TfiE PITTSBURG DISPATCH, ' MONDAY, .' FEBRUARY 10, 1890. If- 'I ' rt f tsT ijje $pK0. ESTABLISHED FEBRUABY 8, 1S4IJ. VoLtt, No.. EntcreC at Pittsburg TostoJIlce, Jvoveniber 14, IS3T, as second-class matter. Business Office 97 and 60 Fifth Avenue. News Booms and Publishing House75, 77 and 7G Diamond Street. Xactern Advertising Office, Kooni 13, Tribune Building, AewYorfc. ' TERMS OF THE DISPATCH. postage ran in toe cxtted states. TJAlLTf DISPATCH, One Year. I 8 00 DAILY Dispatch, FerQnarter 2 00 DA1LT Dispatch, One Mouth 70 DAH.T DISPATCH, includlnRSundar, 1 year. 1000 1) AILT Dispatch, including Sunday. Sm'ths. 2 50 Dailt Dispatch, Including Sunday. 1 month 90 Bukday Dispatch. One Year - 50 "Weekly Dispatch, One Year. 1 25 ' The Daily Dispatch is delivered by carriers at 1 J cents per week, or including bunday edition, at 20 cents per week. PITTSBURG. MONDAY. FEB. 10, 189a EVILS OF LEGISLATION. A rather curious feature of the way of looking at things is furnished by some com ments in Chief Justice Paxson's recent re mark that "the popular remedy for every evil, social as well as political, is an act of Assembly or an amendment to the Constitu tion." In illustration, a cotemporarr points out the fact that the Constitu tion of Pennsylvania attempted to do away frith special legislation. It was, as this commentator says, "an effort of law-making to prevent some of the evils of law-making." Very true. But such a comment in such a connection is calculated to provoke the in quiry why this attempt to do away with special legislation has not been more suc cessful? Is it not a matter of history that special legislation for the two great cities of Pennsylvania is yet possible, because the constitutional prohibition has been evaded by the legislative device of classifying these cities one to each class and legislating es pecially for each class? Anrl is it not further history that the very jurist quoted as criticising this publio evil was not wholly disconnected from the judicial in dorsement of that evasion? Special legislation is an undoubted evil, and the critics of it are fully justified in their criticisms if they are quite sure the beam is out of their own eye. THOMAS IS TACIXUBK. It appears that Mr. Thomas, the defeated millionaire, will not publish his threatened statement showing how he put money into the Ohio campaign with the intention of getting a first lien on the Senatorship, and how Brice foreclosed on the goods. The lieutenants ot Brice have been working with him, it is intimated, and have, by holding out a view ot the political system ot rewards and punishments, convinced him that si lence is golden, and therefore much better befitting the ethics of millionaire politics. Probably Thomas mav also have absorbed the fact that whatever he might say with re gard to the employment of money in poli tics would only raise the question of the re spective sootmess of the pot and kettle. Yet Mr. Thomas has already said enough to show that both he and Mr. Brice carry on political campaigns solely by the strength of their bank accounts. GERMANY'S ALLEGED DEFEAT. A rather remarkable sequel to the state ment of the Republican organs, that the Samoan treaty is regarded in Germany as a defeat for the imperial policy, is afforded by the feeling in Berlin concerning the re ception of the news that the treaty had been confirmed by the United States Senate. The cable dispatches report that general satisfac tion was displayed in Berlin, and that Count Herbert Bismarck wis so pleased that he called on Mr. Phelps before office hours in order to express his jubilant feelings. This would be a singular manifestation of pleasure on the part of the diplomatists who are holding the rest of the world in check over the conclusion of a treaty by which they are outwitted, overmatched and out generaled in a game that has lasted for sev eral years. The view which makes the Ger man statesmen so pacific and benevolent as to rejoice in their own defeat certainly pre sents them in a novel and philanthropic light. But, more probably, it is the orthodox contention that Mr. Phelps' superior diplo macy has so confused and obfuscated the two Bismarcks that they do not know when they are beaten. THE PEOPLE'S FAULT. It is rather interesting to learn from some of our esteemed Democratic cotemporaries that the $25,000 office ot City Chamberlain of New York, to which Mayor Grant has Just appointed his private secretary, is a sinecure. This fact seems, to some people, to increase the impropriety of the appoint ment of a personal favorite to stfrich a place. But the idea is erroneous. If $25,000 sine cures exist in a popular government it is the fault of the people. "When the pnblic permit such offices to stand, it is the legiti mate presumption that the people wish them filled with the personal favorites of those who have the appointing power. This con clusion is evident from the fact that no other possible use can be made of positions which Lave high salaries and no duties worth men tioning. In giving his private secretary that very comfortable stall Mayor Grant has followed the principle which Senator Far well so urgently commends to the President "the will of the people." TEE SQUEEZERS SQUEEZED. Reports have been circulated during the past few days that Claus Spreckels, having got his new sugar refineries in active opera tion, had been engaged in secret neeotia tlons with the Sugar Trust for a quiet com bination. As the rumors, which are denied by the Spreckels' interest, agree with the denials as to the fact that the competition will go on, which has already brought sugar to reasonable prices and squeezed the water ont of the trust, the public will not agitate itself much about the uncertain route byl which that goal has been reached. There is the less reason for giving much attention to inch stories, because the cir cumstances render such a combination ex tremely difficult. In the first place Spreck els has such an advantage over the trust, in competition, that he must have great in ducements to give it up- His works are of the latest construction, represent only the actual cost of construction and are running full. The trust's refineries are of older construction, bearing a heavy load of water and by the trust policy it must yield profits on a number of them which are kept idle. In so heavy a handicap the new refiner can make more out of competition than be can out of combination, except the combination yields him the lion's share of the transac tion. Next, if tne trust should pay the long price necessary to buy off this troublesome .competitor, it would only be offering a pre mium for the construction of mere new re-1 fineries. When the next competitor en tered the field it would find the trust still more heavily burdened with surplus plants and could demand a still higher price for its competition. This is the vulnerable point of all combinations which do not pos sess some extraneous means for shutting off new competition. If the edged-tool combi nation, which is the last organization of the sort announced, puts up prices and makes profits large, the inevitable result will be to call two factories into existence where there was one before. And the last state of that combination will be worse than the first. We do not regard Spreckels as any more disinterested and opposed to monopoly than the trust operators. But he is the repre sentative of competition in the sugar trade, and is, moreover, the exponent of the gen eral principle that the trust which puts up prices without some such grip as the Stand ard had on transportation is only sowing the seeds of its own destruction. TEE CREDIT OF THE INVENTION. The striking developments made in New York recently in the art of getting other people's money, by buying the control of banks on credit, and then plundering the assets of the institution before the process is discovered, is very generally described by the press of the country as "a new form of robbery." Our esteemed cotemporaries go so far in recognizing the history of such processes, as to recognize that they are only adaptations, when applied to banks.of opera tions which have been attempted in railroad manipulations, but there is a very general tendency to credit Mr. Henry S. Ives, with the invention of this style of robbery. This does injustice to some of the greatest financiers of the country. The fact is, that Mr. Ives, in his nnsuccessful attempts to enrich himself at the cost of the common corporation stockholder, was only a rash and inexpert imitator of the more cautious and successful manipulators, who have carried such processes to the highest degree of success. The vital difference between Mr. Ives and the eminent and powerful millionaires who have made this process successful in such notorious cases as the Pacific railways and the early history of the Erie railway is that he was in such a hurry and carried on his operation with so little skill, that he failed. They succeeded by their patience and good judgment and are now enjoying the fruits thereof. In studying examples of wholesale cor porate robbery, it is likely to be more profitable to study the policy of magnificent robberies which have succeeded, rather than those which are less magnificent because they have Tailed. The Princess Beatrice serves notice on the rest of the world that henceforth she will be known simply as the Duchess of Fife. But if she begins to discard empty title why not come down to republican reality and call her self only Mrs. Duff T The Republican dissatisfaction with Har rison for his failure to use liberality in ladling out the offices is reported by our Washington correspondence to be growing more and more outspoken. The displeasure generally mani fests Itself in promises of the "way in which Harrison's renomlnation will be swampea in the next national convention. There may be very good reasons for not renominating Harri son; but if he is to be defeated because he can not distribute tbe patronage so as to suit everyone, future Presidents may as well make up their minds to the single term plan. Tue Comte de Paris thinks that true liberty exists only in America. The freedom of tbe representative of his family in France docs seem likely to be rather severely restricted at present; It IS pleasant to find a case of an office holder who is willing to begin reform in his own office. The Ohio Secretary of Stato has just called the attention of the Legislature to the fact that his present bond Is only 510,000. and as his collections are often ten times that amount he thinks the bond ought to be In creased. Other office-holders may regard this one as remarkably reckless of the interests of office-holders, but the public may think he is looking after their interest. Which course yields the best returns may be doubtful in Ohio. The report of the Kansas Board of Agri culture states the value of the corn cron of that State at Sol.619,876. Better to sell it at tbat price than to burn it up. CONCERTINO the fact that a colored man claims 5.000 damages for being ejected from an orchestra seat In a theater, the New York Herald says: "As this happened recently in Kansas City, and not 'down South,' it will elicit no howl of indignation from the political dem agogue." Perhaps not; but tho appositeness of tho esteemed Herald's remarks might bo improved if it should send out a special com missioner to discover In what State Kansas City is located. The English iron boom is reported to have met with a collapse through a speculative failure. Too much speculation will generally be tbe ruin of any boom. "It was long ago decided1 that a Fair held outside of Manhattan Island could not be made a financial success," remarks tho New York If'orltt It has also been very recently decided tbat the World's Fair cannot be held on Man hattan Island without making a financial foot ball of it. This makes cold comfort for the Fair In any event. And now the report is that Senator Piatt proposes to run for the United States Senate. Tbe platform Mill probably be: No World's Fair without politics in it. Now it is reported that Dudley, Warmotb. and Clarkson engineered tbat North Dakota lottery business, as a place to which the Louisi ana institution coild retreat if driven out of Louisiana. The statement is a political one; but it entitles that trio of politicians to take the floor for denials. It pools were sold on the issue whether the President will be here this week or not, the sporting gentry would be puzzled on which Side to give the odds. A befobted discovery of anthracite coal on the eastern slope of the Rocky Mountains is agitating Denver, it foreshadows the intro duction of anthracite coal pools, and the ex pansion of W. It. Scott's policy of idle mines and poorly-paid miners, to Include the wild West Afteb long delay the winter has arrived, and is giving intimations of stopping with us for a few days. The Republican organs in New York are at present busily engaged in charging Hill with making politics out of the World's Fair, and the Democratic organs are hurling tbe same accusation at Piatt. The worst of the thing is that both are entirely right. A Trnly Wonderful Project. From the Kansas City Star. 3 t The statement is made that a company has been organized in New York, with 85,000,000, to establish water transportation between Pitts burg and Omaha. This is not the first time tbat tbe influence of an enterprising example has been illustrated in a manner highly fUtter ine to Kansas City. Tho Public Will Foot (be Bill. From the Washington Post.) Tbe different baseball organizations are fiercely charging each other with robbery. In a few weeks they will get together for the reg ular summer onslaught on-the people. PEOPLE OP PEOMINENCE. Mr. Henry M. Stanley has been elected a member of tbe Russian Geographical Society. Thomas Edison will visit London early this spring to look after the introduction of his re cent electric patents. Baron Rothschild, the Paris banker, lives in coustant fear of tbe Communists, and bis valuables are secured behind almost impreg nable walls. State Senator John E. Reyburn, of Pennsylvania, who is to succeed tbe late Judge Kelley in Congress, is 45 years of age. He was admitted to tbe Philadelphia Bar in 187a General Mahone is living in' comparative retirement in Washington. He does not hob nob with his former cronies at Chamberlln's and be spends a great deal of time In long solitary walks. Antonio De Navarro. Mary Anderson's fiance, is of medium height, rather slender of build and his hair and small mustache are black. His eyes are black, too, and he gives one the impression of a serious student. He is a partner with his father and brother, Alfonso, in tbe law and real estate business. Serpa Pinto is the youngest of all the noted African explorers of the present day. Hardly 26. with a small, well-knit frame, strongly marked features, not without some tokens of distinction in his bearing, this young Portu guese Major has traversed Africa from sea to sea, from cast to west, reversing, it may be said, the routes followed by Cameron, Stanley and others. He is an intense patriot, and his ardor in this respect has led bun more than once in to compromising attitudes. Lieutenant Schwatka, ot polar fame, having exhausted the Arctic circle, betook himself to the equator. He has now reached El Paso, Tex., accompanied by Mr. F. Howard O'Neill, In charge of 11 cliff dwellers from the Sierra Madre Mountains. These cliff dwellers are members of tbe Tahuarmari tribe, and speak a language of their own. They came from Tukora, 200 miles from Chihuahua, and traveled tbe whole distance on foot, beating their master, who rode. One of these men is known to have traveled 100 miles in 12 hours, an achievement that recalls the stories of the old Greek runners. A PiCULIAR CONVENTION. Tho Falih-Curp Advocntes Numerous at the Christian Alliance Meeting?. tSrECIAL TELEGHAH TO THE DISPATCH.l Findlay, O., February 9. The second day's session of the Christian Alliance, as the con vention no- In progress at Bluff ton, near this city, is called by those having it in charge, was largely attended by believers, as well as out siders, and the exercises were of a hlgbly in teresting character, although the proceedings were all in tbe nature of addresses on topics which are held in common by the delegates and nothing of a business character was taken np or discussed, that part of tbe work of the con vention being reserved for