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*X THE DAILY GLOBE cffioiaij paper of vnv. < it\ 1 L IS H E D EV E li V DA V \ AT THE GLOBE BUILDINfi, . CuBNERFOUKTH AND CEDAB STRKKTS. BT. PAUL GLOBE SUBSCRIPTION RATE Daily (Not Including Sunday. > 3 vr in advance.?* Ou I 3 in in advance.^.i'O .t in in advance. 400 | c weeks in adv. J. v One month 7oc. DAILY AND BUNPAY. __- 3yr in advance.sl<> OO j 3 mos. in adv.. 50 I. hi in advance. 500 | 5 weeks in adv. l«u Or.c month ; iic. PUMDAT ALONE. 3 vt in advance.. s-00 |3mos. in adv.... 50c < in. in advance.. 1W 1 1 m. in advancei2oc !Tbi-Wbkki.T— (Daily— Monday, Wednesday and Friday.) -jriu navance..s4OO | (imos. in adv..s2OJ !, mouths in advance $1 vo. IVEEKI.V ST. PAUL QLOJHS. Cue year $1 | Six ma, 65c 1 Three mo., 35c Rejected communications ennnot be pre iei\ed. Aadic-tP all ieiicrs end telegrams to THE (iLOHE. St. Paul, Minn. Eastern Advertising Oifice- Room 76, Tribune Building, New York. Complete files of the ayskepton hard for reference. Patrons and friends are coidially invited 10 visit and avail themselves i>i the f a i lies of our Easteru Omce while InJJew,YorkJ , TOD.YY'a WKATHKK: Washington, Dec. 19. -For Minnesota, North and South Dakota: Generally fair: Variable winds. For lowa: Fair; variable wind ß; rising temperature in Western Cen tral lowa. For Wisconsin: Fair; west winds; Bligntiy colder in eastern portion. For Mon tana: Occasional snow; north winds; warmer in western portions. GENBBAL OBBEIIVATION9. United States Depaktment or Agihofi.t TtnE. Wkathbb Bukeact. Washington. Dec' l.i. G:!8 p. m. Local Time, *p. m. tn Merid" fan Time.— Observations taken at the saine momeui of tiino at all station*. riaceof 3— B S pince g^oS Observation. B c 50. jObservation. gg. g° : : ? : : 7 61. Paul rTT 30.24 "~6j Havre 30.38 10 Dulutii -0.14 4 Miles City... 30.34 8 La Cross e... 30.20 4 illeleno 30.38 10 Huron .ia^B 6 Calgary... . 30.42 10 Pierre . 30.26 18 |Med'e Hat... 30.38 It) iMoorhend... 30.26 — 2 jQu'Appelle. 30.28 4 Bismarck. :i0.30 10 .Sw'tcur'eut 30.40 8, VI. Buford.. i 0.34 6 | Winnipeg .. j0.22 —6 * —Below zero. . , , , l'.F. iiYONS. Local Forecast Official. . <3i — SOME PKNSION- FIGURES. The census of IS9O showed that in that jrear there were in the country 1,073,857 Burviviusr soldiers of the Union armies during the late war, 25,680 surviving sailors and marines, and 163,168 surviv ing widows o(' soldiers or sailors who died for the cause. These three divis ions foot up a total of 1,262,705. This number includes those who served less than ninety days and those who were not honorably discharged, both of which classes are ineligible for pensions. It Is reasonable to estimate that 4o,ooo have died since the census was taken. Of those who were not honorably dis charged and those who served less than ninety days, 200,000 would be a low esti mate.* It appears, therefore, that there lire in the country today about 1,000,000 Burvivors and widows of the late war who are legally entitled to have their claims for pensions considered. lie pension roll now includes over 000,000 names. Of this number pen- Bioners of Indian wars, the Mexican war, war of 1812 and Revolutionary war do not comprise 50,000, all told. Accord ingly, out of the 1,000,000 possible pen sioners ot the lale war there are 850,000 on the pension rolls. This fact in. itself is conclusive evidence of enormous cor ruption in the pension bureau, but this is not all. There are stiil pending over 400,000 applications for pensions, which tire, for the most part, "original claims. Jt those claims are allowed we will have 1,250,dbd pensioners of the late war out of a legally possible 1,000,000! What a travesty! What a farce! What an infamy ! No wonder the po litical party which accomplished it has been overwhelmingly repudiated by the honest sentiment of the country. THE WHISKY TAX. The question of increasing the in ternal revenue tax on whisky has been ntjain raised in congress by the intro duction of a bill to that effect in the lower branch by Keurescntative Scott, Df Illinois. Mr. Scott's bill proposes a tax of (1.25 a gallon. The press gener nlly is discussing the proposition, aud tne drift of opinion seems to favor the Hew York World's plea for a GO-cent increase. Such an increase would add a clean ?00,000,000 a year to the revenues of the country, and would admit of a induction to Chat extent of tariff tax ntion on the necessaries of life. The argument which effected a reduc tion of the whisky tax years ago will not apply now to perpetuate the reduced rate. That argument was based simply on the difficulties in col lection and on the incentive to illicit distillation which the high tax had proved to be. But Uncle Sam is in better shape to enforce his mandates Dow than he was in tlie days of the for mer high tax on whisky. His revenue oilicers would make short work of law-breakers. The perfection of the machinery of government guarantees that whatever tax is voted by congress will be collected by the federal author ities. Therefore it resolves itself into a question of whether we shall collect another ?<H),000,000 of revenue from the whisky tax or continue tj follow the Uepublicati plan of collecting it from the tax on blankets and tlanuels. FKVUUED FANCIES. The New York Recorder describes last month's landslide as "the triumph Df the Tammany machine in this city, of Boss iMcLalghmvs machine over in Brooklyn, of the Hiu.-Murphy- Siikkhax machine up the state, and of the Populist victories iv the West." How about Illinois? And Indiana? Ami Michigan? And Wisconsin? And Connecticut? And New JerseyV And California? And Ohio? Neither Tammany nor the Populists cut any figure In these states. But of course the esteemed Kecorder is not lebasiug ils head-covering to the ig noble purposes of a speaking tube. The LJlobe places the utmost confidence in '.lie inability of any Republican news paper to "talk through its hat" regard ing the late cataclysm. They are a trifle upset by the shock, to be sure, but as Boon as the delirium works itself off they will forget these fevered fancies and settle down into prayerful gratitude for the few bones left unbroken. WILL IT PAY? Even a common, ordinary thief will not steal if he knows tlie theft will to add to his comfort. If he is in desperate straits he may be willing to take the chances of enjoying the fruits of his in dustry, but even desperation does not warrant stealing where no possible pood can come of it. Stealing just tor the fun of it is unprofitable, and not worth liio exertion. The Qi.ouk commends this view to the consideration of those deft manipulators out in Montana and Wyoming who are just now engaged in stealing senatjrships. It also tenders the same advice to those potent, grave and irreverent! senators down in Wash ington who are contemplating the pos sibility of becoming particeps. criminis with the Western burglars. It will not pay, and live minutes' ciphering will demonstrate it. The sen ate stands: Forty-seven Uepublieaiis, thirty-nine Democrats and two Populists. Two Democrats replace Republicans in Wisconsin and New York, leaving it forty-five to forty-one; Kansas and Ne braska will take off two more, leaving it forty-three, and probably making the Populists four. California will replace the t Republican with a Democrat or Populist, and North Dakota is reason ably certain to do the same. That cuts the Republicans in the senate to forty two anyway, maybe to forty-one. The Populists Kyue and Pkffer have said they will vote with the Democrats, giv ing them control. So if the Montana and Wyoming senatorships are again stolen, it will avail nothing. So it will not pay. The Globe puts it on this ground only because it knows that the ethical ground is one the parties ad dressed cannot comprehend. 3IR.NELSOVS OPPORTUNITIES. Knute Nelson will tike the gov ernor's chair next month, encumbered with fewer obligations than any ot his predecessors ever sat down in it with, lie owes nobody anything, lie is free from all of those claims which every candidate incurs. He owes no debt to the corporate inteiests which used their money and influence to elect him. He is hampered by no need of bending his judgment to the individuals who placed him in the gubernatorial chair. He is even free from thralldoin to his party itself. On the contrary, all the obliga tions move to him. Corporations, indi viduals, even the party, owe him every thing; he owes them nothing. Mr. Nelson occupies this unique po sition simply because he was the only man in th« party whom these different interests felt they could win with. Long ago, just after the election in 'DO, the Republican managers scanned the gloomy field with anxious eyes for their Moses. Some man must be found who could bring the deserters back to the ranks. liut one figure presented itself in all the field. It was the retired con gressman at Alexandria. Not because he was an ex-member of con gress; not because he was pre eminently a leader; not because he was a typical Republican, was he chosen. He had forfeited all claims on his party by opposing it at a v.ial mo ment on a vital question". He voluntar ily retired from political life because he saw that he had cut himself adrift from his party in his vote and speech on the Mills bill. He might as well re tire that way, because ne would have been retired by his party, which excuses everything but recreancy. He was taken simply and solely be cause the defection of '00 was mainly from among the Norwegians, and,bank ing on the strength of the national feel ing,they chose him because he was a Nor wegian. Had he been plain John Nel son, attorney, from Maine, iie would not have beendisturbed in his law prac tice. The event justified their judg ment. Enough recalcitrants were drawn back to save tfee party, to save the cor porate interests attacked by the Democ racy. It is because of this that Mr. NfiLSON owes them nothing. He is their savior, not they his makers. This independence opens before Mr. Nelson meat opportunities, if he rec ognizes them as they come and seizes them before they pas>s. He is absolute : master. of the situation. ; ' : '"'lf lii's ambi tion prompts him to rise higher, he can • demand anil get his own election to the senate, and need feel no qualms of un requited duty to Mr. Davis or any one. He can initiate and approve of remedial legislation striking down the monop olies of- the state, and, if they expostu late, answer them nil debit. He is mas ter of the situation, with none to ques tion him or to say him nay. What will he do with his opportunities? «» THE CONSTITUTION All AMEND .. 1 . MEM. ■"-, ' The adoption of the amendment pro hibiting the legislature from enacting special laws for the . government of cities, and from amending any hereto fore passed, is attracting the attention of the cities of the state, one result of which was the meeting here yesterday of several of the law advisers of the cities of the state. They discussed the matter informally, adopted a resolution that the legislature should -appoint a commission to investigate and report, and adjourned until Jan. 4. Meanwhile, common councils, chambers of com merce and boards of trade will discuss the features of the general law which, it is generally assumed, will have to be enacted. It is a favorable moment to consider whether it is not better to ennct a gen eral law which will give home rule to the various cities of the state than to continue under the theory that the state is the source of power, and that every municipality must find in its charter or the general law the authority for every power it may see tit to exercise. What is there, even now, to prevent the val idity of a general law which shall allow any city to adopt such by-laws for its covernment, and exercise such powers, not inconsistent with the constitution, as it shall see fit, incorporating in it the principle of the referendum by requir ing the governing body of the city to initiate on petition such measures as the people wish enacted, or refer to them for confirmation organic acts, or those contemplating improvements? Why should not the majority in any city direct the affairs of the city? If they wish to build water works,or street railways, or cay, or electric plants, or auditoriums, why should they not with out need of first asking a legislature for permission? Why not, in short, be as largely democratic as possible? SrEAKiNO about pensions, "Why be mean about It!" whines the New York Press. Why, indeed? If the Republican party desires to exchange pensions for votes, why not let it do so? If it desires to make a plain business deal with frauds, bounty- jumpers, camp thieves and other sharks, to the mortification of honest and deserviugveteraus.why should Uncle Sam object to paying the freight? Why '"be menu about it?' An Arkansas statesman has proposed that the government purchase silver bullion and pay for it in treasury notes. He thinks it would help the silver lnitiers of the West. No doubt. But before that happens Minne sota would like to seH Uncle Sam a few million bushels of wheat at a good,stiff price. We think it would help the farmers of this state. With the hostility of those leading Repub lican organs, the New York Sun and the New York Tribune, still manifesting itself against Mr. Cleveland, that gentleman con tinues to tighten his grip on the affections of the Democratic party. If the hostility keeps up it will be difficult to stem the lide in favor of a third term. Tiiomas Carter, a retired politician, now of Montaua, says that the Western states are able to take care of themselves without the aid of Eastern senators. Mr. Carter had a very forcible demonstration recently of the THE SAINT PAUL DAILY GLOBE: TUESDAY MOKNING, DECEMBEE 20, J892. ability of sundry Western states to take care of themselves without hU interference, and he seems to have learned his lesson. If Minnesota Republicans decline to send 0. K. Davis back to the senate they will show very small consideration for Davkn pout aud McKinlky and the Pacific rail roads, but at the same time they will exhioit a surprising and unprecedented solicitude for the interests of Minnesota. It has transpired that Jat Gould on one occasion sent $\Wi to the yellow fever suf ferers in the South. About the same time James Gordon Bennett Jr. gave $100,000 to the famine sufferers in Ireland. Gould was worth dollars where Bennett was worth cents. The Minneapolis Tribune vociferates for "an intelligent ballot." Supposing that i really menus an intelligent voter behind the ballot, we assure it that its wish will be grati fied, as the Democrats are sufficiently war ranted in continuing their campaign of edu cation. Nukebous prominent Democrats are con fessing to the press that they have "no inten tions of going into Mr. Cleveland's cabinet;" but the really painful thing is the inconspic uosity of Mr. Cleveland's intentions in this regard. Col. Shepakd testified that he never took but one drink at a time. That d.jes not imply that, as the nectar glided down his throat, the super-pious editor did not regret that be had but one mouth. The industrials fell off several poiuts yes terday on the New York stock market; mon ey went 10 40 per cent, and the foundation of the whole financial fabric flows steadily out to Europe, it looks squally. Uncle Jerky Husk deserves great credit for magnanimity under extreme provocation. He is giving us some fine, iarge weather, not withstanding now- shabbily the country treated him and his'n last month. What's to be done with the brilliant and impetuous Col. VVattebsonV Is he to be led "through a slaughter house to an open grave," politically speaking, or shall he be rewarded with the Louisville postoffice? Silveii bullion is quoted at Si% cents an ounce fine. This makes the dollar worth 64.4!) cents. It still appropriately bears the legaud, "lv God we trust." Ingalls admits that he made a mistake when he called Clevelamd His Accidency. He may have to take back his remark that Mrs. Lease "is a very good man." That Mexican revolution doesn't seem to Diaz quickly as they usually do. CURRENT CHAT. One of the Globe's searchers after inter esting facts yesterday stumbled into a man who desires to be known simply as Jones, who is a well-known resident of Summit ave nue. Jones was in a critical mood, and ere the s. a. i. f. could sqare away to ask a question he was sauarely carried off his feet by the lovable aristocrat. He had evidently been pondering deeply and putting one thing against another in his own mi.iJ until he could hold in no longer. His opening greet ing is faithfully rendered: "Is the Globe ill possession of any in formation which will serve to explain the masterly inactivity of the 'Law and Order league" in regard to the recent prize fisht held at a down-town theater between Messrs. Moore and Richards?" Being answered in the negative. U»e gentleman continued: '"Certain ill-disposed persons might feel inclined to suggest that the indifference dis played by our able state executive towards diversions of this character, when carried on under the auspices of a 'reform' mayor, is in somewhat marked contrast to the vigorous repression which was exercised when a simi lar event was hi contemplation during the incumbency of the predecessor of the pres ent apostle of 'reform.' " It was no use to attempt to storm the tide of sarcasm and truth, ana Jones again started, after taking breath: "Only the well knowu superiority of Gov. Merriam to all considerations, except those of the most ex alted nature, will serve to allay the suspicion that his present forbearance toward the round-shouldered hero cf the Tnird regiment Is dictated by political affinity; and a desire to help the latter out iv his great feat of leg erdemain—the carrying out of a wide-open policy under a tbin cloak of reform. Is Thomas Cochran still on deck, or is he re cruiting his exhausted energies by sucking his paws tnrough a wiuter's hibernation in some hole in the ground, with a view to breaking out during the next municipal cam paign?" The law and order league and Mayor Wright can answer fcr themselves. As to Mr. Cochran, he is alleged to be very busy closing the world's lair Sunday. CRUSHED TO DEATH. An Explosion Fires a harge Flour ing Mill, Dangerously Burn ing One Man. Seven Firemen Caught Under a Falling Wall, Four Being Killed. Albany, Dec. 19.— About 12:30 o'clock this afternoon there was a terri ble explosion in the elevator shaft of the Fort Orange Milling company's building, facing on the riverfront and backing on the Erie canal basin. The sparks set fire to the dry grain and flour. Charles B. Woolverton, a mem ber of the firm, was burned in a most horrible manner. Shortly after 6 p. m. the men of Steamer Company No. 4, who were lingering inside the ruins, were ordered home by the chief. As they proceeded to eet out by the river front, the east wall, which was standing sixty feet high, toppled over without a moment's warning, the upper half faliing inward and the lower half out upon the dock. Seven men were buried under eight feet of debris.* James Shattuck Jr., Bernard Bamer, his brother, Fred Bamer. and John Whitnell were first rescued. Whit nell and Bernard Bamer were seriously injured, and were takeu, to the hospital in the ambulance. The house physician after an examination, said Bernard Bamer would likely die, but thought Whithell could pull through all right. Shattuck aud Fred Bamer were not badly hurt. The firemen continued working on the ruins and in a few minutes came upon the dead bodies of Charles Marshall, foreman of Steamer No. 4, and John Bridgeford. The body of Fred Amthor was recovered at 9:3(5 p. m. and was found to be badly crushed. The In surance on the mill is figured at $46,000, while one of the stockholders of the milling company estimates the loss on plant, stock and buildings at $70,000. An Address to Pythians. Washington, Dec. 19.— An address to the Order Universal of Knights of Pythias, numbering over 400,000, has been issued -by Richard Goodheart, chairman of the executive committee of the Kraud lodge. Knights of Pythias, of the District of Columbia, urging them to visit the capital on the occasion of the meeting of the supreme lodge in this city in August, 1894. - Snowing in Tennessee. Nashville, Term., Dec. 19.— The first snow of the season began to fall about dusk, following a heavy rain lasting all day. Tonight the snovrfall is heavy and incessant. - ; Movements of Steamships. ■ Firb .Island— Arrived i Columbia, from Hamburg. - •. : •."-■■-:.•. .;_ ■ Amsterdam— Arrived: La'Campina, from New York. • , ■ . - : Copenhagen— Arrived:. G othia, from Ne w York. .. - -; .- ; Lizard— Signaled! England, New York for London. : r • . Prawle Point— Signaled: Greece, New York for London. . "; scillt Islands— j Scandia, New o k for Hamburg. :. . ■ DEATH DRIVEN BACK, James G. Blame Rallies From His Bad Attack of Sunday. He Converses Freely and Partakes Regularly of Nourishment. An Intimate Friend SSys That He Is Kept Alive by Stimulants. His Physicians Will Not Say How Long He May Survive. Washington, Dec. 19.— "Mr. Blame maintains this evening the hold he se cured this morning, when his condition showed a slight improvement," was the reply of Dr. W. W. Johnston, Mr. Blame's physician, when asked how his distinguished patient was at 9 o'clock to night. Dr. nyatt, the consulting physi cian, who was present, concurred in the statement. They had just come from the sick room, where they held a fifteen minutes' consultation. "Mr. Blame is still in full possession ot his faculties." continued Dr. Johnston, "and while very weak lie is nevertlieles as cheerful after the trying ordeal of yesterday as could be expected. He converses as freely as he is per mitted to do by his family, and partakes regularly of nourishment. It is impos sible to state how long Mr. Blame is likely to survive. Speculation on such a subject would simply be idle non sense. Ido not think Mr. Blame is in any danger of dying tonight. Further than that I do not care to state." A friend of the family stated that Mr. Blame is liable to a recurrent attack of heart failure at any moment, aud that the family have been warned to prepare for the worst. "When," said the gen tleman, "the physicians state that Mr. Blame is better, they simply Mean That He Is Alive and that is about the true statement of his condition. Cordials of a stimulative nature and other liquid nourishment are given him at frequent intervals, and these alone- keep him alive. He lies heipless on his bed and cannot change his posture without the aid of his at tendants. Mr. Blame may not live twelve hours, and he may survive three or four days, but 1 doubt it." Mr. Blame was better this morning; and. although the doctors do not hold out the hope of permanent recovery, the family feel that the crisis of yesterday has been passed, and that perhaps the husband and father may be spared. It is stated that he sat up for a short time this morning and talked with members of the family in a very cheerful frame of mind. An old friend of the family called, and was surpiised to be received by Miss Hattie Blame in a manner that indicated more than words the feeling of contentment and happiness that possessed her. She said that her father had a very comfortable night.and awoke this morning refreshed and bright. He took some nourish ment and was decidedly better tnan he has been for a few days past. The sinking spell of yesterday has lost its effect, and the reaction had appaiently left the invalid stronger than he was before. Many callers came to inquire after the condition of Mr. BlaiiVe, and leave words of sympathy with the mem bers of the family. Among these were Secretary Foster, who stopped on his way to the state department, and re mained in the house perhaps fifteen minutes. The secretary spoke very en couragingly of Mr. Blaiue's condition, but Senator, Hale, after his call, was loth to talk. Senator Chandler also was among those who spent a part of the morning with the family, and had a good report to make to those who in quired. All at His Bedside. Mrs. Emmons Blame arrived last evening, and tiie family circle isnoS complete. Young James G. Blame went out for a stroll, and in response to a query, said that his father was much better. Mr. Blame deplored what he termed, the sensational reports sent out as to his father's condition. He said while the family had had the greatest confidence ill the judgment of the at tending physicians, still, they felt they would like to have the opinion of a dis tinguished physician who was a special ist in the disease with which Mr. Blame appears to be afflicted, and, at the re quest of the family, Dr. Alfred L. Loornis, of New ifork, had been sent for. Dr. Looniis arrived this morning and went at once to the Blame mansion, where lie remained with Drs. Johnston and Hyatt for more than an hour. Dr. Loomis coincided with his colleagues in this city in their view of the case, and agreed with them in every particular in regard* ro the treat ment that had been followed. At the close of the conversation, the doctors gave out the following statement: "Although Mr. Blame's condition during the last week has given serious anxiety, yet at the present moment he is decidedly better, and in no immediate danger. It is impossible to predict what changes may occur, but his con dition this morning gives a more hope ful feeling as to the progress of his disease. "Alfred L. Loomis, M. D., "Frank Hyatt, ML D., "W. W. Johnston, M. D." This bulletin was issued at 11 o'clock. The doctors will not say, however, that Mr. Blame is anything like being out of danger. Still, one of them said that he had very strong hopes that Mr. Blame might improve so that it would be pos sible for him to be removed to some more congenial climate, presumably California, where the change would, he thought, be beneficial, if it did not Work a Complete Care. Representative Boutelle, of Maine, spent about half an hour with theßlaine family this morning. On leaving the house he said to the group of newspaper men gathered about Mr. Blame's con dition was decidedly better than at any time during the past few days. "1 did not see the patient." he said, "but I was assured by Mrs. Blame and the other members of the fam ily that the reports in regard to Mr. Blame's condition were exaggerated. While he is still in a very weak condi tion, there is no fear of an immediate dissolution." This statement was sub stantiated by the conduct of Mrs. Dam rosch, who. during the forenoon, was in a pleasant frame of mind while enter taining visitors who called to inquire about her father's condition. All the physicians left the house after the issuance* of the 11 o'clock bulletin, and up to 2 o'clock none of them had returned. At that hour, in response to an inquiry from an Associated Press reporter, Mrs. Blaiue sent down word that the patient was passing a very comfortable afternoon, and that the members of the family apprehended no immediate danger. She requested that the statement that Mr. Blame had had a hemorrhage be denied. Dr. Loomis returned to New York on the noon train. Dr. Loomis is regarded as one of the leading specialists in New York city on the subject of Bright's disease and lung troubles. He has never attended Mr. Blame before and, in fact, is said to never have seen him until today. Mr. Blame slept fairly well during the night. His sleep was a natural one. and when he awoke this morning he seemed to bo much stronger from the rest. He sat up in bed for a little while and ivas Able to Converse with those about him. It was not per mitted to him, however, to talk as much as he desired. All were careful that he should not over exert himself. He still differs but little pain, and is cheerful. His mental powers are unimpaired. All day long the street in front of the house was lined with people, and every one who passed seemed anxious to know the condition of the ex-secre tary. All eyes were turned upon the bite rect brick house which has Deen the home of so many prominent people, ajid which for years has bt j en known as the Blame mansion. The carriages that drive up to the front door, the people who followed, and che ueople who came out were all objects of curious interest to the passers by. It iiad been so since early morning. It would be difficult to enumerate the names of those prominent in official and social Washington who did not call to make inquiries about the illustrious patient. The early depart ment clerks aud others going to their daily work went out of their way to pass the historic old mansion on Lafay ette square, and they stopped and gath ered in little knots here and there, eagerly seeking information of tne statesman's condition, .expressing grati fication at the news of his improvement. Thej knew that greatness was passing, and that the page in history, so dazzlinsr with brilliant achievements that iis failures were almost indistinguishable, was about to Reavh It* Final Period. President Harrison manifested the deepest interest and the greatest con cern in the condition of his former sec retary of state, and frequent are the inquiries sent from the White house 10 Mr. Blame's residence. All day yesterday Mr. Elaine hovered very close to the line separating life from death, and it was realized that if any further complications set in there was little if any hope for him. His con dition, it is true, has shown a slight im provement today, but hardly such as to givsj 'grounds for any real hope. Mr. Blame may live for some days. He may live for an even later period. The disease from which he is suffering Is such that a week is not a long period in its prog ress, but he will never again be a well man. He may die at any time. The physicians themselves admit that it is impossible to predict what changes may occur. Little chauge for the better is to be hoped for. All the members of Mr. Blairie'a fam ily are now here. Mr. James G. Blame Jr. and Mi s iiattie Blame were both summoned home, and Mrs. Einmons Blame, the widow of Mr. Blame's son, has also joined the household. It is un derstood that they all realize Mr. Blame's condition. One of Mr. Blame's intimate friends said today thai he entertained no hope whatever, nor did the doctors. The family, he said, were reluctant to give up liope, but, at, the same time, they realized that death might come at any time. Some of the intimate friends of Mr. Blame, he said, have Kiiaivu lor a Week past that Mr. Blame was in a critical condition and that the end might bn ex pected soon, lie said that even the fam ily have been forced to expect the worst, and tnat it was for this reason that a day or two ai, r o the absent members were communicated with. Mr. Blame's pres ent condition, tins same informant said, is' due to a recurrently of an attack which he has hat several times before. This tinib the attack was very much more severe than the others, and he was by no means in a condition to with stand it as We'll. The original trouble with Mr. Blame, according to this friend, is due to his exhaustive labors and the manner in which "he has been drawing nn the fut ure and exhausting his vitality. He has tor years been working under high pressure, until his whole system has been tired out and undermined. Growing out. of this exhaustive physical state have arisen complica tions. The weakest parts were naturally the first to be affected, and the first local trouble was with the kidneys. The. at tacks from which he has suffered from time to time are understood to have •been due to kidney disease, and each attack ha» left him more susceptible to cold and prostration from overwork. The progress of the disease has been steady, though retard ed as much as possible by skillful med ical treatment. The same gentleman said that he lut' 1 discussed the situation with the physicians, and from what he had learned lroin them he was con vinced that there was no longer any possibility of recovery. He felt that the end was very near, that it mivlit come at any hour or might be delayed for days. A Rumor or Ills Death. The rumor that Mr. Blame was dead was current about the streets last even ing, and by 10 o'clock there was quite a crowd in front of the house anxious for the news. It was an illustration of Air. Blame's wonderful popularity with the people. Expressions of deep est " regret were heard on all sides, and great relief was felt when these rumors of death were denied. Almost the first news that reached President Harrison last night came by telephone. It was to the effect that Mr. Blame was dead. He asked the secretary if the news could be au thenticated.' Mr. llalford replied that it had come over the wire, and he supposed it might be true The p es ident at once prepared to leave the house, and, in company with Mr. Hal ford, hurried across tbe aveune to Mr. Blame's house. He seemed to be very much relieved at the information which he there received. Though the senate was only in session a few minutes today, the serious illness of ex-Sec retary Blame was a topic of general discussion. On all sides of the chamber there was surprise expressed that the fact of Mr. Blame's true condi tion had been concealed so long, and many said that tney had supposed that Mr. Blame was able to leave, so im proved was his health. Democrats joined with Republicans in expressions of grief and sympathy for the fam ily ot the distinguished statesman and diplomat, whose end is considered near. In opening the senate with prayer this morning Cnaplain Butler referred in a touching manner to Mr. Blaine, aud invoked the aid of Providence in his be half. Washington. Dec. 20.- At 2 o'clock this morning all seemed quiet within tbe Blame mansion. Awake and Cheerful. "Mr. Blame is resting easily," said Dr. Johnston, his physician, at mid night, in reply to the usual questioning. "Very much to my gratification 1 found him awake and apparently cheerful. He had partaken of nourishment throughout the eveniug, and the family were aiso more cheerful. Dr. Loomis' speedy return to New York is evidence that we do not consider Mr. Blaiue in any Immediate danger. This last call of mine was not originally intended, but as was out with my family making social calls at a rath er late hour, I thought I would run in and see Mr. Blame before retiring. During my stay he conversed with me at considerable length, and I shall be greatly surprised if my services are needed at any time during the night." AWARE OF HIS CONDITION. His Family Told Two Months Ago That the End Was Near. Boston, Dec. 19.— T0-night's Journal says: "The Journal is informed by one whose information comes directly from the roost intimate friend of Mr. Blame that, whatever the reports sent out, the rela tions and friends of Mr. Blame were told more tban two months ago that he could not survive the winter, if indeed the year. His family were prepared then, and are now prepared for this end." MINNEAPOLIS. CHURCH DISCIPLINE. Rev. W. H. Geistweit Says Freeze the Careless. Rev. \V. 11. Geisweit discussed "The Problem of Church Discipline" al the Baptist ministers' meeting yesterday morning. At the outset he said a good many names were found in church rec ords that would be more appropriately placed in a "rogue's gallery." Next came the not wholly bad peo ple, wnose lives were, nevertheless, at variance with church requirements— wine-drinkers and such. He then dis cussed his subject under two heads. He did not favor total exclusion of those who might sin grossly. Tnat was like capital punishment. Kather try to bring the sinner back to the church. He read the newspapers a lecture for their readiness to give publicity to church scandals. He never saw a city where tney were so ready to do this. He advocated a course of chilliness toward the people who pretend to be in good standing, yet seldom come near the church. Last of all, churches should exercise more care in the admission of new members. Ministers, in their anxiety to swell the church membership, are. often careless in this respect. He would have adea •eon for every fifty members, the dea cons to act as a prudential committee. The minister should never be forced to jook up evidence hi a church trial, but 'should sit as the judge. before the Methodists Rev. Benjamin Lonzley reatt a paper on "Woman's Work iv the Church." He took the tra ditional view of the subject as voiced by the text: "Let the women keep silence." They might work in the church, but should let the men do the talking and managing. The Presbyterian ministers listened to an interesting and enjoyable, though hoiniletic paper by Rev. William Kui eaid on "The World We Live In." MORSE AND BOWKER. One Said to Be Indicted, and the Other May ile. The grand jury spent all of yesterday investigating Bowker's alleged home. Among the witnesses who appeared to tell what tiiey knew of the matter was Mrs. Bowker herself. Besides Mrs. Bovvker there were several other ladies whose names could not be learned, but who all held a seance with the grand jury. At night, after spending the day on the Bowker case, one indictment was returned and a warrant given -to the sheriff. It was given out definitely yesterday that Geoige A. Morse had been indicted on the charge of stealing the famous papers fioui the district court vaults, ami it was also rumored that he would have his trial in the same way Tom Moore did— that is. be brought in at the back door and taken to the judge's chambers, where he would plead guilty, and pay his fine, whatever it might be. The only thing definite in the Bowker case at present appears to be that the reverend gentleman may be expected to put in an appearance in the district court shortly to answer to a charge emanating from his wile. A Small Earthquake. There was an explosion in Mail Car No. 123 of the Burlington &, Northern yesterday morning about 3:30, which caused the emuloyes of the union depot and the travelers waiting for their trains to imagine an earthquake, bad come to town. The car was standing in the union depot, and directly behind it was a new Pullman, the Murcia. The water supply in the steam heater of the mail car ran down and allowed the tank to heat to redness. The result was a terrific explosion, which sent frag ments of the heater through tiie roof or the car and ruined the interior. Ihe Murcia also suffered. The win dows, globes and mirrors were broken, ami the paint was burned off the out side of the car. Fortunately no one was injured. Mill-; at the Kxpo. The committee appointed to look af ter suitable halls for the Mills revival, met yesterday, with Jlanager Brackett, of the Exposition, and discussed a plan for increasing the seating capacity of the Exposition hall to 8,000 instead of G,(jOJ. It was found, however, that the plan was not practicable for it would necessitate the remodeling of the entire hall. The proposition of the Exposition management to lease the hall with a seating capacity of (5,000 for a rental of §5,000," was practically accepted. Jts acceptance will be recommended by the committee and the work of securing the necessary funds will commence at once Byrnes Ma kes a Spurt. There was a smile on Coroner Byrnes' face last night. The smile was caused by the sudden turn taken in the con test, which is dragging on wearily in the city clerk's office. When the com missioners got to the Tenth precinct of the Third ward they found a mistake of ten votes, all in favor of Byrnes. Pre vious to this time Dr. Spring had been in the lead. At the close of the recount of the Third ward Bvrnes was ahead live votes. The recount will be.resumed this morning. Pond's Funeral Today. The funeral of Arthur A. Pond will occur this afternoon from his late resi dence, 1218 Second avenue south. Rev. Way land Hoyt will officiate. John A. Kawlins post, G. A. X., of which (ho de ceased was a member, will attend in a biidy. Mr. Pond was a native of Bangor, "Me., ana was fifty-one years old. He has been in the furnace and hardware business in Minneapolis since 1874. His death was the result of an attack of paralysis experienced in New York last July." The Memory of Old Times. City Treasurer Kortgaard has been engaged in paying considerable money over his counter daring the past two weeks. He has paid $->."JO,OOO on the old suspension bridge bonds. These bonds bring back tlie memory or old times and old landmarks. They were issued Dec. 2, 1872, an.l made payable in twenty years. The committee on cancellation will meet some day this week and des troy the old bonds foi they are now only bits of worthless paper. They will be burned and their ashes will be mingled with those of the old bridge, the bridge which once was the marvel of geography students. Her Friends Remembered Her. James O'Neil and a good company of players began a three nights' engage ment at the Grand last evening, present ing the play "Fontenelle." The audi ence was a large and appreciative one. O'Neil in the title role was as clever as ever. Miss Emma Forsythe, as Mnie. Pompadour, made a hit. She is a Min neapolis girl. At the end of the second act she was calied before the curtain and presented with a handsome dia mond ring and a basket of liowers. Judge Canty made the presentation speech on behalf of her many friends who tendered the gifts. No Morse Settlement. - That the Morse case has not been set teled is made more certain by the state ment of the officials of the State bank. The claim of this bank was said to be one that had been settled fur less than the face value of the notes held. Cashier Kortgaard says his bank's claim was settled in full, and that it was settled Nov. 18. That was - before the public had heard anything about this paper. Nothing has been don c since. : — RAZED A BLOCK. Destructive Fire in St. Louis-- Lioss, $450,000. v St. Loui3, Dec. 19.— fire originat ing in the Udell Wooden Ware com pany's building this evening, about 6:45 o'clock, destroyed the prop- erty situated on the territory bound ed by Washiugton, Locust, Third and Fourth streets. Successive alarms called out practically the entire department, which for a time seemed unable to cope with the flames. After a struggle last ing till nearly 11 o'clock, how ever, the flames were got under control with a loss aggregating fJ50,000, which is practically covered by insur ance, divided in small amounts among a large number of companies. When the fire broke out the Pacific Express company had ?35.000 in its safe, but hustling by employes got the cash into the vaults, and this undoubtedly saved it. It practically settled that one man lost his life In the fire, but who he was is not known, as every one whose name has been connected with the fatality has been found alive and well. The man was seen to enter theTJdell store during the blaze and never returned. Who he was may not be known for some days. TALKED MORE FREELY. Sensational Testimony by the Liquidation of the Panama Canal Company. Charles De Lesseps Closely Ques tioned by the Examining Magistrate. PATHS, Dec. 19. —M. Monclilcourt, | liquidator of the Panama Canal com pany, was before the parliamentary in vestigating committee for the sec ond time today. When examined two weeks ago M. Monchicourt excused his ! reticence on the ground of professional secrecy. Today he testified more frsely, although occasionally questions were repeated several tunes before he gave the desired answer, lie was espe cially reluctant when tho committee came to the notorious efforts of Baron de lteinaeh in 18*8 to "save" the com pany, then In extremity. In that year M. Monchicourt said Baron de Rein ach received from the company's treasury $400,000 credited to him for "advertising" and SuOO,OOO credited to him on account of the '-underwriting syndicate." M. Monchicourt, learning of these enormous payments, asked Baron de Reinach how the money was used. The baron replied: "You are very simple." By inquiry among the directors of the Panama Canal company he learned that the ?1. 000,000 were given to the baron ps the price of his assistance in securing the issue of the Panama I Ciinal lottery bonds. Not a small j part of tiiis assistance consisted in push ing through parliament the bill author izing the loan. M. Monchicourt had often heard the directors complain of Baron d« Reinach's rapacious demands, and had witnessed violent scenes at the canal company's offices when theso demands were under discussion. The payment of 11,000,000 francs to the underwriting syndicate which took the lottery issne, Bft. Monchicourt said, was undoubtedly excessive. In continuing his testimony, M. Monchicourt said that several suuis amounting to 10.000,000 franc- had been given to persons to indue;? them to boom the Panama loans, lie had never heard it expressly stated that deputies were bought for "cash. Many check?, however. were payable merely to bearer. M. Oberdoerffer received 2,ooo.ooo francs for merely suggesting the device ol a lottery. M. Hisrounias, cashier of the Panama Canal company, testified that Baron de Keinach had received 4.000,000 francs altogether for advertising pur poses, but he could not remember who drew them. M. Charles de Lesseps has been closely questioned by the examining magistrate In regard to the statements made by M. de La Marzelle regarding conversations with M. Charles de Les seps. The attention of M. de Les sens was called to his former statement, when confronted with M. de Launay, to the effect, "If 1 bad to pay for what I have done by a year's im pnsonmeur, I should congratualate my self on li^ht beinu thrown on this affair. It is said that from rive to six htindred people of various stations of life are known to have been implicated in the fraud and bribe-taking connected with the canal enterprise, although the jrov ernment has sufficient evidence to con vict any such number. PARIS, Dec. 20.— An important con ference lasting from midnight till '2 a. in. was held at the prefecture of police. There were present the public prose cutor, many police commissioners and several investigating magistrates. ' As a result, more searches and arrests in connection with the Panama scandal are expected. WAR CLOUD AT DULUTH. Religion Said to lie Creeping Into City Politics. Special to the Globe. Duluth, Minn., Dec, 19. — A war cloud which the metnberaof the Amer ican Protestant association have been adeptly creating over the official head of Mayor D'Autremont, because it is claimed lie has favored Roman Catholics in his appointments, burst tonight, when at the city council meet ing, Arthur Twaddle, a fireman sus pended for thirty daya for bavins pleaded guilty in municipal court to resisting an officer while drank, sent in a communication preferring the charge of conspiracy against Fire Commissioner James Hart, chief of police, Dan Ilur san and the officer who arrested him. This, Twaddle claims, was to oust him from service because is a member of the A.I.A. An investigation of the charge was ordered amid jjreat excitement. ( ' \ i Vft 1 1 r> f* *?rt i ! iJ|y i # ■ \^^|Vf^T^V Our Easy Payment Tale. J \ W^^ii PIONEER $ ! SMITH Vg&*\ui< I j FARWELL Vg^-' house j f ComDanV, or cities. We make p A ; *"> J 9 v . extremely easy terms. \ \ .,. All T . o . ■•'■ • ■■•" charge no lv crest, anu W 409-411 Jackson Street, iry hard to merii irmlo. . *« j ST. PAUL. 1 - B $ JIM BURNS' BILLS' t 'on tinned From First l*;i^i-. the effect that to arrest the delinquents for illegal selling is the best way. Then followed a discussion as to the method to be pursued to detect the delinquents. The employment of a detective w;is suggested. It was also suggested that the county attorney ascertain the cuilt of the delinquents. Mr. Butlrr made the statement that he would prosecute offenders, but did not propose to em ploy a detective nor to act as one him self. Mr. Martin also declined to act as detective on the score of being a mem ber of the committee on licenses. Tho end of the discussion was readied by authorizing Commissioner McCarron. as chairman of the committee on licenses, to employ a detective at a cost not ex ceeding |50 to buy drinks of whisky from tiie derelict saloonkeepers and to become a witness in c.ise of prosecu tion. To Work lor (mod Road*. Mayor Wright, with the assistance of the commissioners, named a list ol del eirates to the good road convention, which meets in St. Paul Jan. 25 and 20. The delegates consist of the members of the present board of commissioners as well as the members-elect and a number of citizens interested in good roads. The personnel of the delegation is Mayor Frederick P. Wright, Coin missioners Lavaliee, Leiduian, Mitsch, Martin, McCarron and WrL'ht.Commis sioners-elect Daly, Lauer, Seng and Banna. Tho others are. James J. Mill. Lewis Baker. Joseph Wheelock, ,). il. Burweli, .losiah Fairchild, James Mid dieton, 11. S. bairchild, George \V Sherwood. E. . 1. Hodgson, S. < . Ander son. M. F. Kain. M. P. Kirk, Nic Po then. Dr. Aloway, (). O. Culleu, Peter Boh land, William L. Ames, George Uazzard and P. T. Kavanaugh. MICHIGA.N OFFICIAL. Nine Republican and Five Demo cratic Klectora Chosen. Lansing, Mich., Dec. 19.— The official canvass of the vote cast for presidential electors in Michigan shows that the plurality of George 11. Durand, Dem., In the Eastern district at large was 1,538, and of J. A. llubbell, tliep.) in the Western district was 21, --'.•50. The total vote in th« state, as shown by adding the vote in different congressional districts, was 465,365, of which the Republicans cast 222,708, the Democrats 202,2W, the l J ronibitionistß 3i),569, and the Populists \\\V:n. The He publican plurality is 20,412. The Re publicans elected nine electors, ami tiio Democrats live. S 1111,11 ING S X TTLiE Its. Cold Weather Causing Distress in Kaunas. llouton, Kan., Dec. 19.— The extreme j winter weather that has prevailed in Western Kansas this month has caused ! much suffering among the settlers. There has been much snow, and the j weather has been very cold, ('attic have been deprived of their grazing, and storms have bei n so extensive that it is j almost impossible to keep tin- settlers • supplied with sufficient fuel to keep ! them warm. It is manifest that it the weather continues throughout the win ter as it lias been tor the past three weeks, there will be much suffering among the poor settlers in the western and northwestern counties, and a great deal of stock will perish for want or food. Whefl STEINWAYAHD^ i STEINWAYASO In j^HiCKERING j Doubt n PIANOS I [ffjUQlljHL QIFJ For Christmas. Always ac ceptable and appreciated. — o ACRES «>— of Music Goods of every de scription at our two immense rooms. All at Special Holiday Prices. Our $11,50 MUSIC CABINET -O IS A lilMI TV. O- ! MUSIC B3XES JgggL Wholesale Prices W^f TILL XMAS, 'GOODjiy TILL XMAS. <>i»«-it I^VfMiin^M till Chrlittmas. Superb Gift ICdltlniiM of musical PubliiatluiiK. \A( J _— <• IL^ *L&HBROr 148 and 150 E. Tliiru Street, St. Paul. 509 & 511 Nicollet Ay., Kinneapolis.