Saturday Evening Mail, Volume 14, Number 33, Terre Haute, Vigo County, 9 February 1884 — Page 4
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E A I
A PAPER
#iiasi?
FOR THE
PEOPLE. =r
FOBLICATION OrHCB,
Not. 20 and 22 Sonth Fifth Street, Printing House Square.
P. S. WESTFALL,
EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR.
TERRE HAUTE, FEB. 9, 1884
TOO MUCH SCHOOLING. The astonishing discovery, (made apparently by the merest accident) that tbe children the public schools of Indianapolis are taught American history only to tbe beginning of Lincoln's administration, emphasizes the statement that our public school system requires the closest scrutiny on the part of parents and tbe general public. Here, in the largest city of tbe Stale and one which prides itself especially upon its educational advantages, with its school board composed of tbe most intelligent men in the city, is revealed the fact tbat for a dozen years the greatost, the most interesting and most inspiring decade of the nation's history has been kept as a sealed book from the eyes of the school children and nobody aware*of it! One day a newspaper coinos upon the discovery, publishes it, and tbe whole city stands in astonished indignation.
Extraordinary as the whole affair is, the most singular point in it is that such a thing could go on so long without its Coming to the light. One would think that among so many teachers a proceed ing so phenomenal would attract attention and be exposed to tho public gaze. Now that tbe tardy discovery has been made, doubtless the wrong will be speedily righted and tbe young students of American history, in Indianapolis, will be permitted to look upon the glorious period of their country which witnessed the overthrow of the greatest rebellion of all times, the adding of new States and Territories to tbe nation's dominions, the building of graud trans-conti-nental railways, and general growth and development far exceeding those of any ante-bellum period.
This error will be cured. But it does not follow tbat there are not many other defects in our public school system as bad or worse than this- One of these is an undertaking to teach too many things. The mind of the child is bewildered and given more work than it Is capable of doing without injury. As a consequence of this tho period of confinement is too long. Young children are penned up in close, hot and ill-ven-tilated rooms for six hours a day, many of whom would be better off with no schooling at all tban the knowledge they acquire at such an expense of physical health and vigor. Harrying home at noon they have scarcely time to swallow a hasty and half-eaten dinner and race back to school In time not to be marked tardy, and when school Is out in the evening the weaker ones are too languid and worn out for healthy and robust play.
Now this is simply barbarous. Nor has the practice any redeeming quality. An Intelligent writer on the physical education of children says: "Children will do all they oaght in stndy and work without much urging and tbey will learn more in two hours of study to five of play, than if the order is inverted. Say to a child, get this lesson and you may go to play—and you will be astonished to see bow rapidly it learns but if one lesson is to succeed another till six dreary hours have passed away, it loses heart, and learnt merely what cannot well be helped." Now what intelligent parent does not know that these words are true? Instead, then, of keeping the little things penned up for six mortal hours each day, until tbe school house becomes a prison to them and baoks a bugbear, why not adopt the sensible and humane practice of giving them at least the half of each day for play As between mind and body, the latter is the most important in growing boys and girls. Let the rising generation have sound physical health and they will get enough education. This we say even on the theory that their mental training woulJ suffer from the change but it would not. It would rather be aided. For one thing tbe quality of instruction could be improved. Take any of our schools, for instance, and divide the pupils into two classes. Let half of thera attend school In the forenoon, and half in the afternoon. By this plan the rooms would not be overcrowded as they are now, and the teachers could, with half the number of pupils, give more time and attention to each, and consequently make their Instructions far more profitable.
This matter to of ao much importance that it deserves tbe moat serious attention of parents.
DURING tbe last tow weeks, the papers have been publishing a very damaging letter purporting to have been written by Judab P. Benjamin during the late war, in which he advised the southern States to found an aristocracy and swear allegiance to Great Britain. Now, Mr. Benjamin writes a genuine letter saying be never entertained such an idea and that the letter a forgery. It is not an unusual thing for the whole country to be imposed upon and some individual deeply wronged by just euch publication!* as this, and yet there seems to be no redress. The forgeries are generally committed by some one who has neither reputation nor money to lone and the Injured party is usually too busy to take the time and annoyance cf a law suit and ao the author of these despicable publications goes unpunislfed.
