Indiana State Sentinel, Volume 25, Number 17, Indianapolis, Marion County, 15 December 1875 — Page 4

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THE INDIANA STATE SENTINEL WEDNESDAY, DECEJ'BEK IB. 1875-

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15.

Pratker. Allen W. Prsther called upon the Sentinel yetrierday and submitted a statement of his tnubles In the UnlUd States District Court. The affidavits he exhibits and his statement tinder oath of his case would fill about two pages of the Sentinel, which space jesn not b spared. A Mr. Prather waived hi right in the court to introduce thia testimony there, it does not seem necessary to the public good that an ex parte trial should be made of the case at this late date through the columns of the Sentinel. Beeide, Mr. Pratner'a matter Jsnotpreoared for the press, written on both sides, and desiring to preserve the copies, they would require two days steaay worst to orenare for the type-setter. lilt was thought that the publication of thia whole matter womld help the man in his alleged purpose to trr to do better in the future, the Sentinel would be at some pains to print it. Bnt as we are offered -voluminous statements on the part of others that we should feel bound to give, it is thought best to decline both. Xbe President ext Taxati. The more one considers the president's proposal to tax church property by federal intervention, the more ridiculous does the proposition become. The president of the United States is charged with no duty, as we read the constitution, concerning the internal workings of the states. The laws that govern the states and all the police and even sumptuary regulations that pertain to manners, customs, and dlposltions of a free people, have been retained by the states. The people of the states make their own rules about roads, schools, punishments for crime, and the modes and methods of raising money for these purposes. The states decide what la taxable property for all state purposes. Tbe Inference, therefore, is plain that Mr. Orant contemplates some kind of federal taxation of tbe churches, unless he proposes to take away lrom the states all right to regulate their own affairs. It Mr. Grant proposes a specialty In taxation on this subject, he would place the churches on an equality witn tbe whisky and tobacco business. It would be a beautiful condition of affairs If a general law should be passed requiring all churches owning property to pay a license in proportion to the value of their real estate. Tbe Sentinel does not pretend here to make any point on tbe subject of taxation of property belonging to the churches. "When that question comes up for state action In any way, then would be the time to discus) that question. A circular from the president ot the State Board of Agriculture is being sent by the secretary to all tbe county societies, calling the annual agricultural convention, to tre held at the State House on Tuesday, January 4, 1S76, at 10 o'clock a. m. The State Agricultural Society is a congress of all the active county agricultural societies ot the state. Its board of directors are elected by delegates, who are the presidents of the county and district societies, or their chosen substitutes. Tbe circular intimates that the next meeting will be one of special im portance, and that the new features for the future maoi gement of the annual exhibition will be presented for consideration. Furthermore; there will be eight new di rectors, or half the board, to be chosen. Among these will be one for the seventh district, which includes Marion county, in tbo place of Mr. Jacob Mutz, ef Johnson county, whose term of service expires. The old question will recur in the convention, whether or not Marion county, In which tbe State Fair is held, shall bave a representative in the beard of directors. Two years ago an urgent appeal was made on this point, but the request was denied with considerable show ol obstinacy on the part of tbe convention. Some people thought it wai a mistake. Ordinarily, that similar bodies should consldor it expedient and courteous to bave one resident director, at least, is pretty clear to an unprejudiced mind. President Crim's circular fails not to allude In explanation ot last fall's partial failure to "the discouraging influence of a portion of tbe press." But a new campaign is to be opened, and no one should overlook the fact that the Sute Board of Agriculture is one of tne most Important Institutions of Indiana. No one can deny tbe great value of its services to industrial progress and pub lic wealth in the past. If it has not done all that could be conceive i of as pot si bio, the field of usefulness Is still open before It, and this should inspire to greater real and more efficient policy. County societies ought to study the organization with more Interest, for it is entirely within their control. It belongs to the whole state which it proposes to honor and benefit. Therefore tbe state society can not be an object of unfriendly attack, but should be the subject of study and earnest support for its improvement. Uowi and 11 t. Henderson, the assistant prosecutor who oflendci the president, has come to grief. At leant he has been dismUse J. A sworn statement of his speech was forwarded to Washington, and there was a cabinet meet lng on the subject, and tbe result is that Mr. Henderson is dismissed and the dis trict prosecutor la directed to employ some one who will not criticise tbe president. That Mr. Henderson has been dolrg bis duty faithfully and vigorously nobody questions. Following out the words and spirit of Mr. ;G rant's instruction, "Let no guilty man escape," he found it necessary to criticise those above him for thwarting hi place, and when it was given out that the president himself bad a Jvid the commissioner, then Mr. Henderson declared that tbe president bad no right to Interfere, aDd included a s highest s in tbi denunciation. 1L1 criticism waa more 1 nan royalty could endure. Hence the decapitation. It appears to tbe Sentinel that under tb e circumstances it would bave been politic, aad magnanlmou?, at Icat, in the president to bave passed by thia criticism, upo.i the disclaimer oa tbe part of Mr. Henderson that be meant any

personal reflection upon him. It it was simply a criticism upon the right or propriety of the president's acts, then he

had a right to make it, and he should have been left to prosecute these eases vigorously to tbe end, as he has thus far. To dismiss him, as has been done, lays the president liable to the suspicion that Mr. Henderson has been "pushing things" too lively in St. Louis. Jnst now, while the fate of Baboock Is pending, aad tbe danger of a trip to Jefferson City seenis to Invite bim, cutting him off from a winter residence at Washington, it will be prudent in the president, at least, to do nothing that will excite the suspicion of the country that any Interference in Babcock's behalf is intended by him. The country will watch this yery closely, and a step further than this will lead the country to believe that Mr. Grant was Insincere when be said that no guilty man should escape, and that he only meant by that phrase a little bun combe to check the tide of approbation that was going out toward Bristow. It is well known that Mr. Grant never forgives his enemies and never forgets bis friends. It does not matter what obllquy may surround them. He stood by Shepherd when the whole country concluded that he was totally corrupt. The people, naturally, looks for him to lay some plan whereby his favorite may escape. ' The president, therefore, should be careful. This whisky fraud business should be completely exposed and the guilty punished. There is no way out of It. Mr. Grant, with his reputation for avarice, can only be absolved from suspicion of all complicity with Baboock and his confreres by letting the law take its course, letting the officers do their duty, without let or hindrance from himself or any one else. It is a great pity that Mr. Henderson's efficient services can not be retained. If through his removal there shall be a weakening in tbe prosecution of the cases there, the country will hold Mr. Grant responsible lor it. The SXesssg-e. The readers of tbe Sentinel bave the message of President G rant laid beo re them this morning. It la a statesman-like document not above the fair average in respectability that has marked other messages from the same source. The president in his concluding remarks makes a summary ot recommendations, common school education provided by every state, no religious tenets taught therein, the taxation of church property, the suppression of polygamy and licensed prostitution, the contraction of the currency and the repeal of the legal-tender clause of former financial measures. Other topics are also discussed, such as the Cuban question, Mexican claims, ocean telegraph, fraudulent naturalization, the improvement of the navy, the Indian question, pensions and the Centennial, and South Pacific mall. Tbe chief and striking features of tbe message are, the school and religious amendment, and the finance question, on both of which subjects the president takes an advanced position. This policy of Mr. Grant on the school question was shadowed forth in his Des Moines speech two months ago, and now that he has taken a position in advance of his party also on the finance question, these two positions may be considered as tbe policy of Mr. Grant In his aspirations for a third term In the White House. It is needless to say that the doctrine and policy of Mr. Grant on this religious-educational question is one calculated to produce infinite mischief, and is so purely and clearly a trick of the demagogue that it is doubtful if he can secure the following of his party on any such an issue as J?a sets forth. Whenever a party in this country has, upon any pretence, striven to array ecclesiastical denominations againBt each other, as the meatiares recommended by the president will do, it has always met in tbe end the condemnation of the people, whatever temporary triumphs may have been gained. There is a distinct policy in tbe constitution of the United States already, that has been well understood In this country and abroad, on the subject of the relation of tbe church to the state. For an hundred years we have lived by It, and prospered as tar as that subject Is concerned While no one supposes it could be possible that a state church could be legally provided for in this country, yet there is such a thing possible, which would bs worse, as an infidel nation. Mr. Grant proposes that the United States shall enforce all the states to provide for a strictly secular sducation for all the people, and that no tenet of religion whatever shall be taught therein. This is practically impossible. Beligious truth permeates our whole literature, and there never wis a system of text books in this country that expurgated all religious sentiment from them, that could obtain entrance into any respectable school district in tbe land. The time has not come in this country for religious crusade. At tbe present time, all denominations of Christians ask only a fair field for themselves, without let or hindrance. This tbe constitution already secures. Say what we may, this country, this nation, is a Christian nation, as against Paganism, Mahemmedanism and atheism and the president recognizes this in advising legislation agaist polygamy ad legalizing prostitution. Tbe policy of the president to exclude all religious instruction from the schools, in, therefore, absolutely contradictory toother parts of bis message. Neltter tbe Protestant nor the Catholic Church will ever consent that the Bible and reflgioua Instructions shall be banished from tbe schools, and the party tbat inscribes such tenets upon its banner would be hopelessly defeated. Mr. Grant has overreached himself, and from this time forth it is not likely tbat any bishop of tbe church will laem bim, with such a policy, necessary to tlis atety of the ration. This question wil.i elicit discussion throughout the whole country, and of which the Sentinel will bave kuore to say; slso somewhat upon tbe subject of taxation of church property, which iaa kindred subject in its connection. The policy of Mr. Grant on resumption and finance w extreme, and shadows forth how complete) be yields to the money

power. Wime, be presents no, tangible policy for tha direction of congress that is worth considering, yet be clearly shows

that hix purposes sre fixed for . forced resumption at whatever cost, and he seems Impatient to await the a ay fixed for resumption by the Sherman bill. The Sentinel does not believe the Republican party will endorse these measures of Mr. Grant, and that if there is any more Ulk of a third term. It will be upon a different bails from these special mesa ures that he recommends In his mes sage. Ills star will surely wane. If Mr. Morton and Mr. Grant wer more intimate we could not but believe that the former put that religious-educational mat ter In the message. To have done so would be a masterstroke to finish Grant that would evidence diplomacy outshining Jail tbe ahrewdness of his most plausible key notes. Mr. Grant says nothing about the civil aer vice. It is Jnst now a delicate subject. Here the Sentinel drops the curtain. War Itoelared. Not against Cuba or Mexico. The president Is rather pacific, at least in his message utterances, and he congratulates tbe nation on the amicable relations that our government preserves with all "the world and the rest of mankind." The war declared is of another sort. It is an Internecine contest; at least, it is inside of the Republican family. In planning for tbe next Republican nomination Mr. Morton has gotten behind hand. Mr. Grant started in early and wrote a letter declining, with suggestive posibilitlcB which were well understood, but accomplished no enthusiastic furor In bis favor. Then he tried it again in Iowa, with his religious scare, and that accomplished at least tbe indorsement of Bishop Haven and his Sun day School meeting, but nobody else enthused over It, and having the nnderhold on his competitors In the message oppor tunity, he has chalked out a policy, and may now be fairly considered before the country tor third term. Blaine got in his work very well In a letter. His chances look fair from an eastward outloox. But Mr. Morton has no facility in writing letters. At tbe present moment we do not remember a single letter of political point tbat he has ever written. He is mighty in keynotes. He is always useful to the party in a campaign. But in rightly putting himself forward as a candidate he has always manifested a lameness. At this point tbe war comes on. The organ of Morton sounded the tocsin yesterday. There was a general madness about its tone that suggests a pointed dispatch from tbe Senate chamber at an early hour atter tbe reading of the message. If that postoffic9 advertise ment is not withdrawn very soon it will be a mystery to us. Tbe Journal was snappish on Bristow, and positively disrespectful to the president. There has not appeared in any Democratic paper, sa far, tbat has fallen under tbe eye of the Sentinel, any thing so pointedly captious and plainly offensive as Mr. Morton's organ has uttered. The Sentinel baa never felt disposed to be prodigal ot compliments to the president for his political actings, yet the Sentinel never accused him of wanting common sense, while the J ournal says the president's views on finance lack common sense and common justice. This is severe. It may be Justified in taying so, from Mr. Morton's views. It Is nearly time that Mr. Morton should change front on tbe finances. Mr. Buchanan is making rapid strides in tbe heart of bis party in this state, and it is well known that Illinois is fast as hetrodox on the Sherman doctrine as Indiana. Mr. Morton sees that promotion cometh not from the East Blaine is there in his strength. Tbe remnant of the South left to the Republican party is not worth anything in tbe Electoral College, but would be valuable in the convention and a fresh wave of tbe bloody shirt will bring it up solid for him in tbe convention. If then, he can check-mate Mr. Grantin tbe West, tbe anserine bird will assume a pendency decidedly altitudinons. Hence the warfare. Tbe Journal has been preparing for divisive measures for a couple of months. Tbe slight of President Grant, and -the severe criticism of the Journal at the time of the soldiers' meeting was too bold a stroke at the start, and, as tbe bloody shirt business did not spread like wild fire, it took the back track mildly. Now, it comes up boldly, and tbe party may expect tbat before tbe twentysecond of February the Journal will be outright in its opposition to Mr. Grant, and will demand of tbe convention a declaration against a third term, and an indorsement of the war governor, not strictly under tbe bloody shirt banner, but upon a fair greenback platform that will at least conform to common sense and Justice on the finance question. This, now, is Morton's only hope. This policy will doubtless soon crop out in a bill before congress, and then tbe real battle will commence. With Ferry in the chair, and Logan and Oglesby of Illinois, Harvey and In galls of Kansas, Hitchcock of Nebraska. Mitchell of Oregon, Allison and Wright ot Iowa, and others to back him, he would hold the power in the 8enate tbat would check the president and embarrass every movement tbat be might make to further bis own interests. The contest promises to be a lively one when it opens in dead earnest, and as tbe time for tbe convention to assemble approaches it;will wax hot. On the whole, if the Journal gets a little more courage and does not lose backbone, owing to a shadowy darkness that ga' hers around it, the fight may be expected soon. An Estimate of the President's Ability. During the early part ot General Grant's administration a prominent Republican from tbe old Bay State visited Washington, and, after paying his respects to tbe president, called on that distinguished scholar and statesman, Charles Sumner. Mr. Sirtn ner was in feeble health, but be talked freely and frankly on tbe affairs of the government and thf) great questloi a affecting the interests of tbe people. The visitor, who bad voted for General Grant, asked tbe senator bis opinion of the president, and if he was really great in any

thing. Yea," replied the senator, -bis

impudence is saperb.and his ignorance fa co lossal." For this snd similar deel orations of his opinion of the president th'j senator was removed from tbe chairmanship of tha committee on foreign relations ' a position be was eminently qualified to fill, and treated by tbe president Tith the Impudence which the successor of Webster bad attrlbutftd to him. The people of the country wer slow to believe that the estimates of the president made by Sumner, Greeley, Trumbull, Schur, and many others of the boat and purest men of the Republican party were correct. The American people are pleased with the tinsel of military fame, and will torsive much in their hero that wonld not be tolerated In other men. Grant was seated in the presidential ehalr, surrounded with a halo of military glory. Much of thia glory was but tbe reflected light of those who were his inferiors in rank and his superiors in everything else. One by one, the men who made him president left bim, and ene by one the soldiers who fought his battles bave dec er ted his fortunes. Little by little the tinsel which covered him has runted and the halo has faded away. Now he begins to be seen in his true light. He stands like the famous colossal statue of old, "which when nearly viewed became coarse, unshapely and rude." The people at last begin to see him as Sumner saw bim years ago. His acts are daily demonstrating to all thinking people that he is only great in those qualities least needed in tbe chief magistrate of a great nation, so tersely stated by the great senator from Massachusetts. In nothing has General Grant's real charaoter been more clearly shown and the correctness of the views of those men who organized the Liberal Republican partyi in relation to him verified, than in the recent action of the United States grand jury at St. Louis. It has long been apparent to those who were at all familiar with current topics, or tbe affairs of the federal government, tbat great frauds were . being practiced in the collection of the revenue, and that many of the officers and agents of the government were aiding and abetting the frauds. Tbe president had sworn to see that tbe laws were faithfully executed, and had ne been ordinarily well Informed, he would have known tbat the laws were not faithfully executed, but that tbe treasury was dally robbed of thousands of dollars by the very men who were sworn to protect it. If he is ordinarily intelligent, be must bave known these things before they were so strongly crowded upon him by the few remaining honest men connected with the government service. If he knew the facts as he ought to have known them if be is honest and capable, as a president should be these corruptions would, bave been checked, and the horde of rascals engaged in perpetrating them sent to prison long ago. It is evident, therefore, that Grant is either weak or corrupt, and for the credit of tbe country the Sentinel is glad to be able to say that it believes In his weakness rather than in bis veniality. Eabcotk aad the Conrt Martial. Tbe appointment of the court martial to try General Babcock was an Imperial act on tbe part ef the president, that shows a little more Ccosarism than he has manl ested sioca the dispersion of tbe Louisana legislature, when the whole country protested. There can be co sort of excuse for this unless it was for the purpose of whitewashing him, - knowing tbat he was guilty. If such was tbe purpose, Mr. Grant laid an ugly duty upon the offlcors appointed to try him. The act of Babcock was not a military act, and he did not need a military tria'. Though Babcock does belong to tbe corps of army engineers, yet his engineering in St. Louis with crooked whisky was not strictly military. There might be an occasion when a military court in a similar case would be aldropriate. For instance, if Mr. Babcock was proven clearly guilty, and yet some technicality of the law should prevent Lis conviction, then a court martial could strip off the eneignia of military rank and punish him that much at least. But, as the case now Btaods, this movement looks very much like Mr. Grant, by au exercUe of arbitrary power by assumed Imperial authority decides that his dear friend, Babcock, shall not be subjected to the rude gaze of a gasping multitude as St. Louis, but tbat only a favored few should deal with him. No rojal ruler of Europe would have thought of so dealing with an offender. Tbe indignation would have risen to fever heat if Col. Bsker, in England, bad been accorded a military trial while bis case was pending in the civlj courts. This policy of Mr. Grant is an open, shamefaced perverfclon of right principles. It is a forestalling of public opinion, and a contempt of privilege. It is simply imperialism. Mr. Grant is in clcss quarters, Babcock is of tbe presidential retinue, and tbe belief in his guilt is decided. It would be bard for Mr. Grant to give Babcock up. But it be must done, unless be screens bim some way. He is apparently doing bis best, and will, doubtless, clear him. But all this is extra judicial, and the country will, by this flank movement, be still more convinced that he is guilty, and tbat Mr. Grant Is acting with imprudence tbat really inters complicity. This imperialism needs checking at onco. Bibcock is no better than other men. He most plead in the courts and receive just such punishment as tbe merits of tbe case demand. Tbe New York Sun still shines for the sinners, political and otherwise. John A. Logan is squirming under a few vertical rays from that red hot luminary. It charges tbe Sucker Senator with complicity in the whisky frauds and also alleges that he tai been a party to blackmailing a verv estimable young lady of tho city of Chicago. Tbe first charge, tbe Sun claims, is based on circumstantial evidence, tbe latter on proof positive. It appears from tbe Sun's narrative that one Blakely has some oolitlsal ioflueo" as

principal proprietor of tbe Evening Poet,

and was worth cultivating, so Logan was easily pursnaded to back the credit of the concern with his autograph attached to promises to pay. Blakely's fortunes fas' waning he was made the recipient ot some government patronage in the way of the pension agency at Chicago. This he fed to the voracious Post and finally failed. The accomplished daughter of the late General Sweet, who bad been employed in the office at a very meager salary was, to the surprise ot everybody who knew anything of tbe ca pacity of the male parasites of the party for omco-holdlng, was appointed to Blakely's place when he had lost his position on account of having severed his connection with tbe paper and thereby lost his coveted Influence. Recently the mystery of ' Mies Sweet's appointment has come to light. She was appointed through the Influence of Logan and one Campbell, father-in-law of Lord Chamberlain Babcock, with the express understanding that onehalf of the emoluments of the position should be applied to taking np sacb of Blakely's notes as had been in dorsed by Logan and Campbell When the friends of the lady learned of this state of facts they advised her to refuse to pay the unjust levy and she did so. Thereupon she was Informed by Lozan and Campbell that she would be dismissed if she didn't continue to contribute to the liquidation of Blakely's notes as she had been doing from the beginning. She then appealed to tbe president in person, and to bis credit be it said, be assured her that should not be removed without just cause, as her father had been his personal friend in his life time and he would protect his orphan daughter. So tbe blackmailers were checkmated for the time being. Tbe story is told with great circumstantiality, and seems well supported and would Invite investigation. OBITUARY. OWXN Mi XDDT. For several months past, Owen M. Eddy, swamp lsnd commissioner of the state, has been in failing health. His friends tried to persuade themselves that the symptoms were not dangerous, but when he became delirious, last Thursdav. and was attacked with congestion of tbe brain, they saw that it would be next to Impossible for him to stana the shock. He was re moved tj bis rooms at the Occidental Hotel, where he tai tbe medical assistance of Drs. Youart and Todd and tbe most careful attention from his friends. In answer to a warning telegram his mother arrived from South Bend early on Saturday morning and bis sister, now living in Covington, reached his bedside at about tbe same time, only to see bim pass away in tbe prime of life. He died yesterday morning at six o'clock in tbe thirty-filth year of his age. Though not widely known in the city, as his habits were somewba retiring, Mr. Eddy had a host o friends and acquaintances throughout tbe state who will bear ot bis death with profound regret. He was looked upon by those who hfd occasion to consult bim in bis official capacity as the best posted man in the state on the - history of Indiana lands and tbe legislation regarding them, and this made his statements on all such matters as reliable as a court or appeals. When bis lather, tbe late Norman J. Eddy, became secretary of state, Owen was installed in tbe office as clerk, and continued to be a valuable assistant, though another enjoyed the title ot being head clerk. When his honored father died in the service of the state, the son, in consideration of entire fitness for the trust, was allowed to continue as secretary till tbe close of bis father's term, and administered the duties ot the position with such distinguished satisfaction to tbe state and such credit to himself, tbat he was placed on the ticket of 1872 as democratic candidate for secretary of state. He ran far ahead of his ticket, but was defeated by a majority ot 71. His knowledge of tbe state's history and statistics called for same public recognition of his official capacities, and he was appointed commissioner of swamp lands in 1873, the position ha was filling with distinction at tLO time of his death. He never married. The deceased bad long been a member of tbe order of Red Men, and Messrs. Ramsey and Mowl were deputized by the order to escort the remains to South Bend, where they will be burled. Tbesorrowlul company left Indianapolis last evening. CONSTRUCTIVE CONTEMPT. The Compliments of the Press to the Bartholomew Circuit Court. ENLARGE THE COLUMBUS JAIL. GOOD ADVICE. From the New Albany Ledger-standard. W e are under tne impression that tbe dignity of the courts can be better maintained by strict and impartial deportment than by Judges making nlunles of themselves In getting their "backs up" when a newspaper subjects them to legitimate criticism. A BLOW AT THE PEOPLE. From the Evanavllle Journal. We hold that tbe precedent thus established by tbe judge is not only dangerous and unfortunate so far as tbe press is concerned, but tbat it is a direct blow at the people, who look to the press lor tbelr most efficient defense against the corruption ol tbe time. WHERE THE ODIUM ATTACHES. From the Logansport Pharos. Upon Judge Hester, who called Prather to a temporary seat noon tbe bench, should fall much of the odium, which attacbei to this disgraceful violation of the rights of citizenship. The elevation of a suspected felon to such a poMtlon was more calculated to bring tbe court into contempt than was tbe publication by the Bantlnel of the uncontroverted facts in hit career A GROSS USURPATION OF POWER. From the Logan sport Star. The arrest of the proprietors of the Sentinel can be characterized only as a gross usurpation of power and an outrage upon the whole peo pie, for if an editor can bs arrested for such an offense, then tbe mouth or every man mnn be closed lor fear a warrant wl 1 be served upon him for so akiog disrespectfully of some Lillipot who happens to wear the judicial ermine, and be compelled to suffer tbo penalty imposed. ABUSE OF THE JUDICIAL. PRIVILEGE. From tbe Lafayette Journal The proceeding, It scenes to us, is a meat flagrant abuse of the Ja Jicial privilege; tbe whole policy of our institutions is lavorable to the very freest discus-ion of every public transaction. Buch proceeding; as this are ibe tetters in which, atier a time, if f-uch assumption of powt-r is suffered to go on unchecked, the public rnoutn win oe mutz ei anucniic siu 01 puouo men and public ineaaures iut down by Intimi, nation. CORRUPT JUDGES. From tha Vlnoenncs Pun. The criticisms of tbe Bantlnel were such as any newspaper or private oltisen bad a right to

make. We believe that the ekaraeter ot to Judiciary should be protected snd respected fcy all men, but the men who oeopy these pomUons have no mora prlvUeces Um any oifeex class of men. borne of tbe moat corropt seoun drels in this country have been Judge, and tha number has not been . few either. Buch a precedent as the one estaallAhed In this cae is a dangerous one. A bTRIIETO 8IXILX. From the Port Wayne Beatinel. Jlere is apparently a blackguard layman, a fellow not wearing the ermine ezorpt for the occasion, and a man who is alleged to have escaped tbe penitentiary on a ehargo or robbing widows and orphans, by a mere technicality, who Is first guilty of exacting excessive bail for a non-bailable offenie, and then seeks to play the role of a Judicial tyrant with editors who comment opon bis conduct In terms which, if his character has been properly described, wet entirely proper. Perhaps Prather is like the drunken justice who floed a man In the street because the latter kicked him, on the grand that "this court to always in contempt.' B Ef RXHE58IBLE I THE UfllXK. I From the Evening News. Judge Hester construed this eh arge into con-' tempt of his court, and, summoning the enU nel people before him, oooly put Prather on tr bench te try.the ease. His action in citing thm to appear was silly and ridiculous, but his tornins the case over to Prath er, who naturally would be prejudiced, was reprehensible in the extreme . It Is about time It was settled whether every little man who happens to get on the bee eli Is to bave such power over bis lei low a is often assumed in eon tempt eases. It is entirely too great when In moderate aanda, bat if contempt can be com ml tied at all times and under all circumstances, any ene-horse Judjr has It in bis power to assume an authority that only become a despot. A DISO RACK TO TBB OOWT. IFrom the Republican. There ahonld be no constructive oonUmpt of court, and remarks upon the personal character of a fudge out of the court room should not subject any man to tbe petty annoyance of a petty rascal whom accident or corruption has placed on tbe Judge's teat. In the first place it lea disgrace to the court, the county, and tbe state, that a self-convicted thief, who only escaped the penitentiary by the statute of limitations, abould ocoaaty tbe Judicial bench for any length of time. And a newspaper, which believes a Judicial outrage has been perpetrated, may refer to such antecedents a confirmation of Its uspidona: bet IX tbe eac were otherwise. If Pratfaer had not been a thief, as Judge Greabam and other ofloers of the United atea Court have asserted, as an acting Judge, or an elected Jadge, he baa no means di redress for words apoten or uttered out of Lis onrt that are not open to any other citizen who has been maligned. A PAPES THAT KKOWS HOW XT IS. From tbe Chicago Times. Another case of Judicial Jactasslsm has arisen Thia time it la in tbe atate of Indiana., wham m.

Judge in Bartholomew county cites an editor In Indianapolis to appear before him and show why he should not be punished summarily by the irate ass on the bench for an alleged contempt of court committed by a too free criticism of the said Judicial as in the pabllo pre. The criticism Implied a strong Inference of corruption on th e part of the j ua ge. If the s Laternen ts or fact in the offensive criticism were true, then corruption was not only a warranted inference, but was an unavoidable inference. If for animadverting unnn tinK "rnrtlrArl " nmceedlngs by so-called ministers of the law, the conductors or tne prs are llaole to be arraigned before an irate Judge wtih unclean hands, to be summarily punished without lttw or Jury, by the mandate or the man who has subjected himself to tbe Implication of malfeasance In office. It is lime tbat tbe fact bo established lu some other way than by tbe dictum of a JJogberrj. The proceeding of the Indiana Dogberry against the editor of the Hen. 1 nel la a gross, wanton and iroelou outrage, concerning which th Tin will hivr something more to remark. THE STATE AT LARGE. Columbus has 25 lawyers. Kokomo has a new broom factory. Elkhart is to have a new ktlng rink. Tbe Vernon Banner has just passed its twenty-fourth year. liTbe Oak Hill Company at Brazil are shipping coal to Kalainazo3, Michigan. President Moore, of Em lhm College, i lecturing on tbe " Yosemlte Valley. A money-order telegraph office has been established in the village ot Itusnville. Tbe court house at Tipton, Howard county, has been pronounced as unsafe. Tbe Martinsville Gaz9tte wants a new road law enacted by the next legislature. The North Vernon Sun will issue a centennial edition on tbe 24tb day of February Mr. W. W. Admire will take charge of the local department of the Boaneville Standard. Jennings county has one hundred and twenty-one school teachers within her borders. Turkey thieves are becoming more numerous in Allen county, as tbe "Holly Days" draw near. Charles Graeter, of Vincennes, recovers $200 damages from the proprietors of tbe Vlneennes sun for 1UI. A greenback club cf over one hundred members was organized last Saturday at Clinton, Vermilion county. It is said that Col. R. W. Thompson, of Terre Haute, positively declines the Republican nomination for tbe govt rnorsbip. The city of Fort Wayne was again lighted with gas, last Saturday, alter a two years trial ol naphtha as a street illuminator. A man by the name of Snore, at Jackson wagers a fiity dollar bill that he can eat fitty quails in as many consecutive days. A little son of Mrs. Stewart, at Terre Haute, was burned to death on last Friday, hia clothes having caught from a hot stove. Tbe revival at Terre Haute is becoming more interesting, and up to dato over two hundred and thirty-one have been converted. Parke county will present tbe name of Norval W. Cummlngs, aa a candidate for treasurer of state, on tbe republican ticket. Connersville Examiner: Tbe remains of J. II. Brown, reoantly burled at Cambridge City, were disinterred and $ä round in hi undershirt. N.Vernon Sun: Mr. Lett, ot Decatur county, shipped eight hundred geese and five hundred ducks from this place to NewYork City to-day. Some ungrateful scamp recently stole the last shirt from the editor of the Columbus Republican and a reward of two tboussnd old paptrs is effete J tor his capture. Mr. James A. Colyer, the secretary of the State Fire Insurance Company, died last Sunday at bis borne in Laporte. An attack of erysipelas wts the cause of his death. The Henry Countv Reporter savs that Jabez S. Hodaon, of Splceland township, has recently purchased ssven head ot thoroughbred cattle, which cost, in the aggregate, fl.OCO. The Laporte Chronicle says tbat a new savings bank has been organized in that place, called the German-American Savings Hank of Laporte. This now sives Laporte six tanks. Newcastle Courlfr: The preachers ol Richmond beld a meeting tbe other night and passed a resolution not to lend their pr-enc9 at Theodore Tilton'a lecture in tbat city. jJA dispatch to tbe Cincinratl Gazette says tbat Gov. Cambsck has returned from a highly-successful lecture tour in tbe East ern atates. His lectures gave entire satis-