The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-10-05
THE CARNIVAL SPIRIT
1T IS DEFINED IN COMMUNICATION
BY GOVERNOR DURBIN.
Letter Written by Him to Prosecutor
wallace of vfgO County-Terre
Haute Street Fair.

The publication i'm yesterday morning s
papers OF Terre Haute special giving ex-
tracts from a letter written by Governor
Durbin TO Prosecutor Wallace, of VigO
county. relative to a street fair projected
ut Terre Haute. concerning which there
has been struggle i'm the courts, elected
from the Governors office last evening, in
response to an inquiry, a statement OF the
circumstances and a copy of the full text
OF the communication. The Governor was
called upon by number of representative
Terre Haute citizens. who asked the Gov
ernor's interference In view OF the charac-
|. ter of street fairs held in Terre Hause in
recent years. 1t was stated that Prosecutor
Wallace was considering legal action on be-
half of the State with a view TO enjoining
the promoters of the carnival from the use
OF the public streets. The Governor ex-
pressed his sympathy with the movement
and dictated a lester to the prosecutor to be
used by him in Certifying his POSITION if &C.
casion arose. This letter was forwarded
to MIR. Wallace by the hand of j. Smith
Talley. OF Terre Haute. one OF the gentle
men who called upon the Governor The
full text of the letter. written on Sept 80,
explains the Governors attitude in the
matter and the circumstances prompting
him TO action. and is as follows:
Representation has been made TO me by
responsible citizens of Terre Haute-con-
sentative business men, who &c my personal
knowledge have only at heart the best in
terests OF your eity-to the effect that il is
proposed TO hold upon your public streets a
fair or carnival and that Against this un-
dertaking Is arrayed considerable public
sentiment rendered adverse by features
which have atte nded affairs OF this char
acter held In Teire Haute in recent years
i address you first as an official repre-
senting the authority OF the State and shar-
ing responsibility for the maintenance of
decent and orderly conditions within your
jurisdiction, and, again, public-spirited
citizen OF a community which she State has
intrusted with the guardianship of one of
It's chief institutions OF higher learning
THE CARNIVAL SPIRIT.
The information volunteered by citizens
Of your community is not necessary in order
10 recall the unfavorable impression Gre
ated by widely disseminated newspaper re-
ports OF conditions prevailing. in the most
public quarters Of your city during the con-
finuance OF carlivals in former years I
refer particularly To the latitude permitted
public thoroughfares to parsons acting
under cover of tile so-called carnival spirit.
which. far its outward manifesto
tons are concerned. has been somewhat
difficult TO distinguish from the reckIessness
and brutality of ordinary rowdyism. Senti-
ment In Indiana against the laxity attend
ant upon carnivals and fairs conducted by
suffrance upon public streets at the expense
OF good order. o. permanent and Legitimate
business interests and often Of public de-
cency, has grown TO Overwhelming proper
tons.
IL may without impropriefy be said in
this connection that law and order are per
manently undermined in any community
when civil authorities, usurping a function
not properly belonging to them, consent 10
. suspension of the usuai safeguards
even IL this be On the theory that the So
called carnival spirit affords SUFFICIENT
warrant for such procedure. Such depar-
lures from sound public policy have by no
means been confined TO your city; indeed
they have not been uncommon throughout
the State. But desire 10 again revert to
the fact that the presence OF a state insti-
tuition of learning within the limits OF your
municipality offers an especial reason why
public sentiment should demand and civil
authorities enforce at all times conditions
which do not menace the morals OF the
young men and women whom the State has
intrusted 20 your hospitality. and who are
soon 10 stand II the schoolroOms charged
with the duty of instructing and training
the boys and girls whose character will de-
termine the future OF the State.
No REPETITION
I'm such community there should not
be moments federation OF repetition of
the scenes attendant upon some carnivaIs
OF former years. when. if reports in the
public press are 10 be credited a reign of
license. harmless perhaps in it's earlier
stages. developed into ruffanIy demonstra-
lions which recognized no hounds. while
exhibitions which under ordinary condi-
lions would not be permitted under any
consideration. were given full sway.
II do not desire TO impute improper mo-
tfves 20 those under whose auspices IL is
proposed TO hosd another street carnival
in your city. ! understood that IL is quite
possible 10 enter with good motives upon
enterprises which may be swept beyond
the control OF those undertaking them; in
deed this has been the history OF all street
carnivals which have developed Offensive
features. but ~ Is certainly fair 20 take
into account in considering the probable
nature OF such an AFFAIR the tendencies
which have characterized them In the past
In your community. l have therefore re-
spectfully 10 suggest that you take such
action. within <he limitations Of your
authority as an official OF the State. az I'm
your opinion may best subserve the public
welfare and preserve the laws from the in
dignity which attends open and fragrant in
fraction1 uninterrupted and unpunished."