Pittsburg dispatch. (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, July 17, 1892, Page 10, Image 10

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of women upon his fortification! to deceive
the beseiging army with regard to his mili
tary strength. These women acted with
anch unexpected gallantry and engaged
with snea abandon and ferocity in the bat
tles which brought victory to Dahomey
that they were organized into a permanent
egiment, and women have ever since been
among the bravest soldiers of the land.
The flower of the fair sex is likely to get
into tbe army as well as nearly" all the
strong-minded women, the viragos and the
unfaithful wives. If ow and then the King
takes a consort from his women regiments
but no other man may marry them.
Bound to perpetual maidenhood, tbey
know that a crael death will be
their punishment if they are found
to violate their vows of chasity. There
are occasions, however, when violation of
these vows is permitted and the moral code
is completely relaxed. When the King
sends his Amazons through the country to
enlist men lor the army the fair, recruiting
agents are permitted to use any inducement
they please to tempt men into the ranks.
The women are taught that they are not
weak but strong. Every womanly senti
ment is suppressed and "they become un
texed and unnaturally ferocious.
Tim Population Is Decreasing.
But after all, the system of women sol
diers is a source ot weakness as well as of
strength to the country. Dahomey is rich
in soil and in resources, but its population
is not large and is decreasing. It has less
than 300,000 people. Two Englishmen,
Messrs. Skertchly and Burton made a verv
careful study of the Amazons. Burton said
hey show the most desperate courage and
reckless daring and are very formidable
enemies. Skertckhly said that Amazons de
light in nothing more than in polishing
their gun barrels which gleam like silver in
the sun.
The French gained a vivid idea of their
ferocity in battle during the late war when,
under deadly fire from the French fortifica
tions, they made charge alter charge up to
the works. When at last put to flight and
pursued, dying women on the ground caught
some of the French troops by the legs and'
Amazons in Jiill Uniform.
tried to throw them down and stab them
with their swords. AllDahomeyan soldiers,
men and women, have a ration of intoxicat
ing liquor before they go into battle. The
French sav that in the war of 1889 the per
lect recklessness of the Amazons was doubt
less increased by liberal potations of gin.
The women had just enough liquor to make
them devilish withoutinterfering with their
powers of locomotion.
They Wear Balls Around Their Necks.
One of the pictures gives al very faithful
idea of their military dress. Tfceir sleeveless
tunics of blue and white natiTt cloth, their
skirts falling to the knee anil their short
trousers make it easy to distinguish them
irom the nearly caked male warriors. On
parade in the capital they wear a head orna-
," horn tips which, howiever, is not
orn .- rttle. Scithcr do tlxir, when ad
vancing a2irist -nemy, war tie bells
seen in the picttfX ..nd niton are always
hung around their necks in time of peace.
The well-known tinkle of the Amazon bell
makes proclamation to all the male-creation
"that it is high time to scurry down the by
ways or get ont of sight somewhere to avoid
meeting the King's soldiers; for the man
who dares to keep the road when an Ama
zon approaches pays for his temerity with
his life. On all the highways these women
are more isolated from the other sex than
anv nun. Skertchly said it made his blood
boil to be compelled to slink out of view
like a thief whenever he heard that odious
bell.
Another picture here is taken from a
sketch by a French officer of a scene he
witnessed at one of the battles nearKotonu,
three vears aeo, when two Amazons armed
v ith bows and arrows were advancing on a
dead run. one of them flourishing aloft the
bloody heads of two Senegalese soldiers
whicli she had just severed from their
bodies.
Weapons of the Amazons.
Their weapons are blunderbusses, flint
locks, and bows and arrows. Their plan of
warfare is always to take the enemy by sur
prise. They usually march to the attack
in the gray of the morning, and before the
enemy is hardly awake they are upon him
with their impetuous war cry and fierce on
slaught. Mr. Chaudonin says he saw 4,000
Amazons, in 1889, grouped around the King,
perfectly motionless as they steod in line
but ready to bound at a signal from their
master. Old or young, homely or hand
some, they were a remarkable
spectacle. They appeared every whit
?t i
Amazons in Battle.
CSketched from a Scene In the War of ISM. J
as muscular as the male warriors and their
bearing was military. The croud of people
approached oo near and a half dozen Ama
zons walked along the line nourishing their
guns and crviug with imperious eesture:
"Back, backl" whereupon the crowd made
haste to retire to a safe distance.
After the late war King Behanzin caused
a number of Amazons to be beheaded on
the charge of cowardice. He endeavors in
every way to make them perfectly fearless
and indifferent to pain. Mr. Borghero de
scribes a sham fight that he n itnessed at
the capital a few years ago. Thousands of
bundles of thorny cactus bushes made an
obstruction 1,300 t'eet long, 25 feet broad and
7 feet high. Beyond this obstruction rose
the iramework of a house of the same
length and 16 feet broad and high,' the two
slopes of its roof covered with a bed of
thorns. The bare-footed women three times
surmounted the heap of thorns, scaled the
house and then appeared before the King,
their feet and legs covered with blood, and
their faces wreathed with smiles of triumph.
H ."
Mwwji cctv
I Three thousand women took part in this
astounding spectacle.
Hainan -aerifies In Dahomrj.
Human sacrifices are a feature of the re
ligious customs. In Abomey, during the
annual sacrifices, 500 or more victims are
i put to aeatn, to appease tne gous anu carry
! r . .L. yr; ........ :. 1.A
messages 10 me nmg s auueaiuie m mo
other world. These sacrifices are very
elaborate and one of them is illustrated
here. The victims, tied hand and foot,
are fastened into the baskets, and carried to
the top of a platform 20 feet from the
ground. Here the King, under his um
brella of state, imparts the messages he de
sires the victim to take to the other world.
They are then raised aloft and dashed to
the ground, where a crowd of Amazons and
common people rush with the greatest fury
upon the poor wretches, cut off their heads,
and often divide their bodi?s into many
pieces.
Governor Bayol, while in Abomey, in
1890, was a spectator of this scene. He says
that he saw an Amazon about 19 years old
rush upon one of the victjms. She was a
new recruit, had not yefr killed anybody,
and it w as desired to put her to the test.
With her sharp edged sabre, held in both
hands she struck the victim three blows on
the neck, then chopped off the last pieces of
flesh that still held the head to the trunk,
after which she carefully wiped her saber
and retired to the ranks. Alligators, cats
and other animals are also sacrificed'to carry
messages to their kind. If Behanzin makes
the French too much trouble during the
coming campaitm, they may possibly send
him himself to interview bid ancestors.
The Victims Are Usual'y Criminals.
The victims are invariably criminals or
captives of war collected to make a negro
holiday. When Europeans protest with the
Kings of Dahomey against these terrible
sacrifices they are told that not only does
this slaughter give great satisfaction to the
gods, but also it is the only way to make a
great jail deliverv. If they did not kill
their criminals they say it would take too
many soldiers to suppress evildoers.
And yet Dahomey is not a people of sav
ages. Under ordinary circumstances the
populace are gentle and easy to influence.
Most of them obey implicitly all the laws
and regulations of their King. They are
fairly industrious and have attained a sort
of negro semi-civilization. They represent
one of the finest types of the black race, are
above medium stature, have bright, intelli
gent faces and powerful physique, and it is
only when eneaged in war or in the practice
of their religious customs that they display
remarkable ferocity and fanaticism. The
King is aided in his government by a coun
cil composed of his principal chiefs; but in
spite ot his ministers and his own nearly
absolute authority, he is still submissive to
the occult power of fetich.
The Kins Dare Not Look on the Sea.
One curious religious law imposed upon
the King by the fetich priests forbids him
to look upon the sea. This law was doubt
less made to prevent the King from coming
too much under the influence of the white
men, who might persuade him to forget the
customs of his country and overthrow
fetichism.
The sentiment in France seems to be
against taking possession of the capital
Abomey unless this step is positively neces
sary to insure the safety of French inter
ests. It is not improbable, however, that
France will be compelled completely to
subjugate Dahomey before an enduring
peace is secured. The road from Whydah
to Abomey is only 65 miles, but it is a diffi
cult route lying through forest and swamp.
If the French advance to the capital they
will very likely approach it by the route
from Whydah, and also send an expedition
up the Wheme river on the new gunboat
Opal. Canna, the sacred city of the conn
try, is eight miles south of Abomey. A
large part of the arinr is said to be now at
Canna, and 3.000 of the King's troops are at
Godome, only a few miles Irom the coast.
Abomey occupies a rolling plain nearly sur
rounded by marsh. The city is eight miles
in circumference, and is surrounded by clay
walls pierced by six gates. The population
is 12,000. The French hope to make the
campaign a short one, and it is certain that
Dahomey can offer no effective resistance.
Cyrus C. Adams.
NEW T0EK HOT HEALTHY.
The Fait "Week's Death Rate the Highest
for Over a Year.
New York, July 16. Special. The
number of deaths for the past week was
1,330, a heavy mortality. It is the highest
weekly death rate since the week of April
18 of last year, when there were 1,317
deaths. In the week ending January 11,
1890, during the prevalence of the grip,
there were 1,424 deaths. The next highest
death list for one week was way back in
1872, the week ending July 6, w'hen 1,596
persons died.
The ,higb death rate this week is due to
the heavy mortality among chilnren. Of
the l,336deaths 600 wore of children under
1 year and 362 under 5 years. Four hun
dred and 66 w ere Irom diarrhceal diseases.
Four hundred and 38 children under 5 years
died from diarrhceal troubles. Of the total
number of deaths 990 were in tenement
houses. The number of deaths to-day was
228, as against 177 yesterday.
MONTE CBISTO AT HABBIS.
A Spectacular Revival of a Popular Flay
at Peoples' Prices.
Horace Lewis and his talented dramatic
company will appear at Harris Theater
this week in a spectacular production of
Dumas' great drama, "Monte Cristo." Mr.
Lewis will appear in his usual creation of
Edmond Panics, a role in which he has no
superior. The balance of the cast is as fol
lows: Kortur, George A. D. Johnston; De
Ttllefort, Stuart Anderson; Samglar, G'E.
Ward; Albert, Ed Morrison; Fernand, Louis
Wolfe; Caderousse, Frank K. Wallace; Mer
cedes, Miss Fannie Harrold; Mile. Danglar,
Miss Georgie Levard, and Carconie, Miss
Minnie Travers.
The play will be staged elegantly, as a
carload ot special scenery arrived last week
from the studio of Harley, the renowned
New York scenic artist. A number of new
and novel mechanical effects will also be
enlarged to perfect the realism of the pro
duction. It May Be Alderman Brlnker.
It is expected the qnestion of appoint
ment of Allegheny City magistrates will be
disposed of during the coming week and
there is considerable talk in magisterial
circles over the prospects of the various
candidates to the $1,500 office, the one at
the Central police station. From present
indications it looks as though the appointee
will be Alderman A. J. Brinter of the
Twellth ward.
Excursion Via the Picturesque IJ. O. K.R.
To Atlantic City, via Washington, Baltimore
and Philadelphia, on Tnursday, July 28. 1892.
Bate $10 the louudtrip; tickets good for 12
days irom day of sale and good to ttop off at
Washington City returning. Trains with
Pullman jiarlor and sleeping cars will leave
It to. depot, Pittsburg, WS A.K. and 9:20
P. St. .
Lies' photo studio, 10 and 12 Sixth street,
flrst-elass work, moderate prices, prompt
delivery. Bring the babies. an
The Human Sacrifices.
IS'ilRy':?: , afiWT'i T ar ItMiiBMSIiiShaiT-S
"'sspisswsysps'r-
THE
LABOR IIJIGUID.
Something Badically Wrong
When the Complaints
Are Universal.
THE KEAL ELECTION ISSUE.
Statistics Show That Half the Work
ers of 60 Are Paupers.
THE POLITICIANS SEE THE WRONG.
Ko Wonder English labor'Sticks Better to
Its Organizations.
1 LESSOX OX THE FREE TRADE POLICY
CroanitSPOSBiNCi or the dirpatcit.
London, July 3. For the study of so
cial problems in Great Britain it would be
difficult to 'choose a more favorable time
than that afforded during a general election.
The true condition of an army is best
shown in the tut; of war. France had a
tremendous military force in 1870. Bo at
least she was led to believe; but in 1871,
after her struggle with Prussia, she knew
better. On the same principle, such a bat
tle of the ballots as is now imminent in
England is calculated to show, in a stronger
and truer light than the same facts could be
broueht out in any other situation, what is
the real condition of the working classes in
this country.
Under the old regime this would not have
been so. It isnot very long since elec
tions for the so-called House of Commons
were the exclusive diversion of the titled
and wealthy. Parliamentary seats were
carried about in the pockets of the great
landowners, and doled out at election times
line so many aristocratic tips to their own
retainers. But it is different now. In these
days the masses take a hand in this busi
ness The battle of the ballots is a battle
of the people for their rights.
All Men Are Not Kqaitl Yet.
It is hardly what might be called a fair
and square battle, for in this country one
man is not as' good as another even yet.
Spite of repeated extensions of the fran
chise, there are still thousands of worthy
toilers who for one reason or another have
no vote, while, on the other hand, many
thousands who are not toilers, and some of
whom, alas, are not very worthy, have sev
eral votes. Nevertheless, this is substan
tially the day of the people in this land,
and the pending contest is, to a large ex
tent, a battle ot the masses against the
classes. It is a time, beyond all others,
when the working man comes to the front
to air his grievances and to demand his
rights.
Consequently, it is a capital time to find
ont what is the British workman's true con
dition and how he compares in his material
and social surroundings with the daily
toiler in the United States.
From a careful study of what is going on
I am forced to conclude that the real ques
tion in this contest is the labor question.
In a different sense from that ordinarily in
tended by the words, it is a campaign for
home rule; or rather, reducing it to its last
analysis, it is a campaign for the home
itself the working man's home.
The Workmen Are Desperate
Better dwellings, better pay, better sani
tary conditions, fewer hours, better pro
tection in law, better prospects for old age
after a life of honorable toil these are
the issues so far as the masses are concerned.
The British workman just now is almost
desperate, as he may well be, in his demand
that a chance shall he afforded him to accom
plish three most reasonable objects: to earn
a decent livelihood, to live in a decent
habitation, and to save himself in advanced
life irom the awful disgrace of the poor
house.
How very serious be is in the demand he
makes tor these reasonable things is at
tested in a most striking manner by the
attitude toward him of those now asking
for his suffrages. If straws show which
sv the wind blows, so just as surely do
politicians always know which May the
wind blows. Everybody now is the friend
of the workingman. Between the plat
forms of the two parties there is no choice;
and as regards this issne there is hardly
any choice between individual candidates
if their own protestations amount to any
thing. To the workingman himself the
situation must be embarrassing in the ex
treme. To be conrted so effusively by
Tory and Liberal alike is a new experi
ence, and I cannot wonder that many, from
modesty or in sheer perplexity, are turn
ing from both these fair, charmers to candi
dates of their own.
Statesmen Must Come to His Rescue.
But this spectacle is no more bewilder! ng
than it is instructive. To the thoughtful
observer of social movements it is an un
mistakable proof, not only that the condi
tion of the British workman is a deplorabie
one, but that the time has come when by
direct efforts in his behalf, or by some radi
cal chance in the principles upon which
trade is conducted, the statesmanship of
the country must come without further de
lay to his rescue.
It is quite immaterial to the observations
I am offering how many of the 25 labor
candidates will be elected, or upon which of
the great parties to this contest the mantle
of success may fall. These things will be
fully known in a few weeks; possibly before
this letter appears. This, however, will
not in the least affect either the truth of my
remarks or their timeliness. I am not so
foolish as to expect that the party which
shall get in, be it Tory or Liberal, would
revolutionize matters immediately; nor is
the British workman expecting anything of
this kind. His reliance for final redress is
not upon the promises of politicians, but
upon himself and upon the splendid and
powerful organizations into which his forces
have been massed. Having naited so long
already, he can well afford to wait a few
years more, especially as every yearof wait
ing is a year which registers increased pre
paration and greatly augmented strength.
A Model for tlie World's Worklngmon.
In the readiness and tenacity with which
they combine and hold together, the work
ing classes of Great Britain are a model for
the world. And that which fits them for
this distinction that indeed which impels
them to it is the fact that such vast num
bers ot them are doomed by the conditions
attending their labor to drag out a misera
ble existence upon the sanielojv level of in
adequate remuneration, and to grapple
daily, from youth to old age, with the same
a v.-Mil problem of how to make both ends
meet. Thus, that whieh has so long been
the shame ot England has finally become,
in the strong incentive it affords tor organi
zation, the brightest omen of a much needed
change.
The English workman complains sadly of
his fellow toilers in the United States. The
laboring classes on our side, he says, are not
sufficiently alive to their own interests.
The)' do not combine sufficiently. They are
not active enough as a class in politics.
They proceed too much upon the principle
ol every man for himself. I met recently a
very intelligent lady, Miss Mary Forster,
one of the numerous aud niostnbble women
of this country, who iu these days are work
ing itn might and main for social reform.
She had just returned from a protracted
visit to the United States, and the com
plaint noted, above, which I had previously
heard from others, I heard again from her.
Naturally, too, coming from the lips of one
who had spent many months in organizing
PITTSBURG DISPATCH;
social clubs in America, with only partial
success, this complaint fell upon my ears
with peculiar interest andforce.
. merlca-i Worters.Own Their Homrs.
In America, she said, soi many of the
working people after a time bought for
themselves a little home ot their own, and
otherwise got on so well that it was no ob
ject to them to enter into organizations for
the improvement of their condition; and, of
course, while these held aloof it was diffi
cult, tor want of proper leading and in
spiration, to get others to combine. But in
England, she added, working people were
Working people. They began so aud re
mained so, with the rarest exception,
to the end. Then, too, she said
and here is the fact which tells 'so
awfully against the environments of the
British workman, and which proves so con
clusively that the chief cause of hfs poverty
is not in himself the English laboring
classes are all substantially in the same
boat Hardly any rise above the common
level. They cannot, and .the situation is
such that personal interests are merged in
class interests, and are best promoted, as a
consequence, by class organization.
How happilv true is that part of this ex
planation which applies to the United
States, the reader will know as well as I do.
Yes, we must plead guilty. It is possible
for the American workman to own his own
house after a time, and to rise in the world
in many other ways. In thousands of
instances, throughout every branch ot trade
and labor, are these things actually done.
Chamberlain' Old Ago Insurance.
When that which is portrayed is discred
itable to them, we may surely accept as not
being overdrawn the picture which a people
give ns ol themselves. Thus, when a man
like the Hon. Joseph Chamberlain under
takes to set before us the deplorable state
in which the masses of his own countrymen
are living, it may well be said, "He that
hath ears to hear, let him hear, and let him
believe that what he hears is the plain, un
varnished truth.;' The London Spectator
places Mr. Chamberlain, in his influence
with the masses, second only to Mr. Glad
stone. This gentleman set in motion not
long ago a great scheme for old age insur
ance. The scheme lies buried at present,
like many other things good and bad among
the debris of the Parliament which has just
been dissolved. What had chiefly touched
the heart of Mr. Chamberlain, in consider
ing the condition of the British masses, was
that so many of them should end their days
on the parish and should find interment at
last in the grave of a pauper. And this
to quote only a few words was what he
had to say on the subject.
The summary of all his investigations
was, he said, that "at the present time, of
the working classes, one in two, if he
reaches the age of 60, is almost certain to
come upon the poor law for his subsistence."
"Shame," was the exclamation greeting the
speaker at this point, and as an English
man must have "been the author of it, we
mav surely be. excused if we re-echo the
sentiment and say it is a shame indeed.
Searching for tho Reason.
But whose fault is it? Let Mr. Chamber
lain tell us. "It may well be," he says,
"that some of these deserve their fate; they
may have been brought to it by intemper
ance or misconduct of some kind or an
other. But nobody will persuade me that
that is true of all of them cheers, or
even of the larger proportion of them. It
is impossible that one out of two of the in
dustrial population of this kingdom have
done anything to deserve the fate which,
under existing circumstances, is inevitably
in store for them." Cheers.
The cheers were given, 1 should say, not
to applaud this terrible indictment, but
simply to express faith in its accuracy. Some
time later, in speaking on the same subject,
Canon Blackleysaid substantially what Mr.
Chamberlain had said. The proportions
which pauperism attained among the old
were not easily ascertained, he observed,
but as the clergyman of a large parish he
had examined the registers of death in his
charce, and had found that of
those pafishoners who, in 11 years,
had died over 60 years of age 37 per
cent had died in the r;ceipt of pauper reliet
Moreover, at his request, 70 or 80 other
clergymen bad mado similar inquiries, and
their returns placed the proportion at 45 per
cent These returns, he said, related to all
classes all over England, and if thejiuniber
of those who provided for themselves were
deducted, what lesson did we learn but the
horrible lesson that, roughlv speaking, half
our working people, it they reached 60 years
of age, were doomed to die as paupers.
Wretched Wases Is the Cause.
Statements like these are so astounding
so really awful that we are led to ask
again: Who is to blame? The answer, how
ever, though it will come from a different
source, will be the same as that already
given, and will place the responsibility
upon the same shoulders. In this case it is
the great labor champion, Henry Broad
hurst, M. P., who speaks, and what he says
is, to give his exact words: "The blame of
being a pauper is not due so much to those
who" come on public charity, but to those
persous who pay them such wretched wages
as to prevent their saving anything."
Such declarations as the -above, coming
from sources so opposite, yet so disinter
ested and trustworthy, require from me
neither explanation nor embellishment I
cannot doubt their truth, and I am inevita
bly shocked by them. They preclude alto
gether any rational comparison of British
with American workmen, either as regards
their present condition or their prospects
for the future. After this showing I do
not wonder that the labor question is in the
forefront of English politics, or that the
workingmen in this country hang together
as they do. And far from rejoicing that
these things are so, every true-hearted
American must wish that the situation were
quite otherwise and will hail the day when
labor here shall have wrought out by some
means its much needed deliverance from
these conditions. Henry Tdcklet.
FOUR LITTLE LADIES
USHERED INTO THE WORLD BY A
W OM IN Al PHILADELPHIA.
Mother and Babies Are Doinc; Well This
Makes Eight Children She Has Borne
Her Husband Their First Offspring
Were Twins.
Philadelphia, July 16. Fpetial
John Harkin3 should be the proudest man
in Frankford, that is, if the birth of four
little girls at one time is calculated to
make any mortal happy for that is pre
cisely the forturne, or perhaps the
misfortune of this man Harkins. He
lives at No. 1833 Pearl street, Frankford
and yesterday morning while eating his
breakfast received a telegram apprising him
of the lact that he was the lather of quad
ruplets. His wife, who was visiting friends
at Sixteenth and Vine streets, was tatsen
suddenly ill, and in a short time she gave
birth to'four bright and healthy girls.
The woman is doing as finely as could be
expected under thes? most trying circum
stances and as far as could be learned she is
entirely out ot dancer. As yet no names
have been selected iorthe little ladies, but
in the nurse's estimatiou'they are "just the
sweetest creatures that ever lived" and a
motherly smile brightens up the face ot Mrs.
Harkins as she gazes In fondness upon her
prettv offspring.
The first children that were born to this
prolific couple were twins; then a bov and
later a little girl followed and now this
latest production makes a family of eight
for this one man to support
Little Boys Farced to Swim.
Charles Wiegand, aged ' 12 years, Arthur
Jones, aged 10 years, and 'Martin Wilson,
aged 7 years, all of whom reside on Church
hill, West End, had a skiff and were row
ing to Chartiers, having embarked at the
foot of Main street They had proceeded
but a short distance when their boat cap
sized, throwing them out The boys, all of
whom were fair swimmers, started for the
shore. The men employed on the William
Thaw ferryboat put out a skiff and rescued
them.
Go to Steinmann's, 105 Federal street, for
fine spectacles. Thasu
SUNDAY, JULY llT.
i FLOWER OF ENGLAKD.
Smartest Troopers .of the Crack
Jiegiments to Tour America.
EXHIBITIONS OP TENT PEGGING.
Contests With Swords and Bayonets and
Other Novel Feats.
EYERY MAN IS OYER SIX FEET HIGH
vwnnrxir roa the dupvtch. i
Some members of Queen Victoria's finest,
the Boyal Horse Guards, and other crack
regiments that are England's pride, are to
visit America and give a military tourna
ment They will first be seen in New York,
but the gigantic troopers, 60 strong, all
more than six feet high and none over 35
years of age, will be brought out princi
pally for a proposed grand military tourna
ment at the World's Fair. They will be
the finest specimens of British troopers to
be found in the Queen's domain.
Captain W. F. Bawson Turner, who served
13 years in the Prince of Wales' Own, or
the Nineteenth Hussars, and who is the
director of the English military tournament
tor this country, says the English soldiers
will do their best to make good the boast so
often made on English soil that the "Queen's
finest" have no rivals. Captain Turner is
a handsome and stalwart Englishman, who
towers above the New York promenaders
just now. He is more than 6 feet 2, and
has taken offices at No. 949 Broadway, and
A MOUNTED
is now mapping out his route for the exhi
bitions of the troopers.
Picked Men From Famous Beclmente.
"These tournaments will be given
throughout the United States and Canada,"
said he. "Of course every American who
visits London goes to see the tourneys at
the Agricultural Hall, and they know what
the exhibition is like, but we believe that
the thousands of people who will visit the
Fair and the residents of the larger cities of
the country who never go to London will
enjoy an English military tournament,
especially when the best men the British
cavalry can produce participate in it The
horses will all be trained to the highest
state of perfection in the necessary drill and
maneuvers."
"What regiments will be represented?"
"The famous Fifth Lancers, known as the
Koyal Irish; the Second Dragoons. Scots
Greys, who were conspicuons at the battle
fields of Sebastopol, Waterloo and Balak-
Bayonet Against &uuiU.
lava; the Seventeenth Lancers, the Duke
of Cambridge's Own, having seen service at
South Africa, India, Alma and Sebastopol;
the Sixteenth Lancers, the Queen's, which
have been prominent on the battlefields of
Salamanca, Vittoria, the Peninsula, Water
loo, Afghanistan and Sobraon; the Tenth
Hussars, the Prince of Wales' Oh n Hus
sars, of whom the Prince is Colonel; the
Sixth Lancers, the Enniskillen Dragoons,
who have seen service at Waterloo, Balak
lava and SebastopoL Gigantic troopers
from the Koyal Horse Guards will also be
seeu. There will also be a mounted band of
21 pieces and also a contingent ot Zulus,
who will be utilized in reproducing war
life in South Africa.
Detal's of the Exhibition.
"The programme will include the cele
brated musical ride, tent pegging with
lances and swords, tilting the ring, lemon
cutting, "Victoria Cross race, section jump
ing, sword against lance, sword against
sword,, lance against bayonet, sword against
bayonet, lance against lance, Turk's head,
low line and basket, jumping on saddles,
water jump, table jump, hedge jump, 1tnce
exercise on ioot, sword exercise on foot,
boxing competition, heads and posts, laying
down horses and firing across them, cavalry
charge with lances, cavalry charge with
swords, Balaklava melee, wrestling on
horseback, sword exercise at a gallop, lance
exercise at a gallop, horizontal bar, con
cluding with an ideal representation of a
battle scene in the famous Soudan. The
uniforms will be full dress.
"The history of modern military tourna
ments extends over no more than 11 years.
An impulse tending to develop this move
ment was given by the Fifth Lancers, who,
on their return from India in 1875 intro
duced tent pegging at Hurlingham.
This exercise of dexterity, familiar enopgh
to all who had seen service in Indian,
was fresh to the majority ot English
folk, and it took their lancy at once. The
exhibition of the great picture "Missed"
fired the imagination ot gay troopers who
w ere anxious to emulate the deeds of Bengal
lancers and Boyal Irish at tent pegging.
From that time all mounted branches of the
service began.to practise it, and, mainly to
show their skill with the lance, h many
officers organized a military tournament for
two days only at Lillie Bridge the follow
ing year for some charitable affair. The
spectacle attracted all fashionable London.
The Lancers have since then seen sterner
work than jousts in tho tilting rius, and I
know that two of them 'played their parts
manfully in ,a desperate encounter on the
Africau sands, where skill gained at regi
mental tourneys served them well."
Tent Peering by British Soldiers.
"Will tent pegging be done here the same
as in the English tourneys?"
"Yes. The seat from the hips downward
should be immovable, the body bent well
down to the right rather than forward, its
sway being well supported by the left leg;
the handling ot the lance easy and free, the
right arm slightly bent, the hand just -in
front of the instep and the lance pointed
lilt L
1892.'
j olose to the ground. Only those who have
watched the swarthy Oriental swoop down
upon the peg at full speed, his eyes aflame
and every muscle ot his sinewy frame
Sniveling with excitement, can realize the
engal lancer's triumph when he drives his
keen spear his point fair and square through
the mark or chagrin when he has missed.
"Swordsmanship is by no means a lost art
in the British army. In cavalry combats
pure and simple we may still throw down
the gauntlet to all the world,-and none can
doubt this who remember the recent fierce
combat between Lord Kilmarnock and Bid
ing Master Odium; the brilliant feat of
horsemanship and dexterous sword play by
which Lord Harrington triumphed over
Captain Googh Todd; the frequent combats
in which Waite, of the Third Hussars, now
a lieutenant ot the Tenth; Woodgett, of the
Sixteenth; Goodall, of the Second Life
Guards; Barber, of the Bucks Yeomanry,
and other mighty gladiators have distin
guished themselves in days gone by. Some
SWOBD CONTEST.
of these can hold fheir owh in the lists
against oil comers still, and the names of
others will live in story as long as the royal
military tournaments continue to draw to
gether all that is best of thews and sinews,
pluck and chivalry in the British army.
"All the men brought here will be over
six feet high. The horses will be purchased
in New York, and these can be trained in
the necessary drills and maneuvers in six
weeks. We will Itay in America and Can
ada for three years. S.
EAPID TRANSIT ASS EDUCATIOH.
Vllkimbnre; Finds That One Increases the
Demand for tbe Other.
The rapid increase of Wilkinsburg's
population is shown by the fact that the
School Board expects soon to be compelled
to put up a third schoolhouse. The board
has approved the deed of the lot purchased
from the Wilkinsburg Presbyterian Church,
at the corner of South and Center streets, in
the very heart of theborough, and will hold
the property until it is necessary to build a
new schoolhouse. The lot is 132 feet square,
and the value of it is placed at 58,850. Only
last year Wilkinsburg built a second school
house, the one that had been enough for a
number of years proving inadequate in the
face of the vast increase of population.
This is traced to the effect ot rapid transit,
and it is expected that the new school
house talked about on the recently acquired
property will be a brick and mortar fact
within a year or two.
An Unmerciful Stanjhter of Men's Fine
Tal'or-Made Salts.
This sale of men's fine suits excels anv of
our former efforts, and the public will be
w ell repaid by visiting onr stot es on Monday
and Tuesday, for wo have decided to clear
ontourentue stock or summer clothing ir
respective of loss. The goods must be sold,
nnd if prices are any object they nre marked
so low that they will sell at sij?ht Such low
figures as these were never quoted tor equal
values before.
Men's all-wool business suits, well made of
stylisli labrics, light, medium and daik
shades, our former pi ice was $12, but for
Monday and Tuesday we biv marked them
so they must sell at once $5 90.
Men's excellent business and dress suits in
sacks and frocks, fine serge linings. A large
line of seasonable patterns now selling at
$14 nnd $15 will go on Monday and Tuesday
for i7 25.
Men's superb tailor-made suits of Imported
cheviot, serges, tweeds and whipcords in all
styles, trimmed and lined better than custom-made
garments and always sold for $18
and $10, Monday and Tuesday take your
choice lor $8 90.
Tliis sale starts Monday morning at 8
o'clock witli these three special drives.
You'll find everything Just as advertised, so
come as early as you can.
P. C C C, Clothiers, cor. Grant and Dia
mond streets.
BEASS BAUDS AND DRUM CORPS.
Get Bendy For the Campaign.
The (rreat Presldental campaign has be
gun and all persons that Intend organizing
either a brass band or a drum corps s.'.ould
do so immediately, as then- Is no time to
lose. Call at or write to n. Kleber & Bro.'s,
603 Wood street, Pittsburg, Pu.. lor cata
logues and prices of their lnstiiiments.
They carry a lull line of the celebrated Hic
ham. I'ourcelie, Slater and Empire band in
struments, and also a complete stock of
drums and every nthw at eicle necessary for
a lull outfit. At Kleber Bro.s' you will also
find a larso variety of drums and cornets lor
boys at special prices.
To tbe Public
I have no hesitancy in recommending
Chamberlain's Colic, Cholera and Diarrhoea
Bemedyto the public," as I do to my friends
and patrons. I used it myself alter other
well-known remedies had' tailed, and it
cured me in a tew minutes. I recommend
it candidly and cheerfully upon its merits,
not from a financial standpoint, because I
have others in stock on which 1 make a
larger profit, but because Chamberlain's is
the best remedy I know of f of bowel com
plaints. There is no doubt about it, it does
the work. Jamks Fokgy, Druggist,
TuwThsa McVeytown, Pa.
July Clearance Sale.
' 100 pieces last-colored challies at 4c and 5a
per yara; - cnaiues at He una luc per yaru.
Pongee lavns, wash cords, satlnes, ging
hams and percales, at Immense reductions,
to close summer stock. II. J. Lysch's,
Tiissa 128-340 Market street.
No Need or It.
yVhatJ Why, wearing, those old pants when
Sailer is going to sell ont his immense stock
of men's all-wool pants at $2 25. There aie
oO styles and the sale is lor Monday only,
first come, first served. The goods are
watting at Sailer's, corner Sinltbneld and
Diamond.
JlTtm
THE TAMMANY CHIEF.
Bichard Croker's Rise From a Me
chanic's Bench to a Boss' Throne.
A MAN VEEY LIKE GEN. GRANT.
Says Folitics Is a Business and the Laborer
Wortbj of Uis Hire.
HIS 0EGANJZATT0.VS CLEAN EECOED
tCOHRISPONDIX CE OT THE DISPATCH.l
New Yobk, July 16. Tammany Hall is
not only the most compact and powerful
political organization in New York, but is
probably tbe best organized aud best
managed political body that ever existed.
It is stronger and more respected, execrated,
admired and feared to-day than ever it was.
Fjom a local club of ward heelers within
the circle of an ancient social organization,
it has grown to such proportions as to
practically swallow up the greatest city of
the Union, to abserb public revenues and
patronage second only to the revenues and
patronage of the Federal Government
itself, to control the political destinies'of
the Empire State and to in a great measure
dictate the policy and make and unmake
the administrators of the laws of tbe Re
public. Nothing but the personal jealousies,
factional rivalries and partisan hatreds en
gendered by its own power and grandeur
within the ranks of the city, State and Na
tional Democracy could prevent Tammany
Hall from flinging its triumphant banner
from the "White House, and, once in posses
sion of the Federal Government, from ex
tending the working methods of its organi
zation to the remotest States of the Union.
Whether this would result well for the De
mocracy and for the higher interests of the
whole country we need not discuss here.
A Brutal Frankness jbont T.imuianj.
Let-us deal with physical facts. Tammany
is a physical fact. Its methods are of the
earth, earthly. The usual hypocritical pre
tenses thought necessary by other political
bodies, and by politicians generally, find no
place in the creed and practices of Tammany
HalL Politics is to Tammany a simple
business proposition. The Government
must be run by somebody; we can run it as
well, if not better than, anybody else; we
will get the contract and pay ourselves out
of the patronage for onr trouble and ex
pense. There is a brutal frankness about
this that displeases the refined mind. Yet,
reduced to lowest terms this U substantially
the underlying principle of all political
parties. The chief difference lies in the de
gree of protestation to the contrary.
Private corporations have been robbed,
cashiers have run away with private funds,
bank Presidents have embezzled the assets
ot banking institutions all sorts of financial
deviltry has been and is still going on on
every hand. Public officials in Washing
ton, and State officials in other States have
betrayed their trustj Pennsylvania's treas
ury has been emptied, Jersey's representa
tive politicians sent to prison, Chicago's
Aldermen are in jail, and there is no end of
official rottenness. iSut here is Tammany
the execrated, the reviled of the Church,
the thing we throw rocks at every day
with not a single snbstantial slip of ad
ministration. Tammany Has Public Confidence.
With the collection and disbursement of
some 510,000,000 a vear of public money, no
"Tammany heeler," as we tondly term him,
has run away, or robbed the city, or spent
its revenues other than in accordance with
law. On general principles, the successive
failure of all other parties and combinations
and splits and schisms to make any impres
sion on Tammany indicates that the oppo
sition did not have the puDlic confidence.
And iudeing by results, I cannot help but
think that possibly the great State of Penn
sylvania might be better off with a little
more Tammanyism and a little less reform.
At least there is no canse tor public alarm
if Tammany theories spread to other sec
tions ot the country.
The secret of the power of this wonderful
organization is not a secret, for it appears
on the face ot events. If it relied on the
power of public plunder alone Tammany
would go to pieces from the sheer weight of
spoil. Tammany is an army and the
efficiency of an army rests largely upon its
discipline and leadership. It is due to
superb leadership that discipline is ever
arrived at and maintained. And discipline
is a growth. It is not achieved in a few
weeks or months, it is the growth of years.
Leadership is a birthright it belongs
alone to those who were born with it.
Circumstances may develop leaders, they
do not make them. There are as good
soldiers at the plow to-day as ever put
armies in the field. If the occasion arose
they wonld be there sword in hand to lead
on to victory.
Croker Is the .Man TVbo Rules.
I think of such men when I see a man
like Dick Croker. I used to think of them
whenever I met General Grant And now
I never see Croker, known as the Tammany
Boss, without thinking of Grant. The lat
ter was a cold, silent man whose look was
au habitual look of stupidity. He impressed
you casually as a shallow, pig-headed dnl
lard. As a study he was to you like the
water at the bottom of a 30-foot well deep,
dark, unlathomable. Eichard Croker is
much the same kind of a man. And he pos
sesses many of the real, as well as the ap
parent attributes of General Grant
He is cold and silent. He is a great tac
tician, an organizer, a leader ot men. Men
believe in him. He is stubborn, plain,
practical and persistent. He is a fighter.
He is a man who from his youth np was
ready tp meet anybody in argument or by
physical force. His courage physically was
backed by greater moral courage. He is a
listener, not a talken He doesn't have to
talk when a man like Bonrke Cockran can
serve as a better oral instrument AVhen
he has listened he gives his own opinion,
and that opinion goes.
His decision of character, like that which
characterized General Grant, assumes the
degree of obstinacy. It Croker had been a
soldier he too would have fought it out on
that line if it had taken all summer.
Keeps in Touch V. Ith the People.
His judgment of men is accurate. He is
always in touch with the people. The
great organization of which he is the rec
ognized head is in touch with the people.
Ihev stand elbow to elbow, breast to back,
and'keep step. He does not hole himself
away in his bank orconntinghouse or coun
try palace and conic forth only at Del
monico dinners, sending forth studied plat
itudes through the press and appearing to
the general public only a fortnight or so
prior to elections. He is with the people,
near the people and of the people all ihe
time. He knows their ins and outs, takes
note of their coming and going. Not a dis
trict leader of the 24 his immediate lieu
tenants nut knows him and is known to
him thoroughly. Not a tard poll watcher
but feels that Croker is watching him nnd
is fully informed as to the manner in which
he does bis local dnty.
Perhaps an important element in Mr.
Croker's influence and managerial ability
is the fact that he began business life as a
mechanic and for years was closely asso
ciated with the areat body of wage earners
in New York. What a lesson br every
young man who has dinned into his ears the
tale of oppressed labor and the selfishness
and power of capital! When political dem
agogues say that the laboring man is a
heipless slave, bound hand and foot to the
chariot tail of millionaires, don't believe it
You can scarcely turn about in this big city
without touching men once laborers now of
riches and power, and men born to affluence
now struggling for bread.
The Personality of thi Boss.
The "boss" is loss" by the divine right
of brains and by wisdom and knowledge of
men and force of character and honor. He
! must 'be self-sustaining. To fail
in any direction must be to
fall indeed, never to have risen.
P.ichard Croker "Dick" Croker tells a
more expressive story is of Irish birth and
came here with his parent," when abont 3
years old, in 1847. His family was an hon
orable one, his grandfather having been In
spector General of the British army, an
uncle, member of Parliament for Cork and
another uncle, a captain in the British
army, while other male relatives were
prominent
He was especially popular among the
working men. The old volunteer fire de
partment offered him an excellent field for
his peculiar talents. There was as much
fightins between rival companies as there
was fighting of fires, and Croker was good
at both. Hp was engineer of the first steam
fare engine used in New York, and soon be
came foreman of Engine Company 23, a dis
tinguished position in those days. That
early experience with the fire department
reallv formed the basis of his public career,
just as his fire department service laid the
groundwork of the public life of the late
Samuel J. KandalL The volunteer fire de
partments of New York and Philadelphia
were powerful political machines.
In this hotbed of politics Dick Croker re
ceived his first lessons in party manage
ment His popularity was attested Joy hi
election to the aldermanic chamber in 1867
while .yet a very young man. He must
have been the satisfactory representative of
his constituency, for they sent him back
term after term. He was appointed marshal
to collect arrears of taxes by Mayor Have
meyer, and in lour months collected $500,000
due the city. He then resigned. He was
made Coroner, then appointed Fire Com
missioner under Mayor Edson, resigned and
was reappointed under Hewitt He was
ueculiarlv fitted for this noaition. and'ths
New York Fire Department was materially
advanced in efficiency and public esteem.
A Bonus or Fllteen Thousand.
City Chamberlain was the last office Mr.
Croker held. The salary is 525.000 a year.
It is understood that his successor takes but
55,000 a year, turning the balance over ex
penses, about J15.000 a year, over to Mr.
Croker. The reason for" this lay in the
sudden temporary breakiug down of Mr.
Croker's health and his enforced absence in
Germany.
A long time after the murder in First
avenne and the acquittal of Croker by a
jury and tbe public of any responsibility
tor that affair, a man named Burke, known
as "Burke the rioter," then in the last stage
of a fatal disease, called upon Mr. Croker
and begged his forgiveness for not having
appeared at the latter's trial and testifying
as to the man who really fired the shot,
whom he, Burke, knew. Mr. Croker freely
and with characteristic magnanimity for
gave him for whatever injury the absence
of this witness had caused him. That the
unhappy incident had very nearly mined a
great career made tbe act still more
grateful.
Mr. Croker joined Tammany Hall early
in life, when he was yet a member of En
gine Company 28, and has never strayed
Irom his allegiance. Other men have
dropped ont and come back again, have
been on this side and that, but Croker
stood loyally to his color3 from his enlist
ment in the ranks to the present, now com
mander in chief. He was soon the trusted
lieutenant of John Kelly and aided him
greatly in the reorganization of the order,
which" took place in '73. In fact, his popu
larity and influence had then alreadv be
come such as to excite the jealousy of Kelly.
He developsd wonderful powers as an or
ganizer, powers more generally acknowl
edged since his accession to the post mad
i vacant by Kelly's death.
Croker's Famous Mpgszlno Article.
Mr. Groker's idea of politics is boldly
stated in his contribution to the February
number of the Xorth American Heview. He
regards political management as a business,
just as banking, manufacturing or any
other similar calling is a business, and it
should be run on business principles. Man
aged thus a party can down any other party
whose managerial work is spasmodic and
whose energy is sporadic After speaking
of the system of district leaderships and
strict accountability ot subordinates ex
acted by Tamnjanj-, he says:
Coincident with the plan that all tbe As
sembly districts shall bo tboronjjhly looked
after by experienced leaders whoareiirclosa
touch with the Central Committee, i the
development of the doctrine that the la
borer Is worthy ot his nire: in other words,
that good work is worth payins for, nnd in
order that it maybe good must be paid for.
Tho affairs of a vast community are to De
administered. Skilltulinen must administer
them. The9e men must bo compensated.
The principle is precisely the same s,s that
which jjoverns the workinss of a railway or
bank or u facsori ; and It is an illustration
of the operation of sophistries and unsound
moralities, so much in vogue among oar
closest reformer?, that any persons wno
have outgrown tho kindergarten should
shut their eyes to the obvious truth. Xow,
since these officials must be paid, and ucil
paid, in order io insure able and constant
service, why should they not be selected
from the membership of a society that or
ganizes the victories of the dominant partjt
Why not? There we have the principles
of Tammany Hall in the studied phrase
ology of its great leader. The laborer is
worthy of his hire. Tammany is the la
borer and organizer, and therefore Tammany
should be paid. But how? By the appro
priation of the public patronage, of course.
And there is your one great cohesive power
that holds Tammany Hall well together.
Values Honor Abnve Idfe.
But perhaps Mr. Croker's work is more
conspicuous through his continuous efforts
to promote decency and honesty in the ranks
of the organization. No crooked and devious
ways are encouraged and no man of doubt
ful character rewarded with public office.
It has been urged in denunciation of the
spoils system that it encourages an inef
ficient and promotes a corrupt public serv
ice. Inefficient as in many respects the
pnblic service of New York is, it has been
unquestionably improved under the Croker
regime, and its general honesty is beyond
question. When Croker was in Germany,
not expected to live and much less to coma
back, a systematic attack was organized
against the Tammany administration in
New York ahd the Fassett committee of
county hostiles, with expert accountants
and tbe powerful machinery of the law,
went through the books. A personal at
tack was made upon Croker's honesty. It
was even insinuated that he wasn't sick,
but had fled the cauntry to escape the com
mittee. Mayor Grant 'had made a present of
510,000 to Mr. Croker's child, to whom
Grant stood in the relation of godfather.
This was seized upon and magnified into
evidence of crime. The most searching
examination into private affairs followed.
Mr. Croker, in spite of the warning of his
physician that to return was to risk his
file, at once cabled his resolution to come
back. He preferred to risk his lite to risk
ing his honor, and so he came back and
went upon the stand, much to the disap
pointment and chagrin of his enemies. It
was characteristic ot the man.
His Family and Dally Life.
Mr. Croker is a taciturn man, but not dis
agreeable. He married a lady who" is a
Catholic, and he then became a Catholio
himself, though up to his marriage an
Epicopalian. He has five children, three
boys aud two girls. One of his bovs was re
cently graduated with high honors. The lad
possesses unusual powers as an orator and
debater. Mr. Croker is not what could be
called an educated man save in tbe practical
affairs ot lite.
He has no business never had any but
politics. since he leit his machinist's bench
in the railway shops. Yet he is believed to
be a rich man. He lives in a quiet brown
stone, 26 Mt Morris square. He aud Chair
man Murphy, of the State Committee, have
bought a stock farm recently at Litchfield,
and will breed thoroughbreds. Mr. Croker
is very fond of good horses.
Chaki.es Theodore Murray:.
Atlantic City, Sea Isle City, Ocenn City,
Cape liny and Betarn for Twelve Days.
for 810,
By the Pennsylvania Railroad's special sea
shore excursion Thursday. July 21, mi
Special tfciin ot day coaches and Pullman
parlor cars will leave Union station at 8.53
A. M. Those special tickets will be accepted
on regular trains that date at 4:31, 7:1U and
8:10 p. v. Seats In parlor cars and berths In
sleeping cars can now be secured upon ap
plication at the office, 110 Fifth avenue.
I
fjm