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14
A REVIEWOFSPOHTS.
Good and Bad Points of the New
Kational Board That Is to
Control Baseball.
:A PLATERS' EEPEESEKTAT1YE.
ijat Famll'i Challenge to Fitzsimmoni and
Other Hlddle-WeighU Discussed
from Tarious Standpoints.
ABOUT THE COMING GL0TE FIGHTS.
YntyxAl if. Beat Btzntlonil Test Bsms tat Piter
Priddy'i Chiicti.
Surely there is plenty of talk about at
present regarding baseball affairs, indeed
there is so much that in some respects
enough cannot be said. 'Without doubt we
are entering upon a new era in baseball his
tory. A new departure of an extraordinary
kind has been made and it remains to be
seen whether or no the results will be for
the weal or for the woe of the national game.
The unprecedented plau of putting the con
trol of baseball throughout the country in
the hands of three men is to be tried and
certainly that is a departure that was dreamt
of a short time ago. It is a bold, diplomatic
aud 1 Tenture to say, a wise step. There is
considerable heroism connected with such
a departure and 'a vast amount of
policy. Of course there are more
ways than one of looking at it.
I am aware that some authorities have very
serious misgivings about the new Rational
Board. It would seem unnecessary to deal
with any objections to it at present inas
much as it would be more generous to
allow the board to act before it is criticised.
True, the system of placing the control of
the national game almost entirely in the
hands of three men is centralization, but it
is centralization of a kind that circum
stances and conditions have forced -upon
business men for adoption. The
principal is a correct one at this
juncture and it remains to be
seen whether or not the gentlemen clothed
with extraordinary powers will act In accord
ance with the correct and fundamental
principles that places them in their
positions. This very powerful trinity
that has been created, viz., Messrs. Rogers,
KrauthofT aud Thurman, will be the
cusureof all eyes in the baseball world on
verj many occasions, and depend upon it that
while tuey ma be the objects of much ap
plause, now and then ruanj a mid and furious
tirade "ill be made againtheui and their find
ings. This is as sere to happen as we lire, and
to me it Is a question whether three men can be
formidable enough to withstand the censures
ar.d charges th it are snre to be hurled at them
by discruntled people.
t
A Benefit to l'layer.
It is generally understood that the National
Board is to be a great benefit to players. I trust
it will, but I cannot help observing that the
board i made up of gentlemen who are Simon-pjre-djed-m.lhe-'uoo
magnates. Bear in mind
I don't mean by this to insinuate that the gen
tlemen in question will shut their eyes to the
rlchtsof ballplayers when called upon to deal
with them. I believe they mil be actuated by
their honest convictions, but it is natural to ex
pect that these honest convictions Mill
lean toward the sifie of the mag
nates. This is human nature De
cause daily business life is full of
instances proving tuat the honest convictions
ot employers lead them to think quite contrary
to their einploje, although as far as a matter
of right is concerned the cnnvictious of the
workmen are the true one-. 1 have in my time
had much experience with boards whose duties
were to fceltle uifiVrences and claims, and have
bad the honor of orhciating on borne, but I have
riever had implicit faith in any board whne
fuuctio s were to adjudicate between employer
and emplojed made up entirely of employers.
The truth 1-. the period when a board of that
Lind was believed in has gone b. and it is too
late in the day nun- to expect the masses of
America to look upon anv such board as a
thoroujzuly representative one. I have already
said that the policy of crcatiug the
National Board was a good policy. It
is good in so far that it cementt
the magnates, aud there the good part of it
ends. As it is now composed almost every
' pljer who appeals to it, and whose appcil is
shelved. 'is almost sure m say "Why, I couldn't
expect acjthim: cle. Thej'reall magnates ou
that boara," apd charges or complaints of this
kind, vi hen continued, are sure to have consid
erable influence with the public Well, some
of my reader may no doubt bo si inn: " Vhat
wouldoudo?" I'll tell you. I would put a
player on the board. That would be a stroke
ot policy, and that would tend to cement not
oulj all the magnates but all the players. 1 am
aware of the antipathy of the magnates con
cerninc bavin: ball plavers figure in their de
liberations at all. but as dignified, as learned,
and as wealthy gentlemen as the magnates have
long since consented to sit at the table with
their cmploves and settle their differences and
those of their fellows.
Local Club Affairs.
I haven't much to say to-day about the local
club. Up to the time I'm writing, Saturday
evening, the prospects ot securing a sumcient
quantity of good men are not at all encourag
icc. There are several good pljyers ou the
string, but they are also on the strings of other
people, and heretofore it has been the lot of
Pittsburg to ahvajs "get left." Certainly
President O'Neill is working like a Trojan to
secure some hrst-clas plajers, but there are
stioti very strong forces arraved against
bim. All the boastmzs of League magnates
concerning a generous distribution of stars
plajers turns out to be idle talk. Every
bod) is Tor himself and the strongest has the
best of tr. The local club has signed llierbauer
and Mack, aud. strange to sav, the American
Association wants both these men. I don't
urge the violation of any rule, but when it
coi.ics to such unreasonable claims as that, it is
evident there is no respect for right, and what
Is required, is lor him to catch who can. Now
tbatthetwo plajers in question Lave been
sigpe4 the local club should hold
on to them until every particle
ot law has been tested. The
indications are that we won't get Ward. As a
matter of business it would seem best for him
to Come here. He cannot gain anything in
Brooklvn. 1 he team there is a pennant win
ner and cannot get any higher, but may get
lower. The team here cannot get any lower,
but may get higher. It is. therefore, clear that
"Ward would hav e nothing to lose here and very
much to gam. But if he docs not want to come
there is no necessity for force.
l'ugllistic Affairs.
After a storm c-niesacalm, is a saying that
we all hare beard, and its truth has been fully
set forth during the week just ending, as far as
pugilistic affairs are concerned. The week has
almost all been absorbed by echoes of the
Demnsej-Fitzsimmons batilc, and I daresay
those who would believe nothing else than the
statement that no middle-weight in the world
could touch Dempsey hate about recovered
from their surprise, bincellast wrote on this
subject I have met one or two friends who
witnessed the fight. One of these friends, who,
by the waj, is an excellent judge of either a
glove contest or a prize ring battle,
tells me that Dempsey had "no more
bow than a child." ily friend goes on to
say that the plucky "Nonnareil" never
seemed to hare an opportunity to put any
ring tactics into operation at all and that when
be bravely stood and faced bis big opponent
bis blows had no effect whatever. Fitzsim
moos, says my friend knew be was a wluner in
the first rournl, and Dempsey was also aware of
that fact. This is one opinion or a very large
number that have been expressed during the
week, and it is worthy of note that all opinions
of eje vitnesfes substantially agree with the
god reports of the newspapers. As a result of
the very one-sidedness of tue battle many peo-
Sle are of the opinion that it bae yet to
e proven whether or cot Kitzsimmons
rralijr is the woudtrheis held up to bo by bis
frience. There certainly is much to be said in
defense of this opinion, because If a man like
Hrenau, or like Tom King, had beaten Demp
sey, none of us for a moment would haro taken
that achievement as a proof of the first-class
abilities of either Heenan or King. There
really was snob a disparity between Dempsey
and Fltiilmmons that we cannot with absolute
safety come to the conclusion that Fitzslmmons
is a "wonder" because he defeated Dempsey o
easily. I admit that Fitzslmmons is a tighter,
and a good out, but a wonder is something
more than a "good"'man.
Good Advice Neglected.
While speaking of D-mpsey I am reminded
of some excellent advice that he received in
this city from a very Intimate friend of mine,
and a gentleman who knows as much about
pugilists and pugilism as any man whom I bare
over met. When Dempsey was last in this city,
my friend metjilm and they, of course, began
a conversation about Fitzslmmons. My friend
was extremely frank, because be had a very
high admiration for Dempsey, and expressed
himself as follows: "Now, lee mo tell you Jack,
that Fitzslmmons is too big for you, and If you
were to tram as clean as he does, you would be
below HO pounds. Let met tell yon. further,
that the people who are persuading you to
meet 151-pound men are leadlng'you astray,'
because that is much above your weight."
Dempsev, dauntless as usual, replied that
lie would certainly sign articles to fight
Fitzslmmons as soon as he arrived at his home
in Portland. "Then." rejoined my friend, "if
you persist in that take mv advice and have a
look at v our man before jou out your name to
the articles." Ihis was probably tho best ad
vice ever given to Dempsey and had he not neg
lected it matt era might have been quite differ
ent with him to-day. Dempsey may and may
not fight again, but he will do well if he takes
care nut to allow height, weight aud reach to
be against bim.
A "Week of. Challenges.
Any number of men are talking about fight
ing Fitzslmmons, and the latter, as far as I
know, has had nothing to say in return. If be
follows the example of modern pugilists he will
meet nobody until he has squeezed the sbofe
business for all that it Is worth.
Ue has many examples to fol
low on this point, indeed, the general opinion
already seems to be: "If he won't Bgbt for a
year you cannot blame bim. He is in the busi
ness formoney." The modern conception of
pucilistn takes this new ol the mattcr.no
doubt, but it ia bad one and it another feat
ure of the glove contest era in which the pub
lic has been niched of thousands of dollars.
The time was when a champion was bound to
acknowledge a challenge if it was bona fide and
if there was money behind it. That is not the
rule now because it is not stake money that
managers and others are after; it is the money
of tho public In other words pugilism, or
so-called pugilism, has become reduced to a
show business and the great aim is to
get the public to the show. This reminds
me of the recent challenge of Fat Farrell
to Fitzslmmons. Some of" the most ridiculons
opinions -hare been expressed regarding that
challenge. I certainly defend the challenge
because it is a bona fide one. I hare a right to
do that without eren expressing an opinion as
to whether Farrell has or uas not any chance to
defeat Fitzslmmons. Dozens of times I have
been asked. "Why. what has Farrell doner
Nowlwaut to point out that it is not what be
has done, but what he wants to do. He has
backers who are prepared to stake S3, 000 or fG,-
000 on their opinion that he can defeat Fitz
slmmons or any other 16S-pound man in the
country. In sporting affairs 1 haveal ways been
led to believe that it was good policy to keep a
"dark horse" as long as possible, and use
him to tho very best advantage. In all branches
ot sport this has been a recognized
rule or custom. Let us take a Sheffield handi
cap, for instance. Whv, it is the man with no
record there that is invariably dangerous; it is
the "dark horse," who has been kept on the
quiet without doing anything in public, and no
body would think of ignoring these dark ones
siinplr because they hadmade no "reputation,"
as it is c tiled. Very well, then; if the backers
of Pat Farrell have been attending to him on
the quiet for two or three years and are now
convinced that he is as zood as anybody at 153
pounds, and are prepared to stake about SO, 000
on that conviction, surely their challenge de
mands serious attention. We must assume,
nay, we must admit, that these backers know
more about Pat Farrell's abilities than the pub
lic does, and most assuredly peopleare not now
adays lnvestinc $5,000 or $6,000 without believ
ing they bare a strong chance of getting more
than their own money back.
TT
A Business-Like Offer.
But Farrell does not confine himself to Fitz
slmmons. A day or two ago there appeared in
this paper a statement to the effect that be
would fight any 15S-pound man In the country
for the belt offered by It. IC. Fox. Farrell par
ticularly mentioned Reddy Gallagher, Kessler
and Carroll, ot Brooklyn, because these men
are not eDgaged at present. This does not
mean that he is not anxious to meet anybody
outside of these men. He is willing to fight
the winner of the Mitchell-LaBlanche contest
or.as I have above stated, he will meet any middle-weight.
Now I ask is this offer not a fair
one and a business one? Certainly it is not
necessary for Farrell to half kill a number of
men before ho can scenre a match; I am not
now discussing the abilities of Farrell: that Is
another matter and when he is matched I will
be prepared to deal with that phase of the sub
ject. What I claim at present is that nobodr
can afford to treat with contempt his offers be
cause, taking everything into consideration,
the? are more bona tide than the majority of
offers and as much so as any that have 'been
mad
The Modern Big Purses.
The following opinions of Henry Samosou
relative to the big purses of to-day- and the
small stakes of years ago are sure to be of gen
eral interest, because there is much truth in
them. He says: Tho more one knows of what
used to happen in the days when men had
really to fight for erery farthing, and very
often got soundly thrashed for nothing, the
more is he astounded at what I hope I am right
in calling our recent maniacal departure in the
wav of purses; 5 or 10 most was considered a
sufficient stake for anyone to light for who had
not shown himself to be a real flyer; and teal
flyers could be mentioned who never'
fought for, or who at all event;
never won, more than a tenner. The
foremost of all champions, Tom Savers him
self, never fought for 200 a side until close on
to the end of his career. Two hundred pounds
a Mile was then supposed to be the summit of
the greatest man's ambition, and to the end
jrallantTom never dreamt of exceculng it.
Only fancy what was got e through between
him and Dan Collins before it was settled
which of them was to win a ponyl When
Savers and Jones fought one another to a stand
still for 100 a side, and the battle stood ad
journed for six weeks or so. It was thought a
most wonderful thing that the. principals
should during the aojournmentbet one another
an additional 100 level. After Savers won tho
championship, and had happened on the first of
bis easy things with Bill Bainge (or
Benjamin), Paddock, one of the best
men ever seen in the ring the really
best m in of his day bnt for blind bad temper
challenged Savers, but could not .raise the
stipulated amount for a cbamnionsbip right,
"200; bayers generously enough waived his
rizbt and fought for the stake Paddock was
able to raise, viz., 150. Talking about Bill
Benjamin It is just on the cards that be was
born a bit too early. I saw him spar very well
indeed with the gloves, and should think It
quite likely that if gloves andnot fists had had
to be used bv them he might have bested
Savers, especially when they came together for
the second tussle. Just as Tom Savers would
have been an outsider if there had been i.o
fighting but glove fighting in his day, so we
may reckon that sooieof our gluve champions
would have been something other than
champions if they bad nad to try their bands at
knuckle fighting.
A Few Words About Heavy-TVelghta.
During the week various rumors hare been
current regarding Slavin, Sullivan, Corbett and
others. I am inclined to believe that all the
talk concerning these big men has been for
"show" purposes because every one of them is
more or less in that line of business. Whether
or not the object ot the talk has been what I
say there are some matters connected w ith it of
interest to those who are patrons of the ring.
We are told that John It's friends waited upon
him and asked him if be would fight Slavin.
The former did not hesitate a moment and said
he would certainly be willing to fight Slavin
sit rounds with big gloves for S500 or
$5000. Sullivan then gave his reasons for de
clining a prize-ring contest A few days later
Sullivan stated that he would not be at liberty
to fight anybody for two years, ana this is the
latest from Sullivan. It is very problematical
whether Sullivan and Slavin will ever meet,
and if they do it will be many months from
now, but it is clear to me that John L. Sullivan
is no took Were be in anything like good con
dition I am inclined to think he would defeat
Slavin in a six-round glore contest, bnt a battle
under prize-ring rules is quiie another matter.
1 hare not a strong admiration for Sullivan's
prize-ring tactics. At any rate be has yet to
conrince me that be is anything like a first
class general in a 14-foot ring under prize-ring
rules. But it might not be bad advice to Sulli
van to say to him; "Remain out of the ring if
tho acting business is paying so welk"
Some Very Strong Talk.
James J. Corbett has also been talking very
much and very strongly during the week. He
is quoted as saying that if be defeats Jacksou
he will proceed to England and make Slavin
fight him, and if Slavin wriggles out of it he
will be branded as a cur. This is exceedingly
amusing, cominc, as it does, irotn Mr. Corbett,
who, I believe, declined under all conditions
to meet Joe McAuliff e beTore the latter went to
Sugland. It might be well for Corbett to make
no mistake aoout Slavin. Corbett will not bare
to "make" the Australian figbt,because I don't
tbink that the Australian is that kind of man.
Besides. Corbett has yet to prove to the world
j that he can light, and he may bare some new
ideas about ngnting wnen ne is through with
Jackson. They will meet before the spring is
over, and although It is much too soon to come
to any definite ooinlon regarding the results of
the fight a few words may be said about Ik If
vorueii aeieata uacKson, mat is proriuing doiu
are at their best, it will on public form
prove Corbett to be far above the aver
age heavy-weight in this' country. Mark, I
say on pnblic form, by this 1 refer to the very
easy way in which Jackson disposed of God
lrey, who has demolished three or four promi
nent Americas heavy-weights since. This
THE;
phase of public form means that Corbett must
be an unusually good man to defeat Jackson if
the latter recovers thoroughly from his sick
ness. Aud let none of ns forget that tho Aus
tralians' are in rare form just now, and tbat
they have good men of all classes. There are
two more bcavv-weigbts getting ready for bat
tle, viz.. Kilraln and Godfrey. This wflf be a
very Interesting contest, no doubt. I will hare
something to say about it in due time. At
present it promises to be a good contest.
w
A Promising Organization.
Last Sunday I bad a few words to say about
the Allegheny Athletic Association. It was
tho occasion of their annual meeting, aud as I
remarked, the meeting was a great success.
The members of the association have definitely
decided to apply for membership in the A. A
U., and that is a very important step to take.
So far Pittsburg has to a very great extent
been without any bona fide atniteur
organization; that is, there has been no
amateur organization wherein all the rules
and conditions of amateurism were
safely guarded. Matters will be quite different
when the organization in question becomes af
filiated with tho A A U.. because every year
is finding amateur rules more rigidly euforced.
Well, when our local association becomes a
member of the national body we may expect
to see some of tho best amateur athle'es in
America here, and if this is accomplished we
will certainly all be very grateful to the gen
tlemen who are connected with onr local asso
ciation. I have often contended, and so do I
now, tbat amateurism is yearly growing in
popularity. Amateurs, without doubt. In
the most Interesting branches of sport
are holding their own, and talent of the best
kindisalxays attractive. The local associa
tion bids fair, to get this kind of talent and I
trust it will succeed. The Association Intends
to make a big feature of baseball and the pro'-
Sect are somewhat encouraging. If Messrs.
'ener and Gray could be reinstated as ama
teurs then there would be a good ball team. I
am told that there are precedents, and good
ones, for the reinstatement of these men.
