davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-02-05
PITTsBURG. FRIDAY. FEBRUARY 5.
THE FTIZ~IMM0Ns CLIM,x.

The attempt at suicide with which that
extraordinary criminal FltzSimmons yes
terday sought to finish his melodramatlc
career, taken in connection with the letter
he left for the authorities, shows that the
composure with which he affected to re-
gard the operations of the law, which he
had defed, was largely feigned; and that,
whether it was inspired by inordinate van
ity or bravado, it degeperated into arrant
cowardfce at the crucial test 1t would
have been in every way much more desir-
able if adequate precautions had been
taken at New Orleans to prevent Fitz-
simmons escape from the regular and
formulated processes of justice. In fact,
the want of vigilance which enabled Fitz-
simmons TO conceal and use an implement
of destruction. in the face of the full eX-
pectation that he might resort to that de-
vice. is if possible even more to be cen
sured than the gross negligence through
which he was enabled to take his leave of
the Allegheny county jail
1t would have been terrible reflection
on the ineficiency of legal safeguards for
life and property if Fitzsimmons had not
been captured. Complete Vlndlcatlon OF
official methods should have called for his
return and trial and punishment in due
legal form. The Claude Duval, Dick Tur
pin and Jack Shepard type of robber and
outlaw may be highly thrilling in the
narratives of Newgate, or picturesque in
the comic opera, but it is decidedly un-
comfortable to think of an outlaw of that
type making his record in these days in
civilized places, defiantly of Jail or consta-
bic. As by evident carelessness of the
New Orleans authorities Fitzsimmons has
been enabled to carry out to the last hfs
defiance OF ultimate legal process, the
oniy compensating feature of the busi-
ness Is that his attempted suicide and his
letter show that he felt at last the disgrace
and utter failure which was the inevitable
result of his lawessness. His career fur
nishes a lesson to criminals. 1t also gives
some sharp instruction to jail-keepers.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-02-05
INDIANS HOLD TO THEIR MESSIAH.
No Excitement Among Either Them or the
Whites, but a Firm, Quiet Belief.

CHICAGO, Feb. 4-Captain Eli L. Higgins,
aide de camp to General Miles, returned this
morning from trip in the Indian Terri
tory. He was sent there to investigate the
rumors of ghost dancing among the Indians
there
'The Aarapahoe, Cheyenne and Usage
Indians still cling to the belief that the
Messiah will some day appear to save them,"
said Captain Higgins, ''ard they are not at
all disappointed in the failure of the Messiah
to come among them last year. They do not
pretend to know the date of his coming. The
former frenzy among them and their ex-
cited dances have given way to o quiet be-
lief, which has almost become religion
with them, that the whites are to be de-
stroyed and the Messiah will come. There
is no excitement among the whites because
no outbreak is feared"
Captain Huggins witnessed the distribu-
tion of cattle for food for the Indians at the
Cheyenne and Aarapahoe agencies. The
cattle were supplied by a contractor, and
were so poor and thin that Little Chief OBJ
jected to them. The officer who inspected
the cattle rejected them. An Investigation
showed that all the poor and worthless cat
tie were given to the Indians the fatter
ones being shipped to the markets.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-02-05
THE CRISIS IN GERMANY.

The German Emperor is for the first
time confronted by the united opposition
of the many parliamentary parties in
cudrd by the term Liberals The strong
front opposed to the bill for the introduc-
ton of sectarian teaching into the schools
is evidence that the Liberal party is learn
ing its strength, and finds that it can cope
even with favorite schemes of the EN-
prror This incident points to a near
fu ure when the people will assert their
power, and, that once learnt, it VIII not be
long before the degrading military des-
potism Of Germany becomes part of the
past
The Emperor William has in MANY ways
shown himself a man of no mean abilities,
and that he is capable TO an unusual de-
gree Of realizing and coping with the ques-
tions OF the time. But his opinions on the
divine right ol sovereigns and al that
hangs thereby are medieval. Cope with
it as the Government may, whether by
seeking 10 lorestaIl some of its demands
by legislation, or by the endeavor TO sup
press it in other directions, socialism is a
rapidly Increasing power in the German
Empire
The first institution TO lie seriously at
lacked win be the military system. Re-
cent exposures of the cruel practices Of
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-02-05
AN IMaGINA AIRY FLIGHT.

