Pittsburg dispatch. (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, February 24, 1890, Image 1

Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page. It is also available as plain text as well as XML.

    EDWARD BBLIiAMY
WM explain the Principle and Pur
poses of NationalUmin next Sunday's
issue of THE DISPATCB. Agents
"
showasena in ttieir orders
FORTT-1TFTH TEAR.
NO PA! BU1NP0VERTY
The Eeward of the Country
Teacher in This State.
.THIRTY DOLLABS A MONTH
Hot a Tempting Bait to Men of Mature
Tears and Learning.
EDUCATIONAL PfiOGEESS SLOW,
Where Farm Laborers b Better
Than Schoolmasters.
Paid
QUE COUCTI TEAES BEHIND THE AGE
If not much has been known heretofore
about the country school teacher, the reader
may learn considerable to his profit from
the investigations ot The Dispatch's staff
correspondent, who is now in the rural dis
tricts on such a mission. The low salaries
which are paid for important educational
work he shows to be a great evil. In many
instances farmhands and the smaller arti
sans receive better wages than the teacher.
This has driven many competent men out of
the profession, and the county superintend
ent says that now the danger line has been
reached, and unless something is done the
rural schools of Allegheny county must de
teriorate. The evils resulting from this
condition of things will be followed up in
future letters for these columns.
rrEOM X STAVT COKBESFOXBEXT.J
Talley Cayey, Pa., February 23.
Thad. Btevens was once a country school
teacher. It was fortunate for him, though,
that he had the experience as far back as
1815. He got little enough for it then.
"While teaching to earn money for the pur
chase of clothes in which to argue his first
law case before the courts, he nearly
Starved.
But had a displacement of fates held the
Great Commoner in "the womb of time"
had he not been born until the last decade,
and had he began his career as a school
teacher in Allegheny county, instead of
York eonnty, the probabilities are that,
even he, the mighty Stevens, would have
been compelled to give up the schoolroom,
and engage as a farm-hand, before he could
have saved money enough to canvass "West
Deer township for bis election to Harris
burg. And West Deer has less than 1,500
population too.
SFTAMT.rULLT LOW SALABIES.
Samefnlly low salaries are paid to many
teachers in the rural schools of Allegheny
eonnty. An investigation into the subje:t
will surprise most of your city readers. At
least it astonished me, and I have only
looked up the matter personally in that
northern, section ot the county bordering
close along the Butler line. But I have
come into possession of data which embrace
the schools of the entire county outside of
Pittsburg, Allegheny and McKeesport
This information is not of a flattering char
acter. It would not do to let it go out to
the world beside the prize which the city of
Pittsburg's schools won at the Paris Expo
sition. One would hardly explain the other,
especially as all the schools are in the same
county.
Yesterday I asked a young man who had
worked upon a farm last harvest what wages
he received, "fifteen dollars a month and
board," he replied. "But I know of many
farm hands who receive as much as $20 per
month and board. The best paid help on a
farm, though, are the men who receive so
much per month with the free use of a house
and vegetables on the farm for themselves
and families. They have more profit in the
end."
A STKIKINO EXAMPLE.
In Allegheny county townships to-day
there is a large number of school teachers
who are paid $30 per month salary. In
most of these cases they have gone awa;
from home to secure schools and they have
to pay 4 per week board. That makes $16
deducted every month out of the $30.
Living, in some instances, at least 20 miles
away from their homes, they have to pay
transportation once or twice a month for
visits home. Pin-money, and the ordinary
expenses necessary to keep the teacher in
the neat dress her calling demands, swells
this monthly outlay of $1G to fully $20. So
she has $10 per month profit
"Who's ahead at the end of the month, the
teacher or the farm boy? Of course there
are some farm-hands who receive less than
$15 per month and board. Of course there
are some of the $30 school teachers who
board as cheaply as $3, or even $2 50 per
wees, or wno, pernaps, nave innuential
railroad friends for pass purposes, or beaux
with buggies' about going-home time; but
the two illustrations will be found, I think,
to be a lair average of the present condition
of things in Allegheny county, outside of
the three cities named. The best proof of
the assertions is the presence of so many
young men teachers on the farms in sum
mer. few choice, positions.
Thirty-dollars, however, is the minimum
Salary. Figures somewhat higher are paid
in the more populous townships, and in the
boroughs considerably better salaries are
given. Yet, in spite of that fact, it is a
proposition not very hard to prove that the
county teachers generally are miserably
underpaid. The last annual report of
County Superintendent Ssmuel Hamilton
hows that there is only $209,506 paid teach
ers in the boroughs and townships of Alle
gheny county. It is one of the five or six
most populous counties in the United States.
Education in the great State of Pennsyl
vania is supposed to be far advanced. Yet
the reckless enthusiasm (?) with which
education is paid for in the "Great State of
Allegheny" is toldhn the following calcula
tions of the County Superintendent:
There are 617 teachers employed in the
county to manage about 30,000 pupils. The
best paying positions are in the borough
(Schools, but only 1S4 out of the C17 teachers
are in the boroughs. The other 432 teach
in the townships.
FIGUBES THAT TELL.
The highest salary paid to any male
ffmz
early.
teacher is $125 per month. The highest
salary paid to any female teacher is (75 per
month. The lowest salary given to any
male teacher is $30 per month, and the low
est to any female is the same. The average
salary for male teachers in the boroughs is
$71 68 per month, and in the township
schools the average for males is $33 58. The
average salary for females in the loronghs
is-ftO 58, and in the townships $35 80.
Some districts in the county only have
school six months fn the year. Others have
seven months, while still others have terms
of eight, nine and ten months. The couDty.
as a whole, will average a school year of 7.6
months, the shorter terms rnle in so many
districts. Prof. Hamilton, therefore, calcu
lates that the average annual salary of the
male teacher in township schools is 5292 55,
and that the average annual salary of the
female teacher in townships is $272 08. The
living expenses deducted, as shown by the
illustration iu the outs tart, would reduce
some of these salaries to Drobably an aver
age of $125 per annum, or in the lowest paid
Individual cases to about $75.
II.
Only Twenty Paying Position!.
"There are not more than 20 families who
depend alone for their livelihood in this
county on teaching school," says Superin
tendent Hamilton. And there are 617
teachers. It is impossible to Ii?e respect
ably on the income alone tbat school teach
ing brings. Every vacation mast be de
voted to some additional employment to
make both ends meet At least this is the
case with the male teachers who still sur
vive in Allegheny county. In summer the
country teacher takes positions on farms, in
the offices, sells books, and even some of the
girls engage in some light clerical work.
The low salaries have gradually been
driving the men ont of the profession.
Women, and very voung women, succeed
them, and they, in turn, soon get married.
A girl seldom takes' a school expecting to
make it her life work. At best it is merely
a make-shilt until her opportunity in mat
rimony comes along. She may not have
such cold intentions, or at least she will not
admit it, but that is the rnle in country
schools the world over, as far as the end
goes.
IT WORKS MUCH INJUBY.
This constant changing of teachers hurts
the schools. It is hard toman them well.
At last when some particular school has
beoome pretty well graded and elevated, the
male teacher is offered better salary in other
walks ot life, or the youthful female teacher
gets married. Then a new teacher, and in
many cases a very raw recruit, fills the
vacancy at the same low salary. Again the
school suffers.
The maturity of years whlch.it is so neces
sary for teachers to have for a proper man
agement and instruction of children, is
something you do not find in' the average
country school. After citing the fact that
there are no more than 20 teachers in Alle
gheny county who can snpport their families
by school teaching alone, Superintendent
Hamilton s report points out that we are
gradually drifting to the danger-line in al
lowing tbe schools to get into very young
and inexperienced hands. It tnen con
tinues: OTHEB WOEK PATS BETTER.
"The cause is found in the fact that the
earning power ot a man is greater in any
business than the work ol teaching, and the
best material in the teachers' rank is con
stantly dropping into other pursuits. The
ministry, law, medicine,.. skilled labor, or
business offer induoements'which the live,
talented, enterprising teacher is not slow to
accept He must accept them or, sacrifice
his dearest hopes. If the teacher desires,
for instance, to get married and establish a
home, he must be able to get-one of the 20
good teacherships in the county, or seek
more remunerative employment
"Farmers, professional men, mechanics,
miners and laboring men,, by industry and
economy, find it possible to establish homes
in accordance with their station of life, but
the great majority of teachers must forego
that comfort or leave the profession. They
generally accept the latter alternative."
III.
Where Poor Salaries Bale.
The poorest salaries are paid in the school
districts most remote from the centers of
population. Tt would be unfair to specifi
cally mention localities, but the general rule
may be laid down that a wholesome, stiffen
ing influence goes out from every large city
or town to the schools in their immediate
neighborhood. And where no such center
of populetion is convenient, the educational
sentiment will be found to be weaker, and
as a result miserable salaries are paid. Of
course the people in those sparsely settled
localities feel that they cannot afford to pay
more than they do.
For example, Forward township is one of
the most distant townships from Pittsburg.
It is away down in the sonthern corner of
Allegheny county. Yet good salaries are
paid there because It is in proximity to
Monongahela City, and that rather cele
brated educational town of Washington
county has given it quite an impulse.
Sewickley is midway between Allegheny
City and the college town of Beaver. It
has fairly paid teachers. Within the
shadows of Pittsburg itself, McKjeesport has
snoh good schools, and such well-paid teach
ers, that it is not under the control of the
County Superintendent, and is not included
in the statistics given above. McKeesport,
in turn, influences the townships in that
vicinity. Trentnm, up iu this part of the
county, has as good schools as can be found
elsewhere, and a few "fat" positions for
teachers. But when you skirt some of the
borders of the countv vou will find olentv
of poverty-stricken instructors.
The County Superintendent and quite a
number of District Committeemen, whom I
talked to, say emphatically that better sala
ries should be paid in Allegheny county, so
as to reach a higher standard in the educa
tional results. The schools under their
present administration are making a good
record, yet with better material there is no
estimating the momentum that could be
imparted to them. Allegheny is as large as
five of some ot the other counties in Penn
sylvania put together. Yet the State educa
tional reports snow that Allegheny county
pays its male teachers only an average
salary of 9 cents per month, or $1 37 per
year, more than the average salaries of other
counties. "And as our county is so near
the other averages," remarks Prof. Hamil
ton, "there must be many counties in this
State in advance of ours in the payment of
their teachers." And of course those coun
ties are smaller. .
IT.
Skilled Labor Better Paid,
It will be conceded that the cultivation
and preparation for snch a calling as that of
teaching should be taken into consideration
when you come to discriminate between pay
ing those pursuits, purely manual, and not
requiringthe brainy qualities, which an
educator is supposed to have, and paying
the school teacher. Yet here is an anomaly.
Allegheny county is full of small artisans
and workmen who are engaged in the lower de
grees of skilled labor, wlo dally draw higher
wages than the country school teachers.
Even common laborers, in manyof the mills
and factories, are better paid. "Catchers"
in the iron mills get $3 72 per day on an
average. "Cindermen" in the blast furnaces
WvWifflm
get $2 03 per day. Miners will average
$1 90 Per day. Even ''gathering boys" in
the glass houses may average $2 47 per
day, I am told. It would of course be un
fair to include the higher forms of skilled
labor, snch as puddling, rolling, glass blow
ing, etc.
But the anomaly goes still farther. ( The
few instances given above of small artisans'
wages show that Pennsylvania is a State
which ranks firt in paying high salaries to
skilled labor. But from statistics it is
found that she ranks twenty-sixth in the
rate of salaries paid to rural school teachers.
The average salary paid to male teachers in
Alaska is $131 25 per month; in Massachu
setts. $116 per month; in the District of Co
lumbia, $109 per month; in Nevada, $98 per
mouth; in Arizona, $87 60 per month; in
Bhode Island, $52 per month; in Montana,
$75. New Jersey, our nearest neighbor,
pays its average male teacher 63, and Ohio,
on the west, pays an average of $55 per
month, while Pennsylvania, the Keystone
State, pays the teacher "the man who
should be a prince among artisans," as
Prof. Hamilton says only an average of
$38 54 per month" for 7.6 months in the
year.
