davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-10-01
IMPORTANCE OF MUNICIPAL
AFFAIRS.

During national and state campaigns one
of the topics which are most discussed is
the comparative expenditures of parties
when in power. "Tne billion-dollar Con-
gress" was one of the effective campaign
cries in the election of 1890. In every State
the expenditures of state governments are
the cause of much discussion, and they
should be so, since the tendency in States
is to an extravaganza sometimes called
progress. But national and state taxation
is scarcely drop in the bucket compared
with taxation in counties, and especially in
cities and townships. 1t is the city which
imposes the great burden of taxation. 1t is
in the city at the present time that the
burdens of taxation are being increased
rapidly. There is, fortunately, limit to
the debt but no limit to the taxation which
can be imposed.
Such being the case. one would imagine
that taxpayers would take a deeper in
terest in municipal affairs from the eco
nomic point than they do If in the State
all of the expenditures should be increased
IA per cent, as they were during the first
year of Mayor Taggart. there would be a
loud cutlery. Possibly it attracts some at
tention in this city, but not nearly so much
as the Importance thereof should. If it
should Mr.. Taggart would be beaten for
mayor. because he has not displayed any
sort of business sagacity in the most i'm
portant affairs of the city. He is too near
to men who have profited at the expense of
taxpayers The $S5O.OO0 loan is not good
business. and such performances as that in
Pogue's run is a prostitution of the city's
to party interests If the Republican and
other taxpayers should be as jealous of
their interests as the gangs of heelers who
are partly supported by the taxpayers
money Mr.. Taggart would be defeated.
Every man who expects to get an easy job
under Mr.. Taggart at the expense of the
taxpayer is attending to his business.
Every taxpayer should be as jealous to de-
feat Mr.. Taggart as the heelers are to elect
him in order to protect their own interests.
Whenever in Office the Taggart record has
been one Of extravaganza, as his years of
authorship show. He should go. and If
taxpayers look after their interests he
VIII go.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-10-01
THE SPANISH CRISIS.

The Cabinet crisis in Spain has been
foregone conclusion ever since the assas-
sination of Prime Minister Canovas several
weeks ago. There had been indications for
some time prior to that event that the gov
eminent had almost exhausted it's war re-
sources, and that public sentiment in Spain
was ripe for change of Ministry and pol
icy. The change would probably have come
soon, even if Senior Canovas had not been
assassinated. That event made it inevita-
BILE. The Azcarraga Ministry was merely
temporary nakeshift to give the govern
ment time to get its bearings in the midst
Of an acute crisis. 1t is hardly conceivable
that the Queen Regent or the Conservatives
themselves believed it possible to continue
on that line much longer, but no doubt it
was good policy to temporize somewhat
and not to let the impending change of Min
istry and policy take the form of a revolu-
ton accompanied by assassination. The
Azcarraga Cabinet served to keep up an APP
pearance of continuing the Conservative
policy until a change of Ministry should
come about i'm a seemingly natural way. In
this case it is not the unexpected that has
happened, but the inevitable. 1t is reason
ably certain that Senior Sagasta, the leader
of the Liberals, will be asked to form a new
Cabinet, and that ne will accept with the
distinct understanding that there is to be
an immediate change in the Cuban policy.
1t is probable that General Campos, who
preceded General Weyler, will in turn sue
coed him. and that instead of ruthless war
fare there will be an attempt at real pacifi-
cation. No doubt Cuba will be offered
measure of home rule so liberal that the in
surgents can hardly afford to reject 1t,
though for some time past they have de-
clared that they would accept nothing short
Of absolute independence. If they should
take this stand they may be given the al
tentative of home rule or a continuance of
the war, for the Liberals are by no means
in favor of giving up Cuba. Nor would
they be less prompt than the Conservatives
to resent an ultimatum or any attempt at
coercion by the United States. The Lib
erals, it must be remembered, are Span
iards, with all the pride of the race, and,
while Spain is in no condition to resent in
suits. either fancied or real, from any quar-
ter, a Liberal Ministry would be as quick
to do it as a Conservative one. Neverthe-
less, a Liberal Ministry would doubtless
offer such measures of reform in Cuba as
would show an earnest desire to bring about
peace on terms that would be satisfactory
to the United States. A change of Ministry
will aid very much In clearing up the situa-
ton so far as the United States is con-
cerned, and will make much less difficult
the work of bringing about satisfactory
ending of the war;
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-10-01
FEW OFFICES LEFT.
But Twenty-Five Vacancies in the
Consular Service.
Washington Letter

A startling fact was disclosed to some of
the army of office seekers who thronged
around the White House during the Presi-
dents brief visit to Washington. There is
hardly any patronage left. Nearly every
thing is gone. Nearly all the eyes are on
the consular and diplomatic service as being
free from the control of the ciyil-seryice
law. The fact StareS the office seekers in
the face that there are but twenty-five
places in the diplomatic service left. and
these are chiefly secretaries Of legations,
paying from 81 300 to s., 635. Out of the thou
sands of places in the consular service,
there remain but seventy-seven places to
be filed and it is said that many of these
are already promised and as good as taken,
while others are filled by competent men.
nine places the best one is the minister to
China which pays $4,000 After that comes
the minister to Guatemala and Honduras.
with q salary of $4,000. There is still
vacancy owing to the refusal to accept
Captain Merry, in the mission to Nicara-
qua Costa RIGA. and Salvador. This pays
quay and Uruguay and Norway and Swe-
den, each paying $500, are still to be filled,
while the ministers to Siam and Bolivia,
paying s. 600 each, are also vacant, while
the list of missions still at the disposal of
the President is ended with that to Liberia,
which paws 4G00 So il will be seen that
to appoint. There are. however, a number
of secretaries of legation where changes
can be made the best being first secretaries
to China, Japan France, and Russia, pay
ing $2625 each. There is also the second
secretaries of embassy for Great Britain
($2 COO and China ($1, S00) The small secre-
taryships vacant are those to Chile, Guate-
mala Colombia. Corea. Peru, Turkey and
Venezuela. These. however, pay only 800,
with the exception of those to Colombia and
Guatemala, which pay $1,000.
In the consular service most OF the places
left are in South America or on some island.
There are two or three places in Africa,
paying 81 900 q year. and two in Armenia,
with $500 to $1,000 as inducements. The
best vacancies, or at least what could be
considered vacancies, are the places in Gu
ba. paying from 49, 100 to $780, and three
places in China, Canton, Thinkiang. and
Chungking which pay each $1,000 The best
consulate left in South America is Rio de
Janeiro, with a salary of 5000. There are
four places in Mexico paying less than
81, 0OO and five places in Germany, ranging
from 81 800 to $500. Bristol, paying 81 800
is the only consulate remaining untitled in
England, while there are still two small
ones in Italy with salaries less than 81 500
In Spain there are five places but just at
present, although they pay from $l,500 to
81 500 they are not altogether desirable. Be
sides these there are places in the Falkland
islands Society islands, Gaudeloupe islands,
Malta st. Helena, Cape Haitian, and some
places in the West Indies, all paying less
than 81, 600.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-10-01
BLOW At OUR INTERESTS
RECENT CONCESSION
TO BRITISH CORPORATION.
How 1t May Affect the Canal Enter
prise of Americars-Invest
of the Grant Probable.

WASHINGTON, Sept. 3O.--It is stated by
persons familiar with Nicaraguan canal af-
fairs that either the United States or the
Nicaragua Canal Company viii institute an
inquiry concerning the recent grant by
Nicaragua to the Atlas Steamship Com
pany, a British corporation, of exclusive
rights of navigation for the next thirty
years of the San Juan river and Lake Mica
ragua. These two waterways are said to
form two of the links of what Will ulti-
mately be the Nicaragua canal.
The State Department recently received a
report from Consul O'Hara in Nicaragua
giving brief details of the concession grant
ed to the British company and stating
that it embraced various exclusive priv
ileges in the Silicon lagoon, the San Juan
river and Lake Nicaragua. Since then ad-
ditional information has become available
as to the plans of the Atlas Company. The
Silicon lagoon is said to be off the route of
the canal, and there appears to be no rea-
son why this should not pass into the ex-
elusive control of British company. The
excavations, beginning at Greytown and
running thence west, unite with TIE San
Juan river, which in turn leads to Lake
Nicaragua, after which the artificial cut is
continued to the Pacific. Under these cir
cumstances it is said that exclusive priv
ileges of navigation in these two water
ways for the next thirty years would in eff
feet limit the navigation of the Nicaragua
canal. Whether the concession makes any
exception in this regard is not known, as
the reports including that of Consul
OHara 70 the State Department merely
state that the concession is an exclusive
one
An official familiar with Nicaragua canal
affairs said to-day that the concession
would have to be construed as subsequent
to that of the canal company, and the lat
ters rights in the San Juan river and Lake
Nicaragua, he believed, would be fully rec
ognized by Nicaragua. But the danger, he
added was that when the American Com
pany's concession expired, two years hence,
then the British corporation would succeed,
under the terms of the recent concession,
to all exclusive rights of navigation in
these two links of the canal. For this rea-
son 1T was believed that the government or
the canal company would take steps to
learn definitely il this exclusive privilege
extended to the privilege of navigating the
lake and river when they became a part of
the interoceanic canal.
Admiral Walker, chairman of the Mica
ragua Canal Commission, had q conference
with Secretary Long regarding a vessel to
take the commission to Nicaragua. and 10
be used by it during the stay of the COM
mission in the south. The admiral has
which has been fitted up for the Naval
Academy and which will answer all pur-
poses of the commission. 1t has not yet
been determined that this vessel can be
south at an early day, and is now delayed
on account of the Carter investigation.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-10-01

WASHINGTON, Sept. SO-To-day's state
ment of the condition of the treasury
shows Available cash balance, $2l5, 5S7, s7S;
gold reserve, $147, 621, 1862.
certificate has been issued to cover the
reinstatement of William King as clerk in
the Indianapolis postofice.
Secretary Long to-day chose names for
torpedo boats 10, 20 and q, selecting String
Ram, Goldsborough and Bailey, the names
Of three distinguished commanders in the
naval service during the late war
Minister Hoshi, of Japan, made a fare
we'll call on Secretary Sherman to-day, be-
fore leaving on Monday for visit OF sew
eral months in Japan. Secretary Matsui
was presented to Mr.. Sherman as charge
daffaires during the minister's absence.
The President this afternoon signed the
commissions of over 200 postmasters.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-10-01

WASHINGTON, Sep. 3O.-The production
of oleomargarine during the last fiscal year
amounted to 207 pounds. being over
100000 pounds less than In 1896, and of
over A,0oO,OOO pounds since 1894. The de-
crease is attributed to hostile state legisla-
ton cutting off the privilege OF sale, as well
as that cf manufacture. The number o.
manufactures decreased from twenty-five
in 1896 to sixteen in 1897 The number Of
wholesale establishments from 157 TO 1903 and
the number of retail houses from $500 to
1859 The quantity exported during the
year amounted to 3.14S,407 pounds. which is
a slight increase over the year 1896. Illinois
continues TO lead in the manufacture of
this product in the First district of Illi-
nois Rhode Island is second with total pro-
duction Of ZIP 1873 pounds, and Kansas
third. with 55S9, 1868 pounds. The revenue de-
rived from this source during the last fiscal
year amounted to 81 034 100.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-10-01

WASHINGTON. Sept 3o--The State De-
partment has dashed the hopes of another
fortune hunter, who. it would APP
pear, narrowly escaped being victim
lied by a sharper. In this case
two residents of Chetopa, Kan, were
represented to be heirs to 1.-The wardle es-
tate" in England. United States Consul
Grinnell at Manchester, by direction Of
the department of State, made an investI-
cation and found that while there was
magnificent estate of that name near Man
cheser, 1T IS owned by another family. who
can trace title for one hundred years and
that at no time in the past has any Wardle
family been interested in the estate.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-10-01

make vacant the postmastership of this
village. The colored community was
aroused by the news and an investigation
was made The investigators found unmis-
taxable evidence of an attempt TO assassi-
nate I.oftin, not only by the particular par
ty which did the shooting. but by other
parties concealed at different points in the
nefghborhood. Tracks in cornfield in front
or the house showed where three men had
been concealed. and at two points further
down the road leading TO the postofnce
there were other tracks, showing that men
had been stationed there. 1t was because
Doftin took a cross cut to enter his home
by the rear door that he did not pass in
view Of more than one of these stations
His wound has prevented him from look
ing after his duties for the last few days,
and his wife has been presiding at the
postOff1ce In the meantime, his friends nave
been sending pyrotechnic kilograms to the
federal officials, both at Atlanta and Wash
ington, and four days ago Postof1ce In
spector j. r. Rosser, of Chattanooga.
reached here on a special mission of inves-
tigatior. He has spent a great deal of time
in consultation with Loftin, and says that
up to this time he has no theory OF the
identity of the assassin. There are reasons
TO believe, however. that this IS a polite
fiction, made necessary by the requirements
of the Postoffice Department.
Postmaster LOftin directly charges that
the attempt to kill him was the result of
the feeling on the part of the whites IN
reference to his continuing to hold the posi-
ton of postmaster de jure, If not de facto.
LOftin said he had no idea who had done
the shooting, but in reply TO direct ques-
ton as to whether or not he was involved
in any personal difficulty with members or
his own race, he replied:
THAT story is all bosh / have tried to
behave myself as postmaster and to accom-
modate the patrons in every way. l have
not had quarrel with anybody and do not
possess an enemy in the world that know
of except such as l have made in accepting
this Office. l have received several threat
ening letters, which l have turned over to
Inspector Rosser, and in at least one OF
these / believe l can identify a member of
the rg3nization which has resolved to kill
me. 1 have been requested by the depart
ment, however, not TO talk about that
phase of the case"
do you intend to continue to perform
your duties as postmaster" was asked.
II do" he replied. Il have no doubt that
/ will be killed if the opportunity offers, but
/ would rather stay here and be killed than
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-10-01

Special to the indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON, Sept. 3O.-Strong opposi-
ton has developed to the deep waterways
to connect the great lakes with tidewater.
For the last two or three years Philadel-
phia, Baltimore. Newport News and other
Atlantic ports south have been drawing
export trade in grain and provisions away
from New York and they see in this new
project for ship canal a scheme on the
part of New York to recover this business
and TO prevent it's future diversion. Ac-
cording to the official estimates a deep
water canal across New York State, con-
Meeting with the Hudson, would cost about
a hundred million dollars. 1t would, how
ever, be of incalcuable value to the West,
which is not interested so much in the
method of transportation as in the cheap
ness with which it's products is transported.
AS a general principle waterways have
been a benefit to the West and a deep
water canal to the seaboard is in the in
terest of the farmers of the great empire
lying west of Ohio and north of the Ohio,
clear to the mountains.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-10-01
ID. FAY MiIls,s Position.
New York Independent.

Edward Everett Hale calls It "a new re-
vival" that the Rev 3. Fay Mills is TO
preach in the Boston Music Hail. He IS
glad that people cannot exactly tell what
denomination he belongs to- He does not
speak for Presbyterians or Catholics or
IInitarians. He is simply. says DIR. Hale
one whom people know as a consecrated
man." as well as IAN eloquent speaker
and "a man of the people. What he will
preach may not be all he has preached but
it will be for God and Righteousness. and
more positive in faith than much that the
Music Hall has heard In the last fifty years
since Theodore Parker first occupied its
platform.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-10-01
FORT WAYNE POsTOFFICE.
Rearrangement of the Roster of
Clerks Approved at Washington.


Special to the indianapolis Journal
WASHINGTON, Sept. 30-First Assistant
Postmaster General Heath to-day addressed
a letter to Postmaster Page, of Fort Wayne,
informing him that recommendations re-
garding a Encouragement of the roster of
the clerks in his office had been approved.
The arrangement of the duties of the en-
ployes of the Fort Wayne office as sug-
gested by the postmaster and approved by
the department is as fololws F. E. D. KEEP
linger, assistant postmaster, $500; Charles
A. Beurett, money order clerk, s., 900; VIM.
w. Kerr, chief mailing clerk, $1,000; c. F..
Rettler letter distributor, $1,000; w. c..
Baade, stamp clerk, $500; T. w. Clair mail
ing clerk, $500; George B. Humphrey, mail
ing clerk, $500; Fred j. Drake, general de-
livery clerk. $500; w. d. Seaton, mailing
clerk, $780, f. A. McCulloch, registery clerk
$700; William /. Hess utility clerk, $500; j.
s. Braden, stamper, $500; vacancy to be
filed stamper, 500; second vacancy to be
filed stamper $500; w. A. Davis, stamper,
$500; stamp agents at $24 (sixteen), 1884;
total, $12,1S4.
Postmaster Page is informed that the posi-
ton of superintendent of mails Is abolished
for the present. In event it should become
necessary to re-establish the position the
same will be filled by appointment from the
railway mail service.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-10-01
Chnnce for Inxentorr.

WASHINGTON, Sept. 30.-A circular has
been issued by the Postoffice Department in
viting persons who have new designs for
canceling postage stamps to submit them to
the committee recently appointed for the
purpose of devising means Of securing bet
ter results in this branch of postoflice work
THE circular announces that the committee
will receive for inspection up to Jan. l.
1898. working models of any invention de-
now in use at the various postofiices. Per-
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-10-01

WASHINGTON, Sept so-Zephaniah
Jones, one of the oldest and most respected
builders and contractors in the city, was
killed to-day by injuries resulting from a
collision with middle-aged bicyclist named
Reuben f. Gray, who is employed as a
clerk in one of the branches of the Gov
erIment Printing Office Mr.. Gray was ar
rested and held to await the result OF a
corOner'S inquest
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-10-01
HOW ELECTIONS ARE LOST.

An election held in New Jersey on
Wednesday furnishes interesting evidence
of popular indifference regarding constitu-
tional questions not connected with prac-
tical politics. The election was on the ques-
ton of adopting three amendments to the
Constitution. The first prohibited the
Legislature from legalizing any sort of race
track gambling. including pool selling,
bookmalxing. etc. The second enjoined the
lative recess any person who had previously
been nominated out not confirmed by the
Senate The third conferred a limited fran
chise upon women, allowing them to vote
for school officers. The first and third
amendments had no connection with prac-
teal politics. but were in the nature Of re-
form measures. Race-track gambling has
Jersey. and while there is already a law
against it the better sentiment in the State,
the good citizen" class demanded prohibit
DRY legislation in the Constitution where ii
could not be repealed by a complaisant
Legislature. At least it was supposed they
did. The amendment permitting women to
vote for school officers is a measure of
progress and reform that might be supposed
to commend itself TO the better classes.
The campaign on the amendments was not
long nor heated. but towards the close it
was fairly earnest. On the Sunday before
the election nearly all the ministers in the
State preached on the subject and urged
their CONGREGATIONS TO turn out and work
and vote for the anti-gambling amendment
especially. If this amendment had been
adopted the others probably would have
been. as all were printed on one ballot. The
question of their adoption depended on
whether the good citizens took interest
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-10-01

Tended at his gabble but should regard it
as they do that OF a frightened gander in a
barnyard. Just now he appears to be par
ticularly violent against Mr.. John r. Pear
son. Mr.. Pearson has been a citizen
of Indianapolis for more than thirty years;
his worth and integrity are known
to all with whom he has had business or
social relations, and he can well afford to
give no heed to the vaporings Of Shiel.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-10-01
New Indiana po.tmn.ter.

WASHINGTON, Sept. So.-Fourth-class
Indiana postmasters were appointed to-day
as follows: Burnett. Vigo county, w. E.
wood De Kalb county, f. f. Garman. vice
j. ID. Rowley, removed Yorktown, Della
ware county, Frank Crawford, vice John
HUMPHREYS, removed.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-10-01
Pension Attorners Di.hnrred.

WASHINGTON. Sept. SO.-Penson Attor-
neys Samuel B. Mclean. of Pittsburg Pa:
M. NJ. Chase. of Los Angeles Cal. and D.
P. Bethumun, of Mt Vernon. KY. have
been disbarred from practicing before the
Interior Department The first two named
are charged with demanding and receiving
illegal pension fees. and Bethumun with
filing forged declarations in pension cases.