Republican News Item. ,THURSDAY,.J UNE 28, 1900. J Ignorance is the mother of 4 T scepticism. Ignorance does \ # not abound to any great extent J # in Sullivan County. V £ So that there # £ is But Little $ i Scepticism £ J about the Value of * tzbe Iftews i ITtent i 4 As a f'rofliable J * JHbvcvttsino t \ JTDebUtnt. J 5 £ Read it, Your neighbor does. ? 112 Subscribe, Don't borrow. # 112 County Seat Indices. AND GLANCES AT THE TIMES. —Miss Lorena Litzelman is visit ing her parents at Dushore. —A- L. Lovelace of Nordmont, had business in Laporte 011 Monday. —Brady Worthing of Muncy Val ley, spent Sunday with friends in town. —A party of Lopez young people took dinner at the Commercial Hotel 011 Sunday. —Mrs. C.P. Walker of New York, is the guest of Mrs. S. Mead at Point View. —Mrs. 11. T. Downs has returned home from Williamsport, for the Summer. —Miss Frycklund, sister of He v. Frycklund, is visiting in town for a few weeks. —A. F. lleess, of Dushore, tran sacted business between trains in town Tuesday. Mrs. Chas. Wackenhuth and son,of Picture llocks, visited with Laporte friends last week. —Miss Grace Lawrence, who has been teaching at Lopez, returned home last week. —Next week is printers' vacation week consequently there will be 110 NEWS ITEM issued. Clive Bohn of Dushore,was taking , in the sights at Laporte and Eagles , Mere on Sunday. —Miss Fannnie Little has return ed home after spending a pleasant 1 week at Sheriff Osiers. —Henry Upman has accepted a position as clerk in the grocery store ot .Mr. Kelirer at Eagles Mere. 1 —lce Cream will be served at the Baptist Church Parlors during the day and evening of July 4. —Miss IL Lou Corson of Glen Mawr, who has been spending a few weeks in town, returned home Tues day morning. —Clarence Hess of Nordmont,who has been attending the Bloomsburg Normal, is renewing old acquain tances in town this week. —Jean Gautier, a Laporte town- 1 ship charge,was taken to the Asylum 1 at Danville on Monday. Overseer 1 Philip Peterman and Sheriff Osier were the officers in charge. 1 —ltev. J. B. Adams of Picture ; Rocks, will preach in the Baptist church at this place, Sunday evening 1 at 8 o'clock. The public is cordially : invited the service. 1 —Miss Rosa Upman returned ; home last week from Philadelphia where she has been spending the 1 past winter. —-The Ladies Aid of the M. E. church will sell ice cream at the res idence of Mrs. C. E. Grimm, Satur day evening, June 80. —There'is to be a basket pic nic | 011 the Fourth of July in the Lake Mokoma Grove, chiefly for children accompanied by parents and friends. A pleasant time is anticipated. Late arrivals at the Mountain House for the summer are Mr. J. Milton Titlow and wife of Philadel phia; Mrs. H. L. Bolliuan, MissS.F. Butler, Mrs. J. M. Hastings of West Chester, Pa. —The assault made upon Judge Metzger by Atty. Edwards, an ac count of which appeared in our last issue, has been agreeably settled by Mr. Edwards appearing in court and offering complete and satisfactory apology which was accepted by the venerable Judge. —Mrs. H. G. Willsou returned home on Wednesday from a visit with frinds in Williameport. —l)i*. Wa'kanhu 'i ml Mr. Jud. Burrows of Picture llocks, arrived in town Monday in search of the speckled beauties. They returned the following day with a large catch, as some of their friends had been en gaged with the rod and line the day previous. Their stories are original however. —Postal Clerk Chas. Yeager spent Sunday with his family at this place. The present mail service on the \V. &N. B. is thought will last for some length of time and in this event Mr. Veager is contemplating moving to llughesville. The Hail road Company take a great interes in that quiet little village and are certainly doing their share to build up the place and give it a mail ser vice equal to any city. Bernice Echoes. A petition i-. being circulated here asking for a new school building. Thanks to the man that started it, for if there is a town in the county that needs a new school building, this is one. We have the largest number of children of any town in the county and yet have the poorest accomodations. School houses are the headlights to civilization; then let us keep them trimed and burning. Thos. Payne went to Philadelphia last week to have an operation per formed. The S. L. A- S Coal Company have let the contract for putting down 5 bore holes on some of their coal land. —Mr. and Mrs. Joel Saxon spent several days at Philadelphia last week. They also called at West Chester to visit their son Gordon who is attending school there. Mrs. L. C. lJoyd, of New York, was the guest of Mr. and Mrs. 11. W. Taylor the latter part of the week. Flem O'Brien visited his parents at Dushore Sunday. Chrrge of Judge Metr.ger in the Case ot Commonwealth va John G. Scouten on an Indictment for Criminal Libel. Gknti.kmkn ok the Jruv: This is a prosecution for libel. The defendant in this case, John G.Scout en, is charged in this indictment, in the lirst count, with having publish ed a libel 011 Conrad Kraus, who was an associate judge of this court but who is now dead, by a caricature con tained in a paper published by him in partnership with a man by the name of Hugo; and in the second count he is also charged with libel 011 the same Conrad Kraus, by hav ing published certain matters in ref erence to his salary and mileage, and certain comments that he made thereon. You will observe that the publi cation of this libel is concerning a person who held public position—a public otllcial— and therefore is some what different from the publication of scandalous matters in reference to a private citizen. For instance, the character of a private citizen can not be assailed with impunity, and even the truth may not avail the defendant in the case of the publica tion of a libel of and concerning a private citizen, although we find that newspapers nowadays do publish many of those things which they have certainly no right to do. But when we come to a public otllcial they do have a right to fairly criti cise their otllcial conduct so long as they do not do it maliciously or neg ligently; that is to say, they have a right to make a fair criticism on the conduct of an officer who holds a public position, and this results from the fact tl at the entire public is in terested ii.the doing of their public servants. Therefore where a publi cation of that kind is made and is the subject of the libel, the first question is whether the matter published concerning the officer was a matter for public information, because un der the constitution of Pennsylvania although lie may publish it yet he still must not do so, even by way of criticism if it is a matter not proper for public information. There has been an Act of Assembly recently passed which makes it the duty of the court to determine that question, whether the subject matter of the libel complained of is a matter prop er for public information. And up on that point we say to you that we think the subject matter of the libel in this case was a matter proper for public information; that is the public had a right to know, and any party had a right to communicate to the public the matters that were com municated in this libel so far as relates to the salary and mileage drawn by the associate judges. The entire public was interested therein, lit was proper that they should be informed of the facts. There is, I however, a difference between the two counts In this indictment. You might find that in the one case the publication wjis properly made, in a proper manner, while In the other case you might lind that, it was an improper publication, rtiade in an improper manner, although.the sub ject matter of it might have l>een proper for public information. We will explain that more frilly to you further on. The defendant in this case it ap pears, is a joint proprietor with Mr. Hugo in a paper published at Du shore in this county, kiipwn as the Sullivan County llerald. There is 110 dispute about tlds fact, and there is also no dispute about the fact, for the defendant's own testimony shows it, that on the 21 si of June ISiil), the article complained of in the indict ment and the caricature complained jofln it were published. By the ; publication we mean not only that it I was printed but that it was given to the public, or at least was received by parties other than tho-=e connect ed with the press that published it. And there were a number of witness es called who were subscribers, who had received this papar and read the article, hence the publication seems to have been proven. The next question that would arise is whether the matter as published is libelous. Now, so far as the subject matter is concerned, we have already said that that was matter proper for pub lication, and that in itself it would not be libelous. Whether it becomes so by reason of the comments made upon it In the article published, or by reason of the caricature which was intended to illustrate the article, 1 presume is a matter wholly for your determination, and with that the Court has nothing to do. But we will give you the rules that we think you will have to be governed by and to which you must apply the facts in order to ascertain whether it was a libelous article, published 111 the manner which it has been published. Although a matter may be proper for public information, yet it does not follow that because it is of that character, it can be made the pretext for defaming and villifying a man, and therefore where the article on its face would show an improper motive, and would show upon its face that it was intended to defame and bring into ridicule and contempt the party, without having any justi fiable motive for it other than a vin dictive one—l mean if the article 011 its face would exhibit those indica tions—then you would say that it was libelous, although it was a mat ter proper for public information. Again, where the matter is, as this is, proper for public information,you must be satisfied, as 1 said before, before you can convict, that it was done maliciously or negligently. I have already adverted to one way of determining whether there was malice, and that is from the face of the article. If you find such intrin sic evidence in the article itself as to lead you to believe that the motive was an improper one, and that lie was act uated by the impulse to injure the party rather than subserve the public good, from that you may infer malice, or malice may be proven. That is, the Commonwealth may prove express malice hy actually showing by witnesses that the publi cation was prompted by ill feelings toward the party concerning whom it was published,and malice is really sometimes as well proved by circum stances as it is by actual, express and positive testimony. Xow, there would be 110 difficulty in arriving at the conclusion that the matter was malicious if you have express testi mony, and it was uncontradicted, that the party did it out of revenge. Such statements if uncontradicted would of themselves indicate that of course it was a malicious article. Then, even though it might not be malicious, yet it might be libelous If negligently made and was not true. A newspaper has no more right than anybody else to publish a matter so carelessly and negligently that it will tend to reflect upon and injure the party, unless there is a good founda tion for the allegations that it makes. If a man has no reasonable grounds to believe that the charges are true he has no right to publish them,even though it be a criticism of a public officer, because while the party pub lishing the matter is protected so far as he Is honest anil gives a fair, honest criticism, the reputation of the other party is equally protected against dishonest and revengeful feelings which might inspire the writing and publishing of and con cerning him of scandalous matter. Coutiuued in Next Issue. S2IOOJN PREMIUMS I Write for elrcular explaining how w# jMP* will distribute 92100 In premiums, without JVELI any coat or without any lottery scheme to customers. Our carpet agents are making A JK'ii to 1300 »o can you— wdte for L Am} particulars, fll OarTLlthographoa 1 Catalogue, shows the " Famous Maryland" | Carpets, AKugs, * Art Hquares, Portieres, Lace Curtains and Bed ' Sets In their 001. H so that by looking these platee Ton exactly - KB how a oarpet will look IB on your floor or a dra* pery at your window. Carpets range In price from 32c to $1.17: We H carpets free, fur lining without charge. aud prepay freight. tf> Our 804 page cata- I rWEAß^il^^^BfH. At A. Buschhausen's. A nice fresh lot of oranges, lemons and bannanas at J. W. Buck's. if its Dold's its the best. We handle Dold's smoked meats exclu sively at A. Buschhausen's. Mr. James McFarlane is agent for the Celebrated Pitkin Paint and Specialties. This is the oldest mix ed paint manufactory in America and their goods are guaranteed not to chalk, crack or peel oil' when properly applied and to last longer than any mixture of Trust Lead and Oil. Executors Notice. Kstate of Philip deed ol Laporte township. Notice is hereby given that letters testa-; mentary upon the estate ol said Philip decedent have been granted to the undersigned. All persons knowing them selves indebted to said estate are requested to make immediate payment, and those having claims or demands against the same will make them known without delay to lIENIIY KARGK, Laporte. Straw hats for sale at J.W. Buck's store, Sonestown. £ ASK YOUR DEALER * m FOR THE 5 l£reighton | | Shoe Ladies. * S ... WARRANTED. ... * 1 n $2.00 UJL $2.50 * $3.001 m PAIR. * $ Perfect Fitting, Best Wearing and JjJ j SMost Iff liable Shoe sold• (ft For seventeen years our product has beeii a m Standard Shoe for Women, and is to-day con- yj m ceded to be one of the most reliable and thor- T oufhly honest lines of Ladies' Footwear on W 2 the American market. Sold through our au- J thonsed Agents. All styles, sizes and widths. W* I •• S ff Bold exclusively by | Mrs. D. H. LORAH. t S SONESTOWN, PA. jft 1 NADI BY I f. I. mm * to. * i VN - ASS j # None genuine tin- v V>LFX|tfiCL« a, m less t%ey bear tk.s 1* * 5 TRA DE-MA RK - 5 * . stamped on Sole. wp«fIMW«TH>. II fil II 4VJTo NTENT Good Ideas IiII It 1 M may be secured by It 111 IV 1 Li ■ our aid. AddreßS. lu klil ■ ■ THE PATENT RECORD. Baltimore. Md. Bubacrlptlons to The Patent Record *I.IXI per annum. To Cora Conatlpatlou Forever. Take Cascarets Candv Cathartic. 10c or 250. II C. C. C. fail to cure, druggists refund money ■•w Are Your Kidneys t Or. Hobb.'Hpanuua Pills cure all kidney ills. Sam pi* frea Add. Sterling Remedy Co., Cbioago or N. V Campbell. merchant. ■mi mmmm—rnamu iiam VfVI99OO LADIES. 1 have just returned from the city with a magnificent new line of Spring ami Hummer Dry <«oods, Notions and Ladies Furnishing CJootls. b Everything of the Latest I 'lease call ami examine, the prices ale right. Don't fail lo look over tin: Bin-gain I'ounter, it will interest you GENTS. I lK.vcj,,,i m viv,,u I. : . ,H| d * Seed, also a car ol Hovvkers Fertilizer and the prices , 1 v OU »ni t ,i,, i^t ■V Al '- 11 y.ii vviint; 1 ytl.injr itl (j,.,,,.,..,! Meirl..iiuli« 1 can "U|l|.|Y yr.ll MI ill,- !..«,• 1 JIO.XI l»le J.rice. HIGHEST Market Price paid for Butter and Eggs. very ri'Hj.i c: hilly A . CAMPBELL. CUbaf $12.00 w^ y The above named price on several hundred Very Swell, Very Pretty, Excellent Suits. The fabrics are pure wool in fancy patterned clothing as well asjplain ami lilue; shapes ol'ooats are single'or doul.le l.reasteil, and [the entire appearance and serviceability of these suits are equal lo any which you may have made to measure al There is a reason uh v we sell thene ut< at this low price, but it concerns you not, it has no bearing on quality or price. There are rich pickings lor early comers. This is an opor tun ity which should not be lost. 0" W CABOLL. Block. Carro " DIT.KHOKK, F LAPORTE Clothing Store. WE'RE PREPARED WITH A VFRY LARGE STOCK oF Clothing, Shoes and Gents' Fine Furnishing Goods Etc., and a Very Large Variety of the Finest Ladies' Wear for Spring and Summer. We are able to oiler you a good many articles cheaper than the cost of making tliein. Men's suits at 2.7."., ."..no up to 10.00; made in the latest styles. Youth'.- suits at 2.f»tl, "i.oo and S.OO are the finest qualities. Childrens'suits at 1.25, 1.50 and 2.00 Men's fine shoes i»se, 1.25, 1.5(1, up to 4.00. Ladeis' shoes 90e up to .'I.OO. JOE COOP R, The Clothier. CLOTHING ! £}»£}» ier, XZ33S*— Of LAPORTE, Desires lo call the attention ol' buyers of clothing to the tact that he represents The American Woolen Mills Company, Chicago, in this locality, the Worlds Largest Tailors, and that lie has a lull line of* Fall ami Winter Samples of suits, pants and overcoats, in all styles and at prices that will defy competition. Also a full line of ladies and gentlemen's Water proof < loods. < all and examine his line of goods and prices before purchasing elsewhere All orders filled promptly. Perfect tit and satisfaction guarant ed. Correspondency solicited throughout this section. A "Oil KSS, A A BAK p LAPORTE. PA. Wright & Haight, Furiiifiirc :i . . , t >. hf ndertantng. wo . k A . fine always ness. PjKI BRANCH CONNECTION AT LAPORTE, , NHST DOOR TO WAGON SHOP. R. A. CONK LIN, Mgr. Ten Years Experience has taught I F PA Us how to give the best value for 1 wIllAOy ILL.L, in. The LEAST MONEY.