THE SCRANTON TliinUNE-FIUDAY MORNING,- JANUARY 3. 189(7. Dally and Weekly. No Sunday Edition. Published at Bcranlon. fa, br Tb Tribune Pub lishing C'umpany. New York Offlce: TrliHia Hulldlng, Frank a Uray, Manager. C. P. KiNCSBURV, Pun. Ccn'i Ma. C. H. HIPPLC. Sca'v o Thus. LIVV S. RICHARD. Cdito. W. W. DAVIB. tutmin Maiueta. W. W. V0UNQ8. Adv. Maaa-a. CITIRID AT TH1 POSTOFTIOl AT 9CRA.NT0X. FA. AS HCOND-CLAEB KAIL IIATTBA. 'Printers' Ink." the rfcosolze1 Journal for sorer Ilwni, ran Thk htbaxtiim TaiBitNiantlielwat dvertliting medium In Northeastern rcoufylva via. "fruiters' luk" know. Ta Whki.v TaimiXK, lmufd Every Katurrtay, Contain Twelve Iinii4laoiii Taw. witli an Abun dance of tint. Firlluu. and Well-Edited Mltcrl lany. For Tliiwe Who Cannot Take Tkk Daily TkibI'NB. Iba Wwjklv Is Kccommendrd an tbe Brat Bargain Uolug. Only ft a Year, In Advance. TBS Taisuxa la fbr Hale Dally at the IX, U and W btatlon at UoUukuo. SCRANTON, JANUARY 3. 1SU0. kKPlBl.lCAN STATE CONVENTION. Headquarters Ropuhllrun state commit tee, 1231 Walnut trtivet. I'hlladnlphlu. I'a.. Dec. 12. 1895. To the Republican Kleotors of I'ennsyl vnnla: The Republicans of Pennsylvania hy thulr iluly chosen representatives, will meet In Mate, convention, Thursday, April SI, 1MM, at 10 o'clock n. m.. in the Opera House, city of llurrlstmrK, for the pur pose of nominating two randldnte for representatives ut large in confsress aii'l thirty-two candidates for presidential ele tors, selectlnK elKht drtegu-tes at larite to the Republican national convention, and transacting such other business as may be presented. Ily order of the state committee, M. f. quay. Attest: Chairman. Jere B. Rex. V. R. Andrews. Secretaries, Representation In this convention will be the iimt as in the last state conven tion. Tf Grover Cleveland la really bent on downing Tom Heed ho ousht to move for a change of venue. Let Our Poor Directors Be Elected by the People. The contention that the directors of this poor district should be nominated nnd elected by a direr t vote of the peo ple presupposes that the people, nfter all, are the true source of public author ity. Any argument to the contrary wnl have to establish that a better grade of public service is likely to ivsult from the present appointive system than from an elective system; and If this be established with reference to the rare of the poor, why should It not likewise obtain as to the care of criminals and even In the matter of the Judiciary It Belf? In other words. If it be wise to appoint rather than elect poor directors, why should It not be equally wise also to appoint sheriffs and Judges .' Theoretically It Is a phiusible argu ment that a man tit to be president judge of the courts ought to be better qualified than the public at largo to choose overseers of the poor. In some rases this argument probably Is true In fact as well as In theory. Hut when Judges fall, as they sometimes do. Into the. bnd habit of turning their appoint ive power Into a method of discharging personal or factional obligations, nnd virtually peddle appointments about with political strings tied to them, then It becomes time to consider whether, after all, the system of direct election by the people were not wisest nnd best. W reproduce In another column the comments of the esteemed Truth upon this subject and commend them as an Intelligent and timely presentation of the case. To Its able argument it may be added that there Is reason to believe the olllce of president judge already has more than Its rightful share of political appointments, and that a curtailment of these responsibilities would leave time for a better discharge of the regit lur judicial function and thus work to the public benelit. Governor Morton would make an amiable president. Indeed, If amiability were the chief requisite In a president, he would have very little difficulty In securing the nomination. Dr. Rothrock's Report. The estimate of State Forestry Com missioner Rotlirock, that in addition to the $1,000,000 of direct loss caused In this state each year by forest fires, a further loss of not less than $30,000,000 Is sustained annually in indirect ways, Is of course merely one man's guess; but It Is the guess of a man who has mado this subject . life study, and who has no selfish end to serve by misrep resenting the facts. Dr. Kothrock does not agree with those who hold that this Immense de struction' is inevitable. "While he ad mits that no system could be devised sufficiently thorough to secure abso lute Immunity from fires in our wood lands, lie nevertheless contends that the number of such fires can 'be de creased as certainly as we decrease the frequency of other criminal acts, by punishing the offenders. When started they can, he contends, be extinguished and their ravages reduced to a mini mum by the same method that we guard our towns and cities that Is, by mak ing It the business of some officer or officers to attend to anil direct the work. There Is nothing specially new in Dr. Rothrock's annual report, yet there Is much in It that will be proper food for thought and proper Incentive to legis lative action so long as the present tre mendous spoliation of our forests con tinues. The last word on this subject will not be said u.itll the evil In Its pre ventive guise shall have been obviated. Lord Dunraven is recommended In the future to keep away from America. We never did have much use In this vulgar country for things with titles. An Erroneous Prophecy. If we may credit newspaper gossip, there Is a growing feeling In Washington that Lord Salisbury, after an Interval sufficient for the cooling of present ex citement In the premises, will endeavor to effect a solution of the Venexuelan difficulty by negotiating with Vene luela for the purchase of the territory at present in dispute. Our principal authority for hls belier Is Walter Well man, the well-Informed Washington correspondent of the Chicago Times Herald; and after reporting the preva lence of it he adds: "If Salisbury can get out of his predicament in this way, no objections thereto will be urged In Washington." We are not so sure about that. It Is true that under its latest or Olney in terpretation the Monroe doctrine has been construed to have no prohibitive force against European acquisition of American territory by negotiation, trade or purchase. Yet It Is equally true that the Monroe doctrine In its original form contained no such dis crimination or proviso; and in our Judg ment it will be nothing short of national cowardice if the whole doctrine Is not henceforth upheld in all Its original amplitude. Suppose that England already having Canada on the north, were to take it Into her head that It would be a good idea to have a strip of English soil on the southern border of the United States; and in pursuit of that purpose should begin to dicker with Mexico for territorial concessions. Vnder the Ol ney doctrine, the whole of Mexico might be acquired by England without pro test on our part, provided no force were used by England; that Is, provided Mexico made no complaint. But under the Monroe doctrine, we should be as quick to resent European acquisition by trade or purchase as by force, for the' reason that In self defence we, and not an European monarchy, need to wield. the liulunce of power in the Amer lean hemisphere. Of course, it will be said that the pur chase by England from Venezuela of some 40,000 square miles of South Amer ican territory would in no respect over turn the present balance of power, and hence would not be a proper subject for American objection or Interference, But If it be none of our business In the cuse of peaceable acquisition, why should It be any more our business in the case of attempted acquisition by fraud or force? And If we now keep hands off In a small matter what right would we ever have hereafter to inter fere in a big one? The gist of the matter Is that Secre tary Olney has discarded half of the Monroe dortiine, and that half per haps the more important one. We sus pect that there Is still sufficient good stuff In the American nation, take it as a whole, notwithstanding the Wall street Mugwumps and the pale-livered college piyfessors, to stand up, should necessity arise, for the whole Monroe doctrine, 21-carats fine. The president has acted wisely In giv ing the Republicans a majority of the Venezuelan commlssison. This shows that he can, In such a matter, rise above politics. An Absurd Jury Verdict. The dissatisfaction expressed by Judge Savidge with the verdict of the local jury, which. In a criminal action, held a defendant not guilty but ordered that he pay part of the costs Is ful ly shared by the public. Yet ver dicts like this are of almost dally oc currence In Pennsylvania, and form one of the prominent reasons why among many persons thero is a feeling of dis trust of the regular courts, of law, such as is hurtful to the public welfare. In a. criminal action before a higher court the verdict of acquittal ought to constitute a complete exoneration, otherwise we should have the anoma lous spectaclo of a prisoner forced to pay for being found not guilty. The community, when by its grand Jury It sanctions a prosecution, should be will ing to bear the expense of the trial, re gardless of the outcome. If the pris oner Is found guilty, the cost of reach ing such a verdict is rightly supposed to be made up to the community In tho buttered condition of its moral tone and of Its safety caused by the due con viction of a violator of Its lights. If found Innocent, the assumption by the public of all costs in the premises Is a little enough reparation for the Injustice of the arrest and the public arraign ment. To be sure, q, line of reasoning similar to the above Is rarely characteristic of tho average Jury, which under the law Is chosen rather for Its unfitness than for Its tltness as a supreme authority In the Interpretation of evidence; But un til absurd verdicts like that just noted erase to be frequent, our common courts of law will have to endure rather more of popular odium and contempt than is best either for the courts or for the public. If there is any relief for this condition of affairs short of the enact ment of new statutes it should be put In operation without waiting for leg islative initiative. The story goes that C. L. Magee threatens to arrest the Andrews Lexow committee If it goes to Pittsburg, but we don't believe It. Mr. Magee would hardly take the committee's visit as anything personal. Cuba as a Belligerent. According to the doctrine advanced by President Monroe, (apart from the deliverance popularly known as the "Monroe Doctrine") when a people in revolt against their government have sufficiently maintained their cause to give a reasonable prospect of success, they are entitled to recognition as bel ligerents. At the time President Mon roe advanced this doctrine some of the South American states were endeavor ing to throw olT the foreign yoke that oppressed them In short, they were struggling for civil and political liberty, very much the same as the Cubans are now striving to free themselves from the tyranny and oppression imposed upon them by the government at Mad rid. The Cubans have maintained their cause with wonderful tenacity and with a bravery that commands the admira tion and respect of the people of the United States. If James Monroe were president of this republic at the pres ent time there can be no doubt that he would apply to the Cubans the same principle which he held with reference to the South American states, and hold that they are entitled to all the rights of belligerents. They have more than held their own; on the contrary, they are nearer to success now than they have been at any time since they en tered upon the present revolution. Surely the government of the United States should ex lend to these struggling patriots something more substantial than mere sympathy. Why should not these people have the same privileges that the Spanish government has? If they arc desirous of purchasing arms and munitions of war, or war-ships, in the United States why should they not be permitted to do so? Spain has that right, and whatever position may be taken by European governments, thero is no good reason why the Cuban patri ots should not have a similar privilege at least ill this republic. If belllger erit rights were conceded by our gov ernment to tho Cubans there Is evtiy- reason for believing that the war would the more speedily terminate and that the liberation of Cuba would be tne re sult. Is not this a consummation do voutly to be desired by all patriotic and liberty-loving Americans? Suppose there are a few thousands of men In tne United States who would be willing to espouse the cause of the struggling Cu bans to the extent of fighting for It. why should our government interfere to pre vent them from making the attempt to roach thut island? When the American colonies were waging a bloody war for freedom, France came to their assist ance with men and means. It Is urged that tills country Is at peace with Spain; that we have no quarrel with that country, and therefore no Incentive to aid the Cubans. That may be true, but it is also true that we ought to be the firm friend, if not the natural ally of any people In this hemisphere who are endeavoring to free themselves from foreign oppression. A people who fought for and achieved their own lib erty cannot be expected to stand by In different when a neighboring people are engaged ill a similar struggle. We believe that the Cubans have, by thrlr perseverance and courage, entitled themselves to be recognized as belllger' entq on the basis advanced by President Monroe. It Is something of a surprise to many Americans that congress has not before this time taken up the sub Ject In some form with a view, at least, of placing itself In line with popular sentiment among the American people. President Cleveland, In his message to congress with reference to the Venezue lan question, heartily endorsed one phase of the Monroe doctrine. Great Britain demands a strip of territory heretofore recognized as belonging to Venezuelu. The president In his mes sage warns England that before she can be permitted to take the territory claimed she must establish a clear title to It before an impartial tribunal. Tho American people sustain the president In taking this position. In Cuba, the Spanish government is fighting to subjugate the people and compel them to remain in a condition of vassalage to Spanish tyranny. The president has not one word to say In be half of a people who are fighting for political and civil liberty, but Is ready to go to war with England in defense of a people who are resisting the loss of a strip of their national domain. The Monroe doctrine, which resists the ex tension of foreign power on this conti nent, is all right, but no less tight Is that other phase of the Monroe doc trine which would extend recognition and belligerent rights to people strug gling to throw off foreign power. Cuba hus earned such recognition, and the United States should grant it quickly, unreservedly and gladly. Among the annuals Issued by news papers In this portion of the state, none is better prized by Its recipients than that of the Wllkes-Barre Record. It is a concise yet tomprehenslve col lection of such data as are Indispen sable to wide-awake readers. The Tri bune acknowledges with thanks a copy of the excellent issue of 1S9G. The Carbondale Leader, long one of the best inland newspapers in the state, has just taken another forward stride. It has Installed a new press and en larged to eight neat pages, made hand some by new headings and body type, The Leader Is living up to Its name. The Scranton Republican almanac for 1806 Is the nineteenth of its kind, and like Its predecessors is a careful and accurate compendium of useful statistical Information, We acknowl edge Us receipt and offer to Its pub lishers the compliments of the season. THE TRIBUNE ANNUAL. A .Masterpiece of Its Kind. Olyphant Record: The Tribune almanac for 1S9G has come to hand. It is a mas terpiece of its kind. The cuts that adorn It are tasty and well executed, while the make-up of the whole Is the best pos sible recommendation 'to The Tribune print. The "Annual" is replete with use ful information relative to the cltv of Hcianloii. the counties of Lackawanna and Wyoming, und also contains manv Inter esting facts concerning the Federal gov ernment. Practical information Is also dispensed throughout this manual of 110 pages which will well repay careful peru sal. It Is a work that should be In every office, store and home, and those conver sant with Its contents will find it a store house of facts most prolitable during tho coming year. No One Should Bo Without It. Carbondale Leader: The Scranton Trib une's annual, which came to hand this morning. Is a tine compilation of fai ls anil statistics that is worth far more than the quarter charged for Iho book. Among these are the locul events of ins.",, complete and detailed election returns, tax, coal and other statistics of local In terest, population of every city, town and hamlet in the vicinity, city and borough governments and much other matter be sides much general miscellany and many Illustrations. No man wno pretends or de sires to be posted should be without this volume. One of the llcst Yet Seen. Wllkes-Barre News-Dealer: The Scran ton Tribune almanac to hand Is typogra phically and, In point of merit, one of the best that has come to our notice. While It has been- compiled with refer ence to Luekowuiina county, and In this It Is very full and accurate, the general character of the contents makes It of much value and Interest to every one. ELECT THE POOR DIRECTORS. From the 8eranton Truth. While the appointment of Alderman Fuller, as a member of the Scranton poor board, to till the vacancy caused by the death of Mr. Charles Tropp. is one that meets the cordial anuroval of ihn Truth, we cannot help thinking that it is high time the taxpayers of the dis trict took the necessary steps to have directors of the poor elected by popular vote. The original charter under which the poor distrct was organized gave the vot ers the privilege of electing directors, but this right was swept away by an ingeni ous supplement which vested the power of appointment in the president Judge of Lu zerne county whenever a vacancy occurred either oy ueatn, resignation or otherwise. It was the "or Otherwise" that did the bualnrss and lraii!rreri the uower of be- lrcilon from the otem of the district to the presMent Juilg of Luzerne upon the snucuw iitiniallty or a petition. rur yearn the affairs of the Scranton poor district have been directed by men ui poiuteii by a W ilkes-llurre Indue, und the ridiculous sltuuiiun was Hciitlesced in Hunt along until Judge Hice, realizing the cbsurdlly of the thing, dually refused lo have anything further to do with the mak ing of such uppolntments, since he con sidered it beyond the sphere of his official duties, and transferred the obligation to the conns of Lackawanna. We believe the taxpayers of this district should seek restoration of their rights, as conierreii ty the original charter, Which provided for the election of poor directors, und that they should take early action with this end In view so that tho siibjn.-t might receive proper attention ut the next session or the Pennsylvania legislature. There Is no valid reason why the people should not elect their poor directors us they do their Judges and other officials who are charged with great responsibil ity, und the question is one that ought lo receive the attention of the taxpayers of the Scrunton poor district without delay TOLD BY THE STARS. Daily Horoscope Druwn by Ajucelius, Tho Tribuno Astrologer. Astrolabe cast: 3.112 a. m for Friday, Jan. 3, iswi. It will be apparent to a child born on this day that it is useless lo lecture Juries for disregard of evidence with the exiin pies of the Pennsylvania pardon board be. lore them. At u mutter of course the mall who Is least eapuble of lining his station in lite generally makes the must noise about It. Individual Horoscopes. AJacchus has undertaken the task of giving advice to a few readers who have enclosed samples of hull- and date ut birth. i Clzzerlxo. of Mooslc In vnnr horoscope the signs of zodiac wlilnz around like a buzz saw. There Is a Vein of humor In your make-up that is exceedingly cutting. You are u man of few words and use pointed arguments. It will be dangerous for you to reside outside uf Lackawanna county. In almost any other locality there is a disposition on part of the exponents of law and Justice to dangle citizens of your inclinations at the end or u rope. May, of Scranton. Consultation with the slurs was not necessary to demonstrate that you are n brluht KiSB The fact that you do not spell our name ".Mae" is ulso in your ravor. Do not be downcast be cause you are not rich. Remember thut balloon sleeves are usually hollow. If you improve your talents you may yet be abi to muke the eyes of your dearest girl rrleinl t urn green With envy, i neer up, May; there's lots of fun In store for you, Christmas Presents. HILL & GONNELL, 131 AND 133 N. WASHINGTON AVE. BASKETS BASKETS AT 131 AND 133 N. WASHINGTON AVE. Bargains We are now taking account of stock. It will take tbe whole month of January to fio through our live doors and weed out the ' odds and ends that are left after a year's business. We intend to close them out quick as possible to make room for new spring stock. There will be some real bar gains. If you are in need of anything in our line it will pay you to visit our store. LIMITED. Fine China, Crockery, Cut Glass, Lamps and House Furnishing Goods. m LACKAWANNA AVENUE. ULSTERS AND OVERCOATS ALSO MEN'S AND BOYS' SUITS AT Greatly Reduced Prices. Ill LACKAWANNA AVENUE Corner Franklin Avenue. Diaries for 1896. BLANK BOOKS. LARGE AND COMPLETE STOCK Spot Cash. Rock-Bottom Prices. FINE COMMERCIAL, SCHOOL AND SOCIETY STATIONERY. BEIDLEMAN BASKETS 1 MIFF'S SALE 437 Bpruct St Opp. Tht CominonwMth. GOLDSITH'S The Ctt of the Weather Tells us that we will have extreme cold weather very soon. So lots of heavy garments will be needed. We will makfjjrvery interesting to all shrewd buyers now in our Cloak and Fur Departments. The se!ectiou is nearly as good now as iu the beginning of the season, especially in fine fashionable garments. $ b.oo Ladies and Misses' Reefer Jackets 10.00 Ladies Reefer Jackets reduced to 17.00 Ladies Silk Lined jackets reduced to T2.00 Ladies' Fur Capes, Full sweep, reduced to 16.00 Ladies Canada Seal Capes reduced to 20.00 Ladies' Electric Seal Capes reduced to 30.00 Ladies' Astrakhan Capes reduced to 50.00 Ladies' Wool Seal Capes reduced to Year Gifts Gold Pens and Pencils, Family and Teachers' Bibles, Episcopal Hymnals and Prayer Books, Episcopal Hymnals with Music, Catholic Prayer Books, Fine Presentation Books. DIARIES. DIARIES. DIARIES. REYNOLDS BROS. Stationers and Engravers, 3I7 LACKAWANNA AVE. ON THE LINE OF THE CANADIAN PACIFIC R'Y are located ths finest fishing and hunting grounds in tbe world. Descriptive books on application. Tickets to all points in Maine, Cauads and Maritime Provinces, Minneapolis, Ut. raul. Canadian and United States Nortn wests, Vancouver, Seattle, Taeoma. Portland. Ore., Han Francisoo. First-Class Sleeping and Dining Cars attached to all through trains. Tourist cars fully fitted with bedding, curtains and sp e tally adapted to wants of families may be bad with second-class tickets. Kates always less than via other lines, For full information, time tablos, etc., on application to EC. V. SKIAIIMECR, Q. EC. A. 363 BROADWAY. NEW YORK. Only A Few Left But we will sell that few at cost. They arc . , . . and we want to close them out before inventory. If you need a Heater don't miss this chance. FOOTE & SHEAR CO. II9 WASHINGTON AVENUE. THAT WONDERFUL Tot Is fouaa nlf to ttw WEBER PIASJ0 Call and ere these Plane and soaM Basse ond-hand Pianos we hare takam la axehamff far them. nnrnitftrv nnnTtirno M4 II III H ttucnridci Dnuinr.no, wyov a OPEN EVENINGS. We are now PREPARED FOR THE RUSH We are iintlslled that our efforts this season will iileaM liottor than uver. , Nearly evry article It worthy of mention. Wc load in all Hues. WATCHES, CLOCKS DIAMONDS AND FINE JEWELRY, STERLING SILVER WARES AND NOVELTIES, CUT GLASS, ART PORCELAINS, BANQUET LAMPS, ETC. Hold Still ! And get your picture took with one of them er pocket Kodaks froin FLOREY' They will take the picture of a candidate for a city office, ears and all. So 3'our ears will get iu all right, too. STILL HAVE A LIVELY TIME SELLING FROM THE MOST COMPLETE STOCK OF NECKWEAR IN THE CITY. Some Choice Colors In IMPERIALS At50c- CONRAD. OYSTI We are Headquarters for Oysters and are handling the Celebrated Duck Rivers. Lynn Havens. Hcynortd. Mill Ponds; nlso Shrews bury, Kockawuys, Maurice Ktver Coves, western Shores and Blue Points. t1"W'e make a Specialty of dellrering Blue Points on bait nhell In carriers. PIERCE S MARKET. PEHN AVE hlERCEREAU CONNELL BAZAAR. reduced to $ 4,98 6.98 9.98 6.98 9.98 -12.98 1 7.98 WELSBAGH LIGHT Specially Adapted lor Reading tod Stwln Cocmimpi three (8) feet of gas per hour iuxI trives an tflleiency uf sixty (00) candies. Having at least 33 per coat, over tb ordinary Tip Humor. Call und See It. t s mm co., 434 LACKAWANNA AVEIIUL rlantifiitl.rtfrft' Affmtt. DON'T WAILIOO LONG. PreyloUH to onr Jnvontorv wo have decMcd to t'linn out what wo lutvti on himrl of EDWIN C. BURT & CO.'S LADIES' FINE SHOES, Conistlt(j"f n wol! assorted lino of hnn1 welt and turn In Kmurli und Amnrirjn kid tliak wuntwiM nt?.ili. 5-i.iJ anU U.UO, C -n Now reduce I to PJ.;Ve Tlicjo Miens nro ull in n'rf(u:t condition. Call early if y.lu wUli U talis advaututfo of this spscial Hale, The Lackawanna Store Association II.I.MITFU. CORNER LACKS. AND JEFFERSON AVES. 326 Washington Ava., SCRANTON, PA, TELEPHO'IZ 555. HOLIDAY HEADQUARTERS Fine Trunks, Hags and Dress Suit Cases WINSI.OW ICE SKATES Pucket Kiwk.i, Curd Cu.tes Bill and Leather bouks Purse.t, Bill Rolls, etc. h'lnest line in the city of KNIVES. SCISSORS, RAZORS AND RAZOR STROPS TOILET BOXES. DRESSING. CASES Cullur and Cuff Knxes (Hove and Handkerchief Boxes ClUAR BOXES AM) SMOKING SETS Manicure and Blacking Sets MUSIC ROLLS Hair, Tooth and Nail Brushes A fine line TRIPLICATE MIRRORS Sterling Silver Mounted Leather flood i at Bottom Price LMIIREI.LAS AM) fil.OVI S IMPORTED BRONZES AND NOVELTIES In Endless Variety HARNESS AND HORSE CLOTHINO G. W. FRIT 410 Lackawanna Ave. Jp - 1 PUIS IF it SUU ill UU.,