The San Francisco call., 1896-02-25

ehe Work on the military plan, since that
iorin OF organization was considered the
mos most practical and the most complete.
ne officers will have charge of the organ
lzatlon OF their companies in the same
manner manner as when under military orders.
Ihose who do not drill such as the seniors
anu those who are exempt for other rea-
sons will be placed under the care OF the
senior president. A grand celebration on
Saturday night after the completion OF the
proposed work was decided upon. and
committee of five to take the matter IN
charge are to be appointed. 1t was stated
that the electric lights, the wires and fix
lures for which are now being put in place,
both In the library and on the campus,
will be turned on for the first time on that
evening.
A letter of thanks was voted TO the
contributed toward the fund which Will
make the illumination of the grounds and
buildings possibility. A resolution was
passed asking Senator George c. Perkins
to change the terms of his gift of 5000 to
the best debaters in the intercollegiate so
that the entire sum will go to the winning
side and not to those who were considered
to have made the best speeches regardless
of sides.
Following is the resolution of thanks to
Senator Perkins for his generous offer for
the encouragement of de batting in the two
universities of the State:
WHEREAS, Senator George C. Perkins has
generously offered liberal sum OF money to
the speakers who shall aeQuit themselves the
most credltably in the annual debates to be
held between our university and the Leland
Stanford Jr. University during the next three
years; and whereas. the students of the Uni
verslty OF California believe that great good
can be received from the practice in argumen-
tation, and that the students should be given
encouragement by all legitimate means to de-
q ahl amor nf OFT =
work; and whereas the gift of the honore BILE
Senator has given renewed life and stimulus to
forensic work in our university; and whereas,
we are always pleased to note an interest
IN our institution, and especially IN the affairs
OF our student body, on the part of public men.
Therefore, be it
the Univ yersity of California, render our sincere
thanks TO Senator Perkins, and assure him
OF our appreciation of his generosity and of
the kindly regard he has always manifested in
our welfare; and,
ReSolued, That copy of these resolutions be
sent TO Senator Perkins, to the student pu bill
catlons, Ihe Berkeleyan, the Occidental and
the University Magazine, and that they be
spread upon the minutes OF our organization.
The New Comet.
BERKELEY, CAL, Feb. 24.-Professor
Leuschner and his corps of assistants at
the students observatory OF the State
University are still engaged in investi-
eating the conditions surrounding the
newly discovered comet.
In an interview to-day he stated that the
elements of the orbit of the new comet,
which were computed at the students OBJ
servatory, have been found to resemble the
elements of a comet which appeared in
1855. This was discovered by Denoti, and
remained visible for two weeks. "Orbits,'
he said, "of that comet are given in Cham
bers' Astronomy and in 'Watson's Theo-
retical Astronomy and were computed by
Denoti and Scheulze respectively. The re-
semblance IS strongest in the inclination
OF the orbits OF the two comets
to the ecliptic, and in the peri
helion distance, which is about two.
thirds OF the mean distance of the
sun from the earth for both comets The
elements OF the comets differ somewhat
in the longitude of the ascending node and
IN the longitude OF perihelion. But this
dlIference may be due to pertur bations,
that is, attraction of planets of the solar
system on the comet. The coincidence OF
the orbit of the new comet with that OF
1855 may be entirely accidental, and fu-
ture observations and calculations must
decide whether the comet recently discoY-
cred is new one, or whether it has ap-
peared before. The coincidence was rec
ognlzed as soon as the elements computed
by Professor Leuschner and Mr.. Seares
reached Mount Hamilton, where they
were compared with the elements of
former comets
Water Rates Fixed.
BERKELEY, CAL, Feb. A.-After con-
tinued discussion and consideration the
Town Trustees have arrived at q conclu-
sion with regard to the water rates to be
liked by the new ordinance. Following
are the rates decided upon, taking 1000
gallons as basis of consideration:
For street-sprinkling purposes, 20 cents.
For domestic purposes, where the con-
sumption is less than 5000 gallons per
month, 40 cents.
Where the consum ption is over 5000 per
month, 35 cents.
Consumers will have the option of using
meter, the minimum charge being tixed
at SIS per year. The accuracy of a meter
may be tested at consumers cost unless
the error exceeds per cent.
The rate for hydrants for fire service is
raised from so cents per month to 81 the
water company to supply and keep in re-
pair such hydrants a S are ordered by the
iown. The increase was made with the
understanding that the water company
will replace its small mains with pipes
large enough to provide suitable flow and
pressure for fire protection.
Failure to supply water for irrigating
purposes will be charged against the COM
pany by deductlng for each months fail
ure the charges for two months services.
Glee Club Concert.
BERKELEY. CAL, Feb. 24.-The Uni
versity Glee Club will give a concert next
Monday evening at the Auditorium in San
Francisco. They will be assisted in the
performance by the U. c. Mandolin Club,
which was formed last fall, also by Mrs
Olive Reed Batchelder. contralto, and
Charles E. PARCELS, violinist. This will be
the mandolin clubs first public appear
ance. A large number of the latest glee-
club songs have recently arrived from the
East and an entirely new programme will
be presented at the concert.
A special effort is being made by all con-
cerned to make the concert the most sue
cessful that has ever been given by the
club.
Quinan '97, the caricaturist on Josh, is
designing a handsome souvenir pro-
gramme for the occasion.
Call for Special Tax.
BERKELEY, CAL, Feb. 24.-Petitions
are being circulated asking the Board Of
Town Trustees to take immediate steps
toward calling an election authorizing the
levy of special tax for the raising OF $40
600 for school buildings.
DEATH OF JOHN COFFEY.
Il r