Evening Star Newspaper, May 19, 1896, Page 11

THE EVENING STAR, TUESDAY, MAY 19, 1896-SIXTEEN PAGES. 11 a. ‘. The Public is Cordially Invited To Attend the Informal “OPENING” Of Our New ‘Piano, Organ & [usic Warervoms, 1327 F Street, Wednesday, May 20, from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m, ¥ pins ns kiana ih Sih LELELLEELSESS SH LEEEEELGLEELEE ESSE EL Ly oe Be Ba " tendance. Musical Program Will be rendered by the National League Orchestra, Prof. W. F. Weber, leader, from 3 to 5. From 8 to 11 p.m. THE U. S. MARINE BAND, personally conducted by Prof. Fanciulli, will be in at- ALL ARE WELCOFIE. SRESSESEHES SHS PROTESTANTS. METHODIST Catechism to Be Revised Into a More Popular Form. President Herring presided at the morn- ing session of the Methodist Protestant annual conference in Kansas City, Kan., yesterday. An important item in its work was the adoption of a resolution provid- ing for the printing each week in the va- rious religious weeklies of eatracts from the catechism. A het discussion arose over the resolu- ticn presented by Rev. A. J. Reichard, chairman of the Sunday school committee, and it was finally adopted by a decisive vote. ‘The proposition to revise the catechism into a more popular form next caused general discussion. A general complaint ‘was made that the present form did not meet the needs of the masses. It was finally decided to make a revision, which was left with a committee of five to re- port at the next general conference. Re John Scott of Allegheny City, Pa. $ appointed chairman of the committe “Resolutions “abhorring the use of to- bacco” and forbidding members, either lay or otherwise, to use the weed or alcoholic Nquors we unanimously adopted. At Saturday's session L. W. Bates, the chairman on articles of faith, submitted ® report. It will be remembered, says the report, that the general conference recom- mitte; report on articles of faith to the standing committ No action has been taken on the original report by that committee, and Chairman Bates suggests indennite postponement of the whole n le question. A discussion followed. Rev. W. A. Robertson of Pittsburg, Pa., a member ef the old committee, ought that the question of distinction’ of faith should be taken up at once. The report was adopt- ed, however. A committee of five was appointed to nettle a difference between the New York and Pennsylvania conferences, in| which considerable money is involved. The fol- Jowing amendment to the rules was intro- duced by Rev. T. J. Murray of Maryland referred to the committee on revision: ‘No member shail be expelled cr deprived of church privileges without an impartial trial by a committee of not less than three lay members. On a circuit the trial shail be by the society of which the accused is @ member, and he shall have the right of ppeal to the ensuing quarterly conference, Bit no man who shall have sat on: the first trial shall sit on the appeal, and all eppeals shall be final.” Several papers were presented, but were referred without being read. It is gener- Jy conceded that the woman question js practically settled, as it is said the large majority in the conference is favorable to the striking out of the word “male” wher- ever it appears in the constitution. — White Buffalo Wants a Pension. White Buffalo, captain of Indian police, Cheyenne reservation, has applied for a pension on account of injuries sustained while a member of the third United States ¢avalry, and Examining Physician Hurley Says the injur'! are h as would give a white m a pension. White Buffalo is a jon of Sitting Bull, and has always been yal to the whites as a policeman or sol- lier. Saas Nearly Wiped Out by Fire. The little town of Franklin City, Va., twenty-eight miles from Berlin, Md., was nearly wiped out by fire early Sunday amorning. Sanders & Staym Percy S. Foster, Manager. Peed am, Soe <a SPEED OF THE TELEGRAPH. | A Message Sent From New York on Three Different Circuits. To demonstrate the promptness of mod- ern telegraphic service, a message written by Mr. Chauncey M. Depew and addressed to Mr. Edward D. Adams, president of the Cataract General Electrical Company, was transmitted Saturday ht at 8:34 from New York, via Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Vancouver, Winnipeg and Can- so to London and back to New York, the time occupied in carrying the message over 15,000 miles of a part of the Postal Com- pany’s overland and cable system being exactly four minutes. Wher the message 1eached London a copy was handed to the Eastern Telegraph Company, and was forwarded by it over verious lives and cables via Lisbon, Gib- raltar, Malte, Alexandria, Suez, Aden, Bom- bay, Madras, Singapore, Hong Kong,Shang- bal and Nagasaki, to Tokio, Japan, re- turning thence via London, and reaching Exposition Hall, in New York at 9:24. The Western Union Company and con- nections also transmitted a copy of the message from New York through Mexico down the west coast, and up the east coast of South America, thence to Spain, and tack to New York, the time occupied being twenty-one mint tes. — ee ————s Consternation Among Cigarmakers. Gen. Weyler’s proclamation forbidding the exportation ef tobacco from Cuba after ten days has caused great consterna- tion among the large manufacturers in Tampa, Fla. Many of them haye large quantities of tobacco already purchased in Cuba, and they fear they cannot ‘wet it out in the time prescribed. Scme firms have enough of the new crop in Cuba to last a year, and it is in no condition to be movéd and will not be for months. A scarcity of bonded warehouse room has caused a large amount to be stored in Havana, and a fleet of schooners will be necessary to take it away, the regular steamers being entirely inadequate. Al- most the entire Spanish population of Tampa has forwarded a vigorous protest to Madrid against the enforcement of the Froclamation. The move is regarded as one intended to throw the cigar makers out of work, thereby cutting off revenue from the Cuban cause, as the cigar makers have been contributing largely to the fund. Governor Inaugurated. Murphy J. Foster of St. Mary was in- augvrated governor of Louislana for the second time and Robert H. Snyder of Tensas for lMeutenant governor yesterday afternoon in the presence of a large gath- ering at Baton Rouge. The oath of office was administered by Chief Justice Nicholls of the state supreme court. Ex-Minister Camphausen Dead. Herr Otto Camphausen, formerly Prus- sian minister of finance, is dead. Herr Camphausen was born in 1812, and as minister of finance in 1870 had to meet the necessities of the situation caused by the war between Prussia and France. Hig services upon that occasion were highly appreciated, ard upon the retirement of Gen. Von Roon in 1873 Herr Camphausen was appointed vice president of the minis- try of state. ees ROHL SMITH. SHERMAN’S STATUE Four Enlarged Models Now Set Up for Inspection. EXPLANATIONS BY THE ARTISTS The Ideas They Intended to Con- vey in Their Designs. THE AWARD COMMITTEE Everybody interested in the artistic adorrment of the public parks of Wash- ington, and that inclvdes almcst every person in the United States, is interested in the result of the perding competition of designs for the proposed equestrian statue of Gen. Sherman to be erected on the northeast corner of the reservation immediately south of the Treasury Depart- ment building. This statue will undoubt- edly be the most pretentious of any yet erected in this city to perpetuate the mem- cry of any of the military heroes of the country. This is due to the unusual care that is being taken in the selection of a thoroughly artistic and distinctive design, and also because of the fact that there is $90,000 available for the purpose. All the leading scu’ptors of America submitted de- signs in the competition for the work and of the number four of the most meritorious were selected by tne committee having the matier in charge for elaboration for a final competition to determine the ultimate selaction. The four successful designs were those of Mr. J. Mas:ey Rhind of New York, Mr. P. W. Bartlett of Paris, Mr. Carl Rohl Smith of Chicago and Charles H. Nienaus of New York. These gentlemen have completed the elaboration of their original designs and the models thereof have been “set up” in the building 1704 G street, which has been temporarily rented for the purpose of their exhibition to the statue committee upon whom devolves the selection of the model of the statue. The artists have been in the city for several da: past, personally su- perintending the “setting up” of their models and seeing that their merits are displayed to the best advantage. The com- mittes on awards will make an inspection of the models next week, but it is not Iike- ly that they will be prepared to announce | hold together and tectural features of his design by Mr. Ar- thur D. Pickering of New York. Mr. Bartlett’s Design. Mr. P. W. Bartlett, sculptor, was assist- ed in the preparation of his design by Mr. H. Hornbostel, architect, and the work of the latter is a prominent feature of the design. These two gentlemen are citizens of the United States, but for many years have been residents of Paris, and made the long journey from that city to Washing- ton to personally superintend the erection and display of their model. According to the statement submitted by them to the committee their scheme of composition 1s the result of a careful study to fulfill three important requirements essential to the subject, viz., dignity, originality and har- mony between the architecture and the structure. In the first instance, they say, dignity has been achieved by the extreme simplicity of treatment, great attention having been paid to mass and line pro- portions. The originality of the scheme, according to the designers, Hes in the con- ception of placing the monument proper in a well, the plan and character of which have been emphasized by strong horizontal bands, which bands further afford a field for inscriptions relative to the life of Gen. Sherman. They say that the success achieved in satisfying the third require- ment, namely, the harmony of architecture and structure, may be judged from a study of the pedestal, ‘where the scuiptural adornment in no way attracts from the constructive lines of the architecture, and where greater emphasis is placed upon the statuesque and symbolic than the realis- tic.” The has Leen composed to produce the greatest ible monumental effect. In regard to that sinking the ing frame is be- ensemble” p the well the artists sa: ntourage” or surroun Keved to be of great artistic value, and ons are given for this belief. One of e ig that additional height is gained for the p-destal without placing the por- trait head of Gen. Sherman too far above the observer. Another reason is that a satisfactory architectural effect and sen- sation is always obtained from descend- ing while approaching a monument. The monument proper 1s designed to ex- press by its simplicity the character of the hero, while the lincs of the pedestal are intended to carry down the firmness embodied in the equestrian statue. At the front and back of the pedestal are two al- legorical figures, representing “Courage” and “Thought.” These are intended to symbolize the general's two greatest qual- itles, besides assisting in giving a vigor- ous profile. There are also bas reliefs commemorating the famous “March to the Sea." Decorative effect Is given by eagles at the foot of the pedestal and Ions sur- mounting posts at the two entrances to the well. The materials suggested are bronze for all the figures and a fine grain, warm- colored granite for the base and pedestal so arranged as to produce a rich and har- montous effect. Mr. Charles H. Nichaus was assisted in NIEH AUS. tr decision much before the Ist of June. Sea while the building will be open for a public inspection of the models and the ex- hibition will well repay a visit to every- body interested In high-class works of art. Mr. Rhind’s Idea. In accordance with the request of the committee each of the sculptors has ac- companied his design with a general state- ment of the ideas upon which it was based: Mr. J. Massey Rhind, in his state- ment, says he has striven particularly to carry out the wishes expressed by the statue committee in regard to “the grasp of the character and individuality of Gen. Sherman,” and has devoted himself to pro- ducing “a simple, strong and effective ac- ‘ompaniment in granite to a rugged real- {stic reproduction In bronze of Gen. Sher- r ‘is monument {s contemplated to man.” 4 round measurement of 4,000 cares toot The architectural features’ in- : aza, with terminating walls in- eludese ers at either end of the structure, Which, he says, forms a proper base and an effective surrounding for the simple pe- Gestal supporting the statue. The design generally is severely simple, being com- posed of plain surfaces with Greek mold- ings. He says he relles entirely on the inscriptions for ornament to relieve in a measure the severity of the surfaces, while at the same time these inscriptions serve as a record of the memorial events in the military career of Gen. Sherman. ‘On the two front posts at ends of seats js placed in Roman numerals: aet, MDCCCXX_ (birth, 1820) on one, and obt, MDCCCXCI (eath, 1801) on the other, while on the two opposite posts will be in- seribed the years marking the beginning and ending of the civil war. The only in- scription on the pedestal is the word “Sher- man.” space on the ground occupied by the Saanoaent is elghty feet long by fifty feet wide, four steps rising to a plaza, from which rises three more steps. The rise of each of these steps is six inches. The total height of the granite work, including the pedestal, Is twenty-nine feet elght inches. ‘The equestrian statue stands on a bronze plinth, and fs nineteen feet high, making the total height from the ground to the top of the statue forty-eight feet and eight inches. ‘The material to be used for steps, plaza, seats and pedestal will be of a high grade granite, fine cut, and no rock face shown. ‘The bronze used for the equestrian statue will be that known as standard bronze. Sculptor Rhind was assisted in the archi- the preparation of his design by Messrs. Marsh, Israels and Harder, architects of New York. The plan of their monument consists of acratner severe and simple pedestal, carrying the portrait equestrian statue, set in front of a rectangular ex- hedra, the back barriar wall of which fre mes an immense bas-rellef treatment of the “March.to the Sea.” The sides of the exhedra are formed by solid low balustrade walls, thus inclosing the space on three sides, within which extends a stone seat. The platform is laid out in a geometrical pattern, to be made in two colors of gran- olithic pavement. The treatment of the whole monument is in the Greek style of architecture of the Ionic order, and is composed, as far as possible, of plain surfaces and simple moldings. The amperes forming the end termination of the barrier wall bear on their face decorated tablets, inscribed with the names of important engagements and are surmounted by bronze eagles. The rear elevation repeats the lines of the front, and is divided by vertical fasces into five panels for inscriptions. The severely plain surfaces are relieved by the inscriptions, of which the designers say it is intended to make abundant use. The lettering upon the monument, they say, will be large and easily decipherable, the text of the in- scriptions being subject to the determina- tion of the committee. The statue repre- sents the general as he was at the period of the “March to the Sea,” in the uniform cee major general. ‘e monument occupies upon the ground @ space of fifty feet wide and forty-eight feet deep in two parts, one a rectangle of fifty feet by twenty-twonfeet six inches, in front of which is a Projection of fifteen feet six inches by twenty-four feet wide. ‘The platform ts four feet above the ground and the barrier wall is forty-two feet wide and eighteen feet in height from the ground. The balustrade walls are twenty- two feet long and six feet high from the ground. The stylobate under the pedestal proper is thirteen feet six inches by twen- ty feet six inches. The pedestal measures six feet nine inches by fourteen feet at the base and is twenty-five feet six inches above the ground. Aboye this rises the bronze statue of seventeen feet proper with a bronze plinth of nine tnches, thus making an extreme total heignt of forty- three feet three inches. The bronze bas- relief panel on the barrier wall is six feet ten inches in height and twenty-nine feet long. All the stone is to be of the best quality of fine grained granite, perfectly sound and even in color. It is all to be fine cut, and no rock face or rough surfaces will appear upon any part. “The distinguishing features of this de- sign,” says Mr. Niehaus in his letter to the committee, “ccnsist in the simplicity of its elements and the concentration of the sculptural effects; in the portrait equestrian statue which stands solitary upon its pedestal without any obtrusive accessories and in the great bas-relief panel which will epitomize in sculptur- goaue presentation the ‘March to the He also submits an alternative proposi- tion for the locating of his monument on the plaza at the south front of the Treas- ury Department building, at a point where it commands a full view of the avenue to the Capitol. He says that the general architecture of the monument harmonizes with thé pure Grecian architecture of the treasury building. “It needs no extended demonstration,” he says, “to show that a design out of har- mony with this powerful facade would be rendered non-effective and its impressive- ness greatly impaired, while one en rapport with it would become doubly effective by its sympathetic relationship to the ele- ments of the Ionic architecture of the: building.” Mr. Smith’s Models. Mr. Carl Rohl Smith’s design preserves the general outline of his first sketch model, which has been elaborated, he says, by adding both architectural and sculptu- ral features. He submits two models of Gen. Sherman on horseback, one being an exact enlargement of his first model and the other representing the general studying the field of’action, and looking intently at some distant object which is to play an important iole in the coming battle, field glass in the right hand ready for use, the left holding the horse steady. The main pedestal carries the equestrian statue, and two groups, “War” and “Vic- torious Peace,” symbolizing mankind hor- rifled during the war-and happy enjoying life in time of peace. There are four bas reliefs, one representing Gen. Sherman and his army on the march through Georgia; another the battle of Atlanta, July 22, Gen. Sherman overlooking the field; a third, Gen. Sherman planning, while the army sleeps, and another Missionary Ridge, November 24, with the general and staff in the middle ground. Four statues on the corner pedestals on the terrace represent a soldier ready to de- fend the flag, a cavalryman rejoicing over victory, an artilleryman on watch, and a young woman edorning Gen, Sherman's sword. There are eight portrait medal- lions of the general's corps commanders on the corner pedestals. As in the case of the other monuments, the base and pedestal are to be of granite and the statue and other figures and the medallions to be of bronte. [The ground covered by the monuments 56 feet and 9 inches by 49 feet and 6 inches, The height of the equestrian statue is 17 feet 6 inches and the pedestal feet & inches, making the height of the whole monument exsctly 48 feet. In regard to the location of the monu- ment, Artist Smith says: “The gentle sloping ground north of the treasury building, with its noble Greek architecture, makes one of the finest sites in the country for a colossal monument: and in elaborating my sketch model I have chosen t) preserve the classic style of my first model, both because I think it is the most expressive form of representing Gen. Sherman tn sculpture, and at the same time it brings the monument into harmony with this splendid building. I regard it as high- ly importent that the monument be thus brought into artistle harmony and rela- tionship with its surroundings. The in- clesed photograph of the monument with surroundings will explain my idea. “The canons of art and the rules for placing monuments in ancient and modern times all point in this direction, and I think it would be fatal to the artistic sue- cess of the memorial to disregard these consideraticns. “The obiuse angle of Pe: nue cannot be a serlous obj. in mind that the grounds south of the treasury building, the White House and the War Department will be, in a near future, converted into magnificent park with colossal monuments of art interpre- tative of the country’s history. The Statue Committee. The statue committee consisis of the S. retary of War, the major general com- manding the army and a committee of the nsylvania aye- stion, bearing Society of the Army of the Tennes- see, composed of: Gen. G. M. Dodge of New York, president; Col. J. i. Howe of St. Louis, treasurer; Gen. J. W. Noble of St. Leuis, Col. D. D. Hen- derson of Dubuque, Iowa; Col. Augustus Jacobson of Chicago, and Col. Cornelius Cadle of Cincinnati, Ohio. The first public exhibition of these mod- els will take place this evening between 7 and 9 o'clock. They will be shown off to the finest adventage by a liberal and artistic arrangement of electric iights. The models will remain on ‘exhibition until the committee is prepared to announce its se- lection, which will not be for at least two weeks. Mr. A. J. Kennedy has charge of the models, as the special representative of Col. John M. Wilson, in charge of pub- Me buildings and grounds. ——.— — Acts Approved. The President has approved the act for the relief of the National New Haven Bank, Conne-ticut; the act to permit Rene C. Baughman to lay pipes on Half street, Washington, D.C., for the transmission of petroleum; the act granting a pension to Sarah G. Ives; the act granting a pension to Helen A. Jackson; the act granting an increased pension to Francis Walsh: the act relieving Anton Gloetzner of Washing- ton, D.C., from the operation of the act restricting the ownership of real estate to American citizens: the act removing the charge of desertion standing against Fred- erick Van Guilder; the act te pay to the widow of Col. Thomas L. Young, United States army, salary earned by him during the civil war; the act allowing the use of National military parks for military ma- neuvers for the regular army and the Na- tional Guard, and the act to pay Peter P. Fergusor of Wisconsin $1,765 in Satisfac- tion of a judgment. 2+ Grant's Offer to Gen. Pickett. From the Richmond (Va.) Dispatch. We all criticised Grant for that drastic war measyre of his by which he discontin- ued the exchange of prisoners, but he cer- tainly behaved very handsomely to Lee and Lee's troops at Appomattox. And when he became President he was kind in giving places to ex-confederates. Longstreet him- self profited by Grant's friendship in that way. Grant offered to make Gen. Pickett a United States marshal for one of the Virginia districts, but Pickett declined the office, telling Grant that as popular as Grant was with the people, he (Grant) could not afford to make such an appoint- ment. This was as much to say that Pick- ett could not change his affiliations, and that for him not to do so would be to in- jure Grant in the view of the northern Fublic. President Davis spoke very kindly indeed of Gen. Grant in a letter published about the time of Grant’s death. Indeed, Grant stands far higher in the estimation of southern veterans than any othér gen- eral of the war on the northern side. _—_—-e2—___ A Carlylean Episode, From the Argonaut. A feminine friend of Mrs. Carlyle, calling one day in Cheyne row, met Carlyle on his own doorstep, his head bent, and perplexity and annoyance wrinkling his philosophic brow. The sage only bowed, and went on his way down the street. The servant showed the visitor into a darkened room, where there were to ke seen the debris of tea and the prostrate form of Mrs. Carlyle on the sofa. “Did you meet Thomas?’ demanded the wife, in a voice which showed unmistak- able traces of a recent domestic storm. “Yes. He was going out. I met him on the doorstep, looking very sad. What's the matter, my dear?” “The matter! cried Mrs. Carlyle from the sofa, with sparkling eyes; “I’ve been two days on this sofa with a sick headache, and he’s only this instant come in and ask ed me what ails me! And—well, I've just thrown my teacup at him!"* Three New Counterfeits, The secret service bureau has informa- tion of the discovery of three new counter- feit notes. The first is a $5 silver certif- cate, series of 1891, with a portrait of Grant: The second is a $10 treasury note of the series of 1891, portrait of Sheridan, and the third a $10 United States legal tender of the series of 1880, portrait of Webster. These notes are photographic productions and were evidently made by the same hand that made two other notes discovered last year. The makers of all these notes have been arrested ond indicted in Texas, and a large amount of the money and apparatus for its manufacture cap- tured. . - WAYS OF THE DUTCH How the Good People of Amsterdam Do Things. THEIR CANALS AND STREETS How the Land is Drained and Water Reaches the Ocean. PROTECTING THE DYKES Written for The Evening Star. The hundreds of canals in Amsterdam furnish cheap and commodious avenues for the transport of every conceivable ar- ticle of commerce and from all parts of Holland. It would be extremely interesting to know ths cargoes and starting places of the vessels which are pushed along these canals—literally pushed—for tug service is expensive, and the restricted pos- sibilities for tacking renders the sails useless. The boatman walks to the bow of hig boat, thrusts a long pole in the water, then facing the stern and with his shoulder against the free end of the pole he literally kicks the boat from under himself as he apparently walks toward the stern. When he risks walking overboard he withdraws the pole and re- beats the process, going first on one side of the boat then on the other for the purpose of steering. It is a slow and tedious pro- cess. Here everything, nearly, is pushed, and the number of push carts is far in ex- | cess of the number of vehicles for horses. The aelivery carts are pushed; small peri- patetic shops seem impelled by a magic power—but there 1s a man behind, or a | Woman; vegetables enough to stock a mar- ket are bowled along from strest to street, and then the fish, smoked and pickled, fresh or dried, all sorts, sizes and condi- tions, alive and dead. To the ct t of Holland, it must be said that a man is not allowed to use dogs to ald him in propulsion, but there is no law against his requiring his wife to do all of the propelling. It is also eston'shing ‘o note the va of gcods which are offered for sale se carts, hardware and tinware, even in- ding oves, books, day books and ledgers, stationery of all sorts, glassware, lamp chimneys, cups and saucers, shoes, hats, clothes, old and new, and, in fact, the only thing omitted is coffins. Then the dealers in “rags, bones and old iron” pick up every imaginable bit of rubbish, and after deciphering its use and brushing it up a Kittle, offer it for sale on the market square or in trade with some brother ped- dler. Amsterdam Shop Keepers. There must be some demand for the g00ds offered by these itinerant sellers, and, in fact, the shop keepers bewail their injurious effect upon the legitimate trade. The shop keepers are never + fed with small change. The tender of a plece of money in excess of the amount of purchase | throws the household in confusion, for the ! “Winkel” is but one room of the house. One child is sent to ask granimother for some assistance, another given a key to some bureau drawer, then you are asked if you have such a piece. If so, the change is handed over, and as you walk homeward | you add and subtract, until yourself that you were not cheated, or els¢ give it up. The margin of protit is so small in Amsterdam that shopkeeping can be only incidental, and hence but a small part of the house is given up for the store— so small, in fact, that when the merchant desires to measure off a piece of oil cloth it is necessary for him to use the sidewalk for his counter. This does not discormmode the passersby; they walk in the street. There are two cities in which people pre- fer to walk in the street, Amsterdam ani Washington; the former because the side- walks are so bad and in the latter because the streets are so good. But then to return to the canals. There are canals everywhere, canals large enough to float an ocean steamer, and canals so small that they barely admit the boat in which the mifkmaid goes out to milk, but I nuve never seen a canal too large or too small for the fisherman's line. Along the banks of every one small boys and | large boys may be seen waiting for a bite. I have watched hundreds of persons thus engaged, and I have seen as many fish in duly authenticated baskets, but I have never yet seen a fish caught. I have sat on the bank beside the patient waiter, and as the cork trembled just a little he would say, with a wise look, “That's a cat” or “That's a fiat,” and as he lifted the baitless hook from the water his face wore the look of “I told you so.” Surely, the lone fisherman was a Dutchman. For Draining Purposes Principally. First and fcremost, the canals are drain. except in rare instinces; the t irg is incidental. In the country, since the land is all below the level of the sea, in or- der to cultivate the so:l it must pe drained. Ditches ar2 dug, into which the water runs, then as these ditches become full the water is pumped into others having higher Tanks, then from the latter into others still higher, until finally sea level is reached, and the outflowing tide carries the water cceanwards. In the early steps the water is lifted by wind power, but soon the yvol- ume becomes so great and such a large area of land is interested in its prompt handling that the state erects a pumping staticn, and a trusted official sees to it that the water in his canal does not remain above its assigned level. How the Dykes Are Protected. Thus it is that these drains become water- ways. Their banks, made of sandy earth, require reinforcement; they must be faced with stone or fortified by piles, large or small. In the case of the larger streams these banks become dykes, and both stone and piles are needed in order to keep the water within fits bounds. There is not a stone quarry in Holland, yet it has more stone work to the square mile than any other country in the world. Its forests are not sufficient to furnish the inhabitants, siill it has millions of trees whoily under- ground, driven in to serve as building foun- dations or hold in check the washing waters. The at dykes along the North sea, on both sides of the river Maas, skirt- ing the Rhine ard the Zuider sea, are faced with piles as close together as they can be driven, cach one of which cost $4 to put in place, and backed up by dressed German basalt or Norwegian granite. It Napoleon claimed Holland because it was formed of detritus carried down by the Meuse and the Rhine, Norway and Ger- many might demand a reward for anchor- ing it. A Pile Driver at Werk. It is always fascinating to watch a pile driver, to see it swing a great log erect and into place, then, stroke after stroke, drive it home. I have inspected some building cperations here, have seen the men, pro- vided with high-top boots, cleaning away the foundations; a steam pump industrious- ly striving to keep the water out and the pile driver thumping away. One morning the entire foundation was full of water, and a second pump was called into artion. At last rows of piles were in place, rows like the teeth of a comb, but the pump could not stop. The tops of the piles were cut off at the same height, tenons cut on them and great horizontal beams mortised to them; the space between these beams filled with sand, and the whole covered with a very heavy flooring—but the pump kept up its monotonous throbbing. On this fioor the brick walls are erected, and soon @ great six-story building will stand on wooden feet. When will the pumping cease? Never. Under the building there is a catch basin, and whenever it becomes full it must be emptied, and this, I suspect, will be very often, for the canal at its side is six feet higher than the basement floor. J. H. GORE. +o2—____ Fourth Hlinois District. D. W. Mills was nominated by the repub- licans for Congress in the fourth Illinois district Saturday. Joseph Bidwell and Thomas Shaugnessy were named as dele- gates to the national convention. A resolution instructing the delegates for McKinley was adopted by acclamation. The rame of Congressman Woodman was not presented. RIGHT AT THE TOP WHAT FRANK H. WALKER HAS A0- COMPLISEED. How the Yale Has Been Built Froma Small Beginning to One of the Largest and Best Equipped Laundry Plants in the South. ‘Those who have been inclined to sneer at com- mercial Washington will find food for thought im the work which has been xccomplished in the pest few years by that indomitable worker, Frank H. Walker of the Yale Steam Laundry. The writer has heard a great deal about the le ntly and took it into bis bead to visit the plant at 43 G street northwest for news. Upon inquiry for Mr. Walker, a dapper, wiry young man advanced to the counter and stated that he was Mr. Walker, and wanted to know what he could do for me! After teiling bim who I was and my errand I was invited to take journey through the building with him. What struck mem forcibly than anything else, neat to the imme number of belpers and the vast machinery, was tho absolute system and the Immaculate clsantiness that prevailed every- Where. One could eat off the floor, and every Man and woman was attending strictly to business With au air ef as much importauce as & Bona- parte. “Here,” said Mr. Walker, “are two of the t weshing machines in the country, ¢ having a capacity of about 600 collars and cuffs, and from 60 to 100 shirts, and with them we can rendily wash all the collars and cuffs worn each day in Washtn ing its mecharism he stated that pthes passed through elglt different changes of water. “Where do you get yorr water?’ I inquired. “We could not depend upon the evér-varying Petemae water, so dug an immense artesian well on the premises, and we now have a nover-endiug supply of cold, clear as crystal water, which we filter in order to soften and purify.” The writer was parthularly strock with the force ef this advantage upon rem his collars, cuffs and shirts iad been from auother laundry as yellow us saffron after each beavy rain. “What kind of soap do you use “That is cue of our trade secrets,” have made to our order Special quality of tallow sonp, paying an to insure the can obtain. Mr. Walker then told me that after this thorouzh m: nner of cleansing "$s cach lot was pai through a ma: for the p xtractor’ it, Mr. er, doesn't Walker? haticaily replied. “The ma- “st of 118 kind in the cyuntr » the water t way wha of our strong pol from t them. especial p: air of cuts of machinery used in ironing « “This is our "A. T. Hagaa’ “What ts its capacity?” “At its maximum it will iron from 15,000 to ys in a day.” ine Mke that must have cost quite a Cost us 000."" Some idea of tts yse siz may be gathered from the fact that ct 100 inches wide w passed through its rollers without folding. and boi reg: 1 was nest shown the quite in ss and good working order, with te rest js model plant. ‘They ere both sepa from the main wash room by an immens & wall, which prev possible ashes or sparks from caning in co with the clothes, From there I went to the rear of the main build- ing to get a glance at bere the horses aud the familiar wagons” are housed. The Duilding is made of brick and tx absolu proof. It affords room for twelve handsome horses and as many bright, new wagons. T asked Mr. W: tf he did not foel he stress of hard work, and was the plant not taxed to is utmést with the large auount of work done. Why,” he replied, “we have so arranged the methods and operations of the plant that we can do just twice a8 much work as is at present done, and without any extra effort, elther “What do you think is the most important branch of your work; that is, most likely to Lold “I was just about to add ‘prompt delivery.” We almost as mu point of that as of take abo in tt. T lieve thers is eno: coun. try where promptness is so mach of a babit as it is here.” “Is your business increasing ”* : indeed; every w O14 customers stay with us, and new to us continnally, either because of the recommendation of friends, oF attracted ty our newspaper anno Then, too, {t's easy to get us, you know. your neme ani address on a postal, and the wagon ts around for your e almost as soon as the pos- tal reaches us. That's a great point. Men are busy, and theyll always patronize the lanndry that gives them good work and the least trouble to get r C.F. “com De! Just Growth of Religion. From the New York Sun. Our religiovs contemporrry, the Ind pendent, takes occasion, in reviewing the affairs of the year, to express its satisfac- tion with the growth of religion the in United States. There was a great increase in the numter of cl urches, clergymen and communicants in 18%, end the year has given no occasion for groaning over the “decline of faith.” There has been sptri val progress in all the states; the churches have become more aggressive everywher the boasting 02 the enemy is unjustifiabl and, though the devil is yet rampant, his face is overcast. The most striking thing in the Independert’s survey is its state- ment of the religious advanceme:.t during the pist five years. Since 180 there has been an inctease of churches in the Unite States to the number of 19,000; an increas of pastors to that of 16,000), of communicants to that of are, indeed, marvelous fac that nei the arguments of unb men of science nor the speeches of scoffers ct upon the at religion heve had much eff American mind. We do not believe that fn any other coun- try in the world hes there been a religious development so great as that in the United States, of which we read in the Indepen- dent. oS By a Flash of Lightnin, From the New York Sun. J. 8. Carpenter, living in the center of Des Moines? heard a flock of brant ap- proaching one stormy night in early April. He grabbed a gun and went to the roof of his house, threw his gun to his shoulder and waited for the geese to come along. He could not see them, but @ flash of light- ning disclosed their whereabouts, and he aimed his gun and fired. His judgment was accurate, and one of the birds was killed. The American Field says that this is the first incident of the kind it ever heard of. Birds are frequently killed by moonlight. ——_+e+ All the Vowels. There are but six words in the English language which contain all the vowels tm regular order, viz.: Abstemious, arsenious, anenious, facetious, materious and trage- dious. There is but one word which co: tains them in regular reverse order, end that word is “Duoliteral." Besides the above there are 14) English words which contain all the vowels in irregular order, Twelve of these begin with the letter a, 7 with b, 23 with c, 18 with d, 14 with e, 4 with f, 7 with g, 1 with h, 6 with 1, 2 with 4, 2. with m, 2 with n, 2 with o, 13 with p, 1 with q, 5 with r, 9 with s, 2 with t, 15 with u and 6 with v. et oe Armor Contracts Awarded. The Secretary of the Navy has accepted the recommendation of the chief of ord- nance and “has awarded the contracts for supplying armor for the battle ships Kear- sarge and Kentucky as follows: Carnegie Steel Company, 3,007 tons, at a total cost of $1,680,518; Bethelehem Company, 2,053 tons, at a cust of $1,462,191.