The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-07-02
THE HORSES PROTEST
AN EQUINE CONVENTION HELD TO
DISCUSS THE BICYCLE.
superintendent Powell VIII BE Asked
to Put n Stop to the Manufac-
ture OF Wheels.

Many people living in the north part of
the city were awakened Saturday night by
the clatter OF many hoofS upon the pave
ments 1t sounded as if a regiment Of cav
airy were passing, and many persons
rushed to their windows to see what was
the matter. All these curious people saw
was many horses going northward, and
the common belief was that the horses were
simply being taken TO some other town..
But such was not the case, for the horses
were going in answer to a call for a con-
vention issued Friday and circulated
throughout the city. The matter was con-
Quoted with great secrecy and great care
was taken to keep the matter out OF the
papers. The call for the convention was
circulated from horse to horse. and as the
clocks struck midnight Saturday night be-
tween LOCO and 200 horses left their stalls
and started northward-
The meeting place was on large vacant
common on Central avenue, near the fair
grounds road, and 1t was wisely selected
by those having the affair in hand, for
that section is devoid of grass, and the
speakers at the convention had the undi-
vided attention of all present. The con-
vention was composed of the representative
horses Of the city. There were hack horses,
and a few representatives of the gang that
used to furnish motive power for the
street-car company. The mules were as
sembled In a bunch at the north end of
the convention. where there was ample
space for them TO offer kicks if they saw
fit The convention came TO order peace
fully and quietly, and there was no noise
except rustic from the mule section OF
the convention. This disturbance was ex-
planned by the fact that it was the first
time the mules had been together since the
advent Of electricity, and they were inclined
10 turn the meeting into a jollification af-
fair Old Jim, the pride OF the police force,
called the meeting TO order by the following
well-chosep words:
Brethren and sistern,'' began Old Jim
nered beast gave him the horse laugh for
saying "sistern." Old Jim did not observe
the interruption, but continues
Our inaiienabie rights have been assailed
and We as horses and mules stand in dan
ger or dishcnor and disgrace. The tyrant
man stands ready TO place the cold heel
danger OF being hurled from the proud
throne which We have held The oppressor
honor by introducing the bicycle, a thing
without brains and intellect, with which ne
hopes to I'LL our places. AS the Children
OF proud and gallant race are We TO sub
Hay" came a noise from the mule Sec
ton OF the convention. which created a
ripple OF excitement, and even Old Jim
was ratified for minute. Seeing no hay
IN sight the attention OF the convention
vas turned TO the mule which had given
the false alarm. but when poor. hungry
little animal, with sad CLEAN IN his eye,
stepped forward and explained that he
merely wished 10 call the attention OF the
convention 10 A few things he had 10 say
All thoughts of violence were forgotten.
~ want 70 say, began the mule, that
all this talk about honor is rot. Us peo-
Die over here were thrown out OF Jobs by
electricity and IL didn't hurt our honor
bit i am hauling "a slop wagon now
ana am great deal better fed and
heap happier than when / was pulling
a South West street ear. None of US in
this convention has any kick a coming and
the best thing we can do Is TO adjourn and
banquet on that field OF corn over there
before returning"
The remarks OF the hungry mule caused
division In the convention There were
cries OF no. no. adjourn. never. our honor
and there was as much confusion as at