davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-03-18
THE TELEPHONE QUESTION.

The disposition of the telephone question
will be a much better test of the intelli-
gence and business capacity of the Board
OF Public Works than are it's ordinary du-
ties. Ordering sewer and street improve
meats and assessments is mere routine
work. and only requires the following of es-
tablished precedents, but when it comes
to dealing with municipal franchises and
competing corporations a much higher order
of business intelligence is required. The sig
nifcance of the present situation is that
if rightly managed, it affords an opportuni-
ty of securing much cheaper telephone
service for the people and much wider con-
nections for the city than have been en-
joyed hitherto. These are the objective
points to be. aimed at, and they should be
kept steadily in view. There cannot be for
a moment any question as to the desirable
ity of securing the widest possible tele-
phone connection between this city and 9TH
er cities and towns throughout the State
The Importance and value of such system
are too plain for argument. The only ques-
ton should be how best to secure it in con-
nection with cheaper rates to city patrons
The company which now enjoys practical
monopoly of the city franchise should have
given such connections before this and it
will have no cause to complain if the city
gives a favorable hearing to another that
offers this and better terms in other direc-
lions than the city is now getting. The peo-
pie believe in competition and, on general
principles thew are right
AS between an annual bonus to be paid
the city and a material reduction of rates,
the Journal regards the latter as decidedly
preferable. Its benefits inure directly to ev-
cry telephone subscriber, whereas, by the
other plan, through higher rates paid the
company, the subscribers virtually contrib
ute so much every year to the city treasury
for the benefit of others. Moreover, the
amount of the annual bonus paid in such
cases is generally small, compared with the
saving to the people in reduced rates.
Finally, it should be remembered that no
company or form of organization should
be given preference over another, provided
equal assurance can be given of good faith
ard financial ability to carry out a con-
tract The interests of the public are para
mount to those of any company.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-03-18
WHEAT PROSPECTS.

The weather and the conditions which it
has made are not favorable to Mr.. Letters
plans to further bull the wheat market. If
there shall be no decided change in the
weather, the wilmer wheat crop will be ear
lier than usual, while its condition all over
the country promises an excellent crop. The
acreage is unusually large, so that with the
condition the present promise points to an
unusually large crop. The farmers in South
Dakota have been seeding for more than
week, and If the present favorable weather
continues seeding in the Northwest will be
so early that all the advantages OF an early
crop will be realized. Still, wheat is an I'M
certain crop until it is harvested. and the
present favorable conditions may not con-
tinue.
The wheat crop in India is now being
harvested; recent reports indicate that it is
the best for six years and that the export
which has begun will be unusually large. A
large export from India viii materially at
feet the European supply. and 1t does not
take a hundred million bushels to put the
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-03-18
BLUsHERs AND HEAD HANGERS.

One of those men in Congress who praise
General Grant, now that he is dead, but
who abused him when living, brought up
the Virginius incident in the House on
Wednesday in a manner which made it ap-
pear that President Grant was guilty of an
act which has caused every American to
blush with shame whenever it was recalled.
The Virginius was a vessel flying The flag
of the United States which was seized by
Spanish gunboat near the coast of Cuba,
having on board sixty-five men who I'M
doubtedly intended to land and join the in
surgents Some of them were citizens of
the United States and some were not. OF
their purpose there could be no doubt The
Spanish authorities tried and shot twelve of
these men, but through the Intervention of
the home government the rest were set at
liberty. General Grant demanded repara-
ton. Spain disavowed the act, punished
the officials responsible for the seizure and
paid an indemnity of $4,000. The offense
was the taking of the men from a ship sail
ing under the flag of the United States. For
that Spain made the same apology that the
United States made to Great Britain in 1861
ates from vessel under the British flag.
The indemnity in dollars might not have
been sufficient, but there could be no in
demnity in money for violation of interna-
tional law With the apology which was
made the President could not have made
war on Spain. There was the usual dip
lomatic delay before settlement, but it was
made in a manner that leaves no stain upon
the "escutcheon' of the United States. War
would not have restored to life the twelve
men who were shot, and the loss of thou
sands of lives to avenge the outrage and
the expenditure of millions of money, for
which there could be no return, could not
have helped the matter, but would have
added to the bonded debt.
About that time the Grant administration
was having about all that it could attend to
in negotiating the treaty with Great Brit
ain which resulted in the Geneva award.
If he had listened to the advice of the
Charles Sumner element he would have in
volved the country in war with Great Brit
ain by making preposterous demands The
indemnity paid for the vessels DESTROYED by
the Confederate cruisers and the apology
Of Great Britain were ample, and code
was adopted which sustains, in effect, our
theory of the duties of neutrals At that
time the foes Of General Grant INDUCED in
great deal of ''blushing'' and of Hanging
of heads" in speeches for the cowardice
displayed by General Grant in making the
treaty which came to such happy conclu-
sion 1t may be added that the blushing
ard head-hanging was performed chiefly by
men who were not with Grant. or Lee at
Appomattox.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-03-18
MAY EXPECT HIGHER PRICES.
CalifOrnians Reiterate Statements as
to Fruit Damage by Frost.

SAN FRANCISCO. March 17.-Dis-
patches to the Associated Press from all
parts of the State indicate that heavy
frcsts which have prevailed for the last few
mornings have done great damage to the
more tender varieties of fruit. In many
parts Of the State the apricot crops will be
almost a total failure. Nectarines and
peaches have also suffered severely. Nearly
all the fruit trees are in blossom or bud
ding and the cold weather came at most
inopportune time. Late varieties of fruit
will make fair crops. Prunes, one of the
staple products of California. have not been
injured to any appreciable extent. Early
corn and potatoes have been cut down and,
in general, the growing crop will be late.
Early almonds will not produce more than
one-third the usual yield, and while cher
ries have been considerably thinned, trees
were in many places, overloaded, and the
damage will not be excessive Grain is look
ing well in nearly all parts of the State,
particularly that which was summer fall
lowed More rain is needed, and if it comes
soon, followed by warm weather, much Of
the damage already done will be compen-
stated for.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-03-18
GREATEST ARMY IN THE WORLD.
Number of Men the United States
Could Put in the Field.

WASHINGTON, March lin view of the
possibility of a conflict with Spain, consid-
cradle interest centers just now in the
strength of the militia force of the United
States which would be liable to be called
upon in case of necessity. The aggregate
strength of the force in each State is yearly
reported to the adjutant general of the
army, who in turn transmits it to Congress
for the information of that body An an
nual appropriation is made by Congress for
the support and maintenance of the militia,
and the money is allotted among the States
according to the numerical strength of the
militia of each The latest report to Con-
gress on the militia strength was made by
acting Secretary of War Meikeljohn, and
was based on returns received at the adj
jutant generals office for 1897. This state
ment shows that the total organized
strength of the militia of the United States
is 114,S62 men. while the number of men
available for military duty (unorganized),
Of which report was made at the time that
the statement of the militia was sent in, is
10,301 1888. The organized and unorganized
strength of each State is as follows:
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-03-18

Carefully considered, the reported attitude
Of Austria relative to the Spanish-Cuban
trouble has much significance. There seems
to be no doubt that the Emperor of Austria
is interesting himself actively in behalf of
the regning family in Spain. and that he
has asked the assent of other European
powers to his forcible interference if it
should become necessary to maintain the
present dynasty. Reason enough for the
Emperors sympathy with Spain might be
found in the fact that the Queen Regent is
his daughter and the prospective King his
grandson, but this would hardly induce him
to go so far as to propose armed support
and the marching of an Austrian army into
Spain unless there was reason to believe
that such support might be necessary. The
reason for such belief could hardly be found
in the prospect of war between the United
States and Spain, for, aside from the I'M
certainty of that prospect, such war
would probably strengthen rather than
weaken the present government in Spain.
Hopeless as it would be for Spain, there
is reason to believe it would be popular and
would solidify the Spanish people in sup
port of the present government and Minis
try. What, then, is the contingency implied
by the Emperor's proffer of support for
the present government? 1t must be the
prospect of a movement on the part of the
Spanish government to assent to the sur
render or sale of Cuba. Such a movement
would undoubtedly be very unpopular in
Spain, and probably cause Carlist- Weyler
uprising and precipitate revolution. In
it's present enfeebled and distracted condi-
ton the government is in no condition to
meet such crisis, and would probably be
overthrow. Once admitting the probable
ity of a situation requiring support, the
Queen Regent would naturally appeal to
her father, who has the ability as we'll as
doubtless the disposition to extend power
full aid in protecting the royal rights of his
daughter and grandson. The significance
of the situation lies in the fact that before
asking for her fathers support the Queen
Regent must have informed him that it
might be needed and why In other words,
it would show that the Spanish government,
despairing of reducing Cuba to subsection,
has about decided to consent to the sur
render or sale of the island, and is seeking
protection against the storm which such a
step would raise. If this is the true situa-
ton, the attitude of Austria does not in
volve any hostility to the United States
The Emperors objective point is the pro-
lection Of the present government in Spain
not agains@ foreign attack of which there
is no immediate danger, but against do
nestle revolution. 1t takes time for COM
binations of this kind to mature but if
this is a correct view of the case the aban-
donment of the contest by Spain and the
practical liberation of Cuba may be among
the events of the near future. 1t should
be added, however, that in the event of war
between the United States and Spain, under
circumstances threatening the present
dynasty, the Emperor of Austria would
doubtless support his daughter just as he
would against domestic revolution.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-03-18
PATRIOTIC METHoD1sTs.

Bishops WaIdrOn and GoOdseIl
Cheered by Conference Delegates.
CHESTER, Pa, March 17-To-day's ses-
sion of the Philadelphia M. E. Conference
was notable for ringing declarations of pa
triotism made by Bishop Walden, of Gin
cinnati, and the outburst of applause which
greeted his remarks. Bishop Walden said
the country was at critical period, but he
had an abiding faith in the sober judgment
Of the American people and in that of Pres
ident Mckinley. The influence of the
church, he said, should be on the side of
peace, and he believed that peace would be
preserved and the freedom of Cuba OBJ
tanned While, however, he deprecated war
he would venture to say that if war should
come there will be as many Methodists
answer the call as in days gone by.
Bishop GoodSell, of Chattanooga, who
presided, expressed hearty Endorsement of
Bishop Waldens utterances. He said no
nobler sight was ever witnessed in the his
tory of nations than the patriotic wrath
that followed the disaster to the great bat
tie ship of a great nation, conscious of it's
strength waiting patiently to learn the
truth before it strikes He hoped for peace,
If possible to maintain it, and said our
cause must be declared righteous one be-
fore we resort to the sword.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-03-18
THE OLD MONITORS.
Three Have Been Found Unservice.
abIe-The Ram Katahdin.

Three Have Been Found Unservice-
abIe-The Ram Katahdin.
PHILADELPHIA, March 17.-At League
Island navy yard, to-day, it was learned
that the board of experts who examined the
eight monitors have decided three OF them
the Canonicus, Mahopac and Lehigh-are
useless and cannot be put in condition for
service. The other five-the Nahant, Jason,
Catskill, Montauk and Manhattan-can be
fitted out for harbor defense. The princi-
pal work required on them is to lay new
deck and make a few repairs to the machin-
cry. Commandant Casey said to-day that
the monitors could be made effective as de-
tenders of torpedo fields or where they
could be anchored in shallow water and
their big guns used to advantage. The eff
fectiveness of these guns, out Of date, as
they are, is formidable, and appearances in
dicate that they will be retained in their old
turrets Ammunition for these fifteen-inch
muzzle-loader smooth boreS has been or
dered.
A general change of plans seemed to have
been decided upon in regard to the ram
katahdin. She has been all but ready to
sail, and had a full supply of stores on
board. Men were busy to-day removing the
stores and placing them on the dock. In
formation as to The reason for this was dee
MED. The decks of the cruisers Columbia
and Minneapolis were Uttered with stores
Twenty-Five men arrived from Brooklyn
and were divided between the two vessels
The Miantonomoh's crew was busy slowing
away her coal, and the decks were filled
with stores. 1t was reported that to-mor-
row she will take on 125 rounds of armor-
piercing projectiles and a supply of powder.
Work is being rapidly pushed on the for
tifcationS at Delaware City.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-03-18

More than once the Journal, in asserting
the forbearance of the United States in re-
gard to Cuba, has declared that if Cuba
were as near the British coast as it is to
that of the United States, that government
would have settled the question long ago.
No doubt most intelligent Engishmen are
of the same opinion One of them, promi-
nent editor, says:
What would England's actions have been
if Cuba were in the English channel?
There is only one answer-we should not
have endured it. The Spanish would have
been cleared out, bag and baggage, from
Cuba long ago. with reluctance perfectly
genuine and with emphatic protestations of
disinterestedness which we should have
meant, though nobody would have believed
us. We should have blockaded the island,
bombarded Havana, as we did Alexandria,
and occupied Cuba as we are now occupying
Egypt TO the bubbling indignation and re-
sentiment of foreign nations and the inesti-
mable benefit of the inhabitants.
There is no doubt about this If Cuba
were in the English channel it would not
be nearer the British coast than it is to the
coast of the United States. yet our policy
for nearly a hundred years has been to up
hold Spain in the possession of the island.
That is not the British way.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-03-18

at Gravesend. Lieutenant Commander Col
we'll the United States naval attache here.
will receive the ship from her Brazilian
commander. A crew from the San FRAN
cisco will then be marched on board, the
Brazilian flag Will be hauled down and the
Brazilian sailors will be landed. The execu-
tive officer Of the San Francisco VIII prob
ably take command of the Arnazonas, and
she viii sail for the United States as speed
lily as possible under aealed orders. It is
supposed she is going to the North Ameri-
can station. where her crew can be re-
;nforced. The Amazonas had Just been pro-
visioned and coaied for her trip to Brazil.
The United States government purchased
all these supplies.
Commander w. II. Brownson, the agent
of the United States Navy Department. who
arrived here yesterday from New York. has
been beseiged by ship men and reporters.
He says the reports of the object of his
mission are Incorrect and that his errand is
one which he cannot speak about. Appar-
emily Commander Brownson is acting as adj
wiser to Lieutenant Commander Colwell.
A special dispatch from Rome says the
Italian minister of marine, Admiral Brin,
has informed the Spanish ambassador to
Italy. Count De Bonomar, that his request
that Italy sell three war ships TO Spain Will
be discussed at the next meeting of the
Cabinet.
DEAL, England March 1.-THE United
States cruiser San Francisco has passed
this place on her way to the River Thames.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-03-18
j. j. SHIPHERD INDICTED.
Charged with Embedding About
$15O,OOO from f. Deli. Robson.

CLEVELAND, March 17.-Nine indict-
ments for embezzlement were returned
against John j. Shipherd to-day by the
grand juryl They charge him with having
embezzled about s15OOOO from Frank De
Haas Robson the property concerned be-
ing stocks and bonds of the Fort Wayne
Street-railway Company. One bill charges
an embezzlement of $4,000. The next larg-
est amount is $4,000. In speaking of the
case Assistant Prosecutor Snider said:
pills for other amounts could have been
returned, but there was so much confusion
of stocks and other securities that we only
picked out cases easily understood
Shipherd who was formerly well-known
as a capitalist and street-railway promoter,
was arrested several months ago at the in
stance of Mr. Robson, charged with en-
bezzlement Since then Shipherd has been
out on bond
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-03-18

1t is believed that the meeting of the
county assessors to consider plans to Sc
cure uniformity of assessment will result
in more satisfactory plan than has been
attained in the past If the plans adopted
are followed a fairer valuation of property
will be attained and a more effectual effort
Will be made to prevent tax lodging I'm
less Indiana falls in with the errors of
some other States in increasing expendi-
lures, the State tax should be lessened con-
siderably during the next few years because
Of increased wealth, more careful ap-
praisal of property and the discharge Of the
state debt One of the causes of tax dodg-
ing is the increase of taxation. In coun-
ties the increase is often due to bad man
agem .nt and in cities to an undue expan-
sion o. expenditure for improvements. The
danger in the State is in making appropria-
tons for objects which should not be as
suined by the State. 1t is the era of fads
and those who have them go to the State
for aid. Every year enterprising people
appear before the Legislature with schemes
the real purpose of which is to provide for
the maintenance of a larger number of per-
sons at the public expense and to provide
for a limited number advantages which are
not warranted in a system of government
based upon equal privileges and equal bur-
dens,
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-03-18

1t was beneath the dignity of members
of Congress and scarcely respectful to the
President to notice the foolish rumor that
he is trying to bring about an early adj
journment in order that he may settle the
Spanish affair without interference from
Congress. The rumor is incredible on its
face for several reasons. The President
knows that Congress is an Independent body
in every sense of the term and would be
very sure to resent any attempt on his part
to bring about an adjournment before it
was fully ready to adjourn. The only case
in which the President rightfuily has any,
thing to do with the adjournment of Con-
gress is designated in the Constitution
which says in case of disagreement be-
tween the two houses with respect to the
time Of adjournment he may adjourn them
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-03-18

BOSTON March ia special to the
Globe from Key West. by A. Maurice Low,
says: "It is learned tonight that a special
report of the work of the court Of inquiry
has been sent to Washington. This is not
the report and findings of the court, which
have not yet been agreed upon but is in the
nature of a communication for the use Of
the President, which he may or may not
make public, as he sees fit In any event,
it will prepare the President for what the
board will report, and enable him to take
measures accordingly, as, the court will find
that the Maine was blown up from the out
side. The full report, 1t is said tonight,
will not be formulated and in the hands of
the secretary of the navy for some days
vet"
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-03-18
SIX KNOWN TO BE DEAD
AND FOURTEEN PEOPLE NOT AC-
COUNTED FOR LAST NIGHT.
Three Burned and MangIed Bodies
Found in the Ruins of the Chi
cngO Fire Yesterday.

CHICAGO, March 17-Three burned and
mangled bodies were to-day taken from the
ruins of the building No. 215 to 22i Wabash
avenue, which was destroyed by fire yester-
day morning This brings the number of
known dead to six. while fourteen persons
reported as missing, have not been ac-
counted for at late hour tonight. Firemen
to-day unearthed the bodies OF
CHARLES A. PRICE. cashier.
HENRY r. NELSON, chemist.
MRS. NJ. f. HARRIS, bookkeeper.
All We're employed by the w. A. Ohm
stead Scientific Company. The three victims
who lost their lives by leaping from the
building to the pavement below were:
EDWARD BINZ, cashier for Sweet, Wal
ZACH & Co.
MILES "A SMITH
SAMUEL A. CLARK.
The two last named were employees of the
Olmstead Company. The missing, all of
whom were connected with these two firms,
are as follows
W. A. OLMSTEAD.
G. H. ARMS.
w. j. WILCOX.
WILLIAM PASS.
MISS HATTIE DAVIDSON.
MISS ANNA GUEST.
WILLIAM MARVIN.
A. N. PETERSON.
MRS WATKINS.
GEORGE STIFF
c. T. ANDERSON.
FRED ROBERTSON.
EMMA CARROLL.
TONY, an Office boy.
The search of the ruins will be resumed
tomorrow. AS most of the missing were
seen about the building during or just be-
fore the fire it seems certain the list of
fatalities will reach score.
Later tonight the names Of the following
persons, supposed to have been caught in
the building and killed, were reported to
the police:
c. H. EDGERTONc Burlington, Wis, reg
istered Wednesday morning at the Leland
Hotel: was seen to enter the Ayre building
a few moments before the fire broke out,
and has not been seen nor heard from since.
MISS GILBERT, saleswoman for the w.
A. Olmstead Company.
PHILIP GRAVES, employed by the w.
A. Olmstead Company.
ALBERT HANSON, employed by the w.
A. Olmstead Company; has not been seen
by friends and thought to be dead.
CHARLES H. HIPPARD, employed by
Presbyterian Board of Publication.
R. r. PITTS. book agent, employed by w.
j. Grand, 225 Dearborn street, has not been
home since the fire and was supposed to be
in the building at the time.