BY P. GRAY MEEK.
Ink Slings.
——Switzerland, which celebrated its
six hundreth anniversary last Saturday,
as & republic is like the Irishman’s pig
—+little, but ould.”
—Toum PLATT iS again attaining an
elevation as questionable in its character
as that which he reached in ’81 by
means of a step-ladder.
--A Pittsburg heiress has married the
tattooed man of a dime museum. Her
taste is similar to that of the Republi-
cans who are in love with BLAINE.
—If WANAMAKER would have been
with Quay and CaMERON at Donegal
last Sunday the sabbatarian character
of the meeting would have been com-
plete. :
—Such is the abhorrence for the
nude along Asbury beach that the mer-
maids can’t flip their tails above the
water without exciting the protest of the
deacons.
—In these canning days the low price
of sugar doesn’t sweeten the temper of
the housewife when she thinks that cans
would be cheaper if it wasn’t for Mc-
KiNLey.
—Mr. HarrisoN’s great luck
catching crabs at Cape May is ominous-
ly suggestive. Things are going back-
ward as regards his chance for a re-
nomination,
—A contemporary charges PARNELL
with pulling down the temple of Irish
home-rule. Maybe this Samson parallel
is attributable to PARNELL’S having
been shorn by a DELILAH.
—CLEVELAND, Hirt, HARRISON and
BLAINE are all at the seashore straining
their ears to hear what the wild waves
may have to say about the prospect of the
next Presidential campaign.
-—PuiL ArRMoUrR and James WHIT-
coMB RILey sailed in the same steamer
from Europe last Saturday. In this
realistic age it is difficult to prevent the
juxtaposition of pork and poetry.
SAM LoscH scalped his enemies in the
Schuykill county Republican conven-
tion last Tuesday. If his foes had got-
ten away with SAM’s scalp it would
have been a barren victory, for there is
no hair on it.
—The commendation of Senator Gor-
MAN by the Maryland Democratic State
committee for his having defeated the
odious Force bill, was as great a com-
pliment as was ever paid to American
patriotism and statesmanship.
in
—OCLARKSON has blazed his way to
the head of the Republican National
Committee by the keen edge of his
snickersnee. He has beconie head-man
of the committee by his having been
headsman of the post office department.
—No one should indulge the delu-
sion that the morality of the Republi-
can National Committee has been im-
proved by the withdrawal of QUAY and
DupLey. The only difference is that
its rascally methods will not be as ef-
fective.
—Chestnut trees ace reported as doing
their full duty thisyear, and there is go-
ing to be an adundant yield. There
doesn’t seem to de any production that
will detract from the prolific record of
1891, the Fepublican vote alone ex-
cepted.
—As slentorian as is the voice ot Re-
presentstive Fow it is not far-reaching
enougl to reverberate across the Atlan-
tic aid arouse GEorGE HANDY SMITH
to # consciousness of neglected duty in
net being on hand to assist in investigat-
ng the State treasury crookedness,
—General GREGG, who has consented
to be the Republican candidate for Au-
ditor General, distinguished himself by
his connection with the cavalry, but
those who can’t see that he is Quay’s
candidate display a guileless innocence
that entitles them to be classed among
the infant-ry.
--The Treasury Department has given
instruction to the New York custom
house to remit the duty in the special
case of a kinkajou imported for the
Washington Zoo. As everything else
is tariffed there is no reason to bs sar-
prised that kinkajous are alsa on the
list, although it is difficult to see what
infant industry is benefited thereby.
Probably the remission of the duty on
the kinkajou is a concession to Mr.
BLAINE'S reciprocity policy, with the
ultimate object of encou raging a foreign
demand for the American giasticutis.
—Our really honest and fair-minded
Republican contemporary, the Altoona
Tribune, after saying that Philadelphia
“has been in the hands of common
thieves,” advises the people of that city,
of both parties, to rise up and oust the
rascals. The city government of Phila-
delphia has for years been exclusively
in the hands of the Republicans--tcom-
mov thieves,” if the Tribune wishes to
have it put in that way. Itis only
since the interjection of a Democratic of-
ficial by Governor PATTISCN'S appoint.
ment of a city treasurer that the public
is being enabled to get some idea ot the
extent of this thieving.
cla
VOL. 36.
The Watchman and a Constitutional
Convention.
The Pittsburg Times has certainly
given this paper a very casual reading
or it would not have committed the er-
ror of placing it on its list of papers op-
posing a Constitutional Convention.
The WarcHMAN is not opposed to a
Constitutional Convention. It has giv-
en what other journals say regarding
the probable cost of a convention; it
has stated what other papers allege—
that the corporations of the State are
in favor of remodeling the present con-
stitution—an allegation that has no
foundation, and one that but few will
believe ; but in no way or at no time
has it expressed opposition to the
movement, nor does it expect to.
To the contrary, the WarcamaN is
in favor of a Constitutional Convention.
It believes it necessary that there
should be one.
It believes that Article V, which
fixes the
constitute a Judicial district at 40,000,
population necessary
should be changed so as to prevent a
further increase of Judges and give
those we have something to do.
It believes that section seven of Ar-
ticle IIT should be so modified that
country districts could .receive some
benefit from legislation, and the inter-
communities and sections be cared for
and protected to the same extent as
large cities and densely populated dis-
tricts.
It believes that Article V1II should
be so altered and amended that such
reform in our method of votinz and the
manner in which the vote is counted
secure a secret and fair ballot and an
honest return of the result.
It believes that other changes in the
fundamental law—possibly not so
pressingly needed as those "indicated—
could be made that would benefit the
people and protect the State.
It believes that the Democratic par-
ty, through the action of its organiza-
tions, and the promises and professions
of its speakers and candidates in the
campaign of last fall, stands pledged on
this question, and believing this,it will,
when the time comes, give «0 the
movement in favor of calling a con-
stitutional convention, an honest,
open and sincere support, unless the
character of the delegates selected to
make up that convention are men no-
toriously unfit to perform the impor-
tant work expected of such a body.
——The United States are not the
only country that is going to celebrate
the great discovery of Crristornrr
Corvmpus. Itis going to be commen-
orated by a historical exhibition at
Madrid in Spain, and by an all-around
industrial exhibition at Genoa in Italy.
It is highly fitting that the Spaniards
and Italian should make these demon-
strations, as they were so closely asso-
ciated with CoLuMBUS'S great achieve-
ment, but the Chicago Exhibition will
dwarf every other held in honor of
CoLuMBUS. ea
cn
Nothing could be a better illus-
tration of the utter disregard for facts
too often shown in party couavention
resolutions, than is given in a resolu:
tion passed by the Centre county Re-
publican convention this week, which
expressed “a sense of the benefits con-
ferred upon the industries of Pennsyl-
vania by the McKinley tariff, and of
the great extension of our commerce
and the cheapening of prices which
have followed the reciprocity system
inaugurated by that measure.”—The
facts are that in no instance have reci-
procity arrangements been perfected
with any nation to the extent of hav-
ing any eftect whatever at this time,
and it is the experience of purchasers
that prices have generally been increas
ed since the McKinley bill went into
operation.
to |
ests of the people in sparsely settled |
are the interests of the residents of our |
and returned, should be made as would
wv,
[3
Quay’s Game.
The game which manager Quay is
going to play this year in Pennsylva-
nia is quite transparent. No one with
a grain of political sagacity can expe-
rience any difficulty in seeing through
it. The impression has heen created
that his candidate for Auditor General
was Senator MyLIN, of Lancaster, and
for State Treasurer Speaker THOMPSON,
of Warren, or Captain Joun W Mog-
RISON, of Allegheny. These names
have been given out as the choice of
the Boss, but later on it is made to ap-
pear that he has yielded his determin-
ation to rule nominations and will not
demand the choice of his favorites.
He is not going to interfere, it is said ;
he will not repeat the dictation of last
year; the party will be left free to
choose its own ticket; and under
such circumstances General Grea, of
Reading, and GiLes D. Prick, of Erie,
are announced as likely to go on the
ticket free of hoss dictation.
This is a cunning game intended to
disguise the continued power of Quay
in controlling the party nominations.
It is pretty well understood that the
choice of Greece and Prior will be
merely a change of instruments in the
hands of the Boss, and is approved by
him because itjwill serve as a means of
deceiving the yoters who are disposed to
rebel against the nomination of open and
avowed tools of Quay, such as MyrLiy,
TroxpsoN or Morrison are known to
be.
In speaking of this deception, a
| prominent Independent Republican of
| Philadelphia said some days ago: “It
| is quite amusing to watch the side
| shows and by-plays of Senator Quay
{and his friends to mislead the public;
'and it is almost certain to proye about
as successful as the efforts of the os-
| trich to eonceal its body by hiding its
| head in the sand. The convention to
{ be held at Harrisburg on August 19
| will be as completely under Quay’s
| domination as was the convention last
year when DeLaMATER was nominated.
| Quay himself will be absent, just as
he was absent last year; but it will be
QuAay’s convention, Quay’s Chairman,
| QuaY’s candidates and Quay's plat-
form. Pains will be taken through
the newspapers to conceal the fact ;
| but the outcome will be exactly what
| Quay either wishes or approves. It is
true he will give the Republican party
| better men as candidates than under
| ordinary circumstances. This he will
| do to increase his chances of retaining
| his control of the State. If he wins he
1 will be stronger than ever; it he loses
be will be broken. Quay himself ap-
preciates this, and he will give desper-
ate battle with the people to continue
the supremacy of Quayism in Pennsyl-
vania.”
At the Maryland State conven-
tion at Baltimore the Sun polled the
delegates on their personal preferences
for Presideat, getting the views of 150.
CLEVELAND led with 65, while Senator
GoryMaN showed up with 60, Governor
Hrun 2, and the remainder undecided
and for the party’s candidate.
SS —————
——The free trade idea in Mr.
BraiNe’s reciprocity policy is working
out its results, A commercial treaty
has been made with Spain in which
the restrictive features of the McKinley
tariff are to some extent dropped in
the trade intercourse between the 1s-
lands of Cuba and Porto Rico and the
United States, with the undoubted ef-
fect of benefiting all parties concerned.
For a long time these islands have
been atilicted with many of the evils of
a high tariff, from which the free trade
secured by reciprocity will relieve
them.
Under the new constitution of
Mississippi it is requisite to pay a poll
tax four months before election day in
order to secure a vote. The effect of
this provision considerably thins out |
the list of voters, A great many ne-
groes will not pay this tax, and as a re-
sult the voting population of the State
show a white majority at about 50,000.
This may cause a howl among the bay-
onet politicians, but the same prinei-
ple was endorsed in Pennsylvania two |
vears ago when the people determined |
by an immense majority that those
who didn’t pay just such a tax should
not be allowed to vote. There should
be no exception made in favor of the
vagabond negroes of ‘he South.
. STATE RIGHTS AND FEDERAL UNION.
BEYZ.EFONTE, PA., AUGUST 7, 1891.
How the Quaker City Goose Has Been
Plucked.
City Treasarer Wricnt, of Philadel-
phia, continues to make remarkable
disceveries. In addition to having dis-
covered that the books of the last half
dozen Republican city treasurers are
not to be found, he is making some
rich finds in the Mercantile Appraisers’
department. He has found out that the
Appraisers’ lists have been enormously
padded by putting names on them that
should not have been there—the names
of persons, many of whom were dead,
many bogus, and many others who
were not doing business at all, or not
enough to warrant their enrollment.
Names appear to have been put on the
lists merely for the sake of getting the
62} cents allowed for each name. Last
year, after this fee was allowed the
thrifty Appraisers,they deliberately set
about striking off 10,367 names, which,
at 62} cents a name, afforded a clear
steal of $6476.25. In addition to this
“stealage” for the benefit of the Ap-
praisers, the names that had no right
to be on the lists—put there merely for
profitable padding—were published at
a cost of $1.50 each, giving favored
newspapers a share of the swag to the
amount of $15,543. Auditor General
McCamant denies having got any
share of this plunder, but is not sure
that some of it may not have been used
for?political purposes. This thing has
been going on for years.
As an illustration of the bogus charac-
ter of these Appraisers’ lists, it appears
that after more than 10,000 names had
been stricken off there were 6559 left
on to be prosecuted as delinquents.
The suits were given to city magistrates
—ward politicians, no doubt, who had
a claim to being greased in the way of
fees—and out of these suits but $2,725.-
50 was collected at a cost of $31,194.20.
The State was out $28,467.70 in this
one item, but the magistrates were “in
it” to that extent. This job was appor-
tioned among nine magistrates; each
had 728 cases allotted to him;onan aver.
age each collected 27, and after turn-
ing over a modicum of costs to the city
treacury, each made an average of $2
245 on the deal. The constables, for
serving the writs and executions in
these cases, received $20,199.70. They
had to have their little “divvy” too, as
a reward for political service. In all,
Treasurer WriGHT estimates that $66,
000 of State money was wasted in this
way last year. The Treasurer mildly
uses the word “wasted” in this connect-
tion, but “stolen” is the proper term.
ce ——
—The Democrats of Maryland held
their State convention on Thursday of
last week, nominated Frank Brown for
Governor, and adopted a platform that
lacks directness on the silver question.
The nominee is a farmer, and, in all
relations, is a man above reproach.
Senatcr GorMAN was endorsed for re-
election to that high position, and the
enthusiasm the mention of his name
evoked is evidence of the strong hold
he has on “My Maryland.”
Erhardt’s Protest.
The spoils system has forced collec
tor ERHARDT out of the New York cus-
tom house. He was a good officer,
honest aad efficient in the discharge of
his duty as far as he was allowed to
discharge it; but out of regard for his
reputation as a public officer he was
compelled to resign when he found
that his office was controlied by ma-
chine politicians in the interest of ma-
chine politics, while he was held re-
sponsible for its management and for
the doings of 31503 employes who were
under the control of Tom Prarr, the
chief representative and dispenser of
the administration patronage in the
State of New York. In his letter to
the President resigning the office of
collector, Mr. Eruapr says that he
cannot consent to occupy an office
which he 1s not allowed to control.
Iu his eagerness tor a renomination
Mr. Harrison has forgotten his pro-
mise that his administration would be
conducted on civil service reform prin-
ciples, and is using the offices .as a
means of continuing his official tenure.
The New York custom house, the most
important and influential official estab-
lishment in checountry,has been hand-
ed over to Pratt to be used instrumen-
tally in making New York solid for
Harrison's renomination. ErHARDT'S
resignation is a protest against such
debauchery of the civil service,
NO. 30.
Looking After the Stolen Money.
Governor Partison, with asolicitude
for the interest of the State becoming a
careful and honest chief executive, and
with the object of getting to the bottom
ot the Keystone Bank rottenness which
has caused the loss of a large amount of
money to the State, has written aletter
to (Secretary; of the Treasury Foster
asking for the power of appointing a
committee of citizens to examine the
books of that bank for the purpose of
tracing the State funds deposited there-
in by BarpsiLEY, which has so myster-
iously disappeared. The apparent loss
to the commonwealth and to the city
of Philadelphia is about $1,500,000, in
which loss the State is largely concern-
ed, directly and indirectly.
The affairs of the bank are now in
the hands of a receiver and consequent-
ly under the jurisdiction of the Treas-
ury department. It will require the
consent of the Secretary of the Treas.
ury to enable the Governor to effect the
object he proposes in the interest of the
plundered State ; but if his request is
allowed, the committee which he will
appoint to examine the books, papers
and accounts of the bank relative to
the deposits of public money made
therein by BarpsLev, may discover
what became of the money thus
deposited, and the same be recovered
if possible. It is to be hoped that Sec-
retary Foster will accede to the Govern.
or's request, so that the stolen State
money may be traced, even if the
thieves have gotten away with it so
completely that it can’t be recovered.
There will be something gained at
least in finding out who the rascals
are.
—Since the above was written Sec-
retary Foster has given his consent to
have the affairs of the bank investi-
gated by a committee, as requested by
the Governor.
—
—Some political observers profess
to regard the removal of EraarDT and
thesubstitution of Fasserr in his place,
as collector of New York, as a good
piece of strategy, displaying President
Harrison's sagacity as a political
manager. They claim that it gives
the President a stronger hold ou the
National Executive committee, and at
the same time disconcerts the Blaine
faction. Whatever may be its effect
in these respects it certainly secures the
Tom Platt machine for HarrisoN in
1892. Italso presents Mr. Harrison
in the light of a high official ready to
resort toa low order of politics,and going
back on his promise of civil service re-
form for the purpose of securing a re
election.
He Will Be Surprised.
Hon. Georee HaNpy SuitH, who is
now enjoying the pleasures of a Eu-
ropean tour, will be surprised to hear a
certain item of news from the Key-
stone State. Aschairman of the legise
lative committee appointed to investi-
gate the management of the State
Treasury and the Auditor Generals de-
partment, he went off to foreign lands
when he should have staid at home
and called his committee together for
business ; but at the very time when
he thinks that he has succeeded in
dodging this unpleasant duty—un-
pleasant to himself and his party—the
Democrats of the committee determine
to get together and go on with the in-
vestigation. This may be a little ir-
regular, but it seems to be the only
thing that can be done under the cir-
cumstances in the interest of the plun-
dered people. It will surprise Mr.
Syrri when he hears of it in Europe.
————
He Puts His Foot on It.
State Chairman Xerr makes it dis-
tinctly understood that under no cir-
ramstances will he allow himself to be
a candidate for Auditor General in the
cotniug campaign. [lis name appears
to have been brought into prominence
in connection with that office without
reference to his own wish or interest, to
suit a purpose with which he was in no
way connected, and he has come to
the conclusion that it is about time to
stop its being used in that way. He is
a candidate for clerk of the House of
Representatives, with excellent pros.
pects of an election, and the urging of
his nomination for Auditor General
was taking liberties with him that he
is not willing] to tolerate,
Spawls from the Keystone,
—Pottsville brewers have raised the price of
beer.
—Horse thieves are stealing the choicest
animals at Norristown. :
—Lycoming county's tax levy was increased
from 4 mills to 5 this year, slo ad
In Reading thirty children under 3 years
died during the past week.
—William Funk, a Carlisle contractor, ig
. missing, with about $4000 debts.
—Mr. and Mrs. John Beigler, of Lancaster
celebrated their golden wedding, .
—The Potato yield in Northern Berlks county
will average 125 bushels to the acre,
—Ellen Sawyer, of Bowers’ Station, aged
fifteen months, ate caustic soda and died.
—Ex Governor St. John, of Kansas, addresge
ed the temperance people at Mount Gretna,
—A big blacksnake was found.in a hen's
‘nest by Mrs. George Ruth, of Yellow House,
—Thieves have recently broken: into rail
road stations at Douglassville and Birdshoro,
—Four deaths from diptheria have occurred
since Saturday on one small street in Scran
ton.
—The Soldiers’ Orphans’ Sixteeners will
hold a reunion in Reading on. August 18, 19
and 20.
—From four and a half acres of small fruitg
E. C. Brinser, of Middletown, realized $300 this
‘season.
—A crazy Hun, armed. with: a.big knife, is
making life miserable for the people near
Hazleton.
—A boiler full of hot coffee sealded to death
the 2-year-old baby of James Hoisby, of Phils
ipsburg.
—The new railroad through the breast of the
fatal Johnstown dam was opened for business
Saturday.
—Oil wells are being sunk. in. Berks county,
—There are forty-five cases of ‘typhoid fever
at Cressona.
—Stuart Wiley, of Lancaster, tried to swim
the Conestoga Creek after a wounded. bird and
was drowned.
—Station Agent Frank Mitchell at Skinner’y
Eddy has disappeared, leaving his books bad-
ly mixed up.
—While ina street car in. Reading, Rueben
H. Brady, aged 55 years, choked to death from
asthmatic coughing.
-—Rheumatic cramps attacked: Lewis Keefer
while at work on a roof in Williamsport, and
he fell to the ground.
—A mad bull drove J. M: Bennethum, of
Reading, into a tree ina. field and kept him
there for two hours.
—Edward Martin, one of Pottsville’s mcgh
competent letter-carriers, has been decapitag
ted for being a Democrat.
—Bowmanite trustees have been sued at
Mauch Chunk by the “Antis” to get possession
of an Evangelical Church.
—A fallen tree pinned Charles Campbell ta
the ground on Cedar Run, above Williamsport
and dislocated his thigh,
—A woman giving the name of Mrs. Garrigs
han was arrested in Tunkhannock, charged
with passing a forged check.
—Alfred W. Swartz, salesman for Hautsch &
Rhein, cigar manufacturers, was arrested in
Reading for embczzling $300.
—Samuel Schenck, of Princeton, was are
rested in Reading for stealing a chest from hig
grandfather containing $2700..
—The great anthracite furnace at Kutz.
town, which was wreck ed'years ago by an ex.
plosion, is to be started up again.
—Guorge W. Curran, John Wolf and Dick
Russell have been sent to jail at Hazleton for
robbing Dodson's clothing store.
“Death from alcoholism and exposure” was
the Coroner's verdict in the case of Adam
Twarkesky, a Bear Meadow Hun.
—A turkey hen belonging to Monroe Kise
ling, of Bernville, has adopted 112 young, chicka
ens, and leads them. to the field daily.
—An amputated leg was the penal ty paid
by Abner Morgan, of Philadelphia, for a ‘stole
ride on the Lebanon. Valley Railroad. ’
—Failing to kill himself with a suicidal bule
let on Wednesday night, John Leisey, of
Hinkletown, tried:to-drown himself.
—A footpad sand-bagged Walter Keller, son
of Williamsport’s Mayor, while he lay ina
hammock, and robbed him of his money.
—Among theold files in Clerk W. H. Salla.
da's office, at Reading, is the original petition
for laying out that town, being signed in 1760,
—Eighteen-year-old John Christian, of
Pottsville, fractured his skull in a collision
with another young man while playing bases
Dall.
—The Pittston Borough Cnuncils were order
by the Court to open a certain street, and now
the Court has granted an injunction restraine
ing them.
—Tee skelton found at Manheim is believed
to be that of a drover who disappeared many
years ago, having been robbed of a large sum
of money.
—Three cows belonging to John F. Mesch
near Pottstown, were driven into an abandon-
ed cellar by an unknown person and nearly
died of starvation.
—John Mettenger, an escaped maniac from
the Harrisburg Insane Asylum, has cansed
great alarm at Ashland. He hides in a cave
and makes nightly raids on the town.
—The ground around Richardson colliery at
Glen Carbon is settling deeper and deeper:
and cave-ins are frequent. Fears for the
whole village are entertained.
—4¢ Mantrase the Grand Jury Hos found
eight bills for embezzlement against Daniel
Summers and Tracy Hayden, bankers, who
failed and left their depositors to whistle.
—The Newbergers, of New York, stopred
with an injunction other Directors of the
Pennsylvania, Lehigh and Eastern, Railroads,
from holding a meeting and yoting_ stock in
Wilkesbarre.
—Joseph C. Moritz, an Easton painter, was
committed to jail on aserious charge. While
intoxicated he - attempted to.assaalt an aged
lady and drew a revolver on anold man who
interfered. He then fired five shots at a party
of boys without effect.
—The strike of the Pittsburg bricklayers
was three months oid, Saturday. The bosses
are full of fight and determined to refuse the
men’s terms. President Barnes, of the Build.
ers’ exchange, said that $100,000 would be ex-
pended in the future, if necessary, to win the
fight.
—In June Lee Babcock’s husband was sent
to the Norristown jail for three years for
horse stealinr. The woman after a few
weeks’ courtship with a lover went to Camden
and was married. She did not even go to the
trouble of getting a divorce, Now there is
trouble,