'
r5r
Transient AflTertisements ReceM
At tho Branch Offices of The
IMsiMitoli.
For to-morrow's issne up to 9 o'clock p. jr.
For list of branch offices m the various dis
tncts see THlitD PAGE. ,
FORTY-ITFTH YEAH.
BADLY BUILT ROADS,
Rough, Precipitous and Danger
ous to Travel, Found Down
in Beaver County.
SIGNS OF NEGLECT ABOUND.
A New and Costly Highway Almost
Useless and Sliding Into
tho Eivcr.
FARMERS' TAX-MONK! WASTED
AndDespairing Township Supervisors Com
pelled to Resign to Escape Being
Worried to Death.
BEHSIBLB SUGGESTIONS OFFERED
y an Irishman, Who Tells How Thoionghfares Slay
Be Constrncttd and Made to last Thronjh
Hundreds of Tears.
IHE GEE1T SEED OF STATE SUfBUTISIOX.
In his journey through Beaver county
The Dispatch commissioner finds that
where good roads are most needed the high
ways are in a bad condition. In one locality
an important thoroughfare is in such shape
that the lives of those driving over it are
imperiled. Interesting views of farmers on
the question of working out road taxes are
presented.
fFBOM OUB SPECIAL COMSIIISIOSEE.
The Pittsburg Dispatch
Country Road Kxpeditiox
ox.V
5- J
Beaver, Arm lb.
The mud is drying up and the roads are
getting better. This fact lessens the diffi
culties which surrounded TnE Dispatch
exploration at the outset, but makes its
mission none the less important. The pro
posed improvement of public highways by
the State Commission is not for a single
year, but is intended to be permanent.
Therefore the aim of this paper was not par
ticularly to confine itself to describing the
roads as they were this winter and spring,
but to study the principles of road building
in the various sections of the State, and tell
how bad these roads will be in the future
unless reform is inaugurated.
Permanent Improvement Wanted.
A road that was bad this spring will be
just as bad next spring under the present
faulty system. Because the sun and wind
dry up the mud, it docs not im
jl I
,. . I
road permanently. The principles on which
that highway was bnilt are not hidden. It
may be smoother riding, but riders can ob
serve bad and good workmanship just the
tame as if the early April sloughs re
mained. The expedition was arranged with a view
to testing the roads in both seasons. Hay
always finds good roads in this State, on ac
count of the weather, ana it is The Dis
patch's idea that roads may be as pleasant
in December as in May if the proper methods
are employed. Now, having thoroughly
tested the mud, the explorers are in a better
position to see the deceptive qualities of bad
roads under the temporary influence of sun
and wind. At the same time all reminis
cences of the past winter's road embargo
will be recorded to indicate the unusual
treachery of the highways.
Much Experience in Littlo Time.
In the one week of their own miry
struggles your explorers were convinced
that had we been compelled to continue
them another mx days the expedition might
as well have been abandoned. No two
horses conld have stood the strain three
weeks in succession. Humanity was not to
be lost sight of, and it was fortunate that
fine spring weather came to the rescue of
Beaver and Bucephalus at the most op
portune time.
A Pittsburg firm came also to the aid of
the three explorers. Our wagon was fitted
with springs at Bnrgettstown by the Skiles
Spring Company. We needed them badly.
"What Bprings the heavy coach had were
smashed all to pieces in our explorations of
ruts and sins: holes in the southern tier.
"Without springs the whole vehicle threat
ened to fall to pieces.
Just When Ilelp Was Needed.
" The conrtplaster had long since been ex
hausted, and we had all resorted in common
to one quart bottle of horse liniment the
kind that is warranted "good for both man
and beast." The Skiles Company appeared
at the right time. From their office at No.
122 Third avenue, Pittsburg, they shipped
to us a set of their unrivaled bolster springs.
They make riding easier for us and take
much of the load off the wagon.
We found the roads from Raccoon creek,
or the Washington county line, clear to the
Ohio river in fair condition. In that dis
tance we traversed what is called "the Beaver
road," a highway extending from Frankfort
Springs to the- town of Beaver, and
also about four miles of the old Pittsburg
and Steubenville pike. The Beaver road
is formed of yellow clay most of the dis
tance with an outcropping of red clay in
some parts of the woods, finally becoming
sandy and gravelly along the Ohio Valley
below Beaver. That portion of the Steu
benville pike which we tested appeared to
be in good condition only because it was
traveled very little. The stone foundation
which it had did not strike me as remark
ably enduring. It was not real macadam,
but merely stones irregularly distributed in
sunken spots.
A Somewhat Frlmltlvo Region.
The extreme southern part of Beaver
county is wild, very hilly and sparsely set
tled. Stretches of thick woodland, with
here and there a clearing of scraggy land,
indicated the discouragements which pioneer
farmers must have met with. Deserted
cabins were plenty, and the one which
offered the most favorable means for boiling
some coffee for our noonday lunch an open
stone fire place on the outside is illustrated
by the photographer. This scarcity of pop-
ulation accounts largely for the good roads.
There have been very little hauling and
travel upon them to cut them up.
But presently, when we got clear of the
woods and in the glory of a,inagnificent sun
set, caught a glimpse of the Ohio river,
nearly five miles distant, lying like a sheet
of burnished brass between two blue hills,
we also saw a winding stretch of bad road
ahead of us.
A Dangerous Road lo Trnvcl.
"We were riding along a ridge probably
COO feet above the river. The descent began
and continued from New Sheffield to a point
opposite the town of Industry. It was pre
cipitous and very dangerous. The road was
so narrow along the side of the river hill
that we fairly prayed that no upward bound
team would be encountered. This high
way is full of ruts, ill cared for; slopes off at
hazardous grade where there have been
land slides, has no railing and as I have
intimated is criminally narrow. Had we
met a team and tumbled over the rocks, the
question of damages would have been very
easy for the courts to settle. Fortunately,
however, we had met three wagons just be-
HTiere Explorers Halted for Lunch.
fore beginning the descent. These three
farm wagons were drawn by an aggregate of
13 horses. That may convey to your read
ers some idea of the grade and the cut-up
condition of the hill road.
