INSPECTION OF OILS
HOW RAILROADS WILL HELP
8TATE TREASURY.
NOWLEDOK of thohomc life
Kg of tho denizens of tho
8 Chinese omplro la very
mengor. Tho author mot
a young mnn, n mem
ber of (ho highest aristocra
cy, who hnd spent Homo
tlmo In Huropo and Amorlcn, studying
theso countries with tho Intention of
using tho knowledge thus gained In tot
tering tho condition of his countrymen.
A long voyago afforded many oppor
tunities for Intlmato Intercourse with
thlH young man, who wan certainly a
most amiahlo Chinaman. As ho had
lenrned to npprccllWo tho progress In for
eign countries, ho returned homo with n
good Idea concerning tho defects of tho
great empire.
Hofore continuing tho Journey to
Shanghai we concluded to stop at Hong
gong, whero ho had relatives. Nothing
could ho more charming than tho man
ner of rccoptlon by theso nmlablo, and,
to me, highly Interesting persons.
In his homo was found tho long wished
for opportunity to mako n personal study
of llfo In Chinese families, as well as tho
customs and habits of tho gonoral pub
lic. Thus tho nuthor was Indobtcd to
accident for afTordlng to mo this mojjt
wolcoino opportunity of gaining insight
into tho llfo of this highly Interesting
people
Tho Chinese conception of beauty Is
certainly peculiar In many ways. Tho
young mon pull out tho hairs of their
growing boardB by tho roots, but when
thoy reach tho mature ago of 40 they
permit their hlrsuto ornamont to grow
qulto long, as this Is supposed to give
an nir or wisdom and dignity. Tho fa
miliar braid of hair grown on tho crown of
tho head dates back to tho tlmo when tho
Tartars compelled tho Chlneso to shavo tho
rest of tholr heads.
While- obesity Is considered n mark of beau
ty In a mnn, It Is looked upon aB n groat do
feet In women, who strlvo by ovory moans In
tholr power to preserve tholr slopdorncsB of
ilguro. Men of high rank and scholars culti
vate enormously long finger nails, to bIiow
that thoy nro not engaged In manual labor.
Chlnoso women of rank nro seldom soon
by foreigners. At homo thoy amuse thorn
solves by adorning tholr hair with artificial
flowers and gold and Bllvor chaplots, as well
as chains. Tholr hair Is cither conllncd in
a not or allowed to hang Iooso.
A largo porccntago of Chlneso mako their
vtufm wwzmiM zzmir:
P. SHAFTZ
dare to ovado It. Funeral solemnities
In China are worthy of observation.
When a person of rank dies tho
body Is ombalmed and onveloped In
costly robes, nftor which It Is placed
In a costly coffin, In which It lies in
Btato on n catalfquo, surrounded
with lighted torches and a profusion
of beautiful flowers.
Here tho women, relatives and
friends prostrate themsolves, touch
ing the ground with their foreheads,
while the air Is filled with clouds
of Incense.
Tho Chlneso mnko provision for
their coffins during Hfotlmo, oven
tho pooreat finding ways and means
to prepare for their last resting
place, for a Chlneso coffin Is vory
costly and a magnificent affair, as
anyono who has over Been n funeral
will know.
In ordor to show his filial respect
a son will often keep tho embalmed
body of his father In tho house for
two or three years. Tho father ox
erclBCB authority over all tho son
possesses, Including his children,
whom, if thoy offend him, ho may
and American customs, tho
parents of tho girl aro not
expected to glvo hor a mar
rlago portion, but tho pros
pective brldogroom Is re
quired to pay to them a
stipulated sum, which Is
then expended In purchas
ing tho bride's wardrobo,
etc. All tho preliminaries
concluded, tho marrlago
ceremonies may proceed.
First of all tho relatives
and friends send congratu
lations In tho shapo of
presents and cards, at the
samo tlmo Inquiring aftor
the names of tho prospec-
homo entirely upon tho wnter, many of them
being flahormcn, Tho lattor aro clad moroly
lu cocoanut leaves, ouo of theso tied on tho
back, thus serving as an umbrella, without
hindering them In tholr work. Tho fashion
of cnrrylng fans, so universal throughout Chi
na, has boon adopted by oilier countries,
Dress to aomo extent la regulated by law,
certain colors designating tho rank or social
atntlon of tho woaror. Thus tho right to woar
yellow bolongs oxeluslvoly to tho emporor
and prluces, and cortaln mandarins aro tho
only porsons untitled to wear garments of rod
satin, but only on certain occasions.
