davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-03-10
CUSTOM HOUSES AND ILLITERACY

The latest outbreak against civil service
reform is m de Ny Collector Erhardt. of New
York, in response to a complaint that some
articles in transit through the Custom House
were stolen. Mr. Erhardt asserts that the
civil service law does not allow him liberty
in the selection of detectives to ferret out the
thieves. He complains that applicants for
detective positions have to go through an
examination for general culture, and de-
clares: 81 have found that the best detec-
tives are often illiterate.'' -
When we review the Collectors argument
exhaustively, it assumes the character not so
much of boom against civil service reform
as of boomerang for the detectives. The
very strong intimation that illiteracy is one
of the necessary qualifications for the detec-
tives may chime In with what the public
has observed of certain members of the class;
but it is hardly what was to be looked for by a
man who puts his trust in detectives. Never
theless Collector Erhardt avows that he can
not stop the stealing because the law shuts
him off from that species most dear to his
heart the illiterate detective.
Nevertheless the uncharitable public may
suggest that there is still remedy for the
thefts which does not seem to have occurred
to the political minds of the Collector and
his organs. That is to have class of en-
ployes at the Custom House who do not
steal, and for whom the supervision of detec-
tives is unnecessary.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-03-10
POINTS OF PUBLIC SAFETY.

The report of the Chief of the Depart
ment of Public Safety, which is summar-
lied fully elsewhere, contains two points or
controlling interest. 1t has many others of
much importance; but the two referred to
are of such magnitude that they should en-
gross the attention of thoughtful citizens.
The first is the statement that there are
eight hundred illicit liquor sellers in the
city. This presents the grave aspect o.
almost universal immunity in the violation
of the law. 1t is somewhat difficult to agree
with the position that this is no business of
the police. The eight hundred Illicit liquor
sellers are violators of the law, just as
keepers of gambling houses are, and they
indirectly evade city revenue. 1t may be
conceded that it is more especially the duty
of constables to attack the speak-easies.
But the trouble is that all those whose duty
it is to prosecute violations of the law. evade
the duty That is the reason why the illegal
business fourishes and the law is dead
letter.
The sanitary condition of some portions
of the city is also vital question. Nothing
is more necessary for the protection of pub
lie health than that thorough sanitation be
enforced That a system of garbage collec-
tion is necessary for that purpose is unques-
toned; but it does not follow that the busi-
ness should be put into tine hands of a
monopoly. If the health officials are active
in prosecuting everyone who permits
garbage to accumulate. the people will be
Al Al
who will take it and dispose of it at compet-
itive prices. To put that business in the
hands of single company by municipal
contract might open the door to excessive
charges and extortionate practices.
The report is certainly valuable doeu-
ment in calling attention to these important
matters. Everyone will agree that the
illicit sale of liquor should be stopped, and
that the thorough sanitation of the city
must be secured
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-03-10
A SHORTAGE OF MONET
Will Prevent n Bull Campaign In the Stock
MnrkeIs.

ESPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE DIsPATCH.1
NEW YORK, March 9.-Henry Clews & Co.
will say tomorrow IN their weekly circular:
"The money market is the dominant factor
upon the Stock Exchange. For weeks past we
have pointed out this was an insuperable OBJ
stacle to any bull campaign: and the situation
is still such that no upward movement except
such as might happen from an oversold condi-
tion of the market, can be expected until the
monetary situation becomes much clearer
The surplus reserves have suffered another
diminution, and now stand at only SILL ,350
which means that nearly all the banks are he
low legal requirements. 1t is true that the re-
tention of large amounts of funds by the inte-
rior, which in the ordinary course of affairs
ought to have flowed to this center, will some
what diminish the outward movement when it
again commences The facts are that at a time
when the business interests of the country de-
mand the more active employment of money,
the supply is unequal to the demand and the
Treasury is absorbing funds at rate which, if
continued, cannot but produce uncomfortable
results 1t is safe to say there has been a con-
traction of over $40, 600 900 in our currency dur
ing the single month of February.
Outside of the money market the situation
is essentially unchanged. Business in some re-
spects is rather less active than year ago, and
railroad earnings are hardly showing as large
proportionate gains as then. But this is to be
expected. Trade has its dull seasons as well as
active ones and a period of rest and reflection
will be wholesome after the recent rush.
While money commands better rates than
stocks, the latter cannot legitimately rise; and,
until both tine financial and mercantile out
look assume brighter appearance. we can
only advise against the carrying of stocks on
borrowed capital. When stocks become better
relative bargains than now, then it may be
safer to thus get into debt"
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-03-10
THE RESULT oF EXPANSION

The reduction of the surplus reserve,
shown by the New York bank statement,
indicates that the process of expansion has
gone to point where it will be necessary to
call halt in order to avoid worse con-
sequences. The time of the year is one
when the movements of trade generally
leave a good margin above the legal re-
9uirements in the New York banks. But
She slight margin previously existing was
10 narrowed down last week that the reserve
was, on Saturday, only 1851, 900 above the
limit fixed by law. The statement of the
previous week showed that the specie and
legal tenders held by the banks were the
same as year ago; while the loans and de-
posits by a decided enlargement had re-
duced the proportion of reserve. The risk
Of such an expansion of credits was made
apparent during the past week by an out
flow of $4,000, 900 in specie and legal
tenders, which brings down the reserve close
to the legal minimum, and warns the fnan-
cial world of the necessity of keeping bust
ness on e solid basis.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-03-10
PEOPLE OF PROMINENCE.

E. H. HOUSE, the novelist, has won his suit
against Mark Twain over the drarnatization of
The Prince and Pauper."
THE Duke of Connaught will start from Bonn
bay for England on Thursday next He will
travel via China. Japan, Vancouver.
PIG IRON" KELLEY's old home, at Phila-
delphia, called the "Elms," is a brick house,
three stories high, covered with stucco. 1t
contains q rooms and all the woodwork in it is
of solid walnut.
MRS. CAROLINE DONOVAN, who has given
100000 to Johns Hopkins University, was such
an admirer of General r. E. Lee that at the
time of his death she was just on the point of
giving him 100000.
Mrs. FRANCES HoDGsoN BURNETT is said
to be writing book of which her younger son,
Lionel, is the hero Lionel is as much won
der as an enfant terrible as is his brother in
the opposite role.
THE death of Count Peter Alexandrovitch
ValoIetf at St Petersburg recently announced
by cable. removes one of the last survivors of
the liberal statesmen who surrounded the En-
peror Alexander II.
EX-SENATOR ALLEN CRAIG. is presented as
a Democratic candidate for governor of Penn
sylyania in the Lehigh Valley. He is a man of
recognized ability, but he has not been much
in politics of late years.
MRS MARGARET C. BIsLAND, of New Or
leans, is both writer and musical composer.
She is the mother of the three Bisland sisters,
who have at an early age, achieved SO envia-
BILE reputation IN journalism.
DEWITT TALMAGE, son of the Rev. DR..
Talmage, of Brooklyn, lectured at Newark, N.
J., Thursday evening on First Impressions"
received in his travels about the world. He is
a good speaker and somewhat of humorist.
POSTMASTER GENERAL WANAMAKER and
wife, accompanied by Mrs. Harrison, Mrs. Rus
sell Harrison and Mrs. Mckee, will leave
Washington this week for trip to Florida.
They expect to be gone about two weeks.
THE late James E. English, of Connecticut
was double third-termer. He ran for Gov
ernor six times and was elected three times.
He defeated Hawley and was beaten by him.
In four races with Marshall Jewell, the honors
were easy.
ONE of the decorations at the dinner to be
gwen at the Union League Club. Washington,
to General w, T. Sherman on April IL will be
painting of the battle of Atlanta on July
%, 1854. donein pure India ink, by James E,
Taylor for General Granville NJ. Dodge,
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-03-10
A GREAT PROSPECT.

The interesting feature referred to some
time ago of sales of iron and coke for ship
ment abroad, has been added to by another
transaction. Six hundred tons of eastern
pig iron have been contracted for shipment
to England at prices which are asserted to
be satisfactory to the seller. The interesting
point whether the price was at reduction
from the American market, or whether our
market rates on certain grades OF iron per-
NIT expectation is left in the dark by the
suppression of the exact figure paid.
Nevertheless, this transaction adds an
other point to the corroboration furnished
by previous sales to the report that the cost OF
making iron and steel in England has ad-
vanced so that for the present at least it is
equal to. or exceeds, the cost of production
in this country. In two years the advance
in new materials is put roundly at 65 to 20
per cent on coke and over 100 per cent on
iron ore. The actual cost of coke at the ad-
vance is about double its cost here, while
that of iron ore is still lower than Lake Su-
perior ore delivered in Pittsburg.
These changes are important enough, if
they are permanent, to reverse the position
of American and English iron interests.
Instead of fearing the competition of En-
glish iron at home We should, under the
changed conditions, be able to seek it abroad.
If the cost of fuel to make pig iron is great
er there, the further expense of fuel to make
finished iron and steel should enable Pitts
burg to meet the English manufactures in
South America and the Oriental countries.
What we need is to wake up to our oppor-
tunities. We must perceive that, with
study of foreign markets, We can expand our
field to an almost infinite extent; and that
by keeping prices on conservative basis
we can most surely command the increased
business.
The one thing that would prevent success
in reaching these new markets would be to
boom prices. That might destroy the gold
en- prospect by the disposition of people who
wish to realize their profits all at once.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-03-10
PITTsBURG. MONDAY, MAR. 10, 1890.
EXPERTS ON THE CANAL.

The literature of the canal question is en-
riehed by summary elsewhere of Colonel
Merrill's report Of sixteen years ago, on the
practicable routes for canal from the
headwaters of the Ohio to Cumberland. The
testimony of this engineer is decidedly In
favor of the Yourhiogheny route IN prefer
ence 10 that VII would connect with the
Monongahela. \ ;her the extension OF
the MonongaLeI~ slackwater to Morgan
town would alter that preference is ques-
ton to be settled by further surveys; but
engineering opinion at present is on the
side of the Youghiogheny route. The I'M
portant fact is set forth that S25,O0O,OOO
would connect thousands OF miles of river
transportation with the ocean, and probably
S1O,OOO,OO more would join the great lakes
with that system. Such cost in eompar-
ison with the magnificent benefits OF the
scheme, ought to insure the early prosecu-
tion of the work.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-03-10

Legislature, apparently with the purpose of
making the Attorney General odious. One
of the members named in the letter per-
ceived the necessity of vindicating his
reputation. He promptly sought the At
tornev General, and having tweaked the
nasal organ of that official, went on his way
in the proud consciousness that his honor
was unstained.
1t may be asked by chronic objectors, who
find fault with everything, how the pulling
of the official nose proves the legislator
never to have dallied with the lottery
iobbers Such persons evidently have not
that nice perception which recognizes proof
of unstained character in the act of shooting
man, or the vindication of a corporation,
or that purifcation secured by legislative
investigation setup for whitewashing pur-
poses. Nose-pulling rests upon the same
basis as the vindication OF honor by duels
or Senatorial investigations and it has the
additional recommendation of being less
deadly than the first and more prompt and
economical than the second. Besides, there
is a peculiar fitness in the resort to that
method IN Such cases as InlS. In connection
with the last case of nose-pulling the posi-
BILE relations between pulling the nose of
one man and the leg of another were limited
at This case brings out the relation in all
its force and beauty. The fact that the
legislator had been engaged in pulling the
leg of the lottery people doubtless lent
strength and efficacy to his attempt at pull
ing the nose of the official who charged him
with 1t.
One more point in this case enables us to
establish by the inductive process very
important conclusion. The ear of Sena-
tor and the nose of an Attorney General
have been pulled with safety and satisfaction
to the puller; while similar attempt on
newspaper man has placed the puller horS
de combat Can anything be more clear
than that when anyone feels desire to vim
dicate his reputation by toying with the
features of his opponents it will be wise for
him to select Senators and State officials as
the objects of his experiment and leave
newspaper men strictly alone.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-03-10
THE WOODPECKER's NOTES.

At winters decline ere the early spring comes,
When the mornings break frosty and clear.
The woodpecker's shouts and Gathering drums
In the forests with gladness hear.
From up where the morning sun paints the hills
With the glow of his roseate light:
From sheltered ravines. with their gurgling rills
Where linger the last shades of the night,
And from all the wide scope of the lowlands
round.
Their notes on the throbbng air ring,
Waking joyous waves of musical sound;
The heralds of the coming spring.
High up on the top of a s.orm-riven oak
See the quaint little drummer bird stand,
Tapping his drum that the red lightning's fierce
stroke
Made ready for this rude sylvan band.
The old trunk vibrates with loud, cheerful
sound,
Then he listens for answering notes;
Till from splinter and snag and limb, all around,
The melodious answer floats.
Each bird to its fellows thus merrily calls,
And from all do the blithe answers ring;
Till o'er valley and hill there rises and falls
This musical token of spring.
W. p. PRESTON, NJ. D.
ALLIANCE, o., Marchs.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-03-10
THE COUNTY W. G. 7. U. MEETING.
II VIII be Graced by the Presence of the
National President.

The quarterly convention of the Allegheny
County W. c. T. U. will be held in the Third
U. P. Church tomorrow. Two sessions will be
held-morning and afternoon. The forenoon
will be taken up with the reports of depart
ment superintendents and an address by Miss
C. NJ. w. Foster, of Johnstown. In the after
noon the reports from the local unions and
county organizers will be heard. In the even
ing Miss Frances E. Willard, the National
President will deliver a lecture in the Smith
field Street NJ. E. Church. Miss Willard will
also be present at both sessions of the conven-
tiOn. A large attendance is expected.
A circular letter has been addressed to the
women of the County w. G. T. U. within the
past week. 1t is signed by Mrs. Agnes Spencer.
President; Miss s. E. Gemmill, Vice Presi-
dent; Mrs. A. F. Bryce, Corresponding Secre-
tary; Miss NJ. E. Stevenson, Recording Secre-
tary, and Miss NJ. A. Mcconnell, Treasurer.
1t is intended as blow at the non-partsan
faction. and the women are entreated to not
fersake the old union. Init it is claimed that
the w. c. T.. U. aims at total prohibition. 1t
cares not which party works toward this same
result, but would rejoice to see all parties
united in one effort for temperance.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-03-10
WITH THE POINTED ENDS UP.

"What are you going to do next summer,
Mackey?''
Norristolon Herald
"Did you ring for a messenger"
.sYes-iast october. How is it you are here so
quickly?''
'They told me at the once IL was QUICK CALL"
-Hdrpsr'S Bdzdr.
81 understand you have opened a coal
yard in connection with your undertaking estao-
lishment Mr.. Solor?''
..Jessie, you see, SO many of our best families
are going in for cremation. .''-NeI0 York Sun.
"What can YOU do?" asked the editor.
..wen can't write, and can't edit. and
'ain't got literary judgment; but if yer want
a man that's all muscle to blame fer writin' Hbels,
I'm the feller yer want-see!''-Hdrper'S BGzdr.
''You say that the young man hadn't
cent when he married? Why, he was left fortune
only a few months before
ssYes, but his courtship was quite long. and he
denied the young lady nothing that her appetite
craved. ''-Ch6cagO Times.
''How far back can you remember,
Bobby?'' asked his uncle.
''Well,'' said Bob, ~ can remember when I
didn't know how to play marbles.''
mo further back than that?''
''Oh yes; can remember when 1 couldn't re-
member at ALL ''-Harper's Bdzar.
Gazzam Gust introduced)-And how are
things generally, in Philadelphia, Mr.. Jaysmith.
Jaysmith-Beg pardon, but I'm not from Phia-
delphla.
Gazzam-Pardon me; my mistake. I'm tribe
near-sighted, and 1 thought that was . paper
collar you have on.-Nelo York Sun.
Judge-Prisoner at the bar, before 1 pass
sentence upon you cannot refrain from express
ing my surprise that a man who has had all the
advantages of a collegiate education should be
found at the head of a mob OF drunken rioters.
Prisoner-Why, great snakes, Judge. that was
a part Of my collegiate training. .-Terrs Haute En-
press.
Governor-I want you to accept q prom
ment and highly honorable position within NV
gift.
Citizen-What's the pay?
''The place is entirely honorary aud without
emoluments.
Then 1 can't take 1t. 1 really haven't the
ability to fill ofice which has no salary at
tached. ~ Chicago Times.
Prospective Employer-What paw have
you been getting?
Applicant (from Boston, )-Do you aIlude IN the
remuneration hitherto awarded me in Yecos nitlon
of my services?
yep"
''ln the neighborhood Of s. 900 a year,
''Well, what was your payY''
''Four dollar q week .n-ChtcQqo Mama.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-03-10
REPUTATION AND NOSES.

1t is instructive to observe that the nose
pulling epidemic has extended to North
Dakota, where that new species of drgu-
Daentuna ad honlinena appears to have been
adopted for the purpose of vindicating the
nose-puller against the -aspersions of the un-
just The puller in this case was the
Attorney General of the new State, who had
written a letter intended only for private
consumption, asserting that certain members
of the Legislature were mixed up in the
lottery job. This letter was read in the
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-03-10
CURRENT TIMELY TOPICS.

IT is stated that 1900 speak-easies exc out
living in Philadelphia. That is good many for
small village, but here in Pittsburg there are so
many that the police are unable to count 'em.
THERE is no good reason why Chief Justice
Fuller should remove his mustache. It's all his
own and 1t has stood by him through adversity,
and he is not the to part with it now that he is
on top.
THE American people are threatened with
one of the most gigantic trusts on record. The
plumbers and ice men are talking about consoli-
dating their forces
BISHOP BOWMAN has been asked to resign.
The good Bishop in turn got mad and stepped
down and out
THE season fast approaches when baseball
players will again be wearing masks. Servant
girls Will then be compelled to fall back on news
papers for bustles.
GOULD and Scott are a great pair to draw to.
The former is buying up the earth aHd the latter
all the lake fronts.
JUBAL EARLY has a fad that he will accept
no bill with General Grants likeness upon it. For
the same reason Jubal takes good care the thou
sands of patrons of his big swindle draws nothing
but wind.
IF there is any little town in the country that
has not asked for Government building no time
should be lost. There is no telling how big a
'Ioan'' Chicago intends asking for.
LAzINEss is a premature death. And yet the
professional ball player lives on forever.
WHISKY and a stranger knocked out John l.
Sullivan last week. The Bostonian still retains
possession of the belt however, and dares any one
to tread on the tail of his coat.
NEARLY 100 new physicians were let loose in
Ohio on Saturday. Uncle Jerry Rusk, in his re-
port last week said that hog cholera was epidemic
in certain sections of the State.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-03-10

The New York papers are jumping on
the Commissioner of Public Works of that
city because he is replacing block pavements
by asphalt single square at a time. Pittsburg
is not saying anything about the general en-
ployment on its streets, of the block pavement
which New York is so anxious TO discard.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-03-10
SUING FOR A MILLION.

Asking for Damages for Failure TO Deliver
Dividend Pny ying Stock.
SAN FRANCISCO, March 9.-The suit of
Charles H ansen against Henry B. Slavin, the
well-known Panama Canal contractor, to re-
cover 81. .2I0, 000 began in the Superior Court
yesterday. He alleges that in 1882 he agreed
with Henry B. Slavin and NJ. B. slavIn, since
deceased, to subscribe for 1000 shares Of the
stock of the American Contracting and Dredg-
ing Company, which the Slavins controlled.
The stock, however. was never delivered.
though he stopd ready to pay for the same.
declai ed would now amount to the sum sued
for.
H. B. Savin states that Hansen never paid a
dollar for any Of the stock, and had never even
asked for any.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-03-10
MAY OWN MINING STOCK.
Tho Supreme Court Makes an Important
Decision Affecting Railroads.

ESPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE DIsPATCHl
BRoCKwAYvILLE, Pa, March 9.-The Su-
preme Court has just banded down a decision
in a case that greatly affects the coal interests
about here. A case has been pending for a
number of years of the State against the Erie
Railroad and the Northwestern Mining and
Exchange Company. The issue involved was
the lands held by the coal company here and
elsewhere. According to law railroad COM
pany may not hold lands to operate them for
minerals The case was decided against the
company, but the Legislature came to its rescue
and allowed the company time to mine it's coal
before the law became operative. With this
aid, the Erie company, under the name of the
Northwest, has been doing business ever since.
The case again came to the Supreme Courts,
and the decision was given that the road does
not own the land, but simply the mining stock
of the company and it is therefore not a viola
tion of the law.
This is a great victory for the company,
though lawyers say the decision is merely
strict Interpretation of the law.