davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-03-07
Amend the Libel Law.

The law which Representative Fow
proposes for enactment in lieu of the
present libel law in this state is emin-
emily Just and reasonable. 1t provides
that before any suit shall be brought
for publication of a libel in any news
paper in this state the aggrieved party
shall, at least three days before filing
or serving the complaint in such suit.
serve notice on the publisher or pub
fishers Of said newspaper at their
principal office of publication, specify
ing the statements in said articles
which he or they allege to be false and
defamatory. If it shall appear on the
trial Of said action that the said article
was published in good faith. that its
falsity was due to mistake or mis-
apprehension of the facts and that a
ment therein alleged to be erroneous
was published in the next regular issue
within three days after such mistake
or Misrepresentation was brought to the
knowledge of such publisher or pub
fishers, in as conspicuous place and type
in such newspaper as was the article
complained of as llbellous, then the
plaintiff In such case shall recover only
actual damage; provided however. that
the provisions Of this act shall not ap-
ply to the case OF any libel against any
candidate for a public Office in this
state, unless the retraction of the
charge Is made editorially in a con-
splcuous manner at least three days
before the election, in case such libel
lous article was published in n daily
paper; and in case such llbellous article
was published in n weekly paper at
least ten days before the election"
The merit OF law like this. as has
been experimentally proved in Wis
consln, where 1t has for some months
been in force, consists of the fact that 1t
puts an effective bar to the activities
Of pettifogglng lawyers who incite libel
litigation for the fees there are In It..
The foregoing law, as will be seen after
q close scrutiny Of Its provisions. offers
no protection to journalists who utter
malicious llbels The man who uses
the far-reaching opportunities Of the
press to deliberately slander an enemy
or crafty q personal spite would be
as much subject TO prosecution under
the proposed statute as he Is under the
existing law. Honorable publishers
seek no relaxation OF the statutory
penalties provided for journalistic
hyenas and ghouls.
But at the same time. they think
they have a right, clearly founded In
both justice and morals, to be dlssociat-
cd before the law from such wanton
violators OF the power OF the press.
They think they have right to be re-
garded as innocent Of criminal intent
until they shall be proved guilty. They
imagine that the honest effort to undue
an unintentlonal injustice, committed
during the Inevitable haste and con-
fusion OF modern journalism, ought In
common fairness to weigh In the scales
Of justice to the defendants credit.
Under the present laws relating to hbel
In this commonwealth, such manly act
Of reparation counts for nothing Al
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-03-07
John DalZell'S Obituary.

Congressman John Dalzell contributes
to the Pittsburg Times pithy and Wig
orous obituary review of the Fifty
third congress. He says: 1T lasted
longer and accomplished less than any
previous congress. It has been a con-
gress Of details, not of policies. No
legislation of any permanent value can
be placed to its credit. 1t has been
marked throughout by bitter feuds and
factious wranglings in the dominant
party, and by a consequent failure of
fruitful results. There has been but
little affirmative legislation beyond ap-
preparation bills. and what has been,
has been for the most part bad
The significant features of the extra
session, which met in August. 1888 were
the repeal OF the Federal election law
and Of the purchase clause OF the Sher-
man act. The Federal election law
was intended to prevent fraud at the
polls, and its repeal was therefore to
have been expected by house domI-
mated by the southern wing Of the
Democracy. The repeal Of the silver
purchasing provision Of the Sherman
act was accomplished only by the aid
Of non-partisan Republican votes. The
one feature that will always distln-
guish this congress Is the German
Brice tariff bill, embodying party per-
fdy and party dlshonor.' Its deple-
ton Of our revenues, its destruction Of
our reciprocal trade. its odlous income
tax, its sectional determinations the
fearful misery and poverty and dis
tress which, in anticipation and in ex-
ecution, 1t brought upon our people,
will make the Fifty-third congress
forever one Of evil repute.
prominent in Its history will be the
repeated failures successfully to deal
with the financial question. Three
times did the president address con-
gress with q view to relieve the gov
ernment's financial distress, but with
out result. The Baltimore plan for the
reform of our currency was rejected;
10 was a second plan for a like charac-
ter, so was a scheme for the issue Of
bonds. As a consequence the treasury
Is now leaning upon a syndicate Of
foreigner bankers. to the syndlcate's
profit and the treasury's loss.
MANY matters of great importance
have been left unprovided for. The
Nicaragua canal Is still without legis-
lation. The infamous foreign policy as
to Hawaii has been legislative as well
as executive. The railroad pooling bill
and the bankruptcy bin got no further
than the house. The bill for the set
Element of the Pacific railways debts
failed of passage. In time Of extreme
poverty and distress the appropriations
are simply tremendous They far ex-
coed those of the so-called billion dol.
lar congress.
About the only good things that the
Fifty-third congress did that can
now recall were the repeal of the silver
clause of the Sherman act ana the
practical adoption Of the Reed rules.
For both Of these the country has to
shank the Republican party"
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-03-07

The pleasant words OF the Scranton
the resignation of Colonel Z. II. Ripple
from command of the Thirteenth regi-
ment aptly express sentiment which
Colonel Ripple's business associates
cordially indorse. 1t is not too much to
say that the National Guard of the
state has long been debtor 70 the man
who has been largely instrumental in
bringing its banner regiment to Il de-
gree Of efficiency placing it among the
foremost militia regiments in the
United States
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-03-07

Another defect In the house that IL not
likely TO soon be remedied In the gallery
which not only destroys the symmetry and
beauty OF the room. but " practically use
less. II is 30 arranged that only tho
speaker and the members In the front
row OF seats may be seen from II. There
ought to be n gallery In the house pat
termed after that In the senate chamber at
Washington. This was the intention OF
ex-State Treasurer Boyer, the framer OF
the bin passed by the last legislature. up
propriatng $4,000 to remodel and improve
tho hail OF the house. This idea was not
carried out, however, by the architect
and the result IL u useless appendaye
which Ia rarely occupied.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-03-07

The spectacle presented by the Read
ing railroad in attempting to intlmldate
the I.ehigh Valley and New Jersey
Central. under all circumstances, Is
what Artemus Ward would have char
acterized as "amu2in."
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-03-07

In the small counties where there are
three or four applicants for place and the
member Is allowed only one by the slate
committee the matter Is compromised
by giving the appointment to one and he
dividing his salary. exclusive of what he
pays to his Sub" among the others
This has frequently been done and Is be.
Ing done at the present session. There are
on the pay roll of the house and senate
the names of employees who have not been
In Harrisburg since their appointment
and who will not come unless they are
forced to- Auditor General Gregg Is anx-
ious to abolish this practice, but he can
mot do II without the assistance OF the Leg
lslature or the attorney general When
General McCormick's attention Is called
to 1t he win probably act.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-03-07
The New Houses Echoes.

The board of public buildings and
grounds has engaged Captain Louis H.
Walters. of Phoenlxville, to work out u
plan for the Improvement of the acoustic
properties of the hall OF the house of rep
resentatlvcs. He has made careful meas
uremenls of the room and II convinced
that the defect can be remedled. A siml-
lar defect In the capitol at Des Moines was
corrected by changing the pitch OF the
ceiling. Captain Walters says the pro-
bem IL n difficult one and Will have to he
worked out scientifically. lie believes tho
most feasible plan for a permanent Inn
provement of this defect IL to change tho
ceiling, but this would Involve greater
expenditure OF money than the board
would care to authorize at this time. Tho
heavy lnmbrequlns which have been
placed In the windows have made slight
improvement In the acoustic properties Of
tho room.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-03-07

Representative O'Malleys bill to re-
quire the examination and registration
Of journeymen plumbers aims to retire
incompetent workmen. This end ought
to be accessible without the interven-
ton of the state; but if state inter-
vention is Indispensable, then let US
have IL
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-03-07

The appearance of the local street
crossings yesterday betokened dis-
tinct Improvement, for which the street
commissioners department is respect
fully requested to accept the public
thanks. May the good work 80 on!
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-03-07

The worst thing about the following
paragraph from the esteemed Wilkes
Barre Record Is that, while we would
like to say something back, there is lit
orally nothing that we can say: 1T
~ matter of surprise that a city Of
Scranton's pretensions should be con-
tent to get along with volunteer fire
department. Wilkes-Barre discarded
that system long ago, and Is glad Of it.
We now have one Of the most efficient
fire departments in the state, and de-
structive CONGREGATIONS within the city
limits are practically unknown. scran-
ton should waken UP. get rid Of her
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-03-07

The Quay county bill having received
favorable report by the house COM
mttee on new counties. it is proper to
remind the opposition that II 1t has
anything further to say, now Is the
time tn saw IT,
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-03-07

garden-hose fire department and re-
place it with one commensurate with
the size and Importance of that city"
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-03-07

When Mr. Reed was speaker Mr..
Crisp refused to offer 4 resolution OF
thanks; and when Crisp came to re-
linQuish the gavel, Reed found no time
to participate In the routine vote of
thanks. 1t Is II poor Crisp rule which
will not work both ways.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-03-07

The worst blow that our theory about
Boss Platts being down has yet re-
ceived comes in the form of an editorial
corroboration in the Philadelphia
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-03-07

1t Is an interesting estimate which
those persons put ON the intelligence OF
this legislature who insinuate that us
action on compulsory education has
been "coerced" by "oath-bound
cliques," 1t would now seem to be
obligatory on these persons, after this
ebullltlon, to take u rest.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-03-07

In discussing the Schaeffer PROPOSE
ton to provide free transportation for
children who live a long distance away
from school, the Pittsburg CONNER
cial-Gazette very pertinently observes
that under present school laws the di-
rectors are required to supply as many
schools as are necessary for the public
convenience, and accessibility is one of
the essential things to be considered.
If one building Will not suffice, let there
be two" This is undoubtedly the proper
view of the question. Money spent IN
building new school houses, where need
ed, Is money well invested.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-03-07

Had Captain Delaney been the Gus
todian of state buildings and grounds
at the time of the acceptance or the
remodeled capital. 1t Is safe to believe
that the present hall of the house OF
representatives would not resemble. III
It's acoustic properties. n modern Cave
of the Winds
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-03-07

though the publisher Of libel may be.
in intention, as innocent of evil as the
new born babe, he Is adjudged, by the
very fact of an erroneous publication.
to be a criminal of the blackest dye;
and there is nothing but the uncertain
common sense of the jury between him
and condign punishment. So far from
resting content with the protection of
one class of citizens from injustice, the
libel laws OF Pennsylvania go clear
through to the opposite extreme of pill
ing injustice on another class, without
even the decent excuse of public de-
mand for such exaggeration Of legisla-
tive Intervention.
The Fow bill Is moderate, just and
fair. 1t puts the case on true basis
Its enactment is demanded by every
consideration of equity and fair play,
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-03-07
SCRANTON, MARCH 7, 1895.
THE SCRANTON OF TODAY.

Come and inspect our city.
Elevation above the tide, 1iO feet.
Extremely healthy.
Estimated population. 1894, l0S,Oco.
Registered voters, 2O.5S.
Value of school property. 100000.
Number OF school children, l2.Wo.
Average amount OF bank deposits, slV'-
10000.
It's themetrvpolis OF northeastern Penn
sylvania.
Can produce electric power cheaper than
Niagara.
No better point in the United States At
which to establish new industries.
See how We grow:
Population in 1860. 60.................... s,ss22S
Population in 1870. Observation-Disclosures. 5000
Population in 1850. S0.................... 1850
Population In 1880 sO.................. 75.g5
Population in 1894 (estimated) ...... 103, ,O00
And the end is not yet.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-03-09
FOUND DEAD IN BED.
Michael Flynn. of Jackson Street, sud.
denly Called Across the Dark River.

At 7l5 o'clock yesterday morning
Michael Flynn, of Jackson street, was
found dead In bed by his daughter, Miss
Eleanor Flynn.
He went to bed the evening before in
apparently good health He had not
complained of being i'll and was at work
on Thursday as usual. Mr. Flynn
slept peacefully during the night and
was awake at $50 o'clock, when his
wife arose to prepare breakfast He re-
mained in bed undisturbed until Ills
o'clock, when his daughter. who went
into the room. found him lfeless
The family are at a loss to rightly
explain the mysterious affair, as Mr.
Flynn possessed a rugged constitution
and'had so far as was known. no heart
trouble or other disease which might
have caused sudden death. The coroner
will not arrive until today.
Mr.. Flynn was born i'm Ireland and
was Sc years of age He came with his
family to this country six years ago
going first to Maltby and from thence
to this city. He was employed in the
breaker at the Capouse colliery and was
a member of st. Patrick's church. De-
ceased leaves a wife and eight children
They are: James, Patrick, Mary
Thomas, Michael, John, Eleanor and
Bridget Flynn. The funeral will prob.
ably occur on Monday.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-03-09
Mr.. R0DERICK'S REPORT.
Shows the Amount of Coal Mined in
First District in 1904.
LESS THAN IN PREVIOUS YEARS
While Less Coal Was Mined II Greater
Number OF Men Were Employed
ures for Year In Detail-Numbcr OF
Persons Killed and Injured.

Mine Inspector Roderick, of the First
anthracite district, has completed his
report for the past year, and 1t Is re-
plete with Information of great practi-
cal value to all Interested In the coal
industry of this valley, There are sew
enty-one openings in the district under
his supervision and coal was taken out
of siNty-siX during the year; the mum
Der of openings is made up of twenty
eight shafts, ten slopes, eight drifts, and
fifteen tunnels. The total production
of coal from the siNty-siN openings dur
ing the year was 5,9O7, 25l tons as COM
pared with {, ,202, l3l tons In the year 1898,
showing Il decrease of 2Yi. $50 tons.
The total shipments for 1894 We're 6,G92, re-
GA tons, as compared with 5,9l4673 in
tons. In the number of persons en-
ployed in and around the mines slight
Increase is shown, there being l6Oli
employed in 1894, as against 1850 in
1893 an increase of 3Si.
The following tabulated statement
viii show the output at each colliery
with persons employed and statistics
as to the accidents which occurred. The
Delaware and Hudson company oper-
ated thirteen collieries in the district,
the Hillside Coal and Iron company,
five; the Elk Hin Coal and Iron com
pany, two. the Pennsylvania Coal com
pany, two, and John Jermyn, two.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-03-09
HE TOOK HIS OWN LIFE.
That Was the Verdict of COrOncr's jury
in Newton Case

Coroner ]. A. Kelley yesterday visited
the house at 219 North Bromley ave-
nue.. West Side, where Danford II.
Newton committed suicide Thursday
and empaneled d jury to Vake an
investigation.
The testimony of Ira d. Newton,
son of the dead man; Mrs. Newton, the
widow. and A. W. Musgrave, of the
drug firm of Jenkins & Nusgrave, was
the most important. The members OF
the family told about the deceased's s
visit to the house. He did not live with
his wife on account of his drinking
habits, but he resolved on Jan. 81 of the
present year to quit liquor and ar
rangements We're being made for
reconciliation. He came to the house
about ! o'clock and spoke pleasantly
with Mrs. Newton and went to the
kitchen three times and took a drink
of water each time. His wife heard
him take a bottle from his pocket and
place it on the iron sink. She thought
he was taking liquor. The last time he
went for drink he raised the bottle
to his lips and took long draught. He
staggered to the front room after TAX
ing the drug and expired in half
hour Dr. Llndaburg was sent for, but
Newton was beyond recovery. Mrs.
Newton prepared a cup of mustard
water as an emetic.
Ira ID. Newton, the son, swore that his
father used aconte as sedative for
his heart He often heard him say he
would end his life if any serious matter
ever troubled him. Other witnesses tes-
titled to the same thing. The verdict OF
the jury was to the effect that New
toms death was the result of drinking
aconite, a poison, in quantity sufficient
to produce death.
The funeral will be held Monday
afternoon at . o'clock. Burial services
will be conducted at the house by Rev
l.. G. Floyd, pastor of the Simpson
Methodist Episcopal church. Inter
ment will be made in Washburn Street
cemetery.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-03-09
STILL In THE HOLE.
City Expenditures for 1898 brought Only
Si.SOS Nearer the Estimated Revenue.
over $1,000 Remains 10 he Cast Aside.

oNST SS,ooV NSHhluS 10 bS tust AsiNS'
Probably the most unsatisfactory of
the many adjourned meetings of the
estimates committee of councils yet
held, was that of last night. During
the four previous sessions the estimat-
ed expenditures for 1898 had been
brought from about s$75, 900 to within
$40, 400 80 of the available receipts, esti-
mated ut S275, 500 by the city controllers
During the early part of last nights
meeting the committee went about
$500 deeper in the hole, and then, as If
to even things up, Topped off $500 at
one fell swoop from the estimate for
Nay Aug park When the meeting adj
iourned. the estimated expenditures
had been brought only Sl,S0S closer to
the estimated receipts, still leaving
s.. So. SO to be cast aside. not including
$500 asked at the last moment to re-
build the abutments of the Wells
street bridge,
Increased appropriations We're made
as follows: Ward street repairs, Fourth
ward. from $SO5 to 5000; Fifth ward,
from SS03 to 5000; Sixth ward, from $500
to $3.50; Twentieth ward, from $l0l7 to
Sl2l7; Twenty-tirst ward, from $S52 to
1910; permanent man and two horses
for Neptune Engine company, $1,000;
two extra fire alarm boxes, $3.50; main
tanning the two fire gongs in the city
hall. $500 one horse each for Cumber-
land Hose company and Eagle Hose
company. $500; two horses for Excelsior
Hose company. S4OO; keep of three ex-
ira horses, S420.
Reductions We're made as follows:
Light and heat for the city hall from
800 to 1900; cleaning asphalt pave,
from S12. 800 to Sll. 600; repairing Noun
tain road, Twelfth ward, $500. stricken
out: for street repairs, Seventeenth
ward, from $lO66 to $666; repairs to po-
lice patrol wagon and harness, from
$3.50 to $50; expenses for Nay Aug park,
from a total of IS, 400 to $2 900, the pres
ent estimate including only $500 for a
policeman and $1,000 for labor and
fences.
An adjournment was made until Mon
day night.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-03-09
Killed. Injured.
Cause OF Fatalities.

The cause of the AZ fatalities are
classed as follows: Falls Of rock and
coal, 80; falling down shafts, 3; prema-
ture explosions, |; ran over by cars, \;
kicked by mules, .; explosion of pow
der, | and miscellaneous causes, 2.
The occupations of those killed were
as follows: Miners, 10; laborers, l6
drivers, Z; door tender, |; shaft sink
ers, 4; slate picker, /; driver boy, l.
rockman, / locomotive fireman, J.
There were li5 accidents-fatal and
non-fatal During the year 2O3,997 kegs
of powder We're handled, which, In addi-
ton to the other sources of accident
give Il sufficient indication of the risks
incurred.
Mr. Roderick describes in Il compre.
hensive manner the cause of the Vari-
Gus accidents and comments upon the
steps which should be taken to miti-
gate the risks. He also treats on pillar
rObbings and danger of mine fires.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-03-09

the rank and file, but it is not probable
that any Of them will seek a nomina-
ton, possibly excepting Mr.. Hallstead.
Mr.. Kemmerer favors Mr.. Danner and
it will not be surprising if he or Mr..
Hallstead is selected
DR.. j. Burnett, mentioned by the
Democrats, probably would not accept
nomination. He could not be seen
yesterday, but Martin Flynn, who is
well-posted in Democratic matters in
the Sixteenth and is close to DR.. Bur
nett, is authority for the statement that
the doctor wants none of council in his.
The announcement was made last
night that John A. Mears will also
seek the Republican nomination.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-03-09
DIED.

BLUM.-In Scranton. March 8, Else,
daughter of Mr.. and Mrs. Jacob Blum,
aged years. months and 20 days. Flu
neral on Sunday, March 10, at p. M,
from the residence, 9iS Taylor avenue.
HENNIGAN.--In Scranton, March Z, 1895.
James Hennigan, of Twentieth street.
The funeral will take place Sunday af-
ternoon at o'clock. Interment In Hyde
Park Catholic cemetery.
PRICE.-In Scranton. March s, Mrs. Sam
uel Price, aged 81 years, at the home OF
her daughter, Mrs. ], W.. Howarth, 1916
Jefferson avenue. Announcement of 'fu-
Neral later.
VOSBURG.-In Scranton, March z, 1895,
Mrs. Elizabeth Vosburg, at the home of
her daughter. Mrs. j. w. Dershimer, on
Eynon street. Services at Factoryville
Baptist church Sunday afternoon.
ZfEGLER.--In Scranton March s, 1885,
Mrs. Henry #. Ziegler, aged %, at her
home on Cedar avenue.