Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-05-15


Re sent day n!0bt. free of charge.
The first eclipse OF the sun for the present year
will occur next Wednesday, the nth inst, but 1t
wiz not be visible from this country. 1t will be
total along belt of country about sixty miles in
width. extending through Asia and Africa An
eclipse OF the Is caused by the passage of the
moon between the earth and the sun. This occurs
from two to eight times each year, but the eclipse
observation OF the suns disc is not always viSi
bic from the same points 1t IL suggested that the
phases OF the approaching eclipse may be Illus
trated by cutting two circular pieces OF paper or
cardboard, one OF black, the ether red Let the
red circle represent the sun, and the black the
moon. Then, by moving the miniature moon over
the miniature sun until &c has passed entirely
it, good idea OF theeclipse Is formed. The
moon is regular in its passages across the suns
surface. and therefore similar eelipses occur at
regular intervals. The date OF these passages can
be ascertained by a very simple calculation A
period OF eighteen years and eleven days inter
venes from one passage OF the moon across the
suns disc until the next similar passage eclipse
Therefore, by adding that period TO the date OF an
eclipse the precise date OF the next similar eclipse
can be aScertaine1. To Illustrate: The coming
eclipse occurs May Il. 1892. Add Is years and IL
days, and IL gives May 2Sti, ~ 0, as the date when
this eclipse VIII recur. Then, so the astronomers
informs u, the total eclipse will be visible from
vantageOGs section from which to observe it,
Senator Mitchell has bcen clio en- delegate 70
the independent republican state convention 10
meet at harrisburg, Pa, on the eta instant, am
1t Is gute probable that he viii be selected to pre-
SHE over That convention. At all events, he may
new BE- considered the leader OF the Pennsylvania
independents in their revolt against machine rue-
Everyth points TO convention Of eminent re-
spectabsiity, beth as to numbers and character.
1t Is apparent that tic Independent movement in
Pennsylvania Is one OF no small proportions. IL
has grown considerably since LIST year, when not
withstandng the fact that its candidate for state
treasurer was self-nomin2tcd IL pOllet votes
enough to leave the successful candidate OF the
rcgullrS with but narrow plurality. In the
pending canvass political results OF great import
ance at stake, and the contest will be very dir
ferent from that OF last year An tndepeDdent
state ticket in the field will jeGpirl,ze republican
sscendancy. for between the two republican ii *
cts the democrats might win A less OF the state
10 the republicans In the coming election might
lose them TN" SuccpS5Orahip To- Senator Cameron in
the United States Senate in 1885, as Ii would de-
prve the republicans OF the state patronage and
give the democrats that lever OF power. These
arguments will no doubt, be used with ali their
force by the regulars In their appeals to repuOli-
cans to stand by their party, and, the demo-
cratic party lines will doubtless be closely drawn,
perhaps Win eUccE 10cEe Is usually
contagious in independent movements or revolts
against party rule, and other states may catch the
spirit from Pennsylvania. In the south, where
there are manifest symptoms OF political unrest
and dsquietuie, the influence of the Pennsylvania
revolt may be felt Democrats of that section
who are tired o. the existing order of political af-
fairs in their states cannot longer be held in the
pirty by the Old-tme argument that Self-prOtec-
ton requires their unity against solid and OPP
posing north. There is, in fact, general reiaxa-
ton OF party ties, and the crack OF the party whip
. no longer terrifying.
The war OF the people OF Brooklyn against
*hObt1il- cars has been waged persistently, and
ut last il gives promise OF substantial results The
grand jury OF Kings county last Friday called, In
their official capacity, upon the common council,
AID urged the pass age OF an ordinance requiring
that all street ears shall be provided with conduct
o.s The effect OF the passage OF such an Ordi-
nance wOuli be TO do away with bObtail cars, as
IL would then be very much to the interest OF the
companies 70 substitute larger cars for them. II
this plan Of suppreSSing bobtlil cars proves a
success in Brooklyn, il will probably Immediately
he adopted in New York city, where the people
have been for some time endeavoring to get rid Of