.fl6 ' - THE SCRAlNTOItf TreilSUJSJfl .H'ltiPATT MOKIN'INGK JAJN'UAKY 8. ISOT, Uallyimd Weekly. No Sunday KJltlon. Published nt Scrnntun, Pa., by The Tribune Publishing Company. Eew York Ofllcf! Trlhunn ttultdlnz, Frank 8. Uiny, .Malinger. ihunsD at tub postomcii at eoranton. pa., as eiooND-otAaa mail hatter. SCIIANTON, JANUARY 8, 1S97. TIig orillnnncc Introduced Inst oven life by Select Councilman Chittenden requiring till implleants for Inspector ships of public works, before helwr up pointed by the mayor, to pass practical examination under the supervision of the clfy ctmlneer and providing other safeguards for cfllolent service is a commendable stop forward In a matter heretofore open to serious abuses. Within the past ten years It Is noMtn probable that the city has suffered a loss of more than $50,000 In consequence of Inefficient Inspection of sewers, cul verts and bridges. It Is high time that a system were devised which will en able the municipality to secure the ser vices of Inspectors who can Inspect. The Occasion Is at Hand. Through every avenue of official ex pression the Republican party In Penn sylvania has pledged itself to effect certain reforms und It must keep these pledges. It Is pledged to do away so far as pos sible with the corrupt use of money In politics. It Is pledged to promote gen uine civil service reform In state, coun ty and city governments, to the end that servants of the people In subor dinate position may be free from po litical dictation and not subject to the orders of any click, class or boss. It Is pledged to institute a general revision of the laws relating to private monop oly In public necessities, to the end that corporations shall not transgress their stipulated rights. It Is pledged to Introduce In every department of the government economy, elllclency and bu.lness principles. The people are watching for a redemption of these ob ligations and they will not tolerate any nonsense. It is within the power of the present legislature to make a considerable start In this direction. It can rest assured of popular support for honest perform ance of duty. Mr. Bryun's decision not to worry about the nomination In 1!)1'0 shows that he Is gaining wisdom with age. A FIrst-Ratc Investment. There probably is no other city In the United States with so large an area of valuable residences unprotected against fire ns the city of Scranton has in the portion known as Sanderson Hill. The men who occupy these residences are ns a class probably the wealthiest tax payers In the community and on busi ness principles it would seem that they ought to have from councils at least as much consideration In return for their taxes as Is bestowed upon any other portion of this city of corresponding size. The large majority of the houses on the hill are built of wood and very vulnerable to fire and wind. Should a fire ever gain headway In that local ity under certain obvious conditions, It would be almost impossible to restrict Its mischief. The blaze on Vine street yesterday emphasizes the need of special fire pro tection for the hill. By the time the chemical engine reaches a point above Madison avenue the horses which haul It are utterly exhausted and cannot proceed more rapidly than at a walk. In a rainy day on any asphalted grade like that on Clay avenue between Vine and Mulberry It Is next to impossible for a team of horses to pull the chem ical engine at all. Within two years three horses have been killed by the strain Incident to the hauling of lire apparatus from the South Side and cen tral city up the steep grades on the hill, and doubtless many others have ueen injured. It has been due to good for. tune rather than to wise precaution on the city's part that the lire loss In this valuable residence suea during the past few years has not been much larger than it was. A proposition Is understood to be be fore councils Informally for the es tablishment of an engine house, chem ical engine and regular force at a lo cation near the summit of the hill, so that the members of the proposed company may readily respond to calls within a radius of one mile. An ap propriation for such a purpose would be a first-class investment. Mr. Penrose will. It is true, be our youngest senator, but he Is by no means an infant in either brains, stuture or experience. Open to Suspicion. Senator Coyle of Schuylkill county has Introduced already his widely heralded bill to create a state depart ment of mining, with a superintendent at $5,000 a year and five clerks at vari ous salaries, all for the ostensible pur pose of securing a better inspection of mines. The bill is framed in response to a sentiment that the way to secure better results In mining is to multiply tlm machinery and expense of state interference with a private industry. The governor himself appears to be misled by this sentiment, for in his message ho says: Under the present law, the mlno inspec tors, while required to make an annual re port to the secretary of Internal affairs, are not mado accountable to any common head for the faithful discharge of thslr duties. There Is no community of effort required among them and no uniformity in their reports. Neither Is there any supervisory or directing power conferred by law on the secretary of internal af fairs or other officer, nor Is there any provision by which the causes of accl dents may be Investigated and responsi bility determined. It is recommended that thero bo established a responsible head to whom the state mine Inspectors shall, at stated periods, malcu detailed re ports of tha condition of the mines, the methods employed in mining, tho charac ter of machinery used, tho probable dan ger from gas, squeezes and other causes of accidents, tho means of Ingress and egress and such other Information as will enable a competent, sclrntlllc mining en gineer to dotormluo tho safety of the mine. This olilclal should have liberty to enter at tvIII for the purpose of ex amining the mines, and should be re quired to make such examination when petitioned for that purpose by tho work men therein who apprehend danger. JTo the proposition that there shall bo vigilant and frequent Inspection of mines no sensible mine-owner can or will wish to Interpose objection. The right of the public to security from loss by nvolduble accident Is u slllllclent warrant for rcasonnblo state super vision of mining, although In this con nection It should not be supposed that the owners of mines are themselves In different concerning the causes of pos sible accident. But In relation to the Coyle measure the solo point to be con sidered Is, Will Its enactment make n particle of difference In the situation beyond the creation of new expense and the enlargement of tlio governor ship's political opportunities? Unless Its advocates can point to clear and certain public benefits within reach by such a measure, It had bettor be de feated. It would seem that wo have an abundance of over-ofllclous nnd su perfluous state departments as the situation stands. The Washington Post makes a very pertinent response to the free silver sneereisut McKJnleylsm when It says: "If the friends of a very sick man should decide to change his doctor, they could not expect the mere fact of that decision, In advance of Its consum mation, to sot the patient on the road to recovery. The people of the United Stntes have decided on a change in the personnel and policy of the adminis tration, but under our very conserva tive plan of government a long time, elapses between the mnklng and car rying Into effect of such a change. At this time the deficit-producing turlff of 189-1 Is In operation, and It cannot bo revised until the next congress comes In and the now president-elect Is in the white house. Our silver contemporar ies should not sneer nt the new doctor until he has taken charge of the pa tient and had a chance to apply his remedies." Civil Service Reform. Some time ngo the Civil Service Re form association sent to Senator Pen rose and John Wannmaker a letter mentioning the fact that fourth-class postmasters remain as yet ouslde tho provisions of the civil service 'laws, and requesting a reply to the question whether each would, If elected to the United States senate, use his Influence to effect an extension of the civil ser vice rules to cover these and other positions. Mr. Wnnamaer made no response, but Senator Penrose wrote: "While I nm not prepared to slate at this time that I favor the extension of the pro visions of the civil service law to all fourth-class postolllccs throughout the country, I will say that I am pledged to support and advocate the enactment of stringent civil service laws, which will absolutely divorce the civil ser vice, especially of our municipalities, from politics and Insure the people an honest administration of public af fairs." In this connection It Is not uninter esting to recall the provisions of the bill "for the establishment of the civil service of tho commonwealth and of cities and counties of more than 150,000 Inhabitants" which has twice been in dorsed by the Republicans of Pennsyl vania In state convention and which Senator Gobln will presa for enactment during the present session of the legis lature. It provides for the appoint ment by the governor of three civil service commisloners, to serve three year terms. They shall receive salaries and traveling expenses. All ollicers in cities and counties of more than 150,000 inhabitants shall be under civil ser vice rules and are to be classified by the commission, the only exceptions being officers elected by the people, ollicers whose appointment Is subject to confirmation by the senate, the pri vate secretary, stenographer and mes senger of the governor, clerks and other ollicers and all employes of the senate and house of representatives, assist ants to district attorneys and city solicitors, private secretary, stenog rapher and messenger of the mayor of any city, heads of departments of the government of any city, and one per son, deputy, assistant, cashier or chief clerk, to be designated by the head of each department. The commission shall prepare rules and regulations to carry out the purposes of the act, and may from time to time amend or rescind the same, but all such rules and amend ments shall be subject to the approval of the governor. Tho rules shall,. as nearly ns the con ditions of good administration will war rant, among other things, provide for open competitive examinations, practi cal In their character and relating solely to matters which will fairly test the capacity of tho persons examined. All olllces shall be filed by the olllcer having power to appoint by selection froia among the three persons graded highest. Where practicable, vacancies shall bo filled by promotion. Promo tions from' the lower grades to the higher grades in the classified civil ser vice shall be on the basis of merit and competition, and in appointments to all grades above the lowest due credit shall bo given for good conduct and efficiency in previous service. Prefer ence shall be given to those applying for original appointment. Preference in apoplntments nnd promotions shall be given to those applicants who shall have served in the army or navy of the United States and have been honorably discharged therefrom. Non-competitive examinations shall be held In ull proper cases, when competent persons do not compete. Kxnmlnatlons of la borers shall be as to their capacity for labor, their habits as to Industry and sobriety, und their experience in the kind of work for which they apply. It will be perceived that the forego ing measure Is slmly an expression of busliress-like common sense as applied to the public service. The time is ripe for Its enactment and also for Its courageous enforcement. They' (tho supporter!) of Mr. Wana maker) have enlisted In this war until It ends In the restoration of popular gov ernment, In the downfall of those who sneer at religion and at religious men, and In tho permanent retirement to pri vate life of ull whoso characters aro sat urated with immorality. Altoona Trib une. If popular government has to be restored at a cost of $1,250 a vote, it is likely to prove an expensive job. Perhaps tho less said by the Wana maker managers about religion the bet ter for religion. As to personal mior- als, let him who Is without sin cast the first stone. Says the Washington Post: "Mr. Quay nnd Mr. Wnnnmaker are agreed on one point, and that Is that about three-fourths of tho members of the Pennsylvania legislature ought to be In the penitentiary," That Is drawing It a little strong, Say one-fourth. (lns Versus Hemp, Homo time ngo, ns wo learn from tho Medical Record, the Allegheny county Medical society appointed u committee to make an extensive Investigation of the present methods of executing con demned crlmlnnls, and to recommend a substitute for hanging or killing by electricity. The committee has now concluded Its Investigations, und will recommend that gas be substituted for the rope und electric chair, It Is claimed that condemned prisoners could be put to death by this agent painlessly during sleep. It Is proposed that the society draft a bill for presen tation to the Pennsylvania legislature this winter providing for the change. No doubt this recommendation will command approval. It Is a step up ward from the barbarous level of pre cedent In capital punishment. It the state Is to go Into the homicide busi ness at nil, It ought In decency's.sake to go In with ns much regard for the humanities as the circumstances will penult. When to the moral crime of taking a prisoner's life is added tho aesthetlcal sin of taking It In n crude, rough nnd painful manner, tho result, one would think, ought to receive gen eral condemnation. For this reason we concur In tho Allegheny county Medi cal society's recommendation that death by gas be substituted In capital punishment for death by hempen strangulation or denth by the roasting process of electrocution. But before too much energy Is em ployed to solve the problem of how the state may most humanely commit murder, suppose we direct more atten tion than has