davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1891-07-19
STATISTICS OF ALMsHOUSES.

The statistics of the census relative to
pauperism were collected by Rev. Fred
II. Wines, who has made the subject of
crime and pauperism a special study for
years, which. therefore, insures for his
work as much accuracy as is possible to
attain. The aggregate number of in
mates of almshOnses in the United States
in 1890 was 73G45, which is 6,842 more
than in 1880. OF these, 40. TAI are males
and $4,000 are females, which would in
dictate that women have better faculty
to keep out of almshOuses than men. AS
between whites and cOlored the former
number 66,57S and the latter 6,467. Com
pairing the number of paupers in aims
houses i'm 1880 with that of 1890, the
ratio is less in 1890 than the previous
date, it being to 75S of population in
1880 and to S57 i'm 1890. Here the decla-
ratiOns of the pessimists to the effect that
pauperism is rapidly increasing are dis
proved. and the opposite fact, that
almshouse pauperism is decreasing, Is
established. The statistics in regard to
the nativity of almshOuse paupers are
suggestive. Of the 66,57S white pau
pers, 1866 are native born and 27,64S
foreign born, while the birth place of
2,274 is unknown. Of the 1866 native
paupers 2l,519 had both parents native,
$40 had one parent native, $3.50 had
both parents foreign born. while in TO-
COS cases the parentage is unknown.
Commenting on these figures, Mr.. Wines
says:
Leaving out of view the 0.6Os whose par
entaRe is unknown in whole or in part,
there remain 26, 04S cases in which the pro-
portion of native and foreign blood can be
estimated. Ii to the 21,5l9 native paupers
born Of native parents is added one half of
the number with one parent foreign born,
the sum is 1855. If To the $3.50 native
paupers born of foreign parents Is added an
equal amount the sum Is 4.054.5. But TO
this latter figure must also bo added q, Gas
fOrei GU born paupers. which Eives a a
suit 81, 702.5. In other words. the foreign
population of this country contributes, di-
reetly or indirectly. IN the persons of the
foreign born or of their Immediate descend
ants very nearly three-hfths of all the pau
pers supported in almshouses. The dispro-
portion between the two elements in re-
spect of the burden of pauperism Is even
greater than that III respect OF crime. The
foreig n- born paupers alone ontnnmber all
of the white native paupers whose parent
age 10 known, whether the same be native
or foreign. They also equal in number all
of the white native paupers or purely
native origin and the col0red paupers taken
together.
The number of almshouse paupers ap-
pears to be larger. in proportion to the
whole population. in the States having
the large cities and those along the north
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1891-07-19

SINCE Missouri and Illinois have
passed antitrust laws the business men
of those States are cudgeling their
brains to devise way to evade them.
The laws prohibit any combination be-
tween manufacturers and wholesalers
or jObbers to regulate or control prices.
Under the law there can be no agree
ment between the manufacturer and the
iobber that the latter shall not sell be-
low a certain price. 1t is proposed to
evade the law by making the jobber
simply the agent of the manufacturer, a
gO-between in their relations to the
manufacturer and the public. The job
Der is appointed an agent Of the manu-
facturer, and goods are sent to him sub
ject to the manufacturers instructions
as to price, for a commission. There is
no agreement as to price, but if he vio-
lates his instructions he gets no commits
sion. The agent is expected to pay an
advance on the goods sent, but in no
case is there any agreement as to price.
One of the largest soap manufacturing
companies in the country proposes to
ignore the antitrust law and test its
constitutiOnality.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1891-07-19

Atlantic coast. Nevertheless, there was
an absolute decrease of such paupers in
all of those States during the decade
which closed with 1890. the falling off in
New York being 2. $50, or from 2,452, in
1880. to 10, 272, in 1890. In Ohio and Hi
nOis there was an absolute increase,
while in Indiana there was an absolute
decrease of 125, the number In 1880 be-
ing 2,927. and 8. O52 in 1880. The percent
age of almshouse paupers to the total
population of the country was 1.166 in
1890 and 1890 in $780, In Indiana the
paupers were 1885 per cent. of the popu-
lation in 1890, and 1.543 in 1880. Illinois.
because of its great city, shows a small
increase in the ratio of pauperism to in
habitants. In spite of all that has been
said during the past half dozen years.
regarding the growing poverty and pau
perish of the States which are chiefly
devoted to agriculture, the statistics
show that the ratio of paupers to popu-
lation is not half as large as in the older
and more densely populated States, and
that there has been very little OF no in
crease during the past decade. The
statistics of the census do not furnish
aid or comfort for the purveyOrs of
poverty and the prophets of ruin.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1891-07-19

and miserable. 1t is the same idea
which has led the Hindoos to mutilate
themselves and ascetic Christians to wear
pebbles in their shoes, and shirts which
lacerate the flesh. Macaulay has said OF
the Puritans that they did not object to
bear batting because of its cruelty to the
bears, but because 1t amused the
people. Fortunately, this sort of re-
ligiOn, so repellent to the higher con-
ceptiOn of the Christian theology, Is
dying out. Sunday is day of rest. in
struction and intellectual growth. The
newspaper which affords the people
sound and instructive reading on
Sunday is an intellectual and moral
power. Thousands of people find en-
tertainment in reading Sunday paper
who. but for that paper. would devote
the hours to idleness or frivolity. Fur
thermOre, some portion of good Sun
day newspaper is devoted to subjects
and news relative to educational or re-
ligious progress. Last Sunday. for in
stance. the report of the proceedings
of the convention of the Young
Peoples Society of Christian En-
deavOr occupied considerable space,
and not a few had articles giving its
history and purpose. By this means it
is probable that thousands of people
who had never heard much of this won
derful organization became we'll IN
formed concerning it, if not actually in
terested in it. Again, did it never
occur to those who may oppose the
Sunday paper that the almost mar
velOus growth of that organization
is due i'm some measure to the pa
per which they oppose? Thousands of
people would never have heard of this
new church auxiliary but for the Sun
day paper. which has called attention to
its meetings and the nature of its work.
1t was the newspaper, and particularly
the Sunday newspaper, which carried
the intelligence Ofthis new organization
from State to State. But for the daily
press the Christian EndeavOr would not
have been heard of beyond the i'm
mediate neighborhood of it's founder
and those connected with him in Maine.
The fact that the Sunday paper, as a
part of the current affairs of the day,
has taken up, explained and commend
ed this new organization has contributed
not little to it's spread and influence.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1891-07-19
SANITARY PRECAUTIONS.

Comparatively few people have an
adequate appreciation of the Importance
of an observation of sanitary precau-
tons in the disposition of sewage. the
proper ventilation of houses, and in
guarding against the spread of con-
tagiOus diseases. 1t is important every
where, but in a large city it is of first
Importance. This fact is enforced by
the article of Gen. Emmons Clark i'm the
July number of the Popular Science
Monthly upon the sanitary improve
ments in New York city. During the
decade 1S51-60 the average death rate
in New York city was 80. 66 per one thou
sand. This includes the year when the
Asiatic cholera visited the country. dur
ing which the death rate was abnormal.
reaching A. SO per one thousand. Omit
ting that year, the average was So As.
New York has much more than
doubled it's population since that
time, but with the scientific sys-
tenn of sewerage, the larger supply of
water, the improved methods of remOv-
ing disease breeding filth and the adOp.
ton of sanitary methods, the death rate
has decreased during the past twenty
FIVE years SO that it is now 24.5S per
1000 per annum; that is, the death rate
is now 7.S5 per cent. less than it was
during the decade between $4,000. This
represents the saving OF prOlOnging of
three thousand lives year. or more than
eighty thousand in the last quarter of a
century. But this is only one great re-
suit. 1t is estimated that twenty-eight
cases of sickness occur to one death, SO
that the lowered death-rate of three
thousand n year means falling off of
"a. 900 cases of sickness. with all the suf-
fering, expense and loss of time con-
nected Herewith.
At this season of the year it is very
important to look after the sanitary con-
ditions of houses. A sink-spout, or a
cess-pOOl may infect a we'll of water
with deadly disease, or fill the air with
poisonous emanatiOns which carry fever,
diphtheria, and all sorts of summer COM
plants. The garbage heap harbOrs the
foes of health, and the seeds of disease,
and often of death. Scarlatina, diph-
liberia and like diseases. with typhoid
and intermittent fevers, come mainly
from premises which are neglected, par
ticularly at this season of the year.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1891-07-19
NOT ABRAHAM LINCOLN's LETTER.

In the June number of the Arena, one
of those pessimists who seems to as
sumo that reforms can never be begun
unless the masses are made to believe
that corporations and the sO-called
money power are enslavIng the people
and rObbing them of their substance,
introduces a quotation which is attrib-
uted to Abraham Lincoln, as follows:
see in the near future a crisis approach
ing that unnerves me and causes me to
tremble for the safety of my country. As
n result of the war. corporations have been
enthrOned and an era of corruption in high
places will follow, and the money power of
the country will endeavOr to prOlong Its
reign by working upon the prejudices of
the people until wealth is aggregated in
few hands and the Republic is destroyed.
feel at this moment more anxiety for the
safety of my country than ever before,
even In the midst of the war.
A few weeks ago the same words,
with a preamble, were published in a
Chicago paper with a statement that
Mr.. Lincoln had written it in letter to
q friend in Illinois. between the date of
Lees surrender, April 8, and of his as
sassination, April IA, 1865. The words
quoted seem SO unlike the hopeful Lin
coin, and the few days between the sur
render and his assassination were so full
of joyOusness and excitement conse-
quent upon the close of the war, that
it scarcely seems possible that Mr.. Lin
coin could have written them. One who
has felt that Mr.. Lincoln did not ex-
press such sentiments wrote to Col. John
Hay, sending the passage above quoted,
because he felt that Colonel Hay and
his associate, Mr.. Nicolay, must have
known if Mr.. lincoln wrote such let
ter, for his opinion. In letter dated
at Cleveland, o., July Is, Colonel Hay
writes:
To the best of my knowledge and belief
the passage you send me- purpOrting to be
from President Lincoln, is spurious. Mr..
Nicolay cOncurs with me in this belief.
1t is barely possible that Mr.. Lincoln
did write such letter, SO different from
his usual hopefulness and confidence in
the future, but it is not probable, as his
careful historians, Messrs. Hay and
Nicolay, would have traced 1t to the
person to whom it was written and Sc
cured the original or copy of it. 1t
seems from the letter of Colonel Hay
above quoted that the alleged letter had
been considered by them in the course
CT their work, and it was pronounced
spurious. This being the case, nothing
but the original letter in Mr.. Lincoln's
handwriting could be conclusive evil
dence of It's validity, and such letter
Mr.. Lincoln's historians have not been
able to find. 1t is not very important
matter, but unless the purveyors of
wretchedness can furnish the original of
the letter they should cease quoting it
and thereby using Mr.. Lincoln to pro-
mote their single tax and other social
istic heresies and absurdities.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1891-07-19
POPULATION AND PROSPERITY.

The small increase in the population
of England and Wales, as shown by the
recent census-11.65 per cent. during the
last ten years-is attributed by social
economists to the spread of Malthusian
doctrines among the poor This seems
rather fanciful suggestion, especially
when the matter is susceptible of other
itself is fanciful. 1t holds that the
human race increases at something like
geometrical progression. while the fer
tility of land and the resources of agri-
culture increase in only an approx
mately arithmetical progression. In
other words, it holds that, unless re-
stricted, the human race increases faster
than the means of supporting it, and.
therefore, that the undue growth of
population is an inevitable cause of
poverty and misery. The mathematical
part of this theory is fanciful and its
conclusions far-fetched. 1t does, how
ever, suggest some practical differences
regarding the responsibilities of parent
age and the duty of providence for the
future. While the theory is one that
commends itself to political economists
and social scientists, rather than to men
and women as individuals, it furnishes
an argument against the folly of early
marriages and the raising of large fam
lilies of children without any means of
supporting them.
1t is not likely that the people of Eng
land and Wales have been giving any
particular thought to the Malthusian
doctrine as such. 1t is, however, quite
possible that the young people of to-day
are more cautious in regard to early
marriages and more provident for the
future than their ancestors were. Hard
times always affects the number of mar
riages, and this in turn affects the num-
Der of births. This has been the case in
all ages and countries, and will continue
to be, but it is the result of a condition
and not a theory. Comparatively few
of the people of England and Wales ever
heard of Nautilus or his theory, but
thousands of them feel the pinching
effects of hard times and are driven to
their wits end to combat them. No
doubt, few years of general pros Gritty
would make marked change in the per
cent. of increase in the population of
England and Wales.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1891-07-19

In q Chautauqua talk Mrs. Ewing,
who is known in this State, declared
that one of the greatest needs of the
country is good cooks. "They are
wanted everywhere" she said. Intelli-
gent people are coming to the same con-
clusion, and one of the hopeful under
takinGs of the managers of the free
kindergarten schools In this city is that
they are teaching the art of cooking. 1t
may not De a lost art, but it is very
largely an unused one.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1891-07-19

In spite of Honest" John Bardsley's
large defalcation, the city of Philadel-
phia has g larger available sum of money
on hand to-day than it has had at any
one time in fifteen years. The report of
the city treasurer just fled shows bal
ance or hand of $7.024,1 $50. "This array
of figures, says the Philadelphia Record,
"prOves beyond doubt that the city is
amply able to pay all possible demands
that can be brought against it for the
next six months. The figures also prove
that very large cash balance will be
left on hand at the end of the present
fiscal year."
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1891-07-19

served their purpose, which is to sell
newspapers and to furnish food for
prurient curiosity and depraved appe-
tite for sensationalism. What vile
vocation it must be to hunt private
ISLANDERS, and, in the event of not find
ing them, create them! The papers
which seek such revelations are no bet
ter than those who furnish them.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1891-07-19
THE WORK OF THE SUNDAY PAPER.

There are yet limited number of good
people who oppose the Sunday newspa-
per. regardless of it's character. They
oppose it because they adhere tn the be-
lief that Sunday should be exclusively
devoted to church going, the reading of
religious books and to sitting solemnly
in their homes when they can no longer
60 to church or read religious literature.
There Is yet a remnant of that old idea
prevailing that one of the functions of
religion IL to make people feel solemn
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1891-07-19

IT is said that the Senate committee on
rules has agreed to report to that body
an, amendment to the rules which will
bring about reform in senatorial fune-
rails. 1t is to be hoped this is true. Con-
gressional funerals have become a pub
lie scandal, both in respect of expense
and the proceedings attending them.
For some years past the average con-
gressional funeral has been little more
than picnic excursion or drunken frolic
at the expense of the government. The
whole subject calls for radical reform in
both branches of Congress.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1891-07-19

THE manager of news agency sup
plying news" to so-called enterprising
journals on both sides of the Atlantic re-
Gently admitted that his agency was
under contract to furnish metropolitan
Journals in England at least one
American murder of sensational char
acter each week. A number of Ameri-
can papers recently printed. in their
Sunday editions. detailed account of
rumors impeachIng the character of an
American woman who is the wife of an
English Lord who is prominent in pub
lie affairs, which was obtained by some
such agency in London. The rumors
were emphatically denied as soon as
heard of in England. but they had
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1891-07-19

THE San Francisco Chronicle says the
California apricot crop is at its height. and
tho trees were never as heavily laden ss
they are this season. The fruit ripens 90
fast" says the Chronicle. that much of it
must be dried on the SPOT or allowed TO 60
to waste. il being too soft to ship to any
distance. Hence there has arisen q great
demand for helu In cutting and spreading
the fruit on trays Every man. woman and
child in the valley has been pressed into
service. but still nothing like an adequate
supply of help can be found. and, as q con-
sequence. the ground is covered in every
direction with fruit that is rapidly decay
ing" Apricot-outters are paid from 10 TO
90 cents per hundred pounds for removing
the pits from the fruit preparatory to dry
ing. and good workers make from S1.5o to
$3.50 per day. The apricots are brought di-
rectIy to the cutters In baskets or boxes.
The cutter simply divides the fruit in half,
dropping the pit on the ground or In box.
and lays the two pieces. with the cut sur
face mp, closely together on tray. These
trays when filled are removed by assist
ants, 90 that the entire time Of the cutter
10 devoted to his work.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1891-07-19

whose houses they had resided and o young
woman named Ellen Vernon, who had Lived some
time with George Bidwen-
The discovery of the forgeries caused
great excitement. and q hue and cry was
raised for the arrest of the forgera They
scattered and made desperate efforts to
escape. but without avail Every British
seaport was guarded. and the islands were
made too hot for them After q series Of
remarkable adventures George Bidwell was
finally captured in Edinburgh. At the time
of his eonviction he was a handsome man
in the prime of life. After serving about
fifteen years of his sentence he was par
doned. and came out of prison completely
broken down. Having had enough of CRIME
and its consequences he determined to
abandon . criminal career and return to
bis native country and family, whom he
had not seen for twenty years. He did 90.
and is now living with his family In Masss-
chusetts. Q reformed and penitent man. AL
though the British government showea
leuiency in his case. it has persistently re-
fused to pardon his brother, Austin Bid.
well. and he will probably end his days in
prison.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1891-07-19

A DISGUISED croaker calls attention
to the fact that if all the world had had
As fine wheat crop as has been har-
vested in the winter-wheat belt, wheat
would be drug and the price would be
the lowest ever known. He is correct;
such a crop the world over would give
. large surplus, and there is nothing
like surplus to beat down prices. But
fortunately for the American producer
of wheat, he has the only abundant har-
vest in the world.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1891-07-19

Much has been said by the papers be-
cause Miss Colt, of New Haven, after
being fitted to enter Yale College, was
refused on account of sex. Yale should
not be so illiberal. but fortunately, there
are colleges which are not. At least
three first-class colleges in Indiana
would admit Miss Colt.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1891-07-19

The international convention of teach
ers, in session the past week. discussed
many matters of interest, but no atten-
ton was devoted to the very important
subject of an education which will make
the average person self-sustaining when
he gets out of school, and prepare both
sexes, in some degree, with skill and in
formation which will fit them for the
worlds work
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1891-07-19

IT may be hardship, but rich Amer
leans must get along with American
built yachts. The act prohibiting the
sailing of a foreign-built vessel under
the American flag was made law by
the signature of George Washington.
and it is still a good law. Besides. the
American Yacht ia the best.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1891-07-19
Thts IL n SIapder,

Watts-I saw such a wonderful thing when
was East. woman had q lot of trained mice
on exhibition. Made 'em drill like soldiers.
Then she would call them. and they'd climb up
on her shoulder. Ii must have taken twenty or
thirty years training.
Potts-But a mouse does not live twenty or
thirty years.
watts-I meant the woman must have trained
that long.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1891-07-19

REPORTS from the seabOard States the
past week indicate very hot weather.
The old theory was that the hot waves
began at the foot of the Rocky mount
aims and swept eastward. losing their
intensity as they proceeded, but this
year the waves seem to break out in
New York and New England.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1891-07-19
Unconsidered Tr,f1es.

If the New York World may be believed--and
probably it may, on this occasion-"the whisky
fzz is by no means to be sneezed at" The fact
remains though, that the most distinctive feat
IRE of the whisky phiz is often to be sneezed
with.
People who live in glass houses can safely
throw stones when away from home
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1891-07-19

The national encampment of the
Grand Army at Detroit, in August.
promises to be the largest meeting of
the kind ever held. The location is
favorable, the times are good and the
veto of an appropriation to aid the
enterprise by the Governor of Michigan
has reused the friends of the veterans to
do their utmost, which will be the best.