mr. Scott did not And it out till the publication of the letter, that document ren dered it for the best interests ot Mr. Cleveland that Mr. Scott should eschew active advocacy of Mr. Cleveland's interests. Among the disastrous results of the pres ent remarkable winter is the complete ruin of the prophetic reputation of the goosebone, De Voe and others who unwarily committed them selves to the platform of an early winter and a severe December. The brilliant New York, Sun intimates that the. Hon. M. Halstead whose able denun ciations of ice-water have earned him scientific fame, will be well pleased with the scarcity of ice that threatens to result if tho present open winter continues. Mr. Halstead maybe pleased with the compulsory disuse of ice-water: but it Js not understood that he frowns upon ice in other connections, or that it is a part of his principles to take all his beveraees at a tepid temperature. There is reason to believe that the Field Marshal views with toleration the employment of ica in sherry-cobblers, and will even give his indorsement to its virtues in connection with claret punch. It is reported that the insurrection at San Salvador has been suppressed. The populace rose as one man and the Government put the one man in jaiL The Kepublicans of Ohio are very much agitated by the report that the Democrats propose to gerrymander the Congressional District of the State so as to secure the ma jority of the seats on an even vote. The Dem ocrats reply by indignation over the Republican apportionment on which the Democrats net 12 out of 17 districts on a vote la which the Demo crats have a slight majority. The pnblic duty ot districting the State solely with regard to the continuity and convenience ot the districts, and without any thought of partisan effect, is equally foreign to the ideas ot either party. Has the cold wave taken an unfair ad vantage of the Signal Service and slipped in on the only day for which tho Bureau omitted to predict itt The decision of the Judges confining the fire engine test to the SUsby and Amoskeag engines Is a mistake. The testis one under taken for the public benefit, namely, to deter mine what engine of all makes can give the best service; and it was understood at Its in ception that it would be open to all com petitors. No doubt the contest between the Amoskeag and SUsby engines will be an inter esting and important one; but, in confining it to those engines, the judges have reduced the value of tho test 0 per cent The "green yule" appears to be justify ing its proverbial character in ihe"New York mortality .statistics whateverlt may be doing elsewhere. "St. Jackson's Day" passed off with less than the usual display of oratory by our .Democratic friends. With the Democratic1 party on the outside of the,nattoual adminis tration, and the Ohio Democrats sticking closely to the increment from millionaire can didates the conditions for glorifying the Jack sonlan principles cannot have appeared very opportune to most of the faithful. The Tall Sycamore of the Wabash, in his speech yesterday, bid for a new title as a terror to blocks of five politicians. The renewed statements that the tele phone, the nickel in the slot and other alleged modern inventions existed in the time of the .Pharaohs is a favorite effort of Imagination: bnt no daring mind has yet gone to the lengths of asserting that the ancient Egyptians mastered the art of issuing hundreds of millions of water in the stocks based on the ancient inventions. PEOPLE OF PROMINENCE. United States Treasurer Huston, who has been suffering with a' severe cold for sev eral days, was compelled to take to his bed yesterday. CybdS'W. Field is now three score and ten years old, but still in active business life. His first employment was as errand boy for A. T. Stewart at S2 a week. His"dutles required him to open and sweep out tbe store, George du Maurier, tha refined social satirist of Punch, will probably visit the United States this year. He joined tbe staff of Punch 25 years ago, shortly after the death of John Leecb, tbe original Illustrator of the funny paper. Du Manner is always spirited In his work, but never coarse or vulgar Miss Blanche Willis Howard, whose bright clever story, "One Summer," was so marked a success, is 88 years old, but her face is still full of the freshness ot yonth. She dresses with exquisite taste,, and tbe arrange ment of her hair is particularly attractive. She .has lived abroad for 13 years, chiefly in France and Germany. Mbs. Ellen Olney Kirk, author of the "Story of Margaret Kent," has a most be witching, quaint and picturesque face. She dresses with a ladylike grace; and refinement and her manners are sweet and cordiaL Her home at Germantown, Fa., is a gem of beauty, and the company one meets there is distin guished for wit and Culture. ' Oliver Wendell Holmes, like Tennyson and Gladstone, Is 80 years old. Ha is a small, slender man with a bright face, dresses with taste and talks with ease. His first verses were written at college and published in tbe college paper. "Old Ironsides" was originally published in the Boston AdverUier, in 1830, when be was 21 years old. Ot his poem, he himself prizes 'The Chambered Nautilus." A NW York manager has offered Henry M. Stanley 81,000 a lecture for SMectttres to be de livered in America during next winter, and tbe great explorer has not ret signified whether he will accept the offer or not. This is probably tbe biggest offer ever made for a series of lec tures in this country. It would take somi won derful calculation to figure out a profit for any manager who makes such a generous offer as that John W. Mackay, whose wealth hat not made him so famous as his wife's extravagance In spending It Is 55 years old. He has a bard face, whose features have not a single redeem ing virtue. Mrs. Mackay, who nas known much poverty in her life, has a strongly developed genius for spending money in a loud and lux urious way. Mr. Mackay lives xtaree-fourtha of the year in California, where be enjoys a free dom from restraint and etiquette which makes his elegant residence