tui? rniiiMDiAM di nrtMQm iph PA - ' " I TIMES ARE HARD. So is a cake of ice, but you can melt it Perhaps we can help you softerf the hard times if you are look ing for bargains in a $2.00 shoe. We have recently reduced to this price several lots of Ladies' fine shoes, and have widths A to This price only goes THE COLUMBIAN. BLOOMSBURG, PA. Itemooratio Oommittee Call. The members of the Democratic County Committee of the County of Columbia are hereby notified to meet in the Court House at Bloomsburg Saturday March 27 th at 2 o clock r, M. for the purpose of electing a chair man and secretary and five persons as delegates to the State Convention. C A. Small, Wm Chrisman, Sec Chairman. Orima and Criminals. Crime is a word of terrible signifi caoce. It has a hard, mercilers sound, anhke the monosyl.ables sin and vice, which, though words of similar im port, are softened to the ear by Sibil ants. Crime 1 How harsh it sounds harsher than death even! It is lairly driven from the lips with an expulsive force which suggests the moral detesta tion with which men regard it. Death comes to everybody ; so does sin, so does a little vice, perhaps, in some form, but crime is more terrible to sensitive souls than either or all of them. We keep ourselves free from it ; we would not have its guilt upon us ; we would not touch it ; we loathe, abhor, detest it. It reminds us of clanking chains, creaking hinges, grat ing locks and dungeon darkness. Crime separates, isolates, even, from the world of sin. We do not revolt from sin. Vice may even wear a pleasant guise to us, but crime sickens, horrifies, disgusts. Why we make a distinction which God does not make and think better of ourselves if, falling into all manner of sin, we yet keep out of crime, we do not now take time to discuss. Doubtless the key to the explanation is that we are accustomed to think of sin as a direct offense against God, and of crime as a direct attack upon man himself. Of course all crime is sin against God, but its chief mean ing to us is violation of laws made to protect us in life and property. For man to rise against man seems worse to us than for man to rise against God. Men may rob God without forfeiting our friendship, but when they rob men we flame with indignation against them.- Christian Advocate. High Living. "Our daily expenditure for absolute necessities is absurdly extravagant. Since the millionaire era the cost of living with us has been quadrupled. The millionaires are responsible to a great extent for this burden laid upon the people possessing moderate in comes. They have initiated extrava gant expenditures in everything.. Up go their costly palaces in town and country, stables that must needs hold 5 to 30 horses, a retinfte of servants required by a king, a head cook whose wages are equivalent to the salary of the governor of one of our states, the maintenance of aacht for six months at an expense that would have Daid General Washington's salary as presi dent of the United States. The pace is hot. There is no doubt about that. But it is the pace that only kills the rich snobs and toadies who are silly enough to enter such a race. Let the millionaires spend their money. It is better than hoarding it to ruin children with." Ward McAllister. FOB CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOEEES- An Offer to Pay the Fare of Delegates to the San Francisco Convention. Thousands of Christian Endeavor workers who wculd like to attend the Sixteenth International Conven tion which will be held in San Francisco in July of this year are deterred from thinking seriously of doing so on account of the expense of the long journey. This has been called to the attention of "The Phila delphia Press," and the publishers of that journal have decided to furnish free any number of railroad tickets from Philadelphia to San Francisco and return to representatives of Christian Endeavor Societies who will render a trifling kervice to "The Press." The offer involves the possi ble expenditure by -'The Press" of thousands of dollars and opens the way for all Christian Endeavorers to njoy the experience of a lifetime a journey across the continent under the most favorable auspices. Write to "The Press" for details of the offer. E, but not all sizes while the lot lasts. HOW TO EUS A NEWSPAPER. The editor who penned the follow ing truthful lines had evidently been there in person : It takes wind, gall, scintillating acrobating imagination, a railroad pass and a couple of white shirts to run a newspaper, but no money. Keep that for sordid tradespeople who .charge for their wares. The Lord loves a cheerful giver. He'll take care of the editor. He has a charter from the State to act as a door mat for the community. He will get the paper out soiaehcw, and stand up for the town, and whoop it up for you when you run for office, and lie about your pigeon-toed daughter's tacky wedding, and blow about your big footed son when he gets a $4-a-week job, and weep ' over your shriveled soul when it is released from your grasping body, and smile at your giddy wife's second marriage. Don't worry about the editor, he'll get along. The Lord only knows how but somehow." Letter of Inquiry. The following letter was recently received by J. H. Mercer, postmaster in Bloomsburg: Newark Valley, March 7, 1897. P. M. Bloomsburg, Pa. Dear Sir : I write you a few lines as one Charles Johnson died here two weeks ago, with kidney trouble. He died unex pected without saying anything. He has been an old acquaintence of mine for 20 years, and from what I could learn from him he has two brothers there some where, one is a preacher, if not mistaken a Methodist preacher, had one or two sisters. He was 69 years old. I would be very thankful to you if you would make inquiry and have the papers in your section copy, and they can write to me should they find out. Yours respectfully. Wm. H. Smith, box 136, Eureka, Eureka Co., Nevada. HOW TO FIND OUT. Fill a bottle or common water class with urine and let it stand twenty-four hours ; a sediment or settling indi cates a diseased cendition of the kidneys. When urine stains linen it is positive evidence of kidney trouble. The frequent desire to urinate or pain in the back, is also convincing proof that the kidneys and bladder are out of order. WHAT TO DO. There is comfort in the knowledge so often expressed, that Dr. Kilmer's Swamp Root, the great kidney remedy fulfills every wish in relieving pain in the back, kidneys, liver, bladder and every part of the urinary passages. It corrects inability to hold urine and scalding pain in passing it, or bad effects following use of liquor, wine or beer, and overcomes that unpleasant necessity of being compelled to get up many times during the night to urinate. The mild and the extraordi nary effect of Swamp-Root is soon realized. It stands the highest for its wonderful cures of the most distress ing cases. If you need a medicine you should have the best. Sold by druggists price fifty cents and one dollar. For a sample bottle and pamphlet, both sent free by mail, mention The Columbian and send your full post-office address to Dr. Kilmer & Co., Binghamton, N. Y. The proprietors of this paper guaran tee the genuineness of this offer. For Sale. Two Beautiful farms for sale or in exchange for town property one farm is located 3 miles North of MillviUe, on the road from Iola to Pine Summit and new Bank Barn on it, and farm No. 3 is located up fishing creek. For particulars inquire of S. D. Neyhard, office First National Bank Building, Bioorasburg, Pa. 318 am. Try Grain-Ol" Try Grain-0 ! Ask your Grocer to-day to show you a package of GRAIN O, the new food drink that takes the place of coffee. The children may drink it without in jury as well as an adult. All who try it, like it. GRAIN O has that rich seal brown cf Mocha or Java, but it is made fiom pure grains, and the most delicate stomach receives it without distress. the price of coffee. 15c. and 25c, per package. Sold by all grocers. 3 4.4td. HOOD'S PILLS cure Liver Ilia, Bil iousness, Indigestion, Headache. Easy to take, easy to operate. 25c. The Defeat of the Legislative Commission Bill. HAKILTOH SOAD BILL POPULAR. It II Ballara tha M.Hin Providing for Batter ltoada Will ran-ProTl.loa. ol tha Exalt Camraliilea BUI Oppoaltloa t sso.eoa Capitol. (Special Correspondence.) Harrleburf. March It While It Is true that one swallow does not make a summer, yet the oommittee of the eenate appointed to Investigate the capltot Are realise that one Swallow can give very considerable trouble If o disposed. The refusal ot Dr. Bwal low, editor of The Methodist, whose ac cusations are familiar to your readers, to give the names of persons whom he claims to have knowledge of the cause of the fire, baa placed the committee in an unpleasant position, and while they have profound respect for the gentleman's calling, they feel that It would establish a bad precedent to al low him to prevent them from obtain ing evidence to assist in prosecuting their work. They have referred this case to the house for Its disposal. This will no doubt be acted upon this week. Both the friends and enemies of Dr. Swallow claim that they have no ordi nary Individual to contend with, he be ing a man of more than usual courage and able to defend himself in a con test of this kind. Dr. Swallow himself la quite reticent on the subject, but some of his friends claim that he Is justifiable In his re fusal to answer the Questions pro pounded by this committee, on the grounds that he Is to be tried for crim inal, libel In the courts of Dauphin county, and on that account should be exempt from giving evidence that he may want to use In this trial. But what action will be taken by the legislature In the case remains to be seen. One of the Important events of .the week was the defeat of the legislative commission bill, which proposed to es tablish a commission of three men, learned in the law and with powers second only to the supreme court whose duty It should be to revise every bill before presentation to the legisla ture. This was in the Judgment Of the members of the legislature an Insult to this body, which It no doubt was. as It was an admission that our law makers were not capable of transact ing business without guardians, and it placed the authority in the hands of a few persons, which would have a dam aging Influence to the state. To those who are frequently on the floor of both bouses it Is plainly to be seen that a large majority of the members at the present time are representative men, and In every way capable of filling their positions with ability and credit. To Investigate Miners' Destitution. Another of the features of the week that provoked considerable discussion was the resolution to Investigate the destitution in the Pittsburg coal min ing district and its causes. The friends of this measure were very active In Its Interest, and while it was laid over for further consideration it will no doubt be called up early in the week and act ed upon. Among the many bills that have been offered since the opening of the session are a number that are' recog nised by the several commltteees as unconstitutional, as they relate to the repeal of special acts, and there is some discussion whether after all the committees have not a right to report them, either negatively or affirmative ly, to each house for their considera tion, and not hold them, as It is pro posed to be done. This will develop very considerable discussion within the next few days. Among the popular measures that have been Introduced this session, that has every assurance of passage, is sen ate bill No. 9, or the Hamilton road bill, and strange to say the Influences working in its favor comes largely from the farming districts. Of the 1,857 supervisors reporting as to its value from 1,422 townships In the state 1.338 favor a money tax. In the coun try districts it is recognized as having very superior advantages over the law now In toroe. The present laws allows the supervisor to levy a ten mill tax. and in addition to this they may Incur a debt to an unlimited extent, which the townships are subsequently re quired to pay; thus virtually the pow ers of supervisors are unlimited. The Hamilton bill limits the powers of supervisors to run a township in debt, restricting them to a 10 mill tax, and In case of a great emergency this tax may be Increased to 20 mills, but the extra 10 mills can only be levied by application to court, and the cltliens of any township where it Is proposed can protest against this ad ditional expense. With a few modifi cations this bill will pass both houses within the next few days. The Excite CommUtlon Bill. A bill embracing many far reaching provisions, and which Is known as the state excise commission bill, has re cently been Introduced. This Is In ad dition to four others that are already pending In the house or senate for the appointment ot commissioners compos ed of a few men who will take absolute control of certain industries or itstltu tions. Among these commissioners are what are known as the electric light and water power commission, railroad commission, mining commission, the state excise commission and the new capltol commission. These bills are said to be backed by the Quay people, although his friends have very little to say concerning them. It is claimed by the anti-Quay people that these commissions mean a great concentration of power? a condition of affairs the people of Pennsylvania fan not afford. It Is thought also that one of the principal objects of these com missions Is to afford a number of ad ditional lucrative positions to persone who are anxious to serve the state. The excise commission Is to be es tablished for the enforcement of the liquor laws of the state. By the pro visions of this bill the officeholders In the state are Increased by about 200, and It provides that within 30 days after its passage the governor shall appoint an excise commission for a period ot Ave years, at a salary of 13,600 a year and 1.200 additional for ex penses. It also provides for a deputy at $3,000 and $1,200 for expenses, and a secretary at II. BOO per year and such .clerical force as may be necessary. Kach city of the first and second class, in addition to this, Is to have a deputy commissioner at a salary of 12,000 per year, his office to be equipped with niirh e erlral force as may ne necessary. The commissioner will ap' point Ave special agents at 11.200 per annum and expenses, who will act as confidential representatives of the commissioner, to Investigate matters oncernlng the liquor trafflo. They will have the right to designate any county attorney or any attorney to act witn them, and to receive such fees as asxeed upon. The scope ef this bill Is very wide, permitting the right et entry at any and all times even on suspicion. It is claimed by the friends of this measure that the liquor laws are not enforced, and that It requires some such power as provided In this com mission to give force and vitality to existing statutes. To Lloanae Soaiat Clubs, Aa a means of providing funds for the payment of the expenses of the office of excise commissioner a bill has been introduced In the senate which reduces every club of large or small distinction to the grade of common tavern, and In many respects this measure will make It more difficult to be a respectable club man than it does a saloon keeper. This bill provides that each club, In order to sell liquor, must be licensed at a cost of $76 In townships. 1100 In boroughs and 1350 In cities of first and second class; and in the application for a club license the name of the club must be given, location and number of rooms, name of secretary and treas urer; Americans or naturalized for eigners: name of owner of the prem ises; whether the club Is for the ex elusive benefit of members; a list of names of all bonaflde members and their residences; whether or not the secretary or treasurer ever had a li cense revoked; the presentation of two bonqmen as security, with property worth over 12,000; the signatures of 12, with the statement that they are personally aware that the facts set forth are true, and the right of re monstrance on the part of the citizens, It is proposed to keep a separate ac count of all moneys received from club licenses, and to ubc them for the pay merit of the running expenses of the excise commission. Although the message of Governor Hastings on the construction of the new capltol building, in which he ad vises a separate structure at a cost of 1550,000, which would Include a hand some main hall to be built on the co lonial style of architecture. Is meeting with some approval throughout the state, there is some opposition develop ing among the members, especially those who are Interested In the passage of the act establishing a building com mission. Opposing a Cheap Capltol. In commenting on the message a few days ago a prominent member of the house committee remarked: "The prop osition to erect a structure for half a million dollars verges on the ridiculous. If the limit had been fixed at 11,500,000 the measure would be worthy of discus- ion. Then, too, I do not And an over whelming sentiment in favor of the co lonial style of architecture. We want no gingerbread structure, but some thing that is stately and substantial. which will serve us for succeeding gen erations." A large number of members think. however, the suggestion a very good one, and that, as the governor sug gests, a main capltol building could be erected of brick, stone and Iron, Are proof In character, and In every war in keeping with the dignity of the com monwealth for ttils amount. Governor Hastings has arrived at the plans he suggests after long and care ful deliberation, and is backed bv a large number of the most Influential and representative citizens of the Btate. In all probability there will ha a big fight ensue over the plans the message commends. If the cost of this structure Is limited to $550,000, and an lnsurauce received on me burned building of $200,000. there would be only about $350,000 to be pro vided for. The committee on agriculture of tha house is opposed to any change In the oleomargarine law, and the bill to li cense the manufacture of this product in Pennsylvania 1b receiving strenuous opposition. The Civil Service ataaiara. The bill known as the civil service measure, entitled "an act to regulate the civil service of the commonwealth and of the cities thereof, of counties containing more than 1S0.0OO inhabi tants, and to provide penalties for its violation." which its friends claim was drawn in the interests of purity in pol itics, was the cause of a very spirited debate in the senate a few days ago, The opponents of this bill contend that 11 snouia be amended, as it confln its provisions to Philadelphia and Al legheny, and leaves out the other coun ties or the state, with the possible ex. ceptlon of Luzerne and Schuylkill. a motion to amend it was defeated by the Quay people, which resulted In a very shorp debate between Senator rnnn ana orady. The flght raged foi some time, when action was suspended inai iurmer consideration might b taken on another bill. Despite the fact that some of the members who are In sympathy with the friends of thi hiu offered various amendments, these wer Knoc-Kea out and the bill In its original iorm paesea second reading. The bill will without doubt pass the senate at It was originally Intended, but it It understood they are preparing to givt It a warm reception In the houn h it reaches that body. The Investigation of the state tr.. ury and auditor general's departments is aooui closed. This committee will recommend the passage of Stewart's interest bill ott amended, axemr.tin,, I5O0.W0 In each of the three mtiv. banks, and no doubt will urge more help for the auditor general's depart ment wr. jjiyun nas suggested, the iruiw itrijr ui giving authority to the auditor general to prej are a voucher for the various Institutions receiving nld. which will no doubt be embodied In a bill. It is also likely that a bill will be tecommended taking away from all of ficers, excepting the auditor general, the tight to draw warrants. This would make this oflclal responsible and he could compel the liling of vouchers for all expenditure in his of flee. This commltieo will likely have their report ready to submit to the legislature early In the week. THE ROADWAY House Cleaning time is approach ing, and we are prepared to meet vour wants in house cleaning helps with the fol- e J lowing neu&iiic Pride of the Kitchen, 5c. G for 2oc. Bon Ami, 10c. "Washing powder, 3c pkg. Scrub brushes, 4, 5, 8, 13c. Whisk bioonis, 5, 12, 15c ea. Dust brushes, 10c, 20c each. White wash brushes, 8c, 15c 21c each. Cloth brushes, 7c, 2oc each. Stove brushes, 8c, 13c each. Paint brushes, 2c, 4c, 10c, 19c each. Enameline stove polish, 4c, and 8c a box. Dust pans, 7c each. Carpet beaters, 10c each. Dusters, 8c and 20c each. II at and coat hooks, 10c doz. Gold paiDt, 7c bottle. Insect powder guns, 5c each. Shelf oilcloth, 5c yd. Harness soap, 5c pc. Stair oilcloth, 7c yd. Oilcloth window shades 24c. Felt window shades, 2 for 25c Witch kloth, 10c pc. Household Ammonia, 8c bot. House Furnishing Goods. Japanese four fold screens, $1.75 and $275. Derby curtains, $2.98 pair. Lace furtains, 3Sc, G9c, 98c, a pair. Vhite fringed napkins, 4c. and 10c each. Good table linen in cream with fast color borders, 25c yd. .bleached table linen, 39c, 42c, 65c yd. Dinner napkins, beautiful patterns, 95c, $1.20, $1.60 to $2.50 a doz. 46 inch bleached pillow case muslin, lljc a yd. y-4 and 10-4 bleached sheet ings, 16Jc, 20c and 22c yard. Curtain scrim, 41c and 61c a yard. lurkey red table damask. 15c, 20c, 30c and 45c yard. Embroider led curtain goods. 18c, 23c and 25c yd. mall Japanese parasols for pipe hole covers, 9c each. Kugs, $1.29, $1.98. 2.50 $2.75. Ingrain carpet remnants. 1 yard square, 16c each. Japanese rugs 1 vds. lene. $1.49 each. In the Kitchen. Six blade steel choppers, 19c. Dover egg beaters, 8c each. Soap savers, 8c each. Lamp burners, 4c, 7c each. " . cllimnevs. 5c earri ft for 25c. Lantern clobes. 5c each. Basting spoons, 3c, 5c, 8c. Extra table knives and forks 4c each. Butcher knives, 8c, 10c, 24c. Japanned trays, 15c each. Tea spoons, 3c 1 doz. Table spoon8 5c 1 doz. Don t forget that we are agents for the But tenck patterns and pub- iiespsctfully Submitted to tho ach Trada Only by fill LWI! Hcyer'slTewEuildhg, Main Street, BLOOMSBURG. JCHAS LONG'S SONS' WEEKLY CHATS. WII.KEK-BARRE, Ta., March xSth, 1897. CRISPEKE SUITINGS. Yes it is new, only received ),:. week, its going to make big fr. roacis into couon arcss matcrialt Its the Twentieth Century Fabric) requires no lining, interlinin or stiffening, saving money, labor and weignt 01 garment and still giving the smart, crisp effect of 1 stiffTaffetasilk lined eown. Tv. goods are durable, handsome and stylisn lor city, country, mouniaia or sea side. The fibre being a non-conductor of heat and cold is particularly cool during the summer months. Will not drag down and cling to the form or catch lint or dust; it is correct for house, lawn, driving and bicycle suits; storm or wash tub docs not effect it. Write for samples of the new Crispene pretty stripes and diagonals at 35c. and 40c. the yard. LADIES' NECKWEAR. The newest in Lad ics' Neckwear is the Stock Tie in rich Scottish plaids or plain magenta and "SVJlJ: at once pretty and 0r' . 8tylish. yet not ys expensive 50c The Rob Roy String Ties give completeness to a standing collar 15 cents. LINEN CRASH. We've just received an invoice of Excelsior all linen crash manu factured from specially selected pure flax yarn, comes 16 inches wide, on sale this week at the yard 6c. 104 Hemmed Bed Spreads, marseilles patterns, the proper bed covering for this season of the year, price should be $1.25, our price is 98c. SPECIAL WRAPPER SALE. Good Calico Wrappers, dark and medium colors, nicely braided yokes, all sizes, regular value 75c, this week's price 48c. Calico Wrappers in Indigo, blue, gray and black and white, made ol Simpson's best calicos, with braid ed yokes and cuffs, would be cheap at $1.00, we sell them at 78c, Fine Percale Wrappers in dark and light colors, fancy braided yokes and cuffs, tight fitting lin ing, worth $ 1.75 go at $1.25. Fine Lawn Wrappers made ol the best grade of lawn in the lat est patterns and colors, with fitted linings, fancy braided yokes, are a positive bargain at $1.39. SEPARATE SKIRTS. Fine large figur ed Mohair Skirts, 4 4 yards wide, lined with perca line and velvet, bound, considered pood value al $4.00, will be sold this week a I 12.48. . We want to say a word about the Anthracite Bicycles, and the strongest way to say it is hardly strong enough. The Anthracite made under special contract for us by the old est and largest factory in America. It is a perfect wheel wtin the very best of materials m its construction. It has tne wb sprockets, new Indianopohs o, H umber chain, cranks keyless and detachable without changing adjustment It is light running, graceful and up to date in every detail. We ask no agent's com mission, simply a reasonable a al rnst for hanu"n&' One full year's guarantee is B'velt with each wheel. Write for cata logue, and don't spend $100 for wheel until you have seen $49.00, Youth's and M'sS" $39.50, Boy's and Girl's $34 A new book just to drive away the blues, side splitting nclJ!!" and laughable situations 'ia leuow Jviu. uis uu"" life- storie of me sweet 48c, by mail 52c. Respectfully, young Cor.W. Market and Public Squa BICYCLES.