THE PCBANTON TRIBUNE-SATURDAY 310RNIKG, DECEMBER 21 1893. t3e 5cranfott CrtSune Dally aa Weekly. K Sunday Milton, rabushea at anulnn. Pa., by The Tribaa Pub- aw Tank OOV: Tribune BuUauw, Flank urey, C . RINOaaUNY. Pun. e K. M. HIMLI, Taeae. uvv a. rich arDi cito. W. W. DAVIS. Iinimn Maaun. at mi rorrorrto at bcbamtos. .. nOOD-CLAM KAIL MATTM. r then, rette Tub Scbahtom TBimaa the beet arfvOTtMnc medium la Norttieeeuro Iencilva ate. "frta!1 Iuk" known. tu WratT Tin, Every Saturday. Contain TwelTeHuidaome Pww, with an Abun dance of Hew. Fiction, and Well-Edited Miscel lany. Fot Thoaa Who Cannot lake Tn Daily Tbibpbb. Iba Weekly la Kecom mended an toe Beat Bargain Going. Only fl a Year, in Advance. Yaa Taiauaa la ter Bale Dally at the D., I and 7 Hlatlon at Hobokea. SCRANTON. DECEMBER 21. 1895. REPUBLICAN STATE CONVENTION. Headquarters Republican state commit tee, 1231 Walnut atreet. Philadelphia, Pa,. Dec. 12. 183o. to the Republican Elector of Pennsyl vania: , The Republicans of Pennaylvanla, by their duly chosen representatives, will meet In atate convention, Thursday, April 23. 1S96, at 10 o'clock a. m., in the Opera House, city of Harrlsburg, for the pur pose of nominating two candidates for representatives at largo In congress and thirty-two candidates for presidential elec tors, selecting eight delegates at large to the Republican national convention, and transacting such other business as may be presented. By order of the state committee, 31. 8. Quay, . Attest: Chairman. Jere B. Rex. W. R. Andrews. ' n Secretaries. Representation In this convention will fee the same a in the last atate conven tion. In a war with Great Britain Uncle Sara would not cut very much of a figure with his seventy warships pitted against the more than five hundred floating the flag of John Bull. But when it comes to land forces Uncle Sam would be right there with all the men he could supply with guns. Cleveland's Latest Message. The day after it had been asserted by Mr. Depew in New York that American securities had sustained an estimated aggregate shrinkage of $400,000,000 In consequence of the president's Vene suelan message, Mr. Cleveland gives the feeling of uneasiness a new stimulus by a special communication to congress greatly magnifying the gravity of the financial situation and raising uncalled for suspicions as to the business integ rity of the American nation. Some one ought to inform Mr. Cleveland that he Is doing more to discredit American se curities by constantly harping on the undisputed need of honestly meeting every national obligation than any other single agency; and that of all his indis cretions this last one, considering its circumstances, Is the least excusable. .The present message, whatever Its author's purpose, is simply a breeder of new alarm. It offers no specific sug gestions. It outlines no plan of action. It Is wholly the cry of the alarmist, no doubt well meant, but nevertheless cer tain to do more harm' than good. It looks as if Wall street were getting eager for a new bond issue and, what Is worse, as If its eagerness on This point has enkindled a responsive feeling in the breast of the present occupant of the White House. There is no neces sity for the executive's periodical reiter ation of the insinuation that his coun trymen contemplate cheating their cred itors. Jbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbb The? authorities of Philadelphia, have been able to restore law and order. The mob- appears to have exhausted Itself after one day of rioting and then sup pressed Itself, a very sensible proceed ing on the part of the mob. The Board of Pardons. The Pennsylvania Board of Pardons has been frequently criticized with more or less severity by the press of the state for its leniency in cases where clemency was not deserved, and where the punishment meted out by Justice was in strict accord with the evidence and the laws. Every Board of Pardons, since that tribunal was created by the present constitution, has at. one time or another exceeded the powers which the framers of the constitution manl festly Intended to confer upon it. The Board of Pardons was never intended to be a court of last resort, nevertheless every Board has at some time assumed such functions, actually overriding not only the lower court, but even the Su preme court While the Board of Par dons can do no more than recommend a pardon or commutation of sentence, as a rule the governors of the state have complied with its recommend tions without question. Governor Pat tison, we believe, was the only executive who ever disregarded a recommenda tion of the Board, and refused to grant a pardon as recommended. On one or two occasions, he, believing that the Board had erred, declined to act! In a number of Instances the Board kas commuted sentences of death to Imprisonment In cases where there was not even the semblance of an excuse for such action, and in rare instances has entirely defeated the ends of Justice by recommending the pardon of red handed murderers. A careful review of the operations of the several Boards of Pardons during the past twenty-five years would constrain almost any thoughtful man to ask the question whether it would not be wise, if it could be legally done, for the legis lature to enact a law defining and lim iting the powers of the Board Of Par dons. In the first place the framers of the constitution undoubtedly erred in constituting the Board as it did. Un der constitutional provision It la com posed of the attorney general, lleuten entant governor, secretary of the com monwealth and secretary of Internal aXalrs. Three of these four are not necessarily learned In the law, and may possess no fitness whatever for the deli cate duties devolving upon them as members of the Board of Pardons. A still greater objection is that, as a rule, the Board as constituted, is composed of men In active politics, and it is only the truth to say that political, influ ence too frequently figures before the Board. The Board of Pardons should be com posed of men possessed of special fitness for the delicate duties devolving upon them, and they should not be office holders and politicians. Some day the thoughtful people of Pennsylvania will realize the full force of this and de mand an amendment to the constitu tion providing a radiwtl change in the direction indicated. We have no criti cism to pass speclully upon the present Board, inasmuch as it appears to be neither better nor worse than its pre decessors. We only take occasion to call attention to the fact that fhe Board as frequently Interposes to defeat the ends of justice as to grant deserved clemency. DisDatchPB from Washington allege that President Cleveland will tender to ex-President Harrison the presidency of the Venezuelan commission, ir tnis Is really contemplated the country and Mr. Cleveland are to be congratulated. Such an appointment even If General Harrison should feel constrained to decline It. would show level-headedness on the part of President Cleveland. No mnn In the United States would dis charge such a responsible and delicate duty more intelligently, more consci entiously, or more patriotically than General Harrison. Partlsanlsm has happily been entirely eliminated from the- controversy that has arisen oe tween the United States and Groat nntnin If the president should feel the inclination to appoint two Ropubll cnn on that commission another great man to select would be ex-Senator George F. Edmunds, of Vermont. m Our Defenseless Condition. A contemplation of the figures printed on the sixth page, showing the strength of the British army and navy as com pared to the visible defense of the United States, muBt have the effect of dampening the warlike enthusiasm of sr.ngulne patriots about us who are possessed of a burning desire to wipe the English from the face of the earth. As the figures demonstrate, the United States regular army numbers only about 25,000 men, and by rallying the national guard this country would be able to place only 114,930 equipped sol diers in the field on short notice. Against this force England can place 1,039,760 trained warriors. The Ameri can navy numbers 64 vessels, all told, while Great Britain's flag floats over 501 boats of the most approved designs. This spectacle not only Illustrates the necessity of proceeding with caution In dealing with the Venezuelan ques tion, but It also demonstrates the need of a standing army for America. For the past twenty years through the ef forts of reform and economic dema gogues and sentimentalists, who pro pose to reply wholly upon arbitration to settle questions of1 national Importance, the United States army has been dwindling away and the Implements of defense In which every nation should take pride have gone to decay. Our forts and coast defenses have crumbled and fallen away and our standing army has been reduced by Democratic re trenchment to a handful of men scarce ly able to control the wandering sav ages of the w'est. The shlp-bulldlng Industry had, until recently, become one of the lost arts, while the ancient hulks of other days that constituted the United States navy have rotted on dry docks for want of proper atten tion. By constant reduction of ex penses in the shlp-bulldlng and other departments under government patron age thousands of artisans have been thrown out of employment and cast adrift to help swell the army of tramps that. Infest the rural districts or breed anarchy and ' disorder in the large cities. It is no exaggeration to say that the results of the action of Democratic tariff tinkers and reformers who have sought to save money for the nation by reducing government expenses, have been largely responsible for the unrest occasioned by the hard times 'of the past quarter of a century. In addition to the suffering and general disorder caused by this penny wise and pound foolish policy this country Is placed in a position that would make it hazard ous for the government to invite war from any source, most of all Great Britain.. It is of no use at present to mourn for the mistakes of the past, but it is to be hoped that the facts of the present situation will open the eyes of congress to the necessity of providing an army and navy that would make some sort of a showing on more serious occasions than dress parade. A standing army of one hundred thousand men would not be too large for a country of the magnitude of the United States. The military service would afford occupa tion for many of the unemployed. The revival of the shlp-bulldlng Industry, and the manufacture of government armament would also serve to stlmu late trade In many sections and have a healthy effect upon business every where. Whatever may be the outcome Of the Venezuelan controversy it will probably prove beneficial If it has the effect of impressing upon economic cranks and sentimentalists the need of heeding the injunction "la times of peace, prepare for war." It Is never safe to assume that a murderer will be hanged In Pennsyl vania, until after the board of pardons has had the opportunity to sit as a court of last resort on the case. A mur derer may have had a fair and exhaus tlve trial and the evidence may have been all one way; the jury may have returned a verdict of murder In the1 first degree, In accordance with the evidence; there may have been an ar gument for a new trial and the motion denied; the case may have been carried to the Supreme court, and after an ex haustive consideration that tribunal may have confirmed the Judgment of the court .below; but this does not end the case; then comes the board of pardons with power to set aside all that has been done and throw the mur derer back upon the community. WASHINGTON GOSSIP. Tribune Bureau, C15 Fourteenth street. N. W., Washington, Dec. SO. Th. .niue la aouurently not as full of ngni o um mediate action on the president a Vene zuelan mego. as the lower branch of congres. dW. the senate, after debating the question at aomo ..- -- V' 7i, nation, and the house bill ap propriating $100,000 for e. t . ... . -. . Haii tn locate tne boundary line, went over until some . fu ture time. Tne raoi ii i ----- . ........ ... ,ir.R not mean that the members of that body are any ess ..Ltrtotk- than their brethren In the house. The senate Is a deliberate body anil it would have been in violation oi u. unnrpH euirtom to have gone off hair- coeked. aa it were. When it does act tho sena-to will no doubt endorae the senti ments expressed by the house. . i ih. tta department i ns eauvi w ... . are at work on maps with the view of . , i.- una hptwnen Venesue.a and llrltnva Oulana. This looks a little like business. It is a '"" tliut Secretary Olncy is possessed of a war-like disposition. Ho Is more of a . . .ii. i ( li.irfnir 1 he Mil- ngnu-r mn - wallan trouble .Mr. Olney, who was then aftoiney Keneral. opposed the president s policy, and more .than once threatened to leave the cabinet on inui uukuu.h. ,.. , .. .......... with tfmrlAml. or a intra is !" .- square backdown by that country, It will not be Secretaiy Qlney's fault. Ho Is In favor of twisting the lion's tall at any and all times. II !! II Senator Peffer Is certainly of an inquis itive turn of mind. He Is always want ing to know something that nobody else ever thinks about, and he. usually nr.ds what ho goes gunning for. Im1 week he amazed ihls colleagues by furnishing the son-ait with seme interesting as well as startling Information concerning the cost of congressional funerals. Now Senator Peffer wants to know rrom i-osiniaie rsnnerni IVHxnn what employes of the poatotllce department are prohibited from suggesting Itxlslulion in men- iiuerem conferring thereabout" wun raroiw of congrefj. He also wants to Know ny what authority the postmaster general levies fines on employes of the postot!le department for mistakes ond errors In their work. He has introuiieeu a resolu tion with tho view of ascertaining the facts in the cases. II I! II Cnlonel Alexander McClure. editor of the Philadelphia Times, was here yesterday. and "broke bread" with Senator fameron at the lntter's table last night. The col onel and the senator are old friends, and while dining and wining they talked over times when both were boy3 together up in southern central Pennsylvania. While discussing the political situation with me Colonel McClure snid that the Democratic tarty In Pennsylvania was in bad shape. This, he said, is particularly true regard ing the party In Philadelphia. "There is practically no lemoeratl! party In Phila delphia," said Colonel McClure, "anil !i the warring factions of What Is left of the Democracy do not soon declare peace there will not be a corporal's uard left of that party throughout the entire state." The colonel ought to know what he is talking about. He has done his share of tho wrecking. I! II II Marshall Cushing, ex-iprlvate secretnry of ex-Postmaster General Wanamaker, and now editor of the Capitol, a weekly paper published In Washington, has been sued for libel. Captain Thomas H. Mr- Kce, who was secretary to the last con- givsslon committee. Is the plaintiff. Cap tain McKee was a candidate for eergeant-at-arms of the house and during his cam paign Culislng printed an article reflecting on the captain a honesty and character in general. The aforesaid alleged libelous article not only appeared In Mr. Cueh lng'a Capital, but It was extensively circu lated by a printed letter which was mailed to every Republican member of congress. Captain McKee was defeated for sergeant- ait-orms. In fact, ho was never considered In the light to any great extent. He Is now an applicant for the position of jour nal clerk of the house, with a J3.6O0 eatery attachment. There is a MMh about his appointment, and he is under the linger. Ing suspicion that his record, us printed In the Capital, is going to knock him out. II II II Tho matrmonlal fever has broken out among the Washington correspondents. Charles B. Lock wood, cor respondent of the Pittsburg Leader, was the first one to be stricken. He succumbed to tho charms of Mrs. Nellie Taber Robertson, of this city. Edward W. Barrett, corre spondent of the Atlanta Constitution, was married on Wednesday to Miss Jane Suth erland Smith, of Danville, the acknowl edged belle of Virginia and the possessor of a large stack of wealth. Mr. and Mrs. Barrett, will spend their honeymoon on the Pacific coast. Mr. a-i.1 Sirs. Ickwooj settled down to housekeeping In this city, They intend spending their honeymoon at the seashore next summer. John I. Cohen, the correspondent of the Atlanta Journal, Secretary Hoke Smith's paper, will marry an Atlanta girl In February. II II II Orlgnal pensions have been granted to John Kolb, of White Haven, Luxerne county; William Kdtninaton, of Harwood, Luzerne county; Nathan Drunbore, Leigh ton, Cnrbon county, and John Helmer, Kerndale, Lehigh county. W. U. B. POLITICAL POINTS. Some of our Republican contemporaries In other parts of the state are worrying unnecessarily about the political situation In Lackawanna county. There Is no oc casion for uneasiness. Lackawanna has been Increasing her Republican majorities right along and there will be no Interrup tion In the Immediate future. Tho Repub lican masses of this county know exactly what they want In the way of party man. agement and are getting It. The Truth remarks thnt "It Is natural Senator Cameron should wish to have a successor of his own choosing in the United States senate, but it Is altogether likely that the people of Pennsylvania will have sojmet fling to say In the sub ject." Well. If they do, tt will be the first time In a great many years. As a rule they have had no hand In the making of senators. State Senator McCarrell, to whom Sen. ator Cameron addressed his letter with drawing as a candidate for re-election, has publicly declared in favor of J. Hay Brown, of Lancaster, for United States senator. This 1b the same Mr. Brown who INTERNATIONAL LARGE TYPE BIBLES IN OUR WINDOW FOR A FEW DAYS. ,. m .m n ..,! til.-.: II, i I VtV'.; HT'--.t- I 14. I VStttSSt? i mmm tail sat PRICES WAY DOWN COME Beidleman the Bookman, 437 Sprue StrMt. declined tho appointment of Superior cou7t judge when tendered him by Uovesnor Hastings, and It Is alleges! he hen knew of Cameron's proposed retirement and ex- J pected to be his successor. The latest move on tihe presidential chess board Is said to have for Its object a com bination between Morton, of New York, and Bradley, of Kentucky. Piatt Is sup posed ito be the mover, but it Is safe to say that Piatt has no intention whatover In making the ticket Morton and Brad ley. The Now York manipulator makes his moves jointly with Senator Quay, and Morton Is not their man for president. Governor B:.dleyi' of Kentucky, has been In office only a ftw days and has been overwhelmed with applications for the pardon of criminals, t'p to date he lias refusd ail applicants. Ho declines to act without knowing all about each case. lie has announced that mere political pressure will have no weight with him.' He starts out well. , Since the Republican party was organ ised only twice has tho name of a Penn sylvanlan been brought before a national convention for Che presidential nomina tion. The flrpt was Simon Cameron In IStii), and the second General llartranft In 1S7J. It Is tima Pennsylvania had another inning in good talth. The New York Journal announces that tho Hastings boom far the presidency has been dropped, nd thai "Senator Wuuy saw to that." After tho sixty-four Penn sylvania delegates to the national conven tion shall have been selected we will knew more ubout the Hastings boom. President Cleveland ought to ndmonlsh Ambassador Uayaril thnt this Is not the season for him to Indulge In opologles for our people or our government when re sponding to toasts. Bitter etlll, the pres ident might Intimate that a vacation would be beneficial to Mr. Bayard. -::- The 1'hlladelphU Bulletin's Harrlsburg corresiKindent expresses the opinion that thfl senatorship lies between Colonf.l Watres. of Lackawanna, owl J. Hay Brown, of Lancaster. He adds that Cam eron favors Brown, but Quay's prefer ence Is not yet known. that he has declared himself In favor of Harrison for nrali1rn.t. Thn tirixHilpnp v Is not worrying Mr. IngaMs half so much as the succession In the United Stutes senate when. Peffer's term expires. The Monroe doctrine Is more lively than ever these days, and when the Venezuela question Is finally adjusted even Kugland may be constrained to admit that the Monroe doctrine Is something more than a myth. -:!:- President Cleveland has heretofore been the British Ideal of nil American presi dent, but he Is so no longer. He has given the lion s tall a twist and till England howls in sympathy with the lion. Christmas Presents. HILL & CONNELL, 131 AND 133 N. WASHINGTON AVE. ASKETS AT il S II! 131 AKD 133 N. WASHINGTON AVE. CHRISTMAS If yon ara thinking of buying a dinner tetj blluwlna makes : f Haviland & Co. Chas. Field Haviland. H Delinleves & Co. L Sazorat & Co. All Lintoge French China.1 Sarlsbad China (German.) Onondago China (American.) Maddox Porcelain. Furnival Porcelain. All Enultah mailer, Vf also have a large variety iii Ani-Vlran Mirceluin and W. U. sets. Our leader loU plena etiifclUS. t lim. fERBER. 01UEY CO., LIMITED. 472 LACKAWANNA AVENUE. .pen Evenings. "a 0 m I AND SEE. Opp Tha Commonwtalth BASKETS BASKETS GOHH'S The Christmas Sale Is on in Earnest. From store opening to store closing time we are busy with seekers of useful and ornamental things for the "holiday season. Every day finds us with more customers to handle to wait on. You will help yourself and help us by coming early, and as a special inducement a hundred pretty things step forward and proclaim their low prices. Come tomorrow before they" are all carried off. Another Flurry We have got to confess that if we knew how the weather would be our fur purchases would have been half and less. However, it is an ill wind that doesn't blow you some good. So here goes, and the prices are cut half and less. Furs wilffiy from now until the stock is sold. t&Sr Every electric car OUR LINE OF in Is now ready for inspection. We have all of Prang's beau tiful line of calendars and booklets in water colors, as well as the lines of all the leading publishers. Celluloid and Leather Goods, Family and Teachers' Bibles, Episcopal Hymnals and Prayer Books, Catholic Prayer Books, Gold Pens, Silver and Gold Pencils. U BE PLUME 1 REYNOLDS BROS. Stationers and Engravers, 3i7 UCXftWaNM IVE- OF OVERCOATS. Fine selection of Ready Made Clothing; also Clothes made to order at the lowest prices. Perfect fit guaranteed at 6, LEHMAN & GO'S III LACXAWANM AVENUE, Corner Franklin. Self-Pouring Tea and Coffee Pot Pours by the lid, without lilting or tipping. . . . They have no complicated pnrti to (tot ont of order and raaaa tronb.e; no yalvea: bo priori; no meclianiam of any kind. They dn not noil the table cloth by drip or a.IU. They make a moat valuable aud uaetal Chrlatmaa tfft. FOOTE ft SHEAR CO, 119 WASHMGTOR AVENUE. THAT WONDERFUL Tw It Imum anlr to lh WEBER PIMJOS OanandantbaMPUaOB.aa4BBMM ond band Piano we hay takam la aaM tar them. CffiSEY E"9TKF.S, fly. At ; WEHBB in Furs stops in front of the store to let OPEN EVENINGS. Waare now PREPARED FOR THE RUSH We are sntiafled that our efforts tills a. aaon will p.euss hettnr titan ever. Nearly overy nrtltHu ia worthy of mcutiou. Wo lean ia all linea. WATCHES, CLOCKS DIAMONDS AND FINE JEWELRY, STERLING SILVER WARES AND NOVELTIES, CUT GLASS, ART PORCELAINS, BANQUET LAMPS, ETC. IS Hold Still! Aiifl trpfr vniir nlcture took e" j x with one of them er pocket noaaKS irom FLOREY'S. They will take the picture of a candidate for a city office, ears and all. So your ears will get iii all right, too. SUITABLE FOR HOLIDAY PRESENTS AT CONRAD'S An Elegant Sleek of WALKINC STICKS AND OYSTERS We are Headquarter for Ojiten and ere handling the Celebrated Duck Rivers, Lynn Havens. Keyports, Milt Ponds; also Shrews bury, Rockaways, Maurice River Coves, Western Shores and Blue Points. rrWi make a Kpeotalty of doUrarlBJ Blae Point ea half kail ia oarrtera PIERCE'S UAMET. PENH AYE BELLAS BAZAAR. passengers on and off. WELSBACH LIGHT Specially Adapted ior Reading and Swing, Consume tbree (3) feet of gas per hour aud Rive an efficiency of sixty (60) candle. Saving at least 33 per cant, over Uia ordinary Tip Burners. Call und See It. 434 LACKAWANNA AVENUE, nanufacturers' Agents. DON'T WAIT TOO LONG. Previous to our inventory we bavo decided to doe out what We bar on band of EDWIN C. BURT & CO.'S LADIES' FINE SHOES, Confuting ot a well aasorted line of hand welt and tnrna in French and American kid that were anil at $' 10. J5.5U and 14.00, C. n Nowredoced to JJ'5U Theae Hhom are all In perfect condition. Call early If you with to take advantage of thla apecial aaiu, The Lackawanna Stora Association LIMITED. CORNER LACXA. AND JEFFERSOU IVES. 326 Washington An, SCRANTON, PA. TELEPHONE 555. HOLIDAY HEADQUARTERS Fine Trunk., Baia and Dreaa Suit Cast WINSLOW ICE SKATES Pocket Book, Card Caae Bill and Leather Book Punee, Bill RH tc- Finest Ha " h elt7 ' KNIVES, SCISSORS, RAZORS AND RAZOR STROPS TOILET BOXES, DRESSING. CASES Collar an Cufl Boxe Qlove and Handkerchief Bexe CIOAR BOXES AND SMOKINO. SETS Manicare and Blacking Seta MUSIC ROLLS Hair. Tooth aad Nail B rathe A fin line TRIPLICATE MIRRORS Sterling Silver Meuated Leather Ood at Bottom Price UMBRELLAS AND OLOVBS IMPORTED BRONZES AND NOVELTIES In Endleaa Variety HARNESS AND HORSE CLOTHINO , G. W. FRITZ 410 Lackawanna Ave. . M iPnreiiie I,"3-J end Yen 9 twiiil. Pill! A in no.,