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THE PITTSBURG DISPATCH,
SECOND PART.
PITTSBTIRG-, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7, 189L
EAVER'S -MESSAGE.
The Governor Has Some Final
Words With the State
Legislators.
SOME OF HIS SUGGESTIONS.
The Loan for the Johnstown Sufferers
Should Be Eepaid at Once.
HEYEXUE AND TAXATION LAWS.
Ballot Eefonn Is a Subject That Xeeds Much
Consideration.
THE EEIE SHIP CAXAL A GEEAT WORK
Hakkisbukg, Jan. 6. Governor Beaver
sent his message to the Legislature to-day.
It is a lengthy document, and goes very
fully into the affairs of the State, containing
many suggestions as to legislation that
thouldoe considered. He also reviews the
events that have occurred since the last
meeting of the Legislature. The more
salient points of the message are given
below.
The Governor cives at length a history of
the Johnstown flood, and the measures
taken tor the relief of the sufferers. He
says that it was first proposed to take the
needed money from the State Treasury,
getting the bonds of citizens for its repay
ment, hut as the constitutionality of such
action seemed to he doubtful in the. minds
of some, the plan was abandoned. The
money was then secured from the People's
Bank, of Philadelphia, upon an obliga
tion drawn by the Attorney-General,
specifying the object for which the money
was to be used, and pledging the faith of
the Commonwealth for its return.
A Personal Obligation.
This constituted a personal legal obligation
of the maker as well as a pledgeof the credit
of the Commonwealth, but under ordinary
circumstances it would probably not have
been regarded as marketable commercial
paper. By the aid of Air. William H.
Kemble, oi Philadelphia, however, he was
enabled to carry tbe plan into execution by the
pledging of bis individual securities as collat
eral for the obligation. In this way the sum of
S3O0.0U0, then deemed to be sufficient lor the
purpose, was secured and at a later date an ad
ditional sum of $100,000 making $400,000 in all
advanced by the bank and secured by the
pledge of Mr. Keinble's personal securities.
The Governor recommends tbatanappropria
tion be immediately madetto reimburse tbe
bank. In the conference with the Pittsburg
Belief Committee, demand was made for the
return of the money expended by it in work
vlnch was considered as lecltimately belonging
!a the State. Having no authority, under the
revisions of an act of 1SS5, to renay money al
eady expended, no such return conld be made;
ut it was promised that the matter. should be
tailed to the attention of tbe legislature and a
ecoramendatiou made for an appropriation to
epay so much of the money as had been ex
cndcd in work which should bavo been dona
U the State. The amount then alleged to have
een expended by the committee in the general
work at'Johnotown, was $120,000.
The State Board or Health.
Regarding tbe State Board of Health Gover
nor Beaver sass:
"The necessity for, and the work done by. the
mate Hoard ulHealUitlirouchout a laigc-por-
ijou or tub lominonwcaiui torjnany month;
'i -
t.UVl..KU.W tut. uvwus M MM, UUUUUa 14 AU kUH
necessity for the existence of the board and the
ttisdont ot enlarging its power. The water
ways ot the Commonwealth are becoming more
and more the source of water supply to all our
cities and larger towns. The purity of the
water therein becomes, therefore, a question of
ital importance. The investigations ot the
Hoard of Health prove conclusively that in
many classes of epidemic diseases, prevention
is easy if the waier supply can be controlled
and purified. The time has come when the
Legislature should take decided grounds and
prompt action upon thu subject."
"It may become necessary to revolutionize
our entire system of sewage for cities, towns
and public institutions. Instead of emptying
this mass of corruption into our streams, carry
ing disease ana death to those who depend upon
tlicmlor their water supply.it will be neces
sarv to devise and carry into execution some
efficient system ot disposing of the sewage of
tlcue communities. 1 recommend that the
authority of the State Board of Health over
fcuch subjects be increased, with such safc
' guards as uiaybenecessary, and that appropria
tion for their general expenses be so increased
as to enable them to make careful and thorough
iuvestipation and experiment as to tbe best
means of avoiding the dangers herein recited,
and at the same time afforuing an efficient and
hcalthf nl sj stem of sewage.
Ouestion of Kei enne and Taxation.
"The question of the manner in which our
revenues are to be raised continues to be one
of absorbing interest to the people of tbe Com
mouv.ealth. A commission appointed under a
joint resolution approved the 25th day of Slay,
1SS9. has given careful consideration to this
subject and prepared a report embracing the
views of all its members, showing a wide
divergence of opinion as to the principles upon
which and the methods by which taxes are to
be levied and collected. The majority of the
commission agrped upon a hill which provides
for the levying of county and municipal taxes
upon tho several kind? of property therein
specified, the principal object of which Is to
linnt, corpoiato and personal property within
the taxing power of the municipality, with a
iew to relieving real estate from alleged ex
cessive burdens. The minority of the commis
sion dissent from tbe views of the majority as
expressed In this bill and state tbeir vieus at
length iu three several mtnority statements
contained in the report. The whole subject or
taxation is very ably discussed in this report,
and is commended to your careful considera
tion. It is to be regrettedthat this commission has
not been able to gather data upon which an In
telligent conclusion can be based as to the in
equality of tho burdens of taxation borne bv
real and personal property respectively. Until
this difference is definitely ascertained it is im
possible to apply a remedy, even it it be con
ceded that a remedy Is needed. The report of
the majority leaves the entire question of the
collection of State revenues to be governed by
the laws wbich now exist This Is well, inas
rnnch as our present revenue laws are better
understood and are beinc more satisfactorily
enforced than ever before. The revenues raised
under them are constantly increasing and it is
belie ved that the provisions of the act'of 1st of
Juue. 18S9, will yet more largely increase the
revenues which will be collected under it.
Tlie Legislation Recommended.
"I recommend that of the State tax upon per
sonal property collected under the sixteenth
section of the ceneral revenue act, the one-half
part thereof be returned to the several counties
ot the Commonwealth in wbich the same is col
lected, instead of the' one-third part as pro
vided by the said section. I recommend, also,
that the laws relating to licenses for the sale at
retail of liquors be so amended as to authorize
the entire amount raised lrom the granting of
(-aid licenses to be paid into the trersury of the
. municipality uitbiii which the privileges con
ferred b; the same are to be exercised.
'In order to replace the amounts thus recom
mended to be applied tn relief or taxation, I
i upectf ully recommend that tbe amount of the
tix ou corporation stock to be paid into the
tinUugfund under tbe twenty-eighth section
of the general revenue act of June 1, 1SS9. be
reduced from one-half to one-fourth part there
of. 'lhisamounr.it is believed, will be amplv
sufficient to provide for the interest of our
mall r-milniug debt, and the assets in tho
i-inking fund are amplysufficient to provide for
me payment of any of the loans of the Com
monwealth which can, under the provisions
thereof, be paid for several years to come."
