The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-09-28
A PERVERTED WORD.

= In the progress of years words and
phrases lose their significance. For ex-
ample, '1og-rolling," which would be OBJ
solete to-day but for the dictionary and a
few men about legislative bodies, had
meaning In every settlement in this country
which was literally dragged out of the
forests. Then a log-rolling meant the gath
ering OF the neigffbors to assist one of
their number in hauling and rolling the
fallen timber into piles for burning Then
it stood for an honorable and useful en-
ployment-the clearing of the land for
crops. 1t recalls to the older men q severer
toll than is known on the farm to-day,
and, when the neighbors met for the pur-
pose, a social event with good cheer.
The land being cleared. Iog-rolling has
lost its honorable meaning. Now, when
log-rolling is spoken of, 1t is understood
that, in legislative bodies, men who are
urging different projects combine to carry
them. 1t is spoken of now in connection
with river and harbor appropriation bills.
, If history as it is written is correct the
first extensive piece Of log-rolling that was
done in this country had its inception in
the fertile brain of Alexander Hamilton,
and was seconded by Thomas Jefferson.
Colonel Hamilton was secretary of the
treasury under Washington. The United
States and the States had no credit, but
an abundance OF dishonored debts. Ham
ilton conceived the plan of not only paying
off the obligations of the federal govern
ment before the adoption of the Constitu-
ton, but of assuming the war debts of
the respective States. To this plan the
South, with the exception of South Caro-
lima, was opposed. The South was hostile
because its States incurred very little debt
in the prosecution of the war OF the revo-
luton, while the Northern States had
heavy war debts.
At this time there was contention be-
tween the North and the South over the
location of the proposed capital of the
United States. The North desired to es-
tablish it on the Delaware, while the South
was very anxious to take it to the Po-
tomac. To Hamilton the location of the
federal capital was of little consequence,
but in the funding Of the federal debt and
the assumption of the States war debts
he saw a measure which would bind the
States together and bring us the respect
of Europe. He therefore proposed to JEFF
ferson that If the Southern States could
be brought to support the funding of the
debts he would bring a majority in the
North to vote to locate the capital on the
Potomac. In his eagerness to secure the
capital jefferson fell in with Hamilton
proposition. AS one helped the other to
get what he desired it reminded the states
men Of the clearing of lands. of the custom
of neighbors who helped each other to roll
| the felled timber. cut into logs, into piles
| for burning. the same as neighbors heir
each other when the threshing machine Is
| In the neighborhood. The scheme oil
Hamilton was Endorsed by Congress by
| the aid of Jefferson. Neither OF these
great statesmen had any personal Interest
| in the respective parts OF the bargain. bu
| when II was discovered by Jefferson's part,
that u meant the funding and payment