The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1883-07-01

the sugar tax, which happens just now how
ever, to form one OF the chief fiscal props OF
the German empire.
The Pittsburgh Baby Show.
There are many sorts OF schemes for in
ducing people who have money. to subscribe
some Of 1t for this or that purpose. Rich
men are often known to subscribe very small
sums for most beneflcent objects, or even
to refuse to subscribe altog ether. when all
they have to do Is to sign check; but II the
gift can be surrounded by some show OF en-
tertainment or festivity. even Of the most
trivial character, these apparently close
flsted persons sometimes bloom out with
almost unlimited generosity, provided they
can have little fun.
Lately an organization In Pittsburgh called
the Cot Club wanted to raise 5000 to estab-
llsh a free bed In the West Penn Hospital for
children; but all the committee could squeeze
out OF the Pittsburgh capitalists was 81 200.
To make up the necessary sum, some OF the
most fashionable people OF the city got up
what purported to be baby show. 1t was
free-for-all contest. 80 cents entrance. and
there were 80 entries. Ten cents was the
charge for the privilege OF casting one bal
lot. Among 30 many families represented
there must have been some who had entered
their latest contribution to humanity with
the hope that in any fairly conducted con-
test OF babies theirs would win. or at least
be highly commended. But from the first
1t became apparent that this was not q fair
show at all.
To begin with, the exhibition WINS held on
the beautiful lawn OF Mr.. E. M. FERGUSON.
and it was noticed that Mr.. and Mrs. E. NJ
FERaUsON's baby was among the entries
The first count showed that the LIE MoYNE
child led with $40 votes, the FERGUSON or
native baby being second with 4s9 votes, q
young MooRHEAD third with AL votes, tho
DALzELL infant fourth with 500 votes, and
the r. MOORHEAD one next with 1885, This
seemed all right. But the fact that Mr..
MILLER. whose progeny had on the first
ballot received only 81 votes. was allowed to
coolly hand over hundred-dollar bill to buy
1000 votes for his own entry. was proof
enough that this Pittsburgh show was no
real baby show, but contest in which the
winner was sure to DO tho baby whose
father could command the most money.
Now. a baby show presupposes the idea Of
a comparison of beauty. There can't DO any
other standard ON which to base such q con-
tost. In fairs. prizes are put up to DO voted
away to various sorts OF people, such, for
instance, as tho most popular or tho most
graceful; but among lot Of babies 1t is out
OF the question to raise such points for con-
sideration. It would be ridiculous to say
that baby was popular or that it was grace
full. No one can know anything particular
about 1t except the small circle OF Its imme-
dlate friends; and even II all these should be
fond OF 1t. that wouldn't make 1t popular. A
person to DO popular must be admired by q
very large number Of people. Probably tho
whole OF BRIGHAM YoUNas family wasn't
enough to make him popular. In the common
sense Of the word. In short, the only point
on which the public can criticlse baby is on
Its beauty, or at least what experts claim as
| beauty; because this everybody can see.
But In Pittsburgh, instead OF the managers
| Of the show telling Mr.. MILLER that his
action In voting for his own entry was con-
trary to the spirit OF such IN exposition,
they received with eagerness all the contri-
buttons that were reckessly poured In by the
different owners OF the children. stimulated
| by the conduct Of Mr.. MILLER; and finally,
| oAtCA OOuN uAoONuEhDp VuOoC ChCky huu
looked anything but winner. on the last bal
lot laid down $3.50, the polls were closed before
the other owners could scrape up any more
funds, and the fictitious contest came to q
close, with the award Of the prize to the
MooRHEAD representative, boy. This boy
got the prize. and no will always figure as
the winner at the Pittsburgh show Of 1888
but In reality there Is no evidence that as a
baby he was In any way superior to the BIa-
GINS, the RAFFERTY,, and the BKYMRR babies,
which received only IS. II, and 20 votes re-
spectively
We have always known Pittsburgh as a
smoky town, but we never had tho slightest
reason to believe that among her Inhabitants
there was less Of love for fair play or a
hazier or less rigid sense Of uprightness
than exists among people OF other por-
tiOns OF the country. As 1t stands, this
show was most disgraceful affair; but let
US hope that the people OF Pittsburgh. in
famed by desire to raise tho $1,000, only
broke through the hard rules that must
govern all honest competitions In moment
OF forgetfulness. Pittsburgh Is very large
manufacturing city. and most Of her wealth
depends upon the confidence OF the public
elsewhere In the honesty and fair dealing OF
her citizens, tho majority OF whom are en-
gagged In the manufacture OF iron. Possibly
Mr.. MILLER, Mr.. FERGUSON, and perhaps
Mr.. MooRHEAD are iron manufacturers. It
would be great calamity to the place II even
a cloud OF suspicion should be cast upon her
chief interests, merely because fow thought
less people adopted such reprehepsible
methods to induce some OF her rich but mean
citizens to subscribe to q hospital. Gov
PArTIsON Of Pennsylvania lately vetoed q
bill giving Pittsburgh another charter. Very
likely he did this because tho new charter
contained no clause regulating the city