The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-05-07
INDIANA AND MISSOURI.
The Plight of Edward Bergen, Who
FOOIishIy Bet on Bryan.
washington Post.


Edward Bergen resided in Indianapolis,
Ind, during 1856 In the course of the
presidential campaign he made a bet with
another citizen of that city on the election.
The conditions were that if Bryan lost
Mr. Bergen to leave town for two
years, and if Mckinley lost the other fell
low was TO absent himself Tor the same
period. As Bryan failed in his effort to
become President, Mr.. Bergen gathered
himself together and disappeared from In
dianapolis. The first official information
we have concerning him comes from Gin
ton, Mo, at which place the city marshal
rounded up lot of tramps, and among
Bergen was discovered by dirk found on
his person, and by his being prosecuted for
carrying concealed weapons. He received
sentence of thirty days in Jail. The private
secretary of the mayor of Indianapolis
wrote TO the sheriff explaining the circum-
stances of Bergen's departure from Indian
apOliS, but it did no good, and he Will have
to serve out his sentence.
Mr. Bergen can hardly expect to receive
any special favors from the authorities into
whose hands he may fall nor is there any
reason why he should. The bet he made
was idiotic. and no possible, benefit was to
be obtained by any one from it, except the
city of Indianapolis, which would have one
fool less within its borders. whichever way
the election went This will account for
the interest the officials of that town take
in his welfare. but it will hardly commend
him to the MissOurians. Rather will 1t
harden their hearts against him. The for
jury to Missouri. Why should Missouri
gard this lunatic with favor? 1t should
not He ought to get the extreme penalty
of the law His bet only required his abb
sence from Indianapolis, not from the State
of Indiana, but he chose TO invade Mis-
souri, and in the smilitude of a tramp. If
there is any law for it, Mr.. Bergen should
be kept in Jail for the balance of his two
years leave.
This incident may produce q coolness be;
tween the sovereign States of Indiana and
Missouri The latter State can properly
demand action by the Governor of Indiana
declaring the bet off on the ground of il
legality in which case Mr.. Bergen could re-
turn 10 his home after the expiration
of his thirty days sentence. Anyhow,
he ought not to be allowed TO roam at
large He ought to be restrained within the
honnda ries of his own State. Indiana doubt
less has laws against betting, and if
so the Governor could issue d requisition
demanding the return of Mr. Bergen, so
laws of the State. Or, the Governor of Mis-
souri, could apply to the United States
Court for a mandamus compelling the CGY-
ernor of Indiana to issue eXtradltion laper@
for Mr.. Bergen.
Something must be done to reliev, The
Missouri realizes that it has been made a
dumping ground for Indiana lunatics there
will be q great deal of animosity towards
Indiana, and that State, not being con-
veniently near. the rage of Missouri may
concentrate upon its envoy Mr. Bergen
turbances. and we make these suggestions
so that the proper steps can be taken to
adjust the differences between two hitherto
friendly States and avoid serious complica-
ttons If the Missourians once get the idea
in their heads that they are being imposed
upon somebody viii be hurt, and Indiana
had better reclaim its wanderer before evil
happens to him.