davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-01-01
Total Eclipses of the Moon.

During the year there will be two total eclipses
OF the moon. one in May and the other in No
vember, to be seen generally in Europe, Asia
and Africa. but invisible to us.
Jupiter is still evening star, but he will soon
lose himself In the SUMS light, and when next
he appearsit will be as morning star, so that
our chance to see the prince of planets is q
gradually decreasing one, as on February Is he
mas the same right ascension as the sun. He
Will be greatly missed. as he has so long been
such superb object and so very prominent
among the planets that nothing can at present
replace him.
Venus is out of the race Mars is getting
DINNER and DINNER, and Saturn, although
gradually getting higher and higher in the
eastern skies. does not attempt to fill the place
that Jupiter occupied. One consolation is that
the diameter of the planet is at present de-
creas1ng, but when he next greets our view HI
that he is about to disappear, when we can
count once more on his being "a lamp dis
pelling irksome night"
Mars is getting so ve.y small that his bril-
liant companion has drawn so far away from
him that the great interest he afforded us has
almost entirely gone, and we can only distin-
guish him by the peculiar reddish tinge that he
always has. He is still an evening star and
although Of little moment to the amateur he
Is source OF theory and speculation to the
scientists who see on his surface network of
INES connecting sea with sea, as well as snow
and ice and the still more wonderful canals
The right ascension of Mars on the Ist is 20
nours, 53 minutes, his decination is degrees
59 minutes south, his diameter is six and two
tenths seconds, and he is the constellation of
AQuarlus.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-01-01
THE LICENSE QUESTION.

Propositions to amend the Brooks law by
relieving the courts Of the duty of granting
Licenses, and placing that work in the hands
of a commission of some sort or other, are so
abundant as to establish the inference that
an amendment will be vigorously pressed at
the coming session. If the change is to be
made, the idea of Senator Finn, that the po-
lice department of the cities should be rep
resented on the commission, has decided
force. Mr.. Ford's plan, also. of commits
sion, part of which will be elective and part
appointed by the court, is not without its
merits. But the main question to be set
tied before deciding the details Of the new
commission is whether the change shall be
made of transferring the granting of licenses
from the courts to a special body. On that
issue there will be wide and obstinate diff
ference of opinion.
1t may be conceded that the Judges
should be willing to be relieved of a task
which is onorous and disagreeable at the
best, and which in the populous counties
either oyer-burden them with work or
e them to take the time from other and
IL
attitude being formed solely as to its
bearing on the labors of the bench, it cannot
be- regarded as decisive as to whether the
public purposes of a license court will be as
carefully subserved by a commission as by
the present method.
The division of opinion at large is such as
to present the issue. in the clearest way so
far as the primary phase is concerned, The
fact that the propositions for the change
come almost exclusively either from the
political class which has affiliations with
the liquor interests, or from the liquor in
terest themselves, together with the storm of
complaints that arises on each announce
ment of liquor decisions, argues the under
lying belief that commission would exer-
else greater liberality in the granting of
licenses than the judges do. The same be-
lief wall doubtless inspire the opposition to
the change, from the large class of our citi-
zens who wish to see the liquor traffic kept
under strict limitations, and who are firm
in the belief that an arrangement which has
worked such changes as the present one has
is the best one to stick to.
But while this primary phase i'm
presses itself on every mind, it is worth
while to remember that there is possibly a
secondary phase which, for the interest of
the public alone. should be given thorough
consideration. All impartial minds agree
on the importance of having the license
question settled by a tribunal which is
above the Influences of practical politics
and entirely beyond the control of those in
terested in the traffic regulated. The attach
ment to the present arrangement on the
part of those who wish the traffic restricted
lies in the undoubted fact that the judges
sre at present wholly superior to such in
fuences. But if the fear that an elective
commission would fall under such influences
is well founded, is there not an equal dan
ger that as the judicial positions are filed
bv election the same influences will prevail?
One judge in this State is already reported
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-01-01
THE PLAYS TO COME.

THE American Extravaganza Company's big
spectacular prodaction, The Crystal Slipper"
which will be seen at the Duquesne Theater
next Monday night. is said to be quite different
from the piece presented here two years ago
When 1.-The Crystal Slipper" was revived at
the Chicago Opera House last summer. new
scenery was painted for it, new costumes were
designed and made, the libretto was completely
oyerhauled and the music newly written from
the overture to the final strains OF the orches-
ira, The popularity Of ''The Crystal Slipper"
is attested by the fact, that although it had
been seen for II weeks in Chicago. since its re-
yiyaI it has been given there Is weeks longer,
making run of 80 weeks altogether. to uni
formly large business. The sale of seats be-
gins to-day.
AT the Grand Opera House, that absorbing
spectacular play. Hands Across the Sea" is to
be given 10 an effectiye manner next week. The
play is susceptiblelof large amount of scenic
embellishment, and its managers are said to
have been unsparing in their endeayors to pro-
vide an abundance of imposing scenery. Every
set is pertinent to the intricate plot, and are as
varied as they are numerous. The rising of the
curtain discloses a charming picture of an
English farm, followed in rapid succession by a
street in Paris. the interior of a gambling
palace, room in the Grand Hotel and the in
terror of the prison La Roquette. Paris the
deck OF an Australian steamship, with French
cunboat in chase, said by our exchanges to be
remarkably realistic.
To-Day is the last day of the Gettysburg
Cyclorama in Allegheny. 1t has been open
continuously for about five years, or to be exact,
for L,299 days, by far the longest run of::any
similar exhibition in the TWO cities. There
ought to be crowds there to-day, as it is the
last chance to see wonderfully realistic pic
ture of the great battle.
MISS MATHERs impersonationo Of Joan of Arc
will be an exceedingly interesting event at the
Bijou next week. She will appear in the new
play on Monday and Tuesday nights. The box
ofiice sale began yesterday and reflects COM
Portable assurance OF popular support for Miss
Mather,
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-01-01
THE IRON OUTLOOK.

The full review of the condition of the
local iron industry, published in another
column, shows that the most active year
ever known in Pittsburg's iron trade closes
with some uncertainty and conservatism as
regards prices. This is but the natural re-
suit Of the recent occurrences in financial
and railway circles, and as soon as the basic
factors of the situation have readjusted
themselves there is every reason to hope
that the indu'try will 60 forward with unln-
terrupted vigor.
The readjustment is most prominently
called for in the pig iron industry. 1t is
hardly pleasant to notice that the railroad
authorities do not recognize the value OF a
policy that will stimulate this important
freight originating industry, as the coke
companies have done. The railway contention
that if they reduce rates for one section
they will have to do so for others is un-
questionably correct; but that interest
should bear the fact in mind that the rates
which they get from the pig iron industry
are something like so per cent greater per
ton per mile than the rates on the more ex-
pensive and much-fought-over through
grain freights They can much better af-
ford to lower the rates little than to dwarf
and limit such profitable trafic-although
now, as in the '70s, they are very slow to
learn that important lesson.
We do not apprehend that there will be
any serious difficulty in making whatever
readjustments are necessary to put all
branches of the industry on a conservative
and staple level. The best assurance to
that effect is contained in the fact that
prices have never departed far from that
level. The immense expansion of the in
dustrg during the past ten years has been
made on conservative prices; and the same
fact furnishes the best guarantee against
serious complications in the future.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-01-01
SMILE ONCE IN A WHILE

It is unfortunate that publication should
have been made OF the fact that the sun Is as large
AS thirteen hundred thousand earths. There will
now be men who will want the sun.-Loufsuttts
Courier-JournGL.
Tomdik-Where's Dinwiddie?
ncClammy-He's in the ante-room.
Tomdik-That's just like Dinwiddie. II there's
a poker game going anywhere he can be de-
pended upon to find it.-Chtcago hter-0csaa.
There is little comfort in the ruling that
natural gas Is dutiabe. Voorhees, obtains bis sup
ply within the borders OF the United States. :
Minneapolis Tribune.
Colonel Cutcheon-Didn't your wife ask
YOU to purchase load of wood this morningf
Major Smiles-Yes. but compromised on stack
of chips.-St. Paul Globe.
Big Foot is in hoe. 1t may yet be found
that he is Chicago girl in disgufse--Totedo
Blade.
Uncle Sam is pretty liberai-minded In re-
gard to names of towns and postofhces, but when
the State of Washington bobbed up with:
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS II was decided tnaf
the name had better be changed to plaid Hope
Vile. III Detroit Free PreSs.
Goodby the pipe, goodby the glass '-
,Tis thus that earthly pleasures pass.
Let cold and carping cyncs scott
About the people who swear on.
Yer that is what gives life Its cheer
And welcome makes the coming year;
For swearing of. tits plainly true
Makes clear just what we shouldn't do;
And gives after viewing IL
The pleasure sweet OF doing 1t.
-Washfngton Post.
There will be both Ketenam and Cheat
ham In the rext Congress- just there are in this
one.-Boston Herald.
IF the Government takes the control Of
telegraph lines out OF the hands Of companies, it
will pnt a stop to the Go. operating principle 10
that tindustry.-BWTaIo Express.
Sobbed Jill toJack, mid matrimonial strife,
..Curs't be the day when became your wife,"
az am amazed, - said Jack. SIT Is too bad
To curse the only happy day we've had"
-WashfagtoB star
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-01-01
What a Comedy 1t Would Be.

Haven't you wished at the close of Romeo
and Juliet that Shakespeare had written the
play as romantic comedy instead of an ex-
ceptionally bloody tragedy? Every time go
to see it the delightful possibilities of happy
ending to the finest love story ever written rise
in contrast to the gloomy actuality.
This reminds me that there is in Ireland a jour
nal called Irish Society," whose critic has original
ideas about Romeo and Juliet" This gentle
man says of Romeo and Juliet" that it is a
''melodrama which would bear cutting with
advantage" He compliments Miss Fortescue
on her dramatic hoarseness and fierce de-
meanor," but laments that ''the entire play is
abnormal, ana frequently outrages probabil-
ity. Here and there we're glimpses of human
nature but, generally, it is blank verse, stuffed
with bloated metaphor and rhythmic bombast,
and the boards were Uttered with corpses like a
shambles." 1t is refreshing to find a writer
making stand against ''bloated metaphor" !"
and as a criticism Of Shakespeare, but. gener-
ally, it is blank verse;" is new and striking,
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-01-01
Hazelwood Telephone Service.

10 the Editor of The Dispatch:
The officials of telephone companies are no
doubt much harassed class by the small CON-
plants Of subscribers but it is also true that to
many OF the same subscribers the telephone
has gradually become nervous affection be-
cause OF want of prompt service. Tne Incl
dental obstruction through atmospheric causes
are bad enough, but they do not provoke so
much as inability to get attention when the
skies are clear. The habit of switching on and
switching off before messages are fully deliv-
cred is a frequent source of annoyance that
might be remedied by more care. No later
than last week q business man in the Hazel
wood district was summoned up by most i'm
portant communication from his Office in town,
and, though subscriber to several telephones,
he was not only unable to get his answer back,
but similarly failed when, by the courtesy of
several neighbors. he was permitted to try
theirs. Subscribers for the most part do not
care to make complaints when petty disap-
pointments are over and forgotten. For that
reason occasional mention in the papers may
help to promote good service and secure
greater attention tor all.
SECOND AVENUE MANUFACTURER.
PITTSBURG, Dec. 81.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-01-01
SOCIETY IN FULL DRESS.

The Spanish German at the Painter Mansion
Debut of the Misses Chalfant-An Ital-
ian Veteran Remembered Social Gossip
of the Twin Cities.
One of the most novd and elaborate, as well
as one of quaintest and prertiest events Of the
season, was the Spanish german given last
evening by Miss Mary Painter, the charming
little daughter of Mr.. and Mrs. Park Painter,
at the family mansion on Ridge avenue.
The little guests having precedence in the
use of the carriages, as they were scions
of the families whose older MEM
bers appeared at the Chalfant recep-
tion. began to arrive about o'clock
and after removing their outer garments, were
ushered into the handsome drawing room, and
there greeted Miss Mary, who Is enjoying
Christmas vacation from her school at Pelham
Manor, on the Hudson. The little hostess, in a
sweetly pretty, yet simple, gown of white silk,
succeeded in making her young friends feel at
ease Immediately. difficult thing to ac-
complish, even by much more expert
enced person, and consequently. as there
was no restraint or stiffness to wear OF, the
good time" commenced at once.
The decorations and music of mandolins. as
did everything pertaining to the german, car
ried out the Spanish idea. The drawing room,
after being crashed, was hung artistcally with
the Spanish colors of crimson and gold, and the
favors were all suggestive OF Spain. There
were four favor cotillons danced. preceded by
tarIetan figure, in which the red and gold
was used. Tiny Spanish castanets and
guitars were the favors for one cotillon, pretty
little ribbon bows and rosettes of the
colors of Spain, for another, and
globes filled with chocolate candies and
cigarette holders containing cigarettes of
chocolate for still another, while cunning little
gypsey kettles of brass, each bearing number,
were the favors for the final cosiilon. And the
possessor of the lucky number among tho
misses received handsome Spanish FAM and a
silver Spanish stiletto was awarded the fortu-
nate master.
Refreshments were served in the billiard
room, and mammoth floral globe occupied
the center of the table out of compliment to
Columbus. the famous Spaniard.
The guests were Misses Alice Tindle. Rebecca
Darlington. Madeline Laughlin. Mary Laugh
lin, Amy Watson, marguerite Singer, Patti
Rogers, Bessie Long, Georgia Gormley,
Jeanette ChiIds, Mary Bell, Agnes Dickson,
Mary Brown, Villa Forsythe, Mable Clark,
Frances Oliver, Mary Milligan, Roma Husle-
ton, Elizabeth Chambers, Lila Clark
son, Bessy Mcbride. Amy Scott.
Flossie Carnegie, Mary LIE Moyne and Rosalind
Smith, and Masters Ralph Albree, Arthur Bell.
Oliver Chambers. George Collins, Carroll Fitz-
hugh, Willie Ferguson, Tom Jones. George
Laughln. Harry McCandless, Willie Dllworth,
Charles Patterson, Oliver McClintock, Harry
Robinson, Stuart Robinson, Eugene Messler.
Douglas Stewart, Dallas Byers. Dick Suydan,
Bedell Suydan, George Mcbride, John Ricket-
son. Harry Rogers, Marshall Bell, Kenneth
Painter.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-01-01
MADE THEIR DEBUT.
The Misses Annie and Eleanor Chalfant
Take Their Places in Society.

The Misses Annie and Eleanor Chalfant
Take Their Places in Society.
The ooming-out reception of the Misses An
ME and Eleanor Chalfant. daughters Of John
H. Chalfant, at the Duquesne Clubhouse last
evening, was probably the largest social
event Of the season, and wonderfully brilliant
affair. The magnificent assembly-room of the
clubhouse was beautifully decorated with
trophies in the exotic line from the
tropics, and cut flowers filled the air
with fragrance that mingled with the
delightful strains of Toerge's orchestra.
The guests represented the wealth and fashion
of the twin cities, who welcomed the very
charming and popular young ladies into the
social world to which they are by birth and ed
ucation thoroughly fitted to grace.
The young ladies were beautifully attired in
becoming costumes of white and were assisted
in receiving by Mrs. Henry Fitzhugh. the bride,
and Misses Stella Hays and Patti Laughlin,
two recently debuted young ladies. The sup
per was served by the club chef and embraced
everything delicious in season and out of sea-
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-01-01
SHE WILL WED A JAP.
Both Parties to the Union Are Members of
the Friends, Society.

the Friends Society.
ESPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE DISPATCH,
PHILADELPHIA, Dec 3l.-Miss Mary EIkin-
ton. daughter of Joseph s. Elkinton promi-
nent member of the Society OF Friends, will be
japanese student, well known in intellectual
circles There ceremony will be performed in the
quaint old meeting house at Fifth and
Arch streets. Miss Elkinton's family are gen.
orally opposed to the union, and her father en-
deavored to have the young couple debarred
from the meeting house, notwithstanding the
fact that her family are old and respected
Der of the Society of Friends.
Two meetings were held to consider the ad-
visibility of allowing the marriage TO be per-
formed in the meeting house by the Friends
which was held on Thanksgiving Day,
Mr.. ElkiDton declared his opposition.
to pass meeting. or in other
words. were denied permission to be united in
a Friends meeting house, or by a minister of
on Christmas Day. committee of Friends
reported favorably upon granting the
use of the building for the ceremony,
thus removing the last obstacle to the mar
MIR. Elkinton's grief at the certainty of the
union is very great, and he has been confined
to his house ever since the announce
ment. The arrangements Tor the cere-
mony tomorrow is reception to their
house of Mr.. and Mrs. William Elkinton,
brother ana sister-in-law of the bride, and the
following week they will entertain their friends
at tue residence of Mrs. Sarah Scull, Over
brook. They will bid farewell to their friends
a few days later and depart for San Francisco,
from which point they will sail on January II
for Yokohama, Japan.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-01-01
ASPECTS OF THE SKIES.

The Movements of the Planets During the
Month of January-Stars of the First
Magnitude Make Good Showing-As-
Economical Forecast for the Year.
The sun rose this morning at 7:15 and will set
atabout 4:30. which makes the day almost nine
and quarter hours in length. The increase in
the length of the day for the month will be 30
minutes. and at the months close we shall have
almost an hour Of daylight added to the short
est day of the year at the winter solstice. The
SUMS declination is still far down in the south
ern section of the heavens, but his speed is an
accelerarfng one, being more than three times
as rapid when February opens as it is now.
During the year there will be an annular eclipse
OF the sun in June and partial eclipse in No
vember. neither of which will be visible in our
latitude,
on the I'd, the January moon not making its
appearance until the 10th. when it is almost at
the extreme limit of its southern declination.
The moon quarters on the 10Th and becomes
full on January "a.
Owing to the great difference in declination
between the moon and the various planets,
there are no very striking meetings for the
months. although against the deep-blue back
ground OF the clear winter sky the brllliancy of
the moon and the principal stars offers u
picture well worth admiration. The first con-
junction is with Mercury on the 10th, but as
tnls is the day OF new moon we can see neither
or the celestial bodies Jupiter receives the
next visit. on the 1lth, but the difference OF 40
IN the declInation separating the two spoils the
IaDieau Mars comes next, on the 14th, but
here there is still wider separation. On the
18th the last conjunction of the month occurs,
with Saturn. three days after the full Of the
moon. the separation being the same as in the
case of Jupiter.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-01-01

A RATHER encouraging showing is made
for Pittsburg by the United States Census Re-
port on municipal Indebtedness. While Pitts
burg is stated to be the twelfth city in the
amount of municipal debt, placed at SIS, ,203, 4O2
which does not take into consideration the
retirements by sinking fund-it has exceptional
position in being credited with available re-
sources Of s24 $50, while no other city has
available resources equal to the amount of its
debt. The statement is such an extraordinarily
favorable one for Pittsburg, and reveals so un-
expected a wealth of resources, that we fear it
must be accounted for on the supposition of a
typographical error in the table as published.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-01-01
A COLORED UNIVERSITY.
Plans Now Under Way for One Similar to
Chautauqua.

Plans Now Under Way for One Similar to
Chautauqua.
ESPECIAL TELEeRAh TO THE DIsPAroHi
AsBURY PARK, N. J., Dec. 31.-A tract of
land has been purchased in the pine woods
north of Deak Lake, and adj dining the new
resort known as Interlaken, for the
avowed purpose of establishing a per-
manent summer resort for the colored race.
The project is big one, as it also includes the
erection of a brick college, capable of rooming
500 colored students, somewhat after the style
of the Fisk University in the South. There
will also be permanent campmeeting ground
and a summer school of general work, as at
Chatauqua.
Tonight number of ministers and laymen.
conspicuous in the work of the African Metho-
dist Episcopal Church. held a meeting in
Bethel Church. After considerable dis
summer educational institute under the name
of the Park University. There are l3 trustees
who will serve for one year. The Rev. Junius
{. Ayler was elected President of the
University aRd President of the Board
of Trustees. Mr.. Ayler is said to be one
of the best educated colored men in the coun-
try, Be was graduated from Rutgers College
four years ago. He is now the presiding elder
of this district of the African M. E. Church.
Representatives or company which
has purchased tine tract of land were
present. They sand the project
was assured of success from the start. Build
ing lots will be sold under certain restrictions,
but the deeds will be given and not SO year
leases like those issued by the Ocean Grove
Campmeeting Association.