davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-01-22
GIRLS CAN'T BE TRUSTED.

There is no reason to believe that the
latest thing in trusts, so-called "Best Girl
Trust" which some young men at Adrian
College, Michigan, have organized, will do
much harm. The organizers of the trust
have selected an equal number of young
women, students in the college, and to each
young man one of these girls has been as
signed. According to the provisions of the
trust each young man must monopolize the
society of the fair student assigned to him,
allowing no other fellow to escort her at any
time, under severe penalties, in which a
coalshed end social disgrace figure. The
monopoly Of any given girl only lasts a
month, and at the end of that period each
man must trade girls with any other mem
Der of the trust who may call upon him to
do SO.
The young male students may have an
idea that such scheme could be carried
out, but we are sure that the fair objects of
the trust will speedily rid them of the de-
fusion. On the face of it the trust is an
impossibility. What girl sophomore, Sc
nior or graduate would allow any committee
of young men to portion off her affections in
the way proposed? The sanguine young
men of Adrian College have probably dis
covered that, however they may propose, it
is the young woman who does the disposing.
And we will warrant that the "Best Girl
Trust" has been disposed of very summarily
ere this Girls cannot be trusted-in that
sense of the term.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-01-22
THE B. & O.,s sOUNDNEss.

The appeal by the Johns Hopkins Univer-
sity, of Baltimore, for aid in its temporary
financial straits, caused by the suspension of
dividends on the Baltimore and Ohio Rail-
road stock which it holds, is made by the
New York papers the text for sermons on
the fallibility of human judgment in con-
sidering that stock a sound investment
The trust shown by the late Johns Hopkins
in that corporation is paraded as a case of
misplaced confidence; and it is intimated
that the value of the property is not what it
is now estimated at
All of this is the outgrowth of the feeling
steadily ineulcated by the other trunk lines
against the Baltimore and Ohio because that
corporation has assumed, with compara-
lively unwatered capitalization, to put itself
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-01-22
AN APPARENTLY WEAK ATTITUDE.

The attitude of the State Department in
.e Samoan affair, so far as the public can
judge by the data within its reach, presents
peculiar contrast to the course taken with
Hayti. A man who flies into great rage
when he is insulted by one who is weaker
than himself and calmly SHES off when the
insulter is his equal in strength, does not
get very good reputation for courage or
manliness. OF course it is fair to remember
that the public may not be in possession of
all the facts. The disregard of our rights
may not have been as wanton as was report
ed, and the Government may be taking
steps not known to the public. But the at
titude of Secretary Bayard does not promise
incisive steps for the preservation of Ameri-
can interests abroad; and unless some such
steps are taken it is doubtful whether even
the property of American citizens in that
quarter Of the world will be safe against
German aggression. If the reports are true
it is time for us to assert our position as a
nation, and to develop backbone in the
State Department.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-01-22

in competition with the other lines We
have Mr.. Gould's own authority for the
statement that he urged upon Robert Gar
rett the argument that it was ridiculous to
run such property as that of the Baltimore
and Ohio with a capital stock of only
SO, ,O00, ,O00 and there is little doubt thatsif
the advice had been taken and the capital
ization multiplied by three much less would
have been heard from railroad quarters
about the suspension of dividends. Other
trunk lines have suspended dividends be-
fore this without half the acclamation.
1t is worth while in view of these utter
ances to note the fact that although the b.
& o. is not paying dividends at present, it
is still the most solvent of the trunk lines.
Its total stock and debt is less than $50, 900,
600 on a property certainly worth half as
much as that of companies bearing three
times that capitalization. 1t is true that its
property was weakened by utter incompe-
tence of management; and there is little
doubt that its difficulties were magniied
and its credit injured by representatives of
capital anxious to eliminate it from the list
of through competitors; but it is still the
least unwatered of the through lines and in
vestments in it rest on a more solid basis
than in some other lines that are pushing
the policy of shutting out competition for
the benefit of watered stock.
The policy of attacking the credit of a
solvent corporation in the interest of its
rivals may in time react on those who in
snire IT.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-01-22
THE LIFE OF CERTAIN PATENTS.
An Important Decision of the Supreme
Court, of Interest to Many.

An Important Decision of the Supreme
Court, of Interest to Many.
WASHINGTON, January 2l.-The Supreme
Court of the United States to-day rendered an
opinion in the important patent case of the
Bate Refrigerating Company, applicant, VS.
George Hammond & Co., appeal from the Cir
cult Court of the United States for the district
of Massachusetts,. By statute of the United
States it is provided that when patent IS
taken out in a foreign country, and one subse-
quently is also secured in this country, the
patent shall expire in the United States with
the expiration of the patent in the foreign
country in which it first runs out. Under the
Canadian laws patents are granted for five
years, with the privilege of renewal for two
periods of five years each. The question in
this case was whether the lifetime of the
American patent expired five years frofh its
issuance in Canada. or at the end of 10 years.
which is the limit to which the life of a patent
may be extended in Canada.
The Supreme Court, through Justice Blatch-
ford holds that the patent in the United States
does not expire for Is years from the granting
of the patent; that is to say, the lifetime of an
American patent, first taken out in a foreign
country, does not expire until the extreme
limit of time for which an extension of patent
may be secured in the foreign country. The
Court, therefore reverses the decision of the
the case to the lower court, with instructions
to enter decree in accordance with the judg-
ment of this court.
The case is regarded by persons interested in
patents as one of great importance. Many
electrical patents are affected by the decision.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-01-22
A REDUCTION FOR STANDING UP.

The municipal railway problem has as
sumed new phase in Cleveland, where an
ordinance has been introduced, and is urged
by a very strong popular support, enacting
that passengers on street cars, if they are
not provided with or offered seat immedi-
ately on entering the cars. shall pay only
three cents fare. The patient Pittsburgers
have never thought of claiming a reduction
because they had to stand Up in cars packed
like sardine boxes, and have only been anx-
ious that they should be delivered at their
homes in reasonable length of time. Some
of them when they had to get out and help
push the cars up hill, in storm, in order
to get home before midnight, may have felt
like claiming a rebate; but they now live
in hope that the advent of cable roads has
abolished that necessity. Whether Cleve-
land succeeds in accomplishing the unique
reduction remains to be seen; and it will
also be interesting to learn whether it will
result in more liberal provision of cars by
the companies, or greater gallantry on the
part of passengers in standing and letting
others have the seats-at the enhanced
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-01-22
PITTsBURG, TUESDAY. JAN. %, 1889.
THE SOUTH PENNs REVIVAL.

The last announcement of the settlement
of the South Penn reorganization, following
90 closely as it does upon the heels of the
purchase by the Vanderbilts Of the Hostel
ter interest in the P. s. L. E., confirms the
view of that transaction which was taken
by The DISPATCH yesterday.
1t is certainly good news to Pittsburg that
the differences and obstacles in the way
of reviving that project have, as stated else
where, been overcome, and that the capital.
Vanderbilts' investments in this section, is
to be expanded into the creation of new
East and West line, of which Pittsburg will
be the central point The triumph of this
project implies the expansion of Pittsburg
and Western Pennsylvania industries by an
indefinite proportion; and the community
can but rejoice over the now assured fact
that the long and wearisome fight is finally
won.
The South Penn will go through, and as
an unwatered and independent line will be
prosperous by itself and contribute to the
prosperity of Western Pennsylvania.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-01-22
NO COMBINATION IN FLOUR.

The interviews given in our business col
umns on the subject of reported "amalga-
mation, as it is called here, between the
-four dealers and the wholesale grocers to
regulate jobbing prices for flour, show that
many among the leading firms have no in
tention of going into it. That may be con-
sidered to give the quietus to a scheme
which would have met with failure in any
event. if it had been attempted.
1t is quite natural that firms who have
built up their business by the recognition
of the principle of small margins and quick
profits should perceive the fallacy of any
proposition to establish arbitrary prices.
That margins are narrow for -four is un-
doubtediy true; but the real effect of such
margins, and the falsity of the plea for
combination, is shown by the fact that on
just these narrow margins some of the larg-
est and strongest houses in the city have
attained their strength. The further vice
Of the combination system appears in the
fact that any such combination in the -four
trade would work its own defeat. Suppose
that an ''amalgamation" had been formed
which would raise the robbers margin to 40
or 80 cents a barrel, after years of experience
had shown that 20 or % cents affords living
to the trade. How long would it be before
a dozen new houses were in operation, either
to share the excessive profits or to sell
cheaper -four at the legitimate prices?
Combination in the -four trade is happily
an impossibility; and it will remain so un-
less the same policy is applied to build it
up which was used in the case of the petrol
cum trade, namely, railroad determinations
in favor of the monopolists which enable
them to drive all others out of the business.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-01-22
CLIPPED BITS OF WIT.

Adding Insult to Injury.-First Shop
ping Fiend-Madam, that's my mufl
Second Shopping Fiend-Why, how inexcusably
stupid of me to pick up an imitation monkey-skin.
Time.
A Lonesome Life.-Friend Ito sick man)
Don't you find the long days lonesome, John,
confined as you are to your bed and easy chair9
Sick Man-Lonesome, friend. That doesn't ex-
press it. Why. the gas collector called this after
noon with six months gas bill. and paid the
bill and put my arms around his neck and called
him brother.-NeD York Sun.
Theory and Practice.-Doctor Ito brother
physician)-Yes, gentlemen, the sovereign rem-
edy for all ills is fresh air. and plenty Of it. Peo-
ple don't let enough air into their houses. Well
must hurry; I'm on an errand.
Brother Physician-Going tar?
,,No, only down to the hardware store TO get
half a mile Of weather-stripping "-NeD iork
Weekly.
Uncle Berkshire-Heow much be that
watch?
Jeweler-Forty dollars.
Uncle Berkshire-En that smaller one?
Jeweler-Fifty dollars.
Uncle Berkshire-En the smallest one?
Jeweler-Seyenty-ive dollars
Uncle Berkshire-Gosh, mister! How much 10
no watch?-JeIoeLer'S Weekly.
Catering for His Wife.-Countryms Ito
grocer)-Mister. doyou keep this-what dye cali
it-Sweitzer cheese? It's all holes and SMELL
Grocer-Oh, yes.
Countryman-Well. gimme pound chunk Off;
it's for my wife; she's very fond Of IT, put as Tor
me, by gum, can't even eat the holes.
Grocer-Tell your wife to cut the holes out am
throw them away.-The Epoch.
Speaking Literally.-Miss Breezy Ito
Prof. X, of the Natural History Museum)-Do
you not think, Prof. Y, that Miss smith, at the
piano there, is a very beautiful girl?
Prof X.-Er-yes indeed, Miss Breezy, she is
exceedingly lovely.
Miss Breezy have always contendeo, Profes-
sor that she is one of the most beautiful girls In
Chicago, and that there are no flies on her.
Prof. Y. there his profession shows itself)-Yes
Miss Breezy, but suppose that in the summer.
when the weather is very warm, she is naturally
more or less troubled with them--Nelc York Sun.
scaleuIation.-"John, said wife who
WINS supposed TO be on her deathbed, sin case Of
nv death think man of your temperament and
domestic nature. aside from the good of the chill
dren ought to marry again.
.iDo you think so, my dear"
"T certainly do, after reasonable length Of
tlme.''
.sWell, now, do you know, my dear, that re-
Iieves nv mind of u great burden. The little
widow Jenkins has acted rather demure toward
me ever since you were taken sick. She is not the
woman that you are. of course, a strong minded,
intelligent woman of character, but she is plump
aud pretty and 1 am sure she would make me
very desirable wife,"
The next day Mrs. John was able to sit up, the
following day she went down stairs, and on the
third day she was planning for = new dress.-Esp
Tork Sun.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-01-22
A TRUSTS PROTEGE,
For Which n Receiver is Asked to Wind
Tn Its Affairs.

NEW YORK. January 2l-General Roger A.
Pryor and William Lardner, representing the
Attorney General of the State in the litigation
to annul the charter of the North River Sugar
Refining Company for its connection with the
Sugar Trusts, which Judge Barrett held to be
illegal, to-day applied to Judge Barrett for a
judgment In accordance with the decision re-
Gently given, declaring the company's charter
forfeited. Mr.. Lardner contended that the
code provided for the entry of such judg-
ment. General Pryor supported MIR. Lardner,
and said that he should move for the appoint
ment of a receiver of the company.
John Z. Parsons for the company, objected
to the appointment of receiver at present.
He suggested that this question be laid over
temporarily, intimating that they could agree
upon a receiver. General Pryor, while making
sons to understand that if he had any idea
that the appointment of an officer Of the COM
pany might be agreed upon he was greatly
mistaken. He said he should certainly oppose
the appointment of any person connected with
the company.
Judge Barrett reserved decision,
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-01-22
Harris Theater,

An audience that is perfectly satisfied with
q play after waiting three-quarters of an hour
for the curtain to rise must have witnessed
something little above the ordinary. And
that's Just what the audience at Harris Thea
ter did at yesterdays matinee. The night per-
tormance began little nearer the scheduled
time. This delay was something unusual for
this house, where the performances begin
promptly on time, but the romantic melo-
drama, THE Romany Rye" was given so ex-
cellently in every respect that the packed
house soon forgot its fmpatence. James l..
Edwards, as the hero the gypsy gentleman, was
ner-and. the large company and beautiful
scenery furnished by Mr.. n. r. Jacobs are as
good as could be asked for. Only three more
matinees will be given Of this play, on WedAes-
day, Friday and Saturday.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-01-22
OUR MAIL POUCH.
The Velocity of Light.

To the Editor of the Dispatch:
By whom and how was the velocity of light
discovered? j. r. W.
ALTOONA, January 20
1.-THE Danish astronomer, CLAUS Romer, made
the discovery of the velocity Of light while
taking observations of the eclipse of Jupiter's
satellites in 1876 He found that the eclipses of
the satellites seemed to be retarded as the
earth moved farther away from the planet;
that they occurred too soon when the earth was
nearest and too late when it was faTthest away
from Jupiter The astronomer found that this
retardation of the occurrence of the eclipses
could only be accounted for satisfactorily by
the time that the light would take in crossing
the earth's orbit, and that, calculating the time
occupied in accomplishing this, the velocity of
light was 1872, 500 miles a second. The best de-
Examinations made by the more accurate OBJ
servations of modern times make the velocity
about lS6, 800 miles second.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-01-22
Bijou Theafer.

'She," as presented at the BiJou Theater last
night, is the same weird and fantastic produc-
tion, on somewhat grander scale, that was
seen hre last season. The scenic effects were
superb, and it is doubtful if anything surpass-
ing the barbaric splendor of the underground
palace of AyeshG has ever been on Pittsburg
stage. The choruses, by numerous band of
Arabs and Amhaggar, were most pleasing and
peculiar. The female element predominates;
the girls are pretty and their costumes rich.
The staging was admirable and the play in
tensely interesting throughout.
Of course it is the spectacular effects which
have made this curious play. introducing i'm
possible Africans and genuine Englishmen and
Americans, SO successful and popular. Yet
the company is strong one, quite capable, ap-
parently, of better work than is required in
this nondescript but remarkable piece. Miss
Laura Clement, who took the leading role,
is fine-looking woman. and, though
not a great actress made a decided
ly favorable impression. The best talent
in the cast belongs to Miss Tellula
Evans, who. as UStdne, gave evidence of con-
siderable dramatic power. Mr.. NJ. b. Snyder
was dignifed and manly as Horace Holly.
while Mr.. William s. Harkins, in the character
of Leo Vtncent, appeared to excellent advant-
age. Mr.. Charles Bowser personated Martin
BrOtOn. the American drummer, in a manner
that brought roars of laughter from all parts
of the house.
The tableaux were marvels in their way, and
alone worth gong to see. There was a good
house.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-01-22
Something About Quicksand.

To the Editor of the Dispatch:
Please give me some information about
quicksand. NJ. j.
PITTSBURG, January q.
IQuicksand is found in nearly all parts of
the country, hut in very great quantity along
the Platte river, in Nebraska. 1t is composed
principally of mica, or small particles of rock
disintegrated from large bodies of rock and
subjected to continuous washing process.
The water removes all the raggedness or angu-
lar shape from the particles. The fragments
become smooth and Shiny and slip upon each
other with the greatest facility, so that any
heavy weight resting upon this sand causes the
particles to be displaced. They separate from
the center, allowing the weight to sink until
solid basis is reached. When particles of sand
are ragged and angular any weight pressing on
them will crowd them together until they are
compacted into solid mass. A sand COM
posed of mica, or soapstone, mixed with water,
seems incapable of such consolidation
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-01-22
KEEP THE BALL ROLLING.

Tonight the friends cf the Pittsburg Ex-
position are called upon to gather again at
Old City Hall. The assemblage one week
ago, though small, developed a handsome
pay-streak, and everyone who wishes the
city we'll hopes that to-night's prospecting
may do better yet.
OF course the Exposition is to be built,
and the quicker and heartier the response
to the call for funds, the cheerier will be the
feeling all round.
Let all be there who can. Pittsburg must
have an Exposition becoming the great
mercantile center it has grown to be. 1t
should be a privilege to every citizen to
take part in this work and do some of the
shoutinp
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-01-22
THE INTERREGNUM.

Our esteemed contemporary, the CONNER
cidl Gazette, is not of the same mind as The
DISPATCH that the whole high license law
would go by the board and not count in 1890
ifa prohibition amendment were adopted this
year. That it is possible to argue on both
sides of the question, we do not dispute; but
the view is widely, and we think soundly.
taken that the result, as indicated by The
DISPATCH, would follow. Assuredly if a
prohibition amendment is adopted in next
June the courts in 1890 will ignore those
clauses of the Brooks law which call upon
them to hear applications for Ii
cense. The only contention then
can be that while the provisions
for license fall, the penalties prescribed in
the same act for ''selling without license"
shall continue. But statutes inficting pun
ishment are construed strictly; they are also
considered as whole; and, further, the in
tention of the Legislature which passed the
law has to be taken into account. 1t is at
least difficult to see how, taking into ac-
count those three cardinal rules of construc-
ton laid down by good old Mr.. Blackstone,
the courts could consider the penalties spe-
cifcally created as part of the licensing act
of 1887, the proper or applicable means for
enforcing total prohibition in 1Se0-which
was surely not in the mind of the Legisla-
ture in 1887, nor the thing that body was
then legislating for.
That the Republican leaders already per-
ceive the Importance of the question is suf-
fciently shown by their communications
to our Harrisburg correspondent. That
they will eventually prepare to meet it in
the only way possible BY providing for an
extra session of the Legislature is also likely
unless indeed, they expect the amend
ment to be defeated at the polls.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-01-22
ROMANCE OF A SCOUT.
The Grave of Texas Jack TO be Carefully
Looked After.

Looked After.
Special Telegram to the Dispatch.
New YORK, January 2l.-The travelling COM
pany of comedians, headed by the DAILY Broth
ers recently visited Denver. While there the
two DAILY boys were informed that the grave of
a former actor and famous scout, Texas
Jack" had been in neglected condition for
months. They Immediately made generous ar
rangements with the keeper of Evergreen
Cemetery, in that city, and the plot will here
after be catefully looked after. Nearly every
actor in the country, all border men, and
great many other people will remember Texas
Jack. He was born John B. Omohundro from
Spanish and Indian stock, and after a brave
career as a scout he became fellow actor with
Buffalo Bill, sharing with the latter much
celebrity in this city, when they were first lion
lied here.
Jack was the favorite scout and guide of the
Earl of Dunraven. Years ago he loved and
welded Morlacchi, a dark-eyed dancer, famous
in her day, and wealthy, too. He died in Den
yer ten or dozen years ago, and was buried
with military honors. Morlacchi soon went
into retirement and passed away about 1856, at
Lowell, Mass.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-01-22

1t is interesting to hear that the real
name of Pawnee Bill who is proposing to
lead the movement to steal the Oklahoma
lands, is Lille, and that he is also known as
the Oklahoma Lily. If he should get on
the lands in defiance of law and the
Government, it will become the duty of the
troops to pluck that lily up by the roots