Indianapolis Journal, Indianapolis, Marion County, 27 January 1891 — Page 6

THE INDIANAPOLIS JOURNAL, TUESDAY, JANUARY 27, 1891

A DEFENSE OF THE CHARTER

Ilr, Augustus L Mason Responds to the Criticisms of Gen. John Coburn, inl Demonstrates thit R&dical Changes in Present Methods Ire Xeccwmry if & Betterment cf Conditions Is Desired. ; To the riltor of Use InlUiuu)o:u Journal: . An old and honored citizen mates an elaborate attack upon the proposed city charter now pending in the Legislature. o doubt incidental improyements in the details of the bill trill and ought to be made. With these 1 hare nothing to do. The present attack raises three questions, and with these only I shall attempt to deal. Firt Does the proposed charter author lze tLb board of public works to make contracts, binding upon the city, in advance of or beyond the appropriations made by the Council and Hoard of Aldermen! Second Can the executive business of the city be carried on best by the Council and Board of Aldermen, possessing both legislative and executive functions, as atv present, or can it be better done by separating executive powers from legislative functions, and placing the executive business in the hands of separate departments organized for that purpose! ThirdIf a separation of the executive powers from the legislative, as indicated, la the best, how should the executive officers be selected with a vievr to the best performance of the public business, and the protection of the interests of our citizens! Free discussion on these important points is certainly desirable. Misrepresentations of facta as to the contents and legal effect cf the document now before the publio are sot fair discussion, but, waiving that, I proceed to take up the points above set iorth. First The powers of the board of publio ' "works. The following langruace is contained in the article of General Coburn: The ability to make contracts for the people tor varioa publio works. Involving the city and 1 citizens alw. In advance of appropriations, xairht work very serious harm. The power to make appropriations mljrht be exercised too late, and the contracts might be held binding. It eei2A that the board of public works can bind : the city. There ourht to be absolute certainty In forbidding the making of contracts without the consent of the representatives of the people. The door ought to be locked against any conUrgencies. i believe the city could not repudiate an executed contract of the board under the .proposed eharter. I shall not argue this. It is only necesvary to quote the following sections from the proposed charter: Sec. 53. No executive department, officer or n3ploye thereof shall have power to bind such city by any contract, agreement, or in any other Tray, to any extent beyond the amount of money at the time already appropriated by ordinance Xor the purposes of suca department, and all contract and agreements, express or implied, and all obligations of any and every sort beyond such existing appropriations are declared to be abnolm ely void. RA l HUT flfV flfflM1 tA Vi1 Jn. w bond, certificate or warrant for the payment of money which thall purport to be an obligation of anch city, and be beyond the tmexDended bal ance of any appropriation made for such purTpose, or who shall attempt to bind such city, by any contract, agreement, or In any other way, to any extent beyond the amount of money at the time already appropriated by ordinance for such purpoae, and remaining at the time unexpended, shall be liable on his otliclal bond to any person Injured thereby, and shall be fined In any sum not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000). and Imprisoned in the county jail not more than six months, either, r oboth. If these worda are not clearCthey should be made so. In the light of these provisions, will any disinterested person say that General Co burn's statemant of the contents of the charter as to the board of publio works is correct! It is the very corneratone of the proposed charter that'the bodv "which appropriates the city's money shall h?cud the city's money shall not appropriate it. - DIVISION OV AUTHORITY This leads me to consider the second question above indicated, the separation of legislative and executive functions. Again permit me to quote General Coburn: ... It Is essentially at war with our ytem of popular government. It Is aristocratic, both in form aad subfttance. The argument in Its favor is that It is safer to trust a few selected men than the representatives of the reople. That is an argument in favor of monarchy; Is set up by the Xrlends of every despot; has been set up by every uaurpcr as an excuse for his assumption of power. .. Let os see whether this is correct For twenty years our public press in this conntry has been filled with discussions of the ; Problem of government of our great cities, while republican institutions nave been a Clonous success in State and national governments, on. method of municipal governxnent has been declared to be unsatisfactory, evil and dangerous. The most notorious losses of publio money have come from . the treasuries of cities, lneiliciency, waste, corruption, have too frequently characterized the conduct of municipal attain. If "wo have suffered less in Indianapolis than in other cities, it has been owing to the cmallness of our population and our good fortune in securing better men formunici- , pal offices than New York or Chicago. Yet the people of Indianapolis have, for a long . time, complained constantly and bitterly : of tho administration of public aifairs. Our streets, our alleged system of J sewerage, our relations with railroads and j.utrect railways and many other matters ' "which will readily suggest themselves to our long-suffering citizens, have been the ' cause of constant outcry. These comJlaints are not local to ourselves. They iave arisen in every city in the country. They are of the same general character everywhere. What remedy for these evils! ilore than three hundred articles have ap- . pcared on this subject in the magazines of this country in the last twenty years. They havi been written by statesmen, politicians, political economists, scientists and men of affairs. They represent all sections of the ccantry, all shades of political opinion, lciides these articles, many volumes have been published on this question by men of ?be highest and best informed sort. Notabiy the Johns llonkins University series shonM be mentioned. Thus "writers, some of them Congressmen, some of them ex-Congressmen even, men of rank, of experience, special stndents of the subject, have practically all united npon the cause of inefficiency in city governments of this country. They have unanimously pointed ont the fact, as the underlying cause, that we have not carried the truo theory of representative, popular aud republican government into the charters of our gn at cities, viz., the separation of the legislative, theexecntive and the judicial powers of the city government into threo dintinet branches. These writers have pointed out that this was done both in the raining of our national government and of all our titate governments. It has been a success. -The people are satisfied. Notwithstanding oar experience in this regard, we have continued to follow the old English theory of lodging all powers of a city government In the legislative body. Our councils have, on the one hand, had the power to levy taxes and appropriate xzoney. Next, the same men who raise the money also have the power of expending it a constant source of temptation, if not of corruption. The Mayor presides over the legislative body and also over a police court. There is no separation of f mictions. The whole business of the city, and the expenditure of its vast income ia in the hands of forty men, acting througn committees. Thesrt committees, perhaps " with seven members each, meet at irregular intervals, &t diderent places, with no office and no regular system of business. It being utterly impracticable to pay each member of the Council an adequate salary, to enable him to devote his entire time to the city's business, these committees, though often composed of tho best-intentioned men, have not been able to see personally after the expenditure of the city's money. Imagine seven councilmen goingtu the Atlas works to e whether contractor has faithfully complied with his contract in the grading and graveling of a street! This is the problem in a nut-shell. Here is the root of the eviL Our couucilmen have often rendered valuable services, but it is the system itself which is in its very nature inefficient and unsatisfactory. What ia everybody's business ia nobody a business. When city affairs have gone wrong; when a new pavement gives way in two or three years; when we wade knee-deep in mud we strike , out wildly at the Council, but we are unaDleto fasten the responsibility npon any single person who is in default and who is liable on hi official bond for neglect or failure of duty. Ibis problem has presented the same ---irea all over this country, for the rea

son that the laws governing our cities have ' been practically the same allover the country. Tney all came from a single source. They were modeled after the reform bill adopted by Parliament in l&M. for the government of Euglish cities and towns. The remedy suggested by the writers on this subject is the most obvious. It is to apply to our city governments the same principle which has worked well in State and national governments, viz.: To completely separate the legislative, theexecntive and judicial functions; to give to the Council legis-, lative powers only; to create executive offices entirely independent of the Council, to whom should be intrusted all executive functions and the actual carrying on of the city's business, limited, however, in their expenditure by the appropriations which the city legislature might see fit to make; and to vest the judicial power, tho trial of petty criminals. in a police judge equally independent of the city legislature and of the executive departments. This is not a return to monarchy. That cry has not been beard in this country since it was raised more than a century ago against the federal Constitution. If it le sound and sensible, it would require the alteration of our federal and State governments. That reform is a reform which goes backwards to the days of onr early colonial struggles. THE 8ELKCTION' OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS. If the foregoing views are sound, they dispose of the proposition that the executive officers should be chosen by the city legislature. That would practically leave us where we are. The executive officers would simply be tools and instruments of the city legislature. They would be dependent on it. There would be no separation of functions. If a bad man were selected, the city legislature could not be depended , on to exercise its powers of impeachment. There would be trading and traffic and cauens nominations. The principle invoked by General Coburn, logically carried out, would require our State Legislature to select our State officers, and would give to Congress tho power to make appointments now vested in the President. It is not believed that the people desire the change. So far as I know, no other public man than General Coburn has ever publicly advocated it. To be sure, tbe executive officers might be elected by the people direct, o might our postmaster, and United States niarfhals, and collectors of internal revenue. There are many reasons why the President should make all executive appointments, except subordinate ones, throughout the Union. 1 suppose the chief one is that the administration of public affairs shall be uuiform, consistent and efficient. In legislative matters the people should choose their own representatives to make their laws. But the carrying out of those laws is -a matter of business, and .should be uniform, directed by a single head, as are the affairs ot any railroad or business corporation. Where legislation is required we need a multitude of counselors. Where action is required we need a single, central executive head, chosen by the people, responsible to the people and acting for the people. In this way the various executive officers responsible directly to their official superior, the Mayor, removable by him at any time, and subject to impeachment by the city legislature, will be obliged to act in harmony with each other. Publio improvements will advance with some sort of system. Sewers, gas and water pipe will procede the lay ins of new street pavements, and not follow them. Public business will go forward methodically, aud with tbe good of tbe whole city constantly in view. The new charter would not do everything, but if it works hero as it does in cities where it has been tried, we would, in a few years, have a well-governod, clean, well-paved, well-livbted-and well-sewered city. 1 have no war to make on those who propose specific amendments to the details of the charter. Ihat is a matter which rests with the Legislature, and the committees in the House and Senate by whom this bill will be considered. It is in good hands. Let It have free dtsenssTonr -bet tbcdrtni lube carefully wrought ont. Bnt if the cry of General Cobnrn, "That it is essentially at war with our system of popular government, that it is aristocratic," etc., should avail to defeat the measure, I for one believe) that he will prove to be the worst enemy to tho progress and improvement of our city that we have ever had. Augustus L. Masox. Indianapolis. Jan. 2d. , Sonnd Sense About Street-Car Franchise. lo the rl tor ot the IurtUnapoILa Journ&is I wish to place myself in a proper position in relation to extending the charter of tho Citizens' Street-railroad Company. I was opposed to the extension of tbe charter until I got a chance to investigate the matter. 1 have been acting on a committeo trying to make arrangement for the improvement of College avenue. We are badly stuck in tbe mud. Upon close examination we find -we can't accomplish anything on account of the many defects in the ordinance under which the company is operating. If this company were to avail itself of the advantages it has under the E resent charter it would be ruinons to us, ut we find it dors not. We have a grand system which is nearly all voluntary on tho part of " the company. The present charter is bad for the people. Let us get clear of it as quickly ns possible. 1 am f ally convinced that if all of our people would investigate tho matter as we nave there would not be a single voice against extending the charter, and when it is done we don't want to impoverish the company so it can't give ns the best service by charging a big price for the franchise. If there is anything to come from the company let it come in the way of a reduction of fares. It is not our opinion that they can afford anything now. Too large an expenditure Is required now for the improvement of the service. Let it be arranged

for tho reduction to come after while wnen the system is complete and the profits will justify. II. 13. McCuxe. I.sriAXArous. Jan. 20. THE QUAIL LAW. A Farmer-Sport ua-m 1'roteata Against Certain Proposed Radical Changes. To t?ie Editor ot the Indianapolis Journal: There seems to be considerable sentiment in the present Legislature of this State favoring the taking of quails out of the list of game birds altogether. This arises from tbe fact thatour law-makers are moro largely farmers than ever bofore. From the farmer's stand-point 1 think thi3all wrong. The claim that the quail is valuably insectivorous will not bear investigation. I have seen the contents of many craws during the insect season, but never saw an insect in them always seed or grain. But. even suppose tbey are. If exclusively insectivorous this would bo a poor reason why man should not exercise his God-given dominion over them and utilize their flesh. I think that it is on account of annoyance from butters that the farmers want quail shooting prohibited, which will. of course, greatly diminish the too constant bang of the shotgun during "corn husking," and while stock is still subsisting largely on pasture. But the present law is surely ample to protect farmers from hunters on inclosed lands. If it need be more so, require tho consent to be in writing. If the farmers make half an effort they ahsolutely can prohibit hunting. If thj will make one-fourth of an effort do something more than post, and advertise, and drivo hunters off their land, for ouly a year or two, they will be able to dictate jnst who shall hunt on their farms, and that, too, at a compensation of from two to five dollars a day for the hunting privilege of their respective farms, according to size. They will not have to place themselves in the position of asking for pay. either. I think the farmers generally would be surprised to know how the hunters are already complaining of tneir restricted hunting privileges, and some now are almost ready to offer pay for the privilege. Butthey will not pay for tbe privilege of violating a prohibitory quail law. Then, along with this, by such a law the farmers will prohibit a large number of their neighbors from enjoying a privilege which has never, in the history of legislation in this country, teen denied for tbe protection of the farmer only. Illinois had a law prohibiting the killing of prairie chickens lor a term of years, but it was confessedly for the protection of the chickens. So of Michigan's presc nt five-year quail law; and hoof other States. If our proposed prohibitory law would be for the protection of

our Quails, the sportsmen of the State would see that it would be enforced; as it is, no hnnter questions that quails are more plentiful right now than on any 2Cth day of January for fifteen years. Our cold winters and abundance of snow for tracking, prior to the winter of 1SSS-9, together with less recognition of the open season, and less - objection from farmers against hunting, sadly depleted Bob White's ranks. But witb two mild winters following and almost total, absence of snow thore were more birds left over for mating last spring than for many years, and there is now no question but there will be from one-fourth to one-half more for next spring.' ' Instead of a prohibitory law for all let the law remain as it isprohibitory for those who wish to make it such. The law should now be changed so- as to apply to nnincloscd cultivated lands as well as to inclosed lands, as less fencing is being done each year, as fewer stock run at large, esIecially along the river and creek bottoms. Prohibit the sale. of quails, a law that will be enforced to the letter where it will apply principally, i. e.. to sale in open market. This will greatly protect quails, but will protect tbe farmer more, as the very worst hunter for the farmer is the one after meattoexchange for breadand butter, lsnot this true, farmer friends! There may not in each case be a market-hunter in your neighborhood, but, if there is, don't he fairly lay out the small boy or the "sassy,'1 well-togged city sportsman! Then, again, to put the farmer hnnter on a level with the city shooter, open the season later some time after ''corn-husking" not earlier than Nov. 1, the 15th "thebetter, and possibly Ded. 1, and let it extend to Jan. 1. The farmers are annoyed moro in two weeks of corn-husking than all the remainder of the- open season of ten weeks. If the hunting could all be done in December they would hardly know that hunting was being done on their farms, for at this time their stock is nearly all up or near the barns, and their teams are not afield. Give us changes in tho game law, but not prohibition, and dollars to buttons, if made in line with the above suggestions, threefourths of the farmers would support it. Prohibition is too radical. Every farmer has his friends among city sportsmen, and vice versa, and we will all feel better if the law remains so that a fraternal feeling may be cultivated. Provided, always, that it shall not be done at tho expense of diminishing Bob White's numbers from year to year. Farmei: Sportsman. Connkksville, Jan. 2o. Protection for the Quail. To the Editor of the Indianapolis Journal: At each of the last three sessions of the Indiana Legislature a bill has been introduced forbidding the killing of quail for a certain number of years. No State has a better law than ours, and none more universally observed. There is befora the IIousj now a bill (11. 11. No. 24) forbidding the killing of quail for two years. The object of this bill is, no doubt, to make quail more abundant; but a greater mistake could not be made. It is not the gun that destroys so many birds, but the cold waves that sweep down suddenly from the north that freeze them to death as they sit huddled together in the field. Whenever the temperature falls 18u or 20 below zero the quails are frozen to death in whole covies. They rarely seek a sheltered place to roost; but are usually found-in the open field, oftentimes in the most exposed positions. Dnring the seasons of 1S54 and '55 the qnail were more abundant than ever known before or since in this State. The three preceding winters had been mild and the snmmer8 dry and favorable to their nest

ing; but tno winter oi in. almost aesxroyea I the entire crop. When spring came and summer tne wnisne or too maie mra was rarely heard. When the season arrived for fcbooting it was a rare thing to find a covey. From 1S56 a gradual increase took place until Jan. 1, lb5l. On the morning of that day the mercury fell from twenty to twenty-live degrees below zero. Thousands and tens of thousands of birds were frozen to death before riooiu" From 18G4 to 1SS1 the increase was slow. It more than once occurred where the winter was mild that the summer was wet and unfavorable for nesting, and so no increase took place. The winter of 1S81 (like those of l&M and 1SC4) was also destructive to tbe quail. In many portions of the State one-half or more of the crop perished from cold, and in other portions nine out of ten died from starvation, tbe ground being covered with snow for a long time. Tho excessive cold of winter and ft wet summer both retard the increase of quail. The summer of 1SS3 was a fair illustration of the injurious effect of a wet season. The first nestings of quail and the prairie hen were both drowned ont by the excessive rains ot May, June and July. Many of the quail had a second brood. The prairie hens never have but one. Here is a simple and true history of the increnso and decrease of qunil in our State and the causes therefor, for the past t wentynine years. If there is any portion of it where prohibition has effected any good we cannot soe it. It has been tried in Ohio and signally failed. If it were enforced by law, the trap and the hawk would take the place of the gun. There is an abundant supply of quails greater than for many years past and we appeal to you to protect us from the passage of a law that would prevent our enjoying them at the proper season. "The Lord giveth the increase." So lot ns enjoy it when it comes, and not make laws to forbid that over which we have no control. A. C Lanier.. Madison; Ind., Jan. 24. pensions ron veterans. Residents of Indiana and Illinois Whoa Claims Have Been Allowed. Pensions have been granted the followingnamed Indiamans: Orirfnal Ellsha Mills, Farmland; Charles a Lamb. Markle; Henry Otto Illing, Evansville; David Stine, Owdan: Charles W. Archy, Lafayette: Daniel L. Starry, Marehtleld; Aaron liric leer, Geneva; John W. Hontrhland, tcottshurc; Fred Castle, Lowell; Win. P. likbardson, Brazil; Wm. E. It ran, Frankfort: John McAdama. Idieville; David S. Davenport, Harrlsville: James ti. Bellars, Frankfort; Clinton Arnold. Montpelier, Keverdy I. Bowlus. Wiliiuieport; Wiu.-S. Bryant. Lttwrencelmor; James Lynn, Ilanbstadt; Klisha Brown, Tayiorsville; David Richards, audulty; Adam Keller, Ureencastle; Robert M. llAjrsd&le. Evanaville; Jacob Brown, Anjrola; Anderson Powell, Mount Vernon; Wm. V. Clark, Oroveratown; James Wllnon, BloomlnKton; Thomas J. Koss, Valeene; Philip Lock, buintnit; William etreubijr. Crown Point; Leander H. Dennis. New Castle; John C. MeQuiaton, Indianapolis: John Henze, CeleAMne; George W. Best, Elkhart: Isaao Hewitt, KusMaville; Francis M. Bates, (ireenaburc: Hainan Allen. Markel; George W. Finnic. Richmond. Restoration -Gcorsre W. McKlm, Fremont. Restoration and Increase John F. Mclntlre, Fort Branch. Increase Isaac M. Powell, Lebanon; Henry J. Smith. Aurora; Henry Tinkle, Wabash; Jackson Crow, Terre Haute; Nathaniel Cralgmile, Lafayette; Henry J. Booth, Goshen. Reissue John Dimmitt, Delphi; Thomas Koberaon. Mount Liberty; John Troxell, Jonesboro; Clllott D. Ilewson, Indianapolis. Keis9neaud Increase Julius Egleson, Battleground: Hiram J. Foltz, Llbertjville. Original Widows, etc. Hannah, widow of Wm. Darby, Brownsburg; Mary A., widow of laaac B. Vaughn, Cerro Gordo; Priacilla, widow of Wm. N. Ililderband, Ileehbon; Mary A., widow of John Baiter, Fort Wayne; Margaret, widow of Patrick McLaughlin, South Bend; Jerutia, widow of Daniel huey, Rockileld. TO RESIDENTS OF ILLINOIS. Orlginal-OHeph Roberta. Morilla; Geo. E. Duna, bheldon; Frederick: Dilg, Maftcoutah; Kinsey Maxneld, Urbana; Patrick Dunevan, eneca; Geo. 8. Cole, Danville; Chas. Bergmann, Quincy; John W. Bell. Decatur; Edward Webb, fetaunton; Esquire Houston, Kellervllle; Geo. W. Hayes, Mount Vernon; Thos. J. Vanaradale. Delay: Geo. W. Rohr. Rockford; 8annel W. Turner, Chicago; Caleb Win get, Quincy; John C. Smith, Klverton; Mathe Herl. Belleville; Jos. B. Stlgler, rarh; Allen B. Steward, Hebron; John W. Pho waiter, Allendale; Alex. Hafiter, Chicago; Geo. Arkelbauer, Jereeyville; Henry Brandt, Eureka: (nav-) Henry F. Kruse, Chicago; Wm. J. Ayres, Macedonia; (navy) Jordan Rodney, Murphyaboro. Increase Augustus Bpong, Glasford; John Brick, Clay's Prairie; Wm. Fowler. Darwin; John E. Pierce, Moune; John P. McCtaJght, Aledo; James Lindsay, Coal Valley. ReUue-Alex. H. Brown. Ashley. Original Widows, etc. Mary, widow of Anthony Hocker, Bloomingtom Myra, widow of George R. Brittain, Lamb; Susan, widow of George W. West, Marshall; Anna, widow of Edward Edwards, Freeburg; William F father of Edward J. Wilson. La Hogue. Things Are Different Now. JXartford OoaraoL Parnell was on hand in the House of Commons yesterday, and thrust himself to the front with a noticeof a resolution about the crimes (in Ireland) act. But it must have been an unpleasant moment for him when McCarthy and Sexton led the memberelect fur North Kilkenny to the table amid a roar of cheers from the Liberal and Nationalist benches.

FREIGHT TRAFFIC OF A "WEEK

Slight Decrease on Indianapolis Line3 but an Increase Reported at Chicago. Western Traffic Association Strengthened bj the Transcontinental Becoming Part oi It Allesed Discrimination. The train records for tbe week ending Jan. 24 show a considerable decrease in movement of loaded cars, and empty cart are accumulating on side-tracks. This is not a surprise to freight men, the surprise rather being that the falling off in business did not come borne weeks earlier. Lastbound the shipments of live stock and export freights average well with that of several weeks past, but in shipments of gram and cotton a decrease is shown, and should east-bound business be light for several weeks to come it will not be unexpected. West-bound tbe tonnage is heavier than was looked for in January, exceeding that of the same month of 1SW. The west-bound shipments are made up largely of dry goods and heavy groceries for the West and SonthweBt. and transcontinental line freights, which consist largely of furniture and machinery. The transcontinental lines are now brincing in a good deal of fruit and other California products, and the transcontinental business is seldom so near equal in tonnage in both directions as at the present time. Throuah business with the north-and-south lines continues light, while their local trafho rather exceeds expectations. For many years there has not been a winter in which bo much timber in the rough has been handled in this section, the weather having been such as to admit of bringing lumber, staves, heading, etc., to the railway lines in unusually large quantities. As a rule tho freight men are quite well satisfied with what the roads are doing, and feel that they will bo able to hold freight earnings up to those of the corresponding weeks in 1S1K) through the winter months. One noticeable feature about business ut the present time is the evenness m freights moviug in both directions, last week thero being but ninety-tive more loaded cars forwarded than wero received. Below is given the uumber of loaded cars received and forwarded at Indianapolis in the week ending nt midnight. Jan. 24, and comparisons with the number handled in the corresponding weeks of three preceding years; NAME QF ROAD.

p& & rp : & (b rs . -i 2 9 T 123 133 276 311 282 111 333 353 332 300 C32 658 152 298 650 413 110 ,234 304 1,381 6G0 402 1,002 617 195 325 620 000 703 799 1,502 4C3 12 425 1,037 1,468 993 333 1.326 73u 1,002 1,556 2,417 793 1,574 1.3J0 2,914 1,963 811 998 1,839 2.480 748 9SO 1,728 1,806 872 1,071 1,943 2,054 9,279 9,374 18,653 16,930

L, N. A. A C, Air-line I..D. Jr Q C, 11. & D. (Ind'pTs div.U LE.&W f I. & V Penn'a linei Lou'v'e dIvAenn a lines Cllcapo liv Ind'D'llsdlv. Columbus div. Peoria div Big Four I Chicago div... lines 1 Clncin'atl div. St. Louis div.. Cleveland div. Yandalia In the corresponding week of 18S9 there were received and forwarded at this point 14,814 loaded cars: in lc$3. 14 222. In the week ending Jan. 24 there were transferred over the iielt road 14,CP5 cars, asraiust 13.4S4 in the corresponding week of lb'JU. Belt road engines last week handled 1,893 car-load3 of livn stock, against 1,094 carloads in the corresponding week of 1690. East-bound shipments of dead freight from Chicago by all lines last week aggregated b'l.tvii tons, ngamst 74,810 for the preceding week, an increase of 0,851 tons, and against 100,076 for the corresponding period last year, a falling oil of 24,415 tons. Tne total shipments to the sea-board of flour, gTain and provisions by tho roads in the Central Truthc As.ociation.yere 44,218 tons, against 40,('2 for the week previous, an increase of 3,5Ctf tons, and against 68,545 for the corresponding week of 1S90, a decrease of 24,327 tons. Tbe Chicago and Grand Trunk carried 25 per cent, of the traffic, the Vanderbilt liues 45.G. the Pennsylvania lines 20 and the B. & 0. 10 per cent. Cementing tbe Agreement. The special meeting of tbe Transcontinental Association, called by Chairman James Smith, was held at Chicago yesterday. Mr. Smith, who was elected a commissioner of the Western TrafHo Association, in charge of the Transmissouri Division, was anxious to know whether he was expected to resign the Transcontinental Association chairmanship immediately or wait nntil further developments. The meeting adopted a resolution requesting Mr. Smith to continuo in his present position until he was formally elected commissioner of tho Transmissouri Association. Another resolntion was adopted resolving the Transcontinental Association into the Transcontinental Division of the Western Trauic Association. It was voted to call a meeting of the passenger department for Feb. 9. The Transmisdonri Association will convene in Chicago Wednesday, for the purpose of merging Itself into the new 5 residents' combine, and formally electing ames Smith as chairman. E. P. Vining will then become commissioner of tho Transcontinental Association, in accordance with the programme laid down by the presidents. An informal conference of the six commissioners was held at Chairman A. F. Walkers office yesterday, but as Commissioner Smith's time was largely taken up with his own meeting no definite c onclusion was reached on the question of territorial divisions. The conference will be resumed this morning. Alleged Discrimination and Boycott. A sensation in the Western railroad freight situation will probably be developed at Kansas City, within the next few weeks, by tbe filing in the United States Court of a suit by the Inter Ocean Elevator Company against the Santa Fe and the Rock Island and possibly the Missouri Pacific railroads. The suit, if filed, will be for very heavy damages, and the charge will be discrimination. The Inter Ocean Elevator Company has apparently a just cause for complaint. It is the only elevator at Kansas City that recognized the State law in regard to the inspection and handling of grain, and is consequently the only one which can be strictly called a public warehouse. It is said that tho through lines are largely interested in other elevators at Kansas City, and that the action of the Inter Ocean in complying with the State law incurred their bitter enmity, and since that time the company has been practically boycotted. A division of rates on grain from the West at Kansas City is also to be fought for. W. W. Strong, presideut of the Inter Ocean Elevator Company, is satisfied that the company has a good case against the railroads. Advance In Rates. Chairman Osgood, of the western and northwestern divisions of tbe Westeru Freight Association, has returned to Chi cago from New York, where he has been la boring to secure the unan imous consent of the Eastern lines to the proposed revision of freight rates from the seaboard to St. Paul bv the different routes. He was en tirely successful in removing all objections to the schednle as recently agreed upon, and it was readopted. to so into effect Feb. 9. This is an advance in the rates by the "Soo" line to the basis of 51.20, farst-clasa, instead of $1.05, making them equal to tbe lowest combination of local rates by way of Chicago. Personal, Local and General Notes. D. F. Whltcomb, superintendent of the Union Railway Company, is so ill as to con line him to his room. The Louisville. New Albany & Chicago will build a $2,500 depot at Salem, Ind.. this spring. Plans have already been prepared for tho improvement. William Dowd, formerly president of the Lonisville. New Albany & Chicago road, and who for seventeen years was president of tbe Bank of North America, has made up his mind to retire from active business

PACKAGECOFFEES ABLATES & CO., INDIANAPOLIS, IND life, and has arranged his affairs for an ex tended visit to Europe. He coes abroad on the recommendation of his physician. Tbe Chicago, Burlington & Quincy hat completed its line to Deadwood, S. D.. and will on the 1st of February open it for both passenger and ireignt trauic The traffic matters of the Cincinnati. Wabash & Michigau road have been left in the bands of Joseph Kamsey, jr., so far as the Big Four is interested in the property. Columbia, Harbison, Marion, Bainbri dge and Madison townships, in Dubois county, are soon to bold elections to vote subsidies to the Chicago & Evansville road which will aggregate $28,134.30. W. L. Breyfogle, president of the Louisville, New Albany-& Chicago road, has gone to New York. Eugene Zimmerman, vice-president of the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton, accompanied him. The two-dollar round-trip rate from Terre Haute to Cincinnati, on Friday and Saturday last, resulted in tho Vandalia and the Cincinnati. Hamilton & Dayton carrying G59 excursionidts and the Big Four C02. George S. Howard, who has been with the American expross at Fort Wayne, Ind., has been appointed a route agent of the company, with headquarters at Cleveland, O. L. P. Hilburt succeeds him at Fort Wayne. J. T. Thomas, an expert railroad account ant, and employe or the Alabama & Vicksnurff raiiroaa, is aeaa at jacKaon, Alien. He was a native of New York aud well known in railroad circles in St. Louis ana New York. A branch of the Railroad Men's Christion Association has been organized at Pueblo, the railroads furnishing a tine room and a library. John Brnnton, formerly with the Bee-line at Indianapolis, has been appointed superintendent aud librarian. Thomas Noel, who recently accepted the position of commercial agent of the Memphis & Little Hock road, with headquarters at Louisville, will soon retire from that position to become the commercial agent of the Queen & Crescent road, with headquarter at Chicago. The first twenty-one days of January the official report of Superintendent Bender shows that 2,201 more loaded cars were bandied this year on the Cnoago division of the Bisr Four than in the corresponding period of 18i0. The business on the branches also shows an increase this year. Win. R. McKeen, president of the Terre Haute & Indianapolis, was in the city yesterday, and last evening, in company with W. P. Ijams. president of the Belt Koad and Stockyard Company, and D. W. Minshall, of Terre Haute, went South to look after their lumber interests on the Cumberland river. It is stated that on the Southwestern system of the Pennsylvania road, within the next fow months, thirty wornout locomotives will bo replaced by new and moro modern engines. Several hundred freight cars of light carrying capacity will also be broken np abd 3.000 new cars, 60.000 pounds capacity, are to replace. them. General Passenger Agent Beckley, of the Cincinnati, Wabasn & Michigan, is Veil satisfied with last year's work in connection with foreign lines. The coupon business turned over to the C, W. fc M. during the year by all foreign lines exceeded that of the coupon business which tbe C, W. & M. turned over to such lines by $5,242. The Pittsburg & Lake Erie will have its second track between Pittsburg and Youngstown, O., completed by May 1. There are only a few short links to build to complete the line. -Yearly the Lake Shore, which owns this road, is showing a more aggressive spirit iu territory which is now largely controlled by the Pennsylvania Company. Eastern financial papers now have the Louisville & Nashville negotiating for tbe purchase of the Louisville, New Albany & Chicago road. In speaking of this matter yesterday a prominent railroad man said if there was any truth in the report the deal was being made in the interests of the Pennsylvania Company, which is very anxious to curb the Monon as a competitor. It was given out at the Burlington yesterday that the Deadwood extension of that road was completed into Deadwood Sunday. Jan. 25. The new line traverses a very riob country, passing through Custer City. Hill City, Lead City and other points including the famous Hot Springs of Dakota. This gives the Burlington a line to the Northwest from Lincoln 577 miles 'in length. William Snllivan, agent of tho Big Four at this point, feels quite proud of his record iu 1&90. In handling the local traffic of the consolidated companies, in the year 1890, 72,789 cars were loaded and unloaded at the city freight depots of the company, and at a cost to the company of only 69.16 cents per car. At St, Louis it cost the company 78 cents per car, and at Cleveland and Cincinnati SO cents per car. Henry S. Ives has returned to New York from his trip West, and when questioned as to tbe obiect of his visit he is quoted as saylug that he went out to see if there was not some way for him to get even with some of his opponents in tno old railway litigation. A gentleman who saw Mr. Ives when be was in Terre Haute says he no longer presents the youthful appearance which bedid when the C, U. &: D.-Vandalia deal was on, and has aged very rapidly of late. K. H. Campbell, who represents the Traders' Dispatch at Dayton, O., was in the city yesterday. ' He states that, as a business point, Dayton is steadily increasing in importance to tbe roads. John 11 ill', who for years was lost-car agent of tbe Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton, and was a short time ago appointed agent of the com pany at that point, is makingn excellent i record. Mr. Hill lost an arm in the battle ! of Fort Wagner, and carries other marks ! which resulted from bis war record. 1 One who is well posted as to the intentions of tho Chicago & Eastern Illinois people thinks that without doubt tho road will be extended to Louisville, Ky. There was a conservative element East which opposed it at first bitterly, taking tbe position that it was better to let well enough alone; tbe road was showing very baudsome earnings now, and to build such an extension was not good policy, but this feeling, it is stated, is gradually dying out. It is claimed that no difficulty will bu experienced in raising the money which would be needed to build the road. No Bachelor Can Be Elected Araln. Chicago Inter Ocean. Governor Hill has his place in the Senate and the governorship of a great State, but he is still short of a wife. It is a fatal 'short," and the sooner be goes "long" the better. No dried-np bachelor need ever again knock at tbe door of the White House. Tbe Sooj- of the Microbe. Chlcajro News. A microbe sat in a ten-acre lot, and "Aheigh" and "O-ho." sung he; "they can make np cures by the quart. 1 wot. but out here they can never find me!" The fcreat red-letter Rale continues for one treek wore at the Occidental One-price Clothing llouae. Uheabi of reductions on snitt of all kinds at Occidental One-price Clothing House.

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