Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 9, Number 46, Decatur, Adams County, 23 February 1911 — Page 1

Volume IX. Number 46.

TJ RUSH FINISH Legislators Are Now Up to Their Chin With Business —Will Clean Up. THE LIQUOR LAW Is Given Attention—Governor Marshall’s Constitution Getting Popular. Indianapolis, Ind., Feb. 23 —The majority in both the house and the senate are getting together for one grand rush that will carry over the line all the important legislation of the session, including every platform bill and promise given in their party platform. The senate is in advance of the house in this class of legislation, having at this time every platform bill out of the road with the exception of one, and with the good working majority they are enabled to do business with a great deal more rapidity than is the lower hopse of the general assembly. Then, too, they have by far the better organization, and party discipline counts for something. The house counts among its membership several free lances who are imbued with the idea that their legislative career shall be devoted to stirring up something, and with the amendment or attempted amendment of about every bit of legislation that is proposed. Some of these objectors are really men from whom one might expect something better, but these disappointments are sure to show themselves any time you get one hundred men together, and expect them to see and think along the same line at one and the same time. It is one of the impossibilities and the present situation is but the experience of every assembly session, and perhaps will be the experience as long as it Is the custom and the privilege of the constitution to biennally legislate for the good of the people. But in speaking of the advancement of legislation a senator who now is serving either his second or third term says that legislation is farther advanced now than he has ever known it to be at this particular time of every session. This added to the fact that the majority in both branches are anxious and willing to reclaim any and all their campaign pledges, makes it certain that the present general assembly will make one glorious, grand finish. The new constitution as proposed by Governor Marshall and the democrats is having a good work-out, and like good whiskey, it gets better with age. It was the lawyers that first proclaimed against it, and those that did not so proclaim felt the horrors of trifling with the constitution of the state. It is different now. On a second reflection they are grandly coming to the defense of the suggestion, and Governor Marshall is beginning to get credit for having solved a very difficult problem. As it was we could not amend our constitution, or even offer such an amendment to the people. We were up against a bracer that meant holding a constitutional convention, sending our corporation lawyers to Indianapolis for a scramble among themselves for the best things that would aid corporate interests, and in the end after spending perhaps one hundred thousand dollars or twice that sum, we could not expect to get a better constitution than that which has been suggested. It will not cost the people of the state a red cent to either accept or reject it, and we have until November, 1912, to study and dissect it and make up our minds whether the proposed constitution is a good one or a bad one. The objectors to the proposition made the mistake of jumping all over Governor Marshall, when ' i fact he simply has made it possible to have what every one admits we ought to have, and to get it without price. The legislature will make a few changes. The manner of electing state senators will be changed, as will also the dual sessions of the legislature and the per diem or the legislators. Other objectionable features will be changed on the floor of the senate. ■l.l Ex-Governor Hanly filed his brief for a "rehearing of the Vincennes bond case, and this means that the bonds cannot be signed and delivered to the officers entitled to them until the supreme court again takes their pen in hand and says so. Judging from the tone of the original opinion the su-

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT.

preme court will not lose much time in doing this, and when they do, tho Hon. J. Frank may expect to again have the hide peeled. Irvin Brandyberry, W. P. Bchrock and C. R. Dunn of Decatur were doing Indtanapolis, and incidentally the legislature this week. The latter was here as a lobbyist and he has done his work up brown. L. O. E. o — — RECITAL FRIDAY. Friday evening promptly at 8 o’clock standard time, will occur the music recital of the Academy of Music at the Knights nf Columbus hall, for which everything is now In readiness. Much practise has been put in during the past few weeks and the event will be an interesting one. Tickets on sale at the Holthouse drug store. Admission, twenty-five cents. CAUCUS TONIGHT Democrats Will Line Up For the Grand Finish—Proctor Law the Big Item. AMOUNT OF LICENSE And the Number Are Biggest Questons For Solons to Decide. (United Press Service.) Indianapolis, Ind., Feb. 23 —(Special to Daily Democrat)— Democratic) leaders were still lining things up today in preparation for a joint caucus of the majority members of the house and senate at which plans will be laid for the carrying through of bills, redeeming platform pledges, which are still lingering in committees or being delayed. A caucus was scheduled for Tuesday night, but was called off, and the reason back of this action is understood to have been that the leaders found the majority members were far from being ready to pull together on some of the measures to be considered. One of the main questions over which a division was found was on the license provision in the Proctor sa. loon regulation bill. This bill has been passed by the senate with a “high license." At least it provides for a S7OO license in cities and SSOO in towns, although Senator Proctor desired a SI,OOO license for cities and so on down the line. The house committee on public morals, however, amended the bill to provide for a license of SSOO in cities of the first class, S4OO in cities of third, fourth and fifth class, $350 in incorporated towns and $250 in townships outside of incorporated cities or towns» The republican members of the committee returned a report, recommending a SI,OOO license so that it is up to the democrats to “get together.’Senator Proctor favors the republican license feature, but he would hardly turn to the republican minority to aid him in putting through the democratic measure. He declares, however, he will not submit to the low license figure named by the house committee and will have his backers in the house fight to a finish for the S7OO fee. It is, therefore, on this question that the democrats must get together. Chairman Seidensticker believes a majority ' of the house members favor the low license, but if the “dry” democrats stick to Senator Proctor’s original provision the republicans would undoubtedly swing into line when they found the SI,OOO fee could not get through. The minority would thus be stealing part of the democratic thunder. A caucus agreement by the democrats will prevent such a situation as this arising. An amendment providing for a $l5O license for saloons handling only malt I liquors is generally approved and will not cause trouble. With this, how- ' ever, is a clause providing that one , 1 conviction for selling any other kind of liquor than beer in such a saloon shall ■ be punishable by revocation of the liI cense, SIOO fine and a six months’ jail ( sentence. This provision may give room for considerable discussion. Some agreement will have to be reached on the number of saloons to be allowed under the new law. 3he senate passed the bill providing for i one saloon for the first 500 population and one additional for each succeeding 1,000. The house has amended it i to provide for one saloon for every ■ 1 500 population.

A RARE ARTIST In Character Delineation Was Sidney Landon, the Entertainer. THE LAST NUMBER Os Lecture Course—Professor Rice and Class Well Pleased.

The series of five entertainments included in the lyceum course given under the auspices of the high school senior class ended Wednesday evening with the entertainment given at the Bosse opera house by Sidney Dandon, the well known character delineator, whose Subject was "Uncle j Sam's Family.” So radically different, | covering such a diversity of treat- j ment, were the numbers of the entire . course, that it is difficult to say which number was the best, but all those who witnessed Wednesday evening’s entertainment are unanimous in saying that it was without par in its line. With a few clever strokes of the powder puff, a line" here and there with a pencil, and the addition of a wig, or bear. Mr. Landon successfully changed his personality to those of the chief representative characters of our country, and then by a series of cketches, or recitations,, monologues, speeches, etc., portrayed the characteristics of each, bringing out the ; points, both in personal appearance , and nature, that made each character I the “character” he was. He repre-, sented Mark Twain, Edgar Allen Poe, , Governor Peck of Wisconsin, Abraham Lincoln, Mr. Eiceknstein, and the good old uncle from Greens Corners, Posey county, Indiana, on" his trip to Boston." His interpretations were so true to life that lie was greeted time and again with hearty applause. Music was rendered prior to his entertainment by the high school chorus. Professor Rice and the seniors are well pleased with the patronage given the course, and from every expression, it seems that the patrons are more than pleased with the excellent, pleasurable, as w-ell as profitable nature of the series. “HEAP BIG” TIME • R —< —« I Enjoyed by the Red Men Wednesday Evening— Five Initiated. GIVE THREE DEGREES Haymakers Planning to Reorganize—Many Members to be Taken In. The Red Men had a “heap big” time at their hall Wednesday evening, when a class of five was given the adoption, hunter and warrior degrees. Besides a large representation of the local order, there were several visitors present from Bluffton, swelling the total number to sixty. Among the guests from Bluffton was the chief haymaker. At the meeting to be held next. Wednesday night, plans will be made for reorganization of the local Haymakers’ order, which is an auxiliary of the Red Men. There are at present about twenty local Haymakers and it is said that there are twenty more candidates fri line for initiation when the reorganization is effected. The plans will doubtless be completed at the next meeting and while the date has not yet been set, it has been decided that the Bluffton team will do the work. A novel feature of Wednesday evening’s initiation was that there were several real Indians in the camp, who showed tho would-be braves how to carry on the work in the “real manner.” BUSINESS MEN TO MEET The Business Men's League will hold a very important meeting at the Elk’s club rooms, next Monday evening at 7:30 o’clock, at which time it is desired that every member be present who can. Please be there. COMMITTEE.

Decatur, Ind. Thursday Evening, February 23, 1911.

SELLS 5 AND 10 CENT STORE. j A. J. Beavers Quits Business at Monticello and Will Go West. Wm. E. and James Goff, brothers, , have completed a deal whereby they acquire an established five and ten cent store in the town of Monticello, Ind. The store is already In their names and for the time being William Morris of the Morris company of this city is in charge. The Messrs. Goff expect to move to Monticello as soon as they can wind up their affairs in this city. The store is doing a good business and the ow/ier, A. J. Beavers, who formerly resided near Decatur, is disposing of the property because he must take his wife west for her health. Business is brisk in Monticello and the Bluffton gentlemen will have a good field for their efforts. A big flour mill is one of the principal manufacturing institutions in the town and it is being run day and night.—Bluffton News. Mr. Beavers is a brother of Emerson Beavers of this city, where he re- ; sided for many years previous to his | going into business at Monticello, i Since locating there he has been enj joying a good business, but owing to the illness of Mrs. Beavers will go west, hoping for an improvement. — —o THE SICK FOLKS Reports From the Homes of the Sick Folks Sav They Are Improving. MANY PEOPLE SICK Some Still Very Low While Others Are Nearing Good Health. Neva, little daughter og Mr. and Mrs. Sam Laman, who has been very sick for a week past, was reported today as being somewhat improved, and resting much easier. Since her recent change, much encouragement has been given those in charge, who now extend hopes for her recovery. The condition of Ferdinand Bleeke continues to show slight improvement from day to day, and he is slowly gaining strength. Although his heart is still in a very wea kcondition. it is somewhat better than it was several days ago. A card received by thd Sol Billman family this morning from Mrs. Billman who was called to Indianapolis, Tuesday by a message that her daughter, Mrs. A. E. Scott, formerly Miss Bessie Billman, was at the point of death, brought the word that Mrs. Scott shows no change. No details of the illness are known to the family here. Mrs. John Wisehaupt is able to sit up at times during each day, but her condition will not allow her to be up over a certain length of time at intervals. She is steadily Improving and her friends now hope for her speedy recovery. Mrs. Louis Koldeway of Union township. who has been very sick for a week past, with lagrippe, is still very ill, but a little better than the first days of her illness. Owing to her old age, the improvement in her condition is slow. Miss Lizzie Peterson, one of the teachers of the city schools, who has been off duty this week on account of tonsilitis, is recovering and will probably be able to return to her school work in the morning. Mrs. W. A. Lower, the substitute, is serving in her stead. Fred Studler, assessor for Hartford township, Adams county, will return to his home today, after having been confined to the Lutheran hospital for several weeks. —Fort Wayne JournalGazette. Mr. and Mrs. W. A. Bauman of west of the city went to Fort Wayne this morning to call on their daughter-in-law, Mrs. Earl Bauman, at the Lutheran hospital, where she has been the past two weeks, having undergone an operation. . —. O' Dr. Grandstaff of Prable went to Berne this afternoon to look after professional business

COURT HOUSE NEWS Jury Out But Six Minutes to Decide Case in Favor of William Wells. RAYL DIVORCE CASE Tried This Morning and Decree Granted—Desertion Case Dismissed. Susie Emry vs. Thomas J. Durkin, sheriff, possession and S2OO damages, appearance by D. E. Smith for defendants. Rule to answer. The Iva L. Rayl vs. Oliver P. Rayl divorce case was heard. The alimony was settled by agreement of parties. Divorce granted and plaintiff’s name changed to Iva L. Summers. State vs. James Venette, provocation dismissed and defendant discharged. A marriage license was granted to Charles Llmenstall 22, farmer, to Mary Marshand, 22, daughter of David Marshand. It required but Mx minutes for the jury to return a verdict of “not guilty’ in the case of state vs. William Wells, yesterday afternoon. The Rayl wife desertion case was dismissed and the jury was excused until Monday when the case against Hugh Daniel and Clinton Death, petit larceny will be called. The last will and testament of Mary Ahr, was probated this morning. It was written April 18, 1903 and witnessed by John H. and E. B. Lenhart. It provides first for the payment of debts, gives the piano to a daughter, Mary G. Ahr and provides that the rest of her estate, real and personal be sold and the proceeds divided equally among the children, Mary C. Hunslcker, Clara E. Mumma. Ida E. Chapman, Martha Ahr, Charles Ahr, her grandson Erman Mentzer and William T. Ohler, each to receive one-eighth. Mary Ahr is named as executrix. o — SEASON OF LENT Next Wednesday Marks the Opening of This Period of Penance at ST. MARY’S CHURCH An Ancient Custom of the Church Carried Out as a Time of Penance. Next Wednesday is Ash Wednesday, and a time when the Catholic church enters upon the season of lent, or forty days of fast and penance. On next Sunday the rules and regulations to be carried out during this time will be read at all the masses and the necessary requirements which are demanded from each during this time made known. On the opening day a custom dating back to the early ages of the church will be carried out, namely that of placing ashes on the forheads of the congregation, reminding them that this is a time es penance, and when the people of old clothed themselves in sackcloth and ashes, and imposed upon themselves severe penances so as to prepare themselves for the approaching Joyful feast of Easter, the resurrection being but forty days away. On Tuesday and Friday evenings of each week services will be held, consisting of a sermon and benediction on Tuesday and way of the cross and benediction on Friday evening. During this time Catholics are to refrain from all worldly and public amusements and to perform the laid-down penances whoch are not required of them at other seasons of the year. o IS MUCH BETTER. Word from the bedside of County Clerk-elect Bleeke Is that he is much better and is improving nicely, which is indeed very encouraging news to all his friends.

DID THEY MEET? Mail Carriers Too Busy to Give Interview. Several rural mail carriers from Geneva and Berne came down Wednesday to attend the meeting of the Adams County Rural Mail Carriers' association, but from what little we can learn there was no meeting held. Inquiry at the postoffice this morning failed to locate any one who could throw any light on the subject. Either no meeting was held, and there was consequently nothing to give out, or from what those broached seemed to imply, they were too busy getting over the rush of work occasioned by the holiday, or too busy recovering from the effects of the holiday, to give an interview to a reporter.

REPORT ADOPTED Senate Approves Governor Marshall’s New Constitution by Party Vote. DOINGS IN THE HOUSE Two Bills Were Passed— Judge Dykeman, Logansport, Died Today. (United Press Service.) Indianapolis, Ind., Feb. 23—(Special to Daily Democrat) —The senate todayadopted the majority committee report favoring the submission of Governor Marshall’s new constitution to the people. The vote was strictly on party lines, in considering the appropriation bill the senate increased the salary of the state librarian to $2,500 and raised the salaries of the supreme and appellate court attaches. The house passed the Grube tax bill by a vote of 58 to 25. This bill would raise over a million dollars in two years. The Maas loan shark bill also passed. It fixes the highest rate of interest than can be passed on loans at eight per cent and places close regulations as to additional fees or commissions on loans. Heavy penalties are provided for violations. Logansport, Ind., Feb. 23 —(Special to Daily Democrat) —Former Judge Davis B. Dyekman, 79, died at his home here today of paralysis. Mr. Dykeman and W. J. Bryan were warm friends, the Commoner often visiting him here. He was a candidate for congress in 1896, but was defeated. He was first stricken with paralysis in 1905 and has been helpless since. — 0 _ POSTMASTER KOLTER AT TOCSIN Washington Dispatches state that Fred E. Kolter has been appointed postmaster at Tocsin, succeeding Guy M. Myers, who has resigned. Mr. Myers was formerly of the firm of Wasson & Myers and the postofflee was in their store. He moved on a farm some time ago and his resignation has been in the hands of the postofflee department since he left the store. Mr. Kolter, his successor, is the proprietor of the Tocsin restaurant and the postofflee will soon be moved from the Wasson store to his place of business. Mr. Wasson has been acting as postmaster since his partner left the store, but it is understood that he was not a candidate for the appointment. o —— BASE BALL ON SUNDAY. (United Press Service.) Indianapolis, Ind., Feb. 23—(Special to Daily Democrat)—Sunday baseball may now be played in Indiana. This comes as a result of a decision of the supreme court, holding the law passed by the last legislature, permitting professional base ball to be played on Sunday, as constitutional. This question is one that has been much in the minds of the lovers of this sport, and since the decision of the supreme court renders the law constitutional, they now can be at rest. o — FUNERAL OF MRS. SMITH. The funeral of Mrs. Caroline Smith, wife of William Smith, living near Pleasant Mills, was held this morning at 11 o’clock from the United Brethren church at Pleasant Mills. Many from this city attended the funeral. Her death occurred Monday morning from paralysis.

Price, Two Cents

BURNEDTOGROUND Home of Frank Johnson Destroyed by Blaze of Unknown Origin. ON GUNSETT FARM • Family Were Eating Dinner When Told Home Was on Fire. ; Fire at 12:30 o’clock today totally destroyed the home of Frank Johnson on the Henry Gunsett farm, about two miles southwest of the city, and just on this side of the county infirmary. The Johnson family was eating dinner when some one passing along the road ran into the house and notified them that their home was on fire, and upon investigating a big blaze was seen coming through the roof of the house. The alarm was at once sounded and the neighbors of the vicinity responded and aided in every way that they could in carrying out the furniture and other household goods. Most of the articles were gotten out of the building, but the two-story frame structure was burned to the ground. The origin of the blaze cannot be given, the family having been unaware of the fire until notified by the party from the road. Mr. Johnson carried two hundred dollars’ insurance on his ' household goods, but this will not cover his loss. The children were taken to the home of Isaac Everett, just across the road, where they are being cared for. Whether or not Mr. Gunsett will rebuild the home was not learned, but he will no doubt do so in order to keep up the requirements of his farm.

STRIKE ON ERIE Huntington, Ind., Feb. 23.—Employees of the boiler and tin shop of the Erie railroad company at Huntington walked out this morning on a strike caused by the reduction of the piece work scale, from twelve to eighteen men being effected. The announcement of the reduction cajne early this morning in the form of a bulletin anc the men walked out shortly before noon, failing to agree on the new schedule of wages. The Erie shops have been conducted for the past four years as “open” shops, at that time organized labor being no longer recognized following a strike of the boiler makers and a sympathy strike by the machinests. While little information could be learned from officials of the road, it is thought that the reduction of wages follows a general retrenchment policy which is inaugurated by the toad usually at this time of the year. Nothing was learned as to the amount of reduction issued but a radical change is thought to have been made to cause the strike. —o YEOMEN TO FORT WAYNE. Decatur Lodge Will Attend Initiation of Class Monday. There will be no meeting of the local Yeomen Monday evening on account of going to Fort Wayne that evening for the initiation of a large class of candidates. Several of the candidates will be from this city. Instead of the regular meeting here on Monday the lodge will convene on Tuesday evening and the members are expected to be present to pay tehir dues at that time. ELKS HAVE OPEN HOUSE. . Will Entertain the Ladies at Hall This Evening. The Elks will have “open house” this evening, having arranged to entertain their wives, sweethearts, or other lady friends as they may be. A good program has beeen arranged, including magical stunts by Fred LaDelle, assisted by his daughters, Hazel and Mildred, music by Mr. and Mrs. L. A. Holthouse and others. A banquet will conclude the entertainment ATTENDED HEREFORD SALE. W. F. Wilson, of the A. J. Smith farm, has returned from Kentland, where he atended the McCray sale of Hereford cattle. Seventy head were sold in three hours, the average price being $205. Mr. Wilson bought one of the fine cattle for the firm of Smith & Wilson.