THE PITTSBURG DISPATCH, THURSDAY. DECEMBER 22, 189a
I
fjje B$j?aft&.
ESTABLISHED FEBRUARY 8. ISIS.
Vol. 74. Ko SS-Enterefl at rittsburg Postofflce
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TWELVE PAGES
IDENTICAL INTERESTS.
The communication from a staff corre
spondent in West Virginia published in
The Dispatch this morning is full of sug
gestion tor Pittsburg enterprise. The im
portance to this city of establishing means
of transportation with West Virginia can
not be overestimated. That States teems
with raw materials for which there must
Inevitably be a growing need here. West
Virginians look upon Pittsburg as the
natural place for the consumption of their
coal, coke and lumber and desire to be
brought into touch with this center as
promptly as possible. The development
of their riches means an Invaluable rein
forcement of Pittsburg's supply of raw
materials and a growing trade for Pitts
burg merchants in filling their wants.
The article referred to enters into de
tails which it is not necessary to reproduce
here. Broadly speaking, the interests of
Pittsburg and West Virginia are identical
in the establishment of transportation
facilities. The opening for railroad con
struction is clearly indicated, and nothing
but vigorous private enterprise is neces
sary fcr the inception and rapid pushing
of the work. With regard to the Improve
ments of the Jlonongahela the need for
and advantage of whichhavebeen pointed
out for sixteen years past by United
States engineers those can only be
secured through Congress. And
to secure slackwater on the
Monongahela from Morgantown up to
Fairmont the Representatives of Western
Pennsylvania should unite in energetic
action with those from West Virginia.
' The Dispatch can but urge these mat
ters upon the attention of the community,
and it does so with a confidence that a
knowledge of the facts is only necessary
to a prompt and proper recognition of
their importance.
INDETERMINATE POWERS.
The City Attorney's opinion in reply to
the Mayor's letter concerning the relative
powers of the Mayor and the Chief of the
Department of Public Safely is chiefly
calculated to impress the lay mind with
the intricacies of the division of power and
authority between the two officials. This
is the natural result of the ill-defined bor
ders of the jurisdiction of those public
servants; but the City Attorney's opinion
requires a great deal of space to mike it
plain that the question of superiority and
subordination there are very cloudy
After quoting from Justice Williams'
decision in the street cases to show that
the Chief of the Department of Public
Safety has very limited powers and that
the Mayor occupies his old position, the
City Attorney reaches the1 apparent con
clusion that the Mayor has authority of
the Chief to order him to do any act with
in the latter's line of legal duty. But the
enforcement of this authority arrives at a
somewhat lame conclusion when the
opinion en y sp3cifles as a means that if
there should be a refusal or neglect to
obey such an order the Mayor should
"report such failure or neglect to Coun
cils" As to the particular work under dis
cussion the attorney gives his opinion that
the Maj-or or the public magistrates can
proceed against disorderly houses by ar
rest on view, where a breach of the peace
is committed, or by information and war
rant It does not specifically say so; but
bv inference indicates that the recent re
markable theory that the police can enter
a house and, by virtue of their own judg
ment thai it is disorderly, turn the in
mates on the street without trial, does
not find much acceptance with the City
Attorney.
On the whole the opinion is most valua
ble as calling attention with some detail
to the fact that while the Mayor has nom
inal supervision over the city departments
the mcan(s of enforcing his authority are
wholly lacking.
YEKr BAD PRACTICE.
The report that the Secretary of the
Xavy is contemplating the award of one
of the new vessels for the navy to another
bidder than the lowest one, on the ground
that he wishes "to distribute the work,"
calls attention to. a practice which has
already been carried too far, and which is,
to use the mildest, term, a very dangerous
precedent If there were any question that
the lower bidders were irresponsible or
would turn out bad work there would be
good reason to refuse to award the con
tract to them. But inasmuch as the low
est bidders are the Cramps, of Philadel
phia, who have already done the best
work on the navy, and as their responsi
bility is to be recognized by giving them
part of the work, the arbitrary bestowal
of another part on a higher bidder is a
proceeding which cannot be upheld on
any grounds of public policy.
The bidder thus to be favored is the
I'nion Iron Works, of San Francisco; and
that establishment has already been .the
recipient of some marked discriminations
In the building of other vessels. Tne
previous action was supported by
an argument that, as vessels were
needed on the Pacific Coast, it was
better to build them there than
to incur the expense of a voyage
around Cape Horn. Besides the question
whether the necessity of building vessels
on the Pacific coast at a marked increase
of cost is to keep the Union lion Works
indefinitely supplied with contracts, this
rsument requires some examination.
What Is the difference between sailing a
vessel around Cape Horn, If it is needed
there, and carrying all the materials to
San Francisco? Or, to put the problem
more precisely, inasmuch -as the vessel
will be kept in comm'ssion anyhow, what
is the difference between the extra cost of
a possibly necessary voyage to the Pacific,
and the positive extra charge which the
Union Iron Company make for building
the vessels?
As this old argument does not appear at
present we may conclude that it has been
worn threadbare, and the Secretary relies
on the plea of distributing the work. But,
however important a distribution of the
work may be, it Is not half so important
as the rule that public contracts must be
awarded to the lowest and best bidder.
Any infraction of that rule opens the gate
to the most dangerous practices. That
way lies jobbery, favoritism and corrup
tion In the performance of public services.
THE FREIGHT QUESTION.
The question of discriminations against
Pittsburg, which is in the hands of the
Chamber of Commerce committee, is
one that has been perennial in our city,
and has been constantly vital to it It is
a summary of our industrial history for
the past eighteen years that in proportion
as these discriminations have been ap
proximately removed or lessened Pitts
burg's growth has been greatest; in pro
pDrtion as they have been maintained or
increased, Pittsburg's growth has been re
tarded or checked.
At present the old vice of favoritism by
which especial firms secured rates which
guaranteed them supremacy in trade is
largely absent from the problem. Whether
the crippled condition into which the inter
State commerce law has fallen will main
tain that state of affairs is a question not
pertinent in this article. That enactment
s to be credited up to the present time
with having placed the shippers in various
lines on a practical equality as far as
freight rates are concerned. The dis
criminations to be amended aro those
which place Pittsburg as an industrial
center at a disadvantage in competition
with other communities.
Such discriminations, while free from
the cruel injustice by which the railroad
elevates its favorite to wealth and con
demns his competitors to adversity, are, it
is easily recognized, of the most vital im
portance to the community. If railroad
policy establishes a permanent advantage
to Buffalo, for example, of 10 or 15 cents
on the mass of shipments as was shown
in the columns of The Dispatch it
shows that railroad policy is either unwit
tingly or deliberately doing its best to
build up Buffalo at the cost of Pittsburg.
Or, if the railroad schedules make it
cheaper to ship iron and steel in the cruder
forms than to manufacture them into the
most finished shapes and then ship them,
the tendency Inevitably must be to locate
the higher forms of manufacture at the
point where the freight rates will most
favor it
The investigation now going on will de
velop the causes of complaint to exist
chiefly in these directions. There may be
other complaints; there will possibly be
some that are not well-founded. But on
the line of discriminations that affect the
entire business interests of the commu
nity there is no doubt of the necessity for
thorough inquiry and urgent efforts for the
remedy.
A policy of enlightened selfishness
should induce the railroads to rectify
these inequalities as soon as they are
pointed out; but, as the fetters of the pool
ing policy will probably prove of more
weight to the railroads than the mainte
nance and stimulation of their traffic in
this city, our business men should further
ask themselves the question what is to be
done if the railroads refus8 to give the
city fair rates.
SINCERE BUT ONE-SIDED.
Congress is to reconsider the question of
opening the World's Fair on Sundays. As
the matter stands, the vast educational
treasures to be gathered together at Chi
cago under national and international
auspices are to be rendered useless during
one-seventh of the time of their accumula
tion. Various j;cod ppople up and down
the country petitioned Congress for the
absolute closing of flie Exposition on
every Sunday. They, no doubt, honestly
believe that such a closing will be for the
good of the people a majority of whose
religious element they claim in somewhat
exaggerated terms to represent
The petitioners have presumably failed
to note that Chicago saloon keepers are as
desirous as themselves that residents of
Chicago and visitor tothe Fair should be
denied admittance to the Exposition on
the first day of every week. They have
paid no attention to the fact that Chi
cago's labor organizations have asked
that opportunities be given to visit the
Fair on Sundays to those who would
otherwise have little chance of enlarging
their knowledge by the instruction to be
gained therefrom. This is a matter to be
settled as all legislative matters should
be, according to the greatest good of thg
greatest number. Congress should with
out doubt provide for the opening of the
World's Columbian Exposition on Sun
days under certain proper and easily de
fined conditions.
SENATORIAL INEQUALITIES.
The action of the Supreme Courts in
other States in vacating apportionments
that are not made with a due regard to
equality of population calls attention to
the need of a revision of the Senatorial
apportionment in this State. The legis
lative and Congressional apportionments
were made in 1887, and while peculiar in
some respects have lot the glaringly un
equal character of the Senatorial appor
tionment That is nearly nineteen years
old, and the changes in population since it
was made have invested it with remark
able inequalities.
The average of population to each
Senator is now 105,160. Comparing the
departure from this average we find some
remarkable results. The fact that Alle
gheny county is entitled to five senator
ships while it has but four is among the
commonplace inequalities. Thus Luzerne
.with 104,000 more than the average has
one Senator, while Lebanon with 07,090
less has also one. A vote in the latter
county has more than four times the
influence in the State Senate that a
vote in Luzerne has. It has two and a half
times the force of a vote in Allegheny
county, and is equal to about three votes
in Berks, Lackawanna, Clinton, Clear
field and Center, or Blair and Cambria.
The comparison might be continued, but
the extraordinary influence of the Labanon
voter m Senatorial elections is the most
glaring example of the inequality. The
voters in one of the Schuylkill districts
(the Thirtieth) in Crawford, in Cameron,
Elk, Clarion and Forest, in Perry, Mifflin
and Juniata, in Susquehanna and Wayne,
and the Bucks and Delaware districts
have also a large preponderance of weight
in deciding the constitution of the Senate.
The fact that the Governor and Leg
islature are of different political parties
should not be permitted to delay the
rectification of this lopsldedness. Indeed
as that fact should stimulate an impartial
apportionment, it oucht to bring about a
( new arrangement of Senatorial districts
at the coming session.
Clnciknati is in 'a fair way toward
achieving the burial of all its electric wires
within the next 13 months. Pittiburg's per
petual postponement of measures to obtain
a like result warrants the hope that the
wires here will go underground, wo some
day. Economy is a grand thing, but it cannot
be achieved in national aflalrs at the ex
pense of injustice. The amount of tbe Mc
Garrahan claims, and the expense which
their proof would involve to the National
Treasury, bad nothing whatever to do with
Congress. That body is simply called upon
to decide whether the evidenoe adduced is
sufficient to warrant the submission or the
claims to the Court or Claims, ir the claims
be Just a great wrong bas been done by the
continual postponement or their recog
nition. If the claims be unfounded, the
Court may bo depended on to so decide.
The long delay in tbe.matter is' a disgrace
to the country and an opportunity ought to
be given Tor its settlement on its merits
once ana for all. Promptness in the ad
ministration of Justice is more important
than anything else, and it is about time to
remove some of the lead from her wings.
The proposed Ohio River and Lake Erie
Canal has lecelvedthe indorsement or ex
pert engineers. And any attempt by
Ignorant amateurs to ridicule its practic
ability at this late date will only make the
ridiculers ridiculous in the eyes or all who
have made any close study or the question.
No outsiders can aid France in any sub
stantial way in its efforts to punish individ
uals in high places ror malfeasance in office.
But there is abundant reason for America's
deep sympathy with the French people in
this hour of crucial trial (or its Republican
institutions. Corruption has flourished for
a time, it is now in process of exposure, and
there are ample means for its punishment
all under a French Republic. Opportunities
lor governmental fraud would have been as
lully nsed under a French monarchy, but it
is doubtful whether the 'fraud would nave
been disclosed and still more doubtful
whether the fraudulent could have been
brought to Justice under any but a Republi
can government. The logic of the situation
is obvious, and France will be sale in its
democracy ir reason be allowed to prevail
over impulse.
Pre-election pledges and New Year
resolves both resemble pie-crust too closely
In being frequently made only to be broken.
But the world is the better for the mere
making of both, as indications of the possi
bility lor refoimutlon some day or other
even if it Tail to materialize in the present.
The admission of applicants to the High
School should depend simply and solely
upon their fitness to profit by the instruc.
tion of that institution. Where their pre
liminary learning has been acquired is a
matter entirely impertinent to a decision as
to their qualifications to enter there. If the
nigh School be too small to admit all appli
cants properly qualified by- knowledge al
ready Rcqniied, then its accommodations
must forthwith be enlarged as speedily as
may be. There is no room for even a sus
picion of sectarianism in the management
of any branch of Pittsburg's publlo schools.
Pope Leo's recognition of American
public schools is on a par with the progres
sive spirit he has manifested in other direc
tions. His instructions and injuntions
should go far toward the abolition of a
polioy contrary to American institutions.
Now that Democratic and Bepublican
"steering" committee have both been
organized to aid in deciding upon tlio politi
cal complexion of the next Senate, the peo
ple will bo ought of the running altogether.
For, whets astute politicians are pitted
against one another in a struggle for parti
san gains, the prize is more than likely to so
simply to the committee most accomplished
in the mysteries of "steering," "bunko," or
otherwise.
Titere is constantly increasing evidence
that Mr. Cleveland's policy will be dictated
only by the President-elect. And those of
his own party who have any intention to
antagonize him bad better prepare for a
stiff struggle.
The National Board of Trade which is to
assemble next month at Washington should
discuss immigration and quarantine regu
lations to the great advantage of the 'na
tion. Pittsburg will not be represented
there, but that is presumably Pittsburg's
fault, and matters of national importance
cannot wait for the action of a city that fails
to set forth Its importance and advance
its interests with a proper degree of public
spirit.
Ik considering the Panama disclosures
the danger to France lies in forgetting the
essential probity of Republican principles
in witnessing the incidental moral obliquity
of unprincipled Republican officials.
The French nation is too energetic in its
pessimism as the American 'people is too
apathetic in its optimism with regard, to
matters of public imp ortance. Both na
tions would be the better for a public spirit
characterized by a mean between these
two extremes. Bat until that shall be
achieved optimism is the healthier feeling
of the two, notwithstanding tho indolence
to which it gives rise.
CniUSTMAS is a truly democratic season
in one rospect, at least. Santa Clans is a
welcome visitor in homes as far asunder as
the poles in their usual social character
istics. From a careful investigation of the Sal
vation Army's undertakings, and a scrupu
lous examination of its accounts by a com
mittee or English public men, that organi
zation has emerged with flying colors. It
is doing an immense work and deserves tlm
attention and sympathy of all philanthro
pists the woild over.
TE RTIKENT PEUSOKALITI ES.
Jonjr Towssend, the veteran tragedian,
is dying of cancer qf tho liver at Toronto.
A Mrs. Stewart, of Fargo, N. Das., is
a candidate for the aldermanship of her
ward, and intends to make it hot for any
man who ventures to oppose her.
It is now claimed that it was a mistaken
sense of delicacy which prompted Mr. Bes
nnt to tender his resignation of the chair
manship of the Society of Anthors.
The probate of Lord Tennyson's will has
been granted. The gloss personal estate
amounts to $"235,030. The entailed estates
descend from liallam Tennyson to the suc
ceeding male heirs.
Prof. Waldsteix Greek, Koyal Com
missioner from England to tne Chicago Col
umbian Exposition, will take passage for
New York on tho White Star steamer Brit
annic, which sails on January 4.
A coBHEsroNDEST in Lima telegraphs
that President Bermnndez and the members
of his Cabinet visited Admiral Gberardi on
board the United States war ship Baltimore
at Callao. They were entertained at
luncheon by the Admiral.
Samuel, Hea, an attache of President
Roberts' office, is liable to be chosen second
vice-president of thePennsylvanfa Uailroad
in place of the late Joseph X. Da Barry. He
bas executive ability and skill as an
engineer to commend blm to promotion.
The marriaze of Miss Woyne Cuyler, of
Baltimore, Md.f"to Sir Philip Henry Brian
Grey-Egerton will take place In London, on
January. Sir Philip is a nephew of the
sixth Earl ol Selkirk, and Miss Cuyler is a
daughter of tho late Patrick Cuyler, of the
United States Engineering Corps.
Probably it has been forgotten that
Sardnu was ever in America, but he was
here in the 63's, pays tho Brooklyn Timet,
and be came to "look over tho ground" and
see what it afforded for dramatic subjects,
lie did not go to thetheaters or into society,
-but lived anonymously at the hotels, saw
the Hudson, Niagara, Boston and Philadel
phia, then went home declaring us a nation
of savages.
LIVE NATIONAL TOPICS.
A Montana Mine Superintendent's Offer
Fun at Holman's Expense Palmer and
Peffer on Anti-Option TeHer on tlio
Colorado Gold Discovery Other Mat
ters or Interest. .
Washington, Deo. 21. The offeror Mine
Superintendent Allen, of Butte, Mont., to
coin a silver dollar of more intrinslo value
than the standard dollar issued by the. Gov
ernment at tne rate of 90 cents apiece will
receive no consideration at the Treasury
Department for the simple reason that
there is no legal authority for the accept
ance of such an offer even If it were re
garded as advantageous. It is conceded
that a profit would be realized in the coin
age of a dollar containing 400 grains of silver
at 90 cents a coin, and that the existing dis
crepancy between the face value and the
bullion value of the coin Is a temptation to
counterfeiters. Under existing conditions,
however, the remedy for this state of affairs
lies solely witb the peoplo who make the
laws and not with the officers who
executo them. One of the officials of
the Mint Bnreau said to-day that
Mr. Allen's assertion that it would be profit
able to counterfeit the standard silver dol
lar at its present value, even with the use of
the same amount of silver, applied with
equal truth to all currencies and securities
issued by tbe Government, with the possiblo
exception or gold. He added that the point
wonld have been even stronger bad it been
made against the Columbian half dollar In
stead of against tho standard silver dollar,
lor tbe reason that while both are now
floated on the market as woith a dollar, it
takes just half as much silver to produce
one as to produce the other. He admitted
that the value of the souvenir coin was
wholly fictitious, but said it held the same
relative value as the larger coin at present,
simply because of its novelty and the limit
ation of the issue. The .official added that
Mr. Allen's proposition was lice a great
many others that had arisen out of the pres
sent anomalous position, with metal as a cir
culating medium, and like most of them was
not sufficiently practical to merit serious
consideration, except in the event ot un
lookcd for legislation of a most radical char
acter. During the discussion of a minor bill in
tho House to-day, Mr. Brickner (Dem.), or
.Wisconsin, in a short speech, advocated tbe
passage of the measure, and then moved
that It be favorably reported to the House.
Mr. Holman wished that some time be given
for debate, which wish elicited from Mr.
O'Neill (Dem.), of Missouri, a remark one
which was greeted with applause and
laughter that economy or time was as es
sential as any other kind or economy. And
therefore a hair hour was tho limitation
placed upon tho discussion.
Mr. Palmer continued his discussion in
the Senate to-day on the anti-option bill.
He said that one of the most serious objec
tions to it was that it struck at the common
right or citizens to make contracts in any
manner now permitted by law. Nothing,
Mr. Palmer said, was farther from the truth
than the idea that the farmers and planters
of tho United States demanded the bill, or
would demand it, ir tljey were mado aware
of its provisions. The people wanted to be
protected, more than anything, from their
so-called friends, from the men who would
subvert the orderly, constitutional ideas of
government and who would turn those help
less people who always Buffered most when
orderly government was attacked, over to
the mere discretion of Congress. He was
happy to know that there was no urgent de
mand for such a bill in tlio State of IHinols.
The effect ot the bill, should it become a
law, would be to drive speculators out of
the oustness and to uive to large capitalists
a monopoly in dealings in farm products.
Tbe effect wonld be to diminish purchases,
to drive out competition and to leave the
field of business to the men who wer? o
fiercely demanding the passage or the pend
ing bill.
This brought Mr. Peffer to bis feet, who
said that 90 per cent ot the American farmers
favored the passage of the bill or others
having the came object in view. Farmers
did not oblect to buying and selling for
future delivery. That was only convenient
and sometimes necessary. Bnt the fanners
Insisted that a fictitious, pretended and
lalse commerce in purely imaginary arti
cles, which continually Interfered witli their
business to their inlnry, ought to be sup
pressed. They did not expect that the pend
ing measure, if it became a law, wonld rid
them wholly or the evil complained of, bnt
it would open tho way to the more success
ful legislation, after tbe methods or evading
it had been discovered. He doubted whether
a hundred votes could be obtained among
tbe farmers of Kansas in opposition to the
bill.
TnE odd coincidence that seemingly large
deposits of gold should be discovered in Col
orado Just at the time Senator Jones, of Ne
vada, a delegate from tbe United States to
tbe International Monetary Conference, had
made tbe statement that silver would surely
be remonetlzed unlets a large discovery of
gold were made, caused some comment
among silver men in the Senate and House
to-day. Senator Teller, the acknowledged
leader of the Republican Silverites in Con
gress, when asked about the matter, said he
believed the discovery In his State was not
of such gigantic proportions as some of the
newspaper accounts would havo people be
lieve. "I think Senator Jones is rficht in his
idea," be said, ''bat I am quite certain that
there never will be discovered such a find
or gold us be had in his mind when
he made his prediction. The gold capacity
of the world is well known and an ap
proximate estimate can be made or the
output of the mines. As for this recent dis
covery, while it may be very large, the field
has been so thoroughly prospected that it
must necessarily be limited in extent, and
it is ridlculpus to believe it will approach
the California discovery of 1849. Nothing
can affect the remonetlzation ot silver, ex
cept discoveries like those of 40 years ago
When California, Russia and Australia were
pouring 200,000,000 yearly into tbemaiket.
Besides the commerce and trade of tbe
world bas increased bo rapidly that busi
ness must necessarily be done in silver
the more abundant metal." Speaking of
the rush for the new fields. Senator Teller
said little could be learned of the deposit
tiom this. Creede, he said, bad received
6,000 people when the excitement was at its
height, Dut there was not that number
there now, although Creede was a very rich
camp.
The statement of the Hamburg newspa
paper cabled this morning, intimating that
the United States Consul at Hamburg was
about .to resume the issue of , clean bills of
health to vessels clearing Irom that port for
tbe United States, notwithstanding tbe face
that flesh cases of cholera were reported
there yesterday, is entirely discredited here.
Nevertheless, out of abundant caution. Sec.
tary Charles Foster Immediately communi
cated the information to the Secretary of
State, with the suggestion that tho United
States Consul at Hamburg be instructed to
'retrain from such action until there is no
longer anv danger of the introduction or
contagion from that source into the United
States.
Vice President-elect Stevenson will
make his headquarters at the Ebbitt House
during the few days which he will be in
Washington provious to tho inauguration.
A suite of rooms on the third floor of that
hotel bas been engaged for htm and bis
party, who aro expected to reaoh the city
about March 1. Eight years ago Mr. Cleve
land stayedat the Arlington during the time
he was in the city preceeing bis inaugura
tion, and it is understood he will again go
thete next March.
"On and after March 4, 1893, the United
States benate will be Democratic," said Hon.
Don M. Dickinson, of Michigan, to a re
porter, while standing in "the lobby of the
Arlington. Please do not ask me to state In
detail the reasons for my statement; suf
ficient to sav that I am confident that the
result will bear out my prediction." Mr.
Dickinson is mentioned for the State De
partment portfolio in Cleveland's Cabinet.
The sixth annual report of the Inter
State Commerce Commission shows that the
law bas brought about many changes in the
equalization of rates and removal of dis
criminations. A material decrease in rail
road rates and classifications has been
achieved, and the Commission does not
think tne minimum has been reached. The
character or the proceedings before the
Commission indicates that the main causes
of complaint arise from discriminations and
preferences in rates and facilities, and not
from tates unreasonable in themselves. The
Commission lavors amendments that will
make the law as strong as its framers in
tended. A JOINT resolution was offered in the
Senate to-day by Mr. McPheison, which he
will press to a vote immediately after the
holidays, directing the Secretary of the
Treasury to suspend all purchases or silver
bullion under tue Sherman act of July 14,
1830.
THE NICARAGUA CANAL BILL.
Provisions of the New Measure Favorably
Reported by Sherman.
Washiitqtoi, Dec 2L The Nicaragua
Canal bill, which has held the attention of
the Foreign Relations Committee since the
beginning or the session, bat at last been
completed, and was to-day favorably re
ported by its author, Senator Sherman, who
gave notice in the Senate that be wonld call
it up at an early date and endeavor to se
cure prompt action upon it.
The new bill is drawn on substantially tfie
same lines as tbe bill reported from the
committee to the- last Congress, including,
as it does, a proposition to guarantee bonds
of the company to the extent of 1100,000,000
to aid in the construction of tbe canal. The
new bill, however, contains some additions,
which increase the obligations of tbe com
pany as well as the security of the Govern
ment. For instance, in tbe second section
the real and personal property and fran
chises of the company are included in the
liabilities. In the' third section it is pro
vided that all of the stock heretofore sub
scribed lor or issued shall be called in and
canceled; that all bonds issued shall be re
deemed and canceled, and that all out
standing obligations shall be satisfied before
the act takes effeot. The dates are changed
so as to make the bonds issue January 1,
1893, and to make them mature in 1953 in
stead or 1911, as is proposed in the original
bill; und tey are alo made redeemable at
the pleasure or the United States alter 1913.
Tho section requiring the company to exe
cute a mortgage on the United States as se
curity tor the guarantee is amended by the
addition of a clause requiring the mortgage
to contain a provision lor a sinking fund lor
the payment of tbe bonds at maturity.
An addition to sectidu 6,of tbe old bill, it is
provided that ir the company do ault in the
payment ot interest or In other respects, be
loie tbe canal Is put into operation, the right
ot loreclosure shall at once attach in favor
or the United States. In authorizing the
Sec.etaryot the Treasury to deliver to tne
company bonds equal to the expenditure
prior to January, 1893, it is amended by re
quiring the company to first satisfy ah lia
bilities and to accept the provisions of the
act by a resolution of stockholders. The
soction is mrther amended so as to make
the bonds bear interest from tbe date ot de
livery and to exclude from expenditures
that may be taken into account the con-t-ideration
paid or ugreed to be paid to tbe
Nicaraguajjoustructiou Company or other
pai ties tor expenditures by them, and for
the concessions to Nicaragua and Costa
Rica, and the total amount, principal and
Interest of the bonus that may be issued for
this payment, is fixed at 6,000,000 instead or
14,000,000 as in the original bill. There is also
included in the same section a new pro
vision tor the payment to the company of
$1,000,000 interest-bearing bonds, the pro
ceeds ot which are to be used as a working
cupital and applied exclusively to tbe con
struction of the canal; to be accounted for
in the settlement and deducted from the
total issue or bonds.
Perhaps the most important changes in
the bill are those made in the ninth i-ectlon,
relative to tue issue or stock. In the new
bill this is limited to $100,000,000, $12,
000,000 to be retained by tue oonipany;
the amouut stipulated to be de
livered to the Governments of Nicar
agna and Costa Rica, according to the
concessions, and the remainder to be Issued
to the United States, full paid and not sub-
jeot to assessment; to ue voteu. uy tue -i resi. i
dent or the United States or his proxy arl
stockholders' meetings, and Dut three di
rectors are to be selected from holders ot
the stock, other than that owned by the
United States. In tho last section an amend
ment is made so that ten Instead of six of
tho 15 directors shall be nppointed"by the
President' of the United Mates, not more
than fire of whom shall be appointed from
one political party.
GERMANS AND THE FAIR.
Conflicting Views as to Their Feelings Re
garding Quarantine.
New Yobs, Dec. 21. Emit L. Boar, General
Passenger Agent of the Hamburg-American
Packet Company, returned on the steamer
Columbia Jrom Hamburg, where he went to
consult tbe directors about the threatened
stoppage or immigration.
Mr. Boas said arrangements had been
made for Dr. George Nash, a deputy of
Health Officer Jenkins, to go to Hamburg to
examine all passengers before sailing. He
will supervise the disinfection of luggage
and cargoes. He said tbat the people of
Germany were greatly stirred up over the
close quarantine regulations or the United
States. The newspapers ere advising Ger
mans to stay away from the World's Fair.
Adolph Wermurtb, Commissioner of the
German Empire to tbe World's Fair, is at
the Victoria Hotel, having arriveu Monday,
from Hamburg. He expects to go to Chicago
Friday. To a reporter he said that in his
opinion the cboleia quarantine and restric
tion or immigration would not keep the
German manufacturers from making elabor
ate exhibits. The furniture, twine and tex
tile goods exhibits will be very large, while
Erupp will show the finest cannon evor
made. It 13 to be sent by special steamer,
and carried over the Pennsylvania Railroad
fiom Baltimore.
GOV. TILLMAN SWORE,
And the Railroad Men of South Carolina
Are Very Mad.
Columbia, S. G, Dec 21. The bill putting
all railroads in the State in the hands or the
Railroad Commissioners, Irom whose de
cision there shall be no appeal, was signed
by Governor Tillman Monday evening. A
mass meeting of railroad employes was hBld
iin this city Monday night, and a committee
was appointed to wait upon the Governor in
regard to the bill. After hearing their mis
sion the Governor said: "The bill has al
ready been signed and ban become a law.
The opposition ol 8,000 or 10.000 railroad em
ployes doe not nnvmnt to a compared
with the S0.0C0 or 60,000 farmers demanding
its passage."
Tne effect of this declaration was rather
inflammatory. A tna9 meeting of all rail
road employes in the State was called for
Thursday night next, and the battle cry
will begin In earnest agilnst the Tillman
movement.
A SEAL HANDY BARN.
Potatoes Passed Ont of Canada Through It
Into the United States.
PoRTLAKP, Me., Dec. 2L In the United
States District Court a Jury has returned a
verdict of guilty in the case of Patrick Fin
nezan, charged with smuggling. Sentence
was deferred.
Finnegan is a wealthy Aroostok farmer,
whose farm is situated on the Canadian
border, so that part of it is in Maine and
part in New Brunswick. All bis buildings
are in Maine except one barn, a portion of
which Is in Canada. It Is charged that Mr.
Finnegan has heenbnying many potatoes in
Canada and that subseqnently they, went
out ot the American door of the barn with
out the payment of duty.
PEIJHSYLVAUIA'S LAST WILD BEAST.
Probably the Only Uncaged Panther In the
State Killed in the Lumber Region.
Dubois, Dec. 2L Special. The reports of
a panther operating among live stock in the
wild country around Uoyt's Mills bas a ba
sis in truth. Tho animal was killed last Sat
urJay in the forest near the mills probably
the last uncaged beast of its kind that will
ever be teen in this State. The animal bad
been stalked nearly all day boforo tbe hunt
er got a fair chance at it.
Old lumbermen say the panther was an
old one, and had probably been at home in
the up-river country for many years. From
Its muzzle to the end or its tail it measured
nine feet.
Johnny Get Vonr Hair Cut.
Los Angeles Times.
If their pictures In tbe newspapers don't
belie them, somebody ougbt to furnish each
member of the various football teams
throughout the country with a comb and
brush.
DEATH8 HEEE AND ELSElYJieRE.
Edward it. Mil er, Jr., Capitalist.
Edward H. Miller, Jr., First Secretary
of the Central PadSc Railroad and former business
partner of Mark Hopkins, the deceased millionaire,
died at hit residence at Alameda. Cat., Tuesday
night, of Bright's disease. He was born la Green
ville, N. T.. In 1825. and went to California In
1849. He Is credited with having organized the en
tire accounting aud financial system of tbe Central
Paclflc, and when the Southern Tactile Company
was organlxed,. Miller became Secretary ot tbat
railroad, and remained so until three days ago,
when he resigned. He continued u a director of
both companies, and was also In the directorate of
the Crocker- Woolworth Bank or San Franclsto.
He leaves a large estate.
Obituary Notes.
L. L. BAKZB. of the firm of Baker Sb Hamilton,
Bin Francisco Importers and exporters of hard
wart and agricultural works, .died yesterday.
Db. WrLMiK Fuliertok Looak, twice Mayor
and, once postmaster of Wllllamsport, Pa., died
Tuesday, aged S3 years. He was a schoolmate of
Janles O. blalae at the Washington (Pa.) College.
SONGSTERS RETURNING.
Sweet-Voiced Birds Forcing the English
Sparrow Into Retirement Meeting of
the State Ornithological Association
l'erformance of the Tuesday Night Clnb,
Tile joyful tidings that the English spar
row is on the down grade were officially an
nounced by one of the speakers at tbe an
nual meeting of tbe State Ornithological As
sociation, which was heldat tbe Academy of
Science yesterday. A number or new mem
bers and the board or officers for tbe coming
year were elected, the latter being Dr.
Thomas L. Hazzard, of Allegheny, Presi
dent; W. Clyde Todd, Washington, D. C,
Vice President, and Mr. Wlckham, f
Beaver, Treasurer and Secretary.
After the business routine had been dis
posed of some bighly interesting papers wers
read. Dr. Hazzard's paper dealt with the
bird population of the Allegheny Parks,
and held forth tbe hopo that at no dis
tant day there will be free con
certs in Superintendent Hamilton's
green domain, furnished by melo
dious feathered songsters. Dr. Hazzard
briefly traced the evolution of the parks
from alleged pastures which would not
support a solitary cow and where the only
musician was tho Jocund goat, who grazed
there upon the town's cast-off tin cans. Tho
song birds had found a comfortable home
there till the Park Commissioners In a mis
guided moment had imported 75 English
sparrows from Philadelphia. This occurred
in 1S7S, and the Commissioners were so fear
ful that tbe sparrows would be killed by the
cold that they lodged them all winter In the
greenhouses. Coddling killed all bnt three,
and from these the hordes that infest this
region sprang. Bnt there are signs that tbe
sparrow as a tyrant and a bngbear Is on tbe
wane.
Song Birds Coming Back
Last spring Dr. Hazzard counted there
nine robins, four orioles, several blue birds
and other song birds. There bad been seen
in tbe parks, also, during the summer a red
headed woodpecker, a downy woodpecker,
a flicker, yellow warblers ana several other
representative birds of sweet song and
brlgbt plumage. Another encouraging tact
was tbat Dr. Hazzard had counted this fall
in tbe parks five robins' nests In good re
pair, and three oflast year's slightly dam
aged, four orioles' nests in good repair and
four not so good, as well as 11 other nests
build by desirable birds of one sort or
another. This made a total of 27 nests,
whereas two years ago be bad been able to
fliupDut two such birds' nests. The sparrow
had undonbtedly done great damage, by
driving out his betters, but it looked as if
the old birds were plucking up courage and
coming back. Tbe sparrows had not abated
their hostility, bns they showed discretion
more than ever in attacking the large birds.
They still pursued tbe robins in gangs and
tried to make tbe redbreasts' lives misera
ble, bnt tbe latter continued to appear year
by year and in larger nnmbers every season.
The sparrows were getting more shy, and
Dr. Hazzard had noticed that after the ex
plosive festival of July 4 not a sparrow was
to be seon upon tbe stieets. The electric
cars and other disturbing influences seemed
to affect the sparrows more than the other
Dlrds. It bad been observed that some of
the most timid birds had come into tbe
large cities, wbile the English sparrow bad
retired to the smaller towns. Tbe other
birds had observed evidently also tbat the
sparrows would not go up into the tops of
the tiees, and In those lofty perches many
birds accustomed to build near the ground
had accordingly set their nests. Such birds
as the gentle retiring wood-thrush were to
be seen where the sparrow bad hitborto
reigned In nrban neighborhoods. The chief
cause or the sparrow's supremacy had been
the fact that it fed its young on tender in
sects, and tnus used up the food supply of
other birds.
Water Fowl in the Park.
Dr. Hazzard then touched npon the water
fowl in the park ponds. The six Canada
geese, who had been batched by a confiding
domesticated mother in Michigan, still re
tained their wild instincts. When tho time
lor migi ating came tbey couldn't fly away,
for each year one or their wings wan cnt,
but they wonld start out and walk to the
North or the South, as the case may be, and
often they had been found a mile from the
parks. Some of them had been lost in this
way, but now a special policeman bad been
detailed during tne migratory season to re
strain them. Dr. Hazzard also draw a
pathetic picture of the wood duok who bad
been left a widower his spouse nd four
ducklings having deserted him one fine day.
Tbe blue snow goose was veil worth going
to see. and Dr. Hazzard doubted if any of
tho gentlemen present had seen one. With
some other gossipy remarks about the park
birds Dr. Hazzard closed his address.
Mr. Thomas Harper, in the course of a
little paper descriptive or bird-life as be had
observed it, gave this account of a war
dance ol turkeys: In a walk upon a farm
which was still covered in parts with heavy
timber a flock of turkeys was encountered.
Tho farmer told Mr. Harper tbat the tur
keys always greeted a stranger in a peculiar
way. Snre enough, at the call of a big gob
blor.tlie turkeys formed in abody, andwnen
their disturbers were SO yards away four
gobblers took their places in the center and
the bens rushed around them with wild cries
for several minutes. It was Just like an In
dian war dance, and Mr. Harper suggested
that perhaps the redskins had patterned
tbelr motions upon the turkeys.
Mr. Clyde Todd, of the Agricultural De
partment at Washington, contributed a sci
entific account of tbe distribution of bird
life in this end or the State. One of tbe in
teresting points was that tbe wild turkey
were so numerous in some parts of Clear
field county as to damage crops.
Dr. Johnson, the retiring President of the
association, read some delightful field notes
taken on Buffalo creek, in which he de
scribed a stroll through tne fields and
woods in the early summer, and pictured
some of the peculiarities or a rate bird he
had seen in the woods, the arcadian fly
catcher. With this paper the meeting
closed.
An ultra-fashionable event wa9 tbe per
formance last night of tbe Tuesday Night
Club in the Pittsburg Clnb Theater. The
club always presents its plays with a care
ful attention to 'detail und assures a cred
itable rendering, aud last night was no ex
ception to tbe rule. The play was an Inter
esting production entitled "Flies in the
Web." It gave ample scope for the talents
of the ladies and gentlemen in tbe cast, and
there were no shortcomings to be noticed
throughout the entertainment. Miss Lucy
Haworth, who has made lierseir such a
favorite on the amateur stage of Pittsbnrg,
assumed one of the principal roles, and
evinced the same close perception of tbe
meaning of the author's language and direc
tions that distinguished her work last year.
Miss Edith Cole and Miss Clara Cbllds were
charming in their respective parts, and Mr.
Frank Guthrie, Mr. Brown and Mr. Kiddle
Ha worth were In their happiest vein. There
' was as much Interest In the auditorium ns on
the stage. The four hundred or Pittsburg
and Allegheny were there, and the brilliant
evening toilets or tbe ladies, intermingled
with the clear black and white or gentle
men's evening dress, made a pretty combi
nation in the snug thearer. It was one of
tbe most interesting as well as enjoyable
evenings tbat society has bad the opportu
nity of spending so far this winter, and the
lines or carriages up and down Pecn avenue
Indicated to the casual passer-by that some
thing unusual was In progress even before
arriving at the brilliantly-lighted entrance
of the theater. Thore were many guests of
the Tuesday Night. Club who would not
have ventured out on such a cold, cheerless
night for anything less than a performance
by the club, but not a word could be heard
to indicate that regret was felt for the
trouble taken to be present. The perform
ance was so thoroughly enjoyable, and was
given amid such pleasant.surroundings.that
e would have been barl to please, Indeed,
who had not found an evening's deep pleas
ure in the entertainment.
As interesting double marriage cere
mony was performed last evening at tbe
residence of Mr. George T. McDonald, Mon
terey street, Aliegheny.wben his two nieces.
Misses Annie L. and Nellie M. McDonald
were married. Mr. Edgar IL Martin, son of
William Martin, and a promising young
business man, made Annie bis bride, while
Miss Nellie was married to Mr. F. Homer
Stewartson, an employe of the Pennsylvania,
Railroad. The ceremony was performed by
Rev. George Shaffer, pastor of tho Second
M. P. Church.
There were a number of theater parties
at the Club Theater last night, with adtnner
or dance at some hospitable bouse to bring
the evening to a fittlug close. One of the
most notable of these events was the dinner
at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Frank
Soroul alter the' performance, to which a
large and select party was Invited, includ
ing Lieutenant and Mrs. Harlow, who were
the guests or honor.
Social Chatter.
THxFhilo Clnb's second reception of this
season will take place at the Cyclorama
building next Monday night. The club's
membership Is composed of young men who
have identified themselves with select
octal gatherings only, and tbelr last enter.
tainment was said to be tbe most successful
ever held in Cyclorama HalL
Mi3s LnoT Whkxlock, who speak on
Tuesday evening in the interest of the Free
Kindergarten Association or this city, will
also bold an Informal talk witb mothers
either Monday or Tuesday afternoon at tho
Allnda Preparatory School, corner Fifth
avenue and Craig street
Miss IIxvd Moore and Mr. William W.
Sheeny were married last evening at the
home or Mr. HenrvB. Rca, North Highland
avenue. Rev. S. H. Moore, of Wllkinsburg,
performed tbe.ceremony.
The ladles connected with the First Uni
tarian Church are preparing to organize a
sewing sehool, which will be heldat fre-
4uoui. mictiau in tue cnureu.
AH ANNEXATION RECRUIT.
Toronto Now Has a Dally Newspaper Vt hlch
Advocates Political Union.
Toeokto, Ovr., .Dec. 21. The first issne of
an evening newspaper, the Sun, appeared
hereto-night, its avowed object Is to ad
vocate the annexation of Canada to the
United States. In Its "salutary" it says:
"We have no hesitation in saying our lack
of like progress bas been and Is entirely due
to our nuliappy separation from tbe Repub
lic of the United States: and, as our faith is
tbat as one of the States of that Union we
would become more prosperous than we
can be as British colonies alongside the
overshadowing great Republic, we shall de
vote ourselves to the furtherance of this
great mission. With England we haverfo
quarrel, nor are we unmindful or her great
services on behalt or human freedom; but
our hearts and energies should be devoted
to improving this, our own land, and onr
own people, and consider what Is best for
ourselves ratuer than what is best for tbe
country Tilth which we cannot long be prac
tically connected and whose people care
little if anytblng for ur.
"Tho advent of this paperis not dne to tbe
flnanolal aid of Americans, nor to the con
tributions of favored classes in return for
Governmental patronage. We come hon
estly before the country to secure, so far as
in us lies, the bright aud better day for our
people, who, while blessed by nature with
abundance of her choicest gilts, havo failed
to reap any harvest but one of disappoint
ment and humiliation. Or course, none but
constitutional agitation will be resorted to
or countenanced by the Sun, We advocate
tbe poll tlcal union of Canada and the United
States npon lair and honorable terms, and
as the act of two frre.self-governing peoples:
bnt we do not advocate such nnion, nor
would we consent to it, without the consent
or Her Majesty atid tno Parliament or Great
Britain."
A DECLARATION 07 WAR,
Is the Way General Miles Looks at Eng
land's New Cruisers on the La'tes.
Cbioaoo, Dec. 21. "If Canada has built and
armed three vessels for service on the lakes,
as described by the officers of the Revenue
Marine Service at Washington, it amounts
to a declaration of war," said Major General
Nelson A. Miles to-day.
"I do not want to be quoted as saying that
Canada or Great Britain means war," said
General Miles; "Tna fact Is, though, tbat
these three vessels are in direct violation of
the treaty of 181"! which limits the war ves
sels that either may have on the lakes to a
certain number, and limits their gun power.
The action of the Canadian authorities in
building tbe three vessels described by the
officer of the Revenue Marine Service vio
lates the treaty in both particulars. Eng
land can send a large fleet o- light-draught
war vessels up the St. Lawrence river Into
tbe great lakes which could burn every
town from Dulnth to Detroit, And the sin
cnlar thing is tbat tbe United States could
do scarcely anything by way of defense, so
tar as doing battle on tbe water is con
cerned; for, while we have some light
draught warships tbat could get through
tbe canal, we contdn't get them to the up
per lakes for the reason that they would
hove to pass through British possessions,
and tbat Canada or Great Britain would not
allow."
General Miles has a list showing that the
British navy has S3 protected crnlsers, 13 un
protected'orulsers, 20 torpedo vessels, 54 gun
vessels, 2 armored vessels, 6 dispatch vessels
and 5 armed cruisers of draught light
enough to allow their passage through the
Welland Canal.
1W0 HEROES OF TORONTO, a
A Little Boy and His Dog Snccced In Doing
Up a Tramp Burglar.
EastLivxrpool, Dee. 2L Special. Seven-year-cld
Oliver Ward,,of Toronto, wa3 left
atbome with no' companion save a hugo
mastiff. The" little chap was in the cellar
and the dog had followed him down, when a
tramp entered the house and proceeded to
make up a pack or plunder. Ills movements
brought the boy and the' dog up from the
cellar, and' without a word, from his little
master the mastiff floored l the fellow and
held him down with a grip on the back of
his neck.
As the tramp'struggled to escape, the boy
wielded a heavy stove poker with both
bands, striking the man a blow on tbe bead
tbat made htm lie still. As the boy started
to call help the tramp renewed his strug
gles, and again the boy swung the poker
but struck the mastiff across the muzzio.
The dog let go and tbe thief gained hW leet,
when the dog fought him out of tbe house
and off the premises, nearly stripping him
of his scanty clothing and tearing his arms
and legs terribly. The boy and the dog are
now the HCns or the little town.
MISSING WORD GTJE3SERS LOSERS.
The Money They Sent to an English Weekly
to Enrich the Crown's Revenue.
Loxdox, Dec. 21. A decision has been
banded down in tho case of the Queen
against Peirtoi' TCe'klv, one of tho papers
that was conducting the "rai3sing word"
competitions which, were stopped by the
courts as an infringement of the gaming
aot. When this decision was made the pro
prietors of Pearson's vt'eekly had on band
tbe money sent in with guesses of one miss
ing word. This snm amounted to $120,000,
and a question arole as to what disposition
should be made ofjt. The addresses of tho
persons who had not guessed the proper
word had been destroyed, and it was im
possible to retnrn the money, and the rnling
of tbe court prevented its distribution
among tbose who had guessed the missing
word.
The Judge to-day ordered that Pearson's
Weekly pay tho money In question Into the
court. It is probable that the money will
revert to the Crown.
Wanls to Get In the Procession.
Wheeling Intelligencer.
Cincinnati is ready to Join with Pittsburg
to put through tbe proposed canal to Join
tbe Ohio river witb lake Erie. That canal
would be a great thing for the Ohio Valley.
Wheeling Is deeply interested and will, we
are sure, be glad to show her interest by ac
tive co-operation. Count m in, Pittsburg,
and keep ns posted on the preliminaries.
OFF THE BRUSSELS CARPET.
Tbi Monetary Conference has decided to
go a-Mayln?. Philadelphia Record.
Tbk Monetary deleate will have a medi
tative Christmas. Kew York World.
So far as any conclusion In reiard to sil
ver coinage Is concerned, It might as well
havo not met. B.Uimore Herald.
On tbe whole the International Monetary
Conference has accomplished all that In
reason could have been expeoted of it. Kew
York Press.
Silver did not materialize to any great
extent at the International Monotary Con
ference It ended as It bogan In speech.
Boson Traveller.
The adjournment of the Silver Conference
to May will force Grover Cleveland to show
his hand on the silver question at an early
stago of the new administration. Philadel
phia Bulletin.
The Monetary Conference has adjourned
over to May. The delegates, however, may
as well kiss each other goodby. They will
never see each other again nk 'members of
the conference. Atlanta Cons Hut on.
TnE obvlons lesson is that' the United
States cannot depend' on Europe helping le
make sliver mining more profitable than it
Is, and it had betterlet Silver lake care of
itself, as gold aoea.Philudelphkt Pi ess.
Thirs hasn't been a practicable" proposi
tion discussed daring its sessions. It will
follow its predecessors into the cave of for
getfulness. The woild, on this question of
an international money standard, must wait
on events. Chattanooga Times.
Though tbe conference has failed in the
purpose for which it was called together,
its deliberations have .not been without
effect on tbe stiver question in this country.
For this reason we are glad how that it was
held. It has shown ns bow others regard
ua.Bvffolo Express.
CURIOUS- CONDENSATIONS.
Spain has 5,000,000 illiterate people.
British India has 10,417 licensed opium
shops.
Liberians get intoxicated on a mush
room concoction.
Tobacco is said to have caused the death
of a cow at Durham, N. C
A fine bed of gypsum has been diicov
ered in Morris county, Kan.
Paris boasts of the largest and most
complete sewers in the world,
i Two canals projected at Payette, Idaho,
will reclaim 100,000 acres of land'.
There are 1S6 men and 186 women i
tbe New Hampshire Insane Asylum.
About 6,000 intoxicants of different
kinds are known to the Custom House offi
cials. A St Louis paper offers a prize of 51
day for errors discovered in its advertising
columns.
Walter Scott and Charles Dickens
works are read by more people to-day than
they ever were before.
A pool room for ladies exclusively is to
be opened at Covington, Ky. No liquor wiU
be sold on tbe premises.
Every time a bank in China fails they
cut off the bank officers' heads, and no bank:
has failed there for over 500 years.
At the foot of Mount Blanc stands the
oldest chestnut tree in the world. It nas &
circumference or 213 feet and is 2,000 years
old.
One or two of the older Senators are
said to favor the idea of Senators wearing
silk gowns while in session, like Supreme
Conrt Judges.
A personal in a Boston paper reads:
"Mr. Howland, who had bis face slapped at
the horse show in New York tho other night,
Is at tbe Vendome."
According to the statistics of the Inter
State Commerce Commission, a railway pas
senger stands one chance in 10,823,153 to Do
killed while traveling.
The astronomers at the Paris Observa
tory aro already making preparations for
the observation of the expected total eclipso
of the sun In April next.
An attempt with electric omnibuses is
to be made on Liverpool street, in London.
Tho cost is estimated at 3 pencoa mile,
against 5 pence for horse power.
With the single exception of the Penn
sylvania, the Boston and Malno Railroad
system transports more passengers than
any other system in tbe United States.
The most costly piece of railway line in
the world is that between the Mansion Ilonsa
and Aidgate stations in London, which rc
qnired the expenditure of close upon $10,000,
000 a mile.
Bough, brownish oranges carry in their
complexion a guaranty of sweetness, the
peculiar appearance being due to the attacks
or insects which bave selected them, lor this
very quality.
An oak tree was recentlv cut on a farm
near Bedford, Ind., which yielded a log 40
feet In length. feet In diameter at 4 feet
at the top. The log is without knot or blem
ish ofany kind, and will be exhibited at the
World's Fair.
About 100 species of deep sea fishes
have been obtained by the Albatross in tbe
depths of the ocean off the continental slopo
of California. These creatures are. as a rule,
verv soft In bodv, covered with phosphores
cent spots by which they can see their wa7
In the darkness.
While a resident of Portland, Ore., was
excavating for a well some time azo, hei
claims to have found a remarkablv well pre-
served tooth of a mastodon. It is, he says,
about ten inches liizh and the race or the
tooth Is 9 by 4J inches. He fnrther states
that it is a fossil, and weigh3 about IS
pounds.
Father Hennepin, the missionary, dis
covered coal in 1CC3 in what is now Ottawa,
III. This appears to be the first record ofl
the finding of coal In America, but it was
not mined nntil nearly a century and a half
later. In 1313 five ark loads of flinty coal
were floated down the Lehigh river and soldi
for $21 per ton.
It has been left to a resident of North
Carolina to discover the most novel way to
endow a college. His proposition Is to In
sure the lives of 60 men, between the ages of)
40 and So, for $10,0C0 each, ami then, as tha;
policies are collected, convort tbem into a
fond for the colleee in question. Tbat would,
mean n clear $500,000.
The sloop Wasp, now receiving repairs
on Morzan's ways at New London, Conn.,
is probably one of the oldest boats afloat.!
In 1S12 she gained a decisive victory over tho'
British brig Frolic, and, later in the war,
sho captured the sloop-of-war Reindeer, the'
Avon. There Is some talk of exhibiting the
Wasp at the World's Fair.
An eminent authority has it that tho
death rate of tbe world is calculated to be 87
per minute, 4,030 per hour, 96,720 ;per day.
while the rate pf births, slightly exceeding
the death rate, is cilcnlated to be 70 per
minute. 4,100 per hour, 100,800 per day, 36,712,
OOOavear. The estimated Increase per an
nutn is therefore a little over 1,500,000.
It is a fact well established by student
of heredity that children are apt to Inherit
not only the physical, mental and moral
traits or their parents, but to be influenced,
bv their age as woll. Children befrn or very
young fathers and mother? never attain so
visorous a growth of mind or body as those
of older men and women, while children of
old people are born old.
The hones of tbe whale which were
killed dnring the whalelng expedition of
Emperor William, of Germany, last summer
are to be turned into furnituro for tho Nor
wegian boathonje at Potsdam, and by order
or the Kaiser Fraulein Berg is painting on
the whales' shoulder blades the various in
cidents or tbe chase, the object being to
have the unique pictures placed In a gallery
in the boatbouse.
The old Cathedral in Berlin is being
pulled down and a new one erected. The
Emperor has consented to allow paper
weights to bo made of tne marble pavement
and the steps of tbe altar where tho late
Emperor Will lam's coffin stood. Each welzhs
bears stamped upon it the words In which
tbe Emperor eave his permission as a guar
antee of its genuineness. Thoyaro to be
sold for charitable purposes.
The latest solution proposed for the
London fog and smoke nuisances is the use
of gas for all cooking, heating and laundry
purposes. The author ot the scheme would
make its use comrjulsorv. He estimates tbat
it would cost only $120,000,000 tobny up the
gas companies, 'and the cose of the new
plant to enablo tbe whole of the 9,000,009
tons of coal now burned in London to be
consumed as gas would be $55,000,000 moro.
A young man in Scott county, Ky., felt
a severe pain in hH left sboulder.andarm,
some two years ago, and for months be suf
fered intensely. Then the affected parts be
gan to change color and become dark brown,
r-nd the pain decreased. At last the shoul
der and arm were covered with a thick
growth pf soft, brown hair an inch long, the
pain ceased entirely, and now the youn:r
man is f wice as strong in his left arm as hs
is in bis; right.
'ORIGINAL AND JOCOSE.
Jl. xodxkx bxow storm-.
Last night I watched the beautiful snow
As it fell from the heavens above.
And mane a sheet of the purest white.
For tbe eartn wbom.lt seemed to love.
As It fell It oiled me witb Joy:
1 thought of ray horse and sleigh.
"To-morrow," I said; "I'll have rare sport."
By dawn It had melted away.
A man never realizes how many dear
friends he bas until he goes Chrlitmas shopping.
U2TUKE SA9CT HASKS.
"You've got a cold, and lite all colds,
yon must let It ran Its course. " said the doctor.
But are you sure It will do It?"
"Why, certainly: do you doubt m?"
"O. no: only I have It so long I'm Inclined to
think that It's merely walking."
TTXE HOT ALWAT8 M03CXT.
If some people in bnying presents spent
as much money as they do time, what handsome
things tney would give, thought the teweler's I
clerk, as the woman who had consumed a whole J
hour In bnjlnr an Infant's ring left the store. j
THOSE PSAS OLD OLSES.
"Havs yon got your seat for the con
eertt" asked Tale '7 or Yale '69.
"No, I never buy one."
"What do you do, stand up?"
"Tts. tllll hear one of tuose good old sosfs, ana
It sounds so natural that before I know It I am alu
usg on tne oia icnce." CKtCX.