The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-03-26
TOPICS OF CURRENT INTEREST.

THE Michigan City tInd.l Disoatch says
there are several persons who would like
to be appointed keeper of the lighthouse
at that place, but that is is not likely q
change will be made. The present incum-
bent Is Miss Colfax. She was appointed by
President Lincoln, thirty-two years ago,
and has held the position ever since, giving
perfect satisfaction to the government and
to lake mariners
TIE Bureau of Statistics at Washington
has recently published u statement show
ing the total expenses of the government
per capita. each year since 1872. The state
ment shows that, with the exception Of
the pensions Item. the expenses of the gov
eminent were less per capita in 1892 than
they were in 1872. In other words, the per
cent. OF increase in the expenses of the gov
eminent during the last twenty years, ex-
Dept the Item of pensions, has been consid-
erably less than the per cent. of increase
In population.
SINCE Mrs. Besant's return to London
she has delivered lecture giving her i'm
pressions of America. Il travelled from ex-
IRENE West TO extreme East" she said,
land l saw no separation of class from
class. as there Is In England. In one place
q conductor, who came to collect my fare,
sat by my side and expressed his pleasure
at seeing me. Fancy that happening In
this country" twill strike the average
American as very funny that Mrs. Besant
should expect to find a railroad conductor
o shrinking. modest person. In this coun-
try there is nobody above him, except per-
haps. the hotel clerk.
Mr.. GARDINER c. SIMS. worlds fair COM
missioner for Rhode Island, informs the
public that though 1t is the smallest State
in the Union it has the largest population
TO the square acre and the largest amount
of money per capita in it's savings banks.
city in the Union, per capita. Boston being
the wealthiest. Rhode Island leads the
world in its fishing industries. The acre
age OF Narragansett bay. together with its
tributaries. 10 far more productive. from q
financial point of view. than the same acre.
age of land anywhere on the continent
would be for food-raising purposes. The
city of Providence turns out two tons Of
manufactured jewelry every day and an
immense quantity of cotton goods and
state. khode Island keeps up with the pro-
ceSslOn.
DISPATCH from Easton, Nd. says the
Hon. Frederick Douglass. is there negoti-
ating for the purchase of THE Villa" one
OF the most beautiful and valuable estates
in the county of Talbot. Mir. Douglass W as
born in that county. and it seems he has an
ambition to own an estate and pass the re-
mainder of his days in the county where
he once lived O slave and from whence he
fled to find freedom and become man. No
more laudable ambition could be con-
ceived, and, under the circumstances, 1t
is O very natural ons. Ii would be
the very romance of history. q wonderful
illustration of Gods dealings with men. if
the former slave, once scOurged by his
white master, driven from bis native conn
ty. fugitive on the face of the earth and
for long time buffeted by hard fortune,
but sailing now and for many years past in
fair waters should GO back at last TO his
old home and become the owner of one Of
its most beautiful estates, there TO paes
the rest of his days, full of years aud of
honors, III peace and quiet. That would be
q fitting finale to one OF the most interest
ing and remarkable careers recorded in
history.
The Governor of Pennsylvania has issued
proclamation designating April ID and 90
as Arbor days. and requesting the people
to observe one or the other by tree plant
ing. Aftor speaking of the rapid destruc-
ton and disappearance of native forests
and the usefulness of tree growing, he says:
Let the people lay aside for season the habit
ual activities OF the day and devote sufficient
time thereof to plant forest. fruit or orna-
mental trees along the public highways and
streams. In private and public parks, about the
public schoolhorses and on the college grounds,
In gardens and on the farms. thus promoting the
pleasure. profit and prosperity OF the people OF
the State, providing protection against floods and
storms, securing health ana comfort, increasing
that which is beautiful and pleasing TO the eye,
comforting to physical life and elevating 10 the
mind and heart, and, by associations and meet
ings, excite public interest and give encourage
ment to this most coinInendable work.
Indiana has not made quite as much
progress in the destruction of her forests as
Pennsylvania has. but they are going very
fast and IL Is not roo soon 10 consider ways
and means OF restoring them. Arbor day ia
q commendabIe institution and we should
like to see IL established in this State.
THE curiosities of divorce law have had
q singular illustration In the decision Of an
Omaha judge. who holds that divorce is
necessary of life for which o woman's
husband is liable. The case was this: Mrs.
A. brought suit for q divorce. The papers
were filed. issue joined. and the decree was
almost IN sight. when the plaintiff became
reconciled TO her husband and notified hez
lawyer to dismiss the suit OF course he