The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1897-08-12
STRAY SHOTS
Iopics OF Interest, Here, There, and
Everywhere.

lust what the relations are between
Governor Hastings and Senator Quay
is thipg that no fellow can find out
One day, according to the papers, they
are at swords points, and the next
they are the best of friends Not long
ago Quay announced that he would
retire from public life at the expira-
ton OF his present term, and immedi-
ately it was reported that Hastings
would be candidate to succeed Quay
in the U. S. Senate. Then Quay
changed his mind and said he wanted
another term, which was supposed to
be a move to knock the Governor out.
Now Quay says he is going to leave
the country for an eight months trip
abroad, and the Hastings boom has
appeared again, but the latter says he
is not a candidate. 1t is hard to tell
what all this juggling means.
S. n. Walker has been court steno-
grapher for this district for twenty-five
years. He has been an efficient, capa-
Bile and industrious official, and is
known as one of the most accurate
short hand reporters in the state.
Last week it was announced in the
papers that he had resigned, but Mr..
Walker won't have it that way. He
says he has been discharged by the
court, so far as he knows without
cause or provocation. Here is the
order of the court dismissing him:
"Now August z, 1897 the order
heretofore made appointing Prof S.
N. Walker stenographer of the civil
courts of this a6th Judicial District Of
Pennsylvania is annulled and ]. y.
Howrey Esq, of Danville, Montour
County, Pa, is appointed such ste
nographer in the place and stead Of
said Walker. This appointment and
order to take effect and 60 into opera
ton on Monday the a7th day OF
September A. d. 1897.
Z. r. keller,
Prest. Judge"
This seems like short notice to a
man who has held the position salts
factorily for twenty-five years, and
who though still young enough to per-
form its duties. is too old to begin
anew in some other business. And
vet there are always two sides to every
question, and the court may have
very good reasons for this action,
though no reasons appear upon the
record
Mr.. Howrey is an efficient stenogra-
pher and assisted in taking testimony
in the Wintersteen trial. Ee has
filled the position of private secretary
to r. B. Polk of Danville, and is the
Democratic Chairman of Montour
Co. committee.
Andree, who started for the north
pole few weeks ago, has not been
heard from yet, and probably never
will be. 1t does seem as though this
foolhardiness will never cease. Every
few years somebody goes out on ar
expedition to find the north pole, ano
later on somebody else goes out tc
hunt for him. What are they going
to do with the north pole when they
get it? OF what benefit would 1T
discovery be to the world All thl'
expenditure of money and loss of life
is utterly useless. The regions ex
plored are barren, and inhabltabl'
only by ice-bergs and polar bears.
The campaign just ended for count
Offices was one of the quietest Of
record. There was but little interes
manifested and the vote was light
James l. Campbell, one of the cand
dates for associate Judge, adopted tn
plan OF remaining at home, and ha
learned that in this county man VIII
wants an office must ask for it, an
call loud. 1t is no doubt commenda
BILE plan, and it would be blessin
to the people and to the aspirants &c
Office, if all candidates would agre
not to canvass for votes. But 1t neve
has been SO, and probably never WI
be.
General extravaganza is one OF tn
crying evils of the day. There is e.
travagance in the administration
the government in the multiplying
offices in paying enormous salarle
in erecting magnificent public bull
ings, in giving millions of dollars
pensions to people who have no rlg
to them. When the treasury is TIN
depleted, congress meets and upse
the business of the country by spen
ing months in endeavoring to dew
some means to raise money to p'
the bills If they would put stop
this squandering of the peoples mon
1t would do the country more goo
than tariff bills to raise money to
thus souandered.