The possibility of aerial navigation is an
interesting topic. 1t is especially pleas
ant to be assured by an expert that we are
on the eve of seeing that dream of invent
ors and cranks become a visible and
from Maxim and Langley has heretofore
enchanted society; but it was reserved for
Mr. Pennington to usher in the new era
by announcements of its actual presence
with visions of the achievements of the
sky-fyers that stun the imagination and
beggar the commentary of enthusiasm.
Pennington will be remembered as the
individual who last year scheduled him
self to launch his airy navies and S20,-
600, 900 company from the banks of the
Mississippi, to wind up with grand exhi-
bition of aeronautical tactics at Chicago
next year. But owing to the chill mate
rialsm of the age and the stupid resistance
of gravitation Pennington has not been
heard of in the West lately. He now re-
appears in the East. We presume he
reached that section by the prosaic and
antiquated agency of railway train-the
season being an extremely unfavorabie
he casts aside all such tame surroundings.
The airships are in actual process of con-
struction. One hundred miles an hour
will be mere commonplace; the New
Yorker can get into Pullman flyer-sup-
posing that Pullman is IN it-at night and
wake up for breakfast in London the next
morning. The railroads will not be wiped
out, but re!egated to the low function of
carrying the. degraded, slow and heavy
freights; and the greatest share of this is
to be effected by the Pennington Airs hip
Company with capital of 100000.
In this last touch we recognize the hand
of the master. Pennington, whatever his
shortcomings in the way of making air.
ships float, finds no difficulty in initiating
the capital of his company as it scars
through empyrean. Railway promoters
have made a record by adding millions to
capitalization on the score Of a slight sue
cess; but Pennington casts their most am
bilious efforts in the shade by adding ten
millions 70 his corporate capital on the
score of failure. A man who is able, to
make capital spread its wings in that way
may be psrdoned if he considers it easy to
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-02-05
LAURA BRIDGMAN'S BRAIN
When Examined Proves to Have Grown
Very Unevenly.

When Examined Proves to Have Grown
Very Unevenly.
WORCESTER, MASS, Feb. 4.-[SpeciaI 1.-The
brain of Laura Bridgman, the famous
woman who lived her allotted years devoid
of sight, hearing, speech, smell and taste,
brought some time ago to Clark University
for examination, has just told its story. The
result of the investigation proves that the
peculiarities were due solely to arrested de-
velopment in the portion relating to the
disused senses. Up to the time of the girls
illness, when she was 2 years old, the brain
developed normally. After that itgrew un-
evenly. The weight was but slightly less
than that of the entirely normal brain. Both
hemispheres were developed alike.
The extent of the gray matter of the
cortex (Which receives and imparts sensa-
tions) was, if in any way unusual, somewhat
less than in the average brain. In general
the entire corteX was thinner than in the
normal brains with which it was compared.
The most striking and conclusive feature,
however. was the condition of the parts
connected with the nerves of sight. The
right eye of Miss Bridgman remained useful
to a slight extent some time longer than the
left. This resulted in developing that por-
tion of the brain connected with the right
eye to a greater extent than the left.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-02-05
JoHNSTowN,s GRATITUDE.

It is nearly three years since one of the
greatest disasters on record overwhelmed
the City of Johnstown. While the suffer
ings were well nigh unparalleled, the re-
lief was equally unprecedented. Personal
aid was prompt from all within reach, and
monetary help flowed in from every part
Of the globe. The reconstruction of
Johnstown and its present prosperous con-
dition are due no less to the timely assist
ance received than to the energy of the in
habitants themselves And it is right and
proper that gratitude should have been so
eloquently expressed as it was by the reso-
lutions adopted at the mass meeting last
night.
Terrible as was the catastrophe, it
afforded valuable proof of the progress of
mankind in the readiness with which self
was sacrificed for the benefit of others:
and the ungrudgingly grateful acknowl-
edgpment of such generous action is
fitting climax to the tragedy
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-02-05
PiCKINGs FROM PUCK.

He-Will you expect me tomorrow even-
ing If it SHOWS? You know the walking will be so
bad.
She Cbrightly)-If worst comes to worst. you can
come in sleigh.
She kept him indoors Just an hour
Engaged in idle talk;
But did not think to don her gloves
Until they went TO walk.
Mr.. Trotter-Well, 1 suppose you will
marry some peer before you return?
Miss Budd-Dear me, no! Most peers belong to
old families and are drcadfully I'M debt. while
nearly all the baroncts are quite new and knightei
on account of their money. I'm going for u bar
onet.
Flora Wall-Oh, deari there's a spot on
the back of my gown. How can ever go to the
dance tonight?
Minnie Ball-it won't be noticed, my dear, II you
60 carly.
Although my darling is priding
Herself OH her formal tone
know that the girl is hiding
love which she win not own.
Though have received no token.
Yet my eager hope is fed,
Not by the words she has spoken,
But by things which she hasn't said.
Brown = What basgy, sloppy-looking
trousers Henppeck wears.
Brown. Jr.-I heard mother say that his wife
wore the trousers at his house, and guess that is
the reason.
Mrs Musicmad-Doctor, why is it that
all the great pianists have such long. bushy harG
Prof. Savage (rehectivey)-I presume II is TO
keep of the flies while they are performing
Cold wind, fog, spring zephvrs, snow,
ice. heat and hailstones all IN i row
By what name shall our belt be known?
Intemperate or Horrid Zone? l -
Tom Collins-The singing of the Lonely
Vile choir reminds me of an experience had the
othernight returning from the club.
.'What was ite'' lr s-I
1T took about half hour to strike the right
key iz llsg d
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-02-05
The TAXATION QUESTION.
A Representative Body Creates q Commis
sion to Look Into the subject.

A Representative Body Creates Commts-
sion to Look Into the subject.
HARRISBURG, Feb. 4.-[SpeciaL Probably
the most representative body that ever met
in the Senate chambers assembled to-day to
discuss the revision and equalization OF
State taxation. Colonel j. A. Price, Of
Scranton, Vice President OF the National
Board of Trade, presided. After long dis
cussion of the subject from many differing
points of view, q committee was appointed
to report q plan of operation. They pre-
sented the following. which was adopted:
Resolved. That 1t is the sense of your COMMITTEES
that owing to the inequality of valuation and tax:
in our present system of valuation and taxation.
Resolved. That commission. composed Of mem
pose Of ascertaining from the most reliable data to
be had the value OF the various classes of the tax
further ascertain the amount of property at pres
ent exempted from taxation, not covered by the
exemptions specified In the Constitution OF 1874.
Resolved, That the same. commission also ascer-
tain the amount Of taxes paid by each class OF
property. both local and State.
Resolved. That finance committee be appointed
by this conference to solicit contributions Tor the
purpose OF defraying the expenses OF this commits
Resolved, That this commission be authorized to
niate n this information. not exceeding in amount
the money that may be raised by the Flnanc,lal
Commission report to this Conference not later than
June l. next.
Tho Chairman was authorized to appointa
Committee on Finances and the commission
created by the resolution, this commission
to consist of six members and the Chairman
as an ex-officio member.
A resolution was offered by Mr. Price, that
a committee of three be appointed to exam
ire the tax laws of other States, and furnish
printed or some report to the conference
at the next meeting.
IT. Wright opposed the resolution on the
ground that the committee was too small,
NJ hQt IA lnfI nn
whole field of States He said it ought to be
simple and easv matter to frame tax law
for this State. "First ascertain what prop
erty you have" said Mr.. Wright, "then
make your language in your bill plain
enough to cover it all. 1 believe that such
community, whether it be State or local,
should collect its own resources. Neither
State or county shall levy tax to be used by
the other. These corporations, WHOSE func-
tions reach out from one county to the other,
should be set aside as a general class.
Representative Taggart and Mr. Niles
favored the adoption OF the resolution. The
resolution was amended increasing the num-
Der to six, and to include all the states in
the United States. and then adopted without
a dissenting vote.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-02-05
RENTAL VALUES a TRUE STANDARD.

RENTAL VALUES a TRUE STANDARD.
The stir over the tax and assessment
question must already have satisfied the
public of the correctness of the frequent
contention of The DISPATCH that the sys-
TEN of assessing by alleged cash values
should itself be changed by the Legisla-
ture for more certain methods. The wide
diversity of views on cash values is shown
by the difference between the assessors
figures and those of appellants. The
former go on the theory that sales In
neighborhood determine cash values for
that neighborhood and that big holdings
should be estimated pro rata with small
lots. Theoretically this has passaole
sound. But in the real estate market 1t
won't work out; because one or two or ten
sales do not guarantee buyers at the same
price for a whole district; and so in regard
to large and small places, there are ten
times more buyers fo- the small than for
the large holding One swallow does not
make a summer; and sales of real estate,
like chickens, cannot always be counted
before they are Matched.
Rental values for business and dwelling
property are the only true values, and
they should be established by law as the
standard. Thus there would be the same
just, uniform and easily ascertained stand
ard for all sections of the built-up part OF
the city. Assessments would in such case
no longer depend upon individuals, but
upon the actual earning capacity of the
property. The only objection ever raised
to this suggestion has been the very weak
one that it would not cover cases where
parties resided in their own houses, or
vacant grounds. But it would be a simple
and easy task to estimate fair rental for
houses occupied by the owners-whlle as
to vacant tracts valuations could be made
as now, with reference to their probable
selling price.
The effect of assessing by rental values
would be to at once remove the great bulk
of assessments out of the range OF dis
pute and guesswork to solid, sure and
uniform basis.
But all this is for the future. What con-
Germs the present is to see that, defective
though the present system is, it be admin
istered so as to distribute the burden of
UdAeS ldllly anu equlOduly do may po, Viio
inherent defects of the system considered.
But again, it is well to call attention to
the fact that all the assessors may or can
do will not limit nor lessen the aggregate of
taxation. That must be settled by Coun-
ellis alone. 1t will be settled by Councils
in favor of retrenchment and economy
and moderate appropriations if the voters
jnciSt before tha elections of COuncilmpn
that the so pledge themselves.
Councils decide what the taxes shall be;
and the voters-all taxpayers-decide who
shall sit in Councils As it is easy to in
terview candidates on their position, no
ballot need be cast in ignorance of its
effect,
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-02-05

sistant ATTORNEY sSaaru ..Maury for the
United States G6vetnt11Hr Mr. Wilson as
serted that the act 81 1S7S which demone-
tizea silver, is unconstitutional il that part
of the act still remains; he insisted, however,
that it does not remain, but that this feature
was repealed by the act OF 1873. Assistant
Attorney General Maury reau an abstract
from the decision OF the United States Su-
preme Court in the case OF the United states
ex rel Dunlap versus Black, in which it was
stated that: 1.-THE court would not interfere
by mandamus with the executive officers of
the Government in the exercise of their or
binary official duties, even where those du-
ties require an Interpretation of the law, the
court having no appellate power for that
purpose" Resting on the law as cited by
the case, Mr. Maury declined to enter upon
an argument in support of the views of the
statutes in question taken by the secretary
of the Treasury unless requested to do so by
the court
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-02-05

make so light and trivial thing as ship
do little flying. Or perhaps he adopts
the more logical system of thinking that,
as there is good authority for the belief
that money has wings, the 10000, 900 pair
Of wings on $50, 600, 000-which we pre-
sumo to be gold, as it is well known that
the standard silver dollars refuse to be
fioated-ought to be able to furnish the
sustaining and motive bower for an air.
ship.
We repeat that the public is anxious to
be assured of the existence of successful
airships. But with regard to Pennington
it would be an earnest of more progress,
as well as relief to that fatigued feeling
ON the part of the public, if he should do
less talking and more flying
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-02-05
Good En.ct. of Reclprocity.

The reduced duty on American -four i'm
ported to Cuba under the reciprocity treaty
went into effect January last. Consul Gen
eral Williams telegraphs the State Depart
ment tlat the receipts of flour at the port OF
Havana for the month of January last were
as follows: From the United States, 62,37
sacks; from Spain, none. The receipts for
month of January 1891, were: From the
United States, 2,720 sacks: from Spain, IS, 400
bags. The exports OF -four to Cuba from the
ports of New York. New Orleans, Mobile and
Key West in January, 1892 amounted TO 61,-
ATS barrels or sacks The exports from the
same ports in January, 1891. were 8, 23i bar
rels. Don Antonia Batres the Guatemalan
Minister, has informed the Secretary OF
State that he will return to Guatemala by
rhe Pacific Mail steamer which leaves New
York on the 10th inst, and that he will use
his best offices to secure the early approval
by Congress of the reciprocity arrangements
recently signed by himself and Secretary
Blaine, on behalf of Guatemala ana the
United States.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-02-05

THE commission having in charge the
matter of the selection and purchase of
site for the public building at San Francisco,
consisting OF the Postmaster General, the
Secretary of the Treasury and Attorney
General, met to-day at the Treasury Depart
ment and decided that the purchase of the
Seventh and Mission streets property should
not be consummated until every effort had
been made to discover the truth as to the
charges OF bribery which had been made
against the local commission. special
agent OF the Treasury Department, it is
stated, has been a long time in investigating
the matter, but thus far has not discovered
anything tangible upon which any adverse
action can be taken. The commission to-
day ordered the publication through the
public press of q request that any person or
persons having any knowledge of u briDe
havin. been received bv the local commits
sion TO communicate the same to the gem
eral commission at Washington.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-02-05

the subordinate army officers are small
compared with the grievances felt at the
severity of the autocratic regulations for
the preservation of the dignity OF the
higher officers. Not content with roobing
men of some of the best years of their life,
the military system demands such abject
department from the priyates as better be-
fits slaves than the citizens of civilized
and enlightened country. The feeling
against the enforced military service IS
such growing one that the smoke may
burst into fame at almost any moment,
and where the conflagration will cease tits
impossible to foretelL
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-02-05
THE EAST TO 10 ITS SHARE.
New York to Take Up the Matter or Relic

for the Starving Russians.
NEW YORK. Feb. THE regular monthly
meeting of the Chamber of Com
merce was to-day devoted to the discussion
of means TO ameliorite the condition of Rus
sian famine victims. Ex-Governor Hoyt, of
Wyoming said the Western people were
ready to give thousands of bushels of grain
and were only waiting the action of the New
York people to aid in getting it there. The
following resolution was adopted:
Resolved That the President of the Chamber of
Commerce is hereby authorized to appoint a
mittee of so. with power TO add to its number to
appeal 10 the citizens of New York and to tine
people of the United States in general for contri-
buttons a relief fund TO be distributed in Russia
through such channels as may, after proper exam
inaIion, seem most eficacious and reliable.
The President of the Chamber was made
Chairman of the committee, and among its
members are: William NJ. Evarts, Abram s.
Hewitt j. Pierpont Morgan, c. z. Hunting
ton, Austin Corbin,. Cornelius Vanderbilt,
Andrew Carnegie, John D. Rockefeller and
William Steinway. subscriptions lists will
be opened at once.