THEIR WORK IS DONE
Peace Commissioners Com
pleted the Treaty.
Embodies result op the wab
Spanish Members Exceedingly Bitter
Oyer the Outcome Would Not isll
One of the Carolines.
Paris. Dec. 10. The United States
and Spanish peace commissioner! con
cluded their work today and finally
Bettled the terms of the treaty of peace.
They will meet once more in formal
session, when the Spanish commission
ers sorrowfully and the Americans.
with feelings of relief, will write their
signatures upon the document which
embodies the result of the war and tha
preparation of which has consumed 11
weeks, a longer time than the war
itself. In the meantime the treaty will
be engroseed under the supervision ol
Mr. Moore and Senor Ojeda, the secre
taries of the respective commissions.
The Spaniards are exceedingly bitter
over the result, though observing the
forms of friendliness and courtesy to
the end. Senor Montero Rios, whose
strong and persistent struggle to save
for his country every possible asset from
the wreok of her colonial empire, has
commanded the respect and admiration
ot his opponents, went from the council
chamber today to his bed in a state of
complete collapse, as a result ,of the
long strain and his chagrin over the
smaJl fruits of his efforts.
Senor Ojeda has been prostrated since
yesterday, and was unable to attend
the joint session today.
The Spaniards charge equal blame
upon the European powers and the
United States for their downfall. One
of the Spanish commissioners said:
."The European nations have made a
great mistake in deserting Spain and
leaving her to spoliation by the brute
force of a conoienceless giant. They
all know that in the Philippines Amer
ica has taken more than she can digest.
She will ultimately sell the islands to
England or Germany, and when the
transfer is attempted it will precipitate
general European strife.
"We have refused to sell any island
in the Carolines. We never thought of
considering an offer. Nor have we con
sented to negotiate upon any questions
except those directly involved in the
protocol signed at Washington."
The Ameiican commissioners entered
the joint conference today in a nervous
frame of mind. They evidently had
reasons to believe that the possibility
existed that even at this late hour there
might be a rupture. This feeling of
apprehension was based on the temper
the Spaniards have displayed lately.
This week the commissioners of Spain
have not concealed the fact that, hav
ing failed to gain all important points,
they were indifferent as to whether or
not the conference resulted in the set
tlement of peace by the signing of the
treaty by which Spain loses all her col
onies. Miscarriage of the negotiations
would leave political prestige at home
no worse, if not fin better condition
than if ther signed the treaty.
The Americans were anxious not to
give the Spaniards any pretext to break
off the negotiations, or take offense, so
far as the exercise of patience and
diplomacy could steer clear of protests.
Madrid papers are disposed to revive
the question of the Maine and to excite
publio opinion against the United
States on account of the reference made
to this in President McKinley's mes
sage. They report that Rios made an
impassioned denunciation of McKinley
at the last joint meeting of the commis
sions. Rios did refer to the Maine,
but only in calmly woided sentences,
expressing regret that the president
had to spoken.
Diplomatic circles in Paris predict as
one of the results of the treaty a diplo
matic contest between France and the
United States, which will make an im
portant chapter in history. The French
government is reported to have resolved
to take up the case of the French hold
ers of Cuban bonds, and it is believed
France will declate for repudiation ot
the bonds as the result of the treaty
which the viotorious nation imposed on
Spain. They argue that the treaty re
sponsibility has been shifted upon
America, and that therefore the French
government will endeavor to exact
some pledge for payment or guarantee
of the bonds.
Members of the commission say the
treaty contains little outside of the
cope of the Washington protocol, and
matters directly based thereon, like
provisions for evaouation of ceded terri
tory, transfer of public property therein
and guarantees of safety of property
and lights of Spanish oitizeni remain
ing there. Details ot the last class of
questions covered by the statement
which tha Americans handed to Rios
at the last meeting were considered to
day, but all the commissioners refuse
to divulge the details of the conference.
Several points npon which tbey were
unable to agree were left open for
diplomatic negotiations.
IThe Spaniards refused to admit that
they had failed to respect former trea
ties guaranteeing religions freedom la
the Caroline islands, or that there waf
necessity for snob guarantees.
Murder In a Charch.
Missouri City, Ma, Deo. 10. What
will undoubtedly prove to be a double
murder was committed tonight in a
country church, two miles out from
Missouri City. Mies Delia Clevenger
Was shot down, mortally wounded, and
her escort to the meeting-bonne, George
Allen, was instantly killed. The mur
derer was Ernest Clevenger, oousin to
the young woman. The tragedy was
due to yoting Clevenger's insane jeal
ousy of bis cousin.
Hilled Her Child and Herself.
Detroit, Mich., Dec. 10. When
Frsnk Biooks, of 1857 Ruaaell street,
this city, cam home from work this
vening be found In one bedroom his
wife, shot dead, and in another his
year-old daughter, also dead. In
not from bis wife, shs stated she was
tired of life, and was going to heaven,
nd would take her little daughter with
Iter. The woman bad boon In poor
health for soma time.
