THE OMAHA DAILY BEJtjp THURSDAY" , HUUJ3KUAKY 5 , 1891 ,
THE DAILY BEE ,
K. KOSBWATEH EIIITOU.
PUBL1SHKD EVERY MOKNINO.
THUMB OP SUIISCIUI'TION ,
Pntly nnd Siimlny , Ono Year HO 00
Fix month 00
Thrnonu nth * 2W
Fundnjr Ili'i'.Ono Vonr 200
\YccklyHcc.Oiioyoitr 100
ornunsi
Omnlin , Tlio llro Ilullillng.
Foutli Oninhii. Conior.N iuid2fUh Streets.
Council HIiilTs , 12 I'unrlHtrcot.
Chlonco OHIci1 , ill'C'liMnlicrnf Ooinmcrco.
Now York. Ito < im-i : < .l4-iil l.TrllimolluIl ) < llnR
Washington , Mil 1'ourti'cntli strict.
COUHESrONDENOP.
All communications rolntliiK to news and
editorial imitti'r should bo [ KldresscJ totlio
Kdltorlal Depitrtiiioiit.
MJSINKSH M7TTRIJS.
All business loiters mid rcmlttancosfthouhl
lie iKlilrcHicil to Tins Urn 1'nlillililng Company.
Omiilni. . Drafts , cliucls mill piwtolHtu ordure
tn tie nmilu [ myiiblu to tliu order of tlio com
pany.
Tlic Bco FiiWisliiDg Company , ProDrictors ,
Tlio ilco irid'K. rnrnnm mid HotoiitocntliBla
fi\voiiN STAIIMINT : or UIKCULATION.
titatunf Ncliniskn , l _ _
County of Douglas , i
Oi-orsu li.T/sclmcK , secretary of Tun llr.u
riihllsldng roinjmny , ( loci onlrnmlv swear
Hint tlio iivtinil clrculntlon of Tin : luu.r HKI :
for tlio wi'vic cndliiK January III , IbUI , was us
follows :
Sunday , Tnnitury ! " > 20,020
Monday. .InminryMi M.780
Tiicsdnv. .January 1T7 BdKM
\VeUmsduy.lMiiuary 28
Tlnirsiliiv , .Iniiiiiiry-0.
I'rldiiv , .liiiiuiiry 'M
Baturday , January 111 2C.3I4
Average UCJ.Hdl
GKOKOIJlt. 1/.SOIHJCK.
Bworn to before inu mid subscrlljccj In iny
presence this Ulst day of January A. 1) . 1BU1.
N. r. lV.tr *
Notary 1'ubllo.
Blato of Ncljrnska , I
Comity of DoiiiliiR , I
Gooriai II. Tzsclmok , lioliiR duly vorn. do-
poscs nnrt Niys tlmt lie Is sccrctnty of TIIK UEK
Publishing company , that llio rictiinl average
daily cliculatlon of TIIK DAILY HKK for llio
month of rebrimry , 181M ) , lii,7H ( copies : for
March , IKUii.SO.hl.'icopies ; for April. IK'O ' , 'Jfl ,
ICH ; forNoM'tnbcr , IBM. 5K.1B ooploi ; for De
cember , 1H , 1 ) ,41 copies : for .t.iminry , 1H)1 ) ,
28,440 roiili-s. GKOIHIK II. TxsniucK.
Kwcirn loliuforo mo. and subscribed In my
presence , tlilsaistdiiyof JamiurvA. I ) . . 1891.
M , I' . l'iif :
Notary riibllc.
HitoKnii Owr.NHY's rovola-
tlons are chlolly interesting for what ho
is not porinlttod to rovcnl.
TIIK oflicial nnd final flguics on tlio
census of Omaha arc 1-10,452. Now lot
the colonels rave nnd j > : iw the oiu-lh.
Tun European winter weakens a llttlo
nn < l admits that the Nebraska climnto is
too good luiturcd to bo further imposed
upon.
that Senator Goj-tnan
may bo a candidate for president indi
cates to what base ends the democracy
may coino at last.
IF gubernatorial messages , like wino ,
grow better with ago , ox-Governor
Thayor'a valedictory ought to bo of un
usual Interest when it is delivered today.
Tun real ostalo exchange proposes to
chock the offering of promiscuous reso
lutions by confining' them to specific
inoetings. The change h commendable.
DESITIT. the vacuum in the South Da
kota treasury , the legislature does not
liositalo to squander $1,000 a day in a
fruitless effort to oloet a United States
senator.
DON CAJICKOJT triumphed ever his
onomioa in the senatorial fijjht , but they
have the bust of him In tlio matter of
the silver pool. They are making the
most of it.
TIIK alacrity displayed by Speaker
Elder In reversinghltnsolf is proof of a
genuine desire to sliapo his decisions to
suit all members. What inoro do par
liamentary sharps want ?
Aiforiir.n grout oil well has boon dis
covered in West Virginia , but as it has
already boon cornered by tlio Standard
company there will bo no reduction from
former prices to the public.
IT WAS a trying and thrilling mo
ment , requiring uncommon nerve and
will power. Yet , despite a surplus of
both. Monsieur Kyraud lost his head in
the subsequent proceedings.
WHIM : the legislature is in the
bounty-repealing mood , why not ex
punge that bounty of $2 and $3 on wild
animal scalps. There should bo no dis
crimination in this variety of reform.
Tun Inmates of the Norfolk asylum
cost the state nn average ot $5.10 per
week exclusive of the salaries of officers.
At that rnto there is surely nothing lack
ing to make their lifo a perennial holi
day. _ _ _ _ _ _ _
IT begins to look as If sotno distin
guished American public mon would got
eyer their heads in the silver pool , after
all. The people nro about ready to
draw the line of speculation at specula
tive statesmen.
JOHN SHBUMAN'S immo is now sug
gested for the treasury portfolio. Ho
lias already written his name high in
the annals of that department and could
add nothing to his fame as a financier
by another service.
A VKW Nebraska and Iowa cities ro-
colvo Binall amounts for public buildings
in the sundry civil appropriation bill.
Considering the number of treasury
watchdogs awake in congress , western
cities huvo reason to bo thankful for
Binall favors.
IT is notable tlmt in this season of
radical statesmanship Governor Francis
of Missouri has made quite a reputation
by advocating- good wagon roads for Ills
state. This Issue appeals peculiarly to
the horse House of the public. It in being
generally endorsed nnd is more useful
than a proposition to make everybody
rich by the magic of legislation.
IT is suggested that Robert Ray Ham
ilton may not bo dead , after all. That
la an idea that occurred to a good many
readers of his romantic obituary. Hut
if ho Is till ullvo the fact makes only
more pointed the disgrace of his lifo in
Now York. "Whon a man is forced tc
play donil in order to got rid of his ropu
tntlon ho is In hard lines , and something
bolter was reasonably to have boon ox-
pooled from the grandson of Alexander
ifamilton ,
TIIK HKMKF FVXD AifO
An Omaha business man writes toTiiu
DKK to suggest that a largo part of the
relief fund for destitute settlers might
bo utilized to pay .for work on irrigating
ditches. Ills idea is that the western
counties would accept relief in this form
as a double blessing. It would not only
afTord them temporary assistance , but
would contribute to their permanent
success by advancing the work of Irriga
tion In their communities.
There is tigood idea in the suggestion ,
but there are also dllllcultles in the way
which nro , perhaps , not fully appreci
ated. 3n ths llrst place , the develop
ment of Irrigation systems in Nebraska
must bo principally accomplished by
private capital , us it has been
In Colorado , California and every
where else in the United
States. That being the case , tlio slate
would not want to embark In an enter
prise which must bo completed and
owned by individuals or corporations.
Moreover , there can bo no real attempt
to begin to irrigate in this state on a
largo scale until \\o have an export state
engineer , water districts nnd drainage
maps. These , together with compre
hensive laws , are essential condition- )
the progress of this great public im
provement. To proceed in the absence
of these would bo like undertaking to
build H railroad without first making n
survey. It is possible , however , that this
( lllllctilty could bo surmounted if the
legislature acts vary promptly on the
bill soon to bo presented to It by the
friends of the movement.
There is a way in which the Idea
could bo made practicable , at least to ti
limited extent. This would bo by the
Investment of thu relief funds in the
bonds of the few companies that now
have construction underway , the settlers
tlors receiving the money and the
company the labor. There are two or
three enterprises in the southwestern
part of the state , and a few in the west
ern part , that are now in a condition to
make such nn arrangement. It is this
Idea which the Omaha business man re
ferred to advocates , but elsewhere there
have been suggestions of state ditches to
bo begun with the relief funds.
All these suggestions uro worthy of
consideration , but the most cheerful
thing in connection with the subject is
the fact that the more irrigation wo got
under way this year the lebs rcliof funds
wo shall have to provide hereafter.
AX IMl'OllTAXT DECISION.
The supreme court of the United
States has not in recent yoara rendered
a more important decision than that
granting the British government leave
to file application for a writ of prohibi
tion , commanding the federal court of
Alnska to annul the proceedings by which
a Canadian sealing vessel , seized by a
United States cruiser in Bohring sea
three years ago , was libelled. There
wore two suggestions olTorcd for the pro
hibition , one being merely formal in behalf -
half of the owner of the condemned , ves
sel and thoothor , which brings the whole
disputed question concerning the alleged
jurisdiction ever Bohring sea before the
court , being made in behalf of Canada
by the Dominion minister of justice ,
with the full knowledge nnd consent of
the British government. The purpose
was to appeal from the secretary of
state to the supreme court in order to
settle once for all the Bohring sea dis
pute.This
This proceeding , if not unprecedented ,
was most exceptional. Resolutions wore
presented in congress declaring it to be
In derogation of the dignity of the
government and the people of
the United States , and preju
dicial to the amicable conduct of inter
national relations. The administration
denied the jurisdiction of the supreme
court- Attorney General Miller in u
carefully prepared argument contending
that the acttof congress enacting the
Alaska court did not inako it a district
or n circuit court , and therefore it it
outside the jurisdiction of the supreme
tribunal. This view is comulctely dis'
posed of by the decision , in delivering
which the chief justice said that the supreme -
promo court undoubtedly had jurlsdlc
lion in the matter. There will prob
ably now bo few to question the
correctness of this position. The as
sumption that the Alaaltu court has the
power to condemn foreign vessels foi
violating the laws of congress and its
decrees cannot bo reviewed by the HU
promo court would , if sustained , intro
rtuco a most remarkable anomaly in oui
system of jurisprudence. Theconhtitu
tion provides that congress shall have
power "to" constitute tribunals inforioi
to the supreme court , " and in defining
the judicial power that instrument nays
"In all cases affecting ambassadors
other public ministers , and consuls
and these in which a statt
shall bo party , the supreme cour
shall have original jurisdiction. In al
the other cases before mentioned [ wind
include cases of admiralty and maritime
jurisdiction ] the supreme court shal
have appellate jurisdiction , both as tc
law and fact , with such exceptions am
under such regulations as the con gross
shnll make. " It does not appear tha
any oxcflnlion was made in the power :
granted the Alnska court , which has
boon directed to show cause why tin
writ applied for by the British govern
niont should not bo issued.
In assuming jurisdiction in this matte
It would seem that the supreme uour
must necessarily consider the whol <
question of the rights of the Unltei
States in Bohring sea. The vessel condemned
domnod was soizcd 59 miles from land
so that there Is involved in the case th
question of how far the jurisdiction u
the United States extends ever the so
under the rule of international law , o
by virtue of a right coded to this coun
try In the purchase of Alaska froi ;
Russia. If the supreme court shouli
atllrm the legality of the seizure , th
Britlhh government , having submit
ted the issues of jurisdiction to the nrbl
tration of this tribunal , would b
morally bound to accept the decree , nni
the United States government cpuld prc
ceod to enforce It against nil intruder *
If on the other hand it should dccid
that the United States has no cast
nothing would remain for the go von
inont to do but to proceed with negutln
tions for the international protection c
the boal fisheries. The dotorrainntto
of this controversy is therefore pra <
Ucttlly loft to the United States , and at
the saino time there is established a
most Important precedent.
LA irs is xmnt.iSKA.
Representative Cnpok of Douglas
county has Introduced several measures
ooking to the enlargement and 1m-
> rovement of the labor laws of the slate ,
t is n subject which , for obvious roa-
ons , has received much less attention
icro than elsewhere , but the tlmo has
como when Nebraska should raise the
tandard of her labor laws , to the end
hat her workliigmon should have bone-
Its equal to these enjoyed by any state
n the union.
The laws of Massachusetts in respect
.o . labor nro considered as the
nodol for the country. They have
recently boon compiled in a slnglo vol-
unc , and In thlq striking form have nt-
rnctcd wide and favorable comment.
Several state legislatures are now draft-
ng laws on the Massachusetts plan , and
t is quito likely that in the next few
vceks a considerable advance in this de
partment of legislation will bo made all
over the union.
Massachusetts , which has a very largo
ndustrial population , began to enact la-
borlawsln 1831 , making a beginning by
abolishing Imprisonment for debt when
ho amount duo was less than SoO. It
vent swiftly forward In framing laws to
orovldo for the education of
children employed in factories and en
courage the formation of mechanics' in-
Ututcs and associations. By those
nothods it has accomplished oxtraor-
llnary results in lifting the intellectual
tandard of its workingttion and devel
oping the mechanic arts.
In 1874 Massachusetts entered upon
mother distinct era of labor logisla-
ion. It began to limit the hours of the
vorkingman's toil , to protect him
igalnst llio greed of employers and au-
jidents by faulty machinery , to make
vcokly payments compulsory , to exempt
ho tools of his trade from attachment , to
sncourngo the formation of co-oporatlvo
mnlcs and other enterprises , and to pro-
ido a board of arbitration to settle Ills
litllcultios with employers. As anin-
llsponsablo part of this elaborate sys-
om for the protection mid oncourage-
nont of labor interests , it established a
, -ory complete bureau of labor statistics ,
[ "his is the basis for the enactment and
enforcement of its laws. .In spite ot its
vondorful advancement in these direc
tions , Massachusetts is still busy with
ilans for further development.
Nebraska has made some progress to-
vard a system of labor laws. It has a
> ureau of statistics , a ton-hour law and
statutes to protect mechanics in their
vagos , and to guard the rights
of women and children employed
' .n factories , but It is , nftor all , some
'orty ' years behind Massachusetts in
, heso respects.
It will perhaps bo argued that No-
> raska , having a much smaller indus-
, rial population , has no imod of such
aws as Massachusetts and some other
states. It is true that bho cannot afTord
, o spend as much money in the adminis
tration of such laws as the tnd ustrial
states of the oast. But are the inherent
ights of a workingman in Nebraska
any loss than those of a workingman in
Massachusetts ? If ho does not llvo
.n. the same state , ho at least lives in
the same century. Ho has the same
claim to protection in the hours and
wages of his labor. The general fea
tures of his social lifo are the same. All
liis rights as a man and a citizen are as
sacred.
The legislature will earn a claim to
grateful remembrance if It raises the
standard of the labor laws at its present
session.
cusmytrs MKSSAQE.
The annual message of Mayor Gush
ing is a comprehensive review of muni
cipal affairs. The condition of the vari
ous departments , the work performed
during the past year , debt , taxation and
valuation , form a most favorable exhibit
of city affairs.
The bonded debt of tlio city now ag
gregates $1,930,100 , none of which be
comes duo until 1000 , rendering unnec
essary the creation of a sinking fund for
some years tocomo. The public improve
ments for which the bonds wore
issued far o.xcoed in value the indebted
ness , so that the investment ; pro'cd a
profitable one. With a balance of
nearly $300,000 in the various city funds ,
with bonds commanding a premium , and
with the rate of taxation reduced with
out an increase in valuation , the financial
condition of Omaha challenges com
parison with any city of equal population
in the country.
But there is considerable room for
greater economy in city atfairfl. There
is no valid reason why the city should
pay greater salaries than like work com
mands in first class business houses. It
is a notorious fact that the salaries paid
in various departments are excessive
and unjust to the taxpayers. Nor are
they gauged in accordance with the
character of the work performed. In
competent clerks receive as much as expert -
port accountants , and competent mon
are too oftou retired or subordinated for
a political heeler or favorite. The
mayor ignores the fact that Incom-
potency is rampant in the departments
and sinecures fastened on the treasury
at salaries frequently double what they
could command in private life. Thor
oughly capable mon , experienced and
reliable , are entitled to first-class sal
aries. It Is an outrage to pay such
salaries to Inferiors ; it is a crime to
employ thoin , especially in departments
which wore designed to protect the tax
payers from mercenary contractors o !
public works and buildings. Political
consideration should have no weight in
the selection of inspectors when their
competency nnd reliability are boyont
question ,
The recommendations of the mayor
are in' the line with the changes con
templated in the charter. Ho attacks
the prcssnt law which places the
appointment of police commissioners litho
the hands of the governor , anc
urges strong grounds for dis
tinct homo rule in this depart
ment. Thooxporlonco of the city up
holds the present system. It cannot be
denied that the law has been the meaiih
of lifting the police from the gutter o
ward politics and has given the depart
ment n character and a strength novot
before enjoyed. The people of Oaiahu
are not dlsptMwl to return to the meth
ods which iiuwlo'tho ' police force the ac
tive tools of | | uijnclltnon.
CompaliUojj [ in electric light nnd
power is Btr < | Bily | | urged , also a work
house for haljjtual potty criminals and a
mail hoHprilil for the care of porous
ous allllctod with contagious diseases.
On the whole the message is a crod-
table presentation of the city's condl-
ton , its financial strength , well-paved
nd wolMlgltloU streets , an unsurpassed
cliool BystiAu , . reasonable assessment
uul reduced taxation , reflecting the in-
ustrlal amVCommorclal prosperity of
ho community ns well as the confidence
ind aggressive unity of the people.
A'KOLKITKD
A Lincoln letter incidentally mentions
ho fact that n certain outside insurance
ompany Is now "rakinc in dollars by
ho wholesale in Nebraska , " though it
ia& not compiled with the legal require
ments.
This item of news will remind the
nibllc of the largo number of very Im-
lortant matters which the legislature
ins not yet found tlmo to consider. The
nsuranco laws are in need of careful ro-
iston. The people are being dally im-
> osod upon by companies that have
10 legal or financial standing tn this
tale. Many companies are doing a
argo business hero in direct defiance of
ho statutes of the state and in supreme
contempt of laws which are rigidly on-
orccd against our own homo companies.
This is only a sample of the many In-
lanccs of neglected legislation which
com likely to mark the present session
of the legislature as n failure. Unless
ho session is prolonged far beyond its
ogal limits it will bo utterly impossible
or it to consider and digest many im-
> ortaut laws which it was hoped would
) o enacted.
Between the rising and setting of each
lay's sun the legislature costs the poo-
ilo Of Nebraska from $2,000 to $3,000. A
argo proportion of the days already
pent have boon wasted in fruitless po-
itical discussion and party manouvor-
ng. In the meantime , useful .and pro-
jrossivo legislation , demanded by the
ntorest of the people , is being lost in
ho slmllio.
"We direct attention to the insuranro
aws , not bucnuso they are more im-
lortant than other measures , but because - -
cause they illuatrato how the public In-
crcsls are allowed to suffer while our
statesmen are squandering time and
money in attending to matters of no real
consequence.
VXIFOK3I B.1 XKIl Ul'TCY.
A bill providing for a uniform system
of bankruptcy has passed the house of
representatives and is now in the senate.
Whether with the largo amount of more
urgent matters demanding attention nt
the present sqshion the senate will have
in opporlunHy'to ' consider this measure
s somewhat Uncertain , but an ofi'ort will
jo made to do so , and if reached it will
probably pass pretty much in its present
shapo. The measure , known as the Tor-
roy bankrupt bill , received very care-
ill consideration from the judi
ciary committee of the house of repre
sentatives and in the house , and is un
questionably the most complete and
comprehensive mea'suro of the kind that
lias ever bsen framed. The experience
with national bankrupt laws 1ms not
been altogether satisfactory , and the
last one , passed in IS1) ) " and repealed
some years later , was perhaps the most
objectionable. It was a very good law
for the olllcials , who very generally derived -
rived most generous revenues from it ,
but neither creditor nor debtor obtained
exact justice from it. Cumbrous in its
machinery , inexact in its operation , and
thoroughly wasteful in its work , it lout
Itself to abuses which finally brought It
Into general disrepute and led to its re
peal.Tho
The measure now proposed has been
most carefully framed , and it is believed
to contain all of the virtues and none of
the vices of the old law. It provides for
thoroughly guarding the interests of
creditors , giving to all an equal chance ,
while imposing no unnecessary hard
ships upon debtors , and it os-
poclally guards against the offi
cial plunder of both classes , which
was the conspicuously weak and obnox
ious feature of the former law. It con
templates , to quote ono of its failpportors ,
that the tlmo consumed and the expense
incurred in the administration of oatatos
will bo the minimum , while the divi
dends received and the punishments in-
dieted for dishonesty will bo the maxi
mum. It is intended to accomplish an
oqultablo settlement of transactions
which are now loft unsettled by the
varying provisions of law in force in
the several states. It propoios
that the honest insolvent shall
bo enabled to secure a dis
charge from his indebtedness and permitted -
mittod to again outer upon a business
career , while the dishonest insolvent
will bo punished according to the meas
ure of his dishonesty.
The consensus of opinion among the
principal commoxcial bodies of the coun
try is in favor of the bill , and it has received -
coivod the nnprotiil of a largo number
of business men.npt identified with such
organisations yitherto the principal
opposition to a > uniform system of bank
ruptcy has como from the west ,
but every western chamber of commerce
and board of trade of any Importance
has endorsed thO Jponding measure nnd
asked for its a'c'dttnicnl into law. For-
hapaat no timo'liavo the conditions of
business made a stronger demand for a
taw of this klnaj than at present , but
however this piay bo , there are always
valid and sutllcieut reasons for a sound ,
just and oqultablo national bankrupt
law , that will operate fairly to all inter
ests and protect the commercial com
munity from dishonesty and fraud.
QUALIFICATIONS t'Ult SUFFRAGE.
Nearly half the states in the union , In
cluding Nebraska , recognize an alien's
declaration of intention to become a clt-
l/.on as qualifying him to oxurclso the
right of suffrage on equal terms with
naturalized or native-born citizens. This
is done upon the presumption that the
declaration of intention which must bo
made upon oath la in good faith a re
nunciation forever of all allegiance nnd
fidelity to any foreign prlnco or state ,
and particularly to the ono of which lie
may bo at the time a clti/.on or subject.
That this is an entirely safe pro-
sumption is unquestionable. Not one-
tenth of 1 per cent of those who take out
their first papers do so with any other
motive or intention than to remain In
the country and acquire full citizenship.
It does not appear that any ono of the
states that glvo the right of sullrairo to
unnnturallzod aliens has ever experi
enced any trouble therefrom , ami cer
tainly It cannot bo truthfully alllrmod
that Nebraska has.
Tlioro is but one objection to this
policy for which the least validity can
bo claimed , and that is that a residence
of six months Is not Bulllolont time In
which to enable an alien to bccomo
so far familiar with our political system
ns to vote intelligently. But this will
apply to only a very small proportion of
these who have declared tholr intention
to become uitl/ons. For Instance , the
law of Iowa requires that a voter shall
bo an actual clti/.on. Now an alien may
have declared his intention in that state ,
and after a residence there of four years
removed to Nebraska , one more year
being necessary to enable him to obtain
his final papers. A residence of six
months In this state would glvo him the
right to vote , and it cannot bo reasonably
maintained that ho would bo any bettor
qualified , whether a man of ordinary in
telligence or not , if required to remain
an additional six months as a non-voter.
Another point is worthy of considera
tion. An alien who has declared his In
tention to become a clti/.on may have
voted for faovoral years in ono of the
states whore such declaration is rccog-
Yiizod as giving a right to the sulTrngo
before coming to Nebraska. Would it
bo just to such a person to deprive him
of a vote in this state ?
There Is a proposition before tlio leg-
iblaturo for tlio submission of a constitu
tional amendment requiring all voters in
Nebraska to bo citizens of the United
States. It does not appear to us that
there Is any necessity for such a change
in the organic law. The suffrage clause
received careful consideration when the
constitution was framed and experience
has justified the wisdom of its adoption.
There is no reason to suppose that its
continued operation can have any differ
ent result. TIIK Biu : can see no sub
stantial ground for apprehending po
litical danger from the voles of aliens
who have declared tholr intention to
become citizens. The number of such
has always been small and is likely
always to bo. It is a very different mat
ter Alib. the seaboard states and these
on the northern border , and yet of the
latter Michigan allows aliens who have
declared their intention to vote after a
residence of three months , Minnesota
after a residence of four months and Or
egon nftor a residence of six months.
There is nothing at this time to justify
the agitation of this subject In Nebraska.
THE Bni- : does not propose to outer
into a controversy regarding the earn
ings and losses of insurance companies
in Nebraska. That the business is profit
able is attested by tlio steady increase in
the number of companies. If the busi
ness is unprofitable , as alleged by Inter
ested parties , it is passing strange that
none of the sound companies have re
tired from the field. But the losses or
earnings do not affect the justice of the
valued policy act. The law sinply pro
vides that insurance companies must
fulfill the obligations voluntarily entered
into , and makes the amount on
the face of the policy the true
value of the property in event of de
struction. How o'so shall itbo docidodi1
Is the value of the property to bo deter
mined by the company adjuster without
the consent of the insured1 The compa
nies do not object to receiving the pre
mium annually , nor do they often ques
tion the value named by the owner , but
in event of the destruction of the prop
erty , they assume to determine , not the
value of the property , but how little
they will pay to effect a settlement.
The law is not an incentive to incendi
arism. It is a measure of protection
against litigation to compel insurance
companies to fulfill their agreements.
Tun January debt statement is a remarkable
markablo exhibit of the national
( inane js. Nearly $10,000,000 of the pub
lic debt w.is cancelled during the month
and ever $1,000,000 inoro paid on pension
account than during the corresponding
month last year , yet the surplus in the
treasury increased $13,000,000 , aggregating -
gating $70,880,515. A significant fea
ture of the report is the marked increase
in rccoiuts from all sources. Customs
revenue shows an advance of $1,250,000
ever January of hist year , thus refuting
tlio claim that in proportion to the ad
vance of duties the revenue declines.
The total increase from all sources in
seven months was $27,839,000 , and the
total expenditures for the same period
was $234-174,420. In other words , It cost ,
an Hvorago of $40,522.70 per hour or
$775.37 pur minute to keep the machin
ery of the national government lubri
cated.
Tin : movement to grant a charter to
the Brush electric light company exposes -
poses the African in the council wood
pile. The Brush system was ono of the
companies swallowed by the present
monopoly , and Its appearance at this
tlmo is a scheme to checkmate competi
tion ami prevent a rival company from
operating In the city. , The council can
not afford to handicap any movement
calculated to increase competition in n
public necessity , especially when the in
terests of the city are more tecuroly
guarded than under existing ordinances.
TllR failure of the congressional men
dicant mission is no surprise. Every
sensible man know at the outset that na
tional aid was out of the question , but
reckle&s members of the legislature re
fused to listen to reason. What Is the
result ? Official force has boon given to
exaggerated reports of the distress , and
these reports .havo been inflated and
scattered far and wide. Incalculable
harm has boon done , and the state given
a black eye for no other purpose than to
delay action on relief measures in the
legislature for political ends.
TllKltK Is crying need for rollof In the
wcstorn counties of Kansas blighted by
last yoar'H drouth. While Nebraska was
smitten in patches by the Kansas simoon ,
fiho will , if need bo , oxlond a helping
hand to her unfortunate neighbor.
A THiruXo shortage of $5,000,000 be
tween the estimated cost of the world's
fair and the wherewith in sight does not
worry Chicago. The diacuity ( is to pre
vent Now York and St. Louis from sub
scribing the sum.
runny llcilfollows ,
SI. Mini 1'tonrcr-l'rrti.
The stranpcst parvcnlon of scripture nntl
defiance of the law of ( ! oJ BOOM lately Is the
text , "Thou shall not bear fnlso witness , " in
the Now York Mail and Kxpress , followed
by three columns of political editorial.
Indiana Am Hopeless.
I'littaMvhto lice ml.
The baker's dozen of Sioux chiefs now In
Washington have already donned tlio clothes
of civilization and taken to smoUliiB cigar
ettes , in this latter fact there may bo seen
strong evidence of the Indian's complete
degeneracy.
Women DniiM Want to Voto.
Ktw Yoik .Sun.
Peter tlio Hermit was not , indeed , inoro
earnest , than thu woman suffragists ; but they
will contlnuo to bo mot with Indifference or
rullculo until they mnko inoro rapid progress
In converting womea to their vluws. Mis
sionary work nnioni ; women , and not appeals
to tl-o legislature , Is what Is needed. Women
will bo allowed to vote when they choose.
As yet they don't chooso.
I'lnlnt from Denver.
Denver Jtciwdlfraii.
Wo do not bcllovo that It Is n ROOI ! thine
for Denver and Colorado to nwko the Mis
souri rlvor a dividing line in fixing either
freight or passenger rntas. Tlioro Is llttlo erne
no more reason for making the Missouri
river such a dividing line than there U for
mnking the division at tbo e.istcrn boundary
of Colorado. Hates nro no longer divided at
tlio Mississippi. If a throuph rale can. bo
made from Chicago to th o Missouri river
without talcing Into considurntion the Missis
sippi , a through rate can bo innilo from Cbl-
cngo to Denver without talcing Into consider
ation the Missouri. Denver bos been very
unfairly treated In consequence of this di
vision of rates nt tbo Missouri river. Tuo
rate on this sldo Unit out of proportion to tlio
distance , if It bo compared with tbo rate on
tlio other sldo of the river.
JMSTS.
Now York Herald : Sanso Have you a
baseball team in your town ?
Kodd Yin.
Sanso What do you call your nine ?
Kodd Asiuluo.
Kuto Field's Washington : "And , mam
ma , " said enthusiastic Miss Nowmoucy ,
' tbo walls are finished hi the handsomest
frliucs "
"My dear. " Interposed Mntnnmls'owmoiioy ' ,
"don'tsay 'nie/.os,1 suy 'frosts. ' "
Kpoch : 'Irish Contractor ( to Murphy ,
who Is on top of the wall ) "I'Uat do ye Do
doin' , Murphy I"
Murphy "Ol do bo layin' bricks , o'
course. "
Contractor "JJo hivcns , you do Do still
enough to bo layin1 eggs. "
Munsoy's Weekly : Ho Do you like my
brother better than you do mo !
She What salary does ho geU
Now York Harold : "It's the bait to use in
catchmc a foreign count , " said Ethel.
"Wh.it Is ? "
"Probate , " returned Ethel.
1'EKHOXA LIT1ES.
Mr. and Mrs. Hiram Partridge celebrated
the sixtieth anniversary of their wedding nt
I'eoria , 111. , last week. Among tlio guests
were three grandsons nnd four great-grand
sons. Tlio aged couple came to Pooriu countv
in 183.- ) .
Colonel John R. Kclso died nt his residence
six miles north of Longmont , Colo. , List
weolc from cancer of the stomach. The
colonel was well known from his active oppo
sition to Christianity. He was the author of
quito a number of libor.il books.
John McMahon , ono of the orleinnl part
ners of Flood , Fair nnd Mackay in San Fran
cisco , and a innu who lias run through half n
doion fortunes , Is uow malting another ono
in nn Idaho coal field. His career has been
an adventurous one. There have been occa
sions when ho stood In pressing need of a
quarter , white at other times bo could draw
his check for ? 1.01)0,000. )
Hose Coghlan and Lydia Thompson mot by
chance at n hotel table in Albany the other
\vcok , ami to the surprise of some observers
fell to exchanging reminiscences In a tory
sociable way. During their talk the fuet was
developed to nn interested few that Miss
Cogliluu Jlrst came to this country from Eng
land when n girl with Miss Thompson , pluy-
ing n subordinate part hi n company under
the management of the lattor.
o
Snivitlorvlco. .
Pnt wanted a position under the govern
ment , nnd on being told that no must bo prepared -
pared to pass a civil service examination , ap
plied himself faithfully to the necessary
preparation. Some linio later his ambition
for public preference seemed to have deserted
him , savs Harpers' Magazine. "What is the
matter , Patt" asked his former employer.
"Couldn't you pass the examination ? " "I
could that , " ho replied. ' ! answered every
question on the paper. Uut , " ho nddeil , bis
native wit coming to his rescue , "I guo s
they thought I knew too much to bo wasthV
mo time washln' wimllos. "
Not Unlit That "Way.
misMwtoi ] Hist.
"I want to see the professor , " said a rather
faded-looking woman as she went into the
gymnasium. "I am lie. " "Could I offer a
suggestion ? " "Certainly. " "Well , It seems
to mo tlmt It might bo a good Idea to flic up
some arrangement in the sbaiioof coalscut
tles , load them up pretty heavy , and Oder a
prlzo to the young man who can lift ono tlio
oftcuest. It does look ns If-tho gymnasium
didn't do much for the muscles you have to
use lu lifting a coal scuttle. "
\Vny of tlio World.
"Thoro Is a young man , " said the clubman ,
"who Is simply going back on all his fn'nily '
traditions nnd kicking over the ladder on
which he bus climbed or up which bo has
been carried to the resent lofty heights in
which you sco him. "
"Thhtlssttd , " said the Man About Town.
"In what way has ho shown this unhappy
tendency ? "
"Why , his father's money anil all that ho
has was made in beer. Ho is upending It all
in champagne 1"
ItAVK fit0.11 TOU'JV.
James ll'/utcnni/j / / Illicit , In Century.
Old friends nllus Is the best ,
Halcst-llko and hcartlnst ;
Knoned us first , nnd don't allow
Wo'ro so blame much better nowl
They was stniidln' at the bars
When wo grabbed "tho kivverod kyars"
And lit out fer town , to mnko
Money und that old mistake I
Wo thought then the world wo went
Into beat "Tho Settlement , "
And the friends 'at we'd nrnko there
Would beat any any where I
Anil they do fer that's their biz :
They beat all tbo friends they Is
'Copt iho raal old friends line you
'At ' staid homo , like I'd ort to I
W'v. of all the good things ylt
I ain't ' shut of , Is to quit
Huslnoss , mid git back to sheer
These old comforts wnltln' here
These old friends ; und those old hanoh
'At u fuller understands ;
Those old winter nights , and old
Young folks chased in out the cold I
Sing "Hard Time * Ml como og'ln
NoMoro ! " nnd neighbors all Jino lul
. Horn'a a feller como from town
Wants that-air old llilillo down
From the chlmbly I Oil the lloor
Cleared fer end cowtlllton more I
It's poke the Kitchen tire , says ho ,
And slrnUu u friendly leg with aiol
TIH : COUNTV IIOAD KUNI > .
Air. O'lCcnfTo In Opposed tn Siciillni | ;
It In ( "Ity liiiprovntunniH.
The council committee , ' npiwlntcd Tuasdnj
nlghttoconforwltli the county commissioner : )
relative to the disbursement of the count
road fund in the city limits called nt the
commissioners' room yesterday morning nnd
met with a very warm reception
by Mr. O'lfccfTo , the only inonibor
of the board who was present.
Tlio request of tbo council committee wai
that an amendment bo tuldcd to the city char
ter providing that 7f > per cent of the county
road fund shall bo expended In the city limits.
Mr. O'ICcclTo ' warmly opposed the proposl-
thin , "You follows want the earth , " ho
said , "nml everything else In sight. Tlio
county Is already paying the bulk of the ex
penses of tlio city. Our last year's report
showed that the county paid outovor$100OiX )
hi paying for the cjiro of tbo city poor ;
keeping city prisoners ; In supportlng'tho
trlct court , nil the business of which co
from the city ; In maintaining the ] > oor fnnn ,
all the Innmtos of which "belong to
the eltv ; nnd In addition to alt
this wo spent nearly $ T > SHX ( ) of tlio
county road fund In grading streets la
Omaha and South Omaha , "
Mr. Ohnlloe nnd other members of the com
mittee advanced their strongest nrgiiinunU
! n favor of the proposed amendment and
Dually offered to reduce the amount tolHI per
cent. This was opposed by O'KeelTo and the
matter wont over until ( o'clock this after
noon when another meeting will bo held.
At the afternoon meeting Messrs. lleehol ,
CuiinVo nnd Cooper from the council mid
Messrs. O'lvoi-iTeund VanC.unpof thu county
board inetnt the county commissioners' room
In the court houso. O'ICcello WIHuntied with
llguics compiled from tlio county records anil
iitoiiro informed tlio cnunellmun tlmt the city
Is entitled to ono-lmlf of the money levied for
road purposes , but no more. Hn then pre
sented the following tnblu , Hhowlng the dlr-
bursomunts from the general fund during the
year ISb'J :
I'Ntrlct court 1,11.851 H
city noiVr..7. V.V.V. ' . . ' . ' . ' . ' . ' . ' . ' . ! ! ! ! ! ! . " ! ! ! . ; irl's-r , }
Insane 4.71M j > 0
( oronor 1tilt so
I'oorfuriii 14,17s dl
Total jM'Jirl '
To back ui ) the tnhlo Mr. O'lCoolTo ' said :
"Of this ninoiint less than $6,000 , was expended -
ponded In thu country. "
Mr , Uochcl urged that the court expenses ,
or n largo portion of thorn , are incurred by
the country precincts nnd South Omaha.
Mr. O'KeelTo denied tbo statement.
Tlio question of the amount of money ex
pended for grading and paving within tlio
city limits during the years IbS'J mm Ib'.K )
was discussed. Thu levy for road purposes
during IS-b'J ' amounted to f'Ui.CXW. Of this
amount the following sums were expended
in this city and South Omaha on tlio streets
named :
Grailln ? Hurt and I'loiiHntit strooets
south of Uuinliu : street $ 200 23
Grading Hurt and ZSU-lu > liisHtri' ts . TIKI 00
G railing Till I ty- l\t h street , Lut eon
Unmlnn unit Hamilton 133 53
Grading Hurt streetwest from 1'lo.is-
iint 317 ns
Grading Tlilrt v-.sl\i list reel , but ween
filming mid llamillon 207 SI
Guiding Tlilrty-sl\th street , botneou
Cumin ; ; und Hamilton 41741
Oriiillng lli'inls piiik. Thlity-fuiirth
und Meliolus.stieuts UKI IH
GrndliiK llomls p.irk. Thirty-fourth
und NIcholaH streets 312 43
Gniillnc Ho/nls / park , Thirty-fourth
mill Nicholas btreols r. . . TO I 71
Gr.ullnc llmnls park , Tlilrly-fouith
mill Nicholas 8truots "ill GO
GrailIIIK Park street from 1 Idi ly-t > oc-
onil street to liist mcnue 1,4 7 Tfl
Grading lloinls ] i.irl < 1,401 ! 57
Grading Furmini street 4 , ' . > 07 OS
Grading l-'nriinin and Lonvoiiorth ,
botwoonThirtieth iiulTlilrtylxth 2,000 00
Griullng Park htreut and Third avu-
nno to East uVL'nuu 1,50000
I'nvliiB Twenty-fourth htreot fioni
* VlntontoA } , ? 4t : 87
Total 18.V07 IW
For 1S1H ) the levy amounted to $100,000 , , of > t
whieh the following amounts were ftictiiln * ! .
on the Omaha streets :
Grading I'arlc street fiom Thirty-
sorcnlli uvunuo to Iliist luenuo . . . .8 I.1S7.MI
Grading I.uavoiiNOi-tli 1.I10J.83
I'm IIIR Thirtieth struet to Ames avenue -
nuo 4,00 ! . < n
In full In account with city lla.VJ.2i )
1'o.vlnK Thirtieth strvot from llrbtol
to SnunUlltiK 3.0I5.CO
I'uvlng district 21 ! ) 4S7.20
I'avltiR Tlilrlloth street from Vlntou
to Van Camp aumnu 1,017.0(1 (
Omillns Iicavonworth street 7IW.K
ttinilliiK I.ouvonwortli street iWi.lH
Grading Leuvoiiunrth sti-eot l.D'JO.C'.l ' '
Gmdlnd Tlility-fiiurtli Htreut from
1'owlur u\unuo to Amos uNcnue. . . . O'Vi.dl
Total $ 'J4,74.U
The rouncllincu listened with pleasure to
the leading of tbo tnblcs nnd then Mr
Uhnffco remarked : "Tills is not as bud as I
expected. Omaha pay.s four-llflhs of thu
taxes of the county and It scums only just
that she should uo entitled to 75 per cent of
the levy. "
" 1 will forever oppose such a proposition , "
remarked. Mr. Van Uamp.
O'KVolTo said ho would , too.
Tlio mutter was at last settled by the mem
bers ot the council committco accepting one-
half of the road tax collected within the city - -
limits. * /
This was agreeable to all parties and. Satur./
day afternoon the two commlttoos will moot
ami enter into Mich an agieomcnt. Monday
the chairman of ouch committee will visit
Lincoln , when they will asii that.such nn
amendment bo incorporated in the Oumhu - -
charter. *
lown and Dakota I'onsloiiH.
Fob. 4. [ Special Tolegrnrn
to Till ! Ur.K. ] I'onsions were granted No-
brnsknns today as following : Original
Ervln E. Bullock , Loomls ; Absalom Ilallani ,
Omaha ; Nathan G. Spencer , Ash Grove ; Pitt
lj. I'urdy , Swan ; Jcrro U. Matthewson ,
David City ; Thomas C. Olnrk , Uartloy ;
George W. Taylor , lloldrogo. Increase-
James C. Webster. Loll ; David N. Hoed ,
Hluo Springs ; George C. Huntington , Oxford - *
ford ; Joshua Petty. Wynioro ; IJavid Walter-
innn , Homer ; Charles H. Keinplo , Hastings ;
Jncoh Kline , Wilbor.
Iowa : Original William Buck , Aslmwn ;
VVillliunG. Ouuirst , rirocker ; Isaac Brown ,
Ollio ; Thomas McC.utnoy , Webster City ;
Jurgou Ulookor , I'rhicclon ; William K Cox ,
Fairlleld ; Henry O. Cassidy , Hull ; Mo > es
IX Akers , Jvforso : Scars S. Hichnnls , Kdge-
wood ; William Newell. Sutherland : Jerroil
.1. Ueobo , Vnnilulm ; Ell Ariel , Sioux City ;
Ortn P. McCi-caiiy , Koi-kford ; Melvln S
Hogers , Uravltv ; .Inmcs S. Johnson , Hagely ;
Herman 13. Bryan , Cascade ; John Puttorson ,
Heinlipck ; James Lindsuy , Mantono ; Albert
Uodd , Murshnlltown ; Ilciuy C. llaynus.Cres-
ton ; John K. O'Neal , Sidney ; John K.
Thompson , Mnssenn ; William B. Shlnn ,
Jameson ; Daniel H. MoDnnlel , Uowloy ; John
Ottcrson , Mondaniln ; William F. Clark ,
Cnarles City ; D.ivloJ A. Cox , vVooilbino
Increase Thomas Uunton , Lupoito : Edward
, T. Pitman. Loon ; Cbarlos D. fJilison , West
Llbertv ; Thom.vs I ) . Mnxwoll. Crawfords-
villo ; Edward . Orimstead. Kldon ; liyron
Cotton , Clinton : Elisha T. Williams , Montrose -
rose : Maxwell llrown , Hcdfonl : John II ,
lCollinbargo | , KllilulT ; John J. Uobortnon ,
HayesvIIlo ; Thompson L , llnglcr , Ida Grove ;
Charles 11 , norothy , Ottumxvn ; Plillli ) II
Keam , Camnridgo ; Amos 13. Holmes , Allor-
ton ; JacobV , Cripp , Ilopovlllo. Uolssuo
Littleton W. Huston , Keokiik.
South Dakota : Origlnul-Milton Church ,
Artcslon City ; Benjamin F , Slovens , Hang
ton : Joslah 'llahlwiu , Bon lloiumo ; Soagor
F. Smllti , Klandro'in ; Henry Knlno , Forest-
burgh , Holssuo nnd Increase George F.
Stimson , Whllo fvako.
A Dyniuniti ) Kxplonlnn.
MAIISKIMXS , Fob. ! . A dispatch says a
number of artillerymen bclonglug to the
garrison of Montpellor were engaged In
charging n mlno with nynainttu whi'ii the
charge exploded , fatally inurlun ] iilno men.