atn 5EllasPP5 IT 4 zr i j ztxtsgryK "w :x,-ri-. -"c,- ?"-; ; ' w- i-w rTHS PITTSBURG DISPATCH "WEfffeDAT, DEOEMBER : ;do J80fc WHfrfSWIiWP i1wriy:':! I MHIWMH illllllll WPIllf '!' ' " test's,"-s J vstipj're"r -.'', ---y-, :- 1 vBklBEB9E X $ra!clj- ESTABLISHED rUBEUAUY 8. JS16 Vol. 46. No. ZB. Entered at Pittsburg rostofflcc November. 1587, as secoml-class matter. Business Office Corner Smlthfield and Diamond Streets. News Rooms and Publishing House 7S and 80 Diamond Street, in New Dispatch Building. f.atkkv ATivr.imsiNo oKFirn. iioom 7. TRIBUNE BITIT.niXR. NFWYOIIK. where com plete files of THE DISPATCH rau always be found. Forelicn a.lvrrtiiers appreciate the convenience. Home ad crtlstfrs and lriends of THE DlSl'ATCH. while In Xcw York, are ako made welcome. THE ViarA TCU t rrpulnrly m xnjr nt Bretttann's. t Union Sovare. -Vu York, and 17 Ave tier Opera. Pans, lYance. tclierr anyone tcAi has been aisap-, pointed at a hotel neics stand can obtain it. TEEMS OF THE DIsrATCH. POSTAGE TRES IX Till UNITED STATES. TAlI.YDisrATCii. One Year. R 00 Daily Disr-ATCU. FcrQuarter 2 00 Daily Dispatch. One Month TO Dailt Dispatch. Including Sunday. 1 rear.. 10 W Daily Dispatch, lncludlur Sunday, s m'ths, 1 50 Daily Dispatch, including Sunday, 1 m'th.. SO Sotjat Dispatch. One Year. ISO WtEKLY Dispatch, One Year 1 SS THE Daily Dispatch Is delivered by carriers at 35 cents per week, or. Including Sunday Edition, at 20 cents per n et'k. PITTSBUKG. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBE2 SO. KEAt KOAD WORK WASTE . The offer of Captain J. B. Ford to ad vance 53,000 to improve the road between Bite's and Tarertum, referrei to in our news columns, was an encouracing attempt to make a start in the buildinc of durable roads. If manufacturers and leading citi zens generally would interest themselves in the subject of road reform it would not be long before decisive progress would be made in that important work. Unfortu nately the strict construction of law, which gives trustees no power to borrow money for road purposes, would not per mit the acceptance of the offer. If it was madevutb a full understanding that the agreement would not be a binding one as against the township, we see no reason -why Captain Ford's money might not have been accepted and applied to first-class 1 Toad construction, to the great advantage of the people of that vicinity. The declination of the offer properly suggests the passage of a law permitting township trustees to borrow money for road improvements. This would not in sure the abolition of the false methods of work which leave the roads no better than at first, but it would give each lo cality power to adopt an intelligent plan if it has the enterprise to do so. If one township under this plan built good roads its neighbors would quickly follow the example. The power to borrow money should of course be closely guarded against abuse. A popular vote w ould be required in most cases by the Constitution, and the law might do well to establish that re quirement even where the Constitution does not With these limitations a meas ure of this sort would induce a start at permanent road work pending the adoption of a more comprehensive system. The main thing is to secure a practical demonstration by examples of durable and solid roads. When such roads can be found in cery county the fanners will very soon convert their opposition into an urgent demand for the universal extension of such highwas. THE XEW YOKE DECISION. New York's political squabble has been ended by the decision of the Court of Ap peals, which gave two of the four con tested Senatorial seats to the Democrats, one to the Republicans, and left one to be decided by the canvassers and the Senate itself, leaving the Senate 15 Democrats, 14 Republicans and one Independent, with a vacancy that was promptly filled by the Democratic Board of Canvassers last night, thus giving tail's party 16 votes in the Senate. Without especial knowledge as to the facts in the cases, it is evident that a de cision by the courts is the proper way to settle such contests. Under this decision the efforts of Governor Hill to prepare for defying and nullifyingthe judicial rulings, if they should be against him, is reduced to a gratuitous and wholly profitless dis play of partisan lawlessness. There was no reason why the disputes should not have been submitted to the courts with perfect agreement on both sides. But the attempts to abrogate and override the de cisions against Governor Hill's side dis play that politician as a man to whom law and justice are unconsidered trifles light as air beside the grand purpose of keeping his party in power by fair means or foul. The fact that the possession of the New York Legislature by the Hill party will lead to a general upsetting of the Con gressional and Legislative districts of the State might give President Harrison another text for a special message on gerrymandering, but otherwise it.will not cause much sorrow to people not imme diately affected. The Republicans have snjojed the benefits of a gerrymander for mc years, and since on both sides party supremacy is considered of greater im portance than houest representation it is little more than fair that the Democrats should have their turn. A FUTILE INQUIRY. One of the literary features of the last 2fortli American Review is an effort to de termine by a verdict of seven selected judges what is "the best book of the year." There are several criticisms to offer on the attempt. First, a jury made up as any of the sort must be cannot come to any conclusion. That consisting of Sir Edwin Arnold, Gail Hamilton, Agness Repplier, Amelia E. Barr, Julien Gordon, Dr. Briggs and William A Hammond is not one irom which impartial criticism if there is any such thing can be expected. It is juntas good as any other jury likely to be selected, but its decisions, collective ly and individually, are simply the expres sions of the tastes of individuals more or less prominent, but hardly more infallible as judges than the average reader. Another reason inseparably related to this one is that there is notnorever will be an absolutely "best book." The value of a looU varies with the people into whose hands it falls and the success with which it affects the class it addresses. To one man, a scientific work may be the best; to another, a historical work; to a third, a work of the imagination, and so on ad infinitum. Toattemptto rank the relative merits of "Robinson Crusoe," "The Essay on Man" and Humes' history is like dis cussing whether air or water is most necessary to life. This consideration makes it a natural result that the Hbrth American Betiew's inquest on the best book should result In the ' specification of seven "best books" with such a, variety as two novels, a volume of essays, two theo logical works, Herbert Spencer's "Justice" and a dictionary. A third criticism may appear cynical, as to the paucity of material for these judges to work on. If they had been asked to name the worst book of the year they would certainly have had a wider range of selection. Finally, if any man or woman undertakes to say what is the heat book of a year, do they not acknowledge that they have read all published in that time? Do these seven unfortunate per sons plead guilty to having committed that dreary and profitless offense? MORE SPUNK NEEDED. A large share of the lawlessness of the day is due to the opportunity given it by the collective cowardice of society. In other words, thieves and thugs are ram pant because they have good reason to be lieve that the average crowd is too lamb like to resist them. Evidence to that effect presents itself both in the shape of pusillanimity in the presence of desp eradoes and in demon strations of the ease with which robbers can be disposed of when people pluck up the spunk to do it. Some years ago a few robbers on a Western train plundered its passengers, including a detachment of United States soldiers, which, considering that they are supposed to be defenders of the nation's peace, raised the serious ques tion who shall defend the defenders? In two Eastern Pennsylvania counties farm ers are afraid to take step5? to detect a gang of barn-burners for fear that their own barns will be burned. This climax of pusillanimity is fully equaled by the record of those hundreds of Southern citi zens who endured the yoke of the Sims outlaws with meekness as long as the gang was at large. When they surrendered to troops with a cannon the patient public suffered its wrath to break forth, and the prisoners were taken from theb, willing captors and lynched. This collective cowardice of the average crowd is all the weaker from the fact that when anyone has the courage to take the initiative resistance is always successful. The other day a Chicago and North western train was "held up" in the North west, but the road agent happened to strike a fighting crowd in the persons of two plucky train hands and promptly fled, leaving his booty. Up in Fayette county the general tendency has been to bow to the plunderings of the Coolly gang for the sake of peace; but when an irate farmer opened fire on a party plundering his barn and shot one of them the rest promptly took to their heels. In a popu lar government, law cannot be maintained unless the people support it. When citi zens take their duty boldly in hand it is found that life and property are safe. If honest men will pluck up more cour age the boldness of the rascals will very soon be found to be a vanishing quality. A ROIX OF DEATH. Startling statistics are given this morn ing on the murderous work of the rail roads within Allegheny county. The loss of 230 lives this year, of 259 the year be fore and the total of over a thousand in the past five years will make the thought ful ponder on tlie sacrifice of human life to the era of modern industrial enter prise. A large share of this loss is ot course furnished by people who persist in walk ing on railroad tracks. A heavy propor tion is also undoubtedly due to causes preventable, such as grade crossings and the antique coupler system. In default of definite statistics on these points it is, however, a public service to call attention to the danger shown in these returns in the practice of walking the tracks. Nevertheless, it is a question whether the proposition to make track walking a misdemeanor would'mend mat ters much. If the example of five deaths 3 week on railroads within the 'county does not deter people from using the tracks as thoroughfares it is likely that the more remote contingency of arrest and fine would have much effect? The law could not add much to the penalty which the nature of the case threatens, and those who take the chances of the latter will be likely to brave the former. Finally, before the law makes it a mis-" demeanor to incur this danger is it not its business to provide that pedestrians shall have at least as good pathways from point to point as the railway tracks afford? Give the people something as good or better than the tracks to walk upon and they will not subject themselves to the danger of sudden death simply from love of ex citement We observe that one Lawrcnceville citi zen lias developed the energy to taking to his small arms and opening Are when he lound burglars in his house. As one or the robbers got away with a bullet in his internal economy, we can take it for granted that he will give that house a wide berth In future. The important news is reported from Washington that Secretary Blaine's large mastiff got into a heated argument wjta all unofficial canine about a Christmas bone picked up in the street. The diplomatic dog promptly adopted the jingo policy and after a short period of hostilities sent the insur rectionary canine howling down the street. With the final remark that the Blaine dog took possession of the bone people can apply the augury to national politics or inter national complications as suits their tastes. "What is the matter with -Pittsburg natural gas? It has Just blown up another dwelling. Is it the gas, or the Hay the gas is used?" asks the Buffalo Express. It is In the way the gas is used, dear cotemporary. If natural gas is used to blowup 'buildings it will do the work with equal thoroughness and dispatch. ' It is somewhat interesting to find the esteemed Washington Post in an article on the socialistic tendency declaring that "the inter-Stato commerce law is a socialistic measure, pure and simple." If so. it repre sents socialism of long and respectable standing in this country, as the earliest railroad- decisions in the thirties and forties clearly declared the right or the legislative power to regulate and control the public highways created by the exertion or the most sovereign governmental function. A CLAIM of 571,000 by the city of Alle gheny on the street car companies is big enough; but -the esteemed cotemporary which swells it up to $220,000 evidently wishes to make the Northslde citizens be lieve that they are rolling In wealth, or the companies think that they are doomed to bankruptcy. There is a fearful suspicion abroad that W. J. Arkell isa malcontent and is l evens -ing himself bv writing letters which under the guio of describing his personal ac quaintance with sundry statesmen really administer .ii black eyo to their booms. Sec retary Blaine, President Harrison, David Bennett Hill and Leland Stanford have already been done up by Arkell, and there is no telling whom his next discharge will wing. The criticism on the selection of Sir Edwin Arnold as the World's Fair poet is met by the assertion that "our stock of native "poets is running low." Tlie same ide might apply with equal force to Sir Ed win. His stock of native poetry suitable to an occasion of that sort ran low a good while ago. Senator Paddock wishes to make the Commissioner of Fish and Fisheries an officer of the Agricultural Department. Fish arc understood to make an excellent, al though unsavory manure; but otherwise their agrlculturalcharacter Is net apparent. If made a naval bureau the appropriateness would "be ranch more manifest in the con venience of telling the fish, stories to the marines. The fact that Vhenever a European King pets out of a Job lie gravitates inevitably to Paris is a singular commentary on thoToyal acceptance of and confidence in. the newest European republic. TnERE is an assertion in the New York World that Mr. Blaine's entire work; in the State Department since bis return has been for the, purpose of maintaining peaceful re lations -with Chile. Mr. Blaine is sensible enough, to perceive that there is more per manent credit in extending the commerce of the country than in equine a. warfortho exaltation of the naval officers. As to weather, the .hard winter-prophets will have to get up a combine' before long in order to save themselves. A restriction of production of hard wlnterpredlotlons .seems to be in order. THE insurrection in China is evidently not making as rapid progress as was re ported a few -weeks ago. Th"e rebels have not yet advanced on Fekin beyond the Great Wall, nor have they been dispersed. There is yet a large amount of possibility in the outbreak; bnt the days of the present dynasty are far from being numbered. The war still rages fiercely in the press dispatches, but generally manages not to let the sun go down on its wrath. Now a report is abroad that the work of the Fifty-first Congress in the line of lavish expenditures made retrenchment in this Con gress Impossible. This looks like a weak evasion for the Democrats. Thercanget down 'appropriations if they can summon stamina enough to shut down on the log rolling of the individual statesmen. FAVORITES OP FORTUNE. Geneeai. Butler has recovered .t rom his recent case of the grip. Lord Eandoi,:ph Chtjbchtli. while traveling uses cakes of somebody's essence of life for food. Prof. "William R. "Ware, -of Columbia College, Is considered one of the best authori ties on architecture. Mrs. Jane Simpson1,' wife of Jerry, is the accredited Washington correspondent of the Medicine Lodge Index. CAKDnrAi Man ning does all his literary work on a small writing pad which ho rests on his knees. He is now past S3 and is grow ing feeble. X-ady Harris, wife ot the Governor of Bombay, is an ardent cricketer, and in a re cent cricket match was captain or the win ning eleven. Bey. F. A. Wakfield, of the Congrega tional Church of Boston, who has received a call from a church" in Omaha, has decided not to accept it. Prince George, of Wales, was allowed to leave his bedroom Monday for the first time since he was taken ill with typhoid fever. His mother will go to Sandrlngham Falace on Wednesday. General and Mrs. Miles left for Washington Monday to attend the marriage of Dr. Thorndyke and Miss Rachel Sherman, which occurs the latter end of the week. General Miles will return January 7. General Samuel Stokely, one of the prominent politicians in the old days or Steubenville, nominated Sherman for the first office ho ever hold. This was 40 years ago and Honest John has been in office ever since. GLADSTONE 82 YEAE8 OLD, Old Neighbors' at Hawarclen and New Xrlends Abroad Congratulate Him, Losdox, Dec. 29. Mr. Gladstone-is 82 years old to-day, he having been born in Liverpool December 29, 1809. Mr. Gladstone is at pres ent at Biarritz, n French watering place on the Bay of Biscay, 'where he is seeking to re cruit bis strength In order to perform the parliamentary duties before him. He Is ac companied by Mrs. Gladstone and John Morley. The Gladstone residence at Ha war den, Wales, is deserted or all its occupants save the household servant?, but this fact did not in the least detract from the enthu siasm manifested by the. villagers. A num ber of congratulatory messages were sent to Mr. Gladstone at Biarritz. A number of his personal friends and political followers in London also took advantage of the day to forward telegraphic messages. A dispatch from Biarritz says: The muni cipal authorities of this place waited upon Mr. Gladstone to-dav and congratulated him upon the occasion of the anniversary of his birthday. Fifteen members of the British Club, to membershtpln which Mr. Gladstone and Mr. Morley were unanimously elected a few days ago, also called upon him, present ing him with a floral crown. In the evening Mr. Gladstone rjald a visit to the clubhouse. where he was heartily congratulated by the meuiDers. CRANKS TO THE FRONT. It must have been a lunatic, indeed, who wanted to kill so good a man as George W. Chlld8. Louisville Courier Journal. There are several madmen roaming around Xew York, from which it seems that 4 one crazy crack makes many. Sew York Press. It seems to be the rule that the harmless homicidal crank has been discharged from an insane asylum "cured." Sew York Com mercial Advertiser. The cranks seem to have taken a notion to analyze things in order to find ont why the universe Is not out of joint with them selves Milwaukee Evening Wisconsin. Tite crop of cranks has been by no means exhausted. In view of the suggestive effect which the attack on Russell Sago has had David B. Hill's body guard does not seem so unreasonable after o. Albany Journal. The cranks arc still coming to the front With disquieting frequency not that they are more numerous at this than at other times, but that by some strange law or in stinct they are induced to manifest them selves in a simultaneous manner. Philadel phia Sccord. The crank epidemic is becoming alarm ing. It is bad enough to demand a man's money on penalty of being blown to pieces, but when the enterprising anarchist de mands Vanderbilt's brains the intellect of the country has cause for alarm. Nest the dyspeptics will be calling for the stomachs of healthy citizens. Indianapolis Sentinel. ECOTl'S -WILL A DISAPPOINTMENT. Nothing Eeft to Fnblic Institutions Every, thing to His Own Ilonseliold. Erie, Dec 29. Special The last will and testament of the late Hon. William L. Scott was admitted to probate to-day. The publio has long been awaiting the publishing of this document, believing that it contained somo generous public and chnrltable be quests, and either the endowment of an in stitution of learning or the establishment of a city library and building. It contained none of these. Mre. Masthilda Scott, the widow, and her daughter, Mrs. Mary Scott Townsend, of Philadelphia, and Mrs. Anna Wainwright Stiong. a son-lu-law, Charles H. Strong, and his trusted bushiest partner, Matthew II. Taylor, are the administrators. The only bo quot smacking of charitv was tho use of $15,000 to Miss Mary Haversticfc, tho family hoiiseUeoper, for n number of. year?. Tho property Is devised to the members of tlie lamlly geiierallv, but no reference is made to the valuable live stock on the Scott farm, or the pleasure yacht Mjstic, or any other porsonal property. The estate is estimated bv those who were familiar with Mr. Scott's affairs to have been not worth more than $7, 001,003, and. all admit that Mr. Scott's wealth was always greatly overestimated. Frize Songs for the World's Fair, xnb CnicAGO, Dec. 29. Director General Davis to-day received from a piominent Eastern manufacturing firm an offer to deposit with any one he may designate $5,C00 as a prize for the best poem or song to bu1 read or sunc at the opening ceremonies of the World's Fair, the contest to be open to the world and the prize to be awarded to the writer by a committee to bo selected by the commis sion. Tho Director General will at once place tho 'proposition belore the proper committee. ' FOR GOOD ROADS. 'Captain Ford'a Philanthropy Ho Offers n Township a Eoan.'but the Ew Prevents Its Acceptance The Mud Highways Al- int Impassable Now. ' Within the last few days complaints of bad roads in all parts of Allegheny county have been multiplying. Thearm- ing element that Is to be seen every day up at the Court House give the most authentlo accounts of the effect of last week's damp weather upon the highways. They tell about double teaming already, while several were heard to declare that their horses had been out on tho read for tho last time this winter. Captain J. B. Ford, the plate glass manu facturer, has offered to ndvanco $1,000 to East Deer township, Allegheny comity, to be spent upon permanently repairing tho main road that connects the village of Htte's with Tarentum. In probably one-half that distance the road passes throngh Captain Ford's manufacturing property," and his taxes at present form a considoiable portion of the township's revenue. However, the .road Is not much used by the big plate glass works. The wealthy owner's object is solely to stimulate the Inevitable growth of sentiment for better roads all over the State; to assist in placing East Deer township's roads In front rank, and at the same time to mako things more pleasant for his employes whose homes are scattered along the muddy highway. lbs Eaw Prevents Progress. Supervisor Edmundson has been compelled to decline the offer. Beyond a certain indebtedness this and other town ships are not permitted by law to borrow money. When the Supervisor explained this to Captain Ford, the millionaire then put his offer in another form. "Take this $3,000 for the roads as my own taxes in advance," ho said. "The township need not pay me back the monev, but simply offset It from time to time with my assessments. Using it thus, without inter est you will be enabled to put it to good ad vantage on extensive and permanent re pairs of the road." There was a certain shrewdness in this latter proposition not stated by Captain Ford, but which is embodied in a principle well known to thinkers on the economic side or thi country road problem, viz: To expend $3,000 In cash on permanent road repairs-would have actually reduced Captain Ford's taxes in the