The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-03-25
THE HYPNOTIZED REPORTER.

/ have noticed in the papers recently
that a curfew wave has been passing over
certain portions of the country and that
ordinances are being passed by wise cotn-
cilmcn making it IL crime for children to
be allowed on the streets at night long
after sundown 1t has been hinted that
some of the rowing curfew agitat tors in
tend to visit Scranton at some future date
and take steps to have the young people
of the city In bed at proper hours. This
movement seems to be on par with the
efforts of some of the enthusiastic men-
bers of the New York society for praven-
ton OF cruelty TO children, who have
driven many talented little ones to star
Vation because they were considered too
young TO act on the stage. There is no
question that many children are on the
streets at night long after they should be
in bed, but the curfew law that would
make Il criminal of any boy or girl who
happened TO be caught on the streets after
the ringing of the bell would certainly be
OF no benefit to the community. If a cur
few law Is passed IL should be an ordinance
that would call in the blear-eyed loafers
who stand on street corners and jostle de-
cent people: the married men who stay
ou, late on evenings that the lodge meets
ana members of the amateur glee clubs
who sing the soldiers farewell at mid
night. curfew of this nature would be
u real blessing. If no one but happy,
harmless children We're allowed on the
streets after sindown the world would be
better for it.
H \ Il
Speaking of streets, ! am reminded that
for Il busy thoroughfare Spruce street is
in about the worst condition of any street
upon record, Merchants attempting TO
transact business on Spruce street have
been badly handicapped for some time
past by building operations. In some
cases the accumulation of building mate
rial and rubbish has been unavoidable
In Others AN utter disregard for the rights
of Il neghbor has been expensve--for the
neighbor. The business of one merchant
am told has been ruined by building
operations near his store Property own-
ers along Spruce street, between Wyom-
ing and Penn avenues are anxious that
the rubbish stored on that block shall be
removed and that the street shall be re-
paved. They stand ready to settle for
their share Of the cost. 1t is hoped that
act when the weather will permit The
condition of this important thoroughfare
IN the heart of our city would be Il dis
grace TO the borough Of Dunmore.
We hear a great deal about art these
days, and local and other writer's never
tire in the task of extending sympathy TO
wealthy people who have been swindlcd
into buying paintings which are not
wretched enough in construction and col
or ana gricsome enough In subject matter
to be classed among the masterpieces of
splash. ] once saw picture representing
sunrise. There was little TO the paint
ing save the sky effects But the rosy
blush of a summer morn was reproduced
in a way that fascinated the lover of ma
ture. 1t was a picture at which one might
gaze for hours and never become weary
The effects in color which 80 truthfu,iy
portrayed the birth of glorious day had.
it seemed to me. been produced by ma gic,
and the work throughout possessed sub
tie charm that was irresistible. Vet |
have been told that that picture was
not II work of art | have been informed
that a dingy piece of canvas that looks as
though 1t had been pelted with lamp
black and mud balls. Is really the wori:
which We should admire. The sky effects
of the painter who produced the sunrise
must he clasSed with work of the lght-
ming artist who paints landscape for aj
cents while you wait. OF course it will
not do to question cur critics. They are
supposed 10 know, but when a man who
has paid a good. round sum for paint
ing which has been the object of admira-
ton for years. perhaps. suddenly learns
that his purchase Is not art at ALL but
mere trash. he must feel as insignificant
as though he had been harboring book
beer sign.