nv ntiom
"What Is the actual coat of the na
tional convention of one of the great
political parties ? This question Is more
easily asked than answered , as I have
found In endeavoring to secure an ac
curate answer to It. Party leaders ,
convention managers , convention offi
cials either do not know or will not
tell the details of the expenditures on
this account. They seem to be part of
the body of secrets which one national
committee hands down to-another , and
which all national committees en
deavor to keep from the public. The
national conventions are largely under
the management of the national com
mittees. National committees select
the time and the place , make the ar
rangements with the cities which en
tertain the convention , manage every
thing but the actual proceedings , and
wind up the business affairs after
wards.
The actual work of arranging for the
convention's convenience and comfort
and the convenience and comfort of
the newspaper men and other specta
tors is delegated by the national com
mittee to a subcommittee , and the offi
cers of the national committee , as a
rule , control the expenditures. Pre
sumably , the accounts are submitted
to the national committee and duly
audited , and , presumably , vouchers are
produced for the expenditure of the
money. But , if so , very little seems
to be known about the accounting , and
some of the political leaders say that
it is not always either rigid or ex
act.
The fact Is that the fund for the en
tertainment of the convention is now
adays made large enough by the city
PROHIBITION
HxltCHICAG.Q
whose invitation is accepted to leave
a large surplus over and above all nec
essary expenses for the use of the na
tional committee in the campaign fol
lowing , and this makes the party man
agers unwilling to say definitely what
actual convention expenditures were ,
and , perhaps , prevents the adoption of
strict requirements as to the account
ing for those expendituies.
Of course , all the convention man
agers say that there can be no fixed
schedule of convention expenses , be
cause every convention is different
from every other convetion. Altera
tions in the hall might make the bill
of expenses differ by $5,000 or $10-
000 from the convention of the other
party in the same year or from a con
vention before or after. In a rough
way it is possible to make a pretty
good estimate * of expenses for what
might be called an average convention
by comparing such fragments of in
formation as the party managers are
willing to give on the subject.
Certain things aie expected by every
national committee of the city which
has t he honor to entertain the con
vention. It must , of course , provide
the hall and whatever alterations are
necessary , and the seats and other fur
niture , and the decorations and a num
ber of incidentals , such as stationery.
It must pay the expenses of engrav
ing the tickets and providing the
bands of music for the convention
proceedings.
It must provide for the entertain
ment of the national committee as a
body , with a large suite of the best
hotel rooms as "headquarters , " and the
rule is to provide for the entertain
ment of the individual members of the
committee as well. The ordinary del
egates must pay their own expenses
or have them paid by their state or
ganization. All they get are a few
tickets of admission each for their
friends , which in some cases have been
sold to meet personal expenses.
The proceedings of the convention
are always reported by stenographers
and published afterward in full , and
this is done at the expense of * he host
city. Carriages and other conveni
ences , luncheons and other eatables
and drinkables are among the other
items which may be in the convention
expenses. As a rule the national com
mittee is asked the highest prices and
does not hesitate to pay them for
whatever it thinks necessary.
If the nail has to be rented the ren
tal may vary from $2,000 to § 5,000. If
alterations have to be made , as is al
most always the case , they may cost
as much more , and the bill for the dec
orations may be equally large. The
entertainment of the national com
mittee as a body and as individuals
may cost several thousand dollars.
Music in the convention may take
from $100 to $300 a day.
The stenographic work at the Chicago
cage convention of 1896 cost about
§ 600 , and the edition of several thou
sand copies of the printed report of
the proceedings cost several thousand
dollars more. The tickets of admis
sion are always very carefully design
ed .and engravedtj and are guarded as
jealously as the most precious jewels
to prevent them from being counter
feited. They are kept in a safe depos
it vault from the time they are deliv
ered by the engraving company until
the time they are issued , just belore
the meeting of the convention. It Is
claimed that convention tickets have
never been counterfeited. As a com
plete set of them may be worth from
$15 to $30 , there Is obvious reason for
taking every precaution to keep them
from being counterfeited.
In all this nothing lias been said
about the payment of money for the
services of the scores of subordinate
officials and assistants of various
kinds. It is well known , of course ,
that the officers of a convention re
ceive no pecuniary compensation.
They serve for the honor and glory of
it , although allowances 'are usually
made to the sergeant-at-arms and
similar officers for their personal ex
penses.
It does not seem to be so generally
known that it has been customary for
very many of their subordinates the
doorkeepers and messengers and depu
ties of various sorts , including clerks
to serve without pay. Many of these
men come with the state delegations ,
and are very glad to have the oppor
tunity of attending all the sessions of
the convention , and at the same time
privilege of a little authority , even if
it is brief , and a chance to wear a
big badge , to say nothing of the pos
sibility of future reward In the shape
of a salaried office somewhere.
As a rule , I am told , the employes of
the convention staff receive no wages ,
but serve for love and glory. Some of
them may receive money for their ex-
DCMOCRM-1C
CONVENTION MALL
KANSAS CITf
penses , or what might be called gra
tuities in some other shape , but this
seems to be considered exceptional.
It is obvious that no one can say
what a given convention will cost. It
seems to be considered that $20,000 is
a reasonable minimum , and $40,000 a
reasonable maximum of cost , and that
anything above or below is pure vel
vet for somebody.
But whether the expense is more or
less will never be known to the public.
Indeed , it will never be known to the
city that entertains the convention.
The city makes its invitation attract
ive with an offer of a lump sum of
money and then turns it over without
asking any questions.
LAFAYETTE STATUE AT PARIS ,
The Lafayette statute by Paul Bait-
lett , which will be unveil 3d at Paris
July 4 , is an imposing testimonial of
the friendship of the United States
for her sister republic. It is a gift
from the school children of the United
States to the French government. The
base is 26 feet 6 inches high , 24 feet
wide and 18 feet 9 inches in depth.
Kochs' Researches on Malaria.
In the report just published on his
study of malaria in Italy Prof. Koch
says the infection of malaria is es
pecially maintained and propagated by
the relapsing cases which continue all
the year round and form the link be
tween one fever season and the next , so
that the mosquitoes in the beginning
of the summer always find germs. If
no rejapse occurred in any of the cases
of malaria in any given district the
mosquitoes would find no germs in the
beginning of summer , and malaria
would become extinct there. The pro
fessor ascertained that the so-called
aestivo-autumnal fevers were identical
with tropicrl malaria
Have Come Into Prominence
As a Result of Boxers
Kevolt.
The city of Tientsin , which has come
Into sudden prominence as a result of
the outbreak of the Boxers , is located
upon the Pei-Ho river , about thirty-
three miles above Its mouth by land ,
and almost twice that distance by wa
ter. It is the second-largest city of
northern China , having an estimated
population of about 1,000,000 , and is
the port of Pekin , the capital of
China.
The meaning of Tientsin is "The
Heavenly Ferry. " The town Is an im
portant center of trade , and is the
terminus of the imperial canal and of
a railroad , Tung-Chau , which was
opened a dozen years ago. It is ex
ceedingly dirty , as
are all Chinese
cities. Its streets
are unpaved , ana
are always covered
with garbage ,
CITIES
known , it is the seat of the Imperial
Tung-Chau , ninety miles distant by
water and sixty by land. There the
passengers land and the freight Is
taken off.
Pekin Is eleven miles distant from
Tung-Chau , and is connected with It
government , and has been such for
about 500 years. Here the foreign min
isters are stationed. Minister Conger ,
for the United States , Sir Claude
MacDonald , England , and M. De Giers ,
Russia. The population is estimated
to be about 1,500,000 , which .may be
wrong by several hundred thousand ,
as no census has ever been taken.
The citizens of both Tientsin and
Pekin are very hostile toward foreign
ers , and the travelers for pleasure who
visit either are not many. Their at
mosphere is so foul , owing to their
dirtiness , that a foreigner , accustomed
to clean streets , can hardly breathe it.
which seems to be
never carried
away.
The dwelling
houses are con
structed of sun-
remit , cr n
dried-- brick and are very poor ,
but the business buildings are more
pretentious. The United States con
sulate is one of the best examples of
Chinese architecture in its highest
form to be found In the city. Tientsin
has a public garden , which receives
very good care.
In 1858 a treaty was concluded be
tween China , Russia , England , France
and the United States at Tientsin , and
at the convention of Pekin in 1860 the
port was made an open one.
In reaching Pekin from Tientsin the
boats ascend the tortuous river to
by a broad stone road and by a canal ,
either of which may be used by the
travelers or by merchants in trans
porting their goods.
Pekin is better known than any of
the other Chinese cities whose names
have crept into print since the out
break of the Boxers. As is commonly
AT TIPS HOI.
BUM cm f
The "Themple ol
Heaven" is in Pe
kin.
The Pei-Ho river
empties into the
Gulf of Pe-Chi-Lo.
As a rule boats drawing more
than eleven feet cannot enter
it , and the Nawark , Admiral
Kempff's flagship , cannot get nearer
than seven miles to its mouth. At its
entrance are the Taku forts , and across
the gulf are the fortifications of Port
Arthur.
Boats drawing more than ton f < et
touch the muddy bottom of the stream
almost all the way to Tientsin unless
they travel only during high tide and
rest when the water is low. The high
est tide is ten feet and the neap tide
seven and a half feet. As a , bar ob
structs the entrance to the river all
but very light draft boats must wait
until high tide to get in.
At Tientsin the river is about 200
feet wide. Only boats that draw from
two to three feet can go on to Tung-
Chau , as the stream is formed by the
confluence of the Pekin and the Yuen
Ling rivers just above Tientsin.
ORIGIN OF THE BOXERS
The Bdxers are still a mystery to the
Chinese minister , who says they were
never heard of in China up to the time
of his departure from the country ,
three years ago. But a Chinese-Amer
ican named Sun Yow Pang ventures
an explanation of their origin. Ac
cording to this authority tha present
troubles may be related back to the
disputes between the progressive par
ty , which had the emperor for its
figurehead , and the conservative party
of the empress dowager. It will be
remembered that the emperor blos
somed out as a reformer and issued
several edicts which made th ? repre
sentatives of old China shudder with
aversion and dismay. Competent crit
ics said at the time that his methods
were so crude and arbitrary as to be
utterly impractical , though they were
inspired by correct motives. Events
justified their predictions. Supersti
tions , long-established customs and
abuses could not be overcome at a
word , and the reform movement
played right into the hands of the em
press. Like most of her countrymen ,
she hated the foreigners. The re
formers were the foreigners' friends.
Hence China for the Chineae was the
import of a counter-revolution3 and
such of the reform leader. ? who did
not have their heads cut oft. were glad
to escape to distant lands. After the
empress was restored to power the
Yee Ho Chuan ( righteousness , har
mony and fists , hence "Boxers" ) or
ganized thsir secret society to assist
in the work of discouraging those re
formers who were not discouraged
enough already , and to help check the
foreign devils , among whom , in spile
of the contradiction in terms , were the
missionaries. As time passed check
ing became murdering , and the wick
ed old woman either abetted or winked
at the crime. This is why the Impe
rial troops have made no headway
against the so-called rebellion and
why the powers have united in self-
protection.
Apparently China's greacest need is
TRIAL OF A BOXER.
THE PRISONER IS KNEELING BEFORE THE JUDGE. THE MAN AT
THE RIGHT , WITH A BELL-SHAPED HAT , IS THE PROSECUTING
ATTORNEY.
the deportation of the. baleful Gno La
She.
The San Juan Prison Kevolt.
The outbreak in the San Juan peni
tentiary of 500 inmates who mutinied
because they said the ? * breakfast was
not fit to eat is proof that the manage
ment of the institution does not un
derstand modern ideas of penology.
There is not a prison in the United
States where some effort is not made
to give the prisoners satisfactory food.
At a recent meeting of the National
Conference of Charities and Correc
tions it was said by one of the speak
ers that the question of food had been
responsible for more trouble at the
prisons than anything else.
The day of bread and water diet and
of food not fit for animals has gone
out of fashion with the offensive pens
in which prisoners were confined less
than a century ago.
George Neitharamer Perishes While Try-
ng to Ford the Stream.
PROBABLY SANK IN QUICKSAND
Mr * . Nelthauimer Clung ? to the Home's
Harness und Wus Dragged Safely to
Shore Where She Fell In a Fuliit to
Dlicover Later That Her Husband
Had Drowned.
GRAND ISLAND , Neb. , June 18.
While crossing a ford In the Platte riv
er Saturday morning the horse driven
by Mr. and Mrs. George Niethammer
got off the ford and Into a deep pool.
Mr. and Mrs. Niethammer were thrown
from the wagon by the box floating
away from the gearing. Mrs. Nie
thammer grabbed a piece of the horse's
harness and was dragged by the horse
to the shore. This being some little
distance and she having to struggle in
keeping above water exhausted her and
she -fell in a faint just after the horse
reached the shore.
The last she saw of her husband
he was standing about in midrlvor.
When she recovered consciousness she
could find no trace of him. She was
on the island shore of the stream and
no one else lives on the Island. She
shouted as long as she could in the di
rection of the nearest neighbor on the
mainland and after some time attract
ed the attention of Miss Faildorf , who
gave the alarm. As quite a few hours
had passed before efforts could be set
afoot to find the remains it is doubtful
if they will be recovered.
Mrs. Niethammer believes that her
husband attempted to walk to the
shore and ventured on quicKsand. or
stepped into one of the numerous holes.
He could not swim. Niethammer is 64
years of age and leaves a second wife
and six children from his former mar
riage , three in Germany and three in
New York.
New Ncbrank * Lawyers
LINCOLN , Neb. , June 18. The su
preme court examining commission has
reported favorably on the following
candidates for admission to the bar :
Charles > E. Adams , Jr. , Superior ; H. D.
Landis , Milford ; Charles L. Fritscner ,
Omaha ; Sidney H. Davis , Beatrice ;
John D. Wear , Omaha ; Alvln H. Jokn-
son , Walter M. Crow , Fremont ; Joseph
D. Morse , Milford ; George F. Rose ,
Fullerton ; George C. DeTemple , Blair ;
Herbert L. Standeven , Omaha ; George
A. Ahem , Lincoln ; Frank A. Berry ,
Carroll ; Thomas E. Munson , Hastings ;
Nathan O. Talbot , Omaha ; Iheodore F.
Vandorn , Omaha ; Isaac H. Seabury ,
Plainview ; Arthur G. "Wray , York ;
Harry C. Maynard , Fremont ; Henry
Mencke , Blair ; Ray J. AbDott , Crete ;
J. Edgar Jones , Hastings. Bernard P.
Duffy of Columbus was admitted from
the bar of Illinois. Arthur G. Wray of
York , not being of age , will not be
admitted until next year.
Strange Insect in Grain.
BRADSHAW , Neb. , June 18. A very
strange little green insect has made its
appearance in the wheat fields in this
vicinity. It seems to have bred or
hatched in the heads of the grain and
is generally found just at the base of
the berry or close in between the berry
and stem. While these little insects
are very numerous , they do not appear
to be doing any harm at present , but
many of the farmers are somewhat ap
prehensive in regard to the damage
they may do when once developed.
They are total strangers to the far
mers.
Raise Tax Assessment.
WEST POINT , Neb. , June 18. The
County Board of Equalization met and
raised the assessment on personal prop
erty in West Point precinct 24 per cent ,
at the same time lowering Wisner 10
per cent and Bancroft 20 per cent. Thii
action was deemed necessary from the
fact that West Point's most wealthy
citizens are believed by the board to
be confirmed tax shirkers. While this
action will doubtless force tills class
to pay their proper proportion of taxes ,
it will be hard on those merchants who
have returned a fair assessment.
Elevator lireaks an Arm.
UTICA , Neb. , June 18. About 2
o'clock Friday afternoon E. L.
Hurlbut had the misfortune to catch
his left arm in the elevator shaft ,
breaking it in two places and pushing
it out of its socket at the shoulder
and bruising his whole side. The pres
ence of mind of Marion Nelson , who
happened to be in the elevator at
the time , in turning off the engin'j
saved his life. The accident is quite
a severe one owing to the bruises be
ing so close to his heart.
Lightning Destroys Residence.
OSCEOLA , Neb. , June 18. The resi
dence of J. N. Hurd , about eight miles
from town , was struck by lightning
and burned to the ground. The build
ing was insured in the Polk county
Mutual for ? 500 and the loss will Le a.
thousand.
Decide in Saloon's Favor.
GENEVA , Neb. , June 18. A special
session of the district court convened
last week. The case of remonstrance
against the saloon in Grafton was de
cided in favor of the saloon.
Honor Memory of Harsha ,
TECUMSEH , Neb. , June 18. Serv
ices in honor of the memory of Rev.
Dr. W. W. Harsha , who was pastor of
the Tecumseh Presbyterian church for
several years , were held at that churcli
yesterday morning. His contemporar
ies during his ministerial work here
have been invited to be present and
assist in the services and will probably
respond. Dr. J. J. Lampe of the Omaha
Theological seminary , who has been so
closely associated with the deceased
reverend gentleman , has agreed to
make a few remarks.
SMALLPOX AT 'SOLDIERS' HOME.
City Authorities of tiruuil iJliujtl OU-
cover thu n\ \
ORAND ISLAND , Nob. , Juno 10.
Dr. KIrby was sent to the Soldiers'
homo on the authority of Mayor I'latt
to investigate ruinorB of u Hmttllpox
case there. Dr. Swlgart , the homo
surgeon , was at first inclined to resist
the investigation , but flimlly consented.
Dr. Klrby found Wellington Watklna
in the post house in a state of dlsqua-
matlon , when contagion in said to bo
most likely. Watkins , who had nursed
the first case , had previously been vac
cinated , but was affected with a mild
attack of the disease.
Dr. Kirby reported back to the city
officials that at the present stages of
the disease it might spread , but ap
parently every precaution natf been
taken at the home. Food has been
passed over what soldiers term the
"dead line" for the past eight days
and as far as the inmates arc- con
cerned quarantine regulations appear
to have been upheld since the death
of the former victim. The city's
Board of Health , however , are not tak
ing kindly to the Idea of withholding.
the Information of the disease from
the official body , not to say the public.
Watkins has had a nurse , but as far ao
reported no medical attention.
Y. M. O. A. Jloyn on a Tramp.
FREMONT , Neb. , June 1C. Fifteen
boys from the Junior Y. M. C. A. of
Omaha , under the direction of Physi
cal Director J. B. Barnes , are in Fre
mont. These lads formed what they
chose to dub the "hiking club. " They
went by rail from Omaha Monday to
Schuyler and started out to walk the
distance back to Omaha , hoping to
reach there today. While- here th
boys were entertained at the Y. M. C.
A. and yesterday afternoon played a
game of basCoa.i with the local Y. M.
C. A. , team meeting uefeat to the tune
of 14 to 1. The boys were In good
spirits and have been enjoying their
tramp hugely. Fremont will be the
only town made. At other stops they
will rough it In hay mows or straw
stacks.
Dliaatl ncd With Aflfcsiincut.
MADISON , Neo. , June 16 The coun
ty board of equalizers has been be
sieged during the two days of Its ses
sion by a large number of persons
from NorfolK , who are dissatisfied with
their valuation. Norfolk is handi
capped at present by her low assess
ment valuation and will get but little
benefit from the assessment just made
for there Is very little difference la.
the total valuation.
Deatli of Child niotliL-r.
ALLEN , Ne-fc. , June Hi. Pearl Whit-
ford , the 12-year-old daughter of Amir1
Whitfonl , is dead. At the last term
of district court Obe Williams wa- >
cleared of the charge of statutory ab-
sault upon her. Recently she gave
birth to a nine and a half-pound boy ,
the child dying soon after birth ami
the child mother soon followed. Th-
community is much worked up over
the affair.
Danish Lutherans Coi.-clmlc.
BLAIR , Neb. , June ! < ; . The annual
convention of the United Danish Evan
gelical Lutheran church of America
closed after a ten days' session. About
five hunderd delegates from all parts
of the union were in attendance , and
were well pleased with the doings of
the body. Many questions of interest
to the church were brought up and
thoroughly discussed by the delegates.
Knd of u Long Saloon Fight.
LONG PINE , Neb. . June 16. After
a. session lasting three days the village
board granted a saloon license to F.
S. Cook. The town has been dry for
some time and this has been one of
the most bitterly contested cases for
years. An appeal will be taken to the
district court and the case fought tea
a finish.
Two Fatal Accident * .
NELIGH , Neb. , June 1C. Two
deaths have occurred this week as thf
results of accidents. Frank Belmer
was badly injured in the brick yar-l
some time ago , which resulted in
paralysis and later in death. A son
of C. E. Spaulding had the misfortune
to fall from a platform and hurt his
skull so that he died.
Partridge Case.
GRAND ISLAND , Neb. , June 1C.
W. A. Partridge , the man brought up
from Kansas City on the charge of
stealing a horse and buggy from
George Brantham of this county , has
been dismissed on preliminary hear
ing , the evidence being insufficient to
bind over. Partridge was brought to
this city on requisition papers some
days ago.
Funeral Director * I'inish.
LINCOLN , Neb. , June 1C. The Ne
braska funeral directors closed their
convention with the election of officer .
P. F. Bell of Norfolk was chosen pres
ident , Harry B. Davis of Omaha secre
tary and George Brown of Superior
treasurer. The next convention will
be held in Beatricp.
Rattle Creek Store Kolibcd.
MADISON , Neb. , June 1C. The gen
eral store of George Zimmerman at
Battle Creek was burglarized this
week , and $150 worth of shoes taken
The store was entered oy a skeleton
key. As far as known nothing
taken from the hardware stock.
Death from Hr.ken Heart.
NEBRASKA CITY , June 16. Mar-
rett Anderson , colored , aged -12 , died
here of what the physicians pronounce
a broken heart. Anderson's wife , to
whom he was devotedly attached , die I
December 31 last and since that time
he has brooded constantly over her
loss. Physicians were consulted and
stated that medicine would do him no
good. He formerly resided at Platts-
mouth , where he accumulated consid
erable property.