The Governor 6ays that tbe operations of the
sinking fund havo been, especially dunng tbe
past year, very satisfactory. More than two
ears ago tbe Commissioners of the sinking
1 uiid adopted the policy of purchasing the loans
ot the Commonwealth, and especially tho 5 per
font loan, which is reimbursable February 1.
isai m pref-renco to investing these funds in
bonds of the United Stales, which have be-
c uiiUcr the manipulation of large
, operators in money centers, and in view or tbe
pmebase of its own bonds by the General Gov
ernment, a speculative security, having range!
during the past year in price from 128 to 12L
The statement of the public debt shows a re-
. 11 rtfwl I i, t tlin tinnilG rf 1 CVQ dam n,B.n .1. l.
duction of $2,3SSJ001 in tho years 1SS9-90, leaving
tbe debt of the State, at the close of 1690,112,
1'19,920 2S.
Reform in the Ballot.
Ballot reform is referred to as follows:
"The foundation of popnlar government
is tbe ballot. Anything which affects the in
dependence or the security of the voter; tho ab
solute safety ot his ballot when cast, and the
honest count and report of the result, is of the
highest interest and Importance. There seems
to be a general belief, more or less widely ex
pressed, that some reform in our system of
registration and voting is necessary to preserve
to the indivldul voter freedom from dictation
and secrecy in the discharge of his dnty as an
elector. It was believed that the provisions of
our present Constitution, at the time of its
adoption, met and satisfied the requirements of
a pure ballot, as they were then understood.
The allegation now is, however, that our pres
ent system does not insure to tbe individual en
tire freedom from dictation and absolute
secrecy and security in casting his ballot; and,
also, that tbe measure which was supposed at
the time more than any other to be preventive
of fraud subjects the Individual to an espionage
which is not only undesirable, but may become,
in the bands ef unscrupulous persons, hurtful.
"There is no difference of opinion as to tho
desirability of securing such a system as will
insure (be most perfect freedom in casting the
ballot, and tbe most correct result in its count
and publication. It is alleged by certain friends
of ballot reform that the abolition of the num
bered ballot is essential to such a result. Others,
equally interested in the subject are ot opinion
that success can be reached without a cnange
in onr present Constitution. It is believed that
all the good results of what is known as tho
Australian nallot may be secured without in
any way violating the provisions of our present
Constitution. If this can be done, and the evils
complained of are found to have substantial
basis, I have no hesitation in recommending tbe
pas-ace of such a bill as will secure to each in
dividual voter of the Commonwealth absolute
independence and safety, freedom from every
form of dictation in casting his ballot, and abso
lute certainty as to its being counted as cast."
Schools of the Commonwealth.
"Tbe increase in the annual appropriation
for common schools and the lengthening of tbe
school term have been attended with favorable
results. It is believed that no further legisla
tion in the direction of extending the minimum
of the school year is necessary. In our agri
cultural communities the present school term
of six months is probably quite sufficient, and
inasmuch as the length of the term is under tho
control of tbe directors of each locality, wher
ever1 it is thought desirable to extend its length,
it can be done in accordance with the wishes of
tbe people." As to the Soldiers' Orphan
Schools the Governor says that tbe Commis
sion is doing excellent work and the results
are satisfactory. He speaks highly of the
National Guard.
Speaking of tuv law establishing the office of
Factory Inspector, ths Governor sayj:
"By tbe fifth section of tbe act it is made the
duty of the Inspector to report to tbe Uu'.ean
of Labor Statistics of this State, on or before
the 30th day of November of each year, the
name of factory, number of bands employed
and the number of hours of work performed
each week. I'o provision is made for tbe pub
lication of this report. If published it wonld
necessarily be included in tbe publication of
the Buieau of Labor Statistics. The time for
tbe making ot the annual report of the In
spector should be changed so as to conform to
the period covered by the report of the Bureau
or Labor Statistics, and' this report should be
included in tbe publications of that bureau.
No appropriation was made by the last Legis
lature for the payment of the salary and
expenses of the Factory Inspector, although
tho evident intention of tbe law was to make
such an appropriation. Provision was made
or the payment of the salaries of thu Deputy
Inspectors in specific terms; but the salary of
the Inspector himself and bis expepses were
not provided for. although the amounts thereof
were definitely fixed. I respectfully recommend
tbatan immediate appropriation be made to
provide for this defect in the law."
Some Other Recommendations.
Reference is made to the danger of loss by
fire of the collections under tbe charge ot the
Secretary of the Commonwealth, Adjutant
General and State Librarian, and the Governor
recommends that an act be passed providing
for a new building for tbe use of tbe State Gov
ernment. He suggests that prompt action be
taken relative to the World's Fair and ap
proves th i work aone by tbe Gettysburg Monu
ment Commission.
He also suggests that it would probably be
best to use what can be spared from tbe reve
nues during the next two years toward increas
ing tbe accommodations in tbe Hospital for
tbe Insane at Harrisburc as tbe need is great.
Th -penal InstiraUoc he tjMifi4ers iir-gaWI'
Pcoafll
tTeaaiuon, we pian aaopoea ior tue manage
ment oi me xveiormatoryat xtunungion seem
lug to work satisfactorily.
Road and Canal Commission.
Regarding the work of the various commis
sions, the Governor says:
"The Hoad Law Commission has civen much
attontion to. the subject committed to it, and
will, no doubt, as required by the resolution
under which it was organized, communicate to
you directly a report embodying a bill for your
consideration.
"The Ship Canal Commission has fnrina.
L triously and enthusiastically entered upon tho
uaiciui i;uu3iuerauuu vl ueiermming tne Ieasi
bility of connecting tha waters of Lake Erie
and the Ohio river by ship canal, and of sur
veying and layimr out a route for the sagas. A
preliminary reuort upon this subject has been
made to me, and the commission will doubtless
communicate directly with the Legislature, as
provided in tbe joint resolution nndcr which it
was appointed. The work of this commission
has led to surprisinc and gratifying results. It
is believed that the waters of Lake Erie and
the Ohio river can be connectedbyaship canal
tbe construction ot wbich is entirely feasible
and comparatively cheap; that the supply of
water, which was considered a doubtful prob
lem, is beyond question, and that the grades are
not of such a character as to seriously interfere
with complete success.
Great Advantages of the Canal.
"This survey has been undertaken with the
view of ascertaining the advantages which
could be secured to commerce by the con
struction of such a canal.- The results in this
direction will be beyond computation, but they
do not, in my judgment, constitute the great
advantage which the successful completion of
such a wateraay would secure to the people of
the Commonwealth and of the nation. If the
waters of Lake Erie and tbe Ohio were con
nected bya canal such as Is proposed andshown
to be entirely feasible, and if the present canal
from Albany to Buffalo "were enlarged so.as to
admit vessels of the same size, these links
would secure a chain of inter-waterway com
munication between New York and New Or
leans, which would be invaluable for commer
cial purposes and in times of war would fur
nish an entirely safe means of commnnication
between these important termini and all in
terior points."
"It would in addition give us control for
defensive purposes of our lake front, which we
do not now have and which it is doubtful
whether we can secure in any other way under
present treaty stipulations. If the final report
of this commission shall prove to your satisfac
tion that tbe construction of such a work is'
feasible it seems to mn very desirable, for the
reasons herciu stated, tbat the subject be
brought in some way to the attention ot the
Government of tbe United States with tbe view
of securing its co-operation in a work of such
magnitude and importance."
Some Other Recommendations.
In conclusion tbe Governor says that tbe
laws relating to coal mining are defective, and
he recommends the appointment of a com
mission, whose duty It shall be to make them
harmonious.
Tbe Governor recommends tbat steps be
taken to secure uniformity of legislation in the
several States on such subjects as extradition,
marriage and divorce, wills, descent and distri
bution of property, lorm of deeds and acknowl
edgments and kindred topics. ,
Another lecommendailon is that a law be
passed authorainc judgments and decrees of
United States courts to be registered, recorded,
docketed, indexed and otherwise conformed to
the rules and requirements relating to judg
ments and decrees of tbe courts of this State,
except in counties where the judgments or de
crees of such courts are rendered. If this were
done, an examination of tbe records of any
cocnty would discloso the existence of liens,
whether based ,rnpon the judgment of the
courts of the State or of tbe United States, and
would be a creat convenience and economy of
time in making such examinations.
RTJDYARD KIPLING lias written a series
of seven letters on America for THE DIS
PATCH. The first in the series trill appear
in NEXT SUNDAY'S ISSUE.
A Pleasing Sense
Of health and strength renewed, of ease and
comfort follows tbe use of Hyrup of Figs, as it
acts in harmony with nature to effectually
cleanse the system.wben costive or bilious. For
sale in 50c and -$1 bottles by all leading drug
gists. Ckeaji ale never tastes better than when
the weather is cold. The Iron City Brewery
makes the finest At all dealers. ilWFSa
BACK ale is preferred bv many. Try
Iron City Brewery's make. At best bars.
hot v :
AWAITING THE DECISION.
City Officials Alarmed. Over the Action of
tho Supreme Court in Boggs Avenne
Case If Arbitrary the City Will Bo
Plunged Ont of Sight In Debt.
Indefinite reports about the Supreme
Court decision in the case of the improve
ment of Boggs avenue, "Wyoming and
Shiloh streets, in the Thirty-second
ward, as printed in yesterday's Dispatch,
were the cause ot much anxiety among the
City Hall officials during the day.
It means much to the City Treasury if the
decision is as arbitrary as the information
thus far received indicates.
Although the tallcon the subject was gen
eral, not one of the lawyers or officials
would talk for publication until the arrival
of the certified decision.
One official remarked that if tbe Supreme
Court had decided against the city in this
case it would necessitate an immediate in
crease of the city debt, as there are a large
number of streets that would be affected by
it.
Among others the Mayor is considerably
worried over the matter. He is still calcu
lating what the probable tax levy tor the
coming year will be and is apprehensive
that some provision will be necessary to pay
for street improvements that should be paid
by individuals.
"President Ford, of the Select Council,
takes it for granted that the decision was on
the constitntionality ot the street act. He
said that while he was not certain in regard
to the character of the decision, if it in
volved the constitutionality of the act, it
would be far reaching in its effects, as every
street that had been paved under the law
would be affected by it He said that unless
the State court's decision could be reversed
by tbe United States Snpreme Court, the
city would be burdened by a heavy -street
improvement debt. '
John S. Larribie was asked about the mat
ter, but, like the o'thers, he did not'wish to
venture an opinion until he had seen the de
cision. EVEN KONGO CANNIBALS SUTTEE.
Thousands of Missionary Dollars Swallowed
by Kean's Bank.
CHICAGO, -Jan. 6. The developments
thus far in petitions for relief by depositors
in the suspended bank of S. A. Kean & Co.
show that widespread and diversified in
terests were involved, but it remained for
Boss Taylor, of Evanston, in a petition
tiled in the county court this morning, to
show that the savages of the far-off Kongo
have both a temporal and eternal interest in
the collapse.
Missionary Bishop William Taylor, ot the
Methodist Episcopal Church, has estab
lished a large number of missions in the
Kongo country. Last year he returned to
the United States and spent some months in
raising money for tbe support of these mis
sions. He made Broth ir Kean treasurer of
the fund, which amounted to about 812,000,
and Kean deposited it in bis bank. In No
vember he drew a draft on London for
$3,000 of this amount and left for the scene
of his labors. The remaining 9.000 was
still in the bank when it failed, and, per
haps, the $3,000 also, as it is not known
whether the draft was cashed before the fail
ure. Mr. Taylor, of Bvanston, sets forth in
his petition that the money was a trust fund
and should be made whole out ot the assets;
that, relying on this fund, Bishop Taylor
hired a lot of missionaries to go to Africa,
whose transportation cannot now be secured,
and bought a lot of supplies in N ew York
which cannot now be paid for.
A MOTHEB AND BABE FE0ZEN.
A Shocking Calamity Visits a Home In Wes
tern Kansas.
j WjCHTlAJanii. A pitiful talaof suf
fering and death in the recent blizzard in
the "West conies from Bussell Springs,
Logan county. The day before the storm,
John Brooks, a. farmer of that section, left
home and got as far as this place. Bealiz
ing the scarcity of provisions against cold
and hunger his homo contained, he tried to
go back to succor his family, bnt no
trains were running. He reached home on
Sunday.
Nowr word is received that during his
absence his wife tried to reach her nearest
neighbor, a distance of four miles, but
succumbed in the road, and was fouqd in an
insensible condition and nearly frozen, while
the babe she carried in her arms was irozen
to death. The wife, it is feared, will die
from the effects of exposnre.
CLERK JEWEIT AHEAD.
As a Result tlio Republicans Control the
Now Hampshire Government.
Concoed, Jan. 6. The closing arguments
in the proceedingsagainst Clerk Jewett were
made to-day, and the Court decided to dis
miss the cases against him, on the grounds
of want of jurisdiction.
This decision leaves the entire matter of
making up the roll of members of the House
in Clerk Jewett's hand, and the admission
ot the "if entitled" members will result in
the election of Tuttle (Kep.) for Governor
and a Republican United States Senator.
LAMP BTJEST IN HIS HAND.
The Man Carrying It Will Die and the
Building Was Burned.
St. Louis, Jan.-6. At a late hour last
night, while Frank Fichnor was carrying a
lamp on the top floor of tbe building occu
pied by the St Louis Toy Company, the
lamp exploded, scattering the burning oil
in all directions.
Before the fire department could control
the flames, the building and stock had been
damaged to the extent of $30,000; insnred.
Fichnor was so badly burned that he will
die.
A VEBY CLOSE CALL.
The Heroic Exertions of an Engineer Fast
in a Wreck Saves a Disaster.
EOYAL OAK, Mich., Jan. 6. The west
bound express jumped the track near here
this morning, shaking up .the passerjgers
considerably.
Thceastbound express was just due, and
the rumbling of the flyer was audible when
the engineer of tbe wrecked train extricated
himself from the wreck, ran westward and
stopped the approaching train within a few
feet of an awful disaster. Several passen
gers of the westbound train were slightly
injured.
A DISAETBOUS FEEIGHT WBECK.
.
An Engineer Killed, Several Men Wounded
and Much Property Destroyed.
Patvnee City, eb., Jan. 6. There
was a heavy end-on collision this morning
between two 'freight trains on the Bock IsK
and Railroad near Berne, Kan.
Engineer Neil Smith, of the west-bound
train, was killed. Engineer Thomas Hal
sey, fireman, and Conductors "Wilkins and
Hanson were injured, bnt none fatally. The
cause of the wreck is not known. A great
amount of property is saidto have been de
stroyed. Contributions to the Humane Society.
At the meeting of the Humane Society
yesterday, Secretary Davidson reported con
tributions to the amount of $43.
Iron City beer is a very popular brew.
Unexcelled for purity and nourishment
Physicians recommend' it Healers keep it.
siwr
Back ale is preferred by many. Try
Iron City Brewery's make. At best bars.
MMfy
THE AFFAIRS IN OHIO.
Governor Campbell Sends to the
Legislature His Message.
HE ASKS HOME EUI4 FOR CITIES.
The Australian Ballot and Primary Elec
tions Are Favored.
QUESTIONS OP LABOR AND CAPITAL
Columbus, Jan.6. Governor Campbell's
message was sent to the Legislature at 4
o'clock this afternoon. Among other things
he says:
The enormous amount of legislation annual
ly enacted for the cities of the Bute, particu
larly in tho way of local and special laws, clear
ly shows tbat a radical change is necessary in
our system of municipal government Munici
pal reform is a 'great and absorbing question
everywhere; but nowhere more than in Ohio,
where it has become customary to patch city
governments 'with legislative enactments de
signed to correct real or imaginary grievances.
This form of relief has proven to be either tem
porary in its nature, or productive of greater
ills than those which it was intended to cure.
The time has arrived for a complete change of
procrammeT A system must be dlvised which
shall end legislative tampering- with local af
fairs of cities. A problem confronts you whose
consideration can no longer be postponed. Tbe
true solution would seem to be in a provision
whereby cities may govern th emselves without
interference from any outside authority.
In other words, each city should model its
own government provided, only, that it con
form to the Constitntion, and to those general
laws which must necessarily have the same
character throughout the (State. To do this
would require an amendment to tbe Constitn
tion which could readily be submitted to the
people for their approval at the election of
next November. This amendment ouelit to
be so constrncted as to enable the people of
any city to call a charter convention upon a
plan similar to the Constitutional convention
which tbe people of the State have a right to
hold every 20 years. Such convention could
construct a charter, which, upon submission to,
and approval by, a popular vote would become
the fundamental law of Uie cltyj It could not
be altered, amended, or abrogated except
under tbe same solemn forms, and upon tbe
same careful consideration with wbich it was
created. Tbe people of the cities which
adopted charters would then be compelled to
rely wholly upon themselves for cood local
government Buch self-reliance would naturally
arouse them to vigorous action. When they
can no lomrer sit supinely waiting lor the
General Assembly, to perform miracles for
their benefit they will reform and purifv their
municipal affairs.
For the Australian Ballot Law.
During the last regular session of tbe Gen
eral Assembly some commendable changes
were made in the election laws; notably that of
taking from the Governor the power to appoint
city election boards and clerks. Tbe great re
form, however, wbicn would have served to
purify tho elections of tbe State, and to have
elevated the elective franchise, failed of pass
acre because of an insufficient vote in the
Senate. The reform referred to is that com
monly termed "The Australian Ballot Law."
It is to be hoped that the General Assembly,
especially thoso members of the Senate be
longing to tho political narty in tbe minority,
will not obstruct the progress of the reform,
which is indorsed by tbeir political associates
in every other State. The argument in favor
ot this measure, which was made in the in
augural address delivered you one year ago,
need not be repeated here. Tho experience of
the past year has added weight and cogency to
to it: and has strengthened tbe belief that
bribery and intimidation will practically dis
appear when this -system ot balloting" is
adopted.
In addition to the foregoing reform yon are
earnestly unred to enact a compulsory primary
election law. Tne root of bad government in
Cities Will be found in thu mannnr of nnminnl'.
ing candidates for office. Were, all municipal:
uuiuiuiiuuud require-u oy law to oe made at a
primary election, and were all electors disfran
chised who failed to voto at such primary, un
less a sufficient legal excuse be given, then po
litical nominations would represent average
public sentiment, and not the decree of a
packed or purchased caucus. With the Aus
tralian ballot for general elections, and an
equally well-guarded law (including a compul
sory clause) for the government of primary
elections, and with non-partisan State, county
and city election boards, tbe people of Ohio
would have an electoral system more nearly
perfect than that now known in any country;
and one which would thoroughly satisfy all per
sons who desire fair nominations and free ex
pression of public sentiment at the polls.
Tho Equalization of Taxation. ,
Some means should be devised to equalize
taxation. The farmers, upon whom the bur
den seems at present to fan most heavily.justly
complain that their lands depreciate, while
their incomes decrease. Under these condi
tions it is a hardship for them to pay tbe taxes
now assessed; and it is earnestly hoped that
tbe General Assembly may bo able to afford
some relief, although completo equity in taxa
tion is impossible without a change in the Con
stitution. When details of taxation come up
for consideration it would be wise to provide
against the accumulation of great sums in
county treasuries. Public moneys should, un
der absolute safeguards, be left in banks or
o'.ber depositaries, and not withdrawn from
circulation.
Much extravagance exists in levying assess
ments for real, or alleged street improvement,
and for other objects in the lamer cities. This
often results in a great increase of taxation
upon certain real estate, or upon the whole
city, without any compensating beneHt. Such
restrictions should be tbrown around tho levy
ing of taxes, that while public progress is not
impeded, vet additions to the tax dnnlleatn. of
a merely speculative, or. unnecessary, nature.
huuiu uo fjiuuiuiieu.
A large and respectable element of our popu
lation demands a revision of official fees and
salaries with a view of decreasing those which
are exorbitant. This request is reasonable,
and entitled to consideration. Public officers
ought to be fully compensated for their labor
and ability; but such compensation should not
be excessive, nor out of proportion to similar
servicei rendered iu private life. An investi
gation of this subject would doubtless lead to
reduction and equalization in official emolu
ments. Canal Land Become Valuable.
Tbe belief tbat gas and oil can be found
under the lands belonging to the State, some of
'which are covered by water, has added largely
to their value. The Canal Commission, ap
pointed in pnrsnance of the act passed by you
last winter, has been dlscharginglts duties
with regard to canal lands in the most praise
worthy manner, and has recovered in less than
one year, lands appraised -at over 130,000. For
its encouragement, as well as vindication from
certain unwarranted aspersions, it is suggested
that you investigate and report upon its trans
actions. In this connection It would be well
enough, also, to Investigate the Board of Pub
lic Works, and ascertain what it has done with
regard to canal lands, as well as the general
management of Its affairs. .
There are no functions of the State govern
ment upon wbich there soems to be so much
public misinformation as upon those of pardon
and parole. Much printed criticism has been
indulged in. Persons who write such criticisms
are often ignorant of the fact that pardoning
and paroling are separate powers, conferred
upon different and distinct boards; or are un
able to distinguish tbe difference between' a
parole and a pardon.
Tbe Board of Pardons is composed of four
persons, and is non-partisan. It was somewhat
demoralized last winter, owinc to an investiga
tion pending when tbe present State adminis
tration came into power: but was subsequently
reorganized, and is now working harmoniously
and effectively in the discharge of its duties.
Not as Bad as Others.
Tbe Board of Paroles is comprised of the
manacers of the penitentiary. The 'impression
has been created that the present board Is ex
ercising its prerogative in a more free and in
discrimipate manner than has been the habit of
its predecessors. It is, therefore, proper to
Btate that prior to the first day of last-November
(tbe end of the year), the present board had
been In office precisely six months: that during
said period it paroled 41 persons; and that in
the preceding six months, under the old board,
86 prisoners received paroles. In making bis
statement it is not intended to animadvert upon
tbe former board for making too many paroles'
(because, without an examination ot each indi
vidual case, it is impossible to tell whether the
prisoners were improperly paroled or not), hut
to make it known lrom official sources tbat
scarcely one-half as many paroles are granted
now as heretofore.
It may be well to add, also, with regard to
pardons, that since- tne 13th day of last Janu
ary (and the inauguration of the present ad
ministration) 23 prisoners have been pardoned
from the penitentiary. In the preceding four
years, which cover one administration, 111 pris
oners received pardons from that Institution.
These facts are also made known In order to re
fute certain misleading statements upon this
subject. It is tbe opinion of those best in
formed that a board, with proper compensation
and powers, should exist for the purpose of con
sidering pardons, commutations and reprieves;
but sucb board ougbt not to bo called a "Board
of Pardons," whico is a misnomer. Additional
restrictions conld also bo made, which wonld
prohibit frivolous applications for pardon. Tbe
time of tbe present board is largely occupied
by cases which have no merit
Legislation in Behalf of Labor.
The bill passed last April providing for free
public employment offices has proven to be a
great boon to tbe cause of labor. While it was
experimental in the beginning, it is now an ap
proved and evident success. Nothing of the
kind bad before been attempted. The nearest
approach to it is the intelligence office con
ducted by tbe French Government It is ex
ceedingly gratifying to know that the system
inaugurated by your wise legislation' bas
proven to be even more valuable than was an
ticipated. There is nothing which tbe State
can better afford to do than to procure employ
ment for men and women who are willing to
work. It is not only humane and charitable
for the State to be thus engaged, bntit is bene
ficial to society, and productive of good order.
There are some amendments to tbe foregoing
law, however, which would make it still more
efficient and salutary. The State oucbt to pay
the superintendents and clerks employed in
said offices.
The fact tbat they are paid by the cities sub
lects them in a certain mannerto the Influences
and control of the city government; whereas,
tbey should be State officers, paid by tne State
only and responsible to tbe Commissioner of
the Bureau of Labor Statistics, by whom tbey
are appointed. Tbe term of office of tbe em
ployes above named 'should be fixed. Under
the existing law there is no definite tenure.
Tho Commissioner ought to have tbe power to
remove any employe whom he may" deem in
competent or dishonest. You have imposed
upon him, very pronerly, the power of ap
pointment. He should, for his owq nrotection
and that of the State, be endowed with the
power of removal. It IS not just to any officer
that he be made responsible for the acts of
those whom he can not remove.
,- The Sale of Oleomargarine.
The law of 1887 regulating tbe saleof-oleo-margarine
has been strictly enforced by the
present Dairy and Food Commissioner, who is
a life-long farmer, and a capable, trustworthy
and Inflexible official. The law of 1S90 upon
thesame subject be has attempted to enforce.
Ten arrests were made for violation of this law,
and all tbe cases were appealed. One of the
parties arrested bas been discharged from cus
tody upon habeas corpus proceedings before
the United States District Judge at Cincinnati,
who held that tbe sale of oleomargarine,
colored to Imitate butter, cannot be prohibited
if tbe sale is confined to original packages
brought from another State. Tne passage of a
law by Congress putting imported oleomargar
ine nnder tbe police power and control of tbe
State Is the only apparent means by which to
accomplish tbe object aimed at in tho law'
passed by you last March.
Within tbe last few years persons and corpor
ations engaged in various productive and man
ufacturing industries have combined together
in sucb a way as practically to create a number
of monopolies. The consolidation and combi
nation of other large interests is rapidly going
on. There is a widespread belief, particularly
among tbe agricultural cUsses, that sucb com
binations are especially inimical to tbeir inter
ests, as well as menacing to tbe public weal.
Suits have besn brought in this State and some
others againsr combinations wbich are alleged
to bo ot this natnre, to test tbeir legality. These
facts lead to tbe belief tbat some authoritative
investigation should be made of what are com
monly known as "trusts," with a view of ascer
taining whether they are of an unlawful na
ture, and to what extent if any, tbey are detri
mental to tbe public good. It would be proper,
therefore, for you to cake such steps as may be
deemed adequate to discover and make public
tbe character, effect and legal status of such
combinations so far as tbey exist in or affect
tbe people of the Btate of Ohio.
A SATE FOIL OF BOGUS DOLLARS.
Counterfeit Money and the Tools for "Making
It Discovered.
Helena, Mont., Jan. 6. United States
Marshal Furay was notified of another dis
covery in connection with the counterfeiting
den recently raided.-J-railroad.employe.
discovered a bnge safe under a pile of rocks
nearvGray Cliff, not far from tbe cabin where
the gang was recently arrested and the coun
terfeiters' tools were confiscated.
The safe contained a lot of spurious silver
dollars and halves, as well as dies and tools
used in the manufacture of the same.
THE UNITED MINE W0BKEBS.
They Will Hold a. National Convention in
Columbus Next Month.
Columbus, Jan. 6. A call was issued
to-day from the headquarters of the United
Mine Workers of America, in this city, for
the annual national convention of the organ
ization, to be held in Columbus February 10.
The leading questions to come before the
constitution will be the scale of prices,
screens, cash payments, and especially the
eight-hour movement
CHHJJBEN FB0ZEN TO DEATX.
They Wandered Ont on a Kansas Frairie
and Got Lost.
Hutchinson, Kan., Jan. 6. New
Year's Day three small children of M. G.
Bell, a farmer living in Barber county,
strayed away from home and got lost in the
snow.
A search was made for them, and their
dead bodies have been found. They had
frozen to death.
A DISHONEST BUSINESS MANAGEB.
iHe Is Alleged to Have Embezzled 85,000
ot His Company's Money.
St. Louis,- Jan. 6. A warrant was
Issued to-day against Thomas J. Bing, the
local manager of the Armour-Cudaby Pack
ing Company.
The warrant charges Bing with the em
bezzlement of 5,000 belonging to the com
pany, whose headquarters are at Omaha.
Bing has failed, so it is alleged, to make re
turns ior the amount of beef received by
him from the company.
Ieon City beer is a very popular brew.
Unexcelled for purity and nourishment.
Physicians recommend it Dealers keep it
JTWT
THE PEOPLE'S STORE, FIFTH AVE.
January Clearance Sale.
Muslins, bleached, unbleached and sheet
ing muslins at prices lower than voh have
seen them ior years. Come for bargains in
bleached muslins. -See what they are.
You'll buy them. Campbell & Dick.
Mobe Pilsner beer .is sold each year by
the Iron City Brewing Company. Qrder by
mail or telephone 1186. mwfsd.
Interesting to Ladles.
Choice bargains this week. All dresses
and gowns reduced in price.
Parcels & Jones, 29 Fifth avenue.
VTF
By calling "Hello, 1186," you can order
tbe finest ales and beers ior your family's
use. Ibon City Bbewing- Co.
MWP " '
lOo Per Yard Worth. 17c
CO pieces torchon lace ex values, medicl
and Oriental laces. Insertings to match.
A. G. Campbell & Sons, 27 Fifth ay.
, Cream ale never tastes better than when
the weather is cold. The Iron City Brewery
makes the finest At all dealers, .mwfsu
January Clearance Sales
Iu the curtain department
Lowest prices of fine lace and heavy cur
tains you ever saw. You can furnish two
houses now for little more than tbe cost of
one. Jos. Hobne & Co.'s .
Pena Avenue Stores.
Back ale is preferred by many. Try
Iron Oity .Brewery's make. At best bars.
MWJT .
A YEAR'S EXPENSES.
Reports Showing What the County
Officials Received and Spent.
EX-C0HTR0LLER SPEERINCHAEGE.
Statement of tne Available Assets at the
First of tne Year.
DA I'S GRAND JDET AND CRIMINAL W0EK
The annual report of the affairs of Alle
gheny county are about completed, the work
being done by clerks in the Prothonotary's
office. Ex-Controller E'.peer is looking sifter
the work, as it is the account of affairs of the
county while under his supervision. There
is considerable work to do yet before the re
port Is completed.
A statement of the available assets of the
county on January 1, 1891, has been com
pleted. It shows the following:
Cash ir general fund 8i,713 23
Cash in liquor license f una 209,553 03
Cash in sinking fund 22,324 01
Cash in poor fund 33,210 05
County. State and poor taxes uncol
lected January J, 1591. 8332,431 72; es
timated amount of same available
for year 1S9I 150,000 00
Totai, W79,S34 24
Following, is a statement showing the re
ceipts and expenditures of the several ap
propriations and departments from January
1, 1890, to January 1, 1891:
Expendi?
Receipts. tnres.
Matured debt t 680.000 00 JL109,000 00
Interest 5,938 40 196.676 09
Fees and salaries 181.207 S8 2S6516 24
Extra clerks toConnty
Commissioners. 9,396 68
Assessment of taxes 29,427 20
Election expenses 84 50 22,255 60
Constables 7 40 7.163 13
Coroner's office 1 SO 20.213 40
Printing and station
ery 11,997 35 36.808 S3
CourtHouse 8.720 14
Jail 7 93 6.218 43
Court House and jail,. 8,29188
Conrt ot Quarter Ses
sions....:. 6,227 87 78,610 95
Conrt of Common
Pleas No. L 964 50 20,328 35
Court of Common
Pleas No. 2 664 00 19,617 11
Supreme Court West- ,
era district 2,504 07
Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania 28.275 83
Sinking fund 25.000 00
Bridges 2,595 08 69.9 93
Roads 1,781 32
Pennsylvania Reform
School Morganza. 31,310 95
Western Penitentiary. 17,991 02
West Penn Hospital,
(Dixmont) U3 00 2.63125
Law Library 4,195 02
Aldermen and officers
for discharged cases. 14.522 28
Gas inspection. ........ 8.969 18 2,700 00
Contineentfund 124.569 93 17,222 86
New Court House..... ........ 19.954 25
Indigent soldiers ,. 3.458 00
Pennsylvania Reform
atory (Huntingdon) 1,964 03
Paid Commonwealth
for State tax 1890.
less expenses for col
lection '..... 92,572 00
Cash in treasury Janu
ary!, 1890 376,814 08
County tax of sundry
years collected in
1890. 805,822 78
State tax of sundry
years collected in
1890 133,323 31
Lien docket taxes for
sundry years col
lected in 1S90 3,098 67
Cast in treasury Janu
naryl.1891 , 64.723 25
12,238,144 61 82233,144 61
The accounts of , the fees of the several
offices for the fiscaryear from Dec'erhberl
1889, to December 1. 1890, have also been
completed. Tbey show the following:
Sheriff's office:
Fees of Sheriff. $29,423 61
Salaries 24.608 40
I
Net gam on salaries. S 1815 21
Traveling expenses of cleiks and
deputies 6,153 70
Net loss to county, including ex
penses . 343 55
Received from advertising S S 222 35
Advertising Sheriffs sales 7,50 60
uain on advertising $ 703 85
Recorder's office: ,
Fees of Recorder 56,770 00
Salaries 31.580 00
Gain to county. $25,190 00
Prothonotary's office:
Fees of Prothonotary 837,437 05
Salaries... 0 ; 24,267 60
Gain to county 813,169 55
Coroner's office:
Fees of Coroner 8 4,428 64
Salaries of Coroner ana clerk 3,700 00
Gain to county. $ 728 64
Clerk of Court's office:
Fees of Clerk 825.811 29
Salaries 14,610 00
Gain to county. 511,271 29
Clerk of Orphan's Court:
fees of clerk 810,123 20
Salaries... 5,933 33
Gain in salaries 84,194 83
Revenuefrom advertising. 1,134 00
Expenses for advertising 731 60
Gain in advertising 8403 50
Register of Wills' office:
Fees of office 811,191 19
Salaries 10,190 00
Gain in salaries 81,001 19
Received from advertising. j 2,571 00
Expenses advertising Register's no
tices 3,138 50
Loss to connty 507 50
District Attorney's office:
Feet and forfeited recognizances Jan
uary 6. to December I, 1890. 89.335 00
Salaries 6,741 80
Gain to county 83,613 80
A recapitulation shows the 'following:
Revenues from several offices 8185,926 43
Revenues from advertising 11,997 35
Expenditures 8126,160 35
Salaries of Assistant District At
torney and clerk 3,800 00
Total expense advertising 11,390 60
Net gain to connty...... 859,46613
Net gain on advertising ,. 606 85
TO-DAY'S COTJBT CALE5DAB.
The Long List of Cases to Bo Considered by
the Judges.
Common Fleas No. 1 Stroyd vs Pittsburg
Traction Company; Neely administrator vs
Marshall et al; Monongahela Sand Company
vs Harrold.et al; .Singe vs Dethicor; Boss &
Co. vs Lippincott; Mering vs Fitzsimmons;
Doblavs Bodinger; Appell vs Bodlnger; Cowan
vs Frank; Carnegie vs Grauer; Chalk vs
Doberty Brothers; Rugby vs Schermer; Poor
vs Reed.
Common Pleas No. 2 Clay vs Lane et al;
Humbert vs Berryman: Fix vsMcCntcheon;
McCnevs borough of Knoxville; Hershey vs
Pittsburg Natural Gas Company; Banck vs
Swan et al: Dardine vs Dardine; Denny et al vs
Junction Railroad (2); People's Savings Bank
vs Wallace: Sonller vs Winter; Martin vs
Drewes et al; McDonald vs Pittsburg and Lake
Erie Railroad.
Criminal Court Commonwealth vs Michael
Tuttle, George F. Pfeifer, Betty Mayho, John
Witmer.' Joseph M. Robinson. John Parks,
Joseph Pravantz, James Barker, Joseph Hlnz,
William Wilson, William Robinson.
W0BK OF THE GB&rTD JTJBY.
Bills Returned and Those Ignored by That
Body Yesterday.
The grand jury returned the following
true bills yesterday: Joseph Barker, Maggie
Coil, Joseph Hinz,. George Williams, 'Wil
liam Wilson,, larceny and receiving stolen
.goods; P. Lcblist, larceny; Lizzi'o and
Mamie Patterson, Henry Bishop, assault
and battery; Frank; Papllck, Charles Lutz,
selling liquor without license; Harry Toiler,
A. C. Jordan, conspiracy.
The following bills Were ignored; Alice
Cary, James Doran, Lizzie Duffy, selling
liquor without license; Joseph, Cyrus,
George and Henry Althouse, John Sheerin,
George Steel, larceny and receiving stolen
goods; Charles Mosser, perjury; Joseph
Quatsehe, felonious assault and ' battery;
John Scott, assault and battery; William
Shaw, false, pretense; Frederick Yost, mis
demeanor. In Criminal Court Yesterday.
The following were convicted or pleaded
guilty in Criminal Court yesterday: George
Williams, William Ackerman, Henry
Brackenridge, George Woehre, larceny;
John Welsh, malicious mischief; Hemy
Bershop, assault and battery. The juries
are out in the cases ot Frank Fisher, Frank
McKenna, Thomas Boggs, William Ben
nett and James Mitchell, charged with
larceny. John Hauck was acquitted ot the
charge of misdemeanor.
Minor Conrt Notes.
Joseph Mines sued for divorce from his
wife, Lida Miner, yesterday, alleging infidelity.
In the suit of Silvester Driscoll against E. M.
Knnz & Co.. the jury returned a verdict for the
plaintiff for 81,975.
The suit of W. K. Jennings, administrator
of I Isabel W. C. Comtngo against the People's
Mntual Accident Association, is still on trial.
Executions were issued yesterday against
Sprowls Jc Co., by tbe First National Bank, of
Homestead, for 8537 87 and by A. J. Kuhn for
81.368.
New trials were refused yesterday in tbe
cases of J. H.Meyer and H. Albright against
the Birmingham and Brownsville Tnrnpiko
Boad Company.
Sheriff McCleaey yesterday issued the
following executions against N. F. Scott: Con
way Bros., 82,050: Renwick, Ellis & Co., $306;
Scott Brothers, $571.
Is the suit of the Letzkus Construction Com
pany against Bender & Aldred. to recover for
castings sold, a verdict was given yesterday for
$62 39 for the plaintiffs.
iK.thesuitof R. Evans. guardUn of Susan
Graham, against Samuel Kilgore, an action on
partnership accounts, a verdict was given yes
terday for the defendant:
A VERDICT of $200 for the plaintiff was taken
by consent yesterday in the case of M. F. Goff
against the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Com
pany for damages for injury to property.
The case of H. H. Mulligan against "Hyman
Browarsky, to recover for some empty barrels
which the defendant is alleged to have failed
to return, is on trial in Common Pleas No. 2.
James W. Beeeit, for the Truth Publishing
Company, entered suit yesterday against 51c
Kenzle, Daves '& Co-, lithographers, for $5,000
damages. The allegations are that tbe defend
ants bad a contract to furnish colored litho
graphs for Truth, and the pictures f nrmshed
were fo poor tbat tbe paper was not a success
and naa to suspend publication.
In the suit of Philip H. Ittel vs. the Pitts
burg, Allegheny and Manchester Railway, an
action to recover a strip of land in Allegheny,
on which the company's stables are built, tbe
jury yesterday retnrned a verdict for the plain
tiff for 6 cents and the laud in qnestlon. Tbe
verdict was subject to an agreement of the
counsel In tbe case.
A DISPUTED ELECTION,.
STATE OFFICEBS AT7D A TOUTED STATES
SENAT0B AT STAKE.
The Throwing Out of Many Prohibition
Totes and the Counting of Others Cause
the Trouble A Deadlock Between the
Connecticut Booses Probable.
Haetfokd, Jan. a The General As
sembly of Connecticut meets at 10 o'clock
to-morrow. Under the Constitution a ma
jority of the popular vote is necessary to an
election of Governor and other State officers,
and, failing in that, the choice falls upon
the General A asi-mhly, Tnig ygi- the Sen
ate has 10 Pemocratic majority, and the
House 16 Bepubliqan majority-
The official canvass of tbereturns at the
Secretary of State's office shows a majority
of 26 for L. B. Morris,of New Haven, Demo
cratic candidate for Governor. The election
was tbe first for State officers under'tbe
new secret ballot law, and in tbe count
through the State several hundred Prohibi
tion votes were rejected by moderators for
having on them the words "for" before the
office named, while several thousand such
were counted. Other votes of each party
were rejected for various causes.
The Bepublicans insist that the, matter
should be inquired into, and errors, if found,
be corrected. Democrats claim that there is
no going back of the returns, and the ses
sion will be open, with the prospect ot a
deadlock between the two houses, the Sen
ate declaring Morris elected and the House
refusing and insisting on an investigation,
to be followed by the declaration that no
election was effected, in which case the Be
publicans would elect their candidate.
The situation is liable to assume different
phases at any time, but this is the present
condition. Neither party possesses any in
clination to recede, and while Democrats
threaten to embarrass the election of Mr.
Piatt to the United States Senate, the Be
publicans express every conudence that
such efforts cannot succeed.
SUICIDE OB MUEDEB.
The Dead Body of an Express Agent Found
Immediately After the Shot.
Peoeia, Jan. 6. "W. D. Schroedpr, an
employe oi the United States Express Com
pany, was found dead with a bullet hole in
his forehead in a deserted baru in this city
last night He had left his conveyance in
charge of a friend five minutes before, and
the sound of a pistol shot caused a search to
be made. He had been out collecting for
the company all day, and was supposed to
have a large sum of money about him, but a
search only revealed 511. ,
Schroeaer was 23 years of age and bore a
good reputation. The Coroner is inclined
to believe that he committed suicide. It
cannot be ascertained that his accounts were
short.
TWO BAB KENTUCKY FHtES.
One TVlpes Out 14 Houses, and the Other an
Opera noose Block.
LOUISTH.LE, Jan. 6. By a fire at
Owicgsville, Ky., this morning, 14 bouses
were bnrned. , Loss, estimated at $50,000;
partly covered 'by insurance. The fire was
of incendiary origin.
At Winchester this morning fire destroyed
the Opera House block, including also
costly wardrobes, two large stores and the
posloffice. Total loss, about 134,000; partly
insured.
"To SAT. that I am pleased with, llellin's
Food is not to speak the entire truth. I am
delighted with the way my little patients
take it and with the complete manner in
which it fulfills indications as a lood ior in
valids," writes a physician.
Muslin Underwear Bargains.
Annual sale of children's muslin drawers
trimmed and untrimmed. Size, one at 10c
Trimmed, 10c higher. "We will offer to-day
600 dozen.
A. G. Campbell & Sons. 27 Fifth av.
Br calling "Hello, 1186," you, can order
the finest ales and beers for your family's
use. Ieon City Bbewixo Co.
mwt
This Month Only '
"We will make with every dozen of oar best
cabinet photos an 8x10 handsomely colored
photo, with elegant frame, also cabinet
photos at SI per dozen. Life size crayon
portraits 53 50. Lies' Galieey,
ttsu 10 and 12 Sixth street
Cbeam ale never tastes better than when
the weather is cold. The Iron City Brewery
makes the finest At all dealers, jawsa
THE PEOPLE'S Y01CE.
