Saturday Evening Mail, Volume 13, Number 11, Terre Haute, Vigo County, 9 September 1882 — Page 1

Vol. 13.—No.

Town Talk.

COXMSITCJSO HOSTCWUITIES. While the old partly have been dilltory In commencing campaign operations, the temperance folks bave been actively oagaged, and have opened tbe ball with a youthful vigor which promises to make it inter«sting to tbe opponents off prohibitis*!. Heretofore the tempcrance party has fought its way In politic* unaided and alone In this State, never#vent having attained the present proportlonsof tbegreat-greooback-labor-reftirm anil monopoly -antl-National-foank-and-anythlng- for-power party.

But matters have changed materially in two yearn, and the handful rf tem permite advocates are going to make their power felt in the election iwxt November. They nre drawing to the support of their banner men of all political creeds. They have been at work Sn this -city a week, and have presented good speaker* each day and evening, closing thin afternoon with a vice-presidential •candidate of the memorable campaign of 187*2. The salooji men are not so jubilant us they wore a few weoks ago. They begin to *eo the handwriting on the wall, a* it wero, and recognize the fact that in politics a whisky organization cannot bj a-brilliant success. The socalled State convention of liquor dealers has not panned out as its prime mover* intended and expected it would. Before its proceedings were week old it was sat down upon by a higher and hotter organization in tho same line of business, and so considerate have many of them become, that talk is heard of a request from them that the authorities proceed to enforce tho law regardless of consequence* or personal feeling in tho mattor. Evon the usually ponderous body, commonly known an the common council, has movod itself at last to order the police force to enforce tho State law. AM the only Stute law violated under tho vision of the policed the liquor law, it is to bo presumed that the resolution was aimed at. it. What is tho cause of tho netting of the current in the direction of reform in tho liquor laws? Doesitariso from an earnest desire on the part of those who violate It to comply with it* terms, or is It merely a device to attract attention In some othor direction until the present uncomfortable breeze blows

CorUinlythe latter, awl aiwlong

AS the present agitation continues tho weaker will their cause become. Such a canvass all over tho tho State as has leou going on here for a week will cause sober thought on the temperance question, ami in that ovent tho whisky league are bound to be the losers. Men have attended the meetings this week who were no\ er known to do so before, and they are evidently taking an interest in the nt. One thing seems now quite certain, thai if candidates for legislative honor* will pledge themselves in opposition to prohibition tho Republicans will sr..rea vi. lory of no mean porportions in Indiana this fall. rm: .101XT DIM CSSION.

T. T. h:i* learned with pleasure that Mr. l«amb Ims at last succeeded in hunting down hi* Republican opponent and compiling him to complete arrangements for thai much talked of joint debate on the great |Klittoil issues of the day. Mi IViice was a hard man to find. He went away tn Mienigan after the clo^e of the late session of Congress, under the plea that he required rest, instead of remaining at home and at once going on with the war.. It is true the session of Congress was long anil labor! on*, but still Mr. Peine should have remained at home from its termination and allowed hit Democratic opponent to pummel him in the most approved Democratic fashion. And then, again, he had the impudence to consider a challenge from the Green I wick candidate, and had that gentlomau present when the time came to make the arrangements to see what Mr. Lamb thought of It. Hut the cheekiest portion of the entire ^proceeding was the spectacle of Mr. l'eiree actually trying to gain advantage -over his opponent as to the number of meet lugs, time, place and order of proc«wdur«, and he really gained his point, too. He should not try sueh tricks on his youthful opponent, and if be persists in •uch conduct he will create the imprest#»i«n that he really wishes to lie elccted. Politicians are not usually tricky, aud in lance* an' rare—wry rare, indeed, •whfte one would take an advantage of another—unless the opportunity pre-MMlU-1 i5*elf. rm \\iti',*ou'RT.

After a long vacation, the mayor's court fafl* onee tn »re resumed operations, and hereafter r\ll violations of the State law with whirh the blue coats luivo to ileal, wlR I* adjudicated there. This will not be looked upon with favor by the bummer element that has heretofore tasteel the sweets of jnaihv as adminis­

tered

by Mayor Lync. His d«»scs have always been oonskleml ralher large, and his treatment of the heroic order. He generally put the figure at the highest notch, doubtless in the hop# of reducing his business by deterring evil d«er* from a repetition of their o/f^nse*. lie haa Introduced serernl ianomeilons

Tbe Imeniber* of the police

force who appear as witnesses claim no fees, thereby silencing the cry that they make eases and swear in proportion to the size of the fee. Where witness fees are not claimed they are not taxed against the offender, and any fees to which the mayor is entitled, are turned into the city treasury for city purposes. The only individuals iwbo derive any benefit from the fines are the prosecuting attorney, tbe city marshal, and tbe offender who is releaved from paying witness fees to the police. The persons who reap a disadvantage from the revial of tbe old order of things are the magistrates, who will now have to rely on the work of their constables and, at odd times, changes of venue, in state cases.

COMINU ATTRACTIONS.

The city will be full of attractions next week. First and greatest will be the National convention of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen, which will bring here nearly a thousand delegetes, from all portions of tW States and Territories and the Canadas. The most prondnent gentlemen in the State will be in attendance and deliver addresses on the opening day and in response to toasts at the great banquet. Of course there will be a great time, and the citizens will do all in their power to impress tbe visitors favorably with the appearauce and importance of the beautiful Prairie €ity. The fair blows in next week. The premiums are to be paid in full, aro libera^ in their proportions and will doubtless draw large crowds. Tbe crops have been unusually fine this year In every respect, and have been gathered successfully, so that the farmers can come in next week and make of the fair a sort of harvest home. The Occidental Club is also to have a week of amusements, and its members are of those who believe iaowjoylng life. They aro bound to have agood time, and anything which they present to the public asking a support can be relied upon as a Simon pure article and no mistake. T. T. pities the poor reporters next week. They will have a hard time of it, and, lot them do the work ever .so well, will probably receive more curses than blessings.

TJIK KICKERS.

The kick in tho Democratic camp which succeeded the Sullivan convention, seems to have subsided, and there Is a fair prospect that the late bolters will follow.Uio tradi tiona«of,their party and vote the tioket straight on election day. Of course this is very satisfactory to tho straight out, dyed-in-the-wool Democracy, who know no religion but tho straight ticket, but how is it with tho others? Immediately after tho Sullivan racket, a (meeting was held in this eity to effect an organization for the defeat of tho nomineo. It was said at the timo that tho meeting was largely attended by influential citizens. Com mittees were appointed, and adelegation wont down to SuMivan to examine the lay of tho land. Tho Jefferson club was organized, and its members signed a declaration to vote against the Democratic candidate for Circuit judge. Elated by the prospect of elocting a man in a district of twelve hundred majority against them, the Republicans have put forward a candidate Tor the judgeship, and for and in consideration of the vote of the Jefferson club for their candidate, have agreed to throw tho Republican vote for the Democratic candidate for prosecutor. It is a very neat arrangement, provided the Jeflersonians hold up their end of it, but should they weaken it would lie a sort of April fool joke played in November. The regu lars seem very woll satisfied with the situation. They look upon the serenity which pervades the political atmosphere as an indication of success. They say that in the heat of passion the bolters said many things and made numerous resolves, which subsequent investigation refused to sustain, and that they are now prepared to fall Into line and act as obedient children. The buffetings they have been receiving indicate this. They have been characterised as the animal best known by the length of Its ears, and have taken it In meekness and humility. They seem to be in favor of peace and reconciliation. If they are not, how comes it that they refuse to define their position? Thus far they have given no reasons tor tbe bolt. Probably they think they can work more effectually on the still-hunt plan. There are rumors of a loud explosion In the shape of a vigorous kick back in the immediate sweet hereafter. Probably so. would be aomewbat of a variety lu a campaign which thus far haa beeu noted only for its monotonous quietude.

AN OVERSIGHT.

