JUL. 1 The Somerset Herald A BUSHED HIT. perms ot iubli cation PWtl WT Wednesday morning at 11 00 tsnvn, U pul lo sdTanew otherwise ti sfi PC jfstaatptm will b disconrinaed until all are paid op. noara eg'Asing 2 b held rmpontiKi. fcr the subscrtp- p-i 00. fcbfteri removing from on iwgmot is sa ebocadttrs aasMsfthstansrai -I- m tte pit" 086 - Andrea, Tub 60KHSKT Hnirn, rj: EILLS k COOPER. D .tAt'i Drujr Store, Sumerset, Pa.) :--ri siia. attention given to tiling T . the natural teeth. Artinclsl oVn ' - - awv treui loaned without pLatea. e"" -ITi 'wntn Croatia attached to the nauip. t..,.. i. J apni- sl-lyr. a : -r W C A FATHERS, M. I. .1 ' rHYiClAN AM) el'EEOX, V cut inorr. Pa -to I nkm iwt next 4our Ui Ituiuiia: E'it h OJi"" f p F. SHAFFER, "" YhYsICIA-S aMjbTRGEOK. OoBkAAET. Pi., D v v pioieJi.oal imw to me auiens and viCiDiiy USu Bex; door to 0 S. H. S- EIMMELL, . linnal aprrlMi tr ,he HtllMM Lil vicinity. Cole, profeanonaiiy , r-r, be iouna at tut ofiioe on iitin t. i- DK. J. M. IX'UTKER. Iftnwr -S"ls!owm.) FETSJCIAJ. AT SUBGEOX. '.. penr-AiieiiCy In Somerset far the ' " u! bi f.?-.iaioa. Omce as Mi-n street, rtr jru D B. J. S- M'MILLEN, . ....... ,i mtha nfMamrim n '- vrrth. Aruncai Mt inserted. Ail ' . ..... ciij,irttrT. OSictt in Ui M.IrodveiaA Cut Bun, oorucx D' 2. VTM. COLLIN'S, 's KD,PTf' Block trAiTv vbera be T fc' -i ' time ptrpcred to do ii kind r.va t Bliin, iruiun. exirfccuiMt. ,( ,i leeti, of -ui iiixi of u-e b HESBY. F. SCHELL, ATTUii t YAT-LAW, 5,7 iJ Peaooa Ant. Oloe In XimiaoU t "ALEN1TSE HAY, ATTOIsJiKY-AT-LAW, ' bomenet, P. l l.er in Kei Ete. 'iU tuteiid to ul eu-JKed to tut car iu prod pule TOHX IL THL, J ATTOiiXET-ATLA. f propCT attend to all boainea entnwted , M.Ji,t-r'a'iva2d oo ooiaecuooa, x. OI- T A, BEEKET. w Souimit, Pa. Cia ia Odl FeJo' BnildinB. EiEVEY M. BERKLEY , ATTOKS EY-Al-LA . oiuuT, Pa. Ota W T. J. Kooaa, Eq. i a HOLBERT, A. AXTOiCN 1T-AT-LA eomeiBst,P, jtat with John H. UtL f f AriuiUitY-ATLAW, WU2 : prompi attention to bunn entraned y , Lav.- ID EKKSrnrt aad aa.'uiiunf COUBUeA. Otoe i PnnUixf Hon Kow, oi.JJ U JOHX 0. KIM5IEU AnuKitY-AT- -LAW, Bomervet, attend to a" bml2 enmisted to bi ear tt joierrt and fcijouiiiif oouuuo. w.ia prompt Mi. ad tatij. vtx on Main Cro oireel. fti(.-re laiiC iviuk store. TAMES L, PFGH, J AnUIi-NIT-AT-LAW. Bomenet, Pa. r'j VAmmotli B.ork. cpRAiim. Entranoe tt. i4.B lrg DUeV touK-uuM made, etttaiea iKiirt ut.- tXAnuijrtL aad aU ial busu.ea av prumpuiaa ad bdciiqr. A J. Co-bobs. I- C COUOW. COLBC'ES 4 C0LB0RN, ATTuRNEYS-AT-LAW. somenet, ra. a; bos-fa entrtaaed to oor care will b i lid faiiifiii-T atuded to. Ooaecoom v. j,' -4.rrt. boiiord and adwrnn coun Lt ,--rryi aod ooBTejaacUag duae on rt- B'LAlat aCIA. Feed. w. bie.ece;ek, AITUK-VSY-AI-LAW. eoctenet. Pa ct ia PrUAf Eouae Eow, oppoaive Court 1G EORGE R SCTLL, AITOEMY-AX-I-AW, bomenet. ra. J. G. OtoLX. I C'YjTT A flfilF I O" ATTv&SErS-ATLA'. boHiwrr, Fa. 1? J.KOCiSER. i. . ATCuIiXrr-AT-LAW, eumenet. Pa. TT . ENTSLEY. U.. ArfOaOirr-AT-LAw, bumeneA. Pa. ULBAER, attoksit-at-law. bumenrt. Pa., Z p-v-J-e in Somemet and adjoining a., bur.seta eatruAU-d ! iaim will iwobit a;.u4a. A E C&rr.TTm. W. H. HrrTBL. CCFFEOTH A RUPPEL. ATIuli-SEYs-ATLAW, homerwet, Pa. A- tat:- entmd to their care will ba --T a:,! puarUnu.T aJU-ndnl to. OSct on sc, oipotiie Manimfitl. Block. K EQTEL AT CHlBEBLiHD - ? twfjt- Uie of Sand Patch, hai pnrchtwed " THE AMERICAN HOUSE," l--'.M.zi. Mi., and ha reined and refnr lit -a.d :itr. tfcrHicboit, and mad '" -- i Hfivj to AovwninoilAie the ua f(Xd tabic, atid choice 1: uor at Ihe bar. ti :E w. ntiia with the Hotel a larfw of Mrt-jrrt Pure oil Kjre Whiky atua. tv trie barrel or traiioti at the Itj-.u fTtcea : X' Tea; old at j 0 per gallon. Jir.se -- a0 -"- -s of.te ;-.r ii 15 oenn tor each farion. J1 Mi 'a LfctrT aad J-j mu aiwara jtir vte order, wtueh will uwure prompt Aid Uaipmnii. Addreaa ail ordera w S. P. SWEITZER, Wt CTMBEELAM), MD. STILL IN BUSINESS I Photocraph Caller . .T Tkzm art iLformed that I am itill la tit Aid t limei prrpajed to ust al A-aca oi picture, from -'.T aviMt PktUrrapk, oLir "Ton- InrtActaneooi Pro-asrt- ktJ ii work rtianuiwed to b BtitsiacJory. T op Rain, next to Yosph'' WH. H. WELTLET. Hie VOL. XL. NO. Oilsl Oils! Tk Standard Oil Ootnnanr. of PltBbtinrh, PtL, aw. . nc7tmaiT oi luQQiamniLf fur lot Irameaue trade tttm ftsaat brands of niuminatingti Lubricating Oils Naphtha and Gasoline, TbAt can be made from Petroleum. We chaUesx companion wild ex err known PRODUCT OF PETROLEUM. If too wish the most uniformly Satisfactory Oils IN' THE American .Market, Aik for ooim. Trade for Somerset and tidal ty applied by COOK ft BEEBTT9 atd FRKkwB A kixKZJt, ept2A-'i yr. . eoHBAABS, Pa. CURTIS K. GROVE, SOMERSET, PA. BUGGIIS, E1XIGH?, CARlvlAGES, EPSIXQ WAGONS, BCCK WAGOK1 AJTD KA3TEHS AKD WESTEKS WOBX .Furnished on Short Socioe. Painting Done on Ebort Time. Uj wort 3 mlde oot arf 7)-f. Smrmrd Womd, aiad tbe be Inm amd .f't. ubwmally ComATOcted, NeaiT rinuhed. and Warranted w git aalufACUon. Inplcy fcaly FiTSt-Caa Tsines. iepalrinr of All Kinds in My Line Done on BhonKouce. Prices HEArOSAJlLJi, and All Work Warranted Call and Examine my Stork, and Learn PrVte I do Wagoo-work, and furnish Selves for Wind Kills. Kemember the place, and call in. CTJBTIS K. GROVE, (East of Court Hocse) 6CMEBEET. FA THE PEOPLE'S STORE ! Firth Are-, Pittsburgh. OUR MAIL ORDER DEPARTMENT BBIXG3 THE People's Store TO TOE PEOPLE'S HOMES. Jt5r GLACE OMR 7HIS List of Departments And if there is aDjthinf; in them tou are likely to want, don't bay Lefore voa write for samples to oar MAIL "ORDER DEPARTME8T. Carpet?, Upholsterr. Silks, Wrap?. Suit?, Pre Goods, Trimmings. IJooiery, Underwear, Curtains, Pry Good?, Velvets, Jackets, Millinery, Notions. Laces. Gloves, Blankets, Fornishin;r. Shoes. 20 Departments. If you want to ?et an idea of the Goods that they contain, send for Free Copy of Illustrated Cata logue for Fall and Winter. CaiMllBict fa. 85. 07 and FIFTH AVE. FTTrSBCRGH. FIDELITY TITLE AND AND TRUST COMPANY. 121 k 123 4th Ave, PITTSBURGH, FX. (Capital, $500,000 fall paid.) (Inmres title toBeal Ertate.) ABthorised to art as Eiemtor. Administrator, irdian. Trustee, Atujnee, Eeotaver, Ac DEALERS IS RELIABLE INVESTMENT SECURITIES. Rent boxre in its Superior Vaults from S5 per annum upwards. ReceiTes arpoeits aridl.Dsonly on morigages and approTed coliaierals. JOHN B. JACKSON. fTlTnt- JAJI.iI.l'Ji- . - ' - JXECTTORS SALE OF VakaHs Real Estate ! Tbender-;fBed Eiecotor n "2"' Borough, d rot-wed. will expnw to ZZZ JyZZTzl ,Ha. rnm.ips in atorestowB Borossja, tjumenet Couliiy. 1'A. on SATURDAY, SOYEXBER 14, ISM, . . ..lock p. m tbe Wlowine desrribed real t" U)Btiorrh. bj-ndrt U- bTJV aid on t we-br m , a! IrTVAS 'wt Maid street and brio l' dwei.tng bouse, a w buHdinc. TERMS : J1- o1" :j'JC1,X:nlC. W. PTGH, Exerwanv 18. Unnrl'e K other medlrtoe m alUUU 9 piaoed before the publta SarsaparilIaXacor2 One ao thoroachly as Hood's Sana. 5 parilla. From a amaU begtaninj this PAfllllir Bedielne hat steAdily rcirUIIUl and rapidly increAsed la Ffi populAiity until bow it has the Urjest " aale of any preparation of ft kind. Itcplf Ita mecn I nas won (imply iCII became it ii eoostanL'T prorins; I that It possesses posiDe merit, and does aeeotTipttsh what Is claimed for it. QTranrvrk Tnis merit Is ftrem o ire n gin, Hood-s paro s VUIlUillJ, b prepared b, Pj. J Peculiar CoaabtaatiosL, Prapatw U tioa aad Proses) knowv only to Climtivf ooi SaRaparilla. UlUil Wl nnd by which the fan Q medicinal power of an the rOnCl lnredienU used is irtained. f Thoatands of Toluntary witnese I J W an orer the country testify to wonderful benefit derirtd UQ56S from it. If yon suffer from One Dollar ZlaTZZ BA Ciiro bT topure blood, Uk tJ OUlU Hood's SarsaparUla. To Get trA druSiisU. C 1. HOQD at CO.. Lowell, Mass. Hood's -THE-FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF Somerset, Penn'a. o CAPITAL 8URPLUS S50.0OO. se.ooo. OCPOBITS stCCCIVCDIN LA ROC ANDBSIALL AMOUNTS. PATABLC ON DEMAND. ACCOUNTS Op MERCHANTS. FARMERS. STOCK DEALERS, AND OTHERS SOLICITED. DISCOUNTS DAILY. BOARD OF DIRECTORS : LiEn 31. Hicxs. W. H. Millxb, Jahd L. Ptgh, Cb ib. H. Fisbib, JoH- B. Socrrr, Gko. R Sctll, Fked W. Busk-h. Edward Scnx, : Valestisi Hat, : AXCKaW Paesks, : : : Pkasiskitt Vice Pitis-iDKrr : : Cashikx. The funds and Becnritiea of thia bank are securely protected in celebrated Cor liss Burglar-proof Safe. Tbe only Safe made absolutely Barj;Ur-proof. SomEissi County National Sari Of Somerset, Pa. o. DtablisHsd, 1877. Orpslistl m t Nstlssa!, 1890. CAPITAL. $50,000. Chas. J. Harrison, Pres't Wm. B. Frease, Vice Pres't. Milton J. Pritts, Cashier. -O: Directors: Wra. H Koonti, JoMah perht. Joco H. 6nTdr, Joseph B. I it J, Saml FrjTder, Jonas M. t ook, John eKufft. HsxrUoo isnrdfi Koaha. lailier. Jerome etuirt. Wta. Indsley. Co5Vwoe of this Bank wffl reeeiTe the most libera, treatment consistent with safe hanking. Parties wiMne to send money ea or west can be aeoommdaled by dralt for any Amount. V.w mnA MlnaKW llld bv MUtflf TMe- bo'id s Celebrated sales, with nort approred time uu. Oonections mad. In all nana of the United States- ChArgea moderate. Aoooonts and Lieptauts aolicted. max&4m THERE IS si WHISKEY Which is uniform in Its result, besides in every other particular. Attested to by ereryone wbo has giren it a thorough trial, and their name is legion. The pure 8 year old GUCKENHEIMER WHISKY Is the whiskey, sold only by JOSEPH FLEMING 4 SOaV. Drnggiits, Pittsburgh, ra. As strerjerthener of the Nervous i System,r. -.1 1 J -TA At,- a wiiu specuu vivuu ciicv k viu a ex piratory and digestive organs, it is pronounced unequaled. Price, full quarts $1, or six for $5. We now carry fall and complete atock of .... 1 , II k. : L. : knlk A- ail ice leaains; run n meatic and foreign, pring you tbe oppor tunity to make your choice from tbe finest selection to be bad in tbe city at tbe lowest possible prices that can be made for tbe quality and age if the goods. r Please send for full and complete price list, mailed free. Jos. Fleming & Sod, DRUGGISTS, OO A 412 Market 8L. 1 and i VarkaC PXTTaSSITBSS, P.A. V Ladle, are Especially invited. THRESHING MACHINES A SPECIALTY. Star rs,i Most Durable, roonoeaieal and PeT-fert i u W M-te. no grain ; deans it i-emuy MirM. TRtSmN3 CKS1NES 4 HORSE POWtRS. tnW sflLU-BDd Standard ItoplemAmu gener al. Send fur liltntrated Catalucne. A. B. FARQUHAR CO. PennrylTasia Ag-rteultural Works. York. Pa. June, i:, st, Kin.M-liKVATOKV t.F MrSIC. PitubarcPa. 3 teacher VnsuTpassed s-4aauieea. Kupenor bwr eonif'TU aal eare. bkb yemi e-m. IK. l-nd fc catalogue to ice rrr, i--u jolyo-tass. A. E. KORCauSi D. D. omei SOMERSET, PA., 'WEDNESDAY. OCTOBER 28, 1891. THE GIRLS OF NINET1-ONE. They tell me 'twas the fathton. On. kMig aad long Ajra. For glrw to look like lillies white. And tit at home and sew. Forth strode their sturdy brothers. On suay a gal'ant quasi; Bat the maids behind the lattice Their weary souls poneased. To-day the times have altered. And pretty Kate and Nell Are playing merry tennis In sooth they do it weU. They ride across lb. country. They climb the mountain side. And with oars that feather lightly. Along the rivers glide. If they're not yet been to college. They are grang by and by. To shake the tree of know k-dge. Though its branches touch the sky. For all their Greek and Latin, And poring over twolu. With faces smooth as satin. They'll keep their dAicty looks. Do you wsnt a happy comrade. In study or In fun? Be sure yuu'U find her quickly 'Mid the girls of ninety-one. E he'll keep t hat bright head steady, Cnharmed in any whirl. And ntA a lad will love her less Because she is a girt. THE SIGNAL FIRE. BT WILLA LLOYD JACkSOX. Certainly sbe was not beautiful, nor was sbe clerer beyond ordinary, nor re markable in any way. be was only s shy little girl, whose best frock was s homespun and whose best bonnet was of btiiped calico. And her home was s two-roomed log cabin, with plain, rude furniture, that her own father had made, and few homely articles that they had brought from Pennsylvania when they moved out to the new land of Texas. But for all these commonpiace surroundings, she was a heroine. ller name was Mags-e Hunter, and the cabin home was on tbe banks of tbe Brazos river, which, as you know, flows to the sea through Southern Texas. It had been s very happy borne, in spite of the many perils that lay in wait about it ; for this that I am telling you of took place in lS3o, the darkest year the young rotate had known, and in addition to the wild beasts whose cries could be heaid every night as they prowled about the cabin, and the over-present fear of yell ing Indians, was the menacing Mexican foe from across the Rio Grande, w ho re penting having opened this fair territory to tbe settlers, now oppressed them with every dtvice that tyrrany and hatred could sugsei-t. Eut, as I said, Maggie s home had been a thappy one, made so by cheerful toil and loving duty, till the father had been called away to join General Houston. He had gone with a heavy heart, leaving his little household unprotected, save for the musket that bong upon the wall and toward which the mother glanced many time a day, or, waking in the night, took down and placed beside her bed. News came now and then of dreadful massa cres and desperate battle", and the dark spirit of anxiety and trouble brooded over the little home, for it was often im possible to hear wbo bad suffered in these terrible events, and weeks would sometimes pa-ta ere assurance of tbe wel fare of the beloved reached them. One April evening little Maggie stood pressing her small grave face against the wooden shutter that closed the window in the front room of tbe cabin and trying to watch the stars through tbe chinks. Her mother moved about tbe inner room preparing the simple evening meal, and tbe younger children slept peacefully in their little bed of sweet, dry prairie grass. 6uddenly Msgpie gave a cry of terror. Mrs. Hunter, with startled face, tore down the musket frem the wall and rushed to the outer door, but a voice that they recognized as Captain Hunter's re assured them, and joyfully drawing the bolt the thankful wife admitted the weary, mud-stained soldier. "So I frightened you, little daughter," said Captain Hunter, as he kissed Maggie and drew ber within his arms. "I only thought to peep in at you, not expecting to see these big eyes peeping out at the same chink." Maggie laughed for very pleasure to have him back once more, and stood watching him with proud though fright ened eyes as he told them of the wonder ful things the handful cf patriets had done against the thousands of Mexican soldiers pouring over tbe border to en force a tyrant's decrees, and ber heart thrilled as he told of General Houston's jrsjlant deeds and dauntless courage. The mother, though listening as eager ly as Maggie, busied herself in setting s meal before her husband, and would have had him remove his heavy boots and Bauddy clothes, but he declared he could tarry but an hour. "I must go then on an errand to the troops that lie at Harrisburg," and his face clouded over with such anxiety that his wife hastened to his side. He did not answer her look of inquiry, but drew his little daughter closer to him, and turning her wistful face up to his own, said : "Can. Maggie be s brave girl for her fatherr She faltered s little as she answered, bat her eyes were true and fesrless. "I can try, father. What is it I must dor "You must go st midnight, or as near the hour as yon can guess, and fire tbe heao of brash that lies upon tue river's bank, close to the big pine." "But why cannot I go?" said the moth er, her lace paling st tbe thought of the child's going through the night on sa errand so full of peril. "Because you most go when I do to the upper ferry to warn tbe boatmen there. Get ready, wife, for there is no time to spare. I ride in the pposiba direction, but we can start together." Maggie gave a gasp sad the color for sook her cheeks. Wss she to be left in the cabin alone till midnight, when she must go through the dark wood to the river? Mv child," said Captain Hunter, with tbe tenderness the truly brave always have for the weak and faltering, "are you so afraid? Then you shall not go; but unless the signal be made hundreds of brave men will go to slmost certain death, for the Mexicans, as I rods hither to discover, lie in ambush not far off for their coming. I intended to fire tbe brush myself, but on tbe way I learned that which seeds me poet haste to the ESTABIaISHED 1827. troops st narrisburg and takes your mother to the upper ferry." "Ill go, lather," said Maggie, steadying her voice, and even smiling tremulously as ber father strained her to his breast. "That's s soldier's daughter, Msggie, and s good girL If yon do this General Houston himself shall thank you." Then his eyes filled with tears. "My little d'ocuter," he continued, "God knows I would not send you into danger could I help it, but an officer ito be sent to the other side of the river st night, and if no flame is seen our men are to cross, for the signal means that the way is not clear." The mother, true pioneer's wife as she was, flung her arms about her child. "It seems cruel to send a child on such an errand, husband. The Mexicans spare none " "Xay, now, Susie, the danger is not so great as you fancy. They camp fully s mile sway, and long ere they can reach the burning heap Maggie will have run home again." But hs kissed his little daughter very sadly as be rode sway, and ber mother with difficulty choked down her tears as she parted from her. "Mother will be back as soon ss old Hector can carry Ler. Be brave, little darling, and remember God is with you. Fire the brush quickly and run home and bar the door to everyone till you hear my voice." When they were gone Maggie's heart again failed her, and only the thought of the brave men, who perhaps had little daughters of their own, made her take courage aain. She sat watching the hands of the big clock that talked to ber of the home they had left in Pennsylva nia, until they had crawled nearly to the midnight mark. Then, kissing the sleep ing children, she raked the glowing coals into her pail, and unbarring the door, started on her errand. Sbe was cold with fright, and half in clined to turn back, but the stars tkat looked down on her like bright celestial eyes reminded ber of her mother's words that God was with her. It was not far she bad to go, but the way through tbe dark woods seemed longer than it ever had before, and on owl's slow hoot sent the blood from ber heart, though she knew the instant afterwards what it i was. j Once s panther's scream from a dis tance rang in ber ears, and she ran a little, wildly and Urrot-etricken, but the j clearing in which the brush heap lay was close at hand, and she found herself stumbling over it- With her heart beat ing like mad she knelt and poured the coals over it. They smouldered for a few minutes, and then s tiny flame sprung up which caught at the dry leaves and twigs, till the whole heap blazed. With her terror nearly gone in her joy at her mission achieved, she rose and looked out over the dark river, rolling s few yards sway, and strained her eyes in the vain fancy that sbe could see the otScer watching on the other side. "He'll go back and tell them not to come," she thought; "and they won't get killed." She clasped her hands the next mo ment with s shriek ; for there was the report of s gun stinging the air about her, and s bullet sung past her ear. There came aaother and still another, and the brave girl dropped beside the blazing brush. The flames crackled merrily, leaping towards the river as if it knew the mes sage it was to bear, snd was glad to be about it, and the mounted officer on the other side saw it and rode away. The night breeze liftsd the soft hair of of the little head that lay pillowed on tbe dark bosom of the earth and touched with loving fingers the round cheeks, with their pretty color all gone. From the woods came running s dozen Mexi can soldiers, who, in roving that way, bad spied tbe signal fire as it leaped np, and were boasting as they ran that their bullets must have found the person that had set the heap ablaze. "He stood just over the fire ; I saw him," cried one. "Yes, I noticed him as he dropped," said another. But they paused dismayed beside the little figure that lay close to the still flar ing brush. -Santa Maria! It is s child T exclaim ed the captain, bending down. "A child V the others murmured, snd the black eyes were filled with tears that took nothing from their manhood. The captain raised the childish form in his strong arms, and directing his men to make s bed of leaves, he laid it on tbe mound, then bent and reverently kissed the pure brow, while his heart turned to thoughts of a little dark-eyed Mexican lass, scarcely older, who watched for him Ur sway. "Her friends will come for her by and by," he said, as he tamed away. "Mig uel, stand you yonder in the woods and watch till they come, but do not discover yourself. The rest go with me, bat mind, no word to anyone of what has been done. Tbe signal has done its work and this deed that we have wrought has evil enough in it ; so no more blood to-night, at least." Miguel watched an hour. Then came an anxious father an mother to seek their child, and finding her, to carry home the little heroine with many tears and with broken hearts. Captain Hunter had found s trustworthy messenger ts per form his errand snd bad hastened back, hoping to arrive before Maggie should have started for the nver. Loving hands laid her to rest close to the spot mads glorious by her deed, and the great Houston himself pronounced her eulogy : " Tis such as she that make us know the divine is still among us." A Great Battle. Is constantly going on in the human system when yon suffer from consump tion, coughs snd colds ; they strive to rain health snd drag victims to the grave. Take timely warning snd use Pan-Tins cough and consumption cure. Price and 50 cents. Dr. Lee's Liver Regulator is a sore core for dyspepsia, biliousness, heartburn and indigestion, and all kidney com plaints. Trial bottles free st G. W. Benford's Drag Store. A Lawyer generally feels himself com- pt tent to break an y will except his wife's. Shall We Have a Constitutional Convention In Pennsyl vania? In 1S74 the people of this Common wealth ordained and established s new Constitution. Since then the Legislature has, with more or less earnestness, been engaged in remodeling our laws to con form to its requirements. Seventeen years have passed, however, without any very serious efforts to enforce msny of its most important provisions. The ju diciary of the State has expended much time on its interpretation, and it is only within the past few years that its mean ing has been so definitely determined by the highest Courts ss to partially end the chaotic conflict between the statutory laws and the Constitution. On the ISrth of June, 1SV1, the Govern or approved an act requiring the electors of the Commonwealth to rote st tbe No vember election for or sgainst holding s Convention to amend th Constitution. Tbe title of the act is misleading. It is called "sn set to provide for a Convention to ammd the Constitution," but the sixth section gives the Convention "power to propose to the citizens of this Common wealth, for their approval or rejection, s new CuTLttiiitlujn or amendments to the present one, or specific amendments to be voted for separately." In other words, s convention is to be created possessing and representing the sovereign power of the people, with power to destroy, alter snd amend the w hole structure of Gov ernment, snd all tbe laws of this Com monwealth, and without any limitation on the exercise of this power, save the Constitution of the United States, which "guarantees to every State in this Union s republican form of government." Tbe Constitution provides an orderly method of amending its provisions with out resorting to the extraordinary means of s new convention. To make its pro visions more stable, and to protect it from sudden changes by every "wind of doctrine," it wisely provides that amend ments shall be agreed to by a majority of the members elected to each House, thea publUkel for three months before the next election in two newspapers in every county, and then if another and new Legislature agrees to the amendments they shall be again published for three months snd submitted to the qualified electors of the Commonwealth at an elec tion. Each amendment is to be voted upon separately, and no amendment is to be submitted oftener than once in five years. In utter disregard of the great con servative principles regulating future amendments embodied in the provisions of the Constitution itself, the Legislature proposes s new Constitutional Conven tion. It is not called in the usual way, by first submitting tbe call of a Conven tion to a vote of tbe people, and after werd selecting at another election proper per sons as delegates, but, with, marked cun ning, tbe delegates are to be voted for at the same election at which the people pass upon the necessity for s Convention. The object is plain. One hundred and seventy -seven members are to be sleeted ; twenty -seven in the State at large, and three in each Senatorial district If the people vote for a Constitutional Conven tion the, gentlemen will all be elected to office and receive $lo0. In every district, therefore, there are at least three men whose activity and personal influ- snce are secure-! by tne prospective honor of so high an office and its emolu ments to persuade the people to vote for this new Convention. Without such machinery the people would be indiffer ent snd the whole scheme defeated. We are not confronted with such a serious condition of public affairs as to justify a new Constitutional Convention and the expenditure of $265,500 to pay the sala ries of the delegates, plus at least $2J5,- 000 to psy mileage, incidentals and gen eral expenses, making a total cost of half million dollars. No one should be grudge tbe expenditure sf so large a sum if necessary to secure the beet possible form of government ; but nnder existing conditions the chances are that tbe mon ey would be wasted and the end not at tained. This is s most inopportune time to undertake the formation of a new or a general revision of the old Constitu tion. The electors will be required to vols on the rejection or adoption next year, when there is a Presidential elec tion. National politics, involving most important issues, will engross public at tention to the exclusion of State issues. Tbe Convention may submit s new Con stitution to be voted for as a w hole, or it may submit "specific amendments to be voted for separately." If a new Consti tution, or many amendments are submit ted, sn intelligent judgment by tbe aver age voter will, by reason of excitement and interest in general politics, be ren dered impracticable. It is always haz- zardous to remodel a great organic law. There are many provisions of the present Constitution which are so favorable to tbe general pnolic that powerful influ ences have for seventeen years success fully delayed their enforcement. Will we act wisely if ws offer a tempting op portunity for their repeal ? The advocates of the Convention tell us that the amendment of the Constitn tion is necessary to securea "secret bal lot," and without it we can never have the Australian system. When the new Constitution wss adopted the provision for numbering ballots wss to be tbe pan acea for all illegal voting. Now this very provision is said to stand in the way of honest election law a The unwisdom of incorporating such provisions (which should be left to legislative control) in tbe Constitution has become apparent. But is the question so vital as to take it outside the provisions of the Constitu tion for its amendment? It was quite possible to substantially adopt the Aus trailian saystem, notwithstanding the Constitutional provision for numbering ballots. Tbe "new election law" is th work of astute politicians. Its evasion of the best provisions of the Australian system wss not because of constitutional limitations. Tbe law will not be one wbit bettr when, under its own provis ions, s constitutional amendment shall repeal the section relating to s numbered ballot. The work of the hour is to create a public sentiment which will elect legis lators who will give us a new ballot la with all tbs essential features of the Aus tralian system, leaving tue numbered ballot to remain until, by amendment submitted by the Legislature, this re quirement of the Constitution can be ii It i r ii . il vl I repealed. A little delay can work no great harm. This great old Common wealth can safely endure the present Constitution a few more years. If we fail to adopt needed reforms tbe fault will not be in our organic law, but in ourselves. It is the misfortune of our political system that mere politicians can seise upon popular forms and pervert them to their own advancement. Desirable as the Australian system in its best form may be, there ia more demagogue'111 than sUtesmanship in the willingness of many of its advocates to risk the over throw of the present Constitution merely to do away with numbered ballots, when the same result can be reached by an amendment expressed in a dozen words. There are times in the life of every na tion when it is simpler to overthrow an existing order of things and to frame a new form of government than to atUmpt by amendment and reform to patch p the old. The rapid development of our country and the enormous advancement in political, social and practical sciences call for frequent changes in our laws. But surely the present Constitution is not so bad ss to be incapable of amendment to meet all the- requirements. I think the fatal error of the past thirty years has been to make Constitutions a compendi um of statutory laws instead of a mere declaration of Aundamental principles to secure stability of governteent, to pre serve the liberties of the people, snd to confine and restrain within safe IimiU the general powers of Legislatures. All this has been done on the pies that the legislative bodies cannot safely be trust ed with power. The answer is plain : The members of the Legislature am elec ted by the same people who elect dele gates to Constitutional Conventions, and it, through carelessness, they see fit to elect incompetent men it is their own fault, snd not the fault of the government under which they live. Indeed, I think that many of tbe constitutional limita tions on legislative power are reflections on the whole system of free government; and tend to embarrass legitimate devel opment, as well as to encourage electors to disregard their obligation ss citizens to see that only worthy men are sent to the legislature. Every time a great re form is ;propoed we are called upon to amend the Constitution, to give it a trial. A Constitution of a great people should be as sacred as the " sacred booits of the law." Ita provisions, when once ascer tained and define 1 by judicial decision, should never be changed, unless from some overrulirut necessity. The people should be taught to revere it, and to look with mistrust upon every effort to de stroy, evade or change it,. In tbs past history of this country constitutions were regarded with great reverence, but lat terly, th re has been so much constitu tional tinkering that they are no longer the people's talismans, and he who now raises constitutional quest ions is leaked upon as sn enemy to the sdvancement of society. If we are to have a new Constitution every twenty years in the State of Penn sylvania, with ail tbe uncertainty and confusion which its adjustment to exist ing laws will create, we may well apply Judge Black's 1aejua6 and declare that: " A French constitution, or a South Amer ican republic, or a Mexican administra tion, would be an immortal thing in com parisor with tbe short-lived principles of Pennsylvania law. Tbe rule of property, which oucht to be ss eteadfast as the hills, will become as unstable as tbe waves." Tbe present Constitution as a whole is s most admirable one. The error of its framera was in incorporating many things which st the time seemed good; but which had not stood the test of practical application, and were, therefore, ?uly tentative, and fit subjects for legislative experiment. The experiencs of seven teen years has developed its defects. It needs amendment, particularly, I think, in three subjects; viz: The suffrage and election articles, to ensble us to experi ment with the Australian ballot ; the ju diciary article, to repeal the Ifoolieh pro vision that " whenever a county shall Lave 40,00 inhabitants it shall constitute a separate judicial district," and the pro visions relating to cities and counties must be remodeled to overcome the mud dle about classification, and to permit fuller local autonomy, without reopening the doors to the vicious system of special legislation which existed prior to 137A. When the people are fullv aroused to the necessity for these changes, they can all be brought about by amendments sub mitted in tbe ordinary way under tbe Amendment clause of the Constitution. Tbe amendments required will present single subjects in clear and concUe Un guage, so that any man of ordinary intel ligence can comprehend their meaning and vote intelligently. Let tbe politicians and over zealous re formers " sprinkle cool patience " on their " skipping spirits," and wait the consummation in an orderly way of the reforms they Lave so much at heart. Gm. F. Baeb. Reading, Pa, OcL 10, 1SC1. A "Straight Tlp.- Ta!k about your sure things on horse races." said the veteran, "have I ever told yon about how I was tripped op on the most beautiful straight tip you have ever heard of?" None of the party Lai ever heard tbe story, so the major told it. "While ws were in camp with Mc- Gellan," he began, "we bad some good horses which were worked just about Lard enough to keep them in fine condi tion. Several of them were pretty good steeple-chssers, too, but Colonel Blank had a sorrel mars which could outrun anything in the Army of tbe Potomac Well, one day a lot of recruits came into camp. They were well supplied with tobacco and otter little luxuries for them selves. Ths idea struck some one to get np s hippodrosis horse race. Tbe scheme was of course to have Colonel Blank's mare ran against same of the poorer ani mals And to have those wbo were in' n tbe deal to bet against the sorrel mare. Ths rider of the mare, of course, would be a party to the deal and be weald pro- went the sorrel from winning the race. "Well, ths details were all arranged and the plans were working nicely. Tbs newcomers had beard all about the fame of the sorrel mare and they took the bait like a charm. All kinds of articles were wagered tobacco, whisky, coats, boots, UL O WHOLE NO. 2100. and nst a small amount of money on the result We who had put up the job were lasshicg in oar sleeves for three days before the race took place. -On the day designated the mile coarse, which had been laid out on a fairly good road, was lined with blue coats from one end to the other. When tbe horses took their places visions of the luxuries which I have named loom ed np in our imaginations and we ex changed sly winks as the horses came down past the starter. As soon as the starter yelled 'Go T the men in tbe two long lines began to yell and swing their hats in the air. "Tbe space between the two lines was not more than fifteen or twenty feet wide and this unusual siht and noise fright ed the sorrel mare. Well, she just took the bit between her teeth and the way she did skip down the road was a cau tion. The f twite r she ran the more the men yelled and the rider could no more check ber speed than he could stop s cy clone. At the end of the mile the sorrel led her opponent by fully 300 yards, and not satisfied with this she ran nearly another mile before ber rider could stop her." -Vr. 7K'.uiw. A PROUD RECORD. Why the Pennsylvania Farmers Should Support Gregg and Morrison. No man in public life in Pennsylvania is better or more favorably known to the farmers of the state than ex-Auditor Gen era! Jerome B. Nile, of Tioga county. lie has been prominent in their councils and time and time again fought their battles for equalization of taxation. Through the medium of the Republican party the efforts of General Niles and those acting with him have rot been in vain. In a very thoughtful interview Gener al Niles tells what has Den accomplish ed by the Republican party in relieving tbe granger interests of the burdens of taxation, and points out why every farm er should vote for both Gregg and Mor rison, the Republican candidates for auditor general and state treasurer, re spectively, st next msnth's election. I desire to preface my answer as to the reason why farmers and real estate owners, said ex-Aud.tor General INues, ehould support the Republican state ticket by a short reference to the part. Our party came into power in Pennsyl vania in ISoO. For many years, with slight interruptions, our political oppo nents bad practically been in control of the various departments of the state gov ernment We found the nation confront ed with a gigantic rebellion, business prostrated snd public confidence every- here destroyed. "At that time the state was burdened by a debt of from $.,000,0t O to $a0XV 000, and for which it had but very little to show. The years succeeding 1S0O are marked with too mighty events to be soon forgotten. To meet the demands of our imperiled country burdens heavy were impoeed upon the people. Many tens of millions of dollars were raised in this commonwealth bv taxation to pay bounties, etc., to Union soldiers. During ail these years the leaders of the party promised that when the peril was pat, when peace and plenty came aain, the burdens impoeed by the war should be lifted from the people, as far as poseib!e consistent with the safety of the state. In furtherance of such promises an act passed Feb. 23, 1n30, providing, Section 4, from and after the passage of this set the real estate of this commonwealth shall be exempt from taxation for state purposes.' VP. page Si.) So far as I know, prior to this time, real estate had at all times paid taxes for state pur poses. Ia pursuance of this policy of re lieving the people of the support of the elate government an act was passed and approved on June 2, IS71 ( P. L, 2S1), re- Ialing the act which iaipoaed s tax of 1 per cent on incomes of tradesmen, occu pations and proiesaions over ?-"3. Again, by an act approved March 21, 1973, the Laws imposing taxes upon mules, horses, mares, geldings snd cattle for state pur poses was repealed. (P. L, W3, page 46.) RELISP FROM TAXATION. It will be noticed that since those years ail real estate, all trades occupa - ttoos and professions and horses and cat- tle have been relieved from the burdens of the state. It is well known that the local and municipal taxes are the great burdens borne by taxpayers During these years the money collected which were not necessary to defray the ordina ry expenses of the sUte government have been applied to the payment of the state debt As a result, it has been greatly re duced. On the 30th of November, lSiv, after deducting the assets in the sinking fund, the public debt was only $-5t,-413.75. I do not know bow much it has been reduced during the past six years, but the amount must have been consid erable. "The purpose of the Republican party has been not only to relieve local taxa tion, but to ail and extend the cause of education. Since it came into power it has need all honorable means to strength en our common school system. It will be noticed by the figures following that there has been a steady increase in the state appropriations for school purposes. It follsws, as of course, that as tbe state appropriations hsve been increased tbe local burdens for school purposes have been correspondingly lessened. During ths three years immediately proceeding the election of Governor Curtin, in 160, the legislature appropriated for schools ss follows: In IsoS, $230,000; in 1S59, $250,000; in lStW, $230,000. These sums included tbe salaries paid to county su perintendents. 1.1 THS Al sg OF EDCCATlOS. "Now let us see what hss been done in tbe csuae of education in some of ths years is which the Republicans are re sponsible for the legislation : Is V-wand iMi, (tacit Tear Il.00C.0lO In 17 And Iw, each year l.iJiOUO In ! Asd l-, each .000.000 In ll And w; each year . &.ou.ooo "This shows sn annual increase of $4, 720,000 over the years ISM, 1359 and InM, snd to that extent in this item alone has real estate bees relieved. "Again, prior to 1&-S ths indigent in sane sad been supported by tbe local au: horities, but as the state debt melted swsy and the taxes of the great corpora tions increased it was believed that tbe state could well afford to assist in the care and maintenance of the unfortunate poor. By sn act approved June 13, the expense of the care aji JrtreaLxeut of the indi,rent insane was J .i-ieJ betset a the count.es and the state. Neither par ty can claim exclusive credit for t'uis act, bevause in lsi.l the law making det-art-ments of the state were divided between the two parties. From tnis ae-t ereat re j lief fca come to the townships an 1 coun ties. The amount pai l by the state Jt the year ending Nov. lj", a? approt- ed by the report of tiie auditor general, was ft'.is.'i'vJ.Oo. "In a generaljway the constant trend of legislation ,has been to put more re sponsibilities upon ths stats, snd to that extent townships, cities and counties have been aided, and the overburdened real estate has been agisted. It is self evident that it takes just so much money to sustain the local, municipal and state governments. Tbe more you add to ths state, the leas you collect from the others. In the two items of common schools and indirect insane ths state now pays j-V 400,000 annually. To that extent, .very acre of land in the broad comsionw ealta is correspondingly benefited, and to that extent are the farmers of Pennsylvania, relieved of the burden of taxation. "Ia addition to ail these things, the state has been from year to year extend ing her benefactions in the building and maintaining hospitals for miners and persons injured from many causes. In this way many hundreds of thcu.-nJs cf dollars annually have been and are be ing expended by the state which goto aid persons who but for that would hav to be supported by the local authorities. Every one admits that in the language o section 1 of srtie'e 9, of the contitution, taxation ought to be eqoal. That as the bleating of the government are shared by all, so should its burdens be equally borne by ail, TAtl.V.i THE .-OBFVRATIiS. -Since an honest effort has been made to make - personal and corporate property pay more taxes than they di l hitherto. As tor back as 1M an act was passed imposing a tx upon moneyed capital. Everyone knows that the act was practically a dead letter. Prior to 1S5 the w hole personal property assess ed and returned was only $H",0i.s.i;Xi. The first year under the act of!-t"th return was $.'195,000,000, and increase cf $J.V.iX.i,0l.) in the first year. The prop er enforcement of subsequent legislation j ought to bring msny millions more from j their hiding places. "The act of l&U increased the tax on mortgages and moneys owing by sol vert debtors from three mills to four mills. ! It also raised the tax upon the capital i stock of banks, railroads and other cor- po rations from three mills to five mills. It is easily seen that since 1S53 the leg islation directed by the Republican party has been in the line of the equalization : of the public burdens. Since that time j ail real estate has been relieved from : state taxation, trades, occupations and professions have been exempted, as well ss have horses and cattle. "At the same time mountains of the public debt have rapidly melted away. By the ail given and being given to com mon schools and the insane poor the real estate of tbe commonwealth has been aided more than $5,000,ji annually. Surely that is a record of which any par ty has a right to be proud. A party which has a right to ak the continued confidence and support efthe people. SO FARMtB -HHi.'H OPn-E .il.-, OK morris jn. "I have my own notions of tax e-i'iali-zation, w bile the course of the party and its k-gialation has for a quarter of a cen tury tended steadily toward fairness in taxation. Yet speaking for my-e! and myself alone, we have not reached the point where the public burdens fail alike t upon ail classes of property and upon ail classes of persons. -1 hope soon to see the day when every kind of property in the state which is owned and held for profit shall not ou'.y be alike protected, but at same time shall be subjected to ita fair share of tie public burdens, and that without re-iird to whether the property is owned by a corporation or private individual, and no matter whether it be reil or whether it be personal. "Permit me to say in conclusion that I can see no reason why any real estate owner or farmer should vote against ouf most excellent state ticket So far bis benefits have corns from the Republican party. He has had no benetit from any other sources, lie can reasonably and hopefully look to it to remedy any un fairness and irregularity which now ex ists in reference to the distribution sf the public burdens." Perplexing a Lawyer. A case was on trial in s country court A horse had been stolen from a pasture, and the evidence ail pointed to a cer tain doubtful character of the neighbor hood as the culprit Though his guilt seersed clear, be had found a lawyer to undertake k is defense. At the trial the defendant's attorney expended his en- I ergy in trying to confuse and frighten the opposing witnesses, especially a 'eer- j Uin farner whose testimony was partic- ularly damaging. The lawyer kept up s fireof questions asking many fooiiah ones aad repeating himself sain and again, in the hope of decoying tbe witness into a contradiction. " You say," the lawyer went on, " that you can sw ear to having seen this man drives horse past your farm on the day in question?" " I can," replied the witness, wearily, for he had already answered the question a dozen times. " What time was thisT " I toid you that it was a'jout the mid dle of the forenoon." " But I don't want any ' about or any 'middles. I want von to tell the jury 1 exactly the time." " VhT." said the farmer. I don't al ways carry a gold watch with tae when I'm diggiug potatoes." " But you have a clock is the house haven't you T " Yes." " Well, what time was it by that?" " Why, by that clock it was just VJ min utes past 10." - You were in the fieid ail the morn ing T" went on the lawyer, smiling sugstestively. -I was." "How far from the house is this field r "Abonthalf a mile." " You swear, do you, that by the clock in your house it was exactly I'J minutes past 10 r " I do." The lawyer paused snd looked at the jsry triumphantly ; at last he bad en trapped the witness into s contradictory statement that would greatly weaken his testimony. " I think that will do," he said, with a wave of his hand ; I tun quite through with yon." Ths farmer leisurely picked up his hat and started to leave the witness stand ; then turning slowly about, be slow !y add ed : " I ought, perhaps, to ssy that too much reliance should not be placed upon that clock, as it got out of gear about sis months sgo, and it's been Vi minutes past ten ever since." 'Wo. T'u. 1 ; i 1 i I r 3 lii ! ; i I
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers