Rensselaer Republican, Volume 26, Number 10, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 November 1893 — Page 7

TOPICS OF THESE TIMES.

1 ; BUENOS AYRES. There has not been, nor is there likely to be any extensive emigration from the United States to any part of South America. Still it will not be without interest to note a peculiarity not generally known, and seldom spoken of, of a port that is an avowed rival and respectable competitor with New York in all the harbors of Europe for the stream of humanity that continually flows from the Over populated countries of the old world in search of a land where the conditions of life will be less burdensome and oppressive. Of late year the Argentine has absorbed vast numbers of immigrants, and the steppes and elevated plains of that far off land, when once reached, have afforded profitable employment and comfortable homes to thousands of the down trodden peasants of the East. But in reaching these lands immigrants have had to pass through Buenos Ayres, which if a special correspondent of the In-ter-Ocean is at all trustworthy, is a veritable gateway of death. A plague indigenous to that locality, and which does not extend its ravages to the country districts, is an annual visitant that sweeps unknown thousands into eternity with a swiftness and unexampled fatality that is appalling. The epidemic annually appears in January, which is midsummer in that hemisphere, and medical science is powerless to save the victims or stay the progress of the disease. It is uniformly fatal in twenty-four hours after the attack, and can not be diagnosed or given a a name. It is not yellow fever, nor any of the maladies peculiar to tropical countries, but is an unknown and uncontrollable terror that is confined to the city of Buenos Ayres and its suburbs. Native Argentinians ignore it, or always lay—it to the filthy habits of the Italian quarter, but the truth seems to be that the disease attacks all classes without discrimination or regard to their habits or nationality. The death rate has been known to rise as high as three hundred a day, and coffins rise to fabulous prices, while hundreds of corpses are of necessity buried in trenches like the dead on a battlefield. The rudest pine boxes sell for SSO and even the demand for these can not be filled. Twice as many men die of the disease as women, while very few children are carried off by the epidemic.

CHINESE CONCESSIONS. The Geary Chinese exclusion law, which practically failed of enforce-, ment because of a lack of funds, seems likely to be so amended that, to use the languageof its author, “it has had its teeth drawn.” The House Foreign Affairs /Committee have reported favorably a substitute which , extends the Chinese registration period for six months from the passage of the act, and permits the testimony of anybody except Chinamen to be taken to prove that Chinamen are entitled to register. Mr. Geary’s amendment to the substitute requiring photographing in connection with the indentification clause received but three votes. Mr. Geary cast the only adverse vote in the committee against the substitutes for his bill, and declares that he will fight it before the House. THE SOUTHWESTERN TERRITORIES. The annual reports of the Governors of New Mexico and. Arizona have been made to the Secretary of the Interior. Governor Thornton, of New Mexico, states that many silver and lead mines have been closed in New Mexico, while Governor Hughes, of Arizona, submits statistics which show that the output of Arizona’s silver mines last year was less than $300,000, against $6,278,895 for the year previous. In both Territories the range stock has suffered a loss of 60 to 80 per cent, because of the unprecedented drought which has now continued for two years. Very recent rains give some promise of relief in this direction. The wreck of silver mining has stimulated the search for gold in Arizona. Gratifying results have been obtained. The long continued drought has also had an indirect influence in giving an impetus to water storage projects. The sugar-beet industry is attaining important proportions in New Mexico. AU kinds of tropical fruits flourish in Southern Arizona, and this line of horticulture is being rapidly developed. The doubtful tenure of titles to real estate in New Mexico has for forty years checked, the development of that Territory. The last Congress established a Court of Private Claims, and it has already passed upon and quieted titles to no less than 1,559,875 acres. The entire task of perfecting the titles to realty will soon be completed. Both Territories are anxious for admission as States, and

both Governors plead the cause of their people for this much desired recognition. The outlook for this consummation is not good. There is a growing sentiment among public men against any further admissions and the only probable way for Arizona and New Mexico to attain statehood is to unite and seek admission as one State. The great State that could thus be formed could hardly be denied immediate admission, and we would then have a mate for Texas, with an area for an empire of 235,000 square miles. 'J- ■ ■

HIGH TIDE IN PENSIONS. The enormous increase in the number of pensioners during the last few years is thought by m<ftiy to have carried the pension roll to high tide, and it is believed that already the number of persons receiving bounty for service or disability has begun to diminish and the expenditures made necessary on that account are beginning to be perceptibly lighter. The public in general will be surprised at such a statement, but the records of July and August have proved that such is the fact. On July 1 there were 966,012 names on the roll; Sept. 1 the number had fallen to 964,398. Pension authorities now calculate that in a year the net decrease at this rate should be 2,684, or rather that in that period 50,000 names will be dropped from the rolls and only 40,000 added. The impression, however, is general that this rate of decrease will not as yet be sustained. Commissioner Baum estimated that high water mark for the pension roll would not be reached until the middle of 1894, when the number would be about 1,200.000, requiring an appropriation of SIBB,000,000 per annum. Mr. Raum’s figures may have been exaggerated, but the roll will more than likely reach 1,000,000 before the ebb tide sets in. THE GULF DISASTER. The full details, only a part of which we have been able to give our readers, of the great calamity that swept over the Gulf coast and the Mississippi Delta, especially, on Sunday and Monday, Oct. 1 and 2, are heartrending, and caused even strong men to shudder and women to grow pale. Two thousand dead! Hurled into eternity white fleeing for their lives before the awful destroyer. It was the greatest calamity in American history. The survivors have had human help to a liberal extent, buthuman aid availeth little in so dire a misfortune. It can not restore the loved and lost, and time only can restore the desolate waste of ruined homes and sodden fields, once fertile and productive. Organized relief work is doing everything possible. Supplies from New York and other great Northern cities have been sent in generous profusion. The Red Cross society has its self-sacrificing lieutenants in the field, and the wail of distress that came up from the stricken region has been answered by loving words of comfort and noble deeds of sacrifice and large hearted charity. The whole country is in sympathy with the stricken terrtory.

How He Would Fix It.

Chicago Tribune. The father of the family was acting temporarily and unexpectedly as host to the young man who was waiting for Miss Gertrude to come down. “I see the tariff question is likely to come up in Congress this session in spite of everything," said the elderly party, with a praiseworthy effort, to put the young man at his ease. “Y-yes, sir." “And there’s likely to be some trouble when they come to tea and coffee." ' * “Yes, sir." “As to sugars," pursued the father of the family, warming to his subject, “I am not so sure. In the case of refined sugar, of course, it is not so hard to see what ought to be done. The trouble will come when they take up raw sugars. What is your idea. Mr. Spoonamore, as to raw sugars?” “I—l think they ought to be cooked," ventured the young man.

Never Mind.

Washington Evening Star. “Doctor,” said the Senator's wife, “you must do something for my husband. He is simply wearing himself out.” ' “What is the matter?" “His mind is never at rest. He talks in his sleep as much as he does in the daytime/' “H’m’ml Don't be alarmed. That isn't his mind. It’s involuntary action of the vocal chords, the diaphragm, the maxillary, and other muscles. He’ll get over it as soon as the recent financial discussion get out of the system.”

His Ruse for Obtaining a Square Meal.

Chicago Dally Tribune. “I thought you said you were going to bring a friend home to dinner with you,” said Mrs. Chugwater. ‘‘He couldn't come, Samantha,'' replied Mr. Chugwater, as he sdl down with great satisfaction to the first good dinner he had had a chance to attack for a long time.

Mt. Arie Observatory, a cut of which we present above, was recently erected by Mr. Ed. Buerk, of Boston, Mass., one mile from West Baden Springs, Orange Co., Ind. The Observatory stands on a point of land the second highest in the State, and is over five hundred feet higher than the surrounding country. A beautiful view can be had from the top of the tower, which is easily reached by stairways.

WHY HANK WASN’T HANGED.

His Seemly Regard for Appearances Impressed the Camp. Anaconda Standard When Hank T a yl° r was put on trial at Strawberry Hill for killing Steve Brown he pleaded guilty, and in a speech to the crowd he said: “In course you’ll hang me, I expect it, and shall be disappointed if you don’t. But I want it understood right now that I hev rights.” “What be them rights, prisoner?” queried Bill Totten, who was acting as judge. “Waal, I want to be hung with a new rope. I was brought up respectably and I want to die that way, Then I want to wear a biled shirt. I was brung up to wear biled shirts, and I don’t want to disgrace the family. I want to be shaved, to have my hair combed and parted in the middle, and I insist on Zeke Cooper tendin’ me his' new butes. That’s my rights and I shall insist on ’em.”

“Prisoner, hain’t you just a little too partik’lar?" inquired the Judge. “Hain’t it puttin’ this ’ere camp to a good deal of extra trouble for no real benefit? Wbar are we goin’ to get a biled shirt, for instance?” “I dunno. but we hev got to hev one. Do you s’pose I’m goin’ to bring up in the other world with this red shirt on? They wouldn’t let me stake a claim or set up a shanty.” “How you goin’ to be shaved, when we hain’t got no razors in camp? We kin furnish you some grease and a comb, but thar kin be no shavin’.” “Got to be,” replied Hank. “I hain’t goin’over the divide lookin’ like a wolf with his winter fur on. And as fur grease I want reg’lar bar’s ile. lam bound to look just as purty as I kin.’’ “Zeke, will you , lend me .your butes?" asked the judge. “Naw I I could never feel easy in ’em!” “Then I don’t hang !” retorted the prisoner. “Mind you, boys, I hain’t denyin’ that I killed Steve, whom everybody knows was a provokin’, cantankerous cuss and orter been killed long ago, and I hain’t kickin’ as to what will follow, I’m just stickin’ out fur my rights. S’posin’ any one o’ you was going to arrive in the other world as a tenderfoot, wouldn’t you want to look fairly decent?” “That's so, that’s so,” mused the Judge. “In course, it’ll be known that you cum from Stawberry Hill, and. in course, we’ll hev a pride in fittin* you out in decent shape. The Erisoner will be removed while we cv a talk." We had a talk. We couldn’t get a white shirt, a new rope, and a razor anywhere within 100 miles. And, as Hank had observed, Steve Brown

Bird's eye view of Monticello (from the opposite bluff.)

MT. ARIE OBSERVATORY.

was always saying mean things and provoking quarrels and wasn’t much account. After discussing the pros and cons, it was decided to overlook the offence und let up on Hank, but after telling him our decision, the Judge-said: “But don’t do it again, Hank. It are the opinyun of some of the boys that you were too darned particklar about the biled shirt, and of others that you were right about wantin’ to make a decent •appearance on the other shore, and so we decided to call it squar. Next time, however, we’ll hang you with a mule rope and in yer old duds and let ye run all the chances.” “Wall, boys, fix it to suit yourselves and it’ll suit me,” carelessly replied the prisoner, and court adjourned and we returned to work.

Here is an experiment by which you may make some use of a bottle whose neck is broken. Pour oil into a bottle until it reaches the point at which you wish it to be cut clean through. Then place it horizontally upon a table and plunge suddenly into the oil a red-hot poker. You will

hear a snap, and then perceive that your bottle is cut regularly through, level with the liquid which it contains. You will thus transform a broken bottle into a presentable vessel. A notched glass may thus be transformed into a new one. ■ By removing each time a part of the oil and by cutting the bottle every time in the manner shown, you will get a series of glass rings curious to behold. - Around the Horn. Life. . '" \

Correcting a Wrong impression. Chicago Tribune. Dyspeptic Guest (in restaurant) — Do you live on these victuals yourselves? Proprietor—We do, sir. “I should think it would be mighty bad for your health.” “My friend, we are not in this business for our health."

ON THE TIPPECANOE.

A Pretty Experiment.

WINCED MISSILES.

The Pepe has a full setcf poorly white teeth well preserved. Of the English bench of bishops, twelve are pledged abstainers. Machinery has not yet entered the manufacture of French clay pipes. A buried city, containing relics in profusion, has been unearthed in Honduras. -» A Londoner advertises that he is “Porous Plaster Manufacturer to Her Majesty the Queen.’* It is reported that a floating island 303 yards in diameter has boon found in Honey lake, Idaho. Buffalo Bill Is spending considerable money in making a collection of French paintings of value. It is a curious fact that there are 200,000 people in the United States who have artificial legs or hands. A well in the south, from which a strong breeze rushed for years, has suddenly tak en to spouting water. ———— Miss Lincoln, daughter of Minister to England Robert Lincoln, has become an acknowledged belle in London. British soldiers not in possession of swimming certificates are forbidden to enter boats for purposes of recreation. The finest diamonds visible at the Shah’s visit to the Paris exhibition are said to have been worn by Mrs. Whitelaw Reid. Tennyson, Darwin, Gladstone, Lincoln, Oliver Wendell Holmes, Edgar Allen Poe and Lord Houghton were borVi in the year 1803. It is estimated that a major-gene ral in citizen’s clothes deteriorates fifty per cent, more especially if he smokes common cigars.

Out of 216 men passing along Main street in Cincinnati on a recent afternoon 210 had lost one or more of the hind buttons ofl their coats. There are still over lO.OOO.fldb square milet of unoccupied districts in various heathen lands, where missionaries thus far have never entered. A London journal states shirts of chain armor, which cost about, §503, are now worn by more than one distinguished person on tho continent. A San Francisco jeweler has just received S7OO for diamonds which he sold twentyfive years ago. The purchaser was honest but ho had bad luck. A brakeman on the Chicago <fc Alton locked three murderous tramps in a re-frigerator-car. They have an ice way of doing things on that line. The drivers of Boston ice wagons suffered more from the heat last summer than The draymen, although having a temper ature of 5P at their backs. George Johnson, of Utica, paid $1,203 foi a trotting horse, and he hadn’t owned hint a week when a rut frightened him so thal he jumped and broke a leg. The prize pumpkin at the county fab may consider itself handsome and popular, but it is not so strong a favorite us tiu prize onion on the next shelf. Bombay has a serpent thirty-six feet long in its zoological garden. Let this reptile be seen swimming at sea and the man who reported it would be called a liar. Some one told a South Carolina negro thfit if he would drink a gallon of strong vinegar right down that ho would never have headache again. He nevei will. Fish have been caught in the Gulf of California at a depth of 1,490 feet It.mUSS be fun to pull in a half a mile of fish line and find a throe-ounce perch on the hook. j The formation of an orange trust in Bos ton is announced. The number of spin sters in that city leads to the suspicion that an orange-blossom trust has long exist ed there. A Chicago aiderman whipped two citizem Sunday night for standing ou a street cor ner. It is hard to say what he would hav< done if they had been standing in the mid die of a block.

It is estimated that the amount of gold ■and silver coin on the bottom of the Allan tic Ocean is about $50,090,000, and it is fur ther estimated that most of it will staj right whero it is. The Japanese are learning how to eal meat In 1885 only 30.030 head of cattle were slaughtered in all Japan. In 1886 tht number increased to 116,000; in 1887, to 130,300; in 1888, to 200,000. > ■ ... f ‘ _ • Col. North, who began life in England as a humble labour, is now the nitrate king, and pays Chili 5t,725,090 per year export duties on nitrates produced by one of hit works in that country. A burglar who was captured by a woman at Elizabeth, N. J., says be could have broken loose from two men. She got him by the hair and hung on, and nothing he could do would shake her loose. The Queen Regent of Spain has caused advertisements to be published in all the leading newspapers of her dominion* offering the two prizes, $5,790 and $2,895, for the two best essays on the life of Christopher Columbus. A Memphis policeman, who was called on to shoot a dog, managed to hit a boy in the leg, a man in the foot and a horse in the head, and, while he was scattering two or three more bullets along the street, the dog trotted off.’ William O’Hare, of Williamsburg, N. Y., was denounced in public by Charles Masters as “a pious old fraud with the instincts of Satan,” and a jury assessed the damages of $3,000. Mr. Masters said he supposed this was a free country. A West Virginian trained a tiny stream ol water to fall drop by drop on a rock, and in five years it has worn a bole seven inches deep in solid stone. Ho could have . made the same bole in fifteen minutes with a chisel and hammer. . “Can the mosquito be exterminated I” is a question which some people seem to think difficult to answer. Yet any man who has experimented vainly with one mosquito from bed-time to the breakfast hour can give the proper reply' with his eyes shut. The Queen Regent of Spain and her family were weighed recently at San Sebastian. King Alfonso weighs 35 pounds; his mother, the Queen Regent, 118: his eldest sister, the Princess of the Austrias, 49; the Infanta Maria Theresa, 45. The whole family, therefore, weighs three pounds loss than ex Queen Isabella, who tips the scale at 12*9. Emperor William has Out recently honored himself with any high military rank. Though as Kaiser he is Iho “War Lord” of tho German army, he remained but a brigadier until a short time ago. wbea he rose to be a major-general. Since Q jcc* Victoria mado him a general, Moltke has urged him to como up to the first rank, and he 1s vow a commanding general. '

OUR PLEASURE CLUB.

“Does she have a nom de plume when she writes her—” “Gracious, no'; just a typewriter, Hke any other person.” Xb. /tt-- - * wyuucf, quotn vile vys ver, “If people long for me.” He wasn’t satisfied until He'd gone from sea to see. WASHING DAT. «

“Ephum!" • . ... “Yethum." “Gome a-'humpin’ yere an’ git yo' barf. Yo’ mammy ain’t got no time to fool!” There was a young man from St. Joe, Who thought a chin beard he would groe: Some pomatum he tried, ——Read the label and cried: “I'll be taken for Peffer, I knoe!” BOUND TO BE WITH THE TIMES. Truth.

“Say, why don’t you shake thal old egg-shell off?”’ “Shake nothing! Don’t you know that crinoline in the style again?” CZ There’s a land that is fairs- **ixn this, OS At least so the poets do say t But then we don't care muuu io go— There's no mention of any Midway. Madge—She never reads anything but fiction, I am sure? Clara—l see her every morning studying the newspaper with great interest. Madge—Of course, but it’s the write-up of herself in the society column. DIBINTZRZBTZD. ' Jhdge.

She—l hope it isn’t my hundred thousand that you’re after, George? Mr. Grasper—Believe me, no, darling. I’d marry you if you had only ninety thousand. “They were not applauded once during the play." “All sticks, I suppose?” “No, but half a dozen ladles took off their hats, and no one looked at the stage after that.” Teacher —You shouldn’t say ‘Willy said he done it.' That isn’t right. Tommy—Well, then, Willy’s lyin’ about it." GALLANTRY LX THZ TROPICS. Puck.

Miss Trunkerton —Isn’t this terrible, Mr. Tuskingbam? Seems tome I never felt it so much as I do to-day!

Mr. Tuskingham—Allow me to hold this sunshade over Miss Tmnkerton! ;