"V "S. THE PITTSBURG- DISPATCH, FRIDAY, DECEMBER ia 1891. llje Bi&raftk ESTABLISHED FEBRUARY 8. 1816 Vol. 41. No. 114. Entered at Pittsburg rostofflcc November. 18S7, as second-class matter. Business Office Corner Smithfield and Diamond Streets. News Rooms and Publishing House 78 and 80 Diamond Street, in New Dispatch Building. KATCTV ADVERTISING OFFICE, ROOM 21, TRIBUNE BUIT.DIXIl. NEW YORK, wherecom plele flies of THE DIb PATCH can r.lnavsbe found. Foreign advertisers appreciate the convenience. Home advertisers and friends of THE DISPATCH, w bile in New York, are also made welcome. THF. DISPA TCH if mmlnrlv ontaUat Brentrrnn'e, I Vnim Square, yew Tork.and IT Ave deVOpem. Pari. FiYinrt icfierc anyme iclin toft been disap pointed at a hotel naos stand can obtain it. TERMS OF THE DISPATCH. rOTAGE TREE IK THE PXITED STATES. DAILY Dlsr-ATCII. One Year ? 8 03 Daily Dispatch, Ter Quarter. 2 00 Daily Dispatch. One Month TO Daily Dispatch. Including Sundav. lycar.. 10 00 Daily Dispatch, Including Sunday, 3 m'ths. 2 50 Daily Dispatch including Sunday. 1 m'th.. P0 MTXPAT DlsrATCH. One Year 2 SO Weekly Dispatch, One Year. 1 a The Daily Dispatch is delivered by carriers at 15 cents per -week, or, including Sunday Kdltion, at 2" cents per week. PITTSBURG. FRIDAY, DKC. IS, 1S11. TWELVE PAGES ELKIN'S AS SECRETARY OF 1VAK. Though there are some outstanding ac counts to settle with foreign nations, such as the Chile difficulty, the Italian claims for the Xew Orleans lynching, and the feal question in Bering Sea, none of them is sufficiently serious to give special sig nificance to the nomination of Stephen B. Ellnns as Secretary of War, yesterday sent to the Senate. 3Ir. Elkins is a man of affairs. Of that there Is no doubt. His capable and en terprising management of his own fortune indicates abundantly that he is equal to the administration of the War Office. Of course nobody expects the Secretary of War to have technical knowledge of the art of arms, any more than we look for a master mariner in the person who fills the Secretaryship of the Navy. What is needed is first-rate executive talent, and Elkins is greatly gifted in such regard. But. in view of late rumors the appoint ment of Elkius has a pronounced political significance. It comes like an astonish ingly quick verification of the starv started by Elliott F. Shepard the other day, that Blaine and the President had arrived at an understanding, whereby in return for Elkins' appointment Blaine at a conveni ent opportunity would permanently de cline further mention for the Presidency, leaving Harrison a "walk-over." At any rate Colonel Shepard was the first man in the country to mention the likelihood of Elkins' appointment He coupled his prophecy with the assertion above noted as to the deal with Blaine. Usually the Colonel's Inspiration is of the foolish and extravagant sort, but in this instance he has so far hit the bull's eye. It is indeed beginning to look as though the President and Blaine may have ar 1 i ved at an agreement Senator Quay and other antagonists of the administration declare this is not so; but The Dispatch is compelled to note this morning what looks like affirmative evidence, even when in common with the general public it would prefer to believe otherwise. THE UNITED TRACTION LINES. What the public had been taught to look for during a long while past has been cere moniously done the Duquesne is united with the Pittsburg Traction lini. It is of no importance whether this is called consolidation, leasing or a traffic arrangement There is an admitted pool ing or issues as well as of receipts, and an arbitrary division of the net profits. What concerns the public now is to see that this arrangement inure to the com fort of patrons and the benefit of the city treasury, in place of being wholly for the good of the lines. The companies being now under one management, can run to the most economical advantage. They should, therefore, be expected to provide seats for every fare paid, and to stand a fair tax upon their cars for the benefit of the city which granted them enormously valuable franchises. One of the first steps of the new man agement should be to hang out a placard, bearing the legend "Full," upon every car when the last seat is taken. The companies have finished their ar rangement for mutual benefit Now let the public begin to agitate for such con cessions in respect to comfort as they are fairly entitled to demand. TnE GRIP MOKE EASILY HANDLED. The grip is one of the unwelcome gifts of the season. It has not yet reached the proportions of anepidemicbere, but, judg ing by the experience of the last two win ters, the changeable weather, ranging from unseasonable warmth to excessive cold within twenty-four hours, is calculated to promote the spread of the disease. The grip broke out in this country just about two years ago, wiren decern Der was masquerading as April, and it reached its most dire ascendancy in Pittsburg at the close of last winter. The physicians have learned a good deal about the disease, and the public, too, appreciate now the neces sity of guarding themselves against its at tacks. The grip is not likely to have it all its own way this season, for doctors and laymen alike know measurably how to mitigate its effects, if not to ward it off or cure it at once. Though reams of paper have been spoiled in the attempt to define the grip, to trace its origin and describe the condi tions under which it travels and grows, thtre remains still a wide divergence of opinion among medical experts on all these points. It is tolerably certain that the world-wide epidemic of 1889-91 started in the swampy districts about Bokhara, in Asia, after an unusually wet spring, and came West with the traders into Russia, and thence was carried over Europe and later to America. Its infectious character is accepted by the highest authorities, and its wide propagation is thusaccounted for. But very learned men disagree radically as to the conditions under which the mi crobes of the grip most readily invade the human system. One theory is that long sustained periods of wet and warm weather in winter are propitious to the pestilent microbes, apd the character of the weather in which the grip has raged most virulently seems to confirm this be lief. In France the observations of M. Tissandier, and in Germany those of Dr. Assmann, lead them to conclude that the pievalenceof dry, rainless nd snowless weather is especially favorable to the spread of the grip. Dry weather and wet weather, warm spells and cold waves are all blamed for giving thegripcomfortandencouragemeut. What weather wc ought to pray for is not altogether clear. It does seem plausible, however, that the open and mild winters during which the grip has flourished are congenial to the disease if not productive of it, and probably it would be a blessing in most respects if the cold weather which we have now were to stay steadily with ns for a month or two. Whatever weather Providence vouchsafes, the grip may still be fought successfully and even warded off entirely by reasonable care of health and obedience to the advice of good phy sicians. RECIPROCITY WORKING WELL. The conclusion of a reciprocity treaty with the British West Indies is important in itself, for the trade between them and the United States amounted during the past year to about thirty million dollars, of which one-third were exports from this country. The indirect results of the treaty will not be less important Hitherto the tariff of the West Indies fa vored Canada at the United States ex pense, in regard to agricultural products. Now in return for the free entry of sugar and coffee grown in the British West Indies into our ports these English col onies have agreed to enlarge their free lists and reduce the duties on the leading acricultural and other products of the United States to a large extent This means that our farmers and manufacturers will be able to compete with the Canadians for the West Indian market, and it is good news for Americans generally. Canadians can't be expected to view the treaty with equanimity. They will not see their monopoly of the West Indian market smashed for our benefit with com placency. When they think it over the beauty of sticking to a selfish mother country will not be so apparent Reflec tion may lead the Canadians to hanker after a little of the same reciprocity with their big neighbor. Perhaps in this way the commercial union, if no closer one, will come between this country and, Canada. A NEW COMMANDMENT. It was not to be expected that a woman, and one who is known by her fearless ad vocacy of woman's rights, should have dealt the so-called "dress reform" move ment a death-blow. Miss Kate Field ad ministered such a blow the other day when she said to a body of women in Chi cago, who were discussing the personal petitioning of Congress on some awful question: "Whatever you do when you go to Washington, don't go in dress reform gowns! When you have got anything to do before men you had better wear French gowns!" The worst of it is for the strong-minded females who would have their pretty sisters disguise themselves in meal-bags, Turkish trousers, or anything that will oreak womenkind down to a dead level of homeliness, is that every woman who reads Kate Field's dictum will feel in her heart that it is true. And as there are precious few affairs in this world in which women are interested which are not done before men it is apt to become a new and popular addition to the Decalogue. LIBERIA NOT PARADISE. Unadulterated liberty, even in conjunc tion with a diet of snakes aud roots, is not enough to live on comfortably. Some of the negroes who have gone to Liberia have found this out The story of their experi ences, published in The Dispatch yester day, does not show up Libeiia in very attractive colors. The republic on the west coast of Africa, where the colored brother was to develop his destiny unhin dered by the Caucasian, has not as yet produced any remarkable results. The colonists who have stayed there, without the intervention of the undertaker, and prospered, are not so numerous as those who have returned with more experience than money for ther pains. The natives appear to get along well enough in Libe ria, but for the negro born and brought up in America it is not at all clear that it is the promised land. The party of disap pointed colonists who returned the other day learned that tho drawbacks of life in Florida for the colored race were trifles compared to the positive hardships in the Liberian Republic. MUST RUSSIA STARVE? The attitude of the Russian Government toward the charitably disposed world without is peculiar. There are said to be twenty and perhaps thirty millions of peo ple in Russia actually suffering for lack of food, and thousands are dying of hunger. The bureaucratic engine of government in Russia is making some"show of helping the famine-stricken serfs, but the ponder ous and rickety machine is unequal to the task. People in other countries, including the United States, have taken pity upon Russia in her extremity, and offers of aid have been made, and funds have been subscribed in many places. In Min nesota, for instance, in response to the Governor's proclamation calling upon the people to give flour, wheat, rye or other breadstuffs for Russia's relief, already a large part of a ship-load of provisions has been contributed. England and other countries have raised funds for the same purpose. In reference to the Minnesotan offer the Russian charge d'affaires at Washington-is on record as accepting it in the Russian Government's name. Now comes the surprising news that tho Moscow Gazette has denounced the accept ance of foreign aid for the distressed peo ple of Russia. If the Gazette were pub lished in any country but Russia, the de nunciation might be taken as a mere piece of journalistic idiocy, but Russian news papers may only talk upon such a subject as this under governmental inspiration and supervision. Therefore, Russia is in the singular aud shameful position of denying to her starving people the help which charitable foreigners alone are able and willing to give. RAPID TRANSIT'S COST. Rapid transit as it now exists in Pitts' burg and Allegheny is a creation of the J last two years; the network of electric and cable lines which knits tho most remote sections of the community into close union is a new thing, and we can hardly realize as yet how great and various are the ad vantages to be reaped from it There can be no doubt whatever that its benefits out weigh many times the disadvantages and dangers which it entails upon city life. let the Coroner's report of the loss of life caused by street cars during the past year is apt to give citizens a nervous shock. As may be seen in detail in another column, no less than twenty persons were killed on the street railways of the two cities during the eleven months ending December 1. This looks like a very large number, and it is in truth more than the cost of rapid transit should be, but compared with last year's record it happily shows a falling off, when all the conditions are considered. Rapid transitas it is now understoodhas been in rartial operation since 1889, and in