Indianapolis Journal, Volume 49, Number 4, Indianapolis, Marion County, 4 January 1899 — Page 4

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THE DAILY JOURNAL WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4, 1899. Washington Office—lso3 Pennsylvania Avenue Telephone ( alls. Business Office 238 | Editorial Rooms 86 TERMS OF SI IlSt RIPTIOX. DAILY BY MAIL. Pally only, one m<inth $ .TO Dally only, three months 2.00 Dally only, one year 8.00 Daily, Including Sunday, one year 10.00 Sunday only, one year 2.00 WHEN FURNISHED BY AGENTS. Dally, per week, by carrier 15 ots Sunday, single copy 5 cts Daily and Sunday, per week, by carrier 20 cts WEEKLY. Per year 11.00 Reduced Hates to Clnb*. Subscribe with any of our numerous agents or send subscriptions to the JOURNAL NEWSPAPER COMPANY, Indianapolis, Ind. Persons sending the Journal through the malls In the United States should put on an eight-page pa Pr a ONE-CENT postage stamp; on a twelve of sixteen-page paper a TWO-CENT postage stamp. Foreign postage is usually double these rates. All communications Intended for publication In tliis pai>er must. In order to receive attention, be accompanied by the name and address of the Writer. ■ . ■■ 1 " ' 1 THE INDIANAPOLIS JOl IINAL Fan be found at the following places: NEW YORK—Astor House. CHICAGO—PaImer House, P. O. News Cos., 217 Dearborn street. Great Northern Hotel and Grand Pacific Hotel. CINCINNATI—J. R. Hawley & Cos.. 154 Vine street. LOUISVILLE—c. T. Leering, northwest comer of Third and Jefferson stre-'ts, and Louisville Book Cos., 256 Fourth avenue. BT. LOUlS—Union News Company, Union Depot. WASHINGTON. D C.—Riggs House, Ebbitt House and Willard’s Hotel. It will not be long until Cubans are more loyal to the United States than to Cuba, and when that comes about they will be begging to lie annexed and so secure the best form of independence. The law’making season has now set in ell over the country. Fortunately for the country the large proportion of the crop consists of windfalls. Many get into shape, but comparatively few become fully ripe. General Henry, in command of the Department of Porto Rico, with about 7,2(8) troops under his command, reports that not a death had occurred among them in the six days preceding Jan. 2. This shows that tho troops have become seasoned and also that they are under good discipline. Some of the Journal's exchanges are saying that the year 1899 will hardly bo able to equal the achievements of 1898. As there Is not likely to be another war the new year w'ill not be called upon to equal the xecord of the one just past, but it is worth while to consider that it is much better prepared for such aciiievements than was 1898. . Senator Quay will need seventeen votes to insure a bare election to the Senate by the Pennsylvania Legislature, but fifty-four Republicans did not enter the caucus. Mr. Quay may get the seventeen votes, but it Is possible that he will not get them until after the court makes a preliminary decision in his case. And the Republic will survive even If he fails to get them.

It Is commonly said of the French that the bitterness of their dislike for Germany and all things belonging to it is beyond all measure, but has France done anything so marked as to forbid the use by Frenchmen of words of German origin? It has remained for Emtteror William to order that words of French origin be eliminated from the vocabulary in use by his army. He “wants to promote the use of pure German,” but is that his only reason? American government is evidently making a good first impression in Havana. The substitution of honest, open and straightforward methods for those pursued by the Spaniards, and the institution of practical reforms has impressed all classes favorably, and this impression will grow stronger as time passes. The Spaniards being out of the way, a serious cause of friction will be removed and the Cubans will become more tractable. On the whole, the outlook for the establishment of law and order in Cuba is quite as encouraging as could be expected at this stage of the proceedings. Ex-Secretary Day talked very guardedly about the work of the Paris peace commission. yet he gave some interesting glimpses of its inner workings. He intimates that these will be made public by Baying that “The publication of the proceedings will show that nothing can be further from the truth than to assume that the United States adopted towards Spain a policy of ‘stand and deliver.’ ” That idea was given out by the Spaniards for effect, but, no doubt, the truth is that our commissioners did nothing more than insist in a firm and dignified way on the plain rights of a nation which had been completely victorious in war. A detailed statement of railroad construction in ISOS shows that the drift of railroad development is towards the Southern and Northwestern States, while some of the older States are almost at a standstill. Os 3,018 miles of new railroad built in the United States, three of the New England States, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island, do not report a mile. New York built only 44 miles. Pennsylvania 105, Ohio 51, Illinois 13 and Indiana 32, against 151 miles built in Alabama, 157 in Arkansas, 112 in Georgia, 158 in Louisiana, and so on. Minnesota built more miles than any other State, 250. while Texas came next with 182 milts. The llgures indicate that the older States have passed their maximum of railroad building, and that the railroad development of the future is to be in the South and Northwest. The effort of several township trustees who appear as champions of a bad system to create prejudice against the reform movement by making the Commercial Club of inis city and the Bar Association its originators would not influence sensible men even were It true. The Commercial Club needs no defense, and its support of a measure Is much of a guarantee that it is a worthy one. Asa matter of fact, the movement to secure a better system of township management had its origin with business men in Evansville. It is now’ backed by the State organization of the business men’s associations in all the larger cities, twentythree in number, constituting the State Board of Commerce. It is a genuine movement to secure better management of county •nd township affairs. That the present system Is vicious, nine-tenths of the intelligent men of the State will affirm. That the representatives of both political parties so believe their platforms show. Its chief defenders are men who have profited, or exj>ect to profit, by loose management in local government. Many of those who sustained: Ute resolutions of the Trustee*’ Association are not in the movement. It will fail, and there would be little of It were it not for m-k:' , '

outsiders who desire to rob townships and counties by selling officers unnecessary supplies. The evil must die. The people understand, and no demagogy like this attempt to prejudice members of the Legislature against the Commercial Club will save a system which robs the taxpayers of Indiana of hundreds of thousands of dollars annually. POLYGAMY AND POLITICS. The question of allowing Representativeelect Roberts, of Utah, to take his seat in the national House of Reprsentatives involves something more than a technical question of constitutional law. On this point it is probably true, as ex-45erator Edmunds says, that the government of the United States has no power to suppress polygamy in a Stale, and that it is within the legal power of Utah and every other State to make polygamy lawfu’ if it chooses to do so. Congress could and did prohibit polygamy in Utah as a Territory, but the moment it was admitted as a State the whole subject, as far as legislation or practice is concerned, passed beyond the control of Congress. There has been no legislation In Utah authorizing or recognizing polygamy as legal, nor is there likely to be, but those who are familiar with the situation say that the practice is almost as prevalent among tho Mormons as it ever was, and that no attempt is made by the local authorities to prohibit or punish it. That, however, is a matter entirely beyond the control of the United States and does not affect the question of the admission of Mr. Roberts to his seat. Admitting Mr. Roberts’s constitutional right to a seat in the House, the question of his expulsion after being admitted would remain. The House has the constitutional power by a vote of two-thirds to expel a member for any cause that it thinks just. There i3 no limitation as to the cause of expulsion and none on the power or discretion of tho House except the two-thirds vote. That, however, is practically prohibitory in this case, as Roberts is a Democrat and the Democrats have indicated a purpose to stand by him. As the Republicans will have only a small majority in the next House, he could not be expelled without a large number of Democratic votes, and these cannot be had. So far, therefore, as the constitutional and legal aspects of the case are concerned, the Utah memberelect seems to be safe. The moral aspect of the case is different. The non-Mormon ministers of Utah have taken up the fight against Roberts and tho Utah Presbytery has issued a statement which is pretty sure to attract attention throughout the country, and perhaps in other countries. Statements issued by other denominations in Utah declare that polygamy is both preached and practiced by the Mormons, and that more “celestial marriages” have taken place within the last two years than previously since IS9O. It will be a national scandal if an avow’ed representative of this system is allowed to hold a seat in the national legislature. It will be hard to make intelligent foreigners understand how the Constitution can operate to compel the House to seat a man who Is an acknowledged polygamist, thereby making the Nation party to a practice that is punished as a crime in all Christian countries.

REFORM IX LOCAL GOVERNMENT. It is to be hoped the Legislature will give early and favorable consideration to measures that may be introduced looking to reform in township and county government. The consideration should be favorable because it is beyond question that reform is needed, and it should be early in order that the best measure possible may be framed and passed within tho limited term of the session. No person at all conversant with public affairs and government can doubt the need of such a reform. During the last thirty years Indiana has made great progress in many respects, but her methods of township and county government have remained practically the same. There has been great improvement in the administration of state affairs, in the management of the state institutions, in prison management, in the treatment of the dependent and defective classes, in our public schools, in short, in everything except in township and county government. The state debt has been steadily reduced, while local indebtedness has steadily increased. Defects and abuses in state government have been exposed and reformed, while those in local government have continued without any attempt to reform tho system and with no check but the personal honesty of individuals in office. If this has been a sufficient protection for tho people in a majority of cases it has failed in a great many. The laws have been tinkered and patched, but the system remains the same. A system that Is inherently defective and that almost invites extravagance and dishonesty is sure to be taken advantage of by a certain percentage of the officials administering it. There has been no time in the last thirty years when all of the township trustees and county commissioners in Indiana were honest, capable and faithful. During that period many scandals in local government have come to light, and no doubt a much larger number have been kept covered up. In many counties at different times and in some counties for years together local rings have existed, embracing county and township officials, whose members have systematically robbed the people for the benefit of themselves and their friends. A system that invites or permits such abuses should not be allow’ed to continue a day longer than is necessary to devise a better one. Notwithstanding the known defects of the present system and the abuses under it, there w ill be opposition to any change. This will be due in part to a natural feeling of conservatism, which hesitates to change established usages and methods, and in part to the interested opposition of those who are profiting, or expect to profit, under the present system. The first sentiment is entitled to respect, but it should not be allowed to stand In the way of progress; the other simply emphasizes the necessity for reform. When a few hundred township trustees enter their protest against a movement indorsed by the state conventions of both political parties, and when a county attorney sends out a circular letter urging county commissioners and attorneys to raise a fund to defeat the movement, it is high time for the representatives of the people to unite in its support. An attempt will be made to create the impression that the movement for reform seeks to take local government out of the hands of the people. On the contrary, it seeks to give the people more direct and effective control of their own affairs than they now have. Under the present system county commissioners and township trustees have, in certain directions, unlimited and arbitrary power. The proposed reform would limit and define this power and deposit a portion of it in advisory boards elected by the people and taking instructions directly from them. Under the proposed system county commissioners and

THE INDIANAPOLIS JOURNAL, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4, 1899.

township trustees will still have important executive duties to perform, but they will not be able to levy taxes, collect revenue and spend money without explicit authority from the people through their chosen representatives. Those who have made a study of the subject believe that the proposed reform will effect a great improvement in local government without increasing the cost, and close the door against long-stand-ing abuses. A good many people scattered over the country will watch with interest the course of the new socialistic mayor of Haverhill, Mass. Dispatches do not state whether or not the City Council is in sympathy with him, but if it is, or if his influence is strong, as it evidently must be, since it was a Socialist party that elected him, he may be able to put into operation some of the “equal rights” schemes that Tie outlines in his inaugural speech. When it comes to paying $2 a day for street laborers and appropriating money with which to provide employment, such as the making of cycle paths, improvement of parks, etc., for all needy persons, the taxpayers who have fancied themselves Socialists will perhaps find that practice and theory do not harmonize. It is certain, however, that the socialistic leaven, in the shape of the single-tax idea, government ownership of railroads, telegraph lines, etc., has spread rapidly within a few years, and it is inevitable that the various plans for the amelioration of the condition of mankind shall find some practical expression. Haverhill may afford an object lesson that will illustrate one or more of the theories, and the town will therefore be closely observed for the next year or so. Senator Hale’s position on the question of expansion has aroused seme opposition in Maine to his re-election. The leaders of the movement have sent out a circular in which they say; Senator Hale has gone over to the opponents of his party, and he-wants old, stanch and stalwart Republican Maine, which never surrenders, like a riderless cavalry horse, to go dancing over to the enemy with him. No; there must be no serious split in the Republican party in Maine. Hale’s apostasy is known even in the far-off Philippines, and ambitious Aguinaldo, aiming at dictatorial power, sends a deputy with a petition to Halo to intercede against his own government for the independence of the Philippines. It is known everywhere except to certain Maine newspapers that Air. Hale will not only oppose ratilication of the treaty, but in all subsequent legislation by Congress will be an anti-Republican and most querulous obstructionist. It is not likely the movement will amount to anything beyond demonstrating its own weakness. Senator Hale is too useful a man in public life to be rejected because of his position on a question regarding which there is so great a diversity of opinion, and on which the Republican party lias not yet defined its position. The first thing to do is to ratify the treaty confirming our title to the Philippines, and after that there will be ample time to discuss what to do with them. The numerous poisoning cases similar to and evidently suggested by the perpetrators by Mrs. Botkins’s crime are likely to cause a general and deep distrust of any article of food or drink that comes by mail. Recipients will at least beware of candy, headache medicine and fruit cake. It is as the Journal has long suspected, the professors of the alley university are secretly addicted to the Caine-Corelli brand of literature. Its debilitating effects can no longer be concealed. If Mr. Zola is in danger of arrest In England he had better come to the United States. The champion of justice and fair play will be safe here.

DIBBLES IN THE AIR. A City Boy. Grandmother—Now’, be good and grandma will bring you a nice stick of candy when she comes back from the store. Willie—l don’t eat stick candy. Do you think I'm a jay? The Cheerfnl Idiot. “Can you carve the duck?” asked the landlady. "I don’t know,” answered the Cheerful Idiot. “I am no professional carver. Perhaps I might do a little hack w r ork.” Grieved. “If that isn’t just liae a woman!” said the thoughtless. Then the artist was grieved in his inmost soul. He had intended his painting, which represented a feminine person wrapped solely in thought, to represent a Phase of Mind. Bad Precedent. Watts—l don’t see any reason why they should be making such a fuss about admitting that Mormon to Congress. Potts- You don’t? Just think of the number of offices he would have to be supplied with before all his wives’ relations could be placated. Dll. GATLING’S NEW GUN. A Triumphant Test Which Prefigures a Revolution in Gun-Building;. New Y'ork Evening Post. The entire system of building modern great guns premises to be changed as the result of a remarkable exhibition of power displayed on the Sandy Hock proving grounds yesterday by an eight-inch gun made of cast steel. The weapon was built at the Otis works, of Cleveland, 0., after a design of Dr. Gatling, of Gatling-gun fame. In yesterday’s test the new’ piece successfully withstood pressure in the chamber of approximately 37,00) pounds to the square inch. The service pressures demanded of the present army built-up gun are sixteen tons to the square inch, and the navy weapons are subjected to pressures of fifteen tons to the square inch. It will be observed that the new cast-iron gun far exceeded the army pressures. Six shots w’ere fired from Dr. Gatling’s weapon, the first powder charge weighing 132 pounds, the next two 135 pounds each, and each of the last three 142 pounds, with the result that the new gun exhibited no sign of strain. It is proposed to fire, in all, 300 rounds, and the pressure will be increased at various stages of the trial. It is not unlikely that the gun will be tested to destruction. Now that the weapon has withstood pressure of 37,000 pounds, it will bfe desirable to know what is the remaining factor of safety. Dr. Gatling cast his new gun in an ordinary gun mold. After boring, the piece was subjected to an enormous heat pressure on the exterior surface, something like 2,000 degrees Fahr. During the application of the heat a column of cold air was projected through the bore of the gun. After two hours of the air application a slight discoloration of the metal was observed along the bore. Six hours later the same discoloration was noticed on the exterior surface. It was evident that the cooling effect had penetrated from the bore outwards. During the process of casting a radial twist was given to the mold. The secret part of the operation is in connection with the allor used in the steel. According to Dr. Gatling’s estimate, a caststeel gun can be made for about 50 per cent, less cost than a built-up gun, and while one huilt-up weapon is in process of construction eight cast-steel pieces can be turned out. When one considers the large number of guns necessary for the defense of the coast line, this estimate of a 50 per cent, reduction means a very great deal. Yesterday's test w’as conducted before the Board of Fortifications, of which General Miles is the head. He was so astonished and pleased at the remarkable showing of the cast-steel gun that he seized Dr. Gatling by both hands and congratulated him warmly. The results obtained are a complete suprise to many ordnance and artillery officers. The object aimed at in all modern coast guns is to obtain range and penetration. In order to effect these results high velocities are necessary. The latter call for trmendous powers of propulsion, which are accompanied by correspondingly heavy pressures in the gun at the time of tiring. Until yesterday no gun made of cast-steel had been produced capable of withstanding the service pressure of to-day. In consequence, recourse has been had to guns built up from forgid steel ingots. In the built-up weapon there is a tube over which are shrunk in succession hoops and bands. The process is slow and costly. The government pays, approximately, SI,OOO per ton for built-up guns. Dr. Gatling proposes

to produce guns for SSOO per ton which will do the same work, calibre for calibre, as the built-up weapon. The new system, if adopted, will do away with the necessity of not only forged guns, but the still more costly wire-wound system. Yesterday's tests were conducted under the direction of Maj. Frank Heath, of the Ordnance Corps. Following the trial of the cast-steel weapon, Several rounds were fired from a Sims-Dudley dynamite field gun. The ranges were l.r-w* and 2,000 yards. Great holes were torn in the ground large enough to hide a horse and wagon in. To the minds of the officials of the board nothing living could exist withrn a fifty-foot radius of the point of explosion. Powder charges were used to propel the high-explosive shells. The powder gases were cushioned upon the shells after a principle somewhat resembling that used in ejecting torpedoes from a Whitehead tube. A SENTIMENTAL PARTING. NX lint Happened When the McCulloch Left Dewey’s Squadron. Manila Letter in New York Sun. Twelve o’clock was the appointed time for sailing, but there were two friends of Captain Hooper who had had no chance to bid him good-bye, and he waited nearly two hours, so that they might have opportunity for a last brief visit. One of them had come out from Baltimore in the ship, and it gave him a hard wrench to see her go away. It was a little before 2 o’clock when the final preparations were made. The little ship was very trim and pretty. In a fresh coat of paint, as clean and fine as care and work could get her, she was ready to make the final bow to her big, bluff comrades of the sharp fight and long vigil. All hands were in their newest, cleanest white and their happiest smilc-s, and they leaped forward with a will at the command “Stand by the port anchor.” On the other ships the lookouts had been watching the McCulloch for two hours, and every ten minutes or so responding to the question of the officer of the deck, “Not under way yet, sir.” But at last the answer changed. “Tho McCulloch is under way, sir,” was tho hail ol’ the lookouts, and “Stand by to lay up,” shouted the deck officers. The white-clad sailermen on the ships—big, clean, hearty fellows, whom it warms your heart to see—tumbled along their decks to their places abreast of the rigging and stood in groups eagerly watching the handsome little cutter as slowly and gracefully she began her admiral’s sweep. Throughout the squadron it was “All hands to cheer ship,” and all hands were ready. As the McCulloch left her anchorage and got way on. the long, homeward-bound pennant streamed far out astern, the gilded ball at its tip dancing up and down in the shifting air currents. Sho swung slowly to port and passed outside the monitor Monterey. Her forecastle deck was white with the spick and span uniforms of her crew. Her officers were together on the bridge and on the high poop deck, and over her taffrail floated the biggest and brightest star-spangled banner that ever graded her flag locker. As she passed the Monterey, we who we no watching from the Baltimore saw the wild waving of hats on the monitor and then the Irantic gesticulation on the cutter. Then, there floated across the bay the roar of cheers. Y r ou will never hear men. cheer until you hear our sailormen when tho battlo tlags are broken out for action; but they sent up a roaring god-speed this afternoon to their fellows homeward bound that somehow clutched the heart and brought a lump into the throat and made one remember what that fine American wrote for his English friends: “The bravest are the tenderest, the loving are the daring.” On past the Monterey and her cheering jackies, and down by the Monadnock, slowly steamed the McCulloch. There again the men shouted out their feelings with fullthroated emphasis, and the sound of it drifted across to the Baltimore in a confused r .°j* r \ alien handsome pickanninv of Admiral Dewey’s triumphant squadron swung and came by the Baltimore. The band on the cruiser had taken station on the poop deck. As the cutter stood down toward the cruiser, her flags standing straight out in the freshening breeze, with a fine roll of foam curiing away from her sharp cutwater, she was very proud and handsome. The afternoon was fine and clear. The little waves of the'bay sparkled and glistened in the bright sunshine. Behind the ships, across the low green fringe along the shore, the tall blue hills stood out sharp and distinct in the background. Lay aloft!” shouted the officer of the deck on the Baltimore, and up the rigging swarmed the agile sailormen. The cutter’s crew followed the action and raced aloft, t hen, as she drew nearer, to pass under the big ships -stern, the Baltimore’s officer shouted, “Now, altogether!” and the cruiser’s 111611 sen t the cutter’s crew a cheer that w’ill be echoing In their hearts long after they have reached their homes and greeted their old friends in God’s country. The answering roar from the McCulloch’s decks and rigging had hardly died away when the Baltimore’s band began, and the tune they played was: “Should auld acquaintance be forget?” In perfect silence the two crews listened to the music. The cutter swept swiftly under the cruiser’s stern, and the band swung into “The Girl I Left Behind Me.” Somehow’ the wild exuberance of the men wiio had been yelling the membranes out of their throats but a moment before was all gone. Perhaps they were seeing the pictures of the home land, 8,000 miles away. The homeward-bound pennant flew far out behind the cutter, but the gilded float at its tip, caught in the draught behind the ship, darted forward, as if hurrying to reach the goal, and carried the end of the pennant ahead in a broad, graceful loop. The officers of the cruiser and the cutter gravely saluted, and then the Baltimore’s band broke into a lively quickstep. “We’re sorry to part.” the music had said, “and w r e hope you’ll not forget. We’re glad you’re going home to your loved ones, and w’e wish you a fast, safe, and pleasant voyage.” Around the Baltimore and on to the flagship w r ent the McCulloch. The Olympia's men flocked on the superstructure, crowded the turret tops, and swarmed aloft. One big fellow’ lay out on the end of the main gaff and frantically waved his hat as he cheered. The flagship’s, band had gone ashore, so there was no music there for the homeward bound, but the cheers seemed to have added strength. Then across the bay to wiioro the Raleigh was standing guard off Manila steamed the happy cutter, and there again the farewell shouts w’ere repeated. Then, with her flag and pennant proudly standing out in the breeze, the McCulloch turned her bow toward the Boca Grande, and the long homeward journey was begun. Happy ship, fortunate men, who have endured life and braved death for the honor and the glory of the flag you love and sorve so well. What joys await you in your own land when freedom’s soil shall Indeed be beneath your feet, ns freedom’s banner now streams o'er you! May you all be there at the last to know and enjoy to the full!

TIIE PATENT OFFICE. Growing Inability of the Government to Keep Up with Inventions. New York Sun. It may surprise many people to learn that the United States Patent Office receives in fees $1,250,000 a year; that the office is run at a profit which, since its establishment in 1830, amounts to more than $5,000,000, and that the gross receipts from patents and trademarks have been nearly $40,000,000. Americans stand first in respect of the inventive faculty, and it appears also that they stand so far ahead of the government operations in this particular that all effort to keep up with them or abreast with the march of American ingenuity is nearly hopeless. At the beginning of the fiscal year of 1890 there were 6,585 applications for patents awaiting official action in Washington. At the end of the next year there were 8.911. At the end of 1892 there were 9,447. After 1892 and in consequence, perhaps, of public attention being diverted by the Chicago fair from inventors, or of the times being unfavorable to investments in experimental schemes, the number of undetermined applications gradually decreased until at the end of the fiscal year 1895 it was down to 4,927. Then, with renewing public confidence and a more hopeful outlook for inventors, it increased the next year to 5.943, and it has now reached 12.227. In his last report Secretary Bliss commends the action of Congress in providing for an increased force to dispose of the accumulated, business of tho Patent Office. In 1836 the receipts of the office, which now average $1,250,009, were $29,000. and the number of patents issued was 435, whereas the present average Is about 24.000. An effort is to be made to Improve the service by “the classification of all letters patent and printed publications in a classification division, which will greatly improve existing methods. as to the novelty of invention.” This will, it is hoped, be beneficial to inventors and those directly interested in the manufacture of patented inventions, as well as to the general public interested, as it is. In the early issue of valid patents. The expenses of the Patent Office are about $1,000,009 a year, and have continued at those figures pretty steadllv since 1885. There are seventy-six copyists employed in the department in addition to'the stenographers and

typewriters, and either their pay is deemed inadequate or their labors are uncongenial, for Secretary Bliss has directed the attention of Congress to the frequency of resignations among them, which cripples Jhe office, as the work requires time, patience and familiarity with its details, and these qualifications cannot be easily obtained among new applicants. Inventors are not, as a rule, of a very businesslike disposition. Many applicants for patents are strangers to the methods and to the language of the country; some are In the rural districts, remote from postoffices and schoolhouses, and not a small number are women, particularly among those who seek patents for articles of dress or convenience, The conflicts over applications for patents arise to a considerable extent from the negligent disregard of the Patent Office regulations by persons whose studies it might naturally be supposed would lead them to familiarity with such rules, and the adjustment of these matters increases the work of the Patent Office, already overcrowded with business. There are about 40,000 applications for patents in a year. RURAL. POSTAIi DELIVERY. It Pleases Farmers, and Is Likely to Be Made Permanent. Washington Special to St. Louis GlobeDemocrat. Rural free delivery seems to have come to stay. The farmers who have received their mail on these experimental routes daily without the trouble of going to the country’ postoffices are delighted. It has been found by the careful arrangement of routes that the mail can be delivered daily by carriers in thickly settled country districts at less than the cost of maintaining star routes and fourth-class offices in those districts. Where free delivery is actually cheaper than the present old-lashioned system there seems to be no good reason why it should not be permanently established. But experience shows that considerable opposition will develop. The country postmasters who maintain postoffices in their stores are against rural nee delivery'. They find that it not only’ cuts off the salary ot postmaster for them, but they think it affects trade. If the farmer has not the excuse ot coming to the corners for his mail lie does not appear so often and does not spend so much money at the store. .There is another objection that comes from the man who carries the mail daily’, semi-weekly or weekly between the larger towns and the country postoffices under star route contracts. These two sources of opposition will hinder somewhat the development of rural free delivery. But they will not be able to prevent gradual adoption. On nine routes where free delivery was tried last year it was discovered that seven showed a net saving over the cost of the star route and, fourth-class postoifice salary. Suggestions and devices to simplify -and economize f’*ee delivery in the country are being offered. The iieid is already recognized as one for the exercise of ingnuity and invention. A Virginia man has brodght to the Postoffice Department the model of a patent intended to improve this country’ service. The device is to be set up at a point on the main road or the main route of delivery, and is to furnish the means by winch people living in the neighborhood but not immediately on the road can get their daily mail with a little help from themselves and with much saving of cost to the government. This contrivance is a large case divided into a number of postoifice boxes. Each box has its key, to be held by a separate patron. A large door covers tlie whole front of tiie set of boxes. The carrier rides up, opens the door and distributes the mail for all the patrons in that district in their respective boxes. A wire leAds from each box to each patron. As the carrier puts the mail into the box he presses a button and the ringing of the bell at the other end of tho wire in the farmhouse, half a mile, a mije or more distant, gives notice that mail has been deposited. The farmer can come or send at his leisure for his letter or paper. The advantage of the invention Is that one carrier can cover quickly a much larger suburban or country district than if ho had to call at every house. This invention can be utilized with great advantage, even if the wiring is omitted. It can he set up in a country store, or at a schoolhouse, or at a road crossing, convenient to the people to be served through it. The carrier having his daily route can distribute the mail for that neighborhood in a few’ moments, lock the boxes and move on to the next case. The children can bo sent from the houses for the rnaii. In this way the expense of the fourth-class postoffice and the star route will be saved and the mail carrier will be able to give daily free delivery to a very much larger number of families than if he was obliged to turn into all the cross roads and lanes and call at each house. The trouble to patrons will be limited to a short walk or ride from the house to the box. Representative Cochran, of Missouri, whose recollections go hack to the pony express by’ which the mail was carried from St. Joseph across the plains, is a firm believer in the practicability and great advantage of rural free delivery. He says the pony express is bound to come again w’ith this new development. Carriers will start out from the larger tow’ns, carrying the mail on ponies and stopping at these boxes to make daily deliveries. He believes that a carrier can ride tw’enty-iive miles and by’ the means of such boxes distribute the mail daily over a strip of country from a mile to two miles or a little more on both sides of the main road of travel. Mr. Cochran believes that this can be done with profit to the government. He estimates that the increased facilities will double and possibly quadruple the patronage. Farmers, he says, will take dailypapers and will be saved many trips to town. They’ can order parts of machinery and execute many' errands which now require a trip, if they’ he.ve this daily mail and the certainty of quick business communication. SPACE AT THE PARIS EXPOSITION. Only France nml Russia Will Have More than the United States. New York Tribune. “At the Paris exposition of 1900 the United States will be second in size and completeness among the countries outside of France,” said Major Brackett, secretary of the United States commission of the Paris exposition at the New York offices yesterday. •■Russia,” he said, “will have a little more space, but the United States has a larger allotment than either England or Germany. How’ever, the French commissioners will try to give equal favors to the four great countries, the United States, England, Russia and Germany. So far as these nations are concerned, the French will show no favoritism. Germany is making great efforts to excel all other nations at the exposition, and the United States will find Germany its keenest competitor. The German government has made liberal and generous appropriations for its exhibits, the amount appropriated being twice the sum which has been provided for our commission. The Germans are going to make a great fight at Paris in 1900 for the trade of the world Japan also will make a fine display. Commissioner General Peck has secured additional space, amounting to about 50 per cent, over the original allotment. The space now given this country is about 217.000 square feet. As the applications from intending exhibitors, even now, ask for over 700000 square feet, of course somebodv will be disappointed. “This is to be an exposition of selection The struggle for supremacy between nations will be a great one, and Commissioner General Pock will eliminate all displays that would be other than creditable to America. Ihe demand for space in the machinery and electrical departments alone now amounts to over 309,000 square feet, or, say, S3 000 feet more than the entire allotment" to this country. “There is no coldness or indifference on the part of the people of this country toward the 1500 exposition. On the contrary’ Americans are enthusiastic over the opportunity they wilj thus have to show the rest of the world the results of their Yankee brains and their wonderful energv. As to visitors and tourists to Paris in the spring and summer of 1900 from this country they are going from Maine to Oregon and from Vermont to Florida by the thousands. The steamships will be taxed to their utmost capacity to carry the people who will go from the United States to the exposition Tourist companies are offering such ments that even now. with the fair almost a year and a half away, thousands are arranging to see Paris in 19tX). “As to the allotment of space to exhibitors tha' will be done at the earliest practical moment by Commissioner General Peck and his directors of departments. The commissioner general Is completing his plans and organization as rapidly as possible, and there will be no needless delay in assigning space and notifying exhibitors. “As to the rumors that the exposition would be postponed until 1901.” Major Brackett said, “there is no truth in such rumors. The strike in Paris probably did not seriously affect the work. Paris has enjoyed unusually fine weather this winter, so work on tho palaces and buildings has progressed steadily. The French commissioners say that everything will he in complete readiness on the. opening day. April 15. 1900. I am now in charge of the New York offices of the United States commission, and will probably remain here until the commission goes to Paris.” A Welcome Legr-Ifnller. Yonkers Statesman. If there is one time in a man’s life when he is devoutly thankful, it is when he feels the old boattlfng-house cat rub up against his trousers on the day when rabbit stew is announced. A Rapid Pace. Kansas City Journal. The year 1838, like Dewey’s victory at Manila. sets a pace that Is going to be difficult to keep up with.

INDIA’S NEW VICEROY 4_ LORD OTRZON OF KEDLESTOX WELCOMED TO CALCUTTA. • ♦ Route from tlie Railway Station to the Palace Lined with British Troops and Natives. * ANOTHER LUDICROUS DUEL BOTH BARON BANFFY AND M. HARANSKI BAD .MARKSMEN. Scowled Fiercely at Each Other and Shot Wildly—Lord Beresford on the Chinese Situation. . CALCUTTA, Jan. 3.—The new viceroy of India, Lord Curzon of Kedleston, and Lady Curzon arrived here at 5 o'clock this afternoon and were received by the government officials and the military and civil authorities at the Howrah station of the East Indian Railroad. The volunteers and native infantry furnished a guard of honor and gave the royal salute. Lord and Lady Curzon were w’armly greeted on alighting from the train. They then proceeded in carriages, attended by the personal staff, the secretaries of the government and the Earl of Elgin’s aid-de-camp, escorted by the Calcutta light horse and the vice-regal body guard, towards the government house. As the procession appeared on the Hooghly bridge a royal salute was thundered from the ramparts of Fort William. The route was gayly decorated, the streets were lined with troops and the housetops were crowded with natives. Tho scene was extremely effective and the Curzons were delighted with the cordiality of their welcome. The guards of honor of the Government House were furnished by the Gloucester Regiment and by the Calcutta Volunteer Rifles, who gave a royal salute to the viceroy. On, the arrival of the latter at Government House he was welcomed by the lieutenant governor at the foot of the grand staircase, which was crowded with civil, military and government officers, consuls, the representatives of foreign powers arm a number of native princes and noblemen. The Earl of Elgin, the retiring viceroy, with his personal staff and the members of tho council, received the new viceroy at the top of the staircase and conducted him to the throne room, after which the troops withdrew. All present were in full dress, the weather was glorious and there was no hitch in the arrangements. All the scenes were most brilliant. The Earl of Elgin will give a state dinner to-morrow to Lord Curzon and the latter will assume the viceroyalty at 9 o’clock on Friday morning. The Earl of Elgin will make his public departure from Calcutta at 10 o’clock the same day. The new viceroy will hold a levee on Jan. G (Friday) and will hold a drawing room Jan. 12. + SPEECH BY BERESFORD. Hl* Lordship Advocated a Qnudrnple Alliance to Maintain "Open Doors.” LONDON, Jan. 4.—The Hong-Kong correspondent of the Times says: “Lord Charles Beresford, addressing the Chamber of Commerce here to-day (Tuesday) on the necessity in firmness in opposing Russian encroachment, repeated his advocacy of an alliance between Great Britain, Germany, the United States and Japan to maintain the ‘open door.’ He made an interesting commentary upon Chinese affairs, remarking that all the institutions of the country were In a deplorably effete condition. In his judgment an army of 201,000 men might be maintained without increasing the present budget if wastes were avoided. Lord Beresford said the whole system of Chinese administration required retorming. Reforms would not be difficult, as there were no hereditary right, feudal system or vested interests, such as existed when Japan initated reforms. China was not overtaxed, he asserted, but simply taxed badly. The first step in reform would bo the adequate payment of the officials. He predicted that there would be war sooner or later over the tariffs, saying that the French demands at Shanghai promised to make trouble. In conclusion he advocated a chivalrous and clear policy toward China and the foreign powers interested in China.” Disturbances in China. LONDON, Jan. 3.—According to a dispatch from Han-Kow to the Morning Post, there are alarming reports from the upper Yang-Tse-Kiang region. The disturbances are increasing in the provinces of BzeChuan, Hu-Nan and Hu-Pe. The dowager Empress, it is further stated, is curtailing the authority of the viceroys, especially in the Yang-Tse and Han-Kow districts. A body of Chinese troops was sent to attack the rebels, but they are said to have tied before the enemy. The viceroy has been reinforced by three gunboats and 3,(K)0 men.

A BLOODLESS DUEL. , The IJuiifTy-Horunski Affair Described as Ludicrous. BUDA-PESTII, Jan. 3.—A duel between M. Horansski, a member of the lower house of the Hungarian Diet, and Baron Banffy, the premier, took place this morning. Pistols were tho weapons used. The duel was bloodless. On the reopening of the Hungarian Diet today Baron Banffy, the premier, was heartily cheered by his supporters. The opposition leaders, however, boldly announced their determination to continue obstruction, so as to render the transaction of public business impossible and to compel Baron Banffy to resign. LONDON Jan. 4. The Vienna correspondent of the Daily Mail says: “The duel between Baron Banffy’ and M. Horanski was a ludicrous affair. The seconds had arranged a fight to the death at twenty paces. M. Horanski, however, when he faced his opponent, was agitated beyond all control, and Baron Banffy was hardly more comfortable. Each discharged four shots, but ail so wide of the mark that the bullets were found lodged in the roof or high on the walls of the riding school, where the encounter took place. The duelests finally left the building scowling fiercely at each other.” ¥ * * M. Heranszki in a recent debate in the lower house of the Hungarian Diet characterized Baron Banffy as a cheat and a traitor. Thereupon the premier challenged him, but the duel did not come off at the time expected, owing to the inability of their seconds to agree upon conditions. The seconds thereupon quarreled and a series of duels'between them followed. Le Temp* In a Carping Mood. NEW YORK, Jan. 3.—A dispatch to the Herald from Paris says: “The Temps tonight draws a gloomy picture of the future of the United States. It say’s that the United States cannot hide the fact that they have said “good-bye forever to the idvllic era wherein they dispensed with the regular standing army and laughed at the heavv burdens imposed on the nations of tho old world by the international situation. There is not a democrat, not a friend of the principles that regulate modern society,” continues the Temps, "that does not deplore bitterly the inoculation with a spirit of conquest of territories and expansion of a democracy that hitherto has been peaceful and liberal. President McKinley may say farewell for free America to the era of peace and good will, reforms-, economy, internal progress and self-government.” Prince Vidor’s Attitude. PARIS, Jan. 4.—The Matin this morning published an interview with a prominent Bonapartist purporting to give the gist of Prince Victor Napoleon's statements to his committee the other day at Brussels. This represents him as preparing assiduously for a coup, which he is fully resolved to execute. Prince Victor, however, is hostile to all useless manifestations. His brother. Prince Louis Napoleon, will be found beside him on the day of action. They are “closely united in warm and sincere affection.” Crashed Into the Dieppe deityLONDON, Jan. 3.—lncoming steamers at different ports report that frightful weather continued along th® British coast and In the Bay of Biscay. The British steamer An-

r-er* of 1613 tons, trading between New Haven and Dieppe, has been wrecked at the France of tho Dieppe harbor. She was a and crashed into the end of the JetJy°at°midnlght. partly destroying it. The caDtain and fourteen of the crew succeeded fn clinging to the part of the jetty which wiq cut off from the shore. They remained there ail night, and their cries brought succor this mornfng. One man perished from exhaustion and four men were drowned in the engine room. Hanged for Baking a Baker. LONDON, Jan. 3.—Schneider, the Pole, who ‘on Nov. 11 last murdered a German baker’s assistant by throwing him inside an oven, was executed at Newgate this morning. Schneider was a homeless Pole, who had been granted a night’s lodging in a bake-' house Having thrown the assistant of the biker" into the lighted oven, he tried to murder the baker also by clubbing him on Hie head and stabbing him in the chest. The police were attracted to the spot by tho shrieks of the baker and Schneider was overpowered. Cartridges for the United States. LONDON, Jan. 3—lt is announced that the Kynoch Company of Birmingham has commenced making 10,000,000 cartridges for the United States at the rate of 1,000,000 weekly. An American inspector, it appears, examines the work, and, Profiting by the war experiences, a special metal is used to prevent the cases from jamming to the barrels. It was .announced in a dispatch from London on Aug. 10 last that the Kynoch Company of Birmingham had received an order from tho United States for 10,000,000 cartridges. Tope Leo Piqued. LONDON, Jan. 4.—The Rome correspondent of the Daily Mail says: “The Pope will forbid Archbishop Ireland to represent the United States at the disarmament conference, because the Vatican is not to be represented.” Wllliclmu Continue* (o Improve. BERLIN, Jan. 3.—The health of Emperor William of Germany continues to improve, but his Majesty will still require a few days’ rest. i —J Kipling Coining Bark. LONDON, Jan. 4.—Rudyard Kipling, with his wife and family, will leave England for America on Jan. 25. Cable Note*. The New’ Year’s present of Emperor Nicholas to Emperor William is a couple of magnificent stags for the royal wild park at Potsdam. The German government has issued an exequatur to Richard Guenther, of Wisconsin. who succeeds Frank Mason as United States consul at Frankfort. The Volks Zeitung, of Cologne, announces that it has received news of the imprisonment of German Catholic missionaries by Chinese at Nai, in Shan-Ze. about seventy miles southwest of Ping-Yang. Thirty fresh expulsions of Danes from Norm Schleswig have been ordered, it is said, in consequence of the attendance of their employers at a meeting addressed by Herr Hansen, a Danish deputy.

A NEW YORK MONOPOLY. Wliitne; Heat© Now Controls Edison El c Illuminating Company. NEW YORK, Jan. 3.—There is no longer any concealment of tho fact that what is known as the Whitney syndicate has obtained control of tho Edison Electric Illuminating Company of this city. George F. Peabody, second vice president and director of the Edison Company, admitted this today, but would give no figures of the transaction by which the combination of capitalists, headed by William C. Whitney, has effected the capture of the corporation which, with the other Whitney syndicate holdings, gives the syndicate a practical monopoly of the electric lighting, heating and motive power of this city. The title of the Whitney syndicate, which is composed mainly of men who constitute the Metropoliton Traction Company, is the New York Gas and Electric Light, Heat and Power Company. The great expense of maintaining the vast electric plants necessary for the operation of the electric surface lines in this city, a large proportion of the electric product of which was wmsted, led the Traction Company managers to consider some plan by which this product could be utilized. With this idea in mind they decided to go in for substantia! control of trie wdiole business. The purchase of the Mount Morris Electric Light Company and a company owning a subway system, some time ago, was made by the syndicate and it was then announced through a recognized spokesman that the surplus electricity of the electric light company and of the Traction Company would he sold for light, heat and power and distributed through the purchased subway. It was at the time denied that the syndicate had any thought of going further at this time, that this expansion would provide the outlet required and that tne extension of the railway lines of the Traction Company would provide the syndicate w’ith all it could attend to for several years. The Edison Electric Illuminating Company was organized Dec. 17, 1880, under the laws of this State. The company owns and operates six central stations in this city. In 1897 the company had 227 miles of ducts, 660 miles of conductors, 8.711 customers, 382,291 lamps of 16-candle power and 7,201 arc lights. Its gross earnings were $2,466,255 and its net earnings $1,117,497. DR. ABBOTT’S SUCCESSOR. Dr. Hillis, of Chlcaso, May lie Pastor of Brooklyn Chureli. CHICAGO, Jan. 3.—News "was received here late last night that Rev. Dr. Newell Dwight Hillis, pastor of the Central Church in this city’, is to be called to the pastorate of the famous Plymouth Church of Brooklyn, as the successor of Dr. Lyman Abbott. The formal call will be extended to Dr. Hillis after the meeting of the advisory committee of the church. This was made a certainty on the return to Brooklyn, from Chicago, of members of the committee, which has been in conference with Dr. Hillis. As soon as Dr. Hillis’s acceptance of the call reaches Brooklyn it will be ratified and when the present pastor steps down. Dr. Hillis will leave the field in which he lias won high fame and take up his new place in the sanctuary hallowed by memories of two of the greatest clergymen of the Abbott Henry Ward Beecher and Lyman Hillis is a native of lowa and is forty years old. He was educated at Grinnell Academy, at Lake Forest University and at McCormick Seminary’. For three years after leaving his theological studies he was pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Peoria. U rom 181*0 to 1894 he preached from the pulpit of the First Church, in Evanston. In December. 1894, he succeeded Prof. Swing at Central Church. Dr. Hillis, like his predecessors of Plymouth and Central churches is a writer. The four books he published are “Foretokens of Immortclity, ‘How the Inner Light Failed;* “A Mans Value to Society,” "The Investment of Influence. CONFUSION IN OHIO. Dissension Canned by a Law That Changed Terms of Sheriffs. CLE'Y ELAND, Jan. 3.— Cuyahoga county may have two sheriffs to-morrow. Yesterday Sheriff McConnell, who was re-elected, was sworn in. To-day the county’ commissioners appointed ex-County Recorder Fred Saal as sheriff. Last winter the State Legislature changed the time of the beginning of the sheriffs’ terms from Jan. 1 to the first Monday in September. County Solicitor nVnA he „ at ' or neys of Sheriff McConuntil C tw!? , that t , ho clm nge does not begin offleinpT honce - Some of the state dTitefv o!lnr th i at 11 Rnes lnto effect iirrniesiihipo an <* dissension on this in Ohio kjh l !® in nearly every county held uirmith et i lon . of sla> riffs having been Conn(.l| h K^ U L tho . StHte iasl fall. Meof his nH?r.i areß . ts J iU w,,t keep possession Sntll the its /coords at all hazards has ts . render a decision, and he froni ohtaini^i u tles on Diard to prevent Saal titiously control by force or surrepxTT^l!Wrfe* So,rt to Baltimore. who nlaved K wm, W i s ” Jan •*.—Fred Barnes, League team Milwaukee Western Pitcher and m Jn r tl J e P r *- St three seasons ns ssra man * has