davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune., 1901-01-27
TIE REV. JOB G. BASS.

The Rev. job G.. Bass, the venerable chaplain Of
the Kings County Penitentiary. and OF the best
known clergymen in Brooklyn forty years ago, died
last night at his home. No. 49, Waverly-ave.,
Brooklyn. He had been seriously i'll for two
months. an operation having been performed upon
him for kidney trouble. Last New Years Day
was the first time in thirty-hve years that he had
not taken part in the holiday exercises in the
Penitentiary.
Mr.. Bass was born in Charleston. s. C., Feb
ruary 4. 1916. Becoming orphan at early
age he was obliged to his living before his
education had advanced far. but he decided to be-
come a Methodist minister. and IN 1s41 licensed
to preach. In 1850 he came to Brooklyn and joined
the Fleet Street Methodist Church, preaching in
sparsely settled portions Of the city From be-
sinnings made by him four of the largest Meth
odist churches in Brooklyn have arisen-the New
York Avenue. the James. the Nostrand Avenue and
the Embury
In 1861 he assisted in organizing the sOth New
ment. He served three years under Generals Banks
and Sheridan. In the field he noted for his
fearesSness in visiting yellow fever and smallpox
camps. He acted a delegate of the Christian
and was chaplain at the Washington Navy Yard
and at Ci,y Point Va.
After the war Mr.. Bass became a missionary OF
the Brooklyn City Mission Society In 1856 he was
informed that cholera had broken out among the
conviCts in the Kings County Penitentiary. He
went at once. and stayed until the disease had been
stamped out, since which time he had acted as
chaplain of the institution, conducting two ser
vices every Sunday and ministering 10 the welfare
of the Convicts at all times In recognition of his
thrteth year of work as chaplain. public services
were held some years ago. and a large purse was
presented TO him. Mr.. Bass leaves family, his
wife having died three years ago.
New-York tribune., 1901-01-27
OBITUARY.
FRANK A. WILKINSON.

Frank A Wilkinson, treasurer OF the Wilkinson
& Gaddis Company, OF Newark died on Friday
nsht at his home. No. 1S2 CTnton-ave., Newark.
after brief Illness. Last Sunday he attended
the celebration by St. Luke's Methodist Church. in
Newark. of the clearing of of It's $4,000 debt He
was president OF the Board OF Trustees Of the
church In the evening he was taken i'll from
cold and IT developed into pleuro-pneumonia.
MI Wilkinson was born in Newark in 1874 He
was educated in the Newark schools. When eigh-
teen years old he enlisted in Battery B. 1st New
Jersey Light Artillery, Beams Battery He served
from Yorktown TO the end Of the He in
all the principal battles in Virginia.
After spending two years in Cincinnati Mr..
Wilkinson returned TO Newark and entered the
employ of his brother Elias, dead. The firm
OF Wilkinson, Gaddis & Co was formed In ls7S
and In 1886 it was made a corporation with Frank
A Wilkinson as treasurer. The business grew to
large proportions, virtually controlling the grocery
ana produce trade in East and North Jersey. In
the late war the company executed large contracts
Tor the Government. 1t controls many dairieS.
MT Wilkinson was interested in other large enter
prlses. He was director of the Essex County Ma
mona! Bank, and of the Security Savings Bank,
president OF the Orville Milling Company, of Or
vile, secretary of the North Bangor Slate Com
pany and director of the Brooklyn Slate Mantel
company. He was also member of the Newark
board of Trade. the Essex Club and the Society
or the Army of the Potomac. Mr. Wilkinson
leaves widow and five children.
New-York tribune., 1901-01-27
SELECTIONS FROM THE MAIL.
THE WORTH OF THE CHECK TAN.
EIGHT STRONG REASONS GIVEN FOR ITS
RETENTION.

To the Editor OF The Tribune
Sir; Your recent editorial upon the stamp tax
on bank checks read with interest by my
self and many other people. May add word
in favor Of retaining the tax?
First-Coector Treat. of the Internal Reve-
nue., says that it is Of the most easily col
lected Of taxes Is that not worth considering?
There is and must be. less evasion than in some
other cases
Second-As the vast preponderance of stamps
used are imprinted the checks. they cost the
Government practically nothing for manufact-
ure. The contracting imprinters pay for the dies
used. the salaries of the Government employees
who supervise the work and all the labor and
materials consumed.
Third undertake say that the is the
most contentedly borne of all. 1t does not thrust
itself too obtrusively the attention. Depos-
itors think of it merely when they get new
check book at the bank, and forget II until they
obtain another
Fourth-It is a tax on wealth. and falls where
il can be most justly and conveniently paid.
am not arguing now in the spirit OF la Dor unions
who so generally favor retention or the tax ana
who have memoralized Congress in the matter
Nevertheless. the fact is as stated.
Fifth-It does not tax poor mans savings
because sayings bank depositors can draw out
their money a form of receipt which requires
stamp
Sixth-Experence in raising money for the
Civil War proved that the check tax was one Of
the most popular of all Gf any tax can be called
popularl. for it was enacted in 1864 and retained
for eighteen years.
Seventh and eighth-The banks do not object
to it, for the that il tends to diminish the
number Of small checks. And finally, ii has
long been in vogue in every civilized land, as
proper and easy method of taxation. Respect
fully. II.
New-York. Jan -. 1901
New-York tribune., 1901-01-27
SING SING PRLSONUNHEALTHY
ITS CONDITION TO BE REPORTED TO
THE LEGISLATURE WITH VIEW
TO ITS CONDEMNATION.

Sing Sing Prison will be torn down if the Legis-
lature adopts the recommendations made by the
special committee Of the Prison Association yes
terday. The committee has declared the building to
be unfit for the abode of convicts owing TO its
dampness. darkness. poor ventilation. overcrowd-
Ing and drainage The committee consists OF
Samuel J. Barrows secretary of the association;
j. G. Phelps Stokes Alexander NJ Hadden, Henry
f. Gregory. J. Seely Ward. jr.. Charlton I. Lewis
and Eugene Smith. Accompanied by Charles F.
Wingate. expert sanitary engineer. the COM
mttee visited Sing Sing January 19. and made
thorough inspection of the prison. II took
many pages of testimony from the prison warden
and physician. which has been incorporated into
Mr.. Wingate's report.
Mr.. Barrows full of the subject of relieving
the wretched condition of the convicts when seen
last evening
81 looked for Alvord. the embezzler," he added.
HE was in his cell hut l could not him, be-
cause the thin light which penetrated through the
narrow slit in the feet thick walls was INSULT
cient 1t only hour past of sunny
day. The light does not reach the interior block of
cells. I noticed that the massive stone structure
was dripping with moisture. The building is only
five feet above the tide water of the Hudson, and
is placed made ground at that For this reason
alone the site should he abandoned, and new
building erected higher ground at Sing Sing
elsewhere.
I'VE go to Albany next Wednesday to lay
report before the State Board Of Health. The
members will scarcely believe what tell them of
the ventilation of the prison There 1850 men
installed in Zoo cells. This means that 80 men
must double up in cells which are feet inches
by feet inches, and about 612 feet high. A
should have one thousand cubic feet of air, but
the prisoners are supplied with only 145 cubic feet
Where there two men in d cell this amount is
halved Narrow windows. which are closed in
stormy weather furnish inadequate air supply.
We suggest that electric fans be at placed in
the prison to remedy this evil Bad drainage, de-
fective plumbing and dangerous open drain,
which the river sewage is forced by the tide, are
since November Seven hundred prisoners were
suffering with the grip last week owing to these
unsantary conditions.
immediate relief could be had by transferring
large number of Convicts to the reformatOry at
NaponaCh, which is practically empty. But these
improvements must of necessity be simple palla-
tives; The prison. which is sixty-seven years Old
should be condemned.
II have received no ntimaton of how the Legis-
lature Will receive report After have talked
with the State Board of Health we shall lay our
recommends tions before the Assembly This will
be done toward the latter part of this week.
The next meeting of the Executive Committee or
the Prison Association will be held next week. At
that time the annual report of the committee on
the general subject Of prisons will be read"
New-York tribune., 1901-01-27
THE WEATHER REPORT.

YESTERDAYS RECORD AND To-DAY's FORECAST.
Washington, Jan. 26-The Atlantic storm is stiu cen
trai south Of Nova Scotia. The northwestern has
moved 70 the northward Of Lake Superior south
Northeast Arkansas disturb ,
tonight central north Of Western
and the South Pacir Coast. Rains have
fallen in North Carolina, Tennessee the Valley
trail Mississippi Valley the lake egons The tenn
has risen decidedly Northwestern Louisiana
central portions Of Mississippi Alabama Arkansas
the Central Mississippi Valley North Central
Northern Lower Michigan Upper Michigan
has fallen with marked changes. in Northeastern New
York. Eastern Pennsylvania. Northwestern Texas
portions of Colorado and Wyoming. South Dakota and
the Canadian territory of Western North
High winds and gales reported from the New-England
and Middle Atlantic COudness with snow
Is indicated Atlantic Florida the
northern portion OF East Gulf States Central and
Upper Ohio Valley. the lake regions Sunday with
fair weather elsewhere except Montana where local
SHOWS prObable and higher temperatures generally
in the NewEngland and Middle Atlantic States.
Ohio Valley and lower lake region and lower
temperature in the lake region lower
Missouri Valley, Western Montana Gulf States
to winds, southerlv
England Coast; fresh 10 brisk
northeast Ia southeast winds the Middle Atlantic
Coast fresh winds generally southeast on the
South Atlantic Coast.
New-York tribune., 1901-01-27

plot owned by Lansdale Boardmsn on the site OF
the old Roman Catholic Orphan Asylum 20 Edward
Holbrook. president OF the Gorham Msnufscrurins
Company. Mr.. Holbrook now owns large plot on
this old site. He is said TO have obtained the prop
sIly as an Investment Se@eral well known men IN
tehOed not long ago to build private dwelling
houses part of the site fronting in Fifty-second
81, out circumstances arose which forced them 70
change their plans and they sold their lots.
what Is considered TO be of the most i'm
gg1IIlant sales Of last week was the purchase by
Snaries n. Dederer of the unfinished twelve story
apartment hotel Nos 100. III and rs West Forty
nIth-st Mr.. Dederer is a we'll known hotel pro-
RIIIet9r- Another large sale the old Virginia
Pa.Yt Mas purchased some time ago by the Central
doe oealty Bond and Trust Company for about <25o.
80 dn1 the company resOd il last week for about
o"oui;ooV 10 > OsgoOd Pell & Co.. who bought IL for
ouL9ng occupies plot 15.11 feet in Broadway.
Fift - eIs circle 40sl2 in Eghth-ave and 9i2 in
some large parcels valued at thousands OF dollars
IN y,aIseI nands in the Central Park West section
20 ne ne lidst week One Of the deals was the sale
- ~ eiIs AEe STORY apartment house at the northwest
sbo. s9s 4s Elshty-etghth-st and Coumbus-ave for
80 -t ~ eI%u,UUu IL was sold by L. J. Phillips & Co.
- an INVESTOR Another important sale in this sec
4 oio4 MaS the eight story apartment house Nos p7
Srba ~ SSSnIraI Park West. a plot 5oxi00 feet
soI5 cIese price was said be S240000. IL
SS3iG oy John NJ Thompson & Co. for Alonzo r.
81 81, u l. NJ Bon, Brooklyn investor
dcQulTlng the Henry Thatcher plot last week
owns ensral NJ realty Bond and Trust Company now
enth sts. 'S-SN'N anu rHtS-s@N-
som Some Of the transactions last week in the Long
49, oGudre section were Nos 66 and IS west
55oIJ,XY,-Slxth-st., two four story and basement
e TaIIIs TIrIs houses on lot S3+x10o5 feet by Green's
storo k, ~, no. l4s West FoFty-eighth-st a four
e % S D'15ohe 1 dwelling house, by Isaac J. Cohn
S So, 80, tor Patrick Fitzsimmons to James Mont
New-York tribune., 1901-01-27
WOMAN STRIKES MRS. NATION.
ROUGHLY HANDLED BY MOB WHEN SHE
VISITS TOPEKA.

Topeka, Kan, Jan. 26-Mrs. Carrie Nation caused
great furry among the saloonkeepers of Topeka
tonight and. as result, was roughly handled by
mob. Mrs. Nation arrived in Topeka at $40
o'clock and Immediately hunted up newspaper
reporter with a request that she be shown some of
the leading saloons of the city. Two newspaper
men volunteered TO pilot her around. She said she
did not wish 10 begin a smashing crusade. but
wanted to talk 10 the liquor sellers. The keepers
OF the saloons had been apprsed of her intentions,
and when she arrived ed" Myers's place, IN
Kansas-ave.. she confronted by the wife of the
proprietor who rained blow after blow on her head
with a broomstck. while Myers stood by and en-
couraged the effort.
BY this time large crowd had gathered among
whom numerous sympathizers with Mrs
Nation Nobody attempted to interfere, and soon
Mrs. Myers stopped her assault. Mrs Nation said
she not hurt by her experience in the least
What does a broomstick amount to?' she in
quired. "to who has been used TO rawhides.
rocks and eggs? That woman should be imfne-
dia,ely arrested. though. Where Is an offlcer:
policeman appeared on the scene for the pur-
pose of protecting Mrs. Nation. He commanded the
mob TO stand back and started the street with
Mrs. Nation. followed hootng, Jeerlng humans
rooms Of "The Topeka Capital" where the crowd
not allowed TO enter. Hero she detailed the
story of her experience and gave her plans for the
New-York tribune., 1901-01-27
CHARLES H. COFFIN.

Charles Fl. Coffin. a retired merchant OF this
city, died O'Clock last evening at his home
No. $50 Franklin-ave., New-Rochelle, from pneu-
monia. after Illness Of two weeks He was
sixty-seven years old Mr.. Coffin was formerly a
member Of the firm of Coffin & Trowbridge. whole
sale hat manufacturers. OF No. 54S Broadway. He
a member OF the Chamber of Commerce and
OF the Union League Club. of which he an
auditor for many years. He was at one time an
officer OF the Lotos Club.
Mr.. Coffin had been a resident OF New-Rochelle
FOR many years. He the manager OF the Emo
estate. in this city. and other large properties. Mr.
and Mrs. Coffin have been prominent for years in
charitable work They were among the founders
OF the New Rochelle Hospital and the Tavern, an
institution for workingmen of that city. When
the hospital property purchased Mr.. Coffin
furnished a large part OF the funds without inter
est. He life member of the Board OF Dt-
rectors. He leaves a widow, who is a sister OF
Mrs. McCann. wife Of Commodore w p. McCann
L. s N, retired and also OF Mrs. Vulte. wife OF
Professor II. T. Nulte. OF Columbia University.
New-York tribune., 1901-01-27
PFDLERS OFFER REWARDS.
VIII. ASK TO TAKE TRUNK IN WHICH
wEIsBARD's BODY WAS FOUND
THROUGH ITALIAN QUARTER.

The Committee Of Twenty-Five representing the
Nsu-YoTk Protective Pedlers' Union the East
saA Business Mems Association, the American
PTotectivs Pedlers Union the Independent Pedlers
Association and the East Side Furniture Associ-
atlon. having in all a membership OF over two
,boussns net last night in Golden Rule Hail. No
les Rivington-st, and took action on the murder
ef Never. Meisbsrd the pedler whose body was
found in q trunk January is.
The committee was appointed at meeuns OF
representatives held the place last Wednes-
dsy A. Teitelbaun, the chairman of the Commit
,ss n Tvrentv-hve. presided and NJ. Elenbogen
acted as secretary. The meeting was late in COM
ing 10 order, but every member OF the committee
was present.
Earnest speeches in German were made by nearly
oh those present on the necessity Of apprehending
Inc murderer and sparirg no Expense TO bring him
20 Justice.
The committee voted 30 pay $500 for the sppre-
hension and conviction Of the murderer OF Weis-
bard, pay 500 10 the person who furnishes evi-
dence leading TO the identity of the owner of the
trunk in which the body was found and to pay
$40 10 the family OF weisba-d. For the purpose
10 be held Friday night at some hall that
committee OF fve appointed last night will select
twenty-five next Tuesday night.
committee Of three, composed OF Meyer Ellen
appointed 10 call on Captain Titus and ask his per-
mission have the trunk in which the body
,sdes sbout the Italian quarter large sign Of
iering 500 10 any one giving the Information as
The trunk and circulars printed in Italian scattered
broadcast. The offer Of Leopold Harburger tender
accepted. A committee of nine was appointed 10
cal on the various associations and ask their CO.
There viii De a meeting Of pedlers and collectors
le tske steps on the apprehension OF Wristbands
murderer to-morrow night at No IS Orchard-st.
.Weis5srd's movements have been traced TO
Moore-st as late as o'clock on the day he disap-
New-York tribune., 1901-01-27
SENATOR PARSONS MUcH WORSE.
HIS ILLNESS TAKES MORE SERIOUS TURN AND
RECOVERY Is NOT EXPECTED

Rochester y. Y. Jan. 26.-Reports as TO the
condition of Parsons yesterday were to the
effect that he was somewhat worse. but this morn
ing slight improvement noticeable, Later,
however his condition became worse. and consider
able concern was expressed 10 his recovery The
Senator is suffering from chronic stomach diff
Guilty which has prevented his attendance at Al
hany since the session opened. Last winter II was
only by great will power that he was able to
attend 10 his legislative duties. After the Legis-
lature adjourned he went to the Adirondacks hop
ing regain his health. Afte. stay there of sew
eral weeks he returned this city apparently re-
cuperated and in good spirits. on January he at
tended the opening session of the Legislature, but
the rigorous winter climate brought another at
tack of the old trouble and he has gradually failed
since that time.
His illness took a sudden turn for the worse this
morning and his physicians gave up hope of saw
ing their patient. IL thought he could not live
through the day.
New-York tribune., 1901-01-27
SUICIDE OF NAN OF WEALTHY FAMILY

SHOOTS HIMSELF IN WEST EIGHTY SIXTH ST
BROTHER REFUSES TO TALK ABOUT CASE.
Philip Sternbach, who was up to the first of the
wear in the employ of Herman Sternbach & Co.. an
importing house at No. 56S Broadway. shot himself
dead on the sidewalk in West Eightysixth-st.. near
Central Park West. last night. He was within a
block of the home of his brother Norris member
of the firm The cause of the suicide is not known
The family is wealthy. Morris Sternbach refused
70 talk of the tragedy last night.
Policeman TOOmey heard the pistol shot. He ran
In the direction it came from and found the body
~ a we'll dressed about thirty-seven years
old with a revolver in his right hand The man
had a bullet hole I'm the right temple. He was
already dead
sternbach came ten years ago from Germany.
where his mother still lives lie complained of
illness in December and gave up his place sales
,1nn He lived at the Hotel Navarro, Thirty
eighth-st and Seventh-ave. He was single man.
Philip Sternbach went to see his brother yester-
dav but what passed between them is not known
Morris Sternbach would not say word about the
New-York tribune., 1901-01-27
SLOW DELIVERY OF MAILS.

To the Editor Of The Tribune
Sir; Allow us TO thank you for your editorial on
The New-York Mails The daily papers OF this
city seem little slow in awakening to the fact
that very serious damage is being done TO the
commercial interests of the city by the congestion
IN the Postoff1ce. Many of us had hoped that the
conditions would improve after the holidays but
Judging by our experience, they are growing worse
instead Of better. Third class mail delivered by US
10 the Postoff1ce properly classified by States and
cities on Monday. January Z, did not reach resi-
dents Of Brooklyn and Manhattan boroughs until
Tuesday. January Is, and residents OF Richmond
Borough until Wednesday January Is-nine days IN
passing from part of New-York City to an
otheri And this is a sample not an e1centioraI
case.
The force OF postal clerks work. the Post
master informs us to the limit Of their physical
of space. As you say, ''in these days the postal
clerks in the main building have hardly space for
breathing" But surely temporary quarters can be
secured at once. II the Postmaster IS authorized
do so, 20 be used until and ampler building Is
erected. A bill providing for such building il
5efore Congress, but even If enacted once
several years must elapse before such a measure
give relief. In the mean time, con-
tinue in the present condition. in which IL takes
mail nine days TO cross 10 the other side OF tho
Kill Won Kull and eight days to cross the East
River?
Complaint from us 10 the Postmaster-Generai
elicts the information that the matter is in the
hands of Congress- and complaint 10 the chair
man Of the House Committee O a Postofice and Post
Roads elicits the information that that committee
''do not deal specifically with any postoffice.'
five miles In the opening of the twentieth century.
how much ahead are of our slow" ancestors
of hundred S ys1Es as%TA s%ASpHIs HSSSpHefIss"iGEo COMPANY.
NewYork. Jan is. 1901
New-York tribune., 1901-01-27
SALES YESTERDAY.

Ihere was q number of good sales Yesterday
william Stone6ridge has Sold by order of the Su-
preme Court. through Reeves. Todd & Swain,
torneys three lots. 75xs7S. in Hughes-ave., Ford
ham.
w T. Mangam has sold for the Association for
the Relief of Respectable Aged INDECENT Females
of the City Of New-YOrk plot OF lots the south
side or ne-hundred-and-fourth-s beginning 10
feet east of Amsterdamave.. size 1OOx1OO and also
h;2I 9ih1;2xIe on the north side of One-hundred-and-
thhirG1st.. I'M to > Wilershausen. who will improve
CHI. Charles E. Schuyler & Co. have sold the i've
STory apartment house on the northwest corner OF
Edmund Dwight for $4,000
Union the second floor of the building corner Six
teeRth-st % and Union Square East for their offices
P. D. Benson has sold for Edward Meagher the
VS d So story stores and apartment houses Nos. 15s
plot 24x90x1G011 The price $4,000.
DoMiihg Of the shSTa9 YH9o2 nave seTSd for Flake
WlIIlam Hennessey, builder, the plot OF seven
fTst-st. 100 feet east OF Broadway 54sxlOOn feet.
Inc Inc purchaser VIII improve by the erection of a
OF the plot recently purchased by the sellers from
A L. Mordecai & Son have sold for V Everett
Macy ,i the five story hathouse No s. West One
the block. The firm has also sold for the
1 ben baTl ss ef 1o5 sI96y f f69qss 6S s S % Fifth
]. G Bennett & Co. have sold for A. Mcdowell
house at the northwest corner of One-hundred-and-
f. D Romaine has sold for a Mrs Hartman No.
5S West Forty-ffth-st., three story dwelling
house on lot Is. .9x55x1n5 feet.
me West shore Hotel on plot 40x125 at ths
through John r. TOtten for $4,000
Albert I. Crane has sold two lots, 50x100 II feet
on the north side OF SixtyfoUrth-st 125 feet west
of Central Park West
old Gh sudas N9irs on eS5ats of has iad N sprns
Robert Boyd has sold No. 80 East Broadway. a
five story brick tenement house, lot Silks feet
Bernard Friend and Max Cohen have sold.
through David Davis. No. IS West Ninety-eightF-
St a five story fathOuse on lot 26X1O0.u feet.
The plot 10000 feet on the west side of ParB-avs
20 feer north of One-hun6red- and seventeenth
has been sold by d. Phoenix Ingraham & Co. for
Helen 5. Osilvie to Louis Lese.
A J. Riumberg has bought from Irving Kempner
No. 221 East Forty-sixth-st., five story tenement
house.
Frederick Zittel has sold for John H. Lyon to a
client Nos. 112 and 175 SpTing-st. lot as sx1NO
with I. IN TEompsoa-st s5x23S feet