Democratic Sentinel, Volume 18, Number 34, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 September 1894 — Page 1

yOLUME XVIIL

11 DON’T WAIT For a Cold to Run into Bronchitis or Pneumonia. Check it at Once WITH AYER’S Cherry Pectoral. “Early in the Winter, I took a ® severe cold which developed into £ an obstinate, hacking cough, o very painful to endure and o troubling me day and night, for ° nine weeks, in spite of numerous o remedies. Ayer’s Cherry Pec- o toral being recommended me, I ® began to take it, and inside of 24 5 hours, I was relieved of the o tickling in my throat. Before I ® finished the bottle, my cough ° was nearly gone. I cannot speak o too highly of its excellence.”— o Mrs. E. Bosch, Eaton, Ohio. g Ayer’s Cherry Pectoral o Received Highest Awards ® AT THEHSRLD’S FAIR?

The Indianapolis Dai v and Weekly Sentinel circulation has leached immense proportion* by its thorough service in receiving all the latest news all over the State and from its dispatches from foreign countries. Every reader in Indiana should take a State paper, and that The Sentinel.* LARGEST CIRCULATION Of any Newspaper 11 THE STATE. 'I'BSMS OF SUBSCBiPTIOH. Daily one year - - $6.00 Weekly one year - - 1-M) The weekly Edition Has 12 PAGES! SUBSCRIBE NOW And make all remittances to The ihdianapolis) SENTINEL COZ Indianapolis, Ind. This paper will be furnished with the weekly edition of ’ The Indiana State Sentinel for $2 00.

PaRTIES DESIRING FARM) LOANS will consult their own interests by calling on, or writing to F. J. Sears & Co., at the Citizens’ State Bank, Rens■elaer, Ind. Terms can not be surpassed, and the commissions charged are low. U/lUTCn —Eight or ten men to repre WApIED) sent our well kncwnhous in this state. Our large and complete stock and various lines, such as nursery etc ck, plants, bulbs, fancy seed potatoes, fertilizers, etc.,enable us to pay handsome salaries to even ordinary salesmen. Wages run from $75.00 to $125,00 per month and expenses—according to material in the man. Apply quick, stating age. MAY & CO., St. Raul, Minn. (This house is responsible.) 3m. Dr. I. B. Washburn, handles the celebrated Tolley’s Kochinoor eye glasses, the best made. Wein-, vite attention to the ‘ad’ *‘“ee Again as in Youth,” in another column.. WA "NT r l ’ Reliable men to sell A-EjJ-J. our choice and hardy Nursery Stockand SeedfPotatoes. full and complete line. Many vaieties can only be obtained through ns. Commission or salary paid weekly, and , promptly. Exclusive and choice of territory given. Don’t delay, wri'e at once for terms. ALLEN NURSERY Co-, 38—20 t. Rochester, N. Y. ■ ■ , composed of G K. Tlollingswoith, will loan you mon•v n personal mortgage, or chattel security for long Ci shoti time at local bank rates. These leans can be paid back at any time, and are more desirable than b<nk loans, because interest is rebated.— We have unlimited capital and can aotorn iodate every ody ( 11.

The Democratic Sentinel.

JUDGE HAMMOND DENIES.

Rensselaer, Im’., Sept.. 3, ’94. Ed. Democrat: Id your paper last week, you say: “Judge Hammond, who presided over the recent republican cons vention said that ‘The Democratic party draws its strength from the slams and dregs of creation’ 1 said nothing of the kind, nor did I use any language which can be tortured into a meaning, or any similai meaning, conveyed by the above words. I criticised quPe freely, but in moderate terms, the general p olicy and action of the Democratic par 1 ty, for which I have no apology to make, but mac e no reference, directly or indirectly, to the mems bersh p of that par 'y or the sources from which it draws its strength. In common with all republicans, and not a few democrats, I have not a very high opinion of the democratic party, bu 4 I have alw jys treated its members and their political views with respect when discussing political topics. On the occasion referred t , 1 made no personal allusions whitever. It is unpleasant to be thus misrepresented and falsified, and 1 hope you will do me the justice to publish this communication. E P. HAMMOND. ‘IF’ our worthy and esteemed friend, Judge Hammond, had noted the introductory word in our article, he <vouid have seen that we did not charge nim wit 1 ? the utterance imputed to him. We said (and we take the article in tvpe from the form): If Judge Hammond, in his re-» marks acknowleding the honor conferred upon him in his selection as presidin •» officer over the 3d republican congressional con vention, said: “tne democratic party draws its strength from the slums and dregs of creation,” it will have the effect of lessening his influence among his democratic neighbors and friends who have always believed him to be above such cheap demagoguy. We are satisfied the Judge used the expression as so much cheap buns combe, but that will not excuse him. The Judge and his party will suffer more from such outbreaks at the mouth than’wijl tin? demociatic party.

Personally, we have always held the Judge in the highest esteem and have treated him accordingly, and he will bear us out in this.’We supposed, if he uttered the sentiment he did so in in unprepared speech, and under the excteinent of the moment as so much cheap buncombe, and|didn’t mean it. We gave the Judge the “benefit of the doubt.”

Th » Judge is more likely to suf fer from the anxiety of his p ool friends to rush *nto print in his defense. The author of the article in the Republican this week entitled .“He Never Said It,” is evidently one “from the slums and dregs of creation,” and cannot claim an abiding place within the Democratic fold,

FOR CONGRESSMAN ?

Rochester Sentinel: Political conventions of the tenth district have given the people a list of candidates from which to choose their representative in congress for the next two years. The Republicans have named Dr. Hatch, a man unknown to the district. He may be a good citizen and an intelligent gentleman but if he has ever demonstrated a single character-; istic wfcich fguarantees an intel ligent and forceful representation of tenth district interests in the halls'of Congress, should he b 1 elected, it has never been heard of. ’i he Pobulists have nominated Rev.lHathdm, a good preacher who has laid aside his noble c tiling to enter politics and that is all wt i know of him

Ihe Democratic nominee is a man famous for his a hiev 'ments in all the commendable avenues of , life. He came to Rochester year ago— a German of the very high est and b°st type. Although a mere boy when he came here ho| was a skilled mechanic and worked faithfully at his trade until by his industry, wise economy ana strict alherenbe to upright business principles, he gradual’y arose until he stood shoulder to shoulder with the most progressive and substap tai business men o ! the coun y. i And it mrty be said of him with

fiENSSELAEB lAS? EH COUNT?. INDIANA’, FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 7 1894

Miss Fra n c McEwen has purchased aCaligraph and is prepared to jopy legal and other instruments in type iwriting, carefully, promptly, and on reasonable terms Orders can be left at the Sentinel office, the Surveyor’s office, or residence.

perfect truth, that he is preeminently a self-made man. For whether amid the cares incident to hard daily labor, or the vexatious details of his wider pursuits, he was ever a student No condition from that of the humblest laborer to that of the chief executive of the nation has escaped his patient investigation. This characteristic, together with his own experience as a hand toiler, will explain his active Gympattey for the laboring classes, exemplified by his acts as a member of the Indiana state senate.

His business sagacity and ready ability in applying means to ends, have made him a prominent figure in the business circles of Rochester. He has ever been closely identified with the interests oi the town. Few indeed are the important public improvements, or steps for the promotion of the general welfare of the people, which do not bear the impress of his genius: He is, in short, a progressive, public spirited, liberal minded, broad gauge American citizen, entirely worthy of that perfect confidence so freely by all classes who know him well-

His public career as state senator during the sessions of 1885 and 1887 is a part of our state's history. It is perhaps enough to say that from the first he became a conspicuous figure, discharged his duty with distinguished ability, with honor to himself and to +he approval of his entire constituency. Several notable acts now grace the pages of our statutes as the fruits of his labor, and W'll stand as ineffaceable monuments to his ability as a 1 original thinker, his firm devotion to right principles, and his tireless zeal as a servant of the people. Whether in public or private life, he has never forsaken nor forgotten a friend, nor wanaered from a post of duty. No day has been too long for him to labor in the int rest of those entitled to his services, and no night too dark for him to fipd Ins way to tl e needy and oppressed. Party ties Lick the strength of former years. Long usage and frequent strains have loosened the coils, and weakened the fiber This tendency toward independence of thought and action, o._ the part of the farmers and laboring men general.y, is an evidence of national strength. It is the giant rousing from his slumber. The sentiments, character and capacity cf the candidate himself are now legitimate matters for investigation, In the earnest belief that the people of this district, most in need of an able and courageous defender; will find m Mr. Zimmerman a a sympathetic and firm friend, a worthy and competent man, his character, qualifications and gen - eral fitness are respectfully submitted for examination. Engineer Bostwick is visiting his parents and friends in Batavia, N. Y.

RACING

NE thing that will make the State Fair at Indianapolis interesting this year will be the . racing. The big purses 5* °“ ere d and the splendid track will doubtless attract a large number of the best horses in » the country. Records will be * smashed and the best horses will win. The dates, September 17 to 23, are exceptionally propitious as no other big racing meeting will interfere. All lovers of fine track sports should attend the State Fair. The show of fine horses promises to eclipse anything ever seen in the State and the indications for a first-class show of all kinds of stock were never better. The $30,000 offered in premiums will attract exhibitors from all parts of the couhtry, and competition will be strong in all departments. The people of the State should take more interest in the State Fair than in late years. It is an institution worthy of support, but it can only be maintained by the interest and attention of the citizens of the whole State. ; >Look out for further announcements and make your arrangements to attend-

“A FIRM AD BNOE TO CORRBOT PBIBTOI LB8."

ft, M'CO~ t CO’S BANK) Is pre} (red to make five year loans on farms at Btes positively as low, and on as favorable jrme as can be obtained in town, giving the privilege of partial payments at any time, »d stopping the interest on the amount paid. We are also prepare! to make loons -n personal seounty on shorter time ■. -easonable rates. If you are in need o' . loan, give us a call. 13—41.

Now This IS the CheapestNext Thursday, Sept. 13, the Monon RouM will run the cheapest Chicago excffrsion in the history of the road. ONLY 90 CENTS for the round trip, from Rensselaer to Chicago, and return. You have to go in on the special excursion train, but you can come back on any regular train, until the last train of Saturday night. ALL south bound trains will stop at ALL stations on Sept. 13 and 14, to let off excursionists. The rates and schedule time on the excursion train, of Thursday, for all Jasper county and neighboring points, are as follows: T Time Kate. Lee 10:10 a. m ... .SI.OO Pl. Ridge 10:25 a. m 95 Rensselaer 10:34 a. m 90 Surrey 10:45 a. m 85 Fair Oaks 11:00 a. m 75 Rose Lawn 11:12 a. m 70 Thayer 11:17 a. m 70 Shelby 11:20 a. m 65 Ample room and a seat for everybody, is promised on the special train. Marlborough will have a proportionate rate, but was accidentally omitted from the bills. Miss Edith Marshall will teach again in the Joliet, 111., schools. Mrs. Christie Vick is visiting friends in Warren county. Mrs. J. F. Iliff recently stricken by paralysis is getting better. The Loyal Temperance Legion will meet at thr Firstßaptis' church Saturday afternoon, Sept. Bth, at 3 o’ckck.Ansiwco.,S~ G. K. Hollingsworth, will loan you money on pejepnal mortgage, chattel eeouI Uy, fpr long «r sh«>t time at local bank rates. These loans <San be paid back at any time, and are more dealt ale than bank loans, because interest is re bated.— We have unlimited capital and can accommodate everybody Rev. R. D. Utter is attending the the northwest Indiana M. E. annual conference in session atjuafayette. Ludd Hopkins is in California. Thp Ladies’ literary Society meet with Mrs. Belle Kerr, Friday afternoon of next week, at 3 o’clock Alston Hopkins, of Old Mexico, broth r of the late Ludd Hopkins, is visiting relatives and friends in Rensselaer.

Mrs. E. D. Rhoades attended the funeral of Mrs. Henry Braashaw, at Lafayette, Tuesday. ,3u Thursday, Sept. 1 3th, Jthe will run a cheap excursion to Chicago. Rate for round trip from Rensselaer 90 cents. Which is worse, imprisonment for life or a life-long disease, like scrofula, for example? The former, certainly, would be preferable were it not that Ayer’s Sarsaparilla can always come to the rescue and give the poor sufferer health, strength, and happiness. The infant son ot Mr. and Mrs. Mark M. Yeomzn, Barkley township, died last Tuesday. Funeral services Wednesday. Julius G. Huff and Miss Lucinda Cox were married Wednes day at the residence of the bride’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Wash Scott, by Rev. J. L. Brady.

Korah Parker and Miss Bessie Makeever were marr.ed at the residence ot the bi ide’s parents, Mr. and Mrs W. S. Coen, Wednesday evening, by Rev. J.L Brady Sixteen new pupils, from Turtle Mountain reservation, North Da«» kota, for the Indian school at this place. Rev. E. Baech will occupy the pulnit of the Presbyterian church next Sunday, morning and evening. Everybody invited. The barn belonging to Mrs. Ludd Hopkins, near her residence, was destroyed by fire Saturday. Con«« flagration caused by matches in the hands of a couple young boys. John W. Coen and Miss Cora McColly were married at the residence of the bride’s father J. F. McColly, in Fair Oaks, Wednesday evening, by Rev. B. i. Ferguson. A reception vas given the newly married couple, Thursday evening, at the residence of Joseph Yeoman, Rensselaer.

INDIANA TAX REFORM.

Invaluable Service to the People by the Democratic Party. _ History of the Tax Law of 1891 and Its Beneficent Results. x A Barbarewa System Replaced by • tat •nd Equitable Code—Burdens BqnalIsed end Texes Proportioned »• Posseesions trasted—Former Still Complaining of Partiality In Exemptions and Favoritism to Corporations—Latter Puromt at the Expense of the People—FaoSe Md Figures In Illustration—Superiority of the Indiana Plan—Democracy's Oreat Triumph.

For many years the necessity for reform in the system of taxation was one of the most pressing questions in the state of Indiana. It was recognised that the prevailing system was unjust, vicious and oppressively unequal in its operations, but every effort for a change long proved abortive. Under the old laws prevailing in the state up to the year 1891, the corporations always managed to evade payment of their just proportion of taxation. The corporate influences appeared to be in complete control of the machinery for levying taxes, and for years, by means known only to themselves and the revenue officials, shifted almost the entire burden of taxation to the shoulders of individual property owners. While only a small per cent of the taxes were paid by corporations and railroad interests, their holdings largely exceeded the total assessed valuation of the entire state. Hundreds of thousands of individual property owners throughout the state were for years assessed at from one-third to onenaif the actual value of their possessions, while the corporations were either entirely overlooked by the local assessors and state board of equalization, or succeeded in having their aggregations of * wealth listed at one-tenth, or even onetwentieth, of its value. Nor was this all or the worst. Many rich corporations, such as the Pullman Car company, escaped taxation altogether. Though doing business in the state on a large scale, enjoying the protection of her laws and getting the benefit of her rich resources, they returned not a dollar to the treasury* in compensation. The attempts to remedy this Iniquitouefaystem long proved vain. The Republican party, though pften in power, refused to do anything. The demands of the people were unheard or unheeded. The old code, out gfsate and unjust* to the last degree, Was'allowed to remain on the statute books. Such was the situation when the Democratic party assumed control of the legislature in the winter of 1890-91. The leaders of the party had determined to make a sweeping change in the whole system of taxation and the session was largely taken up in framing and passing the new law. It was carefully studied qnd framed cm scientific principles, in accordance witn the views of the most enlightened and progressive students of political economy. Its passage was opposed at every step by the privileged corporations, backed by the Republican party. It was only after a bitter struggle that the measure finally became a law. The Republican press and speakers assailed it with utmost virulence, attacking both its principle and details, and calling upon the people to defeat the Democracy and restore the old system. In fact, opposition to this great law was made one of the cardinal Republican tenets ip 1892, and had that party been given power there is no doubt that it would have been repealed. Every device was resorted to to prejudice the people against it. The operation of the law was obstructed in every possible way, payment of taxes was resisted and suits were brought to declare the law unconstitutional. The basic principle underlying this law is that all persons shall pay taxes in proportion to their means, while none are allowed to escape, they will all be assessed equitably. The wealthiest corporation must bear its burden equally with the small farmer or householder. While according equal rights to all, special privileges will be allowed to none. How unjustly the old plan operated and the inestimable reform that has been accomplished by this great Democratic law may be judged from the single item of railroad property. The total assessments of railroad properties in the state of Indiana for the year 1890, under the old system, was $69,762,676. For 1891, after the new law came into effect, the assessment of the same properties was $161,089,169. For 1892 it was $160,696,802 and for 1898 it was $169,248,878. It will be seen that the aggregate for these three years was $480,883,844, as against $209,288,028, which would have been the assessment during these three years on the basis of 1890, showing an excess under the new law of $271,595,816. But while railroad property, being the largert item, attracts the most attention, the operation of the law worked a similar reformation proportionally in all kinds of corporate property which bad theretofore escaped taxation in whole or in part. This enlargement of the list of taxables, while greatly increasing the state's resources, also operates to relieve the smaller taxpayers of the unjust burdens put upon them by the inequitable operation of the old method. Perhaps no better way can be employed to bring into bold relief the public benefits conferred by the great Democratic reform law of 1891 than to contrast the present conditions of the two neighboring states of Indiana and Illinois. In the latter the old system still prevails, the tax law there being very similar to the one in operation here up to 1891. The state boards of equalization of the two states have been in session during the past two weeks, and the merits ana demerits of their respective laws may readily be compared. In Indiana ho complaints are heard except 1 from a few big corporations, who are begging for a lowering of assessments on account of hard timeis and bad business. The people generally are satisfied, understanding that they pow have a law that is perfectly just in its pro- 1 visions apd only peeds and fear-

less administration to secure ideal results. In Illinois the complaints are loud and deep and a demand oomee up from every quarter of the state for the passage of a tax law similar to that in Indiana. The records in Illinois show that more than $100,000,000 worth of railroad property does not pay a oent of taxes, while every acre owned by the fanner is assessed to the fullest extent. The same records show that the colossal corporations of the state, with capital stock reaching into the hundred million figures, pay taxes on but $5,863,947. It goes witnonftaying that such a condition of affairs constitutes a crime against every individual taxpayer in the state. It is wholesale robbery of the people by the trusts and corporate monopolies, aided and abetted by officials chosen by the taxpayers to secure an equitable distribution of the burdens of taxation. Farming lands throughout the state are assessed at from sl2 to SSO per acre, while a corporation like that of the Pnllman Palace Car company, having a paid-up capital of $86,000,000, owning a city In itself and possessed of assets valued at $50,000,000, is permitted to pay taxes on leas than $2,000,000, or about 4 per oent of its real value. Owners of humble homes worth from $2,000 to $5,000 are assessed al from SI,OOO to $2,500, or half their real value, while railroads owning $20,000,000 worth of property are allowed to escape on an assessed valuation of less than $1,000,000. Real estate experts estimate the value of railroad property in Chicago at $600,000,000, yet the state board of equalisation places the assessed value at less than $18,000,000 and in the entire state of Illinois at $82,000,000, although known to be worth $1,000,000,. 000. In other words, the individual taxpayer has to pay taxes on about one-fourth the real valne of his property, while the big railroad corporations escape with assessments of from one-tenth to one-twentieth of the real value of their holdings. The SBO,OOO, (XX) paid-up capital stock of Pullman’s Palace Car company is assessed at the pitiful figure of $672,846. This same company has never paid a dollar of taxes in Indiana until' the present year, which is the result of a law passed by the last Democratic legislature of Indiana. It has made millions of dollars in the state during the last 80 years without returning a single dollar in taxes. The remedy for this glaring abuse is due solely to the Democratic party. Last year the total assessed value of property in Illinois was $847,181,516, of which $7(10,887,855 was placed ok real estate and personal property, $70,531,788 on railroads, and $5,863,947 on capital stock corporations other than railroads. This tells the story of how the people pay the taxes while the corporations, which have the people by the throat, escape the bunlens of government. Precisely similar to this were the conditions prevailing in Indiana until the legislation of 1891 plucked up the abuse by tne roots, made mandatory provisions for equal and just assessmetlts and compelled all classes of property to bear tnelr fair share of the taxation. How it has operatod as to the railroads is illustrated In tliiMgures above fciven, contrasting the assessment of 1890 • with subsequent years. But it is pot simply necessary to nave a good Jaw to insure justice to the people. To the Democratic party of Indiana belongs the credit of first enacting the tax law and then enforcing it with vigorous impartiality and stern justice to all. The administration of the law was resisted by one of the most powerful combinations ever formed for such a purpose. All the railroad companies of the state united in refusing payment of taxes and in a suit to declare the law unconstitutional and void. This litigation involved more money than any other tax case ever before tried tn the. United States. How It was fought through for the state and finally won by the Democratic attorney general; how the railroads were compelled to come to time and settle their long withheld dues, are matters of recent history and form one of the proudest triumphs of the Democratic party. Valuable as was the service to the people of enacting such a law, the honest and fearless enforcement of its provisions constitute a still stronger claim for public approval and public gratitude.

REPUBLICANISM AND DEMOCRACY.

Look Upon Thin l*ictur« and Than Cast Your Eye Upon Thia. As another campaign is on, it is well to contrast the records of the two great parties now contesting for supremacy in Indiana. During its tenure of power at various times in the last decade the Democratic party has done these things: It passed the mechanics’ lien lew. It passed the law giving laborers a lien upon the product of their labor for wages and material furnished. It passed the law protecting labor organizations. It passed the law providing for the safety of miners and the proper ventilation of mines. It passed the law constituting eight hours a day's labor in public employment. It passed the law prohibiting the blacklisting of employes. It passed the law prohibiting "pluckme” stores. It passed the employes' liability law. It passed the law prohibiting the importation of Pinkerton detectives. It passed the law against the importation of alien or foreign laborers. It enacted the school-book law. It enacted laws to purify elections. It enacted the Australian ballot law. It devised and passed the present tax law. It passed the new fee and salary law. It enacted the Barrett improvement law. It passed the state board of charities law. The Other Side. Every one of the above mentioned laws, now admitted to be valuable, was opposed to the last by the Republican party. It fought the school book law with utmost desperation. It arrayed itself against the labor reform laws. It opposed the 8-hour day law. It was against the employes’ liability bill. It was the champion of Pinkerton detectives. It fought all the laws to purify elections It arrayed itself like a stone wall against the Australian ballot law, which it regarded as an attack upon its inalienable right to buy votes. It was savagely against the present equitable tax law and fopght it at every stage, and if returned to power is pledged I to repeal it and go back to the old system of corporation favoritism. I It opposed the fee and salary law.

TRUE BALLOT REFORM.

Indiana Democracy’s Record in Respect. How the Legislation of 1889 Wm Brought About. ■iriwnnr,. . Sluun.l.u Abiuw of Sbo Bld System. Dorsey’s Two Dollar Notes and Dudley*. “Block.-of-Fir." Vote. Buying M • Fine Art—Republican Gems Bloelsod. Au.traliaa Ballot Kifoeks It Out—Bnduring Glory of the Democratte Partyt It is a remarkable fact in the history of the American commonwealths that, while progressing so rapidly in other respects, they have alwayh been singularly backward in matters relating to the * exercise of the suffrtjje. For a free people, who govern themselves by the ballot, the first and most essential requisite would seem to be laws regulating the principles and methods of voting. The ballot is the recorded opinion of the masses. In no other way can the will of the majority be ascertained and the government set in motion. The first step, therefore, in a republic controlled by suffrage would naturally be a law clearly ascertaining the right and providing the means for a fair and honest vote of the enfranchised citizen. Yet it is not too much to say that scarcely a state in the Union, during the first hundred years of the country's history, had a scientific or even decent ballot law. The codes prevailing in most of the states were crude, Imperfect, unsatisfactory in operation and often little short of barbarous. The socalled ballot laws led to endless confusion in practice and were fruitful breeders of corruption and oppression. They seemed especially adapted to invite that most insidious and dangerous crime against the life of a republic, the purchase of votes. While nominally secret, the ballot was really open, and the voter was subject io that espionage, intimidation and tampering which is fatal to a fair ascertainment of the popular will. The arrangements for counting and announcing the result were little better than the method of voting. Every facility was afforded the dishonest election officer to play his game of chicane, while the voter outside was left a prey to unprincipled party "workers” and tne schemes of designing politicians. How to remedy this crying abuse was long a subject of earnest thought on the part of many American legislators. Various schemes were devised, but none were satisfactory in operation. The socalled reforms proved inadequate to reach the seat of the evil; the relief was but temporary, and one by one they were abandoned as wholly inadequate to the emergency. At length, unable to invent for themselves, the ballot reformers were foroed to go across the world for a hint of the needed law. It was left for the people of the former penal colony of Australia to solve the vexed problem. They invented what has since been widely famed as the Australian ballot law. While not perfect, nor a complete remedy for all abuses, the Australian system is undoubtedly the beet yet devised for the purpose. While simple in operation, the results under honest administration are so fair as to satisfy the most exacting. Indiana was among the first of the states of the American Union to adopt this new system. When the Democratic party took charge of the legislature in 1889 one of the first measures introduced was a bill to reform the ballot, modeled on the Australian law. The Republican party opposed it bitterly. Under the old system that party had enjoyed a great advantage. The loose methods and imperfect details afforded facilities for the practice of those abuses in which the Republican party had become an adept and an artist. Under the old laws that shameless traffic in votes, which for years made the name of Indiana a byword and a reproach, had been brought by the Republican party to- such a degree of perfection that honest elections were an impossibility tinder these laws. Dorsey’s two-dollar-bill campaign of 1880 converted the whole state into -1 a market for the purchase and sale of votes. Under these laws in 1888 Dud- ‘ ley reduced the "blocks of five” system to a fine art. Our elections tor years were roaring farces, when not bloody tragedies, and free government was practically overthrown by the poisoning of its basic principle at the fountain From all these evils the state was rescued by the Democratic ballot law, which first went into operation at the fall election in 1890. Then, for the first time probably since the war, Indiana had an election that was absolutely honest and fair. The humblest citizen was able to vote in perfect secrecy, undeterred by the pestiferous "ticket handler” on the one hand or the partisan intimidator on the other. Crowds of hoodlums no longer assembled around the polls to abash or influence the honest voter. The trade of the vote buyer was abolished and the occupation of the whipper-in was gone. Under the new law it was found practically impossible to bring the power of money to bear to influenced votes. Nor can the wealthy employer* control his workingmen as formerly, as I under the Australian system it is impossible to ascertain how any man oasts his, ballot. These and other evils were removed, and it is not too much to say that Indiana now enjoys an electoral system that is substantially perfect. Elections being honest and the count fair, the people acquiesce peacefully and cheerfully in the will of the majority as asoettained at the polls. No longer is the bitter complaint heard that "the state was bought” or “the count was not honest,” which cries constituted the afterfnath of every general election held in the state from the 60’s to the 90’s. It is the enduring glory of the Democratic party that it placed this great law on the statute book and thereby rescued the state from the incalculable evils incident to a corrupted suffrage. Not only was it the greatest of reforms (tself, but it was the fruitful parent of Other great reforms which depend for realization upon an honest system of voting. Had the Democratic party done no more in all its later career, the passage of the Australian ballot law would alone entitle it to the lasting gratitude of the people of Indiana.

NUMBER 34