davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-02-05
Primary Elections Reform.

Three bills for the regulation of pri-
mary elections have been drafted by
the Civic Federation of Chicago, for
presentation before the Illinois legisa-
ture. They are of interest in view of
the fact that the same subject is under
more or less serious consideration in
Pennsylvania.
The main bill permits primaries to be
held under the Australian ballot sys-
tenn upon netition to court of the regu-
lar organization of any party, or of
two per cent. Of the voters participant
ing in the last general election. The
primary elections of all political parties
or organizations are to be held at the
same time, in the same election dis
trictS, at the same polling places and
under the same election officers and
laws as if the election We're a general
election. The expense is to be borne
by the county. Each party is to have
tickets of a distinctive color. on which
voters of that party may write or paste
the names of their candidates for dele
gates. A supplementary bill provides
that at registration a column shall be
provided in which the registration Off
cials may write the name of the party
at whose primaries the candidate for
registration says he desires to vote.
He need not declare any party atiilia-
tion, but unless he shall do SO he cannot
vote at q. primary election. Another
supplementary bill provides that in
counties which adopt the foregoing acts
Cfor the scheme is to be made optional
with the counties) no party ticket shall
be entered on an official ballot at pub
lie expense unless it shall have been
der this system.
The foregoing is an imperfect alb
stract of the main features of bills
having more than 10000 words in the
aggregate. 1t will be understood, of
course, that ample provision is made for
advertising the primaries, supplying the
necessary paraphernalia and preserv"
ing the ballots and records after the
primaries shall have ended. The essen
tial feature of the whole plan is that it
puts primaries on an equal footing with
general elections, so far as legal restric
tions and safeguards are concerned;
that it prevents cheating or repeating
except through connivanCe of election
officials representing both parties, and
that it renders 1t possible for primaries
to be made both an honest and a general
EXPIRE ssion of the party will. We are
more favorably impressed with this
measure than with any similar panacea
that we have yet examined.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-02-05

site skin. they are issued license to fol-
low their trade upon the payment Of n $40
tee.
-:'t--
Word from Florida is to the effect that
Senator quay and party started yesterday
for the North. They had no luck In the
tarpon waters, the weather proving TOO
cola. 1t is probable the senator VIII
come to Harrisburg after the spring cleo
tions to confer with his friends on the APP
portionment question.
ill
Says the Wilkes-Barre News-Dealec:
Representative Alex. r. Conncll, OF Lack
awanna, appears to be an active, hustlng
member of the house, and he is making
himself heard, too on matters of inpor-
tanCc,"
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-02-05
IMPORTANT If TRUE.
m the Carbondale Herald

From the Carbondale Herald.
There is a movement afoot to move the
capital from Harrisburg to scranton
Nothing has been said in the Scranton
newspapers about it, but we understand
that there is much quiet work being done
in that direction. In every way Scranton
is much better fitted to be the capital than
is Harrisburg. Geographically it is as
conveniently situated as the latter city,
while 1t has much better railroad facilities
In its ability to accommodate the legislative
visitors it is away ahead of the present
capital 1t would be good thing for the
state and for Scranton If the capital Is
moved to Lackawanna county.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-02-05

justice. Under these circumstances, and
in cases where much expert medical testi-
mony is to be taken, it would not be al
together bad idea to have the court ap-
point proper physician to act in the trial
with the judge, and to weigh for him the
value of the medical evidence presented,
and to digest 1t in such a manner that 1t
can at once be comprehended and used
by him.
With the suggestion that in trial
such as the Johnston trial one-half OF
the jury be physicians we do not agree
If expert testimony cannot be SO sim
plfied in language as to come within
the comprehension of reasonably intel
ligent laymen, it should have no weight
with the jury, but should be consid-
cred solely by the judge as affecting
the law in the premises or as recon-
mending the prisoner to clemency. But
1t might not he a bad plan to put to
experiment the last suggestion quoted
above-that of an advisory expert to
aid the judge in weighing the profess
sonal testimony. A more important
Improvement than this, however would
be that lately tried, we believe, in IL
linois, wherein the court is empowered
to employ expert witnesses at state eX-
pense to give evidence not necessarily
with knowledge of the special case on
trial, but in response to Hypothetical
questlons--in other words, to put their
professional skill at the command not
of prosecutor or defendant, as such,
in return for fees from one or the other
side, but to put it to the aid of justice.
This seems to us the proper solution of
the problem.
1t is roughly estimated that the
strict enforcement OF a literacy test
would reduce our annual immigration
one-half. The public can well stand
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-02-05

The departure from this city. in re-
sponse to call from South Bethlehem,
of Rev. Edwin Lunn Miller, the present
pastor of Trinity Lutheran church, will
he regretted by all who have had the
pleasure of Rev. Mr.. Millers acquain-
understand how much he has done,
while resident of Scranton, to for
ward religious interests and to build up
the Trinity congregation. The presence
in any community of a pastor like Mr..
Miller is q distinct accession TO every
good influence; and though we regret
to have him subtracted from us, we
recognize that our loss will be South
Bethlehems S important gain.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-02-05
B A II G. A l M S

Odds and Ends, we find
while taking stock, are being
sold at greatly reduced prices
to make room for new spring
goods.
Have some good Dinner
Se.s we are closing out very
low, $500 Sets, with a few
pieces short, now $1,000.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-02-05

1t is reported that Senators Plat,
Quay, Foraker and some Others have
already formed an offensive and defen-
slve alliance in the senate, as a precau-
tion against unfair treatment by Nc
Kinley. They probably would do this
if forced to, in which event they could
not be blamed; but they have done no
such thing as yet, for the simple rea-
son that it is not and will not be nee
L.L...rl
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-02-05

The Van Valkenberg bribery case
offers convincing necessity for the en-
actment by the present legislature of
the corrupt practices act recently sum-
married. in this column. That act, ii
will be remembered, was drafted un-
der direction of the Pennsylvania Civil
Service Reform association for the pur-
pose of reaching Just such expenditures
of money as are known to have been
made during the recent senatorial
campaign. 1t defines as bribery the
offer, positive or indefinite, of money,
of public office, of nomination, of poll
teal support, or the loan of money or
anything else, or the giving of any
agreement either before or after cleo
ton, and either for voting or refrain
ing to vote, and covers the advances of
a candidates friends as we'll as of the
candidate himself. 1t also makes
bribe-giving worse offense than
brbe-receiving and offers liberal in
ducement for the exposure of men
who make a business of corruptng the
franchise.
Is under indictment in the Schuylkill
county courts, it is questionable un-
der the present law if a conviction can
be secured. The statute defining brib-
cry and providing penalties is as fol-
lows:
"If any person shall, directly or Indirect
ly, or by means of or through any artful
ana dishonest device whatever give or
offer to give any money, goods or other
present or reward, or give or make any
promise, contract or agreement, for the
payment delivery or alienation of any
money, or other bribe in order to obtain
or influence the vote of any men,
Der of the general assembly in any bill,
action, matter or thing whatso-
ever depending, or which shall depend be-
fore him or them, such person shall be
guilty of a miSdemeanor, and on conviC-
tion be sentenced to pay fine not eX-
ceeding $500, and to undergo an imprison-
ment by separate or solitary confinement
at labor not exceeding one year. And the
member of assembly, who shall
accept or receive, or agree to accept or re-
ceive such brbe shall be guilty of a mis-
demeanor and on conviction to pay fine
not exceeding $1,000, and undergo an i'm
prisonment by separate or solitary con-
tinement at labor not exceeding five
years"
The attorneys of Van Nalkenberg
laVe filed at Pottsville a demurrer to
lhe indictment for alleged attemp. to
bribe Webster c. Weiss on the grounds
that no indictable offense is set forth;
that the Schuylllill county court has no
jurisdictions that Weiss was not then a
member of the new legislature, and so,
as such, could not be bribed; and that
. the matters alleged are insufficient to
hold the defendant for trial. If this de-
murrer shall be sustained, it will be
equivalent to a judicial admission that
the laws today offer practically
full scope for the operations of
political financiers OF the Van Valken-
berg type, so long as the lat
ter conduct their negotiations prior
to the qualification of members of
the legislature, and screen them under
the pretence that money thus placed is
for the payment of legitimate campaign
expenses, when, as a matter of fact,
1t is bribery in most insidious form.
1t has been decided in an English
court that the disembowelling book re-
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-02-05
TOLD BY THE STARS.
Daily Horoscope Drawn by Ajacchus
The Tribune Astrologer.
AStrOla he for Friday

Feb. ., 1897.
"a "a, 1qi9
Sn " sfiPs
y child born on this day will notice that
the fellow who is continually asking ad-
vice seldom follows it.
With the state capitol removed, Harris
burg would be of less Importance than
Wilkes-Barre on days that Sam Boyd is
out of town.
1t begins to look as though Clifton Knorr
is trying to give Bloomsbury a business
boom.
Pegasus Sweeney, the councilmaniC
champion of the anti-sewerites, is already
beginning to let his feet drag.
Ajacchus' Advice.
Keep an eye out for flying microbes in
the air; but do not worry about vaccine
virus. 1t cannot contain anything worse
than tuberculosis.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-02-05

Senator Squire, of Washington, who
was beaten for reelection, says he was
offered twenty-four legislative votes
for $4,000. The gold standard has evi-
IDENTIFY wrought startling depreciation
in the value of votes out west.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-02-05

1t begins to look as if the Hon. Gas
Addicks, of Delaware, invested his SEN
atorial campaign fund in a political
gold brick
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-02-05
SCRANTON, FEBRUARY ., 1897

1t is preposterous to assume that 1t
is impossible for President,elec Nc
Kinley to find in the commonwealth of
Pennsylvania an acceptable Republl-
can of cabinet size.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-02-05

the nearest sewer. But they cannot
do damage without readers, and those
i've which incltes their filth, are In real
fact their accomnlces in crime 1t is
with these misguided patrons of vice
that reform must begin.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-02-05
STATE
LEGISLATIVE
TOPICS.

Senator Pavey, of New York, has in
troduced a Albany bill which might not
be out of place at Harrisburg also. 1t IS
designed to remedy certain evils in party
management that have been most prolific
sources of factional strife. Whenever an1
wherever there have been contests for
nominations for supremacy in local party
control the defeated side has uniformly
cried fraud The charge publicly made
and plausibly maintained has cast public
discredit at one time or another on every
political party. The plain truth is that
every party and every faction has doubt
less been guilty of fraud as charged The
fraud" has taken on differen, forms ac-
cording to local circumstances. In places
where a party enrolment is a requis!te
to participation in the primaries the rolls
have been padded" by the addition Of
fictitious names or dead persons. Other
names have been stricken off the rolls too
late for the persons to secure a re-enroil-
ment in time for the primaries Men have
been denied the right of enrolment or else
have been subject TO so much red tape and
delay that busy men would not pursue the
matter and get enrolled. Men have been
refused the right to vote at primaries by
denial of their identity. All these evils
are to be cured by the very simple plan
proposed in the bill introduced by Senator
Pavey. 1t is known as the kentucky
Plan" as the fundamental idea is taken
from the statute of that state. In al
places where personal registration of II e
voter prior to election is required by law
the voter presenting himself for registra-
| ton will be asked the question, do you de-
sire to register for the purpose of partici-
pating in the primaries of the political
party with which you are atliliated?r He
is not required to answer the question. He
is not required to disclose how he intends
to vote at the next or at any subsequent
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-02-05

1t has been decided in an English
court that the disembOwelling book re-
view must not convey to readers an
accurate idea of what the book is. This
may be a victory for publishers, but
it is clearly a defeat for the public.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-02-05

Since the fact became plain to the
world at large that the American peo-
pie proposed to pay their just debts
dollar for dollar, in the best money go
ing, there has been a marked veering
in the tide of gold. Although in 1895
we exported sT2O66, ,2S7. the records
show that in the year just ended the
receipts Of gold from Europe exceeded
our exports by $46O23, 594. Our gold re-
serve is now larger than it has been
for years, and if the government were
on self-sustaining revenue basis, we
should undoubtedly witness a revival
of prosperity unequaled since 1890. A
sity.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-02-05

1t is roughly estimated that the
strict enforcement OF literacy test
would reduce our annual immigration
half. The public can well stand
such a Shlinkage
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-02-05

The Tribune acknowledges with in
terest receipt of Numbers / and 2 Of
Impressions, a monthly journal pub
lished by the students of the Scranton
High school, under the following or
ganizatlon: p. f.. Kilcullen, 'a7, editor
in-chief; Joseph A. Wagner, &c. Leona
Gregory, 81 Walter Schanz '9S, Grace
A. Bailey, '99, c. George Spoerl 80, and
w ID. Sweet, 1900, associate editors; c.
a. Gilmore, '99, business manager;
Robert Gardner, 80. and Leon Levy, 90,
advertising managers, and Walter p.
stevens, 1900, secretary of circulation
Impressions will do much to inspire in
terest in school work, give form to lit
erary ideas, make practical the theories
acquired during the study of the Eng
lish language and its literature. ana
introduce its editors and contributors
to some of the serious lessons OF life
outside the school room. We wish it's
makers success.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-02-05

The Washington Post considers the
Pennsylvania libel law a vicious survival
of the unfittest," and says: 1T is high
time for Pennsylvania 70 get sid of a law
that assumes malice where all the circum-
stances disprove its eXlstence--a law that
IS quite as far behind the age as any of
the dead and forgotten acts of the colonies
in the seventeenth century. In such a
commonwealth as Pennsylvania that kind
of law is an offensive anachronism."
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-02-05

1t is pointed out as a significant example
for the guidance of Pennsylvania legisla-
tors that Connecticut some years ago con-
structed a handsome capitol within the
original estimate of $25OO,OO0
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-02-05

The proposed BARRIERS sanitary law,
which in bill form is now before the house,
is intended primarily to put quietus on
the tonsoral schools that turn out alleged
experts i'm eight weeks to prey upon an
unsuspecting public. The state board of
health and local health boards are invited
by the pending bill to visit barbershops TO
see that they are cleanly and that proper
precautions are taken to prevent the
spread of skin diseases. A state board of
five competent BARRIERS is provided to ex-
anime BARRIERS, and If they have the requi-
The courier., 1897-06-26

In travelling bags the newest are sup
piled with gilt Fl t;nge, which have
generally displaced the silver. There are
also exterior ornaments 10 delft, land
scapee, heads, sporting bits. etc but l
don't take much stock in these upneces-
sary additions TO the weight of my
packages, besides which they are a
tempting bait for any light fingered
stranger who may chance upon one OF
these bags when unattended by it's
owner.
A few words as to the new sleeves. /
like them, and il seems to me they grow
daintier and smarter day by day. They
arehappy medium between the balloons
OF recent times and the ekimpy things
of long ago. The present sleeve fits the
arm snugly, endirg in point over the
hand, and having email puffs at the
top, which break the otherwise sharp
lines.
Hats and bopnets, says the Partisan
oracle, are to be high rather than fiat
and comparatively email in size. No
doubt there be those who will give up
their Gains boroughs only with their
lives, but such must either prepare for
deah or te cut cut of the fashion.
saw a ahat-in: en- led for deadly execution
at Newport garden parties-of a new
shade, Chartreuse green, With green
leaves and tiny pink moss rosebuds
peepiDg through the misty gauze. The
Tyrolean hat is really the correct thing
for the wheel, others to the contrary
Notwithstanding. Canvas hats are very
new and chic. but very trying 10 most
styles of beauty. One must needs be
fair of facs and blonde Of hair to tone
in sympathetically with them. The
veil is really part Of the hat. Most
worn and stylish in this line is the veil
OF medium net, with small chenille dots
Double yelling OF plain white tulle over
black, with dots, is one Of the seasons
fads. Wells with edgings are not smart
Those with pattern are most trying
Some pretty women do and will wear
the white yelling with black dots, yet
to my taste, the black is far and away
the most becoming and correct.
The courier., 1897-06-26
Shaving-Hairdressing

without 1ault. on Tue ITout dprou-
breadth were delicate flowers in black
lace applique. Besides this. and in
clever, Frenchy way, in
sertion was intertwined to initiate bows
and ribbon ends. Around the bottom
of the skirt were two ruffies of Swiss
muslin edged with black lace. The
waist was very simple, with a bolero
effect, made with the lace flowers ap-
plique, the puffs on the sleeves richly
adorned with black lace. a ceinture and
collar of two shades of red, with black
lace standing stiffiy like ruff. With
these two latter colors changed to
black, / would recommend this frock
for wear in second mourning. The effect
of the whole costume is rich and very
dressy. should add that it may be
worn over white silk taffeta petticoat
or even over black one.
/ WAS quite taken with black silk
grenadine gown. worn over the loveliest
shade OF mauve you ever saw. Itshone
like summer moonlight on placid
lake There wss Eotbirg unusual about
the skirt itsalf-it was the regular
thing-but the waist was "gem OF
purest ray serene" being bo,ero effect
Of tie me oonlight mauve taffeta richly
tmbroids red in amethysts, square
yoke in the Tack also studded with the
soft hued store a tiny yoke effect Of
cream white satin, with net shading its
ivory tone; a regular little corset OF
black satin, fitting. of course, | Ike a
glove. suggest this costume as suitable
for stout figure.
For both matrons and maid it is
growing to be quits the correct thing to
wear guimpe bodices for the afternoon,
the low bed ces being reserved for
evening.
A word to those about to travel,
whether by rail or steamer. There
should be fitness and propriety in a
travelling costume as well as in one in
tended for more exacting functions. In
fact, a dainty, tasteful and yet useful
travelling outfit calls for the exercise Of
asmu.h taste and ingenuity as does any
set OF garments in my lady's collection.
Alpaca having had its day for dreary
occasions is once again che material
par excellence for travellers. Brown
tints are the preferable ones, and are
braided in black or in matching colors
Scotch tweeds, cheviots and serges are
the heavier goods for this purpose, and
on that account essential wherever
there is to be the least exposure, en-
route. to night air ana breezse. The
shirt waist ana Eton coat are the most
convenient and practical styles. The
most desirable dueter, a sine qua non
Of railroading. is simple, long, Mother
Hubbard, pongee cloak-not a biz
pretty, but q garment that attends
strictly to business and is absolutely i'm
pervious to dust. 1t has bsen univer
} sally adopted by the smartest womsr
who do the must g,obe-trotting.