Plattsmouth weekly journal. (Plattsmouth, Neb.) 1881-1901, February 08, 1894, Image 2

Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page. It is also available as plain text as well as XML.

    WILSON WINS.
Trbo Tariff Bill of Which He Is the
Author Passes the House.
The Income Tfti Feature Is Adopted,
Well as the Amendments Placing
Sut;ar aj.J Wool on the
1'ree Lint.
FINAL VOTE. 204 TO 140.
Washington-. Feb. 3. At 0 o'clock
Thursday night, at the conclusion of
one of the grandest, most imposing' and
most impressive scenes ever witnessed
in the American capitol, the Wilson
tariff bill passed the house of represen
tatives by a vote of 204 to 140. The
events leading up to it were almost un
paralleled in our annals. At 12 o'clock,
after a preliminary skirmish of an hour
over the barley schedule, the bill was
reported to the house and the closing
speeches were made.
Women Kulnt in the Crowd.
Such a vast concourse as assembled
to hear the last arguments upon the
prcat economic issue about to be sub
mitted for final arbitrament to the
representatives of the American people
had never before been seen within the
prf;ucts of the nation'6 legislative
c-Uol. Nothing like it was ever
known in the history of the oldest in
habitant of the capital.
For hours bef jre the debate began
the corridors leading to the galleries
were a surging mass of humanity,
which finallj' became so great that
men cried out in terror and wom
en fainted in fright. It was
estimated that over 20,000 persons
attempted to gain admittance to the
jralleries of the house. Their seat
ing capacity is about 3,000, and every
available seat was occupied long before
the gavel dropped. The people were
lined against the walls and banked
against the doors; so great did the
crush become that the members of the
house secured permission to bring their
wives upon the floor.
A Brilliant Audience.
When Mr. Reed, the first speaker,
arose at last to deliver the final plea for
protection the overhanging galleries
were black and dense with the specta
tors who thronged them. Every
inch, of space upon the floor was
taken. It was a brilliant as well
as a large asse mbly. Only tea of the
.354 members of the house were ab
feont. Many grave and reverend sena
tors and other distinguished person
ages were on the floor, and in the gal
leries were Mrs. Cleveland, Mrs. Vice
President Stevenson and other ladies
of eminence and distinction, their
dresses fiecUicg the scene with color.
The "Big Three."
Then for three hours the oratory of
the champions of the economic systems
followed Reed, Crisp and Wilson
while their partisans made the air vocal
with their shouts of approval. The ap
pearance of the speaker of the house
upon the floor engage in debate was, in
itself, a remarkable as well as an un
usual thing. Each of the speakers
teemed to be in his best form and the
fepeeches which they delivered Thurs
day will rank among the most brilliant
of their lives. When these were fin
ished Mr. Wilson, who spoke last, was
lifted on the shoulders of his admiring
colleagues and carried triumphantly
from the hall amid a scene of un
matched enthusiasm.
The Voting Begins.
The time had now arrived to vote on
the bill and pending amendments, but
the disorder was so great that the ser-geani-at-arms
was called upon to clear
the aisles and the wives of mem
'b?rs who Lad been allowed upon
the Coor were obliged to retire. It
took twenty minutes to restore order,
so that the public business could pro
ceed. The speaker then announced that
there were two pending amendments
"that the committee on ways and means
to increase the duty on barley from 20
to 25 per cent, ad valorem, and on bar
ley malt from 25 to 35 per cent., and
the amendment of Mr. Tawney (rep.,
Minn.) to increase the duty to 22 cents
a bushel on barley and 32 cents on bar
ley malt The first vote was taken on
the Tawney amendment, which was
lost upon a yea . and nay vote of 120 to
197. The committee amendment was
agreed to 202 to 104
t ree Wool and Sugar.
The speaker then announced tnat the
vote was upon the amendments adopted
by the coinmittee of the whole. Mr.
Johnson (O.) demanded a separate vote
on the wool and woolen amendments.
Mr. English (dem., N. J.) upon the in
eome tax i.nd upon the petroleum
amendment. The other amendments,
including that amendment abolishing
the bounty on sugar and that placing
refined sugar on the free list were then
agreed to ia bulk without division.
The first amendment which Mt. John
sou desired a separate vote upon was
that placing wool upon the free list
immediately upon the passage of
.the bill. This amendment having
been vitiated by a later amend
ment placing the date at August 2, a
point of order was raised that the latter
amendment must first be voted upon,
but after some discussion the chair
decided that the Johnson amendment
roust first be voted upon to perfect
the text and that the real test would
come upon the amendment to
Mrike out the words "immediately after
the passage of the bill" and insert "on
and after August 2." The Johnson
aiuenament was therefore agreed to
without division. The other amend
ment was agreed to 205 to 147. Mr.
Johnson tried to get the yeas and nays,
but could c uly muster five votes to his
aid. The amendment fixing the date
as December 2 when the manufactured
woolen schedule should go into effect
was also ac.opted 200 to 130.
.Mr. Johnson again being unable to
M-cure the yeas and nays, the vote was
then taken upon the amendment pro
viding for reciprocity in petroleum, and
it was carried 17" to 47.
Voce on the Income Tax.
The last amendment to be voted upon
was that providing for the income tax.
air. Cox demanded the yeas and nays
vpon this amendment. It was signlfi
eaat that the republicans refused to
second tiii demand for the yes.s and
nays, but, enough democrats arose
(fifty-one) to order the roll-call. It was
then found that the income tax could
not be voted upon as a separate propo
sition, the speaker deciding in accord
ance with a precedent, which he cited,'
that the internal revenue amendment
having been reported as a single amend
ment could not be divided. The vote,
therefore, was upon the entire rejec
tion of the internal revenue amend
ment. '
The republicans, with few excep
tions, refused to vote, but the amend
ment, including the income tax, was
adopted 182 to 50.
The populists voted in the affirma
tive, as did the following republicans:
Bowers (CaL), Fletcher (Mo.), Eartmann
(Mont), Marsh (11L). Pickler (S. I.). White
(O.) and Sweet (Idaho).
Those who voted against the amend
ment were:
Bibcock (rep.. Wis.). Bartlett, Beltzhoover,
Brawley, Brosius (rep., Pa., Cadmus. Camp
bell, Causer, Clancey, Cock ran, C'ampton,
Coomba, Cornish. Covert, Cummings, Davey,
Be Forest, Dunn. Dunphy, English, Everett,
Fielder, Gelssenhainer, Haines, Harter, Hen
drlx, Lapham, Lock wood. Manner, McAleer,
M.Call (rep.. Mass ). McKaig, Meyer, Moore
(rep., Mass.), Mutchler, O'Neill, Page, Powers
(rep., VL), Price, Haynor, Keilley, KusK, Kyan,
Scherme rhorn, Scranton (rep. Pa.). Sickles,
Sperry, Stevens, Talbott (Md.), Warner and
Wolverton.
Passed by a Majority of C.
Then came the final vote on the bill
itself,- on which a yea and nay vote was
asked and granted by a rising vote. The
roll-call was watched with marked at
tention, and frequent bursts of applause
greeted accessions to one side or the
other. Beltzhoover (dem.. Pa.) was the
first to win applause by his yea
vote, indicating that the Pennsyl
vanians were falling into line. Im
mediately after this, Blanchard (dem.,
La.) was applauded as he voted yea
and showed that the Louisianian op
position to the bill was not in
tact. Mr. Cockran's vote in favor
of the bill brought out tumultuous
cheering. The climax of the
demonstration was reached when the
name of Mr. Wilson, author of the bill,
was reached, the democrats cheering
vociferously as a final recognition of
his leadership. The speaker asked
that his name be called and he an
swered in the affirmative. Then the
speaker announced: "On this question
the yeas are 204 and the nays are 140
and the bill is passed."
Summary of tne Vote.
The vote summarized is as follows:
Yeas, 204 : democrats, 198; republicans, 0;
people's party, 6. Nays, 140; democrats. 18;
republicans, 121: people's party, L Total. 344.
Democrats voting against it were
Bartlett, Campbell, Covert, Cummings.
Haines, Ilendrix, Schermerhorn and
Sickles, of New York; Cadmas, of New
Jersey; Sperry and Page, of Connecti
cut; Geary of California; Cooper, of
Wisconsin; Sibley, of Pennsylvania; and
Devey, Meyer, Price and Robertson, of
Louisiana.
Democrats Were Happy.
When the speaker announced the
vote cheer followed cheer upon the
democratic side, papers, hats, congres
sional records and, in fact, everything
which the democrats could lay their
hands upon, were flung high in the air,
and amid a perfect pandemonium oi
joy the house adjourned.
FIRE IN CHICAGO.
A ltigr Warehouse and Several Dwellings
Are Destroyed.
Ceicago, Feb. 3. The big five-story
brick warehouse of Felix & Mars ton,
wholesale dealers in wooden and
willow ware, at Henry street and
Stewart avenue, has been totally
destroyed by fire and a number
of lives were endangered. The
building, which was 100 feet wide
by 175 feet long, extending south
half a block to West Fifteenth
street, was valued at $00,000, and with
the stock, estimated at $75,000, ia
a complete loss. Felix & Mars
ton's loss, aggregating $135,000, is
covered by insurance. Three or four
frame cottages owned by poor people
were crushed to pieces by the falling
walls of the warehouse, and hard work
by the firemen barely prevented the
flames from spreading toward Canal
street. William Snooks, who was
caught on the second floor, where
it is supposed the fire started, leaped
to the street below and was in
ternally injured. While standing
at the window hesitating, the flames
swooped down upon him and burned
him badly about the head. He did
not wait longer, but dropped 30 feet
into the street, where he was picked up
by the police and carried to his home
at 040 llenrv street.
OPERA HOUSE BURNED.
English Folly Company, in a Tour In
Ohio, Loses Its Wardrobe.
Delaware, O., Feb. 3. In Prospect,
Marion county, Wednesday night, the
opera house, valued at $3,000; the
electric light plant, $10,000; Cook's
residence, $1,000, . and the entire
wardrobe, worth $2,000, of the Eng
lish Folly company, were consumed by
fire. There was no insurance. S. Wy
att, part owner of the burned property,
was struck by falling electric light
wires and seriously injured. The blaze
caught in the dressing-room of the op
era hall as the company was preparing
for the evening performance.
Twelfth W oman Admitted to Practice.
Washington, Feb. 2. The twelfth
woman has been admitted to practice
before the United States supreme
court and has signed the roll at that
bar. She is Miss Kate II. Pier, a pre
possessing young lady from Milwaukee,
and Senator Vilas of Wisconsin moved
her admission. Mrs. Iielva A. Lock
wood, of Washington, was the first
woman attorney to uppear there. She
was admitted in 1S75.
Killed Her llahy.
Toledo. O., Feb. 3. At Elyria, O.,
Mrs. Jacob Hartley, while despondent
over the death of her husband, killed
her 10-months-old child by cutting its
throat with a razor. She then by a
similar effort tried to end her own life.
Her recovery is doubtful.
People Starving in Spain.
Cadiz, Feb. 3. The governor of this
province reports that thousands of peo
ple out of work and starving are tramp
ing through the country and that in
consequence he anticipates disturb;
ances in the rural districts.
LEADERS TALK.
Tha Closing Speeches of the Great
Tariff Debate.
Mr. Reed Champions the Cause of Protec
tion, While Speaker Crisp and Sir.
Wilson Vrg the Passage
or the Hill.
GIANTS OF DEBATE,
Washington, Feb. 3. Aside from
the great attendance and the final vote
on and passage of the tariff bill, the
features of the session of the house on
Thursday were the speeches, closing
the debate, of Mr. Reed (rep.. Me.),
Speaker Crisp.andMr. Wilson (dem., W.
Va.),the author of the measure. Prompt
ly at noon the committee of the whole
rose and the chairman (Mr. Richard
son), according to parliamentary for
mula, reported that the committee of
the whole had had under consideration
house bill 4.S04 (tariff bill) and re
ported it to the house with sundry
amendments. The speaker then an
nounced that three hours would
be allowed for closing debate.
He recognized Mr.
republican leader
wild cheering and
the galleries and
his party friends
Reed, and the
rose amid the
hand-clapping of
the huzzas of
about hi in. Mr.
and shook his
the demonstration
Reed frowned
head as though
were distasteful to him. He waited for
the applause to cease. Standing in the
aisle, clad in a long Prince Albert coat,
with head erect and defiant, he looked
a physical and intellectual giant.
I Says the liill Satisfies No One.
i When the applause had finally sub
sided Mr. Reed began his speech. He
said:
"In this debate, which has extended over
many weeks, one remarkable result has already
been reached, a result of the deepest Impor
tance to this country. The result is that the
bill betore us is odious to both sides ot the
house. It meets with favor nowhere and com
mands the respect of neither party. On this
bide wo believe that while it pretends
to be for protection it does not afford
it, and on the other side they believe that
while it looks toward free trade It does not ac
complish it Those who will vote against this
bill will do so because it opens our markets to
the destructive competition of foreigners, and
those who vote for it do it with a reservation
that they will instantly devote themselves to
I a new crusade against whatever barriers are
left.
"It is evident that there is no ground for
I the hope entertained by so many moderate
men that this bill, bad as It is, could be a
resting place where our manuliic-.uring and
i productive industries, such as zu-ty survive,
can reestablish themselves or h-vo a sure
foundation for the future, free i.oiu party
' bickering and pa. ty strife. H ..ce, also,
there can be no foundation for t. at cry, so
insidiously raised, that this bill should be
passed at once, because uncertainty is worse
than any bill can possibly be. bo utterly un
disputed and so distinctly visible to every
human being in this audience has been our
growth and progress that whatever tho future
industrial system of this country may be, the
i past system is a splendid monument to that
series of successful statesmen who found the
country bankrupt and distracted and left it
first on the list of nations."
Advantages of the American Market.
Sir. Keed eulogized tfae American market as
being the best in the world, owing to the high
w ages paid L-ire enabling workingnien to pur
chase largely of the comforts of lite Instead
of increasing this market, he said, by leaving
i it to the steady increase of wages w hich the
ligures of the Aldrich report so conclusively
I enow, and which have rot only received the
i sanction of the members from Xew York but
. of the secretary of the treasury and the demo
I cratic bureau o! statistics, by tbts action our
committee proposes to lower wages and so
, lessen the market and then divide that market
with somebody else, and all on the chance of
getting the markets of the world. Mr. Keed
continued:
) "To add to the interesting impossibilities of
: this contention the orators on the other side
say they are going to maintain wages. How
can that be possible? All things sell at the cost
of production. If the di3erence between cost
of production here and cost of production in
' England be not equalized by the duty, then our
cost of production nius. go down or we must go
out. Our laws have inviied money and men and
. we have grown great and rich thereby.
1 "To sum it up, if this protection gives us
: money and men, and our vast country needs
; both, it may show why we have eo wonderfully
, prospered. If it does I am Inclined to think
that the way to have two jobs hunting one man
' is to keep on making new mills and try to pre
. vent the committee on ways and means from
pulling down old ones.
I Itut What About the Parmer?
I "But what do you say about the farmer?
; Well, on that subject I do not profess uny
' special learning, but there is one simple state
, ment I w ish to make and leave the question
j there. If with cities growing up like magic,
I manufacturing villages dotting every eligiblo
. sue, each and all swarming with mouths to be
tilled, the producers of food are worse off than
! when half this country was a desert, I abandon
; sense in favor of political economy.
I "If the hope of agriculturists is ii English
I free trade they had better ponder on tho fact
that while the w ages of artisans have Increased
; in England si 43 per week since 18.V) the wages
of agricultural laborers have only increased 7
cents, and while the Lancashire operatives in
the factories live as well as anybody, except
Americans, the agricultural laoorers are hard
ly Letter oil than the continental peasantry.
England's example will cot do lor agriculture.
When a Tariff Will liaise Wages.
"Here let me meet one other question, and
let me make it fairly. We are charged with
having claimed that the tariff alone w ill raise
wages We have never made such a claim in
any such form. Free traders have set up that
claim for us to triumphantly knock It over.
What we do say is that v here two nations have
equal skill and equal appliances and a market
nearly equal and one of them can hire labor at
one-La!r less, nothing but a tariff can maintain
the higher wages, and that we can prove.
"We are the only rival that England fears,
for we alcne have in our borders the population
and the waxes, the raw material, and within
ourselves the great market which in
sures to us the most improve a ma
chinery. Our constant power to increase
our wages insu: s us also continuous prog
res If you wish us to follow the example
of England, I say yes, with all my heart, but
her real example, and nothing less. Let us
keep protection, as she did, until no rival dares
to invade our territory, and then we may take
'our chances for a future which by that time
will not be-unknown."
Keed tiets an Ovation.
Throughout Reed's speech he was frequently
interrupted with applause, and at times the
democrats joined in. As his speech closed
there was a burst of applause which swelled in
to a tumultuous demonstration as the enthu
siastic galleries gave shouts, hurrahs and sharp
whistles which are often heard in theaters but
seldom in the halls of congress.
Jdr. Keed bowed his acknowledgment to the
demonstration, and, without resuming his seat
or waiting for the many hands extended to con
gratulate him, made bis way back to the re
publican cloakroom. Half way up the aisle he
was met by a page bearing a huge basket of
American Beauty and La Franco roses.
Speaker Crisp licglns Hit Speech.
While the demonstration was goln on
Speaker Crisp- relinquished the chair to Mr.
Hatch (Mo.) and assumed the old seat which
he occupied in the days before he was elevated
to the speakership. When he arose in his
place he received an ovation.
As Mr. Crisp prooeeded be was given gener
ous applause by hia democratic associates on
the floor, but his points were of an argumenta
tive character, w hich appealed to the students
of the question rather than to the galleries.
He read from the minority report and criti
cised that feature which, declared that the for
eigner paid the tax.
Not a ltenefit to tabor.
After his opening introductory remarks Mr.
Crisp declared that an examination of the pro
tective system would show that while it was
built up for the ostensible beneflt of labor
it was in truth constructed for the benefit
of the manufacturing classes. He ointed
out that the wages of laborers ia
protected industries went down and
those in unprotected industries went up
as a result of the McKinley act. This was
shown by tho statistics gathered by the senate
committee on finance. The speaker referred to
the artificial condition created by protection.
It took men, he said, from their natural chan
nels and diverted them to unnatural channels.
The same was true in tho diversions made in
the channels of trade. Protection was a Chi
nese wall which not only shut out the world
but shut in the United States.
Keed's Arcument One of Prejudice.
Mr. Crisp w as greeted with applause when
he said that the thirty years of protection was
a period of unrest during which the masses
of people had constantly rebelled against -the
heavy burdens of taxation. The people bad
always been stilled at the poi:s by the repub
lican promises to reduce the tariff, but
once successful at the polls, the republican
legislators surrendered themselves body and
soul to the munuTacturln? classes. The speaker
declared that the gentleman (Mr. Keed) had
throughout his speech refrained from the ar
guments of reason and had used only those of
prejudice.
He pointed to the Chinese as an example of
what had resulted from a protective policy
of hundreds of years, which had sought to
make China rich by trading with itself. Mr.
Crisp said that for twenty-five years the
democratic party had been trying to get into
power. It had told the people that if given
power it would reduce the burdens of taxation.
The people had accepted this promise and
given the party power. This tariff was a re
demption of these pledges to the people. It
was not a perfect bill, but It was a step in tho
right direction.
Cheers for the Income Tax.
In referring to various features of the bill ho
spoke of an income tax, which brought out
long and loud applause from the strong income
tax element in the house. He cited a speeeh
of Senator Sherman delivered twenty years
ago to the effect that a tax which fell
heaviest on consumption and did not
bear heavily on the wealth and in
comes of the country was intrinsically wrong.
Mr. Crisp supported the income tax in vigorous
terms. He said 530,000,0-O of tax on accumu
lated wealth was but a small tribute ia return
for the benefits it received.
Mr. Crisp closed with an eloquent appeal to
his democratic associates to waive minor ob
jections and to look at the great democratic
principles involved. "Let us stand together,"
he said. "Let us pass this bill and it will
bring gladness to the consuming masses, to
the farmer, to the laborer and to the American
people."
There was a triple round of applause as the
speaker closed. A page walked toward him
with a large potted plant with red flowers
above, surrounded with white roses below. The
applause continued for more than a minute,
during which Mr. Crisp was warmly congratu
lated. He left the body of the house and re
turned to the speaker's desk.
.Mr. Wilson Closes the Debate.
Mr. Wilson at once arose to close the debate.
He was greeted with great cheers. Mr. Wilson
eloquently portrayed the advance of freedom.
This bill, he said, was but one of those ad
vances. No McKinley bill could stem the ad
vance of human progress. Great causes could
not be laughed or ridiculed away, and the gen
tleman from Maine could not draw from his
armory of sarcasm and wit In order to stop the
advance of this cause of lightening the burdens
of taxation.
Mr. Wilson then related the story of the
English herrinR merchant who wrote to Sir
Kobert Peel that he did not want free trade as
to herring, as it would let in Norwegian her
ring, but that on other goods he was a thorough
free trader. Mr. Wilson appealed to tis fellow
democrats not to allow any herring arguments
to impede the movement toward the overthrow
ot the protective system.
Denies Charges of Sectionalism.
Referring to an income tax Mr. Wilson said
he had not wanted It attached to this bill, but
once so attached, he supported it with all the
loyalty at his command. There was continued
applause as Mr. Wilson denied the charges of
sectionalism in the bill. He said that the ani
mating feeling of those who had framed this
biil was to make this country one in which one
man would not be taxed for another, one in
which religion, science, culture and education
would go hand in hand as the common, untaxed
heritage of every citizen.
Mr Wilson closed with a u lojunt appeal
to his fellow-democrats. He told them that
the record of the house would permanently
record no passing event, but a great epoch in
American history. He wanted every demo
cratic name recorded on that historic roll. In
that case, he said, the day would be a proud
and happy one for him. His closing words
were: "in the name of honor, in the name of
freedom, I summon every democrat to vqte for
this bill."
W ilson Carried Out in Triumph.
Mr. Wilson's glowing peroration aroused the
democrats and the galleries to the highest
pitch of enthusiam, and tho demonstration
w hich followed his last words has seldom been
equaled in the house. The whole democratic
side rose to its feet; books and records
were thrown into the air: cheer followed
cheer: the people in tho galleries joined with
voice and hands In the tribute. Before Mr.
Wilson could sit down three of the demo
cratic members, bubblinc over with enthu
siasm Messrs Johnson (O ), Tucker Va.)
and Bryan (Neb.) rushed -up the aisle,
lifted Mr. Wilson upon their shoulders and
carried him in triumph to the rear of the hall,
where for ten minutes he listened to the words
of praise that were showered upon him. It
was a remarkable demonstration in every re
spect. FAIR DIRECTORS WIN.
The Kule Fining Them for Contempt of
Court Reversed.
Chicago, Feb. 3. Judges Shepard,
Waterman and Gary of the appellate
court have handed down an opinion in
the appeal of world's fair directors, reversing-
the order of the superior court,
fining them for contempt. They find
that the superior court had no juris
diction or power to issue any injunction
in the suit o Charles XV. Clingman
against the World's Columbian exposi
tion. Mr. Clingman in his bill
charged that the rights of the
people to use Jackson park were inter
fered with by the pretended deal
made between the South park commis
sioners and the exposition and that tho
only day upon which he could attend
the exposition was Sunday. He prayed
for an injunction to restrain tho
closing of Jackson park on Sun
day. Judge Stein granted the injunc
tion. Consequently the superior court
was applied to for a rule on Directors
William D. Kerfoot, Charles I, Hutch
inson, Lyman J. Gage, Andrew Mc
Nally, Charles Henrotin, George R.
Davis and Victor F. Lawson for
contempt for violation of the order
of court. The directors were ifound
guilty of contempt and fines of $1,000
each were imposed on XV. D. Kerfoot,
C. L. Hutchinson, Lyman J. Gage,
Andrew McNaliy and Charles Hen
rotin. George K. Davis was fined
$250 and Victor F. hiwson $100.
From this order the appeal was taken
and in the opinion handed down the
matter of contempt was net entered
into at all. The finding that the su
perior court was without jurisdiction
disposed of the matter at one stroku.
A GOOD MAN GONE.
Death in Philadelphia of Georpre
V. Childs.
The Famous Journalist and riiilanthro.
plst Succumb to an Attack of
Paralysis Aecount of His
Career and Work.
HE WAS A MAX BELOVED.
Philadelphia, Feb. 5. G. W. Childs,
proprietor of the Public Ledger, died
this morning at 3:01 o'clock at his resi
dence at the southeast corner of
Twenty-second and Walnut streets
from the effects of a stroke of paralysis
Bustained by him January 19.
George William Chjlds was born in Balti
more, Mil, May 12, l(J2s. He was educated at
private schools in his native city, and when 14
years old removed to Philadelphia. Soon
afterward he became a clerk in a book store and
after a service of four years there opened
a small store of his own in the old Leduer
building at Third and Chestnut streets. In due
time ho became a publisher of boons and at the
ri2
an or 21 was at the head of the Arm of Childs
&. Peterson. Even at that early day Mr. Childs'
ambitions and inclinations were well formed.
He had deciJel to be a newspaper publisher,
and it is related that soon after he engaged iu
business in the . Ledger building he stated
that some day he intended to be the proprietor
of the paper. Hut meanwhile ho achieved con
siderable success in the publishing business
many of the works issued by Childs &, Peterson
being of intrinsic excellence, among them be
ing "Dr. Allitone's Dictionary of Knglish and
American Authors." Other standard works
were brought out in profusion.
In ltta Mr. Childs retired from tho firm and
the following years witnessed the consumma
tion of his cherished ambition he was the
owner of the Philadelphia Public Ledger.
True, when he acquired control of the property
thu Ledirer was unremunerative: but soon
after his energy, his enterprise and his
determination to make it succeed won him
abundant success The Ledger sprang sud
denly into public favor an! has continued to
this day the most profitable newspaper in
Philadelphia, and, indeed, one of the best
paying in the United States.
At his own expense Mr. Childs caused a
stained glass window to te placed iu West
minster Abbey in commemoration of the
poets, William Cowper and George Herbert,
and he also caused a monument to be placed
over the hitherto unmarked grave of Lei?h
Hunt in Kensal Green. He rendered a similar
bervice to ahe memory of Kdgar Allan Poe, and
was tho largest subscriber to the fund col
lected in this country by Gen. Wilson
and in England by Samuel C. Hall for
the purpose of placing a memorial window
for ike poet Thomas Moore in the church in
ljrumhum, where Moore and Ilessie." aro in
terreX In lsCS he gave to the Philadelphia
Typographical society the printers' cemetery.
Woodlands, with a liberal sura, th'3 interest on
w hich is to be expended in keeping the grounds
In order.
Mr. Childs took an especial interest in the
printers, and nowhere will his death be more
deeply deplored than in the composing rooms.
It was well that he should provide a resting
place for the printer after death, but he did
better knade provisions for such of them as
became unequal to the struggle for life. In
coinpauy w ith the late A. J. Dreitel. of Phila
delphia, he endowed the Printers' home at
Colorado Springs, Col. They gave S10.UJ0 to
felan the fund uqJ the Typographical union
made up the remainder by assessments, pro
viding for the maintenance of the home in like
canuer.
The holiday season was the most delightful
portion of the year to him, for it was then he
fc-id the greatest opportunity for giving. His
employes always received a Christmas gift of
from 5li to Sooy in their pay envelopes Christ
mas w t ek.
Mr. ChilJs attri fcuted Lis success to the fact
that he always attended to his own business
and never interfered w ith others. He had two
proverbs which were the guiding rules of his
conduct. One Wis: "Do your best; let go tho
rest." Tho other was: "What can't be cured
must be endured." Another secret of his
success was the care ho gave his men. Those
who worked honestly and faithfully for him al
ways received more than their stipulated sal
aries. He always gave them every encourage
ment to make them successful. He watched
their personal habits. If they were not in
clined to savo ho tempted them to become
economical by making good investments
for them, so that they were obliged to save in
order to carry on the investment. As a rule
all of the employes of the ledger who have
faniiles live In houses of their own bought
and paid for by Mr. Childs, who. in return, has
only received bacit the printipil advanced.
He insureJ the lives of all the principal men
of his pajx-r aud paid the premiums himself.
Sor.19 of the leading n;en in his oflict, have
such insurance uoon their lives to the amount
of i25.l). This kind proprietor watched more
carefully after the interests of those under
him than the average nun looks after himself.
He paid them all good wastes: he lidged
them in the most luxurious of quar
ters: lie never made an over-demand
upon th-ir attention: he insured
their lives for their families: he bought theni
homes and established them, and wh-a they
were broken down with the stealy grind of
their daily work he sent them o;T for a vaca
tion w ith thi-ir families and paid the expenses
of these families as well as their own. When
they became old ani broken down in his serv
ice he retired them upon full pay.
No man in tho Uui'.ed Stites In an unofficial
capacity ever had a wider or a more intimate
acquaintance with great men than Mr. Childs.
His friendship for Gen. Grant was most nota
ble, particularly when the general met with
the re verses which hastened his death.
Mr. Childs" private ofllce in the Ledger build
ir. was little less than a museum, the exhibits
beiiiginemcntosofthetiiatiygre.it men in lit
erature, art, statecraft and war who esteemed
h,:n as a friend or benefactor. It was a creat
How to the owner when fire destroyed the
Ledger ofiice, and vith it most of these treas
ures, aud the w hole country s nipaihizel with
him.
SPOONER FOR PRESIDENT.
C hairman Carter Says the Wisconsin Man
Will ISo iu the cc
Nkw Yohk. Feb. o lion. Thomas C.
Carter, chairman of the republican na
tkinul committee, was asked if tho
northwest would present a candi
date at the next republican presi
dential convention. " Well," re
plied the ex-congressman from
Montana, "the friends of ex-Senator
Sspconer, of Wisconsin, speak of him as
a stri ng candidate who is thoroughly
identified with the interests o iho
northwest His name will no (iou'jt
receive favorable consideration."
III jygij,
I GEORGE W. CHILDS. j
BENHAM'S ACTION
The Admiral's Prompt Work Commended
by Secretary Herbert.
Washington, Feb. 3. The feeling of
pride and exultation in navy depart
ment circles over the achievement
of Admiral llunham and Com
mander Urownisou at Rio is dis
played without any effort of con
cealment. It is well understood tho
admiral has acted on his own discretion
throughout the affair. After the firing
on American merchantmen on Satur
day the admiral cabled the navy de
partment what he proposed to do in
view of certain conditions.
The message sent to Admiral l?en
ham Thursday by Secretary Herbert is
an unequivocal commendation of his
course in every particular. The confi
dence of the department in his capaci
ty is further shown by the fact that he
is left entirely to his own discretion in
the further conduct of affairs iu the
delicate task he has embarked upon.
Secretary Herbert's message saj-s:
"We are satisfied entirely with the prudence
and judgment with which you have carrie.i out
instructions and protected American commerce.
Ksly upon you for continue i exercise of wise
ttlscretiou."
Secretary tlresham has received a dis
patch from Minister Thompson at liio
tie Janeiro confirming the details of
Admiral Eenhaia's encounter with the
iusurgenta Alter relating tiie story of
the occurrence exactly as told in Ad
miral Henham's dispatch to Secretary
Herbert, Minister Thompson sa3-s:
"lienham has not interfered in the least wt'.h
military or naval operations of either side, nor
is it his intention to do so. He has notified
the insurgents that it is his duty to
protect Americans and t'jj commerce of
thu Unit;d States, and this he intends
to Co, and says American vessels n.utt tot
bo interfered with in their movements, but
they must take the consequences when getting
in the line of fire w hen legitimate hostilities
are actually in progress. Until lelicivt
rights are aecorded.tne insurgents have :.o riht
to exercisu authority over American vess-1:; or
property. The right of insurgents to st.irch
neutial vessels or to seiz? any port . f
their cargoes is denied, even though t. i.y e
within the class which maybe tlehued v.i c -a-traband
of war, during hostilities between t -r
independent governments. I'orcibi-: seizure ot
such articles in lhe present status of the i!:-.'.:r-gi'nts
would constitute an act of piracy.
"Slnco the effective action of Mon iuy every
thing is quiet Attempted blockade to com
merce and traJeis broken, and the events move
smoothly. All foreign commanders concur, as
far as 1 am advised. Thompson."
BOND BIDS OPENED.
Offers for S54.S08.IOO, with About S3, 000.
01H) More on the Way.
Washington, Feb. 3. More offers to
take the 5 per cent, bonds to be issued
by Secretary Carlisle were received at
the treasury department Thursday.
Promptly at noon the time elapsed at
which offers could be received, al
though it was said that such as had
been mailed before that time and had
not arrrived on account of delayed
trains would be received.
The subscriptions received amount to
$54,508,100 at prices ranging from 11.7
223 to 120. 8'-!. There was also an offer
of 200 for one bond of $.10. There are
known to be on -the way additional sub
scriptions amounting to more than S5,
000,000, which, owing to delay in the
arrival of the mails, wiil be entitled to
consideration when received. The fol
lowing are tho names of the sub-treasuries
at which tae subscriptions are to
be paid:
Xew York ?4i..-m.C.V)
Hoston. .... .. 5,:-itf 5-)
I'hiiadeli'hia 7J1.5.-J
Haltiniore Ol.IjJ
Cincinnati. 04o (jjO
New Orleans 7 -KJ
St Louis L7..())
Saa Francisco II .
Washington 3.17.5.S0
Chicago. 2-SJ.U5J
Place of laymen t njt stated -uj.-L-J
Total $34,5uS,llA
It was said at the department that it
will probably be February 15 before an
actual exchange of bonds between the
government and the purchasers is con
summated. It will be several days be-.
fore the bonds are finished by the
bureau of engraving and printing.
At the lowest figures viz., the secre
tary's upset price of 117. '2'J3, the gold
received will amount to more than $53,
000.000. This is on the presumption
that gold will be used entirely in
paying for the bonds. It may be,
however, as has heretofore been
pointed . out in these dispatches,
that legal tender and treasury notes
will be used indirectly to some extent
in the payments for the bonus. The
gold reserve is in round numbers $05,
000,000. and if the bonds were paid for
to-day in gold at $58,000,000 the total
reserve would be 5120.000,003, or 523,
000,000 more than is regarded as the
customary limit.
PUSHED THE WAGON AND DIED.
A South Ilakota Farmer's Wife Kill Iler-f-elf
in a 'ovt Manner.
Yankton. S. D., Feb. 3. Mrs. Hans
Olson, wife of a Norwegian farmer in
this county, com in it ted suicide by hang
ing herself to a lumber wagon. She
fastened one end of the rope about her
own neck iu a slip noose and tied the
other end to tho rear axle of the wagon.
Then she gave the wagon a push down
a short hill and the weight of the
vehicle strangled her to death.
SERIOUS RIOT AT EOGOTA.
Mob Dispersed by the l'olice and Many
l'erwons Are Killed.
Fan AM A, Feb. 3. A dispatch from
llogota says that serious riots have
broken out in that city. They are a
protest against the monopoly in to
bacco. A mob of over 7,0;)J men at
tacked the government officers in spite
of the efforts of the police. The troops
were called out at last and they
charged the mob. Many persona wero
killed.
Wages of Jtailroaders Kestored.
Salt Lake, Utah, Feb. 3. General
Superintendent A. li. Welby, of the
Ilio Graude Western, lias issued an
order restoring tho wages of all en
gineers, firemen anl tiiutncn on that
line. Wages were reduced 10 per cnL
last October, aai the increase in busi
ness makes tiie restoration over the
system possibly- The ordr went into
effect Thursday morning.
Voisoiled by Eating Canned Grap
IIock Island, 111., Feb. 3. Charles
Iehuiaa died from eating ' canned
j; rapes. His w ife aud child were also
poisoned and are not yet out of daa rv