Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 7, Number 34, Decatur, Adams County, 9 February 1909 — Page 1

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT.

Volume VII. Number 34.

ONE OUT OF FOUR Monroe Township the Only Green Spot in the Lot SUBSIDY ELECTION Even Bluffton Turned Down the Project Two to One The subsidy election in Monroe, French and Jefferson townships in this county, and in Harrison township, Wells county, wae a clean sweep against the subsidies, except Monroe township, and that gave a majority of fifty for the road. Perhaps the greatest surprise was that of Bluffton. which turned the proposition down by more than two to one. Jefferson township lost by only one vote, while French township gave twenty-three majority against the subsidy. The vote was as follows: Monroe township— Yes No Beme A 143 2 8 Berne B 182 45 Middle Monroe 22 64 North Monroe 25 165 Total 372 302 Majority for, 70. Jefferson township— East Jefferson 74 40 West Jefferson 36 71 Total 110 111 Majority against. 1. French township— French 44 67 Majority against, 23. Wells county— Harrison No. 1 86 83 Harrison No. 2 58 95 Harrison No. 3 41 96 Harrison No. 4 63 98 Harrison No. 532 108 Harrison No. 6 42 98 Harrison No. 7 2 108 Harrison No. 8 63 99 Harrison No. 9 6 75 Total 392 860 Majority against, 468. At noon the voting was reported as “being light and not much interest only nt Berne, but from the tone of the majority against in Bluffton, one is led to believe that they thought a presidential election was on. The vote but again indicates that the people have but little use any more for subsidies, and although they may be right, yet the very word is distasteful to the average voter and taxpayer. They object to pay in taxes any money and have that money go into the pocket of a private enterprise. The Bluffton, Berne & Celina road was a legitimate enterprise, and was worth to the realty through which it traversed, the little amount asked in the way of a subsidy. Many think, however, that the road will be built any way, and it Is likely that this fact Jed many to vote against the road who would otherwise have voted for it. Nothing has been heard from the projectors of the enterprise as to the future of the company, but knowing the calibre of the Berne people, we are led to think that if they have made up their minds to build a road they will do so.sub(Contlnued on page 1.)

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WILL LIKELY NOT PASS. Congress Getting Cold Feet on the Census Bill. Washington, Feb. B—The house committe on census will meet tomorrow to consider what disposition it will make of the white elephant it has on hand in the shape of the president’s message disapproving the census bill. The indications are that no attempt will be made to pass the bill over the president’s veto for the reason that so many members have a severe attack of cold feet and cannot be depended upon to stand by Crumpacker in an effort to over-ride the veto. Today the members of the census committee indicated that they would leave to Mr. Crumpacker the decision as to whether or not an attempt shall be made to pass the bill notwithstanding veto. In reply to questions tonight, Mr. Crumpacker said: “I cannot predict what may be done tomorrow, but it is extremely probable that the committee will take no action at all on the president’s veto.” DECLAREDIVIDEND Directors of Fort Wayne and Springfield Railway Met MONDAY AFTERNOON Discussed Project of Extending the Line South The directors of the Fort Wayne and Springfield interurban company, eleven in number, met yesterday in regular semi-annual session and transacted business of vital importance to the welfare of the corporation. Promptly at one o’clock they assembled in the directors' room at the station and the first matter occupying the attention of the body was the allowance of a semi-annual dividend of two per cent, the same being payable 011 or before the first day of March. The road, it developed during the session, has much more than made expenses during the past year, and the directors were more than pleased to note the advancement made thus far. The proposition of extending the line to Berne was the all-absorbing topic of the prolonged session and each and every director was enthusiastically in favor of the project, and as a demonstration of their sincerity in the matter, they subscribed nearly SIOO,OOO worth of stock which will materially aid in the proposed extension. A difficulty which the promoters of the line have thus far encountered is the matter of securing a franchise in the city of Decatur, and when this matter is cleared, the work of making the grade and laying the steel will be dispatched with all possible rapidity. We -were told this morning that the line will be extended to Berne this summer without fail. The people of Berne and Monroe want the line badly and are doing all in their power to support the movements of the traction company to that end. Before departure the directors repaired to the Moser gallery where their pictures were taken.

Decatur, Indiana, Tuesday Evening, F'ebruary 9, 1909.

