davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-12-30
THE LOCAL LEGIsLAToR,s POLICY.

The action of the Allegheny County Leg
islator's caucus yesterday was on the whole
about what was looked for as probable. 1t
consisted merely of the Endorsement of Sem
ator Cameron for reelection, and of the
appointment of Mr.. Stewart as spokesman
and leader. The proposal to discipline the
Senator because of his sensible antagonism
to the force bill evidently was not a con-
sideration. By reason of his unopposed
canvass and of the support of active poll
ticians through the State, it is almost un-
doubted that Cameron has the situation to
such an extent in hand that only the inter-
ventlon of Quay could raise likelihood of
his defeat at Harrisburg; and there seems
no reason, at present, to doubt that Quay
is as actively for his reelection as any other
adherent. The late Delamater defeat ap-
pears to have left no lasting resentments in
that quarter so far as the junior Senator is
concerned.
The caucus failed to take advantage of its
opportunity in not formally declaring for
good country roads and canal navigation.
But we are glad to be informed that at least
some of the members have strong views on
both these important public questions.
Nothing will more please THE DISPATCH
and the public than that occasion should
arise in the future to give them credit for
effective work. We shall wait with some
interest and see without being too sanguine.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-12-30
Bijou Theater.

Lovers of melodrama found food to their
taste in after Dark" as played at the Bijou
last night. Nearly everyone has read the ia.
nous novel upon which the startling plot of
the piece is founded. Suffice it that Dion
Boucicault's dramatic adaptation lacks nothing
in interest, and is positively improved in many
scenes and situations. The "hair breath
'scapesu of the hero give ample reason for
applause; while the admirable villalny of the
"bad NAM was well-deserving of its uncon-
sciously approving Kisses. Old To8e the crusty
boatman, as played by Edmund Collier. is
really excellent impersonation. When he
broke through the wall. dragging his bene-
factor from the tracks, just in front of the
screeching locomotive, he showed his audi
euce a splendid bit of business. 1t must be ad-
mltted however, that the cast is rather weak
where it should have been strong. The
part Of Sir George MedhuTst is hard
ly well taken, and other characters
would bear Improvement But, on the WHOLE
the performance was pleasing to the audience,
which is the main thing after all. The little
love scenes seemed to touch a sympathetic
chord. and the light-heartedness OF the gay
Rose Egerton took well with the listeners.
The realistic novelties of the show are to be
found in the sluice-gate OF the River Thames
and the concert hall scenes. In the latter.
Kelly and Murphy, said to be exponents of
the noble art of self-defense, gave an exhibition
of their powers. 1t was none the less enjoyed
because of an evident absence of science. The
audience shouted for a fourth round with al
the zest Of bull-1ght crowd in sunny SPAIN
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-12-30
PERSONALS.

DR.. JOEL P. JUSTIN. the inventor, is report
ed at work on an explosive appliance in which
the clockwork idea is to be combined.
JOHN DAVIS, of Kansas, is the first Socialist
to be elected to Congress. he is "a years old
and has twice been an unsuccessful candidate
for Representative.
MRS STANLEY talks as though she expected
to find a mild reproduction of the Dark Conti-
nent in America and seems astonished at find
ing $50 much to admire" here.
MRS. CHANDLER. the widow of Zachariah
Chandler, is erecting beautiful house in
Washington. Its walls are of pinklsh yellow
brick. with trimmings of grayish yellow stone.
KING GEORGE, of Greece, is one of the most
democratic of rulers. He has thin and rather
elegant figure, a fresh complexion and is bald.
He is fine horseman, but prefers walking to
riding.
MAURICE THOMPSON is one of those fortu-
nate authors who can seek his own place to do
the work, and at present he is comfortably
nestled in lower-covered bower way down
in Mississippi"
BARON DE HIRscH will fit up the mansion
in Paris which be bought over the heads of the
club that blackballed him, and will throw it
open to any friends who may visit him in the
French capital
SENATOR CHARLES b. FARwELL, of Illi-
iiois seems to be confident of retaining his seat
but he is opposed to betting, while his antago-
mist, John M. Palmer, is reported to be more
free and easy in that way.
JEANNE HUGO is to be married to Alphonse
Daudet's son at Passay [Paris) January Is. M.
Jules Simon will make a speech on the occa-
sion of the union of the granddaughter of
Frances noblest old poet to the son of the
charming Provencal novelist.
MRS. MARGARET DELAND is taking a rest
from literary work until after the New Year
festivities, when she will begin her next novel;
What its character will be the author herself
does not know, although she has had several
offers for the book even before Mrs. Deland has
crystallized the plot.
LENTHERIc is the great Paris hairdresser for
ladies just now. He has revived the Valois
style of wearing. waved" hair to go with the
Medici style of dress. His "wavers' are
cnrlously shaped tortoise she! pins, with
elastic attachment, and the hair has to be damp
ened with a "waying fluid"
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-12-30
OUR PECULIAR TAX SYSTEM.

Concerning the fact that the State OF
Pennsylvania realized s., ,37S, 600 from the
collateral inheritance tax last year, the
Philadelphia North american calls it
"confscation to just that extent" 1t is
rather difficult to see why the taxation of
inheritances should be deemed confscation
any more than the taxation of any special
class OF property or privilege-such as
licenses for example. But there can be a
more general agreement in the assertion
that, if inherltances are taxed at all, they
should all be taxed on an equal and general
plan. There is q remarkable lack of public
consistency in the rule by which, if an
immense fortune goes TO one or two direct
heirs, it escapes taxation; while if it is
distributed among great many benefciaries
who are not heirs of the body, it must yield
a large share to the State.
Another peculiar feature in this connection
is that the Pennsylvania fiscal system
contains features which 90 tar toward
justifying what are generally con-
demned by organs of the financial school,
az demagogic theories of taxation. The
taxation of inheritances and a graduated
income tax have both been urged as
measures for discoursging the perpetuity
OF great fortunes; and both have been corre-
spondingly condemned as scioliStic measures.
But we see here that Pennsylvania taxation
contains the feature of an inheritance tax,
although so imperfectly adjusted as to de-
feat the distribution of great fortunes; and
the same thing is measurably true with re-
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-12-30
THE DANGER OF THE COMBINATIONS.

Concerning the report that the plate glass
manufacturers and jobbers are to get together
in combination to advance the price of
plate glass 25 or 80 per cent, the New York
Press (Republican and tariff paper) makes
the following pointed remark:
The avowed intention of the Plate Glass
Trust, which has called the meeting, is to keep
plate glass prices at the highest figure possible
and at the Same time shut out all importations.
1t is by such combinations that the effect of
protection, through competition reducing
prices, is prevented from having its way.
The DISPATCH has often pointed out
that the purpose of such combinations in
the protected industries was antagonistic to
protection, exactly as the New York Press,
the most active organ of protection in the
country, puts it. We do not understand
that the plate glass combination is a settled
thing; but if it should be formed it would
prevent a striking example of the way in
which such devices defeat protection. Un-
der protection the plate glass industry has
thriven and expanded to remarkable de-
gree. The competition between the domes-
tic establishments has reduced the price of
plate glass; which was the avowed OBJ
ject of the protective tariff. AT the
same time, the industry has been
so prosperous that within the past
year several new establishments have
been organized. With that record of sue
cess, the formation of a combination to put
prices % or 80 per cent above the level fixed
by domestic competition would put the in
dustrY in the attitude of seeking to defeat
the avowed public purposes for which they
are protected.
Another point might suggest itself to the
members of the industry contemplating this
combination. There has been some COM
plains among them that too many new fac
tories are being built, with the prospect
that thu competition will cut into the rich
profits that they have enjoyed In the past.
But if the range of prices prevailing this
year affords such profits as to attract new
capital largely into the business, and to in
duee even the people making this complaint
to invest large sums in the extension of
their plants, wha. will be the result if
prices are put up 25 or 80 per cent? Can
there be any surer way of creating arush Of
capital for the construction of new factories
to share the enhanced profits?
Another, and scarcely less inevitable re-
suit of such combinations in the protected
industries. is set forth by the sentence with
which the New York Press concludes the
remarks just quoted. 1t is: "In such cases
Congress would b. supported in taking the
duty off the product" When the most
ultra high tariff paper in the United States
makes tina. statemen', the memberO of tariff
protected combinations should reflect that
they are not only doing their best to defeat
the legitimate purpose of protection, but
they are furnishi g the strongest incentive
for an agreemens between protectionists and
free trader alike to repeal the duty on their
products altogether.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-12-30

gard to the income tax. The opponents of
that sort of tax have called it "a tax on eL-
terprise" That is incorrect; as the income
tax is really a tax on prosperity. 1t is tax
on enterprise when it is levied directly on
the gross traffic of persons, firms or corpora
tons engaged in any sort of business; and
exactly that tax is levied by the business
tax under the Pennsylvania laws to-day.
If principles were observed in taxation 1T
would seem imperative on Pennsylvania to
conform these features of taxation to one or
the other Of the opposing systems. It
should either repeal its inheritance and
business taxes altogether, or it should make
them uniform ana adjust them SO as to bear
equally against wealth, instead of having
partial and abortiye application.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-12-30
Harry Davis Museum.

You can take your choice of seeing snakes or
goats in the curio hall, and both are interest
ing. The Californian silky-heeced goats do
some entertaining things under Prof. Borland's
guidance and Princess Dijelta shows an un-
canny control over some serpents of the larger
size. Some additions have been made to the
zoo upstairs, including a Siberian wolf. In the
theater Emil Miller gives some clever facial
limitations of celebrated men. both
ancient and modern, from Washington
TO James G. Blaine. The singing of the
Mack. Miller and Hues trio pleased the
audiences greatly. and the skill of Holmes and
Waldron upon all sorts of musical instruments
was appreciated. Knockabout comedy, some
acrobatic dancing by Sherman. and the ballads
of Bella Lavarfne made up the programme.
The audiences could hardly have been larger.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-12-30
BUILDING ASSOCIATIONS BENEFITS.

Building and loan associations may lay
clam to having benefited great many peo-
years. The industrial classes have been Sc
curing homes of their own at an unprece-
dented rate, and it is estimated that fully
one-halt Of this class, who have secured
homes in the past two years, have been as
sisted by these associations A feature of the
recent business of these concerns is their
willingness to loan SO large percentage OF
the value of property as IS per cent. This
indicates, first, a prosperous condition on
the part of the building associations, and,
second, the estimation in which Pittsburg
rea! estate is held as a security.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-12-30
Duuuesue Theatre.

II sustained fun and capable acting have
anything to do with the success of play. then
"All the Comforts of Home" as produced on
the Duquesne boards last evening was
a decided dramatic victory. When Mr..
Gillette wrote THE Private Secretary"
it was generally conceded that he
had given to the public the greatest
farce-comedy of the decade. If his latest piece,
'Au the Comforts of Home does not pre-
csely surpass its great precedessor it certainly
yields nothing to it. either in plot or dialogue.
very large house last evening witnessed the
and hearty laughter and continuous applause
marked Pittsburgers' appreciation of Mr..
Gillette's effort. Even certain rather broad
strokes at America and the Americans were
we'll lreceived, and the distinct BrltishIsm of
the adaptation did not seem to mar its effect.
The characters were evenly played and the
players evenly selected. This was admirable,
as the star" is frequently nuisance in farce
comedy. Kate DENIM Wilson, however, as the
inimitable she-dragon Mrs. Bender secured
larger share of applause than anyone else.
Marie Greenwald made a charming ingenue as
Euangeltne Bender; and Maud Hasam as FIT
OriEanSkt was delightfully."- suggestive of
coulisses and pink tights. Theodore Bender,
ESQ.,. as played by Samuel Edwards, was good;
and MIR. Henry Miller scored one of his usual
happy hits in the part OF the happy-go-lucky
nephew.
The plot is really wonderful. and reminds one
of nothing so much as the handspring of
Waterbury watch. However, one can easily
follow its windings, and laugh over the ridicu-
lous situations and lots OF business which occur
at every moment.
If "All the Comforts of Home" is an adapta-
ton from the German, one is tempted to tell
our comedians to give up original work and
keep on adapting
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-12-30
PLEASANTLY PUT.

It is said that no Vassar graduate has ever
been divorced from her husband. Perhaps the
husbands were all killed of by the cooking
before things HAD time to shape themselves for di
yorce.-L Louisville Courier-JourndL.
A man is not satisfied with one jack pot
in poker game. He wants something to draw
two.--NeI0 Orleans Ptcdyune.
An Ohio man suggests that the next Dem
ocratic national ticket be Brice, of Ohio. and
Brice. of New York.-Grand Rapids Telegram
Herald.
Photographed can take much better
picture of you If you'll smile.
Customer-You'n have to excuse me, sir. I'm .
prohibitionist.-DetrOttF Free Press.
Someone proposed to take Succi to
Washington the last day of his fast, that he might
show to the office seekers somebody hungrier
than themselves.-DeaUer Timss.
Bnggs-I see that Rounder, who. is so
popular with his trade, has the delirium tremens.
Griggs-What does his firm think about it2
Briggs-They understand 1t and have simply
crossed New Jersey of his territory .-CIothIsT
and FurRtsiaer.
Optician-Myopia has caused divergent
squint in one eye, and Thompsen's disease has
caused convergent strabismus In the other eye
Bowies-If had third eye, would be total
blind in it?-Jspstsrs' Circular.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-12-30

which it is quoted. implies an endorsement
of the policy to which railroad corporations
are prone, of cutting down necessary expen-
ditures for maintenance of way and replace
ment of rolling stock in periods of dullness,
it is pertinent to point out the false economy
OF such course.
In the first place any far-sighted policy
will recognize that while periods of light
traffic may intervene the ultimate increment
of freight must from the very nature of COM
merce and industry maintain its average
volume. 1t is just as necessary, then, to
keep railroad in frst-class order, to replace
worn out track and buy new rolling stock,
in periods of light traffic as in periods of
heavy traffic. 1t is natural fault for rail-
road managers, when-put to their trumps to
find net earnings enough to pay dividends
or fixed charges, to seek their enhancement
by postponing needed repairs. But an i'm
partial view of the subject will readily per-
ceive q double evil in doing so.
In the first place it leaves the road in
a bad condition. and, in proportion to the
duration of the policy, it cripples it for the
urgent demand on all its facilities. 1t is to
this policy more than any other that we owe
the periodical trouble of car shortages and
the apparent epidemics of derailment.
Beyond that it is the fact that the policy
of cutting down purchases of rails and roll
ing stock when traffic is light is powerful
factor in aggravating the alterations from
dull traffic to excessive traffic. The grain
movement falls off, let us say, and as
result the railroads discontinue their pur-
chases of rails and the materials for cars and
locomotives. BY so doing they cut off
another source of freight business and in
tensify the dearth OF traffic. If the ex-
one, it would of course be bad economy to
make it simply to enhance the freight move
ment. But with the knowledge that these
expenditures must be made sooner or later,
it is no less bad economy to let that branch
of their traffic be CUT down until the revival
Of the general freight movement causes a
universal demand for railway supplies and
. general overtsxing of railway facilities.
A settled railway policy such as we be-
ieve the Pennsylvania Railroad to pursue,
Notwithstanding the somewhat illadvised
laudation which we have quoted-will re-
gard the expenditures necessary to keep
track and rolling stock up to a high stand
ard as fixed annual charge hardly second
to that for interest and prior in its i'm
portance to that for dividends. But if any
discrimination is to be made between sea-
sons, it will be wiser for the railroads to ex-
pend freely for repairs and replacements
when traffic is light than when it is heavy.
The work can be done with less difficulty
then; it will keep UP at least share of the
movement of freight, and diminish the e1-
treme character of the fluctuations from dull
to busy seasons; and finally it will leave the
railroads in the best condition to handle the
increased traffic when business reviyes.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-12-30
Worlds Museum Theater.

The novelties in the curio hall of this house
comprise Me and Him, respectively very fat
short man and very lean long one, and Alex
andria, juggler with knives and plates But
the show in the theater is very good and of
large dimensions. Romala turns summer
saults and does other daring things on the
tight rope. Nothing more daring or graceful
in its way has been seen here than
Romala's act. A. H. Knoll and Marie
Mcneil are skilful cornetists and played
some old fashioned airs with good effect
Mignon, girl hardly in her teens, in a sketch
with another artist, shows comedy talent and
plenty of grace as a dancer. She won rapturous
Lassard and Lucifer are in a new vein. Sew
eral other features are laughable. The audi
ences were very large yesterday.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-12-30
Harry Williams Academy.

While Harry Kernell is the star of his high
class vaudeville company playing at Harry
Williams Academy the entire combination is
made up of first-class talent. 1t opened with
the Felix and Claxton sketch team, and follow
ing were gymnastic and song and dance special
ties. Harry KernelPs act is just as Irish as
ever, and his face changes but for the '1risher."
Binns and Burns in their musical specially
were roundly applauded because it was first
class. The three Carrons were acrobatically
funny. The entertainment closed in roar
with McFadden'S elopement.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-12-30
DECLINED TO BE TREATED.
An Old Colored Man Not Hankering After
the Koch Treatment.


the Koch Treatment.
TFRoM A STAFF CORRESPONDENT
WASHINGTON. Dec. 29-Ever since the first
consignment of DR.. Koch's lymph reached this
city the local physicians have been anxious to
secure a nice, well-devoloped case of lupus to
work upon, and to-day white man, of the
Southeast section, came to the Emergency
Hospital and offered himself for an expert
ment, which will be made within day or two
DR.. Middletown recently got on the track of
one of the lupus sufferers who used to be
known to the physicians here. This patient is
an elderly colored man. who lives in South
Washington. Most of the nose and large
part of the face have been eaten away by this
dread disease. which he has always insisted he
contracted by getting his nose poisoned from
brush fire. When the nature of the remedy
was explained to him. and relief if not COM
plete recovery was promised, he declined ab-
solutely to be treated.
mo. sah," said he to DR.. Middleton, 'ef de
good Lawd intends me to go to d grave wild my
nose eat away and my face scyahed all up, why
den dat's all right. l amt gwine to meddle
wild it. He knows de best" The old man
could not be moved and science will have to
get along without that interesting case.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-12-30
KNIGHTS OF AMERICA.

A New Or ganization for Beneficial Objects
Chartered at Scranton.
ESPECIAL TELEeRAM TO THE DIsPArcu.i
SCRANTON Dec. 29.-To-day Judge Connolly
handed down decree incorporating the
National Grand Lodge of the United States, Of
the Loyal Knights OF America. The purposes
of the organization, are the advancement of
American citizenship, and to exercise such
other rights as usually belong to lodges having
a bene fetal and benevolent object.
The on ganization has heretofore been known
as the Junior American Protestant Associate on,
and will 20 into effect on and after January l.,
1891 under a new constitution and code Of
laws The incorporators are T. W. Faulkner,
Norristown; G. T. Davis, Lackawanna town.
ship; ]. Oliver, Scranton; s. ]. Matthews,
Olyphanr, and E. A. Slow, Philadelphia. The
organization has been in existence under its
former name for 30 years.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-12-30
A COMMITTEE OF FIFTY.

The COMMITTEE of fifty" in Allegheny
may accomplish some good, if its purpose is
merely to indorse the good men nominated
for official positions, and work to secure the
nomination of such men only. Such an OBJ
ject is one for worthy effort at all times, not
only on the part of committee of fifty,
but committee of the whole population.
The one danger about these committees is
that they may get corrupting elements in
them the same as the large body polite
We wish the Allegheny committee better
luck than this.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-12-30
Harris Theater.

The annual visit of Pete Baker to Pittsburg
is always a sign of a weeks big business. This
season he has new play. but he didn't present
it yesterday Bismarck" will be given the
latter half of the week. but as an opener the
old favorite, THE Emigrant," was yesterday
enjoyed by two very large audiences. the
"Standing Room Only" sign being trotted out
at an early stage of the game both afternoon
and evening. Mr.. Bakers supporting company
is not the best he ever brought with him, but 1t
Is not a bad one by any means, and the little
girl who dances with him is really pretty little
prodigy. AS usual. Mr.. Baker displays excellent
taste in the choice Ofhis costumes and his sing
ing is quite as catching as ever.