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. .v;v ^ ,'W S I P P T u E > f K I N " T 1-- s^Cv. scndatlons for the lncrt-ase of the navy, •• suggested b.v the Secretary. Army ami Nav>- Pensions. The 30tli of June, 1890, the pension roll ol the United States numbered 991,511). These tacludc the pensioners of the army and BIT,Y in all our wars. The Dumber added to tli* rolls during the year was 40,091. The mmber dropped was 4 , '{.18f>. and the number «f claims disallowed was 107,010. The anoutit disbursed for army and navy pen­ sions during the year was $138,35r*,(K%!.{K>, which was $1,OKI,461.61 less than the mm of appropriations. Preliminary Work of Census. . In accordance with the act of Congress ap­ proved March 3, 1800, the preliminary work in connection with the twelfth census is now fully under way. The otlicers required for the proper administration of the duties im­ posed have been selected. The provision for securing a proper enumeration of the popu­ lation, as well as to secure evidence of the "• ' \T" Industrial growth of the nation, Is broader and more comprehensive than any similar legislation in the past. Under the authority of the act of Congress •pproved July 7, 1808. the commission, con­ sisting of the Secretary of the Terasury. fhe Attorney General and the Secretary of In­ terior, has made nn agreement of settlement, which has had my approval, of the- indebt­ edness to the government growing out ot the !sj*ue of bonds to aid in the construction ot the Central Pacific and Western Pacific j railroads. The agreement secures to the V government the principal and intervst ot said bonds, amounting to 58,81*2.715.48. The whole Indebtedness was about .$30,000,000, •tore than half ot which consisted of ac­ crued interest, for which sum the govern­ ment has realized the entire amount, less about $6,000,000, withlu a period of two years. Progress of Agriculture. The Department of Agriculture is. ,con­ stantly consulting the needs of producers in all the States and Territories. It, is intro­ ducing seeds and plants of great value and promoting fully diversification of crops. Grains, grasses, fruits, legumes and vegeta­ bles?. arc\ imported for alLpftrts of the United States. * under this encouragement the sugar beet factory multiplies In the North and far West semi-tropical plants are scut. 10 tlm South and congenial climates are sought for the choice productions of the far Knst. The subject of irrigation when it is of vital im- . porta nee to the people is being carefully studied. Markets are being sought and opened up for surplus farm and factory prod­ ucts In Kurope aud Asia. The outlook for the education of the young farmer through, agricultural college and experimental sta­ tions. with opportunities given to specialize In the department of agriculture, is very promising. There Is widespread interest in the Im­ provement of our public: highways at the present time, and the Department of Agri­ culture Is co-operating with the people in each locality In making the best possible roads from local material and in experiment- lug with steel tracks. Philippine Island Problem. Dec. 10, 1898. the treaty of peace between the United States and Spain was signed. It provided, among other thiugs. that Spain should cede to tlie United States the archi­ pelago known as the Philippine Islands, that the United States should pay Spain the sum of $20,000,000, and that the civil rights and political status of the native inhabitants of the territories thus ceded to the United States should be determined by the Con­ gress. The treaty was ratified by the Sen­ ate Feb. 6, 1899. and b.v the government of Spain March 1 following. The ratifications were exchanged April 11. anil the treaty publicly proclaimed. March " the Congress voted the sum contemplated by the treaty and the amount was paid over to the Span­ ish government May 1. In this manner the Philippines came to the United States. The Islands were ceded by the government of Spain, which had been in undisputed pos- J session of them for centuries. They were i accepted, not merely by our authorized com- I mlssioners In Paris, under the direction of j the executive, but by the constitutional and ] well-considered action of the representatives •of the people of the United States in both houses of Congress. I had every reason to believe, and I still believe, that this transfer of sovereignty was In accordance with the wishes and the aspirations of the great mass of the Kilipino people. From the earliest moment no opportunity was lost of assuring the people of t he islands of our ardent, desire for their welfare and of the Intention of this government to do ev erything possible to advance their interests. In my order of May 10. 1808. tlie commander of the military expedition dispatched to the Philippines was instructed to declare that we came not to make war upon the people ot that country, "nor upon any party or fac tlon among* them, but to protect them in their homes, in their employments and in their personal and religious rights." Deo. 21, after the treaty was signed, the commander of the forces of occupation was Instructed "to announce and proclaim in the most public manner that we come, not as Invaders and conquerors, but as friends, to protcct. the natives in their homes, in their em^lovinents and in their personal and re­ ligious rights." The same day, while order­ ing Hen. Otis to see that the peace should be preserved In Hollo, he was admonished that: "It Is most important that there should be no conflict with the insurgents." Jan. 1, 1809, urgent orders were reiterated that the kindly intentions of this govern inent should be in every possible way com­ municated to the insurgents. The 21st of January I anuounced my iu- j . telltlon of dispatching (<> Manila a commis­ sion composed of three gentlemen of tin- highest character and distinction, thoroughly acquainted with the Orient, who. in asso elation with Admiral Dewey and Ma.i. Con. Otis, were Instructed to "facilitate tin- most humane and effective extension of authority ihroughout the: islands, and to secure with the least possible delay the benefits of a wise and generous protection of life aud property to the Inhabitants." These gentlemen were Dr. Jacob Coulcl Schurnian, president of Cornell University; Charles Denby. for many years minister to China, and Prof. Dean C. Worcester, of the University of Michigan, who had made a most careful study of life in the Philippines. Anuinaldo'tt Claim Disproved. While the treaty of peace was under con­ sideration in the Senate these commissioners set out on their mission of good will and liberation. But before theii^ arrival at Ma­ nila the sinister ambition of a few leaders of the Filipinos had created a situation full ot embarassmeut for us aud most grievous in Its consequences to themselves. Tlu» clear and Impartial preliminary retort of the com­ missioners, which I transmit herewith, gives so lucid and comprehensive a history .of the present insurrectionary movement that the story need not be here repeated. It is enough to say that the claim of the rebel leader that he was promised independence by any officer of the United States in return for his assist­ ance has no foundation in fact and is cate­ gorically denied by the verjf witnesses who were called to prove it . The most the in­ surgent leader hoped for When he came back 10 Manila was the liberation of Ihe islands from the Spanish control, which tlie-y had been laboring for years without success to throw off. The- prompt accomplishment of this work Iry the American army and navy gave him ideas a'nil ambitious, and >thcr ideas and ambitious, anil ilTsldlous suggestions from various quarters perverted the purposes and intentions with which lie tiad taken up anus. No sooner had our .-snnv captured Manila than the Kilipino forces began to assume an attitude of suspicion and hostility which the- utmost efforts, ot our officers :md troops were-unable to dis­ arm or modify. Their klndnes* ami forbear­ ance were taken as a proof of cowardice. 'Che aggression* of the- l i l iplno-i continually Increased, until , finally, just before the- t ime set by the Senate- of the United States for s vote upon the treaty, an attack, evidently prepared In advance, was made all along the American lines, which resulted In a ter­ ribly destructive and sanguinary repulse of the insurgents. Order of {extermination. Teu days later an order of the Insurgent <COvcrumciii was Issued to its adherents who had remained in Manila, of which (Jen. Otis justly observes that "for barbarous lutent It Is unecjualed in modern times." It di­ rects that at 8 o'clock the night of the 15rli of February the territorial militia shall come together in the streets of San Pedro, srnied wi' .h their hoios. with guns and am­ munition where convenient: that Filipino families only shall he respected; but that all other Individuals, of whatever race they may be, shall be exterminated without anv compassion, after the extermination of the army of occupation. A copy of this fell by good fortune into the hands of our officers and they were able to take measures to con­ trol the rising, which was actually attempt­ ed the night of Feb. .l"-. a week later than was originally ontemplnted. Rebellion Must He Put Down. This was the unhappy condition of affairs which confronted our commissioners on their arrival in Manila. What tlu-y found can best 1M- set forth in their own words: "Deplorable as war Is, the one which we are now engaged was unavoidable by us. We Were attacked by a bold, adventurous aud enthusiastic army. No alternative was left to us except igtioiniulous retreat. What­ ever the future of the Philippines may be, there Is uo course open to us now except the prosecution of the war until the insur­ gents are reduced to submission The com­ mission is of the opinion that there- lias been no time since the destruction oT the Spanish squadron by Admiral, Dewey when it was possible to withdraw- our forces from the islands, eltlier with honor to ourselves or with safety to tlie inhabitants. '* The course thus clearly Indicated has been unflinchingly pursued. The rebellion must be put clow.n. Civil government cannot be- thoroughly established until order Is re1 stored. With a devotion and gallantry worthy of Its most brilliant history, the army, ably and loyally assisted by the navy, lias, car? ried on this unwelcome-, hut most righteous campaign .with richly deserved success. Al­ though their operations have been some­ what Interrupted and cheeked by a rainy season of unusual violence and duration, they have gained ground steadily in every direction, and now look forward confidently to a speedy completion of their task. The unfavorable circumstances connected with an active campaign have not been per­ mitted interfere with the equally impor­ tant work of reconstruction. American Rule in Suiu. The authorities of the Sulu Islands have accepted the succession of the United States to the rights of Spain, and our flag floats over that territory. The 10th of August, 1809. Brig. <Jen. J . C. Bates. I . S. Volun­ teers. negotiated an agreement wUh the Sultan and his principal chiefs, which I transmit herewith. By article I. the sov­ ereignty of the United States pver !he whole archipelago of Sultijinel i ts dependencies is declared and acknowledged. The II ill ted States will give full protection to the Suitau in case any foreign nation should attempt to impose upon hiui. The United States will not sell any island of the Sulu archipelago to any foreign nation without the consent of [lie Any flaveiuihe firchjpclnijo of rfnlii shall have tlie right. 10 pufiWtse free­ dom. TJic agrcemeut l>v Gen. Bates was made subject fo confirmation by the Presi­ dent. and to future modifications. This agreement is not to lie deemed in anyway to authori ' / .c or give the consent of the Uni­ ted States to the existence of slavery in the Sulu archipelago. I communicate these facts to the Congress for its information and ac­ tion. Kverylhing indicates that with the speedy suppression of the Tagnlo rebellion life in the archipelago will soon resume its ordin­ ary course ' in.der the protection of our sov­ ereignty, and the people of those favored islands will enjoy a prosperity and a free­ dom which they have never before known. Now Kexftj with Cungresx, The future government of ihe Philippines rests with the Congress of the United States. The islands lie under the shelter of our flag. They are ours by every title of law aud equity. They cannot be abandoned. If we desert them we leave them at once fo an­ archy and finally to barbarism. We fling fheni. a golden apple of disco, .1 , nnugig t he rival powers. 110 one- of which could permit another to seize them unquestioned. Their rich plains and valleys would be the scene of endless strife and bloodshed. The suggestion has been made that we could renounce our authority over the isl­ ands and. giving them independence, could retain a protectorate oyer them. This prop­ osition will not be found, I am sure, worthy of your serious attention. Such an arrange­ ment would involve at tlie outset a cruel ! breach of faith. It would place the peace­ able and loyal majority, who ask nothing better than to accept our authority, at the mercy of ihe minority of armed insurgents. It would make us responsible for the acts of the insurgent leaders aud give us no pow­ er to control them. It would charge us with Ihe task of protecting them against each other and defending them against anv for­ eign power with which ! hey chose to'quar- rel. In short, it would take from the Con­ gress of the United States Ihe power of de­ claring war and vest lliat tremendous pre­ rogative In the Tagaian leader of the hour. It docs nor seem desirable that 1 should recommend at llils time- a specific and linat form of government for these islands. When pence shall be restored it will be the duty of Congress to construct a plan of government which shall establish anil maintain freedom and order and peace in the Philippines. Un­ til Congress shall have made known the formal expression of its will. I shall use the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the statutes to uphold the sovereignty of tlie Cnited States in those distant Islands as in all other places where our flag right­ fully floats. Status of Haivaii. Some embarrassment In administration has occurred by reason of the- peculiar status which the Hawaiian Islands at pres­ ent occupy under the joint resolution of an­ nexation improved July 7. 1808. While by that resolution the Uepnblie of Hawaii as an independent nation was extinguished, i ts separate sovereignty destroyed, and Its property and possessions vested in the Unit­ ed States, yet .*1 complete establishment for its government under our system was not effected. The people of these- Islands are entitled to the- benefits a ml privileges of our Constitution. It Is manifestly important, therefore, that an act shall be passed as speedily as possible erecting thi»se islands into a judicial district, providing for the appointment of ,-t judge and other proper officers, and tut hods of procedure In appel­ late proceeding*, ami that the government of this newly aequire-d territory under the federal Constitution shall be fully defined and provided for. Alaska Needs Legislation. A nece-ssitv for immediate legislative re­ lief exists in the Territory of Alaska. Sub­ stantially the only law providing a civil government for this territory Is the act of May 17. 18S4. This is meager in its provi­ sions aud Is fitted only for the administra­ tion of affairs in a country spurscly .inhab­ ited by civilized people, and unimportant trade aud production, as was Alaska at the time this act was passed. There is practic­ ally no organized fortn of government, and no reason why a more complete form of territorial organization should not be pro­ vided. Government of Porto Rico. I recommend that legislation to the same end lie had with reference- to the government of Porto Uic-o. The tihte is ripe for the adoption of a temporary form of government for this Island. It is desirable that the- gov­ ernment of tlie island under the law of bel- ligereut riglit . now. maintained through the- Uxt-cutiv«- Department, should be superseoeiT by an aelmliilstration entirely civil in its na­ ture. For present purposes I recommend 1 hat Congress pass a law for the organisa­ tion, of a temporary govcrnim-ut. which shall provide for the appointment by the Presi­ dent, Kiibject to continual ion by the Senate, of a governor ami such other officers as the general administration of the island may require, and that for legislative purposes on subjects of n loe-al nature not partaking ot a federal character a legislative council, | composed partly of Porto lUcatis and partly of citizens of the Uiiltcel States, shall lie noniinati 'd and appointed hy the President, subject to continuation by the Senate, their aerts to be subject to the approval of the Congress or the President prior to going Into effect. Our plain duty Is to abolish all cus­ toms tariffs between tlu; 1'nited States and Porto Rico and give her products free access to our markets. Punishment of Lynchers. Those who, In disregard of law and the pnbllc peace, unwilling to await the itiilg- ine-nt of court and Jury, constitute them­ selves judges anelf executioners should not escape the severest penalties for their eTlmes. The constitutional authorities must be cheerfully anel vigorously upheld. Lynch­ ing* must not be toic-rntcd in a great and e-lvilized country like the United States. Courts, not mobs, must execute the penal­ ties of the laws. - ' Merit System Htrensthcned. The executive order of May U, 1896. -extending the> l imits of the classified service, iirought within the operation ,of the civil service law and rules nearly all of the executive civil service not pre­ viously classified. Some of the inclusions were found wholly Illogical and unsuited to the- work of the several departments. After long anel very e-arefill consideration it be- e-ame evident te> t l ie heads of the -depart­ ments, responsible for their efficiency, that ill order to remove these? difficulties and pro­ mote- an efficient anel harmonious adminis­ tration e-ertnin amendments were necessary. These amendments were promulgated by me in executive order elated May t. 'O. JK«10. All of the amendments had for their ntaiu object a more efficient and satisfactory administra­ tion of the system of appointments as estab­ lished by the civil service- law. Presented to this Congress are great op­ portunities. With them come- great responsi­ bilities. The power c-on tided to us increases Ihe weight of our obligations to the people, and we must be profoundly sensitive of rlie-in as we coute-mplatc the new anel grave problems which confront; us. Aiming Hulv ar tlie public.good, we cannot err. A right Interpretation of the- people's will and of duty cannot fall to Insure wise measure-.-* for the welfare of the islands Vvliich have come under the authority of the United States, ' and inure to the common iurcrest and lasting hon<.r of our country. Never has this ua- tiou had more abundant cause than during the last, year for thankfulness to (Joel for manifold blessings and mercies, for which we make reverent acknowledgment. WIJ.LIAM M KIXLKV. THE NEGRO'S ADVANCE. Steadily Marching; On, in the Face of Drawbacks, in Old Virginity. Here in Virginia, jKM-haps as much as anywhere except where the graduates of Booker Washington's manual In lin­ ing system are at work, Hie negro's ad­ vance is most, marked. Not thai there are many rich negroes or particularly able ones. But throughout (lie black belt of the James and Koanokc ltiver valleys (here is a revolution in land ten­ ure going on, and, while there are lazy and shiftless black men, just as there are lazy and shiftless whiie men. there is a surprisingly large number of col- oretl men who own land; not merely building lots, but small farms, writes a Uichmoml correspondent. : This began within a few years after fhe rebellion. The white planter was land poor. He had neither slaves 110V money with which to hire farm hands. In comes ihe "darky hustler" of the neighborhood, and -offers to work for him for a share of the crop, or for a little piece of land that he could call his own. There .was nothing to do in a great many cases except to accept- the oiler. The few acres of land which ihis colored man eventually acquired might be covered with limber, but there was plenty of time to clear it on open aud dry winter days, of which there are many up to Christmas. The timber itself furnished some good building ma­ terial. and it was not a great while be­ fore the "colored hustler" was living in his own cabin on his acres, and culti­ vating them when not at work by the day for the white man. The •-second stage was the effect- of this example on the other colored people In lite neighborhood. This was slow but sure in its workiug. The white peo­ ple would help the process along by making offers of a little land to colored men' who had none, and would point 10 the pioneer "colored hustler" .-19 a shin­ ing example. The third stage was when the "col­ ored hustler's" prosperity grew till tie substituted :t frame house for a log cab­ in. and had second-hand green shutters 011-his window*, flowers in his yard, a neat wire fence around his property, ami a pair of steers and a can. The Virginia eolore«l man of this ris­ ing type may have his faults, lie may not lie an angel or a sftint. but he lias generally "got religion." The "colored hustler" always is ready to turn an honest dollar by-doing a day's work for somebody else. lie gets the dollar, half in cash and half iu three meals for that day. the foreknowledge of w^iich helps madam iu tLie cabin to economize in the consumption of pig and corn bread. Often lie buys bis groceries by giving his labor in return, and until lie builds his own house lie pays his rent by working for the white landlord whose cabin he occ upies. He pays out little cash, and scorns the old-time l>ounties of second-hand clothing from the white people discarded attire. He may deigu to accept them as gifts, f>ut lie will not count them as considerations in part for actual labor. WHEN MEN MISS SUCCESS. ldlcpess and liu-onipeti-nc.v Keep the JiunincHH Novice Down. Walter P. PhUlips. the founder of the national newsgathering: corporation known as the United Press, and the in­ ventor of - Phillips' telegraphic code, a typical, energetic- American, who has put many younger iuen iu the news- gathering business, ljelieves that the cause of failure everywhere--nwong young business beginners, lies iu incom­ petence. Nine-tenths of the young men who are struggling for a name and place in the world are unfitted for the callings they have picked out for themselves. Besides an unlimited supply of energy and whole-heartedness in the work be­ fore him. the successful man of tlio future musit know his business from A to Z. The next greatest drawback to suc­ cess Is Idleness. Nothing worth while Is accomplished without work, and plenty 'of it. Things ' do not happen without a cause, and behind every great life there are years of concentrated en­ ergy and tireless industry. Idleness will make any mm a failure; intelli­ gent work will laud any man among the successful. It is all so simple and so trite that one hesitates to put the fact down In cold blood, and yet how few men recognize, or, recognizing, live up to the axiom, that labor conquers all tilings. . Idleness and th$ c onsciousness of In­ competency should make any man ashamed of himself and drive him to. do something tMI^is worth the doing, it i# within the grasp"of every one to learn some one things that wHl yield both pleasure and profit. Success comes only to those who-seek it. The young man who I# really in Earli­ est will not have to be advised how to succeed. lie may learn much by study­ ing the failures of others, however, and he will always find, after a survey of tlie great legion of t)ie unsuccessful, that two causes have brought them to their'present misery -idleness and in­ competency. iMiilacle'.phia. 53a,tunlay E v e n i n g P o s t . ' • ; , : v NO EXPRESSION IN THE €Y€". I* 1* the Kyelid that Does the nem, Sayw an KnglisJh Oculist. There are 110 expressive eyes. The Expression of the eye is really in the Hd. Tlie eye itself, independent of Its surroundings, has 110 more expression than has a glass marble. A prominent English oculist niftkes this daring stsilenient, and he defends his position with emphasis. "The eyes have 110 expression Whatever," he says. " How do you explain the fact that the eyes of one person are more expressive than those of another?' I am asked. They are not. The difference consists in certain nervous contractions of the lids peculiar to the individual. "Observe for yourself, and you will see that I am right. Wo will say that I am greatly interested iu something, and my attention is suddenly tailed from it by an unexpected interruption. My upper eyelid raises itself just a little, but Ihe eye proper does not change an iota iu appeareuce. If the Interruption is but. momentary the elevation of the lid will be but moment­ ary. If lite surprise caused by an iu- tervri'.ption is continued the lid may be raised even a little more, and, In fact, the whole of the forehead. Including the eyebrows, is raised and wrinkled. But the eye remains the-same. "When a person is excited much the same motions are gone through." con­ tinued the doctor. "Ilis eyes are open wide, iu cases of intense excitement to their greatest extent, but the forehead is not wrinkled and the ball of the eye is as expressive as a li'.t of glass. No more. "Observe the face of one who laughs. You will see that the lower eyelid has 110 muscle of its own, and it 1s only by ihe contraction of ihe adjacent muscles In smiling or laughing that it is made to move. That is why .there are many wrinkles about the eyes of merry per­ sons. "The expression of deep thouglitful- ness is produced by the drooping of the upper lid. If the nictitation is over a subject that worries Hie thinker t.lie expression is again epiite different. The eyelids contract aud the eyebrows are lowered and drawn together. This Is true of a reflective mood. "As to emotional moods th'ere is the expression of auger, for instance. The eyes, instead of dosing, are open wider than they arc? normally, but the brows are closely knit.. "I11 expressing sadness tlit' entire up­ per eyelid comes about half way down, ami the folds of the skin collect there, giving the lid a thick, heavy appear­ ance."--Cleveland Plain Healer. lilttle Wonmn'n Willful Way. The. most willful being in the world is a little woman. The smaller the woman the less yielding." It is unneces­ sary to state that it is a man who makes the discovery, which i'su't a discovery at. all. . Women knew long ago that little women would get their way through all manner of impediments. That is, big women l'ouml this out. Little-women deny the fact, but go right ou getting just whatever they want from every direc tion. The "little helpless thing" is the most formidable creature in tin? world ami she is certain to defeat a man especially, in every encounter. My sympathies, however, go to the man who makes the state­ ment. for he asserts it with feeling and the vigor born. 1 am afraid, of painful experience. A small but better half has evidently had great success in molding his character and shaping his views of life*. It doesn't seem fair for him to complain when by his own ad­ mission he does not happen to imssess much individuality or a iwwerful will. If he could only be honest and own up he probably enjoys being managed. I've never noticed, though, lhat more big women marry than little ones. That seems another indication of the managing qualities of the little woman. A Transformed Country. Except in a few out-of-the-way dis­ tricts, the South African travler seldom meets specimens of those large and dangerous aninlals which were a con­ stant menace te> the early settlers in the country. It is Recorded that when Van Riebeek landet^ in Table bay, in 105^ hippopotami smarmed iu a swamp fed by a stream on)tlic site of the present Church square,' in Capetown.--London Mail. : ROAD ACROSS SAHARA® FRANCE WANTS TO SPAN Tl«5 % DESfcJtT SANOft, ; Total Cost of Building a Kail way front Tunis to the Lake Tchad Country " Would Be Much Less than Kstuna-^ t*d Twsatjr Years Ago. f ; In view of the growing strength o£ England In Africa tlie construction o{> a railway croasiug the desert of Sahara^'{ 5; and uniting the French colonies of AN geria and Tunis with the fertile country^ »- almut Lake Tchad is urged as a political** * ami military necessity. There is now t^. , railway about 250 kilometers(150 miles* long from the port of Sfax. on the Med- ' itenranean. to tiafsa, in the interior of TuniSi where a. valuable deposit of phos- " phate rock is found, from which annual shipments of over .*MH>.ooo tons are now made. The general conditions of rail­ way constrnction in this country are well known; and it. may be assumed ' without serious error that the prolonga­ tion of the Sfax-<T»a#sa railway across the desert could be made at aboivt the same cost per mile as that portion al­ ready built. The climate is about the same, water is found at frequent inter­ vals aud the topography does not greally differ from that of the existing railway. It may, therefore, be esti­ mated that the entire 2,000 kilometers (1,240 miles) could be completed at the cost of (10.000 francs per kilometer, in­ cluding rolling stflck. or a total of 320,- OOtUMM) francs <$24.00(UHH)i, and. even if this amount belncreased by one-half to provide for unforeseen contingencies it is yet far wiih'u t he estimate of twen­ ty years ago. which reached tlie enor­ mous sum of over 800.000,000 francs. Apart from the strategical va-lue of sncli a railway there is some probability that ifs" construction wrould have the effect of developing materially the nat­ ural resources of the country through ^ which it would pass. As a inatte»>of* fact the real Valhr \if this v^otUon of Africa is but imperfectly known.' It is but; a short time since the phosphate deposits of Algeria began to l>e worked, ami even now, with proper transporta­ tion facilities, fhe present output of these beds could readily be increased to over 1,000,0(10 tons per year. For some time there has lieen reason believe thai there exist in the interior of Sa­ hara important deposits of nitrates, which only need accessibility to rival those of Chili, and there are salt de­ posits already known to be awaiting de­ velopment on the Soudan frontier. These sources of traffic, however, are almost entirely in prospect; there is ev­ ery reason to assume that the primary reason for the construction of a railway across the desert is that of extending and at the same time consolidating French power In Africa and meeting the British colonial expansloa in that continent, by anticipating her in railway construction. It is especially interesting to the en­ gineer to note lhat in the attacks which sire being made by nearly all the na­ tions of Europe for permanent terri­ torial hold in Africa engineering work is depended upon as a more certain and ' enduring form of attack than military power, and that -the railway, canal and harbor are the real weai>ons in the eon* quest of a continent.- EngineeringMag­ azine. V (Jetting KM of Them. "Come in and wee how I get rid of bores. You've often asked my recipe, and I'm about to deal with one of the most virulent of his type." It was an, old banker speaking, and he showed his guest. Into the private office. "Halloa, Orpey," began the bore at sight, "just dropped in to have a talk about i«K>r Llpsey. I suppose " "Yes', of course; neglected his bust-* ness. gambled away enormous sums of\ money, fell a victim to the terrible curse of Intemperance, dissipated his fortune, and even lost his home. Too badi" "Awful! But did you hear " '"Certainly. Tried to drown his sor­ rows in deeper potations than ever, lost his situation, was branded a bad egg. and left to his own resources. Drifted away into a great city, family suffered, lie braced up, found honest employ­ ment. won friends, and was doing well, everything considered." "That's right, but " "So I heard. Back wirti us again. He has a. tine positiou, looks litre his old self, aud everybody happy." "I>o you think he'll---" "I know lie will. A few ohi calami- tyites think otherwise, but lie's aH right. We have invited him to dinner to-morrow night. < iocs to the tipples next night." "No? I hope " "That's all righ^. So do the rest of us." - ' "Well, good day. Pretty busy, these times." * ^ ^ "There you have it," laughed the banker, as 4ie dosed the door, "yon persist in doing tlie talking, and a. bore will run every time." Ou the litcrht Side. In Jewish marriages the bride is always placed to the right of the bride­ groom. With every other nation of tlie world her place in the ceremony is ou t)ie left,