RETR Ne
Terms 2.00 A Year,in Advance
Bellefonte, Pa., :Dec.45, 1893.
P. GRAY MEEK,
The President and Hawaii.
After the President had given assur-
ance in his message that be, would lay
before Congress, at ithe-earliest . practi-
cable moment, all theinfermation in
his possession «concerning the Hawaiian
difficulties, there was -almest indecent
haste in the resolution introduced in
the Senate calling for the facts which
there was every assuranee would be
given as soon as they could be definite.
A partisan , purpose
evidently prompted the offering of this
resolution, and-so far:as itsimplied that
the President wae witholding some-
ly ascertained.
thing which Congress had a: right to
know, it was au affront tothe - execu-
tive department.of the:gevernment.
In this Hawaiian affair 1 the iPresi-
dent has acted entirely ~within - consti-
tutional limits. "When hetook charge
of the government he : found. that the
previous administration had been
engaging in an -unwarrantable inter
ference in the affairs. of anather coun-
try..He had a right to eend:a commis- |
sioner to investigateitheseisregular and |
unprecedented proceedings, and to
ascertain the extent and the.:manner ia
which our relations with. a-neighboring |
and friendly goweroment had been
abused. That commissioner from the
ascertainment of facts obtained in the
localityiof the difficulty, rreports that
the regularly constituted: authority in
Haweii had been .overtbrown by.a
conspiracy in which the sAmerican
minister seems to have been the lead:
ing spirit, and for the accomplishment
of which the American naval force
had been employed :and:the “American
flag hadlbeen piratically used.
These}are the salient:facts eennected
with this matter. The [President has
done kis duty in regard to them, and
after they have been aid before Con-
gress it will be withinithe province of
that body to determine what:is neces
- sary aod proper to be dome in the
premises. This is abeut all that is
involved iin this Hawaiian question, so
far as the President is conneeted with
it, but it.certainly emhraces a great
concerns the honer and
deal that
good name of the Republic.
Ungic John Cessma Gone.
The death of Hon. JomN Grsswa,
which oceuwzred at his home in'Bedford
on Wednesday night last, removes ove
whose political career has been almost
as remarkable as lengthy. {fe ‘began
life as a Democrat, and ae far back as
A847, filled the position of revenue
. commissioner; for his distriet having
«.been appointed to the position by
Judge Black. #In 1850 ‘he was the!
« Democratic speaker of the Meuse of
Representatives,.at Harrisburg, and ap
until late in [86k filled im portant posi-
, tion in the organization and weuncil
meetings of his party. Suflering from
political disappointment, he went over:
to the" Republican party and was elect-:
ed te.the House of fiepresentatives and
made speaker of that body iu 1862.
-He wes chairman of the Republican
State.convention in 13865, and mrepre-
sented-his district ini€ongress from "68
to "72.
In; 3808 he assisted to nominate
Grant at Chicago, wae a delegate to
the convention that nominated Hayms
in-’76, and was one of the “306” in the
Republican convention @fi1880. After
an absence of 30 years he was returned
to the Legiglature in 1892,.and during
the last sespion occupied an independ-
ent position.on political questions. His
efforts aad successes in defeating a lot
of pernicious job legislation, during the
last night of the session, is & matter
that will long.be remembered to his
«credit, and won for kim che sabriquet
~2f ‘old man elgguent.”
———————————————
_#& Suggestion that Suggests No gm-
provement.
fhe suggestion made by Worthy
Master RHONE in ;his opening s2ddress
to she Grangers, at Harrisburg, om
Tuesday, that the law under which |
members of State Board of Agricul-
ture are now chosen should be amend.
ed, 80 a8 to require their election by
the people, is a brilliant idea, if his
object is to make that body a part of
the Republican machine. It would
take just one election wmmder Mr,
RuoNE's proposed methad, te make
that Board solidly Republican im Penn-
sylvania, and to fill it with mem who
would know and care no more about
the interest of agriculturists, than
the ordinary Republican politician
knows or cares about the interests of
thejpeople generally,
Just why, merchants, mechanies,
miners, mill-men and other citizens,
who have no knowledge of the ques:
Ll
tious that the Board of Agriculture is
supposed to consider or no interest in
the matters that occupy its ‘time and
attention, should be called upon to
choose its members is a matter that
Mr. Reonk is discreetly quiet about.
