The sun. [volume], October 18, 1897, Page 6, Image 6

About The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916

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i ,JB ; ' TH SUN, MONDAY, OCTOBER IS, 1397. I
MONDAY. OCTOHKK 18. 1R1I7.
jH CnAiu.M Andeiimon Dana, Kdltor of
jw Tin: Sun, died yesterday afternoon.
iwfc Tlio Silver Innup in tlio United States.
K, Precisely how far l lie derision at which
nf tho Urltlnh CabInctnnivcil,onSitunlay,ln '
K rrKard to thu nllver qui si Ion, It llu.il and
IK unalterable, tliu cable despatches on tins
K, nubject do not mtike clear. Whllolt Is salel
f. that Mia Cabinet has resolved not to re-
K ' open the India mints, and not to lccom-
"JT mend to tlio Haul; of Kngland the holding
K; Of one-fifth of Its reserve In silver, It Is also
Bald that further incotlnirs aro to be had
ftp wlthourcnvoy?, lodhciiss the International
K money lonfireiico which they were hont
3M abroad to negotiate. II Ih certain, how-
tjfc ever, that any kupIi niit.rciii'G. If one were
fit to bo held, Mould result In nothing hut
K talk, Rlnco C5ie.it Britain, for herself, re-
W' fuses to abandon the single Koltl standard,
Sjg and the other Kuropciiu powers cannot act
H without her concui rente.
W. It may be assumed, therefore, that the
X pledge Klvcn by the Iicpubllcan party, In
m the platform which it adopted at St. I.ouln,
ffif last summer, to oppose tlio free co Inane of
m ellvcr except by Internal lonal agreement
with tho leading commercial nations of
m tho world, and, until such agreement can
W- bo obtained, to niainlalu the existing gold
'M standard, has now become n pled're to main
K tain tho gold itnuihirtl uncouilltionally.
WL On tho other hand tho Democrats stand
f pledged, by their Chicago platform, to tho
$ free and unlimited coinage of hilvcr at tho
ratio of 10 to 1, "without waiting for tho
,S" old or consent of any other nation."
P Tho present House of Representatives Is
? safely Republican, but tho majority of tho
m Senators favor siher. Xo legislation in
X, Congress, for or against silver, can bo e.v
m, pected, therefore, until tho two bodies are
!jr In unison. To Insure the maintenance of
w tho gold standard, tho majority of lleprc
p Bcntatires elected inlSJIS must bo Repub
M licans, aud enough new Republican Sena
W tors must bo elected In 1. SOU and tlio fol
js lowing years, toglvo the Republicans tho
dft control of the Scuate. On the other hand,
W- If a Democratic House Is elected next year,
W" It will be able, with the aid of tho present
iS? Senate, to pass a free silver coinage bill,
jfrf and only tho President's veto will stand In
jra- tho way of its becoming a law.
K The Democratic party shows no signs of
S receding from the position it took in ro
ll gard to silver last year. The State Demo
$ cratic organizations that in the Chicago
W Convention overrode the gold Democrats of
W" tho East maintain their attitude uii
f changed. As they declared for free silver
J at tho ratio of 1C to 1 then, so they declare
if for it now. The country rallied against
them and in support of tho Republican
L organlratlon nt tho last Presidential clcc
jE tion, and unless it would lose tbo fruits of
it the victory then obtained, it must continue
X to sustain tho organization through whoso
3j agency tho victory was won.
W. It Is nonsense to say that in tho coming
$ election no principle is involved, but only
TBL the personal qualifications of tbc candi-
af dates. A Republican defeat, whether it is
tp accomplished by the open enemies of the
parly, or by its renegade members, will bo
H' a Republican defeat all the same, and by
K as much as it weakens the Republican or
it ganization, by so much will it strengthen
WL the political organization to which it is
Ki Opposed and aid it to accomplish its ends.
r'
K Kngland's Land Power.
mf Tho announcement that has appeared in
The Su.v that it is intended to ask the
K British Parliament during its next session
E- for an increase in the Knglish Army by
ft about 30 per cent, will hardly bo a sur
K priso when wo consider the Inadequacy of
the present army for the mult iforlous du
re ties it has to perform in different parts of
m tho world.
Is Last year the amount voted for the mill-
Ifc tary service of England was $10 1,703,000,
G for 150,174 regulars and the nuxlllary
'I' forces. The total military force of England,
f reckoning regulars, reserves, militia, and
I volunteers, Is, including 7-1.000 regulars in
I India chargeable to tho Indian treasury,
, 715,080 men. Of the enormous bum voted
I by Parliament for tho maintenance of the
, armv,. 1-35,1 80,000 is set down for the pay
Eand allowances of the regular army aud
!' $7,775,000 for tho pay and allowances
W of tho auxiliary forces. The balance
of tho sum voted goes for tho ad
ministration, stores, material, clothing,
transport, and other churges incidental to
the maintenance of garrisons all over thu
f world outside of India and the stations
J? that have been made dependent on the In-
t dian treasury, such as Aden and some oth-
8 crs, in order to keep down the cost to the
British taxpayer. Of the total of the .fill,
jr 000,000 voted for tho regular army, how-
over, only somo $'J5, 000,000 goes In pay
" to tho lighting force, and part of that even
E Is borne by the Indian treasury. Tho re
s'' mainder goes for the military iiilmlnlstra-
tlon, wlilch, in comparison with that of
E othci European urmies Is most costly, es
& peclally in the higher branches. As mi In
f stance, the pay mid allow anees of the Com
I mandcr-ln-Chlef of the English Army, a
post ubout ciiulvalent to that of Chief of
I thu Staff of the Cerman Army, Is more than
f; doublo that of thn (ivrmiin ollicial. As to
ftt tho relative cfllricnry of the two aimles,
there can hardly ho a question as to whkh
W ol tue two countries has had tho best ser-
vico for its money.
m Que of tho London papers Is reported as
' aaylng that "tho money forthopropostd in
W crease will bo granted when It Is proved
f that tho count rv is getting tho aluo of Its
I present expenditure." That will depend
ff npou circumstances and the statu of al.u in
E into which tbo English people may havo
been worked up at tho moment the lucie.is
isaslced for, uud aIlo iipim the stutr of tho
' labor market. AVhen a previous C'nnserv.i
I tlvo Ministry In England wanted to create
I' the degree of iilarm necessary to justify tlio
I' demands to bo made for increasing tho
I navy, Lord CiiAltl.ni nriii-sioitn was sent
over to Berlin to gel 1'ilnco Bismaiick to
f, make a speech in tho Reichstag, warning
KnglanJ of tho danger to her maritime
ft snpiemacy unless a fjreat Inrrease was
made to her navy. The trick sureeeded,
and Its autl ors are to n great extent le
f i-ponsll lo for the mcessity which now un
it doultcdly ixists for llio increase to the
rngliih arm and tho entire remodelllngof
-If tho English military system.
1 But it will ho easier for Parliament to
$ Toto tho money required for an Increase of
Bfe tho army than for tho recruiting scigeant
I to llnd tho men. Tho English people,
l though they are, as Lord Rosiaiimv not
J long ago bald, the prcdomluaut partners In
g the affairs of tho United Kingdom, havo
Mvc.
HHHl?nf.-..i, - '
not been conspicuously prominent when
nerious fighting was on hand. Tho official
statistics of tho nationalities of tho troops
composing Wixmnoton's army In Spain In
the w nr ngaliiBt X ai'OI.kon's (lenerals, show
that 71 per rent, of his troops were Celtic
.Scotch and Irish, nnd that of those put
dou n as English large numbers wei e ('(dtic
AVelsh. Hut to come down to more recent
times It is in thu memory of many how the
English (lou'rnment during tho Crimean
war had to scour tho continent of Europe,
and een invaded tho emigrant sheds of
our Anierltaii ports, in order to find men to
go and llht for It against our Russian
friends and allies.
The reduction of the population of Iroland
by half and the displacement of tho Scotch
crofters by deer In tho Interest of sport h.-n o
dcstroji'd the Sources that furnished tho
best light ing material that ever gathered
under the Hiltish (lag. As tho predominat
ing partner In tho United Kingdom and
In the adMintnges to bo deri veil from t lie
maintenance of tho British Empire, it
would appear only fair that tho English
peopli should now take on their own shoul
ders the proportionate sliaroof the burden
of sustaining It. Hitherto it has been al
most wholly borne by tho minority part
ners and the subject races of India.
It will be very Interesting to seo whether
tho English peoplo will be as ready to fur
nish tho men as Lord SALiannny's major
ity in the IIouso of Commons will bo found
ready to vote tho money.
Tlio Ileal Non-Partisanship.
The election or Ren. Tiiaoy will bo a
triumph of that genulno and patriotic non
partisanship which elected Mr. MrKlNW.v
President in IMMt. That election was
much more than a great Republican victory.
It was then the foituno and the honor of
the Republican party to bo the defender of
good order, good money, and general Ameri
can prosperity.
It is the fortune and tho honor of tho
Republican party in Greater Now York to
be the defender of good order, good money,
and t hegencral prosperity, oncomore threat
ened by Urjanism with its socialistic and
property -hating programme.
Every vote cast for Gen. Tract will be a
vote for non partisanship in its tnio mean
ing; that Is, tho practical and Intelligent
patriotism which supports tho party that at
a critical moment of politics is not only
tho right side, but has a reasonable pros
pect of winning.
Honest men who have been deceived by
tho pretence of non-partisanship niado by
tho Citizens' Union are beginning to sec
where the merits of the case arc.
Gen. Tiiaot can be depended upon to
bring much more Intelligence and admin
istrative ability to the Mayor's chair than
any of his competitors, and his election
will not only insure good government to
this city, but will bo a great victory for
good government in the United States.
Austria, Germany, and Spain.
There has been considerable speculation
in this country recently regarding the atti
tude of European powers to American in
tervention in Cuba. From time to time tho
cable despatches from Europe have repre
sented Austria and Germany as eager to
help Spain to repel the efforts of the Wash
ington Government to restore peaco in the
West Ind ies. It was said that Austria w as
moved by her solicitude for the Queen Re
gent of Spain, who is an Austrian Arch
duchess, and Germany by her devotion to
monarchical institutions, which would be
shaken severely by tho separation of Cuba
from Spain and the Spanish revolution
likely to result from the same.
A careful reading of the Austrian and
German newspapers, inspired nnd unin
spired, has failed to reveal in the last six
months any prospect of Austrian or Ger
man action in behalf of Spain and against
the United States. Even thoso journals
which commonly aro used by tho Ball
Platz and the Wilhelm Strasso to take
soundings for a new policy havo failed to
give a hint of special diplomatic action in
Spain's behalf. In fact, they all have main
tained a tone far friendlier to the United
States than has any newspaper of Influence
in London. The XortUleutsclu1 Aligemrine
Zrituna, the organ of the German Foreign
Ofllce, discussed in its last leader regarding
Cuba the so-called ultimatum said to bat a
been delivered by Gen. WooiiroiiD to thu
Duke of Teluan. Every word was carefully
measured and moderate.
"With assured diplomatic tact," wrote
tho semi-olllcial editor, "Gen. Woonronn
selected that cause of complaint which
could be proved most clearly and could not
bo denied, even by tho Spaniards. Tho
North American capitalists who havo in
vested their money in Cuban enterprises,
tho United States citizens who own plan
tations on the island or carry on trade with
It, have suffered enormous losses since tho
beginning of tho war. Tbcso losses can bo
stated and prov ed In figures. For Instance,
tho American export to Cuba has fallen
off 70 per cent."
In South Germany the Munich Allgrmettie
Zritung Is the stnnehest supporter of a
vigorous foreign policy and an unwearying
advocate of flerinan colonial nggroHslon.
When not speaking for the German Foreign
Office it expresses the sentiments of tholtis
MAltcKs. Alone among tho great German
dallies It has dealt with tho possibility of
European intervention, In view of the al
leged ultimatum, and then only to state
this conclusion :
"But the European concert would find
itself in a far moro difficult position to
ward tbo North American Union than It
occupied towaid Greece and Turkey, and
nir concert, woiim do lar more dlllltult to
maintain. Tho inclination to fish In trou
bled waters nnd to obtain Individual ad
vantages would bo simply Irresistible in
certain tiutiters."
Less Influential newspapers havo limited
themselves to remarking that Cuba is lost
to Spain. "Spain Is oboul to suffer tho
consequences of her own stubbornness," said
the Ilrrlhier '.rUung two weeks ago, " and
to bear the burden of her statesmen's u.
competence. Cuba, that lordl) possesion,
Is about to bo separated fruni the kingdom."
Any European power that might feci like
intei veiling, haitl tho Xatianul Xelhmg,
should recall tho fate of Mammh.ian.
Thcee German opinionsnie typical. They
indicate tho attitude of tho Foreign Ofllce,
and every great paity in German politics,
except tho Social Democracy.
Tho same observations hold good as re
gaids the attitude of Austria toward the
Cuban complications. In tho present dc
pcrato condition of Austria's internal poll,
tics, it piubably would bo dlllleult to find
mi Austrian statesman who has given
, enough thought to the Cuban question to
i discuss It even Incidentally. Tho Frem
ilriMull, which reflects periodically the
opinions held at tho Ball-Plut, has
handy mentioned tho negotiations betwecu
Spain and tho United States, and then In
a colorless manner. TLo Tfcue Freie
Prone, which though German and Liberal
holds fat to the Empire's foreign policy,
has given more attention (o Cuban affairs,
but lias displayed nono uf tho tendencies
attributed to Austria bytho London nnd
Paris dallies. About two weoks ago,
this journal considered quito calmly tho
posslbllltv of the Queen Regent's be
ing driven from Spain by revolution. It
remarked that slio had hadh thankless and
onerous olllcc from the first, that she well
might bo weary of tbo effort to better
Spain's desperate condition, and that sl-o
probably would not llnd It disngreeable to
bolellevcd of her ceaseless anxieties aud
ba allowed to pass tho rest of her dayR In
tho quiet of her Austiinn home. Other
Austrian and Hungarian journals, whether
with or without official connections, ignore
Spain's distress, except when they publish
a few lines of the pnss despatches.
In view of thee facts and the explicit
denials that the Austrian nnd Geinmn Em
perorahtive eonfeired regarding the Span-Ish-Ainerican
outlook, It is difficult to ac
count for the existence of tho bugaboo of
Austro-ficrmon intervention between this
country and Spain. It is known generally
that Paris financiers carry a load of
Spanish Government and railway secu
rities. They may have started somo of
tho wild stories credited to Paris sources
by tho London press. In the caso of
London journals, however, thu aim seems
less clear and direct. Perhaps these Jour
nals arc animated by the spirit of England's
semi-official news agency, which Informs
Americans that Germans prefer to see
Samoa English rather than American, and
at the same time tells both Germans and
Americans that Spain prefers to have Cuba
under English rather thau American Influ
ence. This criss cross of newspaper decep
tion has failed of whatever purpose it may
have had, owing to the regularity of thu
mails which bring the German and Spanish
newspapers to this city. The Intervention
bugaboo seems to havo been disposed of by
tho same means.
Tlio Cnso of Mr. Tolon.
It is understood that Secretary Sherman
is to instruct Gen. WooDFonn to Insist
upon the Fottlemcnt of tho claim of Mr.
Samuel T. Toi.on for damages.
The case is one that has been inherited by
the present Administration from Its prede
cessor. The claim presented was for an in
demnity of sji.lO.OOO, Inscdon a very simple
statement of facts. Mr. Toiox was natur
alized in this city nearly twenty years ago,
and has been for many years a merchant in
Cardenas. Rather moro thau a year ago,
while on a steamer bound from the latter
port to Havana, with intent to continue on
to tho United States, ho was seized and
thrust into prison, After being subjected
to various discomforts he was released, and
came to this country, where he tiled aclaim
for remuneration.
When Secretary Olney presented this
claim through Minister Tayioii, the reply
was that Spain did not regard herself as
under any obligation to pay damages, aud
If memory serves us, our Government was
also Informed that, w t Ii the release of Mr.
Tolon, Spain regarded the caso as closed.
But our Government docs not look upon it
in that way. It will consent to cIonc the
case only when justice Is done for the
wrongful detention of ono of its citizens.
And the ' e Is the more important because
it will est lish a precedent for others where
wrongful i rests have been followed by un
just Imprisonments.
It is fair to say that for a long time the
indiscreet zeal of Spanish officials in ar
resting and maltreating American citi
zens has greatly diminished. It has been
found a dangerous game to play. 'Ibis
fact, however, does not remove our obliga
tion to secure compensation for those of
our citizens who havo already suffered.
Tlio Army and Its Needs.
The reports of the staff departments, now
coming in, show, as was expected, that the
army still maintains its high degree of
efficiency. With a jear almost free from
field service against public enemies, there
has been little anywhere to interrupt con
stant attention to drill, discipline, and
administrative duties.
Ono of the significant reports, always
turned to with interest for Its indication of
the state of the army, is that of the Judge-Advocate-General.
It is gratifying to ob
serve a large decrease in the number of
trials by court-mart Inl over the pre
ceding year, and a decrease nlso in
the convictions for desertion. Pel haps,
however, this last result may be p.itt
ly due to tho fact that the row aid offered
for apprehending deserters is far below
what it used to be, and, in fact, Gen.
Likiilu ndvises its increase.
Tho health of the army for the year re
ported upon has been excellent, and nbont
up to tho best on record. The Department
of California has tho highest record fur
health, although Fort Yellowstone, in
Wyoming, Is the best among single posts.
Thu Potomac marshes cause the gi cut
est rate of unlualthfulncss at Individual
posts to fall upon Washington Barracks
and Fort Mjer, where malaria Is prevalent,
while .Teffei son Barracks arcs at the top for
percentage of "constant sickness." Somo
Texas posts havo relatively largo hospital
Hits. But, as a whole, Gen. SiKHMiKltt)
finds great improvements in quarters, In
diainago and sewerage, in water supply. In
food, In clothing, and In the personal clean
liness dun to tho greater attention to
bathing. Tho recruiting shows that physi
cally better men aio offering themselves,
and the ratio of the accepted was larger
than in former v ears.
Tlie food of tho aimy is better now than
in old times, not only because there is
greater variety In the rations, but because
the post gardens, the post ovhanges, and
otlur appliances allow additions to bu
made to thu old-time bills of fare. Gen.
Si'i.r.iVAMshuwH lint II I i,U7 rations were
distributed to sufferers bv flood, besides
I" 1,07(1 forage rations, thu basis of tho
former being pork or salt meat, cornmeal,
nutl molasses. A trial of tho crncrfciiey
rat ion was made by troops.
Tbo check and envelope t,yslrm of paying
theamiy is report oil by Gen, Stanton to
be unpopular, and a ihango Is recommend
id, But the deposits of soldiers with the
Government nt Interest Increase. Twenty
3 ears ngo there were fi.DUl depositois,
with n total of SOIL'S, 585; now there are
17,878, with Ss:in,:iWU. Tho tripling of
thu number is ep einlly noteworthy, as Is
also the largor.it loot tlio total number of
enlisted men who put at least a small
amnuiit on deposit.
Gen. WjXJvH shown a goodly unexpended
balance in theQuarteimaster's Department
for tho year. Tlio whole cost of sending
tioops to the Grant Monument leremonlcs,
tho iiriuguratluu of the Pi esldenl anil va
rious other occasions, was ijUh'J.OM.
In planning for tho year to come, tho first
great need, outside of the routine approprla-
4
tions, is that of continuing tho work on
the coast defences, and this undoubtedly
will bo catrled on vigorously. Then comes
that of enlarging the artillery nnd the In
fantry, and th.s also we may hope for.
Finally, with soma betterment lit the pay
of certain grades of non-commissiouctl offi
cers we shall compass tho leading needs
of tho mm, as thus far developed.
Tlio Unexplored Continent.
Africa Is no longer the Dark Continent.
Explorers have grldlroned It with their
routes. Probably no geographical question i
of the first Importance remains to be set
tled tin re. In Its most Important aspects
Aftlci Is now revealed, and its study In
detail will be tho work of tho next century.
It Is In South America and Antarctica that
the largest explorations of the future will
be made. Of the great land masses, South
America Is the least known audoffers the
gnat est prizes to exploration.
AH that part of Colombia lying cast of
the Cordilleras, a legion as large as Texas,
is almost wholly unknown except along tho
courses of four or live of the latgcr rivers
which were mapped by CliliVAUX and other
cxploicre. With only one or two except Ions,
the many tributaries of theso large streams,
if they are indicated on thu maps, are
marked In broken lines to show that they
have not been surveyed. The names of a few
of the Indian tribes and towns, nnd somo
luklingot minor mountain ranges seen from
the explored rivers, aro all wo know of tho
lai go white spaces on tho maps of eastern
Columbia.
Not a third of Brazil, as large a country
as our own, Is even fairly well known away
from the large tributaries of tho Amazon;
nnd even tho best known aud most
populous part of tho country, East
Brazil, was shown on the maps with
glaiing inaccuracy not more than ten
jears ngo. A number of long mountain
ranges were depicted on all maps for many
years, though there are no such ranges.
Some of tho large rivers have cut their
valleys deeply and the high bluffs were
represented ns mountains. There aro dis
trict", thousands of miles square, between
thu Am i7on tributaries, both north and
south of that river, of whoso geography
not the slightest detail has come to light.
The eastern parts of Ecuador, Peru, and
Bolivia, cast of tho Cordilleras, aro very
little known. It is correct, in the main, to
to say that between Venezuela and Argen
tina, all inner South America has been ex
plored only along its more important water
roursesnnd that the still unvisitcd regions
in Brazil stretch two-thirds of tbo way
across the continent in its widest part.
No one knows w hen a survey of the Andes
will be carried out, but certainly ninny
years will elapse before a fairly detailed
map of these great mountain chains will
be possible. The indefatigable labors of a
Get man explorer within the past few years
have revealed about tlfty passes through
the mountains which had never been
mapped, The sources of many rivers flow
ing into the Pacific are not known, though
Iheyate undoubtedlyamong the mountains
not more than 150 to S00 miles from the
coast. The recent boundary disnute between
Chili and Argentina was due largely to the
fact that the crest of the mountain range
in that latitudo is further west than was
supposed, and Chili thought herself entitled
to a wider territory than she could have if
she accepted that lino as a boundary.
A few jears ago the late Capt. Paoe, an
American, settled an interesting question
in South American geography, and there
are not a few others of equal Importance
that remain to be solved. His work blasted
the hopes of Bolivia that she might find a
water outlet to the Atlantic by way of the
Pilcomayo River, which rises among the
mountains and Hows southeast to the broad
Parana. Capt. Pac. was employed to as
cend the Pilcomajo on a small steamer,
through the hostile Indian country, and
endeavor to reach Bolivia. Hesteamed fat
up (he river, until at last his keel stuck
fast on the bottom of the channel. Then
he built a dam ueioss the river behind his
vessel, and the at cumulated waters enabled
him to go on a few miles. Hu repeated
Ibis piorcss six times, and his seven
dams added thirty-live miles to the distance
his vessel made. By that time Capt. Paisi:
was convinced that the Pilcomayo was not
av niinblc as an outlet for Boliv la's produce.
Let European explorers discover n conti
nent nt the South Polo if they can. Ameri
cans will do well to complete the explora
tion of the Americas.
Out- Consuls.
After the Department of State began to
issue Consular Reports, leading men in our
industries supplied lists of questions to
help our Consuls in their quest for trust
woithy Information about foreign manu
factures and coiniiieicu and opportunities
for our own trade expansion. These Re
ports are of great value to our expotteis.
Some of the papeis are of notable excel
lence. It is doubtful, for Instance, if a
more valuable and interest Ing summary was
ever written of t lie great Yangtsu valley, Its
geography, lesoutces, trade, and 100,000,
000 Inhabitants, than that which Jills nine
teen pages of the May Report, written by
Consul A. C. .1 o lis.
No Consul Is worthy of his place unless
he can observe Intelligently and accurately
report the facts t hut may bu useful to our
industries and coiiiineite. There never wus
a timo when our Consuls can render better
sen leu to thu country than to-day, when
vie are beginning to discern tho splendid
future of our foreign trade.
Our producers and exporters want the
best attainable news about foreign indus
tries and commerce. Men who aro not
gifted with tho fncultyof describing things
accurately aro very poor timber for tlio
consular positions,
It is natural that tho Kansas Populists
should tal.o a warm interest in the campaign In
tills town, ami tliouM bu collecting a enmpuien
fund for Ilf-Mt.Ylii.tmuK. New York has long
been ucarded lit I ho Kansas radicals aa tho
capital of conservatism, tho reiiiesontatlvoot
the 1 tens sv lii Ii in o must solidly opposed lo tbo
I'uiiimuiilstlc notions which aro tlio I'opullst
piorfNuiune, Thudcnrno canvass hire tills thu
Kansas Populists with joy nnd linpo. Tlioy
want to scu Now Yiiikput Into the bunds of tlio
coiillscuturs and tho i ranks.
Tho next debate between Harvard and
Yslowlll bo on llm.Mibject: "Resolved, Hist
tho United Stulus should annex the Hawaiian
Islands." Not it fair subject fur debate, becauso
llicro is no chanco for tlio champions of the
net'tlvo sldons fnrnstlio merits of Ihonruu
iiiunt areconicrned. They will have, to depend
on their elocution.
Our esteemed contemporary, the AVir
Jim'n ltryltttr, seems to Uclluht tn a certain
isolation, both in mailers of politics and of lit
erature It resards .Mr. KiciiAKii Le Oau
m:st. tlio distinguished joiing uoct and
leituror who whsoiko llio literary secietury of
Mr. Wn.sov JltititKTT, ns tho complete and
authoritative translator of the quatrains of
Oiuu, the TcntuiaWcr.l and It chincterliei
Mr. KnwAitn Fitzoeiulii'r version of them m
"rouch." This Is nn Interesting opinion, but,
posslbl), It will to less tlmroutjhly cupportcd UT
tho rest of tho lenrnod World of New Haven than
by our csto:incd conteiiiporan.
Mr. G. V. Williams the Democratic can
dldntc for Governor of Msnictiuotls, rotnplnlns
thnt"clBi distinction tinturtiitiatnlylias rrcpt
Into our civilization too f-ir." lint " class" dis
tinction has not crept lntoniirilvillrntlon. Tho
talk about "chisses" In tlio lulled Stntes Is
purely a fiction of tho sentimental ceonoiulsts
or of tho deninsoxucs who try to perstmclo tho
iRiiorant that tbey aro "v.ronj-cd" by "tho
rich." Tho word "class" In thosetisoof ndeti
ntto social division to bo found In tho I'nlted
States hns no rlitht to a place In llio Atuorlcnn
vocabulary. Jtlr. WlII.UMs Is no. r Ing himself
unnecessarily.
IS TALE'S SJ'IllTT llI.VJ.YC7?
Nome Illsinnl I few ku tt Ibn ItiTn-lR or root
ball and llmtlni; DMi'Ma,
Nr.w IIavfn, Conn., Oct. 17. Tlio most inter
cstingphnsoof tho newne.ieleuili enr nt Ynlo
Is tho discussion of llio question of nthletie
clocndcnec. The matter has readied n sulll
elcntly nlnrmlmrstngo to Justify tho en 11 1 in: of
a university iiiectlin; to nseertnln fioni the un
dergraduates vvhrthor the enthusiasm of their
predecessors lnselKippc.uid, unci if eo, how its
jnflticnco may bo rcusrltalcd.
It was tho first tlnio In nearly twenty years
that a meeting "an enthusiasm" had been
called. In tlio seventies It tiled to bo tho cus
tom to nssomblo periodically tho undergrad
uates nnd tomnko vigorous asjaultsupon their
undergrnduato enthusiasm and their pocket
books. A number of conspicuous alumni, who
stood cspoctslly c'no to tho undergraduate
world, wero Invited to bo pricnt and cxcrclso
their oratory In appeals to tbo traditionul col
lege spirit of Yalo men. I'or tho last twenty
years, however, tho matter bad taken earo of It
self. Tim best nuallty of Ynlo's ontliiistasni had
been Its spontaneity. Tho fact, therefore, that
tho athletic authorities should havo confessed
Its decadence by the call for a unhorsity meet
lnghas proved the chief midererAdunto sensa
tion of the opening colle.ro term.
Tho athletic managers entered upon a some
what broader subject than tbo mcro iiuestlon of
athletic decadence. They look occasion to dis
cuss tho vvholo iiuestlon of Ynle spirit, which,
they asserted, was on tho decline. Tho most
iiotcvvorthv speech was mado bj .Tulluii Y. Cur
tlss, '7U, of Now York, ono of the tinlvcrsltj s
chief advisors In athletic nflnirs. He declared
that during tho last two jears thu period of
Yalo'satbletlcrovcrscs the Ynlospirlt had been
falling off in a manner nnilogous to the growing
athletic indifference of Harvard. Mr. Curtlss
declared that this phenomenon was duo
probably to tho enlatgcuient of tho uni
versity nnd tbc extension of tho elective
system. Ho did not believe, hovvofcr, that tho
chnnge was Inevitable or that tho opportunities
for a reform had dUapocarcd entirely. He
aroused the enthusiasm of the young men be
fore him. who fairly represented the mass of the
university, but tho general trend of tho meet
ing has not been received so favorably by tho
professors and tho graduates of Yale. Tho
manner In which the speakers, for example, ap
peared to identify tho Yale spirit and the ath
letic spirit has caused severe criticism.
Thesmnllness of the inconiirg frebmsn cliss,
which numbers some fifty students fvver than
that of the preceding voir, lias inspired the
charge that tho unlverslt)'s importance in tho
educational world is entirely dependent upon
her athletic supremacy, and that with tho losing
of a few more foothill games and a few aquatic
contests tho occupation of the university will
bo gone. Tho weakness of the freshman diss,
after tho athletic fiascos of the last re ir. has
given tho critics of Yale another handle, which
tho recent university meeting, according to
tho dlscoinllted, has on!) succeeded in strengthening.
the xt:xr AsEsini.r.
It Is Pretty Certain In llnsr m nrpubllrati
Stnjorlty .team This Vrsr.
Aliias v, Oct. 17. The Assembly to be chosen
noxt month will he the third elected under tho
new Constitution adopted in 131, which
increased the membership of tho lower liouso
from l'Js to 100. 'the first Assembly chosen un
der tho terms established and under ttic appor
tionments made in compliance with it was
elected In 18U5, and consisted of 1KI Republi
cans nnd 17 Democrats. 'I he hcrond As-pinbly
chosen under thc new conditions uus elettta
lust vear. and wit composed of I ir ltrtmhlic'Hns
nnd '.Ki Democrats oul). 11m Assemtilv to be
chosen next mouth will have no pari in the elec
tion of n United rftates .enntor unless, m tbo
iiHuuvshile, a ai..nc -hnuld rNe, for lh' term
of Scnntoi Murplo cum s not cspiro until March,
lt-'.iii.iiiuitlidliittsiiiiitorl'Mlt until Mnrvh.ltio.'l.
'lho Democratic iiiimnitc of H5 last vc.ir, lllilo
muru Ih'in nii-tlitrd of t lie tntul m"c nib isbip
ot the lower house, was mndr up i,i 1 rinre-i-cnt.ctivt
fioni Alu.inv, 'J from I. no tuunt.v, 7
from Kings, 'J'J from Nest Yoi L. 1 from yiu'ens,
1 from ItcnsM lacr, and 1 fioni Scboh ,iie. ivlilch
was the on y one of tlio ntj eciunties In New
York carried for llrjaii and Mju.illnt last jear's
eleellon, Of tho :!." Dciuucmllc iiicinbcr uf tbo
last AsHimbl), ill), or siv-Kuveiiihs of tlio totul
nunihor, came from tcrritor) to ho included
within tiie llre.iter New Yenk 'J'J from the
E resent eiti. 7 ficiin llrouklvn. and 1 from tho
orouuh nf Queens, or at least so much uf it as
includes Long Isl'.ud Cit.
With an Assembly of lfiO members. 70 are
required to constitute a m.ijorit.v. and the Dem
ocratic representation must, therefore, be moro
than doubled to nut the lte-publliansin an) peril
of losing ihti loner blanch ot tlio not I.igisla-
tine, rrom all prccnl reports the probabili
ties are that n hilt, I ho Ijoiiuh ratic membership
will bo increased, it villi mil bo lucre tsed toim
extent so greut as to tit in Jeopard) ltcpubil
can control. The present Indication,., indeed,
are that tho Itcpubllcmis villi elect from PU to
lOOmcnibcis. and lUe Democrats will elect from
00 to .ri0, Klvinga a.ifo aud secure Itupiihliian
inajnrlt), hut a smaller ono than there was in
tho session of lh!l7 or In t licit of IS'll!. Ji is
hurdl) to bo cvpecled, ill acrounts agree, that
thu Republican vtilovWIl bo .is large, in nearly
as large, this) car. without) a.lmlgc- to he voted
for on tho hlato ticket, as It wus a vear ago In
the niouic'iilous iiiiiteM whit h leliiled not mil)
to the pruscrv nt ion of tho public faith anile i edit,
hut also to tlio elect Ion for four ) ens of a i'lesl
dent of tho L lilted .Slates, mid for two )cars of
n (iiiicrnornf theMateiif New Yoik.
A diminution of tho Demotintie volois prob
able, too, though to a lesi extent; nnd, nmre
otor, in some of thc-di"trklsof I he Mate, though
mil all, tho National Democrat", to c illed, are
this)carf vorlng thu llr)iiiiilesim .Stale eiueis
tlons. and In a fen or ihn counties their vote
ma) iiiukeililfeienii' enough to turn tlio scalo.
Tins Is espcelall) m In a count)-like Krie. halo
eenint) has iiowclht inemhers of Asciulil,nnd
six of them in the last Ligii-hilitre were Ifepub
llc.ins. In llio Fourth Disiiittuf Krie, however,
Ibis was tho vote lu-d )ear: Itepublicaii. :i,7llt:
Democrat, :i,(l'j;i j Val lonal Deuioci.il, JHa. llio
Itepublicaii plnriilit) was :i voles; but, with the
Smlomil lit inotr.iis added to tliellrjini poll, the
lli'iuiblicaiis would huvo been In u minniilr of
Jill), 'lliis is ono of the dlotrii'iHWlilih the Dem
oeiatsuxpect to gain, and another is llio I'll st
District of Oiiolda, moro gi ner.illv inllrd the
1 lien district. It was last n presented b) u
ltepuhllcanthiit in time lei linn nf lsila It was
carried b) tho Deinncalsb) Ititl iniijiiritv, and,
being niiiiiliiiilit iiDuiiiiiiratledletiii I, H 's unite
llkel), Boiim polltii I, in., think. In liu found again
in the Dcmoirnllc column lliis jc.ir
Tho J'irsl diHtric t of Ning.ua, tho North Toua
waiiila dlslrlit. Is another whlih somo ol the)
DcuniuntB.iru claiming. In list )cu's I'leclion
In .Monroe count v, winch now Ii is I members nf
Assembl), the 111 null u vote Mils lll.MMi.iuil tbo
Mulvlnlcy vote 'Jli.-JUO, On tho tlnu rneirshlp,
however, tho lilac k vntn was 'J.'i oou, the I'lirtur
veto lh.OOo, nud tlio National DeiiiinT.n ) volo
4I1H. Tbisgmo thu llvptiulliiiii a goenl in ejority
under conditions iiiiiiHuallr fiiiornbio to their
Slice ess, but a majurit) by no menus laign
c uoiigh to assure lie publican sue cess in all four
clislrlc Is of .Monroe in mi nrdlnnr) Ugh:, A gain
of one hi two Asciiiol)miu hero Is theieiiiiio
Probable b the Deiiini i.ils, snd the part) est .
unites include, t o, a gain nfinio In vlbitii). nun
111 iM-ncca, which Is luuallt llrnmcratli, undniiu
In Oswego, (ho l'list Asm inbl) tllMiict of vvliUh
was cnirled by the l!eiiuu.lc..'is last vu.tr by a
uiajorlt) of :i:i voiesonl).
l'lieso gains, whlih tho IlepublliaiiH by no
nie.iiisrcjiieeue, wei'ild nuke mini Hi n.il change
in the I.cglsluturi) were Itncil lor thu fact that
there is somii apprehension of liYpuhllenn Iiism s
in tliotcrrltein uf Ni'w oik hj iiiimui nf lho
vindictive nnd treat heroin, coilisoof thu mi
ciillodt'luin running i.indlduti's to divide tbo
Itepulil can vote in man) illtileis ntheinlso
I.lciubllcan. There weie fmiitcen llnui'dii n
liicmbcis of Assembl) In Kings inuiiiv in lho
laid lA'glshilurejIheio wile tlilrli'i n fioni New
vorkeit) ; tlicio wiisoiio liuiii llnhuioinl; ono
from Ifuocns, nnd one fioni the pennon of W'est
i healer vvhli h lues soiiin nf tlio lil. iter New
vcirk within its bciuiidailes. a total of thirty
in hers in all just lho wimo ,is thu Ileum
eratiei membership from the Ureuicr New mk
ujetr hko. Thin ear inn stund-up light be
tween lho iwopailics n Deiiiuirullc gam if four
or five districts would not be uncspet toil and
wouleliuakii no great dllloience With, how
ever, rival citizens' cnndidutosrtinniuL' ,n some
doubtful districts a largor number of Tammany
Democrats may, perhaps, bo gniucd.
XUSJtETIJlE3lEXTOFJVSTXCI!riEX.n.
om late. Incident, nnd Colarldences In
Itrinnrknhln Cnre-ri.
imii,
Stephen J. Field was Lorn In Connecticut on
Nov. 1. Indiana was admitted Into tho Union in
tho same year. There were nineteen States only.
Tho Presidential election was ronductol by tho
legislatures, not by popular vote. A steamboat
made a trip from Savntuiali to Cliar'ctdon, nnd
travelling between New York and Philadelphia
took from sunrise to sunset. (Ins w as Introduced
in llvltlinnru and a ravings binlt wns established
In Now York city nt a mass meeting,
1MIIT.
Stephen J. Field graduated from Williams
College. Michigan became a Statu In this year.
Tho Indian Osceola was captuicd In Florida.
Lov njoy, tho Abolitionist idllor, wns murdered
In Illinois. Chicago was incorporated, with a
population of 4,170. llrass movements for
clocks wcro Invented in Connecticut.
INII.
Stephen J. Field becamo a lnwycr. Ilcwn9
admitted to the bar, uf whicli ho has been a
member for fifty-six years.
in in.
In tho winter of Ml) and '.",0 Stephen J.
Field, who had been travelling In Kuropc, ar
rived in California, IIo was elected ns Alcaldo
ofMarysvillc, his first olllcc. In lSoO ho was
elected to tho legislature of California. Ftvo
dajs bcforoJudgo Field's arrival In California
tho San Francisco fire of '40 occurred on a
Christmas evo. In tho samo jear Father
Mathcw, tho Irish temperance advocate, arrived
in tho I'nlted States; the first medical degrco to
bo conferrod on a woman was grantod; the
Astor place riot occurred; and cold was found
in California.
1N57.
Stephen J. Field was cloctcd a Supremo Court
Judge in Han Francisco; as Chief Judge in 1P3Q.
I hit a.
Judge Field was appointed Justice of tho
United States Supreme Court by Abraham Lin
coln. Tho Kmuiielpation Proclamation appoarcd
in tho same jear. The battlo of (lctt)sburg
was fought. Cotton sold in Now York for 8H
cents a pound. Other events of that yearworo
tho draft riots in New York city and tho Inau
guration of free delivery of letters by postmen.
1NII7.
Stephen J. Field retires after 3 1 years of ser
vicoon tho bench of the Supreme Court. John
Marshall served III )cars, from 1801 to 1833;
Joseph Story 31 jears. from 1811 to 1845, and
John McLean 3'J ) ears, from 18'J9 to 18C1. Of
the Supremo Court Justices appointed by Abra
ham Lincoln, Chase served 0 years, Davis 13,
Snayne i!0. Miller ".9, and Field 3-1.
INIO 1MOT.
In 181G the expenses of tho United States
Government, now S3'J0,O0O,0OO, w cro $32,000,
000; pensions, which now cost $140,000,000,
wcro $188,000; there were :i,i!00 Post Oftlecs in
the country Instead of 70,000, as at present; the
population of thocountr) w as 8,000,000. South
Carolina had a larger population thnn Illinois,
Indiana, Ions, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minne
sota, and Missouri combined; and Philadelphia
was the largest city in the country.
TllIXK OX TUESE Tllixas.
Serious Questions Tor All Patriots atttl ror M ea
of Iluslness Ktpeclallj.
To the r.iiiTon of The fcus Sir: It Is
only ono year since the country by a tremen
dous effort placed at tho helm of national Gov
ernment the party which stood for national
honor and financial integrity. What Has been
the result 1 Confidence returned, our bonds and
securities were enhanced in value, our factories
opened their doors, thousands of Idle men found
work, gold is coining back to us, and If we keep
on in the path upon which we entered a year
ago there Is every sign of a period of groat pros
perity to come.
Can it bo possible that the business men of the
great metropolis of the country are willing to
turn bsek tho wavo of prosperity nnd give
notice to the nations of tho world that we have
no stable policy as a peoplo. but are ready to
play football with our prli.Mples and reject
everything for which we stood and fought only
twelve months ago I People ot other lands are
looking on. ready to deride our fickleness and
to snv : What confidence can wo have in tbo
promises of such a peoplo nnd what security
can there be in their financial stability I
Who can calculate tho untold suffering
through which wo passed before the turning
point came last Nov ember t Who can look
bick upon It witbuut a shudder the country
almost binkruptund everybody suffering from
the prevailing want of confidence I
The result or the election of 1BD0 was In answer
to tho cr) uf the whole land to be saved from
ruin.
Are the people insane enough to desire a
repetition of tne disasters from which we have
solitelv escaped I Shall we never profit by ex
perience I
Can institutions ho successfully conducted
without leaders I Must all the professors bo
Presidents I
Wns any tause ever won without some mind
to direct it
Shall we gain anything by deserting a party
that Btands for nn essential principle, for a
part) that hns only a man as Its Ideal 1
Is this asatemovo under republican govern
ment I
Are wo ready to repeat the experience of tho
past twelve years ?
llcnarolcstin trying to down the "bosses"
you destroy tho only party that guards and
protects society nnd all your interests.
Ofoiioe G. Hopkins,
IlnOOKLYK, Oct. 14.
A Iloyal Hill or Pnro la Olden Time.
To l he EniTon ok The Sun Sir; The follow
ing bill of faro is worth publishing. It was taken
from tho " Record of Pionoers," Pennsylvania,
by permission of the Marshal of the society.
ScoTCii-Imsn.
Hill of faro of tho Kl Dorado Hotel, Ilangtown,
now l'iaccrvillo (near Carlisle, Pa), In tho
palmy clays of pioneer life, vthen thoy had two
grades of hash, "low grade" and "18-carat."
Heef Uptlong" wns another dainty dish, un
known to modern culinary science:
soir.
lean., ,, 0Q
ox-tall, short ......"!.,.. .... ...... iIbo
, . HOIST,
ncer, Mexican, pitmo cut ti so
fleer, upaloni; iso
lifer, plain in!
llref, wiih ono potato, fair size I'.'..'.'!;'.! 1 21
Ilcef, tame, from lho Mates 50
. . , VEOETIRIXS.
naked beaus, plain tn 7s
IialciHl lwnn, greased i'ni
Tw 11 pntatiHS. medium Use .,
Twriipotoioeu. peeled ..."...i!.."".."! Irs
Sauerkraut .. n
llaion. frfed "!
Pan. u. stun- .1 ....,,;,'. i in!
Iliish. lowraao ., '",
Hwb. 18 carat .'..!."".'.!!!!'.','.!.' '.'.' l.oii
Codfish Palls, per pair n --.
Urlzily. fried ...,..' J
Jack rabbit, whole...... ..'".'.",.',','..',",','.',.'.''.'.','. i.ou
JU-e puddliur, plain . I"!'. ln .,
it co P'lrtillnj. nllh molasses ,."''.' 'on
lllco pudding wiui bruiidy praches .....";. i'liu
Square mtal with dessrri. 'l 110, payal.lo tn advance.
Uold scabs at end of tho bar.
The Nno Mt-murlnl Mlndotr lirdlmlnd.
SynvcTBK. Oct. 17,-Mir. Husscll Sage.wifo
of the New York financier, was In Syrncuso to
day at tho scrvico attending tho dedication of
the memorial window which Mrs. Sago nnd her
brother. John Slocum, caused to bo placed In the
First Picshytorlan Church, of which her fnther
was ono of tho organizers and which alio at.
tended In her early da) a. Miss Mary Tilling
hast, the artist who designed tlio window, was
also present,
Tho window is 18 by 0 foot and is placed in
tlio organ loft. On tho left Is a figure of tlio
Hivioui robud in white, holding in 000 hand tho
Hook of Life, while with the other ho points to
tho now Jerusalem ubove. At his left. In tho
other panel, a tbo figure of n woman. w U
ih,'', '""'""Sluuklng upward, 'llin ' II," y
lliost is seen In tirf) panel between tho two
'.'.ai-ftT.-1""1"8' n,u "iptloii beneath Is as
mlt".1.!1! tw,,,!i!irh0u.", Vlro """'J msn.loo.. If It were
"'".'.."""'''""'"'dyou, I no nt prepare a place
i J.I ',' i1'' .S,.Vt" "' ! ru ! or ""' ''"'', "urd of tldi
ebur h. rutin led im u. jHsNinurn In Nhntlioliit.
Mare '"w'liiT"'' -W York' Jul' '"' 17U.'. elloii
ih.r.ris'v:. uK ' fomp- n'1 ,h,,B," nf
..T,?.'.KJlr,y..r, ","a' !' ' '" 'r "' ""
i.'s,c?"''1 &"'rS'U'lru. Joseph JrrmalnSlooum
and Margaret OUvr r Slocum, Wfe 0t HujmII 8ai7
IritB zDTxr.tt mom irAsniSQTox. $j
The BlEnHlcnnco or Urcrrlni-x Itllta'a nectar- k (j
linn la Inncrstrmel, VMb
JYomfhf Daily ioriifeainii. H
Conspicuous Itopiihllcaiis throughout Ilia
country havo realized tho important 0 of tho T,
contest of their pari V In New York ngnlnst tho i
candidates of the rtbblo and tho candidates of E
tho theoretical. Somo of llicni havo conio Into - f
tho campaign to Impress tho peoplo with tho J V
fact that tho defeat of tho Iicpubllcan candi-
clnto in tho forthcoming contest will bo Inter- ft
pretcd throughout sister States, rspoclally by
tho Apposition, nsn change of sentiment on the
Issues nationally decided last year by tho clco- . I
tlon of William JfcKililcy to tho Presidency. t "
Tho election of Kcnry (Jcorgo will bo heralded A P
from the Atlantic to tho Pacific ns nn inclorso-
inontof llrjanlsm by tho voters of tho Greater 1
Now York. F
Tho success of Van Wyck will havo a llko tn-
terpretatlon, and Tammany will mako up for f
Its cowardly sllcnro on tho subject of tho Chi-
cage platform br howling for llrynulsin and all
It represent'.
Appreciating nil of lhco things, nnd with a
ik-ilio to sco the groater city start out under
proper nusplees, Cornelius N llliss, Secretary
ot the Interior, bus addressed himself to tho
thinking people ot Now York In alotter to tho 'H
splendid Itcpiihllcan candidate, Hon. Iicnjaniln
F. Tracy. I
Voui flir SfiringflrM t'nlon. 1
Secretary llliss of the Interior Department has "satS
dee hired for Gen. Tracy, tho Republican candi- t
date. This means that tho national sldo of the I
Tracy fight will bo pushed forward, and that the ibt !
Administration, nftcr waiting until orery HM
chanco for harmony ellsippcnrcd, felt that lb ",B
was Its duty to stand by tho regular organlza- jl
tlon. on the ground that tho issues are fraught 'I
with grave national Import. jj
rVom fits itIcVini.,crnfn; Journal. W
The stirring letter written by Socretary DllM ,
to Gen. II. 1". Tracy bccius to havo carried die- . 11
may among the encmios of tho Itopubllcan I J
paity, and now-they aro making an attempt to k 1
cheek tho Influence! It produced by shouting .IJ I
"No Federal interference." "Remember 1882, 'I 1
when Judgo Folgerwna beaten because Prosl- I I
dent Arthur Interfered in aStatccloctlon." MrJ!
There is no parallel between tho stato of af- K
fairs in 1882 and 181)7. In this Instance If there I
should bo Federal Interference tn the State
election, which Is not at all likcly.lt would ba
because the President and his advisers are
deeply concernod lest thcro bo divisions ln tha
honest monov party, and that tho fruits of tha
victory of 181)0 bo wasted nnd destroyed.
Certainly that fear should be sufficient to im
pel all friends of honest and ordorly government
to take cvory ledtimate means to avert tha
anticipated calamity.
old noas of waii Fnosr peuxt.
Quaint t.iens Cast In 10JU-03 Ornament tb
Parade llrotind or Fort itlaaon.
From the San Francisco Call.
Within tho area of Fort Mason, a military 'l
reservation in San Francisco, and distributed as V""
mere ornaments over Its grass plats, thero aro
at present eight cannon w hose singular pattern, fc
foreign origin, nnd groat age mako them tho
most remarkable relics within the State of Cali
fornia, ns thevnre believed to bo tho oldest guns
In tho United States. "V,
Of these guns, six are large fortification
pieces and two aro Finnll. for field uses. The
jears of tho casting ot the larger ones are ln
raised letters upon tho breeches, and theso show
that their manufacture belongs to the seven
teenth century, the oldest gun having been cast
in 1073. they ungest in 1G03.
Iradition about tbc fort has It that theso
pieces of ordnance were made In old Spain.
They wero certainly brought to California to
fortify the Presidio of San Francisco ln behalf
of the Spanish King years bofore the despised
Ynnkec invaded the region nnd began to shapo
affairs in a fashion which led to the merging of
tbo political power Into thnt of bis great nation!
cast of the Rockies. That they are Spanish pitM
ductlnnH no better evidence of such identity
need bo desired thnn the names and words upon
theirsurf ices, while tho tlilettnnte ln heraldry ej
might find lasting entertainment In locating the v
houses to whom belong tin- armorial bearings 'j
w hlch form so conspicuous a feature of the elab
orate ornamentation with which each of the
weapons l adorned.
It Is unfortunate that tho authentic historrof
tho guns lies enveloped in darkness. The
ofllcers longest at the fort know nothing of
them. They say onlv "thnt thev were here
when wo came." and that is all. Records, data
of their past, thero appears to bo none; and a
movement to send them to tho Government
museum in Washington has been given a set
hack because the department refuses to admit
thrni until some historical Information concern
ing them has been secured.
How this is to be attained there Is no telling.
To Identify the arms upon the guns, to effect
translation of seemingly mystical words In old
Spanish, to read through musty nrchives tell
ing of. tho arrival of this gun or that, to follow
then&crhnps Into Mexico or Peru, would re
quiJtBfjn noproprintion lnrger than a Congress
pledMl to economy would bo willing to make.
The nelihnod is that the guns will continue t, ,
clouderT by tho obscurity concerning thoir past, -
which, how ever dense, wo know to boas strange
ns tbo curious relief which is embossod upon
their exteriors.
The six largo guns are of bronze; tbey nverage
1.500 pounds in weight, hnvo a fi-lnch bore. -1 . B
nnd throw n'J4-pound ball. Thev were smooth
bore, 'nrthcrotnrvorrifioboro was not Intro- I
durcd until after 1833. nnd they could send a J
ball with cortalnty of nim about 1.000 vards. or k"l!
four timos ns faras could a smooth-bore musket.
Thev hvo from ten to twelve feet long, their
great elongation nf inii7lo being due to the
erroneous Plot then prevalent nuinng gun
founders that thothrowinerpower or tho piece
wss Increased bv tho length of f he bore.
That these cannon vt ern regnrded ss objects of
Importance and dlstlnctinu amounting almost
to vrnernlinn mitv be rnlil tint alnnnfMmih.
ornate embellishment which spreads from vent
to mouth nor to tho eonts of arms mentioned,
but from the fact that the) each bear the name
of somo city or eminent person or somo saint.
vv n can fancy tbo easting nf these guns under the
officci of the Church. Ihelr mounting beneath
the blessings nf lho priest. Thnv were conse
crated as Instrument tremendous in lho
defence or his ninsi Pnthollc Majestv nnd of the
holv Church. Among ieo nnineB the Sans I
predominate. There Is the Sin Francisco
which now ismnuntod upon nn old naval car
rlnge. looking from a distance ns ominous as a
Krupp gun. Its mouth open toward the bay i
which heeiis itstianie. There is tho Pan Pedro. i-
tho San Domingo, tlio Snn Martin, while only
two are given the presuniiilili- non ecclesiastical
lintnr s of Mblrgend Ihirbanedn and Podnr.
Therearo tweii natsof arms upon each of the
euiiE. The one on the breech Is believed to be
that of the rolr'iilng family nrSiml In the vear
iingiiiiwnscaM. to wit: Philip III. or Philip
1 the other thoso or the ninker of the glln.
Ilnth the breeches nnd Ihn barrels nre rimmed
witli numerous raised binds, constituting a
maiked vj Hit Ion from lho Perfectly smooth
Bnrfni es of the nrdnnneo or modern innkc. Cir
cling the end or the muzzles ni o letters hollaved r
to spell thonnmenf the niintiricliirnrstn whom
belong I ho nil I'iceiit ni ins Theso letters are of-
ten as reninrknhlo ns the nnines, being inter-
twined In different fashion; nor is lho spelling
of the same word, or even naino. uniform on all
the guns, riie maker of Mm Sin rrnnelseo hns
his name spoiled nrouiid lb-it gnu ( hns me i
fecit; upon the! "hlrgend llnrb meall Uspclled :
Cubns mo resit. Tlio maker nf t. Sin Domingo. i
hoiougest nrtlingitis,wnaTiixitlR. Alrxod.nnd i
",eist III 1H7R. Pld nioi-hdci-hnstnil Is
tlieletlerincrwhichpellstheiinmeof ilmninkor x
?!.o.",!,,!'!,J''!r"'.1' Jhnn lirodiietlnn lielongs to t
.,1 ' "b Inlho l,ib rgend wns msdo In 11103. i
I he metal used In theso guns is mi unknown J
composition. -
As tn when these imip reached Calirornh only
con lee Mire is possible, There were fnnriuesl lloa
under the old Spnnish regime--thorn nf Snn
Jranrlsro. Mmilerov, Sinta Ilnrhiri. nnd San I
Diego. Tliesnwereilhoheadeiuartersnr Ihomll-
itnry when California nnh under that inle.
V, Is known that wneii the mlobo ri red fort,
called Sin .Tnnniiln, of llio Min FrMnNcn fortl
ficnlionswss reonlied In 17111 It had three 54
pound guns, and It Is llleolv that nil of these old
affairs was then In vvhnl I now tlm Hlnte. Tt Is
known that until lien 1i Howell gathered them
together In 1KB". Ihm were smtlerod hither and
von up nnd ilon ii the eoist. andnno was not
knnivn from the either. Sim e. however, tills col
lection of fbeni has 1 ecu mado they have been
mounted In Fort Jtainn.
lo Tuo.SliHIlo 1,0,1,11, i,eh
nun the lonthtn Timet,
At tlm I dtli Town riuncll meeting yesterday af
lernonn Hie luislneM Included tin reading of a letter
fmm Lord Halfour nf llnrlelh tu the Provoit trans- '
nilttlnis a ni-dal t. hh-li the Qu-en bat conferred upon
the Provost em lho completion ( itesUilelh yearof
her reljtn The liofu,i sub.nltfd the medal, which
ho called a bauble, ami .aid he , dlsappolnttHl
wllblt.lls valuo I- Intr only 1. ild, or St, lions
astonished that I onl Ilalfour nf llurlelkl, .1 ould .end
suchatlilii.-utl... ITiive.it cf i.llh. llalllo Oltison
rrotcied nujiMt im,, and uil thnt If tlm Prmntt l
would ,,t bare, ft lie mi.uld return It In Lord Hal
four of Hurl. tith. r-cuiitlllor Ilaxter onoied to move
that llio Prevent bo presMited wlthagof.i replica.
Tlio ITovct said If lr Ua.er ,,, iat motloD
be would wear tlio gold medal and pr.se.nt Ih. bauble , i
tohlmoir Il.xter). An oxclteeUcouo follow od. and . W
soreral members withdrew. The subject nw Una M
m