White la tho color of mourning, and cannot
bo too much aotled, in ordor to show how In
different tho mourner Is to personal appear
ance, and that all his thoughts and feelings
aro centered lu his grief for tho departed.
Tho colors worn by tho populaco aro blue
and black.
Tho Chlneso show groat respect und dofor
onco for tho aged, and aro as u rule of hu
mauo and gontlo disposition. Tho merchant
1b thoroughly honorable In bis dealings, and,
above nil, invariably koopB his word, The
honosty of tho Chlneso laumlrosses Is beyond
question; everything la returned without ex
ception, ovou noatly mondod.
Tho so-cnlled "washor glrla" llvo In llttlo
bouts, called "sampans," that usually houso
several families; mon, women, children and
household utensils all being crowded together
in a small space, and ono ofton Boeit tho fat
father smoking and loafing in comfort while
his wlfo propels all alonu tho heavy craft
with a single puddle, sometimes with a baby
strapped on her back.
Courtship and marriage coromonloa dlffor
essentially from ours. In tho first placo tho
yopug people have nothing at all to do with
aottllng overythlng. Contrary to European
tlvo brldo and
This
Is, of course, a
more formal
ity, na thoy
havo usually
known them
for a long
tlmo.
After this
tho relatives
d I a o u b a tho
date of tho
wedding, and,
being vory bu
p o r h t I
tlous, thoy con
sult tho alma
nac so that n
lucky day may
bo chosen. In
tho meantime
tho young man
bestows
coHtly pros
oiUb upon his
futuro wlfo,
whom ho has
' novor aeon.
This, at least, Is tho diatom In woll-todo
families,
Whon tho wedding dny arrives tho bride
It? handed Into a sedan chair, which la mag
nificently ndomod with garlands nnd arti
ficial (lowers. This is followed by tho aorv
ants bearing hor belongings, which consist
of clothing, ornaments and Juwels, Somo of
tho Bcrvnnts enrry lighted torches, though tho
hour may bo high uoon.
The Bodan Is preceded by a band of musi
cians, followed by tho relatives and' guosta.
The nearest rolativo of tho bridegroom boldB
In his hand tho koy of tho sedan, which is
locked, tho windows being grated.
When tho bridal party reaches tho houso
It Is met at tho door by tho brldogroom,
who, upon rocolvlng from his relative tho key,
unlocks tho door of the sedan, and now for
tho ilrat tlmo boholda tho brldo chosen for him.
It la not dllllcult to picture to one's aolf
the eager expectation with which tho young
man opens tho door of the stage that holds
hor with whom ho la destined to llvo tho rest
of hia llfo, and onco In n wbllo it happens
that he is so diaappoluted at the sight of
tho woman chosen for him that ho slams
the door of tho sedan and sonde back tho
undesirable brldo to 'her parents. Such cases
aro rare, howovor, as the bridegroom forfolta
tho money paid to the parents and tho pres
ents bestowed upon tho girl.
When the brldo-to-bo alights her futuro lord
takes her by tho hand and leada hor Into tho
hall.
In the hall at ono wedding n special tablo
was resorved for tho bridal couplo, tho guests
being seated at small tables, tho mon lu ouo
room mid the women In another,
lleforo taking tholr seats tho young couplo
bowed four times profoundly to nn imaginary
spirit, Tlon, mipposod to presldo over heaven.
Whon thoy finally
Bat down they each
had to pour a glass
of wlno on tho floor
boforo thoy wore al
lowed to eat. A
plato of food was al
so set astdofor their
gods.
As aoon aB they
had tasted tho vi
ands tho bridegroom arose and invited his
brldo to dilnk, In rosponso to which bIio also
arose, returning tho compliment. Two gobleta
of wlno wore now brought In, from which
both brldogroom and . brldo drank alternately,
pouring tho romnlndor on the floor.
This last ceremony made cl.om husband and
wlfo.
After a while tho nowly made wlfo JoIiib
tho wornon, while her husband Invites tho
men to another apartment, whoro ho enter
taliiB them. In China It would bo Just as
preposterous for a brldo to wear whlto as It
would bo In othor countries wero alio to ap
pear In blnck at tho altar.
A wife who doaorts hor husband Is sen
tenced to bo Hogged, nnd may bo regarded as
a alavo of hor huaband; but If she mar
ries tho man with whom alio elopes her for
mer huaband can havo her strangled.
Grounds for dlvorcolncludc a violent tompor,
a vlcloua tongue, dlaobedleuco or theft. Al
though divorce la authorized by law, It Is raro
ly appealed to by tho hotter class. Chlneso hub
bands are ao extremely watchful that tho wlfo
la not allowed to apeak to any mnn, not ovon
to a near relatlvo, oxcopt In the presence of
her huaband.
The different branches of a family usually
keep housu together under the samo roof for
roasoiiB of economy. For poor porsons, who
live ontlrely on vegetables, this Joint Iioubo
keeping means a great saving.
Tho lot of tho peasant women Is Indeed a
and one. Tho men tyrannlzo over thorn,
keeping them In constant subjection. When
a husband thlnkB he has reason to bo dis
pleased with his wlfo or there has been a
quarrel, ho compels her to stand before hla
chair at meals and wait on him. Uoaidoa
this, alio Is mndo to oat with tho servants.
Tho older womou always llvo togothor
with tho young ones, lu ordor to nip In tho
bud any show of temper, nnd Implicit obe
dience is demanded. In ovory houso a set
of rules for moral guidance is hung up tn
tho common hall, whoro tho mala members
of tho family assomblo from tlmo to tlmo,
A characteristic trait of tho Chinese Is
tholr claunlshnosB, and family reunions aro
encouraged by periodical visits to tho graves
of their ancestors. A genealogical tablot is
found in every houso, and In conversation
froquont reference lu mado to the deeds of
tho doparted.
To work for tholr parents is tho duty of
tho children, and If any of tholr brothers
or sisters should bo in trouble they must go
to their assistance. There la no written law
to this effect, but nonfultlllmont of this
sacred filial duty would entail such lasting
disgrace upon tho offender that no ouo would
sell. A funeral procession is alwayB preceded
by a largo numbor of persons bearing llttlo
pasteboard figures reprosontlng Blavos, camolB
and horses. Tho departed Is supposed to meet
spirits who havo tho power of imbuing these
figures with life, so that they may both servo
and entertain him. Then follow tho daughters,
the wlfo and tho othor relatives, all in sedan
chairs. Theso women fill tho air with howls
and lamcntatloiiB, so that If thoy cannot bo
seen they certainly mako thcmselvos heard.
When a mandarin of high rank celobratea
hla birthday tho members of tho Chlneso "400"
nsnomblo in sections nnd repair to tho ofllclal's
residence, whero they lino up In the hall. Then
ono of them, presenting a glass of cordial to
the mandarin, says:
"Heboid tho wlno; may It bring tho Joy!"
Another presents him with candies, saying:
"We bring the augar of long llfo!" and then
tho rest follow suit. Tho offerings consist
for the moat part of candloa and such things.
When ono mandarin moots another of high
rnnk ho at once stops his sedan and salutes
his colloaguo with profound bows. '
When two of equal rank meet thoy salute
each other In tholr sedans by crossing their
hands upon tho cheat nnd bowing, which they
coutlnuo ns long as they can aco each othor.
At tho largo dinners of Btato given from
time to time by high .ofllciala small tables,
one for each guest are set in tho hall.
Tho Chinese may bo groat epicures, but
it would take nn American stomach a hun
dred years or moro beforo it could learn to
relish such things as silkworms, tho larvae
of tho sphinx moth, earth worms nnd Jelly
Hsh.
Another delicacy much prized by tho Chl
neso la a species of giant spider.
Thoy caro vory llttlo for milk, chocso and
butter; neither do they eat much beef, veal'
iw Intnli '
Toward tho close of tho banquet our host
led tho way Into tho gnrden. In tho mean
time tho servants cleared tho tables and car
ried wator, for on our return to tho hall thoro
was a gonoral washing of hands, ono of tho
aervnnta holding tho bowl, while another
poured tho wator. This ceremony performed,
wo sat down to enjoy areally delicious fruit,
winding up with tea and cigars,
Hut there was still another supriso In store.
At tho end of tho foast the servants went
around among tho guests taking up a collec
tion for tho bonollt of tholr master In order
to defray tho coats of tho banquot. Other
countries, othor wayB!
And yet tho Chlneso think their habits and
customs so perfect that they look down on all
foreigners as being far behind In civilization.
At least this was tho caso until Just a few
years ago.
NEW. RULE UNDER NEW LAW
Railway Commission Hears From In
terested Parties Other Matters
at the State Capital.
Railroads in Nebraska will havo to
pay for tho stnto inspection of oils,
such as gasollno nnd koroseno, In fu
ture. This will means a big sum going
from tho railroads Into tho stata
treasury.
Under tho old law only oils to bo
sold wero required to bo Inspected In
tho state Under that tho Union Pa
cific paid for the inspection of ono
caro of gasollno n month, and none
of tho othor roads paid for any in
spection at all.
Tho new law passed by tho legis
lature, however, provides for tho In
spection of oil for "aalo or uso" In
the state.
Doputy Oil Inspector Arthur Mullon
visited tho legal departments of sev
eral of tho railroads nnd Informod
them of what ho Intondod. Ho says
that he anticipates no resistance.
The oil Inspector's department tunm
Into tho state fund about $1,000 n
month from inspections. Tho feo la
10 cents a barrel In lots of moro than
fifty barrels. Tho now law provldos
for higher rates for smaller quantities.
CarB average about 115 barrels, so that
Inspection of a car would fetch over
$10. Just how many cars of oil tho
roads use in a month, Mr. Mullon Is
unable to say, but with thp Union
Pacific's motor cars, oil burned in
lamps, in small towns, etc., ho figures
that this will materially lncrcaso tho
state's Income.
Another effect of tho now law has
been to bring In a quantity of gasollno
from Kansas and lower its price by
from 3 to 5 cents a gallon.
Thetost waB lowerod from .68 to
.02 by tho now law. Previously tho
Kansas oil could not qulto meet tho
test, and therefore all of the oil used
hi this stato nad to do shipped in from
tho cast with additional freight
charges. ,
Railroad Men Are Heard.
Tho railway commission announced
after hearing rnilroad men and others
on changes in classification proposed
by railroad compalncs, that if tho
western classification 1b mado tho
basis tho commission will not Ibsuo
an ordor within thirty to sixty days.
This time will bo allowed to permit
shippers and others an opportunity to
bo hoard.
Tho commission last year refused to
adopt western classification No. 45 and
for nearly ono year No. 44 Is tho
classification that has been in forco.
Tho numerous changes in articles
from ono class to another and the
changes in the car load weights mado
by the proposed classification No. 4G
caused tho commission to isauo an
order to rotain No. 44 in force till a
now ono can bo agreed upon. Tho
commission desires to follow tho ox
hmplo of railway commissions of oth
or states and mako ono of its own.
Tho present hearing is for that pur
pose. Classification No. 44 Is used aB
a basis by tho commission In adopting
one of its own.
Contract for State Pair.
Tho contract for tho erection of ono
half of tho flrat largo building tho
stato Is to furnish for tho Btato fair
grounds was awarded by tho board of
public lands and buildings. Tho legis
lature appropriated $50,000 for n live
stock Judging collaoum. Tho fair
board decided to expend this for tho
construction of one-half of tho pro
posed building. Tho board asked for
$100,000 to erect a building such aB
othor states havo. Thoro woro four
bidders on tho building proper, but
W. J. Assenmucher of Lincoln waB
lowest at $27,438. Hollenbock &
Thompson of University Place wero
lowest on the stool work at $14,575.
Complaint Dismissed.
The railroad commission hns dlsr
ralased tho complaint of Adolph Fram
zen of Funke, against tho Burlington
for not getting stock from the Phelps
county town to Omaha as soon ns ho
thought it should. Tho road has
agreed to glvo freight facilities
needed on Monday, Tuesdays and
ThurBdayB, and with this undoratand
Ing tho matter was Bottled.
To Value Railroad Property.
Tho Stato Railway commlaslon has
Belected Elbert C. Hurd of Llnocln
chief onglnoor to value all railroad
property In Nebraaka at a salary of
$400 a month. Tho selection .was
mado by Commlsslonore Clarko, Win
nett and CoNvglll, with tho approval
of tho governor. Tho legislature ap
propriated $40,000 for tho work of
valuing railroad proporty and pro
vided that salarloa ahould bo paid only
to porBons npproved by tho governor.
Mr. Hurd 1b at prosont manager of
tho Omaha, Lincoln & Deatrlco In
torurban railroad.
Rock Island Plans.
Togothor with tho announcement
that tho Rod? Ialand railroad ia soon
to rotoro tho two paasenger traina be
tweon Lincoln and Chicago which
woro takon off la8t Octobor, after n
ten weeka' trial, comes additional In
formation that tho road is preparing
to mako extensive onlargomonta nnd
Improvements In Its freight proportiea
here. The schomo in contemplation,
If carried out, will double Lincoln's
iraportanco as a frolgbt point on the
Rock Ialand and materially promote
chances of securing now industries.