& iZ ? F? -'sBa, J 755 jKKfl ?'-r n " ""I V 5 "Jfy, r -- - ,- ( lA-ITM- -S - ' THE PITTSBURG DISPATCH, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1892. " - Hjje Bi$piclj. ESTABLISHED FEBRUARY ISIS. Vol. 74. No. 38-Enterea at Pittsburg rostoffice tOTcmber, ISM, as second-class matter. BUSINESS OFFICE. Cor. Srolthfleld and Diamond Streets. Kews Booma and Publishing House, 78 and 80 Diamond Street, Kew Dispatch Building. EASTERN ADVFRTISING OFFICE. ROOM 7ft, TRIBUNE BUILDING. NEW YORK, -where complete flies or THE D1SPATCU can always be found. THE DISPATCH Is on sale at LEADING HOTELS throughout the United States, and at Brentano's, E Union Square. New York, and 17 Avenue de 1 Opera, Paris. France.' TERMS OF THE DISPATCH. POSTAGE FBX IN THE UKTTZD STATZS. TiAltT TOsrATcn. One Year. -I 8 Co Daily Dispatch, Three Months 2 00 Dailt Dispatch. One Month TO Daily Dispatch, including Sunday, I year., jooo Daily Digfatch. IncludlngSunaaT.tm'ths. ISO Daily Dispatch. Including bunday, l month 8 EC-spat Dispa ch. One Year ISO Wejcily Dispatch, One Year. 155 The Daily Dispatch Is delivered by carriers at 31 cents per wcel, or. Including Sunday Edition, at 11 tent per week. BEMITTANCES SHOULD ONLY BE MADE BY CHECK. MONEY ORDER. OR REGISTERED LETTER. POSTAGE Sunday Issue and an triple number copies, fc; single and double number copies, lc PITTSBURG. TUESDAY. DEC. 6. 18K. TWELVE PAGES CHOLERA MUST BE EXCLUDED. The Dispatch strongly advocated the suppression of immigration when the dan ger of importing cholera first became evi dent For the time being the country escaped the scourge by means of good fortune eked out with the enforcement of stringent quarantine regulations. But the almost certainty of the disease's reap pearance in the spring is now universally acknowledged, and the necessity for ex cluding immigrants is generally recog nized. Postmaster General Wanamaker is the latest of the administration to in dorse the bill suppressing immigration for one year. He urges that the expenditure of 520,000,000 on the World's Fair already calls for the expenditure of more in order to assure its success by preventing the im portation of a deadly disease. The Dispatch held, and still holds, the opinion that the President had the power to suppress immigration by proclamation. But the proposed bill will make assurance doubly sure, and should become law with out opposition. Looking at the matter from the Postmaster General's point of view, expenditures in perfecting protec tions against the importation of disease will prove a profitable investment. The loss of life which would result if the disease gained an entrance to this country cannot be computed in dollars, nor can even the disturbances in commerce that its advent would bring. Immigration should be suppressed at the first sign of such danger as this, and there Bhould he preparations made to improve quarantine arrangements and prevent any excuse for conflict between Federal and State authorities. WHAT 'WILI. TURN UP. The first daj's proceedings of Congress Idicate a waiting game on both sides. An attitude of expectancy is not unusual at the assembling of this body; but the cir cumstances of this session accentuate the disposition of both parties to do little more than to await the moves of their antag onists. The Democrats are naturally dis posed to put things off until the day when in the possession of full power they can carry out the programme they may plan. The Republicans even more naturally hold off because the initiative properly be longs to the party which was victorious at the late election, and will have control of the Government after this session is ended. If this is to be the rule of action throughout the session Congress might well pass the appropriation bills and ad dress itself to legislation of a mm-partban character. There are some very needful measures which have been long neglected because Congress could not spare from political maneuvers the time necessary to pass them. If the present state of affairs should permit the enactment of measures like the bankruptcy bill, and others ex clusively in the public interest and with out political effect, it would be an unex pectedly gratifying result of a peculiar situation. But it is hardly to be hoped that the ses sion will proceed very far before the po litical "fight commences. Perhaps the President's message to-day may set the forces in motion. The interesting ques tion is whether General Harrison's closing message will be Inspired by aggressiveness or neutrality. THE PANAMA MORAL. The exposure of the Panama Canal job bery is enlarged by details as to another featuie which completes the picture. It is asserted that proofsof the bribery of the press are forthcoming, showing that for sums ranging from $5,000 to 530,000 a half dozen of the prominent journals of Paris were induced to betray the interests of their constituents by bolstering up what they knew to be the desperate mismanage ment of the company. This detail rounds out the typical picture of corporate plun der of the public on the huge scale, ac companied by the corruption of politics and the press for the purpose of securing toleration while the plunder was being carried on. Seme shades of American public opin ion are disposed to regard this scandal as an occasion for thanking Providence that we are not like other nations. It would not be wise to lay that flattering unction to our souls. It Is certain that the meth ods which resulted so disastrously In the Panama Canal frauds have been practiced more or less extensively in our own happy land, and it is by no means so certain that they are not now in-course of repetition. It would be too optimistic to be confident that the scheme of getting the pledge of government credit to the extent of $100, 000,000 on a 565,000,000 work has not ex tended its ramifications of dishonest inter est among those elements of politics an d the press which are urging it. But the affair has an entirely different application, which, though in danger of being over looked, is really far more cogent than the question already raised. In the discussion of corporate methods one of the most frequently employed and final arguments on the corporate side is the example of the older world. There these questions, we are told, have been settled scientifically. With the prece dents of France, England and German', those who have desired to reform abuses in accordance with the principles of American law have been frowned down. Now when It is discovered that the great est figures in European corporate enter prise have conducted their operations on the familiar principles of public plunder, and the connivance of legislation and the press is secured by taking In legislators and newspapers as sharers of the booty, does not that argument for the justifica tion of corporate methods here have a de cidedly reactionary effect? The Panama Canal frauds prove the necessity the world over for bringing cor poratq operations within the restrictions of honesty and law. The, United' States, as the country where the people's inter ests professedly form the purpose and foundation of government, should be the leader and originator in such reforms. THE REASSURING SIDE. Few stories of more thrilling character are told either in real life or in fiction than the one just related to the world of the voyage of the 700 souls on board the steamer Spree for a thousand miles, with the doubt hanging over them whether the next half hour might not be their last The details of that story as they are given to us by cable need no embellishment The first effect of the narrow escape is to increase the sense of the perils which surround those who go down to the sea In ships. But, on consideration, the affair has an aspect which, while it does not take away the danger, shows that prog ress is being made In overcoming it The Spree is one of the few vessels that has met such a danger without coniplete loss. The accident to the City of Pans, of simi lar character, was another demonstration of the progress of naval architecture. A few years ago such an accident to any steamer would have sent her to the bottom in fifteen minutes. Ever since the introduction of water-tight compartments, as a guard against sinking, the carelessness which leaves the com partments open has lost many lives. But the case of the Spree shows that these compartments can save a vessel from sink ing and can be kept closed against the moment of need. The fact that the fcpreo underwent this accident and yet brought her living cargo safe into port demon strates the efficiency of the modern im provements to secure safety at sea. Still this reassuring view of the case should not prompt false security. The narrow margin between life and death for seven hundred people is an impressive ar gument that machinery should not break down at sea where the consequences may come so near to "fatality. Engineering science should address itself to making machinery that will not fail in that dan gerous way. When that is done the safety of ocean travel will be nearly as complete as its comfort and speed. A KEGBXAE DISCLAIMEK. The officers of the new organization of wire manufacturing interests formed the other day took especial claims to deny that it was a trust or combination in the sense of controlling all or nearly all the production and being able to exact extrav agant prices. This is the stereotyped an nouncement even when the real trusts are formed. But the assertion is better sub stantiated than usual, with the fact that out of 40 wire concerns in the country onlv five are included in this consolida tion, and they have long been practically under the same ownership. So long as this is the case the new con solidation has nothing about it obnoxious to the public interest While there are thirty-five independent concerns it is plain that no suppression of competition or arti ficial enhancement of prices can be ef fected by the consolidation of five others. Still the suspicious may suggest that the organization, like the actress criticised by .Queen Gertrude, "doth protest too(much." It is possible that a consolidation of the magnitude reported may be made the means of merclng the other concerns into the fold, until that exclusive control of the market sought by the typical Trust is insured.- However that may be in the future, it is only necessary to say that consolidations for greater convenience of ownership or efficiency of management are not matters for public criticism; but combinations to engross the market and monopolize pro duction are obnoxious. The present is an extremely bad time to start combinations of the latter class, especially in the public interest NOT ENOUGH KAIN FOK THE COST. The last rain-making experiment of General Dryenf urth's corps in Texas per mits a claim of a minimum of results for a maximum of noise. It Is reported that the scientific rainmakers claim to have "proved the theory of producing rain by concussion." But when we read the de tails the theory appears to hfve received, an amount of proof the reverse of flitter ing to it The account of the manner in wliich the heavens were bombarded for hours is cal culated to produce an aching effect on the tympanum even by a reading. After the balloon explosions had shocked the cir cumambient atmosphere for some hours clouds began to appear. The stunning incantations of the rainmakers were con tinued, and finally the proof of theory was completed in the shape of a mist which lasted for twenty minutes! This may demonstrate the theory of producing rain by concussion, but it does not wet the arid earth to any appreciable extent To crack the sky from zenith to horizon, to split the ears of the dwellers on earth, and to spend some thousands of dollars all for the re ward of producing a twenty-minute mist is a species of demonstration so conclusive that we do not need any more of it Bain at that price costs more than it comes to. We do not think any more mists are wanted at the cost of a dynamite bombard ment It is reported that General Dryen furth intends to pursue his experiments next year in South Dakota; but if he does it should not be at the cost of the public funds. THE GERMAN EXPOSURE. The era of exposing scandals has seized the German administration in its grasp. Theiliscovery that the Lowe rifles, with which a large portion of the German army is equipped, have turned out to be in ferior in quality, and are reported in many cases to be absolutely useless, is of start, ling character, and may be followed by re sults of Continental extent. The first aspect in wliich this discovery presents itself is that of the possible mili tary results that may follow the knowl edge that about half the German army is practically disarmed. It suggests the idea that France and Germany may have changed the places they occupied In 1870 as regards preparation for war, and that this may be seized by the French as the opportunity for which they have waited over twenty years. The world will await with interest the international conse quences of this exposure. But 'an even greater significance of this dishonestv in Government work is its inti mation of a social change. It is to be re membered that for over a generation Ger man administration, and (.especially the Prussian military administration, has been remarkably free from Buch scandals. The entire nation seems to have been Inspired with the ambition of doing the most faith ful and intelligent work: to advance "Ger man' interests and increase the German I power. It was due to that svlrit of energy ; ..