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JEHE ' -PITTSBUKGl;DiSPATGH; ' SATURDAY; ' '' FEBRUARY ! 13, "189a
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Every Business Man Should Read
TO-MORROW'S DISPATCH.
It 'Will Glvo the Details or
OHIO'S CANAL SYSTEM
And Explain the Movement for a
LAKE AND RIVER CONNECTION.
Here are some other treats:
tfnrat IIa!strad on Florence
Mark Twain's Great Story.
Bob Burdette's Hnaior,
accessor to Pope, iTeo.
W nr Stories bjr Carpenter.
Protestant Sisterhoods.
Tlin Republic of Uruguay.
Bonnets for Easter.
Chemistry of the Kitchen.
Every field of human interest touched
upon. Variety on every rage. Tho Parer
Bill entertain and instruct. A page of read
ing for woinejt and another for young
people.
A TRDTHFDL MIRROR
In Which the World's Doings Arc
Reflected.
PECI1L CABLE SERVICE
And leased -Kites to every important
citv in America.
ESTABLISHED FKBRUAltY.
1S4G
Vol. :. Xo 3.-Enteml at Pittsburg
Fostofllcc
Nmcmber, IS", as seconn-ciass mailer.
Business Office Corner Smithfield
and Diamond Streets.
News Rooms and Publishing House
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"VlTTMSLjIG. SATLrtIAV. FEBItUARY 13.
TWELVE PAGES
1Hf. DIITEKKNCE 1TMAK1.
The hiatus between the valuation of
propertv for the city to buy and the valu
ation of property for the county to tax
never gaped to more alarming breadth
than is shown by a comparison from the
pleasant uplands of Plum township.
In Jtbat beautifully rolling district, it
will be remembered that, not long ago, the
price placed on farminc land ranged from
$300 to SfiOO per acre. It was the result of
various investigations and a large amount
of negotiation, private and public, that
the lower price was the cheapest at which
the city could obtain a roor farm. It is
Btunmns to find within a year from that
time affidavits flowing into the County
Commissioners office from the owners of
that pleasant section that their lands are
wortli only from S30 to S60 per acre.
It does not seem possible that land can
be wortli only one-tenth as much to pay
taxe on as to sell to the city. The im
mense difference it makes in a man's idea
of his property whether the money is to
come in or go out has an unequalled illus
tration in this cae.
THE CirY COUNCILS CANVAS.
Ward meetings to put up candidates for
Tuesday's election continue at a lively
rate. There has not been such interest in
the choice of Councilraen for several
years. Thus the assessment stir and the
acitation over the city expenses for '92
ltave done some Rood.
While property owners as a class have
done the most protesting against extrava
gant appropriations and increased taxes,
it is the wage-earners who have most at
stake. Ultimately the taxes get most cer
tainly shifted around through rents and
the cost of living upon the shoulders of
labor. If the workingmen of the city,
whether they be property owners or not,
decide to vote for candidates who are
pledged to keep the tax rate down, the in
fluence of their votes will be conclusive.
THE ONLY REMEDY.
After stating that Senator Hill has left
his-post at Washington to manage his ma
chine at Albany, and that at the same time
Lieutenant Governor Sheenan of New
York has left his .post at Albany to look
after the machine at Buffalo, the New
Tork World presents this query, which has
a national significance '"Is the running of
machines, then, the work for -winch men
arc elected to high office?"
The esteemed World should be.able to
answer its own question. It is a fact,
patent to every impartial observer, that in
the opinion of a certain class of politicians
equally represented in both great parties,
that the running of machines is what they
are there for. The Constitution, whether
of the State or nation, defines the work to
be done by the incumbents of tile-offices to
which they are elected, but the customs
and methods of the system of politics
which place them there make it impera
tive upon them to put the management of
their political machines far ahead in im
portance of the discharge of the duties for J
which they draw salaries from the funds
of the people. It is unnecessary to specify
the example-! of this class, either on the
Republican or Democratic .side; but from
the .standpoint of su'-h men the answer to
the World's query must be unhesitatingly
in the allirmtive.
This fact being recognized, what is the
remedy? The Dispatch has held that
the only way in which the abuses that in
evitably result from such a theory of duty
can be prevented is independent political
action whenever such men, or their sup
porters receive a party nomination. The
character of this class of men, as a rule,
is no secret The men who aided to. put
David Bennett Hill in his high position
had cverj reason to expect that he would
prefer the direction of machine politics to
the discharge of his legislative duties.
Tlf esteemed World when it supported
him did so. with full notice of his char-
JljeBifijj.
actcr and antecedents. Why should it not
recognize that the present development of
machine politics in New York is the
logical result of the political movement
which commanded its approval less than
ninety days ago?
If the World hr.s any other remedy for
the abuses it points out, now is the time to
present it. If it has not, it is logically
driven to the endorsement of that inde
pendence -which disregards psrty lines
when the elevation of .machine politicians
is proposed.
! Tim TVATJGRWJIY RECOMMENDATION.
I The report of the House Commtyteq on
j Inter-State and Foreign Commerce, in
favor of a joint resolution requesting the
I President to negotiate for a freer use of
! the Canadian canals by vessels of our lake
' commerce passinsr to the ocean. Is com-'
mendablu or otherwise, according to its
ultimate purpose. If it is intended simply
to give a wider scope to the present oppor
tunities for reaching the ocean from the
lakes, it is a highly desirable step. If it is
presented as a substitute for the national
policy of rrcating a system of internal
waterways from the ocean to the lakes,
and from the lakes to the rivers, it is a
miserable and inadequate makeshift.
Unfortunately there arc circumstances
in connection witli the report which give
it the latter aspect. It is presented after
consideration bv the committee of the
proposition for a ship canal from the lakes
to the Hudson river. We are not pre-
j pared to say that the project outlined
; was the best one for such a canal, although
there is no doubt that for a pernianent
solution of tho waterway question
if the committee's recommendation is to
be taken as such they have recommended
the worst possible policy To rely upon
Canadian canals as the outlet for our lake
commerce would under trie most favorable
arrangement be but a slight improvement
on present conditions. It would locatQ
the route by which that commerce must
pass in the territory of another Govern
ment. It would place whatever advan
tage are to be secured by the control of
waterways in the hands of Canada instead
of the United States. It would cause re
liance on a route that is closed by ice
months longer than one in bur own terri
tory. Th"e relative commercial pdvsn
tages of the two routes is sufficiently in
dicated by the fact that at psesent Canada
has ship canal connections from Lake
Erie to the ocean, and yet the great bulk
of the export grain trade from the lakes
passes through the Erie Canal with less
than half the depth of its Canadian
rivals.
With regard to the political aspects of
such an arrangement It would be consid
ered as a permanency less unsatisfactory.
It would place the outlet of our lake com
merce at the mercy of a foreign power,
subject to disturbance by the abrogation
of treaties, and would thereby put a club
in the hands of a possibly hostile British
or Canadian administration. Above all, in
the one political aspect in which canal
communications are vital, namely, the
naval-control of the lakes, it would simply
amount to a complete surrender. What
is wanted is ship canal communication
within the territory of the United States.
It is all right to propose to secure freer
passage for lake vessels of the United
States through the Canadian canafs and to
offer similar privileges, if needed, for Ca
nadian vessels through our canals when
built. But to let such a proposition post
pone or displace the national policy of in
ternal waterways would be a blunder of
such gigantic dimensions as to approach
the criminal degree.
THE ATTACK OV ALGER.
If Governor Alger's explanation of tfie
War Office records is correct he has been
the victim of a cruel injustice. Ilis state
ment published in yesterday's Dispatch
reads like a candid narrative. It may ap
pear strange that he could have been mis
represented thus on the official records, and
that the matter should not have come to
his knowledge until twenty-five yearsaiter
the war closed but, if his account is cor
rect, that but adds to the hardship of this
extraordinary circumstanoe.
Until Governor Alger's explanation is
discredited by independent testimony the
.public will esteem it sufficient His pub
lic reputation for military service was
always high, and being based upon the
knowledge of those who served with him
it cannot be undone in a- day by an ex
humed document which Governor Alger
declares was inspired by malice, and
which he did not have a chance to get ex
punged from the records because of not
hearing abou it till those who could have
established the falsity oi the charges
against him were passed away.
The matter will invoke further research
and testimony; but meanwhile the friends
of Alger will continue their faith in him.
The publication of the record is an evident
attempt to "do him" politically. If he
succeed in establishing a complete refuta
tion the reaction will tell in his favor.
CONCLTJ51YE BOTII WATS.
The acquittal of ex-Mayor Pearson fol
ldwing upon the conviction of JIayor
Wyman, illustrates the clear settlement of
charges of malfeasance in office afforded
by adopting the course of bringing such
cases into the criminal courts.
The evidence presented having not only
failed to bear out the criminal charges
against Pearson, but having explained
some things that bore on the surface an
intimation of crookedness, the attorney
prosecuting the case declared that he
could not ask a conviction on the charge
of embezzlement, and a verdict of not
guilty was rendered. In this case, there
fore, while the evidence disclosed some
exceedingly loose practices in the transac
action of business both in Allegheny city
and county offices, the result was to re
lieve the ex-Mayor of the charge of crim
inality. As other charges are pending, it is
plainly the public interest to have them
brought to trial as early as possible. There
is no more conclusive way, either of vin
dicating the innocent or punishing the
guilty, than is afforded by the finding of a
court of justice.
CONGRESS AND THE CIGARETTE.
If cigarette smoking be injurious, and
there are still many doubters of that as
sertion, it does not follow that a law should
be passed by Congress to raise the price of
cigarettes in order to remove thcra from
the reacli of boys. The use of tobacco in
any form is almost universally admitted
to be injurious to immature constitutions
and unformed physiques. A rise in the
price of-cigarettes, however, would simply
mean a diversion of tile taste, to that use
of the weed which could be practiced
most cheaply. Such a tax would also be
a great temptation to additional adultera
tion, which would be more deleterious
than the use of the pure article. A good
law couid be passed making adulteration
of tobacco by the introduction of drugs a
criminal effense with heavy penalties, but
to be of use it would have to be .rigidly
enforced.
What ww want above all in such matters
is not parental legislation but greater
tactfulness and increased vigilance and
discipline on trie part of ihe natural guar
dians of our youth. Reforms of this kind
must be supported by tfie home and ef
fected by family influence. These powers
should be strong enough to act alone, and
if they be too weak then they must be
strengthened, for we want as little legisla
tion as possible for the guidnnce of indi
vidual and private action. But whatever
the feeling on the matter, exaggeration is
a mistake, and that such is being used
may be seen from the statements that this
prohibitive taxation would meet with the
approval of every man and woman
in the country, and that no
chemist of any responsibility has
yet been found who, after examining cig
arettes, has not decidedly pronounced
them injurious. There have been doctors
and chemists to defend the cigarette in
the past, and the latest addition to their
number is Prof. Babcock, of Boston, who,
after analyzing four brands, pronounces
them less harmful than cigars. It is the
craving which must be killed, Jbr while it
remains means will be found to satisfy it
It sounds odd to hear that a session of the
United Mine Workers was opened with
closed doors. It is akin to the statement
that the silence was so deep that it could he
neard. We are not Informed whether the
session was closed with open doors, but no
doubt that was necessary.
Tit at original package question has lost
all novelty, and it should bo known in future
ns the commonplace or hackneyed package
or anything which is less of a misnomer
tlian the word original.
.A commission appointed to investigate
the management of the New York State
prisons has issued a report that discloses
barbarity of treatment by tho officials
which bids lair to rival the horrors of Si
beria. Mr. Kennan can find matter for a
new book nearer homo than Russia, and tho
country at large cannot afford to suffer such
malpractices in any part of its area. There
must be a wide, thorough and sweeping re
form of this evil.
IT is generally admitted that "the whole
is greater than the part," but there is reason
,to believe that the Cabinet whole is not
large enough to contain at least one 01 its
parts, and the result will be a hole in the
administration ministry and a division in
the party.
If the Cooper Union resolutions fail to
convince Hill that he is not the sole compo
nent of the Democratic party it is hard to
know what powers of persuasion will prove
successful.
Chicago's latest architecture is re
markable lor its immensity, its ungainliness
and for its general disregard of art ana
beauty. It takes the form of an immense
model or the book to be published by its oc
cupants. The onlv good thing abont it.is its
fireproof nature. And this hideous symbol
of modern literature is to' be erected with
mono? from that Boston -which claims to be
the center of the refinement and culture of
the world.
Another Indian outbreak simply means
that cowboys and Indians aie still living.
We shall not be troubled with m5notony
while both remain. They aie very much
alike, especially the cowboys, and they can
not live in contiguity without coming to
blows.
The people who venture to hope that the
public will beneflt by the last and biggest
railroad deal might as well look for flour in
bone-dust or bread in brick-yards.
Spuing is always a reminder to the
cleanly housewiie that she must put her
dwelling In order. What with the Tension
Office and the Census Bureau there will be
more spring cleaning than usual in the cap
ital this year. Care must be taken to re
move all accumulated dirt before the appli
cation of a coat of whitewash. Otherwiso
the germs of disease will be hidden and not
killed.
OtJR country is evidently reaching a
venerable age when a committee has to bo
appointed to destroy antiquated consular
invoices and other papers which have so
accumulated in the State Department that
secretary Blaine regards them as a nuis
ance. Philadelphia will do well to hold the
chief of its police responsible for the in
justices due to the arrogauco and officious
ncss of the individuals of the force.
Chicago is fortunate in the offer which
the Japanese Government has made to
make tho Japanese exhibit a permanent gift
to the city and provide money for its main
tenance. The acceptance should be grate
ful, or the building, besides being beautiful,
will be useful as an example and reminder
of the thoroughness which marks Japanese
work.
Enforce the fire-escape law is now the
cry of New York. Every law in this land
should be enforced with rigor or repealod,
for a disregarded law is a tonic to national
immorality and lawlessness. We have much
improvement to make in this direction.
Lieutenant Totten is not the onlymili
tary officer interested in astronomy. Gen
eral Alger is devoting much attention, to a
study of firm spots.
TnE edict which has gone forth from the
restaurants and clubs in New York, that the
waiters shall be clean shaven. Is the source
of much hair tearing and teeth gnashing.
No doubt the next move, to Judg from the
recent full-dress agitation, will bo that nil
men other than waiters mnst carry hirsute
appendages ns a distinguishing feature.
Hill's remark that he gets the delegates
while his opponents have tho brass bands,
makes one wonder how they got the yellow
metal of which ho is supposed to be a
monopolist. Anyhow Hill has all tho
stringed instruments.
Judge Kennedy in summing up Mayor
Wyman's case used such plain language as
wiilleave.no doubt as to the definition of
criminal extortion.
If the story of Baron Hirsch's crossing
the Atlantic as a steerage passenger be true,
he shows his sincere interest in the relief
measures he has undertaken. Haroun-al-Raschld
was accustomed to study his people
in disguise, but he wonld have drawn the
lino at the discomforts of an emigrant
passage.
XAHES OFTEN HEARD.
The Empress of Germany is improving in
health.
Princess Victoria Teck is visiting the
Qtieenwho was to have been her mother-In-law.
The. "Monte Cristo of South America" is
tho Conde do Leopoldlna. Tho richest
woman south of ns is Dona Isadora Couslno.
Kev. E. J. Hardy, author of "Hov? to
Be H.ippy Though Married," is now serving
as an army chaplain in Flmoutli, England.
Ashby-de-la-Zouch still has its Ivnn
boe to champion the downtrodden, lor it is
reported t'l.it LordDontugton is distributing
loads of coal among the poor titers.
Tun most noted member of the Creek Ua-
f tion is General Porter, of Muscogee, I. T.,
wjio iiHh repruMJiifceu ins people as iieim at
the National Capital for many years.
Jilt G- P. A. Healy, the veteran Amer
ican portrait painter, will lcavo Paris in n
few days with lil wlfo a,nd daughter for a
brief sojourn in tho United States. Ho will
spend some time in Chicago.
Mr. Henry Welcome has been initalled
Master of Fidelltv Lodge of Freo Masons at
London. Save one or two oxcoptions, this is
the oldest lodge of the craft in England.
Mr. Welcome is tho flrst American to bo
made Jla-ternf nn Eii'll'1! lodse'of Masons.
LIVE WASHINGTON WAIFS.
Conercss- Called on to Suppress the Manu
facture of Cigarettes Reduction of the
Duty on Barley Flax and Its Acreage in
the United States.
Washington, D. C, Feb. 12. The
Ways and Means Committee of the House or
Representatives will be petitioned to pre
pare a bill invoking the paternal condemna
tion of tho Government upon tho oigarotto
habit. Representatives Cochran, Cnmmings
and Stahlnecker, of New York, all havo in
their possession hills which they have been
petitioned to Introduce, providing .for the
suppression of cigarette manufacture by im
posing an internal revenue tax of $10 a thou
sand on all imported or domestic cigarettes
sold in this country. Accompanying tho
memmorial is a statement which says:
"Clippings taken from papers throughout
the United 'State's show that during the past
year thcie hnvo died about 100 ,dozcii of
young men, mostly under 1G years of age,
from the effects of smoking paper-wrapped
cigarettes; in somo -cases there have been
analyses of tho stomach, and in most in
stances there has been found acid, phosphor
ous nnc arsenic, which is largely used in tho
manufacture of cigarette paper. Also, tho
same clippings will show that about 100 men
have been consigned to insane asylums,
from the umo cause. There has been in
about 40 of the different States a law passed-
prohibiting tho sale of paper-wrapped cigar
ettes to minors under 16 years of age. There
has never yet been a chemist of any respon
sibility who has examined papor-wrapped
cigarettes wno has not most decidedly pro
nounced them injurious. The internal
revenue tax is now 50 cents per 1,000 paper
wrapped cigarettes of less than threo
pounds' weight per 1,000 cigarettes. To ac
complish what the different States havo and
are attempting to do protect young people
by prohibiting thelrsmoking paper-wrapped
cigarettes a law should be passed this Con
gress making tho internal revenue tax $10
per 1,000 on all paper-wrapped, imported or
domestic, clgarottes. This wouldplace thorn
at a price that children could not pay, and
go further than any State legislation can do
aud meet with the approval or every man
and woman in the. country."
Following the statement aro the names
and lormer addresses of over 200 people of
the various sections of the United States
who have during the past year died or
grown hopelessly insane as the effect of the
cigarette habit. Representative Cochran
will fllo his bill with the Ways and Means
Committee,' of which he is a member, lor
such action as that committee may deem
proper.
There is practical unanimity among
Democratic members of the Ways and
Means Committee in favor of tho bill of Re
presentative Fitch, of New York, reduclug
the duty on barley and hops, and there is
little doubt that this measure will he favor
ably reported to the House. At to-day's
meeting of the Democratic members of the
committee, Representatives Locltwood and
Fitch, both or New York, made an extended
argument in favor of tho hill and main
tained that the malting interests of tho
country are being seriously impaired by tho
operation of the McKinley bill. The price
of American barley, the speaker stated, In
stead of advancing, ns prophesied by the
advocates of the if cKinley bill, has con
stantly cone down since that law went into
effect. The price of Canadian barley, on
the other band, has remained substantially
the same. So far as the Democratic mem
bers are concerned there appeared no oppo
sition to Mr. Fitch's bill, and the New York
Congressmen hope to have it reported fa
vorably at an early day. Tho bill Intro
duced by Mr. Fitch amends the law so as to
make the duty on barley 10 cents perbushol
of 43 pounds, on barley malt 20c cents por
bushel of 34 pounds, and on hops, 8 ceuts per
pound.
The Superintendent of Census has sent to
tho 1'retb a bulletin on flax productlou pre
pared by Special Agent Hyde, in charge of
the Division of Agriculture. It shows the
total amount of land devoted to the cultiva
tion of flax in the United States in 18S9 to
have been l,"lo,KS9 acres; the production of
flaxseed, 10,250,410 bushels; the production of
liber, 241,339- pounds; the amount of flax
straw sold or so utilized as to have a de
terminable value, 207,757 tons, and the total
value of all flax products, $10,430,228. Al
though flaxseed is reported from 31 States,
Minnesota, South Dakota, Iowa and Ne
braska produced S0.0J of the total amount,
or l,035,blJ bushels in excess of the entire
production of the United States at the census
oflSSO- Flaxseed is now cultivated. -almost
exclusively lor seed, and in the old fiber
producing States its cultivation is almost
entirely abandoned. South Dakota had the
largest acreage In 18S9, and Minnesota tha
largest production of teed. Of the States
containing 1,000 acres or upward in flax,
Wisconsin had the highest average
yield of flaxseed per acre, 11.12 bush
els, and the highest average value
per acre of all flax products, $1S 39. The
average yield for the entire country was 7.77
bushels per aero. Thiougbout the greater
portion of the principal flaxeed-producing
region, flax straw is of little or no value, and
much ot the so-called fiber is only an in
feiior quality of tow, used chiefly lor up
holstering purposes. There aro Indications,
however, ot the revival In the United States
of the u? e of linen that will afford a market
for line flax fiber of domestic production,
and levive a branch of agriculture that has
for many years been almost extinct. No
previous census report, contained anj-statistics
of the acreage in flax or of the vnlue
of flax products.
The Senate Committee on Agriculture
to-day considered the resolution ot Senator
George relatlvo to the appointment of a
committee to inquire into the cause of tho
low price of cotton and the dopressed con
dition of agriculture -in the cotton-raising
districts, and agreed to report back to the
Senate an amendment in tho nature of a
substitute authorizing the committee to
make a general investigation for the pur
pose of ascertaining the pi esent condition
of agriculture in the United States, tho pres
ent prices of agricultural products, and If
there bo any of which the prices aie de
pressed, tho causes of snch depression and
the remedies therefor. The line marked out
by the committers to appoint a sub-committee
to investigate the agricultural cop
ditlons of the cotton States and to inquire
also Into the present state of agriculture In
the grain and meat-producing States and
Territories, the aim being to cover tho wholo
subject of agricultnrej with a view of de
termining what legislation, if any, is neces
sary for the relief of the farm country. Tho
resolution will bo reported to the Scnato
Monday.
Tlinsilver men have eight or ten petitions
in circulation on the Domocratic sido of the
House urging that tho silver hill be made a
special continuing order, and they had
Carly to-day secured about 101 signatures.
There are some doubts entertained as to'the
expediency of the silver movement, but
tho silver men believe it may advance con
sideration of the bill, and are doing What
thev can to brine the matter to an issue
early in the session. The resolution intro
duced by Mr. Bland the day ho reported the
bill fixed February 17, which is next
Wednesday, as tho day on which the sliver
bill should bo tatfen up, but It is not ex
pected by tho silver men that they will suc
ceed ii getting it up so early, and they, will
probably he content if by that timo an ordar
can be secured naming a later date on which
tho bill shall he taken up. There is earnest
work being dono on both sides of this ques
tion, hut at the present time it is in a quiet
way. The anti-silver men are urging delay, .
and are wonting to that end in tho hope that'
thero may be developments which will aid
their cause and onablo them to find
so'mo waj- out of their difficulty. The free
coinage men are in favor of speedy action,
and say that on political grounds alone,
asido from tho monetary principlo involved,
the sooner tho issue is met the better. Tho
Rules Committee has not yet taken up tho
subject. No meeting has been held sinco
the resolution was offered, and It is under
stood that there aro several other matters
which have been before tho committee for
somo timo likelT to beacted upon in advance
of action on the silver resolution. The Peo
ple's paity in the Houso of Representatives
navo joined with tho fice coinage pcoplo
generally In deninnding prompt considera
tion of the bill. In a separate petition to
day, addressed to the Speaker as ex-oflicio
Chairman of tho Committee on Rules, tho
nine regular People's party Representatives
petitioned the Committee onJlules to vet an
carly day for the consideratldn of tho'Bland
freo coinago hill. This petition is inde
pendent fiom tho one circulated by the free
coina-ro membeis of the Committee on Coin
age, Weights and Measures, and is intended
ns the official utterance of the People's party,
as represented iii the Houc.
THE Democratic members of the Ways
and Means Committee held anothor confer
ence to-day on the Springer wool bill, but,
llko yestei day's conference, it ended with
out an agreement being reached. The mem
bers of tho committee now in tho city aro
nearly ovenly dlvldod on tho question ns to
whether or not thero should be a further re
duction made in the duties than that pro
posed by tbo special Democratic wool com-
mltteo. The arrival of Mr. Shlvely, of.In
diana, Is awaited, when members of the com
mittee believe that then a conclusion will
be speedily arrived at, as the views of Mr.
Whiting, the only other absent member, are
known. Mr. Whiting is detained by Illness
in his family. Much or the tirao of the ses
sion of the conference to-day .was devoted
to the consideration of statements pre
sented, bearing upon the questions of cost
of production of special woolen manufact
ure .
The Secretary of State is negotiating a
new treaty of extradition with the French
Government. The existing extradition
treaty botween the two Governments was
concluded many years ago, and lsnotie
garded as altogether suitablo for the pres
ent requirements. The new treaty will be
practically tho samo iu -its terms as the one
recently conclndod between the United
States and Great Blitain, and the nu20tia
tlons havo reached a point that virtually as
sures a favqrable conclusion. '
HOT AHD COLD BLASTS.
The Strange Phenomena That Accompanied
n Cyclone at Sea.
New York, Feb. 12. Sailors on the British
steamship Persian Prince, whieh arrived
yesterday from Mediterranean ports, relate
a most remarkablo experience. The vessel
is commanded by Captain Jameson, and It
was due mainly to his skill that the Persian
Prince was able to reach port. She left
Girgcnti, a town in Sicily, on December 22.
Heavy seas wero encountered shortly after
passing the Strait and naves rolled over her
from bow to stern, carrying away all that
was movable. About 7 o'clock on tho
morning of February 8 the Persian
Prince was In latitude' 38 53'
and longitude (Ry. Suddenly thowind that
had been blowing heavily "died out com
pletely, although a high sea was running,
captain Jameson scanned the southern hori
zon, and the sudden lighting up of the sky
caused him to becomo anxious. It was an
uueartblv light, aiid tho sailors became
frightened. Accompanying the light camo
great heat, as If tho vessel had suddenly
been transferred to the tropics. The men
were ordered to tako in all canvas, and as
thev wont about their work the perspiration
streamed from them.
They had scarcely obevod the order when
a giant wavo that seemed to rise up not 109
yards away, swopt overtlio decks. -The ves
sel began to roll and lurch terribly. Ina few
moments a gust or iiy cold wind came from
the northwest and tne men began to shiver.
The wind changed about again to the south
west and it was like the heated air from an
oven that again swopt the deck. The crow
were startled and dumbfounded. In a few
minutes more the wind veered around again
to tho northwest, tho sky became black al
most instantly, and an icy hurricane was
whistling through tho rigging and about tho
deck houses. The vessel trembled, then
rolled and pitched and groaned till it seemed
as if her timbers could not remain together.
She hold out well, however, and in half an
hour was riding mountainous seas under a
strong wind and a fair sky. The danger had
passed.
DARK HORSES.
As a Republican candidate for President
Robert T. Lincoln Is looming npf-Veto York
Advertiser.
It is said that Mr. Boies wonld not part
with his Presidental boom for $7 in cash.
Chicago News. ,
Tiik political woods aro so full of dark
horses that there is no room for the trees.
JVem York Press.
Jurxiisoby the prevailing sentiment tho
Palmer bbom was never doomed to die a'
bornin"'. Chicago Globe.
Goverisoii Boies is a small man in intellect
and standing.but the Hill-Cleveland wrangle
may yet make him the standard-bearer of
his party. St. Louit Globe-Democrat.
The Russell boom has got as far as Tennes
see. The Memphis Appeal has ahighly ap
preciative sketch of His Excellency as a
Vice Presidental possibility. Boston Herald.
The gallant Wattorson Is in despair over
the Democratic outlook. He and the Star
eyed Goddess will probably make the Eui o
pean trip this summer. Neiv York Recorder.
HAD SOME PEECEDENIS.
Several State Conventions Called Early to
Elect Nnlional Delegates.
Albany Tlmes-Unlon.l
Tho yonng men who are now editing news
papers have no personal recollection of
"many Trcsldental elections, but before they
undortake to make such positive assertions
as to what Is precedented or unprecedented,
they should at least read tho political his
tory of their country. "There aro many per
sons still living who will remember that In
1S55 tho National Democratic Convention
wt held in Cincinnati on the 2d of June,
and the delegates to that convention from
New Y'ork -were elected y a State Conven
tion held in-Symcuse on the 10th of Janu
ary, nearly five months In advance. "In I860
the Democratic National Convention was
held in Charleston on the 23d of April, and
the delegates to that convention fiom New
Y'ork were elected in Syracuse In the pre
ceding September seven months in ad
vance In 1804 the Democratic National Conven
tion aa hold In Chicago July 4, and the
New Y'ork State Committee met January 27
of that year, and named Febrnary 4, at
Albany, as the date and place to hold tho
State Convention to select delegates. It is
not true, therefore, that it Is unprecedented
to elect delogatcs four months in ndvance of
the National Convention. Hero are at least
three precedents, and perhaps, if It were
worth while to search the records, more
mlffht be fonnd; but the instances cited are
Bufflclent to demonstrate the ignorance of
those writers and speakers who assert that
there is no Democratic precedent for calling
a State Convention so early as Febrnary 22
to elect delegates to a National Convention
to be held In June.
SnOOTING AT THE 'TARIFF.
Oirir single shots will be permitted at tho
McKinley target, and Mr. Sprlnser is to boss
the shooting gallery. Washington Itoit.
A joint debate on how to attack the tariff
might prove a harmless pastime for Roger
Mills and David Wells Milwaukee Sentinel
Mr. Mills will not frame a tariff bill this
year, hut he will split bis party in his at
tacks on the Springer b,ill. St. Louis Globe
Democrat. '
Mr. Sprikger's Idea of abolishing the tar
iff on the installment plan is a good one. It
will amuse his party all winter and prevent
much injurious legislation without doing
any harm itself. Philade'phia Inquirer.
TnE defeat of Mr. Mills for Speaker should
not lead him to oppose a policy that is gen
erally approved so long as there is no evi
dence that that policy commits the Demo
cratic party to a retreat on the tariff Issue.
A'cie Haven Register.
DEATHS HERE A.ND LLSEWHERE.
Peter Kinney, Centenarian.
Peter Kinney, of Conemaugb, died at
Johnstown yesterday at the age of 100 yesrs and 6
months. He lias been a resident of Johnstown
since tlic beginning of the century, and was the
oldest pioneer In tl c section. A very singular clr
eiimstanre In connection with his death Is that he
foretold the event. Las Saturday morning the
rged resident railed his lainllv together and told
them he hid a vision during the night. He then
said that two angels had come to him and tenderly
Informed him that he-noula dleon Friday of this
week. He had been somewhat III, but the mem
bers or his famlty tried to dissuade him lrom the
Idea, even going so far as to e-tll several neighbors
In to reason with the patriarch. Their trouble
wa ail in vain, the old man steadily maintaining
that Ml vision would come true, as It did.
Marv Black Fqnlrrcl, Centenarian.
Mafy Black Squirrel, widow of the In
dian warrior lllacl. Squirrel, died on the Tona
wanda Reservation Wednesday, aged 102 years.
Her husband served In the War or 1SI2. and be
came distinguished for his patriotism and bravery
or. the Niagara frontier. Mary was born in 1790.
Widow Black Squirrel was the oldest member of
the Tonawanda..
Obituary Notes.
MBS. MAnv CCRBIER. 101 years of age. is dead
artier home, near Jackson, Md.
W. II. Johnson'. President and one of the
heaviest stockholders of the State National Bank
of Logansnort, Ind., died suddenly Thursday
night.
Db. Lyman Hall died at Champaign, 111.,
Thursday, aged 74 years. He was one of the organ
izers or the Society of Surviving Surgeons of the
Civil War.
JOHN' M. Johnston, an old and wealthy citizen
br Dansvllle, Va Is dead. He was a member of
tfie banking (Inn of Johnston & Cheek, was Presi
dent of the Morotock Insurance Company and a
street railway director.
FltANCiS BARTELS, a clock maker, died at Plaln
fleld Thursday "ight. In his B3th year. He was
born In France. Among the mechanical curiosities
at bis home was a clock of his own make, which re
quired winding but once In four months.
Richard Focqcet, aged 55 yeirs. a well-known
resident nf Oil City, And or late a salesman for waU
paper stores, was found dead In bed yesterday
morning hesldc a son with whom he was sleeping.
Heart failure Is.tlie supposed cause of death.
CANADA'S SAD PLI8HX.
A Reverse Side 'to the Annexation Theory
The Undesirable Legacy Lett by the
Eate jPremler What Reciprocity WIU
Do for the' Dominion.
To the Editor of The DISDatch:
Canada, her future, her continental rela
tions and political tendency, the internal
problems, social, political and othcrwic,
with which she is now harassed, are attract
ing almost as much attention from the
doctors of political science abroad, as from
her regular physicians at home.
Mr. Carnegie, who, since the advent of
"Triumphant Democracy," has assumed tho
role of professor emeritus in the hierarchy
of political doctrinaires, and whO;o advice
is always published in connection with tho
appeals made to him by suffering members
of the body politic, has recently passed upon
the conditions that distress the Dominion,
and offers tho specific of annexation. ,
While tt Is not to bo doubted that annexa
tion would quicken the pulse of trade and
stimulate the productive energies of Can
ada, at the same time affording a splendid
market for American mannfactnrcs, yet
there Is a reverse sido to the proposition
which must appear seamy indeed to ovory
patriotic citizen of the Repnblic who is at
all familiar with the social, political and
religious adjustments inwoven with the
fabric of the Dominion, and --tho is as much
animated by a desire for social peace and
political congruity at home, as he is for a
largermarket abroad.
"The American Constitution,:' says Mr.
Carnegie, in a recent letter, Vnould not re
quit e the Dominion of Canada to give up any
thing in the way of local government which
they now possess." If this be true, all the
more reason for nyoiding annexation.
l'roflicacy That Will Widen the Breach.
"While trite discordance of feeling which
exists between the different provinces of
Canada, especially between the two more
Important ones, where it finds a basis in
prejudices of both race and religion, must
be counted among the features of Canadian
politics most embarrassing to her states
men, yet thore are others relating purely to
political adjustments, that havo been as
fruitful of discord, and far more destructive
of civic senso and public morality. The
profligate bestowal of concessions to, the
different province, made at the hour of con
federation lor the purpose of obtaining
their adhesion, has resulted In making of tho
Dominion Government both an obsequious
servant and an ass of burden to the con
stituent provinces. The very" nature of
many of these concessions is such that they
mnst aggravate, with time, those di
vergencies of social and political feeling
which it should have been the aim of those
who, were instrumental iu ushering In the
Dominion to reconcile by wise political ad
justments. Tho ideas of political unity, and nation
ality, however, carry with theman intoxica
tion that often deflects tho soberest Judg
ment; and it is charitable indeed to
tnus account for the loose relations
that exist between the Dominion
and Provincial Governments. Under
an easy code of political morality,
sui ted to ambitious jingoes, and greedy con
tractors who like to latten at the pnbllo
crib, tho provinces soon acquired the habit
of trading off their political support to the
Canadian Premier, in exchange for meas
ures that would shllt tne burden of provin
cial debts upon the shoulders of the Domin
ion. So successfully was this practiced
under the administration of .Sir John Mac
dnnald that it led to great corruption and
reckiess extravagance. Provinces seemed
to vie with each other in running up debts
and then bartering them off upon the Fed
eral Government, which" they seemed to
look upon as endowed with some supernat
ural pon er that could dissipate them.
The Late Sir John's Legacy.
Sir John Macdonald, whose character was
a diluted mixture of Walpole, Bcaconsfleld
and Tweed, and who If hard pressed by his
oppononts could wrap himself in the Union
Jack, walk down to the footlights, uttortho
cry of ti eaxon and expire with a tragic grace
that few of the American breed could imi
tate, was largely responsible for the extent
to which these abuses were carried. "So
ciety, like Nature,"' says' Castelar, "devours
everything it can no longer use." Sir John
escaped this fate; he died at a propitious
moment; tho shadow of society, however,
was upon him when the deeper shadow of
death fell. The most brilliant journalist, if
not the ablest political writer iu Canada,
speaking a.t the time of Sir John's last ap
pearance in Parliament, said: ''There Is
a touch or tho pathetic In the old
man's determination to put aside
his own exceeding great Infirmity
and make a final effort to revive tho
dropping courage of those abont him. Com
paring mall things with great, it reminds
ono of Wallenstein's being carried down the
lines in a litter, on tho eve of the battlo of
Lutzen. to tint courage into that poly-riot
armv that had learnod to love him because.
his name had been synonymous witn victory
and plunder." The whole situation at the
time is to be found in those words. Nor has
the passinsr away of the old man improved
the condition of affairs. The evil that poli
ticians dois seldom interred with their hones:
it lives after them; it is the heritage of the
people they beguiled with cunning phrases.
Tho vital problems that now harass Can
ada are problems that she herself must solve.
Annexation under existing conditions can
only surround with greater difficulty the
questions with tv hich sho is now struggling.
If she wishes to remove embarrassments to
trade, let her assist to establish unrestricted
reciprocity with the States. But the ques
tions affecting her internal relations, and
which menace hor greatest, she should show
an ability to cope with before wo throw
about her the tie of political union. Those
who imagine that annexation will dissolve
all her troubles are blind to the real causes
of much of her discontent.
Ruinous Debt anil Deepsented Corruption,
In addition to the loose and ill regulated
relations which exist between tho Dominion
and Provincial Governments, besides special
privileges, powers and immunities enjoyed
by certain religious establishments,
and which would better harmon
ize with medieval institutions 'than
the American Constitution, there is
nn appalling, debt hanging over tho coun
try which is filling her European creditors
with alarm, and impoverishing hor rural
population, which must foryears to come be
tne source of jlicr prosperity. At this mo
ment the curtain is being lifted upon a scene
of political c6rrnption that threatens to
stamp with -vjcnnilty, not onlv a hordo of
political parasites, hut almost every leader
of promlnencetru the dominant party for the
palt CO veaAt. Tho Dominion Parlia
ment has donelittle loss for tho past two do
cades but bor-fcw and spend, and trade pub
lic contracts Ipr bonuses sufficient to main
tain party ascendancy.
Thereare.no doubt, great advantages t6
be derived from greater freedom of trade
with Canada; but there is such a thing as
purchasing it too dearly. Tho social ques
tions that have arisen within our own coun
try, and that are now pressing for solution,
are serious and important enou-h to tax the
resources or our statesmen without courting
tho admission of communities burdened
with oppressive debts, racked with political
and religious dissensions, and whoso com
in" in wonld only bo nn act of desperation
ontlieir part; a fleeing from evils under a
hope that mnst prove delusive.
The Dawn or Better Days.
Brit all is not dark for Canada, although
at this moment like tho victim of a brutal
nssault who has just recovered conscious
ness, she scorns dazed, and hardly knows
whfch way to turn; the public conscience
is being aroused, men of splendid abilities
and enthusiasm are coming to the front, and
the venality of thoe who havo brought
upon her tho deplorable condition sho now
present", is being uncovered. In short a
change is being rung which Is at once the
chimes ofa new birth and death knell in
Canadian politics. Wo can do more toward
hi inging about those conditions that would
fit her for annexation by securing tho estab
lishment ot unrestricted reciprocity, than
we possibly can in any other way. That com
munity of thought and feeling which com
merce breeds is the Condition precedent that
must bo established if the Idea of conti
nental unity Is ever to he realized. In this
wo have much to gain and but a pittance, ir
anything, to lose: and of such mutual ben
eficence is trade, that tho same may bo said
of Canada.
Let England retain the colonial hive un
der the fiction or an imperial dependency,
let Canada keep and patelLup if she can tho
rotten political comb, let us be content if we
obtain a share or the honey.
Jon;- B. Stur.rE.
Pittsburg. February 10.
511 Sht Walt Until Weaned.
Boston Herald.
Oklahoma wants to be a Stato right off.
Perhaps it wight wait until it gets weaned.
AT LENT'S APPROACH
Largo Functions Give' Way to Fmaller
Affairs Before Being: Finally Snuffed
Out on Ash Wednesday Mm. Klrk
Porter's German Next Week's Event
The popular hops at X'ae Kenmawr Hotel
will probably bo concluded, at least nnti
Lent Is over, by the dance arranged for Sat
urday evening, February 20. Tbo guest at it
will havo then an opportunity to inspect and
admire the admirable process of redecora
tion gone through in the last month Tne
large circular hall between the parlors and
reading rooms Is painted and frescoed very
prettily and looks even more imposing than
ever, and this, vtith the several daintv
touches given to the p-xrlors, gives tho hotel
entrance qnito a bright, new look.
Invitations were received in the city
yesterday to tho marriage of Miss Margar
etta Hendrlckson Clond. daughter of An
drew M. Cloud, of Wilmington, Del., and Mr.
Geotge F. Smith, or Pittsburg. The cere
mony will tako placa Thursday evening,
February 21. at 11 o'clock, in the West Pres
byterian" Church, of Wilmington, several
Pittsburg friends of therhridegroom expect
ing to be present on that interesting oeca.
slon. Mr. Smith has been a resident of Pitts
burg for somo time, and is popular in his
social and esteemed in hLs business relations
in this city.
From the feeling evidenced in the social
sot represented at the Monday evening
dances, it is just po-lble, while thero has
been no declared deferment of the next
dance, that snch an action will be rendered
necessary. Undoubtedly there has been
great reluctance expressed by many people
to retnrning so soon to the scono of the sor
rowful event of a wepk ago: and this likely
implies a small attendance at these usually
agiecable events.
The popnlar waltz now in fashionable
circles is the music ofa composition written
by -Mr. Jesse B. Jones and entitled "Echoes
From Cresson Springs." As only a hasty
glance can be given.nt the present time to a
copy lying on the writer's desk, its merit
can only be generally gauged, but its popu
larity is evidence that ought to support Its
worthiness. It has been placed by
both the Gernert and Toerge orchestras,
at affairs in the two clubs; and it
is said to bo very mnch of a favorite with
danco lovers. The name of the waltz was
probably prompted by a certain summer
cottage belonging to Mr. Jones and his sis
tor, situated at Cresson Springs. By the
way, rumor says that Miss Jones is part
composer of thb wattz, but that her unas
suming nature prevents the young lndy
frons permitting her name to appear on the
title page. Mr. Jone3 has promised to issue
a caprice in a short time, which i3 said-to be
verypietty, indeed.
In tbe "Wiikinsburg Opera House last
night .an entertainment composed of tab
lcaux aud music was given by the yonng
ladies of Bdgewood and Swissvale, for
"sweet charity's sake," according to the pro
gramme. Among tho well-known people
taking part were Mrs. C. C. Mellor, soprano;
Mr. II. B. Brockett, Jr., tenor: Mr. James
Hctzel, basso: Mr. William Dorrington, bari
tone; Messrs. L. W. Dnirand w.u. Smttn,
mandolin and guitar; Mi-s Lanra Cope and
Mr. C. C. Mellor, accompanists. There was
a very large attendance, in spite of the bit
terly oold weather. Tho tableaux were well
arranged, the performers looking very
natural in their carefully chosen cos
tumes. Among the strikingly living pictures
were "Pygmalion and Galatea," "Esther,
Vashti and Ahasueras," "Queen Elizabeth
and Mary Queen of Scots," "Babes in the
Wood," and the concluding tableau, "Before
and After Lent." Mrs. Mellor and Mr.
Brockett sang Verdi's "Parigi O Cam" with
much feeling and made the hit of the even
ing: althougn the baritone solo by Mr. Dor
rington, "It I Were a Knight of the Olden
Time." and the trio by Mrs. C. C. Mellor, Mr.
Brockett and Mr. James HetzeL "To Sol
Quest Aniran," were loudly anpftnded. A
neat nm will bo realized from the enter-
talnment, to be applied to varidns charit-
able objects in tne neigiiDornoou oi .ugc
wood and Swissvale. Mr.-. Jeannle Paul
managed the tableaux In a perfect manner,
rind a word of pralso must bo given Mr.
Charles W. Wade for his manner of direct
ing the calcium lights, on which the success
of this kind of an entertainment so greatly
depenU.
A special from AVashiugtou last even
ing sajs: Senator and Mrs. Quay gave a
reception to-night, which was attended by
the Vice Presiderit and Mrs. Morton, with
other members of tho Cabinet and a large
attendance of Representatives from both
Houses of Congress. The floral decorations
of the rooms, consisting of roses mingled
with a piotusion of palms and tall ferns,
were most elaborate andbeautiful. Mrs.Quay
"welcomed her guests In a handsome princess
gown of pansy velvet, over a front
petticoat of heliotrope silk, with draperies
of lace. Miss Cora Qnav, tho yonng debu
tante who was thus pleasantly launched
upon society .wore white and silver brocade.
Miss Quay, pink satin striped moire: Miss
Catherine Quay, white mouIin do soir, with
rosettes of scarlet ribbon: Miss Prvde Qnay,
of Pittsburg, white brocade: Miss Arm
strong. Ktiest of tho honse, white crepe, and
Miss Steadman. daughter of ex-Governor
Steadman. of North Carolina,, wore silver
emhroideicd crepe, with draperies of Brn
sels net. Qnite a delegation of Pennsylvania
Congressmen were present.
Social Chatter.
The dinner danco as a club affair, like It
was two years ago, has disappeared off tho
face of the earth, or that part or It known as
Pittsburg. Nowadays ono hostess gives-tho
dinner and tho danco also, a fashion in
augurated, it will be remembered, by Mrs. J.
M.Schoonmaker a fortnight ago. Mrs. Henry
Klrk Totter has Issued invitations for a
function rather similar, though the dinner
will not bo served until late, and then he
tweoi two figures of the gerroan. Mrs. Por
ter will entertain a week later with an after
noon tea of rather large dimensions.
The committoe of the Alumni Association
of the Pennsylvania College for Women is
delighted with tne success which awaited
their first beneflt, theJlarie Decca concert,
and though the retnrn aro not yet known
with exactness, the posslbilitv ofa scholar
ship Is pretty well assured. The committee
will meet on'Tuesday when all tho reports
will be ready.
To-iiorrow afternoon at 4 o'clock the
Ficnch Mission of Pittshurir aud Alleaheny
will hold its usual monthly service in the
chapel or Vmy. Dr. Purves church, on Wood
street. Owing to the President's indisposi
tion, the services will be conducted by Rev.
'Dr. James T. Satchel, probably one of the
best French scholars in I'lttshurg.
Mr. and 3Ir.fi. Gi-okoe Wilson, nee Uhlam,
are expected home this evening from their
wedding tour, -or which the happy couple
had devoted the greater part,to visiting and
eight-seeing in Philadelphia. Until April 1
thev will reside with Wilson peio on High
land avenue, niter which they will set up
"tho doll's house" for thetnsel es.
The second of the small dance series, the
first of wMch was given in the Pitt-burg
Club in December, did not conic off last
night ns had been arranged. It is now
spoken of for next Friday and will lake
place then in tho Dnquesne Club. Tho
change was made out of respect for the
memory of Miss Shaw.
Mr. and Mrs. Orl sndo McEtr.ov, neo Fair
mm rn Vinmn from the honeymoon and
are 'visiting on Highland avenue near thej
bride s rormer nome. .men " im.'
nnco in public at home :is at the Graff
raislev nuptials in Point Breczu Presbyte
rian Church on Wednesday evening.
APABTrof people composed r the Al
hambra and- Allegheny col II! Jon sets met
Wednesday evening at Mr. Edward Fowncs
i,. , tviiinh thev came in a body to
the Linden Clubhouse, where they spent tho I
remainder or the evening.
THEyoung ladies appointed as aids ror tho
coming tea at Mrs. Robei t Mcknight a houso
on.Februarv IS will meet this afternoon at
the resldoncc of Mrs. W. G. Park to make
the necessary preparations.
It Is whispered that one engagement an
nounced some time aso, lias been called off,
lint whether a natural death or one or vio
lence caused it. deponent sayeth not.
Mus. Georoe W. Jones gave a theater
part', preceded by nn evening tea, hist
night at tho Duqnesno to see i.o-ina Dices.
Last night tho Ornida gave the second or
its supplementary cotillions at the Linden
Clubhouse.
The ladles' evenings at the Linden Club
house are growing in tavor.
He Knows tlis Joker.
Chicago Intcr-Occin.;
David Bennett Hill knows "the .joker"
when ho sees it, and ho proposes to havo it
In hand Juno 21.
The Latest FanHo Abhorrence.
New Tork Press.l
The deadly hotel is the latest public ab
'' CURIOUS CONDENSATIONS.
The sting of a bee is recommended as a
cure for rbenmatlsm,
There are 300,000 white people and 52,
000 Indians in Oklahoma.
There are between 1,600 and 1,700 law
yers In Boston, with scarcely business for
2CO.
More than 1,000 varieties of Cowers
were gathered In Colorado last summer by
Miss Allda P. Lansing.
Deer horjis, flint, boars' tusks and bono
of all sorts were made to serve the purposo
by anglers of the neolithic period.
In 1828 the Scotch Parliament passed a
law permitting women to proposo to men
during the reign or Qneen Margaret.
In the ''first families of Philadelphia"
it continues to be a gastronomic boast thas
they have always paid $1 a pound for but
ter. The prejudice against the wearing of
whiskers is reported to be becoming very
marked in the leading clubs and restaurants
or New Y'ork City.
The gray hair oan Elbert county, Ga.,
woman, S7 years old, Is falling; out and being
replaced by a luxuriant growth of jet bla'cE
locks, so it is said.
In the cemetery of "Wall street, Iew
Y'ork. the unmarked financial graves out
number a thousand to one the monuments
erected to the successful speculator.
The blood vessels in the white of the
eye are so small that they do not admit tho
little red corpuscles to which the ordinary
real appearance or the blood is due.
Amon; the latest patents issued in
Washington is one for an electro-propelling
tricycle, which, it is-claimed, will run at tho
rate or from 8 to 12 miles an hour at a nomi
nal cost.
Farmers near Leed.s, N. D., are coo
plaining of thedepredations of aherd of an
telope that is destroying great qnantities of
the nnthrashed grain, flax seeming to te tho
favorite food.
An old gentleman from Keokuk, la,
met an old lady for the first time, fell des
perately In love, proposed, was acci-pted.
secured a license and married the lady In 30
minutes nftcr meeting her.
The Pratt, Kan., Txmei, voicing the in
dignation or the people at repeated jail de
liveries, advises tho county to sell the steel
cells and cages and hire a cowboy to herd,
the prisoners in the city park.
From.an early date the Chinese seera
to have constrncted suspension bridges of
considerable magnitude, ono in the Prov
ince or Jnnnin, constructed in the year C
A. D., being the most celebrated.
An ancient sword was dug np recently
in the pincy woods in Georgia, near tho
forks of the Savannah river and Brier creek.
The hammer marks on the blado stamp it as
having been of homo manufacture.
An absent-minded Toronto woman in
hor hurry to start for church took from a,
closet a pair or her husband's tronsers for
her dolman, threw them over her arm. and.
did not discover her mistake until sho had
thrown them over the back of a pew in front
oi ner.
A ghost eight feet tall and having a
sepulchral launh, is reported to be terror
izing some of the inhabitants of Williams
hnnr, N. Y. A policeman, a fireman and a
milkman are among those said to have been
prostrated with fright through this ghostly
visitant. Hooded crows in the Shetland Islands
hold regular assizes at stated periods, and
nsnally iji the same place. When there is a,
full docket a week or more is spend in trvin?
the cases: at other times a single day suffices
for the proceedings. The capitally con
demned are killed on the spot.
A Sacramento boy, says the San Fran
cisco Chronicle, found a small mnshroom
the other day which he planted and covered
with barnyard compost. It at once started.
to grow, tinil in a day or no measured up
ward of a root across, having a stem about
six inches in diameter. It weighed five,
pounds.
In Argentine the drivers and con
ductors or street cars are by law responsible)
for any accident which may occur; so when,
one happens tholr first care Is to escape. In
case of a Dreak-down or collision, the care i
left to anyone's mercy, and a new driver
and conductor must be procured bciore the
trip can be continued.
The bridal veil had its origin in a piece
of cloth which was anciently held over tho
brideo conceal her maiden blushes. In tho
case of widows, this canopy, which was.
called the "care cloth," was considered quite
unnecessary. A necessary portion of the,
co-tumo of nn English bride of the Mlddlo
Ages was a carving knife stuck in her
girdle.
"Wedding favors" are of Danish origin,
and the "true lovers' knot" does not, as
might be naturally supposed. dPrive its
name from the words, "trne love," but fromv
the Danish "Trulofa." which means liter
ally "I plight my troth." A knot among tho
ancient Northern nations seems always to
have been the symbol of faith and friend
ship. In old times fishermen made their own,
hooks, using very much the same methods;
as aro now practiced on a large scale in tha
factories, it is a very enrious fact that dur
ing the bronze ago, when metals had flrss
come into nse, fish hooks h.id the same form
as now, even to tho shanks and curves. Tho
famous "Limerick" and "Shaughnessy"
bends are absolute reproductions of thoso
preferred in that early epoch.
The several lines of paper consumption
are estimated to require abont as follows,
each yean Journals published daiiy, 493,
000,000: journal's published weekly, monthly;
etc 3JO0OO.0O0-. books of all kinds, 150.000.on0:
used in schools, etc.. 180,000,000; aed by gov
ernments and citi's, 160,000,000: in corre
spondence, 229,000 000: for commercial us,e.
lj0 000.C00;ior pasting, 4.'9,0X.000; for papier
mache and art objects, 200,000,000.
A curious result has followed the intrri-
duction of electricity for street lighting in
Orizaba, Mexico. Millions of insects havo
been attracted from the mountains, and
their dead bodies have collected in grate
heaps aDont the lampposts. Under a hot
sun," nn unbearable stench has risen from
the decaying mase, and fever has brnkoa
out among the inhabitants. It has been,
fonnd necessary to send out wagons every
morning to carry away tho dead insects.
While a Hutchinson, Kan., policeman
was standing under an electric light he was
startled by some object striking him. a
heavy blow on tho head and then falling at
his feet. As he stooped to examine tho ob
ject he received a second blow, this timo on
the back. When lie rccoverod sufficiently
from his frignt to gather himself together,
he fonnd he had been struck by two wild
u-eese that had been killed by striking tha
electric light wires. He then resumed hi
slumbers.
PICKINGS FItOJI PCCK.
Miss Lovely I wonder why they call
this "One Minute" pudding: I'm turelt took me
ever an. hour to make It.
Mr. Lovely But It only took me one minute to
find out that It wasn't any good.
He's not the best horse in the race;
He has but little fame:
Toil haven't backed him. e'en for place
But he gets tlierejut the same.
His Honor, (to vagrant) What is roor
business?
Vagraut Looking for a Job. s
When through the painted gauze -'
HerTioneyed accents flow, it
Don' t trust In them because . I
Their tones are soft and low; .-
The little arts that go
To captivate a man, . '
The wily maid doth know
She's talking through hnr fan! ,,j
'How full that wagon, is!"
"Vest it id a beer wagon." (.
Weed I see by the newspapers that rich,
deposits ornieerscliaum have Iwen discovered r,la'
Ntw Mexico. , . J.
r.etd-I suppose that a pipe line will be lalM
bring the product away. ""Jp
Within my heart I prisoned her a
Y'et no complaint made she: V
In f.ict. It quite captured her aoj
That I her guard should te. 'J
And that with more security; -f
I might reutn her there.
With her own hands she gave to me -
Alockofgoldcirhair. '"I"1
Quackenbach Congratulate me, old.fel
low: I have obtained control of a patent medtV
cln' '!!,.
Frlend-AVhat Is It good for?
Quackentacn Any prevailing epidemic. . .
Old Bonder It's down to 30 this morn
ing.
Mr. Moremargln-What! Not New England'
- Old Bonder o; the thermometer.. i
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