Decatur Democrat, Volume 52, Number 23, Decatur, Adams County, 10 June 1909 — Page 4

THEBKMOCRAT | fc NYRBYTHRMBAY MORNIN® BY LEW G. ELL'NGHAM, Publish*!*. - i ~,<, U.OO PBR TEAR IN ADV ANOB. Entered at the postoffice at Decatur. Ind., as second class mail matter. "=w ,*.!■’• ■> <1 OFFICIAL PAPER OF ABAMB CO. THE COTTON SCHEDULE The cotton goods schedule is now under consideration by the senate. • Probably is one of the worst schedules in the bill. In his speech Senator Gore showed that some of the cotton mills had earned very large dividends, that the Troy Cotton and Woolen company of Massachusetts has made as much as 67 per cent, on its stock. Os course Senator Lodge came to the front with an “explanation,” namely, that these earnings were the returns on real estate acquired years ago. Whereupon Senator Gore showed that this mill had • been advertised as earning 67 per •cent, without any refemce whatever

to profits from real estate sales. It is notorious that the New England cotton mills have for years done a tremendously profitable business. Even as far back as twenty years ago they were making great dividends. And yet now it is proposed to Increase their protection. Senator Nelson, of Minnesota, showed that the effect of the senate bill will be to increase the cotton duties by from 20 to 50 per cent, over those now in force. There is, of course, not,the slightest excuse for any such increase in these duties. Long ago, Mr. Blaine, while secretary of state, made a report on the cotton goods trade of the world—which it would be well to republish—in which he proved that cotton operatives in this country worked longer than those in England and that, tak1 ing the longer working day and the superior efficiency of our people into consideration, the cost of production was less in this country than in Eng*land. The workers in this country were, in cases, actually paid less than those abroad. The situation certainly has not got worse. If it has we have in that sact —if it be a fact proof that protection is powerless to protect. As a matter of fact, all this talk about equalizing the cost of production here and abroad is utterly insincere. If there werp any honesty in it, those who Impose our taxes ' would welcome all information on the subject, would make some honest attempt to discover what is the foreign cost of production. Instead of that, they denuonce foreign governments when, in response to requests from our state department, they furnish us with official information—denounce those governments and suppress their reports. Again, if there were ’any honesty in the plea made for the

equalization of the two costs of production, the men who make it would be glad to reduce all duties till they were just sufficient to bridge the gap. But this they dojiot do. On the contrary, they maintain duties amounting to more than 100 per cent, of the value of the product, and these mean, on the cost of production theory, that the foreign article is, produced for nothing,, or less than nothing. In truth, the whole argument is humbug. —Indianapolis News.-E=s>E-==-5 - f STATISTICS SOMETIMES INTERESTING There is an old saying that “statis-1 tics are as dry as dust” but Township Assessor Thomas McKeever, over in' Carroll county has managed to make interesting reading out of his report to State Statistician J. L. Peetz,whom he wrote as follows: “The Hon. J. L. Peetz—l found 100 guinea hens and ten roosters. The maple sap did not run very good this year. This county went dry, and there was Sot much maple syrup, only about 500 gallons. We have not counted the cornstalks yet. There were several bees wandered away from this township* and |f you will have the assessors in the adjoining townships to look for them, they might be able to furnish you returns. As for wild daisies and honeysuckle, we have

none. Th* squirrels are getting scarce. We have ditched all our frog ponds and now we raise corn whgre formerly we raised frogs. We don't fatten our hogs on dishwater; we use corn and rye Instead—hot rye whiskey, but the grain. I will count the rabbit tracks after the first snowstorm. One rabbit makes 550 tracks if you follow him far enough. Goats and peacocks are scarce articles, as we have sold alf our goats for butter(s). There is a great l, deal , s os horse radish here, which we use in making red eyjf(s) since the county went dry. To get the number of dozens of mustard seeds raised this year, will be a pretty big job, as one man here tried to count the number of grains of wheat in a bushel and has Jjeen crazy for ten years. Hoping this will find you well and in good humor, I am, etc.” As the statistlchl report called for quite a lot of seemingly useless information this year, Mr. McKeever’s letter appears somewhat ironical.

