Indianapolis Journal, Indianapolis, Marion County, 20 July 1889 — Page 4

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THE INDIANAPOLIS JOURNAL, SATURDAY, JULY 20, 1889

THE DAILY JOURNAL SATURDAY, JULY 20, 18S9. WASHINGTON OFFICE 513 Fourteenth St. ; P. S. Heath, Correspondent. KEW YORK OFFICE 204 Temple Court Corarr Batman and Nassau street. Telephone Calls. Business Offlce........233 1 Editorial Rooms 242

TKIL3IS OF SUBSCRIPTION. DAILY. One year, -without Fnnday ... .$12.oo . 14.0 . BOO . 7.00 . 3.00 . 3.50 . 1.00 . 1.20 on year, wiui oxmaaj Six month, without ban (lay M Fix montb. with Sunday Throe months, without H an day Three month, with Sunday One month, without Sunday : One month, with Sunday WEEKLY. Per year - Reduced Rates to Clubs. .$1.00 Subscribe with any of our numerous agents, or send JOURNAL. NEWSPAPER COMPANY, l!fDTJL2fAPOLLJ, ISD. All communications intended for publication in this paper must, in order to receive attention, be veewn panied by the name a nd address of the writer. THE LNDIANArOLIS JOURNAL Can be found at the foUowini: places: LONDON American Exchange In Europe. 9 Strand. PARIS American Exchange in Paris, 35 BoaleTard des Capucines. NEW YOItK Gilsey JTouBe and Windsor Hotel. pniLADELrHIA-A. IKemble, 3735 Lancaster avenue. CHICAGO ralmer House. CINCINNATI-J. P. Hawley fc Co., 154 Vine street. LOUISVILLYE C. T. Peering, northwest corner Third an! JeOraoa streets, BT. LOUIS Union News Company, Union Depot and southern lloteL WASHINGTON, D. C IUgffS House ana Ebbitt House. Gexekal Crook did not go through an Apache Indian war successfully to bo intimidated by two drunken Creeks in time of peace. He is tho right man in the right place in that council. A "labor trust" is one of the names given to tho proposed combination of labor organizations. Mr. Powderly and his friends must look out or they will fall into a monopolistic pit equal to that from which they profess such anxiety to escape. Dejiockatic papers are trying hard to discover factious among the Republicans of Indiana. If such factions exist they are visible only through Democratic spectacles. Harmony is tho word with tho brethren now as it was last year, when all went so well. The owners of school-books which will go out of use with tho introduction of the Indiaua Book CorapanyTs series will make as much money to sell tho old volumes by tho pound as to exchange them at the rates offered by tho company. Tho company, however, will make a neat profit out of the exchange. Almost any book purchased for a cent will sell again for five times that sum,and many will go for more. The assertion is made that the act providing for tho purchase of the Sioux lands now being negotiatedfor contains a clause which permits the government to take possession of them at its own price in case the Indians prove refractory. If White Ghost, Bull Ghost and all the other braves who are holding back to drive a hard bargain knew of this clause they would be likely to meet the commissioners' overtures half way. Ex-Secketart Bayard is talked of as the coming nominee for Governor of Delaware. Ho doesn't want the place, but is said to be willing to sacrifice him-, self as being the only one who, as a candidate, can receive the support of the different factions of his party in tho State. Democratic fences are in bad shape everywhere since the last election, and for a long while to come the party managers will be kept busy mending the holes. When the Civil-service Commission found some technical violations of the law in the Indianapolis postoffice the Sentinel howled loud and long about it, but when the commission finds the Democratic postmaster at Milwaukee "has grossly "and habitually violated the law, and has done it in a peculiarly revolting and underhanded manner," and recommends his immediate removal, the organ of Democratic reform does not even publish tho fact. Two-cent journalism of tho Democratic variety is a funny thing. A Maine paper says that in Lewiston, that State, "it is notorious that tho rum power has never been so rampant and defiant as it is to-day, and tho consequences are bni tally plain to see. Fourth of July week was a disgrace to the community, with its drunken stabbing affrays and beastly rum-soaked orgies, in Lewiston's streets, wrecking property and smashing things generally, making high carnival in honor of tho devil." Maine, it will bo remembered," is a prohibition State, and, according to all the claims of prohibition advocates, a sort of temperance millennium should exist there. Somehow, there seems to be a hitch in the millennial programme. Ex-Congkessman Home, of Michigan, is making himself too conspicuous by the dramatic way in which he spurns the appointment of tho Valparaiso con sulship. The office is a very respectable one, as foreign appointments go, and there are plenty of men at least equal in ability and merit to Mr. Horr who would not decline it The incident calls atten tion to some of the peculiarities of our politics, and especially to the system by which supposed claims for office are established. Mr. Horr, like many other working Republicans, lias received quite as many benefits from tho party as he has corf erred upon it, and has no right to assume that there is a large balance in his favor. It was very nice, and pretty, and com plimcntary, and all that, for a greatgrandson of Andrew Jackson to date his arrival in the world on the day and at the place of meeting of tho National Educational Association, and the asso ciation must be greatly obliged to him, : but Democratic hearts must ache when they think of that infant and tho might have been. There is nothing particu larly appropriate in the birth of a de - seen da nt of "Old Hickory" when an educational meeting is in session, that

eminent worthy not being distinguished for his literary culture, but if that child could only havo arranged to bo born while a Democratic convention was in session what joy would have filled tho hearts of the faithful! Democratic stars, including Curtis and Godkin, would have danced together, the event would bo heralded as a sign of victory, and tho liquor supply of the country would sutler a perceptible decrease. It was a great possibility missed.

THE BEOEQASIZED COMMITTEE. The Republicans of Indiana are very well, thank you, and will continue to do business at the old stand. The meeting yesterday and last night was in all re spects a notable one. It might almost be called a convention. It was an unex pectedly large assemblage of party leaders and representative Republicans from various parts of the State. Under the circumstances it was remarkable. The. occasion, though interesting, was not of a popular character, and the work in hand was not so important as to call for much of an attendance outside of members of the central committee. That so many prominent Republicans from different parts of the State should havo encountered the discomfort of a mid summer journey to tho capital on such an occasion is alike creditable to them and encouraging for the party. It shows the heart of the Republican party is sound, its circulation good, its pulse normal and its general condition healthy. Mo3t of those in .attendance had no other object or interest in com ing but to establish a touch of elbows with other Republicans, to exchange views in regard to tho political situation, and to contribute by their advice and suggestions to tho proper reorganization of tho State cen tral committee. All' of these objects were well attained. The sentiment'was unanimous among those present that the aggressive force of the party is as great in victory as it has ever been in defeat, and that when the time for action comes Indiana Republicans will be found at the front. Whatever local or per sonal disaffection may exist at present is not deemed serious or lasting, and all of those who attended the conference aro confident that these superficial disturbances will soon pass away. The general feeling is one of hearty ap proval of the national administra tion and of earnest determination to hold Indiana in the Republican line. The importance of next year's election in its bearing on State and national politics is fully recognized, and the general disposition is one of readiness to roll up tho sleeves and go to work. The reorganized committee reflects tho spirit and temper of tho meeting. The selection of Hon. L. T. Micheuerfor chairman is an admirable one. Other names were mentioned for the position, but none that so fully met all the re quirements. Mr. Michener was willing to accept the position, and can give tho necessary time and attention to it. As to his ability and experience nothing need be said. He brings to the position a first-class equipment in every respect. The new vice-chairman, Mr. Sulzer, isan earnest young Republican of the best type, while the political loyalty and in tegrity of Mr. Joseph I. Irwin, tho new treasurer, is without reproach. Mr. Millikan, the new secretary, is a gentleman of excellent business qualifi cations and will make an efficient work er. The committee as reorganized fitly represents the aggressive spirit of the party, and will, without doubt, bo fully equal to the work before it. SALOON BOSSISM. The St. Louis Republic has just won a libel suit under circumstances of 6ome general interest. The suit grew out of the controversy over the attempt to pass a high-license law in Missouri, and was brought by the agent of a brewery, who was also a member of the State Senate. The alleged offense was the publication ot matter showing up the methods which were being used by the opponents of high license to" prevent the passage of the bill, and implying, though not di rectly charging, the corrupt use of money. The court sustained a demurrer to the complaint on the ground that the alleged libelous publication was only constructively or inferentially so, and that where language was capable of a construction not libelous courts would not interpolate words to reach a different construction. The decision is a step in opposition to constructive libel and in recognition of the utmost liberty of tho press within reasonable limits. The Re public says, editorially, that the suit was brought as part of a bulldozing scheme to intimidate that paper and break the force of the high-license move ment in Missouri. It adds: Had the case gone to trial it would have been made memorable by the production of evidence that would have astounded and shocked tne people of Missouri by the reve lations maue or tne extent of saloon inliuence in politics and upon legislation, and of the methodical system through which huge "slush funds" are raised for tho purpose oi ioriuviuis tuai mnuence ana controlling legislation. The next Legislature a i I if win pass a nigu-ncense law more stringent than the one defeated at tho last session. Had the Republic placed before the public all the evidence that it had gathered or guuiifm mo irau oi, u wouiii nave required all the inllnence of the Republic to prevent the enactment of statutory prohibition, tho demand for which would have become well nigh irresistible. For nothing is more certain than that the people will not submit to brewery aud saloon bossism when they come to understand it. This phase of the case is interesting because of its general application, and it corroborates what the Journal has repeatedly said concerning the attempt of the saloons and liquor leagues to control legislation. This is beyond comparison the most corrupting influence in American politics, and yet, by its very boldncFs and aggressiveness, it is destined to defeat itself. As the Republic says, "nothing is more certain than that the people will not submit to brewery and saloon . bossism when they come to understand it," and they are fast coming to understand it. TnE weight of sentiment in any civilized community is against wanton murder, and this is the case in Charleston, S. C, notwithstanding the unfortunate outcome of the McDow-Dawson murder trial. If this were not so, Charleston would class itself ns a city of barbarians and a place to be avoided by tho

rest of tho world. It is not surprising to see that tho better element, which is the strongest of all in any American town where it cares toassert itself, is rising to protest against the idea that the clearing of McDow through the technicalities of law was in harmony with public feeling. The pulpit has denounced himt and now the medical society of the State has expelled him from membership. With all his bravado, McDow will yet find his punishment in the contempt and avoidance of all honest men.

The perpetrator of the mysterious "Jack the Ripper" murders has probably been arrested. The prisouer is supposed to be insane, and, unless his confession is a cunning fraud, he is the person who ha3 been terrorizing London and baffling its police so long. He confesses to having committed all the murders, and gives such details as leave little doubt of tho truth of his' statement. If the man is insane, an interesting question still' remains as to the nature of his insanity and whether it sustains any of the moral and psychological speculations which have been advanced on the subject. If he is merely an ordinary homicidal lunatic, it seems strange that his victims should havo been confined exclusively to one class, and his murders committed with so much secrecy and eye to dramatic effect. ' An attempt is being made to tiro tho Democratic heart in Kentucky by the startling announcement that the Republican candidate for Door-keeper of tho House in tho last Legislature of that State was a colored man. It seems he was not at the capital during the organization of the House, and nothing was said about his color at the time of his nomination. Tho amusing part of it is that tho Democracy should have remained so long in ignorance of this plot against the peace and dignity of tho State. "What a dreadful thing it would have been, to be sure, if a colored Doorkeeper should havo been elected in a State where there are so many white colonels willing and anxious to fill any office! f Kentucky Democracy has had a narrow escape. , It seems a little queer that Australian authorities should come to this country for a public instructor in the art of agriculture. Haven't we always been hearing about Australian farms, and were notniany of the colonists to that country English fanners! Naturally, Americans are better posted in tho science, but the odd thing is that the Australians should be willing to acknowledge it and call for help. Is it complimentary to the novelist's profession, or not, that the London reporters should interview leading fiction writers for the purpose of securing their theories concerning "the Whitechapel murders! Perhaps it isjuat as oue looks at it. The writer of a sensational blood-and-thunder tale may regard it as flattering to his ingenuity, while another, whose imaginary characters are never so ill-bred as to ' exhibit a violent emotion, will feel himself insulted at the supposition that he Jxas even a theoretical acquaintance with such degraded beings as "Jack tho Ripper" or his victims. Air. James Payn. who denies having any theory, and who thinks it only a policeman's duty to have a theory in such cases, is 'evidently one who resented the inquiry. It would be interesting to have Mr. Wilkie Collins's opinion among the rest, but, unfortunately, that writer of thrilling tales is not in a condition to think of tho plots of villains in real life or in fiction. A Dickens, too, might cast the light of his genius in an edifying way upon this revolting development of low life. As it is, the London public must depend mainly on the police for enlightenment, and, the police being stupid, the chances of getting at tho secret are therefore small. Francis Murphy was interviewed in New York a day or two ago concerning the prohibition defeat in Pennsylvania. He said: I took no part la 'the fight because I do not believe that the evil can be legislated out of existence. I wish that It could, just as I wish thatevery man might be a real Christian. I think tbe world would be better for It The plan of making people Christians by law has been tried before now, and it wasn't altogether a succes. I think that prohibition meets with the same ob jections. I don t want to do consiuerea as opposing me iToniDiuonisis, out i simpiy Dciieve that the opposition they arouse by saying to men "You shall not sell" and "you shall not drink" leads men to drink who would not drink otherwise. Men must be led, and not driven. Nino out of ten drunkards can be reclaimed by kindness and patience, and until the man is master of himself, you cannot keep him from drinking by law. These views are not new nor original, but are worth quoting as the opinion of a man who has had much experience in temperance work, and as briefly expressing the ideas of a Yast number of temperance peo ple. With the divorce courts and tho Mona Cairds asking, "Is marriage a failuref" on the one hand, and single women committing suicide on . the other because "there is nothing in life for old maids," the girls of the period seeking to solve the social problems will bepuzzled what course to pursue. The most of them.it is safe to predict, however, will take that branch of the dilemma on which a husband is perched and each settle the question for herself by practical experience. To the Killtor of the Indianapolis Journal: Is there a prize offered for a 2.Vcent piece, date 18."3, with rays and arrows! If so, what is it! Marios, Ind. Pubsckibkr. Address C. W. Stutesman, Bunker Hill. Ind., or P. Arthur Burke, No. 2100 Cass avenue, St. Louis, Mo., for information concerning rare coins. To tli F.litor ot the Indianapolis Journal: Will you please inform me where I can find J. W. Riley's sketch. "The Educator. I have been unable to find it in his books. A Subscriber. Kluville, Ind. It has nover appeared in print. AUOUT PEOPLE AND THINGS. Kev. Joseph S. Twitchkll, of Hartford, Couu., better known as "Joe Twitchell," declines an honorary degree of I). D. Ho considers it a vastlv greater honor to bo Joe" Twitchell, oi Yale. Mas. Pickett, the widow of the famous confederate general who led the celebrated charge at Gettysburg, has been very sick at her home in Washington; but is now pronounced out of danger. Buffalo Bill is living in style in Paris. He has lifted up a suite of handsome apartments in which he entertains in regal luxuriance. m Ho is making a vast deal of money, but his soci.il success pleases him more than his linancial. The acquaintancesof Mr. James Redpath. who know that he was one of John Brown's men in Kansas, are surprised at the fact that for a week past be has been the guest of Jefferson Davis at his home in Mississippi. In truth. Redpath has been on intimate term with Davis for a number of years, and it was he who procured for Davis

the opportunity of becoming a contributor to the North American Review. The exFresident of the Southern Confederacy has a better opinion of John Brown now than he had thirty years ago. . Ex-Pkesldent Clkveland is gradually sinking out of sight. His going and coming are no longer matters of notice among New Yorkers, who, a few months ago, eagerly followed his every movement. Most of his leisure is spent in fishing along the sound. Victoria is mourning the death of Hon Francis Ormond, one of that colony's greatest philanthropists. He gave $ 250,000 to Ormond College. Melbourne; $100,000 to Melbourne University for a department of music, and was one of the chief founders of tho Worki ngmen's College, which now has 2,000 students. The court of Spain under the reign of its baby King is obliged to maintain a lord of the bottle, a purveyor-general of one cow's milk, a lady in waiting with rockingchair obligations, two pages to carry certain unmentionables, and an overseer of toys and books.. Socialists in Madrid are beginning to grumble at all this. Daniel Drawbaugii is to have another chance to prove his claim as the inventor of tho telephone. The suit which the government has begun in the Boston courts is expected to show that Bell was not the inventor at all, much recent evidence to that effect having been collected. President Bartlett, of the Drawbaugh syndicate, says the Pennsylvania's claim wiil be carried to Congress if necessary. Tiie United States Treasurer is not tho

only one who receives "conscience money ,w for the Kev. J. M. Smiley, of Shippensburg, Pal, a few days ago received 75 cents, with interest for twenty-seven years, from a party who says he took the amount out of Mr. Smiley's money drawer while in business in Perry countv. This is the second person who has sent Mr. Smiley "conscience money." The Emperor of China is anxious to encourage the building of railways in his kingdom, but be is surrounded by many obstacles. His priests, astrologers and advisers of various kinds are afraid of Western civilization, and they employ all manner of devices to keep the young potentate from acting in a progressive way. Tho astrologers never find the stars favorable to the granting of a railroad franchise. Tho Emperor is not more superstitions than other educated Chinamen, but he is obliged to conform to certain ancient customs or stand in danger of a rebellion. Donald G. Mitchell, known in literature as "Ik Marvel," is one of the attractions at Chautauqua this week. Though seventy years of age, his rural life at Edgewood, Conn has enabled him to retain his health and vigor. His eyes are a bright blue, his complexion fresh and his step elastic. He is said to look like a "condensed edition of George William Curtis." Mr. Mitchell is happy in the thought that his "Reveries of a Bachelor" has become an American classic. He may also congratulate himself upon the fact that he did not lose his head after his first success. At a recent great social gathering in London7 cays the Girls' Gos8ip writer in Truth, the young Princesses of Wales were very badly dressed. "Fancy pink frocks with yellowish fawn Redfern coats! The eldest is more self-possessed and composed in mannor man sne used to be. and there is a stiffness about her which, I fancy, comes of shyness. Princess Maud is growing very pretty. There is more of her mother's brightness hi her expression than in her sister's, both of whom strongly resemble their father. Prince George has made himself look very odd and old-fashioned by allowing his beard and whiskers to grow. At least, I think he has whiskers. Anyhow, his face gave me the impression of being very hairy and unkempt. He looked as if he had forgotten to. perform his toilet." Lieut. Franklin A. Shaw was out walking at Great Lead, Mass.,' with his little daughter Grace on Sunday afternoon. They were attended by a thorougbbred St. Bernard dog. While at the highest point of the cliff Grace went close to the edge, aud the dog, seeing her danger, walked between the child and the precipice. The turf started and the dog lost his footing. Realizing his danger, he made a spring far out over the cliff. The child had turned to her father, and was really out of danger when the dog sprang up iu front of her, but the noble brute had done his duty in guarding her. He sprang clear of the rocks and landed on his feet on the beach, 120 feet below. It was a remarkable escape, for the dog is extremely large, weighing 165 pounds, and such a lean, without breaking limbs, scorns impossible. Beyond a few cuts on his feet the dog was apparently unhurt. THE NATIONAL FLOWER. France has her lily And England her rose, And everybody knows Where the shamrock grows; Scotland has her thistle Flowering on the hill, But the American emblem . Is tho one-dollar biu. Denver News. a slight difference. The poet and the politician Are nearly of a stripe; For one is always piping lays, WhUe the other is laying pipes. Philadelphia Press. COMMENT AND OPINION. It would be a thousand pities were tho negroes to excel whites; in education. By all means let the whites have just as cood a chance as the blacks. Let it be a fair competition between the two for the three R's and the flourishes. Chicago Tribune. Under the present system one corrupt juror may succeed in defeating the ends of justice. If unanimity were not required the dishonest litigant would have to secure four or five venal men out of the twelvea task in which he could rarely succeed. Chicago Times. They the Republicans! fought and won in 1888 on a protection platform. Tbev will win again on that platform in The American peopie win nave none oi iree trade: they will have none of tariff reform dictated by free-traders, and meaning, in its last analysis, free trade. New York Tribune. The workingman in this country can al ways control legislation in the interests of the people if he will make the best use pos sible ot his vote. The doctrines of the Anarchist and of other perfidious agitators tend to mase mm iook on tne oaiiot witn contempt. There lies his great error. Chicago News. Electricity may some time be so well understood as to be utilized as a painless and certain instrument of death, but it is premature to so employ it now. A method whose power to kill is uncertain, and which entails horrible suffering unless death bo instantaneous, will hardly be put into force. Chicago Herald. There was a time when it might have become a permanent and controlling force in industrial and political affairs; but that time has gone by, and the Knights of Labor may as well accent tbe situation and discard the fancy that there is anything in store for them which will justify, the eliort . to preserve their organization. St. Louis Globe-Uemocrat. The conclusion reached by scientists 6hows that if a man who is doomed to elec trical death should for a few mouths in dulge in blood purifiers and tomes his electrical resistance as measured by ohms would become so great that he could defv Hi Ijiw. and. like Ajar, bite his wicked thumb at the lightning of justice. In the trrt. contest between the rope and the dvtinnio this is an important fact. New York World. Oi r eolleflres and we use the term coin ivelv to take iu universities and all educational institutions are not conducted on a system to make scholars. We turn out winni men. but scholarship, in the noble sense, is not to be gained either at Yale or Harvard, and the graduate from those institutions who hopes to take place among masters of intellect must look to Atii. in.i r the further enrichintr and perfecting of his mind. Chicago Inter Ocean. The North sympathizes with the South in the burden the negro proiuem ua nlnred nnnii it. It believes in the broad aud progressive purposes of Providence, that niitM nrnblem after problem before humanity to be solved; and when, in patience, and charity, and wisdom, the hoIution in hannilv attained, human nature finds itself another step up and another

step forward in the great onward and upward motement that carries us on in spite of ourselves. Cincinnati Commercial. Gazette. . CIVIL-SERVICE REFORM.

A Southern Congressman Who Believes the Present System Ought to Be Abolished. Washington Post. Congressman Honk has been sojourning in the city for some days looking after tho interests of his constituents. Yesterday, before leaving for his home in the mountains of East Tennessee, a reporter ran across him, and diligently sought to interview the stalwart Southern Republican. In answer to numerous questions put to him, he said, in substance: "The Republican party is on trial. It was tested for a quarter of a century, and then lost control of the government, tnrough a variety of influences, not the least of which were the baneful effects of a theoretical set of gentlemen who called themselves reformers. The leaders in that so-called civil-service reform movement were never sincere, or, if they were, they were impracticable dreamers. The object alleged to be sought, an able, honest, and at the same time a non-partisan civil service, was something desired by all wellmeaning persons, if it were practicable. But under our form of government and tho .genius of American institutions and the education of the American people, a nonpartisan civil service is not only an impossibility, but a contradiction of terms. "An able and honest administrntinn1 nf public affairs is attainable onlv through partisan machinery. This is superlatively trno in a republic where, whatever may be said about 'a government of the people, by the people and for tbe people the party in power is. for the time beinir. the irnvmmcnt, and while in power that party reprepeuiB an me peopie. wiinout regard to beliefs. Hence, when in power, the Republican party is responsible for the govern ment, and, if Republican principles aud policy are ngui, as me peopie ueciue tliey are by voting that party into power, then to have a successful administration it is absolutely necessary to have men who believe in those principles to enforce and carrv them into execution. What is more absurd than to expect a free-trader to strengthen and carry out tho policv oi a protective tariff, and vice versaf A. non-parsan civil service can oniy exist in hereditary governments. If parties are right, then ottice-holders should be par tisan. And from this view I arrive at tho conclusion that any system like that practiced uuder our so-called non-partisan Civil-service Commission is un-American, and not in harmony with the Constitution and theory on which tho United States gorernment is founded. The Constitution aud principles of American government con template that the people, either directly or indirectly, shall select tbe orhcers who aro to administer the government. But the socalled civil-service law erects a 6ort of Sanhedrim composed of three men. whoso province it is to say who shall havo an of fice. The theory of the government is that the President and executive otlicers represent the people, and that, throuh these representatives, all subordinate ofheersare selected. This is the people's idea. And there are not twenty in a thousand of American voters who are willing for any three men to say who shall nil tho offices. For one, I shall oppose the present system of so-called civil-service reform. Not that I am opposed to a high standard a capable and honest civil service but because the present system is impracticable, and in my opinion calculated to deteriorate instead of improve the civil service.- I venture that it is the experience of tho heads of depart ments that the so-called classified service does not secure as efficient , employes through the Civil-service Commission as it did under tbe old Hystem." Here the Congressman energetically re marked: "I have no further time to devote to this subject now, but one thing appears to me to be certain, and that is that this attempt at an olEce-holding aristocracy must come to an end. . Yes. it is a failure. The people are against it, and the voice of tho Seople will kill it. If one party does not o it the other will, and the people are going to force the issue, and settle the matter. That's all I have to say at present on civilservice reform." MAY SEND LETTERS FREE. Privilege of the Widows of Polk, Tyler, Gar field and Orant. Washington Leiter m New York Sun. There are but four persons in the United States, other than those holding Public oflice. who are allowed to receive ana send mail-matter free of .postage. Thete four persons are the widows of Presidents Polk, Tyler, Garfield and Grant. An act of Congress is required to graut this privilege to anyone, and it has been so granted to the widows of Presidents since 1880. wheu tho first act was passed conferring the distinc tion on Mrs. Dolly 1'. Madison. According to the United States postal laws and regulations, which is a compilation of the rules published for the information and guidance of postmasters ana other othcials. Mrs. Tyler is not entitled to the benefits of franking mail matter, and it is true that no law has ever been passed in her case. She is, in a sense, a victim of one of those pe culiar oversights o congress which are oi frequent occurrence. The Postottice Department, however, appreciating the fact that Mrs. Tyler is in equity entitled to the same privilege which has by law been granted to Mrs. Polk, Mrs. Garfield and Mrs. Grant, accepts her frank in lien of postage, and collects nothing upon matter mailed to her address. There is a rather peculiar fact connected with the case of Mrs. Polk. also. The act granting her the privilege of free postage was passed in 1850. Since that date all laws conferring the franking privilege have been once or twice repealed, the last timo in 1878, and no act has since been passed in favor of Mrs. Polk. There is no law on the statute books to-day, therefore, entitling her to the beneiitof free postage, but it is allowed her arbitrarily by the department, and the postal laws and regulations name her as one of the persons legally entitled to the benefits of tbe franking law. It is not irenerallv known that the law extending the franking privilege to these ladies also provides explicitly that mail matter, including letters, newspapers and packages, addressed to them is exempt from the payment of postage. The only explanation of this somewhat peculiar provision of law is that when Congress passed the first of these private acts it failed to notice tbftt free postage to the senders of mail conferred no sort of benetit upon the persons addressed. Mrs. Polk, for instance, is not Denehteu in the slightest degree because some person who wishes to write her a letter is not required to affix a stamp to it. Yet when the laws in favor of all the Presidents' widows who came after Mrs. Polk were passed, the same language was used, and stands upon the statute books to-day. A sort of fatality in the direction of making mistakes seems to havo followed the course of law-making on tho subject of the .franking privilege, and the most stupendous blunder of all that Congress made in the first general act passed has never yet been corrected. This is the failure to provide a penalty for a violation of the law. Although tlurti have been as many as fifty franking-prlvilege acts passed by Congress since 1S79, not one of them provides any ;enalty for their infringement or evasion, 'his very singular oversight is a cause of much inconvenience and annoyance to tho postal officials, and because of it very few arrests have ever been made, although tho one of franks by unauthorized persons and on unfrankable matter is of very frequent occurrence. It would be useless to make arrests, the officials say, when no punishment would follow a conviction. Too Many Word on a Postal Card. New York Tribune. How many words can be written on a postal card? There has just been a competition among the stenographers to decide "this question, and Sylvanus Jones, of i!icbniond, Va., has taken the prize which was offered for the largest number of words by .writing upon a card 30,704 words. Mr. Jones is a short-hand writer, employed by the Brighthope Railway Company, of Richniond. The Only Successful Salt Pillar. Baltimore American. . One of the speculators interested in the salt trust is somewhat discouraged because he finds that a salt pillar is hard to form. His company will have to keep their eyes open and look around awhile that is the way the lirst salt pillar was formed, ani tho effects of its enterprise are lasting yet. Clinging to a Relic of Ilarbarlnm. Milwaukee SrntJnel. Governor Buckner recently declined to furnish a copy of the Constitution of Kentucky to be filed with an exhibit at the Paris exhibition, because, according to that Constitution, slavery appears to be still existing in the commonwealth. Several at-

tempts have been made in Kentucky to call a constitutional convention for -the pur?ose of removing the relic of barbarism rora its Constitution, and in other respects to bring that ancient document into greater harmony with the spirit of the present age, but they have failed.

LABOK MATTIES. K. of L. Charter to the Ship-Caulkers' and Carpenter' National AemMy. Chicago, July 19. The executive committee of the Knights of Labor, at this morning's session, granted a charter to the Ship-caulkeri and Carpenters' Rational Trade Asscmblj This means an accession of about 3.000 members for the Knights l.rxxi of them being already organized at Detroit, Buffalo, Bay City, Saginaw. Cleveland, New York and Jersey City. The committee spent a good part of tho session listening to a delegation from tho local carpenters assemblies, and considering means of uniting the local carpenters who are Knichts and those who maiutain an independent organization under the title of the United Carpenters Council. The board finally recommended a union of the K. of L. carpenters with the United Carpenters' Council. They suggested that the two elements bo under -tho control of an advisory committee, to b i made up equally from each body, w hich i will issue tho working-cards to members, i The committee is to nave no legislative J power, and can take no action that shall be binding on either element until mutually . ratified. The action of the board, it is t thought, will heal the existing breach in tho ' ranks of the carpenters. A comraitteo of striking Blue island brick-makers visited the board and secured a promise from the latter to represent them at the arbitration meeting, to be held next ( Monday, to settle the 4illereuces between the strikers and employers. Mr. Powderly will return to tho city tomorrow, and the board will continue in session the greater part of next week. Saddle and Harness-Maker. Chicago, July 10. The National Association of Saddle and Harness-makers, all their closing session, to-day, decided to become a body of the American Federation of Trades and Labor. An educational movement was adopted in local organizations preparatory to the inauguration of the eight-hour rule, on March 1, 1890. The officers elected for the ensuing year'were as follows: President, C. Burgess, Chicaaro; vice-president, J. D. Landry, Nashville; secretary aud treasurer, Geo. Joscetyn, Boston. The next convention will be held at Nashville, Tcnu., on tho third Wedesday inJuly.lS'JO. Strike In a House of Correction. Boston, J uly 19. A strike is in progress among the prisoners at the South Boston House of Correction, owing to solitary confinement of a prisoner for insubordination. About forty men struck Wednesday. Soma of them have relented aud asked to beput to' work, but the others are still obstinate. Expert Coat-Cutters lie warded. Chicago, July 19. At to-day's session of the National Tailors Convention Mr. James V. E. Veale, of Decatur, I1L, wasawarded first prize in the coat-cutting contest. Mr. Edward Quivet, of Chicago, took the second prize. The convention adjourned. to meet here in January next. - OBITUARY. John P. Morton, a Veteran Rook-Seller and Publisher of Louisville. Louisville, July 19. Mr.' John P. Mor. ton, the veteran book-seller and publisher, . died at noon at his residence in this city. 1 He was born in Lexington, Ky., in 1807, amlJ was educated at Transylvania University.-! He began clerking in a book store at thot age of sixteen, and in 1825 came to Louis- ! ville where he engaged in the book busi-j ness on his own account. He became large publisher of educational works, and. for a great many years has been at tho head of the largest establishment of thai kind in the South. His death was caused by general debility resulting from old ae. ' He left a fortune of at least $1,000,000. Ho was very charitable, and built the Morton ; Church Home here at a cost of $100,000. and donated it to the Episcopal Church. Rev. Dennis Spurrier. Glasgow Junction, Ky.. July 19. Rev. . Dennis bpurrier died of heart disease, iui Mainmoth Cave, last night, at 9:30 o'clock, j He had just been married and was on his bridal tour. As the party crossed the bottomles3 pit ho fell, and never moved af ter-i wards. Hi9 remains will be taken toj Owensboro to-day, where, yesterday, tho' wedding occurred. Mr. bpurrier was a member of the LouisVille Uonference, M. L. Uhtirch, boutn, aud bad been since his early manhood. He was ii n 1 t-tk xir f 1 1 L-ti nTTTTi t Vi vr ?i rrli fin t c mit t Vm rn Cnn tucky, where he filled many important! charges during his ministerial career; was popular with the p -ople ho served and be-i loved by his co-laoorers; was a pleasinj speaker, an earnest preacher, and a man o bright mind and pleasant disposition. He was about fifty-live years old, and"' had been a widower for some years. Other Deaths. Minneapolis, July 19. Judge Suy dam of Plain tie id, N. J., died here last night at the hotel. Deceased was one of New Jersey's most brilliant and prominent legal light s.(' He was interested in the First National' Bank at Plain field, holding considerable' stock in several manufacturing concerns.; Under the advice of some New Jersey phvsw ciansho came here on the 11th of this month, 1 intending to remain here for the summer.! The remains will be shipped to PlainlffeM, where they will be buried. The deceased's wife and child were with him at the timoH of his death. i Philadelphia, July 19. AlexanderThomson, the eldest son of Mr. Frauk Thomson. ' : :.i a. i i w4 died suddenly in Londou last night. Young! I bomson was nineteen years of age, and ha been abroad for tho benetit of his health since last November, passing the winter in Egypt and the southern part of France. A. portion of Mr. Thomson's family had joined Alexander in Londou about two weeks aeo. and were with him at the time of his death. ! Boston. July 19. Count Leo Schwab', died at Beachmont. Mass., this morning. The Count was widely known as The Soi-a .diers' Friend." Where he came from, or by what hereditary right he assumed the titles of count, is a nstery. On soldiers or sail ors in distress or sickness he expended aJ large fortune, and no emergency was called.' to his attention without being at once met by a liberal donation. Wisconsin's first Governor Dying. Plattsville, Wis.. July 19. The vener-, able Nelson Dewey, the lirst Governor of Wisconsin, who is lying at the point of death at his home in Cassville, this county, is reported to be eradually sinking, ami tho end is thought to be not far distant. Murdered His Young: Itride. . Ashland, Wis.. July 19. A horrible wifa murder occurred near Bad River station, this county, yesterday at noon. The victim was the pretty eighteen-'ear-old bride of Joseph Fuschs, and the murderer is tho husband, a man of about forty years of ace. They had been married about two weeks, and made their home at (Hidden. About J o'clock yesterday afternoon they left on the north-bound train. They pot off near Morse, and a sectiou foreman saw theui walking arm-in-arm up the track. He was horrified as he watched their actions to see Fuschs strike the woman several timets with some deadly implement. As ho approached the murderer picked up tho woman and threw her down a steep embankment. "When the section foreman picked up the body it was lifeless. In the meantime the murderer had tied to tho woods. Examination of the body showed that the young woman had been stabbed seveu times iu the throat, and terribht ganbes on her arms and hands sbowed what an awful struggle she had made for her life. Failure of Liquor-Dealers. Nashvillk. Tenu.. July 19. Messrs. Pearce &. Ryan, doing a wholesale liuuor business, made an assignment, to-dav. for the benetit of their creditors. John N. Sperry is named as assignee. The assets of the firm consist of a stock of liquors in their store-house and accounts against various parties. Liabilities, SlUJ.OS9.ol: setts. Slii.H9.C0. .