New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-10-22
TOPICS IN CHICAGO.
LARGE REGISTRATION CAUSES GRUM-
BLERs TO ASsAIL CENSUS GAS
TRUST on ToP-TAX VALUATION.

ord Of registration in Chicago with one accord
thew denounce the Federal census as a base
SANDER upon the greatness Of Chicago. and they
offer as a correction figures ranging from
2010226 to 2410302 The Federal census
showed population Of 169S575 The first
mentioned figures, which are higher than the
VIGOROUSLY hattering school census are deduced
from various theories as TO what proportion of
the total population Is able and willing to regis
ter The lowest multiple applied by the enthusi
asts to the registration totals was ~, the high
est 6. and the latter is the more popular. as it
coLvinces its devotees that the Windy City has
2 population Of nearly two millions and half.
In a different manner the Republican managers
find much cause for self graduation in the
largely increased registration this year. The
figures 401. III. are largely In excess Of all pre-
vious records, and this is taken TO mean that
the conservative element is fully aroused TO
sense Of the critical condition in Cook County,
and that il viii be out in force to cast its bal
lots for the Republican ticket. The gains more
over. have been almost without exception in
Republican wards and precincts. and their sig
nifcance Is so patent that little comment has
been elected from the Democrats save an in
evitable stereotyped charge of Republican fraud,
which enauated this time from Ex-Governor
John P. Altgeld. who thus indirectly admits that
the Republican gain is no less than forty
thousand
An unsuspected card has been thrown the
board by the Gas Trust. and the Ogden Com
pany has a. last shared the fate Of ali OF its
redecess0rs-absorptiou by the Peoples Gas
light and Coke Company. The energetic few
who started the citizens end OF the fight and
obtained injunctions demanding 40 cent rate,
have been the only 10 profit by the fight,
and they have profited to no great extent, for
the restraining orders expired October II and
the petitioners must now pay the old rate OF
81 q thousand feet. The people have got the
worst Of the fight and are aroused 10 pitch
that has crystallized in the appointment by the
Mayor Of committee 70 investigate the posi-
bilities Of municipal plant Photometric tests
Of the uIuminant supplied by the trust have
been conducted in the last week by the city
electrician. with the result that It found
that where the company was under contract to
supply street lights Of twenty candle power
each they were actually furnishing lights OF an
average OF 1895 candle power with an average
hourly consumption Of Al feet. Sixteen lamps
were tested. and the best Of the lot scored only
123 candle power on an hourly consumption Of
65 feet This and the high handed methods Of
the company will It is thought have the effect
Of finding strong support for the municipal own
ership project However, some ridicule the idea
in view Of the gross Hismenage cement Of most of
the local municipal Offices. and look 10 the State
Legislature as the only possible avenue Of relief.
The City Council, meanwhile, has stultided itself
by passing an ordinance which purports to make
IS cent gas mandatory. but which, in the opinion
Of the most competent legal authorities in the
city can only result in years Of litigation and
doubtful remedy.
Property Of all sorts in Cook County (Chicago)
VIII be taxed this year z total valuation Of
$3.50 564 522 The tax extension department OF
the County Clerks Office finished the complete
report for the State Board Of Equalization last
week Enumerated personal property, such as
animals sewing machines. watches and clocks,
Is valued Al 81 204517; unenumerated person
atty, money, diamonds, etc. at S5S.4S1, 591.
There are 240,0 53 acres Of improved land in the
county and 199,1 26 acres unimproved; the av-
GRACE value Of the former Is SOB 75 Of the latter
SIS 81, The total valuation being S1L404,129.
Town and city lots 10 the number Of 222,944
were listed at q total valuation Of S151.516,662,
or an average CT S709 20. There were also listed
503.472 unimproved lots. valued at S349l4,2O1,
an average Of $50 IS making the total valuation
Of Cook County realty, aside from railway prop
erty. S203 954 992. Railways were assessed for
S33. S16.0SO. The forty-eight steam railway
companies reported CSC miles 1883 feet Of main
track and 1855 miles 1924 feet Of side second
and turnout track. The right Of way is not
under the Jurisdiction Of the local assessors but
the following figures were obtained from the
best available data R1g9f o q 22o way Tllh 1ra l
81 81, 5S4; second and turnout track, So'loZzo.
Chicago had before last week made claim TO
nearly everything earth Now the only
omission has been repaired. Her lake front IS
gold field A Northwestern University profess
sor excited by a report that bucket Of gold
dust and nuggets had been found on the shore
near Evanston, spent the greater part or last
Thursday On the beach with an old-Tashlohed
rocker and washer, and scanned the deposit LETT
after washing the sands for traces OF golq- me
resulting find was carefully tested with acld
after each washing. but il is not recorded that
any great quantity OF the precious metal was
obtained
FfhIe readings have been barred from the pub
lic schools by the local Board OF Educatlon "a; a
vigorous effort was made 10 introduce oalIy
readings in all OF the public schools or the city;
and : volume OF scriptural selections compiled
l1y Mrs Elizabeth Blanchard Cook, president OF
he CHICAGO Womau's Educational Institute,
was urged for use IN the schools A sIuesIe
was made by the advocates OF the innovation
bur the movement defeated by Note OF
y 70 6. the majority deciding that the PUNE
institutions were no place for the dissemination
Of religious lore
are horse steaks being sold for the porter
house variety in Chicago? Secretary Pritchard
q. The local Board OF Health is trying TO answer
the question. Complaints have been maze ina
certain dealers IN horsefesh who snip IhelL
products abroad have been selling TO local re
taflerz who are thought 10 have been oeIlVerIhs
the horse meat instead CT beer. secretary
Pritchard intends TO prosecute such oIIenoeIs az
he may be able 10 detect for obtaining money
under false pretences.
Included in the $4,000 sent by the local Gal
weston Relief Committee last week was con
trlbutfon that was probably unique the IN
mates Of the County POorhouSe al Duhilii6
STERLING