Omaha Daily Bee Newspaper, December 23, 1888, Page 4

THE OMAHA DAILY BEE: SUNDAY DECEMBER 23, 1888 -—SIXTEE PAGES. THE DAILY BEE, PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. TERMS& OF SUBRCRIPTION, Pally Morning Bdition) inclnding SUSDAY Brk, One ¥ ored . . For Six Months for Three Months [iE OMANA SUNDAY TR, sddreas, One Year, 10 1ER, Oue Year. ... . v s CHICAGO OFFICE BT ROOKERY BUILDING New YOk Orrice, ROOMS 14 AND 15 TRiW RUMLDING, WASRINGTON OFFICE, NO. FOURTEENTH STHERT. CORRBSPONDENCE All communications relating to news and sdi- Norial matter should be addressed to the Epitor OF THE BER. 1y N SS LITTERS, All business Ietters and remittances should be aditensed 1o Tix HER PUBLISHING COMPAXY, DAt A Dratts. chacks and postofice orders to De madé pagable to the order of the company. Th Bee Pablshing Company Proprictors . ROSEWATER, THE DALY BE Sworn Statement ot Circulation. Btateof Nebraska, |4 o County of Dougins, (% £k O B Jeorge 3. Tzschuck, socretary ot The Bes Pub- et Company, A06s solemnly swear that the Retnad circalation of T DAILY TEE for the week ending December 22, 1888, was as follow: Eunday, Dec. 10 Monday, Dec. 17 it 210 0 600 o 250 mailed to any Friday, 1 Baturday, De: Average.. ‘ X L TZ8UHUCK. and subscribed in my er A, D, 1885, ary Public. Eworn to hefore me presence this nd day of Dece Feal . FEIL, Btate of Nebraska, [ County of Donzins, fintd Guorge b, ‘I7schuck, being duly sworn, oses And says that he is secretary of Publshing company, that the actual av daily circulation of Tk DAL for the month of Decembeor, 1857, 15,041 c¢ for Jun- uary, 158, 15,208 cople 1548, 5,00 coples; for March, 1588, 19,659 coples; for 1885, 14,744 coples! for May, 1858, 17,181 for 1888, 43 coples; for July, 1R 18,033 o 1844, 18,183 copie: for Hoptembe 15,150 coplos;’ for Octobe 1958, was 8084 coples; for November, 1888 18,986 coplos, GEO. 1. TZSCHUCK. JBworn to before mo and subscriboed in my Dresence this ¥th day of Decomber, 1535, N. P. FEIL_Nofary Public, —— THERE are but two representatives from Omaha among the four hundred and six students enrolled in the Uni- versity of Nebraska. Evidently, Omaha {5 paying n groat deal for her whistle. TAT it the directors of the board of trade may do with regard to the se- lection of a secretary, it is to be hoped that they will not forget the lesson taught them by the freight burcau ex- perience. de- 1 Tine new year will make its debut with an eclipse of the sun, which will be total on the Pacific slope, and par- tial in these parts. V few of the present generation have seen a solar eclipse on New Year's Ds WitiLe the laboring men have been favored by the mildness of the season nnd consequent reduction of coal bills, there is a serious loss felt by the men who are usually engaged at this time of the year in gathering the ice crop. THE recent exposure pmuggling overations in and other valuable merchandise into the United States from Canada will muke it nec ry, apparently, to estab- lish an unbroken line of custom houses all along our northern border. opium, silks It 15 estimated that six millions were fnvested 1n the evection of new build- ings at Denver during the year. What is especially remarkable about Denver's building boom is, that the greater part of this capital is invested in dwellings. Denver, undoubtedly, is a charming residence city. A MR. HENRY SHARON, of Chicago, filed a petition for divorce from his wife at5o'clock on one Wednesday after- noon and was divorced atexactly 10 o'clock the next morning. With such & record it is quite evident Chicago is jealous of its reputation and will brook no competition of rivals in the divorce business. THE rigors of winter, if they have not yet been felt in our vicinity, have given warning to the mining camps in the mountains of Wyoming and Colo- rado to shut down for the season, The output for the year cannot now be re- liably computed. The estimato of pro- duction is smid to be somewhat less than last year, but no statement is accepted until tlre veport of the mint is made public. CHARLES FRANCIS ADAMS does not stand alone in denouncing the dishon- esty of railroand officials, At a recent meeting of the managers of the roads in the Western Freight association, Presi- dent Stickney, of the Chicago, Kunsas City & St. Paul railvoad, charged the present demoralized state of afairs to the recklessness of railroad officials and their willful violations of the inter- state commorce law. Now that the cat s coming out of the bag, the true in- wardness of railroad wrecking is coming to light. Bmboldened by the confes- sions of the presidents of two railroad eompanies, others will, in due time, take the stand and let the people know Just what kind of men railvond mana- gors are and by what methods they play Ialse to the public and to each other. Tue dedication of the opening of the new wing of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in the city of New York is an oe- casion of great interest, notalone to the metropolis, but to the whole country, The grand purpose of the trustees, to provide a collection of objects of art that shall be useful in the improvements of the arts of America, and in cultivat- lug the taste of the people to the high- est standards, gives prmise of an early realization. By the liberality of public spivited citizens rich collections of works of antiquity are being gathored undor a single roof. When the Museum shall be fully equipped, it will have a groat educational work before it It will provide instruction for the indus- trial classes, and will hold the models for the highest works of art and the rarest treasures representing the hand- Iwork of man, The oyes of the whole country are turued on New York. Whatever advance in art workmanship 1s made in painting, in the carving of wood, in metal working, in the textile [avrics, due to the inspiration of works of art in the Musewn, spreads its influ- ence from one vad of our country to the other, A WORD OF TIMELY ADVICE. The retail liguor dealers of Omaha are again in turmoil over what they deem to be a great menace 1o their in- terests. Like the bull who tries to buck the locomotive these men are silly enough to force a confl which is suro to end in disaster to themselves more than to anybody else. When the ture enacted the high license law seven years ago, as the outcome of a struggle over prohi- bition, the liquor dealers of thts city flew into a passion and a d themeelves against the law and everybody who stood for its en- forcoment. They terrorized the city authorities and threatened to precipi- tate a general outbreak if an attempt was made to carry out the plain letter of the law, Instead of obeying the law thoy forced the council to misinterpret it and carried on an outlaw traffic for months and. years after the supreme court had pronounced the act valid. Such indefensible conduct mnaturally weakened the honest supporters of high license regulation and recruited the ranks of the prohibitionists. Believing high license to be the means for effectively regulating the evils of the liguor traflic, THE BEE has never ceased to advocate the high li~ cense system. It has done so when to do it wus to invoke the wrath of the liquor dealers, and it has continued as the champion of high license at the risk of being denounced by prohibition- ists as a whisky organ. But Tie Bee has no patience with shams. It believes in enforcing the luw in every essential particular, and it regards such strict enforcement as the only breakwater against prohibi- tion. The liquor dealers of Omaha have altogether too many fool friends. The roustabout politicians who congregate nightly in the saloons and the editors who live off their patronage, are con- stantly advising them to do the wrong thing at the right time. They make believe that the Omaha liquor dealer is a terribly oppressed and downtrodden citizen. They tell him that resistance to the tyranny of the mayor and the police commission is his only safeguard. They profess to be shocked at the interference of the state with their liberties, and propose all sovts of plots and counter plots to subvert the law and obstruct the eity government. Now we venture to give the liquor dealers a piece of friendly advice. This paper cares very little whetherit passes us the friend or the enemy of the saloon keepers. Itis opposed to prohibition, both from self-interest and princi- ple. It does not want to subject Omaha and Nebraska to the blighting effects of prohibitory logislation. The only effective way to block prohibition is to rigidly enforce high license. Unless the liquor d evs prefer to be made outlaws they had better show some respect for law and keep their hands out of the charter and off the city councii. No man who in- tends to keep an orderly house will care who constitutes the license board. The state regulates the liquor traflic not only in this country but all over Europe. The state has a perfect right to ap- point the supervisors and e officers. All the talk of the German papers about such laws doing violence to individual liberty is the rankest rot. The right to sell liquor does nov belong to any particular individual unless he obeys the regulations which the state imposes ou those who sell liquor. The interference of the saloonists with the city council is demoralizing and intol- erable. If the retail liquor dealers of Omaha know what is gzood for them, they will dismiss their fool friends, quit plotting, cease to meddle with the coun- cil, and try to observe the luw as near as they can. REFORMS AND REFORMERS. At this stage of American progress and economie evolution when the most profound thinkers are grappling with many grave problems, it is not uncom- mon for people of more than common intelligence to be duped by char- latans and mountebanks. Such an instance has just come under our notice in the announcement that the Single Tax league of Boston had extended an invitation to Edward At- knson to address it upon the scheme of tax veform, for the promotion of wh the league has been organized. Bdward Atkinson has endeayored for a long time to pose as a Truthful James, a faithful creature whose devotion to ab- stract justice compelled him to state to the world facts that were unpalatable but were true. He has been all the while a subsidized servant of corporations and monopolies. While posing before the country as a second Benjamin Franklin he has pr tended to enlighten farmers on the rai roand problem and posed before con- gressional committees ns a represent tive of the industrial classes, when in fact he was on the Pacific railroad pay volls for playing anti-monopolist. This spurious friend of the farmer and laborer has been boomed by those to whom his tricky figuring had become serviceable,asa man of profound knowl- edge whose reasoning was to be relied upon. That any well-informed set of men in enlightened New England should at this late day desire the views of Edward Atkinson on any economic issue passes our comprehension. It is & pity that more is not known of the Single Tax league, of Boston, so that a little light might be thrown upon this appearance of Atkinson, who 15 in the most complete discredit with the producing and industrial class. As there is no reason for believing that the workingmon of Boston have less intel- ligence than their fellows in other cities it may be conjectured that the Single Tax League that evinced such a hunger for Edward Atkinson’s copious misinformation, i{s composed of rich men like unto the Nineteenth Century clun, of New York, where Courtland Palmer and Andrew Carnegio rubbed shoulders against socialists and anar- chists. These monopoly millionaires take a pleasure in the coansideration of Utopian schemes, and give themselves aredit for a real desire for the world’s progress, They listen to the most fan- tustic schemes in a spasm of intellectual rapture, but their money is always available for any trust or combination legis that may be suggested for extracting cent per cent profits out of the commun- ity. They have a natural sympathy for sham reformors and humbugs who find 1n them the most patient ot heavers and tho most ardent of advertisers. But they have an extreme repulsion for the true reformer and avoid and decry him at all times and in all companies. Yet these Utopians have their uses. They propare the public mind for real reform. If the Utopians did not break up the ground, the world would never believe that there was anything wrong or that there was any real need of re- formation. They obtain a hearing for the true men, not purposely but inci- dentally. So the encyclopedists of France, though they were perfectly satisfied with the old regime made pos- sible the coming in of the revolutionary party, whose motives at first were most honorable, and who drifted into ex- cosses simply because they had not in- tellect enough to comprehend the situ- ation. But outofall the blood shedding of the reign of terror came many real reforms which have benefitted France and mankind to this day. They are not the reforms of which the Utopians dreamed, but those idealists turned the attention of Irance towards tho necessity of a change and gave the im- pulse that culminated in the republic. "'ORS. absurd- PRO1ECTION FOR A( One of the greatest ities among the many that have grown out of the late crusade for restricting immigration isthe request of American actors that the contract labor law be g0 amended as to exclude for- eign actors from this countr, The in- tent of the advocates of this remarkable proposition is not to keep out “stars,” but to prevent any forcign actor of dis- tinction who may come to this country from bringing a supporting company with him. Salvini. Coquelin, Irving, or any other eminent light of the foreign stage, may come to our shores without hindrancs but if he act here he must surround himself with native talent, aund necessarily such talent as he shall hap- pen to find disengaged, and therefore in a majority of cases the least to be de- sired. The pleais that Bnglish actors will work for-less pay than Americans, and that their influx is reducing the salaries of the native actors as well as depriving them of employment. Tt is singular that this proposition toexclude foreign actors should have the approval of such intelligent and cminent men in theiv profession as Idwin Booth, Law- rence Barrett and Joseph JeiTerson. Obviously a vestriction of the kind proposed would not be in the interest of dramatic art nor just to the pa- trons of that art. Its eflect would doubtless be to exclude some of the dis- tinguished actors of Burope, who would not care to risk their reputation by playing with a support made up of strolling players who cither by reason of tneir habits or their inferior -ability are unable to secure regular engage- ments. Irving, for example, would be almost certain to make a failure if re- quired to act with a company unfamiliar with his methods and having no expervi- ence of his training and discipline. His success has been in no small degree due to the careful selection and thorough training of his support, and it is even more necessary now than at the beginning of his ca- reer that he should do this, He could not otherwise do justice to him- self or to the plays in which he appears. And this applies to any star, foreign or native. Neither Mr. Booth nor Mr. Barrett could act to the best advantige with a supporting company picked up at hap-hazard, and subjected to buta few days of instruction and training. Such a condition could not but be de- trimental to dramatic art in this coun- try, and it would be unjust to the pa- trons of the drama, who are entitled to the highest attainable excellence in its production. Mr. Barrett does not reason well when he refe to Cooke, the elder Booth, Macready and other giants of the English stage as having been sutisfied to accept the support of Amer 1can actors, because the conditions in their day was very different from those now prevailing. Then every theater had its carefully selected stock com- pany of actors who had begun at the foundation, as Mr. Barrett did, recei ing a thorough training and discipline as they advanced. The majority of actors to-day in this country have had no such experience. The combination system does not nocessitate it nor admit of it. There ave many clever people in special parts on our stage, who if they were required to do the work of the stock actors of the past—such work as Booth and Barrett did, for example— would not be able to hold an engage- ment a week in any woll regulated theater. There is no experienced and capable actor in this country who need ever be without employment, it he be also a trustworthy wman,at prices that will fairly remunerate him for his work. This class of actors ave not compli- mented by the appeal for protection, nor, indeed, is the profession as a whole. It is rather degrading to the self-respect of the American actor. The truth is, the Buropean stages are in better condition than the stage in America. They are more carefully and intelligently managed, considercd generally, with an honester regard for dramatic art. There are a fow theaters in the United States conducted by the highest standards, where the drama is prosented with a completeness and ex- cellence nowhere surpassed, but, s every intelligent person kuows, a very great deal that is served out to the American people would not be toler- ated in Burope, and the plays are not worse than the “‘art” of their presenta- tion. We need, therefore, if the condi- tion of our stage is uot to become lamentably worse than for the most part it is, the example which the model dramatic companies of Europe can sup- ply, and we shall continue to need it so long as the present methods in this country, essentlally deteriorating to dramatic art, continue. It is presumed that the average congresasman ueither knows nor cares much about dramatic art, but those who do have regard for it, apart from and above any relations which the Ameri- can aotor may have to 1it, will demand that the appeal for the native ‘‘ham- fatters™ shalliot be heeded. THE VETERAN POET John G. Whittier, on last Monday, celebrated W' foighty-first birthday. But one other distinguished American poet has lived td a greater age. Will- fam Cullen Beyant died at eighty-four, Longfellow at saventy-five, Emerson at seventy-nine and F Green Halleck at seventy-seven. Oliver Wendell Holmes isin hiseightioth year,with faculties un- impaired andw physical vigor promising yet many years of his most usoful life. Tennyson is in his eightieth yoar, with his life-work ended, and Browning, at eighty-six, has wholly ocoased to labor. The gentlo Quaker poot, whoso sweet and tender song is so infinitely human in all its moods and aspivations, has not yet abandoned all o fTort. But he tells the world that song does not come to him as it once did. The words he wants avoid him. What he now undertakes is accomplished with great effort. During the past year he has written but two poems, both short, but infused with the old spirit. He is busying himself with a revision of his writings, and he expects that this will be his last labor., In his charming country seat at Onk Knoll, where every want of the kindly old poet is cared for by female cousins who love him as a ather, John G. Whittier's declining years.ore rvich in all the solacing mem- ories and influences of a puve life that bas performed its task faithfully and well. His interest in human- ity is as hearty ever, his pa- triotism as active as in the days when he thrilled the nation with his vinging verse. Many visit him to enjoy the geni. influence that he spreads about him,and his daily mail conveys to him numerous assurances of the regard in which he 1s held by those who know lim ounly through his song. May the veteran poet © many more birthdays, each bringing with it increased evidence of the love and es- teem in which he is universally held. —— AS TO PORT GCMAHA. Aftor a two weeks’ sence from the city I find myself welcomed back asusual by a fusilado of would-be journali who have for years made it their occu- pation to blackwash mo. Tt hardly pays to tire a cannon at a fly. I should certainly take no notice of the con- temptible pratile of the smull-bore gos- siper who has ventured to set alloat the stupid canard thav my opposition to the relocation of Fort Omaha 1s inspired by mercenary motives, it were not convinced that the eciti- zens of Omaha are about to suffer incaleulable damage by the consum- mation of this scheme. The fact that I'have persistently op- posed the remoyal of Fort Omaha from its present site for four years, and was largely, if not chiclly, instraments in the defeat of the Fort Omaha removal bill in the last congress is in itsell the most effectiv contradiction of the story that the atti- tude of Tz BiE has in any way, shape or manner, been based on negotiations with army oflicars for the oceupancy of the new Biziz building. My opposition to the Port Omaha removal scheme has, from the outsst, been inspired by what I sincerely believed to be detrimental to the material welfare of Omaha. On this point [ kuow the business men of Omaha are a unit, excepting perhaps two or three who expect to profit by real estate commissions or sales of land. In common with the best informed and most largely interested tax regard the removal of Fort Oma point ten miles boyond the city limits as a serious blow to eur prosperity, for which no amount of appropriation will afford compeusation. To all intents and purposgs the fort might as well be in Cheyenne as to be below Bellevue, where the parties who are engineering this project propose to locate it. The location below Ballevue may not be as damaging to the Omahaof to-day as the location of the Union Pacific bridge, which these sume land speculators sought to bring about, would have been to the Omaha of fifteen years ago. But I venture to assert that Omaha can better afford to pay two thousand dol- lars for every acre which may be necaed for the permanent enlargement of the present fort than to allow the fort to be removed under the bill that passed con- gress last summe r. Right here lot me stato that I have ollar’s worth of interest in any real estate north of Douglas or south of Farnam streets. Ihave no pecuniarvy intorest near Fort Omaha or any locality which is competing for the new fort. My sole desire is to prevent a great blunder and presevve for this city what was acquired in the oarly days by the generous liberality of her eitizens. The proposed change has never been looked upon favorably by any of tho various communders of this department, or any prominent army oflicer located here. That fact and the universal op- position of our citizens, entirely unin- fluenced by any newspaper controversy, should have some weight with our representatives in congress, who can, by a united effort, have the removal bill repealed and a bill enlarging the pres- ent fort substituted. E. ROSEWATER, as celeb THE people of 5t, Louis will be able to extract considerable comfort in spite of the adverse decision just rendered in the supreme court of that state in the Bell telephone ease. The company resisted the attempt of the city to fix a maximum rate for the rental of a tele- phone instrument on the ground that the authorities have mno right to fix the rates, The supreme court sustmined the appeal and the Bell telephone company apparently won a substantial victory. The raling of the Missouri court in this instance 19 in direct conflict with the decision of the Indiana supreme court which de- clared valid an ordinance of the city of Indianapolis fixing a reasonable maxi- mum charge. It will be seen therefore that the question at point is oue which depends on the powers conferred upon a city by its charter. The Missouri court held that the right to fix tele- phone charges is not given to the city of St. Louis, while the Iudiana deci- sion would imply that such powers were vested in the authorities of the city of Indianapolis by its charter. It must not be presumed, however, that the right to fix such maximum charges are denied by the supreme court of Mis- couri. The courts recognized that the rvights and privileges which the Bell company enjoy asa public corporation make it subject to public regulation. For that reason the state had the right to fix and prescribe a maximum rate for telephone service, if denied to the city of St. Louis by reason of its de- fective charter. THE holiday season in *Omaha this year has beon an’ agrecable surprise to people who do the shopping, as well as those who do the selling. Never be fore has Omaha exhibited sueh asuperb display of holiday goods, ranging from costly works of art down to the cheapoest of toys, and at no time before has the been such varie for selection with prices within the reach of tho smallest purse. Omaha is getting to be truly metropolitan in all that the word im- pli IN spite of tho unscasonable woeathor the me nts of this city have overy reason to congratulate themselves over a prosperous holiduy trade. The clear- hended patrons of the advertising col- umns of THE BEE who know that it is the only medium through which all classes of our population can be reachod have reaped a golden harvest. VOIO I OF THE STATE PRESS, 8, says the Norfollk the water in the shape “Judicious advertis| Nows, ‘s as bread cast upon which returns after a few da of sponge eake.' The democratic Johnson County Journal has positive information that the “‘surplus of republican statesmen is the first surplus that will engage the attention of Mr. Harrison." Says the Fairmont, Signal: “Hon. John A, Dempster is the people’s esndidate for speaker of the house of representatives, The combine against him, like that against the re- nomination of Attorney-General Leose, will fail to defeat him." The Hastings Nebraskan thinks the situa- tion will be complicated and interosting enough 1 the Nebraska logislature this winter to make real statesmen of the success- ful members, while the political graves of others will be fairly yawning for them be- fore the session is over, I, 5 rrell’s announcement that he is not a candidate for secretary of the state senate leads the Fremont Tribune to remark that this leaves Brad Slaughter as the heir apparent. When Brad Slaughtor isn't heir apparent to something of this sort the mer- cury is low in the thermometer, he Grand Island Tndependent notes the ct that a constitutional convention may be provided for by the next session of the legis- lature, and says that *if one is held it should provide for an independent railroad commis- sion or prohibit explicitely the crcation of one by evasion of the constitution as has been done.” The Hastings Nebraskan thinks it is possi- ble that the declaration of one of the mem- bers-elect that the coming legislature *is the most_intelligent ever clected in the state” may be trae, “aud will be very gratifying, of course, if it proves to be the case, but this scems to have been the invariable opin ion just before a new legislature assembled.’ Of Hon. John A. Dempster's candida for spealier of the state house of representa- tives, the York Times says: “He was member of the last legislature and made an excellont record. He is a good, substantial business man, and one upon whom it is safe torely. Mr. Dempster's election would be highly pleasing to the people of this part of the state.” Commeanting on the fact thatthe state board of transportation has cost the tax- payers 312,000 in vwo years, the Howells Journal remarks: “This amount of money has been virtually thrown away. The peo- ple have received nothing for their $12,000, and the railroads have continued to rob the producers in the most approved maaner, the same as has been their custom for the past twenty years." ‘The Beatrice Democrat warns the mem- bers of the legislature from Gage county that they must not be idle, but should get out and rustle. For, it s “The time for the meeting of the legislature is drawing nigh, and the combines are now combining, the slates are being fixed. It is proper to trade your vote for speaker for any commit- tee that you may want. A great many want to beon the committee on public lands buildings. This is a real bonanza. The rail roads tender passes, or special trains to carry this committee about the state, and the committec puts in o bill for mile- age, 10 cents a mile, which doubles up the salary in great shape. Again, while the con mittee is out monkeying around public build- ings, and being banquetted at the expense of the state, there are various opportunities to accept little souvenirs in the shape of gifts of money from citizens where they want appro- priations recommended. The follow who is up to suuft is getting in his work now, and ‘Phe Democrat, with characteristic pride and patriotisi, hopes to see Gage county get there with both feet, and with her shoes on at that.” PROMINENT I’EEH()NS. Mrs, Jay Gould holds her own, Jay Gould’s beard, once black ad glossy, is now almost white. A soft black hat is 1’resident-clect Harri- son’s favor headgear, % Allen Thorudike is mentioned as a ble minister to France.” Prohibitionist St. John has taken up his home in wine-producing California, pion tennis pl of India this harajub of Kooch Behar. The Duke of Cambridge has completed his tifty-first year of service in the army, Sir Richard Webster, the English attor- ney-general, was @ noted athlete at Cam bridge. Sir Arthur Sullivan has been decorated with the order of the Medjideh by the sultan of Turke; The czar and his brothers have buiita Greek church at Jerusalem in mewory of their mother, v, the author of “Love Letters of a Violinist,” is the son of Chavies Mac- kay, the verse writer. Although this year has seen threo German emperors, not oue of them celebrated his birthday as emperor in 1858, Rider Hageard wears a queer velvet coat, cut short behind, which gives his short, lank figure a peculiar appearance. President Cleveland has accepted an invi- tation to visit Grand Rapids next year and sample the Michigan trout fishing, ‘The king of Bounz, who is on his way to England is described as a well-behaved gen- tleman, particular about the cut of Lis clothes. M. Maczuski, the distinguished chess player, has introduced the novelty of playing cards while his chess adversary is playing his chess at a distant table, Attorney General Garland’s decision to ap- pear in @& dress suit will doubtless eud his political career. No Arkansas statesman could expect to furnish the clawhamimer coat and continue in public 1ife. George Willilam Curtis is boused at his Staten Island home. Hiscomplaint is ' water on the knes,” superinduced by a hurt got while playing tenis, His pen, however, shows 0o sign of water on the eloow. “possi- year is the M CURRENT TOPIOS, Aftairs are somowhat mixed with rogard to Dakota, and-tho fiopes that were cherished of a specdy admission: to statehood of the southern section seem destined to be blighted. The inhabitants of southern Dakota are al most unit in the dotermination to achiove statehood by themselves, without paying any attention to northern Dakota or to the other territorics ey are ready for statehood, for they long ago made the neeossary propa- rations and adopted a constitution, known genorally as the Sionx Falis constitution But there are some dissenters 1o this, be cause it contains strong prohibition clauses. As, howover, there is an overwhelming m jority in southern Dakota in favor of prohi- tion, there is practically no reason save the injustice of the democratic party why south- ern Dakota should not be admitted by the prosent But the recent move ment at Aberdeen in the covter of the torri tory is an embarrassing one, and it can hardly be doubted that 1t was started for the purpose of proventing South Dakota from reaping the r d of yoars of patient effort. The men of Aberdeen pratest strenuousiy against division, because if Dakota was ad mitted as one entire state, thoy hope that their city might become the cap 1t Da- kota is divided then Bismarck would be the northern capital, and Sioux Falls the south orn, and Abordeen betieen the two stools would fall to the cold, cold ground. There is grave reason for foaving that the North- ern Pacific railway stimulated much of the controversy, and fans into flame, for pur- poses of its own, sparks of opposition that would have quickly died had they boen left to themselyes. mgross, e The Chicago Herald has investigated the sibject of deaths ascribed to *‘blowing out the gas™ with some curious results which are being widely discussed in consequence of the vengance that Representative Martin took recently upon a Washington reporter who had lampooned him as the rustic congress man that blew out the gas, The paper quoted found out by uctual experiment that ouly men with vory powerful lungs could do such a thing, and that the warnings rempting it have been so incessant that even people unaceustomed to gas would nov be likely to doit. It is far more likely that there is a flaw in the fixtures. When the screw of the valve is worn out, which is oftener the case than not, there is nothing to prevent it from turning completely round, so that mot only is the light extinguished, but the gas is turned on by the same movement This theory is very reasonable, and 1t ought to lead toareform in gas fixtures, for ap- parently 1t ought to be a very simple matier to invent a thumb-screw uot liable to an such eceentricity. The statistician is very frequently a good fetlow, but a decided crank who intoxicates himself with figures. One of them has re cently come out with the statement th eve that the sun rises upon the Am ‘can peoplo it sees an addition of two and one half millions of dollars to the national wealth. This mun evidently does not know m what the national wealth consist#t or he would have been incapable of uttering a dic tum so monstrous. Thero can be no ques- tion that oblizations and debus are not wealth, but most unfortunately this is too fine a point for the statistician, The various securities that represent the national rail- roads are debts for the most part, and yeu they form the lurgest cloment of the alleged mnational wealth, If a wan is possessed of $150,000, and is indebted to the amount of $450,000, he surely is not worth $300,000. If his business pays intor on that amoant it can only be by conditions that are temporary, and that cannot last, But the debts will last. That 1s the exact condition of the railroads which are upon the ¢ of bankrupt that are unwatered, or in other words nodebts, will not consent to abnormal rates for the sake of embarrassed roads. The con- viction has forced itself upon the minds of all honest disinterested mon that the new congressional regime will make short work of the roads in debt to the United States; will seize them, shake the water out of them, and sell them out for what thoy are intrin- sically worth. Then there will be to the statistician a great shrinkage in the national wealth, These arithmeticians make practical men tired. & The religion of the Theosophists has not come to Omaia, 80 far as is known, though itis asserted that a branchis to be estab- lished in the northern partof the state Theosophy is a blending of Roman’Catholi- cism, Buddhism, Brahmanism and Shamam- ison, with a partial return to the religion of theancient Egyptians and the doctrine of the two clements held by the prehistoric Pheeni- ciansor true A In the temple at 117 Nussau street, in New York, there is a bronze Buddha, and there ave drawings of a virgin and ehild, and also of the same virgin with two children pursued by an enormous serpent with human eyes, said to be tuko from porphyry bas veliefs in the cave temy at Ellora. Incense is burned perpetually b fore these and b the Buddha, and this is made from sandal wood with a little added gum copal. Many New York reporters have tried to learn the meaning of the v sin with the two babes pursued by the ser- pent, but have not succeeded. One moro en- terprising than his fellows consulted a jour- nalist who was thought to be un archwlogi- at well, and he said that the picture was truscan. and he proved it by taking the porterto the Astor libravy and showing him an illustration in Inghirami's great work, “I Monumenti Etruschi.” The gloom, how- ever, was not dissipated by this, for the text said this picture referred to the Goddess Latona, the wmother of Apollo and Diana. 1sut Father Inghirami was wrong, becanso tho babes are both boys, and they streteh out their hands to the serpent as if recogniz- ing thew parent. The gencral iwpression in New York seems w0 be that the Oriental theosophists are desirous of introducing a purely philosophic religion, and use theso curious and contradictory symbols just 1o ex- cite comment and get the new faith talked about, B Though Theodore Thomas gave up the struggle ngainst envious musical rivals and an indifferent public esger only for novelty, he has friends made of sterner stuff, who will not yield, At the head of these is tho piano-manufacturing nouse of the Chickerings, who have a most charming con cert hall on Fifth avenue in New York, raugements have been made for six orches- tral concerts during the month of January, and the hall will be rent-free on condition that the entire profits go to form the nucleus of a musical endowment fund. It is hoped that wealthy people will increase this by be- quests, 80 that the time may come when music of the very best character will be fur- nished to New Yorkers for an almost nomi- nal sum. Tuls is the most progressive action ever taken 1 Gotham, and musical people will begin to rogret that, as the Irishman said, they caunot be their own posterity. « e Vice President Morton, it is eurreatly stated, will demand (save the mark) the right to name which of the cabinet ofices is to be filled by @ New Yorker. Justso. New York wants the treasury, of course, for it is of the utmost importance to the bauking ele- ment of New York that the secretary of the treasury should prefer their privato inter- ests to the public good, Secretary Manning did, Secretary ¥airchild did aud does. The alifornia, Novada, Al Utah, Montana, Wy and Dakota ara 10 as At mattor of course, to the business intorests of New York capitals ists. The decision of the troasury upon the importation of bullion pigs from Moxico free of duty was meant to bo unfriendly to the wost, and it robs them of millions yearly. There s fn Omaha an institution whoso handling of load is so great that the inimical action of Secretary Fairchild makes a differ- ence to it of nearly all its profits, although | its operations are colossal. Tarn about is fair play. Lot the west take its innings, for it was the west that won the election for General Harrison, in tho assured boliof tha ho was friondly to western interests, and above all to the wronged territorios mining clements of gona, Colorudo, oming, Idaho be sacrificed, It will be remembered by Tiur Ber readery that a violent storm arose in Boston over the exclusion of a texthook from the publie schools because it gave offence to Catholics, his action was deeply resented by many la- dies, and they resolved o exercise their right of toring and voting for the municipal eleetion which took place on the 11th day of this mouth. But thero are Catholic ladies as well as Protestant ladies in the Hub, and when a whisper of what was going on roachod them they detormined to registor and to voto also. The whole fair sex of Boston felt the generous fire of religious onthusiasm glow within them, and the consequence was that over 80,000 registered and voted, The rosult has been a completo triumph of the Protes tants. The school board consists of twenty- four members, thirtoen of whom hold over. Of these thirteon eight were Catholics, and as upon the victoriors republican tioket there were no Catholic candidates for the school committee, thore will now be sixtcen Pro- testants to cight Catholics, an overwhelming majority, It will follow as a matter of courso that the text book will be restored, and that the grave question involved as to whether an indulgence is a permission tc sin will be considered as decided in the afirmative, commit Chic teaten. 1. It is absurd for Washington to hope to vival Chicago as a divorce-manufacturing center. -One judge at the capital granted five divorces i six hours Saturday, while a Chicago expert granted thirty-five in the same timg, - To Begin the New Year With, New York Herald Here is something for every American citizen to begin the new year with: Whe skilled labor in cabinet making is a drug in the market just now, I solemnly swear that 1 will attend to my own busincss give General Harrison a chance to attend to his, Guessing the Combination, Cinetnuati Commercial-Gazette, If we were persuaded to offer a conjocture it would be that the story assigning Mr. Blaine to the state department, Allison to and Platt to the secroturys ¥, mighy not be found far wrong. There is a sort of consanguinity in these sug- gestions that is impressive, - 1 the Cabinet, Boston Advertiser, It is entirely reasonablo that Mr. Harrison should offer the position of secrotary of state to Mr. Blaine unless ho wishes to offer what would génerally be considered as an affront. 1t is likely that Mr. Harrison will extend tho invitation to Mr. Blaine, and the latter is likely to decline it and then be named for some mission abroad. Ole' Virginia Ane Chicago News. The centennial celebration of the inaugure- ation of George Washington, which is to be held in New York next April, will bs at- tended by President Ha on, who comes of #ood old Virginia stoc Ac y of Prosi- dents, which began with a chicf magistrate from Virginia, will end with one whose an] cestorof the same name was three times gov ernor of that state LA The Nativity. 1. P. Sears. Calm on the listening car of might Come heaven's melodious straing, Where wild Judea gtretehes far Her silver-mantled plains. Celestial choirs, from courts above, Shed sacred glories there; And angels, with their sparkling lyres, Make music on the air, The answering hills of Palestine Send baclk the glad reply, And greet, from all their holy heignts, The daypring from on high. O'er the blue depths of Galilee There comes a holier calm, And Sharon waves, in solemn praise, Her silent groves of palm. “Glory to God,” the sounding skies Loud with their anthems ring; “Peace to the earth, good will to men, F'rom heaven's Eternal Kimg ! ton thy hills, Jernsalem, 1e Saviour now 1s born; And bright, on Bethlehem's joyous plains Breaks the first Christmas morn. - The Tenement Population, Telegram: The health depattment has just compiled an interesting census of tenement houses of New York City. ‘The term has also been construed by them in the strictest sense, and no flats are included. During the last six months 836 tene- ments have been built, The tenement house population has also beon increased by 63,303 persons. The total now is not far from 1,100, 000, or only about 500,000 less than the city’s estimated population. There are 32,200 tcnements in the city. Tn these there are 31,189 vacant suites of rooms, or nearly one for each housoe. jut, then, these are not distributed evenly, as there are only 4,570 apartmonts below Fourteenth s Above that street thore are apartments without tenant; There are 19,190 tencments th street. that thoroughfare there aro wbovo only 13.2 But with 5,970 more houses the up- town district hasonly 45,617 more apart ments than the lower one. In the downtown tenements there are 63,870 children under five years of nge. 'he number ubove Fourteenth street is 79,149, In Favor of Manitoba. MixxearoLts, *De 22 —~The Journal's Winnipeg special says that the supreme court at Ottawa hLas unanimously decided in favor of tue province of Manitoba in the dis- ylltu about the right 0 oross the Canadian Pacific tracks, e To Seo an Bolipse. 81, Louis, Dee. 22.—Profs, Nipher, Engler and Prichett, of Washing Rev. C. M. Charoppin,of St. Louis university, have star Norman, Cal., whore they will obs the solar eclipse New Ycar's day. e Perishied in the Flame Missoura, Mont,, Dee. 22 —The Exchange hotel and building adjoining it burned last evening. 3ones and fragmouts of human flesh were found in the ruins. Harry Haw- kins and George Collins are u\hm.un{), and as they were sepn in the Lotel just before the fire comumenced, it is supposed they pers hed. s Editor Pulitzer's Gifts Accepted. Pais, Do I'he municipal coancit has accoptad tho statues of Lafayette and Washe ington, presonted to tie city by Joseph Iilitzer, of the New York World.