WENDELL PHILLIPS.* The death of Wendell Phillips, on Sat urday last, removes another conspicuous figure of the anti-slavery times. Garrison, Greeley, Phillips! A noble trio in the cause of humanity against oppression. But Wendell Phillips' work was not limited to the agitation against slavery. Although of aristocratic birth and possessed of an ample fortune by inheritance, like Lafayette, "be laid aside the trappings of wealth," and took up the cause of the weak and oppressed with all the earnestness of a great soul. His eloqnent voice has been lifted up in behalf of every reform. While his great fame rests largely on the abolition movement, because of the greatness of tbe issue involved, be was in the front rank of the temperance crusade, and the woman suffrage movements, and had always tbe courage of bis convictions on every public question of importance to the people. If he was wrong in any of his views the error was of his head and not of his heart, which was ever true to his ideal. His great, generous nature is well indicated by his regret that he could not survive his invalid wife in order that he might care for her to the last as no one else could. As an orator he was matchless and the people of this generation who failed to improve an opportunity to hear him will carry a lasting regret at the omission. It is not often in a generation tbat a man of Wendell Phillips' quality appears, and when be comes we ought to make the .grtost of him.
THE PISTOL'S PETULANT POP Another murder has occurred this week to our county's disgrace, another murderer is in jail, and another murder trial is to be dragged through our court All the result of a hasty temper and a handy pistol. Cannot something be done to stop this carrying of death deal ing pistols. Our readers would be appalled to know tbe number of men in this city carrying in the hip pocket a loaded pistpl.
Facts prove that four out of five of the murders committed are the result of this cowardly habit. We say cowardly, for it is tbe act of a coward to place a mur derous weapon in one's pocket expecting thereby to get the advantage of any person with whom a party may chance to come in conflict. It is better to avoid a quarrel, and even to submit to insult, than to take a human life but with a revolver at hand there comes a strong disposition to stand squarely up to the line, to submit to no crowding, and not to be at all cautious about stepping over tbe other side of tbe mark and carrying tbe war into Africa, if theoccasion seems to warrant.
Men with hasty tempers say and do things that they are heartily ashamed of when reflection comes with a murderous weapon within reach tbey are also liable to do tbat which may cloud their whole life, and cause them to repent most dearly tbat they ever fell into this practice.
Our "Rambler" has some very pertinent *ords wblcb come in as a sort of exhortation to the above.
JAYHAWKBK," the correspondent of the Cincinnati Enquirer, has. received 4,200 returns to circulars sent out by him to men representing various callings in this State inquiring for political infor'mation. Among Democrats tbe express ions of preference for Presidential candidate were McDonald, 8,853 Hendricks 19 Tilden 37 Voorbees 44 Payne (first choice) 403 Payne (second choice) 1,183.
For Governor, Gray 2,132 Holman 1,120 Manson 572. Among Republicans, Arthur, for President, had 1,128 Blaine 1,044 Sherman 596 Porter 500 Gresham 283 Harrison 177. For Governor: Calkins 1,566 Dudley 922 Streigbt 421 Gresham 379 Calkins (second choice) 3,167. On the tariff question, 522 were for a tariff for revenue only 784 for a protective tariff and 2,894 for a tariff for revenue, with incidental protection. Mr. Woodard makes these deductions from the returns: "The Indiana delegation to the- next National Democratic convention will be solid for McDonald, but on a Payne tariff
filatform,
with Payne or some one represent-
tig his Ideas on that Issue as second choice. It Is curious to note tbat nearly two-thlnis of the Democrats favor the RepubllcanTlld en-Payne idea of the tariff, while seventenths of the Republicans indorse it.
Among the Repuollcans it Is dear that there Is no settled choice In favor of any one for President, though Arthur and aine are apparently in (he lead. A great many wella formed people are not aware that Governor Porter is Ineligible, under the Constitution of the 8tate, to a second term, and, when the mention of his name for President. Vice President and Governor are all added together, he is mentioned by 66 per cent, ot all those who answered.
THE Ohio river border has again been subjected to tbe visitation of a destructive flood. Vast quantities of property have been swept away or ruined, some lives have been lost and the people of the flooded districts have been caused much aniety and suffering. These disastrous floods occur with alarming frequency of late years, the rivers getting ont of their banks much more" frequently tban tbey used to do. Tbe fact is probably dne to the removal of the forests and the extensive draining of tbe land, whereby the water is caused to flow off muoh more rapidly than it used to do, swelling the streams and rivers with a sudden volume which used to linger longer in soil and reach tbe streams more gradually: It a question whether the general government ought not ta^e some measares for protecting the people against these terrible visitations, if there is any feasible method of doing it.
Tw« cittwna of Indianapolis should have some credit fordiscovering that the history of tbe war was not being taught In the public schools asaoon as they did. Tbe crop of new voters will still hare time to read up on the subject before the next election.
TERRE HAUTE SATURDAY EVENING MAIL
IT is just possible that those students of political economy who are inclining towards free trade look at the matter from too abstract a stand-points It looks plausible on its face to talk of all thtf nations as one family, upon whose free intercourse there should be no artificial embargoes but it must be remembered that there are wide, social and economic differences between the various nations, so that tbe conditions of life in one are not at all like those of another. What we want in this country is undoubtedly tbe greatest diversity of industries. While the vast scope of our territory naturaily makes us an agricultural natien, the development of our mines and the growth of manufactures furnish a market for our farm products, increase tbe value of tbe land and bring general prosperity to the country. It is easy enough to see that if we did nothing but farm there would be no home markets for our produce and that we would be at tbe mercy of other nations who do tbe mannfacturing. Except as to the cost of labor, manufacturing ought to and can be as cheaply done in this country as in France or England. But who is not willing to pay a bare trifle more, if necessary, for home made goods in order that t&e workingman may have meat for himself and his family, a comfortable house to live in and some of the luxuries of life that are deprived the English operative? It would be a very short-sighted policy that would break down our vast and rapidly growing manufacturing industries by the inauguration of a policy of free trade. A safe motto for nations as for men is to let well enough alone.
A SINGULAR suicide occured at Kendalville, this State, a few days since. Martin Sellers, twenty-five years of age, bad been subpoenaed to testify in a murder trial. He dreaded to appear and remarked that he would kill himself rather tban do so. After eating his dinner he went to his room and put the threat into execution. We know nothing more of tbe facts in this case, but it is probable that he had seen tbe badgering of witnesses by the impudent lawyers, an abuse tbat exists to too great an extent in our courts. It is most seen in tbe magistrates' courts. There it is that the pettifogging practitioner displays his wit, his keenness of vision and shrewdnesss before a gaping and admiring crowd, at the expense of a poor creature whose only offense lies in having been subpoenaed as a witness. He plies him with all sorts of useless and frivolous questions, which have not the slightest bearing upon the case under consideration ho throws out the meanest insinuation as to motive and action, and tries to make the innocent witness appear far worse than the criminal being defended. And too often it is the case that the presiding deity sits there, silently wrapped up in his magisterial dignity. He permits tbe insults to pass unnoticed, and offers no protection to tbe victim, who finally leaves the temple of justiqo vowing to wash his handfe of all urthur connection with the case, so that when it goes to court there are no witnesses, and thus, frequently, malefactors escape unwhipped of jus tice.
