davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-12-31
PEOPLE OF PROMINENCE.

THE remains of the poet Browning will be
buried in Westminster Abbey to-day.
STEPNIAK, who is coming to this country
next year, is described as a black-haired, brist-
ly-bearded, vigorous-looking six-footer, with
gentle manner and kindly ways.
REPRESENTATIVE PosEY GREEN LESTER
of Virginia is one of the new Congressman.
He is Baptist preacher and has held forth in
Is States. He is one of the publishers of the
Baptist Hymn and Tune Book
Mr.. GLADSTONE has sent to the newspapers
general reply of thanks to those who sent him
congratulations on the occasion of his birth
day. He refers to the indulgence shown him
in the public estimation Of his parliamentary
and public labors. and says he hopes It win
make him watchful to avoid errors.
THE estate of the late Alfred CowIes. busi-
ness manager of the Chicago Tribune, is valued
in round numbers at from 81 100000 to 81, 400 OOO
and is left in its entirety to the three children,
alfred Cowles, Jr., the eldest son, Sarah
Frances Cowles and William Hutchinson
Cowles, each TO receive one-third Of the estate.
The property is to be held in trust by the ex-
ecutors until the youngest child is 80 years of
age, when it is to be turned over to the chill
dren.
YE WAN YONG, Ye Cha Yam and Kang Sing.
members of the Corean Legation at Washing
ton, are very fond OF society They trot about
making calls and attracting attention from
mischievous street urehins. Ye Cha Yam, the
Secretary of the Legation, is the only one Of
the three who can speak English; nevertheless
Ye Wan Yong and Kang Sing have good
time. They like American girls, American
drinks and Washington customs. They are al
ways well received except by servants.
NUMA GILLY. ex-Mayor of Mines, whose so-
called Revelations" about leading French poll
ticians and Cabinet Ministers got HIM into hot
water some time since, has been released from
the Prison of Sainte-Pelagle in Paris. he had
shared his imprisonment for some time with his
publisher, M. Savine, and M. Chirac, one of bis
colleagues in the compilation of the famous
'Dossers." M. GIlly states that he was remark
ably well treated in satnte- -Pelagie, and he now
intends to return TRANQUILITY to his cooperage at
Mines. where he win resume bis trade, and
think twice before he identities himself with
politics and politicians again.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-12-31
HowYE SHALL KNOW THEM.

The secret is out. the secret of the super
latiVe grace which gives human being the
entree into New York's far-famed -Four
Hundred. In an uuguarded moment, we
must presume, Ward MeAIlister let the cat
out of the bag, or rather the jewel out of the
cssket BE said the other day that those
who would attend the great fashionable ball
in New York--to be given under the patron
age OF the Four Hundred-Would he people
who knew whether . canvas-back duck
should be cooked twenty or thirty minutes.
and whether terrapip should be eaten with
black or yellow sauce. And, Mr.. McAlIis-
tel gravely added, the character Of the ball
would be made by the people who attended
it.
But let not anyone imagine that the test
of admission to the most aristocratic circles
of New York is ss easy as it may seem to
be. or course the blue-blooded patticians
who go to the ballroom viii find no di.iicnlty
in answering Mr.. McAllister's question as
to the cooking of canyas-back duck and the
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-12-31
DESERVES TO BE ENCOURAGED.

There are few signs on the horizon of
local politics which must be as agreeable as
theyar undoubtedly novel. Chief Browns
bold insistance upon an actual competitive
contest between the Amoskeag fire engine
used in Pittsburg. and the Silsby used in
Allegheny, taken in connection with the
Allegheny Fire Committees proposed ac-
ceptanee, would be gladly hailed by the
people of both cities as the beginning of a
generous rivalry for efficient government be-
tween the sister corporations. This is prob
ably too much to expect all at once; but any
sign fan approach to it we are inclined to
welcome all the same.
As The DISPATCH has frequently pointed
out there are laurels to win in the matter of
city government. The public would gladly
see the authorities on both sides of the river
ambitious to win them. That would be
wholly in the line, after all, of the best
politics. 1t may be early to look for an
extensive recognition of this principle, vet
any genuine symptom of it will be greeted
with satisfaction.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-12-31

serving % frrapit Blue-hlooGed patri-
clans grappie with these terrific problems
in the nursery. It comes as easy to them,
we believe, to prescribe the cooking of a
two-dollar duck as il does TO us plebeians to
dictate to the naughty waiter the treatment
of vulgar steak. We may wonder at the
wisdom Of the -Four Hundred, but let us
not hope to tread their exalted intellectual
paths.
Z But we are really indebted to the ire
pressi6le McAllister for the key he has fur
nished us to the shiboleth of the exalted
ones. 1t requires but little calculation to
adjust scale of social classes from the data
he has given us, If the greatest swells in
this land are known by their acquaintance
with the lore of canvas-baek duck and
terrapin, the next class should be dis
tinguished by its exact knowledge Of how
turkey should be stufFed-this test surely
would be sage-the next class by the proper
comprehension of the roasting of rib of
beef; the next class by the reduction Of the
cooking of liver and bacon to an exact
science, and so on down till the bottom of
the social ladder is reached on tripe and
onions, let us say. The notion is Q savory
one, quite worthy of George ". In fact
McAllister is about as much the first gen.
tleman of America as that adorable mon
arch was ''the first gentleman of Europe.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-12-31
TIE CABLE Roam STRIKE.

The ordering of strike on the Pittsburg
Traction Road yesterday, brings a dispute,
which has a somewhat indefinite beginning.
to the srbitrament of the last resort in indus
trial quarrels. We call the beginning an
indefinite one, because of the disputed facts
with regard to the acts of either side to the
quarrel. The men claim that members-of
the K. of L. have been discharged simply
for belonging to that organization. The
managers of the company say that the men
who have been discharged used unfair means
10 force new men to join the order. The
dispute looks like one which, if each side
had been careful to respect the rights of the
other, might have been avoided; but it has
now reached point where neither will be
sstisfied without trial of strength. That
i NAV sooD reach speedy settlement, and
b kept wholly within the bounds of law
and order, will be the unanimous PRAYER of
the long-sufering public
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-12-31
WAsHINaToN, D. O., December 80,
why He Fa,ors wa.hInr,s-.

To the Editor Of The Dispatch,
The more think Of it, the more am salts
fed that the national capital is the proper
place for holding such a gathering as the
Worlds Fair. As understand it. the enter
prise is to be under the general management of
the United States Government, who will direct
its policy and be responsible for its methods.
II such is the case, it is emipently proper that
1t shall be located where it can receive the at
tentiop necessary to credItably conduct and su-
perVise its affairs. Then, again, if it is to be
under Government auspices, the invitations to
foreign countries should be issuec from WASH
tngton, and, If such invitations are accepted,
the representatives of those countries should
be received and welcomed at the capital of the
nation. No one can deny that this is the only
proper and dignifed way to proceed.
In tile matter of the buildings q very impor-
taDt question arises: If the fair is located in
New York or Chicago, the buildings viii re-
qure to be removed whom the Exposition is
over. Not sOin Washington; there they can be
built so as to conform pretty generally to de-
partmental requirements afterward, and need
not be torn down and disposed of at great
sacrince- think when large disbursements Of
money belonging to the public treasury are
permitted, in every case the greatest economy
should be pTaetIced. BY that l mean that
while the most liberal expenditures should be
authorized in the character and construction Of
the buildings, yet they should be SO arranged
that they could be utilized for permanent uses.
1t is an established fact that the various de-
partments in Washington need more accom-
modatiohs, and by following this plan the
buildings can remain and need not be removed
or sold.
No one would think Of holding Worlds
Fair in Fran se outsftIe OF Paris, frs capital,
London for England, OF Berlin for Germany.
All rival cities, anxious to secure the Expo
sition, viii. if Washington is selected. give it
cordial support from the fact Of it being COM
mon or neutral ground; and there being no
Jealousy, all will work for It's success.
]. II. JOHNSTON.
PTTTsBURG, December 30.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-12-31
DEGREES WITHOUT HONOR.

Honorary degrees have been showered
upon worthy and unworthy men by our
colleges in such a reckless and promiscuous
fashion that it no longer profteth a man
much to be able to write after mis- name d.
D.. Phi. D.. or LII. D. This abuse of
custom that in the outset was of rather
doubtful propriety has caused college Presi-
dents to consider the matter seriously.
Laymen have long ceased to regard an
honorary degree as an honor. How could
il be otherwise when men are made doctors
of divinity, of philosophy, of law, for no
more reason than that they are very rich,
popular, or successful in some profession,
trade, OF politics? None of these men are
necessarily more learned than their fellows
The college awarding the degree makes no
inquiryas to their ability to command such
degree by works. In some cases it is Ger
tainly z fact that the college comforting the
degree seeks to advertise itself rather than
to honor the public man it dubs doctor of
something or other.
The statistics on the subject, for which we
are indebted to Prof. Smith, of the Wander
bilt University, show that between the
years 1872 and 1885, no less than 2,259
honorary degrees of d. D., and 1,1s6 of
LII. d. were conferred. Since 1885 fewer
degrees of this kind have been granted
The colleges of the Middle States are greater
sinners than any others in this respect But
even they are evidently conscious that the
honorary degree business is being overdone.
It is time, we think, to have done with
complimentary degrees that do not compli-
ment The huge army of doctors of divin-
ity, law and philosophy which occupies the
land reminds us of the staff of field
marshsls, generals and eolonels, without
which German Prince, having a standing
army of twenty men, cannot get along. But
we can exist with tolerable comfort without
titled ounces.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-12-31
REPUBLIC OR DICTATORSHIP.

The self-assumed championship of the new
Brazilian Government by the esteemed New
York World, against those who wish to be
sure that it is real Republic. before in
dorsing it, leads that journal to the follow
ing deliyerance:
1t is rather amusing to hear the descendants
Of the old American Tories around here talk
ing about the usurpation in Brazil What
was Dom Pedro but usurper? By what au-
thority did he assume to rule in Brazil? Ger
tainly not by the consent of the governed.
If the esteemed World will examine Bra
lillian history it will probably find that
Dom Pedro was accepted in his infancy by
the representatives of the people of Brazil,
as the sovereign of that country. and has
during his liberal reign been repeatedly
recognized as the head Of the State by rep
resentative bodies. That the progress of
liberal ideas should eventually replace his
form of government by Republic, he him.
self agreed: but it is neither unsafe nor un-
republican to say that throne resting on
such a constitutional basis, is preferable to
a military dictatorship, whether it mas
querades under the guise of Republic or
not
1t is not yet fully proved that the new
Brazilian Government is such dictator
ship, but the indications to that effect. in
the establishment of the Provisional Gov
ernment by military uprisings in the arbi-
trary censorship of the press and telegraph,
and more than all, in the failure to call
representative body to draft Constitution
and provide for regular elections, certainly
render it wise for the United States to wait
and see whether Brazil makes herself a real
Republic. If she does, the United States
will be foremost in friendship and recog-
milton.
But if the fact appears that the Brazilians
have really lost liberty by the substitution
of a dictatorship for the enlightened rule of
Dom Pedro, ought not the United States to
show enough knowledge of real constitu-
tional liberty to keep from being taken in
by mere counterfeit.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-12-31
TIE WORLDS FAIR QUESTION.

CHICAGO Tribune! Between sneezes Chi
cago continues to pile up her subscription for
the Worlds Fair.
81. PAUL Pioneer Press: The name should
be modified. So far as the Worlds Fair is con-
cerned the New Yorkers are at last developing
into Knickerbockers.
WASHINGTON Star: There is q man in New
York who makes his living by waking people
up. No effort should be spared to put him on
the Worlds Fair Committee.
ST. LOUIS Post Dtspatch: St Louis is loom
ing up in the Worlds Fair contest and Chicago
Is showing signs of flight which win develop
into panic before the battle is over.
PEORIA Transcript: Subscriptions to the
Worlds Fair fund 10 New York have ceased.
The New Workers have concluded it will be
best to allow Congress to furnish all the money.
DEs MONIES Register: St. Louis has no
show of securing the fair. She is out of the
race. It took the slow Southern blood too long
distanced before the homestretch was reached.
MILWAUKEE, Sentinel: Congressman Flower
is reported to express confidence that New
York will be chosen as the site of the Worlds
Fair. AS a representative of New York it is
Mr., Flowers regular business to express conf
dence.
KANSAS fITK Starr The industrious World
of New Ydrk is publishing designs for an en-
trance to fthe Worlds FAIR 1t is not OBJ
served thkt designs for an entrance TO the
WORLDS Hair IN New York are troubling Con-
grass. Yfkitis rather important just now that
the designs should be concentratedin Wash
ington.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-12-31
Aveteran,. Lying saerIacs.

To the Editor Of The Dispatch:
"Well, am certain he was never in the front
ranks, never heard the zip Of bullet, but lay
in dismounted camp during most of the war.
How could he expect, or why should be have .
pensionT ~
The above remark, made on the streets few
days since caused US to write this. Now then,
when man enlisted he offered himself living
sacrifice TO the honors and fortunes of war,
and had in everything to obey military disci-
pline and the orders of superior officers. How
could he then be free agent and hunt glory in
the front. while his superior ordered Eim to
the rear, or to the hospitalY He may have been
Just as ambitious t. get his carcass filed full Of
lead as that ''other feIler," but the fortunes of
war decreed otherwise.
This country is rich enough to pension every
soldier alike, according to the time he served,
whether in the hospital, rear or front ranks.
We notice this, too that the big pensions.
with but few exceptions, are granted to thnss
who wore shoulder Straps, or to the recruiting
officers We see this, also, that the county,
municipal and governmental fat offices are
chiefly held by General, Colonel or Captaini
To settle an argument, would the editor Of
THE DISPATCH. or some one else, tell Us how
many pr1vates, If any, hold Office In Allegheny
county, and also why this wonderful country,
after promising every soldier 160 acres of land
broke its faith? Did any of them get their
land warrant, or are they expected to 90 on 1t,
and fight the grasshoppers. cyclones. blizzards.
Indians and starvation from it like other eiti-
zens? MACK MACKERAL.
WELLsyILLE, O., December so 1889.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-12-31
THE REPORTED RAILROAD CHANGE

The report that Mr.. Andrew Carnegie
will, in the early part of the coming year,
become the owner of controlling interest
in the Pittsburg and Western Railroad is
renewed with good deal of detail. This
report simply carries out the indications
which were noted In The DISPATCH, early
in the present year, and it will not be undue
credulity to hope that it will soon be salts
fed by the actual event.
The location of the control Of this road in
Mr.. Carnegie's hands can hardly fail to
have good influence on Pittsburg's indus
tries. 1t is not, of course, to be expected
that Mr.. Carnegie, will be quite as free in
action for reduced freight rates to Pittsburg
as be was while a manufacturer. But his
interests remain Pittsburg interests; and in
that position he is never likely to lose
sight of the fact that the way to insure the
highest prosperity, both for his railroad and
manufacturing interests is to secure such
cheapness in the transportation of Pitts
burg's leading freights as will create the
greatest volume of traffic and highest pros
perity both for the mills and the railroads.
Such a change as is rumored means that
the Pittsburg and Western will be kept in
its position as an active competitor for
Pittsburg traffic, and will thus fulfill its
highest public usefulness.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-12-31
NOT A cREpITABLE COURSE.

Unless a recently Published interview
with the United States District Attorney at
indianapolis, is a gross fabrication, the
position taken, presumably with the assent
Of the administration, concerning Dudley's
famous 'block-of-6ve" letter, is so discredi-
table that it viii be a heavy burden for the
party. That official is reported as declaring
the document in question an honorable"
and patriotic" production. OF course
such an assertion relies upon the popular
forgetfulness of the nature OF the latter; but
Its salient feature is the expression of the
intention to whitewash the matter and at
the same time, to prevent it from being
brought into court. II the letter was all
right no better place of proving it exists
than in court of justice. As opposed to
he policy OF requiring iull investigation of
every charge OF corrupting the ballot, the
policy Of smothering a fair trial, in this
ease, is one which will not bear exami-
nafiou
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-12-31

.trE saE tn2t Is act snforCed 2aa most OF
| oaf ootemporaries 60 iurtner ana oraw the
moral, with regard to that sort OF legisla-
ton, that it is useless to try to enforce such
law because public sentiment does not up
hold il.
But that is principle which can very
easily be made to prove altogether too much.
Governor Goodell's proclamation points out
that other crimes are rife in New Hampshire,
as result Of the Illicit sale of liquor. On
such reasoning, this would indicate that it
is useless to pass laws against murder, may
hem or brawling. If the general violation
of law proves it to be wrong, the reports
with regard to the number OF illicit liquor
saloons in Pittsburg would prove high IL
cense to be as mistaken piece OF legislation
as prohibition. The same logic would in
dicete that it is useless to pass laws against
mob murder in the South and West or
against gambling in the cities of the North.
It is Of course wise in passing legislation
to stop and consider whether it wall be an
active force, or will cumber the statute
books with dead-letter legislation. But
when a law is once enacted by the vote of
8 majority of the representatives of the peo-
pie its non-enforcement points to grayer
evil than the passage of laws that are not
upheld by public sentiment. 1t indicates
the tendency to act as though, in popular
government, law will enforce itself. To
rouse the people from the neglect which
permits law to be violated with impunity,
we can hardly conceive of more legiti-
mate public step than such q proclamation
as that of Governor GoodelL
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-12-31
AT THE FHEATERs.
MelOdrama at the BljSu and Farce Comedy
Mt the Grand.

MeIOdrRma nj the BiJJu and Farce. Comedy
mt the Grand.
The newsies and bootblacks were in the
seventh heaven Of delight last evening as they
crowded the gallery OF the Bijou Theater in
response to an Invitation from the management
to witness William A. Brady's production Of
Dion Bouclcault's melodFama. after Dark. |"
The play is good one, and has
several really dramatic situations in addition
to the usual thrills which constitute the differ
enee between drama and melourama "a
tank of real water" is utilized in the second
given of the Thames by moonlight. with London
in the background. and into which the heroine
and her rescuer plunge with a reckless disre-
gard of influenza possibilities. Another good
scene is q view of a section of the underground
railroad, with train approaching.
In some respects the company is hardly up to
the standard, some of the performers not wear
ing their roles as if they fitted, but as whole
the cast was good, and kept the immense audi
ence applaudiug through the greater part of
the performance. Mr.. William A. Brady gave
. forcible approximation of Old Tom, the
wreck of once bright and popular light
dragon. Probably the smoothest character
was that Of Captain Gordon chunley as
e. L. Walton handled well the low
comedy part of Dtceg Morris, the proprietor of
gambling house, and Mr.. Frank Richardson
was sufficient yilainOus Richard KnatchbuIL
Miss Laura Bigger, as Eliza. was a very pretty
heroine, and well sustained her rather trying
In the fourth act Marie Rene introduced some
character dances. Kelly and Murphy thumped
each other with gloves in a scientific manner,
and Bobby Gaylor gave clever Irish sketch.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-12-31
AN INSURANCE COMPANY, ATTACKED.
Massaehusetts' COMMISSIONER Criticizss the

Massaehusetts' Commissioner CFiticizes the
Acts Of the New York Life.
Boston, December 30.-Insurance Commis-
sioner Merrill has written an open letter to
President w. H. Beers, of the New York Life
Insurance Company. one of the largest life in
surance companies in the world, pointing out
what he calls unlawful actions of said COM
pany. He charges the company with issuing
misleading policy and making an unfair dis
elimination among insurants. The Commis-
sioner says that recently there has come to the
notice of his department. form of policy is
sued by this company called the Ordinary life
distribution policy" Careful examination of
this policy. he says, shows it to be not only
wholly inconsistent with the spirit of the stat
ute but contrary to its language, while its pro-
visions render it unfair, misleading and en-
snaring.
Major Benjamin s. Calef, the New England
manager of the New York Life Insurance
Company, said to-day that while none of the
policies which Major Merrill objected to had
been issued in Massachusetts,, he believed that
the scheme was good one, and several experts
who examined it we're of the same opinion.