davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-01-18
A RETURN TO REASON.

When the incidents of the past ten days
are reviewed there is reason to believe that
many people have unnecessarily been on
the verge of panic regarding the coal fam
inc. 1t has been a great season for the yell
low newspapers and the sensational CORE
spondent. Whatever the situation in other
places, there really has not been such a
scarcity of Indiana coal in this city as
would warrant the excitement and intem-
perate language over the subject. The diff
ficulty has been as much in the local de-
livery as anywhere. There came a severely
cold snap and thousands OF people were
without coal because they had been daily
ing with gas or putting off purchasing until
coal might be cheaper. Thereupon, when
the cold came, the excitable people and the
sensational reporter We'd with each other
in exaggerating the situation and pouring
out abuse upon coal dealers. mine operators
and railroads. No effort was made to get
and dealers were denounced being in
conspiracy to rob and freeze the people of
this and other cities in the State. A person
who should keep a level head practically
assailed every dealer in the city by using
a text of Scripture to denounce those who
carry and sell coal. Now. 1t can be said
of the leading coal dealers i'm this city,
that they are respectable citizens. There
was no basis for charging them with hold
ing back coal while the people were freez-
inc hat naat s,, III;
or New York, or other cities, may have
taken advantage of peoples necessities, but
those in Indianapolis have been too long
respected men 10 be thus assailed. Assail.
ing. however. was the tactics. Investiga-
ton would not serve the purpose of that
frenzied attack on character and motives
The Governor and a legislative commit
tee have been making inquiries into
the causes of the alleged coal famine. They
have found thus far. that instead Of hold
ing back coal the railroads have been ship
ping a third more coal into indianapolis
and other cities in the locality than year
ago. A railroad officer who caused an in
vestigation TO be made in all the coal
yards in the city was surprised to find that
there is enough in the yards to supply
10000 families two weeks. II was asserted
that there was conspiracy between coal
dealers and railroads TO keep coal on the
cars. A railroad gets a dollar day for
a loaded car on a sidetrack. but for a car
which can be used IL can get 50 or SO a
day. This fact could have been obtained
In much less time than was required to
create conspiracies and denounce them.
There Is a scarcity Of coal all over the
country. There can be no doubt of that.
1t is due generally to the fact that a.ooo,-
eo tons Of anthracite which should have
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-01-18

held opt for the single cup. averring that II
the communicate were truly godIy he
would never be harmed by any evil germs
common glass. The fight waged bitterly.
and which side won the report that reaches
the Journal does not indicate. The conflict,
however. resulted in two parties, who have
carried their animosities into local politics.
and the communion-cup row is likely to
have far-reaching effect on certain aspir-
ing candidates for office. The humors of
the religion OF civilization are many, and
no one would enjoy this Easton episode
better than that representative of Confu-
ciansm the amiable Mr. W.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-01-18

been In coal yards and bins by the last of
September was not mined That amount of
anthracite is equivalent to 6o.0oo,0oo tons of
bituminous. To add eO.O0o0oo tons to an
annual stock of 2e5.0Oooo0 tons is to push
road transportation from legitimate and
seasonable business. In the end there is
coal famine because the people depend upon
anthracite. of which they can get very little
and for which they pay extortionate prices.
The most of the trouble comes from the
anthracite coal strike, the responsibility
for which people can fix TO suit them
selves.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-01-18
MADE IDLE BY A TRUST.

A writer in the Worlds Work gives an
interesting account of a town which a
trust made idle. Several cotton factories,
making duck. were made into trust, and
as the result the mill at New Hartford.
Conn, was abandoned. 1t seemed hard
case, as Ii was the only industry in the
town and had been in operation half
century. The population was cut nearly
in half and the business of the town lost
an annual revenue of $4,000. Merchants
with stocks. the owners of rental property
and those who owned homes, which they
could not sell to go TO employment else
where, were among the losers. The en-
ployers pledged themselves to get places
for those discharged and to pay wages
were free to go soon found places. The
owners who sold to the trust were de-
nounced for ingratitude to the town in
which 1t was assumed that they had &C
cumulated wealth, and the trust was bit
terly denounced.
With an excellent water-power, why was
the mill abandoned? Because, with an
tiquated machinery, the owners could not
get a new dollar for an old one If they
could have made both ends meet, the old
company would have remained, but when
they could get only 80 cents for every 81
expended. they sold to the trust, which
at once proceeded to dismantle the mill
and send the. machinery South. The change
was made because labor is much cheaper
in the South and children old enough to
care for themselves can be employed
twelve hours day for the lowest compen-
sation-a few cents day. The shipment
of cotton so far for one small factory,
the higher wages, the law prohibiting the
employment of persons under fourteen
years of age. made it impossible to longer
operate the duck factory in New Hart
ford. II the combination had not bought
in the factory and dismanted it the pro-
prietors would have been compelled to
shut it down at the end of two or three
years.
Very naturally. trade has fallen off to
some extent and houses are vacant, but,
strange it may seem, savings bank de-
posits have increased. The factory gone,
several new country houses have been
built in the suburbs, but not dollar has
been added to the poor fund. Better situ-
ated than most small towns which have
lost their industries, New Hartford has
l,500-horse water-power which will not
long be allowed to run to waste.
The worst feature about the change is
that the duck factory goes South TO en-
ploy cheaper labor and child labor, where
the latter Is employed under the worst
conditions. New England men are sharply
criticised for encouraging the evil, but it
will continue until Southern legislatures
can be aroused to the wickedness of work
ing small children. Thus far all efforts
to put an end to child labor have been
frtIifleSc
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-01-18
WISDOM OF CURRENT FICTION.

She had on a sorter gray mournin'. Be
in gray, / lowed IT was fer someone she
didn't care for perticler-Lovey Mary.
There is a type OF New England women
who thinks that when man marries he
becomes a monk.-Our Lady of the Beeches
/ don't think we injye other peoples suf-
ferin', Hinnessy lit isn't acshaliy injyment
But we feel betther FIR it.-Observations by
Mr.. Dooley.
Whenever anyone offers to let you in on
the ground floor it's pretty safe to take
the elevator to the roof garden.-Letters of
a Self-Made Merchant.
MEN who concentrate their intellect on
great projects, financial, imperial and
otherwise. will often become very small in
their domestic ideas.-Love and the Soul
Hunters.
When a normal woman is very happy, she
puts on a perfectly new frock IL she has
one, in real life or on the stage, even when
she is not going TO be seen by anyone in
particuiar.-Cecelia-
People say that bushes men are hard
/ find them. as a matter of fact. far more
tender-hearted than artists and others who
are supposed TO be above commercial at
fairs.-Love and the Soul Hunters.
He was at the age when boy is easily
Disguised with girls and young women.
You may call them sweet creatures IL you
want to. but twelve-year-old boy is not
TO be deceived by fine words.-Gabriel Toll
liver.
While you are at IL. there's nothing like
picking out good-looking wife, because
even the handsomest woman looks home
~ sometimes. and so you can get little
variety; but a homely one can only look
worse than usual Beauty is only skin
deep, but that's deep enough to satisfy
any reasonable man.-Letters OF Self
Made Merchant.
AS merciful Providence in the mystery
of His wisdom has created man poiyga-
NOUS. woman homogeneous fby instinct.
which is. after all. what counts). every
man. unles his love for a woman is backed
and braced By lot of other things, the
respect of his kind, amusement, occupa-
ton. ETC., Is bound TO tire OF her after q
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-01-18

who receive 5000; three judges of the Court
of Appeals of the District of Columbia who
receive $500. and five judges of the United
States Court of Claims who receive $500.
All of these salaries are below the average
professional income of good lawyers OF the
age and equipment required In federal
judges. The same may be said of the
of the States. In plany cases they are
not adequate to the position, nor sufficient
to induce first-class lawyers to seek or
accept them. A short time ago Hon. Gilbert
Collins. member of the Supreme Court of
New Jersey, sent in his resignation. The
bar association held a meeting and APP
pointed a committee to wait on Judge Col
Inns and ask him to reconsider his action.
He expressed himself touched by the
action OF the bar, but he said
did not seek the office of justice of the
Supreme Court and l trust it will not be
considered indicate TO say / accepted II
at a great pecuniary sacrifice A man owes
a duty TO his community, to his State, and
20 his Nation, but he also owes duty TO
his family and himself The compensation
awarded to Supreme Court justices, or to
adequate. A man ought to be able to live
on his salary, to support his family in the
style and manner in which they ought to
be supported. to carry a reasonable life in
surance, and save something. / would like
to know how many of the leading men now
practicing at the bar could do II with the
salary of a Supreme Court justice, which is
$500 year A man of large means may
find the honor a sufficient return for the
sacrifice. but unless he is possessed of in
dependent means he will find himself unable
to live within his salary. i thank you for
what you have said, but my course has
been determined and cannot change it.
Judges of the Supreme Court are better
paid in New Jersey than in most of the
States. yet this declination of the Office is
based entirely on the ground of inadequate
salary. and it is accompanied with a gen.
eral statement that lawyers of high ability,
competent to fill the position, cannot afford
to relinquish the bar for the bench unless
they are men of independent private means.
This condition is not favorable to the main
tenance of high judicial standard either in
federal State courts, and itsis worth
while to consider whether judicial salaries
i'm all Appellate Courts should not be in
creased.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-01-18

The ethics of mouse-catching is sub
ject that the course of certain Stanford
Comm ladies has brought forward for gen.
eral discussion. These ladies compose
''cat club" and, as is customary with such
clubs, they have arranged for display of
their feline stock. 1t occurred to the gift
ed president of the society that it would
be well to test the skill and activity of
their cats, as well as to show their beauty.
and when she proposed to arrange for
mouse-ca itching contest the idea was en-
Enthusiastically approved by her sister MEM
bers. Naturally enough, too; for if a cat
is worth anything it is for mouse-catching
toward which women cherish deadly ami
mostly il is mice. Since the cats the Stan
ford women owned proved their usefulness
on their own premises by catching mice it
seemed proper enough that an opportunity
should be given for an exhibition of their
talent in public Arrangements were going
on swimmingly until the mayor heard of
it and expressed himself shocked that wom-
en- would countenance such an exhibition
of cruelty. Then the president of the State
known that. in his opinion, such contest
was on par with cockfghting or bull
batting, or any other act of cruelty toward
animals. and that the women concerned
would be subject to the severe penalty pre-
scribed by the strict Connecticut law for
such offenses. The consequence is that
Stanford is in great hullaballoo over the
affair. The women say they will go on
with their exhibition just the same, and
they dare the minions of the law to arrest
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to
Animals means to forbid the catching of
mice on private premises and to prescribe
muzzles for cats; likewise. if it means to
interfere against the destruction by house
wives of cockroaches and other vermin.
Thus the problem reserves itself into a
question of ethics. Mice are vermin and
a destructive and Objectionable pest. cat
is a predatory animal whose chief service
to it's owner is in destroying mice. 1t is
q
turing its prey Is it the tendency of hui
name society teaching 10 encourage more
amiable Instincts in cats by forbiddng
them to catch mice; or is ii the humane in
stincts of human beings in general. and
the Stanford ladies in particular. that are
sought to be educated? And If ii is wrong
to turn cats loose on mice in public place.
is it right 10 permit them to prowl about
house or barn after their victims? Or is
the pursuit made proper and harmless only
when II is dscreetly ignored by the owners
of the cruel cats? Is II really humane
and right to own and cherish such an ami
NAL as a cat? All these and many more
questions suggest themselves as an outcome
Of the Stanford affair, and a settlement
of them Is likely to come only after long
discussion and controversy. The problems
ARE obviously of a sort suitable for con-
sideration in women's clubs. and until they
have been disposed of there the public can
only wait in wondering expectancy.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-01-18
THE PAY OF JUDGES.

Judge Taft has received many compli-
ments for twice declining a position on the
bench of the United States Supreme Court
to continue his work in the Philippines,
and he deserves them, yet the position has
its drawbacks. In respect of dignity and
honor il is the highest judicial position in
the world, and the greatest American law
yers have always regarded it as the crown
ing honor of the profession, yet many great
ground of inadequate salary. The honor
that attaches to the highest place in the
profession is a worthy crown for any ca
reer, but man cannot support his family,
nor make future provision for them on
honor alone, and many able lawyers of the
afford to take position with a salary of
only $4,000 a year. and the Chief Justice
$l0,500. In 1879. when the United States
Courts were organized, the chief justice
of the Supreme Court was paid 1900 year,
and the associate justices $500 each. Dis
trict judges received from $1,000 to $l,SOO
year. At that time and for many years aft
erwards, these small salaries were sufficient
to secure the services of the best lawyers.
Many were increased at long intervals un-
til in 1873 they were raised to the present
figures. This was done by the celebrated
salary grab act. which increased the sal
aries of the President and vice-President,
members of Congress and federal judges.
If that law had not been made retroactive
for members of Congress. thus giving them
$500, instead of 5000 year for two years
previous to the passage of the law, il
might have stood, but the retroactive fea-
ture excited popular indignation TO such an
extent that the law was repealed the next
year. except such provisions as related TO
the President and justices of the Supreme
Court. For fifteen years prior to 1873 the
salary of the chief justice had been $500
and those of the associate justices 5000
year. There has been no increase since that
of 1873 The salaries of other federal judges
have not been increased for many years,
though the cost of living, not only in Wash
creased very sensibly. II the present SAL
aries were sufficient TO secure the best legal
talent for the Supreme and federal courts
thirty years ago, it can hardly be claimed
that they are now. The honor of the posi-
ton is as great as ever, and the life tenure
with privilege of retirement is some attrac-
ton. but IL must be conceded that the SAL
aries are small in proportion to the profess
sional incomes of many practicing lawyers.
There are probably thousands of lawyers
in the United States whose annual incomes
are more than that of judge of the SUI
preme Court. and "a large number who make
many times much. Many of these could
not afford TO make the sacrifice OF accept
ing position on the Supreme Bench IL it
were offered them. though not all possess
the peculiar qualifications and fitness for
the position. As the federal judiciary Is
now organized there are 100 United States
district judges who receive $500 a year
each; twenty-six Circuit Court judges who
receive $500 year; six judges of the SUI
preme Court Of the District Of Columbia
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-01-18

The Root bill for the reorganization and
equipment Of the militia on the same basis
as the regular army, while ii has attracted
little attention. is a most important meas
ure- The militia will be armed the same
as the regulars. A second volunteer force
of 100000 men having experience in any
branch of the federal or State service. but
whose labor in time of peace will consist Of
special service without much pay. The
change which that law will make in the
National Guard can be understood when 1t
Is stated that only 1900 of the 1l5.O00 men
have the modern service rife OF the United
States.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-01-18

Do you know how 10 pronounce "Yvon-
neg" If you are a hnguist perhaps you do,
but proper names are not always subject to
the rules that govern common words, and.
in any case. most persons have a natural
hesitation in tackling. off-hand. strange
looking foreign names. The average person.
on encountering "Yvonne'' for the first time,
would be likely. from his knowledge of
certain rules as to vowels and accents. to
venture on "E-von-na" as possibility: or
he might give the preference to ''Ivvon."
Having got that far he probably would try
no further experiments until he had more
light. Bliss Carman, the long-haired poet.
kindly furnishes the light in this quatrain
in current periodical:
Over the sea is scarlet cloud,
And over the cloud. the sun.
Over my heart is shining hope,
And over that, Yvonne.
According to Carman "vonne" spells
"vun." Who would have thought it?
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-01-18

to II cents. At the present time. with
valuation of s1.s50.ooocoo. more money is
realized from the lucent levy than from
the 16-cent levy years ago The educational
people ask to have a 16-cent levy imposed
upon every 500 of taxable property in the
State-an increase of cents. Thousands of
men and women I'm Indiana are striving to
pay for homes. In hundreds of cases
these people practice self-denial to get
homes. This property is taxed to about IS
per cent. of its market value, and often
more. Hundreds of these home-makers
have mortgages their property which
they are slowly paying off, upon which they
pay or per cent. Those mortgages cover
half the value of the property. but now, to
help schools, as they think, educational
people propose to increase these burdens.
1t is not right to impose this additional
burden upon the tens of thousands of peo-
pie who toll to make homes and make both
ends meet. These thousands of small tax
payers should be remembered.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-01-18

New Orleans dispatch says that the
board of supervisors of Plaquemines parish,
extending along the Mississippi river 100
miles below that city, have passed an ordi-
nance prohibiting any person from hunting.
killing trapping alligators. The large
reptiles were formerly very plenty in the
waters of that region, but have been nearly
exterminated by being killed for their
skins. AS a result of this the muskrats.
upon which the alligators mainly lived.
have multiplied TO such an extent that they
are undermining and endangering the river
levees. But experts say the ordinance
comes too late. as it will take twenty years
for the alligators to multiply sufficiently
to keep down the muskrats. The incident
furnishes a curious instance of natures
compensations and the danger that is some
times incurred by wanton violation Of her
methods
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-01-18

New York has an officer known state
historian, whose business 1t is to collect
valuable historical documents and data.
and his services are SO well appreciated
that the Legislature is now considering
a proposition to extend his powers so that
he may look after the better preservation
of county records. The various historical
ment In Indiana all this important work
is done by private societies. and, as a mat
ter of course. such organizations are ham,
pered in their proceedings by lack of au-
thority and lack of funds. The Indiana
State Historical Society is. the Journal be-
lieves, granted small allowance to cover
printing bills and other unavoidable ex-
penses, but it has no funds with which to
purchase important books, pamphlets,
documents and records, and such matter
of collections outside of the State. Agents
of Eastern historical societies and of Ii
brarieS with departments of this character
are constantly on the lookout for gleanings
in their line. 1t is very distressing TO those
who appreciate the value of such records
and documents to see them pass out of local
possession, but until some capitalist with
a realizing sense of their importance rises
to- endow the Historical Society, or until
the State provides for their collection and
preservation they will continue to be scat
tered or lost. 1t is time Indiana was TAX
ing official notice of this branch of re-
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-01-18

Washington Star.
The new 2-cent postage stamp with the
new portrait OF Washington is about ready
for issue and will be distributed to the post
offices throughout the country in the course
Of the next week or ten days. The new
stamp is the same color as. the old 2-cent
stamp. but it's makeup Is entirely different.
The portrait of Washington is taken from
one of the Stuart pictures. and Is three
quarters full face. II is regarded an
excellent picture. The portrait is set in
shield-shaped medallion In about the center
of the stamp On each side of the medallion
are American flags hanging in graceful
folds from standards which appear 10 stand
at the base of the picture. over the medal
lion are the words ~. s. Of A., and be-
meath the picture are the dates "ls32-i1s9.'
The stamp is more ornamental and ar
tistic. ii is claimed by the postofflce au-
old issue, and it's general composition Is in
keeping with the style OF the new issue.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-01-18
methods.

Mrs. Mary G. Coulter. president Of the
Utah Federation of Women's Clubs, and
member of the Utah Legislature, has COM
mitted an act which may end in disrupting
not only her own State federation, but the
general federation as we'll For it will never
be allowed to pass unquestioned. Mrs.
Coulter went into the legislative caucus
a day or two ago and calmly voted for Mr.
Reed Smoot. Mormon apostle, for United
States senator. Already club circles of Salt
Lake City are agitated over her conduct.
and the agitation will surely spread. But
Mrs. Coulter is a good Republican, what
ever may be her standing as a clubwoman.
and knows what she was there for. "As
a good Republican she is reported as
saying IL could not do otherwise than vote
for Apostle Smoot.'' So there.