Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-10-08

tcoPrRIeHT. 1892. BY N. 7. ASSOCIATED PsEss.-
LONDON, Oct. IA sharp and probably
salutary shock has been given to the highest
social circles by the startling exposure in
regard to the prevalence of drunkenness
among aristocratic ladies made by Lady
Frederick Cavendish and the Duchess of
Bedford at the Church Congress. Hitherto
allegations of widespread drinking prac-
tices among women of rank and fashion
have been deemed prejudiced gossip; but
nothing that rumor ever suggested equals
the outspoken revelations made by these
highly placed leaders of society.
Lady Frederick Cavendish said she had
recently been staying at country mansion
where roomy dining room chairs were still
used, the seats of which were deeply curved
to save the gentlemen from falling out of
after dinner; that although heavy drinking
had been abandoned by the men, the women
were becoming inveterate tipplers; that
many ladies have recourse to "pick-me-ups"
at IL A M.-brandv and soda during the
day, wine at dinner and something hot at
bedtime.
Polite Names for Vulgar Tipples.
She said she found ladies who could not
get through the exertions of the London
season without taking cordial pretty
name for dram kept handy; and that
after certain morning concert a lady be-
side her had called for 'white-cup,"
deceptive name for a champagne sup.
Lady Cavendish protested especially
against the new fashion of young ladies and
old ones accompanying the gentlemen to
the smoking room after dinner and sharing,
not only the cigars, but also the spirits
She said that distinguished physician had
assured her that many ladies who were Iiv-
ing idle lives had consulted him for nervous
symptoms which revealed, in perfect un-
consciousness on their part, condition OF
alcoholism bordering on delirium tremens;
but that alcohol was not the only fashiona-
BILE failing, as chloral, chlorodyne and NOR
phia were taken in secrecy in boudoirs. and
were adding to the maladies of modern
life. -..
The Duchess of Bedford, taking up the
theme, put the blame for these evils on the
Jtraining of nerve power through the sup
posed exigent demands of society, until the
nerves required flip. The argument of
the necessity of stimulation, she said, af-
forded but the very slightest protection
against temptation.
Total Abstinence the Only Safe Plan
The real remedy is ayoidancs of mis-
chievous forms of excitement together
with total abstinence The Duchess main
tanned that moderation" is a very elastic
term and would not meet the evils like
abstinence. 1t is serious thing, she said,
for Christian workers. pledged to fight the
drinking practices of society, to reject the
practice of abstinence, and she besought
everybody interested to avoid the banter
and jesting so commonly used in reference
to the greatest evil of modern life. The
whole topic is deeply stirring the social
elite.
Mr.. Morley's Eviction Commission will
have balanced representation of landlords
and tenants, two delegates for each interest,
with four Irish lawyers, headed by Judge.
Home Secretary Asquith is visiting Dublin
in order to discuss with Mr.. Morley the
Governments policy with reference to
political prisoners. The Government is
reluctant to treat the dynamiters IL prison
as political prisoners. Mr.. Asquith wants
to detain them, while MI. Morley wants to
release them. Probably Mr.. Morley, who
now entirely dominates Irish affairs, will
prevail.
The Home Rule Bill This Month.
Mr.. Gladstone will take up his residence
In Downing street, October 23 when the
Cabinet will actively resume Its councils
The completed draft of the home rule bill
will be considered at q Cabinet council at
about the 9th inst. Mr.. Gladstone insists
that every detail shall be discussed by his
colleagues before the measure is introduced
in Parliament.
Mr. Schnadhorst has recently offered his |
resignation of the control of the Liberal,
Executive, urging that his increasing deaf |
ness makes it difficult for him to ensure |
such effective management as is desirable. |
The leaders of the party, in the meantime,
decline to accept his resignation, but they |
will relieve him of a portion of his func- |
tions, assigning them to his assistant, Mr.. |
Hudson, who will ultimately succeed to the |
office. Although Mr.. Schnadhorst is SO |
deaf that personal intercourse with him is |
difficult, he has never been mentally more |
fit to supervise the whole work of the or
ganization.
The sensational reports current of the
prevalence of severe depression in the COM
mercial and agricultural interests of Great
Britain, have caused the 4 associated Press
representative here to make special in
quiries at the Labor Bureau and in other
quarters The officials of the Labor Bureau
stated that while the prevailing depression
is considerable, it is not unprecedented
Five Per Cent of British Workmeu Idle.
Taking the returns of all of the trades
unions reporting during September, per
cent of the workmen are shown to be out of |
employment The reports embrace 1885,
600 union workmen. The ship building
trade is the worst affected. Next come the
cotton, iron and steel industries No signs
of improvement in the ship building trade
are likely to be seen in the near future. 1t
seems probable that not less than from 20
to 25 per cent of the workmen will soon be
idle.
AS is usual during recurrent periods of
depression, the building trades are the last
to suffer. Masons and carpenters will be
fully employed during the winter, and
their prospects are good at an increased
rate for over time, with reduction of their
hours of labor from 30 to % hours weekly.
The sum of information resulting from
other inquiries, is as follows:
On the Clyde the wages of engineers and
iron founders and all shipbuilders will be
reduced 10 per cent on Monday, while in
Belfast and on the Tyne and Wear the ship
builders will be subjected to q similar re-
duction November Z. Among the Welsh
lin plate makers 5000 men are idle. and