davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-02-18
A NEEDED ORGANIZATION.

The proposition of the State Board of
Commerce to devote it's energies to bring
ing about better and more economical city,
town, township and county government is a
very wise and a very important one Local
government is the weak feature of our polit-
ical system. Vast amounts OF money are
taken from the people and so expended that
little or no advantage is derived therefrom.
We hear much of the profigacy of large
cities, much of the infamy of Tammany
and combinations in the largest cities, but
how much better off are the people in a
considerable portion Of the local govern
ments in this State? Several years ago the
valuation of the property upon which taxes
are levied was increased nearly so per cent.
reduced in the same ratio, or even 25 per
cent. on an increased valuation of so per
cent? Do not many counties keep close to
the limit of the law, thus spending much
more money than ten years ago and increas-
ing the county debt? Indeed, it is a fact that
with this increased taxation the aggregate
of county debts has increased nearly as
muCn dS the state UtDI mas peeu I6QuCeu
during the past few years. Under the pres
ent irresponsible system this evil is going
gilmore money is being taken from the
people. and nothing TO their advantage has
been obtained Ly reason of the increased
taxation.
1t may take scme years to break up the
system which organized taxeaters have
fastened upon the people through local gov
ernments. 1t certainly will require organ
lied efforts to bring about reforms, but the
organization which the State Board OF Com
merce, with a nucleus in seventeen coun-
ties, can build up will effect it in time. Such
an organization upon a nonpartisan bust
ness basis will receive effective support be-
cause the people are weary Of wastefulness
and corruption, and the taxpayers are more
numerous than the taxeaters.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-02-18

bert and passed by the Senate on Thursday
The bill which is assigned for consideration
in the House next Tuesday is said to con-
tain description of one Of the competing
machines so that it's passage would be
equivalent to giving the company owning
it a monopoly. To give a monopoly to any
machine would be unwise, but to give it to
a machine which has never been put to
practical test in elections would be absurd.
When the State is ready to use voting ma
chimes It should be in position to get that
which has been proved the best. 1t is said
by some that the Constitution makes it i'm
possible to use a voting machine in that
it provides that voting by the people shall
be by ballot, and that voting by machine
is not voting by ballot. On the other hand,
other lawyers maintain that all machines
have a ballot which is voted by a register
opposite the name. and that manipulation
of the register complies with the provision
as much as the stamping Of a ballot under
the present system. 1t would be well to
have the opinion of the Supreme Court re-
garding the matter
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-02-18

The yells Of derision and the Kisses for Sec
rotary of War Alger in the streets of Boston
certainly did not represent the better ele-
ment of that city. Whatever they may
think of a public man or his official acts
people of little polteness and ordinarily
good manners do not hiss him when he is
visitor in their houses or in the city where
they live. 1t is quite likely the persons who
did the kissing at Boston belong to the class
that has revolutionized the political char
acter of the city and changed it from a
thorough American city to a semi-foreign
one. Secretary Alger was there not merely
as public man and member Of the Cabinet
but as the Presidents trusted friend and
travelling companion, and an insult TO him
was, therefore, an insult to the President
But, aside from the proprieties and conven-
tionalities Of the case, a large majority Of
the American people would say that Secre-
tary Alger does not deserve to be Kissed
Not that he is a great man or has made
a great secretary of war. for that is not the
case But he has done the best he could
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-02-18

under very difficult circumstances, and what
more could be demanded? Wkhen Lord Nell
son signaled England expects every man
to do his duty he did not mean that every
man was expected to do as much as any
other man, but simply to do his best. No
doubt there are men in the United States
who would have made a better secretary of
war during the war with Spain than Cen
eraI Alger did, but he happened to be there
when the war came on and did the best he
could. Not every man could have done bet
ter-probably not one in ten thousand of
his critics. Edwin NJ. Stanton was a great
secretary Of war but he, too, was severely
criticised. Besides, when he became Sec
rotary of war in January, 1862, the prelim-
mary work of modifying and organizing
the volunteer army had already been done.
One of his early acts was to recommend for
assignment to the command of the Army of
Virginia Maj. Gen. John Pope, who proved
to be the weakest commander the army ever
had. Seven months after Stanton was made
secretary Of war occurred the second bat
tie and defeat of Bull Run, when Washing
ton was in such imminent danger of being
captured that Secretary Stanton wired the
Governors Of Northern States to hurry
troops forward for it's defense. At the same
time General Mcclellan, who shortly before
had been relieved of his command, was sum-
moned to the defense Of the capital and
placed in command of its Notifications Two
months before this Mcclellan had closed a
dispatch to Secretary Stanton from the
peninsula with these words: eff 1 save this
army now, tell you plainly that 1 owe no
thanks to you, nor to any other person in
Washington. You have done your best to
sacrifice this army" Stanton developed
into great secretary of war, yet he made
serious mistakes and had harsh critics. 1t
has been said that man who makes no
mistakes does not make anything. No doubt
Secretary Alger made some mistakes, but
who would not have done so, and who could
have done better, all things considered? 1t
was great and difficult work to mobilize
an army of $4,000 men and send an adequate
invading force to Cuba, yet all this was
done inside Of ninety days. 1t is probably
true that Secretary Alger made some bad
made many good ones. The attacks upon
him have not Iessened the Presidents re-
gard for him a particle, and the war in
vestigating commission reported that he had
extended to all chiefs Of bureaus cordial
and full support, and promptly responded
to every proper demand made upon him by
commanding officers" The plain conclusion
is that while Secretary Alger may not be
great man, he is patriotic and we'll mean
ing, and did the best he could in very diff
cult and trying circumstances. A public
official of whom this can be said, and who
accomplished such really great results in
as short time as Secretary Alger did, and
that without any great or serious mistakes,
certainly deserves better treatment at the
hands of his countrymen than to be jeered
at and Kissed in the streets.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-02-18

One of the substitutes for the county bill
provides that the advisory board shall be
appointed by Circuit Court judges. In many
instances the judge is not resident of the
county in which he may be authorized to
appoint the board. That would not be local
government. Furthermore, are not the peo-
pie as we'll qualified to elect county legisla-
tive boards as is judge to appoint them?
1t might be better, on this theory for judges
to appoint legislators. These devices will
deceive nobody because persons of ordinary
penetration will see thar they are the
schemes of men who desire to protect the
industry Of taXeating.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-02-18

presented and to solve the problem Chair
man Hernly was active all day in the in-
terests Of the bills, but the action taken
by the caucus seemed TO be the only sou-
ton of the question.
A new method of warfare has been in
augurated against the measures as is indi-
Gated by the following from the Lagrange
Standard OF Thursday:
I'VE. have received an anonymous type
written letter from indianapolis charging
conspiracy and other terrible things against
individuals and newspapers at indianapolis
favoring the county and township reform
bills. We do not publish personal accusa-
tons without knowing whom TO look TO for
proof and not then If we are not pretty
sure the charges are provable. There has
been already too much elimination and re-
elimination about these measures. They
should stand on their own merits, and not
on individuals favoring or opposing"
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-02-18

The Presidents speech at Boston was in
the best possible spirit. 1t shows the APP
prevail of a clear conscience. the possession
Of an even, imperturbable temper, and will
still further enhance the popular estimate
of his qualities as a statesman and leader.
No person can read it and doubt that every
act Of the President in relation to the Phil
ippines has been done from a strict sense of
duty and with the sole desire of maintaining
the national honor and dignity. Recalling
the harsh and censorious things that have
been said regarding the Presidents sup
posed Philippine policy the floor of the
Serate and by the anti-expansionists out
side, he might have been justified in resent
ing them with some warmth. So far from
this his speech showed an unruffled temper
and a ''come let US reason together" spirit
that should make some of his Incorporate
critics ashamed of themselves. In this re-
spect, as in some others, especially his reli-
ance on the people, President Mckinley is
much like Mr.. Lincoln, who never lost his
temper under criticism or failed to get the
best Of his critics in argument. Postmaster
General Smith, in his speech at Boston,
spoke of him as the President "who, of all
American leaders, is most like Lincoln in
his moral attributes and his popular sympa-
thy is keeping touch with the popular heart
as he fulflls his lofty mission of taking the
flag of American liberty where Lincoln has
left it pure and stainless and carrying it
forward to wider sway and influence in the
world" His speech was a temperate and
strong appeal to his critics to put them
selves in his place and say honestly if they
could have done better or differently. con
those who have things to do" he said,
there rests responsibility which is not
on those who have no obligation as doers."
1t is easy to stand off and find fault, but
the President had to act.
The speech shows that the President has
no policy regarding the Philippines except
the policy of the American people as it shall
be expressed by Congress. So far as he is
concerned he will be glad to have Congress
relieve him of the responsibility, and he ex-
presses entire confidence in the ability of
that body and the people to deal with the
situation. Congress is the voice. the con-
science and the judgment of the American
people," he says. 81 believe in them,
trust them. 1 know Of no better or safer
human tribunal than the people," He does
not undertake to foretell just how the pres
ent problem will be solved, or what form
of government will eventually be established
in the Philippines, but he has abiding faith
that the outcome will inure to the immense
benefit Of the inhabitants of the islands and
the honor ard glory of the American Re-
public. In that spirit and with perfect con-
fidence in their ability to meet the new re-
sponsibilities put upon them, the people
should go forward, as the President is evil
IDENTIFY prepared to do
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-02-18
THE GENEROUS LonRY.
Offering Positions on State Ticket for
Votes Against Reform.

There was a good deal of gossip about
the House yesterday afternoon to the eff
feet that the lobby of the county officers
had been promising one and another of the
members places on the state ticket if they
will vote against the reform bills. They
have promised, it is the current gossip 10
nominate Mr.. Barlow for Governor, and Mr..
Baker. of Whitley. for lieutenant governor.
They went to another member with the
promise that they would go and "set up the
pins to make him secretary OF state IN
place Of Mr.. Hunt
Are those ahead of me on the ticket to
be Barlow and Baker," the member asked.
The leader of the lobby said they were on
the slate so far as it had been made up.
You can have the next place If you will
help to defeat the county and township
bills, was the offer. The offer was declined
with the remark that men who were re
warded for boiling measures to which the
party is pledged and measures Endorsed by
House caucuses would not make very strong
running mates.
Among those who are inside of matters.
the promises of the lobby, partly Democrat
ic. to give political preferment are the
cause of much amusement about the House.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-02-18
Creror Refnins Hin sent.

Chairman Gilbert, of the Senate elections
committee, yesterday morning announced to
the press that the members had agreed to
report unanimously in favor of retaining
Senator Cregor in his seat. This conclu-
sion was reached by the Republican MEM
bers Thursday night and of course it Sc
cured the support of the Democratic MEM
bers when IL was presented to them yester-
day morning. All the Republican members
were pledged to secrecy Thursday night and
majority had come to each one refused to
answer Yesterday morning Chairman Gill
bert was prevailed upon, however, to make
known the attitude of the committee. The
verdict was reached solely to avoid embar-
rassment all around, as it is known that
shortly after the close of the investigation
the Republican members were in favor or
unseating Cregor, but were equally aVerse
to either seating Stoner or ordering a new
oil
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-02-18

In 1896 the fusion platform in Nebraska
pledged it's candidates not to use railroad
passes. The present House, which is Re-
publican, has investigated the matter and
finds that six Populist state officers have
been riding on passes ever since they came
into Office. Several of them had passes on
thirteen roads. This discovery shows that
all the agitation about officials riding on
passes is rank demagogy. The loudest anti
railroad pass bowler will pocket such favors
with greedy ayidftv.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-02-18
CAUCUS ON REFORM.
A Committee Appointed to Receive
Amendments.

Amendments.
The Republican members Of the House
held a caucus last evening after adjourn
ment TO consider the county and township
reform bills. 1t is understood that forty
five members OF the House were present and
the situation was thoroughly gone over.
After prolonged discussion it was decided
that a committee, consisting of one from
each congressional district, should be ap-
pointed to receive and consider all amend
ments which Ii was intended TO be submitted
TO the bills, and that this committee should
so endeavor TO so change the bills as TO re-
move those features which are obiec-
tionable. 1t was believed that by this
plan such amended bills can be presented as
will suit all the Republican members and
that can be passed. This committee was
appointed and will report 10 another meet
ing of the Republican members.
Mr.. Reser, who is regarded as the leader
of the opposition to reform. did not attend
the conference. He stated last evening that
he had been courteously invited TO do so by
Mr.. Shideier, who is the caucus chairman,
but he had declined and stayed away be-
cause he does not consider these measures
proper caucus bills
Great efforts were put forth yesterday to
get the Republicans IN line on the bills as
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-02-18

A number of persons are suggesting that
a veto of the river and harbor appropria-
ton bill. which carries so much money,
would be wise act. General Grant vetoed
one and President Arthur another on the
ground that many of the specific appro-
priations were a waste of money. If cities
with 100000 people are to be denied post
office facilities several million dollars
should not be expended to promote private
interests rather than public.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-02-18

1t seems improbable that any member Of
the House can be deluded into voting
against the reform bills upon the promise
of the tax-eating lobby that he can be nom
mated in Republican state convention in
1909 for a state office.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-02-18

The Legislature ought to be able to pass
the State or local authorities an effective
weapon against that form of crime. Both
of the bills that have been defeated were
open to objections, but one could be framed
on different lines that would pass.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-02-18

The fact that County Commissioners as
sumo the authority to grant rights to COM
panies to use the highways for street rail-
way tracks for fifty years without any COM
pensation and without knowing The dam
age that may be inflicted on those who
are taxed to support the roads. affords the
best possible evidence that the powers of
sucn officers should be restricted. A coun-
" council would do It.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-02-18

NANAILO. B. c., Feb. 17.-Among the
passengers on the steamer Amur was NJ.
Masks an Australian mining expert, who
has come from Dawson for the purpose Of
obtaining thawing machinery. These, he
SAYS are being successfully used in arctic
mining Machines now IN operation thaw
from ten to twelve feet per day, as against
three feet by the old process He estimates
this years output of the klondike country
at $500 600. Good coal is said to have been
found few miles from Dawson.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-02-18
Mrs. Edwin Mays Claim.

This morning the claim of Mrs Edwin
May will come back to the House, and
lively fight is anticipated The COMMITTEES
has held several meetings, and it Is under.
stood that no evidence has been presented
other than that which was reported TO the
House.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-02-18

AS things are now drifting in Congress, a
called session seems inevitable. The appro-
priation bills are not completed, and there
viii be little time for the bill to reorganize
waste several days if his Nicaragua bill is
not made rider to the river and harbor
Ian
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-02-18

affords no instance of a man in a legislative
capacity who has been given high position
in his party as reward for joining the OPP
posite party to defeat his own.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-02-18

clare that they are in favor Of reform in
township and county methods but oppose
the pending bills have failed to recommend
q substitute
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-02-18

The Nicaragua canal bill ought to pass.
but not as a rider or an appropriation bill.
That Is a vicious method of securing gen.
eral legislation. even though it be desirable
In itself
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-02-18
Iptcrurban Amenitier,

would I were bird!" warbled the lady
from Chicago
I can see no reason for her having such
a wish" commented the lady from New
York; "she is in the habit of marrying
every spring, anyway"
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-02-18

During the caucus on the county reform
bill last night Representative Baker, or Mar
tin. announced that he was prepared to trade
vote on the township bill for one against
the county BILL the reason being that ne
wanted a bridge built
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-02-18

Ware Bradford colored, was helping to
pull ice up chute at one of the icehouses
on the canal, last evening, and the rope
broke. letting 1900 pounds Of ice fall on him.
His hiI, was crushed. He was taken to his
home. No. 4l0 West Eighteenth street IN
the city Dispensary ambulance,
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-02-18
The Front stem.

Her father has quite an elastic step for
one so Old
"Well, rather. You would have thought
Il elastic had you seen the way 1 was
bounced from it the other afternoon"
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-02-18
DRY DAY IN SENATE.
Much Valuable Time Lost I'm n Minor
WAY,

Yesterday was one of she dryest days the
Senate has had during the present session.
there being neither a large volume of BUSH
ness done, nor airy discussion of important
measures. The consensus among the more
conservative senators is that too much time
is being wasted by extending courtesies to
senators who wish to have the rules sus-
pended in order to pass some pet measure or
one having only q local bearing In this
way much time is consumed, and, some say,
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-02-18

The Cockrell bill, which is offered in the
Senate as a substitute for the House army
organization bill, provides for continuing
OF $1,000 men until July 1. 1901. and for the
enlistment and maintenance of a force of
5000 from the natives of the several
islands. The bill is offered as a compromise
measure, and it is said the Democrats will
make a stubborn fight for it. If the Repub-
licans wish to avoid an extra session of
Congress they may finally consent to ac-
cept the Cocl1ren bill as the best thing OBJ
tain ale this, session. though that is not
probable. TAe proposition for the enlistment
Of native troops has something in its favor
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-02-18
Told Him He Had To.

The Mother-How dared you let him kiss
you?
The Daughter-I did not. told him he
had to kiss me without my consent
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-02-18
Cd. LoUIs-Union News company Union Depe

Abraham Lincoln spoke of a government
for the people. but he never advocated a
government solely for the benefit of tax
aafers
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-02-18

President l'aure was not very great nor
a very strong man, but he possessed ele-
xnents Of popularity which gave him great
influence, and there is reason to believe
that during the last few months of excite
ment, growing out of the Dreyfus affair
and army intrigues. his influence has been
exerted conservatively with the army the
people and the Chamber of Deputies IN
less France is ripe for revolution there is
no reason why the death of the President
should cause any disturbance in affairs.
The Constitution adopted in 1876 provides
that THE President OF the Republic is
chosen by an absolute majority of votes Of
the Senate and Chamber of Deputies united
IN National Assembly" Another section
provides, TN case OF vacancy by death or
FOR any other reason, the two chambers as
sembled together proceed at once to the
election of a new President In the mean
time the council of ministers is invested
with the executive power" 1t is probable
that the suddenness and tragic manner Of
President Faure's death will tend to Sc
cure a peaceable election of his successor.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-02-18
THE INDIANAPOLIS JOURNAL

Can be found at the following places;
NEW YORK-Astor House
CHICAGo-Palmer House, p o. News Co.. 2l7
Dearborn street, Great Northern Hotel and
Grand Pacific Hotel.
CINcINSATI-J. r. HawIey & Co.. 154 Vine
street.
LOUIsVu.LE-C. T. Deering, northwest corner
Of Third and Jefferson Streets and Louisville
Book Co.. 256 Fourth avenue.
ST. LoUIS-Union News Company, Union Depot
WASHINGTON, d. C.-Rggs House. Ebbitt
House and WIZARDS Hotel.