Omaha Daily Bee Newspaper, February 5, 1891, Page 4

THE OMAHA DAILLY BEKp THE DAILY BEE. ROSEWATER Enitow. PUBLISHED RY MORNINC TERMS OF SUBSCRIPTION, ally and Sun: i Ix months. Three me nths, funday Bee, O Weekly Bee, One Ye .. 810 00 800 OF FICE Omaha, The Bee Bullding. Fouth Omaha, Corner N and 20th &t reets. Council BIuMS, 12 Poarl Streot ) Offjee, ¢ K. Rooms 13,14 une Buliding Washington, 513 Fourteenth strect CORRESPON DEN A1l communications relating o news and ditorial matter should be addressed to the Editorial Departy BUSINESS LETTERS, A1l business letters and remittances should be nddressed to The Bee Pubiishing Company, Omuhi. Drafts, checks and postoffice orders 10 he miade pryable to the order of the com- pany The Beg Publishing Comany. Proorietors, The seo WId'e, Farnam and Seventeenth Sts BWORN STALENENT OF CIRCULATION. State of Nebraska, | o Connty of Douglas, { orge B Tzschuck, secrotary of Tne Publishing compiny, does solemnly swear that the actual cirealation of Thi DAILY BE for the week ending Janu 31, 1801, was us follows Sunday January Mondiy, J o Friday Buturda Average Sworn tc presence t before m is Bist day of January A, D, 1801, N. P, Frrn, Notary Pubifo. Btate of Count raskn, Lo of Douglas, { Goorge B, Tzachuck, being duly sworn, do- oses and siys that he s secretary of TE BEE Publishing company, that the 1average Amly cliculition of TaE DALY BEE for the month of February, 1800, 761 coples Murch, 1500, .81 r A pril, for iy, 100, 41180 copl es; for July, 1500, 750 coplis; for aher, i for October, 180, 2 cop- 15 copies; for Do- 1401, Copies. /A6 oD Sworn t presence, t yre me, and Slstduy of January, A. D. 1801 N. P, Fein, N BROKEF : elu- ‘o chiefly interesting for what he rmitted to reveal THE official and final consus of Omaha are 140,432, sand | isnot | Now let w the enrth. ns a little limate is imposed and admits that the Nebraska 100 good natured to be furthe; upon. Ta stion may bo n candi cates o what may come at that Senator Gopman e for president indi- ase ends the democracy I¥ gubernatorial messages, like wine, grow better with age, ex-Governor Thayer's valedictory ought to be of un- usual interest when it is delivered today. THE real estato exchange proposes to check the offering of promiscuous reso- lutions by confining them to specific meetings. The change is commendable. DEs| i the vacuum 1n the South Da- ot treasury, the legislaturo does not hesitato tosquander $1,000 a day in a fruitless effort to olect a United States senator. DoN CAMERON triumphed over his enemios in the senatorial fight, but thoy have the best of him in the matter of the silver pool. They are making the most of it., Tre alaerity displayed by Speakor Elder in reversing himself is proof of a genuine desire to shape his decisions to suit all membors, Whatmore do por- liamentary sharps want? ANOTITER grent oil well has boen dis- coverad in Wost Virginia, but as it has already been cornered by the Standard company there will be noreduction from former prices tothe publ IT WAS a trying and thrilling mo- ment, requiring uncommon nerve and will power, Yet, despite a surplus of both, Monsicur Eyraud lost his head in the subsequent proceedir WuiLe the legislature is in the bounty-repealing mood, why not ex- punge that bounty of $2 and 3 on wild animal scalps, There should he no dis- crimination in this variety of reform. Tureinmatesof the Norfolk asylum cost the state an average of $5.10 por week exclusive of the salariesof officers. At that rate there is surely nothing lack- ing to make their lifo a perennial hol- day. It begins to look as if some distin- guished American public men would get over their heads in the silver pool, after all. The peoplo are about ready to draw the line of speculation ut specula- tive statesmen. JONN SHERMAN’S name is now sug- gested for the treasury portfolio. Ho has alroady written his name high in the annals of that department and could add nothing to his fame asa financier by another service. —_—— A rew Nebraska and Towa cities re- ceive small amounts for public buildings in tho sundry civil appropriation bill, Considering the number of treasury watehdogs awake in congress, western cities have reason to nkful for small favors. be t IT is notablo that in this season of radical statesmanship Governor Prancis of Missouri has made quite a reputation by advocating good wagon roads for his state. This issue appeals peculiarly to the horse sense of the publie. It is being gonerally endorsed and is more useful than a proposition to make everyboly rich by the magic of legislation. —_——— gested that Robert Ray Ham- ilton may not be dead, after all, That is an idea that occurred to a good many readers of his romantic obituary, But if he is etill alive the fact makes only more pointed the disgrace of his lifo in Now York., When a man is forced to play dead in order to get rid of his vepu- tation he is in hard lines, and something better was reasonably to have boen ox- pected from the grandson of Alexander Hamilton, | carefully prepar THE RELIEF FUND AND IRRIGATIO? An Omaha business man writes to THE BEE to suggest that alarge part of the relief fund for destitute settlers might be utilized to pay for work on irrigating ditches, Hisi that the western counties would accept relief in this form as u double blessing. It would not only afford them tempo nssistance, but would contiibute to their permanent :ss by advancing the work of irriga- tion in their communities. There is agood idea in the suggestion, but there are also difficulties in the way which are, perhaps, not fully appreci ated. In the fiest place, the develop- ment of irrigation systems in Nebrask must be principally accomplished by private ecapital, as it has been in Colorado, California and every where else in the United States. That being tho case, the state would not want to embark in an enter- prise which must be completed and owned by individuals or corporations, Moreover, there can be no real attempt to begin to irrigate in this state on a large o until we have anexpert stato engineer, water distriets and draina maps, These, together with compre- hensive laws, ar ntial conditions to the progress of this great public im- provement. To proceed in the absence of these would be like undertaking to build a railroad without first making a survey. It is possible, however, that this difficulty could be surmounted if the legislature acts very promptly on the bill soon to be presented to it by the friends of the movement. There is a way in which the idea could be made practicable, at least to a limited extent. This would be by the investment of the relief funds in the bonds of the few companics that now have construction underway, the sct- tlers recciving the money and the company the labor, There are two or three enterprises in the southwestern partof the state, and a few in the west- ern part, thatare now in a condition to make such an arrangement. It is this idea which the Omaha business man re ferred to advocates, but elsewhere there have been suggestions of state ditches to be begunwith the relief funds. All these suggestions are worthy of consideration, but the most cheerful thing in connection with the subject is the fact that the more irrigation wo got under way this year the less relief funds we shall haveto vide hereafter. AN IMPORTANT DE The supreme court of the United States has not in recent y rendered a more important decision than that granting the British government leave to filo application for a writ of prohibi- tion, commanding the federal court of Alaska toannul the proceedings by which a Canadian sealing vessel, seized by United States cruiser in Behrin three years ago, was libelled. There were two suggestions offered for the pro- hibition, one being merely formal in half of the owner of the condemned, ves- seland the other, whichbrings the whole disputed question concorning the alleged jurisdiction over Behring sea before the court, being made in behalf of Canada by the Dominion minister of justice, with the full knowledge and consent of the British government. The purpose was to appeal from the secrotary of state to the supreme court in order to settle once forall the Behring sea dis- pute. This procecding, if not unprecedented, wis most exceptional. Resolutions were presented incongress declaring it to be in derogation of the dignity of the government and the people of the United wtes, and preju- dicial to the am ole conduet of - national relations, The administration denied the jurisdiction of the supreme court,~ Attorney General Miller in a d argument contending that the actiof congress enacting th Alaska conrtdid not malke it a district or acircuit court, and therefore it is outside the jurisdiction of the supreme tribunal, This view is complete dis- posad of by the decision, in delivering which the chief justice said that the su- preme court undoubtedly had jurisdic- tionin the matter. There will prob- ably now be few to question the correctness of this position. The as- sumption that the Alasica court has the power to condemn foreign vessels for violating the laws of congress and its decrees cannot b reviewed by tho su- preme court would, if sustained, intro- duce a most remarkable anomaly inour system of jurisprudence. The constitu- tion provides that congress shall have power “'to” constitute tribunals inferior to the supreme court,” and in defining the judicial power that instrument says: “In all cases affecting ambussadors, other public ministers, and consule, and those in which a state shall be par the supreme court shall have original jurisdiction. 1Inall the othor cases before mentioned [which lude cases of admiralty and maritime diction] the supreme court shall have appellate jurisdiction, both as to law and fact, with such excoptions and under such rogulations as the congress shall make.” Itdoes not appear that any oxception was made in the powers granted the Alaska court, which has been directed to show cause why the writapplied for by the British govorn- ment should not be issued. Inassuming jurisdiction in this matter it would seem that the supreme court must necessarily consider the whole question of the rights of the United States in Behring sea. The vessel con- demned was seized 59 miles from land, 80 that there is involved in the case the questionof how far the jurisdiction of the United States extends over the sea under the rule of international law, or by virtue of & right ceded to this coun- try in the purchase of Alaska from If the supreme court should 'm the legality of the seizure, the British government, having submit- ted the issues of jurisdiction to the urbi- tration of this tribunal, would be morally bound to aceept the decree, and the United States government cpuld pro- cead to enforee it agaivst all intruders, If on the other hand it should decide that the United States has no case, nothing would remain for the govern- ment to do but to proceed with negotia- tions for the international protection of the seal fisheries, The determination of this controversy is therefore prae- ISTON tically loft to the United States, and at l are not dispe the same time there is established a most impoctant precedent, LABGN LAWS IN NEBRASKA Reprosentative Capek of Douglas county has introduced several measures looking to the enlargement and im- provement of the labor laws of the state. It is a subject which, for obvio eons, has received much less attention here than elsewhere, but the time has come when Nebraska should standard of her labor laws, to the end that her workingmen should have bene- fits equal to those enjoyed by any state in the union, The laws of Massachusetts in respect to labor are considered as the model for the country. They have recently been compiled in a single vol- ume, and in this striking form have a tracted wide and favorable comment. Several state legislatures are now draft- ing laws on the Massachusetts plan, and it is quite likely that in the next few weeks a considerable advance in this de- partment of legislation will be made all over the union. Massachusetts, which has a very large industrial population, bogan to enact la- borlaws in 1834, making a beginning by abolishing imprisonment the amount due was less than went swiftly forward in framing laws to brovide for the education of children employed in factories and en- con the formation of mechanics’ in- stitutes and a fons. By these methods it he omplished extraor- dinary results in lifting the intellectual standard of its workingmen and devel- oping the mechanic arts. In 1874 Massachusetts entered upon another distinet era of labor legisia- tion. It began tolimit the hours of the workingman’s toil, to protect him against the groed of empioyers and ac- cidents by faulty machinery, to make weekly payments compulsory, to exempt the tools of his trade from attachment, to ancourage the formation of co-operative banks and other enterprises, and to pro- vide a hoard of arbitration to settle his difficulties with employors. As anin- dispensable part of this claborate s tem for the protection and encourage- ment of labor interests, it established a very eomplote bureau of labor statistics. This is the basis for the enactment and enforcement of its laws, .In spite of i wonderful advanceme tions, Massachusetts plans for further development, Nebraska has made somo prr system of labor laws. It has a a1 of statistics, a ten-hour Jaw und protect mechanics in their and to guard the rights of women and children employed in factories, but it is, after all, some forty years behind Massachusetts in these respects. It will porhaps be argued that No- braska, having o much smaller indus- trial population, has no need of such laws as Massachusetts and some other states. 1t is true that she cannot afford to spend as much money 1n the adminis- tration of such laws as the industrial ates of theeast. But are the inherent ights of a workingman in Nebraska any less than those of a workingman in Massachusetts? If ho does not live in the same state, he at least lives in thesame century, Ho has tho sume claim to protection in the hours wages of his labor. The gene tures of his social life are the sume. his rights asa man and a citizon aro as sacred. The legislature will earn a claim to grateful remembrance if it raises tho standard of the labor laws at its present session, rais: £50. It MAYOR CUSHING'S MESSAGE. The annual message of Mayor Cush- ingis a comprehensive review of muni- cipal affairs. The condition of the v ous departments, the work performed during the past year, del ation and valuation, form a most favorable exhibit of city affairs, The bonded debt of the city now ag- gregates $1,936,100, none of which be mes due until 1900, rendering unne essary the ercation of a sinking fund for some years tocome. Thie public improve- ments for which the bounds were issued far exceed in value the indebted- ness, so that the investment proved a profitable one. With a balance of nearly $300,000 in the various city funds, with bonds commanding a premium with the rate of taxation reduced with- out an increase in valuation, the financial condition of Omaha chullenges com- pavison with any city of equal population in the countr] But there is considerable room for greater cconomy in city affairs, Thera isno valid reason why the eity should puy greater salaries than like work com- mands in first class business house It is a notorious fact that the salaries paid in various departments are excessive and unjust to the taxpayers. Norare they gauged in accordance with the character of the work performed. In- competent clerks reccive as much as ex- pert accountants, and competent men are too often retired or subordinated for a political heeler or favorite. The mayor the fact that incom- petency is rampant in the departments and sinecur fastened on the treasury at salavies frequently double what they could command in private life, Thor- oughly capable men, experienced and reliable, are entitled to first-cluss sal- aries. It is an outrage to pay such salaries to inferiors; it Is a crime to employ them, especially in departments which were designed to protect the tax- payers from mercenary contractors of public works and buildings. Political consideration should have no weight in tho selection of inspectors when their competency and reliability are beyond question, 3 The recommendations of the mayor are in’ the line with the changes con- templated in the charter. He attac! the pressnt law which places the appointment of police commissioners in the hands of the governor, and urges strong grounds for dis- tinct home rule in this depart- ment. The experience of the city up- holds the present system. It cannot be denied that the law has been the means of lifting the police from the gutter of ward politics and has given the depart- ment a character and a strength never before enjoyed. The people of Omuha o) he | gehool for debt when | | small | itable \ | public of tho large number of v 1 to return to the meth- ods which uilile the police forco the ac- tive tools of {foyneilmen. Compotiiic n electric light and power is str@dly urged, also a work- house for halftual petty eriminals and a hospithl for the care of per- sons afllicted with contagious diseases. On the whole the message isa cred- presentation of the city’s condi- tion, its finupoial strength, well-paved and well-lighted streets, an unsurpassed systo,. reasonablo nssossment and reduced taxation, reflecting the in- dustrial and”mmercial prosperity of the community as well as the confidence and aggressive unity of the people. A Lincoln lettep incidentally mentions the fact that a cortain outside insurance compuny is now *yuking in dollars by the wholesale in Nebraska,” though it has not complied with the legal require- ments, This item of remind tho y im- portant matters which the legislature has not yet found time to consider. The insurance laws aro in need of careful re vision. The people are being daily im- posed upon by companics that have no legal or financial standing in this state. Many companies are doing large business horo in direct defiance of the statutes of the state and in supreme contempt of laws which are rigidly en- forced against our own home compani This is only o sample of the many in- nces of neglected legislation which em likely to mark the present session of the legislature asa failure. Unless the session is prolonged beyond its legal limits it will be utterly impossible for it to consider and digest many im- portant laws which it was hoped would be enacted. Between the vising and setting of each day’s sun tho legislature costs the peo- ple of Nebraska from $2,000 to $3,000. A 1o propo:tion of the days alveady spent have been wasted in fruitless po- litical discussion and party maneuver- ing. TInthe meantime, useful and pro- gressive legislation, demanded by the interest of the people, Is being lost in the shufll We direct attention to the not because they aro more im- vortant than other measures, but bo- cause they illustrate how the public in- terests are allowoed to suffer while our statosmen are squandering timo and money inattending to matters of no real consequence, UNIFORM BANKRUPTCY. A bill providing for a uniform system of bankruptey has passod the house of representatives and is now in the senate Whether with the large amount of more urgent matters demanding attention at the present session the senate will have an opportunity to consider this measuro is somewhat uneartain, but an effort will be made to do so, and if reached it will probably pass pretty much in its present shape. The measure, known as the Tor rey bankrupt biil, received very ca ful consideration from the judi- ciary committee of the house of repre- sentatives and in the house, and is un- questionably the most cowplete and comprehensive measure of the kind that has ever bsen framed. The experienco with national bankrupt laws has not been altogether satisfactory, and the last one, passed in 1857 and ropealed some years later, was perhaps the most objectionable. It wasa very good law for the officials, who very genervally de- rived most generous revenues from it, but neither creditor nor debtor obtained exact justice from it. Cumbrous in its machinery, inexact in its operation, and thoroughly wasteful in its work, it lont itself to abuses which finally brought it into general disrepute and led to its re- peal. The measure now proposed has been most carefully framed, and it is believed to contain all of the virtues and none of the vices of the old law. 1t provides for thoroughly guarding the interests of craditors, giving to all an equal chance, while imposing no unnecessary hard- ships upon debtors, and it ¢ pecially guards against tho ofi- cial plunder of both classes, which was the conspieuously weak and obnox- ious feature of the former law. It con- templates, to quote one of itssupporters, that the time consumed and the expense incurred in the administration of estates will be the minimum, while the di dends received and tho punishments in- flicted for dishonesty will be the maxi- mum. It is intended to accomplish an oquitable settlement of transactions which are now left unsettled by the varying provisions of law in force in the several states. It proposos that the honest insolvent shs be enabled to secure o dis- charge from his indebtedness and per- mitted to again enter upon a business carcer, while the dishonest insolvent will be punished according to the meas- ure of his dishonesty. The consensus of opinion among the principal commercial bodiesof the coun- try is in favor of the bill, and it has re- coived the approval of a large number of business men not identified with such organizations, ;; Kitherto the principal opposition to a.uniform system of bunk- ruptey has ceme from the west, but every westorn chamber of commerce and board of trade of any importanco has ondorsed this‘pending measure and asked for its éractment into law, Per- hapsat no time have the conditions of business made a stronger demand for a law of this kind, than at present, but however this may be, there are always valid and suficient reasons for a sound, just and equitwble national bankrupt law, that will opesate fairly to all inter- ests and protect the commercial com- munity from dishonesty and fraud. news will insuranco laws, ts QUALIFICATIONS FOR SUFFRA Nearly half the states in the union, in- cluding Nebraska, vecognize an alien’s decl ion of intention to become a cit- izen as qualifying him to exercise the right of suffrage on equal terms with naturalized or native-born citizens. This is done upon the presumption that the declaration of intention which must be made upon oath is in good faith a re- nunciation forever of all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince or state, and particularly to the one of which he may be at the time a citizen or subject. That this is an entircly sale pre- sumption is unquestionable. Not one- tenth of 1 per cent of those who take out their first pers do so with any other motive or intention than to remain in the country and acquire full citizenship. It does not appear that any one of the states that give the right of sutfrage to unnaturalized aliens has ever expe! enced any trouble therefrom, and ce tainly it cannot be truthfully afirmed that Nebraska has, There is but one objection to this policy for which the least validity can be claimed, and that is that a residen of six months is not suflicient time in which to enable an aliento become 80 far familiar with our political system as to vote intelligently. But this will apply to only a very small proportion of those who have declared vhoir intention to become citizens, For instance, the law of Towa requires that a voter shall be an actual eitizen. Now an alien may have declared his intention in that state, and after a residence there of four years removed to Nebraska, one more year being necessary to enable him to obtain his final paper A rosidence of six months in thisstate would give him the right to vote, and it cannot be reasonably maintained that he would be any better qualified, whether a man of ordinary in- telligence or not, if requived to remain an additional six months as a non-vot Another point is worthy of considera- tion. Analien who has declared his in- tention to becomea citizen may have voted for several years inoneof the states whore such declaration is recog- Wized as giving a right to the suffrage before coming to Nebraska. Would it be just to such a person to deprive him of a vote in this state? There is a proposition before the leg- islature for the submission of a constitu- tional amendment requiring all voters in Nebraska to be citizens of the United States. It does not appear to us that there is any necessity for such a change in the organic law, The suffrage cla received careful consideration when the constitution was framed and experience has justified the wisdom of its adoption. There is no o to suppose that its continued operation can have any difTer ent result, THE BEE can stantial ground for apprehending po- litical danger from the votes of aliens who have declared their intention to become zens. The number of such has always been small and likely always to be. It isa very different mat- ter with the seaboard states and those on the northern border, and yet of the latter Michigan allows alicns who have declaved their intention to vote after a residence of three months, Minnesota after a residence of four months and Or- egon after a residence of six months, There is nothing at this time to justify the agitation of thissubject in Nebras| re see no sub- Tue Bek does not propose to enter intoa controversy regarding the earn- ings and losses of insurance companic in Nebraska. That the business is profit- able is attested by the steady increase in the number of companies. If the busi- ness is unprofitable, as alloged by inter- ested parties, it is passing str that none of the sound companies have re- tired from the field. But the losses or earnings do not affect the justice of the valued policy act. The law simply pro- vides that insurance companies must fulfill the obligations voluntarily entered into, and makes the amount on the face of the policy the true value of the property in event of de- struction. How o'se shall itbe decided Is the value of the property to be dets mined by the company adjuster without the consent of the insured? The compt nies do not object to receiving the pr mium anuually, nor do they often ques- tion the value named by the owner, but in event of the destruction of the pro erty, they assume to detormine, not the value of the propoerty, but how little they will pay to offect a scttlement The law is not an incentive to incendi- arism. It is a measure of protection againkt litigation to compel insurance companies to fulfill their agreements, THE January debt statement is a re- markable exhibit of the national financas, Nearly 816,000,000 of the pub- lic debt was cancelled during the month and over $1,000,000 more paid on pension account thun during the corresponding mounth last year, yet the surplus in the treasury incr 70,880,545, of the report isthe mar in receipts from all sources. Customs revenue shows an advance of $1,250,000 over of last yenr, thus rvefuting the claim that in proportion to the ad- vance of duties the revenue declines. The total increase from all sources in seven months was $27,839,000, and the total expenditures for the same périod was $234,474,420, In other words, it cost an average of $46,522.70 per hour or $775.57 per minute to keep the machin- ry of the national government lubri- cated. THE movement to grant a charter to the Brush electric light company ex- poses the African in the council wood- pile. The Brush system was one of the companies swallowed by the present monopoly, and its appearance at this timo is a scheme to checkmate competi- tion and prevent arival company from operating in the ¢ The council can- not afford to handicap any movement caleulated to increase competition in a public nec lly when the in- terests of the city are more securely guarded than under existing ordinances. espe THE failure of the congressional men- dicant mission is no surprise. Kvery nsible man knew at the outset that na- tional aid was out of the question, but reckless members of the legislature re fused to listen to reason. What is the result? Official force has been given to exnggerated reports of the distress, and these ports Jhave been inflated and seattered far and wide, Incalculable harm has been done, and the state given a black eye for no other purpose thun to delay action on relief measures in the legislaturo for political ends. m—— ing need for relief in the western counties of Kansas blighted by last. year’s drouth. While Nebraska was switlen in patchos by the Kansas simoon, THERE I8 ¢f sho will, if need be, extend a helping hand to her unfortunate neighbor. A TRIFLING short 100,000 be- tween the estimated cost of the world’s fair and the wherewith in sight does not worry Chicago. The difficulty is to pre- vent New York and St. Louis from sub- scribing the sum, nny Bed St Paul Pioneer-Press, The strangest perversion of scripture and deflance of the law of God scon lately is the text, “Thou shalt not bear false witness,” in the New York Muil and Express, followed by three columns of political editorial, - Indians Are Hopeloss. Phitadelphia Reo rd. The baker's dozen of Sioux chicfs now in Washington have already donned the clothes of civilization and taken to smoking cigar- ottes, In this latter fact there may be seen strong evidonce of the Indian's complete degeneracy. Women Don't Want to Vote. New York Sun, Poter the Hermit was not, indeed, more earnest than the woman suffragists; but they will continue to bo met with fndiffe ridicule until they make moro rapid progress in converting women to their views. Mis- sionary work among women, and not appeals to the legislature, is what is needed. Women will be allowed to vote when they choose. As yet they don’t choose. S — Plaint from Denver. Denver Republican. We do not believe that it is a good thing for Denver and Colorado to make the Mis- sour1 river a dividing line in fixing either freight or passengor rates. There is littlo or 10 moro reason for making the Missouri river such a dividing line than there is for making the division at the castern boundary of Colorado. Rates arono longer divided at the Mississippi. If a through rate can, be made from Chicago to th e Missourd river without taking into consideration tho Missis- sippi, a through rate can be made from Chi- cago to Denver without taking into consider- ation the Missourl. Denver has been very d in consequence of this di- vision of rates at the Misson or, The rate on this side isall out of proportion to the distance, if it be compared with the rate on the other side of the river, g PASSING JE. mee or 8. New York Herald: Sanso—Have baseball team in your town ¢ Rodd—Yos, Sunso—What do you call your nine? Rodd—Asmine, you a Kate Field's Washington: “‘And, mam- * snid enthusiastic Miss Newmoney, alls are finished in the handsomest sar.” interposed Mamma Nowmoney, “don’t suy ‘friezes,’ say ‘frosts.’ " Epoch: *Irish Contractor (to Murphy, who is on top of the wall)—*“Phat do ye be doin’, Murphy ¢ Murphy—+Oi course,” Contractor enough to be do be layin' bricks, o “Bo hivens, you ayin' eggs. do be still Munsey’s Weekl brother better tha She—W hat salary Ho-Do you like my you do me? loes he get? New York Horald: “It’s the bait to use in catching a foreign count, said Eth “What is “Probate,” returned Ethel, PERSONALITIES, Mr. and Mrs. Hiram Partridge celobrated sixtieth anniversary of their wedding at a, 111, last week. Among the wuests were three grandsons and four great-grand- The aged couple came to Peoria county Colonel John R. Kelso died at his residence six miles north of Lonzmont, Colo., last week from cancer of the stoma The colonel was well known from his active oppo- sition to Christianity. He was the author of quite a number of liberal book John McMahon, one of t ors of Flood, Fair and M cisco, and a man who b dozen fortuncs, in an Idaho c original mart- y in San Fran- s run through half a w_making another one His career has been anadventurous one. Thoro have boen oc sions when ho stood in pressing need of a quarter, while at other times he could draw his check for &1.000,000. Rose Coghlan and Lydia Thompson met by chance at a hotel table in Albany the other weel, and to tho surprise of somo observers fell to_exchanging reminiscences in a vor sociable way. During their talk the fact was doveloped 0 an interested few that Mis Coghlau first came to this country from Eng- land when # girl with Miss Thompson, play- ing a subordinate part i the ms gement of the latter, —~ " service. Pat wanted a position under the govern- ment, and on being told that he must be pro- pared to pass a civil servico examinati plied himself faithfuily to the nec pr on. Somo time later his ambition for public proference seomed tohave deserted lim, says Harpers' Magazine. *What is the matter, Pat?” asked his former employer. “Couldu't you pass tho examihation?” = I could that,” he replied. I answered every question on the paper, But,” ho added, his native wit coming to his’ reseue, “I gu they thought I knew too much to be wastiin me timo washin’ windies,” e Not Built That Way, Washington Pos I want to see the professor,” said a rather faded-looking woman as she went into the gymnasium. “Iam he? “Could I offer a siggestion?” “Cortainly.” “Well, it scems to we that it might be & good ideato fix un some arrangement in the shape of coal scut- tles, load them up pretty heavy, and offer a prize to the voung man who can- lift ono the often 1t does look as if- the gymnasium didn’t do much for the muscles you havo to use in lifting a coal scuttie.” e Way of the World. “There is & young man," said the clubman, twho is simply going back on all his family traditions and kicking over the ladder on which he has climbed-or up which ho has been carried—to the present lofty hoights in which you sce him."” “Thatis sad,” said the Man About Town “In what way has he shown this unbappy tendency SWhy, his fath has was mado in b in champagne!” compuny’ under oy and all that he He 1s spending it all —_— BACK FROM TOWN, James Whitcomb Riley, n Century. 01d friends allus is the best, Halest-hike and heartiest; Knowed us first, and don’t allow \ 50 blame much better now | They was standin’ at the bars When we grabbed “‘the kiyvered kyars" And lit out fer town, to make Money—aud that old mistake! We thought then the world we went Tnto beat “The Settlement,” And the friends 'at wo'd make there Would beat any anywhere! And they do—fer that's their b They beat all the friends they is— 'Cept 1he vaal old friends like you VAt staid bowe, like I'd ort v W'y, of all the good things yit 1 ain't shet of, is to quit Busiuess, and git back to sheer These old comforts waitin’ he These old friends; and these old hanéh 1At a foller understands ; These old winter nights, and old Young folks chased in out the cold} Sing “Hard Times 'l come ag'in No'M and bors all jin Here's a fellor come from town Wants that-air old fiddle down From the chimbly ! Git the floor Cleared fer oné cowtillion more \— 1Us poke the kitchen fire, says he, Aud shake a frieudly log with mel iul THE COUNTY ROAD FUND, Mr, O'Keeffo is Opposed to Spending itin City Improvements, The council committee] appointed sdny night to confer with the county commissioners relative to the disbursement of the county, road fund in the city limits called at the commissionors’ room yesterday morniug and met with & very warm reception by Mr. O'Keeffe, the only member of the board who was present. The request of the conucil committeo was that an amendment be added to the city char- ter providing that 7 per cont of the county road fund shall be expended in the city limits. Mr. O'Keeffe warnily opposed the proposi- You follows want tho earth,” he | “and everything elso in signt.' The county is already paying the bulk of the ex- pouses of the city, Our last year's report Thn\\vd that the county paid out over £100,000 n ing city prisoners; in supporting the dfs- t court, all the business of which comes from the clty ; in maintaining the poor farm, all the inmates of which belong to the city; and o addition to all this wo speut nearly #5800 of the county road fund in grading strects in Omaba and uth Omaha," Mr. Chaffoe and other members of the com- mittee advanced the strongest arguments in favor of the proposed amondi nd finally offered to reduce the amount to 60 per cent.” This was opposed by O’Koeeffo and tho matter went over until 4 o'clock this after- noon when another meeting will be held At the afternoon meeting Messrs, Bechol, Chaffee and Cooper from th ouncil and Messrs., O'Keeffe and Van Camp of tho county board met at the county commissioners’ room ljl th ourt honse. O'Keeffo was armed with figures compiled from th ounty records and atonce fuformed the councilmen that the ity titied to one-half of th ¥ Lo then p showing the dis fund during tho year 1889 District court Jail City voor In<ino back up the Mr. O'Keeffo said: #Of this amount than £,000 was ox- pended in the country Mr. Bechel urged that the court exponsos, or a large portion of th by the countr iets and South On Mr. O'Ke nied the statement The question of the amount of money ex- vended for grading und paving within the city limits during the years 180 and 1500 was discussed. The levy for road purposes during 1580 amounted to” §0,000. Of this amount tho following sums ‘were expended in this city and South Omaha on the ste named Gradin lurt and Pleasant streoets south of Cuniing street ... Burt and Nicholus s(roets ixthstreet, Letween ming and Hamilton . west from Pleas- Phirty SixOh street Detiween nd Tamilton irty-sixthstroet, botween 1 Hamiiton 4 iis park, Thirty-f, s Gradin Cumin, Gradin avenue.. ding Bomis ling I° stroot ading Farnan and L between irtieth nna 't wding Purk stre ue to Enst nve Paving Twent Vinton to A Total. For 1500 the levy amounted to $100,00 which the following amounts were expend the Om ling venth ling Loavonworth......... Paving Thirtieth street €6 Anic irty-xixth Third ave- from’ Thirty Eustavenuo....8 LIS n nceount with ity 8 Thirtleth street from Bristol uulding ... : i district 20 ving Thirtl uyenworth str worth strect y-fourth st trom ruavenue to Ames avenue, ... Total . o sess saaas B4 74000 The councilmen listened with ploasure to the reading of the bles and then Mr, D rked: “This is not as bad as | pays four-fifths of the ity and_ v only just e should be entitied 10 7 per cont of oxpe r. Van Gamp. l he 1d, too, Tho matter was at last settled by the mo bers of the council cor half of the road tax collected within the city limits. was agroeable to all parties and Satur. day afternoon the two cornmittoes will me and enter into such an agreement. Monday tho chairman of cach committeo will Lincoln, when they will asi that amendment be incorporated m the Omaha cl reer. Nebraska, Towa Wasinaron, Feb, 4, to Tuk Ber,|—ensions braskans today as Bullock, Loomi Nathan C. Spe inl Tolegram grantea Ne- following: Original Absalom Hallawm, Ash Grove; Pitt wan; Jerre D. Matthewson, Thomas C. Clark, Bartley; or, Holdr Incrense James C. Webster, Loli; David Koed, Blue Springs; George C. Huntington, Ox. ford; Joshua Petty, Wymore: David Watter- man, Ho rles 'B. Kemple, Hastings; Jucob i Tow Wil . Ollie; Thomas M, Jurgen Blocker, P Pairtield ; e were -William Buek, Ashawa; cker; Isaae Brown, atney, Webster City' neeton; William 1, Cassidy, Hullj i 5 8. Itichards, wood; Witllam Newe J. Beebe, Vanduli Orin P. McCreaa rs, ( Herman k. Bryan, Ciscade; John B Reinbeck; Jammes Lindsey, Mantouo Dodd, Marshalltown ; Henty ( John E. O'Neal, \ompson, Massena s Jamesol Daniel R. Ml Otterson, Mondamin: Willam F." Clark, ‘narles Davied A. Cox, Woodbine as Bunton, Luporte: Edward os D). West William ‘B, Shinn, ; John Liber homis ville; BEdward W. Cotton, Clinton: don; Byron Elisha T, Willisms, Mont rose; Maxwell Brown, Bedford: John H, go. Kilduff; John J. Robertson, Thompson L. Hagler, 1da Grove; Dorothy, Ottumwas Philip 1 dge; Amos E. Holmes, All ton; dacob ¥, Cripp, Hopeville, Reissue Littleton W. Huston, Keokul South Dakot al-Milton Church, Artesion City; Benjamin I, Stevens, Hang Josiah Baidwin, Bon Homme; Seagor I, Swith, Flandrean; Henry Kuine,” Forest burgh, Reissue and increase—Goorge I Stimson, White Lake, e LS A Dynamite Explosion. Manseiies, b, 4.—A dispateh number of artillerymen belonglug to tho garrison of Montoelior were engaged in rging @ mine with aynamite when the chargo exploded, fatally injuring nine nen Hayesy Chirlos Ream, Cam says & \ ving for the caro of the city poor; In_ &