16 THE PITTSBURG- DISPATCH. SUNDAY, FEBRUARY , 22, 1S9L ?v k A REVIEW OF SPORTS Yarions Phases of the Astonishing Action of the American Base ball Association. CAUSES OF THE BREAK AWAY. Absurdity of the Claim That Mr. Thnr man Was a Partisan Represen tative on the Board. MIICHELL'S DEFEAT OP LA BLAKCIIE. A Better Qui or Kiddle-Weights to tin front Tit Inkstiosi cf Climpun Fitismasni. Surely the immortal bard of Avon had a very correct idea of human nature when he Epoke about that class ot people who when clothed witn a little power play such fan tastic tricks before high heaven as do make the angels weep. The kind of characters referred to are to be found to-day and in goodly numbers. The American Associa tion is being led to its death by some of them; it is being strangled and all because two or three individuals, who at best are only puffs, have an illusory notion they are whirlwinds. As a result once more the 2?ar tional League is under seige; it is threat ened with destruction, body and soul, and if the pufled-np little people referred to have their way all the safeguards of the national pame will be trampled under foot and all the good work that has been done at enorm ous cost scattered to the four winds. This may be somewhat surprising to some, us it was only the other day that e were all shaking bands witb each other because the hatchet had been bailed and peace and good will were once more reisnins. But, oh; dear roe! a Lilliputian rabble, a motley little band, the brains ot uliuni wou'd not out-class cither in quantity or qualit six ounces of the coarsest caml made in the lowest slums in tbe country. This, then, is the material that is to raze the League to the crouncl, and these are the indlnduals who are chattering and splutter ing about the elevation of tbe game. Features of the Trouble Now, let nobody think that I look upon the present trouble as a fight. I do no such thing. Tbe Inequality of tbe twoparties kills all notion of a fight. If some giants lived in the interior of the pyramid, and a number of puny dwarfs, armed with their bows and arrows, tried to knock tbe pyramid over, the giants could sitin'ide quite banpy, comfort able and safe, and there would be m fight. Not stall; but tbe stuuld dwarfs would exhaust themselves in vainly and foolisblr trying to de molish or injure the abode of the giants. Why tbe results lotbe dwarfs ould be no more satisfactory than would be tbe Decking of a sparrow that was trjine to peck a meal from a polished iron beam .Nun that is just bow mat ters stand in baseball affairs to-day. The Asso ciation may bgntavtaj, but there is no necessity lor the League to fight: all that the latter need do isjut to reach out for an) thing or anybody It wants, and it will be forthcoming. I am wrong, am I? Why just as sure as we live, if Kellv and the little man Irwin bad yet been in the Lrague. or had they even be n noticed favorably by tbe League we nould have never beard tell of them as wreckers, or, more correctly, would-be wreckers. Poor deluded creature, and alo deluding creatures, lint it mav be that they expect to accomplish what they, aided by much abler men, failed to accomplish last year. If it really is a fact that an such like expectations are in their minds then they are bigger fouls than I bare imagined thev were. Depend upon it, what tbe late P. L. failed to do the As sociation with as many Kchjs. Irwins and Barmes as they can count will uot accomplish. There was some tangibility, of course, for tbe P. L. revolt, but goodness knows the Assoua lion has chosen its new patn under tbe rotten est protest ever planted before the public The latter cannot be hoodwinked now, and it is tbe duty of tbe pnbllc to get its feet firmly down on all such defamers of tbe national game as those persons who are now causing trouble. Tbe very way in which this break away has been made and the wav in which it is appar ently going to be continued show what a stupid lot of noodles are managing Association affairs. Cause of the Trouble, We have not far to go to divine tbe cause of this Association uprising. The alleged canse is the decision of tbe Board of Control in tbe cases ot Mack, Bierbaur and Stovey. I say 'alleged cause" because I am of opinion that that is not the real cause. But I shall now sav & few words anout it, be it real or alleged. The decision of tbe board was a just one by all means. When I say this I trust that.my read ers will credit me with being unbiasedon tbe matter, regardless of the fact that Pittsbure is Interested in it W hat 1 am now saying is my honest conviction regarding tbe case. From tbe beginning ol the contioversy I have claimed that baseball law was all on tbe side of Pitts burg. 1 satd this, of cour-e. assuming that Bierbaur had not been reserved and that. n body had stgued him piior to Pitts burg. Kow evidence proved that this assumption was correct when that was proven why there was not even ihe semblance of a pec for the Association people to stand upon, Mr. Wagner, who was claim ing Bierbauer, knew this better than anybody and I am only sorry that a eentleman of Mr. "Wngnei's mental ability allows himself to be influenced by such mental nondescripts as Kelly and Irwin. Well, as I have just stated the records showed that Bierb.mer had neiiher been reserved or signed by anvbody until Pitts burg signed him. Tbe proprietors of the Ath letic club bad failed to reserve either Stovey or Bierbauer and baseball law distinctly demands thatifa plajer is not leseived atthecloeof the season lie can sign with wbom he choo-es after waiting 10 days. Bierbauer wanted more than 10 da and finally he i-igned with PIns burg. Tbe latter was allowed to si en bim simp! because of the nt-clect of theAs-nciatlnu. Carele-sness was on me side of the AuS'i ciation and baseball law was on the side or the Pittsburg club, and the rase is so very, very simple in Itself mat It would seem ridiculous on the D irt of an body to "inject to the deris'on. The aecisi in could not pisibl have been oth erwise except being d recti, contrary to the yei plain provisions ot baseball law. Indeed, the fairni ss ot the deci-iou iaiidsuui so mainlv and 60 forcibly that Icanno br.ntr myself to believe that Asot lation mtgna.es are making it the real can&e for conn ct or trouble. The Probable Ileal Cause. But It strikes me that I he real cause of this break-avay is tbe deMre of the Association people to have a club in Cincinnati. It seems to me tnat they had made up their minds to bave a club in Cincinnati by book or crook, and have scued on the Board ot Control's action as a Dret.xtfor revolt. 1 he Association was in dire difficulties regardtntr its circuit. It only had seven cities and wanted tbe eighth. There was some hope for them get ing a club into Chicago, but that houe was not en couragiin:, ami thev did not want Milwaukee. A number of newspaper men wanted anv thing in Cincinnati exi ept Brush, and there by was great ei couragement, clandestine or hjpocrnical though it may bave been. Al Johnson was influenced to move with the As sociation, and the break was made. -Vow, all this was prearranged, because even advocates of tbere.nlt, particular!) those in Cinctnn itt, are telling its that tbe wreckers "burned the briuges behind them by signing all tneir go d player belore band." 1 his. then, shows con clusively that the Association people bad their eye on Cincinnati, and under any circumstances would bave u.ade an effort to place a club in there. Bat in this connection 1 cannot avoid tbe conviction that tbe League has been far from diplomatic in the Cincinnati case. Had tbe League come boldly out and said to Al Johnson: "Now, you can have one half of tbe League club that is to be put into Cinr-unati and we trust that this will end all trouble," the matter would have been settled there and then. Tbe Association would not have been able to make a move, in anvdtreciiin outside the limits i.f the national agreement. Bear in mind that I uo not think the placing of an Association club in Cincinnati will moan the safety of the Association. Icanno believe any cucb thing. 1 he Association, outside the na tional agreement, is doomed to di-strnctlon. "Witbou those safeguards which bave brought tbe national game to where it was in 1889 uo or ganization can exist; indeed. I am fully con vim ed that the Western Associa ion will be far ahead of the American iu a verv i,hort lime. There is nothing to protect tbe latter and Just as sure as a house built on sand cannot stand, just as sure will an oiganizatiou fall to pieces that is not protected. President Tbarman's Position, The uncalled-fur abuse that has been hurled at A. W. Thutuan stamps tbe offenders as hoodlums and blackguards. It is a disgrace to either the American Association or any other organization to bave sucb characters in their ranks. The idea that lias prevailed among the .Association "bright lights" has been to the ef fect that Mr. Thurman should hare supported every claim made by the Association, wbetber it was right or wrong. Tbe declarations of Barnle and others leaves no doubt whatever on this point. In other words, Mr. Thurman was sent to the board as a took and not as a man of judgment 'empowered to distinguish between right and wrong, and decide in accordance with right and justice. He was sent there to assist and to make efforts to secure even the most fraudulent claims of those won derful specimens of morality that are cow blow lng the Association to pieces. Why the ching is monstrous and outrageous. The members ot that Board ot Control bad no more right to support a claim merely because it comes from certain quarters than a judge has to acquit a rrurderer merely because he is a friend. Mr. Tburntan would have been a dis grace to everything or a judicial kind had he supported tbe Association claim on Bierbauer simply because he, Thurman, was President of tbe Association. vVere that policy to, be recog nized and adopted every claim made by a minor league would be ignored by tbe board, no matter how just it migbt be. If it in any way conflicted with the desires or interests ot those orgamzstions to which the members ot the board belong. That is the real and cor rect logical outcome of it and what do those ranting kickers, and supporters think of itt They daro not support it, Messrs. Thur man, Rogers and Krautboff are members of the boird as national representatives and not as partisans. They are In duty bound to object to all claims they deem unsound no matter wbero thev come from. 1 hat is their prerogative and if it were not so they have no business on tbe board as the board would belnerely a farce. The Duty of Players. At a time such as this It would be well for every ball player in the country to consider carefully before signing to play for any club that is outside the national agreement. It really is the duty of players to do this if they want to remain in tbe business, because as snre as life there will be some "cutting beads off' this time. Players in this Instance bave everything to lose and they would onh be used as tools at least by thos who are trying to injure the League. It puzzles me lo know how tbe Association can bold its own. financially, even if it should have Cmclunati all to itself, "ana in view of tbe prob ability ot financial failure, promised big sala ries don't amount to much. What show will Prince and his club have against the Boston League team? Just think of such basebill cities as Washington and Louisville. Tbe organization that proposes war on tbe League is made up of cities snch as named. On the other hand the League has Chicago. Brooklyn, New York, Boston and Pittsburg, which Is un doubtedly one of the best witb a good team in it. Bat all theso good and nrohtable cities are under the national agreement and that is worth considerable. Then comes the question: Where would a sensible and good player got Why. to tbe League, to bo sure. There is another view of it: If the Association commences the sea son and some of its clubs collapse before tbe soason Is out, w here w ill the players goT Those who have signed since this trouble began need not expect to look to the League. Promising young player", who, from now on, sign with tbe Association need never to apply to any other organization. It seems to me that, as a result of this trouble, several platers will be com pletely knocked out of the business. If they are they onlj hare themselves to blame. A Wrecker's Advocate. It is often amusing to note the absurd pleas and gasping efforts of defense tdvocatcs of a rotten cause make. These advocates know they are in an unwholesome business and inva riably their pleas are more like apologies than anything else. The other day I read the fol lowing in an organ that has perched itself on the side of the wreckers. I give the extract as a specimen of logic and apology used by those who desire to champion the cause of the rene gades. Here it is: "No one can blame tbe As sociation for its present attitude. The organi zation was treated shamefully by tbe Board of Control, principally, however, bv its own repre sentative. In breaking away it not only evens up ior injuries, but it has way tbe best of it. It has nothing to lose and everything to gain. It will nick up a dozen or more League players who have not vet signed contracts, and it will not lose any, as it burned tbe bridges behind it by signing all iis desirable players before mak ing tbe jump. Tbe Association has tbe upper band at the present writing. It is to be hoped tbat tbe war will be prevented. The most of the local enthusiasts would prefer to have the Cincinnati club in tbe League, but they will give the American Association a hearty recep tion." Under a Delusion. The writer of the above is a good-hearted and jovial soul, but I am afraid tbat he has become desperate of late and desires to insult every intelligent reader who subscribes for the ex cellent paper on which he, the former jovial man. writes. One wonld have thought that the words were from the pen of Mr. Facing Both Wavs. Here Is a sample of the reasoning in it: "It (the Association) will pick up a dozen or so League plavers who have not yet signed con tracts." "The Association has the upper band," but it is to be hoped tbat the war will be prevented." Dear me. Just fancy a "war prevented" when the Association "will" take a dozen or two Leagne players. Splendid way to prevent a war, isn't It? But, berond all, where are the dozen or so of League nlajers? I mean plavers that the League really desires to hold. Sweeping and frothy assertions amount to nothing at all, and when our friend talks about "shameful treat ment." etc. he is simply indulging in a lot of claptrap that cannot possibly lend any force to a cause among intelligent people. It wonld be far better if these persons who are Ij Ing in am bush at every turning ready to aid in anvtbiug that has for lis object disruption would for once make an effort to give some reasons for their enndne. Whatever may have been tbe real or alleged injuriesadministeredto i be Association in the past we must not forget that it is tbe present we are dealing witb. It tbe supposed wrongs Inflicted on tbe Association in the past were no more wrongs ban the recent decision of tbe Board of Control, it is absolutely sate to say tbat the Association has snffered no wrong at all. It has suffered by lack of baseball in telligence among its leaders, and is so suffering now; iudeed it is sirk unto death. But tbe truth is tbat no matter who or what was in clined to tight the National L"iue, there are a number of people who help that who or what no matter wbetber the cause was honorable or dishonorable to ihe lowest degree. What the League Should Do. Amid all this nonsense tbe National League has a verv plain and simple duty to perform. It can perform that duty loo without turning a hair of its bead, to use the metaphor. Now tbat tbe Association has washed its hands of the League and National agreement the League and other organizations are under no moral re straint preventing tbem from signing any good Association pliyer tbat can be secured. There need be no compunction on this score,as plavers themselves will, generally speaking, be.willing to come. And in making up tbe schedules for tl e season the Le igue should not for one mo ment consider tin- Association's Interest except to increase its difficult! es.Tbisfeature will please the Triumvir , no doubt, as thev think with conflioiiiig dates at Boston, Punce and hisclnb n on't last long. But when ma ters go that far the League has still further duties; I mean all the leagues under the N itional agreement have further duties to perform. They must then make up their minds to keep out forever all these persons who have so unreasonably caused this disturb nice. It should be remembered that the National agreement clubs bave noth ing whatever to lose and the Atueric in is bound to lo-e all even though it should last ihe presen season out. In short, th