to-morrow. The principal address was made by a Mr. Ryder, who dwelt particularly upon the healing of diseases by faltb, and cited numerous instances of happy results brought to the sick and dying by an appeal to God in prayer. He took lor his text the following words from the gospel of Matthew, 8th chanter, lBth and 17th verses: "Himself took our infir mities, and bore our sickness." Ho said, after referring to the four principles of the alliance, which he epitomized as Jesus Christ, our Savior; Jesus Christ, our Sanctifier; Jesus Christ, our Healer: Jesus Christ, our coming Lord, that the convention was to promote the wide diffusion of these great truths and princi ples, and lead all the children of God into prac tical experience of the fullness of Jesus, tbey were to pray daily to the Lord to "make the place of His feet gloriouB," that the sinners may lie converted, believers sanctified, tbe tick healed, and the personal coming of Jesus has tened. The other speeches were in the same strain, except tbat one or two believed that the sec ond coming of Christ would be this year, in proof of which tbey cited tbe remarkable character of the winter, the unprecedented disasters on sea and land, the fearful calamities of tbe past 12 months, and many other evi dences that the end of all things earthly was at hand. The convention is especially strong in f aith-enre people, and they really dominate the proceedings. As vet everything has been harmonious but as no effort to "get together" in a practical way has been undertaken, there is no telling what may be said or done before adjournment is reached. To-morrow will be devoted to tbe business details of the proposed aUianced. CAMPAIGNING AMONG MORMONS. End of tbe Hottest Fight Sail Lake Liberals Ever Witnessed. SALT Lake, February 9. The campaign for the city election here has been one of the fiercest ever conducted. It really began last June and has been growing in intensity ever since, ending, on tbe part of the Liberals, with an immense'torchlight parade Friday night, in which were 4,000 men. Illuminations, bunting and firework made the city a hlaze of light. Last nighttheMormoi party had their clos ing demonstrations, and though inferior in numbers to the Liberals, it was a fine sight. The Mormons had nearly 8,000 men inline. Tnero was much less illumination, but an elegant display of firework. The campaign has been a great political educator, somethin needed here, anr. never before had to an- ex tent. Thursday night a great number ot Liberals illuminated and decorated their resi dences and burned colored fires. The sky was ablaze from the glar ;. Tbe election occurs to-morrow, and the Liberals are confident that tbey will carry it by nearly 1,000 majority. The Mormons are also confident of success, but make no estimates as to majorities. TO JOIN AN EX-PITCUER'S CHDECH. Mrs. Cleveland Will Dnito With He v. WIN ton Bier I e Smith's Concregntlon. New York, February 9. Rev. Wilton Merle Smitb. once the famous pitcher of the Prince ton College baseball nine, now pastor of tbe Central Presbyterian Cburcb, on Forty-seventh street, will soon, it is said, number among tbe members of his congregation ex-President Cleveland and his wife. Mrs. Cleveland's let ter from the church in Washington which she formerly attended was sent to Pastor Smith about ten days ago, and since then Mr. Cleve land bas secured a pew and will attend the services regularly. That the Clevelands should have chosen Mr. Smith', who is so young, out of all the bril liant and famous Presbyterian ministers of the city, isiaken by his friends as a great compli ment. Mrs. Cleveland was charmed the first time she heard him, and so decided to join his churcn. Negroes In Reserved Seats. Dallas, Tex., February 9. Several negroes secured reserved seats at a leading theater here last night, and the affair caused much feeling. Prominent white citizens left tho theater in a body, and there is now talk of boy cotting tho manager of the house. 3li for Mrs. Coppluser. AUGUSTA, Me., February 8. The high re quiem mass for the repose of the son! of the late Mrs. Alice Stanwood Coppinger, In the Catholic Church this morning, was not largely attended, owing to tbe storm. Father Doberty made a few brief remarks of sympathy. Kisses Lead to Trouble. Birmingham, Conn.. February 9. Fireman John Roach has nad kisses thrown at him daily by a corset-shop girl from a window in the Birdseye factory as he passed on bis engine. To-day he went through tbe factory to find the girl, but was arrested and locked up. Probablr a Hard Oath to Take. St. Louis, February 9. Miss Phoebe W. Copzlns, ex-United States Marsha), was yes terday sworn in as special agent of the eleventh census. Miss Conzins took an oath not to tell anything she might learn except to her supe rior officer. Soldiers' Widows to be Evicted, -" Newburq, N. Y., February 9. An order has been issued at West Point compelling the widows of soldiers who have heretofore been permitted to live on the reservation to vacate their quarters on or before May 6 next. DEATHS OF A DAY. s Hod. Isaac W. Fallon. Nkw Orleans, February 9. Isaae W. Patton, a prominent citizen, who hasheld many offices of honor and trust, including Sheriff of this parish, City Treasurer and Mayor of the city, and who vas at one time Chairman of tbe Democratic Stale Central Committee, died this afternoon or apoplexy. Wlliinm II. Welleek. William B. Welleek. lot 21 years an employe of the Oliver Brothers mills, died at 4:3) o'clock yes terday afternoon, of consumption, sthlshomeon Carson street near Eighteen!). Deceased was a member of Abrahsin Lincoln Lodge. No. 803, L u. O. ., and leaves a widowed mother. THE CRITIC'S REVIEW. The Sign of the Four, and tbe Newspaper nnit tbe Individual Comparison! of the rren Here and Abroad What the Writers nnd Reviewers Aro Saying Tlironch tbe Rlnsaztne. 'The Sign of the Four, is the complote novel in LipptncotCt for February. The antbor is A Conan Doyle, son of the Doyle whose drawings everybody knows, and author of "Mlcah Clarke," which we noticed at some lengtb, and with as many commendatory adjec tives as we could think ot a few months ago. "The Sign of the Four" is a detective story on decidedly original lines. It is written with all the charm of style which made "Mlcah Clarke" attractive, and Is of most thrilling and persis tent interest. There is nothing more entertain ing in tbe way of fiction anywhere in our Feb ruary bundle ot magazines. Another good thing in the current number of IAppln cotVs is a paper by Mr. A. E. Watrous, of the Philadelphia Frets, in 'the Newspaper and the Individual." "The city editor." Mr. Watrous says, "is the man who says 20,000 words about his neighbors every morning. Qood news is no news, and most of tbe 20,000 words are disagreeable ones. It is tbe city editor's duty, then, before all men, to be circumspect about the pains and penal ties in such cases made and provided. The news or telegraph editor says more things than the city editor, but he does not say them about his neighbors. He says them, as a general thing, about people who do not know he is say ing them. The chief editbrial writer says more important things than either the news or city editor, and says them in a more elaborately disagreeable and authoritative way, bnt he says them about a class of people whose principal function in life is to have things said about them; that is to Say,' tbat callous and case-hardened class known as Pnblic Men, whom the laws and the Constitution strip of tbe right of self defense, and who remind the quizzical observer of affairs in a free country of the rows of puppets at a country fair, whom everybody bas the right of peltinc at for 5 cents a pelt" The saying of disagreeable things, however, exposes one to the dangers of the law of libel. Mr. Watrous has his opinion of this law, and tho opinion is not a complimentary one. He calls it "an engine for the oppression of decent citi zens and conscientlons journals; a harbor of refuge for the expert purveyor of filth in journalism; a club in the hands of the bravo and adventurer." His remedy is a press cen sorship, with such discretion as is vested in the License Court. This, he thinks, might bring in a little justice. V Mewspafers Here and Abroad is the subject of a thoughtful paper in the North American Iteview for this month, by E L. Qodkm, of the Nation. In France, he says. the valne of a newspaper is measured by its editorial articles. Tbe province of the paper is taken to be criticism criticism cast in the finest literary form and concerned with the leading men and movements of the day. News is comparatively un cared for. French news papers have no private wires running into their offices, and pay no heavy bills for telegrams. In England there is now a pretty fair balance between the importance of ideas and of in formation. The English newspaper is half-and-half. The American contribution to the science or industry of journalism is tho work of the city and news editors, whom Mr. Watrous speaks of. These offices belong here. The American citizen is so hungry for news that he will even venture after it Into pages which certainly have nothing else to commend them, like a starved man in a tenth-rate restaurant. He is so anxions for something to eat that he pays little attention to the soilod table-cloth. Mr. Godkln notes the mutual distrust with which newspaper writers and book writers, and readers as well, at pres ent regard one another. Reading newspapers unfits people for reading books. We need, he thinks, a "conversion of the newspaper into a better channel of communication to the masses of the best thought and most accurate knowl edge of the time." The protection and free trade discussion, begun last month in tbe Re view by Mr! Gladstone and Mr. Blaine, is con tinued in this number by Mr. Mills, of Texas, who replies to Mr. Blaine. Erastus Wiman has something to say about "British Capital and American Indus tries." Julius H. Ward has a thoughtful pa per on the position and opportunity ot "The American Bishops of To-day," meaning tho bishops of the Episcopal Church. Gail Ham ilton in her crisp, decisive, and always attrac tive style, discusses "Italy and the Pope." It is needless to say that Gail Hamilton is on the side of Italy. pHK FORUat for February completes the eighth volnme of this Indispensable journal of debate. Every number of it for now these many months has been thoroughly readable, abreast and often ahead of the times, represen tative of everything that is going in cotem porary discussion. It has offered its pages frankly to all men wbo ,have opin ions upon worthy subjects. Its tone throughout, as manifested u its papers, has been manly, outspoken and commendable. Tbe variety of its contents ii Illustrated by the current number. W. S. Lilly considers "The Ethics of Property" General Francis A. Walker has a paper on "America's Fourth Cen tenary." Henry Charles Lea, In "Keynotes From Rome," discusses the real relation of Roman Catholics to the civil authority in this country, in an article which deserves careful and wide reading. Leonard W. Bacon com pares the progress of the Republican adminis tration with Its broken promises, and contrasts its interests In the Sunday school with its con duct of affairs in politics. Archaeology, law, education, immigration, society and the drama are accorded bright, profitable and fitting dis cussion. . A NiinEW D. White resumes his "New Chap ters In the Warfare of Science," in the Feb ruary Popular Science Monthly, with especial attention to the relationship of Lot's wife and her pillar of salt to the current myths of other peoples. Tbe land question is still nnder dis cussion Modern radway bridges, Chinese silk lore and chrysanthemums are set out with illustrations. Horace White bas a paper on "Agriculture and the Single Tax," in which he says : "There is no subject more bedeviled with dogmatism than taxation. There Is none in which dogmatism is less helpful. The more study one bestows upon it the less will he be inclined to lay down inflexible rules. While jus tice should ever be in the mind's eye, yet our conclusions must always be mainly experi mental of all the dogmas ou taxation. The single tax on land is the most'dogmatic, and the one least favored by experiment, so far as experiment has been made." pitE Atlantic for February is especially rich in well-considered reviews of recent notable books. Dr. Holmes, in "Over tbe Teacups," takes his turn at tho favorito amusement of looking forward, and gets into the land of tbe Saturnlans, where tbe people breathe nitrogen, and have all things in common on a very dead level. Even the reformers are discovered who want to go farther still. "There are the Ortho brachlans, wbo declaim against tbe shameful abuse of the left arm and hand, and insist on restoring their perfect equality witb the right. There are the Isopodlo societies, which insist on bringing back the original equality of the upper and lower limbs. If you can believe it, tbey actually practice going on all .fours, generally in a private way, a few of them together, but hoplne to brin e the world round to them in the near future." No wonder that in such a country "intoxication and sulcldo are their chief recreations I" Declus Magnus Ansonlus gets appreciative treatment in "Between Two Worlds." . ' THE Illustrated magazines seem to get better every month. In the Century, Mr. La Farge's "Artist's Letters from Japan" make an attractive beginning and are full of pleasant promise. "A Cornerof OldParis," by Elizabeth Batob, shows many fascinations ot old prints, portraits and autographs. "The Realm of Congo" presents two timely and valuable Afri can studies. Tbe Lincoln biography, which has proved to be one of the most profitable and Eermanently interesting ventures In magazine lstory, comes to an end. The war papers, the Siberia articles, tbe Lin coln biography, have uplifted tbe whole magazine ideal. Joseph Jefferson continues the story of his life, the present in stallment showing some fine pictures of Edwin Forrest. Charles J. Woodberry bas a most en tertaining and Instructive account of "Emer son's Talks with h. College Boy." Theodore Roosevelt expresses his opinion of the "Patron age System" in politics. TTiE Cosmopolitan for February opens with a description of the Vienna Burg Theater set out with illustrations from its frescoes.. Captain Greer tells of modern Improvement .nguns. Edward Hamilton Bell narrates tbe history of trousers, beginning with Adam and coming down to Oscar Wildfe. The article has an accompaniment of pictures. "A. Gentle Maniac" is a comedy bo very original in Slot as to be quite impossible. '"Mr. oseph Pate and His People" is a story bv Richard Malcom Johnston, with pictures by D. W.Kemble. Dom Pedro is written up in an interesting way by Frank Vincent, and another sovereign, not dethroned "King Carnival in New Orleans" is de scribed by Mary Bliland. The story of the great Hudson's Bay OJmpany is continued. . (-VOTING starts out for February with a pic ture of four of the biggest fish which ever figured in any fish story, and tbe fish story im mediately follows: "A Good Day's Tarpon Fishing," with more pictures of fish abont the size and weight of the Cardiff Giant. Tbe bi cyclists and footballers are beroes of articles in which they appear .bravely facing tbe camera with a fortitude which proverbially resides -in numbers. At least, there are enough of them not to be afraid of anything. "Fencing for Womon" is one of a series of sensible, and practical papers by Margaret Bisland. "Lost in tbe Jungle" is an adventure in Nicaragua. One article represents an outing a good way off in Russia. "The Claims of Cro quet" are discussed in the "Outing Club." kCchibneb's" is rich this month in all de partments except that of the short story. "Life Among the Congo Savages" is written by Herbert Ward, one of Stanley's companions, and is as picturesque and graphic as 'can be de sired, even to the picture of the tree in the can nibal country ornamented with a dozen swing ing skulls. Mr. Mallock contributes a delight ful study nf old castles in "Through Three Civ ilizations." The pictures, of which ono is the frontispiece, are from photographs taken by the author. "John Erricsson. the Engineer," is the first of two valuable papers by William Conant Church. William Henry Bishop de scribes a "Day in Literary Madrid." in which he makes the reader share his pleasure. .Eugene Schuyler tells a queer story from his consular note-books, "The Minnesota Heir of a Servian King." - 'The initial paper of this month's SUNichotas, The Story of the Great Storm at Samoa." is ono of the most realistic and telling descriptions of shipwreck and tempest thatwas ever written, and tbe pictures are as good as the text. John P. Dunning, the author, repre sentative at Samoa, when the storm came, of tbe Associated Press, bas written in this fine Jiiece of historical work one of the most strik ng articles of the month. Mark Twain's letter to little Elsie Leslie Lysle, accompanying a slipper which he had "embroidered" for her, and her reply, make charming readimr. The slipper', tbe work of Mark Twain and William Gillette, are pictured out in all their wonder ful design and proportion. "Everyday Bac teria," by Prof. Chester, will make all tbe boys and girls glad that our eyes are not micro scopic. "A Blue Nose Vendetta" is a bright story by Charles G. D. Roberts. OUS MAIL f UUCE. Jary-Pncklng In Ireland. ) To the Editor or The Dispatch: In last Sunday's issue of The Dispatch, there appeared a very contradictory cablegram, dated London. February L It was beaded, "A Good Man to Send Home." It then proceeds to give an account of a man named Dennis ConnolL who has been tried for the murder of Dennis Daly. This Dennis Connell has been tried no lees than five times for this murder, and each time beforo a packed jury, or a jury selected by a process (only known in Ireland) of selecting jurors from among the natural enemies of the accused. This plan of jury packing has flourished in Ireland for many years, but it bas never been reduced to a science nntil tbe present Chief Justice, as At torney General, earned for himself tho sobri quet of Peter the Packer. Yet, after several changes of venue, none of those juries could find sufficient evidence to convict Dennis Oonnell. With all this before your corre spondent be states that nobody doubts that Connell committed the murder. It is very evident there was more than a doubt In the minds of those juries, or else Connell wouldliave been bung. It is the fundamental prjrciple in all civilized countries that a man is always innocent until he is proven guilty. Htill your correspondent seems to think other wise, or to pronounce everyone guilty until they are proven Innocent. It will not take much of a search of Ameri can history to proro that there are hundreds, nay thousands, ot Dennis Council's country men wbo had to flee from their native land to avoid persecution, but on their arrival on our shores many of them have become 'our most industrious, law-abiding citizens, while many of them have attained distinction as statesmen, Generals, patriots of tbe highest order. While e should scrupulously guard our shores from becoming the dumping ground of either paupers or criminals from Europe, I think it would be in tbe highest degree reprehensible to send back anyone who is neither a criminal nor a pauper. If there Is anything tbat needs a protective tariff in this country it is the two classes mentioned above. We are able to pro duce more paupers and criminals than we have any use for ourselves. Jajies Fume. IRWIN, PA., February 8. A Toons- Electrician's Dilemma. To the Editor of TheDlspatch: C ould you inform me if there are any means by which an impecunious young man, who thinks he has made an important electrical in vention, could interest some parties with capital in order to put his discovery to a prac tical test. jji.Aja. Pittsburg. February 8. We can suggest nothing, unless It be that you consult some one known to be largely in terested in such matters. Referred to Old Readers. To the Editor of Tbe DIspatcn: L Where did the old theater stand in 1884 where it Is now, or where the Commercial building is? 2. When and where were tele graph wires first strung along the Cumberland and Wheeling pike? L. Pittsburg, February 8. Fall Information In Sunday's Dispatch. , To tbe Editor of The Dispatch: Will the admission to the loan collection of pictures In Allegheny next week be free, or where must one procure tickets? J. J. M. Pittsburg, February 8. When Wa It? To tbe Editor of The Dispatch: Please give dato of negro sold m Pittsburg as a slave, and settle dispute. Many Readers. Pittsburg, February 8. They Have Gobbled Stanley. The interesting fact is announced by Messrs. Charles Bcribner's Sons that they have acquired from Mr. Henry M. Stanley all tbe American rights for his personal narrative of the expedi tion for the relief of Emin Pasha. Prior to tbe appearance of the complete work, Bcribner't JUagaztni will ptibllili an article upon his last journey by Mr. Stanley, It will be illustrated, and Is certain to be as important a contribution as any that bas ever appeared in an American magazine. SENSIBLE AND SARCASTIC. Louisville Courier-Journal: R. B. Hayes' roosters crow every time a Democratic Con gressman Is removed by the Honse majority. Boston Globe: It Samuel B. Randall is well enough to read the papers he must begin to realize how much his countrymen appreciate him. Boston JTerald: Mr. Wilson Barrett Is, credited witb having refused to give a dram atic performance in Chicago last Snndayfor 1,000. He oven refused to do It at any price. That is a pretty substantial kind ot piety. St. Paul JPloneer Press: Having used up Charles Dickens, Mr. Howells is now tearing to pieces the reputation of poor eld Dr. John son. Why does not Howells take somebody nearer his size; Ned Buntllne, for instance. Chicago Inter Oceani Henry George 'says "Grover Cleveland has hitched his wagon to a star." If that Is true the National Democratic Committee should invest its surplus in tele scopes at once, so as to be ready to keep an eye on tbe candidate in 189! Washington Post: The sergeant-at-arms nf tbe Montana Senate is out with a broncho and lariat trying to gather In a quorum, of tbe body with which he holds an official connec tion. And yet we hare been informed tbat the Montana deadlock was broken. CHICAGO Herald: The negroes in 'conven tion at Washington have agreed to resist all efforts for their deportation. They desire to remain in tbe United States. This win gratify Chandler and Ingalls. What would become ot such statesmen if the negroes should leave us? Their occupation would be gone. CHICAGO Herald: Mr. Halstead's dramatic story of tbe ocean of joy which fluuded bis emil on discovering that tho Foraker ballot-box contract was a foreerv, and that his dear, dear friends, Sherman, MeKinley and Butterworth were nut rascals after all. was probably the most emotional narration ever heard on a wit ness stand. SOME FAULT TO FIND. How lbs Llvea of the Tracy Household might Easily Have Been Saved Har rlaon the Worst Caned Man Since Andy Johnson Gorman Democrats Fattenlna Under nn Administration They Despise. IFROM A STAFF CORSESFOXDXNT. TJTasHington, February 9. It is easy,enough to say how things Ought to have been done after tbey are badly done; but it mast appear to every one wbo bas followed the develop ments of the Coroner's inquest in the matter of the catastrophe at tbe residence of Secre tary Tracy that it was through lack of pres ence of mind that tbe victims of tbat horrible affair lost their liyes. Tbe first mistake was made by tbe persons wbo discovered the fire. When discovered tbe blaze was a trivial one in the parlor. Had, the parlor door been kept shut, tbe flames could have been confined to tbat room until ample time was afforded for the escape of everybody. But tbe place was very hot, and the moment the door was thrown open the cold air rushed in with tremendous force and drove tbe hot air and tbe flames out of the room and up tbe stairway, which was the natural vent. Then it appears tbat all tho doors were thrown open, either by the person wbo attempted to alarm the family or by mem bers of the family themselves in their wild efforts to escape. Yet with all this, even alter tho opening of the doors and spread of tbe flames, every member of the family might have walked down tbe stairs and out of doors with almost no harm, if they had kept their heads cool inside. After the arrival of tbe firemen Chief Parrls went up the stairs and rescued the Secretary. Now, if he could go up the stairs safely at that time, certainly tbe members and servants Of the Tracy family could have gone down the stairs at any time Previous to that, after they were awakened. Yet before that Mrs. Tracy, according to the evidence at the inquest, had taken the fatal leap from the window, Mrs. Wllmerdlng and her daughter had jumped from another win dow, tbe Secretary had fallen nnconscious from having watted to put on his trousers, the door of his chamber standing wide open and the smoke pouring In, and Miss Mary Tracy and the French maid were smothered and burned. In 20 years and more of indirectly "running after the machine" I have never known a more needless sacrifice of life, all due primarily to the unclosing of tho door 'of the room where the fire oripnated, and after that to tbe ntter crazing of tbe occupants of tbe house with fright. But who can say? I suppose we would all do tbe same thingin tbe same circumstances, to use tbe common phrase. With all the les sons of the fatality of a rush at a theater in time of fire, people will stampede, though they know tbat in ail the history of such occurrences if the andience had gone out quietly there would have been little or no loss ot life. n 'hough this terrible Incident has given a fnnereal appearance and feeling to every thing and everybody this week, it was not enough to stop the growling at tho administra tion. I have never heard anything like the "cussing" Harrison and his Cabinet officers are getting from Republicans of all shades and colors and kinds. The criticisms of Clevelind by the Democrats after he bad been in office for a year were caresses compared with those of Harrison by the Republicans. I verily he lleve that Andy Johnson was as popular with tbe Republican party at any time as tbe grand son of William Henry Harrison is now. All over the couhtry Doinoerats of the most parti san character are In office, chuckling in their sleeves at the inaction of the administration, damning the Republican party, andlaying their plans to cut us mroat at toe uext eieuuuu. Now. tho most extreme reformer must agree that wbere ono Is put into office as a reward for political services and makes of his office a po litical machine, it is but the most ordinary of political sense to turn him out with a change of administration, that the office may be con ducted in harmony with that administration. Yet what do we see? Take the city of Balti more, for Instance. It would be difficult to point ont just what tbe Democrats of tbat Gorman-ridden city have done to earn the gratitude of this so-called Republican adminis tration; yet' in that city the Collector of Customs, the Naval Officer, the Surveyor of Customs, the United States District Attorney, the United States Marshal, the General Appraiser and two assistants, tho Supervising Inspector of Steamboats and two assistants, and the United States Assistant Treasurer, all with their various sub-officials and employes, are all Gorman Democrats, dyed in tbn wool; their onlv principle party and plunder, and all resting serenely under the pro tecting wings of the good Mr. Harrison. 'The only Republican appointed to office in Baltimore is Mr. Johnson, recently ap pointed postmaster, and be will not take his scat until the Incumbent bas been in office for full five years. The nomination of Mr. John son narrowly escaped being withdrawn, be cause the President discovered that tbe appli cant took a drink of something warm occa sionally, not reflecting that, to be a Maryland Republican under this administration, requires a deal of stimulus. I have not heard, however, that he has inquired into the habits of the Democrats who are protected in office by him. The only other person appointed to office in Baltimore by Mr. Harrison is a Mugwump, who voted for Cleveland in 1884, and for any nse he is to the party he might as well be a Demecrat. It is much the same all over the country. Heelers for Democratic 'bosses are kept in office, and Republicans are cooling on the out side. Possibly they are heelers of Republican bosses wbo aro knocking for admission. Ad mitting that, so long as these offices are looked on as political spoils, can Harrison doubt for a moment which be should prefer? 'PUE President has placed most of bis rela tires wbo sought office. Most of the Cab inet officers have given their relatives snug po sitions. Beyond this is tho border-land of fa tigue in tbe matter of office-giving. The ap pointing powers grow weary the moment any one mentions an office. Tbey go duck shoot ing and pleasure hunting, and stay aw ay days and days from their duties, drawing full salary all tho time, but tbey can't listen to requests of good, hard working, high tariff- Republicans for office for themselves or friends. If they do, it is to examine the applicant with a micro scope, to discover if bo has ever taken a drink of beer or uttered a swear-word. In short, tbey strain at a Republican gnat and swallow a wbolo Gorman phalanx. A frequent ana very significant expression with Republicans is: "I want to go as a dele gate to the next National Convention," which means tbat Mr. Harrison will get no vote of theirs for a renomination. Mr. Harrison may say It is better to be right than to be President; but on what theory ot right he can excuse bis inaction if would be difficult for him to explain to any politician or good party man. Republi cans seem to think it can be explained only on tbe tbeory of laziness. Meanwhile, they turn to "Big Tom Reed" for Sroof that there is one Republican who is in lgh position wbo has a spinal column. WALKED THEEE MILES ASLEEP. A Little Ohio Girl Make a Lone Journey Without Knowing It. ISFXCIAIi TEX.ZUKAM TO THE DISFATCH.1 Lima, February 9. William Barroff, a farmer living a few miles west of this city, arose from bed about 2 o'clock yesterday morning aid went to the well, a short distance from tbe bouse, to get a pitcher of water for hi wife, who was not feeling well. Upon his return be entered tbe back room of the bouse, and was surprised to bear some one cough, tbe sound coming from tbe corner near tbe west side of tbe building. Ho lighted a lamp, and was further surprised to find a neighbors 6-y ear-ola 'daughter sitting in a chair, In a somnambulistic state, in her nlebt clothes. She had walked three miles on a country road and entered the house Without waking. She had often visited the Barroffs, and was familiar with the premises. She was kept till morning, and tben returned to her parents. THE GRAY OF EVE. Softly o'er tho crowded city fall the shades of early gray. Like tue nret, faint touch of slumber, as It soothes oar cares away, Or the gentle, calm Inertia tbat doth still tbe suf- Jerer's breath "With its nntrer's chilly taction era the bodyyields to Death. And the feverous fire of sunset, like the esger blood of yonth, Bas died Into ashen grsyness o'er each pointed cplre and roof. One by one, the stellar planets spangle bright the cbastesed sky; Till the pare moon. In her beauty, mounts her throne of light on high. Like the falltnj of the twilight cometh Age, with soothing tread, , Scattering, youthful bloom before it; scattering hoar upon my head. 4 Lite the chilly stars appearing, each grown colder as night fares. Time his talc of Life cngraveth In tbe crown of llrer hair. Aye, the le'ver of Life's over-high noon past, and labor o?r. And the pastlon, envy, malice of tbe world I feel nomoVal Letitta Virginia Douglass in Philadelphia Led- 1 yw, ' - FULL OP CHOICE HATTER. Yesterday' 20-Pase LUpatch a Surpass ingly Excellent Number. As a model of breezy, welf selected and cleanly literature yesterday's Dispatch must stand alone. The Dispatch is always full of entertaining and instructive reading, but tbe 20-page edition of yesterday surpassed all for mer conies. For an almost nominal fee it places In tbe hands of everybody matter writ ten by tbe brainiest newspaper writers the country can boast. The reports of the Parnell Commission have been drawn up, and will be made public at the opening of Parliament. The Due d'Orleans will be prosecuted as an ordinary law-breaker by the French Government. Rmsla is said to be plotting the dethronement of Prince Ferdi nand, of Bulgaria. A singularly plucky Portu guese has challenged the English Minister at Lisbon to a duel. Kaiser William's idea of a great international laborcongress bas not been well received in Europe. Tbe labor leaders in France are especially down on the Emperor. The wife of Millionaire McComb. of Wil mington, Del., is suing for divorce. Ransom Floyd and his wife bave been killed and robbed ot $3,000 by a masked man In Essex county, N. Y. Samuel Randall is said by bis friends to be much improved in health. A newly elected Southern postmaster has been coerced into resignation ot his office. President Fitzgerala, of tbe Irish National League, warns American Irish against listening to the paltry and lying insinuations of various' American papers, who copy tbe London Times. General Hastlngshas been received at Johnstown with amighty ovation. Lawrence Barrett bas been warned by his physicians never to play again. n. Nearly 2,000 applications for liquor license bare now been sent In. The cookery school held a grand bread-making contest, and little Bertie Gessner carried off first prize. Tbe new explosives "emmensite" and "gelblte," the famous smokeless powders, were tested by a delegate of tbe United States navy and a num ber of visitors at Emmens, Pa. Tbe annual re port of tbe Anti-Cruelty Society bas been turned in. The management ot the Carnegie library request visitors to be careful when examining their art treasures. The case ofR, H. Smith et aL against tbe Pittsburg Gas Com pany closed yesterday. Yesterday Judge Slagle refused to naturalize about 20 applicants until after tbe elections. Pnngle's column and tbe sporting news will be found in place. III. Frank G. Carpenter gives an able resume of Congress and Congressmen in "Brains of the House." Frank Fern writes about St. Valen tine's Diy and its history. "Tborne Branch" in "The Happy Plumber," an article on Pitts burg plumbing, is hlgbly interesting. "Bea trice," Rider'Haggard's serial, continues to keep up in interest. Pitcher Sam Crane de scribes tbe Irish game of hurling. Arlo Bates in a gossipy pot-pourri is very interesting. Bill Nye is as nsual funny in the extreme. ''L. S. M." describes Castle Garden, the "gateway of tbe nation." 'Come Forth," Elizabeth 8. Phelps' story of the time of Christ, continues. "Old Colonial Churches" are written of byF. T. R. Other contributors to this excellent number are "Miss Grundy, Jr.," Shirley Dare, James C. Purdy, Edward Wakefield, Mrs. Philip H Weld, 'Meg." Clara Belle, B. P. ShIIlaber (Mrs. Partington). H. L S., "Toiler," T. J. Fitzgerald, Bumbalo, W. G. Kaufmann, Rev. George Hodges, Bessie Bramble, etc., etc The dramatic, art, musical, secret society and literary notes are all full of interest. NO C'OEN BREAD IN EUROPE. 0 Ono Variety of American Food That For eleners Don't Relish. From the Atlanta Constitution.! At the Edinburgh exposition, which opens' In May, tbe American Indian corn exhibit will be a notable leacure. Tbe lord provost of Edin burgh and Sir Thomas Clark. Chairman of tbe Executive Committee, bave taken a lively in terest in making pnblic the merits of Indian corn as food, of which they have heard so much and know so little. All tbis may strike our people as a singular thing, but it is a fact that In Europe the peo ple bave never shown the slightest disposition to touch an article of f bod whicb in this conn try needs no recommendation. Indeed, at tbe time of the great Irish famine in tbe forties, when the Americans sent over ship loads of provisions, as well as money, the halt-starving people of Ireland did not take kindly to our corn meal. Scientific experts lectured and wrote about tbe matter, and gave instructions for cooking it, but it did not suit the European stomach. Many suffering people at that time refused to taste It, and they were encouraged by tbe better classes, wbo did not hesitate to say tbat Indian corn was unfit for food, and if eaten, would cause disease, and possibly death. This is very Interesting, not to say amusing, to tbe American who bas eiten Johnny cake in Maine and pone bread in Texas, and yet it ap pears to be altogether Inexplicable. It is to be hoped that at the Edinburgh exposition some body will be present who will he able to teach the Scotchmen some of the simple secrets of our Georgia plantation cookery. If our pones and dodgers, etc.. are given half a chance, they will win their way on tbe other side of the sea. ALWAIS IN THE LEAD. The PI Unbare Dispatch a Progressive Nine teenth Century Newspaper. From the Clarion (fa.) Democrat. The PrrrsBURG Daily Dispatch, as a pro gressive nineteenth century newspaper, leads the van In Western Pennsylvania. Its news pages contain in tbo most complete and com prehensible form the happenings of this and neighboring States, while its news reports from ajl parts ot the World are the fullest and most reliablo obtainable. It is recognized here abouts a3 the most popular dally paper read by our people. What The Dispatch has been in the past is a safe standard by which to esti mate its value during the year 1890. Tbe mammoth 20-page Sunday edition of The Dispatch, always filled with a feast of good things from the pens of the most popular con tributors, bas a strong hold on the hearts of more than 0,000 admiring readtrs and shoal not be lost sight of by those who wish to keep abreast of current events. It is a paper for tbe people containing something of interest for every member of tho family. In selecting your reading matter for 1S90 do not overlook THE Pittsburg Dispatch. No Selfl'hneis In Chicago. From the Chicago Mill. Everybody in Chicago vants a system of ele vated railroads, but be wants it on the other fellow's street. ODD ITEMS FEOJI ABROAD. Thet are talking of a World's Fair for 1897 In Berlin. There is to be a German exhibition in Lon don next year, after the fashion of tho recent Italian exhibition. Beer bottled in 1793 by an English firm was recently opened in a London restaurant and, pronounced sound and hearty. The Burns Mausoleum, at Dumfries, has been leased to a gravedigger, who sells in it curiosities and relics of the dead poet. The London Flro Brigade, Is to be Increased by three stations and 100 men, and the news papers say tbat this is utterly insufficient, and predict a great firs some dty that will sweep away a large part of tbe city. An English lnvontor claims to have a system by whicb coal gas can be compressed into 8 per cent of its natural bulk, and in that shape car ried about and turned into an illumlnant at any time by simply turning a stop cock and lighting tbe evaporation. The latest English fancy is to wear with a tailor-made gowa a small fancy watch of Iron, or exodized to referable iron, with elaborate gold Initials, fastened by a brooch on the left front of tho basque, as a medal or other deco ration would be worn. SpUbgeon has had printed 2,100 of hiaer mons since their appearance began In 1833. His thirty-fifth volume of them has just been issued. Tbe index alone fills 82 large pages. Tbey bave been circulated not only wherever English is spoken, but bavo been translated into many foreign languages. There bas long been a tradition in Japan that once a treasure of gold bars, worth now $800,000,000. was burled far beneath the earth somewhere in tbe lncloaure of the castle of Yukl Harotom"-. Three attempts to dig It out were abandoned on account of acpidents to tbe work. Last May excavations were begun again, and the workmen have come to pieces of boxes covered with plate Iron and other in dications of what is believedto be approaching success. - -- CURIOUS C0KDESSAT10K& A Poughkeepsie doctor earned 81,400, at bis practice during tbe month of January last. He speaks well of tbe Russian importa tion, although be did not himself escape it, Near Lebanon, Pa., there is a school teacher wbo has an inordinate desire for sleep, and frequently slumbers during school hours. The scholars being unable to wake him. a few days ago, gathered up their books and started borne. A Reno county. Kan., farmer of 60 summers advertised for a wife. Pretty Miss Minnie Forrester, of Carthage. M"., answered the advertisement and went to Hutchinson to wed her antiquity. She aJked him to deed to her 160 acre of land. He declined, and the wedding did not occur. E. E. Beynolds, of Utica, K. T., vis ited E.E. Reynolds, of New Haven, Coua, some months ago. Each were ''surprised to find tbat tbe other had been named forColonel Elmer Ellsworth, and the publication of the facta has elicited from Rev. E. E. Reynolds, of Ludlow. Vt the inlormation that he was named the same and born tbe same week with the others. At Crawfordsville, Ind., Saturday, Eer. Albert Jackman, ol tbe Christian Church, bap tized seven converts' in Sugar creek, near Alamo. He immersed eight last week, and there are 17 more to bo baptized. At Wayne town, also, within tbe past few weeks Rev. Mr. Fusnn. of the Baptist Church, has immersed 28 converts In the waters of a little creek running through the town. Captain Bob Warner has a regular zoo In bis store at Port Tampa, Fla., a collection of South American birds and animals,which proves quite an attraction to visitors to the port. Among the collection are two fine macaws, several parrots, monkeys, etc, and a curious ", little animal which he calls a night-walker. It lies curled up asleep all day, but at night plays, and Is as frisky as a kitten. Morris Hannan, a firmer of Clio town ship, Genesee county, Mich-, had a favorite daughter, an ordinary farm hand and $60 in cash secreted in his house. One day last week, while tbe old folks were away, the girl, the farm hand and the 60 eloped, and no tidings have been bad of tbem since. Tbe farmer bas sworn out a warrant for tne arrest of Finch, the farm band, but be doesn't bave mneh hope of catching him. Tbe silly girl is but 16 years old. Senor Manuel Arogon, delegate to the Pan American Congress from Costa Rica, now fn Chicago, has received a cablegram from home, stating that his government bas just Issued a grant to an English company to build a railway from San Jose to Esparda. "That Is excellent news." he remarked. "When tbat division is completed, Costa Rica will bave an inter oceanic railway.and one can go across tbe Seninsula in ten hours. The new road will be 9 mites long. Although it will be built across the Andes system, there are no difficult feaU of engineering; and tbe line ought to be fin ished in a year. With the Nicaragua canal and a railway from the Atlantic, Costa Rica will have a regular American boom." A company, it was stated, lately set out from Sydney to New Zealand torecoversunken treasure from some old wreck on the west coast of tho Middle Island; but so far no re turns have been published, the operations prob ably not being complete. The subject of sunk en treasure reminds one of the heaps of gold carried in the galleons of the past. In 1769 ship of war from Lisbon bad on board 9,000,000 of crusades In diamonds and about 10O.C0O "crowns turnois" in piastres, making the whole 2U,050,000 livres tournols. Ho much for a single ship. In 1771 two Spanish ships from Vera Cruz and the Havana arrived with 22.000,000 of crowns, exclusive . of merchandise valued roundly at 27.000,000 crowns. Such examples conld be multiplied. Of tbe cargo of an En glish Indiaman in 177L one item alone a dia mand in tbe rougo was valued at 100.000. The discovery of the earliest known will is an event which possesses an interest for others beside lawyers; and there seems no reason to question either tbe authenticity or antiquity of tbe unique document which Mr. Flinders Petrle bas unearthed atKahuu, or, as the town was known 4,500 years ago. Illabun. The document Is so curiously modern in form that it might almost be granted probate to-day. But in any case, it roar be assumed tbat it marks one of the earliest epochs or legal his tory, and curiously illustrates tbe continuity of legal' methods. It is needless to estimate tha value socially, leirallv and historically J of a will tbat dates back to patriarchal times. It consists or a settlement made Dy one isek henren. in the year it, second month of Pert, day 19 that is, it is estimated, tho Uth of Amcnemhat 11L. or 2550 B. C. The Department of Greek and Roman Antiquities at tho British Museum has recently received several acquisitions of importance. Among them is a fine seal of banded agate in the form of a scarab set in gold, with a silver hoop fitting it for a ring. "It is described as a very choice specimen and was found In Cyprus. Its date Is aDout 520 B. C. It represents, nearly in profile and at full length, with the charac teristic disproportions of the period to whicb it belongs. Athene, clad In semi-transparent robes, both wings, ot an extremely early type, being extended behind tho figure. The goddess, who holds a spear, wears a helmet with a pro digious crest. Apart from its technical merits, tbe extreme historical interest of tbis relic will be manifest to students of Euripedes wbo re member tbat the turning point of the plot of tbe 'Ion' is concerned with tbe blood of the slain Gorgon. Over tbe sbonlder of tbe zoddess the bead of Medusa is seen dropping blood. -clots of which fall from it behind the figure and close to her feet. This is supposed to be the only known representation of the subject." A Frenchman in Siam has recently written to a French sporting paper an account of his experience 3rith turtles as beasts of burden. He bought two big fellows for 2 each and harnessed them together by means of an elaborate wire and chain arrangement. Then he fastened tbem to an 18-foot rowboat in a neighboring harbor, got into the boat and let tbe turtles go. They started off with a rush tbat npset everything in the little craft, including tbe Frenchman, and maCe for the open sea at the rate of speed of a man walking fast. They paid no attention to the reins witb which the Frenchman tried to guide them. After four hours of vain tugging and pulling the French man was obliged to cut looe from tbem in or der to keep within sight of land. The last be saw of his 2 turtles as he rowed back to land they were still forging ahead in their double harness. He will repeat the experiment short ly in an inland lake, where the turtles cannot Set away from him. He Is confident tbat a ttle training wonld make any big turtle a cheap and sufficient traction power in the water, THIS IS LAUGHABLE. "Why do you suppose Mare Antony wanted to borrow tbe Roman's ears?" "Sobe could hear how his speech went off." Sua Xork livening Sun. First Politician There goes a man who carries New York State Jn his hand. Second Politician Who is he? . First Politician A map agent Harper's Batar. Out and Injured. "Are you still out in the country?" Ont? I should say 1 was. I am out last the cost ot my farm and two years' taxes. ' 'Xtut Xork Evening Sun. - "By George, that was awful 1 A freight train of 54 cars, loaded with pig Iron, ran over a tramp yesterday." "Oh, merer, I do hope the poor fellow wasn't hurt." Harper's JJazar. He (at midnight) Funny custom the Chi nese have. The, hostess is expected to notify the caller when It Is time to go. Sha(wlthas!gh)-Butwe are In America, you know. rerre itautt Exprsss. "I tell you, a good thing can be carried too far." Sure enough. Any man who has tried blue point oysters In Paris can substantiate that state ment." Ju Xork hvtnlng Sun. "Hello. Biggs, where yer going so early with tbat bin market basketr" On a poit-prandlal excursion, old man." "Onawhatr" "Post-prandlal excursions, going after dinner, yott know." Boston- Transctipt. TJncle Sam (presiding at World's Fair banquet In '92)-Here. friends, are the products of ray own farm, ran to! foreign Ouest-Pardon me, but I cannot read your Mil of fare. Why is It not printed In your own Untvagvi-CMeago Tribune. "I aa in strict accord with the poet who Invoked blessings upon tbe head of him who first invented sleep." So should I have been had that person not ,.. spoiled the whole business oy juiimj iu aaorug- --... is.... ... Kttwr. "vjrM "Judge Blank is quite a book collectorjj you know." "Walt, what AMI" "He found a uttered copy, of a rare book the other day and the first thing lie did was to have It bound over to keep the pieces." Jew Xork Msr akt. Christopher 8. S. Christopher Colum bus1 real name was Crlstolero Colon, was it not? "ITei." Well. I don't see why they dldnjt popularise his. name by a literal translation. Christopher Shortstop wonld bave been great." Sew Xork Evening Bun.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers