Pittsburg dispatch. (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, August 08, 1892, Page 4, Image 4

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    THE .P1TTSBTJKG DISPATCH, MONDAY, AUGUST 8. 1892.
IJje 9$M.
ESTABLISHED FEBRUARY 6, 1S46
Vol. 47. So. 183 Entered at Pittsburg Postoflice
ovember, 18S7, as second-class matter.
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riTTsBCKG. MONDAY. ADGUST 8. 1891
THE MONETARY COMMISSIONERS.
The selection of Senators Allison, Jones
and McCreary, Mr. Henry W. Cannon and
General Francis A. Walker as the Com
missioners of the United States to the In
ternational Monetary Conference to be
held In Europe is a notably judicious one.
The Commissioners are all men of high
standing and ability; they are representa
tive respectively of the various interests
and sections of the country, and all bring
especial and diversified fitness to the study
of the important question to be discussed
by the conference.
It is certain that the United States could
not be better represented at a conference
of the commercial powers of the world
than by these gentlemen. It is to be
hoped that they can make the influence of
the United States effective in the mone
tary policy of the nations; and secure a
restoration of silver to monetary use upon
a basis which will at once prevent a de
preciation of standards and check the
present tendency toward the steady rise
of the monometallic measure of values.
The subject is a vast one, with its diffi
culties increased by its magnitude; but
there is good hope that such a representa
tion of the United States abroad will not
be without results.
LAKD OFFICE YJEWS.
The Land Commissioner's report just
made public raises an issue with the
predecessor of the present Commissioner
and assumes to decide it in a rather sum
mary way. The state of the case is that
Mr. Sparks, as the result of certain in
vestigations, was brought to the belief
that the vast bulk of the land claims were
fraudulent and refused to issue patents
for them. Commissioner Carter adopted
the belief that they were all in good faith
and issued patents on everything. The
optimist view is the pleasanter one; but
the public faith in it might have a firmer
foundation if it did not have to rest on
the assertion of a genial politician who
comes from a State where it would be ex
tremely ir"K)litic to assert anything else.
. Api-1 a- this-questioa of fact the
ost salient feature of the Land Com-
ssioner's report is its recommendation
the adoption of a forestry system.
ere is no doubt as to the need of such
system. This country has been operat
ing tupon the opinion of half a century
ago that the timber supply is inexhaustible,
and that forests are useless wastes to be
eradicated by the speediest means. The
idea is effete and almost criminally stupid.
It is to be hoped that the Commissioner's
recommendation of an intelligent preserva
tion of the Government forest lands will
receive early attention.
ON THE ROOF OF THE WORLD.
The possibility of an eruption in the Old
World over that long-smoldering Eastern
que&tion is suggested by the news of the
second appearance of Russian forces in
Pamir. It is represented that the warlike
band in that remote land is merely a party
of surveyors and explorers; but experience
has taught that where Kussia surveys and
explores she generally gets a sure grip
sooner or later.
It is a claim of Lord Salisbury's sup
porters that Russia, knowing Mr. Glad
stone's avowed and inherent dislike
for war, always takes advantage of
his pacific administration to reach out
for new acquisitions; while dur
ing the Tory administration, which is
ready to fight to the extent of jingoism,
the Muscovite hibernates quietly. There
is a certain degree of one-sidedness in this
view, but there seems to be some corrobora
tion in the coincidence that simultane
ously with the Liberal success the Russian
advance climbs on the Roof of the World
and looks down with watering mouth on
the wealth of China and India.
It is to be hoped in the interest of hu
manity that the European powers will not
find it necessary to fight over the posses
sion of that far-off table land. But if they
will insist at last upon flying at each
other's throats the United States will be
ready to alleviate the disasters of war as
far as practicable by selling them pro
visions and munitions at good market
rates.
NOT A YITAI. MATTER.
There is a large and unnecessary amount
of agitation in the press at present over
the question whether Thomas C. Piatt, of
New York, is placated or not- One set of
news-venders in New York vigorously in
sists that Piatt has been sufficiently seen,
and that he has been brought into the
.fold by what unknown offers of patronage
is left to the imagination. The ot,her in
sists that Piatt, while conferring with some
prominent Republicans, has distinctly
held aloof from the representatives of the
administration, and that his price has not
yet been reached by the friends of the
President The Dispatch's special tele
grams have fully set forth that he has
been in conference with active Re
publicans. That he has naturally chosen
to meet those with whom there would
arise no ghosts of past knife-whetting to
slit up the harmony of the occasion may
be taken as natural, if not commendable.
Apart from the question of fact it is
pertinent to remark that Mr. Piatt may
very easily ask a bigger price than the
administration will feel called upon to
pay, and that the enthusiastic news-seeker
may easily invest the New York politi
cian's negotiation with more importance
than it really contains. If Republican
success depended exclusively on Thomas
C. Piatt the party would be in perilous
shape. But on that point it is wise to re
flect a little. It is the fact, however, that
J
.
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the periods during which Piatt has swung
the power of Federal patronage in New
York have not been exactly gilded by
glittering Republican victories. We need
go no further back than last year for illus
tration of the fact and the experience has
been duplicated in former years. Mr.
Piatt has been assiduous in garnering the
spoils of victory, but in the actual fighting
to win the campaign he has resembled
the camp-follower rather than the soldier
in the front ranks.
The outcome of the campaign will not
depend on the attitude of Piatt. It may
even be questioned whether that influence
can decide the vote of New York. Piatt
has not the power to turn a large vote
against the administration, even if
he should wish to do so. Such a
power might be exerted by Tammany
with the patronage of a great city to
recompense Its followers for deserting,
party lines; but Piatt has no such power
of reward or punishment when shorn of
the Federal patronage.
Above all, the campaign Is one of meas
ures and not of men. The politicians may
think well of placating Mr. Piatt; but the
campaign will be settled on entirely other
lines than his satisfactory relations with
the fountain of patronage.
THE APPROPRIATION TOTALS.
The dispute over the relative merits of
the two parties in the matter of appropri
ations calls for a little examination. The
Republicans trumpet abroad the fact that
appropriations this year exceed those of
the first session of the last Congrpss by
$44,322,000, and charge it all on the Demo
crats. The Democrats reply that the in
crease was due to the continuing appro
priations Imposed on them by the billion
Congress. Both views are superficial.
The Republican statement forgets that
the Republican Senate had an equal re
sponsibility with the House; and the
Democrats dodge the fact that they came
in with the avowed purpose and pledge to
force a sweeping retrenchment which
would offset the appropriations that are
counted as permanent.
To get a clear view of the subject It Is
worth while to give a comparison of the
various appropriations of the recent ses
sion with those of the first session of the
last Congress. They are as follows:
1890. 1892.
Agricultural Sl.789.100 $3,232,995
Army , 24,206.471 14.308.499
Diplomatic and consular... 1.710,815 l,G04,O43
District of Columbia. 5,760.511 .33, 414
Fortifications.,. 4,232,935 2.734,576
Indian 7,262,018 7,664,047
Legislative 0,03752 11,899,551
Military academy 435,2)3 43.918
Navy. ..... S4.1S6.035 23,5,3S5
Pensions 13.779,368 I54.4I1.CS:
Postoffice 72,1:6.693 80.331.876
Elver and harbor S5.136.S95 21.153,618
bundryclvll 19,738,231 27.837.S2S
Deficiencies lS.2S5t54l 8,211,261
1361,770,057 f3S5.837.6O0
Permanent approprlaUons 101,63,453 151,863,880
Total 63,393,510 1507,701,380
The pension appropriation for 1891 in
cluded $25,321,907 pension deficiences
from the previous yean that for 1892 In
cludes $7,674,332 from the previous year.
The other deficiency appropriation is ex
clusive of pension deficiencies. Compar
ing the items It Is to be admitted that con
siderable force is given to the Democratic
plea that most of the increase is due to
the expenditures forced on this Congress
by its predecessor. In the regular appro
priations the totalis $24,000,000 in round
numbers greater, while the single item of
the pension appropriations is $31,000,000
greater, showing that outside of pensions
there was a saving of about $7,000,000.
But it will not do to dismiss the subject
that way. The present House" came In
with a distinct public pledge to make a
sweeping reduction in the extravagant
public expenditure, and an examination
of the items shows that the pledge was
entirely unfulfillei
In the cases where, by their own show
ing, the Democraticleaders had the power
to call for a sharp reduction of expendit
ures they made a radical cut in exactly
one item, and that the one least justifipd.
The provision of defense for the country
is an Indisputable need; but the small ap
propriation for fortifications was the only
one in which the Democratic statesmen
could make a heavy cut It is noticeable
.that the appropriations in which the states
men were personally interested either kept
nearly up to the general level of extrava
gance or exceeded it The Legislative ap
propriation grew $860,000, and the agricul
tural appropriation appealed to the rural
members by nearly doubling the amount
In the bills where no members' shoes would
be pinched there were slight cuts, but
n owhere was there such a retrenchment
as the Democracy had promised.
Another point is tobe considered. The
Democracy take refuge under the plea
that they were forced to make the appro
priations by the action of the previous
Congress. But that is a theory which re
quires examination. It is very much to
be doubted if there Is any power In one
Congress to bind the appropriating power
of its successors. Certain appropriations,
such as that forinterest and sinking funds,
are classed as permanent, because they
Indisputably commend themselves to the
honesty and patriotism of each member.
But with regard to other matters it is
doubtful if any Congress can do more
than authorize something for which it de
pends on future Congresses to pay. On
any other constitutional theory why should
not on? Congress make all the appropria
tions for the next ten years, and thus save
a lot of wind and grabbing in the follow
ing bodies?
The comparison of appropriations does
not redound especially to the credit of
either party; but it shows that the Demo
cratic House has w of ully failed to fulfill
its pledges of retrenchment
RATHER PERPLEXING STATEMENTS.
A week's study of our nearest planetary
neighbor results in a variety of informa
tion almost as confusing as the points es
tablished during a political campaign or
as to the authoritative assertions concern
ing the intentions of a putative Preslden
tal candidate. While the statements are
liable to produce a state of bewilderment,
there is the mitigation that everyone is at
liberty to select the brand of information
that best suits his taste and to rely on it
as scientific facts.
Thus we have learned that Mars is in
habited, and we have also been informed
that it Is not; that its moons revolve
around it in orderly fashion, and that so
indiscreet and erratic as to smash all pre
cedents by rising in the West and setting
in the East; that the famous canals seen
on its surface are surely canals with a
possible reservation as to the breed of
mules employed for motive power; that
they are continents; that they are clouds,
and that they are numerous other things,
terrestrial or celestial. Finally, after all
these .important disclosures we are told
that no one really knows what he has
seen on Mars, nor is he likely to until we
have multiplied the powers of our tele
scopes by a very large factor.
We might hope from an exact science
like astronomy a more consistent accuracy
of,jtatement Bat when anyscience suf-
1 ' ...--? -. . -., I A ? ... -k l?i.i asjsllllllliv
fers the misfortune of having Wiggins
break into it the subsequent confusions
are fully acounted for.
The conference system in use in Pennsyl
vania, hm been credited with producing
political controversies year after year, but
after all, the conteree only reflect the local
feeling; which would make Itself felt in any
jolntactlon or several counties compelled to
act together. Naturally, so long as the
stupid idea prevails that nominations shall
be made by sectional localities, with eaoU
county having an exactly equal vote But
when political organization is intelli
gent enough to make every conven
tion represent the party of the -whole dis
trict, by representation proportional to the
vote of each ward or township, the "local
feeling" will not produce so maiiy dead
locks. The twenty-million-dollar National Wall'
Paper Company has declaredthat it was not
a trust. No, indeed! Neither would the
Reading combination raise the price of coal.
It is interesting to learn from New York
that Wissig, the Tammany saloonkeeper
lawmaker, who earned a temporary no
toriety by the indecency of his language in
the Assembly, is going to run again this
year. Be ronst have s vindication like
numerous of bis political predecessors. The
political vindication has been hard pushed
heretofore, but it will be given its death
blow by vindicating Wissig.
At the next Columbus Centennial, Chi
cago will be wise by experience and ask for
$10,000,000 in order to provide a margin for a
compromise.
The public is taken by surprise with the
announcement that a sleeping car company
has inaugurated measures for the ventila
tion of its cars. Sleeping cars have provided
many things; but ventilation was one of the
things that did not come within range of
the system. The report is another indica
tion that the world does move.
Poor Nebraska! It also has a People's
party. Pretty soon there will not be a good
place to emigrate to if this thing keeps up.
The salutary effect of a little plain talk
by the courts is exemplified by the fact that
the Michigan legislature met in special ses
sion and promptly passed an apportionment
bill that is satisfactory to all parties. It is
easy enough to make an honest apportion
ment when the politicians realize that it has
got to be done.
Judging from the low prices at the first
sale of American frozen fruit, London must
have had chilly weather all season.
Chicago sees the two and a half million
stake and threatens to raise it another two
and a half in December. This Jackpot isn't
large enough by half for the Windy City.
They consider it as only an ante on the first
round, and are drawing a full hand for the
next session of Congress.
All things come to him who waits, and
Congressman Watson has now found out
what a tired and jagged feeling is.
Crop experts estimate the wheat yield of
the two Dakotas at 125,000,000 bushels. This
gives little standing ground fort ho calamity
howlers, and at the same time suggests a
doubt whether the Westorn crop liar has
not got on an unusual side of the market.
ADVICE to persons about to visit a sum
mer resort: Don't forget to buy a return
ticket before starting.
Will not some wise friend advise Mr.
Cleveland that the writing of letters to peo
ple like the author of "Moonlight and Six
Feet of Romance" is a public infliction and
that the popular patience has its natural
limitations.
Hill was recently near Gray Gables, but
if he haa a conference with Grover no one
has heard of it.
One of the features of the sketch of the
Cooley gang is the promptness with which
the Fayette county Jail let any one of the
Outlaws out of It who concluded that it was
time for him to go back to the mountains.
Cojistock has suppressed Truth in Kew
Tork, yet it will rise again this week.
There is some consolation In the fact
that the killing of a condemned murderer
while resisting arrest will not confirm the
opinion of toughs that the law can be defied
with impunity.
Even the filibuster has taken a summer
vacation.
If the inhabitants of Mars find out the
kind of names our astronomers are giving to
their seas and continents they may justify
tbenameof their planet by declaring war on
the earth.
In these days everything goes even
Congress.
FAT0E1TES OP FORTUNE
James Pain says the bludgeon rough
ness gives a deadlier wound than the rapier
satire.
Mr. Nichols, the husband of Charlotte
Bronte, is said to be still living in a remote
part of Ireland.
Mr. Blaine may be seen hunting mush
rooms in the early morning, says a Bar Har
bor correspondent.
Eobert Todd Lincoln Is said in London
to be "better educated than nine-tenths of
Americans who bold public office."
The King of Ronmania wears a black
high hat and a mottled beard, much like
those of the well-known pugilist Jere Dunn.
Alphonse Daudet savs that "at 45 a
man no longer lives physically upon bis in
come, but begins to draw upon his capital of
days and of health.
The Rev. Dr. Joseph Stockbridge, who is
at the head of the list of chaplains In the
United States Navy, is said. to be the only
one who has the rank .of commodore. He
lives now in Philadelphia.
Among the oldest practicing lawyers in
the country is said to be Robert H. Folger, a
native of Pennsylvania, now living at llas
sllion, O. Mr. Folger was born in 1812 and
was admitted to the bar in 1812.
Edward C. Spofford, who gave a li
brary of 650 volumes to the West Point mess
and another of 600 volumes to the cruiser
New York? is a New Yorker of about 37 years
of age, interested In the shipping trade.
Careers are very prettily mixed in Mr.
J. C Macdona, the new Conservative M. P.
from Rotherhithe, who is officially described
thus: "Was a clergyman of the Church of
England, is a barrister; President of the
Kennel Club."
REGULAR KANSAS GRASSHOPPERS
Playing Havoc With the Oats Crop In the
Whole Beaver Valley.
New' Castle, Aug. 7. Special Reports
from various parts of Lawrence county, and
particularly that portion lying on the Bea
ver river,, indicate that grasshoppers are
playing sad havoo with the oats crop. In
the vicinity of Rock Point and along the
Beaver valley extending Into Beaver coun
ty, whole fields of oats have been destroyed.
Never In the recollection or the oldest in
habitant have the grasshoppers been so
numerous as now. The fields are literally
covered with tbem, and their numbers ap
pear to be increasing daily. They are of the
regular Kansas breed and will eat almost
anything they come across, but at present
they are giving their attention to new oats.
Not In the Ring.
Chicago News.
So far as New Tork politics is concerned
ex-Mayor Grace seems to be alarmingly de
trop.
The Opposition That Bother Cleveland.
8t. Louis Glote-DemoeraU j
It is the opposition of Tammany and not
tuat oi juui toat Dotnert utvtuna.,
ONLY ONE FIRST TIME.
I WRITTEW OB THE DISPATCH.
Toe second time Is never like the first.
The book of experience 'has no duplicated
pages. The mnse of history never uses the
hektograpb. The second time may be an
improvement upon the first. It may have
more in it than the first had. But it will
lack some of the sensations which accom
panied the first seeing of the light, or the
first day of tno deed. The novelty, at least,
has passed away. We no longer look into
the absolutely unknown.
I thought of this the other day at sea. The
great ocean, it is true, is forever changing
and never ceases to be new. The last even,
ing of the Journey, as we drew near to
Queenstown after more tlan a week's ac
quaintance with the great deep, the restless
water was as interesting and as fascinating
as it was the first night Ieversawit. It is
in little things that one finds the difference
between the first .voyage and the second.
One is no longor particularly attracted by
porpoises. Even a whale or two is of little
moment. The routine of life on shipboard,
the telling of the tfme by the bells, the
movements of the sailors, the appearance
of staterpom and saloon, are now matters of
course. He who starts out on a second
journey over the ocean feels, as the sopho
more does, the advantage of familiailty,
and is inclined to account himself better
than the freshman, especially if he has been
exposed to that uncomfortable disease, the
mal de mer, and bas not taken it, and is
therefore reasonably sure thatheisjiot go
ing to be sick. You will find him saying in
the presence of novices who are not by any
means so sure of their own exemption, that
he hopes there will be n big blow; this
smooth sea he professes to find very monot
onous. No Need of Introductions.
Happy is the traveler who has pleasant
company) It is true that one easily makes
friends on shipboard. There are plenty of
nice people, and in a few days everybody
knows everybody else. There is no need of
introduction. The passengers belong to ono
blgiamily. Yet homo friends are the best.
People from one's own town, whom wo
have known before, or with whom we have
friends in common, are better than all the
other new people. Especially when they
come from Pittsburg! I am told that 2,500
Plttsburgers have bought tickets this sum
mer for lands beyond the sea. Seven mem
bers of this great retinue of fortunate
tourists were on the City of Berlin.
Who else is on board? There are three
Roman Catholic Sisters, in their uncomfort
able garments; women past middle life, with
motherly faces, good Bailors, now on their
seventh Journey doing errands for their
order. There is a monsignor, domestic pre
late to His Holiness the Pope, having a par
ish in Massachusetts in a diocese in which
Just at present they have no Bishop. If the
appointing powors have the right kind of
good sense monsignor will wear a mitre.
There is a theatrical agent, who is on bis
way to interview the Pope, that he may gain
his approval of a great exhibition whioh he
proposes to give at Chicago in connection
with the World's Fair nothing less than
the Passion Play of Oberammergau.
Plans for the Passion Ploy,
I had several talks with Mr. Rosenthal,
who has this matter in hand. He told me
that the people whom he represents are
willing to spend $800,000 in this ventuie, that
they have the refusal of the old University
grounds upon which they intend to electa
theater exactly like the one In the Tyrol,
that the costumes are to be the same as were
used before that is, the same in design and
color. The Intention is to reproduce the play
as nearly n possible as it was played in 1890,
except that the representation is to last only
four hours Instead of eight, and new music
is to be brought in better than the old, Mr.
Rosenthal says. He told me that Joseph
Meyer, who took the chief part, and Rosa
Lang, who acted the character of the
Holy Mother, and 235 of the Oberammergau
people who were in the play, have promised
to come to America. They are to live, dur
ing the six months they are In Chicago, iu a
house by themselves, on the grounds by the
theater, and are never to be seen except on
the stage. This is to keep them from being
contaminated by ChlcagoT and to save them
from being gazed at by the curious. Finally,
as a feature calculated to win for the Chi
cago play the approbation of all church
goers, the play Is never to be performed on
Sunday!
"Have the Oberammergau people really
agreed to come?" I asked Mr. Rosenthal.
"Yes," he said, "they have."
"And you are suie that you will have the
playT"
"Yes, if public sentiment does not inter
fere; if the parsons will leave us alone."
"What argument did you use with Meyer
and the others to get tbem to consent? Was
it the good they could do or the money they
could make?"
"Money; but not for themselves, for their
town."
A Firm Belief in Oberammergau.
"That disappointed me a good deal, for I
have always insist ed that'the Oberammergau
people did not play for money but for the
perfoimance of their vow and for the good
of the great congregations.
Nevertheless, I still believe in Oberammer
gau. I am inclined to think that the tb eatrical
agent is too sanguine, and that the consent
of the original actors has not really been
given. As for the production of the play at
Chicago, it would be a scandal and a
blasphemy. I was going to say that it
would be like hiring a man to describe his
mother's deathbed as a part of the pro
gramme of a variety show. Indeed, that is
but a fair characterization. In the midst of
the most mercenary city on the face of the
earth, as a side snow by the door of a circus,
for the sole purpose of making money to
fill the pockets of irreligious speculators, it
is proposed to enact a representation of the
death of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
The thing is an insult to religion. I ap
prove, indeed, of taking religion into all the
dark corners, and of bringing it iu contaot
with people in every way, andlregaid the
Passion Flay as the best sermon that I ever
heard preached. If the clergy and good
people of Chicago desired it for the good
that it might do, I would not say
a word. But under the proposed conditions,
as a show which, Mr. Rosenthal assures me,
shall not be performed on Sunday the very
day on which it ought to be played, if ever
it is like using the Bible for wrapping
paper, or interlining the hymn book with
advertisements of pills, or having prayers
mixed up with minstrelsy. Mr. Rosenthal
may say what he will to the holy father at
Rome, that good man, I am sure, will never
approve of such aprotanation. And whether
he approves or not, the good Christian sen
timent of the people in general will make
the thing impossible.
A Burial and a Wreck.
Two sad sights I saw on this ocean Jour
ney. One was a burial at sea, the other was
a wreck. A steerage passenger, a young
man with a wife in the new world and a
mother In the old, fell sick in mldocean and
died stopped in his journey over the
troubled waters ana took hl3 way into that
other country where, St. John said, there U
no sea. And we buried his body in the deep,
the prayer boojC service was reao at noon,
the engines or the steamer ceasing their mo
tion, and the coffin was cast into the sea.
The last "day of the journey we sighted
the City of Chicago on the rocks at the Old
Head of Klnsale. In the dense fog the great
vessel, missing the gleam -or the lighthouse
at the bead of the peninsula, made straight
along as if no arm of land reached out there
into the sea, and thus Tan full upon the
rocks. .She was broken in two when we saw
her, all the middle part lying under water,
apparently a hopeless wreck.
.That made us still more thankful for the
smooth seas and clear skies between which
we had sailed, and for our safe arrival at
our desiied haven. -
The Largest Icehouse In the World.
Axtoona, Aug. 7. DSectaL Armour &
Co., the Chicago meat firm, bave broken
ground in Aitoona for the erection of the
largest lceing station In the world. The
struoture will store at least 12,000 tons of ice,
and 20 cars can be given two tons in less than
two hours. The atation'at Wilkinsburg will
be abandoned. .
- Settled by the House Committee.
Cleveland Leader.
Cobb was not "corned.' The House Com
mittee Mad 19, and that ought to settle it.
. &.
Tra-
It-
V0BSTABY CONFEBETfCB MEMBERS .
For the United States Announced by the
President at East.
WAflBUtGTON, Aug. 7. The following gen
tlemen have, been announced as the Com
missioners of the United States to take part
in the International monetary conference,
soontobe beldin one of the capitals or Eu
rope, the place not yet having been fixed:
Hon. William B. Allison, ot. Iowa;
Hon. John P. Jones, of Nevada; Hon.
James B. McCreary, of Kentucky; Hon.
Henry W.Cannon, of New York; Hon. Fran
cis A. Walker, of Massachusetts Mr. Allison
has been for many years a leading Senator
of the United States, and has been for a long
time Chairman of the Committee on Appro
priations and as a member of the Committee
on Finance Is well Informed on financial mat
ters. Senator Jones is also a leading member
of the FInanoe Committee of the Senate, and
bas given special study to the silver ques
tion. Re has been noted for bis speeches on
financial 1-sues.
Mr. McCreary Is a member of the House of
Representatives, formerly Chairman of the
Committee on Foreign Affairs. He Intro
duced in the House the bill providing for
the present international monetary con
ference, and has taken special interest in
the subject. Mr, Cannon has for years
taken a leaning part in financial operations
In New Yoik; was formerly Comptroller
or the Currency, and is now President of
the Chase National Bank of New York city.
Mr. Walker is a well-known witter on eco
nomic questions. He has been Superintend
ent ot the Census, and wad a member of the
International Monetary Confeience held at
Paris in 1878. He is President orthe Massachu
setts Institute of Technology, President of
the American Statistical Society and Hon
orary Fellow ot the Royal Statistical So
ciety of London.
LOADED WITH ELECTRICITY.
Senator Hansbrough Has a Lively Experi
ence in a Thunder Storm.
WASHiKOT0SLAug. 7. Last night this city
was visited by one of the heaviest electrical
storms that have been felt this season. It
had a peculiar effect on some people. The
liveliest experience, probably, was that of
Senator Hansbrough, of North Dakota. In
talking about the storm to-day the Senator
said:
"About 6 o'clock yesterday evening I be
came aware of the fact that the air was
highly charged with electricity. It seemed
to me that my fingers clutched two invisible
poles of a battery, and in spite or every ef
fort 1 could not loosen my grasp. As the
evening wore on the charging of my system
was conducted in a more vlgoious fashion
until at length I wrs in what may be termed
electrical paroxsms.
"My muscles were contracted Jnst as they
would be under the influence of a most pow
erful battery and my best efforts to counter
act the feeling were or no avail. These
strange sensations were at times extremely
painful, the center of disturbance being In
the region of the spleen. Once or twice,
after the storm broke, there was temporary
relief, but it was not until the thunder had
died awav in the distance that I found my
self free from the power of the current.
"Then I was as weak as I would have been
had I contended for three or four hours with
half a dozen professional wrestlers."
AMEBICA'8 CHRISTENING DAY.-
A Commissioner Suggests That the World's
Fair Be Opened May 5.
ALBAinr.Aug, 7. John Boyd Ybacber.Com
mlssioner from New York State to the
World's Fair, said to-night that he thought a
tribute might be appropriately paid to the
memory of Americus Vespuctus by opening
the Exposition on the 5th day of May, 1893.
On the 5th day of May, in the year 1507,
there was printed a little book in St. Die,
Lorraine, which first suggested that the
newly discovered quarta pars oibis should
be given the n.ime of America, and there
upon deliberately and foimally baptized
the fourth part of the world "America,"
after the Florentine discoverer, Americus
Yespucius. This book was printed on the
7th day of the Calends of May, 1507 (April
25), which is equivalent to the 5th day of
May, as corrected by the Gregorian cal
endar. This day, the 5th of May, is the christen
ing or baptismal day of America. The 6th
day of May also falls on Friday, which is
another singular concidence, as it was on
Friday that Columbus set sail from Palos;
on Friday that be saw the land or the Now
World: on Friday that he first reacbod
Palos on his return, and the fourth hun
dredth anniversary of the discovery falls on
Friday.
BREATHING THROUGH A TUBE.
A. Horse In New Vork Which Had Trach
eotomy Performed on It.
New York,' Aug. 7. For half an hour yes
terday afternoon a crowd surrounded a truck
which had halted in. front of the Exchange
Place door of the Mills building. Attached
to the truck was a horse, and there was a
peculiarity in the animal's appearance which
bad caused the crowd to gather.
The horse was doing its breathing not
through its nostrils, but through a tube in.
sorted in Its neck. The contilv'ance looked
verv much like an old-fashioned candlestick
with the Dase and an inch or two of the
shank showing. In the -tube was a sort of
filter to catch the impurities in the air which
passed through it, and the arrangement ap
peared to work very satisfactorily.
The driver explained that tracheotomy
had been resorted to to save the life of the
horse, which had suffered lrom asthma. The
tube had been used for several months, and
the horse appeared to be as well as ever. It
was certainly able to do Its full share of
work. Every two or three days the tube was
taken out and cleaned, but the horse had it
in its neck the rest of the time.
NO DELAY IN WASHINGTON.
Treasury Officials Ready to Oat Ont the
World's Fair Coins.
Washington, Aug. 7. The Treasury De
partment will take prompt measures for the
execution of the provisions or the act ap
propriating $2,500,000 for the World's Colum
bian Exposition, and expects to have the
souvenir half dollars coined, the bronze
medais and the vellum impressions for
diplomas piepared in about six weeks.
The designs of the souvenir coin have al
ready been selected. The reverse will show
the main building of the Exposition and the
obveise the head of Columbus. The plaster
cast or the head of Columbus was made from
a portrait of Columbus which is recognized
by experts as being as nearly authentic as
any that exists.
DEATHS HERE AND ELSEWHERE.
Captain C. 17. M. Spottswood.
Captain Charles Penton Mercer Spotts
wood, formerly of the United States and Confed
erate navies, died Saturday at his home in Nor
folk, Va. He had reached his 80th year. Captain
Spottswood entered the United States Navy away
back In the twenties, and while serving in the
Mediterranean bea married a Spanish lady Miss
Aaulmbau-at Port station Island, off Minorca.
He was stationed ac the Gosport flavyyardat the
breaking out of the Civil War, and was also on
duty there after he entered the Confederate Navy,
having been ordered to lake command of the station
by the Governor of Virginia when Commodore
SlcCawler abandoned ana biirned the yard. Ha
was on duty daring the war for a considerable
time In connection with the Confederate ordnance
work at Charlotte, N. C.
Rev. Benjamin risk Barrett.
Key. Benjamin Fisk Barrett, perhaps the
most noted Swedenborglan in the United States,
died Saturday afternoon at his home in German
town, near Philadelphia, aged S4 years. lie was a
minister for 30 years and was a voluminous writtr,
his works being especially on theology. lie was a
graduate of Boudoln College and Harvard Uni
versity. He has had charges In Boston, Orange,
Cincinnati. Chicago, and latterly preached In the
Swedenoorglan Church on Broad street, Philadel
phia, fceven years ago he established the Sweden
borglan Public i tlon Society of Philadelphia, and
was lis President up to the time of his death.
Obituary Notes.
Sir Daniel Wilson, President of the loronto
University, died yesterday.
Mas. MartB. Will abo, mother of Frances E.
WHIard, dledlnEvauston, near Chicago, shortly
arter Saturday midnight. She was 88 years old,
William WntTK, aged 78 years. Grand Secretary
of the Independent Order ofOid Fellows, died
Jesterday morning of heart disease at his home la
lOulsvllle.
Joshua Walcott, aged 67 years, died Saturday
at Tucson. Ariz. He was born in Massachusetts,
and was engineer of the first passenger train run
on the New York Central. He was also the first
engineer on the Panama Railroad.
Letas M. Meteb, aged 18 years, of Chatta
nooga, vice president and general manager of the
Chattanooga Transportation Company, died of
typhoid fever, followed by heart failure. Saturday
evening, at the home of bis father-in-law, ex-Representative
Herman Buohholz, In Springfield. Mass.
Genebal John Tillson. who was colonel of the
Tenth Illinois and commander of a brigade in Sher
man's march to the sea, and later editor of the
1 wvooa eavgxus wiy aunuuvn v mmhmmv jv w , " " - I ti m
DANGER IN DEADLOCKS,
No Allowance In the Baker Ballot Law for
Prolonged Nominating Contests One
Idea ot the Best Feature of the New
Methods Current Political Points.
Such deadlocks over nominations as now
exist in the Twentv-flrst Congressional dis
trict, the Indiana-Jefferson Senatorial dis
trict and in other electoral divisions of tne
State, cannot be continued for a much
greater length of time without the most
serious consequences. The practice of post
poning the settlement of such disputes until
the latest possible moment sometimes even
the day befoie the election is no longer
possible. An eleventh hour compromise or
repentance on the part of a stubborn ele
ment, is now more than difficult. In fact
nnder the exact wording of the Baker ballot
law, it is out of the question.
According to the mangled Australian sys
tem, which went Into effect in Pennsyl
vania on Maroh 1, certificates of regular
party nominations for State officers, elec
tors, legislators. Congressmen and Judges
must be filed with the. Secretary of the Com
monwealth at Harrishurc 5S.days before the
date of the election. Independent nomina
tion papers may be filed one week later, but
as they have to be numerously signed by
voters, the additional time Is not more than
sufficient for that purpose. Besides, it is
an expedient which would only be resorted
to by old party organizations in caso of
great emergency.
Candidates Not Even Allowed to Withdraw.
The general election occurs this year upon
the latest possible date, November 8, Tues
day being the first day in the month. This
gives a little more time than will be the rule
for the filing of nomination certificates.
Yet the last day for the filing this earis
September 13. obly a month away, and muoh
earlier than a considerable percentage ot
the Congressional and Legislative nomina
tions are usually made. " The Baker law
makes no allowance for stubborn conferees
who insist upon taking all summer and fall
to agree upon a candidate, and makes no
provisions for the dark horse who has occa
sionally entered the field a week before
eleotlon day with the intention of sweeping
the district.
The only arrangement for the substitution
of a new namo on the official ticket is in the
case of the death or withdrawal of the regn
larly nominated candidate. And a candi
date is not even allowed to withdraw as late
as the day before election. The final date
for the withdrawal of any aspirant whose
nomination lias been filed with the Secre
tary of the Commonwealth is 15 days before
the time for voting.
Any oitizen, or course, can write in the
name of bis choice for any office, whether
he has been nominated too late or has not
been nominated at all. But in a district
whero there was any opposition the candi
date who had to depend upon his friends
nslng the pencil in every case, would have
very little chance against the one whose
name was duly printed on tha official ballot.
It is to be piesuraed that the politicians,
delegates and conferees are keeping these
facts in mind, but they have not much time
to spate. For instance the majority of the
Democratic nominations in. Allegheny
county have already been postponed to Sep
tember 6, only a week before the last day for
filing certificates. That Is plenty of time
where everything is peaceful and reason
ably harmonious, Dut does not give much
opportunity for the prolonged dead-lock
which lms been so popular in Pennsylvania
of late years.
A Politician Finds a Good Feature.
In discussing the Baker law the Other day
a politician who has devoted some time to
its study said: "While the modified Austra
lian system adopted in this State is by no
means perfect It is not such a terrible affair
as has been pictured in some quarters. It is
almost sure to be altered in some features
as may be dictated by experience, and for
that reason it is unfortunate that the law
should bave its first trial in a Presldental
year. I do not look, though, for the
changed method to have any remarkablo
effect upon the election returns. The re
straints and mistakes are likely to operate
equally on all parties.
"To my mind," he continued, "the most
commendable feature of the system is tho
fact that it absolves candidates from the
necessity of providing tickets and seeing
that the voters get them. This was not only
an expensive feature In Itself, but furnished
an excuse for the collection of large cam
paign funds which might be diverted to
other uses. Under the new plan every can
didate, no matter how poor and without
necessaiily subscribing a cent, can rest as
sured that if be has been regularly nomi
nated every voter in the district will have
the official ballot with his name on it. The
excuse of no money nor organization for
the distinction of tickets will be a lost one.
That one fact to my mind atones for much
of the inconvenience and enmbersomeness
attached to the system which is so soon to
be thoroughly tested."
State Elections Before November.
Since Ohio bas gone out of the list of
States holding State elections earlier than
the day for choosing the electors, general
interest in such contests in Presldental
years has- flagged. There are four such
elections, two in Northern Republican
States and two in Southern Democratic
States, before November 8. In the South
Arkansas will lead off on the first Monday of
September, and Georgia will follow on the
first Wednesday in October. These elections
will bo mainly important as indicating the
growth and extent of the People's party and
Farmers' Alliance movementln that section.
In Georgia, particularly, this element has
been aggressive and made such a show of
strength as to cause much apprehension
among the Democratic leaders.
Vermont is the first Northern State to
sneak. Bradley B. Smaller, who is united
with Don Dickinson in the management of
the rainbow chasing national campaign
committee, is the Democratic candidate for
Governor of the Green Mountain Common
wealth, the election occurring September 6.
There is no question as to the result. Har
rison received nearly three times as many
votes as Cleveland in 1888, the totals being
45,192 and 16,788 respectively. Vermont's
vote, though while never in doubt, has
always been taken as auindlcatorof prevail
ing political conditions. When the Repub
lican majorities dropped below 20,000 in 1882
and to 11,000 In 1890 in each case tills Septem
ber result was followed by a Democratic
tidal wave in November.
More intei est will be taken in tho Maine
contest than any other before the general
verdict. This will be largely because both
Blaine and Beed are expected to be on the
stump with the intention of giving the Re
publican cause a good send off in the Fine
Tree State. The Republican plurality in
Maine in the September election or 1883 was
18,048, which was considerably increased in
November. L. D. B.
THE C0DKTRT EELIEYED.
Late last night the first session of the
Llld Congress came to an end, and now
peace will reign in Washington until
December. Chicago Newt.
The adjornment of Congress will prove a
big relief to the country, andmore especially
to its business interests, threatened as it has
been by so much unwise legislation. Ibfecfci
Commercial.
Somewhat unexpectedly, perhaps at last
precipitately, certainly not an hour too
soon, Congress adjourns and a long-suffering
people are at rest for a time. Louisville
Courier-Journal.
On the whole the Fifty-second Congress
has acted fairly well In its flrjt session, al
though it has done some things it had better
not bave done and has left undone some
things that it ought to have done, New
York Evening World.
Patriots have reason to rejoice that tho
first session of the FUty-second Congress
has come to an end. For sevoral months
the country will be spared the speotacle
dally presented to it of a reckless, un
principled and irresponsible mass meet
ing. New York Commerctal-AdvertUer.
Oun late but pot lamented Congress in
creased its general appropriations $44,000,
000 over those of the first session of the
Fifty-first Congress. This Is a lesson which
voters should take to heart when they are
talked to about the beauties of "reform in
the public expenditures." New York Ad
veriUer, aALTIMBANQDE.
London World.
Pead n the caravan she lies.
The ghastly chalk yet on her face.
The rouge-red o'er her closed eyes.
Her faded bouquet In Its place.
Two emptied bottles at ber feet
Hold candles, dimly flickering low;
'The crone who sews the winding-sheet
Dreams of the debut long ago.
Quite still she waits the prompter's call,
The cry across the gangway rails;
She moves not, lor the three knocks fall.
With echoing aoimd oa eoffta nalli.
ACROSS THE CONTINENT.
Afteb reaching the Pacific Coast the
route of the expedition of which I was one
was to terminate on the very top of tbe Cas
cade Mountains. This range comes down
frgm British Columbia, and is the dividing
line. between Northwestern and Southeastern
Washington: This took our party
out of a beaten track, past year
old hamlets, thronzh dense, heavily-tim
bered, moss-festooned forests, beside blue
green, swift-running, snow-fed, ice-cold
rivers, over rntty, rooty, rocky roads, along
Indian trails, up and down narrow, danger
ous, tortuous pathways, worn by raocca
sined feet into the side of precipices up and
on to the pure, deep, coarse snow, and tho
bluo-caverned, bear-tracked, awe-inspiring
glacier. Part of the Journey was by rail, a
few miles by band car through lumber
camps and clearings, a long stretch by char
tered stago coach, across deep rivers
on primitive' ferries, the remainder
right np to a wall of rock over
which ropes dangled-on tbe backs of
sure-footed little broncos, or "coynses," as
they are called there. The diversified
plcturesqueness of such a Journey most of
it through virgin, unsurveyed, uninhabited
timber land left impressions that will last
longer than fast-colored scene on finest can
vass. This perilous but enchanting journey
was booked to end at a deposit of precions
mineral. It was In fact an expedition of
exploration. At its bead was Mr. John B.
Parish, of Denver, the well-known mining
engineer and expert, who had been engaged
to pasi npon the proposition. The others of
the carty were ex-Sheriff McCandless and
Mr. J. P. Brown, of Pittsburg: William Halns
worth, Jr., late of Pittsburg, now of Seat
tle; a gentlemen representing a New York
mining syndicate; the expert's assistant,
packers and myself. At Marble Mount a
log saloon and a supply store on one
side of the swift river, a ferry
leading to a pioneer's home and a
sleeping shack for a dozen people our
mounts and pack horses were to be taken
for the mountains. Just as the stars came
out over the huge trees this resting snot
was sighted. Here the Cascade river tum
bles into the Skagit, rising and falling with
the strength of the sun on the snow that
gives it birth up in the granite
walled, ice-crowned hills. Here tbe
real work of the Journey commenced.
Here we turned oar backs on
scraps of civilization, and with tho dawn
be-an to penetrate the solitude. Only the
chirp of the wild birds, the swash or the
waters, the sighing of the winds through
the trees, the neigh of the horses, the back
flung warning from the leader who knew
the pitfalls and the dangers of the
trail, the exclamations of wonder at the
majesty of the trees, the thickness and tbe
richness of tbe parti-colored mosses that
carpeted the deep, rich soil and clothed
huge standing and prostrate trunks with a
fern-oovered, velvety blanEet only these
made discord in this cool and shady road
way. No idle Jest, no senseless song, no
thoughtless banter then and there. Naught
but contemplation of wonder-working na
ture at Its very be3t.
Thus on we pushed. First over a well
defined trail that led through a level-stretch
of forest, then up gradual land lifts that led
to rocky promontories, then down to little
valleys in whose soggy soli the ponies sank
knee deep, then across a bonldered ford
whose soap-suday blue waters made a
Niagara-like noise, then into mountain-
climbing In real earnest. At numerous
places the trail was a mere foothold on the
heavy-timbered, loose-rocked sides of the
foot hills. Roots of giant trees made treach
erous hoof-holds for the four-footed climb
ers. A misstep meant a fall of hundreds of
feet over rocks and against timbers broken
bones, doubtless death. At one side of the
precipitous, tortuous, tiresome way the
deep-dyed, scentless flowers could be
plucked from the saddle; on tbe other an
abyss up from whose hollows came the song
of the swift stream. Over across and seem
ingly high as the very sky black bare cralgs
shot far above the timber, snow-covered and
sublime.
Ax midday a shack-like commodious struc
ture was xeaobed. Here a red-nosed, jolly,
year-carrying man acted as cook, house
keeper and chambermaid. Here we ate
beans, spuds and bacon that had been in
creased in price through freight rates levied
by the pack train proprietor. Here, too,
were the first real signs showing that
the trail led to a mineralized region speci
mens, speculations, surmises. A relished
meal by man and beast and in the saddle for
the night station a log cabin and a tented
supply store just at the foot of the mineral
ized mountain. A portion of this end of the
Journey was throngh veritable forests of
ferns in the sombre green valleys traversed
by the zig-zag, np and down trail. Here the
beautifully formed and fragile maiden-hair
grew at the feet of others of
its family whoso bearded leaves shut
out all view of the rider ahead
and switched tbe faces of thoso who rode
erect through the green labyrinth. Higher
and bolder grew the granite mountains,
noisier the tumbling waters, deeper the soli
tude, heavier the snows lost in the rain
laden clouds, more dangerous the footway.
It was ride carefully and walk 'in bad
spots slowly to the end that afternoon. You
who sit m saddle for a spin over broad
streets and park roadways, you who gallop
and cavort on town-bred steed in reckless
fashion you, well, perhaps you would
bave walked all the way. But without
mishap worth mentioning, tired of
limb, wet with the raindrops showered
from the low branches of the thick
standing trees and tall, broad-leaved, pro
fuse ferns and variegated vegetation, we
reached our night station just as the camp
fire had been lighted by a trio of prospec
tors who were there ahead of us. On tbe
ground beside the cabin were the hoof and
hide of a slaughtered something. We
scented a relief from beans and bacon.
"How are you, boys? My name's Whisk
ers. There's my dog. He's Whiskers, too."
And the canine wagged his tail in prompt
acknowledgment. Over the fire sizzled a
smoke-blackea tin paiL The contents bub
bled with such vigor as to almost force the lid
off. I eyed it suspiciously, scenting like unto
a bound. "Don't turn up your nose at that,"
said Whiskers. "It's horn soup, and will be
done to-morrow." I was glad to learn
It didn't have to be sampled that night.
After a stand-np meal of beans, bacon and
spuds we wrapped ourselves in tbe blankets
and soundly slept on the ground floor of the
little cabin under the shadow of the moun
tains within an air belt cooled by both ice
and snow. Geo. A. Madden.
IN A 7ECULIAB POSITION
Are American Steamship Companies Tnat
Have to Hire Only American Citizen.
Washington, Aug. 7. An interesting ques
tion has been presented to the Treasury De
partment,in regard to the steamshipsClty of
New York and City of Paris, the owners of
which are preparing to have them docu
mented as American vessels, in accordance
with tho provisions of a special
act of Congress granting them that
privilege, under certain conditions. The
steamship company is anxious to retain tbe
present complement of officers of those ves
sels, most of whom, however, are of foreign
nationality, and In order to bring them
within the law reqnlring vessels or the
United States to be officered exclusively by
citizens of tbe United States, the company
took steps to secure their speedy naturaliza
tion. This, however, is a very slow process.
The officers in question have already taken
ont their first papers, but bave to serve
out the full probationary period before they
become full-fledged ottizens.
Leaving out the question of their financial
ability to remain Idle during that period,
the company itself is unwilling to sacrifice
them for the untried men of American citi
zenship. Accordingly, as a test case, ap
plfcatlon was made to the Treasury Depart
ment for the detention or Captain Watklns
as master of tho City of Paris during bis
arohational period of naturalization. The
ommissloner of Navigation, to whom the
matter was referred, has replied that the
law is obligatory to the citizenship of mas
ters of United States vessels, and that such
citizenship, in the case of an alien, is not
established until he shall bave fulfilled all
the requirements of the naturalization laws.
Unless this deoislon is reversed the steam
ship company will bave to seoure a new see
of officers for tho two steamships, or else de
lay tho documenting of tbe vessels nnder
United State law until tho present officers
can legally serve.
CDRI0DS CONDENSATIONS.
Paris has 6,100 policemen.
Wooden sleepers on railways last about
15 years.
Omnibuses were first introduced in New
York in 1830.
The first saw-maker's anvil was taken to
America In 1819.
4 Percussion caps were first used In the
United States Army in"l830.
A nailless horseshoe that is fastened
to tno hoof with a clasp is coming into use in
Paris.
Pupils in the schools of Japan arc
taken out rabbit hunting one day in every
autumn.
Pour-fifths of the engines now working
in the'world have been constructed during
the last 25 years.
The first type-Betting machine was pat
ented in England by Dr. William Church, of
Connecticut, in ixri.
The fire brigade of London is called oat
more frequently on Saturday than on any
other day of tbe week.
It is seriously proposed to purify the
Thames by importing a sobool of crocodile
to act as river scavengers.
A number of prehistoric skeletons wera
recently unearthed in Rome. They were of
males and females, and averaged seven feet
in length.
The Banish Government has Issued a
decree forbidding the importation of dogs
from any foreign country except Sweden
and Norway.
There are about 11,000,000 women m
Italy, and some 2,000,000 are engaged in in
dustrial occupations, while more than 3,000,
000 labor in the fields.
Rubber heels, to facilitate marching-,
are to be attached to the shoes worn by
French soldiers. Experiments with them
havo given decided satisfaction.
A Parisian meteorologist has written s
book of 300 pages to prove that the elec-;
tricity of thunderstorms is caused by the
friction of rain-drops on hailstones.
Out of 60,000 guesses on aiiig cake of
soap on exhibition in Berlin only two were
correct Tho cake was a soapmaker's ad
vertisement, and it weighed 1,123 pounds.
Suspension bridges which were built la
the time of the nan dynasty (30i B. C. to 233
A. D.) are still standing in China, striking
examples of early Oriental engineering
skill.
If the dead of London were each al
lowed a grave 2 by 6 feet, with a very thin
wall of earth between, each year her 80,000
corpses would fill a cemetery of about 23
acres.
The total number of gold pieces struck
at tbe English Mint last year was 87,688,317,
as against 70.891,445 in 1890. This was by far
the largest eyer executed in one year. Their
value was 3,325 303 9s 4d.
The "well of frozen air" is near Day
ton, Ga. The drill passed through a five
foot stratum of frozen gravel into a series
of cavities from which gusts of freezing air
come with perfect regularity.
At one time ladies were allowed to
wander all over tbe House of Commons, ex
cept in tbe actual chamber itself, but nowa
days the libraries and tearooms aro closed
to them while the Speaker is in the chair.
Rubbish boxes are distributed about the
lawns and paths of London's parks and
open space3 to induce the visitors to place
therein paper and refuse, which otherwise
might be thrown recklessly on the ground.
Tbe heaviest salmon which has been
taken from a Scotch river this year wa9
from the Tay, near Newburgh. It weighed
61 pounds. A few days previously a salmon
of 49 pounds was caught at the same
place.
When Jumbo was dissected a pint and
a half of gold, silver, copper and bronze
coins were found in his stomach. In the lot
there were coins of three kingdoms, two re
publics, five dukedoms, two principalities
ana one dependency.
The earliest known lens is one of rock
crystal unearthed by Layard at Nineveh.
This lens, tbe age of which is measured by
thousands of years, now lies in the Britisu
Museum, as bright and as clear as it was the
day it left the maker's hands.
Princess Louise two years ago had a
papier macho model of ber figure executed'
by a well-known firm of bust modelers. She
has jnst had movable arms added to exactly
imitate nature, and thus avoids all trouble
of fitting and trying on dresses.
Mr. Gladstone is the owner of the
largest lead pencil in tho world. It is the
gift of a pencil maker at Keswick, and is 33
inches in length. In placo of the customary
rubber cap it has a gold cap. Its distin
guished owner nses it for a walking stick.
A wealthy Scotch gentleman who had
intended to give each of his daughters a'
legacy of her weight in XI bank note3 had
an official of the Bank of Scotland to figure
on the matter for him. It was found that
the larger would get as ber share 55,344; the
slimmer 51,200.
Several observant ladies have discov
ered that vegetarians have clear complex
ions, and have either renounced tho use of
meat entirely, or partake of it sparingly.
Lady Paget, wife of the British Ambassador
to the Austrian Court, is one of the recent
converts to vegetarianism.
There has been recently a unique ladies
strike in Germany in one of tho garrison
towns. The conduct of the men.who neglect
ed the unmarried ladies in order to dance
with the wives of their friends and ac
quaintances,displeased tbe slighted maidens
and their mothers, and at the last regi
mental ball not an unmarried girl was
present.
The United States, Great Britain and
Germany send the greatest number of let
ters through tho mails. The Universal
Postal Union Bureau's report of the annual
receipt is: German Empire, 317.4jS.5C8
francs: United States 313,l,'.B4 francs, and
Great Britain, 246,276.950 francs. The United
States sells more postage stamps and makes
more profit on them than any other nation.
At Hirniskretchen, in Bohemia, from
the unequal working In nature in the de
struction of rook3. has resulted a most co
lossal and ruggedly beautlfnl nrcb, the sum
mit of which is upward or 1,400 feet above
the sea leveL The sides and top together
appear at a distance like the framo of an
immense picture, the latter being repre
sented by tho wildly romantio scenery
which is visible through the opening of the
arch.
STOLEN SMILES.
"Do you suppose," asked the Sunday
schoolteacher, "that the prodigal son greeted his
father loudly and loyfujlr?"
I reckon not." said the bright boy. "Illsvolce
must 'a' be'n kinder husky." Smith, Gruy Co.'i
MontMu.
Her face yon should have seen it there;
It once had beauty's glow
But not JLst then: the bather fair
Had chanced to stub her toe.
Wathington Star.
Miss "Wabash (from Chicago) "What
nonsense these Jokes about crabs catchlne people's
toes are! I've never had a crab catch my toes
when I was In bathing.
Miss Gotham But there Is a limit to a crab's
grasping power. Xeu York Herald.
Druggist (to applicant) Yes, I need a
man for the soda fountain but I see you wear eye
glasses. Is your sight defective?
Appllcant-A little, sir. but my hearing Is superb,
I can hear a man wink. Chicago Tribune.
The summer festival is ripe
And the maiden heart Is glad;
For In the name of Charity
She'U sport the season' s fad.
She'll smile Into a manly face.
Then selre him by the collar,
Whlie on bis coat shc'U pin a rose
And charge him Just il.
Brooklyn Easts.
"Clara, I'm engaged to be married al
ready, and I've only been here two days." J
"You sweet thing! Who Is the happy man?"
'Dear me. how unfortunate I lie forgot to grrs)
me his card."-CAto?o eu:.
"Why did you leave your country board-ing-hoase?"
asked Smlthkins.
"I couldn't stand the air." returned Blddlemao.
Couldn't stand the alrtV
"Yes; the air from the landlady's daughter'
piano. Baltimore Setct.
Anent la mode, the humorist
Doth search from Maine to Dallas
To And that most elusive thing
The word that rhymes with "gallus,"
Detroit Free Prett.
Nursemaid Jamie is ont playing with
those wicked boys that live in the alley.
Mamma That don't matter, Mary; he went
with Ms father fishing three times last week." CA-
cago Inter Ocean.
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