Decatur Democrat, Volume 51, Number 2, Decatur, Adams County, 14 March 1907 — Page 4

THE DEMOCRAT ■ « II ' I . Nil IRg bvebytuvrsdaymorning by A* G ELLINGHAM. PUBLISHED n.OOPBR YEAR IN ADVANCE. Ent - ea at the postoffice at Decatur,lndiana as second-ciaas mail n atur. , 0 riCIAL PAPER OF ADAMS CIiDMY THE QUESTION IS, WHY NOT? For the next two weeks the Daily Democrat intends to dedicate its space to the cause of a Greater Decatur, to be made so by the direct benefits of manufacturing additions. It takes money to make the mare go, and so it takes money to bring capital and labor into our midst. With nearly every city in this part of Indiana offering money inducements to manufacturers, ’ Decatur must do likewise should she progress and grow. We must meet our competitors with the same sinews of war they use, for if we do not, we will retrograde while they march forward and walk off: with the fatted calf. Decatur has what few other towns possess —good railroad facilities. Having the facilities, why not dedicate them to good use? Why not bring manufacturers here? Why not house, feed and clothe several-hundred more laboring men? Why not? < •

That is the question. Why not? While the merchants are smiling behind an increased mercantile bus* iness in feeding and clothing these several hundred additional laboring men, why riot advance the value of every foot of real estate in Decatur and vicinity. One factory employing two hundred people,, or even less would add twenty-five per cent to the value of every improved or unimproved lot in Decatur. Why not get the factory and with it the real estate increase? Why not? The more people in Decatur, and the more factories to employ these people, the greater is the appraised value of all real and personal property. The larger the appraisement the smaller our tax rate. Why not reduce our tax rate by getting more people here to help pay the taxes? Why not? Every person has one opportunity in a life time. The same is true of a municipality as well as an individual. At the present time Decatur has been offered her one opportunity. Should we fail at this critical time, our future will be painted in black; our friends will forsake us, and there will be few, indeed, to do us revereven. Why not succeed? Why not grasp the golden threads of opportunity? Why not help ourselves to the good things offered? Why not be a flourishing and progressive manufacturing city? Why not? i Decatur possesses all the natural

advantages and with them has a great army of pushing and progressive business people. They are not a class that go chasing after every sweet scented will-of-the-wisp, but they can figure on the substantiate of life about as well as any one. Better still, when they do make up their minds, nothing on earth —or elsewhere—can stop them. Why not fig-

ure now for a fifty thousand dollar factory fund?' Why not get these factories while we can get in on the ground floor? W’hy not get a good factory before all opportunity is gone? Why not? Just address a few pointed questions to yourself upon this important subject. Ponder them with care, and ponder them free from every selfish standpoint. Give them a good business dissection and then ask yourself Why not? It is ’ unfortunate that the bill for better supervision of county jails failed to pass in the senate. This bill was designed to require reports of conditions of county charities tc a local authority, namely, the circuit judge, and gave him power to remedy bad conditions. The bad conditions that require this sort of remedy are illustrated in a report from Sullivan county, referring to a v’sit made to

the county jail on the tery day tnat the senate defeated the Dill in question. What is the use .of building good jails xith ample space for the separation of minor and comparatively innocent persons from hardened criminals and for the separation of the sexes, if a sheriff is permitted to nullify an excellent beginning because he wants to confine his cleaning and sweeping to one or two rooms, hr because it will add labor to carry food to an upper floor, or because the county commissioners are too penurious to Seat the whole jail as it should be heated? Where local public spirit is -• i -'» r -• i .< so low as to permit wrong conditions there should be authority to Compel the righting of the wrong. This was the object of the bill the senate defeated. Reports to the State Board of Charities are required, but the legislature withholds authority from this board. It can only recommend and urge and this it has done repeatedly in instances such as that of the Sullivan county jail. This board, very properly we think, has urged that the necessary authority be lodged in some local court to compel correction of evils. The state board’s function is not executive but advisory, but there should be authority somewhere. —lndianapolis News.

THE BEST ROUTE. The Marion & Bluffton electric line has been in operation for some time, and not wishing to throw bouquets, yet, it is the truth that the line is one of the best built and equipped road in the state. They are going to extend the line east, and we think they will make a mistake in not routing through Decatur and Van Wert. This is the logical route with a population in this city of 5,000 and Van Wert with 10,000 arid traversing a country where there is no steam road. They have been figuring on a line through Linn Grove, Geneva to Celina, but for the present the project along this route Is up in the air. Decatur invites these gentlemen to give a little thought and calculation to the proposition of building their line through Decatur. As a business proposition to them, there is but little or no comparison to th etwo routes, and with their experience in road building, they will quickly see the many points of advantage. Decatur Invites them to consider their own interests well before turning down the best route that an electric road can travel. In addition, we will help them in every way that we are able. Come on now, gentlemen, get out your pencil and make the figures. Consider the vast and improved farm country, the possibilities for travel and freight traffic, and when all computations are complete, the DecaturVan Wert route will appear the most feasible and practical. Mr. M. B. E, what do you say? saved in fuel and janitor service, leaving S6OO -to be raised. At a farmers’ institute held in South Bend on Feb. 27, when the question box was opened, the following question was found: “What is the share of the farmer’s wife?” When Chairman Haines called for an answer to the question, a lady quickly arose and ' said: “if the farmer died, she got > one 'tb>rd; if he lived she got nothing.” There was no discussion on this point.

OUR NEW WHITLOCK. This issue of the Daily Democrat is printed from a Whitlock high-speed

newspaper press, purchased from the American Type Founders' ’Company, the sale being made by that veteran in f printers’ supplies, Mr. Frank C. Tolan. The need of such a press was made necessary by the enormous number of Democrats that are required in our daily edition. . It formerly has taken about three hours each day to print our edition, which numbers but few less than three thousand. The process was too slow for the mad pace that is rampant in this age of business enterprise. We were compelled to get up-to-date. The Whitlock will print our edition in less that half .the time previously consumed, and one hour and a half at a critical point in the game each day, is actually longer and far more important than any other six hours. With the installation of the Whitlock the equipment of the Democrat ranks v ith, if not * ahead of, any country newspaper in Indiana. That is saying something, for Indiana leads all other states in the Union in the superiority of her country press. Some finely equipped newspaper plants are located in the state, and to them, more than any other agency, can be traced thd direct cause of the progress that is so apparent in so many Indiana cities. They set the pace. They sow the seed. They editorially illustrate the needs of the hour, and then they practice the doctrine by making their newspapers a fitting example of twentieth century progress. Such is the story. The Dally Democrat is nothing if not progressive. With better facilities and better equipment, we hope to strengthen and fortify that element of our citizenship, that are always pushing on the wheels of progress. ; - If there is a man, woman, pr child in darkness—for it must be dark without the daily visits of the Democrat—you are cordially Invited to seek the light by joining our family of (readers. If you have to economize to do it, just cut off a few needless luxuries. You will live longer, be, happier tod better for it. •

The fine wheat-growing lands in the western provinces of Canada continue to attract a larger and larger yearly immigration from the United States. The lands are cheap, the taxes lighi, the frontier population hospitable, and the form of government not greatly at variance with free government in * tne States. The opening of Canadian continmtal railways h«s made it possible to put the produce of farmin’, lands in either European or Asiatic markets on a footing m equality with the farm products of the United States.—Philadelphia Record. In addtion to the above it will be remembered by our American farmers that the trr'ff In this country puts them at a disadvantage when compared with the farmers of Canada. The Canadian is not only taxed lightly by his government, but that government does not allow a horde of tariff-fed trusts to levy tribute upon him, as our government does with respect to the American farmer. “There is a moral awakening,” says William Jennings Bryan, in the Saturday Evening Post, “that is world-' wide in its extent; its effects are especially noticeable in. this country, in the growth of altruism, in the. increase in church activity, in the large consideration given to sociological subjects and in the demand for a nearer approach. to justice in government. The basis of this movement is the idea of brotherhood, and its purpose is not merely' to stay each hand uplifted for another’s injury, but to substitute in each the desire to benefit others in the place of the desire to oyerreach. The means by which the movement is to be advanced is the cultivation of an idea which will measure life, not by what one gets out of the world, but what one contributes to the sum of human happiness.”

Congressman Adair spent the day here and during the five hours greeted many of his acquaintances. He is Just fresh from the national capltol, where he’ exceeded in getting next to th important ropes that will later

help him in his congressional life. Mr. Adair is a Workef and the Eighth district will many times be given a sample copy of hiq ability to accomplish something during the next two years. He will be constant in his efforts, and we all know what devotion and determination will do. Washington correspondents paid him a handsome compliment and they will be compelled to repeat it, when he gets on his working harness. Tom Marshall of Columbia City, declares that 90 per cent of the Indiana laws are not observed and ought to be repealed. What would be the use? The next fool legislature would pass a lot of new ones that would be just as dead immediately after the governor proclaimed them alive. What Indiana needs is not the repeal of laws *or the enactment of laws, but rather men in office who have some regard for their solemn oaths and who will not perjure their souls for the tribute paid by gamblers, harlots and other violators of the statutes. — Ft. Wayne News. (Rep.) Harriman, railroad pirate, stock manipulator and shearer of lambs in Wall street, treated the interstate commerce commission with a noticeable contempt when called to testify before that body. He answered only such questions as he wanted to ananswer. Al other- he refused point blank. But then he is just like other "big ones.” They all think the laws were made to be obeyed by the “little ones” only. Some day we wfl| have an administration at Washington that means business. The present one just talks. ' • ' * - , . . . • ■■•...- ►.*-.* ». • . i J - v*• ■'f Congressman Gilhams has --two votes in the short session ;vepr jnuqh .to his credit The first Is his'vote against increasing salaries; the secend is his vote against the ship sub-

sidy graft. On these questions all will agree that Mr. Gilhams voted the sentiment of the hoenst men of the Twelfth district. —Fort Wayne Jour-nal-Gazette. Congressman Holliday of the Fifth district, though a Republican, stood on the Democratic side during the discussion of the ship subsidy bill and spoke against the graft. He surprised his Republican brethren who favor the graft and won the unstinted applause of the Democrats. Mr. Holliday is serving his last term in congress and can afford to be fight, even if he offends the bosses of his party. The latest advices eminating from the White House on Eighth district patronage, reveals the fact that postmasters at Anderson and Elwood will have to go the route. Senator Beveridge will be permitted to name the official for Muncie, Hemenway for Anderson, with a joint recommendation tor Elwood. . And still the cost of living under the beautiful tariff goes soaring skyward. The official gatherers of statistics pfove It, and every wage-earn-er .salaried man and housewife in the land knows it by actual experience. How long will the people “stand pat” on the thievirig tariff? The Indianapolis Star, Repuolican morning organ, says that the Republicans in, the legislature are “getting together.” As a matter of fact they have been “getting together” since the beginning of the session, to the great disturbance of the peace.

Senator Tyndal again came into the lime light™ - His speech on the Fort Wayne track elevation bill is being highly commented upon by the press. He has developed oratorical ability that his senatorial friends did not know he possessed. Could they have heard him during the past dozen years as a political stump speaker in Adams county, they would have saved themeelves surprise. Senator Tyndall has a happy faculty of. making himself understood and. nothing better illustrates his ability than his senatorial record during the past four years. Bgg,.. The Indiana senators are stilt cat- ■' v . f

;w style in I :cial Grade (P O A/A i e finishing & time. g le of our new patterns. o show you his styles of g Shoes. He should have K :s, at all prices, for men ■. len and children. DIAMOND !NE SHOES THAN ANY E IN THE J

fighting over the distribution of patronage in the Eighth district. Really this informal combat seems to have exercised them more than any other attempted star aqts of statesmanship during the past session of congress, The rank and file are imply wasting away, hoping,for something more substantial than ordinary “rag chewing” over official place. Shades of McDonald, Vorhees and Turpie, will relief never come? The legislature has 'passed and the governor; has a bill which increases the «hTari«j' of» circuit court judges from $2,500 to 13,500 a year. The ifierease will* effect the salary of Judgq Erwin for eigfit months, b'ut fortune smilee most graciously upon Judge-Elect James T. Merryman, who ‘will adorn the robes as♦judge of this eirchit with -a salary he - had not 'expected when he sought that preferment. Monday night at the stroke of twelve the Indiana legislature adjdurns sine die. We take time now to congratulate Senator Tyndall and Representaiye Vizard upon their excellent records during the session. Both have been heard from and their influence and standing among the legislative solons was marked. They hate voted right and, can ever look back upon their records with satisfaction and pride.

Gag rule prevailed, and the life was stifled • from the legislation measure repealing the metropolitan police law. As a result home rule will not govern in cities where it ought to govern. The cumbersome and expensive cities and towns’ law will also effect for two .years more. The record of this Indiana legislature is not one clothing those in responsibility with any special badge of honor. Let’s see.! How many -trusts has the great trust buster busted? How many tariffs has the great tariff reformer reformed? How many canals has the great canal diggej .digged? '• ''’' ‘ Senator Tyndall voted against the bill legalizing Sunday base ball,, pre-

f4 < 0"0"fr44’4«0’4’44»44»<x»4MQ’44»4“0' Most people know that if they have been sick they need Scott* J Emal- - *ston to bring back health and strength. But the strongest point about Scott* j X Emulsion is that you don’t have to be X sick to get results from it. It keeps up the athlete’s strength, puts fat X on thin people, makes a fretful baby happy, cjji brings color to a pale girl’s cheelcs, and pre- , vents coughs, colds and consumption. < ag> Food in concentrated form for sick and < sQs well, young and old, rich and poor. i A And it contains no drugs and no alcohol. < if ALL DRUGGISTS | SOo. AND SI.OO. ’

~sumabiy on the theory that no such law is needed in the district he represents. —Ft. Wayne News. '* In speech made here during the campaign, Hanly, in a very dramatic fashion, called upon the Republicans! to elect a legislature that “would upi hold the hands of the chief tive,” Instead they elected one that; held the “chief execuive” up to the\ ridicule of the entire state. The holding of hands came in WlffiHanly holding up his own hands In holy horror a what the members of his own party did*' to him. —Frankfort Crest ‘ - - According to the* newspaper correspondents up in that territory Coll C. G. Conn’s gubernatorial boom is getting a fine send-off from men of all parties in northwestern Indiana, where the horn-maker is well liked and has money enough to indulge his, fancies. —Fort Wayne Journal-GazettMj Representative Wells has announced himself as a candidate for the state senate. The News has no doubt whatever that he will win the nomination hands down. You can’t stop

him. —Ft. Wayne News. BUTLER BROS. PARTNERSHIP Albert and Samuel Will Do Concrete Work. Samuel Butler and brother, Albeit Butler have formed a partnership al contractors and are going after theij share of business in this locality! They will -build concrete foundation and all other kinds of cement work! with special attention to side walk J and have already secured a consider! ble amourit of work. Samuel Butleq has had considerable experience in this line of work and has a reputation for doing first class jobs and nothing else. A. A. Butler who recently re-| tired from the sheriff’s office has m wide acquaintance and will assist acj tively -in the contract business. Th® firm is a strong one. I — i-i-o — II Henry James say? American worm en cannot talk. Henry has never seal two of the dears in the act of telliuH each other goodby.*