The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1900-03-06
CURRENT TOPICS.

OF the colored postmaster at Lake City,
5. o who was killed in February, 1898
The New York Press says that the
Gothamites last year ate on 2S9 ,l2O
eggs. or about 800 apiece for every man,
woman and child in the greater city
That is over one day for each week
day.
Ii is said in Washington that the din
ner to be given by the national associa-
tion Of Democratic clubs on Jefferson 5
biz thday will be a failure, as the price
of the tickets, 50, is thought to be too
high
The Norfolk peanut market has been
somewhat excited for the past two
weeks, especially the market for Span
ish nuts Farmers stock This grade
has advanced from 20 cents to 80 cents
per bushel within two weeks, and the
tendency is upward.
1T Is recalled that when the protector
Of the railroad up Mount Washington
sought a charter from the New Hamp.
shire Legislature. says The Buffalo
Commercial, lone of the lawmakers in
his speech on the subject said Give
the fool permission but he might as
we'll ask for railroad to the moon.
But the railroad is still running TO Tip
Top House "
A combination of iron aud steel in
dustries with $1,000 900. 900 capital
will. it is said, be completed within
six months from April It will In.
clude the American Tinplate Company,
tho National Steel Company. the
American Hoop and Wire Company, the
National Steel Sheet Company, now
forming and another which is larger
than any Of the concerns named.
The House insular committee will at
an early day report bill for the gov
eminent Of Porto Rico, similar in many
respects TO that Of the Territories, except
that half the members OF the higher
branch Of the legislative council shall
be appointed By the President The
island will be recognized as part OF this
country, though trade between 1t and
the other parts Of the United States Is
restricted by tariff
The Mechanical College and Poly
technic Institute, at Blacksburg, WILL
have ready for free distribution within
the next few months eight important
bulletins AS it is anxious to orenew ltt
mailing list. oil farmers desirous OF SO
curing these bulletins and its subse
quent publications are invited to send
IN their names az oncs to the director
of the station at Blacksburg in order
that they may be included in the new
mailing list now in course Of prepara'
tion there.
Congressman Levy, Of New York, has
introduced bill directing the Secretary
OF War to serve notice on the Baltimore
and Potomac Railroad to provide suit
able roadway for wagons and cars
across the long bridge over the Potomac
at Washington, and so construct the
bridge as to prevent danger from fresh
ets. In event Of the failure Of the com
pany to begin such improvements with
in one year OF the passage Of the act, the
bridge privileges Of the company are t(
be forfeited.
1t is an expensive luxury to belong tt
half a dozen Of the leading clubs II
New York. The annual dues OF th'
Metropolitan are 500. and the initia
ton fee $500, as compared with slO'
and $3.50 for the Manhattan $50 ahC
5000 for the Lotos; 500 and 800 for th'
Meadow Brook 1925 and 800 for the New
York Yacht Club; $40 and 500 for th'
Players; s75 and 5000 for the Racquet
$40 and $500 for the Union; SO ant
$500 for the Union League, and $40 ant
$3.50 for the Colonial Club.
City Treasurer ]. M. Curtis, OF New
port News, levied on the plant OF Ii
Grand Duchess at the shipyard for take
amounting to 5000. The assessmen
of the steamship La Grand Duchess q
a part of the shipyard's property is de
nounced as farce. The State Oom
missioner, who assesses the value o
floating property. assessed this ship il
1898 at $500, coo. The court relieved tn
company from the payment OF the tax
which amounted then to $40, 400. Las
year the ship was again assessed q
s40O 600. The commissioners each time
il is said, received nothing, as the ship
yard was relieved the first time and
J. ..;lork tbat tho oomnanv will be re