The commonwealth., 1897-01-07

with most people, anu IL Is iU'io
strange how some people do enjoy the
rough-and-tumble side OF Christmas
fun. The Durham Sun says:
"Some thirty-seven people were dis
figured by fireworks in this State during
the recent Christmastide, and the re-
turns are not all in yet. The sky rock
ct flies high and falls hard, but it seems
we are bound to have it,"
Gen. G. w. G. Lee, who has been
president OF Washington and Lee Uni
versity since his father, Gen. Robt E.
Lee, died in 1870, has resigned his posi-
ton his resignation to take effect July l.,
1897. He was at once appointed Pres
ident Emeritus for life, and he will
still be interested in the great institu-
ton. Ill health was the cause of his
resignation.
The first woman Senator halls from
Utah. She is Mrs. Martha Hughes
Cannon, one the three wives OF her
Mormon husband whom she beat in the
fight for the State Senate. She says
that women are better than men, for
slaves are always better than their mas
ters. But Mrs. Cannon will not cut
much of figure in the affairs of her
State, we predict; for it is not in ac-
cord with what the American people
have always regarded the fitness OF
things for women to hold offices which
call for masculine dignity.
Many of the churches in Richmond
Va, held "old year service" on the
night of Dec. 31st, between 10 and II
O'Clock. Perhaps there was solemnity
about it, after all, that would not have
come to the minds OF the worshiper:
anywhere else Or at any other time
and if this was true it was by no means
a proftless worship, however much
some might be inclined to think lightly
of it. Whatever makes men thinl
holier thoughts, entertain more lofty
ideas of living, is helpful and shoult
everywhere be encouraged.
On Christmas day egg-nog and WIN
we're served to the inmates OF the aims
Ihouse near Norfolk. The Women
Christian Temperance Union laid sever
structures on the management OF tn
almshouse for giving to the inmate
: the very thing which was perhaps II
strumental in bringing them ther'
, DR.. L. G. Sheperd, physician to th
almshouse, assumed all the responslbl
llty, but the w. C. T. U. passed stron
resolutions against such a course t.
. wards the persons for whom they ha
been doing charity work for man
years.
The "Grand Old Man," Hon. Villa
r Gladstone, celebrated his S7th brit
= dav at Howarden, England, on De
29th. Church bells we're rung In Il
village and general congratulate
we're sent the venerable statesma
Telegrams were numerous from
parts OF England as well as from t
10 United States. Mr.. Gladstone is p
N haps the greatest statesman OF the ce
tury and while England feels pet
liar pride in claiming him as her oV
all the world rejoices that the great
good man has lived in this centu
and all peoples feel grateful that
wears have been so heightened and
filled with usefulness.
Some of the pictures prophesled
the opening of the twentieth cent
n, are pleasing indeed. Among the N
ap marked Improvements contempla
are good roads, flying machines, c'
= munications with the planet M
r photography that will show o.
4 thoughts, the cure of all diseases exc
old age.
- These things, to be sure, are sh'
10 in tinsel colors. but there is no tel
q what four years may bring about.
= may be that in many parts OF
- country the highway will no longe
- ga mud-river in winter and {