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THE" PJTTSBTJBCP DISPATCHf WEDNESDAY, J)ECmiBER ' 9r 1891
Bigpaftlj.
m
ESTABLISHED FEBRUARY 8, 1818.
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TlTTSHUKG. WEDNESDAY. DEC !. 1S.
THE BOND ELECTION.
Popular interest in the bond question
was not Rrpat enousli to brins: out more
than a licht vote yesterday. But the bond
proposition was ratified by a considerable
majority. It is to bcrecrettcd that the in
terest in a matter affecting taxation was
not active enough to secure a full vote. A
' manifestation that the people are closely
vatchinj: the conduct of municipal
finances is the best possible guarantee that
their management will be careful and
honest But while voters were so scarce
that sundry election boards are reported
to have whiled away the leaden-footed
hours Uh games of enchre and seven-up,
the decision arrived at was the wisest one.
The Dispatch has repeatedly held that,
if the majority of the people preferred to
have whatever the city has to pay on
street contracts in a single year raised by
ihe tax levy for that year, that is the right
policy to adopt. But it was too evident
tint such a policy would imposes heavy
burden of taxation on the mass of tax
payers: and the other policy is shown to
1)0 preferred by the vote.
The approval of the bond issue makes
the course of the city clear. It can meet
the payments to contractors as they be
come due, and in the meantime proceed to
test the constitutionality 01 tne curaine
act. If there is any danger of issuing
bonds not needed, or paving for contracts
where work is not properly done, as has
been alleged, the courts are open to any
citizen to stop such betrayals of public
trust.
A Kl.WOKED STREET EXCHANGE.
Report has it that the Baltimore and
Ohio Railroad, in its policy of increasing
its terminal facilities here, will propose to
the city to exchange its tracks for the
present location of Second avenue, mak
ing the street run along the base of the
hill, and permitting it to use the thorough
fare, with the property acquired by it be
tween the Tenth street bridge and Lock
Ko. 1, for tracks and freight yards.
But this transfer would be possible only
after the railway has acquired all the
property between the street and the river,
over the section named. Any private
owner could, if we mistake not, interpose
2 valid objection to having liis street
privileges taken away. If, as is reported,
the railway has acquired by purchase all
private property to be affected by the
change, the sole question remaining is
whether good municipal policy will ac
quiesce in the exchange.
It is for the interest of Pittsburg to
encourage, by reasonable" measures, the
improvement of the facilities for this
corporation in competing for our vast
transportation business. But in an ex
change so manifestly for the pecuniary
benefit of the company it is a clear propo
sition that the trade should leave the city
in as good position as at first This, in the
exchange of the two rights of way, may
be difficult though not impossible. The
fact that thestreetinitsnewposition would
be subject to land-slides would require
that the railroad make the necessary pro
vision against such danger. The change
would require a considerable amount of
new grading and paving, which it is no
more than justice that the corporation
shall do. In short, the proper decision of
the question will depend on what the rail
road will do in the way of furnishing a
good avenue in the place of the one it
wishes to occupy.
If the proposition guarantees as safe
aDd good a street as the city now has there,
the exchange seems feasible. If it falls
short either in the requisites of safety or
desirability it must be refused.
LUNATIC OK CONSPIRATOR,
"While any indications of a possible con
spiracy in the New York dynamite at
tempt are to be thoroughly investigated,
the characteristics of the catastrophe are
those of lunacy. The demand for black
mail was made in a manner which'doomed
the crank to death. The sum named was
an amount which not even the wealthiest
man could produce on a moment's notice
or even draw by check without previous
arrangement with the banks. As the
Philadelphia Ledger says: "There was no
method in this man's madness. There
was no semblance of even the craziest
form of cunning in the manner of his de
mand for a million and a quarter of money
under the circumstances."
Of course, uponthe hypothesis of lunacy
the suggestion of the act to his crazed
brain must be charged to the talk and
example of the hardly less crazy Anar
chUts, In this connection, the impression
is to'look at the disposition of lunatics and
cranks who resort to explosives as a re
venge upon society as a novel develop
ment of our modern civilization. It is a
decidedly uncomfortable importation of
old-world ideas; but, as regards the prog
ress of the world, it is nothing new.
England annually celebrates the discov
ery of a plot nearly three centuries ago to
blow up King and Parliament in one
grand explosion, and the outbreak of sim
ilar plots occurs all through history. A
bomb of that sort was used in the at
tempt to destroy the first Napoleon, and
Orsini's bomb completed what parallel
there was between the first and third of
that name. While dynamite is a more
deadly explosive than powder, both are
sufficiently fatal for the uses of conspir
ators. But one other fact profitable to note in
connection with these attempts cither to
destroy tyrants or overturn society is that
they have always failed. In the vast ma
jority of cases the conspirators have
either died from their own petards or suf
fered punishment Even in the solitary I
case where the attempt at assassination
has succeeded the only result was to re
place the mild and humane Alexander it,
of Russia, with the bigoted and fanatic
Alexander II I.
Revolutions prosecuted by the agencies
of civilized warfare, with a" bold readiness
to accept the responsibility of reform by
constitutional and reasonable agitation,
have a chance of success. ' But the at-,
tempt to reform society or destroy obnox
ious civilization by secret murder arrays
civilization, against the conspirators or
lunatics, and dooms them, from Guy
Fawkes down to the unknown lunatic of
last Friday's explosion.
"WILL THEY THINK FOR THEMSELVES?
Now that some of the active spirits of
the local Democracy are making a new
start with a lot of fresh ideas and- pro
fessed determination as to the expression
of the will of the party, would not the
occasion be eminently auspicious for in
quiry upon their part as to "why there
should be any difference between Penn
sylvania Democrats and Pennsylvania
Democrats on the question of a protective
tariff?
It is only of late years that the Penn
sylvania Democracy has been put by its
leaders in silly antagonism to the policy
which fosters Pennsylvania industries.