Now, here was a road lying through un
cultivated land (merely a forest-clad hill
side) which is neglected because farmers
and supervisors apparently do not deem it
as important as the stretch of roadway in
front of the farmhouse.
4 Neglected Thoroughfare.
Yet it is an integral part of a common
highway in Beaver county. It benefits the
man who, living near the State line, wants
to reach the court honse at Beaver. It ben
efits the teamster from other counties, mere
ly passing through Beaver county, like our
selves. In fact, it is a greater benefit to
almost every one else than the farmer who
owns those woods, and yet he must work out
or pay the taxes to keep it in repair. The
consequence is that the township roads
nearer his barn and homestead are more im
portant to him than that integral part of
the through road, and the latter is more or
less neglected.
Surely here is an argument for the pro
posed classification of roads by the State
Commission. That hillside should either be
placed under the head of "county" or
"State" roads and improved by the State or
county at large. It should be widened, the
rnts filled up and a railing built clear along
its perilous bluffs.
From a point opposite Industry to the
tt- r i i ..1.3 i : .3
T aujjuii. icrxjf mere buuuiu ue a xncr jvuu.
What they call a river road shoots r.ffat a
tangent every jaw hundred yards and-goes
back, to the foot of the hill, then returning
by right angles again to the river. The road
is gravelly by nature, but bits of rocks and
cobble stones destroy its evenness.
A Township's Road Troubles.
We ferried across the river at Vanport.
John Maxwell, a farmer, advised us not to
cross there, but to travel on to Phillipshurg
by the new river road through Moon town
ship. He said it was built a few years ago
at great expense, but ever since then has
been sliding into the river at different
points. Attempts to repair it have swal
lowed all the available public money in
Moon township, and taxes being devoted to
it year alter year have caused all other
township roads to be neglected. Things
have come to such a pass this year that the
two supervisors elected by the township have
resigned rather than be worried to death by
that Phillipsburg road trouble. Here was
a case, Mr. Maxwell thought, where there
could have been greater intelligence used in
surveying and building a road. Had the
State been directing the work through some
general law or system, he did not see how
such an imbroglio was possible.
"What ideas have your people on ma
cadam?" I asked Mr. Maxwell.
"Dead leaves and brush wood," was the
gentleman's laconic answer, and then, lest I
would not understand him, he added: "They
mix well."
From Vntiport to Beaver.
In order to test Beaver county macadam
of that mixture. Maxwell advised me to try
the new Phillipsburg road. I had him ex
amine our wagon. He said we could get
Quaint Old Church at Z'Uenople.
through il we all leaned heavily to the
upper side so as to keep the wagon balanced
awav from the river land slides. He also
thought it would be best to weight down the
upper side of the wagon with a few hundred
pounds of rock. "Your rope from Wash
ington county will do for the purpose," he
said.
We did not take the Phillipsburg road,
but crossed the river at Vanport.
From here into Beaver town the road was
in excellent condition, being equivalent to
a street, the roadway having been con
structed with a view to .side drainage, slop
ing to either gutter.
Roads That Are Bnilt to Last.
But I forgot to sav that we had to stop all
nigbt with .Robert Trotter, 8 farmer in Moon
township. He is an Irishman, and is full
of good ideas on the road question. He en
thusiastically described to me the historic
roasfe of Ireland, paved on top as they are
with bits of limestone and granite; so
scientifically made that each separate piece
of stone passes first through a sieve to
secure regularity in size. He says it' took
two centuries aud more to get such highways
in Ireland. "But," said he, "there must
be a beginning some time in the
United States, and I think I
have lived to see the beginning now.
Tn Beaver county there is no attempt to
.'tii'umilim'ii'i iini 1 1 1 i . 'l)ili S - Hj
Sh
build roads so that they will endure. Sci
entific road making is not known here. We
are only told to repair the roads where they
have sunk, filled in, or broadened out be
yond proper limits. Nothing is ever said
about macadamizing. Limestone is not
found in every part of the county, and we
farmers are too poor to fetch it froraa dis
tance at onr own expense. Other kind of
stone of course exists, but it is not so good
for road making.
"I am in favor of one thing though," con
tinued Mr. Trotter, "and that is the work
ing out of road taxes by the farmers.
Working Out Rond Taxes.
"As it is in this country to-day if we pay
our taxes in money, it is used to pay
mere boys and old men, whom the township
employs. They come out here, and as they
are too young to know what a roadway
should be like, or too old to do the hard
work, the roads are miserably repaired. But
let us farmers do the work ourselves.
We are interested in the roads in front and
around our own property. We take our
teams and all our able-bodied men, and,
suppose we do sit on the fence and swap
stories, that road comes out better repaired
in the end than by the other system. The
State will make a mistake if it compels
the payment of monev taxes."
This is an expedition "flying light," as
the steamboatmen here on the Ohio say, and
with little baggage to weight us down we
passed through Beaver town on a trot,
merely stopping to take on a courier to carry
this letter, which will not be finished until
we reach the Butler county line this after
noon. We dined with a farmer named Hezekiah
Clark, on the Harmony road. From his
doorstep he enjoys the view of a long stretch
of bad road, embracing sink-holes which we
actually found covered over with hay and
straw. Imagine roads made with such ma
terials! Tho Lancaster Connty Method.
"In Lancaster county," where I used to
live," said Mr. Clark, "they allowed the
farmers to work nut their road taxes, but the
farmers had to do it in ignorance of what
their taxes would be. In other words each
farmer was expected to put in so many days'
work on the roads. After that the roads
were carefully inspected, and the poor work
discovered. Then the tax levy was made
and the farmers had to pay in money the
cost of making over the bad work. Here
the system is just the other way. The tax
levy is made first and in consequence the
roads suffer."
Beyond Farmer Clark's the Harmony
road is in fair condition because of the
weather, but it, like all other country roads
in Pennsylvania, lacks solidity. It traverses
New Sewickley township in Beaver county.
One Yenr's Tax Expenditure.
From the statement of the Supervisors,
John Eckert and George Zinkham, nailed
to a telegraph pole by the wayside, I find
that in one-half of the township $1,293 out
of the road tax duplicate of 51.323 was
worked out by the farmers. Iu the other
half 51,111 out of the road tax duplicate of
1,160 was worked out by taxables. In the
whole township only G 85 was spent for
stone, while $120 was spent for plank and
timber.
There are very bad roads reported from
the northern section of Beaver county, but
we are pushing on to tell you about the good
roads in the Pennsylvania Dutch regions, of
Butler county, and the wretched highways
in the oil fields of the same county. Our
photographer went on ahead by horseback
to the German settlements about Zelienople
and sends back a picture of a very quaint
stone church built by the German Luther
ans in that aged town about To years ago. It
is given with this letter. Butler county
will be fully treated in the next letter.
L. E. Stofiel.
CHARGES AGAINST A WARDEN.
He Is Accused of Almost Every Crime In tho
Calendar.
SPECIAL TELEQKAM TO THE DISFATL'n.l
Columbus, April 18. An evening paper
devotes eight columns, with accompanying
illustrations, to an exposition of alleged
criminal conduct on the part of W. B.
Cherrington, late Deputy Warden at the
Ohio Penitentiary, who resigned some
weeks ago to accept a position at
Jeffersonville, Ind. It charges him with
the murder of Convict Clark Ours, in
December, 1SS8. Cherrington was sus
pended at the time for 30 days, pending an
investigation. He is charged with entering
into a conspiracy with Convict C. M. Lock
ard to place counterfeit money at the resi
dence, in the clothes and buggy of prison
physician Clemmer, to secure his discharge
by making it appear that Clemmer was en
gaged with a band of counterfeiters.
He is also charged with planning and se
curing the escape of Lockard, November 3
last, in return for favors ns a conspirator.
Lockard was captured at Elmore, O., some
weeks ago, and shot in the mouth in an
effort to escape by jumping from a train.
These charges are supported by long affi
davits from Lockard, who details his con
nection with Cherrington and their various
plans. Some circumstantial evidence is
offered in support of the affidavits of Lock
ard. The charges will be investigated by
the new prison management.
PARNELL'S CONSENT ASKED
To a Convention of I ho Irish National Lengno
to be Held nt Baltimore.
St. Louis, April 18. The Executive
Committee of the Irish Land League not
having yet heard from Mr. Parnell in re
gard to the ad visibility of holding a national
convention, concluded to close up its busi
ness aud adjourn, which it did at noon to
day. Mr. Parnell will be written to and the
convention scheme strongly urged upon
him. If he consents to it the convention will
be held at Baltimore some time next
autumn.
KILLED BY A CHILD.
An 11-Year-Old Boy Fires a Fatal Shot nt
His Father's Assailant.
Texarkana, April 18. To-day at noon
S. W. Stewart was shot and killed by the
11-year-old son of B. K. Sweet at thelatter's
saloon on Front street. The elder Sweet had
a difficulty with Stewart, getting the worst
of it, and leavingthe building, when the
son seized a 45-caliber British bulldog pis
tol and shot Stewart through the back of
the head, killing him instantly. The boy is
under arrest. Public feeling concerning the
case is divided.
ICB IMPEDES NAVIGATION.
A Jam in the St. Lawrence Prevents Vessels
Reaching the Ocean.
Montreal, April 18. The ice jam in
the narrows' at 'Cape Kouge is the only im
pediment to the opening of navigation to
the ocean and it is predicted by shipping
men that the ice will not move until high
tide, due on the 22d.
Steamers are now running regularly be
tween Montreal and Lake St. Petersburg
and between Q uebec and the lower St.
Lawrence.
BATON BODGE UNDER WATER.
The River Is Higher Than Ever Beforo
Known at That Poll) I.
Baton Eouoe, April 18. Th,e river
rose i inches during the past 24 hours,
and is now 2J inches above the highest
water ever known here. The water is flood
ing a portion of Front street, and is up in
the store of Garig, Eedy & Hart. Very
little further rise will cause disaster at some
point of the levees near here.
JP 441 " Jt&JUl
PITTSBURG; SATURDAY, APRIL 1&, 1890. TWELVE
A STATESMAN'S WOES.
Congressman Culbertson's Fences
Are Sadly Endangered by a
FIERCE FIGHT FOR THE SPOILS.
The Struggle for the Meadville Postoffice
is Just Now
CAUSING ANY AMOUNT OP TROUBLE.
Two Other Nominations in His District Are Held Up
in the Senate.
Congressman Culbertson has been forced
to withdraw his recommendation that O. H.
Hollisterbe appointed postmaster of Mead
ville. He was emphatically informed that
such action would cost -him his seat. Now
he is in a quandary as to the proper course
to pursue.
FROM A 6TAFr COUEESPONDEHT.J
Washington-, April 18. The Mead
ville postoffice contest promises to be a good
rival to the one at McKeespori, with the
exception in its features that the name of
the person recommended by the Congress
man has not been sent to the Senate. A
week ago O. H. Hollister was recommended
by Congressman Culbertson for the place.
The announcement of this fact made by
The Dispatch appears to have stirred up
not only the immediate friends of other can
didates, but of other citizens. Protests
were immediately forwarded to the Post
master General making vigorous representa
tions why Mr. Hollister should not be ap
pointed to the place, among other things
directly attacking his probity while in office
in Meadville, where he has been an office
holder in one capacity or another almost
ever since the war.
his seat at stake.
Mr. Culbertson was also informed that if
he wanted to insure his re-election he must
appoint another than Hollister to the most
important Government office in Crawford
county, which, with his own county of Erie,
comprises his Congressional district. Mr.
Culbertson hastened to recall his recommen
dation of Mr. Hollister, though the papers
accompanying the latter's application were
under course of examination by the Post
master General.
The matter is now in its former state, with
at least equal chances for the apDointment
of another than Hollister, but the fight has
assumed such a complexion that Mr. Cul
berson may consider it "good politics" to
defer making another recommendation till
after the interesting episode of the nomina
tion of a Congressman for the Erie-Crawford
district The truth is there is just now a
deal of masterly inactivity among Congress
men who are seeking a renomination in the
matter of recommending appointments, and
it is probable not much more will be done in
that line until after the nominations are
made.
AN excellent plan.
By keeping appointments in abeyance
Congressmen can hold to their support all,
of the candidates for all of the postoffices
inheir district, for ,no matter who may be
nominated the present incumbent ot the
Congressional shoes has power to fill all or
nearly all of the postoffices previous to the
expiration of his term.
This is a powerful weapon with which to
force a considerable number of. persons pi
local influence to give their fealty to the
sitting Congressman to secure his renomina
tion, and the only wonder is that under the
circumstances Mr, Culbertson should have
recommended one whose nomination Jor
postmaster of Meadville would be sure to
provoke dangerous opposition to his own
nomination and election to Congress.
Mr. Culbertson seems to have similar
trouble in Titusville aud in Corry. Iu the
former place Gilmore, the nominee, has the
intense opposition of the friends of Chair
man Andrews, of the SUte Committee, and
the nomination is held up, apparently
against Mr. Culbertson's own will.
BATHEB INTERESTING.
Mr. Britton, the former Republican post
master at Corry, was nominated on his rec
ommendation, simply because Mr. Britton
had a tremendous popular following.
Whether on account of the lukewarmness of
the friendship of Britton for Culbertson, or
for other reasons, the confirmation of this
nominee was also held up, and this interest
ing condition of things marks the progress
of filling the postoffices in many places in
other districts. Lightner.
A BILL FOR THE BANKS.
Senator Htscock Introduces a Measure to
Base Circulation oa All Kinds of
Bonds Iron, Cotton and Wheat
Also In tho Swim.
Washington, Apiil 18. Senator His
cocb to-day. introduced a bill to provide that
national bapks may secure their circulation
by deposits of Government,' State, railway
and municipal bonds of at least par market
value and not in default of interest for ten
years past, the amount of cerculation not to
to exceed 90 per cent of the market value of
the bonds, except in the case of Government
bonds, upon which notes equal to their full
face value may be issued.
The following securities shall also be re
ceived . as a basis of circulation: First
mortgage loans secured on improved real
estate at not exceeding 50 per cent of its
assessed value, when guaranteed by corpora
tions of good financial standing; certificates
of deposit of gold and silver coin and
bullion; storage warrants and warehouse
receipts ot pig iron, cotton and wheat in
responsible companies, these commodities to
be insured in reliable companies. The per
centage of circulation issued shall not ex
ceed 75 per cent ot their face value except
in the case of gold and silver. The banks
are required upon the demand of the Secre
tary of the Treasury to make good any
shrinkage in value in their deposits. The
circulating notes issued under the provisions
of the act are made redeemable in 50-year 2
per cent government bonds.
The Secretary of the Treasury shall set
apart from' the amount paid in previously
by the national banks as tax on circulation,
aud from the fund now in the Treasury ac
cumulated from the non-presentation of cir
culation lost or destroyed in the hands of
the people, $20,000,000 as a guarantee fund
for the protection of bank depositors, and an
amount equal to one-tenth of 1 per cent per
annum upon deposits shall be paid into the
Treasury alter the passage of this act as an
addition to this fund, this payment to cease
when the fund becomes large enough to pro
vide the requisite protection aud reimburse
the Government the original amount set
apart for the formation of the fund.
WANAMAKER PAT0ES IT.
A Bill to Grant Fostofflco Employes an An
nnal Leave With Pay.
Washington, April 18. There was re
ferred to the Postmaster General for his
opinion the bill introduced in the House
providing for 15 days leave of absence an
nually for clerks and employes attached to
first, second and third class postoffices, after
a service of one year. The Postmaster Gen
eral, in a letter transmitted to the commit-
eet says no lavurs mis pru visum eAucjjfc iw
Mrd-class postoffices. as he reffards it as to
the interest of the service to give clerks and
employes attached to first and second class
postoffices an opportunity to rest and enjoy
their home life for a brief period each year
without loss of pay. I ;'
He estimates the additional cost of grant
ing these leaves of absence at $ 194,537 per
year. '
BLAINE'S VICTORY.
Ho Untangles a Dangerous Snarl In the Fan
American Conference The Work is
Completed and the Southern
Trip Begins To-Nlght.
Washington, April 18. This wa3 to
have been the last day of the Pan-American
Congress, but as the discussion progressed
differences were developed which bid fair to
block the way to a conclusion unless much
time should be consumed and unless some
concessions should be made. Mr. Blaine,
who had been absent at a Cabi
net meeting, came into the conference
jroom late in the afternoon, when the
jcontroversy seemed far from a conclusion.
He asked a recess, and then invited the
L Committee on General Welfare to join him
in considering the matter. Recess was naa,
and Mr. Blaine and the committee retired.
They were gone scarcely half an hour.
Upon returning, Mr. Blaine adfced Vice
President Zegarra to preside, and then from
the latter's, place at the long table, Mr.
Blaine said:
Mr. President, I am very happy to announce
that any vital difference upon any question
connected with the scheme of arbitration,
which two hours ago might have been feared,
is, I hope, entirely removed, and the resolutions
of the honorable gentleman,Mr. Q,uratana,have
been simply changed from being in perpetuity
to ran at even dates with the treaty of arbitra
tion. Mo they stand and fall together. They
are born together, and if they die, they will die
together; but we shall hope both their lives
will be perpetual. Applause.
The Blaine substitute was put and car
ried with acclamation and cheers, save from
Chili, which did not vote. The vital busi
ness of the conference was thus ended. The
work was done. Resolutions of thanks to
Mr. Blaine and to the United States for
courtesies and hospitality were moved by
Mr. Romero, of Mexico, and were enthusi
astically adopted by the Southern delegates.
The conference will meet to-morrow at 11
o'clock to sign the minutes of to-day's clos
ing session. Secretary Blaine will then de
liver a closing address and the delegates, at
12 o'clock, will call upon President Harri
son at the White House. Returning to
their hall the conference will be formally
declared adjourned. Late to-night Secre
tary Blaine decided that the journey
through the South shall begin Saturday
night at 11 o'clock. Sunday will be spent
quietly at Old Point Comfort.
PUBLIC BUILDINGS FOR ALL.
The House Postofuces Committee Takes
Action Afieciing 2,000 Towns'.
Washington, April 18. The House
Committee on Postoffices and Post Goads to
day authorized Representative Chandler, of
Massachusetts, to report to the House in a
modified form the Blount bill to provide for
the erection of postoffice buildings. As
amended it authorizes the Postmaster Gen
eral to construct at his discretion buildings
at any place at which the gross receipts of
the postoffice for two years or more
preceding shall have exceeded ?3,000, or
in county seats, 52,500 each year. The cost
of such buildings shall not exceed 525,000 in
any case. Where the receipts do not exceed
$2,500 the cost of the building is to be lim
ited to 520,000, and receipts to the amount of
52,000 entitles a place to a bnilding not ex
ceeding $15,000 in cost.
The Postmaster General is authorized to
receive donations of ground as sites for the
erebtion of such buildings, and, when neces
sary, to Durchase crouud at a price not ex
ceeding 55.000. The bill appropriates for
the fiscal year 1891, 52,000,000. There are
nearly 2,000 places in the country that will
be affected by the passage of this bill.
THREE CERTAINLY COMING.
Tho Americas Clnb Has Secured Reed, Mc
Comns and Clarkson ns Orators.
tFEOM A STAFF C0Br.E3P03DENT.l
Washington, April 18. Harry S.
Paul, M. H. Reed, A. L. Logan and W. M.
Gibbs, was the array of names registered
from Pittsburg at Willard's this morning.
They represented members of the Americus
Club, who are here to make final arrange
ments with regard to speakers for the com
ing banquet.
Speaker Keed, Assistant Postmaster Gen
eral Clarkson and Representative McComas,
of Maryland, are three excellent orators who
have agreed to be present and possibly other
good ones will go. The Pittsburg party re
turned home this evening.
EIFFEL AND EDISON.
Tho Great Inventors Propose to Erect at
Chicago a Tower Higher Than the
Original A Million Colored
Lights for It.
rSTSCIAI. TELEGRAM TO THE DISFATCDM
Chicago, April 18. Mr. Eiffel, who
erected the great Eiffel tower, which formed
such an important and successful feature of
the recent International Exposition in Paris,
has made a proposition to the World's Fair
directors to erect a similar structure here
and provide the entire capital needed
for its construction should the directors
approve of his proposition. It will be the
joint erection of M. Eiffel and Thomas A.
Edison, and will surpass iu altitude the
original structure by at least 500 feet. Mr.
Edison, it is said, contemplates placing
1,000,000 multi-colored electric incandescent
lights upon the structure and make it one of
the most marvelous and beautiful spectacles
ever witnessed iu the world.
Warren F. Leland, who has just returned
from New York, says that the New York
merchants and business men are inclined to
give the fair all the assistance they can.
There is a feelingofresignation, andasNew
York is prosperous and generous, she will
contribute her share of good will to the en
terprise. GOTHAM RETURNING TO GAS.
Mayor Grant, of New York, Objects to the
Price of Electric Lights.
New York, April 18. The Gas Com
mission, at a meeting to-day, practically sat
down upon the electric light companies and
declared itself in favor of gas for illuminat
ing the city. The meeting was called for
the purpose of awarding the contracts for
lighting che city for a year from May 1.
Mayor Grant said that the electric light
companies had combined on high
prices, and that in view of their
stand, be was ready to go ahead
and use gas. Representatives ot the elec
tric light companies tried to explain that
they were justified in asking the increased
rates, but the Mayor refused to listen to
them, and indefinitely postponed the con
sideration of the bids for electric lighting.
A contract for lighting 3,680 lamps was
awarded to the Equitable Gas Light Com
pany at 512 a lamp, and action on the rest
of the work was deferred until it had been
ascertained why the Standard Gas Company
had not put in a bid for the work, as re
quired by their charter.
A New Southern Rnilrond.
Brownsville, Tex., April 18. A con
tract was signed last night for the con
struction of a standard gauge railroad be
tween this place and Corpus Christi. Work
is to begin in 90 days.
i
Biftntfri) .
PAGES.
THE BLOODY GROUND
Once Again the Scene of a Desperate
and Keniarkable Conflict.
A BAND OF MOUNTAIN OUTLAWS
Ambuscade a Company of Militia Sent to
Effect Their Capture. '
FITE OP THE SOLDIERS SHOT DOWN.
Reinforcements Bate Been Ordered Ont and More
Tronble is Expected.
Another Ditched battle has reddened the
soil of Harlan county, Ky. A company of
militia endeavor to surprise an outlaw band
at midnight. The soldiers were ambuscaded
and five of them shot on the first fire. Fur
ther fighting is anticipated.
rSPKCIAI. TELEOBAK TO IHB DISPATCH.1
Louisville, April 18. News of a hot
fight in Harlan county, Ky., between the
military and mountain desperadoes, was re
ceived here this afternoon. Complete de
tails were not given, bnt enough is known
to indicate that it is one of the most serious
affairs that has yet occurred in the Ken
tucky mountains, as it is the first time that
the mountaineers have given battle to the
State troops.
