davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-03-30
STREET RAILWAY MATTERS.

Movements in the affairs Of the street rail-
way companies are getting interesting. In
Pittsburg the dispute between the Duquesne
Traction Company. on the one hand, and the
Pittsburg Traction Company on the other,
with their subsidiary corporations used FOR
the purpose of litigation, has opened up in
the local courts after the Attorney General
had refused to take part in the matter. 1t
was hardly to be expected that the Attorney
General would take any steps in a matter
where it is difficult to see how the public In
terest is more on one side than the other; and
the issue between the corporations can be
fought out in the courts.
The question to be decided by the courts is
briefly whether the Councils can select out
of the corporations desiring to use the streets
the one to which it will grant the privilege
and has the power to exclude the others, or
whether priority in taking out a charter
gives corporation right which Councils
cannot ignore. If any one should raise the
contention that no power can grant to cor
poration the exclusive privilege to use GER
tain kind of vehicle on any street, then there
might be public principle which the Attor-
ney General should contend for. But neither
of the disputing corporations is likely to
raise that issue-for the present at least.
In Allegheny the rumored move is of an
entirely opposite nature, being that of con-
solidation between the two corporations
now furnishing transit to and from that city.
The reported move is based on a variety of
pleas. none of which are more cogent than
the desire to exclude competition between
the two existing corporations and the pos
sibility of shutting out new enterprises by
tie occupancy of all the routes. This will
probably prove more desirable 70. the cor
porations than for the public, and should, if
the report prove well-founded, be viewed
with disfavor by every representative OF the
public interest
In both these matters on either side of the
river, one important principle is ignored.
That is. that the streets belong to the people,
and that every right of use granted in them
must be subordinated to the public benefit.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-03-30
TIE DECREASING DEATH LIST.

The reports from Louisville yesterday
justified the hope expressed in the last issue
of THE DISPATCH that the estimates of a
thousand or more lives lost in the Louisville
cyclone were exaggerated. The deaths in
Louisville are now put by the best authorities
there at from 100 to $50, with the hope that
the total will be nearer the smaller than the
larger sum.
This is of course a fearful loss and Joined
with the destruction made by the storm in
its course from near the Mississippi to Gen.
tral Kentucky, il indicates the most
destructive of the cyclones ever experienced
in this country. But after the report that
the loss of life might be counted by thou
sands it is a decided relief to find the mortal
ity reduced so materially. The destruction
of property is probably on a much larger
scale; but houses can be rebuilt, and, il
they could not. it takes many thousands of
dollars worth of buildings to equal the value
of human life.
The reports indicate that Louisville is at
present able to afford relief to all the suffer
ers from the calamity. Only a small por-
tion o! her population have been deprived
of their homes, and business is going on as
usual If that city should need outside
aid in relieving the sufferers, her neighbors
will be quick TO give assistance.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-03-30
THE LESSON OF TAMMANY.

The recent exposures of the corruption
practiced by officials in New York who
hold their positions by the gift of the Tam
many organization, naturally stimulates re-
Election as to the influence of that society on
municipal government. 1t turns the mind
back to the corruption of the Tweed ring,
which was fostered and shielded by the same
political organization, and is calculated to
strengthen the belief that the very nature of
that society Is hopelessly dishonest.
This is a not wholly unnatural conclu-
sion, but it does not cover the entire field.
1t fails to take into consideration the fact
that other fragrant cases of corruption have
occurred in New York which cannot be
charged to Tammany. The Squire and
Flynn scandals were due to the County
Democracy, while the Broadway railway
steal was confined by no party lines, the
bribe-takers in that infamous affair having
only the preponderance of Democracy that
is natural to the majority of that party in
New York. In fact, if we examine the
political government of that city with re-
gard to its succession of scandals and cor
ruptlon, the conclusion is nearly justified
that no political organization can be trusted
to keep itself clear from fraud and public
robbery.
This brings US very close to the real
trouble. 1t is not that the occupation of
politics is necessarily dishonest; for the
reverse is actually the case. But the trouble
lies in giving the work of national politics
for certain city or section into the hands
of special organization or clique, with the
tacit or expressed contract that for keeping
up the party fight on national issues it is to
be rewarded by the control of local govern
ment. The result of such an arrangement.
which is widespread but has its most signal
illustration in New York, is almost sure to
be demoralizng. The clique or society is
not judged by It's honesty or efficiency in
local government. 1t must have funds; and
the temptation for plunder is entirely out of
proportion to the penalty. When national
politics are kept out of local elections, the
frequency of such scandals will be decidedly
diminished.
There is nothing essentially dishonest in
politics; and organization for political work
is necessity. But when a political club,
to work in national elections, undertakes to
run local government, it is time to expect
the development of scandals that inevitably
arise from local responsibility.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-03-30
PEOPLE TALKED ABOUT.

MRS. ROSE TERRY COOKE is gradually re-
gaming her health.
PROFESSOR JAMES RUSSELL LOWELL is not
yet well enough TO resume literary work.
GOVERNOR TooLE, of Montana, it is an
nounced, is to wed a daughter of General Rose
Grams.
GENERAL SIR JOHN ROSE, commander of
the British forces in Canada, is at the Hotel
Brunswick.
SENATOR QUAY brings back from the South
the skin of a gigantic rattlesnake which he
killed at New River.
Mr.. C. c. BRAGDoN. principal of Lasell Sem
mary. will sail on October l next for an eight
months journey around the world.
L. M. PLUMER, a prominent lawyer from
P1ttsburg, and Samuel Plumer, a banker of
Franklin, are registered at the Girard.
MoBERLEY BELL. the new manager of the
London Times. is the author of two volumes on
Egypt namely: Egyptian Finance" and
From Pharaoh to Fellah."
THE ex-Emperor of Brazil will pass the early
part of the summer at Aix-les-Bains, and in
August will 90 to Austria on the earnest invita-
tion of Emperor Francis Joseph.
THE prlze winners in the annual Freshmen
prize essay contest of the American Whig Lit
erary Society. Princeton College, are: First
prize, William F. Tyson, of Pennsylvania;
second prize, James D. Cameron, of Nova
Scotia.
AN American who recently returned from
Paris says that Amelia Rivers-Chanler has
made a sensation in that city. Not only has an
artist committed suicide for love of her, but
there are several impassionable young French
men who seem inclined to do the same thing
IT is often remarked that Senator Fassett's
rof in a
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-03-30
TEE MAHDIsT MISSION.

The statement comes from Khartoum that
the followers of the Mahdi are about to start
out on fresh crusade. This time, in addi-
tion to their general purpose of forcing the
true religion on the world by fire and sword,
they have definite object which they hope
to accomplish. They intend to free Africa
from the curse of rum. The Mahometan re-
ligion on this point takes the stand of con-
stitutional prohibition. In this respect the
Mahdists are long distance ahead of ciyili-
zation, whose Krupp guns are not more de-
structive to the Africans than the liberal
supply of rum and gin which Christian
nations appear to regard it as their mission
to furnish to the savages in unlimited quan-
titles. If the issue was solely on this point
Christianity might be impelled to ask itself
whether the Mahometan savagery is not
more genuine in its religion than Christian
commerce. But there is also no doubt that
the Mahdists will substitute the curse of the
slave trade for the curse of rum; and be-
tween being the slaves of the Soudanese
and the slaves of rum, the Africans will
unanimously choose the latter thraldom.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-03-30
SIDEWALKS FOR THE PUBLIC.

Expressions of opinion among the legal
profession, with regard to that sidewalk
question, are strongly in support OF the posi-
tion assumed by the Department of Public
Works. The recent decision OF the Supreme
Court is construed to carry the meaning that
no property owner has the right to occupy
the sidewalk either for steps or areas.
There is no question as to public policy in
enforcing this legal view. The need of the
public, especially in the downtown streets,
for all the sidewalk space that can be gained
is paramount, and private interests cannot
be suffered to override that need. OF course
it should be recognized that the general be-
lie: in the right to occupy three feet of the
sidewalk for steps and areas, mas made this an
almost universal offense; and plenty of time
should be allowed for the changes in build
ings necessary to remove the distractions.
But if the law is as stated there is no
question OF the correctness of compelling all
new buildings to conform to the rule, and of
strictly prohibiting the erection of any
fresh distractions.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-03-30
A cosTEsT FOR CONGRESS

Hon. George Shiras, who has already at
tanned political fame as State Representa-
tive from one of the Allegheny districts, is
formally announced as a candidate for the
Republican nomination to Congress in oppo-
sition to Colonel Bayne. Mr.. ShIras is an
active politician and comes of a family in
which brains are hereditary. But, although
political ramor credits him with strong
backing, it must be regarded as a decidedly
ambitious undertaking on his part, to oust
Congressman Bayne from the strong
hold which the latter has held for seven
terms, and during the past few years
almost without opposition. The CAM
paign between the ambitious young
politician and the veteran leader, is ex-
pected to be lively one. While everyone
will have his preconceived ideas of the out
come of the contest, the Northsiders can be
sure that the result will ensure them a good
Congressman. If there is to be a contest
THE DISPATCH will heartily interpose the
hope that the best man NAV win
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-03-30

contributed by the Mexican Government.
The Post wants to know why Washington
should not have the big hotel it needs as
badly as does the City of Mexico, at the
nations expense, when we can readily spare
$50, 900 to S1OO. 900 apiece for country post
offices; vote millions year after year to be
swallowed up in the floods of the Mississ-
ippi; even think seriously of spending ST.
O0O, 600 for colored school houses in the South;
have already expended many millions in
subsidizing railroads. and may be induced in
time to grant subsidies for the improvement
of our ocean transportation.
There is only one reason, that need be
stated, why Washington should not get a
big hotel built with the public's money.
The reason is that Washington has no more
right to draw money in that way from the
United States Treasury than man has to
steal bar of silver out of the Treasury
vaults. In these days of public steals
of all sorts we do not wonder at the one pro-
posed. We only wonder at a newspaper
like the Post proposing it.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-03-30
MuCKLERATS FLAG.

1t is satisfactory to learn that the Amer
lean Mechanics got the national flag ac-
cepted and put up on the Mucklerat school,
without any difficulty or disorder. The
enthusiasm which led some two hundred
and fifty members of the order to take a long
march through the mud, for that purpose,
may not have been wholly pacific in its
nature; but the steps taken were entirely
orderly, and the result SO far as is apparent
was creditable to the patriotic and law
abiding citizens engaged in it. The de-
termination of the order to rely upon the
law for the punishment of any illegal acts is
quite commendable. 1t is to be hoped that
no such proceedings will be necessary. We
can hardly conceive that any sane man in
this country will take upon himself the
odium of attacking the national flag; and it
would be interesting to learn under what
delusion the obiectors were led to oppose it
in the first place.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-03-30
CURRENT TIMELY TOPICS.

IF tight lacing kills monkey the dudes win
have to dispense with the luxury.
BISMARCK will be 70 years OF age Tuesday.
Born on AL FOOLS Day, he has kept them all
dancing 10 his music for many day.
THE date and location for the Worlds Fair
has been settled upon, and all that is lacking
to make 1t bowling success is the soap. Chi
cago's Aldermen will probably put up that
article.
REV. P. SANDERS REED preached a sermon
in San Francisco on the abolition of Poverty ~
and said that poverty would be lessened If law
was passed prohibiting marriage among the
poorer classes. What excellent feature Mr.
Reed would make for the Worlds Fair
P. T. BARNUM now declines to become a can
didate for the Mayoralty of Bridgeport Conn
Too busy with the other canvas. SO to speak,
THE price of ice in Philadelphia has been
fixed at 81 per hundred As coal sells for 25 cents
per 100 pounds it will be much cheaper to keep
warm than cold
THE Republican press throughout the coup-
try are praising William L. Scott for his liberal
donation TO the tamished miners. They don,t
even mention the fact that he is not looking for
votes. Great Scottsr
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-03-30
THE AUCTIONEER,s GIFT.

The auctioncer leapeds on chair, and bold and
loud and clear
He poured his cataract of words, just Ike an auc-
tioneer.
An auction sale Of furniture, where some hard
Was bound to get his money back, and pay his
lawyers fee.
A humorist of wide renown, this doughty auc-
tioneer,
His joking raised the loud RuHaW' ana DrouBnb
the answering jeer.
He scattered round his jess like rain, on the un-
just and the just;
Sam sleeman said he 'qafed so much he thought
thet he would bust.''
He knocked dowr bureaus, beds and stoves and
clocks and chandeliers.
And a grand piano. which he swore would ''last
thousand years.
He ratified out the crockery, and sold the silver
At last they passed him up to sell little baby's
chair.
show much9 how much? come. make bid: is all
your money spent?''
And then cheap, facetious wag came up and bid,
zone cent?
Just then a sad-faced woman, who stood in silence
there,
Broke down and cried, 'My baby's chair! My
poor, dead baby's cbair!''
sHere, madam. take your baby'r chair, ~ said the
softened auctioneer.
81 know Its value all too well, my baby died last
year;
And If the owner of the chair, our friend the
mortgagee,
Objects to this proceeding let him send the bill to
me.''
Gone was the tone Of raillery: the humorist auc-
tioneer
Turned shamefaced from his audience to brush
away a tear;
The laughing crowd was awed and still. no tear
less eye there
When the weeping woman reached and took her
little baby's chair.
IS. W. Foss, Tn Yankee Blade.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-03-30
AFAYETTE COUNTY ORPHAN.
Career ofJohn Hinton, Who Is Now One of
the Foremost Men of Asia.


Career OF John Hinton, VINO Is Now One oil
the Foremost Men of Asfa.
WRITTEN FOR THR DIsPATcH.i
John Hinton was born near Masontown, Fay
ette county, Pa, about 40 years ago The death
OF his parents made him dependent at an early
age upon the charitable families of Fayette and
Westmoreland counties. Arriving at mans es-
tate he enlisted for the Indian War from South
Huntington township. Westmoreland county.
At its close he helped to escort the Cherokees
beyond the Mississippi. From Indian Territory
he went to New Orleans and shipped as sailor
on vessel bound for the East Indies. At the
Bay of Madris, on the western shores of the
Bay of Bengal, he left the vessel and enlisted in
British regiment He served many years, and
during the memorable Sepoys rebellion vas
noted for his daring bravery. At his discharge
he was presented with gold medal by the
Governor General himself.
He is next heard of travelling in a caravan
from Delhi westward across the Indus river
through Afghanistan and Persia to Turkey and
back. In time, from trading he became i'm
mensely wealthy, and was the owner of five
caravans, containing 1900 horses and camels
and 5O elephants. In 1873 he visited Cabul, the
capital of Afghanistan, for copper, great guam
titles of which are there mined and smelted.
His magnificent retinue attracted the attention
OF the Ameer, and he was invited to an audi
ence, 1aVor never before bestowed upon
Christian. A present of hundred of his best
horses and three-tusked elephant made the
Ameer his eternal friend. Then yearly it was
followed by similar presents beside camels and
merchandise.
John Hinton gained the supremacy OF trade
from the summit of the Hindoo Kosh Mount
aims to the confines of the Belloochistan, and
in real power he is now second only to the
Ameer himself. About 1880 he was made Mill
tary Commander of the District of Herat in
which capacity he suppressed a local rebellion
to the great satisfaction of his sovereign. His
meritorious conduct raised him high in the es-
timatiOn of the DeODle of Afphanistan and his
reputation has spread throughout Asia. The
Ameer is becoming famous for his enlightened
policy, is building telegraph lines and promises
ments of the age. For all this how much
Afghanistan is indebted to John Hinton the
world may never know.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-03-30
WHAT THEY SAY OF HIM.

PHILADELPHIA Ledger: Senator Quay has
evidently returned from Florida in good condi-
tion. His friend, John F. bravo. was yesterday
appointed Surveyor of Customs at Pittsburg,
although he was opposed by candidates in.
dorsed by Secretary Blaine and Congressman
Dazell.
PHILADELPHIA Times: Senator Quay's re.
turn to Washington was signalized by the ap-
pointment of his henchman, John F. bravo, as
Surveyor of Customs at Pittsburg. This is q
gentle intimation to the boys in the West that
business is still carried on at the old stand. and
that though the Senator may 60 a-fishing he
still has his eye upon them.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-03-30
KNOX AMONG THE ACTORS.

The Humorous Colonel Picks Up some In
feresting Yarns From the Lips of Billy
Florence, Maurice Barrymore and Man.
aser HiII-Roach's New Story.
WRITTEN FOR THE pIsrAruH.l
A cToRs tell more stories than any other class
of people. Whenever ap actor hears a
good story, or originates one, he is consumed by
a burning desire to tell it to his friends. So,
when two or three actors are gathered together
there Is sure to be one of them telling story.
Soon every one in the profession knows it, and,
if it is worthy of publication, it gets into the
newspapers in short time. Therefore 1t Is
dangerous to take a story from ar actor and
publish it as new, for by the time it gets into
print half Of the bright people Of the country
may know it.
was talking about this yesterday to ]. NJ.
Hill, Maurice Barrymore, w. ]. Florence and
many others.
at is not even safe" said Hill. "to offer as
new story that you have created yourself
hve minutes before you tell it. Let me give
you an illustration. When James c. Roach
was playing under my management he, myself
and others were standing on u nion Square one
day. Some one told the story about how the
man who. referring to the prowess OF George
Washington, said that as an evidence of his
strength the Father of his Country once threw
a silver dollar across the Potomac, and how an
other man on hearing of this 100 years after
ward, said, Y es, it was good throw, but you
must remember that dollar went great deal
further in those days than it does now,' Roach
replied: Yes. that was quite clever. but the
man should have added that General Washing
ton gave greater exhibition of his prowess on
another occasion when he threw British Sow
ereign across the Atlantic
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-03-30
STATE POLITICS.

In willtamsport ex-Representatiye John
Vanyorce and Seth T. Foresman, both Demo-
Gratis of the Jacksonlan school. have already
gone into training for the legislative nominal
ton.
THE wiIliamsport correspondent of the Lock
Haven Erpress thinks that the Hon. R P.
Allen vould make a good compromise candI-
date for the Democratic nomination for Gov
ernor.
CHAIRMAN KIsSER declines to take any
mart in the discussion of Democratic candi-
date for Governor, He saws it is not his bust
ness To nominate candidates. but to elect them
after thew are nominated.
pu,,,nr1pu1. 7yn,es. Do,vni,,otown has
two nost,oastars There are lots of wonld-be
stor. in otber towns who wonId onIv he
too Ionnv If the Downing,ovn soIntion of the
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-03-30
SICKLES FOR SHERIFF.

NEW YORK Tribune: Governor Hills ap-
pointment of General Sickes as Flack's suc-
cessor in the Sheriff's Office is surprisingly
good. The Governor will probably gain moth
ing politically by this move; but the people will
be the gamers if General Sickies accepts the
appointment.
NEW YORK World: Governor Hill has ap-
pointed General Daniel E. Sickles to the office
of Sheriff. made vacant by the resignation of
Flack. While General Sickles is Democrat
he has no afiliation with the various factions of
the party in this city. He is understood to be a
believer in civil service reform. and if he ac-
cepts the office we may expect him to conduct
it upon strict business principles. General
Sickles is a man of great wealth. and he will
not be likely to squeeze the office for what 1t is
worth.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-03-30

bribe the employees of rival concerns TO betray
the business secrets of their employers. The
cases in which that has been done by the Stand
ard are somewhat notorious; and parallel to
them has just been disclosed by the discovery
that two Of Claus Spreckels' employees at his
big concern in Philadelphia were doing the
sent to a tobacco concern in New York will not
create much doubt as to who got them in the
end. The curiosity of the trusts with regard
to the business of people who undertake COM
petition with them, is something remarkable.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-03-30
THE SURPLUS TOO TEMPTING.

There is something deliciously cool about
the proposal of the Washington Post that
while Congress is trying to find ways to get
rid Of the surplus it could not do better than
give million or SO toward a new and gi-
gantic hotel in the Capital. This modest
suggestion is occasiOned by the report that
the City of Mexico is to have two million
dollar hotel, half the cost of which is to be
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-03-30

THE energy of the tourist agent is shown
by the fact that one of the class is advertising
in Brussels round trip to the Congo at the
rate of $500, with hotels and hack hire thrown
in. How much of these features of civilization
Is guaranteed is not stated. Whether the pleas
ures of the trip will be worth the money is
matter of individual opinion; but unless ar
rangements of an extraordinary sort can be
made, it is more than probable that the trip will
include a large amount of experience in the
line of African fever.