Mje mmt
ESTABLISHED FEBRUARY 8. 1818,
Vol. 45, Ivo. 10. Entered at Pittsburg l'nstoffice.
Jvorciiiber H, 1847. as second-class matter.
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PITTSBURG. MONDAY. FEB. 17. 153a
THE CHS AL 0KCE M0EE.
The discussion of the Lake Erie Canal
project, which is resumed in an article else
where, presents several interesting issues
with regard to the practicability of the
project It is shown there, as U.HE DIS
PAJCH has heretofore pointed out, that the
question of a water supply is not a doubtful
one. Ihe important question to be settled
is that of cost, -which is decided by the
height of the summit, the number of locks
required and the depth ol excavation needed
for Ihe canal.
In the discussion of these important
factors of cost it seems to be taken for
granted that the canal must contain fifteen
feet ot water because that depth is about
what is obtained on the Sault and St. Clair
Canals. But while it would be very valu
able to have that depth in the new canal, it
should be regarded as a maximum and not a
minimum. It would be useless to make it
more than fifteen feet, unless the upper
canals were also deepened; but it would not
ruin its usefulness to make it less than 15
feet, if such a diminution were necessary.
Pittsburg knows by experience that hun
dreds of thousands ot tons of coal can be
transported on from six to twelve feet of
water. It would be safe to guarantee that
vessels carrying 800 to 1,000 tons could bring
ore to Pittsburg with ten feet of water, at a
slight advance over the rates now eharged
on ore from Lake Superior to the Lake Erie
Iports.
"What is wanted of the commission is very
plain. It should procure surveys of the
lines by different summits, giving the cost
of eight, ten, twelve and fifteen feet canals
by each route. "With those estimates before
the public, an intelligent judgment as to the
relative cost and value of the canal can be
made up.
OTHER SCREWS LOOSE.
The report which is published elsewhere
of the committal of an unmarried woman
to jail for examination as to her sanity, and
her refusal to leave that institution after
she has been there three months, contains
several singnlar features. Not the least
among them is the questionable method of
procedure and the remarkable way of ascer
taining a person's sanity which leaves her
in the county jail from November till Feb
ruary without any examination by experts
in mental diseases. The law is qnite par
ticular as to the steps which shall be taken
in order to subject insane persons to re
straint; and we have never beard that con
finement in a county jail however the
patient may seem to like it is set down in
the statute as a proper treatment for that
class of disease. There seem to be other
screws loose in this matter than that alleged
with reirard to the woman's mind.
HIGH LICENSE AKD FB0HIBITI0N.
The active organ of the Prohibitionists,
the Voice, devotes a good deal of space to
a detailed proof of the failure of high license.
As the facts on which it bases this, its as
sertions, in detail are those already familiar
to onr readers, in the shape of the growth of
speak-easies in Philadelphia and Pittsburg,
they need not to be recounted in detail. It
is conceded that there has been a large de
velopment of illicit and secret liquor selling.
But, with that concession, it is difficult to
see how the fact improves the position of the
Voice; the contention of that journal is, that
since high license fails, prohibition should be
resorted to, but the most evident conclusion
from its premises is that, if high license can
not restrain the liqnor traffic, pro
hibition would be an utter failure
in the attempt to abolish it. High
license, backed by public opinion and
aided by the interest of the licensed saloon
keepers in stopping illicit liquor selling, is
unable to suppress the secret saloon. Is it not
plain that prohibition would a fortiori beau
equal failure and that secret liquor selling
would proceed on an immense scale, even
more openly than is now done ?
The conclusion is not necessary thatsecre
liquor selling argues the failure of the law.
The illicit saloon keeDers, by the very
nature of the business, must conduct their
business quietly; must keep off the princi
pal streets, and they must cease to attract
the young or the weak into their saloons. It
is not a pleasant reflection that laws are not
enforced; but so long as the law drives illicit
saloons into tbeir holes and keeps them in
secret comers it shows a great advance over
the day when any man could open a saloon
next a church or in any residence quarter
where he could get a building.
The high license law may not be a glitter
ing success, but its failure is not so absolute
as the facts of the case show that prohibition
would be under the same circumstances,
A USEFUL FREEDOM.
The exposure and defeat of the North
Dakota lottery scheme is an encouraging
example of the salutary effect of public sen
timent aroused by the press. There is little
doubt that the lobbyists who so nearly suc
ceeded in getting a legalixed Government
gambling institution fastened on the new
State had the Legislature fully setup. But
the scheme was exposed by the newspapers
in time to arouse the public, and the job fell
into ruins at the mere touch of popular dis
approval. Some of the moralists have
lately been disposed to credit a great deal
of demoralization to the sensational charac
ter ol the newspapers. But here is a case
where the freedom of the press was the lever
which exposed and defeated a great publio
-wrong that would probably have been suc
cessful to-day if there had been less liberty
of comment by the newspapers. A' free
pnblic sentiment and unrestricted discus
sion are the best safeguards against public
evils.
THE SUGAR TRUSrs MEASURE.
The proposition which is reported to be
pending in the House to settle the matter of
the sugar duties by putting raw sugars on
the free list and keeping the duty on re
fined, is simply the one way of adjusting
that issue which would most thoroughly de
feat the nubile considerations that should be
'token, into account
The one interest that ' any claim for
protection is composed of the sugar planters.
Their claim is not a very strong one; but, so
far as it goes, it has some status in view of
the protective principles. The one interest
which has violated the great protective idea
oi increasing domestic competition in the
industry, is the Sugar Trust. But this
proposition is to take away the protection
from the planters and actually increase it to
the Sugar Trust by widening the margin
between the qost of the raw materials and
the duty which the foreign competitors of
the trust must pay. If the trust had drawn
up the measure itself, it could not have
framed one that would more completely
swell its illegitimate profits.
The New York Press points out the cor
rect solution of the problem with the re
mark "that a proposition to admit sugar
free, with a sufficient bounty to the Ameri
can sugar producer, would be a popular and
effective way of reducing the surplus rev
enue." This would preserve the purpose of
encouraging domestic production of sugar,
while taking away the barrier that has per
mitted the foundation of a sugar refining
monopoly. The objection ,that the bounty
would not stand, at once underrates the
popular intelligence, and displays slight
intelligence on the part of the representa
tives of the sugar interests who advance it
The people are intelligent enough to see
that a bounty of a few millions on sugar
taxes them less than the tariff which col
lects some eighty or ninety millions; and
the sugar people ought to know that if the
people will not stand the smaller burden
they will certainly overthrow the greater
one.
The sugar duties should be revised in the
interest of the people and not in the interest
of the Sugar Trust
BACK-ACTION BALLOT REFORM.
Quite an enthusiastic movement is being
agitated by such leading exponents of in
dependent and Democratic sentiment in the
State as the Scranton Truth, Harrisburg
Patriot, and the York Gazette, in favor of
a Constitutional Convention to do what
they consider necessary to make ballot re
form possible. The provision in the Con
stitution which is regarded as obnoxious is
that requiring ballots to be numbered, and
the nnmber set opposite the name of the
voter, by the election officers. This is re
garded as destructive of the secrecy of the
ballot, as it leaves it within the power of
the election officers to discover how each
voter has voted.
But does the Australian ballot system
leave no such power to the election officers?
Most of the expositions of that system which
-we have seen provide the electioj officer
with the power to make up the ballots of
illiterate voters, the very class whose votes
most require protection. Our reformatory
friends are a little too prompt in proclaim
ing that the constitutional provision is a
bad one. The fact is that the convention
which drew up this constitution was under
the leadership of men of remarkable ability
and independence ; and this very provision
was aimed at an evil of far greater vitality
in falsifying the will of the people than the
bad influence over voters which the Aus
tralian system seeks to prevent That evil
was ballot-box stuffing. The numbering of
ballots furnishes tbe means of detection if
dishonest election officers should seek' to put
in enough ballots to turn an election, after
the voting is done. Its value has been
proved in convictions which have made the
old evil of ballot-box stuffing very much
less frequent than formerly.
To adopt the Australian system without
some check on dishonest election officers
wonld be to turn our elections over to the
mercy of the practices which are reported to
have made majorities to order. That would
be avoiding Scylla and getting swamped in
Charybdis with a vengeance.
THE IDEAL AKD THE REAL
"We observe that the Kentucky Legisla
ture has taken steps to sternly reform, within
the jnrisdiction ot Kentucky, at least, one
of tbe social wrongs oi the day. The radi
cal differences, which have appeared on in
vestigation, between the circus posters as
they appear on the walls and the shows
themselves as they pan out under canvas
have attracted the attention of some Ken
tucky statesman. Probably the lawmaker
has himself suffered from the deceptive
poster. Deluded by the promises of the
gaily colored bills he has paid down his
coined money with the hope of seeing a real
live mermaid, or a sea-serpent in scaly
activity. Consequently a bill has been in
troduced imposing a penalty on any circus
which advertises more than it shows.
"With this measure passed what) circus
could continue to operate? The result must
inevitably be such as that with which the
railroads threatened the country when the
inter-State commerce was at the point of pas
sage. Every circus must go outof business.
The underlying sentiment of the cirens and
menagerie business is sentiment; and the
proposed law would eliminate all the ro
mance. How could the popular heart be
fired when glaring showbills could no longer
exhibit (on paper) a herd of elephants 35
feet high, and must show nothing more
startling than the tame-reality of seven and
nine foot elephants? Or if the flaming and
thrilling portrayals of hippopotami taller
than men and swallowing a poor savage at
a gulp, is cut down by the Inexorable law,
into the reality of a sleepy animal about as
tall as a mastiff, how shall a demand for the
cakes and ale of shows be aroused?
The circus interests should move to protect
themselves and preserve the joys of life for
the small boys who study the posters and
creep in under the canvas. A judicious
distribution of circus tickets among the
Kentucky legislators, is needed to preserve
the existence of that unique and inspiring
work of art, the circus poster.
The Senate Committee's report seems to
be inspired by the necessity of making a better
showing for the Pacific railways than the com
mission did. In doing so it reports that tbe
present management of the Union Pacific Is
doing its best to make an honorable adjustment
of its det to the Government, bat Is unable to
say anything so good of the Central Pacific.
Tbe remarkable conclusion is, therefore, that
the Central PaciSo shall have its debt renewed
at 2 per cent, while the Union Pacific must pay
8 per cent. The logic which gives tbe corpora
tion that has most successfully cheated the
Government tbe best terms requires no com
ment. The statement that Hutchinson has not
only forgiven the clerk who robbed him, but
bas given tbe sharp swindler his old position,
indicates only a partial recognition ot the fit
ness. To show a full appreciation of that great
principle Old Hutch should make tho clever
thief his partner.
"WiirxE there may be a good deal of ex
aggeration in the partisan press about it, it is
worth while to remark that tbe passage of a
2,500 claim in favor of thePresldont's law firm
which bas often been passed upon unfavorably
and which bas bung fire for 20 years, is neither
good politics nor good taste,
Inasmuch as the State of New Ygrk has
proved that electricity will servo as a method
of administering sqddflU death, it is a shame
(hat it aid loll the World's Fair that way. It
would have been much more merciful than the
tfHE
lingering death to which tbe poor project has
been subjected.
The Senate acted wisely last week in re
fusing to include among tbe offenses extradita
ble under the treaty with Russia, attempts on
the life of tbe Czar or his family. Tbe United
States does not approve ofassasslnationibut it is
impossible to ignore the fact that nnder condi
tions like those prevailing -in Rnssia to-day
such offenses are political crimes. When the
United States cives up political offenders
against absolutism they will abjure the princi
ples on which tbeir Government is founded.
Fkakce has swelled her debt to $6,200,
000,000, which is the largest in tbe world. It
looks as if there might be a conspiracy in Eu
rope to make republican government impossi
ble by sending it Into baukruptcy. But per
haps some of the monarchies may go Into bank
ruptcy first.
A New Yobk paper indignantly ad
vises Tom Piatt to move to Chicago; and tbe
unwary Chicago papers advise him to come to
that enterprising city. This shows less than
the usual Chicago acuteness. The New York
idea is evidently that if the political boss can
be induced to make' the change he will
slaughter Chicago's WorldFair project as com
pletely as he has New York's.
Some of the prisoners who bavecomplained
of the fare of tbe jail may argue that the best
proof of Miss McCloskey's insanity, which was
tbe remarkable cause of her being gent to that
institution, is that she likes tbe jail so well that
she refuses to leave it
The reports of the Atlantic steamers con
cerning the huge icebergs and floes which tbey
encountered along thoir usual lines, presents a
singular contrast to the scarcity of ice on terra
Anna this winter. If some enterprising mariner
will tow a few icebergs into port before spring
he will fill a popular want tbatwill be felt
about the time that the robins nest again.
Temperance agitation in Missouri has
reached the Intemperate degree of threatening
bloodshed.
The city of Atlanta has solved the ques
tion of provision for firemen by taking out
accident policies which will give each member
of tbe force J10 per week if disabled by acci
dent, and $1,500 to bis family in case of deatb.
The cost to tbe city is 1,400 annually. The ex
ample is a good one for larger places than
Atlanta to imitate.
PEOPLE OP PROMINENCE.
Wuxiah D. Howkixs is writing a novel of
Washington.
It is gravely asserted that Lord Randolph
Churchill has never crossed London Bridge nor
visited the Tower.
General Adam King's leading rival for
the Consul Generalship at Paris is General Ma
hone. Empkhob William of Germany has been
dissuaded from publishing a volume of poems
which he wrote as a young man.
Sarah Bernhardt wants to plav Juliet in
English on ber next tour of this country, and
is brushing up ber knowledge of the language
to fit herself for tho task.
The eyes ot Henry M. Stanley are described
as having a marvelous effect upon tbe wild Af
ricans. It is said that "he first looks as if he
were going to eat them, and then, when they,
give in and do what be wants, ne iooks as n ne
bad done so and were grateful to them for tbe
meal."
Bo certain has Mr. Gladstone been during
the last bve years of the ultimate success of the
Home Rnle movement, and of his eventual re
sumption of the Premiership, that when he left
office npon the fall of his Government in 18S8,
he stored away most of his bric-a-brac and
other household goods in the garrets of the
Prime Minister's official residence at No. 10
Downing street, where they remain to this
day.
Nicolai USFENSKi, who was 40 years ago a
poet and writer rivaling in Russia Turgeneff
himself, bas just died. Along in tho fifties be
became a slave to drink, and ever since baa
-been wandering about the country playing and
singing in small entertainments and In tbe
streets, lately one of his grandchildren, a
young girl, accompanied blm. One mgbt alter
an entertainment be drank himself into a de
lirium and shot himself dead.
Prince George of Wales has been assigned
to the ship Excellent to learn how to shoot big
guns as a preliminary to being promoted to the
rank of Commander and being placed in charge
of a vessel. He has learned his seamanship
easily, and even at present he is not compelled
to mess with the common Lieutenants of his
own rank, bnt all the arrangements of the ship
are upset so that he may have separate quar
ters and occupy tbe Captain's cabin.
A CHICAGO WOMAN'S SHOE
Used to Punish nn Impodent Janitor In tbo
Court Boom.
Chicago, February 1ft There was an ex
citing scene injustice Bradwell's court at the
Armory yesterday morning when Miss Kata
Kane, a female lawyer somewhat dis
tinguished for her ability to take care
of herself, stood up her rights. She
had a case In court and was sitting at the table
provided for lawyers when the colored janitor
of tbebnildine, whodidn.t know her, ordered
her away. "Go away," indignantly replied
Miss Kane, who is qnite large ana muscular.
"You get out, I sajf" repeated the janitor.
"I wilt not; get away from me."
At this tbe colored man stepped to tho side
ot the lawyer and was abont to take hold of
ber, when she drew hack and struck him a
violent blow in tbe month with her overshoe.
Before he recovered from bis surprise he re
ceived another blow in tbe face, this time be
tween the eyes. Then tbey clinched.
Attorneys, policemen, detectives and repor
ters j umDed to tbe rescue and hauled tbe Jani
tor before His Honor, who fined him fS for
contempt of court. He paid it and was or
dered to keep out of the courtroom thereafter.
Miss Kane had tbe sympathy of everybody who
saw tbe row. Some years ago she threw a
glass of water into the face of a Milwaukee
Judge whose decision didn't suit her.
JEFFERSON COUNTY OIL LANDS.
Numerous Lenses BIndo and Teat Weill to
be Drilled In a Few Days.
SFZCIAL TII.XGBAM TO TIT DISPATCH. J
Brockwayville, February 16. In addition
to the prospects of a gas field at Brockport, on
tbe east side of this place, negotiations to open
up a field on the west are about to materialize.
The Oil City Fuel and Gas Company have been
leasing territory in Warsaw township for some
time past, with tbe evident intention of making
a test, and if successful develop tbe field at
once. Tbe company has already secured
nearly all the oil and gas territory between
Rlchardsville and Warsaw, and when the nego
tiations now pending are completed tbey
will have from 10,000 to 12,000 acres in their
possession. Twenty-five cents per acre is paid
in casb.'when tbe lease is signed, with pro
visions tor an eighth royalty and a stipulated
sum for each well pnt down. It is said that tbe
drill will first penetrate tbe territory at Haien,
near tbe farm of O. C Fritchman.
While tbe main object of the company in
leasing the land is supposed to be for the pur
pose of securing gas, it is thought by some that
a thorough test will be made of tbe field for
oil. Warsaw has long enjoyed tbe reputation
of being a promising oil field, though nover
properly developed.
A PEOGUESSITS DAILY PAPER,
Tbo Dispatch Remarkable far III High
Literary Merit.
From the Milwaukee Evening Wisconsin.
The Pittsburg Dispatch is one of the
most progressive dally papers in the country.
Its Sunday edition Is remarkable tor its liter
ary merits and the high standard of its con
tributors. The rapidly growing circulation of
both the daily and Sunday issues has necessi
tated tbe butldlne ot another marvelous double
perfecting press for its already well equipoed
pressroom. The Sunday Dispatch has a
bona fide circulation of over 60,000.
DEATHS OP A BAY.
Captain John Lnndsrolh.
Erle, February It, Captain John Landirath,
of Union City, died last night of pneumonia. Tbe
deceased was a soldier In tbe Mexican War and
was an officer In tho late war. Be was a wealthy
live stock importer of this place.
Mrs. I?oae Wllley.
Mrs. Kose Willry, wile pf C. L. Wllley, the
well-known lumber dealer of Allegheny City, died
last evening at ber 't reilin$e flo. ,10 Cedar
avenue. Sue was only Shears or age and was
known as a consistent church worker.
?ITTSBITRG - '' - i5lSPATCJH.
THE CRITIC'S REVIEW.
Paper-Covered Foreign Novels That Coma
In Duty Free Lord CInncnrly, With a
Plot Laid In the Days' of William of
Orange Conversation on Mines Ancloot
Iilternlnre and Other Books.
A file of paper-covered novels claims The
Critic's first attention. There are six books
in the pile, bound in various tints, white, gray,
yellow, and terra-eotta, and of the authors,
three aro English, one is French, and two are
German. Our interesting international copy,
right conditions allow these books to he sold at
about SO cents apiece. Foreign art must pay an
enormous duty to get into this country, but for
eign literature, can get in for nothing.
Sylvia sirden (Frank F.Lovell& Co.) is dec
orated on the cover with the figures of three
hungry vultures, swooping down into a very
steep cleft which opens m the midst of a wilder
ness of bare and precipitous mountain tops.
Evidently, judging from the cover. Sylvia
Arden is a murder story. Those vul
tures aro after somebody. We look with
in with some interest to find out who
it is, and bow it came abont. We find ourselves
in tbe wild regions of Scarfell Chace. There
have been gold mines there in the long past,
and tho rocks are scarred, and rent and fur
rowed, and tunneled with .the pick axes of
miners. There is a solitary mansion in tbls
desolate region, and here lives Gregory Mor
son. Morson has shut himself in from the
civilized world. His servants are Greeks and
Italians. The approaches are all closely
guarded. Sylvia Araen and her brother are on
a visit to this wild and mysterious place. Here
too comes Bearcroft the hero to visit Morson,
his old friend. Morson is betrothed to Sylvia
Arden. The very first day of Bearcroft's visit,
indeed, before he got to the house, Sylvia is shot
at as she is riding along the bills, by some
unknown'assassln, thus tbe story begins. It Is
one of tbe queerest stories in the language.
Poison, madness, mystery, burial alive, monks,
vlllians and underground passages figure in It)
the reader is In perplexity from beginning to
end. Finally the hero gets a great treasure ot
hidden gold and marnes Sylvia Arden. Oswald
Crawford is the author.
The Mynns? Mystery, another book from thai
same publlshlns house, promises to go well
with"3yl via Arden." The mystery begins on the
very first page, where George Manvile Fenn.the
author.declares in his own writing that Messrs.
Lovell & Co. are authorized to print this book,
Mr. Fenn's penmanship is a mystery in itself.
Everything, however, which Mr. Fenn writes
is interesting, and "The Mynns' Mystery" is no
exception. There is a genuine cold
blooded murder in this book. A
young lady and a large fortune
are at stake, and Saul Harrington Is-willlng to
play as high as homocide. Tbe murder is done;
tbe tracks are all covered up mst ingeniously;
the fortune, at least, is in tbe murderer's grasp,
when well, it would be unkind to tell the plot,
for there is not much else but Plot in tbe book.
The telling of the story is the main thing. And
the story Is really too good to be told in any
other than the author's way.
T ADY Clahcaety (Rand, McNally fc Co.) is
not nearly so sensational a story as its sub
title, "Wedded and Wooed," might seem to in
. dicate. It is a capital story, set out against a
good, solid, and well-drawn background of his
tory. The time is in the days of William of
Orange, and the plot turns upon a con
spiracy to kill the new King, set
agoing, of course, by Jacobites, and prevented
by the timely disclosures of Lord Clancarty.
The author is A. D. Hail. The story is well
written) the historical characters are accurately
and graphically pictured; fact is not made so
obtrusive as to hinder fiction; there Is plenty of
lovemaking, and no end of fine lords and fair
ladies.
The bombshells are bursting most formidably
about a beleaguered fort on the cover of Jules
"Verne's A Family Without a JYaTne. (Lovell &
Co.) Jules Verne has here deserted science,
which has given him the foundation of so many
good stories, and resorted to history. Tbe scene
of tbe book is Canada. Canada is being discov
ered by Frenchmen, it seems, as well as by
Americans. There is a fitness in the fact,
for the romantie element in Canadian
history is mainly in the French part
of it. M, Verne has not gone back
so far as Mrs. Catherwood, but bas taken inci
dents from history which are within the mem
ory of living men. After a long series ot strug,
gles and jealousies and troubles, Coming some
times to the crisis of bloodshed, and settling'
down In th intervals into a discontented and
disaffected peace, the Fiench in Canada in the
year 1837 rose in insurrection. The plot of the
story is Intertwisted with the exciting events
of that hopeless uprising. The hero is Jean-Sans-Nom.
There is a heroine as brave as the
hero. At the end the cause is lost, hero and
heroine in a burning boat go over the fatal
cataract of Niagara, and the story closes not
unlike "Tbe Romance of Dolland." "Every
year," writes tbe author, summing up the lesson
of the book, "every year an affecting ceremony
unites the patriots of Montreal at the foot of a
column erected to tbe memory of the polit
ical victims of 1S37 and 1S34 On the day of its
inanguration an address was given by M.
Euclido Roy, President of tbe Institute, and
his last words fitly embody the moral of this
history, and that is: "To glorify self-sacrifice is
to make heroes."
The new interest with which people in these
days are reading the Bible insures a welcome
to books about tbe Bible. It is said that when
the presses ot Harper & Bros, have nothing
else to do they work off more copies of "Ben'
Hur." And the sale of tbat book bas certainly
been remarkable. We noticed a short time
ago a new book on the same lines, "Em
manuel." a story of Christ's time. Tbe story,
"Come Forth," which Elizabeth Stuart Phelps
is just now contributing to this paper,
and which is read with interest
by a very wide constituency, is another evi
dence of the desire op the part of people to know
more abont the Bible. The pioneer in this re-,
cent movement is Dr. Georg Ebers, the great
German Egyptologist. His long series of his
torical novels, of which "Uarda" is perhaps the
best known, have brought the discoveries of
explorers and tbe conclusions of scholars with
in reach of the ordinary reader, and have made
the Pharaohs and tbe Caesars very real people.
Dr. Ebers' last book, Joshua, is before us.
John W. Lovell & Co. publish this edition.
Everybody who bas read "Ben Hur," and who
wants to read another book like it, written by a
man who is both scholar and genius, should
read "Joshua." Readers of The Dispatch
will not need to bo instructed in its merits, nor
informed as to its interest.
T-HE PASTOR'S DAUGHTER (Worthington
x Co., J.B, Weldln 4 Co.) is by W.Heimburg,
whom a picture, which introduces tho book,
shows to be an Intelligent-looking lady, and
whose name indicates ber nationality. The
book is illustrated with pictures, which for
some reason the publishers call "photograv
ures." Some of them, however, are quite
pretty. Tbe heroine is an old maid, the first
page tells us, who is found putting flowers on
the grave of some one who bad evidently been
dear to her, in a quiet little churoh-yard. She
tells her story, and a touching story it is, though
a little drawn out, of love and grief and happi
ness and death. "Vive la jaie" was written on
tbe frescoed ceiling at tbe old baronial castle,
and tbe little children who amused themselves
by firing arrows at tbe gods and goddesses over
tbeir heads finally obliterated tbe words so tbat
not a trace remained. But the joy for which
long lite was wished had long lief ore departed.
V
C OaiEWHAT in contrast to tbls batch of paper,
covered novels is another pile upon The
Critic's table, of which the top book is Conver
sation on Mines (J. B. Lippincott & Co.: J. R.
Weldln A Co., SI 23). Everybody who knows
anything about mining knows more about tba
merits of this classic than Tbe Critic could tell
in a moutb. In 1884 a hard-working Lancashire
coal-miner, named Hoxton. who had begun
with a pick and by sheer force of will and
character raised himself to a position where ha
bad to uso a pon, put out a practical book for
the use of workers in mines. It was so plain,
useful and valuable that it won imme
diately a popularity whioh it has always
kept. It is to mining what Isaac Wal
ton's book Is to fishing. Messrs. Lippincott
nave done well to put out an American edition.
Practical JBlacksmithing is compiled, edited
and published by M. T, Richardson. This is
Vol. IL, and there is going to be a Vol. III. So
much there is to be said about the industry
and art of blacksmithingl The book is full of
pictures. JPayne's Business Educator and
Payne's Legal Advisor bear their meaning in
their titles. They are, handy and well-arranged
compendia of a great many things which peo
ple want to know. (J. B, Weluin A Go.)
V
A hpikjit Lttebattjre (Harper & Bros. J.
B. Weldln 4 Co.. II 60) is a new edition of
a book which has had its value attested by I
MOmAX '' iEBKTJARY
I long use. Prof. Quackenbos, the author, Is a
professor in Columbia College. Text,
diagrams and maps have been care
fully revised in ' aocordance with tbe
latest scholarship, and a considerable
and well chosen bibliography added. There
are two kinds of valuable men in the world of
scholarship men who find out truth and men
who put the truth which other men have
found Id such shape that anybody can under
stand it Prof. Quackenbos belongs to -the
second of these valuable species of literary
workers. The literatures of ancient nations,
Oriental, Greek and Roman, the leading
authors and their writings, tbe language in
which tbey wrote, tbe lands in which tbey
lived, are set forth attractively. The chapter
on Egyptian literature' is of especial interest.
.
JJenry Druiimojtd's Tropical Africa, the
Dcst American edition of which has long
been in print by another publishing bouse,
comes to us in a cheap edition bearing the came
of JohnB,Alden, publisher.
. t
hAs to his Majesty, the Sultan, I am glad
that he is handsome: that he will have
neither Sress nor parliament, roads nor rail
roads In his dominion; that he rides splendid
horses, and tbat he made me a present of a
long, sliver-mounted musket and a great sword
inlaid with gold. I admire the lofty, serene,
disdainful way he bas In looking at outside co
temporary agitations." In fact, M. Pierre Loti
admires almost everything which has to do
witb tbe Sultan of Fey, his dominions and his
subjects. The hilarious Arab on the cover,
flourishing his musket (no doubt "long" and
"silver-mounted") in the air, in the act of going
through tbat exhibition ot wild riding and
prancing and shouting and shooting, which is
tbe Arab fashion of welcoming a guest in the
desert this wild Arab has won Pierre Loti's
heart.
Into Morocco (Welch, Fraeker Co.) is a book
of travels which is interesting from cover to
cover. It is written In the delightful, sketchy,
graphic Frencby fashion which makes almost
all Celtic literature attractive. Day by dav.
even hour by hour, tbe indefatigable diarist
keeps his journal for our benefit. He lets ns
into his enjoyment most thoroughly. It is even
better than going there, to read this charming,
uugui, entertaining dook.
THE CICL0SE SNOW PLOW.
A Big Trnck. dourer That Rnsbea Through
Drifts Very Rapidly.
From the Sacramento Union-Record, Feb. 4.
The Cyclono steam snow plow arrived here
yesterday morning in charge of Engineer John
Goldy for repairs. The Cyclone is the largest
and widest snow plow yet built for anyroad,
making a path 10 feet 4 inches in width. Its
capacity is something marvelous. When tbe
fan and anger are running at the rate of 600
revolutions per minute it will throw out
130,000 cublo feet of snow per minute. The car
is 48 feet long, the width of the wheel being
10 feet 4 inches. Within the car are three
engines of 600 horse power each, or a combined
force of 1,800 horsepower. Two of these en
gines drive tbe fan which expels tbe snow, Tbe
tbird one connects direct witb the auger,
which draws tbe snow into tbe cylindrical case
In which tbe fans revolve. The discbarge pipe
is S3 inches square, the spout being 14 feet
above the rails. This throws tbe enow almost
perpendicularly for 30 feet before it begins to
curve over in its fall, clearing tbe telegraph
Snles with ease. It Is provided witb tbe largest
aldwin locomotive boiler for consolidated en
gines, the whole lengtn of the boiler being 28
feet, having 1,600 feet of heating surface. It
has a 12-foot fire box and 183 flues 2 inches by 14
feet.
It has a Sanger on the front end which works
by air and gathers tbe snow from the center of
tbe track and from each side of tbe rails, taking
It into tbe inner portion of the plow, whence it
is expelled through the spout on the top. leav
ing a perfectly flanged rail. The trucks are
extra heavily built, having 6K by 8 journals.
Tbe plough weighs 75 tons 300 pounds. It is en
tirely under tbe control of the engineer, who
stands at the front end, on the inside, and
operates the throttles and communicates with
tbe pushing engineer by the use of bis whistle,
wltbout having any gongs, signals or bells, as
is customary on tbe rotary plows. Tbe engines
are capable of traveling 700 revolutions per
minute, and being connected directly with the
fan and auger it is possible to revolve them
with the same rapidity.
A BILL FOR SECURING A HUSBAND.
A Broker Helps Mate a Cooplo Who Kick
Against Paylna Him.
Ne-w Yobk. February 1R Civil Justice
Steckler was yesterday called upon to decide,
in tbe Fourth District Court, how much it was
worth to George Lange to get married. From
the evidence it appears Lance offered Jordan 4
Co., real estate, dealers, $60 in consideration pt
tbeir seenring him a business partner. About
the samo time Mrs. Mary Martin, a widow with
three children, asked Charles Jordan to find a
Eartner for her in tbe express business left by
er husband. The two clients were introduced,
and, as It afterward transpired, formed not only
a business, bnt a matrimonial partnership.
Upon tbe trial Mr. Jordan denied being a
matrimonial agent, and his partner. Mr. Will
iam A. Long, made a similar denial. Mr. Lange,
however, testified that Jordan had told blm he
had a nice wife for him. tbat money was no ob
ject thd lady wonld settle that. After some
inquiry, Mr. Lange said, he consented to meet
Mrs. Martin, and shortly afterward married
her. Some days later Jordan demanded $25
from him for fixing him so nicely, but he re
fused to pay.
Mrs. Lange also testified tbat she had told
Mr. Jordan she wanted to be married, and he
bad saia he could find plenty of men who were
willing. Sho paid 810 down, and agreed to pav
S10 more after the ceremony. The Judge found
for tbe plaintiff, and Mr. and Mrs. Lange will
have to pay.
STIMULATED BI SK0W.
Bnalneaa of All Klnda Improved by Recent
Cold Weather.
Bbockwayvtlle, .February 18. Jefferson
county has probably never had a more welcome
sign than the snow storm last week. So much
work to wait for winter has never before piled
up here as at the present time. When the few
days of cold weather set in every man who
owned a team was up and hustling, some work
ing atnight,whlleothorsdlddutyatnight. They
have all been working steadily tbe past week
hauling logs, telephone poles, boards and pipes
for gas lines.
The lumbermen have been crowding their
work in the greatest conceivable manner. The
slides and log roads have been working every
night. Lots of lumber has gone to the milt
Teams are at a premium.
DEPENDING THE CRUSADERS.
Tempernnco Advocates to Speak n Good
Word for Lnthrop Ladles.
St. Louis, February 18. Tho Rev. Ben Deer
lng, a noted temperance advocate of this city,
and Rev. J. M. O'Brien bave been engaged by
tbe citizens of Lathrop, Ma, to go to Flatts
burg. a neighboring town on Monday next to
explain and defend the action of the crusa
ders. They will be accompanied by a number
of Lathrop ladles and some exciting times are
looked for.
The Story of Johnstown.
Several volumes, devoted to tbe Conemaugh
disaster, have already appeared, but in none
has the terrible tragedy been moro graphically
portrayea than In The Story of Johnstown,"
written by J. J. McLanrln and published by 3.
M. Place, of Harrisburg. it was written soon
enough after the flood to get all the facts from
first hands and long enough afterward to make
a thorough investigation and to eliminate what
was incorrect in the report written before tho
tragedy could be measured and bounded. The
book is a neat volume of 400 pages, profusely
illustrated Dy wen-Known artists.
Generosity In Gerrymandering-.
From the New York World.
Under the unjust schema for redistrictlng
Ohio batched by the Democratic legislative
caucus, tho Democrats help themselves to 14
of tbe 21 Congressional districts. Butterwortb
and McKlnley are put in Democratic districts,
Grosvenor is kindly permitted to inhabit a Re
publican district.
Wlien Did bhe Write One f
From the Philadelphia Times.
Mrs. Rives-Chanler say that she will never
write another novel. Why another ?
THE IDTAfi WORLD.
I seem floating away In dreamland
To a spot I Tain would reach,
vvbere the winds, so spft and slumbrous,
Tbeir mvatlc music teach.
There are pletnres of wondrous beauty,
Qutwrougbt with a skill most deep,
There are forms of countless creations,
There the Ideal its vigil keeps.
Tba air has a subtle fragrance.
Unlike anything of earth.
In this land of purest Incense,
Where poetry has its birtb,,
'Tt the. realm off he lms.g1ps.tion,
Where the figures cqme Hl S.
Besponilve o (he rhythm
Of the thoughts tbat ebb and flow.
-Inter Ocean.
'17, 1890.
A STRIKING SPECIMEN.
Of
Jonrnnlistic Enterprise Wai the 20-
Pno Dispatch of Yesterday.
'The opinions of so many country and sub.
urban papers throughout Pennsylvania
amply testify to the high regard held for tbe
first of Pittsburg journals everywhere iq the
State. And certainly yesterday's magnifi
cent 20-page edition of The Dis
patch was well worthy of all the
praise it has received from far and near.
It was a bright, newsy and interesting number,
all ablaze with pearls set in the duller bnt
more useful background ot news from all
quarters of the habitable globe. The Dis
patch is eminently a newspaper for the peo
ple, and the edition of yesterday was a striking
specimen of popular journalism and enter
prise. I.
"There is to he a Parliamentary investigation
of the treatment of Dynamiter Daly in En
glish prisons. English papers are much divided
in opinion over the verdict in the Parnell Com
mission case. Henry of Battenbeg has paci
fied tbe Queen and grown a beard. The new
Duke of lite has presented his patent and
assumed his seat in the Houso of Lords. Tbe
Due d'Orleans has received his sentence man
fully, and all the Legitimists and Orleanlsts are
stirring up France in his favor. The Portu
guese are beginning to back down, and
the republicanism of that nation seems
to have disappeared miraculously. A grand
military tournament will shortly be held in
London. It has become probable that Dom
Pedro will be the next President of Brazil.
Kaiser Wilhelm's bold attempts to ameliorate
the condition of his laboring subjects meet
with due recognition. He is "friends with Bis
marck" after all. President Diaz, of Mexico,
has refused a German loan.
A Democratic Representative from Arkan
sas, whose seat is contested, bas found evidence
which may secure him the case. Virginia Re
publicans are kicking because of the division
of spoils. The prohibition laws have turned
out a complete farce iu Bangor, Me. The
report tbat Carnegie has bought the Johns
Hopkins holdings in the Baltimore aqd Ohio
Railroad Is untrue. Tbe widow of a Union
General claims to have been tricked Into a
false marriage and robbed. Sergius Stepnlak
confirms the rumor of Russian atrocity in
Siberia. The hearing of tbe great Montana
Senatorial case opened in Washington Satur
day. Isaac Sawtelle bas made a partial con
fession of guilt in connection with his brother's
murder.
n.
"The Economltes had a close communion cele
bration at Economy. No outsiders were
permitted to witness the festivities. There are
prospects of an endowment of over $200,000 for
the Allegheny Carnegie Library. Two respect
able Allegheny women were arrested in Boggs
4 Buhl's. Their house was found full of stolen
goods. The Americus Club decides to build a
100,000 clubhouse on Sixth street. The Slavs
meet in Allegheny. Miss Flora Tanner is ex
onerated by tbe School Board for flogging an
unruly boy in school. Fringle's review and the
sporting page are highly interesting, as usual,
to lovers of sport.
m.
T7 OTE Popular Candidates for Governor" are
described excellently by "H. H. C." H.
Rider Haggard's novel of "Beatrice" con
tinues with unabated interest. "Growing in
Favor" is a well-written account of the game
of racquet. "Morton at Home" is the subject
of Frank G. Carpenter's spirited Wash
ington article. Bill Nye is highly
entertaining on Kentucky in general and
Lonisville in particular. "Come Forth," by
Elizabeth Stuart Phelps, continues;
Fannie B, Ward writes gracefully of
Panama and its people. Others, of tbe many
contributors to this splendid number, are:
"Miss Grundy, Jr.," B. P, Shillaber, of "Mrs.
Partington" fame, "R. 8.," General W. T.
Sherman, Dr. DeWitt Talmage, W. KIrwan
Norcross, Rev. Howard Crosby, D, D., H, R.
Elliott, Nell Nelson, Clara Belle, Bumbalo.
"S," John Paul Booock. '-Tramp," Rev. George
Hodges, "H. I. a," Bessie Bramble, "Lorna
Doone," Caroline Pepper, Shirley Dare, "F. T,
R,," Edward Wakefield. Arlo Bates, Brenan,
etc. The fairy story, by "Paysie," Is, as usual,
very pleasant reading tor the little folks. The
Dramatic, Musical, Society, Military and Grip
and Password columns were replete with class
reading of the best sorts.
AWKWARD ENGLISH WORDS,
Expressions Tbat bhow tho Need of nn
Improved Vocabulary.
From the nineteenth Century.
Why English writers, talkers and printers
should persist in ignoring tbe past tenses of so
many verbs in daily use passes comprehension,
so needless and so anomalous is tbe lazy and
incorrect habit into which some good writers
as well as the vulgar havepermitted themselves
to fall. "I bid him to da It now" Is correct,
but "I bid him do it yesterday," in which the
present tense is used Instead of bade In the
past, is an indefensible corruption. Among
the verbs which have been deprived of their
past tenses and their preterites, may be speci
fied to bet, to beat, to let, to spread, to sbed, to
cut, to put, and to shut. There are no gram
matical or any other reasons why they should
not bave been among tbe verbs which bave in
flexions in other languages, but never had in
Englisb, though they ougbt to bave bad If in
telligent grammarians had had the original or
dering of tbe language.
"Can" and "must" have not even the infin
itive 'to can" and "to tnusr." "Can" bas a
past tense ("could"), but no future, which can
only be rendered by tbe paraphrase "I shall be
able," or "It will be in my power." "Must" lias
neither a past nor a future"! must do It to
day" has to be put ipto tbe past tense by the
roundabout locution, "I was obliged to do it,"
or "It was necessary tbat 1 should do it;" while
the future of the verb fallair. whlcb in the cor
responding case, in the more precise langnaee
of the French, is il fant, becoming II fandra In
tbe future, is in English only to be expressed
by a paraphrase, expressive both of compulsion
ana ouugaiionia luiumy.
HOT TOO T0DNO TO MARRY.
License Rftfnsed a 40-Yenr-Old Woman
Who Said She Was 14.
Pottstowk, February 19. Michael Korauki,
a young Hungarian, of Pottstown, anplied sev
eral days ago to Clerk of Courts Makborger for
a marriage license, saying he intended to wed a
girl 14 years of age, whom he dally expected
from across the seas. The license was refused,
and yesterday Korauki went to New York and
met his betrothed, Miss Mary Dampco, who
tnrned out to be a sturdy Hungarian woman
40 years old. Notwithstanding this disappoint
ment in regard to tbe age of his bride, he
bunted up a clergyman and the wedding took
place.
It was celebrated to-day by the Hungarian
element ot Pottstown with beer drinking and
merry making. Korauki and his affianced had
conducted their courtship by letter, and she
bad deceived him about her age.
PERTINENT ASD PECULIAR.
Philadelphia Times: But when tbo En
gush syndicates want to sell, what will they get
for their bargains? ,
New Yobk Press: Editor Medill says that
Cleveland keeps a thumb on tbe popular pulse.
M.ake it two thumbs. Brother Joseph, and we'll
supporf your resolution.
Philadelphia Inquirer; Hereafter when
we bave a quarre J with any nation we shall pro
pose to arbitrate It, and unless the other nation
is particularly big and strong it will probably
accept tbe offer.
St. Louis Olobe-Democral: Calvin S. Brlco
will probably have to pay bis Ohio taxes before
he can claim to be enough of a citizen of the
State to entitle him to represent it in the
Senate. Senatorships for Democrats come high
in Ohio.
New Yobk Wmld: The news comes from
Berlin tbat onr Minister and his wife, Mr. and
Mrs. William Walter Phelps, have introduced
"(be 5 o'clock tea." in tbat city. Thus do we
get in 6nr revengo for whatever points we lost
to Germany In the Samoan treaty.
New Yobk Trihunei Governor Hill has.
never before, iq tbe whoja course of his official
career, been so stil) as since he senf tbe World's
Fair message to the Legislature. He can't be
watting to hear something drop, for the drop
came Immediately after tbe performance.
Philadelphia ri; The erstwhile ob
streperaus minority la Congress will please
take notice that there is now a set of rules for
the! guidance of tbat body. Tbe gentlemen will,
therefore, come to order, and tell the country
What t,hey honestly think of their recent con
duct Chicago Trtbunfi! By taking advantage ol
a cptd snap the ige dealers of Oshkosh, Wi-.
haye filled their houses with excellent ice, and
the people of that flourishing city are In a con
dition tP nap their fingers disdainfully at tbe
rest of mankind, Lei no. presumptuous witling
of newspaperdom use the name of Oshkosh
flippantly during the year 188a
ODE HAIL POUCH.
Mr. Neldlg Responds to His Critics Their
Points Discussed His Iron Track Sys
tem Sustained and the Opposition Chal
lenged to a Comparison or Facts and
Figures.
To the JMItorofThe Dispatch:
The undersigned, in discussions with his fel
low men,alwajs endeavors to meet propositions
tbat are more tangible than "what tbey seem to
think." It is pretty difficult, while a man
thinks, to just get at what "be seems to think,"
and still more difficult to get at just what he
does think. The better plan is to draw bun out
and consider only bis expressed propositions.
Your correspondent. "Old Fogy," m Friday's
Dispatch, has fallen into this error. Says this
critic: "Mr. Neidlg differs only from others
who have given this plan attention. In provid
ing no place or roadway for the horses."
The system which was set forth in last Sun
day's Dispatch haa but a few paragraphs de
voted to tbe road nnder consideration, and that
part was prefaced thus:
Now, without going into any wearisome de
tails, etc., he stated further what will lose no
force by repetition, "Once the wheels are at
tended to, once provided with a smooth and un
yielding surface," now mark, "the solution of
the entire problem comes in sight."
Docs "Old Fogy" grasp thlsf This coming
into sight of the solution of tbe "entire prob
lem"! It was certainly not logically Inferable
that his system was "exactly described," as is
affirmed by this writer, when the propositions
auvanccu wero so plainly quannea.
Now, let us go into some calculations on tbls
matter, and tbo writer respectfully requests
the advocates of any rival system to do tba
same. Let us now consider one mile of this
proposed road:
An oak plank 6x2 inches and 12 feet long,
will weigh 63 pound". An iron bar, equivalent
to 6x Inches and 12 feet long, will weigh, ac
cording to the tables, 7,61 pounds per foot and
12 feet would then weigh 90.12 pounds. This
added to tbe 63-pound plank, would make a
total of, say 131 pounds. This ,then Is tbe
weight of a single 12-foot Iron barred plank,
exclusive of devices for fastening, etc.
Now, as important roads generally intersect
railroads, let us commence tba construction
of this road at some railway crossing first, as it
may then be used over which to convey mater
ial for other roads. We will commence track
laying at once, to get material along the line
and attend to minor details later on. It is safe
to say, tbat on this track, three tons is not
overloading a team. Now let us see;
One rail weighs 134 pounds. In a load of 40
rails are 160 pounds over three tons. These
40 rails will lay 20 12-foot lengths of track, a
distance of 240 feet. In a mile are 6,280 feet,
and it will take so many loads for the mile as
240 is contained times in S,2S0, which puts tbe
loads per mile, of tbls part of it, at 22.
Now, what do you think of this, Mr. 'Travel
ler," when you assert that the expense of its
transportation through tbe country would be
heavy? Compare this work with from 7,000 to
10.000 tons.ot materialper mile required for a
good macadamized or Telford roadf
Doesn't It dawn on you tbat tbat "expense of
transportation through tbe country," through
fields nd across ravines, over a joggly, rattling
roadway in its embryotlc state, to tbe final
destination, would also be "beavyf" Do you
catch on that I have only considered wagoning
my material on the iron tracks, and that a plan
of trucks can be used, doubling or trebling
the load, and in the same proportion reducing
tbe number of draughts? How many ton loads
of stone and a ton is a load are equivalent
to 240 feet of road?
rtow as to cost. Put the plank at sis per
1,000; the iron at $40 per ton, and the cost of
one mile is $1,760.
On the track thus laid dawn any other mater
ial necessary can now be transported at a mini
mum of cost. This may be gravel, cinder,
crushed stonq or whatever may be deemed nec
essary, A good deal more can bo done before
the cost comes half way to tbe cost ofaflrst-
viaas Bbouo pi&e.
"Old Fogys proposition tbat there must be a
macadamized foundation for the plank is not
worthy of serious consideration and shows an
utter laok of graipof the real physics of the
case. Ten of thousands'of miles of railroads,
employing 40-ton engines, bave their crossties
resting on earth. This road still presents to
the very best stone road the relative difference
between travel in a parlor car and transporta
tion in a freight car. But "Old Fogy" mattes a
tremendous break in his allusion to the Penn
sylvania Railroad. He "seems to have been
thinking." Why. bless your old heart, Mr.
"Fogy," ton to ton, as to vehicle, tonnage to
tonnage as to transportation, day to day as to
time of hauling, the surface oh which these
planks rest and the resistance of that surface to
tbe loads, is 40 times greater than tbe crosstle
surface, and the resistance thereunder of tbe
Pennsylvania Railroad. Please strike us witb
something harder.
'Traveler" also propounds a conundrum in
tended to he a stunner, and, if it will bold to
S ether long enough, may be answered thus:
let vonr vehicles to something like uniform
gauge.
Some old conundrums come back Ilka an
echo: "How are you going to mow fence cor
ners with your machine?" "How are you go
ing to rake over a stump with tbat thing?" "if
my girls learn to sew on one of your machines.
and can't sew by band, and, when they marry
and tbeir husbands can't afford a machine.how
are tbey going to keep house?1' Do not hesi
tate, gentlemen, give us tbe beat you bare, but
please strike us with something harder.
H. Neidio, M. E.
Wampum, Pa., February 15.
Tbe Carnegie Library Commission.
To the Editor of TheDIspatch:
It is pleasing to note tbat Allegheny Councils,
by an overwhelming majority, have vetoed tbe
absurd ordinance by which the City Property
Committee sought to make of tbe Carnegie
Library a simple, political job, run by them
selves. They never had tbs decency to consult
Mr. Carnegie as to bis wishes in the matter, bnt
Boss Tweed-like, sent hiin as fbejr ultimatum,
an ordinance which handed bis magnificent
gift over to what is generally considered tbe
least intelligent committee of Councils. Mr.
Carneeie was too much of a gentleman to recip
rocate their rudeness, but any Intelligent per
son, reading bis reply to tbeir communication,
can see bow little he was pleased witb it, Iq
speaking of the City Property Committee, we
do not, of course, include the small minority
who bare struggled so manfully against the
prejudice and selfishness of tbe majority.
The conditions of Mr. Carnegie's gift to Pitts
burg clearly show two things: First, that,
after long consideration of tbe subject, he be
lieves teat puDiie noraries snouia do con
ducted by the people and for tbe people;
not by politicians for political ends;
that, wbile city councils should bava a volqe in
the matter, the managing commission should
include- a sufficient number of competent
citizens, ontside of councils, whose special
abilities and long tenure ot office will insure
wisdom and stability in the management of tha
institution, and keep It from the degrading
tendency of political patronage.
In accordance with these views, the thou
sands of people who are visiting the Carnegio
Library, and who are enjoying the beauties of
its art, music and arcbitectnre. cannot fall to
see tbat nothing hut tbe best talent tbe city
anorus w;tnout regaru to pontics, is good
enough to develop for the public use. all the
varied capabilities of such an institution.
It Is commonly reported that one reason why
the City Property Committee bave struggled so
hard to get control ot tbeCarnegieLibrary.il
that tbe principal positions have already been
pledged, for reasons mainly political. Will onr
citizens stand by calmly and permit Mr. Car
negie's gift to be used as a common political
lever? We do not think so meanly of tbe In
telligence of the community.
The majority of Councils have shown that
tbey disapprove of the action of tbe City Prop
erty jotnminee. wummpis siep runner,
and provide for a mixed commission In which
Councils, tbe Board of Control, and tba best
non-political talent, ontside of both these
bodies, shall have fair representation. It this
is done before tbe formal presentation next
Thursday, Mr. Carnegie will feel tbat Councils
have performed a proper and a gracefnl act. If
they tail to do this, all Intelligent citizens of
Allegheny must feel tbat they have been deeply
dishonored bv their representatives, who have
accepted a 300,000 library building without tbe
slightest regaru to tbe wfonrs or the donor.
There were no legal difficulties In tbe way of
placing tbe lnstitutloti in tha hands of a mixed
commission; for it is received under the same
law as Mr, Carnegie's gift to Pittsburg, This
law was prepared by one ot our best attorneys,
with the express purposo of enabling tba city
to accept such a gift with its accompanying
conditions.
The parnegje Library Commission should be
composed of men who could properly organize
all in various departments, arrange free con
certs and lectures, and who could induce our
wealthy citizens to contribute money, books and
works of art to fill tbe vacant wall and shelves.
Who would choose as trustee for gifts or loans
a constantly obanglnz committee sutrlect to tha
bias and vicissitude of politics? Surely not
successful business men.
Nov be least important function of this com
mission would be to see tbat the hall and lec
ture room are placed at the disposal only of
proper persons and for proper objects; a dnty
that tpose who are aspirants for political pre
ferment cannot be expected to perform with
nnbiased judgment.
Every citizen of Allegheny interested in the
future usefulness of the Carnegie Library
should at once make a determined effort to
have enacted an ordinance placing tbe entire
institution in the bands ot a commission which.
bMide members ot Councils and of the Board
of Control, should include a nnmber ol citizens
to be nominated by Mr- Carnegie. And we re
peat that common courtesy requires that this
should be done before next Thursday, when
Mr. Carnegie will make a formal transfer of tha
library to our municipal authorities.
Ar.T.yrmii'ffr
Allsoheby, February 15.
CUBIQUS CONDENSATIONS.
A steam-plow is now plowing 120 acres
a day near Merced, Cat.
Thomas Allen, the man who tookthe
first train out of Chicago In 1818, is still living
in that city, at the age of Sa
A Kalamazoo grocery man gives away
a copy of "Stanley's Travels" with every pound
of cheese purchased.
Edward D. O. Moore, of Brooklyn,
claims to have solved the problem of squaring
tbe circle and has written a pamphlet to prove
it.
One orange grower of Baa Diego keeps
trees from being plucked ot ripe fruit by put
ting np placards: "These oranges bava been
poisoned."
A Santa Eosa, Cal., furniture man last
week filled an order for a mattress. It was
seven feet six inches long and will ba used by a
newcomer from Missouri.
A Kidgeway, Pa., physician says that
olive oil is an antidote for rattlesnake poison.
Half a dozes tablespoonfnls are sufficient; ha
declares, to cure any case of snake bite.
A negro who attempted to rob a store at
Palmetto, Ga., thought he would enter by way
of the chimney. About half way down he Stuck
fast and yelled for someone to help him out.
There is a new name for the all-around
the-table billiard shot. It is now known as tha
"Nellie Bly." and in every bllliard-room may be
beard the expression, "Hero goes for a Nellie
It very seldom happens that bees will
make their honey and comb In the open air,
but such a case has been found In the orange
grove of W. L. Dolive. southeast of Orlando,
Fix, where a swarm of bees have made a large
piece of honey on tbe limb of one of his orange
trees.
Mrs. VT. C. Godwin, of Sanford, lost a
pet canary a few days ago. Tha bird had been
in Mrs. Godwin's possession for 14 years, bat
for the past year his not warbled a note, until
Saturday, when, to tbe surprise of all, it sang
for a few moments and was quite lively, then
fell from its perch and died in a moment.
A specimen of magnolia grandiflora is
growing on tbe "old Hardwicke" property
northeast of Lancaster. The fact is reported
that only two of these trees, one In Lanrel Hill
Cemetery, tbe other on Mrs. Lippincott's prop
erty, are known to be growing as far north as
Philadelphia. The Lancaster specimen, it is
stated, is very old, but annually bears a dozen
or more of large fragrant flowers.
The English Government has been re
deeming at their nominal value tbe old gold
coins tbat have become short weight through
much use, with tbe idea of getting them out of
circulation. It was supposed that there were
J20,000,0tt) worth of such coins in the country,
but the call only brought out about lull that
sum. This month tba old rule of taking such
coins only by weight will go into force again.
Ihe old Garibaldi homestead, at Clif
ton, L. L, which was presented to the Italian
Government in 1882 by Mr. Bacbmann. is likely
to revert to tha latter. Tha Italian Consul in
New York and tbe trustees appointed to look
after the property refuse to pay a bill of $3-2 for
taxes and repairs, tbe latter saying tnat the
Italian Government should pay it bo bill, and
the Consul insisting that the trustees must
meet tbe debt. Mr. Bachmsnn says he will
take the house back.
A French official returning to bis home
in tbe suburbs a few days ago, his wife and
family being absent, found a burglar asleep on
tbe sofa In the parlor with bis jimmy and
skeleton keys by his side and a lot of jewelry
and other valuables packed up to take away.
ne was unaoie to arouse me man even oy snak
ing him, and when he sent for tha police they
had to throw cold water in the man's face to
bring blm to. It turned out tbat he bad found
a bottle which contained something tbat looked
Ilka wine and bad taken a drink. It was really
a powerful narcotic and put him to sleep.
Several big snowstorms may yet come
along. An old farmer, Interviewed by tha
Mount Joy, Pa., St ar, remembers that In April,
1834, there was a heavy snowfalLand another
soil tiller says that 'In June of 1845 or 1843,
while the wheat was in bloom, a snow of sev
eral Inches fell. Home farmers took tha lines
from their harness, fastened them together,
and passed over the tops of tbeir wheat to dis
lodge tba snow; in all cases where tbat was
done there was no wheat, while where tbe snow
was left to melt away the wheat suffered no in
jury." In removing the bank near the north
end of tbeir lumber yard at Brewster's Neck,
on tba Thames river, three miles south of Nor
wich. Conn., tha other day, tba. Da wlsy Broth
ers uncovered a ruin that is believed to ba tha
remains of an old fort of revolutionary days.
The ruins cover about an eighth ot an aera ot
ground, and the thick walls are as .high as a
man's head. It Is thought tbe fort was erected
in the Revolution, at the time Decatur's little
fleet was blockaded by the English In tha
Thames, in order to prevent tne British war
vessels which lay off New London from coming
np the river to Norwich.
It has always been more or less of a dis
puted Question whether or not fish possess tha
sensa of bearing. Some interesting experi
ments were once made by Mr. John W. Masury
at bis trout hatchery in Eastport, L. L Ihers
were present on tha occasion Mr. William C.
Barrett. Mr, Frank H. Palmer and other noted
anglers. Tbe trout were in a narrow stream
which traversed tba building from end to end.
At the lower corner was erected a screen, be
hind which tbe operator took position. Every
variety of noise was made by the person In con
cealment and amid it all tbe trout remained
perfectly motionless: but as soon as a handker
chief was waved above tha top of tha screen
tha fish darted toward tbe upper end of tba
building at a high rate of speed.
-In Pike county, Pa., is the Blooming
Grova Park Association, tba pioneer on tho
list ot great game and fish preserves. A few
hours by rail and one is landed In a wilderness,
tempered by a perfectly equipped club house.
Tha club owns 18,000 acres in fee. and is tha
lessee for a long term of years of 8,00a more.
These form a tract of 42 miles square. Tha
club is now giving great attention to stocking
its waters witb trout and bass. Deer are plen
tiful, and onlv because wise rales bave been
made arid enforced. A fine of 30 is enforced
for the killing of a fawn or doe. Each member
is allowed to kill one buck during tba season,
and he must meet his fate by stalking. Bound
ing, fire-lighting and all other fatal forms of
huntiny ara prohibited.
An elliptical-shaped gray stone, proba
bly two feet inlength and about six inches in
diameter, was received at the White House
yesterday, accompanied by a letter from Gov
ernor Prince, of New Mexico. He stated tbat
the stone was of tba idol age, anterior to tba
arrival of tho Spaniards in tha Western con
tinent, and it was known to be over SIX) years old.
Among the Pueblo Indians the stops was
venerated as a household god, and examina
tion showed that witn some rnda tools an at
tempt had been made to depict eyes, nose, and
month on tbe upper flat portion, while in tba
center crossed bands are easily discernible. It
nowres'sonasbelf just above Private Secre
tary Hal ford's desk, and as a companion pleca
there Is a primitive gourd, which was sent to
the White House by & North Carolina Repub
lican. AS SOD LIKE IT.
Still Making a Fair Beeord. "Was
Piatt's record in tbe Senate good for anything?"
"jralr.'' Ji'itB lor Sun.
Artful Dodger Qnjts a spell we're hav
ing? Officer (putting on the handcuffs) Yes, quits a
cold snip. Boston Utraid.
"What do yon suppose, he drowned him
self for?"
Somebody told him hla day-old baby Was tha
Image of blm. "Xew XorkSun.
"Why doesn't that man pull the bell in
stead of monkeying all night with tha latch key?'
"He's a horse car conductor and doesn't like to
ring tnem np." -Tew iotk flun.
Where is the boasted liberty of the pressv
if a paper may not indulge in tho luxury or gram
matical errors wlthodl being hauled over tho
coals for lltMnghamton Leader.
"Does your daughter read much ?" "No,
she does not." "I understood sba nadsaUUie
latest novels." "Well, so she does, but 1 don't
call them much," Xonkeri Statesman.
;He Perhaps you won't believe me, bnt I
never langb at an Inferior.
8h-Or coarse 1 believe yoq. It woald be Im
passible for you Jo do such a thing. Bqiton Tran
script. Mr. Grnmp Bobby, I shajl have, to tell
jour father about yot you've been flzntlng-t
Bobby Well, mum, hain't 1 been licked bad
enough now without harla' another scrap with
pit-Texas Sittngi,
(Sharply) "Seems to me, Maud, that
young Mr. Banklnson stayed pretty late last
nlgtik Did he have any pressing badness!"
(Bloshlnglyj "ot till Just before b went
awsy, mamma." CMeago Tribune.
Little Boy When are yojj going to tha
carpenter shoo to b fixed I
loet Carpenter shopl
Llttls Boy Yes 1 1 beard pa ten ma there was a
screw loose about yon somewhere, Texas BVU
ingt.
M
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