davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-14
WAGES IN EASTERN COTTON MILLS.

The probability of a reduction of wages
in the cotton mills of New England affords
comfort to free-trade papers and gives the
calamityites ecstatic joy. They do not seek
the causes, but sneer at the Dingley law as
being unable to keep up the standard to
which wages were increased from time to
time These papers also lead their readers
to infer that the new law advanced the
duties on cotton goods generally, which is
not the case, since the duties of the existing
law for staple goods are about the same
as those of the German law. A leading
New England manufacturer has given to
the Boston Journal the reasons of the me-
cessity for cut in wages or a contraction
of the output. Between 1895 and 1897 when
every other great industry was contracting
it's output the cotton industry was ex-
panding. During these years of depression
the number of spindes was increased from
14.5OO0OO to 1900 600, or II per cent. The
South increased its spindles from $500 coo
to 35OO,OOO. At the same time the South
has entered upon the production of fine
goods which come IN competition with
Fan River. The Southern cotton mill can
make goods cheaper than the New Eng
land, not only because it's wages are Is per
cent lower than those of the Northern OPP
eratives, but because Southern mills are
allowed to run eleven or twelve hours a
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-14

The Minister conference OF Grand Rap
ids, Mich, last week adopted a formal set
of resolutions to be read to their congre-
cations. recommending a general reform
in funeral customs. They urge that no
Sunday funerals be held; that the somber
black mourning attire be discarded entirely;
that funerals be more private, and that pub
lie displays be avoided; that people do not
go to such financial extremes in. funerals
when they cannot afford it, and that funeral
sermons be shortened as the clergymen do
not believe that funerals should be made
the occasion for extended oratory. One
pastor declined to enter into the argument
and denounced the resolutions. He thinks it
is none of a preachers business what peo-
pie wear, and he will not interfere with his
flock if they wish to wear rainbow colors.
He says it is no business of the preacher
what the expense is, and believes that when
death occurs late in the week it is well to
have the funeral on Sunday, so that friends
who are busy on week days can attend. He
also says he will preach long funeral SER
mons if he likes. This protesting pastor
has right on his side, but so have the 9TH
ers. 1t is true enough that ministers have
no right to dictate in a matter so personal
to each family in which a death occurs;
they may disapprove of mourning and of
expensive funerals, and may find Sunday
funerals inconvenient to themselves, but
their influence against them should be used
in the most general way and not direct in
reference Custom is strong, and many
mourners feel that due respect is not paid
to the memory of the dead if black attire
is not donned the same feeling leads to a
greater outlay for funeral trappings than
they can afford economy at such a time
being Tepugnant to those who pay the last
honors to their loved ones. Such matters
regulate themselves in time. The wearing
of mourning garb is no longer regarded as
obligatory even in the most conventional
circles, and funerals are far more simple
in their appointments than they were but
few year, ago, an excess of public dis
play now being the exception rather than
the rule on such occasions. People who
can afford any outlay have set the exam
pie to people of small means of having pri-
vate and transformations funerals, and such
examples go further than argument from
whatever source with people who wish to
pay due respect to their dead through OBJ
servance of customary forms, and will
gladly omit all display if common usage
permits. Ministers can do much to encour-
age simplicity in these matters, but should
not be dictatorial, for, after ALL if one shall
choose to call all the world about him when
he lays away his dead, and make the cere-
mony spectacular, that is his own affair,
and he has-the right. Because others have
what they consider better taste. they have
not, therefore, the right to lay down the
law.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-14

90 $40 per cent on the cars. or more than
two to one in favor of the wheel. Still the
railroads are doing a good business.
Professor Mommsen of Berlin, who has
just celebrated his eightieth birthday. is
very absent-minded. On one occasion his
little son was travelling in tram car from
his home to Charlottenburg. Mommsen,
sunk in abstraction, failed to recognize the
boy, told him not to make so much noise in
a public tram car, and finished by asking
his name.
Mr.. Swinburne left oxford without taking
degree, and takes a pride in avowing his
illiteracy. Notwithstanding this fact. he Is
a perfect master of Greek and French. and
has absorbed both literatureS. He grows
more eccentric with his waning years, now
approaching the three score and ten limit.
lives near London, but is almost never seen
in society and is particularly fond of chill
dren.
In answer to question put to him after
his discourse on Paul Sunday night, DR.. L.y-
man Abbott said: There is no spiritual
aristocracy There is no more reason why
Paul should be Saint Paul than John Smith
Saint John Smith. If his whole life is
sacred to Christ's service it is possible for
every man and woman in this congregation
10 have that word saint to his or her
name"
The glove manufacture in the United
States is chiefly centered in the town of
Gloversville N. Y. 1t is estimated that
from the 40 glove factories located there
more than two-thirds of the gloves made
in this country are sent out Buckskin,
kid and other materials are used. Paris
and Grenoble are the headquarters of glove
making in France. and Worcester in Eng
land. In one specialty-"dog skim" really
made from sheep skin-English makers
have no competitors. A large quantity of
cheap and useful gloves are manufactured
in Belgium, while thread gloves are largely
exported from the north of Ireland.
Under the spreading chestnut tree the viii
iage smithy stands
But there the smith no longer yields the
sledge with sinewy hands.
The olden sign of Blacksmith Shop" there
greets the eye no more,
But "Bysiokles REPAIRED" is seen above the
smoky door.
Denver Post.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-14

If the conditions which have existed since
the election of 1896 could continue-con-
fidence on the part of money loaners, in
creasing employment for labor, exports of
merchandise largely in excess of imports,
and an annual output of gold now only
100000 less than that of the whole world
in 1SS3-there would be no trouble with the
currency of the country except in the minds
of fiatists. The increase of the money of
the country is satisfactory as the statistics
of the treasury, Dec. 1 and Nov. /, show.
The following is an analysis of the money
in circulation at the two dates:
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-14

day six days in the week, or sixty-six or
seventy-two hours a week, against fifty
eight hours in Massachusetts In addition
to 10 per cent. in wages the difference of
production, by reason of the longer days
work, gives from 10 to 20 per cent. in the
amount which it can manufacture for the
same investment of capital. New Eng
land mills are taxed at full value while
those of the South are often exempt for
period of years, which is a handicap of
from 1 to 113 per cent. The demand for
cotton goods has Increased rapidly, but the
factories have a capacity beyond present
consumption which keeps prices at a very
low figure. Such are the reasons for the
proposition to reduce wages in the New
England cotton mills Should the reduction
be made wages will then be very much
higher than they are in England. 1t is not
the tariff, but the .overproduction of cotton
goods and the cheaper production in the
South. which seem to make a reduction or
partial SuSDenSiOn necessary
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-14

The prison authorities in New York were
very anxious concerning the outcome of the
law which went into effect at the beginning
of the year prohibiting the sale in the open
market of prison-made goods At first it
was impossible for wardens to find work for
the convicts. but the same law contained a
clause which provided that state institu-
tions and departments should purchase all
their supplies and articles of equipment
from the prisons if they could be manufac-
tured by them. 1t is reported that prison
officials have been surprised at the result
thus far. 1t has been found that all the
public institutions in a State like New York
need great many more goods and of more
kinds than anyone imagined. The prisons,
jails, hospitals warehouses; and other pub
lie institutions require very large amount
of merchandise When the law is extended
so as to cover school supplies and the cloth
that there may be sufficient employment to
keep the convicts out of harmful idleness
1t is asserted that under the new system
the prisons will be self-sustaining and that
generally the plan is more satisfactory than
using the labor for other purposes. The real
danger is that the system will soon cUme
to be regarded with disfavor by those who
oppose contracts for prison labor or the sale
of prison products in the open market. If
prison labor can be used to supply all pub
lie institutions in the State of New York
with a million dollars worth of merchan-
disc which has hitherto been purchased of
manufacturers, the change will deprive
them of markets to that extent. If, for in
stance, school supplies should be produced
by prison labor, it would divert large traf-
fic from private channels.
1t was proposed in the Legislature of this
State, three years ago, that contracts for
prison labor be prohibited and that ma
chinery be purchased to enable the convicts
to make goods for the open market The
proposition failed but the last Legislature
enacted law prohibiting further contracts
for prison labor, with a proviso similar to
made it necessary to be adopted in that
State No doubt our prison authorities are
watching the experiment in New York and
will avail themselves of the experience in
that State. If system of supplying state
Institutions can be adopted that shall prove
measurably successful most difficult prob
lem will have been solved. unless it shall
be discovered that outside labor and private
labor are more seriously affected in certain
lines of production than all could be under
the discarded systems
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-14

A bulletin says that Haiti has it in for
the United States because of the German
affair. The irritation is due to the fact
that this government did not interfere fur
Their than to ascertain the purpose of the
German government. When it was discov-
cred that it had no designs upon the soil
of Haiti the United States took no further
action. Probably the Haitians assume that
it is the duty of the United States to go
to war with Germany because it asks in
demnity for the alleged i'll usage of Ger
man subject beause of the Monroe doctrine.
The Monroe doctrine applies only to at
tempts of European power to take the
territory of an American republic.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-14

A sit-down club has been organized in
Cleveland, o. 1t is composed Of men pledged
not to give up their seats in street ears to
any woman under any circumstances. These
men are not SO ungallant and impolite as
they may seem, their purpose being to Sc
cure the final benefit of women as well as
men by compelling the street-car companies
to provide enough cars to accommodate all
passengers with seats. 1t is not probable
however, that the organization will flourish,
American men being too inherently cour-
teous to be able to carry on such an under
taking for any length of time. The desired
reform will have u be accomplished in
some other way.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-14
circulation at the two dates:
81, ~ ,Os4, 5ss 81. 7Os. 1872 .sO4


The foregoing figures show an increase
in the money in circulation of $14, 7S1 1898 dur
ing the month Of November, of which more
than one-third was gold. The money in the
treasury fell from $2S2. 1913 ,24S, Nov. l, to
$2275S ,S91 Dec. /, so that the total of all
money in the country Dec 1 was 81 GAS, sos, :
42S, compared with 81 1886, 456,152 Nov. l. Thus
the total increase of currency in the coun-
try during the month of November was
$9,209,277 of which 1892. 79S was gold. The
important fact is that, under existing con-
ditions, the increase of the money is in gold
the money of the world. The increase would
have been much greater had not such large
quantities of our securities held abroad been
returned to pay the balance of trade
These have come back because of the re-
newed clamor for the free and unlimited
coinage of silver.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-14

material in all parties to fill all the Offices,
and to suggest or intimate otherwise is a
direct insult to the intelligence of the
American people and crime against re-
public. We have to have two political
parties. one to watch the other. republic
cannot live without them. If the civil serv-
ice is good for one branch of our govern
rnent it is good for all. and this policy is
monarchical in all its bearings. and is toling
the death knell of our republic. The Amer
lean people must cali a halt at all cost-it
matters not who goes down.
VINT ANDERSON.
Ouincy Ind ~
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-14

I'VE have much more business than We
had year ago-in fact all that we can
attend to. What is more significant is that
patrons who asked for the very lowest fig
ures a year ago and went about to get
the lowest bids for rather small jobs now
come and ask us to push the work along,
saying little of the price" Such was the
remark of a man in a prominent printing
house yesterday it is what one may hear
repeated in scores of industrial establish
ments in the city, showing that the indus
tries of indianapolis are having buster
season than has come to them since 1892.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-14

General Weyler the disgraced Cuban
butcher. is reported as saying that he con-
siders President McKinley's hostility to be
the most glorious compliment which could
be paid him. when coming from SPANS
most dangerous enemy. This shows that
Weyler is a base migrate. Had it not been
for this governments rigid enforcement of
neutrality and international obligations to
Spain Americans would have poured into
Cuba by thousands and Weyler would have
been hanged on the nearest lamp post.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-14
The Statesman.

He sits where the throng may behold him,
And pensvely gaZes on high.
And they say, as gloom seems to enfold him,
inspiration is certainly nigh"
Then swiftly a paper he seiZes
And traces it over with ink
And they echo, like whispering breezes,
Now watch him; he's going to Think!
And the shades of the great seem to hover
As he struggles to drain wisdom'S fount;
And they'll probably never discover
He's at work on his mileage account
washington Star.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-14

"How men do change after MARRIAGE
VERY original, indeed
81 was thinking of Tommersot. When his
wife was Miss Berry, he nearly broke his
neck stopping horse that was running
away with her, and when a man ran away
with her last week. Tommersot didn't try
to stop him at all"
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-14

The Baron Won Thielman has compared
America in the sugar business to "a pike
in carp pond" This is a country of free
pixies and there's no use carping about it.
Meanwhile it is comforting to Americans to
know that our Uncle Samuel is not regard
ed as IAN EASY markr'
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-14

President Mckinley. in his message to
Congress, said: THE estimates of the ex-
penses of the government by the several
departments will, 1 am sure, have your
careful scrutiny" 1t is to be hoped that
Congress will Justify this expectation.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-14

The Tennessee statute known as 1.-The
Johnny law" would have made the crime of
the young Lochinvar punishable with cleo
trocution. The enforcement of this law
will put an end to romance in that State.
or at least give it the added flavor of crimi-
nality. Love laughs at locksmiths," but
not at the sort that manufactures county
jail padlOcks
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-14

The Society for the Prevention of Wear
ing Bird Plumage on Hats is most active in
Massachusetts, some members going so far
as to write verses on the subject that must
make their readers wish the birds were all
dead. There is such a thing as being too
active in reform work
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-14

Of horses, sued the township for damages
on the ground that it had been negligent in
not keeping the road in good order. A YER
dict for $1,000 has been rendered in favor of
the plaintiffs. This will lend unexpected i'm
petus to the good roads movement. Town
ships win find it cheaper to keep the roads
in order than to pay damages.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-14
R,ver stenmer burned.

GAINESVILLE, Tenn, Dee. 13.-The
steamer w X Phillips, formerly of the
louisville and Memphis trade, but last
week transferred tn the Cumberland river
trade burned tC alter edge al Island
pear Dover thu, es below here. some
time last night The e was first discov-
cred i'm the hold The loSs will probably not
be less than $4,000. The passengers and
crew escaped without injury. but the pas
sengers lost their helongir gs.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-14

The United States Congress, before it
takes up with President McKinley's recon-
mendations for much-needed economy. will
consider one of Washingtons recommended
tions for national university that is not
needed. The people were not aware that
the legislation of the country had got so
far behind. Some of General Jackson's by
the-eternals" may come up for discussion
some twenty years hence.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-14

The Journal prints elsewhere a couple of
letters expressing opposition to the civil
service law. One of these writer's seems to
think that office-holding is the chief end
and aim of republican government, and
the other solemnly announces that tne civil
service law is ''tolling the death knell of the
Republic" The Journal thinks the views Of
its correspondents are a trife pessimistic.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-14
vale viii Get the Money.

BATAVIA. n. Y. Dec. 13.-Judge North;
az surrogate of tennessee county. handed
down a decision to-day dismissing the con-
test over the will OF William Lampson the
tate of over hall million dollars. all but
a bou; $685. 600 of which he bequeathed TO Yale
University. Mrs. Laura Ann Brooks, of st.
Paul Mimi, contested the VIII.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-14

An exchange recalls the fact that Ed
mund Randolph wrote a pamphlet charging
George Washington with a corrupt motive
in locating Washington city where it now
is, the motive being to enhance the value
Of the Curtis estate on the opposite side
of the Potomac river-which goes to show
that the best OF men cannot escape accusa-
%fov
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-14
The Manner of Expression.

'The secret of eloquence" said the ora
torical person, lis not half SO much in what
is said as in the way it is said"
Correct" vouchsafed the man with the
stubby chinwhiskers. "A verbal promise to
pay is nowhere alongside a written one"
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-14

The papers in many cities are comment
ing on the heavy local business being done
in the transmission of money orders
abroad. These orders are sent by wage
earners of both sexes to relatives and
friends in Europe for holiday presents, and
Indicate that the senders are getting their
share of returning prosperity. These are
Republican times.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-14

1T is commanding duty TO keep the
appropriations within the receipts of the
government" said President Mckinley in
his message. The duty is so plain that if
Congress fails to do it it will receive a vote
of nonular censure.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-14

Really there seems no urgent call for
Congress to present sword to every vol
unteer naval officer of the late war, as has
beensproposed by a House bill.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-14

Secretary Gage, who is a business man,
is determined to put an end to the free
and easy methods by which the government
gets from its clerks the least possible serv
ice that they can render. The law gives
clerks thirty days vacation yearly with pay
In addition to this there is a law which
provides for sick leave of thirty days with
pay. Last year two-thirds of the clerks in
the Treasury Department were sick thirty
days. AS there must be some sort of certfi-
cation of illness, this wholesale sickness
must involve what amounts to wholesale
perjury. Secretary Gage has decided to ask
Congress to limit sick leaves to cases where
clerks are absolutely unable to discharge
their duties. Moreover, it is impossible, I'M
der existing rules, to induce clerks to work
over the hours between o'clock in the
morning and o'clock in the afternoon.
Secretary Gage will ask for action by Con-
gress which will compel clerks to work all
the hours necessary to keep up the work of
the bureaus in which they are employed.
1t is predicted that such requirements will
cause great kick" If this should be the
case, the dismissal Of hundred or two of
such clerks would check all kicking. When
the civil service is perfected, or greatly
improved, every clerk will understand that
he is to work the same hours and with the
same diligence as if he were in a railroad
or bank office. One of the attractions of
public employment in the departments and
many branches of the service is the fact
that short hours and little work is the rule.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-14

If some of those who assume to know
who are and who are rot Christians have
control of the admission q heaven, most of
the many mansions will be tenantless
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-14

mendations from any one. Therefore, there
was no necessity for me to speak as has
been my custom" The House roared and
the new member from the South subsidized.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-14

The Republican press has very generally
censured the astounding demand for river
and harbor improvements aggregatng
$49, 900. The Journal has already called
attention to the rapid increase of such APP
preparations, and it may be assumed that
the people generally are opposed to such an
appropriation as that for which the depart
ment has made estimates. A correspondent
says the Republican leaders in the House
favor voting the money needed to meet
contract obligations en- account of improve
ments actually under way, and stopping
there That would be one of the most
popular things which Congress could do.
No surplus of revenue would warrant ex-
travagance, but with an apparent deficit
such appropriations should be cut to the
lowest figure. 1t will be wise to begin no
new works.