davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-07-09

Further details about that proposed re-
view Of the British volunteers at Wimble-
don, reduce that reported, and disputed,
sarcasm of the German Emperor about
''tradesmen playing at soldiers" to the
level Of sober fact They also put in a
very unique light the attacks upon the
British War Office for its incapacity to
move the force of volunteers to the re-
reviewing, as the inability appears to have
arisen exclusively from the exceptional
character Of that unique military force
It seems the War Office perpetrated the
offense of ordering that volunteers must
leave the city for Wimbledon by certain
trains and at fixed hours. They had to en-
bark between ten and half past eleven in
the morning to be in time for the afternoon
parade. This infringement on the liber-
ties Of a free and independent citizen
sold1ery was bitterly resented. The
high privates and corporals of the
volunteers were of the fixed opinion
that if they started at two clock and took
their own routes they would have time to
do all the parading they cared to have. To
call upon them to leave their shops at an
hour when they might make several profit
able sales was an act of military usurpa-
ton they did not feel called upon to obey,
and they did not obey in large numbers.
1t is an amusing illustration of the power
of the middle class in England that Tory
and Government organ like the Times
warmly upholds this unique theory of mill
tary discipline, and sharply criticises the
War Office for its gigantic blunder in at
tempting TO order the citizen soldiery to
move at an hour and by routes that do not
meet with the mature approval of the rank
and file. If anything were needed to beg
gar the old-time sarcasmS at the ante-bel-
lum militia of the United States it is the
assertion Of the Times that "the volun-
teers must be led, not driven
The spectacle this suggests Of the de-
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-07-09
EXTENDING THEIR CHURCH.
The Reformed Home Mission VIII Build a
Chapel in Allegheny.

IHo hclOf"cu n1lSbIOu "LAA Dullu q
Chapel in Allegheny.
The Executive Committee of the Board of
Home Missions of the Reformed Church held
its annual meeting at the Hotel Boyer yes
terday. The members present were DR.. j. A.
Peters, President of Heidelberg College at
Boush, Meadville, the legal adviser; DR.. D. s..
Home Missions: Rev. e. R. Eschbach, Fred
erick, Secretary; Rev. j. M. Kendig, Cont1u-
ence, and DR.. j. J. Leberman, Louisville.
Superintendent Fouse made a very en-
couraging report of the years work. He
spoke of the great crop prospects in the
West, and the good feeling that exists
among the people. He noted that when the
country was prosperous the Church also
shared in the good times, and the cause of
religion was promoted. 1t is the duty of the
committee to go over the books and the re-
ports, establish missions, fix the salaries of
missionaries and look after details of this
character. Their business is chiefly to
push the work of the Church among En-
glish-speaking people, as the Germans
of the country are well organized
and provided with churches. For
worth $200 600 for the English congregation in
Cleveland, while there are eight German
Reformed congregations in the city. The
committee ordered the purchase of lot on
California avenue, where chapel will be
erected at once. Churches will also be built
at ST. Joseph, Mo-, and Cumberland. Md. A
lot has also been bought in Lincoln, Neb.
tending their religion all over the lanu. Mr..
Boush said they were liberal in their ideas,
and will permit Catholics and Unitarians to
commune with them.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-07-09
THE TRIP A SHORT ONE.

Apropos of the statements in THE DIS
PATCH yesterday of the proved accessible
ity to the general public of the Schenley
Park site for the Carnegie Libary, the
Leader objects that downtown people do
not want to ''take days vacation" to
reach the Library when it materializes.
The simple answer to this is that from 15
to II minutes is the running time from the
postoffice to Schenley Park by either the
Pittsburg Traction or the Duquesne line
This does not make very big hole in the
day. There is no place the Library might
be put where it would not be Is minutes
from various parts of the town. With the
crossroads which are sure to come from
the Southside and Lawrenceville to the
park, there will eventually be no more
convenient location.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-07-09
PITTsBURG. THURSDAY, JULY 9. 1891
SETTLING THE CURATIVE BUSINESS.

The step taken by the lawyers for the
property owners opposed to proceedings
under the curative act, in obiecting to the
appointment of viewers, looks the
promptest method of obtaining an early
and conclusive settlement of the validity
of that act By raising the Constitutional
question prior to the appointment of
viewers, a decision of the Supreme Court
can be obtained much sooner than if the
somewhat protracted operation of the
hearings and findings by the viewers and
their review by the Court were gone
through before the question of validity
was taken up. In the interest of a prompt
settlement of this important matter, there
fore, the objection of the attorneys was
Well-timed
In order that the decision may be final
and conclusive it is important that all
points on which the Constitutionality of
the act may be questioned should be
brought up and adjudicated The objec-
tion as made furnishes the ground
for such a complete settlement
in the claim that the Legislature has not
power to legitimize proceedings which have
been declared by the Supreme Court to be
null and void from the beginning, and that
therefore the curative act is wholly void.
This broad claim does not march very
well with the principal laid down in the
City of Chester case; but we take it that
the especial points on which difference
can be claimed from that case, are, first,
whether the Legislature can validate acts
which have failed not from a general want
of power in the charter, as in the Chester
case, but from an unconstitutional eXer-
clse Of power with regard to the especial
subject in dispute; and, second, whether
the Court will hold any act to be valid for
assessing on the propertyholders the cost
of Improvements for which the majority
did not petition. All other points should
be decided in the case, but it is probable
that the decision will turn on these.
OF course public interest is on the side of
sustaining the curative legislation; but
back of that there is the necessity that
whatever way the Supreme Court in its
somewhat inscrutable wisdom may decide,
both the property owners and the city
should know as soon as possible what they
are to do. 1t is satisfactory to know that
this proceeding viii provide the earliest
settlement which will place the future
course beyond doubt.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-07-09
THE POLICE PENSION ORDINANCE.

In addition. to other important measures
to be passed upon by the special meeting
of Councils, it is understood that the ordi-
nance providing pension fund for the
policemen disabled in the line of duty will
be taken up as unfinished business 1t has
already passed one branch and will, if
taken up, be likely to pass the other. 1t
will be remembered that the Governor
vetoed an act authorizing such an ordi-
nance not from any objection to its provi
sions, but because the power already existed
in Councils. The measure has been sub
ject to public discussion for some
months, and up to the present time no
valid argument has been brought up
against it. 1t makes proper provision
for faithful and devoted service, and will
for that reason tend to improve and main
tain the morale of the force. There is no
reason why it should not be promptly
enacted and put into operation at once.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-07-09
1t Was q CHASTITY Solution.

Where now the new road crosses Crooked
river, Connecticut, there was aforetime a
fordway, and just above the spot-not more
than 20 yards-is the junction of Crab Valley
brook with the river, says a writer in the
Boston Globe. This brook takes its rise only
a few miles away, amid a wild of forest and
crag, and in cases of sudden and severe
storm it becomes swollen and turbulentlong
before'the river has perceptibly risen.
One day q gentleman had occasion to ford
the stream toward nightfall, when there had
jacent mountains. He managed to get
across safely, though there were moments
when his horse was forced to stop and brace
himself and gather strength.
Having reached the opposite bank he
found one of Uncle Tim Shute's boys at
hand, engaged in f1shing-a big, tow-headed,
carrotty-faced hero of 10 to II years of age,
clad in the remnants of a suit of homespun
that must once have belonged to his daddy.
"Hallo boyr' the traveller hailed, as he
reined in his painting steed,. 'fs this the shall
lowest place of your r1ver?'
sis it-a-the what, sir?"
"The shallowest"
"Wot's that2"
"Why-the shoalest--the place where
there's the least water"
"Oh-ah-yas-I reckon 'tis."
WE'LL should call it dangerous place.
Are not people lost here sometimes?"
mo- sir"
"What-never3 How long have you lived
here2"
"I's alters lived here"
"And you never knew anybody to be lost
in fording this river?"
mo, sir"
"Well-that is strange. 1 declare-I came
very near to being swept away two or three
times"
"Yaas, don't wonder. I've know'd lots of
'em to be swept off an drowndedI |"
"What! Did you not tell me just now
that you had never known case of that
kind2'
.No; didn't tell yer noth'n o. the kind
I said ther' WANT nobody ever lost; cause,
dye see, right down there, whar the river
crooks arc arouna fnat aeberg great rooa they
'em.'
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-07-09
A Ride on a Balloon.

hung in tho netting on the upper side of
the balloon, and clutching the small cords
tightly, as many of them as l could grasp in
my hands, 1 held on, as drowning man
holds to a straw, says gentleman in the
New York Sun, giving his experience.
The balloon had careened to one side, as it
started up, and struck me. To save myself
from falling, caught the netting and held
on.
The huge air ship righted in a moment and
was 80 feet from the earth. Another mo-
ment and we were in the pure cold currents
of the upper air, and then the balloon shot
upward like rocket. 1t careened from side
to side as it rose;m weight, perhaps, caused
it to do 80, but held on.
There was a roaring in my ears like the
noise of great cataract. My head seemed
bursting open. 1 tried to cry out, but my
voice would not obey my will. We moved
in zigzag course, and knew we were fly
ing through the air at great speed, but |
could not tell how fast. 1 saw trees and
houses flying by in one confused mass.
looked down, and, horror of horrors, the
earth was rising to meet US. No. it was pfr-
suing us; we were still moving up, but the
earth was coming nearer with the speed of
the wind. tried to change my position, to
get on the other side of the balloon, but 1
could not
Hooked again. The earth was only few
feet away now. 1 closed my eyes. / knew
the SHOCK OI d COlllSlOu WOulu cOIie III D.
We struck. I felt the cold, damp earth
against my face, but strange, was unhurt
by the shock. tried to release my hold of
the netting, but the airship lurched away,
and again L was borne up and up until the
earth seemed n mere speck of dirt. On we
sped through space. looked overhead and
saw stars. Then 1 knew it was night. 1
looked ahead, and saw a monster black OBJ
ject coming toward us with speed as great
as our own.
At first could not make out what it was,
but in a moment its outlines we're discerni-
BILE, and realized that it was a mountain.
At our altitude we would strike 1t half way
up, but we began to rise again, and struck
tile crest of the mountain. TIE shock was
severe. 1 felt sharp pains in my head, and
million stars flashed and danced before my
eyes, but the balloon rose again and carried
me on and on.
We had crossed the mountain, passed over
a valley and river and seemed to be ap-
preaching a city. Once l thought 1 could
distinguish long rows of dimly burning
street lamps. Then we struck the earth
again with great force, and lost conscious
ness.
How long l was unconscious 1 do not
know, but at last heard faint murmer of
voices and could see ghostly-looking human
forms moving about. l heard the dripping
OF water, and then man clothed in white
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-07-09
TAXATION IN FRANCHISES.

The fact that the Philadelphia street
| railroad syndicate not long ago paid 81,
600, 900 for a Newark railroad that had
cost s., ,O67, 300 to build is cited by the New
York Press as an evidence of the great
value of street railway franchises. The
conclusion is evident-supposing the pay
ment to be made in cash and not in in
flated securities-that the franchise was
valued by the expert purchasers of such
articles at $685., 100. As Newark is a
third or fourth class city the inference as
to the value of franchises granted to cor
pOrations in the larger cities, such as Pitts
burg up to New York, is very impressive.
The purpose of this agitation by our
contemporary is to show that instead Of
these magnificently valuable franchises
being given away by reckless, if not
actually corrupt municipal action, the
companies receiving them should pay into
the city treasures the value they themselves
have set in this case. As compared with
the present system of giving these values
to corporations, there is no doubt that it
would be an immense improvement. But
viewed solely by itself, as compared with
what might be done, it is necessary to
recognize that the value of these franchises
is ultimately assessed on the people.
Street railway syndicates do not pay
So, OOO. 600 for a franchise merely for the
love of the thing. They do it because they
expect to collect the interest on this sum
back from the people with profit. The
sale of such franchises would therefore
be nothing more than aform of taxation.
and it would be a modern form of the
onerous system of tax-farming which was
one of the causes of the French Revo-
luton.
To illustrate more in detail, let us sup
pose for the sake of the argument that the
six franchises granted in Pittsburg of late
years averaged equal value to that in
Newark The interest ON that would be
about 100000 levied on the people
in the shape of railroad fares Let
us repeat that if the people are
to be taxed this sum it would be better
to have the revenue go into the
public treasury than into the corporate
pocket But is it well-judged form of
it is advisable to especially tax? Asit will
be collected from the masses on their way
to and from work, or on their way to and
from the patronage of trade, it is evident
that the tax is tax upon enterprise and
industry levied directly on the masses, and
it is one that should not be levied if it is
possible to abolish.
The point that should be borne in mind
in connection with this subject is that an
intelligent municipal policy should seek to
encourage such competition in transit
through the streets that the companies can
levy no greater fares than will yield an
honest return on the actual investment.
When this is done, as might be effected in
more than one way, a franchise would
have only nominal value, and there
would be no taxation on the people. As
long as the grant of exclusive privileges
continues, the value of franchises will in
dicate the ability of the corporations to
tax the people by virtue of municipal
grants.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-07-09
A FEW OF THE FAVORED.

EX-SECRETARY BOUTWELL, and wife
celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of their
wedding yesterday at Groton, Mass.
s'SARAH" BERNHARDT was named
Rosine by her parents, who were French and
Dutch respectively. Her first appearance
on the stage was at the Theater Francois in
"1phegene.'
THE son of General Isidro Urtecho, Com
mander in Chief of the Nicaraguan army, is
the only foreign cadet at West Point. He Is
a man of 90 tall and active, with swarthy
skin and flashing black eye. He is a nephew
of Minister Guzman, the Nicaraguan repre-
sentative at Washington.
EX-SENATOR GEORGE W. JONES, now
living in retirement at an advanced age in
Dubuque, Ia, had the distinction of giving
the States of Iowa and Wisconsin their
names. He is a neat, precise and courteous
old gentleman, and though now s6 years old,
shows no sign of mentafor physical decay.
MISS EDNA LYALL has written letter
appealing for help toward the fund which is
being raised to redeem the late Mr.. Brad
laughs property, in order to make some pro-
vision for his only surviving daughter, Mrs.
Bonner, who, at a time Of great pecuniary
embarrassment, sacrificed on her fathers
behalf the life policy he had assigned to her.
NORTH WENGRAF, editor-in-chief of
the well known and influential Viennese
journal, Ne,0es Wiener Tdgeblatt, died recently
in the Austrian capital. Wengraf, who was
60 years old, was man of influence and i'm
portance in Austria for more than 80 years.
He was well acquainted with all celebrated
men of his country, and was especially
courted by the politicians.
AN album containing the signatures of
5000 tradesmen and workmen has been pre-
sented to the Marquis of Butte as token of
appreciation of his acceptance of the mayor
atty OF Cardiff this year. The album was in
closed in carved oak cabinet, on the panel
of which were representations of Cardiff
Castle and symbolic figures of the trade of
the port. Accompanying the album was an
address.
Mrs. POTTER PALMER, of Chicago, had a
private audience yesterday with Madame
Carnot, wife of President Carnot. in Paris.
Mr.. and Mrs. Palmer will occupy the Presi-
dents box at the opera tonight by special
invitation of President Carnot. The French
newspapers refer at length and most favor
ably to Mrs. Palmer's Ladies' Worlds Fair
Committee which was recently organized
in Paris. Mrs. Palmer intends to promote a
similar committee in London. The Princess
Christian of Schleswig- -Holstein has prom
ised to assist such committee in every way
within her power.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-07-09
PEOPLE COMING AND GOING.

John R. A. Herring, General Manager of
| the Adams Express Company, and G. II.
Morehouse, Assistant Superintendent, are at
the Monongahela House Mr. Herring said
he stopped over to see Colonel Glenn on his
return from the West. He reports the bust
ness as first class.
E.E Bonneville, one of the Anderson
clerks, has returned from Pocomake City,
said he had quiet time, but he feels better
for it. His friends are glad to see him back.
President e. P. Vining, of the Trans
continental Association, passed through the
city yesterday bound for st. Louis. He said
rates had been adjusted and there are no
signs of squall.
J.B. Hill, Jr., and J. C. Hill, sons of J.
B. HILL the lumber merchant, left on the
limited express last night for Portland and
San Francisco, via the Union Pacific road.
City Solicitor George E. Rose, of Youngs-
town, was in the city yesterday consulting
with j. C, Shoemaker about a lawsuit. Mr..
Rose says Mckinley will be elected
Congressman E. P. Gillespie, of Green
vile, was in the city yesterday, going to
Philadelphia. He knocked out Mcdowell
and Phillips last fall.
Mrs J. L. Mohn and Mrs. j. G. Hickman,
of Allegheny, left last evening for Atlantic
City. They will be guests of the Chalfonte
during the season.
Amos Townsend, the Cleveland grocer
ana hepuDllcdn eA-COuSTtSSlHdl, anu Y.
Hall, of Titusville,are registered at the Mon
ongahela House.
George NJ. Pullman and family passed
through the city last evening in special car
for Long Branch, where they will spend the
summer.
W. G. Cutler, Uniontown lawyer, and
T. d. Mcfarland and wife, of Sharon, are
among the guests at the Seventh Avenue
Hotel.
Mayor E. o. Emerson, of Titusville, F.B.
Black, of Franklin, and r. H. Allen, Of Tor
onto, are stopping at the Anderson.
William Marshall and his daughter, of
Allegheny, left yesterday for an extended
trip on the continent
A. o. Tintsman and William Howley
were among the Eastern passengers last
evening.
S. NJ. Robinson, of Parker, and Charles
H. Hoff, of Tucson, Ariz., are at the Du-
quesne.
Mrs Charles Speer and family are at
Berkeley Springs, Va, for the summer.
Deputy Warden Soffel, of the county Jail,
has gone to Erie to spend his vacation.
d. G. Poole, an army paymaster, was at
the Monongahela. House yesterday.
Barney Forst and family started for
Atlantic City last evening.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-07-09

WHILE there is probably not much in the
point which has been raised that the city by
putting policemen at the dangerous cross
ings would thereby make itself liable for ac-
cidents, and relieve the street car COM
panies, it is well that If any such arrange
ments are made there should be distinct
previous understanding against anything Of
the sort Care should also be taken that the
gross sum which the companies pay in Ii
cense feesshould cover in full the cfty's ex-
pense for the guards at the crossings. With
the adoption of the new rule demanding
full stop at every intersection of the cable
and electric lines, the liability to accident
will be greatly reduced. But both as to re-
sponsibility for accidents and as to the ex-
pense of reasonable precautions against
them, the companies, not the general tax
payer, must foot the bill.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-07-09

from this rule; and each by itself rivals in
importance the traffic of the Canadian
roads on which there is similar exemption.
Second-Even if there were a differ
ence, the hardship alleged is almost wholly
fictitious. The clause referred to enacts,
for instance, that if the competition of
Canadian railroads leads our lines to carry
flour from ST. Paul to the seabOard at 30
cents per barrel, they shall not charge
more than that from Chicago to Pittsburg
or Buffalo. Is that hardship? Ought
not the people to be considered in the mat
ter slightly, so that if there is any material
difference-which there is Motive should
rejoice that the people of the United
States are protected from the extortion to
which the Canadians are subject?
Third-If in any remote contingency
there should be any hampering effect of
this clause, the law in its present form
provides complete remedy. If any rail-
road can show that under the law it will
lose traffic of remunerative character
unless it reduces rates at intermediate
points below reasonable level, the Com
mission is empowered to suspend the oper-
alton of this clause upon such traffic. The
trouble is that no railroad has ever pro-
duced any such well-authenticated case of
hardship.
The pretended exemption of the Cana
dian railroads from the long-and-short
haul clause, as hardship to the domestic,
lines, is wholly fictitious. 1t is simply
pretext to shut out competition from
through business in the interest of COM
bination whose purpose is to evade the
anti-pooling section Of the act.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-07-09
CONCERNING the comments of THE DIS

CONCERNING the comments of THE DIS
PATCH the other day on the college athletic
craze, which places athletic success above
intellectual triumphs, the Buffalo Courier
asks: "Does The DISPATCH or any other peo
pie know of a college where such a condi-
tion of things exists?'' Does the esteemed
Courier know of a college prominent in the
athletic contests where the Undergraduate
who wins boat race or football match and
fails in his examinations is not a greater
hero than the man who takes first honors in
languages and mathematics If 1t thinks,
as it appears to, that the false condition of
things inquired about is exceptional let it
study the pictures of baseball and football
teams and college crews in the Eastern
papers and then hunt for a few portraits OF
a few first-honor men and valedfctorians.