Democratic Sentinel, Volume 16, Number 11, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 April 1892 — Page 5

THE CORDAGE TRUST.

AN ABSOLUTE MONOPOLY OF PRODUCTION. It Manipulator the Markets and Gets from Ita Tariff Tax an Knormou* Proßt Whore’s That American Tin Plate? A Veritable Octopus. Hemp and Its substitutes, manila, sisal grass and jute, constitute the raw material of two important industries, those of cordage and bagging manufacture. The most important of these is the cordage industry, which comprises the production of all classes of ship and other cordage, rope and binding twine. It is seldom that these products are manufactured in separate establishments. Nearly all the materials used are imported, and the establishments in the industry are quite widely diversified throughout the country. A scheme to combine all these establishments into a gigantic trust would have been considered impossible several years ago. Now, however, after the people have become accustomed to the sight of trusts and combines, its successful accomplishment excites little comment. The growth of the present Cordage Trust from the so-called association which loosely bound the manufacturers together previous to 1887, when the present trust was formed, has been so gradual that except among the interests directly affected it has excited but little interest. Previous to October, 1887, the cordage manufacturers were in a combination or pool, the object of which was to fix prices. But, other loose arrangements of this kind, the members were not slow to break the agreements made when they found it to their advantage to do so. Early in 1887 this pool fell to pieces of its own weight and an era of free competition followed till October, when the .nucleus was composed of the following concerns: Elizabethport Cordage Company of New Jersey, and the Tucker & Carter Cordage Company, L. YVaterbury & Co. and William Wall’s Sons, all of Brooklyn. Around this nucleus of four concerns have been gathered forty-five other establishments in the United States and Canada, until now the trust controls over 90 per cent, of the production of cordage, rope and binding twine. At the time of its organization in 1887, the trust announced as the object sought by its formation, an increase in the profits to be derived from a lower cost of materials by the removal of competition In the market, and from the economies to be derived from a decrease ir the cost of production. It was asserted time und again that no attempt would be made to raise the prices of its finished products. These claims were repeated at the time of its reorganization as a corporation, and finally in February last in the annual report to the stockholders in the following terms: “Through these advantages secured by the control of many mills, and their management under one direction, the company hopes to be enabled to secure an increased margin of profit without increasing the prices of its product to the consumer.” Has the trust up to the present carried eut this promise, or, if not, is there any likelihood that it will do so in the future? In the following tables are shown the average monthly prices since 1885 of the raw material and finished product. The articles, the prices of which are given, are manila hemp and manila cordage 7-16 of an inch in diameter and larger: MANILA. HEMP, JO IA 3 I A3' A 3 AS A 3 * L& 1 * sus'gLi MONTHS. 2 -88 -.S -8 - 2a2®S®2 o 2 ® 2 as a - 91 si o a a v uI _o| o o January..:. 7.72 8.111 9.04 12.1111.75 9.81 February 7.25 8.06 1 9.12|11.62 11.12 8.08 March 6.78 7.89 9.t 011.56 9.62 8.50 April 6.98 7.75! 9.C011.87 9.00 8.31 May 7.92 7.67 9.00T2.87 9.25 8.19 Jane 7.87 7.44 9.00i13.0J 9.25 775 July 7.56 7.64 9.00 12.87 9.25 7.62 August 8.24 9.32 9.C0 13.87 9.25 7.45 September 7.98 9.87 9.00 13.87 ! 9.2 r >| 7.32 October 7.89 10.34 9.00 14.37 j 9.08 7.n9 November 7.95 9.40 9.2114.1210.5 6.87 December 8.1519.01 IU2 1 3.871 9.84 ftJ2 MANILA CORDAGE. A 3 £A 3 I g A 3 g MONTBB. J|J J | 5 | I n^ n 4i n 43| rl^ Ja a a a fl © w © © © o 0 0 o u January 11.75 12.00,10.50 1 4.25 14.50 11 50 February 11 25 12.0 110.50J5.25 15.C0 10.87 March 11.75 12.03 10.50j15.75 15.00 10.75 April 11.75 12.0.1|10 75115.75 16.00j10.f.2 May 11.75 12.00 10.75 15.7>115.00 9.75 Ju e 11.7511.00 10 75 15.75 15.9C] 9.25 July 11.75 10.50 1 '.76 15.1211.75 9.25 August, 11.75 11,37 11.87 13.60i14.75 9.12 September... 11.75111.25 11.60 13 00 14.75 8.87 October 11.75|11.75 11.25 13.2.>| 14.75! 9.12 November 11.75111.57 12.C0;13.25|H.67! 9.87 December 11,7 j 13,87 13.2i|14.25|12.00|10.25 The following are the average yearly prices of materials and finished product (cents per pound): 1886.1 18871j1888J1889.11890. j 1891. Cordage...... 1L7u|11.51 U.15'14.5714AS 9.94 Manila 7.68| 854- 9.04|13.00[ 9.77 j 7.63 Difference 4.02! 2 971 2.11| 1.57 i 4 76j 2-04

These figures would be misleading without explanation. The high prices of the raw material prevailing in 1889 were in part due to a shortage in the crop, but chiefly to the manipulation of the market by a combination of the Cordage Trust and English brokers. In the fall of 1888 this combination began to corner the product with such complete success that during a large part of 1889 they controlled nearly all of the stock. The prices prevailing in 1889 were these at which the trust was willing to sell, and not the prices which it paid for the raw material. By this corner of the material the trust was able to keep up the price of cordage to the high averages shown for 1889 and 1890, until it had succeeded in working off the whole stock on hand. The difference between the price of the finished product and of the raw material for 1890, as show r n atftve, was about the actual average difference in 1889 also. This shows that the trust succeeded in. making enormous profits entirely at the expeflse of the consumers. The reduction in the price of cordage in 1891 was made for a purpose. During the whole year the Trust was negotiating for the control of the independent establishments, and its success depended upon its ability to force these outsiders to terms. For had the Trust kept prices up, the outside establishments would either have refused to 'o n the Trust, or would hive held out for more favorable terms than they would have been willing to accept under other circumstances. By October, 1891, the Trust had so far suoceeded in securing control of the competing mills that it was able to advance prices again. As a result, the price of cordage has been raised from 8f cents per pound to the present price of 11J cents per pound.- And this advance has been made directly in the face of a declining market for the material. The present price of manila for shipment is 6J to 7 cents per pound. The difference between this nrice and that of the finished product is, therefore, 4.38 cents per pound. The promise made by the Trust, that the increased profits which it hoped to secure from organization would not be at the expense of the consumer, has been completely forgotten. . In spite of the fact that the Cordage

j Trust engaged in open war during the | whole of last year with the independent I manufactories for the purpose of forcing ! them into the Trust, it was able to make ! very large profits. During the fiscal I year ending October, 31, 1891, the Trust ; made a profit of $1,406,313, which enI abled it to declare dividends of 8 per i cent, on the preferred and 9 per cent, on ; the common stock, and at the same time : left a balance of $106,313. As a result ! of the higher prices since October, the Financial Director of the Trust felt justified iu making the following report for the quarter ending January 31 last: , “It is very difficult at this time to give an accurate estimate of the profits of : the business for the quarter ending January 31. I feel safe in stating, how- | ever, that after deducting expenses, ; rentals, and all fixed charges, these ! profits will be found sufficient to pay I the entire annual dividend of $400,000 on the preferred stock and a quarterly dividend on the common stock, besides leaving a large surplus.” Should this rate of earnings be e ntinued throughout the year the Trust will be able to pay the dividend of 8 per cent, on the preferred stock, 12 per cent, on the | common stock, and have $1,000,000 be- | sides to be added to the “large surplus” i earned during the past quarter, which later will be increased 300 per cent. 1 Just so long as the high tariff on the products of trusts is allowed to stand and prevent competition, just so long will the trusts use it to exact from conl sumers all the profit it allows.

Tin-Plate Truths.

In order to determine the much mooted | question whether tin plates are yet made in this country except for political purposes, the Secretary of the Tin Plate Consumers’ Association has sent out to the members of the association the following circular: , “In furtherance of the objects of the : Tin Plate Consumers’ Association the ' directors respectfully request the mem- ! bers of the association to furnish monthaly returns of all AVmerican-made tin plates purchased by them, beginning with the month of January, 1892; also stating whether any American-made j tin plates have been .bought by them i previous to tbe'first of same month, and, if so, what quantity, sizes and kinds, i “The names of those forwarding the j information will be regarded as conflI dential by the directors, and will not be | published. Respectfully yours, “Robeht Ganz, Sec’y.” ! In response to this circular 115 replies have been received, of which exactly ; 100 declare that the writers have not bought any American tin plate. Here j are a few samples of the replies received j up to date: California —San Francisco: TVe have ; not boen able to obtain any American : made tin or terne plates so iar. Connecticut—New Haven: Wo use only highest grade tin plate, and Ve have not heard of any of these being ! manufactured. Illinois—Chicago: Haven’t been able j to find any. j Dundee: The tin plate which we use j is not yet made in the United States. Highland: Obtained none up to date. Chicago: None of any kind except a : sample box of 20 by 28 terne Indiana —Vincennes: We have not had any American made tin plate yet. Indianapolis: We have obtained no j American tin plates whatever. Kentucky —Louisville: I cannot buy ; any that I know of Louisiana —New Orleans: As yet have I not been offered any. * Maryland—Baltimore: Have not been able to obtain any. Have neither bought nor been offered any American tin plato. Ridgely: We have nevor seen a sheet ! of American made t'.n plates, and never had any offers or quotations. | Massachusetts —Boston: Have not j seen or heard of any American tin i plates in this market. Boston: We have not bought nor i have we been offered a single sheet of American tin plate. Michigan—Adrian: We have not been able to find any tin plates suitable for our use, except imported articles. If you know of any manufacturers of the article, we .would like to have their address. Missouri —Kansas City: On Dec. 3 last we ordered a carload 1 t of tin plates for January delivery from American manufacturer. There is no immediate prospect of getting same, and we will cancel order. Nebraska —Omaha: None offered, and we do not believe there is any in the market. lowa —Sioux City: Five boxes. ! New York—Brooklyn: Have neither | bought nor had any offered to me. Have i not been able to find any suitable for j my purpose on making inquiry. Buffalo: Have not bought any tin : plate manufactured in this country; i none offered at any price. New York City Have not seen any except in Tribune newspaper. Waverly: None offered.

Woodstown: Have not bought any American tin plate. Do not know where it is made. Ohio—Cincinnati: We have not bought or seen any American tin or teme plates for commercial use; only political. Pennsylvania—Philadelphia: We have not been able to buy a single sheet of American tin plate. Pittsburg: Cannot get any. Would like to. Wisconsin —Milwaukee: We have not had any American tin plate offered to us, consequently have not made any purchases. Of the fifteen replies stating that the writers have purchased some Americanmade plates the following are examples: Ohio—Cleveland: One box; but price too high for us. Pennsylvania Philadelphia: Five boxes. We have had no plates offered to us by any manufacturer. The above were bought to try the quality. The entire purchases up to the present, since the duty went into effect, and since it has been claimed that Americanmade tin plates have been put off the market, have amounted to only 665 boxes, or an average of less than six boxes to each of the firms which have sent in reports. And yet the high-tariff journals all over the country are making the claim that we already produce several thousand boxes per day. But what, if this claim is true, becomes of all this tin plate?

Heavy Wage Reductions.

The following is a partial list of the wage reductions which have been announced in the high-tariff journals since January 1, 1892: “The reduction in the wages of the employes of the Brooke Iron Company, at Birdsboro, this county, announced some time ago, took effect, and all the puddlers, heaters, and ether employes continued at work, excepting some of the nail feeders. The firm employs nearly 409 hands.”—Philadelphia Ledger (Hep.), Jan. 27, 1892. “The wages of the puddlers in the employ of the Chesapeake Npil Works at Harrisburg, Pa., have been reduced from $4 per day to $3.50 per day, taking effect on the 15th instlron Age Fe.b. 18, 18V 2. “On the same day a reduction in wages varying from 7 to 11 per cent, went into effect at the Central Iron Works, Harrisburg, Pa."—The Iron Age, Feb. 18, 1892. “The puddling department of the Central Iron Works at Harrisburg, Pa., shut down Saturday night, throwing between 200 and 300 men out of employment. The men would not accept the

reduction.” Boston Commercial Bulletin, Feb. 20, 1892. “Cofrode & Saylor, of the Reading Rolling Mill, at Reading, Pa., on Thursday night notified their employes of a 10 per cent, reduction of wages, to take effect next week. The firm employs about 630 hands.”—The Iron Age, Feb. 25, 1892. Also by Associated Press, Feb. 19. “Early last week the Jefferson Iron Works of Steubenville, Ohio, notified their nailers of a reduction in wages amounting to 25 per cent”—[This was afterward withdrawn.] —The Iron Age, Feb. 25, 1892. “The Columbia Iron and Steel Company, of Pittsburg, whose plant is located at Uniontbwn, Pa., have made a demand fsr a reduction of 25 per cent, in the wages of their employes/—The Iron Ago, Feb. 25, 1892. “The Pottsville (Pa.) Iron and Steel Company will reduce the wages of its 600 employes at Pottsville 10 per cent.” —Boston Commercial Bulletin, Feb. 20, 1892. “Pittsbubg, Pa., Feb. 28. —Following the discharge of the puddlers from all the furnaces at J. Painter’s Sons mills last week came the dismissal of 200 puddlers on Saturday by Jones & Laughlin. * * * There is but one thing to do, and that will be to reduce tho wages of puddlers. ” —Special dispatch to tho Chicago Inter Ocean (Rep.), Feb. 29, 1892. “Lawbence, March 1. —A cut in the wool sorters’ wages at the Arlington Mills goes into effect to-day. It is said that 12,000,000 pounds of wool are used yearly at the mill, and that the price list now going into effect will reduce the wages of the men in the aggregate 20 per cent.”—Special dispatch in the Boston Herald, March 2, 1892. “A reduction of wages of about 10 per cent, took place yesterday In most Of the piece-work departments of the Singer Sewing Machine Works.” —Associated Press, March 2, 1892. “It has been definitely decided by the tin-plate manufacturers that wages on black plates must be reduced.” —Special dispatch from Pittsburg to the Philadelphia Press (Bep.), March 2, 1892. “We can state that all the nail factories in the Pittsburg district are being operated under private arrangement with their men as regards wages to be paid for cutting nails. While it is true reductions have recently taken place at one or more mills, the men have no recourse in the matter.”—The Iron Age, March 3, 1892. In nearly every one of tho above cases tho manufacturers appeared before the Ways and Means Committee asking for higher duties on their products, not, however, for themselves, but for their workmen. Chief among them were those who intended to manufacture tin plates. Now that the duties on tin plates has been increased from 1 cent to 2 2-10 cents per pound, instead of raising wages, they have ordered a reduction of tho wages of the workmen who are engrged in rolling black plates for tinning. They are bound to appropriate all the tariff bonus for their own profit, and by their organization are able to add a little more to it by making a reduction in wages, and yet, in spite of this, they pretend that the tariff is for the benefit of the workmen only.

Comparative Wool Prices.

Demand and supply regulate the prices of wool, as of other products. But in the wool trade certain factors enter more prominently than in tho trade in most other articles. The quality and availability of wools are powerfu factors in determining demand, and therefore prices. Similarly changes in fash'on, by stimulating or decreasing demand, affect prices equally witSi changes In supply. Thus, during the past year, some wools have greatly fallen in price, while the price of others lias been well maintained. Each variety of wool produced has a use for the purposes of which it is better than any other wool grown. The price of wool, therefore, does not depend upon the relation between th«> general demand and supply, but rather upon the relation existing between tije demand and supply of each particular variety. The general expression, therefore, that “wool is up” or “down” carries with it no real significance. Various attempts have been made to compare the prices of certain wools In this country and in England for the purpose of determining the effect of jhe tariff upon prices, but usually without satisfactory results, for the comparisons have included varieties of wool entirely dissimilar. There are two varieties of wool which approach each other very closely in quality, use, and condition. In addition to this, accurate records of their prices have been kept. These are Ohio medium fleece washed and washed Port Philip fleece. The former is % standard variety in the United States and the latter in England. For these wools a comparison is possible. The following table shows the average yearly prices in gold in Boston and London respectively. London quotations are those of Windeler & Co., and the American prices are taken from Mauger & Avery’s wool circular:

.riS dfi £•£ f- it 22 i*2 22 -jj ou do 3C ft«o 1006 r<s 47% 1879 37*4 41% 1307 86% 43% 1860 613-5 451-5 1863 33 4. % 1881 45 4-5 41 1609..; 37% 84 1862 45 1-5 43 3-5 1373 40 4-5 34 1-5 1883 41 3-5 42 1371 50 3-51421-5 1884 36 39 2-5 1872 ;ott 2-5 51-4-5 1885 '3B 1 5 85 2-5 1873 48 3-5 52 1-5 1886 35 4-5 83 1874 48 3-5 51 3-5 1887 36 4-5 32 1-5 1875 44 4-5 48 1888 34 32 1-5 1870 38 45 141 4-5 1369... 37 3-5 30 1-5 1877.: 41 41 4-5 1690 36 4-5 33 4-5 1878 ,39 2-5|41 1 5 11891 30 Port Philip fleece has averaged higher for thirteen years and lower for twelve years than Ohio medium floeee. For the twenty-five years ending in 1890, Ohio medium has averaged 41.49 cents per pound, and Port Philip fleece 41.08 cents per pound, showing a difference in favor of the former of .44 cents. If wo eliminate the prices for 1871 and 1872, when speculation was rampant in this country and wools were contracted for on the sheep’s back at from 65 to 70 cents per pound, we arrive at the following averages for twenty-three years: Ohio, 40.26 cents per pound, and Port Philip 40.52 cents per pound, showing a difference in favor of the latter of .26 cents per pound. During the whole period both wools have risen and fallen together. From every point of view this shoeing is a remarkable one, and deserves careful consideration on the part of those who believe that th • wool grower in the United States can derive any good results from a high duty on wool. —New York Daily Commercial Bulletin.

Terrorite.

The inventor of terrorite, the new explosive, said to be more powerful than dynamited died recently. His name was Dimetry Mimjeleff. He was about fifty years old. His advanced ideas brought him Into disfavor with the Bussian Government, and he was obliged to emigrate to America. As a chemist Mindeleff had more than a national reputation, and several of his important inventions have been patented—among them being a new method for the reduction of cobalt and nickel ore 3, the destruction of phylloxera by means of pyroligneous acid, and the invention of .terrorite, a high explosive that threatens to effect a revolution in warfare and mining.

ILLINOIS POLITICS.

RECOLLECTIONS OF THE BIQ CAMPAIGN OF 1856. Opening of the Grea' Prelude to the War —Bingen and Richardson—The Leaders on Both Sides—Blssoll'g Controversy with Jeff Davis. Old-Time Polltlrlans. The year 1856 was a most remarkable one in Illinois politics. It was in that year that the present Republican party was organized, with Fremont and Dayton at the head of its electoral ticket. The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Territories, Judge Douglas, and the Chuirman of the Houso Committee, Col. NVilliam A. Richardson, were both Illinoisans, both a long time in Congross, wheel-horses in all campaigns, and eacli with a great and enthusiastic following. Fearlessness was a trait common to b th. They determined to meet tho issue squarely and without flinching. At Cincinnati Col. Richardson headed the Democratic delegation, and with it worked •, earnestly to secure the Presidential nomination for Douglas. Though receiving a flattering support, immediately on Mr. Buchanan’s vote reaching a majority the Senator telegraphed a withdrawal of his name and immediately entered tho canvass in advocacy of tho ticket. By one accord tho Democratic nomination for Governor fell to Col. Richardson, and with almost equal unanimity the Republicans nominated Win. H. liissell, tho former residing in Quincy, the latter in Belleville. Richardson was a powerfully built man, raw-boned, with keen gray eyes under sliaggy eye-brows, somewhat careless in dress, a strong grasp, und a manly man’s smile. Bis--Bell, in his Congressional days, was as complete a contrast as one would ordinarily 6oe. He was of medium sizo, clean-shaven, except a tuft of black beard coming down an inch or so upon his cheek, natty in his apparel, straight, active in movement, and of very pleasing address. In speaking ho was precise, narrowly escaping affectation, always rhetorical, and sometimes oratorical. At the Belleville bar, where he practiced with such legal luminaries as John Reynolds, Lyman and George Trumbull, Oustavus Koorner, Jehu Baker, W. H. Underwood, H. K. 8. O’Melveny, Joseph Gillespie, Murray Morrison, James Shields, IV. H. Snyder, Philip B. Fouke, and others of like dis-

W. H. BISSELL. GUSTAVUS KOERNER.

tinguished character, he was held in the highest respect anti admiration. At the time of his nomination, however, and, indeed, through the remainder of his career, he was an almost helpless invalid. But one speech was delivered by him in the canvass, and that was from his chair at a meeting in Belleville. Richardson was a Kentuckian, about 45 years of age. Ho was eight or ten years a member of the Legislature, and iu 1844 was Speaker of the House. When the Mexican war broke out lie raised u compuny, served as Captain, and on tho field of Buena Vista was promoted by the unanimous vote of his regiment. Beturning, lie was, in 1847, elected to Congress, where ho served until nominated for Governor, when ho resigned. CoL Bissell was a New-Yorker, born in 1811, and therefore about the same age as his competitor. He was cducatod lor the medical profession, graduating in Philadelphia in 1834, and practiced in Illluois till 1840, when he was admitted to the bar. Like Richardson, he went to tho Mexican war us a Captain, was promoted on tho field of Buena Vista, und returning was a member «f Congress from 1849 to 1855. These, then, were the generals: For President and Governor, Fremont and Bissell on one side and Buchanan and Richardson on the other. The lines were closely drawn, and the campaign opened. From Galena to Cairo, from the Wabash to the Mississippi, resounded Hie “dreadful note of preparation.” jioon the State was a conflagration of enthusiasm and excitement. Dinna ye hear the slogan? 'Tis the Douglas and his men!” was inscribed on the banners of the Democracy. “Free States, free spoech, freedom and Fremont," rung out from amidst the clangor of tho Republican brans bunds. Clubs were organized; public documents wore in demand. Tho exploits of tho “grout Pathfinder,” his hardships in exploring the Western country, were printed In pamphlets and scattered broadcast. The life and services of James Buchanun, the old public functionary, found equal circulation among the pe pie. State committee rooms of both parties exhibited the greatest activity, and at frequent sessions the details of the canvass were gone over with tho utmost care, reports received from the different districts and counties, and public speakers assigned to the several localities where it was supposed they would do the most good. Mr. Douglas placed himself wholly at the disposal of the Democratic committee, and no amount of physical tension was too great for his massive, tireless constitution. The home talent engaged on the Democratic side embraced the eleven candidates ior electors, among whom were A. M. Herrington, Charles H. Constable, Samuel M. Moulton, Orlando B. Ficklin, Win. A. J. Sparks, and

JOHN WOODS. WM. A. ROCJARDSN.

the then rising young orator, John A. Logan, together with a host of speakers, many of whom have since reached more or less distinction. The Republican electoral ticket was made up of names like John M. Palmer, Leonard Swett, William P. Kellogg, Henry P. H. Bromwell, Ebenezer Peck and Richard Yates. In their nominations for county officers, members of the Legislature, Circuit Judges and Congress both parties put up the very best material that could be brought in the field. Many of these were pleasing and earnest speakers. The members of Congress elected that year were E. B. Washburne, John F. Farnsworth, Owen Lovejoy, William P. Kellogg, Bepublicans, and Isaac N. Morris, Thomas L. Harris, Aaron Shaw, Robert Smith and Samuel 8. Marshall, Democrats. Among the distinguished Democratic fampaigners were John A. McClernand, fcsher F. Linder, James W. Singleton,

Wm. C. Goudy, John T. Stuart, Wm. J. Allen, John R. Eden, Wm. F. Thornton, John Dougherty, David M. Woodson, Silas L. Bryan, Chauneey L. Higboe, Wm. R. Morrison, Stephen A. Hurlbut, Don Morrison, Jatnos C. Rob.'nvon, Wm. B. Anderson, Zodoc Casey—all of whom had a State reputation, and some of whom became known to the country at large. Conspicuous among the Republican speakers were Abraham Lincoln, Lyman Trumbull, Leonard Swett, Isaac N. Arnold, Joseph Gillespie, Richard J. Oglesby, Nprman B. Judd, Shelby M. Cullom, Gustavos Koerner, E. M. Haines, Casper Butz, Wm. B. Plato, Thos. J. Henderson, Cyrus Epler and John Woods. It is enough to say of the standing of

E. B. WASH BURNE. RICHARD YAIES.

the gentlemen whose names are given above that more than forty are cn the roll of membership in Congress, and many distinguished themselves in the great civil war, whilst others have been governors, judges and representatives of the government abroad. Of course the press took a zealous part in the groat, campaign. “Long John” Wentworth of the Chicago Democrat, “Deacon” Bross of the Tribune, Andrews and Shuman of the Journal, Baker and Phillips of the Springfield Journal, Bailachc of the Alton Telegraph, Niles of the Belleville Advocate, Morrison of the Quincy Journal, Foote of the Bloomington Pantagrapli, wore among the principal editors, while the Democracy was represented by such journalists as Shoahan of the Chicago Times (Mr. Douglas’ home organ), Lanphicr and Walker of the Springfield Register, Bond of the Carlyle Democrat, Brooks of the Quincy Herald, Geo. T. Brown of the Alton Courier, and many others.

Soon after his return to Congress, after the Mexican war, Col. Blssoll, In eulogizing the Illinois soldiers, offended Senator Jefferson Davis, who construed Blsseil’s remarks to apply sarcastically to the troops from Mississippi. Davis commanded the First Mississippi Regiment and Bissell the Second Illinois at Buena Vista. Dn\is’ regiment fought with unquestioned bravery in the engagement and was severely cut up, Davis hlmpelf being somewhat seriously wounded, but Bissell with, as was supposed, the Mlssisslpplans in his mind, made reference to the comparative valor of the Northern and Southern volunteers in a way, to say the least, that did no injustice to the Illinoisans. Davis promptly challenged Bissell and Bissell as promptly accepted. The correspondence was short, sharp and decisive. Being the challenged party Bissell had the cho.co of terms and weapons. He selected muskets at twenty paces, for in a quarrel growing out of a question of courage he was determined to leave nothing undone to show his grit. Col. Bissell was brim full of pluck and Davis was no less hr ve. Both would probubly have been killed had the duel been fought, but the seconds intervened, further correspondence ensued and arbitration resulted in the withdrawal of tho hostile notes in the order o.’ their dates. The full details of this affair of honor wore never given to the public; the mutter was quiteed and soon forgotten. Now, the Constitution of Illinois contained a provision requiring every executive officer, before assuming his duties, to take an oath that ho had never sont or accepted a challenge to fight a duel. Home active Democrat who had been burrowing in that documont had run ugulnst this clause, and hurried off to Bhealutn, of the Chicago Times, to appriso him of the big find, hut was surprised to hear tho editor already know of it. Judge ».s pooh-poohed tho wholo matter. eued the ease to that of Judge Trumbull, who had been elected to Con-

LEONARO SWETT. LYMAN TRUMBULL.

gress and taken hie seat the year before, notwithstanding by the State Constitution he was ineligible, on account of he term for which he was elected Judge of tho Circuit Court not having expired. The Constitution said he was not eligible for any office during his term as Judge, nor for one year thereafter, and that any votes cast for him were null and void. There was the case, too, of Gen. Matteson, who hod sought, to bo elected to the United States Senate under substantially similar circumstances. But behind all this were two other important points; first, that the challenge and acceptance having been withdrawn, and the case left as though no belligerent correspondence had taken place, it was purely a matter of conscience wiih Col. Bissell whether he could take the oath or not. As the day of election approached the excitement gained 1 1 intensity. In the previous Presidential contest, 1852, the vote had stoxi: Pierce, Democrat, 80,507; Scott, Whig, 64,034; Hale, Abolition, 0,900. It was generally assumed that the Abolition vote would go to Bissell for Govomor. But the great number of Virginians, Kentuckians and Tennesseeans who had been “old Whigs,” and who had now attached themselves to the fortunes of Douglas, made the contest exceedingly doubtful from a national point of view. Besides, the growth of Illinois in population, and the accessions to the polling strength by young men coming to their majority, were expected to make an increase of from 80,00.) to 100,000 in the vote. One thing entered Into the calculations of both Sides; that every person throughout the State with the light of suffrage who could go or be token to the poll# would surely vote. In those days communication between the capital and other parts of the State was much slower than it is now. and it was several wetks before the result could be fully known. Eag- mess to know how the election had gone seems a faint term as applied to the interest of the people, but at length It was ascertained that Buchanan had carried tho electorial vote and Bissell had been elected Governor. The Presidential vote stood: Buchanan, 105,348; Fremont, 96,189; Fillmore, 37,444. Buchanan’s plurality, 9,150. The full vote for Governor is not accessible where this is written, but Bissell’* majority was 4,700 or thereabouts. It has been stated above that Bias'll was almost a helpless invalid. He had come home from the Mexican-war with a chronic disease which carried away or seriously impaired the health of the volunteers. His condition was much worse than was generally thought, but this was carefully concealed from the public.

At the time of the election Col. BlseeFl required the attention of a nurse as much as an infant would. He had become, under his sufferings, morose and peevish. Tho removal of the invalid to the capital was accomplished laboriously, but quietly, and in a sittiag posture at the mansion, the Governor-elect took tho oath of office and assumed his duties.. During his residence there ho was perhaps as many as half a dozen times outside the Governor's house for a ride, but all knew Bissell was a dying man. Ho survived till March, 1860, and died in tho mansion, being succeeded for tho remainder of his term, ten months, by Lieut. Gov. John Wood, of Quincy.

AN ANCIENT FARM HOUSE.

What tlio French Hostdrios Were Like in tho Middle Age*. The houses of the farmers and the country people differed then as now, according to their rank and prosperity, and also according to the district they inhabited, says the Fortnightly Review. The yeoman farmer, and even the well-to-do husbandman, dwelt in a solid house of brick or stone, tiled or slated, with a paved yard separating it from tin* barns, the out-houses, the dairy and cattle pens. The farm house, which iu England was always constructed with a southern aspect, as invariably faced the east in Aquitaine, while to the rear, well open to the west, was a long tiled veranda, where in winter afternoons the hemp-picking, the woolcarding, etc., was done. Within, tho vast kitchen glowed in the light of the tire—almost as unextlnguishable as the vestal virgin's. Peat, coal and wood were each abundantly employed, and for a trifling rent, generally paid in kind, the lord of die manor would permit the farmers on his land to cut their turves from his bog or their boughs from his forest. Fuel was not only actually hut relatively cheaper in the middle ages than today, for the bogs were not drained In those days, the forest covered great expanses, and the cost of carriage made it almost Impossible to transport their produce. In almost every shire of France and England the supply of fuel was in excess of the demand.

This hospitable lire flared up a chimney proportioned to its size, lighting the huge brick oven, the iron fire-dogs, the bellows, shovel, gridiron, ladles, caldrons, sauce-pans, mortar, vin pails and other utensils that stood on the brackets of tho hearth; and irradiating the brass and copper pots, the metal candlesticks, tho lamp, the lantern, the not unfrequent silver beaker, and the glass drinking cups that were ranged on tlie chests and cupboards round the walls. Near this lire stood a hlghbreked settle, the master's Ingle corner, and under the great mantel of the chimney narrower benches were set in the brick. Within easy reach of the hearth a deep oak chest held, the logs for burning. It was generally matched by a handsome wedding chest with carved or painted front, long enough to contain a grown person full length (as the readers of “Ginerva” will mournfully remember), but more usually filled, it must be admitted, with the best clot hes, the trinkets, and the savings of the household. The registers of the Chatelet record no crime so common as the breaking open of such wedding chests; and-lt is surprising how many clasps or Jewels, girdles of pearls, golden headdresses and rings and purses full of gold were stolen from quite humble households. Our forefathers Invested their capital In cups or trinkets of precious metal, pretty to look at, easy to hide, and readily converted into cash when necessity demanded a sacrifice.

Numes Of Piants.

The number of countries which have contributed their quota to the nomenclature of English plants Is legion. Beginning with France wo have the dent do lion—lion’s tooth—whence we, derive our dandelion. The flower-de-luce, again, which Mr. Dyer thinks was a name applied to the iris, comes to us through the French Hour do Louis—tradition assorting that tills plant was worn us a device by King Louis VII. of France. Buckwheat is derived from tho Dutch word bockweit., and adder’s tongue from a word in the same language, adde stong. In like manner the name tulip Is traceable to the word thonlyban in the Persian languagesignifying a turban. So, too, our English word lilac Is nothing more than an anglicized form of anotherword in the Persian tongue, namely, II lag. A large number of plants owe their names to those by whom they were first discovered and Introduced into other climes. The fuchsia stands Indebted for Its name to Leonard Fuchs, an eminent German botanist, and the dahlia was s#, named in honor of a Swedish botanist named Dahl. A long list of plant names might bo formed which bear what might l>e termed animal and bird prefixes—as, for example, horse beans, horse chestnuts, dog violets and dog roses; cats’ faces, a name applied to the plant known to botanical students as the viola tricolor; cat’s eyes, veronica chamsodrys; cats’ tails and catkins. The goose grass is known to the country people in Northamptonshire as pig tail, and in Yorkshire a name given to the fruit of the orata*gus oxyacantha is bull horns. Many plant names have been suggested by the feathered race, particularly goose tongue, cuckoo buds (mentioned by Shakspeare), cuckoo flowers, stork’s bill and crane’s bill. One of the popular names of the arum is “parson in the pulpit,” and a Devonshire term for the sweet scabriosis is “mournful widow.” The campion is not infrequently called “plum pudding,” and in the neighborhood of Torquay it is not unusual to hear Hr cones spoken of as “oysters. ”

The Lily.

The calla lily is being cultivated in the swamp regions of Florida as an esculent. The Department of Agriculture is interested in experiments being made in its culture, as it is said to be a strong rival of the potato, and equal to it in many respects.

He Wanted to Know.

“I see,” remarked Mr. Stockyard, of Chicago, “that the Venus de Milo is to be here during tho Fair.” “De Milo,” replied Mr. Riverecomb, thoughtfully; “I don’t know that I ever heard of her. What’s her specialty?”—Puck.

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Rerun, in extending its sewage system toward tho suburbs, built walled eanais and laid oarthen pipes and forciug apparatus, by which means more than 8,000 acres of land are now irrigated and fertilized. Tho cleansing of great cities by this method is eminently practical, as well as bonoficial from a sanitary point of view. The recent civil war in Chili cost the v ietors, the Congressional party, $15,000,000, according to a recent estimate made by the Chilian newpapers. Of that amount $885,000 was contributed by Souora Dona .luaua Edwards, the mother of Don Augustin Edwards, Minister of Fiimueo, from her private fortune. The cost of tho war to the Ralmacoda partisans has not boon figured out, porhaps hecauso they lost everything, and it is a big tiling to ostimute on. Paris is given to suds. Tho latest craze is suicide of old people. No less than fourteen men, ono of whom had reaohod the ripo ago of 86, ended their lives on Sunday. The c'auso of this epidemio of self-destruction ought to furnish a good study for tho philosophers. The suicides show that somo strong motive has overcome tho ruling passion whioh makes poor humanity ding to lifo all the oloser when it has lost all its attractions. Mu. Litti.kdate, who has just been traveling through tho Pamir country of Central Asia which figures lurgoly in liusso-liritish polities just now, save that it is ono of tho most desolate rogioffis imaginable. The mountains aro high and wild, robod in eternal snows, while below the mountains, instead of verdant fiolds and forests, is a pioturo of uttor desolation that would bo hard to mutch in any other part of the world. Tho country at tho base of tho mountains is so high abovo tho sou that vegetation is very scanty, and tho plains aro most forbidding iu aspect. A Went Virginia gotiius lias invontod a flying machine, of which ho oxpoots great things, lie has takon tho motions of tho hawk as a model, and constructed an apparatus of wings which ho puts on like u suit. It is manipulated by tho muscles of tho arms and logs. But after all no does not fly, although ho expects to do bo with pruotlco. lie jumps off a building, or if thoro is a good wind risos from tho ground, and throwing out tho wings, which aro very largo and very light, floats in tho air. \Vitli a fresh bi'eozo lie oven roaches a considerable height, always alighting safely. The uaiiio of this sanguine scientist is Bornard Crosslor, und ho is a monomauiuo on tho suhjoct of flying machines. The Pennsylvania State Pish Commission is building a “swell” our which is to be used in tlio distribution of young lish throughout tho State. Tlio old stylo wus a box-car fitted with ordinary tanks; tho now car will lie an elaborate affair costing $6,000. It. will be provided with tho most improved tanks for the preserving of fisli mid spawn, and with machinery for tlio pumping ami aerating of tho water, 'rim process of hatching will bo ourriod on while tlio cargoes from place to place. Tlio Commission expects to do groat tilings tliis summer. It hns in store and undergoing development at tins Carry and Allentown hatcheries upwards of IliX) 000 eggs of Kennebec salmon. Tho young fish aro to bo pineal in the Delaware Kivor, some forty miles übovo the Water Gap, early iu May. It is also proposod to stock tho Schuylkill with bass and piko. Chicago hus a “Woman’s Canning and Preserving Clotnpavy,” with a capital of $1,000,000. Tliiastook con be only to women, and there aro stockholders all over America und ovon in faraway Japan and Africa. The company employs only one lonely man, who oversee* sovonty-tivo women at work in tlio factory. A long search was made for a woman to fill this position, but none hud tlio technical knowledge necessary. Six thousand onus of fruit a day nro turned out. Last week tho following oftioors woro elected for the ensuing year: President, Mrs. Anna Byford Leonard; Vice-President and Giyieral Manager, Miss Amanda T. Jonos; Second Vice-President, Mary Allen West; Treasurer, Mrs. Eva M. Miller; Becrotnry, Mrs. Bhetwin Munn; Assistant Beoretary, Mrs. W. R. Omohundro; Auditor, Mrs. Francis Conant.

Puokkbhor Hakkxkhs of tho Academy of Science# at Sun Fraucisoo is trying t> cross our domestic cattle with tho American bison. Ho has gathered a small bund of buffaloes from tho yards of private owner# In Montana and* Nevada, and believes that in the mild and salubrious climate of tho coust bis experiments are likely to prove more successful thun similar experiments in Nebraska. What lie aims at is a welldefinod race of animals corresponding to the mulo in the equine species. But the cross in tbo case of the buffalo and the common cow does not result in a nonproductive animal, it is said, and for that reason u race that will perpotuato at least some of the peculiar characteristics of tho rapidly dying-out bison may becoino well established in tho atiimal kingdom.

Wiikx the Mississippi Valley lumbermen visit d tbo State of Washington recently, their eyes were opened. They had never seen or drcuined of such a rich and seemingly inexhaustible supply of timber as the Pugot Sound country affords. One of the visitors said that he would like to have the waste of any of Hie mills along the shore. He thought that tho waste at one of them must amount to 30,'XH) feet a day. This material in the East wus worth six dollars a thousand feet. At a crook near Wilkoson the party saw many bridges made oat of fine logs, which caused one of the lumbermen to say: “A man would be locked up in our country for using those logs for such a purpose. ’ And the groat height and girth of the trees filled them with astonishment, although they had come prepared to soo big tilings. Some of these trees shot up straight ns a church-Bpire for 250 foet. “What horrifios me,” said a visitor, “is the way you waste trjes in felling one of them, for a tree is nover laid iow without breaking one or more of the others.” Ho udmitted that only the high freight charges on the Pacific railways saved the Mississippi Valley lumbermen from serious competition in their business.

A Big Setting of Eggs.

Perhaps the biggest setting of eggs on record wus made in Cdlifornia recently. Aa ingenious hop grower put his hopdrying kiln to a novoi use while waiting for the fall curing of his hop crop. He fired up the great furnace, carefully gauged the temperature with u thermometer, then spread out upon tho Screen 6,500 freshly laid eggs. It is reported that at one time there were exposed on the raised platform of the kiln 2,500 downy, infantile chicks of every conceivable shade of color. —[New Orleans Picayuno.