Saturday Evening Mail, Volume 13, Number 35, Terre Haute, Vigo County, 24 February 1883 — Page 1

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THE MAIL

A PAPER FOR THE PEOPLE.

Town Talk.

THE JUDGESHIP.

The interest in the appointment of a Judge for the new circuit court has not abated in the least. It was expected that the name of the lucky one would be announced last week, but the candidates still hang on the ragged edge of suspense. Last Saturday it was asserted that the appointrrent would be made on the following Tuesday, but when the day arrived the bill crating the new circuit was returned to the legislature with the Governor's veto attached. "Dnder the now law Vigo county would without a circuit court until May next, an important point which escaped the vision of the Sullivan statesman who incubated the bill, hence the veto. However, as the bill will surely pass, the candidates are an lively as ever, and the fight is vigorous and bitter between the various aspirants. At first H. C. Nevitt seemed to have the inside track, but his enemies laid hiui asid$ with a remonstrance. His friends say the ^course pursued by the opposition was unfair and unjust, and that the remonstrarice was signed by many nominal members of the bar, who are members only by courtesy and who have never had a case in court. On the other hand, it is asserted that any American citizen has as good a right to attach his name to a remonstrance as to a petition. I. N.

Pierce seems to have retired from the

race in disgust, Ex-Judge H. D. Scott is still in the field, and for an old man ^displays wonderful vitality. Although seemingly a weak candidate, his friends ^are confident of pulling him through, and the hardest workers and most influential men seem to be pulling steadily in his favor. Jodge Rhoads is not considered a favorite, as it is understood the

Governor has refused to appoint him. George W. Faris still has hopes, and denies that he has retired from the contest. Some of bis friends endeavored to draw H. H. Boudinot into the race, but his business would not allow blm to relinquish it for Jbe position eMt&if were sure of securing it. 8. C. Stimso# has also becomo a candidate and a petition in his favor is now going the rounds. George W. Klelser's name is also mentioned in connection with the position, but if he has aspirations he does not push himself forward. He has been practicing law here for some twelve or thirteen years is a good lawyer, of quiet and unassuming manner is a young man, and would make a "good judge. Although not a bitter partisan he is a sound Republican and his ap pointmeut would give general satisfaction. There is no scarcity of material from which to select. It is thought there is scarcely a Republicau member of the bar who would refuse the appointment, and rather than see it go begging it is thought there are a few Democrats who could be prevailed upon to accept, The position is worth |2,600 per year The appointee will have to fight next year for the nomination, and should he be successful before the convention will then have to take his chance before the people. Judge Rhoads was successful in securing the appointment of superior judge once, but failed to retain it before the convention. Judge Scott did not consider the circuit judgshlp worth worth figting for, secured the nomination for superior judge and was defeated at the polls. S. B. Davis, one of the best lawyers at the bar, and against whose character not a word could truthfully be said, met the same fate as Judge Scott in a Democratic circuit, from all of which it would seem that tbe voters are capricious in their choice of men as is the legislature in changing circuits in this section of the State. The position is not a bonansa to the holder, bat Where are numerous practitioners who are willing to retire from private life to reap its emoluments.

THK LEGISLATOR*.

In nine or ten days the present legislature will have expired by limitation, and no one will express sorrow over its demise except the memoera and employes. 4Tbe present session has been noted for what it has failed to do. It is the general opinion of all parties that it has proved itself to be the most useless and expensive body that has ever been called together to legislate upon the affairs of the State. Instead of proceeding to business in a business like manner, transacting its business and adjourning, it has frittered away its.Ume in looking after sectional manners to the exclusion of necessary legislation. It has been noted for the party spirit which has continually come to the surface in nearly all its transactions. Some years ago a Democratic legialature placed the appointment of the officials of the benevolent institutions in the hands of a governor of its own persuasion. This year it has taken it away from a Republican governor aad transferred the

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ments have been defeated, and it is only a few days since one senator fcharacterized another as a drunkard, who in turn applied the vilest epithets to his accuser. No legislation worthy the name has been enacted, and it is now too late in the day to expect any. Partisan papers will wrangle over the work, and next year it will furnish food for spetch to the wordy politicians.

THE VIGO AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. At its fair last year, for the first time in its history, the Vigo'AgricuIturai Society paid its premiums in full. It was an innovation on the old pro Trata plan, and was a pleasant surprise to the exhibitors. This year it is making a strike for grander achievements. A petition is being circulated, asking the Board of County Commissioners to donate to the society the sum of seven thousand dollars, to be used in improving the grounds. The land upon which the society holds its fairs is the property of the county, which purchased it the year the State fair was held here, and since then leased it to the Vigo Agricultural Society for a long term of years, rent free, on condition that the society would hold a fair thereon each year. At the expiration of the lease,should the commissionera refuse to renew it, all the improvements will become the property of the county. At the present time all the sheds are in

very

first class

new stalls

county could

poor condition—in fact

could be replaced to great advantage. The fencing is none of

give

annnal

would prove

State fair,

commissioners

on tffe Dental

1750

J08 G-iiwrt

v£?

the best,and there

is not a drive or road on the grounds.

fatrwould

diture equal iw

built, a

make all the improvements neoeaaary to a

require an expen

the

amount

asked

For that sum drives could

for.

laid out,

new power

steam power

ball

filled with day, and other

numerous

with

attached

erected,

the track

thinga too

mention.

grounds

Willi such

and good management Vigo

lair

bat

which

formidable

rival to the

it is

doubtful that the

will givethe matter seri

ous consideration altbbngb the

bears the signatures

of the heaviest

petition

of a

large

number

taxpayers

McLean had clear sailing and a fair wind in the direction of the Mayor's seat. Ho had a passive endorsement by the soldier element, and his calling and election seemed a foregone conclusion His unwillingness, however, to again engage in active political life has caused many to look around for another available man, and at the present time there are several other Rlchmonds In the field. Dr. Swafiford might be prevailed upon to run also W. T. Beauchamp, Phillip Schloss, B. F. Havens and Dr. Van Valzah. At the present time the latter seems to be the favorite and has the in side track for the nomination, his most formidable opponent being Mr. Schloss, who does not yet fully know whether he again desires to make the race. On the Republican side several names have been moutioned, the most prominent being that of Louis Finkbiner, the present township trustee. He is not formally announced as a candidate, but it is understood that he would make the race If tendered the nomination. He brought his party out of the wilderness when he made his first race for his present position. Since that time he has been a bard worker each campaign, and is well acquainted with political affairs. He has made an efficient trustee, is honest and honorable in all his transactions, and if hia party puts him forward this spring, hia opponeut will have hard work to defeat him. For the other positions there is a host of candidates, none of whom have thus far demonstrated any peculiar advantages in the fight, and nearly all of whom will confidently claim tbe nomination until the matter is settled by tbe nominating convention.

MAXT of tbe Connecticut clergymen have declared themselves weary of tbe old extempore fashion of conducting funeral services. They also raise tbeir united voice of protestation against that time-honored stumbling block, tbe funeral sermon. They agree that if something like tbe Episcopal funeral service could be adopted the relief would be great. They would pronounce this service in all the beauty of its simplicity, omitting the sermon, and leaving mourners to think well or ill of tbe deceased according to their fancy or their information. There are few more odious excrescences on public religious exercises than the obituary sermon. It generally contains all tbe demerits of obituary poetry without the merit of brevity, which the poet generally has. If tbe deceased man has been very wealthy, or baa occupied high official station or social position, it makes little di&renoe bow hard a master or how unjust a dealer he may have been, tbe funeral sermon varnishes his character from

bead to foot, and presents him as a

appointing power to a Democratic leg- bright and shining model for his friends islature. Tbe constitutional amend-

{to

follow.

A Woman's Opinions.

TERRE HAUTE, IND., SATURDAY EVENING. FEBRUARY 24.1883.

CHARITABLE THOUGHTS.'

No more striking example of divine charity has ever been exhibited than that called forth by the recent flood on the Ohio Without, hesitation, without waiting to be asked, the towns and cities all over the land have sent most bountiful supplies of money, food and clothing to the afflicted people. Bankers, merchants, speculators, all classes of business men gave aid to these suffering poor whom they did not know, who could never benefit them in any way, and to whom they were under no obligations except those of common humanity. But, mark you, the waters of the Ohio will not return to their channel, the streets will not be clean and dry, before these same poor people will be cursing the rich men of the country and blaming them for every misfortune that has ever happened. This is one of the keenest stings that generous heaits must endure, the unthankfulness of those they help. "Blow, blow, thou winter wind

Thou art not so unkind As man'8 ingratitude."

Poverty has always a sense of injury, a feeling of antagonism against wealth and yet in times of calamity and distress it is to the wealthy the poor must turn for relief. If the winter is severe, if the spring abounds in floods, if the summer causes pestilence and the autumn brings famine, the remedy is ever tbe same call upon the rich, the temperate, the frugal, and they never fail to respond. They have done this in the past, they will do it in the future, without hope of recompense or reward, simply through that broad and beautiful humanity which is but one step removed from dl vinity

itself. But the task wonld be

much easier, the duty far sweeter, if this beneficence were only reoeived with an appreciative, thankful spirit, yet it is the bitter

experience of every one, who has engaged in works of charity, that in a majority of cases,

ance as

of the county.

THL OAV!)IDA$J#CBOP.JJJJ*

As the time for fcoldltlg the 3fy election draws nigh tbe topmberftf candidates for the pity o^Rees||Dcreajis, Some

because it

nd onif is

more nded that you should pnt no barriers in their way. If you are confident of outstripping them in the race, how much more necessary that you give them a fair start.' It is not for you to decide what they are capable of doing, just give them a chance and let them stand or fall on their own merits. Men sometimes object because so much competition will tend to reduce wages. That may be, but think how many less there will be depending upon yoa for support. Do not permit a girl to stand side by side with a boy through thirteen years of school work and then, giving the boy a life-pre-server and the girl none, throw them both in deep water together. The girl must ihevitably sink or be a helpless weight upon the boy.

Women, are beginning to learn that they can be dentists, it is dawning upon them that they' can be prescription c.erks, there is scarcely a day that we do not he*r of them in some new avocation, seeking* to earn their honest daily bread. If, in spite of disadvantages which a man can never comprehend, they have the will, the energy and the determination to rise above idle dependence, give them a fair field and they will ask no favors.

THE JERSEY LILT.

Who #as it s»aid that women monopolized all the curiosity? This question is suggested by the fact that two-thirds of the audience Thursday night was composed of

they accept the assist

a matter

of right, and grumble

not greater. You cannot

make them understand that people in moderate circumstances must often deny themselves In or^er to help tbe poor,

mo«t 'teBtptod to ask, somb-

io ticket Col. William denial, but our better nature arises triumphant and reveals to onr wavering spirit a higher motive for a good deed than the mere desire to call forth gratitude from a poor and unfortunate fel-low-creature. '4

SUPERFLUOUS WOMEN.

Every opponent of equal rights should have heard Mrs. LiVermore's magnifi cent lecture on last Monday evening. Her arguments were simply unanswerable. As a lecturer she has no equals among her own sex, and very few superiors among the other. If there is any criticism to be made, it is that she lacks a little in humor and a little in sarcasm, which would give a piquancy to her lectures. However, they do not need Improving in any respect. The''flood of years" has passed lightly over this noble woman's head, but yet we begin to see the signs of approaching age, not in the majestic figure or the deep, rich voice, not in the powerful intellect but only in those speaking lines that mark upon the face the tally of the passing years. Who, of all the number of earnest, intelligent women, among whom she is leader, can fill her place when she has passed from earth into that presence where she will not have to plead for a just and humane treatment of the sex which, all her life, she has defended and ennobled.

Mrs. Livermore has more influence and commands more respect than any other of the many persons who are laboring for the advancement of women. This is not altogether due to her intellectual superiority, but depends partly upon other causes. She baa filled, with honor, the position of wife, mother and housekeeper, which speaks in her favor to those who consider these the first duty of a woman she does not make a hobby of equal suffrage and talk about It continually, neglecting all the other Important needs of women she is very careful by her words and manner not to arouse antagonism, but to deal with thffw questions in a practical, common sense way which not only disannul her opponents but convinces them. |j|§

When we speak of superfluous women we naturally think of those who have never married, although when we look at the wretched housekeepers, the foolish mothers, the unfaithful wives,that make so many homea unhappy, and then at the great number of educated, useful women engaged in equally important duties outside of marriage, it is a question which of these two classes shall be called "superfluous."

And when we consider that, of necessity, thousands of women must remain unmarried and moat either be a hope* burden upon their fathers and brothers or else learn to support themselves, how strange it seems that they must supplicate for tbe privilege of training themselves to work. If, aa men are fend of aseefting,women*are mentally and physically inferior, htfw much

men, and nobody pretended to

offer any other reason for going than that of

curiosity. Although we may

have heard the opinion of all the world on a woman's beauty yet even the humblest of us would prefer to decide for himself, from personal observation, and th'« was the only question to be considered, Was or was not Mrs. Langtry remarkably handsome for it is conceded by every epe that she is not a brilliant actress. When the curtain fell on the flrat act of

Hester Grazebrook, it is safe

say

tbat

one thousand people were

ready to swear she could not, by any stretch of imagination, be called a beautiful women. The audience resolved itself into one large interrogation point, everybody asking his neighbor, What do youthibk of her?—But when the curtain dropped upon the last act of the play, at least five hundred people would have taken oath that she was tbe most onaan.thft .world qy^r j^aducfed.

There lis a peculiar fascination about Mrs. Langtry which all mifst admit. Although she has a simple, natural manner, it is, by no means, of the rustic sort, and as a pretty milk-maid or an artless country girl, she is a failure. Her beauty grows upon you gradually. You notice, first, the snowy temples and broad, low forehead crowned with wr ving hair, then the delicately rounded cheek and long but graceful neck your attention next is drawn to the unusually large, expressive eyes, with the perfect' ly penciled brows permit your gaze

kto

wander down the straight and wellshaped nose, and, if you do not fall into that immense opening, called, by courtesy, a mouth, you will see as magnificent a set of teeth as ever graced a dentist's window. No freak of nature ever gave a broad-shouldered woman such a waist and if that is a specimen of the robust English woman we prefer the American type. Her hands are small and white, her arms, only average, and her other members, judging from the slight glimpse we were allowed, fully justify ^1 tbe unkind criticisms they have provoked. It would be an impertinence thus to dissect most women, but if the Lily poses as an artist's model she must expect the public to pass judgment If we have a lingering doubt as to her superior charms, it disappears when, in the last act, she blazes upon us in all the splendor of a Parisian toilet and a hun dred thousand dollars worth of diamonds. This is her sphere, as a fashionable woman of society, and in this role, for grace, elegance and loveliness, we freely award her the palm. It ia nonsense for people to say they know women equally beautiful place them in contrast with her, and their beauty will decline into the^mmonplace and tbe insipid.

Aa an actress, Mrs. Langtry ia an amateur, no better and no worse than any bright, intelligent woman would be who, with an equally email amount of study and training, would attempt to appear before the public as a star of the first magnitude.

Aa a woman, abe barmade some very serious mistakes. Her intimacy with Gebbardt is inexcusable, no matter in what light you choose to view it. Even if rite bad been unmarried, abe would not have received his peculiarly marked attentions if she bad any regard whatever tor her character, and for a married woman to permit them is positively

As for Gebbardt, having no

reputation to dak, he is free to follow hia inclinations. This is his one and only chance of gaining a national celebrity, and being an easy and agreeable road to fame, be takee advantage of it. His only claim upon our regard ia that be tried to chastise a reporter. He follows Mrs. Langtry like tbe tail of a comet, and both will drop into oblivion, after tbe fashion of this wandering star.

Mrs. Lsngtry will accept his attentions and his presents, until it suits her convenience to dismiss him, but if, in the meantime, he should meet anew divinity, he will not hesitate to desert the old. Such friendship as exists between these two, knows neither honor nor fidelity.

Mrs. Langtry will not retain her hold upon the people, because it is not founded upon true merit. Were she a talented actress we oould overlook her conduct, were she a noble woman we could excuse her lack of ability. There is and ever will be, in this country, a strong, healthy sentiment in favor of virtue, and it is a lesson for every woman to learn, that neither a beautiful face nor ia brilliant intellect can take the place of a pure and stainless character.

IDA A. HARPER.

Our Breakfast Table.

The Langtry success of course was as fully discussed at Mrs. Comfort's as elsewhere and with as much variance. Jack with proper pride in Terre Haute, located belles with equal beauty on Sixth, Ohio and Seventh streets. Whilst Derby went back twenty-five years to prove that it was money in Langtry's pocket that she was'born too late to eAhibit here when the KrumbH«rs, Polks and other families were in the front. "Funny people, all the people in this world are," said the Major. "I kaow what took half of you to the Opera House. Mrs. Langtry was a kind of spiritual photograph with dim, misty figures of the Prince of Wales and Freddy in the back-ground—and you wondered if the Prince really admired her and how much—and if the Princess liked it or didn't, and how much she didn't, and Mrs. Welby here thought, with every other woman, if she had such nice clothes, she too would look beautiful,and would have the moral power of every well-dressed woman to act a part—for you know you are always acting when you have your best dress on." ', "Don'tdeny it. But we know there is a difference in the wearers. Miss Patteson the other night appeared in a beautiful costume of silk and velvet when Mrs. Langtry had that country girl's dress on, but she looked stiff and copstrained beside the easy and pliant grace of the Lfiyl"' taurafc!^ TSTpnJWMfe fit herself for keeping Lent aince she heart! of that gorgeous costume of Mrs. Langtry's." •, "Indeed! Pray what is your code of Lenten morals, Miss "It is very simple—Refrain from what I don't care very much for and do only what I like very much—one must draw a line." 1 "Sweet saint! I am glad to see the reports 'of the vigorous manner in which Eastern circles celebrate the season. see among other modes of mortification cooking and reading clubs, private dancing and dramatic clubs} shooting, walking and archery societies are to be sesthetically cultivated. Other anchoritesses are preparing ball dresses. It is well 1 By the way Professor, you are musical. What do you think of church choirs "I think sir," said the Professor with attempted sarcasm, "that they are a boon to society. They afford a fine chance for outsiders to show what they don't know about music. I think they give a chance for the man that knows two tunes,»ne of which is Old Hundred and the other isn't, to offer bis ideas on the proper style of church music, think that the choir of each individual church should be public property, and thoroughly settled by the public." "Dear Professor! How warm you are! Were hia little feelings hurt because be was talked about asked Miss Laura. "No! of course. I don't mind bring called a poor singer because I don't look pretty when I sing, or some similar artcriticism." "Only yob do! Now Derby knows all about church music. What do you think of choirs, etc. "I once went to school in a little log house on tbe banks of tbe raging Raecoon—at least, it raged when there was a fresh. We sat on log slabs, worn so smooth that tbe knots stuck up to keep tbe little boys from sliding off. We bad singing school there of nights, in that little room smelling of tallow candles and tbe sassafras boughs that filled tbe big fire-place in tbe summer. Tbe village blacksmith led, with a tuning-fork and a voice like a buzz saw. We all sung—of course we did—except when tbe premium ringers broke loose, and then we boys went out to laugh. Congregational singing and ringing schools! Of course I yearn for that good old style. We all went to singing schools. Of course we did, for we didn't have any circuses, or operas, or minstrels. Now, yon couldn't run such a thing if yon were to hire tbe attendants. But does any one want to go back to no choirs T' "No, only to free choirs."

Nonsense—pay them. It costs money to learn music, and I look on morsy paid to choirs as a premium on thestudy of good music." "You are right. I believe in tbe policy of securing tbe best muricattainable

''fccipi Vi'

*•**-j*'

Thirteenth Year

for our churches. It appears until recently that the French government allowed the cathedrals ?60,000 a year to support the musical services—however, at the same time they granted the opera $160,000. Now they have stopped the first and continue the latter. Every churchman there sees the effect upon church attendance in this encouraging the opera at the expense of sacred musio —but we can't see it. We spend perhaps $25,000 a year on the Opera House, where light music is brought out in good style but for a prejudice allow grand old chants and majestic music to lie unused because we have no choirs capable of singing them. "We do compete a little by setting some hymns to operatic airs —I can cite you cases. I know of nothing more elevating or solemnizing thaiv some of the finer passages of sacred music. It is not necessary that the slnger» be volunteers or even Christians all true artists will interpret the spirit. I?inally as Gounod lately wrote,'the church choir is the only place where music is studied without pernicious striving after effect—the cause of the cathedral choir is the cause of musical probity.' I submit it, if it is possible in this spirit to rely on a corps of volunteers, spasmodically zealous and regularly touchy—all the more touchy if it loses no money by resigning." "I don't care near so much about who is going to play your organ as to who ia going to pound the gavel in the new court. Will it be Nevitt asked McEwan. 'i "Certainly it will," said Derby. "No, it won't," replied the Major. "Tbe trouble with Nevitt is, he cannot please two sets at all. One says ho is too near our age, and the other says he is not near enough our age, and therefore he is not fit." "You remember what the young Spaniard said to the Pope, who grumbled because he had no ward? Said he:'If my master had known you wantod a board,, he would have sent you a goat.'" "Good for the kid!" said Jack. "But Nevitt is not a badly beaten man if ho doesn't get the office. Violent opposition sometimes makes a man respectable—shows who he is, what he is and if it is at all unscrupulou,, so much the better in the end. The very onea who oppose him the most have beei

he is." "Very true," said tbe Major. "Really,, as a friend of the ambitious young aspirant, I rather hope he will not succeed, for I believe with the advertising he is getting free, with his habits of study, which are unusually close, and pure private character, he is better off in the bar than on a judicial shelf."

No HAND can be really beautiful without the utmost care. And an ugly hand may be made to look much less ugly by proper care. And yet few ladies know how to take proper oare of their hands. Here is the course of treatment suggested by the possessor of a pretty pair of bands. Let the fingers be held in a bowl of warm water after the usual ablution. After the immersion the nails are cleansed with an ivory knife or a bit of wood, with a piece of silver over its point. If a steel knif$ or scissors is used the nails become very brittle. Then the ivory knife is made to punch down the thin skin that would grow to the nail, and, if neglected, become sore amtrougb. Then the polish is applied, and he chamois robber is called Into active bsrvice, until tbe nails glow like a pink shell. When trimming is necessary, the crossed scissors are used, and the nails shaped to suit the taste of the fair trimmer. A pointed effect is considered the proper shape, but tbey should not be too pointed or they spoil the symmetry of the end of the fingers. When all this is finlsned,. bathe the bands in warm lose-water and dry on a soft towel, and yon will be astonished at tbe reenlt, if it happens to be your first experience.

THERE is nothing, says the inspired Rochester Herald, fresher and more dewy and more

delightfully emphatic

than a young girl's letter to her—well, her brother.

Every

third word is under

scored, and then there's

tbe

postscript.

Tbe postscript to a girl's letter is aa indispensable aa a tall to a dog. The letter is nothing—tbe postscript everything. Persons experienced in receiving girls' letters have informed us that when tbey are particularly anxious to know something the letter contains they always skip the letter and read the postscript first. It is like the peroration of the orator. It is a great misfortune for a young man not to receive letters from bis fair young nieces and cousins. If he is not blessed with such relatives, let him go down into the old trunk and dig up letters written by his wife when she was his sweetheart. He will get more sweetness and light ontof them than be would Out of Arnold or Tennyson.

A scientific writer says that a low forehead does not always indicate ignorance. Neither does a high forehead denote knowledge. Many a man whose forehead extends clear over to tbe back of his neck does not know enough to pull down his vest.

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