Democratic Press, Volume 1, Number 19, Decatur, Adams County, 21 February 1895 — Page 4

PUBLISHED WEEKLY. DEMOCRATIC press PUBLISHING CO. LEW G. ELLINGHAM, EDITOR. il ■»> PER YEAR IN ADVANCE. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21. The name of Hugh Daugherty of Bluffton, has been favorably mentioned as a successor to .Minister Gray. Advices from him state that he would refuse it, owing to ill health. The Morning News at Marion is a new addition iu the newspaper held, ahd it's a bright newsy sheet too. It is published by the typo graphical union, aud mechanically has few superiors. Tom Taggart, the well known chairman of the democratic state central committee, is said to be in Washington in the interests of the Hon. Gil Shanklin, whose friends are urging his appointment to the Mexican mission. The appointment is a deserving oue. A bill has been introduced in the general assembly favoring the es ablishment of an asylum for in ebriates where treatment for the liquor habit can be given them be fore they become insane to the cause, and oft times commit crimes. The bill has been reported favor ably by the committee, aud we hope that same can be passed into a law. We see no reason why it should not be. The Standard at Celina, Ohio, was issued last week entire by the ladies of the city, and they had a corps of “editoresses” that tackled every subject and quantity known to the “profesh.’’ Portraits of leading professional and business men were numerous, and in all a very creditable write-up of the en-; terprising town of Celina and its business resources. Everything from woman’s suffrage to the life, manner and habits of the festive sport was systematically written and typed, showing such enterprise that deserves commendation, even at the hands ofus sternerqualities. They may rapidly take our places in the commercial and business life, but there is one thing they can’t do—be a man. The election of county superintendents takes place every two years in August. At the last election when Indiana was so sweep ingly carried by the republicans, many townships elected republican trustees, and now the legislators at Indianapolis openly avow their in tentious of changing the election of county superintendents from Au gust to September, in order to allow those new trustees—mostly republicans—to vote for superintendent. This is about the first instance in our knowledge, during political achievements, that p- litics has openly been carried into the public schools. The following explains itself: “Republicans in the senate Monday threw off the mask of hypocrisy and openly avowed their intention to make the county superintendents part of the spoils of victory. The matter came up with Senator Self’s bill postponing the election until after the new republican township trustees take cffice. Senator Keru amended by fixing the election iu 1896 in order to give trustees an opportunity to get acquainted with the office. This was defeated on a party vote. In speak ing on his amendmenr Senator Kern said: “This bill means that the spoils system is to be carried into the public schools. This is the first time in the history of Indiana, so far as I know, where politics has been forced into the public schools.’’ Senator Wishard—“When the people put the republicans in power, they intended to hold the republi cans responsible for all administrations of law, and we do not intend to leave seventy three democrats in office when by the passage of this bill we could fill the places with republicans.” Senator Keru—“Do you intend to say that you believe the people intended yon to prostitute the public schools to politics?” Senator Wiahard—“You know what I mean. There is no use to palaver. Yon know what we intend to do.” Senator Alexander — ‘ ‘Do you wish this bill to pass because you want the schools under the control of the republican party?” Senator Wishard—“No, not es pecially. But because we regard these offices as the legitimate fruits of an election.” The previous question was demanded by the republicans and the bill advanced without the Keru amendment. The affair caused much comment.”

