Democratic Sentinel, Volume 14, Number 39, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 October 1890 — Page 3

TARIFF LETTERS TO FARMER BROWN.

SO. 4. Where the Tarift la a Tax to the Hilt. ‘Dear Farmer Brown: In my last letter I stopped abruptly with the mere mention of «the third class ot commodities, which are either not made here at all or are made in quantities not sufficient for the home demand. On this class the tariff is a tax to the *ull amount of the duty on both the imported and the domestic article. I am in having Major McKinley and his committee in agreement with mo on this point He says in the report on the tariff bill, in speaking of the duty on •sugar, that “it is a tax which is added to the price not only of the imported but of the domestic product. ” He shows that the duties collected on sugar were $55,975,610; and then he makes the following Remarkable statement—remarkable for him: “Add to this the price of •domestic sugar arising from the duty, and it is clear that the duty on sugar and molasses made the cost of the sugar and molasses consumed by the people of this -country at least $64,000,000, or about $1 for each man, woman and child in the United States more than it would Ohave been if no such duties had been levied and the domestic product had remained the same.” In making this statement Maj. McKinley is entirely in the right. The sugar duty, which he has just removed, was $2.22 per hundred pounds on raw -sugar. But 112.5 pounds of raw sugar is inecessary to make 100 pounds of rerfined; the duty therefore, entering into 100 pounds of refined sugar was $2.50. Now, I have before me a table of the iprices of the best granulated sugar in New York and in London during the iflrst nine months of last year; and 'the figures show that this sugar ranged ffrom $2.50 to $3.57 per hundred cheaper dn London than in New York. The price ten days ago was $3.80 per hundred in London for granulated sugar, and $6,625 in Now York, or a difference of $2,825 per hundred, or actually more than the duty. Maj. McKinley did not state the case any too strongly. Maj. McKinley, however, is careful to ipoint out the fact that wo produce only one-eighth of our sugar, and this is claimed by him as the explanation of the fact that the entire duty is added to both our native sugar and the imported article. He takes the trouble to tell us that this “is not true of duties imposed on articles produced or made here substantially to the extent of our wants.” Let us see how this works with lead, Our production last year, as stated beiore the McKinley committee, was 190,*OOO tons, while our imports were stated to be only 1,172 tons. The home market is secured to domestic producers by a duty of 2 cents per pound. And now for the prices: The latest reports give the New York iprice at 5.30 cents a pound; and dispatches from London on the same day give the price there at 3.08 cents. The •difference of 2.22 cents being more than the duty. In view of the higher price here growing out of recent tariff legislation, the importing point has been :reached, and accordingly the New York Commercial Bulletin States, in the same •report from which I have quoted the above prices, that 1,500 tons have recently been imported. This means that the entire duty is added to the domestic lead, and then the foreign articles can begin to come into competition. This •case shows conclusively the error of Maj. McKinley in the assertion jast quoted :from h'm. Another case showing that the entire duty, and even more, maybe added to the domestic article is that of linseed oil. The duty on it was 25 cents a gallon un--der the old tariff that has just passed ■out of date. The New York price of ■ linseed oil, as was testified before McKinley’s committee, was 62 cents a gallon, and the London price was only 32 ■cents, five cents more than the duty being added by our linseed oil trust, which controls nearly the entire manufacture in this country. Notwithstanding the arbitrary manipulating of prices by the trust, Major .McKinley actually raises the duty to 32 ■cents a gallon. Heretofore the trust was not able to put up the price of oil above 63 or 64 cents a gallon, for then imports •would set in; but now that McKinley lias •given seven cents additional protection, we may expect to see the price go higher. Besides these cases hundreds of others -might be mentioned whero the whole -duty is added; but in mavy kinds of • commodities a fair comparison is extremely difficult, owing to the fact that we cannot know whether we are comparing precisely the same article or ■quality. This is particularly the case with all kinds of dry goods, and in inearly all articles of complicated manufacture.

A vast number of Industries went before McKinley to plead for higher duties, showing how they would be injured, 'Or even ruined, if higher protection were not given. It was pointed out by them ■that foreign competition was interfering seriously with their home market. It is clear that all such industries sell at prices equal to that of the foreign article, with the duty added. How ■ could there be competition otherwise? For example, our window-glass manufacturers, who have just formed their trust, pleaded with Maj. McKinley that foreign competition was increasing, and that therefore they needed higher duties—which were given to them. Now the average duty paid on foreign glass last year was 105 per cent.; in other words, on every dollar’s worth of glass there was a duty of $1.05, the dollar’s worth costing thus $2.05, not including commissions to the importers -and other expenses. Now the question •*is, How could that foreign glass compete with American glass unless the American manufacturers should try to sell a •dollar’s worth at $2.05? The fapt is, they wanted to sell the dollar’s worth at ;more than $2.05, and that is why they raised their false cry of distress for .■higher duties; and that is why they formed their trust. They wanted to bag the game that McKinley had started for •them. How many kinds of commodities are •thu3 taxed at higher rates in the McKinJey bill? Their name is legion, and it is needless to try to name them. Let us ’.hold fast to the rule that industries which ask for higher duties by reason •of foreign competition are already charging up to the high-water mark of 4he protective duty.. Having; uow shown that the tariff •duty, where it is protective, is always a tax, I will examine in my next letter the -question who pays the tax, and will deal particularly-with the claim that “the foreigner, pays the tax." Yours truly,

Judge Cooley's Opinion.

Judge Thomas M. Cooley, of Michigan, -who is now President of the Interstate

RICHARD KNOX.

Commerce Commission, and who is one of the foremost constitutional lawyers of the country, has expressed his opinion of protection in the following words: “Constitutionally, a tax can have »o other basis than the raising of revenues for public purposes, and whatever governmental exaction has not this basis is tyrannical and unlawful. A tax on imports, therefore, the purpose of which is not to raise revenue, but to discourage and indirectly prohibit some particular import for the benefit of some home manufacturer, may well be questioned asdming merely colorable, and, therefore, not warranted by constitutional principles.” Then what about the McKinley bill, with its fundamental idea of “intentional protection and incidental revenue.”

Protectiou and Prices.

The following from the Dry Goods Economist of Oct. 4 is instructive: “It will be interesting to watch the effect of higher prices upon the popularity of the new tariff which has caused them. We shall soon hear from the consumer, and, in fact, already there are loud murmurs on ©very side- As a rule, ladies are proverbially indifferent to politics, but when they find out, as they are now doing, that something has been done by the politicians which results in adding from 20 per cent, to 25 per cent to their dressmaker’s and millinery bills, we fancy that we shall hear from the disfranchised sex in tones that no judicious man will be likely to ignore.” So it seems from this protectionist paper, which is, however, fair in its spirit and tone, that the tariff does raise prices. The best representatives of the school of protection to which this journal belongs do not deny this. But the politicians, and demagogues, and “fat friers,” and boodlers do deny this, and they have insisted upon their peculiar theory so strenuously and for so long a time that many voters who have given this matter little thought will be surprised at the upward movement of prices which has already begun. We read, for instance, in this same number of the Dry Goods Economist, of a meeting of the pearl button men “for the purpose of defending the interests of importers and the trade, and to do justice to tho present and future condition of the market in this article, which.affects every large and small manufacturer, every woman and child in the United States.” It was decided to Increase the price of the stock in hand by 25 per cent On all future importations 50 per cent, is to be added to the price of these goods. The firms represented at this meeting do a business amounting to millions of dollars, and virtually fix tho price for pearl buttons all over the country. The old duty on .these vbuttons was 25 per cent. The new duty is “2% cents per line, button measure, of one-fortieth of an inch per gross, and in addition thereto 25 per edntum ad valorem. ” And the hypocrites who did this thing give as the reason for their action: * “The change from ad valorem to specific rates is intended to be an increase for the protection of tho domestic industry against the competition of foreign convict labor. ”

So, buttons go up—and the consumers suffer. The same thing is true all along the lino. Wanamaker has issued a circular advising his customers to buy now, as, he says, the manufacturers have had their way, and prices, especially on tinware and kitchon furnishings, are sure to advance shortly. On drugs, the increase will be from 10 to 33 per cent., so that a man cannot be “puked or purged” without paying smartly for it. It cannot bo insisted on too strongly that In all this business there is not a thought given to the consumer. And if the consumers do not wake up and take some thought for themselves, they are going to get left. It Is to bo hoped that the tariff-raised prices will arouse in them a realizing sense of the blessings of protection. In the meantime it is comforting to know that the tariff is a tax, that it Is added to the price, and that it is paid by the consumer. And we are further consoled with the assurance that the McKinley administration is, in the main, satisfactory to the manufacturers.

Sewing Machines for Americans and for Foreigners.

Tho protectionists have been much worried by tho facts recently brought out to show that our protected manufacturers are selling their goods more cheaply to foreigners than in the home market. These facts were first published at length and in detail by tho New York Reform Club in a pamphlet entitled “Protection’s ‘Home Market.’ ” The subject was afterwards taken up in 4he Senato debate by tho Democrats, and the proof that lower prices are charged to foreign buyers was brought out very fully and effectively by Senators Carlisle and Vest. The farmer’s wife can see how this matter works in the case of sewing machines, on which there is a duty of 45 per cent, ad valorem. The facts about the prices charged by our manufacturers for these machines in the home and in the foreign market are given in the following extract from the Reform Club’s pamphlet: To “Home To Market.” Foreigner*. Beet Make Machines.... .$24.00 $21.09 “The above are the prices charged wholesale dealers for one of the best machines. This machine is sold at retail by agencies in England for $32.00 and in the United States for $45.00. To “Home To Market." Foreigners. Medium Machines $22.00 $17.50 Fine “ 27.50 20.75 “A cheaper machine manufactured in the United States is sold to the home dealer for SIB.OO and to the exporter for $13.00. “Another prominent manufacturing company sells the machine for which it charges the American dealer $20.00 for export to South America for $5.00. “This system of charging American buyers higher prices for their machines than buyers in England, is not confined to a single company but is characteristic of them all,” That is how protection works. It puts up a wall around the country in order that our manufacturers may be exempted from competition from abroad, and then these manufacturers turn around and charge more in this protected home market than they charge to foreigners. “This,” as the American Machinist says, “is likely to strike the American purchaser as being a little rough on him. ” Is it not more than “a little rough?” Is it not a downright injustice-to those who bear the burden of prbtection in behalf of these manufacturers? A 9 the Engineering and Mining Journal says, “It is not fair that our own people should be made to pay more than foreigners for the products of our own land.” Manufacturers who make these redactions to foreigners need no protection

* whatever. It Is absurd to claim that they da Yet Maj. McKinley does not take this reasonable .view; he continues to the sewing machine manufacturers their 45 per cent, protection. The precise effect of this duty is that the purchaser of a S2O machine must pay $9 extra, or $29 in all. This extra $9 goes into the pockets of the domestic manufacturer, as the high duty shuts out, practically, all foreign machines. It will not do to say, as tho protectionists always do, that the full duty is not added; for here is one manufacturer who sells a machine for $5 in South America and for S2O in the United States. It is as Uncle Remus says about witches: “Dey comes diffunt.”

Duties for Rich and Poor.

Maj. McKinley, in submitting his famous, or infamous, tariff bill to Congress last spring, said: “Thecommittee, responding as it believes to the sentiment of the country and tho recommendations of the President, submit what they consider to be a just and equitable revision of the tariff. ” “A just and equitable revision of the tariff.” Let us see. The fine cassimeres, worn by the rich, are advanced in duty 25 per cent., while woolens, worn by the poor, are advanced 40 per cent. Broadcloth is advanced 20 per cent; cotton corduroy 114 per cent. Sealskin sacqu.es are reduced 33 per cent.; imitation sealskin sacques are advanced 120 per cent. Silk velvets are not advanced at all; cotton velvets are advanced 100 per cent. Silk linings are taxed at the same rate as under the old tariff; cotton linings are advanced 285 per cent. Silk laces are advanced 20 per cent.; cotton laces 50 per cent. On black silk there is no advance; on black alpaca there is an advance of 66 per cent. Silk handkerchiefs are advanced 20 per cent.; cotton handkerchiefs 50 per cent. Silk stockings are advanced 10 per cent.; cotton stockings are advanced 15 to 25 per cent. On the finer grades of linens, worn by the rich, the McKinley duty is 35 per cent.; on the coarser grades, worn by the poorer classes, the new duty is 50 per cent. Yet these are duties imposed in a bill “to reduce the revenue and equalize duties on imports, ” and are what McKinley calls “a just and equitable revision of the tariff. ”

Ireland Not Yet Ruined.

A correspondent of tho New York Tribune writes a letter to that hide-pro-tection organ on “Ireland’s Prosperity,” which ought once for all to explode the campaign story about how “British free trade has ruined Ireland. ” “Irish prosperity in Ireland itself,” says the writer, “is an established and joyful fact;” and he adds: “Ireland Is today more prosperous than she has been for many a year.” He shows that crops are generally good, manufactures increasing, and that there Is “a healthy Increase all along the line.” In 1873 the deposits in postal savings banks were only 80 cents per capita; In 1877 they were $1.21; in 1887 they were $2.83; and in 1889 they were $3.25 or more. In joint-stock banks the returns for the year ending with Juno 30, 1890, show deposits and cash balances of $165,305,000, “which is tho largest sum over recorded In Ireland. ” In trustee savings banks, the deposits have increased 4 per cent, in a year. Notwithstanding the harsh English rule in Ireland, tho country is growing more prosperous. How does that come about, if “British free trado” is ruining the island?” Should not the evil effects of that trade be a constant quantity, and press with greater weight as time advances? That is tho doctrine that protectionists preach. Every undeveloped country that trades with a wellestablished country must grow constantly poorer. That is theli doctrine. How is it then that Ireland }s growing richer?

A Prayer for Mercy.

Senator John Sherman hopes that the manufacturers who are favored under this new law will not go to forming trusts, or to taking an undue advantage of the great opportunities which he and his friends have given them. Mr. Sherman should hire himself out as end man in a minstrel show, or adopt the profession of after-dinner speaking, i Hitherto he has not shone a* a humorist. Ho has been a rather serious and sober sort of a statesman. But now, at a single bound, he becomes the foremost wit of tho country. “Be careful,” he says to the manufacturers; “go slow. You have got a good thing, hut please don’t get rich too fast. We have given you a protective duty of 100 per cent, or so. You can use it all, but please don’t; you can easily form a trust and force prices up out of sight ; but we hope you will not do so. Such action would hurt us, and really you ought to be considerate of our feelings.” After Mr. Sherman has voted to givec tho gentlemen everything they want, his threat to move for the repeal of the McKinley law or any portion of it, if the manufacturers “abuse” it, is not likely .to have much weight. And why shouldn’t men take advantage of their opportunities? If the Binding Twine Trust wants to “skin” the farmers and if Congress, at its dictation, fixes things so that it can do it, what right have we to think that it will be very careful of the epidermis of the agriculturist? The truth, of course, is that the Ohio Senator was playing the demagogue. Ho helped to create the conditions under which robbery is easy of accomplishment, and then he begs tho strikers to stay their hand. The ordinary, straightthinking man will want to know why people cannot be allowed to keep their own property in the first instance, instead of being compelled to be satisfied with what the thieves are good enough to leave them. Congressman Springer of Illinois, used a phrase in one of the New York county fair tariff debates which is likely to become historic. He told one of his audiences that the time had come when the farmers would have to choose between “the Grand Old Party and the Dear Old Homestead.” That is a graphic statement of the situation, and the crowd “caught on” at once. McKini.ey’s idea is to increase taxation and to diminish revenue. When the peoplo see that there is going to be a deficit in spite of the outragous load of taxes they are carrying, Mr. McKinley is likely to hear something drop. Men are born to be serviceable to one another, therefore either reform tlia world or bear with it. i

INDIANA ITEMS.

BY OUR GREAT AMERICAN CONDENSER. Scalped by a Wagon Wheel—Bought Hl* Wile a Divorce—Suapeiwlered by Ill* Nwk Decapitated by a Train—.belt Two Widow*. —Harvey Holley suicided at Montpelier. —Pilot R.. the race-horse, fell dead at Wingate. —Somerville has a case of genuine small-pox. . —August Lebrun, a farmer in Adams County, fell dead. —A Chinese gambling den was unearthed at Peru. —John W. Grim, alleged bigamist, arrested at Kokoino. —Big fire occurred in Greenfield. Loss will reach $19,000. —Henry Newby, Russiaville, was robbed by footpads. —Samuel Anderson was killed by a freight at Greenfield. —Searlltina and measles arc spotting the people of Muncie. —J. O. Schofield, general merchant of Harris City, gone under. —Peter Kiser, oldest citizen of Fort Wayne, dropped dead. —Track laying on the C. W. & M. has reached Knightstown. —Louis Alsteller was fatally injured by a train at New Albany. —Mattie Kennedy was terribly burned by molten lead at Muncie. —Volunteers for tho regular army can now enlist at Fort Wayne. —An unknown woman deserted her infant babe at Frankfort. —Fiends burned a threshing machine in the field near Thorntown. —Fraiik Richardson was caught in a shaft at Franklin, He will die. —George Lafe’s team ran away and killed him instantly at Covington. —Erastus Shuman, leading merchant of Fort Wayne, went up the flume. —Sugar Creek,.in Montgomery County, is to be stocked with black bass. —Charles Seantlebury was stricken with paralysis at Jirazil and died. —A Kokomo canning factory turnsout 250,000 cans of tomatoes weekly. —Eddie Calvin, a 3-year-old of Attica, drank concentrated lye and died. —Bringhurst had a saloon but the citizens poured its liquor in the gutter. —Barn of Christian Huffman was burned at Vincennes. Loss, $5,000. —A Goshen youth picked at a dynamite cartridge. He’s minus a hand. —Benton Harbor express collided with a freight. Two engines were wrecked. —lsaac E. DeLong was killed while working at a gas well near Strawtown. —A prisoner escaped from the Waynotown calaboose by crawling up tho flue. —The wrath of Morgantown’s residents against the saloons is not appeased yet.

—Another attempt has been made to dynamite Mussehnan’s saloon at Morgantown. —An Indianapolis father mistook his toddling boy for a burglar and shot him dead. —An infant son of Edward Coy, of Jeffersonville, was dangerously gored by a cow. —At a saw-mill in Groencastlc, a log rolled over foreman Nichols. He may recover. —The residence of Martin Coilnty’s exsheriff was burned. The family narrowly escaped. —Morgantown toughs attempted to clean out a saloon. Knives and shooters were used. —The plans for the new Union depot at Terre Haute have been completed and accepted. —Tie tourists held a high time at Richmond until the officers got them on the tramp again. —An 8-ycar-old son of William Nash, Crawfordsville, fell on his open pocket knife. He's dead. —Thieves burgled the grocery store of M. Jakes. Demolished the safe with powder and got $135. —Horace Falls, a Martinsville 12-year old, gorged himself with paw paws. He’s with the angels now. —Edward Ryan, of Jacksonville, 111., was dangerously stabbed in a saloon brawl at Vincennes. —Evansville will have a Tri-State Fair. Business Men’s Association have subscribed SIOO,OOO. —Shameful prize-fight took place in a barn near Shelby. Participants poun'dod each other for over an hour. —Can. Stewart struck Charley York in the head with a lump of coal at Columbus and knocked out his eye. —The reunion next yearof the Eightysixth Regimental Association will be held at Crawfordsville, on October 7 and 8. —Mrs. Levi Trayer died at Middleburg, from injuries received in a Lake Shore wreck, in which her husband was killed. —A man at Darlington, Montgomery County, has offered his wife $325 if she will get a divorce from him. She has accepted. —The 12-year old daughter of Anton Alt, of Fort Wayne, was sent to tho grocery by her mother to get some provisions and has not returned. —W. F. Pettit, in jail at Crawfordsville, charged with the murder of his wife, says that he is annoyed oy newspapers that still print “Rev.” before his name. He “quit that business over a year ago.” —T. J. Benek and Clara Olnhausen arrived at Logansport from Columbus, Ohio, with a view to getting wedded right away quick. A constable met and escorted them to a hotel and locked them in separate rooms until the irate parents arrived.

—Alex Amos and John Alstandt went gunning in Pike County. Latter will die with bird shot in one lung. —John Mozetter, of l*ortland, took morphine, it is believed with suicidal intent, and will die. —The accounts of the ex-Clty Treasurer of Terre Haute, have boon found short $15,522.59. —O. J. SackmaiVs general store at Burdick was burgled to the extent of SSOO. —lmportant sections of the new election law have been declared unconstitutional. —A brave young woman prevented the escape from the Spencer Jail of three desperate criminals. —Harry Bloch, a combined Chicago printer and thief, was pulled at Evansville lor stealing a watch—Worked the mad-stone cure on two children or Mrs. I. T. Brown, Wirt, who were bitten by a rabid, dog. —Charles Shearer was arrested at West Point, chargod with burning a bridge in Shelby County, Ohio. —Frederick Stachley, Columbus, died and left SIO,OOO to a young man named Grelser who’d been kind to him. —Capt. Newton H. Baker died at his home in Wabash. He was one of the first captains on the Erie Caual. —The Greensburg Creamery Company will begin operations at their creamery, after lying idle about six months. —Jotinny Weiss fell out of a yoe at South Bend. The shattered bones V>f his leg protruded through his clothing. —One of Miles Ogle's partners has turned over plates used In counterfeiting to Government officers near Madison. —Wm. Shuman laid his neck across a rail on the Big Foiiy near Muncie to be decapitated. A freight train did him up brown. —The Indiana yearly meeting of Friends petitioned the World's Fair Commission to close the fair on Sundays. —Tho Terre Haute City Council has rescinded the charter of tho local Water Works Company, owned by Chicago capitalists. —A son of Barney Qrndorff, aged 8 years, fell under a wagon near Oaktown and was literally scalped by the wheel. —A satchel full of woman’s clothes was found near Terre Haute. A handkerchief in tho lot bore tho name, Louisa Townloy. —Tile agent of tho Virginia Life Insurance Company, at Terre Haute, has be«*n charged with embezzlement and arrested. —Mrs. George Dcppert fell down stairs at her home near Seymourand wa* stricken entirely blind. She Is nearly 60 years of age. —Tho citizens of Brown County seeni to have an extra lease on life. Thero ar6 several in the county who are bordering on 100 years of ago. —Nat Mowney, a saloonlst of Edlhberg, wanted to thrash Preacher Small because tho latter “talked against his business” in tho pulpit. —James Christie, Cass County, who feigned death by drowning in a lake and disappeared some time ago, It is' alleged to escape creditors, lias returned.

—Mrs. Love attempted to ride a balloon into npwardness at the Bedford fair. She was dragged through a scraggy tree top and badly disfigured. —Frank Brocaw, of Terre Haute, disappeared ten years ago and had not been heard of until recently ho Was found working as an engineer In Texas. —John Childllss filled up with social disturbance and bunked on the railroad track near Mitchell, A fast train lifted him off. He leaves a wife and children. —James Boswell of Htilesvllle, sentenced two years ago for eight years for robbery, has been pardoned, he having turned State’s evidence, thus implicating others, —George Cole, of Brazil, died and left his property to his widow. Since then another widow has turned up in England and the courts will decide which is the rightful heir. —The mail car on the; E., S. & R. Railroad was broken open near Seymour and gutted of every stamp, cancelling stamp and every implement in connection therewith. 1 —John Welch, a convict seat up from Indianapolis for four years for burglary and grand larceny, hanged himself In the dungeon in the Northern prison by his suspenders. —Six people at the house of. Albert Wller, of Lafayette, were dangerously poisoned by eating corn which had been sprinkled with paris green while growing to kill insects. —A kid attempted to climb between the cars of a moving freight train at Terre Haute. He lost his hold and fell between the rails, where he lay flat until seven cars passed over him. —Lena Myers, who disappeared from her home near Brownsburg, has been found. Says she was assaulted by a farmer named Mitchell and has sued for $30,000. Mitchell claims blackmail. —ln the Circuit Court at Columbus Joseph Shepherd, who gave Ills residence at Chicago, and Joseph Stanton, of Pittsburgh, were found guilty of horse stealing, and each sentenced to two years in Jeffersonville. —The famous sand hill, known as Iloosier Slide, at Michigan City, is being excavated and the workmen have found a one-story frame house still standing. Nobody knows how long it has been buried. —Jacob Zook and Joe West located in Kokomo about a month ago aud opened an office. They sold county rights for the manufacture of a patent water-proof paint. They exchanged rights for property and good paper to the amount of about SIO,OOO and skipped.

JUDGE MILLER NO MORE

HE BREATHES HIS LAST AT HIS WASHINGTON HOME. * Tlio Venerable Justice of the Supreme Court Die* a Painless I eath— (ten. Belknap, Piesltlent Grant'* ecratary of War, Die* Suddenly at Washington. [Washington dispatch.] Justice Miller died to-night at eight minutes of 11 o’clock without a struggle, and apparently without pain. A few minutes before ho died tlio phlegm imhis throat gradually accumulated and ills frame quivered. It was evident that tho end was fast approaching, and tho members of his household who wore not in tho sick room were hastily summoned to Ills bedside. ■ Besides-Mrs. Miller and her. son. Irving,there were present Dr. Cook, J. W. Woolworth. an old friend of Justice Miller, who had just arrived from Omaha, the family servants, and Chief Clork McKenney of tho Supremo Court. Soon after death tho face of the Justice, which had become somewhat drawn during tho last day of his illness, changed to a jicrfootly natural condition, and he looked as if in a quiet sleep. Samuel Freeman Miller was born in Richmond, Ky., April 5, 1816. . His father emigrated there from Reading In 1812. His mother was tlio daughter of parents who had removed to Kon--1 tueky from North Carolina before her birth. His early years wero spent upon a farm, but the drudgery of agriculture was a source of discontent to him and employment In a drug store gave him the opportunity for reading medicine. He graduated in the medical department of Transylvania University when 22 years of age, and entered upon the practice of medicine in Knox County, Ky. He had fioen married in the meantime and had begun tlio study of law, and was admitted to tho bar in 1847, In 1862 President Lincoln appointed Mr. Miller as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, which position lie retained the time of his death. During the twenty-eight years Justice Miller had resided in Washington his was a familiar figure on the streets. Until within the last few years Justice Miller was In tho habit of walking to and from tho Supreme Court. Only on groat public occasions did he ufto a carriage. He was so democratic in his nature that lie derided much of tho pomp and frippery of official life. He was frequently heard to say that walking was good chough for him. Justice Miller was a glutton for work. During the dlhnor hour and for an hour succeeding it ho engaged in social converse with his family and with such guests as might be present. Then he retired to his office in tlio basement and labored frequently far Into the morning hours. In spite of Ills 74 years his movements wero as lively as those of a man of 55 or 60. He was of giant mold phys ically as well as mentally, and a man of herculean strength. His bold, bluff, hearty way of speaking even when a young man threatened on several occasions to get him Into serious trouble. He did not shrink from any physical encounter 1 , although ha never engaged In one. His moral courage was superb. Soon after ho was seated on the bench of the Supremo Court he had occas on to rule on soma matter of law that would cither ruin or enrich Ills old law partner, Col. Ballanger. He promptly deckled against him, howovor, on the merits of the case, and an estrangement followed which was never healed. His genius far tho interpretation of thfl law was almost Infallible. While ho was the best-natured man In tlio world, he would, as a prominent attorney said this evening, hang his own father If It was legally tho thing to do and ho was called upon to decide tho matter. He was looked up to by every member of tho Supreme Bench, from tho Chief Justice down to tho newest member of the court.

CEN. XV. XV. HEI KNAP DEAD. The Ex- v onretarv or XVar Stricken with Heart Dliteate W tills Alone. [Washlufctoi dispatch.] The War Department Building Is draped in mourning for ex-Secrotary of YVar Gen. W. W. Belknap, liis many friends wero shocked this morning to hear that he had died suddenly and alone, and that tho fact was not discovered until many hours had elapsed after life became extinct. The precise time of his death Is unknown, but ft Is surmised it was after midnight Saturday aud before i) o'clock Sunday morning. Ho spent Saturday evening with fTiends who live near tho building in which he had an office and a bedroom, which he occupied in the absence of his family from the city. A dream which he dreamed on tho night of Friday, Get. 3, exaotlv a week before the sudden stroke whi ch felled Justice Miller, made a deep and vivid impression upon Gen. Jkpknap’s mind and imagination, and, although he was a man of sunny, cheerful temperament, by no means given to indulgence In superstitious or morbid fancies, he related tho dream to several friends and dwelt upon it with Considerable seriousness. Ho said that in the dream he was engaged In conversation with Just'cs Millor, and that the latter suddenly dropped to tho ground, stricken with apoplexy. A week later when General Belknap heard that his old friend had been stricken lie became inoro deeply concerned than over, and remarked to several friends, “I haven’t heard the last of that: there Is more to como.” Several friends called at Gen. Belknap’s office on Sunday morning; but, unsuspecting the truth, left supposing that he was asleep In the adjoining room. This morning at 8:30 a lawyer who occupied the same office with Belknap learned that the General had not been seen since Saturday night. Tho bedroom was opened by the janitor and the body was found lying partly on the bed, as though death had overtaken him In an attempt to arl-o. A physician examined the body and announced that death was due to heart disease. Mrs. Belknap and her daughter, who have been spending some time in Now York, were promptly notified of the death of the husband and father, as also was Hugh Belknap, tho Gcfncral’s son.

Stray Paragraphs.

Wanamakku, I. T.. has a colored lady Postmaster. A Wisconsin packing company has paid At a large boarding-school in England 300 boys are given a bath once a week. The submarine-telegraph system of the world consists of 120,070 nautical miles of cable. A Western cowboy committed suicide because a 13-year-old girl refused to mar*y him. - ,