Saturday Evening Mail, Volume 12, Number 3, Terre Haute, Vigo County, 16 July 1881 — Page 4

THE MAIL

A PAPER FOR THE PEOPLE.

P. S. WESTFALL, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR.

KTBTXCATIOW OOTTTT,

Ko It 8outli 5th «t., Printing Heme Square.

TERRE HAUTE, JULY 16, 1881

DKA TH TO THE ASSASSIN. It is not for vengeance npon the miserable wretch who fired the pistol tbat plunged a nation in horror and grief, that we ask. He may be a fiend or a lunatic, or, more probably, both combined a fiend whose bad heart has made him a lunatic, and, whichever he be, we do not see that there can possibly be a place in the universe in which be is leas needed than on the earth, and had the President died, we would be content to see him awing for his crime without any very particular inquiries into the question of his sanity or insanity. But when we say Death to the Assassin, we rust this miserable wretch out of the account. Neither do we take any stock in the suspicions of a conspiracy, whether of Now York politicians, or Star Route thieves. We do not exonerate these bocause we think their characters place thorn above suspicion, for, without intimating that the leaders of cither of these cltuwcs would themselves directly and intontionally instigate such a crimo, yet Joth, doubtless, have "tools" which would willingly do this business if thoy believed it would cither ploase, or further the interests of, their masters. We give up nil idea of conspiracy, simply because there seoms to be not only an absence of proof that there was one, but almost positive proof that no one but the would-be assassin knew of the deed before it was done.

The real assassin in this case, and the one upon whom we are most desirous that vengeance should fall, is not a man, or a class of men, but a system. It is the cursod system of "spoils" that lias troubled the admiulstration of Mr. Garfield from tho hour of its birth, and has finally culminated in this crimo. This System dictated who should be themembors of tho new Cabinet. All factions in tho .Republican party united in electing Mr. Garlleld, and so, on tho principle that to tho "victors belong tho spoils," all factions must have representatives in tho Cabinot. Wo have no fault to find with tho Cabinet. Perhaps it is as good a one, upon tho whole, as could reasonably bo expected of any System, and ought to havo satisttod nil parties. Hut tho System which dictated it at tho samo timo stirred tip opposition to its own work. Tho Spoils System put lilaine into tho Cabinot and m^do Conkling angry bocause ha was tfiore. This system dictated the division of spoils in New YTrk, attempting to sugar-coat tho bitter pill of Robinson's appointment with a liatch of Conkling appointments. But the patient would not take tho pill, and toenco tho ridiculous and scandalous pro€Ocdings at Washington and Albany. Out of this came tho talk as to what Would be tho resultlf Mr. Garfield should Ale, and if Mr. Arthur should become Prosldent, and this talk it is thought instigated the crack brainod, disappointed office seeker to attempt to make Mr. Arthur President, by killing the pure, patriotic statesman who stood in his way. Not the men, but the System is responsible for tho suggestion and tho execution of this devilish crimo.

Now Is tho time for tho American people to rise in their might and demand dentti to this accursod systoni. It is a nystom which, with every chaago of administration', Hoods Washington with a set of men, hungry for ofllce, among whom are all sorts of ndventurors, many with unbalanced mind, and many more made dwperate by havlug staked all they -:ui scrape together of their own, nnd all they can borrow of friends, upon their success. It is a wonder that more murders have not been committed by this desperate class. It is this System which sends to Washington every year women who, either vrillllngly or In desperation, offer, and often pay, for success a price which ought to be valued higher than life itwolf. it i* this which brings to boar upon men in power, high and low, the strongest temptations of all sorts. It is this which wears out the lives of those in power, sajing nothing of the time and etrength which it takes from the imperative duties of official life. So long as this System prevails, these evils will continue and increase. Now, whatever become* of the one miserable fellow who has played the assassin, it is time forthe American people to take by the throat the fieutl that has instigated this crime, which is only one among a thousand others, and never loosen its grip till the fiend is dead. There Is less danger in leniency to the prisoner, less danger in a free and full pardon to him without xeprntamv or promise of amendment, than in leniency to the *yntem of which he JS l«it ih« cmtturc. it time now for Civil Service Reform to oonw the front. It is time that it nease to lie advocated bv the party out of power rimply for the **ke of making capital against the party in power, and that it lie the imperative demand of the ran* And Hie the party out of power and of the party in power. It is time to banish ••vague and glittering generalities'* on Civil Service Reform ftom political platform*, and put iu the places of thee* more catch-woida something mora (substantial. It is time tbat mere profaMtlou* give place to deeds that platform* be made to stand upon not only while asking tor vntes but while discharging the duties of the oAm to which the vote"* elevate. Then shook)

be a civil service in which the tenure of office, if not for good behavior, is not dependent upon the will of the appointing power, a fixed period of office during which there can be no change except for delinquency in the discharge of official duty. Besides this, we believe that competitive examinations, or some other general method which excludes party applications, should be adopted in making appointments. Anything ia better than the present system. Now that the system has turned murderer, let there be no more sneers at "Sunday School" reforms, but a stalwart, and uncomprppiising demand for death to the demoralizing system, and for a real andi efficient reform.

