The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-11-08

nothing in it all to cause US to wish to
abandon the eagle, king of birds now as
well as year ago.-New Albany Tribune.
There is general public awakening all
over this country on cities giving away
franchises The latter should be granted
solely on the basis of public necessity.
They should be sold 10 the highest bidder.
The full franchise value should be retained
by the city. Investors are entitled to no
more than fair profit on the money in
vested Enriehing private individuals at
the expense of the people through the grant
News.
The days in which we live are politically
peculiar. There is no great moral principle
before the people that is the dominating
factor in partisan problems Neither the
Republican nor Democratic party is moved
TO activity by the might of a principle. The
utmost that can be said of either is that
the nearest approach to a principle is the
duty of observing financial obligations--the
maintenance of the Nations honor abroad
and at home by the payment of bonds In
gOld Upon that question majority of the
people stand with the Republican party
Lafayette Call.
Now that two wings are developing in the
Popocratic party for cheap money, one
standing for a silver dollar, necessitating
the purchase of the silver dollar at its mar
ket value, and the other for paper dollar
which will cost nothing comparatively. it
MT Bryan will train He will have to de-
eide whether he will stand for the interests
OF the silver mine owners or the old rag
DaDy, greenback' idea of the POpulStS
ana in the decision of this momentouS and
far-reaching question his great straddling
power will be taxed to it's utmost-Nobles-
Vile Ledger.
A country newspaper can no longer exist
as the mere organ of party, clique. ring
or faction. 1t must be operated as a bust
ness enterprise, winning the esteem of its
reading patrons by faithfulness to public
interests and the merit and attractiveness
OF It's columns, and securing the confidence
ana ana support OF advertisers by the extent
and character of its circulation. A dollar
is dollar nowadays, and it is fact sad
denlng to the country newspaper editor that
mlze, begin with the curtailment of the
family reading matter rather than with
their tobacco, cigars, drink or other lux
urles.-New Castle Courier.
Winter is coming on, and with 1t there
comes to the people of Lafayette, as well as
thos, of many other Indiana cities, the
question of natural-gas supply There is
every reason to believe that the gas will
be sufficient for this and several seasons to
follow but it is evident that the supply is
not ineXhaustible. The pressure has been
Kept up by the companies which have been
making developments in new fields since the
first discovery. The gas experts all agree
that it is a question of but a few years
till the present known fields are drained.
In this connection it is encouraging to note
that the proper authorities are doing all
they can to protect the supply against losses
and prevent unnecessary waste. One gas
man gives it as his opinion that there has
been enough gas wasted in Indiana since it
was first discovered to meet the needs of
all the territory dependent upon it for at
least ten years. The precautions being
taken now will meet with the most hearty
Endorsement from all people, for they have
learned that natural gas is a good thing
and they wish to hold on to it as long as
Observation-Disclosures Courier.