Evening star., 1901-05-13
IN HOTEL CORRIDORS

John G. Burke of Pittsburg Pa, who
was at the Ebbitt on Tuesday, gave it as
his opinion that the Ripper bill recent
ly passed in the legislature of Pennsylva-
MIA will be declared constitutional by the
higher court in the state, the lover court
having already asserted its CONSTITUTIONAL
ity. Mr.. Burke said:
The bill, which is local in It's effect to
the city of Pittsburg, was passed in the
legislature after q long. hard struggle. dur
ing the progress of which a riot came near
being started in the house between friends
and foes of the measure, a fist fight Was
narrowly ayerted. and only through the
efforts of some of the cooler heads on
either side. The friends Of the measure
regard its enactment as necessary for the
best good of the city, while it's enemies as
sert that its effect. if declared constitu-
tionai by the state courts, will merely be
to wrest power from the hands of one
political faction TO place it in the hands Of
the opposing one. However that may be,
there is little room TO doubt that, no mat
ter which faction holds the power. abuses
in office will exist in Pittsburg as they do
in all other large municipalities. So far as
| am personally concerned. although 4 legal
resident of Pittsburg. little of my time
is spent there that it makes small differ
ence to me which faction is in power. My
interest In the matter really goes only so
far a desire to See the city governed in
the manner best suited to the general in
trests of the people. ! have heard il said
recently. and by pretty wise politicians,
that the measure will receive the stamp of
Constitutionality at the hands of the higher
court where it has been taken on appeal
My faith in the predictions of the political
people from whom the rumor comes leads
me to believe they are right
land. said at the Shoreham in a conversa-
ton regarding the British-Boer war:
Il am one of the subjects of Great Britain
who believe firmly that in this case England
is IN the wrong. l have entertained this
view from the outbreak of hOstiities be-
tween the two countries. and, as you may
well imagine have not gained popularity
at home by the expression of my opinion.
1t would simply be reyamping the subject
To go into detail as 10 the why and where
fore, but my view of the cause aud effect
leads me to the irresistible conclusion that
the rights of the citizens of the TranSvaai
are being encroa ched upon, and l should
indeed consider them cowardly We're they
not to put forth every effort 10 save to
themselves and their descendants what
they have nobly and at such personal
COST Hrested from the barbarism of South
African natives The Beers have toiled
for many years TO bring to Il state of fruit
fuireSs and civilization land which. be-
fore they took possession was Inhabited
only by savages and wild beasts. Now that
they have succeeded in great measure, |
think II a great wrong on the part of Eng
land to attempt to seize 1t. The fact Is
that. although an Enghshman myself. /
am fearful that Great Britain is a little
prone to the violation of the comma ndment
which forbids covetousness."
Il lad the pleasure the other day said
Theodore F. Welch OF EImira. n y. at the
Raleigh. ''of travelling from Pittsburg to
New York III the Pullman car with a mer-
ry company Of theatrical people on their
way home after the close of a profitablc
and pleasant season. All We're jolly and
glad at the prospect of SO speedy a return
to their homes in the metropolis In the
smoking compartment many funny expert
of the company. The one which struck me
as being most amusing was told by Ger
man comedian. and was as follows:
Some years ago L happened to be In
New Rochelle. N Y. when melodramatic
play was given its first production Among
The other characters in the cast We're two
young men, whose parts consisted in stand
ing. as the curtain rose on the second act
ar opposite sides of the stage. After mo-
meEt 8 hesitation they were to rush for
ward to the center of the stage engage In
a sort of wrestling bout and then retreat
TO their original places. At this juncture
another player was to come on rush over
vance to the other at the opposite side of
the stage. whereupon the latter was to EN-
brace him and, at the same time, speak
the line: You have saved my life SIR
Everything went according to program un-
III the two young men, after engaging in