HEPPNER GAZET'I
E: HEPPNER, OREGON.
GEORGE'S LETTER.
Startling Facts on West
ern Mortgages.
WANAMAKER'S NEW IDEA.
Proposed Schedule of Kale It Will Not
Coat the Government a
Uollnr.
Washington, D. C, Jan. 23 The plea
of the majority party in Congress fur
adopting revolutionary methods, for
cutting short debates, counting quorums
and adopting arbitrary rulings, that
these things are necessary to "facilitate
legislation," would be most decidedly
rejected by the American people, could
it be considered a ide from the immedi
ate objects which such changes have in
view, and could they but for a single ses
sion observe all the workings of Con
gress. Last session 10,000 bills were presented
of which 1320 became laws and 11 more
passed Congress, but received the presi
dential veto. The mass of these laws
few men knew anything about; indeed,
it is not too much to say that even the
men who voted on them have little re
meinbrance of them. Private bills, job9
and public measures were jammed
through in heat of party strife, clash oi
interest and utter contusion. In thai
branch of Congress the members of which
had come freshly from and are nearest to
the people, contusion was greatest; and
a code of rules was adopted by the ma
jority which ad' ted new strictures to the
already limited means of deliberation.
A tariff bill, vitally affecting the wel
fiirooi the nation, consisting of 75J par
agraphs, and 60 pages of most compli
cated legislation, was, after only two
weeks of debate, in which only the first
110 paragraphs were considered in detail,
in which three fourths of the time al
lowed w is consumed by the supporters
of the bill, and with 200 amendments
left unconsidered, ground through the
llou-eo! Representatives and declared
passed. Many other bills of-the highest
public importance received no more
'. "iireful consideration, ana small bills
St. miM tl,..,-i..h n lh it H A f rnnb i.ua-
two and a half to seven per cent, of the
truth.
The
Instead of extending the cloture prin
ciple to the Senate, instead of hamper
ing and cutting short debate, the
thoughtful observer would prescribe the
contrary course. Limitations to debate
should rather be lessened than increased,
for, while the door would thus be opened
to filibustering, no party would long
dare block the way of what there was
clearly a public demand for, and the
mass of harmful or useless laws that now
ruh through would fail to pass.
In a letter to James Madison, dated
Paris, Dec. 20, 1787, Thomas Jefferson
said: "The instability of our laws is
really an immense evil. I think it
would be well to provide in our constitu
tions, that there shall always be a
twelve-month between the engrossing a
bill and passing it; that it should then
be offered to its passage without chang
ing a word; and that if circumstances
should be thought to require a speedier
passage, it should take two-thirds of
both bouses instead of a bare majority."
FARM MORTGAGES.
While Thomas C. Shearman of New
York has been demonstrating beyond
peradventure that one-half of all the
wealth in the United States is owned
bv 40.000 families anil that three-fourths
of it is in the hands of less than 250,000
families, the United States census bu
reau is preparing the other terrible and
startling side of the picture, in Bhowing
the wide prevalence of farm mortgages.
From a hasty survey it is found that
the schedules will bIiow close to eight
and a half millions of farm mortgages
for the decade. There is no general
date with which to compare these fig
ures, mortgage statistics never before
having been taken in the census work,
but it is shown that there has been a
steadv increase of mortgages since 1880,
and that an overwhelming majority of
them have fallen within the last five
years. As was anticipated, this indebt
edness is found principally in the west
and northwest, Kansas, Illinois and Mis
souri taking the lead, but to the aston
ishment of the officials here a compari
son of the schedules exhibits Cook
coiintv. 111., as the most heavily mort
gaged' county in all the Union. The
figures for Cook county are not yet
accessible, but I have obtained the
fiinreH for three other counties in Illi
nois which show verv largely the condi
tion of the Siate. They are as follows:
CUMBERLAND COUNTY.
NO. 0(
Year. Mortgages.
o
12
12
25
81
l-WO...
lssl...
itwa
1V13 .
1ML
IK J) .
Msti..
UM7..
lvM .,
WW..
Total for tin years
VEP.MII.MOK COCNTY.
Year.
1SH0
W4
ISS'i
1M
1SS1
1XSJ
lStM
1SH7
1WW ..
PS9
Total for tan yeast
KANE COUNTY.
Year.
18 I)
Mvi.!!"!.'.'.
1KH1 '
lKjjjj
Si.!!.'
ISSD
, 6
217
2
216
217
1155
No. of
Mortgages.
751
u.lM
1 126
1.1SK
1.IKII
1,162
1,172
1,170
1,121
Msa
11,252
No. of
Mortgage
65S
865
.. 1,(W2
l.'.Oi
1,1
1.102
1.156
1,970
1.H.-19
1.610
Total for ten years U,.W
It is impossible to say how many of
these mortgages have been canceled.
The census, if it presents any figures,
will give only those on record for the
first four years of the decade. But that
even these mav lie defective, since the
tiling of a cancelation not being obliga
tory, is often neglected. From the
statements of census agents, however, it
is evident that an immense number of
the mortgages made at the beginning of
the decade, are yet unpaid and that a
still greater number have been fore-
These alarming facts, obtained from
the county records, are being verified in
what is known in the census work as
"special cases" counties whicn are
m.nnaoH to represent types of condi
tions. These selected counties are being
carefully canvassed, and the work devel
oped the fact that the former informa-
FOOR KANSAS.
What is true of Illinois is true in even
greater degree of Kansas and Missouri.
I have not been able to obtain access to
the schedules for these States, but at the
headquarters of the National Partners'
Alliance here I have learned that from a
careful canvass they recently made in
Kansas through the Alliance organiza
tions over 78 per cent, of the farms re
ported were mortgaged, and that the
average amount of the mortgages was
$1094.38. The Alliance people estimate
that there are 270,000 farms in Kansas,
the average value of which is $2000-.
More than this, where the "boom"
has been and feverish prosperity reigned
for a while and then suddenly subsided,
there has flourished the mortgage, and
Birmingham, Ala., and Chattanooga and
Knoxville, Tenn., are shining examples.
The common report at the Census bu
reau is that in such "boom" towns even
money lenders, seized with the frenzy of
speculation, mortgaged lands at inflated
prices. Indeed, it is affirmed that many
of the large western Kansas mortgage
companies have sustained eiioriuuu
losses, since the lands on which they
foreclosed will not bring half of what
they lent on them.
Investigation shows the farmers in the
south to be in some respects in still
worse and more ominous condition than
those in the west and northwest, lor
they have been forced to mortgage the
very crops yet implanted. They are
literally "living on the future," and the
stories of wide-spread and grinding pov
erty which are being privately reported
to the census bureau, but which never
get into statistical census reports, would,
perhaps, better than figures, reveal
startling, actual conditions and tenden
cies. FIFTY PER CENT. INTEREST.
All this is borne out by the enormous
rates of interest which official investiga
tion reveals. 'No part of this farm inort
Mage work was at first supposed to be
easier than that relating to interest, but
1 am assured that none is more difficult
to get at, as the most excessive charges
prevail ad all manner of artifice is re
sorted to evade the limitations of the
law. Thirty. 40 and 50 per cent, are fre
quently charged, and, indeed, the census
agent in South Dakota recently reported
that "on short loans, the interest, com
mission and bonus of ttinies runs up as
high as from 40 to 75 per cent., and
sometimes higher."
It is furthermore reported that eastern
banks and capitalists, for some time con
vinced that the passage bv Congress of a
free silver coinage act would result in a
depreciation ot silver ana an apprecia
tion of gold, have been quietly making
principal ana interest of mortgages pa1
able in gold, and have renewed only on
these terms.
Behind all this and what must have a
most portentous result in the future, is
the passing away of the immemorial and
most precious "equity of redemption"
privilege, bv which the borrower might
redeem his land within a certain space
of time alter loreclosure, upon tne pay
ment of principal, interest and legal
coats, as provided by statute. It is dis
covered that this right, guarded sedu
louslv by our fathers and the genera
tions before them, the farmers today are
forced by their hard conditions to give
un. In the Eastern States is the "power
of sale" or "snap" mortgage, which op
erates in default of one cent, and which
cuts off a second mortgage and every
thing else but taxes. In Virginia is the
"deed ot trust." In Pennsylvania the
borrower makes a confession ot judg
ment which completely cuts off right
of deteuse and equity oi re
demption and gives a claim against
all his real and personal estate which
does not expire for rive years. In the
sale of land in Illinois aud California a
contract is made withholding transfer
rence until full payment is made, the
buver meanwhile having only the pnvi
ledge of use and occupancy and is sub
ifict to eiectment on aeiauit. in ueorn
and Alabama, and pretty much through
out the southern states, the borrower
gives an iron-clad deed that permits the
? t . -e I 1
encler to turn mm out oi uouse unu
home.
Such indicates the all important facts
that this branch of the census work is
bringing o"t. The work is being pushed
as rapi-lly as possible, clerks from other
divisions naving Deen Drought in, ami
hnlletins for the newspaper press are ex
pected to be issued in the course of a few
weeks.
wanamaker's bill.
Postmaster General Wanamaker's bill
"to establish a limited post and tele
graph service." which has for so long
heen before the House postoffice com
mittee, and which its friends are likely
to force into the House on the hrst
nneninff. or failing this will introduce
earlv in the next Congress, while not
providing for "government ownershi
and control of all telegraphs," so numer
ously petitio- ed for by Knights of Labor
and farmer organizations, makes a long
step in that direction, and offers cheap
toleuranh rates and better service than
now to be had between the largest cities
nf thA country.
Under the provisions of the bill the
postmaster general snail contract ior a
period of ten years with one or more
toUivranh companies, existing or to be
incorporated, for the transmission of
postal telegrams between the postottices
in all incorporated cities, vumjjus or uur-
nnghs where tne iree ueuvery service
prevails, ine united ntaies assumes nu
financial risk, as the contracting com
pany, though furnishing the full plant
wmi m receive Davuieiitoniv ioi uio wr
ness transacted a"t a stipulated price per
message.
There would be three seperate tariffs
15, 25 and 50 cents for the first twenty
words, including address and signature
Fifteen cents wouiu oe cnargeu ior mes
sages between postal telegraph stations
in any state or territory, and between
stations not in the same state or terri
tory and less than 300 miles apart; 2
cents would be charged for messages
between stations in the states of Wis
consin, Illinois, Cincinnati, Tennessee
and Mississippi and the states east of
them; 25 cents between the stations in
the Btates of Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri,
Arkansas and Louisiana and points west
of them; 25 cents between stations in
states forming generally speaking, zones
up and down both sides of the Missis
sippi ; and uO cents for messages between
all other stations. Extra words on all
messages would cost one cent each.
The telegraph company or companies
contracting with the government would
have to be ready lor postal PUBiness be
tween half the cities contemplated wi
in two years from the approval o
act, and between all the cities wit bin
two years more
AN EXCELLENT SCHEME.
"Telegram stamps" would be used
just as "postage stamps" are now used to
pay for the transmission of wriilm mes
sages through the mails. Posioi tele
grams would be delivered by letter car
riers at the regular deliveries, and if the
business warranted it the number of de-
bo lncrau-ed or a spec al
places to the nearest postal telegraph
station and then transmitted by wire.
Such a telegraph service, it is thought,
would be such a great bid for public
KING OF THE HOWARDS
iiainpss that the Western Union com
pany, powerful as it is, and the lesser
companies would have to adopt every
commercial resource and every possiuie
mechanical device to reduce cost ana
offer counter inducements, thus not
only bringing into use the wonderful
telegraphic inventions which have al
rea ly been perfected, but calling into
being new and better ones. "Since the
introduction of the quadruplex 20 years
ago," says Mr. Wanamaker, "the West
ern Union company has, I am told,
made but one change or improvement
in its method of telegraphic transmission
having for their object greater speed, or
the transmission of a larger volume of
rathe over a given wire. I refer to the
Wheatstone Automatic, an English in
vention, which has been in successful
se on the government lines in that
ountry for eight or ten years.
On the other hand, England has
ot only adopted our quadruplex, but
Iso the Delaney multiplex, another
American invention." Having a monop-
ly of the telegraph business, and being
n'abled to make its own rates, the
Western Union Company, the Post
master General savs, has had no concern
to change its plant and introduce those
umeious inventions which auu, not
mlv in the long run to the economy ot
peration, but at once to speed and con
venience. Observing tne aounaani in-
entions in other fields, who could pre-
ict the new ideas, improvements and
adaptions that would spring from the
powerful stimulus of real competition
n the public telegrapti business..
AN INTERVIEW WITH WANAMAKER.
Submitting some Questions based on
the most commonly expressed objections
to his plan, Mr. Wanamaker answered
me as follows :
Yes. I have seen a hundred times
the printed statement that the postal
telegraph would put the government to
large expense. 1 have even heard of
some nersonB making the same assertion
with the bill in tlieir nanus, tnougn it
expressly declared that the Government
would not be name ior a peuny. tt is
hard to explain the persistent misstate
ment of the postal telegraph question.
It is just as correct to say that contract
ing with some of the trans-Atlantic
steamship companies to carry the mail
tor tne amount oi tne sea postage in
volves the government in the expense of
running the ships."
"How can the government be liable
bevond its contract? How can the Post-
office Department bind the government
beyond the authority granted in the act
ol Congress? The telegraph companies
will pertorm no service except that
which the people ask and pay for with
postage stamps bought from the govern
ment, and the telegraph companies col
lect from the government the face value
of the stamps, less two cents on eacn
message; the proht ot tne government
against the cost of delivery. 1 am quite
clear that the government will add to its
revenue if the postal telegraph mil is
passed : but suppose it did not, is thnt
any reason why the people Bhould not
have cheaper telegraptung r
FOR POOR AS WELL AS RICH.
"It is said that the scheme is in favor
of the rich, and that tanners and arti
sans do not use the telegraph, but must
be taxed if rates are reduced, well
such slatements presuppose that the
people can be easily deceived. Lower
rates favor any and all who use the tele
raph, and would allow many to use u
who cannot do it now because of the
high rates. Suppose only the rich use
the telegraph, how can the poor be
taxed when the government is not at
any cost beyond the rate collected from
whoever Bends a message? But it is not
I rue that only the rich use the tele
graph ; it is not true this quick means of
wnmunication is only to be
naiiuained for the rich man's com-
lort, convenience and enterprise.
Hie poor working man's leeiings are
mite the same a the rich man's if sud
den death or emergency overtakes him
and quick communication is necessary.
to taite a wtiole day s wages oi a me
chanic to send a simple message between
d.stant points is on unnecessary burden
that the postoffice department can re
move if its appliances are used lor his
benefit."
THE FARMER NEEPS TO TELEGRAPH.
Handsome Man of
Many Murders.
HE SHOOTS FROM THE HIP.
Talks of tne Kentucky
Between the Howards anil
the Turners.
'For the capitalist and lobbyists to
say that the farmer has no use for the
telegraph is an insult to his intelligence
and manner of life that must surely bo
deeply felt, if not resented. The tanner
is poorer when he is entirely dependent
on a weekly newspaper for market re
ports oi prices ot crops and cattle, and
cannot know whether the speculator's
agent that drives up to his farm, miles
distant from a telegraph station, is of
fering the right price or not for the wool
or wheat. Near at hand is the postoffice;
in it shou d be the telephone or tele
graph that would carrv the message of
inquiry to the market town and get the
tanner all the advantage ot tne rising
market."
"If the proposed Postal Telegraph bill
could be voted on by the people it would
be elected by a large majority, and
quickly too. In one form or another it
has been considered in committees for
over a year. The bill has but one object
to lower the rates for telegraphing and
add to the convenience of sending mes
sages. It uses the postoffice plant, and
by what is saved in expense the price is
reduced. Is not that practical and sensi
ble? The telegraph company finds wires
and instruments and operators, and the
government finds offices, heat and light,
clerks and carriers, and uses stamps in
payment instead of keeping account
books and bookkeepers. What the tele
graph company charges the government
lor these wires, instruments ana ope
rators the people pay every time they
use the telegraph, and there is no possi
ble way bv which the government can
be made liable for anything more."
"It cannot be possible Ior the people
to be humbugged forever on this ques
tion. They are very docile, patient and
long Buffering, but they will some tine
day speak out plainly and loud, just as
they did years ago for cheaper letter
postage. The fierce opposition and long
delays to the moderate rates and limited
service now proposed, will only create a
greater determination, and possibly
make a demand for most radical meas
ures. 1 would not be surprised if within
10 tears there were ten-cent, ten-word
telegraphic messages over one-half thsft
country."
The response of Senator Eerry, of
Arkansas, to the Bcrgeant-at-arms' mes
senger, who was sent alter rum during
the all-night session last week, that be
wouldcome when he got ready, and the
reply of Senator Butler, of South Caro
lina, that he would not come at all, re
calls the story of the sergeant-at-arms
who. having gone in response to a call
of the House of Representatives after a
memlier, returned, and, addressing the
chair, said: "Mr. Speaker, I called at
the residence of the member from
and found bun abed. He sent
San Francisco, Jan. 28 Wilson How
ard, a former leader of the notorious
Howard faction of Harlan county, Ky.,
is confined in the city prison en route to
Dixon county. Mo., where be is to be
tried for the murder and robbery of a
deaf mute about two years ago.
Last August Howard was sentenced to
San Quentin for a term of eight years
for a stage robbery committed in this
State. He gave the name of Charles
Brown.
Detective T. V. Imboden arrived from
Missouri with the necessary papers to
secure Howard's release a few days ago,
and Governor Markham pardoned him
so that he might be re-arrested and tried
lor the murder.
Howard is accused of killing at least
eight men in Kentucky, and the faction
of which be was leader has sent a score
or more enemies to their graves.
Howard is slightly above tnediun
heighth, with black wavy hair, small
dark mustache and a pair of keen black
eyes. His appearance is decidedly pre
possessing, and he recited his deeds of
blood and thrilling escapes in a well
modulated voice, looking anything but
the kind of person he claims to be. He
will be 28 years old tomorrow.
"They used to call me the king of the
Howard faction," he said, "but I can't
say that I was any more of the leader
than some of the r-st ot the boys. The
Harlan county feud, of which so much
has been written, dates back a number
of years, when my father w as sheriff.
lie was probably tne most no ed criminal
catcher in Kentucky, and when he ar
rested some of the Turners, who were
very desperate, lawless characters, the
trouble began. He never killed any one
while he was in office, but along about
war times he was compelled to shoot a
man to save his own life.
OPENING THE CAMPAION.
"Th Turner boys threatened to drive
him from the country, and one day
seven years ago three or four of them
broke into our house, and covering mv
mother and father with revolvers, drove
them out of the house, which they set
fire to, and everything we hud was
burned. . I was working at log-rolling
several miles from home then, and
mother procured a horse at night and
rode out to where 1 was.
"I hud never carried any kind of a
weapon up to that time, though I knew
the Turners had it in for us, and I hud
often received warnings from them. But
1 knew it had to be light when they set
our home afire, so 1 got a Winchester
rifle arid a rcvcVj-'-'frid walked to town,
reaching there iiiitaaylight. I walked
down the street to the two houses occu
pied by the Turners. They saw me first
and opened fire from the windows. I
returned the fire with the result that
one of them was killed outright and an
other had his arm shattered and one of
their friends received a bullet through
his brain. I am accused of killing the
inend, but 1 am pretty Bure 1 didn't. 1
think one of those inside shot him as
he ran in the door, thinking be was an
enemv.
'After that times were lively. Again
and again I have been fired on without
warning, but, never was hit but once,
when I got a bullet in the knee. But I
borrowed a horse from a cousin and rode
10 miles to my headquarters, which were
up in the mountains with the moon
shiners, who were all my firm friends.
They were a lot of good boys, if they did
illicitly distil whisky. They have a
worse name than they deserve.
HOW HE KILLED HALL ANn CEAIO.
"My 17-year-old brother is under
arrest now for the murder of a man by
the name of Craig, but he didn't kill
him; I did. It was this way; Some of
the boys were playing cards one day in
the mountains, when suddenly a posse
under Judge Lewis opened fire on us. I
never play cards and seldom take a
drink. I was sitting about 15 feot from
them, and didn't get hit, but a young
fellow by the name of Spurlock fell dead
with a bullet through his neck. The
posse thought the boys were a part of
my gang, but wdiile they were friends
and sheltered me when there was occa
sion, up to that time had taken no part
in the warfare. After Spurlock's death
they did some shooting themselves.
There were about 30 of them, and with
about the same number of other friends
wno sided in with me, we made such a
bitter warfare against thn Turners that
many of them were killed, while but
two of us were fatally hurt, though
some were wounded occasionally.
"At the time I speak of, when Spur
lock was shot, I didn't know where the
shots came from. We listened and heard
the cowards skulking away through the
brush. 1 grabbed my gnu and ran
around a point to head them off. I met
a man bv the name of Hull. He was
not over fifteen steps away, and tired at
me just as f saw him, but missed. I
drew my revolver and shot him five or
six times, when two others camo in
sight. I killed them, too. The boys
chased the rest of them and got nearly
all of the ten or twelve men in the
crowd.
With them was a man named Craig,
whom I knew was after me to get a
reward of $1000, offered to anybody who
would kill me.
"Just after the firing Craig laid down
his rifle and rovolver and walked up the
road. We thought he was a stranger
and let him go, but w hen we found his
arms we knew he w as one of them. I
got on my horse, followed five or six
miles and overtook him as he was cross
ing a cornfield. I called on him to halt,
as I wanted to take him back to the
boys, but he kept on running, so I shot
bim. On my way back I met my brother
and that is why he was arrested for
Craig's killing. But he didn't even see
it done.
conscience does not trouble me in the pretender to her hand. He wishes her
least about toe matter. love, but the stern parent in the person
"Yes," he said in response to a ques- j of the King gives his consent only on
tion, "I am what I consider a dead shot : condition that Vasco discovers the dis
with either a rilie or revolver. 1 shoot tant land of Madagascar. Vasco con-
irom tne nip with Doth eyes open, look- j sents it he can go in command of a roval
ing at tne object to lie tut, the same as a
boy shoots a marble. I used to carry
two 44 calibre six shooter, and a short
barrelled Winchester repeater.
"I didn't leave Kentucky because I
was afraid to stay any longer. It took
my friends a long time to induce me to
leave. I'm not afraid to go back now
and n -ver have been."
Accompanying the detective is a
young man named Bailey, who claims
that Howard killed two of his uncles.
"That is not true," said Howard.
"Two of his second cousins were killed,
but I didn't do it. He belongs to tl.e
Turner faction, and got a bullet in his
heel once. I can tell much aliout bim
that one man shouldn't say about an
other. BfBPlCIOCS OF BAILEY.
"They are going to take nie to Mis
souri to be tried for a murder committed
two years ago. 1 haven't been in Mis
souri for four years. I don't think they
can make the case stick, for I know
nothing about it.
"I think Bailey will kill me before I
get back. The excuse may be made
that I was shot while trying to escape,
but it won't be true. But if he does it,"
and the black eyes glittered, "he'll got
fixed when be gets home, and he won't
be the first that has been treated that
wav. I have more friends there than
he has.
"If 1 am finally taken to Kentucky I
will be just as free as you are, for no jury
will convict nie and they will be afraid
to try to lynch me, snd I will remain in
my native State."
When doubt was expressed that
Bailey would take such an advantage of
an unarmed man, Howard shrugged his
shoulders and said :
Evidently vou never lived any
length of time in Harlan county, Ken
tucky, and know nothing of how a fued
is conducted there. Everv advantage is
taken. As many as fifteen will lie in
ambush for one man. Harlan county is
cut up into ravines. Muchof it is rocky,
and there is considerable thick timber
and under brush, and opportunities for
ambush are abundant.
METHOD OF THE TURNERS.
"To show vou how far the Turners
carried tlieir animosity I will refer you
to tho case ot a man named W ilson,
who never took tho least part in any of
tho battles, but never disguised the
fact that he was a friend of mine. One
day his dead body was found by the
roadside riddled with bullets. The Tur
ners laid in ambush for him and shot
him down without warning. I could
tell you of many more cases of a similar
nature. Now, do you think there would
be much hesitancy about shooting an
unarmed man?
"Beside, my enemies, the Turners and
their friends and others who were rash
enough to try to get the drop on me for
the large rewards offered, a detachment
of soldiers was sent out alter me at one
time. Well, we managed to surround
the commander and one of his officers
and took them prisoners.
"On two or three occasions I wroie to
the officers offering to give myself up it
they would give me a square deal, but
every time they sent a posse of my
enemies to conduct me into town, and
as I knew what that meant, why, of
course I didn't go with them."
Comic Opera (liven by Swells.
New York, Jan. 21 Society in 'thiB
city bus been talking for the past two
days about nothing but tho production
of tho burlesque comic opera ' L'Afri
caine'Mn Lincoln Music Hall, Washing
ton. It was the greatest amateur enter
tainment ever given in this country. All
the participants were nobs of the nob
biest sort and were also what stage
managers would call "clever people."
A large number of society people left
on the noon train on Monday to see the
performance and have brought back
glowing accounts of the affair. Just to
give an idea of how very swoll the whole
business was, let me give a lew names of
the participants. The orchestra was led
bv the Marquis Imperalli, secretary oi
the Italian legation, and Mr. Van Rens
selaer played second violin.
The four inquisitors were J. G. Bhiino,
Jr., the Count do Chambrun, George
Levi and Monseur Bocnfue of the French
Legation.
The cast was as follows :
Inez, Princess of Portugal ,
MI'S Margaret ICIUitt.
Selika, Queen of Madagascar
Mm. Cliarloa Whelan
Vascodtt Uamo Mr. Pierre Stevens
Vasco a attendant.
Don Pedro
Sardlni, King of Portugal
lUrou iieelt Fro
Mr. tlofjiner
Mr. Robert Lee Keeling
.Mr Paul II u in
B Hilda Everett
beautiful
liroripfl wntlld
delivery service instituted. Telegrams, ' word for me to go to hell, and I have
properly stamped, could be dropped in come!" henry ueoegb, jr.
letter boxes, and as the demand arose , -special
telegraph boxes could be estab-1 The Missouri State Senate has passed
liuhed. from which more frequent collec- a resolution similar to the house resolu
tions might be made. Moieover, met- tion, of no appropriation for the world's
Son from the records comet withio from ' eagei might be aent by mail from remote fair if the force Ull become law.
MODEST ABOUT HIS ORAYF.VAIID
"Mv brother was fired on from ambush
once while riding a mule along the road.
A volley of 29 shot, or more was fired.
He had enough presence of mind to drop
from the mule, but they wanted to make
sure of him and fired again.r aising a
cloud of dust about him. But he made
his escape without a scratch. Later he
w as wounded in the shoulder. He never
even carried a gun and is still nothing
but a boy.
"I don't care to state how many men
I have killed, but will say that 1 never
shot at one that I didn't hit; neither
Chimpanzee
liiaui, page
Miss Margarot Llliolt is
New York girl who sang at Huber New
ton's church for a couple of years. Her
voice is a rich and powerful soprano.
She sang her part to the satisfaction of
the most critical and acted like a "reg
ular." Miss Whelan was a New Orleans girl,
though now she is the wife of a Phila
delphia banker. She seems to have been
especially created to take her part. It
was one of broad fqreo and she mude
every point tell.
Pierre Stevens is a son of Admiral
Stevens and has made a wide reputation
throughout the Kast as an amateur
actor.
Baron Beck-Fraus is secretary oi the
Swedish legation, lie is an amateur
musician ot mucn skiii. ins pari.,
though subordinate, was made to toll,
and the popular Baron was the recipient
of several encores, as were, for that mat
ter, all of the performers.
Paul Hunt, as a New York girl ex
pressed it, "was just tor deliciously
funny to live" in the part of the Chim
panzee. He is a Harvard student, and a
son of Hunt, the artist.
His costume, that of the wild man oi
the woods, was made in F.urope. 1 lo is
wrapped in an ox skin anil wears a mon
key lace, with ox horns, llisgetopis
grotesque to the Inst point, hut his move
ments in the character lire as graeeiui no
he strums his guitar as any of the other
swains.
A SMALL CHORI S.
In the chorus of lords, ladies and de
mons were some of the leading favorites
in dancing circles, gathered from .New
York, Washington, Philadelphia and
Baltimore. Among fie beautiful court
ladies were Miss Kdith James, the MisBCs
Cammack. Mrs. Kichartl Lay, the Misses
Km t. the Mis'es Hunt. Miss Taylor,
Miss Bancroft, Miss Brooki , Miss Jvlie,
xii-ci Von Renusnlaer. Miss Henrv. Miss
Condit Smith, Miss Anderson, Mrs. Fred
Whelan of Philadelphia; Miss Jackson
and Miss Sadie Thompson of Philadel
phia. The operetta is absurdly funnv, and
the com cat situations were parodies on
the great passions, love and jealousy,
are worked up with a master hand are
continuous. Here is a brief sketch of it:
I. KETCH OF THE OPERETTA.
Tn thn first act scenes one and
have I ever killed one who was not . represent the royal palace in ronugui.
watching for an opportunity to kill me. ' Princesi Ine awaits Vasco da Gauia, a
expedition. The King promises, but
before Sir Vasco. with his new title.
"Lord of Conquest and Knight of the
Lung Hair," gets off another pretender
to the hand of Inez bobs up, and the
ship has to wait while he fights a duel.
The King stops the duel before any
body gets hurt and Sir Vasco sails.
Princess Inez bemoams his departure,
announces her intention to retire to a
nunnery to await his return, but changes
her mind and thinks the time will pass
more quickly flirting with the other
piincipal in the duel Don Pedro de
Robinson.
ACT SECOND.
Act two is on the island of Madagas
car. Queen Selika reclines on a dais,
with the chimpanzee at her feet in mute
devotion. She reDulses his attention
and says she awaits the coming of the
ideal man" "one whose vast and king
ly form BhaH scare big buzzards" and
"whose black, black eye will rain down
lightning from the sky." The chimpan
zee goes out utterly crushed. Selika
sleeps and dreams. A commotion out
side makes known to her a ship has
come to shore. Enter Vasco with a
monocle in his eye. Selika at once de
clares him to lie her "destined fate,"
and promptly offers him her heart and
kingdom. The chimpanzee returns and
attacks Vasco, and while Selika tries to
protect him Vasco escapes to his ship,
leaving her inconsolable.
ACT THIRD.
Act three is back again in Portugal.
The court welcomes Sir Vasco on his re
turn and asks him to relate his adven
ture. He remembers nothing of the
beautiful island but "milk toast, a
blasted heath and some blasted heath
en." The King, indignant at his
feather-headed account, throws him into
prison "until he shall have discovered
the Northwest Passage."
Scenes 4 and 5 The prison. Vasco is
studying a map. Wedding bells are
heard through the grated windows.
Grand Inquisitor enters with cards in
viting him to witness the marriage of
Princess Inez and his hated rival, Don
Pedro. He declines on account of a
"previous engagement." In rushes
Inez, avowing that she still loves him,
but must mind her father. Vasco re
pulses her as faithless.
The noise of the tumtutu and war
whoops are heard outBide. In comes
Selika with her royal possessions in a
carpet bag. The royal ladies have a
high old time over Vasco, but the dusky
Queen is victorious and breaks jail with
him.
ACT FOURTH.
Act 4 is in Madagascar. Vasco is
asleep in the Queen's garden and Selika
fans him. He dreams and murmurs the
name of "Inez." Selika has enough
then; she "bids the royal carriage be
made ready for their speedy marriage."
Vasco goes to get into his wedding togs,
when he hears the voice of Inez. She
has evidently just beenshipwrecked, and
bemoans Botfly the loss of her poodle and
the death of her husband, Don Pedro.
In comes Selika to lind Vasco and Inez
in each other's arms.
Scene 2. The deadly upas tree in the
desert. Selika, having tender hearted
scruples as to killing her faithles lover,
decides to die under the upas tree. In
comes the chimpanzee, and upon his
urgent solicitation she reluctantly de
cides to reward his devotion and to live
for the presont.
The entire company conies in to see
the harmonious arrangement of nil the
troubles, and to take part in the two
royal marriages. The ghost of Don Pe
dro insists on introducing itself, but is
hidden summarily to depart and not to
tli row any damper on the festivities.
Notwithstanding the fact that the
opera was coached, trained and stage
managed by amatuers, with an amatucr
cost, amatuor orchestra and amatuer
chorus the entertainment was from
every standpoint a success. It was of
course a grand society event. The
wealth and beauty of this city, Phila
delphia, Baltimore and Washington
were there. Baron Von Tbunnan
smiled from a box. Mrs. Morton and
her party occupied two boxes. Mrs.
George Lormg urougnt a party oi
twelve. The opera waB given for the
benefit of the Home for IneurableB,
which it is said w ill receive about $20)0
from the entertainment.
THE 1'HENCII HALL.
The French ball on Monday night at
the Madison Square garden was a scene
of wild revelry. (Hero, the Spanish
dancer, who has captured the town in a
far more effective manner than
did her predecessor Coiueneita
was the chief attraction. She
succeeded in producing a sensation.
The corsage of her golden gown wrs cut
with a generous hand and she was a
pleasing vision as she tripped lightly
along, chatting Bayly in Drench. At L
o'clock there was a sharp report in the
box occupied jointly by Otoro, Manager
Jurgens of the F.don Museo, and a Mr.
Steinberg of the same institution, some
body said that Otero had slapped rar.
Steinberg's face. A moment later chairs
were overturned and Otero ran scream
ing from her box. followed by Stein
berg, who refused to bo restrained by
Mr. Jurgens. Several times Steinberg
gesticulated violently at Otoro with his
list. It looked very much like a man
trving to hit a woman. He did not hit
her. however. Each time one of the
strangers who hud rushed into the cor
l iilr.r hark of the box interfered.
Thn corridor was auicklv filled with
excited men. women, policemen armed
with long night sticks and detectives in
p ain clothes, uapiain iveiuy was y
elsewhere, but he was well represented.
In the confusion Otero escaped, and Jur
getiB and Steinberg retreated into the
box. Five minutes later Otero screamed
again. Steinberg was pursuing her
down another corridor. Again Stein
berg was restrained just as he made a
grab at Otero. This time thecrowd hus
tled him away with no regard Ior his
feelings or clothes and Otero also disap
peared. Only a number of champagne
botdes remained in the box to explain
things.
FREDDY QKBIIABD'B BLOOD UP.
About this time Fred Gebhard and
Mr. Thomas Maguire, treasurer of the
Fourteenth street theater, were disagree
ing over a box. No blows passed but Mr.
Gerhard's blood was evidently excited,
for a few minutes later he and Bob Hit
liard fell out and began to pummel each
other. It was an interesting fight, and
Marcus Mayer pleaded hard with, every
body not to interfere. Maurice Barry-
more, who can handle his fists pretty
well, disregarded Mayer's protests, and
gent Milliard and Gebhard flying in op
poite d. ructions. The tight was re
sumed shortly afterward, however, and
thin time the police got an inning, and
Gebhard was escorted from the building
by Sergeant Sheldon. The procession
was heartily applauded.
bob milliard's stoby.
Milliard, npon being interrogated as
to the cause of the row with Gebhard,
said :
"If you remember, I was supporting
Mrs. Langtry in "As in a Looking
bacK id lost), une nigut
we were playing in 125th street, Harlem,
and my wife and Henry Dixey's were in
a box, one remove from the stage. In
the next box nearest the stage was
Fred Gebhard and a party of friends.
During the performance they looked at
the ladies through their opera glasses in
a very impudent manner. My wife
drew the curtains separating the boxes,
Put Gebhard drew them back again. 1
knew nothing of this until after the per
formance, and then I got a club and
went down around the Union Club,
hoping to meet Gebhard and break his
face. After a while friends got between
us, and Leonard Jerome and Decourcey
uorbes brought me an explanation trom
Gebhard, in which he disclaimed any
intention of insulting my wife or Mrs.
Dixey, and said that there were a num
ber of stable boys in the parquet
belonging to his stable and that they
were the people he and his friends were
looking at through their glasses. Well,
at the ball I had a box, and so had a
friend of mine. Between 2 and 3 o'clock
I asked the wife of a friend of mine to
walk around with me, her husband ac
quiescing. She took my arm, and we
had not gone far before we met Gebhard
and a couple of his friends. They made
a wall in front of us and bo plainly and
purposoly blocked our progress that I
had to make a detour to get by them. A
few steps further I met a friend, to
whom I con tided the lady. Then I went
back and I smashed Gebhard between
the eyes. Of course, we all got mixed
up, and when I let fly again I did not hit
Gebhard, but Mr. Wendall, of the Cafe
Savarin. After that we were pulled
apart and I went home."
After the row in Harlem, it will be re
membered, Milliard was discharged by
Langtry. H. I. de G.
A CONVICT IX THE LEGISLATURE.
It May Ketult In Electing Palmer to the
Senate.
Columhcs, Ohio, Jan. 29 A decided
sensation was created here today when
the picture of a number of members of
the Illinois Legislature, posing as mem
bers of the Farmers' Alliance, was re
ceived at the penitentiary. The ques
tion was many times asked: "Mas the
Illinois Legislature an ex-convict from
Ohio among its members?" A picture
of II. E. Tabulncck was sent to
the penitentiary and shown to
about a dozen convicts, who at
once identified it as that of W,
M. Rodgers. The description of the
two men tallies in every respect, even
ti the fact that both write with the left
hand. Prisoners who were in the peni
tentiary Ave years ago called Rodgers'
name out on seeing the picture, adding
that he served as book-keeper in one of
the Bhops. Upon Tabneucck the se
lection of United States senator may
depend. Rodgers' history is of
a sensational order, tho records
showing that he forged him
self both in and out of the penitentiary.
He was received from Wavne county to
serve 18 months for forgery and was par
oled in August, 1884. One of the
forgeries was a letter alleged to be from
Judge Parsons, in which Rogers was re
ferred to as belonging to a good lamily,
and it was said that this was his first
offense. Another was a letter alleged
to beMrom Frederick Woods at In
dianapolis, in which he confessed to hav
ing committed torgery. Another letter
was from if. I'. Laughlin, ot lonngs
town, Ohio, as pleading for the relief of
Rodgers and pledging himself to give
him permanent employment. On the
strength of these forged letters Rodgers
secured parole and was never heard from
until a lew days ago, when the picture
was received and at once identified If
Tabueneck and Rodgers are one and the
same person he can be brought back to
this state to serve out his sentence.
Tabueneck was a Republican before he
joined the Farmers' Alliance movement,
and has said that he would vote for
Oglesby if necessary to elect him. The
other two Alliance members were Demo
crats, and have been held to Streeter by
Tabueneck.
JI.W AND JOE.
Other Like
Thny are Attuning- Kueh
1'rlze Fighters.
New York, Jan. 28. From their man
ner of talking of each other, it would
appear that Jim Corbett and big Joo
McAuliU'e are not on the best of terms.
The latter issued a Bweeping challenge
to Corbett on Monday ajid followed it
up by saying some harsh things about
the popular young boxer. Among other
statements McAuliffo accused Corbett 0
railing on his reputation. t
A reporter found Corbott in his dress
ing room at the theater last night. Ho
seemed inclined to regard McAuliffe's
talk as a joke. "I don't think the pub
lie will pay the slightest attention to
this fellow's windy talk," said Corbett,
with a smile. "He accuses me of trad
ing on his reputation. Now I would
like to know what his reputation
is. He went to England and
claimod the championship ot the world
upon the ground that Sullivan would
not fight him. He is extensively adver
tised as the world beater and what does
he show himself to be a counterfeit.
He succeeded in staying two rounds
with Slavin and came back here after
the most ignominious defeat ever suf
fered by an American in England and
tries U) make people think ho can fight.
"1 shall puy no attention to bis chal
lenge. It is absurd. I would gain noth
ing by whipping him and everybody
knows that I am matched to tight Peter
Jackson. If 1 sui-cecd in beating ttie
Australian, I intend to try Slavin, the
man who made this big slow coach, who
iB heavy enough to whip any man alive,
look like a school boy."
Corbett made an interesting set to with
Professor John Donaldson, and alter the
performance was the guest of Nat. C.
Goodwin and several other thespians at
the Filth avenue club house.
two
Glass" away I
DONE WITH TIIK POKCK HILL.
Senator Hoar Wlin 11 In Hands or the
Whole Matter.
Washington, D. C, Jan. 29 The re
port that Senator Hoar has received the
nnmhntie opinion of his Massachusetts
I constituents that the force bill is an un-
lesiruble measure created mucn gossip
at the capital today.
It was stated on appirenuy goou au
thority that Mr. Hoar has in his pocket
a letter written to him by Speaker Bar
rett, of the Massachusetts Mouse of rep
resentatives, containing information that
a canvass of the members of the legisla
ture shows that a largo majority believe
that the action of the Senate on Monday
in shelving the gag rule and force bill
was wise and oolitic.
Senator Hoar therefore is said to have
reached a determination that as these
constituents speak with no uncertain
voice he is justiflod in washing his hands
of the obnoxious bill from this time
forth.
Independent I'auuera.
London, Jan. 29 The paupers of Lim
erick, Ireland, have refused to go to
work in the place of the municipal lab
orers now oa a strike.