davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-09-07
Civil Service Defects.

VERY person who has had
Il good opportunity to observe
- the practical workings of the
present civil service system
must concur in the opinion that that
system is a mongrel sort of cOmpro-
mise between merit and pull which
preserves more of the vices than of the
virtues of either Appointment in a
majority of cases is the work of pull,
with just enough disguise on to make
hypocritical the thin pretense that
merit alone governs.
The Washington Post enumerates
some specific faults in the existing sys-
TEN in a manner to make its meaning
clear. THE practice Of making
requistion on the civil service COM
mission to fill a vacancy. and then re-
jccting those at the top of the eligible
list in order to reach a particular man
below is so common" it says, that it
scarcely needs comment. Such a meth
od is infinitely more heartless than the
out and out spoils system. Another
feature which stands in the way of
! eligibility through merit alone is that
! which provides that only a certain
| number shall come from each state.
| When the quota is full, no others,
! however we'll qualified, need apply.
/ Pray tell us wherein residence affects
ones competency? What difference
! does II make whether a man comes
| from Maine or California, so long as
! the test imposed shows that he would
make the most efficient employe? If
the applicants from Illinois are the
! most competent, they should be Sc
lected even if they should outnumber
the contingents of all the other states
combined But the scheme still re-
tains the element of spois cloaked be-
hind the thin artiice of distribution
according to states.
Then, again, why continue to hold
examinations in this city or that when
the lists Of eligibles are already crowd
ed with the names of those who have
passed the tests? The acquisitions Of
two years would not exhaust the sup
ply. Almost daily circulars go forth
stating that the commission will hold
examinations for a particular position
on a certain day and giving the re-
quirements, together with the subjects
to be treated in the examination. The
average young man or woman who
takes such an examination knows
nothing of the tedious dalys, the un-
certainty, in fact, the hopelessness Of
the quest for appointment. One en-
tering his name as an applicant pre-
pares himself carefully beforehand.
He is certain that he reached a high
a certificate giving his rank This is
to him assurance that he will enter
the service of the government. He
awaits the summons confidently, but It
he is simply one Of a countless num-
Der Of eligibles who win never be
called for, He is ignorant of the fact
that his name was one Of those sum-
marily rejected by a department chief
who wanted some one else. He will
perhaps waste months waiting for a
position which there was never the
slightest chance of his obtaining, no
matter what his qualifications. With
out attempting to wax hysterical over
the wrongs Of these appointment-seek
ers, we think that some judgment
should be displayed in this matter OF
: holding examinations They create
false hopes among those who cannot
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-09-07

the vote is cast. Prior to the election
application may be made to the regis
trars 20 strike off the registration lists
the names of any persons Illegally reg
istered as voters. Fraudulent voting
is felony in California, punishable
with imprisonment for term not to
exceed II years.
The polls are open from a. m. TO
; y. m. The election booths are located
in the center of a circle 200 feet In dia-
meter. and within that line, or 100
feet from the polls, no one is permitted
to solicit the voters for their suffrages
Within the booths no one is permitted
except the election officers, regular
watchers and electors casting their bal
lots. No one may be present during
the counting of the votes without a
special permit from the registrar or
elections. The count and returns are
made under the provisions of the gem
eral election laws.
The election is conducted under the
Australian ballot system, except that
the names of the respective candidates
LOT. The party columns are arranged
in blank on the ballot in the order of
the votes cast at the last preceding
election, the party casting the highest
vote coming first, and in order to have
a separate column with the party name
above it. the organization must have
polled at least per cent. of the total
vote cast at the last election In these
blank columns the voter writes or
pastes the names of the candidates for
deleEa tes of his party. Stickers con-
tanning the names of the candidates
| are. of course. supplied to him outside
| the 10O-foot line by the party work.
crs, and he merely pastes them on
! the ballot under the proper party
| headings. Failure to properly place
! them, as, for instance, a Republican
| pasting the list of his candidates un-
| der the Democratic heading, loses the
! vote. the election officers throwing II
out at the count When the delagtes
! are chosen the state. has no further
| supervision, the chairman of the re-
| spectivr committees calling the con-
| ventions at such times as may be de-
termined upon.
The objection has been made to this
| plan that since no party test or quail
| ficatiOn can be imposed on the voter
and he is at liberty to vote as he
| plcases for the delegates of any party
it would be possible for the managers
of one party to set up a job on the
other party and force on it's ticket 8
lot Of weak names easily beaten at the
| general election. Before the California
law would be acceptable in Pennsyl.
vania this objection would have to bt
| overcome.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-09-07

afford to be deceived. An applicant
who has passed an examination and
secured enrolment on the eligible list
should be notified when his name is re-
jected so that If he Is stalking his flu
ture on this one chance, he may seek
some other employment"
The conclusion of our contemporary
is that if the merit system is to pre-
vail merit alone should be recognized.
We can understand how difficult 1t
would be to secure an honest enforce
ment of the merit principle among
men brought up on the spoils idea, but
toward this end public opinion must
press.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-09-07
The Isle of Sleep.

In the tropically dangerous sea of sleep
There stretches a coral strand,
Where the moonlight plays mid the leafy
palms
That grow in the dream world land.
And here 1t is that fond dreams meet
And dance on the sands of gold,
While the misty shapes we chase in sleep
Within our arms we hold.
land where the gold brown poppy bud
Sways gently in the night,
And with it's opium laden breath
Lulls us to realms of light.
There are no sins. there are no fears,
No sorrows or vain regret;
'Tis a silent kingdom of happiness
Where we wander and-forget.
Life
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-09-07

There will be no necessity for a war
loan unless something utterly unfore-
seen shall arise. The receipts of the
government in the first 20 days Of
August were $4,000, 900 in excess of ex-
penditures and during the first two
months of the fiscal year the receipts
were only about $5,OOOOOO less than
the expenditures in spite of the fact
that July expenditures are always far
above the average.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-09-07

The Wilkes Barre Record credits the
Hon. Henry w. Palmer with having
stampeded the Luzerne county Repup-
lican convention into adopting the
Crawford county primary system. a
change of such magnitude should not
he made upon mere impulse. 1t is to
be hoped that the ex-attorney generals s
moving eloquence may not become Il
,,artN, hnnp,ar1ng
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-09-07

Announcement Is made of a change
in ownership in the Public Opion, of
Chambersburg, sterling weekly
newspaper established over thirty
years ago by NJ. A. Foltz, the present
postmaster of Chambersburg. Mr.
Foltz has sold to Mr.. j. NJ. Runk, a
newspaper and book publisher OF long
experience and superior ability, who
can be depended upon to maintain the
journals high standing and widen it's
range of usefulness. The property is
one of the most desirable in the in
terror journalism of Pennsylvania and
we wish the new management abund-
ant success.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-09-07

W" ROCEEDlNG upon IN" SupPO-
sition that the war in the
Philippines will speedily be
brought to a close so far as
active field operations ON large scale
are concerned. many public men are
beginning to wonder how the succeed
ing ploblem of establishing govern
mpnt shall be met. The announced
intention Of the president to make no
specific recommendations on this point
but to remit the whole matter to the
wisdom of congress renders it deslr-
able that there shall be at an early
date a congressional commission, maue
" of the ablest minds in b"th
branches. to proceed to Mania ana
make a thorough study of the situa-
tiun i'm all it's bearings, with view to
formulating a scheme Of administra-
tion suited to the peculiar conditions.
We do not interpret the presidents
Difference to congress to imply that he
himself has no policy or that he IS
afraid to make specific suggestions.
The chances are that he has the whole
matter well mapped out in his mind,
but for constitutional and strategic
reasons. he wants congress to have an
uninterrupted wrestlc with the prob
lem, so that when it shall finally reach
the point where it will have to do
something constructiN ely it will appre-
ciate the difficulties under which the
executive has lahored and be in bet
ter frame of mind 20 seek his cooper
alton and profit by his superior expert
ence and information. Nothing 50 eff
fectually sobrrs the voice of fippant
criticism as a taste or serious respon-
sihiity and glimpse behind the
scenes at the hidden difficulties which
surround and necessarily influence the
action of men at the head of large ad-
ministrativc activities.
The advantage of a congressional
commission would consist OF the fact
that it's rcuoIt to congress would pre-
sent starting point for actual con-
structive legislation and in the inter-
val before the Presentation of its report
there would be no real occasion foI
many members are already primed a
good deal of huncumbe speeChmaking
on TIA" Philippine question is Of course
iurvitajl' u"dev any circumstances
bu, il Is desirable To keep this as close
t. a definite text as possible and finally
to force a clcaH-gut, unavoidable issue
in black and white between those VIII,
favor hauling down the American ilag
where it has been hoistrd by American
bravery and sacrifice in execution of Z
legal treaty and those who are for the
manly performance Of the nations
duties and the fun realzation of the
nations opportunities in every sphere
To- which destiny calls. When this is
su" is once tightly drawn, there caI
hc no doubt as to the result
The Democratic anxiety 10 max,
trusts a. national issue may force al
INVESTIGATION Of the silver trust, whicl
would produce, We are told, som,
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-09-07

emphatically states that he has not
resigned. Judge Chambers is optimis-
tic regarding the situation at Samoa
and believes that the natives could be
governed easily if he could be allowed
to run the affairs of the island alone
and not be obliged to share the epau-
let's of authority with representatives
of other pOMers.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-09-07
VOICE OF THE PRESS.
Penny Wise Policy.

From the Binghamton Republican.
The navy is feeling the effects of the
steel famine by it's inability to get work
done upon the warships undergoing re-
pairs, and to procure material for docks
and other new work, The haggling oven
the price of armor before congress ad-
journed which prevented the awarding of
contracts to build twelve warships, will
probably cost the government much more
than the total cost of all the armor re-
quired.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-09-07

Two splendid records have been made
by the Cramps in the trial trips of the
new battleships Alabama and Kear-
sarge. The Alabama was to make 16
knots an hour. but on her trial cruise
in heavy weather registered 1920 knots.
The Kearsarge. although larger and
deeper, and having a years foul growth
on her bottom, on Tuesday surpassed
even the Alabamas wonderful achieve
ment. registering 1926 knots. The
Kearsarge, therefore, is the fastest
frst-class battleship in our navy, and
as the Kentucky. now building, is an
exact duplicate, the navy will be ma
terially strengthened by the addition
of these splendid ships, the best Of
their kind afloat
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-09-07
REPUBLICAN NOMINATIONS.
State.

Justice of the supreme Court. HAY
BROWN, Of Lancaster
Judge of the superior Court-JOSlAfl H.
ADAMS. of philadelphia.
state Treasurer-LIEUTEN COL
ONEL JAMES +. BARNETT, OF
Washington.
Election day, Nov 7.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-09-07
A Just Grievance.

wv y HILE as a rule strikes
AN should be discouraged,
there seems no question
that some of the EN-
ployes of the Manhattan elevated road
nave Just grievance A recent order
issued by the head officials of the COM
pany not only DEGREES that the guards
OF the train shall invest a portion of
their earnings each day in shoe polish
but also directs that employees who
have in past been sporting FURNISHES"
and "Peffers" shall be shorn Of their
facial adornment. Mustaches will be
allowed if of modest length and silky
variety, but the patriarchial weep.
ers' which have in many instances
given dignity to the man whose chin
has by nature been cut on the bias
Will no longer he allowed to float in
the breezes that whistle up the ave-
nues CT the city from New York bay.
The order has caused a sigh of dis
content to sweep along the line with
gathering force that threatens to end
in a cyclone. and there seems to be
just cause for dissatisfaction. While
it is true that as a rule the sterner
sex does not place as much stress upon
dress and personal appearance as does
the fair woman, yet no man who
through his hirsute attractions might
at any time be mistaken for Admiral
Sampson on shore duty or Kansas
corn baron, wishes to undergo daily an
operation that will make his counte-
nance look like that of a hungry rae
coon at corn-husking time. If the
guards make concerted protest against
this tyrannical decree they should re-
ceive the sympathy and support OF
every citizen who is old enough to
grow whiSkerS,
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-09-07

The treaty made with the sultan Of
Sulu is not different in principle from
hundreds of treaties made with Indian
tribes. When Uncle Sam deals with
intellectual infants he has to adopt the
nursery book tone.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-09-07

Exports of manufactures under the
Dingley tariff are averaging just
about double what they were under
the Wilson tariff. The advance agent
of prosperity has been overtaken by
the main show.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-09-07

The prize pumpkin at the agricul-
tural fair now mutely but effectively
demonstrates that the theory Of ex-
pansion is proper in all things.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-09-07

Reports from Philadelphia indicate
that the patriots of 81 have not reen
forgotten in these days of her1 wor-
ship.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-09-07

Even Dom Paul sends "aunties" who
appear In his district to Jail. The
United States is about the only coun-
try that tolerates traitors in this age
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-09-07

From the Denver Times.
The undergraduates seem to be able
10 hold as many conventions as the
Farmers alliance in its whiskericst day S.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-09-07

For number of years had the dyspepsia so bad was
almost dead with it. After would eat would swell up
like barrel and have much pain in my stomach that
would not know what do tried everything heard OF
and got much relief and day customer in the
market told me to take Ripans Tabues and they would
me- This six months ago and feel splendid now
although still take Tabule after each meal and three
Saturday night after sitting all day in the market Since
l have used Ripans Tabules we'll woman, and could
afford to be without them. sxtyone years DID,
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-09-07

ca u vs.
A child born on this day will note that
some men are like tail-end ball club.
They always hustle near the close Of the
season when hOpe of winning the pen
nant has been abandoned.
There's nothing like a big strike to
turn the smile of prosperity into a frown
II takes girl with incandescent eyes
to electrify one at a glance.
Hard study is necessary for one to be-
come AN actor, but anyone in the FIRST
stages of dyspepsia may shine as a
dramatic critic.
The self-made man is always liable TO
be proud Of the man who made him.
If mems actions should correspond with
their words many OF us would have
passed away from spontaneous combus-
tion long ago,
The truly good citizen likes to stand
high i'm the estimation OF all save the
tax assessor,
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-09-07
Star
Automatic
Paper
Fastener

Fastens papers in a jiAfy,
feeds itself and improved in
every respect. Prices lower
than ever. We are still SELL
ing the PLANETARY Pencil
Sharpeners. The only sharp E
ening device which never
breaks the lead. On trial in
your office for 10 days free Of
charge. We have numerous
other novelties in office sup
plies, together with a large
line of Blank Books aud
Typewriter's Supplies.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-09-07
Ajacchus' Advice.

DO not be discouraged at one failure.
There's many an excellent orator ana
statesman who probably could not do a
rag time song and dance to save his life.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-09-07

The Democratic anxiety 10 make
trusts a. national issue may force an
INVESTIGATION Of the silver trust, which
would produce, We are told, some
mi@hty interesting reading.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-09-07

EaSaP EaSsaP s4 s 81 a ss f as E9 9ss
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-09-07
After the War, What ?

ROCEEDING upon the suppo-
~ sition that the war III the
Philippines will speedily be
The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1899-04-04

does this company, and it certainly
should contribute something toward
building roads and keeping them in re-
pair. If the state of Connecticut re-
ceived what was left of the per cent.
tax after the cities had received the re-
suits of the same tax levied on the prop
erty of others, the state would get all 1t
ought from this source.
1t is possible that the Legislature
would refuse to right this very plain
wrong, but 1t is no less our duty to enter
our protest against such injustice at
every opportunity. / cannot believe that
the legislature will refuse to give us
some part of what rightfully belongs to
us if the matter is properly presented
for its consideration.
The committee on finance has set
Tuesday, April (to-morrow), at 1880 p.
M, in room No. at the capitol, for a
hearing on this bill.
Respectfully submitted,
f. 3. FARNSWORTH, Mayor.
The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1899-04-04

since the first Of January and is still
very feeble. Drs. Paul Skiff and Frank
| Whittemore have been the attending
! physicians and his friends will be very
/ glad to know of his convalescence.
Yesterdays Hartford Courant re-
marks: Few outside horsemen are bet
ter known hereabouts than S. A. Pad
dock of the Paddock Cork company,
Brooklyn, nicknamed by Ed" ST. John
as the Pacing Parson by reason of his
love for sidewheelers and his ministerial
look Mr., Paddock and his wife are
now residing in Selma, Ala, and are re-
ceiving congratulations on the mar
riage of their daughter, Nellie Hazel.
Speaking of Paddock, the current
Horse Review" has a good story in
which Mr.. Bronson of New Haven is
the leading actor. The story goes
on to say that J, H. Bronson, who
bought the McEwen PAGER Paddock, is
an enthusiastic young horseman, but,
unlike many rich young men, he is
democratic and unpretentious in his
ways, and fonder of a quiet talk about
a good horse than of cutting any swell
figure in society AT present he is the
owner Of Dan. O., 2;07A; Pearl Onward,
2061a Sphinxetta, 2:0S1a; Forest Kerr,
2:10H; Laurel, 2:15, and the green pac-
err, Paddock, which has been entered In
nearly all the good stakes in the coun-
try. Mr. Bronson loves to slip off with
his friend, Paddock, every now and
then, and rough it and talk horse. The
Pacing Parson tells a good joke on him.
The owner of Dan @. came south to
bask in it's sunshine last month, and
struck Selma, Ala, during that cold
snap that broke all other records. He
and Paddock sat uD and talked horse
till the New Havener nearly froze.
When they retired Mr.. Bronson was so
cold that he remarked to Paddock:
well, when Tn at home / generally
spread my trousers out on the floor to
keep the crease In Them" and he did,
arranging them very carefully. In the
night, however, the thermometer drop
ped to 10 below, and Paddock heard
some one cropping around in the room.
Investigation proved it to be the owner
of Dan Q. and Pearl onward, and he
dryly remarked that he was hunting for
his trousers; that he was very proud of
their crease, but in a cold climate like |
Selma man had to keep warm some
way and as for him, he was going to
put on his clothes and go to bed. And
he did, though it spoiled the crease"
The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1899-04-04


Edward Harrigan made his first bow
to a vaudeville audience at Polls yes
terday afternoon and received an ova-
ton. In the evening the theater was
crowded to greet him. Mr.. Harrigan
was delightful in the comedy Larry
Logan" AS the old Irishman visiting
an over particular son he makes lots Of
trouble and fun There is flare up
between father and son, but this is soon
settled, and then all of the five in the
company participate in a clever bur-
lesque for the benefit of a guest who
is enormously believed to be an alb
sconder In disguise. Mr. Harrigan cap
italy sings several songs. The bio
graph has an excellent set of views this
week. the Windsor hotel fire being a
particularly good one. The great Brook
lyn bridge scene has been retained and
there are many excellent harmonious
views Smith and Fuller in one
of the best musical acts, introducing
harmonies on a variety Of unique in
struments, are big hit. The house
goes wild over Anna Suits and her two
pickanninies, who are presented In
surprising and novel manner, which
every one should see. Ellsworth and
Burt have one of the brightest sketches
of the year in their new act Domestic
Pets and it brought a thunder of an
plause. Others in the bill are Irene
and her dog; Bright Brothers, aero
batic balancers; Swor and Devoe, and
Cavanaugh and Hamilton. Prices 1Oc
and zoe; ladies at matinee, 1Oc.