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" SECOND PflBTTT
I VOTE HUNTER
A Pen Portrait of the Rural
Politician and a Brief
Analysis of
HIS WAY OF CAMPAIGNING.
Talks With Farmers on Decreased
Land Values and
LOW PRICE OF FIELD PRODUCTS.
Ko Cause for Discouragement at the Pres
ent Outlook.
BIG KEYENUES FROM COAL AND LUMBER
irBOM X STXTT COHBKSrOJnI2TT.J
Tnr PmsBtrKO Disp vtch )
Coumrt Koad Expedition.
Cbeseside Postofficf. Pa May 7. J
We meet him everywhere. He is the same
in each of the 17 counties which The Dis
patch wagon has thus Jar traversed. At
this particular season he is remarkably
abundant all over "Western Pennsylvania.
He lives alone the country roads. He
smilingly nods to us at every cross roads, is
particularly obliging in telling us whether
to take the left fork or the right fork, and he
never fails to state some "advanced ideas"
about macadamizing the highways.
"We have met him at the dinner tables of
manv farm houses. He invariably compli
ments the quality of the fried ham, and de
clares the eggs are "just done to suit him."
He likes ham and eggs three times a day he
says. "We know he lies.
A Very Acrrrnbie Fellow.
He talks glibly about fertilizer, and
makes wise predictions of crops. And
when it comes to settling the dinner fee he
offers a bill of such large denomination as
to inspire awe for his financial resources,
and yet de'y the ability of the household
puree to change it So he gets away with
out paying for his meal.
"We have driven slowly behind his road
cart, or "one-hos shay," in order to study
his habits. He calls pleasantly to every
schoolboy or girl "How is your papa?"
Then hetells them to Kive "this little card"
to papa. He invites each and every school
marm to ride with him to the township
schoolhouse. But his great triumphal act
is to tie his horse at every cornfield fence
where a farmer and his boys are plowing,
manfully wade through the mud, and then
engage the plowmen in conversation. He
comes bacC presently, smiling and rubbing
his hands. He has secured three or four
promises.
Liberal TVttb HI. Tnffr.
He drives on. He meets Farmer Jones
going to the mill with a wagon loud of grain.
He says: "Ah, I was just bound for your
house. That is a beautiful litter of little
pigs you have. Don't do it, James. Be
cause pork is low now do not sell all the
pigs. See to it as soon as the grass starts
that the pigs have a pasture."
Then he comes down to business. He is
a candidate. He is runing tor the nomi
nation for County Treasurer, County Com
missioner or Protbonotary. More generally
he wants to go to the Legislature. He is
to-day setting up delegates all over West
ern Pennsylvania. Syn against the back
ground ofarail fence, a newly plowed field,
or studied in the twilight of a barnyard, I
am impressed with what a wonder.ul crea
ture an American politician is. He uses
the county roads in April and May more
than a man in any other trade or proiession.
He ought to be interested in this macadatn
j izing scheme. It would make canvassing
It easier. Has the State commission thought
i of that phase of the matter?
' No Acriculiurnl Depression.
Before leaving Indiana county I pause to
add a little more to the testimony already
given that there is no actual agricultural
depression in "Western Pennsylvania, The
more I delve into this subject the more I
find ho widely divergent may be tlie views
o two different persons on this same subject.
There are pessimists and there are optimists.
The latter class is made up largely o! the
younger farmers and younger business men
who have dealings witli the farmer.
"Where you fina au old farmer who re-
members the good prices of "the days befo'
the wah" you will generally find him with
gloomy ideas about the present outlook of
agriculture. Jiut, again, when you find a
still older farmer who can recall the ex
tremely low prices of products in the panic
whichsucceeded President Polk's election,
you will find him notaltogctherdiscouraged
at things as tbey exist to-day. "They might
be worse," is the philosophy of these old
timers. Rednced Land Valors.
In Clarion, County Commissioner Joshua
McCall said to me: "People do not want to
farm any longer. Cheap grain and cheap
dressed beef trotn the West have reduced
profits. And, on the other hand, oil de
velopments in this county taught farmers
that there was more money in that than in
farming. Bather than increase their
debts by operating their farms many
will just let the land lie or
try to sell it. This has resulted in the
past 10 and 20 years in a depreciation of the
crices of iarni lands. Property that was
worth $40 an acre 20 years ago will now
bring only 520. Even ten years ago some
farming land in this county would have
Croueni VH and ICO an acre. The large
amount ot machinery required by laruiers I
these days and the high price of'labor are
among me causes lor this condition of
things. Yet there is no increase of mort
gages on Clarion county farms."
Here is the rosy view nf the situation as
stated to me by A. S. McComb. a real' es
tate agent in Clnrion county. He operates
on an extensive scale among farmers.
ltea-aon for Encouragement.
He said: "There has been a decided im.
provcnientin Clarion county within the last
ten months. Farms to my knowledge have
sold at $42 an acre this year which would
have only brought $30 Inst rear. Ljki Fri
day I sold a farm at Monterey lor 538 an
sore and it had no improvements whatever.
There were plenty ot bids and much in
quiry. Ot course most of this would have
sold ten years ago at $50 an acre, but still I
think there is every reason for encourage
ment now. The arming situation in Clarion
had reached as low a point as it could, and
now it is rebounding o its own lorce.
Times are already vetting better, I know
ot an ofier of $18,000 made a few years ago
for a farm o 250 acres in this county. The
owner held ofl, but prices declined;and he
finally neediug money offered ft mr $800.
Now that laru is about selling for $10,000.
"There is a promising luture be.ore the
Clarion connty farmers. Sueepat $6 50 per
head is a better price for Clarion slock than
for some time. There is no increase of
mortgages here. Farmers actually don't
wsnl to borrow money. My firm has $15,000
at this moment to put into mortgages, but
none are o&ered to us,
.. - - ,
A Reviving Industry.
In Jefferson county farming is practically
a new industry in some sections. Tin.
forests have been- cleared, and, with the ex- I
haustion of timber, there is nothing left to
do but till the soil. In the north and north
west of Jefferson connty vast nelds or tree
stumps are being cleaned off. The most
popular agricultural machine there at pres
ent is the "stump-puller." The first money
that ever came into Jefferson county in good
sized quantities was that which came from
Pittsburg 40 years ago for logs floated down
Bedbanc creek to the Allegheny river.
Since then good sized bank accounts have
grown up in Jefferson from the marketing
of timber.
John DuBois was a specimen of the suc
cessful lumber dealer. The Jefferson county
larrners of to-day are starting well. Most of
them have money to start with. And I
found several, too. who nronose to try live
stock raising. They are evidently not afraid
of Western competition, especially if they
manage their interests scientifically.
Wrnllh From ibe Earth.
In the southern section or the county the
farming industry is older. And the coal in
aod around Punxsntawney has made many
of the faimers there wealthy. Only two
weeks ago a vast tract of coal land surround
ing "Punxy," which has been held for years
by Philadelphia parties, was sold to Bell,
Lewis & Yates, of Buffalo. The transaction
involved the enormous sum of $14,000,000.
Theophilus Pantall is a rich JeBerson
county farmer, who can cast ur his profits
to lumber, coal and cattle dealing as well as
to farming. And yet he also takes'a very en
couraging view of agriculture as a distinct
and profitable calling, independent of the
other interests turned. "Why," said he,
"there is every reason wbv a farmer should
He U a Candidate.
make a living in these piping days of peace.
The farmer used to get 6 cents a pound for
his butter. Now he gets 15, 18 and 20 cents
lor it, I have sold steers in my boyhood
for $7 60 per head. Now I can get $30 to
$40."
Preaent nod Former Prices.
"Would not the 6 cents you once got for
your butter buy more than It does now?
Was not 6 cents worth more then than it is
now?" I asked.
"I don't think so," replied Mr. Pantall.
"You can buy a vard of calico now for 1
cents per yard. Then it cost more. Now,
you can buy a yard of calico and have some
of your 6 cents left over. Western beef has
no doubt led to competition, but this spring
a half dollar better prices are being-offered
for cattle in these counties than ever before.
Oleomargarine did hurt butter tome, but
the law has restricted that. A farmer who
pavs strict attention to bis business, keeps
up with the times in the matter of machinery
and scientific farming will be able to live
comfortably and lay up something besides."
In Armstrong county the farmers are gen
erally of the well-to-do class. Land is
valuable, and there has been no increase at
all in mortgages. Farmer Thomas Mont
gomery, of Manor township, tells me land
there is worth ironi $200 to $250 per acre.
Prowperoas Agriculturists.
Farmer Graff, a neighbor, said the people
generally are in such good condition that
many pay their road taxes instead of work
ing them out. Land is unencumbered, and
there is no disposition, so lar as he knows,
to borrow monev. The great plate glass
works at Ford City was built on a portion
ot the (arms ot Messrs. Graff and Mont
gomery, and that undoubtedly made land
more valuable, as well as lurmshiog an in
creased market for farm products. The
farms on the west side of the Allegheny
river are also in thrifty hands generally.
John Armor is a 72-year-old tarmer who
lives at Smicksburg, Indiana county. I
heard him tell how the panic or 1847 lound
himself and partuer with 3,000 bushels of
oats on hand in a storehouse in Saltsburg.
He rode horsebacK for a week through all
the old Pennsylvania canal towns ironi
ireeport to Johnstown, but he could not
sell the oats.
The Good Old Times.
Free trade had closed the mills at Johns
town, and banks and stores were railing on
all sides. The highest price offered for his
oats was 12 cents. Wheat only brought
40 cents, and corn was a drug on the market.
"Can't you raise oats now, even against
Western competition, and get more lor them
now than that?" I asked.
"Yes, iudeed," he replied honestly.
John McGuire, a well-known resident of
Cherry Hill township, Indiana county, who
has farmed off and on lor CO years, says
there is no doubt that farming mo fits have
decreased in the last 20 years, but he says
the situation is not one to be hopeless over.
Indiana connty larrners are decreasing mort
gages if anything.
Many other Indiana county farmers took
a rosy view ol the situation. There are
some pretty farms up here, and tilling the
soil is done on scientific principles.
We are now investigating country roads
in Indiana county, which will be described
in my next letter. L. E. Stofiel.
Phenomenal Growth in Popularity of th
Everett Piano Factory Capacity to be
Donblrd.
One would think that a piano lactory
which turned out 80 finished pianos per
week, would be almost enough to supply all
America. Yet this has been the production
of the Everett factory, and now we are noti
fied that the company are at work on the
foundations for another factory of equal
capacity, and by the first of October will be
making 160 vianos tier week. Think of it,
and ask why it is, that while other mak
ers are struggling for existence, this com
pany cannot supply the demand lor their
pianos. The reasons are simple. The fact
is that the Everett Company are a rare com
bination ot money and brains. The present
actory, while not the largest, is probably
the best equipped and most systematically
conducted one in the world, consrauentlv
they are able to make a first-class piano lor
less money than other makers. This being
the case, it naturally follows that the wide
awake dealers in the business all want the
agency for the Everett piano. They are the
ioremost pianos of the day, and ample proof
o this can be lound at the agency in this
city, where you can get pianos ot almost
every other make, which have been talcen in
rS?1? '?r lbe Everett. Alex. Boss, ot
137 Federal street. Allegheny, has con
tracted lor 350 of these pianos, and while
these last, has reduced the price $75 on ail
styles, so that you can now get one of the
finest pianos in the world at $350, in a roke
wood case, or at $375 ami $400 la any of the
fancy styles of mahogany, antique oak,
French walnut, etc These are cash prices,
but you can arrange to get one of these
pianos on payments a suit yonr own cou-
rninf. Tift not (all fn ... 4V. . 1
,... - ...... vuciU, vi veiiu
for circular, to Alex. Boss, 137 Federal st,
Allcgheoy,
XTSU
aMHw
THE
C0TOTBY AECHHECXUEE.
BtjlM of Suburban Homei-Dlvirsltr
of
American Taste.
It wag but natural that the people in this
country should imitate the Old World in
most things, but it is to their credit that
they should strike out for themselves in
their great variety of styles of architecture
for their dwelling houses. In this country,
said Mr. Charles J. Stevens to a Dispatch
reporter, the wealthy classes ol Boston, New
xorc, rniiaaelpnla, this and other cities,
have lately turned their attention to
beantifying their country residences.
Probably more taste and more money
are devoted to this purpose around Boston
than elsewhere in the country. In keeping
with the genius of the people, the architects
have developed what may be called an
American style, which means infinite va
riety. The ambition of the householder is
to get a house like no one's else.
In no place has the improvement in archi
tectural taste been more marked than in and
around Pittsburg during the past five years,
and the reduction in the cost ot material
and the good supply of labor makes it possi
ble for very artistic houses to be erected at a
moderate cost. The fathers were satisfied
to build a box-like affair, with doors for
coming in and going out, and windows to
let in light, and fireplaces to give warmth.
There was no desire for taste of design or
ornamentation. Their sons have improved
In this respect. They see that comfort and
beauty can be combined. They have trav
eled and seen the artistic houses of Newport,
Saratoga, and around Boston and New
York, and their taste is improved for some
thing finer and more beauti ul. There is
the wealth in this city for erecting costly
houses at a hundred thousand dollars and
over, and many private incomes capa
ble ot putting up those that cost ten or fif
teen thousand dollars,
A typical one of these houses, not costing
over $10,000, had two stories and an attic.
It is constructed of stone the first story and
of wood the remainder, with shingled in
stead of weather-boarded walls. It had
porches around two sides, and small porti
cocsat other places, and a bay window end
ing in turret at one of the corners. Inside,
on the first floor, are parlor, dining room
and reception rooms, and on the second floor
are five rooms, all opening into a central
hall. The servants' rooms are in the nttic
It is supplied with bath rooms, and hot and
cold water pipes go over the whole house.
It is now customary to build country
houses near the city of stone and wood
stone the first story and wood the remainder.
In this way variety is obtained, and ivy can
be trained over the stone. With the modern
methods of felting and tiling the inside of
the roots and walls, the frame house can be
kept cool in the hottest weather.
But the variety of the styles is the most
striking thing in the architecture of these
houses. There is hardly any pronounced
style ol architecture in any bouse. Many
of them come nearer the Queen Anne style,
but the tendency of all might be described
as toward the Bomanesque. This is slowly
becoming popular, and is probably more
pleading, with its broad, round arches, than
the Queen Anne, with its sharp-pointed ga
bles predominating. The inside must har
monize with the outside, and inconsequence
one obtains infinite variety there also. The
tendency in many homes is toward the colo
nial and French renaissance.
TEE WILT CASE DISPOSED OF.
One Dcfcndnnt Convicted, tho Other Set
Free Judge Acheaon Circa tho Tloy
Some Good Advice How Counterfeit
Money la Made.
Jeremiah Wilt, one of the Somerset
county cojinterfeiters. was placed.on-triaUn.
the United State Court yesterday morning.
Secret Service Agents McSweeney and
O'Dwyer said they had bought the spurious
coin from him at different times, once get
ting $19 for $5. The defense was made by
Charles Sullivan, Esq., who put but one
witness on the stand, J, H. Kite, who testi
fied to knowing the defendant for many
years and as to his good general reputation.
The jury was out but a lew minutes when
they returned a verdict or guilty. The de
fendant is the father-in-law of Edward
Brisbin, who was convicted for a like offense
on Tuesday.
James H. Wilt, his son, was put on trial
in the afternoon. Mary Stanger. of Mc
Keesport, with whom Wilt boarded in De
cember, 1888, testified to seeing him make
three counterfeit dollars and seven nickels
in her kitchen with a plaster of paris mold.
He gave ote of the dollars to her son, and
she threw it in the stove. Hugh Miller,
also a boarder at the house, saw the coin.'
Wilt told him he made it, but he would not
make any more. Lizzie Black, a daughter
ol Mrs. 8tanger by a former marriage, also
saw Wilt making the money in the kitchen,
but ftid it was in October.
John Sipes, one of the gang, was then put
on the stand. He said Wilt had gone to
Barnhart's coal bank, in Somerset county,
to hunt, and, meeting him there, Wilt gave
him $3. He did not know whether it was
counterfeit or not. District Attomev A I.
corn asked the witness if he ever made any
counterfeit money, to which Judge Acheson
objected ana saia he was not trying Sipes.
The defense was opened by Mr. Sullivan,
who brought tears to the eves of the defend
ant and he wept copiously. Wilt himself
was put on the stand. He said he was 21
years old last March. Mrs. Stanger, with
whom he boarded, was his aunt. She
wanted to see him make the money and sect
her daughter Lizzie to buy the plaster of
pans. He made three dollars and seven
nickels in the one mold. He never passed
any or made any more. He gave one of the
dollars to Mrs. Stanger's son, which was
thrown in the stove, and he threw the other
two away. He intended to destroy the
nickels, but they laid about the house until
being lound in his room, they were also
burned. Five witnesses were called then to
prove Wilt's previous good renutation and
the case was given to the jury. Judge
Acheson said their duty was to discover
if any intent to defraud wa3 the
purpose of the defendant, and, if not, their
verdict should be lor acquittal. His charge
was in favor of the boy. and the iurr
brought in a verdict of not guilty. The de"
fendant was then called before the Court
and given a lecture on his behavior. Judge
Acheson told him that he bad made a nar
row escape that ought to be a lesson and a
warning to bim. The jury had taken a
merci nl view of his case and bad set him
free, and he hoped he would have the proper
respect for his liberty.
Blnkely to Arrive To-Dny.
Mr. D. Blakely, the General Manager in
the United States for the Strauss Vienna
Orchestra will arrive in Pittsburg this
morning. In a telegram to Mr. Ed. C.
Garber Irom New York yesterday, he said:
"Boston's advance subscription for the first
day is 2,500 tickets. The public sale is not yet
open." In this connection it may be said
that several hundred tickets have already
been purchased by mall for the Pittsburg
engagement.
From llk Department.
We are showing this week new patterns
la printed India silks, in both light and
black grounds, the richest goods imported.
JOS. HORNE Si CO. '8
Penn Avenue Store.
Remnants of Gingham.
Bemaants of dress goods.
Bemnants of white goods.
Bemnants of ribbon.
Friday and Siturday,
Ks able & Shdstee, 35 Fifth ave.
New Importations Opened To-Dny at Onr
Hosiery Counter.
The largest assortment to be seen any
where in cotton, lisle and silk ready to
day. Jos, Horne & CO.'S
Penn Avenue Stores.
HTTHBURG
PITTSBURG-, THURSDAY, MAT 8, 1890.
TITLES WITH FLAWS
That Allow a Large Loophole of Es
cape for Many Kickers.
JUDGMENTS YET ON THE BOOKS,
Sever Havius Been Wiped Off, and Which
21ot Propertj Titles.
TESTERDAI'S PROCEEDINGS IN COURTS
There is a judgment on record in this
county that has been quite troublesome to a
good many people, and many lawyers have
stumbled over it in their examination of
titles, and yet it is really of as little account
as the bull against a certain comet of an
tiquity. When Silas M. Bailey was State Treasur
er, he gave, as all such officials must do, a
bond of $500,000, on which were Messrs.
Henry Clay Frick, the extensive coke man
ufacturer; E. M. Ferguson, President of the
Merchants and Manufacturers' Bank, and
other worthy citizens. During his incumb
ency Mr. Bailey deposited some $90,000 in a
bank, which went to the wall. Suit was
brought to recover from Bailey, and be de
fended on the ground that he was not re
sponsible for the loss, the State
not having any designated de
pository, and the burst bank being
considered solvent, and that, all things con
sidered, he could not be held for its failure.
The Supreme Court held, however, that he
was, and cited rulings of the Supreme
Courts of other States. The court held (bat
the Treasurer was an insurer of the safety of
the funds of the State, and not even ex
empt from the consequences of "an act of
God," on account of which ordinary in-
su' -rs claim exemption.
SOUK CASES CITED.
A case was cited in which a Treasurer
was held responsible, though the building
in which the State funds were kept was
struck by lightning, and bnrned with all its
contents. And the case was cited in which
the estate of a State Treasurer was held
responsible for loss, though his house was
attacked by burglars aud he lost his life in
defense of his trust.
r Judgment was entered against Bailey and
his bondsmen, aud the bondsmen made up a
purse and paid it within a week o the deci
sion, contributing some $7,000 or $8,000
apiece. The judgment being lor $500,000,
makes it look important.
Now this would ordinarily be supposed to
settle the matter, and the bondsmen thought
it did. They may have heaved a sigh or two
astheydrew their checks for their respective
shares, but they entered it to the account of
profit and loss, and soon ceased to think of
it. But some of these gentlemen, uotsblv
Messrs. Ferguson and Frick, do a land office
business and make manydeeds in the course
of a year, and each purchaser's lawyer finds
an unsatisfied judgment against them that
is, unsatisfied, though paid. Purchasers
of realty do not want any shad
ows on titles, no matter how unsubstantial
they may be. Tbey demand that they ex
tend not only to heaven and down to China,
but that they be like the ideal wire of
Cteiar, above suspicion of any kind. Now,
though these judgments have been satisfied,
luey are iuu on recora, and owing to a leg
islative omission, there is no way provided
u iBKe mem on.
"REMEDIES SUGGESTED."'
Various suggestions of remedy have been
made, and the court may be asked to strike
the judgments off, but so far nothing has
been doue. Some people can be made to
understand that they are of no importance,
but not all, and the fact that they cannot be
expunged gives any one who wishes to
kick on a technicality at any stage of a
deal a chance to do so. They will
expire in two or three years, if regarded
as ordinary judgments, but a question arises
as to whether time runs against the Com
monwealth. It is the general oninion that th Tinr As
sociation has begun an excellent movement
to get rid of legal rubbish, but the fear is
that the accumulation is too great to allow
of removal by peaceful means. If a time
ever arrives when titles to property become
so insecure ssto be commercially valueless,
socialism will get its hooks in and demand
a new deal of cards. Legal matters in this
State, it is claimed, are getting too subli
mated entirely, and there ought to be'some
sort ot legislative or legal sapolio with
power to wipe any judgment off the record
after it has been paid.
ONLY ONE CASE TAKEN DP.
The
United Statea Grnnd Jury Will
be
Dlsclinrsed Tliln Mornlnc
The gran'd jury of the United States Court
finished business by noon yesterday and
were relieved for the day by Judge Ache
son. They were told to report when court
opens at 10 o'clock this morning when they
will be discharged finally.
They passed on but one case yesterday,
that ot Thomas Carniody, of Lackawanna
county, against whom a true bill for perjury
was found. He was a witness be. ore a
United States Commissioner in the case of
Wm. Casterline and others, charged with
robbing the Nicholson postoffice. It is al
leged his testimony was false.
Brlson Recommended for Mercy.
The case of James E. Prison was concluded
in the United States Court yesterday. It
was begun on Tuesday, and witnesses testi
fied to the defendant sending an obscene letV
ter through t e mail to Mrs. Sarah C. Barr,
of E ist Liberty, and to hearing Brison ad
mitting the offense. The jury brought in a
verdict of guilty with a recommendation for
mercv.
Jodca Acheaon Tliinka It ia Nor.
An opinion was handed down by Judge
Acheson yesterday denying the motion to
dismiss the suit of Charles Jutte against
John M. Davis, owner of the Bengal Tiger,
on the ground of want ot Jurisdiction. The
plea was made that the vessel was a domestic
one, which the court differs Irom.
CoQRtcrfellera' Coae Laid Over.
A continuance was granted by Judge
Acheson yesterday in the case of John
Sipes, one of the Somerset county counter
feiters, on affidavits to the effect that wit
nesses could not be secured on account of
short notice. The case was put over until
October,
Tnken to I lie. Pnpreme Court.
A, V. D. "Watterson, Esq., yesterday ob
tained a writ ol. certiorari taking to the Su
preme Court the record in the case of Henry
T. McCaffrey, who was relused a wholesale
liquor license in the Thirteenth ward, Pitts
burg. To.Dnr'a Trial tlsta.
Common Fleas No. 1 WIttmer vs Allegheny
City: D afford ys Frederick; DuBois, executor,
vs Co9grav same ya Lewis at all same vs
Echols etalisamevs Luther etux; McAllister vs
Munuall & Co.; McNeil vs McNeil; Smith & Co.
vs Lanahau; Penweli vs Howley 4 Co.; Will
iams v Hot hetuund; Stock TsKligle ot aljilc
lntlre vs iicCandlos.; Kuhn vs Russell Manu
facturing Company; Barnhart vs McKallip&
Co.
Common Pleas No. 2McFoll, Hetsol 4 Co.
vs McKeesport and Yooitliiogbeny Ice Com
pany: Rankin vs Hermes: Henrv vs Wall: Har
rald & McDonald vs Harracs; Boll vs Citjzenb'
Traction Company; Scbnlz vs Pittsbtire, Sic
Kecsport and Ymiguiogbenjr Railroad Com
pany; tSeavey vs Fellbacuj Courslo vs Blinder.
OHEBA HOUSE COMPAHY APPEALS.
It Aska for a Jury Trial lo Settle tho Award
or the Board of Ylaiv era,
Thomas N. Miller, Secretary of the Pitts
burg Opera House Company, yesterday filed
in court the company's appeal from the
award of the Board of Viewers in the widen
ing of Diamond street. The petitionjitates
that the company has owned the property in
question for 18 years. It fronts 130 feet on
Diamond street, running through to Fifth
avenne, where the front is 81 feet 6 inches.
Tbt Opera House is erected on Diamond
street. The proposed widening will take 25
feet of their property and destroy the Opera
House. The Board of Viewers has fixed the
amonntof damages due to and payable by
the company and have ordered them to pay
to the city $8,000, the amount of benefits in
excess ol the damages.
They state that the viewers have allowed
no damages for the building destroyed, cor
or the rent or income from it, and that in
stead of paying $8,000 for benefits in excess
of the damages, in justice, they are entitled
to receive $200,000 in excess of the damages.
A jury trial of the case is asked for. The
Court directed that the Cleric of Councils be
ordered to remit to Court all records and
proceedings in relation to the widening oi
Diamond street.
THE DEPOSIT COMPANY INVESTIGATED.
What the Probe of the Orphans' Conn Ke
venled It I Solid.
J. C.McCombs,who was appointed by the
Orphans' Court to audit the accounts of the
Safe Deposit Company and report to the
Court the manner of investments and the
security afforded to those by or for whom its
engagements are held, filed his report yes
terday. He stated that he had made a
thorough investigation of the company's
affairs. All trust estates were kept separate
from the general business and from each
other, so that any estate could be immedi
ately settled or passed oyer to any successor
in the trust. The investments are almost
exclusively in mortgages on real estate.
The comnanv has naid a 6 ner cent divi-
I dend on the stock for five or six vears. The
auditor's conclusion from the investigation
was that the affairs of the corporation are in
good condition and are looked after carefully
ana efficiently, and the corporation is worthy
of the confidence ol the Court. The assets
of the company, including real estate, bonds,
mortgages, etc., are $3,343,497 21. The lia
bilities are: Capital stock;, $500,000; estates
and trusts, $2,806,105 38; unclaimed valu
ables, $50; assets over liabilities, $39,441 83.
TO PUT THE DAMPERS 0H".
The McCalmont Oil Company Will Prevent
Alexander From Operating- lbe Well.
In the ejectment suit of the McCalmont
Oil Company against Thomas Alexander
and others, to obtain possession of oil terri
tory in Franklin township, the plaintiff
yesterday applied for a writ to prevent the
delendants from producing any more pe
troleum from the land.
The petition was granted and the de
fendants allowed ten days to give a bond in
the sum of $20,000 to idemnify the plaintiffs
trom any injury resnlting from the disso
lution of the writ. It was also directed that
a person be appointed to take charge of the
well and the petroleum produced, pending
the action.
Tbo Wheat From tho ChntT.
Ik the salt of W. Kraus against C. L. Kreps,
an action on a mortgage, a verdict was given
yesterday for $5,035 33.
The case of John Penman against Matthew
Henderson, a suit resulting from the sale of a
ur&?, won triat oeiore j uoge YYlte.
Charles a Ckawfobd was appointed
Commissioner In the divorce 'case of Mrs, Eliz
beth Upperman against Georgo Upperman.
Tun snit of Frank Schlffelbeln and wife
against Charles Krane, for damages to injury
to property caused by blasting, is on trial be
fore Judge Collier.
Joseph Sadtcvsky, a Pole, and Chsrlcs
Colverly, an Englishman, received naturaliza
tion papers from Judge Acheson in the United
States Court yesterday.
The jury is out in the salt of W. G. Hunter
and others against Edward Jennings and oth
ers, an action in ejectment to obtain possession
of oil territory in Franklin township.
A verdict for the defendant was given yes.
terday in the snit of W. A. and Ellen L. Hol
man against Allegheny City to recover dam
ages for Injury to property caused by the open
ing of California avenue.
In the suit of Anna M. Jones. Margaret Ban
man and others against the Jefferson Gas Com
pany to recover damages for injury to property
caused by the laving of a pipe line a verdict
was given tor mo ior tne plaintiffs.
Deputy Marshal D. N. Pomerot, of New
York, received an order of removal yesterday
for Mr. Tollmer, alias Beubec Bpear, charged
with making use of the mail to defraud. He
was taken to Lockport, N. Y., last night.
CLABKSON "WANTS A BEST.
lie Sayi Ilia fencceasor Will Not Come
From Fennaylvanln.
First Assistant Postmaster General Clark
son was a west-bound passenger yesterday.
He says he will resign about July 1, and
that his successor will not come from Penn
sylvania. This State is supposed to have
its lull quota of officers. He alto said that
Mr. Wanamaker was not a candidate for
the Senate.
He has sold his interest in the Des Moines
Register, and when be retires will take a
long rest
Keep Them in the Naraery.
Hamburg figs should bo Kept In the nursery,
where tiioy are particularly useful in case of
constipation or indigestion, as tllevarq liked
by children, and are prurnpt and efficacioui in
action. 23 cents. Dobe one ne. At all drug
gists. Mack Drug Co., N. Y.
Children' und flllaaen' Olnolinm Dresses
In Gretohen, Greenaway and blouse styles,
sizes, 2 to 16 years. Lanre and choice stock.
JOS. HOBNE&CO.'S
Penn Avenue Stores.
Hemstitched black nuns' veilings, very
desirable for summer wear, at 75c a yd.,
regulir $1 quality. HUGUS & HaCKE.
TTSSU
Children's and misses' reefers all
choice colors and combinations in light
weight Euglish cloth.
Jos. Hoiwe & Co.'s
Penn Avenue Stores.
Another big remnant sale, Friday and
Saturday, 9th and lOili; otie-ihird off wool
remnants. Knable & Shustei:,
35 Fi.th ave.
Bemnants ol table linens at about 4
price on Friday and Saturday, May 9 and 10.
ttssu Huous & Hacke.
30 Cents. 39 Cent".
Surah silks, all colors, including blacks,
just murked down.
Kir able & Shustee, 35 Fifth ave.
At ?6, worth $8 to $14 a bargain a lot
of fine broadcloth shoulder capes, broken
assortments, choice colmings tans, navy,
green and grays. In cloak room to-Jav.
Jos. Horwe & Co.'s
Pcnu Avenue Stores.
Kbause's Headache Capsules are
more plea ant and convenient to take than
powders, wa.ers, elixirs, etc ihsu
39 Centa. 30 Cents.
Surah silks, all colors, including blacks,
just marked down,
Knable & Shustee, 35 Filth ave.
Foe bargains in handkerchiefs, go to
Kosepbaum & Co.'s, Market st. vrtha
DISPATCH
HOW IT'S DONE HERE.
Pittsburg's Excellent Mode of Con
ducting Her Hospitals.
NOTHING LIKE KING'S COUNTY.
Patients Given Plenty of Good Food and
Clean Bedclothes.
INFECTIOUS DISEASES AEE SO BAB
A few days ago a New York paper
published a sensational article, on the ad
ventures of a Brooklyn gentleman who had
taken the scarlatina. Only two hospitals
in Brooklyn admit contagious cases. One
of these St. Catherines is not large; and
was filled to overflowing. The only other
place of re uge was King's County Hospital.
Thither the gentleman with the scarlatina
was forced to go. Although willing to pay
for better quarters, he was forced to become
an ordinary ward patient. His experiences
in the lever ward are highly interesting.
Breakfast was so disgustingly bad that none
ot the patients could eat it. Lunch, as
served at 10:30 A. M., consisted of rice gruel
and plenty of dry bread. Dinner was the
principal meal. For dinner he had dry
bread, a little weak soup, and potatoes. At
supper came buttered bread, in thick slices,
with as little butteras possible, and tea. At
night a cup of wretched milk was placed by
each bed. An egg was given about four
times a week. It was broken into a tin
pitcher of milk, which was passed around,
in a disgusting manner to all the patients in
the ward. On Fridays a scrap of fish, very
far from fresh, was served, but seldom eaten.
This is the patient's account of the treatment
accorded to patient, in the lever ward of a
big Brooklyn hospital,
HOW IT IS DONE HEBE.
How do the Pittsburg provincials treat
the ward patients in the hospitals Are
the methods metropolitan? An attempt
was made yesterday by a Dispatch re
porter to find out.
The matron of the "West Penn -Hospital
and an ex-patientof that institution testi
fied as to the food supplied in the wards.
Both accounts agreed in every respect.
The ward patients at the West Penn are
divided into two classes, namely; the con
valescents and the non-convalescents. The
convalescents are those who have sufficiently
recovered to leave their beds, and eat in the
dining room. There are three meals sup
plied each day; but additional relreshment
is given to all that need it. For the con
valescents there is nutritious food, and lots
ot it. At breakfast they get beef
steak, vegetables, bread, butter and coffee,
together with porridge for all who ask tor
it. For dinner there is beef, or mutton,
fruit, vegetables, bread and butter, porridge,
and Tea or milk. On Mondays meat-pie is
supplied, and on Fridays, a plentiful help
ing of good fish. Soup is given on three
days in the week. Chops, or steaks, with
tea, coffee or milk, fruit, vegetables, bread
and butter, are given for supper. During
the night the patient can have a glass re
plenished with milk, as often as he wishes.
And then the milk is excellent. About 18
cows are kept by the hospital, so that they
are always sure of their milk supply. It is
given perfectly pure to the patients. Stimu
lants are allowed to such of the convales
cents as the physicians think require them.
how non-contalescents faee.
Now, as to the non-convalescent or light
diet patients. The doctors forbid tbem too
much .nourishment. Tbey get soud, corn
starch, milk toast aud as much milk as they
can drink. The moment they 'are well
enough to get up they are allowed to join
the convalescent patients.
"No charge can be brought against the
character of the food supplied at the West
Penn," said the ex-patient before alluded
to. "I never heard any complaints during
the two months I spent in the house."
The convalescent patients who rent private
rooms in the West Penn have a somewhat
better diet than ward patients. But the
non-convalescent room patients are
treated in mnch the same manner
as their companions in misfortune.
The exqusite neatness of everything served
up to both daises of patients, is in striking
contrast to the dirt and slovenliness de
scribed as existing in the big Brooklyn
Hospital.
No infectious cases are admitted into the
West Penn; bnt il an infectious disease
should break out in the bouse, the patients
would be well cared lor. A Pittsbnrger,
stricken with fever, scarlatina, or any such
disorder, will find no lack of hospitals open
to him. He will discover that Pittsburg is
in this matter iar superior to Brooklyn.
INFECTIOUS DISEASES TAKEN.
At the Mercy, the Homeopathic and the
Allegheny General Hospitals, certain classes
of infectious diseases are taken. But, o'
course, for cholera, smallpox and other dis
orders the prst house is the only retreat.
There are no cases in the house at present,
but it is kept thoroughly clean and Weil
ventilated for the reception of patients.
The food given toward patients in the Mercy
and Homerpathic Hospitals is similar to
that supplied in the West Penn. A great
difficulty in most city hospitals is the water.
During the summer months especially,
the water supply and its purity
become serious considerations. The Mercy
and Homeopathic use hydrant water, but
put it through a very careful filtering pro
cess. Near the West Penn is a spring of
excellent water, and during the summer the
authorities have this supplied to all parts of
the institution.
. The King's Hospital patient, althongh
sick so near the great center of literarv
work, complained bitterly of the want of
books and papers in the wards where he
was imprisoned. This cannot be said of the
Pittsliurg hospita.s. The patients are sent
lots of literature, but, ol course, they would
be very happy if they got more. Hours are
very leaden-footed in a sick ward, and even
the bigsupplyof reading matter our hos
pitals get is insufficient. However, Pitts
burgers are much better off than Brooklyn,
and that is something to plume ourselves on.
GLEAN BED CLOTHING.
The Bnofclyn patient complains of the
dirty bed linen and the uucom ortable mat
tresses and pillows given him. No such ac
cusatio'n can be brought against Pittsburg
hospitals, where, the visitor at any hour o
the day will find nothing but cleanliness in
the bedding.
Brooklyn night watchmen slumber and-l
neglect their charge. In the Mercy several
of the Sisters watch all night, to see th.it the
nurses attend to their duties. In the West
Penn, Homeopathic and Allegheny General
hospitals, offiuiula ot experience do similar
work.
.The conclusion (o be arrived at from all
this is that Pittsburg hospitals are palaces
compared to tlioso ot Brooklyn. In food, in
cleanliness and in attention "to the couilorU
ot the sick, Pittsburg can beat the City of
Churches hollow.
Arrentrd for Larceny.
Constable Heiner, of Alderman McMas
ters' office, yesjerday arrested Andrew
Juh.irz, it young man of Duquesue, who is
charged by AnnaKosteluk, a young woman
of the same place, witb larceny. The prose
cutrix alleges that Andrew took $75 from
her truuk. He will have a hearing on Sat
urday. 20c sateens
Saturday.
to go at UK" Friday and
Enable & shustee,
35 Filth aye,
Blnek Silk Lnco Floanelna; and Pklrtinss.
$1 a yard to the very finest, all are extra
wide, for the new styles in lace dresses.
Jos. HORNE & Co.'s
Penn Avenue Stores.
SILVER IN THE SENATE.
THE BILL TAKEN UP DESPITE REPUBLI
CAN PROTESTS.
West Befaasa to Assent to a Looser Delay
A Number of Amendmenta Offered Two
fenbatitntea to be Presented,
Washington, May 7. In the Senate
to-day at 2 o'clock the presiding officer an
nounced that under last Friday's agreement
the Senate would proceed to the considera
tion of the Senate bill authorizing the' issue
of Treasury notes on deposit ot silver bul
lion. The bill having been read in extenso,
Mr. Stewart rose and said: "I ask unani
mous consent that the bill just read shall be
postponed until Tuesday next, and shall then
be the 'unfinished business' at 2 o'clock."
Mr. Vest objected. He did not know (he
said) what arrangements had been made
outside of the chamber, nor did he care. His
judgment was that the silver bill was'tbe
most important bill on the calendar; that it
ought to be disposed o ; and that it had
been unreasonably delayed. He should ob
ject to its being nut aside for any purpose
whatever.
THE EEPOBLICAir POSITION.
Mr. Plumb agreed with Mr. Vest in re
gard to the importance of the bill and to its
unreasonable delay. He proposed, however,
to consent that It should go over till Tues
day on the request of the Senator irom Ne
vada. (Mr. Jones) who had it in charge,
and who proposed to open the debate. Mr.
Morrill remarked that Senator Jones, who
reported the bill, was absent, and desired a
few days to prepare ior opening the debate
upon it. He hoped, therefore, that general
consent would be given to Its going over un
til next Tuesday.
Mr. Vest hoped he would not be con
sidered ais capable of intentional discourtesy
to any Senator- He knew that the Senator
Irom Nevada had gone to New York. He
did not care to state publicly what Mr.
J mes bad said to him last night in relation
t the bill and why it was to be postponed.
T iere were other considerations besides the
pjrsonal convenience of anybody, when
arrangements were made without consulta
tion witb the whole Senate. The bill had
been fixed for to-day on Jones' own motion.
and now, by an ex parte proceeding (it was
nothing else) in which the majority ot the
Senate was not consulted, the bill was to be
thrust aside fpr another week. The Senate
might as well meet the issue now. For one,
be would not agree to anything except that
the bill be taken up and considered now
until It should be disposed of.
A FOECIBL'E abgtment.
Mr. Teller admitted the great force of Mr.
Vest's remark as to the unreasonable delay
in taking up the bill. He understood, bow
ever, that the Senator who had charge of it
has requested that it should be set down for
next Tuesday. For himself, be was ready
to co on with the bill now. He was not
particularly wedded to it, but he thought
that something better would be evolved out
ot it before it got tbrongh. He would not
Bke to seem discourteous to the Senator
who had the bill in charge and who (by a
sort of unwritten lrfw) was entitled to call
it up. But for that reason he should have
called it up himself long since, and he
would not insist now on its being taken up
up and discussed in the absence of the Sen
ator irom Nevada.
The presiding officer said: "The Senator
from Nevada (Mr. Stewart) asks unan
imous consent that the further consideration
of this bill be postponed till Tuesday next.
Is there objection?
Mr. Vest I object.
The consideratiou of the bill was then pro
ceeded witb. Mr. Sherman moved to amend
the bill by inserting as a new section a pro
vision repealing all laws that require money
deposited in the Treasury under' section 5,
622, of the revised statutes to be held as a
special fund .or the redemption of national
bank notes, and covering such money into
the Treasury; also covering into the Treas
ury sums deposited under section 4 of the
act oi June 20, 1874, "fixing the amount of
United States notes" (being section 6 of the
Conger bill).
PLUMB'S AMENDMENT.
Mr. Plumb moved to amend the amend
ment by inserting a provision that hereafter
no funds availaole for the payment of the
public debt (including such as are kept for
the redemption of Treasury uotes), shall be
retained in the Treasury in excess of 5110,
000,000, and made a statement in explana
tion in advocacy of it.
Mr. Snerman opposed Mr. Plumb's
amendment. Mr. Allison suggested that.in
the absence of Mr. Jones, the silver bill be
allowed to go over till Tuesday next. Mr.
Vest said that, i 'he were the only Senator
to object, he would not stand in the way; but
several other Senators said that they also ob
jected. Finally the difficulty was got over, for the
day, by the suggestion on the part of Mr.
Sherman that the Senate proceed to execu
tive business. No vote was taken on either
ot the pending amendments, and Mr. Vest
and Mr. Telier gave notice of substitutes,
which they would offer for the whole bill.
T.kvvt-nm. is A PEES UAH.
After Fourteen YcaiV Imprisonment tie Ia
Released.
Charles Larrabee, an inmate of the Eiver
side Penitentiary, whose story was pub
lished in Monday's DlSPATCn, was re
leased yesterday from that institution. He
had been in the penitentiary .'or 14 years,
and for several years since was head baker.
He was sentenced in Venango county on a
charge of murder.
His pardon was recommended by the
Board oi Pardons at Harrisburg a few days
ago and granted. Larrabee did not in orm
the officials when he was released where he
intended to go, or what trade he would pur
sue. Since bis confinement-be has learned
several trades, and has educated himself
thoroughly.
FOB BBATDra IHKIB FATHE2.
Two VFooila' Kan Gentlemen Who Will bo
Given a Uonnna ToDny.
John Spoehr and Andrew Spoehr, Jr.,
will have a bearing before Alderman Foley,
of Woods' Bun, to-day, on a charge of
assault and battery. The prosecutor is
Andrew Spoehr, Sr., father ot the defend
ants. He is over 60 years of age and very in
firm. He alleges that his two sons had fre
quently threatened to beat him, aud carried
out ibeir threat la a vigorous manner last
Saturday.
A Jlrellnc to Raise Fnndf.
Mayor Gonrley has accepted the position
of honorary chairman of the Scotch-Irish
congress to be held here, and will issue a
call lor a citizens' meeting to be held in
Old City Hall on Saturday afternoon, to
mike arrangements to defray the expenses
oi the occasion.
A Fine showing.
Secretary D. P. Corwin returned yester
day from the annual meeting ol" the P., V.
& C. road at Philadelphia. The old officers
and hoard of directors were v-eleeted.
There was an increase in earning of $282,
bvy 79 over last year.
A Frelalit Merlins.
The Pitlsbnrg Committee of FreighU
Agents will meet in the Lake Shore office
this morning to get rid of a lot of unim
portant business that has accumulated. The
agents say that nothing special is to be con
sidered,
for Keeping Frrooloua Dos;.
Henry Fowhl will have a hearing berore,
Alderman Foley to-day to answer a charge
of keeping a ferocious dog. William Giu
ness made the information.
PAGES 9 TO 12.
AMERICANROADWATS
The Highway Question Snrely Ap
proaching Its Crisis.
PATHMASTERS A RURAL HDISAHCE I
The innual Tinkering of the Present Sys
tem a Prodffral Waste.
PLEASUEii AKD PKOSPEEITI IST0LTED I
Annually we have the Yankee nrivileza
of saying something about the wretchedness
of American roads, as also annually we havs
the privilege ot working under our ignorant
pathmasters. It is not much of a franchise,
but as it is for the present the best we have.
I propose to cast in my lot with the growl
ers. But really there is some prospect ot
better times. On general principles I should
say the probabilities are that the road ques
tion is very near its crisis. Something will
soon be done to put an end to the saying,
"American roads are the worst in the
world." Onr highways are the worst, and
our iron roads are the best in the world. Thii
shows that when the people get really to
face the subject they will make a thorough
matter of the study, and we shall have as
good a system of road making as science caa
teach us.
The trouble has been heretofore the vast
ness of the demand. It has never seemed
possible to do anything more than a local
mending of onr ways, and that could only
oe "a drop in the bucket." Oar population
has spread over the continent a good deal
faster than it could pave the way. Pioneers
have been compelled to content themselves
with corduroy through swamps, and hog
back dirt roads elsewhere.
KOAD COMPANIES MTST GO.
The turnpikes which were laid out through
New England and New York, but mora par
ticularly through the Southern States, were
never popular. A farmer would drive
three or four miles to get around a tollgate;
and really he had good reason for
doing so, for the turnpike and lu
successor, the plank road, were not
run for the people, but for the
advantage of a few corporators. As little
work was done as possible, and as high toll
as possible collected. Gradually the roads
became impassable, and the system dropped
out. One State after another relused to con
tinue the companies. You will find hers
and there about the Atlantic States the
relics and ruins of the plank roads, adding;
to the discom ort of a country drive.
What the turnpikes did for the adyanca
of civilization I do not care to discuss. We
are through with the plan ol getting, or try
ing to get, decent highways by means of
chartered companies. The American peo
ple like to do things themselves, and to feel
that they are doing it; and they like very
mnch the. town meeting, in which to dis
cuss their common needs, and debate over
plans.
That is the only reason why the paymas
ter system has so long been tolerated. It is
eminently a self-reliant system. The town
meeting discusses and settles a few ol tha
main points, concerning bridges and special
improvements, and then gives over the di
rection of the path care to pathmasters.
That these masters of the oath can know
nearly nothing of the principles of road,
making stand? to reason. Most of tbem do
not even know that there are any such
principles. They have no opportunity for
reading on the subject, and not one in a
thousand has given the matter any thought,
the pathmastzh Em
it may not be advisable and popular to
say that the average American citizen, with
all his assumed knowledge of affairs, does
very little thorough thinking about even,
very common affairs, but it is nevertheless
true. We tackle too many topics to be
precise with any. Certainly our notions of
road-making are very crude! There is not
merely a pathmaster to every town, but one
for every district, and he is appointed newly
each year. Generally the offiee goes trom
one to another through the whole district,
not excepting our very newly imported citi
zen, whote papers are jutt made out, and
who at 50 casts the first vote of his li e. It
is not scandalizing the average American
citizen to say that under such
a system he is the model of incompetency.
It has bred in time a nasty conceit, for thera
is some dignity in the nffke of master of tha
roads, aiid'lbr a time it gives a little power.
The official, instead of studying the best
methods of roadmaking, summons his
ueighbors to obey his orders. Not any vast
amount of obedienre. however, for the work
ers systematically do ns near nothing as
Americans can. "Working out the road
tax" has become proverbially descriptive of
shirking. When any work really is done a
quarrel ensues. Some one is aggrieved or
compelled to work a day or half a day more
than he considers legal. Every possible
service in the street is expected to count on
the tax, and if not "allowed," a feud
crises.
HOW -WE UNMAKE EOADS.
Prof. Shaler, in an article in i'crtinerlast
year, gave a lair pen portrait of the way the
work is done: "Arriving on the gronnd
long after the usual time or beginning a
day's work, the roadma leers proceed to dis
cus the quest on ol m.id making and other
matters o public concern until slow-acting
conscience convinces them th it they should
be about their task. Then then, with much
deliberation, take the tuudoutor" the road
side ditches aud plaster the same on the
center of the road. A plow is brought into
requisition which destroys the best part of
the roadside, and the soft mass o turf is also
heaped u pon the central parts of the way.
The cradle holes are filled with the same ma
terial. An hour or two is consumed at noon,
by lunch, and a turtber discussion oi publia
nii private affairs. A little work is dona
in tne a teruoon, and at the end of the day
the road making is abandoned until tha
next year."
The system, in fact, is very bad for the
road, but worse for the roadmakers. It
teaches them two very bad habits one, that
of doing poor, ineffective, thoughtless work;,
and the other to cheat about the payment of
nonest ay s wore, xne average day s ser
vice it not three hours ot square work. If
or no other reason but its demoralizing in
fluence, the system should be abolished. It
is the invitation to the mesnest trickery
anywhere discoverable in our manners.
EtAD-MAKINO HINTS.
But question the pathmaster as to his
notion of a road what it should be and
how to make it. Should it be broad or nar
row? TnvariaMy the dirt is laid np, and in
more advanced communities, where gravel
is drawn, it also is laid up, in a ridge, a lit
tle wider than a wagdh. The result is a
er.uple ot parallel ruts, which work deeper
md more hopeless as the rains increase.
The roadbed, if made at all, shonld be more
than wide ennugh for two wagons to meet
and pass, and wide enough to induce teams
to travel without olluwlng each other in a
singlt liue. In fine, the old style narrow
road was a great blessing iu the pioneer
days when teams were few and carriages
node. But wherever travel increaies tha
roadbed should be widened to accommodato
it.
Still more important is it to keen tha road
bed low rather than raise it high in the cen
ter. The slope from center to stile should not
be over two or three iuchev just enough to
shed water. When the center is high no ad
vantage is giined, but eyerv cut or hole
work disaster. The maiii object is not to get
ridof water, but th avoid ruts and holes.
This positiuu assumes, however, one thlag
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