.v.-,-..
in rl
V II I I II II I
VOL 26.
Scott Recitals Friday
Secure tickets at Dentlcr's.
'ov. 6th,
Frank Lafountain raised a beet this
season that weighed 16 pounds.
S. C. Creasy has purchased the Krug
planing mill of I. W. McKelvy.
M. C. McCollum has opened a coal
yard at the Espy depot.
"Casper, the Yodlcr"
House next Wednesday.
at the Optra
"Little Nugget" at the Opera House
Monday night was one of the funniest
plays seen here in a long time.
The appeal of Superintendent Wal
ler was argued in the Supreme Court
at Pittsburg last Monday.
Senator Herring addressed a large
Democratic meeting in Philadelphia
last week.
A. W. Duy has a bush on his lot on
Fourth street, well covered with ripe
red raspberries, for the second time
this year.
Cards announcing the marriage of
Mr. Fred (J. Thorn to Miss Annie H.
Buckman both of Philadelphia have
been sent out. Mr. Thorn is well
known here.
Don't fail to hear Mr. and Mr?.
Scott at the Opera House, Nov. 6th.
This is the second of the Y. M C. A.
course, and is sure to be a grand
entertainment.
A new trial has been refused by
Jude Reed in the United States Dis
trict Court, in the case of H. K. Suther
land, convicted of sending obscene
matter through the mails.
Taylor Beagle of Mt. Pleasant town
ship sold a six weeks old calf to K. A.
Rawlings on Tuesday, that weighed
295 pounds. It was the largest for its
age we have ever seen. The ordinary
weight of a calf six weeks old is about
150 pounds.,
Miss Marie Holmes Bishop of Will
iam sport, Pa., will open a Dancing
Academy in Bloomsburg, Thursday,
November 5th in Grangers' Hall. Chil
dren from 4 years old upwards at 4:15
to 6. Advanced class for the German
etc., 8 to 10 Afternoon class $5 a
term, evening class $4 ; reduction to
families. Seven years experience. Miss
Bishop is just from New York with thej
novelties.
Benjamin Lewis, proprietor of the
City Hotel at Jamison City, was killed
while at work at the splash dam, about
two miles above that place, last week
Wednesday. He wis driving logs, and
in endeavoring to loosen a jam, he in
some way was carried over the dam,
and his foot being caught between two
logs, he was held under the water until
he drowned. He was not alone at the
time, but those present wen powerless
to render assistance. J !
' The two greatest events in the his
f tory of the world are the Advent of
Christ and the Reformation. Christ
gave the Gospel to the World, and
Martin Luther restored it to the Com
mon people.
Oct 31 is the 374th Anniversary of
the Great Protestant Reformation.
Rev. P. A. Heilman will preach on
"The 95 Theses or the causes that led
to the Reformation," next Sabbath
morning and the Third Command
ment in the Evening, "Thou shalt not
swear." . t
Mr. Charles White of Ohio, and
Miss Lucetta M. Moyer, daughter of
Albert Moyer, were married at the
home of the bride, on Tuesday at 1 2
o'clock, by Rev. S. W. Sears, in the
presence of a number of relatives.
The bride received many handsome
gifts, among them being a case of solid
silver forks, teaspoons and tablespoons
from her uncles, Moyer Bros. Mr.
and Mrs. White started for Oho
where they will reside, on the after
noon train. The bridegroom is a son
of A. M. White, formerly of Orange
township, this county.
May prosperity and happiness attend
them.
The entertainment at the Opera
House last Saturday night was one of
the most enjoyable amateur affairs
ever given here. Its preparation was
under the supervision of Mrs. II. H.
Grotz, Mrs. Dr. Armenr, and Miss
Mary Leverett The costumes were
pretty, the singing was good, and the
entire programme was well carried out
by all who took ' part. Miss Maud
Runyon played the piano, and Dr. Ar
ment was general manager.
So good a thing ought not to be lost
after only one presentation, and strong
influences are being brought to bear
on the management to induce them to
repeat it.
Shall VTe Havo a Constitutional Convention
In Pennsylvania ?
In 1874 the people of this Common
wealth ordained and established a,ncw
Constitution. Since then the Lecisla-
uiic nas, wnn more or less earnestness,
been engaged in remodeling our laws
to conform to its requirements. Sev
enteen years have passed, however,
without any very serious efforts to en
force many of its most important pro
visions. The judiciary of the State has
expended much time on its interpreta
tion, and it is only within the past few
years that its meaning has been so defi
nitely determined by the highest Courts
as to partially end the chaotic conflict
between the statutory laws and the
Constitution.
On the 19th of June, 1891, the Gov
ernor approved an act requiring the
electors of the Commonwealth to vote
at the November election for or against
holding a Convention to amend the
Constitution- The title of the act is
misleading. It is called "an act to
provide for a Convention to ax'nl
the Constitution," but the sixth section
gives the Convention "power to pro
pose to the citizens of this Common
wealth, for their approval or rejection,
a 7iew VonKtitiitinn or amendments
to the present one, or specific amend
incuts to be voted for separately"'. In
other words, a convention is to be cre
ated possessing and representing the
sovereign power of the people, with
power to destroy, alter and amend the
whole structure of Government, and
all the laws of this Commonwealth, and
without any limitation on the exercise
of this power, save the Constitution of
the L niled States, which "guarantees
to every State in this Union a republi
can form of government."
The Constitution provides an order
ly method of amending its provisions
without resorting to the extraordinary
means of a new convention. To make
its provisions more stable, and to pro
tect it from sudden changes by every
"wind of doctrine," it wisely provides
that amendments shall be agreed to by
a majority of the members elected to
each House, then published for three I
months before the next election in two
newspapers in every county,, and then
if another and a new Legislature agrees
to the amendments they shall be again
published for three months and submit
ted to the qualified electors of the
Commonwealth at an election. Each
amendment is to be voted upon separ
ately, and no amendment is to be sub
mitted oftcnerthan once in five years.
In utter disregard of the great con
servative principles regulating future
amendments embodied in the provis
ions of the Constitution itself, the Leg
islaturc proposes a new Constitutional
Convention. It is not called in the us
ual way, by first submitting the call of
a Convention to a vote of the people,
and afterward selecting at another elec
tion proper persons as delegates ; but,
with marked cunning, the delegates are
to be voted for at the same election at
which the people pass upon the neces
sity for a Convention. The object is
plain. One hundred and seventy-seven
members are to be elected j twenty
seven in the State at large and three
in each Senatorial district. If the peo
ple vote for a Constitutional Conven
tion these gentlemen will all be elected
to office and receive $1500. In every
district, therefore, there are at least
three men whose activity and personal
influence are secured by the prospect
ive honor of so high an office and its
emoluments to persuade the people to
vote for this new Convention. With
out such machinery the people would
be indifferent and the whole scheme
defeated. We are not confronted with
such a serious condition of public af
fairs as to justify a new Constitutional
Convention and the expenditure of
$265,400 to pay the salaries of the
delegates, p'.us at least $235,000 more
to pay mileage, incidentals and gener
al expenses, making a total cost of
half a million dollars. No one should
begrudge the expenditure of so large a
sum if necessary to secure the best
possible form of government ; but, un
der existing conditions, the chances
are that the money would be wasted
and the end not attained. This is a
most inopportune time to undertake
the formation of a new or a general
revision of the old Constitution. The
electors will be required to vote
on the adoption or rejection next year,
when there is a Presidential election.
National politics, involving most im
portant issues, will engross public at
tention to the exclusion of State issues.
The Convention may submit a new
Constitution to be voted for as a whole,
or it may submit "specific amendments
to be voted for separately." If a new
Constitution, or many amendments
are submitted, an intelligent judgment
by the average voter will, by reason of
excitement and interest in general pol
itics, be rendered impracticable. It is
always hazardous to remodel a great
organic law. There are many provis
BLOOMSBURG, PA., FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30, 1891.
ions of the present Constitution which
are so favorable to the general public
that powerful influences have for sev
enteen years successfully delayed their
enforcement. Will we act wisely if we
offer a tempting opportunity for their
repeal ?
The advocates of the Convention
tell us that the amendment of the Con
stitution is necessary to secure a "se
cret ballot," and without it we can nev
er have the Australian system. When
the new Constitution was adopted the
provision for numbering ballots was to
be the panacea for all illegal voting.
Now this very provision is said to stand
in the way of honest election laws.
The unwisdom of incorporating such
provisions (which should be left to leg
islative control) in the Constitution
has become apparent. But is the ques
tion so vital as to take it outside the
provisions of the Constitution for its
ameudment? It was unite possible to
substantially adopt the Australian sys
tem, notwithstanding the constitutional
provision for numbering ballots. The
"new election law" is the work of as
tute politicians. Its evasion of the
best provisions of the Australian sys
tem was not because of constitutional
limitations. The law will not be one
whit better when, under its o.tui provis
ions a constitutional amendment shall
repeal the section relating to a num
bered ballot. The work of the hour is
to create a public sentiment which will
elect legislators who will give us a new
ballot law with all the essential features
of the Australian system, leaving the
numbered ballot to remain until, by
amendment submitted by the Legisla
ture, this requirement of the Constitu
tion can be repealed. A little delay
can work no great harm. This great
old Commonwealth can safely endure
the present Constitution a few more
years If we fail to adopt needed re
forms the fault will not be in our or
ganic law, but in ourselves.
It is the misfortune of our political
system that mere politicians can seize
upon popular reforms and pervert them
to their own advancement. Desirable
as the Australian system in its best
form may be, there is more demagogism
than statesmanship in the willingness
of many of its advocates to risk the
overthrow of the present Constitution
merely to do away with numbered bal
lots, when the same can be reached by
an amendment expressed in a dozen
words.
There are times in the life of every
nation when it is simpler to overthrow
an existing order of things and to frame
a new form of government than to at
tempt by amendment and reform to
patch up the old. The rapid develop
ment of our country and the enormous
advancement in political, social and
practical sciences call for frequent
changes in our laws. But surely the
present Constitution is not so bad as
to be incapable of amendment to meet
all these requirements. I think the
fatal error of the past thirty years has
been to make Constitutions a compen
dium of statutory laws instead of a
mere declaration of fundamental prin
ciples to secure stability of government,
to preserve the liberties of the people,
and to confine and restrain within safe
limits the general powers of Legisla
tures. All this has been done on the
plea that the legislative bodies cannot
safely be trusted with power. The
answer is plain ; The members of the
Legislature are elected by the same
people who elect delegates to Consti
tutional Conventions, and if, through
carelessness, they see fit to elect incom
petent men, it is their own fault, and
not the fault of the government under
which they live. Indeed, I think that
many of the constitutional limitations
on legislative power are reflections on
the whole system of free government,
and tend to embarass legitimate devel
opment, as well as to encourage elec
tors to disregard their obligation as
citizens to see that only worthy men
are sent to the Legislature, Every time
a great reform is proposed we are called
upon to amend the Constitution to give
it a trial. A constitution of a great
people should be as sacred as the "sa
cred books of the law." Its provisions,
when once ascertained and defined by
judicial decision, should never be
changed, unless from some overruling
necessity. The people should be taught
to revere it and to look with mistrust
upon every effort to destroy, evade or
change it. In the past history of this
country constitutions were regarded
with great reverence, but, latterly, there
has been so much constitutional tinker
ing that they are no longer the people's
talismans, and he who now raises con
stitutional questions is looked upon as
an enemy to the advancement of society.
If we are to have a new Constitution
every twenty years in the State of
Pennsylvania, with all the uncertainty
and confusion which its adjustment to
existing laws will create, we may well
apply judge mack's language and d-i
clare that : "A French constitution, or
a South American republic, or a Mex
ican administration, would be an im
mortal thing in comparison with the
short-lived principles of Pennsylvania
law. The rule of property, which ought
to be as steadfast as the hills, will be
come as unstable as the waves."
The present Constitution as a whole
is a most admirable one. The error
of its framers was in incorporating
many things which at the time seemed
good, but which had not stood the test
of practical application, and were,
therefore, only tentative, and fit sub
jects for legislative experiment. The
experience of seventeen years has de
veloped its defects. It needs amend
ment particularly, I think, in three
subjects, viz t The suffrage and elec
tion article, to enable us to experiment
with the Australian ballot: the judiciary
article, to repeal the foolish provision
that "whenever a county shall contain
40,000 inhabitants it shall constitute a
separate judicial district," and the pro
visions relating to cities and counties
must be remodeled to overcome the
muddle about classification, and to
permit fuller local autonomy, without
reopening the doors to the vicious sys
tem of special legislation which existed
prior to 1874?
When the people are fully aroused
to the necessity for these changes, they
can all be brought about by amend
ments submitted in the ordinary way
under the Amendment clause of the
Constitution. The amendments re
quired will present single subjects in
clear and concise language, so that any
man of ordinary intelligence can com
prehend their meaning and vote intel
ligently. Let the politicians and overzealous
reformers "sprinkle cool patience" on
their "skipping spirits" and wait the
consummation in an orderly way of the
reforms they have so much at heart.
Geo. F. Baer.
Reading, Pa., Oct. 10, 1891,
Eon. Cliaunccy F. Black's Address to the
People of Pennsylvania Favoring a
Constitutional Convention-
The fitUnm'ing it printed by request:
York 1'a.; October 15, 1891.
The bill submitting the question
was passed through the legislature by
the concurring votes of all parties.
Such was the universal sentiment in
favor of Ballot Reform, without dis
tinction to party, that it could not
safely be resisted, and even those
most unfriendly to the reform and
most interested in its defeat were com
pelled to assent to this bill. They
did, so, however it now appears, with
the secret determination to try to de
ceive and confuse the people and thus
to defeat the proposition and the re
form at the polls.
A Constitutional Convention is the
people of Pennsylvania in convention
assembled. It can revise the entire
instrument if it sees fit, subject only
to the approval of the people at the
polls. In this case, however, the pri
mary object is Ballot Reform, and
should the convention be called it would
establish at once, without awaiting
the uncertain action of future legisla
tures, the secret Australian ballot, the
most perfect system known to men
which has absolutely restored purity
and freedom of elections wherever
adopted, which Ex-President Cleve
land declares "Is essential to the
maintenance of our free institutions,"
and which Governor Pattison said in
his inaugural "is the one thing which
the people of Pennsylvania most want
and are most determined to have."
You are aware there is no way
under heaven by which the secret bal
lot can bfj given to the people of
Pennsylvania except by an alteration
of the present article in the constitu
tion on suffrage and elections. That
article requires ballots to be numbered
for the very purpose of their identifi
cation. It also permits each elector
to write his name upon his ballot and
to have it attested by the signature of
any citizen of the district. These two
provisions, which no law of the legisla
ture can defeat or evade, make it pos
sible, indeed, easy, for the contents of
every ballot to be known, so that the
bribe giver, the political boss, and the
industrial boss, may buy and intimi
date at will. Until these provisions
are removed there can be no ballot
reform in Pennsylvania worthy the
name.
There are two ways of amending the
constitution. Once in five years an
amendment may be submitted to the
people by the legislature. Such an
amendment must be approved by two
successive legislatures and then sub
mitted to a vote of the people, havint?
been advertised between legislatures
and before submission. You will
perceive that this is a long, tedious,
and dangerous method, reouirinir vears
for its completion and encountering
many oosiacies. it is also expensive,
costing possibly quite as much as
convention, without any assurance of
the desired result at the end. The
other method is by Constitutional
Convention, the one recommended by
the Governor and approved by both
parties in the late legislature. It need
not be much, if any more, expensive
than the other plan, and it brings the
reform with absolute certainty and
without delay. ;
We say that by means of a con
vention Baliot Reform would certain
ly be achieved. We say this without
any regard to the composition of the
convention. Whether a majority of
the delegates chosen to that conven
tion shall be known by one party
name or the o her, they would have
no choice whatever in the matter.
They would be elected for this pur
pose. Nine-tenths, possibly even a
greater proportion, of the people of
Pennsylvania demand the reform, and
the man or the party who should, in
this convention, called for that very
purpose, venture to oppose it, wculd
simply invite destruction. Those who
fear that the bosses, the rings, and the
corporations may control the people's
convention and defeat this reform, in
dulge a vain and silly fancy. Neither
this nor any other harm can be done
in the convention. The party which
should propose to do harm in it would
succeed only in ruining itself and its
representatives without accomplishing
even momentarily its corrupt object,
since the people would reject promptly
their work at the polls in November
and we would be just where we were
at the start.
What does Ballot Reform mean to
the people of Pennsylvania? It
means legislatures aud public officials
of all hinds responsible to the people
and not to the political machines.
It means emancipation from the rule
of rings, bosses and monopolies. It
means taxes honestly laid and equally
distributed. It means lighter taxes
and frugal expenditures. It means
pure elections, and thereby pure gov
ernment. It means, as Mr. Cleveland
puts it, "the perpetuation of free insti
tutions" now threatened by the use of
money in elections and by the intimi
dation of vast masses of dependent
voters. In this state two hundred
thousand workingmen alone signed pe
titions to the late legislature for the
passage of a Constitutional Conven
tion bill with a view to securing the
secret, free and pure ballot. With the
emancipation from evil influences and
tyrannical power ot the multitude of
dependent electors, whose votes are
now used to kill the votes of independ
ent farmers and other citizens, there
will come an instant chance in the
legislation and administration of
Pennsylvania. The beneficent pro
visions of our fundamental law will be
enforced. Taxes will be equalized.
Discriminations against the industries
of our Commonwealth will cease.
And government by the people and
for the people will take the place of
government by the bosses and tor the
bosses.
We ask the people of Pennsylvania,
without distinction of party, to vote
for a Constitutional Convention and
for such delegates as they know will
respect their will. We believe that no
harm can possibly be done, and that
the good proposed and practically as
sured is beyond all estimation.
RESOLUTIONS ON CONVENTION.
The following resolution was passed
by the Democratic Convention of Col
umbia county on the nth of August
last, to-wit:
''Jiesolceif, By the Democrats of
Columbia County this day in Conven
tion met. That we are in favor of a
Constitutional Convention with a
special request that a secret baliot
provision be made."
On the and of September last the
Democratic State Convention assem
bled at Harrisburg and passed a reso
lution favoring a Constitutional Con
vention.
That Chas. 1 . Ellis is becoming a
favorite here was demonstrated by the
large audience which greeted "Casper.
the Yodler," last night. Mr. Ellis is a
most unique and excellent comedian
and his songs have a peculiar beauty,
characterized by richness and sweet
ness of voice that place him at once
in a distinctive place as a star on the
American stage. Ihe play abounds
in picturesque situations, has an inter
esting plot and enough romance and
pathos in it to enlist the constant at
tention of the audience. Mr. Ellis
support was very good. Tha Sun,
Williamsport, Pa., Sept. 23. Blooms
burg Opera House, Nov. 4.
The services of Prof L M. New
comb have been secured by Morris &
Harkins at the Columbia College of
Commerce. He is a fine pennman
and expert accountant, and a graduate
of the Zanenan Art School, and Lex
ington Business University.
Joseph May desires to inform the
public that he will do butchering dur
ing me winter, anu win lane nogs away
and return tnem ail done up in good
shape.
NO. -14
PERSONAL.
Miss Annie F.nt is in Philadelphia
this week.
Mr- and Mrs. William Chrisman were
in Philadelphia this week.
W. II. Brooke went to New York on
Tuesday to purchase new goods.
J. K. Bittenbender spent a couple
of days in New York this week.
Judge Krickbaum was in town last
Saturday on business.
W. R. Tubbs and Capt. H. J. Con
nor went to Philadelphia on Thurs
day. A ten pound boy came to the home
of Mr. and Mrs. J. G. Wells on Mon
day. R. C. Rishel spent the past few days
n town, lie is a graduate ot this of
fice, and is now Foreman in the office
of the Nanticoke Sun.
Charles White, son of A. M. White.
formerly of Orange township, now of
Wood county, Ohio, has been visiting
relatives here the past three weeks.
DEATH'S HAEVEST.
Sylvester Pursel died at his home in
Hemlock township, on Sunday lat.'
aged 73 years. He had been ill for
more than two years, from the effects
of a paralytic stroke, which rendered
him almost helpless. He was the
youngest of a large family, but one of
whom now survives, a brother, Isaac,
of Buckhorn. Two other brothers
have died within the past year. The
late Mrs. B. F. Hartman was a sister
of Mr. Pursel. He was born in the
house where he died, and always lived
there. , 1 he . farm belonged to his
father, and the deposits of iron ore
made if valuable, and brought to Mr.
Pursel a snug fortune. He was a
man of kindly disposition and good
judgment, and an excellent citizen.
His wife survives him, also a daughter,
Mrs. F. I). Dentler, and one son, D.
Clark Pursel. The funeral took place
on Wednesday morning, the services
being conducted by Rev. W. R. Mul
ford of Danville, in the absence of
Rev. W. C. Leverett.
John Penman, another old citizen,
died at his residence on Iron street,
on Sunday, after a lingering illness.
He was born in Scotland in 1824, and
came to America with his parents
when a boy. Most of his life was
passed in Bloomsburg. He was a
member of the Presbyterian church,
and of the Masons and Odd Fellows.
He was an industrious and respected
citizen. Six sons and two daughters
survive. His wife died last December.
She was a daughter of Mrs. Mary
Clayton, who died ou the same day as
Mr. Penman. The funeral took
place on Wednesday and was con
ducted by Rev. D. J. Waller, Sr.
The Masons attended in a body.
Mrs. Mary Clayton died at her
home on Iron street on Sunday, aged
78 years. She was a faithful member
of the M. E. Church. She was buried
on Tuesday, Rev. Sears conducting
the services. . . ,
The Democratic meeting announced
for last Monday evening at Berwick
was postponed on account of the ina
bility of the speakers to get there. Mr.
Buckalew was indisposed, Mr. Tewks-
bury was detained in Tioga county by
meeting with an accident, and CoL
Freeze's voice was not in condition to
make a long speech, and as no other
speakers could be secured on such short
notice, Chairman Townsend was
obliged to telegraph that the meeting.
would not take place.
The Y. M. C. A. course opened
with the "New York Stars and Mec-
klems," one of the finest entertrin-
ments ever given in our Opera House,
and a good earnest of what the course
will be. There remains five entertain
ments: "Scotts recitals," Friday even
ing of next week, Nov. 6th ; Col. J. P.
Sanford, Dec. 4th; Hon. George R.
Wendhng, January 26th : Ladies Schu
bert Quartette, February 19th, and J.
William Macy, March acth. All this
talent is offered in a course ticket
with reserved seat tor $1.50. Tickets
at Dentler's.
Mrs. B. F. Savits received a check
for $1500 from the New York Life
Insurance Company on Thursday, the
full amount of the policy held by her
husband.
Miss Jane Hughes of Lime Ridge has
opened a fashionable dress-making
establishment in Mrs. Ent's building,
Main St., and is prepared to cut and
fit by the "Tailor system.
Hon. F. M. Tewksbury was severely
bruised while in Tioga county making
speeches He was thrown from a car
nage, and hurt in the shoulder, arm,
and side. He writes that he is sore,
but not seriously injured, and is mak
ing speeches.