Jasper County Democrat, Volume 11, Number 59, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 December 1908 — Page 4

jisper conn dmh. 11. matt. Him in wiimn SATURDAY, DECEMBER M, 1908.

THE PROPOSED REFORMS.

We sincerely trust that the Legislature will consider the great reforms proposed by our Merchants* Association, and indorsed by similar bodies throughout the State, without partisan prejudice. There is nothing political in them. We have had bad government from both parties, and occasionally good government from both. The reform T movement is directed, not against any party, but against a loose system which we have wholly outgrown. The revelations of rottenness in Pittsburg, to say nothing of the exposed graft in Marion county and many other counties of the State, reinforce powerfully the forces that are working reform. We know that under the present system there is no real responsibility anywhere. Things have been proved to be worse than they were supposed to be. We have seen, for example, that there is no proper audit. The method of keeping the books is loose, and entirely without uniformity. The odious and corrupt fee system still survives. Our jury law is sadly in need of amendment. In short, the county business is treated as a sort of neighborhood affair, which, of course, is what it was in the early days when the system tvas adopted. But we have outgrown it. To-day the county government handles millions of dollars, and the business which it •transacts is of the most complex and difficult character. Yet we carry it on in the same old free and easy way, and elect to office—especially to county commissionerships—men who have had no training in business whatever. Reform is, therefore, absolutely necessary. The fee system must go. There must be a uniform system of public accounts with proper inspection and supervision, and a careful auditing of all accounts. Men whom we elect to office ought to be saved from the temptation to which we now subject them. There should be as little discretion as possible. Everything should be regulated and controlled by law. It Is not enough to convict and punish a .few offenders. Exposure of graft will not stop the evil. We must have, not only better men in office, but better laws governing them.

All good citizens, therefore, ought to use hteir influence to get these reform measures through the Legislature. We have seen none of the bills that are to be offered. But the principles on which they are based and whic they will embody are sound. What we are to decide is whether or not business methods shall be used in carrying on the public business. Unless they are we may be very sure that the public business will be badly managed. The people of the State generally ought to get into this reform campaign. For it is their business that is being mismanaged. We believe that if county affairs were managed as they ought to be managed the burden of taxation would be so lightened as to make it almost inappreciable. But more important still is the moral question. We ought to feel humiliated, when we think of the character of most of our county governments. They are so bad as to be disgraceful. People have come to look on the courthouse, ■ot as the seat and source of justice, but as the center of corruption and graft. We have created and army •f hangers-on and parasites whose only means of support is a sort of legalized graft. Offices are handed down from one ringster to another, and always there is waste and inefficiency—and often corruption and downright stealing. It is against all this that the merchants and their allies are fighting. Their appeal is to the Legislature. We trust that it will be heeded, and that as a result we may have sound laws regulating and . controlling the whole administration of county affairs, laws which shall compel the application of business methods to county business*— Indianapolis News.

THE CHICAGO JOURNAL.

The Democrat has made arrangements whereby it can furnish the Chicago Daily Journal to new or old subscribers, in connection with The Democrat, for $1.50 per year, $3.00 for the two papers. We have secured an especially low clubbing rate with the Chicago Daily Journal, and as we want to increase our own subscription list a few hundred before January 1, 1909, we make this aston-] ishing low price for the two papers for a short time. The Journal’s special mall edition reaches Rensselaer on the early morning train the same date of issue in time to go out on the rural routes. It also reaches Remington, Goodland and other points raving a morning mail in time to r > out on the rural rotes. The market quotations of the Journal are unsurpassed by any Chicago daily, making it especially valuable to farmers and stockmen who want to keep posted on the markets. Call in and subscribe for The •ally Journal ai.u life Democrat at once, mall us a check, draft or postofflce order for $3 and we will do the rest. This offer applies to any person 'to |he United States, be they new •r old subscribers to The Demoerat.

SEEK MORE MEN AT PITTSBURG

Investigators Will Try to Get Others In Net. WORK MUST 60 ON SWIFTLY Guilty Men Who Are Still at Large Are Becoming Frightened and Endeavoring to Clean Their Hand*-Public-Spirited Citizens Coming to the Front with Cash to Help Break Up the Corruption Which Befouls the Smoky City. Pittsburg, Dec. 25.—Although the graft prosecution has been halted so far as additional arrests are concerned, it is believed that this is only temporary. It is said that the efforts of the investgators will be directed toward others said to be implicated in the alleged corruption as well as the seven counctlmen and two former bankers under arrest.

One of the inquisitors stated that quick action was necessary, as undoubtedly other persons guilty of grafting were frightened and were making endeavors to remove any trace of their participation. Rumors are circulated that a second raid will be made against councilmen and business men charged with corrupting the councils. The' Voters’ League of Pittsburg is said to have prepared twenty-two warrants for the arrest of these persons. Plans are on foot to give the first nine defendants a court trial as soon as possible. It is believed that District Attorney Blakeley, who has taken charge of the matter, will present the cases to the grand jury early next month. By the latter part of February it is expected that the trials will be under way. According to a statement by a member of the Voter’s League a number of prominent and wealthy Pittsburg men have come to the front to offer assistance In making the “clean-up” complete. The league depends upon donations of money to carry on its work and many citizens have told it to go to th® limit.

MOTHER SLAYS HER SON

Same Old Story of “Didn’t Know It Was Loaded." Chicago, Dec. 25.—“ Now, mamma, shoot me and I’ll go to bed." It was the childish, sleepy request of three-ycar-old Pearle Locke, son of Earl Ix>cke, superintendent of electricty of the Illinois Steel company, South Chicago. The mother smilingly complied with the request—pointed an. old revolver at her son and pulled the trigger. The next moment the child was quivering in death at her feet. Mrs. Locke didn't know the revolver was loaded.

NEW YORK FIRE FATAL

One Person Killed and Four Others Severely Burned. New York, Dec. 25.—One man was killed, three men and a woman were’ severely burned and the lives of many others imperiled in a fire which wrecked the five-story apartment house at 122 West One Hundred and Twenty-Seventh street. The man who lost his life was Daniel Frizzell, an Englishman, who lived with a family named Looker on the top floor.

POISONS HER BABE AND THEN HERSELF

Wife of Chicago Artist Attempts Double Crime. Chicago, Dec. 25. —After attempting to kill her eleven-months-old boy with poison, Mrs. Joseph Kratzner, wife of an artist living in the fashionable Florence apartment building, 16 Belle vue place, swallowed corrosive sublimate in her home. Both mother and child are at the point of death. Melancholia Is the only cause that the woman’s husband and her mother, who is visiting her, can assign for tbe attempted murder and suicide.

MORGAN FINDS BARE BOOK

Bible Whose History Dates Back to Time of Queen Elizabeth. Chicago, Dec. 25.—J. Pierpont Morgan, after having searched all over Europe and the Orient for antiques and masterpieces, has discovered in Chicago another addition to his library. II is an old Bible and its history dates back to the days of Queen Elizabeth. It is said that it was once the property of the queen and had been in the possession of the royal family for generations. Life Imprisonment for a Boy. Toledo, 0., Dec. 25. —Harvey Hazel must spend the rest of hie life in prison for the murder of his mother. This !* the verdict returned by the jury. Hazel is only seventeen.

STREET RIOTS IN PARIS

Students Object to Now System of Medical Examinations. Parle, Dec. 25.—Establishment of a new system of examinations at the medical school of the Sorbonne, which system Is objectionable to the students, was the occasion of serious manifestations. Two thousand students paraded the streets, voicing their displeasure. They broke windows in the schqpl with stones and showered the police with eggs, stones and sticks. Several persons, including innocent witnesses, received Injuries. The republican guard was summoned and cleared the street The students resumed their demonstrations, but were dispersed with the aid of the police. The medical school has been closed by the authorities.

NO DEFENSE IS OFFERED

Coopers and Sharp Submit Case for Bail Without Argument Nashville, Tenn., Dec. 25.—1 n the criminal court Judge Hart said he would give his decision Monday morning in the hearing of the application for ball for Colonel Duncan B. Cooper, Robin Cooper and Ex-Sheriff John D. Sharp, charged with the mnr-

COLONEL DUNCAN B. COOPER, der of Senator Edward Carmack, tn this city on Nov. 9 last. The defense introduced no witnesses and submitted their case withour argument.

CASTRO ABANDONS THE PRESIDENCY

Says In a Statement He’ll Keep His Hands Off. Berlin, Dec. 25.—-Cipriano Castro gave out a statement which amounts to abandonment of his claims to the presidency of the Venezuelan republic. The statement follows: “After taking cognizance of everything printed in the newspapers from Venezuela I doubt the attitude therein attributed to the present government St Caracas. But I will have more to fiy on this subject when I am in better health and when I have full knowledge of what has occurred. “In any event I shall place no difficulties in the way of the present administration of Venezuela in settling the pending controversies with foreign governments, even if this should involve my own withdrawal from activity in the affairs of the nation."

JUDGE LASHES RICH MAN

Faulkner Court Maaton of New York in Trouble at Chicago. Chicago. Dec. 25.—Faulkner Court Maston, president of the Victor Color and Varnish company of New York city, wealthy and an associate of some of the most prominent business men of the east, was held to the grand jury under $5,000 bonds by Municipal Judge William Gemmill on a serious charge brought by Miss Ruth R. I.ee, n trained nurse In expressing his views of the case after two hours of testimony. Judge Gemmill gave the New Yorker one of the severest arraignments ever heard in a Chicago courtroom. Detectives, police officers, and court attaches stood astounded. Maston «iood with an immobile, ghastly face as Judge Gemmill pronounced him ”a moral degenerate of the worst type" and a "human brute.” “Why talk about- white slave cases, the practices of this man are ten times worse.” declared the judge. Maston denies the charges made by the nurse. (

PANIC AT THEATER FIRE

Many People Injured In the Scramble for the Doors. Altoona, Pa„ Dec. 25.—Fire broke out in the Keith theater, where a moving picture show was being presented. A wild scramble ensued for the doors in which many werd injured, but none seriously. The property loOs is small. Caught in Revolving Door. Chicago, DeC. 25.—Thomas Finnegan, sixty-two years old, a government meat Inspector, suffered a fracture of two ribs when he was caught in a . revolving door while entering the federal building. £

HINTS FOR FARMERS

Shredding Corn Fodder. Some of the advantages of shredding the corn fodder may be enumerated as follows: The husking is done in a short period of time, eliminating, the long, tedious task of hand busking, sorting, hauling the corn and stacking the stalks. The fodder is in better shape for feeding in the manger, where each and every individual can get its share of the feed, both good and poor. The stock will eat more of the stalk after it is slit up than whole, thereby making the fodder go farther. What is left of the fodder can be utilized as bedding to good advantage, and it will not be disagreeable to handle in the manure. This point of the value of the shredded cornstalk butts for bedding is too often overlooked. It not only makes a good bed for the stock to lie down on, but it is the best absorbent of the liquids yet found. It not only takes up the urine, but it holds it, and It is carried along to the field and is plowed in with the manure, where it will benefit the crops that follow. As is well known, the urine is rich in both nitrogen and potash. If handled judiciously it is worth for this purpose alone all that it costs to shred the fodder.—B. A. Clapp in Orange Judd Farmer.

At Farrowing Timo. Sows that farrow in March or anytime when the weather is cold should be watched closely and an attendant should be on band to remove the young pigs as soon as they are farrowed, says an lowa farmer in Farm Progress. Place them either in a box or basket and take them to a warm place at once or have a jug of hot water set in the box so that the little pigs, getting warm, will gain strength. Just as soon as they are all farrowed place them back with the sow and see that every pig sucks. Then again put them back into the basket for two hours, after which they should suck again. If the weather continues cold the pigs should be handled in this way for twenty-Auir hours. After that time they can be given to the sow. and if they are fairly strong they will require very little attention except carefulness In feeding the sow. She should be given light, sloppy feeds for two or .three days until she and her litter get active and strong.

Car* of th* Colt’s F**t. If the colt Is allowed to run on a dry pasture the feet or hoofs will naturally wear even and develop along the proper lines, but where the colt is kept in a stall, as in the winter time, there should be plenty of straw bedding and the stalls should be kept as dry as possible. .The proper care of the colt's hoof while young often decides the fate of the horse when it is grown. Sometimes the hoof will not develop straight—it will grow “awry,” making it difficult for the colt to run. The uneven surface should be rasped off and the wall trimmed slightly round to prevent cracking. Too much use of the rasp is not advised, but a judicious use of it will go far toward correcting natural or acquired defects in the growth of the hoof. It is essential that the hoof l»e kept symmetrical and well proport loved. Farm Wisdom. Holes in metal roofs may be stopped by lumps of putty and paint. A leak in the winter means wet litter, canker, colds and roup. Not only oil the farm machinery when putting it away, but paint the wooden parts. It doesn't take much paint, but it makes the‘machines and tools last a good sight longer. Don’t leave the tools out to warp and rust in the winter storms. One winter's exposure will hurt them more than two or three years' use. Clean them up and put them away in the dry. If you have no tool house put them In the packing shed. A coat of pafnt applied now will add several years to the life of the woodwork of tools.

Lice In the Henhouse. Do not put too much value on the statement that lice do not multiply in winter. Look your hens over as you go through the pens and see how many lice are troubling the birds. Watch the underside Of the roost and the bottom of the nest for red mites. Take measures to get rid of lice and mites. They may not spoil your winter egg yield, but they will certainly reduce it. A good dusting powder and a liquid lice killer are needed on every poultry plant, no matter how small. Fertilizing (jetton. Three years’ fertilizer experiments on reddish prairie land at the Alabama experiment station showed that cottonseed meal and nitrate of soda were applied to cotton at a decided profit, either alone or in combination with acid phosphate. The use of acid phosphate was usually profitable, but the use of kainit was almost uniformly unsatisfactory. To Rout the Flea. Fleas in outbuildings may be routed or killed by whitewashing the walls and drenching the floors with scalding hot soapsuds or by spraying the interiors wit li strong kerosene emulsion. The insects may be driven from dogs or other animals by dusting them with pyrethrum or Persian insect powder. Hog Paralysis. , When the hog seems to be losing the use of its limbs, feed less com and more bran and oats chop. If the trouble is very bad, give eight or ten drops of nux vomica in the feed twice a day. An abundance of green feed should also be given.

PEOPLE OF THE- DAY

A-hunting With Roosevelt. Edmund Heller of Riverside, CaL. who has been engaged by President Roosevelt to accompany his hunting party to Africa, is at present a professor in the California State museum. Although only twenty-seven years old, Professor Heller has been through Africa, Australia and South America. He is an expert on big game and stands high as a biologist and natural historian. Speaking of hls’duties on the trip, Professor Hellef said: “My chief work will be supplying advice at the start and taking care of the large game. Later, on our return, I may classify part of the collection, which will be deposited in the National museum at Washington. “The party will leave New York in March and go direct to Naples and thence to Mombasa. Most of our time will be spent in British and German East Africa, in the central elevated

EDMUND HELLEK.

portion, with which I am already familiar. The trip will last one year,” The party will consist of the president and his son Kermit, Dr. Means, a United States army doctor and well known naturalist; J. A. Loring, a field naturalist, and Professor Heller. The president and his son will do all the shooting of big game, and Loring will collect small animals. Dr. Means will be the chief naturalist, and Professor Heller will be his colleague.

Immortal Bill. A Philadelphian on bis return from Berlin talked at the Philadelphia club about Kaiser Wilhelm'. “You know the kaiser's ballet of ‘Sardanapalus?’ ” he said.' “Well, this ballet made a success, and in its honor the kaiser gave a dinner. “Berlin is laughing over an incident of the dinner. It seems that one of the speakers said in the course of his speech: “ ‘This ballet teaches us a powerful lesson. It shows us that we cannot escape our fate. As the immortal William once said. “There’s a divinity that shapes our cuds, rough hew themas we may.” And so’— “The kaiser applauded thunderously. “ "That is clever, very clever,’ he 1 cried. 'But when did I say it? I’ve quite' forgotten.’ ” Successor to Mr. Loeb. Fred Warner Carpenter, who will succeed Mr. Loeb as private secretary to the president on March 4, is eminently qualified for the job by training and experience. A native of California. he was admitted to the bar in Minneapolis. Having also learned shorthand, he went back to San Francisco and became a stenographer in a law office. JUst at this time Judge Tnft was in the Philippines as the first civil governor of the islands. Being in need of

FRED W. CARPENTER.

a high grade American stenographer, he cabled to San Francisco, and young Carpenter thought the offer good enough to make the trip to the Philippines.. . ■ V , . Since that time he has been around the world with his distinguished chief. When Judge Taft resigned as secretary of wnr Carpenter also left the government service and joined his forces with the 'Republican candidate for the presidency. Mr. Carpenter is the opposite of his chief in physical makeup, being slender and lacking to sturdy physique.

FOR THE HOUSEWIFE

Almond Delight Pio. Make a rich pastry and fill with the following mixture: Blanch and chop fine one cupful of almonds. Put otae cupful of granulated sugar moistened with one teaspoohful of water into a frying pan. Place over a slow fire until melted, then add the chopped alm onds, stirring briskly until the mix ture turns a golden brown. Turn this out on the crust in the pan and spread ' quickly before it cools. Beat three eggs, add two tablespoonfuls of pondered sugar and one and one-half cupfuls of milk, pour over the almonds and bake in a hot oven at first. Cover with a meringue of the white of egg and two tablespoonfuls of sugar. Moth PatXos and Freckles. Colorless iodine is a good freckle destroyer. Anoint the freckles with the iodine by means of a small camel’s hair brush or a swab made by twisting a piece of absorbent cotton around a toothpick. Apply to each freckle night and morning until the skin is red, but not too Irritated. The pigment of the freckle is deposited in the upper layer of the skin, and this must be destroyed in order to get rid of the freckle. Lemon juice applied to the skin is one of the best means of keeping the skin clear and white and preventing the deposit of coloring matter which makes the blemishes ot most patches and freckles.

Lemon Shampoo. Pour the juice of three lemons upon two ounces of salts of tartar, add about two quarts of warm water and use as an ordinary shampoo. This will make the hair soft and fluffy and is an excellent cleanser. If one has sufficient time at her disposal it is a good idea to bqll the juice, boiling the skins with it. This makes a stronger solution of the lemon. A few drops of perfume or attar of roses added will leave a faint scent upon the hair. The mixtures of salts of tartar should never be allowed to stand. It should be mixed fresh for every shampoo. Washing Thin Glasses. 1 One often will find that thin glasses are difficult to wash and leave clear and unclouded. Wash them in hot water and pure white soap and rinse them immediately in water of the same temperature and set them aside to drain. Do not wipe them until they are nearly dry and then polish with a clean towel. Clean tissue paper is excellent for polishing glasses. They are more apt to break if you dry them while they are wet, and they are also more inclined to be cloudy. A Washday Convenience. An excellent device that would be of great assistance to the housewife is the combined clothes and clothespin receptacle herewith shown. Ordinarily the wet clothes are carried from

CLOTHES AND CLOTHESPIN HOLDER.

the washtub to the yard in an ordinary wicker basket. The dripping water collects in the bottom of the basket, soon rotting and destroying IL The basket shown here is made of galvanized wire to prevent rusting'. The mesh being wide, the water from the wet clothes readily drains off. At one end is a receptacle for the reception of clothespins, while suitable straps are secured to the back by which it can be supported at some convenient point. These straps are also used to carry tlte receptacle.

Scorched Milk. When milk has burned pour it at •ace into a pitcher and stand it in a basin of cold water until it is cool, when It will be found to be quite free from the burned smell and taste; also When anything has burned In the dontoe boiler, instead of replenishing the steamer part with hot water, use cold for the same effect. Oatmeal Lotion For the Skin. An excellent oatmeal lotion for the ■kin is made as follows: Boil two tablespoonfuls of fine oatmeal and then strain. When cold add one dessertspoonful of wine and the juice of one lemon. Fluff over the face before gotog to bed, not wiping It all away. This lotion Is especially good for sallow complexions. Grease Spate on Wall Paper. To remove grease spots xfrom wall paper sprinkle baking soda over blotting ‘paper, place over the spot and press a moderately warm iron against it for a few minutes. The blotting paper will absorb tbe grease and the paper on the wall be free from spots. About Brittle Icing. A teaspoonful of vinegar beaten into boiled frosting when the flavoring is being added will’keep it from being brittle and breaking when the cake is it will be as motet and nice to a week as the day it was made.