Indianapolis Journal, Indianapolis, Marion County, 2 December 1896 — Page 3

THE INDIANAVOLI5 JOURNAL, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1896.

New York Store Established 1853. Agents for the Butterick Patterns.

Carpets Here is the way we are Belling them thi3 week: 2,500 yards of the best all-wool Ingrains at, a yard 45c 2,500 yards of the best 10-wire Tapestry Brussels Carpets, with borders to match, at, a yard.... 55c 2,000 yards good styles in fine frame Body Brussels Carpets at, a yard C5c 2,000 yards best 6-frame Body Brussels Carpets at, a yard 95c 3,000 yards fine Wilton Vel?et Carpet at, a yard 75c Third Floor. Pettis Dry Goods Co. BOYS' BUTTON SCHOOL SHOES Reduced from S3 to $1.48. . J. MAROTT, 26 and 28 East Washington St. An Invitation Is extended to everybody to try the ' delicious warm rolls, etc., raado from PRINCESS FLOUR At our exhibit at the Pur Food Exposition. . Cordially. BLANTON MILLING CO. 85S3 Absolutely Puro. A cream of trur b&xlag powder. HIghett of til In letTnlnr r.renttk-LoUit United Statu Srovernment Food Report. &OTAX BlXIXO POWDIft Co Nbw TOftX. R. BRUTAL STEPFATHER. Alexander Foster Slashes and Serl ously Harts a. Boy. Alexander Foster, a colored laborer employed by tho Western Furniture Company, .and living at 237 West Third street, made a murderous assault upon his firteen-yoar-cld stepson, Fred Fll&, last night, and Is now dodging the police Foster married Mrs. Anna Field about two months ago, and soon began to show, a dlsliko for her six boy 8. the eldest, seventeen, and tho next to tho eldest, fifteen yearo old, being specially repugnant to him He frequently abused them, and when ho was drinking the children found it advisable to keep out of his way. Last night Fncr jamo homo under the influence of liquor and at once began mistreating the eldest two boys. With a pocket knife be made a lunge at the eldest, but this one was quick enough to get out of tho way. He ran into the yard screaming for help. The younger of the two hoys fell into the hands-of tho Infuriated man and he was badly Injured. The first blow of tho knife struck him on the head above the left ear. making a bad wound. The knife struck tho tkull and glanced off. tearing the flesh with it for a dutance or nearly two inches. Another vicious Mow and the knlfo struck the boy in the back, under the shoulder . bladw. This was a stab. and the knife blade entered almost its full length, but. being short, it is believed the wound will not prove serious. As the boy Jerked away from the man, another swinging blow was struck. It Just missed the arm. but ripped the coat slcevo from shoulder to elbow. The appearance of Fred running Into the yard caused the oldest sen to turn his attention to him. and It was thus that Foster ' had time to get away before any one reached tho scene of the .assault. Foster had donned hl3 Sunday attire earlier in the evening. It consists .of a black cutaway and dark trousers and black stiff hat. Under tho coat he wore a working Jacket of a plaid cotton material, lie also waited to pack a bundle containing a Tew articles of clothing, keeping his wife and stepchildren out of th room where he was by threatening to -kill them If they entered. When he left ha told his wife that he would kill the two boya before morning. "I'll kill tho before morning." he said, with a string of oaths, "and if I don't, when you next hear from me IiwIU be In Louisville." The police learned of the affair shortly after It occurred and watched the railroad yards In the hope cf capturing Foster as he attempted to leave the city. Tho injured boy's wounds were not dressed by a physician, and It la not known' how serious they may be. The neighbors washed, the blood away and bandaged .the cuts. AN ADDITIONAL $2,000. Coastf Gives This for n. Soldiers Home Cottage. An additional appropriation of $2,000 has been made by the county commissioners to be expended on the Marion county cottage at the Lafayette Soldiers' Home. After visiting the home on Thanksgiving day the commissioners decided that the &00 already appropriated wouli net be sufficient to erect a suitable building. With S2.500 they believe that a cottage adequate to accommodate forty persons can be put up. Tho commissioners further considered the claim of Alonzo G. Smith and Leon O. lialley for fcS.OOO for services in tho Union Railway tax case, but have reached no conclusion. The opinion tf other attorneys as to, the Justness of the claim will be asked. George- II. Thomos Post Officers. The election of officers In Thomas Post last night called out the largesc attendance in several years. The following wero elected: Commander-Dr. Charles's. Iloynton. Senior Vic Commarder J. II. tihover. Junior Vloo Commander D. L. Drown. Surgeon Dr. G. V. Warden. ChaplainSamuel Sanger. Quartermaster It. JU. Stnoek. Officer of tho Pay-S. D. Hallock. Officer Of tho Guard-J. X. Stevens. Tb following drleates ver elected to the a tate encampment: Z. A. Smith, J. H. Lowes. J. L. Uloler, Li. A. Richardson. John Ithenschlld. G. II. Shobr. Joseph I lass. Geortro N. Miller. U ll. Harris J. It. Clinton. Alternates. J. li. Connor. U. K. Collin. Henry Nlcol, Samuel Sanfcer. T. J. Charlton. 1-:. IV Thompson. J. It. Koss. J04oph IL Kill. S. D. Hallock. W. F. Hltt. Georjje H. Thomas W. It. C. elected the following officers yesterday: IreHldft Mrs. Ar?trjraret Sultrrove. Senior Vlco President Mrs. Itoso Hampton. . , Junior Vlco Preside nt"-Mr. ' Agnes Sherpy. ClxapUIn Mrs. Faulkner. !onductor Mrs. KUa Billing. . , (Juard Mrs. Lulu ll. Jchneon.' Del-er.ite4 to Department Convention; Mrs. Klla D. 'Ann. Mrs. Sarah U. Gilbert. llr. IL M. tiuG&k.

0

BIG BRIGHTWOOD FIRE

TIIH nETAVOOD PLANT OP O. S. GILLETTE A SONS DESTROYED. Lorn Retivren j?5O,0-O nnd 70,000 Origin of the Finnic, Discovered by the Watchman, InLnown. The bent wood manufacturing plant of C. S. Gillette & Sons, located on Bloyd avenue, in Drlghtwood, was completely destroyed by fire last night and only the two end walls of tho two-story bncic buiid.ng remain standing. The fire was discovered about 5 o'clock by the night watchman, among some old shafts that were piled above a disused oil room in the northwest part of the building on the second floor. next to the office. When first discovered it was only a slight blaze and the watch man nearly extinguished It with a buck-it of water, but beforo he could secure the second bucketful it had gained such headway that it was beyond his control, so he ran to the office and telephoned for the suburban fire department and then ran to the windows and shouted for help. Tho Bright wood department received the call about 6:10 o clock, but by the time it ar rived nearly the whole interior of tho building was a mass of flames. The water pressure was very weak on tho volunteer companies' lines and the flames rapidly spread until the whole Interior was a raging furnace. No. 8's company, with an en gine, and No. 16s hose company went out from the city and tho stream from the en gine was the only effective one on tho fire, and It was directed on to the engine and boilers of the plant, which were the only machinery in the plant that was saved. The walls soon began to bulge and the west end of the north wall fell outward with a loud crash, and caused a scattering among the spectators, who were too curious. The south wall soon followed and the flames then spread to small timber that had been piled near the building. The east end of tho north wall stood for nearly an hour after the western portion had fallen and the firemen had begun to cease to fear Its full, and when the crash came two of 15 s men had a very narrow escape from being crushed beneath the ruins. John Allen and Charles Fiord, of the 16'8 company, were standing In front of the wall playing a stream of water through one of the windows, when a shout from the spectators warned them that the wall had started to fall and in their haste to get away both firemen slipped and fell upon the streetcar tracks, but only a few scattering bricks bounded about them. The pressure .from the mains of the Brightwood water works was so weak that tho weight of a person standing upon the hose would almost shut off tho water, and to make bad matters worse, the supply from this source failed completely about 10 O'clock. The enc-ine from X the cistern on Bloyd avenue and no water wuiu ins gut upon me nre until the engine had been moved into the company's yard, where another well was located. The Stream- from thn rneinn wan ncrl rtnlv nn the room containing the boiler and engine belonslntr to tho niant and thu -h v. greater part of tho lumber on hand, was an Him whs euvea. ro one couia tell how the fire originated and the first man upon tne scene, .lllKon Gate wood, the night watchman, tells his story of the fire briefly as follows: "I had been In the office about twentyuuuuLco wcivio kkj pec jijw tne nro was getting along there, but found that there was no fire In the stove. It having been turned out before the force in the office left the building. The old oil room is Just across a wirfa hall f rnm fha It Is built of boards and is about twelve ieei. square, ana mere were no Indications of lira there nt that -Hmn T r'jmo into the shop and was doing some work uwui iu me miacne or tne building, when vwu. mump, mump, mump, up stairs in tho direction of the office, and 1 imme diately started to investigate. Reaching ncmi ui mo Moirs x saw immos issu ing iron a pue or old shafts which had been Dlled udoti the ran nf rho ni.i aii room and, grabbing a bucket of water that itiwu HtNu- iii nana, x nearly extinguished the fire with it, but I had to go down stairs tor another bucketful and by the time 1 returned the flames had Increased and were already eating- the roof. I immediately telephoned to the fire department, and then m n in. ha ninntt,. and shouted for help. What was the origin uj. me nrof i am uname to say, and ail iuu.1 x anew x nave toia you. , THE LOSS ESTIMATED. The building was a two-story brick, built In the shape of an L. about 300 feet long on the north oido and about 173 feet long on the east. The firm had more stock on hand than it has had at any other time during the year, and all thaf. had been manufactured, together with all the ma. chinery, with the exception of the boilers and engine, was totally destroyed. The company had In its employ about sixty men, and made a specialty of felloes, shafts, wheel rims nnd nnu.a tnr- Kinnrio. for which they have always found a ready sale. Mr. Gillette did not arrive at the fire until after 10 o'clock and unomiJ pletely dazed by the loss, and was unable at that time to make any statement as to nis juiure intentions. iie estimates the loss between JSD.OUO and 175.000, and said thnt thl A rftuprnH nnlir Kv Irian.". n amounting to .'3,000, of which amount the Krtuicr portion is piacea witn tne Lloyd s Company. Thn larp Iron rnifa htlnnfflnir In company, which had crashed through the secona iioor.- stooa inverted upon end amid a mass of debris, and from all indications Its contents had not been riamncrrl Mottia men who arrived upon the scene early tugrgred and hauled upon a small safe, which is no longer used, until they finally got it safely established upon a small truck. Then, they hauled it in triumph out ui mo uuiiuiuK. aim seemea quite illigustea when told that It contained nothing of V:llllA . The Brlirhtwood volunteer companies in a eorry pi;K"i at me nre last nignt, for the water frcie to the men's clothing almost as soon as It touched the purmcnt, and they have neither oil coats, helmets, gloves or cood boots for nrntection were working barehanded, and after the first excitement, and the water almost ceased to flow, they worked only in a halfhearted way. The water froze on the i? rou ml wherever it fell a few teet away I'rom the burning building, and many of the firemen and incautious spectators received hard falls. The only stream that accomplished much at the fire was the one thrown by the engine from tho city, and the credit of saving the boilers and engine DcionKs to me city nremen. . FIRKMAX SLIGHTLY IIIIIT. Will Porter Falls from a Iloof-l'mine House Destroyed. Will Porter, a member of fire company No. 17, was slightly Injured while working on a fire early yesterday morning. Ho was working with a lino of hose on the roof of a house, holding to a chimney. The chim ney gave way and Porter rolled to the ground, striking on his head and shoulders. When picked up ho was unconscious and blood was running from his mouth. It was believed he had been killed at first. Ho soon recovered consciousness, however, and it was learned that the blood came from tho loss of a tooth. The fire was in three story-and-a-half frame double houses on- McOatiley etreet just south of McCarthy street iney were almost completely destroyed and it required good work on tho part of the tiro department to save tho entire row of similar houses. The houses are the property of C. H. Flsk. There was a lire alarm shortly after S o clock yesterday morning from the build ing occupied by Fairbanks. Morse & Co.. at 70 So'.ith Meridian street, which caused the usual scare when there 1 an alarm from the wholesale district. The fire was caused by a defective flue and was ex tinguished with tsiignt loss. ltoth Loat it Leir. Leonard Roth, of Martha street. West Indianapolis, suffered the loss of a leg by falling under a train of cars on the I. Si V. road at th- Williams-street crossing early yesterday morning. Roth left home between 5 and C o'clock to go to hi brolh er's house.' and on the way was passed bv th train of cam.. - There were some coal cars in the train, and it is said that Roth climbed upon the train to throw soma coal olf. and in getting off at the crossing his foot allpped and thr-w him under the cars. Ar.other veieion of the accident has !t that Roth was slrr.ply trying to climb over tho cars Lecsiuse hcvs Impatient to cross the truck. Roth was taken to the City Hos

pltal, where his left leg was amputated above the knee.. He has a wife and one child. He has been out.of work for hcveral

months, and was on his wa- to look for work when ho as hurt. He Is paying for a home in a building association, and lacks only about a year of having his home paid ror. He is twenty-eight years old. IT WILL MEET HERE. (Concluded from First Ince.) action of the commercial bodies of the country In presenting to Congress a general plan for a currency system, great enouim to overcome present difficulties and provide for the future growth of our already vast commerce, wo shall have done our duty and shall have dons It widely. Gentlemen, the object of this meeting Is to consider the advisability of calling, and If considered advisable, to unite In calling a nonpartisan sound-money general convention of the commercial bodies of the country for the purpose of discussing the propriety of establishing a nonpartisan commission and If the plan is found to be acceptable then such convention to establish a nonpartisan commission to which shall be assigned the duty of considering the wnole subject of our national finance and of preparing a plan for a currency system, which can be embodied In such legislation as will place our monetary system on a permanently sound basis. Upon the close of his address Mr. Hanna asked that a permanent organization be made, and that It be determined upon what basis votes should be cast. EX-GOV. STANARD S ADDRESS. Upon motion of E. V. Smalley, of St. Paul, It was decided that each organiza tion represented should be entitled to cast three votes. E. B. Martlndale nominated Ex-Governor E. O. Stanard, of Missouri, for permanent chairman and he was unan imously elected, and Jacob W. Smith, of Indianapolis, was made secretary. Upon assuming the chair Governor Stanard said: "If I had known that it was expected of me to preside over this meeting half an hour ago you might have been inflicted with a speech, but upon this short notice you will hardly exiect an address from me. Ilut really, after all that has been aid by the president of the Board of Trade, and by Mr. Hanna. it does not seem necessary for mo to occupy much of your time. I ought to say, however, that the people and Boanl of Trade or Indianapolis are enti tled to credit from the entire country for the movement you have inaugurated of an attempt by. the people of this country to in somo way establish a stable and per manent financial system In. the United States, a system not likely to be changed with every incoming administration, a system that should bo eliminated from politics. And it seems to mo that you are working in tho right direction when you ask tho commercial organizations of the country to como together and, after Intelli gent discussion, make recommendations upon this subject to congress, we nave had an object lesson In the last ten years that should serve to lead the people along theso lines: wo have had a business ex perience of such character as to make the people understand that it Is Important that this subject should be taken un in a non partisan way and handled for the best inter ests of the country, feuch influence should go out from this meeting as will create a public sentiment that will ne healthy. I strongly favor holding a national conven tlon to the end that a stable currency may be established. TV. II. II. MILLER'S TALK. Fullnre to Collect Sufficient Revenue n. Present Trouble. Ex-Attorney General W. II. II. Miller, who had been Invited to b present by the promoters of tho movement, was then Introduced and made a brief speech. In the course of which he argued that the prime cause of our currency disturbances was tho government was not collecting sufficient revenue to meet its expenses. He said: "Tho assemblage of so considerable a number of men from the trade centers of the mlddio West to consult upon the flnan cial situation at this time is a notable event. After long, weary years of de pression. at tho close of a most anxious and most Important national political con test, a contest involving tho most vital In terests of the whole people, and whose re sult has been followed by so many signs of reviving business, we would expect that merchants, manufacturers, all business men -would feel-constrained to give their attention directly to their own private af fairs, leaving public questions to public men. "The fact that such Is not the case, that you at great expense of time and money are here to take counsel together in behalf of the whole people is, therefore, a notable fact, and shows that the Questions upon which our electors have so recently given such emphatic expression have made much more than the ordinary Impression upon tho public mind. "This meeting of men under such circum stances and for such a purpose, and the wide nnd favorable comment it has evoked throughout tho country ure also significant as showing that Interest in public ques tions, a patriotic deslro for the good of the wholo people is not a mere matter of feel ing or sentiment only developed by and during partisan excitement, but of abiding principle no less general and no less sin cere than that which rescued our instltu tlons from destruction a third of a century ago. "I am not advised as to Just what is expected to be tho nature or result of your deliberation-. When, however, Mr. Hanna. who I think Is in some measure responsible for your assemblage, asked me to speak to you to-day he was quite careful to define the boundaries of my utterance. First, I was to speak only about ten minutes, nnd. second. I was not expected to outline any financial plan; in other words. 1 was not expected to mako a prescription for tho nnaclal Ills of the body politic. "Uoth of theso limitations were and are entirely to my liking, because, being a lawyer and not a financier, a private citizen and not a public man, a very short time Is sufficient for telling all 1 know about finance. Indeed. It has for a long tlmo appeared to me that nothing ever bet ter Illustrated the old saying that 'Manywords darken speoch than the Interminable discussions ot tnia suoject wnicn nave oeen Inflicted on the public from legislative halls for several years past. SITUATION DIAGNOSED. "Rut though forbidden to write a pre scription, my Instructions do not disallow a brief attempt at diagnosis. One of the wisest maxims of Renjamln Franklin was Pay as you go. Wilkina MIcawber. though hardly to be classed as a wise man, enlightens and enlivens the pages of 'David Copperfield with occasional bits of appar ently unwitting wit and wisdom; and none better than this: 'Annual income, 20; an nual expenditures, 19, nineteen, six: re sult, happiness. Annua! Income, JL2J; an nual expenditures, J-u, nought, six; result. misery. "In my opinion. If the wise men charged In legislation and administration with our financial affairs had risen to the height of Mr. Mlcawber's wisdom and recognized the fact that a nation, as well as an individual. whose revenues are largely less . than its expenditures is on tho road to panic and disaster, and acted accordingly, much of the distress of several years past might have been avoided. "It is at least a striking coincidence that the V'oeful consequences supposed to bo entailed by the workings of the 'endless chain in the redemption and paying out of greenbacks never were discovered to be alarming until, as tho result of threatened and actual legislation, the revenues of the government were so reduced that the bor rowing of money to pay the ordinary ex penses, the grocery, butcher's and tailor's bids of the government was seen to be a necessity of the near future. "There had been no time since 1S79 when a man or a bank with plenty of money could not get gold at par, ami it Is sub mltted that If tho government's revenues had been maintained at adequate figures there need havo been no difficulty in main taining the hu idred-rrilluon-doilar gold re servo and the national credit without increasing the public debt. I do net say th.it the greenbacks haw not contributed to the embarrassments of the situation; but that they have not been the primary or prlnci pal cause of that situation seems to me to bs evident. "The effects of silver legislation in the past, and especially the threat of silver legislation of r. radical nature In the near future, have been so continuously discussal on the slump and in the public press dur ing tho last six months that anything from ire now would be not only uncalled tor but inexcusable. 4 "One other suggestion only. Vc have lizard during the recent campaign rot a little as to the necessity for confidence among out peop'e as a condition of prospent y. .nu me resuitj mat nave beirun to show themselves slncn tho election are a justincation or tnis idia. uut it is not enough for the stability of this government and the security of Its Institutions that thero be confidence In the financial situation nlcne. "Governmental affairs, municipal. State and national, must be so conducted that the people win reel connaonce that every man Is getting his due and that rone are getting more than their due. That such a state of confidence does -not now exist Is self-evident: that some cause for the lack of such confidence exists in the enactments

providing for tho aggregation of corporate capital and the administration of those enactments in the courts is not to te

denied. The remedy for this condition of things Is mainly with tho States. The national government can by legislation deal with the . 1 A L- f u. 1 1 1 suDjeci omy wimiu v narrow uuiii. What kind of legislation is required, whether penal or civil or both, and what change of direction,-if any. Is needed in th courts is in the nature or prescription rather than of diagnosis, nnd hence not within mv province. One thing, however. is clear. This remedy must be furnished cr consequences not to be thought of with complacency are not remote. You, gentle men. In your several localities can help to inaugurate this most necessary movement." IIISTOIIY OF CUllREJbCY SYSTEM. John R. Wilson Illuitrnten Its Patell ar orU Character. John R. Wilson, of this city, who was one of the originators of the national Democratic movement, and was secretary of Its national committee, was also present byInvitation and delivered a speech of some length, reviewing carefully the history of the present currency system, and demonstrating tho fact that It was a patch-work that had been built up to meet emergen cies from time to time." He said: "On Nov. 18. 180-3. the Board of Trade of this city adopted resolutions calling for this preliminary conference of the representatives of the boards of trade of certain cities of the middle Western States. You are assembled here this morning pursuant to theso resolutions sent out in company with an explanatory letter. The ultimate object of this movement is to secure the co-operation of those commercial bodies now existing In tho principal cities in the United States in aid of a business-like treatment nnd solution of the questions in volved in the reform of our national cur rency. "The proximate 'object of this confer ence Is to secure a representative conven tion of all such commercial bodies in manner and form that will command the high est respect and give tho greatest weight and effect to the suggestions which may ultimately come from the organized business men of the 'Nation, aiding by concerted action in the reform of the monetary system. You are not here to devise a plan for the reform of the currency, but to devise a practical scheme by which may bo Invoked the experience and knowledge of the country in aid of evolving such a plan of reform. You are not here in behalf of any section, but rather to develop a method so essentially national as to eliminate specifically the charge of sectionalism. NEED OF CURRENCY REFORM. "This conference assumes tho necessity for a currency reform, and in kucIi an assumption you are justified, for however much men and 'parties may differ concerning the method of reform, there Is a practical unanimity In the demand for a re form. Tbv clearest Justification Is found for this national framo of mind both in the origin of our system of national cur rency and In its practical workings. It Is a curious fact in our national financial history that of the. expedients adopted by Congress under tho constraining needs of the civil war, and which were designed as temporary war measures, the temporary form of currency has substantially remained as the most enduring. Mr. Chase, as secretary of the treasury, submitted a report to Congress in lOl, in which he considered several p.ans for raising sufficient means with which to carry on the war. One was to retire tho state bank issue by taxation nnd substitute therefor United States notes. After': commenting on the hazards and dangers of such a paper cur rency, he declared that 'in his judgment these possible disasters far outweighed the probable benefits; of the plan, and that ho fpls himself constrained to forbear recom mending Its adoption.', This report went to the wavs and means committee of the House, of which 3in J had de us Mcvens. or Pennsylvania, was .chairman, ana oi wnicn Mr. Spauldlng was un efficient member. The latter reported a -bill on Jan. 7. 1S02, authorizing an issue' of $100,000,000 of demand treasury notes. This bill was re ferred to tho committee or. ways ana means, which reported ' back a substitute This substitute bill became tho first legaltender act.. No one can read the debate on tnis memorable bill without being impressed that It was designed as a temporary war measure. Mr. Spauldlng declared that 'the bill before us is a war mcasurea measure oT necessity, and not of choice, presented by the committed of ways and means, to meet the mos; pressing aemanus M"-u me treasury, to 6utaui'thQ .army, and navy. Theso are extraordinary times. and extraordinary measures must Iks re sorted to in order to save our government and preserve our nationality. This bill is a necessary means of carrying Into execution the powers granted in the Con stitution "to raise and support armies'- and "to nrovide and maintain a navy." ' And Mr. stpvpns. the leader of the House, said that 'this bill Is a measure of necessity and not of choice. No one would willingly Issue nnnr riirroncv not redctmable on demand and mako it a legal tender. It Is never desirable to depart from that circulating medium which by the common consent of civilized nations forms the standard of value.' The bill was characterized by Mr. .Tiistin S. Morrill as 'the purcursor of a pro lific brood of promises, and denounced as a measure not mesred ny one sound precerlfilt fin A damned bv all. ' And in the Senntn thp same character of debate was had. Senator Sherman declared that: M agree that this measure Can only bo justified on tho cround of necessity:" senator tumner. in terms almost pathetic, said. It is hardvery hard to think that such a country, so powerful, so rich and so beloved, should be compelled to adopt a policy of even questionable propriety.' It became a law, receiving the support of Congress, not along party or- sectional lines. RESULT OF' CREDIT MONEY. "It Is true that after the war the govern ment paper was placed on a specie basis. but it Is also true that we have inexorably followed in the course of other nations not induced by Increasing the quantity of the legal-tender notes, . but by Issuing other credit money, under-a system that led the commercial world to believe that we were bound to break-down. We all remember the anxiety of .this Nation and other na tions, beitnnlng in the summer ot ivjz. concerning the ability of the treasury to maintain the redemption of currency in gold; we rem-jmbcr.full well the panic that followed, largely because of this uncertain ty ami danger, and how our business men wero harassed, investments suspended, enterprise depressed, factories closed, foreign r-ii.it:il withdrawn, and the enormous loss. estimated above $2).WO,Uiio. which directly and indirectly resulted from the panic of Intelligent commercial nations have abandoned substantially the effort to maintain a currency system such as ours, and it is high time that we cast about to determine-what should'be done by our country. Tho legislation of Congress on this subject has ben from hand to mouth since 18G1; it may bo said to have been extemporized largely under all of the drawbacks inc dent Inevitably to what is termea com mittee legislation. And as a result we have to-dav an incoherent financial system with nine different kinds of currency, all except two denendent directly or Indirectly upon the credit of the United States; and the 'United States finds Itself in the banking business without the power to do the bus! ness of banking. One of the most conspicu ous vices existing in the present system is the iegal-tender note redeemable In coin bv th. irovernment and relssuable by legal compulsion as fast as redeemed; another Is the excessive accumulation of silver In the treasury with outstanding notes and certificates against it upon a basis which overvalues this silver. The conclusion is then that we are clearly justified in assuming that there is a demand among intelligent business and leading statesmen of the Na tion for at reformation to the end that we may secure a sound currency and a Fafe banking system. BUSINESS MEN SHOULD LEAD. "Nor should there be any Imputation from any source of class interest In the plan of work proposed, for the boards of trade and other organized commercial bodies which will be enlisted in this work are so organized as to represent all classes. professions and vocations. "It it true these organizations are largely composed of what are called the business men. and men of business Instincts and aspirations .tf the various localities. Dut can thrre be any intelligent objection to the intervention of business men In aid of legislation cn u business matter? Justly and candidly considered there can be no doubt but tha It Is lit and proper for. the commercial Ci-ases to lake th Initiative in the reform of our national currency Their large experience and direct Interest Justifies the opinion that their concerted and concentrated action must avail benefi cially in the correct solution of the questions involved. Consider for a moment the largo and practical -part taken by there clashes In those matters most seriously affected by the standard of value and medium of exchange. The. census of 10 reveals the fact that tho capital Invested in our manufacturers aggregated $C,13l.7.7S.", giving employment to 4.O0.7iS men, with wages amounting to $1.7W.67M22. and turning out products valued at $n.372,4'.n. In lSir our exports amounted to SW.GCS.lCS and our Imports, not Including specie, to $731.During the same year our 173.411

miles of railroads carried C73.li3.747 tons of freight. Tho best information ehows that in 1S93 we had 3.733 national banks, with a capital and surplus of JD18.&32.77S. and that

the total number of btate banks, private banks, and loan and trust companies was 6.103. with resources amounting to $4.12$,and deposits in the sum of $1,374.C4S.7V7. There were 4,873,313 depositors in the navings banks alone. In the manage ment of these lines of business is a large number of the clearest, st.tmgest and deep est thinking men of the Union; and every dictate of self-interest, every patriotic Im-p-ilso and duty in its most imperative sense all unite in constraining tho representa tives of these and other commercial Interests not named to participate actively in aid cf that legislation which will give us a sound currency and banking system. "This partial statement should be suffi cient to justify the right of the commercial classes in starting the movement here Inaugurated. Ilut some may ask, why is the farmer omitted? v ere this an agricui mis an agricuitural reform me iarmer wouia ve cauea : upon, because he above all others Is most conversant with such matters. So, men most familiar with mercantile affairs are the best judges of the matter of currency reform. From large practical experience they of necessity know more of such a matter than the farmer and are better able to select the experts to formulate the cor rect system. The farmer himself acts upon this theory practically In everyday life. MOVEMENT IN RIGHT DIRECTION. "This gathering should be welcomed by every citizen of the Republic as the beginning of a movement entirely in the right direction. Tho neglect by the mercantUe classes of political duties, Imposed solemnly upon every citizen, has been the cause of solicitude In the minds of many thoughtful . ' . . I men. it snould. therefore, be a matter of gratification that the representative business organizations of the Nation are aroused to a sense of duty. 'We believe Congress will welcome all in telligent aid In dealing with the reform of the currency. It Is unfortunate, but true, that our national Congress each year ex hibits an Increasing inability to legislate elflciently concerning such matters. This Is not due so much to the want of talent in Its membership, but rather to the enormous and constantly increasing mass of routine business, prevalence of party spirit and domination, of party methods, which In leglslation consume time in maneuvering to obtain advantage for the next campaign, together with the prevailing mode of committee action under a et of rules which no one seems to be able to reform. "No men complain more of the Ineffectual and unsatisfactory efforts to obtain legis lation than the intelligent members or Congress; these will tell you that the House deliberates and legislates by forty some odd standing committees, which are not so separated by distinctly and hard lines as to apportion the classes of business to be assigned. These committees work in secret; they discuss in secret; they have not ,the time for hearing satisfactory evidence nor for weighing it. when heard. A distin guished student of American Institutions (Prof. Woodrow Mlson), who has given the closest study to the work of these committees in his 'Congressional Govern ment,' Insists that the difficulty is In getting intelligent suggestions from authori tative sources: these committees win get special favors; they may grant a hearing. but not as a matter or right, and if argument Is permitted it is a matter of grace. And Senator Hoar has informed us that if we suppose the two sessions which make un the life of the House to last ten months. most of the committees would have at their disposal but two hours apiece in which to report upon, debate and dispose of all the subjects of general legislation assigned to their charce. And though fiscal and mone tary bills are accorded privileges under the rules of tho House, yet after all ours Is not a government by discussion in con gress. The prerogatives of the committees dominate. A congressman from the Pacific coast Somo years ago, in describing the innuences regulating legislation, said: 'We have but few forces in the House. The Rrahmlns of the committee of ways and means; the white-buttoned mandarins of the appropriations committee; the dignified oligarchy called tho committee on ruies; the Speaker of the House, and the illustrious crentleman from Indiana.' "Surely, then, there ought not to be any serious objection on the part of Consi ess to the work prorosed by tins confer ence. For, conceding that revtnue and currency questions do receive fuller con sideration at the hands or our legislators, yet there seems to bo liability even here if we can trust what is said of hasty and crude and even surreptitious legislation. Arc wo not told that the currency law of 1S73 was passed without a knowledge of its contents ' by many members of the House and the Senate, although the bill was pending from 1S70 to 1S73? And some of the prominent newspapers, we are informed, declared when the Bland silver bill was under discussion, that even the rPsumDtlon act had been passed hastily. inconsiderately and almost secretly. Is It not very clear that the proceedings of this conference and of the commission it may appoint will have nothing surreptitious about them? ALL, CLASSES BENEFITED. VTho politician largely underestimates the good sense and patriotism of the people; he at times treats them as If they were in the aggregate a great, white, sacred jackass, to bo followed reverently over the pasture wherever caprice or whim may lead. In truth, the whole theory of our government is predicated upon the sound maxim that the people are capable of in telligent self-government: that they. can be trusted in the light of fair debate to oppose a legislative policy which will work a great wrong, because, in part, they them selves will bo injured by the law they may enact. It is true that one of the dimcul ties to be encountered and surmounted in tho effort to reform the currency Is the vague notion, cultivated by the dema-itou-ups. that tho farmers and wage earn ers may somehow be placed at a dlsadva:itacrrt bv anv scheme of currency reform which emanates from tho financiers and siecial students of the subject. But I earnestly believe that we may trust the sound Ronso of these classes to understand tho essential unity of Interest of all classes in a stable and sound monetary and cur rency system; that what Is here best for tho manual laborer and tho farmer. Is best for the employer, the investor and the banker; in other words, that such a reform Is for the common good and the gen eral welfare. The dispute between the disciples of Lasalle and Karl Marx and the capitalists concerning the fairness of the division of profits between the laborer and tho capitalists does not touch or question tho need of a stable standard of value and a safe currency; both of these classes, anart from the dispute, are equally concerned in the soundness of the standard. The Intelligent wago earner has now reached the point where he can recognize as true the statement that tho enlightened economists of all countries declare that no movement can or ought to secure the ap probation of tho people unless It tends to tho amelioration of the condition of tho wage earner. If there.be any danger to the debtor class It can be answered that tho commerlcal classes are largely debtors. and they are leading the movement. VALUE OF COMMISSIONS. "I know of no wiser or more effectual mode of dealing with the matter you pro pose to take up than that by commission. provided the commission be properly com posed. Such a commission would save the time of the legislative assembly; It Is tho only way of ascertaining the cause or causes and the adequate remedy for social and political evils: no other method so effectually permits that systematic Investi gation and research which can lend to successsful legislation; It brings to the aid of the legislator a large amount cr tne most valuable assistance, for by thia mode may be utilized at once the skill of the practi cal man of long exjerlence and the theo retical learning of the enlightened scholar; it tends as a business commission to elim inate that spirit of electioneering and par tisan scheming for political advantage which discusses and decides matters with effect upon the next election. Legislators often delay decisions through fear of responsibility: a nonpartisan commission of the kind proposed will mitigate this mental anxiety and hasten action; the wisdom of that saving, thut In a multitude of coun selors there is safety, does not consist alone in the sound conclusions which may be reached, but also In the meaning that by dividing the responsibility tho counselors are safe. Further, the very existence of Hueh a commission at this juncture will have a tendency to Indue? men to wait for its maturo conclusions, and thus help to prevent thosf hastily formed opinions which are so liable to harden into stubborn error." Mr. Wilson declared that the commission would doubtless encounter opposition, and he enlarged to some extent upon the necessity of having upon It men of such high character that their names would inspire confidence. Ho declared that the reform of the currency could not prevent or cure all commercial Ills. TUG COXVKXTIOX CAL.L11D. Basin of Representation Occasions Some niscus.ilon. At the close of Mr., Wilson's address, Mr. Smalley. of SU Taul, offered the following resolution: "Resolved. That a call be issued on behalf of tho commercial bodies represented

in this conference Inviting all the commercial bodies in cities of over 23.00 InhaM-

tant in the United States to send tnree delegates each to a national convention to assemble in the city or incuanapous on 1S37. for the consideration or tne dofttft In the present currency system or the country and to recommend to Congress wise measures for the remedy of ruch defects that will command tho indorsement of the business public, or. if the convention shall deem best, to create a nonpartisan commission to give careful attention to the whole subject and to report a plan of legislative action for the consideration of Congress." Mr. Madgeburg. of Milwaukee, said he thought the representation should be graded according to the size of the city Ization represented, but Mr. Smal ley replied that he had considered that question and had made the city the unit In order to avoid the criticism of having the convention dominated by a few large cities Mr. Tanner, of this city, presented -- t at rT th , . . hiai.o tn cities of over 8,000 and less than lo.uw lnnaiatnnts two delegates to cities under l.ixw. three delegates to those under 23.000. four delegates to those under 50.W0. five delegates to those under 100.000. six delegates to those under 2fX),0X), seven delegates 10 those under 400.000 and eight delegates to those over 400.0UO. This would make a total of 1.251 delegates provided all cities accepted, but he thought that scarcely more than half would accept. Mr. Smalley ac cepted this amendment. Mr. Hanna cieclared that the first thing to be decided was whether they should have a convention and thought the resolution ought to be divided. Mr. Smith, or Toledo. spoKe briefly in favor of the first plan of representation offered, with the city as the unit. Mr. Inealls. of Cincinnati, said: "l cannot think that any gentleman here Is not tr, n hAUlnV th rnnvention. The I in favnr nf holdincr the convention. The question is Just how to get at the great wnrlc thnt Is before It. I have been In terested in this question for a number of years before the recent campaign ana x think the public is largely Interested also. What we do must be done with the view of Interesting Congress. This Is why I am opposed to the Idea of a commission, commissions have never done any good with Congress. This 13 largely a matter of educating members of Congress. Therefore I would not cut down cne representation. Members from a cltv of 23.000 may be able to do more good with congressmen than delegates representing a city of half a mil"on. wrtTVT3 "Wc should call a convention for the consideration of defects In our currency and banking system, and the matter should be thoroughly discussed If It required thir ty days. I speak of the banking system because therein lies a large part of our trouble and we might as well meet both subjects at once. We can never put the greenbacks out of harm s way until we get some change that will give us a more elastic banking system. The Southern States cast their votes almost solidly upon, the side of free silver at the last election, not so much because they believed In silver as because they are distressed by our banking system and want a change. By advocating a change I do not mean that I want a revival of the state banks. Our present system was an emergency act as well as the greenback, and I think any banker here in Indianapolis could take oar present system and work out from it one that would meet our present needs. Let this convention take up the question of banking as well as that of currency, and let the two go hand In hand." Mr. lngalls favored a resolution calling the convention and leaving the details of the call to be arranged by an executive committee, air. Koots, or tjonnersviiie, suggested that a committee be appointed to retire and formulate a proposition. Mr. Walker, of Mlnneajolls, offering the following resolution: "Resolved. That the delegates present. representative of the cities of the central West, do unanimously favor the appoint ment of a nonpartisan monetary or finance commission composed of representative men of known ability and standing in their respective communities, this commission to be selected from different portions of the country in some manner that will meet with general approval. This did not meet the case and Mr. Roots renewed his motion that the chair appoint a committee. It was adopted and the chair appointed Messrs. lngalls. Hanna, Roots, Smalley and Dausman. These gentlemen retired and a recess was taken until they reported half an hour later the following resolution: "Resolved. That It is the sense of this conference that a general convention of Hie representatives of the commercial bodies of the country should be held at some con venlont time and place for the purpose of suggesting such legislation as may in their Judgment be necessary to place the cur rency system of the country upon a sound and permanent basis." This was adopted by acclamation and the following was also offered and adopted: "Resolved. That an executive committee consisting of one member from each of the commercial bodies represented In this conference shall be appointed by the chair: that such committee shall take charge of and arrange all the preliminary details demanaea oy tne can tnis day maue ror a convention of the commercial bodies of the country, including the printing and send ing out of the call, securing a convention hall and in the premises doing whatever may be necessary In the usual course of such proceedings to give full effect to the previous resolution. In compliance with this resolution the chair appointed the following executive committee: Cincinnati. M. II lngalls; Chicago: P. R. Welre: Cleveland. J. G. W Cowles; Columbus, W. V. Durdell: Grand Rapids, W. H. Anderson; Indianapolis Hoard of Trade, H. H. Hanna; Indianapolis Commercial Club. D. I. Erwln; Louis ville. Augustus E. Wilson: Milwaukee. F. H. Madgeburg; Minneapolis. T. D. Walker; St. iouis. O. E. Stanard: St. Paul. E. V. Smalley; Toledo, D. V. Smith; Springfield, J. S. Crowell. President Adams then read a cordial Invitation to the convention to come to In dianapolis, signed by Mayor Taegart and the presidents of the Board of Trade and Commercial Club. Mr. lngalls then offered a resolution that the convention be held at Indianapolis on Jan. 5. and after somo discussion concerning the date, this was adopted. Mr. Walker of Minneapolis, asked the meeting to consider the question of the immediate appointment of a currency commission, but it was the general opinion that this was a matter that should be left for the ccnskleratlon of tho convention and no action was taken, the meeting adjourning sine die. The Delegrate Preirnt. ,' Tho following delegates wero present: Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce M. E. lngalls, Herman Goepper, V. Cooper Proctor. Columbus (0.) Board of Trade Joseph H. Outhwaite. William K. Burdell, Charles H. L4ndenberg. Chicago Board of Trade H. F. Dousman, B. A. Eckert. P. W. Weare. Cleveland Chamber of Commerce J. G. W. Cowles. K. A. Angell. Grand Rap'ds . Board of Trade N. A. Fletcher. William H. Anderson. Indianapolis Board of Trade If. H. Hanna, E. B. Martlndale. George G. Tanner. Commercial Club John T. Brush, Louis Holweg. Herman L'eber. Louisville Board of Trade Augustus E. Wilson. Milwaukee Chamber of Commerce F. H. Magdeburg. H. L. Palmer. Minneapolis Board of Trade T. B. Walker. Joseph U. Barnes. St. Louis Merchants Exchange E. O. Stanard. Clark H. Sampson and James Campbell. St. Paul Chamber of Commerce E. V. Smalley. Toledo Produce Exchange Dennison B. Smith. Springfield (O.) Board of Trado-J. S. Crowell. Connersvllle Board of Trade P. T. Roots. The Des Moines Commercial Exchange telegraphed Its sympathy with the movement. Its delegates could not get here in time. HnfTet Lunch In the I'venlnc In the evening members of tho Board of Trade and Commerlcal Club entertained the visiting delegates with a buffet lunch at tho Commercial Club, and a very pleasant evening was spent. 3IR. CL,t:VI2r.4MS 11. AX. Foreign Mlnlitcr Will Inqnlre as to International IHmetalllain. Special tc the Indianapolis Journal. WASHINGTON. Dec. 1. It Is said on high authority to be the purpose of the incoming administration to set our foreign ministers to work to ascertain v. hat can be done toward an International monetary agreement and report, to the President the result of their labors. This is felt to be a mere practical and definite way of arriving at the facts than could be hoped for through commissions and conferences, which latter have been merely academic discussions In times pawt. Whatever may be the result cf these diplomatic inquiries, the country will know '.hat the administration has ir..tde an honest effort to learn the cold facts, wfclrh will be transmitted to the public in due time. This projected mave for the ascertainment cf tho actual bimetallic prospect abroad will have 'nothing whatever to Co with the monetary commission that may be created at IndianarollsT nor will It be antasonistlc in the slightest deLsree with the scheme of the commercial uuu uuauciui line re is to promote Wise CUP .. AX a. . . a . 1

me loo

Arorad

easofli Is here, ilea, women and children are beg nning to speculate on their holiday purchases. Novelty, appropriateness and usefulness are the principal features that are generally considered as most important. Next to that is tho expense. In a general stock like ours one can find such combinations which reduces the worriment of holiday shopping to a minimum. Our facilities for supplying such wants are unexcelled. We therefore claim some recognition as a supply house in tho way of holiday presents. No person interested in that line can afford to pass us auuiU lu l,a:a ua We have provided ample accommoda tions for tho keeping of articles that may be purchased now. V6 give you a receipt for the same, take the.best care of it, and deliver it whenever or wherever you wish us to. In making your selection now you have tho advantage, get ting the cream of the stock, and you avoid the rush incidental to the last days before Christmas. THIS Wm. H. Block Co. 7 & 9 East Washington St. rency legislation by advisory alliance with Congress to that end. Populists nud Chandl?r' Plan. WASHINGTON. Doc. 1. Senator Peffer, - of Kansas, the only Populist senator In the city, said to-day that the Populists will not put anything In the way of the pas sage of Senator Chandler's plan for an In ternational monetary commission, save a statement of their views as to Its utter usclessness. They might avail themselves of the opportunity of discussing the money question generally. "Ihe Populists." paid tha senator, do not regard money as a subject for International consideration at all. Wo believe that it is a purely local matter for the peoplo of the diftcrent na tions. There never has been any international money, and from our standpoint there never can be any. except obligations on paper for the settlement of International i balances." THE CHARACTER OF MACBETH. Second Lecture of Dr. Moullon In V Di versity Extension Course. The second of the university extension course of lectures cn Shakespeare's tragedies was delivered at tho Propylaeum last night by Richard G. Moulton. The- lecture was held In a lower room in tho Piopylaeum,. which was well filled. The lecture was a discourse on the character and degeneration of Macbeth. In the lectur which was given last Tuesday night Macbeth's character was dwelt upon to soma extent; he Is a type of tho practical nature with two limitations arising from. th absence in him of the Inner life. "If could not endure suspense," said the lecturer. "Some people consider that Maceth was a coWard. but I venture to say that cowardice and Macbeth had nothing' In common. In tho earliest revelation we have of him. his Inner nature is already devoted to evil, but this Is not yet realized in outer action. Crime with Macbeth was a matter of struggle, but having onoe determined upon a crime, ho was quick to act, because he could not endure suspense. In action ho was a master, but wheti he was In suspense he could not control his feelings, and had it not been for the tact of Lady Macbeth at such times he would have invariably betrayed himself. "Tho sudden announcement of King Duncan's visit brings Macbeth's general pur pose to a crisis of a definite opportunity. The murder Is committed and Is done in a spirit of exultation, but a moment of suspense, probably not nioro than two seconds, follow, and during that suspend Macbeth cries aloud and wakes the two sleepers In the castle. Confuplon follows and the murder Is discovered. Macbeth Instantly recovers control and then he begins to feel the fascination of crime and contemplates his second murder. Suspense, assisted by pondering on the supernatural, leads him to his next crime, which Is the" murder of Banquo. a thing of elaborate contrivance, tho details of which cause Macbeth pleasurable excitement, 'ina ghost appears beforo him, but he does not shrink, instead, advances uion It. He Is honitied by the ight of the blood-stained locks and start3 back. Lady Macbeth addrostes him and he recovers himself. From the ghost tihock onward crim becomes a mania with Macbeth. Intolerable suspense Is always with him and his whole H.isiblllty is swallowed up in the supernati.al, which has become his nolo reality." The lecture next Tuesday evening will b on the subject. "Henry VIII, A Study of Parallels and Contracts." COL. W. T. R0YSE CRITICAL An Artery In th Drain II up tared Mmy De l ntal. Colonel W. T. Royse. of 2tY) Olive street, suffered an apoplectic stroke yesterday which It is feared nvy result fatally. He has been confined to hla bed for the p:u t three weeks on account of a broken leg, end It wits thought he was getting along nicely and would be able to lc up In another week. He was left alone jesterday morning lor a few moments. and when memlKrs of the family returned they found him unconscious and paralyied on the left side. Dr. Wricrht and Dr. Billman attended him. ar.d found he had ru pit red ui artery In the brain. He lies in a Keml-censdous. state, and his condition is considered critical. Hlxh Scltool Scientific Lee t urea. A course of scientific lectures will b given by the pupils of the department cf chomlstry of the High School. Tho lecturers will be professors from Purdue. Dr. Stanley Coulter will deliver th fiit r.ext Friday evening on "The Scientific Srlrlt." LVc. 11 Dr. A. W. Duff will tak the topic "What Is Matter?" and Dec IS Dr. W. E. Stone will talk on "Lavoisier." Your cough, like a dog's bark, is a sign that there fs something foreign around which shouldn't be there. You can quiet the noise, but the danger may be there just the same. Scott's Emulsion of Cod-liver Oil is not a cough specific; it does not merely allay the symptoms but it docs give such strength throw off the disease. You know the old proverb of "the ounce of prevention?" Don't neglect your cough. Yor L-uj;t kfp Sccn't Fmuhtoa of Co44ivr Ci Put up la and gi.o siztv