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Newspaper
Pittsburgh Dispatch
Location
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
Date
Jan 25, 1889
Page
4
The article weighs the Edison versus Westinghouse dispute over electric light systems. It notes public bluffing, legal and investor backing, and Pittsburg sympathy. It argues neither side should monopolize and warns against repeating the telephone monopoly history.
The Chicago press backs two Illinois divorce law amendments aimed at reducing collusion and delaying remarriage. One lets courts appoint a solicitor for defendants in certain cases. the other fixes a court set period of one to ten years before remarriage. The reforms threaten old jokes and the thriving local divorce trade, but would curb license and improve fairness.
The Haitian president Legitime gains fame by using electric cables to report military exploits at $135 per word, a new method of warfare and publicity. The piece questions sustainability and warns that exposure at war’s end may derail his scheme.
A Somerset County dispatch presents a moonshine proponent arguing for prohibition. He asserts lawless whisky production thrives without licenses and that moonshiners favor banning licensed manufacture. He predicts revenue officers will be fewer if prohibition wins.
The Dispatch argues the temperance movement will not curb whisky demand and that decree of prohibition reduces enemies for moonshiners while increasing allies to supply whisky, urging fuller examination of the issue in Somerset.
The article warns of potential war with Germany over Samoa and critiques British and German diplomacy. It notes Germany's colonization push, German methods vs English tact, and British hesitance. It stresses U S need to respond to outrages and protect the flag while anticipating a serious future crisis.
A Harrisburg bill from Police Superintendent Gamble Weir seeks a fund for relief of aged and disabled officers in second class cities. The plan funds it from liquor license proceeds and fines, promoting enforcement of laws and potentially reducing crime and disorder across municipalities.
The piece parodies politics culture and society with a hospitable John Wanamaker, a Pittsburg stop for guests, and jokes about a phonetic spelling bill, Times documents, New York capitol costs, King Kalakaua, an asylum plan for Miss Coffin, and an anonymous Ohio inventor of a flying machine.
The column surveys diverse topics from Rex University enrollment and a protest over damages in Chicago to Parisian musical enthusiasm for a prodigy violinist. It also profiles Sir William Coxmp Reeves, Barbadoes Chief Justice, and Count Herbert Bismarck’s Samoa interests, plus fiction critique and a Legion of Honor anecdote about Mme. Cohen with Empress Augusta.
January 24 report shows the Senate committee raising the House’s consular and diplomatic appropriations by about 0.6 million plus specific increases. Provisions include $500,000 for Samoa interests, $100,000 for a Pago Pago coaling station, $14 for Japanese casualties in 1887, and new or elevated consulates and salaries across Samoa, Caroline Islands, Nogales, and cities in Mexico and the U S border.
A January Pittsburg wind caused a suburban house fire with a woman, a small boy, and an infant. A neighbor’s aid and a one-man fire effort saved the home. Other items note insurance dividend explanations and a Pittsburg woman’s California journey whist episode ending with a famous West gambler revealed by a Chicago News report.
Henry C Dickinson a senior partner of H C Dickinson Co died at 2 am from pleuro pneumonia after a slight exposure. He was born in St Johnsboro, made scales first in Pittsburg, then led a prominent mercantile life on Third Avenue. Survived by his second wife. all children are dead. Funeral from his residence and Uniondale cemetery interment. church rites by Christ M K F Church pastor. Many condolences from friends.
Washington Star notes experiments exploring tobacco smoke as a disinfectant. It reports astonishment among young cigarette smokers at the idea of tobacco destroying microbes and hints at broader questions about tobacco’s effects on human tissues and health.
Report notes Victoria consents to relax regulations for afternoon Court visits allowing more modest dress. Observers remark elderly ladies appear uncomfortable in cold February weather, reflecting aging monarchy. Embryo royalty items predict future monarchs in Europe per era gossip.
Titusville notes Colonel Oliver Keece longtime county treasurer dies at home after gangrene from toe infection required multiple amputations. Veteran of the Eleventh New York Volunteers served as lieutenant colonel and regimental commander. survived by wife and two children. active in G A B circles. Additional items from New Castle and London report deaths of H A Parks and M I Barry.
A. A. Stevens of Pittsburgh replies to a Dispatch interview dated December 3 outlining a forecast of a heated clash between the Prohibition party and the Constitutional Amendment Association. He says most Prohibitionists favor a united, harmonized effort with a central committee to drive the amendment forward.
A Choral Hall program by General Alex Hays Council 278 Jr C U A M drew about 700 attendees. Performances by Mrs J Sharp McDonald William W Weitzell R J Cunni and the Hutchinson brothers entertained audiences before a farce titled Toodles starring J W Warren. Proceeds go to a handsome new banner.
Mrs Philip Reymer of Allegheny hosted a tea and reception yesterday from to 1 at No 17 Bidwell Avenue in honor of her daughter Elizabeth Reymer and Miss Helen McGregor of Terre Haute Ind The hostess was assisted by Miss Dilworth and several named young ladies The dining room was guided by Caterer Lather with Miss Samuel Severns and Alexander ore presiding
Theodore G Daub a Smithfeld street grocer and Attie A Wood of Allegheny City were secretly wed yesterday and left for a wedding trip to the south aboard a private conveyance, according to the notice.
A catillon was given last evening at the Sterrett School Homewood by the East End German Club. Attendance was large and a supper was served at midnight.
A man applied for physician registration to the Secretary of the Board of Health alleging a diploma from an American College of Health and Vitality. Officials warned state laws are lax and any malpractice would trigger an autopsy and possible grand jury action.
In Washington on January 24 Mesars Platt and Newell, Senate engrossing clerks, labored into the night to compare the tariff bill with the original. The death of Mr Barnes caused House adjournment, delaying transmission, but the bill will be sent to the House tomorrow morning.
General Charles H. Grosvenor, president of the National Union League, calls a National Council meeting at the Ebbett House in Washington on Saturday February 2. The gathering will be attended by prominent Republicans and will consider measures to support the incoming national administration and sustain the Union Republican party, especially in the South.
Augusta Georgia January 24 A canvass among cotton merchants on the report that this year's crop may reach seven and a half million bales is seen as an overestimate The present crop is about four hundred thousand bales short and last year yielded seven million bales A twenty five percent gain would be required to match last year’s output The Augusta group sticks with seven million bales as the outside figure for the year’s crop
In a reflective passage from the New York Press the author contrasts the paths of husbands and wives. He argues that men gain polish through business and worldly friction while women, disciplined by work at home, often become static in intellect and status after years of marriage.
Experts say past fashion favors unique canes with concealed features. The era of large, common walking sticks is over as collectors prize rare pieces. Some canes include watch mechanisms, hidden compartments, and silver handles, with prices reaching about 60.
Funeral services for Miss Patti P Caldwall of Leavenworth Kansas will be held at the residence of her uncle Thomas A Mellon Eny Negley avenue East End at a time to be announced today.
The essay urges starting at the bottom, rising through steady effort, and avoiding dangers like drinking, speculation, and endorsing. Carnegie cites early careers in Pittsburgh, stresses saving, disciplined habits, and focused industry to earn lasting credit and eventual leadership. He notes that true wealth comes from persistent, well-devised effort and self-control rather than chance.
The electors from nine states have not yet delivered their vote envelopes to President pro tem Ingalls in compliance with the law. The last Monday in January falls on January 28, and delays threaten California Colorado Florida Ohio Kentucky Maine Nebraska Nevada and Texas.
Fifty years ago clocks were new in use a year. Daguerreotypes emerged in France. The Massachusetts abolition party formed. Mormons moved from Missouri to Nauvoo. Fremont and Jessie Benton wed secretly. Banks resumed specie payments. Beet sugar first produced by David L Child of Northampton. A canal survey by John Bailey. Ericsson received steam propulsion patents. Goodyear patent for vulcanized rubber. Comer’s College, Boston, opened as America’s first commercial college. Cherokee removal west of the Mississippi. 1,000 reformers marched at Washington Society anniversary. Anti dueling law enacted in DC. Steam fire engine tested in New York by Ericsson. Sirius and Great Western ocean liners returned to New York. 1859 Chicago wheat shipped east by lakes. Electrotyping idea by Joseph A Adams. First power loom for carpets by B B Bigelow. Whig convention at Harrisburg nominating Harrison. First railroad spike machine introduced. US population about 17,697,40 with slaves in most states.
Henry Schathof of Vienna proposed a repeating rifle after failing to win European backing. He gained backing in New York, had the gun patented and government tested, and a stock company funded his return to Europe to promote the rifle. An Italian order for 440000 rifles was reported, but Schathof plans to stay in the United States citing its greatness.
Mrs. Sarah Jane Collins widow of Commodore E. K. Collins defies judges and attorneys in a Supreme Court session. She repeatedly refuses simple questions and resists contempt charges while forgetting key facts, including when the Civil War ended. Her stepson sues for fifty thousand dollars claiming she withheld his share of the estate.
Mrs Frances Hodgson Burnett earns about 100000 dollars in royalties from the stage hit Little Lord Fauntleroy as its popularity soars. She is in Washington writing a Lyceum Theater play while critics say the success spawns a flood of inferior child aimed plays.
In Little Italy a rent dispute escalated to a stabbing and slashing affray between Mancini and Raglina. Mancini fled after rent issues, Raglina countered with a stiletto injuring Mancini and ripping ear skin, then Raglina was detained as Mancini was taken to hospital.
J Ira Newton Joseph Dowling James Sted man and James F Cosgrove were fined ten dollars each by a police justice this morning after they were seen chirping to a young woman on Fifth Avenue. She reported them to a policeman who took them in for the night.
Four children in a starving household are cared for after an agent from the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children finds Mamie the eldest earning 25 cents a day making umbrella covers. John Goodwin is paralytic, Mrs Goodwin a chronic drunkard, the remaining kids nearly starved as the mother spends Mamie’s earnings on whisky. The society will remove the children and Mrs Goodwin will be sent to the island.
Hedwig Clara A Bevier and Charles Lange both recently titled lieutenants in the Prussian army wed at City Hall today. Bevier traveled from Berlin to marry Lange, despite opposition from friends. Lange sailed from Bremen to pursue the match, and Bevier tracked him to Hamburg aboard a steamship then brought him to Mayor Grant’s office to seal the marriage.
Thursday night three Brooklyn youths dined with three London Gaiety troupe girls. Miss Lille Holmes, wife of Fred Storey of the Gaiety Company, sat with them unaware of her husband nearby. An attempted advance on Mrs Storey led to a scuffle halted by the restaurant staff and police. The incident drew renewed attention to the troupe’s recent notoriety.
Miss Mary Meredith told a justices of the peace today that Sir Roderick Cameron and Lady Cameron owed her for three months services. The Camerons and their two daughters said they owed her nothing. The case was adjourned.
The Boston Herald notes social life at the capital stays lively despite tariff talk the Oklahoma question and politically minded shoppers in the territories. Lassity is said to pervade the air while politicians in grocery shops and cross roads focus on day’s big political questions.
Both houses adjourned to honor Representative Barnes. Committees on resolutions appointed and arrangements made to accompany Barnes' remains to St. Louis for burial. Missouri delegation met and passed appropriate resolutions as tribute.
A quip notes that among 612 young ladies with hysterical fits last year more than half fainted in the arms of gentlemen while only three fell to the floor. The remark mocks attention to social theatrics and public manners.
Poem from the College News extols a soldier's contentment in death and the brave life. It contrasts the contented sleeper with the living who endure scorn, praising stoic faith and armor of God.
A collage of short items notes bank directors in Atlanta, marriage curiosities in Chicago, a foglighted Hoosac Tunnel, odd pockets and oysters, a Stradivarius found in Norwich, and a perilous bicycle stunt in New York. Also reports counterfeit Bank of England notes, a Liverpool sale of the Great Eastern, and assorted oddities from Virginia to Maine.
A jumble of quips and caricatures features characters such as Mr Henessey Martel and Dr Paul Gibter as rumors swirl about a railroad complaints hub and a monkey fever experiment. A playful panel hints at a dramatic medical tease by Dr Cardiac and a prankish appraisal of Tom Seton tied to an Atterbury wound.
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