' ; w Vi l , r ; " s"w. , - r jvt Vr T,vfr',icf "
G DISPATCH," SUTTDAX, AUU-UST 9, 2531.
if-
14 ' THE . FTTTSBUE
IT'S A EEAL DISEASE.
The Passion for Notoriety Is Probably
a Form of Insanity.
AXD IT IS CONTAGIOUS, TOO.
A riiilosoplier T as at the Bottom of the
Law for Electrocution.
MS TIIEORT BADLT UPSET, HOWETEK
rcOHRKSPOSDKNCE OF TUB DISPATCH. 1
New Yoiar, Aup. 8. Is the passion for
notoriety a disease? The question every
now and then forcibly obtrudes itself on the
thinking public. It arises from the foul
tlums where the tough glories in the news
paper exploitation of his criminal career;
from the scaffold where, even in the face
of death itself, men poe for public effect;
from every stratum of human life, the low
est to the highest
This State ofiiciallT recopnized it as a
disease when it Bought by a stringent law to
prevent the publication of the particulars
of an execution by electricity. The private
execution of criminals not only recognizes
the fact that the love of notoriety is a
disease, but that it is an infectious disease,
readily spreading to those coming in famil
iar contact with the advanced stages. The
civilized world was a long time in coming
to this conclusion, but it finally did con
clude that public executions, as well as
peculiarly horrible forms of executions of
criminal; so far from acting as a discour,
arement to crime had exactly the contrary
effect
03TE KESULT Or crVTUZAnOX.
By degrees a higher civilization is coming
to treat the love of notoriety as a disease
that, like an abnormal o e of strong drink,
frequently leads to the commission of crime.
Love of notoriety is apparently a mental
and moral affection, and whether it shows
itself in a one-horse politician, a men
hvintinp newspaper offices for personal
notices a prize tighter, sensational preacher,
lacball pitcher. Bowery tough or con
demned murderer, the disorder apparently
attack the tame fibers of the brain. What
ever direction it assumes is largely a ques
tion of environment "When it attacks a
man it is likely to lead him to extravagant
acts and excesses in his natural bent and in
his own , v-i icular sphere.
If a man is a fooi, then the bigger fool he
is the more he attracts public attention and
the lu-re rapidiv h achieves the object of
his ambition. T.'ie biggest fools in publio
life have invariably divided honors with
the wisest statesmen. If he is posted as a
"crank," the dircase leads him on to the
verge of the insane asylam. If lie is of
criminal surroundings, it pushes him into
deeper and more horrible crimes.
IS JJELIGIOJT AXD TOLITICS.
If he is a devout man or a minister of tha
pospel, it inspires him with extravagant
notions of religion, sensational utterances
from the pulpit, or with an uncontrollable
itching for new doctrines. If he is a poli
tician, he wants to ba a road supervisor,
or chairman of convention, or vice presi
dent or secretary of the meeting, or
delegate anything that will get his name
into the reports and prominently before the
people. The disease so permeates publio
life that it is tiic most difficult problem in
polities to successfully grapple with. iTiiie
tenthb ot all thoe engaged in t' e struggle
for political preferment are suffering acute
ly from the insidious disease the other
tenth want place for the mere salary.
Once in a while some conspicuous case
arises, like the slaying of President Garfield
hy Guitcau, that for the time being chal
lenges the attention of the world. That
assassin was hanged while in the last stages
of the disease, notoriety which stage
verges so closely upon insanity that experts
cannot agree upon the point whether tho
tuiferer is responsible for his acts or not
Occasionally it appears in a most novel and
incomprehensible iorm. such as in the case
of.onc Sumner, of this city, who has reached
an almost world-wide fame as the mysterioui
identifier of mysterious dead people.
1LIX WHO IDESTII'IES THE DEAD.
In this latter case we have a man, a very
Ehrewd and well educated man, w ho olun
larily assumed the responsibility of identify
ing the body of an unknown dead man, and
constructed" such an ingenious theory of the
relations between an unknown and a known
person that the inyttcry fairly baffled the
attempts of the emire" detective forces of
two States and involved the metropolitan
newspapers in the meshes of contradictory
circumstances. He sacrificed business and
sufiered unparalleled abuse at the pens of
the foiled detecties of the press, was ar
rested and imprisoned and submitted to all
sorts of satirical indignities with a morbid
sort of stoicism, accountable only on the
hvpothesU of an acute case of this terrible
disease
That it is this and nothing more I was
early assured by one who knows the sinner
welL Nobody but one with the desperate
enthusiasm and cunninc of alunatio could
have so long successfully played such a
part It was only b'ecauee the newspapers
and law officers proceeded on the usually
safe presumption that their man had some
pecuniary or other criminal interest in the
matter instead of recognizing the disease of
notoriety that they could have been so com
pletely hoodwinked. And it was only alter
columns ujun columns had been expended
upon the case, after the wires of the whole
civilized world had borne evidence of the
controversy, and alter the principal char
acter had begun new theories on new dead
bodies that the public began to suspicion
the real complaint from which this man
Sumner suffered.
THE DISEASE IS COSTAOIOTTS.
Ths-t at tins advanced stage of the disease
It is highly contagious is evidenced by the
fact that other similar identifiers sprung
immediately into existence and pounced
npon the first unknown dead body heralded
by the press. One young man identified
the body of a young woman as his wife and
offered to pay "the funeral expenses, though
within 4S hours he was completely exposed
by his ow n father. In this case, too, the
great and only original identifier appeared
upon the scene. Half a dozen of his imita
tors came at once to the front Just as the
London ".Tack the Hipper" was followed
hy other rippers in every land and clime.
Eo catching is the disease of notoriety.
In recognition of this peculiar phase of
human nature and the crying need of rem
edial legislation, a venerable philosopher of
this city conceived the idea embraced in the
lectrical execution law. He considered
the subject I don't know how many dayi
nd nights, and finally appealed to the New
Tork Legislature. In the meantime he ar
rived at the logical conclusion that if the
chief cause of notoriety could be quaran
tined, so to speak, the danger of infection
would be reduced to minimum.
TETIXG TO MUZZLE THE PRESS.
I5nt inasmuch as this cause is unques
tionably tb. newspaper press of the country,
that will go on recklessly printing the
names and exploits ot people without re
gard to moral and physical results, and that
tlie'se same agents lor the dissemination of
the plysonons seeds of notoriety are ex
tremclrealous of their right to do so, he
was compelled to proceed with ereat cau
tion. In conjunction with other philoso
phers and philanthropists, he resolved to
begin at the convicted murderer. The top
Mwcr of all criminals was the legitimate
individual through whom to experiment on
the public inoraH would be the rabbit of
the philanthropical viviscctionist If they
could make the thing work by quarentining
the public acainst notoriety in the case of
executions, the remedy could he gradually
applied to lower criminal cases and, event
uatly, to polities and society ,in every form.
There is besides a subtle sympathy be
tween the diseased imaginations and the
murderer which renders any intelligence
concerning the last hours of the latter a
highly dangerous compound. And the
mare inflammable the intelligence the more
elaborately the newspaper press is inclined
to spread it In the opinion of the select
coterie of philosophers, this should be
headed off; otherwise it would soon be next
to impossible for a good man to get his
same in print, and the dread disease, no
toriety, would prompt all sorts of peculiar
crimes, as that is already, practically, the
only show an individual nas for being
known at all.
THE SECKEOT OP EEECTKOCOTIOir.
It was therefore decided that a law by"
the operation of which a condemned mur
derer could be made to disappear from sight
and mind forever when he entered a cti-
tain room in prison would be the correct
thing. The criminal must be absolutely
lost to the world at an indefinite time. The
man could be struck by well regulated light
ning and be buried in .quick lime, and noth
ing should be said of how he met his end.
Alaw was accordinelv passed, and the
philosophers went home satisfied that no
toriety was nipped in the bud bo far as mur
der in this State was concerned. For who
would care to be killed by legal enactment
if their was no chance to pose before a well
informed public? Nobody. At least, it
would materially lessen capital crimes for J
that reason; and it would lessen criminals
by preventing the spread of unwholesome
news.
But goodness, gracious me! What a wide
difference there is in moral theories and
practical results in this world. There
never was a man, not excepting even "Sum
ner, the Identifier," who lived longer and
more gloriously in the publicey than that
miserable, ignorant, vulgar wife murderer,
Kemnilc And there never was a hero who
died on the field of battle fighting for his
country since the world began who got such
extended, circumstantial and splendidly
written accounts of his deaih.
GOING TO PUNISH THE EDITORS.
All the lawyers, scientists, philosophers,
philanthropists and newspapers in the
country took hold of his case and pulled it
up and down, twisted, tangled and tied it
up so in the courts and got it so befuddled
that the poor wretch finally said he was
glad it was all over. He'd rather be killed
nclit on ana dv any meiuoa tnau nave any
more fuss about it So at last he sat in the
chair and was consumed by quick lime and
the newspapers. "Well, they did give him
an everlastingly good send off. Even the
assassin of the President of the United
States received no more public attention
than this coarse and ignorant woman slayer.
That isthe way the notoriety quarantine
law w orked.
But thoso confounded papers are to be
prosecuted, and tho philanthropio phil
osophers who have charge of the morals of
the people of this country will see to it that
the editors are fined and imprisoned accord
ins to statute. Then we will stop thii
thing of printing the names of people in the
with the poison of notoriety and making
them ain fools and encouraging crime and
criminals. Let the good work go on.
ClIAItI.ES TlIEODOllE ilUEEA'S;
NEW ADVERTISEMENTS.
DUQUESNE
PITTSBURG'S LEADING THEATER
NEW ADVERTISEMENTS.
MGiM HUTU
lilifi2b Willi
POPULAR
DAVID HENDERSON A JOHN TT.NOBTOIT
ilANAGEUS.
COOLED BY ICED 1.
Crowded to Its Capacity.
COMMENCING
Monday, Aug 10,
THE PEOPLE.
Under the Direction of R. M. Gulick & Co..
Matinees:
Wednesday and Saturday.
THEATRE
- WEEK AUG. 10.
A CURE FOR THE BLUES I
LAUGH AND MAKE YOURSELF COOL I
BOBBY GAYLOR
As the latest edition of an everyday Irishman in
PORT M'ALLISTER!
-THE
GARROW OPERA
COMPANY
To-ka-lok removes scale, dandruff, irri
tation and itching of the scalp.
ISltatood and return, 2oc. See
tenth page.
ad.'
Excursion to the Ocean.
TheB. & O. It. E. will run their next
special Atlantic City excursion Thursday,
August 13. Special trains leave at 8:15 A.
M. and 9:20 r. 31. Itate, S10 the round trip;
tickets good for 10 days and good to stop at
Washington City returning.
Eixtvood and return, 25c.
tenth page.
See "ad. "'on
Badges for lodges and societies at ilc
Mahon Bros. & Adams', 52 1'ourth avenue.
Et.iwood and return, 25c
tenth page.
See "ad." on
An Elaborate Production!
A Great Cast!
All the Favorites!
Magnificent Mounting!
Augmented Chorus!
Brilliant Accessories!
Monday, Tuesday,Wednesday, Thurs
day Evenings and Saturday
Matinee,
ONE OF THE 400.
A PANDEMONIUM OF SHRIEKING LAUGHTER.
WEEK AUG. 17:
" The Limited Mail."
RESERVED SEATS EM 0W S
anO-5 RESERVED
y
Opens fbr tho Season
Monday Evening, August 10.
BY GENERAL REQUEST,.
Friday and Saturday Evenings,
THE
Hi .
RESERVED
SEATS,
25c, 50c, 75c.
To-KA-tON produces a peach and cream
coruplciiou and heals sunburn.
Week of Aug.
17 ERMINIE.
au9-62
Matinees Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
Everything New, Bright and Cheerful.
New Drop Curtain! New Company!
New Faces and New featuieil
EfERY SUIT
In our house that has been originally made
up to order for ?20 to 530will no w be sold for
The American Four.
t
The Salambos,
TH f The Electrlo Stan.
The Emmetts,
AMERICAN ,.
Crimmlns and Tayloa
4 MoGonlgle and Joyce,
Irish Piper and
ELECTRIC
The S Raokett Bros.
5Jj Eddie Qninn,
The Harmonicas,
VAUDEVILLE
Hiss Bessie SearL
COMPANY.
Thompson and
Johnson,
-SPECIAL ACTS 20.
Honday, Aug.
alty Company.
17 Turner's English Sped)
auO-36
$12 00.
This special sale terminates on the 22d of
August
12 50 to 55 00 will buy the very best of
made-up-to-order;Trouser. They are worth
from $5 to 515.
V J ia vPh r w m wwM,''"M"mum'yw
Next to Mellon's Bank.
auO-17
if fl M TT Iff CN ml TT w 5 ml C&
l H. " Ml I I m ill w& Jill1 w ftl ' II
GR
SECOND WEEK OF THE
EAT CLEAN-UP SALE.
Special Values
in
Melts fine Suits
Special Values
in
Men's Pants.
Special Values
in
Summer ClotJig
Special Values
in
Boys' Clothing.
Special Values
in
Child? s ClotKg
Special, Values
in
Neckwear.
Special Values
in
Underwear.
Special Values
in
Neglige Shirts.
And we are going to make it a gala week: In going over the stock, we find stacks
of goods still here which must go excellent values, but they must go. Now, while
we are holding our annual house cleaning, is your time to save money. It will
pay you to buy for future needs, for this is one of the greatest after-season
:: :: sales ever held in this towa :: . :
MEN'S CLOTHING.
Our bargains in Men's Clothing will catch your
eye, please your mind, satisfy your judgment and
fit your purse. Beginning as low as $2 20 for
Union Worsted Suits, we are offering bargains
never before thought of in the clothing business.
The special prices extend to the finest suits in
the stock no less than to the cheap goods.
MEN'S PANTS.
You have cleared up during the week a great
many of the special bargains we offered at the be
ginning. This has compelled us to reduce a
great many of the higher-price goods, and we shall
offer during the present week some booming pant
bargains.
A pair of extra pants are always handy; now's
the time to get them cheap.
NECKWEAR.
"Blest be the tie that binds." So says the hymn.
Our ties bind, too; they bind the customer to us
for neckwear.
You'll find some very binding bargains in this
line at the present time. We are going to close
out our stock of summer neckwear, cost what it
may,
Our whole 49c line of Tecks are reduced to
25c. Take this as a sample of reductions all
around.
Boys' and Children's Clothing.
Parents, your dollars at present are in great de
mand. Everybody is anxious to get them. But
not everybody is willing or can afford to make the
sacrifices we are making to secure your trade.
Come into our Boys' Department and see the
immense bargains we are offering in suits of every
grade. Sailor Suits 49c. Stylish Short-Pant Suits
at 1 98, worth $2 75.
UNDERWEAR.
Underwear of some weight is useful the year
round. Among the vast assortment which we offer
at special prices for the present sale you'll find
' eery weight and every color. In the higher
grades the prices are about one-half what they
should be. 3 Underwear goes at-$i 49. Special
bargains in broken lots and odd sizes.
SHOES
For yourself, your wife, your laughter or your
boy. Dollars to doughnuts some of you will buy
shoes this week. Now, if you want something
good at small cost here it is.
See the Ladies' Oxford Ties, Common Sense
and Opera Toes that we've reduced to 1 25. An
elegant Ladies' cloth-top shoe, patent leather tip,
$1 98.
Ladies' extra quality kid, patent leather button,
$1 69.
XOur Illustrated Paper for August, is now ready for mailing. Send your address and get a copy of it.
It's as funny as Puck and as truthful as the Bible.
Special 'Values
in
Light Derbys.
Special Values
in
Straw Hats.
Special Values
in
Hosiery.
Special Values
in
Trunks.
Special Values
in
Valises.
Special Vahies
in
Ladies' Shoes.
Special Values
in
Men's Shoes.
Special Values
in
Misses' Shoes.
AUCTIOX SALES.
GRAND AUGT ON 1
HERBOIU I
i?ieorcTiiG:
Herron Hill Park, Webster Av., Madison
Av.y Ridge Av. and Cambridge St,
WEDNESD'Y,AUG.12,
AT 2 P. M.
ON THE LOTS.
Only 15 minutes' ride by Wylie Avenue Cable Road from Fifth
Avenue and Wood Street
TERMS: $10 DOWN; BALANCE, $2 PER WEEK,
DESCRIPTION:
Herron Hill Park is the highest point in Allegheny county, and the view from these lots
is truly magnificent. In one direction a full view is had of the Allegheny river sparkling in the
sunlight, and further on the hills and valleys of Reserve township. In the other direction can be
seen Lawrenceville, Ben Venue, East Liberty, while still further to the south can be seen Fifth
avenue and the beautiful verdure-covered hills of the Twenty-second and Twenty-third wards.
No malaria can rise to the height of these lots, so that purchasers can be assured of the
healthy location.
.Bv examining- a map it will be seen that this is really the center of the city. It is sur
rounded by Lawrenceville, Bloomfield, Ben Venue and Bellefield. By the Wylie avenue cable
road it is only fifteen minutes' ride from Fifth avenue and Wood street
The time being so short all who desire will have ample time to go home for dinner.
We predict values will soon rise as high as Shadyside or Roup so soon as the advantages
are known, and the improvements on the Park by the city will still further increase the value.
AT our sale last Sat
urday one man said he
went up with the inten
tion of buying one lot,
but when he saw such a
charming place for a
house he decided to buy
four.
Others said, "What a
grand view;" "What a
lovely place;" "I would
have bought long ago
if I had known of such
fine property."
And they did buy, but
we nave ioo lots re
maining for our next
Wednesday's sale.
ijratf
H
fsQy
1ZF
ea &m$rgm?
? 'i'ih-x r --- --wr
V3' TOf -,c -lit, .1 Z frrr C l
THACTIeM!
On Webster avenue and Madison avenue we
offer the .choicest lots, many of them being per
fectly level, with good surroundings, just the place
for nice homes, with pure air, nicely elevated
ground, and quick time to and from the city, and is
the right place for Business Men, Clerks and Sales
men to build their homes.
33rd STREET.
GUSKY'S
300 TO 400 '
MARKET STREET,
BETTER THAN A SAVINGS BANK,
As real estate never runs away, no better use can be made-of savings than to buy one or
more lots. Not only is the money safe, but the increase in value, as the city grows, is very great
A CHANCE FOR THE CAPITALIST,
There is a great want for houses for rent" and sale in this portion of the city, and this
property is the very place for them. A handsome profit is sure to be realized.
Remember, these lots are really in the heart of the city, convenient to the Wylie avenue
cable road, and are not miles away in the country, so that great increase in value is sure to come.
TERMS OF SALE:
TEN DOLLARS is to be paid down on each lot at time of sale, the balance to be paid
at the rate of TWO DOLLARS (2) and interest per week or as much more as desired. Five(s)
per cent discount will be allowed on all cash sales. All sales will be made FREE OF TAXES
FOR THIS YEAR. The purchaser to assume the payment of street and sewer improvements.
Interest on deferred payments can be paid monthly. Deed to be delivered when one hundred
dollars and interest is paid, balance to be secured by common bond and tight mortgage with six
(6) per cent interest ",
HOW TO GET THERE:
Take Wylie avenue cable cars to the Car House at the end of the line, then go up Thirty
third street one square to Webster avenue, and then up Webster avenue to the property.
Remember, the sale takes place on the lots WEDNESDAY, August 12, at 2 p. jr.
Call at our office for free tickets on Wylie Avenue Cable Cars.
BLACK & BAIRD,
95 FOURTH AVENUE.
-u.3
aa9-St
,-'
A.
?
?
SLvt
r i
9&3iiftufi
,
:idfc'Jj,viir&''..-.'Vi4-
uS