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1HE TIMES. WASHHGf-oi TTESDAY, DEOEMEK 5. 1899.
HOR-IV:, KVrsiXO, AND STXDAY.)
TUB TIMES COMPANY.
WALTER STILSOX HUTCH1NS, President
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CIRCULATION STATBMKNT.
The 4rcelation of The Times for the wek
ended Mecenber 2. 1M, was m fallows:
nanday, Koveutber 2 86,906
TH day, Xovemacr 27 42,027
Tuesday. Xovemfaer S8 42,22a
Wednesday. Xorember 29 ,39
Ttaawsay. November 39 40.95S
iieay. iMweatber 1 42.1fi5
tz,e
Total 2,9"M
lauy arveraax (Sunday. 20,908. excepted).. 42,014
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By J. R. MASOK. Predeut
TUKSDAY. DBCBMBKR 5, 1SSP.
GoBKrcsx,
After the "President's message has been
read ftt Congress today, the two Houses
will he prepared to engage seriously in
the business of the session) which promises
o be one of the most important in the his
tory of the country. As -we have several
xJstes remarked, the Fifty-sixth is defi
nitely a Republican Congress, and that j
party -will hare to bear full respotteibtllty
x-or whatever is enacted, defeated, or ex
cluded from consideration.
1b the Home we anticipate much har
jnany aad good I eltowshin. The Reed rules
itdapted yesterday wilt afford nearly all
aaosMbera splendid facitttics for the culti
"WMSon of their ears; while We admit that
taahV vetoes way suffer from disuse. How
ever, they will soon get accustomed to
it, ac 4lir foUSbears did io-Uw Fifty-filth
XJfsenjees.
la she lobby we look to see much activity
aad prosperity. There are many meas
ures the success or destruction of which
wIM etnatey the talents of the third house.
aad so delight the recipients of their
.Nfafles tint much Joy and many trips toi
h Part BxpositKMi will be a natural re
in abort, the session promises to de
ist -a season of unusual interest."
tTlic lHture Plntopratiy.
Have is bo question, whatever that a,
jdotacraUc ajovcnumetit is a bad thinp, and
tkat a lalotacracy is, in its immediate of
jBti, woree than an aristocracy, because
!t has so caste pride, so hereditary idc?&ls.
Hist isv of tbc good effects on the mas&es
waich a wori2y" aristocracy may have. In
n country where caste is settled by heredity
oat at oyaaoEcy the people of the laboring
cfailsas, If fbff' aw raasonahiy contented
wtlli tircir cenditio&. have a chance to de
Tdop certain sterling, healthy virtues by
bo tneacs t be despleed, while tike aristo
rat. on die other hand, develops a delicate
aeaaa af nooor. a pride, and a gateroetty
wnich are cot at alt unworthy attributes."
fa a society wnich is continually upset by '
Use adxicg of daffereat grades of the pop- -illation,
the downfall of leaders and the ris
ia of near iorces, some of these good, old
conservative virtues amy be shuffled out o
dtsSaV
' jAicr-'tne lkfn;'ta be-cawMered in estab
liBiitng a new State is the ultimate effect
'at gfms conditions; the influence which j
tteae wtU have in the making of a nation
wJHtcai is to endure for centuries, not the
fsntoediate cocufort of the people of today.
Of ooarae, oopressioa today will net make
faatfee tomorrow; a wrong is a wrong, and
avast be paid for eome day by the State
which condones or fosters it; but the minor
of a very mixed and unhappy
of things may be. and ought to
be. ioierated with aowe uatience if they
reantt in a strong action hereafter. Thfre
1b tius to be said ia favor of the pluto
cratic State, as compared With the State
gowned by a hereditary aristocracy: The
termer evil system most, in the nature- oi
things, go to pieces quickly. There bare ;
haea people who seriously feared the estab
lishsnent of a permanent ruling claea in this
country, based on wealth; bat this fs not
passible, although at present the gravita
tbm of affairs seems t be in that direction.
The reason it rather complicated, but per
fectly dear.
The plutocratic ruler can only retain his
power through ability to manage large in
terests. Ho mast be. ia reality, as in the
filaag of the day, a king a ssgar king, a
leather ktag, a silver kiag, as the case
zaar be. Many hereditary monarchs have
as easy time in oomparHsoo with him. He
invnt hold his own against competition,
'Ohaogtag condKionfi, the caprices of fate.
'.Shis task demands a man of great exec
utive anility as actual owner of the prop
erty or as agent. The man who rises from
coaapetntive poverty to the position of a
mnltl-artllkmaire usually has this quality;
far it be had it not, he would quickly lose
his fortene. The money passes to his
They will be very exceptional per-
h they number among them a man
who has as much administrative capacity
sfcjfce adgiaai founder of the fortune, and
the chances of such a man being found in
the third or fourth generation are slen
der indeed. Thus, in the nature of things,
4he ptutocracy cannot stand, because as
1MB the line of succession breaks as
-anon as there Is a spendthrift or incompe
tent at the head of things the big fortune
wfK ttyw the four points o the compass.
;, the syndicates seem to be meeting
4h dMtoalty. after a fashion; but they,
Jha, must have an end. There is no pub
lic sentiment which will support them,
.and enable them to hold their own against
the competitfcm of men who have risen
Ansa the ranks. There will be a perpet
ual upsetting and overturning of things
from generation to generation, and the re
wlt of it ail will probably be that the
aristocratic Ideal will not stamp itself on
the fife of the nation in any such demoral
fzsaa; way as the feudal aristocracy has been
on the constitution of the lu-
. peasant. The American workittg-
sBsn WOI never be permanently a Snaky.
He asay bare to sacrifice something; of his
self feanect for the sake of earning his
psat had tatter, hot it is always wttfa the
sawhsg daissg that he, or his children, at
any rate, may Hte to see his late superiors
bowing down to him. He never, by any
chance, after he has once Rotten the
American standard of measurement into
his head, looks forward to spending all his
days "in the condition in which it lias
pleased Providence to place him." And
that is a leaveu which is worth a great
deal.
CotniiM-rcifi! 12x1111 liMion.
There was not only food for thought, but
incentive for action in the elaborate article
on twentieth century commerce presented in
the columns of The Sunday Times. Ameri
can victories and the consequent acquisi
tion of territory, as well as the more active
tendency to become a leading factor in fu
ture international trade, have helped to
broaden the horizon of the nation. Com
mercial expansion has beeome not only
our necessity, but out destiny, for there is
no evidence that the Republic has any in
tention of halting iib march along the
highway of progress.
In brief, the able argument for activity
as a world power and for the adoption of
lueasures to secure the American share of
i the trade of all nations emphasizes the
fact, baaed upon statistics, that the foreign
commerce of the nineteenth century has
been one-sided, more than three-fourths of
our exports having gone in one direction.
It is known that America's commerce
with the peoples of the Orient and the
neighboring Republics of South America
has been comparatively insignificant. This
has been lsrgoly, if not entirely, due to an
inexplicable backwardness in developing a
powerful American merchant marine and
to the natural obstacles in the way of trade
with the Far East because of the delayed
project for an isthmian canal which would
open shorter routes to Asiatic countries.
It is sagaciously pointed out that there is
an unprecedented and universal develop
ment which is as certain to be followed by
an enormous demand for the comforts and
implements necessary to the growth and
spread of civilization; that there is every
indication of the approach of an era of
worldwide peace which is not difficult to
believe when the influence of the newborn
Anglo-Saxon dreibund is considered and
that with a keen appreciation of these
things, productive of an activity to pre
pare for taking advantage of them, Ameri
ca's commercial future is one rich in pos
sibilities. The conditions abroad, added to
an energetic disposition at home, afford a
rare opportunity for the achievement of
that commercial supremacy toward which
the United States has been Invincibly
tending, its realization is certain, provid
ing that the situation is appreciated and
that no procrastinating influences become
paramount.
.Asia, the sister continent to the south
Africa. Australia, ad hosts of the larger
islands and island groups of the world,
contain multitudes of consumers, who,
through various hindrances, have not
been reached by distributors of America's
endless variety of natural and manufac
tured products.. OL all these trade fields,
however, none seems to present a more
Inviting aspect than that of China, -which
will undoubtedly enjoy the open door, now
that the entente cordiale between the Teu
tonic and English speaking powers is
known to exist. The Chinese market alone
is a commercial El Dorado for the Ameri
can merchant and manufacturer. A con
servative estimate shows that were the.
United States to secure from the people of
the Celestial Empire a per capita trade
equal to that of Europe, American indus
tries would be enriched to the extent of
over a thousand million dollars annually.
It Is conclusively shown, however, that
there are two great facilities absolutely
essential to the consummation of such a
triumph for America's foreign commerce
the eEtablMuneut of a merchant marine
and the construction of the ship canal
across the American isthmus. There arc
numerous and obvious disadvantages to
the development of American external com
merce when the carrying of our products
is done almost exclusively in foreign bot
toms. As has been well saidf it is an ag
grapi$hgt absurdity that American goods
should be transported to fbe markets we
are seeking to develop, under foreign flags,
and in charge of foreign carriers and for
eign commercial rivals. It is certainly an
anotualoug condition of affairs and the ear
lier it Js corrected the better It will be
for the home merchant and manufacturer.
There is little if any sentiment in trade,
and it is a strange oversight that has
so long abandoned a splendid sea enter
prise, indifferently Surrendering the pro
ducts of our fields and factories to the
tender mercies of competitors who have
probably not been slow in appreciating
the advantages given them.
Hut the neglect in the matter of an
American merchant marine is not more
amazing than the monumental lethargy
which has so long permitted a strip of the
Isthmus of Panama to stand like a Chinese
wall between American commerce and
teeming millions of consumers. Thus have
many evils beea laid at the door of an
alleged overproduction, when, as has been
aptly shown, the root of the ill is undercon
sumption, which must bo attributed to a
commercial nearsicjittedueee, that, however
discerning it may have been in tho im
mediate field, failed to appreciate that a
few lively strokes of enterprise would open
shorter routes to comparatively new mar
kets and establish a better carrying service
more appropriate to American needs and
devoted to American interests.
The era when everything came to tho
man that waited has gone by, if it ever
existed, and it is the Individual who is
alive to the opportunity who reaps the re
wards of the hour in channels of industrial
and commercial activity. The same may
be said of the nation, since it is only a
collection of individuals. America's com.
mercial opportunity was never more con
spicuous, and perhaps the events which
have enlarged our horizon, compelling us to
realise that the Republic is to participate
iu affairs outside of its old geographical
boundaries, are to lie thanked for the timely
revelation. American energy, however, is
equal lo any occasion or emergency, and
will certainly be capable of overcoming the
disadvantages which liave been permitted
to encumber the pathway to those rewards
awaiting the nation which can produce the
best goods and sell them to the foreign
customer at the lowest prices.
IS.xjicii.Hivu Sunshine.
A queer legal difficulty has come up in
Milwaukee. The owner of a business block
has been obliged to pay twenty dollars a
month for the privilege of having sunlight
in one window of his building. A firm
rented this room on condition that it have
natural light a very natural condition,
since it is extremely irylug to the eyes to
work all day by artificial light. Therefore
j a window was cut in the wall, which over
looked the properly of a neighbor. Tho
neighbor put up a light wood screen, which
shut off most of the light and left fbe room
in a dusky condition far from agreeable.
He maintained that he had a right to put
up a screen, just as ho would have a right to
put up a building on his own land, and that
if bis neighbors wanted light they could
pay him twenty dollars a month for it.
There seemed to be nothing else to do, and
the money was. paid.
Some of the single tax people are arguing
that this is analogots to cornering and
monopolizing land. It may be that timid
people will fear more happenings of this
kind, rendering sun and air a costly luxury
in the city of the future. But it is not
likely that things wlil ever bo much worse j
than they are now in that respect, and they
are much better now than was formerly tho j
case. As all students of history know, j
there was a time when windows were taxed ',
in Europe, both according to the number j
of openings and the space which they oe- I
cupied. The poor people, who were obliged i
to get as much warmth as possible for their i
money, economized in this particular, and '
even the rich were often uot as careful ,
as they might have been about ventilation.
Of course, things were not as bad as they
would have been if the unglazed openings
and the big chimneys had not let in the
wind and cleared the atmosphere now and
then, but in those days it was a good thing
not to have too sensitive olfactory nerves.
The window tax is now a thing of the
past, and the time will probably come when
no house will be allowed to exist as a
dwelling, factory, or business structure
without sufficient light and air to preserve
the health of the occupants.
Our advices from Lexington state that
tho stately guerrilla march of the moun
taineers toward Frankfort still continues,
and we assume that if there is to be trouble
in the capital it will be of the most satis
fying and artistic sort. Both the Baker
and White factions from Clay county are
already on the ground. This fact ought to
givo assurance that If the Goebel-Taylor
difference should fail lo employ their en
ergies they will give an interesting imita
tion of a clan fight on the steps of the
State House.
There is reason to conclude that all
reports alleging the death of General Jou
bert have been fictitious. "What seems to
be reliable evidence of hi3 presence in
command at Colenso has been received
within the British lines at Frere. If the
old gentleman is still alive and well the
strategic ability of Generals Clery and
Hildyard will have all the greater occa
sion for exercise.
A brief despatch from Chicago calmly
announces that the "first of the ante-holiday
street car hold-ups!' hns takm place.
A trio of bold highwaymen secured
twenty-five dollars and a gold watch
from the conductor and z miscellaneous
collection from tho passengers, wb.Ho
several hundred pedestrians returning
from tho theatres watched tho pro
ceedings. The police are not mentioned in
the despatch, evidently because they were
somewhero else. No other city in tho
United Slates would tolerate the ruffianism
and the utter, disregard of Iajvjhat makes
it dangerous for the residcntsfof the Windy
City to venture out of doors after dark.
Colonel Murphy, President of tho Now
York Board of Health, has issued an ulti
matum to the health officer of the port and
others whom it may concern, absolutely
barring out coffee-laden ships from Brazil,
which are under the suspicion of carrying
germs of tho bubonic plague. Colonel
Murphy does not believe in exposing the
population of Greater New York to infec
tion simply for the sake of commerce and
the promotion of a foolhardy experiment
If medals of honor were conferred for un
usual exhibitions of common sense in the
faco of expert opposition Colonel Murphy
would be entitled to a decoration.
If the Reed rules and the appropriation
of the larger part of tho legislative func
tion to executive uses do not. preclude an
examination of "miestiouaMe" affairs Con
gress should make an early enquiry into
tho Army transport system. Tho Tartar
and Mananeuse incidents are sufficient to
indicate that the Algcr-Eagan beef scan
dal did not end abuses of which the man
who have borne or are to bear the bruut
of battle are the principal victims; and
there is a legitimate' suspicion that rotten
transports are not less profitable than con
taminated beef to some individuals who
have taken an early refuge in the cyclone
cellar of obscurity.
Frienda of the American Nicaragua Ca
nal project, and they number all patriotic
people in the United Stales, will be pained
to learn that there Is small prospect for
favorable legislation at the present session
of Congress. Tho Administration may or
may not be honesL In its apparent friend
liness to the scheme; but it is evident that
tho Reed gag will be applied to stop any
attempt lo secure action in the House, and
that of course will hamstring tho Senate.
The truth undoubtedly is that the enor
mous moneyed interests determined to
throttle the Canal, have made its exclusion
from consideration in the Fifty-sixth Con
gress the price of their contributions to the
Republican corruption found of 1000. The
American people should make a note of
this and walrh the current of events.
Tho process of electing presidents by
revolution instead of by suffrage goes per
sistently forward In Venezuela. Castro,
tho successor of Andrade, chosen as the
head of government by force of arms.
Is now compelled to meet Hernandez on
the field of battle, and as the latest recal
citrant is said to have a thousand more
troops than his adversary, the do facto
President, Carracas may in a few days or
weeks witness the self-Inauguration of an
other fighting executive. However, overy
man in Venezuela, still has the opportuni
ty become President if he can ralso a
largo enough array and manage lo dodge
the bullets.
A Coterie to Itc Consulted.
(From the New York Journal.)
Iteatocs against tlie Republican debt refund
ing scheme are a good deal more plentiful than
blackbcrriw are at this ecaon; but this one
would be enough it there were no others: The
echiine cannot be carried out without the eon
sent of the bondholders. The bondholders will
not jfive that couscnt unless they can improve
on their present contracts from the point of
view of their own interests. Therefore any fund
ing scheme that can be carried out will neces
sarily be mere profitable to the bondholders
than the present arrangements, and therefore it
will be less profitable to the Government.
CoiimiiI liny,
(From the Philadelphia Ledger.)
Consul Hay may liave more tact than Consul
Macniuj, or he may carry greater influence, be
cause of Ids family connection with a high
officer of our Government, and also because,
coiniiur newly from Washington, he may be con
sidered to have in gronter degree the support of
the Administration, but he is certainly going
into one of the most iryinjj places into which
a young diplomatist could be put. K lie has
inherited his distinfruished father' a ability, how
ever, his chances of success ate many and great.
The Demoeriille Pear.
(From the Richmond Dispatch.)
Democratic members whose seata arc contested
cannot fail to take notico that tbc Kenublican
majority in the House is only fifteen, and, there
tore, that the temptation to oust Democrats ia
creator thaa it was two yeirJ aifo.
P0LiTIc4LjP0TES and gossip.
The Fifty-Sixth Coujcre.sji. The open
ing of the first session of the Fifty-sixth
Congress yesterday was not marked by
any stirring scenes or incidents. There
was apparently' more interest in the fate
of the Mormon. Roberts, than in any othor
subject. It was the exception to find any
one to take his' part. Public sentiment has
condemned Him, or, at least, what he
stands for, a"nd it is safe to predict that
his days arc numbered as a Representative.
In the judgment of careful observers
the Congress which was ushered into ex
istence yesterday will figure conspicuously
in history, as it will have the settling of
tnanv momentous questions, the fixing of
the future status of the United States in
he estimation of the world. In a sense,
i'. will be the first battleground of the
Presidential struggle of 1900. The loaders
on both sides will play the great game of
polities for all it is worth. Mr. Richard
son made his debut as tho leader of tho
minority in the House, and he made an
excellent impresssion. The Democrats
have certainly made no mistake in select
ing him for leader. Under Mr. Richard
son s leadership the minority will be in
evidence this winter, and Speaker Hender
son will, it is predicted, have no easy task
in keeping Richardson down, oven with
the assistance of the Reed rules.
It was unofficially announced in Repub
lican circles at the Capitol yesterday that
this was to be a "business" session. By
this statement it was meant that all un
necessary delay was to be avoided, if pos
sible, and an adjournment secured before
the formal opening of the Presidential
campaign next summer.
Democratic leaders said that they would
offer no serious objection to the Republi
can programme in this respect. The Re
publicans have what is styled a good work
ing majority in both houses, and, there
fore, must assume all responsibility. It
is not the intention of the Democratic
leaders, it is understood, to drift along as
merely a negative party. They will not
hesitate, it was said, to define their posi
tion clearly on all of the important ques
tions that may arise, but after taking their
position and presenting it fully they will
let the Republicans go ahead and have
their own way. Many Republicans ad
mitted last night that if the Democrats
pursued this policy that It would do more
to disconcert and demoralize the majority
than anything they could do. Many meas
ures are frequently brought forward by the
majority party as a "bluff," with the cx
oectation and hope that they will be killed
by the minority, but the Republican mana
gers will be wise not to attempt any
"bluffs'' in the line of legislation at tho
Capitol this winter. If they do they will
be likely to have their "bluffs" called in
a manner that will be rather unpleasant.
Speaker Henderson made a good impres
sion yesterday. One only heard kind words
for him from members of both parties. It
was remarked that General Henderson had
perhaps imbibed some of Mr. McKlnley's
smoothness and amiability. However, time
will tell.
Cannon or 1'n.yiie? There has been
some speculation for several days as to
who would, bb the floor leader for Speaker
Henderson!." Tjie choice would probably
lie, it was said, between Joseph G. Can
non of Illinois and Sereno E. Payne of New
York. Mr.' Cannon is slated Tor Chairman
of tho Appropriations Committee and Mr.
Payno for" Chairman of tho Ways arid
Means Corrimittee. (lnarily the Chair
man of tlio Ways "and Means Committee
is iloor leader for the majority, but the
rulo may be broken, it is said, in the pres
ent Congress". As no regular tariff bill
will be presented during this Congress, the
Ways and Means Committee will not be so
Important ,as it was iu tho last Congress.
The Appropriations Committee will proba
bly have tho right of way in the House
and will, feerefore, bo the real tlyng, .Mr.
Cannon's friends believe that he will be tho
floor leader for his party. They point to
the fact that he was named ahead of Payne
on the committee appointed to nctify the
President that Congress was in sessiou
and ready to receive any message he might
wish to make, as confirming this opinion.
Mr. Cannon yesterday selected Mr. Ding
ley's old seat, so It is reasonable to sup
pose that he himself expects to act as his
successor as floor leader.
Senator .tolin I'. .Tones. "Mr. Quay
will be seated, in my opinion," said Sena
tor John P. Jones, of Nevada, last night.
"I certainly shall vote for him. Quay is
a good fellow, and I do not think that
Pennsylvania could Eeud a better man.
The talk about the dangor of overturning
established precedents is bosh. There are
just as many precedents in Mr. Quay's
favor as against him, and I am not sure
but that the percentage is on his side.
Aside from Mr. Quays popularity, which,
of course, is a strong point in his favor,
I think that the contention that a State
is entitled to its full representation in the
Senate in spite of the fact that a certain
Legislature fails to do its duty and elect,
is right and just.
"The Senato will reach a vote on the
caso of Mr. Quay very soon, probably be
fore Christmas. There will be no attempt,
I think, even on the part of Mr. Quay's
opponents, to stave oft a vote on the mat
ter. Mr. Quay will be seated."
"What about the other three Senators
from Delaware, Utah, and California?"
"Well, they liave not been appointed
vet- I presume that they will all be seat
ed when they present their credentials."
Regarding the fate of tho proposed finan
cial bill in the Senate Senator Jones said
that there would be no filibustering against
it by its opponents. "It will probably bo
debated for some time," ho added, "as
there aro so many Senators who will wish
to air their views on the subject. Wo
ought to reach a vote on tho measure,
however, some time iu February, or early
in March."
llritlsU ljtrnmoiin ty in Africa.
(From the New York Tribune.)
Whether it be dcrirablc or not, Drilum para
mountcy in South Africa Fcems to be assured. It
would have been practically certain had there
been no war and had the two Doer States been
made and maintained altsolutely independent, and
it will be, if possible, the more certain ifter they
have been beaten in war and compelled to ack
nowledge the political supremacy of (treat llrit
ain. And that will hot be merely because of
Great Britain's superior military power. It will
be because fhe iitritifh are the colonizing;, civiliz
ing, constrictive race. It is they who arc build
iwr railroaU3 and opening mines and founding
cities. In that way, and in that way alone,
permanent rparatnmnitey is to be established.
' Ironclad Service.
(From the Pittsburg Dispatch.)
It is not such a lotifr step from an ironclad
machine organization to an oath-bound political
order. The purpose of the machine is to pro
moto the interests of a political clique, and
the miroosc of Uie secret organization is to se
cure tho political advantage of the members.
If tho latter ia inimical to tbc former, the
machine nittnaRers nuy blame themselves for set
ting the example. As to the public, it can have
no use for either. The public interest does
not enter into their calculations. The best safe
guard fur these la an iron-clad civil service,
where only merit and faithful service count.
Uli-. Mor-nii.
(From the St. Louis Globe-Democrat.)
Morgan la ono of the most creditable men
whom any Southern State has had in cither
branch of Congress since the war, and ousht
to be returned. His advanced age he is about
seven ty-ftve is an argument which is used
against him by the .Tuhnson men, but, as he is
physically and mentally vigorous, this ought not
to count for much. The Senator is an ardent
expansionist, and thus is out of harmony with
the Dryanite clement of hU party, to which
be technically belongs. The country, without
distinction of parly, would be slad to see Morgan
get another term.
The Irish Irmu-.
(Prom Jhe New York Sun.)
I have lteph informed that the color of tho Irish
flat; '- dark blue and not green, as is generally be
lieved. Ij this a fact? V. S. "M.
Yes. The third quarter of the royal standard
(banner) of Great Britain and Ireland shows.-thc
Irish harp on a blue ground. The green la said
to ho due to an attempt to combine the old blue
with the Orange colora; in optics, blua and yel
low produce green.
AT THE THEATRES.
National "The ijoiiu of the .s-tiril.'
laplam IvK-ilitc K. H. Smbem
(aptain Itcvallnn N..mian (Vwcier
Lumten.int Inport-.
..Ituutand Hucfaitorifl
tfcwici Jam:
Thomas IlaUVy
Vorwan 1'' '
twrte Martin
John . Collin
K. .latru-i-
Sergeant ltrirtiboulois.
Corpora! Itarsae
Genet-id I!onatarte. ....
Ilertluer
Captain Miirmont
Cdptiiin Hlliott
Prince Otto Iute
ltaron Kutfstein
ilerr You WaMen.....
Cesaro Di Mfiruw
Father l'ietro
Arullo .-,
Juisanh ,
.- .-
Krnest Tatfleton 1
f. E. Henry
U. s Xwthrop
..Arthur It. lAwrencc
Uoydon Krlynoe
Kdward Fowler
Owen Kawcett
Manuele
HiptiBta ",
FrancesH-a Di i Ionia St, Angclo!!
CrLspiiia
Peppina
Amniziutu Kut
linca rtMKiow
.(". 1. Ilockton
Virginia llarneil
Allele BlfM-fc
...Edna l'hillir
i 1'attiwMi-Sclten
.Kdua Crawford
During the past five years or so a
period marked by a certain revival of in
terest in Napoleon, contemporary English
literature and antique furniture few
youths can have graduated from college
without having debated, at some time or
other, tho character of "the little Corporal-"
First classes in history have de
cided positively that the Corsican was a
model of propriety, and first classes in
history have determined, with equal as
surance that tho same Corsican was a
monster of immorality. It is not likely,
however, that cither faction ever imagined
the officer or tho emperor as a leing
possessed of such doubtful qualities as
eventually might turn him into the heavy
villain of a romantic melodrama. Leo
Ditrichstein, a German, saw the traditional
foe of his country in this light ami the re
sult was "The Song of the Sword," which
E. II. Sothern and Virginia Harned pre
sented yester-evening at the National
Theatte. To the credit of Mr. Dttrich
stein's vision be It remarked that Napol
eon makes a very good villain, his poses
and appearance leaving him only iu want
of a silk bat and a cigarette for full ad
equacy. Seriously, this rather inhuman treatment
of General Bonaparte's memory constitutes
tho most discussablo phnso of "Tho Song
of tho Sword." The play Itself is just the
sort of play in which one would expect to
find Mr. Sothern; precisely like the re
mainder of those which the star has been
exploiting for these many seasons. It is
an interesting sort of structure, which is
well calculated to show the actor and his
scenery to advantage. There are scores
of pretty speeches that really merit place
in the minds of ambitious suitors; there
are any number of blood-stirring episodes
in which Mr. Sothern has a heroic part,
and at the end of the third scene there is a
climax that hardly could be surpassed for
effectiveness. Mr. Ditrichstein has not
displayed his customary ingenuity in turn
ing and twisting his plot. "his devices being
altogether too transparent, but for this
lack he has atoued with a deal of con
vincing sentiment and gallantry. Briefly,
"The Song of tho Sword" is an entertain
ing work that is quite sure to fully satisfy
the most ardent among the admirers of
Daniel Frohman's chief luminary.
The story of the drama is typical. Cap
tain Egalite, a former nobleman and an
officer of the French army, is sent to
Italy with that body which, in 1796,
found itself with all Europe morally
against.it, while the Austrians were mak
ing desperate efforts to lend real assist
ance lo tho. soldiers of the invaded land.
During the day3 in which nations are
struggling and in the struggle receiving
mortal wounds, the ex-aristocrat discovers
himself in love with the Comtesse Fran
cesca Di Monza, whom he has saved from
insult at the hands of his command.
Francesca already is betrothed to Cesare
Di Monza, of her own house, but casts off
her lover when he confesses himself afraid
to carry into the camp of the allies papers
with which he has been entrusted. While
attempting, through the medium of vari
ous intrigues and disguises, to accomplish
tho task assigned this coward, the
Comtesse is taken prisoner by the French.
General Bonaparte sees the young woman
and looks upon her with covetous eyes.
Learning of this, the sacrificing captain
permits her to escape and himself be
comes the most conspicuous figure at a
court-martial, before which the baffled
Napoleon appears as a sort of prosecuting
attorney. Captain Egalite ia sentenced to
death'.-but,' a convenient band of Austrians
attacking th -house immediately after, be
is permitted to die in battle, while the
Corsican runB away. Declining to tako
full advantage of this permission, the hero
eventually wins the heart of the Comtesse
and all euds as it should in well regulated
plays.
As may be seen, "The Song of the
Sword" gives great chances only to Mr.
Sothern and Miss Harned. The gentleman
takes advantage of these in his usual dash
ing style. He shows earnestness ind in
telligence in his portrayal of Captain Egal
ite, his lines at the end of the third scene
aforementioned winning him a perfect ova
tion. Miss Harned, perhaps, is more an
artist, and her work in the opposite role
brings forth various of her many sympa
thetic traits. Of the supporting company,
Rowland Buckstone undoubtedly is best:
Norman Parr, the Napoleon; H. S. North
rup, Norman t'onniers, Roydon Erlynne,
Owen Fawcett, Kate Pattison-Selten, Ar
thur R. Lawrence, Daniel Jarrett, Thomas
Bailey, Morton Selten, Edward Fowler,
Adele Block, Edna Crawford, and Edna
Phillips following much in the order
named. The settings and costumes used
are elaborate.
Coin mititt aTIi. I"loor "Walkers."
Lord Percy Ilardup "Happy" Ward
Lord Harold l'ourpay Hurrv Yokes
.7. D-ule Smart Will Wet
Isy Mark George Sidney
Ask Ale Marret Daly Yokes
Waldrof Castoria Ilsttie Bernard
Fi Fi Castoria l.ucy Daly
Percy -1 was pasins ymir hou: today and saw
your sister sitting at the window.
Harold Yes; no one of us is working, and Uls
ter lias to. look out for the family.
This may not bo a good specimen of the
highest type of humor, but they will jerve
lo illustrate the rapid-fire conversation
kept up between "Happy" Ward and Harry
Vokes in their latest compendium of fun
and music, "The Floor Walkers," which
was enjoyed greatly by a large audience
last night at the Columbia. Persons who
aro familiar with the peculiar style of en
tertainment generally provided by theso
stars will recognize in tho speech quoted
the sort of wit that is expected from the
duo, and will marvel that it has been able
to furnish enough practically new jokes of
the kind to fill out an evening. This has
been done, however, with the aid of a few
interpolations, and the result is all that
has been claimed. "The Floor Walkers"
very properly might be termed the third
Installment of the Percy aad Harold se
ries. It differs only from Its predecessors,
"A Run on the Bank" and "The Govern
ors" in the matters of locale and preten
tiousness. The production revealed at
present is sufficiently elaborate to have
emanated from the New York Casino: in
deed, it might bo mistaken easily for a
George Lederer performance were it not
that the elements of suggestiveness and
obscenity- are absent. Tho scenic equip
ment, tho size and beauty of the chorus,
and the costuming bespeak an effort to
nmko "The Floor Walkers" eclipse either
of the earlier offerings mentioned.
"Happy" Ward and Harry Vokes, who,
besides being the stars of the company,
undoubtedly are responsible for most of
tho bright sayings, are their usual selves
in their usual makeups. They have intro
duced into their act many laughable bits
of effectivo business, a travesty on the
conventional melodrama being especially
noteworthy among these. The chief merry
makers are assisted ably by their clever
wives. Margaret Daly Vokes and dainty
Lucy Daly. Will West sings "In Dear Old
London" in much tho same style that he
exploited while with "By the Sod Sea
Waves." Georgo Sidney, a Dave Warlleld
comedian, whose work with the Irwin
Brothers has won favorable comment in
Washington, is given a great deal to do and
does it exceedingly well. A distinct fea
ture of the performance is the vocalisms of
"The Chicago Ladies' Quartette," which
Is composed of Bertha Hollenback, Sndle
L. Farley, Josophlno Comstock. and Alice
M. Raymond. Concluding, it may be said
in all verity that "The Floor Walkers" m
the best thing Ward and VhJkaa erer hart j
presentea in tnia city.
I.nfnyi'tto 'A ChluuNe HomnliOR."
tateier ot thin BduoRd V. MerHtar
ftnoroa of fhJna Konvme jik-hobw
frnntMr Knwm. TTMiWhrd Hugh
T'!?.1tw,w . Gnwey
U" Marie (Vfr.tr
' Orpmt 1v r
nwaarunpli Chartet Campbell
"" DukmlW
i Thm ifeary Owmm I
Junr tuta ijadctt
Stunt .er frart Woolr
DtMSn OaedeABMten
Hum of chow Foe
A poiyglotic collection of unique cogno
mens, comprising those of San Toy Kong.
Charles J. Campbell. Cbu Kong, and Joseph
Tressi. is announced as iaeiaeJaf: all the
perpetrators of "A Chinese Romance."
which received its first metropolitan pro
duction last night at the Lafayette. Profc
ably not a decimal per cent of the rather
distinguished audience present was aware
ot the character of the entertainment of
fered, for the chosen title gives little idea
of the fact that the effort ia a three-act
comic opera, translated from the original
by a wealthy New York Mongolian elab
orated, llbretted. and lyrlcked by the afore
mentioned collection of European. Astatic,
and American stage managers and pro
ducers. Understanding, then, that "A Chinese
Romance" is a three-act opera, it is un
necessary to dwell upon the theme, which.
perhaps, ss the most simple ever used a
a thread on which to hang various mu
sical numbers. The tale is told in lines
that must date from the period
Confucius, despite the truth that Mr.
Campbell pleads guilty to having penned
them while in his merriest vein.
As a matter of verity few American
efforts could stand loag oa the legs given
by the author ot "A Chinese Remancc."
To the music do many of the verses owe
their tolerability, this score undoubtedly
being responsible for whatever charm the
work may have. Mr. Tressi the composer
has narrowly approached greatness In
one or two bits, notably in a waltz in the
second act. The melody is one of those
alluring airs which the auditor invariably
wants to whistle. There are several other
gems, far superior to any in the most re
cent outputs of Reginald de Keren aad
John Philip Sousa.
The score (toes not receive the best of
treatment at the hands ot the company,
though the deficiency may be the result of
the illners which last night suddenly took
from the cast one of its most important
members. Several of the organization are
old favorites. Probably most condsmnabte
are Edmond Meelkay and Claude Arasden,
whose labors are equally fruitless of re
sults, while differing in degrees of in
feriority. Marie Celeste and Orpha
Taylor are more than good. Charles
Campbell struggled nobly with the role
nMde vacant by the illness mentioned,
while the remainder do the best they can.
which dees not seem to be much. However,
for a popular-priced attraction, the "ro
mance" is exceedingly worthy. The dreaaes
and mounting would attract attention any
where. Grnnd Vaudeville.
In play wrktng, as in gambling and
greater ventures, nothing is harder to
learn than the advisability of letting "well
enough alone' When Will Cressy ap
peared here, not long ago, with an "origi
nal" sketch, entitled "Grasping an Op
portunity," those who saw him forgot
reminiscences in their admiration of the
wit of the piece. Mr. Cressy did not step
after this, however, and yesterday at the
Grand a headliner. named Francesca Red
ding, was Introduced In a later one of his
works. "Her Friend From Texas." The
ccmedietta is a pointless and impossible
setting for the target practice incident that
first came to notice In an old "nigger act"
and that has been used since in such farces
as "A Parlor Match" and "A Bachelor's
Honeymoon." Miss Redding has a poor
part in the compilation and C. J. Aides
one scarcely better, the real hit of the
presentation being scored by Louis A.
Simon, a young fellow with a Stuart Rob
son voice and unusual ability. The best
that can be said of "Her Friend From
Texas" Is that it contains the essentials
for momentary amusement.
With a solitary exception, there is ro
other "turn" on the Grand's new bill that
is not praiseworthy. The exception is the
Weber and Fields" specialty contributed by
Morgan and Otto, who are as much out of
place in a vaudeville house as might be
a diamond in a doughnut. The duo daaaes
well and there its merit ceases. William
F. Judge enters in sailors' togs and soon
proves that he is anything but "at sea;"
as a balancer. His act consists only of a
single trick, but the trick is both novel
and difficult. Many moons have changed
since the patrons of the Burke & Chase
resort have had reason to laugh as they
did last night at the Nawns. whose "A
Touch of Nature" does not pretend to
legitimacy, but Is as entertaining as could
be desired. For a climax the pair intro
duces a roller skating bit that may be
rather foreign to the preceding material.
but that certainly is very funay. Both
members of the team have a bad habit of
constantly emphasizing one of the final
two words in their sentences, and this
grows monotonous. No further suggestion
can be made concerning the skill "The
Cecilian Four." a quartette of women,
affords fifteen minutes of delightful music,
the Biograph shows a number of interest
ing pictures, and John Ransone, erst
while Richard Croker, returns as ?.Iark
Hanna. The impersonation is better than
the earlier portraiture, but the monologue
is not so creditable.
The bill, summed up. is one that Is un
likely to make those who see it regretful
of the cost involved.
AeiMlemy 'A Hot Old Time."
The Rays advertise that their perform
ances provoke "a continual howl from be
ginning to end." Audiences are expected
to laugh from the rise of the curtain en
the first act until that same curtain has
fallen at the end of the play. The afore
said advertisement was proven justified
last night at the Academy, where the come
dians presented their farce, "A Hct Old
Time." There were men ami women of all
stations of life in the house when the
piece was begun. Immediately after the
advent of genial Johnny Ray these folk
I showed signs of coming merriment. The
laugns were or an varieties tne uearty.
the sober, the dignified, the jovial, the
rasping, the coughing, and the hysterical.
In brief, the entertainment amused every
one who saw it, however questionable may
have been the methods employed to that
end. The vehicle and presentation have
beeu altered but little since they were in
troduced here first. Mr. Kay still clings to
his impossible makeup and the hitch in
his voice. The same may be said of Mrs.
Ray. when one has substituted the words
"rising Inflection" for "hitch." Few alter
ations have been made In the company,
which now includes Quurta Vincent.
Thomas Leary. Frank Lalor, Bernard
Dyllyn. Frank Hardy. Harry Hayes. Martin
Healy, and Emma Francis. "Through the
Breakers" is underlined.
Kei-miii'.s-llellly mill "Wood' s'Shoiv"'
The crowds drawn by the convening of
Congress near one extreme of the Avenue
yesterday probably did not greatly ex
ceed those drawn by Reilly & Woods "Big
Show" near the other literally, at Ker
nan's. For this there was ample reason,
the entertainment afforded in the Capitol
being mild and set in style, while that con
tributed by the Hou. Pat Reilly and his
associates was hilariously amusing. The
combination includes at least two head
liners. The first of these are the Brothers
Johnstone, whose dare-devil bicycle rid
ing proved a revelation. Next come Bes
sie Lamb and her little "coons." while
Howe. Wall and Walter. Pat Reilly, Jen
nings and Alto, the Meeker-Baker Trio.
Marshall and Darling. Frank Bryan, Elliott
and Aleene. and a reproduction of the
Jeffries-Sharkey fight, with another of the
Roeber-Atlns wrestling match all are por
tions of the bill. A skit, entitled "One
Flight Down," is Introduced also.
SBHX AT THH CAPITaiW
Aside from the radiant dust- ? . ?
einaeet whfek Ulnmined tfc- or of
senate Chamber yesteniay mnrni, ,
Chanaeey Mitchell Depew was the one. to
seate feature of h r"Tiaj BUnt" anal
smooth-face 1 he .-ro'.'.i about the ares
and gazed iu.-!:! u- -ho lacs . hm
fellew-dobeters aa though brooding own
what manner of men tny might be. Ba
entered with his coileaguer. Hon. ThoiuM
Collier Piatt, aad was ncorhnl to hU seat.
on the extreme right of the Senate ('hah.
her. Mr. Depew seated himself with axes
rare, adjusted his Prince Albert, aad. tam
ing to Senator Kew of New Jersey, hte
nearest neighbor, asked:
"What hi the distance frees the Arliac
ton Hotel to the Capitol? "'
"One mile." answered Mr. Keaa.
Mr. Oenewa face leak en a eea leak
and he seemed dlsaoneatted. ; 1
walked tho entire distance tabs iu nbu.
and I was certain that it was falty two
ranee." said he.
"It Is," chimed hi Senator UnaBhai.
"Ah, I thought to," haninid the- sunJa!
tJedeaXrian. And. aa the gmret ML tinea
wna irt leant one happy ate iTaaj tkttt
army oc irowna an hair which
Senate.
Bowed with she wefeht of riwumUhim
aad battered like a veteran, Marcus Ate
Hanna limped late the Senate yesterfegr
and. una seeing aad unheeded, mad has
weary way to his desk. It wae ae aha
strong, combative Unarm of yore he of
the massive jaw and the SiX-marked van-
but a weary leader who has found sweets
bitter. Yettermorn ho waa the leant con
spicuous In all that company grins aad
silent and heavy.
Grandpa Hear. ten. wan there, attstUd
behind a massive has bet of renee whteh
bare a quotation from tho Beehuailoa 1
ladenendence. Like wneo an nOs w
shields himself behind an Aaisifcan aha ass
fear of Injur, the venerable Hbrariaa of
ine amis peered from Ms
ferret-like, allowed nothing to
iion. William B. Mason, of Catenae, m
contrast, sat as a men ent to himself,
am eyes, sane ear, saa
knew that this was he.
The Duke of Manchester is with us aad
if be likes the way of the Capital wffi re
main for a space. The duke ia in trateaTsx
as a journalist and wan nt tk - J-
i of the press galleries at the Canitoi yen-
leruay. ile a a very young man with a
very large assortment of stationery ia his
possession, and wears "lewd" dot Map Mo
was deeply interested In the rl Tiirinalsti
Posing of Senator Berry, and eyed Mr.
Bailey of Texas m an extremely sartorial
manner. The dwhe wan taken in hattt by
a celebrated cartoonist, aad with tho
trating assistance ot the local ''Wttrfe
expected to team nana vahsabJo fn or
the art of writing "pieces."
The House was a kaleidoscope during;
the afternoon. In which the stalwart ahhV
ser. the silent Grosvenor. the clerical iTaj
ler, and the ardent MeHao remassed a
permost in the mind. The swearhTuc-tn
process was a hasty Jumble of neuaaV but
even the spectators were satiasbML va
derk was baited when he reached IhsSft-
syivanm, aa ha discovered two QmoJcwb
among the members, and Messrs. Bhjtler
and Brosius were allowed to "amrm" fat
plaee of "swearing."
Yesterday a lone man sat in a rear seat
and faced the American House" of Repre
sentatives while a member demanded that
he be not permitted to take tho oath.
Calmly he heard charge after ebar?a ami
proof upon preef listened to the seinma.
of "felony' and showed no fnt-rrtrtm whan
the most bitter invectives were anehraaed
to the echo. And when it had ended, when
the last had passed, he went out like
fometbiwc unclenn, tor an . man gar Mm
eomrort and nil gave him aassaaowajr. One
In the corridor a young girl awaited his
coming and grasped hie hand fervently.
She had heard everything from the) nai
lery and knew what had eome to yuan.
And as they departed, arm m arm, men
said, pointing, "There's Roberts anil ate
daughter."
The Hon. Joseph Weiden Baiter af Itesas
added much to the "atmosphere" f the
House yesterday, aad was ever h erMance.
With Puritanical countenance and Qunher
esque hair, he strolled adown the aliljn
oa the Democratic side and solcumlj viewed
the flock. Anon, with folded arms, he steod
and gazed far into the galtertea wh8e
others passed by, hurrying after fame. Mr.
Bailey wore a vest which. aceora$ar, to
all rules of fashtoav watt thai piopeytj of
a full dress suit. ano aa of yore., ma white
tie was inunaeurale. Long. tats, nam
awaited the promised defence of Behests
from the Gainesville orator. They axe
still waiting.
The only Indian member of the
was sworn in yesterday in the aerhmi of
Hon. Cfcarles Curtis of Kansas, and, white
he may not go after scalps, the fact remaJna
that he is the direct descendant of the
North American aborigines. Mr. Curtis la
the great -gracdeon of Lewis GoutQ. a great
chief of the Kansas tribe in 1S23, aad iu
proud of his lineage. He is a RepuaHcaa.
XRTJGER ANT HIS ABSiY l.KATYBB
A Picture Drawn !
TrawivRal
IttiMlne.is Man.
CLBVELAND, Dec. 4. Mr. Hymen
Kaufman, an active business man, front
the Transvaal, who Is acenafnead with
President Kruger and General Jottbert
says Oom Paul is a close friend, bat
a narrow, ignorant-minded man; that
from his point of view, the ahsenee of
Hews from the seat of war meaan. that the
English are temporarily worsted. Ian
struggle, he said, will be long aad hard.
as the Boers are able to take with thesn
smneieat food to last for a month.
era! Joubert. be says, is
speaker. When he addresses an assttea
he draws his sword and waves it ahon'
He Is fond of fighting and of war: m
declares that nothing would give him as
much pleasure as to kill the Batataae.
When Joubert goes to war his wife al
ways accompanies him. They go ia a
j covered wagon. drfen by two asms. A-
! Kafllr slave goes with them. Jesnsan
speaks English well, as do many of tfta
Boers. Kruger does not, as be hates ev
erything English.
MUNTTJiG OFFICE PLAJIg,,
llrtiivItiSM for the TVeiv Roreramsat
Multiline to lie Sent to Cnnsre.
The Secretary of War has received trots
Gen. John M. Wilson, Chief of Rngteeers d
the Army, the plans for the new Gevern
mezrt Printing Othce at North Capitol aad
G Streets northwest. They wttl ha for
warded to Congress.
Mr. Hill, of the Treasury Departntest.
prepared the plans, and Lieutenant SewelL
of the Army, will superintend the construc
tion. The building Is to cost X3,49.v. It
will be nine stories high, of brick and tran.
The foundations are already weft nndhr
way.
T.iiHHUlitngr of the Grassy.
GLASGOW. Dec. 4. The first-elan twin
screw armored cruiser Creasy, of 1MM
tons, was launched from the yarns of fhe
Fairfield Shipbuilding Company this after
noon. The Cressy is 4-M feet long; has
69 feet beam, and a draft of feet- Her
armament consists of two 29-inch barbette
guns, twelve- 6-inch guns in casements,
twelve 2-pounders, and a number af
3-pounders and Maxims. She Is expected
to show 21.000 horse power, natural draft.
and will make twenty-one knots aa hour.
She will carry a crew of 759 men.
Atlclliert S. Hay to Sail Seen.
Adeibert S. Hay, son of the Ooerotary ef
State, will sail for Pretoria, Sent Aarhrn,
early next week to succeed
Macrum.
THIntory AVIIIIiun."
(rVMB th Xew York 8eaQ
The Hon. Htllty .Manm Mcfcet a sIB
nanny htuttba tee TaanhipWiii.
rcaiarnia;.
y
