Republican News Item. CHAS. J.. WING, Editor and Manager- THURSDAY JAN. 13, 1398. "FIRST ©F ALL—THE NEWS." The News Item Fights Fair. IT IS A PATRIOTIC HOME NEWSPAPER. Published Every Friday Morning. By The Sullivan Publishing Co. At the County Seat of Sullivan County. IiAPOBTE, PA. Entered at the Post Office at Laporte, as . second-class mail matter. SUBSCRIPTION —SI.SO per annum. If paid in advance SIOO. Sample copies free. All communications should be nd dressed to REPUBLICAN NEWS ITEM, Laporte Pa., ACCURACY IN GUNNERY. The Degree Attainable it Something; Yet to be Determined. The degree of accuracy attainable In modern naval gunnery in actual war fare is something yet to be determined. With the exception of the battle of the Yalu during the Chino —Japanese war, there had been no opportunity for finding out what might be ac complished at long range by a modern gun, mounted on so un stable a platform as the deck of a rolling vessel; and the value of the Yalu fight as an object lesson in this respect was impaired by the relatively unskilled character of the gunners. Certain it is that while death and de struction were meted out all around in that encounter, an enormous amount of ammunition was used up in the work. The bombardment of Alexan dria by the British fleet in the early eighties afforded none of the conditions of a sea fight, since the vessels were at anchor in practically smooth water and their target certainly was immova ble enough; and even there the expen diture of powder and shell was out of all proportion to the damage inflicted. The point has recently been made, however, that after all, it is astonish ing that a ship is ever struck by a pro jectile from a gun, and that there is probably more luck than cunning in the art of modern naval warfare. In a lecture at the United States Naval War College, at Newport, Prof. Alger, a short time ago, stated, for example, that at a convenient fighting distance, say 2,000 yards, a modern battleship, like the Indiana, of the United States Navy, appears to be of the same size as a picture of her, eight-tenths of an inch long, held at the point of clear vision about fourteen inches from the eye, while the outlines of the real ship will be much less clear and distinct than those of the picturs. The height would, of course, appear to be still less so that the difiicuity of hitting such a target, even with the ship at rest and the gun in a fort, instead of both mov ing more or less rapidly, can be appre ciated at least to some extent. The el ement of luck must truly enter largely into effective fire under such condi tions. —Cassier's Magazine. How to Goto Sl«ep. At the recent meeting in Montreal of the British Medical Association, in the section of therapeutics, Dr. J. B. Learned, of Northampton, Mass.. gave his experience with the many methods of inviting sleep with out taking drugs. He sets the brain to work at once on re tiring—it is to direct the respiratory process. It is to count respirations to see that they are fewer in number, reg ular, deep and somewhat protracted. In addition, certain groups of muscles are employed in routine order in silent contraction. By constant change oth er groups are brought into use. He has completed a systematized routine of contractions and relaxations. A slight elevation of the head from the pillow for a definite time by count of respirations is one of the many chang es in position. All this is without any commotion, and ne«d not be recognized by a sleeping companion. Brain and muscle and all parts of the body soon come into the normal state that pre cedes and invites sleep. A sense of fatigue soon overtakes one while thus employed, and before he is aware the brain has forgotten its duty to regulate the breathing process, the muscles have ceased to expand to the call made upon them in the beginning, and sleep is in control of all the forces and all the organs. Peers In Traile. Two peers carry on the trade of mill; men in London, and there is also a ti tled fruiterer. He is no other than the Earl of Harrington, who keeps a shop at the Trafalgar Square end of White hall. His lordship's name is not up but he acknowledges the connection by calling the establishment "Elvaston,' after his castle in Derbyshire. The windows, too, are placarded with the frank announcement that the fruit Is "from our own gardens." Great St renictli of Flail. The most prodigious power of muscle is exhibited by fish. The whale moves with a velocity through a dense medi um of water that would carry him, ii continued, rounu the world in some thing less than a fortnight, and a sword fish lias been known to strike his weapon clean through the oab plank of a ship. Tropical Looking; Ke*tuuiant. Go where you may among the finei : restaurants and dining rooms of New York you will find the tables shadowed ty huge artificial palms, growing out ' of moss The fashion has spread in i every direction, and gives these resorts j n certain tropical appearance. STATE POLITICS. The So-Calleil Itusiuess Men's League Stands Unmasked. ITS PRESENT OCCUPATION. Aiding the Most Corrupt Political Machine in America. PHILADELPHIA VIEWS 0? IT. A Scorching Editorial In The Inquirer, tUo Lending Republican Newspaper tu Pennsylvania—Some Interesting Facts Coucornlng a Political Con spiracy In Which Two High Stato Officials Are Now Encaged. (Special Correspondence.) Philadelphia, Jan. 10.—Now that the holidays are over the political leaders are turning their attention to the gu bernatorial struggle, and incidentally to the probable nominees for the legisla ture and the election of a United States senator. That picturesque and wholly insincere organization known as the Philadelphia branch of the Business Men's League has taken off the mask in this city, and now stands revealed as the respectable ally of the most offen sive political dictator that ever cursed a free American city. This organization, which claims to represent decency in politics, has be come the supporter of the most corrupt political machine that exists anywhere in the United States, with the possible exception of Tammany Hall. You may fool all of the people some of the time, and some of the people all the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time. This grotesque attempt to serve the devil in the livery of Heaven is not likely to succeed in an enlightened com munity such as Pennsylvania, where the people have free schools and are reared in a manner that enables them to take care of themselves. A mere list of men who are controlling factors In this concern that failed in its attempt to place John Wanamaker in the United States senate is of interest. The first is Thomas Dolan, the presi dent of the United Gas Improvement company, a concern that has just grabbed up the gas works of this city against the protests of the citizens. It was Wayne MacVeagh who said that every councilman who voted for this ordinance would have branded across his fore head in undying letters these words: II II fr || "Bribed by the Rich lo II ii Hob the Poor." II ji ii 1 r Dolan is the president of this com pany; Wanamaker one of its stockhold ers. Indeed, Mr. Wanamaker urged councils to make the lease to his com pany. Then comes Rudolph Blanken burg, who made a speech favoring the lease, and finally E. A. Van Valkenberg and Frank Willing Leach. Lieach is a man who in his brief lifetime has been on every side of the political fence. He has been against Quay, for Quay, and then against Quay. He deserted the senator about two years ago because the Beaver statesman refused to make him chairman of the Repuoucan state committee. Then he took charge of Wanamaker's campaign, and tile result was Wanamaker's overwhelming ae feat. Leach has failed in every political move he has made since he left Quay. It is well for the people of the state to know who are the conspicuous mem bers, leaders and attaches of this bogus reform concern. In order that the real feeling of the people may be known It ! will be interesting to quote from edito- ■ rials that have appeared in the Pliila- ' delphia papers within the last dayor so. j The Inquirer, which is regarded as the ! leading Republican paper in Pennsyl- ; van!a, says: "We read in a combine newspaper ■ that the so-called Business Men's League of this city has held another I meeting. It is noted that the most con- ; spicuous members present were the fol- i lowing: "Rudolph Blankenburg, chairman of the executive committee and advocate j of the gas grab. Mr. Blankenburg ap peared before the councilmanic com- j mittee and made an address in favor of : the practical gift of the works to the United Gas Improvement company, un der the terms of which we are saddled i <"or thirty years with high priced gas. "Thomas Dolan, president of the con cern, who will line his pockets with the vast prolits which should go into the ! city treasury, and thus keep down the : tax rate. "E. A. Va% Valkenberg, of Van Val- j kenberg unsavoriness. "Such a combination in politics ought to appeal to the patriotism of the peo- : pie of Philadelphia in this terse but ex- ! pressive platform: "What will be left worth having after we get through?" The Philadelphia Times, which has j been one of the main supporters of this : fake organization, says: "The Business Men's League of this city may not iind in the anti-combine organization its political Ideal, but when it assails only that side of the factional disturbance in Philadelphia, and throws its whole power In favor of the lobby leaders who use the contributions of the very men who are in the Business Men's League to betray Republican candidates for congress and other po sitions when it is the interest of polit ical masters to do so, it confesses its ■vant of fidelity to its professions, and nust fail to make itself felt in guiding !he Republican party of city and state 'o better political conditions. "These are not pleasant truths to -.tate lo the Republicans who are onnected with the Business Men's eague of this city, but it is the truth, id they should look it in the face and illy understand it. They have a great •iportunlty. There is great need for •ie action of just such men as are irgely prominent in the organization, but they are today in a false position before the Republicans ot both city and state, and if they would accom plish substantial good they must re form their lines before they are sum moned to action in the great struggle ot 1898." • * • j There are indications that two state , officers who now occupy high positions j paying fat salaries at Harrisburg are trying to control the nomination for I governor by frequent references to the I Delamater campaign, and warning the | people that It will be repeated unless i these conspirators are allowed to choose i their own candidate. . Unfortunate as that campaign was, | its result was largely to be attributed to these same individuals. These men, for their own selfish purposes, devised the plot and provided the money and newspaper publications necessary to poison the public mind against Dela mater In 1890. They circulated false hoods and made deals which defeated the Republican ticket; they knew they were falsehoods at the time they uttered them. They charged fraud at i the Republican primary elections In certain counties, and when new pri maries were about to be called in these ; counties they prevented these elec tions, which would huve disclosed the falsity of their claims. Delamater ; weakly agreed to their pleading, and then they laughed and went on lying. These men were concerned in worse things than have been alluded to dur ing that campaign, and the proof is full and complete. They then climbed into fat offices at the hands of the Republi can party, and from their snug re treats are now firing from ambush and spreading lies in pursuance of their i new plot. They speak through a Phila- 1 delphia newspaper. They have a candi- j date of their own, whom they intend j to spring upon the party as the only , Moses who can lead out of the difficul- ; ties which they are now trying to j create. • * * There was published in this corre- ! spondence some weeks ago a story j about Congressman Stone, of Alleghe- ( ny, enforcng the right of an old Penn sylvania soldier to sit on one of the j benches in the rotunda of the Capitol, j The publication of the incident has at- ; traded great attention throughout the j state, and Colonel Stone has been in j receipt of many letters of congratu- I lation from old soldiers all over Penn- ; sylvanla. These letters have thanked him for looking after the interes. s of a j crippled soldier. Among the letters ! received by him was one from past Judge Advocate General William H. Redheffer, of Philadelphia, enclosing a set of resolutions passed by Encamp ment No. 2, Union Veteran Legion, last Tuesday. The resolutions read: "Resolved, That the thanks of all veterans of the late war are due and owing their fellow comrade, Hon. Will iam A. Stone, for his prompt and pa triotic actions on Dec. 8, 1897, in de manding and securing for a fellow vet eran the undisputed right of use and occupancy of the public benches sit uated in the rotunda of the Capitol at Washington, D. C., thereby enforcing a recognition not only of the proper re pect due a fellow veteran, but of his rights and privileges as an American citizen. "Resolved, That our comrade, Hon. William A. Stone, by his gratuitous and prompt action in the premises has earned and 1h entitled to our highest admiration and esteem. "Resolved, That Encampment No. 2, | Union Veteran Legion, recognizing and I In appreciation of Comrade William A. Stone in the premises, hereby extend ; to him our sincere, gratetul and heart- , felt thanks." T. M. A. " The Rev. A. C. Dixon of Brooklyn, hits a striking way of fixing the atten tion of his hearers upon the idea he j seeks to impress. These expressions : from a recent sermon Illustrate: "Delusions will sooner or later bring I unhappiness." "We are fruit trees. Christianity is j an orchard, not a forest. The Chris tian is known not by his height or big ness, but by his fruit." "When a man says he is broad on j the ten commandments, keep your hand on your pocket book. If he is I .iroad on the comm. nd, "Thau shult not ! teal," he s a rogue; or broad on the command, 'Thou shalt not lie,' he is i liar." "Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all other things ! shall be added.' Some men who have j sought the other things think because the;' have gained all things eUe, the kingdom will be added." "Do your righteousness before God 1 and not before men. Live before God. I preached two sermons once on living ! carefully before the people. I burnt them up. They burnt well, for they I were very dry. I never expect to ; preach them again. If you live right ; before God, you may be careless as to how you live before any one else." His sermons are delightful poems j and the poems are full of wisdom. ratrnitUe Germans Only. The population of Antwerp includes 20,000 Germans, who, it is said, buy their goods of German merchant! on'" 1 Very fine thorough-bred Bured Plymouth | Rock birds for sale. These are dandies, it will pay you to get them for breeding. Come and see tliem or send for circular, Also F-PRS for Hatching: Fine Bared riy- . mouth Rocks, White Plymouth Rocks. Black Ma noreas. Buff Leghorns, White Leghorns, and Black-red Games. All line thorough bred birds. S. H. BURROWS, Picture Rooks. I (Gut tlili out for rofereuoc.) Bronchitis but extremely good for the sufferer from that harassing disease is Dr. Ayer's Cherry Pectoral. No medi cine can compare with this great remedy in the prompt and perma nent aid it gives in all bronchial affections. It stops the cough, soothes the irritated throat, and in duces refreshing sleep. "I had a bronchial trouble of such a per sistent and stubborn character that the doc tor pronounced it incurable with ordinary remedies, but recommended rae to try Ayer's Cherry Pectoral. One bottle cured me." J. C. WOODSON, P. M., Forest Kill, W. Va. "A short time ago I was taken with a severe attack of bronchitis, and neither phy sicians nor ordinary remedies gave me relief. In despair of finding anything to cure me, I bought a bottle of Ayer's Cherry Pectoral. Less than one bottle entirely cured me." GEO. B. HUNTER, Altoona, Pa. Ager's (]l!errg Pedum now put up in half-size bottles at half price—so cents. Fall g Winter Goods You are invited to come here and inspect our new stock of Fall and Winter Goods which is by far the choicest collection consid ering style and quality for the price, ever this store asked people to look at. vVinler Weight Underware for Men, Women and Children. In conjunction with the inviting varities, all prices will be found more than ordinarily small. Grocery Department A new and fresh sup ply of Groceries have have just arrived. Vernon Hull, Hillsgrove, Fa. I am now putting up EAVE TROUGHS that will not rust. Send nie your order or write for prices. !'CUNNINGHAM'S HARDWARE STORE DXJSHORE. BO YEARS' ™ /.ll], 1 1 I 4 L I 1 TRADE MARKS DESIGNS r COPYRIGHTS AC. Anyone sending a sketch and description may quickly ascertain our opinion free whether ar invention Is probably patentable. Communis tions strictly confidential. Handbook on Patent sent free. Oldest agency for securing patents. Patents taken through Munu A Co. recelvi special notice, without charge. In the Scientific American. A handsomely Illustrated weekly. Largest clr culatlon of any scientific Journal. Terms. »S a year: four months 91. Sold by all newsdealers. MUNN & Co. 3618r0,dw " New York Branch Office. 626 F St., Washington, D. C. Free Meal Afflce Do you understand just what Dr. J. C. Ayer'a medicines will di> for you? Are they helping you as fast as you think they Write to our doctor. lie will answer all questions, &".d g'.vo you the best medical advice, absolutely free. Address the J. C. Ayer Co., Lowell, Masa. W.L.Hoffman's = HILLSGROVE Three Big Stores- MUNCY VALLEY, PROCTOR, PA. January Clearance Selling If you are looking for the bargains of the year go at once to any of the above named stores where former values and prices are practically lost sight of in our determined efforts to dispose of the largest and best line of DRY GOODS and NOTIONS ever brought to this County. Extraordinary line of CORSETS The lady who wishes the latest styles combined with high grade and half the old price should call and select from the complete line of sizes. Unprecedented values given at these stores this a onth. JENNINGS BROS. I 1 Hlt'd o 1 coins mid i" pes 10 whirl) we are p'ea>-ed to CM 11 vour spreial ntu-i tien. We do nut pretc dto handle tlie cheapest contf in t'.e market. litu »e d< pay we have the BEST ami neatest titling parmente nuide. Our coats and capes are made to order, and in tlie laieet atyles with prices to*int every bod v. IN DRESS GOODS WE WERE NEVER BETTER PREPARED TO PLEASE YOU THAN AT THE PRESENT, AS WE HAVE THE LARGEST AS SORTMEVR IN THAT LINE EVER DISPLAY ED IN THE COUNTY. Ladies and M'.sses, Boys and Men, you need not go hall frozen this winter for we lave plenty of underwear for you all, both in cotton or wool, ted or gray and the pr ces are very i which we invite your attention. The buying ol cmniry produce has alwavi-been a "penal lenture of ou Rusin. j s», and we still continue in paying tlie highest each pi ices lor Butter G. SYLVARA, DUSHORE, PA. fix - RIGHT IN EVERY ft TI V". PARTICULAR. T" : *•* AT The suit of clothes or over- M ) coat you buy here fits you perfectly |j j and looks well, no matter in what |'j J j j j-J ' position you stand or sit. |! | ! If i;\ Our clothing is made to fit men r'fT"# '/< /!\ as they are, not as they might be. p:| vu 11 {M If it doesn't fit at first, we alter it |/ j y until it does fit. Everything the Vi\ vjii latest in style, of the most worthy jtf O w v fabrics, and tailored in the most <• perfect manner. nd we have avery thing you could wish in Clothing and Gents Furnishing Goods HATS, CAPS, TRUNKS, and MACKINTOSHES. ginseng root 1 wool. SHOES: We are selling better shoes than were ever sold in this section' of the county before at half the usnai profits. Every price we quote is the lowest. HARRY HERR SLCO., MUNCY VALLEV - PA - I