1 . EIGHT PAGES 50 COLUMNS. SCRANTON, PA., TUESDAY MORNING, TEBllUAltY 5, TWO CENTS A COPY. PENNSYLVANIAJOOR LAWS The Most Unequal System of Any of the States. OUR DISGKACEtTL METHODS III Conditions that Arc Fostered by the Luck of lulforra System-Example of .Monroe County-Petty Official Fatten ou Poor Tax. Special to the Scranton Tribune. Harrlsbuig, Feb. 4. Pennsylvania Is declared to have the most unequal system of poor law government of any ot the states: open to many abuses, and aggravated by constunt litigation that Is often mure expensive than the actual care of paupers. Almost every county and In many Instances the several boroughs and townships of a county has a different method of administra tion. Unfortunates are put up for maintenance to the lowest bidder, who very often happens to be little better off than the pauper. To remedy these conditions and bring the state under a uniform system, Representative K. P. Gould, of Krie, ex-president of the Association of ithe Directors of the Poor und Charities of Pennsylvania, hus Introduced a bill In the legislature, which Is now in the committee on Ju diciary general. The act provides that each county shall constitute a separate poor dis trict, to be governed by three direc tors elected by the people, and they shall at once take steps for the es tablishment of a county poor house. Actual residence of one year Is made essential to such a settlement as will entitle to relief, and a number of spe cial and local acts are repealed. Present System a Disgrace. In explanation of the provisions of his bill Colonel Gould recently said to a Philadelphia newspaper man: "In nine counties of the state the entire county constitutes a single district and Is governed, so far as the poor are con cerned, by the county commissioners, who act also as directors of the poor. As directors they levy the poor tax and make requisitions for Its dis bursement upon themselves as com missioners. "Twenty counties are regulated upon the township district plan, governed by overseers. They make the assess ment and disburse the tax collected. There Is no appeal from their levy. It Is a fact to the great disgrace of this commonwealth that in some of these overseer districts the paupers are put up at auction and their maintenance let to the lowest bidder. Very often the successful bidder is little better off than the pauper, and the pittance designed for the support of one has to do service for two, and Infrequently more. "It Is almost Impossible to remedy the existing evils. Nearly every dis trict is governed wholly or In part by local or special laws. Hence, the only cure for the unfortunate conditions Is a general law. Such a law, If its pro visions act as a repeal of the special laws of the districts, will, of course, meet opposition. Nearly every phy sician, lawyer and others who receive fees from the poor funds will stren uously urge its defeat. Nearly all of them are politicians in a small way, and will employ every Influence to pro tect their small Jobs." Some Enlightening Statistics. Colonel Gould has compiled Informa tion relative to the workings of the poor laws throughout the state, and finds that In 2'jO districts the auction system prevails, and that 12S dis tricts favor the county system of these thirty-seven because It would be more economical, twenty because It would decrease pauperism; ten because it would lessen litigation; seven be cause It would be more humane, and nineteen because It would equalize tax ation. Corroborative of the ill conditions fostered by the lack of a uniform system are the statements of a nunri ber of poor directors themselves. Mon roe county seems saddest off In this respect. Samuel Kelser, of West Buf falo, township. Union county, said: "I favor the county system. We board our paupers with the lowest bidder. They cost about Jl a week. Yes, sometimes an overseer will take a man to his own home and make a little out of his boarding. They are gen erally taken, though, by the laboring class." Martin Yetter, an overseer of Smith field, Monroe county, said: "We tried ten years ago to get a county poor house. We have to board our paupers out. While we do not auction their maintenance, we try tuput them where the price Is lowest. We regard the auc tion system as an outrage. I favor the abolition of the township for the county system, with a county poor house supported the same as our Jail and court house." ".Monroe County Sins-" ' George Becker, of Kast Stroudsburg township, an overseer with six years' experience, said: "In my opinion we Should have a county house. I think it would reduce pauperism ami pre vent litigation about settlements." Emory Price, of Price townHhlp, said: "Our rule Is to put our poor with the lowest bidder. A county ponrhouse would greatly simplify matters and save money." Charles Smlnk, of Stroud town ship, said: "Monroe county sins In not having a home for Its pour. It would save the payment of costs to thirty two overseers, Jhlrty-two Justices of fine peace, ana a lot of constables. Every one of them gets a slice of the poor tax." Lackawanna county also has the township system. Judge Archbald of Scranton, said: "The question of settlement Is a very vexatious and expensive luxury. A uniform county cystem would cure thin, and besides being more efficacious In real relief. would not be so costly. Frequently hundreds of dollars have (been ex pended In ascertaining the proper set' tlement of a pauper when the expense " of maintaining him in a poorhouse would not have cost more than $10." . : PROCEEDINGS OF A DAY. Objection to Unnaturalized Keepers at , the Wernersvllle Asylum. By the United Press. Harrlsburg, Pa Feb. .4 When the senate was culled to order ut 8 o'clock there was barely a quorum present. The following were among the bills introduced: By Mr. Penrose Enlarging the power of courts to grunt and umend chariot's of institutions of learning; enlarging the tlio equity Jurisdiction of the courts. By Jlr. McOurrell Kstabllshlng a cir cuit court of appeals; lilting costs In the supreme court. fifty-seven bills passed first reading. The bill Increasing the salary of the superintendent of public printing from $-,UU0 to $3,001) passed second reading. A resolution offered by Mr, McCreary providing that the sessions of tho sen ate begin ut 10 o'clock a. m. was met with u storm of disapproval and prompt ly voted down. iguiust Ureater Pittsburg. The house met at 8 o'clock tills even ing. KemotistranctNi were received against the "Oreater Pittsburg" bill and the bill for the supervision of plumbing, the latter from master plumbers of Philadelphia. A remonstrance was also received against the Marshall pipe line bill. v Hills In place were read as follows; Mr. llerzog. Berks Urantlnu pension t . George Weklner, Berks county. M. Douthett, Hutler Providing penal ties for the manufacture and sale of Imi tation butter anil relating to Inspection thereof. Mr. Talbott, Chester Appropriating $D,U00 to erect a monument to General La fayette, on the battletleld of Brandy wine. .Mr. Slangier, Cumberland Appropriat ing Ji'.uuo. to the Lydla Itulrd Home at Carlisle. .Mr. Stewart, Philadelphia Appropriat ing Jtl.Oou to the Woman's directory, Phila delphia. Mr. IVltz, Philadelphia Appropriating $3,000 to the Western Home for Children. Mr. Xtackrell, Allegheny Providing that county commissioners shull publlsn advertising at regular current rates in not less than two nor more than live newspa pers of general circulation. Referring to Aliens Mr. Relnoehl, Lebanon, offered a resolution calling for a committee to Investigate the charge that there are a great many unnaturalized persons em ployed at Wernersvllle asylum, and If the charge Is true to have the trustees of the asylum discharge them. Mr. Focht, Union, said that the sooner these aliens are rooted out the better It would be for these Institutions. Mr. Fow, Philadelphia, held that the trustees of Wernersvllle -were Ameri cans with a pedigree, and the manage ment of the Institution us regards the employment of aliens could safely be left In their hands. Mr. Spangler, Cumberland, said if there ever was a time when we should "place Americans on guard" it is now. If these foreigners, he said, who are rushing pell mell to this country wont be naturalized let them go back to Europe. Mr. Smith, Bedford, In reply to Mr. Fow, said that no matter what the an cestry of the trustees, an investigation would do no harm. He knew cf de generate sons of noble ancestors, and noble sons of poor ancestry. ' ' The resolution was referred to ' the committee on vice and Immorality. . DEATH FROM BURNS. Horrible Fate of Mrs. Zellers and Her Nephew. By the United Press. Reading, Pa., Feb. 4. The details of the fatal burning of Mrs. John Zet- lers, aged "0, and her nephew, James Hechler, aged 16. near Adamstown. were received here tonight. It appears while Mrs. Zellers was starting a. fire Sunday morning she used a quantity of coal oil. This exploded and fired the dwelling. In trying to extinguish the flames Mrs. Zellers and her nephew were hor ribly burned, and when the neighbors arrived they found the victims lying on the kitchen floor with every vestiire of clothing burned from their bodies. The unfortunates were dragged from the burning building through a win dow. Hechler died early this morning, and Mrs. Zeller, It is reported, died this evening. NO WAR WITH .MEXICO. Guatemala Agrees to Mexican Demands for the F.arth. By the United Press. City of Mexico, Feb. 4. About 4,000 worklngmen marched through the streets of the city today and eventually gathered In front of the national pal ace. They greeted President Dlax with loud cheers and presented to him an address praising the government's atti tude in the boundary dispute with Guatemala. In his reply the president said that the diplomatic controversy presented no new features that would render war inevitable. It Is stated seml-offlclally that the outlook for peace Is more hopeful than ever, Guatemala having in the main agreed to Mexico's demands. The gen eral opinion now Is that there will be no war. No Foreign Flags. By the United Press. Denver, Colo., Feb. 4.-Tho legislature today passed a bill prohibiting the flvlnir of any foreign (lags In Colorado, except over the building occupied by the differ ent oonsuls. Treasury Gold Reserve. By the United Press. reserve today gulnert $L'iKMJ00 from natiir.il causes customs, dues and assay stand in at the cdose of business at $42,033,710. CONDENSED STATE NEWS. T'lnphone wires In Heading will be put underground. Lancaster furnishes free soup to over Goo people every day. Schuylkill county last year collected flS;M;.1 and expended $U80,3O4.tiO. . Hloh deposits of anthracite coal have been discovered in Bhamokln township, near Bhamokln borough. The Iron ore mines near I.ongswamp are being operated after a long Idleness, the men receiving but 40 cents a day, A farmer put some blrdshot Into Charles Wolfe at Harrlsburg when the latter sought shelter In the former's barn. Opposition In Allegheny county to the Oreater Pittsburg scheme grows stronger anu embraces all the towns affected. An holr of William Penn. William Dougal Btuart, has secured Judgments of ejectments for lands near Wllkes-Barre, Not more than 140,000.000 feet of logs win mm spring bo nut Into the Williams port boom, a large decrease from last year. At a meeting of the Clearing House as soclatlon of the banks of Philadelphia,, a resolution was unanimously adopted In' dorslng the provisions of the bill now bo fore the legislature to abolish days of grace, and recommending Its passage. ALDERMEN REVOKE GRANTS Brooklyn fathers Annul the Fran chises of Two Trolley Companies. MAYOR WILL PROBABLY VETO Two Thousand Persons Assemble at City Hall to llcnr the News-Arguments in the Mutter at Albuny-lUe Strike Sltuutlon. By the United PreBS. Brooklyn, Feb. 4. Barely 2,000 people assembled in front of the city hull this afternoon and the grand demonstration planned by the strikers to overawe ithe civic authorities was a failure, at least as far us force of num bers was concerned. Master Workman Connelly had announced that 20,000 peo ple would certainly be present and per haps double that number. Mayor Schleren decided that his proclamation of two weeks ago, ordering citizens to refrain from congregating on the streets or squares of the city, Is still In force, and under directions from him the po lice cleared city hall square of the crowds which assembled In response to the order of Connelly and others of the executive committee of the strikers. The men are highly Indignant at the action of the authorities in refusing them the time honored right to assemble for the purpose of petition und prayer for relief from unjust usage. While they were rebuffed by burly policemen in front of the city hull, their leuder en tered alone by the rear door and was permitted to carry his bundle of peti tions to the council chamber where the board of alderman, after a brief discus sion, passed by a vote of 10 to 8 the resolution prayed for, and revoked the grants to the Brooklyn City and Atlan tic Avenue Trolley companies. Aldermen Somewhat lluiy. The action' of the board, even if It escapes the mayor's veto, which is not likely, Is not expected to have a serious effect on the companies. The power of the board of aldermen to summarily revoke rights grunted common carriers Is questioned, and the aldermen them selves are somewhat hazy as to how they can hope to enforce their action. Should the proceedings before the at torney general at Albany result In the forfeiture of the company's charters the action of the common council today would become operative, but other wise it will have little effect. Aside from the gathering at the city hall there was no change In the strike situation. Two or three assaults upon motormen and conductors were reported and several collisions between trolley cars and trucks occurred. The Febru ary grand jury was sworn in nml charged to see to it that whoever has trampled upon the law be brought to justice.' Justice CSaynor granted a writ of al ternative mandamus today against the Atlantic Avenue Railroad company. A peremptory writ was applied for last Friday. The company will have twenty days to answer. Albany, N. Y., Feb. 4. Arguments In the matter of application to Attorney General Hancock to bring action to annul the charter of the Brooklyn Heights Railroad company were had this afternoon and evening. When the hearing closed It was with the under standing that both sides should file briefs Thursday of this week. SHOT STONEWALL JACKSON. The Military Career of Major John Me Donough, of Boston, By the United Press. Boston, Feb. 4. Major John Me. Donough, the superintendent of de livery at the Boston postofllce, who was arrested on Saturday for stealing let ters from the mall, and whose downfall has caused a great shock to his multl tude of friends. Is a favorite umong Grand Army men and is well known by every member of the Grand Army in New England states. Major McUonough Is a member of the Loyal Legion, the Ancient and Honor able Artillery company, and a Mason of the second degree. He, with his men, was standing some distance from the rest of Hooker's division at Chan- cellorsville, and they attacked General Stonewall Jackson and staff, and, do spite the version of the southerners thait the general was shot by a stray shot, from his own army, the major Is believed to have shot and killed Jack son. MAY RIVAL CRIPPLE CREEK. Discoveries of Gold at the Mouth of tho l.lttlo Cottonwood. By tho United Press. Salt Lake City, Feb. 4. The discovery of gold at the mouth of the Little Cot towood, eighteen miles south of this city, la causing considerable excitement, Some of the assays run very high and old miners predict that Cripple Creek will have a new rival. The town site has been laid out under the name of Gold City and prospecting is going on In the vicinity notwith standing the very heavy snow. N'ON UNION MEN ARRESTED. Employes of the llnckeye Glass Works Charged with Hlot. By the United Press, Wheeling, W. Va., Feb. 4. All of the non-union employes of Buckeye Olnss works were arrested this morning, on warrants sworn out by union men, charging riot as a result of the shooting several days ago. This morning an aittempt to assassl nate Manager Humphreys, of the works, was mudc by an unknown man, two shots whlzzlug by Humphreys' head. . IT WAS NOT THE CHICORA. The Object Sighted Off the Shore at South Chicago Probably an Ice Cake, By the United Press. Chicago, Feb. 4. All hope has been abandoned that the object sighted off Chicago yesterday morning will prove to be the hull of the lost steamship Chlcora. There was little interest shown In South Chicago during the day and only a few persons braved the ex tremely cold weaither to visit the lake shore. While further search was con sidered useless this morning It was not -desired to leave a possible doubt and the tug Morefotd was sent on a search Ins; cruise. - - The boat went along the Indiana shore twelve miles Into the lake, but was unablo to find anything but ice. Many huge cakes 'were encountered which" might easily be taken for a boat from the shore, and It was doubtless one of these which aroused so much hope and excitement. THE QUEEN'S SPEECH. Formal Document Read at the Ministerial llnnuuet. By the United Press. London iiv.ii. 4. The Queen's sueech on the occusion of the opening of parlia ment tomorrow will be rtjau at tne min isterial banquet tonight. The document refers to the confirmed efforts to pro mote peace between China and Japan, the ciineliiHlnn nf the treaty with France in regard U the African Wlnterland, and the prospect of an early settlement of the Question of the Russian bound ary 'lino in Central Asia. The speech also expreases regret at Lha Armenbin uuti'iurea and asks for an liirTdflgfl Af th ttiiiiineliLl nrovlglon for strengthening the navy. The bill pro gramme makes no rererence to une question of the veto power of the house rrf l,,p,1u Tli. li'luh lnnrl 1,111 In nbieed before the Welsh disestablishment bill. TROLLEY ACCIDENT. Car Kuus Off the Draw Bridge and Three Persons Arc Brow ned, By the United Press. Milwaukee, Wis., Feb. 4. A trolley car ran Into an open druw of the Mil waukee street railway line this morn ing at the Klnnlcklnniu bridge.- The passengers were all dumped into the icy water. Thousands of people were on the spot at once, and the people In the water were fished out as fast as they appeared on the surface. There were eleven people In the oar, five of them women. Motormun John W. Kennedy, Miss Nettie Khlman and Miss Schmldtkuntz were drowned, but the other passengers escaped with slight Injuries. FATE OF CONCORD PARTY. The Department Dues Not Seem Disposed to Take Action ill the Mutter of Kcs cue. By the United Press. Washington, Feb. 4. The last dis patch received at tho navy department from the Concord was dated Feb. 1, an nouncing her arrivul at Chinkiang. Chlnkiang is about 250 miles from Shanghai and 170 miles from Woosun;;, which is at the mouth of Yang Tse Ki- ang river. Chinkiang is a treaty port and a walled town about f jur miles in circuit and Is well fortified. It is thought possible that Command er Ci'aig, of the Concord, has been de terred from going ashore to communi cate with the department 'by the feeling which must have resulted from the cap ture of the Concord's party If the re port of their capture be true. Until something definite Is heard from olllclal sources the navy department will Hake no action. The neure ships that could go to me assistance ot tne concord are at Chee Foo, over 600 miles away. Either the Baltimore or Charleston would be able to reach Chinkiang In less than three days. Naval officers fail to see what could be accomplished anyway by the pres ence of other ships ns the men, If ar rested, have probably been taken in land. Unless, however, the situation is much more critical than is believed no doubt Is expressed that the prisoners would be promptly delivered to the American consul for trial on his de mand, i LEFT $5,000.000 BY A FRIEND. Englishman Bequeaths His Whole Estate to un American. Suwunee Springs, Fla., Feb. 4. By the will of John Morrison, an English man, an estate of $5,000,000 has been bequeathed to Percy Ludlum, a young man, who has been a frequent guest here. Ludlam Is a quiet, scholarly youth, and during his sojourns at the Springs became quite intimate with Mr. Morrison, who was a bachelor, and a frequent visitor here. Not long ago Mr. Morrison died and left all his vast estate to Ludlam. The olllclal notification of the will reached here yesterday. MRS. STL1)EBAKER'S FAST. A Woman Lay In a Trance fur a Long Time. By the United Press. Anderson, Ind., Feb. 4. Mrs. Joseph Studcbaker began the one hundred and seventeenth day of her fast and In somnia today, but at noon dl,?d us the result of her peculiar affliction, which has attracted 'the attention of the public for weeks. She lay over three months In a trance, bttt often awoke. , Two weeks ago tthe had a half hour In which she Heemed herself. She then passed Into convulsions and died today, She had not touched food in 117 days. llrido Builder Killed. By the United Press. Lancaster, Pa., Feb. 4. Peter Ritchie, a bridge builder of the Pennsylvania Kail road company, was killed this afternoon by fulling from a pier of the bridge at CoatesvlHe. He was employed in build Inr a scaffold and slipping, he fell sixty feet, receiving Injuries from which he died In a few minuted. ltltchie leaves a wife and five children. t llogurdus Dead. By the United Press. Anstell, Uu., Feb. 4. A man claiming to be Captain Bogardus, the famous marksman, died here today. The Identity of the man is not known here positively. FLASHED FROM THE WIRES. The Kind Word society, of New York, put 1,000 city girls In domestic service In the country lust year. Going to Chicago on a business trip O. O. Hartwell, of Nassau, N, 11., became suddenly Insane and wandered to Mil waukee. Arrested for stealing S2S from George Gould, Messenger Boy Michael Do Can- dla said he "wanted it worse than Mr Gould did." Application ot rresment morton, of a Brooklyn trolley road, to arm his men was promptly rcrused by Police Commls sloner Welles. After ten years, evasion of the payment of alimony to his divorced wife, George E. White, a California cattle king, was or dered to pay $100,000 at once. To get his governorship case In court. Captain Kolb, of Alabama, will pardon a condemned murderer, and If the sheriff Ignores it the courts will be appealed to. Archbishop Kaln, of the Cathollo (llo cese of St. Louis, has placed himself on record as firmly approving tho co-opera tlon'of Catholics and Protestants In tern, peranca work ,,.- ,.u . TIFFS OF THE STATESMEN Proceedings of House and Senate Are Characterized by Quarrels. COMPLIMENTS 01 SENATORS Mr, Chandler und Mr. Butler Indulge In Warm Debute in tho Senate and Hep resentutives Hatch and Hull Lutcrtulu the House. By the United Press, Washington, Feb. 4. The vice-president laid before the senate a communi cation from the secretary of the treas ury, stating, in reply to a resolution of inquiry, that "It is believed that the twelve months ending Dec. 31, 1UU5, the revenues of ithe government from all sources Will exceed ordinary expenses by J22,G00,O00." In the lust moments, Just before ad journment, there was angry altercation between Senators Butler (South Caro lina), and Chandler (New Hampshire). Mr. Butler made an effort to take up and pass the Hiouse bill for 'the appoint ment of cadets to the Naval academy, but objection was made by Mr. Cha,nd ler. "Very well," Mr. Butler remarked, "I have done my duty in the matter, and the senator from New Hampshire must take thej responsibility of his action." "I do not propose," Mr. Chandler re plied with un angry expression, "to be scolded by the senator from South Curollna, or any" one else, for exercising my prvllege us a senator. I take the responsibility." "The senator from New Hampshire," Mr. Butler remarked in a tone of con tempt, "must tblnk that I lkave a good deul of time to dispose of If he sup poses that I would use it in scolding him." Uefore the altercation could extend further Mr. lilanchard, Louisiana, who was In the chair, declared that the mo tion for adjournment was carried; and the senate, at 6.10 p. m., adjourned until tomorrow. Wrangling in the House The week opened with a refusal on the part of the house to accept the programme of business outlined for it by the tules committee. Mr. Catihings (Mississippi) reported an order from the rules committee al- l itlng today to the consideration of an omnibus claim bill providing for th( settlement of claims amounting to $718, tGu. The claims were for certain stores und rupp'.ks reported by the court of claims under the act of 1883, known as t!.e "Bowman act." The opponents of the bill character lcd the attempt to bring it before the house t-.s a gross violation of all rules and precedents. The previous question on the rule was ordered, and It was de feated ty. a vote of 145 to 95. Mr. Outh wnlte presented the rules committee's order assigning Tuesday, Wednesday nml Thursday of this week for the con sideration of the administration cur rency bill. Mr. OUihwalte, In presenting the matter to the house stated that "all interests" had been consulted, and he thought that there would be no ob jection to the rule. This brought Mr. Hatch (Missouri) to his feet. Ho said that the order did not t "present all interests, but only those of the bnnking and currency com mittee and the banks. He represented the other the great agricultural inter ests of the country and he hoped that the rule would be withdrawn, and the agricultural bill taken up. Mr. Hall,, Missouri, said that the statement of Mr. Hutch was false and that he (Mr. Hutch) did not know whut went on in the banking and currency committee. It he did, he would not have made the statement that only the interest of banks were considered. Mr. Hatch, In aloud and angry tone, replied that he did know and that was why he made the statement. "And I want to say," continued Mr. Hutch," "thnt the language used by the gentle man was such thut he would not use to mo outside this house." Order ot l ast Kestorcd. This remark caused considerable ex citement and members began to gather around the two Missouri members. Speaker Crisp rapped loudly and re peatedly for order, and, falling to get It, ordered the sergeatit-nt-arms to re quest members to ake their souts. After a few minutes order was restored and Mr. Otithwulte said thnt It was evi dent that there was no Intent to dis cuss the order, and he, therefore, de manded the previous question on it, cutting off debate. His demand was sustulned and the order was adopted. Late in the day the agricultural bill wus taken up and passed. It carries a total appropriation of $3,&77,150. Speaker Crisp laid Before the house tho correspondence regarding the re cent revolt In Honolulu, called for by the resolution adopted last Friday. At 5.25 the house adjourned. PANIC IN A CHURCH. John Bell Attempts to Cut Uis Throat nt His Wife's Funeral. By the United Press. Franklin, Va., Feb. 4. John Hell went to the Third ward chapel this afternoon to attend the funeral of his wife. While the services were in prog ress he became insane and attempted to commit suicide over the colli n of Mrs. Hell by cutting his throat with a razor. There was Intense excitement In the church. A dor.cn women fainted and several were injured in the panic that was caused by the attempt of the con gregation tu escape from the church. Bell was restrained from killing him self 'by men who were near him, and the funeral services were conducted to the close. PEN AND PENCIL CLUB. Officers l lectcd by Philadelphia's Well Known Literary Association. By the United Press, Phllndelphln, Feb. 4. The annual meeting end election of the Pen and Pencil club was held today and Louis N. Megargee, of the Times, was re elected president. The other olllcers elected were: Vice president, Henry Young, North American; secretary, Charles W. Campbell, Inquirer; treas urer, James 8. McCartney, Record. The following were elected as the board of governors:' W. A. Connor, Associated Press; James J; Dally, Ledger; James II. Young, Star; Henry Martin,- News, and Edmund Sterling, Ledger. An amendment to the constitution was adopted increasing the associate membership from 25 to 100. PERISHED IN FLAMES. W. u. 1'cnton and Family Probably Burned to Death. By tho United Press. Atlantic Clty.N. J., Feb. 4. Word was received here tonight of the burning to the ground of the residence of Wllbert H. Fenton, at Port Republic, and the probable deith of Mr. Fenton, his wife and their family of three children. The tire occured at 2 o'clock, this morning and none of the inmates were seen to leave the burning building. As they have tiot been found since, fears are entertained that they perished in the flames. THE FEMALE LOBBYIST. Scranton Woman Who Wants $25,000 for Some Statuary Mrs. Starkey Inter viewed by u Pittsburg Kcporter. From Pittsburg Commercial-Gazette. llurrisburg, Pa., Feb. 4. Mrs. George Starkey is the one lone female lobbyist at thin session. She -wants $25,000 ap propriated for a group of statuary, en titled "Strength and Beauty." This gray-haired, blue-eyed, sweet-faced woman has been here before on the same mission. Once she was success ful In the senate, but she blames Gov. Paulson for defeating her cause in the house. Mrs. StaTkey thinks her pros pects for getting the statuary In the capJtol buildings are good. Mrs. Btarkey Js the wife of a sculptor of Scranton, who died a few years ago. The lust work Ike did was this piece, "Strength and Beauty." On his death bed he asked his wife to make It the aim of her life to have the etatuary placed in the cupltol buildings in Itali an marble. Mrs. Starkey came here with the opening of the session and she is pre pared to camp In the town until ad journment, if it is necessary. Each day she makes her rounds of the house and senate. She knows most of the members of the legislature and they are acquainted with her. For some reason the representatives and senators do not like to devote much time to her pet measure and try to avoid her us much as possible. The writer found Mrs. Starkey at her quarters today and she was eager to talk of her plan to add to the art collec tion of the state. The woman started her story by telling of her husband's death, and the tears trickled down her cheeks. She wiped away the briny flow and plunged Into a deserlptionof "Strength and' Beauty." Mrs. Starkey produced several photo graphs of the models. Both "Strength" and "Beauty" were a little short on clothes, but the group would be very pretty In Italian marble. "I think," said Mrs. Starkey, "the state -will not allow the life's aim ot such' a noted sculptor as George Starkey to crumble away for the sake of a few miserable thousand dollars. "The group under consideration names itself on sight 'Strength and Beauty' the attributes that are so potent in modern, civilization; and con sists of two figures of heroic propor tionsthe male being G ft. 4 In. and the female G ft. 6 in. "The male figure is represented sit ting upon a rough-hewn rock, at the base of which is an anvil, and under the extended foot Is a broken Roman sword, forcibly conveying the idea that the brutality of arms has passed away, and by the significant grasp of the left hand upon the lever of a modern steam en gine, we interpret the power and force of the age in which we live. In his ex tended right hand is a globe, held, not ns a conqueror, but as a mnster, con scious of the divinity of mind over mat ter. "By the side of the male figure the fe male Is represented standing In easy grace and tenderness, and with the gen tle touch upon the shoulder with one hand, she crowns the effort of a world subdued by Intellectual supremacy, by wreathing the glube with flowers with the other, casting into the composition the element of beauty without which mere strength Is incomplete and harsh. By her side are the 'accessories of feminine usefulness, the work-basket and distaff." GUNS COVERED WITH SNOW. Japanese l icet Obliged to Seek Shelter at nng Cheng. By the United Press. London, Feb. 4. A dispatch to the Central News from Tiklo says: "Admiral lto reports that In conse quence of the severe snow storms and heavy rhIos which have prevailed since January SI the Japanese licet has been obliged to take shelter at Yung Cheng, leaving only a small squadron to watch operations at Wei Hal Wl. The cold Is Intense, the guns of the warships be ing covered with ice. lire Damp Kxploilon, By the United Press. Paris, Feb. A By an explosion of firedamp today at Montceau Lea mines, In tho de partment of Saoaie-l.es-l.olre, a number of miners were killed and Injured. The dead bodies of twenty-one men have al ready been taken out and elpht miners have been brought up altve. All the lat ter are Injured. Strike Leaders l:xcnpe. By tho United Press. Woodland, Cnla., Feb. 4. Cases of Knox, Mullln and Comptun, throe of the strike leader who were charged with murder In connection with the tniln wreck last July In which the engineer and four United States soldiers were killed, were dis missed today. FOREIGN NEWS NOTES. London exiwrlenced last week the most severe weather In years. A general census of all trades and pro fessions In Uermany will be taken on Juno 1. ' , The possible repoal of the sugar differ cntlnl duty In America has already stim ulated the German sugar Industry. The alleged outrages committed by Turks on Anatolia college are denied by Rev. O. F. llerrick, the college president, Oerman regiments were called out dur ing the recent heavy snow fall to clear tho railroad tracks and dig out stalled trains. Portugal refuses to sell Delagoa bay to England or the Capo Colony, but will sell to a company ot Dutch and German cap italist. WEATHER REPORT. For eastern Pennsylvania, fulr; colder; northwest winds. pita's mm For the next tea days it will be to your interest to visit our And see the values we are offer in fine German, Scotch and Irish Table Linens, Napkins, Tray Cloths, etc., etc. STOCK LARGER THAN EVER. PRICES NEVER SO LOW. 1 H 11 Ml Numbers in German Linens, Sil ver Bleach," extra line quality and heavy : 66-in. Sale Price 48c, Reg. Price 60c 60-in. 69c, " 75c 62-in. " 75c, " 90c 72-in. " 89c, " $1.10 Napkins to match the above. 65 doz. 0-8 $1.55, Regular Price $1.75 75 doz. 3-4 2.35, " 2,75 THREE SPECIALS In Fine Bleached Towels : 25 doz. Colored Damask Border Iluck, &I.00 doz- Ke?. Price $4.20 25 doz. Bird's Eve, hemstitched, 45c. each, Rejr. Price 63c 15 doz. double hemstitched buck, extra size, 50c. each, Reg. Price 75c Our Special Muslin Sale continues all this week. Muslins, Sheetings, Counterpanes, etc., at "Kock CotlOIU Prices FIN LEY'S BIO and 512 Lackawanna Ave. H. A. KINGSBURY AGENT FOB BJ.fflII8C9:S El THE VERY BEST. 313 SPRUCE ST., SCRANTON, PA. KiPiiiess Slippers -OP- Every Description -AT- Closed Evenings Except Saturday. REPAIRING OF the Jeweler, cau repair your watch to give per fect satisfaction;, having had teu years' experience in our leading watch fao tories. . , GIVE US A TRIAL II 1 REILLY&DAVIES Fl i WEICHEL,