The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-12-16
NEWS HND COMMENT

The civilization of the I[londiko region
has not yet reached the stage of rCSular
churches, but Satan is busy there, day
ana night. Says writer in the Spokane
Chronicle: AT present there are three
variety thCaters in Dawson CITY. one
of these is the better class. The other
two are low dives of the foulest dcscrip-
ton. The best thcatCr is u high two
story frame structure, although the en-
trance to 1t is through a onc-Story log
house. This entrance building is used as
harrOOm bars extending along both
sides of it, The drinks as these bars are
sold at the rat" of 80 cents each, or three
for 81. At this price they are not only
sold at the bar, but also by the walters
on the first floor of the theatcr. The pay
mcnt for drinks is almost entirely in gold
dust. scales being kept upon the bar 10
weigh out the dust. At the bar admission
tickets TO the thcater are sold at tho rate
Of 81 each. These entitle the holder to
either enter the lower floor OF the Iheater
ar to pass upstairs. The entrance to the
lower floor is through door opposite the
entrance to the barrOom, while access to
the uppcr floor is gained 10y climbing u
stairway leading from one side of the
barroom. The second floor is arrange ID
with balcony projecting out from the
sides of the building over the lower fioor.
The outer edge of this balcony IL lined
with boxes. Along the sides and next to
the walls of tho thcater are two long
bars, 1t is an expensive proposition for
man to so upstairs in this thcater. To Sc
cure seat i'm one of the boxes it Is nee
essary to buy a drink for one of the wo-
men of the house This first drink always
costs s., the price of the box thus being
collected by means Of the initial drink
After the bcginniI drinks are sold at the
rate of 80 cents each. No bottled liquors
of any kind are sold in the thcater every
thing being by the glass. Champagne is
practically unknown. Beer Is also scarce
The most common drink Is q vilainous
mixture of claret which soon causes in
tOXiCatiOn of the most lurld character
The women mostly drink this and soda
water, but whisky and other common
drinks are also sold. The women receive
| 20 per cent. commission on all drinks sold
| by them. This rule includes the s. paid
for the hex. In addition TO their com
mission they receive SIS n week salary
| from the house. The salaries paid the
| performers are also good, ranging from
| $50 to 500 a week, and even exceeding
| the latter figure"
The intellectual pastimc in Havana,
| writes Chicago correspondent. is chess.
| Chess is played at all the Cluns extern
| SVely ana nearly all business and profess
| sonal men are devoted to the game.
| There are several chess clubs, and some
OF them nave players with Worldwide
| regulations. Some of the international
! chess champions have played here and al
| most all of the great professionals are
| known and their play understood. 1t :
| easy to get large subscriptions to secure
| the presence of a famous chess player
| from abroad. The last of the bull-hght-
| ing probably has been done in Havana.
During the war the bulls were all eaten
After the raising of the blockade the pro-
| iect of importing bulls from Mexico was
discussed, but was finally abandoned.
| Now il seems likely that before any bulls
| can be provided the pastime will be for
| hidden. The natives expect TO see their
| hull-fghting abolished as a matter of
| course, and there probably will he no pro-
| test. The intelligent Spaniards under
| stand that the United States will not toll
| crate the pastime.
| The annual report Of General Dumont,
| supervising inspector OF steamboats,,
| shows that 650,OO0OOO passengers were car
red on the water by steamboats, and
| steamships sailing under the United
| states flag during the last fiscal year.
| Those carried on sailing vessels are not
| included. OF this number only 81 lost
| their lives from all causes. which Is an
| average Of about i'm 7,73S,OO0. The num-
her of officers and sailors of steam ves-