Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1888-01-03

The twelvemonth we all agree in number
ing 1887 was in some respects singular pc
riod But, upon the whole, it averages well
with the years that went before it. In
chronologically considering given year one
almost insensibly turns first to its neurology,
for one may measure the Importance of a
year very accurately by taking note of the
important figures that have passed from the
worlds stage during its sway. And it was
indeed a goodly company that passed from
the visible to the invisible during the
year 1881 Poets and statesmen, and
warriors and seamen, singers and actors,
and financiers and eminent people of all do
grees But the world goes on very well with
out them, as it viii continue to go ON long
after those who come after them have been
succeeded, in turn, by others
Humanity made good bit of material
progress during 1881 To be sure, no won
derful new invention came into general util-
ity, and no one of the few great scientific
prizes that mother nature sometimes gives
to her persevering children was found
between its extreme days, but there
was steady improvement of such mechan-
ical contrivances as man had already made
himself master of; many miles Of new rail-
road were constructed, many new industries
were established and many old ones were ex-
tended. And while not all who contribute
TO the nations wealth by the labor of the
hand and brain have profited by their work
as they should, there was a steady inn
provement of the condition of the
working classes during the year. The
unemployed and the destitute are to be found
mostly in the great cities of the earth, and it
is there that most of the riots of the year
took place. London suffered more than
Usual. Among the more important strikes of
the year was the longshoreme's strike, left
over from 1886 and concluded February;
the printers strike in New York, ST. Louis
and Chicago; the cigarmakers strike and
the big coal strike ordered in the middle of
December.
A complete list of the dark deeds COM
mitted in 1857 would include everything in
the way of crime that the mind OF debased
man can conceive or carry into execution,
but only such crimes as from their extraordi-
nary nature demand recognition in the record
of a years doings are here set down.
Among the most notable events of the year
was the hanging of the Chicago Anarchists.
The casualties of 1887 include fire and
storm and flood, and that most awful mani
festation Of natures power, the earthquake,
besides those accidents that are due solely to
the carelessness of man himself The most
appalling disasters of the year were the
earthquakes of the Italian Riviera and the
floods caused in China by the Yellow river
bursting its bounds.
Eighteen hundred and eighty-seven wit
messed no great wars, aud the fact that the
republic of France passed safely through
crisis that was feared would precipitate tur-
moil and bloodshed should be a matter for
the encouragement of the hopeful student Of
humanity Two powerful monarchs cele-
brated important dates in their lives with
great success-V Victoria, queen of England,
completed the fiftieth year of her reign and
the Emperor William of Germany passed his
Goth birthday.
The year closed with the ever present
eastern question menacing the peace Of
Europe with rather deeper mutterings
than usual, and it is quite within
the bounds of possibility that the first
few months Of 1888 may bring storms of shot
and shell to busy towns and quiet valleys
that have not seen worse storms than rain
and wind and snow for years In America
the years last days looked upon the busy
preparations Of politicians and voters for the
coming presidential campaign, and 1883 viii
be a much livelier political tweivemonth
than its predecessor
But the years record viii speak for itself