DECATUR’S HIGH TAX RATE While bloated bondholders, men engaged in high finance, James L. Peets, and a few other strangers to the beauties and solid financial -Worth of Decatur may be a little in their knowledge of who we are and-what we have, yet we surmise that every one at home knows how It happened. In turning over the pages of ancient history in the management of municipal affairs .in city, it will be readily seen that the present officers bad nothing whatever to do in piling the city debt upon our shoulders. It is not only an insult but a reproach upon one of the best administered cities in the state, to even suggest that the present city officers fail in the knowledge of knowing just where they are at. They do know. They knew it so long as four years ago and tliey then began’ to run the drag net through the affairs of the city, and to then and there make the first advancement toward the payment of the city debt, and to redeem a credit thqt had for some time been swaggering around the uneasy point Every one in Decatur knows when the vaterworks plant was built—built too. without a' dollar to pay on it—and with a credit in the general market that does not compare with the credit of the .city today. It was built, too, when city orders were floating at the local banks and the city paying the

fiddler with an interest account that was appalling. What is the situation today? Decatur pays her bills. No floating orders to pay interst upon, no temporary loans to pay the current expenses of the city. It is the first* time for years—perhaps ever—that this could be truthfully said of the management of the affairs of this city. All this does credit to every member of the present city council and to every officer who is serving the city. We congratulate them upon the enviable record they have made, and we likewise congratulate the city upon having as their servants, men who are business men in every sense of the term, and who have devoted their energies along the line of redeeming the credit of the city. What is there about this four forty tax rate that so discredits us In the eyes of James L. Peets, and who is Peets. Peets writes statistics for the state, and a township assessor over in Carroll county has promised to count and send to Peets the number of rabbit tracks after the first snow. Qf this four forty, Decatur's I corporation tax is >1.87, the remainder j being divided as follows: state tax 33.35; macadam road 75c, county 29. 25c, county sinking 7.4 c, turnpike repair 10c, tuition 42c, special school 47c, poor 2c, library 7c. Deduct the 75 cents for macadam roads and the tax rate for Adams county would be >3.65, and there is few; counties in the state with a less tax rate than that. But Decatur’s tax is >1.87, and with that rate Decatur has paid her bills and reduced the city debt. The present council have laid the foundation and those who will be chosen to succeed them the first of next year will need but keep in the straight and narrow way and to continue the , business policies of their predecesi sore. This done, it will mean the

getting out from under the load of debt placed there many years ago, and about which ’there Is no mystery and never was. According to rumor Frank Ball of the Ball Bros, manufacturers of fruit jars at Muncie, will be a candidate for the Republican nomination for congressman of this district—Winchester Journal. The* much-mooted question of the reading of the Bible in the secular schools is treated from a new standpoint by a recent writer in the London News. He objects to Its use in this way, because he believes it divinfely .inspired and therefore that it ought not to be placed on the level with text-books or .treated as mere literature. —South Bend Times. When a Democratic United States senator votes for a cent, duty on iron ore, he at once becomes a full-fledged protectionist. But when a progressive Republican senator votes for a 100 per cent, duty on some commodity in whlcli his constituents are largely interested, he is heralded as a revenue reformer. When it comes to a discussion of the tariff, there is no limit to absurdities. —South Bend Times. We note with pleasure the retention of Jacob R. Graber as superintendent at the county inftnnary, and his retention, too, by the unanimous volte of the board of commissioners. This but adds official color tn what has been generally known for a tang time, and that is that Mr. Graber with the assistance of his most estimable wife, cannot be duplicated for the duties they have to perform. Their work has been watched by charity organ-

izations in this, state and elsewhere, and they now hold reeointnendations that would land them Al a much better place—financially—lf they cared to take it We are glad they will Continue with us, and we know that God will bless them for the benevolence they have administered to the poor and needy and friendless. The Illinois farmer who has acquit- ] ed a 640 acre com farm tn Ohio, paying >85J)50 for the same, has demonstrated that a farmer does not necessarily confine himself to tilling the ( soil, but that he is also capable of mastering a large business proposition as well as solving a social problem. By the deal heretofore mentioned he not only keeps his sons on the farm, but provides tor keeping the family together—at least presumably during the lifetime of the parents, A sublime thought is involved in this deal—three superb farms in one, operated jointly and inferentlally economically, the family together on one section, and a prosperous career assured to all. To people who thus calculate - and act, life Is not likely ever to prove a failure.-—South Bend Times. «=======» > Ida Hord, a poor, little, looking woman was arraigned in the federal court at Indianapolis Thursday before Judge Anderson for having used a postage stamp, that, had been cancelled. The woman told th ecourt that she was poor; that her husband earned 69 cents a day when well enough to work, as he has the consumption; that she had mortgaged her furniture to get money enough to pay her fare to be present In court. Judge Anderson believed her, and inquired where the postoffice inspector was Who arrested the poor woman. He said he Wanted f° a look at the make-up of an inspector who would stir up a case like the one before him. The judge is anxious to get the inspector into his presence. The officious gent needs a scouring and Anderson Is the man who can do it, and do it properly.—Columbia City Post. I, , To heal up the sore spots in Laporte twenty wets and drys had a banquet in Laporte Saturday night, with the editor of the wet organ as ia special guest. The bill of*fare is not published, but from all reports i“a good time was Bad.” Here’s a [pointer for the Columbia Cit/ man

who hasn’t recovered from it yet — Columbia City Post ' H ; — Marion, Ind,. June B.—Judge Paulus decided today that he would call the grand jury to investigate the murder of John McDougle, of Van Buren, as also that of Alonzo Bellville, of Upland. It was at firs| intended to call the grand jury for the September term, but the two murders following each other in such quick succession made the judge decide to act speedily. At the autopsy held by the coroner a verdict was given by him that McDougle’s death was caused by a fracture of the skull made by a hard blow and not from a fall. It was also found that the kick over the heart had not affected the life of McDougle, as the heart was in a normal condition.. Francis Miller, the murderer, is held in jail, as also his youngest brother, Ester, who Ts charged with assisting his brother in the murder. The Other brother, Alva, was liberated, he having not been fbund to have been implicated in the crime. It was shown that he rather tried to prevent it He at once went to Van Buren and drove out to his home in the country. The wife of’John McDougle is prostrated over her husband’s death. Feeling is running’hlgh in Van Buren over the affair, J)ut there is no serious attempt to avenge the murder. o— — r Decatur Is to have a new amusement place in the form of an open air dome and J. B. Stonebuiyier will be the proprietor. Mr. Stoneburner last evening leased the Bremerkamp lot immediately east of his moving picture theater and he expects to have the new theater_ completed and ready for business within two weeks. The space betwen the Star theater and the Milchi barber shop is to be tire entrance to the airdome and the space at the rear of these buildings will be enclosed by canvass and a stagp 20 ft. by 30 ft. will be constructed. The stage will be sheltered by, a roof but there will simply be a side wall around the main part where the audience will be seated. The proprietor expects to give high class vaudeville at least two or three times each week and he will at once insert an advertisement in the Bill Board for good troops. The seating capacity of the new theater will be at least seven hundred and without doubt it will be crowded to its capacity many times during the summer months. Mr. Stoneburner began today negotiating for the lumber and other material and the work of construction will be dispatched with all possible haste. The idea of Mr. ; Stoneburner is establishing the new ‘theater is to arrange a cool place where the public can enjoy themselves during the hot nights of the summer and the fact that there will be no top to the partition is conclusive that it will be cool within. The will probably be opened to the public one week from next Monday.

The Hon. W. H. Eichhorn, the well kgown Bluffton attorney, who id at present assisting in the trial df the big Faylor-Studebaker case, appearing with other attorneys for the defense, and who is almost as welt known here as he is at home, has been honored very highly by being chosen to make a speech before the national prisons congress, whiclf will be held at Seattle, Washington, about the first week in August He will leave about the middle of August and the trip will be a most delightful one, as they will be in session a week, and will be given an opportunity to takfe in the big Alaska-Yukon exposition now in progress there. Mr. Eichhorn is a member of the Indiana prison board, and has been chosen from among the numerous members of the state board at charity to represent them on this occasion. While no salary is attached he is allowed all his expenses, thus providing an enjoyable vacation without cost Those Who know Mr. Eichhorn, are confident that he will do credit to himself, his friends and his state in his address before this national society. f ; Washington, June 9 —The seriousness of the spilt in the Republican party over the tariff is beginning to dawn on toe statesmen "here at the capital. One-fourth of the Republican membership, of the senate is out of sympathy with the ’ Aldrlch-Hale-Lodge leadership. One-sixth of the Republicans in that body are positivelyrefusing to follow the leadership. Conditions in the house are euer worse. When the tariff bill was before that body the real opposltidp to it was not permitted to assert itself. When it goes back there those Republican representatives who do not favor it will, they declare, vote against concurring, in any conference report that does not carry out the promise of the party to revise the tariff downward. Most onlookers here account ton Senator performance yesterday afternoon by saying that he is trying to fortify himself against tike storm of opposition to his leadership in this legisla-

publicans Washington, June 9.—Senator Aldrich was working on a plan of adjourning congress. His plan, for which he has secured a great deal of support, is tor a vote on the tariff bill In committee of the whole Saturday of next week, June 19, and for three days of debate In the open senate, which would permit of a final vote on the bill on, or about June 23. Allowing ten days in conference it, is figured tha tthe bill might be approved by the president July 3. July 4 comes on Sunday this year, so there Is no llkllhood that the tariff bill will receive the executive signature on that day. The only part of Senator Aldrich’s program that can be banked on is the probability of a vote in committee of the whole the later part of next week, which seems to be reasonably certain. No one predict how .much time will be spent in conference or how much opposition the house will manifest to the senate schedules when the make their report. , . I, On June sixteenth at four o’clock at the home of the bride’s parents In New Haven, will occur the marriage of Dr. J. Clarence Cowan, son of John C. Cowan, of St. Marys township, to Miss Adele, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Nathan Webster, of New Haven. The Invitations have been sent put to the many friends of the contracting parties and the affair will be an elaborate one. Immediately after the ceremony a reception royal will be served to the guests. Two days later an Infair dinner will be given at the home of the groom’s father in St. Marys township, and to this many of the friends of the parties will receive invitations. Mr. Cowan and Webster are both promlnenkyoung people. The groom is a graduatewom the Chi-, cago Medical college and left that institution with flying honwi. After completing his course he took a competitive examination for Internship and secured the highest grade therefor, being aw.arded a year’s free scholarship as practicing physician in a hospital with expenses paid. He is now located at Dixon, Ohio, where he enjoys a lucrative practice and the fellowship of a host of friends. The bride to be is an accomplished young womap and has been a teacher in the Monroeville public schools for some time. The many Decatur friends of the groom-to-be extend to him and his future wife their sincere congratulations for a happy and prosperous future. • '

Gub Christen, son of John Christen of this city, who for several years has been located in Kentucky, left today for a six weeks’ business trip in the east and before his return to Louisville he will visit many of the larger cities in the eastern country. Mr. Christen was one of the prime movers who three years ago effected the organisation of what is known as The Louisville Cooperage company. Four men, Including Mr. Christen, organized the company and incorporated for 150,000. They have done a lucrative business and as increase of business demanded they enlarged their plants until now the buildings they occupy are of large proportions. Mr. Christen was chosen as secretary and treasurer of the company and has officiated in that position with credit to himself and the corporation with which he is identified. He has gone east where ije will sell stock to those who are anxious to become financially interested in the concern returning to hl* -home about six weeks hence. Gus just recently returned from an extended business trip in Florida, where he disposed of a large consignment of goods made at the factory. The success of Mr. Christen is the source of much elation by his many Decatur friends. —— , 'Oct — ~ A new case was filed on change of venue from the Allen county superior courts entitled John Vought vs. George Fosnaught, being a suit to replevin a corn cultivator valued at *15.00. . t D. E. Smith has filed his bond for *6,500, as commissioner in the case of John F. Lawson vs. Catherine Miller et al. Appraisement of real estate was filed* in the case of William F. Rice et al vs. Bertha M. Riffe et al. The Mutual Mfg. R. vs. Chrlstena Kuntz, account $350, change of venue granted, cause sent to Allen county superior court. Charles F. Rinehart vs. Charles F. Rinehart, admr. et al, flnal report of commissioner filed and approved. Clerk ordered to pay out the funds. A final report was filed in the Sylvester Tinkham et al petition for drain. -.£• ? A marriage license was issued to

Sheriff Meyer has . received official notice from the warden of the Michigan City-prison, to bring Fred Richards back to that place, where he will be cared for at the hospital. Mr. Richards is dying from consumption and requested to go back to the prison where He wyi receive the very best of care. Real estate transfers: Martha Reppert et al to Jdcob Bloemker, 80 acres Preble township, $6,000; Jacob Bloemker to Edward Reppert, same tract, >6,000; Ell Meyer, sheriff, to Daniel Weldy, part of lot 37 and*3B, Decatur, >5,296.74; Elizabeth Weldy to R. Amstutz, part lots 240 and 241 Berne, $1.00; U. .Stauffer to Floyd Rinaker, part lot 6, Berne, >150; Michael Engler to Jacob J. Eicher, 80 acres Hartford township, >5,700. The appraisers filed their estimateon real estate, in estate of Jesse I. Watkins, James W. Watkins, admr. A marriage license has been issued to Thomas T. Haefling, aged 30, an electrician to Miss Mary E. Voglewede, 24, both of Decatur. Henry x B. Heller, 33, lawyer and Pearl Alma Butcher, 27, bookkeeper, both of this city, were granted a license to &ed. i o— — A HUNDRED TO JOIN MISPAH Saturday, June 26th to Be Big Day for Shrlners. ' Saturday, June 26th, will be a red letter day in the history of the Mizpah temple of Shrlners, recently founded here. On that date a class of probably over a hundred Is to be taken into the temple and this will mean that the Shriners in northern Indiana: will have as strong an organization I as can be found anywhere in surround-1 Ing states. The degree work is to bel carried out by the Patrol from them Murat temple at Indianapolis, withm which the Mizpah temple charter® members werfe formerly affiliated. The® Patrol will be accompanied xto this® city by the band and many others,® the entire party to consist of nearly® two hundred. The Patrol will carry® out its work in the afternoon and® early part of the evening at the Ma-® sonic Temple, after which the entire® strength of the Mizpah temple will® form In a body and parade over sev® eral of. the main streets. Then a big® banquet is to be given at which Ulus-® trious Potentate Jacoby, of Indian-® spoils, will be present. The cere-® monial exercises among Shrlners are® of the most splendid and impressive® In any fraternal body and an entire® new outfit for the northern Indiana or® ganization has been purchased. Thu® far eighty-four candidates have beei® elected to membership in the clas® and under the special dispensation® another special meeting may be hel® before the day set for the ceremon® les and It is believed at least thir® ty or forty more will ask to recelv® the rites then. The charter mem® bership numbers nearly a hundret® and fifty.—-Fort Wayne Sentinel. ■ SPEND SUMMER BAY VIEW B Great Opportunity to Combine Pleas® ure and Study. > B The rise of the summer city of Ba® View in Northern Michigan has lon® attracted much attention. It is e®| town of hundreds of sumer home®; and hotels in the groves by the shor® of Lake Michigan; the seat of a®| Assembly and Summer University fl great reputation and draws peoplflg from all parts of the land. It con® bines the advantages of Ocean Gro®| and Chautauqua, and is one of t®| most beautiful spots in the world. measure of its popularity are the oifll hundred and sixteen through and I<®| cal passenger trains which arri® laily from the south, besides all t® lake steamers. It is noted for IH| great variety. There, recreations ag® organized and promoted, and a sl2,o®i swimming pool and bowling alley a®| now building. Much is done for tfl» children, and this year a summ®| School of Domestic Arts and Scien®| in charge of women of the highe®| reputation; also a Bible conferen®| conducted by Dr. W. F. Sheridan, ®H Kansas City, in which participaßg conspicuous church leaders, governc®B and judges, are among the new feE®|| ores. All the summer announcemer®| are out and fill 48 beautifully ilh®® trated pages in the Bay View Ma|Hß zine for May. If you write J. M. H®|| Boston Boulevard, Detroit, Mich., |g|| will send you a copy. o_ O. N. Tyndall has returned Tran® several weeks’ visit with his brotlfl® George Tyndall, at Branch, Mich., aS® reports! a delightful time. Geo®|| Tyndall jrho left here a few ye®H ago, now owns one of the best fi®® farms in that section of Michigan ®|| is prospering. ( 9®