VOL 23 The School Question as it Relates to Longth of Term, Teacher! Salaries 4o. In a former article I endeavored to point out the inequality of the distri bution of State aid to our public schools. I wish to say right here that I am a warm friend of the State Superintend ent. In writing upon this subject I am governed by the purest motives, and not by unkind feelings toward any one. I believe it to be the right of every citizen to give expression to his views on all questions of public interest. A question which involves the expenditure of thirteen millions of dollars, and in a certain sense the fu ture of one million of the youth of our State certainly deserves careful con sideration. t is an old maxim, that our best friends are those who tell us our faults and teach us how to correct them. I intend in this way to prove my friend ship for the State Superintendent. In the article above mentioned. I quoted from the State Superintendent's report the desirability of securing a change in the basis of distributing the State appropriation. I quoted fiom and commented upon his suggestion upon the subject in which it seemed to me, that he was showing us just how not to do it. This time I shall make some com ments upon his plea for a more ade quate support of good teachers. In this case he has succeeded in telling us just how to do it. We are not justifiable in supposing that his miss ing it so tar in the one case, and hit ting it so exactly in the other, is the result of his greater anxiety for the welfare of the teacher, than he is for fair dealing among those who have to foot the bill. His suggestion in rc card to a change of basis for distribu ting the State aid, is an improvement on the old plan, and he is entitled to ' and should receive due credit for the same. It has set a goodly number of people to thinking about and looking up lust how much the money is dm ded. It is now the people's place, if they are not satisfied to speak out and tell what they do want. It is not manly to go around with a frown upon your, countenance and a chronic grunt in your throat, because you do not get what you have never asked for. If there is any fault in the Superin tendent's suggestions about long terms and high salaries for teachers, it is no doubt the result of taking a one sided view of the matter. If he will take the trouble to read my article, I shall try to give him a glimpse of both sides. To do this I ask that he in imagina tion place himself in my position, or that of any other moderate farmer ; let him further imagine that some fine morning he is encaged at some ot the necessary work of the farm, clad in hickory check shirt, striped overalls and cowhide boots, with his boy or boys (if ten or twelve years of age) by his side fclad in similar regalia, minus the cowhide boots, as they are likely to be barefoot j and then see some school teacher stepping along with head erect, and for costume a derby hat, stand up shirt collar, broadcloth trowsers and morocco gaiters. It seems to me that he would conclude that teachers were faring well enough; especially if he knew that their ruontlv ly income was considerably more than his own. He would be likely to con elude that he would not agitate any increase of salarv for the present, not at least until times should get better That is just the way that I feel about This is no fancy picture, its counter part may be seen every week, every uav m the week except bunucy. The Superintendent, says that "thiee stens toward a better support oi cooti teachers are easier now than ever be fore." I must confess that I fail to see whv it is easier now than hereto fore, and in fact it is no easier, only upon the hypothesis that the State is an organization aeoarate and apart from the people composing it, and that it has kindly offered to aid ine people in the noble work of educating their children. Such supposition is so manifestly absurd, that it needs no comment. I suctrest that all persons interested take an intelligent view of these three steps, and then judge whether they are lor our leneht or otherwise, mc first is lengthening the term in the short term districts. Certainly it is very ingenuous of him to say that this is to be done for the benefit of school teachers, as all know that it cannot benefit children who cannot be spared even six months in a year to attend school. I am aware that the tuperin tendent does not mean this arrange ment for the benefit of the teacher alone. He assumes that teachers pnd children of the various districts are to be mutually benefited. His mistake arises from lack of acquaintanceship with a large portion of our people. A closer acquaintance will bring about a change of opinion. It is not an unus ual thing lor a man to reverse his opinion, when he becomes better ac quainted with the subject. There was a man in a neighboring township, who no oouoi naa changed his opinion about his wife when he said that he never would have married her, if he naa Deen Letter acquainted with her. There