f r ESTABLISHED FEBttUAEY 8. 1SIG. Vol. 46, No. 109. Entered at Pittsburg Postcce, November H. US, as second-class matter. Business Office Corner Smjthfield and Diamond Streets. News Rooms and Publishing House 78 and So Diamond Street, in New Dispatch Building. F ASTERN ADVERTISING OFFICE, ROOM 3, TRIBUM. BUILDING, . EW YORK. There com Tlete flies of THE DISPATCH can always be found. Foreign advertisers appreciate the conwnlenee. Home advertisers and friends of THE DISPATCH, while In New York, are also made welcome, TBE DISP4XCHUninJarlVonScdeatBrentm&iL, S Union Square, Xtie fori, and E Ave de V Opera, tots, IrazKe. where anyone who las beenJaisap jmntedatalwtdneios stand can abtai it. TERMS Or THE DISPATCH. rOSTCE TOEE tS THE XTSlT&i STATES. DAILY Dispatch, One Year. J 8 SO Daily DisrATCH, Per Qnarter 2 CO Daily Disfatch, One Month TO Daily JUsrATcn, Including Sunday, lyear.. 10 00 DailyOispatcu, including Sunday, 3 m'ths. 2 SO D uly DiSPATcn, Including Sunday, 1 m'th-, 80 Sunday Dispatch, One Year. S So "Weekly Dispatch, One Year. 1 25 The Dailt Dispatch li delivered by carriers at IS cents per week, or, including Sunday .Edition, at SOctntsperweek. PITTSBUBG, WEDNESDAY. MA27, 1S9L NO INVESTIGATION WANTED. The lower branch of the Legislature managed to put itself on record yesterday to almost as preat an extent as the Senate has dona The prompt suppression of Mr. Wherry's resolution for an Investigation into the methods of business in the Treas urer's and Auditor General's offices was a practical avowal that the majority in the Legislature do not want any investigation into anything. Facts known to the public place it bejond dispute that for some reason, whether through negligence, ineffi ciency or worse, about a million dollars" of State funds have disap peared. It is also plain that, to let this sum accumulate in the hands of the Philadelphia City Treasurer, a -very differ-pnt-.mit.hnil must have been pursued than is adopted with other collecting officials- throughout the State, 11en tnis altera tion of methods produces a loss of a million from the public funds it is difficult to imagine any plainer call for investigation. But the motion for that purpose is promptly suppressed. The in. ference ecms to belear that the political management which controls iheLegisla tme has determined that the people may lose a million dollars: but thn politicians ha e determined that the inside facts shall not be known. As a climax to previous avowals that the Constitution shall not be enforced, and that the pledges of the Republican plat form shall be nullified, this refusal to in. 1 estigate the methods by which the State has lost a million dollars makes the record of the present Legislature tolerably com plete. TVe would advise our statesmen to refrain from any additions to that record during the remaining forty-eight hours of the session. SALISBURY'S WEAK PLEA. Lord Salisbury's reported communica tion on the proposition for a closed season in sealing puts the boot on the other foot so far as the attacks on Secretary Blaine in the same connection are concerned. It was charged that the Secretary of State was aedgmg the closed season proposition in the interest of the Xorth American Commercial Company. If the statements from Washington yesterday are not made out of-jrholecloth, the British Government confess'esthatitlS delaying acceptance of 'the proposal for fear of Canadian crit icism. This attitude puts the British Ministry painstakingly in the wrong. On the pend ing proposition the claims of the United States that Bering's Sea is a closed sea, or that the United States has the right to pro hibited open water sealing as an act of piracy, do not appear. Indeed this propo sition practically abandons those claims, and calls upon the British Government to join with the United States in protecting a valuable interest from extinction. To reply that the Salisbury Cabinet would really like to do this, but that it cannot do n hat it thinks is right for fear of the Cana dians, is almost pitiful. On tliis position the United States can afford to take a firm stand. The adminis tration, with the responsibility for unregu lated seal fishing placed on England, can advantageously appeal to arbitration to say which Government is right A TEKDICT AGAINST ITSELF, The termination of a trial in Chicago, which is one of the echoes of the famous Cronin case, calls attention to the idiosyn crasies of the jury sj stem. AnewspiTper there commented sharply on the action of a member of the jury named Culver in securing that famous verdict, which, by the very circumstances of the case, was im possible, if verdicts aim at the truth. Mr. Cuher sued the paper for libel. The ver dict was given in fa'xor of the newspaper, thus leaving the position of the juror worse, than before. This case, in connection with New Orleans infamy, presents for public consid eration the veiy significant picture of the jury system impeaching itself. At New Orleans it was the grand Jury which formally declared that the trial jury in a murder case rendered a false verdict and betrayed justice. At Chicago one trial jury impeaches another. In the lat ter instance the authority of one jury might be held to offset the other. But the im portant pouit is that-hero are two noted cases in which, by formal and legal findings in subsequent cases, the jury system places itself on record ns having defeated justice Such a -finding should demonstrate to eery one the necessity of some reform in the jury system. As at present constituted it contains but slight assurance of justice, and when that is the cae it is worse than useless. Whether it is necessary to. abolish it altogether, or whether some reforms can be instituted to inbure the character and in dependence of juries, may be an open ques tion. But when the jury system convicts itself there is no room for disputing that something should be done. TOTTEN-S MOIST.) TERMINATION. The prophecies of Professor and Lieuten ant Totten with regard to the millennium and the end of the world have been rather mixed First, the millennium would come in 1899, which indicated either a low' stan dard for the millennium or an exceedingly rapid reformation of the world in the next eight j ears. But now we are told that it is to come and end in that year, which, sug gests the idea that the only way to reform this earthly habitation is to wipe it out and start anew. For this second prophecy Lieutenant Totten gives his authority. It is the Book of Esdras, which contains a verse to the ef fect that "the earth hath lost its youth and the times begin to wax old. For the world of it are cone already and a'half of a tenth. pari" On this basisihe modern prophet calculates that the twelfth part wi,epire in 1899, and nothing will -then, be left lor thn parth to do but to wind up business. Bf ore preparing for the "texromationf 3 all earthly anairs on t is auwoniy a gooa many people may question the plenary inspiration of JSsdras. Besides -the apoc-; ryphal position of that sacred book, modern times have .produced a plenUfuU lack of faith in mathematical calculations. Not to speak of the mathematical inac-, curacies of levanting bank officers, rail road accountants and political returning boards, the elder generation will .remem ber when dimming and Miller figured out from a regular concordance of scriptural quotations that the end of the world was to haye come thirty or forty years ago. There Is one commendable point -bond Lieut Totten's prediction. He does not leave any loophole open after the manner of Wiggins and DeVoe, so that they claim the verification of a prpmised tornado when the wind blows a full gale. If the world does not come to a complete smash by X900 Prof. Totten will own that he made a mistake. THE SAME EVERYWHERE. The troubles growing out of $he strike of the Paris omnibus drivers bears a close re semblance to experiences this country has had in street car strikes.Tbis Is Interest ing as Indicating that human nature and the vital features of the wage problem are the same in all the civilized countries. An overworked and probably under paid class strike for improved wages. So far they ae within their rights; but the dispute presently leads them, when the at tempt is made to run the stages without them, into an attack growing to a riot This" gives the employing company a chance to ask that the Government shall detail troops and run their stages a re quest which we are glad to see that the De Freycinet ministry had tne gooa sense to refuse. In one form or other this is the way the conflict Is going on In both hemispheres. It is likely to continue until labor learns that its best protection-Is in the mainten ance of law and Individual rights, and until capital understands that its only chance of seenrity and prosperity is In just and liberal treatment of labor- GORMAN AND CLEVELAND. The New Tork Evn has given the pur port of a conversation between President Cleveland and Senator Gorman during the campaign of 1888. The statement is that Mr. Cleveland, regarding the outlook for the Democrats as unfavorable, sent for Senator Gorman and requested him to go to New Tork and take charge of the cam paign work. Senator Gorman Is reported to have agreed that the outlook was unfa Torablo, and to have said that he would go to work if the President would do three things. Being asked to name his require ments, he stated them as follows; First Mr. Pearson must bo removed from thepostofflos In New Tork and a Democrat must be appointed in his place. Second Mr Graves must be removed from the posi tion of Chief of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing and the place given to a true and -trusty Democrat. Third Ton must accept the resignation of Mr. Judd as postmaster at Chicago, -which resignation was tendered some time -ago, and sorae-unphjeotionablo Pemocrat must be appointed to that office. With tha sequel that the President agreed to do the last but stated that he could, not do the first two things, and that Senator Gorman thereupon replied, "Then wo are beaten, and you have beaten us," this story of Inside politics closes. From a merely party point of view, this story is more to the credit of Mr. Cleveland than Mr. Gorman. The Maryland Senator had been charged by others than Mr. Cleve land with the duty of the campaign work. He occupied an active position on the Con gressional Campaign Committee and had also, we believe, accepted a position on the National Executive Committee.- -If t be true that when asked to discharge those duties he haggled and made terms over the filling of certain offices, it is necessary to conclude that Arthur Pue Gorman can not be described by the pleonasm which the brilliant Sun puts into his mouth of "a true and trusty Democrat" The other comment the story evokes is the exceedingly stupid idea of politics which it attributes to Senator Gorman. No question of national policy, no an, nouncement of principles affecting the public interest was, in his opinion, Te quiredte secure popular favor. Jt was simply necessary to put three fat offices in Democratic hands in order to bribe the Democratic wheel horses to support the party ticket This is not only a sordid view of politics, but it is an absolutely un truthful one. As The Dispatch has heretofore often shown, the political his tory of past years has again and again proved that the distribution of offices as the spoil of party workers is a source of weakness. The superstition that it is nec essary, together with that about big cam paign funds, is inculcated by the practical politicians solely for their own suste nance. ' On the whole if Senator Gorman has any regard for his reputation as a politician of any level higher than the lowest grade he will not regard this story as one he cares to have published. The death of , Halsey Williams, after a comparatively short illness, was an nounced yesterday. Although in middle age, Mr. Williams had long occupied an active and leading position in the financial inter ests of Pittsburg. After an active service in tho Civil War, he became connected with hanking, and continued in that sphere until a few years ago, when be resigned his posi tion as cashier of the Fifth National .Bank to embark in the natural gas business. Al though he was In falling health for some time past, his sudden death will be a subject of surprise and grief to a w ide circle of friends and acquaintances. It may be a cynical suspicion, but that Chicago story about a desperate duel In which an alleged Austrian Count was danger ously wounded, has an aroma about It of an ad ertlscment for an actress, asserted to be lovely, vhp was otherwise under the more fatal danger than -the count of remaining in perpetual obscurity. Tub report that the Hon. Tim Campbell, of New York, has joined tho Farmers' Alli ance is an evident roorback. The Hon. Timothy's experience la farming the offices in the lower wards of Now Tork City may qualify him for membership in the agricul tural organization; but he could not sub scribe to the Alliance platform. It contains altogether too many piinciples; and tho New York statesman has convinced himself by experience with the Cleveland adminis tration that principles aro an unnecessary burden in politics. After recent experience the Philadel phlans cannot be blamed for protesting vig orously against the conflict of the political powers Which provide them with two State Treasurers. A reader of The Dispatch sends it a clipping from the Sheridan, Wyoming, Enter prise, containing a statement which he thinks requires contradiction. It is the old one that women employed in "capping bolts and nails" in Pittsburg receive only tt to $5 per week for w ork at which men earn $li to $16. The yarn is cue ttte was started long ago; the time; but it is still floating around in re mote parts of the country. It Is a weak In vention of the enemy. OsLTOne thing is mora absurd than the idea of the Soman Coliseum as a side show of the Chicago Exposition, and -that is that Itarywould let it be taken there. - , The Duke of Marlborough's penchant for -writing nice things about the United States has "had Its effect In Inspiring tbenowspapers of this country to Indorso the ducal essayist with enthusiasm. His Grace evidently understands the proper way to get on the soft side of the Yankee nation, and is doing it with an industry that indicates his de sire to be ranked as the American Duke as -well as the husband of the American Duch- Only two more days of legislative work are left, but the prospects are fair that sev- J?01 Since the United States Board on Geo graphic Names has completed its task, and officially erased tho superfluous "h"from the cud of the name "Pittsburgh," there no longer remains an excuse for writing that extra letter. Everybody knows that the municipal name of the city has been "Pitts burg" all along, and only the blunder of some long forgotten postal official has ever caused the name to be spelled otherwise. Du. Briggs is in luck.. He has obtained the strong reinforcement to his position of having enlisted Colonel Elliott P. Shepard on the other side. The Philadelphia papers are hinting very strongly that some big bugs as yet unnamed have got the plunder of the broken banks, and are calling upon those -whoknowto name the names. The large fellows in plundering schemes generally get off scot free. If the Philadelphia explosion is to prove an excep tion -we fear our co temporaries will have to do the naming of names themselves. Now we begin to discover that the equip ment of a munlclpa statesman cannot be re garded as adequate without a Complete Let ter Writer. ' The issue of on esteemed Philadelphia cotemporary Just received contains its regular periodical editorial headed "Specu lation and Trade." All its other editorials do not describe their subject in similar terms, but as they deal with a matter now occupy ing exclusive attention in Philadelphia, they might appropriately be headed "Speculation and Bank-Smashing." Blarte's shoes may pinch his gouty feet, but they would be plenty loose enough for any man who might try to be his successor. IN view of the fact that the Constitution requires the purpose of a bill to be clearly described in its title, there is pertinence in the suggestion of a Philadelphia paper that the title of the bogus ballot reform bill needs to be changed. It should be called "an act to nullify Republican promises, and turn over the ballot to the control of the machine politicians." Perhaps the prize fight at San Fran cisco checked the outflow of American gold to Europe. The announcement comes from Washing ton that the employes of the Censns Bureau will givo Superintendent Porter an ovation on his return from the Western -wilds. Nothing is more gratifying than these spontaneous and Impromptu testimonials of esteem to a superior, when they are so care-,: .fully -worked up in advance, as this one. Stf AP SHOTS IK SEASOZT. Honest government by honest people is, a winning campaign cry. The play's the thing to corrupt morals; and reduce revenues. It does not pay as well to bank a furnace as to bank the proceeds thereof. A harrowing tale the account of the unfortunate who was dragged to death by a, harrow. The Mt. Carmrl flving machine is evi dently troublod with a defective flew. Race horses break youths and men as -well as records. Moke people will rush to see a living statue pose than to see a ghost walk. It's the long and short of the Wall street story that interests all concerned. It is no trouble to turn Day Into Knight, providing the gentleman proposed for ad mission into the cominandery is named Day, PHTLADEipniA will hardly point with pride to her last city haul, THE printer frequently has his fingers in the pi. The ''Clemenceau Case" still remains in Statu quo. Spite work is the only kind of work that never pays. The City Hall typewriter is earning his salary at all events. Some women are so modest that they will not even submit to atmospherics pressure. The farmers are shearing the sheep and the speculators are shearing tho lambs. One cuts the wool and the other cuts the coupons. The careless fisherman is now catching a cold. The good churchman who has his Friday steak carved in the shape of a fish must have an easy conscience and accommodating digestive organ. PERSONAL POIHTEES. Mrs, Henry Ward Beecher is looking much improvod by her trip westward. Mrs. M. B. Dixon, of Brooklyn, who Is one of the most successful figure painters among women artists, has lately completed a portrait of Mrs. Bellamy, a sister-in-law of the author of "Looking Backward." After preaching two hours and 15 minutes In Chattanooga one warm night re cently , Be v. Sam Jones asked permission of his congregation to take off his ooat, which 'was readily granted. The noted Evangelist then finished his discourse in his shirt sleeves. Miss M. G. McClelland, a noted Vir ginia novelist, is visiting in Baltimore. Miss McClelland is of middle age, tall and slendor, and with iron gray hair parted over her forehead. She is a genuine .Southern woman, kindly and cordial of manner, hearty and pleasant of voice. Major Wilhelm von Moltke and Major Helmuth von Moltke, the nephews of the dead field marshal, havobeeo the objects of much Interest recently in Germany. Major Helmuth, who was named after bis uncle, acted as his personal adjutant, and lived, together with his family, in the house of the general staff. Rev. Melancthon W, Jacobus, of Oxfoid, Pa., who has beon called to the chair of Now Testament theology in the Hartford Theological Seminary, preached lor a number of years In the Central Pi esby. terian Church at Pittsburg. Bo is tho author of several works on Biblical subjects, and Is said to be a roan of great learning. Whistler and Oscar Wilde are great friends. The story goes that on one occasion Whistler told" a very -funny story, and after the applause had ceased, Wlldo drawled out somewhat peevishly: "Egad, Whistler,- I wish I'd said that." Thereupon Whistler ret torted, amiably and soothingly: "Ah, never mind, Oscar, but have patience, for, you will ay it, indeed you will," A meeting of the Cabinet to Decide Upon It Lord Salisbury Em It Proposition-. Humored Retirement of Judges A Precedent Set Aside. pnou a stajt coa tSFONMnrr. WASHnroTOir, May 28. At the Cabinet meeting to-day there was little of importance discussed, excepting the Bering Sea compli cation, and that was . somewhat timid and hampered on account of the absence "of Secretary Blaine. It was necessary, how ever, to push the matter as far to. a con clusion as possible, on account of the urgency 6f the seal-catching company for a decision. The time is at hand when they should begin operations, and they want tq know whether they are to start out to take 10,000, 40,000 or 60,000 seals, or whether Lord Salisbury is to govern the United States, and close the seal-catching for a season and allow the animals to breed undisturbed, and the Governments of the United States and Great Britain to incubate a solution of the question. , . . No positive decision was reached, but it is probable the matter is left so nearly con cluded that the President, without further consultation, may issue a proclamation at any time. It is quite certain that the catch of seals will be limited and probably to 20,000. The only hesitation on this score Is on account of the bitter opposition to a limit by tha influential company who have bought the monopoly. Their representatives are here and have been doing all in their power to- assure them the liberty to make a big catch, even to the utmost number of 60,000. They argue that a closed season would entail a loss to the Government of $600,000 royalty on 60,000 pelts and also the expenses of the company, which would amount to $73,000 or $100,000 more, as the natives of the Pryblloff Islands and the fleet of vessels would have to be maintained as though the work were in progress. A Temporary Settlement. It is said that within a day or two, by au thority of Lord Salisbury, Sir Julian raunce fote has verbally suggested to the State De partment that the matter be settled for this season by allowing the American Company to catoh a sufficient number of seals to -pay their expenses and agreeing that the Cana dian sealers shall hold aloof entirely for the season. This-can't be positively substan tiated, though The Dispatch correspondent is assured -of its truth by what should be food authority. If It be true, It Is admitted y some of the wisest persons who have given attention to the question that it would be an admirable expedient a good thing for the seals and a good thing for Doth Govern ments involved One of the strong argu ments made by the American Company against a closed season is that the proposi tion would have to be accepted by all mari time nations, as otherwise the vessels of any country except those flying the flags of Great Britain and the United States could sail in and take seals at their pleasure: The company insists there is now no time to effectksuch an agreement and therefore that a closed season Is impossible. Meanwhile the Canadians are going mer rily along for a grand seal hunt. It Is known that 49 vessels, against 29 for last year, have cleared from British American ports bound for the sealing paradise, notwithstanding tne act or txmgress scaring tuem in tne iato, authorizing the President to arrest all poaching sealers. These 49 vessels have a tonnage of 1,209 tons, and a value of nearly $200,000 more than the fleet of last year, ana the additional havoo the 20 additional ves sels will make, the whole fleet being so much stronger and correspondingly more impudent, can well be imagined. Alto- f ether there is a prospect for a deal of rouble unless the administration agree to the temporizing proposition of Lord Salis bury and ignore the risk of incursions among the seals of vessels of other nations. The Retirement of Judges. Anjmpresston prevails in Judicial circles that several Circuit and United States Dis trict Court judges propose before a great while to take advantage of section 714 of the Revised Statutes-and go upon the retired list with full pay. Tho statute provides that any United States Judge shall be eligible for retirement after serving ten years upon the benoh or upon reaching the ago of 70 years. There are a number of these Judges who are entitled to retirement but the majority ap pear to prefer to continue in active service Circuit Court judgeships are very desirable appointments, and fne President would probably like to have a few more plums of that class at his disposal just now. At the White House and Department of Justice nothing has been beard of the rumored wholesale retirement of Judges. Judge Lorenzo Sawyer, who was appointed on January 10, 1870, has grown weary of pre siding over the Circuit Court of the Northern district of California, and has given notice that he proposes to retire. As a rule United States Judges remain on the bench until they become physically incapacitated for service. Judge Ogden Hoffman, of tbeDlstriot Court of California, has been upon the bench since February 27, 1831, and although he is past the age limit for retirement he continues in ac tive service. There are several members oStheSuprerae Court of the United 8tates who are eligible for retirement, but they show no signs of laying aside their silk robes. Private Secre tary Balford said to-day that the President will hardly appoint any of the new Ciroult Judges created at tho last Congress until next winter. The Land Court Judges may be seleotod, as there la no question about the propriety of their appointment during a recess ot Congress. Setting Aside a Precedent. For a long number of years it has been customary in Washington, upon the death of an ex-member of the Cabinet, to close the Executive Department over which he pre sided, nominally as a mark of respect for his memory, but as a matter of fact these days of suspension of business have been looked upon by the clerks simply as days of pleas, ure and enjoyment, and when a man, as was sometimes the case, had filled more than one Cabinet position, on his death hair the busi ness of the Government would he suspended. The Department building would be draped in black, but tho clerks would be out enjoy, lng an extra holiday at the expeese of the Government. General attention was di rected to this subject some months ago when the Interior Department was closed three days in one week on account of the funerals of ex-Secretaries of the Interior. Members of the Cabinet have been known to be of the opinion that the custom ought to be discon tinued, hut there was some delicacy about breaking the long-established precedent,lost it might seem to the relatives of the first man not so nonored that proper respect was not paid to his memory. The death of ex-Secretary of War and ex Attorney General Taft brought up the sub ject again, and Secretary Proctor and At tornor General MUJer talked It over this" morning. Attorney General Miller knew that the wish of Judge Taft's son, Solicitor General Taft, wouldbe that the departments should pot be closed, and consequently they concluded to omit the custom in this case. Secrotary Proctor said this afternoon that the President and the other members of the Cabinet had not been consulted in this mat ter, and the precedent would not necessarily be followed In future cases. It Is generally understood, however, that the departments will only be closed hereafter for the funerals of cabinet officers who die while in office, and there will be more sincere regretamong the department clerks over Judge Taft's death than there has over been tor those who have been officially mourned. mourning Over Call's Ke-Electlon. .The success of Senator Call, of Florida, in accomplishing his re-election caused ex treme regret here, not ouly among news paper men and all frequenters of the gal leries, but among members of the Senate, as welt It was earnestly hoped that in his stead Florida would send a Senator who would, at least, understand how eloquent It is to he silent when one has nothing to say, and who would say honestly and briefly what ho had to say. Senator Call has well earned the reputation of being not only one of the most nauseating demagogues of the Senate, but of being an insufferable bore, with his Interminable speeches, containing nothing that anyone wants to hear or read. The prospect or continued inflictions from him for another Senatorial term throw s a deep shadow of melancholy over all who ex pect to be forced, by courtesy or duty, to re main In the Senate whilo he occupies the floor. TYPHOID Iff IANCASTER., The Fever Carries Off a Number of People in That Eastern Town. SPECIAL TELXGBA TO THE mSFATCH.J Lancaster, May 86. Within the past ten days typhoid fever has prevailed in a num ber of families on a low lying portion of the town, and tho disease havingbeen traced to a well used by all those suffering from the disease, the Board of Health have had it shut up. It is located on the premises of JohaDingus, a contractor, who died Friday night from the disease. The entire family of FiedcrlckBrankluut,ntne In number, have the disease, and four of them were taken to the bt. Joseph Hospital. Another is at the point of death. Nearly a score of those who used the water are in a critical condition. What's Left of the General Wreck. Hrrlbtirg Telegraph, J Nobody seems to have stolen tho city buildings m riiiiaaeipnia. Ohio Farmers Do Not Want Him In the Senate After Hl Present Term. SPECIAL TXIGBAJt TO TUB DISrjLTCIl. Columbus, May 26. Prominent representa tives are coming in to-night and the indica tions are for a large attendance at the State convention of farmers' organizations to morrow. The leading officers of the secret and onen Alliances, Grange and Farmers' Union are present, including J. H. Brlgbam, Grand Master of the National Grange. The principal toplo of interest is the third party movement, and sentiment is about equally divided as to what should be done. All agree it is the proper course, but some doubt its expediency at this time. President Ellis, of the Farmers' Union, says ho has commu nications from a majority of the 100 Granges in the State and they fivor the nomination of a ticket. Colonel Brlgham says the third party movement will meet with strong opposition ift the convention. Should A decide tq support the idea, he does not be lieve a ticket will.be nominated at this time, but a committee appointed to look after the selection of delegates. The leaders, General S. H, Hurst, Alva Agee and others, say it is no matter what the decision maybe In regard to the nomi nation of an Independent ticket the farmers aro determined to nominate legislative can didatesininanyof the counties and Sena torial distrlots, and exact pledges from can didates of the old parties in the others; Ellis, Brigham, Hurst and others were asked if the farmers held the balance of power in the next Legislature, whether they would vote for Sherman, and they announce posi tively they would not do so. They will ex act pledges from tielr candidates that they must oppose Sherman's return to the Senate and not consent to a caucus decree in his in terest. The only ground on which they base their opposition -to Sherman is that he has been in the Senate long enough and they cannot accomplish with him that which they desire. The leaders expect a strong fight over the platform. TBE EEJTOBHED PB5BYTEIANS. Philadelphia Synod Defers in a Gentle Way to Present Troubles. PnrLAPELPBiA, May 26. At this morning's session of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America the report of the trustees ol theological seminaries was pre sented by the Secretary. S. B. W. McLeod. It stated" that the endowment fund now amounts to $44,273, which, with the assessed value of the Lamb fund, now makes a total in the form of permanent Investment of $55,473. The existing difficulties in the Reformed Church Synod which opens in Pittsburg to morrow was referred to as follows: Any. thing affecting the interests of theological education in the Beformed Presbyterian Church attracts onr attention and enlists our consideration. Events transpiring among our former brethren acting under the same name we fear justify us in ex pressing regrets that so many defections have occurred among our graduates, and that so many of theirs have Deen silenced by suspension from exercising their minis try. It is gratifying to find that there are so many among thorn in sentiment with us. We would desire to hope that the reunion for which our fathers prayed and hoped was pear at hand." At the concluding of the reading of the re port, Mr. McLeod offered a resolution which was adopted, instructing the trustees of theological seminary to take into consider ation the procuring of a permanent building for the theological seminary. HEPUBIICANS GET THESE. Those in Martinsburg Elected Their Men By a Vote of Three to One. SPECIAL TELEOBAM TO THE DISrATCIt, 3 MAKTrasBmtG, May 26, At the elections yesterday the Republicans carried three out of five wards. John W. Martin, Republican, carries the First ward by ,100 majority. Charles Lamar, Republican, is' elected in the Second ward by 69 majority, andW.Kauf mann, Repnbllcanr carries the Third by five majority. The Democrats carry tho Fourth and Fifth wards, eleotlng Edward Dlok and George W. Schlll, respectively. The election passed off quietly, and a large vote was polled, DEATHS HEBE AND EIEWHBE. ' Mrs. Estelle Austin, Mrs. Estelle Austin, known all over the country u Bamum's strong woman, died In Worcester Monday, aged 45 years. She- was a large child, and early developed remarkable strength. At the age of 17 her farm was well rounded out and she had arms and limbs of good site, with nesb and muscles like Iron. She married Baron de ItaUle, "the man with the Iron jaw," an attache of the circus. Mme. Austin's greateit feat In the circus wis balancing on her shoulders and neck a cannon welihtng 400 pounds, with a fuU-Krown man stand ing on each end. The men would then If ap to the & round and the cannon would be loaded. Then a ttle boy. her adopted son, would mount the cannon and apply the fuse, dischargtnt; the cannon, Mme, Austin was also an accomplished equestrienne, gho used at times to drive 8, 10 or 12 horses in chariot races. She was about 6 feet 10 Inches in height, with broad shoulders, large arms and legs, well-developed head and a beautiful face. She weighed about 250 pounds. She was noted for her kindly temperament, and her neighbors speak of her with great affection. James McHenry, James McHenry, the man who built the AtlanUc and Great Western Hallway, now the New Tork, Pennsylvania and Ohio, died Monday In London, He was a man of most attractive per sonaUty. genial and generous, and a warm personal friend of Louis Napoleon, Queen Christine and the Duke of Salamanca, after the latter of whom he named the town of Salamanca, N, Y,,. as acknowl edgement of the Duke's large Investments In Great Western. On one occasion Mr. McUenry, when "strapped," was able, through -Queen Christine's friendship for him, to borrow 100, 030 of her. Two years ago Mr. McHenry won the suit against the ErleroAd, He was a determined antagonist qf Gould and Flsk for many years. Eliza B. Straw n. Mrs. Eliza K., widow et the late JoelO. Strawn, died at her home In Connellsvlllq Tuesday morning last, In the 67th year of her age. She was one of the best known and highly respected women in the coke country, being noted for her acts of kindness and Christian character. She was a woman of remarkable Intelligence, and was an ac tive and zealous working member or the Christian Church for 55 years, ItevDr. J. Henry Van Dyke. Rev. Dr. J. Henry Van Dyke, pastorof the Sec. end Presbyterian Church, Brooklyn, dropped dead at 10 o'clock Monday night at his residence. 33 Remsen street, that city. He had been In New York during the day, but returned home, and was enter taining company at the time of hla sudden death. Bobert M. Urokaw. Jlobert 31. Brokaw, aged 32, died last evening at bl residence on Mt, 'Washlngtgn. He Is a son of.ex-Pollce Maeistrate Brokaw, of the Southsidc, Obituary Notes. Teeodobe Pe;k, the famous French ceremlst, Js dead Jn Paris. CossTAKTrNS PAPARRinajQrotaoB, the histor ian of Greece, Is dead. MBS. W, II. Collings, an actress and the widow of an old-time actor, diedMondayin New York. Daniel Mortiitek, a character actor and the Siungest son of J. K. Mortimer, the comedian, ed Sunday of consumption tn New York, 8EWALI, F. PBESCPTT, proprietor of the Hotel Brunswick, at HaverhllL Mass., and wcU known throughout New England, died Monday, aged 79 years, REV, Bibbt KOBERTS03 , a widely known pio neer Baptist preacher, and probably the oldest In theStite, dkd at Spencer, Ind., on Sunday night, aged 78. DAVID Meekek, a former partner of Senator Stanford, dlcdinSanTranclsco Monday, Ho set tled In California in 1850, and was prominent in State politics. LEWIS M- Bbiogs, a prominent politician of Atchison, Kan.,, died Saturday at Battle Creek, Mica., aged 50. He was au ardent supporter of John J. fngalls. JoiixB. Hollevbeck died Sunday. He was horn In Richmond, Vt 1792, and was a Lieutenant in the War of 181!. He wAs Initiated Into Free Masonry In 1813, and was tho oldest Mason In the world. ' EX-COCHTT COJlMISSIONBB WILLIAM HALV a contractor and lumber dealer well known through out Ohio, died last evening, aged 75 years. His grandfather. Lymaa Hall, was one of the signers of the Declara."0" of Independence. yBAHCiS A- Wilbdb, Professor of analytical ehemlstry of Rutgers College, died yesterday of pneumonia, He was President of th Young Men's Christian Association in New Brunswick for several years and was deacon of the Becond Re formed Church. WlLtAM S. MoNair, aged 7 years, died at the County Hospital at Fanburst, Del., from pneu monia Monday. He was. Past Department Com rounder of the Delaware O. A, it., and was also nationally connected with the order. He was a Journalist and historian. WILLIAM HAL8EX PELTOJf died suddenly Satur day In Loulslaua, at the age of 33. He was the son of John M. relton, who, in April, J8C, was chosen chairman ofthe meeting of elUzens of New Or leans, who had assembled to consider the advisa bility of surrendering the city to General Butler. He married Florence TUtou, daughter of Theodore Tllton, . COLONEL Hajxbjsox APRBON died at his resi dence In Baltimore Monday, sifter an illness of three weeks. He was tn 11 of the hottest hat tiAe nt thn war. waa annolnted nenslnn agent for Maryland by General Grant, elected to several Important offices In the Grand Army of the .ItepuDUC auu hmwjiiuiw .vatuaasbtr ?l x- oreoy jrrcuucubvMucM, S0CIETTS MALM. An Onting for Three Prominent Literary Societies Pleasing1 Entertainment at at Church United States TeaOther Bodal Aflhirs, Fast and to Come; Tb three prominent literary clubs of tho city, the Woman's Crab, the Traveler's and the Woman's Press Club, will unite in taking a Wopsononock Jaunt on the 19th of next month. Arrangements have been made whereby the excursionists will have a special car on theregnlarlo'clock train over the Pennsylvania road. They will "put up" at the Logan House, Altoona, and from th ere, accompanied by the Press Club of Altoona, will visit the tip-top peak of the Allegbentes. A reoeptlon will be tendered the tourists by the Press Club on Friday evening. The trip will occupy three days, and husbands and brothers and best young men will be pro miscuous in the party, they being included in the invitations. TAirm people were at a discount last evening at the Butler Street M. E. Church, because the supply was entirely equal to the demand and there was no stringency in the talent market. The talent was not confined to the stage and the performers, but was em bodied in many of the audience, who were attracted thither by theprogrammes out lined for the concert. W. A. Lafferty di rected the performance and Miss Florenoe Hostetter officiated as accompanist. The choral olass that took part numbered 125 voices. The performers outside of the chorus were: C. E. Stewart, S. Hamilton, Theodore Salmon, Mrs. Allen, Miss George, Mrs. Beadle, W, C. Hamilton, .Kate Mc Mannls, Carrie Angell, 0. E. Stewart, Lucy De Armlt, George SLMurphy, Mrs. George Slonerod, Mrs. 8. Hamilton, Lillio Chalmers, Miss Angell and Mrs. Allen. A ecti-o of newspaper writers who were at the Johnstown flood was held yesterday afternoon. Colonel W. C. Connelly reported that he had secured transportation and the party will leave at 8 Saturday morning for Jownstown. There will be about BO-people on the excursion. The party will be enter tained by A. J, Haws, who owns the lime kilns in which the newspaper correspond ents made their headquarters, and the Cam bria County Medical Sooiety. The day will be spent in visiting the different points of interest, and the party will return to the city about 8:10 tn the evening. Invitations were extended to the Flood Belief Commls slon, officials of the Pennsylvania road and all active newspaper workers on the daily papers. Sweet pickles, cake, iceaream,eold chicken, sliced ham, deviled eggs, biscuit and rolls were the subjects under discussion at the special meeting of the Woman's Club yester day, instead of Russia in its variqns phases. The talk resulted in discovering an affinity between some one of the delicacies men tioned and each lady present that will be come more apparent nex$ Tuesday, when the club will close the season with a basket picnic at the lovely Edgewood home of its President, Mrs. C. L Wade. The event Is looked forward to with a great deal of pleasureable anticipation, as past experi ences in the same line have been of the most delightful order: - Tax United States appareatly have social aspirations and desire to get into the swim, as the saying goes. They will on next Thurs day and Friday evenings, in the Sandusky Street Baptist Church, give a tea, for which universal invitations are extended. Tha guest of honor will be Brother Jonathan, and Uncle Sam will of course ba host. Tha 13 original States, it Is reported, will be a little exclusive and will not mingle with the rest of the Misses and Messrs. States. It is to be a great social success without doubt, as the entire family of States, Win all, are busy as busy can be making all-arrangements, securing caterers, music and per formers and outlining the programme. Tax rest of the churches in the city will look with envy soon upon the Second Pres byterian as it will within a fortnight don an entire new dress that was not completed in time for Easter, but which will be of the very latest in spite of the delay. The Sec ond Presbyterian is feeling very gay these days, giddy, if it was anything else but a sanctuary, because last week the xrv hind most dollar of a floating debt of $2,000 was paid, leaving it entirely free frommortgages. hence it intends to pnt on a little style and announce its prosperity to the world in gen eral. Tax Becker mansion, on Ellsworth avenue, will be filled with distinguished guests next week, prominent among them Mrs. Justice Miller, of Washington, D. C and her niece, Mrs. Dame, of Sharon; also Mrtf, Crls, a bright little newspaper writer employed on Murat Halstead's paper in Cincinnati, and Mrs. Etchleberger, of Urbanla, O, The ladies will be tho recipients of considerable social attentlon,intheway aemi-informal teas and dinners. Social Chatter. Tax ninth anniversary of the Home fox Aged People will take place at Wilklnsbnrg to-morrow evening, A most enjoyable time is anticipated. The prosperity of this good charity is a most delightful evidence of the generosity with which Plttsburgers main tain a glorious work founded by themselves. The managers of the home depend largely op the proceeds of the annual dinner for the running expenses. Luncheon win be served from 13 to 4 In the afternoon. ' Aw enjoyable meeting of the Allegheny County Young Peoples' Societies of Christian Endeavor was held last evening in the Second U. P. Church, Allegheny. "The Parson ahd the Peomjb" was the sub- iect of a lecture last evening delivered by Lev. Charles Edward Locke at the Centenary M.E. Church.. Mrs. E. E. Vxepeb, an authoress of some note, is the guest of her brother, Nicholas Veeder, of Allegheny avenue. Miss FtQRjwcE Hall, of Allegheny, will give a party to-morrow evening fn honor of Miss Johnson, of Cincinnati. "Mrs. D. T. Watsoh cave an exceedlnslv de lightful dinner yesterday. Covers were laid for guests. A hitmbeb of young people ydslted tho Bes semer Steel Works last evening, , THE STATE TH?BS. Knlghts In Session at Erie Have a Parade Through That Town. CSPEC1AL TLKQA TO THE pigrATCH. Erie, May 26 The Grand Commandery of Pennsylvania were greeted with bad weather this morning, and although no rain fell during the parade the air was damp and heavy,' Two thousand Knights Templar paraded with the usual amount of bands. The thirty-eighth, annual session of the Grand Commandery met this afternoon, Deputy Grand Commander Joseph S. Wright presiding. The candidates for Grand Junior Warden are in the field to-night, and the prominent candidates are Gust A. Schjechter, of Bead ing, and 8amuel S. Y6he; of Eaaton, Tha Western Pennsylvania members of the Grand Commandery are very enthusiastic) over their support of Bey, Dr. Albert W. Ryan, Of Warren, for Grand Prelate, Dr. Byan was appointed Prelate by tho present urana iiouno.nuur w mt a vacancy, neso- auoptea i cora-condi- tlon nrevents his attendance at the sessions. A reception was tendered the visiting mem bers of the Grand Commandery this evening in 8chott's Hall, C, S. Clark, of Erie, made the address of welcome and was responded to by Deputy Orand Commander Wright. Five thousand persons attended the event this evening. SOU- QUAINT RIDDLES, Bits of French Folk Lore Translated fey- Headers of English. These curious riddles, which all have one answer, and aro familiar to tho people of various paits of France, aro quoted in the Mevue da Traditions Poputaires. What goes from Tarls to Lyons without moving or taking a step? What goes to Paris wllhoqt once tow the everything. ... M nito, very wnue, it encin -ies ine eartn. If I were not crooked I could not oxlst. The queen's carpet, always spread, never folded. What looks very long In the sunshine and has no What arrlvett fl rt at the market and first reaches' homef Answer The road. No Such Word as Surprise, Wllllamsport Gazette. J t If Edison carries out his promises as to what he will exhibit at the World's Fair the word "surprise" might as well be stricken out of tho dictionary. The people will no Ipnger regard anything as impossible. A Trick in the Legislative Trade. Bcranton Republican. It looks as if the Legislature intended to accumulate a yaat amount of legislation, dump it on .tno uovernors o.es ana then hastily adjourn. WAMH 0? H ST-Et A Decrease of Over S,000,000 In the Ag gregate of Taxable Property. rericiAL telegram to the nfsrATCH.J' r HABBB-3,MayS8. Inhls annuaTreport jhe Secretary of Internal alrs .complains that difficulties are encountered in the exe cution of the State Weather Service Bureau, as well as the Bureau of Vital Statistic The report says during the present administra tion there has been a registration of more than 10,000 physicians, which retpmsiave been received largely through the efforts of Pr. Leo, Secretary of the State Board, of Health. Some of the counties hare not fully reported, and it has been found diffi cult to execute the law, because -no provis ion has been made to compel the olerka of the different counties to make the returns, and no provision is made fbrcompensation. The total number of taxables In -the State, as returned in 1889, was 1,173,180, whilo that in 1890 is LI ,179, showing; a decrease of S8.S05. It is proper to add that nearly eTery county shows an increase, such as might be expected from the growing population of the State, except Philadelphia. The total value of real estate has increased from 11,113,399,250 to $3,183,901,356, an increase of $710,805,136. There is an increase of 12,672 horses reported as subject to taxation and an Increase of $131,173 in their aggregate value. The number of cattle increased 8,206 and their value $151,006. The total amount of salaries increased from $71,166,965 to $76, 723,291. There is a decrease of $63,733,713 In the aggregate value of property taxable for county purposes. The following counties have made the greatest Increase: Allegheny, $3,634,019: Dauphin, $2,353,580; Erie, $1,719,811; Fayette, $1,136,866; Philadelphia, $100,238,103. There is a large increase in the amount of money re ported at interest. In 1S89 It was $117,930,612 while last year it was $512,019,906, an increase Of$81,0,296. KUTG AND C0TOT 7001. ' The Latter's Last Lesson to the Former, Francis L, of Franc Harper's Magasine. .One of the most brilliant pages of the annals of the Chateau de Chambord Is that which recounts the visit of. Charles V. to that royal residence in 1539. It will be .remembered that the Em peror of Germany bad requested Francis I.'s permission to traverse France on his way to Ghent, where hissubieets had Just broken out in revolt. Francis L, al though he had been very badly treated by the wily Emperor during nis two years' cap tivity, resolved to take a noble revenge, and granted the request. The whole court were anxious not to lose the opportunity of ob taining even by force a revocation of the treaty of Madrid, which the King of France had signed under the severest compulsion. Trlbouiet. the court fool, himself took the liberty of giving a practical lesson to the chivalrous monarch. The dwarf had tablets whioh he called e Journal de$ Ibus (The Fool's Journal), on which he entered the names of those whom he considered more foolish than himself. On hearing that Charles V. had set foot on French territory, he drew out his tablets and began to write. "What are. you doing theref" demanded the King, "Sire, I am inscribing hU Majesty the Em peror of Germany as the biggest fool in the world." "And what will vou do if I let him passt" "Sire, I should rub out bis name and put yours down in its place." We are not told whether Trlbouiet kept his -trcrrd; but not only did Charles V. pass freely through the States of Francis I., but the King, who took his knighthood at the hands of Bayard, received him with such magnificence as to make his Imperial Majesty declare that if he were God the Father and had two son he would make one God. and the other King of France. IsntltNlce? McConneusburg Democrat. It Is a pity that the people of the north. est of the "settlement" in Franklin ate so far behind the day in the matter of oscula tion. Why, the kissing of young ladies in Fulton is like the saluteof turtledoves beard through a long distance telephone, Of No Denefit, Anyhow. Altoona Tim, As it noy-stands the Baker ballot bill (or what is left of it) might Just as well be de feated. Its provisions would be inj urious In stead of beneficial. New Version of a Popular Story. WUUam sport Gazette, The Bard's-lay and ihe Key's toneVare' evi dently set to the musio of "Empty is the bank, boodle's gone." Oh, No, It Shines First. ConneusvUle Courier. The PjTT8trBO Dispatch shines forth in a now dress. PKOPW WHO COKE AW) CK. Judge McLean, of Boanoke, who is in terested in a Southern land scheme, is at the Seventh Avenue Hotel, The Jndge states that many Virginians belong to the new party! and mosi of them are Democrats, but he thought the new venture In politics would soon go to pieces. He thinks Cleveland will he renominated. Captain J. A. oar and E. O. Hums, a deputy sheriff during the Mt. Pleasant riots, were at the Seventh Avenue Hotel yester day seeing old friends. The Captain says his conscience does not trouble him for the part he took in the ooke country outbreak, and be feels that he has done his duty. "W. H. Snyder, Superintendent of the Ohio division 6f the United States Express Company, and Kev. Walter Whltteq, of Cumberland, are stopping at the Monon gahela House. Mr. Snyder says the receipts of the division up to date are ahead of last year for the same period, T, E, Jlorgan, Sr and his son Edwin, of Alliance, are at the Ducuesne. Mr. Morgan is a wealthy iron man, and during McKln ley's fight hired trains to take his men to Republican mass meetings. The old man's heart was almost broken when the protec tionist fell by the wayside. A party of Philadelphia people passed through the city last evening lound for Cleveland to attend the triennial meeting of the Reformed Episcopal Church, In the crowd were Bev. William Tracv, Charles it, Morton, John Heins. Thomas Ilansell and Henry Godley. Assistant General Freight Agent Charles W. Cole,of the Pennsylvania Corapnny, went to New York last evening- to attend a classi fication meeting. Mr. Cole said the presi dents bad not yet agreed about the coke rates ana me, situation was uuonaugea. Dr. "W. E. Taylor, of Ban :Francisco, a retired sunreon of tho United States Naw. and Miss Grace Taylor registered at the Duv quesne last evening. Air. .rayior oas oeon in the East for several months, and stopped over to see his nephew, W. I. Musttn. Bishop Andrews, of the Methodist Epis copal Church, passed through the city yes terday bound for Utah. He thinks the church will get nearer the truth through the numerous relig'ons discussions now agitating the righteous. Superintendent Hamilton, of the AUe Thorp, of New York, the great authority on chrysanthemums. Lawrence Sands, a 'VVashingien capital ist, is at the Andorson. He owns a patent on an electric device for cleaning boilers. Colonel Andrews and he are organizing a stock company to put the Invention on the market. Colonel Thomas M. Bayne registered at the Schlosser yesterday. He denies the stories that he is after a foreign mission or that he will be a candidate against Quay for the United States Senate. Senator Dolph, of Oregon, with his family were in the cltyjresterday going home from Washington. The Senator says Harrison will be renominated and the West wants him. I J. H. Haverly, the minttrel manager, is in the city making arrangements to manage the "Last Days ot Pompeii," which will be glveu this summer In Recreation park. B. Benton, ofBuflalo, President. of the American Preserve Company, arrived in the city last evening, A meeting of the execu tive committee will be held to-day. Among those who went East last evening were M. J. Alexander, 8. P. Kennedy of tho Cotton Bolt route, and United States Die. trlot Attorney Walter Lyon. Constable Harry Lewis, of Alderman Means' office, has been appointed vehiolo, officer for the East End district. Alderman David JIcGary, of the Twenty, eighth ward, will leave for Atlantlo City this morning on a pleasure trip. Dr. IteMngcr, i well-known physician of Unlontown, was seeing the sights In the city yesterday. Councilman Hugh Ferguson will leave to-day for Tennessee to look after his quarry interests. Howard. Calder, a prominent young Mu- J 'risburg lawyer, was in the city yet terday. 1 CURIOUS CONDENSATIONS. A bedtime luncheon of lettuce Induce sleep. The first negro bank in BJchmond was opened a few days ago. A clock in Battle Creek, Mich., iaj been Tunning fpr 100 years. A Deadwood rancher shot a bear 14 times before a vital spot was reached. A Florida woman was nearly poisoned1 to' death recently by accidentally inhaling; flea powder, which she was scattering; about a room. Corea has a cave from which a wintry wind perpetually blows. The force of the; wind is such that a strong man cannotstand before It. England's "great blizzard," which be can on the night of March 9 last, is to ba. honored to tho extent of having a volume! mfoiUelf. f-A Georgia man in splitting wood one) day found a hickory nut flrmly embedded; in the heart of the timber. How it cam there is a mystery. Dr, Hinc te, of Americas, Ga,, has a piece of china ware 7S3 years old. The date, 1109, is plainly stamped on the bottom, and Its only flaw is a broken handle. An English head, servant gave notica that he would leave for being excluded from the dining room during the family repasf and thus losing the dinner's stories. There is a mineral spring in Corea, the healing properties of which are believed to be miraculous. No matter what disease may afflict the patient, a dip in the waters) proves efficacious. During the Bussian scholastic season of 1331-92 cranlometrlo and anthropological ob servations will be made upon all the students of the institutions of learning of the St, Petersburg court, Special cars for invalids will be placed on the railroad lines which run to St. Peters burg. They will be fitted out with easy berths and surgical instruments that may be required in cases of accidents on the road. Ajiew sewing machine by a Welshman has no shuttle or bobbin. The thread is sup plied directly from two ordinary spools, and sews through the assistance of a rotary looper. It & -vastly more simple than any other sewing machine. A Hungarian woman, 31 years old, wad a. passenger in a canal boat that reached Brooklyn from Kensington yesterday marn lng.. When the boat was made fast sne and the boat's commander, aged 66, went arm-in-arm to a police court and were married, Neither could speak the other's language, so the ceremony, like the courting, had to be performed with the aid of an interpreter. The tomato Is both a fruit and a vege table.. The common distinction between a fruit and a vegetable is that the former may be eaten raw, the latter cooked. But a better dlstInctlon,havlng fewer exceptions, is tbafl a fruit Is sweet when ripe, while the vegeta ble 1 not. Perhaps a combination of tho two distinctions makes tho best definition! A fruit is sweet and may be eaten raw: vegetable is not sweet, and needs to bo cooked. One evening, W, T. Beeves, manager of the Postal Telegrsph Company, in Madison, Fla., found that his wires did not work be between that point and Greenesboro. In tha morning Mr, Reeves started out on anint vestigafing tour. When within six miles o. Greenesboro he found two mammoth snakea hanging across the wires in such a manner as to oonneot the currents of each. The) snakes had been killed, tied together, and hung out to bring rain, the work being dasa by darkles in the neighborhood. , railway across the ocean will be the next enterprise for modern genius to un dertake. A French engineer some years ago wrote a paper in which be assumed that at a depth of say 600 feet the water of the ocean is ot such density that it will sustain any object which can possibly be placed upon lc, and then proceeded to propose the construc tion of a railway across the Atlantic by sink ing a contlnous line of iron tubes in which a double track could be laid for the running of trains from continent to continent. It has been reserved for an antipodean spouse to plead that the marriage service -binds a husband to provide for his wife only till death do them part, and that he is oonse seqnently not compelled to defray her fu neral expenses. The legal luminaries of Australia, unluckily for- him, were not dis posed to grant laxity of marital obligations, and now, as bylaw established, he has dis covered that a husband's duties only cease wnen the undertaker is paid, and that a woman's "rights" Include funeral expenses, Matching the stories of valuable and unappreciated oil paintings, sold for a song, is the English one concerning a miraculous transaction in Sevres china. Early In tho past century a gentleman presented a rever end friend with two vases as a wedding present. These vases stood for more than iO years on a cabinet in Somersetshire rectory, without attracting any particular notice, until a sale took place after their owner's death, at which they were bought for two guineas by a tradesman in Bath, Within a few weeks they resold for 600 guineas to a Bond street dealer, who speedily disposed of them for 4,000 guineas. In. olden times if a person accused of a crime refused to plead he was condemned to the -"forte peine et dure." He was stripped, taken into a dungeon, and laid on the floor, with a sharp stone under his back. On him, was laid a door, whereon were piled heavy weights, as much as ho could bear and more. The first day three morsels of bad bread were given to him, the second day three draughts of stagnant water, and so until be died. If a prisoner was convicted, his es tates were confiscated; to prevent this con fiscation many prisoners suffered this pun ishment. In this country a man, called to plead to an indictment of withcraft, stood mute, and la said to have been pressed to death at Salem, Mass., in 1693. Ehe facilities for marriage in Heligoland have been greatly curtailed since it has bo. come a German possession. Among other conditions both parties must produce certif icates of birth In order to prevent Jews be ing married there. All who are under I must produce a legally attested written con sent of parents, or, if these are dead, a cer tificate of their death. Widows or widowers must produce the death certificate of the de ceased wife or husband, and, if they have children, prove that the property willed to those children is seourely settled upon them. The entire expense of a marriage in tha island is about 200 marks. In spite of thesa . conditions, marriage in Heligoland la a much; simpler and easier affair than in Germany. . A THEE TO SMILE. TBE 1U IT T LT, Oh, first buzzing fly of the season, Why. why are you here la my soqpj Pray give roe, frail creature, the reasqa That led you Into It tq swoop. Pas your lora of but yesterday's wooing To red hot bouillon consigned yon? Or has business brought on your undoing. So that here In tureen depths I find yon? No reply? Never mind, yoq are landed And given a chance to recoup; But beware, for the next time you're stranded, You're likely to stay In the soap. i " .Vw Ior.flira . "Time brings strange reversals. There's poor old Henpecfc. for Instance, who married bis typewriter." "Wen, where does the reversal come lnl" "Why It was he who used to dictate. Life. "Is he a good singer?" "Ishcl Why, the other night he sang two min utes without stopping to breathe. I teU you he's great. .Veto Tork Recorder. Maud I don't know whether Charlie; reaUy loves me or not. Her Brother What did yon give hbn for a birth day present the other day? Maud A box of cigars. Her Brother Did he smoke them? Maud Tes. Her Brother Too may be sure he loves you, Cincinnati Enquirer. Johnny Pa, when I become a man, could I be elected President of the United States? Father-Certainly my boy: you were born in this cduntry. Johnny And conld I be a policeman if I wanted to? father Why, no. You were bom in this eonn try. Xtnjmii ne't yews. "Miss Angelina," said young Sir. Brief less,, tha barrister, with Illy concealed emotion. "I know tha t my Inexperience In courts Is against me ibis la. In fact, my first inlt-but I hateaa attach ment r you. Will you accept service!" 'Jot as yon are. without one plea," gashed Miss Angelina, as Mr. Briefless folded hereto, his breast with lezal precision aad imprinted seal upon her rouge-red lips. Chlca go Times. Banker "Willis At last, Miranda, I have gained the goal ofmy ambition. I am worth ,039, 000. Mrs. WlUlJ-O, I am so glad, Jethra An4 so thankfal! We'll spell our name Wyllys now.Woat we?-CAiWo Tribune, ., ."-.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers