HBH r "rsT'Sr iTHE EETTSBtJRG DtSPATOH, MONDAY, APRIL 20 1891 Me Bigpicg. ESTAHUSHED FEBRUARY 8, 3S46. Vol. 46. .o. 72 -Entered at nttsoun: rostoffice, member 14. ix, as sc'..nd-elass matter. Business Office Corner Smithfleld and Diamond Streets. News Rooms and Publishing House 75, 77 and 79 Diamond Street EA-TIKN ADVrKTISIM office, rooms, TKIHL'.NK 1SITILD1NU. .NEW YORK, .where complete flies I1HE DISPATCH, can alwavg be lound. roreisn advertisers appreciate the con venience. Home advertisers andlrlendsol THH lJlslWICIL -Mille In .New aork, are also made welcome. THE DISPATCH is reguJailp on sale at Jtrenlino'. S Cnion Square. Jfew York, and 17 Ate. ae rope a, Pans. Jance. where anyone uho has been disappointed at a hotel news stand can obtain it. TERMS OF THE DISrATCIL rOTAC-.E FltES IS "TOE CJCTTED ETAIES. JAILT IIr-ATCH. One Year ? ""O Daily IMS r-ATcn, l'er Quarter - HaIly IiicrATcn. One Month..,..- TO Daily DicrATCH, including tunday, -.year. 10 03 Daily Dipatcji, including iundav.Sm'ths ".50 Daily Dispatch, including Mindav. lm'tn so SfrvoAl DibPATCH. One iear.... !50 MU-MA Dl'P'.TCIi, One ear 113 The Daily DtrATCH Is delivered by carriers at Jccni-per week, or including Sunday edition, at Kcentfc per wetk. PITTSBURG. MONDAY, ArR. 20, 1831. 31'KINLE1 AM) HARRISON. In an interview at Cincinnati Major Mc Kinley, while modestly confessing his readiness to serve as the Republican can didate fot Governor of Ohio, in answer to a question who would be the nest Republican candidate lor President,declared, "Mr. Har rison without a doubt" Thi. together with similar expressions lroni Republican leaders is to be taken as indicating the agreement that the President shall have full opportunity for exploiting his boom before otLerleadinggentlemen.snd, if the evidence is that it will not come to any thin?, divide his political estate among themselves. Mr. McKinley has a character for observing pledges of this sort more faithfully than tbe ordinary politician; but there is nothing in his words to prevent bun, ll the conditions should change, from utilizing a successful fight in Ohio, to ad vance his own prospects in tbe national field. Perhaps the indications that the club convention at Cincinnati will make Mr. Blaine's name quite prominent, added a little force to McKinley's declaration of Harrison's leadership. Notwithstanding the evident agreement among the Republicans to let the Harrison boom run a full course this year, it might as neil be understood that his renomination is impossible, except upon the theory that the Republicans do not think it worth while to try to carry the election. If the Republi can party wishes, to take its stand on protec tion, broadened to take in the trade of tbe American hemisphere, Mr. Blaine will be nominated. If it prefers the platform of High protection and nothing else Major Mc Kinley will be its typical candidate. THE TOLICE DlSABILirr BILL. The bill authorizing the creation of a lund to provide payments for disabilities incurred by the police in the discharge of their duty, is intended to attain, an object the worthiness of which no one will dispute. It hardly needs demonstration that officers who are charged with duties bazardons in their very nature, will do their work more bravely rnd faithfully if they know that there is a provision tor themselves and their families ;u case of injuries. The bill permits the revenue irom certain fees, such as those from city licenses for dogs, the fees of the police themselves, and a share of the fees of police magistrates, to be used to constitute the fund which is to be distributed by a board of city officials. The bill which is now before the Governor for his approval makes its adop tion option-1 with cities of the second class. It is to be hoped that the Governor will sign it, and that the police of this community will soon be given the satisfaction of know ing that they are provided for if they sus tain injury while on duty. THE EQUALIZATION BOARD. "While there is room for opinions on both sides of almost any proposition with regard to taxation, Tun Dispatch is hardly able to recognize the validity of the objections which have been made to the bill for estab lishing a county board of tax revision and equalization. According to the statements cf its opponents given in our yesterday's issue, the objectors do not question the use fulness or importance of the proposed boaid. Their criticisms can be summarized as fol lows: first, they object to the appoint ment of the board by the courts, as bringing the courts into politics; next they allege that the constitution requires the election of the board by the people; and finally they hold that tbe bill is special legislation. The first point is far from cogent. The tiled of having this board appointed by the courts will evidently be, not to take the courts into politics, but to keep the tax revision out of it The work to be done is one requiring special abilities, and it is a fair presumption that the selection can be made more clearly with reference to those abilities by the courts, than by politi cal conventions or popular elections. If nothing ever takes the courts into politics further than th's measure does, the courts will be very fortunate. Asto tbe constitutional question, that is a matter which it behooves every one to ap proach with the utmost diffidence at the present day. But recent events make lay opinions on the meaning of the constitu tional provisions almost as good as legal opinions. A reasonable construction of tbe constitutional provision cited in this con nection, may or may not require a popular election; but the obvious advantage to be gained by the method of appointment pro posed, is so great that it is well worth to try it, until the SuDrcme Court holds that the positions must be elective. As to the asser tion that tbe bill is special legislation, it is no more so than any of a score of measures based on the principle of classifying counties and cities by population, which have stood the test. Of course there is bound to be a difference of opinioB on such a measure. But tbe im portance of havmc the equalization well done is so clear that a bill calculated to cfiect that purpose deserves general support THE UPPER BERTH ISSUE. The Minnesota law requiring sleeping car companies to leave the upper berths closed when they are not occupied is under consideration in Michigan, and as noted in one of The Dispatch interviews yester day attracts favorable comment There is no doubt that as the sleeping car business is now run, it is shaped on the basis of giving the public tbe minimum of accomoda tions for the maximum of charges. Tbe upper berth method of extracting additional money is one of the promisent features of tbe business, and there seems to be a gen eral assent that it should be regulated. If the Idea 'of a monopoly in the sleeping car business is conceded, of course the necessity of legislative regulation would follow. But the weakness of all sucha at tempts to simply impose a regulative curb on a monopoly that is left undisturbed, ap pears in the fact that this provision only touches tbe surface of the excessive charges of the sleeping car companies. If every sleeping car company had the right to at tach its cars to any night train the com petition between them would reduce prices or increase accomodations just as it has done in the case of hotels. Legislatures have not yet got the value of this principle, clearly into their minds; but it will be a much more complete remedy than such measures as those in favor at present A WAMON PERVERSION'. The assertion is nude by tbe Philadelphia papers thfit the provisions of tbe road bill that were calculated to insure the making of durable roads, have fared badly at the hands of the Legislature. The two dis tinctive features to secure that end were the requirement that the roads on which State money is spent shall be constructed by dis trict supervisors under the direction of county engineers, and tbe statement of a minimum standard with regard to the shape and character of roadbeds and culverts, to which all State roads must be brought Both provisions, it is stated, have been stricken out of tbe bill in its passage through the Legislature. If this is the case, it amounts to a proposi tion to spend 51,000,000 of the State funds in perpetuating the system of patchwork and mud-hole road-mending which has brought the roads of the State to their pres ent fearful conditiou. Such an utter perver sion of the object oi the bill cannot be al lowed. Thecities, which will be called upon to pay a large share of the State road ap propriation, have shown their readiness to contribute to the purpose of creating solid and permanent roadways. But no,one has any right to expect that'lhe cities shall pay taxes to furnish the old slipshod methods with funds to continue their useless oper ations. It is beyond comprehension what influences have prevailed to secure the elimination of these necessary features from the bill; butif theyarenotrestored it will be the dhty of every honest Legislator to vote for its defeat. The movement to use State funds to stim ulate the construction of durable country roads commended itself to every intelligent mind. But when it is perverted into a bill to pay the perpetrators of the old methods extra money for keeping up the obsolete system of bottomless highways, it is a wanton conversion of a good measure into an incomprehensible, but no less patent, job. ORIGINAL OIL 'WELLS. The Kairview oil field is showing some unique characteristics which are highly agreeable to the owners of the wells that are taking the unprecedented course re ferred to, although they may not be so pleas ant to those who have been speculating on a decrease of production. One well, after de clining to a little over two-thirds of its initial; production, after the usual manner of oil wells, reversed the process, and is now turn ing out its original 400 barrels a day. But this record was beaten by tbe unprecedented action of a hole which was abandoned as a "duster," and, after the casing was pulled, evidently concluded that it would make its record, and is now gushing out a large yield. The perversity of oil produc tion has been noted heretofore; but these wells seem determined to break the record. If that tendency should become general the prophets who have been foretelling the fail ure of the Pennsylvania field wiH be ut terly confounded. THE BUSINESS TAX AGAIN. By a local article elsewhere it will be seeu tbat the City Assessors have resumed their annual struggles with the business tax ques tion. They will now spend some time in confronting the perennial problems of firms with a first-class reputation who claim to do less business than would naturally be cred ited to a second-class house; of people who warmly claim that they have been assessed too much, but decline to swear to it: and of the final process of guessing at the total business of most merchants, with the usual result of stating it about 60 per cent too low. A large share of this is the inevitable re sult of a form of taxation which is little better than medieval. Of course, so long as the tax is required, it is the duty of Asses sors to do their utmost (or its full and hon est collection; and they will have the sym pathy of the public in that arduous task. But it is no less pertinent that' it is a sort of Iete in Henry ferred taxation that should be obso this age of the world. Mr. George a few years ago re to the income tax as tax on enterprise, and general opinion has condemned that sort of tax as inquisitorial and inequitable. Yet the income tax is not what Mr. George claimed but is a tax on prosperity; while the business tax is a tax on enterprise pure and simple. Moreover, even if faiily assessed, it is inequitable. Tbe wholesale merchant wno sells $100,000 worth of goods and makes 55,000 profit, pays 5100 tax, while a retailer, like the druggist, who sells 10,000 worth of goods and makes tbe same profit, pays $10 tax. It is bard to give up an established source of revenue; but it is nevertheless to be hoped that some day Pittsburg's fiscal sys tem will become enlightened, enough to abstain from offering a premium on locating business outside of the city. "It is very evident that Governor Patti son's strong right arm has not lost Its veto pow er. It is a usef nl faculty to correct Legis lative mistakes; but who shall correct Guber natorial mistakes!" remarks the Philadelphia Inquirer. If our esteemed cotemporary will read a certain aocument which Republican politicians are too apt to ignore called the Constitution of tbe State of Pennsylvania, It will find provision made there which will go a lone way toward answering Its Inquiry. In other words, a two-thirds vote of the Legis lature can correct tbe Gubernatorial mistakes if tbe Legislature ha sufficient mentality to detect the mistakes. After an infinite amount of squirming over the anti-Sunday shaving ordinance, it is just beginning to penetrate the conservative mind of Philadelphia tbat if jou cannot get shaved on Snnday you canon Saturday. Pitts burg worked out the same logical conclusio with greater promptness somo ten years ago. In an article recognizing ex-Senator Blair's pleasant qnalities in 'dealing with news paper men, a writer in the New xork Tekram remarks: "The Yankee in the Court of the Mikado' this wonld be a good title for a book on Minister Blair's experiences in the Celestial Kingdom." The good word for Mr. Blair is commendable; but our esteemed cotemporary villi please to take notice that tbe Mikado Isnot tbe ruler o China, and that to speak of Sen ator Blair as going to the "Celestial Kingdom" is likely to create a misapprehension that he is accredited as Minister to another world, much further from Washington than China is. The latest cure for consumption consfs's of abutting the patient up In a close chamber and making him breatbe creosote. It looks as if it might be a sure care for consumption as well as of 'the fever called living." A Washington correspondent estimates the cost of the Presldental trip at 185,000, whlcb, the Philadelphia Record thinks, has al ready earned 1U cost in "the demonstration of tbe titter extinction of sectional feeling." Ac cording to that view, should not tbe esteemed Jlccord favor the footing of tbe bill by the Na. tlpnal Government instead of leaving it tor some railway millionaire to pay T The rapidity .with which the period of warm waves -has succeeded to tbat of cold waves, Is calculated to impress the sufferer from spring fever with the Idea, that there is no rest from meteorological ailments. Among the appropriation bills before the Legislature is one providing 10,250 lor tbe ex penses of tbe Appropriation Committee. As this would give each of the 38 members of tbe committee an allowance of $5 per day for every secular day in two full months, besides his regular pay, the conclusion is that appropria tion work is so exhausting as to require high living.. On the principle tbat too many cooks spoil the broth, the multiplicity of authors for the play of "Beau Brummel" may at once fix and furnish an explanation for the literary standard of that production. There was, no doubt, a large amount of politics In that Kansas City convention; but the appearance of our old friend, KV.Smalley, professional clerk of Republican Congres sional committees and political corresoondent of Republican organs, in the role of a protest ing uon-partlsan,is calculated to produce a grin on tbe most solemn equine countenance. Rotten joists In the tumbling stairways of the Sboreham Hotel provo tbat lofty prices do not always make it beyond dispute that the high-priced hotel is the best or safest one. It seems that Prince Bismarck failed to secure a majority in the Geestemunde election, because he took no part in the election. So old a politician should have been aware of the fact that in Germany, as In the United States, the candidate who wishes to get elected must hnstle around and set things up among the ward workers. WELL KNOWN TO FAME General Butler will soon visit New Orleans. Captain von Pltjeskow is said to be the tallest warnor in tbe German army, his height being 6 feet 8 inches. Tennyson was once asked to supply a dozen birthday poems of eight lines each for a thousand guineas. The poet refused. The Cobden Club lost one of ,their oldest members by tbe death of Prince Napoleon. He has been on tbe books of the club since 1869. Mr. Theodore Thomas is so well known as a conductor th'at it is almost forgot ten he is also a violinist JN or has he forgotten his craft . Cora de Put, a brilliant news paper woman of Southern Michigan, is trying to start a prohibition daily in tbe State and wants to be managing editor of it herself. Perhaps the oldest maiden in the coun try is Miss Permelie Wright, who recently turned her 100th birthday at her home in Benton Harbor. Mich. She never bad but one suitor so far. Mrs. William K. Vanderbilt is an earnest and ardent student and collector of ceramics. She is also deeply versed in tbe pe riods and comparative artistic values of furni ture. She has studied seriously the French authorities on cabinet making, inlav and up holstery, and In her Fifth avenue home, where at one period naught but dazzling splendor and somewhat crude luxnry prevailed, she has in stituted almost entire redecoration and refur nishing on a more harmonious and aesthetic plan. GUARDED BY A BULLDOG. A Revenue Officer Seeking for Bogus Butter Encounters an Obstacle, Bridgeport, Conn., April 19. Revenue Collector Hawley met with a singular experi ence while searching for violators of the liquor and revenue laws at tbe grocery store of John Dubee yesterday afternoon. Tbe Collector noticed tbat what Mrs. Dubee claimed was but ter was not butter at all, bnt oleomargarine with the revenue stamp, which by law must be placed on each package, neatly washed off. He Informed tbe proprietor's wife that be was a Government official ana would have to make an investigation of tbe premises. Noth ing was found In the apartment, however, and into the room be saw a huge white bulldog the deputy demanded the key to the other apartment but was told tbat it was not hers. The Collector placed his foot against the door and sent it spinning off its binges. On peeping in the darkness beyond. Fearing that tbe dog was abont to spring upon him he jumped back ont of harm'sway, and ordered Mrs. Dubee to remove the dog. 1 his she refused to do, and he dispatched his assistant for a revolver. Seeing tbat be was in earnest tbe woman removed the dog, and the Collector found SO ten-pound packages with tbe stamps washed off and 250 packages empty with the stamps removed. National Spirit In the South. Chicago lnter-Ocean.1 It is a good sign tbat tbe Democratic South so warmly welcomes a Repubhcan President It is a mark of national spirit DEATHS OP A DAY. An Old Chicago Resident. Alanson Sweet, who went to Chicago when only soldiers, Indians and squatters were there, and who was one of 12 men that agreed to found the town of Chicago, died on Saturday at the ace of 87 cars at the home or bis son. George O. sweet of tvanston. Mr. -bweet emigrated to the .site or Chicago In ISC and was oie or the conspicuous ngures at old Fort Dear born. He was Lieutenant of a company organ ized for home protection against Illack. Hawk and his band of savages and he endnred besides the horrors or an Indian war campaign the scourge of cholera, which at that time ravaged and almost depopulated the little community. His log cabin stood on the site of the old Tremont House. For ve-rs he was prominently identified with the rap Idly advancing Interests or the town, but later In lire ne met with business reverses. In 1869 he re moved to MllwadWfo.ibnt .10 years later returned aad bis since lived with his son at Evanston. Obituary Notes. Arthur Hall, a welt-known bandmaster and cornetlst died in Boston Saturday. He was 71 years old. Martix H. Black, probably the richest man in Halifax. N. .. died Saturday, aged 76 years. He a a bachelor. Lmory B. Pottle died at Naples, N.Y.. featur dar, aged 75. He was a member of the iolh and 56th Congresses. HUGH E. MACKIX, formerly a member or tho Legislature from Philadelphia, died in that city Saturday, aged 43. MRS. Helek Gdxxell, mother of ex-Surgeon General tiunncll, ol the -Navj", died at Washing ton Saturday, aged 83. Jtns. Helen Gun sell, mother of ex-Surgeon General (iunncll, of the navy, died in Washing ton Saturday, aped 93. , Prof. SAM it Bbowdkr. a well-known educa tor In his Male, died of dropsy of the heart at Iraukfort Ky . Irlday night JoirsfTnoMrox. founder of Thompson's Bank Ante Reporter, and also of the First .National and the Chi.se National Banks of New York, died at ms uoiue m luai cuj jcfticruax ALANSON SWEET, who went to Chicago In 1832 and was one of the 12 men who laid out that city the following J ear, died Saturday. He was wealthy at one time, but met with financial re verses In his latter years. JIBS, aoxes Pitcairx, widow of John Plt calrn, Jr., died yesterday afternoon, aged 89 years. Funeral services will be held at the residence orber son.in-law, Alexander Pltcalrn, shadyside, cdnesuay afternoon at 2:30 o'clock. Ex-JUDOE T1IEODOTDS BbRWELL, rounder of the Buffalo Courier, died Saturday at Spuyten Duyvll, N.Tf.. aged 87 Tears. He has been a pro feasor In a military school and the former lair ?arner of General Nye, ex-Governor ol Nevada errltory. Mrs. Hosinjl ott, wife of Jacob Ott and mother-' in-law or Undertaker 1111am Semmelrock, of No. 79 South sixteenth street, died yesterday morning at 5:111- o'clock, aged 74 years. The funeral will take place from Mr. Semmelrock's residence to-morrow morning at 8 o'clock. REV. Thomas James (colored), born a slave in 1804. Is dead in Rochester, N. Y. When 17 years of age he was traded for a yoke of oxen. He was the most widely known preacher of his race In the United states, having preached all throueh the loonui ana u esu in iw ae oraainea frea A Joug lassaiPiewneaiora, uiu. . THINGS IN GENERAL. Mark Twain Calls This the Generation of Intellectual Hospitality The- Change of Half a Century Ready to Receive New Truths. The ago is, introspective. We are forever breaking tnetirstjruie of tbe Ten-Times-One-Is- Ten Society, which Is "to look one and not in." We are fond of looking in. It is interesting to note tbis self-examining spirit in tbe literature of the day. We cast about for adjectives which shall describe the generation in which we live. We 'have that intellectual discretion which commonly accompanies old age. We try to sum things up, to understand tho general trend and to make out the supreme meaning of our life. Prof. Totten's elaborate mathematical cal culations may be right Tbe end may be get ting near. Anyhow we think like men who approach an end, though it may be only the" end of tbe century. It is not likely that any generation ever made keener analyses of its characteristics.'., This is the age of unbelief, some say, or of disillusionment or of discontent There is no lack of names. Mark Twain is not an authority to wDom-one would naturally go for profound philosophy. Yet it seems to me tbat Mark Twain has given the age one of Its best-utting names. He has called it the generation of intellectual hospi tality. He finds one of the widest differences between this'century and any of its predeces sors to consist in its hospitality to new trntb. Before they adored the past If a doctrine was old, it was therefore probably true. Wo have changed all that Tho Changes of Half a Century. If Galen or Hippocrates, be says, could have entered a sick room half a century ago in the absence of tbe family physician, they wonld have felt themselves at once at home.- They would have recognized tbe old, old medicines of the old, olu days. They would not have mised a single nauseous taste nor a single hor rible smell. And if tbe family physician could have come in and discovered these shades of the past by the bedside of bis patient he wonld bava fallen down in awe and worshiped them, because they were so old. But to-day Galen, Hippocrates and Escula pius would be at loss, indeed. And they might put their three wise pates together and rub their six wise eyes in vain. They wonld find nothing in the sick room to which they had been used in tbe old days. If they attempted to administer any of their ancient poisons In their ancient horse-doctor doses tbe trained nurse wuuiu can lor me ponce, aquu mo family physician should come in and find these old-time worthies, and be verily assured tbat they were indeed the men who belonged to tbe great names on their visiting cards, actually Hippocrates and Esculapius and Galen, the family physician would be interested in them chiefly trom the point of view of psychical re search. As medical authorities, he would not value their opinion at tbe small fee of two straws. Ready to Receive New Truths. We caro little for the past. Age is no longer a recommendation. We are receptive. We have a welcome for new truth. All tbe ages through, up to the memory of men still liying, every new idea had to undergo the apprenticeship of persecution. The mau with a new truth was accounted a trouble, some intruder. He was a,, heretic, a .rebel, a revolutionist, a disciple.of anarchy, a danger ous character. Life was made miserable for him. That is history. To-day, all that is dif ferent. We hold out onr hands to the man who comes with a uew truth. Webavea hos pitable greeting even for blm who only imagines tbat ho has found a new truth. I cannot think of any characteristic which so remotely dis tances u from (he days gone by. from the position of our grandfathers, as this fine hospi tality to new truth. . ' There will, however, be conservatives always. Unhappy for us If tbeir tribe should perisbl We would be forever going off at tangeuts. We would be mistaking error for truth. Let us welcome truth, but not falsehood. And to that end, let us test all professed truths care fully and impartially and make sure that they are truths before wo take them In. That is what conservatism, advises, and the advice is good. So long as conservatism can keep from falling into its bessttinsr vice of bigotry, long live conservatism! All that we ask is tbat truth have a chance to be beard and the certainty of fair play. Progressive conservatism is the ideal attitude of tbe Ideal student That Address by Dr. Brlggs, I am glad to see tbat this temper marks for the most part tbe utterances of Presbyteries and parsonsabout the inaugural address of Dr. Briggs. Tbat address having caused some flut tering of heart amone the brethren, and some question as to tbe advisability of retaining- the author of itas a teacher in a great school, it is right tbat there should be an inquiry made about it, and the question brought to reason able settlement It is a pleasant thing to see that the presbyteries are not proceeding on the fnuciple which seems to hold in tbe present talian Government They are not disposed to decide upon tbe verdict first and then to try Dr. Brigcs afterward. There Is a fair and temperate tone prevailing in tbe whole discus sion whicu indicates that difference, of which 1 was just now speaking, between us and our grandfathers. Fifty years aeo tbe- religious papers would have gone wild. They would have broken all tbe Christian commandments. They would Have called down fire from heaven. To-uay we have learned better what spirit we are or. ro-aay we are auie to asic, in a reason able temper: Is this true? It is worth while, accordingly, to inquire ex actly what it is tbat Dr. Briggs has said. It is always a good plan in an argument to under stand precisely the position of tbejarty on tbe other side.. What utterance is this which lias awakened the parsons aud alarmed tbe breth ren T It was some time in January. I believe, that Dr. Charles A. Briggs took his place as Pro fessor of Biblical Theulogy at Union Theologi oal Seminary in the city of New York. Tbe position was especially made for blm, I under stand, and tbe chair endowed with the provis ion that he should first occupy it The rule of the Presbyterian Church is that tho General Assembly shall approve those who are to hold positions as official teachers. But it is not tbe custom In ordinary cases to wait for the ap proval It is commonly taken for granted. It has been so taken for granted more than once In Allegheny. Ihero was the more reason for going confidently ahead in this case, since Dr. nggs had been for many years already an in structor in the seminary. He was accordingly inducted into bis new appointment And upon that occasion he made, the address which made the trouble. The Most Significant Part. The subject of Dr. Briggs' address waf "The Authority of the Bible," but the most signifi cant part of it related to barriers against a right Understanding of tbe Bible. The differ ence of opinion is chiefly about the pulling donnof these barriers. It makes a good deal of difference whether a wall is regirded as a barrier or as a defense whether the purpose of it is taken to he to keep out friends or to keep out enemies. Dr. Briggs began by saying that thero are three great channels of divine authority the Bible, the Church, and the Reason. All three are valid sources of author ity. Wo ought not to depreclato the Church; we ought not to deprecate the use ot the reason. Churchmen and rationalists have alike good standing-ground. The reason why the Church is depreciated is "because the Church and its institutions have enveloped themselves with human conceits and follies have encased the. divine authority In the authority of popes and councils, prelates, p'ne-lsand theologians, and these mediators of redemption havd obtruded themselves in the way of devout seekers after God." The reason why the use of the Reason is deprecated is because rationalists have slighted the. means of grace, and lessened tbe authority of re vealed truth. Tho Bible, like the Church and tbe Reason, has tbosevbo set it at noucht And here. too. the reason is to be found in barriers set up by tbe men who value the Bible. It is our duty to get these barriers put of the way. No one of these three paths to truth has been so obstructed, sajs Dr. Briggs, as the Bible. "Tho ancient Jews made a fence about the law. and inclosed it with circle upon circle of traditional interpretation. Tbe Christian Church concealed the word of God behind the authority of popes aod councils, fathers and schoolmen. The scholastics and ecclesiastics of Protestantism enveloped the Bible with creeds, ecclesiastical decisions and dogmatic systems. The Bible has been treated as if it were a baby, to be wrapped in swaddlingclothes, nursec and carefully guaided lest it should be injured by heretics and infidels." The Six Barriers Named. The professor names six barriers whlcb, be holds, restrain men from a right understanding of the Bible and a reasonable reverence for it Of these, the. first Is superstition. It is as bad to worship a book as it is to worship, an image. Mariolatry and bibllolatry belong' together. "The Bible Is no better than a mass-book for stopping a bullet and Is not as good as boly water for putting out a fire." ' The second is the Doctrine of Verbal Inspiration. "There is nothing divine in the text In its letters, words or clauses. The divine anthority Is not in the style, or in tbe words, bnt in the concept, and so the divine power of the Bible may be trans ferred into any language." The third barrier islnsistance upon Questions of Authorship, It is maintained asa matter of faith that Such a book was written by such a man.- As a mat terof fact the Bible itself la)S no emphasis on authorship, whatever. The names of tbe au thors of nine-tenths of tbe books of the Bible are purely conjectural. We get tbem entirely from tradition. The great proportion ot the writings of Scripture is quite anonymous. The books of tbe Bible do not depend on one man's authority. Questions of authorship are entirely within tbe province of scholars to de termine. Tbe fourth obstruction is tbe Dogma of In errancy. It Is claimed tbat the Bible is without error. But tbe claim cannot he maintained, There are errors In tbe Bible. Indeed, "tbe Bible nowhere makes this claim, Tbe creeds of the Church nowhere sanction in It is a cbost of modern evangelicalism to frighten children. It is unwise, and I believe it is un olinstlau to force men to accept the divine authority ot tbe Bible or to reject it on'tbe question of its inerranoy in these circumstan tials." The fifth barrier is the assertion ot Violations of the Laws ot Nature. Modern apologists have laid more mpbasis on miracles than the Bible sets upon them. Tbey are not represented In the Bible as "violations" of the laws of nature. A final stumbling-stone is found in the assertion of Minute Prediction, "The interpretation put upon predictive prophecy, making It a sort of history before the time, and looking anxiously for the fulfillment of the details of Biblical prediction." After tbis discussion of barriers to the Bible, Dr. Briggs went, on to consider tbe theology of the Bible. This, too, will no doubt enter into the arguments which will be made at tbe De troit Assembly. And concerning this, we want to know exactly what was said. But the Pro fessor of Things in General finds tbat tbe space of time alloted to bis class Is finished. Tbe rest mnst wait until next Monday.' Here, anyhow, is tbe worst tbat Dr. Briggs will probably be accused of having said about tbe doctriue of the Bible. I account It worth while getting thus much clearly defined. Here are tbe six stumbling blocks which Dr. Briggs wants to pry up and get out of the road. He holds tbat they are stumbling 'stones. Some other people hold tbat they are paving stones. Tbis Is the question. LIVING WITHOUr FOOD. After Burying Her Mother a Minneapolis "Woman Cannot Eat. Minneapolis, April ID. The protracted illness ot Mrs. Sarah L. Farr, a well-known lady of this city, with its peculiar features has attracted the attention of a number of well known physicians, who regard the case as very remarkable. Mrs. Parr's physical trouble began jnst about two months ago, when, through exhaustion incident to the fatal illness of ber aged mother, she experienced a general collapse of her nervous system. Her digestive powers have been destroyed, and there is an al most total loss of appetite. The patient has abstained from food for so long as to make tbe case of special interest, particularly to the med-. ical frati rnlty. Dr. Tanner, whose fasting was the wonder ot the scientific world, has been outdone by 'the involuntary achievement of Mrs. Farr. For several weeks the stomach refused to accept any nourish ment whatever. A few weeks ago, bow ever, tbe patient showed a longing for hot water. .This was given, perhaps, on an average of twice a day. Ordinarily enough milk was put in the water to color it Gener ally no more than half a cup of tbe apparently unnutrltious mixture was consumed. Almost everything, especially In soups, was prepared with the idea that perhaps the patient would take to something substantial, but this was un successful. Everything which the patient has takenduring the past 6U days, aside from the small consumption of hot water, wruld not ag gregate a quart There has hardly been a per ceptible Change In the patient's condition dur ing the last six weeks. Mrs. Farr is as spirited aud bright In conversation as ever. She has many callers, and talks to tbem in as free and bright a manner as ever. She said yesterday: "I cannot possibly un derstand how I am alive after so great lasting. I cannot take anything Everything in the shape of food seems repulsive. Two months ago when I went to Chicago and buried my dear old mother I became prostrated. I thought then tbat the end was near, and that in a few days I would follow ber. However, with absolutely no nourishment I am alive to-day and in good spfrits. .This condition cannot last always, that is sure," DEPEWS BEST WEAPON. One of His Fanny larns Saves the Vander bilt Party From Arrest Chicago, April 19. Three suits for dam ages aggregating S3C0.O0O were filed in tbe Su preme Court yesterday against John I. Blair, a capitalist and railroad man living at B lairs town, N. J. Blair's fortune is estimated at from 10,000, 000 to 25,000,000. Tbe plaintiffs in tbe scits are Theodore G. Case, a Chicago "lawyer, who sues for f 10,000 damages for services and 100,000 for libel. The other plaintiff is George Hiles, a Wisconsin railroad magnate and land-owner. who figures his damages at a quarter of a million 1 Mr. Blair came to Chieazo with Mr. Deuew 'and the Vanderbilt party last evening and stopped at tbe Auditorium. Lawyer Case saw the announcement of the arrival of tbe distin guished party and filed the three suits as fast as they could he prepared. The summonses were placed, in the bands of three deputy sheriffs, who chased over to the Auditorium to serve Mr. Blair, but they got there too late, as tne party had just left for tbe Northwestern depot Depnty Sheriff Sheridan returned to the Sheriff's office late this afternoon covered wilh mud. His chase after Mr. Blair bad been an unsuccessful one. Sheridan caught the special as it was pulling out of the station. He hoarded the car and the first man he met was Cbauncey M. DeDew. The latter groeted Mr. Sheridan heartily and at once began to relate one of his side-splitting stories, but all of Mr. Sheridan's ingenuity couldn't induce Mr. Depew to talk about Mr. Blair and finally tbe deputy left the car in disgust after having ridden a mile. TEEASTJEE AND BONES TJNEAETHED. The Interesting Discovery Made by a Mis souri Railroad Ditch Digger. Paris. 1 ex. April 19. Trainmen on tbe 'Frisco road report a remarkably interesting find tbat was made at Washburn Station, in Berry county, Mo Wednesday. H. F. Close, who has charge of tbe pumping station, while digging a ditch, unearthed portions of a hu man skeleton. Near where the bones were found he uugupan old clay pot or water jar which contained 51 Spanish coins of the denom inations of 8 reals. Two pieces of gold were found, one of which was a double doubloon and the other an octagon-shaped piece, the stamp on which was Illegible. One of the trainmen gave Close $2 for one of tbe silver coins whlcb he exhibited. It looked as If it had been In a fire. It was coined In 1811 during the reign of Ferdinand VII. The point where the discovery was made was on the line of the old Spanish trail that lea from St. Louis to Santa Fe.'N. M.. traces of which are still plainly visible In the vicinity. It is be lieved tbat the place iwhere the discovery was made was once a supply station on the trail, which was the great highway from tbe West to the Mississippi CO or 70 j ears ago. CAHNEGIE AS A JOURNALIST. flo Owns a Number of British Newspapers, All Yielding a Revenue. New York lelcgram. I "I saw a very funny thing in a paper the .other day," said Stephen W. Thompson, of London, at the Everett House. "Tbe item quoted Andrew Carnegie, the great million aire ironmaker of Pittsburg, as saying that his earliest ambition was to be a reporter and editor. It sounds funny to an Englishman who knows tbat Carnegie now owns twelveorflfteen weekly papers of established reputation, which are all pacing properties. He bought them at first to have mediums to get back at the critics of his well-known essays in literature some years ago. The English critics did not take kindly to bis papers and theories, and frankly said so. Carnegie said that under such Igno rance were they that he wonld educate them. Hence the mirciiaso of tbe weeklies, through which he can express his own views. It Is not generally known tbat Mr. Carnegie owns the papers, but be receives a nice income from them every year." PEOPLE WHO COME AND GO. ' Sam P. .White, of Beaver Falls, was in the city jostcrday. W. H. Crane, the actor, will spend the week at tbe Schlosser. Judge Harry White, of Indiana, regis tered at tbe Seventh Avenue Hotel. John N. Tayldr, a prominent East Liver pool potter, was in tho city yesterday. W. H. McConnrll, of Wilmington, and W. C. Clark, of Californla.areattheDuquesne. "W. M. Wright, ol Janesville, Wis., regis tered at tbe Seventh Avenue Hotel lasj even ing. Postmaster McKean returned Inst evening from Charlerol, where M. J. Alexanderand he spent Sunday. W. K. L, Warwick, of Macsillon, a son of the man who defeated McKinley, was at the .Anderson yesterday. Miss Sybil Carter, who has lately visited Japan amfCbina as missionary at large of the Eplseoi al Wlmrc-h, will be in the city Thursday 'and Friday of this week. W. J, Rainey, the coke operator, and1 his son registered at tbe Monongahela House last evening. Mr. Ralney's plant is In operation, and he says the strike does not affect htm. He is serene over the fact that he is about the only operator who is filling his orders: BIRDS OF PASSAGE. Plttsburgers Who Will Spend the Spring and Summer lit Europe A Great Hit ting Season Anticipated Some of Those Who Have Already Booked. Early as is tbe season, the Indications are tbat tbe two cities will bo very largely .repre sented In tbe Old World this season, and the annual exodus of tourists and pleashre-seekers has already begun in good shape. Tbe books of the local steamship agents already bear en tries of the names of many prominent people, although tbe outward business from this sec tion does not usually set in before the middle of May. , There is a reluctance to give tbe names of prominent gentlemen who make ar rangements for European trips, the passengers objecting to each publications beeause tbeir business might be injured in conseqnence. This seems to be particularly tbe case with tbe legal and medical prof essions.and hence only the names of those can be readily obtained who do not place an injunction of secresy upon tbe agent when booking. I. E. Hirscb, tbe proprietor of the Scham berg agency, has given The Dispatch the following list of .some of our moro promi nent citizens who have sailed within the last few days or will shortly sail. Mr, Hirsch states that nearly all the first-class steamers are rapidly filling up, and tbat many people who are too slow in securing accommodations are apt to be sorely disappointed when they find that there is no room lett on their favorite steamer. I Fittsburgers Now on the Ocean. ' 'Squire Aujrust Ammon, tbe well-known general agent of the M. & M. Insurance Com pany, sailed from New York on Saturday for an eight weeks' trip to tbe "Fatherland." The 'Squire sailed on tbe steamer Elder, on the steerage deck of which the sensational murder and suicide took plaqe before sailing, as re ported in The Distatcii at tbe time. Hugh H. Davis and, .Mrs. J. T. Patterson, of this city, also sailed on Saturday, taking tfie French lino steamship. La Normandie, for Havre. On the Trave, sailing from New York on Wednesday for Bremen, the following Pitts bnrgers will be passengers: Mr. F. Mankedlck, Misses Mathilde and Sophie Mankedick, Miss EmmaHomann and Miss Sophie Baumann. John Slovensky sails on Wednesday from Baltimore to Bremen by the new steamship Gera. Edward M. Brasb and family, of Allegheny, sail on Saturday next by steamship Saale from New York to Bremen, and on same day Mrs. Mary Hatton and two children, also of Alle gheny, will leave New York for Liverpool by the Guion Line steamer Wisconsin. A. W. Obermann and wife, of the Bast End, leave for Germany by steamship Werra from New York, April 29, and Mrs. Anna Scblld by the new twin-screw steamship Augnsta Vic toria, of tbe Hamburg Line, on April 30. Some Passengers Booked for May and June. By steamship Maasdam, from Now York to Rotterdam, May 2: Mr. and Mrs. G. Stengel, of the Southside. tbe parents of tbe well-known young attorney. By steamship Lahn, from New York to .Bremen, on Mayo: Messrs. Theodore Hucke- stein and John Q. Schlrmer, of Allegheny. By steamsAlp Alaska, New York to Liver pool, May 2: Herbert Brackon and family, of tbe East Eid, aud Mrs. Margaret Walsh. By steamship Muenchen, from Baltimore to Bremen, on May 2: F. H. Werle and family, Mrs. F. Hauch and Mrs. C. Hoffmann, all of Allegheny. By steamship Normannia, from New York to Hamburg, June 4: Henry Kaufmann, of Kauf manns'. By steamship Fnerst Bismarck, June IS, from New York to Hamburg, W. Flaccus, the well-known tanner. Mr. Hirscb states the inquiries for steamship literature, sailing lists, rate sheets and descrip tive pampblots, is greater tbis year than ever before in his over 20 years' experience, and that there will be plenty of local company for all who intend making sthe trip. The unpleas antness with Italy may deter a great many tourists from visiting that country of .sunny skies and picturesque scenery, but the other countries of Europe will profit by what will be Italy's loss of patronage. BOLIVIA DOESN'T CARE. It Is Not Making Any Fai- Abont the Killing of IU New Orleans, Conacd. New York, April 19. ponsul General Charrio was seen by a reporter last night, and said: "Yes, Macbeca, who was killed at New Orleans, at one time was tbe Consul of Bolivia in New Orleans. That was abont seven years ago. We are not always able to obtain tbe best men for our representatives. A man is recom mended to our borne Government, and bis credentials are sent to bim. Of course, we always try and find out as much as we can about him, but every country is liable to be deceived abont Its representatives. That was probably the way in this case. For three or four years we have had no consul at New Orleans, as be, without authority, some time ago turned tbe offlce over to nis Mother. "Wbateve&Maeheca, the. Consul, may have been to tbe Bolivian Government, 1 am certain that Macbeca, wno was accused of the murder of Chief Hennessey.bad no recognized standing with it. He may have represented us. without authority. . "Bolivia will not take any action in any event. Be assured of tbat. Neither Macheca nor any of the rest of them will trouble us or stir up any ill-feeling between Bolivia and the United States." UNCLE BAM AND TEE KONGO. Why the United States Should Not Be a Party to an African Treaty. New York World. ' It will be a grievous pity if the refusal of the UnitedStates to become a party to tbe Brussels Kongo treaty shall impede or delay tbe sup pression of tho slave trade in Africa or give license to the rum traffic there. But the treaty is one with which the United States ought never to have bad anything to do, and the effort now making to reopen the matter and secure its ratification by our Senate ought to fail. ' The powers of Europe are engaged in stealing the continent of Africa. Under cover of tbe plea of civilizing it they are parcelling it ont among themselves in a grab game of conquest Tbey are setting up governments there which are in fact tbe servants and agents ot the European powers, and whose function is conquest Out of their rivalry are sure to grow European complications and almost certainly European wars. For us to join In the treaty of partition for that is what it must ultimately amount to would be for us to assutno an attitude and ob ligations wmch must inevitably entangle ns with European politics, diplomacy and conflict in ways which'we bare hitherto resolutely and wisely avoided. WOMEN IN PUBLIC OFFICE. The Lady Managers Quarrel at Chicago Points a Moral. New York Tribune. 3 When lovely woman stoops to public office and finds too late tbat she must fight just like the horrid men, nobody can regret it more deeply than tbe Tribune. That gentle, timid, sweet-voiced woman should be obliged to jerk tbe hair, both natural and artificial, out of the head of her fellow-women, or should hive to rush into court tbat most absurd place where reason is given such ridiculous prominence or tbat she should find it necessary In any simi lar way to assert herself afterthe manner of men to secure her rights, is one of tbe most melancholy things in connection with the ad vanced civilization of the present day. Bnt as surelv as tbe paths of glory lead but to the gravejust as surely do the paths of women in public office lead but to personal encounters and lawsuits. A SONG OF THE SEASON. Bring out the rusty earden rake. Hunt up the hoe and spade. For spring is here, and it Is time To have the garden made. 1 our wife will lean upon the fence And watch you while yon work. &hc'f always prompt to give advice, tihe'll never let yon shirk. Don't waste your time In trying to tell The bulbs lrom worthless weeds: Dig them all up: that's easiest and You'll need the room for seeds. Work hard.man, you won't break your back. Though you may fear yon mav. Don't stop to lean upon j our spade Think what yo'nr wile will say. Thpn when you've got the garden dag, The seeds alt out of sight ' You'd better hire a gardeuer To do it over right. Somervtlle ounj of. A FEW 17 ASUS. AND PAOTS. Spooks Tbat Laugh. Ghosts, solemn, unearthly and terrible, can be found in the old-time cabins in tbe moun tains of East Tennessee, and- almost every gorge and cave has its tale of horror, says a Chattanooga correspondent of the Bt Louis Globe-Democrat Hideous hobgoblins, tbe spirits of murderers and their bapless victims, can be seen in various places, but on a recent trip through Polk county I foundLwhat was to me a new species of gbost Riding through the fastnesses ot this remote region I lost my way, ana night overtook me while still la rocky gorge, miles from human habitation. Suddenly I 'heard a laugh, a merry, hearty laugh, which, as it echoed back from the rocks, brought joy into my heart for here was a com panion, and there was something in tbe voice 'which Inspired me with confidence. Soou it was repeated, and peal after peal of laughter resounded from a cove nearby. I thought it was a party of hunters camping ont and having a mJrry tlmi". I turned my horse and rode into the cove. Tbe voices were just ahead of me, aud I hastened to join them. Then they sounded behind me, and I knew that I bad passed the party. There was no tent nor was there any campflre, and I bad a strange sense as of being in tbe midst of a crowd, and yet not a human being was visible. Soon tbe langhter was all around me in front of me, behind me and on either side. It seemed as if there were poopto on every side and within a few feet of me. and yet no one was visible. My. horse trembled with fear, and, altbongh tired from bis long journey, became unmanageable and started on a run for tbe mouth of the cove. I'could not account for it and when tbe voices bad died away in the distance my feelings were strangely elated, as though I had escaped from some great evil. Finally I reached a cabin, and tbe kind hearted mountaineer arose from his bed when I knocked and gave me arelcoine to his bum ble home. The next morning I told my advent nre; and the story was told to me as follows: Many years age a party of gay young people camped In this gorge, having a good time hunt ing and fishing. Days passed, into weeks and weeks into months, and still they never re turned. Parties were formed and a thorough search made, bnt no tidings were ever received from the missing sportsmen. How or where they met tbeir fate is not known, but tbey never returned, and since that time the merry laughter of the huntsmen can be heard in the lonely gorge, as though they were still frolick ing at tbe camp-fire, as tbey did In tbe days of the long ago, when they were lost among tbe rocks. Brooklyn's Newest Industry. KED NOSES BLEACHED WHILE I : tot; wait. : : PERMANENT AND SUBE. I A sign conveying this information swings from tbe front of one of the prominent build ings of FuUon street Brooklyn. In the office of tbe establishment I was confronted by a middle-aged gentleman, whose nose was not alarmlnely white, says a writer in the New York Ttlegram. "What causes red aosest" "Drink and sunburn are the primary causes. Science says tbat tbe ruddy complexion is due to tbe increased number of corpuscles pro duced by tbe excessive use of alcohol. The nose, having a very tbln epidermis or skin, nat urally is most affected. Light-hatred and light-complexloned people fall the most easy victims.' How is the bleaching done?" "I first compel ray patients to stop all drink that is tbe only condition on which I will oper ate. I wash the nose with hot water to open the pores and then apply a thick plaster of paste made of everyday onr and water. Tbis is lett on over night At the end of a week the nose, unless a very bad case, is tolerably pink. Of course we have cases where nothing short of a new nose would be successful." "Tbe treatment of tbe nose Is not our only busine-s. We eradicate wrinkles and crow's feet This i- not as difficult as it appears at first glance, for we simply iron tbem ont The face U first washed in hot water.-it then under goes massage treatment, and, after two or three repetitions, tbe wrinkles will be non est See?" Gold and Silver in New England. A Boston assayer pronounces tbe silver ore bronght him from Wilmington, Mass., to be worth fully 97 per ton. This report, says the Boston Traveller, has caused much excitement in tbe town, and it is said that gold and mica have also been unearthed. Tbe discovery was made accidentally abont f our months ago, bht has been kept secret only four men, residents of Wilmington, being aware of it The land on which it was found was a part of the estate of tbe lato J. A. Ames. About SO acres of tbis es tate, situated just across the railroad from tbe station on the Boston and Lowell Railroad, was bonght last fall for the pnrposo of erecting a factory. The deed has been passed, and other land adjoining bas also been bonded and a syn dicate tormed for tbe purpose of taking ont tbe silver. ' Early in December tbe new owner went to a bank on the premises to get some gravel for his fowls. He saw something in it In the nature of a mineral. He had been somewhat interested in mining in Nevada, so he made an examina tion by means of a microscope, when ne dis covered many particles of copper. Later be went to tbe gravel bank again to investigate further. Under tbe stratum of gravel was a stratum of sana, and be took some of this and discovered in ibis, by aid of tbe glass, fine particles of native silver. A friend from Bos ton took a bottle full of tbe sand and bad it as sayed by tbe State assayer. It showed sliver to the value of 97 to tbe ton, and gold to tbe value of 60 cents to tbe ton. It is supposed that tbe sand containing the silver was gradu ally settled through the gravel, the copper, be ing in large particles, remaining in the gravel. The Dork bide of Jamaica. I met Samuel Carpenter, tbe veteran railroad man yesterday, says a writer in the New York Continent He has been in Kingston, Jamaica, lur a couple of months for his health. He has been a sufferer from rbenmatism for a number of years. This Is what he has to say about Kingston, Jamaica, as a health resort: "Ja maica bas probably the meanest climate in the world. It is hot, damp and unhealthy. It does not compare with tbe climate here, so far as health is concerned. Then, there isn't a de cent cook on the entire blanked Island; not one tbat bas the faintest conception of how to cook a dinner. I did not get a respectable meal all the time I was there. The natives are too lazy to do anything. Any kind of vegetables will grow there all the year around almost bnt tbe natives prefer to use canned vegetables from tbe United States rather than take the trouble to grow them. When strawberries are grow ing In the field, or right at their door, these lazy people do not make any attempt to gather tbem, preferring the canned article; on the ground, I presume, that they are the easiest to get Such sbiftlessness is Intolerable. "Tbe baths at Kingston are supposed to con tain manv curative properties, but I took more than 80 of them, and did not find tbat tbey helped me one bit Bad food, wretched climate and eood-for-notbing baths you bet I was glad tn get back to the United States. I would only advise people to go to Jamaica on the ground that it would make tbem appreciate this country all the more on their return. I have been getting better every day since I got back.'r A Cat's Furious Jealousy. A Cincinnati family, according to the Times Star, had two objects of affection a large tortoise-shell, cat and a baby. The cat was there first; the baby, a girl, arrived but recently. Dnring tbe years pending baby's arrival Mad ame Tabby bad what sporting people call "an all-round cinch." Everybody petted her and fed her and made mnch of her, until she-became the fattest, bigges sleekest tabby cat in the neighborhood. But at baby's blrtb. a few weeks ago, Madame Taoby found ber-nose out of joint right away. This was one of the few aud far between babies who, like angels' visits, ate appreciated all the more because there aren't many of tbem. Every man, woman and child In tbe honse dandled baby and wanted to kiss ber red face, and declared tbat she was tbe only Infant In the world. Madame Tabby, in consequence, was relegated to tne kitchen and the cook, and dined off cold bones and flatlrons. Jealousy grew rampant In the breast fellue and sbe "laid for" the baby. Yesterday baby's mamma laid her on the floor to see her kickher tiny pink toes, and then turned her back for an Instant With the snarl of a miniature panther Tabby leaped from behind tbe door, whero she bad Iain in ambush, and attacked tbe baby. Amid a tu mult of shrieks from the mother, screams from baby and vicious snarls from baby's assailant tbe cat swept ber claws across tbe little one's face nntil it was hcured like a harrowed field. It was nip and tnck between the mother and tho cat for tbe child's life, when grandpa came in. Tlio kick tbat he gave Madame Tabby raised her with such force against tbo wall that two ribs were broken. Tbe beast has been sulking in tbe yard ever since. Blank Specifications. Boston Herald.l Tbe Philadelphia Press furnishes a copy of the fbdlctment against the Pennsylvania man who was recently fined for nsine profane lan guage in a public place. The specifications are abont as follows: etc. Corrco, No Doubt Speaking of anagedwoman the Detroit News says she attributes her long life to the fact that sbe was never seriously or fatally sick. .' CURIOUS C0SDEHSAT105S. - A camel travels 100 miles a day. The greatest corn producing State is Iowa. Tbe ceremony of civil marris'e is com. pulsory in France. A Baronetcy and a fortune have fallen to the lot of Eugene Drake, of Oglethorpe, Ga. The depth of moisture in Eastern Oregon soil is three feet now, against only one foot last spring. The massage treatment was practised among tbe Chinese before the exodus of the Hebrews from Egypt There is a doctor in Germany who be lieves in tbe airenre, while a diet of grapes Is exclusively adopted in sanitaiium near Geneva. An Albany tobacconist scatters bis garden well with tobacco stems, which, ha lays, make an excellent manure. It also kills noxious insects. Turkish soldiers are very poor marks men. Recent target contests "in the army demonstrated that not one soldier la 20 could bit a man at 20 paces. Tbe old Indian practice is to count np to ten on the fingers, and then count by tens. Some tribes more intelligent than others were able to count tens of tens. "A little over a year ago," a Kansas editor says, "we wero present at an orgy where Judge Peffer was voted a leathsr medal as the champion oyster eater. And now he Is United Btates Senator." An Atchison woman dreamed the other night tbat she was in heaven, but sbe thought she couldn't find ber busband, though she walked up and down the golden streets four or five hours hunting him. The 6,050 feet of the St Clair tunnel was cot in little over a year, a rapidity without precedent in tnnnel making. The top of tbe tunnel is nearly 53 feet below the surface of the river. Thewallsareof castlron, A London paper recently contained the following advertisement: '-A lady wishes to have twice a week from the country a supply of live sparrows for a lavorite cat Address, with terms, Trixie, Bishop's road, W.' " Tbe four most common causes of boiler explosions are external corrosion, overheating, over pressure and weakness of flue. The four least common causes are absence ot safety valve, bad material, weak manhole and de posit The Western towns which showed a growth in tbe last ten years exceeding L00 per cent are in order, Spokane Falls, Tacoma, Seattle and Kansas City, Kan. The first three places mentioned are In the new State of Wash ington. A New York yonng man believes in even-banded justice on the square. He was arrested the other day for passing counterfeit money. His excuse was tb'at he had been swindled In the same way and wanted to even things up. The Iowa Presbytery has, after due deliberation and discussion, decided that min isters should form a combination or gospel trust ana that young men desiring to preach should be discouraged, as tbey Interfered with men already ordained getting good calls and good salaries." A variety of coffee which is said to be pleasant in taste, though rather bitter. Is grown in the neighborhood of Ascholtshansen. Bavaria, In sandy soil. It is sown in spring, and tbe sky-bine blossoms appear in July. The frnlt is gathered in Angust aud is pale yellow, resembling Bourbon Island coffee. An Omaha paper publishes this ad vertisement: "Persons 80 years old or over, who have resided In Omaha- for some time, are re spectfully requested to correspond with the undersigned. Residence should be stated. Subjects of mutual interest will be discussed and a society of genial spirits may be or ganized." Five boys were arrested by the police in Boston, tbe other day. on the cbaree of break ing into a carpenter sboDand stealing SI 50 in coppers. They used tbe carpenter's tools in the shop to try to break open the safe. When the police made an examination of the premises they found a book entitled "How to Break Safes." which had been left in the shop by tbe boy burglars. Old Newgate prison at East Granby, Conn., bas been sold and will be torn down. The buildings were erected over tbe old copper mines, from whlcb tbe first metal for the Fed eral mint was taken. It was used as tne State prison, and the prisoners' cells were in subter ranean passages of tbe mine. From 1798to 1827 prisoners were confined.60 feet below the sur face ot the earth. A well-known physician savs: "The grip is not a new name for ordinary Influenza. The genuine article and anyone who has suf fered from tbe grip will never have any diffi culty in appreciating tbe difference is a new form of influenza and many cases of the old influenza are called grip when it is not Tbe grip is highly infectious, whereas the other torm of influenza is not, or only slightly so. The marks upon tne horns of a cow in dicate her age. At 2 years old a wrinkle may be found forming at tbe base of tbe born, and as tbe horn grows the next year this wrinkle is easily seen. This marks three years' growth. At 5 years a second wrinkle appears. After that one appears every year, until at tbe age of 11 or 12 tbe wrinkles are smaller and closer and less conspicuous, and some of the earliest will have been worn away. The "plauophone" is the latest. It con sists of a keyboard with keys of the same size and description as tbe ordinary piano, a simple bu: effective striking action, and the substitu tion of metallic plates for the ordinary strings. These belm; tnned to tbe ordinary scale vleid sufficient sound to make tbe playing on tbe in strument distinctly audible to the player, but inaudible at any distance. The instrument never gets ont of tune. A new statuette of Lincoln, recently made by Scnlntor Volk, has just been presented to the Libby Prison war museum. With it is tbe life mask of Lincoln and casts of bis hands, made in I860 by tbe same sculptor. The life mask perfectlr displays every line and featnre of tbe face. The band casts are also singularly perfect tbe right hand being apparently mnch swollen from the constant bana-sbaking at a reception to Lincoln a few days before. It is said that between 60,000,000,000 and 100.000,000.000 codfishes are taken from tbe sea around tbe shores of Newfoundland every year. But even that quantity seems small when we consider that asinglo cod yields some thing like 3.500,000 eggs each year, and that over 8.000.000 eggs have been f onnd in the roe of a single cod. A herring of six or seven ounces iu weight Is provided with 80.000.000 ova. After making all reasonable allowances for the destruction of eggs and of the young, it bas been -calculated tbat in three years a single pair of herrings would produce 154,000.0001 There recently landed in Barcelona, Spain, a family of 279 persons, it consisted of a father, of 16 daughters, of whom S were widows. 9 married and 1 single; 23 sons, of 'whom 1 were widowers, 13 married and 0 single; 31 granddaughters, of wnom 3 are widows, 22 married and 9 single; 47 grandsons, of whom ! are widowers, 26 married and 17 single: 15 great granddaughters, of whom 2 are married and 43 single: 39 great-great-grandsons, all of theia, sinsle: three great-great-grandchildren; 72 sons-in-law and daughters-in-law In all 279 persons. He was thrice? married, had 39 sons, and tbe oldest is 70 years old. HELPS TO HTLARITY. "Why do the front rows always glare With bald-headed men?" said she. To let the girls who hUh hats wear See what Is on the stage. " said ne. Pue. Customer (in the wrong establishment) Can 1 secure a piece of good Milton cheese here? Dealer (nolitelyl Well, mum, the back yard's at your serrlce-ir the neighbors don't complain. -Veto Xork Telegram. An Unpleasant Reminder. Mrs. Bingo What do you think of my new dress, dear? Mr. jlngo-I try not to think about lt-Ctoo Review. Diner Here, waiterl I ordered cornbeef and cabbage and you have brought me only the meat. Walter-He cigar, sah, will be on lzlh.-Judge. "But, doctor, you said, vou know, that I must avoid all excitement" Certalnly.lt hurts you. I have always told you so." 'Why. then, did you send me your bill yester day?" tlieg emit Blatter. "Wers the costumes pretty?" asked Mrs. PfoIIIbud of ber husband, who had been to the theater wltfjont her the nljht before, and Air. l'folllbnd stammerlnply replied: 'I 1 didn't see any." Somervtlle Journal. Mrs. Jfeuwed Chnrleylove, why was .1 plain cold rlnit adopted as tbe symbol of oar rliice? Charier Berania hTthn timet fellow says all the expenses Incident to an average courtship ha Is not able to buy an jthln more elaborate.--tier's Yietkly. Jm $hjji&jf&jj3m&&3&
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers