Tj-ygyrstptiy THE PITTSBURG DISPATCH, THURSDAY. ' SEPTEMBER 10. 1891. $0$. ESTABLISHED FEBRUARY 8. 1846. Vol. 4S.Xo. 35. Entered at ritlsbnrg Postoffice, November 14, 1SST, as 6econd-ciass matter. Business Office Corner Smithfield and Diamond Streets. News Rooms and Publish'ng House 7S and So Diamond Street, in New Dispatch Building. FATF.r.N ADVERTISING OFFICE, ROOM 21. TRIBTNFnUIUMVJ. NEWYOUK, where com-r-'.ete files ofTHEDlM'ATCHeanalwiTi be found, horelrn advertisers appreciate the convenience. Home adrertlvr ind Mends of THE DISPATCH, v bile iu J cw York, are also made welcome. THE TUSPATCnisreetiJarliionitaUatBrentano's, I Citum Square. A York, and 17 -1t tl' f Opera, Pnrie, France, ichere an'jone who has been aitap pointed at a hotel neics stand can oftfcii n it. TERMS or THE DISPATCH. rOSTACE FREE IX THE UXTTED STATES. DAriT DiSrATrit. One Tear J 8 CO Pailt Dispatch, Per Quarter. 2 00 1UIL Dispatch. One Month TO Daily Dispatch, Including Sunday. 1 rear.. 10 00 Daily Dispatch. Including Sunday, Jm'ths. 2 50 DaIli Dispatch, Including Sunday, 1 m'th.. 90 -rvDA Dispatch, One Year. 2 50 V eekly Dkpvtch. One Year 1 25 The Daily Ditatch 1 dell ercd by carriers at 1 cents per week, or, including Sunday Edition, at SO cent per week. riTTSlJURG, THURSDAY, SEPT. 10, ISaL GRAIN 'OT HELD BACK. The reports of the pram movement show that the lartje outflow of grain for expor tation to be expected from our abundant crops and the sharp demand for our products in Europe is already in opera tion. The receipts of jpain at New York for the last half of August were over two and a half times as sjreat as last year; at Philadelphia ten times as large, and at Baltimore nearly seven times as large. The total for the three ports is 13,693 car loads against 3.2G2 carloads for the same period last year, an increase of about 300 per cew Besides the gratifying commercial as pects of the proof that the United States is promptly taking advantage of the oppor tunity to market its surplus of breaistuffs at good prices and is sending European nations their much needed supplies, these fimires are significant as showing the utter emptiness of that silly scheme for raising the price of wheat by inducing the farmers to hold back their crops. The Dis r vrcu always held that the much adver tised circulars to . farmers could i.nt affect the market to the slightest decree. But as there was an almost equal certainty that the Inter national demand for grain would estab lish the higher rauge of values that has since prevailed, there was the danger that the charlatans who were trying to ride into popularity on that scheme would claim for it the advance that is due to the European scarcity. Fortunately these statistics reduce that scheme to the value of an eploded bubble. The foundation of that idiotic proposi tion was that the farmers should be in duced to hold back their crops and produce an artificial scarcity to secure advanced pnce The statistics show that four times , as much grain is moving as at the same time last year. Prices are higher because h- legitimate consumptive demand estab lishes higher values. The farmers are uking the wise course of realizing as promptly as their individual needs and in ciiMdnal opinions justify, and the schemes of the scarcity charlatans are shown to be worthless. AGAINST omciAL INTERFERENCE. The action of the Trades Union Con gress at Newcastle, England, on the sub iert of eight-hour legislation shows an opinion on that subject which looks de cidedly more conservative than the ex pressions of American organizations on t'u saLie subject It is true the question wa"- presented in somewhat different shape there than here, the action being wnii regard to proposed international leg-i- latum fixing the hours of labor at that 'imit Perhaps on that question the American laboring interests would take 'Ik same view as the English did; but as 1'' the expressions on this side of the ocean .ir- in favor of working toward the eight hmirday by all means open, it is some v hat surprising to find the English body t renouncing emphatically against this proposition. The omphitic nature of this negative wa due both to the perception of the congress that the conditions differ in differ ent trades, and to the expressed dislike of the majority to governmental interference and the socialist ideas. One delegate ex t rossed the latter opinion by the declara t on that government interference in'labor pr ibleras was to go back a hundred years, and that view was followed oy the ver large majority givei to the resolu tion that legislation reducing or fixing the hours of labor should be of a permissive, or optional, character AVhile this may hate been adopted as letting the Socialist element down easily, its real meaning is that there should be no Government inter ference whatever. It is optional with the mdustr.al interests in all Anglo-Saxon r luntnes already to fix tho hours of labor !)- agreement between emplo)-ers and employed, and any legislative attempt merely to increase that liberty would be so much waste paper. The Xew castle Trades Congress seems to be very sturdily of the opinion that each trades union is fully able to settle, eacii for itself with its employers, the question of the hours of labor in its own industry. SEASON OI" FREIGHT BLOCKADES. The alternation from a famine to a feast in railroad traffic lias already taken place this j ear. The reports which usually ap pear in October of sidetracks filled with loaded grain cars and railroads blocked with trains in excess of their capacity, are now in full blast. The early appearance ol this condition permits a slight hope that it may be relieved earlier iu the sea son than usual But, as there is certain to be the largest movement of grain on record during the opening crop year, it is to be expected thatthe condition of gorged railways, blockaded freight and a general oar famine will be the regular one for months to come. Of course, this is partially excused by The fact that the great grain movement this, fall and winter makes an exceptional demand on the resources of the railways. But, with due allowance for that fact, there is still an illustration of the false railway policy which aggravates this frequently recurring phenom enon. Railway managers have known for months that there would be a heavier grain movement this fall than ever before, and they have been warned by just such blockades in previous j ears of the necessity of preparing for the rush of business. If every railroad in the country had prepared for the emergency by putting its facilities in first-class order, and enlarging its rolling stock, it is evi wkM dent that the condition of blockade would not have set In so soon. No doubt many railroads did so, and wo are glad to "recognize that our own roads were reported long ago to have placed large orders for additional cars. But it remains tho fact that the prevailing method of permitting railways to lay hold of the cars of other lines wherever they are to be found and to keep them wander ing all over the country, affords a premium to the roads which let other companies build the cars, and places those who try to keep their rolling stock up to requirements at a disadvantage. This together with the tendency of a good many companies to run their business on a hand-to-mouth policy, makes thg present situation an illustration of one respect in which the present system of railway or ganization does not conduce to the best and most economic results. FASSETT STRONG AND WEAK. J. Sloat Fassett, Collector of the Port of Xew York, has been nominated for Gov ernor by the Xew York State Republican Convention. Mr. Fassett is a man of con siderable ability and of fascinating personal Qualities, and it is believed that there is much of promise in his future. His strength in the convention, however, was largely derived from the influence of the machine, and it is altogether likely that his weakness at the polls will be attributa ble to the same source. Prior to his nomi nation he was opposed by the anti-machine wing of the party, which believed him to be the representative of one who was said to be "the most prominent disciple and most efficient lieutenant of the worst polit ical leader who ever engineered defeat for a great party." A great many Xew York Republicans have been getting more and more in the habit of being crowded out, and it is unfortunate for Mr. Fassett that at this time he should be placed at the head of his ticket through the influ ence of the machine. "With party tickets headed by White and Flower, the cam paign would have been a battle between brains and boodle, but it seems that Xew York Republicans were not prepared for so radical a step. THE LAST CIX)DD COMPKLXER, It may be of interest to the rainmakers to learn that a new means of procuring the rainfall has been discovered in Paris. It is nothing less than the Eiffel Tower. At least that is the allegation that now comes from the French capital. That lofty structure is alleged to produce elec trical disturbances which have changed the climate of Paris. The conclusion has a strong flavor of the old farmer who tes tified before a committee, investigating the dangers to navigation on the Goodwin sands, that he thought they must be due to Tenterden church steeple. When he was a boy there was no steeple there, and he did not remember so many wrecks; but since the steeple was built there had been a great many. Therefore, he was certain that Tenterden church steeple was the cause of the trouble. The Parisian logic is largely on the same model The Eiffel Tower was built before Paris had a rainy season or two; ergo: the Eiffel Tower is a rain producer. We do not know why this logic is not entitled to as much respect as the applica tion of the same severely strained syllog ism to the rain-making enterprises of this country, especially when as in the Mel bourne wizardry the obstinate rains fail to make good the promises. Eiffel towers are undoubtedly expensive rain-producing implements; but when one is built it goes right on doing its work, subject to the dis advantage of producing rain when it is not wanted as when it is. This latter consid eration should induce the Chicago enter prise to hold its Eiffel Towers in reserve unless something additional is needed to moisten the Exposition. From present statements of the capital needed in that concern, we should say that anything in the line of further water privileges would be wholly supererogatory. PRIMITIVE BOOKKEEPING. In the past, one of the stock arguments ngainst the consolidation of Pittsburg and Allegheny was loose and extravagant financiering on this side of the river. But since the days of the old Water Commis sion, when Pittsburg bonds erethrown around like waste paper in some of the City ITall offices, nothing has developed here to equal the single entry bookkeeping which is now being exploited in the Alle gheny City government Market Clerk Hastings' style of accounting Is evidently of the most primitive type, Yet, there ap pears to have been no check upon him in the Controller's office, and the reason as signed is want of clerical help. The happy-go-lucky system seems, however, to have its compensation when the City Fathers are gravely informed, as they were Tuesday night, that the treasury has $100, 000 more than It was believed to have. Bookkeeping at Pittsburg City Hall in exorably follows the course of events and expenditures; and the result is nearly always a deficiency, never an unexpected surplus. At this time when a considera ble shortage is threatened In Pittsburg's appropriations for the current year it would be a most agreeable surprise if a discovery were to be made like that which overjoyed the Allegheny City Fathers Tuesday night. THE SA5IO AN SILVER QUESTION. In addition to the other troubles of Samoa, it is calculated to inspire the peo ple of this country with sympathy to learn that they also are plagued with a Silver Question. The silver question presents itself there in a slightly different form from ours, but the basic ideas are the same. The Germans trading on the islands had imported a lot of old silver marks of Wurtemberg and other small principalities, and wished to put them in circulation. To this tho natives objected, as they could not use the coins in pay ment for imported articles except at a dis count Their objection called forth the rejoinder that the German Government would be very angry unless the depreci ated coin be taken at par, which, as the German colonization policy is notoriously run for the profit of the German compa nies, may be founded on fact The variation of theSamoan silver ques tion from our own specimen of the same variety is important, but it only aggravates the hardship. Xotice has been served upon the United States as an entity that unless it takes the 80-cent dollar at 100 cents the silver mine owners will tear up things generally and especially turn politics so completely upside down that neither Republican nor Democrat will be able to tell whether he is on foot or on horseback. But this is all in the family. If a hated foreigner should come and tell us we must take his depreciated coin at par, the American spirit would proudly rise and remark that we would see him further first That is the way the great problem of coinage is presented to the Samoans, and it is no wonder that the natives of those far-off isles are indulging in the mild Pacific Ocean equivalent of kicking about It Still, the question in Samoa and in the United States rests on practically the same foundation, namely, the acceptance .by the people of a coinage at more than its worth. We would advise the Samoans to keep their eyes on the United States. If the great American nation can be made to accept a short weight coinage, the weak Pacific Islanders might as well take their medicine. AN UNPROFITABLE CARD. The wreck of that attempt to make dramatic capital out of the unsavory repu tation of the Mann woman In one of the scandals of the past year Is an encourag ing proof that theatrical taste is not to be caught simply by the exploitation of scan daL There is a certain element in tho dramatic profession of so low a level as to suppose that an exhibition of indecency will attract the public. But the failure of the Mann show, which traded simply on the bad reputation of its alleged star, and of "The Clemenceau Case," which sought to make a hit by a daring personal expos ure, prove the contrary. It would be futile to claim that the stage, or any other profession, is superior to having bad char acters in the ranks of its profession, or even that some actors with questionable records are not more or less successful But the examples referred to convey the comfortable assurance that a bad reputa tion has got to have some dramatic quali ties back of it, to reach dramatic success. The people who put their money into dra matic enterprises simply on the advertise ment of a notorious scandal will always undergo the well-deserved punishment of losing their money. The French army maneuvers are satis factory, the German army maneuvers ditto, tho Austrian army maneuvers are the same, likewise the Russian, tho smokeless powder is a grand success and the Mannlicher rifle is a daisy. Still business does not commence. Tho New World should send to the Old one an earnest request tostato what it is waiting for. American citizens will feel a pleasure mingled with sorrow at learning that Mr. C. P. Huntington has paid tho gambling debts of Count Hatzfeldt. it is. pleasure to learn that the son-in-law of an American railway king can resume his position at court; but this is alloyed by the reflection how sharper than a serpent's tooth it must be for a California millionaire, to have a son-in-law who furnishes tho professionals a picnic at poker. It would have been far more excusable for Count Hatzfeldt to have gone broke on a stock deal. That would probably have kept the money In the family. De Blowitz's article in Harper' s.ITaga tfne on the European situation strikes the average reader with the impression that there is one man who knows all about the perils of Europe and he is going to paralyze the world by telling a fraction of what he knows. De Blowltz is appropriately named; "ACORNS imported as a substitute for coffee are pronounced dutiable. So the free breakfast table is still dimly distant," re marks the Philadelphia Record. Inasmuch as coffee and tea were placed on the free list some years ago, and sugar this spring, the free breakfast table can be brought within the realm of clear vision by the simple do vice, which tho American people have re sorted to for a generation, of using genuine coffee, The esteemed Record should brace up and bring its remarks on tariff matters within speaking distance of the facts. When the Congressional party in Chile gained the upper hand tho United States Government made haste to recognize it as tho Government. A very short time before they were refused belligerent rights. The United States in this case, has been princi pally successful in postmortem diplomacy. Touching the probability that Balmae eda will, when ho gets away from the se clusion in which he is modestly shroud ing himself, make his home in either London or New York, the New York Ad vertiser says that tho vote in that city "will be in favor of London." Unless, of course, Balmaceda is able to get away with those millions of Chilean moneys. In that case New York will gladly take in Balmaceda and his millions. TnE visit of Prince Dam Bong, of Siam, to England will, it is to be hoped, demon strate to the English that he is not so em phatically wrong as his name would indi cate, but that in the language of tho politi cal shouter on this side of the ocean, he is all right. The Philadelphia police are making a decided display of their raidB on speak easies, and yet there are people who are mean enough to say that the reason why there are 3.000 speak-casies in Philadelphia is that the police do not wish to suppi ess them. It is a pertinent fact that after the Pittsburg police officials made up their minds to go for the speak-easies in earnest that nuisance was very speedily reduced to a minimum. The regular Republicans of Xew York City claim that they have not recognized the ex-wicked Gibbs. Still when they see a dark shadow looming in their political hor izon, they are able to tell that it is Gibbs. There is an indiscretion in the remark of the Philadelphia North American that "the cry of the Democrats, 'Thou shalt not steal,' shows that they havo a smattering of the Ten Commandments." It is too suggestive of the retort that some Republican officials do not seem to be so well off; but are pur suing the principle laid down by an ex statesman of the Republican party that "the Decalogue has no place in politics." Vacancies in the Cabinet, present and prospective, are producing some specula tion. Yet it will bo far easier to All them than the hole in tho Treasury surplus. One of the pleasing features of the re turn of General E. Bard Grubb to tills coun try is his reported intention of letting the people of New Jerser elect him as their Governor. The fact that New Jersey had this op portunitv once before and failed to utilize 1 it, interposes no obstacle to General Grubb's Kinaiy intentions. 110 Dears no mauce lor a little omission of that sort, and will give New Jersey one moi e chance. The Pennington airship has loaded itself with a mortgage. In fact, it seems to be do ing everything common to kiting enter prises of tho day except flying. It is reported from Berlin, that the Em peror is engaged in editing a bill to be pushed through the Reichstag at its next session, to suppress drunkenness in Ger many. From the reports of that voyage on board the Hohenzollern, there seems to be a great need for such a bill. It is to be hoped that it may prove successful in reforming the head of tho German Government. Statesmen Present at a Reunion. SlASSiLLOir.Sept. 9. special. The regular annual reunion of the Seventy-sixth Regi ment, O. V. V. I., was held hero to-day. One of the members present was Governor Lyman U. Humphrey, of Kansas, who en listed iu Company I, in this cltv, when 17 years of age. Among other 111 eminent members present were General Wilson War-ner.ex-Unlted States Senator from Alabama, who was the first Major of the regiment, and W. H. McBride, Commissioner of Insur ance of Kansas. What Reciprocity Is. Rochester Democrat Chronicle. 3 Reciprocity is exchange with foreign countries in non-competitive products. This embodies tne solidest kind of protection for home industries. A Blasphemous Prince. Philadelphia Press. J It is bad enough to be wrong on many points, but the King of Siam has a brother who is Dani-Rong. He must bo a Mugwump. NEWS OF THE CAPITAL , .The Itata Case Believed to 'Have Been Set tledThe Latest Series or Armor-Plate Experiments Smokeless Powder In tho Navy. rrEOM A STAFF COHRESFOltDrXT. Washington, Sept 9. Though neither the 8tate Department nor the envoys of the constitutional government of Chile will con firm the report, it is well established that a satisfactory conclusion nas been reached between tho negotiating parties with re gard to the disposal of the Itata caso. For several days conferences have been quietly in progress. Ex-Mayor Grace, of New York, who has all along been warmly interested in the success of the now victorious narty in Chile, took part in tho conferences. The basis of the compromise is that upon payment of the expenses of tho pursuit, capture and return of the Itata by tho Chilean Government tho vessol will bo' re leased. It Is believed this is decisive, as the envoys have been in constant cable commu nication with Junta at Santiago, and it is tlioreforo supposod the latter consented to tho arrangement. The dlsposltion'Nin the part of the representatives of both govern ments is to erase old scores, forgot slights and snubs and mistakes, and establish friendly relations as sneedilv as possible. The Chilean envoys hero, who were a few days ago so loud and bitter in denunciation of their treatment by their Government, have now put a diplomatic padlook on their mouths. Egan "Will Have to Go. Envoy Julio Foster, who has been ex tremely communicative all along, is still very cordial to correspondents, but smiles and says to all inquiries: "I'd like to tell you all I know, my boys, but I'm in a posi tion now In which I caunot say a word." Jlr. Foster is over 70, though he looks but 50, and says "my boys" to fellows who are youngsters no longer. In the establishment of friendly relations, however, one thing will apparently bo impossible, and that is the acceptance of Egan as Minister. Judging from the tone of Esan's cable messages he seems trying to accomplish this, but if so, it will bo useless. He will temporarily be treated as is becoming to the representative of this country, until affairs can bo got in order in Chile, and then If this Government falls to ask his resignation his withdrawal will be requested. Tho friends of tho victorious Chileans in this city will resist all attompts toward the retention of Egan, and thev are all provided with evidence of Egap'spartlsanshlp.the pro duction of which will bo sufficient to secure that gentleman's recall at any time. While the Seoretary of tho late Balmaceda Lega tion remains Acting Minister in the absence or the late exuberant Lazcano, Mr. Egan mar well bo tho same sort of representative in Chile of this Government. New evidence to-day cropped out in various forms that SenofDon Pedro Montt will be appointed Minister to the United States. If that occurs and if Senor Don Jorge Montt, now chief of the Junta, be elected President, tho brothers Montt will have a powerful grip on affairs in Chile. Armor Plate Tests. The series of armor plate experiments that have been condncted by the Naval Ord nance Burcan sinoe tho competitive armor trial at Annapolis last September, have re sulted in the conclusion that the best armor plate thus far developed is made of nickel steel treated by the Harvey process of sur face carbonization, and accordingly the first orderfornickel steel armor plates for aotual use has been given. It Is for tho 15-inch side armor for the coast defense vessel Monterey. Tho turret armor for this vessol Is now in process of manufacture at tho Bethlehem Iron Works, and is so far advanced that it will all ho of plain steel. It will also bo treated by the Harvey process, however. News of the NaTy. Criticism oi the general mismanagement of the navy and the special favors bestowed on Acting Rear Admiral Walker, tho pet of the navy, who has been for upwardofa year displaying himself and the finest vessels of tho navy In the "Whito Squadron," has re sulted in detaching at least one vessel from the North Atlantic fleet. The York town, whoso launching at the Cramp yards in Philadelphia five years ago was made the occasion of a grand excursion from this city with wine and rich viands all the way, was to-day ordered to San Francisco. Her chief officer is Commander Evans, who has been for two davs the most important witness at Hampton In tho Halncs-IIannegan murder case. The duty to which she is to bo as signed is not yet announced. The import ant fact is that newspaper criticism has forced a change in the poiicy.that has mado the navy a field for scandal tor some time. The United States navy is now in posses sion of a smokeless powder that promises to be equal if not superior to that in use by some foreign countries, and which portends a new "rev olution" in naval warfare. For six months experiment has been in progress at tho torpedo station at Newport with a powder which is mainly tho invention of Prof. Charles Monroe, chemist at the tor pedo station, though it has been aeveloped under the auspices of tho Navy Department. Several tests with six and thrco pounders have just been made. The results with the former havo been equal to those attained with tho best smokeless powder in use in foreign navies, and with the three pounder somewhat superior. The composition of tho powder is a secret known only to three offi cials of the navy. MANY SNIPE BAGGED By President Harrison on a Hunting Trip Near Cape May. Cape Mat, Sept. 9. Special. The Presi dent was out gunning to-day in Cape Island Sound, and killed IS yellow-legged snipe on the meadows of the two-mile and five-mile beaches. The President was accompanied by George W. Boyd, Lieutenant J. W. Parker, Charles Coffin, of Baltimore, and Congressman John E. Reyburn, and they went out in Mr. Rey burn's steam launch Neosho. This evening ex-Attorney General of Indiana Lewis T. Michoner and his daugh ter. Miss Nora, dined with President and Mrs. Harrison. To-morrow the President will go out gun ning at Manumuskin again, leaving hero early on a special train to-morrow morning. No official business was done to-day. The President will probably leave for Washing ton on Tuesday next. NAMES FBEQUENTLY MENTIONED. The Queen of Italy has a $7,000 dress. Secretary Proctor does not drink cold tea. The Shah of Persia carries a kodak when traveling. Judge Gkesham spends his vacations with his mother. Christian Reid, the Southern novelist, lives in old-fashioned gray house, near Salis bury, S. C. One of the many affaires galantes of the late King William of Holland is embodied in he romance of the "Olmenceau Case," by Alexander Dumas Ills. The Kaiser is a great admirer of white. Twenty of his different uniforms are mado of white material, and his-wardrobe is said to contain more than 100 pairs of white trou sers. RlCIIAKD Wagner's widow, the daugh ter of Liszt, is a tall, flne-lobking old lady. Her features arc those of Liszt, softened to a feminine mold, and her face is rather strik ing than handsome. Bismarck has the neuralgia, Diaz is regaining his health, Spurgeon grows weaker daily, Senator Quay is troubled with sleeplessness, tho Kaisor again has earache, and Gladstone isn't feeling very well. The German friends of General Sigel in New York are proposing to raise a fund by popular subscription for the old veteran's relief. Ho is now in receipt of a pension of $100 per month, but of late years has been quite unfortunate in business and other ways. " The Princess Ghika, sister of Queen Natalie, has ono child a boy. So displeased is tho Princess with the sox of her child, who is now 9 years old, that she calls him by a girl's name, dresses him like a little girl, in frills and lace, and is bringing him up much after the fashion of girls. J. C HeVwood, the Pope's new Cham- . berlain, is a Harvard graduate of 1855. He was admitted to the Dar in 1858. Mr. Hey wood has written a number of poe'ms of merit. Harvard has given him the degrees LL.D. and A. M. The position he holds is not an ecclesiastical one. Judge John Martins, of Kansas, once or twice an unsuccessful candidate for Gov ernor on the Demooratio ticket and a lend ing lawyer of thatstate, is as much addicted to-wearing a buttonhole bouqnot as General Butler, and his courteous manners have won for him tho title of "The Chesterfield of Kansas." A PAIS OF TBAGEDIES. Mr. Haworth and His Company In Fra DIano and Rny Bias. "Fra Diano" 'and "Ruy Bias" formed the double bill at the Duquesne Theater yester day afternoon. The former play was a nov elty absolutely. It is a duodecimo tragedy by Robert Drouet, of Mr. Haworth's com pany. The scene Is a dimly religious clois ter, and the plot is dark but not at all re ligions. .JValManoIsamonk. To him comes a rair maid, his pupil, pleading for protec tion from a cruel uncle, who would force her to marry some old reprobate. Her chosen lover comes with her. Closo upon them follows the undo, Count Neverro, in whom Fra Diano at once recognizes tho man who stole his wife, and whom be had sworn 17 years before to kill when ever chance offered. An exciting dialogue ensues between these two, which develops the fact that PhreUla, tne distressed maiden, is really Fra Diano'a daughter. Fra Diano thereupon kills Keverro and. himself with poisoned wine. This is the pith of it. Tho play has power and an antique flavor. It lacks probability. A priest of Fra Diano' nobllitv and Christian spirit is not exactly tho sort of man to commit murder and sui cide as coolly as Mr. Drouet makes him. The literary quality of Mr. Dronet's little play is high, and perhaps with another finale its dramatic value might be brought to the same level. Mr. Haworth as Fra Diano gave a subdued and impressive personality to tho holy man, and especially in the farewell to his daugh ter brought out the pathos of the story fine ly. Handkerchiefs were in great demand. Miss Keith as Vhrellia was about the only gleam of sunlight that pierced the gloom. But aside from the charm of contrast. Miss Keith's embodiment of graceful girlhood was positive enough in itself to be delight ful, and her playing of the part was unusu ally easy and natural. Such Intelligent work from a novice cannot be praised too much. Atkins Lawrence and E. J. Morgan were fairly satisfactory, the former playing the villain in a conventional manner. In "Ruy Bias," an adequate consideration of which must be deferred, Mr. Haworth, Miss Kidder and Mr. Drouet all showed to advantage. Mr. Haworth, in the title role, presented an heroic figure, and in the earlier scones especially shono without effort, re serving himself wisely for the violent finale. The queen given us by Miss Kidder was royal indeed. The dignities of carriage, of feature and of voice were in her united, and she rose to the tragic height of that awful adieu to Ruy BUu with wonderful effect. Mr. Dronet's Don Salltat was spirited and ar tistic. These plays will be repeated to-night and on Saturday night. Stage Notes. The advance sale of seats at all tho thea ters begins to-day. Gus Williams, the German dialect come dian, will be seen In a revival of "Keppler's Fortunes" at the Bijou Theatre next week. The Gormans Minstrels, said to be a largo and talented bodv of singers and actors, come to the Grand Opera House next week. At the Duquesne Theatre next week "O'Dowd's Neighbors," which Is called an operatic comedy, will make a bid for laugh ter mainly. JUDGE C00LET RESIGNS His Place on the Inter-State Commerce Commission on Account of Illness. Washiwqtox, Sept. 9. Judge Cooley, Chairman of the Inter-Stato Commerce Commission, has tendered his resignation. This letter has just been received here: 'Akw Abdob, Mich., Sept. i. "E. A. Mosley, Secretary: "My Deae Sib I havo had within the last few days quite a serious relapse which, though I have in some degree recovered from it, I think, renders it imperative that I should resign my commission as Inter state Commerce Commissioner, and I have, thereforo sent my resignation to tho Presi dent. I regret greatly the necessity of withdrawing from the Commission, but feel that my duty to the public as well as to my self under the circumstances demands it. I shall ever cherish with the liveliest senti ments of affection and respect the recollec tions of my association with you while my connection with tho Commission continued. Very respectfully yours, "Thomas M. Coolet." Judge Cooley was appointed by President Cleveland at the organization of the Com mission for a term of six years. At the first meeting of the Commission, March 31, he was unanimously chosen chairman by his associates. A BLOCKADE OF WHEAT. Western Railroads Taxed to the Utmost to Move the Big Crops. Kansas Citt, Sept. 9. Ever since the wheat harvest in Kansas was Degun receipts of wheat at this place have been enormous. Many of the farmers with big crops nero anxious to market theirwheatatthe earliest possible moment and secure ready money to pay their debts. Up to within the past week the railroads have been able to handle the crops with moderate promptness, but slnco then the receipts have been so heavy that a blockade of serious dimensions now exists. Reports from various points in Kansas say that loaded cars of wheat are waiting on tho switches for transportation. Tho raihoads are doing everything to break the blockade. Allsparo engines have been brought into service, and it is expected that in a few days all tho receipts of loaded wheat will be for warded with reasonable dispatch. The Erie Methodist Conference. Meadville, Sept. 9. Special The fifty sixth convention of the Erie Conference of the Methodise Church was formally opened this morning by Bishop Charles II. Fowler. There was an attendance of 200 delegates. The following officers were eloctcd: Secre tary, W. P. Graham; Recording Secretary, W.'H. Bunce; Statistical Secretary, George Collier: Treasurer, Manasses Miller. There was nothing done in conference business ex cept preliminary work. In tho afternoon Judge Tourgee delivered a lecture on "The Philosophy of Olivet." The Lonlsvlllo and Nashville Strike. Nashville. Sept. 9. There Is no change in the strike of the Louisville and Nashville conductors on the Nashville and Decatur di vision. Superintendent Geddes offered to accept the apologv from Conductor Ridgely, but the Order of Railway Conductors would not listen to this. The brakemen havo joined the conductors in the strike. DEATHS HEBE AND ELSEWHEBE. Rev. Horvey D. Ganse. Rev. Hervey D. Ganse, D. D., Secretary or tne Presbyterian Board of Aid for Colleges and Academies, died suddenly Tuesday evening at his home in Chicago from paralysis of the heart. In the morning Mr.Ganse complained of a feeling of depression. Ills Indisposition lasted' all day, but was not supposed to be serious until a few moments before the end. Dr. Ganse was born In Flshyille, N. Y., February 7. 1822. ne graduated at Colum bia College In 18T), and at the New Brunswick Theological Seminary In 1843. He was dm Installed over the Reformed Chnrch of Freehold. N . J.. whence he was called In 1850 to the Twenty-thlrd Street Reformed Presbyterian Church of New York City. In IS76 he transferred his ecclesiastical con nection to the Presbyterian body and became pastor nrthn First Presbyterian Church of St. l.nnia of the First Presbyterian Church of St, Upon the organization of the Prenbyterlan Hoard UP' ofj zaiu ffes Aid for Colleges and Academics In 1883, Dr. Ganse was elected Its Secretary and removed to 'hfcazo to enter upon the duties of the office, con tlnulng therein until his death. In every position which he filled Dr. Ganse displayed abillUHsof the highest order, united to an unusual conscientious devotion of duty. He was the author of several gublUhed addresses and treatises, but his name Is est known as the composer of numerous hymns among the church's collection and sung by Presby terians universally. Mrs. Ellen Moore. Mrs. Ellen Moore died yesterday at the residence of her brother-in-law, Henry Dickson, on Miltcnberger street. The deceased was In her entl, r. and was well-fenOwn In fonnpr TAnnt In religious and charitable circles. The Immediate cause of her death was old age. She was a sister of Mrs. Henry Dickson, William Moore and the late George K. and Albert A. Moore. Mrs. Harriet Barnhelsel. Mrs. Harriet Barnhelsel, wife of E. VT. Barnhelsel, managerof the "Fall ofPompell," died at her late residence In Harrlsburg on the 6th Inst. The interment will take place at Green Castle, Pa., to-day. Mrs. Barnhelsel was a daughter or Peter Walter, Sr,, of Lancaster. Obituary Notes. LadyMaloset, wife of the recently appointed Governor or British Honduras, died at Bellre Sep tember 1. two weeks after the arrival of the couple. She succumbed to the prcvalllug epdemlc, malarial fever. Eorron JONAS M. Btranv, of tho New York Mail and Express, died Tuesday night at the Grand Hotel In Paris. He had received a stroke of apo plexy, resulting from an advanced stage of llrleht's disease and he never regained consclous n ?. Thcbidy will be embalmed andjplaced In tue receiving vault of tho American Church on Avenue de 1' Alma. TALK OF THE TOWN. The Deadly Banana on Duquesne Way A Stranger With aThoasand-DoUar Propo sition A Plttsborger's Visit to Bar Harbor. "Ten cent a dozen, banant" That's the cry that you will hear a score of times as yon go down Duquesne way to the Exposition, Onr Italian brother has dis covered the craving for edibles that a visit to the Exposition begets, and the banana Is close upon the heels of the popular pop-corn. A handsome young son of the South, who lolled upon the handles of his fruit wagon, chaffing the gamins around him, told me yesterday that he had sold during tho day t'was then about 3 r. v. 13 dozen bananas. His stock was running low and ho expected to sell out before evening. The banana business ought to be fairly remunerative to the vendors even at such very lpw prices as five for a nickel, but on Duquesne way It should also put a penny or two In the doctors' pockets. Not that tho banana, ripe and sound, is indigestible, but the evil In them lives after they havo been eaten In their skins. Dnquesne way is carpnted with them; in some places the banana' peels actually conceal the beauties of the primeval pavement. The man who gets to the Exposition without slipping on the cast off coat of a banana may back his luckVith assurance. Bluff Meets Bluff. "Give me some paper and envelopes," said a man with a sharp, oheeky face to Chief Clerk Crosby at the Hotel Anderson yesterday. "Over at the news-stand," was Mr. Cros by's reply with a serene smile. "Doesn't this hotel provide Its guests with notepapert" asked the sharp-faced man. "Are you a guest?" "Well, not exactly but I'm going to take dinner here." "Be good enough to register," said Mr. Crosby, offering a pen and pushing forward the book. The man registered and held out his hand for the paper and envelopes. "One dollar," said Mr. Crosby coldly. A confused expression and a rather sickly smile took the place of the self-confident look on the man's face. Then he said: "I was giving you a blnff, you know!" "Just so," said Mr. Crosby, "but bluffs don't go here." A Cool Thousand Won. About the time when oil circles were stirred by the burning well at McDonald station an elderly countryman in a linen duster entered the Oil Well Supply Com pany's offices on Water stieet, and, stroking his long beard, said with some spirit: "Gen tlemen, I have something of Importance to tell you." Mr. Eaton, who was nearest the Peffor llke stranger, asked wnat he bad to commu nicate. "I've just deposited $1,000 forfeit In bank that I kin put out any well that gets afire!" tho old man said, with great emphasis. "1 kin put out that there fire at McDonald's as easy as a wink. Let me show you these," and he took a brown paper parcel from his coattall pocket. Just then a gentleman who had been talk ing to Mr. Eaton, said in a gentle, quiet way: "You can win that thousand dead easy, sir." Wisdom with the whiskers wheeled around and said solemnly again: "I've posted a thousand dollars that I kin squench that Mc Donald fire an money talks." "Well. I repeat vou havo that thousand won," said the gentleman who had spoken before. "What d'you mean?" asked the Inventor. "That the McDonald blaze was put out yesterday. The well Isn't burning." And the elderly man left off stroking his beard, wrapped his duster about him, and hardly needed the suggestion of Mr. Eaton to take his gigantic scheme into the Iresh air. Were Not Invited to Call. A Pittshurger who was at Bar Harbor a few days ago not Mr. C. L. Magee said to me yesterday: "On the way to St. John's, N. B., the steamer stopped for eight or ten hours at Bar Harbor, and we went ashore to see. the town. We did not go to see Mr. Blaine, because we had not been Invited to call, and moreover tbe men who haye not in terviewed Mr. Blaine on his health, and that of his boom, are getting so few that we thought we'd stay in their ranks. But we heard enough of tho great statesman. Ev erybody In Bar Harbor Is just full of him. The hackman who drove us about told me that he'd seen Mr. Blaine tbe day before walking on the street, 'and mighty strong and well he looked.' All we heard confirmed this favorable report of Mr. Blaine's health. We stopped to moisten our clay at a tavern, and mine host behind the bar, a chatty old fellow, vouchsafed the information that he had seen Mr. Blaine playing basehall with some boys. I thought he was joking but he stuck to the story as a piece of history, and after that I felt prcttvsure that ill-health w ould not prevent Mr. Blaine from rnnn(ng from third base homo in 1892." OUR MAIL POUCH. The rirst From Great Britain. To the Editor of The Dispatch: When did the first steamer from Great Britain arrivo in New York, and what was its name? Snip. Pittsbcro, September 9. Tho Sims, a ship of 700 tons, sailed from CoikAprill, 1S39, and the Great Western, 1,310 tons, left Bristol three days later. Both vessels arrived In Xew York April 23, tho Sirius in tho morning and the Great West ern in the afternoon. Thee we're the first steamers to reach New York from Great Britain. In 1819 the Savannah crossed from Savannah, Ga., to Liverpool, and thenco to Russia, returning to tho United States from Russia direct. The Savannah was the first steamer to cross the Atlantic Russia's Population. To the Editor or The Dlsnatch: Will yon Kindly inform mo what the pres ent population of Russia is, Including Siberia? Iwqcibeb. Pittsbubo, September 9. The last census gives the total population of European and Asiatic Rnssla as 108,787,250, of whom 09,770,000 wore Russian, 6,010,000 Poles, 2,910,000 Lithuanians, 1,120,003 Germans, 70,000 Swedes. 1.125,000 Tajiks, 800.C03 Ar menians, 2.951.000 nebrows, 2,850,000 Cau casians, 2,000,000 Finns', 7,700,000 Tartars and 530,000 Mongols. The BatDe of Waterloo. To the Editor ofThc Dispatch: On what date did tho battle of Waterloo ooeur, and at what time of the day did It commence, " J. D. Livebpool, September 9. It took place on June 18, 1815, and com menced about 11:30 o'clock in the morning, ending at 8:30 in the evening. A CHANCE FOB MACQTJEAEY. That Divine Remains a Minister, bat Mast Recant Before He May Preach. Cleveland, Sept. 9. Bishop Leonard, of the Episcopal Church, to-day made publio his decision in the case of Rev. Howard Macqueary, whose attorneys recently movod for a modification of the sentence passed upon him some six months ago. Mr. Mac queary was originally suspended .from the university for six months, to bo deposed at the end of that time if lio.still refused to ro cant his heterodox utterance. The Bishop n.ow changes the sentence to perpetual suspension until Mr. Maoqueary shall recant. While this decision leaves the accused still a minister, he cannot preach until he has conformed to tho Bishop's orders. The Rennlon of a Regiment, Somebset, Sept. 9. Spe-ial. One hnndred and six survivors of the One Hundred and Forty-second Regiment Pennsylvania Vol unteers met in reunion here yesterday. Owing to the unpleasant weather the meet ing was held in the courtroom. A banquet was given to the members of B. P. Cummins Post, G. A. R., anil their wives. Tho visitors viewed the grave of their Colonel, R. P. Cummins, in the cemetery here, and re solved to erect thereon a suitable monument to his memory. The next reunion will be held at Connellsville. Mr. Fitzgerald Not Seriously 111. Lihcoln, Neb., Sept. 9. Reports sent from this city relative to tho condition of John Fitzgerald, President ot the Irish National League of America, havo greatly exag gerated tho seriousness of his illness. Re peated inquiries at his home bring tho same response, that his condition is in no wise critical. Mr. Fitzgerald's ailment is in the nature of brain (ever, complicated with stomach disorders, and dates back soma three weeks. COUNTY SCHOOL DKECT0B3 MEET. They Think Salaries Should Be Graded and Corporal Punishment Continued. The annual session of the County School Directors' Association was held yesterday In the Court House. Tbe meeting was called to order by its President, Major E. E. Stewart, of Braddock. The first thing taken up was the report of the President. Among the many recommendations was that iuhool directors should be compelled by law to at tend county and district institutes and pit themselves for the position and that they should also be allowed per diem pay. County Superintendent Hamilton's report of school statistics outside of Pittsburg, Allegheny and McKeesport was read. There are 507 sohool directors. 678 teachers em ployed and 32,277 pupils. The average sal ary o'f male teachers in the borouchs is $80 07, in townships $48 si. and of female teachers in boroughs $44 35 in townships $39 81. Tho amount of money spent for edu cational purposes In the county during the year was $007,256 25; of this $311 415 87 was srent bv boroughs, and $296,00 88 by town ships. The amount spent for new sonool hnlldlngs in the county for the year was $i;5,0C0. The fnllowin? officers were elected: Presi dent, Major R. E. Stewart, Braddook; Vice Pfesid,"n. Dr. C. M. C. Campbell, Oakmont; Secretary, George S. Davis, Stowe township; Assistant Seeietarv, J. S. Stewart. North Versailles. Executive Committee, Dr. R. S. Stewart, Elizabeth: O. R. Cooke, Mansfield; A. C. Coulter, Braddock: F. W. Boll, Wilk Inshnrg, and S. M. Brlnton, Patton town ship. The afternoon cession was taken up by tho discussion of a paper on corporal punish ment by Dr. F. R. Statler, or Wilklnsburg: also a discussion on teachers' salaries and how to grade them. The discussion on the latter sunject was opened by O. R. Cooke, of Mansfield. The speaker claimed that salaries shonld be graded with reference.to the work that would be required of the teaoher. and that special qualifications in tho latter shonld have no reference on the grading. A general discussion then fol lowed. In which all agreed that the teachers shonld be offered a greater inducement to make their profession a life studv. "Corporal Punishment," bv Dr. F. R. Stat ler, was the next subject. The speaker said that he advocated moderate punishment, but deplored brutality or excessive use of it. Corporal punishment Is In 111 repute as far as public opinion Is concerned, but even public opinion Isnqtinfallable. Punishment accomplished reform, and is necessary in in tractable natures and stubborn pupils. In tho general discussion that followed none favored the abolition of corporal punish ment. The convention then adjourned sine die. DOINGS IN SOCIETY. Matters That Were Prominent In tbe Social World Yesterday. At 5 o'clock last evening the marriage of Miss Lizzie Harper and Mr. Charles B. Reiter was solemnized, at the residence of the bride's parents, Summerica street, East End. The ceremony wasperformed by Eev. Robert Meach, in the presence' of a large number of friends. The bride wore a beau tiful gown of white colored silk, elaborately trimmed with duchess lace. Mr. and Mrs. Reiter lett last evening for an extended wedding trip. On their return they will make the East End their home. Social Chatter. This evening the marriaee of Miss Jennie Ashwortb Evans and Mr. William Hamilton Brunt will take place at the residence of the bride's parents on Tenth street, Southside. Miss Lillian Fobesteb and Mr. Harry G. Keller will be married this evening at the home of the bride on Station street, East End. C. H. Nelsoji, the baritone soloist, will give a concert this evening in the Warren M. E. Church. The Academy of Mont Ste. Ursule opened yesterday for the fall term. HASTES CAB FAINTEBS. A Plttsburger Elected First Vice President ofthe Association. WAsmwaTOJt, Sept. 9. Tho twenty-second annual convention of the Master Car and Locomotive Painters' Association of the United States and Canada began here to-day and will last three days. Meetings are being held at the Arlington Hotel. The conven tion was opened by Joseph J. Murphy, the President ofthe association, after which the reports ofthe Secretary and Treasurer were read. The election of officers for the ensuing year was then held, resulting as follows: ' President, J. A. Gohon, of Huntington, Va., connected with the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad; First Vice President, William O. Quest, of Pittsburg, connected with the Pittsburg and Lake Erie Railroad; Second Vice President, W. J. Orr. of Rochester, N. Y., connected with the Buffalo, Rochester and Pittsburg Railroad, and Secretary and Treasurer, Robert'McKcon, of Kent, O. California Celebrates Its Statehood. San Fbancisco, Sept. 9. Admission Day, which has become a legal holiday, commem orating the admission of California into the Union, was generally observed In this city. Flags floated from many buildings, and in thenarborthe United States steamer Pen sacola and other vessels were gaily dec orated. PEOPLE WHO COME AND GO. Patrick Folcv and George Kiley,two com missioners for Pennsylvania to tho World's Fair, went to Harrisburg last evening to at tend a board meeting to-day. Among the business to be attended to to-day was tho election ofa member in the place of the late Mr. Wolfe. Mr. Foley said that as far as possible Pennsylvania work, workmen and designers would be employed in construct ing the new buildings. Joshua Rhodes and Campbell Herron went to Philadelphia last night to attend tlie regular meeting or the wrought iron tube manufactui ers. Mr. Rhodes said there would be no change in prica. Thero was rather a stagnancy atprcsent, due to over production. There had been a considerable falling off in the sales for zas lines, but oil pipes were finding a good market. B. Ten Brok, general Eastern agent of tho Union Pacific road, was at the Union station yesterday. He said the abundant harvest was giving theWes tern roadsall they could do to provide rolling stock and gen erally handle the traffic, borne of tho roads wero now refusing freight except directly over their routes and connections, because they cannot spare tho cars. Captain A. E. Hunt left for New York last evening to attend a meeting or the En gineering Congress or the World's Fair, to be held in tho Engineers' Club to-day. Cap tain Hunt said the Engineeiiug Congress wouldbeonoof tho most important in the lines. Captain Hunt Is the only member of the Congress from Pennsylvania. A. Fleishenir, of Nottingham, England; W. R. Kimball, an electrician from Cincin nati B. F. Crawiorn, a cracKur jiraniuucb urer and J. C, Baker, tho owner of large mining properties at Oakridge, Pa., were among yesterday's Anderson guests. A. H. Pattengill, of Ann Arbor, Mich., arrived at the Duquesne Hotel yesterday. Mr PattengiU's -preferable mode of trans portation is in tho saddle, and he rode into town yesterday on horseback. Colonel Kobert Ingersoll passed through tho city yesterday morning on No. 22, east ward DOUnU. Vll mo wd Mam note .tuuuw 30 ladies connected with tho World's Fair.all bound for New York. Mr. and Mrs. K. A. Marvin, of James town N. Y., are guests at the Anderson. Mr. Marvin i3 a well-known lawyer of that place. Mrs. Ij. Morgenstern and Albert G. Mor genstern and his wife are guests at the Du quesne. Mephor Ferguson, in advance of Gus Williams attraction, is at the Seventh Ave nue. "W. J. Kainey, the Cleveland coke oper ator, registered at the Duquesne last night. Xee S. Smith, of Sixth street, and Mrs. Smith have returned from a European trip. Colonel Philip Allen, an umbrella manu facturer or Philadelphia, is at tho St. Charles. B. M. Gilbert and B. S. "Warner, iron men from Columbus, are at tbo Anderson. Mark W. "Watson and the Misses "Watson returned from the East yesterday. B. D. McGonnigle has returned from a business trip to Philadelphia. A, E. W. Painter and Captain James Murdock went East last night, Mrs. Park Painter and family returned from Cresson last evening. S. B. Ainslie and D. S. Wegg, of Chi cago, aro Duquesne guests. Joseph D. Weeks returned from Cincin nati yesterday. P.MacD. Sinclair, of New York, i at the Duquesne. W. J. Hammond went to Philadelphia last night. CURIOUS CONDENSATIONS. Tn 40 years the run across the Atlantlo has been reduced one-half. A tremendous sulphur spring has been tapped near San Antonio, Tex. A mountain of coal in Wyoming has, it is claimed, been burning for 30 years. To neglect a. farm in ancient Italy was an offense cognizable by the censor. Chinamen are reported as coming to the United Stites from Canada dressed in women's garments. A Pasadena, CaL man has this season taken i 000 pounds of peaches from two largo trees In his orohard. In Bipley, O., there is a sunflower in full bloom growing from a crevice at tho top of a 40-foot maple tree. Forty thousand acres of Austria-Hungary territory is to bo planted with vines ex ported from California. Italian emigration increases, 2,000 per sons having quitted Rome dnring tho last two months, almost all for Brazil. When the streets of Oakland, la, be come dirty the business men organize into a band of street sweepers and clean them. Before the World's Fair at Chicago Is formally opened $13,000 000 will havo to bo expended If present plans are carried out. Berlin's suicide epidemic shows no signs of abatement. No fewer than 250per sons died there by their own band in July. It is estimated that about 5,000,000 bushels of peaohes will bo shipped from. Michigan this year, which is said to be near ly twice the entire crop of Delaware. Of the entire human race, 500,000,000 are well clothed.that is, they wear garments or some kind; 250,000 000 habitually go naked, and 7r0 000,000 only cover parts of the body; 500,000,000 live in houses. 700.000.000 In huts and caves, and 250,000,000 virtually have no shelter. The working classes of Italy are very poorly fed. The consumption of meat Is very scant, except on feast days, and but llttlo wine Is drunk. Living Is almost exclnivelv oonflneato cereals (wheat, maize, rice), with vegetables and other green herbs cooked with bacon. Since Brazil became a Bepnblic it has vastly increased in favor as a field for Ger man lmmlzrants, of whom 7,927 have gone there during the first six months of tho present year, as compared with 2,192 durlnir the whole or last year, while In ItSS there were only 228. The celebrated American Newtown Pippin apple ts said by the Horticultural limes to have been the spontaneous produc tion of a seed near a swamp In Newtown, Long Island. New York, over a century and a half ago. It lived 150 years, and died from excessive cutting and exhaustion. At Chicago, IlL.the Building Inspector a short time ago issued the largest permit ever taken out in that cltv. It was issued to "Tho Fair," for the erection ofa magnifi cent 16-story store and office bnlldlne, at 184 to 200 State street, at a cost of $3,000,000. The permit Itself cost $1,400, which was twice the cos' of the permit for the Auditorium. W. L. B. Jenney is Che architect. The San Diego Union says: Experi ments with the seed of the tree tomato, which A. J.Verlaqne. of Twentieth street. near L, received from the East some time ago, demonstrate Its advantages. Or his four plants the most vigorous Is now seven feet In height, and is trimmed back and propped like a castor bean. Ahe vegetable contains more meat and fewer seeds than the vine tomato, and it bears fully as large and abundantly. M. Flammarion.theFrench astronomer, has suggested that in Mars they are a great deal more advanced. Intellectually speak ing, than we are ourselves, and that they there have optical Instruments which excel ours as much as the Lick telescope) surpasses a piece of colored slass. Mars Is. according to the same anthority. an old planet, very cold now, bnt ono which has passed through all its hot periods. The Yuma Sentinel makes a statement that will make Northern Isaak Waltons en vious, when it is claimed that at the month of tho Colorado river and the upper end of thoGuirof California are to bo found sea bass that weigh from 250 to 750 each, clams as lanre as a common dinner plate, millions of sardines and smelt, oysters small but dellolons. millions of soft-shelled crabs and other shell fish, millions of wild geese, brants, ducks, cranes and other sea fowl and birds. It is a paradise for fish and game. The Fossil Journal, published in Morrow county, Ore., says: John Putnam was over in the Wagner country last week, and brought back with him a beautiful speci men from tho Morrow county opal beds. The odbI is large and lnmlnous, and Is Im bedded in a hard, conglomerate substance about the size of a man's fist. To get the opal out or this snbstance without breaking is a delicate and tedious operation, per formed by means or a fine steel saw and a continuous dropping or water. Severat thousand dollars' worth of the opals havo already been sold, and a largo shipment will soon be made to England. A few days ago children, while playing round tho church at South Paris, Me., dis covered a can of powder nnder the old edi fice. From its appearance this can is sup posed to have been under the church since 1771, when it was the custom of the colonial patriots to secrete their powder in and near meeting houses. In tho year mentioned. John Sullivan, or Berwick, raised a company of men, and going to Ft. William and 31ary, at Portsmouth, N. H., captured 100 barrels of powder, part or which was concenled In tho old church at Durham, Androscogzin county, and used the next year at Lexing ton and Bunker Hill. It is thought that the can round at South Paris Is part or the same lot that Captain Sullivan's men seized from the King's men 117 years ago. A- curious plant grows in Arabia called tho laughing plant. It is of moderate size, with bright yellow flowers, and soft, velvery seed pods, each of which contains two or three seeds resembling black beans. Tho natives frequently dry the seeds and re dnco them to powder. It is said that a doss of this powder produces a similar effect to that or laughing gas. It causes the most sooer person to dance, shout, and laugh in an extremely botsterous manner, and to run about doing tho most ridiculous things foran Interval of haUan hour or more. As the effects ofthe powdor wearoff exhaustion jets In, and tho person falls Into a deep sleep. When he awakens several hours later ho has not tho slightest recollection of anything ho did while under tho influence ofthe drug. JOKELETS FROM JUDGE. "But, Marie, my dear," said her mother, narlow Is extravagint." "Bettter that than meanness, mother. EitrsTa- gance may be curbed, but meanness Is Indestructi ble. A tax is really something which All should complslsantly endure. It bardly presses on tbe rich; It presses hardly on the poor. Lawyer I don't think yon'll have any trouble breaking the will. Disinherited Relative What makes yon so con fident? Lawjer Well, he had ten of the smartest lawyers In the city draw It up for him. "The Venns of Milo is not natural; she is art." That's so. Art leaves something to the Imagi nation. If the Venus had been natural she would have had arms." Tell me, sweet maiden ofthe sunny coast, What is thy color In the winter time? Art tbou a rival of the lily's boast. Which poets love to sing la lofty-rhyme? Or Is this dusky hue that seemeth thine Thine own for alwar-tell me. saline sprite Tell me the truth, to know which I do pine. Art thou a darkey maid, or art thou white? "Are you the owner of this house, Jones?" I was berore tbe baby was Dora. I am under the impression the nurse owns It now." Spatts Which is correct "politics'is" or "pontics are?" Bloobumper-ln a country with so much politics as this I think the word should be recognized as a plural. His head like some great wind-mill whirls, Engaged to fourteen summer glrjs. A sudden thought his cheek lnOames Heran't remember all tbelr names. "That goes without saying," said Miss B!ec'er In the course ofa conversation. "Yes." replied Miss Backbay, of Boston; ."It perambulates without articulation." "Yon don't seem to have any barometer about tbe house. Haven't you always had one?" "Yes; but pa got cured of bis. rheumatism last fall, and since then we haven't known any more about the weather than the Signal Serrlos Bureau." ' vi .C,; .ii
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers