The Scranton tribune. (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, January 02, 1895, Image 1

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EIGIIT PAGES 56 COLUMNS.
SCRANTON, PA., WEDNESDAY MORNING, JANUARY 2, .1895.
TWO CENTS A COPY.
DOINGS AT HfVRRlSBURG
Legislative Business For the New
Year Fairly Under Way.
MESSAGE OP THE GOVERNOR
Various Topics Discussed in tlio Lost An
nual of ttao Chief Magistrate of the
Commonwealth-Senate Employes
Announccd-Bllls Introduced.
Special to the Scranton Tribune.
Harrisburg, Jan. 1. The successful
tattle for James E. Watklns, of Tay
lor, for the reading clerkship In. the
house, waged in yesterday's caucus by
John R. Farr, of the First district, and
llenresentatlve O'Malley, of the Fourth,
assisted by Lieutenant Governor Wat
res and Senator Vaughan, was the en
grossing topic of discussion among
politicians today. The true history of
this fight would make an Interesting
volume. It Is said by observers old to
the business to have been the hottest
caucus fight known 'here In years. The
election of Mr. Watklns as a candidate
for the reading clerkship against Fred
"W. Fleltz was decided upon several
days ago, by Mr. Farr. He ascertained
that he could not succeed with a candi
date from his own district, hence he
did the next best thing he took Mr.
Watklns from t.ie Third.
When the Fleltz forces reached Har
risburg Saturday, they found that the
opposition had already made material
progress. It Is understood that Con
gressman Scranton identified himse'f
with this state tight against the advice
of friends who pointed out to him the
unwisdom of his mixing into a battle
that did not concern him, unless In his
role as a candidate for governor, now
given a suggestive black eye. The re
BUlt of his Interference is not calculat
ed, these friends since observe, to In
cite a repetition of the error. Mr.
cranton's presence here and his active
management of Fleltz's campaign
turned many influential factors against
Fleltz. It at once became a question
whether the members of the house at
Ilarrlsburg would have to go to mem
bers of the Washington house for or
ders. The emphasis of the negative
answer that was rendered causes a
good deal of secret rejoicing among
members who were not personally con
cerned in the Lackawanna contest, but
who recognize In Its outcome the vindi
cation of a wholesome principle.
.Tried to Break the Slate.
The Fleltz people were hard fighters.
They were beaten fairly and thorough
ly last lght; but they were up again at
daybreak trying to "smash" the "slate."
The "slate," however, had been made
with too great care.to be affected by any
eleventh-hour assaults. It went through
swimmingly; and Lackawanna coun
ty's delegation tonight enjoys the dis
tinction of having held for two days
the anxious attention of the shrewdest
politicians of the whole state.
Representatives Farr and O'Malley
left for home this afternoon, on th
same train with Congressman Scran
ton. The latter's course during the
next few days will, it is thought, be
worth watching. He takes his defeat
with an appearance of philosophy; but
underneath this ithe blood Is boiling.
Seldom has a -reputably shrewd poli
tician been so thoroughly discomfited.
The organization of the house at noon
was unattended by uncommon incident.
when the preliminaries had been ad
justed and Harry F. Walton elected
epeaker and A. IX Fetterolf chief clerk,
the slate committee reported the fol
lowing organization, which was adopt
ed:
Resident clerk, Jore B. Rex, of Hunt
ingdon; reading clerk, James E. Wat-
kins., of Lackawanna; message clerk.
Forrest R. Nochols, of Crawford; tran
scribing clerks, Thomas K. Harris, of
Philadelphia, and J. A. Frleder, of Lycom
Jng; sergeant-at-arms, John T. Schoenor,
or senuyiuiii couty; assistant- sergeant
fit-arms, K. C. M. ItawllnB, of
Philadelphia; Christian C. BaBliun, of
Philadelphia; J. O. Zellers, of Lancaster,
and James W. Barker, of Delawnro coun
ty; postmaster, Edward Hildobrand, of
Philadelphia; assistant postmaster, Sam
uel Haverstlck, of Franklin; doorkeepor,
B. F. Davis, of Luzerne county; assistant
doorkeepers, John Morris, of Washing
ton; William Allott, of Armstrong; Jona
than Spaulding, of Erie county; door
keeper of rotunda, James Terry, of Brad
ford; messenger, Joseph Fullcrton, of
Philadelphia; assistant messengers, J. N.
Houghton, of Union: Sanford Almi, of
Beaver, and William F. Howard, of Blair;
superintendent of folding, Edward B. Cot
terall, of Philadelphia; pasters and fold
ers, A. B. Ayres, of Lancaster
Adolph Hcckel, of Allegheny; Will
iam E. Henderson, of Westmoreland;
Edward Deemer, of Ducks; McClure Hart
sell, of Lawrence; -Howard C. Evans, of
Cambria; Richard L. Davis, of Fayette;
N. Losh. of Indiana; W. S. Schroder, of
Adams. Speaker Walton announced the
fallowing appointments: Chaplain, Rev.
Dr. B. B. Hamlin, of Harrisburg; speak
er' clerk, Henry Huhn, of Philadelphia;
fireman In basement, D. J. Jones, of
Mercer; fireman on floor, David Davis, of
Allegheny; janitor of coat rooms, Charles
Rune, of Lehigh; Janitors of committee
rooms. William Gallagher, of Philadel
phia; Cyrus Itesterbolt, of Lebanon; Jani
tor of basement, Humphrey Mages, of
Dauphin. E. J. Randolph, of Pittsburg,
was appointed Journal clerk.
After th completion ' of other pre
. llmlnarles, on invitation of the house
.the venerable George V. Lawrence, of
Washington eounty, made an address
dedicating the remodeled house. He
referred to the scenes of half a century
ogo, and recalled some Interesting
things which transpired In the house in
tits long experience. He closed with
eome good advice to his young associ
ates and dedicated the hall to the en
actment of pure ana just laws. The
house then took a recess until 3 o'clock,
when the governor's message was read.
-At the conclusion of the reading of the
message the ihouse adjourned until
Wednesday evening, Jan. , at 8 o'clock.
The Senate Orgnnltcs.
When Lieutenant-Governor Watres
at noon today rapped for or4er, In the
senate, forty-nine out of fifty senators
were present. Senator C. Wesley
Thomas, of Philadelphia, was elected
president pro tern. In acknowledge
lng the honor he made a speech full of
excellent counsel. He predicted that
before theassembllng of another sesilon
Pennsylvania would be free from debt
the only state of which this cttn be
said. He strongly urged legislation in
behalf of good roads and for the better
cure and treatment of the Indigent In
sane. He sIbo pointed out the need of
n accurate school census. The senate
organized as follows, Senator Vaughan
scoring a point in the selection of his
man as one of the pasters and folders:
Chief clerk, E. W. Smiley, of Venango;
journal clerk, Joseph Young, of Philadel
phia; reading clerk, James M. Carson, of
Butler; message clerk, W. J. Robinson, of
Erie; transcribing clerks, Isaac Martin, of
Chester, and C. B. Miller, of Allegheny;
sorgeant-at-arms, R. N. Greenland, of
Philadelphia; II. T. Reynolds, of Pot
ter; postmaster, John A. Seiders, of
Franklin; doorkeeper, A. C. Little, of Jef
ferson; assistant doorkeeper, Levi Knott,
of Blair; messenger, Horace H. Hess, of
Lebanon; assistant messenger, J. C.
Smith, of Allegheny; superintendent of
folding room, James Riley, of Philadel
phia; pasters und folders, Robert Cros
dale, of Bucks; Amos L. Lehman, of
Lancaster; J. Uppermun, of Allegheny;
Charles Yohe, of Schuylkill; Wllllnm
Dawson, of Lackawanna, and W. N. Al
berty, of Wayne. '
Chief clerk Smiley announced the fol
lowing appointments of state employes:
Librarian, Herman P. Miller, Dauphin;
watchman, William McAnany, Philadel
phia; janitor of committee rooms, S. M.
Lafferty, Allegheny; janitor of coat
room, Joseph A. Logan, Northumberland,
janitor of basement, P. J. Doyle, Lu
zerne; engineer, Edward Adamson, Phil
adelphia; tlreman on floor, C. W. Merklo,
Schuylkill; fireman in cellar, Edward
Mac-kin, Philadelphia; chief page ol tne
senate, W. Harry Baker, Dauphin.
After passing a resolution providing
for adjournment from tomorrow until
Wednesday, Jan. 9, at 8 p. m., the Ben
ate at S o'clock adjourned until 10 a. m.
tomorrow.
GOVERNOR'S MESSAGE.
Main Topics Discussed in Mr. Paulson's
Last Annual.
By the United Press.
Harrisburg, Pa., Jan. 1. Governor
Paulson's last message was read In
both houses this morning. A synopsis
Is given below'.
To the Senate and House of Representa
tives or tne commonwealth or Penn
sylvania: Uentlemen: At the conclusion of mv
second term in the ofllce of chief execu
tive of this state. I embrace with satis
faction the opportunity afforded to mo
by the constitution of Klvine: to the Ken-
eral assembly "information of the state
of the commonwealth," and of recom
mending to their consideration such
measures as I "may judge expedient."
The special reports of the many and
varied departments of official activity In
our system of state government, of the
different boards and commissions en
gaged in carrying out its work und In
vested with the responsibility of expend
ing Its appropriations, have been pre
pared with care and will furnish to you
much valuable Information. I commend
them to your earnest consideration, hop
ing thus to direct attention to the neces
sity of their careful examination by those
wno would legislate ror tne oc-st interests
of their constituents und for the perma
nent good of the commonwealth.
The Tax Laws.
The enactment by the lost general as
sembly of laws to increase the tux on per
sonal property, and particularly on prop
erty represented by corporate Investment,
has not by any means fully or fairly
satisfied the demand for greater equality
In our tax laws, it has long been a mut
ter of complete demonstration, that, not
withstanding our theory of taxation ac
cording to property value, certain kinds
of property are loaded with fur more thun
their Just share of taxation, while certain
other kinds escape with very much less.
The real estato of the commonwealth's
citizens, whether In the form of urban or
agricultural lands, is subjected to all
forms of local taxation, county, state,
township, road and school tax. The cluim
that land is relieved from liability to
state taxation Is a specious one, the trans
parent nature of which has long been
recognized. There Is vast advantage to
personal property In Its llabllty to state
taxation, while it escapes the much moro
grievous and onerous burden of local taxa
tion. It is everywhere conceded that, be
sides the bonus puid for letters patent,
artiflciul persons erected by the Ian-, and
known to it us corporations, should pay
annuully for their extraordinary privi
leges of limited liability and perpetual
succession, a special tax to the common
wealth. This. I recommend, should be
laid in the form of a special franchise
tax, to be measured by the amount and
value of their capltul. but to be distinctly
understood to be a franchise tax as dis
tinguished from a property tax.
In addition to this if it be deemed Im
practicable to subject to local taxation
their property used for general corpora
tion Durooses. such as lines of railroad
ounal, telegraph, or telephone extending
across the state there ought to be, In all
fairness, laid upon them a rate of taxn
tlon In some dnicree commensurate with
the amount of local tax that property of
like cnuracier. Deioninng to individuals.
has to pay. For Illustration, It Is wholly
unfair that a railroad freight station or
warehouse, used for corporation purposes
and located in a great city, should pay to
the commonwealth and for all public pur
poses at the rate of live mills on so much
of the corporate capital as Is represented
uy us vniue, wnue a corresponding prop
ertv. side by side with It. used for like in
dividual purposes, and enjoying no more
public protection, state or municipal,
should be compelled to pay twenty mills
in ine aggregate oi ioihi taxation. Again,
the holder of mortgage or iudement. who
Jiays four mills personal property tax, en
oys t'ho advantages of a most murked
nequality of taxutlon by contrast with
tno owner or real estate against which is
held a lien which real estate Is subject,
In many esses, to local taxation runglng
from fifteen to twenty-five mills. I am
constrained to believe that this subject
has not yet received the earnest attention
which it deserves from the legislature of
our state, and that private und selfish
Interests havo obstructed the fair con
sideration of a question which appeals to
every proper sense of public and private
Justice.
Under existing tax laws all manufac
turing corporations In this commonwealth,
however profitable) their operations, are
exempt from corporation tux. At least
$100,000,000 worth of property thus escapes
taxation. The practical operation of this
principle has been extended to gas com
panies, and It Is now being contended In
the courts that even electric light com
panies are subject to the exemption. In
some instances the conditions still exist
which rendered it advisable for our state
to thus Invite the Investment of capital
on-' Its soil, but 1 respectfully submit that
when a manufacturing Industry Is enabled
to earn a fair profit on its Investment It
should be liable to the same taxation
which mining, agricultural and commer
cial ventures are obliged to pay. Corpor
ate enterprises, like gas and electric light,
heat and power companies, ought certain
ly to bear their fair shares of the burthen
of state taxation. No considerations upon
which transportation and like companies
are subject to luxation operate to fairly
exempt the electric light and gus com
panies, i ney are ordinarily not only en
tered Into for profit, but they are. In
practical operation, profitable to their in
vestors. I recommend, therefore, that gas
and electric companies be specifically re
stored to the class of corporations liable
to state tax.
The Abolition of Official Fees,
fn a recent opinion handed down by the
supreme court of Pennsylvania It is aguln
culled to public attention that one of tho
grievances of the people before the adop
tion of the constitution of 1874 was the
excessive compensation of county oflicera
In counties having a large population,
where it was alleged "the receipts from
fees were out of all proportion to the ser
vices rendered or responsibilities en
tailed.'! It was the purpose of the consti
tution, nnd of legislation passed, to en
force the same, to rid the state of this
fee system and of the almost equally ob
noxious system of mixed compensation
by salary anu iees.
The F.leetlon l.nwi.
I consider that It would be a wis sup
plement to our present election laws If,
by some well. regulated scheme, the right
oi every voter should be Judicially de
termined bofore election day. The regis
try lists being closed sixty days before
the election, and suffrage tax payments
to qualify electors ceasing thirty days
bofore the election, It would be entirely
practicable for the voting lists of every
district to bo thoroughly purged by the
courts before election day. the rights of
every voter to be determined and com
plete lists of all qualitled voters to be
placed In the hands of the election officers,
except changes due to death or removal.
Unfortunately, I believe, for the best
Interests of the public, tho constitutional
amendment proposed a few years ago for
the repeal of the constitutional provision
requiring payment of a poll tax once In
two years was defeated. Since then the
enormous evil of political committees pay
ing the tuxes and holding the tax receipts
of voters has been on the constant In
crease. It has attained most alarming
proportions, especially In the great cities,
where the number of voters whose poli
tical duties are thus attended to by party
organizations now runs up to hundreds
of thousands. Vast sums of money, In
Philadelphia alone In a single campaign
amounting to $00,000, are raised by the
political parties. The very raising of this
fund leads to public demoralization and
keeps up the vicious system of money in
our politics. It places parties under obli
gations to those who furnish It and tuxes
public servants to raise It. I earnestly
recommend your honorable bodies Im
mediately to formulate and pass a consti
tutional amendment abolishing the tax on
the franchise; Indeed, I am convinced
that the proposition made In another state
some years ugo, to Impose a tax upon
those who neglect one of tho first duties
of citizenship, viz., to vote at ull elec
tions, would not be a more reasonable and
effective regulation of the elective fran
chise than to Impose what, at most, Is an
Irritating tax upon the right to perform
one's duties.
Notwithstanding the provisions of the
act of 1874, providing for the trlul of con
tested elections In the courts of the com
monwealth, and the contemplation of that
act, that the real Issue of law and fact In
contested elections shall be tried In the
courts, It hus been the rule to make these
trials mere mutters of form, to suppress
and prevent actual judicial Investigation,
and to appeul and transft-r the cases to
the different branches of the legislature.
In the houseof representatives particular
ly the whole Investigation Is reopened.
The election committee travels over the
state, going through the form of examin
ing witnesses, wunoui mucn regara to
legal principles or judicial forms. Ques
tions of luw and fact are decided mainly
on partisan or personal grounds, and the
so-called "Investigation Is not only a
Judicial farce, but a most costly and un
satisfactory proceeding. Enormous bills
of cost are saddled upon the common
wealth, or are so scandalous that, when
they are Inconsiderately pussed by the
general assembly, they must necessarily
encounter tho executive veto. It Is not
fair to contesting parties that such pro
ceedings should characterize an inquiry
Into the rights or claimants to a place of
honor or prollt and of responsibility. The
law of 1874 should be so amended as to
provide that the real trial of the questions
of law and fact In election content for a
member of the legislature should be de
termined In the courts; that the Judg
ment or tne court upon tne issues actually
Involved should be conclusive.
Thero has been complaint in some quar
ters that the rigid opposition of the courts
to all Investigations and recount of the
contests of the ballot box, except under
cerium amicuit conditions, lenas to pro
tect fraud. I recommend, therefore, such
amendments to the election law as will
authorize and require the courts, upon
petition or a certain number or voters,
alleging a miscount of tho vote, to order
the ballot boxes and their contents Into
the custody of tho courts, to be opened,
examined and recounted whenever Hny
proper necessity for such course has been
legally made to appear. Such a bill passed
second reading In the senate lust session,
but failed in llnal pussuge by postpone
ment. Foreign Building and Loan Associations.
The report of the chief of the bureau of
statistics will bring to your notice many
valuable und interesting statistics con
cerning the building and loan associations
which have been nourished In our com
monwealth by favorable legislation. They
are almost universally on a sound busls,
conservative and economically managed.
They ure useful In effecting savings on
the part of worklngmen and persons of
moderate means, to tho amount of many
millions of dollars; and thousands have
secured homes through their membership
In these Institutions. Of late, however,
our stnte has been overrun by foreign as
sociations of this character, which hold
out glittering Inducements to the credul
ous and Impose upon the unwary. Many
of them have already demonstrated their
worthlessness, and others which have tuk
en hundreds of thousands of dollars out
of our commonwealth for foreign deposit
or Investment, will Booner or later realize
bitter disappointment for their stockhold
ers. There should be legislation forbid
ding any so-called building and loan, sav
ing fund or Investment society, not chart
ered by the laws of this commonwealth
or having Its main otllce and property
within Its jurisdiction, from soliciting or
doing business in this commonwealth.
Common Schools of tho State.
Measured by the magnitude of the ap
propriation of public moneys and by the
number of Individuals directly affected,
the public schools are tho most important
Interest of the stale government. The
abundant revenues of the state, have long
since permitted the foresight and liberal
ity of the legislature to far outrun the re
quired constitutional appropriation to
tlwlr Bupport. Five and a half millions of
dollars Is the amount of the present an
nual state appropriation and there seems
to be no demand nor occusion for the
diminution thereof.
When It Is remembered that the totnl
number of pupils of these schools in tho
state for the lust school year was l.oiO.twU
and the average attendance 7fi9,u00; tho
cost of school houses, purchasing build
ings, renting, etc., $3,Mt('.,sl8.13; tho cost of
school text-books and supplies nearly two
millions of dollars, and teachers' wages
$X,9IJ8.34.1.CC.; and from other statistics on
the same grand scale, some Idea of the
extent and Importance of this department
may bo obtained.
I commend to your consideration in its
entirety tho report of tho present highly
competent, scholarly and faithful superin
tendent of this department.
The National Guard.
According to the report of tho adjutant
general the number of men enrolled In the
state subject to military duty is 800,321.
The National guard itself aggregates 8,834,
a gain during the year of 322. The spring
inspections showed no deterioration of the
conditions of former years, and If the
averages were not as favorable It wus
because the stundard of excellence had
beon advanced. The leading event of tho
year In the history of the guard wnn the
division encampment on the historical
field of Gettysburg. It was a complete
success from every point of view, and
was so pronounced, not only by tho olll
cers In immediate command, but by many
visitors of high military distinction from
the wnr department at Washington. Cap
tain Alexander ltodgors, a distinguished
cavalry olllcer, detailed by the secretary
of war to Inspect the National guard, has
submitted an elaborate report, which con
cludes with this most complimentary ex
pression upon the condition of the state
soldiery of Pennsylvania:
"Tho National Guard of Pennsylvania,
which was In such a high state of eflt
clency lust year, has mude very evident
progress within the last year. The fact
that a great majority of the law-abiding
citizens of tho state understand this use
fulness and the necessity for keeping up
its present efficiency .gives to all the mem
bers of tho guurd encouragement and nn
Incentive to put forth their best efforts.
As It stands today it Is a guuranty of
peace and order In the state."
Tho generous appropriation of the Inst
legislature has enabled the troops to be
better uniformed than ever before, tho
new equlument contemplated having been
supplemented with rubber ulunKets, hnv
ersacks and other useful articles. The
equipment of the cavalry and artillery Is
also nearly complete, the adlulant iron.
erul recommending only tho addition of
two modern breech-loading rifled guns for
each company or artillery. tr the appro
urlatlon to this department there re-
malned to the credit of the adjutunt gen
eral, on Dec. 1, I107.7C1.8B.
The gratifying announcement by the
general Inspector of rifle practice that
substantially the ontlre guard now
qualify as marksmen attests alike
the efficiency of .their practice
and the high average skill of the
rank und tile. In MHl there were 4,549
marksmen in tne service; now mere are
8,475, of whom 1,316 are sharpshooters.
It is gratifying to our state pride that in
the international rIHe competition at Sea
Qlrt, N. J., In Scplomber, the Pennsyl
vania team won the Hjllon trophy for tha
IUUI ill lima.
Board of Charities.
i transmit for your thoughtful consid
eration the report of the philanthropic
gentlemen who compose the board of
state charities', whose function Is to ex
amine carefully Into the workings of the
many Institutions nunlvlntr for and re.
ceivlng state aid. I recommend. to your
honorable bodies careful Innulry Into Its
recommendations and the withholding of
your bounty from any Institutions which
have not received Its commendation. Its
Continued on Paga 3
THEY WERE UNDER ORDERS
V
Excuses Made by the Tcrpetrators of
'Armenian Outrages.
THE HALF HAS NOT BEEN TOLD
From l.ate Advices It Is Learned That
Fifteen Thousand Persons Were Slain
and That Thirty-five Village
Were Wiped Out.
By the United Press.
Boston, Jan. 1. Lcrtters have been
received by well known parties in this
city from reliable sources 'n Turkey
giving still further testimony regard
ing the outrages In eastern Turkey. The
following letter comes from a city not
a great distance from the scene of tho
outrage. The writer of the letter is a
man In whom the highest confidence
may be placed, who has spent more
than a third of a century in that region
and knows the country and people per
fectly. This testimony Is from a source
which is entirely Independent of any
which has been given before. Later ac
counts Increase If possible the horrors
of what has itaken place. The letter
Just received Is as follows:
The Armenians oppressed by Kurds
and Turks, said they could not pay
taxes to both Kurds and government.
Plundered and oppressed by the Kurds,
they resisted them; there were some
killed, then false reports were sent to
Constantinople that the Armenians were
in arms in rebellion; ordeis were sent
to the Mushlr at Erzlngan to extermin
ate them, root and branch. The order
read before the army, collected In haste
from all the cities of eastern Turkey
was: "Whoever spares man, woman
or child is disloyal."
The region was surrounded by sol
diers of the army and 20,000 Kurds also
are said to Jvave been massed there.
Then they advanced upon the center,
driving In the people like a flock of
sheep, and continued thus to advance
for days. No quarter was given, no
mercy Bhown. Men, women and child
ren were shot down and butchered like
sheep. Probably when they were set
upon in this way some tried to Bave
their lives and resisted In self defence,
while those wlho could, fled in all di
rections, but the majority were slain.
Fifteen Thousand Slain.
The most probable estimate Is 15,000
killed, thirty-five villages plundered,
razed and burned. Women were out
raged and then butchered. A priest
was taken to the roof of his church
and hacked to pieces and set on fire.
A large number of women and girls
collected in a church were kept for
days, violated by the brutal soldiers
and then murdered. It is said the num
ber was so large tlhat the blood flowed
out of the church door. The soldiers
contended over a beautiful girl: thev
wanted to preserve her, but Bhe, too,
was killed.
Every effort Is being made and will
be made to falsify the fact and pull
the jvool over the eyes of European
governments. But the bloody tale will
finally be known, the most horrible. It
seems to me, that the Nineteenth cen
tury has known. As a confirmation of
the report, the other day several boI
dlers were returning from the seat of
war and at a village near us one man
was heard to say that he alone, with his
own hand, had killed thirty pregnant
women.
gome who seem to have some shame
for their atrocious deeds sny: "What
could we do? We were under orders."
NEW YEAR AT WHITE HOISE.
Washington's Programme Rcpcntcd-Mrs.
Cleveland Shakes llands ut the Rutcof
Sixty Per Minute.
Dy the United Press.
Washington, Jan. 1. The president,
was at home to all the world who chose
to visit the White House today, and
with his official family repeated the
annual object lesson In the simplicity
and ImpresslvenesB of American repub
lican Institutions In the United States.
The representatives of foreign powers In
the splendor of their court dresB
greeted the president In tho names of
their rulers; the army and navy paid
their respects to their commander-ln
chief; the members of congress to their
executive; the federal officials to the
head of the government, and the public
at large to the chief citizen of the na
tion. In minor details alone did today's
reception differ from any of Its pre
decessors since Oeneral Washington,
the first president, officially Inaugur
ated the national ceremony In New
York city 104 years ago.
The president's reception began
shortly before 11 o'clock, and It was
exactly Blx minutes before 2 o'clock
when the end of the line reached Mrs.
Cleveland. The president and Mrs.
Cleveland were assisted In receiving by
the ladles of the cabinet and a number
of other ladies from oftiolal life. .
By the time the populace began to
pass through all those assisting had
dropped out, and Mrs. Cleveland
braveljr stood up alone, shaking hands
at the rate of sixty a minute. Old and
young, Mack and white, were treated
.like, and some, afflicted with "stage
if J' JJW
Compliments of the Season.
fright" after passing Mr. Cleveland,
became aware of the presence of the
first lady of the land only by her reach
ing out and grasping the hand that had
Just been dropped by the president.
There were no incidents of a sensa
tional character. The usual crank
failed to put In an appearance.
TROMBLEY FAMILY TRAGEDY.
Bay City Man Cuts Ills Wife's Throat,
Smothers the baby and Then Commits
Suicide.
By the United Press.
Bay City, Mich., Jan. 1. The new
year was ushered In here with a double
murder and suicide, the victims being
Mrs. Cora Trombley and her 8-months-old
baby, and the murderer and sui
cide was Daniel J. Trombley, the
woman's husbnnd. Shortly after 5
o'clock this morning an alarm of fire
called the fire department to 91.1
Ketchum street, the residence of Daniel
J. Trombley. After a hard fight the
fire was gotten under control. On en
tering a bed-room down stairs Mrs.
Trombley was found lying on the bed
with her feet partially burned. Her
throat was cut from ear to ear and the
bed clothing was covered with blood.
At the foot of the bed was found her
baby. The child had evcldently been
smothcrd. as no marks of violence
were found on tho body.
After cuting his wife's throat Trom
bley saturated the bed clothing with
kerosene and then - Bet fire to It.
Trombley had another child, a boy of 10
years, whom he left at the home of his
grandfather last evening. This was
the Inst Been of the. murderer. After
the discovery of the crime warch was
begun for Trombley, und his body was
found In a well at Essexville, n suburb
of Buy City. He had committed suicide
by drowning.
Trombley was about 28 yenrs of age
and had a paying business, but during
tho past two years of his life has shown
signs of Insanity.
SUPT. BYRNES KNEW HIM.
Man Claiming to Bo on F.mbczzlcr Sur
renders at Fottsvillc.
By the United Press.
Pottsville, Pa., Jan. 1. This after
noon a man stepped up to Olllcer GraelT,
of this city, and said: "I am an em
bezzler and want to give myself up."
The officer took him to police headquar
ters, where he told Chief of Police
Prltchard that ho had forged checks
on different parties to the amount of
$11,000. He gave no names, but asked
to have a telegram sent. This dlHpatoh
was addressed to Kobcr-t Evans, 3SS
East Eighth street, Now York and
said:
"Bob, I have given myself up; send
enough money for me to travel com
fortably," and signed his name William
Evans. . He 'told the chief thu,t Superin
tendent Byrnes knew him. The chief
thought he was a crank, but( took him
to Jail and wired ito the NewYork po
lice.
Signaled "All Well."
By the United Press.
London, Jan. 1. At G.33 o'clock this
morning an Allan lino steamer passed
Tory iHland, Inward bound, having In
tow tho steamer Surnlu, from Portland,
Dec. 13, for Liverpool. The Sni-nla had
lost her rudder. She slgnulcd "ull well."
Another Costly liluc.
By the United Press.
Vtlca, N. Y Jan. 1. A fire was dis
covered at 10 o'clock last nlcht in the
Joslyn building, In which the postolllee Is
loeuted at West Wlntleld, Herkimer coun
ty. The loss Is estimated at $10,000.
Herman Ilurgin Commissioned.
By the United Press.
Harrisburg, Jan. 1. A commission was
Issued today to Herman Ilurgin, surgeon
Second regiment, National Guard of Penn
sylvania, with rank of major.
KEYSTONE VIGNETTES.
Bliumokln citizens have pledged 118,0V)
toward a fund to establish a silk mill In
that town.
Four Italians were held In $200 ball ench
at Pottsville for threatening to burn the
house of a fellow-counlryinun.
A textile fubriu corporation, with a cap
ital of fcVi.OOO, to employ seventy opera
tives, Is being organized at Lebanon.
Tho Northampton county bar paid trlb
uto to Judge Howard J. Iteeder on his
retiring from the bench next Monday.
tWllliam ThomuB, a crippled peddler, of
Heat town, Lancaster county, was founil
on the Welsh mountain Saturday night,
frozen to death.
Dr. Eugene H. James has been appoint
ed surgeon to tho Pennsylvania Kullroad
company In Harrisburg to succeed the
late Dr. 8. It. liorgas.
Judge Sadler has made the sheriff's al
lowance 0 cents a day for boarding tramps
In the Cumberland county lull, Instead
of 4 cents, as heretofore.
Lehigh's Agricultural society, at Allen
town, voted $2,000 to Mr. and Mrs. Frank
Qangower for the loss of their daughter,
who was killed at a shooting gallery, at
the fair.
A Joint mooting of the Bangor Valley
slate companies will be held on Thurs
day next to tlx a scale of prices and to
decide whether or not the present quar
ries In operation shall bo worked.
Because he would not return money
which shs loaned him, Mrs. Jacob Craig,
claiming to be a niece of ex-Judge Hilton,
of New York, cowhlded her husband In
the Diamond market, Pittsburg.
Slight Oscillating Disturbance Felt
on Sunday Evening.
GREAT PANIC IN A THEATER
Women Leap from the Lower Boxes and
the Audience Struggles for Escape
Through the Narrow Exits-Penitents
Kneel in the Streets.
By tho United Press.
St. Louis, Mo., Jan. 1. A special from
the City of Mexico says that at 10.S3'
o'clock Sunday night an oscillatory
earthquake shock wua felt In that city
and other parts of the valley of Mexico.
The movement was east and north, but
of short duration. The disturbance
caused -great alarm from those who
feared a repititlon of the dreaded earth
quake of Nov. 2, which killed eighteen
people and did great property dam
age. In the Arben theater, which is the
only play house now open in the capi
tal, as the result of the damage sus
tained by the other theaters by the pre
vious shocks, a stampede occurred.
Women leaped ifrom the lower boxes
and the audience struggled for escape
at the narrow exits. The manager
appeared on the stage and tried to calm
the fear-crazed people, and at last a
degree of quiet was restored, but not
until the most of the audience had
taken refuge In the streets, which were
full of frlgh'tened.aiMmla. niftPJMif-J&SSKl" .
In their .night clothes, who had rushed
out at the -first alarm. The scene of
November was repeated In large part
and thousands of penitents knelt in the
open streets and prayed and cried in a
loud voice for deliverance from death.
In Itolem prison, where thousands of
wretched beings huddled together In
the prison barracks, pandemonium
reigned and the guards had hard work
to prevent hundreds from breaking out
of their quarters and Hinging them
selves over the walls. The large supply
pipes lending to the city burst, flooding
the streets and causing considerable
damage to property. Not until daylight
yesterday could the majority of people
be persuaded to enter their homes.
A repetition of the shock is expected in
a fow -days.
LEXOITS STATEMENT.
The Senator is Surprised at the Criticism
of Dr. Porkhurst but Believes tbe Cler
gyman to Bo Sincere.
By the United Press.
Albany, Jan. 1. Senator Lexow, as
chairman of the New York city police
Investigating committee, tn referring to
Dr. Parkliurst's published criticisms on
the work of the committee, said he had
no answer to make to Dr. Pairkhurst's
manifesto, seating that he thought the
work of the committee was sufllolent
answer. He gave out the following
signed statement:
It Is strango Indeed that when the crit
ical point was reached and Byrnes was on
tho stand an everybody know be would be,
lust Huturduy nothing was suggested that
wns not done, and yet this criticism.
Mr. Moss throughout the entire exam
ination stood at Mr. Golf's side and co
operated In the conduct of the Inquiry.
Obviously It Is unnecessary to add any
thing to this.
I havo too hish a regard for Dr. Tark-
hurts to believe that be Is net ua tell by any
but the highest and purest motives In
what he says or does. As to a "deal" It
Is plain that ono could not bo effectual un
less throuh the co-operation of a major
ity of tho committee nctlng In conjunc
tion with all the counsel. The statement
of hlu proposition Is tho best refutation
of tho charge. Let any one suggest a
question that was not put, a charge that
was not mado, un indictment that was
not brought, nnythlug. In short, thut was
omitted, before they criticise. To my
mind tho meat of the statement Is to be
found In the declaration that the senate
committee has not uncovered all corrup
tion that exists In the police department
and that thero remains work for the So
ciety for the Prevention of Crime to do.
wish them Uod speed In the good work.
(Signed) Clarence Lexow.
Mr. Lexow said his committee would
meet some lay this week, probably to
morrow. The committee's report,
which Is to be presented to the state
senate will not bo ready for ten days
or two weeks.
Caused by Defective Flue.
By the United Press.
Huston, Pa Jan. 1. Tho dwelling of
William Best, In Glcndon borough, near
Luch ' Furnace, was entirely destroyed
with Its contents by Are at S o'clock this
morning. Lors, 10,000. A defective fiue Ig
nited tho woodwork In tha attlo.
Pope Favors I'ulted States.
By the United Press.
Home. Jan. 1. It Is believed In Vatican
circles that the pope favors the proposal
of Cardinal Gibbons, of Baltimore, that
the Eucharist congress moet In the United
States. -
Fdwln Bothcras Pardoned.
Byihe United Press.
Harrisburg, Jan. 1. Governor Pattlson
today Issued a pardon to Edwin Botheras,
of Iusorne county, wno was sorvuig
term for second degree murder.
WEATHER REPORT.
For eastern Pensylvanla, fab;; westerly
winds.
UNLETS
SPECIAL SALE OF
MUSLIN
To make room for Spring
Stock.
We are now selling a lot of
slightly soiled goods at prices
to close them out
quickly.
SET COVERS.
-ALSO-
GHILDREH'8 WRIS18, DRAWERS, ETC
A special job lot of Children's
Fine White Aprons at
about half price.
FIN LEY'S
510 and 512 Lackawanna Ave.
H.'A. KINGSBURY
AGENT FOR
THE VERY BEST.
313 SPRUCE ST., SCRANTON, PA.
A HAPPY NEW YEAR TO THE
PEACEFUL, HONEST PEOPLE
OF THE WORLD!
Lewis. Relllv & Davles wish the pea-?e
fill, honest people of the world a happy
New Year. Ve are happy because we live
In one of the most prosperous cities, in ono
of the best counties, In one of the largest
states and the greutest country that man
1h privileged to live in. Among tne cities,
towns, etc.. that we wish to remember In
particular way are the following;
Vi'llkes-Burrc, Great Bend,
ixinRHlon, toiiKiin,
Bennett, New Mtlford,
Forty Fort, Alford,
Wyoming, Klngtdey's,
Parsons, Foster,
Miners Mills, Nicholson,
Mill Creek, Fantoryvllla
Laflln, La Plume,
Yatesvllle, Dalton.
Plttston, (ilenbiirn,
Uurvea. Clink's Summit,
Lackawanna, Chinchilla,
Tuylor, Mtiyfleld,
Avoca, iy auk,
Mooslc, imnmore,
Mlnooka, Wlmmers.
Hancock, Maplewood.
BtHrllght, Lake Ariel '
Preston Park, tieorgeiown.
Lake Conio. Hawley,
Povntelle, Honesdale,
Belmont, Vnymurt,
Pleusiint Mount, Klinhiu-Ht,
I'nlondale, Moscow,
Forest City. (louldsboro,
cnrbondnle, Tobyhunna,
White Bridge, mount j-ocono.
Jerniyn, j-ocono summit,
Arrhliald, fresco,
Wlnton. Hcnryvllle,
Perkvllle. Spraguevllle,
Olyphnnt. Portland,
lrkson City, SIroiulsburg,
Throop. Water Gup,
Binghiimton, Delaware,
Scranton, Mnnunka Chunk,
i onium i.emt-r.
Mnv they live long and prosper Is the
nduh'or Lewis. Kelllv & Diivles. the honest
ami most extensive dealers in boots, shoes.
rubbers, etc., in norincasiern i-ennsyi
vanla. No. 114 Wyoming avenue, Scrun
ton, Pa.
. - - J
Holiday Goods
Our doors are open to every
lover of the beautiful, and we
welcome all to see and enjoy
the largest display of Holiday
Goods that was ever put ou
exhibition in this city.
' Taken
Look ut the Diamond!
in Our Window
Can show you - many
more inside.
W, J. WEIGH EL,
408 SPRUCE STREET.
NEAR DIME BANK.