All Agree tbe Oil Producer Suffers
From Oppression.
SEVERAL EE1IEDIES SUGGESTED.
Kestrictivo Legislation and Government
Control of Pipe Mnes.
PfiODUCEKS SHOULD BE BEPISEE3
A great many communications have been
received by The Dispatch on the oil situ
ation, which we have been unable to pub
lishon account of space. The Dispatch
desires to give a hearing to all in so far as it
is able, but, being a newspaper.it cannot
cive up all of its news space to such a dis
cussion. "What have been deemed the new
est and most suggestive ideas of a number of
communications are presented below.
Of three letters from "Producer," of Tit
usville, Pa., the following is given:
Until recently they have refraineU from en
gaging in the oil-producing business, simply be
cause for years past they have secured the
cruaa oil from tbe producers at a price below
the average cost.
Why have they been able to do thisT Simply
because the men engaged In tbe business have
been in hot competition with each other, and
have concentrated their whole strength and ed
ucated themselves in only one branch of the
business to drill wells No attention has been
paid to marketing the prodnct or storing oil
after It was raised to the surface. An expendi
ture of from f3,000 to S7.0OO for each well
drilled. nd from SS to SoOO for tankage to
hold the product: now if this order of things
was reversed for a year or two, is any one in
sane enungb to think it wonld notresult greatly
to the benefit of the oil producers, and is it Dot
a deplorable state ot things when tnousands of
men are engaged in furnishing a product with
practically only one buyer font?
A Kennedy Proposed.
Can the condition of tbe oil producers be
improved; It certainly can be. The hrst step
is to stop the drill until oil leaches a price that
will yield a profit not to a few who are
fortunate enough to secure large wells, but the
average cost of the entire output
Find other means of disposing ot at least a
part of tbe prodnct to parties who are not con
trolled by or affiliate with the Standard Oil
Trust
When two or more persons or firms are en
gaged in the business let them join together
lay pipes to the nearest railroad andmarfcet
their oil direct and save the pipeage, 20c per
barret
A correspondent from Allegheny, who
signs "A Nationalist," recites the tendency
of the times toward great commercial com
binations which swallow up the individual
ism of the past. He decries the injustice
done by the Standard Oil Trust, and sug
gests a remedy, lor tbe present condition
of things in the following words:
Mr. Producer, your Grievances are not your
concern alone, they are of vital interest to
every American. When a great financial baron
rises up and declares that tbe "money kings
aro the real rulers of the world," it would, in
deed, seem that tbe time bad come when the
patriotic citizen should don bis thinking cap
and paste therein tbe idea that "eternal yi-u-ance
is the price of liberty."
Would Have Government Control.
That a terrible truth Is conveyed in that state
ment is plain, when we pause to consider tifat
during the recent financial flurry millions of
dollars were sent out from the Treasury qt tbe
pull of the string in Wall street. Didijerer
come to the relief of depressed labor, or tb? oil
producer? Rizht here Is suggested va
remedy, let tbe independent oil pro
ducers combine in co-operative effort
and pending tbe realizations of schemes for
immediate relief, demand that tbe Government
assume control of the pipe lines of the country
at once, and then, .with tbe means of transpor
tation open to tne honest competiuoaolalVwa,
make a grand stride toward a panacea whose
0.1 ly ful, realization lie in combined produc
tion uf crude petrolenm. Thus we will be
enabled to establish refineries at points where
natural advantages render the refinery of your
product most economical.
Surely the means ot transportation of com
modities Is as ranch a function of this Govern
ment as tbe postal system, or the circnlation of
its currency, and surely the proper adjustment
of tbe oil Industry is of more widespread im
portance than irresponsible gambling in Wall
street.
Let us co-operate; "The principle of the
brotherhood of humanity is one of the eternal
truths tbat govern tbe world's progress on lines
which distinguish human nature from brute
nature."
legislation Is the Way Out
Mr. J. "W. "Witherop, of Titusville,
formerly an independent refiner, but now a
producer, writes that this is an opportune
time, in his estimation, to secure beneficial
legislation. He sees much encouragement
in the result'of the late election, wherin the
people of the oil producing counties em
phasized their disapprobation of Senator
Delamater's opposition to the Billingsley
bill. He thinks ths opportunity should not
be lost to ask ior the passage or a bill, simi
lar in its provisions to the amended Bill
ingsley bill.
Mr. Witherop refers to the late disastrous
shut-down movement which enabled tbe
Standard Oil interests to dispose of the
stocks of Peunsvlvania oil that they might
the more easily acquire control of and
handle the Ohio product He thinks the
reduction, by law, of pipe line charges
would remove much of the inducement now
existing to wage ruinous wars against com
petitors in order to retain monopoly of tha
business.
ESCAPED' DT A TBUHK.
A Seller of Bogus Diamonds Slips Away in
on Unusual Manner.
St. Louis, Jan. 6. For several weeks
the police officials have been searching for a
man named Olunston, who was wanted on a
number of charges ot swindling. He had
been working tbe bogns diamond racket,
selling paste gems to unsuspecting grangers
at night, representing that he bad stolen
them and wanted to realize very quickly.
His operations were so extensive that the
police were instructed to make extraordinary
efforts to catch him.
Olunston, by some means, got wind of the
orders. He was afraid to leave town by the
ordinary way, as he knew tbe depot and
bridge were guarded. Being a very small
man he secured a large trunk and then took
a friend into his confidence. The next day
the trunk in which he was snugly ensconced
tsas checked to Indianapolis. Nothing was
known of the fate of the lonely Voyager
until to-day, when his friend received Infor
mation tbat Olunston had arrived safelyi
HtmEEOTJS STBEET OBDDfAHCES.
List of Improvements Recommended by tha
Public Works Committee.
The Committee on Public "Works met yes
terday afternoon and affirmatively recom
mended the following ordinances:
Dedicating property to be known as Broad
street from Palrmount street west to Graffs
line; grading Arch. Mingo and Moier streets,
from Denny plan to Bldge street; ersJing, pav
ing and curbing Winebiddle street from Lib
erty to Cypress streets; Whitfield street from,
Penn avenue to Broad street; Harcnm's alley,
from South Twenty-second to Soutb Twenty
third streets; sewers on Fifth avenue.St. Pierre
street and private properties, from a point 109
feet west of Ditbndge street to Four Mile na;
sewers on Gem alley, Mathilda street and At
lantic avenue; sewers on Dauphin street and.
Morningside avenue, from Atlantic avenne to
a point 35 feet west of Mathilda street; sewer
on Yale alley, from Ravenna to Alder streets;
sewers on Coward, Bluff and Cooper streets,
from Chestnut street to Iron alley; opening
Gem alley, from Mathilda street to Atlantic
avenue; South Thirty-third street from Jans
to Bast Carson streets.
jnOKSFOKD'S ACID PHOSPHATE.
Believes Indigestion, Dyspepsia, etc.
Cbeam ale never, tastes better than when
the weather is cold. The Iron City Brewery
makes the finest, At all dealers, vrwra ,
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