Indianapolis Journal, Indianapolis, Marion County, 1 March 1889 — Page 4

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THE DAILY JOURNAL FRIDAY, MARCH 1, 1889. WASHINGTON orFICE-513 Fourteenth St. P. S. JIeatii, Correspondent. NEW YOKK OFFICE 204 Temple Court, Corner Beekman nnd Nassau Streets. 7 ' TERMS OF SUBSCRIPTION. DAILY. One year, without Pnndaj fl2-00 One year, with Snnrtay H-J Six montfc without Monday ." Fix months, with snnrtay 7.00 Three months, without Hnnday... ...... ......... 3.00 Three month?, with Sunday ..... 3.50 One month, withont Sunday 1M One month, with banday 1.20 WFXKLY. ttr year. Reduced Rates to Clubs, finbicrtbe with any of our numerous agents, or end subscriptions to t fcf HE JOURNAL NEWSPAPER COMPANY, IXDLOtAPOLIS, IXD. THE INDIANA PO LI S JOURNAL Can be found at the following places : LONDON American Exchange In " Europe, 449 Strand. PARIS American Exchange In Paris, 35 Boulevard des Capuclnes. NEW YORK Gilsey House and "Windsor Hotel. PHILADELPHIA A P. Kemble, 8735 Lancaster avenue. CHICAGO Palmer House. CINCINNATI-J. P. Hawley A Co., 154 Vine street LOUISVILLE-C. T. Peering, northwest corner Third and Jefferson streets. ST. LOUIS Union News Company, Union Dpot and Southern Hotel. WASHINGTON, D. C.-Riggs House and Ebbitt House. Telephone Calls. Bulsness Oflce 233 1 Editorial Rooms 242 r. ' Willard was fully as deserving oi punishment as Linck. WnEN Willard gets back on his dunghill in Bedford how he will crow! Does Mr. "Willard consider himself a gentleman, and does ho feel vindicated! A gentleman is always satisfied with ft frank and complete apology, but a ruffian never. "On to Washington" is now the cry, End "We are coming, Father Benjamin, a hundred thousand or more." What Gapen doesn't know about the accounts and affairs of the Insane Hospital would make a very large book. The appointment by the Governor of Livingston Howland as circuit judge for Marion county is an excellent one. Republican members of the Legislature should remain at their posts. The demands of public duty are paramount. . As A manly man and gentleman, John W. Linck stands in far better form before the people than James H. Willard. Gapen's extreme solicitude to shield Eullivanfrom a suspicion of crookedness is a touching case of disinterested friendship. Perhaps part of the $150 fine imposed on Sir. Linck should go to buying a piece of court-plaster for the chivalric Willard's nose. TnE existence of the State Constitution is understood to be regarded by the Legislature and its illegal appointees as in outrage upon the Democratic party. Wrrn Dr. Harrison and Gapen on the Soard of Insane Hospital trustees, what ras to hinder Sullivan from getting fat contracts! What were they there for? It must have wrenched the stiff old bones of the London Times to get down on its knees as it did to Parnell. Considering, however, that nothing was left for it to do but apologize, it did the job fairly well. The newspaper cabinet-makers do aot seem to get on any faster with their zvork in the Washington shop than they did at Indianapolis. The master meshanic will have to be allowed to complete the job, after all. It is difficult to decide, from Sir. Gapens testimony, whether he was merely a stupid and willing tool of a bigger rascal than himself, or whether he was the lamented Sullivan's partner and ,hared equally in the profits of "working the State." It is currently reported that certain ardent Democrats, in caucus over Gov. Hovey's action in the Supremo Court commission case, favored the repeal of the State Constitution, and the passage of anew one, better adapted to pres- . snt party needs. The lamented Sullivan, Democratic leader, poultry-dealer and custodian of rust funds, enjoyed peculiar advantages In the matter of bids for hospital 6up- - plies. It isn't every man who can have pis bid cut down lower than any others offered after it is opened. TnE Democratic Legislature can rob the public, outrage decency, deprive the minority of its rights, and behave like a body of hoodlums generally, but when it runs up against the Constitution of the Etato something is bound to flatten out, and it isn't tho Constitution, either. The rush to tho inauguration has begun, and will continue with increasing force till tho end of the week. It will probably be tho greatest movement of people by rail ever accomplished, unless some of the rapid military movements during tho war may have equaled it. The Democratic Legislature started out to provide as many offices as possible for impecunious members of the party. After it has spent all winter at the job, it is really cruel of Governor Hovey to bar tho way to the State treasnry as he is doing. It is enough to drive the disappointed ones to madness, if not to crime. "Tnou art so near aud yet so far" is the refrain sung by the so-called Supreme Court commission as its members contemplate tho bench of that court, which tb?y are so eager to occupy. Pathos is added to the song by the fact that the longer they look at the coveted place tho further away it get. Governor Hovey's prompt action in the matter of tho Supremo Court comttisbionerH is characteristic and creditr.blc to him. He is known as a bravo man, with the courage of his convictions csder all circumstances. He is alao a

good lawyer and has well-defined views concerning the constitutional powers and prerogatives of the legislative and executive departments. Believing that the action of the Legislature in appointing the commissioners was a violation of the Constitution, it was his duty to resist tho encroachment in every proper and legal way. Tho Journal believes he is right, but whether right or wrong, his action in the premises has been consistent and dignified. The result of the suit to enjoin the commissioners from acting will bring tho case directly bofore tho Supreme Court and insure a speedy decision.

TWO CRUDE LAWS. The Legislature has lost two excellent opportunities to pass good laws, accomplishing much-needed reforms, and has passed instead two crude measures, containing serious defects and worthless for good results until materially amended. We refer to the election law and tho school-book law. There was a general demand for legislation on both of these subjects. Honest men of both parties, and practically the entire press of the Statecertainly the entire Republican press favored a more stringent election law, and the demand for free school books was almost as general. There was, therefore, a fair opportunity to comply with public sentiment and do a great public service. We shall bo much surprised and agreeably disappointed if tho laws enacted succeed in either respect. Both of them contain obvious defects which might easily have been avoided by discussion and amendment, and both are likely to develop still more serious defects in practice. They show the evils of caucus legislation and the vicious results of putting important measures through under the gag law and without opportunity for free discussion and amendment. It was entirely unnecessary for the Democrats to do this, because, having a majority in both houses, tho credit of tho laws, if any credit comes, would naturally go to them. They might just as well have taken time to perfect tho bills and availed themselves of tho benefits of full discussion and desirable amendments, but they applied to these important measures the same whip-and-spur gag law, star-chamber methods they have used in their partisan legislation. Tho result is two crude and illdigested laws which will probably bring them discredit instead of credit, and which will certainly have to be materially amended before they will meet tho expectations . or wishes of the people. The carrying into effect of both laws will be attended with a great deal of friction and heavy expense. Tho expense of elections will bo more than doubled, while the persistent refusal to enact a registry law deprives tho people of tho most important help to honest elections. It remains to bo seen whether the socalled Australian system, with its abundant and complicated machinery, will not leave wide-open doors for political corruptionists or become an engine for tho exclusion of legal votes. The school-book law adopts a most cumbersome and round-about method of doing what might have been done in a very simplo wy. The Massachusetts law of a dozen lines is a much better one, and accomplishes the object of free text-books perfectly. It has also the merit of not interfering with local school authorities, and of not trying to apply a cast-iron system to city and country schools, as our law does. Tho best feature in our law is that its administration is left mainly to the State Board of Education, which is a very capable body and practically non-partisan. It consists of tho State Superintendent of Public Instruction, the presidents respectively of tho State University, the State Normal School and Purdue University, and the superintendents of public schools in Indianapolis, Evansvillo and Terre Haute, There could not be a better body of educators gotten together in the State than this. As now constituted, it consists of four Republicans, two Democrats and one mugwump. If the new law can bo made to work at all, this board will do it, but it cannot cure radical defects in the law. One of these, already hinted at, is the complete ignoring of local school authorities in tho selection of books, and tho requirement of the same books in city, town and country schools. Both of these features will cause great dissatisfaction among the people, and great injury to the schools. Another serious defect is in tho distribution of books, which are to bo supplied only through township trustees. This will devolve on the township trustee in this city, and in every other city and town in the State, tho duty of receiving, storing, handling and distributing the books for the entire school population. In the country districts, if a child wants a fivecent copy-book, it can be had only of the township trustee. But probably the most radical defect is that of requiring the board to advertise for cheap and inferior books. Tho scale of prices fixed by tho law is such as to exclude good school books of established reputation. It is not unlikely that this was the object, and we shall not be at all surprised if it develops that some third or fourth-rate publisher of third or fourth-rate books has had a hand in framing the law, and will turn up as the successful bidder. Tho law makes no stipulation whatever as to tho merit or character of the books. It looks only to cheapness. Under this law we are likely to have a lot of obsolete and worthless books unloaded on the schools. The prices fixed by the law are about 25 per cent, below those in Minnesota, whero tho result of advertising for cheap books has been very disastrous to the schools. The point is that we should havo the best books published, and not tho cheapest. The prices fixed by law will not procure good'books, and probably were not intended to. They probably cover an intended job or speculation for somebody. The only other alternative allowed tho board to purchasing cheap books is that of advertising for manuscripts and embarking in tho publishing business. This plan is so essentially vicious that it should not be entertained for a moment. These are some of tho inherent defects of tho law, ..Two jreara

hence a Republican Legislature will be called upon to amend both tho election law and the school-book law, in the interest of tho people and the spirit of true reform.

A GREAT OUTRAGE. The action of tho House in the Linck case is an infamous outrage. Of Mr. Linck'3 conduct in striking Willard we make no defense. It is not defensible. It was a palpable breach of parliamentary decorum, and of the proprieties of the place. Equally so was Willard's language, and so have been other episodes during the session. But while we do not excuse Mr. Linck's oatburst of passion, we insist that his subsequent course was manly and creditable in tho highest degree. As soon as ho recovered control of himself he made a manly and complete apology to tho House. Later he sent a written apology to Willard. Again, yesterday, he addressed tho House, expressing the deepest regret for the occurrence, and making an apology as strong as words could frame. Nevertheless ho deserved a vote of censure. The House administered that, and there, with his apology, tho matter should have ended. No gentleman should have asked more, and no majority should havo gone further. But the Democrats did. They imposed a fine of $150 and suspended Mr. Linck for twelve days. This was done by a strict party vote. Tim period of suspension covers the remainder of the session and is equivalent to Sir. Linck's expulsion. Tins is a gross outrage. The fine of $150 is an unheard-of punishment, but the suspension, or expulsion, is brutal, cowardly and illegal. Tho Constitution says: "Either house may punish its members for disorderly behavior, and may, with tho concurrence of twothirds, expel a member." It takes twothirds to expel a member, but the Democrats, by a mere majority, have suspended Mr. Linck for tho remainder of the term. The punishment is out of all proportion to the gravity of the oftense, and is, besides, a plain violation of the spirit and intent of the Constitution. It deprives the people of Jefferson county of a Representative for the rest of the term. No greater outrage than this has been perpetrated by this lawless Legislature. Every man who voted for it has shown himself to bo a coward and a bully, incapable of appreciating manly conduct and devoid of tho sentiments that obtain among gentlemen. A DANGEROUS BILL. It woiUd be well for Senators to look a little into House Bill 153 before passing it. Should it become a law the G,000 stockholders of tho Indianapolis Consumers' Natural-gas Trust Company will be deprived of all voice in the management of the company for all time to come. They will have no remedy even if the property of the company should be outrageously squandered by tho directors, or used for some purpose entirely different from what was intended when the company was organized. It would make the tenure of tho directors and officers perpetual, and deprive "thft,l poor stockholders of all power now and forever. It would be hard to conceive of a more complete monopoly than this; bill would create. The bill is manifestly' intended to place it in the power of a few designing men to absolutely wipe out the rights of the great majority of those who put their money into tho Trust, and to make it a close corporation for the benefit of a few manipulators who are in the scheme. Speaker Niblack furnishes the Sentinel the following explanation of his letter printed in the Journal a few days ago, relative to election frauds: The facta are these: Mr. F. J. Stiinson, secretary of tho Massachusetts Reform Club, wrote to Mr. Niblack for a general idea of tho kind of frauds that could bo committed under Indiana's election laws. Ho asked for anv unusual violations of which Mr. Niblack might have heard. Ho did not desire, ho saidthat any one should be responsible for the truth of the rumored cases. Mr. Niblack replied to accoramodato Mr. Stimson, who violated their understanding and printed the letter By omitting a portion of the letter, Mr, Niblack is made to appear to sav that a certain violation of the election laws occurred in his (Xiblack's) district, when the fact is ho pave the case but a general location, saying it had occurred in southern Indiana. This explanation does not explain. Mr. Niblack's letter, written from Vinccnnes, charged wholesale bribery "hero and hereabout ," saying "somo of our workers in this city and county were paid by the Republicans $20, $50, and as high as $70 for their 'influence' on election day." All this relates to alleged frauds in Vincennes, "here and hereabouts." The cock-and-bull story about the removal of ballots from the box, their destruction and the substitution of others, resulting in "astonishingly largo Republican gains," was related in the same connection as happening there or thereabouts. Wo say the whole story is false, a libel on the Republican party, and on the State. Mr. Niblack seems to feel aggrieved because tho letter was published. The offense was in writing it. He knew it would be used to swell the chorus of unjust and untruthful clamor about Indiana election frauds. The House gives no rebuke or vote of censuro to Mr. Willard for his grossly offensive and unparliamentary language to- two Republican members. Democratic Senators excuse, without even an apology, a door-keeper for an offered assault upon a Republican Senator, and yet, for no greater offense, the House assesses a tine of $150 and practically expels Mr. Linck for resenting the insult given him. The words of Mr. Willard were as great a breach of decorum as was tho act of Sir. Linck. To call a man a liar is to provoke, if not to justify, a blow, and tho person using such words should expect it. The. legislative body that tolerates such language from ono member is inconsistent when it imposes a penalty upon the responsive act of tho other. The law makes ii a penal .offense for any trustee of a State institution to share in or profit directly, or indirectly by any purchase or contract for supplies. Gapen, whilo trustee of the Insane Hospital and treasurer of the board, was paid by Sullivan $20a week for performing merely nominal tervice. This comes mighty near profiting; indirectly, at

least, by tho contracts awarded Sullivan. Perhaps an examination of Sullivan's books might disclose other amounts charged to profit and loss. He was a great believer in boodle.

Indiana has some scientists of national reputation, and others well known throughout the State, but did anybody ever hear of S. S. Gorby, of Dearborn county, as a scientist! The Democratic caucus has not only placed him at tho head of . the new Bureau of Geology and Natural Science, but has empowered him to appoint State oil, mine and naturalgas inspectors. This gives Gorby rather more patronage than the Democrats havo left in tho hands of the Governor. Where did Gorby study Democratic geology, anyhow! The London Times declares that Piggott was not the man with whom it had dealings concerning the Parnell letters, and adds that it is not fitting now to enter into tho circumstances under which it received and published them. Tho public may bo expected to disagree, with the Times in this conclusion. There must inevitably be a great curiosity as to the identity of tho go-between, and tho general opinion will bo that now is the proper time of all others for the disclosure to bo made. It is the opinion in certain Democratic circles that things are coming to a pretty pass when a man cannot secure a seat on the Supremo Bench of the State on tho strength of a certificate signed by his son and an ex-slugger and present clerk in the Senate. What's the use of having n son in office, anyway, if he isn't allowed to provide for his poor old father! The falling of Queen Victoria's crown at a recent "drawing-room" is said to havo been regarded as a bad omen by superstitious persons present. It would be interesting to know what they thought the accident signified. As the crown fell just as the American secretary of legation approached her, it must mean that Britain is to come eventually under American rule. No doubt this will bo the case eventually, but in order to quiet any apprehensions her Majesty may have, it might be as well to assure her that Canada is the only part of the cmpiro likely to be annexed during her life time. The average market price of turkeys in December was 10 cents a pound, yet Mr. Sullivan's bid for 1,000 pounds at 13 cents was accepted, and afterwards 700 worth more was ordered of him, or, at least, was added to tho bill. It is possible that the inmates of the institution ato 6,600 pounds of turkey at their Christmas and New Year's dinners, and again it is just possiblo that they got along with less, and that value received was never given bv Mr. Sullivan for the cash kindly paid over to him by the accommodating Mr. Gapen. It would be interesting to hear from somo non-partisan consumer as to the quality of that last 4,000-pound batch of 27-cent creamery butter furnished to the Insane Hospital by Sullivan. Two or three years ago butter of that brand supplied to the institution was not up to tho mark of what is usually regarded as good "table butter." Cooks who handle 30,000 or 40,000 bushels of potatoes in a year ought to be skilled in .tho methods of preparing them for tho 'table. Inexperienced housekeepers and young ladies in cooking classes who want to learn the best ways of making the vegetables palatable should go out to the Insane Hospital kitchen and take lessons. ABOUT FEOPLE AND THINGS. The Jesuits own in lower Canada 933,820 acres of land, worth $1,606,536. John Ruskin is still in a precarious condition. He attempts no work whatever, Mrs. Ingalls is considered a handsome woman, and her daughter is ono of the most charming girls at Washington. Alfked Austin, it is generally believed in English literary circles, will become poet laureate if he survives Lord Tennyson. The Pundita Ramabai, who made a good impression here, is now lecturing in Japan to great audiences, which she addresses through an interpreter. A Mr. Wood, of the Union League Club, has just led a Miss Pyle, of Sorosis, to the altar, and now the New York Star speaks of their domestic establishment as a "wood pile." R. H. Stoddard, the poet, whose right hand is disabled, says he can write as readily with his left. His manuscript is written in a very small and apparently illegible hand, but the compositors have little trouble with it. George Washington's inauguration sword is now in possession of Miss Virginia T. Lewis, of Baltimore, the granddaughter of Samuel Lewis, who was an intimate friend of Washington, and to whom it was willed by the Father of his Country. Ex-Senator Tabor, of Colorado, is astonishing the natives of Manhattan Island by his display of gems. He wears four diamonds, "each half as large as an English walnut," and is spoken of by one of the newspapers as "the Nightgown Nabob of the Nevadas." Fifteen daring young women of Philadelphia have formed a club of which the sole condition of membership is that tho applicant forswear corsets. Each one of the ladies comprising the club has consigned her whalebone cuirass to the flames, and now taxes her ingenuity to provide a substitute. SIrs. Eureka Storey, widow of the late W. F. Storey, editor of the Chicago Times, is in New York to decide upon a suitable design for a monument to mark her husband's last resting place. Her choice is said to have fallen upon a shaft of red granite that will be used as high, if it can be quarried, as the Egyptian obelisk. Miss Mary Tilling hast, of New York, has the reputation of being the first woman who ever made a church window in this country. The competitive designs were sent in anonymously, and hers was unanimously chosen out of a largo number of others. The window is in Grace Church, and commemorates a deceased millionaire. It was a very unpleasant trick that some waar played on a well-known Philadelphia lady, who, when she was giving an afternoon reception and a feed a week or two ago, hung on the door bell a placard with the inscription: "Free lunch served today." The hostess was at a loss to know why all the visitors were so merry when they entered. C. A. Henderson, who has been in the British consular 6ervico since 1858, seventeen of these thirty years having been passed in Boston, says that the principal part of his oilicial duties is to hunt up lost relatives and heirs to estates. Every mail brings him letters from England inquiring after somo relative who has migrated to this country. Hadji Hassein Khouu Kuan, Persian embassador at Washington, has been greatly misreprescntad by the newspapers. Not only does he understand and speak English, but he is well acquai nted with French. He lived in Paris a long time. Tho stories which have crept into print regarding him have given him great amusement. The report that he could not understand English has led to many curious incidents. People who thought that all he comprehended was Persian have criticised Ms personal appear

ance to his very face. Having an Oriental command of his countenance he never smiles during such ordeals. Miss Woolsey, who writes delightful stories for children and young people under the nom do plume of "Susan Coolidge," is a Boston writer. She is a welcome guest in many homes there and at Bar Harbor, where she generally passes the summer months. "Clever," one of Miss Woolsey 's latest publications, is a continuation of "Tho Katy Stories." Miss Jennie Flood, daughterof Bonanza Flood, who died the other day nt Heidelberg, is the heir to all his immense wealth, and is ono of the richest women in the world. Miss Flood is about twenty-five years old and is said to be a modest, sensible girl, not at all affected by her wealth, which already amounted to several millions before her father's death. A rather mixed household is that of tho Ameer of Afghanistan. Ho has five legal wives. Number ono is a grandniece of his grandfather. Number two is notable chiefly for her weight three or four hundred pounds. Number three used to bo handmaid to number two, and is the mother of the designated heir to the throne. Number four is a daughter of tho Dost. She is queen of the harem, and rules her husband in all domestic affairs. Number five's biography is yet unwritten. TnERE is considerable talk in New York over the project of tho wives of many rich clubmen for starting a club of their own. The name of the club is to ho tho Dorothy. The plan is this: Rooms will be reserved for members who wish to remain for a few days in town. Ladies will be served with tea, coffee, chocolate and cold dishes. The sitting-room for members will be provided with periodicals, daily papers, shopping directories, etc. Members will be allowed to purchase tickets for the admission of. relatives or friends, for luncheon, or children and servants when accompanied 03- a member. 'It is proposed to open the house on or abouyt the loth of May. It is really funny that Prince Edmund do Polignac should now rush vigorously to the fore with a profession of faith in republicanism of the Boulangist brand. He must now be close to sixty, and has never beforo betrayed the faintest interest in politics, or indeed anything but Wagner's music and old-school conversations. He is one of the few remaining classical wits, and can utter innumerable brilliant epigrams and resistlessly funny jokes with a face as imperturaole as a graven image. It may be added that ho is not as great a connoisseur in dining as he is in conversation, but that ho has a terribly weak digestion. This one day led to his utterinir this maxim at a

party where they were playing the game of digestion." In "Songs of a Haunted Heart" Miss Unina Irving, of Tarrytown, N. Y., tells in vers some of the mental impressions produced upon a sensitive nature by an experience which is thus briefly described: Coldly, sadly, did he then Looso his hold and let me go; Lifted to his lips my hand In a passion ot regret. Leaned a little forward and Kissed my cheek with tears 'twas wet. In a preface Miss Irving explains that she herself was the possessor of the hand referred to, whilo the owner of the lips was "the prince of journalists, whose nanio had long been to mo a synonym for grace, gallantry and greatness," Now the New Yorkers want to establish the identy of the princely quill-driver so as to get his side of tho story; and the Star thinks of off ering a reward for him, dead or alive. COMMENT AND OPINIO. Since the first postal car was started on its embryonic way, some twenty-four years ago, the railway postal service of this country has never been as abominably worthless as it is to-day. Chicago Inter Ocean. One effect of the collapse of the charges against Parnell will be to infuse new energy in the cause of Irish home rule. That movement, finally freed from all damaging suspicion, is bound to progress with unprecedented speed. The hour of Irish freedom is nearer than it ever was before. Albany Journal. When a helmsman has once proved himself incapable or careless, the prudent captain loses no time in putting a new man at the wheeL The railroad situation of to-day suggests lots of opportunity for a similar line of action to the great advantage of both the patrons and owners of the lines. Chicago Tribune. 4 No Free-trade Roger Quarrels Mills orFrank Hurd of this or any other generation will have it to say. that the ladies of tho Republican households of President Harrison and Vice-president Morton depend upon goods of foreign make to meet tho requirements of the inauguration occasion in the spring of 1889. Troy -(N. Y.) Times. We have had four years of timidity and uncertainty. Now let us have fourVears of spirited and definite dealing with all questions ot foreign intercourse. The people voted for the latter policy when they voted for Gen. Harrison, and there is every reason to believe that ho will fully meet their expectations in that respect. St. Louis Globe-Democrat, The Southern leaders of the violent type should learn to curb their tempers. Their outbreaks of wrath are stirring the sturdy and vigorous Northern blood to a pitch that will sustain the exorcise of a strong hand in the South to . restrain violence there. The greatest enemies of the South are her loud-mouthed cranks and her men of uncurbed passions. New York Graphic. An extra session should never be held except in cases of pressing emergency, and even if the Cowles bill should fail to-day the calling of such a session would be of doubtful expediency, in view of the assurance that in December the Republicans will be strong enough in Congress to promptly legislate upon all the greater issues requiring consideration. Cleveland Leader. Public confidence and sympathy will go with General Harrison to the discharge of his new duties. He has shown 60 far in his life that he was entitled to public respect and confidence, and there will be a disposition among the fairer men of all parties and classes to give his administration a fair trial and not attempt to prejudge and pass upon it before it is begun. Iowa Stato lfegister. The conflict between Randall and the majority of the ways and means may not seem just now to be of vital consequence, but it is one which marks the lines of future campaigns. Tho Democratic party is defining its position and preparing the way, as we believe, for a generation of defeats, which will be the regeneration and salvation of the country. Cincinnati Commercial-Gazette. The natural tendency of ignorant and illiterate voters is to support the Democratic party. It does not follow that all Democratic voters aro ignorant; there are as intelligent men in that party as in any, but it is none the less true that it derives its strength largely from elements of the population which are the least instructed, and the least imbued with American ideas. Milwaukee Sentinel. If there ever was a complete surrender by any political party, that one is the Democratic party in Congress. The Democratic leaders Lave dropped almost everything they advocated two years ago, ana have adoped Republican ideas almost entirely. They have adopted the new State policy of the Republicans; they havo given up their free-trade bill, and the protection sentiment is now in the ascendency under the lead of ltandall. Nebraska State Journal. The President-elcwt is not the man to yield to the foolish weakness which most men have for the inf ense of thoughtless ap.plauso. He knows that his duties during the next four j'ears involve immense reresponsibilities, andhe prefers to face them quietly and unostentatiously. The people know him through :md through, for ho is himself at ono with them in thought, word and deed, and they will see in this modest bearing now evidence of his fitness for his great trust. New York Press. Conspicuous as the President may be as the first citizen of the Nation, a figure of commanding importance on a crowded stage, he must often lose sight of his audience and commune with his own heart nnd be still. There may ho a horde of ofiicoscekcrs about him. but no man living can share with him the functions of that exalted otlice. A President worthy of tho office must have the feeling of which General Harrison spoke that of loneliness in it of strangeness and isolation. New York Tribune. Will Kxpress as Much. Detroit Trlli une. x We have a shorter word than Mnnchauecu now. "Piggott" iif an improvement.

THE SCIIOOL TEXT-BOOK LAW

Prices lieduced by a System of Ridding or Compilation of a State Series. A Board of Commissioners Empowered to Let the Furnishing of Boois to Publishers and to Secure Manuscripts from Anthors. Tho legislation regarding school textbooks, the outcome of several bills referred to a special committee, is expressed in the) following law, which has received the signature of the Governorand only awaits tho the fulfillment of the usual requirements as to time and publication to become) ( effective: An act entitled an act to create a board of commissioners for tho purpose of securing for use in the common sehoou of the State of Indiana of a series of text-books, defining the duties of certain officers therein named with reference thereto, making appropriation therefor, defining certain felonies and misdemeanors, providing penalties for the violation of the provisions of wild act, repealing all lavrsiu conflict therewith. Section 1. Be It enacted by the General Asscmby of tho State of Indiana, That the Stito Hoard iof Education shall constitute a Hoard of Commissioners for tho purpose of making a selection, or procuring the compilation for use in tho common schools of the t-tntc of Indiana, of a series of text-books in tho following branches ot study, namely: Spelling, reading, arithmetic, geography. Fugli.-di grammar, physiology, history of the United states, and a graded scries of writing books. The matter contained In the reader shall consist of lesson commencing with tho simplest expressions of the language, and, by a regular gradation, advancing to nnd Including; the highest styles of composition, both in poetry and prose: Provided, That none of said textbooks shall contain anything of a partisan or sectarian character: And provided, further, that the foregoing books shall be at least equal in size, aud quality as to matter, material, stylo of binding and mechanical execution, to the following text-books now In general use, namely: The speller, to MeGuny's spelling-lKok: tlm reader, to Appleton's readers: the nrithnictie. to Bay's new arithmetic series; geographies, to the eclectic series of geographies; tho grammar, to Harvev's grammar; the phyMology, to Dalton'a physiology; the history of the United States. to Thalheimer's history of the United Hates, and tho writing-books, equal to the eclectic copybooks. Sec. 2. The said Board of Commissioners shall, immediatelr upon the taking effect of this act. advertise for twenty-one con-cutl vo days, in tw$ dally papers published In this state having the largest circulation, and in one newspaper of gen eral circulation in the cities of New York, Philv delphia. Cincinnati, Chicago and St. Louis, that, at a time and place to te nxed by said notice, ana not later than six months utter the tlrst publication thereof, said board will rcceivo scaled proposals on the following: First. From publishers of school text-bookg, for furnishing books to the school trustees of thi State of Indiana for use In the common school of this State, as provided in this act, for a term of live years; stating specifically in such bid th price at which each book will be furnished, ami accompanying such bid with specimen copies ol each and all books proposed to ho furnished iu such bid. Second. From authors of text-books, who have manuscripts of books not published, for rrices at which they will sell their manuscript, together with the copvright of such books for use in tho public schools of the State of Indiana. Third. From persons who are willing to undertake the compilation of a look or books, or a series of books, as provided for In Bection one (1) of this art, the prico at which thev are willing to undertake such compilation of any or all of such books to the acceptance and satisfaction of the aid Board of Commissioners; Provided, That any and .ill bids by publishers, herein provided for, must be accompanied by a bond In the penal sum of $30,OOO, with resident freehold surety, to the acceptance and satisfaction of the Governor of this State, conditioned that if any contract be awarded to any bidder hereunder, such bidder will enter into a contract to perform the conditions of hi bid, to the acceptance and satisfaction of said board; And provided, further, That no bid shall be considered unless the tame be accomE anted by the affidavit of tho bidder, that e is no wise, directly or indirectly connected with any other publisher or firm who is now bidding for books eubmitted to such, board, nor has any pecuniary interest In any other publisher or firm bidding at the same timer and that he is not a party to any compact, syndicate, or other scheme whereby the benefits of competition are denied to the reople of this State Ana be it further provided. That if any competent author, or authors, shall compile any one or more books of the first order of excelleneo, and shall offer the same as a free gift to tho people of this State, together with the copyright? of the same, and the richt to manufacture and seU such works in the State of Indiana tor -so lathe pubuc schools, it shall be the duty of such board of commissioners to pay no money for any manuscript or copyright for such book or books on the subject treated of in the manuscript so donated; and such board shaU have the right to reject any and all bids, and at their option such, board shall have the right to reject any bid as to ' a part of such books, and to accept the same as to the residue thereof. Sec. 3. It shall be the duty of such board to meet at tho time and piaco mentioned in such, notice, and open and examine aU sealed rroosals received pursuant to the notice provided or in section three (3) of this act, and it shall bo the rurthcr duty of such board to make a full, complete and thorough investigation of all such bids or proposals, and to ascertain under whk-h of 6aid proposals or propositions the school books ceuld be furnished to the people of tho Stato for use in the common schools nt the lowc st price, taking into consideration the site, and quality as to matter, material, style of binding and mechanical execution of such books: Provided, always. That such board shall not, in any case, contract with any author, publisher, or publishers, for the furnishing of any book, manuscript, copyright, or books, which shall be sold, to patrons for use in the publio schools of this State at a price above or in excess of the following, which prices shaU include all cost and charges for transportation and delivery to tho several county buperintendents in this State, namely: For a epeliin g book, 1 0 cents. For a first reader, 10 cents. For a second reader, 15 cents. For a third reader, 25 cents. For a fourth reader, 30 cents. For a nf threader, 40 cents. For an arithmetic, intermediate, 35 cents. For an arithmetic, complete, 45 cents. For a geography, elementary, 30 cents. For a geography, complete. 75 cents. For an English grammar, elementary, 25 cents. For an English grammar, complete, 40 cents. For a phisiologv. lib cents. For a history of the United States, 50 cents. For copy books, each, 5 cents. Sec. 4. If, upon the examination of such proposals. It shall be the opinion of such board of commissioners that such books can be furnished che-aner to the natrons for use in the common schools in this State by procnringandcausmgto bo Sublishcd the manuscript of any or all of such ooks. it shall be their duty to procure such manuscript and to advertise for sealed proposals for publishing the same, in like manner as iiereinbeforo provided, and under the same condition and restrictions. And such contract may be let for the publication of all of such books, or for any one or more of such books separately: and it 6hall be the further duty of such Board of Commissioners to provide. In the contract for tho publication of any such manuscript, for the payment by tho publisher of the compensation, agreed upon betwee n such board and the author or ownc of any such manuscript, for such manuscript, together with the cost or expense of copyrighting the same. Sec. 5. It shall be a part of the terun and conditions of every contract made in pursuance of this act, thai the Stato of Indiana shaU not be liable to any contractor he-eunder for any sum whatever, but that all such contractors shall receive their pay and comiensaUon solely and exclusively from the proceeds of the salo of the books as provided for In this act. Sec. 6. As soon as such toard shall have entered into any contract for the furnishing of books for use in the public schools of this Strrte, pursuant to the provisions of this act, it shnll tx the duty of the Governor to issue his proclamation aimoimcmg such fact to the people cf thU State. , Sec. 7. When such proclamation shaU have, been duly issued, it shall 1k the duty of tho school trustees of each and every whool con oration In this State, within thirty days thereafter, and at such other times as books may le needed for use in the public schools of their respective corporations, to certify to the county superintendent of their respective counties the number of school text-books provided for in such contract required by the children :or us in tho schools of their fevcral school corporation. Such county superintendent hall forthwith make such requisition for books as the school In tho said several counties may require upon tho State Superintendent of Publio Instruction, aud the said htate superintendent of Public Instruction .hall ir.imeaiately thereafter mal e a rcquisitioa fur said books upon the contractor, who shall, within ninety days shin ihc books so ordered directly to the county school superintendents of the several counties of this State. Liou receipt of such books. It shall be the duty of such county school suiexiutendent.s to immediately notify all the school trustees of the school corporations, as shown by the last school enumeration of their counties, of the receipt of such books. It shall theu be tho duty of such school trustees to immediately procure and take charge and custody of all the hooks assigned to to the said county school superintendent; and uion receipt of such looka by sukl school trustee tbey shall furnish them ou demand to the school patrons or school rhlldn nof tbelrresicctlve cor jwrations at the prices lixed then for by the contract entered into between said loard of commissioner and said contractor; und it shall be tho duty of Httch school otticer to sell biich look for cash only; and if they shall sell or diioje of any books other than for the cash price thereof they khallbe held personally liable and liable nm their otlirlal bond for the price of uch book or books: Provided. Th:it any p.'tron or pupil of any school or school other than the publU cchools; ahu. exy ttiid Lctvtca the ?s cl ti