Evening Star Newspaper, January 18, 1896, Page 13

THE EVENING STAR Seg PUSLISHED DAILY EXCEeT SUNDAY. AT THE STAR BUILDINGS, -1i01 Pennsylvania Avenue, Cor. 11th Street, by The Evening Star Newspaper ni} 8. S AUrrMae ee : Kew York Office, 49 Potter Building, poche: Bioeth cents Seates or Canada—postage presaid--50 cents per ment ‘Sutarda: Sheet Star, $1.00 “ee quiatupl> 5 $1.00 por sears Entered at the Tost Oines at Washington. D. ©., “EEF All imall-abecriptioas aust be pald in adva 5 ‘as ree. tes of advertisiag meade known ou application, Part2. The Evening Slae.rwew« WASHINGTON, D. O., SATURDAY, JANUARY 18, 1896-TWENTY-FOUR PAGES. Don’t put up with it— —any longer!—make a change tomorrow! Don’t be imposed upon. When your collars and cuffs come home with the dirt ironed in and your shirts “man- gled”—kick, and kick hard! Better yet. Write for our wagons to call for your bundle. That will end your trouble. ing! Snow white linen thereafter. THE YAL F. H. WALKER & CO. Main | Branches: | *Phone 1092. No more kick- Steam Laundry, sedetedetededtetedited 514 loth Street, 1104 14th Street. Plant 43 G St. N.W. mdedeleteetetaceteletes Seana tonto totontontondontontontontintintontoeSontendensonsononfontontontontontonteetoet UNIVERSITY NOTES. Howard University. In the course of pastoral lectures before the theological department, Rev. S. W. Greene will speak on Monday upon “The Minister Winning Souls. The first meeting of the Alpha Phi for "96 was held yesterday. All the members of the fraternity were in attendance. The program for the occasion consisied of choice selections of music, followed by the reading of an interesting paper, “What We Should Make the Alpha Phi.” ‘The base ball team has been organized with R. C. Kelley as manager. There is plenty of good material in the team, and the men seem anxious to work. The man- ager announced that they are ready to re- ceive challenges from any other teams. The Theological Lyceum Society held a well-attended meeting on Thursday. An opening address was made by the president of the society, on “The Dignity of the Pul- pit,” which was followed by the debate, Resolved, “That the thoroughly successful minister of the twentieth century will be the man ing literary ability.” The disputants were P. C. Dilts for the afjrma- tive-and Mr. Hopkins for the negative. Columbian University. The Debating Society of Columbian Uni- versity Law School held a spirited election of.officers at their last meeting, which re- sulted as follows: President, Laban Sparks of Maryland; vice presfdent, H. H. Riddle- berger.of Virginia; secretary, William M. Smith of Ohio, and treasurer, F. S. Hol- linger. Judge Brewer resumed his course of lec- tures on law of corporations last Monday. Tonight the Debating Society of the law school will debate the question “Resolved, ‘That independent action in politics is pre- ferable to party allegiance.” The affirma- tive will be supported by Messrs. A. A. Davis, G. H. Calvert, jr., and G. B. Harris, and the negative by C. B. Calvert, H. B. Gram and H. L. R. Browning. Dr. Schoenfeld has just published a Ger- man historical reader, which is now being vsed in the university. Yesterday the examinations were begun in the university; the first classes scheduled were history of philosophy for the juniors and ethics for the seniors. The examina- tions will continue until February 3. ‘There will be a meeting of the senior class of law on Monday evening, immediately af- ter the last lecture, to elect an officer for the vacarcy upon the executive committee, taused by the resignation of Mr. Flemming. At a recent meeting of the senior class in he dental school an election of class pres- Ident and executive committee took place and resulted as follows: Mr. Wilmar Hall of Alabama, president, and Messrs. Joseph Egan of Connecticut, Llewellyn Jozdan, M.D., of Mississippi and Samuel C. Luckett pt Texas members of the executive com- inittee. Catholic University. On Thursday last a solemn high mass was @elebrated in the Divinity chapel by the rec- tor in presence of the students and faculty, for all the living benefactors of the univer- sity. Archbishop Chapelle of Santa Fe has been a guest at the university during the past week. On Monday, January 21, Dr. Shae will begin his course on mechanics and labora- tory work in the department of physics. Mr. Carroll D. Wright has finished his lecture upon “Statistics,” and on Monday will begin his course on “Social Econom- ies,” including the labor question, etc. = The Debating Society of the Law School ‘will mect nex week to debate the ques- tion, “Ought Capital Punishment to be Abolished?” Next Saturday, January 25, will be the feast of St. Paul, and one of the patronal feasts of the Divinity School. In the morn- ing at 9 o'clock a solemn high mass will be celebrated, at which Cardinal Satolli will pontificate and the dean, Rev. Dr. Gran- nen, will preach. The remainder of the day will be observed as a holiday. Georgetown University. The Philonomosian, at their last meeting, held an election for officers for the coming term. The following were the successful candidates: Vice president, James B. Mur- rin of Pennsylvania; secretary, C. E. Fay, Connecticut; treasurer, Edward Byrne, New York; amanuensis, Robert Ridley, Georgia; first censor, Paul Head, Penn- sylvania; second censor, Charles deB. Clai- borne, Louisiana. The class of 98 has organized a skating polo team, composed of Messrs. Devereux, Wa'sh, McAnerney, McMahon and Rear- don. In a recent game "IS defeated a spe- cial class team by a sore o! to 4. Next week the Dramatic Club will give a public meeting in Gaston Memorial Hall. Today all the examinations in Greek studies were finished, and on Monday repetition of Latin studies wilP be begun in all the classes. National University. Rumors of a new building are flying thick and fas‘. Prof. Walton of the dental department has been confined at home on account of iliness. Prof. Wm. Hollands Wilmer, ophthal- mologist, is delivering a course of lectures on this branch to the senior class. Mr. Edwin W. Watkins, at a caucus held recently by the senior medical class, re- ceived the nomination for valedictorian for the class. of '96. The workmen have completed the con- struction of a new chemical laboratory. This work was begun during the holiday ¥acation. The fittings, apparatus and stock of chemicals are all new. At a meeting of the National Law School Debating Soclety the following permanent officers were elected: President, M. ” O'Donoghue; vice president, Geo. N. Brow e secretary, G. M. Moore; treasurer, Francis Carusi; executive committee, Ch. Magill Smith, chairman; E. W. Williams, C. H. Merfllat, Edward W. Vaill and Addison T. Smith. s last meeting the subject of debate esolved, That the Government *of the United States Is Justified In Insisting Upon the Arbitration of the Pending Boun- Gary Dispute’ Between Great Britain and Venezuela.” The debaters were Messrs. O'Donoghue and Carusi, for the affirmative, and Messrs. Moore und Merillat, for the negative. Decision was rendered by the judges for the affirmative. ——-__ IN LOCAL STUDIOS. . Ae The Society of Washington Artists met last Tuesday evening at Mr. Dunbar’s studio, and with Mr. Messer in the chair, transacted the usual business. It was re- solved to hold meetings of the sketch club twice a month, one of them to be at the regular monthly meeting of the society. The blanks are now out for the sixth an- nual exhibition of the society, which will be from March 2 to 7. Following the cus- tom of the past two years, each artist's exhibit- wiil be limited to four pictures. Those present at the meeting were: E. C. Messer, president; U. S. J. Dunbar, vice president; W. b. Chilton, secretary; Carl Weller, treasurer;.E. H. Niller, Max Weyl, S. Jerome Uhl, R. N. Brooke, Hobart Nich- ols, Spencer Nichols, Ed. Siebert, Lucien Powell and George Gibbs. rr has resumed work on the bust of Alexander Shepherd, inter- rupted for a time by Gov. Shepherd's ill- ness. He has been busy of late with a portrait bust of Mr. T. E. Roessle, and has begun the clay models for a series of bronze statuettes. The first one, about completed, represents a fisherman seated on a rock, spear in hand, waiting for an- other chance. An interesting bit of work is_a sketch in clay of Wilton Lackaye as “Svengali,” which Mr. Dunbar intends to complete from Mr. Du Maurier’s illustra- tions. . * ok * The exhibition of oils and pastels by Par- ker Mann on view last week at Fischer's gallery, has been very successful, the sale of a number of pictures attesting the ap- preciation shown by the public: for his work. * * : Mr. Spencer B. Nichols has conmmenced a series of iJlustrations, in black and white, cf Edgar Allen Poe's Tales. x * * The work on the new Corcoran Art Gal- lery is going on rapidly. The exterior stone work having been finished, and the. base for the fire proof floors laid, the men are devoting their energies to the glass roof. The grand stairway is also well along to- ward completion. . * * Ea The friends of Miss Mathilde Mueden have good reason to congratulate her on the decided success she has achieved in Paris. Entering Julien’s studio only a few months ago, she stood second in the con- cours of one of the largest life classes, composed to a great extent of picked men, who had had the benefit of many, years’ study. Mis3 Mueden’s success is the more marked, as this honorable mention, whieh has before always gone to a painting stu- dent, was awarded to her on charcoal drawings. * * Xe The visitor to the charming studio of Miss Sands and Miss Solomons sees among their recent work a number of promising heads in oil and pastel. * * A portrait of Mr. Ebenezer B. Ball, the nearest collateral descendant of George Washington, whom, as {s well known, he closely resembles, has been recently com- pleted by S. Jerome Uhl. Mr. Uhl has also finished the portrait of Miss Essie Gil- man Sautelle of the New York Art Stu- dents’ League, and has commenced one of John B. Henderson, jr. ** * A few days ago the students of the Art Leagve enjoyed an exhibition of the life drawings made by Miss Bertha E. Perrie whils in the New York Art Students’ League. — Experience Taught Him. From the Chicago Evening Post. The boy hung back when the visitor spoke to him, and his mother was nat- urally anrioyed. “Won't you go to Mrs. Brown, Willie?’ she said. “No,” replied the boy shortly. “Don’t you like me?” asked Mrs. Brown, good-natured! ‘0, I don’t,” answered the boy. “Why, Willie!” exclaimed his mother re- | proachfully. ‘Well, I guess I got licked for not tellin’ the truth yesterday, and I ain’t takin’ no chances today,” protested the boy. a The Inquiring Mind. From Harper's Round Table. “Mamma, where do eggs come from?” “Chickens, my dear.” “Well, that’s funny. chickens come from eggs.’ Papa says that SUBURBAN STREETS Board of Trade Perplexed Over the Highway Act. CONSIDERING DEFECTS OF THE LAW The Matter Referred to a Com- mittee of Seven. - THE PROPOSED BOND BILL The board of trade held an important meeting last evening in the hall of the Builders’ Exchange. It was an adjourned } meeting from last Friday evening, when the subjects up for consideration were the reports of the committees on sewers and streets and avenues, which were presented at the annual meeting. So much of interest developed in the dis- cussion on the réport of the committee on sewers that time was not left for the proper consideration of the matter of street extension plans, and it was decided to hold a special meeting last eveulug, when the members of the board should have the op- portunity for a full and free discussion of this timely and interesting topic. The discussion of the street extension question was opened by the presentation of a report from a special commiitee ap- pointed by the president of the board. Then the question was thrown open to the mem- Lers and a number of them took advantage of the chance to express their views on the subject. The Committee's Report.” The meeting was called to order ‘by the president, Mr. S. W. Woodward, and after the reading of the minutes of the last meeting, Mr. Chapin Brown of the special committee of the board presented the fol- lowing report: “First, Resolved, that the board of trade heartily indorses the proposition to issue bonds to the amouut of $7,500,000, to raise funds necessary to complete the sewerage system of the District of Columbia, in ac- cordance with the plans recommended in 180 by the board of sanitary engineers, and also for urban and suburban street sewer extension and improvement; —__ “Resolved, that proportionate contribu- tion by the national government towards all of these without exception is a vital feature of the proposed legislation. : “Resolved, That in the opinion of the board of trade, Congress should at once provide sufficient funds to pay zil juigments against the District of Columbia in the pending con- demnation proceedings, in favor of the owners of property taken under the act of Congress approved March 2, 1893, and en- titled ‘An act to provide a permanent sys- tem of highways in that part of the Dis- trict lylag outside of cities.’ “Whereas, Since the institution of condem- nation proceedings under the act of Con- gress approved March 2, 1803, and entitled ‘An act to provide a permanent system of highways in that part of the District of Co- lumbia lying outside of cities,’ it has be- come doubtful whether the amount of money necessary to carry into effect the aforesaid act has not been underestimated, “wherefore be it resolved, That a special committee of five persons be appointed by the chair, whose duty it shail be to at once examine into the probabte cost of the execu- tion of the said act and io report their con- clusions in the premises to this board as speedily as possible, together with any sug- gestions as to suitable legislation which may seem advisable to said committee; Be it resolved further, That the said com- mittee take into consideration and report speedily to the board any defects existing in what is commonly known as the high- way act, and generally what amendatory legislation is necessary in the premises. Mr. Brown Urges It. In opening ihe discussion Mr. Brown said that thirty years from now the generation of that day would rise up and call blessed those who passed these bills, just as the people of this day would have blessed those of thirty years ago, if they had then passed the act when lands were held at cheap fig- ures. He also touched on the question of cost of the street extensions proposed, and had the secretary read a letter from the Commissioners to Senator Proctor, dated the 15th instant, which was evidently a re- ply to his own argument of the cost, as stated by himself, at $20,000,000, - In their letter to Senator Proctor the Com- missioners say that the cost in the forty- seven subdivisions of the first section would amount to $6,000,000, exclusive of the assess- ments, and that the amount for the second section would be about two millions, mak- ing in ail about $8,000,000. The total, they say, will be largely reduced by special as- sessed benefits. Mr. Brown said that the Commissioners’ estimates had been care- fully made, and were entitled to considera- tion. He argued that the resolutions sim- ply indorsed the general plan and not the plan before Congress. : “Is it your understanding,” asked Mr. Mat- tingly, “that the necple whose lands have been condemned are willing to accept the amounts of the awards?” “Yes,” said Mr. Brown, “if the benefits, special and general, are disallowed.” Mr. Donath followed with an argument that a proposition to receive the attention of Congress should bear on it the stamp of agreement among the members of the body. The Government’s Share. Mr. Somerville made a spirited address, in the course of which he said: “I am somewhat surpgised at the course -of Mr. Brown. He seems to have been con- verted between 3 o'clock this afternoon and 7 o'clock this evening. As I understand him, in the committee meeting he was totally opposed to the bill in any shape, and that was exactly in accord with his action in court.” Mr. Somerville proceeded to contend that, notwithstanding the estimate of the Com- missioners, the amount necessary for con- demnation wou!d be “between fifteen and nineteen millions of dollars.” Perhaps, said he, that if you take the price put on lands by the juries, six or eight millions would be enough, but the property owners are not satisfied with those amounts. Mr. Somer- ville pressed the point that the board should not do anything to relieve the government of its share in the expenses of the improve- ments. “Are you aware,” asked President Wood- ward, “that these matters have been cor- rected in what is known as the bond bill?” “Yes,” replied the speaker, “‘if it is adopt- ed; but it is simply ‘expected’ that it will go through. There are many who believe that it will not go through, and, in fact, I am very doubtful abaut it myself. I think that the bill for street extensions and the sewers should be separated.” He did not think it probable that the government would be like- ly to pass a bill that would carry with it the appropriation of from $15,000,000 to $20,000,- ouv. A careful estimate, he said, showed that there were to be condemned 19,422 acres, to cost at least $1,000 an acre. Mr. Somerville was in favor of issuing bonds to pay for lands, according as they were con- demned, and a price had been agreed on in justice to the property. owners. Defects of the Law. Mr. Mattingly followed in an earnest ad- dress, which he prefaced by stating that in order. not to be misunderstood, he wanted to say that he was in favor of street ex- tension, and also in favor of a system of remuneration which would be fair and just alike to the property holders and to the community generally. This subject is a large one, and, he said, ought not to be treated in a small manner. It is very easy to be charitable with other people’s money, but when we come to consider the work- ings of the street extension act we see how unfairly it operates, He ventured the statement that not one of the property holders interested would be willing to ac- cept the awards made by the jury in the street extension cases, and yet the board of trade was now asked to pass a resolution urging Congrees to pay the awards. In point of fact, there is no telling when these awards will ever be paid, and all the time this property in question is left un- der a cloud. In the case of prop- erty condemned’ for the needs street extension the owner is awarded something for the use of the land, but this is offset by the allowance which is made for the benefits accruing from the abut- ment of the highway. This acts as @ lien upon the property, and in some cases the owner is likely not to get anything, but find himself actually in debt for the im- provements. In the meantime, his prop- erty is left all tied up, and about all the ownership right he may exercise is the right to pay taxes. Mr. Mattingly then stated that at a meet- ing of the committee on streets and ave- hues held yesterday afternoon a resolution was presented, and adopted with but one dissenting vote. He’ read it as expressing his own views on the subject. The resolu- tion is to the effect that the board disap- prove of the highway act in its present shap€; that a law be framed to carry out the act in a manner just to the property interests affected, and which will repeal the act of 1893; that the counsel of .the board of trade submit such an act to this board for presentation to Congress. Mr. Mattingly made the point that the res- olutions of the special committe, read by Mr, Brown, only provided for paper streets, and that not a word was said as to when or how the streets were to be opened or -how improved. Something which would carry out the purposes for which it was intended was needled. Public welfare and interest, sald Mr. Mat- tingly, demand that the sewerage and street extension questions be thoroughly divorced, each being allowed to stand or fall on its own merits. If they were separated, he thought that the sewerage bond bill and a properly amendei street extension bill would pass without meeting with serious objection in any quarter, The best plan, he thought, is to draw about the city a zone which wculd include all that part of the country which’ is now being raptily built up as an actual part of the city. The highways should be extended and completed through- out that zone, and a few of the more im-. portant ones still further out. This would probably include all that would have to be done for years to come, and could probably be accomplished at an expenditure of not more than three or four million dollars. Other Suggestions. Mr, W. A. Meloy followed Mr. Matting- ly in an address, in Which he characterjzed the present street extension act as one of the most iniquitous that-ever marred the statut? books of the District of Columbia. It would be better to wipe it off altogether than to have it in its present form. Mr. Geo. T. Dunlop, a member of the committees on streets and avenues,in a brief speech stated that the gesolutions which Mr. Chapin Brown had read had been con- sidered at the meeting of the committee eerlier in the day, an@ they had been non- concurred in. He stated his objections of the extension act as it stands at present, and suggested a rumber of changes that he thought would remedy all its defects. In his-opinicn it was much better to retain and to amend ‘he present-act than to wipe it out altogether and run the risk of being compelled to get along witheut any act at all M. Saunders and John Hs Magruder. ‘Then Mr. Frank 4. Hanyey sprupg.some- thing of a surprise’ by moving as a substi- which were ig af the committee on streets and avenues and read by Mr. Mat- tirgly. ' mn Referred to a Committee of Seven. In a speech, in which he reviewed the whole situation at some length, Mr. Geo. Ei En mons moved that thé subject be referred in toto to a special committe of five mem- bers, to be appointed, to formuiate fromthe undigested mass of resolutions something which vould be reported back to the board of trade for it to act upoa in an intelligent manner. ee Mr. Emmons’ resolution was as follows: “Resolved, That all resolutions introduced and now before the board of trade be re- ferred to a committee of seven, to be ap- pointed by the president, who shall, after hearing any persons desiring to be heard upon the subject thereir set forth, report to the board of trade such amendments as in their opinion shculd te made to correct the inequalities of the street extension act under the recent construction by the courts of the District, and that said committee shall further consider the subject of a more conservative and practical plan for carry- ing seid act and amendments. into execu- or Remarks pro and con were made by: Dr. A. P. Fardon and Mr. W. Riley Deeble, and in closing the debate Mr. Brown indicated that Mr’ Emmons’ regolution was accept- able. The resolution, amerided so as to make the committee consist-6f seven instead of five members, was then put, and on a rising vote: was carried by 47 to 15. The meeting then adjourned. bs: THE RUSSIAN TEMPERAMENT. Statistics Showing That the Slavs Seldom Commit Suicide. From Kierlisrine. It is no exaggeration ‘to Say that the Slavs in general, and the Russians in par- ticular, are distinguished by a tendency to self-analysis, especially to moral self-ques- tioning. The surrounding external condi- tions do not interest the Russian. He gets along without the abundance of comforts 80 indispensable to the Englishman, with- out the excessive refinements with which the Frenchman surrounds himself. He is ccntent With a simple environment, and cares for nothing except an epen and warm heart. When we examine international ar- tistic expositions, and concentrate our at- tention on the subjects treated by the painters of the various nationalities, we cannot fail to be struck by the relative poverty and monotony of the Russian col- oring and, at the sam@é time, by the abund- ance and depth of the-psythological themes of the Russian artists. - The same thing is found in all conspicu- ous, Russian novelists. and poets—for in- stance, in Lermontof, Tourgenieff, Dos- toievsky. In other manifestations. of our spiritual life the same chracteristic is ap- parent. Thus we may, conclude that the development of the soul, rather than the study of nature. and the. environment, is the most striking peculiarity of the Slav genius. Indeed, this. peculiarity manifests itself with special clearness in one of the mest fundamental phenomena of life, in the acts of self-preservation. Since 1818, when statistics of suicide -first began to be collected, self-destruetion: has steadily in- creased at an alarming. rate. Comparing the various European countries with re- spect to suicide we find Russia at the foot of the list. The suicides per million of Population are as follows: Saxony, 811; France, 210; Prussia, 183; Austria, 130; Ba- varia, 90; England, 66; Russia, 30. 0 In addition to this showing, we also find that, whereas in other European countries the number of suicides has increased about 40 per cent since 4858, in Russia the num- ber has been almost stationary. Whatever our views may be af to the sinfulness of suicide, t! fact “r a it Re, Bia: races are: ractériz superior mors fortitude. eee: Turning to crime; wefind thet the number of those convicted. ef.murder is smaller in Russia than in Italy, Spainy Australia and ince. As for those classes of crimes which, by undermi morality, most threaten nationa life ahd character, we find oa Russia's percentage ia very insignifi- REAL ESTATE GOSSIP Some Impressions of the Present - State of the Market. THERE 18 MONEY ENOUGH TO INVEST Railroad Development and the Effect on the City. VACANT LOT NUISANCE It is not expected by. those who are fa- miliar with the present condition of the real estate market that there should be any large deals in property in progress at this season of the year. Even in ordinary years January is not a very lively month in the business world. It seems to be a time of expectancy, when people try to determine the trend of affairs. bere has always been a little better off than in most places, and so it may not be very surprising to know that one or two deals of considerable magnitude are in contem- plation. There is a good prospect that large sums of money will exzhange hands. Not loug ago there was a proposition made to purchase an entire square of land in a desirable residence section of the cit; and although the price asked was expres: ed in six figures, still that did not prevent the negotiations from going on. However, there was no sale, as it was impossible to get the parties to exactly agree in regard to the price. The small amount of money that will pre- vent a sale is something remarkable, es- pecially when it is considered how much money is involved. It would not seem pos- sible that a few hundred dollars would prove an insuperable difficuity in a transac- tion involving hundreds of thousands of dollars, but such is the case, and it only serves to illustrate the pertinacity with which mea of large means adhere to the maxim, “save the pennies and the dollars may take care of themselves.” It is nat- ural to expect a person to be anxious to get every dollar possible in the sale of prop- erty, and hence it is that negotiations sometimes falter and even stop altogether. Railroad Development. It is not known, of course, what effect locally the reported change in the man- agement of the Baltimore and Ohio rail- roid will have. There is no doubt, how- ever, that this city will have a growing importance in the plans of all railroad corporations controlling lines entering the capital city or in its vicinity. Some time ago the Baltimore ard Ohio began the construc- tion of a line which, leaving the Metropoli- tan branch at Linden station, went west just north of the District line to a point on the Potomac river near the Chain bridge, where there was to be a bridge erected and @ road built through Virginia to Manassas or some place in that locality, where a Brief addresses wére Ynade by Messrs. 1} southern connection could be made. There was also to be a line running along the camal..to,.Georgetown. Only a portion of the road“has been built, ‘and, ‘ofcourse, st. is not known, whether the work will ever be Carried ous. As ‘is well known, the Petinsylvania road |e lei to establish freight yards on the irginia-shcre near the entrance to the Aqueduct bridge, and thus relieve the pres- sure on the space reserved for suck pur- poses in the city and the suburbs. far as the Iceal travel is conceraed, it seems that the development of the overhead trol- ley is going to be an important factor. In other sections of the country the prob- lem of supplying necessary facilities for suburban communities has been solved in this way, and the same thing is going to be ; applied to conditions in this locality. There is.a road to be constructed to Bal- timore, a connection of the Mount Vernon road between Alexandria and this city is being built, and there is also a proposed road to Falls Church and to Sandy Spring. Independent of the steam roads, it seems that in this way the local needs will be pretty well supplied. However, steam roads are considered an important adjunct in the naterlal welfare of the city, and no doubt one or two more would be found to be an advantage ip helping cn the development of the growing manufacturing interests of the capital city. Mud on the Sidewalks. Householders, or at least some of them, understand that there is a regulation of the District Commissioners which requires the owners of vacant lots to keep the side- walks in front of their lots not only clear of snow, but of mud and other debris. The average householder is of the opinion that if this is the case the regulation is not thoroughly enforced, for he is often obliged to wade through mud which is piled up on the sidewalks, washed dewn from the abut- ting vacant lot by the rain. After every storm this is not an uncom- mon experience, and without considering the temporary inconvenience which such a mishap occasiors, the entire neighborhood is perpetually marred by the untidy and ugly appearance of the lot which is allowed to remain in a neglected condition. At all seasons of the year such a piece of property is an eye-sore, but it is especially the case in the summer season, when there are trimmed, well-kept lawns on each side. As a rule, the hovseholder looks after the lawn in front of his house, and it is difficult for him to understand why other property owners should not do the same. The Building Regulations, Up to this time it has been impossible for Building Inspector Brady to get a quorum of the ccmmission to revise the building regulations. As stated some time ago in The Star, there are to be some rad- ical changes'in the existing regulations. It is expected the commission will get to- gether next week. Record of the Week. A peculiar feature of this week’s build- ing operations is the fact that not one of the nineteen building permits issued was |. for the northwest or southwest sections. The aggregate cost of those issued was $88,975. This amount was divided as fol- lows: County, eight permits, $15,475; south- east, nine permits, $18,000, and northeast, two permits, $5,500. Some Improvements. The residence of Mrg. C. E. Browne, at 505° Massachusetts avenue, is to be remod- eled from plans prepared by J. F. Denson, architect. It is proposed to build a front of press brick, ttimmed with stone. The trustees of the First African M. E. Church, 10th and V streets, are having @ brick Sunday school building erected from plans prepared by Paul J. Pelz, archi- tect. The dimensions will be 35x47, and the materials used will be red brick. There will be a pitch roof covered with slate and a tower. M. P. Caldwell is building a row of nine two-story brick dwellings, from 146 to 162 Heckman street southeast. A. Goenner js the architect. Annie B. Alderman ts erecting at Lang- don two frame dwellings of two stories and cellar each. : A chureh is being built at Brookland by the trustees of St. Anthony's Church. G. A. .Dessez is the architect, and L. M. Byrnes is the builder. dwelling at 14 F street northeast. ————_ Charles Tinney, an American, will be the head of the first Chinese university about to be established at Tien Tsin on the Eu- ropean model. However, the market- yend wot Carr is building a three-story brick } BYRON SAYS; | “Sublime tobacco! which from east to west Cheers the tar’s labour or the Turkman’s rest.” There is a vast difference between drinking and smoking. The former is a habit, while the later is a pleasure! would prescribe the Pe is i 3 anywhere. $ We have put up on Cigar in Soto “Pints” & ‘ Pr IMs " —that is, packages of foil, to keep them fresh Stores and. Hotels! KOPF, “Jobbing Agent,” ree Saree Dr. Jankau, the noted German physician and a specialist in nervous diseases, says: “Tobacco may be used to advantage as a remedy,” and he recommends cigar smoking in the cases of many patients who are recovering from sickness. . He further says cigar smoking is the best way to enjoy tobacco; and we add that if he were in Washington instead of in Germany he “White Seal” Cigar —which is made from a selected clear Havana stock by expert workmen, in ten different sizes of the one identical grade of tobacco. No bet- ter tobacco in any cigar, of any size, at any price, and $1 per “pint” (5) and per “quart” (10). For sale at first-class Cigar Stores, Drug , High Grade Cigars. e size of the “White Seal” ‘Quarts” five ‘and ten each, in tin- and moist. Only s5o0c. 1235 Pa. Ave. RECENT ‘ARMENIAN MASSACRES. : More Detail of the Horrors of Asia Mi The Armenian Relief Association has made public two letters which describe the horrors of the recent massacres in Ar- Trenia: “CESAREA, November 30, 1895. “While the Armenians were engaged in their business, as usual, the Turkish mob fell upon them, killing 600 defenseless men unding 1,000 more. The mob divid- ed into four parts, the first plundered the stores; the second looted the houses; the third secured the maidens and young brides, while the fourth, fiends incarnate, attacked the public baths. These human devils kill- ed six naked women in the presence of the others, snatching their babies from their arms and bayoneting the mothers. The shrieks and agonizing cries of these poor creatures made no impression upon the minds of the savage Turks, who laughed at their death agonies. They then took some of the young girls who were with their mothers at the bath and dragged them, naked, by their fect through the streets, followed by a jeering and hooting mob. “The Turks who attacked the houses then killed them and fired the houses. The cry of the women in their distress, mingied with the héarse shouts of the Turks, made @ sound that can never be Yotgotten. The men who rurvived the sword were dis- covered, taken to the magistrate and searched, but no arms were found in their pessession, not even a knife. When re- icased-and allowed to return to their homes they were confronted by a most ghastly picture. Some f-und their wives dead, others horribly mutilated; daughters had been outraged and bleeding. My: hands al- most fail me to write the awful particu- lars. It is impossible to describe it. It took three or four days to remove the bod- jes of the dead with forty carts. Add to this the want and desolation. Oh, my God, for how long; how long. Where are those ce powers who saved African slaves? Where are those Christians who advocated brotherly love and mercy, sending their missionaries to teach us? Are they deaf to our piercing cry?” “VAN, November 11, 1895. “The Armenians have determined not to be slaughtered like sheep, but to defend themselves as best they may. After the massacre in ‘Paghesh’ five or six hundred Armenians were gathered in an inn, and the gcvernment soldiers were called to conduct them to their homes, but instead they were taken to the court yard of the government buildings and a few of them only were set at liberty, after sgning, by coercion, the statement that Turks are not guilty, as the Armenians made the first attack. “The Turks gave similar reasons for mas- sacreing the Armenians in the surrounding country. “Near Harpoot, even, villages were com- pelled to accept Mohammedanism, and also 1ear Van. The entire population of the two villages were forced to. change their religion. Eight villages near Van have been entirely depopulated, most of the in- habitanis were killed, and those who sur- vived escaped to the snow-covered moun- tains, where they now wander, with their children, naked and starving. The men who were forced to accept Mohammedan- ism have been compelled to take their own sisters-in-law, wuose husbands have been Killed, to wife, a practice most horrible to the Christians who hate polygamy. “They are also compelled to plunder and kill their Armenian brethren, to show that their conversion to Mohammedanism genuine. The young maidens of these vil- lages are carried into the The country has been reduced to such absolute poverty that there is now no money in the treasury. The Armenians ate ungble to pay taxes, they have no stores, no harvest fields. ‘The “Kurds also will decline to give their taxes, as they are all in the Hamitie. ‘The government is unable to pay for ifie transportation ofthe army, and the gov- ernor of Van has not received his month- ly pay for six months. This is the prophecy of @ still worse fate in store for us, for the reason that the government will insist upon. ea be cone a tei eS considered as rel 8, a massacre will follow.” ~~ se ——_-2-—____ A CLEVER MAIDEN, She Chooses Her Cronies With an Eye to Becomingness. From the Philadelphia Inquirer. “Why do you go so little with Maud D.?"* asked a mother of her daughter, a gir) pop- ular in society. “I find her charming.” “You will laugh if I tell you, mammy,”* said this up-to-date young woman; “but it is simply because she is so unbecoming to me; I simply cannot afford it. I like her immensely, but an unbecoming intimate friend fs really a great-affliction. There are some girls that make you look stumpy, and others that make you look fat. A fair, fresh girl will make a dark, sallow one look yel- lower than ever, while the latter often makes the former resemble a broadfaced milkmaid. Look at Ethel M. and Carris 8. They have been devoted to each other since they were babies, but the one grew like a bean pole, and the other stayed a roly-poly little thing, and now they look positively ridiculous together when they are walking on the avenue. Carrie alone would be rath- er pretty, although she is short and plump, but with Ethel she seems a positivé dwarf. “That is the worst of tall people, by the way; they make every one else appear to be undersized. Of course, you cannot exactly choose a friend as you would a gown, be- cause she sets you off to the best advantage: but, all the same, it is much nicer to have some one who harmonizes with your general appearance.” Serene —____+e. A Bishop Defends Tobacco. From the Westminster Gazette. Another stalwart defender of the habit of smoking is the Bishop of Manchester. He has publicly stated that he has found tobacco to act a useful part in enabling him to discharge his ministerial duties. When he was roughing it in the wilds of Australia he often smoked a pipe with the . “pioneers of civilization” whom he met there, and he found that, as they eat to- gether, puffing away, their hearts opened unto one another as they never would have done if there had been no smoke to stir em. ————+e+______ Could Furnish Them. From the Erle (Pa.) Messenger. A clergyman on a recent sultry afternoon paused in his sermon and said: “I saw an advertisement last week for 500 sleepers for a railway. I think I could supply fifty, and recommend them as tried and sound.” From Fliegende Blatter. ‘In heaven's name, children, w! ‘Oh, nothing, mamma. We are OH! THOSE CHILDREN, hat are you doing?” only playing hog butchering!"