davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-02-22
THE USE OF CANALS.

A remark by the Philadelphia Ledger
points out tendency that does not seem
very encouraging to the movement for the
revival of canal transportation for heavy
freights. 1t is that canals are drug on the
market, the Schuylkill Navigation Com
pany and the Chesapeake and Ohio both
being for sale, without takers,
On the face of it this looks as if canals
were played out, and the effort 10 revive
them useless. But there may be some points
in regard to these canals which do not meet
the public eye. The Schuylkill Navigation
Company is controlled by a railroad inter-
ested in its decay. The Chesapeake and
Ohio has, BY force of the same influence,
been induced to abandon the greater part of
its waterway. Having stiaed and wrecked
the canals in the interest of the railroads,
it may be natural to sell them for whatever
they will bring in their useless condition.
But if it was proposed to purchase these
canals and restore them to their full useful
ness as routes of transportation, it might be
discovered that they were not on the
market.
The claim that canals are useless for
heavy transportation cannot be accepted so
long as the rates charged for carrying coal
and ore on the railroads are largely in excess
of the rates for which the canals used to
carry the same freights.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-02-22
PEOPLE OF PROMINENCE.

THE Mrs. Russell b. Harrison bonnet' is
the name OF a new style of headgear.
Mr.. GLADSTONE has informed a London
publisher that he intends soon to write some
more about Homer.
NINE. PATTI has spent nearly S5OO, 900 on her
place in Wales. This seems large amount, but
in this case is a mere song.
WILLIAM LIVINGSTONE, JR,, of Detroit,
Mich, recently went to Spain in search Of Min
lister Palmer. He found Palmer tired restless
and homesick. Mr.. Livingstone has returned
to Detroit with the information that Minister
Palmer is candidate for the Republican nom.
ination for Governor of Michigan.
KING HUMBERT Of Italy is a vegetarian.
He eats nothing but vegetables and fruits.
His physicians will not permit him to drink
coffee, and his only beverage at present Is
Bordeaux and water. His faYorite fruit is
peaches. He suffers constantly from dys-
pepsia in spite of the care he devotes to his
diet.
THE foster-mother Of the little King Of Spain
is Maximina Pedraja. a handsome brunette
from the province of Santander. When chosen
from among the thousands who competed for
the post she was so poor that the neighbors at
Heras, her native place, bad to subscribe $40
for her journey to Madrid. She is now worth a
fortune, presented to her by the royal family.
Mr. EUGENE FIELD writes that at a lunch
given recently by Mr.. j. r. Osgood at t he Cen
tury Club, London, the chief dish was corned.
beef hash, which was devoured with great
gusto. Mr.. Osgood has what arc among the
finest chambers in London, and he Is a capital
entertainer. William Black and he are boon
companions, and they are in the habit of max
ng excursions to points of interest in the
island,
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-02-22
oBJECTIoNs no TIE WoRLD,s FAIR.

A number of the Congressional debaters
on the Worlds Fair, yesterday, opposed
the idea of having any fair at all. The lead
ing representatives of this class of opinion
were Mr.. Mills, on one side of the House,
and Mr.. O'Neill, of Pennsylvania, on the
other. Mr.. Mills opposition was based on
his theory that the national funds should
not be used for such project. Mr.. o'Neil's
was grounded on a belief that there is not
time to get ready for creditable exposition.
Both of these gentlemen are a little wide
of the mark. Mr.. Mills objection is espe-
cielly so, as it is not proposed to impose the
cost of any exposition fon the National
Treasury. New York, Washington and
Chicago each propose to have the expense
borne by those who will receive the benefit,
either by the issue of municipal bonds or by
private subscriptions. Even if the Govern
ment were to undertake part of the expense,
does not Mr.. Mills acknowledgment that
he opposed the Centennial provoke the
reflection that nothing that the Government
has done with its money mas yielded wider
and deeper returns than its small invest
ment in the Centennial of fourteen years
ago?
MI. o'Neill's objection that there is not
time to get up the fair is rather more perth
nent. But as the administration Of the expo
sitiou, wherever it is held, must have some
discretion in the matter. it is not necessary
for Congress to kill the project in its bud
with an absolute veto. A great deal ought
to be done in the 27 months that intervene
before the Worlds Fair is to be opened.
Let whatever site is selected have the chance
to try; and if 1t proves impossible to make
the fair what it should be in that time, LET
the management have the right to postpone
the exhibition for a year, if necessary.
But in order that the attempt may be
made with good prospects of success, Con-
gress should act at once. The speech making
should be abbreviated, and the bill for one
city or the other be passed without further
delav
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-02-22
NEW STATES MUST GROW FIRST.

1t is stated that the work of creating new
States, which was carried on SO actively at
the close of the last Congress, is to be re-
sumed in the present body. Bills for the
admission of Idaho and Wyoming are said
to have been favorablE acted on by the COM
mittee, while New Mexico and Arizona are
urging their claims with some impatience,
because they are not so readily acknowl-
edged as In the case of the other Territories.
1t is not wise to make undue haste in this
matter. Political interests should not be per-
mitted to weigh in so permanent work as
the creation of States, any more than private
individual should permit personal preju-
dice to govern his action in the erection of a
great and lasting structure. The error that
was made in the admission of Nevada is so
clear that the repetition of such a mistake
would be inexcusable Yet neither of the
Territories whose admission is now under
discussion is as well equipped with popula-
ton and enterprise as Nevada was; and none
of them show any better guarantee against
reaction and decay than was supposed to ex-
list when the bonanza State was brought into
the Union.
1t will be wise to let all these Territories
tarry till they have attained the full re-
quirements of Statehood. We want no more
pocket borough States in this nation.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-02-22
TERMS OF THE DIsPATCa.
PITTsBUaG. SATURDAY, FEB q 1880.
THE CITY TAX LEVY.

1t seems to be settled by authoritative
statements that the deficiency in the years
municipal revenue is $297, 900. This, of
course, will not be comfortable news for the
taxpayers who were in hopes that last year s
moderate millage would prove adequate to
the needs of the city. and that levy but
little greater would suffice for the coming
year.
Yet the shortage is not difficult to explain.
Two items, the reduction of the total as
sessment and the falling off of revenue from
liquor Licenses, account for nearly all of it.
The failure of these sources of revenue to
come up to expectations not only explains
most of the shortage, but carries the promise
of rectifying it next year. There is gen.
eral agreement that, wholly apart from the
question of revenue, it will be good
policy to somewhat enlarge the
total of liquor licenses. So that
the revenue from that source will be
increased; while the addition to the tax
valuations from the construction of new
buildings will go far toward making up the
deficiency from the old total. This will rec
II ny habuAdA OouoCe q SACdt oAnAC VI bnO
reported deficiency.
1t is of course to be expected that the rate
Of levy will be somewhat increased this
year; but an increase to the extent that
seems to be expected, is hardly necessary
1t will probably be found that one and
halfOr two mills at most, added to the old
tax levy, will meet the requirements of the
city under a reasonable economy. Pitts
burg can afford to pay what is necessary for
municipal protection and improvement;
but as to growing rate of taxation, care
should be taken that the rate does not in
crease more rapidly than the economical
wants of the city.
The levy should be made sufficient to
cover all expenses that are necessary to good
municipal methods, and no more. In order
that this may be done intelligently and with
full discussion, the ordinance should be
brought in promptly. and the usual course
OF leaving it till the last moment should be
carefully avoided.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-02-22
BENsATH, HER DIGNITY.
An Amateur Actress Refuses to Play Drunk
and Roll ON the Floor.

An Amateur Actress Refuses to Play Drunk
and Roll on the Floor.
NEW YORK, February 2l-Ihe Rival Dra-
matte and Musical Association was organized
by a number of amateurs of this city in 1881
besides the monthly smoking concerts
sented to the public such pieces
as Francesca de Rimlni" and ''RIchelieu-"
Now, however. the association has a row to
face. due to the fact that its Dramatic Com
mittee attempted to produce piece on Decem-
Der Ii last written by one of its literary MEM
bers, who acts as editor of the RfuqL the off-
cial programme. The play was called "Snob-
DOM" and the writer is Mr.. Arthur ]. WesteT-
mayer lawyer at No. 1872 Nassau street. The
member first cast for the part of Mrs. De ST1oo
was Miss May Colyer, young woman em-
ployed in an office on Dey street. Later she re-
fused to play the part, and Miss Albanesi had
to be substituted at the last moment.
On the evening of February IA the Rival asso-
citation played at the Lexington Avenue Opera
House in "The Crushed Tragedian." The
otnclal programme vas as usual gotten out Dy
Mr.. Westermayer and contained illusions
which Miss Colyer considered very uncompli-
mentary to herself. On Wednesday Mr.. w ester
mayer received a note from Miss Colyer de-
manding an instant apology and threatening
legal proceedings
Mr.. Westermayer said yesterday: II have
learned that Miss Coyer never intended to
play the part of Mrs. De Snob from the tirst.
and by refusing the part at the last moment
she hurt my play immeasurably. shall not
apologize in this matter"
When / saw Miss Colyer she said with toss
of her head: 1.-THE play was the silliest Of nom
sense. The part assigned me required me to
appear to be drunk and roll on the floor. 1
never intended to play it after the first res
hearsal, and SO informed the stage manager.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-02-22
THE TOPICAL TALKER.
sIIverHmIIh Frost Decorafea the OhIO's
Rocky Banks-Efeet Of Warm Weather
on DryEOOds Stores-The Grip ms Benz

SIIVerHmIIh Frost Decoratea the OhIo'n
Rocky Banks-Efect Of Warm Weather
on DryEOOds stores-The Grip ns Benz
| efnotOr.
| A LrHoUGH we have had some light touches of
frost before this sum-no, winter, the cold
wave now here is the first and the sharpest
downright seasonable weather we've had for
long while The blizzard struck no end of
people unprepared on Thursday night, and
probably not few cases of pneumonia will be
the result.
NOne of the picturesque effects Of the freezing
weather glorifed the rocky cliffs on the right
bank of the Ohio. The heavy rains had filled
all the runs and rivulets to overhowing A
great many Of them fall precipitousiy over the
cliff to the Ohio, and sthey are pretty enough
when they dance down in silvery steps over the
dusl1y rocks. But when the frost fetters their
feet and they hang in crystal chains or
sheets of sparkling ice,, they make a
still more beautiful sight. Some of the
steep hill sides above the Fort Wayne track,
between Jacks Run and DixmoDt, were liter
ally maN OF ice, broken and twisted into all
sorts of shapes, and in the afternoon sunshine
the festoons of icicles, the bouquets of bril-
liants, the shields and spears forged by that
famous smith King Frost, made grander
sight than you can imagine unless you have
seen what natures most cunning magician can
do in this direction.
THIS winter has been perplexing and vexa-
tious one to the tradesmen who deal in
ladies' clothing, fur garments and the like. I
am told, upon the best authority. that there
have never been so few ladies' coats jackets.
ulsters wraps, etc., sold as this winter. This is
the case at the principal stores in PittsDurg
and Allegheny. AT one store in Allegheny-a
very big one-I am informed there has been
an unexpected demand since Christmas
for sealskin coats and jackets. This
is due, an authority says, to the
popular impression that because of the mild
weather which has marked this winter, the
storekeepers are greatly overstocked with seal
skins, and are willing to sell them at very low
prices. This impression is correct in part and
it is fact that sealskins have been selling at
very moderate prices lately.
80
I TPoN the heels Of an afAiction there often
comes compensation of some sort.
An instance of this truth was told me yester-
day by an insurance man. He said: "I had
the grip early in January and cursed my luck
heartily. The visit of the vile disease was as
unwelcome to me as to others. But it has
proven blessing to the insurance business.
The fashion Ia grippe had of seizing solid
man and laying him out a cold corpse in forty
eight hours frightened lots of men. Many
more new policies than usual were written
while the scare was lively. and even now can
see its benehcent effects upon business. As in
surance is good thing for everybody, this
shows the grip in the light of benefactor."
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-02-22
DUE HoEoRs TO WASHINGTON.

The celebration of the birthday of Wash
ington to-day, by the Junior Order of Amer
ican Mechanics, will furnish more formal
honors to the memory of the father of his
country than have been paid by this CITY,
on that day, for many years. The laying of
the cornerstone of the Washington monu-
ment accompanied, as it is, by a procession
of the large membership of that order, will
constitute a celebration of the dav.
more appropriate to the great name
and eminent patriotism which have made
Washington's tame the property of hu-
manity, than the usual method of cele-
bration by closing the banks and doing
nothing else. The weather will probably
be rather severe for the outdoor exercises
that have been planned; but in carrying
them out, the order will show its earnest
ness and determination in intoxicating
patriotism ard paying tribute to the men,
Ory of the grea exemplars of that virtue
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-02-22
CREMATION AND CRIME.
Arguments for and Against Bnrnlng the
Bodies Of the Dead.

Bodies Of the Dead.
From the American Analyst
There is much that can be said in favor Of
cremation as a means of disposing of the
human body afeer death, though recital of
the arguments in its behalf is hardly an attrac-
tive theme to dwell upon. Apart from all con-
siderations of the subject likely to affect the
sensibiliHes, it unquestionably has the war
rant oS antiquity. the prestige Of Biblical
example, and the approval of enlightened
science. Against these and other arguments
that might be cited. the burning of the dead
appears to 1nd its chief substantial opposition
ipthe fear of lawyers that it may be used to
defeat the ENDS of justice by obliterating the
traces of murder, and especially those of
frequently been revealed through chemical ex-
animation long after the date of their perpe-
tration. It is obvious that cremation effectu-
ally depriYes justice of that expedient. 1t also
appears that for like reason It may be held to
conflict with the interests of life insurance.
No company. we believe, has yet disputed .
claim on this ground, and yet it can readily be
cremation would afford the insurer legitimate
cause of complaint, If not of repudiation. Such
case, for example, was the celebrated Dwight
case in Binghamton, where the marks upon
the person Of the deceased formed a
strong feature in the argument of the
defendant companies. Cremation is not
yet so universal as to cause the officials Of any
OF our life insurance companies to lie awake of
night from apprehension Of fraud to be perpe-
when so much rascally ingenuity is devoted to
cheating the underwater, both life and fire,
it behooveS them to note and proviQe against
any additional source of danger.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-02-22
LOOK PLEASANT.

First come, first served-Soup.-PtIee.
The note Of the jail-bird is forged
Puck.
Old Pint Comfort-The Pocket Flask
Puck.
A pepper and salt costume is always sea-
sonable.-Puck.
Whatever his age and condition in life,
the gambler is always gamin'.-Btngh phantom Re-
publican.
Realizing that time has wings the hotel
waiter measures it from tip to tip.-BIHg hamton
Repu6itcdR.
While it is undoubtedly true that George
washington couldI't tell lie, we must always
remember that that wasn't what killed him.
Judge.
She-For what reason was the Duke OF
Wellington called ''the Iron Duke?''
He-There was but one reason; he was man OF
mettle.-Jsd0e.
Washington, as has been remarked, never
knew when he was whipped; but we can pardon
his ignor ance when It is remembered that there
we re no daily newspapers then.-|HGos,
Ii you are physician,
And Of great cures would tell.
just say unto the public
That you've made an oil well.
-Bfn0hamtoB Rspabtfcda.
Yes, Augustus, we believe it is better to
have loved andlost than never to have loved at
all It Is better for the jeweler, and the florist,
and the messenger boy-4nd sometimes for the
lawyers.-HuHsey's Weekly
Mabel-Did you hear that Bessie Willis
was married yesterday to Tom GuzzlerY Maud
Really? thought she would be the last person to
marry him. Msbel-Nsli, she was, WasR't shsg-
Harvard LampOOn.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-02-22
A SALE OF MOCK ORANGES.
A Novel and Unique Entertainments at a
Cleveland Church. o

A Novel and Unique Entertainment at a
Cleveland Church. o
From the Cleveland Leader.l
One of the most unique entertainments ever
given in Cleveland occurred at the Second
Presbyterian Church last evening. 1t was an
orange grove sale, given under the auspices of
the Young Ladies' Benevolent Society of the
church. The room occupied was brilliantly
lighted and it presented handsome appear
ance. The decorations were striking and
beautiful. The houses of number of wealthy
ladies had been placed at the disposal of the
society and their drapery was artistlcally ar
ranged about the room. Orange was the pre-
vaiiing color. 1t was conspicuous in the cos
tunes of the young ladies who attended to the
guests. In the center OF the room was grove
Of orange trees loaded with artificial oranges,
which were pIucked and sold by young ladies.
The artificial fruit was made of orange colored
felt, filed with cotton.
Each orange contained useful or fancy
article. They were all made by the ladies', and
it was painstakink task. -Four hundred and
fifty oranges were placed on the trees. and they
were all disposed of in an hour The ladies said
they could easily have sold 0OO, but they had
no idea that the demand for their handlwork
would be so great. The brilliancy of the scene
was added to by large number of candelabra
filed with orange wax candles. Ice cream
booths draped with orange tapestry occupied
two sides of the room, and young ladies with
orange caps, orange aprons and orange flowers
served ice cream in halves of orange peel
They did a driving business, and money flowed
in to them readily.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-02-22
NO TrME-LocKs FOR CONGRESS.

Congressman Lawler may thank his stars
that be is not in the United States Senate.
In Congress he proposed the other day to
amend the rules of debate 30 that no mans
speech should exceed ten minutes until all
members who wished to speak on the SUBJ
ject had spoken. The House, which con-
tains many long-winded bores, soon sat
upon Mr.. Lawler's excellent proposal, but
the man who should have the temerity to
suggest the damming of Senatorial elo-
quence would stand an excellent chance of
instant demolition. Senator Blair would
take it as another dastardly attempt to
choke him off; Senator Evarts would trem-
BILE for the fate of his tea mile sentences, and
some of our dearly beloved Southerh fire.
eaters would want the blood of the villain
who plotted the downfall of the passionate
peroration, without which no Southerner's
speech is worth firing of.
But, as we have said, the windy ones
made short work of Mr.. Lawler's amend
ment. The food Of Congressional oratory
will flow along undammed. The only way
to check it, that we can think OF, would be
to add clause to the Constitution covering
the subject. The people do not relish rodo-
montade, rhetoric, and oratcrial rubbish,
when there is plenty of work for Congress
to do. and which it does not do to a great ex-
tent because it fritters away the time in
worthless talk. Members in Congress will
never put a ten-minnte or any other time
lock on their own jaws The people will
have to muzzle them.
We noticed the other day story that en-
forced anew the value Of brevity, in speech
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-02-22
ANDREW CARNEGIE'S GIFTS.

BIRMINGHAM Age-HeraLd: Andrew Car
negie's magnificent gift of ST. OOO 900 to the city
of Pittsburg for public library is a splendid
exhibit of his liberality. Men who have both
the power and will to do good are truly great
PHILADELPHIA Times: If all men of large
wealth would follow Mr. Carnegies example
and bestow upon the public in gifts like his a
goodly share of that which they do not need
themselves, the existing prejudice would
diminish against the accommodations of great
fortunes.
BALTIMORE american: Andrew Carnegie
has decided to give the city of Pittsburg
S2,0Oo0Oo. instead of Sl.OO0.O0O for library pur-
poses and Pittsburg doesn't care If MIR. Carne-
gle changes his mind in the same proportion
again. 1t is magnificent beneHcence.
WARRINGTON Star: Mr.. Andrew Carnegie
never did wiser or more benefcent thing than
to make the present to the city of Allegheny,
Pa.-a free public library, at the opening of
which the President of the United States and
other distinguished men from the National
Capital were present.
r DENVER Republican: Andrew Carnegie's
gift of a free library to the city of Pittsburg
was munifcent one. Its benefits will be en-
joyed by the people Of generations to be born
long after the death of the donor. In making
this donation, Mr.. Carnegie set an example
which wealthy men in other cities could well
afford to follow.
BOSTON Record; Andrew Carnegie makes
money rapidly, and spends it freely. He is ex-
ceedingly public spirited, as his offer to spend
100000 for public library in Pittsburg and
his gift of 100000 for a similar purpose to
Allegheny City shows. "Why shouldn't her"
some will say. Why should not others, equally
as wealthy, show their generous public spiritf
PUNxsUTAwNEY Spirit: Andrew Carnegie
is about to present the city Of Pittsburg with
81, ,0O0,O 600 library. He has heretofore made do
nations to Pittsburg and Allegheny for public
parks and buildings amounting to nearly
sl.oO0,oO0. Mr.. Carnegie is good man to have
around. While it is true that the workingmen
OF Pittsburg have earned this great wealth for
him, there is nothing in the statutes to compel
him to give it back to them, and he is certainly
exhibiting largeness of heart that is worthy
OF emulation by all millionaires who desire to
be eternally enshrined in the affections of their
nountrymeu.