Of course this phase of the question
comes home to Allegheny county with more
force than to other parts of the'Stale. We
are distinctively a manufacturing people.
The mill, the factory, the trades, aud the
counting rooms demand large armies of
young people. Good salaries are paid; and
so the profession of teaching, stripped of
financial inducements, is left without at
tractions. Will that profession be brought
up with the age and the growth of the
times?
There is still another important feature of
the evil of low salaries in the country dis
tricts of Allegheny county, of which I will
treat in a second letter.
L. E. SlOFIEL.
AN EX-CASHIEE'S SUICIDE.
Drinking Habit Cause lib Discharge and
Ultimately Bl Death.
1KTECIAI. TELEQBAB TO TBS DISrATCK.1
Philadelphia, February 23. A
tragedy that has surprised and shocked bus
iness circles was enacted late last night,
For years there was no more popnlar bank
officer in this city than Willie Kushton, as
sistant cashier of the Farmers' and Mechan
ics' National Bank. The Farmers' and
Mechanics' is the biggest bank in the city.
It has a capital of $2,000,000 and agreat'sur
plus. It is the fiscal agent of the city, pay
ing the interest on all the city loans, aud it
does an enormous general banking business.
Willie Bnshton's lather was, lor a genera
tion, cashier of the Farmers' and Mechanics'.
The boy was brought up in the bank vfai
was advanced from one position to another
until he became assistant cashier a number
of years ago. He married into a family of
wealth and high social standing, and lived
with his wife and several snfall children in
elegant style.
Within a year or two he contracted drink
ing habits, and the vice grew upon him so
rapidly that about a month ago his resigna
tion was demanded. The fact, however, was
kept so quit that very few outside of those
having business with the bank knew of it
His discharge from the bank appears to
have aggravated drinking habits. About
nooa yesterday, much under the influence
of liquor, he entered Nellie Beach's house
and said ho wanted nothing but sleep. He
had never been there before and none of the
inmates knew him, but he was shown to a
room. He slept until nearly midnight and
then got up, and after firing several shots
into the walls of the room, turned the re
volver to his head and blew his brains out.
A CIGARETTE COMBINATION.
They Don't Call It a Trast bat It Means lbs
Mane.
ISPECIAI. TELEGRAM TOTSSBtSlMTCK.
New Yobk, February 23. The five
leading cigarette making companies in the
world have come together and formed the
American Cigarette Manufacturing Com
pany. John F. James, real estate dealer,
of Brooklyn, has been employed to place a
fair valuation on the plants and other
property of all these five companies as a
basis for the new and larger firm. Mr.
James returned from his trip to Richmond,
Va., and to various towns in North Carolina
only Thursday last. He had previously
gone through the extensive works on the
Genesee river at Rochester, and also had
estimated the value of the New York City
cigarette property. A meeting of represent
atives of all the hrms interested was held on
Friday night and Mr. James' reoort was
heard. Another meeting will lie held
within a few days.
' The companies whose consolidation makes
the American Cigarette Manufacturing
Company, arc Goodwin & Co., of New
York; Kimball & Co., of Bochester; Allen
& Ginter; A. and W. Dnke's Sons, of Rich
mond, and Kinney Bros., ot Durham, N.
C. Mr. James was found at his residence
where he had just arrived from a trip to
Philadelphia. He had only time to deny
the organization of a Cigarette Trust, and to
explain briefly the formation of the new
concern and the nature ot his connection
with it.
PLED FE0H HIS DEAD WIFE,
Taking With Illnt all the Jewelry nnd Er-
fecti of Value.
IKPECIAX. TELEGRAM TO TUB DISPATCH.!
Elizabeth, N. J., February 23. Henry
Broadbent. a farmer in Union township,
fled from his home last night, leaving be
hind him the dead body of his wife, who ex
pired that evening. When neighbors called
to-day to inquire alter the woman's health,
as she had been sick for months with a can
cer, they were startled to find her lying dead
on a cot, her husband missing and the house
nearly stripped of all its effects. Mrs.
Broadbent was about 40 years old, and had
some fine silk dresses, jewelry and other
valuables, all of which have disappeared,
and the supposition is tbat her absconding
husband took them.
The couple came to Union county from
Binghamton, N. Y., two years ago, and
leased the old Meeker farm. They had no
children. There was not enongh goods left
to pay for Mrs. Broadbent's burial, but it
was learned that her life is insured for a
sufficient amount to pay funeral expenses.
FUNEBAL SEEYICES
Held In New York for the Late Prince
Amadeo of Italy.
New Yobk, February 23. The Italian
societies of this city attended funeral
services held for the late Prince Amadeo of
Italy in the old Episcopal church of San
Salvatore, Mulberry and Houston streets,
this afternoon.
Ontside the church the stars and stripes
and the white cross of Savoy were placed
side by side. The interior was hung with
flags of Italy, interspersed -with draping.
On each side of the chancel inscriptions on
a black ground bore testimony to the de
ceased Prince's worth,
f
FATALLY INJUEED.
An Engine Backs Down Upon Two Hall
road Employes nt Erie.
rsrEcuu. TELEQajuc to Tin dupatcii.1
Erie, February 23. Two Erie and Pitts
burg employes were fatally injured to-night
while crossing through the Lake Shore
yards. The men were John Dighton, of
Sharon, Pa., and Martin Salisbury, of Erie.
A Lake Shore engine baeked down upon
them in the darkness and. striking them.
mangled them fatally. Both were young I
tnn nnd slnplft. I
men and single.
PITTSBUKG, MONDAY,
ALL CLAII THE FAIR.
The Advocates of Each City Confident
of Ultimate Success.
REVISED' ESTIMATE OP THE VOTE.
The Number of Absentees Will Complicate
the Situation.
WASHINGTON NOW LAST ON THE LIST,
Bat Bos Apparently a Good Chance of Being accepted
as a Compromise.
' The latest estimate of the first ballot on
the site of the World's Fair is that Chicago
will receive 112; New York, 83; St. Louis,
57, and Washington, 48. It is expected that
the contest will be long and tedious. The
friends of the Capital City are still hopeful.
1FBOM A STATT COHKESPOXDENT.
Washington, February 23. On- the
J eve of the final struggle over the World's
Fair no other subject is discussed here. The
question is in every one's mouth, "Where
will the fair be held," and the answer is
dictated by the individual preferences of
the person addressed. It would be difficult
to say which city is the more confident to
night. All are hopeful and all profess to
have unbounded faith in what the morrpw
has in store for them.
Each city has bad its missionaries at
work making a last effort to win over votes
to its cause, and delegations from the differ
ent headquarters have been Interchanging
visits, arguing the whole subject over again
while discussing a fragrant cigar or enjoy
ing the more liquid hospitality of their
rivals. It hag been a peaceful, friendly
campaign since the beginning, and this last
day has certainly not developed any bitter
ness between the' quartet of opponents.
TO THE BATTLE AT ONCE.
The programme for to-morrow is very sim
ple. After approving the journal the House
will take up the special order for the day,
which is the balloting for a world's fair
site. The first proposition will probably
come from one of those who do not desire a
fair at all in the shape of a motion to lay
the matter on the table. This will be lost by
a large majority, and then will oome the
actual business of the day.
As the roll is called each member will re
spond with the name of the city he favors.
It will require a majority to settle the ques
tion, that is. a plurality will suffice. The
balloting wiil be long and tedions. After
it is settled where the fair is to be held, the
bill already prepared will be perfected by
the addition of the name of the city chosen.
Then will come the motion, probably from
Mr. Mills, ot Texas, to strike out all after
the enacting clatfse, and thus bring a direct
Tote on the question of fair or no fair. If
the Honse decides for a fair, as is likely, the
bill will go through without any further
trouble.
NO FIGHT IN THE SENATE.
The Senate, it is said, Is waiting to see
what the House will do, and will ratify
whatever action may be decided apon by
that body. The estimate of the result of the
first ballot on site which was sent last night
in these dispatches will have to be modified
somewhat by the discovery that there will
be to-morrow pearly 30 absentees from the
House. There are that number of members
sick themselves, or" absent on account of
.sickness in their families, or by reason ot
pressing Dusmess. oome oi in em are pairea
on this question, but most are Cot.
The tairest and most impartial estimate
obtainable to-night is as follows: "Chicago
112, New York 83, St. Louis 67 and Wash
ington 48. There is a strong belief in many
quarters that after the larger oities have
struggled along through ballot after ballot
Washington may step in and carry off the
prixe, as that city is undoubtedly the second
choice of a majority of the House.
Ex-Representative O'Neill, who has been
conducting the St. Louis campaign, is
strongly of the opinion that good sense and
good taste dictate the choice of his city as
tne proper place to bold tne fair.
INTENDED FOB THE PAIB.
"Why," 'said he, "to look at the site we
have in the center of St. Louis you would
imagine that Providence bad specially in
tended it for a world's fair. Three cable
car lines and a steam railroad rnn to it. I
think St. Louis holds a good position in
this fight. It is the second choice of a large
number who will cast complimentary votes
for other cities. Its better to go in with a
small number of votes nnd increase them
gradually as we shall do, than it is to have
a large number at the start which can't in
crease and mnst inevitably decrease.
"That is what Chicago has. She will
lead on the first ballot. She has been using
her brass bands and her bnsiness'and social
influences to compel men to vote lor her.
She is the second choice of none. Those
memlers who have been forced to vote for
her on the first ballot will do so and then
will drop away. That means demoraliza
tion oi her forces. The St. Louis men are
not of that kind. They came to us volun
tarily and will stick to us to the last ditch,
and we will get in addition the second
choice votes ot a number of New York,
Washington and Chicago men."
TROUBLE IN THE CAMP.
There is something of a division among
ine ii ew xurKers. xae xsemocrats trom
that State have been charging the Republi
cans with bad faith and with hindering in
stead of aiding New York's chances. To
night they all met at a dinner given them by
Eepresentative Flower and tried to settle
these disagreements. Mr. Depew is some
what discouraged. He says that all the
work which had been done when he was
down before, some weeks ago, has had to he
done over again. New York's opponents
had taken advantage of the situation result
ing from the squabble at Albany. Ex-Secretary
Whitney is not claiming more than
80 votes for New York on the first ballot,
but thinks that eventually the fair will go
there.
Washington is content to accept the situa
tion as it is. "We hope," said Mr. William
Dickson, "to gather in the fair after the hi?
cities have fougbt among themselves for it.
There is no doubt that there is a strong un
dercurrent tending in that direction, and I
believe that Washington will be the place."
LlGHTNEB.
A SUBSTITUTE FOE M0BT0X.
Ingnlls Will
Act n Vice President for a
Month or So.
Washington, February 23. Mr. Ev
arts has given notice tbat he will call up
the resolution deolaring that it is competent
for the Senate to elect a President pro tern.,
who shall hold the office during the pleas
ure of the Senate. This will doubtless pro
voke a discussion of constitutional power.
The resolution was approved by a caucus of
the Bepublican Senators last year, but it
was seriously combatted there by a large
minority.
It will, however, be adopted, and the Sen
ate will, it is understood, choose Senator In
galls to preside during the absence of Vice
President Morton, who, with bis family,
will start for Florida March 8, to be absent
a month.
Seized Schooners ltelcnncd.
Panama, February 15. The various
American, British and Dominican schoon
ers that have been recently seized by the
Colombian authorities' at Carthagenia for
contravention of the Customs Laws have all
I been duly released.
FEBRUARY 24; 1890.
0UB OWN 0APT. WISHAET
Takes a Prominent Part In the Convention
of the International Law and Order
League The Body Will Come
To Flitsbnrg Next Year.
ISrXCIAL TEIEQBAM TO TUB DI8PATCII.1
Tobonto, Ont., February 23. The Con
vention of the International Law and Order
League opened here on Saturday. Elaborate
preparations had been made for the reception
of American visitors, the Citizens' Com
mittee formed for the purpose being com
posed of a member of the Provincial Gov
ernment, members of the House of Assembly
and many prominent citizens. The conven
tion has happened at a time when the tem
perance people are having everything almost
as they want it, which accounts for the invi
tations to the pulmts of city churches, to
the hospitality of citizens' houses, banquets,
etc., which were showered on the visitors
from the United States. The formal open
ing took place in the Provincial Educa
tional Building.
Hon. Judge Bonny, of Chicago, presided.
Colonel Dudley, Boston; Captain Wisbart,
Pittsburg; A. Leggate, Pittsburg; Hon. A.
M. Burton, Philadelphia, and Captain W.
W. Wallace, Philadelphia, were prominent
among those present. The reports of the
President and Secretary were highly satis
factory. Captain Wishart, of Pittsburg,
in the course of a speech said that during
the first year of the league's existence in
Pittsburg not only had they the hotel keep
ers against them, bnt manyof the citizens
and the press. When the citizens and jour
nalists came to know their objects better
they became anything but hostile. Funds
were offered to the league, but the money
was not accepted, as they were quite able to
keep the branch running on fines imposed
upon botel keepers.
Mr. Leggate followed and read an invita
tion from' the Pittsburg branch to hold the
next convention in that city. The invita
tion will probably be accepted. A public
banquet was tendered to the visitors in the
evening, at which several members of the
Government were present. The meeting's
were continued to-day with great success in
point of public attendance.
FIEE IN A CANAL BOAT.
A Child Barned to Death nnd the Cnptnln
nnd Wlfo Severely Bnrned.
New Yobk, February 23. By the ex
plosion of a lamp in the cabin of the canal
boat A. 0. Chandler, lying at the foot of
West Sixtieth street, early this morning,
Dennis Daily, three years old, the son of
Captain Patrick Daily, was burned to
death and Captain Daily, his wife and two
other children were severely burned.
The family who live on board retired at
11 on Saturday night. An oil ( lamp, sus
pended from the center of the cabin, ex
ploded, scattering the burning oil over the
sleeping inmates and setting the cabin on
fire. Mrs. Daily got up, screamed, and
then picked up two of her children, and
pushed them through the window to the
deck of the canal boat Pratt, which came
alongside, her Captain having been attracted
by Mrs. Daily's screams. Two other boys
were aved in the same manner.
Captain Daily was awakened just in time
to save his life. In the excitement Mrs.
Daily forgot all about her youngest boy
Dennis. She rushed back and found him in
his bunk, and when she carried him on deck
he was stillalive, but almost burned to a
crisp.
MUEDEEED FOE THEIR WEALTH.
The Dastardly nod Revolting Crime of Two
" v Laborer on a Plantation.
Panama, February 15. A most das
fardly and revolting crime was recently per
petrated at the Village of Cbarme, on the
coast of the Bay of Panama. Two French
gentlemen, who started a plantation there
not long ago, were found one morning in
their house with their heads completely
severed from their bodies. On search being
made it was found that the sum of ?1,U00 in
silver, which had been drawn by one of the
planters from a bank in Panama a few days
before, and all their jewelry and other per
sonal valuables, had disapneared.
Suspicion fell immediately on two labor
ers employed by them to work the planta
tion, and on inquiry it was discovered that
they bad decamped. The authorities here
at once instituted a vigorous search for the
fugitives, which resulted in their capture
yesterday.
CHEISTIANIZtNG THE NEGBOES.
Cardinal Gibbons Believe It the Best So
lution of the Problem.
Baltimobe, February 23. Cardinal
Gibbons began to-day at the solemn high
mass a course of Lenten sermons. The sub
ject was "Penance." Before beginning the
sermon to-day, Cardinal Gibbons made
an appeal to the congregation in
behalf of the negro and Indian
missions. His Eminence reminded his
hearers that in compliance with the decree
of the last Plenary Council of Baltimore, an
annual collection" was taken up in behalf of
those missions on the first Sunday in lent in
all the churches of the country.
"There are now," said His Eminence,
"about 7,000,000 of negroes in the United
States, and the negro question has become a
serious problem to the American people.
The best solution of this problem, in my
judgment, will be found in Christianizing
the negroes. ,
HE FOOLED THE D00T0ES.
A Victim of Consumption Who Survived for
Elffhtecn xpnm.
Nett Yobk, February 23. Thomas Nash
died in Jersey City to-day orconsumption.
Eighteen years ago he was said to be dying
of that disease. His physician told him he
could not live 24 hours. He said he would
live in spite of the doctor, and got up out ot
his bed and went about his work. He was
ndt sick again until a couple of weeks ago,
when he had to take to his bed. With his
sister he owned one of the largest bakeries
in Jersey City.
Hrwas a man of remarkable vitality, and
would often go for weeks with not more than
two or three hours' sleep a day. Everyone
in lower Jersey City knew him. He was
very commonly called the '"Squire."
CLEYELAHD'S SALT COMPANi
A Mammoth Analr, Baeked With n Capital
ol 81,000,000.
Clevelahd, February 23. The United
Salt Company, with a capital of $1,000,000,
will file articles of incorporation to-morrow.
The company will have works here at New
portage, Summit county, and at Newburg,
a Cleveland suburb. Wells have been sunk
and thick. veins of rock salthavebeen found
at aVlepth of 3,000 feet.
Buildings have already been erected and
operations will be commenced within a few
weeks. The output of the three plants will
be 5,000 barrels of refined salt per day. Tne
incorporators of the United Salt Company
are New York, Oleveland and Akron capi
talists. Wnrebonses Bnrned.
Council Bluffs, February 23. The
Consolidated Tank Line Company's ware
houses here burned this morning. The loss
may reach $25,000. The cause of the fire is
unknown. Two immense oil tanks were
saved from explosion by having several
streams of water playing on them.
Mmam
JOHNSTOWN'S EITAL.
The Number of Lires Lost in
Frescott Calamity Unknown.
tne
THE DAM OUT FROM TOP TO BOTTOM.
The First Intimation Was a Bound Resem
bling Distant Thunder.
THE ST0EAGE C0MPANI BESP05SIBLE,
Ana Blamed for Not ProTidlie a Sufficient Ontlet
for the Water.
No definite. news has been recived of the
loss of life or the damage caused by the
break of tbe dam in Prescott on Saturday,
but the. number of lives lost will, in all
probably, be much greater than earlier dis
patches stated. The Storage Company Is
blamed for not having provided a sufficient
outlet for water in times of danger.
Pbescott, Aeiz., February 23. No
definite news has yet reached here of the loss
of life or the damage caused by the break
yesterday of th'e Walnut Grove dam. Ar
thur Allen, formerly in the enterprise, and
John McDonald, owner of tbe Blue Dick
mine, have just returned from the Dozoris
Divide, 14 miles south of the town, from
which a view of the dam could be had. The
wash-water way could be plainly seen with
their powerful glasses high up on the side of
the cliff, while the break in the stone work
of the dam was also plainly seen. The
break in the dam is sloped to the eastward,
leaving the impression that the main break
was on the east side.
There can be no estimate yet of the loss of
life or property, but the latter will reach
into millions, .while the loss of life will
without doubt be great, as many of the
families were living near the stream in the
narrow nnnnns.
The confirmation of the news of the loss of
the big dam has heightened the excitement
and more definite news is now anxiously
awaited, but as the wires are now down near
Prescott Junction it is hardly probable that
any additional information will be received
to-night
Numerous houses had been erected by
miners at various places along the course of
the stream. These were uplifted by raging
waters as though they bad been corks and
floated down the stream until they were'
dashed to pieces.
THE FIBST INTIMATION.
The first intimation of the apoalling dis
aster was a sound resembling thunder, and
at the same instant a perpendicular wall of
water, fully SO feet high came rushing down
tbe narrow valley with almost incredible
speed. Fortunately there were but com
paratively few people living near the bottom
of the hillsides, and of these a large number
were warned by the awful sound and escaped
to higher ground.
The valley widens above Wickenburg,
and much of the town lies upon the low
lands close to the course of the stream, and
it is almost certain that the vast body of
water which rushed out of the reservoir has
carried away many houses at tbat place. It
Ib believed here that fully as many people
were drowned there as immediately below
the dam.
The ruined dam is cut from tbe top almost
to the bottom, as though a section had
been sawed out, and the water above
Is only a few feet deep. Heavy rains
have fallen for several days, and
last night it was apparent that the
water in the lase was approaching the dan
ger line. The rain continued throughout
the night and early this morning the water
rose to the top ot the dam and cut a small
passage near the center, which rapidly wid
ened and deepened as tne water poured over
it till in less than 20 minutes the little
stream became a roaring cataract.
The storage company is blamed for not
having provided a sufficient outlet for the
water in these times of danger. The only
way of letting off water was through he
flume, and this afforded no appreciable re
lief. This is the first of the great storage
reservoirs projeoted in the Territory, and it
is believed that to-day's disaster will oper
ate to discourage the construction of similar
dams.
FIVE bodies becovebed.
A courier who brought telegrams for the
owners of the Walnut Grove dam notifying
them of their loss, arrived about 8 o'clock
last night and left immediately after, day
light this morning. He could give but little
particulars, further than to report the num
ber or the missinr, five bodies having been
recovered and identified when he left. The
distance to the storage dam from Prescott by
the shortest trail is 40 miles, while the ser
vice dam, where Ihe employes were located,
is IS miles further down tne stream.
Immediately on the receipt of tile news
here Adjutant General Stewart started for
the scene with two surgeons to care for the
sufferers and to superintend the burial of
the dead, a representative of the Journal
Miner, a local paper, accompanied by a
party who will send a special courier with
particulars, but it will take 24 hours or
longer to make the round trip.
. Yesterday's courier came from the lower
dam, and as the road does not come by the
upper dam, it was only surmised that it had
given away on .account of (he immense
quantity of water.
A. more hopeful feeling exists this even
ing on account of no news being received
direct that the upper dam has given way.
It is now hoped tbat the reservoir Is still in
tact and the flood was caused by opening of
the gates to relieve it from the threatened
danger.
DTJrf TO CABELESSKESS.
A New York Corporation Severely Criticised
. for Poor Work on tbo Dam.
ISFECIAI. TELEGBAM TO Till DlBPATCn.l
Bait Fbancisco, February 23 En
gineer Luther Wagner to-day gave your
correspondent some details of the construc
tions of the dam which show that this
disaster like that at Johnstown was due to
carelessness and meanness of the
New York corporation tbat built
it. He was called in to report
on the dam about a year and a half ago. It
was to have been faced with stone 14 feet
thick at the base and four feet at the top,
filled with loose rock and made water tight
with wood sheathing. It was about half
done when Wagner inspected it, and he
found the stone had been filled In carelessly
and was high in the center, making the
structure unsiawe.
The junction of the sheathing and the
bed of the rock was intended to be secured
by a thick laver of Portland cement but
this work wasn't well done because of the
cost of getting the cement to work, the com
pany paying $2,000 freight on $1,000 worth
of cement Thus a dangerous crevice was
formed at tbe base of the dam, aud the leak
age was heavy, being 141 inches with 70 feet
ot water in the dam. Tbe lumber nsed was
also full of knot holes, and cost a large sum.
w agner aavisea tne aiscnarge ol tbe con
tractors and the engineer, as he regarded
them as worthless, but this was not done.
The company, however, acting on his ad
vice, cut a lafge waste way and strengthened
the weak places. Wagper warned tbem.the
dam would be unsafe unless some oPthe
work was gone bver and rectified, but they
did not listen to him.
'"?'- 5tvj:
- ,?;" -5
tgtr'Zr ""- -
KOT EXTEADITABLB.
Walton, the Defaulting Express Clerk, Ar
rested In Canada The Story of HU
Crime and Hli Wanderings Or
Ihe 835,000 Stolen Only
87,000 Fonnd.
Kansas Citt, February 23. O. H.
Eppleshiemer, manager of the Pjnkerton
Detective Agency in this city, to which was
entrusted the task of capturing Frederick
A. Walton, the absconding agent of tbe
Pacific Express Company, at Dallas, Tex.,
received a dispatch this evening from St.
John, N. B., stating that Walton had
been arrested.
Walton stole J35.000 of the company's
money. Of this amount only $7,000 was
found on his person. His offense is not
extraditable.
Walton was money clerk for the Pacific
Express Company at Dallas. From Dallas
he was traced to St. Louis, then to Kansas
City, then to Detroit, and later to, SL
Thomas, Canada, where for a time all trace
of him was lost He was next heard of in
Montreal in company with two gamblers,
who relieved him of considerable of the
stolen money while entertaining him in tbat
city.
From Montreal, Walton, in company with
the two gamblers, went to Montcalm.
Brady, one of the gamblers, returned .from
that place to Montcalm last Friday and was
i mmediately arrested, having at the time
$3,000 in his possession. Meantime the
chase was kept up after Walton, resulting
In bis final capture, having 57,000 on his
person. It was learned that the two gamb
lers whom Walton fell in with, knew he had
a large sum of money, aud during the time
they were with him they managed to relieve
him of the greater part of it One ot the
gamblers, whose name is said to be Laird,
has not yet been arrested, but officers are
looking for him, and hope with his capture
to secure more of the stolen money.
A PEISOSEE WITH A HIST0EL
Career of n Man Just Released From One
of tbe Illinois Prison.
ISrECIAX. TSLEORAM TO TUX DISPATCIM
St. Louis, February 23. H. S. Felton,
who years ago was the most noted man in
Sonthern Illinois, was pardoned to-day from
the Chester penitentiary. He appeared
in St. Clair county In 1879 as
a farm laborer. He was a man of
wide learning and could write and
talk on all subjects with eloquence and wit
He entered the Blaine campaign and made
the most powerful speeches in Illinois for
Blaine. He received 100 a speech from the
Bepublican campaign committee, and was a
regular contributor to the Blaine Literary
Bureau. He was in demand everywhere,
and just as the campaign closed he was se
lected as tbe man to pit against Bill Mor
rison for Congress.
Then he suddenly disappeared and for
geries to the amount of 6,000 were discov
ered. Two years later he was discovered as
the most prominent man in Decatur, 111.,
under the name oi J. B. Buffan. He was
arrested, escaped from jail, recaptured and
at his trial made the most powerful speech
in his own defense ever heard in the St
Clair court He h
the jury gave him'
Clair court He bad refused two years and
12.
CHEEES FOE PABNELL'S YICTOBT.
Jersey City Feoplo Entfanilastle In Regard
to the Irish Leader.
tSPECTAL TELIOEAM TO TBE DISPATCH. J
NEtv Yobk, February 23. There was a
mass meeting of citizens in the Academy of
Music in Jersey City to-night to express
gratification at the victory of Parnell over
the London Times. Mayor Cleveland
presided. The house wad jammed, Ex
Senator Thoma&F. Grady was to have made
the speech of the evening. He did not ap
pear. .Mayor Cleveland toot: nis place.
He said he had never before been
so proud io preside over an Irish
meeting. He told the story of the
attacks on Parnell. He concluded by say
ing that the fact that Parnell had compro
mised with the Times was proof that he
wanted vindication and not money, for there
was no jury in the world, even in England,
that wonld not have awarded him the full
amount of damages he sued for."
Judge John A. McGrath made a speech,
and then suitable resolutions were passed.
The meeting adjourned with cheers for Par
nell and Gladstone.
SUICIDE FE0ST A STEEPLE.
A Sexton Adopts a Strnng-e method of Tnk
ine Bis Life.
rSPECIAt. TXLEOBAK TO THE DISPATCH.!
Keabnet, Neb., February 23. A re
markable suicide is reported from Wicks
ville, 75 miles northwest of here. Wicks
vilic has a church with a set of
chime' in the steeple. A young English
man named John Hicks Dawson was sexton,
and played the chimes. About six weeks ago
he bad a severe attack of influenza. He
recovered sufficiently to eo to work acain
but has acted rather strangely and has
seemed very despondent.
This morning during tne service, the congregation-was
startled by hearing the lively
strains of the "Devil's Dream" rattled off
the chimes in the steeple, followed by a
Heavy fall, and Dawson was found ling on
the ground groaning. He was carried into
the church, where he died in a few moments.
DON'T WANT THE FilB.
Anti-Poverty Speakers Say It Wonld
bo
Detrimental to tbe Worklnsmen.
New Yobk. February 23. At a meeting
held by the Anti-Poverty Society to-night
John H. Egelman, who addressed tbe
society on the subject of the
World's Fair, took the ground
that it would be detrimental to the
interests of the workingmen of this city for
the fair to be held here.
The surplus labor of America, and tbe
pauper labor of Europe would, he declared,
ue urawu uuuer w am la tne wora: oi con
struction and wages would be lowered; if
not while the lair was actually in progress,
at least after Its close, when thousands
would remain without employment, besides
rents would increase and the cost of the
laborer's living would be higher. Other
speakers took the same ground.
CHESAPEAKE AND OHIO CANAL.
Tbe Application of the State for a Re
ceiver to be Settled To-Day.
HAGEBSTOWir, February 23. Judge
Alvey will to-morrow file an opinion upon
the application of the State for the appoint
ment of receivers for the Chesapeake and
Ohio canal. The application is very long.
If Judge Alvey decide that receivers
shall be appointed, who shall report to the
Court tbe present condition of the canal,
upon tbe filing of this report the Court will
determine whether the canal shall be re
stored and operated as a waterway. The re
ceivers are not named.
$11,000 Awarded for a Lea.
(SPECIAL TELEGRAM TO TBS DISPATCH.!
Bublingtoh, Ia., February 23. &. L.
Hall, a brakeman who lost his leg while
coupling cars for the Bock Island, was to-,
day awarded $11,000 damages in the Dis-.
trict Court at Fairfield, la.
Will Oppose Restrictive Immigration.
New Yobk, February 23. The German
Press Club will be represented in Washing
ton, on March 18, at the convention of Ger
man societies, by delegates who will urge
opposition to any measures restrictive of
immigration to the United States.
JOSEPH COOK, '
The distinguished orator and thinker,
will ductus a live issue in TO-MORROWS
DISPATOS. Readers of
TBE DI8PATCB enjoy this- treat.
y?-. THREE CENTS
ez.'.i
Pk
V.i
mlUAL SJfEAMJK
Gets Otf pular Kew Governor
Iifcj&UIe Tronble.
AN ATTAC
PEIESTCEAFT
Formed the Basis of Soma Bather Unpleaa
ant Criticism.
CAMPBELL HAKES AN EXPLAJJATIOJr,
And Sari Exports of tbs Occurrence Bare Beta
dreatly Kraggwated.
Governor Campbell presided at a George
Washington celebration, at Columbus at
which one of the speakers made remarks
which were construed to mean an attack
on the Catholic Church. This caused con
siderable criticism, and the Governor hai
made a statement disavowing all responsi
bility for any sectarian utterances.
(SPECIAL TELEOKAM TO THE SI3FATCJZ.1
Columbus, February 23. TheJPatriolio
Order Sons of America last evening held a
meeting here in celebration of the anni
versary of Washington's birth. Governor
Campbell presided, and speeches were made
by Senator Massie, Representative Taylor,
of Guernsey county, and L. W. O'Brien,
State Vice President of the Patriotic Sons
of America. Mr. O'Brien's speech has been
bitterly criticised, as it assaulted priest
craft in such a way as to include the Boxnau
Catholio Church, and Governor Campbell
has come in for a share of the criticism be
cause he listened quietly and without pro
test to the assault upon a great church.
To-night Governor Campbell, in explana
tion of nis course, gives out the following
statement: "I was called on about a fort
night ago by Mr. C. L. Young, of Colum
bus, and another gentleman whose name I
have forgotten, and asked to preside at the
Washington Birthday celebration. I de
declined owing to my then intended absence
from home.
almost ax accident.
"On last Thursday night Mr. Young met
me at the Light Infantry concert, and,
learning I would be here, again invited me
to preside. I accepted tbe invitation, and
have no doubt that Mr. Young extended it
in good faith, and with a design of holding
a meeting wholly appropriate to the occasion
and utterly non-sectarian. Last night I at
tended the meeting, and for the first time
saw the programme. Nothing upon it in
dicated anything out of the usual line, and
my name did not appear thereon.
"The exercises were in charge of a secret
order known as the P. O. S. of A., of
which I never have been a member, but
which I understand in a general way to be
devoted to promoting American institutions
or something of that kind. The speeches of
Senator Massie and Eepresentative Taylor
were excellent and suitable for the occasion.
The music was patriotic and very excellent
indeed. The only thing which occurred,
which has caused criticism, was Mr.
O'Brien's speech, and it has been greatly
exaggerated. For instance, it is said he at
tacked the Irish, but, on the contrary, ha
paid them a eulogy so fulsome that Sena
tor Massie asked whether Mr. O'Brien was
not a native of Ireland.
the seal bemabk.
"Mr. O'Brien also said thatthe P.O. S. of
A. was not opposed to the Catholic Church.
He did, however, attack what he called
priestcraft in India, Europe, Mexico and
elsewhere, and the inference to be drawn
was that he opposed the Catholic Church.
Of course, this was not proper to Ihe occa
sion or approved by the audience, but I un
derstand Mr. O'Brien disclaims any snch
deliberate intention. He is a mechanic, not
a public speaker, and it is probable that he
said more than he really meant and there
fore overstepped the bounds of propriety on
an occasion which was tbe public celebra
tion of a patriotic holiday. Of course, I
would not preside at a public meeting where
I thought anyone's creed or politics wonld
be attacked, nor do I presnme anyone would
accuse me of such a thing."
WEECKEE PELL OUT 05 BAIL
He Manages to Obtain Three Bondsmen
After a Hard Strag;a;le.
fSPECIAI. TEL EOEAM TO TSX DISPATCH. J
New Yobk, February 23. Georga
Hamilton Pell succeeded to-day in getting
out of financiers' row in the Tombs, bnt it
was a close shave. Deputy Sheriff Burke
came for him at 10 o'clock to take him on
another ball-hunting expedition. They
made for the Hotel Hamilton in Harlem,
where Pell's counsel, ex-Judge Donohue,
was waiting. The lawyer went off to Judge
rMartine's house and got the Judge's promise
to remain at home until 3 o'clock to take
bail. One by one bondsmen were corralled.
The first was Frederick Van Tine. Number
two was Charles E. Pell, the financier's
brother.
It was getting so desperately close to 3
o'clock that ex-Judge Donahue went again
to Judge Marline's to ask for a few minutes'
grace. Jndge Martine gave him 15 minutes.
It was just np when Pell arrived with his
friend Burke and three bondsmen. Num
ber three was no less a person than Philip
L. Meyer, of check-kiting fame, a financial
ally ot Pell and Simmons. The bond was
signed and Mr. Pell made a break for the
door and was seen no more.
ATTEMPTED SUICIDE.
A London Murderer Makes an Attempt oa
HI Lift, In Kerr York.
New Yobk, February 23. Bichard
Barrett, wbo murdered Edward Thomas
Williams at No. 3 Clifton Terrace, Fins
berry Park, London, England, January 19,
18S9, was arrested in this city on Saturday
by Inspector Byrnes' detectives. To-night
he attempted suicide in his cell at police
headquarters by tearing his throat open
with a. nail. He is in the hospital in a
dying condition.
Barrett was arrested on a description
furnished by the Scotland Yard authorities.
Dying- From His Woonds.
ISFBCIAI. TELXOBJUC TO THE DISPATCH.!
Wheeling, February 23. Thomas Pat
terson is dying at his home in Huntersville,
W. Va., from wounds received Friday even
ing at the hands of Earl Nottingham. The
two men quarreled at Beach school house
about a dog, and Nottingham slashed Pat
terson twice across tbe stomach with a knife.
Old Bine Laws to be Enforced.
South Noewalk, Conn., February 23.
The Mayor of this town has determined to
enforce the old Connecticut "blue laws,"
which are obsolete, though still on the
statute books. To-day all active business,
save of necessity or mercy, has been sus
pended. A test case will follow.
Knval Cadets Deficient.
Annapolis, February 23. Among, ths
number reported as deficient at the semi
annual examination of naval cadets aro the
following: Third class, Leonard Goodwin,
Pennsylvenia, resigned; J. C. Kilbourne,
Ohio, resigned. Fourth class, J. B. Berry
man, Ohio, resigned.
yk&&-
vi .
i?
' 1
tt
i
is!
t