Quebec where the government has encouraged private enterprise under close regulation. There is no one who could say today that Ontario would not have been better off under a similar policy. In any event I cannot imagine that manufacturers and public would put up with the service from a private corporation that hydro is now giving - or rather not giving. The hydro-electric com

mission is thousands of horse power oversold in Ontario and there is no relief in sight while in Quebec where men of sound vision planned the development there is no shortage of power. Consumers are being supplied promptly. Further, private capital has been so discouraged by the confiscatory nature of hydro legislation that the province is being shunned by foreign investors.

A visit to the Jumel mansion, New York city, is like attending a play, a play in three acts. Act I may be called the Morris house, Act II Washington's headquarters, and Act III the Jumel mansion. You see, this play takes the name of the last act, though, quite as naturally, it might have been given either of the other

names.

Now the curtain rises, as we turn through 160th street and leave behind the busy traffic of Amsterdam avenue, with its many little shops and its crowded quarters, its noisy street cars and jarring trucks. There, on the heights before us, the famed Harlem heights, stands the fine old mansion, stanch, majestic, undisturbed by the waves of rushing New York.

Foursquare stands the mansion, built of solid oak timber and good English brick. In front, four high pillars support the projecting roof, the portico, as it is called. An ample door, beautifully decorated, flanked by side lights with leaded panes and topped by a lovely fan, adds to the beauty of this side of the house. Above is a small balcony reached through another fine door.

As we step over the threshold, we enter a wide hall from which open the large square rooms, parlors and dining rooms. Straight ahead, at the end of the hall, is the famous octagon drawing room, which gives so much dignity and spaciousness to the dwelling. I wonder if you have ever before seen a room built on this plan. Six sash windows," as they were called in those days, light the room.

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We may climb the mahogany stairs to the second story and there we shall find seven large rooms, at least four of which are provided with fine great fireplaces. The broad hall leads to the little balcony that we saw as we approached. If we climb still higher, we find even here, under the roof, spacious rooms.

We must remember that Act I of our play opened in 1758, more than a century and a half ago, when one Roger Morris built this great house for his wife, the famous Mary Philipse, of Philipse Manor, in Yonkers. Probably little of lasting change has taken place in the house in all these years, but so great a change has come in the surroundings that we can scarcely picture the farm of one hundred and thirty acres "good arable pasture and meadow land."

The view, in those days, was justly famous. We may read in the New York Daily Advertiser of 1792, an account of the property, beginning with a detailed description of the 19 rooms and continuing, "The house has a southern aspect, and being situated on the rising ground at the narrowest part of York island commands an extended view of the Hudson and the opposite range of lofty rock cliffs that bound the western shore of the East river, Harlem river, Hell gate, the sound many miles to eastward, and the shipping that is constantly passing and repassing. In front is seen New York, and the high hills on Staten Island, distant more than 20 miles. To the left Long Island, Westchester, Morrisania, and the village of Harlem with its cultivated surrounding fields exhibit a variety of pleasing views. . . ." Don't you think that the writer must have been standing on the little balcony, under the portico, to gain this "inviting prospect?"

The first actors on our stage, we may know well. Roger Morris came from England, to serve as aide-de-camp to General Braddock, and a gallant captain was he. Mary Philipse,"Miss Polly," as she was sometimes called, is said to have been one of the most charming of colonial dames. For some years, Mr. Morris and his little family lived in great happiness on their grand estate but, with the outbreak of the War of the Revolution, their life on the heights came to an end.

In 1775, Morris fled to England, where at length his wife and children joined him. After the war, the property on Harlem heights was confiscated, but that story belongs to another act.

Now the central figure in our second act is George Washington, commander-in-chief of the forces of the colonists. For some months, the Morris mansion was his headquarters. (We must remember, too, that Ft. Washington was only a mile away.) What a change of events in the big house! The octagon room now became the scene of courts-martial. Stern councils of war were held in the drawing-room. Important letters were dispatched by postriders, who trotted their horses through the great gates to the shore below, where they ferried to Jersey. Those were stirring days, but they ended at length in the surrender of Manhattan Island.

Following Washington's departure, the mansion was maintained for some months as British headquarters, but

at the end of the war the property was sold. During the next years, the estate changed owners many times, and was, unfortunately, ill kept. The one delightful event of this period was a picnic, in July of 1790, given by Washington, then president. His diary tells that:

"Having formed a party consisting of the Vice President, his lady, son and Miss Smith, the Secretaries of State, Treasury and War, and the ladies of the two latter, with all the gentlemen of my family, Mrs. Lear and the two children, we visited the old position of Fort Washington, and afterwards dined on a dinner provided by a Mr. Marriner at the house, lately Colonel Roger Morris', but confiscated and in the possession of a common farmer." What a party they must have made, and can't you see them wending their way homeward, in the twilight, in their fine chaises and coaches?

The third act of our play opens in 1810, when Monsieurof course, you know his name already - Jumel, purchased the house and put it once more in excellent condition. This M. Jumel was a prosperous merchant, a Frenchman, who spent large sums in restoring and refurnishing the mansion till it became again one of the most luxurious homes on Manhattan Island. Even the old wall papers of the Morris time were reproduced-in particular the cool green paper of the octagon room, with its borders of morning glories and urns and doves. (Perhaps you know how some of the old designs are reproduced on wood blocks. These blocks for M. Jumel were made in Paris.)

We can imagine Madame Jumel in her stately home or driving in her fine carriage. It is said that she often wore

a yellow satin gown, when she drove out. If we study the portrait that hangs in the hall, or the silhouette now near the door of the octagon room, we can well believe that she was a striking figure in her gay gown.

Some persons say that many celebrated guests were entertained by the Jumels, among them Joseph Bonaparte, King of Spain, and Lafayette and Louis Napoleon. Do you see them on our stage? One famous figure we must not forget - Aaron Burr who, some years after, married Madame Jumel.

We should remember that a good play must have properties well chosen, and happily we shall find here in the mansion the very collection we need. There are furnishings which date back from the Morris times and maps showing the island in Indian days, with strange names, Maikanetuk, meaning the Hudson river, and Muscoota, the East river. In the attic are spinning wheels of all sizes and looms used for weaving. In another room are half-made tallow candles, ready to be dipped again in the great caldron of fat.

Several rooms are filled with treasures of Washington's day, even the great round table where Washington bade farewell to his officers; but, of course, that belongs to the story of Fraunce's Tavern. Near the table stands the little old trunk, used by Aaron Burr.

All through the house we shall find mementos of the famous Madame Jumel - her pictures, her furnishings, and perhaps it is this lady herself who is the most prominent figure on the stage of our visit to the Jumel mansion. Christian Science Monitor.

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HER" Nickerson recently brought to this office a composition written by Judge L. P. Hale, counsel for the upstate Public Service Commission, about 1864, when he and Mr. Nickerson were kid students in the little old district school house at Martyn's corners, according to the St. Lawrence Plaindealer.

Judge Hale, in opening some of his father's old papers that he had never seen before, uncovered this composition. He remembers nothing of writing it, but it is in his handwriting, and the details given show him plainly that he was the author of it. After having been read at school his father evidently thought so highly of it that he preserved it among his papers.

Among the students at the school during these days were "Sher" and Myron Nickerson, both living now in Canton, Gilbert Barber, now of Watertown, George Barnes, of Norwood. There were also Helen Barnes, Sanford Barnes, Ira Smith, M. C. Smith, George Andrews, Amos Carter, all of whom are dead. The first teacher was Mrs. Sumner Lasell, now of Canton. Other teachers were Miss Hattie Stocking, deceased, sister of the late Robert Stocking, of Quebec, a Miss Dyra Larned, two Hosley sisters, of Russell, and Miss Arvilla Everest, the late Mrs. W. R. Remington.

The following is the composition, exactly as written and preserved. It tells the life of the country boy of '64 more graphically than many a skilled writer could picture it:

DOING CHOARS

"the first and very bad choar is to get up after Dad calls me, the next is to scramble down stairs, then I pick up my boots and socks and go into the kitchen and put

them on, Then I go into the setting room and get my gacket and put it on. there are four choars the next is to get some bran for the sheep, then I put on my cap and mittens and go out and feed the sheep their brand. and then I come in and take off my mittens cap frock and old coat, and hang them up, then I get ready for breakfast.

"then I eat my breakfast, then I put on my coat, frock, cap, and mittens and fetch in my wood then I feed pol ("Pol") and gain ("Jane ") their oats. and then I come in and take of my frock, old coat, cap and mittens and lay them away til night. then I go into the setting room and get my coat and put it on. then I go into the kitchen and put on my tippet and I start for school. by the time I get to Joes my toes are cold and I have to stop and warm them. then I come on up to Nickersons and by the time I get there I have to stop and warm me again. then in a little time Pat gets ready and we come along together. then I have to march up to the stove again and warm me. then I go to my seat and take out my reader and study my lesson a little. then I take out my Arithmetic and peg away at that a little while. then out with my philosophy and give that a running over and then by golly I have to study my spelling lesson. and then after we read in the afternoon out comes the hardest study that ever landed on Plymouth rock its name is Geography. but I forgot to tel you that after we spell in the forenoon then comes noon. and out there yonder. rite down by the side of the road there is a little ice on the bank and 450 boys will get their necks broke. while x of them will do well if they come out without without being injured very badly. but this is not doing choars well after the old DONG rings, them that get their necks broke go home and have a bandeg put on their necks. then school commences. then we study our reading lesson. then our geography lesson then we draw our maps and I am sorry to say that Plin and Amos get to quarreling about the blackboard and the school-mom has to separate them where is the boy that dont like to scate. then we explain our maps then comes recess. and then we build up our snow-fort and let Plin and Shir Silas and Rube peg us with snowballs then the bell rings and our fun is spoiled. but we have to come in or the school-mom will give us a whipping then we have to study our spelling lesson and spell. then school is out and we have a good time going home when I get home I have to ate my supper. then I put on my cap frock old coat and mittens and bring in my wood. then I feed my sheep then I come to the horse barn and get the sheep some hay and feed it to them then I come in and take of my mittens cap frock and old coat and hang them up. then I go into the setting room where our folks is. then I have some pop-corn and go to bed and then I go to sleep."

Frank A. Tierney has been appointed to a position with the new State boxing commission. Mr. Tierney is a well known legislative correspondent at the State capitol and was secretary to Governor Martin H. Glynn.

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Harold P. Stokes, at one time correspondent for the New York Evening Post at the State capitol and Elizabeth M. King, who also represented that paper in Albany, were married September 16 in the Madison Avenue Presbyterian church, New York. Mr. and Mrs. Stokes will reside in Washington, D. C., where he is correspondent of the Evening Post.

Franklin Moon is the new dean of the New York State college of forestry at Syracuse said to be the largest school of its kind in the United States. He has been its professor of forestry since 1912. Dean Moon was graduated at Yale, was afterwards connected with the federal forest service in Kentucky, and forester for the Hudson river forest reservation, the nucleus of what is now the Interstate Palisades Park.

Edgar A. Newell, a former member of the State commission on penal institutions, died recently at his home near Ogdensburg. He served four years as mayor of Ogdensburg and was active in the Progressive party in 1912.

Dr. Thomas E. Finegan, former deputy commissioner of education of New York State, now State superintendent of education for Pennsylvania, recently declared that he was against formation of teachers' unions affiliated with the American federation of labor.

"Improper and unprofessional," is the way he characterizes the action of 87 Lancaster teachers who formed a local of the American federation of teachers to force salary demands. The action of the Lancaster school directors in refusing to reelect the teachers has been sustained. All petitions asking for the reinstatement of the teachers were dismissed by Dr. Finegan. He says if they want to be considered in the awarding of contracts for the year they should disband their local of the teachers' union or resign individually to remove their present ⚫ disqualification.

Dr. Horatio M. Pollock, statistician of the State hospital commission, who had been in the State of Illinois on leave of absence for several months, recently resumed his work in Albany. While serving as consulting statistician for the Illinois department of public welfare, Dr. Pollock devised a new system of statistics for the use of institutions for the feebleminded and another for the use of institutions for criminals and juvenile delinquents. The former system was adopted by the national association for the study of the feebleminded at its annual meeting at Cleveland, Ohio, June 5, and the latter system was presented to the American institute of criminal law and criminology at the meeting held in Indianapolis, September 16.

United States Senator William M. Calder has a bill before congress to provide a home loan banking system following in main outline the federal reserve system. The home loan banking system, providing governmental machinery for financing the building of houses, will follow in the main outline the federal reserve districts. All home loan associations would become members of the district home loan bank. They would place first real estate mortgages in the bank and may obtain loans up to 60 per cent. of the mortgage total at 6 per cent. Senator Calder says the value of real estate mortgages is more than two billion dollars and that thus the home loan system would provide a fund of one billion and a half for the financing of a big home building drive.

George A. Stevens, former member of assembly from Essex county, died at Lake Placid recently aged 85. For the past forty years he was proprietor of the Stevens House, Lake Placid. He was well-known to Adirondack tourists, was president of a bank and for many years was engaged in the lumbering business.

Three Republicans contended in the recent primary nomination for representative in Congress in the 34th district this State now represented by William H. Hill. They were Frank H. Truitt, former mayor of Binghamton, Samuel A. Jones, former State senator and John D. Clarke of Delaware county. The contest was a close one between Truitt and Clarke, resulting in favor of the latter.

County Judge Claude B. Alverson of Jefferson, Jerome L. Cheney of Onondaga, now first deputy attorney general, and Frederick M. Calder of Oneida were nominated for justices of the supreme court in the Syracuse district. They defeated Jerome B. Cooper of Jefferson, Walter Welch of Onondaga and Richard R. Martin of Oneida.

Senator N. Monroe Marshall of Malone had two candidates in the Republican primary for State treasurer as his rivals. Mr. Marshall easily was the victor in all sections of the State. He is a banker and is especially equipped by experience and ability for the office.

Addison B. Parker of Watertown, deputy secretary of State under Francis M. Hugo, was the chairman of the committee in charge of the primary campaign of the Republican candidates designated at the unofficial convention.

James A. Parsons, legal adviser to Governor Smith, has been appointed manager of the Democratic State campaign with headquarters in Syracuse.

At the special election September 16 all five Socialist members of the assembly ousted at the regular session last spring were reelected. Republicans and Democrats fused in all districts but were unable to overcome the Socialist majority. The assembly in extraordinary session September 21, again voted to expel Claessens, Solomon and Waldman, and to seat DeWitt and Orr. The two latter members forthwith resigned.

Five Republicans were rivals in the 8th judicial district for three vacancies for supreme court justice. They were Justice Louis W. Marcus, Justice Charles H. Brown, Edward R. O'Malley, former member of the assembly and attorney general, City Judge Patrick J. Keeler and Assistant Corporation Counsel George E. Pierce. Marcus, Brown and Pierce won the nominations. The two former were endorsed by the Democrats and Justice Philip A. Laing was re-nominated by the Democrats for the other vacancy.

Senator Samuel J. Ramsperger, who has been a member of the State senate for more than twenty years from a Buffalo district, had opposition for nomination in the recent primaries. Gerhard Lang, Jr., was his opponent and Louis P. Fuhrmann, former mayor of Buffalo, was Mr. Lang's campaign manager. Senator Ramsperger easily won the nomination.

United States Senator James W. Wadsworth in a speech at Boonville on “The Future of Agriculture" said in part: "I think we are upon the eve of a great co-operative era. The congress and the legislatures must build up a body of law applicable to the organization of agriculture under the co-operatiye principle, just as for 40 years we have been building up a great body of corporation laws for the encouragement of the manufacturing industries. We do not want socialism; we do not want government pricefixing, which throttles production; we do not want government ownership or direct management of distributing facilities."

Frank B. Thorn, a former member of the assembly from Erie county, has been appointed assistant district attorney by Guy B. Moore, district attorney of that county. Mr. Thorn until recently was a deputy State industrial commissioner in which position he was succeeded by Edward D. Jackson of Buffalo.

Governor Smith appointed Joseph J. Johnson, former fire commissioner of New York city, as chairman of the new State boxing commission. The other members are Edward W. Ditmars and Walter Hooke. The salary of the commissioners is $5,000 a year. They will have the appointment of a secretary and four deputy commissioners. The commission was created at the last session of the legislature under the Walker bill.

Mrs. Ida B. Sammis, former member of the Assembly from the second assembly district of Suffolk county, declined to enter the primary contest against Paul Bailey, the Republican organization candidate. In declining the nomination Mrs. Sammis said that if Mr. Bailey should be elected and prove unresponsive to the moral sentiment of the district she would be a candidate for the office next year.

Dudley Field Malone, former Democrat and at one time collector of the port of New York, is the nominee of the Farmer-Labor party for governor in this State. Mr. Malone is a son-in-law of James A. O'Gorman former United States senator and justice of the supreme court.