davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-06-08
A WEEK OF STRANGE SENSATION.

To-day ends what has been veritable week
of horrors. Thousands will find it hard to
realize that one short week compssses their
experience since last Saturday, when morn
ing broke over the desolated Conemaugh
Valley, and the news of disaster thrilled
humanity wherever the electric spark
travelled.
The seven days, however, have enlight-
ened the public afresh upon many things.
That grand revelation of the width and
depth ot human sympathy under the stress
of dire misfortune cannot fade from the
memory of men. 1t showed human nature
at its best, and should forever silence the
pessimist who sees nc good in the race. The
immediate and unlimited response which
came up from all quarters of the land to the
city of disaster and necessity was a quick
recognition of a common humanity, elo-
quently in contrast with the narrow and
often binding competitions of daily life.
Philosophy might well be instructed and
religion fortified by such an evidence.
There were other manifestations no less
interesting, and perhaps more curious, be-
cause new to the public. The fact was
widely remarked that the immensity of the
catastrophe dazed most people who kept
their minds much on it. So it came to pass
that before the week ran out, the continual
iteration of the immense loss of life and the
variety of attendant horrors, blunted the
nerves of many. Doubtless it was wise
provision of nature that this, in such cases,
should be so, else the human mind would
inevitably give way in dwelling in detail
on the million separate miseries comprised
in such a calamity as that at Johnstown.
Those who remember war-times tell of SINH
lar experience after great battles. But
among the disasters of this generation, only
that at Conemaugh was on scale to pro-
duce this sensation of incapacity to compre-
hend acutely all the details of the afiiction.
Yet other developments which attracted
notice may not be written of without exhib-
iting the worst side. The attempted rob-
berries in the district; the want of thought
fulness among some of the morbid sightseers;
the petulant chickering's and the miserable
fauls-fnding as to some minor matters
these things Jared strangely upon the pub
lie ear. But incidents of that sort are but the
exceptions which prove the rule; and the
rule conspicuously was that mankind, in all
civilized quarters, rose to the occasion pro-
foundly sympathetic and nobly helpful. So
terrible though as the record is, it is not
wholly one of disaster.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-06-08
TERMS OF THE DISPATCH.
PITTsBURG. SATURDAY. JUNE 8, 1883.
OUR GOVERNORS RECORD.

Our State Executive seems determined to
make a record for himself in this food bust
ness; and his course, as developed by yester-
days news, indicates that he has succeeded
in doing so to o.such a degree that it will
stick to him for the rest of his official
career.
Having done practically nothing for the
relief of Johnstown, he instructs the Mayor
of New York that the contributions of that
city are not needed at present; and he pro-
poses to wait and see whether the
E"-As raised within the State
VIII notN suffice. In the meantime
: tne Pittsb,drg relief committee which has
oeen FURNISHING the funds and supplies
unos th& its means are nearly exhausted,
nIe<the work is as pressing as ever.
Aething over quarter of a million dol
lars which might be available for prose-
cutting the work is withheld on account of
this action of the Governor.
The Mayor of New York is not to be
blamed for accepting the assurance of the
Governor of Pennsylvania that the funds
are not needed. We must perhaps absolve
the Governor for what appears to be the out
growth of his natural limitations. But the
people Of Pennsylvania may perhaps feel
some responsibility for having placed in
power State administration which makes
such a record in such crisis.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-06-08

enue gained by the single tax would permit
large amount of expenditure for the public
veal, besides abolishing all other taxes.
Now when you have wiped out the specu-
lative value made by the growth of popula-
tion and exempted the real value given to
the land by the labor of the owner, what is
left for taxation? "Actual value" our cor
respondent calls it, or 'natural value" as
the chief Of his school has termed it. What
is the natural value of land before it has
been improved by labor or enhanced by the
vicinity of population? The Government
fixes nominal value Of 81 % per acre. but
that is never obtained until population has
approached il. So that when the two sources
of revenue, exempted or destroyed accord
ing to the theories Of our correspondents,
are taken away, the revenue left will be
infnitesimal, and we shall have to return
to the old scheme of taxation to raise money
for the expenses of Government. In other
words we shall come out at the same hole
we went in at.
value given to land by the growth of popu-
lation will remain. That is exactly the in
congruity which we pointed out. AT one
time they urge sincerely enough, that the
value will be taken away by the single tax;
at another they urge, with equal sincerity,
that it will furnish revenue for all the pur-
poses of Government. We simply call at
tention to the fact that they cannot eat their
cake and have it, nor can they destroy value
and make it a subject of taxation at the
same time.
So far as the speculative value of land
means an artificial enhancement by with
holding large blocks of it from market, it
would be good thing to have that abol-
ished. But besides the error of the single
tax idea as to its practical effect, there is a
greater one as to the extent of such land
monopoly. The extra cost of such an 'arti-
fetal enhancement to the people of Pitts
burg does not equsl the extra cost levied on
them by the Sugar Trust, which is entirely
independent of any foundation of land mo-
nopoly
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-06-08
WORKING FOR PURE WATER.

The sanitary work which the State Board
of Health and the authorities at Johnstown
have put in operation, is very timely and
cannot be too energetically or rapidly car
ried out. While straining every power to
relieve the destroyed city, everything should
be done that is possible to prevent a spread
of the disaster.
The fact that our water supply is slightly
under suspicion at the best makes it all the
more desirable that the additional source of
danger atJohnstown shall be guarded against
and removed at the first possible moment.
Therefore it is very welcome news that there
is good prospect of the publication OF the
streams in the course of the next two weeks.
In the meantime the public should exer-
else the utmost care as to its water. The use
of city springs and wells in thickly-popu-
lated sections requires almost as great pre-
cautions as the use of the river water. Both
should be boiled, if not filtered, in order to
guard against disease.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-06-08
WHICH GAME WAS TIL

The discouraging nature of the avowal by
DR.. Crosby to the Presbyterian General As
sembly that one of the clerical brethren had
been relieved of $50 by a confidence man is
apparent That the crooks of New York
should betray the guileless trust of the Pres
byterian brother is bad enough, but there is
worse behind in the fact, pointed out by DR..
Crosby and some of the press, that to be
victimized by a confidence man usually ar
CUES some guile on the part of the victim.
But the guilt of the victim, it should be
remembered, depends on the naodaIs operandi
of the sharps who took in the clerical
brother and his cash. If the genial gentle
man who was showing his reverend ac-
quaintance the town, fleeced him by means
of the well-known drawing" or "a little
game" then the Presbyterian pastor must
be taken as an example of good man gone
wrong after the lusts Of lottery gambling.
Or if the green goods game was played
but we will not admit the possibility that a
clergyman could fall before the temptation
of that swindle to engage in passing coun-
terfeit money.
But our trust in the clerical profession is
so strong that we do not believe it was either
swindle which took in the victimized min
lister. His genial and unexpected acquaint-
ance probably had to meet payment
and had to borrow $50 on a bond for
$500. The clergyman lent it to him, and
so appears in his true character of a credu-
lous, but upright, victim for the feecers.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-06-08
INSUFFICIENT THEORIES.

The question of encroachments upon river
banks by dumping cinder from mills and
furnaces is brought up by an Ohio journal
list, who points out that the Conemaugh
river was thus narrowed, with an intima-
tion that this was what caused the disaster.
As the great damage at Johnstown was done
after the rivers had considerably overfowed
their natural beds, this theory has about as
much applicability as that which attributes
to the cutting down of forests a disaster
which occurred in the mountain sections
that are least denuded of forests. There is
no doubt is that ordinary floods are much ag-
gravated by riparian encroachments and
made more sudden by the destruction of
trees in many sections; but the one cause
which destroyed Johnstown is so obvious
that these theories are trivial in connection
With the real cause.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-06-08
THE WORKING WORLD.

THE machinery palace at the Paris Expo
sition is the largest building ever put under
single roof 1t is nearly 1,400 feet in length. is
$40 feet wide, and has an average height of l70
feet.
FORMERLY engineers estimated the strength
Of ropes by the old rule, 'four times the square
of the girth in inches gives the breaking weight
in hundredweights." Commenting on this rule
an engineer says: apparently ropes are three
times as strong now; and to get near the tabu-
lated strength take the square Of the girth in
eighths of an inch and divide by LOCO, or point
OFF the last three figures as decimals. The
answer wiz be the safe-working load in tons.
This has an error Of about IOper cent on the
safe side. The breaking strain is from hve to
seven times greater than this"
THERE is every reason for believing that
modern developments in electrical science will
tend to increase very considerably the demand
for steam power, but that steam plants will be
more centralized than formerly. Where power
can be conducted without serious loss for al
most unlimited distances along an electric wire
and distributed as required along the route the
demand for small steam engines is likely to fall
of; but. on the other hand, the convenient
form in which power will bc obtainable will
prompt many 70 use it who would have hesi-
tated 70 assume the responsibilities Of . direct
steam-power plant
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-06-08
PERSONAL FACTS AND FANcIEs.

THE King of Spain has just entered his 4th
year.
HENRY GEORGE will return from Europe
about July /. He will take a short rest in
France.
Mr.. CLARK RUSSELL. after having long been
a cripple from rheumatism, has found relief
from the pine treatment, and is hopeful of per-
feet recovery.
ton as the guest of Mrs. Patton during com.
to the graduating class. Mrs Cleveland will
also be in Princeton as one of the patronesses
of the sophomore reception.
Mr. Roe. an English member of Parliament
met with singular accident when entering the
House few days ago. He was opening the
door with his left hand, and carrying letter
in his right, when the other half of the door
swung against him and forced the corner of
the envelope into his eye.
An English paper says: Here is a chance not
often to be met with, as set forth in a weekly
organ of the spiritualists: To Wealthy Spirit
ualists-A lady medium of tried power wishes
to meet with an elderly gentleman, who would
be willing to give her comfortable home and
maintenance in exchange for her spiritualistic
services, as her guides consider her health too
delicate for public sittings.-
THE entire property Of Tuxedo Park has
been decided in trust to Mr.. Lorillard's grand
children, and If it keeps on increasing in value
and popularity for 25 years as it has during the
past two years, it will be veritable kingdom
in itself. There are now more than 80 cottage
owners and nearly 400 club members, giving
net income of more than $4,000 per annum.
The village at the station Is also increasing in
due ratio, and as the club is now self-support-
ing. Mr.. Lorillard's guarantee against loss for
five years is being entirely devoted to improve
ments, which are visible in every direction.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-06-08
TRACES OF MUewuMpERY.

1t is rather astonishing to find cut how
the traces of real Mugwumpism will crop
up out of our esteemed party cotemporary
especially in cases where the Mugwump
principles will operate against the appoint
ment of people to Office whom our cotem-
pOraries are not desirous of seeing favored.
The comments of the Hartford CourGnt,
upon the claim that because Mrs. j. Ellen
Foster, made q great many speeches for the
Republican party during the recent cam
paign, therefore, Mr.. j. Ellen Foster must
be appointed to the position OF Register Of
the Treasury. furnishes case in point.
The esteemed Costrant says that the advisa-
bility Of the appointment should depend
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-06-08
SINGLE TAX ERRORS.

Another correspondent returns to the
charge on the single tax idea in this issue.
His reference to the distinction between
speculative and actual value of land indi-
Gates that he fails to perceive the bearing of
the argument which his predecessor who
signs himself ''Fanatic"-and who by the
way is nothing of the sort-made and on
which We commented.
This argument was that by taxing the
speculative value out of existence the people
in cities would be given cheap homes;
while at the same time they would be re-
lieved from tax on improvements, or the
real value which they and their predecessors
have given to the land by their labor. The
idea was also plainly indicated. as Mr..
Henry George does at length, that the rev.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-06-08
WHAT WILD WITS ARE SAYING.

Miss Gotham-I adore travelling. Were
you ever in Greece. Miss Loin?
Miss Loin (of Cineinnati)-No, never was; but
papa was in that lard trust, you knoW.-Ainaeap-
otis Tribune.
Outlived His Observation-Disclosures
Who is that solitary individual whom nobody no
tices2
American-He's an ex-President OF the United
states.-Draks's Magazine.
A High Spirited Girl.-"But if you
don't love him, Clara, why are you going to marry
him?''
'.Becsuse he dared me to. mamma. He knew
my high-spi rited nature, too. o, Ill make him
sorry enough h for it-don't you be afraid!'-Cht-
cG0o Tribune.
Kept Himself Mighty Quiet.-Prof.
Virgins, " no assumed control Of the earth and
the outlying planets few years ago says tins
sun is going away from the earth" This is the
first time we knew Old Sol had been here. Funny
that none OF the reporters got on to it. He must
have lande on the other slde.-BtTdstts.
Takes Room to Get it All In.-"What's
that?'' asked old Gunnybags, as a supplement-
crowded with long columns Of names and figures
fell from the newspaper when he opened it, ''de-
Iinquent tax Iist?'' mo- said his son, as be
scanned the sheet, '1t's . report Of the cricket
match on Decoration Day."-Burdstts.
In Far Away nneeticut.-"What's this
ooh, don't you see? lisa sun dial. l invented
it myself and am going to get patent. You see
here it has a elockwOrk attachment for moving
the shadow around, that YOU can tell time by it
when the street lamps are lighted. d.r-Burdetts.
In the Interest of Scienee.-Dyspeptic
patient-Good heavens doctor, what are you
taking all those murderous things out for? Jealous
physician, who worships his professionalism the
autopsy; am going to find out just what Is the
matter with you. Alarmed patient, who Is unduly
sensitive-But l am not dead yet. Calm physician
No, but you might die some time when would
be otherwise engaged, and 1t is not well TO delay
the autopsy until decay seizes upon the more dell
cate tissues. Hold your breath while l take ous
your lungs, pIease--Burdstte.
A Typical Parent-Little Jimmy visits
his fathers office and after examining the type
writing machine observed to his mother; say
mariner, what do they take those to the tneater
for?''
siMy boy" replies bis mother, 'theY 90 mos
take them to the theater."
>''welI, it's mighty funny then. Pa was teiin'
Mr.. Melodies that he took his typewriter 70 the
theater-n
flames, ;, said his father sternly II Will see
you in the stable this evening. ''-DFGks's Aa9a-
zfns.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-06-08

In connection with the statement that
there is great distress among the thousands
of miners who are out of work in the an
thracite region, as the result of the combine
among the operators to force up the price Of
coal, the Philadelphia Press says: sit is a
pity that there is no law to reach this greedy
combination" Inasmuch as no less an
authority than the Supreme Court of Penn
sylvania has declared that exactly such a
combination is criminal conspiracy, the es-
teemed Press should perceive that there is
law to reach this greedy combination; but
that the trouble is-and the pity is-that
public officers do not enforce the law.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-06-08
EXERCISING WHILE ASLEEP.
A Chicago somnamulist's Performance on
Horizontal Bar.

ChlcaR0 S0mnamultspa Performance on
Horizontal Bar.
From the Chicago Herald.l
Residing on the Southside is a young man
whose physician has strongly advised him
to indulge in regular exercise. This young
man has been troubled with insomnia and is
occasionally afflicted with somnambulism. He
believes, however. that he has the making OF
an athlete in him, and when he received his
physicians instructions he resolved to bring it
out, so he had horizontal bar erected in the
back yard Of the house, and upon this he prac-
ticed daily. His principal feat was to grab the
smooth bar with both hands and swing around
with great rapidity. One night last week the
young mans mother was awakened by the
noise of door closing. She arose and tiptoed
toward the back part of the house.
Looking out of the rear window she saw her
son, clad in his nightgown, revolving on the
horizontal bar with lightning rapidity. Amazed
at the spectacle of the gyrating son and his
Mapping night garment, she aroused his father
and told him about it. The old gentleman
arose. donned his pants and went to the rescue.
When he succeeded in stopping the revolutions
of the flying boy he learned that he was asleep,
and that he had posed as somnambulistic
athlete. He awoke him with some difficulty
and led him back to his bed. Now the young
man has his parents lock his doors and windows
when he goes to bed. He is anxious to regain
his health, but he will not go SO far as to do
horizontal bar act in his nightgown.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-06-08

upon Mr.. Fosters qualifications for the
Office as compared with the qualifications
of the other gentlemen who are candidates
for the place. But this is fiat heresyl If
men are to be appointed solely on, ae-
count of their qualifications, what becomes
of the great principle Of rewarding party
services?
1t is for asserting such ideas as this that
the Mugwumps are despised andrejected ofall
party politicians, and if the esteemed Cour-
ant adopts the idea that qualifications, and
not party service, should govern in the Sc
lection ofoffceholders, it will soon be no better
than heretical and unreliable independent
iourna1
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-06-08

In view of the fact that both Quay and
wanamaker have declared themselves in
favor of prohibition in Pennsylvania, an
exchange says: sit remains to be seen how
strong an influence these two distinguished
gentlemen can exert in its favor" The
question may be rather how much influence
they tOiH exert, instead of 'can exert" It
may be observed that neither of them is dis
tributing any offices upon the plan of aid
ing the prohibition cause.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-06-08
SLEEP SONG.
To and fro, high ana totc.

To and fro, high ana totc.
Sotft and SLoso, saofHg baby OF
Whittier is darling one faring tonight?
Cozily nesting in pillows white;
Closing her laughing blue eyes in sleep,
Drifting away through the twilight deep.
Somewhere out Of this world Of ours
Prettiest bud in MAY Of flowers!
OF with the fairies and elves at play,
Chasing gay butterfly stars away.
Crescented moon, dip down and float
Airy and light as phantom boatl
Baby girl glides on q slumbrous sea,
Where waves are noddtng all drowsily.
What do the mermaidens sing, my dear,
Comhing their tresses, dark rUeks anear?
Songs of summerland, signing Of love.
White their bosoms, the foam-fakes above.
What Is God whispering now, my sweet
(For dream crafts tarry where angels meet)?
All, we can never know that yet awhile.
No one has fathomed q baby's smilel
The winds are rising and stars grow pale;
Out of the sea comes silver sail.
Good-by. moon-with wave Of hand
Good-morn, pet-'tis awaking land,
SlcVT and sIotO, to ana fro,
High and toiC, siei'so baby. o!
-chicago Espi
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-06-08
sHERIDAN'S FAMOUS RIDE.
General Early Says II Was Only 10 Miles
and Lasted Half Day.

and Lasted Half Day.
WNCHEsTER, Va, June THE graves Of
$500 Confederate veterans In Stonewall Gene
terry were decorated this afternoon. General
Jubal Early, the orator of the day. was intro
duced by Ex-Governor Holiday. General
Early, after giving description of the battle
of Cedar Greek, said:
You will perceive that Sheridan made his
famous poetic ride Twenty Miles Away over
distance of about ten miles, and that it took
him from early in the morning until about
noon to make it.
He then contradicted the personal Memoirs
of General Grant" and the army and Ndry
Journal in reference to these battles, saying:
These facts will give some idea as to how
our adversaries vindicated the truth of history
and it will also show that our men
had the faculty of multiplying them
selves, not only on the field Of battle
but also after they were killed, wounded or
captured. Speaking of the devastation of the
valley, so that crow would be forced
to carry rations. The impartial student
of history, who may read accounts
of different battles and campaigns
of the war written from a Federal OF Union
standpoint will be struck by one thing, and
that is the wonderful capacity the Confederate
soldier had of multiplying himself on the field
of battle. According to many of these ac-
counts there was scarcely battle in which the
Confederates did not outnumber the Unions"