Evening Star Newspaper, January 2, 1892, Page 11

¢ THE EVENING STAR: WASHINGTON. D.C. SATURDAY, JANUARY 2, 1892-SIXTEEN PAGES. THE WAYS AND MEANS The Most Powerful and Important House Committee. SPEAKER CRISP’S SELECTIONS. Interesting Bits of Historical Information About This Committee—Some of Its Former Chairmen—A Good Deal of Diverse Talent Buneched Under Chairman Springer’s Lead- ership. 2 4 Besprep AND MORE WHEELS within a wheel! This is what the House of Representatives is, and the Speaker has not only set them going, but has put together the various wheels, big and small, in the brief in- terval since his election. There are just fifty- six committees of the House, and each is s miniature congress in itself. It is fortified with hundreds of powers of all degree of im- portance. Some of these powers are fixed by the ed Statutes, the big law book of the land, and many by the rules of the House, which is a peculiar little volume of precepts gathered from the experience of over a century of legislation and expanded and enlarged to meet the constantly growing needs of such a large body as the House. Each committeo has arman, who acts as a speaker, pre- ons of the committee, é There £ these various stand- lesser wheels within wheels. of legislation in the actically the sume in the ex. It is legisla~ word and the thing ia our Congress a new and a larger mean- than before im the history of any gover ing commit‘ees: Thus the whole mx Hiouse—and it is Senate—ei aborate thut not realizes or even mis or how it opera ‘That isa ent, but it can be verified easily by asking the first man you meet on the next street corner to tell you the history of & Dill before it becomes a law. THE WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE. ‘The most important of the committees is that ‘on ways and means, which has been increased in number from thirteen to fifteen, the inal number in the Seventh Congress. When this committee w: t established by its membership was five; a few Con- ter it wasfixedatseven. In 1814 it was . Where it remained for y years. In 1873 two more members were added. In the British house of commons this consists of the pouse itself, or as ts members as may be present when- a prevails resolving the house into tee on ways and means. The duties he commons are practically by the British constitution. { s and means in the first half ry were almost as extensive. i y is the ways and meaus committee so x ization of the House? It is not because it is the oldest of the commit- r that on elections is the first that was iiched when Congress met in 1789. There ‘a temporary ways and means committee in tie same Congress, but it was discharged after & brief service, and it was not until 1302 that this very i wheel within a wheel was made a x mg commitiee. At that as for years afterward, the committee on foreign relations was most important in the business of the House and the chairman of that committee was the acknowledged leader of the majority on th The unsettled relations becween the U tes and other powers ongresses naturally gave to ed legislation affecting eat prominence. The ay centered largely rman and his com: ¢ intiuence of Henry be felt that the of its source (the to the committee on gradually enlarged its relations 3 of the of this chi Ways and means ai powers. Until the ‘ibirty-ninth Congress ways and means ba of all appropriation S. 8. Cox on March 20, 1565, in the g hours of the last session of that Con- om the committee on rules a ishing three new committees— currency and Pa- of the first two had don the ways and IT HAD THE APPROPRIATION BILLS. Under the cld rules of the House it was the ne waysand means, “within thirty days ir appointment, at every session of to report the general appropriation or the civil and diplomatic expenses of ament, for the army and navy, for artment and Indian annuities.” ed it was also the duty of wa nto the state of the several depa: ort whatever ys bave been disbursed according to law.” Fep: all prop pablic debt andall public expenditures were ‘sion of labor and of | E. Morrison of the interstate commerce com- mission, Roger Q. Mille and Maj. McKinley are names famot in connection with the chair- fuanship of this most important eummittee. ‘THE NEW WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE. The new ways and means committee consists of ten democrats and five republicans. Mr. Reed in the last Congress named seven repub- licans and six democrats. What may seem to be a disparity in numbers is compensated for in the matter of experience. Eight of the ten democrats on the present committee are new to its duties and most of them are without any special reputation for interest in tariff leg- islation. The republican end of the committee, however, is loaded. There are ex-Speaker Reed, J. C. Burrows. Joseph McKenna and Sereno Payne, old members. Jobn Daizell of Pennsylvania is the only new man. Mr. Keed as leader of the minority will be ably seconded both in the committee room and on the floor. His experience, however, runs back through more years of service on ways and means than all bis colleagues together. He was put on the committee first by Speaker Carlisle in the Forty-eighth Congress. With the excep- tion of Mr. Dalzell, all of his republican col- leagues were first appointed to ways and means by Mr. Reed himself in the last Congress. ‘The ex-Speaker was the recognized leader on the tariff issue even when Maj. McKinley, who was his senior on ways and means (having been put on by Sam Randi the Forty-seventh Con- gress), was in the House. CHAIRMAN SPRINGER. Among the neophytes of ways and means is even the chairman himself. But whoe’er picks William McKendrge Springer up for a fresh- man is likely to be eurprized sooner or later. There is not @ more versatile man in the House. In the sixteen years he has been in Congress he has enjoyed his share of prominence gnd done his full stint of bard work. He entered public life on the tidal wave of 1874, and has been rid- ing on the crest ever since. A more thorough- going democrat could hardly be found in the district which was the home and now contains R. G. TURNER. A. B. MONTGOMERY. the burial place of Abraham Lincoln. Mr. Springer is a tall, muscular man, whose activity and nerve. as well in what he says aa in the way he walks, suggest a correspondence be- tween the person and the name of the man that I believe the rhetorics would call onomatoperia. He seems full of springs and they are constantly inaction. His coat is always tightly buttoned. On the lapel is a bright rose or carnation. The brown beard is turning slowly gray and the large full head bas hardly hair enough on top to tell when the winds blows. Mr. Springer's home fronts on the Capitol grounds but a few steps from the House. In the rear on the second floor is the large work room, where for many years burned midnight oil. On the "floor are skins and on the walls antlers, Indian pipes, toma- hawks and numerous.relics, showing that the busy Congressman has traveled and seen much of his own country. Although this is Mr. Springer's first appearance on waysand moans, he has always been « hard student of tariff problems and has made hundreds of speeches on the subject. He is probably a better poli- tician than other Democrats who have led their party of late years on this issue. What he outlines as w policy will be representative of his party. It is understood, althongh neither~ Mr. Springer nor his colleagues have made any pre- dictions, that there will be no attempt to re- peal the McKinley bill as a whole, nor will there be any general attack on the McKinley tariff. The plan of campaign favored by lead- ing democrats is to bring in separate bills reducing Cuties on leading raw staples, such a8 iron, wool, salt and flax. Sugar, it isexpected, will be left severely alone. ‘MR. SPRINGER'S LIEUTENANTS. Mr. Springer's lieutenant is Benton McMillin, who stood second to Mr. Mills in the last Con- gress. He is one of theablest men in Congres: a student, a strong debater and a pacti- cal statesman of the best type. Ina running believe exactly the same thing. Being a man of decided opinions Mr. Stevens will be felt as a force in committee discussions. Nebraska, like Iowa and Minnesota, has been considered a low tariff state for some time. but she has never before renehed the summit #he now enjoys in having W. J. Bryan, her demo- cratic member, ard means. Mr. Bryan is a solid indi , Whose smooth- shaven countenance strongly resembles the late Sam Randall's. He is in favor of free wool, coal, salt, Inmber, sugar and iron. He is ov- posed to the ugar bounty, notwithstand- ing the beet sugar ,interest is a growing one in Nebraska. THE. REPUBLICAN MINORITY. The minority of the committee is headed by ex-Speaker Reed. This was hardly what we were to expect after the predictions that used to flow fast and thick during the exciting weeks of last sesalon, when Mr. Reed's rulings pro- voked angry comment. Mr. Reed, according to the prophecies then made, was to be ‘t JOSEPM M' KENNA. JOHN DALZELL, down" and made miserable, but hero be has received from Speaker Crisp the fullest recog- nition possible. His colleague, Mr. Burrows of Michigan, is an old member. He has sat in six Congresses and was aecandidate for Speaker against Reed. He is a Pennsylvanian by birth da thorongh believer in pretection. His peeches are always interesting and as a stump speaker he bas few superiors. Joseph McKenna of California went on the ways and means in the last Congress ax a concession to the demand of the Pacific coast for representation. He is a *pare, light-haired man, with a thin voice and modest tuanners. All the same, he is a shrewd, able tactician and his value to the minority will soon be manifest. He was the first Californian to serve on ways and means. Sereno E. Payne was in the Forty-eighth and Forty-ninth Con- gresses, and by the death of Congressman Nut- ing reappeared in the Fifty-first. He is a level-headed country lawyer from the old home of Wm. H. Seward. He and Reed are warm friends and Reed's confidence in him is not misplace John Dalzell of Pittsburg takes Tom Bayne’s place on ways and means. He is on his third term and long ago was recognized as one of the most adroit political managers in the House. His ability a8 a lawyer has enabled him to ac- complish very substantial work siuce he en- tere: Asa member of ways and mea a trenchant advocate of Penn- sylvania’s interests. The general estimate of the new committee as Speaker Crisp has fashioned it is that there i less of the uncertain radical element aud a preponderance of conservative students of tariff subjects. ‘This committee will not be likely to champion any such propositions as La B. F. SHIVELY. 3. BR. WAITING. debate his readiness and force will prove to be Mr. Springer's best reliances. He came into the House in 1879 at the age of thirty-four, and has served on ways and means through two Congresses. So, too, bas William L. Wilson of West Virginia. who was one of the best expon- ents of Mr. Mills’ theory of the tariff in the Fiftieth Congress. He is a lawyer who does not like to practice and a teacher to whom teaching isirksome. Perhaps he is the best specimen of the scholar in politics at this time. He served through the war in the confederate army and became a professor in the Columbian Univer- Wo. pres BENTON 3 MILLIS. Generally within the jurisdiction of ways and Means. This committee not only provided ct the necessary revenues toca: Tament, but was charged with the Tesponsibility of spending them. used to tuke two pages of the manual of House rules to describe the duties of the ways and means. Now its daties are mentioned in a single line: “All legislation relating to the rev- we and the bonded debt shall be referred to the committee on ways and means.” Up to 1829 the ways and means went over the buciget of estimates for the various expenses of the government and prepared one big bill, covering every necessary appropriation for ali the government departments. This they brow, into the House usually within the preseribed month, and it was gone over item by item as the various appropriation bills are now. Later the usage of dividing appropriations into sev- eral bills crept in. In 1565, when the com: Yee on approprictions was established and Thad Stevens put ct the head of it, the new commit- tee took charge of ment of appro- tice until in the veland men re- ‘uné-man power” committee, of nan,of much taking from it a number of im- ation bills, But six bills were appropriations committee: the legis~ lative and exceutive, sundry civil, fortifica- tions, District of Columbia, pensions and defi- ho rest were scattered among the appropriate committees. The committees on alture, Indian affairs, 3 ces and roads and several n took up the powers and duties sur- by the general committee. In this way what was im 1802 the work of ways and means alone has sow become the toil of fully a ecore of the iargest standing committees of the douse. DISTINGUISHED CHATRMEY. A good many distinguished men have stood at the head of the waysand means. James K. Polk was its chairman when elected Speaker. Justin 8. Morrill, who is now in his cighty-firet year, entering on his fifth term in the Senate, was the chairman succeeding Thad Stevens, and his name, like Gov. McKinley's, furnished a WL wisox. ‘MR. PAYNE. title for a famous tariff bill. The Morrill tariff in its time wae as important a political issue as the MeKinley bill now. Mr. Robert C. Schenck. who was living to coneratulate Reed two years ago om the skill with which he hud made up his ways and means committee, was chairman daring several Congresses just after the war. Senator Dawes was at its head for nearly a decade. The late Judge Kelley, William t | little fun Mr. Crisp is having wi sity in Washington. He isa proficient in an- cient history and languages, and what he does hot know about the history of tariff legislation is not to be learned by studying. He 1s clan-cut speaker, unerring in his logi Sexial, winsome man withal, who has a great many warm admirers. judge Turner of Georgia has long been re- garded as Wasa member of the waysand means in the Fiftieth Congress. This is his sixth term. His Appearance on the committee was generally expected. A. B. Montgomery of Kentucky is a shrewd Louisville lawyer, who began practice twenty years ago. He entered Congress in 188 and is known asa hard-working commit- teeman. Justin R. Whiting of Michigan is}a new man on ways and means, but his fitness for the honor was long ago apparent. He is a self- made man, who has put together a large fortune asa merchant and manufacturer. He is a low tariff democrat, but has_no horizontal notions of tariff reform. 