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About Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922 | View Entire Issue (July 21, 1895)
THE OMAHA DAILY J1KI5 : SUNDAY , JULY 21 , 1805. 13 THE WORKMEN OF BRITAIN Stirred to Uncommon Activity by the Struggle of Parties. POLITICIANS DISPENSE PROMISES LAVISHLY Ktecltirnl D'umlrnntnicru at the Workeri Horloiuly Hdt-llevlaiv of tlin Itrltlilt lCI ctlon , llorr Mnnncril nnil tlia Kflrlellon on Kipenilltiirt * . ( Hjit-clnl Girrofpsmlfnce of The Il-e. ) LONOON , July C. My visit to England , to take up anew the ever Interesting study ot Jicr working class life , has Inppened to occur nt a most fortunate point of time No blare of trumpets had anrounced It , Neither her maj jty's late government nor the powers In opposition could have known ot It , excepting by a transatlantic thought cable. Yet both nc'cd precisely an I cruld have wished them ID do , the papers which came aboard at Quccnstown rcnvcylng the Intelligence that there had been a grand upset of the powers that were , und subsequent events making It possible for mo to take rny first observations of the British workman just as he h rolling up his alcoves for a tussle with the ballot box It was my happy fortune to bo here at the election three years ago. One thing In these Krctt struggles Is a pcrrcnlal surprise It Ls BO different from the usual English way that one Is puzzled to understand U. The English man docs almost everything with exasperat ing slowness. He starts late In the morning and never seems to tare about catching up. Business Is conducted as though It were a pastime. Klcctrlcty as a means of transit has no charms for him ; he Is tlll quite con tent apparently with the Jogging 'bus and slowgolng tram , and the slowest coach of all h that parliamentary process by which after endless talk and the full use of every means for obstruction , ho manages once In a \vhllo to get himself landed at some goal of advanced legislation. The average English man glories In lib slowness. It contrasts with our style of life , It Is a mark of su periority , the repose which springs from mel lowness and conscious ability. So ho thinks nt least. But when an election Impends , wheelbarrow methods glvo place In this tight little Island to the spurt and plunge ot the lilcycle. Now , everybody Is In a hurry , and events hasten at such a rate tint they tread upon each other's heels. I write while the old Parliament still sits ; probably by the time my letter appears most of the voting will have been done by which a now Parlia ment Is to be called Into life. This rapid transit Is accomplished In this way. For every vacant seat a writ Is Issued. These are all mailed on the evening of dissolution. To facilitate their delivery at the points to which they nre sent postofilccs throughout 'tho country are kept open after liours It la the queen's business and It requires haste. Then , the writs delivered , the further process , as the law declares It , Is tint In boroughs , where the population Is compact , the nominations must occur not later than the day following , and the elec tion not later than four tull tlays after that ! For counties , which usually embrace the out lying villages nnd hamlets , a little more grace Is allowed ; In other words , two days may elapse before the nomination and nine I ? days between nominations and elections V Imagine , therefore , what an election means to these slow going folks. Manifestos , elec tion appeals , speeches , canvasses , campaign lies , their dentals , and finally the ballots , all tlicie sweep over the kingdom with the fury of a western tornado. Imagine , also , the whirl of the working man's brain dur ing this storm , how little of clear thinking lie can do , how likely ho Is to be hood winked by fair promises and stampeded bye o false cry Into the wrong political pen. Superficially the British workman Is mister of tlia situation nt this time. The pro- crams of all parties and of every group enthusiastically accord him the place of lionor The liberals are promising even more than was embraced In tholr platform of three years ago , nnd the fusion of conservatives nnd unionists seems to sum up everything In Ills Interest , and to keep back nothing , by promising "to do all that Is humanly possible to remove the causes of Insufficient employ ment nnd pauperism , and to promote In every way his material prosperity , comfort , and freedom. " I spoke of campaign lies. Well , they have such a product here , and the nail ing process has begun all In the Intelest ot tha working men. Lord Salisbury is charged with saying to a deputation of miners tint "No matter what time the miners worked , it was their duty to uphold the aristocracy ol the country , " nnd his lordship conies out Hat-footed to declare that ho said no such tiling. Sir William Harcourt Is hauled over the coals for having expressed himself In favor of low wages , and the reply comes , "It Is untrue. " Thus , all sails are trimmed in this electoral storm for tha breezes of the Jactory and the mine. The working man has more friends Just now that he knows what to do with. Superficially he Is master of the situation. If platforms , promises , and pro fessions were taken at their face value. It would seem as though ho had only to cist a discriminating vote and bo forever afterward happy and prosperous , But there Is a reverse side to this picture , Hie approaches the billet box greatly handi capped. His vote will count no more this year than It did when he last deposited It and this means that It still counts for less /than / that of his social superiors. Many ol < thcsa have two votes. It Is still true Ir [ England that a man can vote In every con- etltuency In which ho holds property. He may not do It , because It may be Impossible for him to spread his physical presence Ir po short a time over such widely separated localities , But the election laws help him out to some extent by the fact that they have not yet been so changed as to require that nil candidates shall be voted for on the same day. Another disability ot the British work man Is that being only a poor renter he changes his place ot residence oftcner than { Ills better-to do neighbors. In John Burns' ' district , out of a total registration of 12,000 , there have been 3,000 removals In three years This means that andcr existing reg istration laws many of these will lose thoii .votes . , as also will many of those who have moved In during that time These dlsad , vantages the late government had pledged It Belt to remedy , at least , measurably , befori another election came off. But the "One man ono voto" cry still awaits enactmeni into law. So does the "One day , one dec tlon" promise , and there are still great In equalities In the making up ot voting lists. ' Still , likewise , are large numbers debarrei from the franchise by pauperism No mar can vote at either a parliamentary or loca election If during the year preceding he has drawn from the parish the slightest relief even though It was no more than a bushel cf coal or a loat or two of bread. In s country where so many have to be helped this excludes vest numbers from the polls The workmen loudly protest , and the cvl rwlll no doubt be abolished In the course ol time , but so far the only step In this direc tion U that Just taken by a special parlia mentary committee. By a major Ity of one , the chairman turnln ; the scale , It was voted to recommeru to thft new House that the poor laws be , changed so as to make It possible for de < ' ) ' serving workmen to be helped In time ol need without losing their votes as the penalty It Is commonly held that the payment ol salaries to members of Parliament would con tribute to the electoral enfranchisement o the working classes In this country , but thli Is another reform which lags , and , In fact the workingman , so far as his electora prl > lieges are concerned. Is not a whit hettei off today , In spite of the prominent place he lias occupied , and the many friends who havt crowded about him , than when he came Inti Jiowrr three years ago upon the shoulders o Mr. Gladstone In some other respects he li far better oft , but I am treating now ilmplj Df his relation to the electorate. Tin economic and social aspects of his slluatlor VIII be considered later. Hut English reforms , though they are slovi In coming , do materialize In the process oi Sears. To be hopeful for the future o'ia onlj needs to recall the past Formerly It vv > s thi exception for the workman to have a vote how li Is exceptional for him not to vote in place of a franchise which excluded vasi multitudes for no reason apparently othei than that they happened to live In agricul tural districts , and which only * fivr Lj I , mi ftiflii Ml- * isfore had nlso excluded great masses of rtlsans simply because they did not pay ent to a certain amount -In place of such a ranchlsa an this , that which Is now In pcratlon confers the right to vote upon one > rson In about every six of the entire popu- atlon , No freeholder Is without this rljtht , lor Is scarcely any occupier of what In truth or by courtesy may bo termed a dwelling ; while , upon certain conditions , which ought o be madeeasier , the lodger and the servant nay find their way to the polls. This , to be sure , Is not manhood suffrage , but It Is a great change from the conditions of uouio ears ago nnd It suggests hopefully how very mien of progress the near future may bring. ' It Is estimated that nut ot every four adult males In the United Kingdom three at present - ent arc parliamentary electors. The fourth , t he Isn't a lunatic or a convict , Is , of course , a working man , and the great polltl- : al question of the future must be how to irlng In this lost sheep and get him with the ninety and nine on the register. An other question Is how to get those who are eglstcrcd to materialize at the ballot box The stay-at-home vote among the working classes Is very large , owing , no doubt , In come ncasuro to the conditions attending their employment. In all there were 1,500.000 of nljsentlona three years ago , making the total r'oto for a full Parliament anil for the entire ( Ingdom something less actually than 5,000,000. U Is surely to the Interest of the work- ngmcn of England that the franchise Is so well safeguarded against corruption. For- ncrly In English elections money flowed Ike water , while that which Is stronger and nore dangerous than water ran Into the 'ionics ' of the people and down Insatiable English throits with the force and volume of a mountain freshet. This Is all changed More stringent laws could scarcely bo de vised. Things had been so bad that half meisures would have been futile , and It really looks as though English politicians , 'rom ' the way In \ > hlcb they have tied their lands In this matter , had lost all self-re straint nnd could only trust themselves alone when , so to speak , they had a policeman at their heels. Fancy a law which limits a : andldate In the money he may spend. This , however , Is precisely what the English law Iocs , and It carefully prescribes also for what purposes thl. amount may be paid out. If the constituency be a borough , contain ing not more than 2,000 voters , the candl- ilatc may spend upon It , exclusive of his per sonal expenses and the fees of the returning officer , not more than $ 1.750 , and an amount not exceeding ? 1SO for every additional thou sand. In counties , owing to the greater distances to bo covered , It Is ? 2,500 for the first 2,000 votes and J200 for every 1,000 lieyond. The legitimate expenses ot an elec tion arp dcfltifd by the English law as fol lows. Personal expenses of a candidate , charge of returning officer , salaries of ono election agent and one subagent for each polling plaro , salaries of one polling agent , one clerk and one messenger for each polling place , expenses of public meetings , cost of stationery , printing , advertising , postage and hiring of committee rooms. In boroughs the candUnte Is allowed ono committee room for every 500 voters , and In counties a central room , and one In addition for each polling place. Thus , committee rooms are supposed to be centers of temptation , which must be restricted as fcr as possible. In striking and happy contrast with how It used to be. It Is further ordained that none of thrse com mittee rooms shall be In saloons or In places ot refreshment of any kind. This Is a safe guard against the treating ot possible sup porters also , perhaps , ns things go In this somewhat bibulous land , a necessary pre caution against ovei Indulgence byealous political healers. The election agent cuts quite n flgura In English elections. This functionary receives from the candidate the money necessary for legitimate expenses , and then as occasion requires disburses this sum He Is nt once an agent of the candidate and nn officer of the government , tha latter holding him strictly responsible. Ths election over h& must make a return of his receipts and ex penditures , swearing to the same before a justice of the peace , the candidate likewise making an affidavit to its correctness , and this return , besides being published In two newspapers. Is held by the returning ofilcor , subject to public Inspection , for not jess than two years. The day of judgment lasts a long time In England. Comparatively few In these days are the Infractions of these strlngtnt laws , and v.lien ono recalls the penalties attached , together with the sure procesn of English courts of justice , this Is not surprising A candidate who Is found guilty of bribery , or even an attempt to brlbof treating , or even offerIng - Ing to treat , can never sit In Paillament for tha place where the offense occurred , nor until seven yeurs after , for any other place , and In addition hs Is liable to a year's Im prisonment , not to speak of so small a matter as the loss of his vote for seven > cars. An election agent guilty of a similar offense Is also liable , with other disabilities , to a year's Imprisonment. Moreover , a candidate who commits bribery or uses undue Influence through his representatives Is just as re sponsible as though he had acted personally Fancy , too , having a fine of $ MO over ona's head If caught at the scunlngly Innocent business of hiring a conveyance to carry voters to the polls , or paying money for such things as music and flags , or hiring electors to display posters on their premises Such , however. Is the law In England , and It Is under the protecting mantle of this law that the English workman will begin next week to fight out at the polls his new battle for a decant living , for political equal ity , and for the reasonable pursuit of happi ness. HENRY TUCKLEY. A > oiv Don ! nnil a ISlR Ono la the Ammu nition I'niilc. The King Powder company , by far the largest nnd wealthiest powder company In the west , and Mr. Milt F. Llndsley , well known throughout America as the Inventor and late manufacturer of the American Wood powder , have recently closed a contract which will have a very decided Influence upon the sporting powder trade generally. The King Powder company have been experimenting and seeking for a safe , uniform practical every day smokeless powder , a powder that would not generate offensive or poisonous gases that would not bo affected by age or climate , that could bo loaded with equal safety and elficlency by a boy or an expert , In short , a powder with all the good quali ties of the best black powder and the best nltro powders and with none ot their de fects. A search extending through America to England and Germany failed to reveal anything better than our old friend "wood powder , " and they therefore got Into com munication 'with ' Mr , J.Imlsley with the above named results. Mr. Llndsley has achieved a most enviable reputation as a nltro powder maker , and , as Is well known , his wood powder has been winning the first places In all the large tournaments for years , and today Is used by the best known trap shooters In the world. Mr Llndsley will be given every fa cility for manufacturing his powder that his long experience suggests and the new powder plant will be built In accordance with hla specifications and upon the broad , liberal basts that marks the work of the King Pow der company. Processes which have here tofore been performed by hand will now be done with scientific precision by electric power and materials which have heretofore been bought and manipulated In small lots will now bo hindlel In ton and car load quan tities. Mr. Llndsley says "If the old wood powdejr can come out ahead of everj thing In all the big shooting tournaments the new "King's Smokeless" will bo perfectly Irre sistible. " It Is expected that the now "King's Smokeless" powder will be ready for the market In time for the late summer and early fall shooting. , ricnupil tilt * t nurt. Three alleged vagrants were arrested In Pendleton , Ore. , recently and locked up over night. Next day they pleaded before the recorder that they were not tramps , but acrobats on their way to fill an engagement In a neighboring town , and they were sav ing money by walking Instead ct traveling by rail. Their appearance was against theli plea , but the judge said they might prove their case by doing tome tumbling In court It they cared to. The- tables and chairs vvero cleared away and the alleged vagrant ; gave a very clever acrobatic exhibition on the floor of the court room. The judge forgot hla dignity and the court cfllcera the circum stances of the tumblers being there , and all cpplauded vigorously , and his honor was sc much pleased with the show that ho held circus In court for an hour , and then re leased the men and cJilpped In to a sub scription for thtlr benefit. AT NEBRASKA'S ' WHITE CUT Work at the Etato Fair Grounds Befog Bapidly Pushed Forward. MAGNIFICENCE AND SPLENDOR COMBINID What W Iteccntly a I'lctil of WriTlng ( iritM nnil Oriilu Mow a City of Stately Mruclurot Uctnlla of UultilliiRi In tourso of C'onstruitlon. It Is beginning to dawn upon the com munity that tljere la no use In wasting force In petty differences and Jealousies when force can be much better employed In Increasing business and making better times , not only for Omaha , but for the whole state , so that the state fair , with Its attendant Feast of Momlamln , Judging from the way people are talking , Is likely to prove the open sesame to the glories of thrift , progress anil prosperity once more. All the natural In- lluences combine happily In this direction. That the hard times are on the wane the most pessimistic cannot dispute , or If so pre sumptuous , a trip through the rural regions of the state will effectively dispel any leaven of doubt or gloom. Mondamln reigns. . Ne braska today Is little more than a world of corn. On every side the broad fields stretch away like oceans of emerald , up from which wells an Increasing melody of swaying stalk and waving blade , and this Is u song of hope and encouragement that the perennial winds carry to all parts of the land. With the sights and sounds of rural hillside and valley , the low of fattening klne , the tinkle of sheep bells , the rustle of yellowing wheat and the drone of clcadae , makes a panorama of plcturesqueness and grandeur that neither brush nor pencil can describe. This Is what gladdens the eye and quickens the pulse , not only of the plodding , Industrious farmer , but the restless business man of the city ; In fact the whole working world. Good crops make good times. Could there be better crops than those In promise , and Isn't the golifen lustre of returning prosperity already discernible In the glint of the corn's tassel' Could there bo a more auspicious tlmo for the feast of that mythical god , Mondamln , for the Inauguration of a rollicking autumnal carnival In the way of the state fair ? Surely the era of revelry Is almost here The per fume of flowers and the throb of music Is In the air. WILL EXCEL EACH AND ALL. The coming fair and feast should indeed bo made a notabls occasion for Omaha and Nebraska , as It unquestionably will be. The plans arc rapidly maturing that will surely render this a carnival that will take Us placa In the front rank of the splendid group of holiday affairs for which our fair Hnd Is famous. The Mardl Gras of the Crescent City , the Veiled Prophets In St Louis , and the gloiious fiestas of color , flow ers and music on occidental shores , will unfurl their banners with Omaha's Feast of King Corn and the state fair. All the good people of the stats are Invited to come and loin In the festivities , and general rejoicing , and they will be here by the thousands nnU the tens of thousands , and when they depart - part it111 be to spread the glory of their metropolis. With her beautiful new grounds , Omaha will be most royally equipped for her in augural fair. On Tuesday morning the boaid of mana gers EH llarnes , H. W. Pumas , John 11. Dlnsmore , Milton Doollttle. K. S Vance , S. C llassett and Mark Dunham , accompanied by a representative of Tha Use , visited the grounds and took a thorough look o\er ths same and through the buildings , and to siy that they were delighted would bi expressing It mildly , indeed. Every member was en thusiastic over the progress being made , and each one was lavish In his predictions of th preat success that already seems assured The work In all departments is so far ad vanced , so well under way , that there Isn't the slightest doubt tut that everything will be In absolutely perfect shape weeks before the advent of the great event. Supetin- tendent Overbook Is making the bsst of every moment's time. He now has n force of 200 men sawing , hammering and hustling away on his embrjotlc castles , and the scene Is an exhilarating one Where one month ago was naught but rolling meadow and pasture land , now stands a little city , wrought as in a single flay , seemingly , as by the wand of a gHnt magi cian. Hugo buildings , ornamental , Imposing and substantial , dot the elevated plateau on every hand , and still the hum of Industry goes on. The grounds were certainly well selected , situated as they are In the midst of as lovely a country as lies out of doors , with the majority of the buildings forming an Immense court on the brow of a broad ele'vatlon that commands a blrdseje view of the whole environing region. To the north Is a grand sweep of rolling meadow land , just now a veritable kaleidoscope of gay colored summer ( lowers , to the east fields of waving corn that continue on up to the city's outskirts , with an occasional bunch of timber , alone greet the eye. while away to the south opens up the widening valley of the Little Papplo , whose silvery sinuosities can be seen here and there glistening from out the universal green , or flashing athwart yellowing fields of grain ; to the west are graceful , grassy hills , rolling In their fullest verdure , and making an entrancing back ground to a charming picture NEBRASKA'S WH1TG CITY. So far as convenient and pleasing location Is concerned , or the architectural beauty and number of buildings , the perfection of Its race course , breezy amphitheater , elevated prom enades and devices for pleasure and comfort of visitors , there are no state fair grounds In the whole west that will come anywhere within hailing distance of Omaha's There will ba twenty buildings In all , arranged BO as to form a broad court , which Is to bo elaborately beau tified , a variety of flowers , with foun tains , aquariums , grass plots and shaded walks. All of the buildings will be painted whlto after the fashion of the WorU's fair , and again will a mlnaturo Whlto City have sprung In creation. The Agricultural building will be the main building this year , ns It has been determined to take no steps toward the construction ol the Administration building , which is to be a magnificent affair , until next year. The Agricultural building faces the court on the south , and Is really an imposing structure , \vlth Its huge glided domes , heavy pillars and ornate facade. Its dimensions are 100x200 Following In order Is Horticultural hall , a handsome building. 60x100 , the Pahco ol Fine Arts -12x80 ; Uees and Honey bul'dlnf , , 4SxCO. Poultry palace ; 52x100 ; Textile Fabrics , 40x100 ; Headquarters , 30x72 ; Manufactures hall. 80\160 , Power hall and Machinery buildIng - Ing , 3Jxl50. Dairy , 00x70 ; Fish buiUIng , 2Sx ISO ; the Police building. 30x40 ; Telephone , Telegraph and Express building , 16x30 ; Floral hall , 32x72 , and several lesjer structures. Then there are four large hcg barns , 2Gx 90 , with thirteen show bins , Judges' stand mid amphitheater ; six cattle barns , 32x100 , with cattle ring , Judges' stand and amphi theater ; two sheep barns , 20x101 , and a feed barn 20x40. The race track , the obstruction and prep aration of which has been surrendered wholly to Superintendent George Swlgert. will un questionably prove one of the very bcsl course in the country. There was mud adverse criticism on this score , but Mr , Swlgert Is rapidly demonstrating that there was no good foundation for any unfavorable comment. It Is a regulation mile track and as level as a billiard table. Every foot of the way Is under the eye of every occupant ol the grand stand , which has been located wltr rare discrimination on the gradual slope nortl of the track. GETTING INTO THE GROUNDS. The amphitheater Is 52 feet by 400 and Is P well balanced structure , with promenade platforms In both front and rear. A double picket fence will enclose the course and In front of the grandstand and along the home stretch will be an ornamental Iron fence foi the protection of spectators. A paddock fifty feet hi wld.h and 400 feet In length extends - tends along the entire front of the grand stand. On the south aide are live twenty- stall stables , furnished with all the modern appliances and Improvements known to the racing realm , and everything In anil aboul the- course bespeaki of the care and Intelli gence that are being exercised In getting U Ir shape for the autumn dedication. Several miles of tiling underlie the course , and the best possible draining facilities are assured , Reverting to the fa ) ; again , the board of nanngcrs located the Alfalfa palace TUBS- lay adjacent to the hUMfa farm , which 'em- ' iraces four acres am ) Allocated In the north west corner of the cuuinds It also made some small and Immaterial changes In the site of a number of the entrances and exits. The street railway trackU.wlll traverse cither Center or Ltiwenwottti ) street , but as yet .his has not been determined. The company s only wnltng for fmVisettlement of tome right-of-way prlvllejoi- when It will put down the tracks. j'Hyj entrances for the street railway service will be on the east side1 , while the rallrdadVlll come In on the southern and west llflo , The Elkhorn ls already engaged In , lading sidetracks and putting In switches at the grounds. The U. & M. will come In > ttom Seymour station and will build Its own JIne , the distance of hree-quar ers cf a mile. .Irect to the grounds. On the i orth ElmvvoOd park entrance Is .ocated , nnd there will tw entrance. ? on cither side of the nark. At , Jhe , southwest corner s the gateway for the speed stables. There are five of these , 40x100. There Is another gate On the south at about the center of the track. A bridge Is being built across the Papplo on the west for the railroads , which will miter between the hog and cattle barns , with strong wire fences enclosing the same as a measure of safety. A panel wire fence seven feet high Is being built about the grounds and will be completed by the last of Lhls month. Tire extinguishers hnve been put In all of the building ? , nnJ every pre caution taken to Insure tnclr preservation. The grounds at present are being policed by the contractors , but the. regular force will be In operation during the fair Superinten dent Overbeek savs that some of the build Ings will be completed this week , and most all of them by August 1 Many of them liave already received their first coat of paint and are rapidly assuming the appearance of llnlshei buildings. 1'lrkril I 1 > "it tln < UrutiniU. The big rollers were put on the western half circle of the race track yesterday and Superintendent Swlgert savs they wU be kept constantly going until the course Is as com pact as concrete. The filling In with loam Is being vigorously pushed forward and by the middle of August the model race track of the wist will be in shape for the advent of the horses. It may not be consummated HIM year , but If Superintendent Swlgerfs de'lgns are worked to a successful Issue the fall of 1S9C will see a turf center at the state fair grounds that will qual , If not eclipse , many of the famous resorts In file Atlantic states , In point of both natural and artificial beauty. The grand stand. In addition to overlooking every Inch of the way , will command a sweep of as pretty Nebraska scenery , ro.llng farm land and luxuriant vallej as one would wish to see , nnd next season the space within the ring will be as attractive as artistic ability can make It. Special features to the amphi theater will be handsome ! } appointed boxes for all these who feel able to Indulge In the luxury , an admirably equipped press stand , with special provisions against Inclement weather of any kind , the Judges' stand , a model In Its way , and a score or more of ol'.icr ' Innovations , novel and unique. There will be refreshment stands , a musicians. ' al cove above the porte-Cothere at the highest point back of the grand stand , i private way for the ladles to the reserve departments and all cf the modern conveniences to the best known courses In America There will be a club house modeled after .1 Swiss chatlet to the- right of the grand stand a onostor ) affair , with verandas and balconies , Inclosing the same , and all of t'ne fads and fancies of the fashionable world catered to , as thcie wt 1 be several big race stsslons hero outside the State Fair meet an nually. State Fish Commlsslbnnr Lew May has been appointed superintendent of the Fisher- Its department at the , falr by the board of manages ! The Fisheries building at this fair is going to rank" with Its premier attrac tions , and under Dig direction of Commis sioner Miy many new nnd good things can be sangulnely looked for. Heretofore the state commission alone 'ilad an exhibit at the fair , principally , frqm Its own re sources , but Mr May's I'le-a ' will be hrcader and muro comprehensive , and will be patterned after the exhibit at the World's fair There will npl only be an elaborate display of all the native fishes , and the results of the comrtilsslon's labors , but ex hibits from the trout , carp and bass plants of private parties ; Indigenous fish and foreign fish ; a space for the exlilblt of the anglers' paraphernalia and dnodier for the different preparations for food made of fish Mr. May was one of the Judges In the fisheries depai tment of the World's fair , as Ne braska people well know , and ho will exert himself to make this department a leading one at the coming fair. The erection of the Administration build ing , which Is to be on a grander scale than any of the buildings now In course of con struction , will be begun Immediately upon the settlement of the weather next spring. This building Is to be a magnificent affair and possibly of double the dimensions of any structure on the grounds There will be no apprehension of Inade quate facilities for transportation to and from the grounds , as the Omaha Street Rail way company and the railroads are fully cognizant of their own Interests nnd will tnake the most abundant provislors In this line. The prospects for an artificial lake , a la the Lagoon , are good for another season. This can be supplied from two sources , the Little Paplo and the city water works. The one drawback Just now Is a suitable location. It must be understood that It Is not the intention to confine the sport at the track to racing , for besides the trotting and running meets there will bo a diamond for baseball , lawn tennis courts , foot ball , elf , cricket , lacrosse and kindred games , with n special track for the cyclers. % ANTE ROOM ECHOES The warm weather Wednesday evening was not too dlsagrcable to bring out a large crowd to the regular meeting of Nebraska lodge , No. 1 , Knights of Pythias , to wit ness the work In the rank of knight upon an esquire who had the " " -jrago to undergo the terrible ordeal and prove himself a man of Iron nerve , a fit companion for all well tried knights. A number of members ol Fontanelle lodge of Bellevue and Enterprise lodge of South Omaha were pressnt. After tli3 ceremony refreshments were served , and while the blue smoke of ths Havanas seemed to put every one In a pleasant mood , Itrother Charles I Goss , who "did not Indulge , " rell'ved his mini of a speech he Intended to make one week ago , Brothers Patrick and Detts gave a very in teresting sketch of the death of Fontanelle , the chief of the Omahas. Itrother George Msgney'a description of a fieak was well received by the audience Ths "Stowaway , " although an old piece , ' Is always new ami Interesting when rendeited by llrother Roth- ered. Others gf tlw vltlnK | brothers took part In the entertainment until the hour ol midnight was not far off , when the knights left the castle tall , to- mingle again with the outer world , Two big picnics were held yesterday , ac counts of which will Us found In anothei column. One was given by Patten lodge No , 173. Ancient Order qf United Workmen , and was held at Uellevue. The other was giver by Clan Gordon , Order bf Scott'sh Clans , and was at Calhoun , . t A Demorest medal contest was bold Fri day night under tlis-nausplces at Llfeboal lodge No. 150 , Independent Order of Good Tempbri. in the lodge rooms in the Con tinental block , and' was largely attended The contest was under Uie direction of Mrs Sblnrock. Such a contest is held under tin auspices of the lodge once each quarter. Lifeboat lodge No. 150 , Independent Ordei of Good Templars , gave the first of a series of weekly home socials at the residence ol Mr. and Mrs. Harry Heine last Wednesda ) evening. The social was largely attended and was very enjoyable. Strains of music mingled with the conversation throughoul the evening. Light refreshments were served. These socials are given for tin purpose of making the- members of the ordei better acquainted with each other , and promise to be highly- successful , Two conferences were held last week b ) ( he committees from the various lodges ol the. Ancient Order of United Workmen ol this city and South Omaha , which have It charge the matter of establishing a bead- quarters for the order on the state tali grounds It was practically decided to crtct a neat ami substantial building , but neither he plan nor the cost wan determined upon. Two different plans were considered , but as .ho exact amount ot money that will ba ivallable was not known , neither was chosen , IJnough * money , however , has been sub scribe ! by the local lodges as bodies , and jy Individual members , to make U certain [ hat a separate building will be erected as iioadquarters. The headquarters will be at the disposal of all members ot tha order [ rom this and surrounding states who visit the fair. At Its lost meeting Golden Rod grove No. 1 , Woodmen Circle. Installed Us newly elected oincers. The ceremony was followed by a vary enjoyable Impromptu program , at the conclusion of which refreshments were setvcd. The officers are as follows : W. G. , Mrs. Anderson ; E. A. , Mrs. Walker ; G. M , , Mrs. ROOSP ; S. . Mrs. Dlack ; W. A. , Mrs. Kolter ; J. S. . Mrs. Toll ; O. S. , Mrs. WorthIngton - Ington ; E. P. , Dr. Ctausscn. Last Thursday tvenlng Hesperian encamp ment , No. 2 , Indcpordent Order of Odd Fel lows , commenced Its work for the pressnt isrni A very largo attendance was present and a pleasant and an exceedingly profitable evening was spent , especially In diagnosing the various conditions ot two candidates who were put through the royal purple degree Th ? new officers were also Installed by I ) I ) 0 P. Harry Jackson. All of which tended to make the assemblage dispose of a vast amount of refreshments utter the work was over. The following are the new officers : Chief patrlaich , John Swanson ; high priest , Divld A. Meyer ; senior warden , David L Morgan , scribe , Charles A Patterson ; treasurer , Frank IJ : Bryant ; Junior warden , Harry E Hurnam. On July 19 G Stufller , D. DO M , in stalled the following newly elected ofllcerr of Omaha lodge No. 2 , Independent Order of Odd Follows1 N. G. , Erasmus K llradway , V G , Durry E. Tracy ; secretary , Charles A Patterson ; treasurer , F. II. llryant. In addition to the Installation ceremonle * the first degree was conferred upon on candidate On and after August 3 the regular meet ings of the lodge will be held on Satuulay evenings , Instead of Friday , as h rctofore The reports for the teim show a decided gain , and the outlook for the lodge Is ex ceedingly bright All the rooms In the new tempi : have been rented for every night In the week. Canton Ezra Mlllard No. 1 , Independent Order of Odd Fellows , has elected the fol lowing officers- Captain , N. IJ Helm ; lieu tenant , C G. H. Kartman ; ensign , E. K Bradwaj ; clerk , Charles A. Patterson ; treas urer , D. Hartson. Huth Rebekah lodge No. 1 , Independent Order of Odd Fellows , has Installed the fol lowing olllccrs Miss Laura Hartson , N. G. . Mrs. Franklo Morgan , V. G ; Mrs. Mattle Rholes , S , Mrs. Mary Stuht , T ; Mrs. Car rie Smith , C ; Mrs. Alice Henderson , R. S N 0 ; Mrs Hattle Woods , L. S. N. G ; Mrs. Mary La Tlssers , W. ; Mrs. Eva Green- loaf , C. ; Miss BeJa Nillson. G ; Mr. Harry Jackson. G. ; Mrs. Minnie Myers , R. S. V. O , Mrs Johana Straw n , L. S. V. G. America lodge No. 299 , Anc'ent Order of United Workmen , has the following new cfllcers : Frank C Wagner , , master work man ; Thomas McKay , foreman ; Nels Van- dell , overseer ; Claus Conrad , recorder ; Alfred Johnson , financier ; E. A. Fredrlckson , re celver ; Walter A. Scott , guide , Chailes Mc- Ivor , inside watchman ; Otto Olson , outside watchman. At the bi-annual session of the supreme lodge. Order of the World , held In Wheeling , W. Va , July 9 , Clarence E Embreo of Indian apolis was elected president and Irving G Harlght of Omaha was elected vice president of that boJy. Mr. C. E. Embrec , the newly elected presi dent of the supreme lodge of the Order of the World , spent Sunday and Monday In this city. Mr. Ernhree Is on his way to the Pacific coast on business connected with the order. At the regular tneellng of Concordla lodge No. 345 , Order of the World , on Thursday evening last , Max Adler was elected presi dent to succeed Louis Olsen , resigned. Mr. Olsen leaves the city In a short tlmo. Eseter lodge No. 11. Ancient Order of United Workmen , and Degree ot Honor Icxlgo No. 42 of Exeter will have Joint Installation of olllccrs in their hall next Thursday night. The Fairmont lodge "team" will perform the Installation ceremonies. The Ancient OrJer of United Workmen male quartet will fur nish good music nnd the Degree of Honor will serve Ice cream anil refreshments after the exercises. Only members and their wives will bo admitted. The Daughters of Rebekah of OJceola had an election , Initiation , Installation and a feast of good things all one night. They Installed as noble grand , Mrs. M E SaunJers , with Judge Hurst and Mrs. Westburg as her sup porters ; vice grand , Mrs. Dr. Whaley and her supporters , Mrs. Karrcr and Mrs Pheasent ; conductor , Mrs. M E. Wllin ; warden. Mrs. S , G. Gushee ; inner guardian , Mrs. Hurlburt ; outer guardian , Miss Bottle Anderson ; recording secretary , Mrs. Julia Holt ; financial secretary , Mrs. R. K. Baum ; treasurer , Mrs. George R. McCoy. Owing to financial depress'on the treasury ot Abe Lincoln post No 10 , Grand Army of the Republic of David City , was getting quite low and the ladles of the city gave an Ice cream scclaV and supper on July 13 tor Us benefit. A short program of army songs , speeches by the veterans and Instrumental music was rendered. The entire affair was a decided success , netting the ladles a nice sum , which was turneJ over to the post. Serums Cinr. Indianapolis Journal : "Why , " asketd Dis mal Daw son , leaning over the fence , "why do you keep on dlggln' when the boss ain't around ? " "Because I really like the Job , " said the new farm hand. "Got a real IIKIn * for work ? " "Sure. " "You'd orter take treatment. " HTfMii\ipn nn TIII > IM n n t t > ri > L1C1I1NGS 01' ' TEI'AR ' EAS1 Congressman Mercer Sketches Sconoi in China and Jnpnn , THE COAST AND INLAND CITIES r.iiormoui Trnfllr , ytllllnp Snirlln null Over * VTorkrtl Cotiietorln ) llrltlnli Cont- inerolnl Supremacy OlMur\ - lion * nil the Mnr. Personal letters have been received In Omaha from Congressman Mercer , stating that Mr. and Mrs. Metccr will arrive In the United States on their return from their ex- tei'ded Journey through the Orient on July 2ti , The party with which they traveled lett San Francisco on April 6 last "Our voyage over , " writes Mr. Mercer , "was memorable In this , that we were almost twenty-two davs In reaching Yokohama and qulto thtrty-ono days In sighting Hong Kong. H does not seem possible that any ship could consume that much time , but our e\cuo Is not only an exceedingly Mnw boat , but the meanest of sea sick weathrr every day. At times we were sure that the ship would turn over completely. If a Imrso can per form such a feat on land he Is said to be worth $100. If our ship had done so much In the sea she would not have been worth 1 cent. Wo were miles from land and not a single sail did we observe until wo were al most In sight ot the Japan coast. The north Pacific ocean Is a very lonesome place. Mrs Mercer Insists that superstition plavcd a prominent part In our trials. Perhaps so , although I am not sulllclently superstitious to admit It. Wo left on Friday. The voy age was the thirteenth made by the ship across the Pacific and our worst storm hap pened on April 13. At any rate , we won- quite thankful when we reached Yokohama and rested our sea legs on terra flrma. " Mr. and Mrs Mercer went by boat from Yokohama to Hong Kong. Among other Chinese cities visited were Amoy and Shang hai. From Shanghai they crossed to Japan , doing the country at leisure1. They enjoyed Kobe , Asoka , Kyoto , Otsu , Nagoya , Hokone , Yokohama , Mlyonoshll and numerous other places well known there , but little known here During their travels they encountered Colonel John A. Cockerlll of the New York Herald ; Mr. E. W. Barren of Atlanta , rep resenting a number of Ameilean newspapers , ex-Secretary of State J. W. Foster , who had just completed cITccttng the peace negotia tions between China and Japan. They saw The May Day Bee In Yokohama , where they also spent the glorious Fourth ot July ana whence they have already commenced their homeward voyage on the City ot Pekln. "Hong Kong , " says Mr. Mercer , "Is a beau tiful city of 350,000 people , 10,000 being Europeans and Americans , and the rest Chi nese , of course. The European part of the city is very pretty and picturesque , built upon the side ot a range of mountains , the highest peak of which towers 1'JOO feet above the harbor. Most of the level part of Hong Kong Is made ground. The process of lining the bay Is going on today iho s me as In San Francisco. This city ami Island are owned and governed by the British , anJ here we obtained out first Impression of British power , method and Interest In the way of colonization and trade. Their suc cess has been remarkable , and In some ways worthy of emulation by America , es- pcclaly in relation with her territory near her own jurisdiction. Hong * Kong is at the mouth of the Canton river , and commands all the trade of the vast stream , a commerce that Is astonishing In Immensity. Hong Kong Is the third city In the world In point ot Importance us a shipping port , and In case of war In the cast , fortified ns she Is , she would prove ot Incalculable bencllt to Eng land. British trade Is carefully guarded and encouraged , and many a good business turn Is done for England by this British posses sion. "One afternoon we boarded a steamer at Hong Kong for Canton , the Chlnote metrop olis , so large that no ono knows Its popula tion. Eight hours' travel on the Canton river from Hong Kong , and we are In the most Interesting of cities As we neared the wharf our eyes met a ilvcr scene unequaled anywhere else. Over 350,000 people living In boats boats of every size and shape Imagin able , and engaged In all kinds of business For Instance , I noticed u ferry system , twenty-seven small boats In the company , car rying capacity five te > tun people , according to size nnd amount of baggage , fare one-fifth of a cent to cross the river , or ono boat to joursclf for 1 1-5 cents A collector In a small house on shore keeps tab on the ferry man and settles with each Doat at night. Ho pays no attention to passage money. The boatman must look after that. Here comes a largo wheel , here a slipper boat , slipper shape , fairly flashes by , only one or two people ple In sight , but undoubtedly a dozen living In the small concern , for on all thcso boats the people eat , sleep and labor , are born , wed and die. "Leaving the river and under the guidance of 'Ah Cum' and 'Third Son , ' professional guides , wo made a tour of the principal places of Interest. Although qulto a number of for eigners visit Canton during a > e.ir , jet they are always a curiosity , and crowds followed up everywhere , sometimes making It quite unpleasant. Rat'ier rough and Impertinent to say the least. They Into the 'white devils , ' as foreigners are dubbed Wo saw more dirt , filth , people and wealth In less space than we ever expect to see again. The streets are scarcely four feet wide. On either side a mass ot stores and a mess of hunnnlty and everybody busy few drones few beg gars. Some of the Cantonese had heard of the war results , and these vvero quite bitter In denouncing the cowardly Chinese who had given up Port Arthur. They , the Cantonese , were anxious for the Japs to go up and fight them. They knew how to fight and could easily whip Japs. The whole world for that matter. The Cantonese did not seem worried over the turn of affairs , not realizing that they were part and parcel of the Chinese empire , and would necessarily contribute from thuir coffers to pay Japan fat Indemnity. Silk , ivory , art stores , public mint , prison wherepeoulo are ret behcaJod , temples , liadogns , etc. , until you are sick of all , Hnoitgh of Canton. " Congressman Mercer describes Amor M follows : "Amoy Is said to be the dirtiest city In Chins. It may have the first prlio. It deserves It. Whew ! my nose- fairly earth * quakes with stench when Ieven think ot the trip. Wo visited a cemetery said to contain 13,000,000 bodies , ten or twelve deep , besides Jars and jars ot dried bones ot those dying In foreign lands , bones thit are cleaned regu larly once n vcar , for what purpoio I know not and care less , Some graves have caved In and the 'pig tail' protruding therefrom lett no doubt ns to the nationality ot th corpse. Graves by the million , U was In * deed n grave bceno. In pissing down ono street wo were Jostled Into a corner by a funeral ptoccsslon , which always hu the right of way. I say this In no Irreverent sense. The streets are too narrow for moro than ono procession and wo gave way. The chief mourners , hired for the occasion , did not look sad , but I'mcknl jokes and howled with delight at their wit. ( I give this on the word ot n guide. I did not understand the Jokes. ) The musicians pounded the torn torn and howled , and the corpse , sitting upright In the partially closed box , VMS janketl by four coolies as If It wcro so much freight. The min ma > have died of the plague , as It was prpv.ilent In Amoy. but wo had no tlmo or desire to Inquire. "Shanghai ! beautiful Shanghai1 Wo now regret leivlng her so soon Sllinted on the banks of thu U'oosung , not far from the great Yungtse , she It , admirably located for commerce. Her great drawback nt present Is thu large bar at the mouth of the Ynngtso , an Impediment to largo ships landing at her wharf. Thli can nnd will bo remedied In time. Shanghai , that Is the foreign part , Is the prettiest city In China The lending hotel , the Astor house , and the principal thorough fare. Broadway , me American enough to suit the most patrlotjc. Wo hero saw the Petrel , un American man-of-war , the first one mot. Afterward we were moro fortunate In this regard , for at Nagasokl four others , the Bal timore. Charleston , Yorktown nnd Concord , delighted our eyes. They , with fourteen other men-of-war , English , Russian , French , Italian , Spanish. German and Japanese , madu the- harbor look qulto warlike. In going from Shanghai to Nagasokl wo passed six Russian torpedo boats and two cruisers , all cleared for action , and apiMrcntly practicing for the future naval conflict. They were going to ward Formosa. " "A word ns to thu war It was no war. The Japs simply made up a program and car ried It out to the letter , and In elolng co neces sarily killed a few Chinese. There was scarcely any opposition to Japincso progress. The Chinese would not light. They preferred to run nr sell out I firmly believe that the 'almighty dollar' did moro damage at Port Arthur than the bullet , for this fort , with Its equipment and good soldiery , could have with stood for days and weeks the combined powers of Europe. To be a Chinese soldier Is 'o be In disgrace. He IR looked down upon and despised. He Is given a gun , a spear era a bittlo flag and they were more often armed with flags and spears or poor guns than with modern weapons nnd then told to light , and at the same t'nio ' look out for his- own food and clothing. Ho received little or no pay. If any , It went through the 'squeeze * and a mere pittance finally landed In his pockets. No discipline , no patriotism , no pay , nnd de spised because he was a soldier What could be expected from such n being In a war ? Nothing , absolutely nothing' And LI Hung Chnng was not disappointed In results , his onlv hope vanishing when ho failed to In terest a foreign power In China's behalf. "On the other hand , the Japanese were well organized , disciplined , full of patriotism and anxious to die If necessary In order to protect the mikado , son of Hcorcn and head of the great Japan family , ot which each Japanese Is a member In Japan It Is an honor to be a soldier. It Is a position next to royalty. Then the Jnps are natural sailors , ma'iy of them born on the water , nnd they have In them the possibilities of a first-class navy. They are born fighters nnd seem to enjoy It , In fact , enjoy it so much that now nnd then they get up a first-class war nt home and for a tlmo slash heads galore. The Japs aie anxious to lenrn the ways of mod ern civilization , whllo the Chinaman bulldx stone walls around his cities to keep out whlta devils and their accursed methods Hnd Franco or Russia Interfered In the peace treaty between China nnd Japan the war would still bo on , for In naval warfare for a time at least Japan could entertain llnssla , whllo Franco would have been licked. But when Russia , Franco and Germany united In a demand , Japan bowed her bend In submis sion and surrendered the best fruits of her victory. She > Ins Formosa , a mlno of wealth , nnd Is now fairly subjecting the Island , n no small task , ns It has never yet been con trolled , although Germany , France and China have attempted It. Much ot the best tea used In America comes from Formosa , and nearly all tea raised In Formosa goes to America , while camphor , coal and oven gold and silver arc also her rcbouicos. Japan U very progressive , but she Is endeavoring to grow too rapidly for her own good. There Is much of the mushroom about It. Just now she has the 'swelled head' over her victory , and unless she exercises a care some nation may crack It and let out a little surplus ego tism. Wo have seen much In Japan to ad mire. The nation Is very friendly to America and Americans , and calls America the mother country , because Commodore Perry and his fleet first opened the doors of western civ ilization. Many of her sons have been edu cated In American schools , and In * various ways she does as wo have done. Lot us hope that her future course will be to her benefit and that ot mankind In general , and that China will soon follow In her footsteps. " Cnitultnun Insortlnn. New York World : "That's all right " The advertising manager leaned over tha prostrate form of the burglar ( whom ho had caught In his room. He had struck the rob ber down , but his hand was Injured by tha blow. "I put It In bold-faced type , " he mur mured. Then kicking the fallen robber ha again scanmd the man's face. " Illustrated with cuts " he "Nicely , con tinued , "but I'll not charge you for the dis play ! " Then the moon went behind a cloud and wept , whllo the stricken thief groaned In wardly. for this fine White Enamel Brass Trimmed Irom Bed. Don't fail to get our prices on Furniture and Carpets this month , they will please you. Orchard & Wilhelm Carpet Co.