In London a bore. Tho Pension Claims on File. Washington, Januaty "8. A count just completed shows, that there are now 160,516 nn adjudicated and pending claims on fllo in tbe Pension Office. Of these cases 35,310 have been placed upon the list of "completed files" for Immediate consideration, and the entire ad judicating force of tbe bureau will devote five days in each week' to the consideration of these completed cases nntil tho entire list Is disposed of. THE TOPICAL TALKER. Overlooked a Little Point Hull Glorious Blizzard A Pullman Car Porter's Sur prise A Derivation. T"he other day Mr. B 's hired man came to him and said he wanted to leave. "What's the matter, John?" "Faith, nothin's the matter," replied the man, rubbing his red bead, "but it is a fine offer I have been made this day, air. The acent at Winkle's dairy'H give me thirty dol lars a month and me board, all for milkin' half a dozen cows, an' quit work four o'clock in the afternoon, with notbin' else to do," ""That sounds good, John but what time do you ko to work?" 'An sure I forgot to ax him, sir." 'Well. I'll tell you John, it's four o'clock in the morning!" (Thereupon John concluded to stay where he was. BLOW, BLIZZARD BLOW! Hall, angry blizzard, western snorter, hall! Thy blows are welcome, heat and break the chain Of mugglness and slush, and fling thy Ball On tardy summer's shoulders or we're slain. We sigh for snow; crisp snow, and lota of It: With nipping airs to make onr faces, glow: lee on the ponds, for small boys' benefit; Let's know old Winter by his frost and snow. Go balmy winds and bids yourselves till Junel Proud mercury, prepare to take a fall! And dandelions, diel you bloomed too soon. For wmter'a here to temper summer's gall. Blow, western blizzard) blow! O, blow away The need for blowing noses all the day l . Jt Is very hard to surprise a Pullman car porter. He Is hardened. All sorts and con ditions of men are the same to him. Grain ripe unto the harvest But the other day, on a Pennsylvania train, an African autocrat had a surprise party. There were two young men in his sleeper. Quietly dressed, orderly young men. They both had upper berths; which early in the evening they asked his royal highness to make up. "Berths boat ready, gemmen," be announced presently, adding, "shall I get der ladder, sahr "What?" said both young men abruptly, and before the porter to explain they were seated in their berths smiling at blm. How they did it so quickly a spectator who saw It done could not tail me. He says the two young men made a simultaneous soring, each caught the rail of tbeberth and drew himself in In less time by ten seconds than it takes to write this sentence. "Learnt that mountln' Texas ponies," one of them told the porter, who stared at them in vague alarm. They were cowboys. V AiitowiEDOE of languages may not always assist the student of etymology. At a private school In this county at the ex amination before the Christmas vacation a boy was asked to give the derivation of carbon. The boy learnt French as a child in the nursery and speaks fair France's language as well as he does English. To his French be went for the derivation. After a minute's thought he said: "Carbon is derived from the French. Car meaning because of and ban good." "How do you arrive at that?" asked the pro fessor restraining a smile. " "Oh, because carbon is a good thing," was the ready answer. OLEOMARGARINE LIKE WINE. A Decision That Neither Can bo Lugged Oat of n Restaurant. Philadelphia, January 8. a case has just been decided by tbe Supreme Court in which several questions are discussed which are of practical interest to all persons who buy food or drink at hotels or restaurants. Chief Justice Paxson lends some spice to the discussion by a vigorous dissenting opinion. The questions arose in a proceeding which was Instituted against a man named Miller, who keeps a restaurant In Pittsburg, to recover the penalty of $100 jm- Iiosed by the third section of tho act of May 21, 883, for tbe sale of oleomargarine. Two men went into Miller's place and among tho articles of food furnished to them was a small dish con taining oleomargarine. They carried it away with them. The question arose ot whether this was. In the legal sense of tho word, a sale of oleomar garine. The majority sentiment of the Su preme Court Is voiced by Justice Clark, who says 'It was the use of oleomargarine as food and the fraud perpetrated upon tho public in its sale wblcb was the mischief to be reme died." Chief Justice Faxson, In his dissenting opinion, said thatttbe guests bad a right to satisfy their appetite, but after filling their stomachs they should not also fill their pockets and carry away the food they could not oat. As an illustration of tbe-precedlng argument, the Judire adds a sentence which nves nutrnnt. intimation of what the decision of tbe court! would be upon a case where wine or other; liquor was "thrown in" with a meal. He saysjl "If an unlicensed keeper of a restaurant max set before his guests a bottle of wine or other intoxi eating liquor, cbargingaregularnricefdr tbe same with other articles of food furnished, with liberty to take much or little of the liquor as tbe guest may choose, or, failing to dnnkit wiiu nis meat, permit nim to taice it away with blm, then tbe liquor laws of the Commonwealth are of no avail and the license to sell Uquoc is wuuuj unnecessary. SLATE MARRIAGES LEGAL. Georgia Decides That a Will ThroughSuch n Channel Goes, From the Atlanta Journal. 1 There was an interesting case In Judge Mar. snail j. uiarK'B court yesterday afternoon, m which tbe legality of a slave marriage was one of the points at issue. Perry Keitn, colored, was suing for the recovery of some property. Austin Keith, a well-known negro Jn Atlanta, died about 10 or 12 years ago and left no will. Ho owned considerable real estat$j and made some verbal wishes as to what should be done with It. A part of it went to Petty Keith, a son by a slave marriage, and Abe rest to a second wire, also marriod in slavery. This second wife deeded ber property to Jane Jones and her children. 7 Perry recently brought suit) to recover the property owned by the Joneses', on tbe ground that his father's marriage td the second wife was not a marriage by lawbut they simply lived together as slaves frejuentlydld. This morning the jury brought i a verdict for the defendants, which decision (established the va lidity of tbe so-called slave inarriage. ALL M'KEESPORTAIOYES OUT And Makes WnshlnctoM Its ncndqnnrters for a PostofQco Fleht. ISrZCIAI. TILXOOAJI TO THE DlBPATOn.I McKeespobt, January 8. All of the post office candidates are represented at Washing ton, and are constantly wiring for more citizens to go there. Dr. White and a delegation of cit izens went there toAnight in tbe interest of Captain Stone. Tbejlghtisattts warmest pitch. W. E. Harrison Is tnere, and reports state that General Manager E. C. Converse, of the .Na tional Tube Works Oompany. and W. Dewees Wood, of tbe W. 3)ewees Wood Company, are with blm. Posttuastcr Sbalo is there, and is in the interest of Stone, It is thought Uy many that a compromise will be mado by thejeelectlon of a candidato who is not in tne trianjguiar ugm uetween Thompson, xiarnsou auu choqc. Let the Eagle Roust nigh From the Chbbsgo Jew. If the eagYjs on the cactus which adorns the Mexican dojflar will take the advice of a friend it wilt seek ta higher perch before the Pattt en gagement Begins at tbe ancient seat of the Az tecs. At present it is in great danger of being expatriated. Ohio Wentber Indications. From tbe jbblcsgo Tribune. About tjhis time look out for extremely cold weather in those parts ot Ohio where all the Senatorial candidates reside whose names are not Bricef. Fan for Hoes If Mot for farmers. Captalp J. L. Anderson, one of tho Georgia fertilizer inspectors, reports that the warm weatheris playing havoc with the farmers of South deorgla. Thoy cannot kill their hogs and find it very expensive to feed them. Confirmed by the Senate. Washington, January 8, The Senate has conflrmeld John B. Delllle, of Texas, Consul at ttrUtnl- ' DEATHS OP A DAY. , Rev. D. 8. Kinney. The Kev. VD. S. Kinney, of the Wcslcyan Meth odist Churcm, died yesterday morning at bis resl dincelnfeylraeuse. N. Y. lie was an old aboli tionist, and; was born in Ashtabula county, v.. about 83 ye Ars ago. Willlnm Radford. WASHING': 'ON, Januarys. Bear Admiral Will iam .Badon ,.U. B. X., retired Jlet at his resi dence in th Is city, this evening, after a brief illness, BENEFITS OP ADYERTISING. A Dispatch. Display Attracts Thousand of People to a Store. Headers of The Dispatch could not have failed to notice the display advertisement of Horoe Ward, which appeared in Its issues of Monday and Wednesday mornings, and will also appear to-morrow morning; balling atten tion to tbe January opening sales in the ladies' muslin underwear department, and calling at tention also by the display cuts and descrip tion of garments to the large extentand variety of their stock. The effectiveness of advertising can only be known to merchants who adver tise in the right way, and a mem' ber of the firm of Home & Ward, when interviewed, yesterday, by a Dispatch repre sentative, stated that be was more than sur prised by the result ot this special advertising. Crowds of ladies blockaded the sidewalk on Fifth avenue in front of their show windows yesterday, and after viewing the goods dis played in Home & Ward's window, entered their establishment, -and during the entire day throngs of purchasers kept the army of clerks bnsy. It is the province of the newspaper to bring the customers to a store, and once inside the bouse it is the business ot the merchant to sell his goods. This it Is evident Messrs. Home A. Ward suc ceed In doing, by following np their extensive advertising from year to year, and thus from year to year increasing the volume of their sales. Horne & Ward have devoted to the sale of ihose goods which they have been advertising so thoroughly a large section of the center of their store, takine in all about 80 feet of coun ter room, besides tbe goods which are stored" on tbesholres. j In referring to tbe articles advertised by cuts It may be Interesting to others to know thajt hundreds of these cuts bavo been presented tjo tbe clerks by people both In tbe city and out of it who have seen in them just what thAy wanted, and by this have secured it without a moment's delay. It would certainly be to tho interest of 'ladies to call upon Horne fc Ward and see the very superior make of underwear" which Abeyare selling, the quality, make and finish of the garments being such that they cannot fail to please persons of the most fastidljus and re fined taste. I MERIT0EI0US ALL THE; TIME. The Lancaster Era" Tells lis Readers Why The DIspRtcb Is Popular. From the Lancaster (Pa. )New lira. Among all the exchanges frbich make their dally visits to the New Era .office, none is more welcome' or more eager ly scanned than The, Pittsbcro Dis patch. While it is extremely mod- est in contrast with the eastern metropolitan journals, in expatiating on its own merits, the merits are there all thfe time. In fact it is not excelled in news, enttf rprise and editorial ability by the best ot theny While many of tbe big dallies are filled oil the principle of the dump cart. The Dispas-ch is always edited with great care, due ragaid being given to the con densation of matters of minor importance, while the special topics of local or general in terest In wblcb it is never distanced by its co temporaries. Are given in detail , The Dispatch has been a marvelous suc cess, and the! secret of Its success has been its uniform nerlt and its independent policy, which has tamed for it a national reputation. Its large circulation has rendered another of Hoe's meat perfecting presses a necessity, which will soon be added to its already excellent plant A COLORED ANARCHIST'S SPEECH, Ha Advises Bis Southern Brethren to Use tba Torch and Knife. ISPXCIAL TELEORAM TO 'THEJMSrATCH.: Jersey City' N. J., January 8. A mass meetihg of tbe colored citizens of Hudson counter was held in the Zlon African Methodist Church under tbe direction of the Afro American League