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Newspaper
Pittsburgh Dispatch
Location
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
Date
Dec 05, 1890
Page
5
The Dispatch is regularly on sale at Brentano's in New York and at 17 Ave. de Topera in Paris where readers who were disappointed at a hotel news stand can obtain it.
A lengthy discussion on reforming state taxation outlines consensus for an income tax on earnings over a threshold and real property taxes. The Revenue Commission favors a fair, progressive scheme while dissenting reports push varied positions including no income tax and single tax ideas. Legislative battle looms with influential lobbying and hopes for an improved law over the 1887 bill.
After a frosty stretch, muskrats and Leavers prepare for winter as sleigh bells ring in many areas. Eastern State reports four to five inches of snow and a possible storm, suggesting a return of white winter dress after years. Pittsburg anticipates an old fashioned, zestful season.
The piece traces the spark to Argentina where reckless government policy, falling customs revenue, and rising emigration hurt railways and business. It notes a 50 percent drop in immigration, a 6.7 million decrease in nine month customs receipts, and a fragile economy though cereal exports improve. The article hopes a disciplined administration may restore stability.
Professor Thurston of Cornell argues in Forum that trains could reach a hundred miles per hour with current steam locomotive tech. He contends safety and engineering barriers are not prohibitive, and railroads avoid such speeds for other reasons.
The author argues that while higher speeds attract passengers and justify safety improvements, initial and operating costs rise faster than returns. Even the fastest trains today incur wear and tear costs, but the public desires greater punctuality and broader safety measures, and engineers will push to higher speeds with continued rail improvements.
The Canals Corporation advances the ship canal from the Ohio to Lake Erie as the Commission's report is delivered to Governor Benyer. Prominent Pittsburg manufacturers praise the plan, estimating a $26,000,000 cost and urging state and federal support to fund a profitable inland waterway benefiting Ohio, Lake States, and West Virginia.
The piece argues the US Geological Survey grew from a limited 1867 project to a major bureau with broad funding. It credits Hayden Powell and Cannon, notes shifts toward abstract theory, ethnology, and archaeology, and questions ongoing salaries and permanency of the appropriation.
An editorial argues the Penn avenue fire escape statute is vague and unenforceable. It highlights two deaths and urges the Legislature to grant immediate enforcement power to a responsible officer or board.
The New York Herald argues America should be represented abroad by rich men like the Mortons and Astors. British statesmen dance to Parnell while New York rapid transit shows rising danger with elevated, cable, electric, and horse cars. One Boston woman runs for School Committee amid cultural expectations.
The New York World cautions that violence may escalate with ghost dancing Indians unless rations are fixed and calls for a congressional inquiry into alleged agitators. It notes December 2 reports from Eastern Pennsylvania and comments on Christmas weather. Sinaton Incallis predicts political purification amid a hostile Kansas Legislature.
A brief item notes Hersny Groner has retired from journalism and favors progress over poverty. It mentions a denied report of a peace pact between Governor Hill and Grover Cleveland via Colonel Dan Lamont. The piece observes a harsh day for the city’s social set.
Western views collect editorials from Chicago Inter Ocean to Chicago Tribune on the tariff force bill and the Federal elections law. They describe Republican support split with Bourbonism critiques, predicting mixed reception and faulting the president's stance as polarizing and partisan.
A brisk roundup of notes on frost and cold weather, social commentary, and light quips from a bustling periodical. It mixes forecasts with editorials on poverty, humor, and public life, mentioning figures like Parnell and Sullivan and events across towns and nations.
Archbisop Ryan of Philadelphia praised as the most social prelate in the city. Cyrus Field's golden wedding drew the entire 1840 bridal party. Senator Evarts muses on journalism if younger. Rev Dr Deems marks 70th birthday and continues pastoral work. Majajal the Transvaal chieftainess troubles authorities with warlike aims. Epworth Booth health decline linked to smoking. Jupee E. Br. Haas, Boston literary club survivor, recalls Hawthorne era. Hannibal Hamlin remains tall and stately at an old-fashion pace. Columbia College poised to receive a $300,000 bequest from D. B. Fayerweather to promote practical education.
A sprawling Westminster Church Ladies Aid event at Bemple's Hall Allegheny draws crowds with a Christmas Market of booths in hue and evergreen trim. Sellers display fancy work dolls flowers art china aprons infants wear and more while candy, supper, and desserts sustain attendees through the afternoon and into the evening.
The Children's Aid Society of Western Pennsylvania held its quarterly meeting at the Freenes building on Sixth Avenue. Officers and prominent volunteers discussed establishing county auxiliary homes for nursing the sick and training children, seeking a $12,000 state appropriation, and reported 97 placements since the last meeting with 31 applications in hand and 22 boys awaiting homes.
The Pennsylvania Railroad Department Young Men’s Christian Association hosted a quartet ballad concert in their Association rooms last evening. Performers included Miss Bird Westervelt, Miss Edith Harris, Mr. A. B. R. Donaldson, Mr. H. Westervelt, and Mr. G. H. Robbins with selections from Gottschalk, Il Trovatore, and Venetian Boat Song plus recitations by Miss Harris. The large audience applauded the varied program and the efforts of the performers.
A very successful and unique presentation drew a large city audience including Rt. Rev. Bishop Phelan and several prominent clergymen. The costumes and scenery were provided by the city.
Miss Margaret Riddle Johnston will wed Mr Charlies B Seaman next Tuesday evening at the Johnston home on Main Street East End. The ceremony will be performed by Rev Dr Linn with a small party of attendants including Grace Seaman and James Hammond, plus two little flower girls Mel and Maris Milliken. About 100 guests are expected in an intimate family affair.
The St Pauls Orphan Asylum tea party at Lafayette Hall on November 19 generated net proceeds of 85000 dollars. After audits the amount was reported as 5000 dollars more than any previous event. The enlarged asylum will benefit from the funds and the ladies thanked supporters who aided the effort.
Mrs. John H. Eicketson hosted an elegant reception last evening in Allegheny attracting about 600 guests including 400 Pittsburg residents and 80 speakers. Floral decor featured a fern centerpiece with orchids and a china bowl with large American Beauty roses. Supper, arranged by caterer Reunsdy, showcased charming conceits and a refined atmosphere.
A charity concert at Carnegie Hall next Thursday features piano soloists Beveridge and Bessie Webster, vocalists Edith Harris Nannie Hammer and W B Weeden, accompanists Bissell Couch, with Allegheny Concert Orchestra and Amphion Quartet. Readings by George M. Sleeth.
Only local residents witnessed the ceremony last evening uniting Miss Jessie M. Hamilton daughter of James Hamilton of Heskett and Hamilton with Mr McClelland Harrison. Rev Streeter from Washington officiated in the Aurelia street parlor where the couple exchanged vows in a simple home wedding.
Mrs Henry Fisher of Wincbidale Avenue hosts a luncheon today and will present each guest with a fragrant spray. On entry, a corsage bouquet, matching the flower, marks each lady's seat, making the meal an elaborate affair catered by Kuhn.
The Duquesne Theater hosted Gounodi's Faust with Januschowsky as Marguerite and Vetta in a strong portrayal. The evening anticipated Meyerbeer's L Africaine to follow, featuring Leitka role by Uch and ensemble stars Redmanne Rathjens Vetta Knight Stephens Maconda.
Shadyside Church bazaar opens this afternoon in the chapel with Punch and Judy and a fish pond as part of a well arranged sale to furnish a new church. A pleasant entertainment is planned at Wilkinshire Academy Hall on Monday and Tuesday evenings the 15th and 16th instants featuring pictures of the Andrews raid explained by Major Lowry Post 148 G A R.
A rainblow social will be held in the lecture room of the Wilkinsburg Presbyterian Church on Monday and Tuesday evenings next. It is organized to benefit the Willing Workers Band of the church.
A Smithfield German Evangelical Church event at Central Turner Hall Forbes street raised funds to build a home for aged and helpless Germans. The program listed Miss Helene Zitterbart Mr Gust Goldman Miss Auguste Guenther Miss Helene Steinert Miss Carrie Wentz Miss Minnie Lies Mr L Keidel and Mr Frank Beckert. East End W C T A hosted rainbow supper and bazaar at Frankstown avenue rooms. Allegheny German Cloud to dance Monsarabela House tonight Fiske Jubilee Singers perform at Old City Hall tonight.
About 45 school directors met in session to urge the State Legislature to repeal a Bedford County special act governing school tax collection. A committee was to be appointed to seek repeal while a large crowd of teachers observed the proceedings.
A letter from December 3 1890 questions the Allegheny Water Supply project. It argues bids lack adequate levels and correct reservoir placement, estimates misleading waste disposal costs, and suggests using cast iron pipes could save money. The writer urges competent engineers and warns of design flaws affecting costs.
A reader seeks the author and location of an old poem titled The Death Dream of Arnold. Fragments recall lines about Arnold in a British vessel, Revolution, Lexington, and Andre's spectre. The letter asks readers to identify the poem and where it can be found.
A Wilkinsburg citizen asks The Dispatch who allows teachers to keep children outside before the bell in bad weather. At one school several youngsters were wet in a heavy rain and two small boys were whipped and expelled after entering a room. The writer calls for accountability from the principal or the teachers.
Peter Cooper constructed the first steam locomotive in the United States at Baltimore in 1830 or 1890 as noted by readers. The prompt alludes to Perry on Lake Erie or John Paul Jones as potential matches for a second query. The third question asks for two English words with vowels in order.
John P. was the first regularly nominated Prohibition candidate for President. In 1300 there were four leading tickets: Douglass Democratic, Breckinridge Democratic, Republican, and Union. Andrew Carnegie’s whereabouts in New York was asked by a constant reader.
Washington Star notes Mr. Jay Gould bought Hutchinson Kansas salt works. The report jokes that with salt nearby the stock will need watering plentifully, reflecting a stock market quip from the era.
Dr Jedidian H Baxter longtime Army surgeon general dies at his residence after paralysis. Born in Vermont in 1837, he served in the Twelfth Massachusetts Volunteers and rose to chief Medical Purveyor before becoming Surgeon General in 1872. Berwind of Berwind White Coal dies in Philadelphia aged 42. Berwind was a leading coal industry figure and prominent city businessman.
Elizabeth Darst a longtime Newark resident aged 101 died at the home of her son in law Captain J M Mtasei after a brief illness She retained her mental faculties until the last moments of her life The obituary notes her long life and residence in the city
Hon B J Smith senator from West Virginia first district died this evening at 5 o clock. He was aged unknown. Reports from Chicago Times link stock attacks to a bear raid with possible direction by Jay Gould Sidney Dillon and Uncle Rufus.
A miscellany notes tall tales of totems and legends from Danish royalty, Iroquois turtles, and Sandwich Islanders, plus curiosities on tea and tobacco origins. It mentions a Danish crown princess height, Chinese lore on tea, totems of various peoples, and peculiar household and schooling observations.
A collage of humorous quips and poems from various papers. Includes seasonal jests about winter, descriptions of quirky dialogue, a punny exchange at a Christmas gathering, and a brief verse on gratitude. Names of papers and snippets reflect magazine humor of the era.
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