The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-03-29

parent aggravations only strengthen the ar
gument in favor of walking. This is not so
ultra conservative, indeed. when the need of
muscular development is considered to adj
vance the idea that one car daily, each way,
would be n suflciencv and public benefit
Feeling that it is the duty of those of us
who are jealous for the general veal to keep
watchful eyes on the current of events lest
the even tenor of our ways be disturbed, l
beg to reterate the caution against those in
fluences which, stealing in from the outside
world may, if not persistently checked
gradually blight our city's reputation as a
model of plodding, consistent conservatism.
A fertile but false spirit of progressiveness
is giving birth to ali sorts of innovations,
and in these rapid days we may expect the
overlooking froth from other cities to reach
us. Already we have tokens of danger to
another cherished institution. Our city
fathers properly and ponderously sat down
upon a proposition to erect electric-light
towers, but our hotels and many saloons and
stores have encouraged experiments with
the new system, and when 1t is remembered
that several thousand m ethods of lighting
private residences have been patented, and
that perhaps, a hundred thousand active
money-seeking men are enlisted in efforts to
induce one or more of these methods. it is
sure that at no distant time the heads and
pockets or consciences, of our stolid-solid,
l mean-Coupcil will be subjected to argu-
ments for and against another innovation.
1t behooves US to support our representatives
to back their consciences and their heads.
The immortality of electricity, under existing
circumstances, is absolutely unouestionable.
and rs for public welfare-that paramount
consideraton-why isn't the very basis of
our physiologic education EARLY to bed, y
ETC.? Don't our young men sit up too late as
it ISL The truly conservative portion of our
citizens WILL / am sure, echo the assertion
that our gas arrangements are as mice" as
necessary. Meters attend steadily to their
business, registering away whether we are at
home or abroad and the affable gentlemen in
the office receive and acknowledge our
monthly payments with the utmost suavity.
Were it not unjust to so admirable an insti-
tuition, after its heavy expenditure for plant,
l should feel it my duty to urge less gas.
There is no manner of doubt that the health,
wealth and wisdom of the community would
be conserved if gas were not allowed after 8
o'clock at night, with, perhaps, an extra
hour on Saturday night, SO as not to inter
fere with the family feet-washing.
Ii we may presume to fix the
Creators intentions, it may safely
be affir med that darkness was designed for
rest, else why are denizens of the polar re-
gions adapted for six months sleep? Hence,
the nearer we get to dispensing with artificial
lights. the closer do we approximate the
normal condition of things.
| | trust, sir, that not only against street.
cars, but against electricity and every inno-
vation that basely threatens our benevolent
onopolies--cherished children of conserva-
| tis1n-we may always be able to oppose the
stern strength of so intelligent, ethical and III
corruptible collection of city fathers as those
we now have, and who for their unbending
| rigidity deserved to be classed with those i'm
memorial emblems of impenetrability to
change, Fossils.
| MARCH 26