davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1891-02-25
The Value of an Assessors Oath.

Text book writers on taxation and tax
commissioners in general agree that oaths
with penalties for perjury affixed are not
enough to secure from taxpayers full
listing of invisible personal property nor
from assessors a fair valuation. The
temptation, they say, must be in great
part at least removed.
The Howard bill still retains the oath,
but hopes to make it more effectual by
making it more specific. This is possibly
the best that can be done, but the expert
ence of Michigan would seem 10 show that
il should be more specific still, and that a
penalty should be attached for making any
omission or variation in the form of the
assessors oath. The Michigan law pre-
that he had assessed the property "at its
true cash value and not at wlat it would
bring at forced or auction sale"
On examination of the assessors books
in two counties, made some years after the
law had been in operation, revealed the
fact that large proportion of the assessors
in signing their returns omitted the words,
land not at what it would bring at forced
or auction sale" Their consciences would
permit them to use the words, Eat its true
cash value" but not the defining words
that followed. The supreme court of the
state, in deciding a tax-title case, finally
declared that all taxes made on the basis
of an assessment roll from which the
assessor in his declaration had omitted the
words, "and not at what it would bring at
a forced or auction sale" were Invalid, and
tax-titles to land secured by payment of
such taxes were worthless.
The importance of such declaration is,
it is seen, too great to permit any question
rs to its form or any laxity of any kind in
filling out the form. Would il not be well,
in the various places in which reference is
made i'm the assessors oaths to tho pro-
visions of sec. "a OF the bill, to insert those
provisions in full? Ii en- assessor were in
clined to undervalue, and did not have in
mind the provisions of that section, he
would be careful not to learn them. Such
men are seeking methods of evasion.
Again, would it not be- well in sec. 246
TO provide a penalty for q variation or
omission in the form Of the oath taken?
1t is dificult-practically impossible-to
convict a man of "willfully assessing any
property at more or less than what he be-
lieves to be its true cash value" It is
hard to prove mans belief But it is
easy to show whether man has written a
declaration in the form prescribed by law /;
and the experience in Michigan has shown
that assessors do regard the form of oath
taken.
The success of the new law proposed
will depend in no slight degree upon the
slight chance ofstrengthening the bill to be
raising of assessments to their proper
amount. The bill is drafted with this
evidently in the minds OF its trainers The
task is too difficult one to permit even q
passed by. The assessors oath should be
made OF as much value as is possible.
The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1891-02-25

Mr. BEAsLEY's school book bill passed
the house Wednesday by vote of rs TO ?.
This bill is supplemental to the school
book law passed by the last legislature,
its purpose being to correct some defects
which have developed in that measure
and to enlarge its scope. A better or
more popular law was never put upon the
statute books of Indiana. II has saved the
people Of the state hundreds Of thousands
OF dollars, increased the efficiency of our
common schools. and relieved them of
the demoralizing influence OF the corrupt
school book ring. which had plundered
our citizens for SO many years. The
practical unanimity with which the house
yesterday passed the Beasley bill is graft
flying evidence of the popular favor with
which our new school book system is re-
garded. The Beasley bill ought to pass
the senate without opposition, and we pre-
sumo it will.
The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1891-02-25
stand Up and BE Counted.

The failure of the legislature to take
any action regarding the claim of the state
against the Terre Haute & Indianapolis
railroad is inexplicable.
AS we said when we recently published
the shameful history" of this claim, we
have no idea that the state will ever get
penny of it. This powerful railroad cor
poration, with the genial RILEY MCKEAN
at its head, is a good deal bigger institu-
tion-apparently-th the state of In
diana.
MIR. Culiop's resolution. providing for
an investigation OF this matter. has been
reported to the house. 1t ought to
be brought 10 a vote at once. The repre-
sentatives and senators should be COM
pelled to 90 on record on it. If the reso-
1ution is passed a committee should be
appointed to make the investigation, COM
posed of men absolutely ADORE suspicion.
Speaker Niblach can, of course, be de-
pended upon to appoint such men in be-
half Of the house. We don't know
whether or not the railroad company will
get the privilege of naming the senate
members of the committee.
Either the railroad company owes the
state a vast sum Of money or does not. If
it does it should be made to pay up. Ii it
does not it should welcome an opportunity
20 show, in the courts, that the claim is
without merit. The fact that it is now,
as it has been for many years, using every
effort to prevent even an investigation of
the matter, is the best evidence that could
be desired that the claim is a valid one.
We hope the pending resolution will be
passed in the house and sent to the
senate without delay. Let those
who are opposed to it stand
up and be counted. The subse-
quent proceedings may be interesting, or
they may not. But it will not be the
fault of The SENTINEL if they are wholly
without interest.
The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1891-02-25
A General Road Law.

