m
"fir y
!jfjw;ssrs3-j ivjp -
IS STILLJ DOUBT.
Stamboul's Stockton Record
' Not Yet Officially
Accepted.
STATEMENT OF THE CASE.
Kremlin's Owner Alleged to
Strongly Opposing It.
Be
PLIMMER AKD Ji'GRATH BATTLE.
A local Peolseller lalks Interestingly
About the Trotting Reason.
GENERAL EPOETIN G KEWS OP THE DAI
There Is itill some uncertainty regarding
whether or not the record of Stamboul, the
trotting stallion, will be accepted by the
publishers of the "Tear Boot" A few
days ago a dispatch from Stockton, CaL,
stated that Secretary Morse, of the National
Trotting Horse Association, had declared
the records made on the Stockton tracks to
be legal Beferring to this an Eastern
authority says:
There is little that is new in the above
dispatch, Auctioneer Kellogg having read
such a communication to the crowd at the
American Institute building on Tuesday
last before he called for a bid on Stamboul,
2:07f. The difficulty is not with the Na
tional Trotting Horse Association, but with
the American Trotting Eegistry Associa
tion, publishers of the "Year Book," which
is regarded by the trotting world as the
standard authority. Secretary Steiner, of
this institution, telegraphed Mr. Kellogg
that in all probability all the records made
at Stockton during the latterpart of October
and the month of November would be
thrown out because of alleged irregularities.
Affected Stamboul's Price.
There is no doubt that this announcement
made a crest difference in the price Stam
boul brought, for there was one gentleman
present who came prepared to bid 60,000,
and who never opened his lips. There is
also no doubt that the raising of the ques
tion as to the correctness of the horse's
record has done the trotting horse industry
a world of harm, and breeders and those in
terested in the development of the trotter
are not going to forget the attack, nor the
motives which apparently prompted it.
Californians tell of a disgruntled driver
who wanted to train Stamboul last season,
and who took revenge by sending word
East to an interested party that the record
of 2.-07K was not regular in more ways than
one. The horse started before 10 o'clock,
and the timers and jutlges were trackmen,
are samples ot the reasons advanced for the
none allowance of the record, which is
Touched for by such men as Senator Lang
ford, L. XT. Sbippee, a millionaire horse
breeder, and Superintendent Covey, of
Senator Leland Stanford's Palo Alto ranch,
Harriman Is Not Worried.
In other words, the American Eegistry
Association, of which 'William B. Allen,
the owner of the stallion Kremlin, whose
record is only a quarter of a second behind
that of Stamboul, is President, takes the
word, of this man, whose name is not given
to the public, acainst the testimony otsuch
gentlemen as Messrs. Langford, Shippee
arid Covey.
In the mean time Mr. Harriman, who got
a bargain in Stamboul at 41,000, is not let
ting the fact that bis horse's record is in
dispute worrv him any. His plans regard--iug.Stsrcioul
are not yet matured, but in
all probability he will take the horse out
oi the stud early next season and place him
in the bands of some first-class man to be
trained with a view to lowering hi record,
which Californians say he can do very
handily. The fact that John E. Goldsmith,
the great driver, bid 40,000 ior the stallion
is significant, as Stamboul was in his hands
a part of the season two years ago. Mr.
Goldsmith was thrown from a sulky and
had one of his legsbroken, and was com
pelled to give up 'work for a long time.
Goldsmith ought to know something about
the son of Saltan, and Mr. Harriman would
make no mistake in giving the horse to him
next year.
A TALK WITH SAX ENGLISH.
The Well-Known Foolsellcr Talks About
Trotting and Trotters.
Sam English, the well-known poolseller,
is in the city. During a conversation yes
terday he spoke highly of the past trotting
season. He said: "The past season aud its
results show that trotting is more popular
with the American people now than ever.
More money has been handled during the
season; more borates have contested aud
better time has been made than during any
other one season in the history of trotting.,
"I have great hopes in next season. There
will be more young horses than ever. I
will not be surprised if the present record
of Nanoy Hanks is lowered, either by her
self or some other horse."
To-Days Guttenberg Card.
Louisville, Dec. 25. Sp;riaL The
following pools were sold here last evening
on to-morrow's races at Guttenberg:
First race, one mile, selllnz Prince For
tunatus 107, $10; Beeton 107, Brussels 107,
Headlight 101, $8; Little Jake 101, JlacAuley
101, Boyle Bhodes 101, Transit 101, $5; Fancy
peldlng: S3, llollle Davis 9, $3; others, $2
each.
Second race, three-quarters of a mllo, sell
ingInferno 110, $10; Fagot 110, Alrplant 106,
Merry Duke 104, $5, Kerry Gow 102, Bemorse
102, Mabel Glenn 101, $5: Clotho91, Mayor B
80, Anne Ellzabetu 87; others, $2 each.
Third race, flve-cightbs of it mile, selling
Caledonia 111. $10; Flay or Pay 107, S5; Helen
105. $5: IAzzIe T 105, $3; Biglitaway 105 IS;
Pessimist 103, Bobert ICO. Harlequin 10J. f3;
HI Ban lad1 109, Lady Mary 7; others, $2
each.
Fourth race, three-qnarters or a mile
Beldemonie 118, $15; Blltzen 115, $S; Saun
r terer 112, Mobelle 111. $3; Eclipse 110, $5; Gold
Dollar 100, Flattery 100. $5; Ella B9, Loau, 97,
tt; Sarag&sso 92, Mabel Glenn 90, t$; Panway
89, others $2 each.
Fifth race, four and one-half fnrlongs,
selling Prlscllla 111, Mucllaire 110, Tom
Karl 110; Duke John 110, Charlie Wilson 109.
lrre"Ular 109. an Wart 105, Bello D 102, Bub
Arthur 102, Elmstvne'102, Bed. Elm 102, Boll
rar 101, V alter Keim 101, Fassett 101, Turk:
second, 97. Nopolltmr.
Sixth race, one mile, selling Jack: Bose
113, S3: Yardee 111, Allen Bane 113, Bess Mo
Duff 107, Banning Bird 107, $5; Greenwlcn
107 $10; Shenandoah 101, $10: Sir Walter
Baieigb 101, Hyaclntho 93, Lallah 87, $3;
others $2 each.
the'pboposed.hew BTJLES.
A "Western Writer Thinks It Wise to Let
"Well Enough. Alone.
A little more than two months remain for
debating the question. Frank Bichter has
swung Sporting Life into line for thechange,
and has every gun trained against the op
ponents of the measure. A great broadside
of cold type has belched defiance this week
from Pittsburg. Philadelphia. Louisville.
Cincinnati and Chicago. Captain Anson
has come out as an opponent of the rule
tinkers. It iat 1r t0 cal1 the mea wno
oppose radical change "enemies of pro-
SMichael Angelo Lane looks at the situa
tion in this way: "The growth of baseball
has been iu the way of scientific develop
ment, and it would be dangerous to play
with the rules now. It is a large question
whether the removal of the pitcher back
would reduce his power much, if at all.
The probable result would be a confusion of
effects with pitchers and batters. In other
words, the change w uld be purely experi
mental, and experiments must not, above
all, be tried with the league rules. Leave
well enough alone is the best advice that
can be given to the restless reformers. The
people have noflired of the rules, and it is
gratuitous to assume that they want &
change. The game of baseball is perfect, in
the main, and only slight modifications will
be tolerated." Tima-Star.
TO-DAY'S FOOTBALL GAMS.
The Chicago Team Here and 'Expect st
Very Hard Contest.
Chicago's champion football players
arrived in the city yesterday afternoon and
located at Stayley's Hotel. They will play
the Pittsburg Association team this after
noon at Exposition Park, the contest com
mencing at 3 o'clock. The "Western players
are a fine looking lot of fellows. They
came here, of course, expecting to be vic
torious. During a conversation last even
ing Secretary Fred Kelly, of the visiting
team, said:
"We have a good team with us, as we
know that we have a very powerfnl team to
meet. I have an idea that there will be
some fine Association football played by
the teams to-morrow. I think the grounds
will be in good condition, as the snow will
not interfere with us."
It is likely that the contest will be played
near the crand stand so that the spectators
can ren al i in the stand and witness all the
points of tie game. Secretary Matthews, of
the local team, stated last evening that his
men will show up in good form.
Mr. Kelly, speaking of general amateur
sports, said that there will be an extraor
dinary amount of athletic sports at Chicago
next year. He thinks that the best per
formers in the world will be there to com
pete in every branch of sport.
The teams will line up as follows:
Pittsburg: Potitiom. Chtcaffoi.
I. Attewell Goal Balster
T. AtteweiLJ .,., McFarlaue.
W. FoweU? J Back KnPbU.
J. Attewell. ) ( Anderson,
Redellffe. ..... ..Half Backs Cameron.
Burbrldge. 5 Sen?1"'
Crook.. 1 fMcTuekle,
Worrau, I Cowan,
Woods. Forwards t.W. smith.
O' Brlen Cant 1 J T. Baiiengall
Waldron, J . IC. W. Smith
EXQLISH EPOETINS GOSSIP.
Howell, the Famous Bicycle Blder, Arrested
and Fined for Disorderly Conduct
The mail which reached here yesterday
brought a budget of interesting news of the
latest doings in English sporting circles.
At Edinburgh Police Court, December 13,
Eichard Howell, champion bicycle rider of
the world, pleaded guilty to disorderly con
duct and an assault on two fellow profes
sionals, J. "W. Lamb and D. Dodds. The
last two had been riding in the "Waverley
Market tournament and Howell started a
three-cornered squabble over the proceeds.
He was fined 5 or ten days.
The secretary ot the National Skating
Association of Great Britain has received
official notification from Holland that ar
rangements are being made to hold the
race for the amateur championship of the
world at Amsterdam on Janunry 13 snd 14.
This will be the first contest under the aus
pices of the International Skating Union,
and is expected to be the most representa
tive race ever held on ice. A week later
the championship of Europe for speed and
figure skating will take place at Berlin.
There has been some lively speculation
in rowing circles since the ratification on
December 12 of the match between George
Bubear, of Hammersmith, and George Hos
mer, of Boston. The race, which is fixed
to take place on Monday, January 30, is for
a stake of 1,000 a side and the challenge
cup recently resigned by W. East
DONOGHDE'S F0EFEIT Uf.
The Champion Skater Issues a Challenge to
Any aian In the "World.
Joseph F. Donoghne, of Newburg, the
champion amateur skater of the world,
Saturday called at the office of a Minne
apolis newspaper and made a deposit as for
feit, with authority for that paper to pub
lish over his name a challenge to skate any
man in the world, none barred, a series of
races at one, three or five miles ior the
championship of the world.
Each race is to be for a purse of from
51,000 to $2,500. If desired he will increase
the number of races and will accommodate
to anr size purse, but for none less than
$1,0001
Donogbue will remain at Minneapolis
awaiting acceptance of the challenge until
January 1, 1893. It not accepted at that
time, or if negotiations for a race are not at
that date pending, he will return to his
home in Newburg and announce himself as
champion skater of the world, claiming the
title by default. An acceptance of the chal
lenge must be accompanied by the posting
of a forfeit equal in amount to that put up
by the challenging party.
PLIMHEB AND M'GBATH.
Interest Increasing In the Coming Battle
Between the IJttle Fellows.
Interest is growing in the Plimmer and
McGrath glove contest, whieh takes place
next "Wednesday evening. Betting on the
result in the East has become quite lively,
the English lad, of course, being favorite.
Still McGrath has quite a strong following.
Among those who have no mean opinion
of McGrath's abilities as a fighhermaybe
mentioned Bob Eitzsimmons, Joe Choyn
ski, Jack Quinn and Martin Ccstello. All
these are men of sound judgment in that
line. Unlike Costello and Greggains, Mc
Grath is not an employer of artlul tactics.
He sees but one way to victory, and that is
by slugging. As Vlimmer is undoubtedly
well prepared to meet his opponent's
lurinus onslaughts, the audience may be
aibured ot some genniue sport.
The Fnlford -Elliott Match.
HAltEISBUBG, PA., Dec. 25. Fnlford
and Elliott, the trap shooters, will shoot
the fitth match of the championship series
at Island Park to-morrow. Both men are
here. Fulford has won three of the matches,
but one is protested.
A Pugilistic Hitch.
New York, Dec. 25. ."swdaZ. Burge
declines to sign to fight McAuliffe unless
the articles are materially changed. He
will insist on two-ounce gloves and a less
deposit! than $10,000.
General Sportlns Notes.
St. Louis' outfield, according to Von der
Alie, will consist of Brodle, Caruthers and
Dowd. Tto ex-Brooklyn player will again
be the captain of next year's team.
Tbird Basevax Joyce claims that his in
jured leg, which laid him up for such a long
time last season, Is in good shape again. He
blames Anson for causing the Injury.
The Importations of cycles and accessories
into France during the first elsht months of
this year amount to nearly $1,600,000, and tlio
estimated weight of the same is about 591)
tons, and nearly all from England.
"Jaok" Haoqebtt, the English champion
short distance swimmer, has posted a for
leltof $230 with Captain Cook, or Boston, to
make a match with any man In America to
swim 100 yards for as much money as can be
mutually agreed upon.
Jim Ball, in speaking of the big purse fe
ver, said the other day: "As soon as this
news reaches Australia there won't bo
enough ships on the Pacific to carry overall
the fighters who will want to come. They
will simply flood the country."
J. c. Etax, of San Francisco, one of the fa
mous sprinters of the country, is at the
Grand Pacific He says that the best run
ner In America to-day in races of from 100
to 220 yards Is Henry Jewctt, of Chicago, a
member of the Detroit Athletio Club. Z7i
Herald.
AT the annual meeting of the Eugby Foot
' ball Interprovlncial Union held at Toronto
recently, it was stated that efforts were be
ing made to secure series matches in Ens
land with a representative Canadian team,
also to persuade an English team to visit
this country.
"Tojjxt" Callaobax, tho Irish feather
weight pugilist, who was defeated by "Cal"
McCarthy In New Orleans Inst March, will re
turn to this country In January. He will
challenge "Johnny" Grlffen or "Ike" Welr
for a finish right to take place before the
Coney Island Athletio Club.
THE PITTSBUR&
WALTON WONT WIN
In His Bace for the Speakership, but
Be Expects to ..
GET ON SOME GOOD COMMITTEES.
illejrhenj Doesn't Care for Any Offiqg if
i That of Resident Clerk
IS ILL THAT THE QUAI SLATE ALLOWS
fSPXCIAL TELEGRAM TO THE DISPATCH. 1
Philadelphia, Dec 25. Repre
sentative Harry F. "Walton is still in the
fight for the Speakership, backed by Sen
ator Porter, and has been making it inter
esting for the others in the race during the
past two weeks. Signs that he will soon
be called off in order to give a clear track
to Thompson, of Warren, are lacking, but
may be exp'eoted any day. Senator Porter
declares he will remain loyal to "Walton,
win or lose, and ex-Marshal Leeds is also
working hard to knock out the regulation
slate.
"Walton's bold and aggressive contest has
excited much attention over the State, and
has challenged even the admiration of ex
Speaker Thompson's friends. His canvass
has been strongly and vigorously made with
a view to securing the support of the in
terior counties, and in this he has succeeded
very materially. Uncle John Cessna, the
Bedford statesman, is on his list, and Major
Sam Losch, of Schuylkill, is not averse to
classification on the "Walton side.
Why It Pays to Knn for Speaker.
The unsuccessful aspirants for Speaker
will be given their choice of the committees,
and in the customary way be conciliated.
"Walton will be placed either at the head of
the Committee on Judiciary General or the
Committee on Appropriations. This is said
to be the real Intent of his present contest,
as the managers of the organization of the
next House do not regard his position in
the fight as at all serious.
Two years ago Walton was one of the
strongest members of the Judiciary General
Committee, considered to be the most im
portant committee of the House, as two
thirds of all bills introduced in that body,
ontside of appropriation measures, go before
it
Samuel B. Cochrane, of Armstrong, an
other candidate ior the Speakership, will
likely be placed at the head of the Appro
priation Committee. Ward B.Bliss,of Dela
ware; William E. Burdick, of McKeau;
Martin E. Lafferty and Samuel E. Stewart,
of Allegheny.and ex-Speaker Boyer will be
cared ior in the make-no of the committees.
The Bepnblican legislative caucus will
not get together before Monday evening,
January 2, and the work before it will be
transacted with neatness and dispatch.
There is nothing new on the slate beyond
the addition of the name of ex-Mayor J. D.
Patterson, of Harrisburg, for resident
clerk. When the slate was made up in this
city, some weeks ago, ,by Senator Quay's
approval, the resident clerkship was left
open lor Allegheny county to nil, but the
Pittsburg end has either snurned the oppor
tunity or refused to take a third-rate snap,
and the managers have accordingly trotted
out Patterson.
The retirement of Mr. Graham has
knocked the bottom out of the hopes of the
opposition to Mr. Quay for Senator, and
his return is a foregone conclusion.
Attorney-General Hensel was in the city
to-day between trains, and touching the
newspaper rumor that he sought the com
plimentary nomination of the Democratic
Senatorial caucus, said there was nothing
in it. He added:
Mr. Hensel Bed-Hot for Koss.
I am not a candidate for that or any other
place of honor. My name will not be pie
sented to the caucus. 1 haven't had any
such idea. I have assumed that Senator
Ross would be the nominee of his party. He
is too modest a man to seek it, but is pre
eminently worthy and deservlnit. Two
years ago, although he was mentioned for
the place, I thought Lieutenant Governor
Black ought to have the preference, because
he had been the candidate of his party
in the canvass just closed, and had
made great sacrifices to help his
ticket and to elect Governor Paul
son, and yet failed of election himself
In the same campaign. Besldo htm many of
the other party leaders in the State have
received the compliment of this nomination.
I recall Cuarle- R. Buckalew, William A.
Wallaco and h. P. Wolverton. Senator Boss
is the unquestionable leader of his party in
the Legislature. He is eminently qualified,
comes from an old Democratic lamlly, and
from a strong Democratic county. 1 think
the nomination will be conierred npon"hlm
unanimously, without any solicitation or
effort on his own part. I have reason to
know that while no will not seek it, he
would highly appreciate it.
AIT ODD GOLD NTQQEI.
It Was Found in Australia and Resembles
a Big Human Hand.
St. Louis Bepnbllc
There have been many large and odly
shaped gold nuggets found in the United
States and elsewhere, but the oddest ot them
all was that discovered 'at the Midhas Mine
on Sulky Gully, near Melborne, Australia,
in 1887. The nugget was flat and almost
the exact counterpart in contour of a colos
sal human hand held open, with the excep
tion ot the thumb and forefinger, which were
closed together in a manner so as to make it
appear that the thumb was holding the fin
ger in place. Its greatest length was 13
inches Ad its greatest breadth 8 inches. It
was of the very purest gold, with but a little
of foreign substances adhering (mostly be
tween the '"fingers"), and weighed 617
ounces. It was lound in the northwest
main drive ot the Midhas Mine, 120 ieet be
low the surlace of the earth and at a spot
only 50 ieet from where the tamous "Lady
Brassy" nugget was discovered the year be
fore.
It weighed 51 pounds of pure gold, worth
5225 per pound. In 1891 a nugget of 15
pounds weight, shaped exactly like a cross,
with the. exception ot the right arm, was dis
covered In the Buriss mine near the same
place.
A MAN TOEN IN TWO.
His Leg Found on a Train and His Body
Miles Away.
Mobeblt, Ma, Dee. 25. When the
Wabash fast freight reached here this morn
ing the remains of a human leg were found
wound around a brake rod. 'It had been
dragged a long distance over the cross ties.
When the limb was removed it was found
to be that of a man torn from his body, and
presented a sickening spectacle. It was de
void of clothing, the bones were broken and
the foot was whipped almost into shreds.
The balance ot the body was located at
Warrenton, and the leg was at once shipped
to that point. Prom letters found upon his
person be is supposed to be a young man
named Buhrer, whose home is In the
country near Warrenton. The train was a
through freight, aud he is supposed to have
fallen under the car and been torn to pieces
while tryinc to emerge from a box car, after
riding out from some point near St. Louis.
WOUNDED A COUP ANION.
A Hungarian Who Thought He Had Emp
tied His Revolver.
WlLKESBABBE, Dec. 25. Joseph Minka,
a Polander. thought he would have a little
sport this afternoon in shooting at a hat,
placed upon a post at his bearding hocse in
this city. After firing several shots, and
thinking the revolver was empty, he
pointed it at a companion named Louis
Scbmid, and a bullet left in the
revolver struck Sohmidt in the back and
entered near the stomach. The wounded
man was carried to the bouse and medical
aid summoned. The bullet was removed
and Schmidt was sent to the hospital The
wound is extremely dangerous and the
DISPATCH, 'MONDAY, DECEMBER 26 1892.,
chances for bis recovery are slight The
young man who fired the shot fled in terror
from the scene and has not been heard from
since.
USEFULNESS 0? DEAD LEAVES,
If Left About the Tree They Beinvigorate
It and Protect It.
St. Louis Post-Dispatch.)
Leaves do not fall from the trees until
their sap has entirely evaporated. They
contain at that stage no more nutritions
properties and they are of but little nte if
gathered up. On the contrary, if left on th e
ground around the foot of the tree from
which they have fallen the dead leaves form
the best kind of shelter against cold for the
roots and the grass that grows at the base ot
the tree, which they cover as with a porous
blanket, so to speak.
Betaining irom 82 to 94 percent of water,
they form a reservoir for rain and snow,
gradually imparting this fecund humidity
to the earth, which absorbs it by capillary
force.' Even the color of the dead leaves
increases the absorbing power of the soil
ior warmth and light, those two prime
factors of vegetation. Nor is this all. The
roots of the tree which draw from the soil
constantly their necessary sustenance would
soon gradually so impoverish the latter that
no nutritions substances would remain, if
in turn the decomposing leaves' did not
make sufficient restitution. The forests
where vegetation is always vigorous
through a constantly reinvigorated soil, are
the most striking example ot the immense
ful part which dead leaves play in the
natural economy of vegetable lite.
It is wise, therefore, in cities, the streets
of which are lined with shade trees, not to
sweep the dead leaves from under them,
but allow them to gather around the tree
boxes, where they will form a natural cov
erlet ior the roots against the winter's cold
and a drainage reservoir from which the
tree draws its alimentation and humidity.
JOHN L. A PHILOSOPHER.
His Health Improved, bat He Is Sorely
Becoming a Thinker.
NettYOKK, Dec. 25. Specidi. John
L. Sullivan reached this city at 11 o'clock
this morning from Washington with his
theatrical combination. He was looking
in excellent health. He said this
evening: "I suppose you were going to
ask me whether I am a sick man. Well, I
can comfortably say that I ain't I was
sick in Washington, though, but
not so bad as reported. That
story about my being examined
by a doctor the other day is not so. Sup
pose my health is gone what does it
amount to, any way? If I die,
they'll lay me beneath the
sod with great ceremony and say,
as they take a farewell look at my face.
'He was a good fellow. Poor John 'L. I
Champion of the world for 12 years until
he was licked. ' Then I'll be lorgotten. "
There was a touch of pathos in his re
marks as he said this. "Possibly one of
these days I will try and get on a go with
somebody," he a'dded. "I think I
would get as much money as any
body. What do you think of Jack
MoAullfie's latest match? I hope that
Jack will knock this Burge out with one
punch, and I believe he will, and make him
go back to England as quick as he came."
TO CATCH THE REBELS.
Mexicans Recommend a Concerted Action
With the United States.
Montbbet. Mex., Dec. 25. Spinal
General Bernardo Beyes, commander of
the Military Zone, has written a letter
to President Diaz recommending that the
Mexican Government make arrangement
with the United States Government tor the
pursuit of the border revolutionists over
the international boundary line. General
Beyes and other high military authorities,
of this conntry, claim that if such
an arrangement can be made
the border troubles will soon be overcome.
Under the existing law the outlaws, when
hotly pursued by the troops of one country,
esri pe capture by crossing the'' river
wUre they are perfectlv safe un
til they are discovered by the
troops on that side, when they are
el .sed across the river again. This game
of "hide and seek" has been going on along
the lower Kio Grande border tor the past
IT months, and the main military au
thorities here think it time to adopt some
npw measures for stopping the troublesome
lUids.
DIGBY BELL IN A MESS.
His Scenery and Costumes Attached in
Chicago to Satisfy a Claim.
Chicago, Dec 25. The career of an
other star comedian was interrupted to
night, when the scenery and cos
tumes of the Digby Bell Opera Com
pany, which has been giving "Jupiter" at
Hooley's theater, was attached by J. H.
Bomain to satisfy a claim of 51,600. The
company was on'the eve of a departure for
a series of one night stands, when the
sheriff seized the properties. While
Digby Bell has played to two profit
able engagements in Boston and Chicago,
the company, it is said, has steadily lost
money since the opening in New York last
spring.
The reason for the failure to attract suffi
cient business to make the venture a suc
cess is attributed bv competent theatrical
managers o the failure ot the star ot the
company to hold the attention of the theat
rical public The New York theatrical
critics praised the piece and said that with
snruc other popular actor in the title role,
"Jupiter" would have proved a great suc
cess. ' '
SANTA CLAUS IN A MASK.
He Houses a IJttle Boy Who Was "Watch
ing for the Good Old Fellow.
Bridgefobt, Cons., Dec 25. Special
Early this morning a gang of masked
burglars entered the residence of Albert
Turney, on the outskirts of the city.
The "lamlly had retired and were
asleep, with the exception of a little
grandson of Mr. Turney, who was watch
ing ior Santa Claus. The little
fellow heard a noise ot some
one coming up the stairs, and the
next moment a man stood near his
bedside. The man wore a mask over the
upper part of his face This was not the
boy's idea of Santa Claus, and he cried out
loudly ior his grahdpa. His cries alarmed
the house.-"
The burglar was bewildered. Before he
could smother the cries of the little fellow,
or escape from the room, the inmates were
stirring. The burglar managed to break
away irom the inmates and made his
escape.
Adlal Can't Have His Ax.
St. Louis Glote-Democrat.
In trying to make a greatman out of Adlal
E. Stevenson in the South, the people or that
section seem to forgot that the last man
elected Vice Prc'sidont with Mr. Cleveland
was not allowed to name tho Postmaster of
his own town.
Mr. J. P. Blaize, an extensive real estate
dealer in Des Moines, Iowa, narrowly escaped
one of the severest attacks of pneumonia
while in the northern part of that state during
a recent blizzard, says- the Saturday Bevitx.
Mr. Blaize had occasion to drive several miles
daring the storm and was so thoroughly
chilled that he was unable to get warm, and
inside of an hour after his return he was
threatened with a severe case of pneumonia
or lungie ver. Mr. Blaizo sent to the nearest
drag store and got a, bottle of Chamberlain's
Cough Bemedy, of which he had often heard,
and took a number of large doses. He says
the effect was wonderful and in a short time
he was breathing quite easily. He kept on
taking the medicine and the next day was able
to come to Des Moines. Mr. .Blaize regards
his cure as simply wonderful.
CUSTOMS OF. AFRICA.
forms of Government and Social
Organization of Some Tribes.
COMMON PRACTICE OF POLYGAMY.
Slavery and the Flave Trade Not let
intlrelj Abolished.
IDEAS OP BELIGION AND THE FUTURE
"Washington, Dec 25. An Interesting
sketch of life on the west coasi of Africa is
given in a communication to the State De
partment by the Hell Chatelaine, United
States commercial agent at Loando, in the
Portuguese province of Angola. As de
fined by the recent treaties with Germany,
England and the Congo State, the Portu
guese province of Angola is one of the
largest territorial divisions on the new map
of Africa, Owing to its geographical posi
tion, variety of climates, natural resource
and to the progress already accomplished in
the civilization of the natives, the intrinsio
value and immediate possibilities of An
gola surpass those of any other possession
in tropical Africa.
From 4 40' to 17 20' south latitude it
has over 12 geographic degrees ot seacbast
and the two best harbors of the whole west
coast the mouth of the Kongo river and
the Bay of Loanda, Stretching to the in
terior as far as the Kasai and Zambezi riv
ers it forms an irregnjar quadrangle cover
ing abont 1,250,000 square kilometers. In
the north and east it borders on the Kongo
State, in the southeast on British Zambesla,
and in the south on German Southwest Af
rica. Political Organization of the Natives.
The political organization of African
tribes is very much the same all over the
continent; the differences bear rather on
secondary points and the personal charac
teristics of tribal or national rulers. These
remarks apply immediately to the tribes of
Angola proper, that is, of the district of
Loanda; hut with slight modifications they
would also be true of the other Angolan
districts snd of African tribes generally.
It will be lound that the native African
system of government is both rational and
practical; in fact, as good as it could be
neither absolutely democratic, nor aristo
cratic, nor monarchic, but a happy blending
of these three fundamental types. "Whether
large or small, every village or town or
nation is governed after the same uniform
pattern. Tift legislative power is vested in
the council of the elders or prominent men,
which includes all freemen whose opinions
have some weight in the eyes ot the people
These elders are called in Kimbundu "ma
kota." They are the depositories ot the
tribe's or nation's traditional customs,
which constitute the laws or constitution
according to which the body of the elders,
as well as the chief, are to administer pub
lie afiairs, and the chief executive is to be
elected. Thus this council pretty well cor
responds to our parliaments.
An Elective Kin;.
The executive power is vested in the chief
or King, whose title is, in Northern An
gola, "mfumu" or "ndembuj" in Central
Angola, "soba," and in Southern Angola,
"nsoma." As a rule the chief is elected
and inaugurated by the elders, in accord
ance with definite rules, in one royal family,
the heir to the throne being- rarely the son,
but? most always the oldest or the ablest son
of the defunct or deposed King's oldest sis
ter. In the interest of the State the chief
has nominally absolute power over the life
and property of his subjects; but practically
he can do nothing without consulting- the
council or the most influential of the elders,
and woe to him if he offends publicoplnion.
He may suddenly be accused bf witchcraft
and fall a victim to the poison test or be de
posed or killed by the elders, with the con
sent and co-operation of the public
The chief is called the father of the peo
nle, bis subjects are called his children, and
he is expected to treat them as such.
As in most Bantu tribes, it is the mother
and not the father who determines consan
guinity; therefore the child of a sister is
held by a man to be his nearest descendant
and legal heir. The children belong to
their maternal uncle and not their father.
The father's relation to his children is as
loose as with us that of a stepfather to bis
stepchildren. The uncle has the right to
sell his nephews and nieces, separating
them from father, mother, brothers and
sisters.
The Practice or Polygamy.
Polygamy is everywhere honored, though
its evil concomitants and consequences are
not ignored. Every wife has her own
house, gardens and private property. The
first wife, or head wife, has a limited au
thority over the conenbines, and the whole
system works much more smoothly than
people in civilization would imagine. Still
Its demoralizing effects are everywhere
visible, and there is no hope of a regenera
tion of the race as long as polygamy is not
condemned by public opinion, and finally
eradicated. The family is the foundation
of the State and monogamy the corner
stone of a normal household.
The absence of metal or paper money to
represent capital has much to do with the
popularity ot polygamy, as each additional
wile, with house, children, fields and cattle
is considered aaying investment of capi
tal. The money or presents given by the
wooer lor his bride are not, as usually rep
resented, her "price," as though she were
simply bought, bat the symbol and pledge
of the contract entered into. It he treats
her unmercifully she can run away and .he
loses his deposit. If, on the contrary, she
should prove unfaithful, the parents will
have to return the equivalent of the wooing
present. Thus it is a mutual check.
The greatest festivity of the native
Angolans is not the wedding, but the
funeral, called "tambl." All the relatives
and friends gather and have a regular
"blow-out" as long as there is a cent to
spend.
Slavery and Slave Trade.
There is no corner of Angola where slav
ery is not in practice among the natives.
Nor can slaverv exist without slave trade
The worst horrors of the traffic however,
do not appear in the local trade They are
enacted in the extreme east of the province
and in the unsubdued parts of the Kongo
State, where the Ma-Kioko and other tribes
raid the slaves they bring to the coast. It
is then that villages are attacked, burnt,
sacked and the human flocks driven to the
slave markets, many dying on the road,
while others are used as beasts of burden to
bring to the coast the rubber, the wax and
the ivory so coveted by the whites.
Legally, slavery is abolished in all Por
tuguese possessions. But forced labor,
under the name of legal contract, is more
flourishing: than ever, and it is to supply
the demand of the ereat coflee plantations
of Cszengo, of the great cane (rum) planta
tions of the Kusnza and Dande rivers and
of the coflee and cocoa planters of St.
Thomas and Principe that the Kasanji (Cas
sange), Bailundo and Bihe traders canvass
all Central Africa in search ot the human
plunder of the Mo-Kioto raids.
Contract labor "Worse Than Slavery.
Domestic slavery among the natives is an
evil, no doubt, but not to be compared with
that of contract labor on the plantations.
The slave of the uncivilized native is treated
as a obild and often loves his master Ilka a
father and his mistress like a mother. His
master having no more needs than he the
slave is often as well ofi as the master. He
has very little work to do and all he earns
in his free time is his own, so tnat, if he
wants to become free, he may-after a time
redeem himself. Not so with the planta
tion laborer. The exacting white man is
determined to squeeze out of him every
cent he mav produce and the manatee whip
is from early morn till dusk in the hands of
the foreman and even of the planter him
lr. i The eTer-repeated.aHertIon that the Afrl-
BSaPIrfAJVATIOI1.
'""NCfcODBLXS.'.
FABILT CT.OBDT.
Arrow ales with wind.
First flpires at station indicate temperstnre:
next flg-nrM indicate change In temperature: and
flgurs underneath. If any. Indicate amount of rain
fall or melted snow In hundreths of an Inch during
past II hours: T indicates trace of precipitation:
Lobars, or solid Mack lines, pass through points
of equal pressure; Isotherms, or dotted hues,
eqnsl temperature.
btorms generally mOTe from West to East la
tmosphelo waves, of which the crests are
FOB WESTEM3 PENNSYLVANIA. Fair, Eritk and Sigh Northcttt Windt; Cold
FOB -WEST YJBOINIA AND OHIO Fair, NprOncat TFtnd"; Cold Wave.
"WEATnEB ConDmoss.-Tbe temperature fell rapidly during the forenoon and middle)
of the day over all the districts east of the Mississippi river and in the Southwest. Began
to rise very rapidly in the atternoon, with increasing; northwesterly winds and rapidly
falling temperature over the Lake regions, Central Valleys and tho Sonthwest. An exten
sive area of very high pressure Is moving rapidly southeastward from the Dakota and
will probably cover tho Eastern States, the Central Valley, the Lower Mississippi Valley
and Texas during Monday night, with very low temperature.
PrrrsBuno. Dec.25.-The Local Foreeast Official of the Weather Bureau furnishes th
following:
Barometsii-S A. jr.. 2a89; 2 r. ir., ; S P.K., 20 80.
Keiativi: Hcmiditt-8 a. v., SO: 2 r. if. -; r. if., 8.
PmcmTATios past 21 hours, from 8 P. st, .15. ,
Tempebatote-8 a. v., 17; 12 St.. 17; 2 r. ., 13; 5 r. K., 23; 3 r. M., 23. Highest. 23; lowest, 10
average, 18, which f 8 18 below the normal.
cans are fetichists, that is, worshipers of in
animate objects, is utterly false The An
golans have the same religious system as
the Bantus generally. They are not idol
aters in the strict sense, nor polytheists,
and much less atheists, but superstitious
deists. They believe in one great God,
who made and maintains all things, Invisi
ble, yet seeing even the thoughts of men,
the author of all the good, but also of
much of tho suffering. They generally
think that God is angry with mankind and
indifferent to the details of their daily Hie
They do not formally worship God, nor
represent Him by any image, nor do they
believe He is contained in any fetich. The
only carved image which the Angolans call
God is an imitation ot the crucifix, and
they clearly state that this is the white
man's God, not the God of the universe
A Number of Inferior Spirits.
What travelers generally call African
gods are not cods at Ml, but Inferior spirits,
to whom God has intrusted the administra
tion oi natural forces. These inferior
spirits and the shades of the deceasedare
the supernatural beincs whom the natives
fear and serve. "With them they converse
through the media of their "i-mbunda;'
them thev seek to propitiate by offerings
and sacrifices, and to them they attribute
most mysterious accidents of their simple
"What images the natives have horns,
bones, stones and sticks, so Often called
their gods are simply amulets and talis
mans consecrated by their medicine men,
differing in -nothing but the form from the
host Ot amulets sold in many countries in
Enrope
He believes that when he dies he lives on
in hades much the same as he did on earth,
onlv much longer how long he no one can
tell"; but It man dies again in hades, he goes
to another place about which nothinzat all
is known. The slave dreads to die as a
slave, because he thinks he will enter the
other life as a slave and continue in that
inferior state Therefore, he entreats his
master to give him his liberty as he passes
from this fife
The Angolans do not seem to have any
definite idea of a hell or paradise; Ml go to
the same region and are there, as here, the
authors ol their own good or bad fortune
THE 7IEE BECOED.
Milwaukee Two fires, occuring almost
sImnltaneonly yei'erday alternoon, de
stroyed the Keennn flour mill and the plant
of the Bell Knitting and Flynet Company.
Tho los- on tho lntter is $83 000, and on the
former $15,100. Both fires are though t to have
been incendiary.
Philadelphia Flie, caused by an over
heated oven, destroyed the bakory of Ed
ward Sedden & Brother yesterday morning,
and a building adjoining, owned by a man
named Ward and used as a public library.
In trying to extinguish the names, Charles
Stackbouse fell from a ladder and was
badly hurt. The loss is about $7,000.
Harrishurg The building on North Third
street, near Market, owned by L. S. Green,
of Philadelphia, was'guttod by Are yester
day. It was occupied by Mattoct & Bebert,
drygoods and notions, Thomas S. i'eters,
real estate agency: Musser & Co., photog
raphers. The Are originated in the cellar of
the store aud burned fiercely for an hour.
The building and contents were destroyed.
The total loss will be about $15,000; partially
insured.
Rochester A destructivo Are yesterday
morning destroyed the large storeroom
owned Dy William Gossman and occupied
by George Chapman as a grocery, the rest
denceof Joseph Mellor and a smaller store
bulldinz adjoining. Chapman's loss will
amount to about $2,500, lully covered by in
surance, and Mellor'a loss will reach $2,000,
while the unoccupied building was worth
about $600. The Are originated in the empty
storeroom, and la thought to have been the
work of tramps.
Springlike in Denver.
Denver, Col., Dee, 25. Denver is en
joying perlect spring weather, probably as
pleasant a Christmas as has ever been seen
in this section. Although there is some
snow on the ground, the warm sun of yes
terday and to-day has melted it consider
ably and to-night at 9 o'clock the weather
is pleasant and mild.
Highest of all in LeaVening Power. Latest U. S. Gov't Report
1
i
k Jg2
ABSOLUTELY PURE
.
9
TCLOUDT,
BAEr
Issoif,
marked High" snd the oval trough, or depres
sion "low." These waves move Eastward on aa
average of 600 milM per day.
High winds, rain or (If cold enough) snow.South
erly winds, and consequently high temperature,
usually precei'e "Low s" across the country.
When the "Low"passes East of a place the wind
changes to North, bringing lower temperature,
clearing skies, and often cold waves and furthers.
The high area brings sunshine.
RIVER NEWS AND NOTES. .
Louisville Items The Stage of Water and
the Movements of Boats.
IEFECIAI. TELEGBAU TO THE EISP ATCH.
Louisville, Kt Dec. 25. Elver stationary ,
with S feet and 4 Inches on the falls. 7 feet and B
Inches In the canal, and 13 feet below. "Weather
snowing and colder.
The Ohio, from Cincinnati, passed down on her
way to Memphis. The Harry Brown and tow ar8
due up from Memphis.
Depsrtures-For Cincinnati. Big Sandy.
What Upper Ganges Show.
Browitsville hiTer 5 feet and stationary.
"Weather snowv. Thermometer. 14 at 4 P. K.
"W ABM5-River 0.7 root. "Weather snowy.
Mobuastowx River 4 feet and 5 luchrs and
closed. Weather cloudy. Thermometer, 20 at
r.st.
The News From Below.
Cm cwsati Blver 11 feet 2 Inches and falling
Fair and cold.
New Orleans "Weather partly cloudy. Ar
rived gchenck from. Cincinnati.
Wheeling River 3 feet II Inches and falling
Departures Congo. Keystone State and Lizzie
Bar, for Cincinnati: lien Hnr. for Farkersbarg.
The C. W. llatchelor Is uld up at Eellalre. Cold
and snowing.
Notes From the Wharf.
The Hnntcr No. 2 came down from McKeesport,
11 lug light yesterday.
CAPTArx Steve Dosjtaldsos' is the present
commander of the Bob ConnelL
The Pacific went down to "Woods' Bun on Satur
day night to thaw out empty barges.
bTAOE of water at Pittsburg and Davis Island
Dam. Vi feet and 3.1 feel. Blver faUlrs.
The Fred Wilson Is tied up at Liverpool, waiting
on water to return with her empty tow.
Tni Little Bill csme down from the fourth pool
with ten flats and a tow of coal yesteraay.
THE Crescent Is tied nn at the docks with broken
hog chains received on Thursday wnen aground at
Merrlman.
"WILLIAM CRAIC. steward on the John F. "Wal
ton. Is spending Christmas with his family at
Beaver Falls.
Tut. Charles A. Turner got stuck with a flat la
the Allegheny river near the Point Bridge yester
day alternoon.
Mourns SnELCHORS. chief engineer of the John
F. Walton, left for his home In Galllnolls on Sat
urday to spend Christmas.
CAPTAIN" Gniprix SriAW has taken Captain
John Myers' place as mate on the Rescue. Captain
Myers has been off Tor two weeks.
THE crews of the Tom Dodsworth and Smoky
City came up from below yesterday aud will spend
Christmas with their families here.
The John "W. Alles Is having ner broken rudder
Tepalred at Brownsville, which she received at the
Davl Island Dam while returning from Merrimia
after having helped the Crescent off.
THE Coal Cltv is reported fast sgrnnndwlth hrr
tow near Cable's Eddy, at tne root of Brown's
Island. The Havmanil Homer and Joe Nixon
maac unsuccessful attempts to help her off.
THESnnihine arrived, from Parkersburg yester
day after beiug stuck all nlghtattheheadofBrn
not's Idand. She will not go out again until thrrn
is water, and her crew and passengers were sent
back to Parkersburg by rail.
PEOPLE COMING AHD GOING.
J. R Milroy and wife, of Grtensburg,j
and Charles w: Deane, or Indiana, were as
the Seventh Avenue Hotel yesterday.
Bobert I Lowe, of New Castle, and Q,
F. Arnold and wife, of Washington, are stop'
ping at the Monongahela House I
W. C Kreusch, of Youngstown, and)
George Smith, of Canton, put up at thej,
Schlosser yesterday.
Ovide Musin and his company, and J. A,
Crozton, of Philadelphia, are registered a8
the Duquesne. I
George E. Handel, of Newark, and A.
D. Allen, of Brooklyn, are guests at the An
derson.
Jav F. Durham, of Washington, a former
newspaper man, was in the city yesterday.
John Atwood and wife, of Baltimore,
were guests at the Central yesterday.
Jf. McD Frichard, of Bichmond, put up
at Newell's Hotel yesterday.
Jasney Betnrns Home.
Carlisle, D.ec. 25. Mayor E. Jasney
of this city, who left here abouKa month
ago, arrived home last evening from Chi
cago, He said this evening there was nd
truth whatever in the charges which were
made against him after his departure and
that they were manufactured by bis ene
mies. He says his accounts are correct and
I that he will resume bis office in a few days.
Baking
Powder