Hope Republican, Volume 1, Number 13, Hope, Bartholomew County, 21 July 1892 — Page 2

STATESMEN AND WATER. Discussion Artificial Providential Rain. Buck Kilgore Favors the Prayer Method as Being Cheaper Thau the Use of Dynamite—Views of Other Congressmen. Washington Special to Globe-Democrat. Representative Enloe of Tennessee, having- got fairly through with the pension investigation, which caused him to disappear from the floor of the House for a great many weeks, returned to his desk just in time to take a hand in the discussion of the Agriculture Appropriation bill. Mr. Enloe is a typical investigator. He cares nothing for science when he believes science is made to cover up an appropriation that will offer a pretext for investigation, and, true to his precept, he proceeded to tackie the appropriation of $10,000 for continuing the experiments of artificial production of rain, which the committee on Agriculture. had recornended in its report. The proceedings that followed Mr. Enloe's rising to speak to this particular provision of the bill are interesting. Mr. Enloe began the discussion as follows: “Mu. Chairman: I fully realize that many people think that Providence has mads some very great mistakes in arranging natural laws in the formation of the universe, and that the Government is gradually undertaking the business of correcting the alleged mistakes which Providence made. I know that rivers d not run the right way ” Mr. Lewis —I would like to ask the gentleman a question. Mr. Enloe—I would like an opportunity to say something that would Justify a question. Mr. Lewis—You have already justified mine; will you answer it? Mr. Enloe—The gentleman may ask his question. Mr. Lewis—I want to know whether the gentleman denies that mankind have modified the conditions of nature. Mr. Enioe —No, sir; Ido not deny it, Mr. Lewis— Do you deny their ability or wisdom in the premises? Mr. Enloe —Well, if I had to measure the wisdom of Providence by the standard from Mississippi I should have to admit that Providence had lost the opportunity to do some very excellent things. [Laughter.] The Government has entered upon the business of reviving the ancient science of astrology. When we passed the Sunday Civil bill we inserted a provision to appropriate $5,000, I believe it was, to establish and maintain the astrophysical observatory. an institution which, as I understand, is supplied with very delicately constructed instruments, by which calculations are made in reference to the influence which the sun and the moon and the stars exercise on the conduct and actions of men. It is very important Mr. Chairman, no doubt, that we should know what effect it would have on a man’s statemanship to be born under a particular star or at a particular season; and I think it equally important, as the Government is undertaking to regulate everything, that we .should also have a provision incorporated into this bill which will authorize some agent of the Government, stationed m a particular locality or neighborhood, when he sees a cloud coming over, charged with rain, to send up his kite or other appliance, with dynamite bomb attached, and knock the rain out and let it fall on himself and his friends. In that way we could clearly discriminate against those who are not friends of the Administration. Now, Providence, as we are informed, intended and so ordered that the rain should fall alike upon the just and unjust; but in this progressive age this work to which the gentleman from Mississippi alludes, of mankind improving on the intelligent works of the Creator, is to be carried forward so that ws can make rain fall where we want it to fall, and in that manner allow it to fall upon the just only, denying any to the unjust. Mr. Raines —Is the Democratic party so opposed to water that they don’t want any rain? After several members had spoken on the subject pro and con. Mr. Lewis of Mississippi renewed the discussion as follows; Mr. Lewis—Mr. Chairman I have no objection to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Enloe) posturing as a champion of Providence, but, if he regards what Providence has done for him in the light of a debt, I think that bis zeal far outstrips the occasion, ana that ha has overpaid the debt [Laughter.] Just such men as the gentleman from Tennessee have disputed every valuable discovery in the world. [Laughter.] When the circulation of the blood was announced by a celebrated scientist he was berated as a crank, and now, when it is proposed to produce rain by scientific methods, the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Enloe) gets up and attempts to ridicule -the whole matter. Now I undertake

to say on that question he is in as dark a cloud of ignorance as were the men who disputed the circulation of the blood in the human system. He speaks of a matter that he has not investigated, and when he confesses that he has read the report of the committe, and he knows nothing about it from the standpoint of a scientist, of course this House will know what estimate to hold of his objection to this appropriation. Mr. Enloe—Now I would like to ask the gentleman a question, Mr. Lewis—I asked the gentleman a civil question Mr. Enloe—Did I not answer it? Mr. Lewis —And he retorted in a manner I agree that was totally in keeping with his knowledge of the question. Mr. Enloe—Will the gentleman allow me to ask him a question? Mr. Lewis—Certainly. Mr. Enloe—Do you know anything of it as a scientist? Mr Lewis—Somewhat; I have paid some attention to the subject. Mr Enloe—Then let us have the benefit of your scientific knowledge on the question. Mr. Lewis —If I had time I would explain the theory of it. Mr. Enloe—Well, go ahead; we will give you time. Er. Lewis —I want to say this much to the gentleman,that he ought to know that rain is produced by certain physical causes; that wherever certain conditions come together we have rain. There is always moisture in the air. The question is" how to induce the conditions which will precipitate it. He gets up here and displays his knowledge of Holy Writ by saying that the Lord made rain to fall on the just. I want to ask him what he thinks of the justice of a Providence to those who live in a place where it has not rainsd for 800 years? Mr. Enloe—Well, perhaps, they are neither just nor unjust. Mr. Lewis —Well, sir, what do you think of a Providence raining on the just and unjust that withholds rain from certain parts of the earth for a period of 800 years? Mr. Enloe—Is that in Africa? Mr. Lewis—I am talking about Africa. Mr. Enloe—I want to say to the gentleman that if he has succeeded in completing hik knowledge as a scientist on these questions, if he will go to Africa and bring the rain where they have never had it, I understand, for a thousand years, where the rainmaker has been in constant demand —if he will go to Africa he can be King of all Africa if he show that he can produce rain. Mr Lewis —Prior to the construction of the Suez Canal along its route no vegetation had ever sprung-. After the water flowed through that canal vegetation and trees of all sorts grew along it. There is another instance where man has modified the conditions of nature. So it is on the vast prairies of the West. A few years ago when but little of that laud was in cultivation, the whole country was subject to long continued droughts, but since the surface, of the earth has been stirred, and since the soil has been turned over and thus afforded a receptacle for the moisture of the earth, and by constant evaporation, the conditions have changed, and in many places in that country where they once had droughts for six months now they have regular seasons, and the earth yields its fruits to the husbandman. [Here the hammer fell.] By unanimous consent the time for debate was extended, and presently Mr. Kilgore of Texas took the floor. Mr. Kilgore—It is insisted by the Chairman of the Committee on Agriculture that the experiments in Texas were a success. I believe they were a dead failure. [Laughter.] After eighteen months’ drought there was a rainfall sometime subsequent to this experiment. Now, I have known a drought to be concluded in this way: The neighbors would get together and have a prayer meeting for the purposes of praying for rain, and within ten or twelve hours after the adjournment of the prayer meeting the country “round about” would be blessed with copious and refreshing showers. Now, is there anything in a prayer meeting that will bring the rain? If so, that is the better way. That is the cheaper process; it is a simpler process; it is a domestic process, and by means of it the people down there can control their own n inf all and will not have to look to the Federal Government for a supply In the Government has no more authority to supply the people with rain fr om the clouds than . com the earth by artesian wells, the SLite might engage in such experiments. Mr Lewis—-Is the gentleman's question whether or not praying for rain would be cheaper than scisntic methods ? Mr Kilgore—I think it would be convenient I have known very good results co follow praying for rain, and I believe it would be the better method of the two, assuming- that either has anyting to do with the rainfall. Mr. Lewis—Mr. Chairman, I do

not want to be frailty of anything that would sound impious, but if the gentleman from Texas, or anybody else in this House, will get up and say that he has ever known a ram to come in answer to prayer I will make no further argument on that line. A few years ago, when the whole Northwest was parched, when the rivers were dried up, when the fruit withered and dropped from the branches of the trees, when the fish died in the streams and when the dust on the surface of the earth was a foot thick, the people congregated in hundreds and thousands and prayed for rain day after day, hut it never rained one drop and I undertake to say that the spectacle of a man, or any set of men, praying for ram, will bo a thing unknown in any civilized country in the world within fifty years from this time. Mr. Meredith—I want to give my friend some information if he will allow me. Mr. Lewis—In a moment. The gentleman from Texas Mr Kilgore) says that he has passed through several severe droughts himself. [Laughter.] Mr. Chairman, the droughts from which he has suffered have not been caused by want of rainfall. [Laughter.] He has been much more afflicted in other respects and I want mildly to suggest that at this time he is suffering from a drought of fertile ideas. Mr. Meredith —Will the gentlemen allow'me a moment”, Mr. Lewis--Yes, sir. Mr Meredith—I understood my friend to say that he never knew prayers to be answered by rain. I want to tell him that I once knew' a Baptist preacher—one of the best men that ever lived on this earth. He was not only a preacher, but was very fond of cultivating his garden. Looking around one Saturday evening he tound his vines suffering from drought, sc. the next morning (Sunday) he made a tremendous prayer for rain. That night there came a terrible storm and washed the old man’s vines all to pieces. The next morning, when he went out and looked around, he said: ‘‘Yesterday I prayed for rain, and haven’t 1 played hell?” [Laughter.] Now, that old gentleman’s prayer was answered, and he got more than he wanted. Mr. Lewis —The gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Meredith) does not connect cause and effect. Mr Kilgore—Did I understand the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr Lewis) to say that I was suffering from drought? Mr. Lewis—On this subject Mr. Kilgore—On what subject? Mr. Lewis —On the subject we are discussing. A member (to Mr. Kilgore)—He said ‘ a drought of ideas.” Mr. Kilgore—Well, I would notapply to ray friend from Mississippi for any rain if I was seeking to get rid of drought on this subject. Mr Lewis —Is that all the gentleman wants to say? I do not see the point. Hers the debate drifted for aw'hile into a cold discussion of scientific facts. Mr. Dingley of Maine presently arose. Mr. Dingley —Now, if the gentleman from Tennessee will pardon me for »ne moment, can he tell us whether the experiments made during the last year accomplished anything which would justify their continuance? Mr, Enloe—Mr Chairman, in answar to the gentleman from Maine I will state that if there has been any practical result accomplished by the expenditure of the money I have not heard of it. I will say, furthermore, that if there had been anything accomplished the distinguished and eminent farmer who presides over the Department of Agriculture should have put something in his report to show it, to Justify the recommendation that this body should make a further appropriation for the continuation of these experiments. Now Mr Chairman, the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Lewis) has gotten himself crosswise with Providence, and I wanted to try to straighten him out, for I am satisfied that if it had not been lor Providence the gentleman from Mississippi would never has - e been here. [Laughter.] Mr Kilgore—Do not lay it on Providence Mr Enloe -I do not want to reflect on Providence I will suggest to the gentleman, if he wants to get rain by artificial means, that instead of exploding dynamite into the dry upper atmosphere, he make the appropriation to cut down the mountain ranges so that the atmosphere that comes from the sea can be floated over without being precipitated by the cold m the mountain ranges, or that the moisture-laden air currents be changed by changing the shape of the earth. 1 want to suggest further that I believe in Biblical evidence of the fact that prayer do s not always produce rain. 1 think there is an instance recorded in sacred history where one of the prophets prayed seven years for rain and did not succeed in getting it, but, finally, when be saw the clouds gather and the

wind began to blow, he prayed for it again and lie got rain. The experimenters waited for the prophets signs, and then they exploded their dynamite and they got rain They exploded their dynamite when the clouds were overladen with moisture, and to that extent it seems they succeeded. but they have not succeeded in showing that it would not have rained if they had not been within a thousand miles of the place. The great scientific bureau knows as the Weather Bureau shows you where it is raining every day. They can generally tell a little in advance where it Will rain, and if the Secretary will direct the experiments to bo made under the direction of that bureau he ought to be able to hit the right place to make a successful experiment as often as they can predict the- weather. It would seem that this question, if it has any place in this department, belongs to the Weather Bureau, If there is any law of science that will control the rainfall they should discover it and tell us what it is before wo are asked to appropriate money for it. Mr Boatner —The gentleman is a little bit at fault about that. There is nothing in this bill to prevent prayer for rain, [Laughter.] It will not break up the prayer meeting, Mr. Enloe —I am satisfied that is true, that there is nothing in the bill to interfere with praying for rain, but I am satisfied that if there had been, and if it depended upon the gentleman himself to pray for rain, that they would not have a drop in the district which he represents. [Laughter.] I have never known him hunting tor water. [Renewed Laughter.] Mr. Boatner—I have not made objection to the bill on that ground. [Laughter] The Chairman—The time of the gentleman has expired. The question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Tennessee to strike exit the paragraph, TUE GAME IHDN’X WORK, Although It Was Played Shrewdly— A “Con” Man’s Operation. New York Special. Martin Gary, of benevolent countenance and dignified bearing, was charged in the Jefferson Market Police Court to-day with robbing William Henuessy, a butcher. Hennessy was in his store Saturday night, when Gary enter and ordered three cents worth of dog meal , tendering a ten-dollar bill. “Never mind the three cents,” said Hennessy But the stranger courteously remonstrated. “No, no, my good man,” said he, “that will do. I have Just moved into your neighborhood, and must start on a sound cash basis my butch er. Now, I should like to show you where I live,” he said. "If you will Just step out of the store a moment I can point my homo out to you.” Hennessy readily went out in front of the shop. “Do you see that house with the green blinds, three blocks below on the other side of the street?” asked the man, removing his hat and holding it in his hand. Hennessy looked but failed to locate. “You are color-blind, my friend,” said the stranger, preparing to move away. Hennessy grew suspicious, and invited the courteous man to leave his name in case his wife left an order with him. He asked the man to enter the store again and write his name in the order-book. The butcher’s first move on re-entering was to jerk open the cash drawer. It was empty. One hundred dollars and a certified check for $150 has disappeared. Hennessy vaulted over the meat counter, threw his arms around the stranger’s neck and held him until the police arrived, Gary was recognized as an old-time confidence man of many aliases Gary is said to be one of two men who entered a Bleeker street grocery store Just before closing time with a companion several years ago. They were apparently Jovially drunk “My friend,” said one of them to the proprietor, “has bet me $10 that his high hat will hold a gallon of molasses. He is a fool, and I will take that $10 and educate him.” The grocer, entering into the spir it of the occasion, filled the hat to the brim with thick molasses. The supposed inebriate, who held the hat, suddenly brought it down on the grocer's head While the grocer w as yelling and trying to get rid of the sticky fluid,the strangers tapped the till, and escaped with a substantial lot of greenbacks. Gary is also believed to be one of the men who, five years ago, inveigled a Harlem grocer into his own ice chest. This was accomplished by a wager that the, chest was not large enough to hold the grocer, who was inordinately proud of his size. He crawled in and cried triumphantly. “I’m in; are you satisfied?” “You bet!” was the reply They locked thfe door of the ice-chest and ransacked the store. The grocer was nearly dead when rescued an hour later.

CONDIMENTS. Daughter—something in the way of a new gown. There is something decidedly racy ia the horse-radish. It is generally the man who can least afford the cost who has the reddest nose. —Ram’s Horn. A towel trust has been established. It will come down with a crash. The alternate delegate to the’presidential nominating convention never gets a postoftice. The man who is the most awkward at saying nice things is usually the most sincere. She—And why is a ship called ‘she? ’ He —Aye, ma’am ! because the rigging costs so much. The boy on the farm approaches his turning period when the haying grindstone is brought out for use. Miss Maud —Isabel is a charming girl, isn't she? Miss Nettie (icily)— Humph ! Charming ex-girl, you mean. “I tell you, that fellow Bibbs has real good horse sense.” ‘‘Yea, j struck him for $5 and he promptly said nay.” Persistency is the road to success. The only known exception to. this rule is the case of a lieu sitting on a china egg. ' While waiting for the temperature to take a drop there is no particular reason for people taking too many themselves. Miss Flash —What do think is woman's hardest trial? Miss Dash —A rainy Sunday when she has a new hat. Variety is the spice of life. If a ras.n has nothing for supper to-night he doesn’t want it for breakfast tomorrow morning. Professor at Lick Observatory—1 notice now a new star that has recently appeared in the northeast, and you can see plainly that it is inhabited. Tourist (looking)—I am pretty sure, professor, that you are looking into the twenty-third story of a Chicago sky-scraper. ; She—What is the best thing to keep one from being sunburned . at-, the seashore ? He—I should think a theater hat would be. Fair passenger—I wonder why the ocean is so restless ? Gallant mate —How could you expect it to lie easy with so many rocks in its bed. Lucky —Do you honestly think. Jack that Bob Jones loves that girl? Jack—Well, I saw him ’round shopping with her the other day. “Why should we say to Satan ‘Get thee behind me?’ ” asked the Sunday school teacher. “So that we shall get ahead of him,” returned the bright boy. She may have a little of this world’s pelf. But life still pleasure brings. And that’s when she has a day to herself To go out pricing things. “Father,” said a six-year-old, “tell me where is Atoms?” “Atoms, my boy? What do you mean?” “Why, the place where everything gets blown to.” The coalman’s season may be the winter, the summer an iceman's harvest, so that its possible the milkman finds his greatest profit in the spring. Perdita —He has the reputation o( being a fortune hunter; do you believe he is? Penelope—Why—yes—that is, I understand he wants to marry you. THINGS WORTH KNOWING. In sweeping carpets use wet newspapers wrung nearly dry and torn into pieces. The paper collect the dust and does not soil the carpet. A carpet (particularly a dark carpet) often looks dusty when it does not really need swamping. Wring out a sponge quite dry into warm water, into which you have put a few drops of ammonia, and wipe off the dust. The ammonia will brighten it wonderfully. To clean sofa coverings wash them first with warm water and soap, rubbing the cover (which need not be removed) with a flannel rag dipped into the suds; then, before they are dry sponge them over with a strong solution of salt and water, in which a small quantity of oxgall has been mixed. Allow the air to blow through the room and the furniture covering will soon dry, while the colors and freshness of the articles will be restored. □ To exterminate fleas take half s pint of Persian insect powder, half a pound of borax, one ounce of oil of cedar and quarter of an ounce pennyroyal. Close the room tight, sprinkle this mixture on carpet, f urniture and beds, and keep closed over day and night. To remove grease from silk goods wash away with ether. To remove stearine, in all cases use pure alcohal. To remove iron spots and black ink from white goods use hot oxalic acid; dilute muriatic acid with little fragments of tin. On fast dyed cotton and woolen fabrics, citric acid cautiously and repeatedly applied; on silks nothing, as it is impossible to remove said sUirw from. Ultra.