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.
