davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-12-05
OUR MAIL POUCH.
The Allegheny Water Supply.


To the Editor Of The Dispatch,
Did the Alleghenians ever ask: is the City
Council doing the best possible in its plans for
better water supplyr' In October, by direc-
tion of Councils, bids were received for an IN
crease in the supply and change Of location tor
the water works. The pumps were to be located
on the Allegheny river above Claremont, pump
ing into a reservoir located on the hill above
the workhouse. Contractors were asked TO DID
for the work complete, and they were supposed
TO make their own calculation as to the quanti-
ties entering into the construction.
No levels were shown, only an uncer-
tain cross section profile without ng-
ures, but contractors were asked to estimate
quantities by scaling said profile. The pro,
posed reservoir covers an area OF some 9OO.OUV
square feet, and an error of O. foot in scale VIII
amount to over 1900 cubic yards, and this error
is not an improbable one; so that the contractor
in effect charges this uncertainty to the city.
Again, the location of the reservoir on the
ground was not well considered or the best, Tor
the approximate excess of excavation over eu-
bankment is 200. 700 cubic yards. The speclnca-
tiOns require the contractor to provide the ne
cessary place for all waste. II this excess Is
put uniformly on 10 acres the fill will be about
IL feet deep. 1t is pleasant fiction 10 some to
say: THE contractor is required in the specifi,
cations to find place for all waste material,
but it is fiction only, the cost is all charged
to the cost of the work. which the city pays.
For this item only, owing to the defective de-
sign, you are expected to pay for 10000 yards
at, say, 30c Per yard. Sixty thousand dollars
and 10 acres of land, at $500 is S5 0O0 or s65 600
which could have been saved by employing the
right party to design.
It is probable Councils think If a competent
engineer is employed it would be money thrown
away, but if we are right, IL would have been
money saved. Again, we have been told by a
manufacturer of cast iron pipe that $3.50 OOO can
be saved by using cast iron pipe instead OF
wrought iron for the conduit, and have equally
strong pipe. In other matters there is equally
defective engineering, which goes TO show no
engineer of experience, such as a s., O,OOO
work should have. was employed. 1t Is seri-
GUS question in our mind whether the whole
design is not wrong but this question can only
be determined by men trained in this line OF
work. Your Water Committee may say: w g
do not intend to let the reservoir now," but
such blunders in the reservoir may show equal
blunders in other matters. We are of the
opinion that more efficient system could be
designed, and at a less cost. But word to
the wise is sufficient" b.
ALLEGHENY, Dec. 3, 1880.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-12-05
PLEASURES OF SOCIETY.

A Large Number of Enjoyable Evening
Entertainments-The Allegheny Christ
mas Market-Concerts and Musicales-
Receptions Past and Coming-weddings
a Few.
ut only costs dime to get in here" said
young lady to her companion at the entrance to
Semple's Hall, Allegheny, yesterday afternoon.
"Yes, but 1t costs considerable more than that
to get out" was the truthfuly practical reply.
And SO it did, for so beautifully had the hall
been arranged for the christmas Market" and
so handsome were the wares displayed at the
various booths that TO resist purchasing was an
utter imposslbilitv.
White and yellow were the color used in the
decorations of all the booths, and with TRIM
mings of evergreens wonderfully pretty
Christmas effect was obtained. In the center
of the room were the booths devoted to fancy
work, dolls and flowers; on one side were those
Tor art and china, aprons, infants wear and
common sense:' on the opposite side was the
candy booth and the dining tables. Supper
was served from o'clock to s, and refresh
ments, consisting of ice cream and CAKE dur
ing the entire afternoon and evening. The
affair will be continued to-day, and is given by
the Ladies' Aid Society of the W Westminster
ments are in charge of the following ladies':
Supper Committee-Mrs. N. q. Cowan, Chair
man; Mesdames 1. N Hays, Dr. Beatty, Robert
Kelly, Bovard and Truax Longweii, aids.
Ice cream-Miss Lizzie Weaver. Chairman;
Misses Young, NJ. Weaver. wills, Means, Long
Loudon and Mrs. Morris, aids.
Fancy booth-Miss Eleanor Hays, Chairman;
Misses Kate Stewart and Mamie Porter, aids.
Infant booth-Mrs. j. FL. Irwin, Chairman;
Misses Rebecca Irwin and Hing of Baltimore,
aids.
Apron booth-Mrs. j. 8. Marshall, Chairman;
Misses Callie W. Thompson and Annie Fleming,
of Crestline, and Mis-. Lindsay Grier, aids.
Doll booth-Misses Flora B. Hays, Ada B.
Swindell Margaret ID. Norris Anna Caruthers.
Art and china booth-Mrs. j. q. Palmer, Misses
Hallet and Sibbie Murray.
Candy bootn-Miss Laura Saint Chairman;
Misses Anna thompson and Kate Crider, aids.
Flower booth-ln charge of little Mabel Mar
shall, Cora Monford, Nellie Crider and Nellie
Musgrave.
Common sense-Mrs. R. W. Hare, Chairman;
Mn, Lulu Prior. Nellie and Hattie Anderson,
Minnie and Lizzie Armstrong, aids.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-12-05
GET OUT YOUR sLEIGHS

The musk rats, beavers and others who
have prepared for a cold winter must be
enjoying the weather vouchsafed to them
during the last forty-eight hours. The dry,
frosty air and clear skJ have been grateful
TO human bipeds also, and an anthem of
praise will assail the unaccustomed ears of
the Signal Service prophets if they will re-
frain from disturbing the arctic mood of the
weather. The tinkle of sleigh bells has
been heard in many places already. In
the Eastern part OF the State there are
four or five inches OF snow, and it is quite
probable that the slight rise in temperature
reported last night may indicate the ap-
proach of a snow storm for this region. If
the earth does put on a white winter dress,
1t will have all the effect of a new fashion,
for it is really three years or more since
sleighing was a possibility in Allegheny
county. In the prevalent prosperity Pitts
burg could enjoy an old.fashioned winter
as they call season that does not masquer-
ade IN another's clothes-with greater zest
than ever
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-12-05
UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY.

When the history of the United States
a perfect illustration of the manner in
which small beginnings grow to monstrous
appropriations under the liberal usages of
Congress. And it will prove an example of
how generous q paternal Government may
be with its pockets full of the peoples cash.
The Geological Survey is now a great
scientific bureau expending thousands of
dollars annually in working out abstract
theories on the laws of nature and filling the
National Museum with concrete objects of
scientific and curious interest. Yet few
years ago-ln 1867, to be exact-it was begun
as temporary project to secure certain
utilitarian facts about a Western region.
A small sum was appropriated to be
expended under the supervision of the
Commissioner of the General Land Office
to extend the geological exploration Of
Nebraska. The work was undertaken by
Professor Hayden, of the University of
Pennsylvania, and be got $1,000 for the
first year. Next year the fat was doubled,
and Major PoxelI, the present head of the
",
was to secure practical facts to assist mining
and industrial operations, and Powell de-
voted himself to distractions.
Year by year the appropriations grew.
There were really two geological surveys
Professor Hayden's practical and Major
Powell's scientific. The latter was aided
and abetted by the late Pro-
fessor Henry, in charge of the Smith
sonian Institution. Finally, in 1880 the
Geological Survey was formally created
with an appropriation of 100000 to start
with. Major Powell was put in charge, while
Hayden and his school were practically
wiped out Powell's idea is to extend the
work Of the survey and ultimately have it
established as an independent scientific
bureau. Already it has added ethnology
and archaeology to its strictly geological
work. Its reports are devoted more to
working out scientific theories than to the
presentation of facts secured by actual sur.
vey, or field work.
The special congressional sponsor of this
scientific creation was Congressman Joe
Cannon, the man with the troublesome
mouth. Mr.. Cannon has been elected tc
stay at home, and it will be interesting tc
note whether this will cause any Stacking in
the fat appropriations for paleontological
information. 1t is not probable Mr.. Can
mons efforts to convert a temporary appro
priation for scientific work into permanent
bureau of fat salaried sinecures had any
thing to do with his defeat. But Mr.. Can
mons defeat may have an important bearin,
on the question whether the salaries shal
be continued.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-12-05
Faust at the Duquesne.

The Duauesne Theater was comfortably
filled last evening for Gounod's Faust" If
there were any gloomy forebodings on account
of the absence of Miss Juch from the cast they
were quickly dispelied after the rise of the
curtain. Miss Januschowsky's Marguerite was
a master presentation, and Mr.. Vetta's talents
showed to great advantage in the role of
MephfstopheIes. Miss JanDchowsky was called
before the curtain three times during the even
Ing.
The production of Meyerbeer's grand spec
tacular opera, "HAfricaine," }" tonight will be an
event of special interest, as it will be the first
production of that work in this city. Miss
Juch appears IN the charming role of Settkd
Mr. Knight, Mr. Stephens and Miss Maconda
will sustain the other leading roles Verdfs
ever popular III Trovatore." will be sung to-
morrow at the matinee, and Richard Wagner's
Flying Dutehman," with Miss Juch as Sentd
will be the final performance of this brilliant
opera season in the evening.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-12-05
Cruelty to Children.

To the Editor Of The Dispatch:
l would like to inquire through THE DIS
PATCH who is responsible for the practice OF
Williamsburg school teachers compelling chill
dren who arrive before the Dell rings to remain
out of doors, regardless of the condition of the
weather, until time Is called On Wednesday.
at one of the schools. a number of children were
kept out during hard rain. They had no
place to go for shelter and got wet to the skin.
A neighbor gave few of them protection. Two
small poys who ventured into the schoolroom
were severely whipped. it IS credibly reported,
and expelled. This IS an outrage. 1t endangers
the health and even lives of the children. II
the principal of the school be responsible he
should be called down; if the teachers, they
should be disciplined or dismissed. viii the
principal turn on the light and let the people
know the truth of the matter and what he pro
poses to do about it? CITIZEN.
WILKINSBURG, Dec. 3.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-12-05
PLEASED ALL ITS FRIENDS.

Saratoga Council, Jr. o. U. A. NJ, Gives a
Very Neat Entertainment.
Saratoga Council, No. 262, Jr. q. U. A. NJ, did
itself proud in its entertainment at Old City
Hall last evening. Quite large and very ap-
preciative audience assembled in the hall before
the curtains were drawn, which. after
''The Marquis overture by Jordan's Orchestra,
disclosed A young misses in appropriate cos
tunes who represented the States OF the Union
and gave some very pretty drills, beside figur-
ing afterward during the evening in tableaux
of the "Shield and Anchor" and "Ship of
state" Other tableaux were Justice" repre-.
sented by Miss Molie Zollinger; Queen of
Night and Aurora" represented by Misses Ida
Brown and Millie Fork; Liberty, War and
Peace" by Misses W hite, Steele and Zollinger
and the Goddess of Liberty" by Miss White
Vocal and instrumental numbers by promi
nent local talent rounded out very pleasing
programme.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-12-05
CORPORATION FOR THE CANAL.


The projected ship-canal from the Ohio to
Lake Erie goes forward a step to-day, when
the report of the Commission will be handed
to Governor Beaver. The contents of the
report we may not know for some little time
yet, but that it is generally favorable to the
project is beyond all doubt The growth of
popular feeling in the canals favor is also
patent, and our columns to-day contain
some notable expressions of approval from
Pittsburg manufacturers of high standing.
The estimated cost of the canal is S26, ,000,-
900, pretty large sum of money, but not
too much for all the benefciaries to raise for
such profitable public improvement. How
the money is to be obtained is for considera-
ton further along, when the matter comes
before the Legislature at Harrisburg this
winter. Ex-Representative Robison's view
that all the States benefited should pay
share of the canals cost proportionate to
their interest in the new waterway presents
a practical solution of the problem. A
liberal appropriation from the Fed
eral Government, backed up by an
other from Pennsylvania, should en-
courage not only this city in providing
the balance, but evoke aid from Ohio, from
the Lake States, and from West Virginia.
They are all interested deeply in the pro-
vision of this new avenue for internal COM
merce, and can well afford to contribute to
it. A more profitable investment could not
be found. But the prospect of foreign aid
should not deter the friends of the canal in
Western Pennsylvania, and especially in
this county, from organization and persist
ent work in its behalf
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-12-05
Social Chatter.

A CONCERT and ball was given last night by
the Smithfeld German Evangelical Church at
Central Turner Hall. on Forbes street, the pro-
ceeds to be devoted to the erection of a home
for the benefit of aged and helpless Germans.
The programme contained the following
names: Miss Helene Zitterbart, Mr.. Gust
Goldman, Miss Auguste Guenther, Miss Helene
steinert, Miss Carrie Wentz, Miss Minnie Lies,
Mr.. l.. Keidel, Mr.. Frank Beckert
THB,East End W. c. T. U. gave rainbow
supper and bazaar last evening at their rooms,
on Frankstown avenue.
THE Allegheny German Club will dance in
the MonJngahela House this evening.
THE Fiske Jubilee Singers at Old City Hall
tonight,
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-12-05
The Early Snow.

Obi the fine, cold snow,
The thin white snow,
That sticks to roofs for an hour or So
Like silvery Sheet
At early day
You cover the street.
Then melt away.
Oh! sun-kissed snow,
Wet, vanishing snow,
Mud follows your advent here below.
CORK is solid for Parnell. 1t should float
him.
THE weather is not running on schedule
time, and the guessers are in a quandary.
THE farmers in the Alliance are raking each
other. It's hard to tell what the harvest will
be.
UNCLE SANS Wild West show is drawing at.
tention, but the receipts from this source will
not pay the salaries of the actors.
THE dressmaker who invented the hump on
the shoulders of women's garments evidently
had grudge against the sex.
WITH John L. Sullivan actions speak louder
than words, and are worth more, too.
THE girl who is always dropping line to her
beau is fishing for husband.
THE weather signs point to breaking up Of
| the ice trust.
WOMEN who are welded to art should neve,
| get married.
THERE'S good sleighing at the seat Of the In
dian war, but SO far no Staying
WILLIE WINKLE,
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-12-05
ONE OF THE COMING WEDDINGS.

Arrangements for a Union That is to Take
Place Next Week.
At the wedding of Miss Margaret Riddle
Johnston and Mr. Charles B. Seaman. next
Tuesday evening, a best man and maid of
honor, with two little flower girls, will be the
only attendants. They will be Miss Grace
Seaman, a cousin of the groom. and Mr.. James
Hammond, cousin of the bride. whose con-
templated union In the early spring will be a
matter of considerable interest, and little
Margaret and Marie MillIken, also cousins of
the bride.
The wedding is to take place at the home of
Mr.. and Mrs. William Johnston, the BRIDES
parents, on Main street, East End, and is to be
guests will not exceed 100, only the most init
mate friends and relatives of the families hav-
ing received cards. Rev. DR.. Linn will officiate.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-12-05
SPEED ON RAILROADS.

For a number of years the average speed
of express passenger trains in this country
has not increased to any great extent, and it
has been stated by engineers of high stand
ing that the maximum of speed with safety
has been reached under the existing condi-
tions of steam locomotiOn. Professor
Thurston, of Cornell, however, maintains
in the current number of the Forum
that it is mechanically practicable for
trains to make 4 hundred miles an
hour, and that the railroad companies do
not attempt such speed because it would not
pay. He says that there seems to be no
serious difficulty on the engineering side in
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-12-05
WIT IN SEASON.

The winter heir is nearly always little
squaIly.-Ne1o York Herald.
"A stitch in the side," makes one feel
sew badly.-Ns1o York Herald.
She-What do you suppose has taken all
the color out of her Cheeks?
Heller husbands nose, Ishould think.-Aun-
sey's Weekly.
Mr.. Wickwire-This is going to be cold
winter. fell it in my bones.
Mrs. Wickwire-That's the first time knew you
believed in the goosebone theory.-lndtGaapoh
Journal.
Tomdik (who is reading the newspaper)-
distin guished poet recently wrote q long poem
on an empty stomach.
Mrs. Tomdik-What an uninvtting themel-Cht-
e01o hateT:Ocedn
"'Tis better to have loved and lost"
The poet sings in plslntive rhyme.
OF course it is; for then you can
Make love again some other time.
Mr.. D. P. Works christmas Eve)-Well,
got the sack, after all.
Mrs. WORKSHOP, you deari Did you get the
sealskin or the other?
Mr. works-I got the other-the sack-the
bounce-the discharged I've got no job-under-
stand?-Chrtstrnds PHsf.
"Oh, sirl'' gasDed boy who ran up to Q
policeman on GratIot avenue, 'rhere is an awful
night going on over here on st. AubinIi
''who's hghting?''
my father and another man."
SHOW long have they been at i.?''
'sOh. half an hours
"But why didn't You come before?''
''Why, because dad was getting the best OF II. )"
detroit Free Press.
MAIDENLY GRATITUDE.
Her stocking was filed from toe to top
When she rose on Christmas morn;
| And, munching the sweets. she blessed her stars
That she was Chicsko born.
| THE FABRICS THEY SHOULD WEAR
ompositors-Prints.
| Dyers-Diagonals.
neutrality-suspicious.
| Actors-Hcnrietta.
North river commuters-Jersey.
| Bums-Mull.
| Poets-Melton.
Republicans-Worsted.
|, Nihuists-Mohair.
| Contractors-Tweed.-Fsac York Herald.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-12-05
AN ELEGANT RECEPTION

Given by Mrs. John 81. Ricketson, to
Friends, Last Evening.
Beauty and music met and mingled between
the hours of and II. last evening. at the recep-
tion given by Mrs. John H. Rlcketson, at her
elegant home in Allegheny. The guests-about
500-constItute the 400 of Pittsburg. SO to speak.
and the elegance of their costumes was in ac-
cord with the elegance of the home and the ap-
pointments sof the reception. The floral
decorations were unusually beautiful, the
dining room especially attracting marked at
tentlon, with its magnificent center piece of a
fern formation, strewn with lovely orchids.
surmounted with an exquisite bowl of rare
china, filed with immense American Beauty
roses.
The supper, served with ever SO many pretty
conceits, was an effort of caterer Kennedy.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-12-05

RAPID transit in New York strikes the
casual observer as being attended by more
than the usual amount Of danger. But the
noisy and unbeautiful elevated roads, the cable,
electric and horse cars all put together have
only killed eighteen and injured one hundred
and twenty-one OUT of over four hundred mil
lion passengers carried by them in the past
year. 1t looks as if the safest plan for New
Yorker were to keep on the move.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-12-05
EXPERIMENTATION.

A Home Wedding That United Two Loving
Hearts Last Evening.
Only home folks witnessed the ceremony last
evening that united Miss Jessie N. Hamilton,
daughter of Mr.. James Hamilton, of Heskett &
Hamilton, and Mr.. McClelland Harrison. Rev.
Mr.. Streeter. of Washington. Pa, came over to
tie the knot for Miss Hamilton, as be had Off
ciated in that capacity for her parents some
years ago. and afterward been their pastor
when their residence was in Washington.
1t was In the parlor of the pretty home on
Aurelia street at o'clock that the important
words were spoken, and o sweeter prettier
bride than Miss Hamilton would be difficult to
find.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-12-05
of lofty and insecure buildings to protect
their tenants lives.

IT is said that William Waldorf Astor
will succeed Minister Lincoln at the court Of
ST. James. and the New York Herald takes the
singular view that it is better that America
should be represented abroad by rich men iii
the Mortons, Reids and Astors than by men
''who are unable to make the most of their
position for themselves and for their country
men," In other words, Doodle should be pre-
ferred to brains as a diplomatic qualification.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-12-05
DEATHS OF A DAY.
DIR. Baxter, Army Surgeon General

WASHINGTON, Dec. 4-Dr. Jedidian H. Baxter,
Surgeon General of the Army, who was stricken
with paralysis on Monday last, died at his resi-
dence in this city at an early hour TINS morning,
Dr. Baxter was born in Vermont in 1887. He
practiced aw when young man and later became
a physician and in June, 1861. he entered the
army as Surgeon of the Twelfth Massachusetts
Volunteers and the next year became Brigade
Surgeon After the war Surgeon Baxter was ap-
pointed Assistant Medical Purveyor: with the
rank of Lieutenant Colonel, and in 1872 President
Grant promoted him to the thief Medical Pur-
yeyorship of the army, and he held that position
until August is last, when Presldent harrison ap-
pointed him Surgeon General.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-12-05
ShadYside Church Bazaar.

Punch and Judy, the famous "old woman who
lived in SHOE" a fish pond, and all the feat
ures that go to make up well-arranged,
thoroughly equipped church bazaar, with booths
ana refreshments, will appear in the chapel of
noon and evening. The booths will be repre-
sentations of the seasons-spring, summer,
autumn and winter The proceeds of the bazaar
will be devoted to the furnishing OF the hand
some new church that is to be dedicated
shortly.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-12-05
The First Prohibition Candidate.

To the Editor of The Dispatch:
Will you please tell who was the first man to
run on the temperance ticket as President Of
the United States, and in what year did he
run; also tell me how many national parties
were in the field in year 1860. Please answer
this to settle an argument.
AN OLD SUBSCRIBER.
TJohn P. ST. John was the first regularly
nominated Prohibition candidate for PresI-
dent. There were four leading tickets in 1880,
the Douglass Democratic. the Breckenridge
Democratic, the Republican and the Union.l
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-12-05
A Variety of Questions.

To the Editor of The Dispatch:
Please state who built the first locomotive in
the United States. and where? What naval
commander forced the enemy to surrender
when his own vessel was sinking? What are
the two English words containing the vowels
in their order. A READER
VERONA, Pa, Dec. A.
Peter Cooper constructed the first steam
locomotive in the United States. at Baltimore,
In 1880. Perry's battle on Lake Erie, or one Of
John Paul Jones' encounters would fit the
second query. The third is referred to our
readers1 Ii