Harlan county is in the southeastern part
of the State, and is very mountainous and
wild. It is the seat of the Turner-Howard
feud, which has cost a number of lives in
the last few years, and has been fully de
tailed in the columns of The Dispatch.
This afternoon a dispatch sent by courier to
the railroads and thence by wire was re
ceived from Harlan Court House, the seat of
justice of Harlan county, giving an outline
of the fight.
no doubt about it.
This was confirmed an hour later by a
telegram addressed to Adjutant General
Hall, of the State Guards, at Frankfort.
The telegram was sent by W. C. Thompson,
the officer in charge of the State arsenal,
who had been sent by General Hill several
days ago to Harlan Court House. When
the time for the session of the Circuit Court
at Harlan Court House drew near the Judge
applied to the Governor of the State for a
militia guard.
A number of cases connected with the
Turner-Howard feud were to be tried, and
the Judgefeared violence. The Governor
sent a company of State troops to guard
him. These troops consisted of 20 men from
Harrodsbnrg, 15 from Lexington and 3 from
Lancaster. Captain E. H. Gaither, of Har
rodsburg, was in charge of the party. Lieu
tenant James Milton commanded the Lex
ington division. Sergeant Harry Ander
son, of Louisville, was also sent up, and
Sergeant Will Gordon, Lieutenant Janes
and Dr. Duval, surgeon of Frankfort, were
also along.
a mountain stronghold.
Tuesday afternoon Captain Gaither was
informed that a considerable party of men
under the ban of law had fortified them
selves in the Black Mountains, 17 miles east
of Harlan Court House. They were commit
ting depredations, and defied arrest. The
party was said to number about 30, and
Captain Gaither was asked by the civil au
thorities to arrest them.
Captain Gaither made up a detail of 16
men under the command of Lieutenant
Milton, Bsrgeant-. Pallian and Corporal
Blanton, and sent them after thebutlaws.
They left Harlan Court House about sun
down. They traveled until midnight when
they drew near the fortification'of the out
laws, which was a log house at the foot of
one of the spurs of Black Mountain. It had
formerly been a farmer's residence but was
now given over to the outlaws.
About 600 yards from it was a log barn.
The troops expected to catch the men they
wanted in the honse, and they approached
it cautiously. This was at 12:10 o'clock
Wednesday morning. As they passed near
the barn a volley from 20 or 30 Winchesters
and double-barreled shot guns was fired
upon them.
five of them niT.
Fortunately the darkness rendered exact
aim impossible, but five ot the militia men
were hit and more or less seriously wounded.
The soldiers, who are chiefly lads of 19 or
20, were at first demoralized by the ambus
cade and unexpected volley, bnt their
officers rallied them in a tew moments, and
from the shelter of the trees poured a fire
into the barn. Although lew in number
and with one-third of their men wounded,
the militia spread out and completely sur
rounded the barn.
They kept up such a hot fire that the out
laws, although probably superior in num
ber, did not dare to venture ont. The out
laws returned the fire, but the soldiers,
sheltered by the darkness and trees, were
not hit. After the first excitement the
troops did no firing except an occasional
shot to warn the outlaws that they were still
besieged. In that manner they held the
siege until daylight.
Two roads led to the barn. These were
cut off by pickets, who were instructed to
allow none of the country people to pas3 lor
fear they might carry assistance to the out
laws. At daylight Corporal Blanton was
sent to Harlan Court House for reinforce
ments. He left both parties iu the position
described, and nothing further is known of
the issue of the combat as there has been no
message from either besieger or besieged.
reinforcements to the front.
Corporal Blanton made his journey safely
and saw Officer Thompson, who sent a
notification of the affair to Adjutant
General Hill. His telegram was brief,
paying: "There was a fight at Black
Mountain on the lbth. inve soldiers were
wounded. It is not known how many
natives were killed." The dispatch con
cludes with a request for direc
tions. The remainder of the troops at
Harlan Court House at once marched to the
aid of their companions. It is believed that
a severe fight will take place as soon as the
additional troops reach the place, as the
outlaws are fortified, well armed with Win
chesters, and swear they will not surrender,
and the soldiers are determined and want
revenge for those who have been shot down.
How badly the latter are wounded is not
known here. . .
There were rumors of an attack on the
troops last week by the partisans of Will
Jennings, a leader of the Howard faction,
on trial for murder.but on Saturday morning
Jennings was acquitted, and it was
believed that danger from that source
was over. It was said that if
an attempt was made to carry off Jennings
as a convict his friends would certainly
make an attack. A detective from Missouri
is on hand to take Jennings to that State to
answer to a charge ot being accessory to a
murder. ,
CUBA TERRORIZED BY BANDITS.
Hundreds of Wealthy Planters Flee to the
Cities for Safety.
Havana, April 18. A reign of terror
prevails in Santiago de Cuba, owing to the
daring raids of two bodies of bandits who
have been raiding the countrv. The out
laws recently engaged in a conflict with the
guards and three of the latter were killed.
The authorities thereupon decided to take
severe measures for the- repression of the
bandits, and troops are now pursuing them.
It is stated that the fear of the bandits is
so great that 300 persons have fled from
their estates and gone to the city for safety.
A WELL-PAID CLASS.
Freestone Contractors Tell Why. They Ad
vertise for Foreign Labor The Pres
ident of the Cutters' Union
Gives the Men's Sidr.
Boston, April 18. A sub-committee of
the joint Congressional committee on the In
vestigation of the workings of the emigrant
laws listened to testimony at the State House
to-day in relation to the action of tho free
stone contractors in advertising for foreign
labor.
Frederick "C. Markham, of Providence,
President of the New England Freestone
Contractors' Association, testified that the
objects of the association was protection
against similar organizations of the cutters.
The contractors had tried to have the diffi
culties between the bodies settled by arbi
tration, and had submitted a proposition
of arbitration. This was refused
by the cutters. His organization
had advertised for foreign laborers because
after.advertising in other new New England
States and in New York the contractors
could not obtain men enongh to do this
work. Foreign laborers who might respond
to the advertisements were to come just as
they pleased. No arrangement had been
made for the repayment of their passage
money. No foreign laborers had arrived
yet.
Orlando W. Norcross, of Noicross Bros.,
builders, said that the situation was that
210 men were refusing to work eight hours
a day at 50 cents an hour and were bringing
an enforced idleness upon a lot more men,
and were then craving the public sympathy.
The Cutters' Association" controlled the
business; these 200 men in the Cutters' As
sociation got higher wages, worked harder
and drank more rum than any other 200
workmen in the country.
J. J. Murphy, President of the
Freestone Cutters' Union, declared that
the cause of the trouble was that the
contractors had made no answer to the
notice of the union that theyshould demand
50 cents an honr after April 1. The only
persons barred from membership in the
Freestone Cutters' Union were aliens who
had but just come to this country and men
who had been expelled.
WILL NEVERBE BUILT.
One Pennsylvania Official Nat Alarmed by
the South Fenn Revival The Persons
Interested Are Decidedly Rcll-
ccnt Cpon the Subject.
rSPECIAI. TZLEORAX TO TUE DISrATCII.l
Philadelphia, April 18. The reor
ganization of the South Penn Railroad,
with George F. Baer as President, and rep
resentatives of the Vanderbilt interests in
the board, was the absorbing topic of dis
cussion in railroad circles to-day. The
Reading officials declined to talk about the
change to-day, and Mr. Baer was equally
reticent. He was one of the directors of
the Reading Railroad until recently, and is
still President of the Reading Iron Works,
The Reading people declined either to
affirm or deny the report that the South
Penn road, if completed, will be connected
with the Beading system, and as tbe rival
of the Pennsylvania west of Harrisbnrg.
Tbe Reading's line at present rnns only to
Harrisbnrg. It is understood that the road
will be finished at once, unless stopped by
litigation. The Beading people are very
reticent to-day, and one of the officials
winked significantly when asked about the
reorganization of the South Penn. The
impression prevailed in some quarters that
Mr. Corbin has had a hand in the move
ment; that he wants certain concessions
from the Pennsylvania, and that he will try
to hold the South Penn over its head anil
use it as effectually as he knows how.
A prominent official of the Pennsylvania
Railroad said to-day: "The South Penn
Railroad cannot be built. I fail to see how
Mr. Baer and the others can do anything.
The courts decided against them some time
ago. and, it is probable that they will decide
against them again, I don't see anything
in tbe present movement I mean in the
election of officers which took place yester
day except a desire on the part "of the
owners of the road to have the organization
completed. I guess that will be about the
end of it for the present."
CASTLE GARDEN CLOSED.
The Gates Are Closed to the Pursuers of
Happiness and Wealth.
New York, April 18 This was the last
day on which immigrants will be landed at
Castle Garden. The 320 steerage passengers
who came here to-day per the Bohemia and
Hamburg were the last to pass through the
gates.
Tbe Emigration Comissioners held their
valedictory meeting and heard read the
termiua'tion of the contract between them
and the Treasury Department. The part of
the contract, however, which states that the
Secretary of the Treasury shall make pro
vision for the sick and insane emigrants in
care of the Commissioners still holds good.
Superintendent Jackson still retains his
position, and so do the gatekeeDers, nurses
and stewardesses. The barge office will be
ready to receive immigrants to-morrow.
MEXICO'S RAILROAD SUBSIDIES
Begin to be Burdensome and a Loan is to be
Raised to Pay Them.
City of Mexico, April 18. Finance
Minister Dublan, under date of April 15,
sent a communication to Congress in which,
after mentioning the great progress made in
railroad building and the consequent large
amount in subsidies granted by the Govern
ment, which have been and are being paid
by the Custom House, he demands author
ization to negotiate a loan not to exceed the
amount actually owing to railroads for sub
sidies, the loan'to be negotiated with banks,
the railroads themselves or private parties.
The Minister promises that the subsidies
shall not be increased nor new ones granted,
and states that the scheme is merely a con
version of the debt to railroads. It is be
lieved the proposal will be approved by
Congress without a dissenting vote.
C0RTEZ MUST RETURN TO CUBA,
Where Ho Will Stand Trial for Embezzling
Government Funds.
New York, April 18. An argument
was made before Judge Lacombe in the
United States Circuit Court to-day in tbe
habeas corpus proeeedings brought to re
view the decision of United States Commis
sioner Shields, who had ordered that Luis
Oteiga Y. Cortez should be returned to
Cuba to stand trial on a charge of embezzling
money belonging to the Spanish Govern
ment. The Judge sustained the action of the
Commissioner and remanded Cortez to the
custody of the United States Marshal.
Cortez will not be sent to Cuba at once, as his
lawyers propose to appeal the case to the
United States Supreme Court.
DEIYEN TO SUICIDE.
A Despairing Wife and Mother Slabs Her
self While Insane.
Newbuegh, N. Y., 18. Mrs. Ruick was
found dead in her bed yesterday, at her
home on the mountain on the Newburgh
plank road about five miles from Ellenville.
She had stabbed herself to the heart.
Mrs. Ruick whose hnsband is in an in
sane asylum, had a family of small children
and was in straitened circumstances. It is
thought that her troubles made her tem
porarily insane.
Transient Advertisements
INCLUDING
WANT3, TO LETS. FOB SALES, ETC., FOB
TO-MORROW'S ISSUE
Mar bo handed in at the main advertising
office of THE Disp ATcn, Fifth avenue, up to
midnight.
THREE CENTS
READY FOB BATTLE,
Tlie American Federation of
ia Line for the
"72 o
GREAoTJGGLEOFMAYl.
'it TL
President t Plainly States the
PIj, & mpaign.
ALL STEIKESS TO BE SUSTAINED
iX. - v
Status of the Present Troubles at Chicago
and Elsewhere.
INCREASE OF TDK KNIGHTS OP LABOR
President Gompers, of the American
Federation of Labor, states that everything
is in readiness for the eight-hour battle to be
inaugurated May 1. The carpenters and
joiners, who are to lead the movement, will
be sustained by all the power and money of
the entire order.
rSFICIAI. TELEGRAM TO THE DISPATC7T.1
, New York, April 18. Bradslreet's to
morrow will contain the following: Within
less than a fortnight the American Federa
tion of Labor, a body claiming about 630,000
members, promises to bein their "cam
paign" to secure the reduction of the num
ber of hours of labor which shall constitute
a day's labor to eight. It is of interest to
know authoritatively just what the Federa
tion want and how they propose to go to
work to secure it. Manufacturers, con
tractors, merchants arid others will there
fore find the following official letter, cover
ing points which they are likely to want to
know about at an early day. The President
of the American Federation of Labor writes
to Sradstreet's as follows:
Sir Sufficient notice having been given to all
contractors and other parties interested that
on and after the 1st of May, 1800, the wage
workers affiliated with the American Federa
tion of Labor would adopt the eight-hour day
as a limit of the day's work, it is now tbe duty
of the executive officers to secure the desired
result with the least outlay of time and money.
THE TIME HAS COME.
The history of the industrial developmsnt of
this country shows that the eight-hour day
cannot be much longer deferred. The cam
paign is on, the hosts hare been marshaled,
drilled, ammunition has been and is being pro
vided, and the public sympathy and sentiment
has been aroused, and the grand army of labor
is ready for the battle. Meetings will be held
in the great centers of population from Maino
to California. Cities where manufactures are
established will feel the influence. Local
speakers have been trained to the work. Each
local union is a citadel ot power, an armory of
intellectual drill and a distributing agency for
eight-hour literatnre. Each international and
national union is a grand division under able
commanders.
The Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners,
wfco have been selected toleaJ, are fall of tbe
enthusiasm of past victories. Recruits are
joining their ranks by hundreds and thousands,
and places that were unorganized are rapidly
coming under tbe shield of that organization.
Tbe men In shops and factories and in all
branches of labor will contribute to the suc
cess of the movement, and nearly a million of
organized men, and millions of others in sym
pathy, are centering their hopes and their en
ergies upon the one given point eiIit hours.
The instincts of the people are with ns, and
many eminent thinkers sustain 'tis. The plan
of the campaign is to quicken this sentiment,
so that when the hour of action comes we shall
be found prepared.
PREPARED FOE THE STRUGGLE.
The union that has been selected to begin
this contest has thousands working under the
eight-hour and other thousands under tbe nine
hour system. In fact, tbe battle lines here have
been drawn, and if the employers in any largo
cities in the country refuse to adopt the eight
hour day the carpenters will strike and will
receive the snpport of the Federation to tho
fullest extent of its funds, and other trades will
open their treasuries to sustain them. Many
of tbe employers are ready to grant the con
cassions, but are held back by the power of
their organizations, and other large employers
privately declare that tbey are holding back to
see if the men mean business. The prospect
of tbe bnilding trades are good, and men of
brains and money will not long persist In fight
ing the inevitable.
Tbe bnilding contractors base their hope of
success upon their ability to secure a sufficient
number of non-union carpenters, and thus
create a panic in the ranks of the un
ion men. That they will fail in this is evi
dent for two reasons; first, that non union men
in this instance will manifest their sympathy
with union men and second, because non-union
men have learned that they endanger their
own position when they become "scabs." Tbe
union men of other trades will not work on
jobs on which "scabs" are employed.
THE PLAN OF ACTION.
The American Federation of Labor will not
scatter its forces, but will center upon the lines
laid down; trade by trade, city by city, town by
town, it will movo along over the industrial
field. As war provokes patriotism, so tbe strike
for eight hours will arouse all the latent en
thusiasm ot the union men. The non-union
men not in sympathy will be held back, not by
physical force, but by the overwhelming influ
ence of union sentiment. In some of the cities
the employers have forced the issue by locking:
ont some of the craftsmen ot the bnilding
trades, with the hope of defeating some of the
unions and thus crippling the movement. The
resnlt baa proven their unwisdom, for unions
out of the Federation are seeking admission,
and unions that have had but little interest la
the eight-hoar movement are now among the
most prompt in sending in their contributions
to the eight-hour strike land.
If the building interests are paralyzed be
cause of the demands of the wage worker, the
employer will be responsible. Tho man who
has bis labor to sell has the right to fix tha
amount he will sell and tbe price for which ha
will sellit, and, having this right, ho can select
his agent to make tbe sale for him. The de
mand for eight hours has held a prominent
place in the plaf form of organized labor for
over a quarter of a century, and some of the
trades have enjoyed its advantages for years.
Amid the diversity of theories advanced for tha
solution of the labor problem, the eight-hoar
movement has held its place as tbe measure
nearest the heart of the laboring man.
PERSISTENT AOITATION.
Every redaction in the number of hours that
should constitute a day's work has been the re
sult of the most persistent agitation, and al
most without exception has been resitted with
the same arguments that are advanced to-day
against tbe eight-hour day. The complaint
that the builders and contractors cannot afford
the reduction is a confession that they ought
not to make. They have had ample time to
repare for the 1st of May, 1890, and they must
are known tbat their refusal to concur with
tbe workmen would precipitate a strike, and
they also know tbat strikes are expensive. Tbe
loss of time caused by a strike even if it last
but one month, will cost tha employers mora
than they would lose by the adoption of the
eight-hour day on May 1.
If it was possible to starve the men into sub
mission1, tbe product wouldn't be much greater
even if as great, as the produce under eight
hours cheerfully given. Mya are stimulated to
activity more from hope and cheer than from
despair anu fear. For the employers to involve
all the industrial enterprises of the year by a
stubborn resistance wonld be a most stupid
folly. Starving men of one class into submission
to men of another class results in the repeti
tion of tbe contest. The American Federation
I Continued on Seventh -Page.
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