The legislature it seems, from present
indications, will be able to look back upon
good work done. The appellate court bill,
a much-needed measure for the good of
the poorer litigants especially, will proba-
bly, pass. The committees of both houses
have practically agreed upon a revision of
our tax laws that will put the state in
position to begin to pay its debts. The
fee and salary bill, while not yet in salts
factory shape, is still we'll along, and is
likely to prove satisfactory to the people.
One other very important reform that
the farmers particularly need is general
road law that will make the road work
systematic, thorough and telling In its
effects. The outlines of such system
have already been drawn in these col
umns. Provision must be made for the
>direct superintendent of the work by
men VINO are more than unskilled
laborers. Thing cannot be laid
in level country without
very careful grading under the direction
of an engineer; otherwise the work will
prove an injury instead of benefit The
laying out of a road so as to make it most
efficient at the least expense cannot be
done to the best advantage by unframed
viewers unless they have the counsel of a
man who has made special study of the
subject. No two counties. no two roads
even, need the same treatment, and no
one who has not made such work his
business can tell just what is best in each
case. Give us, engineers to personally
oversee the work and make specifications
for contracts; give us also the means to
make the minor repairs when they are
needed, and the problem is solved.
1t would be well to have a state engineer
also, to harmonic the work, to publish
accounts OF work done and the results Of
work on different soils, OF the expense in
The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1891-02-25
A OutbbIe Exposed.

The Alliance AdUOcGte takes exception TO
some recent remarks of THE SENTINEL
concerning the farmers alliance, and es-
pecially TO the following: Oh That the
farmers alliance was organized in this
state to defeat the democratic party; (2j
that the farmers alliance has asserted
itself as political party. BY way of pre-
mise, we would say for the benefit OF those
who have paid no attention to farmers
organizations that many persons confound
the alliance with other socities which are
entirely distinct from it. There are in
this state several organizations, such Gs the
wheel, the sheaf, the F. NJ. 3. A. and the
patrons of industry, which are non-politi-
cal societies. formed for..the educational
and social advancement Of their members.
So tar as we are informed these bodies
have not become identified with the third
party movement, and the majority of
their members are opposed to IL The al
lance is horse OF another color, as will
readily be seen from a brief recapitulation
of its connection with the last campaign.
On Sept. %, 1890, there was held at In
dianapolis a convention of what was called
the peoples party. 1t was held during
the state fair, and every effort was made
TO bring farmers into harmony with it.
Concerning It's character we submit the
following extract from the account given
at the time in the Nel0s:
The fourth and, from present indica-
tons, the last political state convention
for this year, met at indianapolis today.
The visitors this time are the greenback-
err, union labor, farmers alliance, ETC.,
representatives-pleased to be called
independents" The report (of
the committee on resolutionsJ recon-
meaded as the party's platform the declar-
alton OF principles set forth by the farmers
alliance convention held in ST. Louis last
December. . The platform was
adopted without any discussion.
Concerning this convention THE SEN
TINEL said at the time, and we think with
the approval of the democrats OF Indiana
The affair was manipulated by the re-
publican managers, but il IS probable that
most of those who participated, when they
wake up 10 the fact that they are being
used to pull the monopoly chestnus ont of
the fire, viii turn in ard support the only
party which eau help the farmers and
wage-earners to their rignts-the party Of
democracy.
We are well aware that the state farm
ers' alliance and industrial union as So
ciety did not abandon its constitution and
go into this party, as also that the national
alliance in its convention at Ocala refused
20 organize as political party, notwith-
standing tie efforts of the Kansas repre-
sentatives and others to bring about that
result. The fact remains that the alliance
was the backbone of the peoples party in
this state. Many withdrew from it as we
predicted. LEROY TEMPLEToN. who headed
their ticket, Withdrew, and the republicans
who controlled the movement put in bis
place the republican candidate for the
game position-Mr. Mirror TRUsLER. But
The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1891-02-25

many remained, and they claim today
that the peoples party is the farmers ALI
ance. If any person doubts our state
ment he will perhaps be satisfied from the
following declaration of the Leader-the
organ of that party-on Jan. IL, 1891, in
response to question whether it favored
independent action and voting within
the old twin parties, or for independents
voting in a third party on the st. Louis
platform Of 1889" 1t says.
The fsrmers' alliance-the peoples party
lis our party and 80 long as il continues
TO advocate its present principles and so
long as it opposes the corruption and the
falsity OF the old parties just so long will
IL be our party. That there are rare times
when fusion with one or the other old par
ties for the furtherance of some particular
object is advisable-even imperative-we
do not deny, but the peoples party is re-
markably healthy infant and earnest work
on the part of its members will make
such times of combination beautifully
scarce.
We trust that our readers will realize
that THE SENTINEL understands perfectly
what it has been discussing. We have no
criticism whatever to make OF the farmers
alliance or any other organization as a
social and educational affair. Neither
have we any objection to what we have
shown to be the farmers alliance or peo-
pies party as a political organization. We
do object to that political organizations
attempting to control the democratic par
tvs policy in matters when the two do
not agree. For example their platform
declares
We are in favor of the state furnishing
school-books at cost to the townships 10
be given free to all pupils.
The democratic party is committed
against this project of the school-book
trust, and we do not believe that any
democrat who is loyal to his party would
support it.
The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1891-02-25

No REFORM measure before the legisla-
ture will be farther reaching in its effects
than the township library bill. 1t will be
felt in every country home. 1t will give
the priceless treasure of good books to
thousands of children who now lack them.
1t will be an inealculable aid to teachers
in their work of instruction. 1t will give
employment 10 idle evenings. II will save
many young man from contracting vi
cious habits by loafing in saloons and other
places of resort. II will educate the whole
people and make them better citizens. 1t
will help to establish morality by putting
good reading in the place of the cheap
trash which is now so widely circulated.
Every believer in education, every friend
OF morality, every advocate of good citizen
ship, ought to be supporter of the town.
ship library bill. 1t ought to pass without
any opposition.
The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1891-02-25

No better selection for trustee OF the re-
form school for boys than that of Mr..
WILLIAM G. BALL, editor of the Terre
Haute Gazette, could have been made. Mr..
BALL is one of the ablest men in Indiana,
a thorough-going democrat, as modest as
he is capable, and as far removed from a
suspicion of self-seeking as any man could
be. We hope he may see his way clear
to accept the appointment, and if he does
we can promise that he will render the
most faithful and efficient service Mr.
STANTON J. PEELIE, who was also nomi-
mated for trustee, is stalwart republican
partisan. but personally is entirely nc
ceptable. being a gentleman OF culture and
standing These appointments are far
above the usua! Hovey standard.
The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1891-02-25
The Trust Company Bill.

The bill which passed the house on
Tuesday, providing for the organization
of trust companies, is, in a general way, a
step III the right direction. 1t is legisla-
ton of the most important character.
The trust companies of the country are
fast outranking the banks in the extent OF
their transactions and financial RESPONSE
bilities. They can do all that bank can
do and hundred things that bank can
not do. They enter into confidential rela-
tons with families. They ait by the bed
side of dying husbands and fathers and
promise to administer faithfully the es-
tates left to widows and orphans. They
undertake to do, and succeed remarkably
well at it, a large amount OF business
which it was once thought no one could
do well but lawyers. In the settlement
of estates, large and small, experience has
proven they have been a great benefit
to the heirs. They have most extraor-
binary powers and rare privileges. All
this being true, it follows, as a matter of
course, that they should be institutions of
the highest financial responsibility. man
aged by gentlemen of the highest moral
character and best-known fitness for the
peculiar work. Good character and quail
fications are very good things in their
way, but no law should be passed that
will require people to depend solely upon
these for the faithful administration of a
trust. This bill provides that companies
organized under it may become exec
utors, administrators, guardians, as
signees, receivers. etc, without giving the
legal bonds which are invariably required
from individuals in such cases.
This is clearly wrong. II we are to have
trust company law, and THE SENTINEL
thinks we ought TO have one, let it be one
that will put those institutions on the high
financial plane that they occupy in other
states. The company should be required.
as trust companies are in Illinois, to de-
post with the auditor of state, for the
benefit of creditors, an amount OF govern
ment and state bonds proportionste to
the amount OF business it may be doing.
The minimum security required In Hi
nois is 500, 900, and there are ample pro-
visions for special increase of security for
special trusts. In addition to this the
means provided for public examination,
and for examinations by courts where the
funds Of orphans are in question. are very
The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1891-02-25
ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.

"DENocaAT," Brownsburg: O North
Dakota, South Dakota, Montana and
Washington were admitted into the
union in November, 1889. (2) President
Cleveland signed the bill for their adj
mission. g and II Idaho and Wyoming
were admitted as states in July, 1890. (5J
There are lightweight senators and 1888
representatives in the present congress.
THOMAS II. RUoKER, NJ. d, Arlington
The free coinage" bill provides that any
quantity OF silver of approved fneness
may be taken to the mint and exchanged
for silver coin at the rate of 81 for 4l24
grains.
SUBSCRIBER" city John d. Rockefeller,
president OF the Standard oil company, is
considered the richest man in the United
States. He is worth about $200,O00,000.
"SUBscRIBER," Arcadia: In case of the
destruction of national bank notes the
government is the gamer.
The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1891-02-25

different localities also to prescribe maxi
mum grades on roads OF different classes,
the width Of roads and other specifications,
in order that uniformity in working and a
high degree OF excellence may by main
tanned. Such an officer would more than
pay for his salary and expenses, far more;
but such an officer cannot take the place
of trained man in every county, who can
sec that proper contracts are made and
who can personally train road superin-
tendents and see that their time is well
eDeut
The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1891-02-25
Change. of Climate

Kill more people than is generally known. Psrticu-
larry Is this the In instances where The constu-
ton is delicate. and among our immigrant POI ula-
ton seeking homes In those portions Of the
West aud where malsral and typhoid fevers prevail
certain Of the year. The best preparativs
for a change of clsmate, OF diet and water which
that change necesstAtes lie Hostettsrs Stomach Bit
tiers. which only forti6os the system against
malaria, variable temperature. damp and the de-
biitating effects Of tropical heat. but is also the
leading remedy for constp ation, dyspepsia, liver
complaint, bodily troubles specially aPt 10 attack
emigrants and visitors TO regions near the equator
mariners and tourists Whether used a safeguard
by voyagers travellers BY land miners Of sgri
culturists In newly populated Districts. this fine
specific has ELECTED the most favorable testimony.
The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1891-02-25
TWELVE PAGES.
DON'T IRusT spRouLs.

1t has come to the knowledge OF this
paper that a man known as one f. E.
Sproule has been travelling in the southern
part of Indiana representing himself as
an authorized agent of The SENTINEL.
This paper has no such agent or employee
and will not be responsible for any liabili-
ties or contracts made by him, and all par
ties are warned not 20 trust him on the
credit OF THE SENTINEL. Any persons who
may have made contracts Of any kind with
such a man will do us favor by notifying
MS at once
The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1891-02-25
Ten Inches an Rour.

MAssrLLoN, o.. Feb, 1.-THE heavy
rains Of the past few days have so swollen
the streams of this city that all trains on
the Wheeling & Lake Erie railroad east of
Conversion have been abandoned. the
trains being unable TO get within twenty
five miles OF each other on account of the
washouts. On the Cleveland * Lorraine
railroad twenth miles south OF Richville
the track is washed away for a mile and
the wires are down. The Tuscarawas rose
ten inches in an hour this morning, FUR
rounding all the dwellings in the northern
mart of the city
The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1891-02-25
The Rivers Rising.

WnLIAMsPoRT, Pa, Feb. Livery
thing now indicates flood of not less
than twenty-six feet in the Susquehanna
river. The river has been rising about
foot per hour and is now over eleven feet.
The advices from points up the river are
that it is still raining and all the streams
are high. Lumbermen are very uneasy,
and many merchants have commenced to
remove their goods from the lower stories
of their establishments. The levels OF the
city show that twenty-siX foot flood
will bring the water up to the level of the
court house square.
The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1891-02-25
Interpretations.

The Lagro cement and manufacturing
company OF Wabash county filed articles
of incorporation Wednesday. Its capital
stock is $4,000, and the directors of the
concern are w. II. Knipple, w. B. Rus
sell, T. r. Porter, J. +. Ramsey, w. III.
Green. J. d. Shuts. 4. j. Abbott, w.
Hogan, J. w. Egnew.
The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1891-02-25
why She Kept sun.

IFhIIhdeIdhla IImes.I
THAT woman at the corner of the table
is very silent, isn't she?"
"She has good reason to be. Any woman
under her circumstances would do the
same"
"Ob, what is it. James; what's the rea-
SOM" pleaded Mrs. Botticus, who dearly
loved scandal
"Why, she's deaf and dumb"
The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1891-02-25
The Flood in PENNSYLVANIA.

ALTOONA. Pa, Feb. 7.-Although this
city has escaped, there has been consider
able damage done by the high water both
east and west At Tyrone, the Juniata
had fifteen feet flood and the houses in
the western part of the town are sur
rounded with water with many half SUBJ
merged. At Upton, ten miles east, foot
of water is running over the Pennsylvania
railroad tracks. At Mineral Point. thirty
three miles west, where the Conemaugh
is very high, 800 men have been taken
from the Altoona shops and sent there to
work on the tracks. All trains are rum
ming about on time.
The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1891-02-25
Families Driven Out.

McKrEsPoRr, Pa, Feb. 1.-THE Monon-
gahela and Youghiogheny rivers are both
over their banks and rising at the rate of
five inches per hour. The w. b. Wood iron
works, the National rolling mill and the
Sterling steel works are submerged. Much
damage has been done in the lower part
OF the city and many families are COM
PEELED 10 abandon their homes.
The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1891-02-25

A COMPLICATED state of affairs confronts
Z. S. Standardized KYLE of South Dakota.
Not only was the vote cast for him below
the constitutional requirement, but now
it is said that he is not even resident of
the state, being somewhat of an itinerant
missionary with even now call from the
East under consideration.
The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1891-02-25

much better than in this bill just passed.
In fact, all the trust companies of which
we have knowledge are more securely
guarded and held to s!ricter accounta-
bility than this bill contemplates.
We hope the bill may be amended in
the senate in the particulars We have
named and become law.
The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1891-02-25
Tramo Suspended.

STEUBENvILLE, o., Feb. 17.-At noon to-
day the gauge showed sixty-one feet in
the river channel with the water rising at
the rate of one foot per hour. Traffic on
the Wheeling & Lake Erie is suspended
between Steuhenville and Bowerston
and on the Pi,tsburg. Shreveport &
YouqhioRheny railroad between here and
Wheeling and the Cumberland branch OF
the Panhandle is tied up.
The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1891-02-25

When you decide to take Hoods Sarsa-
parilla do not be induced to buy some
substitute preparation, which clerks may
claim IL 'as good as Hoods" The peculiar
merit of Hoods Sarsaparilla cannot be
equslled. Therefore insist upon Hoods
Sarsaparilla.