that year five persons were killed by street cars. As the horse disappeared before the cable and electricity the danger to life in creased, and in 1890 seventeen persons lost their lives in this way. The enlargement of the new system has proceeded very rapidly since then, and the transformation of the Pittsburg, Allegheny and Manches ter is In itself an immense factor. In com paring this year's record of mortality with last, the increase in the number of miles operated must be remembered, and then it will appear that already the deadliness of the street car under the new conditions is being checked. It will also serve the purpose of bringing the number of sacrifices to street cars into proper proportion to note that the steam railroads in this county during the last 11 months have killed 210 people. There is stm room for great improve ment, of course. Coroner McDowell has succeeded already in inducing the street car companies to protect pedestrians and passengers in various important ways. Councils has also contributed to the pub lic's protection by legislation calling for watchmen at crossings, etc More chil dren than grown-up people are killed, as might be expected; and the remedy in this regard Jies more with the parents than street car corporations or public officials. It is to be hoped that the cost in human life of rapid transit will be reduced con siderably as people become trained to be ware of the new perils in the streets. Maniacs who go in for crime are not getting tlie cncouragehient tliey probably deein tliey deserve. Norcross distributed himself instead of Russell Sage, and now poor Edward M. Field, who re-hrpotliecated wliat a lovely word! all his friends' pos sessions, is not allowed to retire into a cosy private asylum for a vacation. It won't be worth while for thieves and murderers to stay in the business if their privileges are curtailed in this fashion. Young Hope, Mrs. Leslie-Wilde's ad mirer, got into jail too late. It would have been a splendid free ad for her had it only happened while she was swinging around the lecture platforms. Thf. Philadelphia Record says that Texas will render a substantial service to the Na tional Democracy by sending Roger Q. Mills to the United States Senate. It would be a relief to the whole country, regardless of party, to have Mr. Mills laid away where his mouth vtould be a harmless toy to amuse tho worthy old ladies in the Senate cham ber. Kussell Harbison has endorsed the President's message editorially in the Helena Journal. That should be reward enough for any proud parent. The latest fashion news from Paris is that tho civilized world, or the masculine half of it, is condemned to wear an uglier form of the high silk hat than any yet invented. The coming tile is described as a stovepipe hat cut down and sat upon. If it had been squashed fiat it would have been all right. Twelve baseball clubs will doubtless run the national game into the ground, and that's why the scheme of the magnates should be encouraged. It is unfortunate that the variation of the weather canuot exceed certain definite limits, altnough great efforts in this line have been made lately. If it could bo 20 be low zero and 90 above in tho shade at the same moment the offeot would be sensa tional indeed. Harrison and Morton and Harrison and Elkins are the latest ante-convention tickets. The boomers propose, but, fortunately, the delegates dispose. If the appointment of Stephen B. Elkins to the War Secretaryship is the rebult of an understanding between tho President and Mr. Blaine, which is hard to believe, it docs not and cannot interfere with the under standing the Republican party has with Mr. Blaine. Henry Irving announces that he has confidence still in the British drama. Won. der whether the British drama reciprocates? Hew limited mail trains are the order of tho day for Pittsburg. The calamitous ex perience of some of the expresses suggests that a popular novelty would be a train that is limited to staying on tho track and carry ing its passengers in safety. Silence means consent, except in the case of Mr. Blaine. A little yes or no would be appreciated now. When Canada hears the news from the West Indies sho will realizo that "The Em pire" is not all sacrificing itself on the altar of loyalty especially a loyalty that makes dollars scarce aud drives its devotees from their native land. 2TATHAN B. GOFF is for Harrison and Harrison knew it before ho made N. B. G. a Circuit Judge. Br way of a startling novelty the Phila delphia Ledger suggests that the two great parties fight it out on the tariff issue next year. These revolutions that start in Phila delphia will shock the country to death one of these days. PREFERRED BY FORTUNE. Secretary Foster is improving in health, and will be able to be driven out next week. Sir Edwin Arnold calls Edgar Allan Poe the "Calullus of American Literature," and thinks he should be better appre ciated. Archduke Ernst, residing in the Rainer Palace where Archduke Sigismund is dead of influenza, has also been stricken with the disease. The Princess of Sagan, who contributed more than anyone else to the fame of Worth,, has a villi that reproduces even to details" tho residence of a Persian millionaire. Me. and Mrs. Gladstone and Mr. Morley arrivod at Biarritz yesterday. All the party are enjoying their usual health and none of them suffered any on tho Journey from London. Senator Dawes, of Massachuseets. is in a sad state of mind. Five anxious fellow citizens are clamoring for his seat, and in sisting upon him taking himself into the re tirement department. Congressman Hoar says that he was once mistaken for a farmer by one of tho professors of a divinity shool near Concord who was charmed to find a rustic who knew so much about politics. Elwell Ap Babnard, a Welsh bard, lias written n 110-verse ode to his cow. Tho English poet-laurcate,being now in the milk business, may yet dash off some light and dairy things of this kind. M. Henri de Maupassant, the author, is suffering from a disease of the central nervous system, and has been ordered by his doctors to take a complete rest. He is san guine that ho will recover, but his friends fear that he will become insane. M. Paul Desciianel, Deputy of the Department of Eure-et-Lolre, who has been commissioned by the Fiench Government to proceed to the United States with the view of investigating the social question and the position or workingmen and their masteis, will confer with Cardinal Gibbons, Henry George and the leading men in all religious bodies and schools of thought in America. A Good Demand for Pastors. Steubekville, Dec. 17. Special. The winter meeting of the Steubenvillo Presby tery adjourned this evening, alter a two days' bession at Mingo Junction. Rev. O. V. Stewart, of Steubenville, was elected Mod erator. Rev. Dr. Wallace, of Ulrichsville, was dismissed. There are 2 vacant pastor ates in the Presbytery, many of them of long standing, but offering excellent oppor tunities to young ministers, and an effort will be made to have them filled this winter. The next meeting of the Presbytery will be in Salineville, LIVE WASHINGTON WAIFS. Washington, D. C., Dec. 17. Stephen B. Elkins, who was to-day nominated secre tary of War to succeed Secretary Proctor, was born in Perry county, O., September 26, 181. He removed to Missouri when very young, was graduated at the Missouri Uni versity in 1860, and studied law. He served in 1S32-3 as a captain in the Seventy-seventh Missouri Eegimont, and in the latter year went to New Mexico, where he was admitted to the bar in 1864. Ho also engaged in min ing and stock raising there, and accumu lated a fortune. He was a member of the Territorial Legislature in 1863-6. Attorney General of the Territory in 186S-9 and United States Attorney in 1370 2. Ho was then elected a delegate to Congress, and served two terms, from 1S73 to 1877. Mr. Ellcins was a member of the National Republican Com mittee from 1872 to 1SS4. He took an active part in the Chicago Convention of 18S4 that nominated J. G. Blaine for the Presidency, and earnestly supported him in the can vass. Since 18S4 Mr. Elkins has devoted all of his energies to the development of his extensive coal, railroad and timber inter ests in West Virginia, in which he has taken a deep interest. Ho spends a good portion of his time there, but makes freqnent busi ness trips to Now York, where he also has business Interests. Mr. Elkins has been for some time the President of the West Vir ginia Central Railroad Company, a position lie still hold-., no is a son-in-law ofex-Sen-ntor Henry G. Davis, who represented West Virginia in the Senate for several years. His nomidation was to-day referred by tho menace io me committee on .military .ai fairs. The Senate, in executive session to-day, confirmed a large number of recess nomina tions, but owing to the failure to adopt tho usual notice of confirmation to bo subject to the President's confirmation, the list was not made public. It is impossible at this time to obtain an official interview of any kind in regard to reports that the President has decided to issue a proclamation in a few days restoring tho duties on sugar, molasses, coffee, hides, etc., imported.from tho countries that have not negotiated reciprocity treaties with the United States under the provision of the McKinley tariff act. Government officials dismiss all inquiries with the simple state ment that Hie report is altogether unauthor ized. It is expected that an official an nouncement on the subject will be made in nlewdars. The action said to be contein- Elated is authorized by Section 3 of the Mc :inley act. In a decision rendered to-day bv the Commissioner of the General Land Office, it is held that deposits of clay valuable for its aluminum or for the manufacture of pot ters ware, does not render the land contain ing snch deposit subject to entry under tho mining laws. In the case of the town site settlers of New Guthrie, Oklahoma, against Mark S. Colin and others, Secretary Noble has modified the action of the Commissioner of the General Land Office of August 4, 1S89, by allowing without condition the town site under tho act of May H, 1890. The recent heavy disbursements for pen sions have reduced the treasury cash bal ance to $a3,12S,315, of which amount $13,033, 491 is on deposit with National banks and $13,984,292 is m subsidiary coin. The Inter-State Commerce Commission to-day announced its decision of the case of Lehmann, Higginson & Co.. of Humboldt, Kan., against the Texas and Pacific and Mis souri, Kansas and Texas Railway companies, in favor of complainants. The points de cided are briefly as follows: .Several rail way companies forming a continuous through line carried sugar to Kansas City, the terminal point, at a 30 cent rate and for the same rate to Parsons, Kan., an interme diate point, and to Humboldt, a point on a branch line, more distant than the inter mediate, but less distant than the terminal point, thov maintain a rate of 42 cents on suirnr: held, that the roads might lawfully maintain the same rate at the intermediate and terminal points, and some higher rate might be maintained to the branch line point, off the direct through line without unjust discrimination: als6 held, that as to the branch line point, the complainant was entitled to a refund of tho amount paid in excess of a reasonable rato. The commission ordnrs that the rate to Humboldt should not exceed 36 cents per hundred pounds, and that the earlier should refund to complainants $ b5 62 as excessive eharges paid on three car loads of sugar. A Joint tariff must show on its faco what carriers unite in escablishine such joint tariff". Tho publication and filing of n schedule of rates by the Now Orleans Traffic Association, and of a supplemental rate sheet by the Texas and Pacific Railway Comnanv. a mem ber of that association did not establish as provided by section 6 or the act to regu late commerce a joint tariff of rates on a continuous line from New Orleans to Kansas City, over roads of said association, or of any one of them In connection witii any other road or roads. Where freight passes over a continuous line or route operated bv more than one company on which no joint tariff of rates has been established, the tariff or rates ana cnarges is tne sum ot tne estab lished local rates on charges of the several companies operating such continuous lino. The Attorney General has appointed James B. McMahon Assistant United States Attorney for the Western district of Mich igan. The newly appointed House Committee on Rules has not yet had a meeting, but it expects to get together before the House re convenes on Saturday to agree upon a reso lution fixing the membership of committees. There are several select committees (princi pally to conduct investigations) which were appointed during the last Congress that will bo lopped off this year. It is said to be prob able that the membership of a number of the moro Important committees will bo In creased. Members of the Rules Committee are in favor of making a uniform rule, fix ing 15 as the number of members who shall constitute the important committees. Among tho committees generally conceded to lank as important, whose membership in tne mity-nrst congress was less than IB, are the followng: Ways and Means, 13 members; Banking and Currency, 12; Coinage, Weights nnd Measures. Merchants Marine and Fisheries, Foreign Affairs and Military Affairs 13 each; Naval Offleers.lO; rublicLands.ll; Indian Af lairs, 13; Manufactures, 11; Public Buildings, and Ground 13. The Sneaker was not at the Capitol to-day. He has a heavy cold and spent the day in his looms at the Metropoli tan hotel, working part of the time on the committees. There has been some talk of the announcement of a few of the most im portant committaes in advance of the ap pointment of the others, but a number of members who were consulted on the sub Joct found n great many objections to this plan and said that they were reasona bly snre it would not be adopted. The only precedent in recent years for this course was established by Speaker Reed, who, De cember 9, 1689, announced the Committee on Elections, Ways and Means, Appropriations, Manufacturers and Mileage. BEPRESEIfTATIVEjjtf: Tills rested well :s to make satisfac last night, and contiMps tory progress toward recovery. Congress man Mansur's sprain is somewhat better to day. There ts no particular change to-day In the condition of Secretary Foster, all symptoms being favoi able. The President to-day appointed Elbert B. Monroe, of Connecticut, to he a member of the Board of Indian 'Commissioners, vice John Charlton, resigned. TnE Comptroller of the Currency has de cided to make a dividend of 40 per cent to claimants of tlie insolvent Maverick National Bank of Boston. THE Clerk of the House has made the fol lowing appointments: William Mohler, Newspaper Clerk, vice William G. Daniels; George B. Parsons, of Illinois, Enrolling Clerk, vice Charles R. McKenney; and J. Frank Snyder, of Pennsylvania, Disbursing Clerk, vice E. C. O'Brien. GSADTJAILY WAKING UP. Tho Blichignn Girl Who Has Slept 180 Days Is Recovering. Stockbbidoe, Mich., Dec. 17. Mav White, the Ingham township girl who has slept al most all the time for the past 180 days, seems to be recovering slowly, although her physi cian does not express stronghopes of a com plete cure. It takes Dr. Brown less than 20 minutes to awaken his patient now, notwithstanding it took him five hours to awaken her the first time. She has been awake eight hours at a time during the past week and yester day she was awake three hours and 43 minutes. During her sleep she had lost over 70 pouflds in weight, and ten days ago only welglfed 50 pounds. To-dav she weighs 51 pounds, and tho doctor believes she will con- tinue. to gain, I KOBE E0YAL MOUTHS TO FEED. The Prince of Wales Alraid to Ask Parlia ment to Support Ills Son. London, Dec. 17. The corporation of the city of London to-day voted 2,500 guineas to provide a wedding present for Prince Albert Victor of Wales and Princess Victoria Mary of Teck. It has been said that the Prince of Wales feels a hesitancy about-asking Parlia ment to make a grant for tho proper snpport of his eldest son after bis marriage to Prin cess Victoria Mary, and that Parliament might, in viow of the great popularity of the engagement, take the initiative in the matter and bavo a bill for that purpose originate in the House. It has been suggested in some quarters that the Lord Mayor of London should open a subscription for a fund for the support of the royal couple, but it is not believed that nie yueen or tne I'unco or wales wouiu give their consent to any such means to raise monev. Soma of the Radicals who have, or at least pretend to have, but little respect for tho prerogatives of royalty, ai e not backward in saying that the country is already heavily enough taxed to support the Queen and her numerous relatives and that Her Majesty could very readily grant the couple a sufficient marriage portion. AN 0VEETOEE FOB PEACE. Delegates From Several Sects to Frepare a Petition to All the Powers. New York, Dec. 17. A conference of dele gates from various Christian churches of the United States that have accepted the overture and petition in favor of interna tional arbitration, emanating from tho Gen eral Assembly of the Southern Presbyterian Church, was hold here to-day. Delegates from the Northern and Southern Presby terian Churches, from Virginia, North Caio lina, Wisconsin, Georgia, Illinois, Nebraska and South Carolina Conferences of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and from the United Presbyterian and Reformed Episco pal Churches were present. The petition, or overture, which was read to the meeting, it is proposed to address to the several governments of the Christian nations of the world advocating the settle ment of international disputes by peaceful means. A Committee on Correspondence was appointed to take means to secure tho co-operation of every Christian denomina tion. It was also agreed to hold nconier ence in Chicago during the World's Fair. The petition will bo printed in tho language of each country to whose Government His sent. THE LAUNCHING OF THE BALEIGH. A Date Set for If, and Preparations Are Actively Being Made. Norfolk, Va Dec. 17. Special. Orders have been received at tho navy yard from Washington to launoti the Raleigh January IS, and all arrangements are being made for that date. Tho work of boring the struts continues, and it Is said the shaft will be put in before she goes overboard. The old Do minion Line steamer Richmond arrived at the yard this morning with a lot of castings for the Raleigh from the New York yard, where the engines of the ship are being built. The battle ship Texas will be launched dating the spring month", and will be placed at onco in the Simpson dry dock, where her heavy armor will be put on. The traveling cranes are now being erected around tho dock for that purpose. Both ships could have been launched a month ago, but, as the work of construction proceeds just as well with tne ships on the stocks.it is a matter of no difference, and the department is in no hurry about launching. It is thought that Secretary Tracy and other navy officials will be present at tlie launching. HINTS TO CONGRESS. Congress has already bills enough before it to take up its attention till adjournment. Why not shut off the supply? Boston Trav eller. Silver Is not going to be silent in this-Con-gress, by any means, and the old adage that "money talks" promises to be exemplified. Boston Sews. Congress can help a great deal toward the election of a Democratic President next year, but it is not among its duties to make a candidate. St. Paid Globe. Let ns hopo that no little one's stocking hung np on Christmas Eve will suffer the fate of the bills which are hung np in com mittee. St. Limit Post-Dispatch. The House Democrats should beware that their splendid working majority does not enconntera typographio error and pass into history as a "wrecking" majority. Omaha World-Herald. As early adjournment of Congress is pre dicted, as it always Is at the beginning of a term. The earlier tho present Congress ad journs the better it will be for the Democ racy and tho country. St. Louis Globe-Democrat. A NOTED WAE NTJE3E DEAD. Jnlla Averoll Griffin Passes Away at Niag ara Falls. Lockport, N. Y. Dec. 17. Special. Julia Averell Griffin, a noted nurse in tho late war, died at her homo at Niagara Falls, xfisterday. Mis9 Griffin was bom at Hudson, Columbia County, April 30, IKJi She sorved as a nurso in the war, was taken prisoner at the battle of Winchester, but was paroled during her work on the field. She contracted asthma. In April, 18S8, a special act of Congress was passed and signed by President Cleveland, allowing her a pension. On Decoration Day, as the G. A. R. passed her home, tho flag was lowered as a salute to her. She belongs to a number of G. A. R. orders. How Tires Blay Be Prevented. Louisville. Dec. 17. The report of the grand Jury on the Main street fires, In which 12 persons lost their lives, exonerated all from blame, but recommonds changes in the building law so as to secure thicker walls; to prevent the accumulation of fire works except in approved receptacles; to secure a Are drill where large numbers of persons are collected in one building, and to require the gas company to provide some one to attend fires and shut off the gas from burning buildings. Thoughts ox Christmas. Time and Christmastido wait for no woman. Philadelphia Record. Take time this year and writo it plain Christmas, not Xmaa, Chicago Inter Ocean. Woodman, don't sparo the Christmas tree, please! The more tho merrier. Boston Her ald. The man who does not want to look into tho shop windows must walk in the streets. Chicago Globe. Considerixo that Christmas is so near, the weather Is comparatively warm enough to mako a mealy potato protest against being boiled in its jacket. Philadelphia Times. The most celebrated present in history is the widow's mite mentioned in Scripturo. But then porhaps it Is not quite the best thing to duplicate on your best girl. Boston Globe. "It is more blessed to give than to re ceive" does not have much significance with the man who makes a dozen Christmas pres ents and receives none in return. Boston JVcws. Tho Prettiest AVeighlng Machine. Rutland, Vt., Dec. 17. Special. Tho Howe Scale Company, of this place, is build ing a scale for tho Duchess of Marlboro, to be used in the bathroom. Tho parts usually nickel-plated in tho fancy scales of that class will be silver-plated, and it is "said to be the handsomest weighing niachino ever constructed. Why Mexico Wants Reciprocity. St. Louis Globe-Dcn.cc at. Theie is a sort of business revival in Mexico, and this, doubtless, is one of the leasons why that country Li more anxious than ever to secure reciprocity with the Unitedtates. Chicago Suffers Like Pittsburg;. Chicago Times. 1 On a rainy day the .smoke nuisance is un bearable. The air gots thick enough to chop with a hatchet, while tho streets are fluid enough to be picked up by a pump. It Is Only the Night Wind. Boston Newg.J The story that Senator Pefler snores is probably a vile calumny. No doubt it is only the night wind blowing through his, yrhtsker, ANOTHER UNION EFFECTED, In Which Mr. Fraser and Miss Elkins Are Chiefly Concerned Their Weddlne; at the Sixth U. P. Church Some Things About Some People. Last night Miss Ella May Elkins, third daughter of George W. Elkins, the traction road magnate in Pittsburg, was married to Mr. W. S. Fraser, the ceremony taking plafe at 7 o'clock in tho Sixth United Presbyterian Church before a company of friends formed of representative townspeople. The audi torium is a rather severelookingplace, such as is generally found in United Presby trian edifices. This effect was softened by the arrangement ot a mass of plants at the pulpit, tho white crashed floors, and above all by the brilliant dressing of the house guests and tho gaily colored chap eans of those invited only to the church. The first mentioned guests occupied the front pews, and probably nnmbored be tween200and 300, while the bodv of the church was devoted to the remainder. Even this large church barely sufficed to seat the guests, and a good number stood by the doors and in the aisles not in the way of tho bridal procession. At 7:15 tho first of the biidal party appeared at the head of the stairs two of tho ushers standing on the threshold of the door until then came the familiar strains from "Lohensrin." Then followed, what al ways follows at a wedding when the "Lohen grin" is played. Everybody's head turned to catch a first glimpse of the bride, and the ushers advanced up the aisle. They came in coupies, anu tne oriaemaius, jiiss l,ock hart. Miss Armstrong, Miss Chandler and Miss Abel, or Philadelphia. The Dresses in tho Procession. After the bridemaids, who formed an at tractive pait In theprocession.ln white crepo de chine, with dresses trained to slightly sweep tho floor, and tho bodices cut high or low, according to the individual taste of the wearer, came the maid of honor, Miss Emma Dunlevey. Her dress was similar to those of tho bridemaids, and like theirs, had streamers of broad ribbon depending from a point in the bodice at the back nnd reaching to what might be termed a semi-demi train. Every young lady carried pink roses, and the bride's two little sisters.who came after Miss Dunlevey, had baskets filled with the samo La France. The tint of their dresses matched the rose, and the harmony was carried out in tho dainty hose and slippers well displayed bv tlie short silk frocks they wore. Miss Elkins came in with her father, who accompanied hrf to where stood the waiting groom, and then tho transfer was made which, a moment later, was ratified by a simple Presbyterian marriage ceremony, periormed by the bride's brother-in-law, Rev. Harry Peebles, of Rochester, X. Y. The ring ceremony came after this and all was concluded with a benediction pro nounced bv the nnstor. The little Elkin.s children scattered roses before their sister ns she came from tho altar with her hus band. The bridal dress was of white satin, over which hung the veil, worn both to and from the altar, quite over the face. The ceremony over, Mr. and Mrs. Fraser, the family and their friends were driven to Mr. Elkins' house, where a reception was given. Their future Residence. Mr. Fraser has a handsome residence for his bride in the East End, which they will occupy after the honeymoon. In his profession, that of architect, Mr. Fraser probably stands second to none in Pitts burg. He has cultivated a taste for art, and unites the sensibilities of the dilletanto with the practical nature of a man df busi ness. With the eastern part of tho city threaded with cable and electric cars, the namo of Elkins is so well known that it needs no fur ther identification. It is aid that the bride groom is well fixed in this world's roods. and that the bride brings with her no incon siderable jot. Mr. Elkins has three married daughters now. The eldest is Mrs. Peebles, who married a Baptist clergyman of New York State; Mrs. finable, the wife of the senior partner of the firm of Knable, and the third is the bride of last night. A Story of the Philadelphia Families. Possibly Pittsbnrgers do not know that there is a closely cemented sentimental union as well as a business one between the Philadelphia Elkinses and tho Widener fam ily. It is something is this way: A son of William L. Elkins is married to a Miss Widener, and a Sir. Widener pleasantly retaliated for the loss of a sister by capturing a Miss Elkins Tho Philadelphia head of tho family Is de scribed as a man with a round face, keen gray eyes, a mustache of the whiteness of snow and a florid complexion. Everyone here will recognize in this a portrait of tho Plttsbmg street car capitalist. The brothers are perfect types of the Sonthern gentleman glowing with health, white hair, fine form, having the most admirable con trol of themselves, and yet there is not a streak of Southern blood in them. As Wid ener's house in Philadelphia is situated in the most superb grounds that Pennsylvania affords, so the house of Wi'liam L. Elkins has not its counterpart in magniflcenco within tho boundaries of tho Keystone State. A CONCERT will be given Saturday even ing at Choral Hall, Sewickley, in which the Valley people are much interested. Among the artists who will take part are Miss Blanche Newcomb, violinist, a pupil of the celebrated Joachim. Miss Newcomb spent four years studying music in Berlin, Ger many, and is an accomplished musician. Mrs. Kate Ockleston Lippa, pianist, is a graduate of the famous conservatory of music at Leipsic, Germanv. She is of En glish birth, and before coming to America played in the cities and large towns of Eng innd and Geimany. In Manchester she played hefore tho society for the Entertain ment of the People, which was founded un der the auspices of Earl Northeak, Countess Northeak, Lady Louise Chartorris, Lady LindJiy and othors. In those concerts she was received with enthusiastic applause. In appearance Mrs. Lippa Is exceedingly prepossessing, slonderand graceful, with an interesting faco. framed with lovely hair. Miss Agnes Vogel and Mr. Cunningham are well-known and favorite Pittsburg vocal ists, on whose merit it is needless to dwell. Social Chatter. Mks. A. E. W. Painter gave a luncheon at tho Duquesne Clnb yesterday. Mrs. Wylie X. Steveseox gave a fancy work party yesterday afternoon. Mns. Nease, of Sherman avenue, enter tained last night in honor of a recently mar ried nieco. Miss Kate Edxa Neolet reminds her friends that tlioro will be a Christmas Evo display of goods at o932 Penn avenue. East End. A special sale of pies, cakes, etc., is promised. GRANT'S NEGLECTED EBMAKfS. As a last rosort the custodians of New "York's Grant monument fund might try the dynamite 'plan of soliciting subscriptions. Washington Post. If the Confederate veterans turn in and raise money for the Grant monnmentXcw Yorkniay homo time see that it is built. Philadelphia Call. In dofeience to tho wishes of Mrs. Grant, if for no other reason, Senator Plumb should put Into some inaccessible pigeon hole his resolution ptoviding for the rifling ot tho grave by the Hudson. New York Recorder. It seems that tho question of removing the remains of General Grant from New York to Washington is to be again discussed. This seems to be the favorite way of per petuating his memory. Talk is cheap. Bos ton Herald. It is, moreover, a cruel thing to be constantly- harrowing tho mlndB of General Grant's family with propositions that his re mains shall bo removed from the last rest ing place for them which they selected. New York Press. Senator Plume has introduced a bill pro viding for the transfer of the remains of General Grant. After tho shameless dillv .dallying of New York In this matter Mrs. Grant should hesitate no longer in comply ing with tho wishes of tho American people. Philadelp7ita Bulletin. The Citizens' Alliance to Meet. Topeea, 'Dec. 17. The National Citizens' Industrial Alliance has issued a call for a general convention, to be held at St. Louis, Febrnary 20, two days before the Industrial Council convenes. In pursuance to the Natlonnl call, W. F. Rlghtmire. secretary for Kansas, has issued a call for each assembly in his State, numbering 200, to elect one delegate. There is no State organization of the Citizens' Industrial Alliance, and it be comes necessary for each organization to act for itself. After the delegates elected by the assembly are m session, they will select 23 delegntes to represent the Citizens' Na tional Alliance at the Industrial Council. Knssia's Poor Have a Hard Time. Boston Herald:? What with smallpox, typhus, influenza, famine and czarism, the troubles of the poor Russians come along, not singly, bnt In battalion. Iye cufiious condensations; There are 10,000 car horses in London. There are over 15,000 cabmen in Lon don. The "400" in Paris, Mo., ia composed mostly of Virginians. England has 9,000 mounted yeomanry costing $450,000 per year. The snow drifts in North Park, Colo rado, are said to be 12 feethigh already. A canal has just been completed ia Washington that will irrigate 70.0CO acres. Great Britain received 5430,265 worth of condensed milk from Switzerland la3t year. The art galleries of the Australian colonies now represent a cash value of .130,000. The London Gazette i3 the oldest En- glish parer. ber 7, 1CS5. It was first published Novem- New York is sending toTacoma, "Wash., for lumber to be used in the construction of a ferry boat. There is a fish hatchery in Michigan that has 51,000,000 white fish eggs in process of incubation. Between the years 1590 and 1G80 no less than 3,400 women were burned in Scotland for witchcraft. In the dead letter office at "Washington are more than 42.100 nhotogranhs which found their way there last year. The Constitution of Ohio gives the Governor no veto power, a distinction en joyed by no other Stato save Rhode Island. The fare of an