davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1883-01-11
Tariff Revision Endangered.

There begin to be grave doubts in the
minds Of thoughtful observers whether
any tariff legislation will be enacted
during the present session of Congress.
Not that there isn't great need Of a
thorough revision OF the psesent tariff
or that the senators and members DO
not realize such need. There has been
much promise that such revision should
be made. A Tariff Commission was ap
pointed last summer for this express
purpose and, contrary to general expec.
tation, 1t has Made a report Of no in
considerable merit on this subject.
The difficulty seems to lie IN the fact
that the really sincere men in either
House who desire TO conform 10 the pop
ular demand are in = woful minority
The majority Of the men OF
both parties who occupy positions on
the floor do not desire the settlement o.
the tariff question At all. They want Il
Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1883-01-11
Furnishing Guilty OmcIaIs.

Wur,vsT0Er. January TX Coun.
ty Commissioner Cor-on aui Elmer ap.
Fearci in court here yesterday and were
sentenced by Judge Cummiu, Corson's
sentence being fine Of $3.50 and one
wear and nine months impr.sonmen, in
the eastern pontteuuary, and Ebners
beng tho same fine, with one year and
three months imprisonment, ia the east.
crn reni,ouuary. Judge Cummin in
pronounc.nG sentence -aii
As county officers you were mem.
bers of the old board Of county com
ml-ioucrs and tho members Of that
board began 70 ostcDl as soon IS they were
In Office, every one of them. and II your
caso- had come on and been regularly
tued it would have been a great pleas.
ure ior me to send every one Of that
board to the Vcn.tenliary for q long
term Of year,"
The prisoners received their sentence
without any visible siFns Of emotion.
The court was crowded while the sen.
tcnce was being pronounced. lmmedi.
aiely after the last words fell from the
Judge. lip the sheriff took them both
into custody and removed them to the
county jail. whore they will remain un.
tl taken to ;he Yeuiteut.ary, which
Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1883-01-11

OUR venerable friends of the NM.
helm Journal and Ccn're Reporter
claim great antiquity for their respec.
tive journals. flour frieuds are ac-
curate in computing time, they are
certainly entitled to be considered
patriarchs in the journalistic world
Tue journal celebrates its fifty.seventh
birth day, and the Reporter its fifty
fifth, and according TO our recollec.
tions of the venerable editors when
they entered upon editorial life, we
conclude the former is one hundred
and seventeen years of age, and the
latter eighty. The DEMOCRAT, being
a mere youth, only having survived
its fourth year, takes great pleasure
in offering congratulations aud the
courtesies Of the season to our venera
bic brethren, aud hopes that many
years Of prosperity and happiness may
yet be added to he long years Of
triumph and usefulness of the past.
Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1883-01-11

THE fight in the Senate against the
restoration Of General Porter to his
just rank in the army, has been bitter
and partisan under the lead of Logan
only three of the Republican Sena-
tors being capable of rising to the
dignity Of candid consideration of the
facts developed in his favor. With
the aid Of these, to day at o'clock
has been agreed upon to come to di'
rect vote on the question, as it also in
dicates the passage of the bill.
Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1883-01-11

NEITHER House of the Legislature
have yet got to active work--ihe com.
mittees not having been announced. We
trust at least that Speaker Faunce will
make up his committees from the very
best material at hand, with special ref.
erence to the character of business to
come under their supervision, without
regard to favor or location. The pres.
ent legislature from whom perhaps in.
telligent aud discreet action in all iis
workings is more than ever desirable
aud expected, must depend largely
upon the intelligence of these commit.
tees in maturing that work and plac-
ing it properly upon the calendar. In
framing them a grave responsibility
rests upon the Speaker. The appoint
ment Of good committees will secure
good results in the general business
aud this fact should not be lost sight
Of by Speaker or members in the first
stages of the season.
Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1883-01-11

TINS advantages Of surplus in the
United State. Treasury are apparently
without number. Not only does every
owner OF a pea nut stand send in his
ullle hji. for damages sustained in the
dsaily conflict with hi- neifhbor who
deal, "a roasted cbesinuts, the stock.
holders of the Philadelphia Centennial
Exhibition also, whose big show was in.
tended to pat money in their purse but
iId uoi, are now crying behind Mr..
Curtin that they are short in their &C.
counts the trhe Of Sl,7OO,Ooo, which
trey m,dcsily pray congress to allow
them out OF the national superfluties,
Just IS the little street boys IN Berlin
s.k the Herr Baron from foreign parts for
cash. with the chorus; You are 80
rich and an 81 poor" The tranquil.
ty Of mind which Is tue birihright OF
every Philadelphuan Is pleasingly illus.
tra,ei by this appeal TO The breeches'
pocket OF the nation and there Is every
prospect that it will have its reward.
II was not without significance that .
long headed citizen OF the Quaker city
regretted that his people had not
thought in time Of having a semi cen.
tenial cxhibition.N !. World
Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1883-01-11
OWL Service Bill Passed.

Pendleton's Civil Service Bill as it
passed the Senate on Wednesday Of
last week, was railroaded through the
House under high pressure of steam,
Kasson assuming position as chief en-
gineer. So far as it goes, this is a grea'
achievement in the right direction
and fair concession to the lessons of
the last election. This bill authorizes
the President to appoint three commits
sioners, not more than two of whom
shall be of the same political party,
each to receive an annual salary of
s3.5O0, and travelling and other ex-
penses. These Commissioners, at the
request Of the President are to aid
him in preparing rules for carrying
the act into effect, and these shall pro-
vide for open competitive examinations
for testing the fitness of applicants for
public service. The commission is to
designate examining committees after
consulting with the cabinet officers,
collectors Of customs or postmasters
in whose Offices positions are sought
and examinations are to be made. Tx
aminations are to be competitive and
in the line Of the particular duties OF
the place to be competed for. Pro
motions are also to be made in the
same manner aud decided ON the bas.
is. All appointments, removals aud
transfers are to be reported to the
commission. Persons appointed by
the President and confirmed by the
Senate are not to be subject to exam.
ination. Appointments are to be aP'
portioned among the States and terri
tories according to population, and
applicants must be bona tde residents
of the States in which they claim their
homes. The bill also provides that
not more than two persons OF a single
family shall be employed in the same
grade in any public office. This pro-
scription of families, only to allow
two of a grade in Office, is perhaps too
cruel upon cabinet officers and mem
bers of Congress, but perhaps the pro-
hibition does not take in the uncles
the consin- and the aunts.' Beside,
this, the recommendations Of members
of congress are to have no weight with
any examing board, all Of which Is
probably we'll intended, but Of little
effect, a. the members will press their
dependents upon the departments aud
have them employed all the same
Assessments for political purposes by
officers is prohibited under penalty,
and no clerk or office.holder is TO be
removed from office or otherwise inju'
red for failure to participate in politi'
work of any kind. Promotions are
to he made from the lower to the high.
er grades of service on merit The
commission is authorized to employ a
Chief Examiner to preside over exam
ining boards in Washington or else'
where in the States where examinations
are to be made. with stenographer-
the examiner at salary of s3000
and the stenographer at $1,000.
Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1883-01-11
Let tho Change be Made.

The Washington Post, speaking Of
the propositions of Congressman
Browne, of Indiana, looking to the
gradual abolition Of the pay depart.
ment Of the army, says II can work
no injustice in any quarter, for it does
not aim to deprive any officer Of his
commission, rank or emolumcnts. 1t
will simply put stop to appointments
to the pay corps, permitting present
members to hold on until death, re-
tirement, resignation or other causes
Of removal shall have expurged that
corps Of the army.
Economy demands this change. We
have officers eneugh-indeed many
more than enough-wthout going in.
to the ranks Of civil life to bring into
the army source Of di.cord and irri.
tation. If the banks and other dis.
bursing institutions Of the country
were to employ a. many cashiers aud
clerks in proportion to the amount
disbursed as we employ in the army,
they would be ruined by their salary
lists, and IA bank in business hour
would look like "A mass meeting. If
it had not been for the fact that "A
change Of the kind contemplated Is
always resisted by influences so mum.
crou- and strong that it, accomplish
mcnt is next to impossible, this corps
would have cased to exist years ago.
No congressman Of average iutclli-
gcnce and fair range Of information
which We are happy to believe most
congressman posses, can have failed
Ia know that the maintenance of the
corps was not only E waste Of public
funds, hu, n positive injury to the SER
vice.
It j, the custom for political bosses
to give the army payma',er,hips to
their henchmcn. Such an appoint
meut has always been regarded as a
choice piece Of political patronage
for the Office lasts un il the incumbent
draw. his last breath. and that
event seldom happen. carly to gentle.
men who are 50 very agrecably -i,ua-
ted as are the oficcrs on the retired
list Of the United States Army.
There have been great abuscs in the
disposal Of this portion Of the FEEDER.
al spoiIs Old men have been showed
into the pay corps to do nominal duty
for few year,, and then 90 on the re-
tired lisi, to be supported in rect
that they have not earned. Politicians
Of low degree have been made army
pay-mas,ers in return for political ser.
vices Of al unworthy character
More than one man OF bad repute in
this city has suddenly bioomed out as
a major in the pay corps, having
been able to secure the prize from n
statesman who deemed it polite to con-
cilia,e him or shut his mouth.
We do not mean to charge or hint
that such appointments have been the
rule, or that there are no honorable
men in that branch Of the service, but
it is notorious fact, and will be
frankly admitted by the genilemanly
element Of the pay corps, that appoint
mcn,s Of an astonishing and disgrace.
ful character have been secured by the
worst influences. aud that such things
are likely TO happen until the system
is changed.
Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1883-01-11

4 FEW weeks ago all the papers
proclaimed that Don Cameron was
squelched-that the Republican boss
Of Pennsylvania was dead as mack,
erel. How is it now He has prov.
ed himself a pretty lively corpse and
manages at least one branch Of the
Legislature pretty well for a dead
man.
Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1883-01-11

The Independent doctors of the
State Senate, having extracted Don
Cameron's aching tooth, the boss is
restored to his usual vigor and good
humor. All is lovely again.
Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1883-01-11

If Senator Lee, of Nenango, is a
free Independent Republican as it is
claimed he is, what is the fellow that
chained him
Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1883-01-11

A pEFAuLTrNd TREASURER. Mar
shal G. Polk, Treasurer Of the State
of Tenne ssee, is o defaulter to the
amount of half a million. lie ab-
seconded but has been overhauled and
arrested in Texas.
Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1883-01-11

So prosperous is the State of Florl'
da uuder Democratic rule. that the
Governor recommends a reduction OF
the taxes of the State, to relieve the
Treasury, now full, Of prospective
surplus.
Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1883-01-11

GES. LILLEY, of Carbon county, is
credited with the statement to the
effect that not one cent Of the $4,000.
900 collected from the National gov.
ernment as war claims. has ever been
covered into the State Treasury and
that he knows the men that received
the money. This is certainly re-
markable statement, if not n remark.
able mares nest" About the time
of the collection Of these claims, con.
siderable discussion took place as TO
the amount of compensation to which
the State agent would be entitled on
paying over the money collected into
the State Treasury. That difficulty,
we believe, was adjusted at the time,
aud there is no doubt that the money
realized was accounted for but it
will do no harm to direct inquiry to
the subject by our State authorities.
The Republicans of the Illinois
Legislature are squabbling over the
spoils. Sixteen Senators, it appears
got together aud fixed up slate de-
vidiBg all the positions among their
special friends. leaving the balance 81
Senators unprovided for. These have
bolled from the caucus aud promige to
make things lively in the election. II
is noble exhibition aud is additional
proof of the noble aspirations Of the
"grand old party" which seems TO be
in Illinois, as elsewhere, only held to-
gether by the cohesive power ol
public plunder."
Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1883-01-11

FaEpEaIcE JosEPH Of Washington, and
John Brennan, OF Baltimore. we're At
tackled Saturday night at Baltimore by
Two negroes. and Joseph was probably
fatally injured. Ills skull was fractured.
Brennan was cut in the back with =
razor, bus only slightly hurt. The ne.
aroes escaped.
Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1883-01-11

ELISHA w. DAvIs, formerly q
member of the Pennsylvania Legisla-
ture from Crawford county, and sub.
sequently from Philadelphia, is now a
member of the Colorado Legislature
and speaker Of the House Of Repre-
sentatives. What Lish don't know
about managing legislatures and the
crowd surrounding them, had better
not be known, If it is desirable that
such bodies should be conservators of
public morality. lie has large exper.
ience and possesses very fair ability.
Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1883-01-11

QU1NISE was placed by the Tariff
Commission among the free articles up
on which no duties should be levied.
But Judge Kelley will not have it SO,
and on his motion, it WAS placed in the
dutiable list at 10 per cent.
Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1883-01-11

GENERAL ToouBs, Of Georgia, says,
The November defeats prove that the
Republican party must purify itself or
go down. The people have become
weary OF political chicAnery and de.
mand fair dealing.
Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1883-01-11

THE Car of Russia has caught it
from the Republicans of Pennsylvan,
ia. lie proposes to submit to the ag'
ony and dangers of a coronation next
year."
Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1883-01-11

IT is said that about eight hundred
Of the clerks recently taken into the
Pension Office on trial are to be dis
charged for ineficiency. This is a
large number of inefficients, but If q
general wedding of the departments
takes place and civil service REFORM Is
carried out in good faith, the number
will, no doubt, be largely reinforced.
The practice of rushing into the de-
partments political dependents in the
train Of members Of Congress, with.
out qualifications, has stocked q large
field that needs pruning.
Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1883-01-11

Ex MARSHAL HENRY, who was re.
Gently bounced by the President, at.
tributes the act to his friendship for
General Garfield. Attorney General
Brewster on the contrary attributes it
to the ex.marshals friendship to Ger.
tain government thieves. Which
Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1883-01-11

THE Washington correspondent Of
the Philadelphia Pres, referring 10
The second day Of Senator Logau's
speech against General Porter, saws
that 1.-TWO or three times, when he
spoke of a great military chief,ain,
referring, Of course, TO Grant, there
was an evident effort on his part to be
sarcastic in his application of the
term, the peculiar infection Of voice
and the emphasis with which he
dwelt on the word. being marked.
Once he intimaied. broadly, that the
fact of Porier's having been = Wet
Point graduate had a great deal to do
with General Grants change ofopinion
in regard to his guilt" There could
be no palmer confession Of the weak,
ness Of the case than an impuiation of
unworthy motives to General Grant
and the generals who constituted the
board Of inquiry.
Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1883-01-11

A NUMBER Of cotton mills in the
neighborhood Of Philadelphia have
closed and hundreds Of the employee
are thrown out Of employment. This,
at this season Of the year will be at.
tended by much distress and suffering
The cause for the suspension Is said to
be over production, and the competi.
ton Of the South. Formerly the
South were the customers Of our North
cru manufacturer |; seems to be
different now.
Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1883-01-11

SENATOR FERRY, Of Michigan, has
received the caucus nomination for
reelection to the Senate. But sixteen
Republican Senators have bolted the
nomination and threatened his election.
Caucus nominations appear to be
growing less sacred every year and
the fellow receiving it j. not now al
ways the fellow to be elected.
RED CLOUD is in Washington de-
manding pay for a number Of horses
alleged to have been taken from him
by Gen. Crook ten or iiften years ago.
The Old Indian is making considera.
bic progress in civilization, and has
chosen the time judiciously to make
his raid upon the Treasury, when he
can secure the services Of the lobby to
put his bill through. After the pres.
cnt session that CONVENIENT aid to lcgis.
lation, will again be retired from &C.
tive work.
Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1883-01-11

THE Republicans of the Senate,
Stalwarts and Independents perhaps,
did themselves great honor by endor-
sing the unsayory record of Delany,
the Librarian. He is no doubt useful
where dirty work is required
Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1883-01-11

THE Republicans Of Connecticut,
after the wholesome rebuff given them
by their candidate for Governor, con
cluded to validate the "back ballot
and invite no further comparison with
those carrying the "black border"
Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1883-01-11

In recent letter to Chauncey +.
Black, president of the Jefferson De
mocratic Association Of York, Pa,
the venerable Horatio Seymour writes
as follows al am gratilied with my
election as n member Of your associa-
ton. While | am no longer able to
take an active part in politics | feel a
deep interest in public questions and
a strong desire for the success of De-
mocratic doctrines. | think we are
on the eve Of great and lasting pol.
itical revolution. Capitalization has
made so many scandals and abuses
that the more thoughtful Republicans
see that these are the results Of CON
ccntration Of power which the found
crs of our constitution meant to avoid.
While the Republican leaders in SO
many States in which they have been
defeated try to show there were so
many different causes for their disas
tcrs in different sections. it is clear
there is common cause, a ground
swell, of which those alleged causes
were effects. There is a general feel.
ing in the Republican ranks that they
are wrong in their theories Of govern,
ment. For this reason they are una
BILE to heal their dissensions or to call
out their voters. The country means
to go lack to the principles Of Jefier-
son. | have written short article
on this subject which will appear in
the North american RcriWc for Jauu.
airy next.
Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1883-01-11

The proposed amendment to the
Constitution presented by Mr. Flower
giving the President power to veto
separate items of appropriation bill,
now being discussed, i a. follows;
Every bill. resolution or vote con.
tanning several items Of appropria.
" tion of money 10 which the concur
"rence of the Senate and House of
" Representatives may be necessary.
shall be presented to the President
4" of the United States. who may oh.
"iect to one or more OF such items
"while approving Of other parts ~
d" the bill, resolution or vote IN such
ease he shall append to the bill. re..
" olutiun or vote, q statement of the
items 10 which he objects, and the
" appropriations 50 objected 10 shall
" not take effect unless rccou.idcrcd
and passed by two.thirds Of each
"housc, n provided in section o'
"articlc OF the Constitution. The
" items objected to shall be separately
rccuusidered in each house, and if
on such reconsideration one or more
"of them shall be approved by two.
" third, Of each house. the same shall
" become part Of the law, noiwi,h.
" standing the objections Of the
president
a similar provision has been incor.
porated in the constitutions Of many Of
the States aud if the amendment is
added to the constitution of the Unit.
ed States, will serve "a wholesome
check to the log rolling system by
which river and harbor and other
thieviug jobs are made up.
Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1883-01-11

lT seem, the Cameron Senate can.
not spare Delaney lie ha- again
been put up as the Librarian and the
dispenser Of its stationery and kuick.
knacks Iii, uu.ayory record j. DO
objection to him, now that Indcpcni.
eu,- and Stalwari, are al one again
Honest men like their late candidate
for Governor who got mixed up in the
grand old party may be sacrificed
withou, regret, but the Delaney and
such-Thcy are indispcusable'
Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1883-01-11

IT is announced lha, syndicate Of
capitalists in Chicago are negotiating
with the Secretary Of Interior for the
lease Of tract Of land thirty mile.
square embracing 2 100000 acres in
the Indian Territory, belonging to the
Cherokee aud Cheyenne Indians. The
negotiation i; j.. said, is made with the
appreciation OF the Indians. The le..
sees propose fencing the tract and Us.
ing the land for grazing cattle and
will pay yearly rental Of $4,000
Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1883-01-11
The Gfutre 9rmptrat.
Terms sI. so por Annum. in Adv"neo

q. T. sauoEsr&J.a. r. VAN oRmsa, Editors,
Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1883-01-11

Thursday Morning, January II, 1888.