THKBB is no need of wasting time and breath in telling us that there is no devil. We would like to ask these mod era wiseacres, who know so much and pooh, pooh, the devil out of existence, how they account for all the mistakes which Conkling has made during the last three months. We readily admit his great intellectual ability, but with due regard to this, we declare that it is utterly impossible for any merely hu man being, without aid from some supernatural source, could get up so many and such superb blunders. The fact is, that tho devil has been trying to see how big a fool he could lead a man to make of himself, and his success has been all that he could possibly have desired. How he must have chuckled when he saw Conkling strutting away from Washington under tho impression that he was shaking the "best government on the face of the earth" to the bottommost foundations. What a knowing wink he probably tipped to the sub-dev-ils when he suggested to Roscoe that just the thing fera proud man to do was to take the Vice President and go down to Albany and lobby for a "vindication." And then, who but the devil, after instigating the crack-brained Guiteau to shoot the President, eould have induced Conkling to keep silent while tho entire nation, or rather the entire world, was sending messages of condolence to the White House? If we had seen old Clovenfoot with our own eyes, and beard him say, "Now keep quiet till Arthur is President," we should be no more sure about the origin of Conkling'segregious blunder in keeping still. And Old Nick must have laughed outright, and all the little Nicks stood on their heads kicking up thoir heels, when, to make a bad matter still worse, they saw Conkling, nearly a week after tho attack and when it was probable that the Prosident would live and Arthur remain Vice, writing a letter to tho Attorney-General suggesting a now law against the crime of President killing, nnd asking him to give his love to Mrs. Garlleld and tell her he was so sorry. And Considering the fact that the ExSonator had, by leaving thoSenato, made it Democratic, who but the devil could have suggested to his supporters at Albany to givo, as a reason why they could not support Millor and Lapham, that it might maito the House Democratic. Poor Conkling, the devil has played with him from first to last as a cat plays with a mouse. There must be a devil.

TUB Indianapolis Journal thoughtfully calls attention to the condition of the poor in midsummer, arguing that it is even worso than in the rigors of winter. In narrow, close-bailt streets, cluster small, hot, unventilated houses, say shanties rather, which become veritable stewing pans with tho thermometer in the nineties. Horrible odors come up from alleys and gutters to poison the staguant air. Tho littlo children fall sick with fevers and burn and parch without help from such alleviating agencies as fresh, pure air and cold water. Night is but a suffocating continuation of the horrors of tho day, and the wretched sufferers can only wait and pray for deli veranco by a change in the weather. Might it not be well for some of those benevolent people who pour out thoir money like water forthe endowment of schools and colleges to turn their attention to tho building of better houses for the poor! It may be that more attention paid to the physical necessities of the poor might largely contribute in an indirect way to the work sought to be accomplished by schools and churches. It is worth thinking about whether the mind and heart are not best reached by ministering to the health and comfort of the body.

TICK detailed account of the shooting of the President leaves little room for any belief in the insanity of the assassin. The cold-blooded manner in which he borrowed money for the purchase of a pistol, bought one with a large bore, deliberately practiced with it in order to be sure of his weapon and his aim, followed the President to church on Sunday, hoping for an opportunity to shoot him there, followed Win from place to piacc and at one time won Id have shot bim'tn the depot but for the frail fnhn ofKis invalid wife banking on his arm,— all this constitutes tho *ss*salnaIto|» one of the most diaoolical in the annals of crime. It make* one's blood ran cold to fend it and at the same lime bell with indignation against tbe villainous assassin.

Now tbat the President is getting well the doctors have begun qnamftlng the character and severity of bis wound. So that he gets well it doesn't matter modi but the one thing certain about It ia tbat an ugly ball went into hi* bade at abort range and ia somewhere in his body yet. Doubtless the President in disposed to say In tbe language of another, that even if tbe wound la not aa deep as a well nor aa wide a* a ehurrh door," 'twill serve,"

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SSfitig Xil :iS®SS

TERRS HAUTE SATO fvUAY EVErTliSf xst MAIL.

PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS. One of the practical suggestions in reference to Civil Service ia that tbe laws already in existence be strictly obeyed. The fact ia that much of the trouble has come from taking advantage of the letter of the law to violate its spirit and purpoee. The appointments in the civil service, such as postmasters, collectors, ministers, consuls and revenue officers, are for a definite period, four yean, and they can, daring that period, be removed "for cause." The intention of this provision for removal "for cause" is to prevent a dishonest, or inefficient, or disreputable person from holding on to his office until the end of the term. But this provision has been construed so loosely or broadly as to include political reasons, and so, virtually, to cause all the 100,000 men holding positions in the civil service to be at the meroy of the Executive. If it la thought that putting out one man and putting in another will serve the interests of the party, a request for hia resignation is sent to the incumbent and he steps out and the other man steps in. This leaves all these 100,000 offices continually subject to the will of the President. He can remove when he pleases and appoint when he pleases, and so the 400,000 or 600,000 men who want these 100,600 places are encouraged to work for them whenever there is the slightest possibility that the powers that be ean be persuaded to make a change. Of course this possibility is greatest at the beginning of a new ad ministration, and hence the greatest pressure is brought to bear at that time. But it is, to a greater or less extent, a constant pressure.

Suppose now that the law were strictly obeyed, and no removals were made except "for cause" affecting the efficiency or honor of the service. It is readily seen that the pressure would be at once relieved, and even if all the offices were filled by new men, it would take the entire period of the administration to act complish it as the previous appointments would be expiring at different times, and, then too, when once an appointment was made it would relieve of all trouble about that office during the remainder of the term. It would prevent applications being made if the applicants knew just when the positions for which they seek would be vacant and that a vacancy could not be created sooner. The President, or heads of Departments would be able to dismiss a large part of the ravenous office seekers who dog their steps by saying, "There is no vacancy in the position which you seek and the law forbids making one." Or, if pressure were made, the burden could be thrown upon the office seeker by asking him to show cause why there should be a removal. A good place to begin civil service reform is by obedience laws already existing.

THE Indianapelis Poor House invest! gation has ended in smoke, after a tedious examination, lasting for several weeks and costing the county some $1,500 for attorneys fees and other expenses. By a divided court the ofleers are exonerated from blame, one of the commissioners, however, dissenting from this judgment. The verdict was not unexpected, as the inquiry was virtually a trial of the commissioners them selves aa well as of the officers of the poor farm. Still it is but fair to say that the evidence fell short of proving so much as was expected. Necessarily the witnesses-were of an unreliable character, and the testimony was conflicting. It was not satisfactorily shown that the food furnished was insufficient in quantity or bad in quality. The eharges of cruelty were not sustained, although the methods of punishment were, in some instances, improper. It was shown that littlo care is taken of the insane that the vicious and virtuous, the healthy and tbe diseased, ate crowded together indiscriminately tbat able-bodied persons are retained as county charges in con.sid eratiou of gratuitous services, and that the moral and mental training of the young is almost wholly neglected. The upshot of the whole matter is that it has been shown that a thorough reformation of the poor-house system is impera tively demanded. The managers of the prosecution declare their intention of pursuing the subjeet until the proper corrections are brought about.

Art intimate friend of Oen. Garfield relates that he visited him during the recent severe illness of Mrs. Garfield and on inquiring how she was, was touched by the President's answer: "How little and insignificant did all this business (referring to that pertaining to his office of President) seem! I could not put my mind upon it and as I thought of what might happen, every other consideration sank into nothingness.*' A more beautiful iiluatration of marital devotion and mutual dependence of each upon tbe other is seldom seen than tbat of President Garfield and his wife.

Oy Tuesday evening, Daniel Royse, Clerk of tbe Supreme Court of this State, died very suddenly at his rooms in tbe Grand Hotel, at Indianapolis, from the effects of tbe beat. Mr. Royse was formerly a resident of Lafayette, and was elected Clerk only last Fall. He was fifty years e^d, and leaves a wife, daughter and two sone. He was a brother of ex-Auditor Samuel Royse, of this city, and of John Royse, late Superintendent of tbe schools of this county.

Tint President continues to make slow but sure iwogissa on the road to recovery* JDr. Bttsn said yesterday "He ia improving right along. If it weie not tbdmai onfoixaeeu and unexpected aesldent might arise, I would say officially and positively tbat tbe President is o«t of danger."

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CO UNTR TWARDS.

Notwithstanding the discouragements which zealous editors put in the way of Summer travel and the repeated assertion that that "there's no place like home," in the dog days, the fact remains that more people pour themselves into the woods and country, into the mountains and by the lakesides, with each passing year. More and more is the value of outdoor life in summer, both for children and adults, appreciated by our people. It has come to be looked

1

at less in the light of a luxury than of a neoessity. Cheap and accessible resorts are rapidly multiplying on every hand. The railroads and steamboats reduce their fares and run excursion boats and trains, while excellent board can be obtained in farm houses and elsewhere at moderate prices. This development of country resorts gives opportunities for all classes of our people. It is not, as formerly, the rich alone who are able to sustain the expense of an exodus to the seaside. The fashionable and high-toned "watering places" still remain, where the rich and aristocratic can go and pay enormous bills and spend the days in rivalry of dress, but there are also places for the accommodation of those of limited means and these facilities are increasing in proportion to the demand for them.

Tbat this annual outpouring from the towns and cities is beneficial, not only to tbe body, but to the mind, cannot be doubted. For the man and woman* it means rest, recuperation and a renewed acquaintance with Nature. For the children it means unbounded pleasure in roaming through woods and fields, by water brinks, in orchards and meadows—a glorious release from the narrow bounds and artificial restraints of city life. Give them freedom and there will be days of adventure and novel experiences never to be forgotten in after life —•wettings, duckings, narrow escapes from no great dangers, which will be remembered with pleasure underneath a crown of gray hairs. To the young especially this acquaintance with Nature is blessed and invaluable. It has been said that nearly all the men who have attained great distinction in business or professional life, were bred in tbe country or spent more or less time there in their youth. Their minds were widened in scope as their bodies were increased in vigor by meeting Nature face to face and growing intimate with her grand moods and phases.

Nor is it necessary to go far away to find places of pleasant and profitable resort. They are all around us. Each season discloses new ones. We of the West do not have to go to Long Branch or Newport. All through the northern lake region are thousands of cool, refreshing, beautiful spots, where clear waters, lovely scenery and a pure, invigorating atmosphere combine to produce all that the summer tourist needs for recreation and pleasure.' Indeed nearer home even than tbat, delightful places can bo found. Throughout the northern portion of our own State are many beautiful small lakes surrounded by bluffe, groves and pleasant scenery which are rapidly growing in popularity, and are coming to be frequented by larger numbers of our people every year. It is a good sign, and we trust that this disposition of our urban population to pour into the country will continue to grow.

THE first issue of the Indianapolis Times, Col. Holloway's new morning paper, reached us yesterday. It has the defects of new mechanism, but bears upon its face all the traits of a real newspaper. There is a growing demand for this class of small and cboap newspapers, wherein the news Is boiled down to the smallest space, and the Times is a model of its kind. Col. Holloway, the proprietor and managing editor has securcd a strong editorial staff, consisting of Charles M. Walker, as editorial Tjflriter John E. Vought, night editor Joseph Cobb, city editor Will Rooker and J. V. Cook, reporters. The announcement is made that it starts out with a larger circulation and advertising patroaage than any paper ever started in this State.

Gov. PORTER has appointed Major W.Gordon Clerk of the Supreme Court, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Mr. Royse, from sunstroke. Major Gordon is one of the oldest and best known lawyers in the State, and his appointment is in every way an appropriate one. A pretty coincidence in tbe case is the fact tbat in 1852 he was a candidate for Reporter of the Supreme Courst against Mr. Porter, who received the nomination. Mr. Porter has now had the opportunity to make amends and has done so handsomely. Tbe office ia said to be worth from $10,000 to $12,000 a year.

IT is a gratifying sign of the times to learn of the feeling among Tail road men in regard to the running of trains on Sunday. As has been mentioned, the managers of the several roads running out of this dtj are opposed to tbe run ning of Sunday excursion trains. Hie latent to join tbe movement is tbe New York, Pennsylvania and Ohio, which will hereafter ran no excursion or other trains on Sunday, except such through passenger and freight trains as may be necessary to carry passengers and live stock, which may have started from a terminus before that day.

FOR tbe information of those who read tbe bulletins as to tbe President's con* dition, we will aay tbat the average pulse beat of a healthy male, per minute, are: When standing, 81 sitting 71 lying 6ft. In a healthy adult man, whose poise is from 65 to 70, the respiration Is from 14 to 18 per minute. The normal temperature of tbe human body, in a state of health, is 96*5 F.

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GUITKAU stands a good chance of taking another shot at the President before another Fourth- of July comes around. He will probably be acquitted on the ground of insanity by testimony of "experts," and sent to an insane asylum. Then on the testimony of these same experts he will be released. So far as his own feelings are concerned, about the worst punishment that could be inflicted on him would be to send him to an insane asylum, if there was a certainty of his being kept there. In his idiotic conceit, he would fancy himself a martyr if hanged or sent to prison. But in a plain mad house, with straight jacket accompaniments, he will find nothing majestic or glorious.

WHJSTHBR tbe ball entered President Garfield's liver or not, it is certain that he has been a very sick man. Ten days after his wound was received he continued so weak that the only physical effort he was capable of was to move his legs a little and talk. He has suffered much pain and has required almost the eonstant use of opiates to make him rest and sleep. The outside world has hardly known his true condition and the amount of weariness and pain he has undergone.

WHILE the people of Indianapolis have been soundly berating their county commissioners for not maintaining a better poor house, and a long and expensive investigation of alleged cruelty and mismanagement has just oome to a close, the commissioners of Vanderburg county have decided to build anew poor house, but are warned by the Evansville Journal that they are making a serious mistake. The poor-house question seems to be rather a difficult one to deal with.

THE Central Christian Advocate notes it as a fact that certain preachers are* kicking because ministers from other circuits come into their congregations and perform the marriage service for members of their flocks. The kickers contend that if there are any marriage fees floating around they ought to have them. The Legislatures should at onoe pass laws to prevent such clerical poaching. ___________

BY dismissing a hundred clerks, and cutting down the salaries of others, Col. Dudley, Commissioner of Pensions, has succeeded in bringing the expenditures of his department within the appropriation. It is thus seen that the Colonel has not been able to help his friends as yet, but he hopes to get an increased appropriation when Congress meets, and then he will be in better shape.

THE appliances for cooling the President's room have finally proven entirely successful, and the temperature can be kept as low as is desirable. The work is accomplished by forcing air into the room through pipes submerged In a solution which renders the air cold. While the thermometer outside registers 100 degrees, the temperature within is maintained at 65.

THE appalling heat of the past ten days has boen very general throughout the country, and has been attended with unusual fatality. Prostrations caused by the heat have been numerous, and many of them fatal. It has been a dreadful pull to get through it.

THE testimonial fund for Mrs. Garfield has reached upwards of $145,000, and Mr. Field, the originator of it, is confident of raising the whole of tho $250,000. It will be interesting to see what Mrs. Garfield will do with tho money.

WHILE tho doctors disagree, (as doctors will,) about the nature of the President's wound, it is comforting to know thatfjthey all approve the treatment as being eminently judicious. This is the most important point of all.

IT is safe to assume that the President will have some magnificent doctors' bills to pay when he gets well of his wound. His own illness and tbat of his wife will cut deep into the first year's Presidential salary.

IT is high time the pistol was legislated out of existence. It is almost wholly useless and is altogether a vicious nuisance. It has killed more friends than enemies and more honest people than thieves.

TUB President ate a sandwich and drank a small glass of wine on Thursday, the first solid food be has been permitted to taste sinae his wound wss received. It refreshed him very much and he fell asleep.

WE should like to be told tbe secret of Vennor's weather prophecies. He discounts "Old Probs" by telling us how the westber is going to be a month or more ahead. Is it guessing or science, which?

THE Indianapolis Journal has gracefully swung round to tbe administration tanks. What did it—tbe shooting of the President or the establishment of tbe Times

MRS. GARFI*LD is grand, noble woman, but, kind friends, isn't there just a littie too much newspaper gush 1lm)»

KAY* Sjjjfk

snout ner

FIRK insurance companies, organized under tbe laws of Illinois, are permitted to Insure against loss by tornadoes.

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It HARD MAN TO KILL. N.Y.HC&KT. One fact la to be derived from this ice that Is above all -this Is tbe sverkge vitality of tbe full grown vigorous man ef this conntiy. Garfield has brilliantly shown thai tbe President of tbe United States ia a great type of the American people—In this, at least, tbat be is a hard man to kill.

l*!,*l{yi"JBp^i^M.^M!.iPm'f«'^«||i

A SENSIBLE LAW OFFICER. X' New York Herald. Mr. George B. Corkhill, United States Attorney, was asked: "When do you propose giving Guiteau a preliminary hearing?" "When we get ready." "Is he not entitled to this hearing within a certain period of time?" "No he is entitled to nothing."

COL. A. WOOD MERRYWEATHER, whom everybody in Scrantou, Pa., knows, writes and says: "I had long suffered from a derangement of the bladder and kidneys it had made my feneral health very poorly. I was also roubled with severe indigestion pills gave me only temporary relief, and 1 expsrieaced great anxiety of mind, as well as physical distress. A friend recommended Brown's Iron Bitters. I have used it with most gratifying results, and just now my health never was better, and feel that the cure is permanent."

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