Rensselaer Republican, Volume 25, Number 32, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 April 1893 — TOPICS OF THESE TIMES. [ARTICLE]

TOPICS OF THESE TIMES.

Tira LINCOLN MONUMENT. Nearly tv.\jntv-bi<jht years have .passed away since the gEeat emancipatcr fell a victim to the bullet of an assassin, and yet already the notable monument which was erected ~m-~his honor at Springfield, 111., a few years after, is said to be in a ruinous condition and fast crumbling to dust anvl oblivion. The work was never properjv completed, and. it has been defaced by time and accident, and vet it seems absurd that a tomb and a shaft that should have endured a thousand years has in less than a quarter of a century become an object of solicitude to many friends of the martyred President who knew him in life,as well as to all American citizens who honor his memory. Such a state of affairs can only have resulted from the most inexcusable carelessness on the part, of those who accepted the mbnument from the contractors and from downright dishonesty and fraud by the contractors and mechanics who had thfl Work in charge. The present-

situation is a disgrace to the American people. That a Work of art that was to perpetuate the fame of one of the greatest characters in all history to future generations should prove to be of such a flimsy character that it has fallen to pieces in a little over two decades would be laughable were it not connected with a subject of such solemn importance. It would be ridiculous were it not disgraceful. It has been in a deplorable ' condition for years. It is estimated that not. less than $150,000 will be needed to perfect and protect the work already done, and an effort is being made to raise themoney by popular subscription. The State authorities of Illinois have offered to put the monument in proper order if the property were turned over to the State, but the association who has it in charge has refused to accept State aid with this condition. The present state of affairs is a rej proaeh to the people of Illinois and to the association. The commonwealth is amply able and has proved itself willing to remove the stigma of a neglected tomb for her most illustrious citizen, and the association should willingly give into more competent hands the charge which time has proved them to be wholly unable to properly care for. THE NEZ PERCE RESERVATION. For fifty years the government lias bceufiegotiating with the Nez Perce Indian chiefs for the purchase of the lands reserved to them by previous treaties. But the shrewd,, red men have baffled the crafty whites - and continued to drink whisky on their own domain in spite of missionaries, boomers or government agents. The lands in question at this time are in- Idaho, and last year the government commissioners offered them at first $2.50 per acre, and finally $3 for the cession of the tract of about 1,000,000 acres of fertile soil. The chiefs were obstinate, and at the close of Februai’y the commissioners sent word to Washington that it was impossible to conclude -a treaty with the Nez Perce’s. But if later reports prove true, it would seem that the chiefs have at last determined to accept the government’s tempting offer, and stand ready to sell the unallotted lands of their reservation. There are probably 3,000 es the Nez Perce Indians and their reservation, which lies in the south-eastern part of Idaho, near Snake river, contains 1,334,000 acres. The allotted portions are not to be sold, and it is estimated that the lands they have concluded to part with to the government at the price last offered will reach about 1,000,000 acres. The Nez Perce’s are rich in cattle and horses already, and after the terms of this last treaty are carried out they will have an abundance of reedy capital as well. The opening of tho reservation will be a great event for the State of Idaho, but the penniless boomer will not be in it, as settlers will "be obliged to pay at least $3.25 per acre for their farms.

THE TABLES TURNED. i The American Mohammedan, Mr. Alexander. Russell Webb, who has been sent to this country as a missionary by wealthy Mohammedans, arrived at New York a few days ago. Mr. Webb is a native of New York. By trade a jeweler, he finally in 1887 was sent as American consul to Manila, where he was coverted to Koranic doctrines, and subsequently went to India to study the faith which he had espoused. He became an enthusiastic devotee, and succeeded in convincing zealous Mohammedans. that America was a promising missionary field for spreading the religion of the Prophet, and they have supplied the means for establishing an active

propaganda at the great metropolis. Mr. Webb wiU at once start a weekly p3per in the interest of his adopted religion, and. later a pub--1 ishing house ’will’be established for the publication of the Koran, and the writings of the great Mohammedan teachers. Mr. Webb declares that Mohammedanism is “far superior to Christianity,” and the Koran “very much better than the Bible.” k

The probabilty seems to be .that Utah will be admitted to Statehood as a part of Nevada by the Congress whose legal existence began on the 4th of March. Both Republicans and Democrats are said to favor this plan, and unanimous action is looked for when the matter comes up for settlement. Utah would be the big end of the combibut whether the enlarged State of Nevada would be known as Utah or retain its present designation has not of course been determined. At any rate it seems to be the only effectual plan to dispose of the travesty of State government that continues to wield as much influence in the United States Senate with its few thousand of inhabitants as does the Empire State with its millions. The constitution never contemplated that any State should be the property of one or two men, as Nevada practically is to day, and it is to be hoped that some method of relief can be devised, even if the hopes of some enterprising western statesmen who aspire to a seat in the upper House are blasted by its consummation.

Gen. Francisco Benavides, the Mexican rebel captured in Texas in January, and whose extradition was asked for by the Mexican Government, has been found guilty. If the decree issued by United States Commissioner Price receives the approval of the President, Benavides will be turned over to the Mexican Government for punishment. The principal charge upon which this fugitive has substantially been convicted is that he was in command of the rebel force which perpetrated the crime known as “the massacre of San Ignacio,” in December, by which the commander and several of his soldiers were burned to Qeath. Twenty witnesses from Mexico gave their testimony before the commissioner at San Antonio, and the fact that Benavides was in command at San Ignacio was clearly established. There seems little doubt that he gave orders for firing the barracks and personally directed the massacre, even to the killing of those who escaped from the flames. The case from a legal standpoint presents many technicalities, and while the criminal is doubtless guilty, as charged, he may escape extradition on some of the points that will be raised to save him. Should he be returned to Mexico, as essential justice seems to require that he should be, he will be hanged as a common criminal. Should he escape extradition he will be tried on the charge of violating our neutrality laws in a Federal court, an indictment having already been returned against him by a United States.grand jury.