THEY WANT A HOME A Home for the Dependent Children in Adams County CIRCULATE PETITION The Board of Children’s Guardians Did Good Work The board of children’s guardians have in mind and are circulating a petition asking the board of commissioners to build a home for the dependent children of Adams county. Their ideas are pretty good on the subject, as they figure that at the rate the dependents are coming the cost to the county will aggregate close to two thousand dollars a year for the maintenance of them. They are compelled to pay twenty-five cents a day now for those whom they home, and a week or so ago they took eight under their wing, and should this clip keep up for a time, they will be in the hole. They have several more that are wanting homes. They think that a home with the conveniences adopted for the caring of these homeless children, located close to the county farm, could be maintained at a nominal cost Such a home with a matron to look after the care and comfort of the children, would be about all the expense, except the actual maintenance. The petition is being signed by nearly every one to w’horn it is presented, and it is thought that by the time it Is ready for presentation to the commissioners the signatures of most of the people in this city and the country surrounding will be attached thereto. The homeless and friendless child comes nearer to touching the heart in the tender spot than anything else, and there are few if any people who will object to the spending of public money for this purpose. The beard of children’s guardians have done a good work in the limited way they have had, and with the addition of a home it would give them the equipment for broadening their charitable field of labor. They deserve much praise for what they have done, and the Democrat is glad of the opportunity of congratulating them, and with the added wish that they will succeed in getting an Adams county home for the Adams county dependents.

GO TO NEW MEXICO E. E. DeWitt is Planning an Extensive Trip HE MAY REMAIN In New Mexico—Have Many Friends in Decatur E. E. DeWitt, who recently disposed of his cigar store to H, B. France and John Reiter, is now planning to make a trip to New Mexico with the view of remaining there permanently should the country appeal favorably to him. He will leave in the near future on an extended trip according to present plans, and will probably, while gone, purchase land in the far off country. While in the city the DeWitt family has made a large number of staunch friends who will regret to hear of their Intentions of having the city, but the well wishes of all will accompany them to their new place of abode should they decide to leave. The health of Mr. DeWitt is not of the best, and he expects to seek a different clime in the hope of being restored to robust health. The activity of Mr. and Mrs. DeWitt in lodge circles will be sadly missed by those with whom they have come n contact, and in fact Decatur will suffer a loss as a consequence of their departure, in more ways than one.

STILL LACK ONE JUROR. Nashville. Tenn., Feb. 9.—The ninetenth day closed with the jury still incomplete in the case of the state against Col. Duncan B. Cooper, Robin J Cooper and John D. Sharp, charged with the murder of former Senator E. W. Carmack. One juror, the eleventh, in the person of W. A. Adcock, a young farmer, was sent into the box. In order to get him 221 talesmen were examined. Os these only seven were able to qualify, and six of these were challenged peremptorily. The state now has left three such challenges and the defense thirty-six. There are something like 200 names yet available in the present venire from which an effort will be made to obtain the twelfth juror. A PUSH COMMITTEE Democrats in Legislature to Push Party Legislation REDEEM PLEDGES An Effort to Carry Out Their Platform Promises

Indianapolis. Feb. 9—The Democrats of the house yesterday decided upon the appointment of a committee to push things, to be composed of Andrew J. Behymer, of Madison, chairman; Representatives Adolph Seidensticker of Marion, Michael C. Thornton of New Albany, John Sweeney of Tell City and George D. Sunkel of Dana. The only question which could be in any way connected with the platform promises, which was not touched upon, was the county option repeal, which is being taken care of in the public morals committee. The Behymer frill for the guarantee of bank deposits will be pushed as a party measure, this being the only matter decided upon. This bill will come before the house within the next few days for third reading and be placed upon its passage. With the Democratic members solid for passage the bill will go through with a safe majority. The employers’ liability bills wnU be given attention by the committee, and care taken to see that they conform to the demands made upon the Democratic party for such a law. No definite action has been taken toward getting this matter before the house for action. Bills have been introduced, but they have not been reported out of committee. The promises of economy are also to be redeemed, if the purpose of the caucus is to be carried out. So far the Clore resolution for an investigation of the state offices is the only measure before the house with this definite purpose in view. If the committees proposed by the Clore resolution are to make an investigation of the state offices before the remaining half of the session is over they will have to work hard and fast to get the recommendations in form of measures for passage. The only measure that has met this demand of the governor's message is the bill coming from Governor Marshall himself to reduce the expenses of his office. This has passed the house, but is not yet out of the senate. The work of the committee appointed by the caucus chairman will be to look up all measures introduced for the purpose of redeeming platform pledges, and, if necessary, re-draft or amend them to meet the exact demands of the party, and get them before the house for passage. The committee will meet today at 1:30 to map out a course of action. Such platform promises as are not already before the house in some shape will be made a special order of business for the committee, and a bill drafted and introduced to meet the need. On account of the number of Democrats in the house little trouble is anticipated in getting the desired legislation through. o LIGHTING RATE WAR IS ON. Fort Wayne, Ind., Feb. 9.—The Fort Wayne & Wabash Valley Traction company, bidding against the city municipal lighting plant, secured the contract for lighting the Elks Temple at a flat rate of 2 cents a kilowatt. The beginning of this phase of the lighting war was followed by a plain intimation by the traction company that it intends to retain its business if it is possible to do so.

KNOTTY PROBLEMS Taft Will Have Many Things to Make Him Sweat LAUDED DR. WILEY Tennessee Congressman Defends the Indianian Washington, February 9. —The leaders of the Republican party are beginning to realize that President Taft will inherit from President Roosevelt a collection of exceedngly knotty problems. From all accounts Mr. Taft himself realizes that he will, at the outset of his administration, have more responsibilities on his shoulders than have come to a new president for a long time. The financial extravagances of the Roosevelt adminisrtation have brought results with which the new administration must deal. Mi. Taft will enter office with the deficit in the United States treasury approaching $100,000,000 for this year. The deficit is growing, and Mr. Taft's secretary of the treasury will have to be a resourceful man, finacial experts say, if he be able to get through the first year of the new administration without a bond issue to raise money with which to carry on the necessary current expenses of the government. Wrapped up with the treasury situation is the revision of the tariff which Mr. Roosevelt adrotly put off until he should be out of office. How to meet an insistent demand of the people for lower tariff rates and at the same time provide revenues sufficient to carry on the business of the government is a problem for the new president and the new congress.

Washington, Feb. 9.—ln a rousing speech in the house yesterday Representative John W. Gaines of Tennessee lauded Dr. Harvey W. Wiley as a friend of pure food and an enemy of “billy goat food,” such, Mr. Gaines said, as the food manufacturers have been trying to feed the women and children of the country. The Tennessee congressman insisted that every man who is anxious that his wife and babies shall be fed wholesome food instead of such stuff as is fit only for billy goats should stand up and fight to the last ditch to save Dr. Wiley’s scalp. ARTIFICIAL GAS Decatur is to Be Supplied With this Fuel by May 1 WORK ON LINE The Indiana Lighting Company Back of the Scheme General Manager S. E. Mulholland, at the head of the Fort Wayne division of the Indiana Lighting company, hopes to be able to begin serving artificial gas to Bluffton and Decatur from the Fort W’ayne plant by May 1, Work is to be started on the laying of

pipe lines betwen Fort Wayne and the two cities as early as the weather will permit. Some time ago the Wells county commissioners granted a franchise for a pipe line from Bluffton north to the Allen county line, and a few days ago similar rights were secured in Adams county. It is the intention to lay a four-inch line between Fort Wayne and Bluffton, with a line of similar size leaving the line at Kingsland and running eastward to Decatur. Mr. Mulholland says the capacity of the Fort Wayne works is ample to supply gas for the three cities. President C. F. Dieterich, who was in the city Saturday, remained but a few hours, proceeding to Lima, 0., and then to New York. —Fort Wayne Sentinel. J

A RULING ON OPTION LAW Jidge Tillett, of Peru, Dissolves a Temporary Restraining Order. Peru, Ind., February 9. —Judge Joseph Tillett, of the Miami circut court, this morning, in a decision on a temporary restraining order, preventing the county commissioners from ordering a local option election, held the county option law constitutional, and dissolved the restraining order. Referring to the ordering of an election before the county council had made an appropriation, the court held that such action would be legal. It was argued by attorneys for the plaintiffs that because the petition had been filed first in fourteen separate parts and later in one volume that there had been two filings and the second one was merely adding names to the first petifion. This morning the court held that the filing was legal inasmuch as both actions had been taken on the same day. The plaintiffs in the case have filed bonds and will appeal the case to the supreme court within thirty days. inlodgTcircles Odd Fellows Were Given Royal Entertainment BY THE REBEKAHS Grand Patron Eastern Star Will Be Here Friday The members of the I. O. O. F. lodge were given a royal entertainment at their hall last evening, and notwithstanding the inclemency of the

weather a large attendance was present to enjoy the festivities in store. At the conclusion of the business session which was of unusual interest,’ intiatory work was conferred upon candidates. This completed the doors were opened and the Rebekahs in their usual clever manner served a banquet consisting of all things known to be palatable, to the eighty people who had gathered. It was a feast long to be remembered by every participant. Interesting talks followed and were ably delivered by Messrs. A. Van Camp, J. C. Leiter and Mr. Whitney of this city and Mr. Augsburger of Berne, who Is district deputy of the order. Eighty Odd Fellows and Rebekahs were in the party and every one enjoyed themselves to the limit. At next Friday's meeting of the O. E. S. the local order will have the honor of entertaining Miss Pauline Summers of Valparaiso, who is state Grand Matron of the organization, and for the occasion the members of the local order are planning to give their distinguished guest a grand reception. W. B. Hale, Geneva, associate grand patron will also be here. The members of the Eastern Star will hold a meeting Thursday night, at which time further plans will be made for the following evening and every member should be present. It will be one of the important events of the week. The K. P. lodge is negotiating for the sale of the house which is located on their lot located north of the Murray hotel, and the same will be removed in the near future. The K. P. expect to begin work on the construction of their home in the near future.

An important meeting of the Modern Wodmen lodge is scheduled for Wednesday night at which time the feasibility of securing a new lodge room will be discussed. A committee has examined the Meibers hall and will, it is understood, report favorably on same at the meeting. The rapidly increasing membership of this great order demands larger quarters at once and action to that end will be taken immediately. It is expected that the local camp will have a membership of 200 within a few weeks if the present pace continues. Initiatory work will bo conferred on several candidates! Wednesday night and every member should be present. ——o — The St. Marys river has risen considerably during the past few days and it is probably higher now than it 'has been during the winter.

Price Two Cents

CUT IN EXPENSES Visitation Committee Pare Down the Cost of Government TRY TO REFORM Many Reform Bills to Be Pushed in the Legislature Indianapolis, February 9. —The legislative visitation committee, which submitted its report to the legislature yesterday showing the relative needs of the state institutions, offices, boards and commissiones, used sharp-edged knife on many of the estimates. The report consists of 333 typewritten pages. The committee has been at work since Nov. 12, 1908. It consists of Senator Horace Hannan, chairman; Representative Gus Greiger, secretary, and Representative Henry P. Sicks, treasurer. Every state institution was visited by the committee and conditions were investigated as thoroughly as time would permit. The Kleckner and Tomlinson local option bills were recommitted tp the committee on public morals yesterday by motion of James Garrard, Democratic floor leader of the house. These are the bills covering the changes in the liquor laws which are to be offered in return for a repeal of the county unit loeal option law- of the special session. The committee will embody the amendments, it is understood, which have been agreed upon by the' leaders in the last few days. There are indications now that there will be a fight in the present session of the legislature over the question of creating a public utility commission, and that the fight will assume as great, if not greater, proportions than the liquor fight, and be fully fiercely wafeied. Three bills have been introduced already looking to the creation of such a commission. One is the Garrard bill, introduced in the house by the representative from Knox county, and the other two are the Mattingly bill and the Beal bill, both in the senate. There was grave fear yesterday among Democrats of the house who have been taking a leading part in the option fight that even the Tom-linson-Proctor compromise liquor bill cannot be passed. It was stated by one Democratic representative for the compromise bill, that he knew twelve Democrats who would vote against it. He said also that he knew that only three Republicans would vote for it under any conditions. With this lineup the measure would be defeated. The Behymer bank deposit guarantee bill was reported for passage by the committee on banks. Representative Behymer’s amendment, to provide for a return of one-half of 1 per cent of any decrease in deposits shown by any annual statement succeeding one for which the bank had paid the state the regular percentage as provided for guarantee, was reported by the committee and adopted by vete of the house. The bill will come up on third reading within the next few days. Senator Will Wood, of Lafayette, Republican leader in the senate, is heartily in favor of a system of inspection for public offices and declared yesterday that he would vote for the merchants’ bill for uniform accounts in county and township offices and for the inspection of such offices.

GOOD MEETINGS BEING HELD Protracted Meetings Being Held at the Methodist Church. The protracted services at the Meth- ' odist church is already creating an ur usual amount of interest and the ■ attendance last evening was large. Dr Wilcox delivered a strong sermon and as the en Hos the conference year I draws nearer to a close his congreI gatlon are even more loath to lose him las their pastor, and regret to see him leave the ministry, to which he is so well fitted and where his eloquence and sincerity will enable him to do so much good. He expects to leave the North Indiana conference at the end. of this year's work.