The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-01-06
FRESH GlOSSl
FROM GOTHAM
Radical Changes Suggested BY the.
ak Commission.
GOVERNOR BRADY's STORY,
Once 4 Waiter iii New York, Now Gov
crnor Of Alaska - Some Society
z Secrets Let Out i'll a Suit for
Damages Between Women.

Secrets Let Out i'll a Suit for
Damages Between Women.
NEW YORK, Jan. 5.-Special.-At the
I last session OF the New York Legislature
| a committee was appointed to suggest
changes in the tax law, and the Herald
| of this morning says that radical re-
forms will be recommended.
It will be suggested that real estate be
| set apart for local taxation exclusively,
and that the expenses of the State govern
ment be derived from an impost upon
mortgages, and the capital stock of trust
companies.
The proposed legislation will affect real
and personal property having an equalized
value of s5076,3a6.S2 in the entire State
! Mortgages numbering 579.472. with face
value Of $780,, 4,301. will be made sub
ject to State taxation.
1t is anticipated that this reform will
| emu the long controversy between the
| State and the local tax authorities in re-
! gard to the equalization OF assessed
values. and that it will make real estate
| assessment entirely matter of local
| control.
| 1 ~ SISI
! In accordance with the recommendation
| Of Governor Roosevelt a bill will be in
! troduced in the Legislature to repeal the
| Horton law, which will leave in force the
former statute with regard to prize fights.
I The former law absolutely prohibited
prize lighting, disguised as sparrng
| matches or untliSgused.
Governor John G.. Brady, of Alaska,
| addressed the Chamber of Commerce yes
| terday afternoon. He has an interesting
| story. About thirty years ago he was a
| homeless wait on the streets of New
| York. He was picked up by the Children's
! Aid Society and afterwards located on
| Western farm. He remained several
! years on the farm. and accumulated 4
! little money He had a longing for an
I education, and finally came to New
! York and presented himself to William E.
! Dodge, who. becoming interested in him,
! helped him through college. Mr. Brady
| studied for the ministry, and became mis-
| sionary to Alaska. where he has resided
| for many years. President Mckinley be-
! came SO interested in him, his history and
his plans for the development of Alaska
] that he appointed him Governor of the
| Territory. And now the friend!ess waif
Of the metropolitan streets returns to New
| York to address the greatest Of its COM
mercial bodies. Governor Bradys address
was an appeal for wise legislation Tor the
! Territory by Congress.
Mrs. Mary S. Hoe. wife of Robert Hoe,
! has sold at what was at one time Mr..
! Hoes country seat in the Borough of
| Bronx for $3.50, geo. The Simpson tract
| adjoining this was recently sold for 800
! CO... both pieces of property having been
! sold to one corporation. The two tracts
! contain eghty-six acres.
! APOPLEXY IN COURT
In the Court of General Sessions yester-
| day afternoon Louis Gordon, q Russian
| mechanic, was tried for stealing. His wife
| testified in his behalf, swearing mat he
! was not guilty Of the charge, but before
! her testimony was ended she was stricken
| with apoplexy. The wife was taken to
| hospital. The husband was acquitted.
| Mrs. Amelia E. Barr, the authoreSs, in
| an interview with one of the local papers,
| expresses the opinion that the servant
| girl problem is to be solved by substi-
| tuting men for women as domeStics. She
| says that there is no question Of the,
! greater efficiency of men as house ser
| wants.
SOCIETY SECRETS
| Miss Mary L. Howe, granddaughter OF
! the late Elias Howe. the millionaire sew
] ing machine manufacturer. is suing Mrs.
! Francis Augusta Skinner 10 recover
| x24. 80 for services as a companion.
+, Mrs. Skinner makes :, general denial
of Miss Howes charges. She asserts
| that it was to give Miss Howe i chance
! to get into society that she invited her
! to live at her home.
! The plaintiff was the next witness. She
! said that she had been educated almost
| entirely in Europe. She studied music
! in Germany and France. finishing her
! musical education under the best masters
| in the European capitals
1 Miss Howe was then asked what her
| duties We're While Ut Mrs. skinner
home In answer she replied .i,at She
| helped Mrs Skinner to entertain her
I guests furnished the music for guests
! and silling friends, helped both Mr. and
| Mrs. Skinner in the study of French. at
! tended Mrs. Skinner in all her shopping
! and calling tours. had certain charge OF
! the servants. nursed Mrs. Skinner while
| Ill. took care OF the plants and flowers.
| and had numerous other duties.
| Mrs Elizabeth Winthrop Stevens. the
! next witness said that she had been 4
! New York society woman" for many
| years, and was acquainted with its Gus
| toms and usages.
Your family are highly Connected
! are they not?
THE REAL STUFF.
| Yes: 1 am Il descendant OF the late
| Alexander. Stevens and am related to the
late Governor Stuyvesant'
| ..You are in business in this city,?
| Yes"
| Mrs Stevens said that she conducted
| q society intelligence bureau
! She supplied advice to society women
! rs to how to run their house. how to
F.! dress. how to entertain, how to act in
| society," and furnished a select list of
! guests for private receptions and func-
! tons.
A long hypothetical question, contain
| ing the points in the testimony. was read
! to Mrs Stevens. and, she was asked
what she thought would be suitable
| salary annually for a young woman.
! who. under the same conditions as Miss
| Howe. had acted as companion
II should say 5000 she replied.
| One of the jurors asked Mrs stevens
! if she had ever known a case parallel
! to that of Miss Howe's and she said
/ that she had.
She said that society women frequently
| we're employed as visiting housekeepers.
She said that she knew of one woman who
F.! received $50 a month for merely visiting
| a. certain house once q day and ordering