davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-12-15
A MATHEMATICAL WONDER.
Former National Treasury EmPIOye
Dies i'm Washington.
Washington Post.

Washington Post
James ]. McMurray. who had for nearly
a quarter OF a century been a familiar fig
ure upon the downtown streets Of Wash
ington, and who was known to hundreds OF
people simply 'Old Mack. the Dog Sell
er," died Thursday afternoon at the Emerg-
ency Hospital. of exhaustion. He was sixty
years old, and had been a cripple during
his entire life. III was taken 10 the hospital
several weeks ago, suffering from the eff
fect4 of years of dissipation. physical pain,
exposure and disappointment and he died
with reproaches upon his lips for the
friends whom he had known IN his better
days, but who. he claimed, had deserted
him in adversely.
During racing weeks he for many years
frequented the Hobbies of the hotels where
the horsemen were stopping and enter
tanned them with the tricks of his favorite
dog, Mack" an animal which he had
trained to recognize figures drawn by him
upon blackboard and to announce them
correctly by barking. In addition 10 this
pet he raised terriers i'm numbers. aud for
marry years made his living by selling them
to the racemen and TO society people who
happened to fancy them as pets.
MsMurray was formerly a clerk in the
Treasury Department and was mathe-
matacal phenomenon. He was expert
accountant and was known as the Light
enirg Calculator" His salary was $500 per
yeat, and he made as much more outside
keeping private business accounts. Ills ue-
formity, which caused him great pain. and
later an additional burden Of family
troubles, led him TO dissipation. and he lost
his position i'm the department. He con-
tinued to keep private accounts and he
gave private lessons in bookkeeping. The
police will try to locate his relatives. but
he has been so reticent about them that
few persons know of his connections or his
early life. Among the many people who
knew him for years and who saw him day
after day no one remembered his Christian
name. 1t was finally found in the police
records.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-12-15
CHILDREN RESCUE WORK.

Those who take an interest in social re-
forms or who note the development of pub
lie sentiment on current questions must
have observed how rapidly different kinds
of embarrassing work have come to the
front in recent years. Originally the treat
ment of crime contemplated nothing but
the punishment of criminals. with scarcely
any thought of reform. The punishment
was almost purely vindctive. 1t was
long time before the idea of trying to re-
form criminals was developed, and another
long interval elapsed before this was fol-
lowed by efforts to prevent crime. 1t is
now generally conceded that prevention is
better than cure because it is cheaper, more
effective and more humane. 1t is easier to
save child than it is to reform man, and
society as well as the individual gains more
by the former process than it does by the
latter. This conviction has given rise to
many organizations and plans of work for
rescuing children from bad environments,
from ways that tend inevitably toward
crime. and bringing them under good in
fiuences during the plastic years of life.
There cannot be too much such work done.
Truant schools. compulsory education laws
reform schools, curfew laws, childrens
guardian laws and other similar measures
are all the outgrowth of the child-saving
idea 1t is surprising that it took so long
for this idea to develop, and yet 1t is too
plain for argument that TO remove exposed
children from surroundings which threaten
to lead them into careers of crime is better
than to await the commencement OF such
a career, involving additional difficulties
and responsibilities for those who under
take to save them. Even compulsory edu-
cation and truancy laws are Of compare
lively recent origin. Massachusetts was
the only State that had them before the
civil war. During the decade from 1870 to
1880 they were adopted by Michigan, New
Hampshire, Connecticut, California, Kan
sas, New York, Maine, New Jersey, Wyom-
ing, Ohio and Wisconsin. Between 1880 and
1890 nine additional States enacted such
laws, and since 1890 several others, includ-
ing Indiana, have done So Compulsory ed
ucation is now considered as much a duty
incumbent on the State as the maintenance
of free schools. This is only one phase of
children-rescue work, though probably the
most important. The field is large one
and there is ample room for the operation
of all the plans and methods that can be
devised for carrying on the work In spite
of all that is being done crime seems to be
on the increase, and how to arrest or pre-
vent it is one of the most difficult problems
Socfefv has tO deal with
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-12-15
GERMANY AND THE MONROE
DOCTRINE

dispatch from Berlin says that some
commotion has been caused in the press
there by cablegrams from New York to
the effect that the United States govern
ment considers incorrect the German Of
fetal view of that passage in President
Roosevelt's message containing his def
milton of the Monroe doctrine, which is
here construed as permitting OF the col
lection of private claims against South
American countries by force" The dis
patch quotes a leading Berlin paper as
saying: IF Germany found it necessary
to occupy Venezuelan port she would not
ask Uncle Sans permission to do So"
Some allowance must be made for jingoism
in all countries. and it does not follow that
the German government is excited because
the German press is. Allowance must also
be made for the often erroneous and some
times mischievous statements of corre-
spondents who seem to find particular
pleasure in trying to foment bad feeling
between different countries
There is no occasion for misunderstood
ing President Roosevelt's definition Of the
Monroe doctrine. He said it was a decla-
ration that there must be IL territorial
aggrandizement by any European power at
the expense of any American power on
American soil' He said further that the
doctrine had nothing to do with the COM
mercial relations of any American state,
and finally that "the United States does
not guarantee any state against punish
ment if it misconducts itself, provided
that punishment does not take the form
of the acquisition of territory by any nom
American power" This is the most ex-
plicit definition of the Monroe doctrine ever
made by any President. The definition
confines the doctrine strictly to opposing
and preventing any new territorial estab-
lishment or territorial extension by any Eu-
rcpean power on American soil. 1t ex-
pressly disclaims any purpose to NEEDLE
with the commercial relations OF any Amer
lean state or to guarantee any state against
punishment if it misconducts itself, pro
vided that punishment does not take the
form of the acquisition Of territory by any
non-American power" Under this def
49,
rights and claims against an American
state in any manner and to any extent
short of despoiling its territory or acquir-
ing a new foothold on American soil. 1t
follows, of course, that Germany or any
other European power could adopt any
measures deemed necessary to enforce the
payment by an American state of just
claims, either public or private, or to COM
pei reparation for an insult to its flag or
injury to its citizens. short of acquiring
American territory. Sending warships to
enforce payment of a claim or to demand
an apology, Selling a customhouse to col
1ect a debt. even declaring war for good
cause would be no violation of the Monroe
doctrine unles it resulted or was evidently
intended to result in the acquisition Of
American territory. The German govern
ment has right to coastrue President
Roosevelt's statements in this way and
there is not the least reason to suppose
that such a construction would be objected
to by this government.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-12-15

Chicago has a society whose purpose is to
teach people that they sleep too much, and
that it is a wicked waste Of time to spend
eight hours a day, or one-third of their ex-
istence, In slumber. Four hours sleep, the
society asserts, is quite enough for any
grown person. The members of the club
are pledged to sleep but four hours in the
twenty-four. The theory will. doubt,
work well for time, just as it did in the
case of the thrifty man of tradition who
gradually reduced the rations of his horse
to one straw day. Unfortunately, just as
this desirable end was attained the horse
died. The members of this fool club may
not die, but when nature gets tired Of their
nonsense they will lay their heads on their
respective pillows some night and not wake
till next week.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-12-15

President Castro, of Venezuela, is at
tracing some attention by his threats to
prevent Germany from collecting 100000
Of interest due Germans for railroad con-
struction. Castro says that if the Germans
seize the port of La Guayra to collect GUS
toms to liquidate the obligation he will de-
clare free trade, so that there will be no
duties to collect. He says that if Germany
shall attempt to approach Caracas its
troops Will be exterminated. Again, he asks
why he should be held responsible for
debts incurred by his predecessor. Castro
will probably yield when the demand is
made. but his talk shows how unfit he is
for the position.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-12-15
HIGH PRICES.
They Mean High Wages and Full EN-
ployment of Labor.

American Economist
AS a matter of fact, it must be clear to
any man of intelligence that it is due to
the unprecedentedly high wages and full
employment of all labor that prices ad-
vance. Commodities would not long show
a high level of values If no one purchased.
corner is attempted. With the inflated
price there comes restricted buying until
the normal position is regained. During
the years 1893 to 1897 prices fell to the low
est point on record because there
demand, and the articles unaffected by any
change in tariff were as badly depressed
as those from which the duty had been re-
moved, since the buying power was weak
ened by idle workmen. The flood of i'm
ports that came in at that time has just
been absorbed. Wool is conspicuous in this
class, for it is only within a month that
revival from low prices has appeared.
10 quote the nonpartisan Dun's Review
on it's own index number:
THE cost of living has now reached the
highest point Of the decade notwithstand-
ing the cheapening of many manufactured
goods through improved processes, and the
absence OF undue imitation in various
classes Of steel products Of 1900 and brought
about the subsequent severe reaction. No
artificial stimulus is responsible for the
present high level of manufactured food
position of the index number may be at
tributed 20 sound business conditions and
full employment of labor at high wages In
attaining the highest point for over ten
years. the index number truly gives an in
dex OF national conditions. The cost Of the
necessities Of life naturally Ntends 10 ad-
vance just in proportion 10 the ability OF
the people TO consume"
Moreover, in its detailed compa rison of
prices. the same authority shows that boots
and shoes now sell at about 80 per cent OF
the price OF 1855. finished products OF iron
and steel at 70 per cent Of the prices pre-
vaiiing in 1887. wooden goods SO per cent OF
the prices OF 1860. and cotton goods % per
cent. Of the level forty-one years ago. In
other words. while the active demand sus-
tains the general level OF quotations at a
high point. the very products OF industries
that nave been developed by the iniquitous
tariff are obtained at striking concessions
The late William Mckinley promised that
a protected industry would not only provide
work at good wages for an army of men,
but that In a few years the prices OF the
articles produced would be put below the
level prevailing before the enactment OF
such helpful legislation. Records prove
that these predictions have been most won
derfrlly fulfilled, and with true American
energy not only the home market, but for
eign markets are now supplied In some
cases the development has been slower than
in others. and In the weaker industries IL
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-12-15
THE CURIOUS CARMACK.
Tennessee Congressman Said To BE n
Queer Character.

New Orleans Times-DemOcrat.
Probably the most unique. most original
and most picturesque character in the ma
tional Congress to-day is the Hon Edward
". Carmack. the junior senator from the
State of Tennessee. With red. bushy hair.
with heavy well-drooped eyebrows. and
with kindly gray eyes, he looks the fierce
yet gentle character that he is. and there
is a certain something in the general out
line OF the mans personal appearance
which will easily give one a clew 70 the
character of the man. Carmaok is a bundle
OF surprises. While amply armed with the
precepts Of the wise men who have gone
before, having pored over the sayings OF
Jefferson and Jackson, and being a past
master OF the science OF economies, he is
yet no brooder over past differences, and
is more inclined to the theory which VIII
mt the instant and offer somewhat OF
ameliOratiOn TO those who may be suffering
front untoward conditions. Carmack is a
consistent changer OF his Views and fully
aolee at all times 10 justify and defend
whatever position he may assume on
public issue. He began to make his impress
on the political history OF Tennessee from
the time he went to the Legislature from
Mapry county, in 1856. lie Is fiery, erratic,
and there is not in all the wool and warp
or his makeup single conciliatOry element
whea II comes TO dealing with men 20
throw down the gage OF battle. His ad-
vent into Memphis journalism in 1880 intro
duced the South TO an editorial spectacle
which il had not known since the DAYS OF
reconstruction. He scOrched the paper he
wrote on, and the fellow who was game
enough TO bristle up TO him found a man
who: could receive sting with grace and
forUtude, and who could and would return
IL without mercy During the present ses-
sionI Of Congress, IL he should happen TO
uniCOsen his tongue IN the Senate the
SLEEPY and sedate members Of this dignified
body will probably snooZe in less than their
wonted quiet, for when il comes 10 bristling
invective and sulphuric vituperatiOn the
junior senator from Tennessee will have no
edual i'm the national Congress.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-12-15

The best thing Mrs. Roosevelt can do is
to buy out a handkerchief bargain counter.
Some enterprising ladies of a Pennsylvania
town who were getting up a church fair
asked the Presidents wife for contribu-
ton. She sent them an embroidered hand
lSerchief. They sold it to the highest
bidder. thereby adding ten dollars to their
treasury. Another church fair committee.
hearing of this, also asked for a handker-
chief, and. getting it, sold it for thirty
dollars. Now, the proper thing in all that
region is to beg a handkerchief from the
White House and sell it. Great are the
financiering capacities of women working
for a sacred cause
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-12-15

circulation. and they are seldom. if ever.
found in the secondhand book stores. An
admirer of Borrow-Glorious GeorGe-had
an order for "Rommany Rye" placed with
a Cincinnati old book shop more than
year before the volume was reported from
the dealer
Can any "Borrowite" inform me what
London publisher was referred TO in La
vengro" as GLORIOUS John2"
Apropos OF George Borrow. his beautiful
description of the planet Jupiter in la
vengro," Chapter Xxx, is just now-after
our lovely summer with Jupiter-tImely and
delightful reading. f. c.
New Albany Dec 10
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-12-15

Hardly any person would plead guilty to
ever mailing letter or package that was
improperly or illegibly addressed or with
out postage prepaid, yet the annual re-
port of the operations of the dead letter Of
fee at Washington shows that $780, Isl
pieces OF mail matter were received there
during last year, and large proportion
OF them were due to the causes named.
The list included s9.Ss7 letters and 32.172
parcels without any address whatever, and
a curious feature of the case is that these
causes operate with a kind Of regularity
from year to year.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-12-15

Whenever a city first lays down asphalt
pavements rejoicing over the beauty of
the streets and the great benefit TO traf-
fic is loud and earnest Later comes a
knowledge Of the drawbacks New York
authorities are now considering the advisa-
bility OF sanding the asphalt thoroughtares,
both as humane move to save suffering
horses and as means Of improving traf-
nc when the streets are slippery. 1t is
unquestionable that horses suffer greatly
not only from falls but from fear of fall
ing, when the asphalt is coated with ice.
Even when the animal escapes actual in
jury the terror it feels breaks its spirit
and impairs its usefulness.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-12-15
George Borrow's books.

To the Editor Of the Indianapolis Journal:
The "Neighborhood Circulating Library
Club" recently described in an Indianapo-
lis newspaper as a novelty imported from
the East, was in successful operation in
New Albany about fifteen years ago, con-
Quoted by DR.. +. S. Crosier and others, be-
fore the establishment OF our public library.
At the end of each year the books were
sold at parlor auction, 10 the amusement
and benefit Of the members OF the club.
Also 1.-The Gossip" of Indianapolis jour
nal. is somewhat in error in the idea that
George Borrow's books are now neglected.
Public libraries report them in constant
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-12-15

government. They conceived and estab-
lshed the public school While it is true
that the descendants of the Puritans have
lost their distinctive features in the larger
New England cities, they are scattered
throughout the land and are such a vital
and positive element that in every city of
10000 inhabitants they have vigorous So
cieties which in intelligence and influence
bear evidence of the strenuous character
of the people who settled New England.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-12-15

A Kansas woman has been driven to
suicide through brooding over a poem
treating of the woes of life and the bliss
of death. Most of the poetry written is
dismal er ough to drive its readers to
crime. but there is no use in taking it Sc
riously. All young poets, for some un-
accountable reason, prefer to write in
lugubrious strain, and probably the author
OF the lines that led the Kansas woman
to the grave were written by some lively
young creature who knew nothing of death
and little of life.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-12-15

The proposition of the Federation of La
Dor to unionize the school teachers of the
country presents some interesting features
II the leaders shall be able to organize a
school teachers union in a city like In
dianapolis, Will they assume to be the
judges Of the qualifications of teachers and
say who shall and who shall not teach?
VIII they also fix the compensation?
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-12-15

The losses by fire during last November
iE the United States and Canada reached
total OF SIS 500. as against $l1.S5I, ESQ in
November. 1890. and $S5lS.OOO two years
ago. And as these totals mount up. fire
Insurance companies turn upon cities and
berate them for deficient fire equipment. as
II that were the chief cause Of the disas-
trous fires. The primary and chief cause
is esrelessness by persons in building. and
the next cause is defective construction.
che element of carelessness on the part OF
occupants Of buildings in the use OF fire
and materials that cause fires by seIf-com-
bustion. but II they have they seem not
20 have made any open effort TO prevent
such carelessness.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-12-15

By the death of Mr.. W. d. MinshaIl,
which occurred at his home in Terre
Haute yesterday, Indiana loses a public
spirited citizen who, during a long and
successful business career, was honorably
identified with many public enterprises and
charities. Mr.. Minshall has not been much
before the public of late years, but he
leaves behind him an enviable record of
good citizenship and good works
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-12-15

1t is to be inferred from Judge d. P.
Baldwin's address to the Purdue students,
printed in another column, that he does not
believe in the doctrine OF reincarnation.
Just lone chance and no more is what he
allows the Young man
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-12-15
Too Serious.
PHILADELPHIA Pr

Philadelphia Press.
''Poaksmith, it appears, is married and has
gone to housekeeping
Not at ALL What made you think sop
Hes been writing many jokes about serv-
ant girls lately, he must have had some ex-
perience with them"
''Nonsensel II he'd had such experience he
wouldn't joke about it,
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-12-15

The Muncie man who swallowed quart
OF kerosene with intent TO touch it off
with a match and so commit suicide. neg
lected to swallow a wick, and the oil re-
fused TO ignite. 1t is we'll TO go about these
things with system and intelligence.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-12-15
A Mean Streak.

Boston Transcript.
Dazzler-There's a mean streak in Smith 9
composition. I'm sorry to say it, but I must
Merrill-Tve always supposed Smith the most
liberal man in town.
Dazzler-So have L; but week or two ago I
borrowed a dollar from him, and when he saw
me to-day he looked If he wanted me to pay
him. Rather low down. X seemed TO me.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-12-15

Whenever society grows dull people at
the national capital can turn their atten-
tion TO a murder mystery. The Bonine case
is over. but another unaccountable killing
is provided for their consideration during
the congressional vacation.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-12-15

A Paterson On. J.) woman having aban-
doned her husband and nine children, a
New York writer rises to remark that it is
another case OF Nora in Ibsen's DOLLS
House" Nora walked out of her husbands
house, 1t will be remembered, because in
side Of it her soul did not have room to ex-
pand. A house big enough for the old man
and nine children ought to afford room for
the mothers soul. The Paterson man might
have added a mansard.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-12-15

The Virginia Legislature will adjourn
this week for sixty days. but it does not
mean to celebrate Christmas for that
length Of time. as some light-minded per-
sons might suppose. 1t is going TO spend
the weeks in considering the new Consti-
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-12-15
Reveries of n Maiden.
Chicago Tribune.

Chicago Tribune.
Miss Pertie Goodwin stood before the glass not
ing the effect of the ostrich plumes in her new
hat.
while it is true she unused, that fine
feathers do not make fine birds, yet they do
set off sol OF course" she added, bIushing
at herself, II did not mean that-that-I-"
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-12-15

giving them good deal of trouble. They
now plan TO run il underground for a mile
or so, but the nearer il resembles Pogue's :
historic watercourse the less likely il is TO
stay where it is put