Decatur Democrat, Volume 40, Number 44, Decatur, Adams County, 14 January 1897 — Page 4

THE DEMOCRAT PUBLISHED WEEKLY. DEMOCRATIC PRESS I‘Ll HUSHING CO LEW G. ELLINGHAM, EDITOR. W.ftO PER YEAR IN ADVANCE. Entered at the Post.offlce at. pecatur Indiana as Second-Class Mail Matter. THURSDAY, JAN. 14. A bill has been introduced in the legislature exempting county treasurers and auditors from the requirements to earn their salaries by fees. The bill is offered as an amendment to the fee and salarj law. The McKinley lodge at Elwood have passed resolutions condemn the action of the Federation of Labor ot that city, who resoluted favoring free silver. Whe cause assigned by the McKinley lodge, is based upon the fact that partisan resolutions destroys the purposes of the organization. Our readers will readi'y see that the very name of the McKinley lodge denotes nonpartisanism with a vengeance. The republican caucus Thursday night nominated the millionaire Fairbanks as their candidate for United States Senator, and this, of course, insures his election. The caucus vote was sixty for Fairbanks to twenty-five for the field. His election follows the line of republi can methods. They cater to capital and money and in return generally hold the sack. The influence of Fairbanks in the senate will not be to the interest of the people. Senator LaFollette of Portland, introduced Senate bill No. 16 last Friday. This is an act defining the Twenty-sixth judicial circuit and creating the Fifty-eighth judicial circuit. The bill provides for the appeintment of a judge and prosecuting attorney. The bill was referred to the committee on organization of court. This is the bill making Adams county a separate judicial district, and Senator LaFollette believes it will pass both the senate and tne house and become a law. “In my opinion,” says Hon. R. C. Bell, “the democratic party is now cleaner, better organized and more powerful than ever before. It has got rid of a lot of people identified with the trusts and capitalistic interests of the country, especially those of New York and the east, and New England, and it is well nd of them. No happiefe result could be attained. For more than a quarter of a century these people selfishly dictated the policy of tne party and its nominations. They will never be able to do so againThe silver iasue, in opinion, will not be abandoned. The more the question is agitated the stronger it will become nntil the free and «n---limited coinage of ailver must and will obtain.”

From week to week the weekly review of trade by the two commercial agencies which had made the most confident predictions of a return of prosperity, admit their disappointment at the failure of their predictions. They admit that business has not revived, and that prices have fallen. All of the leading papers have tried to belittle the awful rush of failures since election, but the weekly tables of Dunn and Bradstreet’s commercial agencies show that the failures for the last tour weeks have reached the tremendous total of over fourteen hundred? Banks have been tumbling in every direction. The poverty and misery in all the great cities is greater than ever known before. Even with the advantage of an unprecedented demand caused by the failure of crops and famine in India, the farmers can’t raise money enough to pay their taxes. The last legislative message of Governor Matteews was read last Friday. It covers about eight columns of closely printed matter and reviews the public affairs of the state in a very clear and concise manner. The total state debt was reduced 12,110,000 The number of prisoners in the prison north and south are given at 1,659. The present law requiring that prison ers whose term expired be taken back to the county jail where sentenced from, be repealed. During the last two years 115 pardons have been granted and thirty-two fines remitted. There are 3,158 patients in the central, northern, southern and eastern Insane hospital and 312 in the deaf and dumb institute. All are reported to be in excellent condition. All the affairs of state . were treated in a business manner, the usual wav the governor exer cises in dealing with public questions. He retires from office next Monday noon.

IN COURT. any improper or immoral advancments toward me and there was nothing ever said or done between ua, other than what was proper and right. Cross examined —received a number of letters from Mr. Moffett, but none of them contained anything of a secret nature. The reason offered by Mr. Moffett as to secrecy about his first visit to I’erre Haute was owing to his candidacy for a position on the board of trustees. Nothing said on his second visit about not writing home the fact that he was there. Had received the picture of Mr. -Moffett and also a book. Heard none of the girls say anything as to why Mr. Moffett was m Terre Haute, and I also heard none of the girls say “he was a villian.” Mentioned to Mr. Moffett about how the girls were criticising me, but he said it was all right. Remained away from reception by no arrangements. Mr. Moffett insisted on our going. MBS. HELEN M. BLOSSOM. Send three children to school. Reputation of superintendent has been good. Think it would be detrimental to the inteiest of the schools to remove him. Cross examined —have heard rumors about Mr. Moffett. Think it would be detrimental because it would distract attention from the scholars. GODFREY CHRISTEN. Reputation of Superintend Moffett up to January 7, 1897, was good. If guilty he should be dismissed, and retained if not guilty. Cross examined—think his influence would be better if re-instated, if charges are untrue. Have heard bis reputation questioned. LEWIS C. MILLER. Have two children in the school. Reputation of superintendent is good. From what I now know it would be detrimental to remove him. Cross examined —if charges afe true he is unfit to hold the position. DANIEL P. BOLDS. Have son in the high school. Reputation of Mr. Moffett was good up to January 7, 1897. Think it would be to the best interest to retain him. Cross examined—heard some talk about the inorality pf the superintenpent. Never heard his reputation questioned. A. L. DEVILBISS.

The reputation of A. D. Moffett was good up to and including Jan. 7, 1897. Have a daughter in the high school. Think it would be injurious to remove him. Cross examined—have heard his reputation questioned and commended. JOHNS. NIBLICK. The reputation for morality of Superintendent Moffett was good. Cross examined—not heard anything about the evidence in the case. WILLIAM PILLARS. One of the original petitioners. Reason filed affidavit to release my name from the petition and simply thought it was a petition asking the board to investigate the charges. Didn’t know the petition alleged any charges. Ben Smith and Peter Forbing told him he might get himself into trouble. Think the charges should be investigated. HENRY WINNER. Heard his reputation questioned, but never took any stock in it. Would not consider the superintendent a moral man if charges are true. Been acquainted with Mr. Moffett for four years. FRANK M. BCHIRMEYER. The superintendent’s reputuation was good. Heard his reputation question lately. The action stipulated about his visit to Terre Haute might be considered indiscrete, although there might be circumstances of an explanatory nature, which would make it all right. E. D. PATTERSON, Am a patron of the school. The reputation of Mr. Moffett was good up to January 7, 1897. My opinion is based on what 1 know about him. JOHN D. HALE. The reputation of defendant this school year has been good. Never said in Luckey’s that it would be beneficial to remove Mr. Moffett. Think it to the best interests of the school to retain him as superintendent. Cross examined—know nothing against the moral reputation of Mr. Moffett. Might circumstances exist that would make the actions of Supt. Moffett indiscrete. DELL LOCKE. The reputation of Mr. Moffett was good upto time charges were filed. Think circumstance would govern the actions <>f discreteness as stated in his visits to Terre Haute. ERED iSCHAFER. The reputation of A. D. Moffett is good so far as my personal knowledge goes. Crose examined

—have heard rumors questionmig bis reputation some ten days ago. MARIE L. HOLLOWAY. So far as I know think Superintendent Moffett’s reputation is good. Wouldn’t consider his actions at Terre Haute as immoral. D’FRENCH QUINN. Am acquainted with and think the reputation of A. D. Moffett is good. Am a graduate from the public schools in this city. Cross examined—from his actions as I personally knew him, is what I base his reputation upon. Have not given the rumors much thought. Had told the superintendent that in my opinion as a friend it would be to his interest to resign, conditionally that the school board would exhonrate him. A. K. GBUBB. Consider the reputation of the superintendent during this school year as being good. Think it would be detrimental to remove him at this time. Cross examined—my opinion is based upon personal knowledge. A. D. MOFFETT. Am 37 years old and married. Have been principal and superintendent five years. Am a graduate ot Spencer High School, University of Indiana and post graduate of John Hopkins University. Hold state license. Was candidate for trustee of otate Normal School. Told France, Merryman, Gregg and Erwin about my candidacy. Attended educational meeting at Indianapolis Nov. 12, 13 and 14. Went to Terre Haute Sept. 29, to consult brother attending the State Normal. Brother’s name is Mark H. Moffett. With former pupile Hattie Burns, Nellie Krick, Faye Edwards and Josephine Congleton, Kate Jackson saw them first. Met Josie Congleton at rooming house in hallway going to my brothers’s room. Weut from there to Main street restaurant tor supper with Faye Edwards and Josie Congleton. Went from there up Main street to rooming place of girls, bat on front porch an talked. House was on public thoroughfare and lighted by gas. Was on porch for one hour. Was not alone with Josie Congleton any of that time. Went from there into parlor. Blinds were up. Room had two large windows fronting on street. Parlor door was open. Was there for an hour. Then brother Mark came. He remained for an hour. He ntired and left two girls there, in a few mintute Faye Edwards left. I said “if either o£sou desire to have a conversation with me you will have to remain.’’ Josie Congleton remained. Lights at windows and door same. Remained one hour. I went to room and she did also. Met her next morning and went to breakfast. Candidate for trustee of State Normal. Went to Terre Haute again on November 14th. Went there from my father’s, 70 miles southwest ot Indianapolis, and 11 miles northeast of Spencer, county seat of Owen county. Father is 70 years old, is in bad health. Went there at his request. Went to I’erre Haute to see my brother principally about position in public school. Got there on Saturday at 4 o’clock. First went to my brother’s room. Then went down to city. Went back towards boarding house of Fay Edwards and Josie Congleton. Went then with Josie to her room. Was there about three minutes. Missess Edward, Jackson and Burns were there. Was there one and a half hours, then went away. Girls remained. Saw Josie next morning at breakfast. Were four of us. Four squares from rooming place. Population of Terre Haute is 35,000. After breakfast went to parlor of bouse where Hattie Burns roomed. All girls were there except Kate Jackson. Faye Edwards Josie Congleton and myself were there three-quarters of an hour. From there Faye Edwards, Josie Congleton and myself returned to girls rooming place, They went to their room and I went to my brother’s. Saw Josie an hour afterwards between 9 and 10. Went from there train, Miss Congleton and my brother went with me. Went from there to Indianapolis. Reception was held my first visit to Terre Haute. I urged girls to go notwithstanding my being there. I told girls while there not to write home about my visit. Did not want enemies in Decatur to know I was a candidate for trustee. Went with my brother to breakfast. From there went with Kate Jackson, Josie Congleton and Faye Edwards to their rooming place. From there to the parlor of house of Hattie Burns. We went to poet offiee. Saw Josie next in the afternoon about 2 o’clock. Went in a buggy to her rooming house. Told my brother to tell Josie to come down, I wanted to take here to a relative, W. W. Pugh. Sh 6 came, drove to outskirts city. People were not at home. Drove back through public streets. Started about 2 o’clock, returned 3:30. She went to her room. Returned, with buggy to friend, where I got it. Saw her next at breakfast next

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morning. Went with Josie Congleton, Faye Edwards and Kate Jackson to normal school building. Not in Josie’s company alone while there. Went from there to president’s office. Was there threequarters of an hour. Met Professors Kelso, Charmon, Dryer, Curry, Stoker. Went from there to recitation room of Professor Curry, with Faye Edwards and Josie Congleton. Went from there to chapel. From there with Professor Sanderson to his room. Next met girls in assembly room. Next saw girls at dinner. From there to my brother’s room, 428 North 6| street. Next saw Faye Edwards about three-quarters of an hour afterwards. Saw Josie Congleton in assembly room, in presence of 150 students. Did not see her any more. Was at Terre Haute last Saturday. Went there to get Josephine Congleton’s' deposition. Went there with Judge Moffett. Called in morning; did not see her. Did not see her at all. Went from there to my brother’s room, and two hours afterward started for home. Was talking about school work in parlor on the evening was together with Josie Conleton at Terre Haute. Court here adjourned until this (Thursday) afternoon, at two o’clock. SILVER WEDBING. On last Tuesday Mr. and Mrs. B. Wemhoff celebrated their silver wedding. Twenty-five years before had they stood at the altar and made sacred vows to love, honor and protect each other while life does last. A quarter of a century has passed away and how well the pledges they made have been kept, is plainly apparent. Last Tuesday the elegant home of the Wemhofts on Fourth street was thrown open to a host of invited guests in honor of the happy event. The day was made doubly pleasant from the fact that their eldest son, George, led to the altar on this their twentyfifth anniversary Miss Osa France, one of Decatur’s charming young ladies. There were also present for the occasion Mr. and Mrs. F. Mcßennett, of Fort Wayne, who stood by the side of Mr. and Mrs. Wemhoff twenty-five years ago and also received the marital blessing. Words of congratulation were poured in upon the New and the Old the entire day. In the evening an elegant repast was served to their friends, and within the elegant residence from that time until the guests took their departure nothing reigned but happiness. A large number of elegant presents were received bat space forbids us giving each one particular mention. May they all live celebrate many more wedding anniversaries is the earnest wish of the Demoobat. Wilson Gilson, an old and re spected citizen of this city, died Tuesday morning, aged eighty year. Consumption was the cause of his death. The funeral occurred this morning at 10 o’clock from the Presbyterian chuich. Interment at Maplewood. A vast concourse of sorrowing relatives and friends so lowed the remains to their last resting place. Bead the new advertisement of John and W. H. Niblick which occupies a half section on page five. They promise astounding reductions and our readers should take advantage of the excursion rates offered. ■

DRAWING SALARI BUT THE PEOPLE GET VERY LITTLE FOR THEIR MONEY. One Week of Republlcauitim In the Legislature Results In but Small Amount •f Good—Mention of Democratic Leaders — Pen Sketches of Members and Amusing Stories. Special Correspondence. Indianapolis, Jan. 13. —Since my last letter we have had nearly a week of salary drawing among the legislators, and little else. Thursday the members worked an hour or two in completing organization according to caucus plans and parceling out minor places. Friday they did little' more than listen to the excellent message from Governor Matthews. Saturday and Sunday they rested. Monday they assisted in the inauguration of Governor Mount, and Tuesday they did log rolling in connection with the night’s caucus on senator. It doesn’t take long to figure out how little the people got for their money during the first few days. That the house majority is afraid of the very able Democratic minority has been demonstrated by its unfair adoption of an ironclad cloture rule, which prevents appeal from the decisions of the speaker except upon a two-thirds vote. The plan is to throttle nearly half of the representatives because they come from Democratic constituents. ❖ «> <• "Who will bo the Democratic leaders in the assembly?” is a question that is interesting politicians at present. It is conceded that th* minority of the assembly is without a single exception composed of as able a body of mon as over sat in the minority. The minority of the house has in its momberahip such stable men as L. U. Downey of Gosport, chairman of the caucus; the Honor able John ». Bast of Bloomington; Attorney Eichhorn of Bluffton and John Feist of Yorkville. The latter is an aged man who advocated the free coinage of silver back in those days when it was almost worth a man’s reputation to do sc. He is regarded as a typical silver man of the Holman school. Then there is “Tom" Mann of Graysville, a taH man with a flowing board, who has been a figure in politics for a long time; Taylor Record, an influential farmer of New Harmony; Moses Remington of Brownsville, who proved such a good representative before that he was sent back, and Albert Schoonover of Attica, a bright young man whose father, Hon. J. E. Schoonover, has been prominent in politics for a long time. Other shining lights in the house are Bellamy Sutton of Shelbyville, an ox-railroad man; Allen Swope, the caucus nominee for speaker; Peter Wallrath, a Gorman editor of Logansport, whom everybody likes and who has tho reputation of being one of the biggest-hear tod men in tho assembly; Adam Wise of Plymouth, and Solomon Wiener, of Whitley county. Tho latter is a Jew who wen* to South Whitley several years ago a poor boy and by economy and fairdealing succeeded in amassing riehoo. In tho senate are Mr. Sweeney of Jasper, a holdover senator who io noted for his hail-fellow-well-met qualities; Senator Horner of Brasil, author of the Indiana digest; W. H. Nnsbaum of Auburn, who has devoted long years of servioo to the silver cause; Senator Stroup, the bright young man from Shelbyville, and Senator Bobilya, who was in the house last term and who promises to take rank as the Lord Chesterfield es the senate. And “there are others”- many of them. hkh , The youngest member of the general assembly is Charles E. Henderson, a bright young lawyer of Bloomfield. On account of his youth, probably more than for any other reason, hd was made permanent secretary of the Republican

caucus. Mr. nenaerson is But 2A aucr has had an interesting career. Young Henderson was born in 1871 at St. Paul, Ind , and at 1 year of age his residence was changed te Bloomfield. He lived there until 1886, when he went to Oregon and began a six years’ course in the University of Oregon, which he completed, and then went in Juno, 1893, to Chicago to attend the world’s fair. He had been as poor financially as Job’s turkey was in flesh and it was a puzzle to him to determine how he was to see the fair without money. He finally hit upon the plan of pushing one of the chairs around the grounds. In this way he got to see the entire fair, completing a post graduate course which, while not or the regulation kind and with none of the furbelows of aristocracy accompanying it, was at least full of instruction. He was known during this time as “No. 1029,” and he now laughingly relates that it was a genuine joy to him to get back his name at the close of the fair. He went at once to Bloomfield, where he taught school and made money enough to take him through Ann Arbor Inw school. He graduated there in 1895 and took up the practice of law at Bloomfield at once. Ho defeated five candidates for tho nomination for representative at the primary and won a triumph in the election with the two other parties fused against him. He made 89 speeches during the campaign. In hie personal appearance ho is an Adonis, being ever six fset tall, straight as an arrow and well proportioned. He was married on Sept. 30 last to Miss Margaret Cavins, the accomplished daughter of Colonel Adon Cavins, a prominent lawyer of Bloomfield. His friends prediet much for him in the future. Ono of the amusing occurrences of the past week happened at tho Denison. "Big Joo” Healing of this city (who, by the way, is currently booked for the rifiee ot district attorney) leohs enough Mke Representative Nicholson to be easfiy mistaken as hie brother. Baeh towers so much above tho common herd of politicians in physical measurement that they have come to bo known as the “twin giants of the lobbies.” Not all of the representatives know them apart, and among those who did not (but who do now) is a doughty little representative from one of the out counties. Nicholson, as a matter of course, bears tho reputation of despising liquor in all forms as the ordinary person despises a serpent. On the evening in question tho representative, blew into the lobby frosh from homo. One of the first men he mot was Sealing. Reaching his hand out, he said: "How are you, Mr. Nicholson?” Mr. Keeling, ever appreciative of a joke, gave the outstretched hand a generous shake, and said, in his deep, statesmanlike voice: “How are you?” "It’s been along time since I saw you,” continued the other. “Yes, it has,” returned Healing, and then, without cracking a smile, ho stepped a pace in the direction of the barnoom, adding: “Come on and let’s have a drink.” Tho legislator nearly fainted and Kealing turned the laugh on him in great stylo. The story leuked out and since then it has created a great deal of merriment among tho mombnrs. -A A A It io a foot which hae escaped general attention that whan fipoahev Petit was sworn in last weak ail of tho ag-speakers, without exception, who have served K w.a« the now statehouse waa built, wore witnesses of the auspicious event. They were Warren iayro, who served in tho legislature of 1887; Mason J. Niblack, who served in *B9 and ’9l; James B. Curtis, speaker in ’9B, and Justus O. Adams, who wielded the gavel in 1895. There seems to be a fascination about the work of the legislature that”is continually attracting the attention of ex-offi-cials as well as ex-members. The electoral colleges of the several states met on Tuesday and cast their votes for president. It’s now an assured fact it will be McKinley.