Evening Star Newspaper, January 3, 1891, Page 11

» f THE EVENING STAR: WASHINGTON, D.C, SATURDAY, JANUARY 8, 1891-SIXTEEN PAGES. UNCLE SAWS BOOKS. Reading Matter Provided for Gov- ernment Employes. DEPARTMENTAL LIBRARIES. Some Are Wholly of Scientific Works and Books of Keference, While Others Contain Works of a Miscellaneous Character, Such ‘as Are Found in Cireulating Libraries. TNCLE SAM is a pretty good provider for his servants in the way of furnishing them With things to aid them in their work, as well as other things to amuse them. ference is | had directly to the large collections of book which he has made in the departments in this city, which are designed only for the eof the governmental work. but i » and pleasure of he field of libraries are very dom and informa- je adjanct to ave of hi ws of which els are i pro- such aterm is allowable, t precedents are kept in 2 than that of he « rather than Some of the departmental libraries are com- posed almost wholly of such works, while others to the | atest | nave few or none of them. Some of them seem to have been devoted entirely to the general | amusement and instruction of the genus clerk, fe after such that this apparent diserim: tion is in ¥ not such, but isa natu It of existing needs. For instance, in the War Department there are hundreds ‘ ployed whose duties do not require rence toa library of spe with all deference to the al muchines that need oiling « a m of a certain anti-friction medicine in the reading. The same conditions revail in the Treasury and Interior depart- all three of these, accordingly, ting feature of their libraries is partments, whose employes, having ‘a more special sort, need the presence of a collection of works near at hand from which to draw information for use in the per- formance of their work. IN THE STATE DEPARTMENT. In the State Department this feature of spe- cial literature is carried to the extent of exclud- the other sort of books. The library that is there collected is an exceedingly valuable one for the needs of the departmental service, and is constantly consulted by members of both our vwn diplomatic corps and those of other coun- tries. The library room is one of the centers af interest in the great granite departmental building, containing, besides thousands of valn- able and costly books, a number of curios and relics. The shelves are crammed with works that could not well be replaced except at enor- mous expense, as some of the volumes are of the rare order that delights the heart of the zenaine bibliophile and antiquarian. The ibrary is in charge of Mr. Frederick Bancroft, who has several assistants in the work of guth- -ring and caring for the books and the add tional work of compiling the laws of the coun- | try, which is one of the duties of this branch of the departmental service. Mr. McNair, the assistant librarian, gave Tue Star reporter the following facts of ‘value: WHEN IT WAS ORGANIZED. “The library was organized in 1789 by reso- ution of Congress to provide the Secretary of State with such books as were necessary to the ousiness of bis office, and it has been main- ‘ained by annual appropriations. It contains sbout 52,600 volumes, including a valuable collection of international law, histor. viography, travels and state law. This estima of ite contents does not include the manuscripts | of Washington, Franklin, Jefferson and Monroe ind the records of the revolutionary war. The ‘brarian is also custodian of the laws of Con- gress and has the duty of publishing the same. The foree of the library consists of the libra “un, five assistants and one messenger, at an sxpense to the government of $5,760. The ibrary, while it is ends the privileges of its rich stores to the Jerks and employes of the department and to he diplomatic corps. ‘There are about 400 vol- umes of fiction and other literature that ure ised mostly by the lady clerks of the depart- went.” THE NAVY DEPARTMENT. The same conditions exist in the Navy De- cartment library, which is devoted, almost sithout exception, to the collection of works searing on naval matters and ger which is rapidly becoming wosition of the will changing This library 1s FM. Wise since the spy joley to be assistang secre « thought to be as comple ve with the means ¢ sit can po wt hand i enlar; it. It now con- volumes, almost exchasively on echnical and professional topics. Infact. it is wconstitated by law that selection ook is contined to such jee in tific if ttudies and duties. ‘Therefore, it 1 sy value asa general circulating Sof no interest to the reader with aastes im a scientiffe line. NO NECESSITY FOR GENERAL LITERATURE. There are comparatively few clerks em- dloyed in the and hence be necessity for a circulating librazy is not so greatas in sucha department ax the War or Treasury, where the gr tants is ms title attad ained by the expend sear. of which £3,000 nt in new books. If this sum £1,000 is specially while the remaining $2,000 aiscellaneons fund b: The other £2.240 is spent af three civilian assistants. he books the lib: rk of preparing the mannseri F records soon to be publ 3 gue of the library is now in the hands of the public rinter and will be issued in a few weeks. It is hought tobe the most complete book index :ver compiled of a library of such an extent ws this one. quE Wan DEPARTTEN ‘The War Department library coutains about %,500 volumes. It is primarily « library of ‘eference, being intended for the facilitation of iepartment business, the circulat veing but a secondary and minor ¢ uthough about 5,000 works are of this so: (t is especially strong in works pertainin, military science, American history and li ure of the war of the rebellic category military periodicals, Uni snd foreign, are included.’ umber of law books in: ’ sccessary for the transaction of the public Qusiness. There is therefore but a compara ‘ively small amount of light literature in the 7» not near enough to satisfy the require- ments of the officers of the army and their iumilies and the ema Depart- ot understood . ase the library capabilities in this line. There is no appro- oriation made by Congress for the purchase of books for the library, and as, among other auties, the library division distributes the re- yorts of the Secretary of War and other public iocuments it is not easy to separate the indi- nidual work. LIBRARIAN FITZGERALD'S views. Said Librarian DavidjFitzgerald to the re- porter, while he was giving him the above facts: “If I might be permitted to add a few words n this connection, I would like tostate that my ypinion is that it is erying shame that the Orstrict of Columbia does not a good sublic library of its own, one of the best muni- Sipal libraries in the country. This library pt of t A all be of | | Mrs. Fuller, this collection of books has grown | other purpose than as a should be free to all, and should be open from 12 meridian to 10 at night, and open to all respectable though poor citizens. ; “The Congressional Library will never fill this requirement, nor should it; neither should the department libraries; they are not intended for that purpose—they should be used solely for the expediting of and assisting in the lie busi- ness. It is very singular that there is not a one- horse town, east or west, that can- not boast of a better city public library than ean the seat of ment. This ix a very showing, and is also a discrimination against those thatare debarred from using a department library or who cannot visit the Congressional Library between 10 and 4. It is a disgrace to the District.” ‘THE TREASURY LIBRARY. There are about 21,000 volumes in the Treasury Department library, a large pro- portion of which consist of works of special use for reference in the departmental work. ‘There is, besides, a large miscellaneogs library | of perhaps 5,000 volumes for the entertainment ofthe clerks of the department and their families, this section of the library being, of course, the most popular and frequently used. Mrs. himball, the librarian, who been at | the head of this large collection of books for fifteen years, gives out about 3,000 volumes a | month. Her shelves contain a great many very valuable official documents, the records of ‘early secret sessions of Congress, old gov- ernment publications, reference books of the highest authorities in literature, biography, ‘kc., and a collection of the old city directories that are constantly being drawn. There is no separate fund for the purchase of new books, but about 3400 a month are spent out of the miscellaneous funds of the department for this use. The greater part of the works are ob- tained by exchange. There are two laborers to help Mrs. Kimball in her work, and thus the sulanes of the library amount to $2,760 a year. THE PATENT OFFICE LIBRARY. One of the most valuable if not the most aable of the department libraries is the nt office library, or as it is more commonly own the scientific library. It contains about ies, and as a collection of works re- applied sciences it is said to take aong libraries of this kind in the world. It is a scientific reference library parely and the aim is to make itas complete 1s possible in the literature of human industry. The works on clectricity alone make a collec- | tion that is believed to be without an equal ex- cept in one or two instances. Another strong | feature are the books relating to chemistry, and there is also a fine c saniiation. Here may be found files of nearly | all the patents published in the world with the specitications and drawings. All scientific | encycloprdias. especially those relating to the industrial «ciences, e consulted in. this library, while the collection is complete in all scientific worky and periodicals, both American and foreign. The library is intended primarily for the use of the examining corps of the patent office and they alone have the privilege of taking books from the library, not, from the building. But’ ‘prac- iy ence purposes. it, is a public brary and if is, used extensively by patent attorneys and others who are in search of in- formation relating to industries. The librarian, ‘apt. H. L. Prince, takes great interest in the books placed under his care, as only a genuine lover of books can. His principal assistant, Mr. Farquhar, has been connected with the library for a number of yearsand is thorough! posted in all matters relating to books of character. ‘WHEN IT WAS STARTED. This library was provided for in the law of 1836, which effected a great change in the patent office, and laid the foundation for the great institution as it exists today. The growth up to the year 1847 was slow, and the collec- tion then only numbered some 2,000 volumes. The appropriations of money by Congress were irregular and uncertain until the year 1879, when the first regular appropriation was made, amounting to $5,000. In the year 1885 this was reduced to $3,000, and the ‘annual appro- priation has continued at that figure ever since. It is not considered sufficient, as half the amonnt is required to pay the subscriptions of the large number of American and foreign mechanical periodicals which are regularly taken, the bound files being placed on the shelves. The rooms devoted to the use of the library are on the third floor, and are large enough, the only drawback to the location being that a large hall or way cuts the library into two parts. In one set of rooms are kept the files of the patents and in the other part are the books and the reading room. THE BUREAU OF EDUCATION. Another important library under the control of the Interior Department is the one belong- ing to the bureau of education. This is alsoa orking reference library, and makesa specialt, Ofeducational works ail kinds. It now com tains about 20,000 volumes, and in addition about 50,000 pamphlets. THE INTERIOR DEPARTMENT. One of the institutions of the Interior De- partment is its library. It is a good general library, and contains many standard works, but as in the case with all libraries intended for general use, fiction is largely represented. Under the eflicient management of the librarian, in interest, and each year additions are made | which tend to increase its usefulness. The works of the leading novelists are found on tke shelves, as well as those of the minor writers. This feature of the library has not been developed at the expense of other departments of literature, for here may be found the collected works of nearly al the American statesmen, translations of the classics, poetry, philosophy, books of travel and works relating to American history. There are many books which are valuable, and even rare, and which during the forty years that the library has been in existence have collected by degrees on the shelves. GREAT DEMAND FOR BOOKS. The library contains some 10,000 volumes and the demand for books on the part of the em- ployes is such that Mrs. Fuller finds it neces- sary to have an assistant, and a colored man, who is employed as messenger. The rules of the library in regard to taking out books are liberal. and the hours when the library is open for this purpose are arranged so as to suit the ynvenience of the employes. While there are certain hours when those desiring to take out books can be waited on, the library is open bh from 9 to 4 for the benefit of those who wish to consult reference books. The list of such books is such that every well-appointed library ins but reference books are by no means the feature. The library is a circulating library pure and simple, and as such is be- lieved to accomplish its mission. The average umber of books taken out each day is between n+l 300.and this fact shows that the library is ud used by a large proportion of employes. ‘The library was started in 1850, its growth has been steady if not rapid: r the last fifteen or sixteen years there has ble an annual appropriation of $500 for the purchase of new books, and these pur- chases are made by the librarian with the ap- proval of the chief clerk. ‘The early years of the history of the library were not years of growth, and up to 1867 the library contained 'y two or three thousand volumes. TTS INADEQUATE. QUARTERS. The present appropriation is considered ample for the purposes intended and the library would be in a condition to be of greater use to the employes of the department if its accommodations were better. This important feature of the department suffers from the gen- eral complaint that afflicts all the bureaus in he Interior Department and is cramped and jammed into a room that is not large snoagh. | In fact. the brary would not occupy this room at allif itcould be used for any room. It is 80 badly lighted that electric lights are used dur- ing the entire day? It is necessary to place the cases so close together, in order to get shelf room for all the books, that there is scarcely space between to swing thedoors. ‘The library has never been in more unsuitable quarters, but there is no present prospect of a change | for the better. THE POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT. Alarge proportion of the employes of the Post Office Department are not aware that the department has @ library. Strictly speak- ing it hag not and it is not Hkely ever to have one if Congress continues the came regard to the recommendations of Postmaster Generals as it has done in But still there is a collection of books in one of the upper rooms which by cour- tesy is called a library. There has never been an appropriation made for the purchase of books for the department except, of course, works of reference as are needed in the business of the tment. Several years however, a collection was made of the pul documents which had accumulated and a room was provided where they might be stored. The result has been somewhat ising. ‘The long room where the books are haps fo lined with shelves and cases are located in the center of the room and all the shelves are filled with books. There are uot leas than 10,000 vol- umes and this collection is of considerable Salue and. extremely useful for reference pur- poses. These books consist of a very complete solleetior. of congressional reports from the early Congresses ‘to the present day. A COMPLETE FILE OF DEBATES. ‘There is a complete file of the debates of the national legislature, beginning with Elliott's debates on the adoption of the Constitution, followed by Gales’ and Seaton’s debates, then the Congressional Globe and ita successor, the Con- sssional Record. The library contains Peter ‘orce’s valuable collection of documents known as the American Archives, and a full set of the ihomal Fallegence ‘si until ations X from ite tion ceased i also upon the shelves, "As ma; Sy ye ef a genuine value and it is much resorted to by the employes of the department when they are in search of information about former tion. WANDERING FROM PLACE TO PLACE. For years the nuclens of this collection was kept in the Postmaster General's room and formed his library. Then when it became too large the books were sent off to another room and began a series of wanderings through the department building, which included the heat attic story and the dampness of the sub- basement. Atone time the books were boxed up and pat out in the court yard. There had never been any one in charge of this collection until some yearsago. Mr. Jobn Meigs, a clerk in the second assistant’s office, befriended and kept them in order and protected them from destruction. The officials of the department dluring the past few years have shown quite an interest in the library and now, by direction of Mr. Cooley, the chief clerk of the department, Miss Manicy, a clerk in the dead letter office, has been detailed for duty in the library. She keeps the library open cach day and when a book is taken oui she makes a record of it UNCLAIMED MAIL MATTER. During the last admimstration the superin- tendent of the dead letter office turned over to the library some volumes, which had collected in his office, as unclaimed mail matter. ‘This ractice has been continued and now the col- fection of miscellaneous volumes numbers 950. As might bo inferred these books are of all kinds, but they are appreciated by the em- ployes and Miss Manley finds that the volumes are taken ont by the employes very generally She estimates that between 300 and 400 volumes are taken out each month. ‘This is a practical demonstration of the needs of the department in this direction and Postmaster General Wanamaker, appreciating the situation, in bia last annual report has the following to say about the library: MORE IN NAME THAN REALITY. “The department library has been one more in name than in reality. It has been little more than ¢ repository for accumulations of public documents and reports. Ihave asked in the | annual estimates for an appropriation of $1,000 for the purchase of books and of €1,000 for the pay of alibrarian. ‘The information and bene- Rts to ‘be derived by the army of postal em. ployes from a collection of standard books of reference on postal subjects will fully justify this expenditure.” THE GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. ‘The hbrary connected with the geological survey isa fine working collection of books. It is not a circulating library, but it is a place where the tools, so as'to spexk, of the scientists connected with the survey are kept. In cur- rent geologic literature the lityrary is especially rich. " Its features are collections of tranea tions of societies, standard treaties on geology, paleontology and mineralogy, oficial and local geologic reports, books which assist in map making and maps. This library has been de- veloped to its present high condition of _ex- cellence under the direction of Mr. Charles Dar- ‘who, nine vearaago, left the Library of Con- gress to undertake the task of bringing together a special aciehtific library. Soon after his ap~ polatment Mr. Darwin visited Cincinnati and mucceeded in obtaining by purchase from Mr. Robert Clark the whole geolagical portion of his fine private library. ‘The scientific books of Dr. F. V. Hayden were sent by his widow to the library. A number of books were pur- chased in small lots. The library has been en- larged by gratuitous contributions and also receives considerable material through the medium of exchange. The current growth of the library is chietly through the latter source, although a small fund is devoted to the pur- chase of books. ‘The library now contains about 28,107 volumes and about — 35,000 pamphlets and a fine collection of topographic and geologic maps. DEPARTMENT OF 3USTICZ. The library of the Department of Justice is almost exclusively composed of law books and contains about 20,000 volumes. This entitles it torank as the second largest and most com- law library in the country, thatincluded in the C Library being the largest. ‘The latter, however, contains many duplicates, so that the 20,000 of the Department of Justice may be an actually larger num- ber of books than are contained in the literary repository on the Hill. ‘This library has been growing ever since Attorney General Cushing, in the 50's, sent a man to Mexico to collect the’ law books of that country for the purpose of throwing light on the controversy about the California land cases. The books which he brought back from the land of the Montezumas formed the nucleus for this splendid collection of law volumes, which has been growing ever since. There is an annual appropriation of £2,500 for the purchase of new books for the’ li- brary. This sum is all expended each year. Miss Cummings is in charge of the library and is one of the busiest people in the depart- ment. Besides caring for the books she has to send out the publications of the Attorney Gen- eral, which sometimes amount to four volumes a year, A copy of each is, by law, to be sent to each state and territorial judge and clerk of a court in the country, arid the mailing list amounts to 600 persons. In the matter of selecting new books Miss Cummings is aided by Judge Bentley, the ex- aminer of titles of the department. ‘The books are referred to very frequently by the officers of the department in the pursuit of their investigations of law points and are almost invaluable to the service. They are often drawn by the officers of the Court of Claims and other branches of the government. ‘The library of the Departmen: of Agricul ture has been under the charge of Mra. Stevens for over thirteen years, and under her care has grown into a collection of fully 22,000 volumes, almost entirely of a scientific char- acter. Thm library is undoubtedly the most complete in all topics relating to agriculture and the kindred sciences in the country, and is even thought to be ahead of any in the world. It is recruited mostly through exchange of the works of the department with foreign socie- ties and similar departments and with the state agricultural bureaus. Fully 7,000 yolumes are now annually added to the shelves. ‘There is an annual appropriation of £3,000 for the pur- chase of new books, all of which is expended. ‘The salaries amount to £5,400. ‘The collection of miscellaneous insignificant per- centage of the whole number of volumes on the shelves, but is growing rapidly in the line of general literature for the use of the increasing number of clerks of the department. ‘THE LABOR BUREAU. A good working library is owned by the department of labor. ‘The books are not taken out of the building, but are used for reference by the employes, who find that these works are of great assistance to them in the performance of their duties. ‘The books have been selected with special reference to the needs of the de- partinen ‘There are works on statistics, on economics and a variety bearing on social ques tions of the day. The origin of the library dates back to the organization of branch of the — government "service, which was about six years ago. At first the office was merely a bureau of the Interior Department. Now it isan independent depart- ment. The amount annually expended for books is 1,000, but owing to the expensive character of the books purchased this does not rovide for as large a yearly increase as the importance of the library demands. There are now about 5,000 volumes included in this col- lection, besides a large number of pam) A clerk is detailed to perform the duties of brarian. Col. Wright, the commissioner, is in favor of making the library available to ‘public use and he hada bill introduced in Congress some time ago giving authority to keep the li- brary open at night. This bill, however, hus not become a law. “Will “all ‘Mr. Teo urd Jerome sick at bis hotel in London. Civilization on This Continent Has a Glorious Fatare. ‘MAJOR POWELL 80 ANSERTR—HE CONTROVERTS THE STATEMENTS RECENTLY PUBLISHED THAT AMERICA CANNOT SUPPORT 4 CIVILIZATION— SOME INTERESTING ARGUMEXTS. 66] AM NOT A BELIEVER in the theory, 2e- cently made public, that this continent is not fitted to be made the abode of mi 1 and that civilization is destined soon to be swept off it, through the exhaustion of ite resources,” said Major Powell, director of the geological survey, toa writer for TAR Sar. “The great western continent as the home of man is as yet largely undeveloped. But s very small portion of North America, and a still smaller portion of South America, has been bronght under cultivation. About 445,000 square miles of the United States have been subdued by the plough; that is, one-eighth of the entire area of the country. Nothwithstand- ‘ing the fact that certain regions are not avail- able for agricultural purposes, the productive area can be increased five or six-fold. “But this enormous tive increase in the capacity of the country for sustaining bu- man life is not reprosented by the amount of uncultivated but available land. It will come chiefly from the adoption of more thorough methods of cultivation. Aguin, a large part of the uncultivated lands are the best lands. For example, there is more than 150,000 square miles of’ marsh and swamp yet unredeemed. When these regions are redeemed they will be of the highest fertility. Furthermore, vast areas of arid land are to be redeemed by irrign- tion and they are destined to be rendered in this manner enormously productive, az abun- dant experience demonstrates. But ir tion is not only advantageous to arid lands; it will ultimately be practiced throughout most of the United States as.» source of perennial fer- tilizing of the soil. The intensive methods of horticulturs are just beginning to be devel~ oped, by which a vast store of vegetable food will be introduced for man. BEASTS SMALL AND ORRAT. “America isalso well adapted to all domestic animals of value. The continent has been the home of giaut animals in past geologic epochs, but in the process of evolution there monsters, such as the mastodon and the clephant, have vanished, the buffalo, the deer, the antelope, the bear, the mountain lion, the wolf and other smaller creaturos being substituted for them. The history of animal life on the globe demon- strates that beasts of gigantic size do not pre- servo their existence as specics fur along period, comparatively speaking. Wherever they have been developed In geologic ages they have been speedily wiped out. During the last year there has been discovered in the Rocky ‘mountains reptile bigger than an elephant, which ig closely allied to the horned toad of the present di Like facts are found on every hand to illustrate how monster species become rapidly extinct, while those of smaller size are pre- served. “But civilized society has no use for mon- strous animale. In fact, it prefers to destroy wild beasts end replace them with domesti- cated species of utility to man. And there is no part of the world ‘where the ox, the horse and the sheep flourish more than in the United States. The breeding of all domestic animals is carried on in this country with a success not excelled elsewhere in the world. In fact, North and South America are admirably adapted to the support and propagation of useful beaste— both those for food and those for burden. All of them can be raised to any extent desired. YooD IN THR WATER. “Belence, however, teaches that the land is not to be the only source of animal food. In the future the waters are to supply it also. An acre of inland water or land-locked inlet will produce more food for man than ten acres of dry land. Such is the conclusion reached by those who have studied the subject with great- est care—scientific men both here and abroad. Opon this basis of knowledge the fish commis- sion of the United States has been organized by act of Congress on the strength of representa- tions made by one of the test scholars of the world—the late Prof. Baird. Also the idea is being steadily followed up by the state fish commissions and methods are ‘being progress- ively developed for stocking the waters with the fishes best adapted for human food. ‘In a general way it may be asserted that North America has possibilities for the susten- tation of a population beyond the dreams of the wildest statistician. When a virgin country is redeemed to agriculture the first half dozen years of tillage give resulta never reached again without higher cultivation, which be- comes necessary after these virgin crops have been reaped, especially for some of the as wheat. Dut thereafter the permanent prod uctof the soil isnot destroyed by cropping. On the contrary, by careful husbandry it can be made to produce food for man at an in- creasing rate by the steadily improving, meth- ods of cultivation. ‘The vineyards of California are far more productive than those of Europe. I, myself, have seen date palms on the Colorado river producing fruit never equaled by the date palms of the valley of the Nile. In like manner all the important agricultural products on which human life depends can be raised in America with suecess; all the animals of value to man can be produced in profusion, while the inland and coastal waters—even the deep seas on either hand—teem with life ready for our use. MINES AND MINERALS. “The resources of this country of other kinds are abundant. Never has there been a civiliza- tion or a population on the globe so great that it could exhaust our mines. The discoveries of coal from decade to decade are so numerous that the current consumption bears to them no appreciable comparison. Ores of iron abound in all our mountains and the hills are filled with other valuable metals. Gold, silver, cop- per, lead, zine and other minerals are so plon- tiful as to be, so far as we yet know, inexhausti- bie. ‘But the mineral wealth of the country is even oyeeded by the wealth of powers. From every mountain range and from every group of bills streams flow which furnish the forces required for manufacturing and all other in- dustrial operations. In the early history of civilization rivers were important as affording means of communication among people and they speedily became channel: of commerce. But through the agencies of modern invention railways have superseded rivers for such pur- Heese \d we have all the coal and iron we need for their construction and maintenance. he three greatest valleys of the world, agri- culturally speaking, are the Amazon in South America, the Mississippi in North America and the Congo in Africa. ‘The Amazon valley has ‘over 3,500,000 square nuiles of land, all of which will yield to the highest civilization an enor- mous agricultural product. The Mississi; pt valley has about 1,225,000 square miles and is already yielding a greut product, though it de- velopment as yet is hardly begun. Congo valley remains to be redeemed by civilization; Xt probably contains more than 2,000,000 square mi POOR LANDS SETTLED’ FIRST. ; “In the process of civilization on a grand scale the poorer countries are used first. The luxuriant natural vegetation of a rich soil and productive climate is an obstacle to a low civ- lization. Man, in an undeveloped condition of civilization,’ canyot compete with nature. He cannot destroy the native vegetation, which grows too vigorously for his powers of eradica- tion, and therefore he cannot secure permanent footing and proteetion for cultivat inte, H z i i & i Bi : i i i i iy E Ht i HI ' f E F ie 2 Fi raphy. “I don't know, unless it is the plaza in front of the city ballon a July day,” answered uncle. “No,” said Alan, thoughtfully, “I don’t think that is it. The plaza isn'ta city and, besides, there must be hotter places than that.” Unele did not seem disposed to urge his view as the right one and there was silence for «few minutes. Alan's mother was trying to construct a new mitten out of one of his old ones, with a thumb alono left asa base for operations. Finally Alan said, petulantly: ““] don’t seo what's the use of such questions, anyway; I hate geography. “Hate geography?” repeated his uncle, in mild surprise. “Why, I think it is the most in- teresting atudy you have in school. I always Mked geography immensely, and I was sorry when I’ had to get out. I left it, you see, becanse there was nothing more for me to learn. I graduated from it very early in my school days —much earlier, I think, than any of the other boys,and for no other reason than that I liked it sojwell that it came very easy to me.” “Well, you wouldn't like it if you had such things as these to bother about.” iat, tut, my boy; all geographies teach the same things. y may be taught in different ways, but the facts are the same.” “Did you have such questions as that in your iy?” asked Alan. eeBach questions aa what?” “As that one about the hottest city.” “No, [don't remember that particular one. Is that in a raphy?” “Yes, and lots more like it. Maybe you can help me answer some of them.” “Well,” said unc! a trace of uneasi- ness in his voice, “I'll do the best can. Let me sce the book. _Perbaps you would enjoy it more if I asked ask you the questions?” said Alan very politel; “It would seem more like your old school day just before you got out of geography, you now.” If Alan’s mother had not been in the room, | there might have been some objection raised to this plan, but that lady's presence had a| curious effect upon uncle at times and this was | one of, them. “All right” said uncle, "go | “What African capital was named after a President of the United States?” read Alan. “Eh?” said uncle, with » start, “what's that?” Alan read the question again. “What African capital was named after a President of the United States?” repeated uncle, slowly. “Why, T'don’t recall the name of any African capital just now, but I think there must | be some mistake. Iam'quite sure I would re- member any such thing as that.” “I guess there isn't any mistake,” said Alan. “It’s right here as plain as can be.” “Perhaps it is Monrovia, the capital of Libe- ria, gested the mitten builde ‘I remember into existence since I was in school and I could cy be expected to know anything about at.” “Tt was established in 1822,” said the lady with the thumb, and uncle, who has just passed his fiftieth birthday, looked grieved. “What's the use of bothering with such two- he asked, indig- for-s-cent countries, anyway?" nant “Tdon't see any one bothering with any of said Alan, gloomily, “but as you said facts'were the same in ali geographies I sup- | it was all right. Here's another: ‘What gets its name from a Mexican city?” “fe that question in a geography?” asked yb, Liberia,” said uncle. “That bas come | uncle, sternly. ‘Right here, big as life,” said Alan serenely. “When I get so T can answer such questions as that,” raid uncle, with marked sarcasm, “I'll as and blue globes in my windows, get | a fountain and open a drug shop." In- formation of that sort ought to be confined to a dispensatory,”” “T know the answer to that,” said Alan, “if I could think of the name of it.’ What was that stuff I had to take when I was sick thet I didn’t like—that horrible tasting stuff” “‘Jalap,” answered his mother. “That's it,” said the boy. ‘Jalap’s the thing; it gets ite name from Jalapa.” "I never took jalap,” said uncle: “if I had maybe I should have known.” Alan switched off to the United States and gave uncle a chance to bound New York | as a starter. Uncle succeeded in that, and then he took a hand himself, and asked Alan so many questions about the geography of New York city and the surrounding country that the boy fost his head entirely and made such wild answers that his uncle grew quite happy. Inquiries about trips up and down and seross the state showed that Alan knew only what the questions in his geography had | brought to his attention. He knew that if be | went to the Grand Central station he could get a train that would take him to Buffalo, but he did not know of any other railroads that would amiat him in incurring that misfortune, He | did not know whether Lake Champlain flowed north or south, and he “guessed” Long Island was 200 miles long. In less than ten minutes | uncle had restored himself to the respectable | position he had once occupied in the esteem of | Ris nephew, and Alan was quite willing to be- | lieve that his relative was a man of vast in- formation. Alan's mother looked a little troubled, but she bided her time, and there came a short turn in the comfortable highway down which uncle was traveling so proudly. ‘It came when Alan asked his uncle what was the capital of Nebraska. Uncle said it was Omaha, and nothing but a look at the map would convince | him that it was Lincoln. He gravely said that Augusta was the capital of Nevada, and when | he was obliged to turn that name over to | Georgia and ‘Maine, he was also forced to ad- | mit that Atlanta was the capital of the former | state. He utterly refused to believe that there | were twenty-four states in the Union larger | than New York, and he was confident that Ne- brake lay on the west bank of the 3issisip He had Washington and Wyoming touching | shoulders, and he believed Lowa bounded Ar- kansas on the north. When Alan turned to Africa, uncle desper- ately said that since Stanley and Emin Pasha | did not feel competent to give any information about that benighted countr; in Euro] thought the Hiver Volga eniptied into “that | water up there between Sweden and Norway and Russia,” and he was not sure whether Sweden was east of Norway or Norway cust of Sweden. The only cape he could remember around Europe was North Cape, and he at first said that Messina was in Spain. Of Asia uncle knew next to nothing, and the fact there was more than one ‘Turkestan was ab- | solute news to him. He could not tell anything about Australia except that there were sev- | eral states there and among them were Victoria, New South Wales, and, he thought, Queens land. He did not know a single river in the big island nor could he recall any cities except Melbourne, Adelaide and Sydney. He sup- posed there were capes, but the names of any. ‘Then Alan settled back in his chair and sai Sayea back to the questions we started on. having?” uxked uncle faintly. |They are more likely to gain by “the un- Alan overlooked uncle's attempt to shift eared increment.” ‘hey ‘can afford to pay some of the res} ility for not knowing | for the very best service, and can upon him and said that the What states have capitals named after Presi- | the con | ment, and conveyed to other hotels. | wpa | one of more moderate size on account of the difficulty e did not know | But it is also true that in other respects large [fortunes tend to increase much more raj than very small ones. Opportunities for large profits i y any worse than those we have been | Iniliionaires far more pre nestions | and d c ntsof great ability and in- re pens [as eee ee yy and in vestments in the west at 8 east at 5 per cont, Small capitalists must keep watch over distant investments or afford to employ local agents. These advan than com which large capitalists often have to aceept on home investments in consequence of their rapid The Fifth Avenue and fMerrmann's Con- sumed by the Flames Last Night. A Loss OF OVER MALY 4 MILLION DOLLARS— FANNY DAVENPORT'S “CLEOPATRA” SCENERY AND COSTUMES DESTROYED—HOTPL GUESTS IX THE VICINITY ALARMED AND STORKS DAMAGED. Shortly after Fanny Davenport, in the char- acter of Cleopatra, had left the stage of the Fifth Avenue Theater, in New York, last night and the andience had passed out of the Broad- way and 28th street entrances Watchman Finn Tan out of the theater screaming “Fire!” A few seconds later fire engines were dashing up Broadway, and until nearly 1 o’clock this morn- ing new detachments were still responding to additional signals for help. What was at first believed tobe a false alarm proved to be one that destroyed a whole block upon Broadway, besides the Fifth Avenue Theater, Herrmann’s new play house, a dozen stores and threatened the Sturtevant House, on the east side of Broad- way between 28th and 29th streets. PERIL OF THREE FIREMEN. ‘There were a dozen or more narrow escapes and at one time it was thought that three fire- men, who were caught upon the roof top, would perish. For two of these brave fellows it was very lucky that a line of hose ran from the roof to the street. The daring firemen took advantage of this fact and when their comrades on the street gave them up as lost they slid down to the street; but the other scorned to escape that way. He stood his ground and was soon lost to sight in the smoke. Ladders were hastily raised, but the vearchers failed to tind McGinnis—that was his name, it is said—but to the surprise of his comrades, half xn hout or so later, the brave man made his rea ce on the street. He had crawled along the roof, which was almost a furnace, until be reached a hatchway, through which he bad made his escape. HOTEL GUESTS ALARMED. The fire had been burning less than half an hour before the flames shot through the roof, cauring the wildest consternation among the guests of the Brower House, on the northeast corner, and the Sturtevant House. To add to | ion there were six explosions in. the Fifth Avenue Theater, which blew the blazing rafters skyward, and these set fire to the roofs of the buildings surrounding the burning theaters. At 12:50 a flaming brand, | borne by the strong northwest wind, fell on the Sturtevant House, across Broadway from the Fitth AvenueTheater, setting that hotel on fire. | ‘The guests were hustled out amid great excite- The fire- men now devoted their best efforts to saving | the hotel. While the firemen were powerless | to do anything toward saving the play house, | they worked nobly in preventing the destruc- m of houses in the vicinity of the immense blaze. ‘The property burned belongs to the Gilsey | estate, and the total damage to the building and its contents is roughly estimated at $500,000. Manager Harry Miner was early on the scene, as was also’ Prof. Herrmann. While the former saved nothing from tae wreck, the pro- fessor and his wife worked like beavers. REARMANN'S TRICK APPARATUS LOST. | Mrs. Herrmann saved her four pet doves, but her husband sorrowfully sid that his favorite trick apparatus, worth 20,000, was lost to him forever. The occupants of the stores _on the west side of Broadway from 25th to 29th streets, which number from 1185 to 1203, were as follows: | 1185, J. J. Silter, shoes; No. 1187 was the side entrance to the Fifth’ Avenue Theater. | No. 1189 was occupied by the Cash Register Company; No. 1191, J. B. Crook & Co., sporting goods: No. Ti93, L.” Spero, tailor; No. 1195, e1 trance to Herrmann’s Theater; 1197, A. Kirch, florist; No. 1199, J. B. White, jeweler; 1201, Wessman, florist, and No. 1.03, Han- man & Son. THE GAS EXPLOSIONS. Gov. Thayer of Nebraska Orders the Troops to Be Ready for Action. In response to urgent appeals from inhab- itants of northwestern Nebraska for protection against marauding bands of Indians, Gov. Thayer of Nebraska last evening sent tele- graphic instructions to the commanders of militia at Fremont, Central City, Oni and Tokamah toleave on the first train with their commands for the scene of action. These troops will be divided between the towns of Chadron, Gorden and Hay Springs. The fol- lowing order was also issued. Lincoln, Neb., Jan. 2. Gem. 1. We, Colts, Fist” Brurade, Onder your command to piace itself in rradimes to wae A FOLK. Aajitant General Should the militia comprised in this brigade be ordered to move, as now seems probable. Practically the whole of Nebraska's National will be centered on the frontier. NOSTILES NEAR WAITE CLAY CREEK Hostiles to the number of about 1,100 are fortified near the mouth of White Olay creek, and Gen. Brooke with «detachment of troops is swinging round to the north of them. Gen. Carr is supposed to be approaching from the west and Gen. Miles will make a dash from the south. ‘The force thus engaged is thought to be ample for the ennihilation of the entire band unless some unforseen complication or misfortune arises. Embassadors from this hostile camp were yesterday suing for peace and offering to sur- Tender arms. ‘It isnot known whether terms will be granted or not, but the general opinion prevailed vesterday that in view of the action of the rebels in slaughtering the troops while under the flag of truce not mmch weight will be given their pretended repentance. That the hostiles have been largely reinforced within the past two days there is no longer any doubt, and there seems reasonable ground for rumors that some Indians from other agencies or the British s have ithem. A re- port esterday by courier that a foraging party of Indians from the main camp on White Ulny had attacked the ranch of miles to the west, killed him and drove away his four hundred head of cattle. A OREAT ROW AMONG THE TOSTILES. A great row is reported to have broken out in the camp of the hostiles, the contention be- ing as to the advisability of surrendering. This, also, is not confirmed, but comes through a half-breed courier, who claims to have just arrived from their camp. Except in case of unconditional surrender there will undoubt- edly be a great battle before long. Heury has joined the second infantry, with ‘his mien, and is all right. The Fort Douglas troops arrived last night at Pine Ridge. The inkab’ Rusbiville are calling for iv ga home guard Red Cross ambulances arrived at P yesterday A ranchman reports seeing a band of 100 Indians going southwest from the reser- vation at midnight. ‘A acout says that fourteen cavalry horses. with saddles and other eq) into the hostile camp Thursday "by young war- riors. The scout heard the hostiles make re- marks to the effect that there were fourteen two warriors in getting the fourteen cavalry horses, &c. ‘The scout’s report created a new hich was followed up by increased and military headquarters. INCREASED ESTIMATES POR INDIAN SUPPLIES. The commissioner of Indian affairs, in com- pliance witha request from the Secretary of the Interior, has laid before that official amended estimates of amounts required for subsistence and civilization of the Sioux for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1892. that will enable the department to furnish the Indians with the rations prescribed by article Sof the agree- ment of February 28, 1877. The commissione: states that the estimate for subsistence of Sioux now before Congress amounts to €00,0: The first of the series of explosions, which are | thought to have been caused by the bursting of | gastanks, came very near being a serious affair, for a dozen or more firemen, under the leader- | ship of Battalion Chief “Bucky McCabe,” were | at that moment working in the auditorinm of the Fifth Avenue Theater. They were almost blown into the street, together with several re- porters. At intervals of every few minutes ex- | plosion followed explosion. The firemen did not know what was coming next and they were, for the first time in the history of the depart- ment, more or less frightened: But they soon rallied. Ladders were raised and the “water tower” and several nozzles with “Siaraese four ways” were doing their best to stay the spread | of the fierce flames. The stiff breeze which was blowing from the northward got inits fine work and there was no stopping the fire. It had simply to burn iteelf out. ERRMANN’S THEATER. Herrmann’s new theater which has recently | been rebuilt at considerable expense, was for d | tobe atire after the fourth explosion. In tt is building years ago the San Francisco mins | trels—Birch, Wambold and Backus—kept many an audience in roars of laughter. And the place onthe northwest corner of 28th street and yis well known to the gamblers of | ears ago, In the basement Johnson kept his pool room, and it was there John J. Scannel murdered Tom Donohue. The Fifth Avenue Theater, or Old Apollo Hall, famous for politics and plays since it was re- modeled by Mr. Daly, has been run by Haverly, and at the time of. its destruction was being managed by Harry Miner. FANNY DAVENPORT'S Loss. On December 25 last Fanny Davenport made | her first appearance in Sardou’s play of **Cleo- patra,” about the title of which at present there issome legal trouble. The actress has been gree d by large audiences and it was expected that “Cleopatra” would have along run. But in half an hour the scenery, costumes and building, worth probably $75,000, vanished in tire and smoke. It was very lucky, indeed, that the fire did not break out during the performance, for it is claimed that the play houses were well patron- ized, and it seemed odd, too, that in so short a ce of time the fire could have gained such hucadwas, with a watchman inside the building. ‘This is the mystery wifich Fire Marshal Mitchel will be called upon to solve. And what caused the explosions is another puzzling question for the same official, Then, again, it was suid that the firemen, when they first arrived, undertook to fight what was a] parently a dangerous fire with ‘too smalls joree. SRS FORTY YEARS HENCE, In That Time Our Millionaires Will Be Billionaires. ‘Thos. G. Sbearmen in the January Poram. This should be increased to ¥1,100,000, he sa: in order to enable the office to comply with the directions of the President and to supply the full ration stipulated to be furnished under the agreement referred to. The commissioner also say that an item of £35,000 for subsistence and civilization of thenorthern Chevennes and Arap- jahoes as per agreement with the Sioux In- roved February 28, 1877, should be | dians app! inereascd to $50,000, s0 as’ to provide them | with the same subsistence estimated for the several tribes of Sioux. In addition to the above items on account of the Sioux the commissioner has included in his communication several other estimates of ap- propriations (amended and supplemental) re- quired for the Indian service for the fircal year ending June 30, 18:2, among which are the’ fol- lowing: Support of Indians in Arizona and New Mexico, increase from $170,000 to $200,000 to enable the department to construct a sw mill and other necessary improvements at the | San Carlos agency and for additional support for the White Mountain Apaches at Fort Apache, Ariz. The item for of Indian police isincreased from $165,000 to £310,000 in order to enlarge the number ot officers and privates to 100 officers and 1,000 privates at in- creased salaries. This is an increase of 25 oili- cers and 250 privates. An item of $150,000 is submitted for irrigation ditches on Indian res- ervations; also an item of $50,000 for irrigation purposes on the Fort Hal! reservation, Idaho; also an item of £60,000 for the erection of slaughter houses and issue stations necded on many of the Indian reservations. FATHER CRAPT'S PLEA FOR THE STOUX. The New York Freeman Journal publishes a letter from Father Craft, the Catholic Indian missionary. The letter-was dated Pine Ridge agency, 8.D. He says in the beginning the Indians hoped for much aid from the govern- ment to enable them to become like the whites. They were, however, in every way abused, mocked and discouraged. Instead of bein wards, they have felt that they were victims o unscrupulous politicians, who benefited by their misery. Father Craft adds: “I know what I say, for I have shared their suffering for many years. In their despair Gen. Crook brought them hope. Their confidence in him led them to hope that he would be able to realize their hopes. His death was their death, and they felt it. Indians are not fools, but men of keen intelligence. Reductions in’ rations increased their fears. Even Indian agents protested against such cruelty. MISTAKES IN THE CENSUS. “Mr. Lee, whg took the census, made grave mistakes—counted less than the real number and made false reports of prosperity that did not exist. “It is not to be wondered that thoy believed in a ‘Messiah,’ whom they at first dovbted, and listened to every deceiver who pror.used hope. Interested whites took advantage of this state of affairs and howled for troops. The army in- dignantly protested against their false state- ments, but had to go to the scene of the sup- Unless some great change takes place in our | Posed financial or social system the billionaire is cer- tainly coming and at a rapid pace. ‘True, a vast fortune does not multiply by mere interest, if kept at home, quite so rapidly as of reinvesting such enormous incomes at full rates of — interest. idly | n special transactions ere presented to often thun to others. ‘Such agents can as easily make safe in- per cent asin the i money at home, because they cannot more ;pensate for the lower rate of interest ‘What Asiatic ci ‘Thus we see thatin the last twenty years, ‘Which of the oceans receives the most drain- | creased fuore ever before. Sev age and which the eral estates have increased ‘If rain is plentiful five-fold in Interest is i iu low; but i Bhliy’ Gctteaben ck lie lands, an addi- irection of the winds? tion of at least 4 per cent per annum at com- Mention three animals thet are found only in | pound interest may be counted upon for thess Afr. ia Froatestates. At that rate a present fortune of f i ii i HEE it i i i i E E 000,000 would become a OF - fetus traced fen tees ‘danger. “Interested whites jed them that en- tire destruction was aimed at and_the Indians ranawayin fear and despair. Father Jute calmed them and bronght them back to. the ey, and the kindness of Gen. Brooke con- cok them of their safety. The general’ plan to send them after those still out was Foodand would succced if the general were alone. Just as the tree can be traced from its smallest branch to its root, so can the Indian troubles be traced to starvation and misery of | the Indians.” . In the conclusion of his letter Father Craft Sadie McMullen, the Akron, N.Y., child mur- deress, was grraigned on an indictment for murder in the first degree yesterday a She heard the Ridge | ipments, were brought | less soldiers to fight and the hostiles lost only | n LADIES’ Coops. FRONTS FRONTSIR Always im order by pain combi al M. 3. PRANDI'S, Mrs. Harrisca, Tmperter of French Mair Gr Pine Fiatraren.n, sin a WASTED BONNERS To Thin iN THe Tar Sbawpootme. oR siview at lowent prices by a Gretclase nifllimer, Fr OwL umtetal. s 7151 ‘ TW SF GORE boss G04 chine Sent bans Evenine Dresses aml Ruduue Fics tron, 60 up RS. M. BRADLEY, MODIGTE, Nork, invites th Pertect it, moderate prices. heating a ape aalty eat N PLALTIN To ae vwinewtactine, Wiabo” Pe ass a3-im* ES OLD STALE SEALSKIN GARMENTS and alter i ‘every denn kvening Droweg ANTON AN ", tormeriy with A. Pisher sal S DRY CLEANING MsTal Works 905 G st nw. Ladies of all hints cleaned and dyed at being Typed. Lacties Deen 2 ee Thury Prices ta Goods called tor and deavered, nie LL-WOOL GARMENTS, MADE UP OR . Alaa Send ttre bse ve A. risemen, a bla ee __ GENTLEMEN'S GOODS. + FUTSCHE 158 PA AVE, KCOURING ERB auc. Als tailoring (alteritie « specialty). tas oO.y; CRpeMence Cwenty-Live years, Teferenes, aie X COATINGS, VFSTINGS, SUITIN en AND TROUS ERINGS ELVED. GENTLEMEN WHO ADMIRE P ASS TAILORING AREIN- NITED £0 INSPECT. ALL GAKMENTS CUR BAT. » BARK 1MLPA. AVE. ARE GUAR "aed dv BL OF THE COKMECT STYLA aD PIANOS AND ORGANS. HE FISCHER PIANO. ame of J. RC. Fis S Aitty years. Neon before the Se Moe ver (formerly and standing of tbe ed any comment. i i Say that it hes teen thelr coustait me 2 suenor piano, but by bow. silerstie to tet aranty bo her hs “ainis totheir Bie qualities Sorkinanelip and duretality “6 a SANDLRS & STAYMAN, BRIGGS PIANOS, ‘save or Pent. DROOP'S Manic Store, > Pa ave, Re THE DELIGHT OF a4 Doster rokins eS a 4 Puc Leapixa Lxsreomerrs. DECKFE BROS “PIANOS 1VFRS & POND PIANOR. | WEMER Franc eins Tianos. FISCHER Pi ESTEY OliG. | MODELAT PRICES. EASY Thieas, | Jnacruwenrs taken ok part payivent. Tuaing | hey fee Xp Ay | 4 Feet. Nw. 3K. a aia 200 fire premiume; Prize Medal Paris Exposition. y inusic achouls and Collec! indore: sweetest, fratel = Ch. WORKMANSHIP: q RABILTEY % ue agures. SPECIAL ad it Wesim, Wei MLa INSTALLME} aayhen Jon are out marketing stop and buy ope of sand Bret-clase sugar ured ‘uly cents per pound. a XN. A. POOLE, The Cash Grocer, 944 La. ave. aw. ES AND SOUTH AMERICA, BY 2 ‘T STEAM UNITED STATES AND BRAZIL MAIL 8. 8. 00. LA GUAYRA, PUERTO CABELLO, CURACAO, ETC., BY THE EXCELLENT STEAMSHIPS OF THE KED “Db” LINE. Tickets for cireuiar to either of above: i any ‘deatred tor LA —% on red & & SON, Of] BROADWAY, N. ¥. OR PENSSYEVATIA AVES WASHINOTOR. ‘Tourists can visit Jam and her GREAT EXHI- | iOS "realy there a | Kendence "at the CONSTANT RERISY HOPES | nas LES ‘ANS tor €i.a with the option of Stor 8a wi Stemi their ir, ah ie Fae To Bayt! and Columites, “Arccnimedations frst-rlams PIM) FORWOUD & 00, Agia. 34 Dates NE OT MOs. COUR k MON: Townes Arison. sHOKT ROUTE TO LONDON, SYK NGKDDEUTSCHEL LLOYD 8.8. CO. Fagt Exyreas Stowers, fiom London, He jah 7,2 page kider, Weds Sem, 34 . tied. Sea: SEM, Werra, J saloon sppomtwenta, Prices: et ts > Seeds erin eating to locate: St as Sin! mecrase 0h low foams "Sowiy eo ae Me Penn. ave. ES DENTISTRY. EXiRt grace nie tha a Sr a ee ee SRE DENTAL INFIRMARY. TEETH FILLED Saeed Shee ‘of the Columbian University, from 1 to5 p.m Cea incan Cctober 280 Sane peruse. 3d DE PARSONS, DENTIST, OTH ST, OO Ee een Ce dentisiry. At present location ten years. ATTORNEYS.