davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-02-19
HOOP-SKIRT LEGISLATION.

There are few varieties of crank that
do not eventually show up in the In
diana Legislature, and it would be
strange if i'll the aggregation of freaks
which now compose that body one
could not be found who felt himself
called upon to formulate measure in
tended to prohibit hoop skirts. Such
bill was presented in the Senate OH Fri
day. and its author doubtless feels that
he has achieved fame. If he lives long
enough to see it become q law and to
see women pay any more respect to it
than the Indianapolis police board does
to the saloon laws. he will live to o great
old age, and will achieve still greater
fame. There is q singular disposition
among lawmakers this year to indulgein
what may be called domestic legislation.
In at least four State Legislatures
anti-hoop skirt bills have been intro
duced. Over in Ohio the interest in af-
fairs feminine takes o different form.
Whether or not Ohio women are un-
usually susceptible to masculine be-
guilements, or are particularly gullible,
or whether the average Ohio man is un-
commonly ba-ad Is not made clear, but
for some reason the Ohio Legislature
feels that unmarried Ohio women need
protection that women in other States
have not. Tho measure is technically
known as the "anti-masher' bill, and
provides for the punishment of married
men who pretend to be single and thus
lead confiding women and girls into the
belief that they are eligible for mar
riage. There were some objections from
several married members of the Ohio
House. but majority believed that
Ohio girls were in danger, and passed
the bill. A measure equally simple and
quite as practical and effective would
have provided that the Ohio girl shall
not be a fool, but, being the kind of
Legislature it was. this substitute was
not thought of. Neither was the still
more simple expedient of making law
requiring that all married men who step
foot inside of Ohio boundaries shall wear
a tag denoting leir condition in life.
Even in Canada this disposition to
regulate domestic affairs is conspicu-
ously shown this winter in move to
place a tax of from 500 to $500 year
on bachelors. This is done not only to
serve the financial interests of the state,
but in the interests of society. the COM
pIaint being made that owing to the
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-02-19

AN immense mass-meeting was held
in Minneapolis few nights ago in the
interest of free text books in the public
schools. A number of speeches were
made by prominent citizens, all on one
side, and the feeling of the meeting in
favor of the reform was intense. The
Minneapolis Times says:
1t was q meeting long to be remembered.
A climax, dramatic In it's spontaneity and
remarkable in the history of educational
legislation In Minnesota, was reached when
Mayor Eustls asked for q rising vote on the
sentiment of the audience on the su beet of
free text books in the public schools. The
requst had been put in the language of elo-
quence, and In an instant a thousand peO-
pie were on their feet and cheering.
The meeting adopted a resolution and
memorial earnestly petitioning the Leg
islature to pass free text book bill.
The trend of public sentiment through
out the North is in this direction, and it
is only a question of time when every
Northern State will have such law.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-02-19

IN announcing his Cabinet selections
as fast as they are fully decided upon,
Mr.. Cleveland departs from traditional
custom. Heretofore it has been custo-
mary to invest the Cabinet appoint
ments with great mystery and guard
them as a state secret of the utmost i'm
pOrtance. There does not seem to be
any particular reason for this or any
benefit to be derived from it. On the
contrary, as the formation of Cabinet
is a matter in which the entire country
is interested, it would seem to be en-
tirely proper that the selections should
be made known as fast as made. This
course does away with dramatic sur
prises, but why should we have dra-
matte surprise in the matter of Cabinet
making7 1t has been good thing for
the country to have had it known for
some weeks past that Mr.. Carlisle was
to be Secretary of the Treasury. 1t has
tended to create public confidence at a
rather critical time.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-02-19
AN INSPIRING CHARACTER.

The anniversary of the birth of Wash
ingtOn, which falls upon Wednesday,
seems likely to be remembered by more
appropriate gatherings this year than at
any time in the past. 1t is well that it
Is so. George Washington was q model
citizen, a patriot and the most influen-
tial personality of his time. He was not
popular in the general acceptance of
the term. On the contrary. he was a
cold and distant man. The point W here
he stood was the center of a circle from
which all except few stood alOOf. He
did not strive toimpress people with his
superiority. He never overworked the
prOnoun of the first person singular.
Yet all the men Of his time, even those
who plotted his overthrow, recognized
that superiority. For cOmmander-ln-
chief of the revolutionary forces no
other man was seriously thought of. By
general acclaim he was made presi-
dent of the convention which framed
the Constitution, not because he was the
ablest presiding officer or the most pro-
found or sagacious Statesman in that
notable body, but because it was recog-
nized that his name had more influence
with his countrymen than any or all
others. He received the entire electoral
vote for the first President because all
the people had faith in his lofty patriot
ism and his sound judgment.
And yet Washington had detractOrs
and sianderers, as lie would have if in
public life to-day. He YVES denounced
as an aristOcrat and rallied against as one
who was ambitious to be king rather
than President, in face of the fact that
the revolutionary army would have
made him dictator. In fact, he stands
in history, with Lincoln and Grant, as
the most vilifed of public men. Eulo-
gists have declared that Washington
cared not for this abuse and detraction.
AS matter of fact, he cared very much
about it, and rallied at his tormentors
with fury, and because of these ISLANDERS
he did not, in the last years of his life,
speak to Jefferson as ::they passed by"
Washington was no demagogue. No
one can imagine him appealing to class
prejudices or playing upon the igno-
rance of any clement to attain polit-
zeal end. He did not believe in igno-
rance as political element. He never
pandered and he never truckled. He
stands out a marked and inspiring con-
trast TO that low and cunning demagogy
which small men mistake for statesman
ship. George Washington would not have
voted for an Indiana gerrymander or for
a bill granting protection to one man
and denying it to another. What a
blessed thing it would be for Indiana if
its Legislature could sit at the feet of
George Washington few days and learn
Of him
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-02-19

To tho Editor of the Indianapolis Journal:
How many appointments are thrown into the
hands Of the Governor! Please name them and
the salary OF each. CONSTANT READER.
The following appointments are now un-
der control of the Governor: Reform School
for Boys. three trustees, at q salary of $500
each; women's reformstory. three trustees
(aIl women), at $500; Soldiers aud Sailors
Orphans Home, three trustees. at $500 mon
partisan-one member q womanl; School
tor Predetermined. three trustees mon
partisan-one o woman). at goo; State
Board of Charities. six members, serve
without compensation; State Board of
Health. four members, travelling expenses
paid. Members of these boards to be ap-
pointed this year are one for the boys re-
form school, one for the women's reform
atory and two each for the four other insti-
tutions.
Appointments in control of the Legisla-
ture are: Three trustees for each of the
four insane hospitals at $500 each. three d..
rectors for each of the two state prisons at
$500, three trustees for Deaf and Dumb
Asylum at $500. three trustees for Blind
Asylum at $500. This year the terms of
two members of each of the four last n AIMED
boards expire. The bill now pending puts
all the appointments mentioned in the Gov
eTnor'e hands.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-02-19
ANTI-RAILROAD LEGISLATION.

Anti-railroad bills have come to be
regular feature of legislative sessions.
Sometimes they take one form and some
times another. but always they aim at
crippling the railroads by imposing new
burdens upon them or subjecting them
to new obligations and liabilities. These
bills which, in one form or another, ap-
pear with unfailing regularity, seem to
be based on the idea that railroad cor
porations are an unmitigated evil and
should be treated as public enemies.
The idea seems to be that they should,
if possible. be gotten rid of entirely. or.
that failing, that they should be sub
iected to all sorts of burdens, obliga-
tions, liabilities and penalties.
1t is but right and just to look at both
sides and all sides of this question. The
Journal is not in favor of relieving rail-
road corporations OF any of their legal
duties or obligations in the way of
taxes. service s to the public, liabilities
for damages, or in any other respect,
but, on the other hand, it is not in favor
Va pOAoSNutAbe eaSih VA tAy W Uidke
their existence a burden. 1t must al
ways be remembered that corporations
have rights as we'll as individuals, and
that class legislation directed against
them is, or should be. as offensive as
any other kind of class legislation. The
true object of legislation should be to
protect, conserve and promote the in
terests of all classes and in
terests together, and not one at the
expense of another. There is no more
justice in prosecuting railroad corpora
tions than there is in prosecuting
the milling business, the manufacturing
business or the mining business. Rail-
roads have done as much as any other
one factor towards making this country
what il is. and they are entitled to fair
treatment before the law. The railroad
service in the United States is the best
in the world. and freight and passenger
rates are cheaper than in any other
country. If people would stop and con-
slider what the country owes to railroads
and what it would be without them,
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-02-19

Mr.. ANDREW, a mugwump Democrat,
of Massachusetts, tried TO start a laugh,
the other day, in the House, when Mr..
Turpin gave the name of Davis as pen
stoned deaf soldier from Indiana who
used telephone, by asking Mr.. Waugh
II cit was a long distance telephone"
Now that it is known that Mr.. Davis is a
Democrat, appointed on the recon-
nendation of the head of the Cleveland
Cabinet, by General Black, when Pen
sion Commissioner. the hilarity of the
thing is no longer seen by the mug
wump press. The little Andrew and the
mugwump press seem not to be able to
comprehend the fact that some Demo-
Gratis so well served their country dur
ing the war as to entitle them to pen
atoms.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-02-19

ing with painful earnestness to be loyal
accepts Judge Gresham's appointment
as an illustration of Cleveland's great
ness, and adds: "All this aside, neither
Democrat nor Republican ventures to
suggest that Judge Gresham is not ad-
mirably fitted for the post to which he
has been called" 1t is very evident that
this exchange is not acquainted with In
diana Democrats and Republicans who
know Judge Gresham best. Even his
warmest admirers do not give him
credit for any knowledge of diplomacy
or affairs of state.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-02-19
TIE VERDICT IN THE MCDONALD CASE.

The verdict in the Mcdonald will case
has occasioned considerable surprise,
first, by its distinct and unequivocal
character. and, second, by the ease with
which it was arrived at. The jury does
not seem to have shared liz the doubts
or division of opinion which prevailed
in the public mind. Many persons be-
lieved they would find for the defendant,
others thought they would disagree,
while a smaller number than either
thought they would find for the plain
tiffs. They seem to have had no diff
Guilty in reaching verdict for the plain
tiffs on every point. 1t was an intelli-
gent jury, and the conclusion is irresisti-
BILE that the thorough consideration
which they gave to all phases of the
case led them to a right conclusion.
There is reason to believe that they
gave full weight to the testator's affec-
ton for his blood relatives and to the
theory that he would never Intentional
ly have cut them off from any partlcipa-
ton in his estate. 1t was in evidence
that "the McDonalds were a loyal
family" and that the testatOr was keen
ly alive to this feeling. On this point the
court instructed the jury as follows:
I'm connection with the feelings enter
tanned by the deceased for the plaintiffs.
you can consider what, if any, provision
he has made for the various members of
his family out of his estate before his
death, and the character of the alleged
will itself as to whether or not, in view
of all the circumstances surrounding the
testatOr and the situation of the men,
bers of his family, and the state of his
feelings toward them, as shown by the
evidence, it disposed of the property in
natural and reasonable manner, and in
the manner intended by him. unbiased
by any alleged fraudulent or undue in
fiuencos, if any, alleged to have been
practiced or exerted by defendant and
operating upon his mind at the time the
will was alleged to have been made"
Under this instruction it was the right
and duty of the jury to give full weight
to the consideration that the testator
would probably make some provision
for his blood relatives, at least after
giving his widow considerable portion
of his estate in fee and life estate in
the remainder. There would seem to
be reason to believe that this considera-
ton had a good deal to do with the
jury's verdict.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-02-19

indifference and negligence of Canadian
bachelors Canadian maidens are being
enticed away from their own country by
enterprising men from the States" who
want them for wives.
The indications are that this kind of
legislation may become general and that
lawmakers everywhere will consider
it their province to dictate for kitch-
on as well as for dresslng-room,
and for other personal proceedings
besides those matrimonial. 1t need
cause no surprise to hear that measures
have been introduced to prescribe pork
and cornbread as daily dishes on every
Indiana table, with penalty of fine for
failure to provide them; nor that Ohio
and Canadian sisters are provided with
legal guardians whose business it is to
see that they are safely married.
But in mixing in" to these matters
BILE for themselves and their brethren.
Mrs. Lease and her sisterhood have
their eyes on them and are taking notes.
The sisterhOod means to have hand in
legislation, too. some day, and, with
such precedent, what may it not do in
regulating the affairs of menP Not by
way of revenge-far from it-but by
way of reciprocating favors and for the
good of the male sex. 1t may not be
agreeable to have the foolish silk hat
abolished. to be compelled to go home
by 10 o'clock every night, and to give
homely girls the preference at all times.
but hoop-skirt legislation may bring
these very things about. 1t has its
risks
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-02-19

THE directors of the Columbian
Worlds Exposition have issued a list of
officials who will be entitled to compli-
mentary tickets to the exposition, which
list does not contain the names of the
members of the Illinois Legislature.
The able statesmen could not stand
this, and they have, accordingly, adopted
O series of resolutions calling attention
to the fact that, having appropriated
100000 in aid Of the exposition, they
regard the action of the directors in ex-
Guiding them from the free list as ian
uncalled-for discourtesy and an insult"
They resolved, further, "that copy of
these resolutions be sent to the direct
ors of the Columbian exposition" The
Illinois legislator seems to be as thrifty
as the rest of the brethren. He wants
his share.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-02-19

president Dallas from the Senate chamber.
The 4th of March. 1872 came on Sunday.
The terms of the outgoing President and
Vice. president expired at IL o'clock noon on
that day. From II NJ. Sunday until President
Taylor took the oath of Office on Monday.
the United States may be said TO have bad
no chief executive. Its legal head was
not Senator whom chance had made the
outgoing Vice Presidents deputy. Had
there been On imperative emergency call.
ing for the services of President on that
day. the oath of Office would have been ad.
ministered TO the President-elect Had
beth Taylor and Fillmore died on that day.
Atchison would have become the lawful
acting President after taking the oath. AsIt
was. he did not take the oath nor could he
have done so legally. There was, therefore
no President of day"
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-02-19

THE Columbian souvenir coin has
proved failure. Congress made a gift
to the exposition managers cf 81, 800, 900
worth of the coins, and the managers
expected to sell them for dollar piece,
realizing So, 100000 Instead of that only
esq.,. 900 worth have been sold up to date,
and over 100000 worth of the pretty
pieces are left in kegs in the safety
vaults. The coin does not seem to have
hit the popular fancy to anything like
the extent that it's designers expected.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-02-19


THE Governors of the Southern States
will meet at Richmond, Va, in a short
time to consider plans for inducing a
larger and better immigration to the
South. No doubt these Governors will
have much to say. and truthfully. con-
corning the genial climate, fertile soil
and natural resources of the South, but
they will ignore the fact that the great
est drawback TO immigration to the
South is in the social and moral condi-
tions which exist there. The natural
resources and attractions of the South
can hardly be exaggerated, but the fact
remains that, as Southern societyis now
organized, there is no inducement for
immigration. There is no freedom of
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-02-19

SOME light-minded people profess to be
much amused at the organization of women
to "cleau ont the town." but the women
have at least ono strong argument in favor
of their proceeding: Men have demonstrated
that they cannot keep the streets clean.
Mrs. Elizabeth Cady Stanton. writing on
this subject in n New York paper. argues
that one of the first steps in the direction
of reform is the care of refuse paper which
ia such an element in the untidiness of pub
lie thorouRhfarea She says: If this city
10 ever to DO cleaned. women must take
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-02-19

they would perhaps be less disposed to
favor anti-railroad legislation. That
the roads should be required to bear
their share of taxation and discharge all
their duties and obligations to society
goes without saying, but it is neither
right. reasonable nor just to be perpetu-
ally pursuing them with hostile legisla-
ton as if they were public enemies that
ought to be driven out of existence.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-02-19

political expression or action. Politics
as carried into business and social rela-
tions to a pernicious extent. and men
have to choose between openly allying
themselves with the dominant party or
suffering social ostracism and business
boycotting. If the Southern Governors
wish to remove the greatest barrier to
immigration to the South they should
turn their attention to this point.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-02-19

To the Editor of the INDIANAPOLIS Journal
who was President of the United States one
dayl When and whyl H.sM
David K. Atchison, once q Senator from
Missouri. is sometimes spoken of as "Presi.
dent for day." but such an idea 10 mis-
taken one. 1t arose in this way: When
Polk and Dallas retired. in 1s49. David II.
Atchison was President pro tenn. of the
Senate having been elected to act in that
capacity in temporary absences of Wee.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-02-19

THE Texas Christian Advocate up
proves the lynching of the negro at
Paris. in that State. Probably it has to
or have its editor roasted as the negro
was. Discretion is the better part of
modern Christian valor. The martyrs
who would burn at the stake for opin-
ions sake are rare.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-02-19

Mr.. HOKE SMITH. of Georgia, woke
up one morning to find himself famous.
A week ago hardly Democratic editor
in the country had ever heard of him;
now they are unanimous in the opinion
that he was sent into the world for the
express purpose of becoming Secretary
of the Interior, and that, in administer
ing that department, ne will surpass all
predacessors
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-02-19

IT should be no part of the duty of
trustees and other officers of public or
educational institutions to labor with
Legislators to secure appropriations.
After hearing by committee. the mat
ter should be left to the Legislature.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-02-19

THE bill which subordinate in the
Office of the Attorney general has pre-
pared, the purpose of which is to de-
prive the State tax commission of all
power over the appraisal of property
outside of railroads, would destroy the
best features of the present tax law.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-02-19

WIEN Judge Gresham said that he
was 'impelled wholly by sense of duty
to tie American people to accept the
Office of Secretary of State" he chal-
lenged the whole country to smile, be-
cause it is an assumption that there is
not a man in Mr.. Cleveland's party quail
flied for the position.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-02-19

THE man who has just been released
from prison in England, whittier he was
sent for brutally beating a weak old
man without any cause, should not re-
ceive much homage from intelligent
people. This observation applies to one
Mitchell, who eluded the immigration
commissioners O few DAYS since.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-02-19

THE will of the late Mrs. Whitney,
wife of the ex-Secretary of the Navy,
leaves all her property, real and per-
sonal, to the value of S3.OOo,O 900, to her
husband, and makes him sole executor.
If he lived in Indianapolis Mr.. Whitney
might expect some relative to bob up
and accuse him of using undue influ-
ence over his wife.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-02-19

THE Journal begs to remark that the
legislative hoop skirt joke has reached
an age when it is entitled to be put on
the retired list.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-02-19

THE Cleveland Cabinet will be the
first in our history that has contained
two newspaper men. Lamont and HOke
Smith come in this category.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-02-19

AN agriculturist who begins by part
ing Lis name on one side. as does j.
Sterling Morton. the head farmer in Mr..
Cleveland's mosaic, has a prejudice to
overcome at the outset.