The National tribune., 1907-11-14

w. 8. A, Nelly's Ford. Va, asks:
What is zebula?
In recent times numerous experiments
have been made with view of pro-
ducing hybrid animals, and the zebula
is cross between a horse and zebra.
This new animal is believed to have
all the best qualities of both its par
ents. and to be larger, stronger and
more capable of heavy work than the
mule.
L. A. W., Buffalo, N Y, asks: Who
Is the most famous woman artist?
Probably Rosa Bonheur is the best
known. She was born in Bordeaux.
France, in 1922, and died in Paris in
1899. She was the founder and di-
rector of the Paris Free School of De-
sign for Young Girls. Her most famous
painting is the Horse Fair" which is
in the Metropolitan Museum in New
York.
R. f. B., Cincinnati. O., asks: Is
it true that there are some Chinese
Jews?
The newspaper story to the effect of
the existence of a colony of Chinese
Jews was extensively circulated few
years ago. and led to a pretty careful
Investigation, resulting in the finding of
a considerable synagog in the city OF
Kaifengfu. An interesting description,
with illustrations, may be found in the
October number of the National Geo
graphic Magazine. by Mr.. Oliver Balm
bridge. who visited the city and con-
versed with this isolated colony.
w. ]. L. H.. Owensboro, KY, asks:
I. What is the area and population of
Alaska? 2. To what extent, if any. has
the area been changed since it came
into possession of tIis Government? 8.
Has it a regularly-organized Territorial
Government: and If SO, who is the pres
ent Governor? 4. What has been the
value Of the output in gold and silver in
Alaska in recent years?
1. The area of Alaska is 590,sS4
square miles. and its estimated popu-
lation is upward of $4,000. 2. To a
very slight extent, owing to the sur
veying Of boundary lines. probably not
in all over 500 square miles. 3. 1t has
a District Government created by Con-
gress In 1884, with Governor and a
District Government created by Con-
gress in 1884, with a Governor and a
District Court. The present Governor
is John G. Brady. 4. According to the
official reports, the production in 1904
was 443,139 fine ounces of gold. which
has probably been increased since. A
fine ounce is worth about $40. In 1906
Colorado led in gold production. with
1.109,452 ounces, and Alaska was a
close second. You will find the Hand
book of Alaska, published by the Bu-
reau of American Republics, Washing
ton, d. c., an exceedingly valuable vol
ume to consult. The u S. Geological
Survey issues a pamphlet descriptive of
Alaska and its resources, which may
be had on application.
]. c., Kansas City Mo-. asks: Can
you tell me how much silver 10-cent
piece of 1887 is worth?
There is no premium offered by deal
ers for this coin.
Z. b., Bear Lake. Pa. asks: /. How
are Electoral Colleges nominated? 2.
How does it happen that they are usu-
ally all of one political party in Stats? !?
| 3. Are their names on. the ballots used
at a general election? 4. How is a
| mans vote counted on the election of
Presidential Electors when he splits his
vote?
| ]. Each State has the right to elect
as many Presidential Electors as the
State has representatives in both
branches of Congress: thus PenDsylva-
MIA, having two Senators and 32 Con-
gressmen. has "a electoral votes. Each
these electors tho for the most part
they are nominated at the State Con-
ventions Of the different political par
ties. 2. Simply because it is customary
| for State to vote decidedly for one
party or the other; in the case, how
ever. of Maryland, in 1904, seven DEM
ocratic and one Republican electors
were elected. 3. They are. 4. His vote
is counted for each elector for whom
| he votes.
A. K, Lima, O., asks: 1. Is it posi-
BILE for a young man to rise from the
rank Of a man behind the gun to an
officer in our Navy without having first
graduated from Annapolis? 2. What
is the usual pay of a commissioned Off
Ger, of a non-commissioned officer and
| a seaman? 3. Do not the same rules
govern the Army that the officers must
first be graduated from West Point?
/. Yes; it is possible to become an
officer by passing an examination. but
in the past the Naval Academy grad
yates were generally more than suffi-
cient to fill all vacancies. The Medical
Corps, the Pay Corps, the Chaplains,
Naval Constructors and Civil Engineers
are appointed from civil life. 2. A sea-
man gets from $16 to $35 month; q
petty officer from $50 to s70;s a COM
missioned officer from $1,000 as an En-
sign to $4,000 as a Rear-Admiral when
at sea; shore duty is less. 3. Whenever
| vacancies occur in the Army and there
are no available graduates of West
Point examinations are held and the
successful candidates may be appointed
commissioned officers.
| F. D. P, Strasburg, Va. asks: What
Is Pioneers Day?
1t is legal holiday in Utah. on July
| R. I. S.. Somerville, Mass, asks:
What is Select Committee of Con-
lgress?
There are a certain number of stand
ing committees in each House, and
when a matter comes Up OF a tempo
lrary character a Select Committee Is
lappointed to consider it, such as those
in the Senate on Industrial Expositions
land Additional Accommodations for the
Library Of Congress
A. w. A., Baltimore, Md, asks: What
isets of commemoratlon postage stamps
have been issued by the United States
Government?
In 1876. at the time of the Centennial
Exposition, there We're issued two
lstamped envelopes of the denomination
of three cents. one in red and one in
lgreen. The Columbian series was is
sued in 1893 at the time of the Worlds
Fair in Chicago; next was the Trans
Mississippi set for Omaha. in 1896; then
the Pan-American at Buffalo in 1901
: the Louisiana Purchase for ST. Louis in
1904. and, latest, the jamestown set in
1907.
i A. L. O.. Lawrenceville, Va, asks:
What Is a battleship?
battleship of the first class must
be over 5000 tons displacement, and
, It's sides, turrets and barbets are pro-
|. tected by heavy armor, that on the
sides being from 10 60 Is inches thick