Farmers in Counell.
| ‘Worthy ddaster Rhone Addresses the Patrons of |
Husbardry.
‘The State Grange opened its annual
‘meeting at Harrisburg on Tuesday af-
ternoon. The attendance is said to be
large, and the matters that will be con-
sidered, during the week, promise to
be of more than ordinary interest to
members of that organization. In his
speech welcoming the representatives
of the different granges, Worthy Mas.
ter: LeaxarD REONE said :
“The growth of the Order has been
strong and .vigorous. A pamber of
new organizations have been instituted
during the year, and large numbers
haye been added to the ranks of those
heretofore established. The fraternity
and activity which pervades our people
are harbingers of still greater prosperi-
ty in the future.
" 4The:finances of the Grange are also
in a seund condition and indicate care-
ful masagement on the part of the of-
ficers @aving control of this depart
ment. “We wish to acknowledge our
appreciation of the work already ac
complished ‘and being carried forward
by the Committee on Woman’s Work
in the Grange. Their zeal and energy
are especially commendable, and the
results are plainly appreciable.
“The press is recognized as & great
power +in - formulating public opinion
upon the important questions of the
day. In many cases the newspapers
that circatlate most largely are not in
sympathy with us and present only
their side of the case, and are there-
fore misleading. It is a fact which
cannotbe disguised that most of the
great dailies of. the large cities are un-
der the inf uence of the great money
power of the nation, and are thesefore
squarely against us and ridicule every
attempt thet is made by us to relieve
ourselves af the unjust burden fastened
upon us by State and national legisla
tion.
“The present system of electing:the
members of the State Board of Agri
culture is un-American and anti-Demo-
cratic and should be changed at the
earliest oppertumty. Under existing
laws a single society in a locality .or
country, to the exclusion of all other
organizations of citizens, have the
right to elect the representatives. The
‘Board of .Agricalture is a State institu-
tion and should be elected by the psc-
ple. If the selection is to be made by
agricultural societies, as at present,
then why net allow all farmere's
organizations to participate in the se-
lection? But, better still, let them be
elected by the people at the polls as all
other officers are elected.
“The propriety of such a law seems
80 obvious that we urge and recom:
mend that our people insist upon its
passage at the earliest period.
THE CURRENCY TROUBLE.
“All farmers’ organizations are a
.upit in demanding that $50 per capita
shouldbe fixed by law as the amount
of the circulating medium or money—
gold, silver, and paper on a parity—
which should emanate from and be
controlled exclusively by the General
Government. All favored banking in-
stitutions should be abolished, and all
.curreney-be a full legal tender for pay-
ment of all debts, public and private.
“The Gevernment should control the
solume of money absolutely and not
delegate it:to any-class of people. The
{| free coinage of silver and gold and the
| isaue. oft United States. notes instead of
the present national bank until the
!| volume shall have reached the amount
we have indicated, we believe to be
‘the true policy and the only one that
|| will give permanency tothe currency.
|| Place it beyond the power of any class
| to.contract or inflate and the true
interests of the country will be sub-
served. Sufficient gold must be held
in reserve to retieem the (United States
{:bonds-abroad as they mature and pay
Il balance of trade in their favor.
ll “The driends of a single gold basis
ii insist «that if se encourage rthe free
| coinage ef silver it will be impossible
{for us to .maintain it on a parity.
| They tell mis that if we add $600,000,
90 of silwer coin .akeady in existence
our financial ship wiil.sink. I know
there is an.old adcge that ‘it is the last
straw that breaks ithe .camel’s beck,’
but I cannot ‘believe that a few.addi-
tional milliens of silver coin will
impede finaneial progrees or cause the
great ship of stateito fouader.
“ft ig worthy of note that all ithe
complaints which are going up ito
Congress in tegard to silwer are from
the moaey centres. The great majori-
ty of the people—the wage earners and
bread winpers~——are for silver and a
larger volume of money, while ithe
money lenders are for contraction and
a single gold standard.
WITH REGARD 16 THE TARIFF.
“In regard to the revision of the
tariff the Grange has notin the past
and does not now maintain any fixed
1
good to the greatest number. Whilst
we believe it to be our highest duty to
labor for the amelioration and pros-
penity of our own clase, we do not desire
to wage war on any other industry. If
the manufacturer insists upon free raw
material and protection upon manu-
factured articles, so far as relates to the
raw material produced by the great
agricultural class we represent we claim
awarded the manufacturer.
“In other words, if the tariff reform
is intended ae a nearer approach to
free trade, we will abide the result; if,
ed the manufacturer who has to com-
pete with foreign labor, then the
Grange insists upon the same measure
of protection to enable the farmer to
standard. Our objeet is the greatest |
the same measure of protection that is
on the other haud, protection is award.
compete with foreign labor in produc.
ing raw material. Equality before the
law and an equal opportunity with
other pursuits to gain a livelihood and
secure reasonable remuneration for
labor and capital invested, is (rue
American doctrine. The great inequali-
ty which exists in our State in regard
to the taxation of property for State
"and local purposes is alarming.
| STATE TAK ‘LAWS,
|
| “The unjust burden placed upon real
estate has been shown time and again,
and still the burdem largely remains,
Every effort that has been made to
| enforce the Constitution, which declares
| that taxation shall be equal has been
""adroitly attempted to be turned aside,
‘ and to-day the agricultural people of
Pennsylvania are paying twice the
amount of tax that should be exacted
of them. These monstrous abuses,
heaped upon our elass by unjust reve-
nue laws, have unjustly exacted mil
lions of dollars from the agricultural
class, and assisted 'in no small degree
in reducing our people to their present
untoward condition, and rendered them
restless and discontented under the
galling yoke imposed by legislation
secured by aggregated capital.
OTHER SUGGESTIONS.
“Free mail delivery in the rural die-
tricts should be insisted upon as a right
or abandoned in cities. If the Gov-
ernment cannot afford to serve rural
districts it should-retrench by refusing
it in cities. Election of United States
Senators by the people, as Representa-
tives to the lower house are now elect
ed, we esteem highly proper. The
more closely officials are allied to their
constituents the more likely they will
be to serve them and represent them.
Under the existing system of electing
it is feared that wealth and influence
and party management have often
more to do in their selection than
meritorious services or moral aod in-
tellectual fitness.
“Gambling in farm products is
believed to be detrimental to the best
interests of producers and consumers,
and should be prohibited by law. The
Grange has been persistent in its de-
mand that Congress place this species
of gambling side by side with lotteries
and faro banks, and that severe penal-
ties be attached for jindulgence in the
pernicious practice.”
i
i
Congressman Clark Uses a Knife.
WasniNGgToN, Dec. 12—Congress-
man Champ Clark, one of the new
Democratic members from Missouri,
engaged in a heated political contro
versy on Saturday night with a col
.ored Republican of local prominence,
Marcellus I West, whom he encount-
ered in a restaurant. The result was
a fight, in which the congressman
drew a knife and slashed his adver-
sary’s neck, and the colored politician
hammered the congressman until he
had to be sent to the hospital. Yes
terday afternoon Mr. Clark made his
appearance after thirty-six hours in re-
tirement for repairs, and was served
with a warrant charging him with as-
sanlt. It is understood that the case
l.will be settled out of court and the
charge withdrawn, Mr. Clark promis-
-es to confine his political discussions
in Washington hereafter to the regu-
lar debates in the house of representa-
tives.
AE ARN
Brighter Business.
Works of all Sorts Are Resuming in Many Sec-
dions.
Wilmington, Del., Dec. 12.—The
Delaware Iron Works, at New Castle,
have resumed full operations in all de-
partments, giving employment to about
500 men.
Harrisburg, Pa., Dec. 12.—The
Lucknow forges, which have been idle
for months, will fire up tomorrow, to
run steadily all winter.
Lebanon, Pa., Dec. 12.—The North
Lebanon furnaces, owned by Coleman
& Brock, and the Colebrook turnaces,
owned by Robert H. Coleman, will re-
new work about January i, and will
give employment to about 300 hands.
Hicmranp, Wis., Dec 12.—The Min-
eral Point Zinc Works have started up
after six months’ idleness.
HarrissurG Pa., Deec., 12.—The
nail department of the Iarrisburg
Nail Works, at Fairview, is now in
operation, aud the activity in business
comes as a happy Christmas gift.
DS ———S———————————
Scared by the Black Fiags.
London's Unemployed March in Procession Un-
der Lurid Banner.
Lonpon, Dec. 12.—Black and red
flags borne at the head of a great
procession of unemployed gave London
a mild scare to-day. Thousands of
men out of work met at Tower Hill
and heard speeches by labor agitators.
Then they marched to Hyde Park
under their lurid beoner, heard more
speeches and marched back. Oun the
way the police captured the most
offensive banner carried in the lines.
Then men were allowed to march to
Cheapside, were officers eharged and
dispersed the mob. Shopkeepers in
the vicinity of the disturbance feared
that the mob might loot their stores
and suspended business.
Democrats Win in Boston.
Matthews Re elected Mayor by Abowmt 6000 Plu-
ralify.
Bosyon, Mass., Dec. 12.—After one
of the most bitterly -contested municipal
i elections of recent years, Nathan
| Matthews, Jr., the Democratic candi-
' date, was to-day re-elected Mayor by a
{ plurality. of about 6000 over ex-
, Postmaster Thomas N. Hart, Repub-
‘lican, who preceeded bim in the
Mayor's chair.
The indications are that the Demo-
crate will retain control of the City
| Council.
| ——————————
; Reduction of the State Debt $106,401.
HARRISBURG, Pa., December 11.—
The actual reduction of the state debt
during the last fiscal year was $106,401.
Governor Pattison issued a formal pro-
clamation tonight announcing this fact. :
Hon. John Cessra.
Full of Years and Honors He Passes Into the
Great Beyond.
Beprorp, Pa., December 13.—Ex-
Congressman John Cessna died at 11
o'clock to-night of diabetes in his 72d
year. Mr. Cessna hus been in bad
health for the past three months. In
fact, his illness dates back to the clos-
ing hours of the last legislature, where
both on the floor and in the committee
rooms he was an untiring worker.
For the past few days every citizen has
been earnestly inquiring atter the
health of the venerable statesman, yet
while this is being written not a dozen
persons outside of his own family, his
physicians and the newspaper men
know that “Uncle John,” as he was
known by every person in the county,
both old and young, for over halt a
century, is lying cold tin death.
Abouc six weeks ago Mr. Cessna
went to New York en a business er-
rand against the advice of his physi
cians and with one or two exceptions
he has not left his home since. He
has beea surrounded by his family dar-
ing the past two weeks, but not until
this week have they realized that his
condition was serious. About a week
ago, a trust judgment in favor of his
gon was entered against him for $17,
000. There is no telling what estate
he may leave as his money is tied up
in coal lands. The funeral will take
place on Saturday.
John Cessna has been a command-
ing and interesting figure in Pennsyl-
vania and national politics for forty
years. Few men have continued act:
ively interested in public affairs to
such a late period in life, and few have
enjoyed such uninterrupted regularity.
He was born in ‘Colerain township.
Bedford county, June 29, 1821. His
early education was received in the
common schools. He was a member
of the Forty-first and Forty-third con-
gresses, serving on the committee on
elections and the war department. In
the forty-third congress he was a mem-
ber of the judiciary committee, of
which Benjamin F. Butler was chair-
man.
When the deceased entered upon his
political career he was a’ democrat.
He attended the democratic national
convention in May, 1856, when James
Buchanan was nominated for the presi-
dency, and was a delegate to the
Charleston convention in 1860. When
the rebellion broke out Mr. Cessna
became a republican and was a dele:
gate to the republican national conven.
tions ot 1868, 1876 and 1880.
—————
No State Aid For Schools.
Cardinal Gibbons, it is Said, Advises the Subject
be Dropped.
BartiMorg, Md., Dec. 12.—The
school question was considered at the
quarterly meeting of the Catholic cler-
gy at the residence of the Vicar Gen-
eral today. Cardinal Giobons presid-
ed.
The circular recently issued advocat-
ing the division of the State school
funds and the proposed memorial to
the Legislature on that subject were
discussed.
While all present favored State aid
for parochial schools it was determined
not to agitate the question any further
at this time.
The Cardinal is said to have advised
that the matter be dropped.
TT STI,
Preparing for 96.
National Democratic Committee to open Head=
quarters at Washington.
WasHINGTON, Dec. 11.—Josiah
Quincy, of Massachusetts, and William
F. Harrity, of Pennsylvania, 1nembers
of the Executive Committee of the Na-
tional Democratic Committee, will be in
Washington this week for the purpose
of organizing permanent committee
headquarters. A correspondence bu-
reau will be opened at once and the
campaign of education preparatory to
the big fight of 1896 begun.
Ben. T. Cable, another member of
the committee, is now in Washington
and will consult with his colleagues up-
on their arrival.
Holiday Excursion Tickets on the Penn-
svlvania Railroad.
For the benefit of the increased trav-
el which the holiday season always
brings, the Pennsylvania Railroad
Company will this year sell excursion
tickets between the various stations on
its system at the reduced rate of two
cents per mile. Such tickets will be
sold between all stations except to and
from stations on the Downingtown and
Lancaster Branch and the United
Railroads ot New Jersey Division.
The dates of sale are December 22d to
25th and December 29th to January
1st, 1894, inclusive, valid for return un-
til January 31, 1894, inclusive.
The Prendergast Jury Completed.
CAIrcago, Dec. 12 —A jury to try
Patrick Eugene Prendergast for the
murder of Carter Harrison, mayor of
Chicago, was secured this afternoon af-
ter four days’ work in Judge Brentano's
court. J. M. Blanchard and J. H, Van
Inwagen were chosen af the morning
gession. The 12th man accepted was
W. F. White. He was the 207th man
examined and when he was added to
the number chosen and the jury was
complete, an adjournment was taken
until 10 o'clock to-morrow morning,
when the opening address to the jury
will be made.
Old Engineers Discharged.
WILKESBARRE,. December 11.—
Quite a number of the old engineers on
the Wyoming division of the Lehigh
Valley railroad were discharged to day
from the services of the company. The
cause assigned for this action is that
only men under the age of 45 years will
be employed hereafter as engineers.
Saperintendent Esser says: ‘We are
making a careful selection of men just
now, and employing only young men.”
Some of the men discharged have
been in the employ of the company for
many years, and are able to day to pass
the most critical examination.
A Plucky Fight for Utah,
een.
Delegate Rawlins Pleads Her Rights to State
hood and Holds Up New England's Black Page
in History.
WasHINGTON, Dec. 12.—In the
House to-day there was an intesting and
amusing debate on the bill to admit
Utah. Mr. Rawlins, the delegate from
Utah, made his maiden speech and was
listened to with marked attention.
Mr. Rawlins said that polygamy was
dying from natural causes, and in a
short time would cease to exist altogeth-
er. The people were not as credulous
now as in tormer years ; and, while they
believed 40 or 50 years ago in divine ap-
proval of polygamy and divine pro-
tection for those who practiced it, they
were more enlightened now.
Who were the men responsible for
the establishment of polygamy in Utah?
askel Mr. Rawlins. They were the
men who were born, reared, educated
and actuated by the sentiments of New
England--a sentiment which burned
witches, prosecuted quakers, drove out
Roger Williams and produced the
gentleman from Massachusetts, (Mr.
Morse.) Utah has a smaller percentage
of foreign born citizens than Massachu-
settes or New York, and “there is less
polygamy in Utah than in Massachu-
settes.”
The bill went over.
Cleveland Thanks Mills.
WasHiNGgToN, Dec. 12.—The presi-
dent has sent to Senator Mills, of Texas,
under date of Dec. 8, the following
note:
“My Dear SenxaTor—I have just
finished reading your speech on the
Hawaiian resolution, and, though it is
now midnight, I must, before I go to
bed, thank you for it. It is a manly,
sincere assertion of truly American
gentiments, and deals with national
honor, conscience and love of justice
in a way that will certainly find re
sponse in the depth of every true
American heart.
“Yours very traly,
“GROVER CLEVELAND.”
Help for Michigan Miners.
LaNsiNG, Mich., Dee. 12—Gov. Rich
to-day issued a proclamation for aid for
the starving miners in the upper penin-
gular. The Governor says there is
some hope that work will shortly be re-
sumed in the mines to a greater or less
extent, and this will in a measure re-
lieve the suffering people there, For
immediate needs, however, the suffer
ing people must depend wholly upon
donations.
Vice President Stevenson in Georgia
Aveusta, Ga. Dec. 12.—30,000
visitors at the Exposition to-day gave
a rousing ovation to Vice President
Stevenson, Secretary Herbert, of the
Navy ; Secretary Smith, of the Interior,
and Congressmen Springer and Sperry.
President Walsh, of the Exposition,
introduced Vice President Stevenson,
who spoke impressively of the develop
ment of the South, and especially of
Georgia.
An Anarchist Ordered to Leave,
BrusseLs, Dec. 12.—The Dutch Jew,
Cohen, sab editor of the anarchist
paper Pere Pienard, of Paris who was
expelled from France yesterday, sought
refuge in Belgium. Immediately upon
his arrival he was waited upon by
police officials, who ordered him to
quit the country.
a men———————
The Patrons of Husbandry.
HARRISBURG, December 14.—Eigh-
teen now granges and an increase of
5,000 in the membership is the record of
growth in the patrons of husbandry
during the year. Not less than 800
delegates from the various subordinate
bodies attended the annual sessions of
the state grange which began here Tues-
day.
Cochran Sentenced.
PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 11.—Henry S.
Cochran, the ex-chief weigher of the
Philadelphia mint, who was recently
convicted of stealing $135,000 of gold
bullion from the institution was this
morning sentenced to seven years and
six months imprisonment in the Eastern
penitentiary.
Won't Declare a Dividend.
PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 14.—It was re-
garded as a foregone conclusion in finan-
cial circles that the Lehigh Valley board
of directors, which met Tuesday would
not declare the quarterly dividend. It
1s believed, to be due to the expense and
loss attendant upon the strike.
Ba —————
A New Connecticut Bishop.
Hartrorp, Conn., Dec. 12.—A ca-
ble dispatch from Rome says that
Father Tierney has been appointed
Bishop of Hartford.
——Subscribe for the WATCHMAN.
ADDITIONAL LOACLS.
OBITUARY.—Mrs. Mary L. Hasson
died, Nov. 14, at her home near State
College, Pa., of a complication of dis
eases, aged 53 years, For seven years
she had been afllicted with a form of
melancholy that clouded her mental
powers and at last hastened her death.
By her decease. the Presbyterian church
at Lemont has lost one of the old mem-
bers, baptized and admitted to member-
ship under Dr. Hamill’s ministry and
one who enjoyed his confidence and es-
teem as well as the respect of all who
knew her kind and gentle spirit and
noble christian life. For five years she
will be remembered by many as caterer
to the club in the (ld State College
building and by her sterling honesty
and endeavor to please fastidious tastes
she earned for herself the esteem and
confidence of all and made many friends.
Mr. Hasson bas many sympathisers in
his bereavement. In speaking of her
death we might use the wellworn phrase
“the latter end was peace’ yet we think
that a verse from her favorite bymn,
leads its gentle expression with partie-
ular aptitude,
“So fades a summer cloud, away,
So links the gale when storms are o'er
So gently shuts the lyre of day;
So dies a wave along the shore. *
WHAT 11 Coss To RUN PENNSYL-
VANIA‘—According to the fellowing
statement from the Harrisburg Patriot
our readers will learn that the expenses
incurred in keeping the wheels of the
State government turning aggregate an
enormous sum.
“The payments made at the State
treasury for the fiscal year ending
November 30, 1893, aggregate $12,975,-
625. 46. Of this amount the public
schools received $4,865,807.10; the sol-
dier’s orphans’ schools, $90,255 62; the
national guard, $496,831.55 ; the Har-
risburg fire companies, $12,000. The
suppression of disturbances at Home-
stead cost the State $64,985, this amount
having been paid out during the year
on this account. Other expenditures
were as follows: Senate, $139,870.58 ;
house of representatives, $435,893.53;
judiciary, $481,218.06 ; public printing
and binding, $215,180.75; Legislative
Reser, $32,089.10 ; executive depart-
ment, $24,883.26; state department,
$46,459.27; auditor general’s depart-
ment $32,491.77 : treasury department,
$17,974.96 ; attorney general’s depart-
ment, $17,756.66 ; depart ment of inter-
nal affairs, $22,478.50 ; department of
public instruction, $17,488.46 ; adjutant
general’s department, $20,275.00 : fac-
tory inspector’s department, $19,165.69 ;
insurance department, $32,762 99 ; bank-
ing department, $19,314.33.”
A PRIMEVAL FOREST IN CENTRE
County.--With all the lumbering
that has been done in this county, ever
since its earliest settlement, one would
bardly think it possible that there is
a place where nature’s virgin garment
can be seen clothing the earth. Yet
such is certainly the case. On the Nit-
tany mountain, not far from Bellefonte,
there is a tract of forest land which has
never been desecrated by the woods-
man’s ax and forms what a writer in the
Forest Leaves calls a Primeval Forest.
The Nittany in common with many
other mountains in the interior of the
State, is double, i. e., of two ranges
with a narrow valley between them. It
is in the depth of this valley, in the
darkness of shade produced by overarch-
ing branches, that the forest has grown.
A damp soil has furnished congenial
footing for many kinds of mosses.
These, in turn, help to retain the mois-
ture, and the place is as damp and
gloomy almost as if in some deep moun-
tain-bound glen, yet it is not gloomy in
that it inspires either awe or undue so-
lemnity, but simply from the absence of:
sunlight. One might almost say it is
the quiet and the same mellowed light
that you some timessee in a cathedral
when the sun is under a cloud. The
tree trunks are the columns and the
branches above represent the arches of
the cathedral.
One looks at the vigorous trees, and
thinks only of the vast vitality locked
up within them. But among the living
trees one finds the decaying remains of
those that fell a quarter of a century or
more ago. They are essential to oar
idea of a primeval forest; indeed, to
them the increased fertility of the soil
and its reproductive capacity are large-
ly due. Not infrequently one sees a
hemlock or birch tree which has
commenced its growth on top of a fallen
log. The latter slowly rotted away
from beneath the growing sapling.
Time at length completed the destruc-
tion of the fallen trunk. The sapling
matures into a tree, and 18 left standing
in the air on stilt-like roots. Eventual-
ly in settles down more and more near
the ground, but its ‘‘queer roots” al®
ways remain a puzzle to those who have
not observed how nature does such
things.
The absence of animal life, especially
birds, in the forest paths bas often been
noted, but life is there, and abundantly.
Remove the bark from a decaying trunk
explore the lower face of a stone or a
log, and note how many insects, and of
how many kinds, you will see. Re-
main in the forest through the night,
and count the sounds you will hear,
from the flight of some nocturnal insect
to the stealthy tread of some large
animal. There is life everywhere, but
your eyes and ears must be trained to
recognize it.
The old forests on lower grounds do
not have, as a rule, so much under-
growth as those on the hillsides, unless
it be laurel or rhododendron. Where
these occur they form dense thickets.
Qa the hillsides young forest trees are
coming on. Possibly they may mature
into valuable wood, perhaps they may
never reach a destiny better than scrub
oak. It depends mainly on the species,
‘While you can never produce a large
tree from a scrub oak, Quercus ilici-