Decatur Democrat, Volume 41, Number 51, Decatur, Adams County, 3 March 1898 — Page 1

ALL THE NEWS ALL THE TIME.

VOLUME XLI.

C. E. Doty has removed his tailor shop into the' building occupied formerly by Miss Mary Closs on Monroe ' street. Last Tuesday was moving day. E. Burt Lenhart, the popular young deputy clerk, was initiated into the i Masonic lodge of this city last Tuesday evening. The boys say Burt rode 1 the goat quite gracefully. i Miss Nellie Fitzsimmons of Bucyrus, Ohio, will give an elocutionary entertainment at the Presbyterian < church this evening, for the benefit of the church. Miss Fitzsimmons comes well recommended and the entertainment will be a good one. Admission 10 cents. Frank Schirmeyer received a pamphlet last Monday which tells of the terrible sufferings of the patriotic citizens of Cuba. It was accompanied by a letter asking for aid and Frank will, with the assistance of our people, respond to the call. It is a burning shame that thousands of people with-, in a hundred miles of our patriotic land, should be starving, but nevertheless such is the case. Let us respond liberally to this cry for help. James Woods, who was brought to this city from Berne about three weeks ago and placed in the county p<x>r farm was on last Thursday, the subject of an insane inquest which was held at the county farm by Drs. Coverdale and Clark and Esquires J. R. Smith and J. H. Smith. The result of the examination was that Woods was declared insane and application was made for his confinement in the state hospital for the insane at Riehrmond. There was some doubt as to whether or not this institution would receive Woods owing to the sact that his exact residence could not be ascertained. On Monday, however, word was received that the application had been approved and Woods was immediately taken to that place. It is said he was quite dangerous when at large and the authorities did exactly the right tiling when they conducted the examination and thus found a home for him. The circuit court records the following business of the week past: Hattie McAfee vs. the city of Bluffton, before James R. Bobo, special judge, plaintiff files a remitter of $300; the motion of defendant for a new trial was overruled; an appeal to the appellate court was granted and bond in the sum of $3,500 approved. Sarah Jane Lanthen vs. Simon Brandyberry administrator, dismissed. State vs. Charles E, Everett, motion to take deposition granted. State vs. Wesley LaWspn, dismissed. Lida Atwood vs, ~P, ¥. Ashbaueher, set for trial March 17. State vs. Ben Lengerich, set for trial March 17. State vs. Amos Herrmann, continued. Clara Tuttle at ws. Chauncey Lee et al. Paul Hooper and A. P. Beatty as comminsjoners made a report. Husta Helm vs. Geo, Heim, divorce granted. State vs, Isaac Robinson, set for trial March 16. ►Christian Amacher vs. Frederick Amracher. petition filed declaring defendauitrif unsound mind. State vs. Jacob Weaver, dismissed. State vs. Henry dismissed. Peter J. Bryan admitted bar. Emanuel Woods vs. City of Decatur, dismissed. State ex ■rei Nora Mangold, auditor, vs. Dan P. Bolds, suit to retaX cost, set for trial March 24. State vs. Albert Dailey, set for trial March 11. There arc but few of ouf readers who do not remember the murde/ of Amos Backestoe which occured a fewmiles south of this city SOtne fifteen years ago. The following account of the divorce of Mrs. Anita Halley, nee Mrs. Backestoe, and a history of the murderis taken from the Bluffton Chronicle and may lie interesting to a great many of the Democat’s readers: Judge Vaughn last week granted a divorce to Mrs. Anita Halley from M ■ H. Halley, of Berne, that recalls a murder that some years ago set Adams county on fire and almost caused a lynching bee. Mrs. Halley is now residing in the city, and is employed in the home of Hugh Dougherty. In 1883 XI .the home of Amos Backestoe in Adrtg.ns county was entered by two men ;au.' he was shot in cold blood in the * vety- presence of his wife. Three par dies were apprehended. Fred and ■ George Richards and Charles Werst. a mob formed and took the i memtotfcU fair grounds with intention .of lymftan.g them. They strung t George tup jand endeavored to wring a . confessionojat of him. About the time the real ilyn</ih. g was to occur the leader Os 'the pa rt y weakened, the . murderers were 3-ew. ued and hurried to Fort W.aynet for safety- Judge Vaughn was then Prosecutor V .lughn, and he ' succeeded'in landing V, erst in the penitentiary for life- Ric.'iards was I tried at Fort Wayne, sentenced to be hung, .secured a .new tria. 1 - and . finally got a life sentence. George .Richards was never brought to tria'. but moved to Bluffton, and resided here for sous - years. Hi 1 was partially paralyzed from the effects of the stringing up he received at the hand* of the Decatur mob Mrs. Backestoe 'married Halley at Berne- She stated on the stand that she was persuaded into the step by her women friends. Halley proved worse than worthless, and she decided upon a divorce application. Mrs. Halley was also granted a petition to change her name hack to Anita Backestoe.

Obcatilß

Chris Beery is buying horses this week in a number of Minnesota towns, with headquarters at Owetonna, he having left for there last Sunday. The Ladies’ Missionary Society will give a missionary tea in the dining room at the Methodist church this evening for fifteen cents. Hot chicken and many other delicacies will be served. Don’t miss it. Mrs. Rebecca True, the aged mother of Chas. F. True, while ascending the steps at the latter’s home on Winchester street, had the misfortune to slip and fall, dislocating her right shoulder. Owing to the age of Mrs. True the fracture is a very serious one and it will no doubt be quite a while before she will have the use of her right arm. Dr. Boyers is taking care of the fracture. The accident occurred last Monday. What is thought to be another murder has just been brought to light at Portland. The frozen body of a man, supposed to be J. H. Clark, of Buffalo, New York, was found last Saturday, buried underneath a fodder shock, on the farm of Erastus R. Whipple, a mile and a half southeast of Portland. The man had probably been dead for ten days or two weeks and his entire face had been gnawed away by field mice and rats. The body was found by Isaac Garsinger, a farm hand when putting a load of fodder on the wagon to haul into the barn. It is not known whether this is another case of murder or not. The man was neatly dressed and was identified by a receipt found in one of his pockets. The coroner’s verdict has not been rendered yet but it is thought it will be death from exposure. This grewsome discovery coming on the heels of the Stolz murder and two other sudden deaths in the vicinity of Portland has thrown that city into a state of tremendous excitement. The body was buried Tuesday afternoon. It will be remembered by our readers that in the last issue of the Democrat the fact was mentioned that a business change was about to be consummated in which Dell Locke, former proprietor of the Burt House, would obtain a half interest in one of the largest retail stores in the city, but that we would withhold particulars until this week. The change was made last Thursday morning and the firm which has been known during the past year as Holthouse & Mougey is now Mougey & Locke. Mr. Locke took possession last Tuesday and is now fully installed in his new place of business'. The retiring member of the q|d firm, A. Holthouse, is one of the best known business men in the city. He has been engaged in the shoe business in this county for the past twentypine years and there are many who will regret to hear of him selling his interest. He will remain here for some time closing up his accounts and other matters of business and will then in all probability go to Delphi where he is cGl'/nectod with his son, Clem, in the shoe business. The new firm neeas no introduction to our readers. They are both well known business men in this city, having lived here for a number of years and we predict for them all sorts of good luck and business. Read their ad in another column. Harry Hart, an old Decatur boy, who left home twenty-one years ago and who was not heard of for fourteen years, returned to this city last Saturday for a few days visit. Harry is the game old boy that he was some "twenty years ago,” except perhaps a little older. He has traveled over nearly all of the western states, his home at various times being in the principal cities of Colorado, Utah and Washington. He has been employed by the government twelve years during his absence, has owned several stock ranches and been interested in some of the largest mines in the west. Himself and partner now own one of the best gold mines in the mountains of Colorado, where they have lieen during the past two years, and it is in the interest of this business that they are now in the east. His partner went on to New York and returning, met Harry here yesterday and they left immediately for their western 'home. Mr. Hart, it is said, has accumulated quite a snug fortune and need , have no worry as to his future needs and happiness on that score. . His pathway during his absence has not however been strewn with roses, J on the contrary, he has gone through j many hardships. He is now just re- , covering from a severe sick spell, , having been confined for over three , months with pneumonia. It will also , be remembered that a few years ago , he was reported dead and quite a numi ber of our citizens never know any i different. In explaining this story he ' says he did meet with a serious accii dent, but after hovering between life j and death for many months, finally survived. He was going over the moun- ! tains when he slipped and fell, breaking his leg and otherwise injuring himself. He lay in this condition for two days l>efore being found. He is, however, now fully recovered from that accident and no effects can lie noticed except a slight limp in his walk. Harry says that Decatur is greatly changed since his departure, but that he finds many familiar faces. Mr. Hart is a brother of Mrs, Dr. P. B. Thomas.

DECATUR, INDIANA, THURSDAY, MARCH 3, 1898.

Mrs Ed Coffee, of this city, and Mrs. M. L. Oliver, of Monroe, returned from Huntington, Tuesday, where they were visiting Mrs. J. J. Chubb, who is lying very low with dropsy. Her condition is critical. Mrs. William Porter of Pleasant Mills, who has been sick for several weeks with cancer of the breast is reported no better. An operation which it was thought would save her life was performed by Dr. Porter of Fort Wayne, a few weeks ago. but instead of helping her, she has been gradually growing weaker and is now in a very serious condition. It is to be hoped, however, that she may yet rally. W. A. Brown, a representative of the Standard Oil Co., was in the city yesterday. From him we learned much about oil that had before remained a hidden mystery, and it seems to be the aim and object of the Company to educate the people in this line. Most of the dissatisfaction arising over “poor oil” comes from the improper care of lamps, and the Company now proposes to meet you in your own home and instruct you upon this much neglected but important feature. The services of Charles N. Spencer has been secured and next Monday he will begin this newly inaugurated system. Every family in Decatur will be visited, and we hope a cordial reception will be given him, as the object is well intended and should be so received. It is an undisputed fact that the Standard makes the only real thing when it comes to oil. No other institution is so well equipped to take the various elements through the proper stages and into the par excellence of good burning oil. The people here, however, all realize this fact, as their agent, Alex. Hoyer, now has all the business he can attend to. Don’t forget the oratorical contest which is to take place next Mondayevening at Bosse’s opera house. The following is the program: Music; prayer; opening address; oration, “A Picture of Ambition,” Nora Smith; oration. “Ideal Womanhood,” Anna Sellemeyer; oration, "The Orchestra of Life,” Effie Woodward; oration, “Honor in Politics,” Arthur Suttles; oration, "Power of Faith,” Mabie Edwards. Vocal solo, Ethel King; declamation, “The Dutchman’s Snake,” Robert Schrock; declamation, "Hannah Jane,” Josephine Niblick; declamation, “The New Lochinvar,” Agnes Schrock; declamation, "A Horse Race Fifty Years Ago,” Fannie DeVilbiss. Music. Decision of judges. Judges, Supt. R. I. Hamilton, Huntington, Ind., Miss Mary E. Stephens, Fort Wayne, Ind., Prof. H. A. Hartman, Van Wert, Ohio. From the above list two names will be announced; one to represent the Decatur schools in oratory and the other in declamation at the' Eastern Indiana contest at Muncie. A prize of $5 will be awarded to each of the winners. Be sure to hear this. It will not only bo entertaining but will show strength and ability. Get j-our tickets now Admission rd 15 ana 26 cents. Reserved seats a Holthouse & Callow's drug store. The agitation of the gravel road question is being received with favor by many farmers and others who realize the necessity for better roads. The matter is beginning to reach a condition wherein the only necessity for a successful termination is the proper encouragement by every one interested. Several petitions are already in circulation, and under the law providing for each township building its own roads, there is no reason why Adams county should be wading knee-deep in mud. A route suggested covering the northern and eastern towmships has been laid before us. According to its suggestions the road begins at the Allen county line running south in Union township to the Kohr school house, thence east to the state line and west two miles to the Aber school house, thence north to the Allen county line and south to the Dent school house. This would give north Union, Root and Preble townships a good road to this city. For another road it has been suggested that a route east past the Studebaker home to the state line, then intersecting this road at the Ed Moses farm, running thence south through Rivarre and Pleasant Mills to the Blue Creek township line, or on through Blue Creek to Jefferson township. Then the south road either through Monroe or on the township road to Jefferson. These are a few of the most needed improvements; and we hope soon to h<’iir of petitions being presented to the boat'd of Commissioners for their official action. Now is the proper time to act. The subject is of vast importance to every farmer who is now confronted with public roads that have anything but a bottom, Better roads should be the motto. In order to push the project as it should be done. Union and Root I townships should jointly vote upon I the question, and in order to do that 'a petition should be filed with the i board of Commissioners at this March I session which begins next Monday. The viewing and estimating of the work will take sotwefime. but the election can lie arranged to take place before the spring work begins. It is a bright opportunity for the residents of these townships to supply them- , selves with good roads, and We hope ' to hear of them taking advantage of it.

Rev. Gregg held quarterly services at the Methodest church last Sunday < morning and delivered a very eloquent i talk in administering communion, i This is the last communion services t which it will be the duty of Rev. 1 Gregg to perform and in consequence i thereof an unusually large number of v members were at the table. t The Portland high school held their 5 primary contest for the purpose of naming their standard bearers for the f approaching state and eastern Indiana oratorical contest, last Friday evening, f There were a number of contestants j and according to the account given of t the exercises in the Portland papers, ] all did excellently. The winners were: f J. E. Jellison and Walter Kunse, ora- } tors; and Bessie Humphries and Earl j Cartwright, speakers. There were ] four contestants for the oratorical ( prizes and nine for the speakers honors, j Albert Lehman, the three year old * son of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel J. Leh- I man, of this city, died at an early hour 1 last Friday morning of inflamation of ' the stomach. The child had been sick * for some time, although he was not I thought to be in a dangerous condition 1 until the day before his death when • he became suddenly worse and al- ] though everything possible was done and the best physicians in the city 1 were consulted, but it seemed his life ■ was not to be spared and his little soul winged its flight to that lx>tter land early Friday morning. The funeral services were held from the Methodist . church at one o’clock last Sunday afternoon, conducted by Rev. Gregg. Albert J. Lehman, son of Samuel J. and Anna I. Lehman, was born in Decatur, Indiana. December 5, 1894, and died February 25, 1898, aged three years, two months and twenty days. He passed away exactly the same time of the night as he arrived. The circle was complete. He was never a very strong child, having been sick one half his life. His was a singularly bright mind placed in a particularly frail vessel. He could not remain long, but hastened on to know that concerning that of which he wondered here. With the sweet devotion of a child he never failed at night to offer up his prayer. “Mamma, you will stay with me, won’t you ?” was lisped in sweetest childish accent. Through the last dreadful hours he patiently bore it all. He fully expected to attend church upon the next Sabbath. He is attending the church triumph ant. He was baptized Oct. 27, 1895. The council of the city of Decatur met in regular session in their hall on Monroe street last Tuesday evening with Knoff, Coverdale, Rice, Teeple and Niblick present. The mayor being absent, J. S. Coverdale acted as president of the meeting. The reading of the minutes of the meeting of February 22, was dispensed with. The ordinance known as the curfew ordinance, prohibiting persons under sixteen years of age from being on the streets of the city of Decatur after certain hours, which was read for the first time February 15, was given the second reading and on motion ordered engrossed. On a motion sustained by a two-third vote of the entire common council, the rules were suspended and the ordinance placed on its third reading. The orainance was then read a third timeand placed on final passage. The roll was called on the passage of said ordinance and the vote was as follows: Coverdale, yea; Knoff. yea; Teeple, yea; Rice, yea; Niblick, yea. There not being even one dissenting vote, the bill was declared carried and the proper instructions given the clerk. The report of the finance committee on the E. Woods matter was approved. The finance committee then made the following report on loans, which was approved: “Your committee, to whom was referred the refunding of outstanding city orders, would report that we made a loan with the Old Adams County Bank on the sixth day of January, 1898 for $3,000, and also one for the same amount on the same day with the Decatur National Bank, and that we turned all said money over to the city treasurer, Charles F. True and herewith file his receipt for the same. Signed Teeple and Niblick, finance committee” The following bills were allowed: Fire department account Cordua fire sl3, account Moser fire $15.50, Fort Wayne Electric Co. $24.50, A. J. Reynolds $1.22. Brooks Oil Co. $9.18, J.'Eady $.75. C. Peterson MO. M. Jackson S4O, C. Dcrwin S4O, M. Mylott $25, Wm. Geary $5, G. Kinzle $45, J. Coverdale 1 90 c, W. D. Allen & Co. $36.65, F. A. I Dibble, freight bills, $2.75. The street commissioner’s pay roll was then allowed. The bill of Townsend & Cox was referred to the committee on water works together with the water works superintendent. The electric light committee reported that they' had been successful in making a contract with the Chicago & Erie Railway Co., whereby the company agreed to maintain two lights and a half. One at the Mercer street crossing, one at Winchester street and one-half of the expense of the light at Line street, the Clover Leaf railway to pay the other half of the light at Line street. The contract in form was read and approved bv the council and electric light ■ committee instructed to execute the same for and in behalf of the city of Decatur. Ou motion council adjourned.

Huntington is again without a Sunday newspaper. The Sunday Morn- : ing Tribune having suspended publi- ■ cation. J. A. Perkins, the late editor and publisher, having accepted a . lucrative position on one of the largest newspapers in Chicago, whither he i went last Monday. Mr. Perkins was i a thorough newspaper man but it ■ seems that Huntington cannot yet i support a Sunday paper, even though i she has a police force. ; The following article taken from j the Bluffton Chronicle of last week, j gives the views of John Frysinger of this city, as to the future horse mar- . ket. John thinks that a horse famine will lie the regular order of ; business in this country within the next few years: J. M. Frysinger of Decatur, is one of the largest shippers of horses in Indiana, and buys many in Wells county. He has been to ( Germany a dozen times in the last ( few years. In an interview concerning prices he said: “Horses are bringing better prices than formerly and in the course of a few years there will be a famine of horse flesh for ordinary purposes in this country. The demand for American horses for ordinary purposes in Germany and other parts of Europe is growing rapidly. I have now about 200 head purchased and about 100 on the way to Germany. They will be sold to the farmers. It is a mistake to believe that the horses we ship abroad are bought for cavalry purposes. The German government buys its cavalry stock mostly from the German farmers who gat her at the fairs and show their colts. If the inspectors pass favorably upon a horse, and sometimes it is hinted that a consideration will secure a favorable report, the horse is bought at a fancy price. Americans do not, as a rule, understand that the government there owns all the stallions, and that their services costs much less in Germany than American farmers pay. The Germans know nothing of the broad heavy draft animals that we raise. Their breeds are coachers, as a rule. In our trade with them we compete with Belgium and Denmark, but we can beat them in quality and price. So large has our business grown that one must speak weeks ahead to secure vessel room for a shipment. The business of shipping mules abroad is also growing but the mules are all bought for the African market.” At three o’clock last Sunday afternoon at the Methodist church in this city, W’as held the memorial services in honor of that great temperance leader and reformist, Francis E. Willard, who died at her residence in New York City Friday, February 18. The services were indeed beautiful, and were very fitting for the life of that admirable woman. The members of the W. C. T. U. attended the meeting in a body, each wearing a white carnation in emblem of the purity and holiness of the life of the fallen leader of their ranks. The meeting was presided over by Mrs. Marv E. Gilpen. president of the local W. C. T. U. After a song by the Methodist choir, a number of excellent addresses were given by Mrs. Dr. Holloway, Revs. Movers, Duckett and Gregg. Rev. William Meyers spoke on the subject “Miss M illard as a politician.” He followed her career through life, telling how she had lieen connected with the republican party for a score of years, but gave it up when they would not put a prohibition plank in their platform. He also told how she had assisted in the nomination of Abraham Lincoln for President, and many other incidents in her political life. Rev. Duckett, of the Presbyterian church, followed in an eloquent talk on the general life of Miss Willard, telling of her connection with the W. C. T. U., and of her will, which at her death gave nearly all her worldly possest sions to the great order which she had so ardently worked for all her life. Mrs. Marie Holloway followed with a history of Miss Willard’s life as a W. C. T. U. leader. Mrs. Holloway was very eloquent and very much in ; earnest on her subject. She said that ' the death of this illustrious woman rei moves from the public arena the greatest and most conspicious leader of the forces for God and home and every land in modern society. Mrs. Holloi way followed the entire life of the leader and spoke at length upon her , fight for woman’s suffrage. Elder . Simpson then made a few very appro- > priate remarks in regard to the relig- . ion of Mrs. Willard. Rev. E. T. Gregg ; of the First M. E. church closed the services with one of the eloquent tri- : butes for which he is so widely known. ■ He spoke at length on the greatness. - goodness and purity of her life and •. closed by saying: "The chieftain has i not fallen -she has arisen. She has t gone to the court as a minister plenipotentiary and envoy extraordinary. ■ I She Clin speak to the King. Her prest ence will be tiiote than ever felt as a 11 pillar of fire and cloud she will lead * ? one wing of this great arniy so eternal »i triumph.” These address's Were inr terspersed with beautiful musical ren X ditions bv the Methodist and Presby- - terian choirs and by a duet by Misses i Margaret Eicher and Ina Everett enj titled, "The Secret of His Presence.' f The entire meeting was one of the -■ most beautiful ever held in the city I and was largely attended.

CIRCULATION 2400 WEEKLY

NUMBER 51

We are called upon this week to announce the death of one of our oldest citizens, Jacob Buhler, who died on last Saturday morning at his home on Jefferson street, after an illness of many months. Father Buhler was one of our enterprising pioneer settlers and had many friends who mourn the loss of his useful life. A peculiar circumstance was that he died on his seventythird birthday. Mr. Buhler was an ardent worker in the Odd Fellows lodge and was escorted to his last resting place by that order. The following is a short sketch of his life: Father Jacob Buhler died of paralysis, Feb. 26, 1898, in Decatur, Ind., aged 73 years and one day. He was born in Canton Berne, Switzerland, Feb. 25, 1825. He came to America in 1847, landing in New York. June 26. From there he went to Cleveland, Ohio, and remained until 1848, and then to Lancaster county, ()hio, where he remained until he came to Adams county, Ind., in 1849. Since that time he has resided continuously in Decatur, with the exception of five years spent in Wabash county. Ind. He was united in marriage at Decatur, June 3, 1851, to Rose Ann Chronister and to, this union was born eight sons, Emanuel, David A., Samuel, Henry C., Jacob 8., Albert, John and Chester, of these all are living except David A., who died August 4, 1854, aged one year, and Henry C., who died May 3,1862, aged six years, thus leaving an aged companion, six sons, ten grand-child-ren and a host of friends to mourn. Father Buhler was a faithful member of St. Marys lodge, No. 167, I. O. O. F. In his infancy he was baptized and then confirmed in the Reform church. After coming to America and locating in Decatur he united with the M. E. church. His language was mostly German, and in 1871 a German class of Evangelicals was organized to which society he united and remained a member until 1889, and then with the U. B. society of Decatur where he remained a faithful member. The trustees of this county and no doubt a number of other people will be interested in a test of the act changing the time for the election of township trustees and assessors as there has been much comment on the validity of the act passed by the legislature in 1897. The following dispatch from Columbia City to the Fort Wayne Journal speaks in detail of a test case which is now being brought in the Whitely circuit court: The preliminary steps to test the constitutionality of the act of the legislature of 1897 changing the time for the election of township trustees and assesors in tliis state from the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November 1900, were taken here Saturday afternoon by the democrats of Columbia township, in nominating a full township ticket to be voted for thia fall. This week suit will ba brought in the Whitley circuit court to require the chairman and secretary of the convention at which the candidates were nominated to certify the nomination over to the county clerk. Suit will also be brought against the county clerk to compel him to have the names of these candidates printed on the official ballot so that they may be voted for at the coming Novembe • election, and similar proceedings will also be brought against the present township trustee to compel him to receive and count the ballot so cast. As soon as the questions at issue are passed upon by this court the case will be appealed to the supreme court of the state. The case is one of unusual interest and importance, as it concerns over two thousand of these officers as well as every county superintendent of schools in the state. It is well known that, as the law stands, there will be no vacancies in the office of trustee and assessor until November 1900, unless the act of the legislature of 1897 is declared unconstitutional. To contest the constitutionality of the act of 1897 was the purpose of the convention of last Saturday. The Hon. Thomas R. Marshall, member of the democratic state committee ap pointed the five lawyer members of said committee as a sub committee to take such action upon this question as they deemed best. The other lawyers authorized by Mr. Marshal to institute proceedings and get the question before the courts. To do this it was necessary to have a basis upon which to work, hence the convention of last Saturday. The act of 1897, extends terms of all township trustees and assessors in the state for a period of two years, thus giving teem terms of six instead of four. Inasmuch as the republican landslide of 1894, swept several hundred trustees and assessors into office, the act of the legislature of '97 deprives the people of the privilege of displacing these officers, no matter how anxious they may be to Ido so. Not only that, for the act en- | ables the republicans to keep in power for two more years all but twenty-nine j of the ninety-two county superintend- ’ ents of schools in the state. It was nothing more nor less than a political ’ steal, and the question is, will the courts sustain or approve of it? If they could extend the terms of these * officers for two years in 1897. they can reiieal the act, if they have the power, in 1899. and continue to do so m- ' definitely. For these and other reasons the democrat ic part v through 11 s chosen ! representatives, will contest the act.