At the Capital. Editor Press: — The Indiana legislature is in its wane, aud the session of 1895 will soon lie a thing of the past. There has been but few measures that have liecome laws up to the present writing, and nearly all of the important legislation is yet to come. If iudeed this legislature gives us any important legislation. The general appropriation bill that is now in the hands of the ways and means committee will probably be reported to the house this week, then fun is antici pated. One question that seemed to bother the majority of the house has been decided, that is the Mil-ler-Bowers contest case. They have unseated Bowers, the democrat from Dearborn, Ohio and Switzerland counties, aud seated Nliller in his place. But in doing so they have probably set a very bad precedent that mey in time react on some of the same men that took an active part in unseating Bowers. The committee on elections had this ease under investigation for nearly a month. They brought in a report to the effect that Bowersshould retain his seat. But it was evident that this report was not what a majority of the republicans in the house wanted, so the report was immediately’ referred back to the committee iu the hope that some influence could be brought to bear on the committee to change their report so as to favor the seating of Miller. The committee again wrestled with the matter, but with the same result as before. The chairman stated that if thedisputed ballots were dealt with strictly according to law. Bowers’ plurality would be increased instead of decreased. On face of returns Bowers was elected by a plurality of seven votes. The facts as developed by tqe committee in its investigation, (which was thorough) did not de crease Bowers' plurality, but on the other hand by counting every mutilated ballot that had been cast by a republican for Miller, and not counting a single mutilated or contested ballot for Bowers, he still had one of a plurality over Miller; according to the statement of the chairman of the committee, on the floor of the house. Tne plain facts in the case are that by a fair count in accordance with the law, Bowers had a fair plurality of eight votes over his competitor. Os course this is small but should be just as good as eight hundred, and should be guarded just as sacredly. But the republicans who voted to un seat Bowers, agaiust the recommendation of their own committee, will have a hard time making their cobstituents believe that Bowers was not elected fairly and honestly. And the men that had no more regard for right about them than to vote for such a wrong in the face of all the facts as they were presented, for no other reason than partisan reasons, and that, too, when the par-y did not need the vote as they already have too large a majority, ought to be retired to private life. The time for such peanut politics has long since passed and representatives are expected to devotethemselves to the business of the people. But this a specimen of our reform legislature! NV hat is there in re publican pledges? The republican majority in the legislature have voted in caucus to turn the state penal, benevolent aud reformatory institutions over to the politicians for party spoil. To do this it will be necessary to take the appointing power out of the hands of the governor, w ho is a democrat. The republican spoils politicians propose to place it in the hands of aboardof four state officers,of whom the governor is oue, the secretary of state, the treasurer of state and the auditor of state constituting the majority, are of course republicans. This step is an inexcusable blunder, one of the gre.it st that a political party has committed since the dawn of political reform in this country. The republican party, as is well known, was pledged to non partisan control of the state institutions. But of course there nevei was any substantial reason for any oue believing that they would carry out this pledge to the people. They are not built that way. Republican platforms are made to win elections on. They were pledged to the theory that the appointing powei should be centralized in the gover nor as a responsible head. Not in one platform alone, but the entire later hastory of that party is in support of these ideas. Undoubtedly the republicans have concluded that it is extremely doubtful whether they will elect the next governor or not. They have concluded that a bird in the hand is better than two in the bush. They have a caucus now nearly every day to try to come to some agreement on vital questions, but their majority is large and unwieldy and some of them talk 01 bolting. From what can be learned they are having a red hot time ali among themselves.

But to lay aside all party pledges, what party wisdom is there in taking from the governor the appoint ing power? Has the chief executive abused the power? Has he made unwise appointments? Can these republican statesmen who listen to the hungry element and pap-sucker, aud are deaf to the voice of the people, give any Stood reason to their constituents why they make this uncalled for raid upon the state institutions? What special fitness has a man that has been -elected treasurerof state because he is responsible in a financial sense, to administer upon benevolent institutions? What has a secretary of state to do with prison management? Do we choose an auditor of state in order that he may assist in managing reformatory institutions? This is a perversion of the election laws but the responsibility for this course lies with the republican party. But there is still anoth«r feature of the case that you mus: not forget as you go along. The mere changing the appointing will not accomplish the purpose of the spoils grabber. What they are after is the spoils. But the offices are tilled, and that w ith good com petent men; men whose honesty aud integrity are not questioned even by republicans. They cau not gel possession of these institutions unless they legislate these men out of office. Appointments can't lie made to an office which is already legally tilled. So these offices will have to be vacated by law. If this is done most of the laws governing our state institutions will have to be changed, and for no other purpose than to satisfy a few very hungry republi cans in the state of Indiana. But should they do this their lease of life promises to be extremely short. John T. Kelley. Indiana Mourns. With one accord the people of Indiana bow their heads in sacred reverence to the name and memory of one of her brightest sons, whose useful life was ended in death at his present home in the city of Mexico. This refers to Minister Gray whose sudden death sent a sorrowful shock into nearly every Americen heart. He had been rep resenting this government as minis ter to Mexico since the inauguration of the Cleveland administration, and it was immediately upon his return there from this country that he was stricken with double pneumonia, aud a very few hours after, death had claimed him as its own. Everybody in Indiana knew Minister Gray, and knew him for bis kind and deserving qualities only. He was a democrat and as such held many offices of trust and honor, among which was the governor’s office as well as many others. He had been prominently mentioned for the presidency by his party and in 1892 received the indorsement of the Indiana delegation in the na i tional convention. HIS CAREER. Isaac P. Gray was of Pennsylvania extraction. He was born October 18. 1828, of Quaker parents, in Chester county. Pa. He received a common school education in Ohio, to which I state his parents emigrated in 1836. He entered on the study of law. but lack of means ' compelled him to desist -for a lime and accept * a clerkship in a mercantile house at New Madison. He soon acquired partnership of I the business, and afterward the sole proprietorship of the business. In 1856 be rawed to Indiana with his family, and settled in Union ' City, where, afterasuccesaful mercantile ca- | reer* he entered on the practice of law. He ■ was colonel of the Fourth Indiana Cavalry I during the war and retired for a while ou the around of ill-health. Soon afterward he re- ' cruited the One Hundred and Forty-seventh • Indiana Infantry. He contested his district - on the republican side, against George W.Ju- ’ lian in letfc and was defeated. In he was elected state senator. Originally a whig, he i acted with the republicans during the war. ] but since 1872 he has been identified with the I democrats. in 1870 he was tendered the consulate at St. Thomas, in the West Indies, but declined the I position. He was a delegato-at-large to the liberal republican convention that met in I Cincinnati in 1872. and was appointed by the j convention member for Indiana of the national committee. His name was placed bei fore the democratic state convention in 1872 ’for congressman-at-large and in 1874 for at- ’ torney-general.but was both times withdrawn at his request. In l s 7fi he was chosen by acI clamation by the democratic convention for I lieutenant-governor and ran with James (>. Williams, familiarly known as “Blue Jeans” I Williams, and was elected with the latter, who defeated Ik njr.min Harrison for goveri nor in that year. Upon the death of Governor Williams. Mr. Gray became governor. In 1880 he was again nominated for the same position, but was defeated at the polls. In that year, with Frank- . lin Landers, he was defeated by Porter and j Hanna on the republican ticket. In 1884 Gray received two-thirds of tha delegates votes in the democratic state convention for governor and made the race against Ex-Congressman Calkins. In that year his plurality in the state was 7.323, while that of Cleveland was but 6,572. In 1880, when he was defeated with Landers, he was beaten by only 4.770. while Lan* ders was defeated by a plurality of 6,959. In 1661 he received the complimentary vote of democratic members of the legislature for United States senator —General Harrison being chosen. Six years latter he was a formidable candidate for senator, but Mr Turpie was chosen. ! Since the expiration of his term o* office in 1888 he has been the recognized leader of the democratic party in this state and in 1892 was , prominently mentioned in connection with the gubernatorial convention of the party* but his name was not presented to the convention. In that year he was spoken of by members of his party in this state as a possible candidate for the presidency, but went to

St. Louis as an avowed candidate for the vice I presidency. In 1892 he was again mentioned I in connection with the presidency and two 1 factious in the party were worked up on ac- ; ' count of this. One was the Cleveland and the 1 other the Gray faction. The war between the factions was very bitter fora time, but before the convening of the convention. Gray had become an avowed candidate for the tail of the ticket and b»s friends sought this honor | for him in the convention. After theetection of Cleveland it was conceded that Gray would ; receive some good foreign mission or other rich plum in the power of the president to bestow. He was appointed minister to Mexico , and immediately left for Mexico City to take the position and has been back to this city. j his home, twice since his appointment. • Something like two months ago he was summoned home by the severe illness of his son, , Pierre Gray, at Indianapolis. He was at \\ ashington when the war feeling between Mexico and Gautemala was at its height and hurried to his post carrying Secretary Gresham's peace proposals. He was often spoken of as unavailable man | for the democrats to nominate for the presidency to succeed Mr. Cleveland, aud others | insisted that he should make the race for senator. Mr. Gray was famous for energy and organizing skill and was an incisive and ready dei bater. He was by common consent the democratic leader in Indiana. Since looking it up we are per feetly willing to admit that a Jesse LaFollette editorial was clipped from the Portland Sun. to which the credit was omitted, but that was unintentional on our part. M e are thankful however that it was so near the truth that no libel suit can result, or we might wish we had never spoken. The Pennville Gazette is hereby instructed to con fer honors to whom honors are due. The Indianapolis Journal is now on a boom with a £25,000 libel suit on its hands, the Mini- beii’g filed tn the United States district court by Julia Marlowe Taber. The \ plaintiff' is an actress supporting a company that appeared in Indianapolis, December 16, 1894. Newspaper criticisms of their play at this time caused this action. It seems to lie a great year for libels. Quite fashionable so to speak, and we can hardly wait to hear who the next victim may be.

H. F. COSTELLO. PHYSICIAN and SURGEON Office on west side of Second Street, over j Teveres Hardware store. Residence on wtM Third Street, between Monroe and Jackson Calls promptly attended to day and night. A. P. BEATTY J. F. MANN MANN & BEATTY. ATTORNEYS AT LAW And Notaries Public Pension claims prosecuted. Odd Fellows building. I r ID Tn.’ ATTORNEY-AT-LAW. AND NOTARY PUBLIC. ! Pensions and Collections a specialty. Office in the John C. Hale Building GENEVA. ... - INDIANA 130130 COFFEE, ATTORNEYS-AT-LAW Rooms over P. O. Decatur. Ind J T. FRANCK. J. T. MEKKYMaN. N. P. FRANCE A MERRYMAN, ATTORNEYS AT LAW. DECATt'R. IND. Office—Nos. L 2 and 3. over Adams Co. Bank. We refer, by permission, to Adams Co. Bank. JOHN B. MILLER. The Barber and Hair Dresser Good workmen always employed. Drop n for a good, smooth, easy shave. MONROE STREET Dr. C. V. CONNELL, Vr.criairy higni ui laliti. Office I. 0.0. F. Block. ! Honorary graduate of the Ontario Veterinary College and Toronto Veterinary Dental School. Treats all diseases of domesticated animals. Calls attended to day or night. 1 s P. W. Smith. Pr< s J. B. Hultbouse. V-Pr- - C. A. Pugan, Cash. E.X. Ehinger. Asst Cash Decatur National Bank Decatur, Ind. CAPITAL STOCK SIOO,OOO Directors—P. W. Smith. William A. Kuebler. J. D. Hale, D. G. M. Trout. J. H. Hobroch. C. A. Dugan and J“hn B. Holthouse. This bank does a general banking business, loans money upon approved security, discounts paper. , makes collections, sends money to any point. buys county and city orders. Interest given , on money deposited on time certificates. Capital fldj.OOO. Established 1871 THE OLD ADAMS COUNTY BANK Decatur. Indiana. Does a general banking business, makes collection» in all parts of the country. Buys ! town, township and county orders. Foreign and domestic exchange bought and sold Interest paid on time deposits. Offlc rs—W. H. Niblick. President; D. Studebaker. Vice President: R. K. Allison. Cashier and C. S. Niblick. Assistant Cashier Our bread trade is wing. Don’t ask us whj! The bread is what talks. Union Bakery.

bSj sateens UUg Coh.reti Figures, at ■ 124 CENTS ■ NOW IS TUI! TIME TO GET B w, Boston Store B BBb hl W LI Z. ' BLOCK. TgjgyaMk i.o Peeples ■ . Bakery j 'C- . . . IS ALSO HEAEQUATERS FOR . . . ■ (groceries OF ALL KINDS. NEW STOCK ENTIRE EVERYTHING FRESH. PRICES BEYOND ANY COMPETITION. CALL IN AND SEE. C. "EC. Bell FARMERS: .— Now is the time to get your hoeses in condition for spring work, therefore you should not hesitate to spend 25c and get a package of Stengle & Craig's Superior * Condition * Powders. Also uon t neglect your chickens by not buying a package of Chicken Cholera Cure. Don't forget the place. Stengle & Craig, West Main Street, Berne, Ind. D. E. STUDEBAKER, Mltnlmnu to aliiM Writes Insurance on all kinds of Farm Property. Collections of all kinds carefully attended to. All wishing to borrow money wti! benefited by calling and seeing me. Best of references. DECATUR ln " tUdtbaker bri,k bloek > of court house. " " R • . . INDIANA. i. - ' - q Bobby' BupUnq! lou peednf hang up vobr Blocking! y JManima decP, ob INTA LAUS SOAP » MAM BY laus" s.k.. Fairbank fc Co. Chicago.