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About The frontier. (O'Neill City, Holt County, Neb.) 1880-1965 | View Entire Issue (Aug. 30, 1900)
Institute for the Blind at Nebraska City Crippled by Incompetency. LOOSE METHODS ARE EMPLOYED In Transactlnz the Business of tho fnstl* into—The Administration Severely Ar raigned and Openly Impeached by Fusion Officials Themselves. To the history of mismanagement, Incompetency, party spoliation and po litical preferment in the conduct of st/te institutions under the fusion administration, the Institute for the Blind at Nebraska City furnishes an unenviable chapter. This institution, like all the rest, has been made an asylum for those of the fusion party ■who by reason df party service have, In the eyes of the fusion leaders, mer ited recognition to the extent of hav ing ther names on the pay roll. It is a matter of common notoriety that J. E. Harris, the present super intendent, acquired this position through a deal made on the floor of the convention, whereby he wa3 to step aside as candidate for lieutenant governor and give way to Lieutenant Governor Gilbert, a free sliver repub lican. His eligibility and fitness en tered Into the deal only as a second ary consideration, notwithstanding M that the positipn carries with It a ' great deal of responsibility. But Har ris was in the way of a tripartite ar rangement and to remove the ob struction, the head of Superintendent Jones went Into the basket and Harris was given his position, which among other things, carries with it a salary of $1,800 a year and board and lodging. UNFITTED FOR SUPERINTEND ENT. At one period in his life Superintend ent Harris was young and agile. That was many years ago. Senility in its irresistible pilgrimage has reclaimed him from the paths of youth and has bent his once tall and robust form to its will. The elasticity of step has disappeared, and the visitation of time is indicated by a head white from the frosts of many winters. Irre spective of his mental qualifications, age and physical decrepitude com bined to incapacitate him for duties incident to the superintendency of such an instittuion. Nor can it be denied that age militates against Mr. Harris. The fact is that he does not teach at all, though the custom, as well as the rule, has always oeen for the superintendent to teach one or more of the branches. When asked why he did not teach Superintendent Harris frankly stated that he was too old. He also stated that before assuming the position he informed Governor Poynter that he would not teach, yet despite this he was appointed. DISSIPATION OF FUNDS. Few business houses in Nebraska . could conduct their affairs along the -V same line of this institute without In ' the end going into bankruptcy. In the first place, only about eighty blind children are in the institution all told. Strange and startling as it may seem, it is nevertheless true, as attested by vouchers on file in the auditor’s office, that the number c.f people on the pay roll is equal to more than 60 per cent of the number of inmates. The June vouchers show fifteen teachers and thirty-two other employes (see vouch ers B45994 and B45997). This does not Include the superintendent and his wife, all of whom are on the pay roll, making in all a salary list of fifty-one people. The story of this raid on the treasury is fully recited by the nu merous vouchers on file in the aud itor’s office and the consequent deple tion of the funds. The wife of the superintendent has had her name on the pay roll only a short time, and the fact that it is there can be re garded only in the light of a testimon ial to fusion persistency, whjch knows no adversity in the attainment of pe cuniary trimuph. The school has upwards of fifteen , teachers on the pay roll, at from $50 to $65 per month each. So far as the pay roll is concerned, it reflects a most prodigal spirit on the part of the ad ministration, and strongly indicates that the "primary object of fusion dominancy is to gather in the loaves and fishes. Apply the per capita ex pense of education in this institution to all other institutions of learning in the state, making due allowance for the character of the instruction, and The state In a few short years would be /&ebt-ridden from one end to the other. DIVIDING THE LOAVES AND FISHES. The manner In which Superintend ent Harris was appointed. has been told. With slight modification the story might be applied to nearly all the employes of the institution. In nearly every appointment can be seen traces of political spoliation. The damage done as a result of this reaches a limit that is incalculable. Nor is it to be presumed that there have not been frequent changes with out consequent demoralization. In proof of this assertion all that needs be cited is excerpts from the official report. In the biennial report of the institution under date of December 14, 1898 (see page 348), Mrs. Caroline Mc Taggert evidences her lack of knowl edge of her duties by openly stating In her report that: “My experience in the work is too limited to enable me to say with any great degree of cer tainty what pupils may accomplish.” W. B. Woods, another teacher, un consciously throws the searchlight on the ephemarcy of the tenure of office in the same report by calling attention to the fact that “an experi ence of three months in teaching Eng lish in a school for the blind, in ad dition to a year's experience in teach ing other subjects, is entirely too brief to make any conclusions of much value.” And this is the history of state in stitutions under fusionism. There is such a mad scramble for spoils and such little regard for the public weal that scarcely is one ap \ - pointee inducted into office than he is put out to make room for another. This keeps the institutions in con stant restlessness and turmoil, keeps them in the hands of inexperienced in dviduals, with the result 'that those for whom these institutions are main tained derive little or no benefit Since the fusionlsts acquired control, two different superintendents have been appointed at Nebraska City and nu merous changes have been made In the list of teachers. In each instance, or nearly so, the change has been made for political reasons. , , Under such conditions is it ahy wonder that the teachers do not feel fully qualified to give an opinion on the best methods in teaching the blind, or that the institution itself should in its achievements fall far short of, meeting contemplated statutory re*, qutrements? FARMING OUT. PATRONAGE. The man with a “pull” Is very much in evidence at Nebraska City. It was a “pull” that placed Frank Marnell on the pay roll as steward at $800 per year, along with his wife at $180 per year. Marnell Is so fortunate as to have a brother In the newspaper busi ness. He publishes a fusion dally at Nebraska City. This is why he was deemed fitted for steward. Nor does the Marnell family stop at that. The Nebraska City News boasts of too po tent a leverage in the affairs of the fusion party to be placated or pacified by a stewardship. : Tt not only boasts but it commands, and it therefore re ceives more substantial recognition than is ordinarily accorded fusion pub lications. Filed away in the archives of the auditor’s office are vouchers bearing testimony to the frequent ex peditions of the publisher of the News across the plains from Nebraska City to the treasury at Lincoln. Most of the money is for job work, work given the News, it is reported, at its own figures and without competition. Within the last year the News has managed to gather in about $200 of the state’s money without much exer tion and at very litle cost to itself. (See vouchers B31302, B35576, B36899, B37601, B41404, B43388 and B46205.) Others besides the News people are. keeping In close and sympathetic touch with the treasury. It is a noticeable fact that the books contain the firm name of Cardwell & Leidlgh, though the same Mr. Cardwell is the presi dent of the Board of Trustees of the institution. Though Cardwell & Leidigh are in the hardware business the firm’s name is found as creditor in the "living expense” account of the institute. It is a strange anomaly that, which places the employe in a position to “order and direct” his employer. It would also be strangely anomalous were the system prevalent over the land for an Official to be his own auditor or account examiner. But here is an example of it: “This voucher is hereby approved by the Board of Trustees this 4th day of May, 1900, and the Auditor of Public Accounts is hereby ordered and directed to draw his warrant for the sum of $25.35 in full payment and satisfaction of the same, and this claim is found to be correct and ap proved in all things. “J. J. CARDWELL, “President Board of Trustees.” The voucher above referred to was for the firm, of which Cardwell is a member, for goods sold to the state. (See voucher B45431.) This firm’s name appears on the books in several instances, as having sold goods to the institute. In addition to this It is currently reported that some of those contractors who have from time to time secured contracts for building and repairing have been for some un accountable reason partial to this firm in placing their orders for material. During the last year the amount of building and repair work has reached over $5,000, but, as all the vouchers are made in omnibus form and in the name of the contractor, there is noth ing of record to show just who or w'hat firm came in for the plunder. LAX BUSINESS METHODS. The omnibus system of making out vouchers has become notorious under the present administration. That it opens an avenue to the commission of fraud few will gainsay. It is a common occurrence to find vouchers for large amounts made out in the very indefinite terms of “for labor and material,” without specifying how much of either. These terms are em ployed as frequently In rendering bills where there is no contract as where there i3. In the last year a barn costing about $450 was built without advertising for bids, and that the state paid dearly for the luxury is quite apparent. A running track and bowl ing alley was built in the gymnasium at a cost of $900, and the voucher reads: “For material, $500; labor, $400.” There is nothing in the vouch er to show specifically how much ma terial or how much labor the state received. As a rule, tne methods employed in the conduct of the institute, are equal ly a3 vulnerable. The manner in which bills are made out affords an opportunity for a vast amount of fraud. It is safe to say that there is scarcely an article in the grocery line, but what there are several grades of it. In many instances, especially in canned and bottled goods, there is not only a difference in quality but a dif ference in quantity. The bills ren dered the institute in no way recog nizes this very important distinction. If a bill be rendered for bottled goods, such as catsup or table sauces, it sim ply gives the number of botles, never mentions the brand, which in the groc ery line is a synonym of quality, and seldom gives the size of the bottle or quantity. This course may be pur sued without an object, but it can be seen at once that it affords an oppor tunity for fraud, both in letting con tracts to favorites and in charging for goods never delivered. No one seems t-o question the honesty of Su perintendent Harris or of Steward Mamell. What complaint is made is made against the Board of Trustees and the governor for placing and maintaining people in office to manage the affairs of a state institution who have little or no conception of their duty or of ordinary business methods. A BAD MIXTURE. Superintendent Harris undertakes to manage the school and the “farm” at the same time, with the result that neither is properly managed. The “farm” is a ten-acre piece of ground, and is little more than a play yard, yet Superintendent Harris manages to make it a luxury and an expensive one to the taxpayers. With only three horses, a half dozen hogs and four eowa to look after there are several “farm laborers" at the institute whose duty it is to care for the stock (?) and attend the “crops.” Quarters could be secured for all the stock on the “farm” at the best hotel In the state for less money than Is expended for their keeping at the institute. As a patron of husbandry, so far as profits to the state are concerned, Mr. Harris Is anything but a brilliant success. And there are leaks in the Inst'tu tion as well as in the “farm.” Irre spective of the large pay roll) there ate leaks that in the long run make a noticeable increase in the cost of main taining the school. One of these leaks Is the department of chemistry. Another is In the teach ing of zoology, botany, biology and mlnerology. Considerable money has been consumed by the department or chemistry, though few familiar with that branch of study—who would rec ognize at once the necessity of sight— would think of placing chemistry In the curriculum of the blind. Review ing this very problem. Prof. McTag gart of the department of science and mathematics of the institute, In his biennial report to the superintendent (in 1898, page 329) says: “In the study of chemistry, biology and minerology the nicest discrimina tions and most accurate measurements must be made, involving the use of instruments requiring sight. No ade quate knowledge of zoology or botany can be had without the use of the dis secting knife and microscope. In chemistry, analytical and quantative determinations require the most defi nite and complicated processes which cannot be carried on by persons who have lost their sight. This statement is so nearly self evident that it hardly needs to be made.” In the face of this, however, a de partment of chemistry is maintained, though only to the extent of purchas ing the necessary instruments and ma terial. None of the expense is re moved, though the teaching of this and kindred sciences has practically been abandoned. Only recently an order for $50 worth of material for this department was given, though It is apparent, for the foregoing reason, that it is a clear waste of money. i , DANGER OF SICKNESS. Nothing goes farther in evidencing decrepitude and Inactivity on the part of the management than the general appearance of the institute. The walls and floors at the close of school this summer were very filthy, and it is a remarkable stroke of fortune that sick ness has not wrought sad havoc among the inmates. According to reports, the buildings have, hygienically speaking, never been kept properly regulated since the fuslonists have had charge. In bad condition as they are now, according to Superintendent Harris, things were much worse when he was appointed and took charge one year ago. Speaking of the condition of things at that time Superintendent Harris said: “It was a most terrible sight. The buildings were fairly alive with bed bugs. After we came here my wife and I worked for six months before we finally got rid of the bed-bugs, The bugs were in every room, in the beds and paper on the walls, and even the rooms occupied by the superintend ent and his family were alive with them. It was the worst sight I ever beheld.” This is what one fusion official says of the management of another fusion official. Assuming that Superintend ent Harris found the building in th6 condition stated he has made some im provements, yet there is wide room for further improvements along the line of cleanliness, and if additional steps in that direction are not taken disease and pestilence may result at any time. It is no doubt true that Superintend ent Harris has waged a successful warfare against the apterous trespas sers which he found inhabiting the bedding and furniture of the institute when he took charge, but there is yet an ample opportunity afforded him for distlnguishment in other direc tions. On the whole, there is room for many beneficial changes at this insti tute, both in the way of stopping raids on the treasury and improving the faculty. Under fusion control grades in this institution exist only in theory and not in practice, and the pupil graduates much in the way a stone rolls down hill—picking out its own way without any well defined route or limitation as to time. Prop erly managed, the institute can be maintained at much less expense and to much greater advantage. So long, however, as positions in this and other institutions are given out in liquida tion of political debts the theory of reform, so conspicuously pictured by the fusion leaders, becomes at once a ludicrous incongruity. When Superin tendent Harris was asked why he did not grade the school he said: “I would like to, but you know our term of office is so indefinite that one hardly knows what to do. If I felt secure in my position for any material length of time I would do so.” This is the whole stoVy in a few words. Under fusionism frequent changes have demoralized the insti tutions, and time which should be de voted to the good of the instiution is spent in contriving plans to keep the official head beyond reach of the guillotine. Tba Trap “Worked." For some time Isaac Mulford, a far mer living near Bridgeton, N. J., has been missing chickens, so he sat a man trap without letting the family know. His son, Alfred, stayed out late the other evening, and, while slipping up to the house, was caught in the trap. Fearing a dressing down from his father for staying out so late the young man stayed there all night. His martyrdom was in vain, for the first person to see him next morning was his father. Mark Twain's Censor. Mrs. Clemens plays a very important part in her husband’s (Mark Twain) literary life. All that he writes passes under her severe censorship; she is the most acute critic, and if there is anything in what he has written which doe3 not meet with her entire ap proval it goes straightway to the waste' basket or is held back for revision. CHAPTER VIII.—(Continued.) Not the strictest purist on the earth could cavil at his writing to her. As he felt—that Is, from his heart—so he wrote to her: My Own Joyce: I am breaking my self-imposed resolution to tell you that I am leaving England for Australia on the Condor, which sails next week. I cannot live this life any longer. Do you know I come out at night Just to look at the house that contains you? There is no joy for anything, and I am afraid of breaking down under the strain. I must work, sweetheart; I must do something. Life is too hard. Joyce, I dp pot wish to see you again. If I saw you again I should ' never leave you; but I must hear from you to know if you are well,-dearest I ought to say to you that you should try and forget me, and be happy with some other man, but I cannot. It Is tre mendous selfishness on my part; but it would kill me if you were to look at another man. But it 1b not for that I am writing, but to tell you I am leaving. Your own ALAN. When Joyce received this letter Bhe sat quite still for.a* little time. She felt as if her heart must break when she thought of Alan. She knew what his unrest meant; she knew that if it were possible that he could lay his head against her shoulder, and fot^ier hand upon his brow, all his troubles would vanish. But thiB might not be. j Never again could they go through the agony of another parting, never again would they look into each other’s eyes and see what it was costing them to walk the path of duty—the only way for them. But she—she must look upon his face again. She would go down to Southampton, and then Bhe would try and get a glimpse of his dear face, so that she could see lor herself how he looked. She told no one of her project. It was not a wise thing to do, but it was a thing she must do. Veronica was resting In her room; the boy was with her. Now she had a nurse for him, and she had a pretty house and all comforts; but she looked more haggard than in the old days, when she eked out a miserable exist ence by teaching. Then there was something to live for, now she had nothing. She heard a tap at the door that made her tremble. Hutchinson had been a frequent visitor lately—since ! she had been prosperous. His visits always left her poorer and sadder. She did not mind the money, having a childish ignorance on the subject; but she did mind the way he spoke of Alan. She prepared herself for battle when she heard his knock. He came in, rooking more bloated and excited than ever. Lately he had drank very heavily. Today he was sober enough but he looked more angry than he had done of late. “So that fellow, thinks he is going to elude me!" he said, as he came Into the room; “but he makes a mistake!” Veronica turned pale. She knew he was speaking of Alan, and that he was threatening him. “What do you mean?” she asked boldly. “Do you mean to say that you don’t know that that precious husband of yours means to sail in the Condor on Friday? I dare say he wants to de sert you, and to go off with that other woman!” “Alan would not do that,” said Vero nica, quickly. “However much he and she suffer, they will do nothing wrong.” “1 dare say he is a saint!” sneered Hutchinson. “Well, he will have a chance of going to heaven quickly, for I’ve sworn to do for him, and this is my last chance!” Veronica listened. Hutchinson had spoken like this before, and it had come to nothing; still, it was possible that he might be desperate now. He looked it, and if he meant mischief to Alan she must warn him. Not a hair of Alan’s dear head should fall by this man’s hand. Still, she knew that she must not let Hutchinson sus pect that she was on the alert. “So he sails on Friday?" she said quietly. "From Southampton, is it not? He wrote to wish me good-by.” “It will be a longer good-by than he knows of,” said the man. "Lend me two pounds, Veronica.” Veronica hesitated. He might be asking for money in order to kill her husband; but she had often lent him money before, so she rose slowly and went to the writing table and took it cut. “I suppose he has made a settlement upon you?” he asked, with cunning leer. And poor Veronica, falling Into the trap, answered. “Yes.” “Then it’s all right,” he said, and went out. Veronica sprang up from her chair the instant the hall door clanged after him. She knew he meant’mischief to Alan. She kissed her boy many, many times before giving him in charge of his nurse. She was always loth to let him out of her sight; but today she almost felt as if she would never look upon him again. At the same time sho felt strangely happy, for it seemed as if at last she were able to do some thing for Alan. Alan had taken his seat in the train without thinking much of leaving Eng land. It had ceased to be home to him; be thought he might be happier when he was removed from the temp tation of seeing Joyce, and when he might now and again hear from her. And as he sat in the corner of his car riage he thought he saw a familiar figure pass. It was Hutchinson’s clouch, but he did not think much about it. He pulled his cap over his eyes, and pretended to go to sleep; but although he kept his eyes shut no sleep came to him. Southampton, it seemed to him, was soon reached. He got out of the train and began collect ing his belongings. He was turning to go when suddenly he heard the sound of a report and then a woman's cry. In an Instant all was commotion. A woman had fallen close beside him —a dark-haired, slight woman. He rushed forward to help her up, quite unconscious then that the shot that had been fired was meant for him, and that the woman had intercepted it. He had a dim idea, too, that he saw Hutchinson slipping away somewhere; but he, as well as every one else, was occupied by the fallen woman. , His were the arms that helped her up, and his were the eyes that recog nized Veronica. "My Ood!” he cried. And when they said "Do you know her?” he answered “Yes, and the shot has killed her was meant for me!” He carried her to a room near, and when he laid her down she opened her eyes and Bmiled. "I am so happy,” she said, softly. “Alan, I never thought to feel your arms round me again.” “Veronica,” he said, remorsefully. ”1 would gladly have given my life if this had not happened!” “I know it,” she said. "but tnins or me for one instant, Alan. You see, I love you, darling. I am dying, so that it does not matter, and my life made you unhappy. By dying for you I make you and her happy. It is tho only way, Alan—the only way." “But, Veronica-” he urged. But she would not let him Bpeak. “I don’t think I have long, dear. Let me die like this in your armB, my head upon your shoulder—so. You think I’m pretty still, don’t you What was I saying? Oh, that it will not matter, except for the boy. But I know you and she will be good to him. I should have liked to have seen him Just once again. You know Hutchinson swore he would be revenged on you, and bo I followed him; and when he fired at you I threw my3elf between. I wsb so happy, Alan, dear. The happiest moment of my life was when I felt that I might die for you.” ’’Veronica,” he said, touched to the heart, "I don’t deserve it—indeed I don’t!" “You see,” she went on, “I made you so unhappy by living—it is the only way.” And when the doctor came a few mo ments after Alan could see there was no hope. The bullet had pierced her side, and she was bleeding internally. She fell into a state of semi-conscious ness; but towards midnight she opened her eyes suddenly. “Kiss me, Alan,” she said, “and love my boy.” And whilst his lips touched hers her spirit passed away. Joyce, waiting at the docks for a glimpse of the man she loved, saw the great vessel glide out to sea without him. Something must have happened to delay him, she thought! Full of fear and anxiety, she returned home, won dering what had detained him; but the next day she had a telegram with these words: “Veronica died last night. I am coming at once.” And then she knew that something 3erlous had oc curred. Alan came to her, chastened, grey haired; but still Alan. And when he told her the simple, touching story of poor Veronica’s self-sacrifice and death they wept together. And Joyce re solved then and there to be a good and loving mother to Alan and Veronica’s boy, which vow she nobly kept. In deed, there was nothing stepmotherly about Joyce, and she could say truly that she had had nothing but pity for poor Veronica, even whilst she was keeping Alan and herself apart. — Alan loBt no time in marrying Joyce again. “They had suffered so much,’’ he said, “there was no need to pro long their suffering." Now, indeed, their life is the ideal life of married people, whose strong love for each other is not stronger than their love of duty, and who did not scruple to sacrifice everything they loved best for what they knew to be right And as for Veronica’s boy, he is like Joyce’s own. Indeed, if anything, she spoils him more than her own chll dren. "His mother saved your life, dear," she said once, in after days, when Alan expostulated with her, “and he Is a dear hoy, and he is yours, so you see I have three of the most excellent reasons for spoiling him.” Hutchinson was never seen again. There was a liue-and-cry after him, but he was never found. Whether he knew that the shot meant for Alan had been received by Veronica no one could tell. He disappeared, and Joyce and Alan were glad that it should be so. They had suffered so much that they wanted a little peace. Most of all, they did not want revenge. It was poor Veronica who had paid the debt, and she had done it gladly, saying that it was "The Only Way.” (The End.) The most fiery author—Burns. THE LIVE STOCK MARKET. latest Quotations from South Omaha and Kansas City. ■. . SOUTH OMahA. Union Stock Yards.—Cattle—There was Just about an average run of cattle and as the demand was fully equal to the supply the market was in good shape, t Chicago came aboupt steady, but seller!! held tor a 5®10c advance on corn cattle and packers met their prices. The cow market did not advance the same a* ' steers. The "better grades were Just about steady, hut buyers seemed to have about all they wanted this week, which made the market on the medium grades and canners a little weak and slow. There were a good many feeders on sale this morning, considering the sise of the re ceipts. The better grades were in good demand and changed hands at aoout steady prices. Western rangers wero mostlv on the feeder order and packers found , very little to work on. Killers were strong. In sympathy with the ad vance on corn cattle. There were not very many cows here, the better grades selling about steady and the others slow, and In some cases a little' weak. Feeders were steady on the good fleshy cattle and slow on common and light. Hogs—The supply of hegs was rather limited and the demand was In good shape. Chicago came strong to 5c higher, which gave the sellers a good chance t» hold their droves at good. Arm > prices. The general market was about higher than yesterday and In some cases possibly a dime more was paid than the nogs would have brought yesterduy. The bulk of the heavy weights sold right nround $5.00 and butcher weights ."U $3-00 6*5.05 and light weights at from “5.03® 6.17li. . ■ Sheep—There were twenty-nine .cars of •sheep reported, or 9,266 head, which makes the suppl yfor the week very liberal. Packers did not seem to want anything, as they said they were filled up for the week, and consequently did not place any bids. Quotations: Choice western grass wethers, $3.504i'3.65; fair to good grass wethers. $3,254*3.40; choice grass yearlings, $3,654*3.75; choice ewes, $3.00® 3.25; fair to god ewes, $2.75#3.00; fair to • good yearlings, $3.40413.65; choice spring lambs, $4.85<&5.10; fair to good coring lambs, $4.50®4.75; feeder wethers, $3.25® 3.50; feeder lambs, $4.00®4.25. , KAN8A8 CITY. Cuttle—Receipts, 4,000; market steady; native steers, $4.50®5.65: Texas steers, $2.95 6*5.36; Texus cows, $2.006i'3.00; native cows and heifers, $2.26®4.60; stockers and feed ers, $3.50®4.75; bulls, $2.40®4.2S; calves, re ceipts, 150; market steady; sates, $3.50® 5.50. Hogs—Receipts, 8.000; market strong an,l active; bulk of sales, $5,054*5.20; neavy. $l.95$4.95®5.1!i; packers, $5.104;5.22V*; mixed. $5.05«tT>,15; light. $5.40-05.30; Yorkers, $3.25® * 5.30; pigs, $4.9O®5.10. 8heep—Receipts, 1.000; market steady; lambs, $3.504*5.00; muttons, $3.25®l.00. GENERAL WAR IS FEARED. Government Disturbed by Russia’s Attl* tuds lu Chins. WASHINGTON. Aug. 25.—The cabi net was in session today until nearly 2 o’clock. At its close the members were more reticent than usual us to what transpired. It can be stated, however, that this gov iraivtcnt litis so; far received no cfficial or well authen ticated information that the Russian government has declared war on China, or that it is its immediate pur pose to do so. The published report that it actually has taken this step is disturbing to the administration, in asmuch as such action would greatly complicate the situation and probably paralyze the president’s efforts to bring about an early peace. This apprehension Is somewhat Intensified by the report that Germany may also contemplate a declaration of war. No information to that effect has reached the government, but Is regarded as not alotgether improbable that the murder of the German minister and the recent reported utterances of Field Marshal von Waldersee indicate that measures of the most drastic kind may be in contemplation. What action this gov ernment would take under these cir cumstances is not known, but it has been suggested that the president may at once ask for a conference of the powers with a view to arriving at some basis on a settlement of the questions involved without resorting to war. The subject of an extra session of congress, it was said, was not men tioned at the meting, and it can be stated on the authority of a member of the cabinet that under present con ditions an extra session is altogether improbable. SITUATION AT SHANGHAI. A Cablegram Urge* that the Government Send Troops, NEW YORK, Aug. 23.—The execu tive committee of the American,Asi atic association has received the fol lowing cablegram from the American association of China at Shanghai and have forwarded It to the secretary of state: , ‘‘Situation Yang Tse valley increas ingly critical; military estimate 15,000 troops needed to effectively protect Shanghai; urge government Immedi ately to send quota.” Two Wyoming Hen Killed. CHEYENNE, Wyo., Aug. 24.—Hugh Ferguson, a business man ..of Evans ton, Wyo., was killed at Rawlins this morning. He was enroute east with a trainload of horses and while walk ing over the train he fell between the cars. His body was mutilated in a horrible manner. The remains will be sent to Evahston for burial. Louis Kerz was instantly killed this after noon by falling from the Saratoga stage as it was nearing Rawlins. Kerz was intoxicated. Population of Ootafra. WASHINGTON, Aug. 24.—The popu lation of the city of Omaha, according to the official count of the returns of the twelfth census, is as follows: Om aha City, 1900, 102,555; 1890, 140,452. These figures show for the city, as a whole, a decrease In population of 37, 897, or 26.98 per cent, from 1890 to 1900. The population of 1880 was 30, 518, showing an increase of 109,934, or 360.23 j>er cent from 1880 to 1890. Oregon Will Soon Be Off 4 WASHINGTON, Aug. 23.—Captain George F. Wiide, commanding the bat tleship Oregon, today notified the navy department from Kure, Japan, that the vessel, w’hlch has been In dock there undergoing temporary re pairs, had been undocked and would bo ready for sea in a week. fiernmn Marines Arrive. BERLIN, Aug. 25.—An official dis patch from Tien Tsin, dated August 21, says: The German naval detach ment arrived at Pekin August 18 and the marine battalion reached Ho-Si Wu August 22.