Jasper County Democrat, Volume 14, Number 10, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 May 1911 — Page 1

Jasper County Democrat.

$1.50 Per Year.

DEMOCRAT’S BID NOT BIG ENOUGH

High School Committee Insists on Paying High Prices Ml DEMOCRATS NEED APPLY Might Prevails In Letting Contract for School Job. —Democrat Invited to Bid and Bid Was Lower Than the Republican, but the Republican Gets the Contract Because— In awarding the contract for the high school annual, which was turned over to the Republican, regardless of The Democrat’s bid, the management, it seems, was unduly coerced and influenced by Mr. Bradshaw, a member of the high school faculty. The Democrat was asked to submit a bid and did so. Two students connected with the annual wanted the job to come here, but Mr. Bradshaw did not. Being a teacher, the student body naturally looked to him in the na- «■ ture of a leader and his arguments prevailed. The Republican’s original bid was 5260, as admitted by Mr. Bradshaw. The Democrat’s original (and only) bid was $1.25 a page, and not $1 as erroneously stated in Saturday’s issue. (The Democrat had intended to submit a bid of $1 per page but knowing the character of the work desired had raised this to $1.25 and had submitted this to the committee. Tlhe error in Saturday’s issue arose from this fact and that the copy of our bid was mislaid.) The total of The Demociat’s bid would be, including stock, $l9O, or S7O less than the Republican’s. But Mr. Bradshaw told the Republican, as he admits, that The Democrat had bid low'er, and in

order to have the Republican do the work they would have to “cut a little.” This, they obligingly did, and the contract was awarded them at $235, or $25 lower than their original bid, but still $45 higher than The Democrat.' „ The Republican knew it was profiting by a dishonorable act when Mr. Bradshaw allowed them to revise their bid, and were careful to make no mention of the fact that their original bid was $260, but with their usual tendency to maliciously misrepresent and distort the facts say their bid was $235. if the county commissioners were to let the contract for a bridge and, when the bids were submitted, were to go to some particular bidder and inform him that his bid was too high and he would have to “cut a little,” the majority of the voters would begin to wonder where the “Stop! Look! Listen!” signs were. Much is expected of a teacher on account of his, or her, position in life. And for a member of a high school faculty, a man who is supposed to try to inculcate into the minds of pupils ideas that may afterward determine their whole career, to stoop to to such low, underhand, despicable methods is almost beyond belief. As to the statement of the Republican:

“The Democrat office would have to do the work either on a platinum job press or on a newspaper press, and it is an absolute impossibility to do good half tone work on either.” There is a song that says: “Somebody falsified to me.” Some of the finest half-tone and color work of today is done on platen press, (and we suppose this is what the Republican has reference to —platen press, or job press.) When we say some of the finest work, we mean just that. This statement can readily be verified in any trade paper. A “platinum” press at S4O an ounce, (the quoted price of platinum) and the press weighs approximately 1,800 pounds, • w r ould cost $1,152,000. No, we have no such press. Again: “The committee studied this proposition over.”' • . _lt stands to reason that a committee of high school students

instructed by a master printer who does not even know the names of the machines in his ow'd office, and ably assisted by Mr. Bradshaw, who admits he told the Republican to “cut a little,” would not study out the mechanical difference between a cylinder press and a "platinum" press. Yet again:

“Another thing taken into consideration about Babcock's bid, was his intention of sending the .half tone work which his office is not prepared to do down to Monticello to have done. The high school committee did not want the work sent away from Rensselaer when they could get as good pr better work at home.” Nothing was said to any member of the committee or anyone else about sending the work or any portion of it outside of town until last Saturday, when we did say: “Our .intention was, in case we were rushed to perhaps send some of the half tone presswork to the Pratt Printing Co. at Monticello, but to do all the composition and most of the presswork here!”

As to comparing the merits or demerits of individual workmen in rival offices, the e. a. ( eminent authority) in the Republican editorial room should at least omit them. This seems to us to be an insidious attempt to deprecate workmen because they are employed by a rival concern. The office where the work is done invariably gets the blame or credit for the finished product. And the individual workman is but a cog in the wheel. And last, but by no means least, the Republican has not now and never has had, a halftone cylinder press. They have a Miehle press (old style) that was thrown out of the government printing office, but the machine never was a half-tone press in any sense of the word. Naturally high school students can hardly be expected to have a technical knowledge of equipment. If they had and had not been biased by unfair influence on the part of the e. a., The Democrat would have printed them a good job. Not a fair job, but a real modern piece of work and not done it on a “platinum” press, either. The Republican in its effort to smooth over the baldness of this deal, and in its technical (?) explanation reminds one of Goldsmith’s “Deserted Village”: “And still they gazed. And still their wonder grew, That one small head cpuld carry all he knew.”

REMINGTON GIRL CHOSEN

Queen of the May in Earlham Festivities Tomorrow. Tomorrow' will be May day at Earlham College, Richmond, Ind., and the celebration and pageant this year will surpass anything heretofore attempted. Miss Catherine Hartman, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. H. R. Hartman of Remington, is to be Queen of the May, and one of Saturday’s Indianapolis papers contained an illustrated write-up of the proposed celebration, together with a picture of Miss Hartman. Miss Hartman is a beautiful and talented young lady, and the honor is well bestowed.

MAY BUILD ADDITION

To High School Building for Assembly Room and Gymnasium. The city school board is contemplating the proposition of building an addition on the north side of the high school building to be used as an assembly room and a gymnasium, but the matter has not progressed far enough as yet to say very much about it, but later, if the project is seriously considered, the public ynl! oL course be duly notified and the matter fully discussed. The new building, if it is decided to build, will cost about SIO,OOO.

DO YOU WANT LIGHTNING PROTECTION? I sell the largest and best lightning conductors that are made. I also handle the cppper cable at the following prices: 28 strand, pure copper, 7 l / 2 c per foot; 32 strand, 9c; 40 strand, extra large,/ 12c. If you are interested, call and see me or write me at Rensselaer.—F. A. Bicknell. Subscribe for The Democrat.

THE TWICE-A-WEEK

RENSSELAER, JASPER COUNTY, INDIANA. WEDNESDAY, MAY 10, 1911.

THE GOURT HOUSE

Items Picked Up About the County Capitol Marriage licenses issued: May 8, William Leslie Warne of Fair Oaks, son of William L. Warne, aged 23, occupation laborer, to Hattie Mabel Rice, also of Fair Oaks, aged 18, occupation housekeeper. First marriage for each. Married by Squire Irwin. New suits filed :Xo. 7731. Connecticut Mutual Insurance Co., vs. The Trust & Savings Bank of Rensselaer, et al.; suit in fore closure. Demand $5,000. No. 7732. The Trust & Savings Bank, Adm. of estate of R. H. Dodge, vs. Margaret M. Dodge, et al.; petition to sell real estate. Another meeting of the city council has gone by and still no report on those, graft charges made by the Republican more than a year ago, which were referred to the city attorney for investigation. Come, now r , w r on’t the Republican use its influence to have a report made, also an ordinance drafted regulating the city printing, which was also referred to the city attorney almost a year ago? Winamac Journal: The Scully Steel and Iron company w r as given a foreclosure of mortgage against the Winamac Bridge Works in the circuit court last Saturday. The mortgage was for $5,707.00. The entire plant will be sold by Sheriff Zellers some time soon, and every pieec of property ranging from heavy machinery to nails and bolts has been listed by the county clerk and will be exposed for sale to the highest bidder by the sheriff.

The various township commencements of Jasper county will be held as follows: Barkley, June 10, 8 p. m., Barkley M. E. church. Gillam, June 8, 8 p. m., Independence church. Hanging Grove, June 17, 2 p. m., Banta school house. Kankakee, June 3, 8 p. m., Tefft. Keener, June 7, 2 p. m., Demotte. Marion and Newton, June 10, 2:30 p. m., Rensselaer. Wheatfield, May 12, In connection with exercise for Wheatfield high school. Time for other townships not yet decided upon, but probably will be within a few days. The* Benton Review issued a 4-page extra edition Saturday containing a signed confession of John W. Poole of the killing of his farm hand, Joseph Kemper, which he still contends was accidental, the statement of Poole’s son who made the charges against his father, and a copy of the evidence taken at the coroner’s inquest. A large cut of Poole and a diagram of the Poole farm, showing where the body of Kemper was found, was also published. It was quite a stroke of newspaper enterprise and was no doubt appreciated by its many readers. Bro. F. E. Babcock of the Jasper Co. Democrat exactly expresses our feelings in the C. L. Bader case in the .following: “Mr. Bader is a man of more than ordinary intelligence * and knew' right from wrong, and yet he chose the wrong. He fully deserves the sentence imposed upon him, but still we feel compassion for him and for his family—w'hich is a highly respected one —for the disgrace he has brought upon himself and them, the compassion we feel for any man convicted of a crime against his fellowman. He had unusual advantages for keeping in the right track, and is really not deserving of as much pity as the poor devil who has grow r n up in the gutter, been kicked and cuffed about all his life and really had little or no opportunity to know righb-from w'rong.”—Medaryville Advertiser.

Our prices on rugs and lace curtains are helping us build our reputation for value-giving.— Rowles & Parker.

Job printing of the better clast type, ink and typography in harmony—The Democrat office

MURREL HOPKINS KILLED

Monticello Young Man Jumps From Train to His Death. The remains of Murrel Hopkins, the 22-year-old son of Homer Hopkins of Monticello, were brought here yesterday afternoon from Indianapolis and the funeral held at the home of his grandmother, Mary Jane Hopkins, on River street. The young man was killed Monday Morning in Indianapolis while alighting from a train, it is reported. The only particulars of the accident obtainable at the time of going to press was the following from Monday's Indianapolis New's, which is supposed to refer to young Hopkins, whose identification is said to have been later established:

"While jumping from Monon train Xo. 35 at the Massachusetts avenue station, early this morning, an unknown, well dressed young man, about eighteen years old, was instantly killed, when he was thrown violently from the car steps, striking his head on a railroad tie. "When E. J. Xicholson, 345 East South street, night engineer at the Adams veneer works, reached the young man he was dead, his skull being crushed. “Bicyclemen Stewart and Hartsell w r ent to the place. The city dispensary ambulance was called and the body taken to the city morgue.

“The Monon train is due at the union station at 4:26. This morning it is said to have been late. Mr. Nicholson told the police the young man stood on the car steps when he first saw him, and seemed to be undecided as to whether to jump from the train or not. The Monon train does not stop at the Massachusetts avenue station. Mr. Nicholson told the bicyclemen the young man swung from the steps and was seen to plunge to the ground. Coroner Durham was notified and began an investigation.”

EXPLANATION THAT DOES NOT EXPLAIN.

Supt. Warren of the city schools asked us Monday afternoon if w r e would publish a signed statement by Mr. Bradshaw regarding the letting of the contract for the high school annual, and we replied that we would do so, but we wanted him to incorporate in said statement what he had told us Saturday-about informing the Republican that our bid was the lowest and “that if they got the contract they would have to cut a little,” which Mr. Warren said Bradshow had also stated to him was a fact, and that Mr. Clark then cut his price $25 and refused to cut' any lower.

The statement of Mr. Bradshaw appears below, but he has had the business manager of the booklet sign the statement witji him, and now' says that he told the Republican that two bids were lower than theirs, but did not mention who they were. He told us Saturday in the presence of witnesses that he informed them The Democrat’s bid was lower. We never made the statement that the charge of “dirty politics” referred to the matter stated, we think it impugned the whole transaction. There are some other statements in the article that are not precisely correct, but we publish it exactly as it was given to us and the public can take it for what it is worth: Since the editor of The Democrat, in its issue of May sth, published an article designed to reflect upon the judgment of the business management of “Chaos” the Rensselaer High School Annual (not a “manual”) and further cast unsubstantiated aspersions at some un-named person, we gladly accept the invitation of The Democrat to submit a statement in which we shall present all of such .facts as we regard pertinent to the subject of the manner in which the contract for printing was awarded. A circular letter was mailed to twelve out of town printing concerns, known to be engaged in the business of printing college and high school annuals; one was misdirected, two firms failed to reply, five firms declined to bid upon the work specified because too crowded with orders to do the work. The following bids were received: » • 1. Wm. B. Burford, Indianapolis, “$3 to $4 per page.” 2. Franklin Co., Chicago, “about *700.00.” 3. Republican Pub. Co., Hamilton, 0., “*375.00.”

(Contnued on Third Page.)

HOW THOUGHTLESS OF LEAR.

Indianapolis, Ind., May 6. Eldkidge Lear, Superintendent of the Marion Club, stepped out of his office for a few minutes today, leaving $4lB in his desk. When he came back the money had disappeared. The club is the leading Republican organization in Indiana.

CRUMPACKER WON’T RUN

Indiana Congressman Refuses to Make Race for Governorship. Laporte, Ind., May 6.—Congressman Crum packer of the Tenth Indiana District, has written to the political leaders in the counties composing his district that he will not consent to the use of his name as a candidate for the Republican nomination for Governor. This will leave the field to W. L. Taylor of Indianapolis, formerly State Attorney General, and former Governor Winfield L. Durbin of Anderson.

RITCHIE-GRAY NUPTIALS.

From a Meetettse (Wyo.)' paper we dip the following mention of the wedding of Miss Ed*na E. Ritchie, a daughter of Mr. W. H. Ritchie of Rensselaer: In the presence of but a few intimate friends at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Ed Sessions, on Thursday evening of this week, occurred the marriage of Miss Edna E. Ritchey to Mr. Emmett E. Gray, both of Meeteetse. Judge P. P. Edwards performing the ceremony in his usual dignified manner. Mr. Gray has been a resident of Meeteetse but a few months, but as a salesman for T. 0. Doores has a large acquaintance and numbers a wide circle of friends. Miss Ritchey, the winsome bride, who recently came here from Burlington, is possessed with those qualities which will make her an ideal housewife, and -worthy of the popular young man who has taken her as a life partner. Mr. and Mrs. Gray will at once take up house-keeping in a residence on the hill, and start life together with the best wishes of the Meeteetse people for the sweetest of conjugal happiness.

BIG CIRCUS PARADE

Of Gollmar Bros. Reveals Its Character of Show. The Gollmar Brothers Show which exhibits in Rensselaer next Saturday, May 13, features everything connected with it, from the street parade to the concert. The press of other cities have made only the most favorable comment for Gollmar Brothers parade. Even when the show visits territory where it has never been, its magnificent street pageant so agreeably surprises the public that they are sure to crowd the immense tents.

It is in the parade that the management of a circus can show to good advantage the stability and character of the aggregation. If it is a cheap concern, giving only ordinary performances, its parade will tell the tale. If it is really meritorious the street display will demonstrate the fact. The splendid equipment of the great Gollmar Brothers Circus is shown to excellent advantage in the big parade, and it is always complimented. The horses are in fine trim, and the tableaux, wagons, dens, cages, and chariots are resplendently decorated with costly carvings, gilt and varnish. An unusually large number of dens are open in the parade, and the general public is given a free exhibition of a- fine array of wild animals. All in all, it is pronounced by many, the finest and best circus display even seen upon any streets. But it is in the circus performance that the show excels. ' .The parade of the Gollmar Brothers Show will start from the ball park at 10 o’clock sharp, and traverse the principal streets.

CIRCUS MONEY.

Bring poultry and eggs to the Fancy Produce Market and get the cash to take the children to the circus. We always pay top price for strictly jjesh, clean eggs.— C. E. Orton-nlicne 39, opp. Hemphill’s hifc6sp*rarn.

New cheese, < very fine.: —The Home Grocery. i J

State and General News

Vol. XIV. No. 10.

IVORY TOPPED WRESTLER

Breaks a Chair Over His Dome —Mysterious Waffles Runs Amuck After Losing Match. “Mysterious Waffles” of Chicago lost to Charles Olson, the Indianapolis grappler, at Ellis Theatre Saturday night in straight falls. “Waffles” had a couple of stunts that demonstrated he was “Mysterious” all right. After he’d lost the match in his berserker rage he broke a solid bottomed chair over his dome. Talk about your boneheads. That jasper’s is solid ivory for sure. The match was quite rough, the "mysterious” one evidently being part cannibal as lie was strong on biting and gouging. Harvey My res of Parr won over Fred Beale of Logansport in straight falls and the spectators were much pleased with his work, even though he had about 40 pounds advantage in weight.

POLICE COURT JOTTINGS.

Squire Irwin was called out of bed Sunday morning at 3* o’clock to hear some complaints for intoxication, a racket having started on Cullen street near the Makeever House along in the night after the wrestling match, in which Wm. Stewart, the wrestler, and Hartsell Adams, Frank Bruner and “John Doe” were mixed up. The three latter were given “a dollar and,” $4.30 all told, but Stewart succeeded in breakitfg away from the oflflcers while on the way to jail, and made his escape. He ’phoned down to the Squire Mnoday evening, however, that he would be down Thursday and settle the expense to the outraged dignity of the state. He hit nightwatch Critser a knockout blow in the chest, but the latter suceeded in getting in one or two licks with his club which did some damage and he was finally overpowered, only to break away while on the way to the bastile. Saturday the squire had Mrs. Cora Schultz up before him for the alleged theft of a skirt from the home of J. L. Brady, where she was employed. The Bradys, finally declined to prosecute and the case was dismissed on her promise to leave town and remain away. She went to her mother’s home at Parr.

CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS.

The city council met in regular session Monday night with all members present. The ordinance regulating the practice of medicine by itinerant physicians and fixing a license fee of $5 for the first day and $3 for each additional day and fixing a penalty of not less than $1 nor more than $25 for each offense, was passed to third reading. In matter of narrowing Emmet avenue; Marshal reports having served notice on property owners and that they were shown the amounts of their assessments. There being no objections the assessments were confirmed and the clerk intruded to certify same to city treasurer for collection. Frank Critser was re-elected nightwatch by the unanimous vote of the council. H. R. Kurrie petition for a sewer in alley of block 17; resolution adopted for such sewer. The following claims were allowed : CORPORATION FUND. Geo. Mustard, marshal sal.. $30.00 Frank Critser, nightwatch... 25.00 Chas. Morlan, c1erk...!..... 25.00 Fire Dept., disability dues. . 2.75 Rens. Lum. Co, coal and lum ROAD FUND. Chester Zea, city teamster.... 25.00 Rens. Lum. Co, sewer 3.25 B. F. Fendig, rent barn..... 12.00 LIGHT FUND. C. S. Chamberlain, salary. .. 50.00 Mell . Abbott same SO.OO Dave Haste, same 30.00 F. pissell Co, supplies 7 13 Kenneth Rhoades, wk on line 20.13 Scott Chestnut, same 13.37 Vandalia Coal Co, c0a1...... 44.69 Shirley Hill Coal Co, same.. 31.35 WATER FUND. . T. E. Malone, salary 30.00 The Gould Co, supplies. ..... 27.34 John Hordeman, water taps,. 11.30 V ' ■ %