future; but that would have been a blessing, for it wonld have re duced the taxes of every other man in the township at the same time. A permanent road taxes comparatively nothing to keep in repair from year to year, while the roads as at present repaired, for each year at a time, fairly eat up taxes. This second offer, the township author ities also declined. Mr. Edmundson reasoned truthfully enough that while he would be glad to accept Ford's taxes In advance, and expend them all at once in permanent re pairs, the successors who may hereafter be elected in his place might not feel bound to carry out the obligation whifh he had ac cepted for the township. It could only be a personal matter between himself and Cap tain Ford, and he could offer no assurance that supervisors hereafter would respect it. Another legislative Blander. To a reporter of The Dispatch, Eoad Supervisor Edmundson said: "This shows what might have been done by the last Leg islature. Instead of setting up the costly and complicated maeblnery proposed in the general road law which the body tried to get through, why did they not tlmply pass a bill authorizing townships to bor row money for road pnrposes? Thero are plenty of townships far enough advanced in road education which would gladly do something more per manent than they do now, if they were clothed with this legal power. If we had had It here, we could have accepted Captain Ford's offer in a certain and regular way. At the same time by empowering townships to borrow money for road purposes, the Legis lature would not have been put in the posi tion of forcing something on the farming Clement of Pennsylvania which they did not want. It would, therefore, have encoun tered little, if any, opposition, and would have satisfied the sections of Pennsylvania which are eager to make better roads. They could then have done so without inter fering with their neighbors. I am heartily In favor of some better system or maintain ing tho roads than we have at present, and I. think you will find that sentiment Is grow ing very rapidly among agricultural people. Let townships have authority to borrow money for such purposes if they want, and the result will be that tho townshiDS that have no ambition to better things need not bother to borrow money. But the town ships which do, would gradually improve their roads to such an extent that adjacent districts would see the economlo value of good highways, and thus be gradually edu cated up to the same view of the question." Another farmer who was told what plan Mr. Edmundson proposed for the State Leg islatuie remarked: "What a grand policy that would have been for the last Legisla ture to have adopted In dealing with this problem, instead of attempting the very radical step they did. This would have stimulated the demand for good roads, ex tended the agitation of the subject by com pelling one community of farmers to see what another communtty to the east or west of them was doing in the wav otpermanent repairs, and, eventually, it would have paved the way for something more general and systematlo next winter at Harrlsbarg." The Farmers Should Wake Up. Philanthropy in the country road dilemma, as suggested by the offer of Cap tain J. B. Ford, is nothing new. Yet it, like the main question, is yet to be developed Into anything like a satisfactory condition. Captain Henry R. Bouse, who was burned to death at one of his celebrated oil wells near Rouseville, Pa., bequeathed his fortune of $80,000 to Warren county. Pa., several years ago. He directed that one-half the sum should be invested in a way that wonld furnish a permanent fund to keep up the public roads of that county, and that the other half should go into the maintenance of the poor. Since that time the interest ac cruing from tho $40,000 has been divided among 18 townships annually, in proportloa to the amount of taxes raised In each town ship. It practically amounts to very little for a township, and, a year or two ago, when The Dispatch Country Eoad Exploring Party passed through Warren county, it was found that the fund thus distributed worked rather to the disadvantage of the roads than the opposite. It had a tendency.to make larmors Indifferent: they knw they were sure of so much from the Bouse fund, and they proceeded to pare down their own tribute proportionately. At any rate, the examples of both Captain Bouse and Captain Ford should isatisfy farmers that capitalists and thinking men stond ready to aid in this great Internal improvement if they them selves make the break by letting loose the thunderbolts of public opinion nnd sec that they are properly landed at Hairisbur. Pennsylvania Ittllcf for Russia. HuKTiHQDOir, Dec. 29. Special B. F. Isen berg. Superintendent of the Honey Milling Company of this city .'proposes to grind free of charge all the grain brought to' Ills mills, and in addition, for every ten bushels given by others, he will give one bushel to the starvlne Russians. Tho Pennsylvania Rail road Will take all tho flour to the seacoast free of charge, where It will bo immediately loaded on to the Russian relief vessels. Evcrvnian is urged to givo at least one lmsl.el, and the answers aro expected to enable the first car to start East in a few dais. The Sick In Washington. Washikgtox, D. C. Dec. 20. Senator Proc tor's slight attack of grip still confines him to his residence. Com;iessman Wright is better to-dav. Speaker Crisp is stronger, and is able to f;t up. Assistant Secretary Nettleton Is confined to his residence with grip. Perhaps tho Wrinkles Will Be Gone. ' Washington Post. 1 . Perhaps when Congress meets next week- It win be found that Santa ciauar has smoothed out some of the wrinkles. A Hard Problem to Solve. Chicago Times. 1 In a few days people will be trying to solve, tho problem which is harder to keep," a good resolution or o, uiary t PEINCET0N Will. BE BENEFITED. Directors of the Union Theological Sem inary Likely to Lose Brqaes ts. New York, Deo. 29. Special.' Trie oppo nents of Prof., Charles A. Briggs in the Pres byterian Church have frequently asserted that Union Theological Seminary would suffer in the end for standing by Its pro fessor of Biblical Theology, after the Gen eral Assembly of 1891 had disapproved of his appointment. It was said that the Pres byteries would not send their ministerial candidates to an institution which had practically cut away froin the church's highest governing body Dy its action. There is no appreciable difference in tho number of students entering Union this year, but nearly a 'dozen presby teries bave passed resolutions directed against Union at 'their fall meetings. Some of. these directly charge the seminary with maintaining heretical teachings, and stated that the presbyteries wonld not send any more of their students to the seminary until Its objectionable teachers were removed. It was plain to see that In these bodies Prof. Briggs was considered a heretic in spite of the decision of the New York Presbytery. By next year there may be a falling off in tho Union's students, but the seminary di rectors feel confident that the number of those who stay away will be mado up by liberal-minded young men who will come to Union for theological Instruction. The point has also been made by the op pdncnts of Union Seminary that the endow ments she has received in thejast were given with tho understanding that the insti tution should always be under the control of the General Assembly. They have warned ino uirectors, too, mac iney woum lose many bequests, which would not come to them under the present condition of affairs. The directors have maintained vigorously .that many of the Presbyterians who have done tho most for the Union Seminary were heartily in sympa thy with tho directors in their recent action. But the first news of a be quest to be cut off from Union In conse quence of the controversy over Prof. Briggs comes from Marvland. John T. De Sellnm. of Bockvllle, Md., who has recently died, made a will some time ago leaving his prop erty to the Union Theological Seminary. But when his will was read It was found that he had altere'l it a short time before his death so that his propertv valued at about $21,000 went to Princeton 'Theological Semi nary instead of Union. Mr. Do Sellum had taken a deep Interest in the discussion over Union Seminary, and when the Presbytery of Washington City, to which he belonged, passed resolutions directly against Professor Briggs and Union Seminary, he decided to leave his property to an institution of whose orthodoxy there could be no question. This action has ex cited no little Interest in the Piesbyterian Church at largo, and It will undoubtedly, help to revive mnch of the feeling or Unions friends against Princeton Seminary, which was first voiced so forcibly in Dr. Charles H. Parkhurst's famous sermon, In which he attacked Princeton vigorously. It Is pretty certain that if Union does suffer any losses Princeton will benefit by them. M'KINLEY TO BLAINE. A Self-Explanatory Letter From Ohio's Governor-Elect on the Subject of Hides. WASHiifOTDif, D. C., Dec. 29. The following letter to Seoretary or State Blaine will ex plain itself:. My Dear Mr. Blaine: Your letter of the 4th Instant, Inclosing Hon. George Halsey's letter, is at hand. Mr. Hilsey niust have misunderstood mc. I could not have told him that you favored a duty on hides, for at some time in the course of the consideration of the tariff bill, you wrote roe an earnest letter protest ing against taking hides from the free list and. placing them upon the dutiable list. I return you Mr. Halsey's letter, and will he glad ir you will send him mine. Very truly yours, William McKisley. Jr. DEPOPULATING THE COUNTRY. Gitrp Is assisting the "green Christmas" to fulfill the old saw about a "fat graveyard." , Chicago Mail. It is no longer "La Gripne," but the grip. It has got pretty thoroughly anglicised Boston Herald. Gmr, the railroads and dynamite are all conspiring against the next census. Louis ville Courier-Journal. , It Is high time Secretary Rusk was turn ing a little cold weather loose on the grip germs. Washington Post. I The grip Is epidemic in New York, bnt Mr. Cleveland is exempt. He has had his and lost it. Minneapolis Tribune. The Tuscarora Indians in this State are down with the "grip." If the "grip" is strong enough they will bo kept on tho reservation. Sew York Advertiser. DEATHS HEBE AND ELSEWHERE. Mrs. Aurella Mills Wync'oop. Mrs. Aurelia Mills "Wynkoop died In Washington, Saturday, at the residence of her son, the iiev. Theodore 8. Wynkoop. Mrs. Wynkoop was the daughter of the late Isaac Mills, of Xew Haven, and the widow of the Eev. R, S, Wyn koop, who was for many years a Presbyterian mis sionary to India. Mrs. Wynkoop accompanied her husband to India, and took an active part In his work. After her husband's death she accompanied ber son to the same country, where he confined the work begun by his father. Mrs. WjTikoop was of i great age, but to the last was a charmlpg and Vivacious woman, a brilliant musician, composer, and conversationalist, with a singularly retentive memory. She made several voyages around the globe after reaching what, ia usually denominated old age, She has resided In Washington for nearly 15 yctrs, with her son, and has always been active with him In the work of the church of which he is pastor the Western Presbyterian. Mrs, Anna Thnrlow. A cablegram received Monday in this city announced tlie death of Mrs. Anna Thurlowln London, England. Mrs. Thnrlow was the mother of Harry Tliurlow, well known by his police ser vice, and now employed by tlie Allegheny Light Company in this city, Mrs. Thnrlow visited her son Ave years ago and stayed three years In Pitts burg, and during that time made many friends here, especially In the rongrrgatlon of Hev. E. K. Donehoo, of the Eighth Presbyterian Church, of which she was a member, bhe was the widow of Epliralm Tliurlow, and her only surviving son Is Harry Tliurlow. Alfred Cellier, Composer. Alfred Cellier, the composer, is dead ia London. He had been suffering from the grip for about two weeks, and on that account was unable to finish the orchestration of "The Mountebank," the comic opera which Is the Joint work of himself andW. 8. Gilbert, In time for production at the date first set. Obituary Motes. JAMES KEM.XV, of Harrlsvllle, W. Va., a noted young lawyer and orator, has died of the grip. Albert Galiatin Leon-abd. at one time a Collector of Internal Revenue, and Joseph J. Weth erlll, both prominent men of Farsersburg, have died of tbc grip. Malcolm Cabuthibs, a prominent member of thcChlcaKobaranda son of Judge J. Caruthers. .died A ery suddenly of heart disease Monday morn ing, ageu'to jcaie. Stabb MonRissEV. one of the best known of the younzer theatrical business managers of New Yorkrdied at St. Vincent's Hospital Mondayinoru lug alleratno-montbs' sickness. Johm V. Fabbab, manager of Good's lOpcra House, South Bend, Ind.. Is dead, aged 43. He was a nath e of Maine, and for T-iany years had been in the theatrical business as a i auce agent or man ager. Rtv. William Potteb is dead at Hampden, Geauga county, 0 at the age of 93. Father" Potter, as he was familiarly known, had for three 5 ears been the oldtst Congregational minister in the world. Rev. William Addy. a well-known Presbyte rian clergyman, died recently at his home at Ma rietta, . He was 07 years old. Mr. Addy was a native of Illghgatc. Yt and was graduated from Middlebury College. Bkxjamin RCTUKEroBD Fitz, an artist of ex cellent reputation and much promise, died on Sun day at his home at Peoonlc, I. I., uf a complica tion of asthma and heart trouble. Ills beat knutvu work was in portrait and landscape nalutlng. JACOB I). COXXEK, Clerk of the Missouri Su preme Court, died at Jefferson City Monday inorn Jng from the effects of paralysis, with which he was stricken ten davs ago. Captain Conner was 53 years of age and a native of Maryland. UL'siinoo Nobturop, who moved to Washington, Pa., fromjlollvar, 2f. Y., last June, died Monday of apoplexy, aged 71 years. Hewasslttlng In his parlor pliing with his grandchild when lie wa stricken. He was the father of K, V. Northrop, the well-known machinist. David IIumphriy Gilbert, of Plymouth. Mass., an lmentor of some note, died Sunday. While working as carpenter for Isaac Crehor. tho playing-card manufacturer of Rostuu. he saw the disadvantages of band labor lit making cardboard, and Invented the pasting machine. Dr. Bass Rawsox, the oldest pioneer of Han cock county. O., having settled In FlndUy In l&SI at a time when there were but 12 white families within the condnes of the county, died there yes lerday In the residence he has occupied lor over half armiturv. His remarknhln affe. of nearlr IU .j ears, made him an interesting figure, and yet he lias an older brother now living a.nd In active health. MUSIC MASTERS MEET, The Pennsylvania Association Convenes in Carnegie-Hall Features of an Interest ing Session Social Chat of the Two Cities. The Pennsylvania Music Teachers' Asso ciation opened Its third annnal convention yesterday morning in Carnegie Hall, the'big organ pealing forth the announcement at the hands or Prof. D. D. Wood, of Philadel phia. Tlie morning session beginning at 10 o'clock was composed of a formal address of welcome by Mr. J. J. 3Iiller,a response by President Charles Davis Carter and an esbay by ex-Presldent William Wolfsleffer. Mr. Miller spoke in the place of Andrew Carnegie, who was nnable to be present, nnd by the sudden call ont ot town of the Mayor, Hon. H. I. Gourley, who had been se lected to perform the pleasant task first al lotted to Mi. Carnegie. A letter of regret from this last named gentlenftn contained $250 accompanied oy many expressions of good will. Mr. Miller spoke well, though he erred jn the supposi tion a supposition which was the ground work of his speech that the State Musical Association convenedin Allegheny forother reason than the cogent one that Pittsburg does not possess a hall suitable for such an event, and that, therefore, he was not In the anomalous position he thought himself to be. His speech was on a plane much over the intelligent audience he was addressing. President Carter respondedto the welcome in 'what might be termed a professional speech, and, at the same time, a thoroughly enjoyable one. Difference of Theory and Practice. Developing the thinking powers of pupils was tho subject of a thoughtfully written essay by Mr. Wolfsleffer, on a matter worn threadbare in theory, but unfortunately too new In practice. Here time was called for luncheon. A piano recital by Mr. Constantin Sternberg, or Philadelphia, formed the opening or the afternoon's programme. Considering the weather, there was a good audience present, largely feminine, too, with at the same time a good sprinkling of members of the other sex. The pianist had one great advantage in appear ing berore the audience when it was thor oughly unwearied and willing to be pleased, and he profited by it bv gaining its entire attention, and proved himself worthy by holding it through his whole delightful entertainment, Mr, Sternberg is a poetical player; an ex cellence which would cover many a fault which his playing docs not display. Our own musical writer, Mr. Ad. M. Foerster, re ceived the compliment of a capital produc tion of a new work, opus 33, played for the first time by a strong quartette, com posed of Messrs, John Gernest, Leo Oebraler John Overhauser and Charles L. Cooper. That earnest young student of the violin, Mr. Gernest, was heard to exceedingly ad vantage. The other selections, announced to be sang by Miss Bltts, next on the pro gramme were omitted through the illness of the singer, and Mr. Maurits Leefson piano recital followed immediately. Perfection of Mechanical Excellence. Mr. Leefson delighted his audience with the perfection or his mechanical excellence, as well as his display or reeling, and that bis; work did not evoke the hearty applause given to bis fellow townsman was largely one to the fact that he came at the latter part of a well 'stocked programme and the hearers we're slightly exhausted with the good things they had been led upon. Mr. Morris Stephens, a Plttsdnrger Just home from abroad and recently appointed tenor at Shadyside Presbyterian Church, sang the selection "How Vain Is Man," from Judas Maceabeus in a clear, ringing voice, and was complimented by a warmly expressed ap plause. Mr. Albert W. Borst brought iiiu uiierjioon session to a close by a magnificent organ recital. He labored under the disadvantage at first or not knowing his Instrument, as well as being obliged to climb up and down to the organ stool when a change or music demanded. At the beginning of the Inter mission a pupil brought up on the Virgil Practice Clavier was brought before the audience, and a display made-of her success as a student. The inventor of the system, Mr. Sumner Salter, was present and dis coursed on Its merits. Mr. Brockett also was prevented by sick ness from appearing in the evening. Among the other fine things was Miss Kadorly's singing, among her selections being a new song, "1 Saw Thee Weep," by Mr. Foerster. Though society in Pittsburg is as conser vative as that or any other city in the conn try, it has dropped the fashion or New Year's calling with dispatch and completeness. A series of carefully selected interviews with society women unearthed the fact that the custom Is frowned upon here, though whether because it is an American fashion that never received approval abioad, or be cause or the punch howl, is not so assured. However, it must be said tbat there is a deal of more substantial worth here than almost anywhere else, and everything is not indged from the mere point of view of a la mode. A little New Year's calling will donbtless be observed, but it will be largely among fami lies possessing a large circle of connections. As this is the time when sweet things are particularly In season, excepting sweet girls, who are always In season, a word or counsel may be In season also. Ir you eat candy in tho evening, make a visit to your toothbrush, or else you will mnke one in a short timo to your dentist. Don't eat candy before dinner; better fast until dinner; and don't eat It tho first thing in the morning, as breakfast then is mnch the better selection. Don't eat poor candy: prefer seldom and less to often and much, and nourishing a body to building a corpse. Pay for your candy as you go, or let him do it, if he wishes. Social Chatter. At the second of tho Monday evening dance series the patronesses present were: Mrs, A. E. W. Painter, Mrs. B. F. Jones, Mrs. Henry W. Oliver, Mrs. William II. Singer, Mrs. Park Painter, Mrs. George F. Robinson, Mrs. Alex Lauirhlln. Jr., Mrs. Wynn R. Sew ell, Mrs. Joseph R. Dllworth. Mrs. Henrv B. Rea, Mrs. George Edward Painter, Mrs. Albert H. Chllds, Mi a. William H. Forsyth, Mrs. Walter L. McClintock, Mrs. John II. Ricketson, Mrs. James B. Oliver, Mrs. Will iam Ross Proctor, Mrs. William Walter Willock, Mrs. Frank P. Sproul, Mrs. Mark W. Watson, Mrs. John S. Hays, Mrs. George W. Jones, Mrs. Goorge W. Dllworth, Mrs. John S. Dickson, Mrs. Joseph O. Horno. Mrs. Charles Albert Painter and Mrs. James Wood. In furthor protest against the proponnder I of the query "For what purpose, anyway, la I the Women's Committee of the World's Fair iij existenco?" a long circular has ap- S eared, purporting to throw a light on this ark subject. From the way in which the ladies and gentlemen connected with the Columbian Exhibition are complimenting each other, one would suppose that the world or gentle folk certainly was not repre sented In either committee. The Oriuda Club save the third of Its dance series last night at the Linden Club house, under the patronage of Mrs. Frank Llndsey, Mrs."W. F. Aull, Mrs. Edw. Norrae cutt, Mrs. Charles Curry; About 70 young people were present, and took part m the enjovable dance, afterward discussing one of Kulm's best suppers. The Committee on Invitations is compoxed of Mr. Emorv Dravo, Ml. J. A. Aull, Mr. E. Kehow, Mr. W. Heppehstall and Mr. George S. Proctor. A. C Scbibxer, Greek nnd English Litera ture Master at the Western University, wns matrlcd on Monday evening to Miss Mary Leo Myers nt the residence of the bride's lather In Plalnficld, N. J. The guests In cluded the families of both and their most lntlmnto fiiends. among whom were some of Mr. Scribner'sacanaintances In town. Mr. Scribner is a favorite in educational and so cial circles, and naturally a cordial welcome y, ill be given to his young wife. St. Bridget's Cutjuch, of Wylle avenue.will give a tea-party to-night in tho new school house, specially arranged for n festive pur pose, and which will continue on tho follow ing evening. Tho tea-party will be in the loner hull, nnd upstjlrs there will be a dnnco nt a later hour. The pleasing per sonality of the rocontly appointed rector is having its leuard In tho ever increasing grow th of his congregation. A virnr English fashion some years ago was toinakeusoof old Christinas cards, always taking care, sometimes with unfortunate re. suits, that "thev were not returned to their givers of a year before. Tho eco nomical practice, therefore, has been spoiled by a fashion set this year, which rendered Imneiatlve the use of tho name andaddtess on eyery Christmas greeting of this nature. Mr. axd Mrs, TBuar, of Edgewoodvllle, will entertain with curds to-night in honor of a Philadelphia friend who is their guest at present. Far tha nonce tho Pennsylvania local system will prove a formidable rival of the electric road, as Mr. Trump has ar ranged for a special Main to carry home his guests at 1 o'clock in the morning. w hem tue princely house on ifiuge avenue, i which-1 HnUeury Oliver Is enlarging add- J redecorating Is completed, it will have arrangements for two distinct establish ments, so that Mr. and Mrs. Oliver's daughter, Mrs. Harvey Bea may continue under the parental roof. Mrs. Bea is an only daughter and much loved by her parents. MB. William Havexeteb. Of Xew York, whose wife has Madame Geraldy-DeUarte for her friend and guest, has six Rembrandts banging on the walls of her New York residence. Their price could not be rompnted, since they aro among the finest examples of the master's work. Mb. ahd Mrs. Audbzw Carsxoie were among the guests at the coming-out ball given by Jay Gould for his daughter. Miss Helen, who is Just 19, and a rival in beauty or her lovely sister-in-law, young Mra. George Gould. Invitations for the wedding of Miss Lewis and Mr. Joseph Marshall were Issued yester day. They announce that the ceremony will take placo in the Fourth Avenue Bap tist Church on Thursday evening, Jan nary 7. W. H. Rezch, the furniture man, gave the annnal banquet to his employes at tlio Seventh Avenue Hotel last evening. The Grand Army Band furnished the music. Everybody present had a good time. It is said that young Reuben Miller, IY.. who Is a promising Yale man, affects, poetry In his spare moments; and doesn't write it badly, either. TO-3IOHT a children's party at Mrs. C. B. McLain's house in Wineblddle avenue. BICIFB0CITY WITH'NEIGHBOBS. The British West Indies Come In Under the New Order ot Things, Washtkgtox, D. C, Dec. 29. A reciprocity arrangement has been entered into between Secretary Blnine and tho British Minister, to embrace the British West Indian colo nies of Jamaica, Barbadocs, the Leeward and Windward Islands(oxcepting Grenada), Trinidad and the colony of British Guiana. It is expected tbat the arrangement will go into operation as to the West Indian colo nies named on February 1 next and as to British Guiana March 31 next. The official proclamation and correspondence will probably not be issued for ten days or two weeks, as It must await notice that tne tariff legislation of the colonies rendered neces sary by the arrangement has been enacted. The following are the principal articles to be admitted free of all duty and any other national, colonial or municipal charges. Animals alive: beef; beef and pork preserved in cans; printed matter in all languages: bottles or glass or stoneware; bran, middlings and shorts, carts, wagons, cars and barrows, not including vehicles of pleasure: cottonseed and its products: eggs: fertilizers of all kinds, natural aud artificial: i ariinc oysters nsn, iresn or on ice. ana saimnn anu oysters in cans: fruits and vegetables, fresh and dried, when not canned, tinned or bottled; gold and silver eoln of the United States and bullion; hay and straw for forage; ice; Inula rubber and gutla pereha goods; Implements; ntentlls and tools for agriculture: lime of all kinds: all materials and appliances for railways and tramways; paper of all kinds for printing and wrapping; photographic apparatus and chemicals: all accessories for printing: quick silver: rosin, tar, pitch and turpentine; Salt: sew ing machines: shipbuilding materials. Including wire rope: starch of Indian corn or maize: steam and power engines; steam boilers and steam pipes; sulphur; tanbark; electrical apparatus and nn pllancesof allklnds for communication onllumina tlon: trees, plants, vines and seeds and grains of all kinds for propagatloa or cultivation; wire for fehces; proprietary medicines. The following affect Jamaica only: Coal and cokp; sugar, refined; wire for fences, for appliances for fastening the same; zinc, tin and lead in sneets. It is understood that the packages or cov erings in which the articles named in the foregoing schedule are imported shall be free of duty ir they are usual and proper for the purposes. Articles to be admitted at SO per rent re duction of the duty designated in the cus toms tariff no w in force: Bacon and bacon hamj; bread and biscuit; butter; cheese: lard and Its compounds: lumber of pitch pine, in rough or prepared for buildings to be re duced to 9 shillings per 1,000 feet. Artloles to be admitted at 25 per cent re duction of the duty designated in the cus toms tariff now in force: Beef, salted or pickled; corn and maize: corn meal: oats: petroleum and Its products, crude or refined; pork, ealted or pickled: wheat. YANKEE F1SHEBS SLIGHT CANADA. The Effect of Newfoundland's Friendship for Uncle Sam Showing Itself. Ottawa, Dec, 29. Twenty-one fewer modus Vivendi licenses were taken out by American vessels during the present year than in 1800. Last year tho Newfoundland Government Issued no licenses to American, vessels, on the ground that the Americans abused the privilege to snpplybalt to French vessels pursuing their operations off the coasts of Newfoundland. This year they gave the New Englanders free licenses and refused to allow Canadian fishermen to purchase bait at all. Under these circumstances tha number of Canadian licenses taken out by the Americans shows that the privilege Is ap- Jireolatcd. In 1889 Canada and Newfonnd and Issued licenses which were honored in the ports of either country. Plttsbnrgers in New York. New York, Dec. 29. operiot The follow ing Pittsburgers registered at New York hotels to-day: J. A. Allcock, Gedney: J. Arbuckle, Morton House: Miss Barr, Hoff man House: P. T. andW.Bauman, St. James; S. Bissel, St. Denis Hotel; Miss Crawford, Holland; H. I. Gourley, St. Denis Hotel; V, Preston, Hoffman House; Mrs. Relnbart, St. Denis Hotel: J. H. Thomas. St. Denis: W. H. Applnbv. Continental; J. K7. Ellewood. St. Denis; J. Hochberg, St. Denis: J. H. Laf terty, St. Denis: J. S. Mahon, Westminster; C. M. Petti t, St. Stephens Hotel: R. Shiel, St. Stephens' Hotel. Asked for a Day Off and Got a Redaction. Cahton, Dec. 29. Special. Thirty-three moulders employed by the Malleable Iron Works and Elbel & Co. aro out on a strike. Tlie trouble originated in a dispnto about working a day after Christmas and men wantlhg their pay Christmas eve instead of on Saturday, The company then discharged all and took them back as Indi viduals under a 10 per cent reduction of wages. This reduction has been contem plated some tlme.and leaves wages the sanio as they were four years ago when tho ad vance was made. Rival Encampments of Knights. Erie, Dec. 29. icciat Somo time ago the Knights of St. John and Malta organized an encampment. In Erie, and now.Evander Youngs, the Deputy of Erie county, has caused the arrest of C J. Blushing, the third officer In tho .Erie encampment, on the charge of larceny of a ritual. The animus of this proceeding is that Blushing is organizing a rival branch of the Malta under the direotion of Chanter General Staltz, of Philadelphia. Each branch charges the other with being spurious and clandestine The Accounts Are Balanced. New York Press. Broker Field refuses to eat. Somo of his former customers aro without anything to eat. Thus thero Is balancing of accounts. What Could They Say on the Tarifl. New York Recorder. Ex-Prosidont Cleveland declines to talk on the tariff or on silver. What could lie or any one else say new on these subject? GRAINS OF CHILE PEPPER. Chij-E is evidently coming to her senses. A handy club is a great peacemaker. JfiVine- apolLr Tribune. AVitji Chile it happilv looks now as if champagne was the only thing we are going to soill- Sew York Recorder. Well, Chile's investigation of the Balti more cplsodo is completed. What does Undo Sam propose to do about ltT CAfcejro Mad. ALTHoron the troubles with Chile are likclv to he amicably adjusted, it is well that "the navy bo piepared for action should occasion require. Cleveland Plain Dealer. There wnsCliilo sauce on many n Christ mas dinner tabic in the United States, but It does not follow that this Yankee nation will fako much sauce from Chile iV'ew York Press. Brkb Mostt. of Chile, will pleaso take notice that Uncle Sam's new smokeless pow ders beat the compounds offered by John Ball and his European rivals "all hollow."' Salon Olobe. The day Chile "burns the American lega tion,'' us threatened, she. caudate as the start on her down track to mm. Uncle Sam is a HUlo slow to get mad, but -when he does the nitrate beds" will De opon to new occu pants, Chicago Inter-Ocean. CURI0DS CONDENSATIONS- The gold plate at "Windsor is valued at - 2,C00,CC0. Paris has 190 public schools for boji) and 171 for girls. In California strawberries are now ripe and in plentiful supply. X Michigan minister has recently mar ried a negress whom he converted. The coal taken to London by rail and canal exceeds 8,0DO,oeO tons per annum. " - To photograph a flying insect requires an exposure or 1-25,000 part of a second. The proportion of Anglo-Saxon words in tho English Bible is 97 percent or the whole. .f- There are now about two and a quarter millions of acres in Scotland occupied by deer forests. Maryland has a boy 17 years old who it 6 feet 4J Inches high and weighs 185 pounds. He lifts 330 pounds with ease. The Sultan has prohibited Turkish" women from wearing French costumes In the streets of Constantinople. To procure rain the Peruvians used to ' setaDlnck sheep In a field, pour chica over it and give it nothing to eat till rain fell. An island comprised of about 50 acres of rice land has broken loose In a river near Depere, Wis., and is floating down tho stream. j The valne of the Crown of England, exclusive or the cost of the metal, is 100,- 000. It has been rour times in pawn; once for 2,000 only! The musk antelope can send forth such a powerful odor of mu3kthat even at the distance of 100 yards he can smother his enemy to death. The first Russian newspaper was pub lished In 1703. Peter the Great took a per sonal part in Its editorial composition and in correcting proofs. The St. Lawrence river is the only ab solutely fioodless river in the world. Its greatest variation, caused by drought or rain, never exceeds a toot. Hindostan, Martin county, Ind., has disappeared from the race of the earth. It was once countv seat, and in tho early days an important trading post. The banking business in London is much greater on the fourth of every month than on other days, as drafts and acceptances commonly mature on the 1st 1th. --A full-blooded Indian of the Omaha tribe, Martin Chase, has been admitted to jiratlco in theTederal Court at Omaha. This is Nebraska's first and only Indian lawyer. Cigar ashes are used for medical pur poses as a cure for ringworm, epidemic scarlatina, etc They are useful on account of the lime and alcoholic properties they contain. The Speaker of the House of Commons draws a salary of 5,000 a year while In office, and when he retires he is raised to the peerage, and recclvesapeusion of -1,000. The Deputy Speaker receives a salary of 2,500. There are ten main lines of railway centering in London. Of these 2,210 suburban trains run in and out daily, while the main line trains are only about 410. The ten lines carry 100,000,030 suburban passengers per annum. According to this theory of Mr. Thomp son, the-end of the world (which is 10,000,000 years In the future) will not be brought about by excessive heat, as hinted in the Biblcbut by the remnant of humanity being frozen to death. In recent years a number of expedi tions, scientific and commercial, have touched at Nova Zembla, but the island is still little known, and even the greater part of its coast line is not yet accurately laid down on the map3. t In "Waterbury, Conn., an engine which stands on a space of 7-16 of an inch square nd reaches a height of of an inch has been made. It has 148 parts held together by 52 screws. The diameter of the cylinder Is 1-26 of an inch and the wholo weighs three grains. The sacred standard at Constantinople is believed to be formed of the nether gar ment of Mohammed, and a pair of his py jamas, which are reverentially preserved at Lahore, are held by the faithrul to have miracnlously extinguished a fire at that placo no longer ago than 1819. The Japanese believe in more mythical creatures than any other people on tho globe, civilized or savage. Among them are mythical animals without any remarkable peculiarities of conformation, but gifted with supernatural attributes: such as a tiger which Is said to live to be 1,000 yeara old, and to turn as white as a polar bear. Abduction became so common in Eng land In the reigns of Tudor princes that a statute was passed on the subject, and this was followed by an act of Etizabeth, which took awav tho benefit or clergy rrom the offender, and It was not till so late as the reign of George IV. that the crime ceased to be a capital offense and punishable with deatb. The Chinese cultivated wheat 2,700 years before the beginning of the Christian era, always considering it as a girt direct from heaven. Scientific agriculturists are or the opinion that it was widely known and cultivated by prehistoric man. At the pres ent time it is the principal bread corn or tho leading European nations, and is fast sup planting tho use or maize, or Indian corn, in the American states. In the district of Transylvania when the ground is parched with drouth, soma girls strip themselves naked, and, led by an older woman, who Is also naked, they steal a harrow and carry It across the field to a brook, where they set it afloat. Next they sit on the harrow and keep a tiny flame bnrning on each corner or it for an hour. Then thev leave the harrow in the water and go home confident that rain will fol low. The total of the sun's heat is equal to that which wonld bo required to Keep up 476,000 millions of millions of millions of horse-power, or about 78,001 horse-power, for every square yard, and yet tho modern dynamical theory or heat shows that the sun's mass must full in or contract 35 meters per annum to keep up that tremendous energy. At this rate of "contraction the solarradins will bo one-hundredth per cent less in 2,000 years rrom now than it is to day. BHYNKLES ASP KHYMELETS. "This mince- pie is delicions," said Cad- Iey lo Mrs. Noorich. Have you the receipt for it?" "Sir?" said the lady, indignantly. Recelptr No, sir, 1 have not. because I have not yet received the bill." Uarper'a Bazar. "While Past or Future Christmas makes , A most Important ghost. Allknow the Christmas present is What some folks prize the most. Washington Star, Boarding House Keeper That ltathbono takes after both Ills father and mother. Frienrt-How so? Boarding House Keeper One eats arlong time and the other a good dcat Puclr. "Johnny, Johnny," said the minister, as he met an n'rcnln one Sunday afternoon, carrying a string of tlsb, Do tl.ese Dciong lo you.-- "Ve-es, slr;voBsee that's what they got for chasing worms on Sunday.' Spare Moments. Oh, never, converse with a dynamite fiend, Tbo' harmless to yon lie may seem. For he with his creed is so well magazined. So brimmed to the Up with his scheme. So utterly crammed with the same thro' and thro That if on the theme yon'd embark. A deadly explosion would litely ensue If he'd happen to drop a remark. Boston Courier. Chappie Aw, I'd like to dwop myself Into your aw beg pardon, stocking, on Cwlsmas Eve. doncherknow. as a Cwlsinss present. Miss ITlve Thanks, but I'd prefer to have some thing different from what's la It every day In the year. Brooklyn Eagle. Bunker What's your hurry, old man? Hill (a suburban resident) Not a moment to spare. If 1 shoul'l miss this train, I wouldn't get home In time enough to U'e the train coming bacc Puds. Of all things on earth there are To drive a man to drink. The worst Is a rickety sleeping ear. Where you lie awake and think. .Veu York Ikratd. - "Xow look at the situation in Europe " 'I don't want to know anything about thestt-j nation ia iuropc." "All right. It you don't want to know anytbla muoufr iuv suusiiou in Auropo reau the cables patcnes about u." .iw lor frets.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers