davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-11-18
PITTsBURG, WEDNESDAY. NOV IS, 1891.
TWELVE PAGES
TALK ON THE TAX RATE.

Discussion about the tax rate for next
year is beginning early This is in itself
a good sign. The subject is one on which
there has usually been too little debate fol
public opinion to make itself felt. 1t is
to be hoped that the early broaching OF
the subject this year will cause the ordi.
nance to be reported to Councils in time
to have its provisions thoroughly ex-
amined in full public debate over all its
details.
Meantime, the discussion has produced
some remarkable deliverances, sample
being the publication yesterday of a state
ment that the rate next year is likely to be
80 mills, if the bond issue is voted, and 35
or 10 if it is negatived by the people. As
The first named rate would be exactly
doubling the taxation and revenue of the
city, ii is safe to say that no such step will
be taken, unless the present city authori-
ties are weary of their task and desire to
have an opposition party succeed them.
That the deficiency Of revenue be-
low estimates during the last year
will require something of an increase of
millage on the same basis of expenditure,
is self-evident. II the city is not to issue
the bonds 70 pay for street improv ements
the fact that the increase will have to be
very considerable is also indisputable. But
even the most extreme allowance can
hardly make the total levy reach the
smallest rate named by the report. An
increase of 10 mills in the levy is an in
crease by the old assessment of about S.
$50. 600, and the payments to be made to
contractors during the year, together with
the deficiency, do not exceed half that
total
Besides, city politicians are intelligent
enough to know that before there is any
such doubling up of taxes there must be
rigid cutting down of all expenditures not
absolutely necessary The city has pro-
ceeded on the policy of liberal eXpendi-
ture, in repaving streets, purchasing and
improving parks, and kindred work, for
the past three years. All this was money
well invested so long as taxation could be
kept within moderate limits. But if it is
necessary to obtain them by onerous taxa
ton it would be obnoxious public policy,
and, in the political view, it would be sui
cidal.
1t is safe to assert that there will be no
such increase in the tax rate as reported, un-
less the people vote against the bond issue,
when a rate of from 20 to % mills may be
necessary. If citizens prefer to pay such
rates for two years rather than have the
debt increased they have the undoubted
right to say so.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-11-18
HUMOROUS HITS

Strangely enough the moon gets eclipsed
when it's full,-Envious Man on Toledo (O.) Com
DsercidL.
Hy. D. Parke Observation-Disclosures
what store of anecdote Brightun has, isn't it?
Towner-Yas; but it's the sort of store he
ought to show the three balls before. doncher-
know2-C Chicago Times.
Jim Hickey-So Charlie ordered the
wine last night
Tom de Witt-Yes: but when the waiter brought
1t he said he meant it as joke.
Jim Hickev-And how did the boys take 1t?
Tom de witt--Oh we took it-as joke.
Some countrymen in color change,
When first they visit town:
They,re apt to come there very green,
And go back done quite brown.
Sparks
"Weu, Harris, did you call on Maud's
fatherg''
Il did,
s.How did you come out?"
s.I,ve been trying to remember. 1 was all 50
sudden don't know whether it was by the win
dow or the elevator shaft. ''-Ra1per's Bozdr.
sThis" So the pale young man to the
editor. lis the only poem ever wrote-''
.Jndeed-keep it my boy. No one shall ever say
that deprived anyone of his only poem, 'returned
the edtOr.-Spnrks.
Young Guessnot-I thought you were ad-
yertising great sale of popular prices?
Old Isensten-Und so vas.
Guessnot-Do you call these popular prices.
They're good deal higher than they used to be.
Isenstein Mine frient, ven says bobulor brices
I knows vat say; never dry any brces vot suits
me peter.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-11-18
SIGNIFICANT FrGuREs.

The report of the Comptroller of the
Currency, just issued, brings out fact
which adds to the previous indications OF
the need for a more vigorous administra-
ton of that office. 1t is that the total of
failures in the national banking system
during the year under report was 26, with
sevenadditional cases in which banks sus-
pended, but subsequently resumed.
This is highly unpleasant enlargement
of failures in the national banking system
Heretofore the average annual failures
have been about seven. But in the past
year, with no condition of panic and,
indeed, no business complications outside
of the circles of speculative gambling, the
increase of the number to nearly four
times the average is significant. Taken in
connection with the peculiar features OF
some of the most sensational failures, this
can be construed as result of lax ad-
ministration of the national banking law. d.
Even after the old vigilance in admins
tering the law and watching for unsafe
practices has been relaxed, the standards
of safe banking and the conservatism Of
bankers keep the vast majority OF banks
on stable foundation. But as soon as
the close supervision that has heretofore
kept the system up to its high status is
weakened individual bank officers will take
advantage of it by the means so strikingly
illustrated in Philadelphia and Boston.
The fact is, that while there has always
been more or less politics in appointments
under the national banking law, the pres
ence of vigorous head in the Comptrol-
ler's Office has maintained the supervision
up to the level of effectiveness. Under
the present administration the appoint
ments have been more entirely based on
politics than ever, while the Comptroller
has by the most charitable theory proved
himself to be without the vigor necessary
for the place The result is illustrated in
detail by the Keystone and Maverick bank
failures, and in the total by the quadru-
pling of failures for single year.
The administration which thus permits
politics to weaken the stability of the ma
tional banking system, will have heavy
load of responsibility to bear.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-11-18
A SAFE BUSINESS.
Pirates on Land Escape With the Greatest
of Ease.

Pirates on Land Escape With the Greatest
of Ease.
Philadelphia Press.I
Apparently the robbery of railroad trains
has come to be considered a pretty safe busi-
ness. The few arrests made and convictions
secured of this class of criminals justifies
this feeling of security, Of all the train rob-
berries perpetrated during the past eight
wears only one instance comes to mind in
which the criminals were caught and pun
ished. This was tile robbery of train on
the Missouri Pacific Railroad short dis
tance from st. Louis, in 1886. 1t is probable,
however, that the robber would have es-
caped in this instance also had it not been
for his indiscretion in writing letters to the
detectives, in order to free the express
messenger from suspicion of being lncul-
pated in the crime. This gave the authori-
ties a clew which they followed up success
fully.
But in nearly every other case the most
skillful detectives seem to have been COM
pletely baffled. They failed as utterly as
when they tried to break up the Jesse James
gang in Missouri, which held together until
its leader was shot in cowardly manner by
the order OF the Governor of the State. That
traredy, however, has not deferred other
men from entering the field as train robbers,
as the exploits of Rube Burrows, Orth Stein,
Raimund HolZkey and many more outlaws
prove. To the professional robber there are
many attractions in train robbing. 1t has
nearly the same facinatiOnS that drew men
into freebooting when sailing the seas under
a pratical flag was comparatively safe
calling. Ships of the rail now invite the ad-
venturous, ana the safety with which they
can be attacked and the rich booty one sue
cessful raid usually yields are likely to draw
to the field the boldest spirits among the
gentlemen of the road"
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-11-18
THE ABOLITION OF TEE sLUMs.

Prof. Albert Shaw, in his last article on
the subject of improving the condition of
city poor, takes a radical position of the
highest public importance. He asserts
that the latest efforts in the construction
CT model tenements for the poor in Euro
pean cities prove c0nclusively that what
are known as the slums are un-
natural and unnecessary, and that they
can be abolished with their moral and
physical horrors as successfully as the
miasnas of marsh can be taken away by
drainage. "The means are known" says
Prof Shaw, 'by which these sores on
civilization known as the slums can be
renovated and made healthtul and even
desirable places of residence. Ali that is
needed is that the well-meaning men and
women of ali denominations and shades
of belief unite in demanding the same
thing at the same time"
This is bold and much-needed contra
diction of the dogma of pessimistic conser-
vatism that the slums must always exist
in order to shelter the class of poverty and
degradation which harbors there 1t was
worth while to have someone forcibly
point out that they only exist because
the wealth and influence of society is too
selfish and purblind to secure something
better. Nor can the Importance of reform
ing the slums, which to greater or less
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-11-18
THE PLACE FOR JUDICIAL BUSINESS.

The plea of no jurisdiction put in by
Mayor Wyman to the Allegheny Auditing
Committee sounds like a satire upon the
same plea as set up by the State officials a
week or two ago. One might suppose that
the Mayor would have been glad of the
opportunity to formally vindicate himself
from the committees charge of misappro-
priating public funds But the tempta-
ton 20 follow the high-sounding style of
pleading introduced at Harrisburg was a
strong one; and as the Auditing Commit
tee was not sitting as court of record, it
simply had to shut up shop forthwith, not
being equal to judicial business.
In one sense, however, it is due to say,
the Mayors plea may be regarded as
proper enough. 1t will expedite trial of
the charges in court of admitted juris-
diction-that of the county. In fact, it is
to the county courts that the whole mat
ter should be brought without further
ceremony If the Mayor has offended, as
the Auditing Committee charges, by ap-
propriating to his own Use moneys which
should have been turned over to the City
Treasury, the case is one for criminal and
civil procedure. If on the other hand the
Mayor is innocent, and fears that tprejudice
among Councilmen will prevent fair
hearing for his side, it is equally due to
him and to the public to have trial of
whose absolute fairness and legality there
is no doubt
The responsibility for such further
action as BELTS the case is now clearly put
upon Councils, and in such form that they
can hardly escape it.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-11-18
OHIO MOUND BUILDERS
Ono OF tho Most Wonderful Discoveries
Ever Made-TJpsetting Old Ideas.

Ono OF tho Most Wonderful Discoveries
Ever Made-Upsetting Old Ideas.
| Ohio was the chosen home of the Mound
Builders, the scioto Valley the center OF
their vastest population. Ross county, OF
which Chillicothe is the principal town.
| alone contains more than 500 works OF tne
| prehistoric race-large and small ana so the
| news of a wonderful find there will De less
| surprising to archBologoists than slnlliar
| one anywhere else But the find JUST re-
| ported will, Notwithstanding, be OF vast
| moment to students.
The Worlds Fair Survey, under the neld
assistants, Warren X. Moorehead, and Dr.
H. G. Cresson, located at Anderson station,
| Ross county, made a most remarkable dls-
covery upon Mr.. C. Hopewell's farm, says
special to the Cincinnati Commercial Gdzette
The tumulus is 500 feet long, 200 feet VIDE
and % feet high. 1t lies in the center OF
group of 26 mounds, all of which were opened
in September and October with good results.
On account of its great size the mound was
divided into five sections of 40 feet each for
convenience in excavating. In the first cut
made in the east end nothing was found.
Near the surface of the tumulus' second cut
two bowlder outlines resembling pantherS
were uncovered and measured. Like the
| effigy mounds in Wisconsin, they were S5 to
30 feet long, being composed of one thick
HESS III SG'ue ne neduS, llulDS anu ctiio
were distinctly outlined. Near the bottom
of the second cut we're three skeletons. with
objects of copper, bone and shell. North OF
this deposit lay the great medicine man, or
| chief of the village, which had erected the
| mound.
If the number of implements is evidence
Of the esteem in which prehistoric man is
held by his people, he was certainly the
most important Caique of the Scioto Valley.
At his head were imitation elk-h horns, neatly
made of wood and covered with sheet cop
per, rolled into cylindrical form over the
prongs. The antlers we're % inches high
and 10 inches broad at the top. They fitted
into crown of copper, bent to fit the head
from occipital to upper jaw. Copper plates
were upon the breast and stomach; also on
the back. The copper preserved the bones
and few of the sinews. 1t also preserved
traces of cloth similar to coffee sacking in
texture interviewer among the threads of
which were 900 beautiful pearl beads, bear
teeth split and cut, hundreds of other beads
of both pearl and she'll Copper spool
shaped objects and other implements COW
cred the remains. pipe of granite and a
spear-head OF agate were near the right
shoulder. The pipe was of very fine work
manship, and highly polished.
The discovery is thought to indicate con-
nection with the Aztec peorle, such head
dresses are only found in Mexico and Yuca-
tam More discoveries are anticipated soon.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-11-18
extent disfgure every large city, be ex-

extent disfigure every large city, be ex-
aggerated.
1t is not only the principle of humanity
that should stimulate the work, but the
principle of enlightened selfishness. The
slums are the nurseries of vice and physl-
cal disease. From them are to be traced
the spread of moral infection and the con-
tagion of epidemics. In the slums are to be
found the types from which future dam
gers to the Republic will arise, as citl-
zenship of ignorance, vice and despera-
tion is nurtured there to compensate for
the creation of multi-millionaires by the
same influences
Social, political, moral and physical con-
siderations all urge the replacing OF the
slums by dwellings which permit of better
things in the life of the poor. The posi-
bility of such an Improvement has been
shown by actual practice. 1t only re-
mains to be seen whether the public con-
science can be sufficiently awakened to
make the demand for it universal.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-11-18
DEATHS HERE AND ELSEWHERE.
Mrs. Sylyester Madden.

Mrs. Sylvester Madden, mother of George
A. Madden, of THE DISPATCH staff, died at
her home in Verona Ontario, Canada, last
Monday night, at ripe old age. Mrs. Mad
den had been ill for some time. but rallied,
and those around her believed she would fully
recover. relapse occurred few days ago,
but telegram Monday morning did not
indicate that her condition was critical. Mrs.
Madden is the last of branch of one of the oldest
French Canadian families in Canada. Her
brother, Hon. Augustus Thibodeau, expired few
months ago full years and honors, and his death
undoubtedly hastened her demise. Her father
was of the pioneer shipbuilders of Ontario.
One OF the first sailing vessels the lake of that
name was christened the Two Sisters in honor
of deceased and her sister, the latter long since
gathered to her fathers. Her husband and two
children survive-AIrs. McHardy, of Guelph, On
tario. and George A.. of this city. Deceased was
a devuut Christian, and will be missed from COM
sick and suffering
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-11-18
Old Dan Rice.
Cincinna ii Times -Star.l

C1nCInna II IImeS-StIf.J
One cold night about 20 years ago when
the ground was covered by heavy fall of
snow Captain Jim Williamson. of the Eoma
Graham. stumbled over the form of man
lying in the drift under the Suspension
bridge. The prostrate form was shaken into
consciousness, but with many protests and
a mingling of language not fit for q drawing
room. As he drew himself together and
glanced at Captain Williamson he thun-
dered, "I'm a gentleman. sir, and always
sleep in the snow. That's the only way to
keep warm. I'll hunt a red light, where l
won't be- disturbed" He waved himself off
in dignifled mien, and as his form disap-
peared in the drifting snow Captain WILL
iamson recovered himself sufficiently to
murmur, "Well, If that wasn't Uncle Dan
Rice"
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-11-18
HAZING FOR GIRLS.
As Novelty 1t Is Attracting Considerable
Attention.

Attention.
Chicago News.l
1t is probably too early to pass final judg-
ment upon the potential merits and demerits
of hazing as pastlme for young ladies. 1t
is not well enough known, has not been be-
fore the public eye long enough for the pub
lie mind to have grasped it and revolved it
in the cerebral processes of meditation. 1t
is a genuine novelty in the west. The Lake
Forest young ladies' who frivolously wrapped
one of their gentle comrades in q shawl and
tossed her in blanket until she grew white
and frightened, have introduced a new prob
lem among the great educational questions
of the day
The disadvantages of the system as re-
CARDS the person hazed are obvious. 1t may
be an experience which will give her new
and broader views of human nature, but it
is ply sically depressing and obnoxious. 1t
is on behalf of the hazers that the subject
must be seriously considered. Football and
rowing are denied to lady undergrads. Their
opportunities for real sport are consequently
curtailed. If some medical authority can
prove that the exercise Of hazing is health
1ul. productive of muscle and good spirits, it
would be absurd to stop it. A fragile young
girl who is taken from her bed at midnight,
dashed with ice water. dropped down two
flights of stairs and then chased merriy
around the school grounds, might be too OBJ
tuse to see the fun, but, in the atruistic phil
osophy, she should be willing to sacrifice
herself to the health and happiness OF her
high-Spirited tOrmentOrS.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-11-18
A Matter of Wind and Water,

Detroit Free Press
The New York papers have been in times
past questioning the purity of the water sup
ply of Chicago as a reason for keeping away
from the Worlds Fair. Although the Chi
cogo papers commiserate the condition into
which New York has fallen on account of
the failure of the Croton, they cannot wholly
refrain from boasting that by the time the
fair is ready Chicago will have supply
from the cold depths Of Lake Michigan, far
from the shore. They congratulate the rest
of the world that the fair was not appointed
at New York, where the water is in danger
of giving out, and where, when there is
plenty, it is not specially pure.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-11-18
Mrs, +, w, Lixhtner,

After an exceedingly painful illness of
upward of three years, Mrs. Sallie b. Ligh tner,
wife of E. W. Lghtner, the Washington corre-
spondent of THE DISPATCH, died at her residence
in that city yesterday afternoon. Mrs. Lightner
the daughter of the late Abram Bricker, years
ago prominent commission merchant Of Liberty
street. She passed most of her life in Pittsburg,
where she was endeared TO large circle of friends.
The only remaining member of her family is
brother, L. Bricker, merchandise broker Oh
Wood street. In accordance with her convictions
of years standing i'll regard to the disposal of the
dead, Mrs. Lightner's remains will be cremated.
The incarceration will take place on Thursday at the
crematory in Loudon Park Cemetery, Baltimore.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-11-18

Chicagos intense selfconsciousness as the
site of a national fair seems to have thrown
that town into a moral state of siege-a con-
dition so strained that beneath the idea of
order everyone entertains the idea of an
archy. Chicago, flushing to the roots of her
hair as she feels herself to be in the focus of
the worlds gaze, nevertheless displays un-
warranted agitation. She should remember
that not nearly as many people really gaze
at the little chaps first red-top boots as he
Chicago will get over Gushing to the roots
of her hair" in time to become most digni-
fled and hospitable hostess for the visitors
from the whole world. New York must
begin now if she would get over her bad
feeling by the time the fair is opened and go
there showing no signs of crying about
losing it,
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-11-18

The Information given out a few weeks
ago that Chicago was built upon crust but
16 feet in thickness, under which was a
"semi-fluid mass of the consistence of
dough-" into which the whole town might
sink, we regarded as bad news.-Neu York
Morning Advertiser. Yes, indeed it was bad
news, but the average citizen of Chicago is
in a great measure reconciled to it since
Carter Harrison obtained ownership of
large newspaper mouthpiece-the Times of
that city.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-11-18

One of the results of the recent State
elections is the tanning down of the high
ambitions of the Farmers Alliance leaders
throughout the country. Last summer they
were bent and determined to have their own
way everywhere. and purposed nothing
short of controlling Congress, electing the
next President, and running things generally
to suit themselves. Now they are not only
willing to take back seat, but are evidently
fearful they may not be allowed to take any
seat at all in the political councils preceding
the Presidential campaign. Philadelphia
Evening Telegraph Yes afraid almost that
they won't even be allowed to crawl under
the back seat,
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-11-18
Obituary Notes.

SAM ERWIN RYAN, one of the Oldest Irish come
dians on the American stage. died in New York
Sunday. aged G3.
JOHN A. LoPER, aged "a, died yesterday morn
ing near Marctta. For years he was prominent
river and oil man.
DAVID T. BRoUGHToN, for years one of the most
prominent merchants in Parkersburg, died yester-
DAY at the age of a, from heart disease.
DIR. AMOS LUsK, an old and prominent citizen Of
Zelenople. dropped dead the streets of that
town, on his way to visit patient yesterday even
ing.
WILLIAM SANTLEY, father of the famous BARI
tone Charles Santley, is dead in Liverpool Eng
land aged 50. He had been teacher of singing
and pianoforte playing all his life. His son re-
Gently made visit to this country.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-11-18

No better comment upon Tammany and
its methods could be asked than the general
disbelief in the water scare. individuals
ordinarily well informed insisted that there
was an abundance of water and that the
scare was simply the annual furry got up
for political purposes.-Ne,0 York Recorder.
How could lack of water affect Tammany
or the "unwasbed" of New York.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-11-18

renforth and Melbourne only make fiascos.
If New York continues to suffer from her
Croton water famine, she should take
early steps to import an army of Texans
and set them to hunting the elusive rabbit
over all the CrotOn region
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-11-18

JACQUES ST. CERE makes the pertinent
remark that socialism cannot be much Of a
menace to the existing order of things in
France, because the land is SO apportioned
that almost every peasant owns his patch OF
ground. The same thing was the rule in the
United States, and is still generally true.
But it is the tendency away from that con-
dition that contains the threat to our demo-
cratic fabric. r