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PART 11-PAGES 9 TO 16. KEEP ON GOING, GENTLEMEN. If San Francisco is Too Good tor Your Presence So is the Great Southern California Metropolis. ■c tba Beat Advice to Proffer Ton In to Gontlnne Your Joarney to the X<and of the Riling Snn. Tbe San Francieco Examiner given the following acconnt of the doinga in tbat city of a trio of adventurers wbo are well known here, and wbo it ia aup poaed will come to thie city, now that San Francisco haa become too warm for tbeir comfort: William Hurt, gambler and confidence man, muat move on and ont. Jnat aa Poker Flat became too virtuous for John Oakhurßt, San Franciaco ia too moral for Mr. Hurt. Witb Mr. Hart will wander away "Colonel Jack Deane of Arizona," tbe proprietor of mythical acrea beyond the reach of the eye and herda of phan tom cattle wbich graze on alt the far green hills of the imagination. Joseph Fisher, known in New York by some climatic change of nomenclature as "Joseph Foeter," will alao fare further. "Doctor" Phillipa will seek bis patients in iesa healthful localities. A few other well-dreaaed, mild-mannered nieu of lively but dangerous wit will accom pany tbem. Tbey make this jonrney at tha urgent solicitation of Chief of Police Crowley. Tbe chief feele that they will enjoy travel, and that during their abaeuco citi/.eue here will be aafer in tbe enjoy ment of tbeir own collateral eecuritiee. These gentlemen will make no demur. They will lift tbeir carefully brnehed hata, amile in quiet affability and bid Chief Crowley and San Francisco a very good day. THE QENKSIB OF A GENIUS. They are known here, theae aoft epokeu gentlemen. They arechevaliere d'industrie, men who live by their wits, cheerinl workers —it seems harsh to call auch elegant gentlemen I eharpera and swindlers. In tbe ordinary affairs of \life tbey are good fellows, but it doesn't do to shuttle the carda or shake the dice or play at billiarda or enter into any game of basard with tbem. Some wiz ■ ard influence permits tbem to win when ever tbey wiah to, and. Bingnlarly enough, they win all they poasibly can. Years ago William Hurt wandered np from Santa Barbara, where hie parents were good comfortable people, not specially noted for anything unleßß it waa minding their own business. He got to standing about the atreet cornere and cigar elands and earned the ques tionable reputation of being a "ten-cent aport." He iell in love with the sister of John Herget, now known in the prize-ring ac Young Mitchell, and married her. Pos ing as tne riaing pugiliat'B backer, he brought off aeveral aucoeaaful fights whicn netted email amounta. Incident- be aaid he wae a drummer for a largo whisky diatillery of Louisville. Wneu Young Mitchell waa to bave hie tirr t big battle witb Ryan, Hurt quietly gave out tbe tip that Mitchell waa to throw the tight. But still more quietly he placed his own money on hia brother-in-law. The police etopped the fight and the referee awarded it to Mitchell. This put money in Hnrt'a pocket and keDt hia reputation intact, aa, of course, he couldn't be expected to control the referee and tbe police. Ryan wasn't satisfied with the resnlt aud it wae agreed to fight the battle out near tbe Twin Peaka at early dawn. Hart cleaned np $300 by selling tips on the place where the fight was to take place at f5 a tip. As a matter of lm wrjf Mitchell won the fight. TUB INFLUENCE OF DR. CRAWFORD. Theae coups aomewhat improved Mr. Hurt's financial atanding, but in a row over a woman he waa shot in the leg, the leg was amputated, a cork one sub stituted—and of course tbia did not im prove hie physical standing. But he waa a man wbo could live and learn. At about thia atage of his career "Dec" Crawford came to San Franciaco. Crawford ia known to thoee who live on the night aide of life as "London Joe." He alao bae tbe distinction of being the smoothest confidence man in all the world. He took rooma at the Palace Hotel, lingered about, apoke to no one, and tipped eacb servant or bellboy who did anything for him with $5. Soon it became the talk of the hotel tbat tbia quiet, retiring gentleman waa very rich and vere free with his money. But he never forced bis acquaintance on any one. He met Hurt, however, and aeemed to take a fancy to him. Jnat then the directora and managera oi the Sutter atreet railroad were having a nightly poker game in the aide rooma of the Palace hotel bar. They were not averae to winning, and having heard of the rich and liberal Dr. Crawford they thought he would make a satisfactory companion in the game. But who would introduce him? Mr. Hurt waa provi dentially and naturally on band at tbia juncture and aasured the players that fee would be only too happy to arrange an introduction. He did arrange it. Would Dr. Crawford like to join in a little game of poker? Aw, weli! De ; lighted y' know ! But, aw, I don't play poker, doncberknow. Not an English game, ye kno sr. Wouldn't you like to come to my rooms for a bottle of, aw, that very good wine and a quiet rubber of whist? THE GAME HE DID NOT UNDERSTAND. But Dr. Crawford waß finally and with some difficulty persuaded to take a hand in the game be did not understand. The first night he lost only $100. The next night he ventured further and dropped $300. Then he lost $800 at one sitting like a gentleman. Really, ye know, this poker is a moat difficult game to nnder , Btand. Not at all, aw. like our English whiet for example. But the very next night the confiding Englishman had so far mastered tbat in tricate game that he won $8000. Before hia companione at the round table real ized what had happened the Englishman had gathered in nearly $20,000. From this time on William Hurt's methods improved. He continued to be a pupil of the modest Dr. Crawford, and caught the drift of some of his patron's studied methods. His clothing quieted down and the wire edge wae worn off hia operations. No double-croa* prize fight would tempt him again. He "pent much time in learning bow to shufile and deal tbe cards. He bad tried a faro bank and a "bucket shop," but neither seemed to auit hia taste. But he did find a tailor to fit him. Fortnue led bim into the aociety of Jack Deane, who waa an excellent bar keeper at the Reception Baloon, on Sut ter atreet, then kept by the late lament ed John Chenowetb. Mr. Deane was auave, intelligent, and wore hia beard trimmed after tbe manner of those wbo live at their eaae. When Dr. Crawford aought other fielda Mr. Hurt moved up a peg and persuaded Jack Deane to be come "Colonel Deane" of Arizona, the owner of an immense ranch, tbousanda of cattle, and a typical western gentle man, air. Just ac a part of the outfit of a typical western gentleman, Colonel Deane was very graceful in his handling of a deck of carde. Mr. Hurt made bis headquarters at the Palace hotel. Ttiere he met a tier man count who, unlike moet German counts who travel thia way to m;nry heiresses or become barbera, had a pocketful ol money. Hurt courted him without aeemiug to force his attentions, showed him the city, wined and dined bim, and talked a great deal of hia friend. Colonel Deane of Arizona, a millionaire rancher and cattle king. By the merest accident the count and Mr. Hurt stumbled upon Colonel Deune one day, and after dinner a iittle game of poker waa proposed. The stakes were modest and the count won |100. "Really, count, you play the game wonderfully." complimented Mr. Hurt, while Colonel Deaue made light of his losses. The next night the couut won another hundred, and the next he carried off $300 of the money of hia new iound frienda. "Really you are too strong for us, even at our American game," eaid the merry losers. The next night the count lost J3BOO, pocketed his loss like a gentleman and lelt the city. There were others who met the ele gant Mr. Hurt and thb affable Colonel Deane at the Palace hotel, where Mr. Hurt was much givsn to playing bil liards. He really played an excellent game—when lie chose to. Then the story drifted along the grand parade that Mr. Tilford had met Mr. Hurt and the colonel. Mr. Tilford was the man ager of the Standard Oil company'a DM ioesa on this coast, was a blithe ioung man aud had plenty of mouey to spend. He engaged in a gsine of billiarda at the Palace with Ml. Hurt. Colonel Deane came in and anggoated that the three should dine at the Pup. The in vitation wae accepted. The dinner waß excellent and the wines served at just the proper temperature. When the good irllowahip was just brimming over aud confidences had been exchanged, the oarda were suggested. Tilford didn't mind a game for email stakes. He soou had a wonderful run of luck, and was glad to presa it hy increasing tbe limit. In tbe early morning hours the luck began to change. By the time the banks were open it was running all the other way. Tilford waa drawing checks on the Bank of California at $1000 per check, and the other two were sending them out to be cashed as fast as they were d.awn. The bank oaid out the mouey on Bix of them, and then grew suspi cious. It refuaed to cash any mure j until it made an investigation. But that little poker party did uot break up until Tilford had aigutd paper and paid out money aggregating $i:;, 000. Mr. Hurt and Colonel Deane had tli6 $6000 in coin, but ea Tilford demurred about paying the balance, they consider ately compromised the indebtednese for $1500 and let it go at that. A rich mining man was staying at the Palace in November of laet year. Mr. Hurt met him. So did Mr. Fisher, who had come up from Australia witb a very •pretty knack at the dice. They talked much and with loving praise of Colonel Deane, their Arizona friend, who was such a type of the western gentleman. The mining man became eager to meet the Colonel, and Deane was told to casually drop in at the Palace bar at 10:20 o'clock that evening. In the meantime Mr. Hurt and .Mr. Fisher were very free in ordering ths dunks and in speaking of their anticipations of great delight in introducing Colonel Deane to another of the best fesrowe iv tbe world. But at 0:30 p. m. a policeman had laid hie hand on Colonel Deane's shoul der and told him that Chief Crowley and 'Captain Lees wished to ccc him. He went quietly to tho police office. "See here, Deane," aaid Crowlev, "you've worked this city long enough. We know your game. If yon do not leave pan Franc .-co within 24 houra we will arrest you and your pala for vagrancy." Deane promised to go. He rushed down to the Palace bar to ace Hurt and Fisher. They Had just worked the mining rasn up to touching point aB Deane almoet fell in, breathless and excited. "Ah! here's Colonel Deane now. How fortunate. Colonel ," began Hurt, "Colonel, be d—d!" shouted Deane. "We've been ordered to leave thiß town within 24 hours!" The three conspirators rushed off in hot haste, without pausing to say, cuee our backs," nnd left that mining nu.n standing at the bar, gazing into vacancy, nonplused, <!•:•/ -d. wondering. They drew down $10,000 in currency at the Bank of California and left the next day for New York. There they went to the hotel Waldorf, moat palatial hotel in the world, and began setting afloat Btories of the Deane ranch iv Ari zona, which it took their friend, the colonel, five doyß and nights to ride across, aDd of the 50,000 cattlo he had just shipped to Chicago. As for Mr. Hurt, according to D. F. Verdenal'e very flattering correspon dence about him, he was enjoying a rest from the arduous duties imposed by his ureat mines at Harqua Hala. Mr. Fisher became Mr. Josoph Foster, an Australian tourist of large means. They were soon in the swim and the big poker games of the Manhattan club. Then a man who had loat $10,000 to them equealed, and it was necesaary for Deane to "commit euicide" at Coney island. The others wore mourning bands for bin. The Commercial Adver tiser exposed Hurt, and he promptly brought suit for $50,000 damages for libel. He didn't appear when the suit was called, but turned up in San Fran ciaco again withthe dear departed Deane and Foster, who was back to his old name of Fisher. They took $30,000 win nings out of New York. Now they have been ordered to go right away and leave San Francisco in peace. They say they are going to Mex ico, but this ia doubted. Jobn l\ Gaf fey and Jack Follanebee once had tbem ordered to leave that land. Still, they'll not starve aa long aa "a sucker i% born every minute," THE HERALD. LOS ANGELES t SUNDAY MORNING. DECEMBER 17. 189 a A NAVAL OFFICER'S WIFE AT RIO. Glimpse of the Brazilian War By an Eye Witness. The Duties of an American Sailor Are Exacting;. Intonating Daeorlptlon of Several Fort* and Their People—How a Bom bardment Look* — A Mh ohlevoua Torpedo Boat. The following extracts are from lettera written from Brazil by Mrs. E. B. Un derwood, wife of Lieut. Underwood of the U. S. navy, stationed on the war ship Newark, now at Uio de Janeiro for the protection of American interests. The letters were written to Mr. W. P. Hamilton, of thia city, Mra. Under wood's brother, and were just received. They show the life of an American naval officer and his family in a particularly graphic manner, as well as the tbougbte of an American girl upon the atrange Hie and scenes by whicb sbe ia sur rounded. Peknamiiuco. We are off for Bahia in an hour aud a half, and bb wo have lain hera at anchor for more than twenty-four hourß, we are prepared to be seasick nt;ain. nnd think we had best write our Rio letters now. It is warm every day, even aboard, and oo doubt hot on ebore. Some of tbe gentlemen went ashore yesterday and brought beck all the nena they could from Rio. It f.ppears that tbe revolu tion ia unabaied. We arc not antici pating any trouble in entering Rio, for word haa Vjen sent the Captain that there are three English men-oi-war out side the port who make a business oi protecting English Bhlps which enter. It hae been much cooler in the equa torial region than it was about tbe West Indies. We really bave not suf fered from beat at all. It ia warmer here because much nearer tbe eqnator than anywhere else that we shall stop. Bahia.|| We have been ashore at laet, and after 20 daya at sea I can tell you it was a treat. We came to anchor in this lovely bay early this morning, and went ashore in a rowboat. The town is pic turesque from the bay, aa it lies in two ro ./s all around tbe curve, one row close down to tbe water, the other higher up behind it on the ciiff. After landing and taking a street-car ride through tbe low town, we went straight up the face of rock for 60 or 80 feet in an enormous elevator, and there took a ride through the high town, where all the good looking dwelling are. The sun waß very hot, but tbe breeze from the eea was delicious, and the foliage and flowers something to dream of. The many varieties of palms, mangoes, bread fruit trees, cocoanut trees, etc., all interested me greatly, as did aiso tbe rollicking black bnbieß with only one email garment. Alao tbe old colored "aunties," with their crocheted white shirts aa the only upper garment. If I lived in this climate, I think I should eoou want to dress io tbat style. We went through the market, where we saw hundreds of beautiful parrots and many other tropical birds to sell, come monkeys, and an endless supply of fruit. To my great disappointment, though, it ie a little too late for orangea, and we saw hardly any. You ace thia is April down here, and oh ! ao hot al ready. Wbat muat it be in December? I bought aome Brazilian beetlea, (pretty green bugs tbat make nice pins), but saw absolutely nothing else to tempt me. We went to the beat hotel in town and had a miserable lunch, which had at leaet the credit of being cheap. They could give us no milk for either tea or coffee, ao I had come hard Italian bread, a bottle of lukewarm Appolinaria water and Borne bntter tbat almoet needed a spoon, ice being an unknown luxury. And yet Bahia ia a large and thriving city, with a big port and an immenae business. After all, I believe we Nortb Americana do know more about comfort than any other nation under the aun. Rio db Janeiro. We reached here yesterday morning at daybreak and saw the ami rise over the glorious bay. Many people tbink it m<>a > beautiful even than tbe bay of N and having Been both I should say % was certainly as iovely, and in a more rugged style. The mountains about it are of good height and very picturesque, and there is the same soft ness to the atmosphere and aky that tbe Italian climate produces. Our captain did not know wbat trouble be might have in entering, and so we came on under alow steam with our Belgian colors flying and without the tumllest trouble; eteamed down be tween the two great guarding forta that one reada of ao much in connection with tbe war, past tbe dozen or so of foreign men-of-war (including our beloved New ark) and past the rebel fleet to onr an chorage. Imagine our surprise, in spite of our yellow quarantine flag, to be boarded by a amilinK young officer, one of tbe rebel Mcl Id's fleet, who aaid to the captain: "There is no viait, air; you ate at liberty to unload. The port belonga to us." As this was in French we all under stood it! Almost immediately a steam launch appeared from tbe Charleston with a young ensign, saying that it was our guard boat. He had been sent over, be said, to ask if he could in any way assist tbe wivesof two officers of the Newark, expected by this steamer. There was nothing he conld do, and soon afterwards our own boys arrived and, as you may guess-, wore warmly welcomed. After a two hoars' vieit aboard we went ashore in tbe Newark's launch, oar Bailors in fnll nniform, to protect themselves and us. Nobody goes ashore from the foreign ships except in uniform until they get passports. We saw only the principal business streets of Rio, but were not at all pleas antly impressed. No doubt tbe suburbs are prettier. Here I wae called hurriedly on deck to see the bombarding of Nictheroy, a suburban spot about two miles away from us, but of which we commanded a good view. Admiral Mello is sending shot and shell as hard as he can this morning. Our husbands can only come to us between the hours of 10 to 4:30, as tbe fleet order is for everybody to be aboard ship at the last named hour. All the foreign warships act in concert abont theae things, and the rules are very atrict. I went to lunch on the Newark, and our aailora could not come back with ua even for an hour. Tomorrow we all four hope to go ashore again, and see something of the pretty part of town, for it is very pretty. The health is excellent. It ia, you know, a good-sized place—6oo,ooo in habitants. The guna have been popping away all day, both from the forta and tbe ehipa, and we have been intereeted to watch thia odd warfare. Tbe city ia under martial law, but you would never dream there was anything tbe matter. So far ac tbe town ia concerned all business seems to be going on ac uaual. Tbe principal business Btreet is very narrow, and no horaea are allowed on it after an early hour In the morning, everybody walking indiacriminately in tbe atreet or over the narrow pavemente. The ladies go shopping and tbe men ataie at them; tbat eeema the principal occupa tion. . . . I must cloee my letter haatily as the lettera must be ready tonight. We have had an exciting two hours. The bom bardment of two or three forts com menced in good earneet late thia even ing and the cannonading and emoke were incessant. We could even hear the shells as they acreamed their way into the water. Juat before dinner a powder bouse wae blown up on the land abont three or four miles from bere. It waa a grand sight—only awful. Tonight a torpedo boat baa been bombarding an other fort much nearer ua. Another of the 'orts haa been throwing a heavy search light all over this vast harbor trying to find the mischievous torpedo boat. Wu are not in any danger and will be out of tbe way long before tbia reaches you. TAMMANY'S TOPICAL TALK. Now Matter* Noted at San Fran el*oo. San Francisco, Dec. 15.—Four of Los Angeles' fount, r residents wbo were not unknown to the public ere at preaent in the city, but tbey will not be here dur ing the fair. This ia contrary to their plane, but Chief Crowley, who baa a peraonal acquaintance with the quar tette, auggeated that they emigrate to come othar clime where their company might be better appreciated, and fixed tbe Kith mat. aa the lateet posaible date on which to remain. Their namea are Thomas Bailey, Billy Hurd.Doc Phillips and Johnny Deane. The reault of the meeting of the state board of prison directors a few daye ago verified the prophecy I made aome time since, that Seneca Swalm would never be paroled, much less pardoned, and although Warden Hale spoke of him as an exemplary prisoner, whose sentence, with credits earned, would expire next year, it availed nothing. The McDon alds, notwithstanding all their financial difficulties, find time to keep bwalm behind the bare. The midwinter fair management hav ing placed a high fence around the fair grounds, now charge an admission fee of 25 cents to visitors on the grounda, but in is new ruling seems to make little difference in the attendance. The amount derived from thia eource will add materially to the caah fund. "Skip" Roes, who earned fame as a snake charmer while traveling with Baronm's circus, will meet bis old friends in Los Angeles where he expects to go as soon as he succeeds in hypnot izing tbe S. P. for a pass. Those two old friends, H. G. Otis and H. Z. Osborne, were present at a meet ing of the Pacific Press association held here during the week. George Maben, a member of the well known family of horsemen of that name, is at tbe Bay District park with a string of horses. a • » Paris Kilbourn, whose term of sur veyor of the port expires with the be ginning of tbe new year, is understood as being slated for a bank commission ership. Tammany. A SENSIBLE CHRISTMAS GIFT. A Gift That Ton Can l.iwk at T7lth Pride and Profit. Wolfskill tract lots at one-third less tban actual value; one-fourth cash, bal ance in one, two and three years and longer time, if you want it. Theee close-in business and reeidence lots are located within seven minutes' walk from Spring and Second streets; fronting Tbird, Fourth, Fifth and Sixth streets, and adjoining broad cross avenues be tween Main Street and the important Southern Pacific Arcade depot. Think of it. The very heart of Los Angeles, with tbree car lines at your door when needed. Why go further out, pay car fare for yourself and family, and in the bad season wade through mud and rain, when thiß grand opportunity is offered? Do not waste your money. Investigate the above. Full particulars, Easton, Eldridge & Co., 121 South Broadway. Licensed to Marry. Marriage licenses were issued yester day by the county clerk to the following persons: E. M. Park, native of Canada, 22 years of age, and Carrie Grimes, native of Michigan, 24 years of age, b ,tfi resi dents of Pasadena. Charles H. Buckbee, native of Ohio, 21 years of age, of Santa Fe Springs, to Elizabeth S. Breitegam, natUe of Wyoming, 10 years of age, of Norwalk. Hans Anderson, native of Denmark, 34 years of age. to Anna Nelson, native oi Denmark, 30 years of age, both resid ing in thia city. George Wandscheer, native of Ger many, 51 yeara of age, and Minnie R*mm, also of Germany, 48 yeara of age, bctb residing in this city. Edward Doepping, native of Minne sota, 20 years of age, and BusieM. W 11 -son, native of Kentucky, 16 years of age, both of this city. A Child Knjoj. The pleaaant flavor, gentle action and soothing effect of Syrup of Figs, when in need of a laxative, and if the father or mother be costive or bilious, the moat gratifying results follow its use; so that it is tbe best family remedy known and every family should have a bottle. Thirty dollars allowed for old Davla sewing machines. Drop postal card to 228 Bouth Main atreet. 250 envelopes, SOc; H rm writing paper, 25c. Laugstadtet, 214 W. Secoad, Holleub.ja hotel. ARID LANDS AND THEIR USE. Ifacts in Support of Govern ment Irrigation. Homes for the Homeless on Uncle Sam's Domain. Satisfactory Congressional Action Ex pected Boon—A Novel Flan Before the Hons* Committee, The aubject of irrigation ia rapidly growing in importance and enlisting the attention of thousands who until recently never gave it much if any thought. Aa the population of the United Statea increases and the older citiea become overcrowed there ia a cor responding rapid increaee in the val ues of land contiguous to the popnlouß centers. Hence the growing tenu»ncy among people of limited means to ''go west" on land they can call their own. Unquestionably it ia the duty of the government to ao dispose oi the public lands aa to afford home-seekers the beet posaible opportunity for establishing themselves in desirable locations, where labor applied to land eball be fairly rewarded. One honest, indus trioua home-builder is wort: more to any atate or territory than are 1000 land speculators and own lot "boom j ers." The public domain ia rapidly pai mn into the handa of private corporations end individual a peculators, wbich meanß a narrowing down of the opportunities for those who desire to eettle ou and improve the arable lands controlled as yet by the government. People are now looking toward the vast tracta of public lande in the wem which are unpro ductive in their wilU oondition, but with irrigation may easily be made to pro duce prolific crops of grain, vegetables and fruita. Tho irrigation of arid land by private partiea has proven so suc cessful and satisfactory that nobody familiar with its results ia disposed to fix any limit to ita poaibilitiee. California, though not tbe only Btate where irrigation ia practice, 1, ie foremost in the list, and a detailed report of what haa already been accomplished in thia Btate would fill a good-eized volume. It ia well known that by meanß of irriga tion hundreds of thouaande of acres once regarded as worthless for agricultural purposes are now producing abundantly of sucb things aa are needed to feed the nation. To realize what a transforma tion can be wrought hy tbe application of water to "desert lands," one need only visit any of the numerous places where sucb work bas been done. Here etanda a thriving little city, within whoae limits are beautiful orange grovea, orchards of deciduous fruits long lines of charming Bhade trees, vegetable gar dens, green lawne and fragrant flowers oi almost every variety. A few years ago tbe land now within the limits of the city presented tbe same dry, desolate, almost repulaive appear ance as doee now theterritory aurround ing it. The linea are clearly defined. It ia acarcely 10 steps from barrenness to fer tility—from desert to Eden. Thia striking contraat is explainable in one word—irrigation; the intelligent appli cation of water to arid land. By thiß process California haa become known ac the moat productive region in the world. In the light of these facts tbe action of tbe Irrigation congress beld in Los Angeles a few weeks ago is of far reach ing importance. The more valuable facts concerning arid lands everybody should know. It appears that the arid and semi-arid public areas still under tbe control of tbe general government aggregate 542,000,000 acres, and that they are divided among 17 states and territories. With her matchless climate, unsur passed soil and immense resonrces, California could support ten times the present total population of the state without being crowded. It is not strange, then, that Californians are intensely interested in the subject of ir rigation. Enough of the arid lands in tbe states and territories which the government stiil owns could be converted into homes and farms for many millions of settlers. Such portions as cannot be cultivated are more or less valuable either for stock ranges or forest reservations, so that future generations can utilize tbem all in one way or another. It is for the government to decide whether or no the many thousands who need theee lands shall have an opportunity to settle and build homes on them under conditions tbat enable occupants to reap satisfac tory results. The platform of the irrigation con gress, which iB in tbe form of an ad dress to tbe people of the United States, reads like an emanation from men who fully realize the import ance of tbe subject they are dealing with, who know just what tbey want done, and wbo will not be likely to relax their efforts till tbeir object is accom plished. The great problem of conquering the arid regions by tbe only available meth od should no longer be left to individual effort and local enterprise. It reaches beyond the boundaries of any state, and of all tbe states and territories. It touches the interests of the entire popu lation of tbis country. It is a problem of national importance. Tbe finger of destiny points to these regions ac tbe future homes of millions who must in evitably be forced away from tbe con gested districts and overcrowded cities of tbe east, where living is expensive and employment difficult to find. But without water on them these lands are worthless to home builders. With proper irrigation facilities millions of acres can be made to "blossom as tbe rose." While tbe work of providing such facili ties is left to individuals it must neces sarily be only partial and by no means satisfactory. The public lands are the heritage of the people. The opportunity to have a home somewhere on the earth is the birth-right of evety human being. No general plan of fitting arid lands for settlement can be made successful under state supervision, as each state has its own peculiar laws concerning irrigation, many of wbich are absurd; otbers are inimical to peisonal rights and liable to engender serious interstate contentions. Existing laws fail to meet the require ments of people who need the lande. Our desert land law is taken advantage of by speculators, and perverted so aa sa PART 11-PAGES 9 TO 16- oppress tbe borne-seeker who is thus compelled to either pay tribute to greed or "move on"—be knows not whither. Then how much better for tbe general I government to take the matter in band j and adopt some plan tbat will facilitate the work in the interests of tbe people. I have before me a letter from Con gressman James O. Maguire of San Francisco, who is a member of tbe committee on "Irrigation of Arid Lands" in the lower house. Tbe writer states that in due time the committee will make a report replete with import ant facts for congress and the people to consider. He also states that the com mittee is considering the propriety of reporting a law providing that when the government shall have established irrigation works for a certain state or district, "tbe public lands benefited thereby shall not be actually sold, but that any pereon wishing to secure 160 acres may receive a perpetual lease, in stead of a title deed, under which lease he or his heirs may hold the land for ever, provided a small rental is paid an nually to the general government and to the state in which the land is lo cated. The lease is to be transferable, at the lessee's option, and the annual rental increased as the assessed value of the land increases, that nutter being decided by the annual appraisements of government officials. The plan a;Jo includes exemption from taxation of the lessee's improve ments and personal property. Such a proposition may or may not prevai 1, but it is being considered by the committee, and ie sure to come before ' tbe house either as a majority or minor ity report. In any event it is to be hoped that the live mestion of reclaiming the unsold por. M,n of our arid lands may receive a degree of attention from the government commeueurate with its importance. It is a matter far above partisan politics. llt appeals • ■ the better instincts of every mnu woo desires to see juetice done to the homo-meeker, even though the mere land speculator may have fewer opportunities to reap where be does not sow. A wise solution of the problem j will do much toward increasing the I number of American homes and abolish ing the necessity of free soup in Ameri can cities. Balpii E. Hoyt. AMATEUR BASEBALL. Two Games Announced for This Aft ernoon. There ia to besn game of baseball at the Athletic park today between the Los Angeles Greyß and the Olympics of Redondo. An interesting game ia ex pected, as the teame are composed of the best amateur talent in tbe city. Tbe fair Bex don't want to forget it ia free for them. The teams are composed of the follow ing players: GRAYB. OLYMPICS. Whaling catcher.. Earley J. Muore or Tyler. ..pitcher. Hart tiuercio Ist base Cleveland Youngworth 2d base Allen Ht-ap 3d base Lougbeed 0. Franok short stop Smith Hepnlveda right Held Slaney O. Franck center Held Jones K. Moore led field Van Horn The Cyclone ball clnb will croaa bate with the Temple street olub today at 6:30 p.m. The nines are made up as follows: Joe Catcher Henry Hunter .....Pitcher jtl'aln C. Redona Ist ft ate Reed F. Denle 2d base Sanchez F -hii.' iv Shortstop -mile f. Sanchez 3d bane Eolle B. Solomon Center field Lo.son 8. nichards heft field ..Maudo Friel Right field Ross THE HAMILTONS IN COURT. C. C. Stevens Severely Censured for His Client's Error. The Hamilton divorce caae was again taken up yesterday in Judge Van Dyke's court. Tbe matter, however, went over nntil Monday, owing to the non-appearance of Mrs. Muller, a witness for the de fense. 0. C. Stevens, for the defense, asked that an attachment might be issued for the witness, and received a severe re buke from Judge Van Dyke, who in formed the attorney that the matter should have been attended to before coming into court; tbat the court did not propose to be trifled witb. Attorney Stevenß then excused him self and laid the blame upon hia client, Hamilton, wherenpon Judge Van Dyke, being considerably irritated, treated Hamilton to some severe re marks similar to those made to the at torney. Mre. Muller will be brought into court Monday to show cauae why she should not be committed for contempt. A SENSIBLE CHRISTMAS GIFT. A Girt That Ton Can Look at With Frld* and Profit- Wolfskill tract lota at one-third ieaa tban actual value; one-fourth caah, bal ance in one, two. and three yeara and longer time, if you want it. These cloße-in business and residence lota are located within Beven minutes' walk from Spring aud Second streets; fronting Third, Fourth, Fifth and Sixth etreeta, and adjoining broad cross avenues be tween Main street and tbe important Southern Pacific Arcade depot. Think of it. The very heart oi Los Angeles, with three car lines at your door when needed. Why go further out, pay car fare for youraelf and family, and in the bad aeaaon wade through mud and rain, when this grand opportunity is offered ? Do not waste your money. Investigate the above. Full particulars, Easton, Eldridge & Co., 121 South Broadway. Free Concert And literary entertainment at Illinois hall, on Friday evening, December 22, J893, under tbe auspices of Keeley league, No. 6, of Loe Angeles. Instru mental muelc by Prof. Delano's guitar and banjo quartette ; vocal music hy H. R. Maybin, Foley Parker and other vo calists ; recitations by Tom Barnes; snort addresses and other features, which will make the evening's entertainment of rare interest. All are invited. Ad mission free and no collection. Remem ber the date, Friday evening, Dec. 22. Grand Mountain Views. Visitors to Southern California should lose no time in taking a ride to the sum mit of Echo mountain over tbe unique Mount Lowe railway, whore the beet possible view of the whole surrounding country can be obtained, and thus pre pare to the best advantage for trips to places of greatest interest. Go to Headquarter! For any kind of tin, sheet-iron, copper plated or wooden ware, cutlery, brushes, rubber hose, anything needed about tbe bouse or yard, go to headquarters, tbe W. 0. Furrey company, 159 to 16G North Spring streat. MINERS AT THE MIDWINTER. What They Are Doing for Their Exhibit. A Lake of Qnicksilver Will Be a Leading; Featnre. Tha Biggest Blook or Asphalt In tha World Allotment of Speoe to tha Different Counties—Bossd to Outshine Colorado. Special correseondence to the Herald. Ban Francisco, Dec. 16, H93. Tbe mining exhibit committee of tbe midwinter fair has set about in a de termined spirit to make California 1 ! dis play far outshine that of Colorado, and if the miners will properly second their efforts this state will not have reason to feel ashamed of her exhibit as she did at Chicago. Still only about $6000 of the $25,000 desired ior the exhibit has yet been raised, and many attractive features designed by tbe committee will of necessity be abandoned, if a more generous response to the request for con tributions is not made. Tbe mining counties generally teem arouaed to tbe importance of making tbeir exhibits aucb as to attract tbe eye of tbe general visitor, as well aa gain the attention of the expert and tha cap italist looking for opportunities to place hia money. Tbe only mining county which eeema at all sluggish is Trinity, which has not applied for space in the exhibit, and seems to be doing nothing to secure a representation of her re sources. Superintendent Benjamin says he drove nine miles in a storm to attend a widely advertised county meeting, and found only tbree persons in attendance. Several of the heaviest mining men in the neighborhood of Weaverville sat aronnd the stove and would not show sufficient intereatin the meeting to cross tbe street. The Old Settler association of Trinity, fearful lest their county should be greatly injured by the failure to make a proper showing of its re sources, has now taken the matter in hand, however, and is vigorously at tempting to gather an exhibit which will be complete and creditable. The space assigned by the committees to the different counties is as follows: County. Space, Square ft Nevada. 24x35 840 Amador 16x29 404 Calaveras 16x28 404 Xl Dorado 24x17'.j 420 Butte 21x17K 307U Sierra 24H4U 348 Shasta 12x19 348 Plumas 404!; Kern 210- Tuolumne 16x18 288 Siskiyou 9x19 171 Contra Costa 8x22 170 Inyo 12x18 215 Mariposa 10x13 130 Merced lOx 1% 75 Banta Croz lOx 9W 95 Santaßarbara lOx 9£ 95 San Diego lOx 9 9j Mono 10x18 180 Mendocino 3x 7>4 i ' Lake 6x 9% 57 Near the entrance to the exhibit will be a lake oi quicksilver, which prom Veen to be an amuaing attraction. Tbequic'k ailver will be supplied by J. B. Rand ft I from the Lake county minea. Into the lake visitors will be permitted to throw sledge bararueraaad other iron weights for the pleasure of seeing tbem float about. Women will be cautioned not to dabble in the shimmering pool, bow ever, lest their rings should become amalgamated. The company controlling the great as phalt deposits of Santa Barbara county bave quarried a great block oi asphalt weighing aeven and one-half tons, which will be part of that county's exhibit. At Chicago the manager of a Cuban asphalt deposit showed a block weighing MOO pounds and advertised it widely as the largest piece of asphalt in all the world. In order that there should be no possi ble doubt in the matter of tbe cham pionship, the Santa Barbora company got out its seven and one-half ton block. Kern county ie also to exhibit a big block of aapbaltum and a thousand dollar nugget recently picked up on tbe Mojave deaert. The movement among the miners to contribute a day's wages each for the benefit of the mining exhibit, is becom ing general. Almost every day bringa in contributione from some of the mines, and in this way tbe fund is swelling more tban from contributions from rich mine owners. Another source of reve nue during tbe fair will be the crushing and working of gold-bearing quartz sent to the committee to be worked in the mill, which will be in operation during tbe entire fair. Many designs are coming in to repre sentCalifornia'e $1,.100,000,000 outputof gold. One shows a great globe of gold 19 feet and 2 inches in diameter, and anrmounted by a golden bear; another ia the form of a column of $20 pieces; a third is a golden oval; a fourth a cube suspended from the oeiling; a fifth an enormous ingot, and ao on through al most every conceivable deaign. Esti mates oi the cost of construction ara furnished with each design, and tbe committee is carefully considering all with a view of making a selection which will be moßt impreaaive. The Southern Pacific haa issued the following circular relating to the ship* ment of ores to the mining exhibit i "Tbis company will transport free of charge to Midwinter station specimens of ores, quartz and other minerals, when for exhibition only, and of no commer cial value, or, if valuable, not for sale. Any consignments subsequently placed in the hands of smelters or otherwise disposed of commercially, or to be dis posed oi, are not entitled to thia iree transportation. Shipments thua trans ported free muat originate at stations on the Southern Pacific company's system west of and including Portland, Ogden, El Paso, Deming and Mojave, and must he consigned to the Midwinter Interna* tional fair, Midwinter, Cal., and will not apply or in any way be uaed on ship ments originating at points on the lino of the Southern Pacific company east of aaid points." Cathedral. High mass at 10 a.m. The music !s Festible mass by T. yon La Hacbe. Miss Ethel Graham, Mies Cecelia Gard ner and Miss Hanna Rees are the so- Srano soloists; Mrs. B. Gardner, alto, [r. F. W. Wallace, baas, assisted by a good ehorns. The Offertory piece is Jeau Redemptor Mundi by Mozart. Baaa solo, Mr. F. W. Wallace. The music for Christmas is in goou progress. A. G. Gardner, organist. Mornings—Beecoam'e I'ilia Willi a drink*/