The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-02-01
THE MONEY COST OF L.wLEss,Ess.


graceful.
THE MONEY COST OF LAWLEssyEss.
Kentucky has become so noted for acts
of violence that the name is almost a
synonym for lawlessness. BY this 1t Is not
intended to deny that there are very many
good people in the State intelligent, culti-
waited, law-abiding and religious. but there
are enough OF another class to have prac-
tically decided the reputation and status
OF the State for many years past. The
semi-barbarous practice of carrying con-
cealed weapons has always prevailed and
probably prevails there now to a greater
extent than anywhere else in the country.
Dueling was always favorite method of
settling personal duarrels. and shooting on
sight is still common. Kentucky feuds and
vendetta, involving whole family connec-
tons and communities, are not uncom-
mon, while street ARRAYS barroom fights
and indiscriminate shooting in public
places are of common occurrence. This
condition has not grown up in a day or a
neglect of duty on the part OF the better
class Of people in failing to promote edu-
cation, enforce law and establish a higher
standard of personal conduct 1t is no
libel on the State to say that in educa-
tional facilities and enforcement of law it
is one of the most backward States in the
Union. It's public school system is one of
the poorest. Last year the total school ex-
penditures of the State were 81, $4,000.
against s7.sO0,OOO in Indiana. Kentucky
has almost as many children of
school age as Indiana, $4,000, against
661.4OO. yet Indiana has 1900 public
school teachers against 10000 i'm Kentucky
Even South Carolina expends twice as
much annually on her public schools as
.entucky does. These facts are not cited
to support theory: they indicate a con-
dition. Taken in connection with a lax
state of public sentiment and the failure
of the better classes to see that the laws
are enforced they go far towards account
What can be expected of the lower classes
in a State of mountaineers and desperadoes
when state senator and claimant to the
gubernatorial chair, like GoebeI. has killed
his man and was actually carrying a pistol
In violation of law when he was snot?
Nobody knows how much this Iawless-
ness has cost Kentucky i'm past years and
will continue to cost it until reformed. The
state has great natural resources, but very
little outside capital has gone there since
the war. Other Southern States have made
great progress in manufactures. mining.
etc.. during the last two decades. but Ken.
lucky has made none worth speaking of.
Capital does not go where lawlessness pre-
walls One kind of IawIessness begets an
other. During the tollgate war OF 1867 a
great deal of property was destroyed and
number of persons were whipped or
warned to leave. Governor Bradley in his
message of 1897 said he was satisfied that
in numerous instances many of those who
pose good citizens have winked at this
outlawry," and he referred to "the worth
lessness and cowardice of officials and the
corruption Of citizens who openly counte-
nanced the Iawbreakers.'' He said further
that the raiders. encouraged by their i'm
munity from punishment, "have under
taken to regulate the quantity of tobacco
the farmer should cultivate, destroying the
plants If he, dared to disobey; have notified
the miller that he should charge no more
for flour than the price fixed by them;
4 hro
farmers who had posted their lands if the
boards were not taken down and they al
lowed to hunt without hindrance'' Again
we say capital does not go where such out
who pose as good citizens and go unpun-
ished. "A few years ago. when people out
side of the State were wondering If the at
tempt to close up the Kentucky lottery
would succeed, 1t was announced that in
dictments had been found and true bills
drawn up against 40 persons connected
with the company. When the case came
up for trial the attorney for the defense
exhibited pardons from the Governor for
every one of the defendants. The Gov
just been reelected to the United States
Senate by a Legislature chosen under the
infamous Goebel law, drafted by the man
who has just been shot down with pistol
in his pocket. Capital does not go TO
States governed on such lines as these. If
the really good and law-abiding people of
Kentucky. of whom there are many, could
only realize what lawlessness has cost and
is costing the State they might make de-
termined effort to stop it.
THE FREEZING-OUT METHOD.
Last December the window-glass combi-