-THE PITTSBURG DISPATCH, THURSDAY. JULY 28. 1892.
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ESTABLISHED FEBRUARY 8, 1848
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lUTTsBUKG. THURSDAY. JDLYSS. 1891.
TWELVE PAGES
THE APPROPRIATION MONSTER.
With the session of Congress just draw
ing to a close it is necessary to remark that
the Democrats in Congress have made a
conspicuous failure to improve the oppor
tunity of cutting down expenditures be
low the extravagant .rate established by
the preceding Congress. As one of the
arguments by which the Democrats
secured their overwhelming majority in
the House was the Democratic opposition
to the record of the Billion-dollar Con
gress, the failure includes the breaking of
a public pledge.
It is well to clearly assign the responsi
bility for the increase in expenditures, as
that may come to be a vital question be
fore the matter is disposed ot The fact that
the appropriations of this session exceed
the appropriations of the first session of
the last Congress by 547,000,000 is dwelt
upon by several Republican organs as a
crusher for the Democratic claim to
economy. It Is in one sense, but the Re
publican organs should not forget
that so far as responsibility to
the public is concerted the
Republican Senate must bear it equally
with the Democratic House. More than
that, besides the enforced or continuing
appropriations left over by the last Con
gress, a large share of the increase Is due
to the additions to appropriation bills
made by the Senate. It is also pertinent
that these same Republican organs have
devoted large energies to the work of
jumping on Mr. William S. Holman for
every effort he has made to keep down
expenditures.
So far as the merely partisan advantage
is concerned, the prominence which the
organic Republican press is giving to the
matter partakes of the nature of rejoicing
that the Democrats are as "bad as the
Republicans. That is very nearly the
sum of the whole matter. If the Demo
crats had been as much in earnest about
correcting extravagance in the House as
they were on the stump in 1890 the ap
propriations could have been materially
reduced. But when it came to actual
work in that line it became apparent that
Democratic members are as fond of ap
propriation grabs as Republican members.
It is simply a vice common to the political
system. When tha people get tired of
having the public money wasted they
will have to introduce a new breed of
politicians on both sides of the political
fence.
Whether that time may not be quite im
minent is suggested from the following
comparison. The expenditures of the last
Congress wiped out a large Treasury sur
plus and reduced the revenue. With the
narrowed revenue to go on, it now ap
pears that the expenditure is to be en
larged some 550,000,000 more. When the
public finds out that this means the in
crease either of taxes or the public debt
by something like 5100,000,000 annually
the politicians may also find out that to
have assisted in this scattering of the pub
lic funds does not constitute a good public
record.
A TRAGEDY OF SPECULATION.
The Irage.ly in Philadelphia yesterday
presents another phase of the times which
suggests reflection. A man who had lost
$20,000 in margin speculations presumably
crazed by his losses shot his broker first
and then killed himself.
While it is evident that the mental con
stitution which could be so overturned by
a mere money loss was the reverse of ad
mirable, and that a man who undertakes
speculation has little sense if he is not
prepared to meet the possible losses, the
illustration of the vice and danger of
business gambling is very impressive.
Host men have more stamina than to go
to that degree of desperation over it But
there is no doubt that the loss and ruin
caused by that evil makes it one of the
greatest of the day.
' ROADS AND THE GOVERNMENT.
.The subject of road improvement is
again brought into prominence by bills
introduced in both Houses for a,national
commission on road improvement The
bills propose that the commission shall
operate for the purpose of investigation
and recommendation as to national and
local action on the road question. Sena
tor Mandersou's bill contemplates na
tional work in military and post roads, as
well as a possible national aid to local
road improvement
Inasmuch as the construction of na
tional highways of this sort was abandoned
half a century ago for the obvious reason
that the railways furnish military and
postal highways, the chief purpose of a
national body on the subject would be
educational. But it is questionable
whether it is necessary for the Federal
power to exert itself to add to the litera
ture on the subject The value of
the tendency to carry every work of this
sort to the Federal Government is illus
trated by the fact that the volunteer road
literature is ample at the time when it is
first proposed that the Government shall go
into the business. Everyone who wishes to
inform himself either as to the condition of
our country roads, the standard of good
roads in other countries, or the best
. methods of making substantial highways
can obtain abundantinformation on the
subject.
What is needed now is practical demon
stration of the malting of good roads. A
road-making exhibit at the World's Fair
would have undoubted value; and we hope
to see that secured, if Congress does not
stifle that unfortunate project before it is
fairly born. But the most convincing
demonstration is In the construction of
roads in the country districts, and that
must be the result of' local effort The
localities which are building durable roads
are earning fame as well as increasing the
value of their property. They will show
the Importance of such work more con
clusively than any Government literature
can do. At the same time they will reap
a reward in the enhancement of the prop
erty by the improved communication with
their markets.
There is every reason for keeping up the
agitation in favor of road improvement;
but it is necessary to recognize that the
next real step must be in the, line of actual
local work. That work may be stimulated
by State aid; but it is difficult to see how
it can be brought within the province of
the Federal Government.
A SIGN OF PROGRESS.
One feature of the preparations for the
campaign indicates a creditable regard
for the principle that the public official
.who devotes his time to other purposes
than the public service should give up his
position. The action of Republican Chair
man Carter in resigning'' his Government
position to take charge of the Republican
campaign has already attracted notice,
and now Mr. Joseph Stanley comes to the
front with a letter resigning the postoffice
at Augusta, Maine, for the purpose of de
voting his energies to the Republican
cause. .
This shows a distinct advance in pub
lic sentiment over the old usage. The
time has not been far gone when officials
would leave their offices in charge of their
subordinates to run a political campaign,
without a suspicion that anyone could
object to it Indeed, we may argue a dis
tinct education of the political mind
from the fact that, if memory
does not mislead us, Mr. Joseph Manley
has heretofore found it consistent
with his conscience to run the Augusta
postoffice and a political campaign at one
and the same time. That the political
perception now takes in the distinction
between devoting time to party and to the
public service Is an evidence that the
world does progress, and that standards
of conduct continue to improve sorely as
we may at times be inclined to doubt it
The partisan mind may also draw from
the situation a comparison as to political
confidence not wholly favorable to the
Democrats. It is quite easy to recognize
the fact that Messrs. Carter and Manley
take this action with the knowledge that
if their labors are successful they will not
starve, or even be left to complain like
Hamlet that they "lack advancement"
But in view of the fact that the Hon. W.
F. Harrity has not yet shown any sign of
giving up his well-paid and easy position
as Secretary of the Commonwealth, the
deduction is quite possible that the Re
publican campaigners exhibit a more san
guine reliance on the gifts of the future
than the Democratic leader.
FLOODS AND REMEDIES.
An article in the Sorth American
Review, by J. W. Powell, on "Our Recent
Floods" points out some of the means for
regulating the flow of rivers. Some indus
trial methods of securing that result are
set forth in the extracts from the article
published elsewhere, which show how im
portant and effective these methods
must be.
Major Powell first makes the point that
on what he calls "flood plains, or the
alluvial bottom lands of the great river,
the certainty that the river will at some
time exceed its banks cannot be averted
by dykes, levees, or straightening the
channels. This increases the -Importance
of regulating the outflow, and it is sur
prising at the first sight how completely
measures for this purpose dovetail into
each other. Thus it is the fact that the
Missouri, Arkansas, and Red rivers,
while they may not bring to the Mississippi
a larger volume of water than the Ohio
and upper Mississippi do, they bring a
large burden of the detritus, which causes
the nver bed to fill up, the channels to
shift and the flood-plains to be overflowed.
But if the headwaters of the streams
were stored for the irrigation of the arid
belt lying east of the Rocky Mountains,
the surplus that now brings destruction in
its outflow would be turned to the crea
tion of fertility. Another factor in
finitesimal in its individual aspect, but
vast in its aggregate, is suggested as fol
lows: "Deep cultivation and under
draining create a reservoir for water wher
ever it is practiced."
It is to be borne in mind that the protec
tion of riparian population from floods is
not the only object to be subserved. The
regulation of the outflow so that the main
streams can afford transportation from
commerce; the maintenance of moisture in
the drained districts; the preservation of
fertility and the cultivation of timber, all
are included in the problem. It is im
portant to note how the gaining of one
purpose will aid another. Irrigation, sub
soil cultivation and underdrainage, as
Major Powell notes, will at once enhance
the fertility of the land and diminish
the danger of floods; the cultivation of
forests on mountain slopes and waste
lands, and of orchards in agricultural dis
tricts will distribute the outflow and regu
late precipitation, ' making our streams
more valuable as transportation routes,
providing against a threatening timber
famine of the next generation, and also
diminishing the flood peril. The system
of channel storage of water developed by
special articles in ' The Dispatch some
time ago will make every stream navig
able and regulate the outflow to a more
perfect degree.
A scientific development of all these
methods might not wholly abolish floods.
But it is certain that if they are all put in
operation on a national scale the danger
of floods will be lessened by an infinite
factor while the fertility and value of the
territory so treated will be enhanced to
an equal degree.
AN rNDISPDTABLE ALTERNATIVE.
In connection with a recent combination
of the flour millers of New York City, our
esteemed but sometimes erroneous cotem
porary, the New Tork Sun, -makes the
following statement of the case:
The business of milling one hundred cents'
worth of grain and sell In; It to an unappre
clative public for seventy-flve cents con
tinued obdurately until presently each
miller lound that the dimensions of bis
trade In no wise compensated for tbe shrink
age in his working capita!, though from the
point ot view of competition nothing could
be more satisfactory than the amount of
flour that could be sold for seventy-five
cents while the raw material had cost a dol
lar. Then it bappened, most naturally, that
tnese competitors got together.
When we are confronted with this as
sertion that the millers of New York pur
sued the practice before the reported com
bination was formed of buying , grain,
turning it into flour, and selling the flour
at 25 per cent less than, the cost of the
grain from which it was made, we are also
confronted with one of two con elusions.
Either the assertion is true or it is not It
is plain that there is no escape from one
or the other of these views.
If we take the' first view that our es
teemed ootemporary has correctly stated
the facts prior to the combination, another
conclusion follows. If the millers sold
flour at seventy-five cents the material of
which cost them a dollar they did not do"
so from competition. For the essence of
competition Is that it is seekingto increase
profit by enlarging business. Whatever
stupidities may be perpetrated in the
name of business no one accuses the New
Yorks millers of being such fools as not
to know that they would lose money by
such transactions. But when there is
competition in losing money it is not for
competitive purposes. Where nothing
but competition is possible business men
stop competing when they come to losing
money. Where there is a possibility of
establishing arbitrary and excessive prices
by combination they very often cut each
other's throats either for the purpose of
forcing the combination or making their
own terms in its formation.
Therefore if there were any throat-cutting
business, as our cotemporary reports,
it was done for the -purpose of the com
bination. But that suggests the other
alternative. We are permitted to doubt
that there was any 'general selling of flour
at 25 per cent less than the grain it takes
to make it for two reasons. First, the
combination that has been formed cannot
control prices, those being fixed by the
general competition of mills all over the
country. Second, the New York mar
ket quotations do not show any such dis
parity between stlief price of wheat and
flour.
The fact is that the true raison d'etre of
the reported flour combination is suffi
ciently set forth in the fact that it is capi
talized at 52,000,000 in common stock,
53,000,000 in preferred stock and 2,500,000
of bonds.
That sudden opening of free baths in
Pittsburg yesterday, afternoon would have
received a more grateful welcome if It lind
been better advertised and more expected.
As it was, the absence of suitable costumes
led to a good deal of discomfort among the
unprepared bathers.
Local Democrats have almost as much
trouble making nominations as tne nominee
will experience In obtaining votes for elec
tion. Queen Victoria should be requested to
send a sample of her famous match-making
to the women's department of the World's
Fair. A specimen of the Industry would be
peculiarly Interesting among the surround
ings of a democratic country.
Africans are in a fair way to become
civilized between German invaders and
British rifles supplied to repnlso them.
Again the trans-Atlantic record has been
broken and, barring accidents such as the
breaking of propeller shafts or the run
ning onto Irish rocks, Europe and America
are continually approaching one another.
Thanks to sewer gas any decrease in the
natural gas supply will not be marked by
the absence ot explosions.
Senator Vest's oratory is of the
picturesque kind that seeks to convey its
owner's wishes as to the condition of affairs
without troubling itself to be in keeping
with the facts.
As a center of domesticity the door step
has superseded tho hearth stone.
Etna has another eruption, and none of
the blood cure manufacturers have yet
availed themselves of the opportunity for
advertisement by offering to treat it.
A standing auditor's business is to pre
vent figures from lying.
When the jsun spot business has been,
played out the opposition of Mars may be of
use in accounting for things otherwise in
explicable Al feesco is a popular party this
month.
Officers of the law in Fayette county
appear in no hurry to give the Cooley gang
a chance to change its name by a rest in the
cooler.
INTERNATIONAL INNINGS.
Secretary Rusk has gone to his home
in Wisconsin for a short holiday.
Jules Verne is a confirmed cripple and
limps around, the cause being a pistol shot
wound inflicted upon him by an Insane
nephew.
General James B, Weaver, the
nominee for President of the People's party,
does not smoke or swear or drink. He pos
sesses a pleasant baritone voice.
William Black, the novelist, does his
literary work in a room at the top of his
house above the noise of tho street and away
from all unnecessary interruptions.
Mb. Timothy Harrington, the promi
nent Farnellite and Secretary of the Irish
National League, was married yesterday to
Miss O'Neill, daughter af Dr. O'Neill.
Eugen WOLFF, the newspaper corre
spondent in German East Africa, telegraphs
to the Tagcb'att that Dr. Stuhlman. the sec
ond in command of Emm Pasha's expedi
tion, is still at Bagamoyo, and that he is
lying at the point or death.
A London oculist yesterday visited Mr.
Gladstone, and after an examination of his
In J ured eye, told him that it had regained so
much or its strength that he might use It
briefly for reading purposes. Mr. Glad
stone's general health is admirable.
The Marchez Palli has been married to
the Countess Wuideck, in Vienna, In the
presence of an aristocratic assemblage, in
cluding ex-King Francis of the Two Sicilies
and numerous Archdukes. The parents of
the bride both died of Influenza In Novem
ber last within a day of each other.
General Geoege H. Sheridan and
Mr. Whitelaw Reid, the Republican candi
date for Vice President, both contemplate
taking a trip West during the month of Au
gust. General Sheridan goes on a political
mission. Mr. Beid's mission is of a do
mestic nature. On about August 15 he will
leave for, Xenio, O., his native town, to pay
a visit to his aged mother, now ncaring her
S9th birthday.
ICE IN THE BATHTUB.
The Novel Vlny a Senator Employed to
Keep Himself Cool.
Washington, D.C., July 27, A great deal of
sickness is resulting from the extreme Heat
here. It has been over 100ln the shade hero
for some days, and fevers are taking those
who cannot get out of Washington. Never
were so many cold baths ordered at the
capital by Senators and Representatives as
now. Many statesmen leave the floor of
either house in tho middle of the day and go
Into a cold bath. n
"Have a lot ot ice sent up to my bathroom
and instruct the boy to put two or three
large sized chunks on tho tub," said a
Senator to the 'clerk' of ait uptown hotel.
"All right, Se'nator,"'8aia the diamond
decked knight of the register, but he didn't
execnte the order, for he thought the
Senator was merely Joking or adopting an
original style of comment on the weather.
In a half an hour, though, he was unde
ceived, for the Senator sent down to inquire
why that Ice hadn't been put In his oath.
Even then the clerk could scarcely believe
that one of his guests actually contemplated
such an arctic ablution, but the request was
complied with and one member of the
United States Senate got temporarily square
with the clerk of the weather.
Not Salted ror a Campaign.
Baltimore American.
The name'Adlal is a oorker. The rhymers
have had several weeks to get np campaign
songs, but they cannot make any music with,
Adlal at the end of the line. There's going
to be trouble, unless the Democrats find a
great poet. ,
A LOOK AROUND.
Whence comes the lofty indifference of
the conductor of an electric car, say on the
Birmingham road for example? Why does
this class of employe seek to make himself
obnoxious as a rule to women or children
who are alone? There is an extremely re
served and haughty gentleman who pulls
the bell cord, or rather neglocte to do so, on
car No. 1, on the Birmingham lino. Ho
stands with folded arms and eyes fixed upon
the horizon as though seeking Nirvana or
communicating with his Karma. Wrapt in
a role of beatitude he passes coldly by
the fat woman on the corner, who wildly
waves her umDrella, or the man who must
in ten minutes catch a train at the Lake
Erie depot. This kind of man ought to be
elected to the chair of contemplatlvp men
dacity in sorao Arkansas college.
A time is coming in 'politics iu this
county when .the nights will be full of music
and the air will be full of hair, when long
time friendships will become reminiscences
and there will be a bounty for scalps paya
ble in promises. Theie are-signs of disin
tegration,dyspepsia and disgust id unlooked
for quarters.
An amusing case of "which shall it be?"
arose recently. There was a railroad em
ployes' picnic on one of the leading roads of
this city a few days ago. Tho company gave
each man two free tickets, but in some way
an impression got abroad among the men
that they were to have three. As a result
nearly all of them prepared to take two of
their women folk. In the case of the unmar
ried men they almost invariably tarnod np
with their mothers and their sweethearts or
their sweethearts' .mothers. When they
learned that there were but two tickets to
be had there was a general shifting of plans,
and I am told that In nearly ejery case the
mother was left at home, the sweetheart be
ing too potent a picnio attraction to be
lightly cast aside.
There is generally a disposition to abuse
the police and to call them blunderers,
blockheads, etc. The manner In which the
police of Pittsburg and Allegheny have thus
far handled the- Anarchist attack ou Mr.
Frick should earn them a long rest lrom
public criticism. It cannot be said that the
police of Paris have done as well as ours, for
most of Ravochol's accomplices have not
been located. In this case there has been
rapid and acenrate operation, which has re
sulted in much that is astonishing and more
that is lamentable. Ofllcers McKelvy,
O'Mara, Murphy, Shore, Steele and others
have acted intelligently and carefully, and
it is woll to call attention to this' fact.
I iiear that a tract of several thousand
acres of West Virginia coal land Is to be
bought by a Pittsburg syndicate for coking
purposes. The coal is said to show a good
analysis and a large amount of money will
go into the new plant.
Speaking of coke, it is said that owners
of Conncllsvllle coko coal laud are advanc
ing values rapidly. Some leases hive been
made from the Thaw estate on a 15 cents a
ton royalty, but it is understood that in
future no lenses will be made by the Thaws
at less than 30 cents a ton royalty.
"What is a good thing to drink this
weather?" I asked a physician yesterday.
"Tho best drink is nothing," was Ills retort,
"but If yon must drink stick to buttermilk
or acid phosphate twice a day."
The road to Swissrale is the popular drive
nowadays. Horseback parties, buggies,
drags and other vehicles adapted to a rough
road full of sudden drops' and deep mud
holes swarm over the road during the after
noons. The cause of all this is a desire to
take a look at the Homestead n orks and the
troops from the top of tho hill just off the
Swissvale drive. It is a pretty sight at any
time, bnt just now is the best place from
which to see without being seen and with
out having to give a pass word.
"It has been one of those days," remarked
Charles Lamb, "when one felt as though it
was almost too hot to exist and wished one
could ascend to a hill top and, divesting one
self of fleh sit in bare bono-as the winds
pass to and fro through you" or words to
that effect. There are days in large cities
when one fries and then there are other
days when one merely sizzles. Yesterday
was a frier until the rain came, and any
body who from choice stays away from
mountains or sea deserves to be proceeded
with at once without benefifof clergy.
Walter.
THE AMERICAN UNIVERSITY.
Dr. Smith Tells Chaotanqnans or Its Many
Proposed Advantages.
Chautauqua, N. T., July 37. tSpeeiaf.
This morning Dr. W. W."9mith addressed
Chnutnuquans in the interest of the
American University. .Though the
question has boon dlscussod at various
times, more especially at the Ecumenical
Congress in Washington last spring. Dr.
Smith, throw much new light on the sub
ject. Tho Univeislty would have the sup
port and take charge of many things now
under Governmental control and there are
scores of specialists now employed in
Government departments whose lectures
would be invaluable at there is no such
body of men now together in any school in
the world.
The copyright law would also bring to
gether such a library as would be the pride
of the nation nnd the envy ol tho world. It
is proposed to have the great art gallery
nnaer tho control of the university, and
many othervaluable institutions now under
the control of the Government would be
passed uy law into the hands of tho univer
sity. The Idea was started by Washington,
who left $23,000 for it, and was furthered by
Alexander Hamilton, who proposed a defi
nite idea of it. Dr. Smith and his colleagues
are very enthusiastic over the scheme, and
will work hard 'for its success. It is hoped
that several million dollars can be raised for
the scheme. Miss Stone's lecture before the
Woman's Club to-day was about what to feed
sick people, and how to prepare It.
800 YEARS OF COMIHUISM.
The Pennsylvania Chautauqua Observes
the Anniversary ot Its Founder.
Mt.Gretna, Pa., July 27. Spec.at To-day
the Pennsylvania Chautauqua celebrated
the three hundredth anniversary of Comin
uism. John Amos Cominuis, the originator
ofthepnblio school system as used princi
pally throughout the United States, was
born in Moravia 300 years, ago. In celebrat
ing the occasion. Dr. Max Hark delivered
an elaborate address on the personal life
and characteristics of Cominuis. He was
followed by Dr. James McAllister, principal
of Diexel Institute, of Philadelphia, on
"The Educational .Significance of Comlnu.
ism."
Tnis morning Dr. Clarke Robinson gave a
lecture on J6hn Wolfung Goethe, the most
artistic of the German poets, and dwelt prin
cipally upon his "Faust," giving an analysis
ol this classical creation. From 2 to 1 this
afternoon. Dr. Weidner, of Chicago, instruc
tor in the American Institute of Sacred Lit
erature, spoke on the study of the Epistle of
Paul tothe Galatlans. Edward P. Eliot, of
Boston, the noted impersonator and elocu
tionist, rendered "Hazel Kirk" to a large
audience this evening.
ANXIOUS TO CROSS NIAGARA.
Tiro Buffalo Men Want Someone to Fay
Them to Do thi JoD.
Buffalo, July 27. Two men in this city
are just aching to go over Falls of Niagara
river tor a consideration. One of them was
equally anxious to jump from tho Brooklyn
bridge under the same conditions. But be
conld not find any ono willing-' to pay to see
him do it. Indeed, what be did And wore
some haughty police officials who were wait
ing for a chance to arrest him if he made any
snch attempt. And that will bo his fnto at
Niagara Falls. Genlns of his sort is not ap
preciated. "
One of these is Vladimir Tur and the other
Is Wradyslawz Kriolowieski. They aro at
No. 356Lovcjoy street and have been in this
city about a month. Tur claims to be a
water artist or considerable renown in the
Fatherland. Ho professes to be a diver and
swimmer of much skill and courage. He
has some sort of a rubber bull or balloon into
which he is willing to hide himself and then
bob down the upper rapids of Niagara river
and over the falls as before said, for a con
sideration. Kriolowieski has a similar con
trivance and he wants to go. too. If one
goes the other goes. It's a case of live ana
die together. -
SWARMS 0? RUSSIAN FLIES.
They Darken the light In St. Louis and
Cover thn Mdewalka.
St. Louts, July 27. Swarms of Immense
flies appeared last night around the electrlp
arc lights throughout the city. They wero
almost as large as an ordinary butterfly, but
shaped entirely different, the body not
being so heavy and the wings much more
narrow and as transparent as ether itself.
On Olive street and Broadway, where the
aro lights were loW, these big flies came in
snch swarms that they shaded the brilliant
electric lights and. settled npon tbe side
walks in such numbers that pedestrians
took the street in preference to walking
through the beds they had formed of them
selves. On Broadway they settled on the
posts like bees swarming out of a hive. The
fly has never been noticed in this section of
the country Deloro in such numbers. Fore
runners or avnnt couriers of the present in
vasion have been noticed around the electric
lights here for several days. The fly Is woll
known in Russia and hut always been con
sidered a forerunner of pestilence. This
may be simply an ignorant superstition
with the unlortunate people of that coun
try, but a Russian Hebrew on the levee in
sisted last night that the ugly and ungainly
thing was always cousldored a harbinger of
Sestllencc among the people of his country,
othing could frighten or give them more
alarm than the appearance or this fly. The
Russian fly may be simply a passing visitor,
but there are many people in this city this
morning who flrmly believe that his coming
will ue followed with much sickness and
that the undertaker will be kept busy.
BAIL TO THE COLUMBIA.
Columbia is her name to-day and the
American navy is by so much the gainer
the name and the vessel. Washington Utar.
America in conception and design, con
structed of American material and built in
the best of American shipyards, she will be
a most striking illustration of what Amer
icans can do in the art of ship bnilding.
PhUadelvliia Bulletin.
Tub new cruiser is so great a gain In sev
eral respects over everything previously
undertaken in our navy as almost to consti
tute a new departure. Indeed, in two re
spects, those ot speed and coal endurance,
she is extraordinary even compared with
the best achievements ornaval architecture
anywhere. New York Times.
As an effective contribution to this na
tion's heretofore incredibly neglected coast
defenses, the launching of tbe new Colum
bia is chiefly to be welcomed and derives its
main significance. Few Americans even
yet have awakened to a full sense of this
nation's need of coast defenses or of the
magnitude of the Interests exposed. New
York Telegram.
The launch, of the cruiser Columbia in
Philadelphia is one of tbe mdst important
events in the world's record of naval prog
ress. The ship Is essentially original in
type, model and mechanism, and if the ex
pectations or the designers are fulfilled its
construction will be followed by( a new de
parture in the naval architecture of mari
time Europe. New York Tribune.
Is view of England's probably perpetual
superiority in armored ships, vessels of the
Columbia's type cannot fail to be powerful
discouragements to British attack, for they
.would De the means of successfully assailing
Gieat Britain in her most vital quarter her
enormous commerce though in war with
most other nations this means of "offensive
defense" would prove less valuable. Boston
Herald.
The launching of the Columbia is a mos
interesting event in the naval history of the
country. She embodies perfection, so far as
it has been developed, in the modern cruiser.
In her are embraced the very latest and
most advanced ideas relating to the archi
tecture and equipment of war vessels, and
it everything shall be realized regarding
hor that is promised the country will be
proud of this new and splendid addition to
our maritime resources. Baltimore News.
DEATHS HERE AND ELSEWHERE.
General H. F. Sweetzer, Tltnsville.
General H. F. Sweetzer died at his resi
dence In Tltusvllle yesterday morning. The de
ceased was general manager of tbe old Atlantic
and Great Weatern Railroad during 1664, and five
years before that he occupied the same position
with the Oil Creek Railroad, now tbe Western.
New York andTennsylTanla.l-At- one time he wu
one of the largest Iron manufacturers In Cleveland.
After severing his connection with the railroads,
lie entered the banting business at Corry. and was
president of the Corry National Bank np to 1880,
when be retired from active business. He bad
been a confirmed invalid during the past seven
years. He was 67 years of age. He waa the fattier
of Mrs. Myron K. Bettls, of Chicago, and Mrs.
Frank Tack, or TituavlUe. The burial will take
place at Boston.
Airs. Ida Hoffman, Anarchist.
Mrs. Ida Hoffman, wife of Dr. J. Hoff
man, died Monday night at her home in New
York. Her death was caused by a tumor of the
stomach. Mrs. Hoflman and her husband were
frte thinkers and believers in anarchistic princl
clples. Mrs. Hoffman's name came prominently
before tbe public In 1886, wben sue gave ball ror
John Most. Mrs. Hoffman was born in Saxony
Weimar. Germany, and she came to this country
when she was 11 years old. She has traveled ex
tensively In Furope. She was married to Dr. Hoff
ni.in at the age of 16. There was no crape on the
door of Dr. Hoffman's residence Tuesday, and yes
terday, when the bodv was cremated at Fresh
Pond,lhere were no religious ceremony, but only
a few addresses by friends.
Mrs. Carrie Jamleson, Actress.
Mrs. Carrie Jamieson, the actress, died at
her residence in New York Monday. Last spring,
while playing In Margaret Mather's company at the
Grand Opera House In New York, she fell through
a trap and sustained Injuries which ultimately led
u her death. Mrs. Jamleson was formerly Carrie
Alvord. she married William Jamleson, son of
the lamous George Jamleson. the "Consuelo. "
whose ardent love letters played a prominent part
in the Forrest-Mnclair divorce suit. Mrs. Jamie
sou had been a widow- since J863. She had acted In
the support of Forrest, Charlotte Cnshman. Clara,
Morris, Julia Marlowe, Miss Mather and other
stars. Her son, Frank ., is an actor.
J. C. Johnson, Memphis.
J. C Johnson died at his home in Hem
phis Tuesday. Mr. Johnson was the owner of the
Hope Oil Mills, which held out against the Cotton
Seed OU combine. He was a large cotton buyer
and broker and a philanthropist. For several
vears he gave away the profits of the Hope Oil
Mills. He established and largely maintained the
Hope night school for boys and the rolsson home
for fallen women and orphans. He was an ardent
prohibitionist, and was the Prohibition candidate
lor Governor in 1836.
Colonel Sam Tatr, Railroad Man.
Colonel Sam Tate, of Memphis, died
Tucsdav. Colonel Tate in his day was known as
the railroad king or the South. He was President
of the Memphis and Charleston Railroad and one
of the proprietors and a director in the Memphis
and Little Kock Railroad, besides being Interested
inmauy other railroad enterprises. He retired fiom
active life several years ago. ,
frank McMahon.
Frank McMahon died Tuesday night at
his home on Berlin street. East End. His death
was caused by Inflammation of tbe bowels. He was
38 years of age and married. McMahon has been a
member of the fire department ror 13 years. He
wasat the time of his death driver on -No. 9 hose
cart. His remains will be interred to-morrow
morning.
Obitnnry Note.
Beverdt Johnson Tkavebs, a son of the late
William It, Iravers, the wllty New Yorker, died
Monday at tbe N.ew York Hospital, after an Illness
or fire days. Ills death was due to pneumonia.
.John Reed, of the old book firm of Tlcknor.
Heed & Fields, died Tuesday In Boston, aged 80
years. He was Lieutenant Governor of Massa
chusetts in 1851 and a member of Congress for sev
eral terms.
Rev. M. Dauscti. pastor of St. Andrew's Cath
olic Church. Baltimore, died snddeoly Tuesday
morning at the home of hts brother-in-law. Dr.
George W. Barkmsn. The cause of death was ap
oplexy. Father Dausch had been In Ill-health jor
sume time pist and was on a sick leave.
United States Commissioneb William Muib
iikid, of Jersey City, died Tuesday from consump
tion. Mr. Mulrheld was, when in active life, one
oi the most popular men in Jersey Cltv. He stud
led law, ana tor years was associated with ex
Goyernor Bedie and Flood McGee lit practice.
Evan Siieppiiard, who had acquired fame in
England as the first African negro to acquire pro
ficiency on the violin, died recently in Hetton.
aged 49. He became an accomplished violinist, and
had filled engagements In many theaters and with
various concert troupes. Latterly he had devoted
himself to teaching.
John Allen, once an orchestra leader of note,
died at his home la Brooklyn several days ago,
aged 71. He was born, in London, and began bis
career as a leader in 1840. For 30 years he was
Identified with the San Francisco theaters. His
rour daughthers. Klcca, Ray, Louise and Anna,
are well-known dancers.
Hekrt Scott Wabi, one of the foremost busi
ness men of Niagara Falls, and reputed to be a
millionaire, died suddenly of apoplexy Tuesday
morning. He was a stockholder in hotel and manu
facturing companies, director in two banks and
head or the Hardnlcke Ware Manufacturing Com
pany of linffalo. He began life 59 years ago with a
pick and shovel.
SUMMER DAYJS GOSSIP.
TVhlle the Thermometer Registered Nlnety
Tlires There Were Still Some People
Enjoying Themselves Society on the
Wine to Mountain and Ocean Other
Things.
The Columbus, Club has arranged for a
fete and summer night concert at Silver
Lake Grove next Tuesday, for which invita
tions are being issued by the Chairman, Mr.
P. J. McNulty. The concert will begin at 4
o'clook in tbe afternoon, continuing until
midnight. There will be no admission ex
cept by Invitation, over which a very severe
sorutiny will be held, owing to the fact that
a small impromptu dance on the fine plat
form at the grove will probably form tho
termination -to the cvoning's proceedings.
Gnenther's orchestra will be preserlt, and
the programme augmented by a number of
vocalists, who will entertain with singing.
The people who form what . might be
termed tho Linden Club set have a graceful
way of making welcome strangers who como
within tho gates of the Boulevard, which
ha been much admired. As soon as the
newly established residents have received
the formal round of calling, and are ap
proved by a sort of a universal unspoken
praise, they are taken into the inner circle
nt a dance in the clnb house. It is totally
informal, no cards being Issued, and, in
stead, little verbal invitations given by an
impromptu committee formed of every
available energetic person. People new to
Fltubnrg social life are charmed with the
noveltv. Ajineclallv when thev have been re-
cinientsof this graceful method of hospi
tality. In order to encourage Pittsburg women
In the straight and narrow path which will
Anally lead to full dress nt the theater, her
milliner is conceiving the pro ttiest and tiniest
creations of head gear. In busineso circles
where women deal the decision that they
must spend more money has been reached.
The little bonnets for theater nnd opera nso
are such midgots that they conld almost be
wrapped np in tho bank notes required for
their purchase.but the same criticism cannot
be mado of the price. Consummation, it is
said, will soon crown the efforts that have
been and still continue to be made to induce
Pittsburg ladles to observe more brilliancy
in their gowning at entertainments.
A lepntation for fine frocks has been
gained by some of the beautiful women of
Pittsburg, who, however, aro strongly indif
lerent in tho one particular at which this
article aims.
Miss Anna GuArr, of Sewickley, will
be ono of tbe particular attractions which
the Sevrlcklev Valley Club expects t6
present when the "Russian Wedding"
Is given in the autumn at Choral Hall. Tho
young ladv, who comes of a gifted family of
the suburb, has been in New York, receiving
instructions in reading and Delsartlsm, from
some of the best metropolitan teachers, who
concur In thinking her natural pirts to be
most promising. Her re-appearance In
Sewickley will be awaited with much
eagerness. Mlis Anna is not the only clever
young woman in her family. Miss Ellsey
Graff, her sister, now visiting in Lafcewood,
is an accomplished girl, and nn artist or
distinct merit. Both young ladies are ex
tremely attractive in appearance.
Lady Heney Somerset has got into the
bad graces of her country women and men
by praising her recent hosts, the American
people, somewhat at tho exponse of the peo
ple of her native land.
An English paper sneers at her in this
fashion: "The title-loving Americans made
much of her in fact, simply idolized hor.
In tbe United States so deaily are the mem
bers of the nobility loved that there is little
or nothing the Yankees would not do for a
mere lordllng, let alone for the daughter of
on earl, the sister of a duchess and the
daughter-in-law of a duke." Gail Hamilton
is taking up Lady Henry's and the Ameri
can people's cudgels lor them.
The East Liberty, Wilkinsburg and.
Copeland United Brethren Churches -will
hold their annual union picnic to-day at
Idlewlld. Great preparations have been go
ing on for several weeks past, so the partici
pants may look forward to spending a very
enjoyable day. Speeches will be delivered
by Bishop Kephart and many others and the
affair promises to be very pleasant for all
that attend.
The members of the Reformed Presbyte
rian, Church, at tVllkinsburg, will hold their
lost service" next Sunday in the church that
was built for them in 1843, and, on the" fol
lowing Monday, It will be nulled down pre
paratory to tbe erection of a hand
some new church. Th'e exercises
will be of a very interesting char
acter and some of the most prominent
ministers of the Reformed Presbyterian
Church will be present and make addresses.
Social Chatter.
A touno woman, who intends to establish
a fashionable dancing school in tho East
End this coming season, announces her in
tention to pass every pupil through a pre
liminary examination. In other words, if a
child has It not in him or her to dance it will
be refused admission. It appears to be dis
covered that dancing, like music, is thrown
away on some young people.
Miss Ella Crosby, and her sister Mrs. F.
E. Merrill, of Chicago, will arrive in Pitts
burg this morning irom Jfew York. They
havo been visiting a twin sister of Miss
Crosby, who is completing a musical educa
tion under the tuition of Prof. Warner,
organist of Grace Church.
Ma. Wood, Mr.- Christy and Mr. Porter
have been selected to become a committee
having in charge arrangements for u con-,
templated tennis tournament, now an an
nual feature of the Sewickley Athletic As
sociation, to be given in a short time.
Miss Margaret C. Magek. accomDanied by
her sister-in-law, Mrs. W. A. Magee,of Halket
street, Oakland, will leave on Monday
evening for New York from which port Miss
Magee sails for Europe on August 3. A nnm
berof iriends will be tbero to pay tbe voy
ogeuse their devoirs.
Mb, Charles GERWEnr.well known in Pitts
Durg musical circles, returned home yester
day from New York, where Mr. Gernert says
the thermometer was as energetically regis
tering the boat as in.our own town.
Miss Augusts Guenther, tho accomplished
yonng flutist,is being rapidly introduced be
fore the public under the supervision of her
gifted parent, Prof. Guenther. The young
lady is using received witu lavor.
A- partt of prominent Pittsburgers, among
them Judge Stowe, General Pearson, Mr.
James Fitzlmmons, Air. Breil, Mr. Edmund
son and Mr. Archibald Kowand, left last
night for Georgian Bay, Lower Canada.
Mrs. Habvet Nash, of St. Joe, Mo., is a
guest at present of her relative, Mrs. Alli
son, of Sewickley, from whose house she
will proceed to make a tour among her
Nortnern friends.
Mas. A. Sears, of Jacksonville, IU., ac
companied by Miss Sears and Master Percy
Sears, are visiting Mrs. A, N. Downing, of
Edgewood avenue, Wilklnsburg.
Mrs. M. Slavin and her daughter Miss
Alice Slavin, of Dunbar, Pa., have returned
home, arter a pleasant week's visit to rela
tives in Wilklnsburg.
To-kioiit the Braun Cotillion Club will
hold its fourth lawn fete in Windsor Grove.
Bellcvue, with the Gernert orchestra in at
tendance. MiS3 Mart Curben, of Washington, who
lias been the guest of Miss Lizzie Maladey,
of Cliff street.for the past week, has returned
home.
Mies Dora Downing, of Waverly, O., Is
visiting her brother, A. N. Downing, of Edge
wood avenue, Wilklnsburg.
Mr. Bernard Batfertt. of the East End,
will in a short time leave for an Atlantic
City sojourn.
A cottage at Conn eant Lake is being oc
cupied this summer by Mr. and Mrs. Joseph
B. shea.
Mjss Mart Sfeer, of Oakland, is visiting
Miss Bicketson at Nonqult, Mass.
HE IS IU THE TIN TBADB.
The Democratic Platform Does Not Suit a
Gotham Manufacturer.
New Toek, July 27. Ex-Park Commis
sioner Daniel M. Somcrs, of Brooklyn, has
resigned from the Democratic General Com
mittee and declared that he will not support
Cleveland, as he cannot indorse the free
trade plank of the Democracy.
Mr. bottlers is one of the leading tin manu
facturer' of the country. Since the adop
tion of tho McKmley bill, Somers Brothers,
ot which Mr. Somers is a members, have put
up an immense tin fnctory in Brooklyn.
Not Even Stnndlng Room.
Boston Herald.;
General Bldwoll says he will not take the
stump; but the chances are that he never
will be missed wben the campaign gets fairly
started. There will be no stumps to spare.
CURIOUS CONDENSATIONS.
Buckles were first made in 1680.
The Shah of Persia has a tobacco pipe
worth $40O,0CO.
Key "West, Fla., has a great-grand
mother who Is not yet 40 years old.
In the United States there are about
16,000,000 cows, one for every four persons.
Flower farming for the manufacture of
perfume Is being carried on In Australia.
In the year 1633 a tnlip bulb was sold
for $2,200 In Holland. It weighed 200 grains.",
The manufactures oi cigarettes has in
creased In 13 years from 233,000,000 to 2,877,000..
000.
A copy of the first edition of the "Vicar
of Wakefield" was sold a short time ago for
$480.
The maintenance of the Sultan's harem
is said to cost Turkey 30,000.000 gold rubles
yearly.
The St Iiouis Chief of Police requires
the 1,000 Chinese in that city to be photo
graphed. A 'young man aged 21 years married his
aunt, who was 45 years old, at Dayton, O., a
few days ago. .
Maine supplies most of the Christmas
trees in New York City, and exports many
to South America.
An ordinary day coach weighs about
80,000 pounds: Pullman sleepers weljb.
about 75,000 pounds.
A field of wheat is reported to have
floated down the Missouri river past At
chison, Kan., recently.
Miss Nina Cromwell, of Detroit, is the
owner of a bible which is said to have been
the property of Oliver CromwelL
Wooden railroads were built in Eng
land in 1C02; iron rails were first used in 1739;
the first iron railroad was laid in America in
1827.
Lace-making was first done by Barbara
Uttman about 1550, though the invention is
claimed for an earlier data by Franco and
Italy.
Brass pins were first made by tha
Sarncens in Spain in A. D. 800; were brought
to England by Catharine of Arragon, wife of
Henry VIIL
The first electric light was the inven
tion of Stnlto & Petrie, in 1846, bnt scores of
men hive since made improvements and
adapted it to popular use.
Indian newspapers tell of a school
teacher in Lackhnrabad who was attacked
by a lion and kept the animal at bay with a
common broom until assistance arrived.
California, Mo., young ladies have or
ganized a cooking club, and tho young men,
in retaliation, have established an eating
club. Beclprocity has been determined on.
A Canadian customs officer distinguished
himsolfafew days ago by assessing a Buf
falo Snndav school picnic party $9 60 on ice
cream which they took over into Canada as
part of their luncn. e
The water clock was known in Rome
B. C. 153. Dial clocks were first put up in
A. D. 913; striking clocks were Saracenic,
about 801; pendulum clocks were invented
in 1041; repeating clocks in 1676.
The costliest paintings of modern timet
have proven to be Meissonier's "1S14" and
Millet's "Tho Aneelns." 31. Chauchard gave
850,000 francs ($170,000) for "1814- and 750,000
francs ($150,000) for "The Angelas."
The first handkerchiefs on the British J
islands were mado in Pai-dey, Scotland, 1743; I
were made popular on the Continent by tbe
Empress Josephine, who had bad teeth, and
held her handkerchief Defore her mouth
when she laughed.
There is a rock in Mexico which fore
tells the weather. In fair weather it wears
a nentral tint, and when it is about to rain
it turns to a dingy red. Its temperature in
creases, nnd it appeirs as if it were being
heated by an internal fire.
One of the features of the Fourth of
July parade at Trinidad, Col., was a Chinese
band, consisting of 31 Chinese residents of
that town, attired in resplendent oriental
costnmes and playing on fearful and won
derful instruments of sound.
Cbromatopseudopsis is tha medical
term for color blindness, and statistics
show that men are much more chromatop
seudoptically inclined than women. A man
Invariably succumbs to hopeless chromatop
seudoptitnde when he tries to- match(a rib
bon. ' s 2&1
Envelopes were first used In France la
the time of Louis XIY. In the Egerton col
lection of manuscripts at the British Mu
seum there is an envelope, something like
those of the present day, which contains a
letter written by Madame Pompadour la
1760.
Miss Ella Ewing, of Scotland county
Mo., is a coy damsel of 13 summers who
measures S feet 2 Inches in hieght and 13
still growing. She is said to be retiring in
disposition, but exhibits quite an amount of
exuberant girlishness among her intimate
friends.
An advertisement for a man to fill tho
position of hangman has been puolished in
the Vienna Official Gazette. The salary offered
is $220 per annum, with $50 for lodgings and
$100 Jor two assistants. Candidates must
give certificates or ability, experienco and
good character.
Tbe most costly book in the world is
declared to be a Hebrew Bible, now in tbe
Vatican. In the year 1512 it is said that Pope
Jules IL refused to sell this Hebrew Bible
for Its weight in gold, which would amount
to $103,000. This is the greatest price ever
offered for a book.
An enterprising English firm desires to
put boardings along the banks of the Suez
Canal and lease these accommodations for
advertising purp ses. They havo an idea
that a considerable revenue can be derived
from this novel source. The Egyptian Gov
ernment is now considering the proposi
tion. The beantifnl enamjled cup of Charles
VI. of France has been acquired by the Brit
ish museum nt tho expense, not only of the
nation, but of several subscribers, who gen
erously made up the necessary sum for the
purchase. The cup was presented by James
L or England to tho constable of the Castlla ,
in 1610.
SIISCELLANEOCS MEKKIjIENTi
Merritt That was a pretty hard doctor's
bill I liadto pay.
DeGarry How was that?
Merritt Yon see it was for injuries received by
being thrown from a horse I was riding by the doc
tor's advice. 2euj York Evening un.
Miss Smilax I'm very glad to hear you
say that yon love me, Mr. Wooden: I have long
hoped for It: but, pray, do not remain longer upon
yonr Lnees.
Wooden-Oh. I prefer to. I'm more used to thU
way. Boston Courier.
Our baby's but a little thing
That scarce two stones doth weigh;
Bat lie can lift a two-ton voice
Just ninety times a day.
Baltimore Xewt.
"X understand" remarked the funny man
to the editor, "that there is to be a collection of
newspaper Jokes on exhibition at the World's
Fair."
'In the archicologtcal department,- I suppose,"
observed the edlbyr pleasantly, as a festive roach
dragged the paste off the desk and let It fall on Use
floor with a dull thvuL-Detroit Dree Press.
One evening as we strolled along the sand,
And listened to the wavelet's mnslc low,
1 asked the maid If I mUht kls her hand.
And with a pout and frown she answered no.
Abashed and trembling to my linger tips.
I begged she woulcTforget what had occurred.
And added, "Won't yon let me kiss yoor lips!"
She redly blushed, bat never 6ul a word.
Sew lork Press.
"Jones is a very able man, isn't he?"
"Well, yes; bat he Is too much like a weather
vane, shifting to catch the wind of popular
favor.
"Certainly: that's what I said. "
"What!"
"That he Is variable, of course."
"Oh." Chicago Mill,
The tramp no longer goes to church,
As he once used to do.
The reason's this: a park bench is
Much cooler than a pew.
Brooklyn Eagle.
Wickwire It is a wonder to me that col
lege pro lessors are to unassuming as a class when I
consider huw they are looked up to by their stu
dents. Prof. Potterby You forget how we are looked
down upon by tbe graduates ou commencement
a$,j. Indianapolis Journal. ,
"John," she said,"I wish yon would
quit bumming 'Heaven Is My Home. "
"Why?" he asked in surprise.
"Becansewben you are oat home Is the last piece
you think of going to." Washington Star,
&&&sxzai'ZU
.J3-J. 'iisiS