Pittsburg dispatch. (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, February 17, 1891, Page 4, Image 4

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ESTABLISHED FEBRUARY 8, 1848.
Vol. 48, iso. 10. Entered at Plttsburjtrostomce,
November 11. lib.", as second-class matter.
Business Office Corner Smithfleld
and Diamond Streets,
News Booms and Publishing House
75, 77 and 79 Diamond Street.
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welcome.
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Are. de rOpeia, Pat is, France, where anyone
uho has been disappointed at a hotel news
stand can obtain it.
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PITTSBURG. TUESDAY, FE& 17, 1S9L
SENATOR QUAY'S DENIAL.
Senator Quay has denied the charges
which have been made against him, declar
ing then to be malicious falsehoods, one
and all. The Dispatch presents, this
moraine, the speech as made by Mr. Quay
in the Senate. At the outset the Senator
says that since Alexander Hamilton was
hunted to death no one in public lire has
been pursued so persistently and malignant
ly as himself. "While under pressure he re
fused to say anything, but now, when there
is no politieAl battle going on and friends
and enemies are in judicial frame of mind,
he thinks is the time for the statement
which he has m.ade.
He first takes up the charge that, at some
time, or continuously from 1879 to 1882, he
used money of the State of Pennsylvania
for speculative, or private purposes. He
admits that during this period he was en
gaged in stock operations and in some of
these was associated with a gentleman who
-was at that time cashier of the State Treas
ury. These speculations proved seriously
disastrous and ne was compelled to pay a
portion of his associate's losses as well
as his own; in doing this it became
necjssary to supply an alleged deficit in the
treasury; to do this he had borrowed 5100,000
fron Senator Cameron, every dollar of
whith has since been paid. But Mr. Quay
deni-s any knowledge of the deficit or of the
use cf State funds until he and his associate
had cached a settlement of their joint losses.
Secondly, he denies the use of any public
mone;s for the purchase of stock of a Chi
cago street railway. He bought stock of
that ompany with money borrowed from
the Peple's Bank, of Philadelphia, on his
own cdlateral.
Thinly, the collateral charge that he de
fraudei, or attempted to defraud, the widow
of a deeased friend, in this transaction is
denied iositively and a gentleman named
who cattestify to the truth of the denial.
Fouruly, he refers to his action as a mem
ber of tie Board of Pardons; denies any
imprope motives and says the people of
Pennsylvania were fully familiar with this
action be'ore he was elected State Treasurer,
or TJnitei States Senator,
Fifthly the charge that he attempted to
secure th pardon of Lynch by threats is
branded s a "lie, for which there was never
the shadov of a foundation."
He then passes on to the denial of the
"nebulous charges" of corruption as a
member oithe Legislature; the charge that
he attempted to bribe an internal revenue
officer; thahewas paid 580,000 to secure
amendmea of the high license law, and
finally the charge that he had, "in some
niysteriousmanner," defeated the amend
ment to theConstitution of the State pro
hibiting tht manufacture and sale of liquors.
All of theseare denied absolutely.
A little li;ht is thrown on some of the
loose mcthois which have prevailed in this
State, espechlly about Harrisburg, for loose
methods hare prevailed. Senator Quay
speaks only .or himself. It is now in order
for those who originally made the charges
against Qua; to repeat them, in detail, with
whatever of rroof may seem expedient. It
will then be .n order for Senator Quay to
sue for libe, as, in a special telegram to
The Dispatch this morning, it is in
timated he w.ll. This will bring the matter
where the evidence, pro and con, may be
given under oath and all the facts brought
out This is tie only just course. Senator
Quay should tither be vindicated that all
may be sure o: his innocence, or he should
be convicted for the public benefit There
is no half-way course admissable.
Pending ihe further course of events, the
public can afford to suspend its judgment
for a few days. In the meanwhile, interest
is now so profoundly aroused that the whole
proof must be brought out.
THE TKIDCTE TO SHERMAN'.
The public will unite in indorsing the ac
tion of the Mayors of the two cities and the
leading members of theG. A. R, and Union
Veteran Legion, in requesting that this com
munity be given an opportunity to pay a
last tribute to the memory of General Sher
man as his remains pats through the city on
the nay to their final resting place.
X o city in the country will more feelingly
show honor and love for the dead hero than
Pittsburg; and none of the nation's great
men would at their death command a more
universal tribute of love and respect Pitts
burg during the war was constant in its
support of the Government and in its care
for the soldiers. It will now prize the op
portunity to show that its old sentiments re
main unchanged, in giving the last testi
mony to the greatness and patriotism of the
dead General.
It is to be hoped that the arrangements of
the funeral party will permit our citiiens to
uuite in this final act of homage to the last
of the great Union commanders.
THE DANGER OF THE CUFFS.
A rock loosened by the rains from the
cliffs above the Panhandle road on tbe
Southside yesterday dashed into a passing
train and crushed the life out of a young
girl who a short time before had left her
home for the city lull of hope for the future.
The warning of danger in this tragic event
is emphasized by the fact that a very nar
row escape was had by a train on the Port
Wayne road Saturday night from a whole-
bale disaster by a similar slide ol rocks from
the cliff just below Emsworth. In this case
tbe engineer saw the fall of rocks just iti
time to apply tbe brakes and render the col
lision harmless.
The protection of trains from danger of
falling masses dislodged by rains from the
hills along which our railroads must run is
iiiji ftrnWijriiiriiii jn-.s.'--
extremely difficult But it is no less evi
dent that the peril is grave. It is also per
tinent that the fatality from this source did
not occur without previons warnings. The
necessity exists not only for a careful watch
but of active engineering work, as the safety
of suburban railway travel is of primary
importance both to the puolic and the rail
way companies. No expense that is neces
sary to fully remove danger ought to out
weigh it
FATTlSONS FRESIDENTAI. BOOMERS.
The wideawake New York correspondent
of the Philadelphia Inquirer, Mr. L. N.
Megargee, informs that journal that the man
nowmost talked of in New York as a possible
Presidental candidate, is our own Governor.
The well-known qualities which would give
a Pattison boom strength are fully set forth,
his strong hold on various classes fully ex
ploited, and finally the following extremely
sanguine view of what Governor Pattison
might accomplish as a Presidental candidate
is given:
As stronc a Republican as Senator George
Handy Smith said the strongest thing concern
ing Pattison's political possibilities I hare ever
beard. It was the day after the defeat of
Delamater. Said the Senator: "If the Demo
crats only knew It they have in attison a
Presidental candidate very difficult to defeat
It is not impossible that if he were nominated
he would carry Pennsylvania. Why do I say
so? Because the Republican party in the fight
which they have just lost id this State ex
hausted every resource in Its power to bring
abont the election of Mr. Delamater. It could
not have done more in a Presidental contest,
and If Pattison can win under those conditions
how could we prevent him from carrying the
State if the Democrats were to name him for
the Presidency!"
The constant desire of The Dispatch is
to see both parties put up their best men
for high office. It regards with favor the
recognition of Governor Pattison as one of
the most promising men among the Dem
ocrats. The characteristics which have en
abled him to win three hard fought cam
paigns in Republican strongholds would at
least require the best nomination the Re
publicans could make to offset him. His
proof of adminiptrative ability in office, his
demonstration of independence, his unsullied
integrity and his constant opposition to cor
poration encroachments would give him
great strength with the people all over the
country. When, however! this is said it is
necessary to correct any intimation that
Governor Pattison could carry Pennsylvania
as a Presidental candidate in 1892. If such
representatives of stalwart Republicanism
as Senator George Handy Smith and the es
teemed Inquirer had any idea that he
could, the last thing they would do would
be to inform the Democracy of their belief.
Pattison's success heretofore has been due
to the fact that in the campaigns he has
won it has been possible to keep national
issues out of them. In the last campaign
there was a strenuous attempt to make peo
ple believe that the tariff would be affected
by his election. This had some effect in
cutting down his majority; but the obvious
fact that as Governor he could not control
a single vote in Congress on the tariff bill,
permitted his election on purely State
issues. But if he were running for Presi
dent the case would be reversed. It would
be impossible to avoid the force of the argu
ment that his election wonld have a direct
and controlling influence on the tariff.
The man who sincerely believes that any
candidate can bring into the field such per
sonal strength as to induce a majority of
Pennsylvania voters to vote for him as a
candidate opposed to protection does not
know Pennsylvania. A very fair indication
of what is to be expected can be obtained by
comparing Pattison's majority of 1882 with
that of 1890. In the former year, when the
tariff was nos a leading issue in national
politics, he had 42,000 votes more than a
moderately creditable Republican candi
date. In 1890, when the tariff was promi
nent in the election of Congressmen, it af
fected the vote for Governor so as to cut
down his majority to 18,000. If he should
come before the people as the Democratic
Presidental candidate, his personal popu
larity might cut down the nominal Republi
can majority of 80,000 to 50,000 or 60,000;
but nothing is more certain than that citizens
who voted for him last year would change
their votes, where the tariff was directly at
stake, to a degree to entirely extinguish his
majority.
In the interest of a correct understanding
of the case, the Democrats should beware of
such a tribute from the Greeks, as Senator
George Handy Smith's alleged opinion that
Pattison might carry Pennsylvania. He
would have no more chance of it than of fly
ing over the moon.
THE SLAUGHTER IN THE MINES.
Another gas explosion in one of the
mines of the Connellsville coke region;
another burning mine from which egress is
cut off and four more lives sacrificed, is the
melancholy tale of the report to be found
elsewhere.
The almost constant recurrence of these
disasters is an awful endorsement of tbe ne
cessity of constant and increased precautions
in the mines. Yet there is the danger that
their frequency may so accustom the public
mind to their horrors as to dull the demand
for more stringent regulation. The disaster
of yesterday following those at the Mam
moth and Farm Hill mines, is enough to
arouse inquiry whether some unestimated
subterranean forces have not increased tbe
generation of gases in the Connellsville
region, making mines heretofore considered
safe, traps in which men are killed by ex
plosions or doomed to the more painful
death by burning.
At all events it is demonstrated that the
usual precautions are not adequate to pre
vent disaster. While the early reports may
not be sufficiently accurate to warrant
definite conclusions as to yesterday's calam
ity, there seems to be a general agreement
that the explosion was caused by the death
dealing naked lamp. With constant loss
of life produced by this dangerous imple
ment, tbe conclusion is indisputable that its
use, except under the clearest proof of the
absence of all danger, should be stringently
prohibited.
NASBYS OF TO-DAT.
The late D. R. Locke won a national
reputation 23 years ago by the portrayal in
misspelled literature of the views in politics
held by an old Bourbon Democrat The
characteristic of his opinions was that they
revolved about what to him was the central
point, the possession of the postoffice. It is
an instructive example of the persistence
of a universal human quality that exactly
the same quality of Kasbyism is now
rampant in Republican circles of Boston.
The organs and leaders of Republicanism in
that center of culture-are now agitated with
the conviction that unless they can get hold
of the postoffice the Republican administra
tion will be a hollow mockery.
The recognition of tbe supreme criterion
of the postoffice spoils in politics is made
emphatic by this case. General Corse was
appointed by Cleveland not as a politician
but as a reformer. Jacksonian Democrats
denounced the appointment as a surrender
to mugwumpery, in placing the qualifies-.
tion of the appointee above the supreme
duty of ladling out the pap to workers.
The results in actual dispatch of business
have been such that the business interests
of Boston are urging his reappointment
The civil principle which the Republican
platform so boldly declared tends the same
way. Beyond that the principle which the
Republican party enacted into law years
ago, that with equal qualifications the
preference in appointments shall be given
to veterans of the war, is clearly on the side
of General Corse. But all of these are of
no weight in the scales against the principles
of Kasbyism, which cause the organs to cry
alond that nothing must be left undone to
avert the evil of not getting the Republican
politicians into the postoffice. Business in
terests, reform principles and the professed
love for the soldier are nothing. The de
sire of Petroleum V. Nasby to write post
master after bis signature is the ruling pas
sion. The Nasbys of Boston may or may not
get hold of the postoffice of that city; but
they will succeed in showing that Locke's
satire was nothing more than commonplace
fact beside their views of politics.
THE JOHNSTOWN LOAN.
Members of the Legislature are said to be
in great doubt whether the bill for the reim
bursement of Mr, Kemble is constitutional,
but they prefer to put the responsibility on
Governor Pattison. This may be a per
fectly proper proceeding. If it is plainly
unconstitutional tbe Governor will veto it
And then, how will Mr. Kemble get his
money? The better way to have disposed of
this matter would have been by the calling
of an extra session of the Legislature at the
time of the flood. That is easily seen now.
But there were difficulties at the time. It
would seem that there should be some con
stitutional way of repaying a loan made
under such circumstances.
The action of certain young women who
refused to appear in tights in a new perform
ance of "Pinafore" is criticized as false mod
esty by tbe New York JZvenins Sun. It may
have been false modesty, but it was good dra
matic j augment "Pinafore" won tbe applause
of the amusement-loving world without resort
ing to the all-pervading tights. The manager
who wonld wreck tbe music of the sailors'
chorus by resorting to the meretricious device
of young women sailors with a generous dis
play of form, displays his ignorance of the
qualities which won the Gilbert and Sullivan
operas tbelr popularity.
It has again been discovered that the
English navy is worthless.. Still, it will hardly
be discreet to twist the leonine tail too reckless
ly or to challenge tbe worthless fleets to try con
clusions with the alleged defenses of our sea
coast citios.
It is referred to as an example of "the
perfection attained by the modern science of
Wall street rumor mongering" that Jay Gould
on his Southern trip was shadowed by a spy in
the pay of the bear combination, who was
charged with the duty of telegraphing North
any unfavorable news about the health of the
railway king. And It is also an example of tbe
value of the information obtained by the scien
tific system which resorts to spies that this
particular shadow, when he did not have any
unfavorable news to te!:graph. did his best to
earn his salary by manufacturing the news.
If that promise of putting the wires un
der ground within a year, which was heard last
year in Pittsburg, were fulfilled our city would
get ready to hold a May pole dance around the
poles on every block in the city.
It is somewhat stunning to read in a re
view of Meissonier's death by Theodore Child,
that "Meissonier's funeral was a failure, and
from the scenical and cynical points of view
his death was not a success." Tbe inference
that tbe Parisian undertakers did not get tbe
great painter decently Interred is duly cor
rected in the context But it remains to be
said that if bis death and funeral were so de
void of snecess, Meissonier would probably be
glad of a chance to try it over again by the ligbt
of experience.
An English socialist says that the trouble
with this country is that there is not enough
discontent Consequently he will try. to make
up the lack by being discontented over tbe ab
sence of discontent
That Indiana anti-Trust bill which pro
vides fine and imprisonment for getting up
such combinations is denounced by the Boston
Traveller as "demagogical,"wlth the further re
mark that it would punish membership in labor
unions. Which naturally provokes the ie
mark that if it did so it wonld be the reverse of
demagogical and the esteemed Traveller would
be enthusiastically in favor of it
Sib John Macdonald's idea that the
United States wants to bo annexed to Canada
is a grievous error, of which tbe honorable Bar
onet should speedily free himself.
A Florida farmer has written to the
President demanding that he be made Secre.
tary of the Treasury. His claim to the position
is the same that is urged on behalf of numer
ous eminent statesmen who were struck by the
recent elections. He is out of a job.
Both the Democratic Governors of Hew
York and Pennsylvania are perfectly willing to
let it be a long time between declarations on
the silver coinage question.
There are indications that the bananas,
oranges, picnics and other semi-tropical fruits
which Colonel Pat Donan was producing out In
North Dakota have been sadly nipped by re
cent blizzards. Further products in that line
are suspended until next winter.
That cold wave which is promised for
to-day cannot come to time too promptly to suit
tbe yearnings of the people for relief from tbe
reign of mud.
"A COMIC opera composer has five wives,
all living," remarks tbe Philadelphia J'ress.
And yet it was supposed such things were con
fined to Mormonism and Mahommedauism,
neither of which sects have yet been known to
produce any comic opera.
NEVER EXCITED.
A California Man Wanted a Divorce
Be-
cause of Cruelty.
Alta California.
The divorce salt of Abraham Maurice against
Yetta Maurice was on trial before Judge
Troutt yesterday. The complaint alleges ex
treme crnelty as a cause for separation. The
plaintiff while on the stand yesterday, by his
manner of answering the questions pro
pounded, afforded considerable amusement to
a large number of spectators. He said his
wife was "awful cruel," that she on one occa
sion chased him around the house with a
hatchet "And, Judge," continued the witness,
"I was so frightened I did not know what to do.
I got excited for tbe first time in my life.
Judge, and nearly jumped out of the window.
I ran toward the window, and and I nearly
jumped out"
well, did you jump out?"askea the attorney
for tbe wife.
"No. jou bet 1 didn't I only threw my grip
sack out."
"W as that all of that trouble?"
"Yes, that was all there was that day."
"When was the next tronmer
The next morning. Just after we got up,
Yetta, she get mad again and say she throw me
out We run round, and round, and ronnd,
and I could not cct out, but she couldn't catch
me."
"Did you get excited on tbat occasion?"
"Ob, no. I never cet excited only that once,
when I nearly jump out of the window."
"What do von do when your wife chases you
and says she'will throw yoo out?"
"I ifon't do nothing. 1 runs and gets out
quick."
The examination continued for some time,
but nothing more definite in support of tbe
charge of cruelty was obtained as far as the
taking of testimony had proceeded up to the
.time oi adjournment.
THE PITTSBUJRG- DISPATCH,
SNAP SHOTS IN SEASON.
More effort is made by men and women
to stand among tbe elect on earth than the
elect in heaven.
Were you ever confined to a room on a
rainy, winter day? If you ever suffered the
tortures of slow convalescence during the sun
less season of course you know how it feels.
But you of the whole and healthy class yon
who bave never tasted vile doses, been smarted
by strong plasters, stung by sharp knives,
racked by sharp pains, tortured by sore swell
ings don't know what suffering in this world
really means. The invalid indoors smiles at the
sun just like the well ones out of doors. So,
too, is be depressed by the clouds ind the rain,
the dark and tbe damp. So he sits and sighs
through tbe sluggish hours. On the panes the
diamond drops beat and flatten. They seem to
be cut in two by the contact and chase each
other downward to spread out on the sash
and form a tiny stream streetward. The
sooty specks which float on Its silvery,
rope-like bosom are tossed and lost just like
the craft on the treacherous current of tbe big
stream that washes tbe living walls of the
world. And how the big drops overtake the
little drops, and devour, obliterate, overcome
them, just like the big eat up, crush, over
power the little in tbe battle that will never
end until the secret is revealed. Then tbe
wind shifts, tbe patter changes, and the pure
pellets, which througn the panes look like tiny
ropes of liquid silver, beat a newer song.
Plaintive chords grow fierce under the short
lived gust, and cry out under the wild lashing,
while the stream formed on the sash swells and
speeds on, like a river at full flood, sweeping
off all in its ruthless riot Then it in the
rain seems to pierce tbe panes and throw
showers of mist In your tired eyes. You
look as through a veil sprinkled with diamond
dnst The honse across the way seems farther
off, and redder in tbe somber staining shadows.
Does run closer to the wait Women pull their
bedraggled skirts closer and shout fiercely to
the children playing in the puddles. Men run
against each other and don't stop to apologize.
The wires strung to the tall poles down which
dust-fllled rivulets of rain run look like an
endless chain of polished steel beads. Smoke
strnggling from chimneys is beat down and
flattened into clouds that hide the soot-stained
pots. Wet and cheerless out shadowy and
damp within. So you sit and see the drops
drown each other on the window ledge and
wait for a rift In the cloud and a glint that will
transform the silvery drops into liquid gold.
The flying machine men will probably
take a fly in Wall street before they venture
into the azure
The game of forfeits seems to be popular
in petty criminal circles.
We don't want Canada. The weather
went down to 21 below zero there the other day.
She's too chilly.
McKinley was a martyr to duty, at all
events.
The Berlin man who advertised for a
wife and got a letter from his mother in Amer
ica sensibly decided tbat she was safer than a
mother law.
Monet is the only thing that talks in a
speak-easy.
People who set snares for the unwary in
the cities are frequently caught in the police
nets.
A Knotty Problem.
Only a ribbon blue, well worn,
Tied in a woman's way;
Did you a dainty Miss adorn,
Or deck out a Maiden grey T
Surely the fingers that knotted you so
Must have been taper or wrinkled, I know.
Were you discarded, cast aside.
Merely a coquette's toy T
Did your lost luster shock her pride t
Did your frayed ends annoy T
Perhaps you were lost as she sped along.
To be torn and soiled by the passing throng..
Only a ribbon blue, well worn.
But not on neck or hair
Wero you by Miss or Maiden borne.
Else you would Btill be there.
I'll make a guess, back it with a quarter.
That you have done service as a garter t
When it comes to scandals that are
scandals, London and Berlin can give Paris a
pat band and win out easily.
The cry of labor seems to be smothered
in the committee rooms of National and State
capitols.
The lymph of kindness will cure some griefs.
BLANK astonishment is writ on the faces
of those who miss the winning numbers in the
lottery.
Sentiment that spares murderers and
acquits criminals proves that tbe heart can
turn the head.
Why is a pickpocket like a gunsmith ?
Because be rifles pockets.
The great profits of railroading come to th
surface when a magnate goes to his fathers. The
stockholders seldom make a mill.
Politicians snap their fingers at a vote
of censure after securing the votes necessary
to elect them.
The Economite banquet Sunday seems to
bave been a swell affair. Dried apples were on
the bill of fare.
The baseball men seem
with the King of Misrule.
to be in League
Cal Brice is going heavily into the
South American steamship business. Now look
out for a flood of watered stock.
The only lawmakers doing real work at
Washington and Harrisburg are those who be
long to the steering section called the lobby.
The only tramps in
made by the feet.
Pittsburg are those
Discbeet folk never have a secret to tell
or a prediction to venture.
Water promises to cause more trouble in
Allegheny than alcohol.
The coquette lives in a fool's paradise,
but when she reaches for the fruit she finds
her bands full of ashes.
The opera singer who reaches the high
notes must have a soar throat
Senator Quay is going fishing and his
son Dick is going with him, . presumably to cut
bait. One draws pay from Uncle Sam and tbe
other from the Commonwealth. Some public
offices are private snaps.
When the next campaign arrives those
who are roasting Don Cameron will not want
to look backward.
Some military commanders get more
glory by leaning on their staff than wielding
their sword.
When the cruel baseball war is over the
mosquitoes will appear. Pity the sorrows of a
Lieague city.
Most girls prefer male companions with
engaging qualities.
Why is religion like paper money? Be
cause it is divided into several denominations.
Every time Jay Gould gobbles a railroad
tbev say he is ill. It's enough to make any
man feel the pangs of indigestion.
The fellow at the top of the heap thinks
a heap of himself. Willie Winkle.
An Evening nf Pleasure.
Aliqulppa Council No. 67, Jr. O. U. A. M.,
beld an entertainment at Enterprise Hall, Mc
Kee's Rocks, last nigbt A largo audience
listened appreciatively to a lengthy yet enter
taining programme of music and literature.
Chief Marshal T. J. Morley. of the coining
paraaOi-maue-iuv upeuiuji auuxesa.
m,
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY
OUR MAIL POUCH.
The Coming Canadian Election.
To the Editor of Tbe Dispatch:
Dear Sir I have been very much amused in
reading the long letter by your very American
correspondent at Montreal, on what be is
pleased to term tbe "great crisis in Canadian
history." The wish in his case is evidently
father to tbe thought only let him possess his
soul in patience until after the 5th of March,
and then see what sort of a figure the Ameri
can colony in Canada (said to be 70,000) and tbe
few annexationists and other traitors will then
cut at tbe polls.
Annexation is just about as probable for us
as it is for New England to apply again for po
litical admission to the Dominion of Canada.
(Maine did make such an application.) The
United States is not onr best market by any
means. Statistics will show this. Wo are
simply competitors living happily and prosper
ously under a tariff over 50 per cent lower than
yours.
What a glorions privilege the prospect of
having our taxes more than doubled by our
very disinterested Yankee friends at Washing
ton, and for what? A share in tbe privileges of
general competition with;our Yankee cousins
from New York, Pennsylvania, etc. Your cor
respondent says there are only three courses
open to ns:
Tbe first and second we now hold practically,
the third, contains very little honey for us.
Tbe letter of "Engineer," In same issne, on
Canadian ship railroads, when relieved of the
usual amount of spread-eagleism, simply means
tbat there is more enterprise to the square inch
(in proportion to population) In Canada to-day
than in this country. Look at all the great
works, bridges, tunnels, canals, eta, between
the 'Soo and tbe sea," and Canadians have no
reason to feel ashamed of themselves.
Yours, etc., Montreal Elector,
(Who will be on hand on the 5th.)
Pittsbtjrg, Feb. 18.
Abont the Tax System.
To the Editor of The Dispatch:
A few years ago I was In a town in the "Wild
and Woolly West" in which a great commotion
was caused through the biting of a child by a
mad or angry dog. The child was taken sick
and had convnlsions, though whether cansed
by the bite of the dog or from eating green
apples was never fully determined. However,
the citizens were aroused, a meeting was called
and a proposition made to kill all the does in
tbe township. Bnthow? They could not in
vade a man's castle and destroy his private
property, so the wise heads took council and
decided to put a tax of J5 on every dog then
owned within the corporation limits, and it
worked welt It worked as all taxes save one
does work, in the restriction or diminution of
the article taxed, whether it be a yellow dog. a
mechanic's home or a fine business block, in
deed this law of high taxes and restricted
augmentation is like unto the laws of tba
Medes and Persians, for it has never changed.
And now to my moral. In Saturday's issue of
your paper these inspired words occnr: "There
is a lack of judgment in a tax system which dis
courages improvement of real estate." Wbat
made you spoil tbe fine effects of the above by
by adding the following:
"But the experience of the past few years in
this city does not look as if tbe bulldingindustry
had been entirely choked off by our tax sys
tem." But it has, Mr. Editor, not entirely, but to at
least SO per cent You must remember that
Pittsburg is a very wealthy city one of the
wealthiest in the United States in proportion to
population, Onco remove the taxes on improve
ments on industry and its effects on Pitts
burg would be marvelous. There would be no
1,000 houses on 840,000 lots, as can
be seen all over your big city to
day. Instead there would spring up fine
structures on every hand. Ten bonses wonld
be erected where there is now one; 60 mechanics
would find profitable employment where one
is needed to-day, and your city would soon be
one ot magnificence as well as thrift
I wish you wonld reprint that little squib
about Franklin's watch in this (Sunday's)
edition, using tbe deadly parallel, and putting
in your second column the facts about that
piece of property which was worth 81,200 50
years ago, but which "now represents a small
fortune." Give us the full facts, and tell us
whether it was tbe land or tbe buildings that
has caused it to multiply so rapidly in value.
Dollars to doughnuts tbat the improvements,
tbe bondings, the labor expended upon it does
not represent 1,200, which would of course
make the "small fortune" represent the "un
earned increment" W. H. STABKEY.
Pittsburg, Feb. 15.
tfBOMIKENT PEOPLE.
Queen Victoria will not visit Florence,
Italy, this year, as proposed, on account of the
unhealthy condition of that city.
The Emperor of Austria sent the German
Empress a diamond set which cost 115,000 as a
gift in celebration of her infant's christening.
Mrs. John Elliott (better known to
the literary world as Maud Howe) is under
stood to be writing a play for Richard Mans
field. The Marquis di Rudini, the new Italian
Premier, is a Sicilian, 58 years old, tall, strong
ly built, and with a full flowing beard tbat
makes his appearance the more striking.
Mr. and Mrs. Riser Haggard, who
left their little bunch of three children behind
them in London while they pushed their way
into Mexico, will have the misfortune to learn
that one of them died last Wednesday.
David B. Hill's seat in the Senate will
be the one directly behind Senator Gorman's.
His right-band and left-hand neighbors will bo
Senators Daniel and Colquitt. Tbe seat has
been occupied for a dozen years past by Senator
Wade Hampton.
Robert Buchanan, the poet, novelist
and reviewer, was a poor Scotch village boy a
score of years ago, withont fame or fortune, or
prospects of either. The success he has had in
literature has been won by hard work and
merit, but to-day be is one of tbe foremost men
in London literature life.
General Sherman was about the only
one of the more famous Union commanders
who lived to complete his 70th year. Grant,
Sheridan, Thomas, Hancock, Meade, McClelian,
Warren, McDowell, Halleck, Hooker and Burn
side, all went over to the great majority before
reaching three score and ten.
John Baring, the first of the name in
England, was tbe son of a poor minister in
Bremen, Germany. He went into business in
England, as a clotbmaker, 200 years ago. His
son Francis became a merchant and a .member
of the East India Company snd thus' laid the
foundation for the fortunes of the house of
Barings, now Baring Bros.
Lord Tennyson is well known for his
apprehension of being mobbed, and many
stories are circulated in regard to tbis
monomania. One in an English paper says tbat
Lord Tennyson was taking a country walk with
a friend, when a fellow creature was espied in
the distance. "We must turn back," said the
poet "that fellow means to waylay us." His
companion persuaded him, however, to con
tinue tbelr on path. They caught up to the enemy
and passed bim. He took no notice of tbem
whatever. "What an extraordinary thing,"
cried the irate poet "tho fellow seemsjto havo
on Idea who I am!"
POST-ELECTION EXPERIENCE.
He Had Voted Early and Often for
the
Candidate of His Choice.
San Francisco Call.)
A recent post-election experience of Super
visor Ellert is affording some little amusement
for his friends.
Shortly after tbe municipal election, so the
story goes, the genial member from tbe Sixth
ward chanced to meet an old colored man
whom he had known for many years, and after
greeting him Mr. Ellert said with a smile:
"Well, Sam, I suppose it isn't necessary for mo
to ask if you voted for me, I am sure you did."
The old colored man scratched his head in a
puzzled sort of way for a moment and replied
with an air of hesitation: "To be honest with
you, Jlr. Ellert I done vote for de uder man."
"You're honest about it at any rate, and as
I like candor, here is a dollar for you. Try to
do better for me next time."
Slowly Sam reached for the dollar, and as he
beld It in bis band be scrutinized it carefully,
then with a show of embarrassment said slowly:
"You owes me S2 more."
'Why. how is that?"
"f done vote for you three times."
Sam hasn't collected tbe balance as yet or
hadn't at least at last reports.
DEATHS OF A DAY.
Henry KuhL
IBrECIAL TELEQKAM TO TBS DISPATOn.l
F bxedOM, Feb. 18. Adam Euhl, of Freedom,
received a letter to-day tromhls father, of Lohra,
Germany, stating mat nis Brother, Henry Knhl,
late or Freedom, died on the 2d Inst Mr. Kuhl
left Freedom In .November, last year, to visit Dr.
Koch, but when he arrived at bis old home he was
not able, on account of weakness, to 6ee the ereat
proiessor. Mr. Kuhl was onlyM ycar or age.
Mrs. James D. Best
Greensbueq, Feb. 16. Mrs. Best, wife
of James D. Best, Clerk of Courts, died suddenly
this morning from a hemorrhage, bhe was about
29 years old.
17, 189L
MUSIC INJHE MAIN.
The McCaull Company in Clover A New
Soprano Kajanka's Scenic Glories
Primrose and West Minstrels Variety
Performances of Many Sorts.
The McCaull Opera Company made its an
nual appearance here last night at the Grand
Opera Honse before a large but painfully
chilly audience. The opera chosen for the oc
casion was Von Sunpe's "Clover," tbe best ot
that composer's works, in our opinion, and
certainly tbe most popular in America.
"Clover" has been performed once, if not
twice before, in Pittsburg by the McCaull Opera
Company, and its merits have been pointed
out in tbese columns before. Tbe great good
quality which the opera possesses is its general
melodiousness. There are tbree or four, per
haps halt a dozen, of tbe songs tbat are really
charming. The plot is of tbe weakest al
though tbe sentimental love story on wbich it
tnrns is pretty enough. Like most imported
operas the libretto is simply worthless abso
lutely and minutely silly and vacuous. What
fun and wit there are in the dialogue got there
throngb De Wolf Hopper in tbe first place, and
Digby Bell in the second. That tbe comic ele
ment is as strong as it Is is merely a testimony
to the cleverness of tbese two comedians. Last
nigbt Digby Bell displayed his subdued and
singularly original bumor in tbe part of
Casiml -, and departing from tbe traditions of
De Wolf Hopper who was seen here last in the
character, made Casimir broadly funny In the
qnietest ways. The local allusions
were well conceived also, and Casimir's
resolve to get wealth by "buying
a poor farm and selling it to tbe city" witb 100
francs, and Westinghouse stock with the other
hundred, was received with a big rouna of ap
plause. A new song in the third act entitled
The Potato and the Acorn," was capitally sung
by Mr. Bell, and tbe contrast of tbe witty lines
with the solemn air was none the less amusing,
because the latter suggested tbe motive of
Gounod's "Palms" quite forclblv.
Tbe vocal strength of the McCaull company
in its present shape is quite remarkable in
tbese days of comic opera in tbe hands of
farceurs. Miss Helen Bertram as Stella was a
delightful revelation of a new prima donna in
light opera. She sans here tbree years ago m
Emma Abbott's company, but last night she
appeared under far more favorable auspices.
Her voice is not only beantiful in Itself, but
has been excellently trained, and tbe songs in
"Clover" which fall to Stella's share were
rendered by Miss Bertram with exquisite
feeling and no little brilliancy. Her songs
were all encored. Mr, Chauncey Olcott, the
tenor of the company, also made an excellent
impression. The rich quality of his voice and
tbe unwonted manliness which accompanied it
make Mr. Olcott very valuable in such a role as
Kudolph. Heis one of tbe best tenors heard
here tbis year. The merry and comely Miss
Annie Myers plays Fanny with the samo spirit
and humor as of yore and the minor characters
are competently filled.
Tbe chorus is not what it should be in many
respects, and apparently contains some who are
not familiar with the music or business of
"Clover," but tbe concerted finale of the third
act and some other numbers were well sung.
The orchestra was obtrusively loud at tlme3
last night
Tbe audience was not demonstrative at all,
and the work of tbe company deserved more
applause than it obtained, although encores
were plentiful. "Clover" will be repeated to
night Bijou Theater.
The well-known spectacular' drama
"Kajanka" was reproduced at the Bijou last
evening, but reproduced with such sweeping
changes and improvements that it was virtually
a new piece. Tbe Miller Brothers have as
sumed control of "Kajanka" since its last ap
pearance here, and have certainly done wonaers
in tbe way of Introducing novel specialties
and magnificent scenery. Tbe story of "Ka
janka" is laid in ancient India but then no.
boay coes to see "Kajanka" for its story. Miss
Bessie Fairburn plays Electro, tbe good genius
of tbe pieoe, while Miss Nellie Sennett as Beel
zebubQueen of Sheol is delightfully, though
very mildly diabolical. .Mr. W. Huge makes a
sprightly Zamello, while Messrs. Joe Allen and
R. W. Broderick, as the rival High Priests, are
distinctly funny. Mr. Charles Ravel, of
tbe old Ravel family, is tbe thoroughly
competent clown of the pantomime part
and the Mariposa dancers Imported from Lon
don by the way are very pretty young ladies,
and extremely graceful dancers withal. Mile.
Bertotto is a winsome little maiden barely 12
years of age, bnt her dancing and quick change
business are really clever. Tbe Marlams,
French acrobats, furnish several very novel
and difficult feats, with the farcical assistance
of Charles Ravel.
Tbe staging of "Kajanka" could hardly be
better. All tbe scenes are new; those of the
fairy grotto and the crand transformation be
ing remarkably beautiful.
The Duqaesne Theater.
Although the Duqucsne Theater has estab
lished a record for novelty and excellence in
its shows, there is room to question whether
the current engagement tbat of Primrose &
West's minstrels fully maintains that reputa
tion. In the main the show is a good
one, but it is all grouped about tbe
personages of Primrose, West and Dockstader,
tbe latter being decidedly in tbe lead. Tbere
is an absence of the "chestnut" in the funny
work, but with tbe exception of that con
tributed by tbe leaders, it has little recom
mendation, save tbat it is new.
Tbe minstrelsy opened last evening with the
tbe time-honored full company olla podnds.
Mr. Joseph Natns sang "Comrades" very well
indeed, while Messrs. Reynolds, Davis, Natns
and Garland contributed a quartet, "Annie
Laurie," which was harmonious enough, but
somehow knocked half the poetry out of the
doar old ballad. Mr. J. Melville Jansen and
tbe inimitable .Lew Dockstader were clever and
comic; while George H. Primrose made rather
a hit in "New Coon Done Gone," a
melody of the Christy type. In "The Swell" he
was also well received, and bis suit could be
beard even above tbe applause. William H.
West's original skit "Fun-o-graph," was
amusing in the hands of George Powers, Dan
Waldron and W. H. Smith. Lew Dockstader
was enthusiastically applauded in "Misfits,"
which gave him a chance to sing several laugh
able parodies in his best style. His local hits
were especially well received. "Tbe
"March of the Imperials," produced under
Mr. W. H. West's supervision was an artistic
bit of grouping; and "A Horrible Nigbt"
which closed the performance was a novel
scrap of negro pantomime.
Harris' Theater.
Tbe periodical visits of N. S. Wood to tbis
house are invariably tbe signal of a big week's
bnsiness. Mr. Wood comes tbis year with a
play he has presented here before, with almost
the same company he had last season, but the
theater was packed at both performances yes
terday. The scenery carried by tbe company is
appropriate to the play, which Is a melodrama
ol the New York slum type, and the plot wbich
is, of course, a deep one, full of dire possibili
ties which are always headed off by tbe hero, is
well sustained. A number of specialties which
are introduced assist in making tho entertain
ment a great drawing card.
Harry Williams' Academy.
Tho Rentz-Santley Novelty and Burlesque
Company reappeared at Harry Williams'
Academy last evening, and were received with
as much applause as on their last appearance
here, a few weeks ago. Tbe "Sensation in
Paradise," a spectacular burlesque in nine
scenes, affords opportunity for the intro
duction of capital variety artists, and a number
of handsome women, who add to their natural
attractiveness in being first-class performers.
Jack Hustler, in pretty Nellie Wilson, got
around tbe world again on time, despite the at
tempts of Charles Pnsey, as an Irish Arab, to
prevent bim. Tho La Porte Sisters made tbeir
usual hit in medleys and songs, and
Clara O'Brien and Kate Gilbert gave an
exhibition of knife throwing wbich sent a
thrill throngb the audience, lest the thrower
should bv accident impale her partner. Tbe
performances went with the usual dash char
acteristic of tbe Academy performers, and was
witnessed by a big house.
Harry Davis' Museum.
There is a fine assortment of savages at this
house this week, including four Samoans and
two Fijians. Tbev are decidedly interesting,
thomoreso as Atafou, one of tbe Samoans, is
a chief who assisted in tbe rescue of American
sailors when the big storm wrecked tho men-of-war
in Apia harbor March 16, 18S9. The stick
danco of the Samoans is curiously skillful.
The quarters for Mr. Collins, who is to
begin his long fast on Thursday next, havo
been fitted up comfortably in the curio
ball. In tbe tbeater an amusing entertain
ment of specialties is given by Professor and
Madam Zera, in magic; Emma Hall, a clever
dancer; William Lang, Alfred Tanner and
Mackin and Curdy. The brichtest feature of
the programme is Locklln's stereopticon views,
awue of which illustrate episodes In the late
General Sherman's life and elicited loud ap
plause. World's Museum Theater.
An unusually good vaudeville performance is
to be found tbis week at tbis honse. The
Retlaw and Alton Vaudeville Company give a
varied entertainment to which Retlaw and
Alton themselves contribute a new bar
act and tbeir extremely amusing hat
throwing. The farce comedy "Faces"
1 another humorous feature in which
Wilton JUii Ni'Uoti and Miss Gerard
Dgure to advantage. The heavy juggling of
Audv Gaffney, the grotesque dancing of Mor
ton. Reno and Mack, and Auz-iIj, the human
fnrlMnraw. are worth seelne also. In the curio
ball the $10,000 twins, the Martin Sisters, , and
Miss Millie Owens, witb a wonderful head of
Xhalr, are the principal attractions.
SOCIETY IN LENT.
Edmund Itossell Makes a Startling Asser
tion His Views on Tinted School
Rooms and Complexions Another In
teresting Lecture Sequel to the Sani
tary Ealr Social Chatter.
Edmund Russell, in his Iectnre at the Penn
sylvania College yesterday afternoon, made the
rather startling assertion that every room in a
young ladles' school or seminary should be
tinted, in paper and furnishings, to harmonize
with the complexion and the eyes of the occu
pants. Tbe young lady students of tbe college who
were present exchanged mischievous glauces,
and then looked across at their principal, the
stately Miss Pelletreau. whose kindly lace was
suffused with color as sbe laughingly met tbeir
gaze, and who embraced tbe opportunity
offered at tbe close of the Iectnre to remark
that it was hardly consistent to expect rooms
to be papered and furnished for individual oc
cupants, when all of such work was neces
sarily completed before the opening ot tbe
school year, before it was known who tbe
students were to be, wbat tbeir complexions
were, or wbat the color of their eyes or balr.
And in concluding, Miss Pelletreau queried of
Mr. Russell if, when a room was neatly papered
with a modest negative paper, its beauty was
enhanced in any way by promiscuous picture
cards placed at various Intervals of wall, from
which dangled tiny lead pencils with blue
ribbon streamers, and if lawn tennis racquets
gave an artistic finish to a room.
This time tbe yonQg ladies' laces were sul
fated, and Mr. Russell, while condemning all
such "jimcracks," was a trifle disconcerted
over his sweeping assertion regarding the
maidenly apartments, but be compromised by
saying: "Icon would permit each young lady to
paper and furnish her own room according to
ber necessities in coloring, would you not Miss
Pelletreau?"
"Certainly, I would be pleased to have each
one exercise her taste in that manner." re
plied tbe charming principal, realizing that sbe
bad rather the better of it all aronnd, while
Mr. Russell continued with a few remarks to
the effect that as a school girl's room was. so
would her subsequent home be, in most cases;
hence it was necessary to educate ber in tbat
particular, as well as in the "ologies" and
sciences.
A Lecture on Honse Decoration.
The lecture was on house decoration and the
tbe college girl constituency of tbe audience
was augmented by a goodly nnmber of society
ladies, whose carriages awaited outside in tbe
winding driveways, and tbe drlvlngralnfall. In
this lecture, as in every other given by Mr. Rus
sell, harmony was the text and be commenced
by relating an incident of a dear, good Massa
chusetts woman, who lived in a very ancient
demoralized country home, but wished to have
her parlor, a south room, remodeled on itbe
sum of $10. How be, being a friend of the good
dame's, said: "Give me your X and 1 will see
wbat I can do for you." With wall paper of a
lovely russet orange color at IS cents a roll and
olive green paint, tinted witb turquoise and
orange, coloring tbe high, old-fashioned wains
coting, and the low, irregular ceiling beams, a
golden dream was realized tbat rendered the
absent sunbeams in tbe shadowy room of no
moment whatever. "Lincoln and His Family"
and "Washington at lit, Vernon" though
long used to honorary positions on
tbe wall wero then discarded and In
their frames, coated with colored paint was
placed photographs of classical subjects. A 75
cent plaster bust was then nroenred and coated
an antique russet tint, and there still remained
some 07 cents for furniture. Even.tbo amiable,
resourceful Mr. Russell was somewhat non
plussee at that stage, as tbe sofa and chairs
were black haircloth, but he finally conquered
by purchasing two yatds of olive-green canton
flannel, witb which be gracefully draped tbe
objectionable sofa, and still had 13 cents left
The good woman was delighted, but a little
atraid tbere bad been witchcraft in tbe trans
formation. Others wero also delighted, and
people traveled miles to see tbe room, return
ing home only to do likewise, without consider
ing at all their houses or tbe relations that
should exist between houses and furnishings.
And the result was that a perfect epidemic of
orange rooms visited New York and vicinity,
and cheap orange paper, bob-nobbed with
silken draperies and brocades and canton flan
nel, became familiar with Wilton carpets.
Hand-painted frames were put around expen
sive oil paintings, and the sun shone on a mixt
ure tbat was excruciatingly grotesque, as east
and south rooms alike succumbed to the dis
ease. Simply an Illustration of Congruity.
The story and the sequel were used to illus
trate congruity. That a room should be
studied In relation to tbe persons wbo occupied
it another story illustrated, whereby a proper
amount of care in making tbe wall duller and
grayer and zreener and colder than tbe human
flesh, tbe effect was to make youthful all those
who stood beside It. as tbeir complexions were
lighter and warmer and enriched by the con
trast. In connection with tbat, Mr. Russell
said: "Ladles, the complexion is a legitimate
study, and one to be cultivated only; put your
paint and ponder on tbe wall." In furnisbing
a room three things should be considered, said
Mr. Russell, materials aesiens and color, all
"come and look at me" designs, either in paper
or in drapery, should be "cut" entirely in favor
of tbe more modest indiscribably beautiful
symphonies in colors. So shonld all
scrapbook pictnres and museum bric-a-brac,
and all Dresden and Sevres china, as tbe insane
designs violate all principles of art and dwarf
tbe artistic tendencies, tbe little spotted rose
buds and beetles tbat adorn the edgeof tbe
pieces having no relation whatever to the gen
eral design. "Cast them all out" commanded
Mr. Russell, "and especially if they have any
abominable cupids posing on them anywhere,"
An Abhorrence to Mr. Russell.
Cnpids, by the way, are an object of especial
dislike to the Delsartean disciple, and he never
loses an opportunity of waning war against
them. Festoons are another aversion, and he
does not hesitate to make it apparent Set de
signs of any kind are inimical to art, which
should be synonymed with common sense, and
wbich means the right thing in the right place,
said Mr. RusselL Tbe millinery effect obtained
In rooms by the lavish supply of drapes, throws,
tidies and tbe elaborate chandelier and lamp
shades in vogue was especially deplored by tbe
speaker, who thouzht tbe piano lamps and tbeir
ballet skirt attire should be relegated to the
closet in the daytime and only allowed in good
society when tbeir presence was required, and
useless tidies and such things banished forever.
A greater and a higher simplicity was advo
cated by Mr. Russell in the furnishing of
homes.
A PLEASANT EJTEBTAINHEHT
Given by the Wllkinsburg Y. W. C. T. V.
East Evening.
A very pleasing entertainment was given by
the Y. W. C. T. U. in Wllkinsburg last evening
at the home of Miss Carrie Harr. The exer
cises commenced with a vocal quartet by the
Misses Foster and Alter and Messrs. Long and
Pollock. Then, after a guitar solo bv Joseph
Foster, there were recitations by.MissPershing,
the "Onion Recorder," by Miss Calderwood: a
guitar duet by tbe Messrs. Foster, ana soncs by
Messrs. R. A. Steel. Long and Pollock, Misses
Alter, Foster and others.
Tbe entertainment was preceded by a busi
ness meeting, at wbich tbe affairs of tbe
Wllkinsburg Branch of tbe Y. W. C. T. U. were
declared to be in a satisfactory condition.
Social Chatter.
A 3IU3ICALE is to be given by the "Willing
Hands Circle," of the King's Daughters, at the
residence of Mrs. C. L. Magee Friday, Feb
ruary 20, at 8 o'clock. Admission SI. Tickets
can be obtained by applying to tbe circle. Miss
Bnrd Edwards, Miss Sindle, Miss Rees, Miss
Faber, tbe Misses Aiken, Miss Gillespie, Miss
McCallum, Miss Pitcairn or Miss Friend.
Pink cards are out for a reception of the
same tint to be given by Colonel John B. Clark
Circle No. 11, Ladies of tbe G. A. R, Thursday
evening, March 5, at Cyclorama Hall, Alle
gheny. Tbe names of a number of prominent
G. A. It ladies figure on the card as
patronesses. Gernert will furnish the music
If tho programme, as outlined for the regular
meeting of the Woman's Club, this afternoon,
is carried out, a very interesting session will be
tbe result The subjects of the tbree papers to
bo read are "Peter the Great," "Women of
Russia, Past and Present" and "Catherine H."
AN entertainment was given last evening in
Wllkinsburg Academy Hall under tho auspices
of the Ladies' Aid Society of the Methodist
Church. A carefully selected literary and
musical programme was rendered.
Edmund Russell will speak to Mrs. C. n.
Magee's Iriends this afternoon, at ber lovely
Oakland home, on the subject of "Personality."
THE Lenton Reading Class met at tho resi
dence of Mrs. E. M. Ferguson, on Fifth ave
nup, yesterday afternoon.
DEAD SET AGAINST THE BILL.
Col. Andrews Comments Severely on
the
NIcaraugua Canal Scheme.
Colonel James P. Andrews returned yester
day from Washington, where he put in a few
licks against the NIcaraugua Canal bill, which
will come up in the House tbis week. The
Colonel states that, according to tbe bill, tbe
syndicate is to receive 200.000,000 for some
thine which costs onlv 165,000 000, and be pro
nounces 1 a "gigantic meal."
lie auds I hat ex-Senator Warner Miller and
others at tlio he.wt nr the scheme refused to
answer certain questions before the committee
unless they were kept secret The Colonel
thinks it Is a pretty state ot affairs wben Con--rxional
proceedings must be kent secret He
, , ,. - - - ... ... , . . --
thinks im nut wiu ce soeiveo
CURIOUS C0NDENSAT105S.
The late Duke of Bedford made the
twelfth peer to commit suicide during tnis cen"
tuty.
MarchlO will be the twenty-eighth anni
versary of the wedding of the Prince and
Princess of Wales.
Betting on tbe rainfall has been carried
on to such an extent in India that the Bombay
Government has passed an act f orbidding it
The barrels of rifles are made in large
quantities in tbe United States, but shotgun
barrels are all imported, and almost exclusively
from Belgium.
A pin consisting of a pennant of light
blue enamel, with the letters "B. C." In silver
letters, bas been adopted as tbe college pin of
Barnard College.
List week the water in Coos bay, Ore
gon, was so cold that multitudes of small fish
became chilled and died. Tbere were thou
sands of tbem floating on Isthmus slough.
Tbe programme of the new Italian Cab
inet inclndes schemes for reducing the military
budget without impairing the efficiency of tbe
army; protection and a revision of the bank
laws.
Thomas Dellert and "William Huddle
son, messengers delivering telegrams in sub
urbs of Portsmouth. O.. were mistaken for
burglars and shot and severely wounded by a
servant girt
A tornado near Trenton, Ga., carried off
a horse, leaving a sick man and his bed un
harmed, hut shelterless. Tbe neighbors turned
out and built a temporary shanty over tba
couch at once.
One of the most familiar faces on the
streets of Cincinnati Is that of Mrs. Robert
Schneider, tbe woman "newsboy." Sbe has
sold newspapers at a street corner stand for a
number of years.
Several Catholics are among the newly
elected members of the Parliament of Japan,
this being tbe first instance of tbe direct repre
sentation of Japanese Catholics in tbe govern
ment of that country.
A man in Hannibal commits suicide
after tbe model of the modern French duel.
He fires his pistol in the air, falls down, lies
motionless till hi3 suicidal intent ebbs away,
and then gets up and goes about his business.
At South Colchester, Ont, M. Brown,
aged Si, led to tbe altar Mrs. Margaret Clickert,
aged 87. Tbe groom had buried four wives, and
the bride mourned tbe loss of five husbands.
Her last husband died two years ago, aged 121
years.
Between 1863 and 1873 the unit of 'rep
resentation in tbe popular branch of Congress
was one member to 127,381 inhabitant: from
1S73 to 1883 it was 131.425; from 1ES3 to 1593 it is
151.912, and for the ensuing ten years it will ba
173,901.
For many years it was believed that the
atmosphere had a great deal to do with
thread-making, and that good thread could
only be made in Scotland. It Is now known
that it is all m the twist and nothing in the at
mosphere. There is one gentleman in Newman, Ga.,
who evidently does not consider marriage a
failnre. He was married about ten years ago.
and on each Christmas moraine since he bas
presented tbe minister who officiated at the
ceremony with a S10 gold piece.
A standing committee of the Reichstag,
after a prolonged discussion, has decided to
bring the question of women's claims for ad
mission to the German universities before the
general body of tho Reichstag, so tbat a divis
ion may be taken upon it
Chicago has developed a youthful prod
igy of a violinist named Dimond. He is a boy of
only 15 years, but his execution of difficult
compositions is said to be phenomenal. His
favorite instrument is an old plantation fiddle
tbat used to belong to one of his grandfather's
staves.
The mad King of Bavaria sometimes
smokes as many as 100 cigarettes a day. For
each cigarette be uses an entire boxof matches,
touching off tho others to see them burn after
he bas used one to secure a light He bas a
new suit of black broadcloth made for him
twice every week.
A plague of locusts recently visited the
Rawulpindi district in northwestern India
Such Immense heaps of the insects settled on
the railway lines that the ordinary trains could
not pass. A flight of locusts passing over
Jnelnm darkened tbe air like a thunder-storm,
and wben they settled on tbe trees, strong
branches broke under their weight
John W. Towt, of Ifyack, K". Y.. died
yesterday, in his S9tb year. During the war
Mr. Towt was interested In the "Underground
Railway" for fleeing slaves, and bis home was
one of the "stations." His love for the colored
race led to great benevolence In their behalf.
He founded their cbnrch In Nyjck, and wa3 its
main support His gifts to the Methodist
Church amount to a large fortune.
De Freycinet, French Minister of "War,
has issued an order tbat no person without sat
isfactory papers ftoni tbe military authorities
shall be allowed near any French fortification
or military establishment, and that French of
ficers and privates shall no longer lounge In
restaurant, hotels and cafes frequented by for
eigners. The object is to cnrtail the extent of
tbe Italian, German and Austrian systems of
espionage in France-
Otto Reimer, a convict in the Indiana
Southern Penitentiary, at Jeffersonville. is said
to be a brother-in-law of the eminent German
bacteriologist Prof. Kocb. Reimer was given a
two years' sentence for stealing a cheap silver
watcb at Terre Haute. He is probably tbe best
educated convict in tbe United States, speak
ne fluently German. English. French. Spanish
and Italian, besides being proficient in Greek
and Latin. He is 43 years old.
Columbus, Ind., has a remarkable case
of catalepsy, or trance sleep. The victim is
Jesse, 13-year-old son of Mand and Samuel
Stritt Fonr months ago be fell Into a deep
sleep that lasted 30 days. When he awoke he
said ho had been in heaven, and minutely de
scribed a trip his father had made into Illinois,
saying he had looked down upon bim from
heaven all the time. He bas again fallen
asleep, and for two weeks tbe efforts of physi
cians bave failed to rouse him.
There are fully a dozen dialects in
Italv, and Dr. Calegarls, of San Francisco, as
serts that they were all mastered by Cardinal
Mezzofanti who is now dead, and who could
speak 55 dialects and languages. It is related
of him tbat while be was at the Vatican a trav
eler arrived In Rome from Asia to be confessed,
whose language no one wbo met him could un
derstand. Cardinal Mezzofanti was sent for,
and found tbat even he had never heard it
spoken. By means of signs he learned the
stranger's errand, and that be had with him a
dictionary of his native tongue. This the Car
dinal took, and, informing tbe Pope that he
would be prepared in 2-1 hours to confess the
man, retired to bis room. Wben. at tbe time
named, be appeared and announced that he
was ready to proceed, it was found tbat be had
mastered the language sufficiently to converse
quite freely with the traveler.
WAIFS FROM WIT'LAND.
Jobbs "Why don't you bank your money,
Uncle Josh, Instead of keeping it in a stocking?
Uncle Josh Hnh 1 1 han't got much money. Be
sides. I'm afraid of banks.
Jobbs Why, tbe banks are perfectly safe. They
won't break.
Uncle Josh 'Tan't tbe banks I'm afraid of so
much as 'tis tbem tellers, if I put my money la
'm tney'd tell the assessors, and then bow'd I
swear my tax oil? Chicago Times.
Nevada, with a population about one
fourth tbat of Omaha, has resolved to hold aloof
irom tbe World's Fair If tbe Chicago Board of
Trade does not withdraw Its anti-free coinage pe
tition to Conjtress. If the Columbos .Exposition
manacement survives this shock it is capable of
standing anythlng.-OmaAa World-Herald.
Office Boy (rushing breathlessly Into a
sick room)-Mr. Lowmood, U It true that you've
got a genuine carbuncle?
Jlr. Lowmood Alas, too true!
Office Boy Well, llr. Goldsnoot sent me over
to tell you he'll pay the highest market price for
Hit Hain't off color.-JetMfe"' Weekly.
Mendicant in Newspaper Office Say,
boss, got any change to spare.'
"So, I'm the ex-change editor." Spokans
Spokesman.
"Hand me the paper cutter there," said
Llje.
Thst ain't a paper cutter," ssld B. MeKee.
"That's my grandpapa's sword." Seo Xork
Sun.
"Have you a press club in this town?"
aiVcd a literary visitor of the editor or the Slb
vlile Qenins of Liberty.
O, no, " replied the editor. "We kill poets by
stabbing them with the ofilce towet" Chicago
lnttr-Octan.
Aim low. So many numskulls have
aimed high and overshot the mark tbat no man
who Is now caught aiming high can get any credit
at the store. Aim low and bit the ground in the
cotton patch. Dallas, Tex.. Kelts.
The campaign lie is so lonesome when
there Is no campaign on that It writes open letters
for pastime, ewftrleans Picayune.
All of the saloons at Yankton, S. Dak.,
have been closed. Tbat settle's Yankton's
chances of ever belug the capital. Sew Orltam
,1StV4StU