Rensselaer Republican, Volume 15, Number 20, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 25 January 1883 — Page 2

®he Republican. BY GEO. E. MARSHALL. Rensselaer, : : Indiana

The startling stcry comes from Eurepe that young girls are abducted from Lou* don and Paris to adorn the harems of the Orient • * Judge Amos Bbiggs, of Philadelphia, has made the singular ruling that all who do not believe in a Divine Being and divine rewards and punishments are incompetent as witnesses in the court Persons who mail newspapers weighing over two ounces with but a single cent stamp upon them commit a great mistake. The rules of the Postoffice Department require such papers to be sold as waste paper, hence they are not forwarded to their destination or to the Dead Letter Office as letters with insufficient postage are. Attention to this point would save many people much disappointment and the loss of papers they ma.il.

Russia is on the brink of bankruptcy. The State debt, both foreign and internal, amounts to the enormous sum of 3,142,000,000 roubles, and the annual interest amounts to 185,500,000 roubles. This debt instead of decreasing is annually increasing, for the Government, being unable to pay the interest as it falls due, issues new obligations. An annual deficit of some 100,000,000 roubles has become a matter of fact in the Ozar’s financial administration. Russian Government securities in the different European exchanges now stand lower than ever before. Even after the third defeat of the Russians at Plevna they stood four per cent, higher than now. It is said that a financial panic is spreading all over the Empire . .

The Kentucky public school system is far inferior to that of Indiana, but is improving. Instruction in the common branches is now furnished by the State, but no provision is made for building or repairing school houses, for fuel, or for other necessary expenses. These must be furnished by the patrons, and consequently the schools are much neglected. One will not find the comfortable school houses and pleasant surroundings like we have in Indiana. High schools supported by taxation are rare except in the larger cities. Instruction in the higher branches is afforded by private academies and seminaries in nearly all the towns. Collegiate instruction is given in 34 colleges, while Indiana only has 16 such institutions. Thus, while K the means for the education of the masses is limited, ample provision has been made for the higher education of the wealthier class. And this is true over the entire South.

The action of the coroner’s jury in the case of the shooting of Patrick McGow an, last week, will commend itself everywhere. Roundsman Delaney was sent to arrest an offender in a saloon, notorious for its dangerous character. McGowan resisted the officer and endeavored to prevent him getting his man, going so far as to club the officer over the head with a revolver. McGowan then jumped into a hack and tried to escape. Delaney followed, his face and eyes covered with blood from his wounds. McGowan then fired at him, the ball striking him in the eye and lodging in the temple, making a dangerous and it may be fatal wound. The officer fired twice in return, sending a ball through the desperado’s heart. The jury concluded its labors by commending Delaney's act, and presenting him with a handsome gold watch and chain in recognition of the bravery displayed in performing hie duty. Such evidences of appreciation arc calculatad to encourage police officers in the discharge of peril ous undertakings, while att h 3 same time they discourage sentiments- Ji ibberings over dead desperadoes. Aoobnb and “pig nuts” have long been known as good feed for swine, but it will surprise most people to learn that they have a foreign export value. Mr. Letterman, of St Louis county, Missouri, recently shipped 300 bushels of red oak acorns to Europe, and about the same time 120 bushels of pig nuts were shipped by parties in Pennsylvania. The shipments were made under the direction of the American Forestry Society, and the nuts are to be used for seed in England and Germany. Experiments in these countries with various kinds of bard wood trees indigenous to North America have proven the hickory and red oak to be best adapted to foreign soil and cliand an attempt will be made to introduce them on a largtf scale. Id their adopted land they will be planted on barren hillsides and such other untillable lands as can only be utilized in the pursuit of forestry. Acorns are not a mer- , chantable article. Neither can pig nuts be procured in the market; for these reasons there was no little difficulty in filling so large an order. The seed had to be gathered between one fall and spring, otherwise it would be worthless. It was

with considerable misgiving that those in charge of the matter undeitook the contract for so large a quantity of the nuts, but by employing men, women and children to gather them it was finally accomplished.

One would hardly look to a dime museum for a love episode, nor to a living skeleton for a “masher.” Still, there are always exceptions, and the unpromising quarters of a dime museum in New York has developed a skeleton that made a mash on a professional beauty. < Isaac W. Sprague is the attenuated human ossification in question, and bis heart was so touched in sympathy for one of the beauties who failed to get a prize in the late contest, that he figuratively wept with her over her chagrin and disappointment Hej number was seventy-one, and her name Minnie Thompson. When the skeleton breathed forth his tale of condolence, Miss Thompson was impressed. He weigns forty pounds, while she kicks the beam, metaphorically, at 160. In short she’s plump and he’s thin. But that didn’t interfere. He was impressed by her, of course for she was a beauty, and she was favorably toward him, because—well, just because. The engagement was over and the other competing beauties went their various ways, but still she lingered near, and waited patiently about till the reason did appear. With an eye to the. beautiful she had seized Mr. Skeleton, and come to the conclusion that he would be perfectly lovely in her parlor posing on one leg as a stork. So asthetic, you know, and all that. The plot thickened. Sprague kept right on in business on his slender capital, and Miss Thompson—probably a relative of Thompson’s colt—made daily visits to the museum. He found precious opportunities to whisper sweet nothings in her ear, and managed to slip his arm about her waist, murmuring that it shoujd always sustain her, be'a whale bone to her and the little olive branches that should grace their table in coming years. In the evenings she practiced at balancing herself on his knee, while his fingers, like bunches of licorice root, conjured warm blushes into her*cheeks. In a few weeks they were clean gone on each other, arid when he asked her if she loved him, she sweetly lisped: “You bet your bones.” That settled it, and he hied himself for a license, and they were married. This teaches that true love is lumtum everywhere—in the palaces of the poor, as well as in the humble cottages of the rich. Be good, dear girls, and “fly,” and you may marry a skeleton or-a fool yourself some day.

Ralph Corbit, an ingenious 12-year old boy of Honeybrook, Chester county, Pa., has devised a novel plan of getting rid of the rats which infest lus father’s tiellar. He has constructed out of old fruit jars a battery of three I<eydeu jars, which he connects and places upon a large iron plate which touches the tin foil on the outside. The bait is so arranged that when the rat, steps upon the plate and seizes the bait he at once makes the connection between the outside and inside of the jars, and they are discharged through his body, killing him literally as quick as lightning. He charges the jars by means of an electrical machine also constructed by himself. He ran a couple of wires through the floor from the cellar to the room above, and as soon as he would hear a rat squeak he would immediately recharge the battery. The first time he put the machine in operation he slaughtered twenty-five rats in the space of three hours, and in two days the cellar was entirely cleared of the pests.

A Bone Coat of Mail.

Philadelphia Press. Iron armor is a thing of the past, but bone armor, and notural at that, is quite a new thing, but Luther Moore, of Dayton, Pa., is so far from thinking it a good thing that he has declined to wear it, Several years ago the gentleman named was struck a violent blow on the right shoulder by falling timber. No bones were broken, but shortly afterwards a little hard lump made its appearance, and in spite of all local and external applications, grew out and spread itself over his shoulder, down his 'arm and over his breast, until it became apparent that its removal was absolutely necessary, else the patient would in time be incased in an armor of bone. Already his right arm had become partially useless, and more serious results were feared. A few days ago Dr. Singer, of Connellsville, assisted by Dr. Henry, of Dawson, removed the bony tumor. The operation was a complete success. It is many times larger than any of its kind mentioned in the whole range of medical authorities. In shape it is like the crown of a Derby hat, and fitted closely over the shoulder like a cap, extending down over the arm, chest and back.

An Unseasonable Costume.

Boston Transcript. “J. B. Brown is painting a young girl, with a very sweet face, seated in th fields, with her hands clasped in her lap wrapped in happy thought.” .If the girl doeeu t get her death o’ cold, she’ll be lucky.

LEGISLATIVE PROCEEDINGS.

Batubday, Jan. IX Senate.—Not in session. IM THE HOUSE. The resolution pending at adjournment was passed—yeas 56; nay 30. Bills were introduced. The bill to fix the time for holding court in Posey and Vanderburg counties was passed to* a third reading. The committee on Ways and Means recommended the passage es the bill, which provides penalties for fraudulent list for taxation returned by corporations. Adjourned tHI Monday at 2p. m. ■ ■ Monday, Jan. 15. Senate.—Petitions were presented by every Senator on the floor, asking for the submission of the prohibitory amendment at a special election, * The committee on swamp lands recommended that 1,000 copies of the report of the survey of the Kankakee river be presented. So ordered. A resolution was adopted looking to the abolishment of convict labor, and providing for a committee to inquire into the mattter. A concurrent resolution was adopted requesting the Secretary of War to order such an appropriaion expended as will secure a commodious and safe harbor at Michigan City, The House resolution tendering sympathy to the French Republic in the death of Gambettawa adopted. The House resolution requesting the pensioning of Mexican Soldiers was adopted. Several new bills were introduced. in the house. Several committee reports were received. The bill to reduce the interest on the school und was called up and recommitted. The bill to prevent the 'sale of impure butter recommended for passage. Also, the bill to prohibit the killing of quails.** Several bills were introduced. “ Tuesday, Jan. 16. Senate.—Mr. Van Voorhis presented a communication from the Board of Health providing law to relieve the people from the curse of such meat as is allowed to be sold in the Indianapolis market. The committee reported favorably the bill providing for an Indianapolis reformatory sewer. A bill was introduced extending the time of sale of land for delinquent taxes from the Ist to the 3d Monday in March. Several other bills were introduced. The House bill in relation to the appointment of Judges pro tern, was read the second time. Several bills were read the second time. The Johnson vs. Overstreet contested election case was taken up. Discussion of the subject was had uniil adjournment when it was laid over. IN THE HOUSE. Several bills were reported back from committees, The report of the committee relating to the extension of the jurisdiction of Justices of the Peace Was concurred in. New bills were Introduced. Memorial exefoises in honor of the late Senator Foster were held. Wednesday, Jan. 17 Senate.—The resolution pending at adjourn ment. authorizing the committee on elections to send for persons and papers in the JohnsonOverstreet contested election case, was debated until noon, when a vote was taken and the resolution adopted. On motion of Mr. Magee the courtesies of the Senate were extended to Wm. McKee Dunn and Gen. John W. Foster, The bill defining the" crime of false pretenses was passed. The bill providing penalty for disclosing messages passing over telephone wires was passed. The bill of Mr. Ristine concerning the construction of McAdam and other roads was read the third time. The bill relating to the qualifications of jurors was read the third time and passed. IN THE HOUSE. The courtesies of the House were extended t»» the State University Alumni, visiting in the city, The “freedom” of the House was also extended to the Mexican veterans of the State, in convention in the city. Petitions were presented. The bill to fix the time of holding court in Posey and Vanderburg counties waspassed. A resolution was adopted fixing Jan. 23 as a day for electing a State Librarian and Prison Directors. A resolution was adopted requesting our Representatives in Congress to use their influence to have ceded Un d conveyed to the State all territory within its limits, meandered out by the Government survey, included as lake and river beds in said survey, - . , The “freedom" of the House was extended the County Surveyors in session in this city. Thubsday. Jan. 18. Senate.—Several bills were read the second time. The House concurrent resolution fixing next Tuesday for a joint session of the two Houses to elect Prison Directors and State Librarian was concurred in. Numerous petitions were presented. Committee reports were received. The bill to reorganise the State Reformatory institution was called up from the committee, but no definite action taken. The resolution instructing the committee on public buildings to inquire into the new State House matter was called up, discussed and adopted. Several bills were introduced. A long discussion ensued over a resolution to print 1,00 OoopiM of the report of the Kankakee survey. IN THE HOUSE. Several bills were introduced. Two bills were passed to the second reading. The| Senate concurrent resolution requesting tne Secretary of War to reconsider his refusal to set apart a certain sum of money for the improvement of the narbor at Michigan City, was taken up and concurred in. The bill repealing the law making libel a criminal offense was called up and indefinitely postponed. The bill to amend the civil'procedure act was reported with the recommendation tnat it be indefinitely postponed, A minority report recommended that the bill do pass. After a discussion the minority report was adopted. The bill concerning trusts for charitable purposes was reported favorably. The bill to restrain 'Certain animals from running at large was indefinitely postponed, • Friday, Jan. 19. Senate.—Mr. Bowers, from a majority of the Judiciary Committee, reported that, in accordance with resolution of Senate, it has examined the records of the last General Assembly as to proper record of the proposed constitutional amendments, that no. such recorifl can be found; and, no entry, as oonjmended by the constitution,

oy which tne committee can determine wnat said propositions were, or that either house referred, or intended to refer any proposition ’ to amend tiie constitution to this Assembly. Signed by Spann, Bell, Brown, McCullough, and VanVrohis. Mr. Bundy, from the minority of said committee reported the entries as found on the journal of the two houses in the sessions of 1881, and copies of the joint resolution proposing to amend the ’constitution as on file in the Secretary of State’s office, and published in the laws. It did not find they were referred to this General Assembly in in words on the journal of either house, but the provisions of the constitutional amendments have been substantially complied with and are properly fl&ore this General Assembly. Signed by Messrs. Bundy and Graham: Mr. Bundy moved that these reports be made the special order for next Wednesday. Agreed to. IM THE HOUSE. Mr. McMullen, from the Judiciary Committee, returned a resolution authorizing inquiry into the proposed constitutional amendments, reported an examination of the journals if the two houses and find the amendments are not properly entered, and not referrod to this General Assembly according to the manner laid down in the constitution. This report was signed by McMullen, Heffron, Wilson of Knox, and Wilson of Marion. Mr. Frazee, from a minority of said .committee submitted a minority report that these amendments are on file in the Secretary of State’s and properly referred to this General Assembly. Signed by Messrs. Adams; Wright, Frazee, Wiley, a* 'd Stewart. Mr. Patton, also, from a minority, presented a report somewhat similar to the first one, signed by Mr, Patton and Mr. Jewett. The report were made the special order for Thursday at 10 a. m.

PROCEEDINGS OF CONGRESS.

Saturday, Jan 13, Senate.—Mr. Ingals introduced a bill providing for the appointment of seven commissioners on railroad transportation The agricultural bill was discussed. pension appropriation bill was passed. It appropriates $86,285,C00, of which $85,000,000 are pensions; $1,000,000j for navy pensions; $275,000.f0r fees and for pay and allowance of Pension Agents; and SIO,OOO for contingencies. The House also passed the Fortification appropriation bill, which appriates $325,000. - Monday, Jan. 15. Senate.—Several petitions and remonstrances were presented...A number of bills were introduced The bill to enlarge the powers and duties of the Department of Agriculture was taken up and discussed.... At the close of the morning hour the tariff bill was taken up as unfinished business, and the tariff schedule was considered,An executive session was then had. House.—Joseph Wheeler, Eigthth District, Ala,, was sworn in.*A number of bills were introduced, among which was one to convene the 48th Congress on the first Monday in March, 1883; also, one to allow the free transmission of newspapers to regular subscribers Special days for the consideration of eertain bills, Tuesday, Jan. 16. Senate.—The House bill to modify the postal money order system was reported favorably.... The tariff bill was consideredAn executive session was held. House.—Taylor to succeed Updegraff, of Ohio, was sworn inA bill was reported providing for the erection of a library building, tbe cost not to exceed sl,soo,oooThe bill for removal of caess from State to Federal courts was passed .The tariff bill was presented and referred to Committee of the wh01e.... The House went into Committee of the whole. Wednesday, Jan. 17. Senate.—A bill was introduced to provide for the appointment of a commission to investigate railroad transportation.... The Senate re sumed consideration of the tariff bill. House.—Charles T. Doxey,. to succeed Orth, was sworn in as a Delegate from UtahA joint resolution providing for a commission to investigate affairs of complaint made by the Venezuela government againt the United States, concerning the treaty existing between the two governments. Thubsday, Jan. 18. Senate. -The postoffice appropriation bill was called up. The clause appropriating $185,000 for fast mail service was retained. The tariff bill discussion was then resumed. House—ln Committee of the Whole the Naval appropriation bill was considered. Friday, Jan. 19. Senate.—The bill to establish a soldiers’ home in (Kansas was reported adversely.... The post office appropriation bill was taken up and the reduction clause considered.... Tariff was discussed. House.—Bills were reported Private bills were considered.

Telephones for Farmers.

American Farmer. To make a good and serviceable telephone, good from one farm house to an other, only requires enough wire and two cigar boxes. First select your boxes and make a hole about a quarter of an inch in diameter in the center of the bottom of each, and then place one in each of the houses you wish to connect; then get five pounds of common stove pipe wire, make a loop in one end and put it through the hole in your cigar box and fasten it with a nail; then draw it tight to the other box, supporting it when necessary hetout'oord. , You can easily run your line into the houseby boring a hole through the glass. Support your boxes at the ends with slats nailed across the window, and your telephone is complete. The wri er has one th't is 200 yards long and cost forty-five cents, that will carry music when the organ is played thirty feet away in another room. The impression that Germany is free from the curse of distilled liquors because the German are so partial to beer and light wines, is corrected by the fact that in Prussia alone the annual consumption of whisky and brandy amounts to $52,000,000, or $2 per year for woman and child. The total expenditure of the people for liquors, beer and tobacco, is about $270,000,000 or $lO per capita, annually.

LEGISLATIVE NOTES.

Senator Willard wants io repeal the dog law. At least he introduced a bill to> that effect. It is a singular fact that every bill thus far reported back by the House committee on railroads was accompanied by an unfavorable report Senator Foulke Wednesday introduced a bill providing that married women shall have the same rights under the law as single women. Senator Spann has in course of preparation a bill to consolidate all the educational institutions of the State—a measure that will meet with considerable support. * One of the officers of the Senate wa» seen Monday, busily engaged in distributing what has more than a passing resemblance ’to railroad passes, among the members. The Senate Monday, very considerately adopted a resolution consoling, the 1 French republic over the death of Gambetta. These international courtesies are very touching. Representative! Copeland, of Jefferson county, Wednesday introduced a bill making the offense pf placing obstructions, on railroad tracks, whereby there is lossof life by accident, murder in the first degree. Representative Huston has introduced a bill to tax the gross receipts of all corporations doing business in this State but organized under the laws of another Sti te. It is provided that the rate of taxation shall be $3 on each SIOO of receiptsand the tangible property shall not beexempt. If passed this bill will affect the telephone monoplies operating in Indiana. Senator Spann introduced a resolution; for a commissioner of railroads, telegraph’ and transportation companies, to be appointed by the Governor with the concurrence of the Senate, for four years,' at an annual salary of $2,500. The bill is almost identical with the provisions of the Ohio law on the same subject A spirited discussion took place in th* House, Tuesday, over the report of the-■ judiciary committee recommending the indefinite postponement- of the bill increasing the jurisdiction* of justices of| the peace from $250 to SSOO. The report was finally adopted and the bill was thus disposed of. Senator White introduced a bill to-; amend section 4,425 of the act governing’ teachers’ licenses. It provides that one six months’ license shall be given as a* trial license, and extends the twenty-four' months’ licenses to thirty-six months. After a teacher has had two of the lastnamed licenses he shall be entitled toteach eight years without further license. The bill also allows school trustees of certain cities and towns to appoint an examiner for their school-teachers, reporting the result of such examination to the county superintendent.

It is evident that the present legislature I is determined to make some law compel- | ling hotel keepers to prpvide fire escapes,. I In the Senate Monday two such meas- # I ures have been introduced, both being re-j| ferred to the judiciary committee with# I instructions to report after the first meet-1 I ing. One bill was introduced by Senatow I Youche and the other by Senator SpannJ ■ The latter is the most rigid in its I mauds. It provides that each room in a I hotel shall be furnished with a rope lad-, der. The buildings shall be inspected se ni-annually by the proper officials, and x the penalty for a violation of the act is a. fine of SI,OOO, SSOO of which goes to theprosecuting attorney who secures the, conviction. Any person who may think that the temperance people are not alive an.l working would have been convinced* to the contrary had they been in the Senate and House Monday. In both branch**,,, petitions asking for the submission of the prohibitory amendment, were presented from eighty-five counties and signed by 54,755 persons. Petitions with 9,957 signatures went to the Senate and 14,798 to the House; 4,283 to Republican senator* and 5,674 to Democrats: 7,521 to Republican Representatives and 7,277 to Demo-g crats. This is but the first of petitions, and hundreds of others aret to follow during the session. They were-r all referred to the committee on temper- V ance, necessarily without reading. |

Jefferson Ulery has been arrested two indictments, charged with blowing up saloons at New Palestine with dynamite. That town has been the scene of four dynamite explosions, and every’ saloon that has been opened has been blown up. Ulery has been placed in jail*, at Greenfield in default of SI,OOO- bait A Washington special says: Within a few days the bill known as “the bill to pay the Fourth of July claims” will be I called up from the committee bn war 1 claims in the House. When it $s put to J on its passage Representative ’Stockslfeß er of Iqdjana, intends, to offer as at amendment his bill providing for the pajl ment of property taken during the Mo< an raid in the States of Ohio and In* diana. I