davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-12-29
THE GRIP IS KIEG,
Not Only in America. but in Europe From
England to Italy.


England to Italy.
NEW YORK, Dec. aS.-[ Special lit is nota-
BILE and sure indication of the present wide
spread attack of throat and lung troubles
that the wards OF Bellevue Hospital are
crowded with patients suffering from some
form of those diseases for which the
name grip is made to do such Ia
borious duty. Indeed, the number
of patients in Bellevue is al
most always an indication of the state of
health in New York. The officials there say
that only once before, when the burning OF
the Charity Hospital drove all its patients
to Bellevue. has there been such crowding.
This noon there were 1877 patients with only
740 beds. Night before last over 30 beds were
wards for those patients sufficiently
advanced toward recovery to stand change
of that sort. For several days the surgical
ward has been crowded with patients who
properly belonged to the medical wards.
The officials say that, although there has
been this great increase in sickness. the
death rate has been surprisingly low. Usual
ly there are four or five deaths day. The
number since the grip appeared. although
the number of patients has exceeded by IL,
the highest number in 1889, has not been
over two or three a day. This indicates
that the attack is widespread but mild.
A dispatch from Winsted, Conn, says:
Christian association women calling at the
house of George Madison, found the fires
out, the house cold and the whole family OF
persons helpless in bed with the grip. Mrs.
Madison died Sunday, her mother died to-
day and Madison and his two children are
very low.
Cable dispatches from Europe show that
the disease is general all over the continent
and the British Isles. Albert Celler, the
London composer, has died from Its effects
The malady is prevalent in Italy, especially
in Genoa. where the Duchess Isabella is i'll
with it. Influenza is cutting a wide swath
also in Florence and Milan.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-12-29
RIVALS FOR THE PRESIDENCY.

THE Russell Presidential boom seems to
have seasoned its sauce with insect powder
-Wdsltington Post.
JERRY SIMPSON declares that Blaine is play
ing waiting game. Why doesn't the sock
less Statesman pull up his chair and take a
hand?-Detroit Free Press.
THE fog that is keeping Londoners in
doors isn't a circumstance to that which en-
shrouds Secretary Bain's intentions as to
the Presidential nomination.-H. Louis Re-
public.
COLONEL SPRINGER says he is in favor of
General Palmer for President. In other
words he declines to express serious pref
erence upon the subject.-S Louis Globe
Democrat.
The mere office OF President will never
satisfy the Hon. ID. B. Hill. A man cannot
be President of the United States and Gov
ernor of New York at the same time.-Chi
cogo tribune
The wiseacres will have to revise their
predictions about Governor Hill when they
learn that Tammany is favorable to Gov
ernor-elect Flower for the Presidency. There
is no man III public life to-day whose private
and public record is clearer than that of
Roswell p. Flower but it is a little too early
to make Presidential Cleveland
Plain Dealer.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-12-29
A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT
To Be Urged by the League for the Pro-
lection of Home institutions.

To Be Urged by the League for the Pro-
lection Of Home institutions.
NEW YORK, Dec. 2S-[Specidl 1.-The Ma
tional League for the Protection of Ameri-
can Institutions has prepared an amend
ment to the Constitution of the United
States, which will be submitted to both
Houses of Congress shortly. This amend
ment, which, if adopted, will be the six
teenth amendment, reads as follows: mo
State shall pass any law respecting an es-
tablishment of religion, or prohibiting the
free exercise thereof or use its property or
credit or any money raised by taxation, or
authorize either to be used, for the purpose
of founding, tanning or aiding, by ap-
preparation, payment for services, expenses,
or otherwise, any church, religious denomi-
nation, or religious society, or any instftu-
ton, society, or undertaking which is
wholly, or in part under sectarian or ecclesi-
astical control"
Active measures for the passage of this
NJ. King, General Secretary of the league,
will leave for Washington on Wednesday to
superintend it's Introduction. This bill was
drafted by William Allen Butler, the Chair
man OF the Law Committee. II it passes in
Washington it will be taken to the different
States for ratification. There are 2l States
which now prohibit sectarian appropria-
tions, and 36 States which prohibit any di-
version of the school fund. The National
League for the Protection of the American
Institutions was organized to secure the
passage OF the Constitutional amendment
which 1t is about to propose.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-12-29
Birds of a Feather.

WHILE the new melodramatic comedy
"Birds of Feather" given at the Grand
Opera House last night, has no points of
extraordinary merit, it contains enough of
the startling and sensational to be enter
tanning ana has as much fescinat ion as
the olden time dime novel. 1t Dos
sesses a hero and heroine who after
passing through four acts of troubles
finally triumph over the mephitic villain
and are supposed to live in peace and plenty
ever after. There are burglaries, scenes in
a New York parlor, a fire, cotton fields with
a gin in operation and other scenes SO real
istic that they are never met with on this
mundane sphere.
The lines of the hero fit Mr.. Charles
Bowser admirably, and Miss Marie Sailor
makes good heroine. She sings and dances
cieverly. and is sprightly and fair to look
upon. W. FL. Cooper hardly comes up to the
ideal mephisto in human form. Frank
McNish and Barney McDonough dance well
together and add generally to the lighter
scenes, while Miss Grace TayIor
as belle before the war manages to
throw quite pathetic feeling into some of
her lines, which are rather weak. The com
pany is no stronger than the play, but the
scenery is good, and the gallery was
pleased.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-12-29
A BARREN ARTTFICE.

The announcement, given out as CON-
ing from the Ways and Means Committee,
that separate bills for the placing of
various staples on the free list will follow
each other in rapid succession, practically
effects the defeat Of the policy of attack
on the protectionist system in detail 1t
puts the industrial interests on their guard
against what is really more radical as
sault than was proposed in either the
Mills or Morrison bills.
If the Democrats brought in but one or
two of these bills and said: ''If YOU will
put coal and wool (for eXample) on the
free list, we will accept that as settle
ment of the present tariff ISSUE" they
might have had remote chance of isOlat-
ing those industries and securing the pas
sage of one or two such measures. But
while the separation of the enactments
looks toward that artifice its entire effect
is made nugatory to the declaration of the
policy Of keeping on with such bills until
the whole range of protected staples is
covered. The friends of protection,
therefore, have due notice that the gen.
eral assault on the tariff is continued with
only change in the order of attack. They
viii receive Mr.. Springer'S bevy of bills
just as determinedly as they would a COM
prehensive measure from Mr.. Mills, and
will administer the same defeat to it in the
Senate
For all practical purposes the Chairman
Of the Committee on Ways and Means
might as well include in a single bill all
the staples he proposes to put on the free
list. 1t viii have exactly the same effect
and win save a good deal of valuable time.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-12-29
AS TO SILVER PAYMENTS.

The sensational statement is made pub
lie through the New York World that Sec
retary Foster is every anxious to be COM
PEELED to redeem the Treasury notes in
silver dollars" As no authority is given
for this assertion, and as the partisan
World refers to it as change since ''the
campaign is over," there is not likely to be
any very great reliance placed on the
report until iT is corroborated by some
thing more authoritative. The fact is, two
of the most noted declarations by Secre-
tary Foster of his determination to main
tain gold payments, even to the degree
of redeeming silver certificates in gold,
were made since the election-one in his
letter to the Bankers Convention at New
Orleans, and the other in his speech to the
New York Chamber of Commerce.
Nevertheless, the statement has basis
of possibility in the fact that unless some
means are provided by which the Secre-
tary can either retrench payments or
enlarge the resources of the Treasury he
may reach the point where he will have to
resort to silver payments on some of the
Treasury obligations. The lavish appro-
priations of the last Congress, continued
with the sharp reduction of revenue, are,
even with the retrenchments that the
administration has been able to effect,
gradually eating down the Treasury sur
plus to the point of encroaching on the
gold reserve. AT the same time the insuf-
ficiency of that reserve is emphasized by
the declaration of the Secretary that the
silver bullion certificates issued at the rate
of $50, ,000, 900 are to be redeemed in gold
on presentation. 1t is extremely improb-
able that the administration is ready to
stultify itself by so prompt an abandon
ment of its avowed position; but it is more
than probable that if the present condi-
tions continue long enough the Treasury
may eventually be compelled to make sill
yer payments whether the Secretary wishes
it or not.
A triple alternative presents itself
Either expenditures must be reduced far
below the lavish standards of the Fifty
first Congress, new resources must be
found, or the Treasury must in the end
draw on its immense stock of silver to
meet liabilities. Common sense would
leave no doubt as to which should be
done; but that does not at all settle what
course will be adopted by political infu-
enceS
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-12-29
Lacy as Jack RoyaI.

"JACK ROYAL OF THE 92D" is a new
melodrama in a very old mold. 1t is built
to stir the souls of those who delight in
tanks and real fire engines, though it has
neither of these dramatic adjuncts. There
is IL wildly improbable plot, which works
up to a sensational situation about every
half hour, and a manly, righteous ring
about its motive which atones for the fus-
tian of the language and the bombastic ex-
aggeration in the incidents. 1t does NOT
strike one that the great Nym Crinkle al
lowed his brain to travail for this produc-
tion. 1t suits the star, Mr.. Harry
Lacy, very well. He is put in
some novel heroic positions and some very
old ones; he woos and weds the girl he loves;
defeats 20 brawny men singlehanded in
comb bat, and finally downs the villain. He
was cheered at every step by the Bijou
audience last night, and the play made
great hit. The company Is great
deal better than the play, and in
cludes such excellent actors as Harry
Hotts and Frank Hatch, both of whom make
much fun out of rather thin parts. Mr..
Hatch, who played the professor SO well in
"The Merchant few weeks ago, incident
ally gave a capital skit upon the heavy stage
father. The scenery of the play is realistic
enough, and the tableaux are effective
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-12-29
NATURE MAKING A GARDEN SPOT.

Recent reports from Yuma state that the
overflow of the Colorado river into the
Salton basin, which was believed to be
merely temporary, still continues, and
gives promise of effecting a permanent
change in that region. At present three
tifths of the water in the Colorado are
pouring through the Carter river in the
SaltOn basin. If the main stream con-
tinues its rise at the usual rate until next
February it will then pour a volume of
water into the new channel that is likely
TO make it permanent and create a new
inland sea in the basin where there has
been shallow lake all summer
This is regarded by students of the
natural phenomenon as simply restora-
ton of the river to what was its original
course. At some time in the past its
course was to the westward of its late
channel, and it seems now to be resuming
its old locality But apart from the inter
est of this illustration of the shifting of a
great river, and the disappearance and
restoration of lakes, it has a decided
value. 1t is thought that the creation of
an inland sea from Yuma to the northwest
will furnish the arid region about that
basin with its much-needed humidity, and
convert what has been for centuries vast
desert into one of the garden spots of the
continent 1t is to be hoped that the ex-
pectation may be realized Next year will
tell whether it will or not
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-12-29
PNEUMATIC POSTAL SERVICE.

A new idea in what is called ''postal re-
form"-but would more correctly be styled
postal progress-has been taken up by the
New York Commercial Advertiser. The
proposition is that of the delivery of city
mail from the central postoffice to district
stations by system of pneumatic tubes.
An appropriation of 81, 100000 is suggested
for putting the project into operation in
cities of $50, 900 population or greater
This idea is warmly indorsed by many
postal experts in New York City, although
it is doubtful if it will meet with as warm
a reception by the Postoffice Department.
The disposition of the department is at
present more in the direction of increased
service in country districts so as to include
the delivery of letters in rural sections by
carriers; and it may not be deemed dis
crete to burden the postal appropriations
with both improvements at once. Yet
there are very good arguments why cities
should not be compelled to wait till the
country sections are given a perfect
service before their system is improved.
A leading reason is that city postal bust
ness already pays the profit to the Post
office Department which enables it to keep
up the country service. In addition, the
system of rapid pneumatic delivery has
been for years in operation in several
European cities. In this respect the postal
facilities Of the United States are some
years behind those of the Old World
This movement for improved postal
facilities in cities undoubtedly foreshadows
what is bound to come at some time, al
though its realization in the near future is
doubtful
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-12-29
MUSIC TEACHERS MEET TODAY.
Visitors Hear the Messiah Sung at Old City
Hall by the Mozart Club.

Tue third annual meeting of the State
Music Teachers Association will begin this
morning in Carnegie Hall and continue for
three days. Mayor Gourley was scheduled
to make the opening address, but he went
to New York last evening, and it is not
known now who will do it. Charles Davis
Carter is President and the members of the
Executive Committee are j. H. Cuttings, C.
C. Mellor and James P. McCallum. Carl
Retter has charge of the programme. The
object is to form an epoch in the develop
ment of musical art in Pennsylvania. A
number of teachers arrived last even
ing. Those registered at the Ander-
son are c: A. Monks, Allentown;
Charles III. Jarvis, William Stoll, Jr.,
NJ. Leefson, r. Henig, B. E. Wiley, G. F. Al
bert, Viving Ingle, Fred Manson and A. W.
Barst, all of Philadelphia. Mrs. C. ID. El-
liot, representing Pottsville musical jour
nal, is stopping at the Monongahela House.
Iiandet's beautiful oratorio, the "Aiessiah,"
was sung by the Mozart Club at Old City
Hall last evening. All the music teachers
on hand were present, and after the singing
was over a reception was held in the clubs
rooms, 20 Fourth avenue. A large audience
greeted the club, and the members main-
tanned their reputation. They were freely.
applauded by the visitors.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-12-29
Stage w hispers,

sIIrrLE LORD FAUNTLERoY," produced by
as good a company as has visited this house
this season, filled Harris Theater to over
flowing twice yesterday. Mabel Walsh and
Lillian Masterson alternate in the title role
Both are beautiful children and clever
actresses.
THE lions at Harry Davis Museum
Theater yesterday attracted great crowds,
and well they might for they are genuine
curiosity. The lions are remarkable speci-
mems, and seem to be perfectly under the
control OF Colonel Daniel Boone ana Mlle
Carlotta, both of whom take some big
chances inside the cage. The lions perform
with dogs and Carlot5a even puts her head
inside the Honess' mouth There are other
interesting things in the museum, and
Miner and Phillips Company give a. fair
vaudeville performance in the theater
But the lions alone are worth more than 10
cents to see.
FROM Harry Williams "Own Company" to
the vaudeville company owned by Sam De-
we're is very big drop. NDevere and his
people are at the Academy this week and to
say they are up the average would be saying
what is not true. They can to a certain ex-
tent please and that is all. Sam Devere is
still the same old Sam. Prof. Burke's box
ing dogs are really clever. Mile. Carrie and
the Nelson sisters are below par Thomas
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-12-29
ADVERTISING WINS A. WIFE.
She First Sees Her B:tro;hed Sitting on q
Barrel at Country Station.

She First Sees Her B:trothed Sitting on .
Barrel at a Country Station.
BEAVER FALLS, Dec. %. Especial. - In
Rochester there lives young man named
Featherspoon, employed as motor man on the
Beaver Valley Traction line. He advertised
for wife in Pittsburg paper three weeks
ago, and ut once received an answer from
young lady in Sharon, who gave her name as
Miss Bella Fair. A correspondence resulted
in an engagement for meeting at the sta
tion in this place at 10 o'clock Saturday
morning. The young lady was on time, and
put in her time wandering about the
station until Mr.. Featherspoon appeared.
Neither knew the other, and they wandered
about in a circle until the young lady finally
asked the stationmaster, in sheer despair, If
"that man sitting on a barrel' were not
Featherspoon. The stationmaster said it
was, and the coy maiden beckoned the blush
ing suttOr to her side. Along talk ensued and
Billy invited his uncaged bird to q ride in the
electric car. She accepted, and side by side
they made the round trip. Stern duty then
interferred and the young man was obliged
to leave. but promised to be at the station at
o'clock to see his own on the train for
home. The time arrived but no suitor, and
the young lady fingered about until dark.
when, all trains having gone, she asked one
of the clerks to pilot her to Kenwood, whence
she took a train for home. MI. F. was de-
layed by duty, but is now q firm believer in
the policy of advertising.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-12-29
PITTsBURG. TUESDAY. DECEMBER %
A CITIZENS FLOP,

The old Know-Nothing cry of America
for Americans will be revised and reSur-
rected if a few more cases like the one
recorded elsewhere in these columns occur.
A few years ago Major Jones, of this
State, was stanch supporter of Repub-
licanism-such good and true patriot as
to be rewarded with a Consulship to his
native Wales. When he accepted Office
under Uncle Sam he obligated himself to
uphold the interests and the institutions
of his adopted country-to hide his nativity
under the folds of the striped and starred
flag. and applaud the shrieks of the eagle
al all times and under all circumstances.
But blood is thicker than water Major
Jones. like every true born Welshman, had
a warm spot in his heart for the rocks and
the rills, the hills and the wales, the songs
and the lore of his bOyhood home. Unlike
the majority of his brothers, however, he
retained pleasant memories of the policy
and politics of his native land. The latter
fact is proven by the announcement that
Major Jones, eX-United States Consul to
Cardiff, Wales, is now Major Jones, a
would-be NJ. P. for Llanelly, a rank free
trader, hater of Blaine, a full fledged
subject of Her Britannia Majesty, a Hopper
from freedom to crOwn-controlled liberty.
Uncle sam, by this change of heart on
the part of Major Jones, has lost a sub
ject as well as a servant. of course, this
OF itself is not a serious matter; but the
deduction to be drawn from the episode
may be worthy of serious thought. Will
il revive the old cry of America for the
Americans? Or will that demand be modi-
fed thus: American offices for American
born citizens? The examples set by Mr..
Egan in Chile and Mr. Jones in Wales will
cause talk. Where and how that talk will
end no one can tell
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-12-29
Obituary Notes.

Nps. NJ. MCDONALD died at the residence of
ber daughter in West Mlddlesex Pa, last Thurs
day morning at the ripe old age of 81 years.
BERTIE CECIL Postmaster Gent raj of Honduras
and director OF its trls graph systrI died at Te-
gucigalpa sunday. He was u native OF the United
states.
GENERAL SCOTT BROWN died ut Frank fort, Ky,
Yesterday, aged - years. He was Adjutant Gen.
eral in 1851 and in. the Legislature from 1875 to
1879.
JESSE HUNNELL, SR., a prominent and retired
hardware merchant of Waynesburg. fell dead
sunday. 1t was his 67th birthday and he had Just
remarked that he was feeling wed. Heart disease
was the cause.
LEOPOLD SroCKER, an Austrian by BIRTH is dead
an Avon. ILL.,. aged s. years. Mr.. Stocker came to
Bordcntown, n. j.. with LucIan Murut In 1875.
Soon after his arrival he entered the service of
Joseph BOnaparte as valet de chamber. He re-
ma ined close companion until the Kings death.
1t was in his arms that Joseph died.
WILLIAM BARNET, the oldest man in West Mid
desex, Pa, died At the residence of his daughter,
Mrs. s. Flowers, last week. aged 91 years, months
and days. Mr.. Barnet was remarkably well
preserved old man, and was more active than many
younger persons. He enjoyed good health until
seized by an attsck of grip, which terminated his
existence. He took much pride in referring to the
fact that he was the irss man to turn over spade
full Of earth on the Erie aud Pittsburg Canal.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-12-29
TIE COTTON PLANTERS DILEMMA.

The condition of the cotton market is
naturally the subject of a great deal of
complaint on the part of the cotton raisers
Of the South. The crop in the United
States was one of the largest ever secured,
and not having the fortune of the grain
raisers in shortage of yield in other
quarters of the world, prices fell TO very
low level. Planters assert that it is diff
cult to sell their crop at paying rate
This is no doubt true TO the extent that
planters who have allowed their liabilities
70 grow on an expectation of getting ten
cents pound for their cotton will find
themselves in difficulty when they can
realize but eight cents. But the assertion
that planters cannot make a living by
raising cotton at present prices must
be tested by their course next year in cut