Evening Star Newspaper, December 31, 1897, Page 4

THE EVENING STAR. ‘WASHINGTON. FRIDAY. ...........December 31, 1897. NING STAR has a regular rmanent Family Circulat much more than the combined cir- culation of the other Washington dailics. As a News and Advertising Medium it has mo cempetitor. C7 In order te avoid delays, on ac-. absence, letters to to any indfvidual connected with the office, but simply to THE STAR, or to the Business Depart- The Record of 1897. The survey of the year’s events, printed elsewhere sually interesting. The tw months just closing have been filled with stirring events. Foreign wars have disturbed the serenity of the world, and as the new year approaches the situa- tion in the far east crows acute to the point of a Breach between some of the world's most powerful nations. New prob- lems arisen in international politics. New territory invites the greed of the dom- ‘rant powers. It seems certain that the great empire of China will be curtailed in territory and independence, either by the ecmparativ peaceful method of com- bired aggressions by the nations of Europe Oz as the result of a general outbreak. The “peace of Europe” survived the strain of the struggle between Turkey and Greece, but the year dies with an even more serious Problem on hand touching the ability of the powers to keep from fighting. This country is free from any such em- Darrassments. It has passed placidly through the peaceful revolution which it May experience each four years, and its administration has been completely changed without disturbance. Its revenues have been placed upon a new basis and pros- perity is returning to both public and pri- vate enterprises. The army of the unem- ployed has steadily dwindled and wages are | safely restored to the high points which Urey reached during the good times of six years ago. The worst effects of the panic of 1803 were obliterated during the year. There have been few outbreaks among the workingmen. What promised to become a formidable strike in the coal re- gion was wisely handled and a peaceful seitlement was effected, thus sparing the Tecord of the year from an ugly blot. The ®ieatest city in the country is about to ex- pend under the operation of a consolidation Jaw into the front rank of the municipali- ties of the world. The entire country Watches the results of the experiment with keen attention, especially in view of the return to power of the political organiza- tion that formerly corrupted every public agency entrusted to its charge. During the year the islands of Hawaii hhave once more come knocking at the doors of the United States for admission into the Union. These beautiful, prosperous and Valuable islands are allied so closely to this Ration by nature and environment, as well as by a manifest political destiny, that as the year closes it seems certain that no course of events can prevent the annexa- ticn of Hawali from becoming one of the crowning features of 18M8's record of hap- penings. Meanwhile the people of Cuba are in about the same condition as regards their struggle for independence as they Were a year ago. The Spanish government has procluimed a system of so-called auton- omy, but it is rejected by the men in the field and by many others more or less closely affiliated with the Spanish adminis- tration. The common people of the island are in a deplorable condition and the state ‘Mf affairs in Cuba is indeed one of the sad- dest spectacles that the year has brought ferth. en as a whole, this country has many to express gratitude for what the has brought to it. Preserved its harvests abundant, its pock- ning to expand with money, its ere, its people happy from the full rav- pestilence and from iS effects of a great labor » United States has seldom year. If 1898 will bring as good things and as few undesirable a@ threatened wralizi known a bette many ones, there will be every reason to be con- tinuously contented and thankful. ———_+ee—___ Senator McComas. E The clection of Judge McComas to the United States Senate to ceed Mr. Gor- man is regarded almost as an assured thing by those familiar with the situation in Maryland. The understanding arrived at last night, resulting in the withdrawa! of Gov. Lowndes from the contest. is con- sidered as practically insuring Mr. Mc- Comas’ election, and as bringing all the republican forces in Maryland, except the Malster people in Baltimore, into one solid body. Judge McComas is one of ‘t and most experienced among the leading republicans of Maryland, and his presence in the Senate will strengthen the republican Hine in that body. He has had experience in Congress, occupying a prominent and influential position with his party in the House during his service there. He is a friend of the President's, and will be of assistance to the administration in and his warm regard for the trict of Columbia will make his election ally gratifying. not only to the host s which his ability and personal won for him at the capital, popular but for itizens in general. We hall b . upright judge and gain @ strong and influential senator. ———__+ eo tion that the country has summit of its prosperity is one much room for argument. Ex- constitutes prosperity in a nsive to be s 1. Commercial importance, in- that offers act country thd off is a topic too « tellectual 7 s and the physical com- fort of the masses have all to be consid- ered in connection with other points, and h to assume that the con- hus soun exhausted itself re is so much to be accomplished. ——~>ee—___ Mr. Leiter, it is stated, merely to wait for a legitimate rise in it was Mr. Armour who made lay of hot-headed precipitancy. soe General Gobia’x An: The announcement by General Gobin, commander-in-chief of the Grand Army of the Republic, that he is investigating on his individual and official account the charges of a padded pension roll, is one of much importance. The question is one of moment to the honorabie organization of which he is at presentethe national representative. He by no means concedes that the charges are true. He takes them up simply because they are attracting general attenticn, and public sentiment de- intended mands that the fact, if possible, be as- certainel and disclosed. His discoveries and conclusions will be laid before the executive committee pf the order, and, if the matter appears to warrant it, the or- ganization will take action. 3 This is not only a move in the right rection, but one from which excellent re- sults ought to proceed. The Grand Army of the Republic as an organization has the confidence of the entire country. It is composed of men who fought for the pres- ervation of the Union and who are proud ef that rvice. Not all of them are on the pension roil, but all alike are entitled with respect commensurate with their record and with the object they have in view In banding together. The proposition that the pension roll should be -one of honor appeals to them, the country is willing to believe, with much force, and what their commander-in-chiet has under- taken, therefore, is likely to be supported loyally by the rank and file. It is because of the power of this order of old soldiers and of the respect in which it is held by the country that an investi- gation of the question of pensions con- ducted under its auspices is certain to contribute much to the clearing of the atmosphere. It is a question of extreme delicacy and difficulty for any other agency to handle. The politicians fight shy of it, or else, as in some Instances, trade on it to personal advantage. The country, it is safe to say, does not begrudge a single dollar of the large sums appropriated for the purpose of sustaining those who worth- ily look to the public bounty on this score. The pension laws were rightfully intended to be liberal. Better a liberality which makes a few frauds here and there pos- sible thaa laws which by their hard con- ditions would defeat the claim of a single meritorious applicant. But if, as is so persistently and specifically charged, a tank growth has proceeded from the coun- try’s_ liberality toward the old soldiers, then the old soldiers, of all men, are the most vitally concerned in the success of the movement to docate that growth and lop it off. ——++e—____ Chinese Trade and Territory. As an interesting commentary on the ef- fcrts of the European powers to strengthen their hold cn the Chinese territory, comes a report from the American consul general at Lyons, France, giving some account of the French commission that has just re- turned from its survey of the Chinese field with the view to an extension of the French trade in that region. It seems that a former commission made a similar expe- dition and on returning published a full re- pert. The French merchants were greatly chagrined to find that the British commer- cial ccncerns reaped more benefit from these published conclusions than they did themseives. Their friends across the chan- nel, always alert for business chances, practically reaped the entire harvest of this iniernational sowing. Accordingly, the pres- ent Franco-Chinese commissioners, profit- ing by experience, have published cau- ticusly only certain generalities regarding their enterprise and its results, reserving valuable details for private communication to the French merchants and manufac- turers. As far as the report has been per- mitted to reach the diplomatic representa- tives, it is plain that in the minds of the French commissioners China offers a won- derful opportunity for trade extension and that the Germans have already made ma- terial advances there, becoming formidable rivals to the English in trade. These state- ments throw a gleam of light upon the re- cent activity among the powers in reach- ing for Chinese territory and concessions. Russia’s interest is apparently less com- mercial than is that of England and Ger- many and France, the czar being princi- pally occupied in establishing himself firmly on a political and military basis. Incident- ally the consul general offers the opinion that the commercial advancement so greatly to be desired by all the civilized nations will be secured more certainly by peaceful methods than by warlike demonstrations and threats of force. However this may be, it is plain that the scramble for China has a materially commercial inspiration, and the end is not yet in sight. ———++e—____ The Local Charities. Government publications are not always valuable, and many of the books that have come from the public presses ere regarded by competent critics as mere lumber. This criticism, however, will surely not be di- rected at the forthcoming history of the local charities, compiled under the direc- tion of the joint select congressional com- mittee now investigating the general sub- ject. The clerk of the committee, Mr. Moore, has become a Washingtonian in spirit as well as by residence during the years that he has served with the senior senator from Michigan, and he is thor- oughly well qualified to attack such a sub- ject. From the preliminary suggestions concerning this publication, appearing in today’s news columns, it is to be seen that much valuable information has been gath- ered by Mr. Moore that will doubtless prove of material service to the joint commitzee whi that body shall get down to the active work of drawing conclusions. —_-_ + «= —___ Prof. Leopeld Stejneger of the National Museum has returned to this city from Bering sea, whither he was sent by this gcvernment as one of the commissioners deputed to conduct an investigation into the fur seal life in the Russian Itlands. His observations concerning the results of kis visit appear in the news columns today. It is to be seen that Prof. Stejneger favors the absolute prohibition of pelagic sealing as the only remedy that will prevent the extermination of seal life. He believes also in branding the females in order to make their pelts worthless to the hunter. ————— Mayor Harrison has found himself obliged to become strict in enforcing the law against gambling and all-night drinking in Chicago. It may be set down as an axiom that people cannot be persuaded to be bad in a temperate and discreet manner. ——_++e—__—_. Scientists believe that Andree is ice-bound but safe. It is to be hoped that he has achieved a success that will conclusively enlighten other adventurers as to the feasibility or the uselessness of polar ex- peditions. —___+ ¢+—____ It is doubtful whether Luetgert could have believed a few months ago that his case could attract so little attention as it dees now. ——++e>—___ The habit of blowing tin horns in the middie of the night is one which New Year's celebrators absolutely decline to abandon. + 0 It is to be assumed that the Baltimore base ball club has been putting in extra time this year on its New Year's resolu- tions. —_——__~+-—__—_ Ne Mere Street Switching. At the hearing yesterday before the Com- missioners on the question of the grant of certain street railroad extensions it was made plainly apparent by the Engineer Commissioner that hereafter the local au- thorities would insist upon the prevention of the switching of cars in the street. No more stub lines would be recommended by the Commissioners, he said, and in this he will receive the hearty support of the citi- zens, who have been menaced and annoyed tong enough by this system of street term- inals. A few years ago a woman was killed at the terminus of the Washington and Georgetown branch line running to the Baltimore and Ohio depot, solely because the street was used for shifting purposes. Stepping off one car at what she had every reason to believe was the end of the line she was struck by a car that was being switched from the stub line beyond the stopping point. The accident cad the introduction of a bill in Congress requiring all the street railroad companies to abandon the practice of switching their cars in the streets. Representations were made by the companies regarding their plans for the future, however, that caused the ptgeon- holing of the bill and it is gratifying now to observe that the official sentiment has to be heard on the subject of pensions, | centered in condemnation of the system of using the streets for shifting ground. The loop plan is far preferable and it is to be hoped that all the street railroad exten- sions.that may hereafter be granted will be coupled with the condition that the terminals take the form of a loop or that the companies acquire ground adjacent to the terminals within which the switching can be done without endangering the lives and limbs of other users of the thorough- fares. ——~+s__ The difficulty in arousing the average citizen in China to patriotic enthusiasm lies in the fact that he could not be much worse off under any other conditions than ‘he is at present. ——_re+e—___ With Mr. Letter controlling the bread and Mr. Armour the meat, it is difficult td Predict what will happen to the sandwich market this year. ——r+2s—__ As an acter, Fitzsimmons is naturally Suspicious of the efforts of a rival in the Profession to tempt him to attempt an en- core. ——_>+2—____ There is danger that in a short time the 4 will become an obsolete quantity in New York’s “400.” SHOOTING STARS, January 1. Three hundred and sixty-four days in thé year (A man is a generous elf), He devotes to reforming the public so dear And he only keeps one for himself, A Ceremony Omitted. “It grieves me,” remarked young Mrs. Torkins, “to see you losing interest in the old-fashioned holidays.” “Did you think I was losing interest in them after the way I celebrated Christ- mas?” asked her husband. “I am sure you are. Here it is almost New Year day and you haven't said a word about starting a scrap book.” An Ideal Situation. “We've been insulted, so they say!” The statesman smiled in strange delight. “The country’s rich enough to pay And not quite big enough to fight. An Opinion Indorsed. “I am not one of those,” said the enthusi- astic young man, “who believe that the old sentiments are dying out. I believe that the present is developitg a race of pa- triots.”” “No question about it,” replied Senator Sorghum, with hearty approval. “And ‘we've seen some hot finishes in the last few campaigns.” A Matter of Direction, “Aren't you afraid that child is rather forward in its conversation?” asked the bachelor relative. “Oh, no, indeed,” replied the fond mother serenely. “It’s all we can do to keep it from talking back.” New Leaves. Does you hyuh de res'less rustle like de talkin’ of de sea; Like de dry leaves in Novenbuh as dey scattuhs ‘'neaf de tree? Does you hyuh de soun’ a-comin’ wif a flut- ter an’ a whiz Till you stops yoh work to listen an’ to wonduh what it is? An’ we all tu’ns ovuh. Each kin fin’ a page to suit, Fus’ o’ Janawary An’ it’s time to resolute. Dah’s & chance foh ev’'ybody to come ‘long an’ celebrate; Ain’ no one so puffick he kin hang aroun’ an’ wait. Big an’ little sinners has a license foh to Jine. Banks is some folks’ Weakness, same as chicken coops is mine. So, le’s all tu’n ovuh Wifout stoppin’ to dispute. Fus’,o' Janawary An’ it's time to resolute. ————~+eo____ Typical Pension Cases. From the New York Times. The suggestion that the way to make the pension roll a roll of honor is to paste it up in every country post office, as is now done with the list of undelivered letters, is worthy a brilliant mind. How would it suit the Times to go a step further and send needy veterans to the poor house for the purpose of making “the pension roll an un- doubted roll of honor?’—The Ogdensburg Journal. During its investigation of pension frauds in 1895 the Times found a pensioner, whom we will call S. C., living on a farm near the city of Ogdensburg. He draws $12 a month. His pension was granted for the alleged disabilities of “disease of the liver and respiratory organs,” constituting “‘in- capacity to perform manual labor.” He not only carries on his farm, but is the greatest hunter in Ogdensburg. It is said that he can “chase a fox further than any other man in St. Lawrence county.” He is noted as a man of great endurance. In the city of Ogdensburg the Times found another pensioner, L. M., who draws a pension of $12 a month for “total deaf- ness of the right ear and disease of the nervous system.” He is a barber, and works in his shop from early morning until 10 o'clock at night. He carries on a con- versation in an ordinary tone of voice. The local board of pension examiners refused to recommend him for a pension, and he went before the Watertown board. Another Ogdensburg pensioner is J. P. He draws $12 a month on a certificate of total disability from hernia and a wound in the left hand. When a reporter of the Times visited him he was engaged with another man !n piling long and very heavy three-inch planks upon a high pile in a lumber yard. Cc. P. is another Ogdensburg pensioner. He gets $12 a month for total disability from intestinal disease, and was found, looking brown, healthy and robust, piling wood in his back yard. This brave defend- er of his country and tireless claimant of the bounty enlisted as a private on Febru- ary 16, 1865, marched with unflinching cour- age as far as Malone, and was mustered out July 1, 1865, without ever having had a musket in his hands. There is nothing exceptional about these cases. They are rly typical of that great part of the list which bears the names of pensioners who draw the maximum pension for total disability while continuing to pur- sue their ordinary and lucrative occupa- tions, some of them being engaged in hard manual labor. Perjury lies at the bottom of all these cases, and perjury invalidates any contract or grant based on it. —————»++e—___ The Ins and Outs of Trading Stamps. From the Dry Goods Chronicle (New York). Between the red-stamp merchant and the green-stamp merchant and the no-stamp merchant there must come a merry war, and, aside from the proprietor of the sckeme, we believe the no-stamp man must eventually have the best of it. We get a good many letters from men who went thoughtlessly into it and now want to get out without trouble, but are th by the stamp schemers with lawsuits for breach of contract. Wi , : ; 2 FY ; 5 Fd Ed 3Pure Lucca OLIVE OIL, 90c. for full quart bottles W. S. THOMPSON, Ed PHARMACIST, 708)15TH,STREET. ; Sas. ‘ail RAAA Stalee’s Photos Are Unique and Daintily Finished. W. H. STALEE, 1107 F St. de31-16d bc iets dh Sl Bon th Boctieatinad NNN NNN a Ne FY 5 FY C7 Open until 3 p.m. tomorrow. Send us your order for New Year's Cream and Ices Tonight if possible. Then we will be certain to send just the flavors you wish—at the most convenient hour for you. Dozens of flavors, dozens of pleasing —— molds. INDIVIDUAL ICs. MERINGUES. LAYER CAKE. ‘6c. and 5de. each de31-f,m,w-28 Lansburgh & Bro. Open until noon tomorrow. Some of you may have forgotten the little nec-= essaries to complete your toilets for calling or receiving, so we will keep open until noon tomor- row. Our stock of Gloves, Hos- Neck- a Ss eens ae wear and Jewelry for both iery, Handkerchiefs, sexes is as correct and varied as one would care to select from. LANSBURGH & BRO. 420, 422, 424, 426 7th St. {We'll Be Open} "Till Late Tonight So if you've forgotten anything for New Year's dinner-come to ua. All the Meats, Game, Fish, Sea Food, Poul- try, Vegetables ana Finits in are never missing from our disple CF Only the finest finds a Yet, prices are lowest for Cottage Market,818 14th St. de31-f,m,w-20, eee. Our Emulsion of Cod Liver Oil is SO Much Better —for you to take than the pure oll or the * ordinary stock —emuision It's always * frestly compounded—oniy purest medi- * clues, Including the highest grade of Nor- $ Weglun Cod Liver Oil, are used in prepar- ing it—and it has no ‘disagreeable taste or odor. L735e. 1% pint; 6c. pint. Arlington Drug Store, Cor. Vt. Ave. & H Stas inset, Artistic Souvenir Boxes —for cut flowers, handsomely decorated. Tropical plants of all kinds in pots, for decorative purposes, . W. Kimmel, 805 Vt. Ave. -20d Tom SMT Tea NT A Headache | Is Often Caused | * by wearing eyeglasses or {j| spectacles with UNSUIT- [f ABLE LENSES. H If you are a sufferer, let us examine your ‘eyes and fit PROPER GLASSES, which * willassuredly give you relief. "_M°Allister« Feast: (Opticians, “131 1” Fst! SR eso LOEFFLER’S SAUSAGE: the finest that can be made of choice meats and pure spices. Ask your dealer for it—or come to our stands. "PEONE A. LOEFFLER, 1617, Center—K Street—Western and O St. Markets. de31-f,m,w-20 “ 4 i These Prices 5 Ought to Bring Stove Buyers From all parts of South Washington—for folks know that gre: baedle only the best makes of the makers: He RH HK Te aaa ame Ta 5 gine w. Barker,«> Siw. de31-f,m,w-28 26 Mince Pies and Fruit Cake —made in the original baked ts 6 Golicioes micoty ia © ‘Order by mail or "phone 1564. Holmes’ Landover Mkt., 1st & E Sts, Some ‘ovens You'll The Busy Corner, 8th and Market Space. ; — A WAPPY WEW YEAR, CLOSED TOMORROW. This is for our friends, of- ' which we have legions. there should be an enemy we grant that he enjoy the same wish. Thle YEAR OF *97, which is about to lose its last sparkle, has been kind and generous to us. We came among you some four years ago total strang- ers, we would be a welcome addi- tion to the already many old not knowing whether established concerns. first day of our opening was an ovation which made our success instantaneous. S. Kann,Sons&Co. We began to grow . and have been growing ever since and still haven't got our full growth yet. We have planned our business cam= paign for 1898, SO THOROUGH AND COMPLETE, THAT NOT A SINGLE DAY SHALL PASS YOUR NOTICE WITHOUT SOME GREAT ITEM OF INTEREST WulGh IS TO BE SEEN RECARDING OUR ESTABLISHMENT AND ITS DOINGS. S. KANN, Sols & CO _ 8th St. and Market Space, Closed Ti f Closed all day tomorrow-- (New Year’s) --At-- PERRY’S. We want to call your special attention to our an- nouncement in tomorrow’s “Star” of the Semi-annual Clearing Sale of Ladies’ and Misses’ Jackets, Capes, Suits and Furs—and also the large advertisement of reductions all over the store that will be printed = day's “Post.” $ You will find it most profitable reading in both papers. Sun- PERRY’S Established 1840. ‘Telephone 995, Penn. A) Ninth St Geo. F. Muth & Co., 418 7th st. ow Class Painters use first-class materials only. We have the best stock of Pure Lead, Oil, Turpentine and Colors, Brushes —in fact, anything needed by a paint- ¢t—to be found in the city. More than this, we can save you money, Come in and get our prices, Successors Geo. Ryneal, Muth & Co. asia det-1m-50 MEN’S — | SHIRTS & D’R’S HALF PRICE. | | diode S (This is the way TEEL is Se52 5% clesing ont # lot of “odd lz SI35 2p tm Men's Pine High-ciass Under * wear! 935 Pa. Ave. de31-400 eee Call for 1898 Calendar—freet ee Mine Coal At Summer Prices! At this mid-winter season we are offering the best burning and most lasting “Lee” Mine Coal—at mn pr Doesn't this “enterprise” merit your pa- tronage? "Phone Johnson Bros., 1206 F St. 1515 7th st. 14th and 1D SW. and K sts. 13th and Water sts. #.w, de30-16d DDOOPN-9N-N0900 LY Se bres Beds : Lower! ; omfertable sleeping quarters at little expense. The prices on White and Bress Beds have been lowered to clese out the present stock at once. $5.00 ones for. $8.50 ones for. $13.00 ones for. $7.00 ones for. $12.50 ones for. $15.00 ones for. Springs to fit at $1.50 up. Well’ make you a epiemild Hair Mat- tress for $4.50 up! Th Houghton ~. Q acsosoa «1214 F St. ForNewYear’s —receptions and Holiday Vv 0 Q Q Q | Q Q 0 entertaining good vines and lquers are indispensable. We're — a choice stock this season, compe ising y unsurpassable brands of ‘Wines, Whiskics, Brandies, Champagnes, ete. Crour Fine Old” Kentucky na Whisky can't be beat. §4 full qt. bort W. R. Brown, 2oth & Pa. ave. och0-3m,14 2 ET OTS {10° 30* OFF; + PRIOR TO MOVING! It's policy for uf to diminish stock as mach » possible prior to moving in our pew build- ing, 6 doore above—and it’s policy for you 5 fe take advantage of the Savings this Removal » Sale offers. 10 to 30 per cent off everything in stock! ’ ‘ ‘Fred. A. Schmidt, 504 9th.’ wz tous My Must Be Very Good vwe we a ‘other kind that they thought was richer or more delicious. Try it— tomorrow, “Kiondike” Lung Protector,