On the programmes, poster* and advertisements of the coming soldiers' reunion In this city, the name of General Cbrnsthan does not appear. In scattering the invitations his name must have been overlooked. Heretofore be has been a prominent figure in all such gatherings in the Slate, at which his name has been as familiar as household words, and at which his presence and assUtatK* have generally been considered elements of success. He is the Adjourn General of the Stale, and Department Commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, two very important

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positions, either of which should make him a drawing card at such gathering. There area few spiteful ones who say that he has been neglected because of his action in the late Peirce squabble in this locality, Jbut such certainly cannot be the case. When the facts become known it will probably be found that he was invited, but was compelled to decline on account of the pressing duties which he has to perform in the important, positions which he occupies.

Our Breakfast Table.

The busy postman had already niade his round, and various enclosures adorned the table.

Miss Laura divided her attention between a criss-crossed note in the manly

She nodded an emphatic assent. "Oh, that Is awful! No^OTy bfft grown-up young ladies chew wax in Terre Haute." Dear me, Nella, just think of chewing a cud like a oftw "Guess I haven't two stomachs cow," was the reply, quick as a flash, .r

Laura screamed behind her nap&in and the Professor mixed a laugh and muffin, nearly strangling himself.

The jttajor put on his glasses and examined tbe midget, who was guietly

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Mrs. Welby, put a pin in that dot. she flesh and blood "My 'pinion is, I am," said Nella 'Spect I am dif'rent from the girls you know. Mamma said yes'r'day: never saw a girl like you in all my born days/ when I was walking tight-rope on tho picket fence."

Jack inquired: "Nella, what wasthat you said about your Uncle Ed when the lady cut him?" "Said he walked off on his ear," she briefly replied "That's mean, Jack! It's just such harum-scarum folks as you that teach children slang! Her mother won't let her come here any more," said Laura indignantly. "Do you go to school, Nella?" asked the Professor, professionally. "No, sir but I know lots. I know Mother Goose, and lots of poetry!"

Mrs. Welby remarked: "I shouldn like to send such a child to your school Professor." "Indeed! Why not?" "I don't think it would be well to put her in a class with fifty others, to get just one-fiftieth of the teacher's attention, and just the same discipline as a child less impressionable and receptive." "Do you think we should treat one child better than another, or give one more chances than another? "That's not the point at all. I do mean that different natures should be treated differently, and it is one objection I have to large public schools, that with uniform system no distinctions can be made. lam not finding fault. I know you cannot help it."

Well, how can it be helped Only by having more schools private schools, you can call them."' "They have been tried often enough hereto show their inferiority," said tbe Professor, with some heat.

Not at all, my dear sir," replied the lady, coolly. "Tbe town has been too small. All large cities bave numbers of special schools. When we are more of city we will have them, too. What are all our teachers of music, painting and art-work but private school-teachers, in a certain sense. Are they failures?"

Mrs. Comfort spoke up: "Mrs. Welby, yon must have read my letter through Its seal, what you say conies so opportune. My Inseparable friend in youthfnl days writes to me about coming North. Yon know how »be has seen her better and worse days, and has been teaching in the South. Hefc is what she says: •THB MAOXOUAS, etc., AlabamaDear LouiseI know my screeds are too fitfully regular to surprise you by their coming or not coming, yet I am sure my dear old dwMrt» will not exact much from one so busy as I arav and of whoae love she Is »o confident. In these middle-aged psars my thoughts

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TERRE HAUTE, IND., SATURDAY JVENING. SEPTEMBER 9, 1882.

hand taught in modern boardingschools, and a little visitor at her side. jnfly open afield for my particular voca-

This same visitor, come to spend a longj] long, nice day with her adored Laura, if somewhat remarkable—though not, as Jack puts it, an "on-fong terrible." She is a kind of an exaggerated cherry—her cheeks are cherries, and her funny little^ nose is another cherry. She is five yeai old, as time goes, but more, otherwise. "Hello!" exclaimed Derby, looking

hack more often beyond the

troubled score of yeanrto the happy, days when you and I shocked or :fd by turns the gentle Sisterhood of Georgetowh school, and to all the finny tricks of my mischievous, blackeyed, rompi?g friend. You wouldn't read the "Bays of Bruce" by matchlight, while the box lasted, nowadays, or lunch at midnight on cold, fried, smuggled chicken, would you.' (Jack murmured that he had long suspected dark deeds in Mrs. Cs. history.) "But this is between us for what would ray girls think of the staid Madame if they knew 1 shall close thin quiet little school soon. My girls exclaim I am driving them from home, and more such nonsense. But Lou and 1 must go North, where there is more frost and less sun—for so Dr. orders—to some quiet little city that

U«|n of winning and helpiug wild, wingeftne, troublesome girls and where I (tan make a home with what tbe lease or of the Magnolias may yield. ,, ,.... signed, Margaret Wharton.'" "Oh, tell her to come here!" exclaimed lAura. "Tell her to go clear around Terre jdaute," said the Major.

upfrom a circular "Who have wehere1| uffji her that lean show her a nice |j£tle property, one-halt cash, and-the balance in one and two years," added

Who is this little lady She answered for herself: "My nafflci is Nolla, and ray papa's name Is Bob/' "Why, Nella! I am shocked! tbe idea!" "Mamma calls him Bob, and I guess know him just as much as she does. Why, I've known nim for years, and his name is Bob J" And then in a very faint whisper: "Please, Miss Laura, may I have one of those peaches by thajfe funny big boy looking shyly at Jack "You can have two, for that." "No," said Jack "Not If you chevr wax. Do you

Derby. "Tell her those wild, troublesome girls are .thick as hops here," said Jack "She is perfectly able to t&ke c$re of herself, and is a very independent little body," i*aid Mrs. Comfort. A "She will get along here, then,,ysaid Derby. "If she floesn't need help, she will get more than she wants. If she were timid and supplicating, some ener getic matron might patronize her till the nove}ty was gone and then drop her." "1*6 danger of that. Her way Would be to establish a pretty home, and then fill it with children. She.would not make herself cheap, for she is too proud not repellant, for she Is too refined." "You say you have seen her work, itifrd the Major. '"Yes, I have seen her with her flock around her studying, whisht as mice, or tamping around *her as if she were an .other girl or a dozen of them in the kitchen with aprons and tucked-up sleeves, having a lark, as she showed fh&t^^fi»-hoesewifs% art. She and her daughter Lou sent off graduated tbat could cook* or sew, as well as parse or paint." "I suppose you think," observed the Professor, "that some such work-and play school Is needed here." "Of course we do," retorted Mrs. Wei by. "If some parents think their chil dren would do better in a quiet school select and limited in numbers, and are willing to pa3T for it, why not let them? "I should think private schools could not equal any public schools, with their perfect system and professional teach ers,"said McEwan. "Professional becomes mechanical, and tbe system is too rigid for some cases," was the reply. "Teaching is not quito so much of a profession as you think," said the Pro fessor. "By professional work we mean one that has been specially prepared for and is to be the lifelong pursuit. Now in Indiana, of 13,000 teachers in the pub lie schools, about five per cent, are Normal students, and the average length of service is three years." "That may be so here we have not had Normal schools long." "It is not so different elsewhere, know in New York the percentage is not much larger,and, strange to say, the great majority of its Normal students do not teach. So I must admit that teachers outside of our city schools may be just as professional as those who are In." "What would bo the advantages of a private school over the public Institution," asked Derby. "1 admit some," replied the Professor. "Of course to educate the youth of the State, and give them a good, common school education, nothing can take tbe place of what we have. The work is too vast to be accomplished otherwise, and our methods improve with experience, but I think that small select schools would be an advantage to such precocious children as our little friend here, to some of the very soft, shy little ones wo know, to others with particular faults or particular aptitude for certain things, or to queer little souls that are bard to understand or to win, except by long study and patience. If you were sr.re of your teacher, nothing conld be better than to place a chilcl for several years under tbe care of a fine woman, who taught as in tbe old dames' school, 'spelling and manners.' But such chances would be rare." "Well, let us wait and see," said Mrs. Comfort. "If my friend comes here, you will see a model school -one where children will do what she wishes, just because she wishes it who will teach them how to read and what to read bow to make their clothes and how to wear them bow to work, or bow to play tbe lady." "'Why, she will bave her bands foil," said Jack. "No, she is foil of business and knows how to get work done that she hasn't time for—but we will bear more of her anon."

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A Woman's Opinions.