English steamship com pany is at tho rate of six miles for a penny. This 13 probably the cheapest locomotion ever known. Chimneys are scarce in the City of Mexico. There are not ten dwelling houses which have them. Charcoal is the only fuel used for cooking and heating. A letter carrier in Kansas City fell asleep near an open window, with the moon shining on his face. On awakening, he mada the appalling discovery that he was totally blind. The largest animal known to exist in tho world at the present time is the rorqual which averages 100 feet in length, and the smallest is monad which is only 1-12 100 of an inch in length. One of the oddest ways of getting a liv ing is pursued by the salonniers of Paris, who make a profession of tying gentlemen's cravats. An expert artist in this line can earn 40fr. an evening, it is said. London had a pecnliar experience of rog on the 8th inst. The suburbs on tho south side or the Thames were brilliant with sunshine, while those on the north were invisible in a thick black fog. It has ben Toughly estimated that the amount of English capital which is in vested in land in New Zealand, either by way of mortgage or by dirpcr proprietor ship, does not fall short of ?4O,O0O,0GO. A snb-delegate of "Villarica, Chile, re ports that the country is swarming with locusts, which are arriving from the Argen tine Republic and have already covered 13 leagues of country. The crops are being ruined by the pests, and active measures are being taken to prevent further damage. A grain and a half of gold may ba ben ten into leaves one inch sqnare, which, if Intersected by parallel lines drawn at right angles to each other and distant only tho one-hundredth part of an Inch, will produce 25,000 little squares, each of which may bo distinctly seen without the aid of a glass. The New Alpine Eaiiway, the Brcnzier Rothhornbahn, is the highest railway in the world, and commands magnificent views. It Is 2,&51 meters (7,S3B feet) high at the sum mit levol and ascends 1,682 meters (3,60G feet), or 67 meters (223 feet) higher than the Pilatus Railway. The journey occupies 1 hours. England is now admiring the creation of an artificial Venice, on a scaleso large as in some sections to be an absolute fac simile of the originaL Tlie whole exhibition covers one and a half acres, at the famous Olympi.i In London, and the visitor i rowed abont in a gondola. The water in the canals is warmed by tho Rosher system of heating water, extensively used in swimming baths. One of the most ingenious methods practiced by poachers for tho purpose of netting pheasants, is that in which a gamo cock is fitted with artificial spurs, and then carried to the preserves. Then the game bird crows, one or two more of the coe'e pheasants immediately respond and ad vance to light. In this way sometimes Ave or six pheasants are taken, while the gamo cock remains unhurt. Mrs. "William Astor, wife of the Amer ican millionaire, has a wonderful snake ring which literally writhes in constant motion on her finger. It is constructed of flexible gold wire, each scile being represented hv a loop of wire in which a rubby. an emerald or an amethyst i3 firmly set. 'The slightest movement of tho fingers sets the wires quiverine, and the ring scintillates and seems to go round the linger with a serpen tine movement tnat nas something eerie in it. It was made in Egmt, A curious return J just been printed at Berlin. It shows how often German regi mental colors wer struck in action during the campaigns of 1S04, lGS and 1S70, and also how many officers, non-commissioned offi cers and men were killed while carrying tho colors. The memoir of these losses is tonch ingly preserved. Every staff that has been clasped in action by a dead soldier's fingers is encircled with a silver ring with the in scription of the man's name-and the words: "Died a hero's death with this color In his hand. A chemist of Vienna has succeeded in discovering a composition which will mako even tho slight material of ballet dancers' dresses fire-proof. Tho Prince of Lichten stoln gave this composition a first trial on tho stago in his own palace in tho presence of a numerous company. The rise of tho curtain discovered two life-sized dolls, dressed as ballet girls, to both of which a light was applied. One of the dolls was rapidly reduced to ashes, while the other, well saturated with the protective composi tion, escaped with a small hole in the dress. Some years ago a white man was cap tured in the course of a raid made by tho Amazon warriors of Dahomey upon a mis sionary settlement. A few weeks later his anxions wife received from him a message, which consisted simply of a pebble, a pieco of charcoal, a pepper, a grain of parched corn and a rag. m There was no difficulty in translating it by the nativo code. The peb ble said: "I am in good hhalth." i. e. hard In body: the piece of charcoal signified: "But my prospects are very black and gloomy:" the pepper meant, "I am veryanxloas about the future, lest I bo killed or sold Into slav ery;" the grain of parched corn indicated: "fhavo become very thin." and the scrap of rag added: "My clothing is in tatters." JOKELETS PKOai JUDGE. "Your marriage was the result of love at first sight, wasn't it?" "Yes," replied the near-sighted 'rlend. T never will forget that day. Only time in lny life I was ever known to forget my glasses." Now comes the merry time of year When boys on fish-horns toot And grown-np folis not far from hers Begin to resolute. Traveler Porter, how far are we from Chicago? Porter About 35 cents, sah. "Do you think you can snpport me, George?" she asked an hour after he had pro posed. "Yes, if yon'n get on the other knee." he said. "We stand beneath the mistletoe, Her dainty hand I hold in mine: Ilcr cheeks Uke holly berries glow. Her long-lashed eyes like Jewels shine. I long to whisper one word low. Bnt hesitate oh, 6ad delay! For looking down I see her frown. And then she rnns away. Pinto Why, Charon, what's the trouble? How did you get in this dreadful condition? Charon I had to ferry over Charles Stewart Parnell and Joha Pope Hennessey at the same time. Chicago Man (to stranger) How are yon? -Nice day to-day. W here do von hail from? Stranger (a German prince) Sir. I do not hall; I reign." There are joys we do not know Because we've.never had 'em. Christmas eve comes once a year, Bnt never Christmas Adam. Trivvet Mr. and Mrs. Einstein are going to celebrate their golden wedding next week. Dicer Nonsensel They've been married only 40 yers. Trlwet-i mow. xou see uie goia wm M about canUflne.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers