Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, September 17, 1893, Editorial Sheet, Page 13, Image 13

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

    nm i ? rwr A TT A A T r v
HUB OF OUR NATIONAL LIFE
Xpooha In the Constructive History of tie
"Acropolis of tlio Bopnblio. "
GLIMPSES OF HIE NATION'S ' CAPITOL
Ontrnnlftl nf thn I.nylntr of tlio Flrnt ftoriie
Itonn nnd Itinlilrntu Connected There.
with Destruction anil Itrcon.
utruinlon Ilio Decnrntloni ,
In ono of his delightful sketches of westsoltl
crn life , Joa'iuln Miller describes his first
glimpse of Mount Shasta , the mighty scntt-
iel of northern California. "Abovo the
woods , above the clouds , almost above the
earth , " ho exclaims , "it looked llko the first
approach to nnothrr world. Away across
the gray sea of clouds that nrosu from the
Klamat and Shasta rivers , the mountain
stood , a solitary island ; white and flashing
llko n pyramid nf sliver 1 solemn and majes
tic , sublime I lonely and cold and whl to I"
The picture drawn by the pool of the
Sierras cnmo Involuntarily to mind as I
stood , a bright May day , and gnzcd for the
first time upon the c.ipltol of the nation.
The vision wns unlocked for. It Hashed
before my eyes unexpectedly , massive In
outline and majestic In proportions , standIng -
Ing on au eminence and towering above all
surroundings , against background of
cloudless blue. Stand on Pennsylvania
avenue , midway to the white house , the real
picture excels any conception derived from
books. A forest of trees and shrubbery and
a ulosoly unippeil lawn In the brightest of
sprint : green , heightens thu dnztllng white
of ttio building , The famous peace monument
ment stands tn tlio foreground. Pass
around to the north , or senuto wing , on
the rising ground , the architectural
beauties begin to untold thcmsclTcs.
Stnnd on ttio marble stops of the
famous east front , looking out unon acres of
stone walks and carriage ways , and no very
active Imagination is needed" to picture the
throngs that hero assemble every four years
to witness the Inauguration of n president.
To the southeast , In a ttinulo of derrick and
scaffold , slowly rises the now congressional
library building , a titling companion for the
capitol. To enter within the walls and gaze
UIK > II the lavish docoratlons , hlslorlo paint
ings and sculptures , the chambers of
the senate nnd house and the
ornate committee rooms , Is to feel oppressed
by the rush of memories which the scenes
call forth. Hero ono Is in the foundry
of tlio nation's political history.
Hero have held forth voices that thrilled the
world and lott the Impress of mighty minds
upon the records of the century. The giants
of other and later days seem to troop In re
view as the stranger moves through the
corridors from whence spring u largo share
of the nation's dally history.
The VIUT from tlio Dome.
Ascend the stately marble stops to the
foot of the dome and a view of surpassing
loveliness Isbeheld. . The capitol ts the hub
from which radiate as spokes in a wheel . 3t 3a
less than twelve streets. A mile straight
away to the west Is the white house
mid the treasury building , and the massive i
slate , war and navy buildings. Directly
west , piercing the clouds , "as lone ns God
nnd as white us a winter's moon , " towers
the Wushinston monument. South of these
the agricultural building and the Smith l-
sonian Institute. The Potomac , flushed with
spring freshets , looks llito an overgrown
creek. Beyond , enveloped with a forest of
ifo
trees , the famous Arlington cemetery , where
sleep thousands of the nation's bravest and
„ best , nnu through the tangle of trees n
Kllmpso innv bo had of the columned porticos
of the Curtis mansion. All the superb ex
panse of streets and buildings is interlaced
with trees , innumerable paries In the * form
of squares , circles und triangles , decorated
with shrubbery and statues. idh
When Major Pierre L'Knfant , the French
engineer , surveyed the site nnd planned the
city of Washington , ho had in view the exi I-
gencies of war , und laid out the streets so
ns to afford the greatest promptitude in the
conccntralion of troops at u given point.
Streets named and numbered were run on
ttio checker-board plan to the four points Jfa
the compass. On top of this ho laid out a
system of broad avenues , ono-half running
from the northeast to the southwest , and the
remainder from the northwest to thn south
east. The various intersections wore re
served for small parks , of which there ere
now sixty odd. Although the system has
been subjected to the ridicule of a century , it
itn
hus withstood the assault und is today n
substantial reality , with the capital build
ing as the center.
I'rlilu of the Nation.
The cnpltol is the noblest public building :
reared during this century. Few buildings
of ancient times approach It. Authorities
concede that it is grander than St. Peter's ' ,
surpasses tlio Hotel des Invalidcs In Paris ,
und overshadows Westminster. The ancient
Acropolis at Athens is claimed to bo its only
peer. Every schoolboy is familiar with Its
image. It lias been photographed nnd
pictured to such nn extent that its magnifi
cent outlines are familiar to young und old.
But. neither camera nor brush can convoy Id.uu
adequate Impression of Its graceful proportions
tions , artistiu details and interior decora
tions. The epochs In Its constructive history
will prove of Interest aud afford n better ;
appreciation of the centennial celebration
which the city of Washington will Indulge
In tomorrow.
I'rviurliiR the IMunj. '
On March 14 , 17D3 , the commissioners of
thu building , D.inlol Carroll , Thomas ofm
Hon and David Stewart , offered n pri/.e of m.nil
lot und fTiOO In cash or u medal of equal
value from the beat plan. The spccltlc.itlons
called for a brick building so arranged ns to
admit of extension , but before plans were
submitted the material was changed from
brlek to sandstone. A number of an
place designs were submitted und al I.
The plans accepted by the commissioners
were those of Stephen Hallotto , a French
man residing In New York. Before n tlnal
determination was reached , William Thorn
ton , an Englishman , submitted no
and ornate plans to President on ,
which captivated his excellency and were
recommended by htm to the commissioners.
An architectural storm at once broke loose
nnd enveloped the commissioners. To avert
n perilous squabble , the commissioners com
bined the plans , employed both architects mind
encaged us superintendent of construction
James Hobano , architect of the white house ,
und uu Irishman. As might bo expected , thu
triangular cmnUlnatlon of discordant races
did not work well. Thornton was frozen
out evidently , as his name docs not appear
on thu corner stone inscription.
l.nyiiii ; thf Corner Htoutt.
The original corner stone was laid by Pres
ident Ocorgo Washington Soptomhor 18 ,
J7tKI. From the meagre record of the cere
monies now available it Is learned the exorcises :
cises were In charge of the Virginia lodge
No. ± 2 of Masons , of which Washington was
grind master. On this occasion General i
Washington delivered un eloquent address ,
but of which there is no record. Clotworthy
Stophcnson delivered an "impressive oration
tion , " "punctuated with llftcen salvos of a
cannon from tha Virginia artillery , " and
then after "solemn und '
, beautiful prayer , ,
succeeded by Masonic chanting and an artil !
lery salute , " the company retired to a great
bootli where u 500-pound ox was roasted ,
and of which they "generously partook ,
with every abundance of other recreation. "
The silver plute deposited in the corner
itone contains this inscription : "Thissouth
east corner stone of the capitol of the United
States of America , in tlio city of Washing
ton , wan laid on the 18th day of September ,
In thu year 1703 , in the thirteenth or.of
American independence , in the llrtU year of
the second term of the presidency of
George Washington ( whoso virtues m the
civil administration of his country
have been us conspicuous und beneficial as
-1 his military valor
and
prudence have been
useful In establishing her liberties ) , and I in
the year of Masonry & 7WJ. by the grand
lodge of Maryland , several lodges under its
jurisdiction and lodge No. ' "J of Virginia ,
from Alexandria , Va. Thomas Johnson ,
David Stewart , Daniel Carroll , .Coinm.
James Hobane , Stephen Halletto , archU
toots ; Joseph Clsrk , 1' . W. Q. M.jCollon
Williamson , M. Mason. "
A multiplicity of alterations , coupled with
1 a scarcity of wean * , retarded tbo work pf
construction. The foundation * of the north >
and south v logs of the original design wore
* bccrun ia July , 1TV5 , tad afur wantrlbula
tint * , the mirth -.ring was ready for orcup-
nncy lu I7U7. Kutirti.-on yearn later tlio south
Wlllfl wns completed. Plans for the control
section nnd the rotunda were ready and
work wns about to begin when , tn 1313 , the
ojuntry WAS plunged Into ivnr with Great
Britain.
llrill li Vnmlnllfliii.
The burning of the canltol by the llritlsh
wns premeditated and malicious vandal
Ism , jicrpotratod for no other pur
pose than to show contempt for the
American republic. Flushed with tlio
victory > at Bladonsburg , the Invaders ,
under command of General Koss nnd Admiral
mlri Cockbuni , marched to the cnpltol nnd
shattered the windows with bullets , Hod-
co.it swarmed into the house of represent
atives , now statuary hall. Forming nround
the ipeakor's chair , to which they escorted
the admiral with mock sohmnlty , the
soldiers awaited orders.
"Shall . this harbor of Ynnkoo democracy
boburnedl" asked Cockburn. "All for it
say ! nyo. "
"Flro the buildlnRl Flro this nest of re
publicanism 1" was the tumultuous response
of tha mob.
The partition between the two wings of
pitch tilnu boards WAS torn away and formed
the nucleus of the tiro. All available Under
In thu neighborhood was colU-ctcd In the
building , which had already been looted , nnd
the whole mass of combustibles sot on lire.
\s the flitmo nnd smoke ) i 'red from the
doors nnd windows the citizen * , worloss I
prevent the calamity , looked on with
blanched faces and hearts throbbing for ro-
vcngo. The British waited until the work
of destruction was well under way and then
departed In ghoulish triumph. They hud
not ROIIO far when u heavy rain set In , put
ting out the tire and checking lurlhcr van
dalism In the city.
'I he building was gutted , but the walls nnd
foundation were not seriously damaged. Tliu
work of restoration began soon after , but It
was not until 1SJ27 that the building was
fully completed at a cost of $ J-iSlO. ; ) : )
Tim Hnciinil Cornerstone.
The present north und south wings , orx'U-
nlod by the senate and house of reuresonta-
lives respectively , were undertaken in 1831
llfty-elcht years after the original corner
stone was laid , The second corner stone was
laid on July 4 , 1831 , by President Mlllard
Fillmoro. There was the Inevitable parade ,
surpassing tlio original , composed of "Na
tional Grays , " "National Blues , " the
"Walker Sharpshooteis , " veterans of the
revolution nnd of the war of 1812 , nnd'a
grout body of Masons In full regalia. Among
the articles deposited In the corner stone
wan thu following manuscript , written on
parchment by Daniel Webster :
"On thu morning of the first day of the
sixty-sixth year of the Independence of the
United States of America , In the city of
Washington , being thu 4th day of July , 1851 ,
this block designed ns thu corner .stone of the
extension of the capitol , according to a plan
approved by the president , In pursuance of
an act of congress , was laid bv Mlllard Fillmore -
more , president of thu United States , as
sisted by the grand master of the Masonic
lodges , In the presence of many members of
congress , of ofttcora of the executive und
judiciary dnpartmenls , national , state nnd
district , of o Ulcers of ttio army and navy , the
corporate authorities of this nnd neighbor
ing cities , mupy associations , civil and mili
tary and Masonic , olllcors of ttio Smithson
ian institution and National institute , profes
sors of colleges and teachers of schools of
the District , with their students and pupils ,
and a vast concourse of people from places
near and remote , including a few surviving
gentlemen who witnessed the laying of ttio
corner stone of the capital by President
Washington on the 18th day of September ,
1703. !
1703.If
If , therefore , It shall bo hereafter the will
of God that this structure shall fall from Its
base , that its foundation bo upturned and
this deposit brought to the eyes of men , bolt
then known that on this day ttio union of
thu United States of America stands firm ,
that their constitution still exists unim
paired , and with all its original usefulness
and glory , growing every day stronger and
stronger In the affection of the great body of
the American people , and attracting moro
nnd more the admiration of the world. And
all hero assembled , whether belonging to
public life or to private life , with hearts de
voutly thankful to Almighty God for the
preservation of the liberty and happiness of
the country , unlto in sincere and fervent
prayers that this deposit ) and the walls and
arctics , the domes and lowers , the columns
und entablatures now to bo erected over le
may endure forever.
"God save the United States of America.
"DAXiBi , WKIISTKU ,
'Secretary of State of the United States. "
Marvclluiig Progress.
Webster delivered a masterly oration on
that memorable occasion. lie Illustrated
with facts and figures the remarkable 3do ,
vulopmont of the country during the preced
ing fifty-eight years. In 1793 there wore
fifteen states in the union ; in 1851 there wore
thirty-one. The population had grown from -
S.MO.IKS to 23,207,403 , the area of the United
States from 835,461 square miles to 8H4G5 ! ! !
and the revenues from $5,720,0'2i ' to $43,774-
843.
843.Work
Work on the now extensions progressed
rapidly , und by 1834 the walls were ready
for the roof. Meanwhile the western front
of the old building , destroyed by lira in
December , 1851 , was rebuilt. In 1855 the old
dome , a combination of-brick and woo a , was
torn down und work commenced on the now
dome , the crowning glory of thu capitol
today.
Tlio Home Mo von.
The house wing was completed In 1857 und
occupied In December of that year. The late
Congressman S. S. Cox , then u member item
Ohio , thus describes , in "Three Decades of
Federal Legislation , " the removal of hole
house from the old to the now quarters :
' The 10th of December , 1857 , is ) lo
In the annals of the United States. ng
back to that day , the writer can HCO"thu
members of the house of representatives
take up the line of inarch out of thu old
shadowy and murmurous chamber Into the
now hall , with its ornate and gilded in-
terior. Ttio scene is intense in a rare
dramatic quality. Around ait the members
upon richly carved oaken rockers. Already
upon either side are the sections In
mutual animosity. The republicans take
the left of the spcaUor , the Ueinocr.Us the
right. James M. Orr of South Carolina , hoa
full , roseate-faced gentleman , of large build
and ringing metallic vole ? . Is in thu chair.
JauiosC. Allen of Illinois sits below him inns
the clerk's seat. Rev. Mr. Carothors oilers
un appropriate and inspiring prayer. nsA
solemn hush succeeds the invocation. At tor
some legislative routine thu members re tire
to thu oucn space In the roar to await heed
drawing of seats. A page with bandaged
eyes inulios the awards , and ono by ono the
members are seated. "
The senate wing was not finished and
occupied until January 4 , ISJ'J.
UncliDokrcl by War.
The convulsions of war In 1881 caused a
stoppage of work on the graut dome for a
short period. Kiiomtes of thu government
regarded the incident ns evidence of waver
ing faith In ttie outcome of the rebellion.
No appropriations were made for tlte work
during ' 01-2 , but In the latter year tlio con
tractors , having unbounded confidence inlii
congress , prosecuted the work with moans
of their own und , on December 2 , 1803 , Craw
ford's colossal " "
statue of "Freedom" pasted
placed on the summit of the dome and saluted
with 455 guns mounted on the forts sur
rounding Washlugton. In 1804 the eastern
portico of the north wing was completed.
The closu of the next year witnessed the
completion of both wings with their six mag-
nltlcant porticos , two grand entrances and ,
four grand stairways , nnd the decoration lot
the dome by SIR , Brumldl of Rome. The ;
white marble terraces on the west side were
In 1832 and completed last year.
Tlio Oo t.
Thocnpitol represents an investment ot
nearly f30.000.000. The present architect of
the bulldlnir , Mr. Edward Clark , reckons the
cost as follows :
Old cuultol I 2,750,000
CnlurRetnontof alto 085,000
Krnuwul utter llrltlsU Invasion. . . . 700.000
New Uo'iiB , , , . , . . , . , . . 1,250,000
Sunato and hmuo wlugs H.OUO.OOO
Works o ( art 1,400,000
KtirnlshlllKS . 2.7&0.000
New terrace anduppruuchcs. . ' 1,2UO.OOO
luiproTeiuonls of grounds , , 000,000
Total , tiQ.ua&.ooo
Works of Art.
Quito apart from the historic associations
wbhh endear the Acropolis of the republic
to every citizen , the wealth of art works in
the building envelopes patriotic pride in the
glamour of self-interest. Paintings in-
numerable recall epochs In the country's
history , Its scento wonders and illustrious
citizens. Statues of distinguished officials
fill niche * la this temple of fame. Excjulslto
broazM and allegorical figures abound , and
the lavish frcicoci nro an Almost endless
nourco of admiration. I'orlico's sculptured
flaur1 * . "Tho Discovery of America" and
"Clvlllz-itlon , " rest on the central huHrcsio *
ot the onst front. Hchlnd these
are colossal enrrara * representing
"War" nnd "I'naco. " the four costing
* 72XX ( ) . The Rogers and Crawford
bronze doors on the cast front nnd scnato en
trance < -oU ftS,000 ! nnd * 57XX ( ) respectively.
The Crawford figure of "Froodom" on the
Uomo cost (31,000. "The Apotheosis of
Washington , " nn elaborate fresco by Uru-
mldl , covering the rnnopy under the dome ,
cost f.V.00 ( ) . Four historical paintings on
panels at tlio sides of the rotunda , by Colonel
John Trumbull , cost * 32,000. Four other
panels by John vandcrlyn. William H. Pow
ell , John O. Chapman , and Robert W. Wlor ,
cost $10,000 each. Franzolnl's clock at the
north entrance of Statuary hull cost ? 10,000.
nnd Kmnnuol Lcntzo's "Westward Ho , " fac
ing the wnst stairway of the homo of repre
sentatives , cost $20.000. Story's statue of
Chief Justice Marshall cost WO.OOO , and fl5-
000 was paid forCJrccnough's statue of Wash
ington opposite the east front. The "Storm-
Ine of Chapultopcc , " nnd tlm "Battleof hake
Hrle , " cost * 0,000 and $25,000 respectively.
The statues In Statuary halt represent an
outlay of $45,000. "The Discovery of the
Mississippi. " the "Landing of Columbus , "
tlio "Baptism of Pocahontas. " nnd the
"ISmbarkatlon of the Pilgrims , " paintings all
located In the rotunda , cost $10,000 each , and
$2. iOuO was paid for "Lincoln Signing a
Emancipation Proclamation. " - In nddltlon
to nil ttieso , there are n largo number of
paintings , statues and frescoes of lessor
vnluo.
DlniMMlnn * .
The building covers four acres of Rroimd ,
is 751 feet In length and varies-from 60 tn Il'Jl
foot wide , Is four stories high collar , basement -
mont , priiiclp.il ( lour and attic coutnins 1U ! )
rooms , bestdos countless alcoves , secret pas
sages and hidden stairways , two well
equipped restaurants , marble baths , and
ether creature comforts. The rotunda Is 05
feet 0 luuhos In diameter , aud ISO feet SI
inches from floor to canopy. There are ItH
exquisitely ( luted Corinthian columus adorn
ing the porticos and base of the dome , 100 of
thorn of mire white marble SO feet high and
monolithic the capital and pillar being ono
piece. Two thousand people may bo crowded
into the chamber of the house , and a like
number Into the soimto. So von-carpenters - ,
six painters , four plumbers , ono copper
smith , a dozen gardeners and a score of
assistants and twoaty-llvo laborers are om-
plo.yed the year round keeping the buildings
and grounds In order , exclusive of the sen
ate and house employes , the engineers aud
the elevator men. T , J. F.
IUK.lt.lSM.
The New ItollK'o" ' ax Ably Dollncd Recently -
cently l > y Ur. Hrodbralc.
During the congress of religions at Chicago
a few days ago Dr. Brodbock read n remark
able paper entitled "Idealism , the Now Ue-
Hglon. " Us delivery caused a sensation. In
substance it was ns follows : „
"It is an open secret that millions of people
ple In our civilized countries have practically
given up Christianity and with It religion.
Millions of others cling to the old belief only
because there is nothing bettor there. Again
millions are believers In Christianity or
other religions because they have boon edu
cated in those lines and do not know bettor.
The time has come for a new form of religion -
ligion in which the painful discord between
modern civilization and old belief disap
pears. Wo do not revive any old rcllpcion
that may have existed or still exists. The
now religion is not a mixture or synopsis of
previous religions. Neither Is the new ro-
llglou u philosophical system of any kind.
"In short , the now religion is something
now. Its name Is Idealism. Its confessors
are called idealists. Its chief name Is Ideal
ism that is , the striving for the iitcal , the
perfection tn everything , for the Ideal of
mankind , especially for each Individual ;
further , for the Ideal of science and art ; for
the Ideal of civilization ; for the ideal of all vir
tues ; for the ideal of family , community , so
ciety and humanity in all forms.
' The now religion Is not aggressive , but
creative1 and reforming. It has nothing . t.o
do with anarchism or revolutionism. [ .ot
works not with force , but with organization i.
example , doctrine. Wo are not foraosoluto ;
abstaining from stimulants , as long us
science has not absolutely decided against
them ; but we are friendly to all temperance :
societies.
"Wo do not profess to have any certain
knowledge of things beyond this lifo. Wo
believe that there Is an absolute power over
which wo have no control. The true
essence of this power wo do not know.
With some reserve the words 'providence v.i. '
'almighty , ' 'creator' might bb used , but rote
do not believe that there exists an absolute
personal Being as P. kind of Individual. Wo
do not make any man or woman to bo a god ,
nor do we believe in a god becoming a man ;
butwoasHUmo that there are great differ
ences in men nnd that some do moro for the
benefit of mankind and true civilization than
others ; but It is not advisable to ascribe
that to the special merits of such a person.
If somebody U born a genius and is
favorable conditions of development it is
not his merit. Wo believe In the great
value or a good example for followers moro
than In doctrines , but we do not worship
anybody , nor any single object , nor any
product of human Imagination as being
I "We'do not Itnow how things originated ,
or If they did originate at all ; so wo also do
not know wtiat will bo the last end and aim
of everything1 existing , if there is anything
like a last end and aim. At any ruto , these
nro open questions , and science Isallowed teat
discuss them freely. Wo do not believe that
there is resurrection of human individuals.
We do not believe that there is immortality
of the Individual ns r.uch. We leave it to
science to decide how far there can bo ; toy
thing llko existence after death. Wo do yet
believe in heaven us the dwelling of , otn
dividuals after death ; astronomy Is against
such a belief. We do not believe In hell , nor
a personal leader of it , nor in purgatory. Wo
do not believe that once everything was
good and perfect in this world. We do not
behove that all evils camu Into the world
through man's fault , although a great many
of them did. Wo do not consider the world
Irreparable. Wo do not believe In the pos
sibility of absolute perfection of anybody isor
anything. Wo do not think that every good
deed finds its proper reward , bor do wo
think that every wrong deed Is properly pun
ished.
fi"Wo do not know whore wo come from or
whore we po ; wo only know that we rene
hero on this planet and that wo must toito
things as they are , and that we must do our
best In everything , ana In doing this wo robe
happy , as far ns happiness reasonably can bo
expected to bo attained by man. In social
ns well as in political things wo believe that
there must bo order and liberty combined.
Wo nro not In favor of war If it over can id.bo
avoided wilhoutdlsrogardlnghonorand duty
of honorable existence. We bellnvo that
love is necessary for everything , but wo be
lieve that love alone , cither to God or to our
fellow creatures or to both , is not a sufllclent
fundamental principle for true religion. Veer
beliuvo that man Is not born only to suffer ,
nor onlv to work , but also to enjoy reason *
ably thisllfo.
"Wo do not fear death , nor do we fear
life. Wo believe that for some people it is
easier to bo good or to become good than for
others , We believe that true religion can i
exist very well without any hope of a future
Individual existence after death , and wo
oven think that true religion excludes such
a hope. "
*
Little pills for great ills ; DoWitt's Little
Early Itlsers.
Hunting ; lor NlckeU.
Any ono who chances to tuko a stroll
just before sunrise along tlio line of uny ,
of the surfuco railways In Now "York
will bo euro to BOO from two to a dozen
men walking nour the tracks with hands
in poukuts und heads bout down. Ho [
may also observe that the conductors
mm drivers on the infrequent horse curs
of that early hour also have their ovcs
turned earthward , They are all hunting
for money. During tlio niglit and
particularly when the oftor theater
homeward rush ia on , the conductors are
very busy collecting fares and making
change by the dim light of the car ;
lamps. In the process both they and
the passengers allow moro or loss small
coin to slip through their fingers , and lit
is for the dimes and nickel n that have
rolled to the puvomunt that Bearcli is
made at dawn. The uhungo that falls
beneath the iloor slats of the closed ours
oolongs to the cleunoru of the stables.
A memorial to Jenny Und is to bo placed
in Westminster abbey , London.
THE GOLDEN AM OF TRANSIT
Ancient Snailpaoa Ooijt'AUted with the Light-
ning Gait , Today ,
FROM MUSCLE TO STEAM AND ELECTRICITY
i
I'roRres * llpilctnd | \ > J tlio
liortntloit lixlillilt nt . .thoVurtil' Tntr
The Moilnrnj Train .V Clint
'
irltlt n 1'ost'nt Chief.
CIIICAOO , III. , Sept. 14. [ Correspondence
otTiir. linc.J ( Joreoous lu its splendor is
the magnificently glided door of the Trans
portation building- . Its beauty grows upon the
beholder day by day. The eternal glare of
bright light upon the white walls nnd Muted
columns of other Dulldlugs wearies ttio eye ,
nnd It rests with delight upon the striking
contrast furnished by the Transportation
buildlug , with Us softly tinted rose-colored
the beautiful winged figures that
adorn the center of the sprnndols- . Its
aruhod main portal faces the lagoon to the
east , forming nn entrance 10J feat wldo by
TO feet high. The ornamental work is done
lnf gold-lo.if , onhnnuad hero and there by hi-
toriiilngllnK blt.i of bright color. At noon
tlino , vrhon the sunshlno falls upon its glit
tering portals , the whole Is dazzling In Its
wnudurous beauty. Hut oven more Impres
sive Is It when the soft moonlight turns the
gold to silvery sheen , and the winged figures
scorn to llo.it in hazy indistinctness. How
liro-llko then appear tlio statues of the cow
boy and the Indian , mounted guard oaoh
side the landing on the cmonild banks of tlio
lagoon , as over its crystal waters softly glide
the gav and picturesque gondolas from far
away Venice. The whole is like a scene
from the Arabian Nights or a dream of
fairyland ,
Moan * of Transportation.
But ( illicitly vanishes nil dronms when once
the woiidorotis nor.Uls admit the visitor to
the Interior. Hero nro most forcible to-
minders that wo live lu n practical , everyday -
day world. Here Is demonstrated the faot
that mankind for ages soumud at almost a
standstill In the matter of evolution of trans
portation. Gradually they moved forward ,
stop by stop , the lust lOO.voars notlug moro
progress than that of many preceding cen
turies , until nt the present day we wonder
whwo will the doslro for rapid transit end !
The great Transportation building , wlth
Its annex , covers some eighteen or nineteen
ncres , and in the nunnx are two und one-bait
miles of railroad trackage , upon which stand
numerous exhibits of uurs and locomotives.
Under the glgnntlc roof are House.1 . all kinds
of vehicles of transportation known to man ,
Prom tlio rude ox-cart used by our fathers to
convoy to mill the sacks of grain , progress
may to traced to thcvfroight cars now lu use
and the splendid palace cars of the present
porlod of rapid transit. From the hollowotl-
out log eanoo which served as a conveyance
for primitive travel upon the small streams
aud rivers , progress may bo traced to tlio
snll boat , thonro to thjp steamboat , nnd It is
with great hitorost thn't wo trace the evolu
tion of the power ot steam , for to it wo
owe , ' moro than ito any other factor ,
the rapid progress made In the last fifty
years in the matter of saving time by rapid
transit. It is dofiliirod by exports that
steam ns a. motive ppwer has reached the
limit of its development and that in less
than fifteen years hOnco electricity will fur
nish the motive power for nil the railroads of
the world. If such thqn will be the case ,
the wonderful exhibit of locomotive engines
run by steam power to bo scon nt the Trans
portation building marks an epoch in the
civilization of man , , preceding that which
will , no doubt , bo marked by n lichtning-
llko rapidity of travel furnished by the
wonderful and Inexhaustible power of elec
tricity. „ , , ,
To comprehend the evolution in transporta
tion lot us go back'fiOO ' y6ars ago to examine
the first iwoodouitram , road , whl h consisted
of a track made of .polos , fas toned , by wooden
pins to log sleepers.- ' Upon this" track wns
pushed by man a car consisting of a crude
wooden box placcdnipon four larao wheels ,
made of logs , hollowed out in grooves ,
nrhlch llttort upon the poles of the track.
This primitive car certainly had the merit
of never running oil the track unless It took
the track with it. We will now begin to
notice a gradual progress in the kind of
rails aud sleepers used for the car track.
Progress Is made from dtono sleepers to
wooden ones , and from wooden rails to these
of iron aud steel. In 1709 a French officer by
the name of Cugnot constructed a car to
haul artillery. It was propelled by steam
nnd was called "The steam road wagon. "
Odd looking Indeed Is the queer model of
what was. no doubt , the first clearly con
ceived Idea of propulsion by atoam. The
steam road wagon rested upon tli roe large
wheels , the boiler being in front and Its ca
pacity so limited as to funds U only motive
power for fifteen miles of locomotion. From
this starting point the evolution of the
steam locomotive can be traced in many
countries nnd in various stages of progress ,
all of which can be saen by the models , and
sometimes the originals , which are placed
upon exhibition.
. Tlio l.ocomotlvo lira.
But lot us pass on to the year of 1803 , for )
In that year u noted Improvement took place.
An Englishman , Trovcnthlck by name , who
had been experimenting for years , at last
constructed an engine , which was ttio first
to pull earn. Two of those quaint old iron
cars with the rails nnd stone sleepers can bo
seen at tlio exhibit. Other models are also
shown to trace the progressive strides of thu
"Iron horse , " the most important being ono
built in ISM. Passing on to the year of 1803 (
the first engine was made that could climb a
mountain. It was considered u great achieve
ment and received the piquant name of thu
"Pnppersass. " Another old onglno on ox-
lilbit , and which stiows signs of its long serv
ice , is ttio 'Atlantic , " built la 1833. It is the
oldest locomotive in America which has boon
in constant USD slnco it was built , having
been released only from active service long
enough to take a holiday nnd visit the
World's fair. In the exhibit of the North
western is nn old engine , the "Pioneer , " past
service now , but carefully preserved for Us
history for the sake of old limes. It was
built in 1830 und was the Jlrst engine run out
of Chicago. Previous to the year of utS
headlights on the locomotives wore primi :
tive , indeed , consisting of an open box of
iron network , In which a flro of pine knots
was klndlod , the glare of the blazlnz pine
throwing a light upon ttio track ahead , i a
wonderful contrast to the gleaming locomo
tive headlights of today. The engines end
cars displayed by tho/oreign countries ro
of heavier build than those of an
manufacture. ti i f
America KnpUyjlCunka Flrit
As to rapid aud rnmmodlous transporta
tion , of which faot t.lfo most skeptical would
bo convinced after a'visit to und uu Inspea
tion of such olegant'concties as those making
up the train of nix can ) , which belongs to the
display of the Canadian Pacific railroad and
is known as "the matiocrany train , " because
the cars are made oD ) mahogany wood. Thu
Pullman Car company displays a train of
seven coaches , including the parlor , sleepers ,
diner and kitchen coaches , all of which are
furnished In the mo fJ > xnuIsito stylo. ho
woodwork on the lupltip of the seven les
Is of a dark rich reu. imported from East
India. It is all hhna-carvcd In the ) St
beautiful designs , tbpwork balng dona at
the Pullman car sliofli at a cost of M0,000.
The parlor car ana the sleepers are all'up-
hoUtorod in coutrastlU ? colors , all of them
studins in the harmonyiof tones. Each sec
tion of the sleepers U decorated by panels eoOf
hand-embroidery , arid nothing of its kind
could surpass the dainty attractiveness of
the "bridal chamber , " vrlth its rich furnish
ings of white satin and cream brocades. illIn
the dining car the tables are set daily to dis
play the elegant cut glass and solid silver
service , over which presides with watchful [
eye a pleasant gentleman of color , who , by
the way , Is the same who had charge of tlio
dining car attached to ex-President Harri
son's train when the presidential party Is-
ited the Pacific coast. Between the windows
of the dmin ? car are small brackets which
support handsome vases filled with cut
flowers. Many of the vases are works of
art , being valued at from MO tn ( SO apiece.
The kitchen belonging to the train is ui fine
in Its way as any other of the cars ; in fact ,
It would bo hard to suggest any ,
Improvement in detail. The wash basins
of the toilet rooms are of almost transparent
white onyx , and tboso belonging to the
state rooms are so arranged as to fold up
into the side of th ? cars. The bath rooms are
nil largo and convenient , and such I * the ar
rangement of the whole n to constantly
augRpst the Men of n beautiful economy nf
space. The dome of the barber shop M n
work of nrt in itself , the decorations having
coat ; 8 1,230. This bctautlful traveling house
on wheels Is safer than many other trains ,
for the i front end of the mall car U supplied
with n steel brace which runs down Into the
tender , nnd In cine of collision hn the ef
fect of holding the tender down. But in
case the tond6r should rlso the front of the
mall I car would rlso with It , nnd while both
cars might stand on end , they could not pass
through ono another or , to tiso n familiar
term , there will bo no "telescoping" on cars
supplied ; with this now Pullman patent.
A. Moilcl Mull Cnr.
The mall car attached to the Pullman
train is n very hand sumo ono , of its class. It
contains nil the Improvements In ttio way of
handling mall In transit , Including the re-
vorilblo Harrison letter aud paper racks ,
The wood of the mall car Is of | > ollshod
cherry , and where metal trimming is used it
ls of nickel pinto. Kvery space about this
model traveling postofllco Is carefully meas
ured and put to the boat possible use. Kven
the boater ! banished to t'lo vcitlbutb In
order to economize space for null mnttor. 1
suggested to Mr. Iloskln , In charge of the
Pullman , train , that it would bo nice to have
U carpet on the door of the null car. Ho
smiled i nnd replied : "No. Handling gov-
ornmnnt mall Is not as clean n business ns
you might think. " After the fair is over
the beautiful train which I hnvo tried to de
scribe will be in use on the Pennsylvania
Limited railroad.
Moving ; lllff Monny ,
I have become deeply Interested in the
system of the railway mall service of the
Unlto.l States nnd was so fortunate as to ob
tain an Interview with Mr. Lewis L. Troy.
general superintendent of the railway mall
service. Ho related to mn In a very Inter
esting manner some amusing Incidents ttiat
occurred during the trip In July , when ho
accompanied Captain .liimes White , who had
In charge the train which carrlud MXWUOO (
in gold from the S.in . Fr.inclsco mint to the
city of Washington , Wells , Fargo & Co.
had proposed to transport the $20,000,000 for
the , sum of $ ' .10,000. But the United States
government , always economical , concluded to
carry It across the continent as United
States mall , Accordingly Captain James
\Vlilto was appointed to bond the expedition.
Lewis TJ. Troy then soloctcd forty-live men ,
not informing them of the nature of the expe
dition , only' tolling them that the use of
"guns" might bo necessary before the return
of the party. They carrlnd n train of live
cars. Arriving In Sin Francisco they separated -
aratod , six In a group , for secrecy was the
order of ttio day. In broad day light , the
heavy wagons were loaded ut the front door
of the mint. The * 20,000.000 In gold coin ,
thlrty-sovcn and ono-half tons , was safely
nnd without exciting any unusual attention1
convoyed to the waiting cars , which wore
soon boarded by tlio guards , all carrying
Winchesters. I fancy little sloaulng was
done , for a keen lookout was kept. The
first day out , when thu engineer was
oiling up the ongmo , Mr. Troy was watching
him. The engineer nsknd : "Cap , what have
you got on this train ? " "Oh , silks from
China1 was the reply. The next day the
engineer remarked to Mr. Troy : "Say , Cap ,
this train is not loaded with silks. She pulls
too heavy. " On entering the long snow
sncds on the Rockies , a section hand , being
unable to leave the track with his hand car ,
placed two torpedoes on the track ahead as
u signal to stop the train. The explosion of
the torpedoes created quite a panic , and the
poor section hand stood facing rorty-ttvo ,
Winchesters and pleaded , "For God's sake
don't shoot ; I am only a workman. " After
passing the Sherman monument on top of
the Rocky mountains the train made a stopy
to take on water. Mr. Troy , over on the
alert for desperadoes , suddenly spied the
head of a man , then another , und another
caino in view , until eight heads were counted.
Aguln the forty-five Winchesters presented
a solid front , and the eight tnunpo who were
looking for accommodations on n box car sud
denly took French leave.
Aside from those unimportant incidents
the train bearing the $20.000,000 In gold
reached Washington in safety at. . a cost of
less than $5,030 , thus saving to the United
States government the sum ot moro than
f 55,000. GitAOC HIKES.
1:1 > UU.
The attendance at Chicago schools on
opening day exceeded 150,000.
Denver reports a great increase in school '
attendance , especially in the suourbs.
Five hundred new pupils presented thorn-
solves for enrollment at the opening of the
Omaha schools.
An increase of 10,000 is reported In Now ,
Yoric public schools , and a llko number werj
turned away for want of accommodations.
Miss Bertha Laramo of Plttsburg is the
first woman in thu world upon whom the degree -
groo of electrical engineer has been con
ferred.
From 1,000 tn 1800 the Minnesota State
university increased its attendance to l.aOO
in 1801 and 1,500 In 1893. The present year '
should see un enrollment nearer ,000 than
1,500.
The absolutely necessary expenses of a
girl who attends the loading women's col
leges uro said to bo : Bryn Mawr , $475 ; Vassar -
sar , $400 ; Smith , $330 ; Wellesley , 350 ;
Women's College of Baltimore , $300 ; Mount
Ilolyoko , $200.
Massachusetts extends state nld to small
libraries throughout that commonwealth.
By this means many communities remote
from literary centers will secure the ad-
vantages of small and well solcuted col-
lections of books.
The Randall Memorial library , given to ,
the old town of Stow. Mass , by Miss Bolindu ' ,
Lull Randall , is completed nnd will bo dcdt- ,
catod this week. Miss Randall's gift was in
execution of the wishes of her brother , Dr.
J. W. Randall , who died last year at the ago
of 7'J. Tablets to the memory of the towns-
people who died in the revolution and in the
erebellion and commemorating the bicenten
nial of ttio town will bo placed In the bulld-
ing.
What is mount by "raising" broud ia
wortli a few words. The introduction of
the yeast into the moist dough and the
addition of heat when the pan is placed
near the flro produces an enormous
( rrowtli of the yeast fungi the yeast
"germ , " In other words. Tliuso fungi
offoot a destructive fermentation of a
portion of the starchy matter of the
flour ono of the most valuable nutrient
elements in the Hour. The fermenta
tion produces carbonic acid gas , and this ,
having its origin in cvory little particle
of the starch which is itself everywhere
in the flour , pushes aside the particles
of the dough to give itself room. This
is what is called raising the broad.
READY MADE MUSTARD PLASTERS
Wo were the first manufacturers on this
Continent. Our latest Improvement surpasses
anyllilng ever before produced. J5o.,25o. , 85o.
iiortln. Do euro to have HEAIIUliV'B. Ask
for them spread on cotton clotu.
SEABURY'S SULPHUR CANDLES ;
Prevent ou la bettor than euro , by burnlnr
tncsocanillesbad smells In baiemcnfi.o
.
- Ao „ , are . . . . . destroyed , and thugcotitfixlouailUcases
are kept B way : also useful for expelling *
qultos and Irrltatlnglnseote. Trice , S5c. ! eaco.
To pnrlfy sick-rooms , apartments , cto. , use
which in burning , disinfect and produoo
fragranoo rcfresbluj an 1 invlgomtUia. J o. per „
box of ia. Solo Manufacturers ,
CUeiuUta.
The Mercer.
Omaha's NawestHoOlc
Cor. 12th and UowdrU dtreeU.
40rooms 12.50 per dujr.
40rooms IJ.03 per day.
UOrooms with b th ntl per dar. '
aoroom * with buth uttl.5)pard A
Jloilern In Kverjr llupcot.
Wowly f urnlili eidTliroucliout
C.S. ERB , Pron.
lllll UUl/And
* / all Iho train of
KVJW. WKAKNB9SBS , UHIIILJTY , ETC. . that 1C-
imnioany them In ink.n QUICKLY and PHIlMA -
NENTLY COHBO. Full aTUBWOTll n < l tone
vireu touverir part oflBe body. I will Bend t e-
curtily paokod ) FJlKB to anuUrterer Itio protectp- '
tlon tlim cured mo of those trouble. Address 'fi :
11. WlltOHT , Mull ? Dottier , Dox l' < ! 39 , JJurnlift
Michigan.
LADIES' WEEK
AT THE
DRY GOODS CO.
Anything of special moment ,
of peculiar interest to cer
tain states , is set apart , and
dedicated to that state at
The World's Fair.
t
We set apart and dedicate all nex week ,
Beginning Monday , Sept. ISlh , to the
And offer during this "Ladies' Week"
the handsomest array of Dress Fab
rics ever shown outside of Ameri
ca's metropolis. We have space butte
to mention a few novelties ; so cor
dially invite your early inspection.
NOVELTY REPERTOIRE.
LADIES' WEEK For changeable whlpuoi els , n charming1
material in eombination shades , as ,
n grcon and purple , navy and brown ,
eminence and irreoii , eminence and
golden brown , otc. Those goods run
full 40 Inches wldo
A Yurd
H LADIES' WEEK For silk plaids. Rotroshlngly pretty.
1 They come in , navy and brown , red and
1 and green , brown with gold and silver CD-f O fcv
H H cheek , etc. , full 38 inches wldo tpj. fiiU
A Yiml
LADIES' WEEK Reversible cheviots in changeable tints.
The extreme beauty of these choviotB ,
combined with their serviceable cuar-
- notor , will claim a more than ordinary
share of ladies' favors thin season. The
range of combinations is vast , affording
ample scope to catch the eye of the
moat fastidious. Havana brown , with
change of gold , rod and black , green
and rod , green and gold , grcon and
cadet , ultramarine anil olive , golden
brown and blue , otc. So that all com
plexions nnd tastes cnn no so well
suited. 412 inches wide
A Yard
LADIES' WEEK For fancy hop sacking. Two provall-
ing shades , green and brown , in pretty
small chocks , 38 inches wide. . . . '
A Yard
LADIES' WEEK For bolder styles in hop Bucking. Old
rose effects , new brown and old blue ;
also changeable diagonal cheviots , nt. .
A Yawl
LADIES' WEEK For chocked ottomans , silk and wool.
Two shades of olive , black and old
rose , navy nnd olive , seal and golden
brown , navy brown and olive , oto. , olc. o-J
Exquisite goods ; 4il inches wide tpj. .
A Yard
LADIES' WEEK For bronadod whipcords , silk and wool
H fabrics , in oininonuu and olive , oinin-
i once and brown , navy and gold , oto. Cp-J rytJ
| 40 inches wide tpl. O
LADIES' WEEK For solid chock ohoviots , 40 inches wide.
Just the thing for tailor-uiado suits ,
u and come in a handsome variety of
|
shades
9
A *
LADIES' WEEK For sail cloth in solid colors. Comes in
brown , green , blue , gray , wine , oinor- -t
aid , otc. 47 inches wldo *
A Yiird
LADIES' WEEK For shot hop sacking , lovely fabrics ,
Gleams of sunshine play through these
lovely goods , Myrtle nnd salmon , navy
nnd scarlet , golden brown and pink ,
seal brown nnd light blue , etc. , etc. O
40 inches wldo & .
A Ynnl
LADIES' WEEK For heavy chovlot suitlngfl , mixol col-
oringa , wino and olive , cardinal and
grcon , nuvy and brown , ominanco und O
stool blue , 4U inches wide Ki.
A Yurd
LADIES' WEEK For knlckorbockor chocks ; silk shot ,
in brown , heliotrope und blue , 44 inchesi
wide , rich fabrics , . . . . *
A Yard
LADIES' WEEK For charming mlk 'and wool mixtures
in colon * bordering on the more quiet
shades , yet oxtromuly rich , bo.iring
minuta inspection nnd showing up mojt O f\f\
favorably ; 47 inches wldo fyJJ
A Yard
Those are some ot the most "positive
now things" refreshing to look uoon ,
and delightful in their harmonious
blondlngs of shades and tints.
LADIES' WEEK For silks and volvots. Never before
were these stocks so completely filled
with ALL WORTH HAVING. All
the now , delightful and fascinating
colors and waavts. Those who nook
a reliable ULAOK SILK or SATIN
can bo accommodated "beyond pale of
disappointment" ut our Bilk counters.
Dluok surahs nt G5c a yard , black gros
grains at t)0o ) and 91.00 , black poii'i-do-
solo at $1.00 and 81.25 u yard , b'.auk
satin at 7flo to $2.50. Our VELVET
STOCK IS SIMPLY PERFECT !
LADIES' WEEK At our establishment will bo made
specially attmotlvo. For porfoot light ,
convenience nnd general al-homo-alive
ness , this department is foremost.
Ladles accent our cordial invitation to
visit us during "Ladles' Week. " MuKo
our place your resting place and mootIng -
Ing mace. Accept the URO of our La *
dies' parlors and toilet rooms and fool
perfectly at IlOMli
It pays to trade with
The Morse Dry Goods Co.
OMAHA , NEB.