Whether there are or not people interested
seem to think that the rnles will not be rigidly
enforced because the circumstances are in
some respecs exceptional. I trust there is some
precedent bearing en the case.
The Pedestrians.
What promised to be a series of sensational
foot races has fallen through. I refer to the
efforts to arrange a series of three races be
tween Darrin and Myers. Some time ago the
latter offered to run anybody from a quarter of
a mile to a mile, and consequently Darrin ac
cepted the offer. The announcement was made
that articles of agreement had been made, but
Myers appeared with the statement that his
physician ordered him not to run. He also
said that the match had been made without
his consent. The two statements hardly har
monize, so that we may safely come to
the conclusion tbat Myers is convinced
that he is not the pedestrian wonder he
used to be X don't hesitate to say that Myers
was one of the finest pedestrians I have ever
seen, either professional or amateur. He was
nothing short of remarkable, and were he in
his best form to-day certainly he would not
hesitate for a moment to run Damn or any
body else a series of races. Steve Farrell has
come to the front and challenged Darrin. and I
suppose the pair will run. Darrin has already
defeated Farrell twice in a half mile race, and
the present match means one ot two things at
least tbat Farrell must have improved or
that Darrin must have gone back. The chal
lenge coming from the Farrell party we may
take it for granted that Farrell's party think he
has improved The race may and may not be
an interesting one. Both are good half milers,
no doubt, and if they are both in form they
ought to make a good contest of it. 1 wonder
whv neither of them offer to tackle Peter
Prlddy in a mile race. He has commenced to
get ready for next season, anddoubtless be will
be ready to accommodate cither Farrell or
Darrin in a race of ono mile. A race be
tween Friddy and Darrin on a new
track in this city would certainly be
an attractive event. One thing is sure,
and that is, Pnddy will haVb great diffi
culty in securing a race except he tackles such
men as those just referred to.' I almost forgot
to mention our old friend George. He is out
with a challenge again, and if he ever gets
back to his old form again it will Jie a surprise
to me. It Is rare that these "flyers" can be laid
on the shelf lor a long period and be taken off
again as good as ever. George is not an ener
getic trainer by any means, and it is, therefore,
quite safe to say that he is very far from what
he nscd to be; so far. indeed, tbat be will never
get pack to tbat degree of excellence again.
And I am Inclined, to think that from among
three such runners as Darrin, Farrell and
Prlddy, George would find a foeman worthy of
his steel even in his, George's, best day.
V
The Billiard Tournament.
Patrons of tbat classical game, billiards, will
be very pleased to know that a tournament is
to be held in this city. I had intended to deal
with this matter fully, but lack of space for
bids: but I have room to say that the tourna
ment promises to be of a very interesting char
acter. The winner will be recognized as cham
pion of the State, and that fact will surely add
considerable prestige to a the contest. There
has been a remarkable boom in billiards re
cently, and the only way to test as to whether
or not the quality of playing is improving with
the increasing numbers of players Is to have
these tournaments. If there were more special
contests in Pittsburg I am persuaded that we
would have more good plavers. The tourna
ment is one of those events tbat is worthy the
support ot the public PltLNOLE.
Electricity as the Town Crier.
In the Tery early days of the telegraph its
value in the rapid arrest of criminals was
discovered, and many of us probably re
member the thrill of awe that was felt when
first the whisper of the submarine cable
chased across the ocean the fugitive from
the law, and armed swift retribution to
pounce on him as he landed. All that is a
commonplace ot justice to-day, and eren
the telephone is beginning to take its place
as one of the trusted allies of the policeman
and detective. It has been found extremely
useful for quite prosaic duties in this line,
and there are not a few occasions when a
runaway horse started at one end of the
Brooklyn bridge has found that the news
telephoned promptly across has reduced
him to the alteruative of surrender or
sausage.
In some parts of the country it has become
the practice to supply telephones for all the
coroners, and now a new departure h.is been
taken in organizing a "lost child" service.
It is a Western idea, but is kindly seconded
hy the telephone people everywhere, and
has already given proofs of its instrumeu
t.ility. It is evident that a warning of "lost,
stolen or strayed" put into six or seven hun
dred telephones will set a pretty large town
a-going with excitement, and even on a more
limited plan is likely to track the wander
ing in an hour, or bring up the ruthless
child stealer with a round turn. The extra
territorial liues of the telephone exchanges
run out also over areas of SO miles every
way, so that the chances of more Charley
Boss episodes are at once reduced to a mini
mum. NEXT Sunday THE DISPATCH will be
gin publication of a series of South Sea Let
ters by Robert Louis Stevenson, the novelist.
Watch for this great feature.
When Wrinkles Seam the Brow,
And the locks grow scant and silvery, infirmi
ties of age come on apace. To retard and
ameliorate these is one of the benign effects ol
Hostetters Stomach Bitters, a medicine to
which the aged and infirm can resort as a safe
solace and lnvigorant. It Counteracts a ten
dency to rheumatism and neuralgia, improves
digestion, rectifies biliousness, and overcomes
malaria. A wineglass before retiring promotes
slumber.
BARGAIN LIST NO. 4.
Planos S25 Organs 823.
(EASY PAYMENTS.)
Boardman & Gray piano $ 25 00
Stoddart piano ; 25 00
Meyer piano 35 00
Hallet&Cumston piano 1C0 00
Stanley & Sons piano : 100 00
Henry F.Newton piano 135 00
Pease & Co. piauo 150 00
Checkering & Sons piano 190 00
Chickeriug & Sons grand piano..... 175 00
Kranich & Bach piano 250 00
C. H. Stone & Co. piano 200 00
New England organ i 25 00
Iicatty organ 35 00
Sterling organ 40 00
New England organ .... 40 00
Estcy organ 45 QQ
Ohio beauty organ 45 00
Bay State organ 50 00
Bay State organ.., 65 00
Phil Kellorgan 50 00
Phil Keil organ 65 00
Dyer & Hughes organ 75 00
Mason & Hamlin 77..... 75 00
LECHNEB & SOHOEXBBSQEB,
No. 69 Fifth avenue,
General Agents for the celebrated Kranioh
& Bach pianos. fvssu
Furniture picked, hauled and stored.
Haouh & Keenan, 33 Water street.
SP .- I
PITTSBURG DISPATCH;
KESUMEs0F THE WEEK
Facts Sncrgesled by the Proposed Ad
dition to Westminster Abbey.
FINANCES OP THE INDIAN WARS.
Significance of the Keport That the Znjder
Zee ia Frozen Over.
D1SC0YEBT OP THE H0MB 0? THE SEAL
IWHITTSN TOB THI DISFATCa.1
"Here is for a peerage or a tomb in "West
minster Abbey," said Nelson before the
battle of Trafal
gar. Death came
to the great war
rior then and there,
but not with it a
place in the fam
ous cloister, for his
remains lie fully a
mile away in St
Paul's Cathedral.
However.-he, like
many others, is
supposed to be
buried in the Ab
ITMimtiujer Abbey.
bey, "and the recent report from England
that the building of an addition is. contem
plated to accommodate the illustrious dead
of the future engenders curio'sity as to who
are really buried within its walls. An enu
meration would reauire too much space, but
certain it is that many said to be interred
there lie elsewhere. Said a late writer:
"Here the.ashes of England's royalty have
been laid for their last repose ever since the
davs of Edward the Confessor."
This is a mistake. The monarchs of En
gland since the days of the Georges have
with one exception been buried at 'Windsor
Castle, and that will no doubt be the resting
place of Victoria it she ever pleases to die.
TheTemains of Charles I. are also at Wind
sor; the Conqueror, the very next king alter
the Confessor, lies at Caen, Normandy," and
the latter's son at Winchester. Henry IL
wns buried in France, as was also Bichard L
King John lies at Worcester, and the un
fortunate Anne Boleyn in the little church
in the parade ground of the Tower of Lon
don. There is considerable uncertainty sur
rounding many of the Westminster inter
ments, as was demonstrated bv the difficulty
experienced years ago in finding the re
mains of James I.
The marriage of Prince Alfonso of Ba
varia and Princess Louise d'Alencon, re
calls the fact that
the bride-elect was
at one time engaged
to Louis II,, the mad
king of Bavaria, who
committed suicide a
couple of years since.
The engagement was of
short duration and the
"breaking off" process
had no appreciable in
jurious effect on the prin
-Prin-ejs
V Orleans.
cess, as she was quite young at the time
(being only 21 years of age now) and read
ily transferred her affections to the nephew
of her former love. She may at least con
gratulate herself on being more fortunate in
the present arrangement for what are royal
alliancesless than arrangements insomuch
as Prince Alfonso is one year her junior
and a handsome, dashing and popular officer
of cavalry in Munich, while her former
fiancee was fully a quar
ter of a cent'urv her
senior. Another inter
esting feature of the affair
is the fact that the Due
d'Orleans, a cousin of the
bride, aud a claimant of
the French throne, has
annouueed his intention
of not being present at
the nuptials for a trivia
reason, but really for fear
his action might be con
Prince Alfonxo.
strued unfavorably by his supporters in
France, as the wedding takes place ou Ger
man territory.
The Indian war is over, according to
General Miles, but discussion 6fthe Indian
question is not, particularly thjt phase of
it relatiug to the expenditures of the Gov
ernment in their dealings with the redskins.
It is reported on unquestioned authority
that of 5929,239.284 02 expended iu 110
years, ending in June, 1880, $696,339,227 68
was spent in warring with them. Now,
there is an interesting matter for'considera
tion, especially when we investigate so far
as to learu that in every case these wars
have been caused by the most trivial cir
cumstances, that could, in fact, have been
remedied without trouble if the Indian
Department of this conntry had been in
anything like the shape it should be.
Take, for instance, the Sioux war of 1862.
A United States contractor was supposed to
supply the Indians with first-class mess
pork. That was what he was paid for. In
stead, he sent the redmen a lot of pork re
fuse, consisting largely of heads of hogs.
Was it any wonder the poor fellows took to
dancing like ma'd and from that to the war
path? They were quickly subdued, how
ever, and General Sibley, the officer in com
mand of the army sent against them, hanged
as many as 30 of the "red ruffians" a day,
"not being hampered by the clamoring of
the humanitarians," as one person expressed
it. They were "red ruffians" simply be
cause they refused to eat "rotten hog."
Another instance the Sioux war of 1852.
An Indian killed a cow belonging to a Mor
mon emigrant. Complaint was made at
Fort Laramie anda'force of 20 men was
sent to the Indian camp to demand the sur
render of the Sioux who had killed the cow,
with the alternative, in case of refusal, tbat
the camp would be fired upon. Thelndians
relused to give tip the man. but offered to
i pay for the cow in outtalo robes or
skins. J-he oner was declined, and the 20
soldiers fired on the Indian camp, with the
result that in a few minutes every one of the
score of men representing our glorious mili
tary Bystein was devoid of his scalp. The
war that 'ollowed cost this Government close
to 520,000,000.
The Navajo war began in something the
same way. An Indian killed a negro in an
altercation; the tormer's tribe refused to
give him up to the military authorities, and
on this pretext the military was sent against
them and in three camptigns the redskins
'picked the soldiers plumb out of their
boots." That war cost mlly as much as the
one mentioned previously.
t From 1872 to 1882. Indian wars footed up
a grand total ot 5202,094.506. and in the
Apache wars since that time every Indian
cai tured or killed has cost the Government
no less than $100,000.
Within the week the representatives of
two of the most illustrious families of En
gland have passed away .Sn the Earl of
Devon and the Duke or Bedford. The first
named traces his ancestry back to Phara
tnond, founder of the French monarchy in
420, through Atlion de Courtenav, one of the
most powerful barons of e irly France. The
surname is derived from the town of that
namein me isie i xrance, wnicn Atlion
fortified during the warso: Kohert the Wise.
Jlilo, grandson of Athnn and Ermangarde,
his wifo, were the direct ancestors, of the
English Courtenaya. From them came the
famous Beginald de Courtenav, who went
with the crusade of Louis VII., of France,
in 1147; Baldwin de Brlonsls, who for his
hare iu the conquest was given the barony
of Oakbampton, the castle of Exeter and
the custody of the county of Devon, and
Hugh de Courtenavi who was cre
ated first Earl of Devonshire
by Edward L a a reward tor his services in
the Scottish wan. Beginning with the sev
enth earl, three in succession were beheaded
during the Wars of the Boies, and the fourth
fell gallantly fighting at Tewkesbury. From
that on, the history of the house is one of
turbulence and intrigue with royalty until
til ip
SUNDAY, JANUARY
the time of Edward Courtenay, who, from
12 years of age until his death, was identi
.fied prominently with the reigns of Edward
VL and Queens Mary and Elizabeth. On
his demise the present branch ol the house
was founded, and always stood high iu honor
until the last one, who has just died. Uis
chief claim to distinction was tbat of having
appeared in the Bankruptcy Court of 1872
with a debt of $3,588,000 against him.
The Duke of Bediord's lineage dates back
to 1221. It has had mauv distinguished
representatives, who have been known to
history by their surname Bussell partic
ularlyiLord William, the patriot statesman,
whose bead fell at Lincoln's inn fields, as
the result of his unshrinking devotion to
principle. The Dnke -who has just died
distinguished himself as the money-grasping
owner of 2,912 houses in the city of
London, for all oi which big rents were paid
aud there ends the history. That of bis
successor, the Marqnis of Fairstock, ends
likely enough, before it begins, as he has
the reputation of being one of the most
commonplace figures in English society.
It is stated on authority that seven men
have crossed the Zuyder Zee in Holland.
If true, this shows better than anything
else could how remarkably severe the
weather must be in Europe, for, although
this sea has been frozen before, it has not
been within the last 150 years. It is also
proven by this that in Europe the climate
is much more regular or steady than here.
We have again and again been visited with
so-called "blizzards" that would be con
sidered veritable "hair-raisers" on the
other side, but they are usually of short
duration. This is shown by the fact that
none of our inland lakes have ever been
frozen over within our knowledge, while in
the case of the Zuyder Zee, a body of water
260 miles in circumference, and roughened
by the winds of the wild North Sea, with
which it is connected, has been fiozen
several times, a circumstance that could
only occur through intense-and long-continued
cold.
But even this sort oi weather must in some
respects be considered temperate when it is
remembered that in the year 402 the Black
Sea was frozen over, which means a level of
ice 380 miles wide and 700 in length, com
prising 172,000 square miles of surface. An
idea of the magnitude ot this phenomena
may be obtained by comparison with our
Lake Superior, which has never to our
knowledge been nearly frozen, and yet it is
scarcely one-fifth the size of the Black Sea,
besides being close to the 50th degree N.
latitude, while the other is on the 40th par
allel or within ten degrees of the southern
limit of snowfall.
Among the other severe seasons recorded
was that from October, 763, to February,
764, during which the seas at Constantinople
were frozen 100 miles from shore. In 1063
the Thames river was irozen for 14 weeks;
again for two months ending 1684, and iu
1716, 1740 and 1814. The winter ol 1684 was
exceptionally severe, the people of London
plying their trades on the Thames ice .as
upon a regular thoroughfare. In 1323, 1402
and 1460 the Baltic Sea was frozen over.
The above are the most important in
stances ot extraordinarily cold winters re
corded, but considerable of such a subject
would not be complete without reference to
the terrible winter of 1812, so destructive to
the French army of Napoleon, causing a
loss to that individual of no lesi than 400,000
men in his disastrous retreat from Moscow
and his ultimate downfall, for, though the
Man of Destiny lived for Waterloo, he never
regained the power lost in the winter
campaign of 1812,
Apropos of tho Bering Sea muddle, it
might be interesting to relate here the curi
ous story of the discovery of the Alaskan
home of the seal. For nearly 100 years
Bussian seamen have been visiting the
waters of the North Pacific and Bering Sea
in ieanh of the fur-bearing animal that
frequented those regions. Alaska, Hams
chatkaaud Aleutian Islands bad been dis
covered and trading stations established iu
such numbers that it was feared that the
otters and other commercially valuable ani
mals would become extinct. In the mean
while it was noticed- that -the Aleutian
channels fairly swarmed with seals going
northward in the spring and the opposite
direction in the fall, and, no matter how
they persevered, the hunters could not learn
that the animals stopped for a single hour
on any of the lands thereabouts. Even the
natives did not know where the seals went
ashore to breed, although they had a tradi
tion, that it was on some land in the far
North, which had never been visited by
human beings.
Many attempts were made to locate this
land, but without success, the vessels oi the
searchers coming back as empty as they
went, and at last the hunters began to desert
those seas, as the business was getting to be
unprofitable. At this time there was an old
seaman named Gerassum Pribylov, serving
as mate on one of the Bussian ships, who,
having heard from an Aleutian, patriarch
that the seals frequented certain islands in
the Bering Sea, determined to investigate.
Securing a vessel, the old fellow set forth in
the spring of the year, having as convoy a
myriad of seals, all going in the direc
tion he was taking; but they gradually
disappeared and he cruised about iu the cold
Northern seas the entire season, until com
pelled to return at last emnty handed.
Nothing daunted he tried again the following
year, and went through exactly the same
experience. For the third time he went
forth in 1786, determined to estiblish the
truth of the patriarch's story. For Weeks
he sailed about without the slightest success
nntil one day, while moving along iu a
dense fog, he heard faintly the roaring and
rumbling peculiar to seals. Guided by the
noise, he iu a snort time, ran right into au
island, along the shores of which were mill
ions of seal, and he lost no time in filling
his ship with skins and returning to TJn
alaska, bis headquarters.
Pribylov first name! the islands after-Mr.
Sulov, oae of the owners of his vessel, but
this was in time changed to that of the vet
eran explorer. The islands are fully 200
miles from any other land, and are appar
ently right at the spot where the warm Pa
cific currents meet those from the Arctic
Ocean, which results iu the interesting phe
nomena of continuous fogs throughout the
summer, and an endless storm of driving
snow and ice in the winter. This peculiar
ity of the region has no doubt drawn the
seals to tbis place for (centuries. The
islands are difficult to approach on account
o! the mists; a vessel sometimes being in the
vicinity for ten days before locating them.
Investigation shows that none of the
dictionaries contain the word "cloture,"
made so prominent in recent Congressional
debate. It appears, however, in some
works, under the heading "closure."
"Cloture" is a French word, meaning the
termination of debate. The universal lan
guage ot this country is so continually pick
ing up foreign words and phrases, withont
the slightest warning or explanation there
for, tbat the time will perhaps come when
one will not know where the home-bred
article ends and the foreign begins.
A stack of bills is before our Legislature
and none is more timely than the one look
ing to the preservation of birds. How
mapy sweet and beauti nl warblers' lives
maybe spared if this. bill passes and its
provisions are strictly carried out? A re
cent inquiry showed that no less than 70,009
dead birds were sent from one village in
New York State, for millinery purposes, in
one seison. Iu three months South Caro
lina furnished the New York market 11,000
bird skins, and one professional sportsman
prided himself on having killed 10,000 white
egrets; 40,000 terns were slain at Cape Cod
for the same purpose in one year; 1,000,000
bobolinks near Philadelphia in one mouth,
and at one time, a season ago, a New York
bouse hod no less than 200,000 bird skins on!
hand. All honor to old John Borroughs,
who said: "I can pardon a man who wishes
to make a collection for his own private use,
though he will find it much less satisfactory
and less valuable than he imagines, bnt he
needs but one bird and one egg of a kind;
bnt the professional nest robber and skin
collector should be.put down either by leg
islation or with dogs and shotguns."
WlLKIH.
25, 159L .
A GOOD SPECULATION
No Ground for European Criticism on
Electric Industries.
.BATTERIES WITB THE DUMB-BELLS
Application of the Current to the Soldering
of Tin Cans.
THE C01IINQ INSUIiiTIXG MATERIAL
, rrnir-.ir.iD roc the disfjitch.i
It has been the custom of some financial
writers, especially in Europe, to be very
severe in their reflections on the speculative
nature of the electric light and power indus
try. They remember only the outbreak of
wild speculation ten years ago, and forget
entirely that meanwhile the world has
moved on, the industry recovering itself so
thoroughly that it bears no more trace of the
troubles of that period than a sturdy youth
does of his teething ailments.
Had England taken the money to promote
electric light and power that it rushed to
put into "Agentines," or had France for
like purposes taken the millions that it
spent in Panama ou the big gutter for the
season rains, a good many thousand of their
citizens would be much better off and both
countries would be nearer our own standard
iu the progress of the electric arts. What
can be done by American enterprise and
with the magic of a great name is shown in
the statistics of the electric light and elec
tric railway industries over which Edison
wields a sway, and which were massed into
a single corporation about a year ago with
a capital of 52,000,000.
As a "captain of industry" whose genius
has called together tbis great sum, Edison
has au army of 6,000 employes. The output
nf his huge shops at Schenectady, where
3,000 men are at work, increased 117 per
cent last year. The output of all the manu
facturing establishments amounted to $10,
000,000 for the year, and over 8 per cent was
earned on all the stock issued. At tbis mo
ment the entire force has six months' work
ahead, Edison is not a vain man, but be
certainly would be justified in feeling
proud of such massive results as the creation
of his genius and perseverance. Even when
a struggling operator, fighting through a
bitter winter in a linen duster and thin
soled shoes, he announced his wish to be
one who should open up new avenues of em
ployment; and never was laudable ambition
more nobly realized. Beside the present
point is not that of finality. An industry
thus begun lays hold upon the future with
irresistible grasp, its roots deepening as its
branches widen. Nor shonld it be left out
of sight that other great productive con
cerns exist in the electrio light and power
field in America, with constantly growing
totals.
A Good Insulating Material.
An Eoglish journal recalls attention to the
oft-repeated statement that a rich reward
awaits the inventor of an insulating mater
ial tbat will fullfil all the exacting require
ments to which a perfect medium is likely
to be subjected. Such a material must be,
above allf beat and damp proof, and amen
able to moulding. Porcelain is brittle, and
warps a great deal of in firing. It cannot
be worked, and is accurate in its dimen
sions. Ebonite, besides being too dear,
warps or so tens under heat, and no cement
will stick to it. Wood does not insulate
well for high pressure and warps easily.
Celluloid warps and is inflammable.
Marble is useless and slate is treach
erous. An attempt is being made to utilize
pure silicj; although accurate as to
size, it must be molded before firing, and it
canuot be worked. Portland ceineur, shel
lac and mica are also being persistently
tested. The two latter make a very good
combination, but possess the drawback of
being affected by heat Various sulphur
and earthy cements have good results, but
are inflammable. Spence's "metal" might
be uselul if the makers ot it could be found.
Vulcanized finer, celluvert, and parchment
ized fibers are valuable lor low-tension work,
but some of them break down under high
pressure. Asbestos and shellac are com
bined to form tobacco pipes, and this ma
terial may be nseful lor electrical work. If
there is so little shellac that it will stand
considerable heat. A large range of ma
terials are being tested with varying success,
but, as a matter ot fact, the prize is'still
awaiting the lucky inventor.
An Electrical Exercising Slacliine.
Too much dumb-bell exercise is a weari
ness to the flesh and matutinal, swinging of
the Indian club becomes, sooner or later,
irksome. The idea of relieving the tedium
of daily exereise while increasing its
benefits is a good one, and it is now placed
at the service of the public iu a practical
form. A polished wooden box contains
the appliauces incidental to the ordinary
exercising machine, aud is equipped, in
addition, with a magneto-electro apparatus
capable of transmitting an electric current
to ten or more persons at the same time, or
being graduated to tlie endurance or
pleasure of one person; so that, while the,
various forms of exercise are being gone'
through, an electric current oi any required
strength can be imparted. It is claimed
that electricity can thus be applied under
improved and more pleasant Conditions
than formerly in many cases where its use
has been proved to be most beneficial.
Attention is called to the fact that tele
graph operators, accountants, typewriters,
pianists, and all whose work is apt to cause
muscular pains and stiffness iu the hand
and arm, can by the use of this' exercising
machine reap a twofold advantage. The
machine ba: a bath attachment. This is
placed in a bath, and when the foot is
placed upon it an electric shock of gradu
ated strength is imparted to the bather. The
machine can be used either with or without
the current, it has no battery, and its elec
tric activity is guaranteed for years.
Electric Soldering Iron.
The application of electricity for the pur
pose of soldering removes a difficulty which
has hitherto seriously militated against the
efficiency and economy of that process. The
irons heretofore employed have been heated
in open fires, and when the iron was taken
out of the fire it was usually too hot, and it
cooled so rapilly tbat reheating was neces
sary. With the electric soldering irou a
uniform temperatnre can be continuously
maintained, and great saving iu time and
convenience in working is obtained. The
fact that 36,000 cans are soldered each day
in one establishment in New Jersey will
suggest the immense advantages of the new
method over the old in the economy ot time
alone. It is estimated that from lour to six
soldering irons of the type nsedin the works
referred to can be operated at an expendi
ture of one electrical horsepower. Ad at
tempt is now being made to remedy the de
terioration of the German silver with the
contiunous heating by the current, by the
nse of graphite as a conductor.
Electric Omnibuses.
One of the many indications which are
being afforded of the progress in the develop
ment of the storage battery in England is
the announcement by the Ward Electrical
Car Company, of Loudon, that the details
of the contract for the construction of their
first line of omnibuses and for the charging
station have been settled, and that the work
will at once be proceeded with. It is in
tended, as soon as the line is rnnning, to
form a sub-company to take over the stations
and omnibnses and to work a large line of
vehicles. The difficulties which beset the
attempt to perfect the storage battery are too
formidable to allow the hope to be enter
tained that they will be speedily conquered,
butt none the less, results have been at
tained during the past few months which
afford solid encouragement to those who are
so earnestly grappling with the problem.
That the storage battery has come to star is
the conviction of some of 'the soundest elec
tricians in England and America, the opin
ions of distinguished inventors to the con
trary notwithstanding
NEW APVEKTI.M-..M KN'IH.
OUR INVENTORY SALE.
fc tOtlTiCl'mm
GOODS, AND OFFER CUSTOMERS A GREAT
OPPORTUNITY TO SAVE MONEY. THE CUT
EXTENDS TO ALL DEPARTMENTS. VISIT OUR
STORES THIS WEEK AND SEE THE STACKS,.
OF FRESH, NEW GOODS GOING AT A SAC
RIFICE. .
MILLINERY
i
810, pieces wide, pure siltr,Fancy Bihbons,
former prices 50c, 62c, 75c, this week 25c a
yard. '
320 odd Felt Hats, trimmed and nn
trimmed, 25c; formerly 75c to 51 CO.
f 1 50 Birds and Wings go at 50c
f 1 Birds and Wings go at 25c.
60c Birds and Wings go at 10c.
50c Nellie Bly Caps, 15c.
LACE CURTAINS
Extra wide Lace Curtains, 65c a pair.
Extra wide Fine Lace Curtains, 75o a
pair. "
56-inch wide Lace Curtains, 90c a.pair,
3-yard long, 66-inch wide, Lace Cur
tains, 51 35 a pair.
3-yard long, 60-inch wide, Lace Cur
tains, 1 60 a pair.
Extraordinary- values 52, 2 50, 53 pair,
np to the finest.
I
Onr special sale of Muslin Underwear has
been a pronounced success. The same low
prices still prevail and ladies will do well
to take advantage of them. Chemises,
Drawers, Night Gowns and Skirts the best
and newest styles only now on display.
lenaum
510-514 MARKET STREET.
THE OLD MUST fill Wi
TO THE NEW. ;
It's the natural order of things. And, in ao j
cordance with this unalterable principle, the'
balance of
KEECH'S ;
Fall and winter stock must go to make room '
for the large spring stock about to be received.
tFor the next two weeks, then, you may look
for the greatest and deepest price cutting ever
known in the annals of the Pittsburg furniture -and
carpet trade. No housekeeper of this sec- -tion
should fail to grasp this truly golden op- -portunity.
YOUNG MARRIED COUPLES, contemplating
housekeeping, are especially invited to call
and avail themselves of this extraordinary bar
gain offering. Remember, too, that the big
reductionswe have made are backed by our
time-honored system of EASY PAYMENTS. In
other words, you may select and have de-;
livered at your home any goods you please,
and pay for same on the installment plan. If
you are wise, you will call at your earliest pos-'
sible convenience. You will find big reduc-'
tions in Furniture, big reductions in Carpets,
big reductions in Curtains, big reductions in
Housefurnishing Goods, big reductions in..
Cloaks and Clothing.
A lot of Odd Tables and Chairs at greatly "
reduced prices.
Pretty display of Silverware and Bric-a-;
Brae. ' '""h-
KEECH'S,
923, 925 AND 927
NEAR NINTH STREET,
OUR ANNUAL INVEN-
TORY IS STILL IN PROG
RESS. WE HAVE MARK-5.
ED DOWN PRICES ON
MANY THOUSANDS OF..
DOLLARS' WORTH OF
CLOAKS
AD
WRAPS
i-
55 Infants' Cloaks now 52.
56 Infants' Cloaks now 52 50.
510 Ladies' Newmarkets now 1 50.
512 Ladies' Newmarkets now 53.
S15 aud 518 Ladies' Newmarkets now 55.
510 Fine Flush Jackets, high shoulders,
now $6 75.
512 Fine Flush Jackets, high shoulders,
now 57 50.
513 50 Fine Plush Jackets, high shonld
ers, now 59.
512 Fine Plush Jackets, astrakhan trim
med, now 57 75.
515 Seal Plush Sacques, 59 75.
519 75 Seal Plush Sacques, 512 75.
525 Seal Plush Sacques, 513.95.
528 Seal Plush Sacque, 514 65.
55 Cheviot Jackets, 52 95.
56 75 Cheviot Jackets, 53 75. .
510 "Vest Front Jackets, 55.
512 50 Vest Front Jackets. 57.
515 Vest Front Jackets, $8 75.
DRESS TRIMMINGS
Have been marked down to 10c, 15c, 25s a
yard; former prices 50c to 51 25 a yard.
Some of the nicest trimmings ever shows:
are now going at these cut prices.
Call and see how prices have been cnt to
pieces in every department. It will asto
ish yon. "
ja25-TTSaa "
PENN AVENUE,
$CV
- Cor. damson Alley&
'jf-fc
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