Indianapolis Journal, Indianapolis, Marion County, 1 December 1897 — Page 4

4

THE DAILY JOURNAL WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 18D7. Washington Office—lso3 Pennsylvania Avenue Telephone Call*. Business Office 238 I Editorial 800m5... AB6 TKIIVIS OF SUBSCRIPTION. DAILY BY MAIL. Dally onlr. one month $ *W Daily only, three months 2.00 Dally only, one year 8.00 Dally, including Sunday, one year 10.00 Sunday only, one year 2-00 „ \VHEN FURNISHED BY AGENTS. Dally, per week, by carrier loots Sunday, single copy J; ct ® Daily and Sunday, per week, by carrier 20 cts „ WEEKLY. ~ Reduced Itates to Club*. Subscribe with any ot our numerous agents or send subscriptions to THE INDIANA I*OI.IS JOURNAL, Indiana poll*. lad. Persons sending the Journal through the mails in the United States should put on an eight-pkge paper a ONK-CKNT postage stamp: on a twelve or sixteen-page iper a TWO-CBNT postage stamp. Foreign postage is usually double these rates. All communications intended for publication in this paper must, In order to receive attention, be accompanied by the name and address or the writer. If It Is desired that relected manuscripts be returned, postage must in all caseß be inclosed for that purpose. THE INDIANAPOLIS JOURNAL fan bo found at the following places: NEW YORK—Astor House. CHICAGO—PaImer House. P. O. News Cos., 217 Dearborn street, and Great Northern Hotel. CINCINNATI—J. li. Hawley & Cos.. 134 Vine street. LOUISVILLE—C. T. Daering, northwest corner of Third and Jefferson streets, und Louisville Book Cos., 250 Fourth avenue. BT. LOUlS—Union News Company, Union Depot. WASHINGTON, D. C.—Biggs House, Ebbitt House and Willard s Hotel. Before the Council goes into “committee In the hole” again it should be sure there is a way. out. General Wisdom, in charge of .the Union Indian agency, in Oklahoma, thinks the government can treat with the Indians much more successfully if it will enforce treaties and keep faith with‘them. General principles and common sense wchflii' , leafch the same. The fact that the deficit of tiye Ppstofrice Department the last fiscal year, was nearly $16,000,000 would seem to make the Loud bill an Imperative necessity unless the postal service Is specially designed to carry all sorts of stuff regularly issued at half or one-third cost. .. .... m ¥ Now that Senator Hanna has a majority of sixteen in the Ohio Legislature on joint ballot, it seems that Mr. John R. McLean and his newspaper might safely cease their efforts to make his election certain. They can scarcely increase his lead io the Legislature over sixteen. The New York papers of the free-trade stamp are making another raid upon the pension system. Just now they are demanding the printing and posting of the names of pensioners in the localities where they reside in the expectation that this action ■will lead to scrutiny of the rolls. Os course, Mr. Bryan will find prosperity In Mexico, where he is going to study the sliver question, In spite of the fact that the limited number who receive wages in that: country get only half as much in silver a a do wage earners In this country in gold. Mr. Bryan sees with his imagination. An exchange predicts that those interested in saviors banks will be found in opposition to the postal savings plan of the postmaster general. Very naturally, and when other people, those who borrow money, contemplate the effect of a system which will take money out of local circulation and transfer it to the money centers they will not favor a plan which will make money locally scarce and dear.

Mr. T. Jefferson Coolidge, of Boston, whom Senators Hoar and Lodge desired to be secretary of the treasury, recommends Congress to repeal the 10 per cent, tax on the circulation of state banks as a sure remedy for free-silver coinage. He maintains that States would see that no bank was allowed to issue notes it could not redeem. That might be the case with a few States, but they would be the exception. Martin Thom has been convicted of murder in the first degree, and will be electrocuted for the crime. Thorn is a barber, who assisted his mistress, Augusta Nack, to lure William Guldensuppe to his death In a lonely cottnge on Long island. The details of* the crime, as related on the witness stand and in confessions and counterconfessions, have been extremely shocking and revolting, and readers of newspapers will feel relief when the woman in the case receives her just deserts. The statement of the head of the police “tarthe effect that one of those excellent citizens to whom Mayor Taggart has expressed such deep obligation for assisting In maintaining law and or-der by keeping a barrel house, should so forget the high plane upon which his Honor lias placed him as to bear false witness against a rival barrel house keeper, is cause for the deepest sorrow. It was hoped that those whom the mayor had exalted by highest commendation as excellent citizens possessed all the virtues. The New' York Press, which supported the Platt faction in the election in. Greater New York, is sharply criticising Senator Platt and Chairman Quigg for not taking ground In favor of a reorganization of the Republicans which will unite the party. It predicts the defeat of the slate ticket by the policy they are pursuing. On the other hand, the Brooklyn Eagle, independent Democratic, predicts Democratic defeat if the leaders do not cease marching toward Bryanism, as no ticket can bo elected in New York which stands for free and unlimited coinage of silver. The United States may properly enovgh offer its good offices to settle the controversy between Germany and Haiti, but it should go slow In the matter of protesting against the prospective action of Germany on the assumption that it will be in contravention of the Monroe doctrine. If Germany has a just claim against Haiti for Indemnity on account of an outrage on a German citizen that is a matter with which the United States has nothing to do. The Monroe doctrine could only apply against an attempt by Germany to acquire territory or permanent foothold in Haiti. The Journal lias seen none of them, but the New York 'Times says that pension agents are flooding the country with circulars “insulting honorably discharged soldiers by informing them that desertion is no bar to a claim.” Desertion may not be a bar to a claim, but It should be a bar to a pension. -During the war 110,000 men, In round numbers, were deserters—about a* many as were kiiled in bank* and

died of wounds. During the war, to be a deserter was regarded as a disgrace, and during the last months of the war, under the policy of General Grant, a large number of captured deserters were shot from time to time. Many of the 110,000 have been reinstated because a few were innocent and more were merely skulkers. None of them would, at this late day, be asking to have the odium of desertion removed from their names if they did not expect to secure a pension In due season. OBJECTIONS TO THE POSTAL SAVINGS BANK. There are indications which lead to a belief that many persons who, three months ago, would have unhesitatingly commended the project of attaching a savings bank to the postal department have, to-day, grave doubts regarding its necessity and practicability. They have been thinking the subject ever, and the more they think the more objections they can see. The project is not new In this country. Mr. Wanamaker, the efficient postmaster general of the Harrison administration, urged it with the power of a successful man of affairs, and it has not wanted at any time during the past dozen years able and zealous advocates. Postmaster General Gary and the newspapers which are attempting to use the project as an advertising scheme have presented no new arguments. They assume that many hundred thousand dollars that are now expended and often unwisely would bo saved and hoarded through the influence and agency of the postal savings bank. They assume that the people have not now the opportunity for saving, and that when they have it they will hoard millions which are now little better than thrown away. Much of this is assumption, and some of It is an ignoring of existing opportunities. In all the Eastern States of the North ample facilities for saving money are afforded by savings banks which are as absolutely safe as human experience can make them. In the aggregate they hold several billions of the people’s money. Most of them take the smallest deposits, and all of them are managed with prudence and financial skill. In all of the Western States and in several of those of the South the building and loan association is a well-established institution. In this and neighboring States such an institution is “located in every considerable village. All things considered, these institutions have proved safe and profitable places for the deposit of small amounts of money. A few have failed, but in these instances they had been diverted by schemers from the real purpose of the Institutions. There are so many entirely sound and prudently managed loan associations in this city and at available points which will accept deposits of a dollar a month that there is really no necessity for postal savings banks. In this city there are several trust companies, financially sound, which will receive and pay Interest on small deposits. The postal savings bank, therefore, is not a necessity. On general grounds the postal savings bank is objectionable because it savors of paternalism in government. It is a proposition to have the government do for the people something which there Is every reason to believe they can do better for themselves. We say, advisedly, that the people can run savings Institutions better than government for the reason that in this country, at least, government cannot do anything as prudently and efficiently as individuals and corporations. This fact is so well understood that it will not be questioned by an intelligent person. It would cost the government a large amount of money to establish postal savings banks. Every village of five hundred people would clamor for such an attachment to its postoffice, because its neighbor and rival with six hundred or a thousand people had secured one. The outfit of such annexes to the postoffice would cost an Immense amount. Thousands of safes and sets of books would be necessary, and thousands of clerks would be added to the government’s pay roll. To a service which is not now always the best would be added a business entirely foreign to it—that of banking. In the smaller offices inexperienced postmasters would be compelled to take charge of the business if there should be any, resulting in thousands of mistakes and irregularities. At the present time there are a score of defalcations and financial irregularities in postofflees where there Is one in any banking or loan association. At the present time, because of a lack of business methods, the deficit of the postoffice is $10,000,000 a year. When the cost of making them savings banks is added, with the annual losses incident to misuse of funds by postmasters and their employes, the annual deficit will probably be trebled. And all this expense to attempt to do that which is better done now by private companies in three-fourths of the country. Furthermore, if the postal savings banks should be In any degree successful in getting deposits they would collect the current money in circulation in communities and send it to New York or Washington. If SIOO,OOO should be collected in Indiana In a year it would be SIOO,OOO taken out of the channels of circulation, depleting the State’s available money to that extent. If two or three times that amount it would produce a local scarcity and tend to advance the local rates of interest. It is said that the money taken fnom a locality will be reinvested in the vicinity in city or county bonds. It would take a long time to get around to it, even if it were practicable. As it is now. money collected by loan associations is loaned In the vicinity and goes Into lots, wages, lumber or is loaned to go into business, which means wages and merchandise. The Journal Is aware that just now the side it has taken is not the popular one, but I after reflection and inquiry it is confident J that it is the side of prudence and safety.

COl X Cl LXAKIC N ON SEN SE. It has been a great many years since the City Council of Indianapolis has been made to appear so ridiculous as it was by Dr. Moffett’s resolutions introduced Monday night. The Journal does not know if the introducer of the resolutions is in the habit of making himself ridiculous, but if so it is to be hoped he will manage it hereafter without involving the Council and the city. The charter of Indianapolis is known as one of the best in the country and its government as one which aims at municipal progress. It will therefore be discouraging to those who watch the proceedings of the Council to find that it has a member so ignorant of the duties and proprieties of his position as to introduce such a series of resolutions as those introduced by Dr. Moffett. Suppose, for the sake of argument, that tlie Dingley tariff “has still greater widened the breach between capital and labor, so that the classes are favored to the injury of the masses;” suppose that Mir wages ure reduced “by many cut-

THE INDIANAPOLIS JOURNAL, WEDNESDAY. DECEMBER 1,189 T.

ting the scale of wages of many of their employes, still greater destroying and almost completely destroying the right of contract of labor;” in short, suppose all the assertions so untruthfully and ungrammatically made in the resolutions were true, what has the City Council to do with it? Nothing whatever—no more than it has with settling the seal fisheries dispute or quelling the tuibulence in Vienna. The charter prescribes the duties and functions of the Council very clearly, and if It will attend to these the people will excuse it from attempting to regulate national affairs or the relations between capital and labor. Let us have no more nonsense like that of Monday night. AN INDIAN lAN ABROAD. Thanks to President McKinley’s appreciation of merit and liis patrlotio desire to have the United States properly represented in foreign countries, there are several Indianians abroad, but it is rot of these that the Journal would speak at present. Nor •yet of those natives or citizens of the State who are traveling abroad purely for pleasure or for the purpose of seeing how many new garments they can bring back with them, duty free, under the Dingley tariff. All these Indianians have their proper place in the scale of merit, but they are not embraced in the scope of this article. It relates to only one Indianian abroad and who is there “on his own hook,” as it were, without any commission from the President and for the sole purpose of demonstrating to foreigners that, in the language of Col. David Crockett, “some things can be done as well as others,” by Americans. We refer to Mr. Sloan, of Kokomo, better known as “Tod Sloan, the jockey.” Our ambassadors, ministers, consuls general and consuls in foreign countries are welcome to their titles of Hon., general, colonel, or what not. Mr, Sloan is content with plain Tod, without even a middle name. Just now he is attracting more attention than any other American abroad, and as he has achieved international fame by his own merit and accomplishments the Journal takes pleasure in extending to him across the ocean the glad hand of Hoosier fellowship. For be it known’, that Tod Sloan was born and brought up in Kokomo, und that he lived in that town until his ambition and achievements outgrew it, when he sought a wider field. The boy was father of the man, and it was Indiana soil and Indiana food that developed in Tod the qualities that w r ere to make him famous—strength, courage, daring, energy, self-confidence and rare talent for good luck. These are good qualities whether they belong to a statesman or a jockey. Moreover, Tod has shown that he is possessed of a good heart, for ever since fortune has been smiling on him he has remembered with substantial presents his foster parents in Kokomo, who cared for him in his orphaned childhood. Like many other men of genius he tried many things with indifferent success, until he found his mission and struck his gait in riding race horses. Providence seems to have designed him for a jockey, for, besides possessing the qualities above named, he weighs only ninety pounds at the age of twenty-three years. Providence made no mistake, for Tod is at once the smallest and the most celebrated jockey in t'ne world. He went to London to teach Englishmen how to ride and win races, and he is doing it. When Sir Joshua Reynolds, the great portrait painter, w’as asked what he mixed his paints with, he answered, “with brains.” Tod rides with brains. He tells Englishmen frankly that ho has no fixed rules or method of riding, but that he rides different horses and different races in different w’ays. He rides to win, and he las demonstrated the soundness of his method to the extent that has captured the British sporting world as it has never been captured before. Going there a stranger and subject to the prejudice attaching to an American interloper he has beat the British riders at their own game, on their own ground, and brought all the breeders, owners and trainers of English race horses to his feet. Moreover, he is living in elegant apartments at one of the best hotels in London, and, though he is a jockey by profession, he has the manners of an independent, self-respecting American. Pope says: Honor and fame from no condition rise; Act well your part, there all the honor lies. An honest jockey who understands his business is more to be respected than a dishonest statesman who does not. Tod Sloan has shown the British that he is a past master in a sport of which they claim to be masters. He is an Indianian abroad of whom we are proud.

PUOI’OSED REPEAL OF THE Cl\ ILSERVICE LAW. There are indications of a disposition on the part of some members of Congress to make a determined attack on the civilservice law during the coming session. A few members have expressed themselves against the law', notably General Grosvenor, of Ohio, though he has not had much to ray since it has been announced that the President will fake strong ground in his message in favor of continuing the system. Representative Hemenway, of this State, who is now in Washington, is reported as saying: “If I had my way 1 would abolish the appropriation for maintaining the Civil-service Commission that is made in the legislative appropriation bill.” A few other members have expressed themselves to the same effect, and no doubt some others have the same feeling but are afraid to express it. It seems probable that an attempt will be made during the next session to rally all the elements of opposition to the law and to cripple, or, if possible, repeal it. Those who are talking this way seem to think that dissatisfaction with the law and its operation has grown to such an extent as to make a movement for its repeal popular, and, if not successful, at least entirely safe to engage in. The Journal is of opinion that they are mistaken. It believes that the principle and theory of the civil-service law are as strong with the people now as they ever were, and that a movement to repeal it or abolish the system would bring out a popular protest that would astonish those engaged in it. It is not intended to aver that the law is perfect or that mistakes may not have been made in its interpretation, application and administration. The Civil-service Commission has arrogated too much authority and power to itself, und some of the executive orders extending the classified service may go too far, but these matters are easily corrected. The law Itself, if defective, can be easily amended. The people would approve of any honest attempt to make the law und its administration more applicable to American methods, but the Journal believes they would strongly condemn any step looking to its repeal and a return to the ol<. spoils system. In 1873 many members ot Congress persuaded themselves that an increase of the salaries of congressmen would be an entirely safe proceeding and would meet with popular approval. Yet the

so-called “salary grab” caused one of the greatest political uprisings in our history and relegated many congressmen to private life. The Journal believes that a similar result would follow a repeal of the civilservice law. The mistake made by members of Congress who think a repeal of the law is demanded by the people Is in supposing that those who are making a noise on the subject represent the people at large. They do not. The noise they are making is as a penny trumpet to the roar of thunder compared with the noise the people would make if the law were repealed. There has been a great deal sai 1, first and last, concerning the waste and destruction of natural resources in this country. It has had exemplification In the destruction of forests, of wild game, of fishes, of the fertility of the soil and in other ways, but none more wanton than the waste of naturil gas in this State. There Is no means of ascertaining the extent of thfs waste during the last ten years, but it is safe to say that it has already shortened the duration of the supply very materially and ft is going on now at a more rapid rate than ever. What is past cannot be recalled, but something can be done to prevent a continuance of this destructive policy—a policy that wastes a valuable resource of nature without getting any sort of return. Such waste savors of barbarism. It is like the improvidence of savages, which takes no thought of the morrow nor of the rights of others to-day. It would not have been tolerated in any other civilized government of the world than this longer than was necessary to issue orders and despatch a force to stop it. It is time that a civilized and law-abid-ing people should find some means to prevent it. The meetings called for to-night in the gas-belt cities and in this city to consider the subject should be well attended, and some effective line of action should be agreed upon. Senor Dupuy De Lome, Spanish minister at Washington, seems to be as ardent an advocate now of home rule in Cuba as l>e was a little while ago of Weyler’s policy of butchery and extermination. lie maxes an elaborate statement to show that the new plan of autonomy offered by Spain Is as liberal as that of the /Taiiedi m government. He goes even further, and says; “If th’ new home-rule law is compared with the systems prevailing in .he several fcta.es of the United States it will be found that Cuba Is to have a far greater measure of control of her own affairs thin do the several States in this country* ’ The idea of Spain, which has neither learned anything nor forgotten anything for hundreds of years, offering Cuba a freer government than that of the States of this Union is so absurd that one is almost forced to believe the Spanish minister is jokihg. The Cubans li'i.e every reason to distrust Spain m her mos* conciliatory mood. Grand juries do not seem to be exempt from the popular notion that it is a violation of law to send through the mulls a dunning message on a postal card. A physician of Montieello, Ind., was indicted by the federal grand jury for sending a card reading as follows: "Do you invite me to bring suit against you for $10.50, due June 17, 1807? If so, just sit right still and see me get the money with costs.” There is no law against sending the statement of an account or a respectful dunning message on a postal card. This may be done by a creditor every day in the year. But, , the message is libelous, scurrilous, threatening or calculated to reflect injuriously upon the character of the addressee It comes within the law. The postal law’s and regulations are not intended to protect persons who do not pay their honest debts, It is difficult to see how such a message as the one above quoted could be held as coming within the prohibition of the law. The New York Telegram, the evening edition of Mr. James Gordon Bennett's Herald, offered a free trip around, the w’orld to the person who would make: the nearest guess to President McKinley’s plurality in the election of 181)6. One man spent several hundred dollars in purchasing thirty thousand copies of the Telegram so that he could make thirty thousand guesses. His guess of 597,000 was the nearest to the actual plurality, which was 597,689, bitt Mr. Bennett refused to recognize the winner. He carried it into court, and Judge Smith has decided that Bennett must pay for the three months’ trip around the wor.d. Such coupon schemes show that thousands of papers are purchased that are not read. This being the case, the thousands of papers thus sold is no more legitimate and useful circulation for advertisers than if the white paper upon which the papers are printed were made a bonfire of.

Burglars are vying with each other at present to see which cap introduce the most daring novelties into the profession. Occasionally they get caught in their venturesome feats. This is merely a fad with those gentlemen. They will soon settle down to the old and cautious methods. No burglar in good standing would so trifle with his business. The man who is said to have become insane from reading the whole of the testimony in the Luetgert case should have been looked after a long time ago. If it can be established that he really read all that stuff, it will be an easy matter to determine that he was crazy beforehand. Comes now Richard Reddick, colored, aged 120 years, and asks the charities In Pittsburg for help, alleging earnestly that he is too old to work to support his family. The old man has probably brought on this premature decline by the use of tobacco. The little Queen WHhelniina, of the Netherlands, has been forbidden to ride her bicycle on the grounds of “personal safety.” Well, what do they call her bicycle but a “personal safety?” Persons who formed their ideas of a President from observing Mi - . Cleveland’s habits are wondering when McKinley is going to drop his message and go fishing. It should probably be explained that Mr. Pingree is not conducting his Venezuelan lake of asphalt on “the Detroit plan.” BIDDLES IN THE AIR. A Great Age. “I wonder how old she really is?” “I’ve never heard her confess, but I know she remembers when the boy preacher was a boy.” Os No Consequence. “Is your play copyrighted?” asked the intimate friend. “Oh,” said the dramatist, with utter indifference, “some of it was, probably.” A Poor Apology. She —How dare you smoke in my presence, when you know I dislike it so? He—l beg all the pardons possible. Upon my word, I forgot you were anywhere near. It !■ to Re Hoped Mo. Hogan-Oi wonder who will be th’ last man on earth? Groga i—Ol dunno, army more than you. But it 's to be hoped that he'll be an oondertaker, so he will know’ how to bury himself decentlv.

FOOD FOR KLONDIKERS EFFORTS TO KEEP STARVATION AWAY FROM GOLD SEEKERS. President May Ask Congress to Provide for Transporting Donated Provisions to Dawson. WASHINGTON. Nov. 30.-The Cabinet to-day considered the subject of sending relief to the people in the Klondike. President McKinley received a telegram from the Portland (Ore.) Chamber of Commerce, stating that there was danger of destitution and suffering on the Klondike, and offering to supply the necessary food for relief if the government would undertake its transportation. The information was not definite as to the actual conditions, but were on the same line that has been telegraphed from the Northwest. The Cabinet considered every phase of the situation and discussed ways and means of affording relief. It was decided that nothing could be done until Congress* met, when an appropriation will bo asked for the purpose of transporting food supplies. Although many plans have been discussed, none has been decided upon. It is probable, however, that whatever action is taken will bo under the direction of the War Department, and by the time Congress acts Secretary Alger will have formulated plans. No attempt will be made to go up the Yukon, as the ice has closed progress in that direction. The relief supplies will have to be sent over the passes. Just how 7 they shall be transported is a question requiring earnest consideration and one that will require the study of many plans in order that an entirely feasible one may bo evolved. Secretary Alger will gather all possible information, and will communicate with persons who know the route to the Klondike and are familiar with transportation methods in the Arctic and other frozen regions. Reindeer and dogs, possibly, may be used,' and there is also a suggestion that a steam snow 7 engine, which has been successfully used in the deep snow of the logging camps, may be utilized. Secretary Alger has confidence in it as a means of transportation. The task of getting supplies to the Klondike in midwinter is not underestimated, and doubts are entertained as to its being a possibility. Dyea can be reached by steamer. Thence the journey is one of seven hundred miles over tne mountains through deep anus of soft, loose snow. The sun si.ines tor only aoout live hours in each t\ enty-iour, and the thermometer often is dGwn to oO and bu degrees bc.ow zero. It is i.eiievea that an expedition cannot reach the KlondiKe before February at the earliest, ana the hope is expressed tnat there is a suhicient supply of food to last until tiiat lime. It is estimated tnat there are live thousand people in tne goid country. PROBABLY SUPPLIED WITH MEAT. A uispaich recently stated that ten thousand head of horses and cattle went to the Klondike from Dyea a short time ago, but Commissioner Smith, at Dyea, has wired the government that such is not the fact. He says one thousand sheep started over the Dyea trail, and that it is believed they leached the mines. Some time ago three hundred sheep were sent down the Yukon, of which two hundred may have reached the Klondike. Secretary Alger believes that Captain Ray has gone to Dawson, and that he will make his way back and report upon conditions there. Notning has been heard from him since he left tor the luKon, but tne secreitay expects auvices from mm almost any day. it is probable that the wm acini a special message to Congress asking an appropriation tor tne relief ot the people in tne KionuiKe, and it is beiieveu tnat prompt action will be taken and the money made lmmeaiateiy available. The following letter from the Portland Chamber of commerce, addressed to the President, was laid before the Cabinet: "Overwhelming evidence testifying to the grave danger wnich confronts the American miners on the Yukon and its tributaries, with the dreaded horrors of starvation when the present small stock of provisions shall be exhausted, demands ot us, as humane people blessed wun abundance, that everything in our power shall be dune to relieve the distress which is almost a certainty unless supplies of food can be transported to the imprisoned miners. With' this object in view tne Portland Chamber of Commerce has communicated with kindred organizations on the Pacific coast and has ootamed in almost every instance assurances of hearty co-operation in furnishing the necessary supplies so soon as the government snail promise to transport the same to their destination and supervise their distribution. Private resources are wholly inadequate for the task involved. Out of our abundant storehouses the people of the Northwest tributary to Portland are capable of furnishing food supplies in quantities .-Jlficient to provide agarnst the impending distress, but they lack the means necessary to transport the same; and to provide for this we appeal to the Nation, through its chief executive and its representatives in Congress, to the end that an expedition under the maiiageffiept of officers of the army or navy be provided for and instructed to make all possible haste in the accomplishment of the mission intrusted to them. Assurances thus tar received warrant us in guaranteeing to the government that the people of the United Slates, and especially that portion tributary to Portland, will supply all the food products which the government will undertake to transport to the beleaguered miners, and we earnestly pray that your Excellency will heed our petition and lend to it your valuable support.” Commissioner Smith's telegraphic report showed that no horses had gone beyond the American jurisdiction at the lakes. The thousand head of sheep that started over the Dyea trail in July, he wired,' undoubtedly got through. There Vvere 800 sheep shipped from the lakes down the Yukon on rafts in September. Two hundred beef cattle, all told, started to the lakes over the Dyea and Skaguay trails. Os these Commissioner Smith reports 10 per cent, lost or consumed, the last seventy of which are now butchered and frozen at the lakes awaiting transportation to Dawson. The telegram cautions the department hgainst placing too much faith in the reports from Dyea.

THE REINDEER HERD. Other advices received to-day and placed before the President’s ofdcial family reported that a herd of reindeer with supplies had been started from a point on the lower Yukon, about six hundred miles from above St. Michael’s, the herd r;a -ling the place by cutting across land from a point opposite on the coast. These reindeer are carrying supplies up and a number of the people anxious to get dowrn from the Klondike country will be brought back by this means. This herd will be used through the winter as far as possible. William A. Kjellman, of the government reindeer herds in Alaska, has been here several days conferring with the authorities and left to-night en route to Lapland. He goes under Instructions to engage a corps of Laplanders for service with the reindeer in Alaska. Mr. Kjellman is an expert in the handling of reindeer and his record in taking care of the government herd in our country since he came here for that purpose from Lapland makes him an authority on this phase of the Alaskan problem. It is ordinarily difficult for a stranger to secure Laplanders to leave for a foreign clime for such a purpose, but in view of his influence among his people Secretary Bliss expects Mr. Kjellman’s mission will be successful. Secretary Alger has written to the citizens’ Klondike committee of Tacoma, Wash., regarding the order for a military reservation In Alaska. This committee wanted to know how persons seeking business locations on the reservation should proceed and expressed doulits as to the feasibility of the reservation. Secretary Alger refers the committee to the regulations issued Nov. 11, and adds: “One of the purposes of the government in declaring the reservation is to prevent monopoly instead of fostering it; that the regulations apply to persons and corporations already on the ground, as we’l as those who propose going there; that no one is to be permitted to occupy more land or water front than Is essential to the proper conduct of a bona tide business, and that equitable measures are provided for the furthering of legitimate business enterprises and the discouragement of schemes for speculative holding of lands, etc., not actually needed or used, provision being made in the regulations referred to for settling disagreements being holders of permits afte a careful hearing by the commanding officer of rort St. Michael. The power of permanently rtgu-

lating the disposition and use of the public domain In Alaska is vested In Congress, find, pending legislation, the occupation of locations by troops In that country, and the setting aside of military reservations, solely in the interests of law and order, as an incident to such occupation are solely in the interest of law and order and the safety and welfare of the native and incoming population.” Sew Map of tlie Gold Field*. WASHINGTON, Nov. 30.—The coast and geodetic survey has prepared and will soon publish anew map which will cover practically the entire length of the Yukon river and most of its tributaries, including the Klondike. The scale is twenty miles to the inch. The section embraced extends from the Selwyn river, several hundred miles from Dawson City, to the Yukon’s mouth and is wide enough to give a fair idea of the extent and character of all the streams. It shows the location, extent of the new 7 St. Michael's military reservation and gives the location of all towrns and mining camps. The result of soundings of the water in the Yukon is also indicated upon the map. An enlarged copy will be supplied to the Senate committee on foreign relations for consultation in connection with the consideration of the treaty relating to the boundary line between Alaska and the British Northwest territory. LORE FROM THE SKIES MANY NEW STARS DISCOVERED. AT THE FLAGSTAFF OBSERVATORY. * The Heavens Searched to Good l’orpose by Prof. Lee—Arizona Climate Well Adapted for Astronomy. * BOSTON, Nov. 30.—Astronomical discoveries of great value are reported by Dr. T. J. J. Lee, who has charge of the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, A. TANARUS„ established and maintained by Fercival Lowell. Dr. Lee Is now 7 in Boston, and to-day he gave an interesting account of his recent discoveries through the twenty-four-inch telescope built by Alvan Clark & Sons, which has been In use for eighteen months. Professor Lee has found his station a most favorable one for observations. He says the Arizona air is clearer and purer than that at any other station in this country. He and his assistant have now come East to publish a report of their work. Professor Lee was at one time in charge of the department of astronomy in the University of Chicago, and is ranked among the ablest mathematical astronomers of the country. He has been conferring w 7 lth several men of science in Cambride, and Harvard observers are much interested. Dr. Lee to-day said that since August, 1896, he has discovered about flv.e hundred new double stars, and has measured about seven hundred objects noticed by previous observers. Many of the stellar systems discovered are large and brilliant, and thus possess the highest interest. He says within the last year the Lowell observers have examined no less than 50,000 stars. They have swept over 1,200 systems. Some of the new stars are very close together, and are barely separated in the great lens. Others are unequal in brightness, and require the best atmosphere for effecting a good separation. The discovery of these five hundred new double stars is accounted the most important contribution to southern astronomy since the survey of Sir John Herschel, sixty years ago. One of these stars has been found to revolve only once in five years and another in about sixteen years. Both have become of the highest interest to observers. The plan of Dr. Lee is to perform a great catalogue of every double star within seventy-five degrees of the south pole, and with this object he will continue his explorations for several years. One interesting conclusion Dr. Lee has reached involves a modification of the famous "nebular hypothesis,” which for more than a century has been accepted as the most reasonable theory of the origin of either stellar or planetary systems. The new double star discoveries are interpreted by Dr. Lee to suggest that the more usual method of the formation of a system originally is that the central mass divides en masse. The satellite then begins life not an annular ring about the original body, but in nearly its original form. The rings of Saturn he regards simply as an exception to the rule. One of the phenomena suggesting this is tho general inequality of the components of a double star system. Besides, their orbits are, as a rule, twelve times more elliptical than the orbits of a planetary system. To a mathematician this suggests factors that have no place in a planetary system. One of these factors is the action of stellar tides, which exert a retarding tendency and ultimately flatten the orbits, which originally may have been nearly circular. A phenomenon of great general Interest is the twinkling of the stars, so familiar on clear, cold nights. This, Dr. Lee says, is due to small waves or currents in the air. about the size of an egg or sometimes even larger than a man's hand. These little waves fill the aid under certain conditions, as on a cold night, and. Imposing before the eye, dart the light from side to side, and in this way convert the light of the star into colors or extinguish it entirely. The appearance is similar to light reflected from w 7 avy, running water, Mr. Douglas discovered how to see these waves with a telescope, and Dr. Lee brings proof that they cause the twinkling. Other important discoveries have been made in the Lowell observatory. It was occupied in 1894-95 with the study of Mars. Numerous canals were discovered. Mr. Lowell in 3896 found that the two inner planets, Mercury and Venus, rotate on their axis in the same time in which they revolve on their orbits. These bodies thus show the same hemispheres to the sun all the time, and the opposite halves are wrapped in everlasting night. Professor Douglas has recently determined the rotation of Jupiter’s third and fourth satellites, and found these bodies show only one face toward Jupiter. It was during 1896 that the observatory began an exploration of the southern skies for new double stars and nebulae. The region near the south pole is almost anew 7 field.

CHRONIC PAUPERISM. It Is Due to a I.nck of Moral Development, According to Scientists. NEW YORK, Nov. SO.-A report that Is probably the only one of the kind made in this country, was completed to-day by the committee on statistics of the Charity Organization Society. The committee is composed of Richmond Mayo Smith, professor of political economy and social science at Columbia University; Franklin H. Giddings, professor of sociology at Columbia University, and Frederick W. Halls. The report consists of a careful analysis of the records of five hundred families from the time they applied for aid in 18i>0 until Sept. 1, of this year. In referring to the repetition of applications for relief the report says: “There is a disclosure of chronic pauperism. This pauperism exists to a large degree because of the incapacity of men anti women to support themselves. Their condition is due. investigation shows, to a lack of moral development.” Os the persons who appealed for aid the largest number were married men and women. Widows with children came next. Os the 500 applicants, 170 were Irish and 132 were natives of the United States. Many of the latter were persons who had lived in this city less than a year. The list includes 122 men of good character and 231 women of good character. The remainder were professional beggars, criminals and chronic paupers. Engineer nud Flremnn Killed. DANVILLE, Va,, Nov. 30.—Information was received here to-night of an accident on the Atlantic & Danville Railroad in wr.ich Engineer James Luter and Fireman Frank B. Smith lost their lives. The engine attached to the passenger train due here at 5:25 p. m. left the track near Gill’s Station, about eighty-five miles east of here, and rolled to the bottom of an embankment, carrying two cars with It. Spreading rails is given as the cause of the disaster. , Conference of Sewer-Pipe Milkers. CLEVELAND, Nov. 30.—Between thirty and forty of the leading sewer pipe manufacturers of the country have been In session here to-day and to-night, doubtless for the purpose of perfecting the combination organized a few weeks ago at East Liverpool. Not one of the manufacturers would talk about the meeting, however, or say for what purpose It was held.

NOVEMBER OIL LETTER AVERAGE PRODUCTION OF INDIANA WELLS IS TWENTY BARRELS. No More Gashrri Bring Drilleld and • Falling Off of Nearly 50 l’er Cent. In Monthly Ontput. ♦ .■ - Special to the Indianapolis Journal. MONTPELIER, Ind., Nov. 30.-Never beforo in the history of oil developments has there ewer been anything like the excitement that has been displayed at Peru the past two months, as there has been 183 wells finished. It is estimated that SISJO,OGO has been expended in the completion of wells alone in that town-lot pool, to say nothing of the fabulous prices paid as bonuA money for some of the territory. Thera still remains a great amount of territory to be drilled that looks good, but the extension of the field Is a thing of the past, as dry holts have been completed in every direction from tho tow 7 n, and if there ha an outlet the belt can hardly be larger than an eight-inch pipe. Test wells have been put down in nearly every town surrounding Peru, since the Peru excitement started, and none has proven of the paying kind for either oil or gas. But very sow of the old-time operators hava branched out much, as they have gone through the same experience probably a dozen times. Several of the companies that Invested at Peru will make some money, while many of tho others will come out of the excitement losers. During the month there were 183 wells completed in the entire Indiana oil field; of this number thirty-eight were dry holes and gas weils, while the rest show anew daily output of 2,900 barrels. This, compared with tho work for October, shows an increase of sixty-seven in completed wells, and a decrease in new production of 280 barrels, and eight more dry holes. One feature of the operations for the month is that the wells for November proved less productive than did the wells of October. One would naturally think that with an increase of sixty-seven wells the output would bo greater, but it show 7 s that the productive Peru and other productive pools of the State are lees productive than they were. No more wells with a capacity of from 300 to MX) barrels are being completed. At the present time any well that will go a hundred barrels is considered a big iiiui. The average production each day for November is twenty barrels to the well, with tlurty-sjx and one-half barrels in October. There are ninety wells drilling and lortytight rigs up, an increase oxer the OctoUef figures ot twenty-six. Manager curun, ot the Oil Company, has tne toiiowing to say about the reru oil field; "We haven't anytning at Peru, and we are glad ot it. l guess mere are a great many who would luce to gd out ot tuefe, even if tney could. My company put *o<A) in leases, but we are willing to ict them go. I nave sampled tne Peru product and consider it no good. It s too heavy. The absence of gas is against it, aiUiough its commercial value is the same now as the rest of the Indiana prod- :> uet. It requirta double tne amount of oil tor fuel as any piner oil yet developed in the State.” Tne Manhattan Oil Company's test well completed on the Piarry carrell l'ann, near Hanford City, some weeks ago, is snowing itmavaable staying qualities, as it is still doing forty-live barrels a day. Tho Acme Oil Company has completed a well on the Lizzie McCaffrey farm, in this field, and it is uomg about forty barrels. This is a natural producer aim has not been shot. The Diamond Oil company has completed well No. 11, on the Meyers farm, on the Indian reservation, and has what shows for another gusher. The same company has completed a very light well on the Kite farm, two miles from the Meyers farm. The same company will drill another feet well on the lute iarrn at once. At Waverly another test well is being sunk, as the first duster did not satisty the investors. Another oil sale of somt magnitude has been plosed in this held. W. 11. Mendenhall & co. have bought of J. C. Lineman, of L.rna,, 0., eleven oil leases near the hairnet of Mount Zion, in Sections I and 2, in Chester township, Wells county, for a consideration of 834,W0. The property embraces a number of producing weils and rigs up. The wells,are all considered as sculled production and are small, while the price paid is regarded as a good one for the seller. It is reported that the Cudahys will hitch on to the new owners’ property and will henceforth buy his oil at an advance of : cents a barrel over the Standard’s quotations. The following table shows a comparison of the work in the Indiana field for October and November: November. October. County. C’mp. Pro. Dry. C’mp. Pro. D’y. Wells 10 149 2 13 410 2 Blackford . 5 100 2 7 170 1 Jay 5 100 1 7 100 3 Adams 3 30 0 6 90 1 Grant 3 45 0 4 50 1 H m’gt’n .. 3 10 2 2 15 1 Madison ... 8 225 3 10 210 3 Miami 129 2,150 13 46 1.810 11 Marion .... 4 100 ' 2 3 250 0 Miscl’n’s . 13 ... 13 8 75 7 Totals ...183 2.900 38 116 3,180 30 Increase completed wells 67 Decrease in new production, barrels...2Bo Increase dry holes 8 Abandoned wells 26 Average December wells, barrels 29 Average January wells, barrels 23 Average February wells, barrels 21% Average March wells, barrels 35 Average April wells, barrels 331-3 Average May wells, barrels 35% Average June wells, bariels 28% Average July wells, barrels 35% Average August wells, barrels 29 Average September wells, barrels 33% Average October wells, barrels 36 1-3 Average November wells, barrels 20 DRILLING WELLS AND RIGS UP. November. October. County. Drg. Rig. T’t’l. Drg. Rig. T’t’l. Weils 8 5 13 10 3 13 Blackford . 5 3 8 5 4 9 Jay 33 6 4 3 7 Adams 2 3 5 33 6 Grant 2 2 4 2 2 4 H nt’gt’n ..2 1 3 1 2 3 Madison ... 8 4 12 8 4 12 Miami 44 16 60 26' 14 40 Marion 3 2 5 2 3 5 M’scTn’o’s 13 9 22 6 4 10 Totals ....90 48 138 67 45 112 Increase drilling wells 23 Increase rigs up and building 3 Net increase in new work 26

Work in the Ohio Field. Special to the Indianapolis Journal. TOLEDO, 0., Nov. 30.—Great activity i being displayed in the northwestern Ohio oil field, regardless of the fact that the extreme part of winter is about due. The figures for November show that there has been 210 wells completed, of which 43 proved worthless for crude oil, the rest showing a daily output of 5.230 barrels, or an average of 21fa barrels each day. This is a falling off of only twenty-two completed wells from the October report, and nineteen more wells than were finished during September. The number of wells completed for the month just closing is fur above expectations and December will certainly show a much greater falling off unless the price of the product advances sufficient to warrent the pushing of the drill. FOR MAKING Fjll.SE REPORTS. — Olllcern of a .Baltimore Telephone Company Indicted. BALTIMORE. Md„ Nov. 20.—The grand jury to-dajf found presentments against F. B. William J. Atkinson and James Russell, president, secretary and treasurer of thp'Best Telephone Company, of this city, .charging them with having made false repeats of the financial condition of the concern with intent to deceive. The prosecuting witnesses, are all members of the Baltimore Stock Exchange. According to the story told before the grand jury, Atkinson caused to be made to the Stock Exchange a sworn statement signed by President Tiubbell and Treasurer Russell, of the telephone company, that the corporation had assets of about $2,500,000. This was done for the purpose of Inciting the exchange to list the company’s stock. The Stock Exchange refused to list the stock, the creditors of the telephone company became pressing and Mr. Atkinson had the concern placed in the hands of receivers. The receivers found that the assets of the company were worth not more than $12,u00 or $15,000 lnsteud of $2,500,000. Atkinsou is now bk Chicago.