Rensselaer Republican, Volume 15, Number 26, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 March 1883 — Page 2

• (she gqmMtam. BY 680. R. MARSHALL. BENSSELAER, : : INDIANA

The judiciary committee of the lower house of the Pennsylvania Legislature has favorably reported a bill providing that if the authorities of Philadelphia will furnish, without cost to the State, suitable accommodations for the executive business, and for the sessions of the Legislature, that city shall be made the capital of the State. Pbesidekt Abthub recently received a dozen bottles of whisky, with a note from the agent of it requesting him to taste of it and kindly send him his opinion of its quality, to be used as an indorsement. The agent received the dozen bottles by express two days later, and a letter by mail from Mr. Phillips, the President’s secretary,stating in somewhat satirical language that the President was indifferent to the merits of the whisky and declined to sample it ~ N . .... The boom to secure the release of Sergeant Mason, who tried to shoot Guiteau, does not seem to work up as anticipated, and the prospects of his release are not any better now than they were several months ago. In the meantime “Bettie and the baby” are living quietly on their farm in Virginia. Mrs. Mason occasionally visits Washington. It is understood, however, that at the expiration of his term of office President Arthu** will grant a pardon to Sergeant Mason. In a murder case, in California, which was appealed to the Supreme Court, the only defence made was “insanity from the long continued use of intoxicants.” The lower court charged the jury that “insanity produced by intoxication would not destroy responsibility when the party when sane and responsible made himself voluntarily intoxicated, and that drunkenness was no excuse for crime, but it was a circumstance for the consideration of the jury in determining the degree of crime.” The Supreme Court held that the charge was correct, and affirmed th e judgment The recent decision of a United States District Judge in Missouri tends to make of the postmaster a person enjoying greater immunity from physical assault than does Pugilist Sullivan himself. A country postmaster in the above State was assaulted by a drunken man. Although there was no actual interference with the mail,the Judge before wh he assailant was arraigned imposed a fine of . SIOO, under an old act of Congress,which dedaies that “any person who shall knowingly and willfully obstruct or retard the passage of the United States mail shall be liable,” etc. The Indianapolis Journal says: “A special to the Journal from Elkhart gives the particulars of the recently reported faith cure’ at that place. It seems that the 'procuring cause’ was a devout person in Boston, who fixed upon 3 o’clock of a certain day when prayers was to be offered, and that it was ‘precisely* 8 o’clock at Elkhart on the day named when the cure was effected. There is a difference in time between. Boston and Elkhart of about sixty-five minutes, so it would seem that the faith cure’ is limited, as it were, by human circumstances and conditions. We do not quite grasp the matter,but it would appear as if a cog were out of this miracle somewhere.” The most extraordinary punishment , which is,perhaps,on record is to be found in Morrison’s “Account of Germany.*” “Near Lipdau I did see a malefactor hanging in iron chains on the gallows, with a mastive dogge hanging on each side by the heels, as, being nearly starved, they might eat the flesh of the malefactor before himself died by the famine* and atFrankforde I did see the like punishment of a Jew.” The only thing which may serve to lesson our surprise at this shocking refinement in cruelty is the reflection that it happened in a country so pre-eminent for the horrid nature of its punishments that no one can be prevailed upon to accept the office of executioner but he who, by being the son of a hangman, is obliged to be trained up, and take upon himself the necessary employment. J im Elliott, the pugilist, who was kill ed last week at Chicago by Jerre Dunn, a similar character, had an unenviable record and his life is a dark review of continuous crime: Elliott has been a thief ■early his whole life, having served nearly twenty years in prison for crimes he had been convicted of. Before the fire he used to make his headquarters in Chicago, one of his pals at that time being tbe wellknown Mike Garrity. He was arrested by Ffakerton with Billy Forester and several other burglars for attemsting to rob a bank at Wilkesbarre, Pa., but the whole party broke out of jail and escaped. Afterward Elliott was arrested in Philadelphia for garroting Hughey Dougherty,

the negro minstrel, who had his nose broken. He was sentenced to the Eastern Penitentiary for this, and served over te*i years there. He was a pal of John Gordon when the Iffiter “tell” in lows, and Elliott fought Gallagher at Detroit to get money to secure the release of Gordon He had also been arrested in New York tor crimes, and was known to detectives as one of the most desperate men in the country—a pickpocket, a burglar and a prize-fighter. He had been in Chicago this last time for about six months. Elliott wolud seem to have made good use of his spare time when loeked up, as he was well read and very intelligent, having a good knowledge of several languages, living and dead.

The will of ex-Governor Morgan gives a fraction less than SBOO,OOO of an estate of $6,000,000 to charitable and benevolent purposes, including gifts of $200,000 to Union Theological Seminary; $206,000 ecch to the Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions, to the Board of Home Missions, and to Williams College; of SBO,OOO each to the Supplementary Fund for Clergymen’s Salaries, to the Manhatg Eye and Ear Infirmary and to thj Presbyterian Hospital, with smaller bequests of $5,000 to $2,500. To his wife e gives his house and a million of money, and the income for life of a million. To forty other relatives he gives $407,500, and leaves balance of his estate in trust for his grandson. and namesake. A host of friends are remembered, and household servants receive SB,OOO each. The Tribune says the will of the late Governor sustains the reputation for generosity which he showed in life. Bequests are left for charitable and educational purposes. This benevolence is not to flow in a narrow channel but flows over a wide field of good work.

A Special telegram to an Indianapolis paper graphically describes the closing scenes of the recent congress. The dispatch is published Saturday and reads: The accumulated work of two years is crowding upon the last hours of a dying Congress. The pressure is tremendous —l5O members are going out of the House many of them to return no more, and they are struggling to get last-chance bills through. It is a scramble and a rush. The people of Washington are taking an intense interest in the proceedings of Congress, and they crowd the galleries by thousands. The press at night is greatest. Multitudes swarm to the Capitol, filling every nook and comer of the great building, taking possession of the galleries, the corridors, reception and committies rooms. The House end is the most attractive, and every inch of the space assigned to spectators is gobbled up before the hour arrives for business to begin. Members rush hither and thither with theii ladies trying to find seats that have been overlooked They find the galleries full to overflowing, and they storm and fret and fume, anxious to anchor their charges, and doubly" anxious to get back on the floor fearing that something important might be rushed through or stampeded to death in their absence. The diplomatic galleries are seized and filled in an instant, and when there is no such thing as finding a vacant seat anywhere or an inch of standing room men, women and children wander disconsolately up and down the corridors, take refuge in committee rooms or crowd into the gallery entrances, straining to catch a glimpse of the scene below. The buzz and hum of a thousand voices fill the hall, and those who are unaccustomed to the confusion and uproar of the bear-pit go half wild trying to keep the run of business. To a great majority of the spectators the proceedings are absolutely devoid of meaning; they make nothing out of the din, but there is action, and action is what they want—not dry statesmanship. When an exciting incident occurs the great audience awakens to a lively interest in what is going on. It delights in episodes like that of Thursday night An occasional knockdown or set to with hard gloves or bare knuckles would be relished as a seasoning not too rich for the popular palate. It is doubtless a grievious disanpointment to many that none of the gentlemen see fit to go down into the ring and fight, but the constant recurrence of spats answers as a substitute.

LEGISLATIVE NOTES.

Representative Shively’s bill, which makes mechanics* liens attach to all classes of structures, and includes attorneys’ fees, passed the Senate and became a law. ■> The Benz road bill finally passed the House Tuesday, (and now only awaits the Governor’s signature to become a law. It repeals the statute of 1882, and substantially re-enacts the law exiating previous to the last General Assembly. Mr. Mosier’s H. B. 832, am mding section 1,622 of the criminal code, relative to search warrants, has passed both Houses and become a law. The amendment provides that property seized by search warrant may upon proof of own-

’ ership be delivered to the proper owner, ■ and not held by the sheriff as the old law I provided. | House bill No. 5, introduced by Mr Deem, has received the signature of tbe Governor. It contains an emergency claure and will govern the town elections in May. By tbe provisions of the bill towns shall have but one voting place, which shall be stated in the notice of election. The law contains a proviso that the trustees of any town may,if public convenience- requires, establish a voting place in each ward. Senator Campbell’s convict labor bill passed the Senate Thursday. It provides for a thorough system by which to put the contracts for prison labor in the most open competition, the object being to have the convicts bring the highest price in the market that competition can force, and the result must be to raise the prices paid for convicts so much as to make the prisons bring an income to the State, and also to overcome very largely the depressing influence upon free labor which the present system of low prices for convicts has caused. In the House, Friday, a very important bill, introduced by M r . Shively, was passed. It provides that all life insurance companies doing business in the State on the assessment plan shall issue a bond to the State for SIO,OOO for the faithful performance of its obligations, and shall already have at least $200,000 on insurance and 1,000 policy holders. It makes it-a’felony for any company to is sue a policy on the life of an aged or extremely infirm person to another person —the so-called “graveyard” plan. A determined effort will be made to get the bill through the Senate. Another “tete a tete” occurred in th Senate during the all night session of Tuesday. Senator Henry concluded his speech at 1:40 o’clock, and Senator Graham, who was recognized by th e President, began his argument A stormy scene ensued. Senator Bell, in an excited manner, demanded that the Lieuten-ant-governor take the chair and assume the responsibility of the rulings, instead of the “hireling*,’ (refer; ing to Senator Spann) who was then in the chair. Senator Hilligass became very noisy and be! ligerent and Senator Smith, of Jay, joined in the general clamor. Several insinuations were made against Lieutenant-governor Hanna, who took the chair and read the “riot act” in language that could not be misunderstood. He said that he assumed every responsibility and did not propose to be bulldozed by any senator on the floor. This declaration was received with much applause.

LEGISLATIVE PROCEEDINGS.

Tuesday, Feb. 27, Senate.— The bill supplemental to an act to eetablish public libraries was passed. It provides that so long as the library is kept open and free to all a tax may be levied. TKe bill to permit the several counties of the state to dispose of public land for the benefit of the school fund was passed. A bill requiring the flood sufferers to pay but 6 per cent, on delinquent taxes was passed. Another vote was taken to allow the widow of Edwin May, SIO,OOO and the allowance was agreed to. The bill fixing commutations of sentences of convicts on account of good behavior was passed. The Senate continued in all night session in the discussion of Senator McCullough’s railroad biH. IN THE HOUSE. The bill supplemental to the act concerning the oetates of persons who have gone to parts unknown was passed. The bill supplemental to the fee and salary act was passed. The bill concerning tax sales was passed. It amends seetions 218, 227 and 228. The bill to amend the act to create a Bureau of Statistics was»assed. Yeas 55, nays 87. ' The bill to provide means for the erection of a new State House, and assessment and ooUeotion of taxes therefor was passed. Other lees important bills were pissed. jpiNT CONVENTION. The joint convention was held with the follow ing result, the election being confined simply to the trustees of the different benevolent institutions.—Dr. T. H. Harrison (dem.) of Boone conn tg. 82; Gen. John Coburn of Marion county (rep) 7. HarrieouSalected. For trustee of the insane asylum—Philip M.G&penfdom.) of Marion county, 81, Dr. G. W. Burk frep.) of Henry county, 45. Gapen elected. For trustee of the deaf and dumb asylum—S. K. Trmston. (depa.), of Franklin county, 80; Col. James H. Jordan, (rep.) of Morgan county, 44. Urmston elected For trustee of the Blind asylum—Howard Briggs, (dem.) of Putnam county 82; J. H. Rerick, (rep.) of Lagrange county, 43. For trustees of the feeble-minded asylum and soldiers orphan’s home—John M. Goar of Henry county, S. Wilson, of Washington county and R D. Brown of Dearborn county, all democrats were elected, defeating Samuel Green of Rush county, Dr. Wm Freeman of Switzerland and Peter F. Hoes of Howard county. Wednesday, Feb. 28. Senate.— The bill to authorize the State to map assess and sell certain real estate was passed. The bill to legalize certain acts of township trustees was passed. A joint resolution was adopted forbidding convicts from working outside of the penitentiary enclosures. The bill to regulate the business of express companies was passed. Several bills of private interest only were passed. The bill supplemental to the drainage act was passed. ’ The bill regulating ths desoent of heirs was psssed. The bill permitting advertising in certain OMM

to b* «r : vm to the paper the party interested may ate«<i • neweg. The bill to amend the school laws wu peeeed. Concerns um Huperiutecdent and ohahgea time of ending of <*cho 4 year to July B.*. The metropolitan police bill relating to cities of inhabitants or over was paaeed by a party vote. A motion to reconsider was debated till 1:15 a. in. March 1, when tbe Senate adjourned. IM the House. An order wae adopted for night sessions hereafter. The specific appropriation bill was disouwed. The Martin claim was disallowed. Two or three other items were stricken out. Hie appropriation of $5,000 to complete the hospital building at the Southern Paniteutary was reduced to SI,BOO. The specific appropriation bill wae passed. Several other bills were passed. Thubsday, March 1. Senate.— The bill for the more profitable and equitable hiring of convict labor was passed. The bill to amend the act ooneering public offenses wae paaaed. The bill to change the course of channels of streams was passed. Bill to} legalise certain corporations were The bill eoneerning the duties of township, county and state officers wae passed. The bill to amend section lof the turnpike road act was passed. The bill to permit the destraction of eld mill dams was paaaed. The bill providing for the taxation of dogs was passed. The bill to require the county Auditor to advertise quarterly, the amount of eohoo* fund remaining unloaned was passed. IN THE HOUKS. Amotion was made to reconsider the vote which passed the general appropriation, the object being, as stated by Mr. Heffreu, to compel an extra session to be convened. A warm political debate followed the motion, and the House finally decided by a party vote to reconsider. The Johnson vs. Overstreet contested election case was made a special order for Friday at 4 p. m. The bill to provide a fund for the permanent endowment of the State University, wae passed. Fniday, March 2. Senate— House bill to provide a fund for the permanent endowment of the State University was passed. It authorises a levy of one-half cent on each SIOO valuation for twelve years. On motion of Mr. Compton to legalise the incorporation of Carbon, Clay county, was passed. The contested election case of Johnson vs. Overstreet was then taken up and debated at length. Mr. Benz stated that he had been offered bribe money to vote for the metropolitan police bill, and asked an investigation. A committee of three was appointed, with power to send for persons and papers. In the Johnston vs. Overstreet contested case, the Senate declared the charges not sustained, and that Mr. Overstreet was entitled to retain his seat. A bill was passed to make the general index of a deed or mortgage prime facie evidence of the record to which it refers when the destruction of the Record by fire or loss of ths original instrument is made to appear. A bill supplemental to act relating to the disposal of estates of persons who have removed to pa-ts unknown was passed. The bill to legalize the Daleville and Bell Center Turnpike company was passed. The specific appropriation bill was taken up and some items rejected by the House were inserted, including the Martin claim for $46,000. IN THE HOUSE. The bill to repeal section 106 of the act increasing taxation was passed. Also, the bill concerning mutual life insurance companies. On motion the joint resolution to pay Mrs. Edwin May SIO,OOO widow of the late architect of the state house was, called np, but failed to pass. The House concurred in the Senate amendments to the bill to provide a permanent endowment fund for the State University. The bill concerning coal mines was passedA bill appropriating SIO,OOO for the erection of a family building and putting in gas mains at the Indiana Reform School was passed. Bills legalizing the acts of the incorporations of certain towns was passed; including,Roachdale, Putnam county and Jasper, Dubois county A resolution was adopted returning thanks to James Gordon Bennett for his liberal donations to the flood sufferers. A bill amending an act providing a treasury system for the State was passed. A bill to amend section 6,876 of the code of 1881, concerning taxation was passed. A bill to amend section 8 of an act concerning drainage was passed. The House concurred in the Senate amendments to the bill concerning deoendent’s estates. A bill to regulate the practice of medicine, midwifery and surgery was passed. A bill concerning the incorporation of towns was passed. BATUEDAY, March 3. Senate,— The act passed Thursday, concerning legal advertising was repealed by a bill introduced for that purpose. The bill concerning the office of township trustee was passed. The House bill of Rep. Moder to amend the section of the revised statutes concerning search warrants was passed. It permits property so seized to be delivered on proper proof to the owner. The Senate refused to ' concur in the amendment of the committee to allow the John Martin claim. The bill providing for toe state house tax levy and an appropriation of $1(0,000 was passed. The specific appropriation bilhafter its various amendments, was passed. Another unsuccessful effort was made to insert the Martin claim. A lively and interesting debate prevailed in the Senate during the evening session. IN THE HOUSE. Several Senate bills were passed, including; A bill supplemental to an act concerning drain, age. A bill to repeal the act concerning legal advertisements passed Thursday. A bill providing for the conversion of toll roads into free roads. A bill defining powers of attorneys. A bill to amend section 86 of the common school law, giving but one six month’s teachers, which shall be a trial license, and extending teachers’ lisense from 24 to 36 months. A bill concerning median cu liens. The bill regulating toe business ’of express companies in the transmission of money was passed. Tne Senate drainage bill was passed. The speaker refused to recognize any member who desired to move the taking up of the conference report of the general appropriation bill. Toward the close es the evening session the ut-

most confusion reigned; hot debate was I and altogether the business transacted was tadferl known to some of the members, who voted SHt | ahanically it seemed without regard to fee and demerits <>f a biU. JOINT CONVENTION. . : ' A joint convention of the two houses was halA| at 8 o'clock to elect a chief of the Bureau es BtaJ | titties. W. A. Peele, Jr. of Johnson county, awdto | tent clerk of the House received 80 totes, and | John B. Conner the present incumbent reteS*. I Mr. Peele was declared elected. .■ . . I HOTEL The Governor announced late Saturday I that no extra session will be called. I Monday Match 8. ■ Senate.— R. M. Johnson the oonu?»>wmt of tMkfl seat of Senator Overstreet waa allowed s6tt) •fwM expenses. , Nearly all the clerks of the Senate were allowSß extra compensation. ■ A message from the Governor was received'yteH toing the metropolitan police bill. The bill wa»H then taken up and passed over the veto. * Rufus Magee, senator from Cass, wae tketel President pro-tern of the Senate. H The Senate received the message and veto byH the Governor of the metropolitan poilee bill Mdß it was passed over the veto and became a law.. A committee of three Senators was aippointedH to report in 1885 a bill abolishing convict laucrS At 1:16 the Senate adjourned sine die. &,(sBB nr THE HOUSE. • ;*.■ The general Appropriation bill waa passed. «.■ The metropolitan police bill was passed eyeiß the Governor’s veto. '-*-* After the passage of several resolutions ttiß House at 3:35 p, m. adjourned without day, toriM thus endeth the Fifty-third General the State of Indiana. Resqaiet en pace. Bfl

IMPORTANT EVENTs.

LEATH OF A. HL. STBFHKKB. I Alexander H. Stephens died Bondin morning at his home in Georgia. ; Hon. Alexander H. Stephens, Govemol of Georgia, was a notable map, and tai filled no inconsiderable space in the Iml tory of the times. He was bom in Wilkel County, Ga., in 1812, graduated at tM university of that State in 1832, taujul school, read law, engaged in the practioß and entered politics. After several in the Georgia Legislature,he was to Congress in 1838, and re-elected tmuously for sixteen years, when he dfl clined further service. He ran as PjmH dential Elector for the State at Large Georgia, on the Douglass and Johnsfl ticket in 1860; was elected to the Sec« sion Convention in Georgia in 1861; cM posed and voted against dinance of Secession in body—but gave it his support it had been passed, against tash judH ment as to its policy; was elected by thH convention to the Confederate CongreS which met at Montgomery, Ala., FefaK ary 4,1861, and was chosen Vice dent under the Provisional GovernmeM by that Congress; was elected Vice PrfH dent of the Confederate States soy term of six years, under what was temH the permanent Government, in 1861; visited th* State of Virginia mission under the Confederate Gov«M ment in April, 1861, upon the of that State; was one of the CHnmir ers on the part of the Confederate QB! ernment at the Hampton) Roads eonßl ence in February, 1865; was the Senate of the United States ip |lß|| by the first Legislature convened isß the new Constitution, made unde<H| Johnson policy, but was not allowedßH take his seat; was elected to the 1B ty-third Congress in 1873; was the Forty-fourth, Forty-fifth, and Forty-seventh Congresses, LdstßH he was elected Governor of Georgia, SB regular Democrat, by a majority of 357 over his Independent DemocraiiqßH ponent Mr. Stephens was a man of ble constitution, and for most of his SB vas a constant sufferer. In spite of BH poor health, his clear and vigorous iS|| lect enabled hi n to keep at the fronß& public affaire. He was a highly iS ' lectrial man, a severe student, close thß|| er and a fine constitutional lawyer. ,BH Stephens’ influence in public affairs ■ always beneficial and elevating. Heß||| a real statesman, and, excepting his neetdon with the Confederacy, a patriot

Indian Experience.

“Indians are like children,” saidßß Kirkpatrick, in recounting his turee to a reporter of the Philadsß Times. “If you gain their •an do what yon please with ttaiH I never made a promise to an Indian* did not keep, and that is why L,HB plenty as friends among the MB like bravery, too, and will not hurt Jl' - who shows no fear when overpov|||| When the Indians get you in a you stand up, bare your breast, an«|l| them to shoot, they will never do jBB have had to do that twice in my so speak from experience; but knew them to kill a prisoner wta <9|| them.” ■

Stir the Soil,

A J. Downing, who was one of th,HH| horticulturiste America has ever kiWiH said; “If I were to preach a eenotflH horticulture I should take for ‘Stir the Soil.’ Frequent and keefiflliS ring will enable one to grow fine vfl||| bles on comparatively poor find sMß?|p manured hoi 1, while without it onelH|||| gam the proper advantage,evcn frdH|||| richestand finest soil/' 'j 388