3B. F. Shively of Indiana is anew man on the committee and one who has seemed hitherto to be getting ail the obscurity any man coulddesire. His elevation to the leading committee is supposed to be a Mr. Bynum, who is in training for the Senate whenever he gets his chance. Shively is taller than Bynw Sanding «bout six feet two, and is as good look ing as he is tall. He came to Congress first in tue Forty-cighth to serve out the vacancy caused by the resignation of W. H. Caikins, who Was then running for governor. Shively went baek to school when he got out of Congress and finished his education. He was the youngest menber of the Forty-eighth, Fiftieth and Fifty- first Congresses and is now but thirty-four. He has been a newspaper reporter, a teacher and 1s a lawyer, and while not specially active in either debate or committee work, isregarded a a capable man. NEW YORE AND NEW ENGLAND. Bourke Cockran’s name sounds strangely on ways and means. It smacks of the olden time when Fernando Wood was chairman of the T B REED. J. C. BURROWS. committee. Since the issue of tariff reform sprang Up under the tutelage of Mr. Morrison thd Mr. Carlile New York has mover’ been counted in when the democrats controlled the House. It was the notion that the south and west, with their studious Congressmen and de- cided commercial interest in a low tariff, were to work out the reform. New York and Ne England were not to be trusted. It was onlyin @ republican House that a New York city demo- crat was invited to take on ways and means Speaker Reed appointed Roswell P: Flower. Cockran is an able lawyer and skiliful parliamentarian. If he gives his time Seren, easily advance into the is party, bat oaut ley take anbtoraen Moses T. Stevens of Massachusetts is a nice ntieman from a little manu- white-haired old facturing town. nd hia the Morrison or Mills bills, and while it may not accomplish anything in asession preceding & presidential elegtion, its conservatism will not injure the majority party with the coun- try. It this is Mr. Crisp's policy on the tariff it is hard to see how he could have expressed it better in the choice of men for the commit- tee on ways and means, SS FATTENED TO MAKE PIES, Geese Forced to Gorge Themselves in Or- der to Make Pate de Folie Gras. From the Cincinnati Enquirer. Stufiing live geese for a livelihood. This is the highly pocuhar industry followed by a number of old women in this city who are regarded as experts in their novel profession. It is this class of workers that produce the luxurious foundation of the epicurean dish pate de foie gras, the goose liver pie of Strasburg, so highly esteemed by gourmands. Their art consists in causing the livers of the geese to become abnormally large and tender, the special kind that must be used in the prepa- ration of the dish, so the chefs say. People who know say that the process consists in giv- ing the unfortunate goose disease of the liver and killing him in time to save him from dying a natural death. These geese, with but few exceptions, are sold to one man, Henry Adler, a restaurateur, who is known all over the United States by reason of his novel business. Not only are the livers sold throughout the city. but they are shipped to Boston, New York and other places, the market prices being about $2.50 for each. The business is a paying one, both for the feeder and the merchant, a good margin of profit being made by both. It takes about three or four weeks to fatten a goose, the ex- pense being comparatively nothing, while the price of the fowl doubles and trebies, accurd- ing to the demand. In addition to the sale of the livers the merchant realizes quite band- somely on the sale of what are known as “crack- lings,” aud which consists of goose skin roasted and otherwise prepared so as to be palatable. ‘The women who follow this business usually procure four or five at the time, although in the busy season it is thought nothing to keep a dozen in the fattening pen. Great care is exercised in getting good sound birds in the market. Being brought home they are placed in a dark shed or cellar. ‘Their food is corn, boiled until tender. This is crammed down their throats twice a day, the goose being taken be- tween the knees and firmly held while its crop isstuffed full of the fattening preparatien. In some cases the bird is nailed to a board, staal tacks being driven through the web of its feet. Usually, however, they are given a chance to waddle about for an hour every morning. ‘They are then cooped up until the next day. At the end of the fifth week, if the fattening process goes along well, the goose is bled to death, an incision being made in the neck for that purpose. Next it is picked dry and as minutely as possible, not even the down being allowed to remain. This is hard worl reasons why a fattened goose is #0 expensive. After having been picked it is next skinne The skin is then cut into squares, # goose fur- nishing between one and two dozen “craci lings,” which the squares of skin become when cooked. The goose is thea opened and the liver taken out. In weight it is from one to two anda helf pounds, and of a creamy brown color, the fattening process having bleached ‘This is placed in running water until it is time to deliver it to the merchant. Smoked goose breasts are quite a delicacy, and they are prepared by these women like- wise, the smoking process being a very simple one. After having been cut up the goose, which in market had cost about $1.25, becomes worth between $3 and &4, according to the size of the liver and to the demand in the market. _ ‘Ihe livers when gent to Mr. Adler are made into plates, or, being packed on ice, arc shipped toevery point. In preparing the livers Kir. Adler, who has been the caterer of the Alle- malan and Phoenix Clubs. has acquired a repu- tation that is national. ‘Chere isa peculiar knack in the process thathis rivals Lave not been able to acquire, anu he has thus secured the field to himself. ‘this art he learned in Germany froma most famous master in the goose liver trade, and it is now said that he exceeds his master in proficiency. The “‘cracklings,” which are the squares of goose skin baked toacrisp, are greatly relished in connection with the pate and com- mand 60 cents the half dozen. ‘This price is liable to fluctuation, sometimes being doubled. ‘The goose breasts, being easier to get, are much cheaper and are not regarded .as being epi- curean, although many peoplo are foud of them. ee oy EARLY TO BED. Sleep Taken at Night is the Sleep That Brings Health, From the New York Journal. Beauty sleep is sweet, refreshing sleop, and plenty of it before daybreak. Some get along well, as John Wosley and Adam Clarke, with only six hours. A few are so constituted that they enjoy good health with less than six hours. necessary for most folks, if taken when dark- ness is upon the earth, and is thrdugh with in time to behold the breaking in of the morning the nerves for the be ot which oxelt. blood and nerves so fresh and glow of Lealth. Not only is he. night soads for rest, but the ralight is ‘the =. tor bealth, FE Who loses a of the day's light, especially the fore part the day, sreote" wiih" an tooen wee ed natural conse- REAL ESTATE GOSSIP. Comment on the Design of the City Post Office Bullding. ‘THE WIDENING OF SIXTEENTH STRERT EXTENDED— A BIG HOTEL BUILDING RNTERPDISE—THE PUB- Lic INTEREST IN THE ZOOLOGICAL PARK— OTHER MATTERS OF INTEREST. HE PIOTURE OF THE NEW POST OF- fice building which was published in Tax Star during the past week confirmed the opin- ion that has been very genorally entertained that the new structure would be worthy of the location. It may be said that the general ver- dict is one of approval. The supervising archi- tect, Mr. Edbrooke, in the selection of the par- ticular style illustrated by this building shows that he believes the Romanesque type of archi- tecture is effective in public buildings. As far as the style of architecture is concerned the design of the post office building is by no means an experiment, as there are # num- ber of other public buildings either already built or in coarse of erection in different parts of the country characterized by this style. The building in this city will be perhaps the largest public structure in the country which follows this form of architecture. As is well known, the Romanesque is an archi- tectural expression which means the adapta- tion of the main feature of Roman architecture to modern buildings. ‘This is the arched con- struction which is marked not only by great dignity of form and simplicity of detail, but the effect asa whole ix sturdy and massive. The almost entire absence of ornamentation in such @ design avoids the grounds of criticism, which are based upon differences in taste and makes possible especially in a bailding of such magnitude a strong massing of materials into an effective whole. ‘This style, which has had @ pronounsed influence upon ‘public as well as upon domestic architecturo not. only in this city but throughout the country, is now grad- ually giving place to the forms based upon the classic or, to use the popular term, the colonial stylo of architecture. ‘THE EXTENSION OF STREETS, The action of the District Commissioners in approving the awards for the condemnation of ground to widen 16th street will allow the ex- tension at the full width of that splendid boule- vard beyond the city Hmite It is true that the widening thus authorized will be extended only avhort distance beyond the stand pipe, but it is regarded as only the beginning of the work which will eventually result in extending the strect all the way toa point in the eastern boundary line of the Rock Creek Park. From this latter point the line of 16th street extended and that of the eastern boundary line of the Park to the District limite in the same, Itseoms ighly probable that at no distant day this street, 160 feet in width, will extend from the Executive Mansion, or more properly from La- fayette Square, all the way out to the District line. Perhaps by that time all the city streets will be similarly extended or at least the an- thority of law given for euch extension as pro- vided for in bills that have been introduced in Congress. A PROPOSED HOTEL BUILDIXG. If the plans now in contemplation are earried out by the time 16th street is widened as far as the top of stand pipe hill a splendid hotel building will be in course of ercction on the ide of the street overlooking Boundary street. Mr. T. E. Roessle, who is interested in this enterprise, states that by the Ist of March it will be definitely decided whether the fake Posed hotel company will be organized. ‘They ve the refusal of the ground until that time, and if the enterprise is determined upon build ing operations will be begun by the 1st of April. As has been stated, it is proposed to erect on this elevated site a building 400 feet square and ten stories in height, fire proof through out. This structure will be built about a central court about 100 feet square, and will ogntain about 1,200 bed rooms. The propoale et of the building and grounds wil about $2,000,000 and it will have the best feat- ures of the fiuest hotels, not only in this coun- try but in in Europe. V’erhaps a hotel of this character may scem at first thought to be on a rather colossal seule, but it should also be re- membered that ton is now a great city and is every year increasing in importance and wealth. As they say out west, this city is “get- ting there with both feet.” A POPULAR SUBURDAN RESORT. When the weather is at all pleasant some five or six thousand people visit the Zoological Park every Sunday. ‘The tide of visitors dur- ing the week does not reach such a high aver- age and in the winter season it is natural that there should be some falling off in the number of Sunday visitors, But, still, itis very evident that the park is one of’ the attractions in the suburbs. and, in spite of the lack of facilities for reaching it, at least for people who do not keep a carriage, the public interest has ex- ceeded all expectations. The approach to the park most generally used is the Quarry road, as that is nearest to the 14th street cars, The Quarry road is not an ideal approach, although itis much better than when the park was first opened. It is very narrow and the grade is quite steep. The District Commissioners have asked for an appropriation of £4,000 to improve the road. Some think that it would be better toexpend that money in extending Kenesaw avenue through to the park. That thorough- fare crosses 14th street one square north of the junction of Columbia road with 14th street, It 4s now opened for some distance west of 14th street, and Mr. H D. Walbridge, who owns a large tract of land between the present western terminus of Kenexaw uvenue and the park, offers to donate « strip of land ninety feet wide if the Commissioners will open the avenue through to the park, While it is not proposed to abandon the Quarry road, yet it is claimed thet in this way a new and ‘much needed ap- proach to the park will be provided. For those visiting the park on foot Kenesaw avenue ex- tended would be the shortest route. THE VICINITY OF THE METHODIST UNIVERSITY. ° During the past week a deed was placed on record by which Mrs. Mary Harrington trans- ferred to Messrs. D. D. Stone and J. L. Weaver, representing a syndicate, some sixty-four acres of ground. This tract adjoins the grounds of the Methodist University to the north and west, and itis proposed by tho new owners after a while to make a suitable subdivision of this land into building sites. This purchase serves a» another illustration of the influence of such enterprises as the Methodist University in the immediate locality. As has been pointed out in this cotumn, the location ofthe Catholic Uni- versity was followed bya séries of improve- ments in that vicinity which has already re- opula- true sulted in making it quite a center of tion. There is no aoubt that this will of the neighborhood of the Methodist Uni sity site, and in fact the same resvlte will follow the expenditure of large sums of money in any locality, From a real estuto standpoint the value of educational institutions of this charac- ter can hardly be overestimated, and there is no doubt that this fact is fully appreciated by property owners, not only in the special Local. ty, ut in all parts of the District, for what benefits one section advances the interests of the entire District. ees Perilous Feats Unchecked. From the Pall Mall Gazette. The terrible parachute accident at Bombay Tesembles the disaster at Leeds by which Hig- gins lost his life, and points its own moral. In the Leeds case, it may be remembered, 8 ma- Jority of the coroner's jury wished to adda rider to their verdict discouraging parachute descents as. means of public amusement, but they were outvoted, and every one knows that Mr. Matthews refused tointerfere with Baldwin at the Alexandria So long, then, as the Public crowds to sce such feats, so long.we sup- pose, will adventurous spirits be found willin to gratify that public; but they know the per: attached, and if for a fame which is question ble they choose to run the risk of ig their brains out, that is their affair. All the eame,we fail to see why the police, in Dublin recen' Heaals eserete ng pales unin Dablin recently and refuse to interfere with Fous pastime of the parachutist from bri far NEW YORK NOTES. ‘What ts Being Talked About and Thought About in the Metropolis. THE POLITICAL DECISION AT ALBANY AND HOW REPUBLICANS VIEW IT—MR. GRACE AND CHILE— THE PERSONALITY OF THE MILLIONAIRE EX- MAYOR—THE BUSTLING LIFE OF CLERGYMAN. Special Correspondence of The Evening Star. New Yors, Dec. 31, 1691. AVE WE AT LAST SOME “SOUTHERN outrages” on the ballot at home? So the republican papers of the state would have us believe. There is s storm of words over the outcome at Albany, end for the moment the vanquished republicans are threatening to fili- buster out the session rather than let the dem- ocrats reap the benefit of their judicial victory. It was unfortunate that the court of appeals divided on party lines much in the style of the immortal “eight to seven,” and we may be sure that the party organs will make the most of it. The papers, however, are far more hystorical than the public. If the state has been “stolen fow seem to know or care about it. Poople in Now York city should be interested, to be sure, for with a unitedly democratic administration at Albany city affairs will be much affected. From # republican standpoint the Hon. Farmer Hayseed knows much better what New York city ought to want than the city itself docs, and #0 long as rural virtue controlled atleast one branch of tho legislature we were supposed to be properly chaperoned. But with no such curb at hand we are now left quite at the tiger's mercy. Another item which disquiets republicans is the real estate news that Senator Hill has reuted a Louse in Albany and intends to make that city rather than Washington his base line. _ This is another proof that the ex-governor intends to keep a tight rein on state politics It remains to be ween how Governor Flower Will relish this arrangemont. MR. GHACE AND CHILE, Washington is talking just now about one of the extraordinary mon of the age, ex-Mayor William 8. Grace, and on that account a few words on that intersting personality will not be amiss, Mr. Grace is as much typical of our epoch in history as Sebastian Cabot wes of his, Ho represents ‘the spirit of conquest. He is imbued with that “plus power” upon which Emerson laid such stress. Groat onterprisos are natural and «imple to him, and by the very necessity of his natare be is involved in a multitude of labors, any one of which would crush an ordinary man. His pecuniary inter- estsin South America aro gigantic, and necossa- rily he is deeply concerned with’ the political convulsions which have been marking that re- gion of the world. But in additior he is a born Ealitican, and hence ix in his element in the byrinthine complications of diplomacy. ALWAYS IN IT, And underneath everything else is his love for life on a large scale, his spontaneous and insatiable eagerness to be in the midst of things, his delight in battle, not the barbarous warfare of the soldiers, but the contention of great intellectual forces. A mind of this energy will partly shape the ago, but is more apt to re- flect its genius. If it operates in one set of circumstances it gives ihe world » famous smuggler, or in the othr conditions an un- paralleled double somersault thrown over fiv ciephants. At this age of the world and in this country it produces the millionaire, and ap- parently will soon produce the billionaire. ‘ou cannot throttle these energies by act of Congress, nor will they adopt the ideas of Henry George or Edward Bellamy. And rightly estimated they are no more out of place in the world than Chimborazo or Niagara. There is something indescribably winnin, about most of these great human beings. don't think it is mere snobbishness which attaches commoner men to them so closely. As Tacitus suid long ago, speaking of the heroes of his age, “The ‘chiefs battle for Victory, the youths for their chief.” ‘MB. GRACE'S PERSONALITY. In the case of Mr. Grace this fascination which he exerts upon those about him is very noticeable. He is not what would be called a pleasing man, either in appearance or man- ners. He looks more like a plodding German professor than a keen merchant or a great politician. His speech also is brusque and his manners rather apt to bo rough. Lut there is something about him that rivets attention first and then allegiance. Just:what he is up toin his recent negotiations with Secretary Blaine very few outside of the immediate circle have any clear idea. But the public may depend upon it that anything into which Mr. Grace throws is full force will be pretty apt to come out out where he means it shal,” KEEPING THEIR EYE ON THE PUBLIC. Most people were surprised to read a day or two ago of the annual meeting of the American Copyright League and the re-election of offi- cersand executive committee, because it was generally supposed that their work was over when the copyright bill was passed, but that is not the case. ‘The league has several very good reasons for still existing. In the first place the present law is merely experimental, being con- tingent on the favor of foreign powers to some extent, and toa large extent on its popularity when seen in practical operation by our own citizens. No doubt it will require amendment, and for aught any one knows somebody may come along and demandits repeal. Then there are allied interests to which the league wishes folend a helping band, und finally it’s not a bad thing to have the authors of the country banded together, with one eye upon the literary interests of the day. The meeting referred to brought to public view one item which en- listed quick and general sympathy, to wit, the serious illness of Mr. Robert Underwood John- son, the indefatigable secretary of the league. Mr. Johnson has been prostrated with a dan- gerous attack of typhoid fever, but is now hap- Pily convalescent. Too BUSY To BE A HERETIC. Another convalescent in whose recovery the good citizens of New York rejoice is the Rev. Dr. Heber Newton. In spite of his vagaries, perhaps because of them, Dr. Newton is a faan who could not well be spared. His diligence is phenomenal, and if we hear less than usual of pulpit crotchets from him it is perhaps because e has no time for heresy. There are those who even still imagine that the prominent metropolitan clergyman lives a life of pum- peredease. Such critics of ‘fashionable min- wsterg” sould go with them through ono week's routine. I vonture to say that there are few business mon ina large city who ar busier than its leading clergymen. This is certainly true of New York, where the “big” preachers live in a very’ fury of enga: ments. Through the week they’ go at a racing pace—a sort of six-day-go-as-you-piease pedos- ian match—and wind up with a seventh-day sprinting race, which leaves them often in a state of collapse. Nothing illustrates better that same “plus power” than this flerce energy which we may sce in the strong religious lead- ert of the day. Such mea as Bishop Potter, Dr. Briggs, Dr. Fulton, Dr. Day and a score of others that might be named are as_driven with work as tho hardest worked banker or mer- chant in tqyn. The calendars will have to print a particu- larly big number one to start off with or we shall soon forget that there is any Ist of Jan- uary. The observance of the day has fallon into complete desuetude. No dude is now so poor as todo itreverence. Asfor the profession- ‘lly fashionable itis, scarcely the proper thing to be in thee city at all, much/less receive. We don't know just what we sre coming to with our “400” in'this matter of residence. Pretty soon, at this rate, they will simply visit us for a few ‘weeks in midwinter. However, impolite ay it may be to say so, they are not much mised. The town is fairly bursting, and everybody seems to be having pretty good time, unless he is # victim of the grip. Heyay RK, Extiot. ——<$<o-—___ ‘Trouble in the Welsh Collleries. The Welsh collieries are idle while the men are awaiting the result of the conferences being held between the employers and the , Glove Reform Needed, ‘From the Buffalo Courier. . Written for The Evening Star. BILL BLOSSER AN’ THE BARS, ‘The Story of How the Strong Man Took Care of the Heavy Weights of All Kinds. MET BILL IN THE TAVERN AT THE mining camp of Slumguilion Gulch. He had just come down from the mountain, more foran opportunity to “blow off” (as Cork- screw Mike, the host, put it) than to transact any particular business. Indeed, I was sub- sequently informed that Bill had no other busi- ness than “blowing off" and that he was gen- erally called “Bill Blow-sir,” instead of his patronymic of William Blosser. Assured. Bill was » big fellow. He was the kind of man that women fondly believe a Hercules in strength and as bold as a lion. Buta much smaller man with the harmonious adjustment of a perfect physique—muscles like bundles of violin strings, courage and agility—could “readily dance all around and pump his wind by blows upon his flabby sides.” Bill was six feet four—not in his socks, for Bill, although not aspiring to congressional honors, wore no socks, His chest was as big and almost as round as a barrel, but it dis- played neither symmetry hor power. His arms were huge and long, but the muscles both of chest and arms were flabby, and where Bill's shoulders ought to have been you could see on his coat—when he wore it—a wrinkled bunch of useless material. Bill's arms slo from his neck. He lacked that beautiful thing in man—a finely rounded shoulder joint. His knecs were immense: they looked lik lead pipes soldered with a lump in the middl His hands were like bear traps, and everybody acknowledged he had considerable of agrip, for no one cared to “shake” with Bill, except with the dice box at the bar. Nothing tickled Bill more than to grasp a stranger by the hand and, closing his great dredging machine, se- renely smile with a far-away look in his ey as he listened to the victim's bones crunching against one another. Bill was too huge a creature not to have con- siderable strength, and Le had been flattered by the “indies” of Slumgullion Guich and by tenderfoot visitors until his natural bombastic- ism had developed marvelous proportions. had been introduced to Bili as “General” — indeed Idid serve threo months as orderly sergeant during the war—and I firmly believe this title restrained Bill from smashing my hand. I invited Bill to “take something.” We took our seats at a small tablo and after a num- ber of rounds, during which I had entertained Bill with stories of the war, fights, skirmishes and personal combats, I could see that Bill was fidgeting for an opportunity to “blow off.” As that was what I most desired I gave him the opportunity. Bill thrammed the brown bottle with ‘his hugo fingers for @ moment. “Gen'rl,” said Bill, “1 don't misdoubt it wat some shucks ter flop ono an’ ‘nuther, ‘roan’ like you sez you did in thet ar war. But sech doins don’ take no strength. It don’ tek no strength ter pint yer afeller an’ pull ther trig Now, ef Thad er bin in thet war fracas, w'ich I war not ole ‘nuff, I would jes like ter ketch a paseel of them sojers ‘itout guns. I would jes velier like er buil, ter_skeer em a leetle, an’ then I would rush in right ‘mon; ti ther arms an’ heads off an’ throw ther bodies up 'mongst ther trees. An’ I would jes cavort an’ snort an’ raar an’ taar untel I had lambasti- cally whopped ther whole passel.” “But, Bill,” I interposed, “I matter to throw a man up into Se't'nly not—fer leetle feilers—but I ‘low I kin take one in each han’ an’ fling him clar over themounting. Gin'rl, did yeever hear 'boutmy scrimmage weth ther two grizzly bars? No? Wall, 'twar over on Sassyfrass mounting. I hed been pizen res'less fer er long spell an’ I woke up one mornin’ jes a-feelin’ strenth a-jos- tlin’ ‘roun' in my innards an’ I sot out fer a tracas—whichsomever kin’ as fus cum would be fus sarved. I didn’t take no gun, fur them as has strenth don’ need no weepons. “I santered ‘long tell I cum ter th’ falls on Soapeuds river. On ther right han’ side of ther falls thar'ser big flat rock thet sets out from ther chift, an’ scon as I sot my eyes on thet rock I seen two big grizzlies a settin’ thar jes ziff they wus a waitin’ fur me. I clum up the rocks tell I got on ter th’ shelf an’ I jes janted up ter them bare ez gracey as Cock-tail Sal shasses ‘cross ther floor at ther dance here. “Both bars riz on thar hanches an’ showed thar teeth. I went scart nohow, fer I felt like I could lick er whole flock o’ wildcats, an’ them bars throwed in fur good measure, I let outer whoop thet shuk ther rocks, jumped up inter ther uir three times jes ter gitmy bones rightly settled im my jints, an’ then ther performance wuz. Igrabbed ther ole gal by ther scruff— likewise ther pervider fur ther house, an’ [drug ‘em whither an’ Idrug’em hence. Idrug’em forward an’ I drug ’em back. I bumped their heads t'gether. 1 frowseled’em an’ I brow- seled 'em—jes a playin’ weth’em like a tom c Playee weth a mouse, tell 1 growed tired 0 foolin’, w'en all to onct 1 riz both them bars inter ther a'r over my head, one in each han'—an’, puttin’ forth a fa'r supply o° my strength—I flung both bars agins ther rock an’ they fell ina huddle on ther groun’. Gin'rl, wen I skun them bars thar want a whole bone in their bodies. I allow thet leetle mixter 0’ exercise an’ divarshun would er het up a tenderfoot considerable. But weth me it didn’t turn a haar. Fellers don't mostly un- derstand thet stren'th is stren’th an’ these leetle jobs thet ter me hez no partic’l seemin” nur sinnifyn, would bust a giant galluses jes’ ter try. “But I'm pop durn tired of tinkerin’ an’ foolin’ weth burs an’ painters an’ sech light trash an'I ‘low ter slope over inter Africa some o’ these days whar I kin rassel weth clefunts an’ girafte an’ taggers an’ sech varmints o’ ther briny deep. Thankee, stranger, thet’s fine licker. Ef euny 0’ these coots mislest you let me know. A gentle tech o’ this han’ on the back o’ ther necks will do fr them ez quick ez it would fer ary jack- Tabbit. So long an’ bleeged ter ye.” dealbeoca shee ioe} Chile and tho Chileans, From the Portland (Me.) Press. The Spanish civilization of Chile is an off- spring of that of Peru. After the Spanish ad- venturer Pizarro and his followers had estab- lished Spanish authority in Peru and had begun the mingling of the Spanish with the native Indian races for the formation of the Spanish- American race of the future the masters of Peru began to look southward to the long and narrow strip that is now Chile. Before the Spaniard came to Peru Chile bad owed a nomi- nal allegiance to the native Incas of Peru, but this alleg'ance was so slight that in the first half of the sixteenth century the Spaniards of Peru were forced to war in order to extend their sway southward. Some of the southern tribes submitted readily, but at least two, the Purumancians and the Araucanians, waged most desperate warfare in defense of their territories. Some idea of the desperate valor of these native tribes may be inferred from the fact that while the conflicts of the Spaniards with them be- gan in the middlo of the sixteenth century they were not entirely over in 1869, or the latter part of the nineteenth century. Some of the earlier wars were disastrous to the Spaniards, who were forced more than once to fall back upon Peru for rest and reinforce- ments. It seems vot all improbable that the fierceness and martial ardor Of the Chileans of today may be due quite as much to the ad- mixture of fierce native blood as to the quali- ties inherited from the Spanish adventurers who landed in Peru with Pizarro and after his conquest had beey made. The Spaniards gov- erned the country until 1810, Then began the revolution which culminated finally in inde- pendeace. But it was not until 1813 that the independence of the country was finally gained. ‘This war of independence was most bitter and bloody. Tho Spaniards have quite a reputa- tion for cruelty,and in the conduct of a war the Chileans are certainly not behind them. From 1864 to 1871 Chile was at war with Spain on ac- count of Peru, which Spain was trying to hold in submission. A Spanish fleet blockaded the Chilean coast, and Valparaiso was bombarded. The Chileans, howover, made a good defense of their coasts, and in a memorable naval e1 MAINE'S MISSIONARY SKIPPER. The Good Work of Capt. Lane With His Gospel Sloop Alert. ‘From the Portiand Press. Lying on the beach just across the bay is the little missionary sloop yacht Alert, and her tall, fine-looking missionary captain is fre- quently seen on the street. The Alert is hauled up for repairs. Meanwhile Capt. Geo. W. Lane will suspend his work in the constwise mission field, as he is always forced to do when the season of winter tempestscomes on upon this coast. The story of Capt. Lane andthe Alert is an i e, but before telling it there isa ‘ter which concerns those young people of state who belong to the Christian Endeavor Society. These young people have come to admire Capt. ¥ k tly, and at their last convention ther decided to band © einall Steamer to take the place of his yacht. It bas nm found, however, that this plan is too am- ditious, and that it will bo more feasible to Pair the Alert. To fit her up in good style; fitted to carry eight or ten workers, will cost about $1,000; and repairs as extensive as this Will make her anew boat in the eyes of the United States government. This will enable Capt. Lane to change ber name to the En- deavor, in honor of the young people who have started to build him steamer, aud will, he hopes, divert to the repairs of the Alert what they intended to give for the steamer. The Sth of April, 1880, Capt. Lane set out from Portland in a little boat of four tous, which he hired here, paying £10 a month for it. The little boat was so small thet when the good missionary retired at night he could find room for a portion only of bis body in the cabin, and was forced to sleep with his fect sticking out the door. The result of that «um- mer'é work was the organization of twelve Sunday schools Those isiandx where the families were too few to enable the organiza- tion of aschool were visited and the lonely people supplied with such reading matier as could be given to them, Every season since Capt. Lane bas crui along the coast. Four years ago Le was able to purchase the Alert, a yacht of fi sloop-rigged. With the aid of a sn. navigates the little cra along the coas from Portland to Eastport, and it isa ionely islet whose inhabitants do not know the sal of the Alert when she heaves in sight. About fifty Sunday schools have been establi some of which, as that at outer Long Islan: off Mt. Desert, have developed into churche In the last ten years the breaking up of the fish- ing industry along our coast has made very hard times for the fisherin d the mission ary yacht isa valuable religious agency at this time, when many of the coast going down. For the last four years Capt. Lane has been assisted by the Sunday School Pubiishing House of Boston. For several winters, when the weather be- came too inclement’ to continue cruising on this coast, Capt. Lane went down on the North Carolina ‘coast and labored among the white fishermen and pilots of Hatteras Strip, and the white and colored people who live in the al- most inaccessible swamps of the coast. He has many interesting stories to tell of the people in that region. For a good part of the year they live on wooded hillocks, in great expanses of flooded forests. Their paths are made by cutting off trees ata point xbove high water mark, and laying upon the posts thus made logs with the upper side leveled for a pathway. The inbabitants live in great poverty, but are an open-hearted, hospitable Capt Lane went among them with a small skiff, living for weeks at a time at a cost of not more than seven and a half cents a day and sleeping at night upon temporary platforms above the water. For the last two. years Capt. Lane’s health has not bgen equal to the hard- ships of this work in the south. sabbath eat $ sn TO TIME LETTER CARRIERS. From the Chicago Tribune. At the entrance to the carriers’ lobby in the Post office is a new clock. It is an ordinary- looking timepiece, four feet high, and inclosed ina carved oak case. Similar-appearing clocks are to be seen every day and they do not at- tract a passing glance. This one, however, is of widespread interest, for it has taken upon itself the duty of keeping an accurate account of the movements of all the mail carriers in the office. The machine first came to the notice of Inspector Stuart during his visit in Washing- ton not long ago. He found one undergoing experiments in the Washington post office, and he obtained permission to make the experi- ment here. The register bas a dial similar to that of an ordinary clock, but down where the pendulum should swing is « large keyhole. Each carrier is provided with a key bearing his number in raised metallic figures. As he passes the clock he inserts the key into the hole and gives it a slight twist to the right. There is a click, a lit- tle bell rings, and on a strip of paper within the clock is registered his number and the ex- act time (indicating fractions of minutes roughly) that he inserted the key. For ex- — If carrier No. 134 lett the office at ex- actly 3:21, the stri P would bear the imscription, .” In this way an exact account can be kept of the movements of the employes entering and leaving the office. The method long in use has been to enter the numbers and time ina book kept for the purpose, but this means has been both inaccu- rate and troublesome. By the new method the register will speak for itself, and there will be no chance to claim that errors have been com- mitted. A watchman stationed near by will see that the men do not fail to insert their keys as they pass in and out of the office, and, there is no means of cheating the register, e records will stand for themselves, If the experiment proves successful, enough instruments will be purchased so that every 100 carriers will be supplied with oue. post —~ Although only two ces have experi- mented with it as yet, the device has been widely edopted by busincss houses employing large numbers of men. Homble but Successful Authors. Pittsburz Leader's New York Letter. The men who make the most money by their pens aro not always known to fame. The pe- riodicais that pay the highest prices for fiction and special articles are not those that give the writer a reputation in the world of letters. [havea friend who makes €10,000 aycar writing stories of adventure for a sen- sational weekly. He is a poet of no mean bility, and when he feels that he would like itile applause he sends a poem to some leading magazine. Only his m i friends know that “Pendragon” of — the Youth's Weekly Thrill is the long-baired romantic-looking man who listens at the authors’ club to the flattery of those wh think that the highest success in life consi in having a poem printed in the Century, Harper's or Scribner's. Another man i know gets $25 a thousand words from weekiy that is read in thousands of itehens throughout the country. He is highly educated man. but he must a earn his living. He makes at jeast $8,000 a year. He was recently offered a college pro- fessorship at asalary of $2,500. Buthe could not afford it. These men will never go doyn to posterity as great novelists, but, to use a vul- they get there all the same. 11 FOR WINTER WEAR New Redfern Designs for Becoming and Warm Wraps. WASHINGTON COAT IS A RUSSIAN cont of the very Intent etyle. It ts made of thickly pleated orange scouring cloth, trum. med with sable and by flaringrevers opeved to the waist to display a vert of embrontered swede. It is tied at the waist with « girdle of thick brown silk cord. The sleeves are pleated thickly and a cap to match goss with it ruil pent Hy Bih (4it mT ihe SOE Ail for skating. coat being drawn in a pleats, where it of Russi Jeath bly under the arm and embroidered bordering buttons. with « pre on the shoulder The collar is of nutria, the mutt and skirt bordering of the same tur. The sleeves are artistically draped in a puff which reaches the elbow and are made extremely tigi after the point, A bold pattern of braiding decorates the skirt. THE BOY WAS KIGHT. Bat His Father Was Way Off as « Sensible Feeder. Prom the Detroit Free Press. They came into the restaurant, a man and « boy. The former wore the air of « business man out for his noonday Junch, and as it was Saturday it was easy to guess the boy was tak- ing halr his holiday helping in the office. The man sat with a preoccupied air while waiting to be served, and answered the boy's questions in an absent-minded way which showed that be bad not thrown business cares The boy chatted about this, snickered about that, “fumbled ‘his knife and fork itil be ropped them and eyed every waiter who passed wale quan stare at the contents of his tray And the manner of their eating was as dif- ferent as the manner of their waiting. The man bustled bis food down his throat as if be —— enjoyed it at the time nor expected to ter. ‘The boy took time to arrange his side dishes ‘to his own notion, those he likea best nearest to hand, and then went to work leisurely to take a sip of this, a taste of that, or to season another tosnit. ‘He may have taken large motthfuls—boys will— but he took pony of time to talk between bites—boys will also do that. Tho father filled his mouth and washed the food down with scalding hot coffec. The boy got his coffee sugared and creamed just to uit him, and then let it stand and cool off while he was cating. The father finished with lemon custard pie and gave his mouth « swipe with the napkin in precisely nine and three- quarter minutes from the time be “broke a on his ould ceant best, while the boy only just cleverly laid aside *poon, and pal fe along toward the best parts of his chicken potpie. “Cant wait for you, Pred,” said the father impatiently, after noting the boy and looking at his watch; the post office and stop 5 and he went to pile a fresh ioad of responsi- bility on his mind while his stomach was groaning under o load of badly chosen food, Lord Dufferin will probably make a popular ambassador in Paris. He is by no meausa heaven-born statesman, and there is some cx- aggeration in the praise with which he is be- spattered. He is essentially an Irishman, clever, adaptable, pleasant and resourcefal, with 8 very full share of blarney and an ys not qnite blind to his own advancement. in India he persuaded the Indians, in Canada the Canadians, in Russia the Russians, in Ital Italians aud in Turkey the Turks that each was the special object of his love and admiration. He will now persuade the French that he has always loved them above all other nations. fact, he is an excelient diplomatist. setitasenamreuservesweg ‘Was She Stout—Or Was He Affectionate? hastily bolted under unfavorable conditions When he came in, five minutes Inter, the sat with his knife and fork on «sta between apple roll and rice pudding and kept the impaticnt man of business waiting two whole minutes longer while Le finished it and ‘Pretty good lunch, papa,” be “Stuff and rubbish,” growled the man. ways sets like lead.’ Afraid he won't be the is wrong,” re- marked the doctor to his companion the others bad gone out of bearing, the boy is right. If he keeps on eating that way he'll be an active, clear-beaded ness man ton years longer than Iie father i | A i iit i i ; ¢ is il : i f 4 t i Est u i tF