time has come to treat this rebellious element in a way that will have'effect on others. About tbe Local Club, Undnubtedh Pittsburg has come to the front n a very conspicuous way during tbe week. Tbe local magnates cannot desire any more ad vertising for their c ub than tbey have re ceived and what they are likely to receive. Tbe local club has, indeed, been a prominent figure during the la-t few days, and future genera tions tbat take pleasure in reading baseball annals can never refer to the Board of Control without thinking of Pittsburg. Well, we have been In obscurity long enough. It is about the first time on record ibat Pittsburg has obtained aLythlng like a fair show among the "many great" people. That being the case we needn't be surprised If some envious" people are trying to rob us of what we nave rightfully secured. The indications are that we will have a verv good club, and tbat baseball will regain Its old time popularity here. Our prospects of having good fielders and good bittern are excellent, but we need one or two more good pitchers. No matter how excellent our fielders may be, tbey cannot stop balls that are knocked beyond their reach, and it is only good pitchers and a sufficient supply of th-m tbat can keep the ball well within the reach of tbe men In the field. In abort. It is imperative tbat we nave some more good pitch ers, and I am glad to know that Manager Hanlon is confident of getting one or two shortly, lam quite prepared to give Pres ident O'NetU and Manager Hanlon any amount of thanks and credit for the work thev have done. And there Is much credit to be given to tbe directors, who have so bravely come torth and given our two hustling officials ihe power and the means to go among the people and de clare themselves. No two men can get along better together than Messrs. O'Neill and Han Ion have beenldoing. Tbe former depends al most implicitly on tbe manager, and 1 trust matters will continue so In future. Atanyrate 1 trust rbit the directors will in no way in terfere with the pair of very energetic clnb of. ficials. Mr. O'Neill has certainly won hissnurs, and tbe directors in fact, all of us should not forget this and give credit where credit is due. La Blanche and Young Mitchell. There has bee i so much to say on baseball matters this week tbat there is little room to say much about tbe other branches of sport. I bave an idea tbat a great number of people wonld be surprised yesterday morning when tbey Tread of La Blanche's very easy defeat by Johnny Uerget, alUi "Young Mitchell" While I was to Some extent surprised at the poor stand made by tbe Marine, I was not at all sur prised at the result. Referring to this battle last week I said: "1 have a very strong fancy for Mitchell mostly because I am informed that La. Blanche is not in the best ot condition. The latter is a very vigorous fighter, but If Mitchell is in any thing like his best form I am inclined to think tbat he will outgeneral the Marine." This keeps me right and of course those who were Influenced by my opinion would be on the right side once more. It Is not necessary to say much about tbe battle. La Blanche was not in his best form bet if be had been he could not have won because he was in front of a much better man than ever he was. And this leads us to the conclusion that we are. indeed, get ting a much better class of middle-weigh is than we have bad for a very long time. The truth is we have not bad any rirst-cla-s middle-weights. Of course I don't rank Deinpsey as a middle weight. Our real middle-weights have for sotuo reason or other, steadily been carry ing overweight and keeping themselves in tbe heavy-weight class. From now on I think there will be a change and that a large number of pugilists who have been rated as heavyweights will get down to their proper weights, and it will be all tbe better for tbem. lake a man like Smith, or Denver, for instance. He Is a powerful and active fellow, and 1 will be very mncb surprised if he cannot get down to middle-weight. If he was to get there bo would. Indeed, be a very dangerous opponent for any man in that class. But to refer to joung Mitchell again. 1 think he will bother the very best of tbem. He Is a clever and effective pu gilist. Fitzslmmons' Programme, Last week I made the remark tbat I would not be surprised if Fitzslmmons made arrange ments to go to England as soon as bis show en gagements wero done here. Ibis is just what, Fitz and his manager are doing. Tboy won't accept any challenge in this country, but have challenged the winner of the Burke-Pritcbard battle. Of course, tbe challenge will bo ac cepted, and then pugilist and manager will cross tbe Atlantic and have a great time in En gland In tbe exhibition business. II all and others can do what they choose to amuse them selves here in the meantime. AH this is modern pugilism, yon know. The show is greater than tbe ring, and all winners are alike in this respect. This latter-day club business has brought about the change and nobody can well blame Fitzslm mons and his manager for doing jus: what Dempsey, LaBlanche and others have already done. Matters will always be as they are until some very rigid rule is adopted and enforced causing a champion to fight an aspirant to tha title within six months at most. A refusal to do this ought to disqualify a man from holding any title whatever of a championship kind. And it is simply preposterous to force an as pirant to find a stake of 5.000 belore he can at tempt to win championship honors. This feature ought also to be abolished. PsnraLa. THE AMERICAN ENGLISH. One of John Bull's Newspapers Lectures Us on Pronunciation, Newcastle (.England) Chronicle. One hundred Americans, "representing all cultured professions in all sections of the nation," who were recently asked by Mr. Ernest Whitney to give their pronun ciation of a list of ISO words, have furnished him with a veritable chaos of orthoepy. Some ot these cultured pronunciations are truly "extraordinary" as 83 out of the 100 call it, Oiheraare at any rate inter esting as showing the variations between English and American pronunciations even of simple words. The short "a" is used by a large majority of the 100 in such words as "azure," "pageant," "patent," and even in "rather;" while the long "a" is preferred in "satyr," G4 per cent give "vase" as if it were spelt "vaice," "saunter" is pronounced "sahnter." "Do oile" is pronounced "dossle;" 70 and 80 per cent respectively give a long "i" sound to the first vowel iu "dy nasty" and "lichen." though 64 per cent render "isolate" as "issolite." Similarly large majorities gave a long "e" to "egotism" and a short "e" to "epoch." "Demonstrate" is accented on the second syllable by 53 against 40, and 7 vote for "venison" as a three-syllable word, against 38, who cut out the middle. While the "b" in "nerb" is only nsed,by 15 per cent, more than 60 per cent preserve it in "hostler" and "humorous," and 12 per cent still say "umble." Odder than these to English ears are "neflyoo" for "nephew," "lewtenant" for "lieutenant," and the long "e" sound for "leisure;" aud in the case of one word, "mercantile," not a man of the hundred agrees with us in pronouncing the last syllable "tile," 67 giving1 it as "till," and 22 as "teel." A Fact About Calendars, In this year's calendars only four rows of figures are necessary for February. This can only occur in February, and never in a leap year; also it can only occur when Feb ruary 1 falls on a Sunday. During the SNAKE ErVEK, WHEBE THE SUPPOSED BODY From a'photOBraph by Mis E. G. present century this combination of circum stances has only occurred ten times. SPECIAL ingrain carpet and lace curtain sale this week. Bead the ftirtline prices in another column, at J. H. Kuukel & Bro.'s $1 50 lace curtains at 98c; $2 grade, 51 25; $3 50 curt ins at 1 50; $4 50 curtains lor 52 37; 6 0 lace curtains for $4 37; hrxss uiouuied curtain iolp, complete, 12Jc, in grain carpet at lSX"! 45c heavv carpet at 29c; 0c grade al 3Se; best all-wool extra auper csrpet sold at 75c, during this s.ile 58c. These are only a few of the special prices fnrlhis week only at J. H. Kunkel & Bro.'s, 1347-1349 Penu avenue, two squares east of Union depot, Ton Can Save Time and Trooble When hunting for n house, if you consult the excellent rent lists appearing every Mon day and Thursday in The Dispatch. Oood Tenants Are Soon Secured By advertising your bouses and rooms in The Dispatch. Mondays and Thursdara are special rent list days. " ONLT pleasant results follow the use of ales and beers of the Iron City Brewing Co. AH dealers keep them. Household goods packed for shipment. HAUOli & K.EENAN, 33 Water street. BU Send in Tour To Let Advertisements For Monday and Thursdays, theapecial rent list days in Tbe Dispatch. Building and Loan Association, March series now open for stock in the Inter-State. Dividends last year over 18 per cent. Dues, 60 cents per month in eight year class; $1 20 in tbe five year. Of fice C06 Penn building. Special Ingrain carpet and lace curtain sale this week. Bead tbe startling prices we name for this week in another column, at J. H. Kunkle & Bro.'s, 1347-49 Penn avenue, Pittsburg. EYENTS THAT COUNT. Premier fiudini's Cabinet Inclines Toward Republicanism. EMPEROR WILLIAM'S AMBITION. How the English Sparrows Were Brought Into This Country. Wl.iL OP THE LATE DUKE OP BEDFORD rWBTTTEN TOB TOT DISPATCH. J The Sicilian statesman Di Bndini, who within a week or so has come into such prominence as the head of the new Italian Ministry, achieved but little fame in the past, but the future is before him, and as he has already se lected some very good material to assist him he may be successful in his efforts to quell -the disturbances at pres ent existing in tbat Signor Nlcottra.- Government's af fairs. Undoubtedly the best of his appoint ments is Gniseppe Sarraco, who has a wide reputation as a statesman and orator. His ability in matters of finance and public works have long ago been recognized. He was formerly a member of the Cabinet under Depretis, but retired iu 1889. By far the most remarkable of Sienor dl Kudini's appointments is that ofKicotera, than whom no more ardent Bepublican ex ists. He took Dart in the Neapolitan insur rection of 1848, and was among the followers of Pisacane when that individual attempted to raise tbe flag oi revolt against the Bourbons in 1857. For his part iu this affair he was tried and condemed to death. This decree being commuted to a life sen tence, he was finally liberated by 'Garibaldi, aud fought bravely thereafter under tbe lat ter's leadership. After the union of the Italian States he was elected to tbe Chamber ol Deputies as an Extreme Bepublican, and his ability there won him a place in the Cabinet under Depretis in 1876 as Minister of tbe Interior, but his methods while in that office were so obnoxious to his col leagues that he gave way to Crispi the fol lowing year. Sine, that time he has been implicated iu quite a number of govern mental scandals, and as one of the princi pals in a duel in 18S3 was almost expelled from membership iu the Chamber. On the whole the appointments to mem bership in the Italian Ministry so lar made, indicate a decided tendency to favor the Be publican element. Kaiser fVUhelm's Martial Ambition, Bumnr gives as a reason for Count Wal dersee's dismissal from the position of Chief of Staff of the German army, that he was too busily engaged iu manipulating the wires to succeed Yon Moltke as Marshal when the latter dies or retires, to please the fancy of the young emperor who intends to succeed Yon Moltke himself. The Kaiser's determination, together with his avowed in tention ol taking the field in person should occasion offe' or demand it, has engendered comment in some circles as to his ability to do so, bis youth being the mam consider ation. As Wilhelm is now over 30,there is really no necessity for alarm on that score. Some of the world's greatest military leaders have achieved fame at that ag and most of tbem before it. Alexander the Great defeated the famous Thelian band belore he was 18; had the then kuown world at his feet and was advertiaing lor others of the unknown variety by 25. Julius Cesar commanded a fleet atMityleneand otherwise distinguished himself be ore the age of 22. Hannibal was commander of tbe Carthaginian army in Spain at 2C. Charlemaene was a king at 26; master of France and the greater part of Germany at 29; held the iron crown ol Italy at 32 and was the conqueror of Spain at 36. Peter the Great organized his tremendous army at 20 years of age; won the victory of Embach at 30 and founded St. Petersburg OP EOBEET BAT HAMILTON WAS POUITD Walton, of Wilmington, Del. a year later, Frederick the Great had completed his brst Silesian war1 at 30 . Listlv, the greates. soldier of all.Napoleon, s a major at 24; general oi brigade at 25 and commander lu-cbief of the army of Ilalv Ht 26. Taking all these facts into consideration there is hardly any question that Kaiser Wilhelm is rine enough to achieve militarv distinction that is, it he has the ability. " Trouble for Baby King Alfonso. Amid all the ominous growling and mut terings in the countries of the Braganzas and Bourbons, there is at least one crowned head that is supremely oblivious to all the trouble. There is cer tainly something pa thetic, a something that era scarcely be translated, in the face of the little baby Kinc of Spain which seeW to suggest at times a partial appreciation of tbe existing state of affairs, but it is Spain's BabvKina. scarcely possible as AKonso XIIL is not yet 6 yeirs of age. However, sentimentalism" is neither here nor there in such mutters. Wheumenare in the humor to oretthrow Governments they halt not at tbe behest of either emotions or conditions, and it may be accepted as certain tbat if the clouds now treatening his throne ever burst, the chances of little Alfonso ever knowing what it is to be Jreiguing King are decidedly remote. Importation of English Sparrows. The English sparrow, so small as to hardly afford a mirk to shoot at, has at last become so large and important a quantity that state craft is interested in him to the extent of suggesting laws and means for his removal. When we look upon the myriads of these busy little creatures to be seen in and about I our cities, curiosity it manifested that with I in so short a time they bare become so plenti ifuJ, when previous to 40 yean ago theywea. ml 1 NSSssN A Csw.j J actually unknown. At first this mite of a bird was introduced through sentiment; then some one, wbom the authorities and everybody else is looking for, told of their many good qualities as worm killers and suggested tbe idea of bringing them In quantities to this country to drive out tbe canker worms that infested our city trees. If a concensus of opinion were taken at tbe present time, the canker worm would be ad judged a huge success as far as individual popularity is concerned. When the warfare that has been waged against them in recent years is taken into consideration their rapid increase is simply wonderful. Tbe first importation of spar rows of which anv record is known was eight pairs, brought over by the Brooklyn Institute in 1850. Two j ears alterward the same institution subscribed $200 for tbe purchase Of more, which were liberated in Greenwood Cemetery and vicinity. In 1854 Colonel William Bhodes and others intro duced some of the little birds in Maine and Bbode Island. In '60 and '64 several other colonies weie liberated in New York, and then a regular craze arose for them. Con necticut brought over 40 pairs; Galveston, Tex., as many more. Boston imported a score in '68; Charlestown, Mass., as many more the year following. The same season Philadelphia had it bad, bringing over 1,000 in one lot, which was without doubt the largest single importation ever made, and Cleveland, O., swelled the list with 40 more. Within a few years afterward San Francisco, Cal., Salt Lake City, Halifax, 2 ova Scotia, and a number of places iu Ohio, Wisconsin and Michigan invested in sparrows. Now, many of the State Governments have taken the matter of their removal in hand; several of those now in session having enactments before them. New York and Michigan have already adopted laws which not only ask for their destruction but place a premium on their heads. It is quite possible that within a short time the craze to drive them out will be as general as that for their adoption a score of years sinoe. The Coming Poet Laureate. Edwin Arnold's career is most remarka ble. In articles on poems and poets in the early part ot the eighties no reference is made to either him or his "Light of Asia," a work tha will last as long a .heEnglish language exists and which had been issued several years previously. At that time he was a hard toiling journal ist, who considered the work on his great poem as so much recreation for his leisure hours. Now be is known and Sir Edwin Arnold. famous wherever books of any language are read or-understood; decorations of many or ders and lands bave been conferred upon him, and the English Government has knighted him, which is without doubt a preliminary to making him successor to Tennyson as Poet Laureate when the time comes. To many who have read "The Light of Asia," it seems hardly possible that anyone other than a believer iu Buddhism could be its author, but "The Light of the World," in which Jesus Christ and the Christian faith are the themes, indicate that Sir Edwin's sympathies are unquestionably with the latter. Napoleon and the Hebrews. When one reads of the persecutions th Hebrews in Bussia are now experiencing, the thought of how all this migbt bave been different if Napoleon had succeeded in hit designs oh tbat country becomes uppermost. Whether from motives of pollcv or human ity it is now impossible to say, but Bo ia parte gave his Hebrew subjects such rights as tbey bad never enjoyed beiore in France when he came into power, and there is hardly any question but in the event of bis subjugation of Bussia he would bave estab lished the same laws there. However, the "if was In the way, but it may be taken for granted that, althongh many men of fame are held in execration by the Hebrews. Napoleon I is not of the number. And all this is the more interesting now from tbe attention Talleyrand's memoirs are attract ing. The Dnke of Bedford's Will. A receut telegraphio report states that the late Duke of Bedford's will not only orders the destruction of his personal effects, but also his car riages and the kill ing of his horses. Was this man sane? Whether or not he came as nearly be ing a modern Nero as he well could, and one can in im agination see him in the event of Lou don's destruction fiddling away with all the joy and en- Duke of Bedford. thuniasm of his Boman prototype, 4bat is, so long as the destruction did not take in a part of his estates. Some ot the provisions of the will are really so monstrous that the English author ities owe it to civilization that thev be not carried out. If they fail to no so, one can seriously question the civilizitinn of the age in which we live. Mnny of the incidents which bave taken place since his death read more like a pjge from the history of the Vikings than anything pertaining to the nineteenth century. When a Viking died, he was bnried with all his gold-embroidered garments, furs, weapons, relics of valor and the chase. Then bis horse was slain that he mk'ht hare somethincr on which to rid t Valhalla. Then, last of all, his wi e or slave was tilled. As ail the other little pe culiarities of the Vikings hive been carried out in the Duke's case, there is hardly any doubt, if the Duchess ot Bediortl was still alive, the Duke's will would provide for her slaughter. The suicide of such a mau is not a surprise. Bussia and the Mennonltes. January 31 was the anniversary of the treaty between Bussia and Japan, by which Bu'sian citizens are given permission to own Amusement advertisements appear on fourteenth page. W m ,tffl?w mmmm. ifctiJhwjMMm mmw Superfluous Hair ON THE FEMALE FACE. On the upper lip, chin, cheeks, and on men's cheeks above tho beard line, destroyed forever (no pain, 6car or shock) by, the Electric Needle operation, by Dr. J. Van Dyck, Electro Surgeon. Birthmarks, moles, red nose, enlarged veins of the nose, scars, pimples, black-heads, liver-spots, freckles, coarse, deep pores, scaly scalp, tetter, and all blemishes and diseases of the skin, complexion and hair successfully treated by Dr. Van Dyck. Paralysis, gont, rheumatism, neuralgia, nervous prostra tion, nervous debility, vital weakness, and all nervous diseases treated. Dr. Van Dyck has devoted 25 years of his life to tho practice of his specialty; has treated hundreds of cases, and numbers among his patients many of our most prominent families, and never publishes certificates of cures or the names of his patients. Terms reasonable. Patients at a distance can bo treated In their natlte town or city. Satisfaction guaranteed In every case. Call on or , address Dn. J. Van Dyck, 602 Pean Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pa. Book Free. I Hours 9 A. M. to 8 P. M. ; Sundays, 9 to 4. & real estate in the Utter country, and already Busstan merchants nave established large factories and stores In Tokio and other cities. In the light of recent events Bussia is very anxious to establish her subjects in advan tageous positions in other countries, but, with pig-like nature, does not manifest any desire to return the compliment in kind to otners. For the simple reason that the Hebrews desired to own property in Bussia, they were driven forth, and now it is an nounced that the Mennonltes of that country, will be suppressed. They will not be al lowed to own mills or factories of any kind, lobs or any place wbere people may assem ble, it being held bv this tyrannical Govern ment that these institutions are used for the dissemination of heretical doctrines. WlLKIE. COIN-IN-THI-SLOT MACHINE. An Ancient Holy Water Vessel That TJtlllred tha Principle. Bt. Lonls Republic. 1 The coin-in-thc-slot maehine was invented probably by Ctesibius, who lived about 200 years before the Chris tian era. He also in vented the siphon, the steam engine, the clap valve, the fountain driven by compressed air, the fire engine, tbe syringe, the water clock, the hot blast and the organ blower, for most of which things people do not give him credit. They are all depicted in the Pneumatics of Hero of Alexandria, and are, therefore, often as cribed to Hero, who wai simply a pupil of the elder philosopher. The first Latin edi tion of the ancient manuscripts was pub lished by Commandine ot Urbino in 1575, and from that work tha pictures of the old machines here presented are copied. The first coin-in-tbe-slot machine was an automatic salesman of holy water and was placed at the doors of the temple in Egypt It gave a measured amount of water In re turn for a coin of 5 drachmas just as a com of 5 cents works tbe modern one. The coin (or perhaps several coins aggregating the required weight) being dropped into a slit in the top of a vase fell upon a little plat form carried by a pivoted lever. Tbe other arm of this lever is connected by a cord to a stopper which enters a small vessel contain ing the holy water and arranged Inside tbe vase and fits in the top of a little pipe en tering that vessel. The pipe communicates wfth a favcet outside of the vase. When the coins were dropped in tbey fell upon the little platlorm and tilted the lever, so lifting the stopper. The water then flowed out until the coin slid off the platlorm and then the stopper entered the tube again, and tbe water supply was stopped. The coins were, of course, retained in the body of the vase, as the picture shows. Macdonald and the Zolvereln. Montreal, Feb. 21. A personal friend of Sir John Macdon'ald says it is the latter's intention, if re-elected, to make overtures to Great Britain and Australia, with a view of arranging a mutual tariff against the rest of the world. i$-xi STANDARD HE-NO tSABE ion RUSH 1315 TEA W: MARTIN CILtET CO BALTIMORE k GUARANTEE TWSTEAMKMJNrff 1M11M8LTEBMUI' rJjUSAtr fouho wtll'T. 1 -A- .J -s - I Wi&EJ Will buy a $30 Mer chant Tailor Made Suit 191 Will buy a $25 Merchant Tailor Made Overcoat Will buy a $12 Merchant Tailor Made Pants. AT THE- ft-22-TTasa tsa-M (2i9 fflf 12 84.75 Wiwffmt mi &V WT IffiW ADTEK1 IN GOOD SHAPE AGAIN. HIilliti HllHsllHilllHi LADIES' CHARMING DRESSES. The Iiadies' Suit Department is comparatively new with us, hut the patronage it has already received is beyond onr most sanguine expectations. Strictly fresh, stylish goods, an Immense assortment to select from and prices that speak for themselves are prominent features. Give this latest addition to our business a trial and we guarantee yon won't b disappointed. WRAPPERS, JACKETS, ETC. Our line of New Spring Wrappers, which range In price from 98c up, is sufficiently extensive to suit all tastes and demands. Ladies' and Misses' Jackets and Blazers are shown in great variety and of the very latest patterns. We also have a choice selection of Ladies' and Misses' Beefers. All or these garments have been marked so low that one can scarcely resist buying. Come and see them. A WORD ABOUT WAISTS. "Wa have them in Mull, Percale, Sateen, black, figured and striped, at prices from. 75c to $2 SO. All are perfectly made and Dama Fashion has decreed that waists will be largely worn this season. Take a look at the assortment while it is complete and you'll' be delighted. SPECIAL CORSET SALE. This week we offer s new Sateen Corset at 50c, which in fit and quality Is equal to! most one dollar corsets in the market. Ask to .see it. Every one sold will be COo in tbrf! buyer's pocket and prove a good advertisement for us. Speelal offerings la "White Goods and Aprons. Embroidery and Laets at popular prices. peAbavia(S 510-514 MARKET STREET. WHAT A AND SATISFACTION In transacting your business with a house that enjoys and is worthy of the implicit confidence of the people. Such a house is KEECH'S Famous Housefurnishing Emporium, 923, 925 and 927 Penn avenue, corner Garrison alley. Thither at least one-third of the people of Pittsburg and Allegheny wend their steps to buy FURNITURE AND CARPETS! Some purchase for Cash, others find it more convenient to take advantage of this firm's system of EASY PAYMENTS! AH buy with the expectation of getting better value for their money than any other house in either city, and in this ex pectation they are NEVER DISAPPOINTED. In the face of this, who can wonder at the daily increas ing number of friends and patrons Keech's are winning for themselves ? Verily, there seems to be no limit to trade and good will of the people where fair dealing and courteous treatment are the ruling feature. AN IMPORTANT REMINDER. One point that, above all others, we wish to bring to the' notice of the people who contemplate moving and are consei quently intent on buying Furniture and Carpets, is the adj. vantage gained by making their purchases now instead of 1 waiting until the general rush sets in. A very large part of our new Spring Stock is now in, and you can select things at your own leisure. Of course, if you desire it, we will store. away anything you may buy and deliver when needed. KEECH'S, The Largest Cash and Credit House in Western Pennsylvania, 923, 925 AND 927 PENN AVENUE, NEAR NINTH STREET, OPEN SATURDAYS BRIGHT AND EARLY TO-MORROW (MON DAY) MORNING we will be fully prepared to resume normal business all over these stores. Every vestige of the recent flood will be wiped out by that time and our Underwear, Hosiery and Corset Departments will again be in their old quarters. During ihe past week large con signments of NEW SPRING GOODS Were received, and these will be displayed in tempting profusion. Friends and customers are specially invited to make a tour of our es tablishment, as many novelties are on the counters that will not be found elsewhere for some time to come. Strangers who may visit the city for the purpose of participating in Washington's Birthday celebration will find it' to their advantage to drop in and get acquainted. M2.rrsa PLEASURE A Mir - Cor. Garrison Alley. TILL 10 P. M,
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers