davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-03-29
DEATH OF n. p. REED.

The death of Nelson P. Reed, Of the
Commercial Gazette, from the prevailing ep-
idemic, fully noted in our local columns, il
sad news to the wide circle of friends and
acquaintances of that leading newspaper
proprietor. Mr.. Reed has been q prominent
figure in newspaper and political work, and
his energy and determination have made
his career, during all that time, one Of con-
tinued progress and extending influence.
As business man he was energetic, PAINS
taking and vigilant; in newspaper work he
was an active supervisor OF all details,
while in politics he was warm party man,
but outspoken in opposition to the disered-
liable features of party work. 1t viii be
difficult to fill the place of a man of so
much energy, aggressiveness and industry,
as he who has been SO suddenly removed
from an active and successful life.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-03-29
PITTsBURG, SUNDAY, MAR. @, 1881
FRANCE AND THE REST OF EUROPE.


Our cable dispatches this morning show
that the turmoil in Europe is increasing in
stead Of subsiding. Russia's bauble to
France has aroused the jealousy of the other
powers, and apprehension grows out of the
fact that the former is massing troops on the
Austrian frontier. The supposition now is
that if war ensue, France would be an active
ally of Russia, and events of the past week
Go much to support it
ANY such action on the part Of France
is open to criticism; for while her geograph-
ical position is such that more or less
intimate connection with her ponsrchial
neighbors must be kept up, the fewer treat
les or alliances into which she enters the
better. As nineteenth century republic,
che should keep kings and their ilk at a
distance. She should have very little in
common politically with nations that are
forever hungry for territory and seek war
as a means of getting it. And her states
men should understand that her present
form OF government is far more likely to be
overthrown from without than it is from
within. The fact that an unsuccessful war
means for France return to monarchy is
admitted, and in some quarters it is asserted
that the chief cause OF European disturb
ance is desire on the part of more than
one royal schemer to restore the French
throne. As has been said in these columns
before, republican France is a menace to
the mOnarchical governments, and common
sense on their part demands a change. If
she enters into war they may be gratifed.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-03-29
THE MARKING OF BOOKS.
The Penciiings May Prove an Undesirable
Record

The Penciiings May Prove an Undesirable
Record.
"What do you think of the habit Of marking
books" Kate Field asked an old book worm
and book lover.
"Why, think that IL the marker himself
doesn't mind 1t, no one else ought to-"
Il do not understand. Why should the per-
son who marks books mind itf''
because it Is such reckless giveaway. It
Is bad enough to have TO stand by the things
you say yourself, without adopting lot OF
things some one else has said in addition.
When you mark book you often put on exhi-
bitlon sentiments which you would express only
with the greatest reserve, but here they are
open to the criticism Of friend and foe alike.
Il have always had a private opinion that the
marking of books showed a lack of proper re-
serve and delicacy. 1t is making the public a
friend.
Then, apart from the revelation made to
other people, you often find marked books an
uncomfortable record of your own past mental
poverty. II you should read the same work,
Dut In different copies, once a year for five
years, and mark at each reading the things
which struck your fancy, the Ave copies when
compared, would show you some startling
facts. Our appreciative ability grows faster
and surer, I think than any other. You would
be heartily ashamed of the things you approved
at a previous stage of development.
ION the whole. it is a very dangerous process
friends good opinion to stand sponsor for the
d1etum of an author, simply because. on read
ing It for the frststime he felt AN agreeable re-
sponsive glow"
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-03-29
PEOPLE TALK TOO MUCH,
Says western Phiiosopfief who Il Anys
thing But Mute.

says western Philosopher Who Ii Any.
thing But Mute.
Chicago Herald.l
Did it ever strike you that the reason human
beings grow to be so wrinkled and battle
SCARED by the time they get ready to die is be-
cause they talk too muchs The family cat
goes through trials as great as ever befell a
mortal Rachel in seeing family after family OF
Blooming kits consigned to the water
bucket, the COW hands over one after
another Of her frisky offspring to the
butchers shambles; the chicken is chased into
the dinner pot; the bird is waylaId by the
loaded and abused to the limit of equine en-
dufanee, and yet each and all from the family
cat to the noble horse preserve eountenanees
OF youthful calm and serenity to the last. You
rowed brow on an animal, and 1 believe it Is
because they were mercifully denied the power
to communicate and dilate upon their troubles.
Ii they met together to talk over their all
ments as we do, and filled the hours of a morn
ing browse under the naples with de-
would y enoM old iunsp sna hdRoM oheeRss sRss
and wizened before their time, as we do. What
is Is mankind's uniyersal form Of salutatlonY
rion launches fullrigged craft OF physical
wretchedness upon the tide Of converse
tion that should be devoted to nobler
commerce. How would it do to change the
spirit rather than to the bodyF How is it with
your soul, sisterf" rather than "Have you got
the erip?" 'How fares your temper?' instead
of 'tHow is your liverf'' Would it not be
better to interest ourselves in the progress of
the soul on & It's journey toward the delecta6le
about matters pertaining to headaches,
catarrhs and hay feverf Try it.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-03-29
PEOPLE AND porENrATEa

MAYOR GRANT, of New York, is much
better-looking man thanlhis pictures make him
out to be.
TRUxToN. BEALE. the new Minister to
Persia, has not yet left California nor found a
secretary Of the right sort.
QUEEN VICTORIA has progressed SO
rapidly IN the study Of Hindostanee. that she
now writes it with ease.
PRESIDENT CARNoT is said to be very
fond OF German sausage andsauer.kraut, much
to the disgust Of the French.
CHAUECEY M. DEfEw is said to have
recently refused an offer of 100000 year to
edit New York daily paper.
SECRETARY TRACY and Senator Aldrich
will be the chief speakers at a monster Repub-
lican banquet in Boston on April s.
PROF. CHARLES A. YOUNG, of Prince
ton, the greatest of American astronomers, is
short and very round-shouldered, with q pair
of very keen, flashing eyes.
THE Sultan of Turkey is said to be inn
bued with the superstition concerning cross
eyed people. He had man in his suite
affic ted with an obiiquity of vision in one eye,
and as the courtier was too useful to dis
charge, the eye was extirpated.
NINE. CARNoT had 1000 guests at the
last ball at the Elysee in Paris. She was attired
for the occasion in a handsome dress Of Louis
XIV. pekin, vieux-rose stripes on white ground.
broche with vieux-rose flowers; vIeux-rose
satin taDlier, trimmed with point dAlencon,
and headdress-small rose, feathers and dia-
monds.
LAWRENCE BARRETT was unable to
wear hat not made to order. though on one
occasion he succeeded in finding a tolerable fit
i'll John Fiske's when this clever, but absent
minded. philosopher walked of from Ole Bulls
house in Cambridge with Barrett's brand new
beaver leaving less enticing headgear in its
place.
MRS. MARY BRAYToN You've died at
her home in Fail River, the other day. aged 70.
She was the mother of Bradford NJ c. Durfee,
in whose honor was erected the Durfee Me-
mortal Hail. at YaFe College. She gave 10 FAN
River public high school, costing $780, 900, the
building being formally presented to the city in
1887. She was married twice, her first husband,
Major Bradfo rd Durfee, being the richest man
in that section. Her second husband, Joshua
Young, was a clergyman. Her estate is esti-
mated at sl2OO00Oo to $4,000, eO0
DR.. PEABODY, of Harvard, who has Just
entered the ranks of the octogenarians, Is
little absent.minded at times. One summer
day, having come to Boston from Cambridge,
and having aIghted from the car at Bowdofn
square. he turned sharp corner and collided
with an elderly gentleman who was standing
with his hat OF, wiping the perspiration from
his forehead, who held his hat in such a way
as to give the appearance of begging. DR.. Pea
body seeing the hat dropped quarter into 1t.
with his customary kind remark. DR.. Oliver
Wendell Holmes who was holding the hat,
put the money in his pocket, solemnly thanked
his old friend, the giver, and passed on.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-03-29
REMEDIES For La GR1PPE.

1t is a popular belief that there should be
at least one remedy for every disease. Some
people even say there is remedy for every
physical afliction, and if told of a disease
for which there is no known remedy, calmly
reply that the remedy exists, but has not
yet been discovered. La grippe, how
ever, is not one of those dis
eases for which a remedy has not
been offered In our local columns
this morning we give something less than
half thousand directions and prescriptions
for its treatment. These will be seen to run
all the way from partial electrocution to
close approach to death by poison or starva-
tion. Some OF them appear to be the kind
spoken Of as "cures worse than the disease"
while others are calculated to make suf-
ferer think that if they do no good, they
will do no harm. Just which of the RENE
dies belong to each class. we will not under
take to determine. They are given as
medical symposium and either or all of
them may be. beneficial. The sufferer will
have to decide for himself
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-03-29
Managing Rooms in a Club.

There is rule at the Manhattan Club that o
member can have a room for a limited time,
but when that time expires he must move or
get a special permit to continue its occupancy.
Very fine quarters are given for a reasonable
consideration and the rooms are thus in great
demand. If it were an unlimited privilege GER
tain men about town who are members could
keep these rooms all the time, and the rule is
for the convenience of those who indulge in
occasional jags. When the time expires for
which the room can be occupied under the rules
the member must move out for day or two
when he can come back and take it again If it
is not occupied. This works a good deal like
the limitation upon the sale of postage stamps
in many places. You can buy, say, ten stamps
only at time and if you require more you
must come back again to the counter in a few
minutes and buy ten more. Since the Manhat-
tan Club has moved into its new quarters, the
Stewart mansion, the privileges of the club are
more eagerly sought after by its membership
than ever before. One reason is that club life
and club associations are more congenial to
some people than hotel existence. and another
reason is that it is cheaper to live thus than at
a correspondingly swell hostelry in New York.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-03-29
OUR NEW TREATY WITH BRAZIL.

Report says Brazil is not altogether salts.
fed with the recent treaty between that Re-
public and the United States. 1t is claimed
that this country has taken everything and
given Brazil practically nothing. Either
these claims are without foundation in fact,
or the Brazilians who negotiated the treaty
were remiss in their duties. 1t is probable,
however, that neither of these reasons need
be considered, as the treaty will likely be
found mutually advantageous 1t is
not perfect. No work of mankind has
vet possessed that attribute. But
that it is the best that could have
been made for both countries will no doubt
be proven by its operations. Condemn
ing it without trial is foolish and useless.
It is merely an article of agreement between
the two countries. and neither can afford to
repusiate it SO soon after the afixing of
signatures.
There is no sentiment about the negotis-
tion of treaties. As business and political
contracts between nations. they are founded
upon what are presumed to be the rights
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-03-29
Under the Minister'S Lash.

Sunday dawns, and the weary member goes
to church. The newspaper man doesn't. The
former is met by the sexton, who sizes him up
for member at once. and regarding him as "a
brand to be plucked from the burning" shows
him up to front seat, under the very drop
pings of the sanctuary, and the preacher seems
'.onto him.. too. and grows severe over the
misdeeds of those in high places. and the SOL
emn responsibilities of those clothed with
authority by the people, all of which the MEM
Der not unnaturally takes as highly personal,
and when in the offertory it is proclaimed that
s'the Lord loveth cheerful giYer," he drops a
nickel into the box. instead Of the quarter he
proposed giving.
And the day drags by, and so does Monday
and in the afternoon the trains come with the
members who have spent Sunday happily at
home, and the member who stayed over greets
them with all the fervor of one embracing a
long-lost brother, and cheers up at once. Things
grow livelier and noisier and gayer, and at
o'clock all are IN their places TO hear the Chap
lain announce to the Lord that the Legislature
is about to resume its labors, and inferentiaIly
suggest that He had better keep an eye on it,
as there is no telling what it may do before the
weeks out. HENRY HALL.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-03-29
NAV Beat the Ere.

A project to build canal from Rome to the
sea is being seriously entertained in Italian
circles. The canal will permit the passage of
the largest ironcads, and it is proposed to build
three forts along the line OF the water way,
thus making Rome strategically more impor-
taat than Spezzia or Genoa. The canal will be
about % miles long. with depth of 80 feet and
where its mouth extends into the sea, stone
embankments will be built on both Sides As
the canal will pass through the deadly
ostian marshes, it is proposed to use the ma
terial excavated for the purpose of filling in the
feverstrieken Marshes and If possible, bring
them under cultivation. The canal, 1t is said
will cost SIC, ,0000O0.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-03-29
Welding Wheels to the Track.

Scientific Americana
An invention Is now undergoing investiga-
ton which promises the improvement of rail-
way traffic. The Invention consists of small
dynamo and an auxiliary engine placed upon
the locomotive in such way as to be easily
operated. furnishing a current of small force
but large quantity, which is made to pass from
one pole of the dynamo to one pair of driving
wheels. thence along the rail to the other pair
of driving wheels, thence to the other pole of
the dynamo, thus forming travelling circuit,
moving at all times with the locomotive. BY
means Of this current an incipient weld is
caused between the wheels and rails at the
point of contact, preventing the slipping of the
wheels. The working model of the device
shows an increase of 400 Der cent In the haul.
ing power Of the locomotive. The model with.
out the application of the current would not
mount a grade of 15 per cent, but when the
current was applied It mounted a grade of IS
per cent locomotive Is now being equipped
with the invention to test it on the Baltimore
and Ohio Railway.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-03-29
THE WORK OF ARBoR DAY,

Governor Pattison has fixed April 10 and
May as Arbor Days, for the planting of
trees throughout the State, wherever they
will serve purposes of ornamentation or
shade. The object of naming two different
dates is to suit the climatic conditions OF
different parts of the State. The day suita-
Bile for planting trees in the southernmost
counties may not be in the nofthernmost
Of course there is nothing to prevent people
from planting trees on other days; but the
fixing of day by public authority should
have the effect of inducing general work Of
that sort.
1t is to be hoped that on one day or the
other there will be a wide observance By
general tree planting. Pennsylvania has
heretofore done more in the way of destroy
Ing trees than of planting them. Yet in
either city or country there is no cheaper
wayof beautifying and improving high
ways and public places, as we'll as
lawns and private grounds, than by
the planting of shade trees. This
consideration applies especially to
Pittsburg. In all the work of street i'm
provement that has gone on for the past few
years, there has been a remarkable dearth
Of tree planting. The few spots where shade
trees have been cultivated attract the OBJ.
server and commend themselves to every
taste. Yet as rule property owners neglect
an opportunity within the reach of all to
double the attractive features of their Yicin-
ity at an expense OF labor and money that in
comparison with the benefit is really trivial.
This should not continue to be the case.
In the observance of Arbor Day every
citizen has an opportunity to do work that
if kept up would make our streets beautiful
with shade and foliage.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-03-29
A BLACK EYE FOR STATE SOCIALISM

a BLACK EYE EOh STATE SOCIALISm.
The proceeding of the British Postmaster
General against the company Introducing
the district messenger service in London, as
offending against the postal laws, gives
black eye to the fundamental principle of
the State socialists.
That principle is that in certain kinds of
service the Government can perform the
work more cheaply and satisfactorily by
reason of its controlling the whole business
and having unlimited resources at Its COM
mand. The postal service is held up as
marked illustration of this principle, and
the developments of the English postal serv-
ice are regarded as especially strong eyi
dence of its correctness But here we have
a case which gives double shock to that
theory. In the first place it would be in
sanity for a district messenger company to
start operations unless it can make money
either from cheaper charges or better service
than the postofice gives. In the second
place. if it does not do more for the money
than the postofice it would be wholly un-
necessary for the Postmaster General to ap-
peal to the law for protection against the
inroads of the innovating company.
When the Postofice Department goes TO
the courts to sustain its monopoly it deals
fatal blow to the theory that the public is
benefited by the exclusive governmental
control of any kind of public service not
essentially connected with the maintenance
of governmental authority. Incidentally
alse, it does the same for the special plea by
which trade monopolies attempt to conceal
the real purpose Of their existence.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-03-29

or I've dollars Of silver. Every bank check
or draft would have to stipulate on
its face whether 1t would have to
be paid in gold or silver, every
bank deposit would require a separate
account, and the bank would have to know
how much gold and how much silver the
depositor was entitled to check against. A
man could not get a twenty dollar bill
changed without a stipulation as to the
coin that should be given IN exchange; and
the same trouble would be entailed through
out every transaction from the highest TO
the smallest.
OF course this is entirely impractieable,
and Mr.. Atkinson recognizes that it is so,
by proceeding, as soon as he has formulated
the proposition above quoted, to modify It
with proviso that in contracts or bargains
where no express stipulation is made as to
the kind of money to be used in payment,
the gold dollar must be the legal standard.
But this is practically what was done when
silver was demonetlled. Anyone was then
at liberty to make.contracts for the specific
payment of so many silver dollars. When
gold is made the only legal tender for con-
tracts that use the word dollar, that is
practical gold monometallism. There is an
apparent gain for silver in the proposition
that anyone could get silver dollars coined
for use in transactions where silveris agreed
to on both sides. But experience has
already proved that this would be only an
apparent gain. Some fifteen or twenty
years ago the Government coined trade
dollars, which contain more silver than our
present dollars, for anyone who had the
bullion. 1t was perfectly legitimate for
anyone to make a contract in which
trade dollars should be paid;
but great trouble was created
because these dollars. intended for circuIa-
tion in foreign countries, returned to our
trade. The country was confronted with the
paradox of silver dollars, intrinsically worth
more than our legal tender silver, made the
cause Of complaint against the Government
for letting deprecated money get into circu-
lation.
Mr.. Atkinson may have presented this
plan as means of demonstrating the weak
ness in the silver argument; or as method
of inducing the silver men to accept free
coinage of silver without the legal tender
But in either light it is not
likely to do much toward settling the dis
pute. While the argument is good as far as
it goes. it entirely avoids the real complaint
Of the silver men, that the gold standard has
been changing by constant appreciation of
the price of gold. As possible compro-
mise, it is impracticable. because, under the
shadow Of free silver coinage. it is evident
that Mr.. Atkinson makes gold the sole legal
tender.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-03-29
A Time for Snake-Huntinp.

The newspaper correspondent whom unkind
fates have stranded in the city over Sunday
prowls about like moody ghost. For news is
indeed scarce. He interviews stray members
in the hope of extracting something new or
strange" but not infrequently finds that they
rely on him for that which he seeks. He pores
over the L5O0 pages of House bills in search of
snakes" and after two or three hours effort
gives il up either in the optimistic belief that
there are no more serpents there than there
have been in Ireland since st. Patrick drove
them into the sea, or he is seized with legis-
lative deiirium tremens and finds them lurking
in every leaf. Something must be written, and
while be may not 'rely upon his memory for
his w.t." it is very hard to resist depending
upon his Imagination for his facts" and the
temptation to fake is perilously strong. The
spirit of prophecy comes upon him, and he
writes careful forecasts of coming legislative
action, and sometimes has been known to hit it.
Evening comes, and the hotels and restau-
rants are deserted. Russ and Aldinger's no
longer resound with merriment; the pop Of
champagne eerks is not heard. and the bar
keeper looks with dignihed severity upon him
who orders beer" and frowns in bis face as he
hands it to him And so pass Friday and Sat
urday.