may be more men similarly sit uated in their domestic relations, but they are not all so honest as this old gentlemen was. A man docs not gen erally like to own that he has been worsted in a deal of any kind. I should have suggested a different and I believe better plan for teachers to increase their incomes in the short term districts. It is this; let the teach er take up soms honorable and useful employment between terms, from which he or she may readily realize as much as many of the taxpayers do. ? nd it would give them a clear idea of how folks who have to work for their living get along. They could then point with pride to the fact, that they had earned a part of their bread by the sweat of their brow. The next step which the Superin tendent mentions, is raising the salar ies. Now this is a very direct, j traight forward way of doing the thing, and one that almost any of us might have thought of if we had been accustomed to thinking. All you have to do is to do is to reach a little deeper into your pocket and the thing is done. That is if you have not already got to the bot torn. To press the matter and punch a hole will do no good. But just why this step is easier now than ever be fore, I fail to see but that is perhaps my own fault. fhe third step mentioned is restrict ing by statute the number of provision al certificates. I was rather at a loss to see just how that was going to bene fit the teachers so far as adequate sup port was concerned, and I am not yet certain that I see the point. The only logical conclusion that I have been able to arrive at is that it will break , down competition and enable the teachers to form a combine or trust and fix their own salaries. If human nature has not changed, and I see no clear evidence that it has ; if that power is put in their hands they are likely to turn it to their profit. I should say therefore, that it is high time to call a hah. We have trusts enough and more than enough, without foster ing or providing for a school teacher's trust I have too much confidence in the State Superintendent to suppose that he would intentionally favor any thing of that kind, but I think that he will agree with me, that hus suggestions are open to that construction. ; I had thought of saying a few words about the plan suggested to get rid of provisional certificates or those holding them, but I shall leave that for '-a more convenient season." James I. Campbell. . High Rovels iu an Unoccupied Boose. A gang of about fourteen boys were arrested in Danville and bound over for court on charge -of robbery last week. E. S. Kase and his sister have been spenSing the winter in Philadel phia and locked up their house. The boys in ' some way gained an en trance and have been having high old time for some weeks past. They have been going in and out at their pleasure, building fires, cooking eggs, and destroying such household goods as they pleased. A neighbor saw them coming out anil wired Mr. Kase, who came home and had them arrested. They ar; lodged in the Bloom jail. Normal Theses for the World's Fair. Among the exhibits bemg prepared by the Normal School is a very hand somely bound volume of theses, which is a credit ont only to the school ' but also to'the binder, Mr. John D. Lingle of Sunbury, who does all work of this kind for the school. The volume is bound in Turkish Morocco, of three colors, red, white, and blue, so arranged on the front and back as to form a star. Around the edges, forming a border around the star are triangles and squares of dif ferent colored leather, tastefully ar ranged, with lines of gold between. It is very handsome and is very appro priate for a national exhibit. Monday, September first, as "Labor Day" has proven a failure. If Satur day had been selected, it might have been a Ruccess, but business men can not afford to lose Monday in such a business time of the year. Besides it always interferes with the opening of the Public Schools, since nearly all schools begin the first week in Sep tember, and schools beginning earlier are retarded by such an ea'rly holiday. BLOOMSBUKG. PA., FHIDAY, MARCH 24. 1893. CENTRAL. Well, Central is beginning to liven up some. The club of ten belonging to the new organization has commenc ed looking for jobs. The applicants for the Post office have not joined the new order and it looks as if the present Post Master will hold over at least till he strikes something better. The lumber business at Jameson City is once more about ready to start operations. They have the right men at the business now. Hub factory will soon start again. This with the industries on the West Fishingcreek will make Central better than it has been for two years. The club of ten finally after seventeen bal lots decided to elect Lamon, Secre tary of the order. Frank Myers is going to move his stove from the Post office so he can get it in working order for next win ter. It chokes up and seems incom petent to throw out any heat. The club also expects to have the Postal laws over hauled. We don't mean to say anything against any one for personal harm, for take it all through, Central is represented by men with good trades and talent generally. Mrs. Perry has been visiting with friends in Central during the past week. Wagons and rigs have taken the place of runners mostly, and all seem glad to see terra firma again. We are waiting, says the club of ten, to have all comers get their usual spring term of Barley corn training. Therefore, says Martin, I will close by stating the health of the Central people is good and all look for the time to catch a few, if they are chuck full ot saw dust. MILLVILLE. Somtf of the fleitings to take place this spring are as follow s: Abram Tilman from his farm above lola, to Millville; Walter Tilman from here to the A. Tilman farm; Thomp son Lewis from lola to farm of J. A. Dildine at this place; J. A. Howard from C. W. Eve's house to Frank Eves' house; Edward Moyer of Sweet Valley to Dr. Patton's house in East Millville; Louis Brenner from East Millville to lola; Amos Long will take the house vacated by L. Brenner. Edward Eves and Chas. Brink have sick horses. Where is the Benton Prophet who said there would be six weeks good sleighing in March. Blue birds sing, Good news they bring, And our sad Hearts are glad. Tis a sign of spring. S. W. Eckman has the material on the ground to build a house this bpring. He will build between the station and creamery. Grant Johnson, now employed at Masters & Go's store, will move this spring to Sehnsgrove, where he ex pects to study for the Ministry. Four new scholars started in at the ne w term of Friends' School last Mon day. , ,, i . J.. C."' Christian has recently ea larged his Btock, by "adding a com' plete line of dry goods. , Report says we are to have a new Doctor in town. He hails from Williamsport and is to occupy the house vacated' by J. S. Howard on State street. Mathias Wolk will move into part of D. W. kitchen s house. He is Carpenter. The latest now told is on a certain railroad. A man was riding on the train and trying to read a paper, so the story runs, but could not, as the train surged from one side to the other, All at once it ran so smooth and nice that he wondered what was up, so he asked the Condnctor what made it run so quiet .The answer was "why, it s on the track. Always fully up to the times, and a little in advance, J. u. Wells has been making more improvements in his jewelry store. Last week another large show case, twelve feet long, was set up. It stands across the rear of his store, and is filled with an elegant display of silverware. Mr. Wells was in the city this week, and added con siderably to his already large stock of cut glass, silverware, china, etc. A new case has also been put up to hang watches in. It has a glass front, and excludes all dust. Three accidents occured in the Cameron Colliery at Shamokin last week. One fatal a young man ai years of age, meeting with insUnt death. BENJAMIN FRANKLIN flARTMAN. In the death of B. F. Hartman, which occured last Saturday at noon, this community has lost an estimable citizen, and his relatives a kind and affectionate friend. He was a brother of I. W. Hartman and Wellington Hartman of this town, and of William Hartman of Catawissa. He was born in Catawissa, January io. i8u, and was therefore a little past 8i years of age. He lived in Bloomsburg for fifty eight years. He was married to Abigail Maria Pursel in 1836, and two children were born to them, Henry, who died in infancy, and Mrs. O. T. Wilson, who died in 1881. Mrs. Hartman died in i88t. After her death Mr. and Mrs. I. D. White moved into Mr. Hartman s house, and have resided there ever since, thus affording him a pleasant home, and every care and comfort in his declining years. Mrs. White is his grand daughter. Since 1848 Mr. Hartman has been engaged in the fire insurance agency, and until incapacitated by old age, he had an extensive business, l rom 1865 to 1 869 he was Deputy Collector of United States Revenue, and was the treasurer of the Bloomsburg Gas- Co. from its organization. He was one of the Directors of the Bloomsburg Bank ing Co. for several years past. He was an earnest and devout member of the Episcopal church. For more than forty years he had been a Vestryman, and for thirty-two years the treasurer of St. Paul's parish. He also for many years was accounting warden and secret uy, and represent ed the Parish in the Diocesan con vention. In all that pertained to the welfare of the church he was deeply interested, and whenever money was needed, there were none more liberal than he. He never missed a service unless it was unavoidable. It is here that he will be missed more than any where else, except in the family circle, and the church will be fortunate in deed, if some one can be found who will take up the duties that Mr. Hart man has laid down, after so many years of faithful service. The funeral was held at the house on Wednesday at one o'clock, services being conductad uy Rev. W. C. Le veret t. The Odd Felloes attended in a body. At a meeting of the Vestry of St. Paul's church, held on March 19, 1891, the Rector having announced the death of Mr. B. F. Hartman, Account ing Warden and Treasurer of the par ish, the following action was taken : Jteaolved, that in the removal of Mr. B. F. Hartman from this world, we lament the departure of one who has long been connected with St. Paul's Parish and has ever oeen devoted to its interests. As Vestryman and War den for many years, he has been cons tant and faithful. And especially in the important office of Treasurer, which he has held for the last thirty two years, he has given his time and services to the parish and attended to its varied business affairs with much labor and perseverance and personal sacrifice. Jteaolved, that We will attend his funeral in a body as a mark of respect, and enter this action upon the records of the Vestry. Jteaolved, that the Secretary of the Vestry convey a copy of these resolu tions to the relatives of our deceased friend, with the assurance of our heart felt sympathy with them in their great affliction. Signed, Attest: . Wm. C. Leverett, J. H. Maizk, Sec'y. Rector. LIGHT STREET. A donation party was held at, Rev. E. E. Shaffer's house on Monday evening. Miss Maggie Sands of Mordansville is visiting mends in town. Mr. Artman moved on Monday to the farm of Mrs. J. J. Keller. Rev. Whitney and wife are attending the M. E. Conference at Bellefonte, dunng the past week. Young Frisbie ,one of the surveyors of the new railroad went home on ac count of sickness. The colored family that have lived here for some time moved to Espy on Monday. ' Some of the members from Colum bia County who were in attendance at the M. K Conference at Bellefonte last week were honored by being made members of Committees: L. T. Sharp- less ot iiioomsburg was on the Com mittee of Board of Stewards and Necessitous cases. M. W. Jackson of Berwick on Committee of Dickinson College. M. I. Low of Lime Ridge was on the Committee of Education Rev. C. Sones, v pastor of the Evangelical Church for the past three years, has removed to Nanticoke. Appointments, The following is a list of appoint ments for the Danville District made at the M. E. Conference held at Belle font during the past week. John Donahue, President Mder, port office, Bloomsburg. Ashland. William r. D. Noble. Audenried, Charles M. Barnitz. Beach Haven. Joseph R. King Benton, Marion J. Runyan. Berwick, Richard H inkle. Bloomsburg, William G. Ferguson. Buckhorn, Joseph Gray. Catawissa, John B. Mann. Catawissa Circuit, William S. Ham lin. Centralia, S, Milton Frost. Conyngham, John H Mortimer. Danville, St. Paul's, Joseph B. Shaver; Trinity, George M. Klepfer. Elysburg, Henry F. Cares. Espy and Light Street, Reuben E. Wilson. Excelsior, to be supplied. Fountain Spring, to be supplied. Freeland, Edmund White. Gordon, John F. Kerlin. Harveyvilie, to be supplied. Hazleton, St Paul's, David II. Shields: Diamond, George M. Larned. Jamison City, Almon W. Hontz. Jeansville, John L. Leilich. Jerseytown, George V. bavidge. Miffltnville, Jonathan R. Shipe. Milnesville, to be supplied. Mount Carmel, G. Tarring Gray. Muhtenburg, William H. NorcrosS. Nescopeck. William H. Hartman. Northumberland, Henry M. Ash. . ' Orangeville, Henry A. Straub. Riverside, Alfred L. Miller. :Rohrsburg, Elial M. Chilcoat. ' Schloyerville, Henry B. Fortner. Selinsgrove, James EckersVey. Shamokin, First Church, William V. Ganoe: Second Church, John Horning Shickshinny, John A. DeMoyer. Snydertown, Nathan B. Smith. Silver Brook, Wilber W. Cadle. Stockton and Beaver Meadow, Oliver S. Metzler. Sunbury, George Leidy. Town Hill, Seth A. Creveling. Trevorton, Wilbur P. Shrine. Weatherly, John W. Buckley. White Haven, Joseph W. Bedford. W. T. S. Deavor, Professor, St. John's College. Annapolis, Md., and member of bchloyerviiie Quarterly Conference. Supernumerary and Superannuated Preachers; John W. Leakie, Irvin H. Torrence, Timothy H. Tubbs, Henry S. Mendenhall, David B. McClosky, Gideon H. Day, Hugh A. Curran, Samuel P. Boone. The following letters are held at the Bloomsburg, Pa., post office and will be sent to the dead letter office April 28th, 1893. Mr. A. Breadt, Miss Lizzie Chal anger, Miss Dora Parks, William Shaf fer, Mrs. T. C. Smith. Cards. Miss Carrie Fisher. Persons calling for these letters will please say they were advertised March ai, 1893. One cent will be charged on each letter advertised. . A. B. Cathcariv P. M. Prof. W. F. Will cox has prepared an interesting paper on the subject of marriage and divorce. By a care ful compilation of statistics, he has as certained that there is a steady decline in matrimony in this country and a corresponding increase in divorces. In marriage there has been in the last twenty years a decrease of about 7 to every 100,000 inhabitants, while in Ireland only 1 to every 200,000 ; in Canada 5 to every 100,000 and in Japan 608 to every 100.000. We were in error in announcing last week that John G. Jacoby Esq. was among the list of applicants for the Berwick Post Office. Our inform ant gave his name, and as we knew him to be a faithful worker in the democratic party, we did not doubt it. Mr. Jacoby desires us to state that he is not an applicant. J. R. Townsend has in his possess ion a book containing a number of old fashion plates. Among them is a plate showing the style of dress worn by ladies in 1834. The sleeves of the dress are puffed above the elbow, and tight below, identical with the fashions of to-day. Our exchanges state that a man call ing himself Charles Meyere, of Scran ton, is travelling about the country swindling farmers. He claims to be a sewing machine agent, and after taking an order he receives part payment and never delivers the machine. A big black bear came out of the wildsrness into Will Fairchild's fields last Sunday, and after knocking out all the dogs of the neighborhood led their masters a chase as far as Cherry Flats, where it disappeared unmolest ed in the direction of Ringer Hill. Duahore Jleview. NO 13 PERSONAL Lafayette Keeler of Benton was in town on Saturday. B. W. Jury is building six new houses for Joseph Ratti on Sixth Street Prof. Welsh attended the meeting of Principals of Normal Schools, at Harrisburg last week. Mrs. Layton Runyon and daughter, Miss Maude are spending this week in Philadelphia and Ne York. T. H. Edgar, the enterprising planing mill operator at Stillwater, was in town on Saturday. I. K. K. Laubach of Benton township came down on business on ' Tuesday. J. G. Wells nd family spent Sun-.. day in Mauch Chunk with Dr.. and Mrs. G. Stewart Kirby. Mrs. Erath of Wilkesbarre, spent last Sunday in Bloomsburg, with her mother, Mrs. Geo. Hassert. S. D. Neyhard went to Baltimore last Thursday on business connected with the electric railroad through Bloomsburg. Mrs. J. G. Worthington has been in Cincinnati recently, settling the busi ness of her late husband. She re- ' turned to Bloomsburg on Friday last. ' Judge Ikeler held court at Danville last week, and this week went, down . to Pottsville to hold court for Judge . Pershing, who is ill. B. F. Armstrong will move to West Pittston soon. Paul Tustin will suc-j ceed him as Secretary of the Y. M. C. A John Fox, who was seriously ill ' last week is improving slowly, and his many friends are anxious to see him ' out again. He is a member of the Bloomsburg Cornet Band, and of St Paul's vested choir, and is missed in many places. Simon Strive, an old-time resident of Bloomsburg, but now a farmer in Franklin township, was among our callers on Saturday. Some years ago Mr. Shive was one of the largest manu facturers in Bloomsburg, being the proprietor of an extensive furniture factory on the corner of Main and Iron streets. William P. Eyerly moved on Tues day from the Pursel farm in Hemlock township, to William Mathers' farm in Greenwood near Rohrsburg. .He has lived on the Pursel farm for the past twenty-five years. For the past four years he was Supervisor of Hemlock township, and on Monday he settled up his account in full, and it came out straight to the penny, and left ' a bal ance on hand for the new supervisors. Mr. Eyerly and family will be much missed in Hemlock. Ex-commissioner Washington Parr of Franklin township started on the 23rd for the west and will be absent about three months. He will visit his son in law Samuel Loieman and fami- ' lyat Benedict, Nebraska, and will spend some time in Illinois on the ' way out. Mrs. Loreman has been visiting Mr. Parr for several months, .. and she will go back home with him. 'We wish them a safe and pleasant journey. J. G. Wells has just purchased a. chronometer of the very best make, for his jewelry store. This instrument is of superior construction, with a heavy campensation balance and beats half seconds. Chronometers are in tended to keep time with great accuracy, and are used in astronomical ob- servations in determining longitude, ' other purposes requiring the closest 1 calculation. Mr. Wells will use it as . a regulator, thereby attaining perfect accuracy in setting watches. r Never before has such an oppor tunity been offered to those who are building new houses, or repairing old ones, to select fine door or window hardware, as at present, at J. R. Schuyler's. He has a beautiful line of locks, knobs, hinges,;bell knobs.Jdrawer handles, bolts &c, in silver, brass, oxydized silver, bronze and black finish. Take a look at his lower show window. - -- In a coal mine unused for three years in Plaingrove township, Law rence county, John Martin, exploring for minerals for the Juniata Land Company, found the skeleton of a man chained to a post in one of the rooms. The remains are supposed to be those of John Baird, a soldier who disappeared while on a furlough dur ing the war. He came home to visit his sick wife, found her dead and be came insane. The skeleton will be interred beside the body of his wife. Read White & Conner's now bA. vertismect in this issue.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers