Democratic Sentinel, Volume 11, Number 34, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 September 1887 — Page 2

AN EVEN HUNDRED.

Celebration of the Centennial of the Birth of the American Republic. President Cleveland Delivers a Brief Address to Ten Thousand People. Justice Miller, of the Supreme Court, Contributes a Memorial Oration on the Occasion. Ex-Minister Kasson Delivers a Speech and J. G. Blaine Writes a Letter. * The great centennial celebration of the signing of the National Constitution, lasting three days, came to a successful termination at Philadelphia on Saturday, Sept. 17. A Philadelphia correspondent says of the closing day’s exercises: Shortly before 9 o’clock a. m. the President, accompanied by Secretaries Bayard and Fairchild, left the Lafayette Hotel and proceeded to the Commissioners’ room in the east wing of the City Hall, at Market and Broad streets. His appearance was the signal for an enthusiastic burst of applause from the enormous crowd in waiting. For an hour and a half the President stood shaking hands with all who approached, young and old, rich and poor. Promptly at 10:30 the Presidential party started for Independence Square, where the memorial meeting was to be held. Here a grand stand with a seating capacity of 10,000 had been erected. For half an hour before the exercises began the Marine Band, stationed on the east Bide of the stand, had discoursed music, a chorus of 2,000 children, with 200 men as leaders, Binging a patriotic air. At just 11:46 the appearance of the President and his wife at the head of the double column of distinguished visitors caused a perfect uproar of applause. As they came down the center aisle toward their places in front the President leaned on the arm

INDEPENDENCE HALL.

•of ex-Minister Kasson, and directly behind them came Mrs. Cleveland, leaning on the arm of Thomas M. Thompson, Chairman of the Committee on Reception of Distinguished Guests. Next <yime Secretary Bayard, Daniel Lamont and wife, and Secretary Fairchild. After the President and Mrs. Cleveland had reached the stand a general hand-shaking with those whom they recognized or were recognized by took place, after which, in response to the tumultuous applause of the multitude, they walked side by side to the front railing of the structure and bowed their acknowledgments of the compliments paid them. Among those present on the grand stand were representatives of every condition of life. Hide by side were the Chief Magistrate, the highest ecclesiastical representatives, the justices of the highest law tribunal, the ministers extraordinary of foreign powers, the nation’s lawmakers, and representatives of the army and navy, and all other departments of civil, military, and religious life. At the front of the stand facing south an inclosure was railed off for the President, his party, the speakers, and others. At the front, and suspended so as to be in full view, hung a photographic copy of the original Constitution. At the east of the stand stood the quaint old high-backed chair occupied by George Washington as the presiding officer of the Congress which adopted that honored and venerated document. Suspended from the back of the chair was another copy of the nation’s charter. After all tae distinguished people had taken their seats and the cheering had subsided, Bishop Potter arose and, with uncovered made the opening prayer. The Bishop read from manuscript. He invoked ;the divine blessing upon the day’s proceedings and upon the President and other officials of the nation. The prayer was quite lengthy. When the Bishop concluded, General Sheridan with his aids, followed closely by Cardinal Gibbons, Archbishop Byan, and a number of Catholic clergymen, marched down the aisle and were heartily cheered. When they had been seated, John A. Kasson made the introductory address of the day. He referred briefly to the object of the celebration, and reviewed the progress of affairs from the time of the drafting of the Constitution up to the present. Cardinal Gibbons, clad in official vestments, sat at the side of the speaker, and was one of the most attentive listners. At the conclusion of Mr. Kasson’s address the chorus sang, “Appeal to Truth." The President then delivered a brief address. While he was speaking the old Liberty Bell rang out the midday hour, every stroke drawing forth a rousing hurrah from the multitude present. Mr. Cleveland paused in his remarks until the final cheer had been given ana then continued. His address was as follows : “I deem it a very great honor and pleasure to participate in these impressive exercises. Every American citizen should on this centennial day rejoice in his citizenship. He will not find the cause of his rejoicing in the antiquity of his country, for among the nations of the earth he stands with the youngest. He will not find it in the glitter and the pomp that bedeck a monarch and dazzle abject and servile subjects, for in his country the people themselves are rulers. He will not find it in the story of bloody foreign conquests, for his Government

THE OLD HIGH-BACKED CHAIR.

has been content to care for its own domain and people. He should rejoice because the work of framing our Constitution was completed one hundred years ago to-day, and also because, when completed, it established a free government. He should rejoice because this Constitution and Government have survived so long, and also because they have survived with so many blessings, and have demonstrated so fully the strength and value of popular rule. Ho should rejoice in the wondrous growth and achievements of the past one hundred years, and also in the glorious promise of the Constitution through centuries *- -''me.

*We shall fail to be duly thankful for all that was done for us one hundred years ago unless we realize the difficulties of the vork then in hand and the dangers avoided in the task of forming ' a more perfect union’ between disjointed and inharmonious States, with interests and opinions radically diverse and stubbornly maintained. The perplexities of the convention which undertook the labor of preparing our Constitution are apparent in these earnest words of one of the most illustrious of its members : The small progress we have made after four or five weeks of close attendance and continued reasonings with each other, our different sentiments on almost every question—several of the last producing as many nays as yeas—is, methinks, a melancholy proof of the imperfection of the human understanding. We, indeed, seem to feel our own want of political wisdom, since we have been running about in search of it. We have gone back to ancient history for models of government, and examined the different forms of those republics which, having been formed with the seed of their own dissolution, now no longer exist. In this situation of tip's assembly, groping as it were in the dark to find political truth, and scarce able to distinguish it wuen presented to us, how has it happened, sir, that we have not

THE OLD LIBERTY BELL.

heretofore once thought of humbly applying to the Father of Light to illuminate our understandings ?* “And this wise man, proposing to his fellows that the aid and blessing of God should be invoked in their extremity, declared: ‘I have lived, sir, a long time, and the longer I live the more convincing proofs I see of the truth that God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without his aid? We have been assured, sir, in the sacred writings that “except the Lord build the house they laborjin vain that build it ” I firmly believe this, and I also believe that without his concurring aid we shall succeed in this political building no bett r than the builders of Babel. We shall be divided by our little partial local interests, our projects will be confounded, and we ourselves shall become a reproach and by-word down to future ages ; and, what is worse, mankind may hereafter, from this unfortunate instance, despair of establishing governments by human wisdom, and leave it to chance, war, and conquest.’ “In the face of all discouragements the fathers of the republic labored on for four long, weary months, in alternate hope and fear, but always with rugged resolve, never faltering in a sturdy endeavor, sanctified by a prophetic sense of the value to posterity of their success, and always with unflinching faith in the principles which make the foundation of a government by the people.

“At last their task was done. It is related that upon the back of the chair occupied by Washington as the President of the convention a sun was painted, and that as the delegates were signing the completed Constitution, one of them said: ‘I have often and often in the course of the session, and in the solicitude of my hopes and fears as to its issue, looked at that behind the President without being able to tell whether it was rising or setting. But now, at length, I know that it is a rising and not a setting sum’ “We stand to-day on the spot where this rising sun emerged from political night and darkness, and in its own bright meridian light we mark its glorious way. Clouds have sometimes obscured its rays, and dreadful storms have made us fear; but God has held it in its course, and through its life-giving warmth has performed his latest miracle in the creation of this wondrous land and people. “As we look down the past century to the origin of our Constitution ; as we contemplate its trials and its triumphs ; as we realize how comiletely the principles upon which it is based lave met every national ueril and every national need, how devoutly should we confess with Franklin, ‘God governs in the affairs of men,’ and how solemn should be the reflection that to our hands is committed this ark of the people's covenant, and that ours is. the duty to shield it from impious hands. We receive it sealed with the tests of a century. It has been found sufficient in the past, and in all the future years it will be found sufficient, if the American people will be true to their trust. “Another centennial day will come, and millions yet unboin will inquire concerning our stewardship and the safety of their Constitution. God grant that they may find it unimpaired ; and, as we rejoice at the patriotism and devotion of those who lived a hundred years ago, so may others who follow us rejoice in our fidelity, and in our jealous love for constitutional liberty.” The President concluded his remarks at 12:05, and on taking his seat was greeted with a tremendous roar of applause. In the middle of the cheers the chorus broke into a song, and for a few minutes the noise was simply deafening. When quiet had been restored United States Supreme Court Justice Miller stepped to the front of the stand, and, facing the assembled dignitaries, began the delivery of his oration. He held his audience spellbound, and was followed with rapt attention. He described briefly the -work of forming the Constitution and the objections made to the drawing up of the instrument. He also touched on the mode of selecting United States Senators. He closed his address with the recitation of a quotation from Chancellor Kent. During the oration Mrs. Cleveland sat beside Secretary Bayard, who protected her from the sun’s rays. Justice Miller’s address occupied one hour in delivery. The new national hymn, which was contributed by F. Marion Harlaua, was then recited by Prof. Murdoch with a chorus of two hundred men’s voices.

At 1:40 President Kasson, of the Commission, gently took the arm of Cardinal Gibbons, who.

INK-STAND USED IN SIGNING THE CONSTITUTION.

the square, with a bow he turned and, facing the President, and within hearing of all who occupied seats around the circle, offered a prayer to the Almighty. He was listened to with the closest possible attention, and upon the conclusion of the prayer the sweet strains of the patriotic “StarSpangled Banner" broke upon the crowd in volumes frcm the voices of the grand chorus, accompanied by the Marine Band. An impressive benediction was then pronounced by Rev. Jere Witherspoon, of Nashville, Tenn. Just as he finished the benediction the leader of the Marine Bond signaled his musicians to render a march specially prepared for the occasion. As the band struck up, the President and Mrs. Cleveland walked arm in arm to the front of the stand and bowed repeatedly to the multitude in acknowledgment of the thunders of applause that greeted t-iem. When the occupants of the stand noticed the pair standing a wild rush was made over the chairs to the place where they stood, and the President held a short reception, shaking hands with all who succeeded in reaching him. The police soon cleared a passage, and in a few minutes the President and wife were in a carriage. They sat on the back seat of a handsome barouche, the President with uncovered head and both smiling. They were repeatedly cheered by the throng, and they were given a continuous ovation from the time they left the stand until they disappeared within their hotel. James G. Blaine’s Letter of Regret. The following letter was received by the Constitutional Centennial Commission from James G. Blaine: “ x, *mbubg, Germany, Sept. 2.— Gbntlemen:

with the glittering sun pouring down upon his Cardinal vestments, and the “red hat” so lately placed upon his head by the venerable Leo XHI., looked his best, and was the recipient of much attention. After walking to the front of the stand and paying his respects to the thousands of people who surged in and around

It is with sincere regret I find myself unable U accept your invitation to be present at the cele. bration of the centennial anniversary of the promulgation of the Constitution of the United States. Sept. 17. Next to the Declaration of Independence, the ordaining of the Constitution is the great e vent to be celebrated for all time by the American people. As years roll by and the nation grows in numbers, in power, in prestiga, our admiration and appreciation of the men who framed our organic law are steadily strengthened It was assuredly a work of genius to construct for thirte m feeble States, with an aggregate of 3, you, 01 people, a constitutionwhieh, 1m years later is found perfectly adapted to the needs and wishes of a powerful nation, expanded four-fold in its territorial area, with thirty-eight States and more than 60,010,000 people. Perhaps in no country and in no period of the world's history has the conception of free government, firmly secured by the checks and balances of a permanent and conservative Constitution, been more profoundly studied and comprehended than by our forefathers. 'They effectually organized a revolution ajainst the fool-'sh tyrann v of an English King, and against the arrogant wrong of an rlngh h Parliament. After victory in the field they completed their work by laying, broad and deep, the foundations of a popular government, in v» hich the people are rulers and the officials are servants. The extraordinary proportion of men who in that patriotic generation wore fitted by long study and training to the highest duties of statesmanship, is shown by the fact that of the fifty-five memb. rs.of the Congress of 1776 who signed the Declaration of Independence, only six were included in the thirty-nine members of the convention of 1787 who signed ths Constitution. The reverence and the affection which we feel toward these great men w 11 be best shown by cherishing their work, and assuring to our descendants as many and as grateful reasons for a national celebration of the establishment of our Constitution as tnose which influence us to-day. With great respect, faithfully yours.

RETROSPECTIVE.

The Constitution-Makers and Their T*ik. As Independence Hall was the birthplace of the liberties of the colonies, so also was it the birth-chamber of the nationality of the confederated States. For it was here, in the summer of 1787, that the convention met to devise a better form of government than the confederation, which was little more than a thread holding together the conflicting interests of the different sections. The convention met in May, with delegates representing all the states except New Hampshire and Rhode Island. George Washington, one of the delegates representing Virginia, was chosen President. It was a wonderful bcdy of men, chosen to grapple with questions which had never been solved, indeed, never before been confronted by statesmen. Happily they were the intellectual aristocracy of the democratic colonies, with character and mental qualities suited to their task. Among them were Hamilton, by right the father of the Constitution, a man preeminently a statesman, broad-minded philosopher, and practical, high-minded gentleman. Franklin, than whom none was more experienced in the affairs of state, Washington, Madison, Gouverneur Morris, Rufus King, Robert Morris, Pinckney, an 1 Randolph. Active work was begun by the convention on May 24, but little progress was made for some time. The convention was from the start perplexed by doubts. Says a historian of the Constitution: “The framers of the Constitution assembled for their work amidst difficulties and embarrassments of an extraordinary nature. No general concert of opinion had taken place as to what was possible to be done. Whether it were wise to hold a convention; whether it were even legal to hold it, and whether, if held, it would be likely to result in anything useful to the country, were points upon which the most opposite opinions prevailed in every State of the Union." The convention had no precedents to guide its action ; the diversity of opinions and interests of the colonies represented by the delegates made it seem probable that no agreement could be reached, and at last a final adjournment was proposed. Dr Franklin, then in his 82d year, arose, and, addressing the President, said: “How has it happened, sir, that while groping so long in the dark, divided in our opinions, and now ready to separate without accomplishing the great objects of our meeting, we have hitherto not once thought of applying to the Father of Light to illuminate our understandings? In the beginning of the contest with Great Britain, when we were sensible of danger, we had daily prayers in this room for divine protection. Our prayers, sir, were heard and graciously answered." The venerable philosopher then moved that the daily sessions of the convention be opened with prayer, but his motion does not appear to have prevailed. A final adjournment was not taken, however, and the convention pursued its work. In September all the provisions of the proposed constitution were referred to a committee for revision. This work was completed on Sept 12 and then ratified by the convention. Copies were sent to the several States for ratification, and in the spring of 1789 the new republic was an accomplished fact. A Century’s Growth. A hundred years are gone since Washington promulgated the American Constitution, and the question arises, by what standards shall its wisdom be measured? It was ordained at a time when the population of the country was less than 4,U0j,000, and thirteen States constituted the Republic. It may be well for the reader to have before him the figures showing the growth of population, unprecedented in the history of nations: Year. Population. 1790 3,929,214 1800 5,308,483 1810 7,293,881 1820 9,663,822 183012,866,020 184017,069,453 1850 23,191,876 186031,143,321 187033,558,371 188<)50,155,783 1887 (estimated'6o,ooo,ooo During this growth the Constitution, the organic law of the Republic, has been equal to every emergency. But this is not the only test of the apparently more than human wisdom of the American Constitution. With an increase of population there came a demand for additional States. Kentucky and Vermont in 1791, Tennessee in 17.16, Ohio in 1801, Louisiana in 1812, Indiana in 1816, Mississippi in 1817, Hlinois in 1818, Alabama in 1819, Maine in 1820, Missouri in 1821, Arkansas in 1836, Michigan in 1837, Florida, lowa, and Texas in 184', Wisconsin in 1847, California in 1850, Minnesota in 1858, Oregon in 1859, Kansas in 1871, West Virginia in 1862, Nevada in 1864, Nebraska in 1867, and Colorado in 1975. These twenty-five empire States took their places in the great Republic and on the flag of the nation. The Republic had marched across the continent, but the Constitution extended its mighty arms and held them all fast in protecting embrace. There it stands, the sublimest monument to human wisdom in the matter of government the world ever beheld. Original Draft of the Constitution. In gathering the material for a life of Edmund Randolph Mr. Moncure D. Conway came upon what seems to have been the original draft of the Constitution of the United States. It was found among the papers of his friend George Mason, author of the Bill of Rights. The manuscript is liberally annotated by another member of the convention, James McClure. Scribner’s for September contains an article on the subject from the pen of Mr. Conway, also a foe simile of the manuscript. So far as Mr. Gladstone was right in calling the Constitution a birth from the brain of man the credit therefor seems to belong more to Edmund Randolph than to any other man. Then and Now. When the Constitution was framed 100 years ago there were thirteen States in the Union. Now there are thirty-eight, and one vast Territory of 600,000 inhabitants. The population of the United States in li9o, when the first census was taken, was 3,929,214. It is now nearly or quite 60,000,0)0. There were then about 1,500 Federal officeholders in the country. There are now more than 100,000. The total net ordinary receipts of the United States in 1792 were §3,661,006. In 1886 they were §336.439,000. The total net ordinary expenditures in 1792 were §8,269,000. In 1886 they were §242,183,000.

“Paradoxical as it may seem,” replied Snaggs, “a stag party is one to ■which the dears are not admitted. ” Pittsburg Chronicle.

"J. G. BLAINE."

When asked what truth there was in the statement that he would leave the Chicago Club this year, Williamson said: “It is a lie. If the Chicago Club wants my services next year I shall be in the held for them, and can say frankly that I never had any other intention.” “You are not at swords’ points with Anson then as the balance of the team are?” “Who says the balance of the team are hot at Anson? I tell you that these dirty attacks on the ‘old man’ are enough to make any man, who has any sense of fairness in him, hot under the collar. Ido not believe there is a man who if asked if he had any thing against Anson would say yes. Pfeffer was pretty hot at one time, but I think he feels differently now. As for myself I would rather play under Anson than any other team captain in the business. What makes me think that there is none of the feeling against him among the men, as certain papers have stated, is that when the crowd gave him the guying they did during the Indiauapogames because of an error or two he made, there was not a man of us, so far as I could judge from their faces, who would not gladly have stood in the old man’s shoes and took part of the guying for him. As for myself I felt so hot over it that I could not see the ball for a minute. It is a shame to treat a man as a certain element in the public is treating him, and if it were not for the slurs of the newspapers the public would not do it. As for the hired men on the papers who are writing all this stuff, I suppose they are doing as they are told. There is certainly no foundation for their statements. You can say for me that the tone of the newspapers is no reflection of the spirit which exists among the boys. On the contrary, the majority of us are thoroughly indignant over it all,” Just inside the office stood Anson himself in conversation with Ed Hengle. “I see the newspapers have got everything fixed for you next year, Anson,” ventured your correspondent. “Yes,” said the big fellow, with a smile. ’‘Williamson and Pfeffer are going to leave us, and Clarkson is going to Boston next year.” “I presume that is a fact?” “O, yes. Just about as much a fact, so far as I can judge, as the balance of the rot these fellows telegraphed to their papers while we were down East. But let me tell you that if they do go, the Chicago team will play ball right along just the same.” “How do you feel about the rough criticism they are subjecting you to?” “Well, I will tell you. In the first place lam not working for the public, but for the Chicago Ball Club, and so long as the club is satisfied I don’t care what the newspapers say. On the contrary, I like it and hope they will continue to be as windy as they are at present. I have an idea that it may all result beneficially to A. C. Anson some day. Meantime I shall handle my team as I think best, and shall play ball as well as I know how.” President Spalding, as may be imagined, is none too kindly disposed toward the men who have started these malicious reports, but as is always the case with him under such circumstances he has kept his temper admirably through it all. “If there was a single particle of truth in it, ” said he, “I should have nothing to say; but for newspapers to deliberately state what they know is not true when they know that such statements are calculated to belittle the team is rough. The team is not demoralized. Anson has not been brutal toward the men. There are no hard feelings existing between him and his players, and the men whom it has been stated will leave the club this fall, will, so far as I now know, wear the uniform of the Chicago Club next year as they have done this. Clarkson has never had any cause to complain of the treatment accorded him since he has played ball with the White Stockings, and if he has any wish to go to Boston it is because he lives there and would prefer to be near his home—not because he has not been well treated here. However, these statements made by the papers are

BASE-BALL.

The Fight for the League Pennant Drawing to a Close—Detroit’s Big Lead. The Alleged Trouble in the Chicago Team—President Spalding Interviewed. [CHICAGO CORRESPONDENCE.] Chicago has been somewhat torn up in a base-ball way during the past week ortwo, the team’s defeat in two of three games at Detroit, ccming as it did upon the bad luck that had attended the team from the time it left here upon its Eastern trip last month, tending to discourage those who had backed the White Stockings as pennant winners. On top of their defeats at Detroit they were compelled to knuckle down to Indianapolis in the first game played upon the home grounds for four weeks, and notwithstanding that the champions whipped the Hoosiers until they fell upon their knees and begged for mercy in the two following gtmes, the Chicago morning papers, or those of them which for a month past have been unfavorably inclined toward the Whites, launched forth into a tirade of abuse against Captain Anson and the club which was uncalled for as it was unjust. Arson was accused of being a “hoodoo,” snd was advised to resign the captaincy. Clarkson, it was asserted, would quit the team and play ball with Boston next year. Pfeffer and Williamson were also disgusted with Anson, and would not be with the Chicago Club next season. Now, it is a fact that the players which these papers charge with being dissatisfied and hot against Anson are, so far as can be learned, more indignant against the treatment accorded to Anson, both by the public and the press, than is the big fellow himself. Pfeffer does not say so, but it is dollars to doughnuts that he now very much regrets having ever said anything to newspaper men concerning his little trouble with Anson down East. Big Ed Williamson is honestly hot and thoroughly worked up over the attacks upon his Captain and the statement that he will play ball with some other team than Chicago next season.

so utterly false and groundless that 7 scarcely think they need denial. Chicago will play ball just the same right through this season, and other seasons to come. We shall occupy second place in the race this year at the finish, and that will suit me very well under the circumstances.” DETROIT LIKELY TO WIN. Detroit is certainly playing great ball, and seems now to be in a- fair way to win the pennant this year. The return of Baldwin to the ranks strengthens the pitcher’s box just that much, so that the club cannot possibly be weak in that way, and that has been the spot that has been looked upon with the greatest of fear. With Bennett and Baldwin in the greatest of iorm Battery “B” promises to again become one of the stand-bys of the Detroit Club. THE BOSTON CLUB. The Boston Club management seems to be in a peck of trouble with its players. The other day nine of the men were fined $25 each for alleged loose habits, and now pitcher Radbourn has been suspended. The official notification from the directors informed Radbourn that he was indefinitely suspended because his work had not been satisfactory. “That don’t give me a very good idea of what I am to expect,” said Rad, in commenting upon his suspension the other day. “This afternoon I asked them if I am suspended for the rest of the season, but they were not ready to tell me. I should like to know if lam going West with the team. If lam suspended for the rest of the season I should like to know it, so that I can go home. There is no use of my loafing around here.” “Was anything said to you after the game about not trying to do your best?” “Not a word. The only reason given for my suspension is that my work has not been satisfactory, but I’ll tell you what it looks like. It looks very much like a scheme to save part of my salary. I have done my Lest every time I stepped into that box. That is what I signed a contract to do. It was not to win every game I played. They agreed to give me "so much money for pitching whenever and as often as I was needed. I have always been perfectly willing to pitch when in condition. They made the contract without a kick, and if they feel that they have not got their money’s worth it is not my fault. I have lived up to my part of it. which was to play ball as well as I knew how for the Boston Club. It has been impossible for me to pitch as well under the new rules as under the old ones.” “Then you think the change hurt you?” “It certainly did, just as it did many of the pitchers. There was Mickey Welsh. He has been off and on all summer. Many of the games that have been lost with me in the box were not due to poor pitching, but you can’t convince the public of that. They have got down on me and have influenced the directors, as was natural.” During further conversation liadbourn said: “One thing is very sure. If I am not treated squarely in money matters there will be trouble. Oh, no; I shall do nothing personally. That will be unnecessary. Wa have a brotherhood now.” NOTES AND COMMENT. Ryan, of the Chicagos, is falling off in his fielding. Dell Darling has sprouted a moustache. Williamson is a great favorite at home and in the East. Jim Whitney has made four put-outs this season. Over 250,000 people have attended the Boston game this season. McCormick, of Pittsburg, is laid up with rheumatism and boils. The Detroit cranks have presented Getzein with a S2OO gold watch and chain. A. G. Spalding & Bros., the base-ball supply house, sold 1,000,000 base-balls last year, or enough of them to reach from Philadelphia to New York if strung upon a wire side by side. They also made and sold twenty-two miles of bats. Manager Watkins, of the Detroits, is trying to get up a team to tak* to California this winter. It includes Getzein and Conway pitchers, Bennett catcher, Brouthers, Dunlap, Ricbardson, Hanlon, and Thompson. A number of those mentioned are disinclined to go, as they think they would rather rest during the winter. President Soden, of the Boston Club, says that Detroit L as an average attendance at home games of about twelve or fifteen hundred persons. “They want to keep up their big club, with all’ its high-priced players, and let New York, Chicago, Boston, and Philadelphia pay for them.” Soden bitterly opposes the percentage plan. “I have umpired for both organizations, and let me tell you the League is away ahead of the Association/' said Umpire Daniels. “To begin with, the League has better batters, and its players see and play much finer points. The St. Louis Browns? Yes, they are a wonderful team, but the Detroits can win from them by virtue of superior batting.” This talk about grand-stand players, so often used to disparage a good play by a member of a team, ought to be shelved. A player who puts forth his best effort to effect a difficult catch, or makes a grand slide to reach a base, or, in fact, does anything else to advance the interests of his side, deserves applause. He may work for the benefit of the grand stand, but the spectators like him just as long as he helps his side.— Cincinnati Enquirer.

OUR FORESTS.

A Suggestion for Their Protection and Preservation. [Washington speeiaLl Chief Fernow, of the forestry division of the Department of Agriculture, after a careful survey of the ground, reaches the conclusion that the forest area owned by the United States Government represents a capital of at least $280,000,000, and that the annual loss by fire will average $8,000,000. He proposes that the Government make accurate surveys of this wooded land and withdraw it from sale and pre-emp-tion, and that it employ a few trained foresters, with a suitable number of assistants, to protect the timber from burning and ruin, which comes of the indiscriminate use of the ax. The cost of this system would be inconsiderable compared with its benefits. Computing the forest area of the State of Colorado, for instance, at 5,000,000 of acres, it is not probable that its proper care would call for an outlay of more than $300,000 a year, whereas the forest fires alene destroy at least three times that amount; so that, were one-third of these fires prevented, the saving would wipe out every dollar of expense. Moreover, from the sale of timber the Government would reap a liberal income. Forests can be judiciously penned, not only without hurting them but with positive advantage to their productive powers. The direction of such work must be, however,"in the hands of an expert.