ANONYMOUS WRITING

Has been carried to extremes In Terre Haute, commencing with Town Talk Susan Perkins, Our Breakfast Table and From His Window, in the Mail, down through the list of Citizen, Tax Payer,r X. Y. Z. and various other pseudonyms in all our city papers. We take up the morning or evening sheet with apprehensiou and if we find no criticism upon ourselves or our friends, we lay it down with relie—for disappointment. It needs no bravery to make a newspaper attack over [an annoymous signature, but only that spccies of valor which slips up behind a man aud silently stabs him in the back, or, meeting him In the dark, strikes him unawares, or if he who is large and strong should assail one who is small and weak. We feel tho blows of uu unseen foe, wo strike back against the empt3* air.

Yet it requires a vast amount of moral courage to boldly sign one's name. Many articles would lose their weight if the authorship were known others, of a gossipy nature, owe their interest and piquancy totheir mysterious origin. Then again, there aro many subjects one would like to write upon, but is prevented by reason of friendship, family ties, personal obligations, etc. If you condemn any of the evils of the day, there are always at hand, some of those disagreeable'people with memories whowill call to mind that your father's great grandmother, or your mother's cousin's husband were guilty of tho same follies you are now. criticising. Whilo other kind friends will whisper "egotism," "horrid taste" or ''desire for notoriety." Every opinion you express is supposed to be the result of yqgr own ^jiperience. For these and many other reasons It is embarrassing and inconvenient to write over one's real signature, but such a course has at lea9t one ^merit, that of honest indepeu(V"'-.

rtJBLIC SCHOOL BOOKS.

During the past week tins subject has been discussed in almost every family in the city. The crowd of children Hocking to the bookstores on last Monday were, in themselves, a study, but there was suggested a deeper question which demands the attention and investigation of every parent. This matter of school books has become of jreat magnitude, and Is hot confined to any locality or class of people. It was actually pitiful to see poorly clad men and women,bearing every indication of poverty, take out their thin pocket books with a sigh and lay down enough money to support their families for several days, in order that their children might carry home a little armful of books and not bo do prived of an education. There they wore, sickly looking fathers with several children, pale widdws, humble colored people, barefooted boys and girls, each waiting his turn. There is 110 choice in this matter of buyiug books. Parents are perfectly helpless. On the first day of school each child is given a printed list of the necessary books, and until these are procured ho cannot enter school. If tbe families aro actually so poor they cannot buy them then the School Board will furnish tbe books, but most fathers feel a pardonable pride in not wishing their children pointed out as objects of charity. The cost of the books lor the first eight years is §15. To take the High School course an outlay of f35 is required for books alone. This, in connection with the other unavoidable expenses, makes it quite difficult for parents to educate a family, even with tuition free. Every year the complaint grows louder, first in regard to the number of books, socond the frequent changes made, and third, the exorbitant prices, and tbe cry goes up Who is re sponsible for this, and what can wo do in the matter Everybody connected with the schools is indiscriminately blamed. Let us examine this subject systematically. Frst, could the number of books be diminished? In the first eight years of the ward schools there are in use 2 Arithmetics, 2 Geographies, 1 Grammar, 1 Speller, 1 History, 5 Readers, 4 Music Books, 5 Drawing Books and 10 Copy Books. There could be very little change made here. Tbe drawing might perhaps be omitted, the'total cost of whicb for the eight years is $1.40, besides lead pencils. The copybooks might and should be condensed, but it is impossible to get a condensed serie* from any publishing housein the United States- Pupils studying German in the ward schools bave an additional expense of about 1.00 for tbe right years.

Tbe High School course of study is both extensive and expensive, requiring about twenty-five books, at a cost of nearly $35—but this is the course In every High school in the country. It is optional with every parent bow long bis child shall remain in tbe High school and what studies be shall pursue. If be only chooses to attend one or two years, be am select just what studies he wisbea to take and omit all the rest. Thus it seems that after all there is not very much cause for complaint as to the number of books required.

Next, in regard to the frequent changc*

Thirteenth Year

made in the text books. One would* suppose, from the grumbling and faultfinding, there vras an en tiro change of text books every few years. Let us examine the facts.

The same Speller has been in use' twenty-one years: the same Arithmetic, eleven years the same Musiceleven years the same Grammar, five yoars the same geography, four years. In 1S79 a change was made in Readers, substituting a cheaper edition of five books, instead of the old edition of seven books, which had been in use six years..

In 1SS0 there was not a siugle change made, aud last year only one—a new History. Tho old History bad been in use eleven years, aud extended only to the assassination of Lincoln.

In the High school the same Rhetoric and Trigonometry have U(«n in use ft* thirty years tho same Political Economy, Logic, Physical Geography, and Botany, for twenty y^ars tho same Analysis, Constitution, and English Literature, for fourteen years the same Bookkeeping and Chemistry, for eleven years. In the Sciences there are constant discoveries and improvements and occasional changes are necessary to keep up with the times, but even here the same text books have been in use four yearswith no prospect of different ones. Thero has been only ono change made this year aud that was iu Physiology and tho Board spent two cntiro evenings discussing this question. Tho old ono had boon in uso twelve years tho new ono was a superior text book and thirty-live cents cheaper. When tbe chango was decided upon, twenty-live cents was offered for the old Physiologies. Thoro wero 140 pupils to be suppliod. Of this number only twelve had any kind of a Physlology, po that with tho new text books thirty-five cents-cheaper, the chftnge was an actual gain, in .dollars and cents. Figures are dry reading, but thoy prosent facts as uo othor language can.

Lastly wo come to tho question of pnce-N, and here Is the real imposition. The prices are fixed solely by tho publishing houses. Thoro are only six or eight great publishing firms iu tho U.S. and these have formed a Syndicatewhich holds a yearly meeting every August at Saratoga. Horo they decide upon the prices and arrange their course of action for tbe coming year. In the hands of this monopoly the people are completely helpless. They combine to crush out overy firm which does not entortbe Ring. It Is a business in which there is literally no competition. They* send out books all over tho country, naming their own terms, and [compelling booksellers to accept them, and they in turn, to have any profit, must ask a price out of all proportion to any other merchandise. These firms have become enormously wealthy, many of them retiring from busi ness, and leaving it to their equally unprincipled successors. After an author has written :i book ho cannot compete with these firms in its publication but must sell to them his copyright. Hut ii is in school boo/:* that the most outrageous frauds aro prepared. Aceoring to the school law text books cannot be changed oftener than onco in six years. So mo timo ago, when a goneral introduction of new school books was contemplated, one publishing firm alone spent $l(Ji 1,000 in tho State of Indiana to have their books adopted. Who got the money? Ask the Hoards of Education and tho School Trustees all over tho State for they and they alone, aro responsible for any change of text books. Theso publishing firms set the prices, and the common jieople must pay them. Booksellers are only allowed 10 per cent profit on school books. Who or what then is ever to deliver us from this monopoly? In New York City, tho books aro purchased out of the hchool fund, and furnished freeof charge to tho pupils. In Michigan tho State advertises for bids from publishing houses, and is able to furnish bock at from onethird to one-half what it cost Indiana.

At tbe last session ol the I^eglslaturo our Senator Bichow#ky introduced a bill providing that tho Governor appoint a Commission, and this Commission choose a committee of practical teachers to make a selection of school books, and tbo State to advertise for bids, for publishing, thus giving tbe State the control, of prices. Tbe bill was referred to a committee. Tbe Syndicate bad itsagents on band in full forca. Professor Smart, Superintendent of Public Instruction, iolently opposed the bill, when called before the committee. He afterwards went into tbe book agency business. Pr«f. Illww, Superintendent-elect, f-r reasons best known to himself, used hi»' influence to defeat tbe bill. It was laid on tbe table. These six or eight great publishing firms still continue to rob tbe people. A book which costs them seven cents, they sell for fifty «ntr Books worth fifty cents sell for flwj. Mr. Bichowsky in preparation another bill, of a stm.' nature, which he will introduce at the next session. Wo will be defrauded and imposed upon by this school book monopoly until tbe people themselves take tbe matter in hand and demand protection from tbe State. It has given us free schools let it now

complete the noble work by granting as gooat

text books at honest Ida A.

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