Rensselaer Republican, Volume 15, Number 21, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 February 1883 — Page 6

<glk QtpnbVivxn. BY QEO. E. MARSHALL. RENSSELAER, : : INDIANA

Th* average French tragedy generally involves a woman, and the fact that Gam* betta’s premature disappearance from this mundane sphere is an event of more than importance only makes the question of a woman in the case a choicer theme for the scandal-loving public. It is doubtful whether any man in France would be esteemed truly great who had not had his duels and his liasons. Gen. Lew. Wallace, United States Minister to Turkey, has been taking a vacation trip down the Syrian coast, and it has been his good fortune to visit the holy places at Hebron. The Sultan directed him to be admitted to the sanctuary. This honor has only been accorded hitherto to Europeans of royal blood, and few have entered the sacred enclosure. Mrs. Henry S. Lane, who was in the General’s party, is, it is said, the first Christian woman who has been allowed to enter the place. _____________ The kill of buffalo last winter was estimated at 80,000, which, from the report of hides shipped, is probably very close to the mark. The kill of this winter promises to fall a long way short of last. The amount of the matter is that the buffalo are rapidly beooming extinct,and unless the attempt to domesticate the animal succeeds, the noblest American game will pass into history before the next census is taken. The herds, what there are of them, are mostly between the Black TTilla and Glendive, on the Yellowstone, their last winter’s feeding ground.

Excited quacking caused J. H. McWhorter, of Walker county, Ga., to turn his attention from a covey of quail to the stream whence came the complaint. He saw an eagle struggling to take the scalp of a wild duck. The bird of freedom had pounced upon the water fowl, but the latter was flapping in such a troublesome way that the conquest was not made in a moment A spit of shot from the hot muzzld of McWhorter’s gun killed both combatants. The eagle had a black body, brown head and white tail. It measured 6% feet from tip to tip. The spread of the claw was 7 inches. EHOUBH capitalists are investing largely in cattle ranches in the West Mr. Pell, M, P., now in this oountry, is at the head of a company that has purchased a ranch of 10,000 acres in southeastern Colorado, stocked with 11,000 head of cattle. It is the intention of the company to purchase several large tracts of land in Colorado and place upon them 200,000 head of cattle, or perhaps double that number. The idea is to raise cattle for the European market. Mr. Pell says the prejudice that existed in England against American beef has entirely disappeared. There are splendid profits in cattle raising, and'it is somewhat remarkable that this inviting field for enterprise has not been oocupied to a greater extent by American capitaltots. ■ dispatch from Scranton gives a startling picture of perils in the Pennsylvania ooal mines. It appears that the public knows little of the loss of life in those places. In the eastern district of the Wyoming region alone seventy-seven persons were killed and eighty-eight wATumwly injured last year. Most of them seriously injured are crippled for life. This is a frightful record and it is not surprising that the miners and their friends are strongly in favor of a bill which is to be introduced in the Pennsylvania Legislature this winter making the companies responsible for injuries suffered by their workmen when the injuries are not caused by the carelessness of the workmen themselves.

The “Franklin stove,” which Mr. Howells mentions several times in “A Modem Instance,” is a heating apparatus invented by Pr. Franklin. It is made of cast iron, is set up within the room, and the hotair and smoke from the fuel, instead of escaping from the fire directly up the chimney, is made to traverse a small and circuitous smoke flue, which gives out its heat like a stove*pipe. At the same time air from out of doors is introduced through air passages which surround and intersect the smoke flue, and, aft«r being warmed is discharged into the room through proper openings. This so-called stove was called by Franklin “the Pennsylvania fire-place.” It is not a stove in the ordinary sense of the word. UjKjtrssnowAßi.T the Boston and Albany has the fastest train run in this country far a long distance The train usually consists of six earn, the distance is 384 miles and recently the run was made in 6 hours sod 30 minutes. On tbs Mem “Haven Pmmoo the fastest runs VMM WO hundredths sales in 2 mhmtani, spd miles per hoar; 1.73 miles in JmSMfesnd 56 seconds, equal to 5A5

miUa, and 8 miles in 8 minutes and 18 wOTrin, equal to 68 miles per hour. Owing to the Connecticut law requiring a stop at every drawbridge, the time for the 73% milwa between New York and Near Haven, including six stops, was 1 hour 54% minutes, or only 38.5 miles per hour. The 62 mil** between New Haven and' Hartford were made in 1 hour 80% minutes, including two stops, or 41.5 miles per hour; average speed while running, 43.8 rniltta per hour. On the Boston and Albany, 86 miles, (Springfield to junction of Brookline branch, Boston) were run in 2 hours 20% minutes, including three stops, or 41 miles per hour; running speed, 43.2 per hour, including stops. Women have the right to vote at school meetings in Kansas, Nebraska, New Hampshire, Vermont, Dakota and Wyoming, at school elections in Colorado and Minnesota, and for members of school committees in Massachusetts. They can vote at school meetings in Michigan and New York if they are taxable, in Washington Territory if they are liable to taxation. Widows and unmarried women in Idaho may vote as to special district taxes ifithey hold property. In Oregon widows having children and taxable property may vote at schoolmeetings. In Indiana “women notmarried nor minors, who pay taxes and are listed as parents, guardians or heads of families, may vote at school meetings.’ In Kentucky any white widow having a child of school age is a qualified school voter; if she has no child butris a taxpayer she may vote on the question of taxes.

So-oalled higher education is the pride and boast of the ancient Commonwealth of Massachusetts. But it appears that the common schools are sadly neglected. Governor Butler, in his inaugural, severely criticised the school system, and pointed out, as evidence of its deficiency, the fact that the percentage of illiteracy in lowa is less than in the Bay State. In the midst of their many fine university and academies the people pay little attention to the intermediate and primary schools, and they are regarded apparently, as of little importance. President Chadbourne is in accord with Governor Butler on this subject He has recently declared that primary education in Massachusetts is very deficient; tna, too small salaries are paid, and as a consequence in some localities inferior and unfit teachers are often employed. The Boston Travellers calls upon the Legislature to “speedily devise a remedy” for “this serious defect in the much-vaunted system of our commonwealth.”

Thh queer adventures of Tennessee’s fugitive Sta.e Treasurer, Marshall T. Polk, recalls Jules Verne’s story of Phileas Fogg and his trip around the world in eighty days. Money was the magic wand with which the imperturbable Fogg removed the most astonishing obstacles. According to the telegraphic despatches from Texas, Polk seems to have had equal confidence in the power of money to open a road for him, but he did not succeed as well as the hero of the romance. After being arrested in San Antonio, according to one of the dispatches, he was released for something over $50,000, and he bribed a deteotive to pilot him out of the country. They quitted the railroad in Texas, and while the detective went in search of a horse, Polk took refuge in a thicket. A constable named Sheely arrested them both. Polk offered the constable SB,OOO to release him, but this time he found that the power of his money was gone. That his bold plan was partly successful is significant It shows what an advantage a thief has in the mere possession of stolen money, The sturdy honesty of the constable who finally oaught the fugitive stands out in strong relief amid the shameful exhibitions of cupidity that surround this remarkable case.

LEGISLATIVE NOTES.

Two bills were introduced in the House Tuesday to repeal the State Board of Health law. Representative McClelland, of Lawrence county, says he is going to introduce a bill to repeal the Acts of the Apostles. Senator Yancey Monday, introduced a bill providing for a board toexamine and license all persons who are about to have control of stationary steam-engines. The Committee on Prisons have been granted by the House a four days’leave of absence to visit the Prison South. They will be gone from Tuesday, the 30th, till Saturday. Senator Fletcher’s bill making the penalty castration for rape has excited general attention, and the indorsement of hundreds of mothers comes in the shape of letters to the author of the bill, urging ito passage. Representative Bracelton, of Jennings county, has introduced a bill providing far the relocating of county seats. It provides that ten per cent of the votes of a county having petitioned the County Coanuanonero they shall call a special oieetaon in the county, and sixty-five

per <mo| favoring the proposed relocation the same shall be fully legal. Senator Henry introduced a bin to make deeds and mortgages executed by administrators prims facie evidence of the sufficiency of the cause, in cases where the records have been destroyed. The biU has especial reference to Madison county, where the court house was destroyed by fire, together with aU the public records. Over 40,000 petitions for the submission of the prohibitory amendment at a special election have already been received from every count/in the State, and have been put into the House and, Senate. Only eighty-seven counties petitioned two years ago, but this time the whole ninety-two have already been heard from. Mr. Williams, Of Knox, Monday, spoke to a question of privilege, saying that he was invariably referred to in the published reports as Mr. Wilson,and his constituents were beginning to think that he was sailing under false colors, and he wanted to correct this impression. Speaker Bynum said he had heard several similar complaints, and then the statuesque Mr. Heffren said that he was the greatest sufferer in this particular, as all the papers called him “Jumbo.” Mr. Williams, of Knox, this morning has introduced a bill defining the offense of compelling or attempting to compel a person to marry and fixing a penalty therefore. The object of the bill is to relieve Charles Wetgell, an attorney of Yin eennes from the prosecution of Annie Stewart, accounts of which have heretofore appeared in print: In the House,' Monday, Mr. Wilson, o Kosciusko, offered a resolution directing the committee on military affairs, in conjunction with the Adjutant-general, to draw up a bill authorizing the recording in a permanent form, of the muster-rolls of Indiana regiments in the Mexican war and late rebellion. Tho usual political discussion ensued, Messrs. Copeland and Heffren leading, and then the resolution was referred to the committee named in it by a vote of 47 to 28. Representative Chittenden has intrbduced a bill to tax the receipts of foreign insurance companies doing business in this State, in the following manner: Any city or town can compel the agent of such company to certify to the receipts of his company for each life insured or each pieoe of property insured in the town or city, and on this a tax of not to exceed 1 per cent, is levied. This provides for municipal taxes, as there is at present a State law taxing the gross receipts of such companies, less actual losses, 3 per cent.

Evansville wants the asylum for the incurably insane, and is putting on her sweetest smiles to secure it. To better convince members of the Legislature of the advantages of that city, the citizens nvited the Assembly to visit them as a body. The invitation was accepted last Saturday, when a special train conveyed them to Evansville. Upon their arrival there they were driven around the city to different points of interest and afterwards banqueted, and altogether receive special attention. They reported a jolly time. The return train left for Indianapolis at 1230p.m.,Sunday Prominent Democrats who are opposed to the fee and salary bill now before the legislature, are preparing a bill, which it is understood, will meet with hearty democratic support in both houses and which will, as one of the orignators said, “shelve the present top-lofty bill; and go through with a rush. The salient feature is the appointment by the Governor of fourteen commissioners, one from each congressional district and one for the State at large, equally divided as to politics who are to agree upon an equitable basis for the remuneration of oounty officers, so graded as to operate fairly in both small and large counties. The Senate committee on education, Monday, reported adversely to > the bill introduced by Senator Hilligass, providing that the rate of interest on schoolfund loans shohld be 6or 8 per cent at the option of the oounty commissioners. An ineffectual motion was made to amend the report by fixing the rate at 6 per cent, and then Senator Voyles moved the reference of the whole matter to a special committee, which was laid on the table. A majority of the Senators on the floor spoke on the various propositions, and a decided sentiment was manifested against any change in the present law. Senator Graham, Tuesday, introduced an important bill which provides that if a county officer receives or demands any fee to which he is not by law entitled,any citizen of a oounty may file a complaint against such offioer, and if he be found guilty he shall be removed from office and his place filled by appointment of the Board of Commissioners. The aotaon to to be brought before the Judge of the Circuit Court, who shall hold a regular judicial investigation, and if the charge to sustained he shall not only declare the offender ineligible to the office, but he shall give judgment against him for SIOO for the complaining witness. No change ' of venue to to be allowed

The substitute offered by Senator Henry for the toad law introduced by Senator Benz, S. B. No. 6, and ordered printed, is believed to meet the objections made by the people to the present law. It does away with superintendents and roadmaaters. It makes the township trustee exofficio superintendent of all the highways in his township. He is required to divide the township into road districts of pot less than six square miles. For each of these districts there shall be elected a supervisor, who shall be under the supervision and direction of the trustee. The provisions of the old supervisors’ , road law are substantially followed, requiring citizens to work out their poll tax in the district The property tax for road purposes is to be paid to the trustee, nd he causes the same to be expended' in the township by supervisors. Tax-payers may work out their tax by applying to the trustee for that privilege, and by performing such work under his direction at usual prices.

LEGISLATIVE PROCEEDINGS.

Saturday, Jan. 20. Senate.— -The committee on executive appointments made their report, the majority recommending that the consideration of the appointments be postponed until September 80, and the minority asking for their immediate confirmation. It was agreed to consider as a special order Thursday at lOo’clock: IN THE HOUSE. The House occupied itself in the second rtfeding of bills. _____ Monday, Jan. 22. Senate.— Petitions were presented as usual. Also, memorials and resolutions. The bill to authorise counties to purchase agri cultural fair grounds was postponed indefinitely New bills were introduced. The bill to reorganize the Benevolent Institutions coming np in order, with a majority recommending amendments and the minority report recommending its indefinite -postponement. Senator Spann, as a substitute for both reports, moved to amend by strikieg ont the enacting clause, and inserting Rep. Wilson’s bill. The matter was made a special order for Thursday at 10:30 o’clock. Several bills were read the second time. The bill to regulate the interest upon the school and other trust funds was read the second time. Discussion was had at length. A motion to refer wag laid on the table—yeas 23; nays 13. IN THE HOUSE. A resolution asking for the introduction of a bill to provide for recording and safe-keeping of muster in and muster out rolls of the soldiers of the war with Mexico and the rebellion was referred to committee on military affairs. New bills were introduced. The bill to authorize charitable associations to change their names was parsed, Numerous committee reports were had. Tuesday, Jan. 23. Senate.— A resolution from the committee on Executive Appointments that all unauthorized employes of the Senate be discharged, was laid on the table. The privileges Of the floor were extended to ex-Senator Wright, of lowa. New bills were introduced.

Consideration of executive appointments was had at length. The minority report asking that the nominationl of the Governor be confirmed was rejected, and the majority report postponing further action till Jan. 80. Ilf THE HOUSE. The matter of convict labor was discussed at length and a resolution was adopted instructing the committee on Prisons to report a bill to provide Jor the relief of free labor competing with convict labor, and to provide for some way to make convict labor self-supporting. In joint session the Senate and House voted to elect Prison Directors and State Librarian, as follows: State Librarian—Mias Lizzie O. CaUis, 83; Mrs. Winsor, 57. Directors of the Southern Prison—Dr. W. D. H. Hunter, 81; Morris McDonald, 56 ; Dr. H. Y. Norvell, 84; Wm. G. Young, 55. Directors of the Northern Prison—George Majors, 85; A. C. Beeson, 54 ; John C. Shoemaker, 83 ; Leopold Levy, 56 ; Henry Moning, 84 ; W. T. Horine, 54. Committee reports were received. Bep. Patton’s bill, definining a legal fence, was recommitted. Several new bills were introduced. Tee usual resolution expressive of “our sense” to our Senators and Representatives in Congress was passed.

Wednesday Jan. 21. Senate.—Mr. Spann offered a joint reeolution providing for the payment by the State of the ooets incurred by the superintendent of public instruction in the case of the State vs. the superintendent of schools in Marion county, charged with corruption in selling the questions prepared for the examination of teaohers by the Superinendentof publio instruction, which was read the first time. On his further motion the constitutional rule was suspended. The reeolution was read the second time by title, the third time by sections and passed. Consideration of the Supervisor’s bill was resumed, but no final action was taken. The Senate then proceeded to the consideration of the special order, being the reports of the committees on the 19th inst. regarding the amendments. Mr. Bundy read a lengthy orgument in favor of the minority report. in the house. Rep. Montgomery, offered a resolution which w®s adopted instructing the committee on the judiciary to consider the expediency of exempting from taxation mortgagee, loans on money, sales of property, and other evidences of debt, where at the same time the subject of the debt is also taxed. Bills were read the second time. A bill providing for an issue of 050 SI,OOO bonds to improve tho Kankakee swamps was introduced The road law question was discussed. Thubsday, Jan. 25. Senate.— Petitions praying for the submission of the amendments were presented by 29 Senators. The Brown hill for “the better management of the Benevolent lastioutions was taken up. The minority report ordering indefinite postponment was rejected. The majority report reodmmending its passage was oopenned in—Yeas 27; nays 22. The Mil was amended, giving the Governor power to remove officers for cause, and to fill

til the next meeting of the Legislature. The bill vraa amended on motion of Sen. fTnana providing that the female portion of tho tions be placed in charge of a competent fam ale Hie bill was then engrossed. Tho constitutional amendment question was then taken up, and Mr’ Foulke concluded hi* speech of the day previous. Sene- Voyiee and Brown spoke in favor of tho majority report. * ■ 3' Senators Campbell and Spann spoke in favor of the minority report. New bills were introduced. Mrs. Mary H. Hunt, of Boston, waa given time to show why this Legislature should enact laws requiring instruction in the public schools as tothe nature and effects of alcohol. in Tim HOUSE. Ninety-five members were present. Mr. Brazeltin’s bill to provide for the relocation of county seats was taken up and its sion continued till noon. The bill is intended’for the benefit of the tridents of Jennings county who desire to move the county seat from old Vernon to North Vernon, A strong lobby for and against the bill was in attendance. The entire afternoon was passed in the discut—sion of the constitutional amendment question. Friday, Jan. 28. ] Senate —Petitions for the submission of the amendments, and other petitions and memorials, were presented. Committee reports were received. The remainder of the day was devoted to the discussion of the amendments, and adjournment was finally had-till Monday at 2p. m. IN THE HOUSE. In committee of the whole, the entire day was devoted to the discussion of the constitutional amendments. Adjournment was had till Monday at 2 p. m.

PROCEEDINGS OF CONGRESS.

Monday, Jan. 22. Senate.— Petitions were presented Several bills were introduced .The tariff lull was taken np and occupied the entire time, of the •eesion. 'a House.— A number of bills were introdneed - Tn committee the naval appropriation bill was in the order of discussion and several amendments were offered When the committee aroee the House adjourned, Tuesday, Jan. 16. Senate.—The entire day was devoted to the consideration of the tariff bill. House.—The war claims committee authorized, a bill be reported authorizing the payment of claims under the “Fourth of July” claims act. The bill includes 1,447 o'aims representing $289,000, of which Indiana cl-ims nearly $20,000 The naval bill was taken np. Bep. Calkins amendment for gradual abolition of the pay roll was adopted

Wednesday Jan. 24. Senate.— The Senate resumed consideration of the tariff bill. Senator Morgan moved to make the duty on iron ore 60c per ton. Rejected, Mr Maxey moved to strike out the paragraph relating to iron ore. Rejected. He also moved to strike out the part of the paragraph relating to iron pyrites and sulphurite of iron. Rejected. The paragraph was made to include boiler punching* and clippings of iron and steel bars. The next paragraph was amended so as to make the duty on all steel ingots, blooms, etc., except crucible steel as follows: Steel exceeding in value 2 cents per pound, 5-10 c per pound; exceeding 2c and not exceeding 5c per pound, lc per pound; and for steel exceeding 5c per pound in valuation, the same duty as is provided for crucible steel, The duty on rfteel rails was reduced to 640 of oi.e cent per' pound. House.—The House went into Committee of the Whole on the naval appropriation bill. A paragraph providing for the construction of steel cruisers was adopted. The reading of the bill was concluded. Thubsday, Jan.2s. Senate.— To-day having been set apart for services in honor of the late Senator Hill, of Georgia, on motion of Mr. Brown, immediately after reading the journal remarks eulogistic of the deceased were begun. At the conclusion thereof the Senate adjourned. House.— The naval appropriation bill came up as the regular ord£r, with the pending amendments, The amendment made in oommittee providing that chiefs of bureaus shall receive no additional pay, by reason of holding’such positions was rejected. The next amendment, being that for the payment of Asa Weeks of SSO,(XX) for use by the United Elates of his invention in torpedoes, was agreed to and the bill passed. Mr. Kelly moved to go into oommittee on the tariff. Mr, Butterworth antagonized it with the bonded spirits bill. Mr. Kelly’s motion was agreed to The House went into committee, and Mr. Kelly called up the tariff bill, but Mr. Carlisle made a point of order that the revenue bills must be takup in their order. All the pending bills were, on motion, laid aside, and the tariff hill was taken up. Mr. Kelly made a speech in support of the bill, and at its conclusion the oommittee rose. Public business was postponed, and the House proceeded to eulogize, the late Senator Hill.

Fsidat Jan. 20 Senate.— The Pensions Committee reported, adversely, the House bill increasing the pensions of one-amed and one-legged soldiers. At the dose of the morning business the tariff bill was taken up. The duty on bar iron was reduced from 9-lOths of a cent per pound to $lB per t«, for flats not less than one inch wide nor lees than X of an inch thick. The duty on round bar not less than H of an inch in diameter and square not leee than inoh square was reduced from, one cent to S2O per ton. The duty on smaller sizes was reduced from 1.2 cents per pound to $22 per ton. The duty on iron and steel T rails was reduced to £(-10 of ope cent. Iron in coils or rods was reduced to 1.1 cents per pound. The paragraph relating to armor iron was agreed to, The proviso relating to plate or sheet or tagger iron was stricken out. The duty on steel plate was fixed at one cent per pound. The duty on corrugated or crunpled sheet iron was reduced to 1.4 pounds. Adjourned. House.— Shortly before 12 the House went into committee on the tariff bill. Mr. Randall’s motion to limit the general debate to 5 o’clock . to-morrow was agreed to. Mr. Hasson spoke On the popular demand for prompt action on tho tariff question. Mr. McLane also spoke at length, and the House adjourned. Satuedat, Jan. 27. ,Both the Senate and House devoted the day to the tariff bill. Speeches of more than ordinary interest were made by Converse and MoKinley.of Ohio, Carlisle, of Kentucky, and Bland, of Missouri.