Decatur Democrat, Volume 56, Number 9, Decatur, Adams County, 2 March 1911 — Page 4

THE DEMOCRAT svkbytmohsuay MOBNINB BY «- tw a d-MNaHAM. PwbllaMe. M.UOPBK YBAB IN ADV ANOB Kntered at the poatotUce at Decatur, .nd., aa second class mail matter. OFFICIAL PAPER OF ADAMS CO. MR. RALSTON'S DENIAL Last Friday’! Indianapolis News published a statement to the effect that S. M. Ralston was among others in attendance upon the legislature who lobbied to defeat Senate Bill 105. Mr. Ralston addressed the News the following communication which is self explanatory: "February 17, 1911. ■ Editor of Indianapolis News: "During the past few years, your paper has frequently contained statements pertaining to me that were calculated to prejudice me in the eyes of the public, but I never asked you to correct any of them because 1 had reason to believe they were made with full knowledge of their falsity and with the deliberate purpose of doing me an injustice. Your issue of today contains a similar statement but 1 cannot allow it to go unchallenged. I desire its correction. You charge that on yesterday I was one among others tai attendance upon the legislature who lobbied to defeat Senate bill 105. This I deny. I have never spoken an unfriendly word of said bth to any man. I have never discussed this bill with any member of the legislature nor asked any other man to do so nor put any influence of any character whatsoever at work against it. "I can add in this connection that I never in my life appeared as a lobbyist m any legislature for any corporation; nor have I ever at any time either attempted to secure any legislation in the interest of any corporation and any statement or insinuation designed to create the impression that I have is an unmitigated falsehood. If you desire to do the fair thing by me in this instance you will publish this statement. Respectfully yours, "S. M. RALTSON.”

THE STATE’S CHARITIES The general report of the Board of State Charities gives full details of its subject. In some things Indiana has done much to be proud of. In other things she lags behind in the march of progress. Some of these are here mentioned with the preliminary statement that we have at least the greatest essential —a board in which the people have confidence, and admini'stration that is alert. Last year 95,056 persons were aided by public funds. Little wonder that the cost was nearly three and tljfee-quarters million dollars, To lessen this cost, to make a dollar go further, to do, above all, the best work for these unfortunate dependents, is the constant endeavor. Four things the board feels are heeded most: Complete care of all of the state’s insane; a state orphanage for all dependent children who are public wards; a solution of the county jail question and of the treatment of short term prisoners by state workhouses; additional provision for fighting consumption.—lndianapolis News. The greatest constitutional controversy in the history of the country for many generations is engaging the attention of the lower house of the British parliament. The “veto bill,’ introduced by the premier, will, if passed, remove from the house of lords its power to veto, a right which it has exercised since the adoption of the constitution, often to the detriment of the common people and always against the Irish national party. The sentiment of the country is behind the bill and the indications are favorable for its passage. The prem-er put the case very aptly when he stated that when the lords rejected the budjet in 1909 they committed political suicide. The time may not be far distant when this constitutionally partisan body, irresponsible in the exercise of its powers, will be made re-

sponsible to tbe people. On a modified scale this Is what is being demanded in this country to secure the direct election by the people of United States senators. The crusade against graft h> pro gresing. Ohio, the state which boasts of Adams county, now has Boss Cox, long time at the head of the Cincinnati republican machine, in the toils. Cox, who has been a prominent factor in Ohio politics, and who holds important fiduciary positions, is accused of receiving $48,500 of the $97,064 which the banks pahl the treasurer of Hamilton county, Ohio, as a recompense for the deposit of county funds. This treasurer, John H. Gibson, after an investigation in 1906, paid the latter sum into the county treasury, and two <ther treasurers, Tilden R. French and Rudolph H. Hyncka, paid in $59,450, and $58,440. Now, it seems, the courts are going after the man higher up. Cox is president of the Cincinnati Trust company.

The campaign on the local option question has certainly been a quiet one, and still we believe that much earnest work has been done by each side. According to announcements speeches will be made here during the next two or three days, Representative Merriman of Bluffton being the speaker Sunday evening. The tickets were printed at thfe office yesterday and are now in the county auditor's possession, ready for tbe inspectors. Twenty-five hundred were printed and five hundred samples. Tbe ticket is almost identical with that ul two years ago, excepting it fixes the place of election, reading: "Shall the sale of intoxicating liquor be prohibited in the city of Decatur, Adams county, Indiana " To vote dry you must vote ’'yes,” and to vote wet you must vote "No." There is no reason why any one should loee their vote, through a misunderstanding of tbe ballot. The Indiana general assembly will close in another week. While they have passed some important laws, the greater number of those desired by the people have not been finally acted upon. It behooves the boys to get busy and it is safe to say they willwork almost night and day from now on until the close. While we hear the same talk of doing nothing, the fact is that this session is no different from any others. The real work of a sixty-one days' session of the legislature is always done the last few days. When the work has all been tallied up it will be found that the party in power has kept its promises.

The supreme court has decided that the law permitting Sunday base ball is constitutional. Just how they are able to figure this out is not of vital importance, among the great number of ball fans at least, the only tact of interest to them being that they can gee a ball game on Sunday, between the hours of twelve and six. It’s a funny old world. The campaign is over and tomorrow we vote. Indications are that a large vote will be cast and we just wish to state that there is absolutely no reason why any person, legally entitled to vote, should lose it because of not ■•nderstanding how to vote. If you wish to vote dry make a cross in the square containing the word “yes.’’ If you want to vote wet make the cross in the square containing the word “no,” Senator Penrose, it seems, is one of the four members of the senate finance committee wno favored the reciprocity agreement. Like Lodge, he sees the cloud on the horizon. Also, as the Pennsylvania steel and iron schedules do not figure in the treaty, he can afford to make this little bluff for popular favor. Marshall’s new constitution will be voted on, it seems, whether the Fort Wayne News approves it or not. The regulation - bill advanced another step. It has now passed both houses, but will have to go through again to have the edges trimmed. It is time now to talk about that feed yard, watering trough, rest room and other features that will attract trade to Decatur.

F. W. Dibble left Saturday for Lansing, Mich., near which place he has purchased a dairy farm on which he and his family will reside. The household goods were sent Saturday, but Mrs. Dibble will remain here for a visit with relatives until Thursday. Miss Blanche Dibble and Mrs. Otis Dibble left today, going to Hillsdale, Mich., where they will visit whh Mrs Fred Bell before going on to Lansing Mrs. John Rupright, eighty-four years old, living in the edge of Adams county, just east of Echo, is quite sick with what the physicians fear >s pneumonia. She had made slight improvement the last day or two, but last night her daughter, Mrs. Sylvester Mills, received word that she was worse, and there were grave fears that she might not recover. Mr. and Mrs. Mills went to her bedside today. Bluffton News Judge Merryman today fixed the trial of David Wartwell, charged with perjury in connection with the police scandals, for March 28th. and asked Judge O'Rourke to arrange to have his circuit court jury present on that date. Judge R. K. Erwin filed a new plea in abatement which contained practically the same grounds as the one overruled a week ago and this was overruled before the date was set. No argument was made and the new plea was for the purpose of saving some law points in event an appeal should become necessary.—Fort Wayne Sentinel. That "Vagland" is a funny show ’s proven by the w*rite-ups of the variout papers. The Fort Wayne Daily News writes: "The audience fairly doubled up with laughter.” The Journal Gazette writes: "The audience howled throughout the whole show. The Sentinel writes: "Vagland made a distinct bit.” If you enjoy a good, hearty laugh, or if you are sore at yourself, if you think the world has singled you out as the fall ’’guy,” to be a stopping point for tribulations of life, get over it. It don't get you nothing, and you are only fooling yourself. There is always some body that is worse off than you, and we’ve found two of those unfortunates. They are two German comedians in "Vagland." If you think you are treated mean, come and compare your troubles. You'll find yourself discounted forty ways and you’ll go home laughing in spite of yourself. Vagland brings the tears to your eyes but they're not tears of sadness: only laughter. Bosse opera house. Friday, March. 3rd.

FOUND “NOT GUILTY.” The three defendants in the malicious trespass case, which consumed nearly a day in trial before Mayor Teeple Saturday, were adjudged not guilty. The defendants were Will and Dallas Johns an Marshall Aspy. The charge was preferred against them by Chas. Mumma of near Pleasant Mills, the suit growing out of the question of the right to certain timber which Mumma claimed was on his lease. ■ o BEDSIDE OF BROTHER. Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Brickner of Bascom, Ohio, arrived in the city to be at the bedside of Mrs. Bricker’s brother, Andrew Appleman. west of the city, who is lying at the point of death. Mr. Appleman, who has been in failing health for several years, has been recently sinking, and all hopes for his recovery have been abandoned. - o WILL BUY AUTO TRUCK. S. Jester and H. J. Adams of Newcastle were here this morning on business, calling at the Decatur Motor Car works to buy a new auto truck. o ■ FUNERAL SERVICE. Funeral services were held Sunday afternoon at Spencerville, Ohio, for Corinne, little daughter of Rev. and Mrs. Kruse, whose death occurred Thursday. Services were in both German and English. The body was not taken to the church at that time, but was taken this morning to Tiffin, Ohio, where further services were held in the church there, burial taking place in the cemetery there. Rev. Kruse was formerly pastor of the German Reformed church. Miss Sue Mayer of this city was in attendance at the funeral.

Decatur will hold a local option election Tuesday. The campaign has been rather quiet but much hard work has been done on each side, and Tuesday will mark a battle at the ballots, rarely witnessed in Decatur. Elections were held in Bedford and Michell today, and other cities which will vote tomorrow are Connersville. Marion, Gas City, Tipton, Rushville, Wabash, Kokomo, Greentown, Vevay, Attbca, Kendallville and Huntington. In the latter city the fight has been one ;of the hottest In the state. The big event of the day was a meeting in the afternoon at which Senator Proctor, author of the famous option and regulation bills, spoke to 3,oo(|si®>eople. He was answered in the evening by Dr.

Russen of Columbus, Ohio, A. Rice, mayor of Canton, h • ator Proctor defended his plead in a strong manner. H •I predict that the city and town ship option bill which is the ch M of my brain and bears my .tin repealed. I believe it is a l wrong and there is only one kind of op that is right and that is individual option," said the speaker. • I have studied and worked on this question for years and I fondly believe that the restrictive and regulative measure which now bears my name is the strongest bill ever introduced mto any public assembly of tbe nation. "Some people here are willing to see what the legislature does with this bill before determining how to vote, but I give you my word that when it comes back from the House, myself and your , own senator, J. V. Lamont, will fight to the drop of the hat for the S7OO license : clause, the limit of one saloon to 1000 ! inhabitants and the other restrictive ’ and regulative provisions of the origin- . al measure." Senator Proctor took issue with those who contended that the "dry side is the temperance side. He said he always practiced temperance and it was because he believed the licensed saloon was more conductive to temperance than the'blind tiger' that he consented to come to Huntington. Proctor made extensive reference to the Bible and suggested an eleventh commandment to the Mosaic code. It was, "Thou shalt not drink to excess.' He said that the contention that the drunkard is a victim is all wrong and that instead he is a sinner and a malefactor. He violates God s law in getting drunk and is arrested as a malefactor for violating the laws of men. "Because there are drunkards here and there on the streets is no reason why we should deny to individuals an inalienable right." His accusations against the antisaloon league were many and broad He said that they were purposely supressing facts about drunkeness in dry territory. He saM that it was not attempting to surpress the sale of liquor, but was fighting against the licensed saloon and when they succeded in ousting saloons from any territo-y they refused to have any thing to do more, leaving worse Conditions than they discovered, but washing their hands of the whole affair. fie quoted from a letter the statement that the anti-saloon league received campaign money from trusts and Illegal combinations of capital who wished to have attention diverted from their acts by keeping up the battle against saloons. Speaking of corporations he made reference to Senate bill No. 10a, saying that if passed it would solve temporarily, at least, the problem which had been staring the state in the face for some time. He said that the time was coming shortly when the state would either drift to socialism or to regulation and curbing of corporations and corporate greed. Senator Proctor said there was no man in Indana who had soughs the brewers harder than he. He said that both brewers and anti-saloon leagues were against his option and regulation measures. He said he wanted to get these questions settled for all time so that the state could take up more important measures. “There is no such thing as dry territory,” he said in conclusion, "You can not dry a man's appetite any more than you can dry the fires of hell.”

A SUDDEN DROP. An amusing incident, though it might easily have been otherwise, occurred Saturday afternoon when Mrs. C. C. Wilder and daughter, Annice, of Monmouth drove to this city in their carriage, and their horse, becoming startled, suddenly jumped, breaking the front part of the carriage in such away that the front wheels were jerked away, letting the seat with the occupants sitting on the ground. The driver was so taken by surprise and convulsed with laughter that she forgot to hold the reins, and the horse, breaking the shafts loose, started to run down the street. The accident happened on North Fifth street, near the park, and the horse ran nearly to the M. E. church, where it was caught by E. S. Moses. The carriage was brought to this city for repairs. No one was hurt. r> — That spring is fast approaching is evidenced from the fact that a number of the business men are beginning to make improvements about their places of business and be ready for what trade might come during this time. Elzey & Falk, the new shoe firm, commenced this morning to make a change in their show windows so as to give them a better display for their large stock of goods. The old backgrounds are being torn away and will be replaced with panel work. The floor will also be arranged to give a slating effect. When this is finished improvements in the painting line will be added to the shelving and other work done which will add much to the attractiveness of this store. Another improvements started is at the

7 Sherer & Beaver 1 * n,rntture M t ’re whkh will a’» o d 0 n,uch •tore, wnuu # furniture »'"" meh has heretofore served as a sunSector and weather shield, has been pr^ l . .I] replaced with take " answer the purpose. The “ont of <he d “* * W b 7 white and other changes made whicl * UI be of much benefit to the firm in every respect. of the State of « nd,ana ” o Clinton .. ,nn- men charged with stealing cZns is on trial before the court aid a Jury havii.K OegUn th ‘ B T™ t * after a motion to quash had been i. -«. ••«» morrow some time. Peterson & Moran are defending and Prosecutor 1 arrteh is looking after the state's intertSll the case of Herman Gerke et al. v 8 Decatur Packing Co., receiver, report of claims filed. All allowed excepting one of John Berning which was set for hearing March 4th. Hooper & Lenhart have filed a new case entitled David P. Kenworthy et al vs William H. Reichard, to foreclose landlord s lien and for $500.06 damages. Another new case filed was that of August Yerger vs. Henry Hockemeyer. damages, demand $2,500, on change of venue from Allen county. P. B. Colerick is named as plaintiffs attorney. Alice Bittner vs. Charles Bittner et al., petition by commissioner to sell notes and mortgages filed, submitted and sustained. Mr. and Mrs. D. H. Hunsicker and daughter, Yera. Mr. and Mrs. Dallas Hunsicker and -Mr and Mrs. Burt Hunsicker went to Fort Wayne at Monday to be in attendance at the funeral of Mrs. Presnold Arnold, she being their niece and cousin, which was held from the home of her sister, Mrs. J. W. Leive, 1021 Nelson street, with the Rev. P. J. Albertus officiating. Mrs. Arnold was the daughter of Mrs. C. C. Meyers, well known in the city and where she has visited on several occasions. She was a sufferer of tuberculosis for over a year and death had been looked for for some time, her end drawing to a close on last Thursday noon. She was but twenty-two years of age, beloved by all who knew her, and her demise has caused much sadness among a wide circle of friends. She leaves to mourn their loss a loving husband, adaughter three years of age. a mother. Mrs. C. C. Meyers, and a large number of other relatives. Following the funeral services this afternoon interment was made at Lindenwood cemetery.

Sunday was a rally day for the drys" of the town, especially on the part of the Woman's League, recently organized. Sunday afternoon at 2 o’clock hundreds of children attended the children's meeting at the Methodist church, which was presided over by Mrs. F. B. Perkins of Ann Arbor, Mich., who gave a talk. More of the white ribbon badges, bearing the words, “Vote ‘Dry' for My Sake,” were distributed among the children and the out-pouring of the little ones from the church was a thing that attracted not only the eye but the ear of witnesses, for they had been taught a “yell,” which they sounded forth with full strength, when they got outside; Rah, rah. rah, Rah, rah, ray. Our Decatur dry shall stay. Vote dry for us, Vote dry we pray, Rah, rah rah, Rah, rah, ray. Following the children's meeting, Mrs. Perkins addressed a mass meeting at 3 o'clock, the large auditorium being filled. There was one disturbing element, slight, however. Two men had asked to be given a front seat and sat directly in front of the speaker. During the course of her remarks, one took exception, and mumbled out his opposition. This happened twice. Presently they got up and staggered out. In the evening all the churches dismissed for the union service held at the Methodist church, the auditorium, lecture room and gallery of that edifice being filled to the very doors. The Hon. J. B. Merriman of Bluffton, representative of Wells county in the state legislature, was the speaker of the evening and his address was an eloquent and masterly one. The Woman’s League will conduct a series of special prayer services, since, as one said, they cannt work by voting. Thfe afternoon a service was held at 2 o’clock at the Methodist church, one at 3 and agaj* at 4 Mrs. W. J. Myers lead at first hour, Mrs. Eugene Runyon at the second and Mrs. John Everett at the I third. Tuesday morning at 9 o’clock while the voters are at the polls, the ladies will conduct another prayer

service at the Methodist church, Mrs. F. D. Perkins, who Is a nolM temperance worker, and who husbec ol » here since Friday assisting the man’s League, left this morning f or her home. Indianapolis, Ind., Feb. 27—In BUIU . mtag up the work ot the legislature for the past week, it shows great progress and much industry on the part of the solons comprising the two houses of the Indiana general assembly. Ou last Saturday evening there had been signed by the governor eleven more bills than had been presented to him on the same evening of the same day of the session two years ago. Four more bills are on the governor's desk and which he either will sign or veto, in accordance with his judgment as to theta - necesity or constitutionality. Not over a dozen bills that have received favorable committee report in the house, but whicn have been read the second time and are now ready for final action, and there is no reason for either house to lag behind in any of the important things they ought to do. The regulation is agreed to and is virtually not a contention in either branch. The constitution bill has passed the senate and having received caucus action twice, it will not take much further time in the house. Everything considered, this session need not be ashamed of their record to this date. They have given thorough consideration to every measure*proposed, and are in good shape now to put last and furious work into the last week The session will close on March 6th, which is next Mondav, that being the constitutional limit and sixty-one dajs in which they have devoted to correcting evils to the present law making new ones and considering appropriations for the use of tbe state during the next two years Sixty-one days seems a long time but it is hardly enough for the right consideration of all the needs and necesities of a great state like Indiana, and the one hundred days allotted by the new constitution is more in keeping for the character an amount of the business to be considered by the Indiana legislature.

There is a probability and a pretty strong one at that, for no apportionment of any kind at this time. The argument is nearly unanimous that it would be pretty hard to make a congressional apportionment that would favor the democrats more than does the present one, and the same argument is now being made in an effort to change the legislative districts With sixty members of the house and thirty members of the senate, it would seem that there might be something in their argument. In addition to that the supreme court has already passed upon the constitutionality of the present apportionment, and it would be hard to foretell what they might do to another. Besides all this the voters do not take kindly to the making of such legislation just for the benefits that a political party may derive out of it, and no matter how fair a legislative majority may try to be the public is quite liekly to take another view of it. So it may ■ me to pass that there would be no <pportionment legislation at this session Personally. I would make a few changes, such as divorcing the joint district of Adams and Allen, and there are a few others in the state just like them. The regulation bill is a compromise, as was partially detailed in a previous letter. It is a sort of a compromise that ought to meet the approval of the great body of Indiana voters as well as those who do not vote. It gives a higher license than we now have, an<both these essentials may be increas ed by local authority until the license fee is >7OO in cities and >SOO in incorporated towns and townships, and limitation to one saloon for every one thousand population. The method -J choosing applicants was stricken out. AD the restrictive features are retained in the bill, and it enforced the goo old days of the saloon business thing of the past. The bill improving the accouting law is now settled upon and lea*' ■- ' law as It now Is, with severs, n " p ' l tant changes needed to make ' 8 ‘ able. Settlements can now be ma without first entailing a law > • a comproOses may be made " • “ is thought to be to the best iDtere of both parties. The reports 0 examiners is simply evidence » a suit is entered, and cannot >'*- ' sidered as prikna facie evident' ° findings of the board of accoU Where suits are filed the P™ attorney represents the stat' changes were made, including duction of the field men to cig' lars a day. ® __ ' Judge R. K. Erwin has P lir< the house at 1010 Lake ev 1 rtv SB,OOO, and will occupy the P™ . at on March Ist. He at present 416 Archer avenue.—F° rt Journal-Gazette. - -