BRITAIN'S ' FREE TRADE POOR
The United Kingdom Oompollcd to Oaro for
1,317,104 , Pauperized Subjects ,
.VITAL PROBLEM BEFORE HER STATESMEN
Clinnibcrlnln > 'oir AilvncntlnR n System of
Olil ARC I'cunluns to 8i.tre | llniimt nnd
Industrious Cltlrcn * Ilia Humilia
tion ut tlio Workhouse ,
BIRMINGHAM , England , Sept. 29. ( Spo-
clal Correspondence. ) If 1 should be asked
who among contemporary British statesmen
has the most political virility , the answer
would unhesitatingly bo Joseph Chamberlain.
In thus answering I do not necessarily cn-
ilorso Mr , Chamberlain's views , either
economically or politically. This series of
letters If they are to bo of Interest and of
permanent value must reflect the many views
of many European Intellects. They must set
forth without prejudice and with Judicial
fairness the tendency of European thought
on the great problems now occupying the
minds of these who lead. In some cases
we may Dnd European countries grappling
with problems similar to these we are dealIng -
Ing with at homo and hence learn much ot
vnluo In the experiences ot other states.
To what extent the consideration of popular
cures for poverty and schemes for pensionIng -
Ing everyone In old age may appeal to
American statesmen In a largo degree , de
pends upon how long the folly of the present
administration will be permitted to continue.
Today In Great Britain and continental
Europe these questions seem to take pre
cedence of nil others. Unequal apportion
ment of wealth ; steady Increase of pauper
ism ; decrease In the army ol actual pro
ducers ; limitation ot the markets ot the
world ; lessened earning powers in branches
ot Industry In which England was once
supreme ; the ever growing army ot unem
ployed und the accumulated vehemence of
latter day competition literally compels the
British statesman to turn to the state , for
aid In the never-ending struggle of the
survival of tlio fittest , for the care of those
who get left In the race.
But there Is the British poor house. Every
English subject has a right to end his dayt
thero. At the present time , of the working
classes , one In two , If ho reaches the. ago of
60 , Is almost certain to come- upon the poor
law for his subsistence. Tlio annual cost of
this Institution Is between $45,000.000 and
$50,000,000. To the average mind a sum
exceeding by $15,000,000 or $20,000,000 the
annual Interest on our national debt would
seem to bo sufficient for maintaining the
poor anil Indigent. Not HO , In spite of this
enormous outlay the suffering and poverty
aa old ago creeps on Is so great in the
United Kingdom that the most brilliant and
far-seeing statesmen arc studying all avail
able data In the hope of finding some ad
ditional method ot state aid for the old and
Indigent without still further pauperizing
the population ,
RIGHT HON. JOSEPH CHAMBERLAIN.
la this endeavor I find Mr. Chamberlain
taking an advanced position. During my
stay In Birmingham I had an opportunity ol
discussing this question ono afternoon with
him In his homo at Highbury , and In the
course of that conversation I learned much
that surprised and Interested me. Few
people nt homo realize how seriously
British statesmen are discussing state ah !
for old ag3. It Is practically today the
leading new proposition In Mr. Chamber
lain's budget. He puts It forward In al
his speeches In such a. manner that tin
working classes are greatly attracted am
ho Is rapidly winning back his old follow
ing. In Birmingham this remarkable man
me .v MLIIOHIIU
Is as absolute as In the days when ho was
looked upon as the natural successor of Mr.
Qladttono. These of Mr. Chamberlain's
admirers who do not agree with his opposi
tion to homo rule for Ireland say that Jlli e
sacrificed the premiership for a principle
which he believed In the autonomy of the
United Kingdom. They have forgiven him.
Ills tremendous services to th municipality
of Birmingham cannot be erased. The
Chamberlain memorial Is n silent testimonial
of his courage , energy and master
fulness In dealing with local ifm
fairs. In one , respect Mr. Cham
berlain gained strength by refusing mto
follow Mr. Gladstone In his Irish policy.
John Bright was an anti-home ruler. Ho
had followers In Birmingham , which Mr ,
Chamberlain never controlled until his ti
tude on this question brought them Into ll B
( old.
old."Have
"Have you a volume of Mr , Chamberlain's
( speeches ? " I said of a somewhat demure
young woman In the loading bookseller's of
Birmingham.
In a moment a volume was laid before me ,
but I nt once noticed It ante-dated his
political changes.
"This volume , " I said , "waa published be
fore the liberal split.
"Bcforo Mr. Chamberlain's reformation , If
you please , sir , " was the respectful reply.
The old John Bright following In Birming
ham are more strongly attached to Mr.
