r nr . * TT A TA TT "V T Ti'K' . > . .iCTT-wr A v on. . i
OPPOSITION TO THE CANAL
John D , IIowo Argues Strongly Against the
Voting of the Bonds.
WHY PROPOSITION SHOULD BE DEFEATED
After o Crlllent Kxniiilnntlnn Ho I'nlli to
i'luil Anything lu Com nit-nit II 111 *
tuuillc t'rltlclftin of Hired
Tlio canal proposition embodies the moat
Impudent Bcliemo ever attempted to be ex
ploited on a free people ! It asks the tax
payers of IhlH county to capitalize a private
corporation with $1.000,000 donation In ad
dition la giving It most extraordinary fran
chises to cnduro for an hundred yearsl The
stockholder * , wealthy men , are not to bo
called on to contribute- equal amount , or
linlt that amount , or any other considerable
sum , to the work. Their scheme Is to make
our $1,000,000 , together with what they can
borrow on the plant , build the work ( II
built at all ) , reimburse them for their ad
vances , they to own It with Its franchise ! ,
which. In case of success , will make a
great and , likely , an oppressive monopoly for
three generations. Costly experience has
taught us to lock the stable door before- the
horse Is stolen and not afterwards. We arc
asked to mortRaRo all property In Douglas
county for $1,800,000 ( principal and Interest ) ,
to allow these men to try an experiment
for that Is all It Is without any risk to
them , all the risk being ours ; they to have
all the benefits If successful , and we to bear
all the loss In case of failure. Wo ( they tell
us ) can afford to glvo those rich men f 1,000.-
000 , when wo can not afford to glvo $50,000
for the poor who must , this coming winter ,
suffer for clothing tel l < eep them warm and
for food to eat , I will vote for $50.000 for
charity , but not ono cent to enable these
men to try this experiment at our coat and
for their gain. I am opposed to spawning
another "franchisee ! corporation" to ba n
leech upon the people , i feel sure that I
cnn convince every candlii , disinterested man
Irt this county that he should vote "No" on
this question. . _ .
Lot mo go back a little : Some months
ago a meeting was called to consider this
matter. That meeting was packed with
boomers to hoot and howl down every citi
zen who raleed his volco against the plan.
Some of our best citizens were hissed. That
meeting the county commissioners regarded
as affording sufficient warrant for seriously
considering the question. I was waited on
by a member of the company and asked to
accept n retainer for this company , but I
declined because I was opposed to the
scheme' . I offered my services gratuitously
tu the county through Chairman Stenberg ,
but was never asked to meet with the com
missioners. It was my desire to * assist In
formulating the proposition so as to pro
tect the taxpayers. Had It been other
wise , I think It would not have been left In
Its present shape , which no good citizen
can'accept and which bids fair to result. If
adopted. In putting this county Into bank
ruptcy for a dry ditch. The commissioners
went Into "executive session ; " I am told that
the door wa'a shut In the face of taxpayers ,
but that there met with them these Inter
ested parties , their attorneys and friends.
"Who are the principal promoters of tlila
flchemo ? Herman Kountze , banker , George
L. Miller ( owner of Seymour park ) , Solon
L.I Wlloy , ( the silent partner ) . Henry T.
Clarke , and certain others , who are Inter
ested In real estate near Seymour park. '
They have formed a corporation to stand
in front of them , the "Omaha Canal and
1'owor company. " This Is to shield them
from personal liability for what may be
dona , for 'contracts they may make , for
liabilities , . /they may Incur. Stockholders
o'f today may not 'bo such tomorrow. Men
identified with the company at first may
all step out at any time , leaving wreck and
ruin In their wake escaping all odium and
liability and Douglas county In the hole ,
or , rather. In the ditch.
Lot us look Into thoproposition and see
what sort of a monopoly wo are asked to
'
c'roato. The water that Is to pass through
our ditch , If any. Is to ba their water ; they
may sell It for Irrigation , for motive power ,
for electric , lights ; they are to be given the
free use of all streets and alleys In the
cities of Omaha and South Omaha that "may
bo required ; " and the foundation Is laid
to tarnish water for public and private use
In our cities. Citizens , a tremendous mo
nopoly .is a-bornlng !
'Jlore lot mo quote : "In part considera
tion" for the $1,000,000 In bonds , said canal
company , "Its successors and assigns , " shall
furnish to the county of Douglas "free of
rent" foe a period of "ninety-nine years ,
current , for power" for use In Us public
buildings ; and no sale , assignment or other
disposition of the canal , by thp canal com
pany , "Its successors or assigns. " shall be
permitted to affect these "vested rights" of
Douglas county ! ( Ye Godsl ) Thus we are
to have free what current for power we
shall need In our county buildings ! You
will reo that perhaps this county will save
In this way as much as $15 a year !
Now , It appears to tmo that there are two
niggers In this wood pile. Hero Is n
recognition of a lifetime for these franchises
of ninety-nine years , nt least , and also a
recognition of their rights to sell and assign
said canal "or any Interest therein" without
the 'consent of the county. How kind of
them to give us this current for
"free ! "
How docs It apear to you this farming
out of these great franchises to private
parties with power to sell out to the capital
ists of London , or Amsterdam , or Iloaton , or
Philadelphia ? Ninety-nine years In the
hands of men of money , armed with these
franchises and the privileges of private cor
porations !
Shall wo * be hooted , or howled down , or
hlisetl because we protest ? Because , look
ing at the sorry ami even sail pictures of
looted and bankrupt communities , ground
down by soulless capitalists , we advise cau-
tlcnJ We ask for safeguards ?
Opinion evidence : A few words upon the
fclluo of the opinion of "experts. " This kind
of evidence Is the contempt of courts and
lawyers. We never accept It as evidence
When we can get anything else. Go Into- our
Courts any day and you will hear It : six
witnesses ( experts ) called by the plaintiff en
the value of real estate will swear It Is north
$2.000. and six witnesses , called by the de
fendant , wilt swear It Is worth. Jl.OOO ! Six
physicians called by the plaintiff will swear
that the plaintiff's Injuries are permanent ,
and six physicians called by the- defendant
will swear they are not ) SK lawyers calleil
by the plaintiff will testify that the value of
certain attorney's services Is $1,000 , and MX
called by the defendant will say it Is not
half that ! Civil engineers often stand op
posed to each other In similar faihlon before
our courts.
Companies by the hundred are formed In
nilr.lng countries , and , arinuJ with the
opinion of experts , go out among the people
pn < \ rell tock stock that olten praves worth
less bringing ruin to many men.
Now , no do not charge thesa experts with
dishonesty , but wes y that evidence that
rests In opinion is very uiircltablo. What
jve want to believe we flnd It caiy to be
lieve , and that Is opinion ! nut we don't
\Y nt to pay $1.800,000 $ for It. Lit mo hire
the experts and I care not who writes the
tonga of the country !
' At Kearney is found one of the largest
fca'nals In the stato. For n tlmo It was n
success. I regret to hear of the bad luck
that lug come to thai enterprise. Industries
started , street ran xvero propelled by elec
tricity and the streets were lighted with
btectrlo light , the power coining from the
HA canal. I am told that the canal Is ai "dry
hi ft pod ; " that It was for two months this
year "dry am * dusty at the itreel ; " that
the Industries are no longer supplied with
power from II , and neither are the electric
light and etrcot car plants. How many
thouRnnd4 of dollars are left to be paid by
tjio taxpayers I do not know. 1 hear , bow-
urer , that they have voted another $00,000 $
to help It out.
And yet , brethren , they hail tha opinions
flt flsporU to go on t
At Oeatalla the precinct In 18S9 voted
, $31,000 , In boildt to b donated to Solon L.
Wiley and associates to aid la Ibo construc
tion ot a canal for Irrigation nd water
power , some thirteen miles In length , to
terminate- within the torpor i to llmiu of the
Tilings ot OgalalU. Solon D. Vr'llcy and as
sociates. It Menu , formed a corporation ( ol
course ! ) called the Ogalilla Power and Irri
gation company , of which Wller w > presi
dent. This company made a contract to
build the canal. Ogalalla was to bo supplied
with water , power , etc. The- company agreed
to slvo the village a "continual supply * of
50-horse water power , " free of charge , for
water works , lights , etc. , and to complete
the canal June , 1890. The company was to
get $2 700 per mile. The company gave
bonds to perform. Some $ .10,000 was paid
by the county , , and the company demanded
the balance. The canal was. completed , the
company claimed. The statement of facts before -
fore me wax made last year. It taya that
them had been no water In the ditch for
two years , except for three or four months ,
and that there had "probably not been a
week , In two years that the company hAS
had sufficient water to furnish the power
which it agreed to furnish Ogalalla. " Wiley ,
I believe , went out of the company before
the completion of thecanal. . This year , 1
hear , there Is not a. drop of water In the
ditch. Now , where Is Ogalalla ! She has
got no water , but must pay those $30,000 $ in
bonds , and G per cent Interest for ten or
twenty yearsl
This canal wa undoubtedly built on the
opinion of experts.
These are object lessons on opinion evi
dence.
Our canal company guarantees us no
water , npt a barrel , not a bucket. It gives
us no bond , either. I do not believe that
at the western terminus of this proposed
canal there Is that continuous supply of
Mater that we can rely upon. Experts- may
glvo all the opinions In the world common
n o Is worth moro than all of them. I am
told that you can drive across the Platte
river , near Columbus , without wetting your
horses' hoofs. Also that what water there
Is available now for us , will soon be taken
up for irrigation. Now , gentlemen , isn't It
water that wo are after ? We are not looking
for a toboggan slide In winter , or for navi
gation for mud hens In summer nor are 'we
willing to pay $1,800,000 to boom real estate
In the vicinity of Seymour'park. '
You will bo amazed to learn that for our
.million ' dollars the canal company doca not
'contract , or covenant , to Insure that a single
barrel full of water , or even a bucket full ,
shall ever pass through this ditch ! They
ask us to "aid" them In constructing a
"ditch" and appurtenances , that Is. all.
There Is another amazing fact. I hare
just told you that this corporation gives no
bond to perform and does not even promise
that a barrel of water shall ever pass through
this canal. Presumably It has not conll-
dcnce enough In the opinion oC experts to
engage n do that. We take the Tlsl { , We
pay the freight. This other amazing fact
la this : This company does not bind Itself
to complete th's ' cannl. Worse than that
It may abandon It at any time and throw
it and all Its liabilities ( not
exceeding $2,000-
000) ) on the county of Douglas. I will prove
this.
this.This
This Is what the proposition gays :
"In case of the abandonment of the en
terprise for a period of six months by the
Omuha power and Canal company at any
time before the completion of said canal
the right of purchase ( that Is , the power
to buy It on appraisement at the end
ot twenty years ) shall become ot force the
same as though the twenty years had
elapsed and nil bonds of Douglas county
herein provided for and not actually deliv
ered to the company by the trustee ( In New
York , which Is to have possession of them
soon after they are voted ) shall be returned
to Douglas county for cancellation ami the
property shall be taken ( by the county ) sub
ject to the existing Indebtedness and obliga
tions of the company , contracted In good
faith , and the amount so to be assumed
by the said county shall In no case exceed
$2,000,000 In the aggregate. "
The right to purchase In twenty years
clause contains these words : "The prop
erty to bo taken subject to Its bonded In
debtedness as herein limited. " Elsewhere
are the words : "The bonded Indebtedness
ot said Omaha Canal and Power company ,
Its successors or assigns , shall at no time
exceed $2,000,000. ; ' .
Two million dollars Is quite sufficient , but
Is It meant that the , cpunty , ia to assume ,
the ' '
company's bonded ImlebCedness'and obli
gations not exceeding another" $2,000,000.
Thank God neither the commissioners nor
the electors ore empowered to irikke valid
any such contract as' that. All the canal
company has to do , In case It sees failure
ahead. Is to abandon the work for six
months , then the right to purchase by the
county arises for what appraisers fix , but
the county must assume all liabilities , con
tracts , obligations and bonded Indebtedness
ot the company to the amount of $2,000,000
or $4.000.000 !
Let us suppose a case. The company Is to
get $15,000 per mKe for each mlle completed
when completed from the trustees In New
York. Our bonds areto betaken to New
York ( outside the reach of our courts ) as
soon as they can be voted and registered.
When they get over the Elkhorn they areto
have $75.000 In addition. Calling the distance
twenty miles , or half way. and they will
have of our money $370.000 , and wo shall
bo liable * for $300,000 Interest , total $675,000. $
They see failure ahead. They abandon the
work six months. Now all this $675,000 Is
lost , unless wobuy the canal and assume
their debts , contracts and obligations not to
exceed $2,000.000 ! They step out without los
ing a cent. In other words , we pay $673,000
for the privilege of buying a busted canal
scheme and Indebtedness up to the amount
of $2.000,000 $ ! What..a luxury Is that , my
countrymen ! What- . chance for a construc
tion company ! If these parties choose they
may form another corporation and let con
tracts to themselves on the work. What a
chance for enterprise ! What Is $2.075,000 to
us ? If the- Lord loves a cheerful giver , how
he must be stuck on our county commis
sioners ! Hoally , do you not enjoy paying
taxes ? Head the following : "In case any
of the terms , limitations , conditions or pro
visions proposed herein relating to the begin
ning , progress or completion ot said Improve
ments or In case any of the pro
visions herein required to be kept and per
formed on the part of said canal company
as a condition precedent to the delivery of
the proposed bonds by not kept and per
formed then said canal company shall not bo
entitled to receive any ot ttio unearned bond ]
but all earned bonds whether de
livered or not shall bo the property of the
canal company and shall bo delivered to the
canal company. " In other words If the com
pany fizzles oflt at any time after constructing
part of the work It Is to have pay for os far
as It has got without being bound to complete
the canal ! This Is unparalleled In the w'.iole
history of contracts ! It offers a. premium for
beginning the work and not finishing' It.
They may do the light , Inexpensive and profit
able work and leave tlio costly parts -indone.
The penalty for not completing the wolk Is
that they are to have the bonds 'or work
done , but are not to have bonds for work not
done !
This Is not a Jug-handled proposition only
because there la no Jug !
"Cheap power ! " There wilt be no power
at all ! If abundant were to be provided. It
would not be cheap at their prices , and ,
lastly. If wo had power here today to Rive
away they could not dispose of any ot It
to new Industries. If these- men could build
up a center on their property nine miles
awny , would It help or hurt the property
owners of Otnaha who have Improved their
property , bullded our city , paved our streets
and sidewalks and constructed our sewers ,
with a liberality unparalleled , and who have
borne the burden of hard times and heavy
taxes these dreary years ?
Omaha can not lift herself up by her boot
straps ; she can not buy prosperity with
bonds bondt made for banks ! Running In
debt la the worst thing to do to get pros
perity as some of these heedless boomers
can tell you. In the east prosperity la loom
ing up as if It were the rising sun It will
speedily spread over the west llko unto tbe
going down of the same ! Omaha , St. Paul.
MlnneapolU , Kansas City , Denver and Chicago
cage are all having the same experience
all must wait until the country recovers ,
and the country Iq recovering now moat
rapidly. We ure on the eve ot the most
prosperous era Omaha has ever known.
Let us not retard Omaha's prosperity by
loading her down with debts to the gun
wales !
We hear laboring men appealed to to vote
for these bonds because they say It will give
them work. Olve you work ! How many
limes have you been told that by banker *
and corporations to enable them to corral
another * l e * ft ihs earth ? Thrv | npi nt
you. They think you , being truth tellers ,
believe that words mean truth , end that
you will takn words , words , words. Word *
arc liars unless handled by truth tellers. The
laboring man is neither dishonest nor a fool ,
will not vote taxes upon hi * neighbors.
Thesa corporations , after combining Into
unions and trusts themselves , we read are
'weeding out" ot their employ nil men that
belong to unions. Unions , they sny , are
for them but not for you. They combine
In union * against the poor of the whole
IvorlJ. but they say the poor must not com
bine for a living wage to * ave their babies
from starvation. They also fay "we will
u e the laboring man to vote us bonds. "
Laborers , you will not take your neighbor's
work from him however great your net < l
there you are noble. "Will you place taxes
1jpon him to make a donation of $1,000,000
to "franchlsed "
a corporation ?
JOHN D. HOWC.
MUIIIi DIJTTKItS ON Till : TOl'tO.
lllckWrites In Support ol II Turner
Jlitkcn a Correction.
OMAHA , OcL 26. To the Editor of The
Hoe : Should the peopto ot Douglas county
In their wisdom see fit tovote favorably on
the Issuing of the Omaha canal and power
bonds wo may ECO the city ot Omaha lit by
electricity at sompthlng llko reasonable rates.
Whan the council nsked City Electrician
Schurlg to figure on putting In a municipal
electric light plant he said that It would
require $250,000 $ , Including a sullablo site ,
etc. Of this sum he calculated that It would |
require $75,000 for the machinery. There
would , of course , be the regular yearly ex
penses of salaries , coal , etc. , to sny nothing
of the depreciation on the machinery ,
which would not be less than 10 per cent a
year.
year.Now
Now , with the canal In operation , all that
would be required would bo" a small 'house ' ,
centrally located , containing a switchboard ,
run by one night and one day man. The city
would have no trouble arranging a "suitable
price per annum for the power , nnd Us only
other expense would be In keeping7 up Its
lines and supplying the carbon candles ,
There would b * at least $175,000 saved over
the price of establishing a city plant , and
a treat saving over what , l now charged
for the lights by the company having' the'
contract. This Is only one reason why we
should'all vota "yes" on the bands ,
QEORG& N. HICKS.
ARLINGTON , Neb. , Oct. 2C. To the Ed
itor of The Bee : You nave frequently printed
articles from Mr. Ourtlss Turner on Iho sub
ject of good roads. It la evidently Mr
Turner's intention to better the condition of
Douglas county by these Improved road
ways. The county Is Ina terrible condi
tion , he says , by reason of these wretched
roads of ours , and we will never progress
or amount to anything : until these roaila are
fixed up according to- his Ifleas. He has'crat-
llnctl several systems of well drained , sub
stantial wagon roads , but he has evidently
misunderstood the temper of the people at
this county. They do not want good roads ;
they do not want to progress ; they- want to
bo left alone In their mud. Their fathers'
wacons broke down In tills mud ; , their own
wagons have broken down , and they hope to
see their children's wagons there hub deep ,
They love the mud.
Then , there Is an Insuperable objection
to all Mr. Turner's plans for crushed stone
roads. The supply of stone Is very lim
ited , and I am told that there Is colhg to
bo so much biilkllns done next , year that
there won't be any left for roads. My
friends , It Is easy to play roulette with other
people's money , but when you come to build
ing stone roads you have got to have a cinch
on thestone. . JAMBS M'AUSLAND.
OMAHA. Oct. 27. To the Editor of The
Bee : I flnd that unintentionally I have been
guilty of a serious error In my statements
concernlnc the cost of steam power In
Omaha. In an article In last -Sunday's Dee
I stated that the cost of steam power In
quantities of fifty horse power and upwards
was from $2M6 to $67.75 per liprso power
per annum "on the basis ofa continuous
run. " I find that thl in not correct ; that
I should have said on the "basis of ten
hours per day and 308 days per .year. "
Therefore , the cost of steam power as com
pared with the cost Of canal power In that
article was quite Incorrect. '
I desire to make this correction , as I do
not wish to permit 'an 'unwarranted ' stato-
"moftt to emanate frorn'jno lf
jfairu
llmne ! f In the Uejjulnr Service in An
nounced Yoaterduy *
WASHINGTON , Oct. 27 , ( Special Tele
gram. ) Tbo retirement of Colonel Loomls
L. Langdon , First artillery , Is announced.
First Lieutenant Charles J. T. Clarke ,
Tenth infantry , will proceed to Fort Reno.
Lieutenant Colonel Francis H. Parker , Ordnance -
nanco department ; Major Henry C. Has-
brouck , Fourth artillery , and Major Charles
B. L. B. Davis , Engineer Corps , wjll Join
their stations.
First Lieutenant Bogardus Eldrdlge- trans
ferred from company E to company K ; First
Lieutenant Robert L. Billiard , company G to
company B , and First Lieutenant Lucius L.
Durfee , company K to company O , Tenth
Infantry.
Major Joseph T , Haskell , Twenty-fourth
Infantry , Is detailed as member of the ex
amining board at Fort Leavemvorth , vice
Major Camlllo C. C. Carr. Eighth cavalry ,
relieved.
Captain Charles II. Clark , Ordnance de
partment , Philadelphia , will Inspect rifle ball
cartridges nt the worka of the Unloa Metallic
Cartridge company- Bridgeport , Conn.
Captain William H. Corbusler , assistant
surgeon. Is detailed a ? a member of the board
In session at the Aririy building , New York
City , vice Captain William C , Shannon , re
lieved.
First Lieutenant James I ) . Goo Is trans
ferred from company II to company D , Thir
teenth Infantry , vlco First Lieutenant John
H. II. Peshlne , transferred to company H.
Captain Francis W. Mansfield , Eleventh
Infantry. Is granted leave- for four months.
First Lieutenant Solomon E. Sparrow , Twen
ty-first Infantry , leave of absrnco extended
one month. First Lieutenant Mlllard R Har
mon , First Lieutenant Pierce M. D. TravU ,
Eleventh Infantry , ten days.
Sergeant Fast Dos , trumpeter , and Ottmar
Tulnlng Hear , troop L , Sixth cavalry. Fort
Nlobrara , are discharged.
Sergeant Thaddeus Hlgglna , blacksmith , and
Edward Hand , troop M. Sixth cavalry , Fort
Nlobrara. are sent to Fort Meyer , Va.
Major Amos Klmball , Quartermaster de
partment , will be lieutenant colonel December
31 , 1894.
Mrs 8. A. Kelt of Pomona , Cal. . had the
bad luck to sprain her ankle , "I tried sev
eral liniments- . " she says , "but was not cured
until I used '
Chamberlain's Pain Balm , That
remedy cured me and I take pleasure In re
commending It and testifying to Its efficacy. "
This medicine Is also of great value for rheu
matism , lame back , pains In the chest , pleu
risy and oil
deep-seated and muscular pains.
For sale by druggists.
BAN AGAINST A TARTAil.
Mr * , llradberry Him a .
Lively Tu.i le with
IlurRlitr.
Mrs. Dradberry , 1327 North Seventeenth
street , had a struggle with n burglar at C
'
o'clock yesterday morning and still bears
the marks of the encounter.
According to Mrs. Bradberry's ' story she
was awakened about '
3 o'clock by a noise In
her room. As the rose up in bed she dis
covered a man standing at her cheffonler
opening the drawers. The woman screamed
and leaped out of bed. Aa aha landed on the
door the thief grabbed her throat and forced
her back on the bed and tried to choke her.
Mrs. Bradberry la quite a strong woman
and made a resistance. During the melee
she scratched the burglar's face wltb the one
hand * he hid loose and by Vlcks and
scratches managed to make the thief loose his
bold on her throat.
Ye terday the woman was confined to her
bed. She shows black and blue marks on her
neck where Iho '
robber's fingers pressed , and
several scratches on her' face. While the thief
In the house was trying to strangle Mrs.
KrsJborrr two others were attempting to
break Into tbe chicken coop , but these thieves
were frlghUned away by the screams coming
from the Inside of the house.
Mr * . Bridberry describes , her assailant as
being a smooth-faced man of medium height ,
with a dark slouch hat pulled down over hi *
eyw.
In her remarks about the matter Mr * . Brad *
berry said : 'He ran against a Tartar that
time and be bears the marks of the encounter
today , "
Oregon Kidney Tea cures all kidney trou-
tie * . Trial size , 25 cent * . All drugglits.
ARGUING FO THE CAML
Oity Engineer Discufs < yi < the Whole Question
nt a
SCHEME AS PROVED ADVOCATED
IVIinC It I * t-lbrly to u ? for tlio Mnnurno-
J > tal > ll ! < itinc of Umalm
All CoiHllllt&l' ' 'itrornbto tu
Currjr&gLA' Out.
A good BlzeJ audience gathered at Boyd's
heater last night la hear City Engineer
ilosewater discuss the Platte river canal
reject and tbo. beimflts that might arise
houkl the | l,000,0 0i ot county bonds bd
oted at the coming- election and the canal
xj constructed as. contemplated by the promoter
meter 3 .and incorporatora of the canal coin-
any. ,
Preliminary to discussing the general quw-
.Ion , Mr. Ilosewater explained the power of
water ami steam when under control. He
al Iso described the manner In which the
olume of water In the Platte and Elkhotn
Ivors liad been measured. Slnca 1873 there
ad never been so small a quantity of water
.a1 during the season Just passed , this season
ho rainfall In the country drained by the
Ukliorn and the Loup fork being from GO
ier cent to 100 per cent less than In former
ears. But with this small quantity of
alnfalt , when the measurements were taken
. short time ago the flow was shown to be
nore than 1,400 cubic feet per second , or
ouble what would be required to produce
he power contemplated by the canal pro
moters.
The Missouri river , Mr. Itosewater showed ,
: ould not bo utilized for canal purposes. He
xplalned that the flow of the Missouri river
was 30.000.0M cubic feet , with a velocity of
"our feet per second.To get a canal out of
he Missouri river there would not be suul-
: lent -velocity , for the reason that tha canal
vould have to carry as much water Itself ,
ho fall not being sufficient , there being
fall of but a few Inches 'per mile , while In
ho Platte the fall was six feet per mile. Tak-
ng up the whole of the water In the MIs-
lourl river , theoretically , It would develop
iut 852 horse power.
On the proposed canal the fall of the water
.t Seymour park would be 135 feet. Scouting
.he theory that the iMalto was devoid of
water , Mr. Ttogewntcf satd that It was true
that at times there "was but little1 visible
upon the surface , but below there was a
itrong underflow. 'At ' Kearney last year the
people voted $ GO,000 In bonds to aid In paying
he cost -enlarging the Kearney canal
rom 2,1300 to 9,000 horjfe power , notwlthstand-
n g the statements of Judge Gaslln to the con-
rary. Had the citizens of Kearney consld-
rcd their canal a faituro they would never
have Incurred an additional Indebtedness of
$60,000. The city cnfyneer of Kearney had
written that there woe no water flowing In
ho rher , but the flow was as great
as when the canal \Va : Constructed , the flow
bolng 100 feet per sectlhlL'
In Kearney the Co/nil furnished the power
for operating twenty-two manufacturing es
tablishments , the , loetlc light plant and
the street railway.Tiid statements made to
the effect that the. Kearney canal was a
failure had been mVfile- without an investi
s < lr
gation.
GASLIN.
Regarding the stateTiients made by Judge
Gaslln , and which recently appeared In The
Bee. Mayor Brcdy dZ ftcarney wrote :
"That portion o r the , Judge's letter1 re
ferring to the cost otlho.Kcar'ney . .canal. Is ,
I think , practically gpfrrpt , but his observa
tions anil conclusions &t& wholly Incorrect.
After a. residence of twer neven years In
Kearney I am convinced that the- Kearney
canal Is a success , ' 'in1 ' fkct , It furnishes 00
per coitt p ? all thoflnow'jr ' used In the ; city
elaveji U'lopths In .tljo'i'flar.lianil , we belleye
' ' '
ithat'b'y proper iimnagqiu nt-n , ! full auppljr'iof
water cnn bo obtaincd'itfio year round. The
wnter In. the I'latto noV 1 $ low , but there Is
plenty of water In the canal for all pur
poses. The Judge , In .the conclusion of 'Ills
letter , leaves the Impression that the city
of Kearney , last sprlngjvotcd $60,000 In bonds
to help the canal company out of a hole.
Generous city ! Thcr. tact Is , the1 peo-
plO of Kearney , being convinced that
the canal wasa. . ' uecess , voted $60.000
In bonds , to , aid the canal , company
to make It a creator success to enlarge
the canal , tea width , thirty-five feet on
the bottom with a uniform depth ot i.lno
feet , and to furnish at the power house
9,000 horse power. The bonds have been
sold and the work is progressing rapidly.
To prove that the citizens and taxpayers of
Kearney believe and -know that the cana :
Is a success , I have but to state that at the
election last spring .when the question of
voting $60,000 In bortds .to aid In enlarging
the canal was submitted , 1,096 votes were
cast In favor ot the proposition ind only IS
against the proposition. I am pleased ti
state that the Kearney cotton mill < hd no
'shut down for go dV as Judge Gaslln
states. On the contrary , operators are
arriving dally and qveiy preparation is being
mada to have It running at Its full capacity
within thirty days , as I am Informed by
the superintendent. "
Denying the Judge Qasllh statement , Mr ,
R. W. Hccve , a prominent Investor of Kcar
ney , wrote :
"I do not endorse. Iho statement of Judge
Gaslln. The Kearney canal la no experi
ment ; 1t has fully demonstrated Its useful
nesa and value as a motive power , besides
being of untold wealth to the thousands o'
acres which have received1 abundant molstun
through the medium , of Irrigation. The
present year we all know has been an excep
tionally dry one , the ftow of the Platte being
greatly diminished over former years. In
addition to that , operations have been com
menced on the enlargement of the canal , and
before , the work of the head gates and tli
rising basin had been completed , work wa
suspended , pending the negotiation of bonds
While In this condition , there was a scarcity
of water In the canal. This , however , will
always bo obviated when the work now In
progress shall have been completed. Tl
Kearney canal , whlcji furnished an un
limited -water power , 1 * the means -which wll
ultimately make cur dty the manufacturing
pride of thn Platte Valley In central No
braska. The work ojf completing the en
largement Is being prosecuted as rapidly a !
men and money can accomplish It , and If I
had proven a fallurtT this would not b'
done. "
It during this dryS season the requlslt
quantity of power coflld tie developed , Mr
Ilosewater contended"that It would be saff
to say that the canal i pnd | always do wha
was promised. TouclijnR.upon the subject o :
the cost of produclnnileam and other power
as quoted by CtirttacuC. Turner recently
Mr , Ilosewater provjto-'to- satisfaction o :
the audience , thai tlife'Ventlcman was mis-
taken. S&
Steam power In Omdha , Mr. Rogewate
showed , was cxpenstuQ-ivti the present time , I
costing the- street mllmiy and other largi
establishments fully BO nor cent more limn
the , proposed rate to biMiarged by tbe cana"
company At the pre.jffiiS time It was cot tin ;
flvo horse poT cr engljjp $135 per horse powe
per annum , -while tliouoharges provided b :
this proposition wouldbai$50 per horse powe
per annum , and sdi"ttn along through th
list. Mr , Turner had pasted the figures muc !
higher , but It was , apparent that ho bai
made his figures 'to in fe d the public.
TOWER iiAaES CHEAP.
Heading from BclcMtftj ? Journals upon th
subject of power , r.jjpsewater contended
that the highest Tatq. wblph the canal com
pany wouUl bo allouroi to charge would be
much lower than that at which power coui
be developed Iti the cnt > t and throughout th
coal regions , *
In California they were constructing
canal which would develop cheap power ,
making the cltlea through which It would
pass the greatest maufacturlng centers.
There the canal company proposed to charge
$60 per anum for a single horse power , while
hero the maximum rate wai to be but $55
per year to the consumer.
Last year , Mr. Hoiewater said , he opposed
the canal proposition. . At that tlmo there
was no agreement as to wont the rates
should be. In fact , at- that time the Inter
ests of the people were- not guarded. Since
that time the objectionable features of the
proposition had been eradicated , and now the
proper cafeeuardg had been thrown about
It for the Interests , of the public. The
cpeaker advocated municipal ownership of
thU. us well as all , cl her franchises of a
like nature. The proposition provided that
ha canel couM be purchased by tha city , the
company agreeing upon Iho plan.
Tlio Indebtedness ot the company was 11m-
tcJ to $2,000,600 , and , upon purchase- , the
' 1,000,000 to be- donated by tJi people would
c deducted , the public losing nothing but
he interest. Objections to tha proposition
it this time , Mr. Horcwater thought , came
.vlth bad grace , owing to the fad that the
; ubject was before the county commissioners
'
'or weeks , and at that tlmo nothing was
'aid ' detrimental to Iho cinal.
Outlines of tlio Elkhorn nnd Platte rivers
wore shown by the aid of a Btercoptlcon ,
| ihowlnR that there was a good flow of water
n both of the rivers.
The canal , Mr. Uosawator said. In Ills mind
was not In the Interest of any one
man or any set of men , It was a public
enterprise and would benefit any property
holder. If the enterprise- was cirrled out
U would benefll ) some moro than ethers , but
aven the man with a single house would be
benefited In proportion ,
In time , ns moro navigation ditches were
constructed , water would be absorbed , but
"
"rom 30 to 60 per cent would go back Into
ho soil feeding the streams , again. In the
ordinary way , but 10 per cent of the rainfall
flowed Into the streams. Urn balance going
'nto the soil. If the 20,000 horse power of
: ho two rivers were utilized In Omaha Uiero
would bo a bulldcd up a monument that
would last for all tlmo to come , Jf the com
pany flled for a certain number of cubic feet ,
no man could go above tha canal and cut
iff that supply , which fact made It Impossible )
.0 take away the water 'for ' Irrigating pur
poses , leaving the company without the
quantity which It clnlmetl. The canal Itself
would cost from 13.GOO.OOO to $3,000,000 , the
canal proper costing about $1.000.000 , with
the bnlanco ot transmission and electrical
appliances.
S oxjs ox * TIIR JI.VK AVIS.
As Boswell was Indisputably king of biog
raphers or Shakespenr of poets , so was
tembrandt of etchers. Etching , although
considered co-ordlnato with painting by
some of the greatest masters , had fallen
nto decay and decrepitude until the present
generation of genuine artists In France ,
England and the United States revived It.
These works of the necdto are Increasing
greatly In value and the success of the etch
ing appears , ln _ many Instances , to be due
more to the artistic quality ot the work
ather than to the pleasing character of
ho subject , which prove * that the taste
lor tlila delightful department of art Is
growing | n cultivation and ita position In art
's already assured ,
It was less than two years ago that the
art world lost one of Its best artists of the
needle In the denth ot Charles Emit Jaque.
His Important canvases are , for the greater
part , owned In Chicago , and although a
painter of unquestionable- talent , lie Is better
known to the world as as nn etcher , and he
tva& one of the first to contribute to the
revival of the art In France. His earlier
works in this line are known tobe some
what affected and effeminate , but later when
depicting subjects that he had a strong
affection for , his work became more robust.
It was the privilege ol the writer to know
the man and artist and to > visit at Intervals
his atelier at Paris and also the little
flower-bedecked studio nt Barblzan , where
he oiten sought rest and quiet after a labor
ious winter in the busy French capital. lie
waa a man of highly nervous and sensitive
temperament and had not been In vigorous
health for many years before his death.
Ho would sit for some time by the open
grate- fire shivering , wrapped up In such a
way that only hla nose and a bit ot his
mustache remained visible. When he be
en s Interested In conversation he would
w. i up , throw aside his wraps and sug-
a long walk In the forest. At Barbi-
ho shotted me his portfolio filled with
ninny of his youthful attempts at engraving
and etching , from Itu very Infancy down to
Its later day completeness ,
Jaque's early Ideas of affected elegance In
rustic scenes soon gave way to homelier sub
jects. Many woodcuts In his studio at Paris
bear wl.ness to the change of manner even
before Millet had produced his first real
peasants. The Influence of these two great
artistson each other was very strong , and
Jaquo Man > dlfecoverod In 'rural ' life the
strength and plcturesqueness of the peasant
in the Held whfcli , hla etchings show us. He
loved to watch the cattle grazing and study
their movements , and I hav seen him talkIng -
Ing with the shepherds and at the some
moment fixing his eye- Intently upon a drove
oC sheep hard by. Cattle and sheep were
sympathetic subjects to him. and In his
etchings we can trace- his Intense devotion
to the rural life ; around him. His life woe
spent In France and a large number of the
plates he showed me wcro executed from
sketches made Irt Burgundy the etcher's
paradise.
In looking at some of Percy Moron's
work I am forcibly reminded of Jaque
There Is a striking similarity ot treatment
and when I make- this bold assertion I do
not feel that I am taking from the French
artist any of the laurels which the world o
art grants him , but rather provo his wortl ;
by comparing another honored name with
his. I'ercy Moran'a etchings display the
same delicate effect , the same soft shadows
and the same happy story of rustic life
Ho shows us people and things as they are In
nature. His shepherds ure real shepherds
and his cows and shei" ) exist for us- out
side of the copper plate. The attitude
and movement of hla anlmalt. are novel
strained , but free and natural , Ho repre
sents the shepherd's dog- grown old In faith
ful servitude In tha most touching manner.
For background he employs a bit of country
landscape , a farm house with thatched roof ,
a winding road nnd stream quiet , harmonl
ous. restful. Ills subjects appear familiar t <
us. we seem to know the spot , and even tin
shaggy shepherd dog looks at us appeallngly
as If we. too , were not strangers.
The "peasant painter , " as Millet -was affec
tlonately termed , has taught u to recognizi
his gleaners , but none have told us mor <
truthfully of sheep In search of grass or cat
tie grazing than Percy Muran , Hla twi
pieces , "Cattle" and "Sheep , " In the prescn
collection of art now on exhibition. In the
library building are loaned by Mr. Charles A
Coe , who also owns "May and December , " by
S. J. Ferris , another etcher who lias achieved
well merited recognition and whose artlstl
work will bear comparison with much ot the
famous work of Jaque. His plate Is neve
overloaded with unnecessary and unexpresslv
lines , every detail Is distinct and delicate
and there Is a-crlsp quality of tano which I
very satisfactory. He chooses his subjects
with care , and In the one before us there I :
such a halo of sunshine above and around 1
that we long to catch the brlgntnesa of thos ,
laughing eyes and tell her how aweet wi
think her. What could be more charming
than the look of perfect Joy and trust < Je
plcted on the smiling countenance ot th
young girl as she nestles up close to he
grandfather and leans her pretty head agalns
the old man's wrinkled face ! It la a gllmps
ot lender sentiment , a blending of the twi
extremes of life * old ago and youth. It Is a
picture which calls forth one's best emotion
of the heart.
Mrs. Edward A. Ciidahy contributes "Har
vest Home , " by Leopold Lowenstaln , a stroni
etching after the well known painting b ;
Alma Tadema. A party of worKers In th
( told have coma to otter their libations o
wlno and other products at the altar upon
which the Incense is burning , At Its basi
are Jugs and Jars filled with the offering
made tor a successful harvest. The Intcres'
at once centers upon .the dancing figure o
the woman In the foreground. A mlnstre
crowned with laurel leaves la piping a Joyou
arja , while near , him are other musicians anc
workers who are -watching the graceful danc-
n5 ; of the woman before them. The back
ground Is filled In with sheaves ot gelds ;
wheat ,
"A Warm Day , " by Ferdinand Chaugneaux
shows us a delightful example ot theFrenc'
School of etching. This picture received turn
orable mention at tbe > Parl * Salon In 1S92 an
embodies In Its treatment the same methods
jniployeil by the present day etcher to ob
tain soft effects and delicacy of tone. We
ies a long stretch of level ground , a few
sheep nibbling at dry blades of grass , the
weary shepherd drinking Irom a gourd , and
i tired dog resting by his side , This Is all
tere U In the picture , yet one can feel the
t , oppressive atmosphere oC a ml try tum-
m r day. The ground Is parched and dry , the
heat 1 * clearly to be > felt and the mbtleness
of Its Influence permeate * the picture , which
U loaned by Mrs. George D. Lake.
1 t El that I cannot close this hurried re
view of etchings without mentioning the very
excellent pen and Ink drawings dona by Mr.
Mark 0 , Pollock , wboio several iketctics show
more than ordinary talent In thli branch of
art. Among the clever sketches which be
contributes are three which arc eioeclally
We Are Not
Interested in selling coal , but when yon
call upon us with the idea of buying a
stove , we are interested in showing you
a stove that will do its work with a
peck of coal where other stoves eat up
bushels of it. There is a big saving
for you if you buy the
Figure it out like this. You pay $5
more for the Radiant Home and it
saves you at least a ton of coal the first
winter that's about $10,00 and you
have the same amount saved each win
ter afterwards. We have customers
who the Radiant Home
use that tell us
they have saved enough coal in two
winters to pay 'or their stove.
Milton Rogars & Sons ,
Sole Agents.
14thand Farnam Sis.
strong "Portrait of Kalrlnn , " "Lady nt the
Opera" and 'Head of I'hlllp II , " from a portrait
trait by Velasciues. The fln.1 of these shown
,13 a bow Itching1 little Dutch face screened
In a big , sharp pointed Dutch bonnet tied un
der tha chin -with wide , flaring bow , her face
9 strong and one can Imagine what a quaint
lltlo lady she must bo In the flesh , for the
catalogue tells us the portrait Is from life.
The second and perhaps the cleverest subject
In Ills collection Is "Lady at the Opera. " A
beautiful woman In fashionable toilet of the
day , with high Spanish comb , rests her Ian
against a well molded face In a bov at the
opera. Every detail of the head nnd arm.
every little mystery of the dress Is mastered
with minute fidelity and there Is a brilliant
boldness In the lines which gives the sketch
vigorous tone. "Head of Philip II. " shows
us the strong face of that monarch In velvet
cap and wide rolling collar. Here also the
young artist distinctly emphasizes hla ability
for portrait work , be Is quick at catching
the expression of the face , as witnessed In his
clover portrait of Victor Hugo. The distin
guished French writer Is seated with folded
arms and wears that modest , kindly look
which was always present with him. The
drawing Is made after the last photograph
taken , at an advanced age , and the- young
artist has caught the true spirit ot It and
given us the author of "Les Mlserables" pre
cisely as he appeared tha year before his
death. But I would warn the amateur ,
whether ho be working In what Is known as
dry point , or pen and ink , not to overload
his plate or paper with unnecessary lines.
No line not absolutely necessary should ever
be drawn. KI3TTIB W. COLLINS.
KKSU1.T Of SKIIRASH.A PttAlRtR flllf.
I'ormUilun Olvm to 1'anturo Some Cnttlo
nn thn Indluii ICovcrvntlon.
WASHINGTON , Oct. 27. ( Special Tele
gram. ) The first official action as the result
of the fierce prairie fires now raging In Ne
braska was taken today , when the Indian
office telegraped to the Indian agent at Pine
Ridge Agency , S. D. . Instructing him to per
mit Dartlett Richards of Chadrnn , Neb. , to
pasture his cattle on the reservation. This
action on the part ot the Indian office was
In response to a telegram received from
Richards , who has the contract of furnlshli's
4,500 head ot cattle to the Pine Rldgo Agency ,
stating that bis property Is In imminent
danger of belns destroyed by the fire , and
asking permission to herd his cattle on the
reservation.
Commissioner of Indian Affairs Drowning
said that the contract did not contain such
stipulations , and that it was not tha usual
custom to grant such permission to con
tractors , but that favorable action had been
taUen In this case In view ot Uio extent of
the fire. The permission granted will extend -
tend for two or three months , Commissioner
Browning also stated that he did not con
template any further trouble or Inconveni
ence as a result of the Nebraska fires.
The following Nebraska postmasters were
appointed today ; May-wood , Frontier county ,
W. M. Stewart , vice D , S. Freeland , resigned :
Plckrell , Gage county , C. K. Pethoud , vice
J. W. Moore , removed.
Iowa postmasters have been appointed as
follows : Angus , Boone county , Bessie Com
mon , vice , Enoch Lewis , resigned ; Franklin
Station. Lee county. Charles Lederer , vice
O , F. Lederer , dead ; Lolghton , Mahaska
county , T. B. Kltchlng- , vice A. P. Barnes ,
resigned.
Postmasters were commissioned to day as
follows : Frank C. Thorpe , Wauneta , Neb. ;
John J. Llddy , Llttleport , la. .
NKU TRBAHUKY RKUUI.A.TION8.
Kutlrely Mew Arrangncuent for Itcturn * on
1'ftper Currency.
WASHINGTON. Oct. 27. United States
Treasurer Morgan today gave out for publi
cation , a circular Just Issued by him , ot upc-
clal interest to banks , on the subject of
the Issue nnd redemption ot currency. Only
In a few Instances have any changes been
made In the circular of June 4 , 1S33. Among
the Important changes , however , Is the In
creased rate allowed the- United ElateKx -
press company under a new contract for the
transportation of moneys and securities of
the United States. The rate between Wash
ington and points reached by the express
company Is Increased from 15 cents per fl.OOO
or fractional part thereof over 1600 to 29
cents. In sums of (500 or less the rat.cf
10 cents remains. Between Washington n-ij
points In the territory of another company
excepting points In Texas , Arkansas , Colorado
rado , Kansas , Nebraska , Montana , North DA
kotu. South Dakota , Wyoming , Oklahoma and
the Indian Territory , tha rates are Increased
from CO cents and 30 cents to 60 cents , and
40 cents. To all other points the charges
remain the same. Another change made la
that only In cases where the express charges
on remittances have been prepaid will the
treasurer Issue transfer checks on the as
sistant treasurer payable to the order of the
sender or his correspondent.
Under the head "returns for paper cur
rency" an entirely new regulation Is made
s follows : For remittances received under
the government contract : For remittances
from a place where there It no sub-treas
ury , returns will be made In new United
States paper currency by expreau at
the expense ot the consignee at
government contract rate. or In
fractional silver coin at the expense of tb.
government for transportation ia rums or
multiples of ? :00. For remittances from a
place where there IB a subtreasury , returns
will ba made , In new United State * paptr
currency by express at the expense of con-
nlgne al government contract rates , or
subject to the convenience ot the Ireanury
In tha treasurer's transfer checks on the tub-
treasury on the place Irom whence the re
mittance came. No exchange tor remittance-
of currency to the trasurcr for redemption
under the government contract -will lie
furnished. ltlitr by truniler checks or thlp-
AMUSE.M liSNTS.
. and WED.
Oc ,
WHIM COLLIER ,
IN TIIK Ni\V COMP.UY
Ily H.lunnl 11. Kldiler niithor of "Peaceful Val
Iff- , " "A 1'oor Helnllon , " etc.
' A Muck Number" Uu ulnry ul human la-
ton-lit Illliul with murrr iii iu nti > .
"Under Mtwa-rnmrnt of W 0.8i TH.
Max Sheets open Monday at tlic usual prices.
rr > ll ICciarv , n .S it4 lie f , ( ) I'omn rnrlu
Ne t Attraction "Friends , " Nov. , t 1 nnd <
< sFRiSATSUN ! ;
_ Nov. 2-3-4.
Muttiioo Sntdrc/fij' ,
GCHIi to DT2a tlmrs of
THE SUCCESSFUL COM BUY DRAMA ,
FRIENDS
JL JL1JL JLJ Al JLJ kJ
Hy EDWIN MILTON Hpl'LE.
Minacemont'of ART UR 0. AI tTON.
Interpreted by the name cxcellrnl company.
The Bnle of scuts will open Thursday- ' morning
at .
usual price *
16 Ne and t 17. Attraction "Tlic County Fair , " Nov. U ,
Oiiuiia Ethiopian
BOYD'S NEW THEATER ,
MONDAY EVENING , OCT. 29.
TiCKETS-GOo nnd 7oc.
15THST. THEBtRE I " "
TELEI'HOUK 1331 ,
4 NIGHTS , ? ! tll
The Funniest Thlnir that Eturllnpponocli
-11-44.
A tAKCi : C'OAIKDV NOVELTY.
MatlncoVe < lnc chiy. Mutlnoo Wednesday
LADIES : For this week only you
may join iMoi-iiiid's Dancing School
ut tlio reduced price of $5 for twelve
lessons. The Waltz and latest
dunces tnttglit every Tuesday nnd
Thursday ut 8 p. in.
\Vh- not iielpct name nt your holiday HlfU now
Our line ot Ladlca 'Deck * la luperb. and tin
October prlcca are the Jnccn tlvo to purcliaso now.
Shiverick's October Sale.
monta of currency. The new circular wll |
g3 Into effect November 1 next ,
Nn N ir CIIIOD uf biuttllpoE i'eaterriit ? .
WASHINGTON. Oct. 27. There ore ns
now cases of smallpox In Washington today
anil the authorities think that the worst U
over. It wilt be several days before the
casw caught from those who recently have
been affected will develop , and It will not
be until next week that the authorities will
Know how severe an outbreak to expect ,
Mcannullo vaccination lia * been almost uni
versal.
lOH'A UVllDKUBH C.tl'TOJIKD.
AllegiHl SUyer of 3lliiourl V tloj'i Ciller of
I'ollr * lo Uuttodr.
KBAHNBY , Nob. , Oct. 27. ( Special Tee. |
gram. ) This mornlnR while Dotcctlvo "VU-
zard of Omaha was In tonn ho thawed Olllcor
Overrnler the photograph ot the fallow who
murdered the chief of police ot Mlieourl Val
ley about R year ( go. The olllcer at onca
foognlied the picture ai being tint of a f l *
low who lias been around hero for come time ,
anil In a tf minutes had lilni locked up.
He has BgrccJ to go to Iowa without requtil-
tloti papers , and the sheriff la expected her a
tonight to take him back homo. There ha *
been a nlandlnc regard of f&OO by the gqv
ernoi of town fcr the capture at the mur
derer , a lid Olllcer Ovennltr nil ! claim It ,