Decatur Democrat, Volume 34, Number 43, Decatur, Adams County, 16 January 1891 — Page 6

GOV. HOVEY S MESSAGE transmitted to the Indiana LEGISLATURE. The El Action Law—Fees and ‘Salaries— Township Trustees—Common Schools— Apportionment—Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument- -The World’s Colombian Exposition. o f the Senate and House of BepAb directed by tie Constitution, it is my duty to give you such information as I may deem necessary in regard to the condition of the State, and to recommend such measures of legislation ns I may judge expedient. THE ELECTION LAW. Thezpet concerning elections, passed at the last session, in my opinion, contains some valuable provisions, and some that are very objectionable. In approving that law I used the following language: “Approved because it may tend to purify our elections, but I am afraid it will bo found in practice, intricate. Obscure and expensive. Without the enactment of a registration law. as demanded by our Constitution. our elections will remain open to corruption and fraud." t I did not. at that time', consider the question as to the constitutionality of any of its provisions. It has been seriously doubted by the Governors ot New York and New Jersey whether confining the elector to the "public billot," and to nominations made by political parties, before the election, is constitutional. The right to vote for any man for any office in this State, whether the person voted for was nominated or not. has never been controverted from the organization of the State in|lßl6 until the passage of the present election law, which makes the night to vote subkervlentto a prior selection or election by copvcntions thSt nominate all the candidates. The conventions must flrsf elect or nominate the candidate, and then the elector may bo permitted to vote, if he votes at all. for such candidates as have been nominated and no one else. This robs the elector of his . constitutional right, and is neither Democratic nor liepublican in principal.and might lead to very grave consequences. Whether the objection to the "nubile ballot" is well taken or , not. it will not, be difficult to obviate, it by amending the. law and making the ballot free"; as it always has been. '/ If possible, our elect ions should bo made less expensive.. The cost of the last is enormous. not 'falling short of The assessment of eandidatibs for office by political committees, which®'has prevailed in many States for the last twenty years, is infamous, and it is generally believed that a large portion of the money contributed is not used for legitimate purposes. Where .such practices are resorted to, few. except the wealthy, have any chance of nominations to office, as those who arn upwilling or unable to pay. would seldom bo selected by those who attend conventions. Yon can not lay your hand too heavily on such offenders. and I recommend that such practices be. made criminal. The'< rime of bribery, and of ballot corruption, became so great in the State of New York, that on the 4th of April. 1890. the General Assembly of that State passed a law making bribery an infamous crime, and also provided that "every candidate who is voted for at any public < election held within this State, shall, within ten days after suvh election, file an itemized statement, showing in detail, all the money contributed orexpended by him, directly or indirectly, by himself or through any other person, in aid of his election. Buch statement shall give the names of the various persons who received sueh moneys, the specific,nature of each item, and the purpose for which it was expended or contributed." Such statement must he sworn to and the affidavit must show “ that the statement Thus made is in all respects true, and that the same is a full and detailed statement of all moneys so contributed or expended by him, directly or indirectly, by himself or through any other person, in aid of his election.” A failure io Hie subh statement subjects the offender to punishment of fine, imprisonment, disfranchisement forflve years, and a forfeiture of office. In our last election a great many hundreds of tickets were thrown out. and notcounted. on account of imperfect, stamping by the electors. In Connecticut, the tickets are not stamped. but enclosed in a stamped bnvolope, with the election clerk’s initials marked upon them. It is submitted, whether this would not. bo an improvement on our system, and whether the cost Os our elections under the present law can not be greatly decreased. ' FEES AND SALARIES. There is a great dissatisfaction by all parties and all classes in the State in re--gard to our laws relating to fees and salaries. Some of our county officers are paid too much, nnd some of our superior officers are paid too little. It. looks straivge to see some of our clerksvFiheritTs. auditors, and prosecuting attorneys, receiving from live to twenty thousand dollars a year, and the judges of ourcircuit courts, two thousand five hundred, and the judges of the Supremo , Court only four thousand per annum. If all salaries now paid to the several State officers could be added to the legal foes collected by the State and county officers, the amount would make a fund that would liberally pay every officer in the State, and in my opinion, leave at least $100,060 to be paid into tho Treasury of the State. With salaries attached to all our offices, and the fees paid into the treasury, there would be no inducement to collect “constructive fees," or more plainly speaking, there would'be no inducement to carry out the wholesale extortion now practiced in some counties in the State. I oarnestlylreeominend that all fee bills of officers, and all accounts against decedent's estates shall be required to be itemized and sworn to before they are allowed by the courts. This reform is.ncoded now. To allow Ihe present office-holders to exact the exorbitant fees until their successors are elected is but to continue this unjust burden upon the people. The law*is plain. All officers take their offices with their burdens, subject to be changed by the Legislature, except those whose salaries cannot be changed during their terms, as provided in our Constitution. Any other viowsdf the fee and s " salary law is a deception and a sham. It will never bo changed if we depend upon a sliding scale to meet the future, two and four years hence. \ TOWNSHIP TUSTEES. The almost unlimited power of Township Trustees, under section 6006. R. S. 1881, in making contracts should be curtailed. This section gives the Trustees the right ‘ to make contracts to the.amount of all cash <>n hand, and to anticipate all taxes assessed against his township, for the year in which the debt is contracted, I recommend that said section be amended, so that all contracts. whose aggregate, amount shall be in excess of one hundred dollars, shall not be madfc by a Trustee until he procures an order from tlre Board of Commissioners of tho county in which such township is situated, authorizing him to make such contract. COMMON SCHOOLS. The cost of common school books has been greatly reduced, in consequence of the contract made by tho State, under the a/t of March 2, 1889. (Our common schools are now open to all classes, and only need.that the text-books ’used should be made free to all pnpils. as recommended in my message to the last General Assembly. I recommend that an act be passed, to .» place in the hands of every pupil, rich or poor,free of all costs.the text-books necessary for use in our common schools. It is a mockery to' say that our schools are free, as long as our pupils are compelled to pay for any part of a common-school education. APPORTIONMENT. In compliance with the acts of Congress, Indiana will be entitled to elect thirteen members to tho House of Representatives of the United States, and districts will have to be established, in which such representatives uro to be elected. The State should also be districted, and tho qounties designated, in which elections ’will be »' holden. to cleet State Senators and representatives. Our Government was established upon tho fundamental principle that a majority should rule, and I trust such an apportionment may bo made, that this great constitutional right may be fully and fairly sustained. RAILROAD COMMISSIONERS. There is a great necessity (or the enactment of tho law providing for tho establishment of a board of railroad commissioners for tho Blate. Who may have the general supervision of all railroads operated in the State, with power to inquire into all questions of neglect or violation of tho law by said roads, with reference to business and public safety. Such commissioners •ktuld also be authorized to make allneces-

p sary Investigations, to ascertain the amount J of done by said roads, and their value for taxation. Many of the States of the Union have enacted laws on this suba ject, with most beneficial results, and I commend tho same to your careful consideration. ROADS AND HIGHWAYS. There is nothing more imperatively _ needed in this State than good, passable roads and highways. idEor months, in many >’ counties, our roads are absolutely impassa- > bio with loaded teams. This not only affects the farmer, but every town and city in this State. It depreciates the value of . lands, and causes the farmer, his hands and his teams to remain idle for many weeks in the year, and oftentimes deprives ’ him of the best markets for his produce. ' Our legislators, have been fully aware of the importance of this subject, and have made many efforts to remedy tho evil, but so far with no great succesg. Tho labor which maybe called out annually, and the amount , of money paid for road taxes by the several counties, w ould keep our highways in a far * better condition, if that labor and tax were , intelligently used and expended. That the t labor is not called out as it should be. and that our roads are worked by men who do ’ not -understand such labor, cannot be “ deniSgj. I fTOLDIERS’ AND SAILORS’ MONUMENT. Owing to reasons which are fully explained by the contractor for the superstructure of the State Soldiers’ and Sailors’ - Monument. jn the annual report of the 3 Board of Commissioners, he has beenunable to complete his work upon that struc--3 ture the past year, and announces that it r will probably require until the first day of - next August to do so. Nothing is lost, howy ever, from this cause, as the decorations for - this groat work of art require time for their 1 conception and treatment, if they are ex- - pected to possess that merit which will give 3 fame to Indiana as possessing the finest • monument in America.- It also insures f greater perfection in the materials and me--3 chanical work, as can readily be seen by i comparing it, as far as it has progressed, 3 with structures of life character that have t been hastened to completion without due 1 regard to these necessary requirements in , securing beauty and permanency. The 3 Commissioners wisely determined to ad-

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here to the dimensions of the original design, thus insuring a monument of such impressive grandeur that it will become a [ great attraction, and aid in bringing the most enlightened and 3 cultured people of other lands to otir State, either as tourists or for residence: and. from the first, they i have diligently sought, forthe best materials and workmanship rather than attempting to complete the structure with the fund originally placed in their hands, by the employment of that which is inferior, because [ of its seeming cheapness. In doing this , they have relied upon the intelligence, patriotism and liberality of the people to sustain them in making the monument really great, and they ought not to bo disappointed. The artistic and inventive world has had. its attention drawn tq this work in an unusual degree, and if it is completed according to the plans of the Commissioners and with the .artistic excellence whinhthey design, it. will mark a new era in the development of our State, and be a source of pride to every citizen. The present appropriation will complete the shaft and the I terrace at the base, and in that condition it • will surpass all other monuments in this ■ country; but the fountains and cascades. [ the great groups of "War” and ••Peace,” and other statuary below ought to be added now, and I trust there will be no hesitancyin > furnishing the necessary money. It would be an unwise economy to withhold it. A further sum is also required for anew pedestal on which to fittingly place the statue of the late Governor O. P. Morton, and I urge that this be appropriated withi out delay. THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. The World's Columbian Exposition, or , World's Fair, the buildings for which will I be dedicated at Chicago, Illinois, in Oeto- , ber, 1892. will probably excel any exhibition of similar character to be found in the pages of history. Great preparations.are being made by the , several States of the Union and foreign nations. to exhibit their products and live stock to the best advantage. I To make n respectable representation of the wealth and resources of our State will require an outlay of a considerable amount of money.. The legislatures of several States , are proposing to apnrojMate from one hun-. dred thousand dollars' toLXme half million dollars for the erection of buildings and collection of exhibits. Indiana, in hergreat wealth in mines, minerals, manufactories, i agriculture and live stock, should not lag I behind her sister States in presenting her , , wonderful resources. I shall recommend no particular' amount , that you should appropriate, but leave that tQ your better judgments.knowing that your great interest In the honor, pride and advancement of our State will guide you to j the proper conclusion. !. THE GETTYSBCRC, BATTLEFIELD ASSOCIATION. All the loyal States, whose troops were engaged in the battle of Gettysburg, have ' erected monunients to mark the position of ; their troops in the battle, ami have, with the' : exception of Indiana, purchased the grounds - upon which they are erected. The nionu--1 ments for the soldiers of Indiana are placed upon grounds purchased by’ other States. The Gettysburg Battlefield Association, , through Col. John M. Vandersliee, requests , an appropriation of $4,000 or $5,000 to pay for the ground upon which said monuments ; pre erected, where many of our heroic soli diets fought and fell in defense of the Union. I Money would not be spent in vain if every l field of battle, where our armies were vic- ; torious, could be set apart with monuments as object lessons of loyalty for future t generations. ’ STATE PRISON >'oß*lol. The Directors’ report of the Northern • Prisoni for the year ending October 31, • 1890. shows a daily average of seven hun-« dred and fifty-one prisoners, and the total receipts and earnings for the year, sllß,t 315.12. ■ The Warden’s report shows there was a s balance of cash in his bauds November. 1889,0 f $22.667.52; and on the 31st of October, I 1890, of $17,910.53. i By what authority could the Warden hold i cash balances in his hands which should , have been promptly paid at the end of each auarter to the Treasurer of State ? > The reports of the Directors and Warden • clearly show, that they have been wholly disregarding the law in the management of the financial affairs of the prison. On the 13th > of July, 1889.1 called thtf attention of the > Warden by letter and requested that his ac- . counts should comply with the law. I have been more particular on this’point from the fact that the State has been in litigation Avith a former Warden of the Southern ' Prison on a large alleged defalcation, which ’ took place in 1887. Ho kept his accounts in the same way that the accounts have 3 been kept by the Northern Prison. ' Under Section 6141, notone dollar of the ® earnings of the prison should be snent by the Warden. Every cent collected' by him ’ on the labor of the prison should be paid into the hands of the Treasurer of State. The expenses of the prison should be paid ' outof the moneys appropriated by the Leg- ’ islature,and from no other.source. The Warden has no legal right to look to, or use any ' other fund, and should confine himself ’ within that limit. “ In the report of the Board of State Charities, the Gommittee on Prisons and lleform- - atory Institutions, page 39, say: “The most serious criticism on the 'man - - agement of the Northern Prison arises out -of what is known as the slop contract. For a many years past, long before the present II Warden was appointed, it has been the y oustom to increase the Warden’s compens Bation (which was justly considered to be s insufficient) by giving to him, or selling to - him nt h nominal price, the slop or woste

• I food. What the value of this may be is unknown; prooably the popular estimate, which places it at several thousand dollars annually, is much exaggerated. The Warden, who has been asked by this Board to estimate its value, declares himself unable to do so. But whether the v&lue be much little , the plan of giving any officer a perquisite is a very injudicious one. and this particular perquisite is especially so.” * *_» "The prisoners’are well aware dfjthe slop contract. They greatly over-estimate its value, and that their diet is chosen by the Warden so as to increase his profits, by giving them food which will be largelywasted. That is to say, theylbelieve they are being defrauded in that which comes closer to them than anything else for the benefit of the Warden. This effect on the minds of the prisoners is the chief evil of the slop contract, an evil compared with which the trifling money loss to the State is not to be compared. This Board would recommend, as has been said in a previous part of this report, that the salaries of the principal officers of our prisons be increased, and that perquisites of any kind and every kind be absolutely forbidden.” Itwillbeseen that besides the impolicy of making sueh a contract with the Warden. it is emphatically forbidden by our statutes which, by Sec. 6141, R. 8; 1881, provide that “No Contract shall- be made wherein any of the Directors, or officers of the Institution are interested.” I take pleasure in saying that the Board of State Charities wore greatly plersed with the management of the prison and its inmates. and I have no doubt, in that regard, the officers are deserving of the highest commendation for the manner in which it is conducted. This, however, should not give them a license to overlook and disregard the law, and take upon themseves the full management of the institution as though it really belonged to them. In view of the facts, and the history of State prisons in this State, I recommend that an act be passed making it a misdemeanor, with penalties, for the officers of any of opr State institutions’ Jo make contracts with each other relating to the propertv or business ’of sueh institutions, and also making it a misdeanor for any officer who has the financial control or management of any institution to fail in making out his acaccording to law. Some provisions of this kind are imperatively demanded, as there are no penalties prescribed by the statue, and as no legal proceedings could reach such evils without great delay and expense to the State. PRISON south.. __ I wrote to the Warden of the State Prison South, at the same time I wrote to the Warden of the State Prison North. Cant, Patten. the Warden"of the Prison South, since that time, has fully complied with the law , in regard to the earnings of that prison, paid the same to the Treasurer of State, and has drawn all payments by warrants of the Auditor from the funds appropriated bylaw for that institution. There is no financial safetv in transacting the business of the prisons in any other manner. About one thousand two hnndred dollars per annum have been saved by the present Warden from the slops of the' Prison South. The salaries of the Wardens are not commensurate with ’heir duties, responsibili- I ties and labors, . they should receive at least $2,500 per annum. SUPREME COURT. My views have not changed in regard to the Judiciary since my message in 1889. I then said: “Our Constitution provides that ’justice shall be administered freely and without purchase; completely and without denial; speedily and without delay.’ Under existing laws, this high-sounding provision is an empty boast. Many cases are now pending in the Supreme Court which were filed more than five years ago, and it is to be feared that some have been appealed to that court for the sole purpose of delay. This delay arises from no fault of the Judges of the Court, but from their inability to fully invistigate the numerous cases which are, brought before them. Ido not believe that the multiplication of Judges in the Supreme Court would tend to- the furtherance of justice. No ease should be passed upon without the full consideration ofeveryjudge upon the bench. This would be impossible if the number of Judges should be greatly increased.” While the increase of the members would increase the number of written opinions by the. Court, the -mOßSultatioh by many justices would delay final judgments, and probabl y result in fewer decisions. Besides. dissenting opinions, which always tend to weaken the authority of a decided' ease, would be far more frequent. My opinion still is, that the establishment of intermediate Appellate courts, with exclusive jurisdiction, within certain limits, with five justices, one for each of the five supreme judicial districts, wopld so lessen the docket of the Supreme Court, that it could keep up with all the cases that might be appealed. These justices might itinerate. and'meet at stated periods, in the respective districts, I do not believe that twenty judges, in one court, could perform the same labor, and leave satisfactory results. STATE INSTITUTIONS. Oflr Benevolent. Reformatory, and Charitable institutio is, and Soldiers’, and Sailors’ Orphan’s Home will expect the usual appropriations for their support and maintenance. Some of them are also requesting additional specific appropriations for various causes and desired improvements, and are asking that, a sufficient provision be made to cover their respective deficits of the past year. The deficits seem to me to be just, and I recommend that appropriations be made to pay them as soon as practicable. The reports of the several institutions will be laid before you, and will more fully enable you to consider the propriety of granting their requests. The unfortunate affair that resulted in tho death of Henry Blount, in the Insane Asylum at Richmond last. October, will demand at your hands a careful investigation of the management of that institution, and such action as may be deemed just and right under the facts that may be developed. The habit of Governors visiting the various institutions of the State has always been a mere formality. It is not possible in a short visit of a few hours, which can only be spared by the Governor, that he can investigate and understand the workings ofdny’large institution. The act establishing a board of State charities, enables that board and secretary to obtain much useful information, which is published in their reports. When more specific information is required, it might be advisable to send non-partisan committees to make thorough investigation. In my opinion it would be far better for the State, and to the benefit of each institution, if all the boards of officers who have the control of the same were non-partisan. In'the appointments made by mu I have rigiuly adhered to that rule. WHITE CAPS. As the Governor has neither the means nor the authority to interfere in the arrest or trial of that, class of criminals known as "White Caps,” juntil the law is openly and forcibly defied, I recommend that the Board of County Commissioners be authorized to pay from the dog tax fund, in their respective counties, such sums of money as may be n'ecessary to apprehend and bring to justice all such criminals as may be found within their respective counties. The Governor then called attention to the ■ finances of the State, andfsaidtjt Since 1877. a sufficient revenue has not been raised to pay the expenses of the State, and every year has added to our indebtedness, until to-day the State debt has reached the enormous sum of $8,540,615,12, with a still increasing indebtedness, unless some relief can be obtained by legislation. With the same system that has heretofore prevailed, we will Still have to borrow money to sustain our institutionsand expenses of the State, with an annual deilciet of about $500,000.1X1. Surely the day of borrowing for such purposes should tffease. We have no right to mortgage our funire revenue, to be paid by those who may come after us. There are various modes of raising revenue in the States, but the most simple mode has been generally adopted in this State, that of of capitation, or poll tax. tax on value on lands, and personalty, whilst in other States, different systems' have prevailed. In New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, and other States, scarcely any part of the tax for State purposes, is collected on lands. Tho farmer is left almost untouched, and the principal State revenue is collected from corporations and railroads. Inthese States corporations and railroads alone-will nearly average the full amount of our entire State revenue. For many years the StMc has only levied, for State purposes, one dollar and twenty cents on the appraised value of one thousand dollars, whilst the counties, cities, towns, and townships have reached in some instances as high as twenty dollars on the thousand, in addition to tho State tax. making over throe and one-half per cent, per annum on the value ofthe property assessed and taxed. ' ■' \ - ’ '■ ■ ’

It would noit be difficult to select objects Os luxury andCpleasure upon which a sufficient license as tax could be easily levied to pay all the expenses of our charitable and benevolent institutions, ■without resorting to the hard-earned savings of our land owners and laborers. In England and several of our States, a tax on "collateral inheritances,” yields very large revenues. In Pennsylvania, in 1888, the income from that source amounted to $1,378,433.71, and the tax from notaries public amounted to $9,325. In our present financial condition, you will be compelled to raise our taxes to at least twenty-five cents to one hundred dollars, or adopt the system of other States by raising a sufficient revenue from corporations and licenses; and as we are now paying $273,825 interest on our State debt annually, a sinking fund should be provided to liquidate our present, great indebtedness. In default of these recommendations it will be necessary to pass an act. authorizing the officers of State to borrow more money for future expenses. Gentlemen, the problem is in your hands, and I trust you may find away to solve it by just legislation. Alvin P. Hovey. Governor, Dance of the DeviL A fantastic orgy was witnessed at the town of Loongi, the capital of Bullom,. west coast of Airica, by a party of officers from the West India regiment quartered at Sierra Leone. The people of Loongi are Mobamedans, but the dancing devil himself is a relic of not long departed paganism, and so also probably is the dance itself. It takes place in the court yard of the chief’s premises, which is entered through a circular hut. The scene which presents itself to auy one coming suddenly out of the darkness into the noise apd glare is decidedly uncanny. In thb center of a circle which fills the court yard the devil, with an orthodox tail, a great crocodile’s head, and long grass, looking like hair, depending from his body and legs, and swaying as he moves, leaps, beating time with his feet to the beat of the drjjms, while the old women, two a chant and strike their palms together in slow, rhythmical measure, those in the front row bowing down between each beat. The young men, in long robes and cape, wail with the women. Both are under vows, the dance being one of their rites. They look dazed to begin with, but gradually work themselves into a frenzy, and the black faces, the monotonous, wailing cry, the thrumming of the drums, of the ciackers and the beat of the devil’s feet as he springs up, crouches down and swings about, make a scene to shock the quiet moon and stars and gladden Gehenna. North of Sierra Leone, Africa, is Mohamedan, South Pagan and the people have this devil. When Peace is declared between two native tribes the peace devil, who is comes leaping into the town, but if he stumbles or falls it is considered a bad omen and he is put to death for his pains. His dress s sacred, but his person is of no conseqence. ' . .. .' - : T|ie£ibrary ThieL Os all the/contemptible characters mentioned in the annals of crime, about the meanest is the individual known to t the police of almost every city in the world as the library tnief. Ts you have ever visited any of the big circulating libraries of this city you have probably noticed that here” and there through many books entire pages have been either torn or eftt out, entirely defacing and spoiling the volume. If the work islan illustrated one it is the engravings in nine cases out of ten that are missing. That is the handiwork of the thief in question," and every big library in this city has suffered from the depredations of this class of criminals. I visited several oL the big libraries in this city recently to learn something of the methods of the vandals, and what, if any, precautions are taken to secure the books against their depredations. While waiting for the librarian of the Cooper Institute Library my attention was attracted by a file of old newspapers, and in turning over the pages I came across many instances of the handiwork of the thieves. W T hen I called the attention of the official to the' mutilation and stated my object in calling he said: “Yes, that is the work of the library thieves, and a meaner and more contemptible class I have never heard of. Every library in the city has suffered in the same way, and I am' sorry to say that there is absolutely no way of putting an end to the vandalism except by watching every man and woman who take out books, and that, of course, is impossible. Sometimes we catch them, but very seldom, and as tho work is done very quickly and generally when no one is watching them.” The clerks at several other libraries corroborated the story above. They also said that a few of the thieves are ever caught.— Neio York Telegram. Dutch Windmills. You scarcely can stand anywhere in Holland without seeing from one to twenty windmills. Many of them are built in the form of a two story tower, the second story being smaller than the first, with a balcony at its base from which it tapers upward until the cap-like top is reached. High up, near the roof, the great axis juts from the wall; and to this are fastened two prodigious arms, formed somewhat like ladders, bearing great sheets of canvas, whose business is to catch the mischief maker and set him at work. These mills stand like huge giants guarding the country. Their bodies are generally of a dark red; and their heads, or roofs, are made to turn this way and that, according to the direction of the wind. Their round eyewindow is always staring. Altogether they seem to be keeping a vigilant watch in every direction. Sometimes they stand clustered together; sometimes alone, like silent sentinels; sometimes in long rows like ranks of soldiers. You'see them rising from the midst of factory buildings, by the cottages, on the polders (the polders are lakes pumped dry and turned into farms); on the wharves; by the rivers; along the canal; in the cities —everywhere! Holland wouldn’t be Holland without its windmills, any more than it could be Holland without its Dykes and its, Dutchmen.— St. Nicholas. Silk Has Fallen From Favor. Silk is-rapidly declining in fashion, and for the past year there has been a great overproduction of goods, two causes which have had a depressing effect on the trade. There have been several failures recently. Paterson, N. J., is the Lyons of America, and thousands of people depend for their daily^bread on its silk mills. It is calculated that there are over 150 establishments in the place devoted to the silk trade and its many branches. For over a year the popularity of silk for dress goods has been steadily decreasing. Women have found that fine woolen cloth will last twice as long, costs half as much, land is just as pretty as silk, and consequently the demand for the article has declined. *Tvb been doing some fine work,” as tho Prisoner discharged from the house of correoon Mid.

PARAGRAPHS OF LIFE. IN THE GREAT AND GLORIOUS STATE OF INDIANA. Hunters Ignoring the Law—lmpalert on a Pitchfork—Burned to Death— ■ Deaths. . Indiana Legislature. The Legislature of Indiana convened at the State Capitol, January 8. The House was called together by Secretary of State Griffin. The following officers were thereupon selected: Speaker, M. J. Biblack, of Knox; Clerk, Thomas Newkirk, of Rush: Doorkeeper, Frank D. Haimbaugh. of Miami; Assistant Clerk, Charles Crawley, of Sullivan. For Speaker the Republicans voted for Mr. Hess, of Wabash, and for W. F. Severson, of Tippecanoe; B. A. Nay, of Jefferson, and John Childs of Delaware, for Clerk, Assistant Clerk and Door-keeper respectively. The Senate was called to order by Lieut. Gov. Chase, and the following officers were elected: D. H. Fenton, of Lake, Secretary: Geo. F. Pleasants, of Switzerland. Assistant Secretary; O. T. Wells, of Marion, door-keeper, and W. Mannix. of Allen, Postmaster. Th“e Governor's message was read January 9. In the Senate a resplution was presented looking to a redistricting of the State for judicial purposes. Minor State Items. —The name of New Providence. Clark County, has been changed to Barden. —A movement is on foot to start a bank at Darlington,Montgomery County. ■ —John S. Donham, near Brazil, has in his possession a flax-hackle, bearing date 1761; —John R. Moore has been employed as a compositor ami the Wabash Journal Iwcnty-one years. —Fred C. Dahne was arrested in Laporte. Wednesday, charged with scattering "green goods." —John Hitz, Madison fruit-grower,’ says his -raspberries net him a yearly •profit of SSO per acre. — Bud Whitesides was kicked in the head by a mule at Jeffersonville and has gone violently insane. —Michigan City is counting on getting the shops for the manufacture of the Hoffman ice machines. • —Edwin Terrell, minister to Belgium, cabled to his home in Richmond the announcement of his wife's death. —Natural gas, with a strong flow, was struck at Princeton at a depth of 630 feet. The town went wild with enthusiasm. —A stationary engine at the O'Brien wagon-works, at Lafayette, "ran away/’ demolishing itself and everything .within reach. —Mrs. Daniel Forrester, of Liberty, a young widow, was shot twice by Mrs. Harry Griffin. A love affair was the cause. —Mrs. John Hartun was instantly killed near Clay City by the discharge of a revolver lying in a trunk she was moving. —Horace McPherson, near Akron, was terribly disfigured by the accidental discharge of his shotgun in his face. He may die. —Mrs. Edward Poindexter, colored, Marion, was found dead lying by a gas lire, badly burned. Believed to have been murdered. —The daughter of L. N. Redman was fatally injured by being thrown against a desk while romping in a school-house near Millersburg. —A farm-hand named Newby, near Cartersburg. upon entering Jhe barn at the Davis farm, was shot and seriously wounded by tramps. —Henry Baker, a Chicago and Indiana coal road brakeman, was struck on the head by a detached car, at Coxville, and will die of his injuries. — natural gas company, Shelbyville, ifropposition to the one now furnishing the city with gas, will sink wells near Fountaintown. —Joseph Plew, serving a life sentence in the prison north, from Warsaw, for murder, died recently. He confessed his gutlt on his death bed. —Mrs. Edna Fearley, of Shelbyville, got $2,000 damages from Samuel Hamilton, of Madison, for injuries received by falling into his open cistern. —Dr. Edward Viets, of Plymouth, has been held in $2,500 bonds, charged with assaulting Mary, the 14-year-old daughter of Bradley C. Southworth. --John Creamur, of Jeffersonville, who was injured by the fall of a derrick at the Union Cement Company's works, has been paid $4,000 in settlement of his claim. —Mrs. Jacob Carl, Jonesboro, kept count of the pies she baked in 1890, and says the total is 696. Says nothing about the number of dyspeptics in her family. —The Business Men's Association at Crawfordsville, are determined to get the New Market hub and spoKe factory, which can be secured for $5,000 and five acres of land. —Muncie Herald tells about a man named John Edwards, living there, who is sb inhuman mean to his wife that the •‘White Caps” ought to lash him three times a day. , —William Park, teacher at Tiflinger’s school, Clark County, refused to give the usual holiday treat, got into a fight with some of the larger pupils, and was roughly handled. —Dr. Solomon Davis, an old soldier and prominent citizen of Lexington, died of heart disease. The dtd man had been confined to his room for several years from the effects of a fall. He was found sitting in his invalid chair, dead. —Elder Wm. Green, living near Dugger, married and the father of three children, was arrested, charged with being unduly of Miss Lou Cade, a member of his flock. They waltzed him out of the pulpit so quick "his head swimmed.” —At Lincoln, Edward Criswell was found dead within a of his home, with his gun lying near. He was returning from hunting, and is supposed to have met his death by accidents. His bird dog went home and brought the family to his body. —Mr. Michael Gormerly, an old man residing in Shoals, Went about three miles in the country for a wagon-load of hay. While loading his wagon he made a misstep, and, with a pitchfork in his hand, fell, and one tine of the fork passed directly through his heart, killing hinG instantly. He leaves no family.

—The Montgomery County jury has returned an indictment against * • young lady for stetling chickens. —Farmers in the southern part of the J State are killing all the quail they want, ; just utterly ignoring the quail law. t the house of James H. Davis,near 1 Hagan, his little daughter, aged 3 years, * was horribly burned by her clothing ’ igniting while alone in the liouse, and J died within two hours. i * — Mrs. James near Dansille, j poured coal oil all over herself, and then ‘ applied a match. Her husband was * badly burned trying to save her, and ’ botli arc in for repairs. * —Thomas B. Foster, living near 1 W’hite Hall, one of the best known citizens of Monroe Gountv, died from paralysis. He was 71 years old, and a 1 member ot the Christian church. —A Midland train and a freight on the 1 C., C., C. & St. L. colljded at a cross- , ing at New Ross. The Midland engine was destroyed and the engineer severely injured. The property loss was SB,OOO. ' —Ruth Holliflgswortb, a young lady 24 years old, living near Dana, was fatally burned by her dress catching fire from an open fireplace. Her clothing was consumed and her body burned to a crisp. —J. B. Foster, of the Fort Wayne Sentinel composing-room, has invented a contriviance for printers’ use while distributing type, called the ‘‘compositor’s bracelet wrist protector.” Said to be just the thing. —Among the members of the Seventh Cavalry killed in the battle of Wounded Knee were James Coffy, of Richland Township, and James Campbell and W. F. McClintock, or Benton Township, Monre County. e —Albert Cochran, while walking on Main street, Brazil, accidentally slipped and a gun he was carrying discharged itself into his body, tearing one leg off and inflicting a dangerous and p.erhaps fatal wound. ■ —Robert Holloway, of Crawfordsville, has received notice from the Canadian Queen, at Toronto, that he had won one of the first prizes in the word contest, which will either be a free pass to Europe with expenses, or $750. —Jefferson Vest, a resident of Greenw’ood, met with a severe accident the other day. He was working with a revolving emery-wheel when it burst, striking him in the face, breaking both jaw-bones and knocking out his teeth. At the time his injuries were considered fatal, but now he has good prospects of recovery. —Miss Martha Miller, daughter of Judge Miller, of Greensburg, visiting at the residence of Mr. Joseph I. Irwin, Columbus, went out riding with Mr. Win. G. Irwin. YVhen the two returned to the residence the horse tOQk frieht and ran away, throwing Mr. Irwin to the ground and cutting a gash on the top of his head, from which he bled profusely. The buggy was turned over and Miss Miller was thrown out. She suffered a slight wound on the head. —William S. Pope has filed a suit in the Circuit Court at New Castle, against his mother-in-law, Martha Kendall, a wealthy farmer's wife, for alienating the affections of his wife, and asking for $5,000 damages. He alleges that shortly after his marriage to the defendant's daughter, the latter was coaxed and pursuaded to leave him, and that by reason of her desertion of him he has suffered great mental anguish, and had his life rendered a barren waste. —lt is seldom that three weddings occur in one family on the same day, but such a transaction took place at. tha Funderburg residence in Rock Creek Township, Huntington County. The first couple united were Madison Mcllwain and Mrs. Mary Funderburg. Next came Edward Funderburg, son of the former named bride, and Nellie Mcllwain, daughter of the first named groom. Then James Gray and Lillie Funderburg, the latter also Mary’s daughter, took the binding obligation. —The result, with the average percentage of the examinations, for the appointment to West Point for the Eighth district, is as follQws: W. S. Mcßroom, Montgomery County, 94.2; L. G- Cavins, Sullivan, 85.1; Herbert L. Jones, Vigo, 83; Howard Griest, Montgomery, 82.8; Hardy Conver, Fountain, 75.8: Wallace Wheat, Parke, 75.2; Robert F. Darby, Vermillion, 73.4; H. R. Rosencranse, Parke, 63.7; Wm. Plumb, Brazil, 55.6. —A big fall of slate in the Diamond. Mine at Coal Bluff crushed Henry and Joo McCahan, father and son, and slightly injuring Williai* Lawhorn and B. Morgan The former is in a critical condition and may die. In the same mine, Dan Piper caught his hand under a bolt on an ascending cage and was hoisted to the top, nearly a hundred feet. The cage had to be lowered again for his release. —The enterprising farmers of Greenwood have undertaken the cultivation of tobacco. Parties from Lotiisvine will erect a large tobacco warehouse, furnishing them a home market for their products. Several acres were cultivated last year with marked success and large prolitf and this year about one hundred acres will be planted. The tobacco shipped from this place last year was graded first-class and commanded the highest price. This /act promises to make this a great tobacco region. —A South Bend poultry buyer had to pay $5 for bringing a load of ducks to town with their legs tied. South Bend has a vigilant humane society. —Mack and Woody Underwood, colored, aged 11 and 13 years, at Terre Haute, confessed to the robbery of their grandfather and father of $139, and that to cover the theft from the father they burned the house. This was about a ago and so cunningly did the youngsters plan the crime it was only recently that they were suspected. —While Walter Bairlv, of Monticello, was sawing strips at the bending factory, his left hand got caught in the saw at the wrist, and was cut entirely off, leaving only a part of the thumb, which had to be amputated. —A carefully itemized statement of tho amount of building done in Bloomington during the year 1890, foots up a total of $116,430, which does not’include street improving, machinery plants 01 work of that nature. It is claimed that , for a city of five thousand inhabitants 1 this showing cannot be made outside oi 1 the gas belt

IlHaorders Which Affect the Kidney* J Are among the most formidable known. DSa. 9 1 betes, Bright’s disease, gravel, and other com* plaints of the urinary organs are not ordinarily -1 cured iu severe cases, but they may bo averted by timely medication. A useful stimulant oi the urinary glands has ever been found in Hos- fl tetter’s Stomach Bitters, a medicine which not only affords the requisite stimulus when they " become inactiye but increases their vigor and secretive power. By increasing the activity of the kidneys and bladder, this medicine has the i additional effect of expelling from the blood impurities which it is the peculiar office of those organs to eliminate and pass off. The Bitters is also a purifier and strengthener of the bowels, an invigorau t of the stomach, and a matchless remedy for biliousness and fever and ague. It counteracts a tendency to premature decay, and j sustains and comforts the aged and infirm. Why the Price Bose. Customer—What are these beans worth? Grocer—Five cents a pound, madam. ‘‘Good Gracious! That’s an awful c price for beans. What makes them so dear?” “Three Boston drummers were in town yesterday, aud ate one-half the bean crop of this country.’ — Arcola liecord. “I want an honest dollar!” exclaimed the politician. “Go to work, then,” cried one of 41 Ing hearers. — Haven Xeics, ‘flit * In reading over the literary items of the week, I found not much to interest me, until my eye caught sight of an « 1 article headed “Jenis’ Dream."' Imagine my surprise to find it ended up with * a recommendation to use Dr. Pierce’s J Pleasant Pellets. Nevertheless, being 1 a great sufferer from sick headache, I determined to try them, and, to my great joy, I found prompt relief, and by their protracted use, a complete mmunity from such attacks. Pierces Pellets often cure sick headache in an hour. * They are gently laxative or actively * cathartic, according to size of dose. As a pleasant laxative,’take one each night on retiring. For adults, four act as an active, yet painless, cathartic. Cause no griping or sickness. Best Liver Pill ever made. Smallest, Cheapest, Easiest to take. For Constipation, . Indigestion and Bilious Attacks, they have no equal. Manufactured at the Chemical Laboratory of the World’s Dispensary Medical AssodiATiON, No. 663 Main Street, Buffalo, N. Y. “German Syrup” Here is something from Mr. Frank A. Hale, proprietor of the De Witt House, Lewiston, and the Tontine e Hotel, Brunswick, Me. Hotel men meet the world as it comes and goes, and are not slow in sizing people and things up for what they are worth. He says that he has lost a father and several brothers and sis- . ters from Pulmonary Consumption, J and is himself frequently troubled with colds, and he Hereditary often coughs enough to make him sick at Consumptionhis stomach. Whenever he has taken a cold of this kind he uses Boschee’s x German Syrup, and it cures him every time. Here is a man who knows the full danger of lung troubles, and would therefore be most particular as to the medicine he used. What is his opinion ? Listen ! “I use nothing but Boschee’s German Syrup, and have advised, I presume, more than a hundred different persons to take it. They agree with me that it is the best cough syrup * in the market’* <S> SHILOH’S CONSUMPTION a CURE. The success of this Great Cough Cure without a parallel in the history of medicine. All druggists are authorized to sell it on a positive guarantee, a test that no other cure can successfully stand. That it may become known, the Proprietors, at an enormous expense, are placing a Sampjp Bottle Free into every home in the United States and Canada. If you have a Cough, Sore Throat, or Bronchitis, use it, for it will cure you. If your child has the Croup, or Whooping Cough, use it promptly, and relief is sure. If you dread that insidious disease Consumption, use it. Ask your Druggist for SHILOH’S CURE, Price io cts., 50 cts. and SI.OO. If your Lungs are sore or Back lame, use Shiloh’s Porous Plaster, Price 25 cts. PURIFY YOUR a BLOOD. But do not use the dangerous alkaline and mercurial preparations which destroy your nervous system and ruin the digestive J* power of the stomach. The veg Hable king- v dom gives us the best and safest remedial agents. Dr. Sherman devoted tho greater part of his life to the discovery ot this reliable and safe remedy, and all its ingredients are vegetable. He gave it the name ot Prickly Ash Bitton I a name everyone can remember, and to the „ present day nothing has been discovered that is so beneficial for the BLOOD. * or LIVER, for tho KIDNEYS for STOMACH. This remedy is now so well and favorably known by all who have used It that arguments as to its merits are useless, and if others who require a corrective to the system would hut give it a trial the health of this country would be vastly improved. Remember the name—PRICKLY ASH BITTERS. Ask your druggist for it. PRICKLY ASH BITTERS CO. g ST. X.OVIB. Ma