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Newspaper
Pittsburgh Dispatch
Location
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
Date
Dec 21, 1889
Page
7
The Senate debates Senator Morgan’s resolution on recognizing Brazil as a republic. Supporters urge prompt recognition if Brazil proves constitutional and free. Critics warn against premature approval and possible turn to a military dictatorship.
The report notes large American iron purchases on English account signaling a possible shift in US British trade patterns. A 10 000 ton pig iron deal prompts questions if intended for export or home market speculation while a surge in wrought iron pipe purchases and rising prices suggest a broader market reversal.
A special dispatch reports a dispute among Bedford clergy on who may launch a revival without others’ consent. The claim likens denominational control to land titles and questions exclusive religious care. The piece suggests caution to avoid sectarian divisions and notes uncertain credibility about the dissident position.
A eastern observer notes that eleven months of US petroleum exports show Caspian oil failing to displace European supplies. The period ends in November with export value at 298,000 versus 43,907,000 a year earlier, a dramatic shift in market expectations.
The author argues Russian competition boosts international trade by moderating prices of refined petroleum. Export volumes rose faster than value due to competition, while domestic prices stayed higher. The contrast suggests foreign market competition, not domestic demand, powered the export expansion and lowered European prices per gallon.
The article highlights a boom in Pittsburg's architecture before 1890 with tall modern offices on business streets. It notes the German National, National Bank of Commerce and Marine Bank projects and a doubling of business in six years, signaling rapid urban and industrial growth and a shifting cityscape led by Richardson county buildings.
A historic plea questions the Pennsylvania Railroad plan to stop seeking substitutes for steam car heaters. The piece notes $75,000 spent testing heaters, cites traveler discomfort, and argues for abolition via legislative action rather than abrupt changes.
A London report describes a king of Portugal proposing to Spanish Republicans a single republic for Spain and Portugal. The idea seems wildly improbable as Portuguese monarchists cling to Bourbon lineage and resist the drift of liberal popular opinion.
A contemporary notes Cornelius Vanderbilt paid 996000 for Turner's Grand Canal, implying the Commodore would be astonished by such a large investment beyond the Erie Canal. The remark hints at bold financial daring in early American canal speculation.
The piece notes a Washington view that the 1892 presidential election complicates large-city patronage, mocks Christopher Columbus’ timing, discusses car and oil logistics with railroad capacity and a coping economy, cites a crushed three-cent mining rate as a gift to miners, and mentions J W Bookwalter denying Senate candidacy while hinting at his wealth.
The piece notes possible removal of the tobacco tax and retention of the 50 percent food tax, while sugar tax is expected to follow. It mentions a pending cold wave, Weather Bureau forecasts, and hopes for automatic natural gas pressure registrations. An Indiana anecdote compares a young gorilla to a bulldog in a one round clash.
A collection of short items describes B. B. Cox’s manuscript awaiting Mrs Cox’s editing, Secretary of Agriculture J. M. Rusk’s tie to the new Chinese Minister, Instead resigning as Pall Mall Gazette editor to start a review, and various anecdotes. It notes Lord Tennyson’s income for “The Throstle,” Columbia College president-elect Da. Low at a Boston dinner, and Franklin Gowen’s remarkable memory. It mentions Italy’s Eine Humbert’s bronchial issues, TuPree’s revenues, Clarkson’s return to Washington, Abbott’s missionary bishop-elect role, Tolstoy observer accounts, Dr. James McCose’s departure from leadership, and legal moves in Washington by Perris and Tanner with Hopkins presiding as a war veteran.
Plans for a winter palace for 1890 were approved, with construction beginning when funds from the Mississippi arrive. The design features a 980 foot long castle varying 48 to 0 feet in width, a central 44 foot tower reaching 150 feet, and seven similar towers. The complex includes a banquet hall, Queen’s apartments, and ice arch decorations along an 800 foot vista. Estimated cost is $15,000.
A letters page suggests practical ideas for summer popular concerts at the Exposition building in Pittsburg. A proposed airy train compartment for fans would allow open air listening and potential stopovers at Dixmont. The writer argues summer concerts could attract crowds when theaters are closed and benefit the Exposition Society.
Mary Albee of Rutland Vermont learned of her divorce from Charles S. Albee after a Chicago judge granted the decree within ten minutes in a November session. Attorney Biabes argued that Albee never deserted his wife and claimed the husband’s absence was due to travel in the White Mountains, while Mary W. McDonough remained a milliner in Rutland.
In New York a 45 year old Frenchman Charles Lampoon testified he is a beggar by choice, saying he can earn more easily than by labor. He displayed a begging letter seeking $450 to travel to Cleveland to work on a National soldiers’ monument, with a note he planned to call again. He walked to 352 William Street to cash a two dollar bill and left the letter for potential donors, citing a list of names he had called upon.
A letter from Scott Gifford claims he was never married except once on November 3 to Mrs. Mary Thurman Cowles. He states she is now and will always be his sole wife and clarifies he wed in the past only to this person.
December 2 report notes gradual withdrawal of seconds on trade with national banks. The available treasury surplus falls to about 27 dollars and the total surplus declines further as policy takes effect.
The Elections Committee in Washington approved the subcommittee report on hearings. The next meeting, after the holiday recess, will begin hearing contests.
Michael Kelly died at his daughter’s home on Vine Street in his seventieth year after a brief illness. Born in Bil eo n in 1800 he came to the country years ago and endured cholera aboard ships before burial. Mrs Busan Getz Canton’s oldest resident and Stark county’s long time settler died at her Canton home after a long life.
George Marthews formerly of Pittsburg died in Jersey City New Jersey on Tuesday. The notice lists surviving relatives and mentions a local business firm Harper & Bar and several connected individuals including Alfred Cowles and Calumet associates. The fragment notes a gathering of friends and mentions residences of four of the deceased’s kin.
The President announces a broad slate of postmaster and auditor nominations including CG Vana Holden Missouri C Hery Nebraska D H Swaim Indiana K Brim Oklahoma and others. Also listed are Comptroller Auditors and Mint officials in multiple states with officers named such as John Rankin William Dimond Edward Leech and more.
Washington dispatch notes ongoing Dead Letter Office sale aims to remind the public to provide clear sender names and addresses on envelopes and packages. It warns inadequate addressing leads to goods dropped from mail and returned at cost, urging simple inscribed sender details to prevent waste.
The Cincinnati Commercial Gazette outlines how Patti wed the Marquis de Caux in May 1908 under influence of Empress Eugenie. The Marquis aided Patti’s European earnings through gambling tables and court connections, with the tale ending in domestic upheaval and a hopeful, contented scene.
The Atlanta group led by Samuel W. Goode claims a new process to produce aluminum without sodium at very low cost. A chemist in Atlanta and associates in Newbury, England are cited as participants and past successes. The article notes a large factory in England and hints at high potential profits and production methods.
Washington December 2 Pension Commissioner Raum issued an order abolishing the Board of Review in the Pension Bureau and distributing its 40 members among five adjudicating divisions. Six of the ablest members will be assigned to a new Board of Review to handle more important questions and referrals. The Board of Review will be increased in size and its work distributed to boost efficiency.
A society wedding in Eenpra last evening joined Dr John Stephens, a bonding physician, in marriage with a young proofreader. The ceremony drew notable attention from local circles amid ongoing commentary about the groom’s long history of marriage.
Amaricas Club aims to form a broad national minded organization in the city to influence national campaigns, attract prominent guests, and build a club house while avoiding local political factions. Denver and Colorado Springs are cited as booming during a recent trip. An Italian laborer trio uses multiple tickets to Brush in a ticketing incident at the Union depot.
The mail pouch proposal was sent back to the Rail Road Committee two weeks after originally coming before it. Citizens who push for rapid transit see the move as singular. Albany City most needs a new street car project, and the result remains unclear.
A reader letters the editor disputing assertions about casualties from rail accidents versus water travel. The writer notes no reliable recent statistics, but observes from general reports that rail travel likely causes more deaths than steamship incidents.
A reader from Salem requests information on a professional in Pittsburg Lehigh. The letter indicates ongoing search for legal services and asks for guidance through The Dispatch columns.
The Beye WH plans a fine Christmas dinner for industrious newsboys on Christmas Day at their Home in Old Genoa. The event runs from 7 to 1 o'clock and is hosted by local business leaders including Marvin, HL Porter, and EKitsmiller, with the Home supplying meals and desserts.
Rev Fathers Wall and Molyneaux of St Pauls Cathedral worked until midnight arranging details for a church fair opening this evening in the basement. Most work had been completed and carpet laying to begin soon after the setup.
A Path and bazaar open this evening at West End Gymnasium Hall on Main street to aid St Orchestra funds, with music provided by the orchestra and festivities continuing into the night. East End’s W. O. U. marks the sixteenth anniversary of the Temperance Crusade tomorrow at 7 30 P M in their Frankstown avenue hall led by Rev C V Wilson and a slate of ministers.
Victor Poissant of Omaha has developed an electric device to kill rats, using a self made dynamo and an oval tin covered trap. When current is applied the rats’ hind legs convulse and the body appears lifeless, with severed limbs noted in the account. The article compares Poissant’s work to New York scientists considering electrification as a method.
A collection of brief notes reports and curiosities including a runaway girl found on a Cincinnati train police custody in Ohio a decoy gunner in West Virginia a jug trade targeting prohibition counties Christmas trade in progress at rail and river hubs musings from Bradford and Akron residents and humorous streetcar antics plus local county fair mentions from Bedford and York counties.
Wide ranged absurd snippets from a late 19th or early 20th century news page include Russians settling near Eureka California, ivory trade costs, a Flora Leak murder claim, German army morale, English literature memory feats, pension notices for revolutionary widows, and curiosities about crime, castellan bequests, torture instruments, a Nova Zealand white woman, Vanderbilts jewelry, and aging riverfront fortifications.
The garbled OCR reads like a collage of jokes and quips from multiple sources. It mentions walking matches in Bernhardt, cronin tris, a nickname Socks, a reader query about a son’s name, and a note about the Congressional Hecory not listing illustrated Christmas pomber. Various bits include snippets about Boulanger in Jersey and McGinty heading to Europe, a barrow wheelers line, a drug clerk and old lady exchange, and Kentucky jokes. The piece blends wit, dialect, and period newspaper style without a single coherent story.
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