Chamberlain than ever. They laugh at the
Idea of Joseph Chamberlain having gone over *
to the conservatives and resent very much
the Imputation that ho would accept a tttla
or Is longing for the society of dukes and
duchesses. He Is as much the Idol of the (
English working classes as ever and they
look to him to assist In all measures to
nllevlate their cuffrrlnp ; and improve their
condition. To them he Is Joseph Chamber
lain commoner. Ho may even gr > Into ibrn >
conservative cabinet , and from what I heard
probably will , but In that event It will been
understood to be & mixed cabinet and on
other questions than the autonomy of the
United. Kingdom , as It Is termed , Mr. Cham
berlain will to a largo extent feel himself
free to act Independently ,
Ba this as It may the great Birmingham
leader Is the most active man In English
politics just at this moment. Ho lias already -
ready made three great epirchca during the
vacation and more are to follow , These
ipccches ore directed to the British work
man and the general Idea which pervades
them all Is parliament has ilono enough for
the Irish tenant and the lime has come i to
help the English , To pass such legislation
as the old ago pension act and generally team
extend state socialism , for that Mr , Cham -
barlaln frankly admits la the drift amot
British politics. Ha argues the govcrnmen
Is loaning money on Irish land to help the
poor tenant of Ireland against the land -
lords , why not go Into the annuity business
anfl pension the victims of law wagesnnd
ap gpode This Is logical and to a cation
thoroughly accustomed as England to
the "House" as a final refuge for old npo , a
thoroughly practical Idea. Mr. Chamber
lain's scheme , u ho wan good enough lo
explain It to me , U not a * fnr-reachlnx aa
dome of tho-proposals now before the public ,
backed bv powerful and abla economists and
statesmen. It may be sat-1. huwever , to
hold tha field politically. Politicians and
nodal reformers have taken up this fascinat
ing economic subject and In the orthodox
English fashion a committee of peers and
M. P.'B were appointed to Investigate ami
prepare a scheme. There were almost as
many schemes as members of the committee ,
but the skillful touch of the radical leader
rounded the sharp edges , welded together n
plan and drafted tlio necessary bill.
This bill offers a very great Inducement to
everyone , man or wornnn , but to man and
marrying- men especially to provide against
the alternative consequence of premature ;
death or of protracted life.
OLD AGE AND THE WORK HOUSE.
"I find , " raid Mr. Chamberlain , with great
earnestness , "that while the British wage-
corner realizes the fact that ho may < llo be
fore the allotted tlmo and that he may meet
with an accident , or ba laid up by Illness ,
ho does not seem to appreciate the fact that
ho may live beyond the wage-earning
period. The working classes Insure their
lives and pay enormous sums annually Into
accident and sick fund associations. It Is ,
hov\ever , most difficult to get them to pro
vide for old age. As a consequence ono out
of two of the Industrial population of
this kingdom who llvn to old age end
their days In the work house. They deserve
a belter fate. It Is nonsense to suppose that
CO per cent' of these old people have done
anything- deserve the fate , which I regret
to say , under existing circumstances , Is In
evitably In store for them. To prevent this
I propose and shall urge a measure which
will provide for a worklngman's widow and
young children In case of premature death
and an annuity or pension m case he lives
beyond Ri and thereby outlives his powers
of earning money. "
"What are the details of your old age
pension scheme ? "
"Tho details will In a measure take care
of themselves. There are really at the
present two or threa propositions nnd the
measure may and probably will bo subjected
to various modifications. It la briefly this :
"To the account of every man who , when
ho Is 25 , shall liavo paid 0 ( $24 33) ) Into the
pension fund , there will bo added from state
funds the sum of f5 ( $72.DS ) . The account
so opened must then be kept alive by a pay
ment of 1 ( $1.86) ) each year for forty year * .
This payment may be maae in such Instal
ments as the depositor finds convenient , and
may be In arrear' without loss of benefit ,
but It must bo at no time morn than 5
( $21 33) ) In arrear , or all claim to benefit will
be lost. All arrears must bo paid up , to
gether with 5 per cent per annum Interest ,
before benefit can bo claimed. The whole
fund and Its accumulations will be ad
ministered for the benefit of the depositors ,
and will entitle them to receive :
(1) ( ) If they llvo to C5 , a pension of G
shillings ( $1.22) ) a week for their remaining
years.
(2) ( ) If they dlo before 65 ( a ) Gs ( $1.22) ) a
week for the widow for twenty-six weeks.
( b ) 2s (49o ( ) a week for each child till 12
years old ( but not to exceed 12s ( $2.92) ) In
all for the first twenty-six weeks , and 8s
( $1.95) ) a week afterwards ( c ) If neither
widow or children are left , the original 5
( $2133) ) to be returned to the depositor's
representatives at his death.
"It Is hoped that the offer to add 15
( $72.99) ) to 15 ( $21.33) ) will be found a suffl-
cle-nt Initial Inducement , and that then the
fear of losing so great n stake will bring
about the regular payment of 1 ' ( $4 SC ) each
jcar , or at least not allow the time of grace
to expire. "
"Do you think many would avail them
selves of this opportunity at 25 years of age ?
Con " ! they make a deposit of 5 ( $24.33. $ ) ? "
"We have provided for such a contingency
It Is also allowable for any man to deposit
2.10 ( $12 16) ) In place of 5 ( $24 33) ) , nnd to
pay 10 shillings ( $2.43) ) in place of 20 shil
lings ( $4.86) ) each year , If ho forego the bene
fit offered to widow
and children or any re
turn In the event of death before C5. This
Is to meet the case of those who do not pro
pose to marry , or who prefer to arrange
otherwise for their families "
"Will the proposed plan admit of Increase
In amount of pension ? "
"Both males and females may Increase
their pension to 2C ( $126 D2) ) a year by pro
portionately additional payments. "
"Then you Include women ? "
"Yes. The proposition Is similar , though
on a lower scale. Every woman before she
reaches 25 will be Invited to deposit 30 shil
lings ( $7.29) ) , and to this the state will add
8 ( $3S.93) ) , making a capital sum of 9.10
( $50.22) ) for her In place of 20 ( $97.33) $ ) for
each man. Her yearly payments
will bo three-eighths of a pound
( $2.11) ) In place of 20 shillings ( $4 8G ) .
and her benefit a > pension , after 65 , o3
shillings (73 cents ) a week , and nothing
more. "
This Is the general Idea which tuns
through Mr. Chamberlain's mind , though he
is not particular as to details. Us Hrmly
believes some measure of this kind -will be
come a law , and 1C It does , he will un
doubtedly deserve the credit for It. The
proposition as herein stated U In effect 25
( $121.66) ) from the Individual to set against
15 ( $72.99) ) from the state to secure
the benefits offered.
GOVERNMENT LIFE INSURANCE.
Since the conversation with Mr. Chamber
lain I have given some attention to this
subject of annuities and old age- pensions
and discovered many Interesting facts which
I do not think are generally known. In
posting my last week's letter I observed n
placard bearing the following Inscriptions :
Telegrams to all Parts
of the Kingdom.
Savings Banks.
Money Orders.
Postal Orders.
Parcel Post.
Life Insurance.
and
Annuities.
And I suppose when Mr. Chamberlain's
new bill becomes a law will be added :
State Aid Pensions
Everyone Over 65 Years
of Age.
In England today the government will
save your money , transmit It through the mall
In any sum , carry your parcels , send your
telegrams. Insure your Ijfo against prema
ture death and Issues an annuity In your old >
age ,
The government life Insurance and annuity
business has not been particularly success !
ful , though now that Mr. Chamberlain pro
poses to protect It by a government subsidy oof
about 15 ( $7299) $ for every 25 ( $121.C : o >
IS.
Up to date the people of England have taken
Httlo stock In government Insurance. During
twenty-nine years of operation I find the
total number of Insurance contracts has
been under 14,000 ; the contracts In existence
are 9,000 and the accumulated funds 189,000
( $919,76350) ) . How different -with the
postal savings bank. They have ,
according to the latest available
returns , 5,400,000 accounts and a credit
balance of over 70,000,000 ( $364,987,500. $ )
That the Insurance- field Is vast In England
and that the government for BO mo reason or
other has thus far made a miserable
failure of It may be gathered from the fact
tl.at the number of Ufa and endowment
policies of all kinds nnd the amount In Great
Ihltaln by all British offices Is approximately
estimated as follows : Number of policies ,
14.449,093 ; amount Insured , 617,653,000 )
( $ .t.005SO,324. )
So much for the let alone policy. What
will bo the result when direct government
aid becomes a settled fact 18 difficult to
foretell.
OVER 100,000 PAUPERS.
Mr. Chamberlain's proposition , however , Is
moderate compared with some of the pro
posals made for old ago pensions. I do not
mean Irresponsible proposals , but measures
urged by such students of social economy
aa Charles Hoot I , who Is rapidly coming teen
the front hero as the greatest authority on
all matters relating to the wages of labor
and pauperism. After thoroughly sifting
this subject Mr , Booth comes to the conclu :
sion that Mr. Chamberlain's scheme , lutf
carried Into effect , would only emphasize
pauperism , and that the wisest and roost
effectual method would bo a universal old
ago pension. Ai near as I can ascertain
tin following proportion of this happy , free
trade country are paupers ;
rtatio to
Population Vauners. population.
Under l < . 11,1(1.021 315-tiI IS p r cent
ta < > . li.rs..ro wiTsa it
CO ta U . . 612 OJI C5SS3 g.1 "
Over IS . lEg,6 4 1I3.9CJ ti.1 "
ToUl . ,001,01J 1.317.104 4 t per ctnt
It may b * accepted as probabla that the
ratio of paupers to population , It on tha av
erage It UU4 per cent , will bo for these from
10 to 60 ( the naturally aelf-supportlne yean
of life ) less than 4 per cent , but that for those
between CO and 65 the r.-tto wilt rise to about
S per cent , whllo for those over 65 It Is
probably nearly 26 per cent Mr. Booth main
tains that at least 30 per cent of the old who
die have pauper relief during the closing
years ot their lives.
Should Mr Booth's scheme of universal
pension gain ground Wo may expect la hear
the demand , "Sixty-five and G shillings a
week , " go up from every hustings In the
kingdom To be sure , such a luxury will come
high for England and Wales , 17,000,000 ( $82.-
780,500) ) , for Scotland 2,500,000 ( $12,166,260) , ) ,
and for Ireland over 4,000,000 ( $19,466,000) ) .
This without reckoning In working expenses ,
but calculating on the supposition that all
aged persons , whatever their social position ,
will draw their pension , A total of nearly
$120,000,000 for old ago pensions will seem
even to our American statesmen a good round
sum to add forever , as It were , to the na
tional budget. A sum which may Increase ,
but , unllko our pensions for union soldiers ,
cannot -well diminish.
Such seem to be the social necessities ot
the times In England. You lienr leading
statesmen declaring that the mail or the. party
who solved the question of preventing a man
who has worked hard all his life , maintained
his family , has been a good citizen , from go
ing in his old age Into the workhouse , de
serves more glory than by winning battles on
the field.
field.SICK
SICK RELIEF SOCIETIES.
On the continent state Insurance to provide
for sickness and death has already made
headway. In Germany It was an eany matter
as the basis on which to build already existed
In the compulsory membership of sick re
lief societies. The law of 1884 provides that a
laborer must compulsorlly become a member
of a local sick fund , a factory sick fund , a
building sick fund , a mining sick fund , or a
voluntary relief fund. The employer , as a
rule , la required to pay one-third and the
members two-thirds of the premium , This
was followed by the accident Insurance laws
of 1881-85 , Prince Bismarck stating In the
Reichstag his conviction that the state
should monopolize the entire scheme of In
surance and divert It from private enter
prise , which he contended merely signified
private exploitation In the misfortunes of
the laboring population.
The circle of state-aided Insurance waa
completed In 1889 by the Reichstag passing
with a narrow majority the law ot In
surance against Invalidity and old ago , which
came Into operation at the beginning of
1891. and has since been carried out in the
whole of the provinces. ,
France now has a schema of old ago In
surance or pensions , and Is contemplating a
far more ambitious one. Denmark In 1S91
Increased the tax on beer , and In doing BO
gave as compensation state pensions at the
age of 62 without previous contributions.
The effect of this law or the coat ot carrry-
IIIK it out are as yet unknown. Italy Is
seriously discussing this subject , and n prop
osition such as the one Mr. Cramberlaln
proposes for England Is , I believe , now pend
ing. For schemes actually work MC are
therefore confined to Germany and Den
mark. The first affords the example of a
universal scheme based on compulsory con
tributions exacted from workmen and mas
ters and assisted by fixed state grants ; tha
second , of a scheme which applies to all the
necessitous without previous contributions ,
provided they have kept clear of the poor
law during the ten years of their lives
which precede the pension age. In addi
tion to these measures actually In opera
tion , we have In France the proposal to
establish a voluntary measure resting , llko
the German , on t'.ie Joint contributions ot
masters and men , together with a largo
state subsidy ; and finally , in 'Italy
wo have another proposal to
establish a pension fund , with state aid ,
through the medium of the savings banks
and friendly societies. The fates and for
tunes of these various types will be closely
followed by those who are seeking to ac
complish the same end In the United King-
dom.
A WARNING NOTE.
What the American free trader , who Is
horrified at legislation for the purpose of
giving the worklngman plenty of work at
decent wages so that he may keep his family
In cO.nfort and lay up something for old ago ,
will say to this direct scheme for' ' taking
money out of the public treasury nnd giving
It to Individuals , I can hardly Imagine. It
would Indeed be Interesting to note how such
a proposition as that of Mr. Chamberlain's
( probably the mildest of the lot ) would be
received In congress. And yet It Is the duty
of the government to look after the welfare
of Its citizens. It Is difficult to- get away
from this fact. Some of our statesmen will
find It so If by folly we give away the rich
heritage which has fallen to our lot. The
necessity of finding employment for our wage-
earners'Is not yet upon us , though some of
us have never doubted the advisability of It.
, ,
We are not yet brought face to face with the
exigency of an old ago pension. Let us hope
that day is remote. Nevertheless , there are
forces at work In the United States , today
which make nil this possible. Our people
cannot compete with European conditions
without lowering our standard of well being.
That Is certain. ROBCRT P. PORTER.
IMHJHTKt.tl * J UTK1.
Texas negroes are worth $20,000,000.
American railroads have 873.C02 em
ployes.
Last year 7,124,502 gross tons of pig Iron
were produced In this country.
Ono man can make 6,000 tin cans in a
day by the aid of Improved machinery.
The production of coal of all kinds In the
United States In 1893 was 162,811,977 gross
tons.
tons.TUa
TUa fruit business In California Is affected
by HID trade with London , notwithstanding
that the freight charges amouat lo $700 on a
carload. This amounts to a freight charge of
GO cents a basket for pears , peaches or
grapes. It takes only fourteen daya to
transport the Carload from Los Angeles to
London , an-1 the fruit arrives In excellent
condition.
Natural gas Is gradually declining In pres
sure throughout the country. From a pres
sure of 210 pounds In 1887 It Is now re
duced to less than half that amount. The
banner year was 1888 , when the product
reached a value of $22,000,000. Last yeai.
the product was worth less than $15,000,000
Indiana was the leading state , her product
alone being valued at $5,718,000 , and It was
the only state showing an Increase for 1S93.
The New York Mall and Express says :
"The bootblacktng stand In the Equitable
bulldlnc cost $1,200 , and Us Italian propri
etor employs a pretty girl as Its cashier.
He was once a bootblack himself , but now
owns ce\eral of the most valuable stands In
the city. The Italian who has the boot-
blacking privileges on the Pennsylvania Tall-
road and several other ferrlca employs about
seventy boys , and their wages are from $5 to
$9 a week. "
Another model city of the Pullman va
riety Is projected In western New York. It
Is located on the southwestern border of
Lake Ontario , and -comprises twenty-five
square miles of splendid land under the
brow of a mountain. Water will be Its
motor. Under a state charter the company
will tap the Niagara river , and by means of
a canal carry the water seven miles and ob
tain a fall of 319 feet. The canal will cot
$1.000,000. The company expects to employ
2,000 men during the winter.
Viewed from the per diem standpoint , the
man who can turn out the most finished
product la the cheapest. The German work
man produces ICES per diem than the French
man , who in Urn is below the Enclhhman
In this regard , while American workmen
excel all others In their per diem output.
Comparative analysis of the wages of there
four classes of workers will prove at once
that although wages In America are much
higher , American labor Is really the cheap
est , because Its dally output of finished
product is so much greater.
The International Typographical union
convenes tomorrow In annual session at
Irfmlivllle , Ky. President Prescott In his
annual address , advance copies of which have
been given out , will recognlzo the fact that
the typesetting machine has come to stay ,
ami express the opinion that the Introduction
of the. machines will eventually necessitate
another division of the printing craft , making
such provision as to enable the machine
operators to form 6 union of their own , and
Urns control their own affairs without sepa.-
ratton from the International organization ,
lie discountenances the suggestion that t he-
International union secure control of existing
machines and rent them to publishers , nt
tha same lime offering Inducements to In
ventors for the Invention of new ones ai
Impracticable. It would require on accumu
lation of capital far beyond the powers of the
organization.
ANCIENT- AND COSTLY LACES
* 11
ni in
Some BpIoniulCwlloctiono Owned bj Wealthy
ofrrfenofNowYork ,
POINT D'AIEN'CON IS THE FAVORITE
.rt a >
[ > r ii "
rortuncj Inrr4fr < I In Ilresrc * nnil Ilitmlkcr *
clilrfu A , jjjretljr LcgRiuInrr Tnlo In
Connection with the Dcllriito
Point Ia Vriilcc.
n i in
The fasMonnblo women of Newport nro alt
greatly Interested In old lace at present.
It seems tlint the Countess do Rrazza
Savorgnan nee Corn Slocomb of Now
Orleans , nliose present abode Is Home , has
been visiting at Newport this summer and
Incidentally trying to Interest women of tlio
" 400" In her pet scheme for helping the Ince
workers of Italy ; slip Is succeeding admirably
and every ono Is ordering lace berthas and
lace flounces galore.
Now York buys more laces than any other
city In the world. It has at least a. score
of women whose laces exceed $50,000 In value
and probably 100 whose collections would sell
for $20,000 ; $500 flchus , $200 handkerchiefs ,
$300 scarfs and a $1,000 overdress , all mere
bagatelles la the wardrobes of thu wives of
millionaire ? .
Brussels Is a pillow lace city , Indeed Barbara
Llttlnan , the Inventor of pillow lace , lived
and died there.
The pattern , drawn upon parchment. Is
Uxod firmly to the pillow , pins are stuck
along the outlines , and to them the lace Is
woven by crossing and twisting the threads ,
each of which ends In a bobbin. Lace , two
Inches wide , requires 200 or 300 bobbins. A
piece six Inches has sometimes as many as
1,000. The thread Is handspun from the
beet Brabant flnr. In damp dark cellars ,
whose ono ray of.llght falls on the spinner's
hand.
As tht lace. Is never vv aslied before It Is sold
there Is the most exquisite neatness In every
thing connected \\lth It. Still , as months
are. consumed la making very handsome
pieces , the work turns dingy In spllo of the
lace workers' best efforts. To remedy that
It Is sometimes dusted with white lead In ,
powder and turns dark at contact with gas
or sulphur In a way to exasperate the
wearer.
Point d'Alcncon ' Is universally acknowl
edged the richest and most beautiful of all
lace. It IB * characterized by a raised orrm-
FROM MREJ , vSTOR'S COLLECTION.
ment ; the cordonpel or cording of the out
lines Is made by a horse hair which the
workers Introduce- order to give strength
and substance.
anwi Of the delicate point do Vcntso , seemingly
wrought out ; 0f mists and cobwebs , almost
out of nothing , the following pretty legend Is
old : - „
In the Islands of the Lagunes a sailor youth
rom the south seas brougnt home to his
letrothed a lace weaver , a bunch of delicate
coralline , tellinglicr It was the lace which
ho mermaidstwovo In the coral caves under
ho transparent waves of the Indian ocean.
thW "Pretty as It Is , " said the young lace
worker ( , "I will make something with my
necdlo far prettier. My bridal veil shall bet
otto mermaid's lace. "
The sailor lover sailed away and was gone
to months.
Day by day the young girl worked with
he needle , forming the white knots and tiny
itars , and uniting them by delicate "brides"
until , an exquisite long scarf of lace was
producer ] , so marvelously beautiful that when
ho wore It for her bridal veil It became the
dm [ ration of all Venice. Princesses and
queens became the patrons ot the young
vorker ( In mermaids' lace , and at last the
flno , patternless guipure , which Is par ex
cellence point dc Venice , became the fashion
of all Europe.
ofha Mrs. Plerpont Morgan and Sirs. Morton
lave many charming examples of this beautl-
fupo lace , Mrs. Hicks-Lord has a fan of
point de Venice lace , mounted on Ivory
ticks. Mrs. Sellgman , too , has a number
of ' pieces of point de Venice , In fact it Is the
desire" of every woman to possess one bit
atbl least of the lace- which so strongly resem-
iles a filmy cobweb ,
llonlton is the English royal lace ; it was
FROM MRS MARSHALL ROBERTS
VIVIAN'S COLLECTION.
made fashlonabti by Queen Victoria , who ,
commiserating the condition of the lace-
makers of Devonshire , ordered her wedding
dress to be made at llonlton.
The dress cost } 5,000 ; It was composed en
tirely of llonlton sprigs , connected on the
pillow by a variety of open-work stitches ;
the patterns urn [ tnmcdlaieiy destroyed , so
that the dre3fflijld not be reproduced.
The bridal Mmsoyj of the Princess Royal ,
the Princess AflcnTand the princess of Wales ,
tvero all of Uqall n , the patterns consisting
of the national , flqfters , the princes' feathers
Intermixed wlffifcferna , and Introduced with
the happiest eft/set. /
In making j&onUon lace the sprigs are
first worked In vljh the pillow , afterward
appllquetl or Kevin.1 on the ground , which
la very beautiful and regular and also very
expensive , as Jtd * made of. the driest thread.
The laceworker'b ftalns were very remuner
ative In oldeiuJtlrdes. She would receive as
much as 18 shillings a yard for the work
manship alonsHofoh. piece of this elaborate
net , mcasurlngl'searce two Inches In width.
The mannerttJor payment was somewhat
Phoenician , remliraihg one of Queen Dido and
her bargain. 'Khf'Maco ground was spread
out on the eoflWteP , " nnd the worker herself
desired to coWr3 ' with shillings ; and as
many coins as * found place on her work
she carried aWay'Sis the fruit of her labor.
It must not be forgotten In this connection
that the latest royal baby , the son of the
duke and dnchess bf York , were wholly
for his baptismal rob ? a dress made almost
wholly of Honlton lace the Identical dress
worn by his royal grandfather , the prlnci
of Wales. upon a similar occasion.
The princess of Wales says she Is fond o
old lace , but she can't afford to buy It. She gets
gome pretty Httla preicnts of lace , however ,
but probably her collection Is not as valuabli
a * that of many New York ladles. The
collection of lacw of the late Mrs. II. L
Stewart would easily sell for several hundred
thousand dollars , and Mrs. W. C , Whitney
kept laces worth from $50,000 to $76,000
which her daughter Pauline Inherits.
Mrs , Gerard , Mrs , John Jacob Aator an' '
Mrs. A. T , Stewart , were the most thorough
connoisseurs oC real lace In the Unite * '
States.
Perhaps * at present the lady who baa mad
'Need one for
Fall-or Winter ? '
'Want to Fay
$20 or $25 ? '
sc
"life make them for that ele
gantly , to satin or silk
linings ' - but probably
you'd prefer a wool lining
fj
ing just as you wish
( ton < t3R
tpOVJ and v4)UU
Gives you selection
of our best
You've paid $45 and $50 for not so good.
$5.M $6. | 7. ° | and 8.w for Trousers
Hundreds to select from
"
$20--$25 $30-for Suits i
You need not think of doing better-- *
that's cut of the question.
Samples
2OY
if you
South.
wish.
St.
the collection of laces almost a study Is
Mrs. Jesse Scllgmen. She has many rare
and valuable specimens of Irish point , point
de Gene , Brussels lace and point d'Alencon.
A lovely specimen of old Brussels lace
Is that which Lady ( Joldsmld recently pur
chased for her daughter's wedding gov.ru
Her ladyship has some remarkably tine specl-
FilOM MRS. HERMANN OELRICH'S COL
LECTION.
mens of lace. For a piece of old point , suffi
cient , perhaps , for the front of an even-
ng dress , she paid nearly $3,000.
More costly still was the lace on the wed
ding dress of Mrs. Hermann Oelrlchs ( nee
Theresa Fair. )
Almost the entire dress , In fact , was of
lace , over satin. The garment Itself was
made In Paris and cost In lace , satin , In-
Buranco and custom house- duties about
$10,000.
The Bclmont laces are almost priceless.
Mrs. Robert Goelet's taste In laces turns
o handkerchiefs and she has a small cedar
chest filled with lace handkerchiefs , for
iome of which she has paid as much as $200
each rather a costly trifle.
Oregon Kidney Tea cures backache. trial
Hire , 25 cents. AH druggists.
COA'A VJllA I. Ill KH.
An. Indiana woman recently married her
eleventh husband. Whatever she may bo
when married , as a widow she was a match
for any single man living.
"My task In life , " said the pastor , com
placently , "consists In saving young men. "
"Ah ! " replied the maiden , with a soulful
longing , "save a good ono for mo , won't
you ? "
Chicago has a Platonic sensation the adop
tion of a > oung- man by a rich woman who
wants to make him her heir. Gretna
Green justices of the peace will naturally
frown upon such arrangements.
"Yos , " said Mr. Jason. "I allow that
women air the sentimental sex and all that
sort of thing , but I've allays noticed that
when a couple git engaged It Is the woman
that first thinks of flggerln' out how they
air to ll\o on his salary. "
Miss El'en ' Trlantlfllo of Boston and Stll-
llaneff Dlllles of Springfield. Mass. , were
married the other evening. In the latter city ,
by Rev. Agatlmdorus A. Papageorgopoulas
of New York. After the ceremony the Greek
national dance- was footed and everybody
kissed the groom Instead of the bride ,
Miss Clclly Armes , the 18-year-old daugh
ter of Major George A. Armes , a retired
officer of the army , eloped with and married
Herbert Claude , In Washington last week.
The old major gave tha couple a lively chase ,
but the lovfrs distanced him. Major Armes
was court mnrtlaled for pulling the nose
of General James A , Heaver of Pennsylvania
during Harrison's Inauguration. Ia
Marie Do you really feel that you could
support a wife ? George ( proudly ) Here are
my Jncome tax receipts. Marie ( flinging her
self Into his arms ) Take me , dearest.
"Forgive mo , " ho pleaded , contritely. "I
didn't mean to kiss you , but the Impulse
was Irresistible. " "Forgive you , " she snap
ped. "Never while I live ! A girl may for
give a man for kissing her , but never for
apolpglzlng afterwards , "
A curious pledge was taken by a. lot ol
San Francisco girls at the Instigation of
their pastor , a Dr. Martin , says a San Fran
cisco exchange. Last week he delivered a
lecture to young women only. The majority
of persons , when they saw the ilalnty badges
pinned on the shoulders of the girls , were
very much surprised when they learned the
Import. They had signed a vow , a unique
one , contrived by Dr. Martin , that not one o
them would ever hold a secret ongagcmen
or receive attentions from- any man lha
their parents did not approve ; that come
what may , nothing could ever Induce then
to break the vow they so solemnly made.
Are Your tlillilrcn Subject lo < roiiji ?
Every mother should know that croup can
be prevented. The first symptom of true
croup l hoarseness. This Is followed by a
peculiar rough cough. If Chamberlain's
Cough Remedy Is given freely as soon aa tha
child become * hoarse , or even after Ihe
rough cough lia developed , It will prevtn
the attack. 23 and CO cent bottles for sals
by druggists ,
focent Grand Session of the Degree of
Honor at Plattsrnouth ,
MEETING OF NEBRASKA GOOD TEMPLARS
Oiniihu Pythian * UooinlnK I'rccl Snclcott
fur Uranil iCImnrvllnr MoitornVood -
a ( I- , i ? mil , f-iii > fj.-
Aluyor llcints Lodge Notes.
The third annual scsslon-of the state grand
edge of the Degree of Honor , Ancient
) rder of United Workmen , convened In
Plattsmouth Tuesday morning , Octobpr 3 ,
at 10 o'clock. The reports show a member
ship of nearly 4,000 , distributed among
ninety-six lodges. There arc 800 In the
beneficiary department. Almost every lodge
was represented at the meeting , and the
attendance , Including visitors , was some
thing over 100. Any female relative of a
member of the Ancient Order of United
Workmen la entitled to membership. The
primal y object of the order Is social en-
loymont , although there Js a beneficiary fund
connected with It. The session lasted two
days.
The meeting was harmonious and Httlo
troubled by clashing of opinions. No rad
ical changes were made In the law of the
order. A large amount of business was
dona during- the session.
Tuesday morning was taken upwith the
preliminary work and In hearing the re
ports of officers and committees. In the
afternoon the election of officers took place
and resulted as follows : Grand chief of
honor , Mrs. Adella Harding of Hebron ;
grand lady of honor , Mrs H. B. Seegar
of Pawnee City ; grand chief of ceremonies ,
Mrs. S. R. Patten of Omaha ; grand recorder ,
Walter Houseworth of Lincoln ; grand re
ceiver , Mrs. George Rogers of Hastings ;
grand usher , Miss Efflo Schumaker of In-
dlanola ; grand watchman , Mrs. Meyers of
Nellgh ; grand medical examiner , Dr. J. C.
Mosslmrt of Chester. The committee on
laws was appointed as follows : S. It. Pat
ten of Omaha , Mrs. Hostettler ot Shelton
and Mrs. Clark of Fairmont. The com
mittee on finance Is : George II , Barber
of Lincoln , Mrs. Hewitt of Havclock and
Mrs. Owen of Grand Island.
The team cl Washington ledge No. 27 of
Omaha was Invited to exemplify the Initia
tory work of the order Tuesday night. The
drill team comprised twenty-five members ,
and their work was highly praised by the
delegates. After the work Plattsmouth lodge
gave a banquet , at wlrch a numb r of spee lies
nnd toasts -\vero delivered. The evening of
pleasure wound up with a dance.
The Nebraska Workman was made the
official organ of the order.
Tha cessions of the grand ledge was
changed from annual to biennial , The next
will conovne In Omaha on the first Tuesday
In October , 1SOC.
Secret fcocloty Notrn.
Banner division. Knights ot Pythias Is
drilling every week , and expects to turn out
the best division of the uniform rank In the
west.
Supreme Record Keeper M. S , Boynton of
the Maccabees visited Sovereign Clerk Yates
of the Woodmen of the World last Tuesday.
Golden Rod grove , Woodmen of the World ,
will glvo a grand calico ball at Patterson
hall on Wednesday , October 10.
A movement Is on foot among the lodges
of the Ancient Order of United Workmen of
this city to raise a fund to assist themem -
ben , in western Nebraska who have suffered
from the drouth and short crops.
Omaha camp No. 120 , Modern Woodmen of
America , Is preparing a special lot of tor
tures which are lo bo put Into full operation
next Wednesday night when Mayor fiemls
will be Initiated. All Modern Woodmen are
Invited to attend and witness the tpectaclo.
A special program has been arranged In
honor of tlio candidate , and the occasion
promises to be ono of a lifetime ,
Omaha camp. Modern Woodmen , Is work
ing hard to retain the banner which It ol )
talncd last year for having the greatest In
crease In membership.
On Tuesday evening , September 26 , Triune
lodge , Knights of Pythias , gave the first of
a series of stag parties , which the lodges
of the city will give each In turn. There
was a big crowd In attendance and they were
royally entertained by a program of recita
tions , muslo and songs. Dr. Merrlam and
J. H. Flanagan delivered excellent speeches
on the good of the order. Recitations were
given by F. J , Satkett and Will Seism. The
sorgs given by the Pythian quartet were
greatly enjoyed , Banner division of the uni
form rank attended In a body. The next
entertainment will be given by Nebraska
ledge on the. last Tuesday of this month.
Th new Ilohemlan camp of tha Woodmen
of the Word ) was completely organized last
week , with sixteen charter members. The
name Is Cedarwood No. 19 , The officers
elected are : Counsel commander , Frank
Kavan ; banker , Frank Koutsky ; clerk ,
Joseph J. Maly ; escort , Frank Hrabyk ;
watchman , Thomas Aurnda ; sentry , Frank
Simon ; managers , Frank Okaun. C. Hrabllt
and V. Jellnck.
Good loinplnrftof ftcbruskn.
The twenty-ninth annual session of th
state grand lodge of the Good Templars will
convene In Columbus
next Wednesday
mornIng -
Ing at 10 o'clock. The meeting will bo presided -
sided over by Dr. R. II. Mann of Brooklyn ,
right worthy _ grand templar of the world.
The session Is expected to bo very fully a
attended. flL _
A cause of congratulation to the members
Is the fact that they will meet this year
entirely out of debt. The officers have served
during the past year almost without re
muneration , $100 being sufficient to- cover all
expense for salaries. This sacrifice has had
much to do with the happy financial con
dition. Such a condition has not existed for
tnolvn or fourteen years , and TreaKtru
Coombs Is correspondingly happy.
Novery Important business Is expected to
come up. There will bo contest over fho *
election of offlcere , nnd Httlo can be [ to-
dlctcd of the result. Miss Anna M. SaundJra
of Unadllla will probably be re-elected graad
chief templar and Charles Watts of.Oma'Ia '
grand secretary. The latter has served lor * "
seven years. ,
There will bo a number of prominent
templars In attendance , and among thorn
Dr. R. H. Mann of Brooklyn , right worthy
grand templar of the world ; Perry Perklmv
grand secretary of the grand ledge , anl
Colonel John Soblcskl , the noted Polish tern *
peranco orator of Missouri.
The delegates from Omaha will be : MIso
Schock , Miss Swansea , Charles Watts , Rvb , -
Bailey , T. L. Coombs , Miss Gertla Wright. *
There will be ono delegate from Souta.
Omaha. At the district meeting Thursday
night Lea Forby was elected district dele
gate.
I'jtlilun < lriuit
The Nebraska grand lodge of the Knights .
of Pythias will convene In Lincoln next * 'f ' j
Tuesday morning at 10 o'clock. The session
will last for three daya. It la expected that
220 delegates will be present , and forty o
these will bo from Omaha.
The principal matter that will come up
will bo the revision of the state constitu
tion to conform with the changes made
recently by the supreme lodgo. The elec
tions promise to be very Interesting. Omaha
Is going to make a strong pull to put Fred
J. Sackett In the grand chancellor's chair , and
Is solid for him. There may possibly be n
brigade meeting to elect brigadier command
ers. Tha next session will probably go lo
Beatrice.
On Tuesday night the Pythian Slaters hav
arranged an entertainment for the delegates.
\MlUnir tu Incluclo All.
At tlio late session of the supreme lodge
of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at
Chattanooga , an amendment ! was offered
and passed to the rules on membership In a
Rebekah lodge which will tend to largely In
crease the membership. Heretofore only
relatives of Odd Fellows could join , but now
any unmarried white woman Is given the
privilege , The amendment reads as follows :
"All unmarried whlto women who have
attained the ago of 18 years , who believe In
a supreme. Intelligent creator and ruler ot
the universe , ami who era of good moral
character , are eligible to membership. "
This rule 1s expected to almost treble ( he
membership of the Rebckah lodge.
Indianapolis Journal : "The bible , If I re
member right , " said Mr. Hungry Hlgglns ,
"Buys that six days a man shalt labor and
do all his work , " ,
"Guess you are right , " assented Mr. Weary
Watklns , wondering what was coming next.
"Well , I allow that I have done as much 4
as six days' work In my life , and If I don't
read the text wrong , that Is all the work a
man Is permitted to do. It says 'do all 'thy
work , ' don't It ? "
Chicago Tribune : "Beg pardon , * lr , " suld
the passenger In the skull cap , tired of the
monotony of the journey and desirous of
scraping an acquaintance with the man In *
the next teat , "arc you traveling for som *
house ? "
"No , sir , " replied the other. "I am not In
business. \ am a Uiilvcruallst preacher. "
ShnKol" rejoined the man In the
cap , heartily. "I'm ' an agent for a lire ex
tinguisher. "
*
An old Scotch lady who had no relish for
modern church music , was expressing her
dislike to the ringing of an anthem In lior
own church one day , when a neighbor Mid :
"Why , that Is a very old nntliem ! David
sang that anthem to Saul. " To this- the old
lady replied : "Weel , wccll I nee lor the
first time undcrslan * why Saul threw his
javelin at David when the lad vane : for
him. "
*
A newly organized "primitive ChrUtlin"
society In St. Louis Is opposed lo the pay *
ment of pew rents , clergymen , choir * , etc ,
It recalls the response of the deacon who ,
upon hearing a rcferenca to the gospel with
out money or price , arose and said enlhuaN
( Stlcally : ' 'Yea , brethren , I'io enjoyed Chris
tianity and Its consolations these thirty year * ,
and It'it never cost me a cent I"
Orecon Kidney Tea cure * nervous he4 >
acli j. TrUI ili , tA cents , All druegUw.