The Pathfinder, a new coast survey
teanur; was 'launched at Eliiabvlb,
V. ),
ENGLAND WILL CONSENT.
To the Modification of the Clayton
Bnlwer Treaty.
New York, Dec. 12. A dispatch to
the Herald from Washington says:
President McKinley is in favor of open
ing negotiations with Great Britain for
the puproso of modifying the Clayton
Bnlwer treaty so as to permit the con
struction and control of the Nicaragua
canal by the United States.
Should congress during the present
seSHion fail to enact the pending Morgan
bill the president also favors entering
into negotiations with Nicaragua and
Costa Rica looking to the construction
of the canal under the auspices and con
trol of the United States.
On the authority of a high official of
the administration it is stated that there
is absolutely no foundation for the re
port that Great Britain, through Sir
Julian Pauncefote, has protested to the
state department against that feature
ol the president's message dealing with
the canal question. On the contrary,
the authorities have every reason to be
lieve that the British government will
consent to any reasonable modification
of the Clayton-Bulwer treaty that the
president may desire, so as to remove
the obstacles which it places in the
way for the control of the canal by thia
government.
So satisfied are the officials on thie
point that negotiations will soon be un
der way which it is hoped will cul
minate in an agreement especially in
tended to give this government the
right to construot and control the pro
posed waterway.
STILL REACHING OUT.
Russia, Germany and France In th
Partitioning of China.
Shanghai, DerJ. 13. John Barrett,
lormerly United States minister to
Slam, has returned here after visiting
Peking and the principal cities and
ports. He says the situation in China
is one of a most critical nature, and
Manohuria is no longer Chinese, but
Russian territory. He asserts that
New Chwang, the chief northern port
for the movement of American produots,
is also piaotically Russian, and is liable
to be closed any day.
The only permanent safeguard to par
amount American and British interests,
Barrett says, is immediate and united
action by the interested governments to
defend their territory in the Chinese
empire, to force reforms in the govern
ment, to prevent further cessions of
ports and provinces, and to insist upon
an "open-door" policy in all the ports
ol (Jnina, including thespheiesof influ
enoe of Russia, Germany and France.
Otherwise, Barrett contends, the im
pending partition of the Chinese empire
will seriously curtail the field of trade
by disastrously affecting American and
British mfluenoe in Asia.
WATTERSON FOR EXPANSION
Where England Has Succeeded, Amer
ica May Experiment.
New York, Deo. 12. The Patria
Club held jts fast meeting of the win
ter tonight.and entertained and listened
to Colonel Henry Watterson, of Louis
ville, the speaker of the evening.
Colonel Watterson spoke on "Our
Country; Its Dangers and Its Hopes,
Past, Present and to Come." He de
clared himself in favor of the policy ol
national expansion.
I am not disposed," he said, "to
agree with the optimistic young Amer
ican who believes that the United
States is bounded on the north on the
aurora borealis, on the south by the
equator, on the east by the rising sun,
and on the west by eternity, but still I
think somewhat that way.
"As for expansion, I think that what
England has done with safety, America
may attempt. If Dewey had only
sailed away but he did not, and where
he nailed the Stars and Stripes, there
they must stay. We must either go
forward or backward, end we cannot go
backward without loss of self respect.
"The anti-expansionists ask how we
can take these new responsibilities
when our own government at home is
so admittedly corrupt. On the other
hand, we are a nation of producers hin
dered by overproduction. We must
have a greater market. Also, the Phil
ippine islands are not further from the
Golden Gate today than was San Fran
cisco from Washington when California
was annexed. The centralized power
of modern civilization annihilated
space and knits all together. All na
tional expansion for us is but America,
the boy, grown to manhood and nat
urally reaohing out."
SEVERE WIND STORM.
Gale Blew KInety-SIx Miles an Hour at
I'olnt Keyes.
San Francisco, Dec. 12. The storm
which raged all over the Pacific coast
last night and today was one of the
most severe ever recorded by the
weather bureau. It extended from the
northern border down to Texas and
from the Pacific as far east as Nebraska.
In thii city the wind attained a velocity
of 45 miles an boor, but at Point
Keyea, right In the teeth of the gale,
the wind swept along at 96 miles an
hour. Considering the great velocity
of the wind, the daman done to ship
ping was slight, and $10,000 will par
for everything, including tha charges
of tow boat men for extricating vessels
from dangerous positions.
A traveler can now
go aiound the
world in 60 days.
Explosion at Powder Works,
Wilmington, Del., Dec. 13. Five
powder mills In the yard of the Dupont
powder works, near here, exploded this
morning; Robert Molllieny, John
Wright and John Moore were killed.
Eight other men were seriously injured.
Michael McCann, John Mutbin and
Pamufl Stewart are likely to die. The
explosion was due to the fact that a car
of powder being wheeled into tha press
room overturned, the wheels of the car
running on the tracks by friction set.
ting the powder on Are. The flames
quickly tan to Ave different points,
there being 0r distinct explosions of
great violence.
To Perpetuate the Gold aiandard.
Chicago, Deo. 13. The board of
directors of the Chicago board of trade
have adopted teeolmiont urging Mc
Kinley to call a cial teetion of con
gress for the enactment of legislation
for tbe rroanent adoption of tha gold
standard.
Air preeset on tha body of every man
with weight of 80,000 pounds.
IrfprbVortlon to its tiza, fly walks
Is times as fait aa a mao can I an.
FOR ARMY AND NAVY.
Crgency Deficiency Kill l'ard tha
House Carries Sixty-Nlue Millions.
Washington, Dec. 10. The urgency
deficiency bill to provide for the sup
port of the military and naval estab
lishments was passed by the house to
day, practically without opposition. A
fear had been expressed that the meas
ure might open up a prolonged debate
upon the conduct of the war, but the
Democratic leaders deoided that such a
debate would properly come later upon
the regular appropriation bills, or upon
the bill for the reorganization of the
army. There was not a word of criti
cism of the war during the debate.
The only point upon which an issue
was raised today was as to whether the
bill, providing, as it did, for the pay
ment of the volunteers until July 1,
1899, might not be construed as a mod
ification of the law under which the
volunteers were mustered into seivine.
McRae offered an amendment provid
ing that it should not be so construed
and upon it there was a general discus
sion as to the advisaiblity of mustering
the volunteers out before the regular
army was increased. Cannon finally
accepted the McRae amendment, and
that removed the only shadow of oppo
sition to the bill. A number of amend
ments were adopted upon the recom
mendation of the appropriations com
mittee, whloh received some supple
mental estimates after the bill was pre
pared. The laigest of these was an
item of $3,000,000 for. an emergency,
fund for the war department, ' increas
ing the amount carried by the bill to
169,895,893.
The conference report -upon the bill
to render the securities of oonsuls, vice
consuls and consular agents liable for
damage in suits at law, was adopted.
The house adjourned over until Mon
day to give the committees an oppor
tunity to work without interruption.
The senate held a short session and
then adjourned until Monday, after
making the Nicaragua canal bill the
unfinished business before that body.
Morgan called up the measure, where
upon Pettigrew moved to adjourn.
This motion failed, 13 ayes and 43
noes, and the bill was brought forward.
Adjournment was immediately taken.
During the session Vest stated his
opposition to the hurried manner of
passing pension bills in the senate and
gave notice that he would insist upon
a quorum being present when pension
bills wers being aoted upon.
The senate in executive session rati
fied the treaty for the extension of the
time for the completion of the Mexican
boundary one year. There was no op
position and no debate.
FIRST BILL PASSED.
Home Disposed of the Antl-Soalplng
Measure.
Washington, Deo. 9. The house to
day passed the anti-ticket scalping bill
by a vote of 119 to 101. This action
is the culmination of a 10 years' strug
gle on the part of the railroads to put
an end to the business of ticket-scalping.
The interstate commerce commis
sion first called attention to the subject
in its report of 1888. and it has been
before congress ever since in one form
or another. During the last session
extensive hearings were given both to
representatives of the railroads and the
scalpers, and Sherman, of New York,
seemed 174 pledges for the measure.
It was, however, deemed inadvisable to
bring the measure forward until the
present session. The debate today
lasted four hours, and was spirited upon
both sides. None of the amendments
offered were adopted, and the bill
parsed as reported by the committee.
No business was transaoted by the
senate today in open session. A few
minutes after the senate convened it
went into executive session and dis
cussed the appointment of senators on
commissions. At 3:15, business in
open session was resumed, the deaths
of Representatives Northway of Ohio,
and Love of Mississippi, were an
nounced and the senate adjourned as a
mark of respect to their memories.
FEARFUL TALE OF THE SEA.
Many Lives Lost on the Londonlan, i
Atlantic Freighter.
Philadelphia, Deo. 10. The British
steamer Vedamore, from Liverpool,
November 33, for Baltimore, passed
Cape Henry last night and repotted
that she had on board in of tbe orew of
88 men of the steamer Londonlan. The
London ian sailed from Boston, Novem
ber 25, for London.
This is the first news of the whete
abouts ot the orew. The Londonlan
has undoubtedly gone to tha bottom of
the ocean.
Baltimore, Deo. 10. Those who lost
their lives by the sinking of the Lon
donian are supposed to be as follows:
Captain William Lee, Chief Engineer
Stafford, Chief Officer Murray, Third
Engineer Slater, 31 seamen, firemen
and cattlemen, names not obtainable.
Tbe Londonian was bound from Boston
for London with a large general cargo.
For the Paris Exposition.
Chicago, Deo. 10. Willard A. Smith,
of Chicago, has been named for the po
sition of direotor ot the department of
transportation and civil enlgneering of
the United States coram iwion to tha
Paris exposition by Commissioner-General
Peck. Mr. Smith will at onca al
bums the duties of bis office, and pro
ceed wtin ti organization of bis ex
hibits. Cuban Army Disbanding.
New York, Deo. 10. A dispatch to
the Herald from Havana says: Tha
Cuban General Kmilio Nunei baa re
turned from a trip to Sagtra la Grande,
Cienfuegoe, and Santa Clara, where he
has been visiting as a committee of
ona, appointed by the Santa Crui as
sembly to facilitate the disarming of
the Cuban troops and establish tbe
men in peaceful avocations. He re
ports that the Cuban army in the coun
try districts is disappearing rapidly,
Reward for Patriotism.
Washington, Deo. 9. General
Wheeler, of Alabama, today Intro
duced In the house, through Represent
ative Stalling, a resolution providing
that in lecognltion of the patriotic de
votion and bounteous benevolence of
Mis Helen Miller Gonld, to tha sol
diers of the army of the United States
during tha war with Spain, the thanks
of congresi are hereby tendered her,
and congress hereby authorises and
direc ts that a gold medal, with appro
priale designs, t strnrk by the direo
tor of tha mint, and that said medal be
presented to Lei by tha presid:,.
PACIFIC COAST TRADE.
Portland Market.
Wheat Walla Walla, 63c; Valley,
oGc; Bluestein, 62a per bushel.
Flour Best grades, $3.20; graham,
3.65; superfine, 15 per barrel.
Oats Choice white, 42 43c; choice
gray, 4041c per bushel.
Barley Feed barley, $32 35; brew
ing, $24 per ton.
Millstuffs Bran, $16 per ton; mid
dlings, $21; shorts, $16; chop, $15.50
per ton.
Hay Timothy, $910; clover, $7
8; Oregon wild hay, $6 per ton.
Butter Fancy creamery, 55(50oj
seconds, 60 55c; dairy, 4550o store,
30 85o.
Cheese Oregon full cream, ll18o;
Young America, 15o; new cheese,
10c per pound.
Poultry Chickens, mixed, $83.5o.
per dozen; hens, $3. 50 4. 00; springs, 1
$1.253; geese, $5.008.00 for old.'1
$4.505 for young; ducks, $4.00 '
5.00 per dozen; turkeys, live, 11 '
12c per pound. j )
Potatoes 60 70c per sack; sweets, I
2c per pound. - I
Vegetables Beets, 90c; turnips, 75c
per sack; garlic, 7o per pound; cab
bage, f 1 1.25 per 100 pounds; cauli
flower, 76a per dozen; parsnips, 75c
per sack; beans, 8c per pound; celery,
70 75c per dozen; cucumbers, 60c per
box; peas, 88c per pound.
Onions Oregon, 75c$l per sack.
Hops 1518o; 1897 crop, 46o.
Wool Valley, 1012o por pound;
Eastern Oregon, 8 12c; mohair,
26c per pound.
Mutton Gross, best sheep, wethers
and ewes, 8o; dressed mutton, 7c;
spring lambs, 7jc per lb.
Hogs Gross, choice heavy, $4.75;
light and feeders, $3.00 4. 00; dressed,
$5. 50 6.50 per 100 pounds.
Beef Gross, top steers, 8.50$3.76;
cows, $2. 60 8. 00; dressed , beef,
56c per pound.
Veal Large, 66c; small, 6
7c per pound.
Seattle Markets.
Tomatoes, B085o per box.
Onions, 8590o per 100 pounds.,
, Potatoes, $1012.
Beets, per sack, 75c.
Turnips, per sack, 50 60c.
Carrots, per sack, $1.
Parsnips, per sack, (1.
Cauliflower, 5075o per doa.
Celery, 8540o.
Beans, green, 23o.
Cabbage, native and California
tjl.001.50 per 100 pounds.
Apples, 85 50c per box.
Pears, 75c $1 per box.
Prunes, 50o per box.
Peaches, 75c.
Plums, 60c.
Butter Creamery, 27o per pound,
dairy and ranch, 18 20c per pound.
Eggs, 85c.
Cheese Native, 1212Jc.
Poultry Old hens, 15o per pound;
spring chickens, 15c; turkeys, 16c.
FreBh meats Choice dressed beef
steers, prime, 6J7c; oows, prime,
0c; mutton, 7c; pork, 67o; veal,
68o.
Wheat Feed wheat, 121.
Oats Choice, per ton, $23.
Hay Puget Sound mixed, 19.50
10; choice Eastern Washington tim
othy, $12.
Corn Wholo, $23.50; cracked, $34;
feed meal, $23.50.
Barley Rolled or ground, per ton,
$2425; whole, $23.
Flour Patent, per barrel, $3.50;
straights, $3.25; California brrnds,
$3.26; buckwheat flour, $3.75; graham,
per barrel, $3.70; whole wheat flour,
$3.75; rye flour, $4.
Millstuffs Bran, per ton, $14;
shorts, per ton, $16.
Feed Chopped feed, $1721 per
ton; middlings, per ton, $17; oil cake
meal, por ton, $35.
Ban Francisco Market.
"Wool Spiing Nevada, 10 12c per
pound; Oregon, Eastern, 1012o; Val
ley, 1517c; Northern, 9llc.
Millstuffs Middlings, $18 3 1.00;
bran, $16. 00 17.00 per ton.
On ions Si I verski n, 60 60c per sack.
Butter Fancy creamery, 2uo;
do seconds, 22 21c; fancy dairy, 21
22c; do seconds, 1 V 2 1 c per pound.
Eggs Store, 1822o; fancy ranch,
85 370.
Citrus Fruit Oranges. Valencia, $3
2.60; Mexican limes, fH0.60; Call,
fornia lemons, $2. 00. 800; do ohoioa
$3.604.60; per box.
"Ee" Clad In Fors.
A theatrical novelty In Vienna con
sists In the introduction npon the stage
during a four-act play of representa
tives ot Eve, according to the ideas of
different races. The Esquimaux Eve
is impersonated by a pretty young
woman namd Agatne Harseseu, who is
clad in furs trotn head to foot. Whether
or not A go the owes her popularity to
her winsome face la hard to tell, but
she enjoys more recalls than any other
performer in Vienna, and the audience
appears to be happiest when she is
present.
Oil Factory I) u road.
The cedar oil factory of tha British
Colomiba wood oil mills, at Fort
Moody, B. C, was destroyed by fire
last week. Tbe business was a new1
one, being recently put In operation by '
Messrs. Murray & McDonald. The lots
will be about $1,000, with no Insur
ance. The plant will probably be la
built Official wheat Estimate.
W. II. Heed, state grain Inspector of
Washington, makes tbe statement that
be has computed gathering statistics of
tbe grain production of bis state, and
be estimates Washington's wheat crop '
to be 30,000,000 bushels, about the
same as lust year. The quality of tbe
grain Is of the best. I be wheat re-
oeived at tbe terlronal points this year
baa nearly all graded e'J poo mis or
more. lie says more than one half of
this year's crop will average 60
pounds and grade aa "choice milling."
Another Itepenlle Dividend.
The Republic Mining Company of
Eastern Washington has just declared
another dividend, amounting to $30,
000, which Is at tha late of 8 centa per
share. This is the aeoond monthly
dividend paid by tha ooropany of like
amount, and there is every assurance
that the dividends will ooiitinue at this
rate every month, although tha mill is
not tunning at Its full capacity,
A wsti'h tiiks alfnnt 1 AT trt onn
time, in a year, I tha wheel, travel
l.mH mil., per aoooia.
WOOL FROM PINE TREES.
New Industry About to Re Launched
In the State of Oregon.
Most men would as soou think of
gathering figs off thistles as wool off
t pine trees, yet that Is just what the pro
moters of a new Oregon iudustry pro
pose to do. Mr. and Mrs. I. A. Cords
are establishing a plant at Grant's Pass
for the manufacture of pine needles
Into a fabric very like woolen cloth.
There Is nothing new in this Industry.
j It has been carried on in Europe for
years, but never before has it occurred
to anyone that lu the forest of Oregon
Is better material and more of It for the
manufacture of pine wool tban any
place else In the world.
Mr. and Mrs. Cords are enthusiasts,
but are practical minded withal, and do
uot purpose to start In on too large a
scale. Tbey Inteud first to make ma
terial of the consistency of excelsior for
mattresses, after that they will raanu-,
faeture the cotton which Is used for un
derclothing, bandages aud other pur
poses where a soft and pliable fabric Is
required. Only the inner fabric of the
needles can be used for the latter, and
the process Is expensive, but no more
so than that of the manufacture of
lamb's wool.
Mrs. Cords Is familiar with the pro
cess of manufacturing fabrics from
pine needles In Germany and France,
and In a visit to Oregon something more
than a year ago It occurred to her that
the pine trees here were better suited to
the purposes of manufacture than those
of the continent. A little Investigation
convinced her that It would be worth
while to try the experiment, and, w.lth
the assistance of her husband, she start
ed a small factory at Grant's Pass. Ma
chinery of the proper kind was not to
be had, and It was necessary to send to
Europe for It. This caused a delay, and
when the machinery arrived It proved
useless. San Francisco Examiner.
Matter of Fact.
lie Is a young man whose unbounded
assurance has ever been his chief char
acteristic. When he proceeded to talk to the
practical old gentleman about marry
ing his daughter be was evidently pre
pared for the usual question:
"Do you think you can support my
daughter in the style to which she has
been accustomed?"
The parent spoke this phrase with the
air of a man who thinks be has uttered
a poser. The suitor looked him In the
eye.
"Let's talk this thing over," he said.
"Do you think your daughter is quali
fied to make a man a good wife?"
"Yes, sir. Her mother and I are both
practical people and we have given her
a practical education. She can not only
read Greek and play the piano she
practices three hours a day but she
can get a good dinner and make her
purchases In market as Intelligently as
an experienced steward. Moreover, her
abilities with the needle are not con
fined to fancy work. She's a treasure,
and we don't propose to have any mis
understandings about her future."
"You were asking me If I thought I
could support her In the style to which
she has been accustomed."
"I was."
"Well, I could. But I don't propose
to. After she marries me she's uot go
ing to practice three hours a day on any
piano nor cook dinners nor take back
talk from market people. She's going
to have all the sewing done outside the
house, read what she enjoys, whether
It's Greek or Choctaw, aud go to the
matinee twice a week. "It's time that
girl was beginning to have some good
times In this life." Washington Star.
A Deep rate Marauder.
A French actress traveling about the
country had for use In one of her plays
a lay figure, skilfully put together and
dressed In a traveling suit. So says a
contemporary, which proceeds to tell a
comical story about It. At Marseilles it
was left In the luggage-room with other
things. The curiosity of two of the
railway employes beln aroused at the
sight of It, they took off the covering
and resolved to play a practical Joke on
their comrades. They placed the figure
In an armchair at the cashier's desk,
and shut the door. When the employes
on night service came they opened the
door, and were surprised to see a man
sitting before the cash-box. They Im
mediately closed and locked the door
and ran for assistance. A policeman
arrived, revolver In band, believing, like
the employes, that he had to deal with
a dangerous thief. He called on the fig
ure to surrender and follow him to the
station. Aa It did not obey the sum
mons, the policeman shut the door and
went In aearcli of re-enforcements to
surround the place, and thereby pre
vent the culprit from escaping. The
door was again opened, the armed force
entered, and It whs not till thpy sud
denly pounced on (be poor lay robber
that they discovered ihe Joke.
Fn d rick aa a r'lnilat.
Frederick the Great made generous
presents to all musicians except fluto
players. He played the flute remark
ably well himself, and bla proficiency
sometimes led to acts that caused dig
appointment to his brother artists. A
famous flutist once visited Potsdam,
and asked (termlsslon to play to the
king, hoping that Frederick would
show his appreciation of his skill by
some valuable gift. Frederick received
hi in graciously, and listened attentive
ly while be played a dllllcult piece.
"You play very well," he said, "and I
am very glud to have heard of such
ability.
I will give you a proof of my
satisfaction." So saying he left the
room. The musician waited, guessing
at the probable nature of the "proof."
Presently the king returned with hit
own flute and played the sune piece
which bad Just been executed for hlui.
' Then he bade bis Visitor "Good day,"
saying: "I have had the pleasure of
bearing you, and It was only fair that
you should bear me." Pittsburg Dis
patch. I'lu Production,
In Birmingham 37,000,000 pins are
produced dally, while the other manu
facturing places of England art re
sponsible for about l!MXXi,ooo a day.
France furnishes the market with 2),
WKi.OW each day, and Germany and
other countries yield to.ooo.ooo.
lOngland'e Hew.
The new that Is annually deposited
on the surface of Englund Is equal to
fire Inches of rain. ...
l ot l' a ""f0 "
I f'no CTea,f ' "'bc
YEAR'S WORK IN ALASKA
Progress Made in Mining; Development Value of the Salmon Indus
try Agriculture in the Far North Necessary Legislation In
teresting- Report of Governor Brady, of Alaska.
One of the most interesting docu
ments recently received at the inteiior
department is the annual report of John
G. Brady, governor of Alaska. The
report is very elaborate in its treatment
of subjects relative to the great Noith
west territory, covering everything from
mission stations to the mining indus
tries. Probably more space is devoted
to gold mining than any other subject,
that being the predominating industry
at the present time. Of this, Mr.
Brady says:
"The past year has been one of won
derful progress. During the winter
and spring all sorts of vessels were put
into the Alaska trade, and were filled
with passengers and cargo to the very
limit. Before long, thousands of tons
of freight could be seen piled upon and
under the snow npon the summits of
the Alaskan mountains. The United
States contributed by far the largest
number of prospectors, who oame trom
all quarters, a large number from every
state in the Union, California, Oregon
and Washington Bending the largest
oontingents. These prospectors, as a
olass, were fine specimens of manhood.1
"It is calculated that 8,200 outfitted
for Copper river, several hundred went
over the divide at Yakntat. and some
parties went ovei the Dalton trail and
worked their way up the White river,
one of the largest branches of the Yu
kon. Cook Inlet, Resurreotion bav.1
Golovin bay, Kotzebue sound, Koyukuk
river and many other places have all
been visited by prospectors this season.
The declaration of war against Spain
checked the tide. Most of the Amer
ioahs who proceeded to Dawson oom
plained of the mining tulesand regula
tions, and tbe manner in which they1
were carried out. This had the effeot
to drive many upon the Alaska side,
and the claims which were abandoned
for the first onrush to the Klondike
were relocated, and niuoh other valua
ble ground discovered, which will keep;
large numbers of men there this winter.;
Ihere is no way of ascertaining the
amount of dust washed out upon the
Alaska side. The amounts given for
the Klondike and its tributaries vary
very much. Several reasons are given
why the output is smaller than was
anticipated the scarcity of supplies,
especially lights, the high price of
labor, and the 10 per cent royalty ex
acted. Many claims are being held
with the expectation that supplies will
be more abundant and not so dear, and
oonseqnently cheaper labor, aud that
the loud oomplaint agaitiBt the royalty
will cause the Ottawa government to
abolish it. There will be no lack of
supplies this winter, but there appears
to be a determination among the
miners to k-)ep up wages, and the royal
ty is still demanded. Soweoan expect
the product for the coming year to bo
much curtailed."
Speaking of quarts mining, he says:
"Verv rich ore was discovered in thei
vicinity of Ketchikan, and many loca
tions have been made and developed.
Quartz locations have also been made
at various places around tbe coast and
upon tho islands, as far as Unalnska.j
The greater number of these are heldi
by poor men who are not able to mako
developments of any considerable ex
tent. Alaska is a splendid field for a
class of men who can command capital!
and who can examine those discoveries
and come to terms with the ownors for
the purpose of development and sale.
While important discoveries of gold
have been made on Pine creek, flowing
into Lake Atlin, the fields in tbe vicin
ity of Bald Eagle and Sum Dum Chief,
bs well as Sheep creek, near Juneau,
have made even better showings in the
past year than previously."
Favorable reports are made of the
operations of the large American min
ing companies at wotk in Alaska, their
efforts seeming to be more abundantly
rewarded than are those of foreign cor
porations. Land Laws.
Bo much of the land laws as relates
to mineral lands and mining claims,
inasmuch as they are the same as are
now in force in the United States
proper, have given perfect satisfaction
throughout Alaska, but in the matter
of homestead laws, quite a different
State of affairs exists. The Idea that a
tnnn may dig out ore upon lands and
obtain patent for the same but cannot
build a house and Improve land for a
home, nor obtain title to it, is regarded
as highly nnjuNt and Imprudent by the
residents of that country. At a matter
of fact, the land office has issued but
one patent under the law ot March 8,
1 808, for trade and manufacture, and
tho amount of land an applicant re
ceives depends not on any law, but
entirely on the will of tbe land officer.
Even the law which passed last May,
extending the homestead rights to
Alaska, Is found to be practically val
ueless. "There are no surveyed lands in
Alaska, nor has any system ot survey
been provided. It Is impossible, there
fore, for a poor settler to acquire a
homestead. If lie were able and will
ing to stand the expense of a survey,
Heaviest Oriental Cargo.
The N I pixiii Y tisen Kalsha tteaniHhlp
Kinshin Maru, which sailed from Yoko
hama for Seattle November 20, is bring
ing the heaviest ramoerer shipped from
the Orient for Seattle. It consists of
8,600 tons of tea. silk and curios. The
' heaviest previous cargo was brought on
j tha Agaparithiis, which arrived In De
cember, 1896, with 3,700 tons. The
I tL.-Uf.. I- -1. ..I .1 ..t
mimui'i is biku uringiiig ine marines to
man tha Japanese cruiser Chl'oee, un
der construction in Han Francisco.
Wilt rroteet Their frail.
The Clark county fruit farmers are
at tha head of a movement which will
compel the plain labeling of all Wash
1 Ington piunes aent out to tha general
' market. Tha Washington crop has
been almost entirely told to California
dealers, who put their ttamp on the
boxet and tell them at a California
product
eeklng Honolulu Trade.
Birmingham Sc Co., flour and food
dealer! of Tacorna, recently tent a rep
reaantatlve to Honolulu to open np
buiiueti connections for tbt firm.
he would have no assurance that It
would be accepted by the government.
If he settles as a squatter and makes
improvements, he cannot tell how
future surveys may affeot him. In con
sequence of this condition of affairs.
not a single homesteader has attempted
to make entry under the new law in the
land offioe at Sitka."
In the matter of wagon roads, rail
roads, etc., a different condition exists.
As soon as the right of way bill had
passed, numbers of filings were made,
and several roads of various character
are now in progress of construction.
At Unga, Berner's bay and Douglass
island there are railways in operation,
although solely for use in connection
with the mines. The Pacifio & Arctic
Railway & Navigation Company has
probably made more progress than any
of the other large companies, having
oompleted 14 miles of road over almost
impassable country. Moreover, so
muoh of the road as is completed is
constructed of the best material, by the
best of workmen, and is in every way
first-class. Money has not been spared,
and as a result the road stands without
a peer. It might be mentioned, in this
oonneotion, that, owing to the limita
tions of the timber laws, it was found
best to import a great deal of timber,
and nearly all the timber and lumber
used in building Dyea and Skagway,
their railroads and mills, was Bhipped
from Pugest sound.
The governor expresses the hope that
congress, during the short session, will
paSB upon a code ot civil procedure for
the district of Alaska.
Salmon Industry.
Of the salmon industry, a great deal
is said. There can be no doubt that
this industry is one of great impoitunce,
for from figures given it is seen that
the Alaskan output in the last year
marketed at $3,977,019. The red
salmon seems to far outnumber all oth
ers, although the pink and silver
salmon are found in large numbers.
Comparatively few king salmon were
taken last year. To pack these salmon
for shipment, over 5.000 laborers are
employed, and, strange to say, the most
of them are Chinese. It has been
found almost impossible to educate the
native Alaskan Indian to American
canning methods, and this, together
with the tact that Chinese labor is ex
ceedingly cheap, may acoount, in a
measure, for the large number of Chi
nese in tbe canneries. This salmon
trade during the past year was of suffi
cient proportions to keep in constant
use, during the season, 68 steamers, in
addition to the 712 lighters and small
boats.
In the opinion of the governor,
Alaska should be well supplied with
inspectors, the present force of two be
ing decidedly inadequate.
Agricultural Possibilities.
As an agricultural country, Alaska la
still in its infancy, little being known
of its possibilities. Enough can be
learned, however, from experiments
made in the past year, to Butihfy those
interested that such crops as potatoes,
cabbage, beets, peas and other market
vegetables can, with proper attention
and caro, be raised in parts of the coun
try without difficulty. But grass, be
yond everything else, promises to be
tbe agricultural wealth of AlaHka.
This is but little appreciated at present.
The native grasses are nutritious, and
grow luxuriantly. Timothy, olover and
other cultivated varieties do well, one
acre of gionnd in grass there, for pas
turage, being worth several acres in a
drier climate. There are many varie
ties of native berries, such as currants,
huoklebcrries, etc., but berries train
tbe States, as a rule, do well under cul
tivation. "Of stockraising." lays the report,
I "but little can be sa.d. Reindeer will
soon be reared in vast herds. In the
near future we expect to have the mail
transported by reindeer all over North-
ern AtUHka (uru the winter, and at
much less cost than at present."
The Governor's Iteeonimenriatlnn.
Before closing the report, a nutnhei
of recommendations are made. Among
them is the suggestion that Japonsky
island be built up as a naval station.
Attention is also called to the fact that
at Kadiak, Unga, St. Michaels, Circle
City and Dyea there is a (treat lack ol
proper courtrooms and jails, as well as
at Sitka, where tbe buildings are in
miserable com) it ion.
Tbe appropriation for Alaskan
schools has been found quite Iiihii fli
oient, being but $30,000 per year. An
appropriation of twice that size could
easily be utilized to good advantage.
A further recommendation is made
to the effect that lighthouses and other
beacons be placed at conspicuous points
along the coast, as the commerce has
greatly multiplied of lata and doinaiida
such protection.
Governor Utady closes his report
with an appeal to the Republican party
to live np to its pledge ami extund to
Alaska the privilege of sending a dele
gate to the national congress.
Hop Outlook.
A good outlook for the future of the
hop crop of thit year Is presented, as
there it a good demand for them and
rather short supply. The market it at
present buying cautiously. They have
done very little purchasing thit year,
so far, and it is almost certain that a
good demand will in conseqeunce re
sult. English buyers are now purchas
ing only very choioo hops, tha prion
paid here being alxiut 15 0 and about
18o to the barer in England.
Sonoma county, Cal., hat the honor
of receiving the highest price paid thit
year for hops on the Pacific coast, lomo
Sonoma hops telling for 19a Some
choice Oregon hops brought IHo In soma
cuxes. The orop of the coast it planed
at 135,000 hales, there being shout 12,
000 ytt left in the bands of tha farmert.
Oregon's crop of hops was 63,000 bales,
and there art about 1,700 bales yet left
with the fanners. Thit It a duolded
improvement over the crop ot last yar
but tha crop It ttill under tha figures
given before the hop lioe got Into tbe
yardt, wbicb will materially effect tha
output