Jasper County Democrat, Volume 1, Number 34, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 December 1898 — Page 4

m GOUKTY DEKM F. E. BIBCOCK. EDITOR MID PUBLISHER. Entered at the Post-office at Rensselaer, Ind. as second class matter. T Kit MS OF SUBSCRIPTION: ONE YEAR SI.OO SIX MONTHS 506 THREE M0NTH5.:...,.... ...,25c. Payable in Advance. Advertising rates made known on application Office on Van Renseeleer Street, North of Ellis & Murray’s Store.

DEMOCRATIC COMMITTEE MEETING.

The Democratic County Committee will meet at J. . Douthit s law office, in Rensselaer, on Saturday, December 10, 1898, at 2 o’clock p. m., for the transaction of important business. All democratic candidates at last election for county office requested to be present. D. W. Shields, Chm’n. J. Walters, Sec’y. “Honest Abe's” court and the U. S. Congress both convene next Monday. Reed has been Czar of the House once too often, now. A new speaker should be selected.— Fowler Leader (Rep.) We trust that the effort to bring about reform in county anil township government in the next legislature will prove suceesful. There is need for plenty of such legislation. —Valparaiso Messenger. The agitation now being made for reform in county and township government is due to the exposures of rottenness made by the democratic papers of the state during the past few months, and they should be given the proper credit. Fort Wayne Gazette: As a result of a careful enumeration, conducted by Bishop Rademaker's clergy, it is shown that in the city of Ft. Wayne 10,000 souls are accounted for in the six Catholic churches and twp chapels in thnt city. The census has been going on several weeks.

While here Prof. Boone, the hipnotist and mind render, could have done this county an inestimable favor by getting the statistician (30 years in office) to thinking hard of the “unwritten” countyrecords of Jnsper county, and then made public the “thinks” thereof, What a revelation would have been made!

We would ask the tax payers of Jasi>er county if, in the event of - legislation being enacted for their relief, any degree of credit is due I the three republican papers of Rensselaer, which have continually shouted that everything was “rosy” here in Jasper, notwithstanding the fact that our county is right up among the highest taxed counties in the state? The United States of Cent ral America has busted after a brief and uneventful career. These people are of the same bone nnd blood as those who inhabit Cuba and and Puerto Rico. Absolutely unfitted by nature to govern themselves as are the people Uncle Sam has or proposes to take charge of. They have been and are in continued rebellion. We can expect nothing else from*, our wards. The decision of the supreme court that a road supervisor who neglects or refuses to keep the roads in'his district in good condition can be prosecuted by any tax payer of his district and Compelled to make every road under his supervision a good and at all times a passable road, ought to be enforced in every supervisor’s district in Indiana. The people pay taxes for good roads and are entitled to them. So let them read the riot act to their supervisors and they will get good roads.

We are sorry to note that our friend Clark, of the Journal, still persists in saying naughty things about people, which he is later compelled to “retract.” The Journal’s reference to Miss J. Pearl Rodgers a couple of weeks ago was a “mistake,” and the Journal “is now convinced” that the business matter referred to was the result of a “misunderstanding,” etc.

We wish to say emphatically that The Democrat’s charges during the late campaign, of corruption and mismanagement in the administration of county affairs were not solely for political effect, as some republicans perhaps inferrod. Every charge was true in every particular, and we shall continue to make war upon all future rottenness unearthed, as we have done in the past. The Held is very fertile.

That excellent democratic journal, the Rechester Sentinel, says: Our advice to the democratic state committee is to spend less money for speakers in 1900 and more for democratic newspapers than was done this year and two years ago. First, educate your voters by the kind of literature they like to rend; second, be sure they know how to vote the complex Australian ballot so it will be counted; and third, organize the vote so it will turn out to the polls. Without these three precautions republican money will defeat us at the election every time.

According to the returns made to the auditor of state by county auditors the values in the state are ... - as follows: Value of land, $453,106,683; value of improvements on lands, $89,184,578; values of lots, $151,351,801; improvements on lots $167,364,133; value of personals, $289,364,483. This is according to 1897 a decrease in lands of $321,050 and increase of $4,964,967 in improvements, an increase of $133,581,000 is shown in lots, an increase of $4,471,744 in improvements on lots and an increase of $10,739,500 in personals. A total increase of $20,309,792 is shown.

Time was when the plain people had confidence in public officials, they believed that public servants would do the right thing if elected to public office. And this same sentiment would still prevail had not the men elected to office so wantonly betrayed the trust placed in them. Our own county furnishes many painful and disgusting examples in point. 11l the not far distant past, officers mildly suggested that fees not clearly legal In? allowed, that they might eke out an existence. They now impudently demand that they shall be allowed to fatten at the public crib. At the last extra session of Abe Halleck, about SIOO was allowed in direct and flagrant violation of law. The services for which the taxpayers of Jasper county were robbed of this amount were included in the salary attached to these offices, and the officers were entitled to no other compensation whatever.

Indianapolis Nows: “A state officer has made the announcement that there is in the hands of county officers in Indiana more than $1,000,000 in fees that should be turned into the treasuries, and that this failure to comply with the fee and salary law, applies to nearly every county in the state. The law is not enforced, and his suggestion is that the law should be changed, so that the county officers can be under inspection of a state officer, who will have the power to collect the fees due the state. A senator, who is familiar with the subject, says there will be considerable legislation on the subject of county officers, and a bill will be passed that will compel the county officers to turn over to the treasury the fees they collect. It is also stated that there is in the hands of the township trustees of the state over $500,000 which should be in the pockets of the taxpayers, and that laws to remedy this, will also be passed. Subscribe for The Democrat.

Last spring a notice of graduation was published in the different papers of Rensselaer. Three of these papers received for svTch publication $1.75 each, we believe, while the editor of an alleged democratic (?) sheet; was allowed $8.25 for the same service. This alleged democratic editor defended the unlawful acts of ebunty officials to the best of his limited ability during the campaign, and shouted that everything was “lovely” in the management of county affairs in Jasper county, and, as usual, dropped in his ballot in the same old way. Is this not true, Bro. Marshall, or does the record mean something different from what it plainly says? We refer you to page 95 of Commissioners’ Record 11, for proof of the above assertion.

MORE DECEPTION.

The room of a democrat in precinct No. 4. Marion tp., is worth $4.25 for rent, fuel, etc., for the purpose of holding an election. The room of a republican in precinct No. 2, same township, is worth $8.25 for fuel, rent, lights, etc., according to allowances made by "Honest Abe.”—Jasper County Democrat. What possible purpose the Democrat expects to accomplish bv publishing such slanderous faxes as the above, is past human comprehension. The truth of the matter is simply that Michael Eger, the Democrat who rents the election room in precinct No. 4 received $6 rent for the room, while, Thomas Thompson, who is the republican who rents the room for the same purpose in precinct No. 2, received only $4 for the rent of his room. Thus instead of the republican receiving twice as much for the room as did the democrat, the democrat owner actually received 50 per cent more than did the republican owner.

Mr. Thompson, who rented the room in No. 2 was also inspector in precinct No. 4. As inspector he received the same pay as all other trustees and inspectors did. Like all other inspectors he also received pay for attenting the county canvassing board; and also like all other inspectors in townships of more than one precinct, he received one day’s pay for attending the township canvassing board. He filed a bill for $6 for rent of the room and for fuel and lights for the same, and in the same hill he put in two days’ service on the canvassing boards. The commissioners cut his rent down to $4. Mr. Eger's bill for rent, fuel and lights was $6. The commissioners intended at first to cut his to $4 too, but they learned on enquiring that Mr. Eger had, at a former election been promised $5, and as he had also cleaned the room after the election, they allowed him the full $6 he asked for. —Rensselaer Republican. And we fail to see why a mail will make such false statements as those quoted from the Republican and which are so easily proven false by a little investigation. Our figures as published last week were taken directly from the docket of the commissioners, and were secured in the presence of as reliable a citizen as will be found in Jasper county, who with the writer, will make affidavit that the statement as published in The Democrat was absolutely true.

The docket of the commissioners, it will be noted, is a record of their deliberations and allowances and is written in lead pencil by the board itself. From this docket the auditor writes up the minutes of their meetings in a book called the “commissioners’ record,” and he nor no other person has any right to change any order or allowance in any way different than shown on this docket. The allowance to Mr. Thompson for rent of room (the county clerk’s old office) fuel, lights, etc., was entered in the hand-writing of “Honest Abe” at $8.25, while the bill of Mr. Eger for rent and fuel was entered as allowed at $4.25, a cut of $2 from the bill filed. Our figures were obtained on Wednesday of last week, and on Friday morning at 11 o’clock, AFTER ADJOURAMENT of tae commissioners, the record on the docket remained as first recorded, but oil examining the docket Tuesday morning of this week, we found that the “4” had BEEN ERASED IN MR. EGER’S ALLOWANCE AND A “fi” SUBSTITUTED in its stead. Mr. Thompson’*" allowance remained at $8.25. Now, who and by what authority changed these figures? The, commission-

ers had not been in session at any time during which this change was made and whoever made the change in the record must have done so on his own responsibility, a most unwarranted and unlawful act Now read the third and fourth paragraphs of the Republican’s article carefully. “He received the same pay as other inspectors did and one day’s pay for attending the township canvassing board.” This pay was $8.25, was allowed’ and no other member of the canvassing board was allowed anything more than this $8.25 as shown from the records. Why, if he did, as the Republican claims, (although the record shows nothing of the kind) file a bill in connection with his rent bill for two days service on the canvassing board, was this bill allowed, when he had already received pay in the former bill for such service? The facts in the case seem to be simply this: It was thought that the matter would never reach the public ear, and as Mr. Thompson was a good republican and had served on the election board at every election held in the county from time immemorial (except when a candidate for recorder, for which office he was defeated) the use of his room was worth, in “Honest Abe’s” opinion, $4 more than the room of a democrat used for the same purpose. After The Democrat got hold of the facts some one, to smooth matters over, changed the figures on the docket and the democrat got $6.25 instead of $4, while Mr. Thompson’s bill was still allowed to stand at $8.25, and so stands at this writing, (Tuesday), although we are informed that Mr. Thompson has stated that he got but $6.25, the same as Mr. Eger, for room rent, fuel, etc.

We wish further to state in connection with the Republican’s article that we have proved conclusively time and again that the Republican was an untruthful arid unprincipled sheet, and not a solitary statement of The Democrat’s in regard to county management has or can be successfully disputed. Our information is gleaned from the county records themselves and are true in every particular as appears on the record. We have not nor shall we ever make any statement which we cannot easily prove to the satisfaction of any and all persons, and we invite the fullest investigation of our assertions by any taxpayer or committe of taxpayers.

MARSHALL A REFORMER!

Ye gods! What a spectacle! G. E. Marshall posing as an advocate of reform in county and townships management! After having stood as apologist for every court house swindle, every county steal, every corrupt bargain, every incompetent, unscrupulous official who has heaped disgrace and dishonor on the county by misrepresenting it in official capacity; Who has stood by time after time and saw county officials cash warrants on Jasper county, well knowing that the salary allowed by law covered all the alleged services for which they demanded additional compensation without so much as a protest; who was in position to know and no doubt did knoiy of the most rascally contracts for the new court house in time to have exposed and defeated their consuraation—one in particular wherein a commissioner is commonly quoted to have said he could have had S3OO to have signed the contract, but Be it said to his credit his name was not secured—and saved the county thousands of dollars. But nary a protest from this great champion of reform! But public sentiment in favor of some kind of “reform” that will reduce expenditures for public purposes has become so strong, aDd so ergent are its demands that these pap-suckers, these barnacles on the body politic, shall be removed or at least choked off —that county and township officers shall not receive more than the law allows them from the public treasury—that even Marshall is compelled to make the feint of falling into line and raising his voice for reform. Mr. Marshall may rest asured that reform in the above particulars will come. The straws that will break the camel’s back are being piled on, and when the beast goes down reform will come with a ven-

gence which will be swift, and irresistable. Reformer.

REPUBLICAN CATECHISM.

Examiner—What is politics? Student —The science of officegetting. “What is an office?” “The politician’s paradise.” “Do you believe in the theory of rotation in office?” “Certainly, when the fellow on the other side has the office.” “But supposing you had the of“In that case I should say that it is a mistaken policy to flip out an experienced man in order to put an inexperienced man in.” “What is the first duty of the politician?” “To get there.” “By any means, rightor wrong?” “All methods are right when we use them; it is only upon the other side that unlawful methods are employed.” “What is your idea of an honest politician?” “One who always votes as I do.” “Of what is a political speech composed?” “One part taffy, three parts generalities, four parts obfuscation, a small sprinkling of patriotic pathos, an anecdote or two, and the remainder abuse of the opposition.” “What is a rally?” “A gathering wnere speakers are engaged to flatter the men who came to hear them.” “But do political orators never voice their own convictions?” “Possibly. No man is perfect, not even a political speaker.” “Is money ever improperly used in election campaigns?” “Any money that is used in any way by the other side is improperly used.” “What is the politician’s cardinal virtue?” “Knowing what he wants.” “What is the royal road to preferment?” “A pull.” “And what is a pull.” “Knowing how to make all things work together for your own good.” “What is a boss?” “A' man who deals out bread crumbs in order that he may hog the pastry.” “What is an independent?” “A fellow who deserts from the other side to vote our ticket.” “What is a mugwump?” “A renegade from our party who votes for a candidate nominated by the other side.” “What is a roorback?” “A lie promulgated by the opposition.” * “What is a disclosure?” “One of our lies.” “Do you believe in a political milennium?” “I hope for it” “When will it come?” “When our fellows have all the offices.” “That will do. I perceive that you are well grounded in the science of politics, and your diploma will be mado out immediately.”

WORLD’S BIGGEST SKELETON.

It has been long known that Wyoming was the graveyard of the largest animals which have at any time inhabited the earth. Professor W. H. Reid of the department of geology of the state university, while exploiting the fossil fields of Albany county, about ninety miles northwest of Laramie, during last August, discovered the fossil skeleton of the largest animal yet found in the world. The monster was a dweller in the jurassic age, known to science as a dinosaur, measuring nearly 180 feet in length, estimated to have been thirty feet in height at the hips and twenty-five at the shoulders, its petrified skeleton weighing more than 40,000 pounds. The only known fossil which approximates this dinosaur in size is the celebrated brontosaur in the Yale c allege museum, discovered some years ago in Wyoming by Prof. O. C. Marsh. This monster unearthed by Prof. Marsh is said to have been seventy feet in length, the new discovery by Prof. Reid eclipsing it by sixty feet in length. This recent discovery is said to put the reptilian fossil collection of the Wyoming university ahead of any in the world. When this dinosur is completely restored and mounted it will adorn the university campus and become one of the wonders of the world.

House and lot for sale: —New two-story house of seven rooms, summer kitchen 10x12, all provided with wire screens, 7 rooms, cistern, , coalhouse, bam 16x18 with shed attached. Lot 75x125 with 15-foot alley in rear, within 100 feet of principal street of city, Will be sold cheap for cash or on time - For further particulars call at The Democrat office.

REASONS FOR INSURING In the Continental, Ist. Because it is one of the Oldest, Strongest and Best Managed Companies in the United States. 2nd. Because it adjusts its losses fairly and pays them promptly, without any wrangling about it. i 3rd. Because it has adjusted and paid losses to over seventy-five thousand farmers. 4th. Because it insures you for Five Tears upon the installment plan, permitting you to pay one-fifth of the premium annually, without interest, instead of paying the whole in advance; thus giving you the proceeds of each year’s crop with which to pay your premiums as they fall due. sth. Because it insures against damage to buildings, and losses of Live Stock by Lightning. Tornadoes, Cyclones and Wind Storms, as well as loss by Fire. J. F. Bruner, Agt. J Rensselaer Ind. Office at Makeever House.

Professional Cards. ATTORNEYS. Hanley & Hunt, Law, Abstracts, Loans and Real Estate. Office in Hollingsworth Building, Ist floor, rear of McCoy’s Bank. J. L. Duvall, Attobney-at-Law. All business profession carefully and thoroughly executed. Money to loan on almost any terms. Real Estate bought and sold. Collections and abstracts carefully propounded. First door east of P. O, upstairs. Geo. K. Hollingsworth Arthur H. Hopkins Hollingsworth & Hopkins, Attorneys at Law. second floor of Leopold's Block, Corner Washington and Vanßensselaer sts. Practice in all the courts, purchase, sell and lease real estate. Attorneys for Rensselaer B.LIS. Association.

Jas. W. Douthit, LAWYER, Rensselaer, Indiana. Wm. B. Austin, Lawyer and Investment Broker Attorney For The L. N. A. AC.Ry. and Rensselaer W.L. AP. Co. £Bs*.Office over Chicago Bargain Store. Rensselaer, Indiana. FSANK FOLTZ. C. O. SFITLSK. MASSY S. KUSSIB Foltz, Spitler & Kurrie, (Successors to Thompson A Bro.) Attornoys-at~Law. Law, Real Estate, Insurance Abstracts and Loans. Only set of Abstract Books in the County. RENSSELAER, IND. Chilcote & Dunn, Attorxeys-at-Law, Attend to all business in the profession with promptness and dispatch. Office in second story of Makeever Block. RENSSELAER. IND. J. F. Warren J. F. Irwin Warren & Irwin, Real Estate, Abstracts. Collections. Farm Loans and Fire Insurance. Office in Odd Feliow’s Block. RENSSELAER, INDIANA.

BANKING. Alfred McCoy. Pres T. J. McCoy. Cash. A. R. Hopkins. Assistant Cashier. A. McCoy St Co’s Bank, RENSSELAER, IND. The Oldest Bank in Jasper County. Established in 1854. Transacts a general banking business, buys notes and loans money on long or short time on personal or real estate security. Fair and liberal treatment is promised to all. Interest paid on time deposits. Foreign exchange bought andsold. Your patronage issolicited. Patrons having valuable papers may deposit them for safe keeping. Addison Parkinson. John M. Wasson. President. Vice President. Emmet L. Hollingsworth, Cashier. Commercial State Bank, (North Side of Public Square. RENSSELAER, IND. The Only State Bank in Jasper Co. t DIRECTORS. Addison Parkison, 6. E. Murray, Jas.T. Randle, John M. Wasson and Emmet L. Hollingsworth. This bank is prepared to transact a general banking business. Interest allowed on time deposits. Money loaned and good notes bought at current rates of interest. A share of yonr patronage is solicited. PHYSICIANS. I. B. Washburn. E. C. English. Washburn & English, Physicians & Surgeons, Dr. Washburn will give special attention to Diseases of the Eye, Ear, Nose, Throat and Chronic Diseases. Dr. English will give special attention to Surgery in all Departments, and general medicine. Office over Ellis A Murray’s Telephone 48. DENTIST. H. L. BROWN, Dentist Office over F. B. Meyer’s drug T ’" store. Union Business College, 93 COLU MBIAST. LAFAYETTE, IN D. Actual Business. Book-keeping, English, Telegraphy, Shorthand and Typewriting. Penmanship, behest in every way. Send for Catalogue. Apr. 2», 1 yr. S. A. DRAKE. Pres.