hitherto been directed to the problem of reclaiming the criminal without forfeiture of his life. Up In Canada It seems that when an urchbishop doesn't like the tone of a newspaper's editorial page, he pro ceeds to close the printing shop. They have several things yet to learn In Canada. Jiisf a Word or Tu)o of Casiial Mention U. F. Daniels, the former proprietor of tho Wasg, the Pittsburg Welsh paper, died New Year's eve. He was 51 years of age. Mr. Daniels was well known In Scranton. He was for a number of years foreman of "Bauer America," a Welsh paper of much prominence twenty-five years ago. Judge Bdwards was Its man aging editor for some years, being sue- coeded by W. S. Jones and D. J. Evans, of the West Side. The "llnotypers" of the "Baner" In those days were W, W. Davis, business manager of The Tribune, John Courier Morris and 1211 J. Davis, also of The Tribune. A few years later Mr. Dan iels and Mr. Morris started a Welsh paper In Pittsburg, which was a great success for some years. Tho deceased was one of the best-known Welshmen in tho country. He was an excellent musician and served as an adjudicator In many of the large elsteddfodau. -O- Mr. Is fond of a practical joke as many of his friends have discovered to their great sorrow and annoyance. He is never quite so happy as when having a little quiet fun at the expense of some luckless individual. One of his recent vic tims was an attorney from up the valley who, on several occasions, had to smile und appear to enjoy the jokes perpetrated at his expense. His revenge came yes. terday. Ho dined with Mr. and dur ing the progress of tho meal confided in him, tho fact he had been retained as counsel In the Urodlsh-Grant trespass case and as expert testimony would bo re quited he had taken tho liberty of handing in Mr, s namo to tho other attor neys In the case us a person specially qual Itled to testify to the value of kisses, stol en or otherwlso obtained. Mr. was dumb with surprise for an Instant, but when he recovered his use of speech ho protested most savagely against the .in warranted piesumptlon that he would bo willing to testify In such a case. The up- the-valley uttorney was sorry, extremrly sorry, that his friend ko seriously objected to going on tho witness stand, but said he was powerless to Interfere as he hud handed tho name In and It had been ap proved by the other attorneys as that of a person highly qualified to give expert testimony on such a delicate subject. He advised Mr. to see the attorneys at onco and have them excuse him, other wise a subpoena would assuredly be Is sued for him. Mr. waited not to finish his dinner, but started post-haste for the ofllco of Mrs. Brodish's attorney and besought him not to ask him to tes tify. Ho pointed out that he is a consplcu oua flguro In tho community and while admitting that he Is somewhat of an ex pert on matters oscillatory he did not want to have that fact blazoned forth, as It would be calculated to do him Irrepara ble Injury. The attorney for Mrs. Brodlsh looked at his caller blankly during this recital and as ho concluded told him that he had no Intention of calling upon him to testify. About this time Mr, real ized that he had been hoaxed. Now the up-the-valloy attorney wear.? a llendlsh smllo of satisfaction and Mr. Is in search of him. -O- J. D. Williams has returned from a trip to Florida where he Epent some time hunting, of which 3port ho is a most en thusiastic disciple. Besides winging u number of wild duck and pheasants, Mr. Williams had tho satisfaction of bringing down a flno specimen of the deer family. On his way north ho spent several days hunting In the Blue Ridge Mountains In North Carolina. -O- Theater-goers who enjoy forms of the drama unassoclated with buck and wing dunclng, lire engines and death by elec tricity aro beginning to do a great deal of growling over the class of theatrical performances ottered In this city this seueon. They say that th;y aro not being treated fairly; that they i-e denied the privilege) of seeing tho better cluss of art ists who were wont to visit Scranton an- nunlly or semi-annually. Thin compl'ilnt 1" In part true, but It Is probable that the fault, after all, lies mainly with tho peo ple who do not n little of the compluln Ins. They do not give proper encour agement to the theatrical mannaer wh.'it he offers really meritorious perform ances. At the same tlmo even the theatri cal mnnager will have to admit that tf.c mechanical drama and those cloEcly ulllel to It have been Been altogether too fre quently In this city of late. Tho marriage of Mrs. Frances 11, Swan, which was so quietly solemnized In Chica go Tuesdny, was one of the chief topics discussed about town yesterday and there were many surmises about her ftltuie courso with reference to tho poor boanl. That Bho will serve out her term seems to be tho Impression of ninny who were Well acquainted with Mrs. Swan, although no one seemed to be ablo to speak authorita tively on tho subject. That she has mado a valuable member of the board will be gen erally conceded by those who have w:tchcd the work of that Important body. She Is seemingly a tireless worker and devoted far more tlmo to the duties of the olIU'u than any of tho other members. A well known ofllcle.l of the city, In speaking about Mrs. Swan, said yesterday: "When she was appointed 1 thought u great nils, take hail been made, but 1 have since been forced to admit that 1 was mistaken. I hnve not exactly been made? a convert to tho lde of placing women, generally spenkiiii" In RUch offices, because 1 batlcve they often tend to demoralize system and business methods, but Mrs. Swan seemed to be a womnn peculiarly suited to per form the work she was appointed by tho court to perform nnd she did much to wipe out the prejudice that existed In tho pub lic mind hereabouts against women filling public olllces. She is a woman of marked business und executive ability, who does not shlik tho duties imposed upon her. There Is a big Held for usefulness for a woman on the poor board, too, but tho average person never thinks about this. Fully one-half of tho charges at tho furm are women and neatly all of them shat tered In body or mind. Who can better understand their needs' than a woman and who is better qualified to suggest how they slmll be treated and cared for? Simply be cause she Is a woman I believe her ofll clal actions have at times been most un justly criticised." According to the Philadelphia Bulletin, "State Senator K. B, Hardenbergh, of tho Susquehanna-Wayne district, is a can didate for auditor general to succeed Amos H. Mylln, of Lancaster, the present Incumbent. Senator Hardenbergh Is a member of the Investigating committee, of which Senator Andrews Is chairman, and Is well and popularly known through, out the state. He was a member of the house of representatives during the ses. slons of 1SS5 and 1SS7, was chairman of the Republican county committee for the years 1S91 and 1S92, and was elected to tho senate in November, 1&9I. A formal announcement of his candidacy may be expected from Hardenbergh In a few days." The same paper says: "Another Interesting Item of news is to the effect that William Connell, the millionaire coal and Iron operator of Scranton, Is desirous of succeeding Governor Hastings, M,r. Connell, for several years past, has taken an active part in state politics, and Is in close personal and political relations with Senator Quay. He Is Influential In Lacka wanna and adjoining counties, and dining the recent proceedings in Harrlsburg which Mr. Connell attended, his availa bility as a candidate for governor was favorably commented upon. There Is no knowing at present how Senator Quay feels on the subject, but their associations lead mutual friends to believe that any ef forts on the part of Mr. Connell to further his candidacy would not encounter any serious opposition from the senator." AN ACCOMPLISHED WKITUIt. D. R. Williams (Index), formerly of Braddocks, this state, Is in the city. He is hero for tho purpose of attending to tho sale of his newly-published book, en titled "Tho Brotherhood." The book Is a splendid specimen, typographically, of tho excellent work that Is being turned out of "Y Drych" ofltce, Utica, N. Y. It would not be necessary for us to read the volume to be convinced of the value of its contents. We know what the ac complishments of the author are. He leads in the front rank of the llterateurs of his country. He has a master mind and his stylo Is fascinating. The present production ranks with the 'best of his for mer efforts, and In some respects Is better. Tho humorous vein throughout the work is of a liner, gentler and more charming kind than Is usually found In the writings of Welshmen of tho present day. Our neighbor. Rev. R. S. Jones, of ttie North End, reviewed the volumo at great length In a recent number of "Y Drych," and he was unstinted In his praise. Judge Ed wards speaks highly of It, and the same praises are bestowed upon it by tho lead ing Welshmen of the West Side. Mr. Williams has probably won more olstedd fodlcal trophies than any one man In this country today. He won one of tho chief literary prizes at the World's fair eistedd fod, which, It we remember correctly, was a. drama, and tho adjudicators were the great Tudno, of AVnles, and Judge Ed. wards, of this city. It was a victory over some of tho greatest minds of his coun try. Mr. Williams Is not only an acocm pllshed Welsh writer, but has mastered well two or three other languages. Those who have read "Rhys Lewis," the repre sentative Welsh novel, cannot very well miss reading "Y Frawdollaoth" by Index. It Is something after the same fashion and equally as charming. It Is a tale well told. J. C. M. '.rins ,7r There Is Something Lucking In tho foait that provldo for the inner raannlouo tho eye should bo pleased, too. Dainty QlasB and Beautiful China tiro half tho dluuor, a cracked plate or ouippo d or mud dy alass has a depressing effect Our stock of China and Glassware give unlimited scopo for tho exoroleo of good taits. TUo quality U of tho most superior order nnd tho cost is very low. THE ) iLiiivirfiir 434 Lackawanna Avi. Begin the New Year By Buying Your Books of Beklleman, the Bookman. 437 Spruce Street. Opposite The Commonwealth. V "J .LM. M Ssr Mi n 1 w r ill! 1 We Have Just Completed Stock Taking, and Will Begin and it will last for ten clays only, Special Cut Prices will prevail departments, CQEV1PR5SING Dress Goods, Silks, Linens, Domestics, Notions, Dress Trimming's, Laces, Ribbons, Hosiery,. Gloves, Underwear, Carpets, Upholstery, Curtains, Shades, Cloaks, Suits, Furs, Wall Paper, Etc., Etc. Everybody that is familiar witli our ANNUAL CLEARING SALES know that there is a saving to the customer from 10 to 20 per cent, on everything sold by us during that time. SO DON'T HISS IT. I '! lie . -U- fJiis jJW BYRON WRITING That 'sheoi" was paved with good intentions, probably realized the truth of the assertion. Don't let you r ood resolution to buy only the best Bhlllk Books, Oillcc Supplies, Type Writing Supplies, etc., at our store be a paviiif; stone. Wc keep the best iu variety and quality. We also make a specialty of Draughting Supplies. Reynolds Bros., Stationers and Engravers, HOTEL JCRMYN UU1LD1NO. 11 Our Great Offer, ilnecd on All Goods. Overcoats to ordur Prices Ke Suits und Pants to 4M ensure GREAT ATLANTIC PANTS CO., Ura3Sch 318 Laoka Ave, Brrch Leads. 515 Linden Streel, The Only Manufacturers of Rubber Stamps In tho City. Scranton Rubber Stamp Works. in twit, rnur a. 515 LiiHle.i Street, YOU CAN SAVE (HONEY DY BJYIN NEW AND D Ladles' and Children's Wear. Sctil and Plush Sacques, Carpets and Feather Weds From L POSNER, 21 Lackawann Ave, I II m $ Gi.B. m'li- IA1H& Willi every pair of Skates we will give a ticket . . which will entitle the pur chaser to one .... Chance on a Spalding Bicycle, 1897 Hodel. We have a full line of in door Games lor the Holidays. Fiorey's, "tU Y. M. C. A. BUIL0I.1G. Our Holiday Display of useful aud ornamental articles was never so large as this season's exhibit. The advantage of having so large and varied an assortment to select from will be apparent to all who contem plate giving presents of a substantial and artistic character, or buying for their own use. Writing Desks. Dressing Tables, Chcval Glasses, Couches, Rockers, Reclining and Easy Chairs, Music Cabinets, Parlor Cabinets and Tables, Work Tables, Curio Cases, Tea Tables, Vernls-Martin Cabinets, Parlor and Fancy Inlaid Chairs, Gilt Keccptioti Chairs, Parlor Suits in Gilt, Pedestals, Jardinieres, Hook Cases, Shaving Stands all marked at moderate prices In plain ligures. 131 & 133 Washington Ave, ItCIILL At Our New and Jvlcgaut Storeroom, 130 WYOMING AVENUE Coal Exchange, Opp, Hotel Jcrmyn. "Old firm in new surround ings," like an old "stone in new settings," shines more brilliant than ever, aud "shines for all." Diamonds, Fine Jewlery, Watches, Silverware, Silver Novelties, Rich Cut Glass, Clocks, Fine Leather Goods, -Opera Glassos. When you see our Net Prices you will ask for No Discount, All Are Welcome. 11 1 con NOVELTIES FOR THE HOLIDAYS. HILL ft CONNELL, BUI BAZAAR Our during which time in all our twenty-one A. E. ROGERS' Jewelry Store, 113 LACKAWANNA MUll. DIAMONDS, JEWELRY, CLOCKS, WATCHES, Look at our $10 Gold Watches, Warranted 15 Years. 21 3 Lackawanna Avenua. &S IT IS SQUARE Evory workman knows tho importance ol accurnto tools. We Keep Them FOR SALE Mr. William II. Euiorich Is now In cnargoof tliis department. FOOTE i SHEAR CO., 119 Washington Avenue. I'S SONS' Lager Beer Uanufacturera ot the Colebr&tcd CAPACITY) 100,000 Barrels per Aemum DP, C. W. GREEN, lilcctrlcul Treatment a Specialty. OfflceJ, 607, 608 anil boy Meara liulldlng, SCRANTON, PA. Tho most compluto equipment ot Kloctrloal machined and appliances for tnodlcnl usu to t lojniltnit physician's oOlcj outaldo of Now York, Medical and olootrleal treatment for all cases amonablo to either ur both, C. W. GREEN, rv. O,, 007, COS and C09 Mears Uulldlnp, l-crantnu. Hours-V a,ui, to IS. 1 p.m.toO; 7,S0to0 mm bbj-vgi c-p ;:. in w lief Bee
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers