Indianapolis Journal, Volume 48, Number 8, Indianapolis, Marion County, 8 January 1898 — Page 4

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THE DAILY JOURNAL SATURDAY, JANUARY 8. 1898. Washington Office—lso3 Pennsylvania Avenue . Trleplium* fulls. Buslr.f 1 ?!! Office 238 l Editorial Rooms—V 86 TERMS OF XI BSC’RIFTION. DAILY BY MAIL. Daily only, one nuntii. $ .10 Daily.onlr, three fcowths.. 3.00 Daily only, one 8.00 Daily, rricludine fttmilaj, one year 10.00 Sunday -only. n<wjr*jtr. 2.00 WHEN FURNISHED BY AGENTS. Dally. |er week, l>y carrier..' 15 cts Sunday, single copy: .v.. 5 cts Dally and Sunday, per week, J>jr carrier 20 cts WEEKLY. Per year la. SI.OO Ueiluved Kn I*m to C'lab*. Subscribe with any of our numerous agents or •end subscriptions to the JOURNAL NEWSPAPER COMPANY, Indianapolis, Inti. . p . e , rttC |n serding the Journal through the mails •n the 1 nitecl Stated should put on an eight-page Paj>er a OiNK-C’£jyT |>ostage rtamp; on a twelve or sixteen-page pair a TWO-CENT |.ostage ratew*" >or4^D is;stage is usually double these AH communications Intended for publication in this paper must, in order to receive attention, be accompanied by the name and address of the writer. THE INDIANAPOLIS JOURNAL ..Car be 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. It. Hawley & Cos., 154 Vine street. T. Peering, northwest corner of Third and Jefferson streets, and Louisville Book Cos., 256 Fourth avenue. ST. LOUlS—Union News Company, Union Depot. Washington, n. cT—Riggs House, Ebbitt House and Willard's Hotel. The New York Sun of yesterday published ♦he names of all pensioners who receive $45 a month or more. The list contains 3,568 names and abrogates $2,900,000 a year. The favorite “argument'’ of opponents of civil-service reform is abuse of Carl Schurz. All they say about that agile statesman might be true, and more, without affecting the merits of the question. If A condition should arise soon or in the distant future requiring the protection of American interests in China, or anywhere In the Pacific ocean, the possession of Hawaii would be of great importance. Secretary Gage declares that the currency plan of the monetary commission is better than his. A like exhibition of sense on the part of members of the House committee on banking and currency would be helpful. The Republican ®arty as voiced by the Republican press was never so united on any one matter as in denouncing those weak and treacherous Republicans who have been plotting with John R. McLean/* Really, an immigration bill watch would keep out of the country a quarter of million of men who can do only the roughest labor, is more important to the workers than several amendments to the civil-serv-ice law. The three so-called silver Republicans in the Ohio Assembly were elected on the AleI/ean ticket in Cincinnati. They are not Republicans, because no man can be a Republican and a free 16-Zo-l silverite at the same time. One of the anti-civil-service speakers demands that the appointments shall be restored to those upon whom the Constitution devolves them. Such a law would specially exclude members of Congress from any voice in making appointments. . , The moral sense of the country will fully approve of the hanging of the young double murderer Durrant. In the interests of justice he should have been hanged long ago. He was a monster of moral degeneracy, and there was no reasonable doubt of his guilt. With $161,000,000 of gold in the treasury, Its officials pay it out freely while the public prefers the notes which are as good. But for the political agitation in behalf of the silver-mine owners, largely foreigners and all rich, this condition would continue undisturbed. Tiie silly rumor of an alleged plot to assassinate Governor Bushnell should not have been dignified by putting it in print. Political assassins do not grow in Ohio—at least not that kind. Besides, why should a man who has committed political suicide be assassinated? The alleged Republicans who are fighting Mark Hanna in Ohio cannot find consolation in a Republican paper in the land. “Partisan pirates" is the name the St. Louis Globe-Democrat gives them, “such as the country has not seen since the effacement of Aaron Burr." The late commissioner of pensions, Mr. Murphy, is of opinion that the publication of the pension roll would lead to increase rather than reduce the number of pensioners. That is the opinion of many men who have had an opportunity to form an intelligent judgment. When one reads that such little men as Mayor McKisson, of Cleveland, and Oil Inspector Kurtz are seeking to put on the shoes worn by su?h men as John Sherman and Allen G. Thurman he is prepared to advocate any scheme by which very small men can be made to understand the class In which nature put them. In an article in the Forum Mr. Watterson predicts that if the Bryan faction should be beaten in the next Democratic national convention, it will bolt as did Henry George’s faction in New York city and set up for Itself. If Bryan's friends carry the national convention and make stiver the lending is•ue they will experience another overwhelming defeat. In 1872 the Republicans hud a small majority in the Ohio Assembly. John Sherman v/us sure of the support of nine-tenths of the Republicans, but a few were opposed. The Democrats offered to give their votes to several Republicans to beat Mr. Sherman, but all declined. Governor, since President, Hayes being one of them. He was Governor at the time. The calls are very loud In every quarter for Senator Forakcr to declare that the Republicans in the Ohio Legislature must keep their pledges and vote for Mr. Hanna. The senator should know that every Republican paper In the country will hold him responBlble for thr success of the McLean-Kurtz conspiracy. If It shall succeed while he Is silent it will be known as the McLeanForaker conspiracy. Latest advices from Cuba seem io establish two important points—first, that the Spur.lsh government is almost rea ly to accept intervention by the United States, which means an abandonment of the contest: and second, that the insurgents have more troops In the field than at any former time, und that they are for the most part

well armed, well equipped and fairly well fed. 5 Under these circumstances the success of the insurrection seems certain and near at hand. THE OHIO TREACHERY. The Journal has frequently declared that it has no reason to admire Senator Hanna, but it is not Senator Hanna as a man or a personality that is involved in the remarkable struggle now going on in Ohio. If it were a contest between Mr. Hanna and some other Republican for the nomination for senator the Journal would be very likely to perfer his opponent. It is not a question of a caucus nomination. Mr. Hanna has been nominated by his party for United States senator. The convention which nominated the Republican state ticket nominated Mr. Hanna with the same unanimous voice as it did Governor Bushnell. More than that, all of the Republican county conventions, for the most part, by unanimous expression, declared for Mr. Hanna for senator. Every Republican member of the Legislature stands instructed by the convention which nomine ted him to vote .for Hanna for senator. The Republicans when they voted for thess senators and representatives did so with the understanding that they would vote for Mr. Hanna. His nomination is the same kind that Governor Foraker had when he was elected two years ago. If ever a man had the popular indorsement of his party for senator, Mr. Hanna has. There is something more: What becomes of the faith which the public puts in the pledges of men elected to public office if it comes to be regarded as right for them to turn their backs upon platforms and pledges? So long as there is representative government there will be parties. Such being the case, it is of the utmost importance that the men chosen to represent them keep their pledges and stand by the party <uith as expressed in platforms. If prominent men In parties do not keep the pledges made to thousands oj people, other men will come to think that individuals may break promises with impunity, so that promise-breaking may become general, and the common faith which, In a certain sense, holds communities together may be destroyed. Those independent and sound-money papers which affect at, times to think lightly of parties as something apart from the people, are now caricaturing Mr. Hanna as if he were the only man involved in the Ohio contest. If they will look a little deeper than caricaturing they must see that the plot to defeat Mr. Hanna involves a treachery to principle and recreancy to pledges which no thoughtful man can afford to make light of. 31R. TELLER’S STARTLING PROPOSITION. Senator Teller, who is in many respects the ablest of the senators who have no other idea In politics than to force the country to silver monometallism, is giving momentary attention to our foreign relations. He is in favor of the annexation of Hawaii, and he would have us recognise Cuba. But his latest expression is in regard to China. “We should' join Great Britain in a notice to Russia and Germany that dismemberment will not be permitted,” is the declaration of Senator Teller; "even without Great Britain we should give such notice. If we do npt,” the senator from Colorado continues. “we shall sink to the position of a third or fourth-rate nation, helpless, degraded, without influence among the nations of the earth." It is hoped the United States will not actually come to such a pass as Senator Teller predicts should we not join Great Britain in protesting against the partition of China for commercial purposes. We are seventy millions of rather active people, producing more, and, what is much more important, consuming about as much of the products of industry per capita as two people iy any other country. When w*e get down to it we can take care of many more people on this continent, or the part of it we occupy. Without taking any part in the intrigues of Europe, we head the industrial procession of nations outside of agriculture. Our domestic trade for one day would be of more value than all the trade we have or can have in Chinft for a year. Our position as a nation does not depend upon the failure of China, because our own millions and our home growth assure us a place in the front of the procession of nations. If Mr. Teller could regain the contentment and blessedness which he experienced while he was a stalwart Republican he would not be the victim of such dismal views regarding the future of this country in the event it is not able to capture some of the trade of China. The part of Senator Teller's declaration which surprises, aye, amazes, is that “the United States should join Great Britain” in a protest which w'ould be likely to involve us in war. Great Britain is the leader of what Mr. Teller’s political friends have denounced as “the gold-bug conspiracy against mankind." It is the great money power of the world which has cast down silver, and which stands in the way of restoration. There was not a silver howler on the stump in 1896 who did not denounce Great Britain as the foe of civilization because it had been the first nation to establish the gold standard. And now we have the spectacle of the leading silver senator declaring that the United States must join th 2 nation which stands for the money powet in resisting the division of China! To hold our own in the foreign markets, to escape falling to a place with third-class nations like Mexico, with silver monometallism, we must join Great Britain and thus become the ally of the power which represents goldbugism—such is the declared opinion of the leading silver senator! • _ OIK INTERESTS IN CHINA. Recent events have caused some discussion regarding our interests in China and what the government ought to do in this or that contingency to protect them. Some European papers have declared that it would not do to leave the United States out of the reckoning. At first the English press showed quite a disposition to encourage, if not an alliance, at least an understanding between the two countries regarding a common line of action, but since England has pulled herself together and developed a policy of her own there has not been so much of that. England does not want any allies as long as she is able to take care of herself, and if she can master the situation and outbluff the European powers she would rather do it alone than with the material aid or moral backing of the United States. Mr. Bull does not like to be under any sort of obligation to anybody if he can avoid it, and generally he is able to avoid it. No doubt the question of our interests in China has, to some extent, engaged the attention of the government, but, considering their nature and the improbability that any necessity will arise for protecting them, it is not likely the administration has given the matter much thought. American citi-

THE INDIANAPOLIS JOURNAL SATURDAY, JANUARY 8, 1898.

zens in China, missionaries and others, are, of course, entitled to protection for themselves and their property, as also the small cessions of territory which the government has obtained by treaty in a few cities, but these are very far distant from the recent German and French aggressions, and there is scarcely a remote possibility of their being disturbed. It must be remembered that Germany and France are enly nibbling at the fringe of the vast Chinese empire, and, not to speak of other powers, they would have to reckon with China Uerself before they would be In a position to threaten American interests. It remains to be seen if they will be able to maintain the little foothold they have got, much less strengthen or extend it. If the Chinese become aroused and determine to drive the intruders into the sea they can do it. At all events, there is not the slightest probability that Germany and-France will be able to push their encroachments to a point that will threaten American interests. The idea that they can destroy or cripple our Chinese trade seems very far fetched. That trade is large, important and growing. It has great future possibilities, and should be carefully safeguarded and protected, if protection should become necessary. But it must be remembered that there are upward of 300,000,060 people in China, and they are going to remain there and continue to increase and multiply for a long time to come. They are not going to leave the country, nor be wiped out of existence, nor be absorbed and assimilated by any other nationality. They are not going to be Germanized nor Francolied. The Chinese governmerk and people are friendly to the United States, and the recent invasions by Germany and France, though insignificant in themselves, will irritate the government and people against those powers and make them feel still more friendly to the United States. Our trade with China is so well established that it would take a great deal to destroy or cripple it, and it is much more likely to increase steadily for many years to come than it is to diminish. On the whole, our interests in China do not seem to be in any danger. GOVERNMENT BY PARTIES. Mr. Landis, in his speech against the civil-service law, said the greatest objection he had to it was that it discredits party politics. "I believe iit party politics,” he siaid. "They are the standing armies of peace in a republican form of government. They are our Nation’s surest defense and protection against fads and crazes and political hysterics." The Journal Is in full accord with this statement, and a much stronger one might be made of the benefits of political parties without exceeding the truth. They are necessary as a watch and cheek upon each other, necessary for the attrition of ideas among the people, necessary to prevent stagnation, as necessary to the body politic as the circulation of blood in the natural body—in fact, they are indispensable to free government. But it does not follow that a civil service based on the merit system and competitive examinations for entrance in the service are fatal to political parties. The Journal does not agree with Mr. Landis that the civil-service law “discredits party politick.” What it discredits is making all government offices the spoils of politics. To the Journal it seems that the error of Mr. Landis and those who share his view is in assuming that political parties cannot exist, or at least cannot be expected to keep up a healthful degree of activity, without the spur of spoils. If the Journal believed that it would despair of the Republic. The true theory of republican government is that the qualified voters of the country are sufficiently patriotic and interested in good government and public affairs to vote according to their political convictions without any other incentive than that of exercising the highest right of a free man and discharging a duty of good citizenship. If that motive, added to the natural disposition of men to differ on public questions, is not sufficient to make men take an interest in politics, then the fundamental theory of republican government falls to the ground and republican government itself must fail. The idea that political parties can only be maintained and an interest in politics kept alive by setting up the government offices as political spoils or prizes to be fought for like a purse at a prize fight seems to be a very wide departure from the true theory of republican government. Washington was not opposed to political parties, but he foresaw a time when party spirit might become dangerous. In his farewell address he said: This spirit, unfortunately, is inseparable from our nature, having its root in the strongest passions of the human mind. It exists under different shapes in all governments, more or less stifled, controlled or repressed, but in those of the popular form it is seen in its greatest rankness and is truly their worst enemy. * * * There is an opinion that parties in free countries are useful checks upon the administration of the government, and serve to keep alive the spirit of liberty. This within certain limits is probably true, and in governments of a monarchical cast patriotism may look with indulgence, if not with favor, upon the spirit of party. But in those of the popular character, in governments purely elective, It is a spirit not to be encouraged. From their natural tendency it s certain there will always be enough of that spirit for every salutary purpose, and there being constant danger of excess, the effort ought to be by force of public opinion to mitigate and assuage it. A fire not to be quenched, it demands a uniform vigilance to prevent its bursting into a flame, lest, instead of warming, it should consume. It cannot be possible that the man who wrote this would have regarded with favor a proposition to make several hundred thousand offices an incentive to party spirit by setting them up as a prize to be fought for every four years. The founders of the government dealt with principles, not with spoils. Political parties had their origin in a disagreement concerning principles and policies, and it was a long time before the demoralizing doctrine ‘‘To the victors belong the spoils" was introduced. The Journal believes in government by the people and in government by parties, but it does not believe it is wise to incite party spirit to the danger point by turning the government into a political spoils machine. Whenever that shall become necessary to induce the people to take ar interest in politics and divide into parties the days of the Republic will be numbered. In one of the auditing departments at Washington a rule has been adopted which requires the clerks to check the time of coming to the office and leaving it by the device of a key-clock, used in institutions employing a large number of persons. It is said that the clerks are filled with wrath, because they consider it an insult to cheek themselves in and out as do "workmen in a factory.” Why should not the government require its thousands of employes to give an account of their time, as do other workmen in large institutions? Is It because they are better than other vorkmen or because they are a privileged class? Secretary Gage is a man of affairs; he has discovered that a large number of clerks in the Treasury Department do not work even the limited hours required by law, und he has caused the key-clock device to be introduced tc bring them to time. These

clerks are reported to have been so indignant that they held an indignation meeting, and resolved to appeal to the President. It would be good civil-service reform to dismiss all persons who joined in such an appeal; besides, it would teach a lass of people who have positions in the departments at Washington that the government was not instituted for the sole purpose of paying salaries to a limited number of persons. The Logansport man who Is said to have invented anew light which will perpetuate itself forever by the vibration of matter in a vacuum claims too much. His alleged discovery that "energy operating upon matter produces the various changes in nature" is very old. but when he asserts that “the theory of gravitation is false," that "there is no such thing as attraction between masses or atoms,” and that “ci a supposed atmospheric pressure of fifteen pounds to the square inch is not less than ninety tons to the square inch,” he draws upon our credulity too heavily. His alleged wonderful discovery will doubtjess prove to be of the Keeley motor kind, even if it develops as much vitality as that. Ts it Is true, as stated, that in some cities of the East there are as many as six or seven letter deliveries daily in the residence portions, the postofflee authorities should rectify the matter in the interest of Western cities. In this city there are only two deliveries daily in residence quarters, and probably the same is true in other Western cities. The better treatment of Eastern cities in this regard is only one of many evidences of the superior pull which Eastern States and cities have by reason of their proximity to the capital. When Western statesmen go to Washington they should elevato their point of view and look over the Allegheny mountains._ The only scriptural facts that sustain Theodore Durrant in his assumption that the Lord was with him were the statements that the Lord is nigh unto they that fear him, and that the all-wise being is everywhere all the time. There is a commonsense view, also, that bears the murderer out in his guess, and that is. that the Lord’s reputation is such that it could not be injured by any sort of companionship. The seventeenth semi-annual meeting of the Southern Indiana Press Association will be held at the Statehoue, in this city, Tuesday, Jan. 18. All editors and publishers south of the old National road are eligible to membership. Further information can be obtained by addressing the Secretary, J. W. Cockrum, Oakland City. The Bible prodigal son was privileged to associate with the swine, and had reached the point where he thought it a privilege so to do. However, the modern prodigal, W. J. Bryan, has reached the point where at least one self-respecting Hogg will not run with him. • Anthony Comstock has had a board of appraisers at work on his reputation as a reformer and as a gentleman. The appraised value is 6 cents. Now Anthony is sorry he has learned what his reputation is worth. BUBBLES IN THE AIR. About. This way the actress cuts her capers, To make,herself become the rage; She has lots about her In the papers, And very little on the stage. A Little Woman. Ellen—Ten mills make one cent, ten cents one dime, ten dimes one dollar Teacher —Well, go on. “And ninety-eight cents one bargain." Tito Cheerful Idiot. \ “That fellow,” said the Shoe Clerk Boarder, “who confessed to a robbery he never committed must have a twist in his intellect.” “Yes,” said the Cheerful Idiot, “he’s a crook in his mind." > Slight Error. “I’m very sorry, Mr. Peck,” said the editor. "that in giving our account of your silver wedding we should have said you had been ‘harried’ twenty-five years. Os course, we meant to say 'married.’ ” "Oh,” answered Mr. N. Peck, “I guess you didn’t miss it to amount to anything." CURRENT PERIODICALS. The Outlook will publish Rev. Lyman Abbott’s lectures on Paul, and gives the first of the series in the Issue of Jan. 1. The Atlantic opens the year with a serial story, “The Battle of the Strong,” by Gilbert Parker. Mr. Hopkinson Smith’s “Caleb West” approaches a conclusion. In the Strand Magazine James Payn tells how to write stories, and the instructions are all very good, but let no would-be author suppose he can take the Payn recipe and by its use alone make himself a novelist. In spite of the innumerable novels that get into print, it remains true of stories as of poetry that the successful writer thereof is born, not made. In the Atlantic Mr. E. L. Godkin writes of the growth and expression of public opinion in this country, especially as it is modified by the newspapers. He declares the force of opinion which was first manifested in the desire for religious and political freedom has been diverted from those aims—naturally enough, it would seem, since the aims were accomplished—and is directed towards matters of economics—commercial rivalry, the wages and hours of labor, the cheapening of production and control of prices. Incidentally, he belittles the newspapers of the land, of one of which he is editor. Robert Barr is represented in the January number of McClure bj a short story and by a character sketch of Mark Twain. Herbert E. Hamblen draws upon fifteen years of experience as a railroad brake-man, fireman and engineer, and contributes a very readable account of the life of a brakeman in the yard and on the road. Daniel B. Hadley relates some reminiscences of John Brown. Cy Warman describes the experiences of an American at Carlsbad, and James H. Holmes relates an incident of the overland passage of ’49. Charles A. Dana’s reminiscences and Anthony Hope's "Rupert of .Hentzau" are the serial attractions. No article In the January Century will attract more attention than the account by the explorer, George Byron Gordon, of the mysterious city of Honduras, which was already in ruins when the Spanish explorers first landed on Western soil, and which was built by a people of whom almost absolutely nothing is known. A paper on French wives and mothers, with pictures by the famous French artist. Boutet de Monvel. is interesting. Leonard Huxley, son of the late scientist, contributes some pleasant glimpses of his father's home life. The new serial story by S. Weir Mitchell, "The Adventures of Francois," opens in this number. It is a story of the French revolution. In the Atlantic John Muir writes <ff the wild parks and forest reservations of the West with knowledge and enthusiasm. “It is far safer," he says, "to wander in God s woods than to travel on black highways or to stay at home. The snake danger is so slight it is scarce worth mentioning: the bears are a peaceable people and mind their own business, instead of going about like the devil, seeking whom they may devour. Poor fellows, they have been poisoned, trapped and shot at until they have lost confidence in brother man, and it is not r.ow easy to make their acquaintance. As to Indians, most of them are dead or civilized into useless innocence. No American wilderness that I know of is so dangerous as a city home ‘with all the modern improvements.' One should go to the woods for safety if nothing else.” Most people know in a vague sort of way something about the college founded ly Stephen Girard, hut outside of Philadelphia comparatively few arc acquainted with its character and the work it has accomplished. The celebration of its semi-centenary calls attention to it. and an illustrated article In

the Cosmopolitan gives the history of the great Institution and a sketch of the founder. In this issue of the magazine is outlined the general plan of the Cosmopolitan University, which is now ready for business. This information is appended: “The appropriation which the Cosmopolitan Magazine felt able to make toward carrying out the ends of the university was $150,000. divided into annual installments not exceeding $30.0“0 ea< h. This sum was at the tlhne regarded as ample for the support of the institution for five years. But the unexpected dimensions which the undertaking has assumed render these* resources entirely insufficient for the services to be performed, in view of the daily growing lists of applicants. That there will be those, generous-minded and appreciative, who will comprehend the magnitude and importance of this work and be glad to render such aid as lies within their power, is not to be doubted.” The Bookman for January has an interesting article on public libraries and librarians, w r ritten by Joseph Dana Miller. Ellis Fane, who says he has been in charge of a village library for many years, adds something from his experience to the discussion as to what books are best suited to such libraries. “After this long experience,” he clusions: Short histories (such as Green’s) are liked, but anything like Motley's 'Dutch Republic,’ Bryce’s Roman Empire’ or Gibbon’s ‘Decline and Fall’ would not be read. Poetry is never taken out. Some biographies are liked, also bright, interesting books of travel. Novels and stories are the most popular, and I think it a good sign that really good novels are liked the best. Dickens. Mrs. Gaskell, C. Bronte. Stevenson, Miss Yonge, are most popular, but I fear the rural mind would never appreciate the satire in Don Quixote.’ ‘Gulliver’s Travels,’ etc., while Goethe's T'aust’ and Dante’s works would never he understood. Village intellects are not so quick as town ones, and take much longer to grasp the full inner meaning of a. subject. 1 believe the list of a hundred books given in your number might be a good one for a town workmen’s library, but not at all suitable for a village one.” TO UNITE THE CHURCH. Important Conference of Methodists of the North and South. WASHINGTON, Jan. 7.—An assembly of eighteen representatives of the M. E. Church in the United States is now in session at Foundry M. E. Church in this city for the purpose of effecting a union of forces between the two branches of the church North and South. This assembly consists of three bishops, three ministers and three laymen from each branch of the church, the personnel of the delegations being as follow's: For the M. E. Church—Bishops J. M. Hurst, of this city; C. M. Merrill, of Chicago, and W. X. Ninde, of Deti’oit; Rev. J. R. Cooke, of Chattanooga; Rev. Luther B. Wilson, D. IX, of this city, as a substitute for Rev. J. W. Goucher. president of the Woman s College, Baltimore, who is now in India, and Rev. H. G. Jackson, of Chicago; Judge R. E. Muller, of Covington. Ky., Judge Murray, of Clearfield, Pa., and Judge T. B. Sweet, of Topeka, Kan. For the M. E. Church. South—Bishops J. C. Granbery, R. K. Hargrove and W. W. Duncan; Rev. S. E. Hass, of Nashville, editor of the Christian Advocate; G. A. MacDonald, and J. H. Dye; Judge Walter Clack, Prof. W. R. Jones and Asa R. Jones, cf Texas. As soon as the meeting was called to order a resolution was passed enjoining the members of the conference from giving to the press or to any one not a roember of the conference any intimation of the work done or other proceedings of the conference. DAN STUART’S PLANS. The Prize-Fight Promoter Trying; to Get “Fit*” and Corbett. CHICAGO, Jan. 7.—Dan A. Stuart arrived in Chicago to-day and to-morrow will leave for St. Paul, where he will endeavor to secure the signature of Fitzsimmons to articles calling for another tight with Corbett, to take place in July or August. “Everything depends,” said Stuart, “on the attitude Fitzsimmons may assume. It is a settled fact, I think, that Corbett will not tight Maher before he tights Fitzsimmons again, and I am not considering any such contingency. It is Fitzsimmons and Corbett or nothing, although if I cannot secure this fight I might offer a purse for Corbett and Maher.” Regarding the battle ground. Mr. Stuart said he had two places under consideration —one in Nevada and one about four hours’ ride from the mainland, “somewhere in Southern waters, around the Gulf of Mexico.” The articles which will be submitted to Fitzsimmons provide that Stuart and the two principals are to select the referee, and Stauart announces flatly that he prefers George Siler. In case he signs Corbett ami Fitzsimmons Stuart says he will offer a purse for McCoy and Mitchell or McCoy and Choynski as a side attraction. He is also willing to sign Fitzsimmons and McCoy at the middleweight limit. ST. LOUISIANS MYSTIFIED. Do Not Know Where Messrs. Brush, Schmlilt und Talbott Are Hiding. ST. I.OUIS. Jan. 7.—Nothing new has developed in the baseball situation to-day. President Von der Ahe stated to-night that he has not closed a deal with anybody, and thought there was a good chance of him still remaining in control during the coming season. Messrs. Schmidt. Brush and Talbott left the St. Nicholas Hotel night before last, and iust where they are now is a conjecture. it is known they purchased tickets to Chicago, but it is now claimed they are still in St. Louis, hiding. It is generally rumored that Mr. Brush proposes to financially assist Von der Ahe out of his present dilemma and not consummate the purchase originally intended. The rumor is based on the generally accepted fact that Mr. Brush has oifered $65,000 for the club, while the local syndicate has offered $85,000. and both offers have been refused by Von der Ahe. A Mysterious Murder. LITTLE ROCK, Ark.. Jan. 7—The police are investigating one of the most mysterious murders that has come to light here in recent years. Wednesday night a welldressed white man of middle age was found in an unconscious condition in an empty freight car in the Iron Mountain yards in North Little Rock. The man was taken to the hospital, where he died without regaining consciousness. From papers in his possession it was learned that his name was L A. Hudlow. It now develops that Hudlow was at some time within the past few days a passenger on an Iron Mountain train. A conductor’s ticket marker was found in his hat. but where he came from and where he was going is not known. At the inquest to-day it was discovered that Hudlow’s inside vest pocket had been freshly torn open, indicating that he was murdered for his money. "Willtty Catt’* Hoiilile Crime. FORT SCOTT. Kan., Jan. 7.—Walter Catt, about midnight last night, shot his young wife twice and then sent a bullet nto his own brain. Mrs. Catt was shot in the shoulder and will probably recover. The husband will die. They lived at the home of his father at the Catt orchards, four miles south of this city. The family had entertained callers during the evening, and voting Catt. who had been drinking, became jealous of his wife because she had had a whispered conversation with her brother-in-law. When the shooting occurred all had retired but Mr. and Mrs. Catt and his mother. _ Ketch mil Heirs Didn’t Pay for Music. CHICAGO. Jan. 7.—A local music firm has garnisheed the heirs of the late John B. Keteham. through their attorney. W. B. Keep, in payment for music alleged to have been purchased by the heirs. Mrs. John B. Keteham. executrix of the decedent s will, is not among those asked to pay. The debt was contracted, according to the lawyers who are trying to make the collection, whi.e the heirs all of Toledo, were in Chicago combating the will of their relative, who left most of his property to his widow. Corn Crop of Kaunas. TOPEKA, Kan., Jan. 7.—Secretary Coburn. of the State Board of Agriculture, has completed a tabulation of the values of farm products and live stock marketed in Kansas during the past ten years. The figures show that Kansas farmers realized over $1 mOOO,OOO for these products. Contrary to the general impression, wheat is not king in Kansas, as corn outranks it. In the ten years the total value of corn has 1 exceeded that of wheat by $177,000,001). John Scott In South Africa. LAWRENCE. Kan.. Jan. 7.—John Scott, the university law student who mysteriously disappeared last spring, appurqitlv demented from overwork, has been located in South Africa. A letter received by his mother from Scott tells of his whereabouts, bui gives no xulanution ot his disappeara ncua*

SEW YEAROPENSCOOD CONFIDENCE PERVADES NEARLY ALL BRANCHES OF 111 SI NESS, Iron Manufacturer* Are Still Iln*)i and General Induatrle* Are Active, Enpeciall) In the Writ. SPECULATORS NOT HAPPY * WHICH IS REGARDED \S A GOOD sign FOR LEGITIMATE TRADE. Bank Clearing* lid Per Cent. Greater than a Year Ago—Export* of Grain •—Commercial and Ilnnk Futlure*. NEW YORK, Jan. 7.—riVadstreet's tomorro.v will say; The year opens with a tone of quiet confidence pervading nearly all branches of business, with encouraging activity in the iron trade, a resumption of work by many thousands of industrial employes in the Western glass industry, a largely reduced volume of business failures as compared with corresponding periods in preceding years, and a general outlook certainly i ot inferior to any previous year at this time. Distributive trade has naturally been rather slow pending stock taking, and the return of salesmen to the field. While the volume of distributive business is no larger, industrial activity is a special feature unconfined to any one section, but specially notable in the West. Resumption of work after the holidays has been generally encouraging in that section. Autumn weather in the Northwest chocks distribution, but collections are reported good. Fales of Southern iron are lftrge, and Louisiana sugar crop returns have been very satisfactory. Nine-tenths of Florida’s orange crop was gathered before the late freeze, and cotton is steady and in good export demand. Wool has opened up actively at some Eastern markets, and lower prices for cotton goods have stimulated some demand. Naturally entugh. there is a slight gain in the number of failures reported this v'eek over last, the total aggregating 333, against 297 last week, but a heavy falling off from 1897, when the total was 488. The total in this week of 18S6 was 446; in 1895, 405, and in 1894, 484, thus showing a falling off from this week in recent preceding years of from one-quarter to one-third. Bank failures in 1897 followed the genera! tendency of business mortality in all other lines of business. The reputation of the banking community for conservatism, however, is borne out by the relatively heavier falling off in the number of failures and the reduced volume of liabilities of banks and trust companies, as compared with preceding years, than in ordinary commercial circles. The total number of failures of national, state, savings and private banks and loan and trust companies in 1897 was 1(6, a little more than half of those of 1896, and less than ohe-fifth those of the panic year 1893. Liabilities also showed a heavy falling off, being 60 per eent. smaller than in 1896 and 90 per cent, smaller than in 1893. The number and liabilities, however, were slightly larger than in 1894. The percentage of assets to liabilities in 1897 was only 0.76, the smallest reported since Bradstreet's record of bank suspensions was begun. The holidays have exercised their expected effect on export trade in leading cereals. Wheat exports from the United States and Canada for the first week in January amount to 3,481,576 bushels, against 5.495.000 bushels last week, 3,133,600 bushels in this week a year ago and 3,471.000 bushels in the corresponding week in 1896. Corn exports also show a sensible diminution, amounting to 4,086,000 bushels last week, 4,819,000 bushels in this week a year ago, and 2.626,000 bushels in the corresponding week of 1896. _* R. G. DUN & CO.’S REVIEW. FailnreN of INI>7 Favorably Compared with Previous Year*. NEW YORK, Jan. 7.—R. G. Dun & Co.’s weekly review of trade will say in its issue to-morrow: In failures 1897 was not only the best year since 1892, but on the whole the best ever definitely known. With 13,522 failures in number, 11.5 per cent, less than 1896 and $182,581,771 defaulted liabilities, 34 per cent, less than in 1896, the year’s banking failures counted for $28,249,700, and the commercial falures were but 13,351, with liabilities of $154,332,071. the average per failure being only $11,559, the low r est ever known, except in 1892. But even in that year the failures during the last half averaged liabilities of $10,477 per failure, wlule in the last half of 1897 the average was only $9,593. The returns by branches of business show that in fifteen out of twenty-eight classes the failures were lower than in any previous year of which there is record, with especially large decrease in the great number of unclassified manufacturing and trading failures. Moreover, the year showed remarkable decrease, as some other prosperous years have shown increase, comparing the second with the first half. The new year began with disappointment for speculators in stocks and grain, which is not a bad sign. Prices of stocks have gained a little, after yielding at first and close 73 cents per share higher for railroads, and $1.05 per share higher for trusts. Wheat declined 1% cents owing to the termination of the corner at Chicago, and Western receipts were about double last year’s, with Atlantic exports 2,840,318 bushels, flour included, against 2,150.909 last year. A speculative estimate makes the quantity still in farmers’ hands 40 per cent, of the crop, which is quite possible, but the consumption and exports in half the year ought to take more than 40 per cent, of the year’s supply. A fleet of vessels is reported at Baltimore or on the way thither for wheat. Exports of corn for the week fell below last year’s, although Western receipts are unusually large, and the price fell but % of a cent. Cotton was a disappointment to many because it did not change at all in spot price, although the accounts of reduction in wages by New England works warrant the hope of larger consumption. Cotton manufacture is a little encouraged by larger demand for goods since the reduction in prices, and the abstention of buyers for months past has probably been due in large measure to expectation of that reduction. But with the certainty that the print cloth workn are to continue prices have further declined to 2.12 cents. The wcolen and worsted mills arc both buying wool quite largely at prices probably close to the best, and those who declared were no concessions a month ago are now rejoicing that the re<ent raggedness in pticcs has passed away. Behind ail the market reports there is the fact that consumpt;on of wool has for about five months be the largest ever known and the buying indicates, as does the demand Tor such heavy weight goeds as have been opened, that a satisfactory half year is expected. Price* so far paid are said to be from 21) to 30 per cent, higher than a year ago, with wool from 50 to 90 per eent. higher. The iron manufacture has been further encouraged by unusual business for the season, including a large building contract made and others for i'ridges pending at Chicago. a stile of 50.000 tons pig to one pipe foundry at the East and contract for two vessels of 5,000 tons each at Crumps' yards, and contracts for 5,500 tons hoop at New York, tlie 500 for Mexico. Prices are generally unchanged, though Eastern works have advanced structural beams 5 cents to *1.15. Pig is unchanged, with fairly large sales. Visible supplies of tin are 29.855 tons, against 52.342 a year ago, with 13.7 cents quoted, and with exports of 10.505 tons of copih r in December and 123,090 tons for the vear, 11 cents 1* now quoted for lake. The ,‘oke output continues heavy, and the output of anthracite coal was 41,205,000 tons in

1897, though the consumption was about 2,500,(00 tons smaller, and there are sales at $3.85 per ton higher. Failures for the week have been 522 in the United States, against 471 last year, and in Canada 32. against 62 last year. —, BANK CLEARINGS. Gain at Tudfannpoll* About Equal to the Average for tlie Whole Country. NEW YORK. Jan. 7.—Tlie following table, compiled by Bradstreet, shows the bank clearings at eighty-seven cities for the week ended Jan. 6, with the percentage of increase and decrease as compared with the corresponding week last yearNow York $868,981,647 Tnc..29.9 Boston 113,445.061 1nc..00.8 Chicago 106.488,170 1nc..59.4 Philadelphia 77,024.588 1nc..15.4 St. Louis 31.094.165 1nc..11.5 Pittsbfirg 17,537.071 1nc..13.6 Baltimore 22,829,743 1nc..34.9 San Francisco 16.214,447 1nc..31.7 Ctncinrati 13,343.250 1nc..12.7 Kansas City 9,799 643 Inc.. 1.6 New Orleans 12,475,077 1nc..18.0 Minneapolis 9,998,235 1nc..41.8 Detroit 6.542.768 1nc..10.4 Cleveland 6,948.937 Dec.. 6.4 Louisville 7.060.077 Dec.. 5.3 Providence 6.434.100 1nc..33.1 Milwaukee 5,617.534 1nc..12.2 St. Paul 3.644,815 1nc..12.7 Buffalo 5.140 409 1nc..16.8 Omaha 5.112,720 T n c..26.4 Indianapolis 5.824.216 Inc. ,20.7 Columbus, O 4,117,100 1nc..22.3 Savannah 2.708.404 1nc..13.4 Denver 2,867.618 1nc..19.6 Hartford 4,120.928 Dee.. 13.9 Richmond 3,632.(25 1nc..21.0 Memphis 2,838,564 1ne..!0.9 Washington 1,984,136 Inc.. 4.7 Peoria > 1,955,413 1nc..25 8 Rochester 2,304.012 1nc..25.6 New Haven 1,713.415 Dec.. 7.9 Worcest’-r 1,826.795 1nc..10,9 Atlanta 2.019,025 Dec.. 3.3 Salt Lake City 1.799.414 1nc..10.4 Springfield. Mass 1,965,877 Inc..li-2 Fort Worth 1.571.076 Inc. .16.7 Portland, Me 1.740.012 1nc..10.8 Portland. Ore 2.161,721 1nc..58.5 St. Joseph 1,810.212 1nc..34.0 Los Angeles 1,617,100 1nc..21.3 Norfolk 1,137.745 Inc.. 5.6 Syracuse 1.351.74S Inc:. 14.7 Des Moines 1,249,260 1nc..73.7 Nashville 1.731.899 Inc., 16.3 Wilmington, Del 777.174 1nc..16.4 Fall River 836,847 Dec.. 20.9 Scranton 1,384.420 1nc.,45.2 Grand Ranids 893.701 I no.. 8.2 Augusta, Ga 892.460 I nc.. a.4 Lowell 853.712 1nc..2..1 Davton, O 799,982 lnc. lS.a Seattle Inc - 103 - 3 Tacoma 778,671 ..... Spokane 776.776 1nc..33.3 Sioux City 5-2.048 Inc. 104.8 New Bedford 5 8.2.8 Dec.. 48.1 Knoxville, Ten a 7 3,100 1nc..10.4 Topeka 423.23a pec..L 6 P.irmingham 544.6134 1nc..40.9 Wichita 43U855 1nc.,6..9 Binghamton Lincoln 445.737 Inc.. 8.2 Lexington. Ky 468.e5 Inc.. ;• Jacksonville, Fla 280.569 J. nr " V 2 Kalamazoo -'I U Bee.. 4.6 Bay City 267.256 Jnc.,26.5 Chattanooga • • 402.215 Int ..-3.3 Rockford. Til ..... ISMS? J nc *’ f Canton. O 1 Jnc.. 4.S l p a r r?cf fi N d i>° ‘ SI %Z:AI Sioux Fails STL 125.816 Inq. 131.4 T-T'cstin?** Voh . ..... 90.3tb DPC-.li 1 Fremont Net Jg.-g-* Toledo 11 ?' 4 ...."7.7.7."1.5tS me:: 9-'5 Galveston L3M-200 1nc..22.4 Houston L203.4A. 1nc..12.8 Youngstown “ Totals United 5tate5.MT418.589.759 1nc..23.6 Totals outside N. Y,.... 0a0.505,1L 1nc..16.2 SOCKALEXIS “BEST” MAN. Officiated nt an Indian Wedding; Among; Penobscot Braves. OLDTOWN, Me., Jan. 7.—The Four Hundred of Indian Island reveled at the w*dding of John T. Banco and Josephine Newell. It was exclusive in the highest degree. Sockalexls was the groomsman. Miss Fly Rod the bridesmaid, and only the big chiefs and hunters and guides of real renown received invitations. It v. as only fitting that this should be so, for both bride and groom are of proud lineage in the Penobscot tribe. She is the niece of Joe Francis, than whom there is no more illustrious woodsman and moose hunter in all Maine. Ranco is a young brave who lias already won distinction as a guide, and is esteemed oie of the most promisr>g members of the tribe. But although the bride was the handsomest maiden on the island, and the groom a redskin Phoebus Apollo, the ggunt Soekalexis and his white partner attracted the lion's share of attention from the assembled braves and woodsmen. The distinguished right fielder was recognized as a son of the tribe who had sallied forth among the palefaces and caused tire name of Penobscot to be respected on all the bleacheries in the continent. As for Cbi*- , nelia T. Crosby—Miss My Rod—there was not a red man there who did not delight to honor her. The marriage was solemnized in St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Oldtown, by Rev. Father Cleary, whose priestly vestment* added another note to the incongruity between the picturesque forest garb of the bridal pair and the irreproachably urban garb of Soekalexis—a flowing frock coat and accessories which looked as If they might have been made by a Fifth-avenue tailor. The guests bidden to the ceremony and the feast were garbed in the habtlament of the hunt, with gay feathers stuck here and there to denote the joyanee of the event. Joe Francis comported himself with a dignity that befitted a moose hunter of his renown, and performed the delicate task of giving the bride away. And when the twain were made one and the company, trooped away to the town hall for the re- ! eeption, the sinewy old man, his red liat stuck full of eagle’s feathers, pluced himself at the head of the procession and led the way. .Away from the restraint of the church, the individual characteristics of the revelers became more sharply defined, and the rank and file yielded unreservedly to the curiosity and enthusiasm awakened in them, by the leading figures at the celebration. Many were the questions with which SiR-k----alexis, the real hero of the occasion, was pressed, and his old comrades refused to be sa isfied with narratives of hisß triumphs on the baseball field and his adventures in far cities. In the dancing, that was one of the best features -of tbe reception, the tawny right fielder and Miss Fiy Rod were frequent partners, and a more graceful couple never flitted over a waxed floor than the man of savage blood with a civilized exterior and education, and the daughter of civilization who elects to spend her .lays in tlie woods with rifle and rod. Cornelia T. Crosby must be remembered well by New Yorkeis. for she attracted a great deal of attention during the Sportsman's Exposition, at Madison-square Carden, last spring. She had charge of the Maine camp. Her costume at the wedding was an importation from Paris, consisting of a hunter’s suit of soft, waterproof leather, jauntily made, with a rather short skirt, and trim waterproof boots and leggings. The jacket was adorned with big pearl buttons, and the picturesque Alpine hat with which her brown head was surmounted was made coquettish with a few quills. “Her face is white, but her heart is the heart of a brave,” said Soekalexis, when someone asked him what he thought of “Alisa Fiy Rod.” WANTS PART OF $600,000. Alleged Non of General Torrence Con. texting the Latter’* Will. CHICAGO, Jan. 7.—The will of the late Gen. Joseph T. Torrence is to be contested. The contestant is David Torrence, a young farmer of Ixtgan county, Illinois, who asserts he is the son of Mr. Torrence by the latter’s first wife, whom he married in Ohio, and as such is entitled to a son’s share of the estate. David Torrence's reasons for contesting the will are peculiar. He says that General Torrence a. the time of his death was possessed of the insane delusion that David Torrence was not his son. but bis nephew and for that reason left him only $250. The claimant also declares Gen. Torrence was of unsound mind when he made his will. General Torrence died Oct. 31. 1896, leaving an estate valued at about $600,000, the bulk of which he bequeathed to his then supposed only child, Mrs. Jesse Norton Torrence Magouun. of New York. Menhaden Oil Trust Organized. NEW YORK, Jan. 7.—The efforts that have been made during the last three week* to bring about a combination of Menhaden oil interests have been successful, it was announced to-day that all factories h the country would be placet) under one of officers within the .text two weeks. Articles of incorporation are now t lug drawn up. and tin y will bt filed at Tr nton. X. j., m Monday or Tuesday next. The capital involved is about sl2.ooo,rtw.