THE PJTTSBUBG DISPATCH, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1891. ESTABLISHED FEBRUARY 8. 18M. VoL R. No.IS9. TpfcrK! itFlUrtrargPostofilee, November lsST, as second-class matter. Business Office Corner SmitMeld and Diamond Streets. News Rooms and Publishing House 7S and 80 Diamond Street, in New Dispatch Building. ErTTOtX ADVERTISING OVriCK. ROOM a. TRIBUNE BUILDING. NEWTORK. where com- fleteSles of THEDISPATCH can always be found, 'oreijrn advertisers appreciate the convenience. Home adi erttsere and friends of THE DISPATCH, whue in New York, are also made welcome. THE BTSPA TCHls nsrvtarfrr on ta at Breniara't, f Union Sawn. Ktto frl an&B Axr de POp-m, ftmjt, Primce. where anyone u-ho has been dxszp-poi-iied at a hotel news stand can obtain it. TERMS OF THE DISPATCH. rOSTACK FREE IN THE UNITID STATES. Datlt Dispatch, One Tear CO Daily Disr-ATCH, Per Quarter... .. 2 00 D vn.T Dispatch, OncMonth 0 Dailt DlsrATCn, Includlog Sunday, I year.. 10 00 Dailt Die PATCH, Including Snndav, 3 m'ths. 250 Dailt Difpatch, Including Sunday, 1 ta'tu.. 90 Sunday Dispatch, One Year 2 SO Wehklt Dispatch. One Year. IS The Daily Dispatch Is delivered by carriers at 15 cents per week, or, including Sunday EdlUon, at 23 cents per wecl. PITTSBURG. TUESDAY, NOV. 3, IBM. TWELVE PAGES THK INTEKIisT OP THE RETURNS. To-nicht's returns will show how far the average common sense of American voter transcends the sophistry of doc trinaires and the demaRopism of smart politicians. The people of Ohi especially are put to a signal test of their good judg ment They bit as a jury upon the trial of piotection against the insidious beginning of frpe trade, and of a sound and firm cur rency against the delusion of the cheap silver dollar which would derange values and produce commercial convulsion in place of bringing prosperity to anybody or to any interest There can hardly be auy manner of doubt as to the verdict In Pennsylvania, for reasons already gi en, the chances favor Gregg and Morri son: but nobody need feel surprised if the malfeasaucas of Republican State officials, and the course of the Senate in condoning their breaches of duty, have produced such an influence as to cut the majority very cloe. It is indeed highly probable that nothing but the proximity of the Prcsidental contest and the high standing of the Republican candidates, particu larly General Gregg, could save the party this year from such a reverse as its rep resentatives in office invited. In New York and in Iowa two interest ing contents are also being waged. But it is Pennsylvania and Ohio most particu larly the latter that will chiefly occupy attention to-night THK FIGHT OF THE PARTY WORKERS. The acrimonious contest over the judi cinry nominations in this county is now virtually finished. The signal feature of it to the reflecting voter will likely be that in a contest otherwise so bitter, Governor Pattiaon's appointees were notably exempt from attack upon their fitness. The local loaders, both on the Republican and I)cmo'ri.uc side, were subjected to hot and constant criticism from "straight-outs," but there was nothing maintained against the sitting judges personally. The only exception was the charge that Judge Por ter, when District Attorney, failed to secure the trial and punishment of a great main- defendants to true bills returned by grand juries. This complaint was never against Porter while he was Dis trict Attorney. It is but just to note that in his published answer in a recent issue of The Dispatch he met It effectively by the assertion that in every case where an indictment was not tried a reason was first given and approved by the presiding judges. Anything that is said about the matter now will not make voters one way or the othei. But as the probability is that to day's returns will re-elect Judge Porter along with Judges HcClung and Kennedy to the bench of Common Pleas Xo. 3, it is fair to the individual, and due to the con fidence which tne public should have in the judiciary, to note that the solitary charge made in the heat of the canvass is fully dispelled by Mr. Porter's frank an swer as well as by the testimony of those lawyers who practiced most in the crimi nal court during Porter's term of District Attorney. When the election is over, "the straight out"' movement will be visible in its true ap -ct of an eager contest for leadership w'thin tile- party organizations. For this the action of the Executive Committee on the judiciary appointments merely fur ni'hed an opportunity. Though it is highly-improbable thatthe "straight-outs" can defeat either of the three judges, Mc Clung, Porter or Kennedy, it is on the other hand quite likely from the dimen sions of the movement that the struggle for control in the party organitions will continue as other issues arise. A SIIOWKR OF SUIT& Precipes in libel suits darkened the po litical atmosphere yesterday. They flew thick and fast as the flakes of snow in a winter storm. Senator Quay pressed tiie button, and the Sheriff's officers of Phila delphia, Beaver, and Crawford counties did the rest. A writ is chasing Chairman Kerr to his home in Clearfield; and the "palladium of our liberties," called for short the press, is "stood up" in various sections of the State by the Senator with claims for damages in such big figures that to the imagination of the country editor, they must seem to imply a poten tiality of riches surpassing even the di earns of journalistic avarice. This strange denouement of a campaign which opened mildly as a summer's day wili be contemplated with more than usual interest when the election is over. Then it will be seen whether the suits are merely Pickwickian, or intended to be followed to the bitter end. 1'ARTISAN INSANITY. Tiie species of partisan insanity which generally becomes epidemic prior to the election is strikingly exemplified by the Westmoreland county case. A candidate sent a letter inclosing a S10 check tq a political worker, which, while not an ideal act, does not of itself show criminality or e en corruption. The bearer of the letter became drunk and the letter fell into the hands of the opposition. Tiie opposition managers are, under usual conditions, honest and sensible per sons; but in the excitement of politics they were betrayed into several foolish a'-ts, for which the emotional insanity that seizes politicians at this season is the only excuse. First a private letter was opened by some person other than the one it be longed to; next a valuable document was taken possession of by those who had no claim to it; and finally the wild idea pos sessed the minds of those who committed these acts that they could make political capital by getting the thing published. The consequence is that they find them selves confronted with the unpleasant prospect of a criminal prosecution, and the political capital is the other way. We do not know what individuals com mitted these acts, nor do we wish to. We have no idea that any one of them would open letters or appropriate -checks if not laboring under partisan delirium. But that such things can be done at the close of a campaign suggests the policy of putting all political workers in strait-jackets for the last week before election. NO NEED FOR WAR. Latest reports concerning the Chilean difficulty indicate, not a change of Chilean sentiment as some of our jingo papers put it, but a different state of Chilean opinion than has been reported. So far from ex pressing enmity to the United States, the semi-official organ of the Junta deprecates the idea of war and assures the public that the rumors are unfounded. Doubtless there is a popular feeling in Chile against the United States for which we should re member that we have ourselves to blame, but the expression of the governing classes is the reverse of as belligerent as Mr. Egan has represented. It is necessary to note that the approach to an improved understanding began when Chile was able to reach the State Depart ment through the nedium of its own rep resentative, and that the communications received through that authority .were con ciliatory instead of warlike. This lends additional point to the inquiry whether it is true that the United States Minister at Santiago delayed the nws of the Chilean Minister's appointment and has since then been coloring the communications by his own belligerent disposition to the Chilean Government This is a point which the Administration should clear up at once. It would be a nice morsel for the campaign next year to have it come out that the United States had been nearly plunged into war bv the unreliability of its diplomatic representa tive, and nothing had been done to correct the misconduct BANE, FAILURES AND RUMORS. The Boston Traveller last Saturday de nounced the mischief-makers who cir culate cruel and unjust rumors concerning "a prominent bank man and his institu tion." The subsequent suspension of the Maverick National Bank indicates what these rumors were and also permits the inference that they were not unfounded. Those who circulate baseless talk against the solvency of financial institu tions are doing a silly and wicked thing. But there are several reasons why the editorial efforts to suppress that sort of thing, as exemplified in the case of our Boston cotemporary, are idle and in some casesMH-judged. As a newspaper cannot name names without giving additional currency to the rumors, its editorial re proof of them must be ineffective. Beyond that there is some pertinence in the ques tion whether the rumors are ill-founded or not If they are well-founded, is it not the right of a business man to let his friends know of the fact and take their precautions accordingly? Iu the case referred to, it appears there was good reason for the stories. The juavencK national .BanK nas Deen in a weak condition for the entire yese; and the Comptroller of the Currency will have another case in which a scapegoat will be necessary to relieve him of the responsi bility for letting an insolvent institution continue in operation long after he has known of the impairment of its capital. The early reports permit the hope that it will be no such case of bank-wrecking as that in Philadelphia. But as early reports of bank failures are always optimistic, that hope will have to be held in reserve until the receiver makes his statement In the meantime there is urgent need for informing the Administration that to permit the safeguards of the national banking law to be broken down by weak enforcement is a very grave responsibility for any administration to assume. AN OLD STORY. It is well to keep the history of the epoch-making sixties fresh in the public" mind; out sometimes that benefit can be marred by what is emphatically character ized in Shakespearean phrase as "damn able iteration." It is rather more amus ing than exasperating to find in the New York Bun a letter from T. E. Chadwick, Commander United Stated Navy, assert ing that "it is not generally known how strong is the claim of Russia upon our gratitude." After which Commander Chadwick repeats the oft-told story of the orders to the Admiral of the Russian fleet at New York, in case the Confederacy was recognized by France and England, to place Ms fleet at the service of the United States Government It has long been known that this story was authentic, and it certainly gives the people of the United States good reason to regard with kindness the memory of Alex ander 1L a monarch who, especially in his early career, was as progressive and humane as his successor is reactionary and prejudiced. But it is not necessary to con clude that even Alexander II. was inspired solely by an altruistic- admiration for the republic of the New World. At that time the memory of the humiliation of Russia by France and England in the Crimea was fresli in the Russian mind, and the opportunity to revenge that humiliation was probably as important to Russia as the preservation of the United States from dismemberment The United States should certainly re member the friendliness of Russia nearly thirty years ago.. But gratitude to a past ruler can hardly be invoked to prevent our recognition of the fearful misgovernment which is now turning Russia back into the principles and practices of the Middle Ages. SAWYER'S SELF-EXPOSURE. A remarkable and highly unsavory story is told by ex-Congressman La Follette concerning Senator Sawyer, that amiable Wisconsin millionaire, whose wealth and liberality, with special pension claims, have made him one of the Repubiican lights of the latter day class. There is some dis pute about the exact facts, but the most charitable view of the matter puts the wealthy Sawyer in a very bad light For some time the State treasurers of Wisconsin have increased their salaries by depositing State funds in various banks contrary to law and pocketing the interest The Democratic State Government has brought suit to recover the funds before Judge Siebecker; and the other day tliat judge announced that he would be unable to try the case because propositions had been made to affect his decision. Ex-Congressman La Follette now tells that the proposition came from Senator Sawyer, who, visiting him because he was a friend of Siebecker's, declared "I do not want to pay 8100,000 or so," and offered 5500 or 51,000 "when Siebecker decides the case right" To this exposure of La Follette's Senator Sawyer denies the attempt at bribery, but says he offered La Follette money to look up papers in the case and do other work. La Follette is a Republican of as good standing as Sawyer, and the charge cannot therefore be looked upon as a partisan slander. But back of all that the fact re mains that even by his own admission the Wisconsin Senator was urgently interested In working to prevent the State from get ting hack money that had been made with its funds. This provokes the inquiry: What is the connection of Senator Sawyer with the interest paid on State deposits? Why should a Senator be so much opposed to having the State recover the interest money paid on her funds? Is it possible thatthe wealth which has given Sawyer such weight in the Senate has been built out of a political system which gave him a rake at the interest money as well as an inside track in purchasing timber tracts? The exposure is striking, but not sur prising. There have been plenty of indi cations heretofore that the plutocratic Sawyer is a gilded sham, who regards the dollar as an Ultimate and unanswerable argument in all political questions. The odd vote played as important a part in determining the fate of Tildcn's will as it did in regard to his political ambition. It was first sustained in the lower court by one judge. In the general term of the Supremo Court it was decided against by two judges to one: and in the Court of Appeals by four Judges to three. Eleven judges having passed on the will, six decided against it and Ave for it. Thus in the Electoral Col lege, before the Electoral Commission, and before the New York courts in a whole and in parts the odd vote has always been cast against Mr. Tilden. To-day is the day when the figured-out majorities of the political managers are re duced by the actual facts to the value of a last year's bird's nest. A solid stone roadway has been un earthed in Illinois, and is credited to the Aztecs before they were di iven out of that region by the Indian tribes. This looks as if the Aztecs were ahead of the present popu lation in the United States in the matter of roadways; but when we learn that the road way was made of cobblestones, we perceive that they were only up to the progress of Pittsburg in its early stages of develop ment. , Next Monday the Prince of Wales will be fifty years old. It is thus high time for that jovial youth to settle down and become respectable. Now it is heard that Emin Pasha is marching across Africa and will come out by either the Cumeroons or Jlorrocco. The attempt to rival Stanley by this feat is some what too obvious lor comment. At all events if Emin's followers rebel on this trip he will be left to rescue himself. Tennessee should make her miners obey the statute laws, anil should herself obey the laws of humanity and advanced civilization. A cotesiforaky figures out the cost of raising a boy till he is 21 years of age at $4,150. The trouble with that expense is that in fluences entirely outside of the expenditure determine whether when the boy is raised he is worth the money or would be highly valued at the odd fifty dollars. To-mokp.ow it is understood that the Senate will place itself on record as to whether the Constitution is unconstitu tional. The foolish talk of some people in New York who think that society is making too much of the coming football match on Thanksgiving Day is properly reproved by the World. Shall not the development of ohr great educational Institutions be iecog nizod Jy society. One of the pleasant prospects of the next few weeks is that the American tin issue may now be given a much needed rest. The reported decision of the Administra tion to await full mail advices before further action on the Chilean question is a discreet intimation that it will know exactly what the Chilean attitude is, without relying on Mr. Egan's version of it. Cold weather for the political workers to-day. Which side will find it the chilliest at midnight; A vote against the Constitutional Con vention is a vote in favor of public economy and a fundamental law which, if enforced, will secure good government. November leaves no doubt as to the fact that it is here with all of its vigor and rigor. SNAP SHOTS Iff SEASON. We are rocked when young and clubbed when we grow old. 'Tis a cruel world. The German Emperor shaved off those whiskers because he did not want to bo con- L sidered a harnm-scarum sort of chappie. Drummers have things easier than bal let girls and burlesque actresses. Theydw .'t have to wash their trunks. Iir choosing friends you are sure to make some enemies. If life did not contain some bitterness its sweets would not taste so pleasant. Moke interest is felt in the farmers' than in his crops J ust now. Vote The shoutcrs will be out in force To-night, to-night. They'll yell until they all are hoarse To-night, to-night. But, oh, what a difference in the morning. What a difference will come with the dawn ing; , They'll wake up with a head that'll pin them to the bed, They'll wish that they were dead to-morrow morning. It would never do for a baker to stick up a sign "No loafing here." Yesterday they were guessing, to-day they are voting, to-morrow they will be cursing. Sen ley is in command in Chilean waters, and is only waiting the word to slay the enemy. If all the campaign liars were dragged to the libel court the other sinners would die while awaiting trial. The winners can eat quail, but the losers must munch crow. A GOOD way to punish wife beaters would be to hold them until enough are secured to form a pair of football teams, and then lei 'em at each other. The mnrd'rer takes his gun in hand And bags his human game. The small boy grasps his Flobert and He gets there just the same. Ward heelers wear collars, bnt the trouble is they don't wash them. There's many a slip 'twixt the cup and the dancing hole that fits the latohkoy. Marriage is a partnership, bnt, unfor tunately, U is subject to the laws of dissolu tion. It is a mooted question whether Wash ington or his biographers lied. . IN SOCIETY'S WORLD. Hospital and Church Confer for Mutual . Benefit The French Mission Again A Bride's Homecoming and the Other Gay Doings of Yesterday. The managers of the Oakland Hospital for Children and a number of ladies from the Church of the Ascension met at Miss Sallie Killikelly's house last night. They have combined interests in tho coming pageant to bo given in the Auditorium in December, the plans of which were fully discussed at this meetlrg. The list of patronesses, and auxiliary honorary com mittee of ladies aad men will be formed this afternoon at the church, composed of prominent people of the city and Allegheny. There might be one point made regarding the coming pageant. Uusually beneHts mean an expensive, poor entertainment, when people give their money to expect nothing in return. Those who have seen the pageant declare that it is most delight ful and entertaining, as well as novel. The managers of tho benefit are to be congratu lated on their keen business instinct in ob taining something that every one must desire to see. The friends of the French Mission will be pleased to know that it reopens for the winter on next Sunday afternoon. Last year the mission interested so many in the Pittsburg French colony, as well as in Polish circles, where tho French tongue prevails, that there has been a universally expressed deshe for its continuance. Its force will be strengthened this year by the promise of its Secretary, Prof, llenri Rollin Parker, to, officiate at every other meeting. Rev. Mr, Launitz will pi each next Sunday. Mr. Curl Hotter presides at tho organ, and n volun tary choir will lead the singing. As with last year, these will take place at the chapel of the First Presbyterian Church at 4 o'clock in the afternoon. Social Chatter, y Mb. and Mas. Joseph Phillips arc home from a honeymoon spent in the East. Mrs. Phillips was pretty Miss Nellie Brown, who had a charming home wedding a fortnight ago. The first "at home-' where tho biide will be Vresent is at one to bo given by her aunt, Mrs. J. G. Bennett, of South High land avenue, next Friday. The recep tion does not include Mr. Phillips, as It is a ladies' affair, and takes place in the afternoon from 4 to 6. The hostess will be assisted in receiving by Mrs. Phillips and several friends. The agreeable entertainment given by a number of clever and kindly disposed mnsi- cians last year at Dixmont will be repeated this season. The first one takes place on Saturday evening next, when a good, varied programme wjll be presented by Miss Carrie Tenant, Miss Margaret McCallister. Miss Mary Byron, Miss liattie Nicliol, Messrs. HenrvS. Armstrong, Theodore A. Rentz, R. Frank Emery, Frank Thuma, Joseph Nogle and several others. Ohe of the pleasant echoes from Hbllow-e-n was a party given by Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Orr, of Arch street. A bill of Jare which would have been a delectable sight to our grandmothers, including pumpkin pie, sw eet cider and gingerbread, ushered in the evening's pleasure. Befoie midnight the more modern ice cream, cake, candies and fruits were served, bringing to a close an evening every guest will remember with pleasant thoughts. A M akaoek o f the N ewsboys' Home (who is charitable, bnt who also prefers that his right hand should know nothing of what his, ioiv uanu is umugj cuntnuuceuio naiiQwcun gaieties by giving an unlimited feast of nuts and apples to the boys at the Home. Mr. and Mrs. T. H. Hartley, of Lockhart Place, celebrated the second anniversary of their marriage- on Saturday by a pink dinner1, Near relatives were the guests. A hew cotillion cluD has been formed in Allegheny, adopting the name of Alvin out of compliment to Charls Davis' theater. A reception will be held to-night at the Linden Club. TALK OF THE TIMES. " Bv accepting the resignation of Secretary of State Chapleau, Canadian Premier Abbott has assumed the responsibility of a govern mental crisis. iV. Y. Recorder. It remains to bo seen whether he can weather tho storm he ' - to face. Tim killing of a railroad superintendent by a smash-up on his railroad, in Arkansas, Friday last, was a deplorable event. JV. Y. Advertiser. It may work for the benefit of the people, though, by making the other su perinic dents use all their power to prevent other accidents. f 1 A California grand-ljury has indicted a member of the Legislature for accepting a bribe. Tulare Sentinel. This is an invasion of an American right, and will have to be kept from spreading eastward. Contact with civilization is doing a great deal for tho noble red man. lie has learned the absurdity of standing around waiting to be executed when an oppojtanity of escape is afforded. Kansas City Star. Education has its results even upon the savago. Why should ho not follow the example set by Marsh, Livesey, and their Canadian proto types. Good roads are the best proof of an intelli gent government. Providence Journal. The sooner the people understand this, the soon er will the highways be well built. Piotection, reciprocity, and the honest dollar are tho present cardinal doctrines of the Republican party, and they have tho sympathy and support of a sufficient num ber of voters to elect the next President. St. Louis Olobe-Demccrat. Protection and re cipioeity have already tho support of all ex cept the calamity croakers, and they are nearly silenced. It is so seldom that an elective office unac companied by salary is sought by or offered to a competent man. JVebraskaWorld-Herald. If this is the case, then there should be a change very shortly. NEW LIFE IN TBADE. Industries Hare Been Encouraged and Prices Have Been Lowered. Grand Rapids Telegram-Herald. Even admitting that free trado is better for England, it is no proof that it would be better for America. Instead of a little is land, there is here an immense continent capable of producing almost every variety of natural production and mechanical in dustry. The general policy of tiie United States has been to encourage homr Industry and products by imposing a high enough duty on articles from (6utside that the purchaser may discriminate in favor of the home market. This has bad the effect to bring the United States into competition with many new lines of industry, and the effect of this competition has been the usual one that of putting new life into tiade, and of re ducing the price of the products of these in dustries. The months following immediately after the passage of the McXinley bill may safelv be fcaid to be the most'unfavorable to the growth of industry, and yet during the first three months alone, 15 new shoe and leather factories were started, 19 cotton factories, 21 woolen, 15 pottery and glass, 15 paper and pulp, 16 iron and steel, 6 met! working, 32 machinery and hardware, and (f firms either began the manufacture of tin plate, or built new mills or additions to old ones for that purpose. Again, it was confidently promised by the Democratic party that the passage of the bill would raise the prices of everything. And yet it is perfectly true that the cost of the necessaries of life are but very little changed from what they'were a year ago, and the change has been toward lower prices. S0LAE SF0T3. A Mysterious Phenomenon on the Surface of the Sun. , New York Herald. The curious and suggestive phenomenon of the fall of a solar protuberance into a sun spot has been recently reported by M. Tron velot, the French astronomer. Ho was en abled to observe this fall very distinctly. The sun spot In which the protuberance-was lostwas very quiet, giving not the slightest evidence of any volcanic eruptions going on. There areln or near a suu spot usually jets of incandescent matter, frequently thrown up to great heights, but this voiacious spot which swallowed up the protuberance in question wa in almost entire repose. M. Trouvelot hints that the most probaDle explanation of this most mysterious phe nomenon is that the class of spots which are in u state of repose exercise some kind of attraction upon certain protuberances. These solar clouds, sometimes filamentary, sometimes diffuse, sometimes seen to be gyrating like a cyclone, are composed main ly or hydrogen and helium. Around the spot the motion of filaments is usually in ward toward a central spot and then down ward. It might, therefore, be supposed that the prominence seen by M. Trouvelot ap proached the spot by aspiration. PBIS0H EEF0EMATI0K. Some of the Things That Are Needed in Modern Penitentiaries. Springfield Republican, The punitive system of a half century ago has been generally discarded with such penalties as death for stealing, and the bar barities of the dungeon, the lash and other forms of torture not because of its inhu manity alone, nor from a sentimental desire to make the convict's lot an easy one, but from a conviction that the true end of all punishment should bo the reform of the prisoner. It has been and is now the study of penologists how to so combine punishment and kindness, severity and education as to accomplish this result. The prisoner, no matter how degraded, is a man, and if the State takes him into its keeping for its'own protection for a term, it is Ms duty to release him more of a man than when it took him iu charge. It is not surpiiaiiK tlin,t in the application of this idea the very natural reaction from the older severities shonld lead to excess in the other direction. In time, these excesses will be refonnea, and something like the happy medium leached, for the ideal method of treating prisoners is vory gen erally aarrecd upon that is, within broad limits. It includes the carefnl classification of the prisoners, separating the old from the young, tho inexperienced from thelinrdened criminals. The prisons should be clean and barelv within the limits of comfort, the food plain, nourishing and just sufficient to sustain the strength, and hard labor shonld be enforced upon all. Rewards for good condner, and encouraging and elevating in fluences all have their place in the plan, the Jmrpose of which is to make a life of honest abor attractive to the erstwhile criminal. PH0TECT THE F30NTIEB. The Fortifications Should he Strengthened at Various Points. New York Recorder. It is semi-offlcially intimated from Wash ington that the question of our relations with Canada will be very emphatically dis cussed in the President's message. The British Government is strengthening its fortifications in the regions of the Lakes and it is only natural that we should not be in different to its movements in this direction. The present modus vivendi between our selves and England is based on the treaty of 1817, by the terms of which the naval force that either country may maintain on tho Lakes is limited. The arrangement was favorable to us when It wns made, but the construction of the Canadian canals has completely reversed the conditions of three quarters of a century ago so that all the ad vantages are now on the side of Great Britain. In tho event of tho disturbance of friendly relations between the two countries England could put an immense fleet of light draught vessels of war and torpedo boats into the Lakes at almost a moment's notice. In view of her military activity on the border this is not a very comfortable position to bo in, and the sooner it is changed the bettor. The ideas of the President and Mr. Blaine on the question have not been made known. One of two courses is open: liist, a new tieatv, and, second, the strengthening of our fortifications at various points. This we are now doing a small scale. There is, of course, no immediate danger, but wo should be pre pared lor whatever may arise. THE METEIC SYSTEM. Its Use Has Ben Anthorized but Never Enforced in This Country. Scientific American. Several British Consuls have recently warned their countrymen they were losing considerable trade in foreign countries owing to their persistent use of English weights and measures in their circulars and price lists, which were frequently unintelligl ble to most of the foreign dealers, whereas their French, German and other competitors used the metric system, which was familiar to everybody, and naturally attracted cus tom. These warnings apply equally well to the exporters of tlio United States. The use of the metric or decimal system was author ized by oifl: laws many years ago, but the use has not yet been made compulsory; hence the majority of people cling to the old sys tem and dislike to change, althougli the metric is more simple and easily under stood. The metric system is so much more con venient, saves so much time and has now become so generallv adopted throughout the world, that the United States ought no longer refuse to fall into line. A very little pressure would suffice tojiring about the change. It would do the business, probably, if Congress were simply to pass a law re qulung that estimates, contracts and bills specifying weights or measures, when not made out metrically, must Dear a revenue stamp of one dime. Rather than pay a small tax. everybody would at once use the deci mal system, and the change would be as smooth as the system itself. VICUNA HOT IN IT. He Is Not Entitled to Recognition as Presi dent of Chile. Washington Post. SenorDonClaudio Vicuna, who was elected President of Chile while the late warv was going on, is now an exile from his country, and will shortly leavo New York for Europe, to remain until the present strain of affairs is relaxed or perhaps permanently. .He is in no wise entitled to recognition as Presi dent of Chile, and probably entertains no such idea himself, although the suggestion has been made that in certain contingencies he might be so recognized by the United States. No snch contingency is possible. The United States has recognized the exist ing provisional government. It recognizes the legality of the machinery by which the people of Chile hare just chosen an electoral college for the choice of a President. Even in the event of war, there would be no occasion to go back of this action. The present difficulty is with the present Gov ernment. It has to be settled with the junta or its successor. Sonor Vicuna is not in it. The Balmaceda regime Is not in it. It is the obstreperous and impracticable organiza tion which has risen upon the ruins of that regime with which our administration has to do, and with which it will doubtless deal in a manner calutnry to the Chileans and satisfactory to the American people. British Marksmanship. Toledo Commercial. Great Britain must have some remarkable gunnel's in her navy. A couple of days ago while target practice was in progress, fish ing vessels weie struck and sunk, several lives of fishermen lost and the deadly nature of the artillery fully manifested. The accuracy of the aim, however, is to be inferred from the fact that the, ,shing ves sels are said to have been four miles from the target. Not for Any One Class. & Los Angeles Express. The blessings of the McKinley law are not for any one class or section, but for the whole population and for every part of the country. That is why the measure gains friends so rapidly now that it is being prop erly understood. 1 PERTINENT AND. PERSONAL. Gladstone thinks that Milton was the first author to sell a manuscript. Walt Whitman has not lost the clear ness of his mind though his bodly powers are failing. Senator Feffer has written a book, but it has been lost to sight since the cam paign commenced. The "Duke of Bedstead" is the title of a London millionaire. He began life as a bedmaker and now his establishment covers two blocks of city land. Queen Victoria does not intend to have the Ameer of Afghanistan at close quarters with her. She will turn him over to a hotel instead of inviting him to Windsor. Governor Russell, of Massachusetts, occupies his spare moments by studying the "Letters of Junius" and Henry Cabot Lodge is much interested in tho "Meicbant of Venice." THE most noted woman novelist of Aus tria is Baroness Marie von Ebner-Eschen-boch. She is a woman of 61years, the mother of seven children, and for 20 years she has been writing works ofiction. Senator Stanford, who aspires to be President, onco reiused to buy a book from a woman on the ground that he never spent money foolishly. The Farmers' Alliance evidently do not believe this tale. Ex-Governor Houser, of Montana, be gan live as a surveyor on the Missouri Pa cific Railroad. He emigrated' to Last Chance Gulch, where Helena now stands, and got a job to turn the windlass of a mine hoist. Now he is a millionaire. OUR MAIL POUCH. Ingalls on Jefferson. To the Editor of The Dispatch: , The very righteous and learned indigna tion with which your Wampum correepond dent calls ex-Senator Ingalls to account for something he did not say in a recent lecture at Boston is amusing to the ordinary reader if it is anything. , Mr. Ingalls may not know as much about Jefferson and the Declaration of Independ ence as the Wamnnm savant but we venture to assert that he did not in Boston misquote that famous instrument as reported in the newspapers. And, we venture further to assert, even at the peril of exciting the wrath of the learned Wampum citizen, that Jefferson was not in fallible, and that his theory was vastly super ior to the constant practice, at least so far as the rights of man were concerned. And his declaration in the famous instrument of which ho was at least the reputed author, that "all men are'born equal," is not true, and the phrase-following in which "certain inalienable rights are specified, wil" not bear the construction the Wampum statesman gives it. Two distinct and separate affirmations are made, to wit: That all men are created equal by their Creator; this has reference simply to bringing them into being, and has no connection with what follows. They are endowed with certain inalienable rights by their Creator. That men possess certain inherent or inal ienable rights, and that these aie life, lib erty and the pursuit of happiness, no man worthy of tne namo will deny. On the other hand, no man, even of the most ordinary intelligence, will claim that all men are cre ated equal, or that equality in creation is at nil necessary to the enjoyment of life and liberty or the pursuit of happinoss. Wearo, therefore, in view of all the stub born facts of history, and especially the one that Jefferson, with, other leading men of his dav, laid the fonndntions of our govern ment, "in pirt, on the cornerstone of a bar parous institution, Avhich has been well charactei ized as the snm of all villainies, and which eventually drenched his country in fraternal blood, we are driven to the con clusion that Thomas Jeffersou equally with the modern politician, was prone to indulge inrhetoncandbuueombe, quite as much, if not more, than in lact and in principle. And we feel sale in saying that, in declaim ing on the equality and inalienable rights of man, while at the same time lie was dealing in hirTnan beings as though they were born only equal andendowed with no higher rights than the beasts of the field. Thomas Jeffer son affords an historic example of inconsist ency which the most reckless and auda cious of statesmen of the present day will not dare to imitate. , E. New Brighton, Pa., November 2. OPENING THE MISS01TBL The River Improvement Idea Is Spreading in the West. Knnsi CItyStaf.J It is the experience of all sections where there is permanent water transportation that rates on all classes or freight are greatly re duced. In that part of the United States known by the railroads as the North Central division the rail rates are the lowest in the country. This is solely dn account of the competition afforded by lake transportation. While, owing to the great difficulty of river navigation, opening the Missonri river would not bring the rates down as low as the tariffs of the North Central division, the reduction w ould still be material and of great value to the producing classes. This ought to be rea son enough, not only for Congress to act, but for the people to work unitedly to the de sired end. .Opening the river would not alone cheapen rates. It would also develop resources of a country now inaccessible, which is of greater importance than cheaper rates. It would open transportation for the extensive deposits of iron and coal and valuable tim ber forests now unused, and stimulate in dustry in regions at present practically un inhabited. It was cheap lake transportation which brought the coal of Pennsylvania and the iron end copper of the Upper Penin sula of Michigan together and established the great industries which now exist in the Lake Superior country. Ther sources of the Missouri valley are greater and more diver sified than those of the Superior region, and the improvement of the now comparatively unused stream and its tributaries would bo the cause ol results that nobody now can estimate. THE EECIPE0CIIY HUMBUG. It Compels South America to Purchase From the United States. Confectioner's Gasretta. "The reciprocity humbug!" What does the "recipiocity humbug" amount to. It compels South America to purchase from this country something in. exchange for tho largo amount of produce we. have been buy ing from them. Heretofore they have been sending us their sugar, coffee and otherar ticles in some instances making us nay, as in the case of coffee, an export duty for the privilege of buying it from them, and then putting a heavy duty on American flour and other products. This country was good enough for them to sell coffee and sugar to, but in their buj-ing the favors were all shown to the Europeans. Reciprocity has changed this. It has com pelled them to give Americans fair play. It has been the cause of abolishing discrimin ating duties, ,nd now it has opened the German market to the American hog, which has been barred out heretofore. American farm products gain also in the same treaty. This insures an immensely increased mar ket for American pork and American corn, which is not such n very bad result of "the reciprocity humbug." CAETEE HAHBISOir IN A SEW BOLE. He Purchases and Assumes Control of the Chicago Times Newspaper. Chicago" Nov. 2. Hon. Carter H. Harrison, who served two terms In Congress from Il linois and who was four times chosen Mayor; of the city of Chicngo, has purchased and to day assumed control of the Chicago Tvtna. The price is not made public, but it is un nerstood that the sum is -well np in the six figures. Ever since the death in 1835 of the late Wilbur F.. Storey, the founder of the news popef, it has been more or less involved in legal complications, which this transfer promises to jpnt an end to. Mr. Harrison says that, finding the intermittent activities of an occasional political campaign insuf ficient to deep him from growing rusty be tween times, he has bought the Times to to give himselt active occupation. He an nounces that the paper will be Democratic in all things. He Is Entirely Healthy. Pomona Times. Mr. Blaine takes hold of the Chilean busi ness in the manner of an entirely healthy man. . SHADOWS CAST BEFOEE. A Niagara of Republican votes will soon be rolling down to the Harlem. iV. Y. Re corder (.Rep.) It is significant that Republican, organs are less confident of success in Iowa than in any other of the five great battle grounds of this campaign. Kansas City Star (Zem.) Pbesidest Hkkisox should not forget to enumerate among the reasons for celebrat ing Thanksgiving Day the cheering fact that thore can be no more joint debates this year. Chicago Times (Dn.) With Boies, Flower and Campbell all win ners, the Democrats will have three more first-class men right at the front of tho po litical procession as it moves over into 1892. St. Louis Republic (Dew.) The victory that is within sight for the lottery men ill Louisiana will partly com. pensate the Democrats for such defeats as they will sustain next Tuesday in tho other States. SL Zotiis OUbe-Democrat Rep.) The Republicans unanimously declare that Fassett will be elected Governor. The' Democrats are equally positive that Flower will be elected. This enables us to say that tho election will be a close one. iV; Y. Ad vertiser (Ind.i ' The Iowa Republicans have been some what handicapped this year by tho fact that their candidate for Governor is not a public speaker; but then Governor Boies has done them considerable Rervice in that respect. Los Angeles Times (Ind.) Ohio's Republican plurality in 1888 was 19,503. If Governor Campbell wins against such overwhelming odds It will be an un precedented victory for tariff reform, and a magnificent indorsement of an able and fear less executive. Illinois State Register Rep.) CURIOUS CONDENSATIONS. Joseph Walker, of Massachusetts, In vented tho wooden shoe peg In 1813. On the average a boy costs a parent about $200 a year until 20 years of age. Apple trees set out 80 years ago in New Haven, Conn., bore excellent fruit this fall. A Florida man found "25 fish" in- the stomach of a moccasin snake, which he shot a few days ago. Thunder and lightning are exceedingly rare on tho Pacific coast. A genuine thun der storm has visited California but twice in 12 years. Itigid examination of the applicants for certificates to teach In Willis, Tex., has re sulted in the idleness of half the schools of the county. It is said that, including the officers holding honorary rank, thore are 2,050 gen erals in the British army, or nearly one) for every 100 soldiers. The mother of a Kansas City, Mo., baby is 16 years old, its grandmother, 33, and its greatfgrandraother is but 52 years old. All reside in the same house. Tacoma, Wash., has a well 100 feet deep from jrhich the wind blows continually. As there is 50 f.eet of water in the well the source of the wind is a mystery. The giraffe is now threatened with per manent extinction. Ten years ago herds of 70'and 80 could be found where to-day 13 would be an exceptionally large herd. Venezuela has 56 holidays everyi year. On these occasions tne people close their stores and enjoy themselves in chicken fights and other tropical amusements. In the last seven-and-twenty years tho number of students attending Scotch uni versities has more than doubled: for in 1861 the number was S,3S9, and in 1890 it was 7,000 odd. When a Missouri cabbage was cut open, it was found that the outer coating con tained 28 perfectly developed little heads in a cluster, about the size of a walnut, and nearly as hard. The low volcanic island which rose bo suddenly out of the sea near Palermo, and from which fire was emitted, has entirely disappeared, even the water that covers it having ceased to boil. A healthy girl of IT who devotes her self to hospital work will die 2iJ years sooner than a girl of the same age in the) general population. This is supposed to bo ne to her liability to tuberculosis. A fine deposit of asbestos has been. di covered in Jackson county, Oregon. Itis pronounced by Eastern experts to be of tho very best quality. The machinery for clean ing, baling and shipping will soon-be put in. At a communion service in a Hanwell panper school a little girl who had charge of the chalice droDned it. and some of tho wine was spilled on her pineafore. -Th A luminous crayon has been, invented which enables lecturers to draw on the blackboard when the room Is darkened for the use of the lantern. It is likely to provo of value also to the students who take notes. There is a farmer in Ventura county, California, whose name is Stubblefleld, and another named Haymaker. Los Angeles, Cal., has still another honest granger who bears the euphonious name of John Bean blossom. ' A Bay City, Mich., family were taken with alarming' symptoms after eating b quantity of English walnuts. The physician called said that they bad been poisoned with minute particles of prussic acid, which had formed in the kernels. Florida is probably the best timbered State in the Union. Out of about 38,000,000 acres, only some 3,000,000 are inoluded in farms, the rest, nineteen-twontieths, exclu sive of the area covered by lakes aad rivers, being covered with heavy forests. , It would seem that the ladies of the. harem possess a wonderful capacity for dis posing of sweet things. France alone last year exported to Turkey and Egypt for tb)8 harems 1,600,000 franca' 64,000) worth of fondants, praline and marrons glaces. J -MDne of the missionaries of the Seamen'al Mission in England has during the'yearvis-v ited 3,000 vessels, and read the Scriptures in English, Danish and Norwegian. He has dis tributed 2,900 New Testaments and 7C0 Gos pels to English and foreign seamen and emi grants. '" " "' -c-v- '-' The timber cut in one year in 'Florida averages a little short of 200 000,000 feet, which is over 3 per cent of the whole amount of mercantile timber standing in her forests. At this rate, in about 30 years Florida would be cleared of her timber, ir there was no. natural increase. Outside passengers by one of the Lon don road car services were recently aston ished to find fixed to their seats a funnel containing an umbrella, which might bo used witxhiit extra chargej on wet days. The only condition attaching to its employ ment was the modest request that it should be replaced. The Mbntana sapphires embrace a great variety of the lighter Bhades of red, yellow, blue and green. The latter color is found quite pronounced, being rather a blue green than an emerald green. Nearly all the stones, when finely cut, have an apparent metallic luster which is strikingly peculiar to those from this locality. Neither red rubies nor true-blue sapphires have yet been found. An Indian tomahawk was recently cut from the center of a saw log 32 inches in diameter in Wisconsin, six inches in length, and has a 2-lTicti blade made of roughly forged iron. There were 10 Inches of solid timber overthe head, showing the indent' ure of a portion qf the handle In the timber, which was a different wood from tho tree. It is supposed to have been in thai tree for nearly 200 years. The Japanese practice refined cruelty to delight their palate. They believe that the fish called the dai is most delicious when eaten alive. An expert Japanese carver can dextrously remove five-sixths of the edible matter from its bones without touch ing a vital part. During this cruel opera tion the fish is kept alive by wet seaweed, which, being placed over its gills, enables it to breathe. Washington, Ga., has three trees of which it is vastly proud. . One is a white oak, under which the Commissioners began tho work of laying out the town in 17S3. A second is a poplar, under the shade of which in 1790 took place the first ordination of a Presbvterian minister west of the Savannah river." The third is a huge oak, under w hich in 1856 occurred the memorable debate be tween Robert Toombs and Benjamin Hill, one or the greatest intellectual contests in the history of Georgia. SOME SHALL SMILES. "What a lovely morning!" he said. "It is a perfect morning, "she replied. Trne,"hesa!d, "I haven't seea anything this morning that "isn't perfect," ana lie looked net straight in the fare. Then she Washed. Cape Cod Item. "What is the trouble between them?" "She can't cook aaweU as his mother." "When did he find it out?" "At the end of the honeymoon." Sew York Press. Minnie So, -Bessie Smith fs going to marry Jim Lathy! He's so thin. I don't see what she can sc in him. ,-,. Kitty-I should thlnk-everythingl-SmBA. Gray ACo.'s Monthly. Bulfinch I tell you what it is, that Miss Smllax Is simply out of sight. Wooden-Yes, I've noticed it every time 1've caned. Boston uoicner-jounuu. I craved a kiss with prayer and sigh, Long, long I craved, and long In vain; ..TV At length mpiiyiur uij iu. s The gift she granted, tenderly. 1 cannot teU the reason why This grac. alas! should prove my bane, - For now. still far more hungrily. I'm wishing day and night that I Could kl her fifty times again. c. PucKrr Patriotism The expansion of egotism "My country." , -".'- FUglarlsm-A lack of sfciU In effacing coln- ' Originality Leaving an idea in the mind to grow until you forget how it was planted there. JEote FUWs Ifajliiw. The man who looked upon his past .' Was grieved and sore amazed: 'I am surprised," he said at last; "I'm simply yesterdayzed." Washington Star. ' "She's awful, isn't she?" " " 'Dreadful.'!. "She flirts with everybody, except Mr. Mete." "Yes: why doesn't she flirt with him?" ' "He's her fiance, you Enow. "Colusa Sua.-