The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-02-19
MINOR MENTION.

DAVID DUDLEY FIELD went all the way to
Washington, few days ago. to make an appeal
before the House committee Territories for
the preservation of Indian and aboriginal names
in connection with the Territories it is proposed
to admit to statehood. ''Why should country
so rich in musical Indian Names" said he, ''per
petuate the harsh European titles that have
been chosen for SO many of our States and cit
les I think New York is about the poorest
designation that could possibly be given to the
great Empire State. The only thing have ever
cherished against the memory of Abraham Lin
coin was the fact that he admitted West Vr
ginia' when he might have called it 'Kanawha'
or Cum berland. What will understand by
a New Mexicop Let us call it 'Montezuma.
He was the greatest of our aboriginal chiefs
and deserves to have his name perpetuated AS
for Washington, though 1 have the greatest
respect for the Father of His Country, protest
against the confusion that would be created. By
all means, let us call it Tacoma, which is both
musical and distinctive" In the main, these
points well taken. Americans have hereto
fore shown great poverty and exceedingly poor
taste in the matter of names. West Virginia is
weak dilution of Virginia, and New Mexico
has nothing whatever to commend it. AS for
Washington Territory, do not agree with
the name of the Father of His Country. If the
Territory is to be divided, one part might very
properly be called Tacoma, purely Indian
name and that of the grandest mountain peak
on the Pacific coast
THE movement for reform in funerals has
made more progress in England thar here. In
this country there a strong sentiment on the
subject, but it is unorganized, while in England
it has taken organized form. The object is to
reduce the expense of funerals, to do away with
unnecessary and costly display, and to place
funerals plain and inexpensive basis. To
this end it is proposed to start the reform
among the wealthy and well-to- classes. and
thus popularizing it among the poor. The En-
glish society is called the Reformed Funeral AS
ISOLATION. The Duke of Westminster is at it's
head, and many prominent gentlemen giving
it their hearty support. There ought to be an
organization of this kind in every city of this
country. There is better field for practical
reform than in reducing the utterly useless and
often really cruel expense of funerals
Nor long ago, Mr.. Robert Bonner gave his
New York Ledger to his two sons, AID has
since given them a million dollars to run it with
The appearance on dead-walls of posters with
blue, seven-story words to the effect that the
Ledger is a great paper shows that the young
men getting away with their Surplus" with
some rapidity. 1t does not show, however, that
it will come back to them. Bonner. the elder
attained success by advertising in the news
papers
A CHILD of poor parents died in New York
the other day of diphtheria. after swallowing
two silver tubes placed in its throat by the ply
stefan after the process known intubation.
The doctor wanted bis tubes and refused a
death certificate, unless the parents would pay
him ten dollars or permit autopsy for the