to-night Tbe object was to talk over recent outrages on the colored raca in tbe South, and to consider propositions that would tend to benefit tbe race in America. Tile church was crowded. T. Thomas Fortune, of this city, explained the object of tbe Afro- merlcan League, of which he is tbe head. Mr. Fortune spoke for two hours. He was onserratiTe. and his sneeeb was well received. e was followed by Price Williams, i small an with kluky hair and a red mustache. He artft an Incnndlarr flneeenj i "There is not enough fight In the colored rjaan." Mr. Williams said. Ho admired tbe civilization of the Italians and the Indians. A'When tbe colored man learns the value 'of the torch as a weapon," be said, "when he learns to kill in cold blood, when he learns to plunge the knife into tbe heart of tbe white man, then there will be no ques tion about the rights ot the colored man. The white man will say, 'Mr. Colored Man,' then. .With the torch and the knife as the colored man's Cbristianlty.and with tbe civilization of the Italians, the race question would be settled." There was some applause at Mr. Williams' remarks. SOME M0NEX LEFT. Tbe Flood Commission Still Ilns a Few Hun dred Thousand. Another meeting of the Johnstown Flood Commission will be held on tho 16th to learn the result of the distribution of the last $1,600,- LO00. The Commission is rapidly reaching tbe point where lts.anairs will be wound up. Mr. James B. Scott said yesterday that when tbe present distribution will have been made there will still remain several hundred thou sand dollars, and the Commission has not de cided what disposition they will make of It. Mr. Scott stated that applications had been made by some of tho afflicted towns for some of the money to do ceitain things. Johnstown In particular has not applied, and it is possible tbe funds remaining will be scattered in tbe flooded districts at places where it will do the most good. W0EEING ON CHARLESTON NEGROES. Western Emigration Aeents Spreading Tbelr Net for Colored Men, rSFXCIAI, TELEGRAM TO TBE DISPATCH.! Charleston, S. C, January 8. Tbe West ern emigration agents have reached Charles ton, and a movement of negroes toward the West is imminent A circular signed by W. L. Eagleson. Topeka, made its appearance here to-day. It was addressed to tho clergymen of most of the negro churches and announces that Oklahoma is now open for settlement Emigrants are told that they can for IM secure 160 acres of rich farming land. A MEMORIAL SERY1CE Held In Honor of Two Dead Salesmen by Tbelr Campnnlont. H. J. Heinz, tbe pickle manufacturer, list erosing held bis annual convention of his trav eling men in the Moorhead building. During evening a memorial service, under tbe auspices of Moorhead Union, of the W. C. T. U., was held for those who have .died during the past year. In tbat time twq of tbe salesmen have passed away. Mrs. R. H. Jones presided over the services, and Mrs. Sarah Hammett spoke. Mrs. L. M. Duffy conducted tbe singing. Postofllces on .Mull Steamers. Washinpton, January 8. Sir Julian Pauncfote, the British Minister, was in con sultation with Postmaster General Wanamaker to-day. It is understood the subject of the con ference was tbe question of the establishment of postoffices on mail steamers plying between Great Britain and the United States. THEATRICAL NOTES.' Pbot. Herrmann's Trang-Atlantique Vaudevilles, direct Irom their recent success in New York City nd Philadelphia, will oc cupy the stage ot the Bijou all next week. Tbe company have been playing to crowded houses in all the largo cities, and no doubt will continue their success here. Among the great hits of ttio programme maybe mentioned the great Trewey juggler, balancer and shadow grapbist the funny and popular comedian, Gns Williams, Les Fr;res Tacchi, the Parisian won ders; Harry Pepper, popular tenor and author; Le Petit Freddy, the child phenomenon, from the"FolIeBergeres,"TarIs; Here TboIen,the electric clown and his singing dog; Pas de Quatre, four Gaiety danseuses excentriques, the marvelous Finauds, fantastic pantomlm ists; dainty Katie Seymour, the1 original skirt dancer; tho Athols from tbo Empire Theater, Lo'ndon, known as the "Spider and Flyj" Eu nice Vance, tbe original "Dotty Cough Drops;" and others. Sale of seats begins to-day. , THE old spectacular favorite Hanlons' "Fan tasma"is billed for tbe Grand Opera House next week. J , " THE "Felix. Esters,"with "A Royal Hand," play a rubber th Harris' Theater next week. THE STROLLER'S STORIES. Odd OplnloBS and Qualm Obstrvatloas From Corband Corridor. "THE month of Ddcembcr, usually a decidedly dull month for! hotels, was not such a bad month after all foa the hotel) of Pittsburg. One of tbe indications of tho present remark able growth of this city is tbo increase, during the past two yearst in the patronage given to tbe excellent hotels of the Gas City. 'All the bouses here are making money, and deserve to make it Traveling men say that, after they leave Philadelphia, they find no really good hotels short of Chicago except those ot Pitta burg. This ciftr has become a farorite resting place for druinmers during Sunday, notwith standing thef operation of tho Brooks law. During lastDecember the Seventh Avenue Hotel entertained 365 guests. Tbe clerks there dally fount up their registries. That is not; dona at the Anderson, and the total regis tration there cannot be given, but it was very large. Pads after page was filled with names during eaab successive 21 hours. The largest registry during one day at the Seventh Avenue, since tbeuouse was opened, covered 19 paces.. As there are 22 names to tbo page, tbere must nave beren about 420 guests tbat day. The hotel Wen now doing business look without the slightest apprehension on the opening of the Hotel Scblosser and the early re-openlng of tbe Mpnongahela House. One of tbe oldest hotel managers in the city said: "I am glad to see this city acquiring a reputation for excellent hotels. The more first-class houses wo have '.fl.wll1.tl.. MflHl.lt.. .Ill ...... n,.. wuw ntuci vum. tGiJ-uitihivu Mil, UC1 U1UC iUO result will be that a greater number of people will come to us. Tbo increase of good hotels Increases the business of all. Not only that, but It aids materially in promoting tbebuslness interests of the city. A city noted for Its ten. L class hotels is certain to attract men of wealth and to bring capital to tbe town." QrTrE3 along the lakes, Toledo, Cleveland and Buffalo, complain of a recent influx of spurious nickels. The street car companies are special victims of the false coin, where tbe cars contain boxes in which the passenger de posits his fare without tbe Intervention of a conductor. Inquiry of bank officials and street railway employes show that the counterfeit 6 cent pieces have not been brought to this city. Hardly any come to the banks, and street rail way men say that although a few base coins are now and then found In their cash boxes, there has been no recent increase in tbat sort ef currency. A clerk at one of the principal hotels said: "We get no counterfeit nickels, but now and then a bad dollar is offered to us. 1 can tell one almost as soon as I feel It It used to be that the counterfeits had a soft, creasy feel ing, and did not have th right ring. Recently the dollars have been made much better, and one not accustomed to tbe bandlingof coin can hardly tell them from tbe genuine stuff. They are bard and dry, and have a good ring to them. I can discern a difference in color, however. tbe spurious coin having a sort ot bluish tinge." Qne of the odd things, connected with tbe present agitation concerning electric wires is the curiosity, even anxiety, with which peo ple on the streets watch linemen when they are at work. Let a climber ascend a pole, or a carbon-setter go up a ladder. In any part of tbe city, and tbe pedestrians will stop In crowds and watch bim, expecting momentarily to see blm come tumbling to the streetwlth tbe effect of 600 volts concealed about his person. The crowd is not atall conducive to tbe'ease of the hard-working man up tbe pole B. Thou as M. Kino. Second Vice Presi dent of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company, passed through the city yesterday, going to Cleveland by the Pittsburg and Lake Erie road. Mr. King used to be a resident of this city. He expressed himself as being very well pleased with tbe present condition of af fairs in bis company, generally and locally. Tbe Pittsburg and Lake Erie Railroad Company, be said, bad done a good stroke of business in buying the Pittsburg, McKeesport and Belle vernon line. He declined to say whether the Baltimore and Ohio had been trying to pur chase that new road or not. A newspaper man of this city was very nearly selected as an American corres pondent to accompany tbe German exploring expedition in Africa under the command of Major Wissman. Arrangements had been just about completed, in 1SS8, when, for political reasons, tbe expedition was postponed for eight months. During that time the Pittsburg man made new arrangements. In his correspond ence with Major Wlssmann. then in Berlin, be began with German, using tbe best Hoch Dentscb he could command. He received a reply in excellent English, and added to tbe note was a postscrip, saying, "Do not distress yourself any more with German." Our local friend docs not believe the reports which come from Europe thatMajor Wissman Is committing great atrocities in Africa. Tbey come from English sources, he says, and are inspired by jealousy. psiHBOSE and West, whose company is this week at the Grand Opera House, on Tues day concluded, by correspondence, a contract with tbe celebrated minstrel, Lew Dockstader, who Is now in Philadelphia. He will join tbe company next week at Cincinnati. Lew bad his own company1 on the road last season, and has been engaged at a very high salary. QNEof Pennsylvania's contributions to the Chicago League Club for the coming season, Bert Garvin, of New Castle, is in the city visiting friends. He is a young and well educated gentlemon, and has been playing shortstop, field and catcher for various amateur and professional clubs for five years. Last season he played in tho field for the Columbus club, in the Tn-Stare League, and has been engaged by Mr. Spalding as a short stop. He will report for duty March I, and bas high anticipations of the training he will re ceive under Old Anse. The Stroller. A DOT PRESIDENTAL CAMPAIGN. Peruvian Politics Lively, With Two Popular 'Candidates la the Field. Lima, via Galveston. January a The various political parties continue active in pre-. paring for the coming elections. Appoals signed by numerous citizens in allpirtsof the country favoring the two foremost Presldental candidates, Colonel Morales Bermudes and Dr. Rosas, are published dally. ColonelBermude", who Is the official nominee, represents the mili tary spirit of tbe country. He is generally re spected on account of his honorable career and ral.or dorine the lato international and civil wars. Dr. Rosas Is the choice of the civilian party. He was the favorite Minister of the lata President Prado. and subsequently Presi dent ot the Senate. General Canevaro's narty Is still united, not withstanding his withdrawal from the contest. which, m view of bis chances of success, has J Deen cnaracionzea puouciy uj vjco.rres.uens Denegtl as proof ot the bigbest patriotism and self-denial. His popularity is due principally to tne record made during his present and two preceding administrations as Mayor of. Lima. He also took an active part in the great war. devotrne his fortune to its prosecution. SI Pais, the orcan of tbe Democrats, is sangnine as to the success of its party, which, it is ex- Sectcd, will shortly place in nomination ex. lictator Pierola, who is the party's recognized head. The Exnct Situation. Flora the Minneapolis Tribune. Just at this stage ot tbe game Montana ap pears to be Ions on Senators and short ou cre dentials tor them. STORY OF THE BAREFOOT BOY. On Haverhill's pleasant hills there played, Home seventy years ago. In turned-up trousers, battered hat Patches and freckles, and all that, Tbe Barefoot Boy we know. Be roamed his berry fields content. But while, from bush and brier The nimble feet got many a scratch. His wit, beneath its homely thatch, Aspired to something higher. Over his dojr-eared spelling book, Or schoolboy composition. Fouling- his head with some hard lam, Uolng for nuts, or gathering gum, He cherished his ambition. Kind nature smiled on that wise child. Nor could her love deny blm , The large fulfillment or his plan; Since he who lifts his brother man In turn Is lilted by blm. He reach ho starry heights of peace Before his head was hoary; And now at fourscore years again The blessings of his fellow-men Waft him a crown of glory. -V. T. TroxciTUgi. MUST ECONOMIZE IN GA& Tbe AIlrg-lieBTeatlDc Company" iHsti a Circular to Knphnslza the Heeds of lbs SltaatlOB Aa Intonrlew Upon Gas Bnp. plr. Tbe Allegheny Heating Oompany bas just issued a circular to their patrons on tbe neces sity of economizing in the use of natural gas. Tbe circular contains much valuable Informa tion for those using the gas by meter, and is u follows. It is dated December 80. Tbat natural gas, as a domestic luel. Is one of the greatest luxuries ot the age Is admitted by alt who use It. Hitherto. Its supply bas been to abundant the cost 0 low, and tbe method of sell ing It such as to encourage tbe utmost exfraTa- gance and waste In Its use. It Is now being real ized that to secure a continued supply of this val uable fuel, proper care and economy in it use is a necessity. More Intelligence must be brought to bear on tbe appliances lor using the gas and util izing to tbe utmost the heat produced by its com bustion. Appliances can now be procured tbat will utilize from CO to 80 per cent of tbe beat pro duced, instead of only 10 to 25 per cent utilized by the majority of appliances now In use. In the sense of being costly, natural gas si present can barrilybe'ealleda luxury! but the enormous ex- r Pen'e entailed on the companies to maintain the must of necessity result In Increased rates to tbe consumer. In order to check as much as possible tbe waste of our precious fuel andto encourage tbe consum er In adopting economical appliances and exer cising some care In its use, the companies are will ing to go to the very great expense of providing a meter for ecry consumer. That this policy Is to the Interest of tbe consumer a moment's reflection will show. It will tend to conserve, the supply of gas. By reducing the waste It reduces tbe cost of producing and maintaining the supply, and will thus tend to keep down tho price to tbe consumer. It places every consumer on an equality each pays only for what Is used. Tbe careful and eco nomical get their reward In small bills. Tbe wasteful and extravagant have no escape from tbe consequences or their carelessness. When burn ing gas by meter the consumer makes bis own bill. When burning by contract the iras company makes the bill, which, or necessity. Is not calcu lated on tbe bails of carefulness and economy, but on the bails Of the greatest extravagance. The first quarter since tbe general introduc tion of meters was ended on the 1st ult For purpose ot ascertaining If there was any In crease m the bills o( consumers over tbe same quarter of 1689. a Disfatch reporter called at tbe offices of tbe Philadelphia Company yes terday. At the cashier's office tbero was a long string of persons coming in all day to pay their bills. One of the execntive officers, when asked if any of the consumers objected to the size ot their bills, said: "It is Interesting to stand in tbe cashier's office and listen to the complaints of persons who think the meters have increased their bills. These are only a handful when we con sider tbo large number of meters in use. Tbere are probably 8,000 consnmers taking our gas who are using meters. This Is about one-third of the whole number. "We have explained to the people who are burning by meter tbat if tbey economized In tbe use of tbeir gas tbelr bills would be much less than they were for the same period. "It is impossibleat the present time to furnish figures showing tbe advantage in favor of tbe consumer who burns by meter. When we first agitated tbe idea of putting in tbe meters there was a big bowl from those who bad tried It It was an indisputable fact tbat the bills were higher after tbe meters were put in. Tbe reason for this is as plain as the nose on one's face. When tbe meters were placed in the houses of consumers tae latter continued to bum tbe gas in the same manner that they did while burn ing by contract Tbey never thought of econo mizing In tbe use of the fuel. When tbe gas was turned on full force In every fire-place, the bills, as a natural consequence, were higher than they bad been before. wo nave loona in every case where tne mils were higher by tbe use ot meters, tbat the con sumers did not have their burning appliances in proper sbape and were wasting tbe gas. Suppose you take a common illuminating gas burner. It has a tip on it tbat will enable not more than five or ten feet of gas to be burned per hour. Take the tip off and you will have a flame of gas a foot nigh. Without tbe tlpyoucet&o times tbesamegas but very little better light This principle applies to tbe use of fuel gas as well. If you use a pipe punched full of boles for a burner you get alot of gas. If you put a proper burner In the fire place yon get almost as much heat with one fif tieth the amount of gas. When consumers use tbe meter and burn tbe gas the same as tbey would liluminatlDtr gas they will find their bills to be much less. They also have a much more comfortable house and better results are ob tained In every wav. The house Is more com fortable and there is less danger of taking ones death of cold. "The present price of tbe gas 10 cents ner 1,000 feet I tbink is an equitable charge. This is not unreasonable in any way, and if proper economy is used tbere will be no complaints about exorbitant rates. I know one young roan who Informed me this morning tbat he bad saved S24 tbe last year by tbe use of tbe meter. He did not hare every Are on blazing; full tilt and as a result be finds by tbe new scheme he is saving -money. We are after tbe people who waste tbe gas. They have either got to economize or pay for their extravagance." ALD. POETER DISSATISFIED. Ho Slates That tbe Jury Wronged Hlra by the Yerdlet. Alderman Porter Is anxiously waiting tor tbe result of his appeal for a new trial, which will be known on Saturday. Jf the court decides to abide by the verdict as given by the jury, then it Is the intention of tbe Alderman to ask tbe Supreme Court to reverse the judgment of the lower court Tbe Alderman stated to a re porter that he tbongbt tbe verdict was grossly nntalr against all tbe defendants. "A verdict was founded on tbe evidence," said the Alderman, "of the most abandoned and disreputable witnesses. Even the evidence of my late constable, Daley, was highly colored with prejudice." Tbe Alderman states that he will not enter tbe political arena again, and even if he gets out of this troublo he will not be a candidate for Alderman again. THE LADIES ISYITED By tbe Masons to Their Coming Grand Orgnn Recital. Atrrandorgan recital will be given In the Vnew Masonic Temple tba latter part of this" month, to which the ladies of the members will be invited. Much curiosity bas always ex isted among tho fair sex regarding tbe building where the gentlemen are supposed to spend so many evenings, and they will In alb proba bility take advantage of tbe opportunity to In spect the various lodgi rooms, which will be thrown open for their benefit The goat's horns will be guarded with brass knobs on this occasion to prevent accidents, and the committee In charge signify their willingness to cage tho animal if necessary. Great prcnantlona aro being; made for tbe event and an elaborato programme is in pro cess of composition. 8ocIaI Chatter. The third of tbe dinner dance series will be given Friday nlgbt The german will be danced at tho residence of Mrs. Harry Oliver, and tho dinners will be given by Mrs. A EL W. Painter. Mrs. John Bickctson, Mrs. Mark Wat sou and Mrs. B. F. Jones. The Columbus Club will open a series of lectures on January 20. The first one will bo by Daniel Dougherty, tbo "silver-tongued ora tor," who will speak on "The Stare." The fore most orators will bo secured for the remainder of tbe series, THE teachers belonging to the Butler Street M. E. Sunday school will be entertained to-day by M. S. Hamilton. Various subjects relating to Sunday school work will be discussed, and refreshments will be served consisting of Ice cream and cake. A OELiOHTrci. tea drinking was in progress at Mrs. J. H. Cbilds borne, on Fifth avenue, yesterday afternoon from 3 to 6 o'clock. Avery pleasant euchre party was enjoyed at the residence of Mrs. E. Stotler Ruhr, on Collins arenne, Tuesday evening. Miss Fannie Wilson, of Frankstown, was married yesterday to Mr. William Pritchett, of Philadelphia. OVERHEAD WIRES SOT KNOCKED OUT. The District of Colombia Appropriation Bill Cat and Passed. Washington. January 8. Shortly after tbe House convened to-day, it went Into committee of the whole, Mr. Burrows, of Michigan, in the chair, on the District of Columbia anproprja. Hon bill. On a point of order by Mr. Atkinson, of Pennsylvania, tho clause was struck from the bill wblcb requires private electric light ing wires tabs placed under ground. On a point of order by Mr. Mason, of Illinois, tbe clause was staackiiut which authorizes the commissioners of the District to Impose a li cense fee of 125 a year against any person or corporation for each telegraph or telephone pole maintained. The committee rose and the bill was passed. A Tobacco Trade Mark Association. WASHlNGTONrJanuary S. Representatives of many ot the leading cut tobacco manufac turers of tbe country met here to-day, and organized a trademark, association, baring for jta object the protection of Its members In the use of legitimate trademarks, OBceis were elected CUKIOUS CUHDEKi5ATlH.& A calf without the sign of a tail dis ports in the fields at Flamlngton. A rattlesnake shaking 14 rattles was killed" la a swamp near Allegan, Mictu the other day. John Thompson, of Williamspori, suf- fered from an attack of hiccoughs which lasted for a week. Z. The fashion nf nnailirinp' lh hair is reVK establishing Itself with the Paris beaux, and is expected to show itself again in London. j riuie aigging in nis ear wnn a pin, Charles Mowers, of Shipnensburg. did himself o tui injury wjiico nas resujica in locKjaw. An eagle sitting on tbe cornice of ths'; Southern Hotel was a sight that astonished the people of St. Louis tbe other evening. It is said of a Hudsondale, Carbon county. Pa., man that he has worn tbe same hat for 23 years, and be says that it bas coma ,. into style vt times. Antrim, N. H., with a population of -is? about 1.3CO, boasts of 1 nonogenarlans and 25 octogenarians. Twenty-one of these 29 old people are women. Separation from bis wife is sought for by a Chester man, and be backs bis claim for it by the statement that she danced for joy when he chopped bis fingers off. A hed at Cbambersburg began the new year by laying an egg weighing four and a half ounces, with a sort of a bay-window attach ment on either side. Captain Elisha Oakes, of Vinalhaven, Me., has 90,000 live lobsters in bis pond, from which h is sblpplng'from Boston. Two or three men like Mr. Oakes would be able to get up quite a corner on the salad market A Bellalre, Mich., tailor has made a pair of pants out of 300 different kinds of cloth for a fortune-hunting youth, who wants to create the impression that he is tbe most economical man on eartb. "The pants cost 1100. It is claimed that phosphate is found in only three places throughout tbe United States South Carolina, New Mexico, and Florida. In New Mexico It Is about exhausted, while in Florida it is more extensive than In South Car olina, and assays 23 per cent more. In his speech at the opening of the Legislature of the Province of Quebec the Lieutenant Governor announced, among other things, that during its session, the Legislature will be asked to pass an act granting 100 acres otland to the father and mother of every family of 12 or more living children, born in lawful wedlock, Jerry Givens, a young man of Martins ville. Ind.. while bunting on Islands formed by tbe swollen river, came upon a large ball of snakes, wbicb had been driven from their winter quarters by tbe water and the pleasant weather. He killed all at a single shot, ana on disengaging them, found monster blacksnakes and nve gartersnakes. It is related of a Traverse City, Micb., girl tbat sbe bas made her best fellow promise to come around at noon for an answer to bis proposal ot marriage. The girl says she has seen him several times, but always in tbe even ing; and she will marry no man unless sbe knows bow he looks by daylight A Northfield, O., farmer named Aimer Greenleaf, having a premonition that the sum mer weather would extend far into th winter, tried a little experiment He planted & num ber of bills of potatoes late in September. Tne tubers throve well, and on Christmas Day the farmer's table was supplied with new potatoes uuu uu own Karueu. The incessant barking of his dog in duced Jobn Brown, of Lorimer. Pa., to Investi gate, and as he emerged from the kitchen door and passed into tbe yard he was seized by a big bear with which he bad a tussle. Ha finally escaped from the animal's clutches. As Bruin wore a muzzle. It Is thought ha escaped from traveling Italians, Since tbe establishment of the Vienna free kitchens the number of drunkards is said to have greatly diminished. Tbe medical pro fession testify to enormous improvement in the health ot tbe lower classes. Derangements of the stomach, formerly tbe most frequent cases in Vienna hospitals, btre decreased to one third of the number ot ten years ago. As an illustration of the queer blunders sometimes made by compositors the following is noted: A country correspondent in giving an account of a certain pastor's able address to a Meadville paper, wroto that ho was "full of fire and vigor." Wnen tbe proof came Jn it gave tbe somewhat startling Information the minis ter was "f nil of pie and vinegar." Tbe oldest living criminal in the United States is John Mount uf Covington, Ky, He was a good one in bis days. He is now nearly 90 years of age ana SS years of his life have been spent in various penitentiaries In the United States, tie has committed almot every crime except that of murder. He Is llv. ing a very secluded life at present and seldom goes on the streets. A Spiritualist proceeding out of the or dinary run took place at the. Metropolitan Temple in San Frincisco the other evening, in wblch A. S. Cleveland and Mrs. Louise Beatty were married, as tbe medium said, by the spirit of Thomas Starr King. Two thousand i people gathered to witness the ceremony, and Hstene d attentively to Mrs. J. J. Whitney, who. arrayed in a costly costume decked witb dia monds, proclaimed herself a minister invested with ail necessary authority to tie a binding matrimonial knot Sbe claimed to speak only as Starr King's spirit dictated, and. after re peating the usual Unitarian service, pro nounced (be couple man and wife. At Saint-Gal!, Switzerland, an old Colonel named Martignonl bas just died at the age of 80. He 'bad abundant opportunity for acquiring a practical knowledge of men and manners. No romance writer would dare to give to his hero a career so varied as that ot old Martignonl. He began life as a lawyer. Then he turned a soldier, and fought in the war of the Sonderbund. At tbo close of that strussle. be rose to the bench and served as a Judge. Then fortune deserted bim, and he went down bill until be became a street sweep er In New York, and afterward a waiter baa coffeo and cake saloon. Soon afterward he managed to get to California, where he became a miner. Having been cured of the gold fever, be went to England, joined tbe army, and served nnder the English colors in the Crimean war. At tbe end of tbat difficulty he went to tbe Argentine Republic. Tbere again fortune deserted blm. and in a few years be returned to Europe. Ho labored as a railroad conductor, a policeman and a town clerk, and at last settled down to a quiet life in bis native country. His final request was original and easily granted. It was that nobody, except the undertaker and bis assistants, sbould attend his funeral. AS BRIGHT AS GOLD. The New Ee'brmation. Sullivan is a Vresbyterlan, Isn't he? Yes, a sort of John Knocks." Aio York Evtn ing Sua. First Man (excitedly) Our boarding house Is a-flre'." Second Man (calmly) Come, then, hurry up, and perhaps wa may be able to get something hot. Jiay. "That man's a genius. He started a pistol factory and Invented a new cannon." That's nothing. I know a man who started a bucket shop and made a barrel." Uunirj't Weikly. "Tommy Maw, are animals stylish, jest the same as real people? Ma I guess not. Tommy: why? Tommy Nuthln'. only Iwasjestreadln' about a cow belt Ktarnlg hnterprU. No Demand for It You must practice a trade when tu Jail and ws generally let the pris oners do what they can do best What Is your best line of work. "Bunco." -.yo Xork Evening Sun. Wickwire Now, there's Figg, for in stance. He has no Idea of tbe value of money, WabSley-Why, I thought Flgg was little close. If anything. Wickwlre-Yes. that's lust whatl said. A nickel looks as big to blm as a cart wheel. Terrs ifaut Bjcprtts. The widow of a New York man lately de-; i-.t u trintni-oil-trrom a celebrated phy sician f t,M for her husband's brain, which Is now, In the doctor's eaoinei. mom " -.u.otu. brains among New York men are exceedingly rare, Chicago Stwi, 't Getting srt His Eecord. Bank President I like young Stylo and I wonld like to make hla j cashier, but bis character Dlrector-Notbad,Ibonr - ... -t..Alt.l riAthtn v&Tvint It n-m-jvftv A ?f the other." 'Couldn't you persuade him to run for some rl petty political otace?" -rime. Benney Mr. Sloat will yon give your daughter to me In marrlago Mr. SSloat-Well, well, I see tbat yon don't knows my daughter as yet. iJenney(astonlshed)-Wb-wnat do youmearg slrf ' JS Mr. Blast-lf you had been thoroughly aeS qualnted with ber, you wouldhave said: Willi you give me to your daughter In marriage. rwf ney niuerprut. ., i . . .' t. . rL.- . .Sh' .?J&. jfe- J( ti -3 .ft