Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-02-25


federated colonies within two years, and
that within the borders of this tariff trade
should be free. The just contribution of
each colony to the general trade and the
just share in the general expenditure of the
commonwealth should then be aScertained
by careful examination during a period of
five years, and on the data so obtained the
division of the surplus customs revenue
should be made.
All Difficulties Settled.
The bill was then referred to a plebiscite
in each colony, and strong opposition to
some of It's provisions was manifested in
New South Wales. The result of the vot-
ing was as follows:
Colony. For the bill. Against the bill
New South Wales. 1880 G5,619
Victoria .......--... e3,473 20.510
South Australia 80. 35,7I1 1899
Now. however all these difficulties have
been settled. bare majority of both
houses to decide all differences between the
two branches of legislature and other
Clauses have been agreed upon, so that all
is ready now for the final act, which can
not be long delayed. Great Britain is wise
in allowing these colonies to federate, and
United States of Australia" will doubtless
continue for a long time yet to pay al
logiance TO this country, though the mani
fest destiny of far-away Australia is in
The Organ Grinder Earl.
Earl and Countess Poulett, as they style
themselves, are paying the penalty of
fame. Their movements are chronicled in
the London press with delightful minute
ness. Thus we learn that the organ grind
er and his wife are resting at Southsea
which used to be one of their profitable
districts when they purveyed mechanical
music to copper-giving trippers. But these
days are past. On this occasion the dis
tinguished couple Travelled by train to the
seaside resort, and then they actually in
dulSed in the luxury of cab which duly
deposited them at a house in Green road
With a characteristic love of detail the
reporter notes that the door of the dwell
ing was opened to admit them! His lord
ship did not remain long here. Accom-
panied by her ladyship, he proceeded to a
tavern in Somers Town, where the hostess
invited her aristocratic guests to remain
during their sojourn by the sea. Whether
or not they are paying guests is omitted
from the narrative, though we may pre-
sumo they are there as friends, because
after supper they all sat round the fire and
discussed the incidents regarding their
claim to the Poule't peerage So fascinat-
ing did this subject prove that it was in
the night before the party broke up. land
the earl and countess did not rise until
nearly noon. having breakfast served in
their room The claimant has expressed
an aversion to seeing visitors but by way
of gratifying the curiosity of an admiring
public he has permitted Madame Toussaud,
the exhibitor of waxN ork models, to pre-
pare his effigy
Curious Old Ceremony
An Interesting minor ceremony incidental
to the opening of parliament took place
yesterday before the members assembled
1t was the annual searching of the vaults
beneath the house of commons by the yeo-
men of the guard. These are the famous
beefeaters. well known to every American
who has visited the Tower of London or
gone to one of the queens drawing rooms
The duty is discharged by an exon, an
usher, and ten yeomen, who are placed at
St Stephens under the general direction of
the deputy great chamberlain. Mustered
about two hours before the time fixed for
the opening of parliament. they were sup
pied with lanterns, and, drawing their
swords, commenced their REORGANIZATION
pioneered by Inspector Horsley, the chief
OF the house of commons police Every
part of underground St. Stephens was Wis
tied. and as the place is like a large rabbit
warren, the search took about two hours
from beginning to finish. In the old days,
when the famous Bellamy presided over
the destinies of the parliamentary kitchen
and the vaults were stocked with his choice
wines, the Formally used to be marked
by the pleasant custom of drinking the
the house of commons by fire in 1854
Messrs- Bellamy's stock was removed to
the vaults underneath the Westminster ses-
sion house. and subsequently to Parlia-
ment street. The hospitality, however,
was not discontinued, and until compare
lively recent times. the yeomen still had
their cake and wine after their search.
They now generally adjourn to the nearest
saloon and refresh themselves
Cabs on London Streets.
We are threatened with a cab strike in
London because In the streets most congest-
ed by traffic a new police regulation COM
pels the Crawling cabs" as those empty
ones plying for hire are known, to turn
down side streets after setting down a
fare or keep on a moderately fast trot
The London streets are not noted for their
Wilderness, and this Is undoubtedly a neces-
sary regulation. But the cabbes take it to
heart that they have been singled out in
stead OF the enormous omnibuses and heavy
wagons They all knocked off work Mon
day night, which was rainy, greatly to the
discomfort of the theater-goers and others,
who wEistled and called in vain for cabs
This was merely a sample demonstration.
and a full-fiedged strike Is threatened of
the same pattern if matters are not remedi-
ed for them The cabmen blame their nat
Lral enemies, the bus drivers. The omni-
bus, they say, is so much more unwieldy
and difficult of navigation than the nimble
CAP tldt upon II should 1all the burden of
any new regulation. And they affirm that
a large part of their earnings will be lost
10 them If they are prevented from patrol
ling the streets in search of fares. 1t is es-
timated that the cabmen lost f3, 900 by their
partial strike of Monday. 1t certainly Is
rather hard on 'cabby,' who If you treat
him well, is not a bad sort. OF course,
some regulation of the traffic is absolutely
necessary. Still, II any one kind of traffic
Is to suffer Punishment il is only fair that
those vehicles which are not about any
definite business should give place to
others more instantly employed. The prob
lens of traffic, however, are becoming so
urgent that no reform which
is not designed upon much broader and
more comprehensive basis is likely to afford
but a temporary relief.
L. H. MOORE.
BRINGING HOME THE DEAD.