The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, September 14, 1896, Page 9

THE SAN FRANCISCO CALL, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 1596. Interesting News Items From Alameda County. WILL NOT ADMIT THEY ARE DEAD Final Effort of the Machine to Prove It Still Lives. ONE WEEK OF POLITICS Chief Lloyd’s Letter to the En- deavorers Meets With Faver. COMMERCIAL LICENSE EVILS. Oak'and Suffering From Some of Her Own Narrow-Mind:d Legislation. Holds a Licensz Record. OARLAND OFFicE SAx Francisco CALL,) 908 Broadway, Sept. 13. The coming week will be purely one of promoters and directors of the Oakland exhibition, bas been doing some thinking about the policy of taxing commercial travelers who only operate in their own State. “A remarkable and yet natural condition of things bas developed from the system adopted in California of im- posing a town and city tax upon com- m rcial travelers represemting manufact- urers of the State and leaving untaxed those who are sent out by Eastern houses,” <aid Mr. Bell. *‘Oue of the leading manu- facturers doing bnsiness in California, whose house is in Oakland and who has beretofore kept a large number of men on the road, now finds himself so handi- capped by the increasea number of towns and cities which impose this tax that he has been compelled to practically abandon the fiela, and his former employes are be- ing engaged by rival manufacturers in the East who'are not required to pay this tax. “For the only State in the Union which has a well organized and aggressive Home ‘| Manufacturers and Producers’ Association to thus by legal enactment discriminate against its own interests, impose penalties upon home enterprise and send thousands of dollars monthly to Eastern cities for goods which would otherwise be made in California is an amazing exhibition of a lack of ordinary horse sense on the part of our lawmakers.” ‘While Director Bell’s remarks are true, it is equally true that no city in the State has shown a greater desire to enforce all | kinds of license tax than has Oakland. In fact, that city holds the record for the most unique enforcement of a license or- i dinance. When the exposition was open, which is admittedly the greatest adver- tisement this county ever knew, the di- rectors were threatened with arrest if they Chief of Police C. E. Lloyd. Because of His Recent Stand Regarding the Christian Endeavor Societies, His Initials Are Now Generally Known as “Christian Endeavor Lloyd.” politics in this county, though that is far from implying a week of pure politics. Candidates for Judges, Supervisors and the Legislature are, consequent upon the hard times, so numerous that all seem to have banishea the idea that they can rely upon their merits before an intelli- gent community and consider that their election depends solely upon the combina- tions they can form upon the checker- board of delegates. An Alameda politician never learns anything. For years the bulk of the same peopie that vainly im- agine they dominate politics here have been beaten every time they came before the public, yet they seem unable to realize it. Politically dead, they just manage to escape burial, and linger on in the delu- sion that because they arve still above ground they are alive, as though the ma- jority of people killed on 2 battlefield were not left to bleach where they fell. The primary to be held next Saturday possesses one significant point that must not be lost sight of by those Hepublicans who are such from principle only. There is an inclination among such to avoid the primary and to rely upon the best candi- dates running independently to insure needed changes among officials. This would be all right but for one thing. The delegates elected next Saturday, although they may not nominate one man who will be elected by the people, will certainly elect the County Committee for the next two years, To have a committee similar to the one now in power means two years more of vagrant politics and disgrace in this County. The court records and the supervisorial records should be more con- sidered than campaign speeches, and the banner of McKinley should not be per- mitted to be used as a catspaw to perpet- uate any clique of politicians whose inter- ests are directly opposed to those of the peopie they misrepresent. Everybody should be aware of the cry: ““The machine is dead; long live the machine.” Chief of Police Lloyd’s letter to the Christian Endeavorers, published in this paper a few days ago, although it has not yet been officially taken up by that body seems to have created a very iavorable im- pression. Although the Chief, who is an Endeavorer himself, somewhat underrates the practical work of that great army of young Christians some of their leaders have ziready admitted that his pointis well taken. Condensed, Chief Lloyd’s Jetter says that the Endeavorers spend most of their efforts in singing and pray- ineg and orgenizing, and suggests thata grand work for them to undertake would pe that of looking after the interests of the little waifs who find their way through various channels to the City Prison. That this particular branch of work is most pressing at this time receives sup- port from the plea of the Society for the Prevention of Crueity to Children. The society’s work is now so great that during the past week they have taken the pre- liminary steps toward seeking the sup- port of the Salvation Army in the matter, realizing that something must be done. There is no more appropriate work for Christian Endeavorers than that of look- ing after “the least of these,” and a large portion of the public are anxiously waiting the next meeting of the. Uity Union to see what disposition will be made of if. Tohn T. Bell, one of the most active did not pay a license of $10 for maintain- ing an amusement house, and it was paid. That this license tax is opposed to public policy has been very definitely proved in this city. Some months ago the deliverers of goods to local residences, that had been purchased in San Francisco, were arrested for not having a license. The resuit has been that several San Francisco houses at once established big branch houses over here and are now doing a large share of the trade that formerly was done by bona fide Oakland merchants. 8. W. B. POLI.ICAL P.INTERS, Alameda County Preparing for Satur- day’s Primary. OAKLAND, CAL,, Sept. 18.—The Repub- lican county primary will be held next Baturday. The National Republican League has opened headquarters on Broadway. Mur- ray Laidlaw is secretary. Dr. Derrick has declared that he will not withdraw from the BSenatorial fight in favor of Stratton. The interior of the county has aecided that G. W. Langan of Livermore shall have a nomination for Superior Judge. Hiram Luttrell was anoounced to-day ;s a Democratic candidate for the Assem- ly. The Populists and Democrats announce that they have fused in this county, but every Populist who speaks on the street denies tnat any one¢ is at liberty to speak for them. John A, Britton, general manager of the Oakland Gas, Light and Heat Company, | and regarded as the most public-spirited man of this city. hasrenounced the Demo- cratic faith and become an ardent sup- porter of the cause of protection and sound money. Last Monday night Mr. Britton was ununimously elected third vice-president of the Alameda County branch of tne National League of Republi- can Clubs. At a political meeting in the Seventh Ward seven candidates for the same office of Supervisor addressed the voters. Next Saturday night the McKinley Wig- wam at Mt, Eden will be opened. Donates a Site. OAKLAND, CavL., Sept. 13,—Mrs. May Drake Osborne of Brooklyn preached at ibe First Methodist Church this morning. She announced that George Montgomery, the wealthy Salvationist of Beuiah, had donated a site at Lytton Springs for the purpose of a home for training women workers on similar lines to those at the Brooklyn Home. School Girl Missing. OAKLAND, CAL, Sept. 13.—Mabel Hoover, a 13-year-old school girl, is miss- ing from her home in Lorin. She is de- scribed as rather preity, black eyes and hair and rosy cheeks. Her mother is d-si tracted over the girl's absence and can think of no reason for it. —————— Fencing In the Giant’s Causeway. As a sequel to recent’ meritorious tempts to direct the attention of tourists to the many charms of scenery and green- eery existing in “‘the distressful country’” comes the rumor that the astute owner of that portion of the coast embellished by the well-known Giant’s Caus way is busily at work upon a riny fence which will effec- tually place this natural phenomenon on the footingof a paring exhibition, This policy is scarcely likely to increase the confidence of hesitating visitors who at the present time can with difficulty be sersu-ded 1o put aside prejudice aad un- ertake thal most delightful experience— an inveniiaefiun of the many points of in- !;ru; to found in Ireland.—London ruth. ————— Father Time will carry his scythe until I he is no mower. THE RETURN OF THE MOONLIGHT the Speculators Expect Schooner to Bring a Fortune. QUIETLY SLIPPED AWAY Went to Discover the Location of an Island Rich in Guarno. NO PHANTOM OF THE BSEA. The Man in Command First Saw the Island When He Did Not KEnow Its Value. OAxLAND OrricE SAN FRANCISOO Cu.z.} 908 Broadway, Sept. 13. Captain Fowler is anxiously looking for the return of the schooner Moonlight, which left Oakland some time ago to dis- cover a guano island off the coast of Lower California. Several capitalists subscribed heavily to aid the enterprise, and they likewise expect to reap a harvest. The sailing of the Moonlight was kept very secret owing to the prevalent idea that the vessel was to go on an expedition simiiar to that outlined by Baron Baro- teau, and which contemplated the forci- ble taking possession of large territory which is in dispute. For this reason the Moonlight sailed very quietly and no one knew her mission till it was announced that her return was shortly expected. “Eight years ag>,”’ said Captain Fowler to-day, “Captain Erntt was master of a vessel owned by J. D. Spreckels and was sent to Clipperton Island to load guano. When he got there he was surprised to see the natare of his cargo, and recollected that on a former voyage he had seena large island of the same stuff, but had not known its value or given it a second thought. A few months ago I decided to take the matter up, and we sent out an expedition, but it returned because the captasin did not have the right chart. We then sent out Captain Erritt in the Moonlightand his return is expected in a few week The prospectus, to which several promi- nent people subscribed, is as follows: The island in question was discovered eight years ago. According to the description of the discoverer—a well-known ses captain of good repute and standing—the island is about three mhies in iength. Its width he could not deter- mine at the time, owing to the obstacles of millions of birds.’ Besides, he was not aware then of the commereial value of guano and thought it useless to further inspect this island or to have his discovery recorded at the Hydro- graphic Office and puton the chart. The location of the island being 1n a tropical region, there is no doubt but that the immense quantities of guano which the captain ascer- tained it contained are what is called ammo- niacal guano, which commands the highest Pprice in the market. The captain’s proposition is to charter a small vessel, sail to the island, locate the same in proper shape, and then to bring back a sample lot of guano of about 50 or 100 tons. Such a trial guantity would be sufficient for senaing to Europe in order to close contracts for regular shipments. The price of guano in Europe ranges from $15 to $25 a ton, according 1o quality, and contracts for 10, to 30,000 tons can be readily closed by the promoters of the syndi- cate. The present freight rate by sail to Europe is from §5 to $6a ton. Owing to the fayorable location of the island any large ves- sel can anchor there, and the costof putting the guano on board will be very small, thus leaving a large margir. for profit. According to the captain’s estimate, the re- quired capital to make the necessary expedi- tion will be about $1200, and he expects to re- ceive 55,000 shares of stock in the company with 100,000 shares, which it is proposed to incorporate as soon a5 the above preliminaries have been accomplished. Of the remeining 45,000 shares the inten- tion is to set aside 15,000 shares as treasury stock, to be sold at $1 per share or more, as the company may elect, while the balance of 80,000 shares will be divided prorata among the subscribers to the syndicate. It s distinctly understood that scribing to the syndicate will not to pay the amount signed for until the entire $1200 will have been raised. They will then pay the amount of their subscription to one of the members of the syndicate, elected by them, which latter will pay out the money for the above-mentioned purpose of an expedi- tion, preliminary to en incorporation of a com- pany. Among those who took stock were Dr. Boyce, Joseph McBoyle, Dr. F. Starr, C. B. Greene and Captain Fowler. *‘Our idea,” said Captain Fowler, *is to leave two men on the island and to freight all the guano to San Francisco. We ex- pect to make a rich haul AUAMEDA 1§ WICKED, Therefore the Christians Should Rejoice at the Prospect of Work. arties sub- required The Municipal League Requires Certain Pledges of Nominees for O.fice. Some Poor Baseball. ALAMEDA, Can, Sept. 13.—“The Christian workers should be glad that there are so many sinners in this city,” said Rev. Henry Victor Morgan of the Church of the Disciples this morning, “for it gives them plenty of work to do. If they were all Christians there would be nothing to do.” Mr. Morgan took his text from Acts viii:10 and said in part: ““The Christian is of necessity an opti- mist. Noman can believe in a God of truth and justice and not believe that truth and justice must finally triumph. “Should the Christian worker be dis- couraged in Alameda? By no means. Why? In the first nlace there are sinners here and the Christian worker 1s needed. ‘Were there no sinners there would be need of no workers. “Christian workers in Alameda should be encouraged on account of the rapidly growing sentiment in favor of Christian unity in the city. God truly has many anp here, but they are not united. very step toward unity causes heaven to rejoice and demons to tremble. There is coming a time when the church of Christ will be united. Every day brings news that the barriers are b ing, the ice thawing, and soon the divisions will cease and the church of Christ march for- ward ‘terrible as an army with banners.’ '’ Municipal Owaership. ALAMEDA, CAL, Sept. 13.—The Ala- meda Municipal Ownership League held a meeting at the residence of F. H. Mc- Cormick, 1803 Alameda avenue, to-night, and passed resolutions pledging its sup- port to only such candidates for the As- sembly and Senate as would favor the passage of a law enabling cities of the fifth class to own and control their municipal plants, such as electric light, water and the hike. ‘While they do not consider themselves 2 political orranization, they feel that the object for which they are orgamized will be'attained more rapidly by securing the election of those who are friendly to their plans. Hence they will make a hard fight to secure the indorsement of their plan by every candidate before his nomination. Cut by a Tin Can. ALAMEDA, CAL., Sept. 13.—A gonng man named Hall, from the Enghsh ship Lathom, lying_at the long wharf, was brought to Dr. Keys to have a serious gash in his heel dressed. On entering the port about five weeks ago Hill was playing around on board of his vessel, when some one threw a tin can at him. It struck .the cords above his heel, cutting deep. The wound has had the attention of the ship’s surgeon but does not mend. It is feared that gangrene or lockjaw may set in. Played Poor Ball. ALAMEDA, CAL., Sept. 13.—The game of baseball between the employes of the Fisher & Combs and Hagy's meat market was a burlesque, The game be- gan promptly 8110 o’clock and was played ina ?n.ue over two_hours, the game end- ing with seven innin;u with a score of 42 to 6 in favor of Hagzy’s men. At the close of the £ith inning, Combs, left fielder, ex- changed with Morton, pitcher, which re- sulted in better work 1n the box, —e M'LEAN'S TARDY LETTER, Sends Many Details About the Canal to the War De- partment. Like Banquo’s Ghost the Doctor and His Controversy Over the Project Will Not Down. ALAMEDA, CaL, Bept. 13.—The letter of Dr. J. T. McLean, in regard to the Oak- land harbor matter, which he has suc- ceeded in getting the Board ot Trustees to indorse, contains little more than a recap- itulation of the matter that has been pub- lished several times during the contro- versy over the harbor improvements. Al- though a week has passed since the trus- tees signed the communication, Dr. Mec- Lean has carried it in his coat pocket until to-day, when he brought it to Oak- land fer publication. Affer reciting the details of the work wunder the various en- gineers who have been in charge since it commenced, it says: That Colonel Suter, under date of July 17, 1896, officially reports to the chief of engi- neers, U. S. A., at Washington, “that this part glho tidal canal) of the oiiginal projeet for the mprovement of Oaklana harbor, made in 1874, was based on imperfect information, and is now thought to be unnecessary; and that the estimated cost of its completion is $512,000, That this report of Colonel Suter concern- ing the uselessuess of the tidal canal as a part of the original plan of Oakland harbor and that the estimated cost of dredging and bridg- ing the completed part of sala canal is $512,- 000 bes astonished the people living adjacent to said harbor, who consider the statements of said report as not well founded and who de- precate the adoption of sald statements by she euthorities of the War Department be- cause of the present and prospective injury which, in our judgment, would result to said barbor from a faliure to complete it on the :'enerdnl planupon which It was originaily de- signed. &hlt the estimate for dredging the' tidal canal, made by United States Engineers Men- dell, Stewart and Alexander in 1874, was $349,497, and the revised estimate made by Colonel Mendell in his report for 1887 for dredging the canal was 3,940, and for the bridging over the canal .000. From these estimates and from the actual cost of dredg- ing nearly half ot the canal and of brxdgmgf: at Park street, as stated above, it is reasonable tosuppose that the cost of dredging the un- completed part of the canal under the com tition of at least three dredging firms will not exceed $200,000, and that the cost of the needed bridge at High street will not exceed the costof the one at Park street, $60,000, making the probable cost of completing and bridging the canal £260,000. If to this is added the costof the dam end floodgates—estimated by Colonel Mendell, in 1887, for dam, $27,000—say $40,000, we have for the dredging and bridging ot the unfin- ished canal and for the dam and floodgate a total of $300,000, & sum less by $212,000 than that reported by Colonel Suter. The lengthy communication concludes with an attempt to prove that if the original plan be not carried out the appro- priation cannot be touched, because it has been made for the ‘‘existing project.” What tue “existing project” is has already veen determined by Colonel Suter, who differs in every respect from Dr, McLean. SUNDAY COURSING, ‘Wioners of the Events at the Ocean View and Ingleside Parks Yesterday. Coursing was held at both parks yes- terday. The running of the thirty-six-dog stake at Ingieside resulted as follows: J. Shea’s Fearless beat T. Brennan's Rapid; D. Leonara's Will-o’-the-Wiep beat J. F. Grace’s Nellie Conroy; J. Hannon’s Marguerite beat H. Spring’s Premier; Brennan’s Lady In- gleside beat N. Neenan's Regent; J. Hannon’s Foxhall beat J. Larkey's True Blue; T.Butler's Busie beat P.Reilly’s Bran;J.Sexsmith’s Mission Boy beat J. H. Maguire's Georgie McGrath, D. Chilla’s Happy Day beat Valley kennels' Lil- lian Russell, P. Reiily’s Harkaway beat Ala- meda kennels’ Daisy, P. Ryan’s Gripman beat Valiey kennels’ Jimmy Cork, J. Rvan’s Stone- wall Jackson beat M. Traynors Climax, P. Reilly’s Wee Nell beat J. Larkey’s Galioping, P. Reilly’s Sam beat W. J. Shields’ Fond Hope, J Rysw’'sE V D beat F. Hughes' Domestic, T, Brenuan's Gold King beat G. Duncan’'s Iron- ciad, Portal & Haggerty’s Eldridge beat 8. Newman's Blue Light, E. Wilson’s Sunnyside Maid beat 8. Newman’'s lie Boy, J. Shea’s Tullarmore beatJ. Quane’s Young Clifton. First ties—Will-o™the-w D beat, Fearless, Marguerite beat Lady Ingleside, Susie beat Foxnall, Mission Boy beat anp] Day, Grip- man beat Harkaway, Stonewall Jackson beat Wee Nell, Sam beat E V D, Eldridge beat Gold King, Tullarmore beat Sunnyside Maid. Secona ties—Will-o’-the-wisp beat Mearguer- ite, Susie beat Mission Boy, Stonewall Jackson beat Gripman, Sam beat Eidridge, Tullarmore & bye. T{md ties—Susie beat Will-o-the-Wisp, Stone- ‘wall Jackson beat Tullarmore, Sam a bye. Fourth ties—Susie beat Sam, Stonewall Jack- son & bye. S Finai—Susie beat Stonewall Jackson. At Ocean View two stakes were decided as follows: 01d dog stake—-A. Merrill's Faster and Faster beat J. Fiizpatrick’s Lady Clare, J. Wren's Magnolis beat T. Cooney's Ecij] J. ¥, Grace's Said_Pasha beat J. Sullivan's Kyening Star, D, J. Healy's Olden W beat D, Roche's Gold Dust, J. Sezerson’s White Chief beat J. McMahou’s Lackawanna, A. Merrill’s Hand- spring beat J. Dilion’s Bill Nye, T. Cooney’s Hercules beat I, King's Sweet ‘Alice, T. Cooney’s Granuaile beat J. Filzpatrick’s Annie Daly, J. Cox's Menlo Boy beat F. C. Randolph’s Happy Jack, Casserly & Lehman’s Califorma V.oi¢t beat M. Rogers’ Sy Boy. First ties—Faster and Faster beat Muagnolia, Baid Pasha pbeat Olden W, White Chief beat Handspring, Hercules beat Menlo Boy, Gran- uaile beat California Violet. Second_ties- d Pasba beat Faster and Faster, White Chief beat Hercules, Granusile abye. T{hd ties—Granuaile beat Said Pasha,White Chief A_bae. Final- rl: \uge }tul; Wlh’i.te % Puppy stake—D. J. lealy’s 0 beat J. hnue;n‘ ‘White Clifton, W, D. dn?hy'n False Alarm T. Cooney’s Master Hopeful, M. O'Connor’s Lady Cliiton beat J. McCormack’s Whuite Lily, J. Lennon’s 8t. Cloud bea: e~ Cormick’s Black Prince, 1. Mahoney’s Neily Gray a bye, D. J. Heaiy’s Move On beat Cas- serjy & Lehman's Princess Diena, J. E. GCohen's Highland Mury beat J. Victor's Leinster Boy. First ties—False Alarm beat Mialmo, St. Cloud beat Lady Clifton, Move On beat Nelly Gray, Highland Mery a bye. d 8t. Cloud, Second ties—False Alarm beat Move On beat Highland Mary. Final—Move On beat False Alarm. 9 e ————————————— L ————————————————— 15 SEVENTY-SIX BUT CAN SPRINT N. E. Theodorianitis, the Champion Distance Runner. READY FOR CHALLENGE Makes Good Time in a Walk From San Pablo to Berkeley. WILL RACE ANY ONE OVER 40, The Veteran Sprinter Won the Cham- pionship of Greece When He Was Seventy. BERKELKY, Oaw., Sept. 15.—Nikolaos Ethermius Theodorianitis, 76 years of age, walked eight and a quarter miles in sixty- Athens, Greece. four minutes this afternoon on the S8an Pablo road. The aged athlete’s remarkable feat of this afternoon was, as it turned out, a *‘practice jaunt” taken with a view to get- ting himself in proper condition for sprint- ing against all comers over 40 years of age. The old man, with a number of friends and THE CALL correspondent and artist left Berkeley at about 3 o’clock. He was dressed in a bicycle costume, with the ex- ception of a big felt hat, and made a most picturesque figure. The party drove to a short distance be- yond San Pablo. Itwas ahot day and the road was dusl{, but the plucky Greek did not appear to be in the least daunted oy the laborsome task abead of him—of mak- ing a record back to Berkeley. ihe hearty old walker started out at an excellent gait, though it varied somewhat at times from the definition of a walk that is given in the approved manuals giving rules for track contests. ‘'he whole town of San Pablo turned out to watch the eccentric old Greek, There were spectators at evary door, the hangers- on at the saloons came forth 1n crowds, and some of the more curious spirits sad- dled horses or got out their wheels to fol- low the queer procession formed by Theo- dorianitis and his companions. The old man kept up a good gait from the start. Considering his advanced years, it was thought he might find the undertaking he had entered upon too much for his m'anfth and a buggy was kept ciose by him al! the way, ready to give him a seat should he become ex- hausted. But the sturdy oid Greek never wavered. He did not make a single stop for rest and refused all offers ot refresh- ments en route, and when the end of the ourney was reached, at West Berkeley, e declined to ride to the east end. All_along the line between San Pablo and Berkeley great interest was aroused by the veteran athlete's expedition, and he and his party of friends attracted much attention and many followers. The news of the old man’s trip was known to many Berkeleyans and a large crowd gathered at University and San Pablo avenues to shake his haud when his long walk was over. The waik of Theodorianitis this after- noon was a sort of starter to train for greater events. The old man is ready to race with any one half his age or over for a run of ten or fifteen hours and his per- formance of to-day indicates that in spite of his advanced years, his white locks and his wrinkies he has strength and a consti- tution that make him no mean opponent in a long distance race. Six years ago, when he was 70 years of e, Theodorianitis won the championship of Greece in the first Olympiad of modern times on the newly rebuilt stadium at Athens. Heentered against 300 competi- tors. The race was won by one Icanomo, but the 70-year-old sprinter challenged the winner, ran a mile with him again and beat him, for which astonishing feat he was presented with a crown of laurel. Last week Theodorianitis took a walk to San Jose and back. Now the remarkable old Grecian contemplates a tour on foot to Los Angeles ana proposes to establish a speed record for such a trip. < Theodorianitis first came to the United States as a_visitor tothe World’s Fair in 1890. In his own country he had won much fame as a model for artists, his sin- gularly classical features rendering him of great value to them. At the World’s Fair he posed for man artists and delivered an address in_Greel that was afterward translated into English and won much applause for him. The hearty oid descendant of the race that made Athens famous came to Califor- nia to pursue his yocation at the Mid- winter Fair. His picture, painted in oils, now hangs in the art galiery of the Fair and also in the Mark Hopkins Art Insti- tute’s rooms. As a Grecian the visitor soon made the acquaintance of C. Demetrek of Berkeley, Wwho is president, of the Hellenic Mutnal Benevolent Society, and he is the guest of the latter while staying in the mfiversiw town, his home at present being at 1334 Market street, San Francisco. Nikolaos Ethernius Theodorianitis was born in Theodoniania, Greece, in 1820. His father was a captain in the Grecian army. The boy spent some time with him in active service dnrins the Greco-Turkish troubles of 1835. He first went to school when 18 years of age, but later, when 34 years of nfie, entered the University of Athens. e was helped in his coll-ge days by the King of Greece, and in 1856 received his diploma, which he always carries with him. Arter leaving colleve, Theoderianitis studied law, and For a time edited a weekly paper in Athens, Straight, muscular and robust, he is the picture of health and vi'ality. He has the appearance and bearing of a_ hardy frontiersman, 40 years of age. His face, tanned and brown, is apparently marked by the furrows of age and not by the lines of dissipation. His large black eyes are kind and gentle and serve as transparent windows to his seemingly tender and benign nature, -Though dimmed slightly lhrou{,h age, they sparkle with a gleam of intelligence whenever the old man be- comes absorbed in a conversation. It doesn’t take much to start him, for he has a word to say on every topic announced. His fever of excitement is easily arousea, and when he becomes interested he is like & 16-year-old schoolboy railing at a base- ball umpire who had given an unfair de- cision. A broad, high forehead indicates a gooa intellect and a retentive memory. But the most striking characteristic of the aged Macedonian is his long hair and his shaggy beard. His hair is so heavy and long that it is necessary to keep it braided and tied ina knot on top of his head, which he covers from the outside wor'd with a silk hat. He took off his head covering during an interview with THE CALL correspondent to-day and exhibited a growth of capillary substance twenty-two inches in length. He had it braided into at least forty strings which, when left to hang down his back, resembled as many flaxen ropes. His beard is almost entirely white and is asimple mass of curls. Taking into ac- NIKOLAOS E. THEODORIANITES, the Aged Sprinter, Crowned With Laurel Won on the Stadium at the Olympian Games Near count his whole visage, his well-developed forehead, his wrinkled brow, his intelli- gent countenance, his aquiline nose, his keen black eyes and his long flowing hair, he bears every appearance of a historic Grecian god. In fact he has gosed as Jupiter, Hermes and Apollo, and his photographs bear close resemblance to marble. As to his frame, he is an athlete in every sense, and as he walks about the streets his step is as light and free as a man who has seen only two-score years. His well- developed chest and head and supple arms and shoulder muscles would do_creait to many athletes of to-day. Standing only 5 feet 6 inches, his limbs are short and stocky, but his running muscles, though but little used for three years, are hard and prominent. FAIRIES AT THE TIVOLI The Music of Humperdinck’s Great Opera Has Not Been Overrated. the originals in But the Children Left Much to Be Desired—Many Musicians Present. A vast amount of preliminary puffing asbeen heard about ‘‘Hansel and Gretel,” | which received its first Sau Francisco per- formance at the Tivoli last night. This | sort of thing generally Jeads to disappoint- | | ment, but in the case of Humperdinck’s | opera it must be stated at once that not a word too much has been said in praise of the beauty of the score. As for the libretto, time only will show whether it can appeal to American audi. ences. Children in this country are not | brought up on folk lore and legends. | When the wind howls and shrieks round | the home on a winter night they do not shrink cioser to their elders and tremble for fear the witches are riding past out- side on their broomsticks. They know ! too much, even in their early childhood, to | seriously pecple the woods with elves and hobgoblins, and as for a wicked old fairy popping children into an oven, there is | not a witch in the whole of Grimam’s gob-. lins who could get up early enough to ! get ahead of an American child. In Germany, however, it is quite a dif- | ferent tning. Folk lore and legends are planted in the hearts of the chiidren, and when they are old they do not entireiy depart from them. The quaint idyl of “Hansel and Gretel’” therefore would touch a responsive chord in the German breast when the American audience might awaken to the fact that there is a ludicrous side to putiing a prima donna in a chicken-coop and seeing the contralto careering around the stage on a broom- stick. A great deal of course depends upon the performance in drawing the line between the sublime and ridiculous, and it must be confessed that most of the singers last night were utterly inadequatc to the re- quirements of the music. The orchestral score is at least as heavy, if not heavi than thatof “Cavalleria Rusticana,” and;a considersbly augmented orchestra ren- dered it, under the direction of Joseph Hirschbach, The young ladies who played the‘title roles had weak littie voices, which would be heard occasionally in the upper notes, but for the most part their performance might have been gone through in panto- mime for all the benefit the audience de- rived from their singing. To criticize as oFern singers either Miss May Tunison or Miss Ella Prankard would be absurd. Miss Prankard, who played Gretel, was considerably the better of the two, how- ever. How much a dramatic interpretation and singing help to carry ‘“‘Hansel and Gretel” was shown by the work of Miss Matilda Wilde as the witch. This con- tralto has not only a fine dramatic voice, but she acts with intensity, and when she was on the stage the opera went with a “go’”” which was sadly lacking in the scenes between the two chilaren. Wil- liam West did very satisfactorily indeed as the children’s father, and though Miss Gertrude Worth’s acting was better than her singing, she made a satisfactory Ger- trude, The idyllic story of ‘‘Hansel and Gretel” may notappeal to the beholder, but there can be no two questions about the music. Even on a first hearing it is easy to see that it teems w~ith melody. Sometimes the tunes are {;oaitively rollicking, as in the song with the ‘‘tra-la-1a’ refrain sung by the tenor. At other times the themes are intensely poetical and romantic. Two of the most striking melodies are the dance theme and the duet sung by the children outside the witch’s house. In its treatment ‘‘Hansel and Gretel” is essentially modern. The orchestra trans- cribes the action passing on the stage and does it so simply and directly that a child can understand, while a musician can de- light in the skill with which Humper- dinck bas developed his themes. There were a good many children among the aundience which filled the Tivoli last night and most of theia seemed to enter thor- oughly into the spirit of the work. As to whether “Hansel and Gretel” be a success here from a box-office standpoint it is difficult to predict from one night's performance. Probably, however, it will. We owe the Tiveli a debt of gratitude for giving us the work, but it is inexplica- ble after getting together such a big or- chestra and srending so much in mount- iug the opera that the mauagement did not see fit to prove better principals. NOTED PRIEST DYVING, Rev. Augustin Hewit, Head of the Paulist Fathers, Not Ex- pected to Live. Opening of the Four Weeks' Mission Held by the Redemptorist Fathers. The sad news reached the Paulist com- munity at 8t. Mary’s Church yesterday that the Right Rev. Augustin F. Hewit, D.D., Superior General of the Paulist Fathers, was lying dangerously ill at the Paulist house in New York City. The nature of the trouble was not given, but Father Wiman of the local community said last night that he momentarily ex- pected a telegram announcing the death of their leader. The sick man has a na- tional reputation and is regarded as one of the most eminent men in the American Catholic Church. There will be a valuable addition to the Paulist community in this City within the next fow days in the person of Rev. Charles C. Powers, C. 8. P., who has been attached to the Paulist parish in New York City. On the arrival of Father Pow- ers two of the brothers of St. Mary’s will be occupied continuously in the field of missions, visitinz in their own work every section of the State. The Redemptorist Fathers opened a four weeks’ mission at Bt. Joseph’s Church yesterday. Solemn high mass was celebrated at 10 A. M., after which Father ‘Wiman preached the introductory sermon, during which he took occasion to explain the meaning of the mission and the man- ner in which it should be observed. The principal object to be attained, he said, is renewed piety of the faithful and extension of religion among all classes. Instructions will also be given on com- mandments of God and church, and doc- trinal explanations of the articles of the Apostles’ creed. The mission is divided into four parts, as follows: First week for married women, second week for single women, third week for married men, fourth week for single men. This division is made in order that all people in the parish inay have an opportunity to attend. Morning devotions during the mission will be held at5:30and 9 A, M., with important in- structions after each. At 7:30 P. M. a third mass will be celebrated. Confes- sions will be heard from 6 A. M. to noon, from 3 to 6in the afternoon and from 7 to 10 at night. ———— Payments Delinquent. ALAMEDA, CAL., Sept. 13.—Payments on the supplemental assessments of $986 85, for the opening of Buena Vista avenue, became delinquent to-day and a 5 per cent penalty is now attached to the $41907 of the amount which is unpaid. The Perata Brothers, whose assessment was §418 19, were awarded $421 85 damages, so they re- ceived $376 in cash insiead of paying money out. ——— Services Uninterrupted. ALAMEDA, Cav., Sept. 13.—Services were held as usual in Christ’s Episcopal Church to-day, Rev. C. F. D. Miller, for- merly of Bakersfield, officiating. Mr. Miller is residing in Oakland, but will remove to this city this week with his wife and remain until the successor of Rev. Mr. Lane is chosen. NEW TO-DAY. In consider- ing a drink that will leave no enervating effects, no evil results; that will be palatable, casily made and strengthen- ing to young and old alike, ‘here can be mnothing, nay more, there never will be any- thing so valuable as chocolate, That is chocolate rightly made chocolate that comes to your table pure and fresh. There is a chocolate made in Frisco—Ghirardelli’s. Your grocer gets it as he needs it—fresh from the fac- tory. It's original “ vim, » and richness of flavor are all there when it comes to you. Dr. g ésfilbbon’s Dispensary, NY ST. Established in 1854 for the treatmen §ireatment of Private Disenses, Lost. 'he d Try him. es low, aranteed. Call « Box l“!.&nh‘:m Cures (BBO.