davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-10
BAD AS A BULL FIGHT.
The Six-Day Bicycleu Contest Not a
Contest of Pluck, but OftfBrutaIity.

Contest of Pluck, but of fBrutaIity.
New York Special to Pittsburg Dispatch.
The torture show of the end of the century
is now in full swing here. 1t is drawing
whom gloat over the revolving exhibition of
mans inhumanity to man. Beasts are sell
dom subjected to such cruel treatment as
are the men now riding wheels to victory
or to death in Madison-square Garden
amphitheater. Every once in awhile some
thinker asks in this nineteenth century
whether civilization is going backward in
stead of onward. Such a one would find his
question answered at this six-day bicycle
race, and 1t would be in the affirmative so
decidedly that he would go away saddened
beyond measure. In fact, the circle about
which the wheels whirl can truthfully be
described as a circle of pain and suffer
ing. Hardly a face can be seen that is not
like that of galvanized cadaver; not
body that is not thin and cadaverous and
pain-ridden. Yet a crowd of savages APP
plaud the efforts of the poor objects as they
circle the big building. On, on, is the word.
What though the bodies revolt. What II
nausea comes. What though they be goaded
on and on until they cry like women-forced
their wheels when they could not re-
main awake long enough to catch the pedal.
They still made show for thousands. Half
asleep, half dead, these human automatonS
wobble around and around. Some of the
living ghosts fall and are bruised, but the
trainers resort to desperate measures to
keep them awake. Buckets of cold water
are thrown over the tagging victims and
when these fail hired bPuteS stationed at
overtaxed beings with wet towels. which
leave welts on their death-like faces. The
riders are human, but they are as putty In
the hands of the torturers-weak mortals
who can be driven to any effort by moral
tyranny as surely as beasts can be driven
by goad or spur. 1t is not an exhibition of
courage or pluck-merey pitiful spectacle
of what man will endure in the chase after
the elusive dollar and cheap notoriety. The
bull ring, the football field and the prize
ring are not in it with the six-day bicycle
races annually pulled off in the metropolis
this glorious country
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-10
To shrink the House.

washington SpeclaI.
1t is probable that during this winters
session of Congress Speaker Reed will take
some steps to promote his plan for reducing
the size of the hall of the House of Repre-
sentatives. He advanced the suggestion a
long time ago and has since elaborated it
In magazine article. His idea is to have
legislative hall just one-third the size of
that at present in use and to utilize the bal
ance of the space for a working room and a
consultation room. His idea, is to take the
central part of the hall, running from the
main north entrance to the speakers desk,
for legislative purposes, and to have rooms
of equal size on either side which can be
used for consultation and for the work
which is associated with the work of the
House, but not part of the House pro-
ceedings Letter writing and lot of similar
work is now done by members at their
suit is that there is almost universal mat
Moreover, there is almost constantly some
sort of canvassing or caucuslng going on
among members during the sessions CT the
House, usually on subjects not connected
with the matter under consideration. This
interrupts proceedings and tests the lung
power of the speaker who wishes to be
heard across the hall. If the writing could be
done in one ROOM the caucusing and CONVEX
Sation in another, and legiSlatlng IN another
it would greatly facilitate business. 1t is
probable that soon after Congress convenes
viding either for an inquiry into the practi-
cability, from an architectural point of
view, of making such division Of the hall,
or else formally directing that the work be
done. An inquiry into the subject will
probably be authorized,
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-10

President McKinley's recommendation
that national banks be required to redeem
their circulation in gold seems to be gener-
ally acceptable to them. Bankers in several
cities, who have been interviewed, say it
would be hardship, as the banks have
gold enough in their vaults to maintain
gold redemption easily. They would doubt
less willingly comply with the requirement
in return for the privilege of issuing circu-
lation up TO the par value of their bonds
and repeal of the tax on circulation. At
present there is little or no profit to the
banks in circulation. Many of them have
none at all, and others much less than they
are entitled to under the law. If some in
ducement were offered to issue circulation
to the par value of their bonds, it would
probably result in a considerable increase
in the volume of currency and the people
would get the benefit In fact any improve
ment in currency legislation that would be
advantageous to banks of issue must ulti-
mately inure to the benefit of the general
public. 1t should be the policy of the gov
eminent to encourage sound banking and
safe banks of issue on legitimate lines.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-10

Those who read the opinions of leading
Democrats attending the recent meeting of
the state central committee could not have
failed to note the difference of expression
regarding the silver question Those who
were outspoken for the changing of 45 cents
worth of silver bullion into dollars for the
sole benefit of a coterie of mine owners
were reckless politicians-men who live for
politics Of the revenue order, to whom
Office holding is the great end of existence.
Not one of them is engaged in any large
business, employs labor or sells merchan-
disc. They evidently do not care what evil
comes to the country if by it's coming they
can attain official position. Two years ago
some Of these men FASTENED to the papers
to declare that while in favor of silver coin
age, it would involve the country in ruin
for the United States to undertake to do so
independently. Since then they have heard
of Bryan and have learned that the larger
part of the Democratic party can be relied
upon TO follow it's leader blindly no mat
ter what madness they had resolved to
adopt. 1t is not necessary to give the
names Of those reckless leaders here. Those
who are curious to know can turn to the
interviews published in Wednesdays issue.
They are doing just what large number
of prominent Democrats in Indiana did
from 1876 They became the supporters
of disunion because they thought that
doing was good politics." If the issue
should be the same now as in 1861 the men
who so recklessy declare for the fatal
heresy of unlimited 16 to l would follow in
the footsteps of the Democrats who organ
lied the Democracy of Indiana against the
policy of Lincoln and Morton at that time
because they would believe that it was
'good politics. to do So
There were men in the conference who
deprecated making the enrichment of the
silver mine trust the main purpose of the
Democracy in the future Mr. English was
one of them. He has large business inter-
ests; he is associated with men who are
largely interested in business and indus
trial affairs, and who are not in politics.
Mr.. English did not speak emphatically
but he protested against putting the silver
issue in the front and on all the lines of
battle following the front. Ex-Attorney
0SllSAd 1 OI12lu LUX OCCASION 10 1nIlIndle
that he did not like to sacrifice
his personal convictions. Several 9TH
ers who were present indicated q
like reluctance to be counted as insanely
reckless for the scheme of the silver trust
1t may be remarked that the men who
deprecated 16 to / campaign were the
only ones in the assemblage whose opinion
any person knowing them would ask in
referenceSto any important matter of bust
ness. Furthermore, it is very significant
that beneath the surface expression there
was an undertone of doubt about the wis
dom of championing the 16-to-1 cause. That
element of doubt is vastly stronger among
Democratic business men than those who
attend party conclaves. There are two
kinds of Democrats in Indiana now, as dur
ing the war. Because thousands of them
were loyal in spite of leaders, the Union
was saved. They were silent then; they are
silent now
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-10

Democratic papers seem deeply concerned
because gold does not flow into the country
with the present large excess of exports
During September and October the receipts
of gold were large from abroad but of late
they have fallen of. This is because Demo-
cratic papers have been claiming that the
elections showed a gain for Organism and
the ruinous uncertainties of 1885, Instead of
gold coming to us, American securities have
been sent back to be sold, which take the
place of the gold. Somehow the Democratic
leaders contrive to be a menace to pros
perity.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-10
Fabius the Roman.

Those who like semi-historicaI and semi
religious novels can crafty their taste by
reading "Fabius the Roman; or. How the
Church Became Militant by Rev. e. Fitch
Burr. 1t is a story of the Roman empire,
depicting wildly the expressions and suf-
fering of the Christians under Emperor
Maxentius, in the fourth century, and is a
graphic narrative of one of the most inter-
esting epochs of human history. 1t not only
traces the prosecutions, but shows the po-
litical and military movements whereby
under a leader of the great Fabian family,
the Christians attained civil and religious
rights under the Emperor Constantine. A
thread of love and adventure runs through
the action of the story, which otherwise
is somewhat heavy and savors rather too
strongly of encyclopaedia lore. New York:
The Baker d Taylor Company
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-10
Myles Standish.

Myles Standish was the man at war and
hero of the Puritans who landed at Plym-
outh. He was not Puritan-not a re-
ligious man in the Puritan sense-but he
went as a professional soldier, as he had
for years been, having been deprived of his
estates. He was one of the interesting
characters of that period, consequently
Henry Johnson, who has written much
usual interest in THE Exploits of Myles
Standish.'' The author confesses that he
has used the license of probability and in
life of Standish but all the chapters re-
lating to his connection with the Puritans
are authentic and are of deeper interest
than the early portions of the book. The
book is handsomely printed, and contains
several illustrations. Published by d.
Appleton & Co., New York
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-10

Each year Prang's holiday publications
seem to improve on those of previous sea-
sons. They are less snowy this season, per-
haps. but proportionately daintier. The
scheme Of decoration for calendars, booklets
and Christmas cards is confined mainly to
flowers. Poppies, roses daisies, sweet peas,
pansieS apple blossoms and nasturtiums are
scattered in gay profuSion over the pages,
and in colors so near like nature that the
wonder is at the perfection of the printer
and engraver'S art. The decorated Christ
mas card has not it's former vogue, per-
haps, but as a convenient token of remem-
brance it will never go entirely out of
fashion, and it is well to have it remain a
thing of beauty. In the matter of orna-
mental calendars the public has become ex-
acting but those of Prang's should meet
all requirements.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-10
Tuck & Sons, Holiday Offerings.

From Raphael Tuck & Sons, New York,
comes a bundle of artistic holiday publica-
lions in the shape of Christmas cards,
calendars, booklets and Juvenile and other
gift books. Among the latter is the play of
Hamlet illustrated by Harold Coping.
A number of 'full-page plates are in col
ors. and the drawings are all good The
Children's Hour" and Just One More" are
tons in black and white, the last in colors.
Among the calendars is one with roses rum
ming over lattice; under each rose, which
is movable, is a months calendar. There is
the Pretty Polly calendar the ship calen-
dar, the dog and cat calendar. and deco
rative cards and booklets of many unique
and pleasing designs.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-10
Sermon stories.

Sermon Stories for Boys and Girls is
the title of book of 225 pages which con-
tains over forty stories by Rev. Louis A.
Banks, d. D., who explains that he has
gathered them out of current life and told
them to the congregations to which he has
ministered. The writer strives to catch at
tention by the story and, while having the
attention. apply some wholesome truth
Some of the topics are: Spiders and Mice
in a Music Glass; THE Lions Kiss, "A
Trapper,'' 1.-THE I-Didn't -do-Anything
Folks" General Grant in a Mexican
Cave" "Sponging Ones Way" The author
teachers may find useful hints in the sermon
stories. The book is handsomely published
by the Funk & Wagnalls Company, New
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-10
1t seems almost impossible for some me

1t seems almost impossible for some men,
bers of Congress to consider public ques-
tions on their merits and to take broad and
patriotic views. "A good many of them, .
says our Washington correspondent, pro
fess to see an inconsistency in being against
Cuba, which is right at our door, and for
Hawaii, which is remote from our extreme
western boundary" Why should the two
questions be linked together in action or
thought? There is no worthy connection
between them. Cuba presents the question
of our interference in the domestic affairs
of another nation, without any idea of an
nexing or acquiring territory, while Hawaii
presents the question of an established gov
eminent which has been in operation five
years making a free tender of its territory
and asking to be annexed by the United
States. 1t would puzzle anybody but a
Congressman to see any parallelism between
these two cases or any reason why they
should be similarly treated.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-10
A Fair Debutante.

The debut of Miss Daisy Letter, which
will be made at an afternoon reception,
day. This youngest daughter of Mr. and
Mrs. Letter, is one of the most beautiful
debutantes, not only in Washington, but
in the United States and has already
achieved an International reputation as an
American beauty. She is tall and grace
full, with a fair complexion, and beautiful
dark hair and eyes She is remarkably
like her distinguished sister, Mrs. George
CurZon, who is famous as oAe of the most
charming as well as the most beauufui
American women in London. Miss Daisy
Letter was not presented in England last
spring. although she attended the jubilee
entrance into society TODAY.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-10
The Century Cook Book.

A new and improved edition of THE Gen.
fury Cook Book and Home Physician" Is
published. Forty-eight half-tone illustra-
tons from steel engravings have been add
ed to $50 text pictures, and give one an idea
of the beauties of artistic cookery as under
stood by the famous chefs of royal and i'm
perial courts. The book itself is simple and
practical, and it has enjoyed wide popular
itY Chicago: Laird & Lee.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-10
About Cuba.

Facts and Fakes About Cuba" is the
title of a book by George Bronson Rea, who
has been on that island in the employ of
the New York Herald. 1t is dedicated Ito
the editors of the American press and the
members of Congress who have been sys-
tematically and willfully imposed upon by a
CLIQUE of spurious and INSCRIPTIONS citi-
zens, aided by incompetent and malicious
correspondents" Mr.. Rea left Cuba be-
him to write the things he saw. Mr.. Rea
could not have been popular with other
representatives of the press. George Mon
ro's Sons, publishers, New York.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-10

desiring 5000 a year than there are places
for them. One of them announces that Mr..
Quincy was elected two years ago by syste-
matte ballot-box frauds, of which he, the
speaker, did not learn until the close of the
polls, when he was very indignant. But he
remained silent so long as there was hope.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-10
Your Little Brother James.

"The character of every child is the joint
result of environment and heredity. OF the
two the only one under our control and for
which we are responsible is environment"
This sentiment is enforced in a little book
entitled Your Little Brother James" by
Caroline H. Pemberton. 1t is a narrative
of facts, admirably told, showing that
mothers do not always have motherly love
or motherly fidelity. and that children are
sufferers in consequence. 1t is an interest,"
ing and instructive story. Philadelphia:
George w. Jacobs q Co.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-10
Smoking Flax.

The ethics and practice of lynching forms
the odd theme of Smoking Flax" a story
by Halle E. Rives, a young Kentucky
woman. Through the medium of romance
the author presents the lynching question
as seen from various sides, and then leaves
to the reader the responsibility of deter
mining what is truth, though she does not
leave in doubt where her own sympathies
lie. The story lacks plot and action. and
there is too much OF the lynching evil to be
upon one love and lynching affair. New
York: F. TennysOn Nicely.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-10

The New Jersey Humane Society took
charge of man and had him fined heavily
for cruelty to animals for touching off 8
dynamite cartridge under his balky mare
Why didn't they make a government case
of it, and proceed against the man for
filly-buSter?
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-10

A Colorado representative has declared a
He asks ii the country knows that senators
are shaved in the Capitol at the public ex-
pense. 1t probably does, and also that mem
beers Of the House can have baths for 10th
ing If they wish
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-10
BOURBON AND BONAPARTE.
Two Pretenders for Royal Thrones
Await Their Nations Call.

When Lieutenant De Bourbon. of the
Twenty-fourth Dragons of the Russian
of the Forty-fourth Dragons, he salutes
him graVely as his superior officer, and
wherever and whenever the two young men
meet the Bourbon pays Difference to the
Bonaparte. But this has happened before
in the history Of the two families. When
these two young men get together in prf-
vate. where their military rank will not in
terfere with an interchange of views on
''pretenders' and the vicissjtudes OF royal
and imperial families, their conversation
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-10

When the House is well under way Jerry
the charge of Populist leader in Kansas
that he helped to defeat the Populist raaxi-
MUM freight bill before the Kansas Legis-
lature That would be more interesting than
bowling at the sneaker.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-10

The old trouble of the special session
about Democratic leader in the House re-
appears already. If Mr.. Bailey is not sat-
isfactory Jerry Simpson may fill the BILL
He has a Large surplus of leadership left
over from plotting the Populist contingent.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-10

A special foreign mission collection might
be taken to swell the fund asked by Adolph
Luetgert with which to get that gentleman
out of trouble. The cause is about as for
eign to the dictates of good common sense
as any could well he
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-10

Investigation has developed the fact that
sixty of Chicago's police force are aliens
and unnaturalized. Persons charged with
the enforcement of American laws should at
least be American citizens, native born or
uaturaIized.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-10

Representative Walker, chairman of the
House committee on banking and currency,
is man of much information, but he seems
to labor under. the assumption that he has
cornered all the knowledge on banking that
is worth having. This makes Mr.. Walker
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-10

If Spain had been half as vigilant and en-
ergetic in preventing the landing of filibus-
tering expeditions as the United States was
in preventing them sailing, none would have
got through to Cuba.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-10

If the anti-scalping bill is correct in prin-
ciple, the fact that it's opponents have in
duced an organization to oppose it should
not brighten men in Congress from support
ing it. The same organization has declared
for the free coinage of silver
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-10

year 1877 were $154.O64.s17. The estimates for
next year call for $462, 647, $50. How can the
government escape bankruptcy if this wild
race Of extravaganza continues? 1t is time
m cal half
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-10

Colts popularity has been assured. A
caddie was killed in New Jersey by blow
from the ball. Such events are calculated
to turn the football men an emerald tint
and to whisper under their breath, IF only
cur season wasn't overt,
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-10

Ills last words were of you.'
The prodigal son-in-law tried to feel as
solemn as he looked. ta
Might 1 inquire what they were?"
you might. He said that if he could
only get one more good kick at you, he
would die happy"
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-10

China expresses her willingness to pay an
indemnity of 100000 taels, about s7S1,25O.
for the murder of two German missionaries.
Emperor William would probably be willing
to spare a good many missionaries at the
rate of sS9O.OOO apiece.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-10

1t should be remembered that large
majority probably three-fourths of the vot-
ers, care very little about the dispensing of
the limited patronage of the federal govern
ment, but less than one-tenth of the other
fourth often make a clamor which is mis-
whole country
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-10
The Cheerful idiot.

when I was little boy on the farm"
said the Cheerful Idiot, "the old family
horse which 1 was riding at the time, lost
his head and ran away.sI found it impossi
BILE to check him.
What did you do?" asked the unsuspect-
ing new boarder.
Gave him his head, of course"
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-10
often the Case.

How about that new clerk who was go
ing to do the work one-third lower than the
old one?''
"One-third cheaper, please His work was
fully one-half below the other fellows"
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-10

Among the articles from current English
periodicals reprinted in the Eclectic for De-
cember are SPANS Colonial Policy Art
and the Daily Paper, The Worship of
Athletics ION the Anu-Poetical." in
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-10

While the sales of stocks in New York
have been comparatively light during the
past two or three weeks, the sale of bonds
has reached unusual proportions. On
Wednesday more bonds were sold in the
morning on the New York Stock Exchange
than in any previous day in its history. This
indicates that actual investors have money
and that they prefer safe securities to spec
ulative stocks.