m?m .'ZV -:" .fc f $tt0 mtjg Btgmteft . " J PAGES . TO 8, I 4F FORTY-FIFTH TEAB. PITTSBURG, TUESDAY. APRIL 29. 1890 TWELVE PAGES. THREE CENTS FIRST PART. ASTHANGE BEQUEST " : Half the Fortune of the Founder C of Rouseville Left to .? Warren County," TO IMPROVE" THE ROADS. Much of the Sum Literally Squan dered Through the Negli gence of Officials. INDIFFERENCE TOO GENERAL, Otherwise Forest and Warren Highways Might Be Hade Tastlj Better Than They Are. IHE EXAMPLE OF A TI0XESTA CITIZEN. Whose Ideas Were Practically Carried Oat and Re called In Giting the Town Ex cellent Streets. EOME GLDirSKS OF A WOSDEETUL VIADUCT The Dispatch commissioner finds that the roads of "Warren county might be greatly improved. Some years ago the county received a bequest of 580,000, half of which was to be expended on the roads. Much of this money has been wasted. Tionesta has good streets, thanks to the practical ideas of its commissioners. tFBOM OUB SPECIAL COMMISSIONER.! The Pittsbubq DisrATcn f Cocktkt Boas Expedition. Warren, April 28. We were driving across a very high and celebrated bridge. The floor was smooth and the wagon wheels jnst fitted between the two rails, so that the horses were able to trot along At an unusually rapid gait. "We had never been on such a lofty bridge before. The tree tops were far beneath us. Boulders along the creek bottom looked like pebbles. IWe could see the water dashing over rocks, but could not hear it. At such a tremend ous height the air almost seemed lighter. jF The structure appeared to be swaying. V "Drive slower," I suggested. "The horses' ( trot is making this thing swing. I'm get ting light-headed myself." A Frightful Mishap. Our pilot reined in the team, but horror of horrors I Before our very eyes half of the bridge gave way, and with a thundering crash went down in the ravine. It was im possible to put on the wagon brake quick enough, and with their very next step for ward, both Beaver and Bucephalus walked into space and disap It was only a dream. Nobody comes to Warren without going a few miles farther north to see the great ELmzua "Viaduct the highest railroad bridge in the world. It is one of the marvels of engineering. A Wonderful Viaduct. It will impress you with awe. You will dream about it alone. But if your clothes should be getting heavy from driving stead ily through the rain for two or three days, and if your digestion should be getting worse The Late Captain Henry R. House. and worse from the heavy foods fed to you in three different dining rooms each day, you will be pretty sure to dream of trying to drive your team across that great Kinzua Viaduct. At least that is the trick my last fit of indigestion played on me. It was an hour alter breakfast when they at last got me wide enough awake to be con vinced that Bucephalus and Beaver were at that moment standing already hitched up at the front door of the Johnson House, in Garland, awaiting my delayed presence. Traveling In tbo Rain. Since my last letter about country roads, we have been covering territory in the three counties of Erie, Warren and Forest. It has rained steadily. Our canvass roof and curtains let none of the rain come through upon us. We are absolutely water-proof as far as that is concerned, but up here in the pineries of Pennsylvania the growth of ever greens is so dense; the forests and thickets so deep, and the valleys so wild, that there is a penetrating dampness everywhere that goes right through a fellow simply from breath ing the air. We visited the towns of Corry, Warren, Tidioute, the Cornplanter Indian reservation, and then largely for the pur pose of drying out we put up all day Sun day at Tionesta. The roads in Erie county are usually pretty good. Along the lake shore the soil is a gravelly sand, through which the water soaks, and never stands long enough to form much mud. How They Fix the Ronds, In the lower part of the county there is more or less clay in the roads, but more at tention being given to road building in Erie than other counties, these clay roads never become impassable. Townships all . own from two to four road-mating ma- chines each. These are paid for out of a money tax and are under the control of the 'road authorities. Each township is divided :iDto "heats" from two to four miles long, 'according to the amount of the tax levied - and the amount of work to be put in on the IroadL A road commissioner has charge of Itbe taxes in each township. ir A pathmsster oversees the working oat of these taxes by the farmers. The commis sioners loan the road machines to the path masters, and the pathmasters in turn to the farmers as they need them. Wide Highways nnd Honest Work. Honest pathmasters and honest farmers are faithful in the discharge of their duty and Erie county certainly in this respect sets a shining example to otherdistricts. The law requires all roads in Erie county to be 50 feet wl de. Pathmasters are always instructed in their duplicates to remove all obstructions, fences or otherwise, within the SO feet and that at the owner's expense. In this 50 feet width there is really only one wagon track built, but these machines usu ally slope that so well that the entire 50 feet is accessible for passing teams or where teamsters wish to avoid a bad spot. Erie county farmers cannot possibly con ceive how communities in places where the roads are only 33 feet wide can get along. I told one of them that in Allegheny, Wash ington and Butler counties oil and gas pipe lines have been constructed along the road ways outside the fences. He replied that such an obstruction would not be tolerated by pathmasters in Erie county. In his opinion these pipe lines would prevent re pairs to the roads and render it too narrow for teams to pass one another. Taxpayers Don't Complain. And in Erie county, where there is system atic road repairings, I do not hear the com plaint about heavy taxes which I have so often heard in counties where the roads having been allowed to grow bad the taxes ,Ooni "i, Cgwreiwv: -s THE GREAT JKINZUA VIADUCT. paid annually actually sink out of sight in the mud. In Erie the experience has been that roads kept continually in good order are not so costly in the end, and that taxes ore kept down to the minimum. The total tax in Erie county is only eight and one fourth mills. Of that amount two mills are road tax that may be worked out, and three-fourths of a mill money road tax, for machinery, bridges, etc. For this reason the Erie county farmers evince an advanced spirit, and a generous feeling exists among them, toward the pro posed improvement of all country roads in Pennsylvania by the State Legislature. In Furor of Macadnm. The few farmers who were interviewed in the northern part of the county favored macadam, the State to bear the brunt of the expense by taking entire charge of the main roads, which would relieve the farmers of the responsibility and give' them a chance to pay more attention to the township roads. There is absolutely no limestone in Erie county, and the farmers interviewed admit that the distribution of that material all over the State will be the most costly feature of the proposed improvement. Warren county once had a chance to make good roads. In fact, she still has the opportunity. Captain Henry B. Bouse, whose celebrated oil wells in the excitement of 1861 built up the town of Bouseville, was burnt to death, it will be remembered, at one of these very wells. Fourteen other persons perished at the same time. His Fortune Left to the County. Bouse was an eccentric man. All his riches had come to him suddenly with the discovery of petroleum. After his death it was found that his will left his entire for tune of 580,000 to Warren county. Half of this sum went to founding and maintaining a home for the poor. The other 540,000 was to be permanently invested for the benefit of repairs for the country roads of that county. Bouse was a man with advanced ideas. lie had always been public spirited, and had helped in many ways to aid in the progress. When be made his will, railroading in the Allegheny Valley was in its infancy, and he felt that the pnblic highways must be de veloped to the highest degree to bring pros perity to the interior. Ever since then the interest of this 540,000 has been divided annually among the 18 townships of the county. The Hi quest 1'arily Waited. Some townships need more than others, and others less, and the County Commission ers decide how much each township shall have, and whatever else is needed is raised by the usual method of township taxation. Of course the Bouse appropriation thus cut up does not amount to a great deal, but it has in every case lessened the road taxes. Then, if the citizens had the interest of the county at heart in the matter of good roads, they should have kept taxes up so that the extra money would have been of some value. 'But the Bonse bequest is wanted every year," said Mr. C. H. Meecham, clerk to the County Commissioners at Warren. "Of couse the interest on Mr. Bouse's money is not half sufficient to keep up the roads, and the only effect is to make the people careless, thev knowing that a certain amount may be depended on every year. It never gave farmers or lumbermen any ambition to have good roads. Responsibility Shirked. On tho other hand some of the responsi bility being lifted off them the roads in many sections are actually worse than they would have been, perhaps, had there been no road repairing fund. Captain Bouse's 540,000 might have been devoted to some better purpose." And certainly the roads of Warren county are nothing to brag about. In the lumber regions we found them in horrible condition. Lumber until very recently ranked as the first industry of Warren county. Oil is now first. Agriculture has always been third. Consequently the farmers have had less to say about roads than in most other counties. There is a little limestone in Warren connty, with plenty of sandstone and rock boulders, but no attempt has ever been mads to macadamize, and road ma chines are only used in a few townships. House's Memory Revered. The people generally in the rural districts don't seem to be verjr much interested in the improvement of highways by the State. However; Warren county people revere the I memory of Captain Henry E. Bouse as probably the first country road bene lactor in Pennsylvania. He is buried in his native town, Westfield, N. Y., where a handsome monument marks his last resting place. In Forest county they had bad roads all winter. The topography of this county is against good roads to a great extent, the hill roads, especially along the river, have an irregular rock bottom, so of the stones our wagon passed over resembling volcanic disturbances by their shape and size. In some other places we found the roads cut right throngh walls of slate rock with Dame Nature's macadam under foot. Not Enthusiastic for Improvement. The lumber and oil interest of Forest do not appear enthusiastic over the roads com mission's ideas. The farmers would wel come macadamized roads in the interior, providing the expense did not lall entirely on agricultural land. Lumber dominates the industrial interests ot Forest county, and for that reason the roads are more sadly neglected thau they would be if farms were plentiful. O. C. Brownell, proprietor of the Central House at Tionesta, is Street Commissioner of that town. He showed me the main street, which he macadamized last year with blue flagstone. On top this stone, of course, has been broken into little bits. It was the only highway in Forest county that remained solid during the open winter. There is heavy teaming through the town, which would have crushed sandstone to powder, but this Forest county stone seems to bear all the weight you can pile upon it. Mr. Brownell says that he considers this blue flagstone equal, if not superior, to limestone for road purposes. It is really a spurious limestone. There is plenty of it in the hills LJfrWfv - & mLW of both Forest and Warren counties. Proposed Road Legislation. Mr. Brownell believes that if a general road law is adopted, it might be so framed that a locality favored with such available stone should be allowed to use it instead of limestone. Still, he admits that close super vision would be necessary lest some coun ties fill up the roads with sandstone or slate, both.of which are worse on roads than clay. Mr. Brownell is a firm believer in macad amized roads, declaring it is the only real way of making a road permanent His advanced ideas have proved a bless ing to the town ol Tionesta. Its streets were, nothing but mud until he took hold of them. Now the main street is a beautiful road, and the stone filling is only 10 inches deep. He has proposed to theTown Council to macad amize the highways from bridge to bridge. Hie Sums of Hloney Wnstcd. "I have lived here 18 years," said J. Min- singer, an ex-pathmaster, to me, "and in that time we have buried thousands of dollars on roads within this borough. There was noth ing to show for the money until this stone was put in." Tour explorers are now pushing south to Clarion county. My next letter will tell of some amusing adventures we had among the Cor-nlanters of the upper Allegheny Valley. Th icceeding letter will describe the lime stone resources of Clarion county, which are said to be vast L. E. Stofiel. GUILTY OF HEEL. O'Donovnn Rosso. Gets Called Down for Call. Ing Cnssidy a British Spy. rSPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE DISPATCH. New Yoek, April 28. "Guilty of libel" was the verdict given in Oyer and Terminer to-day against O'Donovan Eossa, who called P. S. Cassidy a "British spy." Hendrick son, the publisher of Bossa's paper was ac quitted. John J. Maroney, who was ar rested here as a "suspect" in the Cronin case and discharged because there was no evidence against him, was one of the wit nesses whose names were called to-day and who failed to respond. Others were Austin Ford and Patrick O'Herlihy. Mr, Howe finished his address to the jury before the noon adjournment, and Assistant District Attorney Dawson had his two hours inning after the recess. Judge An drews' charge was an hour long. The jury went out at 5 o'clock, and at 7 o'clock came into the court for instructions and then re tired again. The session had been one of loud discussion up to that time, but before 8 P. M. the differences had been settled. Judge Andrews had gone out to dinner and didn't return until 820 p. m., wheu the verdict was announced. It was guilty tor O Donovan Bossa, with a recommendation to extreme mercy, and not guilty for Hen drickson. Bossa was allowed to go upon his own bond until Wednesday, when he will be sentenced. It is expected that Bossa will get off with a fine. Criminal libel is a mis demeanor and punishable by one year's im prisonment or 5500 fine. FBENCH TREATY BIGHTS. Delegate Gathering nt Ilallfax to Dii cuss the Question. Halipax, N. S., April 28. Delegates from Newfoundland to Great Britain and Canada arrived by the Caspian this morning. It is the intention of the dele gates to hold a public meeting here. They say their mission is not confined to the modus vivendi recently entered into rela tive to the taking and preserving of lob sters, but embraces the whole question of French treaty rights on the coast of New foundland. In the present agitation there is also con tained the assertion of the constitutional right of the colony to modify or alter the territorial and maritime rights, and in this the delegates hope to secure the co-operation of other colonies. The trade between the Canadian provinces and Newfoundland is increasing, and the position recently as sumed by the French will have an important bearing on it Prominent Business Man Missing. Chicago, April 23. Charles Bandolph, long a well-known resident of Chicago and very prominent in business circles, disap peared from his home, at South Evanston, Wednesday afternoon, and has not been heard of since. Mr. Bandolph has been in 'poor health, for some time. THE GAGE OF BATTLE Cast Into the Arena by President Gompers on Behalf of Labor. EIGHT-HOUR CAMPAIGN OUTLINED. Carpenters Will Lead the Tan, tut Must he Well Supported. STRIKES THREATEN EKIN WITH FAMINE. From all Parts of the World Come the Sounds of Labor Agitation. The eight-hour movement has spread over the civilized world. President Gompers has issued a manifesto to the toilers of America, telling them how the campaign should be conducted. The Chicago carpenters are already anticipating a victory. Even the English police have caught the strike fever, and demand an increase of salary. ISPECIAL TELEGRAM TO TUB DISPATCH. New Yoke, April 28. The Executive Council of the American Federation of Labor met this afternoon and discussed the condition and prospects of the eight-hour movement Samuel Gompers presided and there were also present First Vice President William Martin, Second Vice President P. J. McGuire, Treasurer Henry Enrich, and Secretary Chris Evans. The discussion was secret and lastedseveral hours. This appeal was issued: s To the Tollers of America, Greeting: The manifestations of determination on your part to hold the banner of the eight-bour movement aloft, and to carry it along until victory shall have been achieved, gives hope, encouragement and rejoicing to the lovers of progress in our country, and to rind a hearty and responsive chord in the hopes and aspira tions of the down-trodden toilers of Europe. Already we see emperors, kings, autocrats and all the other enemies to the cause of labor and progress, palsied and paralyzed with fear of tho growing power and noble purposes of the toiling masses. A FURIOUS CONTEST PROVOKED. The combined power of position and' wealth seems not only about to be concentrated to an tagonize the introduction of the simple, bene ficial and essential improvement consequent upon a reduction in the hours of labor, but seeks to provoke you into a curious contest The encouragement our movement has im planted among our fellow working people and tho corresponding antagonism manifested on the part of our enemies should convince us more than aught else that the policv we have thus far pursued is the one which should he followed without any deviation whatever. The advice and suggestions thus far given and made for the conduct of our movement having received your approval, I make bo bold as to submit others, which, to my mind, will lead us to a greater degree of success than could other wise De obtained. The Executive Council of the American Confederation of Labor has selected tho United Brotherhood of Carpenters to make the demand for the enforcement ot the eight hour work day. TVISEJWOEDS OF COUNSEL. I ask you to retrain from any sympathetic strikes. Bather remain at your work and aid the carpenters and joiners to win in the con test To the carpenters and joiners my advice is to demand and Insist upon the enforcement of the eight-hour work day. It is not a matter of theory; it is a fact that the question of wages and conditions will regulate tnemselves to your benefit as soon as the eight hour work day has been in operation. For that reason, if you cannot secure the eight-hour work day with other conditions, then allow thnm to ramain oDen for further adinstment. In the demonstration t be held May 1 turn out in vast numbers, and by your presence mani fest your unalterable determination to have the eight-hour work day enforced, though by one trade at a time, yet for all as the ultimate result Allow no one to provoke you to a breach of the peace. Maintain order. Refrain from all violence. Engage in no riot Let the watch word be the enforcement of the eight-hour work day. Firm, peaceful and positive, with stont hearts and clear beads, let us concen trate all efforts for victory upon the carpenters and joiners. Men of labor, steady along the line to the achievement of the eight-hour work day. Fraternally, Samuel Gompers. FAMINE FOLLOWS STSIKES. Business In the South nnd West of Ireland In a Terrible Condition. BY DCNLAP'S CABLE COMPANT.J Dublin, April 28. Widespread disaster threatens the South and West of Ireland consequent upon the strike of the railway employes. A famine of flour and coal is imminent in the town of Fermov, and the Grand canal having also stopped its traffic, there is general obstruction and many fail ures are certain unless the strike ceases. Guinness, the great brewer, has covered the roads with wagons in the endeavor to supply the towns with his porter. Boys are acting as signal men and ticket collectors. Mr. Calhoun, the manager of the Great Southern Bailway of Irelnd, told Michael Davitt that the directors were willing to' meet delegates from the men. with the ex ception of the signal men, who they were determined to prosecute for quitting their posts at the signal boxes, and thereby en dangering the lives of the passengers. The men, through their Secretary, replied that they would stand by their comrades. Davitt severely centuredthe directors for their coursebut also said that the signal men had no right to leave their duty. To-day several directors and seven clerks from Dnblin conveyed 456 passengers and the American mails. They took off their roats and helped to transfer the mails to the Umbria. The merchants of Cork have given their employes notice that they will be un able to continue business while the strike lasts. MEIERS MAKE A JUSTAEE. Having Struck Owing; to a. Misunderstand Inc. They Return to Work. ISPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE DISPATCH. 1 Scottdale, April 28. The strike of over 500 men at Morrel & Wheeler's has been settled, and the strikers returned to work to-day. The miners had erred, as there was no miner discharged. The matter was adjusted at a conference between Super intendent Taylor and Master Workman Cerfoot. The strike in the Smithton district is reported as on yet to-day, but a conference of miners and operators will likely be held and all minor differences be settled. The Port Eoyal plant, which employs 500 men,' is already in full operation, as the owners were the first to effect a compromise with their employes. Kerloot said to-day that there were num erous local troubles over the region, but that they could be handled without revert ing to strike. He said that despite the present depression in the coke trade, the K. of L. was rapidly extending over territory, and increasing in membership. BTEEESPOBrS LAB0B PABADE. Carpenters Will Celebrate tho Fourth Anni versary of Their Union. SPECIAL TELEGRAM TO TUB DISPATCH.1 McKeespoet, April 28. The labor parade to be held here Thursday evening will be escorted by the local Union of Car penters and Joiners, followed by all branches ol trade. It promises to be the largest dem onstration of the labor interests the carpen ters have ever held. The occasion will be the fourth anniversary of the organization of the local carpenters' union. A GAME OF FREEZE-OUT. CHICAGO CARPENTERS AND BOSSES TESTING THEIR STRENGTH. If xtfae New Employers' Union Can Find Work for 4,000 Men the Strikers' De mands Will be Grnnted A. Speedy Set tlement Looked For. ESPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE DISPATCH. CniCAGO, April 28. The most import ant conference since the carpenters' strike be gan was held this morning by the Arbitra tion Committee of the carpenters and a sim ilar committee appointed, by the new or ganization of bosses. Although both sides are reticent, it is safe to say that if the new association can show their ability to em ploy over 4,000 men the strike will be set tled. It may be several days before the strike is formally declared off, as there will be several minor matters to adjust if the bosses and men agree on the general propositions. The meeting this morning was held with closed doors. The bosses made certain propositions which the strikers will submit to the council. The new boss carpenters and builders' association issued a call inviting all con tractors outside of the organization to join it at once. The only hope of a speedy set tlement of the strike, it is claimed, is that the new association shall develop sufficient strength to take the place of the old Master Carpenters' Association. TJp to noon half a dozen men had signed the roster and in creased the employing capacity of fte or ganization about 100 men. As soon as it is evident that no more recruits can be ob tained, the arbitration committees will meet and make strenuous efforts to settle the differences. Non-union men in numbers larger than even the strikers care to admit, are pouring into Chicago, and it is believed the master carpenters, anticipating the fruitless con ferences of Saturday, had agents in other cities securing all the non-union carpenters they could find. The strikers are vigilant, however, and this morning captured a num ber of non-union men and induced them to refuse to go to work. A boss carpenter named Smythe attempted to put some non union men at work ou a building on North avenue, but the strikers drove the men away. Chief Marsh says that non-union men will be protected in their work if it takes the entire police force. A teamster in the employ of one of the largest contractors in Chicago was'hauling some carpenters' tools this morning when his team was stopped by a gang of strikers. The horses were cut from the wagon and the teamsterjdragged to the ground and given a severe beating. The strikers then cut the harness to pieces and wrecked the wagon. There is renewed talk of a strike at the stockyards next Thursday. The men ask for an increase of 2 (rents an hour in pay, and demand that eight hours shall consti tute a day's work. PACKERS' UNION GROWING. The Packing House Laborers' Union, which was started about 18 months ago, is increasingits strength every day. President FranK O'Neill said this morning that while he deprecated the idea of a strike as much as anyone, he did not see how it could be avoided. Congressman Lawler has inter ested himself in the movement and has written to the packers himself. Mr. Armour was asked what he thought of the situation, and replied that he did not anticipate any trouble. L0HD0K E0BBIES GET THE FEVER. They Demand nn Advance in Wages and Threaten to Strike. BY DUXLAF'S CABLE COMPANY. London, April 28. Tire clty'police are circulating for signatures a petition to the Commissioner of Police asking ail advance in their pay to 5 shillings per day, free from all deduction for provident fund, death of members of the force and other taxes to which tbey are now subjected. The present pay of the policemen is 31 shillings per week, and this is liable to dednctions for various causes. The present agitation throughout the country concerning the strikes and the gen eral feeling of insecurity causes the pub lic to look upon this newtronble with much anxiety. The policemen are holding pri vate meetings and appear determined to carry their point. They say they hope to do so peacefully, but suggest the possibil ity of doing it in some other manner if necessarv. TAKING THEM AH DT. BIcBLeesport Wage-Workers Orgnnizing Into the Federation of Labor. rSPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE DISPATCH, t McKeespoet, April 28. All the mem bers of the trades represented in this city, such as plasterers, painters, carpenters, hod carriers, masons, etc., outside ot the Tube Works, have been organized and are branches of the Federation of Labor. A movement is on foot to extend the same into the main industries of the city. With this end in view a meeting will be held at the Palace Bink on Sunday next, at which time the employes of the National Tube Works Company are expected to be present, and after proper deliberations and arrangements, will follow with an organiza tion of their respective branches of the Federation. WILL STAND BT EACH OTHER. Little Washington Contractors Will Not Recognize the Trades Unions rSPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE DISPATCn.l Washington, Pa., April 28. Resolu tions have been passed by the contractors and builders of this place to the effect that they will stand by each other in the event of a strike by any of the unions; that they will agree to pay by the hour such wages as they may individually arrange with their men; that they will employ non-union men, and will not recognize union men in letting their sub contracts. If any union institutes a strike it will be( ignored by the contractor. The resolutions are at direct variance with the demands of the union. Anarchists Advocate Violence. Paeis, April 28. A meeting of Anar chists was held at Lyons yesterday, at which speeches were made favoring violence by the workingmen ou the occasion of the labor demonstration on May 1. Eleven of the participants of the meeting who were the most active in favoring incendiary action were arrested. Cnrrers Want a Nine-Hour Day. Geand Bapids, April 28. At a meet ing of carvers yesterday it was decided to go out on strike May 1, unless the demand for nine hours is granted. The manufac turers are firm and will not grant the de mand. A general strike may follow if out side carvers are brought in. Rnllroad Miner. Will Strike. rSPECtAI. TELEGRAM TO TUX DISPATCn.l Beaddock, April 28. A strike at all the mines along the railroad lines is likely to occur next Thursday wheu the operators re fuse to grant the demands of the miners for an advance in the price of mining from 70 to 75 cents per ton. Pig Iron Rntes Reducrd. Beelin, April 28. The Ehenish West phalian Association has reduced the rates for pig iron from 10 to 17 marks; the rates for boiler plates from 20 to 35 marks, and rates for rod iron 20 marks, .. AN OKGAN IS WANTED Postmaster Clarkson Says it is Needed by the Kepublican Party. HE WILL EDIT A MODEL WEEKLY. Hott Race Track Owners' Generosity Nearly . Killed a Bridse BUI. EFFECTS OF TOO MUCH LOBBYING. A Congressman Who Tbinls George Washington and obert Lee Both Kebeli Postmaster Clarkson thinks there are no simon pure Bepublican newspapers which formulate the loftier principles of the party faithfully. He will probably start a weekly exponent of Republicanism. An over zealous Board of Bace Track Directors give Congressmen a chance to display their in corruptibility. Congressman Hooker, of Mississippi, compares George Washington to Bobert E. Lee. rSPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE DISPATCn.l PROM A STAFF CORRESPONDENT.! Washington, April 28. It may turn out that the passage in Mr. Clarkson's Americas Club banqniet speech in regard to the decline of Bepublican newspapers may be more significant than was thought by any of his audience at the time or by any but a very lew who read the striking utterances of the Assistant Postmaster Gen eral over their Sunday breakfasts. A gen tleman who is not given to imaginative stories, and whose opinions have much weight with the public, tells the corre spondent of The Dispatch that the word3 of Mr. Clarkson were a hint in the first place that papers professing to be Bepubli can must look a little less to their money bags and more to the party interests, or risk the establishment of true blue Bepublican rivals; and in the second place a forewarn ing of the publication in this city of a Be publican journal which shall be the recog nized official exponent of the party through its greatest and best leaders. journalistic decay. With the growth and rivalry of journals in so-called "provincial cities," the newspa pers of New Yorr whose utterances have Deep so influential in past years, have lost their prestige as molders of opinion, and are merely local business institutions, like the newspapers of other cities. As the capital must become more and more the city of the whole nation, the political metropolis with out a rival, it is thought high time that a Bepublican newspaper should be started here to be made the national organ of the party. The pnrpose is, as at present being discussed, to start a weekly paper, whose editor shall be a Bepublican of national re pute and influence, and whose editorial con tributors shall be the most substantial and influential men of the party. Its mission will be not only to put forth in the most at tractive and convincing manner the vital principles of the Bepublican party, but to loreshadow important movements of the party, feel the party pulse and concentrate and harmonize the party leadership. NO LEADING REPUBLICAN NEWSPAPEB. As matters are now, the gentleman asserts, there is not a single newspaper in the coun try to which the people may turn for Be publican news and logic that is free from selfish considerations, or that is prompted by any deference to the wishes or opinions of the recognized leaders of the party. They are subject wholly to the whims, personal interests, friendships and enmities of their editors, who cannot rise much higher than the question of pecuniary profits. Jnst who are to be interested The Dispatch's in formant will not say, but a hint was given that a number of wealthy leaders of the party would furnish the capital, and that Colonel Clarkson himself had been discussed as the most proper editor of the new national venture. The important feature of the project is that every utterance shall corneas though by authority of the recognized leadership of the party above and outside all cliques and factions, the articles broad, serious and dig nified, the whole paper a rallying point for the party' conscience and enthusiasm, a chief thinker, as it were, to lead the thought and reason ot the party in one direction, in stead of allowing its force to be dissipated by papers aud leaders who are narrow and factional. Lightneb. CONGRESSIONAL THEORIES The Mississippi Floods Have Started a Flood of Oratory in Congress The Gov ernor of Louisiana Say Tbey Need Ten Days' Ration. SPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE DISPATCH.1 Washington, April 28. In view of the recent disastrous floods the statesmen at the Capitol are discovering that it will be good politics to have a good deal to say about Mississippi river improvement, as it is a subject on which effective changes can be running pathetic, poetie and scientific. What a Congressman doesn't know about the laws which govern the action of .rivers would fill a library, but the prospects are that a great deal of time will be wasted on the subject. The brief discussion iu the Senate to-day showed the great Senators on all sides of the question, some advocating jetties, some levees, and others hinting at other systems, while others showed that all systems experimented with have been utter failures. It is almost certain that one result of the Mississippi floods will be such a congress ional flood of conflicting and nnadjustable theories as to prevent altogether an appro priation for continuing the so-called im provements until a thorough investigation can be had with the additional light thrown on the subject by the late floods, and some conclusion reached which shall promise more certain results than the work of the past Secretary Proctor has received several replies to his telegrams asking for informa tion in regard to the extent of suffering in the overflowed districts Of the South. The Governor of Louisiana said that ten days' rations for 25,000 people should be sent to New Orleans for distribution throughout the State. The Governor of Missisisppi said there are probably 20,000 persons in that State needing assistance, and the Governor of Arkansas said that 500 people in Phillips county and a considerable number in Desha county are in great need of relief. Lieutenant James Wilson, Fourth Artil lery, at Jackson Barracks, Miss., has been directed to report to Captain Weston, Act ing Depot Quartermaster at New Orleans, for temporary dnty in connection with the relief of the flood sufferers, and Major Gen eral Howard, at New York, has been di rected to detail such other assistance as may be required. Captain Weston has been in structed to use his own discretion in regard to the issue of green shoulders and corn meal instead of bacon and flour, and to do at once what he can for the relief of all who need it He has been given ample powers in the matter of transportation and the em ployment of assistants. THE BIDS REOPENED And a Chnnce to Construct Government Tugs" Is Now Open. riFECTAL TELEGRAM TO THE DISPATCH.1 Washington, April 28. An 'advertise ment for three tugs for the navy will be I issued in a few days. Some time ago- Secretary Tracy rejected bids from Boston, .rmiaaeipnia ana Baltimore nrms ioriugs. oince men me department nas prepareu plans and specifications of its own and the invitation is now issued with the hope that the competition will be larger. Secretary Tracy's action in rejecting the former bids on the eve of an acceptance displeased the firms concerned and they have endeavored to have the action changed, but without success. EXCESSIVE ZEAL. ThoDnngerof Superfluous Lobbying Illus trated A Bridge Bill Nearly Defeated Through Distributions of Tickets to the Raee Track Beyond. ISPECTAL TELEGRAM TO THE DI8PATC3.1 Washington, April 28. Lobbying is very often overdone in Washington. Many a meritorious measure has been defeated through the anxiety of its friends displayed in attempts to bring ontside influence to bear on the Congressmen. This was exem plified in the House this afternoon, when a bill came up for consideration in Committee of the Whole, providing for the construction of a new bridge across the eastern branch of the Potomac river. The bill, which is a very meritorious one, and which would have passed of its own weight, was almost de feated through the excessive zeal of its friends. The bridge crosses the river at the Bennings road, which leads to the- new race track of the Washington Jockey Club. When the running races were held a few weeks ago, the proprietors of the club sent a complimentary badge to everv member of Congress, no doubt hoping that by this means tbey would induce the members to cross the old Bennings bridge, and see for themselves what great need there is of a new one. In the midst of the debate on the bill, when its friends were explaining that the oM bridge was built in 1803; that it was the main channel by which the Maryland farmers reach the Washington market, and while reading the testimony of the District Commissioners and engineer officers to prove that the bridge was unsafe and be yond repair, a member arose and pointedly inquired whether this bridge was on the road that leads to the race track. Then the opposition to the bill began to develop Itself. Some members of Congress are very anxious to show the public that they cannot be reached by outside influ ences, and bo they desire to rebuke the men who Bent them the race tickets. Half a dozen of them immediately became inter ested in the subject, and drew from their pockets the complimentary badges which had been sent them for the running races, to take place next week. Mr. Outbwaite, of Ohio, and other mem bers flourished these badges in the air, and on the strength of them worked up an oppo sition to the bill that bade fair at one stage of the proceedings to defeat it It squeezed through, however, by a bare majority, simply because it had strength enough to travel on its own merits. The race track feature of the' uiscussion, however, was al most fatal, and it is probable that hereafter the jockey club managers will not be so generous with their complimentary tickets. Some statesmen object to being laid liable to the charge of being unduly influenced. THE TWO REBELS. So George Washington and Robr. E. Lee Are Called by Congressman Hooker. Washington, April 28. In trie House to-day the conference report on the Fre mont, N. C, public hnilding bill was agreed to. The limit of cost is $60,000. The President's veto message on the bill to allow Ogden, Utah, to increase ite in debtedness waj laid before the House and referred. The legislative, executive and judicial appropriation bill was passed without di vision. The House then went into commit tee of the whole on the District of Columbia, the pending bill being that for the estab lishment of the Bock Creek park. Mr. Hooker, of Mississippi, favored the immediate establishment of the park. In the course of his remarks he alluded to Ar lington Cemetery, in an obscure corner of which were buried the remains of the boys who wore the gray. On the headboard of each grave was carved the word "Bebel." He didn't object to this. "Bebel" was not a word of reproach. It only showed that they were the men who had been led by the second great rebel of America, Bobert E. Lee George Washington having been the first After discussion the bill was laid aside with a favorable recommendation. The committee having risen, the Bock Creek Park bill was defeated yeas, 78; nays, 88. Mr. Hemphill, of South Caro lina, voted in the negative in order to move a reconsideration, and the House adjourned. NO ACTION TAKEN. Joint Convention of Illine Owners and Work men in Chicago. Chicago, April 28. A joint convention of the Northern Illinois mine owners and mine workmen assembled in the Coal Ex change here to-day. Nineteen operators and 34 workmen's delegates were present, including John B. Bae, President ot the United Mine Workers of America, State Master Workman Scafe and State Secre tary Howells. After a general discussion, mainly as to competition with Indiana and Ohio, President Bae moved that a commit tee of three owners and three workmen be chosen to consider the permanent organiza tion of the convention and to adopt a mode of procedure.. This brought out a long debate, develop ing that the Northern operasors wonld not pledge themselves to any wage scale unless the Southern Illinois operators were present at the convention. Finally a motion wa3 adopted instructing the Secretary to tele graph to all the operators in the State not present in the convention an invitation to be here Wednesday morning, to which time the convention adjourned. JEALOUSY CAUSED IT. Two Attempted Murders and One Sncceisful Suicide the Results. ISPECTAL TELEGRAM TO THE DISPATCH. 1 Nyack, April 28. G. F. Smith has since last October been the gardener on the place ot W. B. Williams, South Nyack, and his wife has been employed about the house. For a few days a slaternamea Henrv Chap pell has been at work there, taking his meals in the house. Early this afternoon Mrs. Smith called Chappell to dinner, and while he was seated at the table Smith came in drunk. Some wofds eusued between him and his wife, in dicating jealousy on his part Then he left the room. He returned with a revolver, and pointing it at his wife's head fired. He missed her, and then fired a shot into Chap pell's thigh. Smith went to another room, where he locked himself in, and in a few minutes a shot was heard. Smith was found dead on his back in a pool of blood and a revolver by his side. SHOT mk SWEETHEABT. A Jealous Lover Fats a Bullet Through the Head oi His Girl. IRFZCIAL TELEGRAM TO THE DISPATCH. Chableston, W. Va., April 28. This evening John Hankins went to the bouse of Emma Woodyard, his sweetheard, knocked at the door and called her out, then pnt his arms around her, and at the same titneputa bullet through her head. Jealousy was the cause of the act. ST GO TO THE WALL j, yc V.VA i 5NacarJane is Unable to Meet 5M!is Ohiio-ntinns. -r a ft. HIS AtAVS AEE ALL CORRECT. '"9 ON The America,;. Insurance Company is VvSt Affected. ALL POLICIES WILL BE PAID WHEU DDE Unsuccessful Buildirc Operations Hare Ruined lie President Senator John J. MacFarlane, President of the Amerscan Life Insurance Company, says he is a ruined man. His accounts are correct, however, and he asserts that the company is perfectly able to meet all its obligations. Mr. MacFarlane's insolvency is attributed to unsuccessful building operations, (SPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE DISPATCH.1 Philadelphia, April 23. Senator John J. MacFarlane, President of the American Life Insurance Company,returned to his office early this morning. Other officers of the company were quickly on hand, and as the morning business hours advanced bankers and merchants who had dealings with the President or were simply on a footing of personal acquaintance, called to receive from Senator MacFarlane's own lips his ex planation of the widely circulated rumors reflecting upon his financial standing which were published here a few days ago. At 10 o'clock, the hour when the day's operations in the financial world are gen erally begun, Fourth and Walnut streets, where stands the big new stone building of the American Life Insurance Company, seemed to be the principal scene of business activity. It was a trying ordeal for Presi dent MacFarlane, who appeared to be far from well, and admitted that he was suffer ing severely, but he answered the many questiens put to him frankly and without an appearauce of irritation. A defalcation denied. Begarding the rumors of a defalcation. President MacFarlane stated emphatically that the affairs of the company were without a flaw, and that the statements which had been made to the contrary were without the slightest foundation so fas as be knew. He explained his recent absence from the city by saying that he had started for Texas for the benefit of his health and with the idea of combining business with recreation. While at St Louis, en route, he received intelligence of business matters which induced him to abandon bis trip and to return home at once. He did not hear the rumors of a de falcation until his arrival here. "The American Life Insurance Com pany," he said, "i3 perfectly solvent and will be able to meet any demands that may be made upon it. As far as I An personally concerned I am a ruined man. I shall be unable to meet my obligations, and if I am pressed I will, of course, have to go to the wall." President VTacFarlane's statements were in terrupted frequently by telephone calls from banks and individuals requesting the pay ment of loans. MUST 'WAIT POB THKIB MONET. To these demands Mr. MacFarlane had but one answer. That was that he had just returned to the city and would be unable to meet obligations at to short a notice. Those who mide the request for their money pleaded that they were short of funds, but they did not assume a peremptory tone, and none of them interposed any serious objec tions of waiting until to-morrow. "It will, of course," continued Mr. Mac Farlane, "be impossible for me to secure funds sufficient to meet these demands if they ore pressed. I only wantto say that the loans were made on my own stock and do not involve the company." Mr. MacFarlane said that he owned nearly all the stock of the company. There are 10,000 shares, of which the par value is 50 a share, making the total capital $500, Q0O. Of this Mr. MacFarlane's personal property is about 8,660 shares, or 5433.000. The last sale of the stock in the Philadelphia Stock Exchange was about two weeks ago, when a number ol shares brought $65, or 30 per cent above par, making a basis for a nominal market value ot the amount of stock held by Mr. MacFarlane of over 5500,626. This is the stock that Mr. MacFarlane said he had hy pothecated forhis loans, which, he stated, he had found it necessary to make for out side interests. WOULD DEPRESS THE STOCK. The only contingency in which he could see any possible reflection upon the com pany was in a forced sale of bis collaterals to make good the loans, which would neces sarily result in a material reduction of the market value of American Life Insurance Company stock. Mr. MacFarlane 'has been largely engaged in building operations which were not successful. A nnmber of the directors of the company held a private meeting in the office during the morning. Those who were present were Charles G. Bobeson, George W. Hall and Walter E. Bex. They are members of the Finance Committee. They called upon Secretary George C. tVilson, Jr., to make a statement of the financial condition of the company. He reported that there was no embezzlement or default of any kind. As a resnlt of the meeting Secretary Wilson was directed to issue the following notice: The Secretary of the American Life Insur ance Company U authorized to say that im mediately upon his return the President called the Finance Committee of his board together, and acquainted them ot the public rumor. Tbey answered emphatically that they have examined and are thoroughly familiar with his accounts so far as they concern the company. ana mat mere is no grounu wnasever lor uo charge of embezzlement or defalcation. PLENTY OP CASH. The American Life does only a small nusiness in life insurance, that department being conducted in a branch office in the building. It has a number of depositors and does a considerable trust business, the trust funds depositors being credited on the books of the company with upward of 100,000. These obligations Mr. MacFarlane said the com pany would pay on demand, as well as all death risks upon the presentation of the usual proofs. About 3,000 policies are now outstanding. He claimed that the larger loans of the company had been paid off at the beginning of the present year. Mr. MacFarlane laid considerable stress upon the large amount of cash which he said the company had on hand and could appropriate to the paying off of such de positors as would choose to withdraw their funds. This amonnt at the beginning of the present vear was given as $167,870 93, almost all of which was deposited in the Bank of America, an institution so closely related with the American Life that the same men figure as officers of both companies. In the report of the company for 1889 to Insurance Commissioner Foster, it stated that the company has loaned over $700,000 on collateral securities. The report shows that the great bulk of these loans were made on stocks and bonds which are notlisted on the Philadelphia Exchange, and whose value is a matter of speculation. Neville Gets'n Fat Job. Madrid, April 28. The Duke of Seville has been appointed to a high government position in Havana. $ 3 1 i i i i
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers