THE FCBANTON TBIBUNE-WEDNESDAY MORNING, APRIL 22, 1896.
0
PELAGIC: m BUNTIKG
A Calling That lavokes Excitement
and Also Danger. .'
THE SPORT APTLY DESCRIBED
The Business I Less LocratttsThsn For
merly. Owloi to tba rompatltloa to
. Cat the Best Homers Ths Craw
lo Stormy Weather.
From the New York Sun.
The life of the men encaged In the
pelagic seal fishery of the North Pacific
and the Behring Sea differs greatly
from most other callings of the sea.
There Is a charm connected with it
which attracts lovers of excitement.
On board or sealing: vessels are found
men of all nationalities, who have been
induced to engage In the fur seal fishery
by glowing accounts of the wonderful
catches made and rich returns received.
Fully three-quarters of the sailing fleet
are Canadian vessels sailing from Vic
toria, B. C. The remainder are Ameri
can vessels, and are owned at San
Francisco, Seattle and Port Townsend.
The majority of those who first in
vested in the industry had no cause to
complain, for owners, masters, and
hunters of vessels found It a lucrative
business, and It continued so for some
years. After a time the lay or share of
hunters .greatly Increased the expense
of running the vessels. This went on
to an alarming extent, but recently a
necessary halt was called, and the price
paid to hunters was cut down about
one-half. The former price, or lay, was
from $4.50 to Ji a skin; It now ranges
from 12.S0 to V a skin. The former
prices were almost ruinous to the own
ers, for after supplying everything on
the vessels, - together with paying
monthly wages to the crew, there could
be only a slight margin left, especially
at times when skins sold for $7.50 and
$8. It is to be remembered that skins
taken In the ocean by the pelagic sealer
are far Jess vnluable than thoBe taken
on the Fribylof Islands, In Behring
Sea, or on the Commander Islands, off
the coast of Siberia. There are two
reasons for the difference tn price: the
first is that nearly all skins taken by
sealers are more or less mutilated, and
the second that the seals captured are
not uniform in size. Those taken by
the companies on the rookeries are
picked skins, there being very little
variation either In size or quality.
PEALING VESSELS.
At the beginning of pelagic sealing
the vessels employed were very primi
tive in build, and some were about as
rough looking specimens of marine ar
chitecture as are seen on the ocean.
After a few years many of them were
supplanted by a better type of craft. It
Is safe to say that many of the first
vessels that started sealing could not
hnve secured crews had they been en
gaged in any other business. Sealing
vessels range In size from 15 to 120 tons.
The average size is about 15 tons. The
majority of sealing captains are good
navigators. There are a few, however,
who find their way over the ocean more
by Instinct than any knowledge they
possess. In June, 1893. a sealing schoon
er of only 11 tons register dropped an
chor In one of the harbors of the Shu
magln Islands, Alaska. She had been
at sea since the early part of February
hunting seals. No nautical Instruments
were on board, for tho reason that no
body knew how to use them. Only one
chart was on board, and it extended
only as far an the Shumagln Islands.
The captain was bound for the Com
mander Inlands, off the coast of Siberia.
A chart covering the ground as far as
the coast of Japan was given to him,
and he Bhaped his course for a region
wholly unknown to him. It was subse
quently learned that he accomplished
his voyage and returned safe.
It is generally supposed that the ma
jority of sealers have accumulated con
siderable wealth since engaging In this
occupation. This la not so. While it is
true that a number of sealing captains
have met with phenomenal success, by
far the larger portion of the sealing
Meet have little more than paid expens
es. The generous lay given to hunters,
together with the strong competition
ever going on among owners and cap
tains, has had a disastrous effect, and
many of the vessels are in debt nearly
to their full value.
By Christmas a portion of the fleet Is
ready to sail, and from that time until
the first or middle of February vessels
leave port almost dally for the sealing
grounds. The vessels that make an
early start head southward after leav
Jng the Straits of Fuca, and cruise
down the coast from ten to twenty
ihlles oft shore. If the weather is
pleasant, seals are likely to be met with
In the vicinity or the Columbia river.
It no seals are found in this locality
cruising Is continued) down the coast
until the main body of the seal herd Is
found, which Is generally off the Call
fornla coast. The San Francisco fleet
commences hunting off the Farrallone
Islands and works northward. This
season sealing has been carried on fur
ther south, good catches having been
taken in the vicinity of Pigeon Point
and Santa Cruz,
At this season the character of the
weather is very uncertain, and as the
fleet works northward the weather In
creases In violence, and In consequence
several days sometimes pass when a
boat cannot be lowered. The vessel is
hove to under storm canvas, Jogging In
elgzng courses off and on shore. At
such times life on a sealer Is extremely
monotonous. The only work performed
by the oflicers and crew- la to stand
their regular watch and look' after the
safety of the vessel. The hunters stand
no watcn, neither do they perform any
other duty on shipboard; they are
looked upon as the gentlemen of the
ship. They ship as hunters, and to this
occupation they at most times adhere
strictly. Occasionally, It is necessary
that all hands should lend assistance:
but this seldom happens, as the crew
Is generally large enough to handle the
vessel under all conditions of weather.
' - IN GOOD WEATHER
In staling weather, when seals are
plentiful, everybody on board Is active
ly engaged from early morn until late
in the evening. A week or more of this
kind of work Is sufficient to cause a
stormy day to be appreciated. The
first twenty-four hours of a. storm la
greatly enjoyed by all on board, as the
.much-needed rest can be Indulged in
freely. ABut at the expiration of two
or three oays or this kind of weather
. vcijuw; Buiicncu Willi mwp, untl
the situation grows monotonous; and
in order to pass the time ail sorts of
amusements are Indulged in. On the
sealer on which the writer was at one
time the chief occupation to pass the
long hours in a gale was Jack-knife
carpentering. Soon after breakfast the
work of the day would commence, and
by noon the caoin floor would be coy
ered with whlttllngs. Fine workman
ship was displayed In making fancy
boxes, picture frames, card cases, and
a variety of other ornaments. Two of
the boxes were made in the most beau
tlful manner Imaginable. Each con
talned 6.C0O pieces of wood. Boats rep
resenting months of labor were in pro
cess of making, ineir model and work
manshlp showing the designer to pos
aess no mean mechanical ideas.
. Muslo forms no small part in making
life on a sealer pass pleasantly. Among
the men found on these vessels many
strange characters are met with, a few
of whom possess a variety of accom
. pllshments, and on dark and stormy
nights tha seen below decks often
presents striking contrast to the howl
ing elements above. Sweet strains
from violin, guitar and banjo are heard
in the cabin or forecastle while the gale
is shrieking and tearing through the
rigging, as if In its mad fury It was bent
,uit lupyius tut jHnwuiv uii ine nign
'sea. The watch Is more Interested In
. what is gbing on below than In- his
duties on deck. Occasionally a heavy
. sea comes shooting out of the darkness
to windward, rushing on past the little
vessel, itaring a Bright fiery wake of
phosphoresccne beautiful to look at
The, wind Increases In force and the
seas gradually grow higher, but the
vessel. rides them buoyantly. An occa
sional solitary star peeps out from be
hind black, ominous-looking clouds,
and now and then the screech of a gull
Is heard as it soars before the wind, as
If endeavoring to escape the fury of the
gale. The hilarity below still goes on.
the participants wholly unminami oi
the time or the condition of the weath
er. Far Into the night the amusement
Is kept up, for on the next aay mere
will be no work to perform. To wind
up the evening's entertainment those
who can sing are called upon, and many
popular songs of the day are sung with
an expression such as only seafaring
men can give. Old sauor songs are
roared out with the true forecastle ring.
which thrills the heart of every sailor.
At last, after many days of monoto
ny, the gale breaks and pleasant weath
er once more prevails. It Is morning,
the sea is smooth, with a gentle breeze
moving, and everythlngs bids fair for
a sealing day. At daybreak the cook.
In no gentle tones, calls out -ureaK-fast!"
and soon twenty-five men are
tumbling over one another In tneir
hurry to get into their clothes. They
know that the day is one suitable for
lowering the boats or else the cook
would not have called them out so ear
ly. No great time Is occupied In mak
ing toilets, and breakfast is eaten in
the same hurried manner. Every hun
ter is anxtouB to increase his number of
skins, and after so many days of Idle
ness and confinement he is only too
anxious to get clear of the vessel. In a
few minutes all Is stir and bustle aooui
the decks; hunters getting their guns
and ammunition ready; the crew mak
ing sail and getting the boats ready for
hoisting out: the cook filling the bread
boxes and water Jugs to go in the boats;
the captain and olllcers giving oraers
and doing considerable growling be
cause everything does not move like
clockwork. For about half an hour
general disorder prevails. Finally the
Louts lire all out. and the captain, nrsi
mate, cook, a cabin boy are alone. They
are sulltcltnt to handle the vessel In
weather suitable for sealing.
BEGINNING THE HUNT.
Tn starting out from the vessel on a
day's hunt It is necessary that the boats
should not get In the wake or eacn
other, for the head boats would destroy
all chance for those In the rear of seeing
sleeping seals. It is also necessary ror
the boats to keep so far apart mat me
tiring of guns In one boat shall not dis
turb any sleeping seals tnai may oe
near another. All the boats work to
windward. The hunter stands at the
bow, where he can command a good
view of the ocean for a considerable
distance on either side and ahead of the
boot, and there he keeps a sharp look
out for seals. Each boat carries three
men a hunter, a boat puller, and a boat
steerer. The boat steerer sits in tno
stern facing the bow, and his duty is,
when approaching a seal, to guide the
boat on to it. Much depends on his
skill, for a mlsstroke of the oars will
ofttimes result In the seal making his
escape before the hunter can fire.
The hunter has charge or the boat,
and his decision Is accepted In all mat
ters pertaining to the capturing of seals.
In pleasant weather and at times when
seals are scarce the boats cruise over a
considerable area, and frequently when
night overtakes them they will be from
twelve to fifteen miles distant from the
vessel. At such times good judgment
Is required In order to find the vessel,
for cruising about all day on a hundred
different courses Is very likely to throw
the crews out of their reckoning. It
frequently happens that the night is
far advanced before the hunters arrive
on board. Only a few hours of sleep
can be indulged In, for at an early hour
they must be in their boats again.
If boats were sent out only when seals
were observed from the vessel the sea
son's catch would be small. In the ma
jority of cases, when no sign of seal
life can be seen from the vessel the
boats will find seals not far off, provid
ing the vessel is on sealing ground.
Eight or ten boats In a day's cruise will
cover a considerable area, and some of
the boatB are pretty sure of finding seals
If there be any about. On the other
hand, a vessel cruising over the same
ground would find a scarcity of seals
where the boats found them quite plen
tiful. Boats and canoes when approach
ing a sleeping seal make but little noise.
and the coveted prize Is often captured
without being awakenrd from Its Blum
ber. The slatting of, the sails of a
schooner, in most cases, will awake all
seals that may be near, and destroy all
chance of capturing them. When pela
gic sealing began, boats used to row a
mile or two from the vessel to windward
and drift, waiting for seals that might
come near. No cruising was -clone, and
only seals that came within shooting
distance were captured. Itifles were at
this period used wholly, but shotguns
were introduced not long after. Shot
guns were found to be greatly superior
to rifles, as a larger percentage of seals
shot with them were saved.
SIGHTING A SEAL.
When the hunter on the lookout
catches sight of a sleeping seal, he holds
up his hand as a signat to make less
noise. Looking in the direction Well
cated by tho hunter the crew may Bee,
less than a hundred yards away, a black
object rising and falling on the ocean
swell. Immediately the sail Is lowered
and stowed away and everything in the
boat secured, for the thump of an oar
on a thwart or against the side of the
boat Is generally sufficient to arouse
the sleeper. Silently they approach the
seal: it sleeps as peacefully as a child,
wholly unconscious of danger. The
boat is on the lee side, for if it should
approach on the windward side the seal
would be almost certain to wake. Deep
In the water the boat-steerer dips his
oars and silently the boat Is pushed
ahead. Hardly a sound is heard ex
cept the low swash of the water as It
washes over and falls from the back of
the sleeping object. When the boat Is
within fifty feet the seal shows signs of
uneasiness, as If in its dreams it scent
ed danger. The hunter loses no time
and fires. . Instantly the scene of slum
ber and quiet repose is changed to one
of pain and fright. The seal has been
mortally wounded and Is struggling in
the throes of death. It makes desper
ate plunges, then suddenly expires, and
is hauled into the boat. The water for
some distance around Is discolored with
blood. It frequently happens that a
seal, after being taken Into the boat
and supposed to be dead, will moan and
groan in such a way that it touches the
heart of the Bealer, who, out of pity,
dispatches the suffering animal with a
knife. Female seals die very hard, and
a knife Is often used to put them out
of misery. More than one sealer has
been heard to say that If women who
adorn themselves in sealskin garments
could wltnesB the metjiod of killing
seals In the ocean they would cry out
against the practice.
The first prize being captured, sail Is
hoisted, and once more the boat goes
skimming along on its course, the hunt
er at the bow. the men In their post
tlons, and every eye on the lookout for
seals. Presently they are rewarded by
seeing two seals asleep, lying side by
side. Again the sail Is lowered and the
same precautions taken as before to
prevent any 'noise being made. This
time there are two seals to deal with,
The hunter is anxious to get both. Not
a word Is spoken, the hunter directing
the movements of the boat by his hand,
The nearest seal is selected: It expires
Instantly upon being shot; but at the
first click or tne nammer or the gun
and before the dead seal can be hauled
Into the boat its companion Is making
desperate efforts to escape, while the
seal is making one of Its leaps the
hunter fires the second barrel of the
gun and the seal falls lifeless Into the
water. This, tn sealers' parlance, is
called shooting on the wing. It requires
long experience to be able to capture
two seals steeping near eacn other, but
so expert are some, hunters that some
times three and four seals are captured
out of a bunch of six or eight; Wound
ed seals frequently show tight, particu
larly when speared.
From the earliest times among the
Indians of the Northwestern coast the
chief method of taking the seals has
Deen with the spear. It frequently
happens that when a large male seal Is
speared and not hit In a vital part of the
body, it will make it very interesting
for the occupants of the boat or canoe.
The writer on one occasion was out In a
canoe with a party of Indians and wit
nessed a light of this kind. Tho party
had during the afternoon been quite
fortunate, having captured nine seals.
They were about to make sail and re
turn to the vessel when a large bull seal
was observed asleep not far off. The
sight put the Indians into a state of
great excitement, for they anticipated
considerable sport. They arproaehed
the sleeper cautiously and were within
spearing distance when it awoke. Tho
hunter drove the spear at the seal as It
was aDout to dive, and struck it near
the hind flippers. Instantly the air
seemed to be full of seals Jumping and
leaping in every direction. The hunt
er had a hard time In holding on to the
spear line; and It was only by taking a
turn around the thwart that the seal
could be held. The canoe was pulled
through the water at considerable
speed, first In one direction and then In
another, and simetimes round and
round. At the end of about three or
four minutes, having become somewhat
exhausted by Its tremendous efforts to
escape, the seal grew more quiet, and
seemingly began to take In the situa
tion. At a distance of about forty feet
from the canoe, with its body out of
water as far as the fore flippers. It be
gan to shake its head violently and
give threatening growls, and while In
this position it made several attempts
to bite the spear line. Fatling to ac
complish this purpose. It made a des
perate rush for the canoe. The Indian
at the bow endeavored to keep the spear
line taut, and at the same time to meet
the seal with the killing club, but he
was not quick enough, for before he
could raise the club the seal had fas
tened Its teeth In the side of the canoe.
tearing off a piece of the gunwale over a
foot long. Things now began to assume
a serious look, and probably might have
terminated In a manner not to the lik
ing of the hunters had not the Indian
at the Btern come to the rescue with a
rifle which he had stowed away in the
canoe. A bullet In the head of the seal
put an end to the fight. '
WEALTH OF CCBA.
Future Possibilities of the Island Greater
Than Its Past Achievements.
From the New York Independent.
The soli of Cuba has no rival, espe
cially for tobacco and BUgar. One hun
dred pounds of selected cigar wrap
pers will sell for $400 or $500. Sugar
cane yields a larger percentage of boc
charlne matter than that grown else
where. Thousands of dollars' worth of
bananas are yearly Imported Into this
country, the plantations having betn
greatly developed during the last few
years, still leaving millions of acres of
land adapted to the growth of the fruit.
The plaintaln grows In abundance, re
quires little cultivation, and, as an ar
ticle of food, is alone sufficient to nour
ish the human system. It can be dried,
ground and used us Hour, and should
be as popular in this country as oat
meal, and will be some day when it be
comes better known. The cocoanut. In
point of productiveness, is next to the
banana. Cuban oranges will rank with
the Florida fruit, and the finest pineap
ples are raised, though the demand in
this country seems to be for the cheaper
qualities. Among comparatively un
known fruits which could be cultivated
as soon as a market was opened for
them are two varieties of the sopo
dilla, the brown and green calm 1 to, the
red mamey, the yellow mamey, the for
mer having been described by some Eu
ropeans as "a- fruit fit for the gods."
Then there are the mamon, two species
of guavas, the mango, ind several spe
cies of fine berries to which no atten
tion Is paid on account of the plentiful
supply of the larger fruit. The berries
are called frultas de parjarors (.birds
fruit.)
The potatoes of Cuba are as fine as
the Bermuda variety and considerable
quantities are Imported into this coun
try, selling at $7 and $8 a barrel. There
are several varieties of the sweet po
tato, two varieties of the yam, which
Is second only to the plantain In Its
nourishing properties. The cassava, or
manioc plant, is a wholesome and nour
Ishing food. The soil of the country Is
particularly good for the growth of
garden vegetables and the yield under
new1 political conditions, with capital.
enterprise . and scientific methods of
cultivation, will be enormous. The
sugar crop, which now represents over
510,000,000, could be increased tenfold,
The island contains about 6,000,000 acres
of fine arable land, about one-eighth
of which Is under cultivation, much of
It being worked In such a primitive way
that It yields only about one-half of
what it would under Improved methods.
A vast amount of wealth is represent
ed in the forests of Cuba. The com
mon mahogany of the Island sells in
Europe at from $110 to $180 a thousand
feet, some of very fine quality is worth
from $400 to $600 per thousand feet, and
one variety has been sold for the re
maskable price of $1,250 per thousand
feet. There are millions and millions
of feet of this wood on the Island. Ce
dar is abundant and finds a ready mar
ket. There is a great need of better
facilities for preparing and transport
ing tnese woous ror shipment. The lig
num vltae has no superior In quality,
the ordinary selling from $25 to $30 a
ton, the choice from $35 to $40 and the
best at about $45 per ton. There are
thirty-two varieties of the palm tree.
which is available in the manufacture
of hats, baBKcts, tne bark of the royal
palm being used for boards in the con
struction of the homes of the small
farmers, the leaves of the same tree
being used for the roof. Among other
hard woods may be mentioned the
ebony, the acana, used for rafters; the
saDina cimarona, something like cedar:
the juqul and caguiran, for posts; the
noDie Dianco and robie amarilll for win
dow and door frames, carriages and
ship-building; the granadlllo, a cabinet
wood, and many other varieties, lnclud
Ing the majagua, from the fibrous bark
of which ropes are made almost as good
as those of manllla hemp. The area of
the Cuban forests Is about 8,000,000
acres, and they can furnish all the ma
terials for building a frame house with
out the use of a single noil, strong and
durable lianas being used to fasten the
neaas or beams. There is also a curi
ous vine called the water vine, about
three Inches In diameter, which when
cut In two will yield a large quantity
of pure, fresh water.
Within tho past thirty years It hns
been discovered that there are rich
deposits of Iron In tho eustern and to
ward the central part of the islnnrt
Some of this Iron Is now being used by
Pennsylvania smelters, and an expert
says that "the whole eastern part of the
Island 1h an Iron mine." Manganese
has also been discovered, and there are
millions of tons of this ore available.
An English syndicate hns extracted
millions of dollars' worth of cooper
from the mines near Santiago. When
intelligent experts make a thorough ex
ploratlon other mines and gold and Bll
ver will doubtless be found. .
More Than Specified.
"I have put a luncheon of bread and
roast chicken In your valise," said the good
wife, as she bade her husband farewell.
I do not think the food they provide on
the trains Is healthy."
The following day she received a letter
commping un lonowing:
"My dear, the luncheon mi nhnf
but I wan greatly surprised to find that
the chicken had laid two hard-boiled eggs
ntt tha nau " Von, VA1 a..
Knew Ills Ways.
: Mai ste "Mamma, has gran'pa sure gone
r hanVAnf 1 j
Mamma "Oh, yes, ' Indeed, Malile
sure I"
Malsle "Well, I bet he sneaks out once
in a wnne ror a smoKe, juilge.
NICARAGUA CANAL PLANS
History of the Enterprise from Its
ery Inception.
THE SUEZ EXPERIMENT CITED
Reasons Why the Inltcd States Govcra-
ment Should llulld sad Control
Trans-Isthmian Water-wav Dl
- - Tiding the Two Americas.
The action of the house committee on
foreign and interstate commerce tn re
porting favorably the Muhon bill pro
viding for the construction, under tne
auspices of the United States govern
ment, of the Nicaragua canal will be
generally approved. Tho Mahon bill Is
really an amendment of the act Incor
porating tho Maritime Canal company
of Nicaragua, which was approved Feb
ruary 20, 18.S3. The bill provides that
the company, within nine months from
the passage of the act, shall show to
the satisfaction of tho Secretary of the
Treasury that all stock of the company
heretofore subscribed or Issued, except
that Issued to the states of Nicaragua
and Costa Rica, has been called in and
canceled, and that all obligations, in
cluding contracts with the Nicaraguan
Canal Construction company, have been
canceled. After this has been done the
Secretary of the Treasury, on behalf of
this government, shall subscribe for
700.000 shares of the canltal stock of the
company. Ten thousand shares shall be
Issued to such person or persons as may
be designated by the stockholders of the
canal company, whoso stock has been
surrendered and canceled.
The bill Increases the board of direc
tors of the company from eleven to fif
teen. The bill originally provided that
the government should guarantee $70,-
000,000 of the company's bonds, which
should be secured by first mortgage, and
all tne property, franchise and rights of
tne company. In the bill as reported,
however, this amount was increased to
$100,000,000. The net earnings of the
company alter the interest upon the
bonded debt guaranteed by the United
States has been paid, also a dividend
not to exceed 5 per cent, per annum.
paid upon the stock, shall be paid Into
the treasury to constitute a sinking
fund for the payment of the principal
and Interest of the mortgage. The
canal is to be constructed under the su
pervision and according to the plans
and specifications prepared by the En
gineering department of the United
States Army. The company shall pay
Into the treasury of the United States
the official salaries of the engineer ofli
cers, and in addition shall give to the
oflicers 25 per cent, of such salaries.
The board of directors shall be required
io nie a aeiauea statement or the work
done with the Secretary of the Treas
ury every three months.
THE CANAL'S INCEPTION.
"No problem In engineering," sayB
the Chicago Times-Herald, "has ever
attracted such general attention as has
the building of a canal across the nar
row neck of land which connects North
and South America. Not one nation
alone, but all the western nations of
Europe, and especially the people of
the two Americas, have looked forward
to the cutting acrosss of that compara
tively Insignificant barrier, and have
speculated as to what the result would
be when It Is done. It may be added
that In the minds of most men the won
der has grown year by year that the
canal had not long ago been completed.
It Is doubtful If any enterprise upon
which the genius of civil engineers has
been engaged could do as much for the
bettering of traffic and commerce
perhaps, beyond that, the civilization
of the world as could a serviceable
ship canal across the Isthmus.
"Long before the war the American
nation looked with hopeful eyes to the
digging of such a means of communi
cation between the waters of the two
oceans. Hut before, much could be
done in an effective way the war came
on, and the union had enough to do to
maintain Its autonomy. Schemes of
such magnitude as linking the Atlantic
and the Pacific together thousands of
miles north of the place where nature
orlginnlly poured their flood into a
common field were allowed to rest for
the time. But after the war was closed
the subject came up again, and Presi
dent Grant sent a commission to sur
vey the ground, to select the place
where a canal would be the most feas
ible and to report to congress.
"This commission studied the face of
the whole country which might be cut
across, and after a thorough investiga
tion took three routes and examined
them all carefully. In 1875 they report
ed to the president that the route
known as the Nicaragua was the most
feasible, all things considered. This
route begins at Greytown, on the At
lantic side, near the mouth of the San
Juan River, follows a nearly westerly
course till the river Is reached, and
then pursues that valley to Lake Nic
aragua. " Crossing that body of water
freely, the ships will again enter a
canal at the west Bide, and proceed by
locks to the Pacific. The entire dis
tance, from ocean to ocean. Is 169 miles.
A comparatively small portion will
have to be excavated, and that Is In
soil of a character which offers excep
tional advantages to the engineer. This
route President Grant recommended as
the most feasible.
GETTING TO WORK. .
"In. May, 1889, tho Maritime Canal
company obtained its charter from the
government and begun preliminary sur
veys of the work. Its engineers csti
mated tho entire coct of the canal would
be $70,000,000: and the government was
asked to assist in the construction of
the work and to Join In the reaping of
the results. Later a commission of
government experts was sent to look
over the ground, and their report, Just
submitted, is the first unfavorable view
taken of the great project since the be
ginning. They hold that the cost will
be nearly twice what the company en
gineers estimated, or $134,000,000. Con
gressman Barham, of California, how
ever, takes the view that the canal
would be a good Investment either for
the government of or private citizens,
even If It cost all of $150,000,000 and no
man has hazarded a conjecture that the
canal will cost more than that.
"But all of that Is more In the na
ture of detail. The great fact Is estab
lished that the construction of this
canal would bo of inestimable benefit
to the countries of the earth, and es
pecially to tho United States. Indeed,
this country could hardly permit any
other nation to build tho cannl. They
would do It willingly, as would capital
ists In other countries, under the pat
ronage of their governments, If they
would be permitted by the authorities
of the Union. But It would be putting
into hands that might some time be
come antagonistic a weapon too for
midable for safely. The United States
must dig that canal If It Is ever dug.
THE SUEZ CANAL.
"There are many reasons pointing to
the wisdom of this course. In the first
place, the advantage Europe gained
over the United States In the building
or tne Hues canal nas never been re
covered; and it never will be recovered
until we have a canal that will shorten
distances for us, on that canal does for
them. This advantage wlll.be best un
derstood by the statement that tho first
year of Its construction tho Sues canal
carried 586 vessels from the Mediter
ranean to the Red Bea, thus shortening
tno journey ror those that went from
the North sea to tho Indian ocean by
many hundreds of miles. The total
tonnage of these vessels was 436.C00. In
1804, 4,207 vessels with a tonnage of 8,
700,000, passed through that canal. It
will be noted that the number the first
year was very small. The whole thing
was In a measure experimental, and
many vessels had traded from England
to India continued going around the
cape or uood Hope, lust as they had
always don. But they learned With
each passing year the safety and ad
vantage of the canal, and they patron
ized It. At first the vessels were of
light burden not more than an average
of 1.300 tons. In 18!4 the average ton
nage was 2.400. Not a shir afloat is too
large to be safely taken through that
canal. They know it now; and the
men who built it are benefactors of
the race, as the men who invested their
money in It are abundantly rewarded
in good financial returns.
"But the construction of the Suex
rairal Is Insignificant In comparison of
the results with what would follow the
completion of a canal across the Isth
mus. The actual circumference o! the
earth. In nautical measurement. Is 10.
OtK) miles. The Sues canal shortened
.that distance 2,000 miles. But the com
pletion of the Nicaragua canal will
shorten the distance by 6,000 miles. No
more stupendous result could be Im
agined. By the building of a canal fif
teen miles In length a saving of 5.000
miles will be made. That alone is euf
ticlent testimonial to the utility of tr.e
enternrise.
"And even In shorter distances the
effect will be equally marked. Between
New York and San Francisco 10,000
miles will be saved ocean vessels. Be
tween New Orleans and 8an Francisco
9,000 are saved. From New Orleans to
Valparlso 4.000 miles will be saved. And
that means the better development of
trade relations between the united
States and the Pacific countries of South
America. It means a bringing of the
islands of the sea closer to our fields
and our factories. It means an Increase
of trade In time of peace, and an in
crease of strength in time of war.
THR FINANCIAL SIDE,
"At the Sues canal a toll of $1.90 a ton
Is charged all vessels passing through
The toll at the Nicaragua canal could
be placed at the very reasonable figure
of $2. It is estimated that the annual
trafllo passing through the canal would
be 80,000,000 tons. The total annual
cost of operating the six locks which
would have to be constructed, maintain
ing the entire length of the canal, ad
ministration and other expenses, would
not exceed $1,500,000 annually.
"One ground of objection by the ex
perts who have recently made their re
port to the government la mat tne cost
would reach. In their Judgment, the
tremendous figure of $134,000,000. Yet
the Income of the canal, at the estimate
given here and it is, conservative
would be $14,500,000 above all expenses.
This would be five per cent, on an In
vestment of $290,000,000, or more than
twice as much as the experts feared the
canal would cost. So that If the gov
ernment Invested $150,000,000 In the pro
jectand that Is $17,000,000 more than
the lateBt critics have fixed as their
maximum estimate it would, as a pure
commercial Investment, have something
rather better than a gold mine.
"Some canal across the Isthmus that
Is, some canal connecting the Atlantic
and the Pacific oceans seems mam
fest destiny. Why, In this later age of
the world, when distances are shorten
ed. when time is annihilated, when cv
ery effort Is made to secure the most
expeditious routes and means or travel,
and a general condensation of life
why In this age a narrow neck of land,
more than half traversed already by
natural waterways, should be per
mitted to divide the worlds, Is one of
the problems philosophers may not
solve.
DETAILED PLANS.
"Somethlngabout the plans of theMar
atime Canal company may be of Inter
est. - It Is Intended to begin the work at
the eastern or Atlantic end of the canal.
That part between the ocean and a
Junction with the San Juan river Is
called the eastern division. In it will
be three locks. The first has a lift of
thirty-one feet. The second a lift of
thirty. This Is a mile beyond the first.
And the third, situated three miles
farther on, has a lift of forty-five feet.
These will bring the canal to a level of
106 feet, where it will be maintained by
dams. The soil through which It will
be constructed is Infinitely more favor
able for Inexpensive maintenance than
Is that of the Suez canal, where the
everlasting winds drift the sand per
petually into the channel, and where
nothing but a new creation would be
capable of improving the condition.
"From the point of entrance Into the
river level, the course Is perfectly clear.
And the depth of water in the canal Is
far greater than would be required by
the deepest ships afloat. Arrived at the
western shore of the lake, another canal
makes connection with the Pacific by
means of three more locks. The first
and second are close together. The third
is near Brito, the Pacific coast port.
The two first of these locks have a lift
of forty-two and one-half feet each, and
the third a variable lift of from twelve
to twenty-nine feet, depending on the
demands of the ocean tides.
"Each lock Is to be 650 feet long.elghty
feet wide and thirty feet deep. They
will be constructed of masonry and iron.
Lake Nicaragua 14 110 miles long, and
forty miles wide. It drains a water
shed of 8,000 square miles, and Is as per
manent an assurance of water 'supply
for the canal as the mountains about it
are permanent features of the land
scape. At Its lowest stage the river,
mainly supplied by this lake, possesses
a volume seven times greater than
would be necessary for the transporta
tion of 20,000.000 tons a year. And the
estimate of 8,000,000 tons a year seems
flattering enough.
"Slow old Europe has built two canals
which were less needed than this. One
of them saved 2,000 miles from the cir
cumference of the earth. The other is
called the Kiel canal, and saved but a
few paltry hundreds. This would save
10,000 miles between two ports In our
own country alone. And It halts short
of completion. Enterprising America
may well take a lesson from conserva
tive Europe. '
FAVORITE SOXS.
A Feature of National Conventions In
Favor Among Republicans.
From the New York Sun.
Candidates nominated at National
Conventions by the delegates of their
fellow citizens, without any expectation
that the convention will regard their
claim favorably, have come to be known
among politicians of both parties as
favorite sons. But it Is a fact that fa
vorite sons are much more common
among Republicans and at Republican
conventions than among Democrats,
who. In the larger Btates at least, are
seldom united In favor of any candi
date who has the sentiment of local
pride as his chief recommendation. In
the National Republican conventions of
1SG4, 1SG8, and 1X72, there were no favor
ite sons, for the nomination In each
convention was unanimous.
In 1S7C, among the minor candidates
were John F. Hartranft, the favorite
son of Pennsylvania, who received Its
support for six ballots, and Marshall
Jewell, of Connecticut, who received
the support of his state for one ballot.
In the 1889 convention there were three
favorite sons, neither of whom rut any
serious figures In tho balloting, after a
complimentary vote had been cast. They
were William Windom, of Minnesota;
E. It. Washburn, of Illinois, and George
F. Edmunds, of Vermont. In the 1884
convention Joseph R. Hawley, of Con
necticut, was tho only favorite son, and
In 1888 there were Allison, of Iowa; De
pew, of New York; Rusk, of Wisconsin:
Installs, of Kansas; Edwin Fitter, .of
Pennsylvania, then mayor of Philadel
phia, and William Walter Phelps, of
New Jersey. After tho third ballot
(there were eight ballots In all) Allison
was the only one of these heard of. In
the Republican Notional convention of
1892 there were no favorite sons.
Favorite sons In Democratic National
conventions have not been very favor
ably regarded Blnce 1868, when nearly
each state hod Its own favorite; Pen
dleton, of Ohio; English, of Connecti
cut: Packer, of Pennsylvania: Parker,
of New Jersey; Doollttle, of Wisconsin;
Adams, of Massachusetts, nnd Stephen
J. Field, of California. In 1876 the Ohio
Democrats tenaciously supported Wil
liam Alien, former governor of that
state, and the .Missouri Democrats
James O. Broadhead, of St. Louis, af
terward United States Minister to Swit
zerland. In 1880 tha Illinois Demoorats
voted for William R. Morrison, but tha
other states were badly divided in their
preferences, Pennsylvania having two
candidates, Samuel J. Randall and Win
field 8. Hancock, and Ohio three candi
dates, Henry B. Payne. Allen G. Thur
man, and Thomas Ewlng. The failure
of the Ohio delegates to unite on any of
the three probably led to the loss of the
nomination by the Buckeye men; at
least such was the judgment of many
Impartial Democratic observers of that
convention proceedings. In 18S4 the
Democrats of Kentucky gave a compli
mentary support to John G. Carlisle, of
Kentucy, while the votes of Indiana
were recorded in favor of Joseph E. Mc
Donald, of Indiana, and those of Ohio
for Allen O. Thurman, of that state.
In the last Democratic convention, that
of 1892. Horace Boles had the solid sup
port as a favorite son of the Democrats
of Iowa, while John G. Carlisle was fa
vored by a large fraction of the Ken
tucky delegation.
The support of favorite sons has been
generally popular among politicians,
for, besides enabling the delegates of a
state to pay a desirable compliment to
a fellow citizen. It permits the leaders
to hold a delegation Intact after the
complimentary votes have been cast on
the first or preliminary ballots, and to
act without disclosing at first their real
preferences. There are Plenty of fa
vorite sons this year.
PUNS AS WIT.
From the Philadelphia Press.
Is the pun a legitimate form of wltt
come people think not, and Dr. Johnson
said that a man who would make a. nun
would pick a pocket. But the fact Is that
the general obiection to nuns la hecausn
of their frequent lack of wit; that Is to
say. It la directed to bad puns. We do
not want to discuss bad puna or even to
hear them. The point Is, whether good
puns are admissible as legitimate and
commendable expressions of humor. It is
of no use to say, like Sydney Smith, that
puns ought to be in bad repute, and, al
though one finds an Incorrigible punster
often. It Is true, an Incorrigible, bore in
every little circle of soclul life, one does
not find the race of pickpockets to be In
creasing alarmingly In numbers. Nor do
the statistics of crime seem to bear any
relation to the productions of l'lanchet or
Brough, or of Gilbert, to the spread of
burlesque and the cultivation of Bab-bal-laillst
opera.
It Is probable that there are a few, even
In these days of culture, capable of ap
preciating the profound witticism which
Do Qulncey discovered In the Jests for
which poor Aelius Lamia was put to death
by Doniltian.
If we want to argue the legitimacy of
puns we are obliged to fall back on tho
eld discussion as to the difference between
wit and humor. The definitions are legion
al, of course, but not one of them lswholly
satisfactory. "Knowledge comes and wis
dom lingers," Tennyson says, and perhaps
we might found upon this a parody, with
some aproach to truth that wit sparkles
and humor permeates. But there Is little
profit to be got in analysis of this kind.
What Is funny isn't necessarily witty, but
what is funny must have In It, or suggest
ed by It, some of the essence of humor.
Thus, Charles Lamb was not so far wrong
when he said that the most far-fetched
and startling puns aro the best.
The familiar Inquiry, "Is it true that tho
first apple was euten by the first pair?" is
far-fetched, but one cannot deny the hu
mor of It. Agnl n. In tho conundrum, "Why
is blind man's buff like sympathy?" "Be
caiiKo It is a fellow feeling for a fellow
creature," there Is a direct application
which is also unquestionably humorous.
Then, as another example of a pun which
is absurdly apparent, there was Douglas
Jerrold's remark about a man to whom he
had repeatedly written, in vain, for some
money.
"I have written him," said Jerrold to an
acquaintance, "but got nothing."
"Strange," said the other, "for he Is a
man full of kindness."
"yes," replied Jerrold, "unremitting
kindness."
A pun which requires explanation in
brackets Is Indeed simply Intolerable. The
Oxford scholar who,' meeting a porter,
carrying a hare through the streets, asked:
"Prithee, friend, Is that thy own bare or
a wig?" required no commentator. The
same story la sometimes attributed to
Charles Lamb. Nor did Tom Hood. who.
when all Is aid and done, remains the
prince of British punsters. He puns as
naturally as he laughs a babe can see the
point of his Jokes, and the crustiest dry-as-dust
cannot resist them.
More subtle ani moi-o polished Is the
humor of "To Minerva," one verse of
which Is Inimitable:
(My brain Is dull, my sight Is foul,
I cannot think on what I've read.
Then, Pallas, take away thine owl
And let us have a lark Instead.
Theodore Hook is thought by many to
be equal to Hood as a punster, but Hook
was labored and slow in comparison.
There Is an Impromptu air about Hood's
puns which Is incomparable, and an unex
pectedness, even when you are looking
for them, that is delicious. Frederick
Locker once or twice seemed to have
Hood's unconscious ease, as thus:
He cannot be complete In aught
Who Is not humorously prone;
A man without a merry thought
Can hardly have a funny bone,
John Hill Burton relates a legal joke
which, to the legal mind, has all the charm
of a pun. One day a bailiff, serving a
writ, had been compelled by the defendant
to swallow the document. In a state of
great agitation and anger the officer
rushed ino court, over which Lord Nor
bury was presiding, to complain of the in
dignity. He was met by tho expression of
his lordship's hope that the writ was not
returnable la this court.
Bret Harte, by the way. Is not usually
regarded as a professional wit. and vet
among the good things which cling to ono's
memory is uie couplet in tne "Heatnon
Chinee:"
"Concealed In his nails, which were taper,
What is common in tapers that's wax."
Somebody has written a - parody, in
which a candidate for examination even
bents the record of the Mongolian:
"Concealed in his palms, which were spa-
ciuus,
What Is common in palms, and that's
dates."
Speaking of palms recalls the famous
pun of the Bishop of Oxford, who, when
asked by a lady why he was nicknamed
"Soapy Sum," replied: . "Because, mad
ame, 1 am always getting Into hot water
and always coming out with clean hands."
Perhaps It might be said that some of
these examples are not true puns; but a
pun Is not necessarily a twisting and a
contortion of syllables, as the writers of
burlesques- and "comic" papers seem to
think. It is play upon words, and tp be
really entitled to bo considered witty
should play both upon the sound and the
sense if possible.
A LABOR NOTE.
"Papa," said a Dallas young lady, whose
father employes a large number of hands,
"are you in favor of the eight-hour sys
tem?" "Well, my daughter." he answered, "un
der certain circumstances I am."
"Oh, 1 am so glad," she rapturously ex
claimed. "Whv, my dear, aro yon so Interested?"
"Because, papa, Mr. Canesucker has
only been staying four hours every even
ing, and he told me last night If you fa
vored the eight-hour system, he needn't
go home, so early. You dear, old pupa; I
am so glad you oro in favor of it," and
sho threw her soft, white arms around
his neck and choked off all explanations. -Texas
Sifter.
THE SONG OF TIIF. SPANISH GRANDEE.
There once was a Spanish Grandee,
Who was haughty as Don well could be,
And this proud caballero
Suid ho couldn't beur O
The talk of tho hated Yankee,
The name of this Spanish Grandee
Was Senor Don Carlos Juan y
Mendosa Qiilntero
I Cosasy Guerro
Navarro y Pedro Contl. '
Bald this haughty old Spnnlsh Grandee,
"What's this talk about Cuba, the free?
Por ml spudal Tls Jingo; .
I'll soon teach tho Urlngo
To fear me when I am angree;"
Then this terrlblo Spanish Grandee,
With a scowl that was awful to see,
To a flag shop rtl-l hln O,
And (hero he did buy O
The emblem of our Llber-ty,
And this Valiant old Spnnlsh Grandee
Tore the flag up as small ns could be
And exclaimed, "Yo soy bravo!
Diablo! I have 0-
Yerpowerodltohatod Yankee!"
-New York TPSHu.
SAVED BY BIS WIFE,
A Canadian Tens ths Story of His
Rescui
40 Tears of Nerv Destroying
Bondage His D. dining Years
Can Now be Paused in Hap
piness and Comfort.
Winnipeg. Main. Special. A life
time's slavery at the end of this cnt
ury Is almost beyond belief, and yet it
Is true. In Poynts & Co'b. drug store
on Williams street, yesterday, was dts
cussed the remarkable deliverance of
Mr. George Gafileld. a prominent farm- ,
er, and one of the oldest settlers of St.
Charles district, when, he himself en-
tered the store. His Btep was firm
and elastic, his eye bright, his bearing
that of manly vigor, so that the report
er hesitated to ask If he had Just been
released from a terrible bondage, but
Mr. Gaffleld was only too pleased to tell
his story, for the good of humanity.
"Yes, I'm glad to talk of it, because It
may lead those who are tobacco spit
ting and smoking their lives away to
find a cure In No-To-Bac. I was a
heavy user of tobacco for over forty
five years, an Inveterate smoker and
chewer, and spending so much money
that It was ruinous to me financially.
Not only this, but the habit was dis
gusting to all I came In contact with. ,
Did I try to stop? I should say so;
doxens of times, but I had become such
a slave to the weed that I couldn't
live without it. A year ago Poynts
recommended No-To-Bac to me and
my wife urged me to try It, so I bought
a box. From the day I took a No-To-
Bac tablet I have not tasted tobacco,
I used three boxes of No-To-Bac and
was not only cured of the tobacco habit
but regained my health and strength
and was benefited in more ways than
one. The truth Is that No-To-Bao
made a new man of me." Druggist
Poynts, who had listened to this won
derful story, said: "The Sterling Rem
edy company, of Chicago, New York
and Montreal, are so fair and square
that it's a pleasure to do business with
them. They authorise every druggist
to Bell No-To-Bao under the absolute
guarantee that If three boxes fall ta
cure any case of the tobacco habit the
money will be refunded; and they re
fund It, too." Get the booklet "Don't
Tobacco Spit and Bmoke Tour Life
Away." Free sample and written
guarantee mailed for the asking.
THREE TAKES OF ROMANCE.
The Duke's Vendetta: a Story of Vsnles
and Houston.
From the Houston Post.
I.
Over the scene hangs a deep star
studded sky.
It Is midnight In Venice.
On the balcony cf a magnificent
ducal palace on the waters of the Adri
atic sits the Countess Glnccloll. By
her side is Pete Skldmore, the talented
young American painter. The brill
iant but soft light of an Italian moon
floods the marble steps of the palace
and the crystal sea where shadowy
gondolas wind In and out like the maxy
figures In gome half-remembered
dream.
"Do you love me?" asked the Coun
tess In low, over-ripe tones.
"Easy," says Pete, kissing her jew
eled hand.
As ho speaks a black gondola glides
past, and something Is thrown and falls
at the feet of the Countess.
"Corpo dl Bacchoj!" she exclaims.
"It is a vendetta!"
The gondola again glides past,
some one In It hisses out some words
Italian through his clenched teeth,
"That must be a steamboat," says
Pete, "and the escape valve Is out of or
der." "It Is the Duke Rlvoll," says the
Countess. "He loves me to distraction.
You must fly."
"Why?"
"He has declared a vendetta." '
"What's that? Anything like a divi
dend?" "Do not Jest. Fly, oh, fly, ere It Is
too late. One kiss, and then farewell."
As Pete Skldmore kisses the Coun
tess another prolonged hissing sound
comes from the gondola, Pete looks
up at the summit of Mount Vesuvius In
the distance.
"Sounds like we were going to have
another eruption," he mutters to him
self. Pete then puts on his shoes and goes
back to the palace where he boards.
II.
It Is 20 minutes to 6 o'clock In Texas.
Pete Skldmore has finished his art
studies in Venice and has returned to
Houston. He has arisen early, and,
to oblige an old friend. Is painting a
barn a dork-red color for $4, one-halt
in advance.
He often sighs when he thinks of Ven
ice and the dark, languishing eyes of
the Countess Glnccloll, and through
his head runs the refrain of a song she
used to sing:
"Barclpa setta muppa ganon me."
Suddenly the ladder Is Jerked from
under him, and he falls Into a bucket
of paint.
He colors quickly and rises to his feet.
The Duke dl Rlvoll Btands before him.
"ZIs ees ze vendetta to ze death,"
hlSHeS the Dulle between his clenched
teeth. "I have com to keel you."
"What for?" asks Pete.
"R-r-r-r-evonge!!" says the Duke.
"For what?" asks Pete.
"I married ze Countess!"
III.
Moonlight on the Adriatic.
The Duchess Rlvoll, nee Glnccloll,
waits upon the balcony. A gondola
glides to the steps and the Duke dl
Rlvoll springs out.
The Duchess hastens to meet him.
"Did you kill him?" she whispers.
"I did not."
"What! Did you fall In your mis
sion? Is It possible that a Rlvoll could
declare a vendetta and then let It go to
protest?"
"Poaca Flnmetta," says the Duke.
"I do not deserve your eproaches."
"What did you do to him?"
"I left him running a weekly news
paper in Texas."
The Duchess Blnlts down, covers her
face with her hands and shudders vio
lently. "Oh, Lulgl!" she sobs. "Revenge Is
nil right, but was there any need to be
so Inhuman? You should have killed
hiin."
PRICE OF niCYCI.ES.
The Supposed $12 Kike and When It Will
Materialize.
Mr. R. M. Walte, who had charge of
the bicycle exhibits a few evenings
Blnce with a Star reporter said: "All
the talk of a reduction of the price of
bicycles In the near future Is based on
hopes Instead of facts. At present the
price Is kept up by power of the combi
nation or trust controlling them. This
trust, according to Its terms, does not
expire until October next, but after then
you can look for a tremendous drop In
prices. The supposed $12 bicycle, which
Is to come from Japan, can not reach
here until next year. Indeed, It. Is not
manufactured yet, though the plant for
Its manufacture is about completed.
Tho 112 price, however, will be met by
English nnd American makers, nnd the
war of prices nnd reductions will be a
merry one, and specially enjoyable for
riders of the wheel."
There Is nochnnce of enrn of anv elasa
J between New-York and ChicaxavJa tUe
N