The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1884-05-16
COLUMBIAN EcuoEs.
CENTRALtA MOTIFS.

doah In order to reach Centralia, IL Is very
much like going round by Boston to get to
New York. 1t, however compcnsatcs the
traveller tor its circuitousness by the varied
and picturesque scenery he passes through
--whirling over bridges and trestllngs
and around among mountains and valleys
as beautiful as any to be found In Central
Pennsylvania.
Arriving In the thrifty borough of Cen
trala, one Is struck with the contrast IL
presents with other Columbia county
towns, in that 1t presents the peculiarly
characteristic appearance so generally
found in the coal producing centers. We
learn that Its population is estimated at
nearly three thousand persons, most Of
whom depend directly or indirectly on
mining for subsistence.
AS a whole.souled good.natured people,
ready to show hearty hospitality to a
stranger, commend us to the genial citi-
zens of this place. Among the many
prominent citizens II was our good fortune
to meet, we desire to mention Hon. Will
liam Bryson, C. G. Murphy, Irwin Brothers,
g. W. Davis, ]. T. Millington, J. p Riley,
John F. Kress, DIR. Gwinner, .. b. Mil
lard, ID. G. Black, Ed. Hughes, p. Flynn,
David Welsh, Harry Ferguson, j. j.
Laughlin, Capt Ted Reese and d. Curry
These are representative men in profession-
al mercantile and industrial pursuits.
Some people are apt to think and speak
of mining towns as lacking among its peo-
pie that intelligence which ii is so agreea-
BILE to be able to boast of in any respecta-
BILE community; well, he who expects to
find bigger average of ignorance in Cen
tralia than other parts of the county, will
be awfully fooled in that respect. Its cit
liens are bright, wide awake, reading men,
and one of the most evident proofs is
shown in the fact that their public schools
are equal in equipment and intelligent ad-
ministration to any In the county. The
school houses are large, new and commo-
dious buildings, neatly furnished and sup
piled with tirst.cass appointments in the
way of reference books, maps, charts, &c.
We were particularly struck with the
marked discipline of the scholars and have
never seen better order maintained in any
school. The credit for the consummation
of such desirable state of affairs is due
to the fact that the school directors are
men who appreciate the importance of
their positions, and to the efficiency Of the
teachers. Messrs. Heffron, Curry, Curran,
and Harmon fare all gentlemen of culture
and show laudable ambition in the pros
ecution Of their work in which they are as
sisted by large corps Of well-qualifed
lady teachers.
There are quite number of first-class
business houses, but we cannot now speak
of them in detail, but must say few
words about the store of Lewis A. Riley &
Co., connected with the Logan and other
collieries This splendid building excels
anything of the kind in the county for IFS
perfection in construction and general ar
rangements. The company employ over
one thousand men, and up till the present
time work has been at least as regular with
them as others, and prospects for better
times are indicated There seems to be
amicable relations between the company
and their employees, and we noticed sew
eral very commendable features in this
connection, The accidental insurance sys-
tem, for instance, is very wise one and
has proved successful; then we were
pleased to notice that the arbitrary custom
OF deducting so much from each mans
wages per month for medical attendance,
and then debating who the medical attend.
ant shall be, is not adopted here. We may
have more to say about this corporation in
future contributions.
We should not be truthful if we did not
say word of condemnation TO the present
saloon system. There are altogether too
many unlicensed places of this kind. Sa-
looms may be necessity, but they are al
ways better conducted when regulated by
men who have something to lose, than
when conducted in an ilegitimate way 1t
is said, however, considerable improve
ment has been shown in the suppression of
the Sunday beer and whiskey traffic du-
ring the past year or more We would
suggest as one of the most desirable things
which the good citizens of Centralia could
do would be to erect building for the use
OF the young men in the town, where they
could spend their evenings and leisure
time in reading good sensible literature, or
indulge themselves in games of checkers
and such like amusements. At not much
cost snch building could be erected and
| could be so constructed as to afford good
public room for entertainments and meet
| ings. We were informed that the CON-
pany have offered to furnish the ground
| and to subscribe liberally towards the
project, and if the leading citizens will
only set the ball rolling, it will be a sure
thing-certainly few men who have the
good of the town and the younger portion
of the people at heart, would hesitate to
give them an opportunity of forming better
habits than are usually acquired on the
street corners or in saloons.
During our visit in the mining districts
we heard many expressions of dissatisfac-
tion at the present rate of importing Hun
garian and other cheap labor, and we very
much fear that if the evil is not suppressed
or modified there will be trouble. 1t does
not seem fair that men who strive to raise
their families respectfully and according to
the pre-conceived idea Of the American
laborer being worthy of his liue, should be
hustled on one side to make room for men
whose animal instincts is the limit OF their
intelligence and who apparently work with
about as much appreciation of the dignity
of labor as doth the beast of burden. 1t
would not need a very wise man to pre-
dict that some of these fine days there will
be serious friction between the races.