During Samuel J. Randall's time the party
in.Pennsylvania was couservativcly pro
tective in its attitude. "When the allure
ments of Federal office came to the
leaders, with Cleveland's administration,
there was a facile accommodation of views
to suit the tariff reform vagary in the
"While Ilouse. Since then the chance of
capturing loaves and fishes anew in case
of Cleveland's return to power, has always
been the ruling consideration. Thus it
was that the party at its last State conven
tion was reduced to the pitiable plight of
being afraid to face the people with Its
record on the very question which of all
questions was and is most vital to Penn
sylvania. It had to beg off in the most
humiliatiag way; and the people at the
polls thrust it aside contemptuously.
The election of Crisp, notwithstanding
his professions, is a sign that the Demo
crats in Congress are sick of the radical
free trade ideas of Mills; and it will sur
prise no one if it prove the first step
toward "hedging" on the disastrous anti
tariff policy which has deservedly brought
the party to defeat whenever tried. Why
should not the Democratic reformers of
Allegheny county take the hint and make
a meritorious bid for local support by dis
avowing the humbug anti-protection doc
trines of all shades, with which they can
not, if they consider their own Interests,
have any real sympathy.
If the movers of the new Democracy
want to cast over the local leaders with
whom they profess to be dissatisfied, and
to act for themselves they should begin
bj thinking for themselves.
A FEASIBLE REFORM.
The Presidental order directing that
promotions in the civil service shall be
governed by daily ratings of tlie efficiency
and faithfulness of clerks will be, if faith
fully carried out, a step in the application
of civil service reform principles even more
important than the establishment of com
petitive examinations for initial appoint
ments. This method of governing promotion by
the record of ascertained fitness in actual
service is what has been urged by The
Dispatch for some time. In the selection
of men to be appointed to vacant clerk
ships competitive examination affords the
best method so far devised of determin
ing their intellectual qualifications. But
after a clerk has entered the Government
service the correct and impartial record of
the' way he does his work, his application,
industry and ability, afford the clearest,
evidence of his fitness for promotion.
It is, moreover, clear that such a sys
tem, kept up in good faith, will exercise a
far greater influence on the civil service
than the filling of vacancies by the meth
ods heretofore adopted. The appointment
of men to the'lowest grades is not so im
portant as the knowledge that promotion
will depend on application and zeal Even
if mistakes should occur in the earlier ap
pointments, the fact that each clerk
knows that every case of absence, neglect
or inattention will damage his chances for
promotion, and each day's work faithfully
and intelligently rendered will improve
them, will be the greatest incentive for
activity and efficiency in the public serv
ice. Together the competitive examina
tion for early promotions and promotion
by the records of efficiency and fidelity
afford the means of removing the public
service entirely from the curse and degra
dation of political favoritism.
The question is whether the desire for
reform is strong enough to overcome this
,pressure for political patronage. Unless
an administration is deadly in earnest the
ease With which the ratings can be made
to conform to the influence of the clerk
rather than his efficiency will make the re
form little, if any, better, than the system
of awarding office as political prizes. But
if there is a disposition to make an ex
ample of every official who perverts the
records to suit the purposes of favoritism,
there is no reason why the civil service of
the Government should not be permanent
ly and satisfactorily removed from pol
itics. TnE QUESTION OF VALIDITY.
The assertion of a Councilman who-sup-ported
the bond issue thatreasons exist by
which any objecting citizen can prevent
that Issue, does not give the ground on
which it can be contested. Nor does he
propose to contest the matter, though ad
vised of grounds on which anyone else
could do so.
This seems an erroneous attitude. The
city certainly does not wish to put out an
issue of invalid bonds, as that would only
bring the present muddle into confusion
worse confounded. If any citizen .has
reason to believe the issue of bonds would
be unconstitutional it is his plain public
duty to bring the matter up and have it
settled before the city can aggravate, its
unfortunate position by issuing bonds for
which there is not legal authority.
The only point on which there seems to
be a possible ground for disputing the is
sue, is in the question whether bonds held
by the city in its sinking fund can be de
ducted from the total debt or not If they
must be reckoned as a part of the debt,
the seven per cent limit is nearly if not
quite reached. If they can be deducted
from the debt, the margin would permit
the ?2. 000,000 issue. Common sense would
indicate that the city debt means only the
bonds held by the city's creditors, and
that bonds in the sinking fund occupy the
same position as bonds in the possession 6f
the city, authorized but not issued. Even
if they were held to be part of the debt,
could not the city make its position good
by cancelling all of its own bonds in,its
posession, as retired?
But if this or any other question raises a
reasonable doubt as to the validity of the
bonds, it is for the public interest to have
the matter settled before they are issued.
Any citizen who dcubts the validity of the
'issue can go to the courts to. have his ob
jections passed upon.
The trouble with the New York Grant
Monument Is declared by the Advertiser to
be "altogether due to a member who bought
his way into the association and now, anions
.other ridiculous performances, plasters
Grant's tomb -with advertisements of a
comic newspaper." We fear that another
trouble will have to be added of equal im
portance, though not so obstreperous as
Col. Elliott F. Shepard. That is the chronic
indisposition of New York -wealth to put up
the money for anything except their own
fashionable luxuries.
It is understood, according to advices
from'Pkiiadelphla, that the only Edwin H.
Fitter is to be a delcgate-at-large to the Re
publican national convention. "Whether
Mr. Fitter will support Blaine or Harrison is
not stated; but there should be a decided in
struction that ho shall not further prosecute
the once famous Fitter boom.
It is a singular feature of our foreign
trade that though the balance is largely in
favor.of this country the imports of gold con
tinue comparatively light. The condition is
by no means unusual. As a rule the imports
of gold to rectify the balance of trado some
time after the balance lias been made, and
tho conditions or tho exchange and money
market may delay It a long time. But tho
balance must be settled sooner or later,
either in gold or in securities. If it is settled
in securities so much the better for this
country.
The illustration of imperial policy pre
sented. by sentencing a Berlin artist to
eight months' imprisonment for a Jest about
the nine-year-old Crown Prince's fondnoss
for wearing a sword, presents an interesting
question whethet German liberty orGerman
absolutism will be first wiped out.
The loss to the New York electric light
companies hy tho blowing down of their
overhead wires in last week's gale was $120,
000, and now they are in a muddle with the
city authorities about getting the wires up
again. There was an impression, a year or
so ago, that the New York wires were being
put underground. When tho electric light
companies consider how much of that $129,
000 would have been saved if the wires had
been underground, they may wish that they
bad not fought the underground measure so
desperately.
A pkopiietic woman of Kansas City
fixes the end of the world on Christmas Day
at 5 r. jr. As this hour will permit us all to
get our Christmas presents and begin to get
tired or them, its acceptability cannot ue
questioned.
An Eastern cotemporary commenting on
Dom Pedro's death says that he "was a very
nice man, but if ho had possessed- more of
the virility of the young German Emperor
be would have saved his crown and Brazil a
world of trouble." From -which we gain that
if Dom Pedi o had expressed the conciliatory
opinion to his troops that they -would have
to shoot down their fathers and mothers nt
his order ho -would have bound them to him
with hooks of steel.
TnE railroad wreck is becoming so com
monplace an occurrence that it is hardly
able to attain any position of prominence in
tho news columns of the press.
"South Dakota has a well that spouts
soft coal. What is really wanted is a well
that will throw up a ready-made fire," le
marks a cotemporary. The soft coal spouted
out of a well must be almost as soft as the
genius who accepts that gauzy yarn. But
as for wells that throw up ready-made fire,
Pennsylvania, New York and Indiana have
had them for years. The only improvement
on them that is desired is that they shall
last longer.
That-thousand dollar license fee will
make many an ambitious retailer of spirit
ous refreshment more modest about apply
ing for license.
The results of the English bye-elections,
the Philadelphia Times thinks, should not be
given too much significance, because as the
general elections are coming shortly few
persons' will care "to plank down heavy
checks for brief terms of service." But
does itnot occur to tho Times that these aro
the circumstances under which a clear view
of the tendency of unbiased popular opin
ion can be gained?
The most striking feature of the bond
election was the degree of interest which
tho majority, of the voters manifested in
Btaying away.
1 Gov. "Hill's speech at Elmira is ac
cepted by some people as a political mani
festo on his departure for Washington. But
as be has made it olear that he will hold on
at Albany for four weeks longer there is
time for him to pronounce several more
manifestoes and thus thoroughly explode
the pretensions to statesmanship of one
David Bennett Hill.
If Crisp for Speaker means Hill for Presi
dent thonew Speaker's friends should hasten.
to put a muzzle on David.
The Xew York Herald has succeeded in
deciding by Its jerky style of interlarded
editorials that neither Mills nor Crisp would
do just in time to accentuate the victory of
Crisp. It is not at all unpleasant to note
that the rickety stylo of editorial policy
generally manages to get itself set exactly
wrong just before the decisive event.
KNOWN TO FAME.
King George, of Greece, is suffering
from an attack of chicken pox.
"William Bavse, who was the first to
propose the .name of Wade Hampton for
Governor is now destitute.
Edmund Yates laughs cheerfully over
the report that ho is dying. Ho says he ex
pects live many a day to come.
In a private diagnosis of his own case,
General Butler says ho is "incarierated
with an in tcrcurricular abscess."
George "W. Dklamater, late candidate
for Governor, of Pennsylvania, has opened
a law office at Tacoma, Wash.
Dr. Stores, who has preached in Brook
lyn for 45 years, is called the roost brilliant
pulpit rhetorician of modern times.
Me. Springer, of Illinois, hung a pict
ure, otv Alexander Stephens in his head
quarters at Washington, but it did not cap
ture tho Southern vote.
Russell Sage has the reputation of be
ing a most abstemious man. He smoked
only once in his life, and a pint of sherry
lasts him for three months.
The friends of Hon. Joseph Allison,
President Judge of the Common Pleas
Court of Philadelphia, yesterday celebrated
the fortieth anniversary of his advent to
the bench.
'A SOTJTHEBN OUTLET FOE KANSA&
- f -
Surveyors for the Bock Island Will Ban
Line to a Gujr Port.
. Topeka, Dec. 8. Special. A newly organ
ized engineer corps, consisting or 60 men,
will leave here to-morrow morning to survey
a' line for the extension of the Chicago, Bock
Islaad and Faciflo Railroad from Keno, the
present terminus of the road in Oklahoma,
southward through the Indian Territory
and Texas, to the Gulf. It was learned that
the Bock Island people had determined to
make a connection with, a deep water port
in Texas. To what point the line will be
run is, as yet, not even known to tho
engineers.
The present lino from this city to Echo
was completed almost two years ago, when
tne general depression stopped further con
struction. Tho surveying party will spend
the winter in running a line to the Gulff
Iost to Sight, to Memory Dear.
Chicago Inter-Ocean.l
Tho Southern Alliance does not show np
in Washington. What has become of all the
alliance men elected to Congress from Geor
gia, the'Carolinas, and Mississippi a year
ago Tliey seem to 'have got lost in tho
Democratic caucus.
. t" - 1
L1YE WASHINGTON WAIFS.
WAgniHOTojr, Dec 8. The President had a
very busy time of it to-day. Callers were
coming and goine all the morning, and. tne
pressure did not cease until the hour for the
meeting of the Congress. The Cabinet met
at 11:30 o'clock as usual, but the session was
a short one. The State, War and Treasury
Dartments were not represented. Secre
tary Blaine was detained at the State De
partment by a conference with the British
Minixter on West Indies reciprocity. Secre
tary poster is ill, and there is no Secretary
of Warw
Ma. Sherman Hoar, of Massachusetts, when
Rsked why he did not, vote for Speaker on
the roll call, to-day said: "East fall, in an
interview which I had during our cam
paign in Massachusetts, I stated that
in tho coming contest for the
speakership I Would vote for
no candidate who would not promise to use
his influence, if fleeted Speaker, against the
consideration of bad financial legislation,
and tho extension of stiver coinage. When
Mr. Crisp became a candidate of tho partv, 1
sen t to him and asked to give me this promise,
which ho declined to do. There was then
nothing left for me to do but to refrain from
votinir for nim. Having gone into the cau
cus. I did iint enrn for votinir for anv one
L else bnt its nominee, but I could not vote for
mm and keep my word. In myjudement,
however, ho will do exactly what he refused
to promise to do. namely, use his influence
as Speaker asainst the consideration of
measures looking to the extension of the
coinage of silver. I feel fairly sure that
such will be bis action, but. as I emild not
get his promiso, ho could not get my vote."
The fourth annual meetingof the National
Bar Association will begin in this city to
morrow morning and will continue for three
days. The association, whoso birthplace
was in this city, was formed for the pur
pose of uniting tho Bar Association of the
country in practice work and promoting the
science of the law and the due administra
tion of Justice. It is purely representative
in its membership. compoed of delegates
chosen from Bar Associations. One event
that will help mako this meeting notable
will be tho presence for the first timo of
delegates from tho Boston Bar Association.
The programme for to-morrow includes an
address of welcome by Mr. Justice Harlan.of
the Supreme Court, and the annual address
of the President, Charles Marshal, of Balti
more. The dinner to the delegates on
Thursday evening, at the Arlington, will be
tho occasion nf most distinguished gather
ing. There will be fonr toasts. The Presi
dent or one of the Cabinet will respond to
the first toast. Mr. Justice Gray, of the
Supreme Court, will respond to the second.
Senator Gray, of Delaware, to tho third, and
Mr. James C. Carter, of New York, to "The
Bar." It is expected that about ISO will at
tend the dinner.
RnrazSE3TATrvx Williams, of Massachu
setts, when asked to-day why ho did not
vote for Mr. Crisp, said: "I did not vote on
the roll call for Speaker for the sole reason
that I could not do so and keep faith with
the people of Massachusetts. In the last
campaign I took the position distinctly that
I would not support any man for the speaker
ship who did not express himself in lavor ot
tho suppression of freo coinage legislation
in this Congress. Mr. Crisp has not ex
pressed himself, though opportunity has
been given him to do so: he remains silent
om the question, as he has a risht to do. It
is plain that promises to tho people on
which votes aro sought, are a primary obli
gation. The caucus can find no fault that I
refused to cast mv vote: if there is any such
caucus law as that, I shall keep out of
caucuses hereafter." ' '
The Court of Claims to-day sent to the
Senate the findings in several spoliation
claims submitted to the court under the act
of Congress of January, 1885. The names of
the vessels and their masters andtheeev
eral claimants, together with the amount
claimed in each case are fully set fortn in
tho document.
Secretary Noble to-day rendered a deci
sion in the case of the heirs of AVilliam Bond
and others against the Iteming, New Mexico,
town site. The Secretary sustains the de
cision of tho Commissioner of the General
Land Office, allowing the Probate JnUge of
Grant county to enter all the land in ques
tion as tho town site of Demins in trust for
the several use and benefit of its .occupants
aceordinz to their respective interest. Tho
claims of Bond, Kidder and the additional
homestead claimants are rejected.
The departure of the United States steam
er Atlanta for her new station in South At
lantic waters will be delayed a few days by
reason of a change of commanders. An. or
der issued to-day relievinz Captain J. W.
Philip of the command the vessel and
orderini Captain J. F. Hig;inson to that
duty. Lieutenant T. B. M.i o 1 lias also been
detached from the Atlanta.
Whew tho Ilouse Committoe on Elections
is appointed and proceeds to consider the
contested election cases which will come bo
fore it for the first time it will have, as a
bisis, a digest of the reports, testimony and
legal question swhich came before previous
Congresses. Thil digest is intended by Ches
ter H.Rowell, the Clerk of the Elections
Committee, who worked on it during the re
cess, to assist the memDers in reach
ing an impartial conclusion touch
ing the law and precedents applicable
to any election contest. The oldest
members of the Senate are familiar
with election precedents, and well informed
on most of the questions at issue, and a
record of all the Senate cases has been
made. In too House, however, no digest
has heretofore been prepared, owing in part
tothegieater number of contestants and
the voluminous testimonv tnken in each,
and, as the complexion of the House changes
frequently, tho result has been that mem
bers have often acted with only an imper
fect knowledge of the laws and precedents,
the result being confusion and lack of any
thing like a uniform policy in dealing with
cases involving the rights of members to
their seats.
While it Is impossible to obtain an official
acknowledgment to that effect, it is known
that a commercial convention under the reci
procity clause of the McKinley act has been
practically concluded between Germany
and the United States, and that the Presi
dent will soon issue n proclamation an
nouncing the fact. The convention con
templates the free importation of German
sugar into the United States and the reduc
tion of duty on American cereals imported
into Germany from 5 marks to 3 maiks.
A statement prepared at the Pension
Office shows that during the month of No
vember last 22,2o3 pension claims of all
classes were allowed upon which the first
payments aggregated $2,863,833. The average
pavnient to each nensioner was therefore
12120. Of the 22.253 claims allowed. 15.GG0
Were under the act of June 27, 1S90.
The Commissioner of Immigration has
ordered the deportation of five indigent
Englishmen who bad attempted to land at
Jiew Orleans from the British steamship,
William Cliff, in violation of the immigra
tion laws.
CRISP IN THE CHAIR.
The Mugwumps have lost Mills, but they
have a free trade Speaker and will cheer up
after a day or two. A" Y. Press.
Ir there is any significance in the selec
tion by the Democratic caucus of Crisp for
Speaker, it is all with tho anti-Cleveland
contingent Philadelphia Inquirer.
The Speakership muddle is over at last.
On the thirtieth ballot Mr. Crisp received 119
votes, and therefore becomes the candidate
of his party. ? All right IV. I. Herald.
Mr. Crisp is generally regarded by the
considerate men of both parties in the
House as the best all-around equipped man
for the Speakership, and above all the safest
man for his party. Philadclphii Times.
Jupoe Crisp will make an ideal Speaker,
p clear-headed, oven-tempered and courteous.
He will command the respect of the entire
House, and it will be useless for the minor
ity to try to rattle him. Cleveland Plain
Dealer.
Maine's Gold Fields.
Portland Argus. 1
The extent of the gold-bearing area of the
fields that were dlscoveied recently in
Maine is a matter of conjecture, tho pros
pecting having been1 only along the Switt
river and its branches, principally the east
branch. The top soil in tho fields and woods
carries considerable gold dust. The -bod-rock
and gravel gold ranges in sizes from
clover seed to pieces worth $10to $15. Three
theories are advanced in regard to the fields.
One is that glacial drift carried the gold
there, another is that the quartz veins that
cross the valley have been worn away, and
the third is that the quartz formations were
melted by Intense beat
JATJTICAL WAR MATERIAL.
Eight
thn Snhlfrt From. Prof. Carl
IMyera Europe Ahead.
To tho Editor of The Dispatch:
In your'lssuo of November 29 I note
n quotation from the Chicago Tribune
reporting an interview with me in which I
represent Enropean powers as being
equipped with superior teronantical appar
atus for offense and defence, while we aro
in this respect at their mercy. ,
The circumstance that this is not "gen
erally known" is no argument against it,
and I can readily afford confirmation of it if
desired. It is a fact that England, Franco,
Italy, Russia, Germany, Spain, Portugal,
Holland, Belgium and China aro well sup
plied with valuable aeronautical apparatus,
and many of tbeso nations possess well or
ganized construction and school depart,
ments, combining every recent feature in
the art ooronautic.
These include the captive balloon for ob
servation or lecognaissnnce; balloon signal
ing with flash light and cypher ,wlth tho
Morse code of dots and dashes, or long and
short flashes; the electrical "search light,"
for revealing the presence of an enemy while
unseen; and the best developments of air
current navigation with free balloons and
stccrable airships loaded with tho most
post powerful explosives (not dynamite)
and inflamable compounds.
I repeat that foreign nations possess these
means and military schools for tho purpose
of educating men in their use. Undoubtedly
we can equal all this in time, but we are in
no 6ense prepared to cope with them. The
United States possesses no plant for such
constructions, and at present we have no
prlvato facilities for speedily furnishing
aeronautical war apparatus on tho scale de
manded for sudden emergencies.
This fact was developed hy the require
ments of the recent "overnmentrainfall ex
perience with balloon bombs. It was re
vealed that no place existed in this country
where the required number of hydrogen gas
balloons could bo completed in the limited
timo permitted, except at tho "balloon
farm," a unique institution run by myself
for aeronautical experiment and construc
tion by improved method.
With tho "booming" of the rainfall reports
I am in no way connected, in fact I believe
I am the only individual prominently at
tached to the expedition whohas not rushed
into the newspapers with diqulsitions on
this subjeet.,for or against: and, this being
eo, it should in no way militate against my
expressed opinion based on facts apparent
to mo in tho line of my profession.
Carl E. SIters,
Aeronautical Engineer.
Frankfort, N. Y., December 7.
WASHINGTON'S OLD QUABTEBS.
Arnold Tavern to Be Turned Into an Hos
pital for tne Sick and Poor.
New York, Dec. 8. The old Arnold Tavern,
removed some years ago from the square to
its present site, on Mount Kemble avenue,
Morristown. and occupied by General Wash
ington in 1777, will be converted into an hos
pital. Rev. Dean Flynn, rector of St. Mary's
Parish, and Rev. Father Brady, of Sussex
county, have bought the property and a
number ot "Gray Nuns" will manage the
new institution. The prico paid was $3,800.
Dean Flvnn's parishioners promptly sub
scribed $1,971 toward the purchasing price.
It will be a hospital for the sick and poor of
all races and creeds. The adjoining county
of Sussex is embraced in tho territory cov
ered. A dispatch from Patterson, N. J., says the
Hogencamp farm, at Lower Preaknes, con
sisting of 56 acres and a homestead, was
among tho propertv disposed of at SherifTs
sale last week. The house was General
Washington's headquarters when he passed
throuzh this neighborhood on his march
from New York to Morristown. It is known
as the Old Washington Headquarters, and
the only change made in it since the time of
the Revolution was the removal of a large
veranda. The property was sold to Henry
Herscman for $2,7C0.
SENATOR-GOVERNOR HILL.
The political flea, David B. Hill, has lighted
at last where the people can put a flnzer on
him. Syracuse Standard.
Governor HiLt has not only entered the
Piesidentalring, but he is lumping through
tho hoops at a very lively rate. Washington
Post
Grover Cleveland may or may not be bet
ter than his party, but if Governor Hill is
not worse than his party the party is to be
pitied Mociester Democrat.
When Governor Hill takes his seat in the
Senate be will vote with the free coiners,
ne is for anything that will embarrass
Grover Cleveland. Cleveland Leader.
Governor D.B. Hill may not have heard
of the man who bit off more than he could
chew, but he stands a fair chance of learning
the lesson from experience. Chicago Inter
Ocean. GEAIN BLOCKED UP.
The Canadian Pacific Befuses to Becelve
Any More for Shipment.
Winnipeg, Dee. 8. Special. Freight
Agent Kerr, of the Canadian Pacific Rail
road, to-day notified the Manitoba Grain
Exchange that there is s. tremendous wheat
blockade in New York caused by heavy
northwestern shipments, and that the West
Shore Railroad would refuse to receive
shipments after tho 17th. Grain dealers and
brokers were not a little surprised when the
notice was posted.
Some of the dealers wore so eager to rush
wheat forward that they purohased large
quantities and shipped it before knowing
where they were going to dispose of it,
hoping to peddle it off while in transit. This
caused the trouble on tho West Shore road.
It is said there is a large blockade in the
elevators in Buffalo from the same cause.
Some Manitoba dealers who have been buy
ing and shipping since the season opened
have not yet sold a bushel of their wheat.
PARAGRAPHIC POINTS.
The man who is tarred and feathered is
apt to feel down in the mouth Chicago
Times.
Many a statesman owes more of his suc
cess to advertising than to ability. Toledo
Commercial.
As Christmas approaches the pressure on
tho pocket becomes more pronounced.
Chicago Inter-Ocean.
The Democrats in the Fifty-secondCon-gress
appear to have remarkable staying
power. Boston Herald.
It is a wise Presidential boom that knows
when to come in out 'of the Speakership
dampness. Washington Post.
Factions in the Majority.
Philadelphia Public Ledger.
The contest for Speaker has shown that
the Democratic party and the majority of
the House are divided into factions: it shows
that between these factions there is much
bitterness of feeling; it shows that this feel
ing is largely influenced and affected by
next year's Presidental campaign, and that
faction is put above party and party above
country. That is a condition of affairs which
presents no assurance of a satisfactory, use
ful session of Congress.
Indncements Offered Sngar Makers.
New Yore, Dec. 8. A plan is -now being
matured whereby a large parent organiza
tion will be established in this city which
will aid these enterprises for making sugar
with machinery, lunds and experienced
workmen to engage successfully in this new
industry. This country consumed about
4,000,000,000 pounds or sugar last year. Only
a little over 300,000,003 pounds were produced
in this country. Thoie are nntold millions
of acres of land within our borders well
adapted to tho culture of the sugar beet.
The Philosophy of American.
Chicago Times.!
With what remarkable philosophy the'
American people listen to the news that a
man lias tried to blow up Wall street with
dynamite.
Better Change the Law. '
New York World.l
Our law as it stands surrounds the sale of
dynamite with less restraint than it imposes
upon the exchange ofi glass ot beer for a
nickel.
Mills That Grind Too Slowly. I ,
New York Press.
It was not Mills of -tho gods." They grind,
ho was ground.
SBC
GIRLS IN KNICKERBOCKERS.
Fair Femininity Insists on Wearing Its
Brother' Clothes Mrs. Brown Invites
the Gay l'oung Social World to Her
House Paragraphs Mentioning Many
People.
Ever since-Eve put women into subjec
tion and petticoats tbey have been kicking.
Some of their kicks the world has heard of,
such as Miss Joan of Arc, who insisted upon
being Mr. Joan of Arc and wearing tho
trousers, which women think are the materi
alized form ofa man's privileges-. Several
of these cases the world knows of and others
it suspects. It knows very well, though
of course it doesn't introduce the subject,
when drinking a cup of tea with Mercury or
Venns.oranyortheirsisterplanets, that girls
often dress in their brothers' clothes. In
the nlnteenth century to dres3 in one's
brother's clothes is to be a dress reformer
and where Maiden Auntie used to "pooh,
pooh." and blush in her 6x4 handkerchief,
sho now seeks the privacy of her maiden
apartments and revels in the freedom of
she calls them knickerbockers. Eva is Evo
nineteenth centuryfled, is up to date, and
has all the modern improvements. She, of
couife, added the wearing of trousers to
the rcpertoiro of her fads,, and when I
called the other morning she told me all
about it. "His mistres was in," said the
lackey, with a smile made up of tho recol
lection of past tips and the anticipation of
tips to come.
"My dear," said Eva, rushing up until the
scent of the white lilac upon me mingled
with that of the violet upon her. "I was
just thinking about yon" (Eva has such an
orderly way ofthinking),"and I want to tell
you something--How do you like my dress?"
A Lovely Girl In a Pretty Gown.
Eva was gowned very becomingly. Sho
knew the trick. Just learnt by us women the
other day of expending all the dressmaker's
art upon the skirt, and letting tho bodice
tako care or itself. The lines of beauty below
the waist revealed themselves equally In
action or repose, and Eva was just such n
sentient being as the correct costumer
loves to turn out. An edge of fur
round the skirt rested bewitchingly
on the tips of her tiny shoes: that
peeped in and out, not unlike the mice the
foet talked about. A dainty pink silk
ilouse waist, that fell low at tho throat
thouch slightly bound in by a linen collar
completed tho toilet. JLinen cuff stood
out from the wrist and showed a
warm, rounded arm. Eva had lost her hair,
either by love or fever, and it had come in,
with every hair having a "contrairy" opin
ion of its own.
"Now," said this charming young damsel,
"rest vou my love and drink a enp of choco
late; I'll bo with you in a minute." "Halloo,"
cried I in astonishment, a moment nfter,
"where did Eva get the new buttons! and
bless me he's pretty enough to fall in love
with!"
Tho.new buttons was crossing the drawing
room. Such a buttons! SuchaboyI "What
a card for Eva; all her gill friends will die
to visit her often, and how that boy will be
made love to," I thought as he came nearer.
He was arrayed in the richest of coffee
btown plush knickerbockers, embroideiert
up the sides with bright colored silks and
finished at the knees with bows of ribbons.
Brown silkstockings continued from there
down, and were finished wicli daintily-made
shoes that somehow looked a bit effeminate.
Traveling up again there was an exceed
ingly girlish waist of plush silk. ind finished
with white linen cuffs and collars and a
brown velvet toque crowning a mass of
shades of our grandmothers, it was Eva's
self.
"Now my dear," said Eva sittlngaown and
crossing her knees, as though she had done
so from time immemorial, "don't get hyster
ical. Pretty Eva Explains Herself.
You see, dearest, I always liked boy's
clothes and I came to the conclusion some
time ago that there was no reason why I
shouldn't enjoy myself by myself in the
way myself most enjoyed. If the Lord had
Intended ns to be dressed in one piece as we
have been erroneously ever since
the creation he wouldn't have made us in
two pieces don't you see. I read, I loaf, I
receive my girl friends, I live in the bosom
of my family In all the glorious freedom of
knickerbockers, antfwhen somebody comes
In whom I don't know or whom I don't
trust, that skirt you saw is put on in an in
stant, and I am once more "cabined,cribbed,
confined, bound in."
"But, Eva." said I, weakly, "what abont
your lover?" f
"Good gracious" she screamed, "there is
Harry. .Let mo set out of here before he
sees me; I wouldn't, oh I wouldn't for worlds
that he should know about this" and out
dashed the pretty boy. coming back
almost instantlv. arrayed in the becoming
privacy of her skirts and with no traces of
the late outburst, except a lovely, guilty
blush upon her cheeks. Harry vas announ
ced immediately. As Eva sat down she
demurely withdrew a tempting little shoe
tip. Poor Harry never guessed what a rev
olution that little skirt concealed. Feeling
I was in the third person, plural number,
objective case, governed by the imperative
necessity of the hour, I said adieu.
Mes. Josepii Stockton Bkown gave a
dance last night for her niece, Miss Maidie
Siebeneck, one of the season's pretty debu
tantes, at the same time making Miss Clara
Childs, another lovely young bud,conjointly
with her niece, a gnest of honor. Jlrs.Bro wn
received wttb the two yonng ladies. The
parlors on one side of the hall of the old
fashioned house on Stockton avenue were
crashed for dancing, and those
across from them used as dining
rooms. The quaint old furniture was
decorated with ferns and flowers, and
throughout the whole lower part of the
house at intervals were artistic groups of
plants. The hostess wore lavender and
white lace, and the two young ladies were in
girlish dresses of white silk and chiffon
raffles. Miss Siebeneck, who is the eldest"
daugh ter of J. G. Siebeneck, Esq., is a tall girl
or graceful carriage, a pronounced brunette
Miss Childs, who is the daughter or Mrs.
Albert H. Childs, accompanied Mrs. Brown
upon her European travels last summer;
Mrs. Brown is warmlyattached to her. In
vitations were only sent out to those of the
younger set; more especially the season's
debutantes. Many 1 egrets were received
owing to the recent bereavements in the
Chalfant and Laughlln connections. Among
the guests were Miss Maidie Forsyth, the
Misses Hussey, Misses Amelia, Rebecca and
Nora Oliver, Miss Pngeslev, Jliss Daisy
Brown, Miss Sallio Kennedy, Miss Julia
Watson, Miss Stella Hays, Miss Sem-
Sle and Miss Jordan. Miss Lyon,
Ir. Agassiz, Mr. Frederick K. Albree,
Mr. Augustus Burgwin, Mr. Charles Brown,
Mr. Frank Guthrie, Norman and Walter 31c
Cllntock, Mr. Tom. Jones. Mr. Samuel Moor
head, Mr. Harry Oliver, Mr. John Oliver. Mr.
Rhodes, Mr. William Robinson, Mr. William
Singer, Jlr. J. D. Lyon, Mr. Henry Graham
Brown, Mr. Augustus Phillips, Mr. Bowman
Sweitzer and Mr. Blair Painter.
Among the guests at tbe cotillion at tbe
Linden Club on Monday evening were: Mr.
W. A. Magee, Mr. and Mrs. William N. Frew,
Mr. and Mrs. Jonas R. McClintock, Mr. and
Mrs. Henry L. Ebbert, Mrs. Singer, Miss
Louise Singer, Mrs. J. W. Brown, Miss Daisy
Brown, Mr. and Mrs. D. C. Negley, Mr. and
Mrs. Howard Nimick, Mrs. J. M. Schoon
maker, Mr. Oliver Scaife, Miss Sem
ple, Cincinnati; Mr. Seamon Atterbury,
MUs Jordan, Cincinnati: Mr. and Mrs.
Stewart, Johnston: Miss Stephenson, Miss
Woodwell, Mrs. Woodwell, Mr. William
Llovd, Mr. Stevenson, Mr. Scaife, Mr. Kelly,
Mr.'narrv Singer, Mr. A. Valentine, Phila
delphia; Mr. fan ol Davis, Mr. Bakewell.Mr.
W. W. Lawience, Mr. Fears, Mr. Frank
Carnegie, Mr. Robinson. Mr. J. G. Steven
son, Jr., Mr. Harry Diiwortb, Miss Davis
and Mr. Wilson Arbnthiiot.
The first und fourth figures of the german
were led by Mr. Seamon Attorbnry, who
danced with Miss Singer in the first and
with Miss Jordan, of Cincinnati, in the last.
Mr. Howard Nimick. led tho second and
third figures.
Social Chatter.
Several young Allegheny people were
missed at the Monday social dance at tho
Linden Club House, being detained at a din
ner party given by Miss btclls. Hayes, or
Sherman avenue.
Mas. JosirH S. Brown, of Stockton avenue,
will give a dance Christmas night' for her
little school-girl daughter. Miss Mary, which
will be one or the holiday dances for the
young people home from school.
Dr. Charles II. Clifford, a prominent
Braddock physician, was married last night
to Miss Laura Baldrige, daughter of John
Baldrige, of North Braddock. Rev. J. B.
Dickey, pastor of the First Presbyterian
Church there performed the ceremony at
Mr. Baldrlge's residence, occupied by tho
family for many years, and which was. beau
tifully prepared with flowers for the occasion.
Mr. E. G. Hays, of Pittsburg, was one or the
groomsmen. After a wedding tonr, Dr. Clif
ford and his wife will reside in Braddock.
This Cancns Was blow.
St. Louis Globe-Democrat.l
The Republican Speakership caucus of
two years ago did its work quicker than this
one, and made a better selection, too.
CDUI0D8 CONDENSATIONS.
There are said to be 16 men to one
woman in Buenos Ayres.
Electric headlights of 2,500 candle
power are in use on the Indiana railroads. '
A soldier on trial for murder in New
York is a descendant, it is affirmed, of Poca
hontas. England and Ireland together drank
42,000,000 gallons mors beer than Germany
last year.
English partridges have been turned
loose in Oregon to increase the amount of
game there.
Experiments in London show that the
atmosphere is tho purest about 30 or 40 feet
above the street.
There is a sweet potato at Fresno, CaL
that weighs 44Jf pounds. It is believed to bo
tho largest ever raised.
Hammerfcs't, the most northern Tillage
ofEnrope, nowhas electric lights to (Uspel
tho gloom of tho polar nights.
The St Andre de Poirier .mine of
France Is the deepest in tbo world. It Is now
worked 4.0C0 feet below the surface.
It is .proposed to raise black cats for
their fnr in Washington. An island has a
ready been purchased for that purpose.
A storage dam to hold 8,000,000,000
gallons of water is being built near Acton.
Cal.
ai win 00 iou leetmgn and 900 feet long.
Soapstone is used in various ways. It
gives color toruober good's, is used in paper
to gain weight, and in making flre-proof
paints.
T-The planchette was in great favor in
Japan up to a year or so ago. Some of the
old instruments will be put in the National
Museum
The Indians in "Washington raise oats
nowdays. A few weeks ago they sent four
pack trains of oats to Ruby to exchange for
winter supplies.
Caves have been discovered in Tas
mania which are perfectly lighted by
myriads of glow worms. One of the caves is
about four miles long.
The experiment of craftinu pumpkins
and water melons upon peanut vines and
growing"their crops at will has been suc
cessfully tried in California.
Shell fish are dying by the thousands in
Coos bay for tho want of being thinned out
Beiomine too thick they die off and grow
thicker than thoy wero berore.
A lump of coal weighing a ton has been
sent to Denver from Rock Springs, Wyo.,
br an advertisement. One lump broken up
there last week filled seven care.
The Czar's Government now allows its
Hebrew subjects to leave Russia without
passports, but it has not yet announced that
the emigration of Hebrews is permissible.
The curious complication of a divorced
woman suing a former lever for breach of
promise made while she was still a wife was
lately snbmltted to a court in Manchester
England.
-Whcn a gun is fired absolutely in the
vertical, the ball will fall a few inches south
and west from the gun in Northern latitude,
due west at the equator and northwest in
Southern latitudes.
Salton Lake, the "great inland sea of
Arizona," which was formed by the over
flowing of the Colorado river, and caused so
much excitement and talk last summer, is
again said to be fast drying up.
TYolf hunting is popular in 'Wyoming.
Near Fort La wrenco there are a pair of im
ported hounds that recently killed ei"ht
wolves in ono day. The cowboys will co 75
miles to attend a wolf hunt with these'
bounds.
The result of the.recent attempt to raise
tea in North Carolina indicates that the soil
and climate aro favorable to such an indus
try, but that, owing to the expense of pick
ing and curing, none but the highest grades
could be produced profitably.
Sunflower seeds of several species
afford a staple article among the Indians of
Southern Utah and elsewhere. They are
gronndand sometimes mixed with jrreay
marrow from the bones of animals for
baking in the ashes.
The areas.of the country's chief cities
are: Chicago, 172f square miles: Philadel
phia, 123X; Washington, 72; St. Louis, 62
New Orleans, 60; San Francisco, 42: New
York. 41; Boston, 37: Baltimore, 32; Brook
lyn, 26K, and Cincinnati, 24.
The number of adults in the United
States on the basis of a supposed present
population of 64,500,000 (62,622,250 in 1890). are
calculated to he 42,500,000. Of these about
21,000.000 mav be supposed to be adult
women. 21,500,000 adult men and the rest
(22,000,000) minors.
The Lipan tribe of Indians in Mexico
are to the othei Indians in the Republic
what tho Parsees are to the Hindoos the
oaving remnant. Though an off-shoot of the
barbarous Comanches, they have noble
traits of character, not $he least of which is
their dignified courtesy.
A stony, waterless region of Prance
has evolved a race or animals that do not
drink. Tho sheep, feeding upon the fra
BTant herbs have altogether unlearned thn
habit ot drinking, and the cows drink very
little. The much-esteemed Roquefort cheese
is made from the milk of the non-drinking
ewes.
Silk worms of a breed satisfied with
salsify as a food, have been produced in
Germany, and this will enable the Germans
tp enter profitably upon silk culture. As
tbe climate of our Eastern and Middle States
is about the same as that of Central and
South Germany, American agriculturists
can avail themselves of the result.
In Sonthern California the Indians
make bread from the pods of a leguminous
plant called "mesquite." A squaw pounds
the-pods fine in a wooden mortar. Then
she takes from her bead her conical hat
and sprinkles, a little water in it Next she
sprinkles a little meal in the bat, then a
little more water, again a little more meal,
and so alternately until the hat is full.
This accomplished, she exposes the hat and
its contents to the sun until the mixture is
baked into a solid loaf.
The time can be approximately told at
night by the position of the dipper. If po
sition of tho "pointers" is taken at any given
h our, say 6 o'clock in the evening in winter
.time and as soon as it is dark in the summer,
tho hour can thereafter be pretty accurately
measured by the eyo during the night. Fre
quent observations of positions will have to
be made at the given hour, as, owing to the
constant changing of the earth's position in
space, the position ortho "pointers" in rela
tion to onr point of observation and the star
also change.
EHTSKLED BHYMELETTS.
Bulfinch Say, "Wooden, how about that
great scheme you had? Did yon ever pat It
through?
Wooden No, I didn't need to.
Bnlnnch How Is that?
Wooden It fell through. Bostdn Courier.
The weather's mild and the air is sweet,
There's a genial warmth In the solar ray;
And you are not asked as joit walk the street
" Is It cold enough for jou to-day."
, y. T. Press.
Jackson Shakespeare calls silver a slave,
a "pale, common drudge 'tween man and man."
Jenkins Then that is probably why so many
people want it niade f rcc. X T.Herald.
"3Iaud is a timid girl," said George.
"Yes." said Etelle. "she'd even Jump at a
proposal." Christmas Fuck.
The turkey sat on his lofty roosts
On a dear Thanksgiving eve;
And gloomr and sad perturbing thoughts
Appeared the bird to grieve.
Tills Thanksgiving day Is all very nice.
Toryou whltefolks," 6ald he,
I5ut I really think you'll have to admit
It's a horrible roast on me.
Boston Cornier.
Mrs. Newmah That stupid grocer is
always making mistakes. I got some bread this
afternoon, and he charged it on the bill as wood.
Mr. Newman (vigorously sawing at the loaf)
Well, he wasn' t io far wrong, after all.
Harper's Bazar.
Travers (sighing) I mast get me a new
overcoat
Miss Summit Why, that one looks as good as
new. Have you had it long?.
Travers Well, I should say so. Why, I Just
paid for It Clothterand Furnisher.
"Why does the mother so sadly weep
As the bids her son farewell?"
Because he plays on the college team
And his fate no power can tell." - s.
--V. Y. Herald.
Smythe I dropped a cent in front of &
blind begger to-day to see if he'd pick It np.
Tumpllns Well, did he?
Smythe No; he said, "Make it a dollar, box,
and I'll forget myseir. Colorado Sua.