Democratic watchman. (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1855-1940, February 02, 1895, Image 1

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    BY P. GRAY MEEK.
Ink Slings.
—Leta fellow fail in business for
himself and he will invariably turn up
wanting to manage for some one else.
—The man who spends most of the
time pressing the gable end of his trous-
ers is the one who has most to say In
everybody's affairs but his own.
—FxrLix FAURE, the new President
of France, has a lucky name, since it is
on alliteration, but from the trouble he
has been having in getting a cabinet it
begins to look as if there isn’t much in
a name in his case.
Mexico wants to goto war with
some one, but hasn’t hit on the right
party yet. If she still longs for new
fields to conquer she might glance
Texas-ward with a consciousness that:
she would get her fill very soon.
—_Jamxs H. BERRY, has been elected
United States Senator from Arkansas.
The telegraphic reports do not say what
kind of a BERRY he is, but it is natural
to suppose that so far as Republican leg-
islation is concerned during: the next
session he will be a *do’’ BERRY.
—The preachers sre happy again be-
cause the Pennsylvania railroad com-
pany’ has gone back to the former cus-
tom of hauling them for half fare. But
do our ministerial brethren reciprocate
as they should, are railroad men riding
on the gospel train at half rates?
—Mr. SPRINGER has introduced
new currency bill in Congress. It is in
conformity to the President’s recent mes-
sage and provides for the retirement of
the treasury and other legal tender
notes and for the issuance of gold bonds.
It is looked upon with considerable
favor and will possibly pass.
—XKous, the would be Governor of
Alabama, bas addressed a letter to the
Legislature of that State, but no one
seems to know much about the contents
ofit. If he and WaITeE and PEN-
NOYER and ATGELD and Mrs. LEASE
were all put in a bag and thoroughly
shook up what a harmonious (?) whole
they would make.
—The great Brooklyn railroad strike
is about petered out, the militia is being
withdrawn and the cars are beginning
torun again with their old time regu-
larity. As has been the case with
many other strikes the men who made
the fuss have found themselves the losers
and now realize that it would bave been
better for them all} had they presented
their demands in a different way.
—— The State Legislature is afflicted
with the idea that the people want an-
other edition of the ‘‘bird-book.” The
truth of the matter is that they want a
means of making themselves solid with
their constituents for another term, but
if they only knew it the best bird book
sent out from Harrisburg is the one
Wu. RODEARMEL gets up annually
and is called “State Departments and
Legislature.” It contains pictures of all
the Legislators and what greater variety
of birds could be collated in Pennsylva-
nig.
— Representative MooRE, of Bradford
county, hssintroduced a bill into the
Legislature providing for the establish.
ment of a State department of agricul-
ture. Thera isto be a secretary at a
salary of $3,500, a zoological commis-
sioner, a horticultural commissioner, 8
dairy and food commissioner and nu-
merous clerks all of whom will draw fat
salaries. If such e department is form-
ed it will be a bone of contention over
which the public can expect to see much
snarling being done by AILMAN,
Browx, RHONE and the other State
agricultural leaders.
—So our Republican friend Wu. I,
SwoopE, of Clearfield, has given up his
law business and gone to Harrisburg to
accept a clerkship on the ways and
means committee, & fine berth, to be
sure, for one who did so much (?) to-
ward bringing about the victory for his
party last fall. BILLY hasn’t become
80 notorious, however, that the city pa-
pers know his right name. Why the
Inquirer even calls him SHARPE, which
is a great misnomer, to be sure, but
when Monday’s Press called him
common ‘BILL SHOPE" he must sure-
ly have gritted his molars.
—The judicial contest in the Indiana
county district where Judge HARRY
WHITE and Judge BLAIR both claim
to have been elected is developing some
interesting facts about the modern man-
ner of electioneering. The one has al-
ready been proven to have put a thou-
sand bottles of whiskey into his cam-
paign, while the other does not deny
that he has paid all the way from twen-
ty cents to twenty dollars a piece for
votes. When the election of a judge
involves so much pollution as this case
has disclosed one is naturally inclined
to lose respect for the judiciary. Yet
every Centre countian knows that
the primaries that put Judge Love
on the 49th district bench were charac-
terized by about as much rottenpess as
is now being disclosed in the Ipdiana
district. :
STATE RIGHTS AND FEDERAL UNION.
?
Ne
“¢
Zs
VOL 10
BELLEFONTE, PA., FEB. 1, 1895.
NO. 5.
Promises That Can Be Relt¢d Upon.
Ex-Governor PATTISON, in his letter
accepting the Democratic nGrhination
for Mayor of Philadelphia, pledges
. himself to reforms in the government
of the city which cannot fail to make
a deep impression upon the citizens;
but this impression is made stronger
by the fact that they know he will do
| exactly what he promises. They know
the kind of man he ia; his record has
given him his reputation, and there is
not a citizen that can reasonably doubt
that he will be true to his pledge.
It 18 an easy thing to make promises
before an election. - Politicians ordi-
narily indulge in them when they are
after votes, and it is eo usual for them
to disregard their pledges after they
are elected that the people are justified
in not having much confidence in
them ; but when Roperr E. Parrison
specifically mentions the abuses in the
city government which he would cor
rect, and pledges himself to do so
should he be elected mayor, the peo-
ple of the city, from what they know
of him, and from what they have ex-
perienced of his administrative charac-
ter, can be just as sure of realizing
what he promises as if his word had
been given in the form of a signed and
sealed bond. If there should be
enough to defeat him, it will not be be-
cause they would have reason to doubt
his pledge, but because they would al-
low their party feeling to overcome
their desire for good city government.
BD am —————]
Municipal Indebtedness.
The bill offered in the State Senate
by Senator FLINN, of Allegheny, to re-
peal the law that fixes the 8 per cent.
limit to the bonded debt of cities and
boroughs, may be entitled a bill to en-
courage profligate municipal govern-
ment.
The disposition of incorporated com-
munities to ran into debt, and the un-
restrained power of their authorities
to increase the tax burden by extrava-
gant expenditures, were the reasons for
passing the act limiting the indebted
ness they may contract. Asa protec
tion to the tax-payers this limitation
has been beneficial in its effect. It
has prevented municipalities from
being overwhelmed with debt, thus
protecting the material interest of the
citizens, whilst shielding the authori
ties against the demoralization that al-
ways attends unrestricted expenditure
of public money when the funds are
limited ihe expenses must also be
limited, and many a town and city in |
this State would be a good deal deeper’
in debt to-day if it were not for the act
limiting their bonded debt.
This wholesome restraint does not
suit some of the Republican states
men in our state Legislature. They
want to remove the restraint upon the
contraction ot municipal indebtedness,
and thus afford a freer chance to those
who profit from such sources of pecula-
tion. This doubtless is the object of
Senator FLINN in presenting his bill
for the repeal of the present law. He
probably is acting in response to the
wishes of the ringsters who control the
city government of Pittsburg and
Philadelphia and whose interests re:
quire an enlargement of their power to
bleed the tax-payers of those commu-
nities.
While ParrisoNn was Governor no
one ventured to offer such a bill, for
they knew that if it were passed it
would certainly be vetoed. Isit now
brought forward because they believe
they have a more compliant Governor?
ER CEO
It Stands the Judicial Test.
The income tax stands the test of
the courts into which it has been
dragged by the wealthy men who do
not want to pay their share to the sup-
port of the government, In the case
that was brought before the Supreme
court of the District of Columbia, the
presiding justice turned the opponents
of the tax completely out of court,
Their contention was for an injunction
to restrain the commissioner of iunter-
nal revenue from collecting the in-
come tax, but the case was dismissed
for the reason that there was no injus-
tice in laying the tax ; that it was not
unconstitutional ; that there was no ir-
regularity in the act of Congress that
authorized it, and that as Congress
‘had plenary power on that subject it
was beyond the control of the judicial
authority. The case, no doubt, will
-''be taken“to a higher court, but it is
will be reversed.
It is gratifying to learn that the lat-
est estimates show that the income
tax will yield more revenue than the
treasury department had previously
estimated. After the law isin com-
plete working order it will doubtless
contribute materially to the public,
revenue, and to that extent relieve a
class of tax-payers who have been
bearing an undue ehare of the burden.
In 36 out of 63 collection districts re:
turns show that 243,510 corporations
will be assessable under the in-
come tax law. It is from this source,
heretofore exempted by Republican
laws, that the revenue from this tax
will be principally derived. The indi-
viduals liable to it are comparatively
limited in pumber, being only about
85,000, but they are of the class upon,
which a tax can be ‘most equitably
laid.
EC RT. :
A Contrast Favorable to Democratic
Journalism.
cmon.
There is a decided contrast between
the action of Democratic newspapers
in New York and Republican news-
papers in Philadelphia on the subject
of municipal reform in their respective
cities.
In New York it had become evident
that corrupt practices prevailed in the
city Government. Bad men in the
municipal administration had abused
the power with which the dominant
party had invested them, making it the
means of personal gain. Although
the Democratic party had to take the
blame for this’ bad etate of affairs,
Democratic papers of that city were
the most insistent in demanding thor-
ough investigation, and the most out-
spoken in condemning Democratic of-
ficers who had been unfaithful to their
municipal trust.
In Philadelphia it has become
equally evident that its municipal gov-
ernment has grown to be Thor
corrupt. A ring of politicians, by ‘be
ing invested with absolute power, have
converted that power into a means of
plunder. There is as much reason for
turning out these rascals as there was
for changing the municipal administra
tion in New York, but the Republican
newspapers of Philadelphia, without
an exception, defend the combination
of thievish ringsters who compose the
city government and advocate their
continuance in power, in the face of
the popular conviction that they are
| plundering the city treasury.
This shameful journalistic abase-
{ ment would be bad enough if it came
I solely from partisan subservience, but
| the disgrace is increased by what is
| more than a suspicion that a share of
the spoils in the shape of extravagant
city advertising is the consideration
that corruptly influences these journals
to support the combination of dishon-
est Republican politicians who rule
and rob Philadelphia.
Going Back on the Calamity Howl.
When Governor HasTiNGs in his in-
augural address congratulated the peo-
ple on the fact that the country is hap-
pily emerging from financial and in-
dust*ial embarrassment, he must have
“winked his other eye” at the Repub-
lican leaders who stood around him at
that moment. Both they and he had
a very distinct recollection of how he
had gone through the State before the
election declaring that the country
had been ruined by a Democratic tar-
iff, and that proceeding must have ap-
peared to them like a huge joke in the
face of the fact that at his inauguration
be could announce that business was
improving and industrial activity was
being restored, although the McKiy-
LEY protection, which he had declared
to be necessary for the salvation of the
country, had been supplanted by what
he had stigmatized as “Democratic
free trade.”
His deluded supporters, who swelled
his majority to euch huge proportions
in consequence of the tariff scare, must
be surprised to see him so soon go
back on his calamity howl. The
Democratic tariff is now in full opera:
tion ; it went into complete effect but a
few days before the delivery of the ad-
dress in which the Governor expressed
his congratulations on the improved
business prospect. How those words
must have brought to his mind bu-
morous recollections of the calamity
not at all probable that this decision |
how! with which he. bad humbugged
the voters, + +. bya
Rather Cheeky.
A bill has been introduced in the
State Legislature for an appropriation
of $500,000 to improve the Delaware
river for the benefit of the commerce
ot Philadelphia, this amount to be a
supplement to that which the general
government has appropriated for that
purpose.
Asking the State to render this ser-
vice requires a large amount of gall in
view of the millions which the. ¢ity
councils squander on worse than use-
less objects.” The plunder which po-
litical contractors Ye secured from
the city hall job, and ‘the pillage that
is enriching the ringsters: who control
the street paving and other jobbing
schemes would have been sufficient to
provide the harbor ‘with excellent com-
mercial facilities.
Though there is a glaring. necessity
for improvements that will help the
commerce of the city, the governing
municipal authorities are indifferent to
appeals in béhalf of a matter of such
vital importance. ‘While a small ap-
propriation for this purpose. is reluc-
tantly given, exorbitant sums continue
to be expended upon the public build-
ings ; council chambers are furnished
with the most lavish extravagance;
projects to open unnecessary boule-
vards that would cost millions receive
the approval of councils; paving and
reservoir contracts. are awarded with
special reference to the enrichment of
contractors who have an understanding
with the politicians ; and most valua-
ble franchises are given away which,
if a proper equivalent were exacted for
them, would be a large source of reve-
pue. When, therefore, the city allows
its resources to be squandered in this
shameful manner, permitting them to
become the spoil of a combination of
municipal thieves, it is rather cheeky
for her to come befure the Legislature |
and ask it to tax the people of the
State for the improvement of its har-
bor.
Why does not Philadelphia follow
the example set her by some of the
| individual.
‘ed for.
commercial cities of Europe? There |
is Liverpool, for instance, that in addi-
tion to millions spent on her magnifi-
cent system of docks, is just now ar-
rangiog to spend additional millions
to enlarge her shipping facilities and
maintain here commercial supremacy.
In this great work she has depended
entirely upon her own resources. The
same has been the case with Antwerp
and Hamburg which by their own
means have made vast harbor
improvements, tO their great com-
mercial advantage. Philadelphia
might do this, without help from the
general government or the State, if ber
resources were not plundered by a ring
of political cormorante.
Hypocritical Surprise.
When in a recent debate in the Sen-
ate surprise was expressed by Senator
ALLisoN, of Iowa, that no communica-
tion had come from the Secretary of
the Treasury or the President calling
attention to the fact that the current
revenues were falling behind the cur-
rent expenses of the government, the
expression was in keeping with the
character of that political oily gam-
mon. Both the Secretary and the
President have given ample warning
that the expenses were going beyond
the income of the government, but it
has been the object of Republican
Senators to produce this deficiency by
embarrassing the financial measures
of the administration. The tariff and
income tax laws; if their operations
were not impeded by Republican op-
position, would bring in enough reve.
nue to meet even the enormous expen-
ges permanetly fastened upon the gov-
ernment by former extravagant Re-
publican legislation.
If the expense is greater than the in-
come, threatening a depletion of the
Treasury, Senator ALLISON has no
reason to express surprise about it, for
it'isjust what such as he heave been
striving to bring about for the embar-
rassment of the administration. But
the situation is not as bad as he hypo-
critically represents. The new tariff
did not go fully into operation until
the first of January, and since then the
receipts of the Treasury have averaged
a million dollars a day. After the new
fiscal machinery, including the income
tax law, has developed its full efficien-
cy. it will prove amply sufficient to fur-
nish all the revenue, required. under
! Democratic administration.
Andy Jackson's Reign.
From the New York Advertiser.
Andrew Jackson was an American |
from the bristling shock, of hair that
crowned his head to the slippers in
which he lounged around the white
house kitchen. His patriotism was
part of his being. He never flinched
or hired a substitute when summoned
to bear arms in defense of his country,
As boy and man be fought for the re-
public. He faced Indian or red coat,
and plunged into Florida swamps or
hastened to the lower Mississippi with
equal alacrity in upholding the honor
ot “Old Glory.” He loved his country
because he knew from personal experi-
ence at what a tremendous cost its’ in-
dependence had been bought.
As chief magistrate of the nation
Andrew Jackson never indulged in
cant about “consecration” to duty,
fearlessly and honestly according to his
lights. He was a persistent champion
of ‘protection to American industry
and gloried in the fact. He
was the outspoken foe of monopoly
and corruption. He was the
uncompromising enemy of dishonest
and unsound money. Hedid not sol-
emuly announce that ‘public office is a
public trust” and then turn over the
service to a horde of spoilsmen. He
did not sell ambassadorships in return
for Democratic campaign contributions.
He did not poee as the friend of popu-
lar rule and then use his great office to
reinstate a savage despot. He detested
sham and he took the people into his
confidence. During his career as presi-
dent the public debt was practically
wiped out.
Finding Roosts for Republican Roost-
| ers.
From the Philadelphia Times.
The custodian of State supplies is a
new form of humor in the proposed
legislation of the day at Harrisburg,
but the fun becomes positively exciting
when it is known that John C. De-
laney is to be the custodian. Delaney
has all the custodian kinks. He
knows just where and how State sup-
plies have been given out in the past,
and experience is always valuable. It
does not matter that the creation of
this new office, with Delaney in it,
| throws open the door to innumerable
scandals. No thought is given the
personal feature of the measure or
that it creates a salary for a particular
Delaney must be provid-
But if Governor Hastings
wants to do the State a service he will
veto the scheme and Delaney, too.
Queer Work Being Done Already.
From the Pittsburg Post.
One of the Republican papers an-
nounces that a special order has been
| secured at Harrisburg for the banking
bill, and that Gilkeson is rushing it.
The bill increases Gilkeson’s salary
from $4,000 to $6,000 a year, and
gives him additional clerks. 'The gov-
ernor is holding back Gilkeson's ap-
pointmert as bank commiesioner eo
that Gilkeson may rush bis salary
grab through; and so evade the coosti-
tutional provision that the salary of no
official shall be increased daring his
term of office. The little game of hide
and seek that the governor and Gilke-
gon are playing may be all right for
Gilkeson, but it is rather hard on the
governor of the State.
SAI —————————
Cleveland Still Out for the Relief of the
Treasury.
From the Altoona Times.
Mr. Cleveland has made an earnest
appeal to congress to do something in
the way of relieving the embarrass
ment of the government. Itis doubt
ful, however, if anythiog will be done
at the present session. There is a
probability that relief. legislation can
pass in the house in the face of fierce
opposition, but the rules of the senate
or rather the lack of rules, forbid the
hope that anything can be done there.
If it should happen that there would
be a financial enactment before the 4th
of Mareh, it will be much of a surprise
to those who understand the state of
the present situation.
A Source of Immense Revenue.
From the Doylestown Democrat.
It is now estimated that the amount
that will be raised from the income
tax, will reach $50,000,000. When
the law was passed it was thought
from fifteen to eighteen millions might
be realized, but those who have stud-
ied the question think it will reach
fifty. It will only eftect those who
have an income of over $4,000 and
people of moderate means will not be
effected by it.
TTC EE.
It Will Take Wings and Fly Too.
From the Westmoreland Democrat.
A full treasury was left at Harris-
burg by the outgoing Democratic ad-
ministration. With a number of such
jobs as $100,000 for a ‘‘bird book,”
now before the Legislature, it will not
be long before the state treasury will
be iu about the same condition that
Harrison and the Billion. Dollar Con-
grees Jail the national finances.
STR,
. ——Subseribe for the WATCHMAN,
Spawls from the Keystone.
— Pottsville citizens are looking arotnd
for a site for a hospital. ~*~
| Representative E. N. Tewksbury is
seriously ill at Catawissa. es
—The State Medical Council organized
at Harrisburg yesterday. i
—Robbers broke into Dr. Bealor’s drug
store, at Shamokin, and stole $70.
—The Reading Press Club held its an-
nual meeting on Saturday night,
=A. E. Zuern has been appointed an in-
i ternal revenue gaunger for the Shamokin
district.
i —Constable Ben Aller, of Newville, wag
, struck by a train near Carlisle, and had a
| leg broker.
| —Millstone is the only township in Elk
’ county in which there is not a license to
! sell liquor.
| —William Price died at his home in
! Pike township, Clearfield county, recent
| ly aged 95 years. :
—Ex.Adjutant General Greenland is
quite ill as a result of a cold he took on
inauguration day.
—The Reading National Bank building,
began last spring, will be ready for occue
pancy on February 1.
—Minor Packard, of St. Mary’s had his
skull crushed by a piece of timber while
working in a saw-mill.
—York’s molasses war continues, and
the fluid can now be bought for: three.
quarters of a cent a quart. :
—Several residents of Heidelberg town-
led by!lightning rod sharpers.
—Eleven.year-old Mamie Aiken, of
Edgewood, Allegheny county, was killed
by cars while going on an errand.
—Theannual State convention of city
and borough superintendents of schools
is being held at Harrisburg today.
—Falling down the gangway at Spring-
dale Colliery, near Ashland, Joseph
Shultz, aged 32, was fatally hurt.
—William Frank Ritz, aged 60, a rail-
roader and father of 10 children, was kill-
etl by a train in Reading, Monday: i
—Botman ite Evangelicals have sued to
recover possession of churches at Bangor
and Danielsville, Northampton county.
—New York capitalists bought for $300,-
000 the Hotel Riverside, a noted pleasure,
resort at Cambridge, Crawford county,
—Despondency, caused by ill health, led
Mis. Michael Moore, of Midvale, Luzerue
county, to commit suicide by taking ar-
senic.
—Secranton diocese T. A. B. societies
will petition the Legislature to enact laws
providing for State sanitariums for
inebriates.
—To save Harry Spence, of Lancaster,
from death by gangrene, due to a sprain
of the ankle sustained a year ago, his leg
was amputated.
—At Shamokin, by their sled running in
to a fence, diss Annie Murdock had a leg
broken and George Hines was badly cut
about the limbs.
—The guarantee fund of the Erie-Ohio
ship canal has reached $23,100 and as soon
as it reaches $25,000 engineers will begin
i the preliminary survey.
—Judge Miller, of Mercer,» has directed
that all barrooms must face on frong
streets, and that all screens and frosted
windows must be removed.
.-—J. Knight Reeder, son ot ex-Judge
Reeder, broke through the ice while skat_
ing on the Lehigh River, at Easton, and
narrowly escaped drowning.
—Isaiah Newsbigle,at one time a prom.
inent contractor of Wilkesbarre, died in
a lockup, where he had been place a after
his arrest for drunkenness. :
—The State College authorities have
determined to put a stop to hazing, and a
student named Bien, of Allegheny, has
been expelled for the offense.
—Thinking that a mail box was on
another carrier's route, Max Sartories, of
Youngstown, allowed nearly 100 letters to
accumulate and was suspended.
—The centennial of Lycoming County
will be celebrated on July 2, 3 and 4 next,
and to defray the expenses a prorata as
sessment of $25,000 will be levied.
—On the ground of lack of confidence in
Councils, the People’s Party, of Reading,
will oppose the proposed city loan of
%900,000 for publie improvements.
—Owing to the great volume of business
before the present term of Civil Court,
Judge Endlich, of Berks county, is help-
ing the Schuylkill county Judges.
—Erie Endeavorers are erecting a spe-
cial building to accommodate the State
Convention of the Christian Endeavor
Society, which meets there next fall.
—A fund is being raised by the Minis-
terial Association of Schuylkill county to
continue the Auditor’s investigation of
the scandals at the county Almshouse.
_ Russell Counsman, aged 9, who was in-
jured internally at Altoona on Tuesday
night by the sled on which he was coast.
ing striking a curbstone, died Thursday.
—Ebensburgers were yesterday gratifi-
ed by seeing the first regular freight
train pass ever the Black Lick branch rail-
road. It was a coal train of twenty cars
drawn by two engines.
' —An Italian 22 years of age is a student
in a primary room of the Jersey Shore
schools. The Herald says he is determin.
ed to learn, and by persistent work is
making rapid profress.
—George R. Taylor, aged 35, for 10 years
captain of Company B. Fourteenth Regi-~
ment, N. G. P., slipped on the ice in front
of a train at Edgewood, near Pittsburg,
and was hurled to death.
—John Rodner, aged 75 years, for. many
years a resident of Hollidaysburg, slipped
and fell on the ice on Thursday and when
picked up it was found he was dead, the
shock, it issupposed having killed him.
—Judge Craig, at a special session of the
Monroe county court Monday, continued
the receiver appointed for the Delaware
Valley Elcetric Railway, and refused to
allow the property to be sold at Sheriff's
sale.
—Oran McKean was recently killed near
Chaffee’s siding, in Elk county, by the
falling of a tree. In cutting down a tree
the but slipped from the stump, catching
Mr. McKean as it fell, and killing him al-
most. instantly. :
—About 10¢ men in charge of Civil En-
gineer Mickey, are at work onan exten-
sion of the West Branch from Bolivar to
Sang Hollow, a distance of fifteen miles.
One track is being laid and a township
road being made alongside the line.
ship, Lebanon County, have been swind- -