THB Marquis of Queensbury has sent a pamphlet to the Lords and House of Commons advocating reform in the marriage service. To mqet divorce cases he proposes to leave out of the marriage service the words, "Whom God hath joined together let no man put asunder." Let us see. The word "obey" is almost universally omitted. In Canada, tbey have decided to omit the words "Who giveth this woman to be wedded," and various churches leave out tbe sentence "With my worldly goods, I thee endow." In short, the marriage service begins to look as if it had been through the war. It is to be hoped they will spare the words "I pronounce you man and wife," for it really seems necessary to have some sort of a service to make the marriage respectable. The Marquis probably thinks be has had some experience, having made the rules that govern tbe prize ring, but although there are some similarities between this and married life, yet we hardly think me Lud will receive the^same consideration in the latter as in the former, and we'll keep God in the marriage service for this generation at least.
DURING the time of grqat storms and high waters, no one is more worthy our consideration than the train-dis-patcher. His position, always a responsible one, becomes doubly so st such times. Washouts, broken bridges, flooded tracks threaten disaster at every point. The telegraph wires are down or will not work and through all this confusion he must look after the regular trains, get tbe wrecking trains out of the wsy and keep watch with sleepless vigilance. The slightest mistake on his part will not only destroy many precious lives but may forever ruin his own prospects. The life of a train dispatcher is an inexpressibly hard one, with every faculty and every nerve stretched to the highest tension, and it is not to be wondered at that so many of them break down and die of nervous trouble before tbey have reached the prime of life.
Ta» meanest man in the world lives' in New York. He has a scolding wife, and in self-defense, be keeps a cage of rats. When his wife begins to scold be lets & rat out into the room. Imtnediately she jumps upon the table, cries and« begs for mercy, and promises anything and everything if be will call off his rat.' There Is no doubt about it, be is a mean man and deserves the fate of old Bishop Hatto.
THB bill to restore Gen. Fits John Porter to his place in tbe army, will probably pass tbe Senate by a small majority, a few of the Bepublican Senators intimating* their willingness to vote for it. The President will doubtless approve it and thus the matter will end at least it is to be hoped that it will for it has been the occasion ot unlimited illfeeling and angry debate. The gulf between those who believe Porter to have been guilty of deliberately disobeying orders and thus subjecting the Ufaion army to defeat, and those who maintain bis innocense, is impassible. It is time the subject were dropped from public thought and discussion,and the country will be relieved by a final decision of the question one way or the other.
THE fourteenth annual meetiugof the Massachusetts Woman Suffrage Association has just closed an important session. Recognizing the uselessness of attempting to carry on the movement without money, it was decided to raise a fund of ten thonsaud dollars for campaign purposes. Louisa M. Alcott headed the list with one hundred dollars. This is going to work in tbe right way. The advocates of this cause have always labored under the disadvantage of attempting to gaiu their point without money,although theoretically this is the right way yet practically it don't work "worth a cent."
JUDGE TOUROKB calls those good people who stay away from the primaries. Political Dudes. The judge is eminently correct. If the primaries are vulgar, let respectable men make them decent, if they are disreputable, let honest men make them clean. We can never hope for purity in politics if the fountain is corrupt and these primaries are the beginning of tbe campaign. Honest, lawabiding, God-fearing citizens t"ust attend these meetings and see that respectable nominations are made or else hold their peace about the corruption of politics.
THE Crawfordsville Journsl thinks the State has outgrown the present constitution and is in favor of a convention for making of anew one. Anew constitution would be a good thing if it were a good one, but the danger is that it would not be a gojd one that the convention would undertake to do too much and construct a cumbersome piece of machinery which it would keep the Supreme court another thirty years in construing. Would it not be better to aitnend tbe old one than to undertake the making of a new one
Now that history in the public schools is on the public mind is a good time for the suggestion tbat tbe true way to teach history to tbe young is not by giving out lessons to be memorized, but by systematic reading, with oral explanations. In that way a study which is usually very tedious ean be made fascinating, and tbe more general facts will ioppress themselves Indelibly upon the susceptible mind of childhood. The ordinary course crams tbe pupil long enough for examination purposes, and that is about all.
ON all female servants in Prussia who have been in the same family forty years the German Empress confers a golden cross and a diploma. During the past si± years this honor has been bestowed upon over a thousand women. If the President of the United States should offer a diamond cross and a whole sheepskin for a servant who had served one family forty years in this country, we doubt if there would be one applicant. There may be some explanation for this but we do not know exactly what it is.
SECRETARY of State Myers deserves the severe drubbling be has received for going out of his way to administer a ruffianly rebuke to ex-President Hayes, while answering a courteous inquiry for information made by a benevolent association of which Mr. Hayes chanced to be presiden t. His act was gen tlumanly, unbecoming a public officer and a disgrace to the whole people of Indians whom hfe unfortunately misrepresents in office.
IT is said that a gentleman in New York is about to publish a book containing proofs tbat Queen Tictoria was married to John Brown and that D'Israeli discovered the fact and hence his power over tbe Queen. While this story is hardly probable, yet there is no doubt this Scotchman exercised a peculiar influence over Victoria, and there is evidently something tbat the royal family are anxious to conceal.
Miss KATK FIELD, who is now in Salt Lake City, says when Brigham Young wants to entertain a friend he sends him to the hotel and never pays tbe Mils. Good scheme, but we should suppose that having as msny wives as Brigham has be could take a friend home every day and yet not get "blown up" by tbe same wife very often.
SPEAKER CARLISLE'S wife is suffering considerably from rheumatism in her arm and shoulder and her friends fear she may not be able to discharge-her many social duties. It looks tbat way. People in Washington are not much account socially if they cannot keep np tbe eternal and everlasting hand-shaking that is tbe bane of pablic life.
Rica gold mines have been discovered in Idaho, and although the snow is many feet deep and the coid Intense, claims are being staked off in every direction. It is thought by spring, a hundred thousand people will poor into the Territory and tbye will be a repetition o$ tbe famous scenes of 'tt.
THERE is an impression that Mr. Blaine has designs on the Chicago convention, but is approaching his timid game more slily than before. Perhaps an important feature of the plan is to get his long-promised volume out in time to have its proper effect upon tbe convention.
GEN. GRANT is reported by a correspondent to be in very poor health from the result of his recent fall. He is unable to leave his house, is sleepless at night and it is feared that he may not recover his health again.
THE Chicago Inter-Ocean keeps a reglar column of Births, Marriages, Divorces and Deaths, all printed in the same type and style. Tbe divorce department is generally the longest and most interesting
IN Washington the police arrest little boys for laughing at them. It is fortunate that rule is not general and does not include tbe grown people who laugh at them, or the police force would be kept busy. ____________
THE street car drivers all testify that there is no stimulant equal to coffee. The steady drinker will now claim that he takes his liquor to give him an appetite. ,-w
AND so Oscar Wilde is to be married on the first of April. Well, well, the very day we would have selected for him had he consulted us about iW
MATHIAS MEYER, of Indianapolis, filed a suit for divorce and died immediately. That was no way to treat his lawyer. How is he to get his fee?
THE excitement over the marriage of Fred Douglas has about died away, and it has not yet been decided which race tbe joke is on.
ACOMINQ DRAMATIST. Courier. Mr. Frank Percy Weadon, the manager of the Bijou Rink, the press representative of tbe Opera House, is one of youngest dramatists in the profession. His romantic play, "The Wrecker," will be produced shortly in Chicago, by the Clara Morris company. Robson and Crane will also produce after their new comedy, "A Camp Meeting Episode." Terre Haute will witness, the latter part of the season, the production of his charming comedy-drama, "A Wilful Girl."
J. Newton Gotthold, who supported Jeffrys-Lewis last sesson. also has a play of his, "Dad's Dollar," which probably be put on the road next season.
HELPING ALONG A POEM. Amoral poetess had began a poem in uncompromising black versa on tbe degeneracy of man: "God made man in His own itaag, but be-"
And here she was compelled to Mkve it. A degenerate one came in and took the liberty of helping her foward a little: "Would probably have remained so but she—"
V.
Mural Decorations, Window Shades,
In calling uie
Amusements.
QPERA HOUSE. I
Tuesday, Feb. 12th.
ONE NIOHT ONLY. THE FAMOUS
Madison SquareTheatre
NOTICE!
sOur Store will be closed 011 MONDAY, Feb. 11th. to take account of Stock and Mark Down Goods. Will re-open TUESDAY MORNING with some very Cheap Goods and Spring Novelties.
HOBERG, ROOT & CO. 518 and 520 Main st.
auenituu
us
KMsMiikMI IMS.
Haute.
coiMZiF-A-isrir 51
HAZEL HAZEL HAZEL HAZEL
3,000 TIMES! Presented with a great special cast under the auspices of the
QPERA HOUSE.
Thursday, Feb. 14tli.
The Event of the Season.
PATTERSON'S
New York Opera Co.,
In a Superb production of Herr Johannt Strauss' most successful master work,
THE QUEEN'S
LACE HANDKERCHIEF!
Which has just closed a long and brilliant season of 300 nights at the most beautiful theatre in America, the Casino in New York? City, (through arnngements with Mr. Town--send Percy,) twill be produced complete to. every particular. One of the Grandest Stage production* Inr the World. The Most Popular. The Most ArtlsticwjJ
The Most Keflued. The Most Fasciaffiiii' Tbe Most Melodious. The Most Gorgeous The Most Successful Opera now before Out
Public.
Phenomenal Cast. Complete Orchestra. Magnificent Costumes. Grand Choitnu Beautiful Scenery.
POPULAR PRICES.
Tbe Mill in Operation. The Pretty Home Plot urn. Terry, Chrystal and the Baby. 3
PRICES AS USUAL.
v"%
I I A A I
656 Main Street, McKeen Block.
Paper Hangings, Oil Cloths,
Also A rent for the new Indestructible and Imperishable Decorations for tlie Walts., Celling*, Furniture and Art object* on Mlid relief.
Xiinsrc^TJQTJL wjLi/roitsr.
Workmen sent to all parts of the country. Orders solicited by mail. In calling the attention of the citizens of Terre Haute nnd vicinity to iny new ^1
uauwmiu
Wall Pa pen? I desire to expres my thanks for the very liberal patronage h«towed upon me during the past season, and would say for this year I have made unusual exertions, in the .SectionsXny patterns and coloring*. Thatikingyou for past favors, and trusting to merit a continuance of tbe same. I am. Yours Truly,
C. H. TBAQUA1B, 6A0 Main Street, McKeen'* Block.
Phoenix Foundry and Machine Works,
MAWTTFACTtTKX AND DEAL in ALL KIXM OF
Machinery and Machinery-Users Supplies.
Flour Mill Work Our Specialty
Kcpalr and JekUny Work given special attention.
Kepnlr and JekUny Work given special attention. Write or call on us and see or yoursdve*. Ml to 338 Nartli JVtetli street, near Union Depot.
MM
KIRKE KIRKE KIRKE KIRKE
MADISON SQ. THEATRE, iNew York.
A Beautiful Domestic Love StoryAlternate Tears and Laughter.
Elegant Embossed Souvenir Tiles presented to all ladles attending. Seats can be secured at Button's.
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OPERA HOUSE. V— Friday, Feb. 15th. -r\_
J" JV.3^DS3S -A.. HZEJZEWSNEJ'S^ Thrilling and Exciting
HEARTS of OAK
Will oe presented on the scale of magnifloent grandeur. The press, the public and opposition alike acknowledge its supramacy and power. James A. Heme in his great character Terry*
Denison.
The scenery is entirely new, (a car load oarby u«) consisting In part of Marblehead Neck at Sunset, With Rolling Surf,and Lighthouse in thedis~ tance. Firing the Life-line. The Wreck of the Nantuckot
Incorporate* 1879.
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