davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-08

could lie against the company. Causes of
action it was asserted were based on in
juries sustained during the lifetime of the
individual that would have enabled him to
bring suit had he lived. Death after injury
was sufficient to transmit it to others, but if
instantly killed it never had a cause that
could be transmitted and consequently
there was nothing on which to rest the suit.
Decisions were found in accord with this
view-which, however, is not remarkable,
since legal decisions can apparently be
found in accord with any absurd PROPOSE
ton whatever-and the court found for the
defendant. In other words, IT found, in sub
stance. that the parents sustained no dam
ages from the loss of their child because 1t
did not live long enough to bequeath to
them its own right to damages. 1t is a case
in which the law seems to be unusually
asnine.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-08

spring for stories, only this is worth re-
peating, when most of them are not. 1t is
an absurd trifle, but any one in the habit
OF entertaining children in a similar way
knows that it was not easy to write. In
deed, it is not impossible that even the gift
ed Kipling spent more time in the construc-
ton of this than the other more serious tale
mentioned. He goes back to India in the
latter, and talks of tigers and a tribe of
little black natives called Bills. They are
superstitious and ignorant people, and civili-
cation cannot do much for them. when
we are frightened we always steal" they
say simply on being investigated. But they
have their real troubles. and Mr. Kipling
makes us feel a sympathy for them. The
story is full of humor, but it also touches
upon the deep questions that confront Eng
land in its treatment of the people of In
dia, and it deals with the humanities. Read
ers cannot stop with smile only at the
end of such a narrative; they must also
think
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-08
NEW SENATOR SWORN IN.
Mr.. II. DeS. Money Takes the Oath-1OS
Bills Introduced.

WASHINGTON, Dec. IA new member
in Mr.. H. DeS. Money, of Mississippi, was
introduced in the Senate to-day, and after
some brief criticism of the form of his Gre
dentials the oath of Office was administered
to him. Mr.. Money was assigned to the seat
formerly occupied by Mr.. Daniel of Vir-
ginia, the latter securing the seat in the
center of the Democratic side which was
occupied by the late Senator George
During the session 10S bills, many of which
were private pension measures, were intro
duced in addition to several joint resolutions
and some Senate resolutions. An interest
ing contest for precedence in consideration
between Mr. Lodges immigration bill and
the proposed legislation to confer authority
on the President to act for the protection
of the governments interest at the sale of
the Kansas Pacific Railroad was pending
at the close of the session. The probable
ity is that it will be amicably arranged
before the Senate convenes tomorrow.
The invocation at the opening of the ses-
sion of the Senate to-day was delivered
by the Rev. Charles A. Berry, D. D., of
Northampton, England. He prayed that
the Almighty might take into His care all
the interest of the Nation, that from this
Nation may emanate such feelings of broth
erhood as would be a blessing 10 all man
kind.
Mr.. Morrill,, the venerable senator from
Vermont, had the distinction of introducing
the first BILL one providing for the "gild-
ing of the statue of liberty on the dome
of the Capitol" Among the other bills was
one by Mr.. Quay for the relief of children
of soldier of the revolution.
Mr.. Pettigrew, of South Dakota, secured
the passage of a resolution calling on the
Interstate commerce Commission to furnish
the Senate a list of the railroad companies
which have complied wholly, in part or not
at all with the law of Congress providing
that safety appliances be affixed to railroad
cars. The resolution also calls for the total
number of persons killed by the railroads
during the past year.
Mr.. Turpie asked that at 3 o'clock Friday,
Dec II, exercises be held in memory of the
Hon. William s. Holman, late a representa-
tive in Congress from Indiana. The order
was made.
Mr.. Tillman presented a resolution. which
was adopted, fixing Tuesday, Jan. IS, at
p. M. as the time for memorial services for
the late Joseph s. Earl, senator from
South Carolina.
Mr.. Lodge then gave notice that he would
call up the immigration bill at the con-
clusion of the present unfinished business.
Mr.. Gear announced promptly that he
would contest that motion. Mr.. Allison, in
the hope, he said, that the gentlemen might
reach an amicable understanding, moved,
at 1:35 p. m, that the Senate adjourn, and
the motion prevailed
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-08

the committee on civil service. defended the
law and the Presidents Interpretation of It.
Mr.. Bailey commended Mr.. Grosvenor' 8
utterances against building up an office
holding, class in this countryma doctrine.
bodied in the Chicago platform. Demo
cratic applause.)
TWO INDIANIANs STEAK.
THAT is the only good feature of that
platform calculated Mr.. Steele (Rep..
Ind), amid laughter on the Republican
side.
II am glad to relieve the other side OF
the charge of total depravity." retorted Mr..
Bailey to this thrust
Mr.. Johnson (Rep., Ind.), after some OPEN
ing remarks about the stupendous folly of
appointing bimetallic commission to roll
over Europe, made a strong speech in de-
Tense Of the eivil-service law. Governor
Grosvenor he charged with being derelict to
his duty as Republican. That party, he
SAID. was unalterably pledged TO the sup
port of the law. Benjamin Harrison and
William Mckinley, the most distinguished
opponents of its policies, had fought for the
law in no uncertain language, and General
GrOSvenor, he thought, well merited the re-
buke administered to him by Mr.. Bailey
when the latter charged him with support
ing the Chicago platform. Oaughter.( He
istration had fallen so low No portion OF
the Presidents message met with more
hearty Endorsement from him than that re-
his colleagues that If they put through a
bill in antagonism to the law 1t would be
vetoed. Moreover, he said, 1t was q mistake
to imagine that the sentiment of the coun-
try opposed it. The law was heartily APP
proved by all except a few degenerate
politicians" who opposed 1t from selfish
motives. The trouble was not with the
law, but with its administration by spoils-
men.
Mr.. Cochran Dem, Mo-, in a. satirical
speech, spoke of the injustice OF turning
over q subject which Mr.. Walker had free
ly admitted he knew all about to Mr..
Dingley, who had fathered a tariff bill that
had already produced u $40,o0O,0O0 deficit.
Mr.. Bland (Dem Mo-, averred that 1t
was we'll understood that nothing would be
done with the currency problem, and Mr..
Bodine (Dem., Mo- alleged that the civil
service law was a humbug which the West
and South opposed. The latter gave some
amusing Illustrations Of its operation and
caused a laugh by the statement that Mr..
Cleveland had been some time in the White
House before he discovered that the United
States were not bounded on the West by
the Allegheny mountains.
During the progress Of the debate
Messrs. Walker and Johnson had consulted
resolution of distribution was agreed on.
1t struck out the words the national
finances, the public debt the preservation
of the government credit" and gave the
ways and means committee jurisdiction
over all matters In the message relating Ito
the revenue, the bonded debt of the United
States and the treaties of the United States
ment was presented the opposition with
drew and the resolution was adopted with
out division. The House then, at o'clock,
adjourned.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-08

the expenses OF the gathering. Senator
Allen presented, in connection with the bill,
letter from Secretary Bliss indorsing the
general scheme.
Senator Morgan introduced q resolution
directing the attorney general to send to
the Senate full statement of the authority
for and the proceedings under which the
sale OF the Kansas Pacific Railroad is to
be made, and requesting the President to
obtain postpoaement of the sale ito such
time as will give to Congress a reasons
able time to consider and act upon his rec
concentrations. The resolution quotes the
Presidents message in relation to tlle Kan
sas Pacific as a preamble.
Senator Perkins introduced joint reSolu-
ton authorizing the President to appoint
commission to draft code of laws for
the Territory Of Alaska. The resolution
provides that the commission shall consist
of three persons, two of whom shall be
residents of Alaska. They are to be paid at
the rate of SO each per day.
The subcommittee of the Senate commit
tee on claims appointed at the extra ses-
sion to prepare IN omnibus claims bill held
a preliminary meeting to-day and decided
upon basis for a bill for presentation to
the full committee. The plan adopted in
cludes bills which have passed either house
OF Congress or which have been favorably
passed upon by the Court of Claims under
the Bowman act. The claims of this char
acter before the committee amount to about
$10. 900 900.
Senator Davis, chairman of the Senate
committee on foreign relations. said to-
ate to take up the Hawaiian annexation
treaty The committee will hold meeting
Tomorrow prior to the session of the Sem
ate
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-08

in view of the considerations thus enumer-
ated, careful and timely attention.
The question is complicated by the fact
that for whole generation our people have
been schooled in a system OF bank note Is
sues secured by pledges in the hands or
public trustee. 1t is not good system, but
1t ought not to be yielded until in some
other form adequate guarantees for the sol
vency of bank note issues are provided.
The problem is a twofold one: How to
withdraw the specific form of security now
provided, since 1T will ultimately disappear;
how to provide substitution which will be
recognized by the people as adequate Secur-
ity, and which will at the same time allow
to banks within well-guarded limits the
The problem is too large, its results too
far-reaching, to be solved offhand or by ex-
pert dictum. Its solution must be gradually
reached by the path of safe experiment. To
allow national banks to issue circulating
notes equal to 20 per. cent of their capital
upon payment of per cent. per annum
as an insurance or safety fund upon
amounts so Issued, is, If the demonstration
drawn from the controllers office can be
trusted, a proposition well within the limits
of safety. Nevertheless. whatever risk there
is should be assumed by the government,
obnoxious as 1t may be to the general prin-
ciples of government action. 1t is by such
action that the situation as 1T exists has
been evolved. Upon the government, there
fore, rests the duty. of seeing 1t properly
solved.
Some years Of experience along the line
suggested will prove what is an adequate
provisional tax for the security of note
holders, and will allow such amendments
as time will justify, involving as one of its
features a complete withdrawal of the gov
ernment'S guaranty from bank note issues.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-08
SECRETARY CAGES REPORT.

The annual report of the secretary of the
treasury, always the most interesting of the
department reports, is unusually SO this
year. The general feeling that the national
finances are in an unhealthy, If not critical
condition, has caused the report of the Sec
rotary of the treasury to be awaited with a
degree Of anxiety to see what he might sug-
gest in the way of improvement Most of
his report is devoted to discussion of the
currency question in it's relation to national
finances and to urging the necessity of cur
rency reform. He begins by saying:
In their respective annual reports to Con-
greSS my predecessors, since the close of the
late war, have called attention with unfail-
ing regularity to the menace to the public
credlt occasioned by the continued Use of the
large volume of demand liabilities repre-
sented by the legal-tender notes, and have
constantly appealed for such legislative ac-
ton as would remove the dangers pointed
out
1t is significant that more than thirty
years after the close of the war a secretary
of the treasury should find it necessary to
repeat recommendations for the strength
ening of the national finances which were
first made Immediately after the war, and
have been repeated by almost every secre-
tary since 1t is even more significant that
these recommendations were accorded more
weight and the necessity of complying with
them was deemed more important then
than now. This is not because they have
lost any weight or Importance, but because
the people are less sensitive to the true
situation. This in itself is a strong argu-
ment in favor of currency reform. Thirty
years ago no person questioned the neces-
sity of measures which a great many now
oppose. This shows that we have not only
been facing but moving in the wrong di-
rection.
The secretary's plan is a comprehensive
one and has evidently been carefully
thought out. It's main features are the pro-
posed withdrawal of the government from
the banking business; the establishment of
a new division of the treasury to be known
as the issue and redemption division; the
redemption of $2O0, 900 of the greenbacks
in gold, to be paid out thereafter only in
exchange for gold; the issuing of 21a per
cent. refunding bond, principal and interest
payable in gold the authorization of ma
tional banks with $4,000 capital, and per-
mission to all banks to issue circulating
notes to the par value of their bonds, in
stead of only so per cent, as at present.
This plan is. more comprehensive and de-
tailed than that proposed by the President,
but it is on the same line and aims at the
same results. There can be no currency
reform, in other words, no establishment of
a really safe system that does not proceed
on these general lines. With the recon-
mendations of the President, of the secre-
tary of the treasury and the plan that will
be reported by the monetary commission be-
fore Congress, it will be without excuse if
it does not agree upon and enact plan of
pectations of the country.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-08
PROPOSED LEGISLATION.
Work of Committees and Features of
Bills Introduced.

WASHINGTON, Dec. members of both
houses to-day began to map out the work
of the session, and there was another flood
of bills introduced. At a special meeting of
the ways and means committee to-day
Chairman Dingley named the subconmit-
tees which will consider the important
measures referred to this committee as fol-
lows: Customs, Dingley Payne, Dalzell.
Hopkins, Grosvenor, Bailey and McMillin
customs administration, Payne. Russell,
Dingley, Johnson, Steele, Swanson and Rob
ertson; internal revenue, Evans, Dolliver,
Steele, Russell, Dingley, McMillin and Nc
Clellan; public debt, Dalzell, Johnson,
Dingley, Bailey and Wheeler: reciprocity
and commercial treaties, Hopkins Dolliver,
Tawney, Payne, Dingley, McMillin and Nc
Clellan; revenue from other sources than
customs and on miscellaneous subjects,
Grosvenor. Russell. Tawney, Steele, Evans,
Swanson and Wheeler.
The House committee on military affairs
held a brief meeting to-day at which the
first drafts of the army and military acad-
envy appropriation bills were distributed.
These follow in every item the estimates
submitted by the secretary of war. The bill
for the army carries an appropriation of
$2S, 1904, net increase of 81, $50 296 over the
last appropriation; for the academy the esti-
mates are 1897 ,32S, an increase of $45, 256. The
committee will meet again Tuesday and
Chairman Hull will, meantime, appoint two
subcommittee for the consideration of the
bills.
The subcommittee on pensions of the
House committee appropriations agreed
upon the pension appropriation bill to-day
and will report it to the full committee to-
morrow. The bill carries a total Of Sal e1S,-
$50. 1t gives $l40, 100000 for the payment of
pensions proper, these figures being identi-
cal with the estimates submitted by the sec
rotary of the interior. For clerk hire at the
various pension agencies throughout the
country the bill appropriates 100000, a de-
crease of $4,000 from the estimates
Mr.. Curtis, of Kansas, to-day reintroduced
his bill For the protection of the people
Of the Indian Territory" with some modi-
fication from the original bill, which passed
the House at the last session. 1t is de-
signed to settle disturbed conditions in the
Territory and to provide for the laying out
of towns, for the allotment of lands in the
tribes the leasing of coal and other min
eral, timber, farming ard grazing lands,
etc. The principal change made from the
sion for the extension of the jurisdiction
of the United States courts, and In the dis
position of town sites. which are left to
be Disposed of on such conditions as may
be provided by the secretary Of the interior.
Among the bills introduced in the Senate
was one by Senator Allen to provide for
a congress of Indian tribes to be held in
Omaha In connection with the transmits
sissippi exposition next year The bill pro-
vides that the various tribes shall be rep
resented. and approprates 100000 to pay
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-08
SO, O75, 466. &c 2-3

WASHINGTON, Dec 7.-Assistant Secre-
tary Howell of the Treasury Department,
has written the following letter in answer
to an inquiry concerning the receipts and
expenditures of the government:
I'm reply to your inquiry concerning the
excess of expenditures over receipts during
the present fiscal year, have to advise you
that the actual receipts from customs dur
ing the four months that the act OF 1897 has
been In operation, namely. August, Septem-
$S4, 474,322. AS is well known the importa-
tons during the past four months have not
been normal. owing to the large importa-
present tariff. Had the importations been
as large during the period stated as they
We're for the same period of 1872 the revenue
rates of the present law would amount to
$l02 no, 900, or Sos, 23627S more than the ac-
tual expenditures. 1t may be urged, how
ever, that this is not fair comparison, as
the year 1897 was very pros perouS year,
and the importations were accordingly
larger than the average. Take, therefore,
our foreign trade, was suffering from de-
preston Had the importationS during the
past four months been as large as they
were during the same four months or 1896.
the receipts under the present law would
have amounted to $57,072,2 S3, or $22, 96l
in excess of the actual receipts. TAX
ing the average of the importations for the
same four months of 1892 and 1886. and APP
plying the rates of the act OF 1897. the es-
minated FecelplS amount 10 9O5,of4,1oz, OF an
increase of $35. 099. $50 over the actual re-
ceiptS
The total excess of expenditures over
receipts during the four months of 1897.
above named, amounted to $S5. 0S4, III. 3D. 1t
will be seen, therefore, that had the i'm
portations been as large during the past
four months the average of the impor-
tations for the corresponding period OF 1892
and 1896 the receipts would have been SD, 6o3
in excess OF expenditures; and, had the inn
portations been as large as they were in
1892 the receipts would have exceeded the
expenditures by $22, 250 254. Your attention is
also called to the fact that the collections
under the present law show a gradual in
crease each month, as follows: August,
tober. $9.71S. 49462: November. $9,SSO, O25
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-08

Everybody who writes and gets into print
suffers more or less from the vagares Of
typesetter and proof-reader. AT least, the
unfortunate whose choicest passages turn
out very different from the way he wrote
them and whose pet sentence is rendered
maudlin by word that is not his is dis
posed to lay the blame on the compostor
and proof-reader. Sometimes the fault is
really with his own iilegiL1e manuscript.
sometimes what he says looks so unlike
what he thought it would that he doesn't
like to own it, but, again. he is truly a
victim of typographical eccentricities. John
Fox. jr., author of THE Kentuckians," is
one of these victims. He wrote dedication
for his novel thus: ITO My Father and
Observation-Disclosures" When the first
copy of the book came into his hands he
found the inscription thus: ITO My Father
and Fathers Kentuckians," and so it APP
pears in the entire edition Mr.. Fox's spare
time is now taken up in explaining to in
quiring friends who his fathers Kentuck-
ians'' are. His thoughts meanwhile are
probably best expressed by the dash that
the printers failed to use.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-08

The estimable Mr.. Luetgert makes pa
thetic appeal to the American people to con-
tribute money for his defense in his second
trial Considering the interest manifested
by Chicagoans in the first trial it is not un-
reasonable for the chief actor in the per-
Torrance to assume that they will be will
ing to pay something extra for an encore.
The women who have been sending bouquets
might at least send cash offerings instead,
and the women who want to marry him
ought to put up literally. The drawback
is that in case the second verdict is against
him the contributions, which he wishes to
be regarded as loans, will become perma-
nent investments. No Luetgert, no pay.
This consideration will. it is to be feared,
prevent the concentration of much capital
upon him.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-08

Representative Faris, of this State who
has introduced a bill to repeal the civil
service law, is reported as saying that "all
Indiana is in substantial unanimity on the
one point of opposition to the civil-service
law, this opposition differing only in de-
gree" "All Indiana" is pretty large, and
Mr., Faris is not entitled to speak for the
whole of It, If he means to say that all
Indiana is opposed to the competitive ex-
animation and merit system, which is the
basic principle Of the present law, he is
greatly mistaken. The existing rules and
perhaps the law may call for some amend
ment. but a majority of the people are not
in favor of repeating the law. The Presi-
dent in his message admitted that the rules
might need some modification, but, he
added, "the system has the approval of the
people, and 1t win be my endeavor to up
hold and extend It,"
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-08

Senator Gallery, of Louisiana, reminds
Republicans that it was because of the
sound-money resolution in the st. Louis
platform that Mr.. Mckinley received the
support, directly and indirectly, of the
sound-money Democrats, and adds:
Now we sound-mone Democrats who con-
fributed to this demand that the Republic
an party shall not turn it's back on us, but
shall retain the position which brought US
to its support, namely, the maintenance Of
the gold standard.
This is well enough, but Senator Caffery
should remember that the sound-money
Democrats are on trial, well as the Re-
publicans. Will he and they stand by the
administration in it's efforts at currency re-
form? They should be given an opportunity
to vote as they talk.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-08

The News says of the proposed annexation
of Hawaii: 1.-THE acquisition of these isl
Rnds would really mark a departure in our
government. 1t would mean the adoption of
o colonial policy" It would not be a new
departure in the sense of acquiring or an
nexing territory, for we have been doing
that on large scale ever since the gov
eminent was formed. Nor would it mean
''the adoption of a colonial policy any more
than the acquisition of Florida, California
or Alaska did. If republican government is
good thing it should be extended; if not,
It should be abolished