-" - - n'V'- - 1 K 1 and honesty that the German army at tained that wonderful effectiveness that enabled it to win the victories of five years which raised Prussia from a second-class kingdom to a first-class empire. Does this exposure signify that the in fluences have change'd and that greed and dishonesty are already sapping the quali ties which form the foundations of Ger man greatness? Let us hope not for the sake of human Drocress. A.sin2le scandal 'even of this magnitude does not demon strate an era of corruption. But it is plain that for the maintenance of Germany's reputation and the .continuance of her power such dishonesty requires prompt and severe suppression. Congress is once again to make more or less attempt to manugo the business of the country. Yesterday it confined Itself to a meeting and an adjournment. It lias been known to db worse, and occasionally it does bettor. To-day it is expected to accomplish one piece of necessary and Important busi ness, at least. It will listen to tlio Presi dent's fl Itoen thousand word message. That ought to be enough to keep it out of mis chief for one day. Death-bed repentances are not worth, a great deal, but they are bet ter than death without repentance. In this last session the Fifty-second Congress has a last opportunity to ntiena to the nation's business for tho nation's benefit. If it use It by refusing to waste the nation's time and the nation's money.it will pats into his tory with a more savory reputation than the one which its performances so far have been building up. It is never too late to mend, and the Fifty-socond Congicss had better mend late than never. What n different world this will be wnen people devote half the time to the cor rection of their own laults that they now spend in carping at those of others, and when charity is half as conspicuous as sclf righteoasnoss is to-Jayl The will of the late J. D. Bernd is re markable for its author's reco-rnition of tl.9 good done by societies widely separated from that ot W hick he was n member. It Is a spirit of seeking, seeing and aiding goo J work wherever it Is to bo found that best helps, on the progress of humanity. The narrow vision that is confined to the benefi cence of this or that cllquo of people limits its possessor's enjoyment of life no less than his usefulness to the race. Another feature of the instrument which is worthy of com mendation is the recognition of the testa tor's employes. Such nn incident as this, which indicates tbe existence of a desirable relationship between man nnd master, is es pecially welcume at a time when its too general absence is one of the prime factors in the production of labor troubles. Pianoforte workers are about to form a labor union for their own protection. Some day the unmusical and musical public will realize the necessity lor united action against the ubiquitous piano-thumpers. Iris reported that a new disease has broken out among the pork packers in Cincinnati. Its symptoms are ulcerous sores on tbe hands, and its cause is supposed to be due to some acid used in curlni; the meat handled by tbe sufferers. This is a matter for a very thoiongh investigation. The meat Itself may provoke similar troublo for the consumers, and in any case there must be considerable danger to tbe pub lic from its contact with tbe af flicted men. The health officers of the Queen City should lose no time over looking into the matter, and adopting measures for the safety of those under their direct care as well as those whom the pork reaches after it passes from their jurisdic tion. Thanksgivino is over, so that a short age in cranberries can be met with compar ative equanimity. But the Christmas turkey will feel'' terriblv lonesome without the usual piquant trimming. There can'not be too many institutions for the cure of drunkenness. The more op portunities the drunkard has to cast off the rvJce which force of habit has too often de veloped into a disease, the more chance there will be of lessening the number of such unfortunates and tbe better it will bo for society at large. Experiment is tbe only test of successfnlness in this matter, and the advent of a now agency with this cure as its object is a matter for publio congratu lation as affording a wider sphoro for ex periment, and as an additional factor in coping with the evil. The world professes to execrate the systems by which Jay Gould accumulated his colossal wealth. Yet tbe world must hold him a successful man according to its own standard of success. Pittsburg's needs as a city roust surely be manifest to over' thoughtful citizen. The municipal platform which best prom ises to satisfy those needs is the criterion by which tbe eloction of city officers should be decidod. There is more than enough timber in tbe woods for the construction of such a platform, and tbe sooner it is brought out of the woods and put into shape by competent workmanship the better for all concerned. Those obstreperous or supposedly ob streperdns New York Democrats must not .forgot 'the danger of playing witli edged tools. There is a sharpness which at times cuts home. Now that campaign literature has served its purpose for a time, "leave to print" will be less conspicuous in the bulkiness of the Congrcsrtonal Record than it was during tho last session. That ought to be quito a lactor in helping to leduce the expense ofgovern uient, if Congress shows any inclination to ward economy. PEOPLE OP PR0MISEKCE. Three men named Brown, Jones and Robinson are members of Queen Liliuko lanl's Cabinet. Four ex-Presidents of Venezuela are now living in Paris in exile General Guzman iBlanco, Dr. Palaclo, Dr. Pulido and General Urdaneta. The Qaeen of Saxony never had any chil dren of her own, but she is very fond of other people's children, especially ir they are pretty. Miss Marguerite Gombert has won Uer degreo of doctor of philosophy and letters at Brussels and goes upon lecord as the first lady student deemed worthy of tho honor, "William H. English, Hancock's Vice Presldentat colleague candidate, resides in Indianapolis, is worth a few millions, and is rapidly making them more by his attention to business. JfATHER Tolton, the Afric-American priest, doesn like the word "colored" ap plied, to him. Ho shys It is an offensive affectation, nnd declares bis preference for the term negro. LADY BROOKE has Jaid out a Shake spearian, garden in .which there are to bo placed specimens of evory flower and shrub named by tbe great bard in bis works. Tbe electric plant is already up. George Francis Train is as quietly funny and deliriously happy over the elec tion as if be had controlled it. And he wonld get as mad as one of tho sparrows he loves to feed if bo were told that he hadn't done so. Mrs. William "Wdtdom, for many .year a resident or Washington, will mako BrooKllne, Mass., uer nome temporarily for a few months to enabu. her daughters to study music and art advantageously. After that she will decide where to reside per manently. The Boumanian Chamber of Deputies has voted urgency for the discussion of the proposal to grant Prince Ferdinand, Crown Prince of Boumanlo. $60,000 yearly. .It is provided that half of this sum must be as signed by the Crowu Prince to Princess ila-rio of "Edinburgh on the occasiouof bis unarrlaje to'uer. THE POPULAR PLURALITY. A oiikat many inquiries have reached The Dispatch as to the popular plurality for President at the recent election. Tbe official I eturns in a dozen States baVe not yet been received, and even if thev were at band tho figuring out or tho plurality in the entire country is a difficult task lor several rea sons. For ono thing, there is not and cannot be an official plurality for Cleveland, Barrl spn or any other Presldental candidate, be cause they are not voted for directly. In a State hore a drzen Republican or Demo cratic electors are chosen thero may be, and usually is, a difference of several hundred or thousand vof es between tho highest and lowest candidates on the lespoctive tickets. On this point each calculator must be a law unto hlmseir. Some autliritlcs take the heads or the tickets and reach the plurality in that way. Others average the votes cast lor the candidates on each ticket, and still otbei stake the electoral nominee of each party receiving the highest vote end decide that the difference between them is the plurality in tho State. These variations of opinion have exUtcd at every Presldental contest, and it has been very rarely that two estimates have exactly agreed. For in stance the Now Yoik Tribune Almanac places Cleveland's plurality in 18S3 at 93,554, the Chicago Daily News Almanao at 96,653 and the New York World Almanac at 98,017. There aro a number of complications this year, too, which did not exist in 188. In tho Stato of Kansas tho Weaver electors re ceived, in round numbers, 162,000 votes. Tbe HariUon electors necured 157,000 votes, and, as there was no Democratic ticket in the field, not ono votn was cast for Cloveland electors. A largo number of Democrats, probably 75,000, voted for the People's party ticket. If theie bad been a division of tbe electors as a result of the fusion a division of tbe votes wo ild have to be mado in pro portion in estimating tho popular plurality. But there was no such arrangement, and the Democratic vote was cast solidly for the Weaver ticket. A9 it result, while Harrison lost the electoral vote of Kansas, he re ceived 157.0C0 more votes there than Cleve land, nnd must bo so credited in estimating the popular pluiality or the country. Kinsas is not alono in this lespect, though it is tho most conspicuous example Deals or a similar natuie weie made by the Demo crats in Colorado, North and South Dakota, Wyoming nnd Idaho. In none of these States wore any votes cast for a straight Demo ciatio electoial ticket, and on a strict con struction Harrison's plurality over Cleve land in each and all of them is the exact number of the ballots given to tbe Republi can e eo ors. From a stralcdc standpoint these combinations made by the Democratic managers were good politics, and in a close contest the doctoral votes affected would have thrown tbe Presidency into the Demo cratlcHouse, but at the pamo time they have lcduced Cleveland's total plurality by per haps 15J.003. Alabama causes another complication which is even more difficult to adjust. The electoral ticket placod in the field by tbe Kolb convention was not formally pledged to any Presldental candidate. It was in dorsed by tbe Republican National Commit tee, and if successful tbe vote of Alabama would have been unquestionably cast for Hanison. In view ot these facts it would seem proper to place the popular vote se cured by this unsuccessful electoral tieket in the Harrison column. Tlioro was, how ever, a third so-called straight Republican ticket placed in tbe field by a disgi untied faction, composed almost entirely of colored men. A somewhat similar state of affairs pre vailed in Texas. There tho organization was in the hands of tho colored contingent, and theirs was the regular ticket, receiving about 77.C00 votes. Anothor set of electoral candidates, tue nominees of the lily white Republican party, had something over 3,000 supporters. Both tactions wero lor Presi dent Hairison, and there is a question whether their votes should not bo added to gether in computing the Republican strength in Texas, though they were thrown for opposing electoral candidates. Then there is Ohio, where the electoral vote ta'divlded and Caltfprnlu, where tho final canvass of the official returns will probably show a mixed i esult. But in these States, while there is doubt as to tjie-propor method of calculation, the margin' is so nar low that the popular plurality in, the coun try will not bo greatly affected. Os tho basis outlined the official returns received and estimates on tbe States which have not yet reported indicate a plurality of about 270,000 for Presidont-elcct Cleveland in tho U States. From several of tho far Wostern Slates, such as Nevada, North Da kota and Idaho, and some Southern States, tho figures so far are incomplete, and tho final announcement may affect the plurality given to the extent of possibly 10,000 votes either way. By other methods of computa tion which might bo adopted tbe result would vary to a still gi eater extent. A number of curious features are disclosed by an examination of the returns in some States. In Mississippi, for instance, Harri son received overSO.OCO voles in 1S83 and only 1,400 this year. Cleveland received 85,000 votes four ycais ago ana but 10,C00 this time. This decrease is tbo result of tbe adoption of the new Constitution, making tho ability to read and write a necessary qualification for suffrage. In Massachusetts, Ion a and Minnesota, wheie the Democrats expocted great gain, tho Republicans secured their usual large majorities. In Ohio, Illinois and California, making but litiln noise in the campaign, there was a surprising slump. If tneie had been no combination with Weaver Cleveland's popular plurality would not have been far short of half a million. As it is the final figures will be found close to 270,000. L. D. B. BABBING OUT IHMIGBAHTS, Postmaster General 'Wanamaker Thinks They Should Bo Kept Out'in '03, Wasbihqtok, Doc. 6. Postmaster General Wanamaker to-day, in speaking about the danger from an epidemic of cholera in this country next year, said that, in his opinion, tbe danger was Imminent, andiio'tlitug short of complete exclusion of immigrants for at least one year would save us from the dreaded scourge. Mr. Wanamaker thought in view or tbe fact that we had' already spent about $20,000,003 In preparation for tbe World's Fair, we ought to take no chances of its failuie by neglecting every precau tionary measure, including complete exclu sion of immigrants. As a result of the investigations mado last session by Congressional committees into tho necessity of modifying tho existing im migration laws, so as to restrict the number of paupers and other undesirable immi grants fiom foreign countries who may enter the United states and of tbe more recent Inquiry made inNew York by Senator Chandler's speoial committee, the Senator has prepared a bill suspending all immigra tion, eTcept from North and South America, lor one year. Help the Homestead Sufferers. New York Press.l Destitution among tbe defeated Homo stead workmen is acute, and a committee has been appointed to receive and distribute to the distressed contributions for their re lief. Surely their appeal ought not to go un answered amid tho plenty with which the land is blessed. We read of railroads and canals blockaded with the abundant fruits of our fertilo Western fields, and food of all descriptions was never so plentiful. Under these oircnmxtances it would bo inexcusable if Homestead's uniortunate snfferors should go hungry for a single day. The Press leels sure that tbe public will generously rospond to their cry for aid. Grover Is an Honest Man. Chicago later Ocean. 3 Theieis one thing to admire in Grover Cleveland He never lies about tbo size of his string of flsh or the number of ducks ho captured. It is the highest possible test of honesty. ; Let the Stargaxcrs Get Together. Colorado Sao. An international conference of astrono mers would seem to be a needed thing just now. Morning Greeting In Chicago. Washington Post.J ' The latest Chicago greeting: "Good morn ing: have yon been robbed!" WON BY A HEBE ROSE. A Railroad Company Barely Knocked Out In the Supreme Court. Washisotos-, Dec 5. Tho United States Supreme Court to-day affirmed tho judg ment of the Circuit Court in tho well-known Chicago lake front cases. The lower court decided lii lavor of tbe local authorities, and heid that the Illinois Central Railroad did not bavo a riiht to use tbe submerged lands albng the lake front for wharves, piers, etc. The caso arose over suits between the Illinois Central Railroad and the people of tbo State of Illinois, the city of Chicago and tbe United States regarding titlo to sub merged lands about.l miles of tho water front of the most valuable part of the har bor or Chicago, tho value of the property In litigation bclna estimated at from $9,000,000, according to the figuro given In court by Connsi-1 Jewett, or the Illinois Central, to $i0 000,000, the largest estimate made. Justice Field delivered tbe opinion of the court. Tho Chief Justice, having been of counsel in the court below, and Justice flatchford being a stockholder in the Illinois Central Company, did not take any part in tbe consideration or declninn of these cases. Justices Brown andGrayJnlned Justice Shiras in dissenting. Tho citvor Chicago nnd she State or Illinois thus won the case by the narrow majority of 4 to 3. The four Justices in lavor of tho cltvare Justices Field, H trlan, lAinar and Brewer. The opinion of JusticeField is one of gi eat importance, aside even from the ereat value of tho ptopeity in controversy. Tr.e decis ion will likely form a landmark in future litigation. To a considerable extent It lays down new law. Tbo controllinz spirit of the decision Is the sovereignty oX the peo ple over even their own Legislatures. The court rules that tho railroad company's claim to ownership is well lounded so mras tbe piers do not extend beyond the point of navigability in the waters of tho lake. The opinion siys the court sees no valid objec tion to tho compiny's continuing to nse the land it Is at present ocenpring on reclaimed ground for use as a railioad passengnr sta tion, and lor tracks in approaching and leav ing said station. F2W CBAKBEEEIES FOB CHBISTMA3. f Philadelphia Wholesalers Corner the Mar ket and More Thau Double Prices. PntLAOSLFUiA, Dec. 5. Special Some ap prehension is felt among tbe retail grocers or the oity, tbe hotels, restaurants nnd housekeepers, because of tbo growing scarcity of cranberries. For a week past se oral of the larger firms have bad men all over Now Jersey trying to b3y up all the berries in siiht. In some cases they were successful, but many of them came back empty-banded. Nearly all the berries have been bought up, and what remain in Jersey aro held by the growers for a still further In crease in price, which, from all appearance, 'is sure to como before Christmas. It is said that this security and high price are caused by the effort or a Saw firms in this city to corner the market. Last year the supply was plentiful, so that few dealers speculated in them, but this tall tbo crop was considerably lighter. These Arms which make a specialty in the cran berry line saw an opportunity to send the Snces up. Tliey marled men out through urlingtou, Ocean. Gloucester and Atlantic counties, to buy up all the beirles obtaina ble. Soon nnotberfirm got an inkling of what was going on and tney too put men down in the swamps lor the same purpose, nnd they were met at nearly every point with the remark that a man had been there a few days before and purchased all they had. Chicago and other .Western points have also bsen factors in the market, and laige quantities, of the article have been shipped westward. The result or all this has been the doubling ot the prices per barrel that ruled less than a mntitn ago. Good berries tb tt brought $5 or $5 50a barrel then now sell at $10 and $11, and are scarc-o even at that rate. 0HE WAY FOB FBEE 6ILVEB. Senator Vance Proposes a New Plan Based on Reciprocity. Washisotoit, Dec. 5 Special. A poll of the United States Senate to-day shows that nearly all tbe Senators expect little if auy practical good to come irom the Brussels monetary conference. In fact many of them regard the conference as a foieign Held for the ventilation of lid-cat views. It remains for Senator Vance, of North Car olina, to give the most novel, original and un'que solution of the great silver problem yet offered. His plan is almost as clever as Mr. Blaine's reclpioclty scheme, and follows the same lines, bald the North Carolina Senator to-night: "1 would secuie the co-operation of the nations by barter and sale. In other words, I would pay them for their assistance in equalizing the value of gold and silver by sharp trade discriminations. In this way EiiL-land, Austria and Germany would be soon whipped into line. Theso trade rela tions could bo secured by treaties with re ciprocity clauses. In this way the absolute free coinage of silver would bo brought about. The plan Is simple and leasl'ilp, and would meet with popular approbation." DEATHS HERB AM) tLiEWHEEE. Captain E. H. Virgil. Captain E. H. Virgil, who established the National Fxpress, died Sunday morning at Ills home In Troy, N. Y. He was born at Egremont, Mass.. In 1338. He drove coaches on the Central New York routes and throughout the Hudson Val ley In boyhood, aud in 1S41 established an express route between Albany and Montreal. A few years later tbe route was extended to Include New York. Mr. Virgil became a member of the arm of Pollen. Virgil & Co. In 1850, and three rears later a half interest in the business was bought by others, nnd the National Kxpress Company was organized. The business was extended rapidly through New York ana New fngltnd, and. up to 1883. Captain Virgil was Its central manager. The Captain was also one of the urlzlnators of the British and American Express Compiuy. operated In Canada. it was afterward succeeded by the Canadian Expres Company. ( aptaln Virgil was a member of the oia xroy uiuzenv i;orps in j&w. Fireman William MIckeL "William Mickel, a member of the Ells worth Engine Company, of Allegheny City, died yesterday, aged 33 years, at his home. No. 13 Lom bard alley. Mr. Mlcicl had been connected with the are department for ncarlv four years. He bore the reputation of, being a first-class fireman aud was Tery popular wltb his comrades. Last winter, while working at a lire on Last Ohio street, he caught a cold which levclop:d into consumption. The deceased leaves a wire and two children. lie wxsameniberof the Knights and Ladles of Honor and the Order of Itedmen. The funeral will take place nn Thursday afternoon and the Allegheny Fire Department will participate. Mrs. Bridget aicNamarn, Centenarian. Mrs. Bridget McNamara, who came to America from Ireland with her husband early In the century, died In Springfield, Mass., Sunday night at the age of 101 ears. ThecouDle settled In Massachusetts and brought ud a large family, but only two sons and one daughter, all elderly people, are now living. The old lady his been a resident ofSprlnzficl.1 for in ore than ball a ceninry, and her husband died there over 30 v-ars ago. Her recol lection of the events or times long past was quite good until within two years, but latterly her facul ties failed rapidly. ( Obituary Notes. GENEnAL DntHOXT is dead In Paris. TinBionx Bev.. cnAJints woitDSWoimi. D. C. L., ISIshnp or St. Andrews. Dunkeld and Dun blane, Scotland, Is dead. Col. Joux L. Devise, one or the oldest and wealthiest eltlrens of Chattanooga, died Sunday night of congestion of tbe brain. Major General Benjamix Y. DniCE.U. s. A. (retired), died of congestion of the lungs SnndaT evening at his residence la Wastilugto'i, aged SS years and 4 days. Jerome K. Sellers, the wcll-Lnown turfman and poolroom manager, died at his homo at Lex ington, ley.. Friday night of heart disease. lie was years of age. C ILDERT KODJI AX Fox, the oldest member of the Montgomery county bar, died Snndar. aged 7i years. Mr. Fox was a very successful lawyer and had practiced over SO years at Norrltown. J. E6CUEK, proprietor of the Alhambra Theater, In St. Louis, died Saturday morning from the effects of an operation performed on him three weeks atto. Mr. Etcher was said to be the oldest theatrical manager in the country. CHARLES F. EVANS, Mayor or Heading from 1873 to 1373. nnd formerly prominent in Republican comity and S'ate politics: a member of the Berks county bar, and for years a young newspaper worker In Reading, was found dead In his bed yesterday morning. lie was aoout SO yean, old. Prixce m'alatesta. who participated with the late Napoleon III., when the latter was an ad venturer aud pretender in an attempted revolution against the papal authority. In 1332, Is dead at Algucbcllc. Jin entered the monastery orthe Trap plstmonUs some time ago as a refugee and died a inunk. ,Col. "JV. "H". Gocpov, one of the most prominent lawyers In Virginia, died at Richmond Sunday morning, after an Illness of few weeks. He was atoae time promlnendy associated with the West Point Terminal nnl was counsel for theOlcott committee In tbe nezotlatlons resulting la the settlement of the Virginia dibt. C. t. Mtqatt died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. W. J. McKtnncy. at North Liberty. Mercer county, early yesterday morning, aged 77 years Deceased was the father or W.U. Mygatt. who la superintending the construction of the "new1 steel mUlatMeKeesport. and also of Mrs. R. B. Whit tlesey ana i.i-g.J. K. Wilcox, of IMttsburg, and of ,.. 4. l, 44 - W'J, ft"-" " -.. uui. I uma. i TBE ART OF SPEECH. A Graceful Woman Suggests the Proper '"Way to Talk Opening of a Sabbath School Institute Old Scholars Meet Around the Banquet Board. A distinctively fashionable event was the 186th reception of the Art Socioty in tho Pittsburg Club Theater last evening. The pretty hall was filled with the most dis tinguished audience that has gathered In this city for some time. Not only was every seat occupied, but a knot of gentlemen wero compelled to stand in the ante-room to get as much of the sweet tones of the speaker of the evening as they could. The speaker was Mrs. Edmund Russell, who was deliver ing her lectnre on "Tho Art of Speech.' Standing calmly in the center or the stage, or dropping upon a sofa, as tho fancy prompted her, Mrs. Kusiell presented tho graceful figure with which many Pittsburg ers are familiar, nnd it was the whispered comment that a more easy, self-possessed, and hnndsome,woman has seldom been seen in public in this city. Mrs. Russell wore ono ot her characteristic robes of flowing dra pery, that suggested no fastenings, but ap peared to be held in place Only by tho cun ningly devised draping oj tho ma terial. It was of a pinkish hue, shot with some darker sbado, that gave forth glancing lights and shadows at every movement of tlm 'wearer. The pn port of the lecture Is Indicated in the syllabus, that wa-placed in tho hand of each orthe guests, and that read thus: First Expression in sound. Meanings or sounds. Second Bow to increase (orce or precision in speech. Third Treatment of vowels in, relation to expression. The importance of having knowledge of their formation and use in order to produce pure intonation in speak ing or singing. Effect of the provincial use or the different sounds or tuo vowel A in English. Fonrtb How tho laws orgrowth of language determine whether a gircn pro nunciation is a fashion, an affectation, or tho coming speech. Fifth Causes and cures of "Provincial Speech." How to tell whether the Paiisian, tho London, or the Western it is correct English. Sixth Iieatment or consonants as an exprc-ision or character or mood. Kesonanco to be acquired through the normal use of the nasal consonants nnd the liquid L. Dramatic effect of certain kinds of K'n, Ts and P's. boventb Special advantages or Enslish over othor languages for purposes ot oratory or song, contrasted with the special beauties of Italian. Following her custom, Mrs. Russell did not tell an, thing particularly new, bnt she of fered old truths in a charming manner that made them seem novel. It was noticeable that thero wero many musicians and vocal teachers In the hall who listened Intently to tho remarks of the lecturer, and then smiled as they recognized some fact that tliey had been leaching i or curs given to tbem In suoh manner that thoy di not, for tuo moment, appreciate their acquaintanco with it. It is to be presumed that Mis. Uub sell knows tho peculiar effect she produces, ana that she enjoys it. One of the most startling things nhe said was that the lesson iiupres-sod upon us in childhood, that it is proper to throw the shoulders back, is based on lalse preuilsesand that this particular carriage has an injurious effect upon the organs of speech. Sue Illustrated in her own person how one should walk, and it could not be denied that it was more graceful than tlm ttralnoil attitude she showed as the re sult of "throwing tho shoulders well hack," according to the old-iashioncd rule. In fact, her whole lecture was lull of amusing and pleasing little episodes or this kind. At the conclusion of her address Mrs. Russell met a large number of the ladios and gentlemen who nad listened to her lecture, nnd showed herself aj delightful a conversationalist as shu is allowed to be a lecturer. The re ception was an entire succesi lroui every point of view. The Sabbath School Institute commenced in the Batter Scrcrt M. E. Church yesterday afternoon. Mr. J. D. Week presided, and. besides devotional oxercise-i, talks wore given us follows: "Stops vs Plans," by E. S. GUI; "Primary Work Out orSchooI,"by Mrs. A. C. Patterson; lesson or December 11 taught to a class of little folks, by Miss Nettlo Baer. Bev. W. F. Cralts, editor of the Christian Salesman, was in char'0 or the question drawer, and Mr. Edwin S. uray, or the Second Piesbytcr.au Sabbath School, illustrated "Object leaching," by the "Apostles' Drill." In tUo evening Mr. Lee S. Smith prosided. Mr. S. Hamilton opened the exercises with an interesting address on "Music in tho SundayScho l." He aid that the proper mcthod.was to make the Sunday school ploai.uit to the 'children, and that, th ere rote, the muic shojld be of Uzhc character, such as children can oas ly loam, eavlng out. tho heavy psalms tha; are t? tiiesome to little ones. Mr. Hamilton's remarks wero of a straightlorward sensiblo nature, and were listened to with the deepest interest by tho audience. Rev. D. S. Kouuedy, D. D., spokr on ' Grading in Biblo Schools," and ltev. James Morrow, D. D , delivered a mo-t interesting uddiess on "Wtata Pilgrim Saw in Bible Land." This was uiery instruc tive lecture, and the t-poakur proved tint he was not only thoroughly conversant with his subject, but bo knew how to impart his knowledge in a pleasing and entertaining manner. Bev. W. F. Oldiicm, D. D.. con ducted the question drawer. A luncheon whs served between the afternoon and cyen ing session-,, under tho direction of tho ladles of the Sunday schools or Lawrence vllle, and there was a general ntmo-ipnero or hospitality that made the occasion a very enjoj able as well as useful one. The insti tutoniil be continued this afternoon and evenlug. Mb. and Mrs. E. D. Smith will cele brato their cr. stal wedding at their home in Ingram this evening. They have beoi mar ried 15 years. Mrs. Smith Intended to hold a large reception, but owing to the death of her father recently in Chicago, tho guests will be confined to relatives oi tuo family. A LARGE company of distinguished gentlemen cronded tho dining rooms at Hagan's yesterday afternoon. Tliey were tho Alumni and former students of Elders lidgo Acadomy, an Institution 50 ycaw old nnd which wis in its glory in the early sixties. Tho academy is sltnated in Indiana county nine miles irom SalisUnrg. Mayor Gourley. President of tho Association, pre sided. Bev. Dr. Gilson invoked tho Divine blessing. Mayor Gourley then made tho opening spooch which abounde 1 in remi niscences of his student life, jokes at the expense of others, and colored with a very eloqnont eulogy on "Pater," tho Bev. Dr. Alexander Donaldson, who founded Elders ridge Academy, was its principal lor more than 40 years, and then donated the building to the community. Officers of the association wero elected for the coming yean Uenry I- Gourley, Presi dent; Prof. T. B. Elder, Vice President; Samuol Smith. Treasurer; W. C. Anderson, Corresponding and Recording Secretary. The speaking began immediately with the eating, which insured short speeches. The first address was by S. P. Uarblson. Esq., on Tha Kf.rinnaiiecs of Humor." llo told some jokes on his roommate, tho Maj or. Rev. N. O. Kuily,- present principal or the academy, spoko on its romarkabh- record, the high at aiuments oi it-) graduates nnd tbe bright prospect of the institution. ProL T. B. Elder, lor23ycarsapiofessorintheatademy, discuised "The Raw Material Free From Duty." lie declined to tell how green some of tho boys wero when they came into his hands, but ho did not think the greenest bors como from tho country. The Professor was accompanied by his wire.who also made alow lemarks. Colonel J. Wilson Bamott, of Ilillsido, Pa., recalled touching and humorous scenes "Tenting on the Old Camp Ground." The Mayor wanted to know who got up "The Cat o'N'ino Tnils." Ho bad boeh trying in vain for 30 years to find out, and called on Dr E. S. RlggB, or Allehony, to speak on th. t snbject. Dr. Riggs mad a capital non-committal speech. Dr. Joseph Cook, who left tbo academy in 1850 and has attained great eminence In his line, spoke on "Does Death End All?" and as sured the banqueters it ilia not. Knv. Dr. Hervev D. Knight, of Iowa, spoke on "What's inn Xamef' Mnjor Hugh Logan, or Ixau's Forry, discussed "The Pursuit of Pleasure Under Difficulties." The oration oi the day was by Hon. Ilenry Watson, of Greenville, Pa. Bev. Wilson E. Donaldson, of Allegheny, gavo "Reminiscences of the Donaldson Family." Bev. J. D. Moorhead, or Beaver Fulls, spoko on "Expectations; or the True God of Life." Dr. Thomas D. Davis, upon special reqnest of tbe Mayor, made a sparkllntr speech on "What 1 Do Not Tell My Wife." Rev. B. H. Ilood spoko on Qui fit Maecenas?" and said lie could not settle that question or the ages who fought Maecenas? Rev. Rob ert Smith spoke on 'Tbo Smiths in America,'1 Addresses were nlsoincde by Ed Scull, Esq.. Dr. William Mown. Dr. Frank Ross, of Clarion; Prof. Wilson. H. J. Fuliner, Esq., or Allegheny; J. W. Elder, Esq., Rev. Dr. W. W. Moorhead, of Greensburg. nnd other. Several ladles wem present The nenii-centennlal of tbe academy will bo ob served the coming year, probably In June, and the Mayor appointed the following com mittee to arrange therefor: ProLT. B. Kldor, Bev. N. B. Kelly aud Prof. Wilson, ail of the academy CURIOUS CONDENSATIONS. Sweden has increased her army. Great Britain coal mines will Iatt 900 years. In Nevada potatoes are sold by tho pound. South Australia has had 40 administra tions In 26 years. There will be no performances of "Wag ner's operas at Bayrenth next year. It is reported in London that another dally newspaper on the American model li to be started. An Austrian inventor has - devised a new rifle from w,Mch as many as 120 shots a minute can be fired. Wolves in Kusjla destroy annually upward or 800,000 head of domestic animals valned at 3,000,000 rubles. An apparatus that economically de livers grains of corn to poultry only as fast as used Is a late invention. Tbe value of the honey and wax pro duced in tho United States dnring the past year has been estimated at $$,000,000. Incandescent lamps are ridiculously cheap in Sweden, tbe price of those with all voltages up to 125 being about 20 cents. Herodotus gives an account of a priest ess at Minerva, whose chin regularly budded with a large beard whenever any great public calamity impended. Telephones have been introduced at th Government rifle ranges at Fort Sheridan, 111., as a means of communication between the firing points and the targets. "GilsoDite," a variety of mineral wax, contains 80 per cent or carbon or asphalt in its pure lorm. The Utah vein Is almost three leet wide and a mile in length. Gibraltar has been nearly brought into railway connection with the rest of Spain. The railway goes now to Algeclras, just on the other sido ot tbe Bay or Gibral tar. During the reign of Elizabeth English dudes wore shoes three feet in length, the toe pointed and fastened up to the garter with golden chains, to which little belli were attached. The Persians, Phoenicians, Greeks and several other nations acknowledge that their ancestors wore onco without the com forts which fire bestows; tho Chinese con less the same of their pioeultors. Dr. Murray, of the Boyal Society of Edinburgh, estimates tho mean height of the land ot tho globe to be 1,930 feet above sea level. Hjuiboldt's estlmato placed the same level at only 1,000 feet above high water mark. The highest place in the world regu larly inhabited is the Buddhist town of Haine, In Thibet, which is 16.000 feet above sea level. The highest lnh tbited place la the Americas is at Galera, Peru, 15,635 feet above sea level. The balance of a watch gives five vi brations every second. 200 evory minute, 13, 000 every honr, 32,00J every day and K7.6S0, 000 during tbe a car. At each vibration it rotates 1" times, or, say about 137,100,000 revolutions a year. The Supremo Court of Michigan has de cided that a married woman cannot collect the money she earns unless she can prove that she is ber husband's agent. The earn ings ofa wife belong to her husband to do what be pleases with. It is somewhat singular that, notwith standing the great advances made in chem istry and metallurgy, no other more satis factory silver nllov has aa yet been discov ered lor coining and other purposes than the alloy usad &X years ago. Tbe Congo's month is an extraordinary marino gully of no less depth than 1,452 .'eet, Tbe mouth of tho Mississippi at an equal distance trom shore would only show 33 leet, and tho Thimes 10 rcet. The Congo's incredi ble depths were traced for more than 100 miles out at soa. The Sabbath Day's Journey of tha Ilebrews was 2,000 yards, the traditional dis tance trom tho end of the Ark of the Cove nant to the Tarthcr sido or tbe Israelites' camp, whero they had mado a stop in the wilderness, the point where tbe Sabbatical law was given. It is-poiuted out that Tom Thumb, the midget, used to eat more than Chang, tha Chinese giant. Any one who takes the trouble to observe men when they eat will notice that, as a rule, small men or men of ordinary physique stow away more food than the big fellows. A veteran English correspondent and traveler, after much experience with rail way lamps, has abandoned them fora can dle perforated with holes through the center, which ho holds in his hand. Tin holes ab sorb the grease, and transform the otherwise inco ivcnieut caudle into an almost perfect illuuilnanr. Pliny, a writer of the first century after Christ, says: "Serpent, no odds how poison ous the variety, can hurt but once, neither kill they many together, to say nothing how, when they have bitten or stung a man they dlo for very gner and sorrow that they have dono sucha unschipr, as if they had some remorse of conscience afterward." The coldest known spot on the earth' surface ii on the Eastern Slope, a shelving mountain that runs down to near the water's edge, on tbe eastern bank of tha Lena river. In Northeast Siberia. Dr. Woikoff. Director of the Russian Meteoro logical Service, gives the mlnimun tempera ture of tbe place as being SS degrees below zero. Queen Elizabeth used to carry abont with lier.suspended by a chain of pure gold, a book, called "The Golden Manual of Prayer," a dainty volume of 300 paes,bound in "hammered virgin gold." One side of this crwtly volume save a representation of The Judgment or Solomon," the other the "Brazon Serpent on the Cross In tho Desort." In the Jewel House of the Tower of London, tho placo where tho British Crown and other royal IiisUnia are kept, there is a book bound throughout in gold, oven to the wires ot tho hlngos. Its clasD I two rubies et at opposite eids ot four golden links. On one side there is a cross or diamonds; on tbo othor the English coat or arms set in diamonds, pearls and rubios. At the opening of the Jaffa-Jerusalem Railway a curious Mo3lom rito was ob served. Three sheep were slaughtered and their blood besprinkled on the rails before tbo first train was allowed to proceed upon its Journey. This superstitious ceremony had lor Its object the scaring away of evil irenii, who would otherwise have exerted a baneful lufluence upon passengers using tba line. In Borne the barbers hung out basins at tbe end of poles, so tbat woundod soldlert and gladiators might observe them at a dis tance and know exactly where to go to find relief. Tbe parti-colored pole or staff is said, to Indicate that the barber did "bleeding, tbe colored stripes symbolizing the strii.gs or ribbons that wero wound around tho patient's arm while he was being phle botomized. ORIGINAL AND JOCOSE. PARDONABLE. There lives no writer on this earth Who has not cursed a bit. But he will be excused. I know. Though wrung for doing It. The reason why be swears at times Is 'cause he does not think. And often sticks the mucilage brash Deep la bis writing Ink. SAW AND TALKED WITH ALL OF THEtt. "I was at a spiritualistic seance last night." Goodmedlom?" , Beat in the world. A mince pie." SENSIBLE. "What would yoii do if you wers left tlDO,000,COO?" Nothing." SHE LOST. "Gentlemen of the jury," said the" at torney for tbe prosecution in a breach of promlia case, "I Intend proving that this defendant hti given a.y client many a ring " 'And, gentlemen orthe lury," broke In tbe V torney for the defense. "I can prove that this ladj Is and has been a telephone girl for years." NOW'S YOTJB CHANCE. Come all ye bashful laddies, Who are so much ifnld to kiss a bus atany time. This season's for yoa mode. Make haste and work It of tea. It won't but long yoa know; Don' t be polite but get her 'neith The hanging mbrtlotee. I .. VftKfc K ,:-.., t - ir t -te&a , -vj S. -Ji . JiiJ?irf.t -. . -rJL ...iV i i -i-:, ... -r '.-.,. . ... - .. . I &twrirtw ifofrihmmmm&immLfk? ?---eir?-gi& - inn airiiiiiiiirrtritftirnrtiiffiifi friiirn -m
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers