Jasper County Democrat, Volume 6, Number 27, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 October 1903 — GOVERNOR IS “FORNINST” CARNIVALS AND STREET FAIRS. [ARTICLE]

GOVERNOR IS “FORNINST” CARNIVALS AND STREET FAIRS.

* ' It is rumored that George Khbsibaum of Brookston, will oppose E. H. Wolcott for re-nomination to the state senate on the republican ticket.

With Governor Durbin and the entire state militia in Kentucky it would seem ah opportune time so% “Governor” Taylor to pay a visit to his old friend Howard and other Goebel conspirators in the bluegrasß state.

The Rock Island and several other roads entering Chicago have issued orders that none of their employes may smoke cigarettes either on or off duty. The companies say that men that smoke cigarettes are also liable to be drinkers and unsafe men to place in charge of trains.

The Indianapolis city election will be held next Tuesday. There are three candidates in the field, each of whom have considerable strength. Bookwalter, the present mayor, is universally conceded to have given the city the rottenest administration in its history. He has the backing of the republican ring, the gamblers, the bar-rel-house keepers, as the worst element of saloon keepers are called, the holdup men, dive keepers, thugs and negroes, it is said. The republican slogan there is “bser, boodle and bulldozing.” Holtzman, the democratic candidate, is a good, clean man and has for a following the better element of both the republican and de&ocratic parties, hundreds of prominent republicans who wish to rid the city and their party of the curse of Book waiter ism openly espousing his cause. At this distance it looks as though he would be elected. Hitz, the prohibition candidate, is a moat excellent man and has the backing of bis party as well as a large following of republican and independent voters. The republican hope of victory lies in the belief that he will draw enough of the better class of vote ra to him to let Bookwalter in. It is a pity that the reform elemant cannot unite, instead of dividing their forces as is being do*e in the Indianapolis camiliiu.

In response to representations by those who are opposed to the contemplated street fair at Terre Haute, Governor Dnrbin has written to Prosecuting Attorney Wallace, of that city, a letter that plainly sets forth his antagonism to street fairs as they are usually conducted. He speaks of their undesirability in any town, and says that they are especially undesirable in Terre Haute on account of its Normal school. In closing his letter, he says: "In such a community there should not be a moment’s toleration of a repetition of the scenes attendant upon some carnivals of former years, when, if reports in the public press are to be credited, a reign of license, harmless perhaps in its earlier stages, developed into ruffianly demonstrations which recognized no bounds, while exhibitions which under ordinary conditions would not be permitted under any consideration, were given full sway. “I do not desire to impute improper motives to those under whose auspices it is proposed to hold another street carnival in your city. I understand that it is quite possible to enter with good motives upon enterprises which may be swept beyond the control of those undertaking them; indeed this has been the history of all street carnivals which have developed offensive features, but it is certainly fair to take into account in.considering the probable nature of such an affair the tendencies which have characterized them in the past in your community. I have, therefore, respectfully to suggest that you take such action, within the limitations of your authority as an official of the State, as in your opinion may best subserve the public welfare and preserve the laws from the indignity which attends open and flagrant infractions uninterrupted ana unpunished.” Commenting on the governor’s letter the Indianapolis News says editorially, under the head of ‘‘Public Lawlessness The Governor has done well to write the prosecutor of Vigo county concerning the street fair, whose demoralizing effects have already been felt in Terre Haute, but which still has strenuous support there. The act would have been wise and commendable were Colonel Durbin only a private citizen instead of Governor, for the letter is a strong argument on the side of law, order and public decency, all of which are infringed by a carnival or street fair—as its supporters well know. It should apply not merely to the proposed carnival, but to all carnivals in the State. Indiana could do herself credit by driving this form of public amusement from her borders. The Governor 6ays: It may without impropriety be said in this connection that law and order are permanently undermined in any com-1 munity when civil authorities, usurping a function not properly belonging to them, consent to a suspension of the usual safe guards against lawlessness during a given period, even if this be on the theory that the so-called "carnival spirit" affords sufficient warrant for. such procedure. There could, indeed, be profitable application of that to a wider exercise. When civil authorities consent to a suspension of the usual safeguards against lawlessness at any time, trouble is certain to follow. When gambling is allowed, as here, that which has followed inevitably follows—open saloons, winerooms* and the depravity and crimes that our court records of reoent times testify to. The great source of the violence, mob Taw and recklessness that so frequently makes neoessaiy the State’s special help to restore

order is fed by the constant violation of law allowed by the officers that are sworn to enforce the law.