Bellefonte, Pa., Dec. 14, 1900. P. GRAY MEEK, - - nme Eprror Terms or Supscriprion.—Until further notice this paper will be furnished to subscribers at the following rates : Paid strictly in advance.......ccceveveees Paid before expiration of year........ Paid after expiration of year........... The Christmas Celebration. It is probable that the new century will not have rounded out its first quarter until the Christmas day of the period will bear no semblance of its ancestor of the nine- teenth. The Christmas of today is not the Christmas of twenty-five years ago and when we stop to soberly consider what itis drifting to we stand appalled at a gala sea- son that seems more appropriate to cele- brate some great achievement of war or state-craft than as the anniversay of the natal day of the Holy Child. Christmas has degenerated. It has been degraded by the popular clamor for excite- ment and festivity. By degrees it is los- ing all that sacred loveliness that made it once as near a day of peace on earth ‘as possible and on which all men strove to bear good-will toward others. Every re- currence of the festal season brings some new inroad that robs it of a little more of its Heavenly significance, until we are afraid to lift the veil of the future lest some _ sacrilege shock us. The pretty old fables and myths that _ once delighted the childish heart, that were "so pure and spiritual in their tone. are rarely retold by young mothers of today. The children, themselves, are disillusioned as to Santa Claus and his mission as a re- warder of the good; the principal thought seeming to be one of the amount of tinsel the Christmas dag will bring and whether they will have more and nicer toys than ~ their playmates next door. The young people must needs find pleas- wre in parties, dancing, shooting and other pastimes so remote. from the true idea of a Christmas day that they seem almost sacri- legions. In ye olden times, after the good cheer of the Christmas morn, there was the early prayer service, the singing of Holy carols and then the day was spent in friend- ly greetings with one another. These distortions are all sad, when they pass in review, but none are as deplorable as the custom of exchanging gifts, as it is practiced today. Avarice, cupidity, ex- travagance, all show themselves so numis- takably that we are forced to the conclusion that gifts are no longer appreciated for the sentiment they carry, but are rather meas- ured by their intrinsic value. Is it not time for the world to arouse it- self to this condition, in order that the old “fashioned Holy Christmas day may be rescued and saved from the sacrilegious in- carsions that are being made in it. The WATCHMAN by no means intends to convey the impression that all sorts of pleasure should be eschewed, because the season is, essentially, one of good cheer, but it does deplore all those light and frivolous entertainments that have a tend- ency to divert the mind from the one great and saving truth that on Chnistmas day a child was born,a Christ who brought peace, good-will and hope for all mankind. ——1It is not particularly complimentary to Congressman WANGER’S attention to the welfare of his constituents that it was left to a New York Congressman to move an investigation of the causes of the death of cadet Booz, a resident of WANGER'S dis- drict, who died a few days ago, from the effects, as his friends allege, of a hazing re- ceived at West Point. Most Congressmen , would have been on hand and determined to see that the interests of his own people were properly cared for. The Republican Repre- sentative from the 7th district of Pennsyl- vania is not of that stripe. He seems willing to draw his salary, have a ‘good time in Europe and leave to othei# the little job of inquiring into the murder of his own constituents through practices in vogueat a government institution. Escaping Justice, As usual in this State since ring-rule has controled; and” ring authority dominated ~every department of the public service, the bribery cases growing out of infamies con- nected with the last session of the Legis- lature have come to naught. On Monday last the courts at Harrisburg dropped the cases against COSTELLO, JONES, EVANS, SPATZ, MoyLEs and KULP, against whom true bills for bribery, perjury and con- spiracy ‘had been found, on their agreeing to pay the costs. Just what excuse will be made for this miscarriage of justice we ‘do not know. Sufficient, we presume, to satisfy the followers of the machine, and when these are cared for the duty of pub- lic officials in Pennsylvania, whether exec- utive, legislative or judicial, seem to be fulfilled. Under ordinary conditions one would imagive that if these men were guilty of the crimes for which true bills were found against them by a grand jury, that it would be criminal to allow them to escape with- out a trial and such punishment as their crimes deserve, On the other hand, if they are innocent it is unjust to allow the suspicion of guilt to rest upon them and unrighteously subject them to the pay- ment of costs. Evidently there is a screw loose in some part of the judicial machinery about Har- risburg, butas it all belongs to, and is ander the control of the state machine, it is mot probable that any adjustment of its rickety condition will he made. A Green Goods Game. There is scarcely a compaign goes by but farmers and other real estate owners are told how kindly they have been treated by having their property exempt from the payment of state taxes. There are many who give great credit to the party in pow- er for this pretentious favoritism, and but few who understand the injustice of a tax system that exonerates any class of prop- erty from its full share of taxation. The exemption of real estate from state taxes was not made to benefit the farmer and small house owners. It was a trick to excuse corporations from the payment of local taxation. And it worked well. Farmers imagined they were practically favored when they escaped state taxation, little thinking that in being compelled to assume all local taxation, they were ac- cepting much more than an equal share of the public burdens. As to how the exoneration of farm land and other real estate from state taxation, and the exoneration of corporations from local taxation favors the latter, was shown by a report made to the State Grange at its meeting in Lock Haven this present week, by Representative CREASY and Past Worthy Master RHONE. An examination of the tax records at Harrisburg shows that for the year 1899, there was collected from real estate, thiough county and local authorities, $55,- 808,585.55. Of this sum, after deducting the licenses, personal property tax and such other taxes as are collected by the counties and paid over to the State, aud to the var- ious municipal governments, the amount of taxes paid by real estate for local and county purposes was $43,350,416.25 on the real estate of the Commonwealth valued at $2,628,162,336—an average rate of sixteen mills on the dollar. From corporate prop- erty for the same year the State collected $7,833,010.48 on property valued ab $3,- 000,000,000 or less than three mills on the dollar. A system jof taxation that exonerates fair and plausible on the surface; but when that same real estate is made to pay, in other ways, five times as much for publie purposes, as is the propertyof corporations, farmers ought to be getting their eyes open to the kind of a green goods game that is being played upon them in this matter of taxation. For What Is In It. A telegram from DuBois states that papers were served on Congressman HALL, on Tuesday, notifying him of the inten- tion of Col CLEARWATER to contest his seat. We know nothing of the reliability of the telegram, but would not be surpris- ed if such proceeding were resorted to. If it is it will not be with the expectation of unseating Mr. HALL. Its sole purpose will be that of securing a fee for ex-Con- gressman ARNOLD and giving Mr. CLEAR- WATER a little financial boost. The expense for the campaign for CLEAR- WATER, last fall, was met by the Republi- can Campaign committee out of the $350,- 000 contributed to elect Republican Con- gressmen in Pennsylvania and New York, hy the Brewers Association, which is now getting it back in a reduction of their reve- nue taxes. It cost him nothing, and his now willing to be used as a tool to secure some nice fees out of the public for the impecunious pack of politicians who ae urging on a contest, provided he gets his per cent of the congressional appropriation that he expects will be made to meet the expenses of the case. This is what he is after. It is what ARNOLD is after, and as the contest is sim- ply a job to get a political ‘‘divy’’ out of the public no one need be surprised if it is undertaken. It will not be an effort to ex- pose frand at the election. for nothing of the kind occurred in any county of the district. It will simply be a cold blooded attempt to rob the public of the costs and fees that can he run up in the case and for which Congress will be expected to provide. reer ra——— The Fruits of Imperialistic Efforts. The "WATCHMAN last week published the fact that the last steamer to leave the Pacific” coast for Manila, carried as its cargo 50,000 barrels of beer. A telegram from San Francisco printed in the papers of Tuesday last tells us that : “Phe. transport Hancock arrived to day from pila by way of Nagasaki with the bodies of about fifteen hundred sailors and soldiers; who either died in battle or suc- cumbed to the ravages of disease in the Philippines, China, Guam and Honolulu.” Fifty. thousand barrels of beer as the out- ward load ! . Fifteen hundred dead soldiers and sail- ors, as “the cargo home! What glory we are reaping in our.efforts to spread chris- tianity ! What a path we are traveling in our endeavor to become a ‘‘world power ?”’ — The last of old Embalmed Beef EGAN was heard on Thursday, when he was again placed ‘on the active list, but only to, be permanently retired a few mo- ments later. EGAN had been drawing $5,- 500 per year while he was suspended, but as another officer had to do his work it was hardly deemed fair to the latter, so EGAN, whose term of suspension on full pay would have lasted four years longer, was reinstat- ed then forced onto the *‘worn-out’’ shelf, so that Col. ‘‘Jack’’ WESTON can be made Commissary General. ——The women of the country are being more in evidence every year, in their effect upon legislation. At the last session of Congress it was practically their influence that unseated BRIGHAM ROBERTS, the Utah Mormon. At this session they have already made themselves felt at Washing- ton by knocking the disgraceful ‘‘canteen’’ out of the army. real estate from state taxes may look very. itching for notoriety has grown until he is | Died from Mistaken Fright. Thought She Had Swallowed Teeth and was Paral- yzed. As the result of paralysis, caused through fear that she had swallowed ber false set of teeth, Mrs. Hannah Laidlaw, of east Main street, Fall River, Mass., died at the city hospital Saturday. The woman was found unconscious Wed- nesday night, and after regaining her speech, declared that she had swallowed her lower set of false teeth. The pbhysi- cians declare that the horror the woman bad shown for a surgical operation, even though assured that she bad not swallow- ed the teeth, cansed paralysis and fiually death. : Americans Repulsed. 47th Regiment Lost 2 Men Killed and 2 Wounded. MANILA, Dec. 9.—While the capture of supplies and the occupation of new points are quite numerous, those involving actual fighting are comparatively few. A detachment of the 47th United States Volunteer Infantry from the Islands of Catanduanes, off the southeast coast of Luzon, relinquished an attempt to land near Pandens. On anchoring the Americans were fired upon by 60 riflemen, and after a short en- gagement they cut the anchor chain and sailed for Cantanduanes, with 2 killed and 2 wounded. The names have not yet heen received here. Let Us Hope Not. ——_ TIT Argument for Continuing Canteen Sys- em. WASHINGTON, Dec. 12.—In connection with its consideration of the army reorgan- ization bill the senate committee ou mili- tary affairs today listened to an argument hy Adjutant General Corbin for the cou- tinuation of the present canteen system in the army. The committee has taken no foriual vote on the subject but there has been more or less exchange of opinion among members, the result of which bas heen favorable to the retention of the pres- ent system and the elimination of the house canteen provision. The committee expects t» conclude its hearings on the bill to-mor- Tow. A ———————————————— ADDITIONAL LOCALS. — There is skating on the lake at the new fair grounds and tickets are now being sold at $1.00 each, good for twelve admis- sions. It is intended to have a section of the exposition building kept warm for the comfort of the skaters while on the ground. re — ——— Among the handkerchiefs for sale at the Christmas Market and Handkerchief Fair, yesteiday, in the W. C. T. U. rooms was one contributed by Mrs Witliam Jen- nings Dryan, of Nebraska. It wasa fine and attracted much attention. — > [heer linen one, with an embroidered edge { i Johnny was spelling his way through a! Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Davis, whose Taare DUtice in BD iif wedding in Avgust at Milesbuig, was the man on stand beneath the floral veil, . social event of the season, have moved in- and to the music of the wedding march the | tO the Harper house on south Thomas contradicting parties moved down the—'"’ “Not ‘contradicting,’ Johnny,” inter- rupted his elder sister. **Contracting.” ‘‘Well,”” stoutly contended Johuuy, ‘“‘they’ll be contradicting parties alter a while !"’ “® “ < CHRISTMAS AT RIVERSEDGE. Continued from page 1 “I think we have been having it,” said Archie. «And there is the wassail-bowl to brew with cloves and cinnamon and cardamoms | and coriander.’’ ; ‘Was bheil 2’ sa!d Mrs Beardsley. ‘“That means to say, ‘well again.’ It i8 a soc of elixir of ‘yonth,” after all, a genuine was- sail-bow] is, with toasted crabs and wine. We will drown our ghosts in it." “They were gruesome. Mis. Beardsley. Really you know, you ought not. Come, we will keep up Christmas eve into Christ- mas morning. Did you like your buckles’ Louise? as they all stirred and rose and swept out in a cluster under the cur- tain. oe 8 “Mrs. Murray Douglas, you are too good I?’ murmured Louise and Helena to- gether, remembering their trinkets of gold filagree. ~ 4 ¥ “But Fidelia bas something more than the tree gave her, has she not?’ Aud Mrs. Murray Douglas turned to Fidelia, and lifted the white hand, as if by acei- dent, directly before Archie Bleeckher’s eyes, showing so for the moment the great | sapphire cnt in an armorial device and sar- mounted by a tiny coronet of ‘brilliauts. “A fine Christmas gift!’ said Mrs. Mur- ray Douglas, as Fidelia fled by. ‘The betrothal ring of the Vesalenyis.” “I think she has a finer Christmas gift than that,” said Mrs. Beardsley, ‘‘in the heart of Prince Gabor Vesalenyi himself, don’tyou know.”’ : “Fancy !'’ said Miss Bleeckher, “the governess!'’—Harriet Prescott Spofford. Clear Enough. _ “‘Let’s see, have they read your Uncle John’s will yet?’’ “Didn’t you hear my wife refer to him a few moments ago as an old skinflint.”’ ———8ubseribe for the WATCHMAN. .stieet, recently ceeupied by Mrs. Margaret Alexander. Wagner Gueiss and his bride, nee Goudlait, have gone to housekeeping on west High street, opposite the U. D. church. i —=The | Doctor's ‘Warm ' Reception,’’ that comes to Garman’s’ next Monday night, is advertised as a sparkling comedy, full of lively dauces, catchy music, and up-roarious situations. Higile tare MOD. This attractive and ‘interesting ‘device is very commendably noticed in The Sunday School Times. Tt represents the most an- cient houk and the one always used by Clivist in the Jewish synagogues. They are very appropriate for Sunday school seen'at Kurtz’ book store or procured for 10¢ts. each, postpaid by addressing Rev. R. Crittenden, Bellefonte. THE SENIOR ORATORICALS: TO-DAY.— With thie oratoricals at the High school this afternoon the fall session will termi- nate and the schools will close until Jan. 2nd, 1901, i : Phe program for this afternoon’s exer- oises, to which everyone is invited, will be as as follows : “The Rise and Fall of Nations,” Walter Armstrong. “Cheerfulness as a Life Power,”” - Daisy Barnes. #The War in China,” = = “The Growth of the American Republic,” ’ Orie Ishler. Phinnette Jones. Adaline Olewine, “Phe Two Paths,” =». - “Value of an Idea,” “The Struggle for Civilization,” - - Lula Rine. “Praining the Mind to the Occupation,” i Bert Robb “Arbitration or War,” =~ Charles Thomas. “Free Edueation,” - Wilbnr Twitmire. “Our Navy," = . sd. Lee Walker. “Governments,” - - John Whippo. “A Mother's Influence,” = - - Rilla Williams, “Right Makes Might,” - - Mame Woods, SPECIAL FARMER'S INSTITUTES. —In ad- dition to the two farmer’s institutes to be held in Centre county, under the anspices of the State Board of Agriculture, the Pomona Grange has arranged to hold the following special institutes at the various places and times set forth. SOUTH SIDE OF COUNTY. Centre Hall,........ Saturday, Dee. 15, 7 p. m. Madisonburg, ........ Monday, Dec. 17, 1:30 p. m. Rebersburg, ..... ...Monday, Dee. 17, 7 p. m. Millheim,....... ..Tuesday, Dec. 18, 1:30 p. m. Fiedler,...... .. Tuesday, Dee. 18, 7 p. m. Spring Mill-,.............. Wed. Dec. 19, 1:30 p. m, Potters’ Mills,............Wed. Dec. 19, 7 p. m. Victor Grange, Oak Hall,.........Thars. Dee. 20, 1:30 p. m. Washington Grange, State College, ..... Thurs. Dee. 20, 7 p: om. Pine Grove Mills,....Friday, Dee, 21, 1:30 p. m. Rock Springs;........ Friday, Dee. 21, 7 p. m. Speakers : Mortimer Whitehead, of New Jersey; W. F. Hill, Master of the Penn’a State Grange. NORTH SIDE OF COUNTY. Howard,........u....Saturday, Dee. 15, 1:30 p. m. Marion Grange, Jacksonville,..Saturday, Dec. 15, 7 p. m. Hublersburg,........ Monday, Dec. 17, 1:30 p. m. AON, ec cenvunisisinnens Monday, Dee. 17, 7 p. m. Logan Grange, Pleasant Gap...Tuesday, Dec. 18, 1.30 p. m. Benner Grange Hall, Tues. Dec. 18, 7 p. m. Milesburg, ..c.cooneenein Wed. Dee. 19, 1:30 p. m. Unionville, ..... .... Thurs. Dee. 20, 1:30 p. m. Half Moon, Grange Hall...... Friday, Dec. 21, 1:30 p. m. Speakers : W. B. Packard, of Bradford, county, Lecturer of the State Grange; Mrs. Helen Johnson, of Erie county. The committee of the Grange in charge of these special institutes is composed of George Dale, D. M. Campbell and Jas. F. Weaver. The meetings will be open to all intei- {improved row. CRITTENDEN'S PARCHMENT RoOLL.— | presents, useful in any family and can be | Benjamin Brown (sted in agriculture. A cordial invitation to the public is extended. + err TR Sli SS a “ ——Whil e visiting her mother at Aarons burg recently Mrs. Ezra Burd, of Coburn, was taken suddenly ill' with hemorrhages of the stomach. Her condition was very critical for a while, bat she is ilgee itd Way Don't You.—In a letter received | yesterday. morning from one of the most brilliant young men who ever left Centre county ‘to make his: home among others ‘was this paragraph : fo us another year. To get it is next door to be- ing a resident of Centre connty.” Just 'so.* And that is one of the very reasons why it would make such an accepta- ble Christmas gift to some friends in a dis- “Can't do without the “Warcumax” so send it | tant part of the country. It costs only $1 a year, when paid in ad- vance: Why don’t you teli all your friends about it? t eve MARRIAGE Licexses.—Following the list of marriage licenses granted by or- phan’s court clerk, A. G. Archey, duar- ing the past week : John A. Wolf, of State College, ‘and Emma Wilson, of Bellefonte. : Charles A. Zimmerman, of Tyrone, and Arminta Johnson, of Milesburg. Witmer B. Grove, of Spring Miils, and Emma J. Hockman, of Mingoville. Geo. W. F. Lane, of Sandy Ridge, and Elsie Merrell, of Philipsburg. William H. Harris, of Benore, and Caro- line B. Bailey, of Stormstown. ! Samuel F. Yocum, of Altoona, and Mary E. Breon, of Coburn. John Gardner, of Blair county, and Francis M. Stimer, of Hanna Furnace. somewhat Mgs. FRANCES REGISTER.—Mrs. Fran- ces Gray Register, of Laurel, Md., well known here and in Half Moon Valley, the home of her girlhood, died Sunday in Richmond Va., at herson’s, where she was visiting. Her health had been failing for several years, but no one here knew how se- riously ill she was and the announcement of her death caused surprise, as well as sor- row. She was the eldest daughter of Jacob and Margaret Perdue Gray, who in their life time were honored and widely koown citizens of the upper end of this county. There at the old home, just west of Gray’s church, which was always noted for its generous hospitality and delightful com- panionship, she was born about 74 years ago. ‘Uncle Jacob’s,”” as it was known throughout the valley, was especially at- tractive to the clergy and five of the daugh- ters married Methodist ministers. Fran- ces was only 17 years of age when she was united in marriage to Rev. Samuel Regis- ter, a prominent member of the Baltimore conference and most of her life was spent in or near Baltimore. A woman of unusual magnetism and charming per- sonality she had to a marked degree the faculty of seeing the bright side of life and enthusiastically meeting its responsibili- ties. She was always bright and to the very last was well versed in the vital ques- tions of the day, but with it all was so con- siderate of others and so lovable that the friends of her school days here and girl- hood have all been retained and many times multiplied. Her husband died some years ago, but five of her children are living. Mrs. Geo. Edgar Loweree, of Laurel, Md. ; Rev. Ashbury, of Buffalo, N. Y. ; Sam, of Rich- mond ; Rev. Eldrid V., of Alexandria, Va. ; and Frank, of Troy, N. Y. Of her father’s family she is survived by only two of her sisters and two half-sisters, Mrs. A. M. Barnitz, of York ; Mrs. Geo. Pottsgrove, of Philipsburg ; and Mrs. Agnew Sellers and Mrs. F. Herlacher, of Half-moon val- ley. Her body was taken to Baltimore, where it was buried on Tuesday in the family burying ground hy the side of her husband and son Dr. Wilson Register, whose death occurred just as he was be- coming renowned. li Il I A SISTER OF GOVERNOR CURTIN KILL- ED.—Mrs. Nancy Clarke, a sister of the late A. G. Curtin, met a shocking death at Torresdale, a suburb of Philadelphia, about 1 o'clock Tuesday afternoon by being run down by a passenger train on the Pennsyl- vania railroad. She had been visiting her niece, Mrs. Allen Sheldon, at Torresdale, and was about to return to her home at 1010 Spruce street, Phila. While Mrs. Sheldon was purchasing a ticket the aged woman start- ed to cross the tracks to the south-bound station. She did not notice the express bearing down upon her until her attention was called to it by the shouts of the tow- ermen and a shrill whistle from the loco- motive. Then she seemed to became con- fused and turned back with fatal results. The terribly mangled body was taken at once to an undertaking establishment at Holmeshurg. Though 73 years old Mrs. Clarke was in full possession of all of her faculties and traveled about by herself without any con- cern. She had contemplated a trip to Reading, where she expected to spend the holidays with the family of Gen. D. M. Gregg, old family friends. Mis. Clarke was a full sister of the late War Governor. She was a'daughter of Ro- land Curtin Sr., by his second wife, Jane Gregg, and was born at the old furnace home, that stood between the rolling mill and the forge during the early iron making days at Curtin. That was before the family moved to this place. Before the breaking out of the war she was married to Dr. Clarke, a practicing physician in Philadelphia, who served in the army. He died: early in the seventies and Mrs. Clarke has made Philadelphia her home ever since. The only surviving member of the family is Miss Julia Curtin, also of Philadelphia. Her remains will arrive here this morn- ing, funeral services will be held in the old Curtin homestead at the corner of Allegheny and Howard streets. Dr. Wm. Laurie will officiate. = : io Her A HE WAS BORN AT COLEVILLE.—Mr. and Mrs. Nelson A. Lucas, of Washington, D. C., will have the sympathy of many old acquaintances iu this community in this their hour of sad bereavement. Their eld- est son Horatio 8. Lucas, who was born at Coleville, August 1st, 1668, died at his home in Washington on Monday, Decem- ber 10th. ! : I I li —— John Eyer, aged 67 years, 12 months and 14 days, died at his howe in Warriors- mark valley, on Monday morning. He had been in poor health for years, but his last illness dates back two months, when his condition became serious, owing to compli- cations of dropsy and heart trouble. De- ceased was one of the oldest residents of the valley and had always been an esteemed farmer. Eleven of his thirteen children survive. Among the survivors is his sister, Mrs. Ann Waite, of Thomas street, this place. I I I — William Bowers, aged 38 years, ‘died at his home at Cedar Springs on Tues- day morning, from the effects of a tumor- ous growth. « He had been to Philadelphia toa hospital, but physicians there were unable to do anything for him, owing to the danger of an operation. He left a wife and seven children.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers