4r 'THJFmreBUKC?s's -! & wte mmt ESTABLISHED FEBRUARY S. 1S4G. Vol. 4S.No. 12). Filtered at nttsbnrg Postofflcc. Noi ember 14, 2SST. as second-class matter. Business Office Corner Smithfield and Diamond Streets. News Rooms and Publishing House 78 and So Diamond Street, in New Dispatch Building. r.ASTFP.'V AnVF.UTISlNfJ OFFICE. K00M S. TKIBUNK mill.IHKG. N'EWTOP.K.' where com plcte flies ofTIIEMsPATCH can always lie found. Foreign aiTertiers appreciate the convenience. Home adTrrtlscrs and Mends of THE DISPATCH. hue In Nc York, arc alo made welcome. TUF DISPA TCUts rnndarly ore tale at Srmtano's, I Hmcn Saltan. -VfK XbrL. and IT Avf de PfJpTO, Itorvi. France, tcftrrr anyon' who hag been aisap jjfllnta at a fintel news stand can obtain it. TERMS OF THE DISPATCH. roJTAGE rnix rx the ukitid states. DAILT DiSrATCH. One Year f 8 00 D ilt IMS rjm 11, Per Quarter. 2 00 Dult Dispatch. One Month 70 3) ilt PisrATCH, including Sunday. 1 rear.. 10 00 DAILY IIsrATi.H, lwlndtngSundar, 3m'ths. 2 50 )(II.TIJ1SI'MI. IncluiMngfeunday, Im'th.. 90 Eitidat Wrwta One Year J 50 WEEk.LV IMS r atcii. One Year. 1 Si The 1aii y DirATrii Is delivered by carriers at ISccnU per n-tk. or, iuv.ludlng Sunday Edition, at 'ceits ir week. FITTfcBURG, TUntS DAY. SEPT. 2. 1S9L TIIC WAR OF THE MUSHROOMS. The election of Robinson as President of the Slate League ot Republican clubs yesterday terminated a contest which long ago lost all features of dignity or creditable political significance, and be came the example of the pettiness and recklessness which dominate personal politics. At the inception of the contest there were considerations which, as politics go, were worthy of eight in the public mind. There was the question of locality whether Western Pennsylvania or Eastern Penns Ivania had the best claim to the Presidency of the organization. There was also the question as to who of the candidates would be the more creditable Lead of the Republican organizations. Both as a "Western Pennsylvania man and as an orator and thinker immeasurably superior to his opponent. TnE Dispatch recognized and stated that the Hon. John Dalzcll presented the preferable choice. But it is necessary to say that after the campaign had opened on those very acceptable lines, it rapidly degenerated into a personal fight, in which the lower level of political methods seemed to be de liberately preferred to the higher. A con test which has for weeks been confined to a competition as to which side can most industriously manufacture mushroom clubs and most violently accuse the oppo sition of doing the same thing does not give any important political significance to the final result Asto the effectsof the fight on the politi cal prospects of the State they can very easily be overstated. When its echoes have passed away, things will be about where they were before, except that the club or ganizations originally framed for the high purpose of honorable political wor.are now shown to be dominated by extrsw tfy undesirable machine methods. ORATORICAL FLIGHTS AT SOU ANTON Tropes and metaphors "thick as leaves in Vallambrosa's forests strewn" adorned the oratory of the nominating speeches at Scrauton yesterday. Our own Major More land easily carried off first honors for a high style of eloquence in his presentation of the name of Congressman DalzelL But it was probably not the comparison to Prince Rupert, or Somers, or to Miltiades, which had most significance for that sort of a convention, but rather the sharp, practical thrust in which the Major spoke of the disasters which attend personal dic tatorship within parties. Mr. Schacffer. of Delaware county, who put up the name of Robinson, was also magnificently fluent lie did not, like his predecessor, drop into the classics to any extent worth speaking of, but, in the line of the picturesque his great imaginative sketch of the League, "sabers in hand, waiting for the bugle to sound the charge in which we will break through the thin breast of Bardsleyism and fraud, behind which the enemy has endeavored to en trench" is hard to beat The elaboration of this martial spectacle in which Mr. Schaeffer, farther along, depicted his war riors wealing "shields of American tin" and "swords that were wrought from American silver" may be regarded as a little bizarre from a strictly military stand point Still, it is not so bad as if Mr. Schaeffer had made the swords of tin, which a less careful orator, yielding wholly to rhetorical impulse, without re gard to military expediency, might readily have done. The work of paity direction has become so intensely practical and prosaic in these days, that there is seldom room for extraordinary flights of orator'; hut in jus tice to the Scranton convention it must be said that in this respect at least it made the most of its opportunity. nE DECEIVED HIMSELF. The account of the death of Balmaceda comine, as it did, from the same source which had previously given us a detailed account of his escape to the United States flagship in the disguise of liquor and a sailor's togs, was naturally to be received with reserve. As four days have elapsed without locating the defeated Dictator In any new spot and as Mr. Egan has dis charged his regular diplomatic function of confirming the news three days after date, it is safe to conclude that the recent ruler of Chile has sisnialized the close of his career by the tragic act of suicide. This makes it pertinent to moralize a little on the expressions which the dying man appears to have addressed to the people of the United States. In this letter he asserts that he acted under the lirm conviction that he was right; but that he was deceived by his gen erals, who all lied to him. Being deceived by those immediately about him is the common fate of the ruler who tries to set up an absolute power on the ruins of popular government. The man whose idea is to place himself above the people has been subject to such decep tions from the lime of Darius down to that o! Napoleon IIL The man who Tegards himself meiclyas a custodian of popular and constitutional government, is less liable to such defeat. One can baldly imagine Lincoln or even Jelferson Davis taking lefuge after complete defeat in the plea that they had been utterly blinded and deceived as to the true state of affairs. The phraseology of the comt plaint, "My generals were false to me," proves the position which Balmaceda had reached of regarding himself, and not the Constitutional Government, as the ruler to which the Chilean generals owed loyalty. v Yet this was the one point on which an intelligent and honest msih could not be deceived by his supporters or sycophants. However, Balmaceda might have been hoodwinked as to the feeling in his army or the strength of his opponents, as,if any one told him that the Executive of a Re public had the right to override its Consti tution, he must have known that it was a lie. 2fo one but himself can be responsi ble for the deception of the idea that any ouarrel with Concresswas sufficient to justify him in "assuming all the powers of f : the Government," as he had declared thatj he had done. When he says he sought to make his country' the first Republic ind America by a poller of usurpation andi military dictatorship, the apparent falsity cf the means must be laid on the shoulders of the dead Dictator himself. Balmaceda's tragic-end and his exculpa tory letter furnish a warning against the blind and misleading ambition which must rule over an Executive whotries-to exalt himself above the laws and establish his personal rule by the overthrow of censti tutional and representative government. PROFITS AND COMPETITION. A Buffalo eotemporary accuses the fruit growers of that vicinity of a lack of en terprise in failing to "jump over the mid dlemen and get right at the consumer." To accomplish that purpose it advises them to "combine, takeastore in Buffalo, advertise it and retail fruit at a fair per centage over wholesale rates," which it is asserted would insure the' sale of an al most unlimited quantity. The suggestion is a good one in the ab stract as pointing out the -remedy for ex cessive profits to the middlemen on any staple of wide production and consump tion. If there is anysnch barrier between producer and consumer, in the shape of a charge beyond the fair return.for purchas ing, handling and distributing it, this method of correction is equally open whether the staple is fruit or -vegetables, butter, eggs, meat or grain. But as a business proposition the adoption of such a measure must depend on the answer to two questions first, whether the retail ers' profit is really excessive; and, second, if it is, whether the combination of the farmers to sell their own product will be more effective than the competition of other dealers, who for the-sake of getting a share of the traffic will be content with a moderate business. As to the first point, it is worth while to remember that, in the very business in stanced, what looks like a very large margin of profit may be the opposite ow ing to the perishable nature of the mer chandise handled. Say that a merchant buys S50 worth of peaches and sells them at a price that would realize 5100. A hundred per cent profit looks large, hut if half the peaches spoil on his hands he has had his labor for nothing; if one third perish, he makes 516; and so on. It is plain that in such a business the faculties required are skill in working up a large sale of the articles, in closely watching the market, and in attracting the steady patronage of consumers. It is well worth consideration whether those quali ties are most likely to he developed under the present system or under such a com bination as that suggested. We believe the competitive more nearly than any other reduces the cost of distri buting products to the consumers to a minimun. There are doubtless cases where trade has run in certain fixed channels so long that profits are excessive. But in such cases some enterprising merchant is sure to come along and take the trade out of its rut. That competition generally fixes a fair margin of profit is demon strated by the fact that the very trade ac cused by our eotemporary of excessive charges on perishable commodities almost universally sells the less perishable staples of sugar, flour and salt at a merely frac tional profit AN UNDECIDED POINT. The rain-making experiments at El Paso have been most effective in produc ing rain at other points. The first day's cannonading of the skies was a rather light attempt and was accompanied by a light shower at that place, with similar rains in Xew Mexico and near Galveston, and a heavy shower at San Antonio, fivchundred miles away. The next day the bombard ment was resumed with terrific force, and the accompanying result was a clear sky at the scene of the explosions, with rains in New Mexico. Kansas, Colorado and Wyoming and another heavy shower at San Antonio, which in the two days en joyed a rainfall of 1 1-3 inches. According to the logic of the experi ment the San Antonio people should be very much in favor of the continuance of the explosive rain producing at El Paso, while El Paso's citizens will doubtless favor the transfer of the bombardment to San Antonio. It is important to have the experiments continued until it is quite clear whether the result is the production of showers at the point of explosion or at some other place from thirty to three hun dred miles away. The importance of this point is vital. Western Pennsylvania at present would be very glad of rain; but it is essential to know, whether in order to get it, the explosions made in the vicinity ot Pittsburg will produce it here or confer the favor on Philadelphia. That is a dis tribution of rain between the just and the unjust on which it is necessary to have more light than exists at present DECLINING FOlt BLAINE. The anxiety of the friends and mouth pieces of the Harrison administration about Mr. Blaine's course has reached the degree of agony. The latest expression of it is the deliverance of the New Tork Mail and Express, reported in the telegrams to yesterday's Dispatch. The assertion, that Mr. Blaine is pledged to refuse tho desire of the great mass of the Republican party that he shall be the candidate, bears the earmarks of 3Ir. Russell Harrison's favorite plan for side-tracking the Blaine boom, with some additional touches in the best style of Colonel Elliott F. Shepard's most admired idiocv. The phraseology of this announcement to the effect that it comes from "the man L who has charge oi the JSorthwest for the President," is quite in the line of the Shepard genius. Ot course, the man who "has charge of the Northwest" will not let it get away to Blaine, and, from the Shepard point of view, after convincing Mr. Blaine of the fact will be able to get what he wants from him in the way of declinations. But a politician who is en gaged in.holding up the Northwest in the Harrison interest may not be the best authority as to Mr. Blaine's intentions, although he affords a beautiful testi monial to the spontaneity and genuine ness of the popular demand for Harrison. It is extremely doubtful whether the Northwest can be carried in the pocket of any one politician for Harrison. It is equally doubtful whether any politician who is undertaking that large contract has any authority to speak for Mr. Blaine. It is stunning to hnd the New York Telegram intimating that the reason why Jones of Binghamton did not get the New York Democratic nomination is that he was called upon to pay a round sum for the pre ferment and was too honest to purchase it. This is offset by the assertion that the same tWng is true of Cornelias jr. Bliss -with reference to the Republican nomination. As regards the Bliss Dart of tho storv. I coming from a Democratlcisource, the asser tion lias not very great weight. But it is stunning to learn from the same authority tnat Jones does not-pay tho freight. SoitEone has stolen the original draft of the Wisconsin Constitution. In this State no time is wasted In. stealing nullified docu ments of that sort., Tho politicians and cor porations simply Ignore it until the day "when they can get'lt-changed'to suit them selves. Speaking of a proposed monument to Hendrlck Hudson, the New York Telegram says: "The discovexor's memorial must he completed by noxt'-Scptember, if at all, as September 9, 1892, Is the anniversary of the day in 1609 when he landed on the bluff now known as Atlantic Highlands." To allow New York only a year to get-up a monnment is wholly out of nlbreason. Fix September 0, 1909, for the completion of the memorial, :ind New York may by that time have gone out of tho monument-business out-of respect for her own reputation. It seems after all that Porter's uncom 'pletetl census has already cost more than i the finished and unduly prolix census of 1680. Porter seems to have been bont on furnishing an unrivaled example of "How .Not To Do It." The report that the young Emperor of Germany has sought a reconciliation with the old Chancellor, expresses more the esti mation of tho gravity of the European situa tion than the desiro for amity on the part ot tho latest Hohenzollern. But tho report Is probably groundless. Tho Emperor is tak ing a night on tho wings or inordinate vanity, and Bismarck is very nearly on the level of senile spite because the lesson of ab solutism he taught has been turned against himself. If Jones, of Binghamton, Mc'.-auxJnin, of Brooklyn, and one or two inoi,fellow sufferers would pool thoir issues, the result ing chill might effect an amelioration of the present unseasonable torridity of the atmos phere. Sin John E. Gokst, Secretary of the In dia Office, is making it uncomfortable for the Tory Cabinet by his bad habit of blurt ing out the truth. Ho declares that no real good is possible for England without a com plete reform of the landed system. This is true enough, but Sir John should know bet ter than to disturb the harmony of the funeral by stating unpleasant facts. Auditor General McCamant's neck tics, in connection with t,he Bardsley letters and receipts, seem fated to furnish a necktio social for the Auditor General's political reputation. "Meddlesome legislative interference with tho affairs of largo cities" is one of the things denounced by the New York Demo cratic Convention. In view of Croker's un disputed control of the convention this stab at the legislative Investigations which ex posed the $10,001 godfather business, and tho Sheriffs who make people divide with them, is a fearful revenge. Judge Jones, of Cleveland, just re turned from a visit to the Paciflo coast, re ports that everything out there is for Blaine. Is last year'B excursion so soon forgot! "The King of Italy is plagued by Uranus," remarks the profound Zadkiel, "and finds his Treasury exhausted." Tho superiority of the republican institutions appears in the fact that wo can find our Treasury exhausted without any trouble from Uranus or any other of the heavenly bodies except an extravagant Congress. When Elliott F. Shepard's Mail ami Ex press says that Blaino will rcfuso we may take it as an ex cathedra decision thnt he has got to in the opinion of the Hurrison crowd. With tbe mills of one city in ihis coun try turning out flour at tho rate of 30,000 barrels per week, this country does not seem to he in any danger of bread riots. Our riots aro generally produced by relations with whisky, and tbe immediate cause is not scarcity, but overabundance of that staple of consumption. There is reason for the belief that the hunger for bread in Europe the coming year will be something of a check on the pro fessed thirst for gore. It is perhaps cool comfort to re-d in an esteemed eotemporary that "tho snow will fly in two or three months moro." But that postponed coolness is not what the public longs for. It is the cessation of the present reckless flight of tho sun's rays that is more earnestly expected. SNAP SHOTS IN SEASON. Too much mushroom may spoil the Re publican broth, and the young colts should stop kicking. A prison cell is a reality, but in Fitz- simmons' casd it was a purchase People who kick about a hair in tho soup will complacently munch the oyster, beard and all. The hungriertheplace-hunterthe fatter the offlco he aspires to. The hand that rocks the crying child, While hush-a-bying till all's calm, Is now by fruity stains defiled, As it's engaged in making jam. A smiling, powderless countenance sets off the now fall bonnet .nicely, but unfortu nately it's bard to make tho dear creatures think so. It's plain Deacon White is no farmer, else ho would have known that this is splendid weather for corn. Is'nt it about time to place Humidity on the retired Hat? Gen. Spring chairs are perfectly proper pieces ot furniture at any season of the year. Bardslet wouldn't burn those letters, but that shouldn't prevent the firing of the letter writers. TnE mushroom clubbers will doubtless drown their sorrows in drink. TnERMOMETEns are fragile, but when yiey drop they don't break. He stood near tho bridge at midnight And saw the last car onward roll; airs! his was truly a sad plight He hadn't one cent for toll. Tne Flower barrel will be the most con spicuous feature of tho New York Guberna torial campaign. Open doors admit draughts, hence the jail doors must have been ajar when that $6,030 draft entered Fitz's cell. Fine feathers and silly cackling make a girl appe r chic only in the eyes of the brainless dude. John Bull is the most fleet-footed citizen of Europe at the present time. Jaws work incessantly in chop houses, of course. The National Jnnior Order Election. Tbov, N. Y. Sept. 23. The National Con vention of the United Order of American Mechanics to-day elected officers of the Na tional Council as follows: National Coun cilor, Thomas B. Chapman, or Hartlord; Vice-Councilor, R. A.Cassidv, of Ohio; secre tary, John SerAor, of Philadelphia; trensmor, Joseph 11. Shlnn, of Camden, X. J.; marshal, J. H. Campbell, of Iowa; protector, Albert E. Dodge, of Manchester, X. H.; doorkeeper, E. C. Owen, of Virginia. It was decided to- Hold next years session at Jlunclioster, V If GOSSIP OF THE TOWN. Dakota Air Makes Men Grow Gipsy Fortune-Tellers In Sewlckley The New Railroad Ronte to the West Dilatory Readers of Hooks. Lieutenant Maxwell, of the United States Army, said the other day: "They tell some singular things about the resonrses of the Dakotas, but I can vouch for the extra ordinary effect of the climate. When I was at West Point my height was 5 feet 9J4 inches, and I rather think I lost than gained perceptibly in height during my stay there. I had reached the ago when growth up wards anyhow is supposed to stop, and was over 21 when I went to Dakota. I was sta tioned there over a year and during that time I grew Swindles, bringingmy height to 6 feet 1 Inch. It astonished me, butPakotans told me that tho cllmato often has that effect." Gipsy Fortnne-Tellers Active. For several weeks a little band of Gipsies has been enmping tip Little Sewick ley creek, and pretty nearly every woman in tho Sewlckley Valley, and a largo number of the men, have had their fortunes told by tho dark-eyed women of this strange race. Some of tho readings of the past were very accurate and a few of the predictions made by the Gipsies have already oomo true. As usual, young and impressionable girls have obtained tho greatest satisfaction, nnd if the matrimonial business does not boom in Sewlckley this winter there will be a lot of disappointed damsols there. But all the predictions havo not dealt with affairs of the heart. In one case the Gipsy fortune teller told nn EUgeworth woman that she might expect the sudden death of a four legged member of her establishment, and tho very next day a horse belonging to her died, and in if to emphasize the fulfillment of tho prophesy, a favorite dog was run over and killed on tho railroad. Tho Gipsies moved their enmn a day or two ago, but though they are now a couple of miles from Sewlckley "Village, tho lortnne-teller has enough to do to attend to the pilgrims. The New Western Outlet Railroadmen, bothhereand in Chicago, are watching the development of the Balti more and Ohio road between Pittsburg and Chicago with considerable interest. The opening of tho now short cut between Akron and Chicago Junction has brought the B. & O. route via the Pittsbui-g nnd 'Western a larger share of through passenger traffic fiom Pittsburg to Chicago than it ever en joyed before. The new road, which is GS miles in length, effecting a saving of no less than 2S miles, is exceedingly well built, straight, and through a pleasant country. So well patronized has this P. & W. Chicago Express been since the new road was com pleted that the institution of a through ves tibule train from Chicago to New York, via Pittsburg, is talked ot as a certainty, prob ably within a year. The train service is to be enlarged this fall, anyhow, and tho bene fit of vigorous competition between the rail roads linking Pittsburg with the West will bo felt moro substantially here than any where else. Pining Dilatory Readers. A great many people who take books from tho Carnegie Library fail to return them within tho two weeks, according to tho regulations, and have to payaflno of two cents a day. As yet the largest lino paid on n single volume letaincd beyond tho limit has been SO cents, representing 40 days and considerable annoyance to the pffleors of the library. Ono regular user of the library calculated tho other day that in six months ho hadpald by reason of forgetfulnessmoio than anything elso, for almost any book enn bo read In two weeks exactly 10 cents a volume for tho works ho had taken out. Even at this rate ho deemed the library a great convenience. The library is extending its usefulness all the time, and the number of readers has begun to swell again now that the summer vacation Is over, and tho iiomen especially aro settling down in their city homes. Chicago Still Pretty Smoky. They talk pretty big in Chicago about abolishing the smoke nuisance, and it Is true that there is not such a heavy fall of soot in the downtown district as there used to be, but many factory chimneys, locomotives and still more lake craft are smoky sinners still. Tho Virtuous Illinois Central's com pliance with the anti smoke law, how it had muzzled its locomotives with smoke con sumers, was a text from which sermons wero preached recently in this and other cities. On Friday evening last, in the Illinois Cen tral yard, I saw a locomotive painting the atmosphere black, without let or hindrance of any sort. A black column or soft coal smoko poured from the stack for 20 minutes, and a Chicago newspaper man remarked to me that the crusade against defilcrs of Chi cago air had not taken vigorous enough shaponsyet. It isjnstas well to know that Pittsburg is not behind Chicago in abating the smoko nuis'ince. Dishonest Money Schemes. St. Louis Star. Major McKinley is not dodging the tariff issue nearly so much as he is giving close and convincing attention to tho dishonest money schemes of his adversaries. NAMES FREQUENTLY HEARD. Ex-Senator Spooner, of Wisconsin, promises to give two weeks to McKinley in Ohio, and two to Fassott in Now Yoik, next month. Lady Henry SoMERsnr,President of the British Women's Temperance Association, will visit America in October to be present at the meetings of the World's Women's C T. U. Rev. Dr. Borchard, whose alliterative boomerang, "Rum, Romanism and Rebellion" turned tbe tide of a Presidontal camporign, is alarmingly ill at his boarding house in Saratoga. The widow of Joseph IC Emmet has mado up her mind to pass her remaining days in Albany, and she has gone into com fortable apartments there. Her means are ample, and her health is good. Senator Proctor's first step into official life was as a village selectman. And tho Vermont villagers wero mighty particular about a man being an undeveloped states man before they would trust him in such an office. The proper way to pronounce Liliuoka- lani, the name of tho Queen of the Hawaiian Islands, ib as though it were spelled Lil-lee-woke-ahmny. Accent the second syllable and pronounce tho word rapidly. It means "Lily of tho Sky." A recent visitor to Ibsen found him in a shabby dressing gown buttoned over gray trousers. On his feet wero felt slippers and his hair was in great disorder, as were his big side whiskers. His face appears comical at first sight, but there is a lino of satire be tween his clean-shaven lips. Major Wissmann has left Europe for the Dark Continent. Ho will lead an expedition from Snadanl to tho Interior, and -will tako with him a crew for the steamer given by Germany for lake service. A German engineer also goes to construct a railway fromTanga toward Killma-niaro. John Ruskin has made a record as a hydraulic engineer by solving for tho in habitants or iiiKing, a email town in Sussex, England, the problem of obtaining an adequate supply of drinking water. As an evidence of their gratitude the pcoplo havo erected a tablet "to the glory of God and in honor of Joun Ruskin." Mrs. William C. Whitney's diamonds are valued' at $100,000, and ono of her soli taires is large ns a hazelnut. She is tho wife of a great Jeffersonian Democrat coal oil leader. A singlo clasp on the cloak of Queen Elizabeth had set in it .six sapphires, GO pearls, IS rubies and 4 emoralds. These aro not the days of extravagance. A Hindoo princess, the Begum Ahma dec, has distinguished herself in London so ciety as a singer of superior voice, talent and cultivation. She is a descendant of tho Emperors of Delhi, and possesses a mezzo soprano voice of extraordinary richness ana power, which is used with very high artlstio taste. She has also great personal beauty. The Earl of Warwick, father-in-law of Lady Brooke, or baccarat scandal famo, is very ill. Ho is periodically subject to faint ing fits, and is expected to dlo in one before long. He is over 73 years of age, nnd has been in -feeble health tor some time. Lady Brooke has of late kept In the background, and shown a disposition to avoid tho social I glare. INTELLIGENT E0AD MAKING. It Is -Practically Unknown in the United States at Present. Chicago Herald. It is onlyabont 103 years since England pulled herself out of the mud and began building those solid, excellent roads which havo so enriched tho people of England and contributed so immensely to their comfort. health and happiness. The Westminster paving act of 1762 may be regarded as the beginning of the better state of things now shown by English roads. In 17G9 Arthur Zony gave a most graphic description of the terrors of English country roads, and numer ous other accounts fully corroborate his narrative. In Scotland things were not any better. So bad were the roads there that oatmeal, turf, straw and other articles were carried on horseback, and it took a common carrier a fortnight for his journey between Selkirk and Edinburgh, a distance of only 38 miles, and a coach and six required six days to go from Edinburgh to Glasgow and return, a distance of 44 miles. More than a century ago London began the work of extending roads into the coun try. This movement was, of course, vio lently nnd obstinately opposed by those to whom it proved to be of the greatest benefit. But the work was carried on, and, under the direction of such engineers as Eennio and Telford, England now boasts roads that are not excelled anywhere except by that im perial accomplishment of tho first Napo leon, the road over the Slmplon Pass. The result is what was foreseen by the intelli gent nnd persistent advocates of good roads. The country has been mado immensely richer and more attractive nnd both town and country immeasurably benefited. In the United States intelligent road-making In the country is, ns a general thing, almost wholly unknown. The ridiculous misapplication of rustic labor and foolish ness known as "road working" is the gravest farce an ordinarily intelligent people ever took part In year after year. DEMANDS OF GERMAN CATHOLICS Formulated In a Platform Adopted by Their Congress at Buffalo. Betpalo, Sept. 23. Accepting at full value the information afforded to-day from within theguardcdportals orthe PriestenVereln.the 200 German-American ecclesiastics present w ere occupied solely with such details as the method of electing their officers and similar routine subjects. To-day's session, after Father Zurcher's chilling experience of yesterday, was notj Invaded by pny outsider, and the secrets of the con clave, if any were held back from inquirers, remalned'safely concealed. Before adjourn ing till to-morrow it is understood a letter was read In the priest meeting from Arch bishop Elder, of Cincinnati, which afforded much satisfaction to the members. The communication dealt with tho language question, and.nccordingto one of the priests, hivored tho uso of German to inculcate the first Christian principles where German Is the common language of tho family, tho idea being those principles should be taught in the mother tongue. The principal work in which tho laymen participated to-day was in voting unanimous npprovalof the platform of the Cntholic Congress, tho framing of which was guided largely. If not altogether, by the clergy. Cardinal Gibbons, Archbishops Ryan and Corrigan sent letters of regret for enforced absence. The platform favorB temporal power for the Pope, and nn international congress with that end in view; thanks the Holy Father for his encyclical on the social question; favors Catholic education for Catholic youth, and demands fall liberty to retain and use the Ger-nan mother tongue in connection with the language of their adopted country. The following officers wero elected: Rev. Bernard Hchl, of Pittsbnrg, National Presi dent: Philip Schindler, New York, Vice President; Charles C. Och, of Pittsburg, Re cording Secretary; Joseph Reiman, of Pitts burg, CorrespondingSecretnry; Joseph Jfatt, of Buffalo, Financial Secretary: Henry Bess, of St. Louis, Treasurer. MINNEAPOLIS' NOVEL CELEBRATION. The Whole City Decorated With Wheat Sheaves and Flour Barrels. Minneapolis, Sept. 23. Tho harvest festi val had an ideal day for its celebration. Work went on all night, and Nicollet avonue this morning was beautifully decorated. Arches of wheat span somo of the streets. On Tenth street is tho finest display, con sisting of an arch made of thousands of flour barrels, making a pyramid 27 feet hlgh.whlle sacks of grain are placed upon the support ing barrels. There aro CO of theso ufllars along the street, from which aro suspended festoons of white, similar festoons intersect ing the streets. Religious services wero held this morning, the Catholics uniting at the Cathcdral.where Gounod's "Troisicmo Meso" was given by the combined choirs and Ringwald's or chestra. At the Opera House was held a service or praise, with addresses by leading pastors and others. The procession started at 2 o'lock with over 1,000 floats in line. Tho lumbermen have an Immenso affair, show ing the trade in all its piocesscs, from the lodges which work in tho forest to tho saw mill which cuts tho lumber. In operation on the float. The Street Railn ay Company has a display illustrating tho growth ot tho system from theflrst mule car to tho present complete electric equipment. The Largest Hand ofMnsIc. St. Locis, Sept. 23. A coming musicnl evint is announced here. ThcBoaidor Di rectors of the St. Louis Exposition have closed a contract with P. S. Gilmore to play hero in 1S92 and in 1893,with a band composed of 100 first-clns musicians. This will be the largest band in the world, tho only other one that will compare with it being tho Guard Republique of France, which num bers 80 men. St. Louis will celebrate the an niversary of the discovery of America next year by making tho exposition national in character. DEATHS HERE AND ELSEWHERE. Hon. Joseph T. Crowell. Hon. Joseph T. Crowell, President of the New Jersey Senate in 1S61 and Speaker bf the House of Assembly la 1SG5. died Tuesday afternoon at Railway, In which city he was born nearly 75 years ago. He published the first pictorial paper crlnted la the United states CrowelVS' Pictorial which he printed somewhat after the style r the London Illustrated Aeics. Tor five years. He owned the Government Printing Ofllce until ho sold It to the United States. He equipped at Ills own ex pense and sent out the Railway Battery In the early davsof the Rebellion, forhevas a war Democrat, and was elected to the State senate as such. Mr. Crowell learned his trade or printer on the old Elizabeth (N. J.) Journal and when lie went to New York set type ou the first number of the A'uh day Atlas. Editor Ben C. Bruce, Ben G. Bruce, editor of the Live Stock Record, died of atiopleiy last night at 7 o'clock at Lexington, Ky. He had been in his usual health. Going home, he sat down and began perusing a newspaper, when he fell lorward on the floor and died instantly. Mr. llruce was Secretary of the Louisville Jockey Club, of the Latonia Jockey Club and also or the Chicago Jockey Club. He es tablished the hvn Hlock Record some 2J years ago, that publication having taken from the start tho hlghe-l rank as a representative of the thorougli. bed, lately devoting some attention to the trotter. Major Bruce was 02 ears old. Mrs. " irginla Dimltry Kulh. Mrs. Virginia Dimitry Euth died Tues day morning on the plantation of her sou-in-law, on Carencro Bayou, Louisiana. She was born In Washington In 1817. and whs n daughter orthe lato Prof. Alexander Dimitry, once a lamous linguist, educator and diplomatist, and sister of John and Charles Dimitry, both well-known writers, she married Enoch ieuwlck Ruth, who commanded an Arkansas company in the Mexican War. Mrs. Tintii was a contributor to Snntliprn litni-itiicn tt. J prose and verse, and lor man v vears kept a fiuur shlng school for boys and girls. James Melvln. James Melvin, 90 years of age, died yes terday at his home on Locust street. Pittsburg. Mr. Melvin had been a resident of Pittsburg for 80 vcars, coming here In 1811 from County Down. Ire land. He was formerly a contractor In the employ orthe city, but for the past ten years lias been re tired. ' Obituary Notes. John B. Bowman, for many years regent of the Kentucky University, died Tuesday at Harrods burg. Ky. rev. Joseph Tabkington, formerly or Indian apolis, died at Greensburg. Ind.. Tuesday, aged 01 vears. He was the oldest Methodist clergyman in Indiana. "Washington Cowkn, a prominent ex-county official and father of Hon. John Cowan, an official orthe Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, dlcdatMUlers burg. O.. yesterday In his 80th j ear. Wallace T. Dudley, proprietor of the Dudley House, Asbury Park, N. J., died suddenly Monday night, aged 68 years. He was formerly one or the lculiiig merchants or Doylestown and Asbury Park. Captain John Ligutfoot died at Bloomlng ton. III., last night. He was one orthe live men who originated the Grand Army orthe Republic at Decatur, ill., in 1866. He was aged 77 years and a native of Kentucky. Was Captain or Company A, One Hundred and 1 irst Illinois, during the war. TRYING TO PLACE BLAIR. The New Hampshire Statesman May Be Sont to Japan if Estee Goes Into tho Cabinet Progress of the Colored Kaco in theSonth. V AsniNGToif, Sept. 23. Special. Ex-Senn-tor Blair, or New Hampshire, who has been hanging on to the slippery edge of an ap pointment all summer, since the Chinese re fused to receive him, had a long conference with the President to-day. The latter is anxious to flx Mr. Blair, rfnd of course mnst give him something good, but the obstlnncy of the Chinese has made the Job difficult. Tho President has hoped all along that the Chinese Government would relent, and it Is not impossible that the differences on tho subject may yet be composed. After the death of Minister Swirt, of Japan, the con clusion was Jumped at that the land of flowers would bo Mr. Blair's fleld of diplo matic operations, but this is a place long looked upon by the Pacific slope as its special property, and several candidates there sprang up before Swift was under tho Bod. With the vacancy in tho Cabinet, It is thought the Const may be placated and Blair yet sent to Japan, if China remains ugly. Judge Estee, or California, who was Permanent Chairman or the National Con vention, Is Btrongly thought to bo booked for the Cabinet, for Proctor's place, or for tho Interior, if Noble should prefer the War portfolio; or for Attorney General If Miller should want n life position somewhere on a soft Judicial bench. If that should happen. Blair might be sent to Japan. He wants to go abroad. He has gravitated all his life be tween Manchester, N. II., and Washington and thirsts for a taste of life among strange people. Negroes in tho South. A very intelligent colored Washing tonlan, who has Just returned from a trip through the South, Is enthusiastic over the evidence of the progress of his race that ho saw there. He said to-day in conversation on the subject: "I saw them acting on the railroads in Georgia and Alabama ns firemen and brakemen, superintending the laborers in cleaningthe cars, watering and icing up; as stonemasons, bricklayers nnd plasters. While In Atlanta I saw stores owned and run by tho negro that none in Washington, owned by tho samo race, can be compared with. In Montgomery, Ala., on the main street, I found one of the lareost drugstores owned and run by a negro. The professions, too, are well patronized. In every town that boasted of norsecars the drivers", and in some instances the conductors, were negroes. One thing struck me as queer. At all the stations the sign, 'Waiting room for colored people,' was to be seen, yet they do not dis criminate on tne street cars. "All through South Carolina, Georgia and Alabama evidence of thrift and a desire for improvement can be seen on all sides. The cabins of the people are better than those in some parts of Maryland and Virginia. In the little towns along the road the people ap peared to be well dressed and neat, and thero wero very few ragamuffins. I do not write this totakeany honors from theNorth, but to bestow a few words of praise and en couragement on the oft-maligned negro of the South." Politics in Virginia. Ex-IJepresentative Bowdeu, the genial Republican member from the Norfolk dis trict in tho last Congress, was in the city to day and said of Virginia politics: "In tho election of a Legislature this fall the Democrats and the Alliance nre united, and under our election laws we cannot hope to accomplish anything. In some parts of the State the elections aro as fair as they are in tho country anywhere, but there are rot ten boroughs which overcome what is done elsewhere. At the meetingof theStatoCom mittee it was decided that nominations ought not be made this fall, bnt that our strength should be reserved for the contest in the Presldental election. If we had can didates in the field we could elect but a few of them, and that result would be pointed to as an indication of the strength of the party and would bo moro or less discouraging. It was stated that I was present at tbe meet ing called by Mr. Parsons to protest against tho course recommended by the State Com mittee. I was not at the meeting and am not in sympathy with Mr. Parsons in this matter. "I understood from Mr. Parsons that tho meeting was for a different purpose, one in which I am in accord with him. I under stood that this purpose was to consider tho selection of some other leader than Mahone. 1 think tho Republican party of Virginia should havo another leader. At tbe same time it must be admitted that Mr. Mahone has a personal following, and his support of liiu iiupuuiiciiu Liuneii is ueuessuiy iu insure success. Therefore, if ho is to be displaced as a leader, it should be by a falrand square fight in tho Republican caucus. If bo wero beaten in that way I think hennd his friends would continue to support the Republican party." Mr. Bowden said he thought the Virginia delegation at the National Convention would bo for Harrison. A QTEER BENEFIT SOCIETY. It Is Composed of Ministers of tho Ohio Methodist Episcopal Conference. Zanesville, Sept. 23. Special Tho first meeting of the eightieth annual session of the Ohio Conference of tho Methodist Epis copal Church was held at the Second Metho dist Episcopal Church this morning. Bishop Fowler, of California, presided. The Executivo Committee of tho Preach ers' Mutual Relief Society held a meeting and canvassed the claims of superannuated ministers. The society is rather a peculiar one. In every Methodist Episcopal confer ence there is what is known as tho "super annuated fund." It never equals the de mands that tile mado upon It, and if it pays 05 cents on the dollar of the allowances made, it Is considered to be in a highly pros perous condition. A Rev. Mr. Smith became a member of tho organization in 1SG3 and paid in $189 and became superannuated. He now draws $120 a year from the fund. Tho organization is peculiar to the Ohio confer ence, and none but ministers in it are al lowed to beeoino members. Not nil the members of tho conference are membors of the society, but the majority of them are, and its membership is increasing rapidly. It now has a fund of $07,000 on hand ns a re serve. This is loaned under snen rigid rules that the society has never lost a cent. A greater part of it comes from gifts and tho Dahince comes from dues. Tho question whether women should be allowed to be lay delegates, which was sub mitted to a y,ote of tho church, was touched upon in the reports or two of tho Presiding Elders, Rev. J. C. Jnckson, of the Columbus district, where tho vote stood 720 for and 231 against their admission, and Rev. T. R. Tay lor, of tho Chilllcothe district, where tho vote was about 4 to 1 in favor of their ad mission. PLAYS TO COME. "Ten Nights in a Bar Room," that great temperance drama so heartily indorsed by the press and the pulpit for tho realistic temperance lesson it conveys, will bo pre sented to tho patrons of the World'sMuseum Theater next week by Carl Brehm's well selected company. This is tho only com pany playing the version which Illustrates tho days of Morgan and Slnde while rivals for tho hand of Fanny Newton. Tho com pany carry their own special picturesque scenery and a handsomely unltormed brass band, which will give open air concerts in front of "The World's" during tho engage ment. "The Merchant," a play of tho same class ns "The Charity Ball" and other Madison Square Theater and Lyceum Theater suc cesses, will bo tho first dramatic production of the season at tho Alvin Theater. It is n refined and meritorious works if tho critics elsowhero aro to be believed, nnd it is also a prize play, an unusual distinction. It deals with tne affairs of the heart nnd the nockct- Jjook, nnd tho company playing it is said to bo good. To save tho rich carpets of tho Alvin Theater from the lime and mud which work men and others carry on their shoos into the house, crash has been Inid all over tho house.' The new theater is gotting prettior every day ns the finishing touches are put on; tho lobby will not be finished for some days. At the Dilqucsue next week the W. T. Carleton Opera Company will produce Strauss' new opera "Indigo," the hale of scuts commencing tills morning. The Carle ton coiup my Is said to be stronger this year than any tnat has ever borne the nnme.' "AnnAHASt Lincoln," a historical drama by Archibald Gordon and McKee Ilankiu, comes next week to tho Grand Opera Houo. The play deals with tho great President's public life and the stirring times in which it was passed. Tony Pastor's company is next week's gilt-edged attraction nt Harry Williams' Academy. Manager Williams, with his wonted liberality, lias been giving his patrons palmleaf tans this week. In spite of tho heat tho theaters have all dono fairly good business since Monday. All the theaters commence to-day tho ad vance salo oi scats for next week. To-niout Miss Paulino Hall "Madame Fivvart" at the Alvin. will give OUE MAIL POUCH. Conscientious Scruples. To the Editor of The Dispatch i In tho published report of the opening of the trial of Mr. Lucy FItzsimmons, a cer tain Judge is reported to havo "sarcasti cally" retorted to a Juror who put in n plea as to conscientious scruples, that "Jurors must stoy in the court room whether they are on thejuryornot." Toanotherwho had trouble with his conscience, this same Judge exclaimed angrily: "Moral cowardice, I want you to know, is not eonsclentlons scruples. People take one for the other, but they aro mistaken." On this, the next Juryman avowed himself as having no such scruples, when this Judge proceeded to overwhelm him with fulsome laudation, ejaculating: "Neither has any other Intelligent man who has sense enough to vote!" Hn It como to this, that a spot can be found in this Government that so broadly recoznlzes the supreme right of conscience, where a Judge is found to trample on the dignity of his position to insult nn American Villon in me exercise oi tins rigui ; Of what kind of food has this man par taken that he thus assumes to lt as an In quisitor to rail at tho honest citizen, and goes behind the guarded portal to impugn men's motives? Has the malevolent and Puritanical spirit that persecuted Quakers and banished Roger Williams come forth to resurrection to t rment us before our time, oris this only its uneasy ghost? It was 'Rienzl, who, in tho decline of his co mtry's greatness, exclaimed: "Yet we aro Romans! Why, in thnt older clay to be a Roman wns greater than a king!" N. - WAMrmr, F.V, September 22. The Area of Pennsylvania. To the Editor of The Dlspitch: What is the area of Pennsylvania and of the United States? Geo. Pittsburg, September 23. Pennsylvania, 15.215 square miles; the United States, 3.557,009 square miles, includ ing Alaska. Glass In Pittsburg. To the Editor or the Dispatch: When and by whom was the first glass made In Pittsburg? Edsn. Allegheny, Septembers. The glass business was first established here in 17S7, by Albert Gallatin. The Loyal League. To the Editor of The Dispatch: What is tho Loyal Leagne? O.F. McKeesport, September 23. A name given to many of the negro organ izations of the South during the reconstruc tion period. VIEWING MB. SCOTT'S REMAINS. The Funeral of the Millionaire Statesman Will Be Public Erie, Sept 23. Special.' The doors of the Scott mansion were opened this afternoon to the public. A constant stream of human ity poured in through the luxuriously fur nished parlors in which the distinguished dead lay all the afternoon. It was a notable fact that the greater percentage were those who at some time in life hnd been dependent upon Mr. Scott and his industries for a live lihood, and there wero many touching out bursts of emotion. When the doorkeepers turned somo poor children away, Mr. Scott's young daughter, Mrs. Strong, ordered them all admitted, and Mrs. Scott directed that there be no discrim ination. Contrary to all expectations the funeral services will be public. All business will be suspended to-morrow In accordance with a proclamation of Mayor Clarke. SOCIAL WORLD GOSSIP. Matters of Moment to tho Fair Sex in Both Cities. A quiet little wedding took place at the home of Mayor II. I. Gonrley on ntunton ave nue, East End, last Thursday. The bride was the beantiful niece of tbe Mayor, Miss Carrie Gourley Palmer. Tho groom was Frank Knight, of tho Atchison, Topcka and Santa Fe Railroad. Rev. G. W. Cnalfant, of tho Park Avenne Church, performed the cere mony in the presence of a select few. Mr. and Mrs. Knight left at once for Burlington, la. After visiting there for a short timo tney will go to Fort Madison to reside. Social Chatter. The marriage of B. W. Allison, M. D., nnd Martha, daughter of the lato Samuel McEI roy, will take place at the home of, tho bride this evening at 7 o'clock. No cards. A vocal and instrumental entertainment will be given this evening at Washington Hall, Beaver avenue, Allegheny, by Prof. J. M. Caldwell and wife, under tho auspices of W. C. T. U. No. 3. WORLD'S PAIR PROGRESS. Two Itulldlngs Well Under Way Tho For eign Commissioners Banqaetted. Chicaoo, Sept. 23. Work upon tho Mines and Mining Building of tho AVorld's Fair has progressed so far that the first of the trusses to support the immense central inch, 1J5 feet in height, were put in position to-day, and the Stars and Stripes wero given to the breeze from its top hi honor of tho event. Tho woman's building is so well for ward that tho placing of the ornamental staff upon its outer wails will begin Monday. Tho British, Gorman and other Foreign Commissioners now in the city have about concluded their investisations, and the re mainder of their stny will be given up to social courtesies. They were dined at the Union League Club by Director General Davis to-day, nnd they were tendered n theater party by Director Kohlsaat this evening. PEOPLE WHO COME AND GO. Phil IS. Jones, of Memphis, Tenn., was a passenger In the Eostern express last even ing. He said he had been through tne Re hellion. He was inclined to spin yarns of his campaign days, but the train wouldn't wait for him. He ho said remembered this end of tbe county very well, and mado in quiries for the olu penitentiary, which he said he knew quite well. Anthony Leetzott, of Winterburn, Clear field county, was brought to town last even ing on tho Allegheny Valley train, suffering from a painfnl injury to his knee. He cut himself with an ax about three weeks ago while felling timber, and, tho wound becom ing dangerous, it was deemed advisable to have him sent to a hospital. He was taken to the Mercy. There will be some hustling done among tho passenger agents at Beaver Fair to-day and days following. W. E. Starr, of the Mis souri Pacific: S. C. Milbourne, of the Union Pacific: O. Warner, of tho C. B. & Q: Sam V. Meyers and Colonel Sam Moody will all bo on hand in the interest of their various lines. Kalph If. Wells, who has long been as sociated with the Anderson staff, has trans ferred his allcglanco to'tlie Duqucsne as head bookkeeper, his father Mr. George R. Wells, having gono home to Baltimore for u rest. Colonel Sam Moody's friends will be glad to hear that his 13-year-old daughter, who has been serionsly ill for several weeks with typhoid fever, has passed tho turning point and will recover. George K. Thompson, Southern passenger nentof tho Pennsylvania lino, with head quarters in Now Orleans, was in tho city yesterday on a vacation. J. S. JAmoreaux, of Ballston Spa; ex Congressman George W. Cronse, of Akron, and Daniel O'Day, of Buffalo, are at the Mo- nougahela. Ex-State Senator J. W. Lee, of Franklin. met a number or other gentlemen interested in oil operations, at the Duquesno yester day. W. Hope, of Liverpool, England, and N. E Chapman, a railroad man from Philadel phia, were at the Anderson yesterday. Geo. S. McCreary, of Lewistown, Pa., and A. G. Smith and wire, of Florence, Ala., are guests nt the Seventh Avenue. Mr. and Mrs. Bakcwell and family left for the East Inst evening in a spocial car at tached to the Eastern express. Congressman-elect Andrew Stewart, Mrs. Stew art and Miss Leila Stewart registered at tho Monongahola last night. Colonel W. P. Kend, who has been in town for tho last two weeks, returned to Chi cago last night nt 11:05. Upton H. White, of Salisbury, Pa, on ex-membor of the Legislature, is at tho Mo nongahcla. A number of citizens went on a special excursion to Moundsville, W. Va., yesterday morning. 1$. E. Ilvan a Chicago banker, and Geo. II. Smith, of ew York, are Duquesne guests. J. K. Crawford and Mrs. Crawford, of Franklin, are at the Anderson. The Central Hotel sale was completed yestorday to Kaufmanns. John C. Grey went to Philadelphia last evening on a business trip. fcURIOUS CONDENSATIONS. Salvador has a telephone school. Kussia has 22 .ironclads and monitors . building. In 33 years $30,000,000 -has been ex pended ori London's drainage system. The fruit output of California increased fully thirty-fold during the past ten years. Our copper output this year tell short of the usual amount by more than 103,000 tons. Thirty-barrels of incense were burned dnring a three days' ceremonial In Slam re cently. Dates are grown at Phamix, Ariz. A cluster weighing over 18 pounds was re cently picked there. A French Baron has won $1,000 by crossing the ocean In tho steerage. He got tbe worst of the bet. The gauge of the Roman chariots 2,000 years ago wns i feet 8 Inches same as standard railroad gauge ot to-day. A Frencli electrician has gotten up a device by which he enn send 150 typewritten words per minute over a single wire. Bounties were paid for 61 bears, 30 wolves, 19 lynxes, G.0I6 fotes, 739 engles and 4,339 hnwks in Norway last year. The supply is not exhausted. The recipe for Roman punch was long kept secret by the chefs of the Vatican, but was given to the world when Napoleon in vaded Italy in 179S. Peru has been making wonderful prog-. ress dnring the last three years owing to the wonderful amount of English capital iusi nas gone into tnat country. A Parisian electrician has succeeded in forcing violets by the aid of his battery, and recently sent a bunch or thee fledglings only four hours old to the Empress Eugenie. And now cottonwood comes to the front as a sngar factor. A Southern grower says its saccharine qualities are 15 times greater than sugar caueand 20 times stronger than beets. ' A letter sent from Mauch Chnnk, Pa., to Calcutta, via Queenstown, immediately malleil back to Mauch Chunk, via Hong kong and San Francisco, made the circuit of the globe in G? days. The oldest mule in the United States is a venerable object of interest in Ray county. Mo. Its name is Julia and it is 3S vears of age. And, by the v ay, its voice is In a per fect state of preservation. A resident of Antelope Valley, Nev., tells the Reno Gazette that the valley Is full of grasshoppers depositing their eggs, and suggests that unless the ground is burned over there will be trouble ahead in a year or two from these pests. A seemingly miraculous enreof a malig nant cancer has been made at Chattanooga, -Tenn., the victim having been pointed out in a dream to a certain herb, which he gath ered and ate and Is now well. The story is vouched for by men or veracity. A spring that gushes forth soda water and in reality forms a huge natural soda water fountain has been discovered in Ore gon. Tho water is sparkling and efferves cent and when flavored and bottled cannot be distinguished from tho artificial bever age. They are telling of a family of 100 per sons who lived up in a little village in Onta rio a few years ago. Eighty-six of these now reside in the United States, 12 are dead and two still live in their native village. And yet Canada is astonished at her dwin dling census returns. French ingenuity has contrived an im proved stone-cutting saw of remarkable efficiency a circular saw having its edge set with black diamonds in the fame way as the straight blades, but as the-strain on the dia mond is all in one direction, the setting can be made much firmer. The Salton Sea still exists, but tbe "spell of weather" which Southern Califor nia has been so disposed to attribute to it has disappeared, and the Southern papers1 willhaveto admit that tbe hot wave was, after all, merely a manifestation of Califor nia's "glorious climate." Miss Mary White, of Munith, Mich., has completed the ninety-fourth day or her prolonged nap. It has been discovered that she can be roused by passing the fingers along the spine until some certain sensitive center, which is never twice in the same place, is reached. Her physician kept her awake four hours Saturday. The biggest blast in the history of Con- nectlcut was touched off at a quarryin Meri den a few days ago. Tho blasters drilled many holes into one side of the quarry, im planted 500 ponnds of dynamite therein and fired it. A mass of rock estimated to havo weighed 3,000 tons was sent rolling down the mountain side, and the detonation was heard many miles. All Esquimaux are superstitious about death, and although they hold festivals in memory of departed friends they will usual ly carry a dying person to somo abandoned hut, there to drag out his remaining days witnont ioou, meuicine, water or attend ance. After the death of a husband or wlfo the survivor cuts the front hair short and fasts for 25 days. Further tests of fibrelin, the product of common flax straw, show that to a certain extent it has not only valuable textile prop erties of itself, bnt also ns a substltnte for cotton or wool; it is claimed, In fact, that 25 per cent or the fibre! ia. with 75 per cent of wool, made into broadcloth gives a product absolutely more valuable than if made of wool alone that is tho real strength of the cloth is enhanced. It is more imoervious to water. Is warmer and on account" ot its ten acity and flexibility its cementing property and electrical adhesiveness, flbreiia not only imparts preservative qualities to the wool and incretsed durability to the cloth, but imparts to the whole a gloss and finish not otherwise attainable. A correspondent of the London LaHij Graphic, writing upon the locust plague in North Africa, says: "In reference to tho diet of St. John the Baptist, who lived on 'locustsand wild honey' in the wilderness, thero aro Sunday school teachers who can not believe that any one would voluntarily live on such food, and, therefore, say that the 'locust bean,' the fruit of the carab tree, i3 meant by tho writers of the New Testa ment. I can only reply that the loenst cricket, the Acridum Pelerlnnm, order Or thoptera, variety Sanatoria the flying Saut erelle of Africa is sold at a half penny per pound In tho market place of Biskra (which is the second oasis from the north in tbe Sahara), and that there it is cooked by boil ingwith salt and water, as shrimps are boiled here. I myself have little doubt that it is more nntritinus than the latter, because in March, when tho insect is gathered and dried, it is as full of albumen as an egg." STPTINGS FI503I LIFE. The Summer Man Well, the season's over: now, I suppose, you want to break our en gagement and start yonr winter campaign. The Summer Girl Nonsense! Only girls In fanny paragraphs do that. Aggrieved Passenger What, 30 cents from New York to Orange? Why, that's 3 cents a, mile! Official (of the Delay, Linger A Walt Railroad) Teg. but It's only about 12 cents an hour. Father Now, look here, Dinnis, d'ye molndr I've towld yez folve or six times to go to Sunday school an' H I bar' to tell ycz agin I'll gtv ye a bating that yei'll remlmber to thelndofyei days! Son Lay bands on me at your p'tUt The pre sumption of you foreigners Is simply lisgustlng. Hark, hark, the does do lurk The boarders arc coming ti town; Some In rags and some with Jigs And some of them aU brokca down. He (bitterly) Pshaw ! All women are alike. She Then why In the world do yon spend so much time trying to nnd the one you want to marry? Teacher (to Mickey) X ow, Mickey, you read the lesson to me lirst and then teU me, with the boot closed, what you read. Mickey (readlng)-See the cow. Can the cow run? Yes, the cow can run. Can the cow run as swirtlr as' the hore? No, the horse runs swifter thaathe cow. (Closing up his book to tell what be has read.) Get onto de cow. Kin her Jig-steps ran Be'cher'lifesheklnrun. Kin de cow do up de horse a runntn'? Naw, de cow ain't la It wid de horse. Miss Coquette Have you a match? Mr. Flint-No! Miss C What shall we do? jjr K. Let's make one? Mts's C.-And Iu that caseyon would be the stick, I suppose! French Second Come, the time for the meeting Is now at hand and yon must not be late. Where are yourducllng plstob? French Prlncipal-Oh. I forgot. I let the chil dren carry them off to the nursery for one of their games. - , ivJ5ij&