The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1895-04-19

| U"'" any lnleCVeu NcSScl To the United
states station, at Reedy Island, is shelved
among the postponed bills on the house
second reading calendar. The Penrose bill,
introduced at the instance of the state
quarantine board, anil which extends for
Two years the time for using the present
station, and provides for the purchase of
Little Tinicum Island for permanent
site, has not yet been reported from COM
mittec, while Representative Peltz's bill,
making the necessary appropriation for
the purchase and equipment of the new
site, Is likely to go down in the general
wreck caused by the lack of revenue.
The announcement that the great mum
Der OF institutions which have hereto
lore relied upon financial assistance from
the state would be cut off from that
source OF supply because of the reduced
income of the commonwealth, carried
ulsinay to oil those who have learned
TO depend upon the public treasury in
their calculations of the fiscal needs of
the hospitals, colleges and charitable un-
dortakings which SO abound In Pennsyl.
vania.
In Philadelphia particularly, the news
was received with the kecnest regret. At
the University of Pennsylvania there Is a
Ieellng OF disappointment that the sum of
S6OO,OOO which the trustees think is neces.
sary for the development of the college
and hospital is thing of the far beyond.
Dr. William Pepper, in discussing the
matter, said:
The University has had previous to
this year in all but $500, 900 of state money
an inconsiderable amount compared to the
help that it has received from private in.
| dividuals but that source cannot continue
indefinitely to supply tho needs Of the in
stltution. This year we have asked for
soOO,OOO for the college and 5000 for the
hospital. The money was to be used
partly for maintenance, but the greater
portion was intended for developing the
college. 1t was the intention to have ex-
tended great educational advantages to
teachers from all over the state, but what
Will be done in view of the latest develop
ment l cannot say
Disastrous Blow to Education.
III the effects of the proposed arrange
ments are as disastrous to the worthy in
stitutions needing and seeking state aid.
as Is stated, l cannot accept the result
without the strongest protest The wealth
OF the state and its ability to extend proper
aid to worthy institutions is undoubted.
IL seems hard and unwisc that the highest
interests of the community humanitarian
and educational, should suffer SO disas-
trously from "a temporary shrinkagc in
the receipts from taxation. Every con-
stltuency in the commonwealth has a real
and equal interest in the matter. l do not
doubt but that some statesman's proposal
will be advanced to meet the crisis"
1t is the soldier boys who since the time
when first the brigades marched out to
fritt tnT,I,, q th., IL
nave between encampments experienced
only pleasant recollection and joyous an
ticipation that are making n vigorous but
hopeless kick against the fiat of the powers
that be. The prospect of seeing two sum-
mers pass without being accorded the
privilege of reveling in the delights of
camp life has cast a chill on the most ar
dent military spirits, and at the armories
the unusual state of affairs was the only
topic discussed. The fact that the unavoid-
able expenses Of the state amounts to more
than its income did not soften the sting
of knowing that the great military event
of the year would have to be foregone.
leading militiaman of Philadelphia,
Colonel Wendell p. Bowman, expressed
great regret that the Legislature could not
provide for the encampment He said:
1t Is q adebatable question whether or not
biennial encampment of two weeks
would not be better than the yearly en-
campment of one week. At all events it
would be cheaper, taking into considera-
tion the cost of transportation. In my
opinion the yearly encampment is prefer
able, however, for the men work up for
1t, and l do not think that it could be
omitted without impairing the discipline
and perhaps the strength of the guard
The soldiers are very much like n school
boy, who prepares for his yearly examina-
tion. He binds all his energies to the task
II, however, the test of his acquirements
were set at intervals of two years the great
length of time might make him think
We'll, l have plenty Of time and so de-
lude himself, so that when the time came
he would be unprepared.
The Miiitiamen DisgruntIed.
mo work in the armory can make up
for the loss of work in the field. Under the |
canvas the boys get n taste of real soldier
life that nothing else can give them.
1.-THE loss of the encampment will have |
q demoralizing effect on the men, | am |
afraid. OF course, If they do not have the |
money, why then they can't do anything, |
l suppose. The men might stand the loss |
of an encampment for year, l suppose"
The reduced revenues of the state will |
also have an important bearing on many |
bills now pending in either the house or |
the senate One of the first effects will be |
to still further lessen the chances of the |
passage of the judges retirement bill To |
the country members the mere suggestion |
of reduction of million dollars in the |
school appropriation is like waving red |
flag before an enraged bull, and to couple |
that necessity with request to vote for a |
measure which will still further increase |
the fixed charges of the department can |
have but one result, especially as many of |
the members regard the bill as one in
tended mainly to benefit Philadelphia and !
a few Others of the more populous eastern |
counties. w.
Two Children Killed by Lightning.