Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1859-02-18
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. papers are

Observation-Disclosures papers are
in circulation and obtaining numerous signatures
pledging the signers to support no candidate FOL
office at the approaching city election who is not III
favor-lst, of the city making arrangements to pay
the interest the $4,000 railroad bonds as soon
as the Company delivers to the city the stock
for the same-2d, of abandoning the digging dowr
and filling I'D of streets and of all work of repairing
except what is absolutely necessary-3d, the reduc
ton Of the yearly salaries of city officers to the
following rates: Mayor, $50; Aldermen, SIS each
Treasurer and Collector, Omitted in one Office
800; Marshal, 800; 3polcemcn, sos each; Re
cordcr, 300; Engineer, $780, The Offices of Street
Commissioner and City Attorney to be abolished
1t is thought there are sufficient number o
competent men, having the interests of the city
more at heart than their salaries who will fill these
offices at the rates stipulated. We may be permit
ted to add that we regard the movement towards
retrenchment as timely and the best thing that
could be done at this juncture. While some Other
cities in the State are becoming incxtricably in
volved in debt should take warning and endeavol
to steer clear of the financial breakers which they
are almost wrecked. The cost of administering
the affairs of the city last year was nearly $1,000
If the plan of rctrenchment now proposed is adopt
cd it will be seen that nearly IS, 900 will be saved
the coming year. In justice to our present city
| officers against whom we have no fault to find
it should be stated that they approve of this plan Of
rctrcnchmcnt and have all, we believe, endorsed il
| by their signatures.
GYWe have been permitted by Mr.. Jo-
siah Seeber, of this county, to peruse letter
received by him from Edward Main, of Eldorado,
Cal, dated Jan 3D. 1852 in which the writer details
his disappointment with others who left that coun-
try for Frazer river in the summer of 1853. Mr.. NJ
writes that threeourhs of the miners who left Cal
iforna for that region have returned, and find the
worth more in one month than frazer fri fe fns Is
life time.
Just so, we doubt not, it will be with those who
leave their business and sell out in this country to
go to Pixies Peak The accounts of gold discover
les there are no more glowing or authentic than
those which reached us from Frazer's river, and
the disappointment of those who abandon their
homes here for that country will be great that
experienced by the Frazer river adventurers.
SITTING IN OHURCH.-An American writes
comes first, whether gentleman or lady, takes the
further seat in the slip, and those who follow fill up
the remaining seats, and thus prevent the awkward
disturbance which occurs in our churches here i'll
the process of filing out and in by men in order to
isolate women at the further end of the pew. 1t is
said the habit so universal among us originated
with the early Settlers who sat near the doors of
the pews that in of an attack by the Indians
they might be ready for action. In many this
marching out and in like parcel of soldiers is a
perfect nuisance, and the custom might well be
changed.
KETcHAM's BooT AND SHOE SToRE.-W e
stepped into this establishment yesterday, and
found the proprietor busily engaged in arranging
portion of his large stock on shelves in elegant
boxes just made to order at Chicago. Our readers
will find his stock of boots and shoes very large
and complete in every department. Now is the
time to buy rubbers, of which there is good
assortment at this store; Also lot Of gentlemen
furs. Custom work is also attended to promptly
and in good style at this establishment
THE LEcTURE.-We were not present at
Rev. J. P Donelan's lecture last evening, but I'M
derstand it was even superior to his first one The
hall was crowded. and of course the receipts which
are for the benefit of the poor were quite satsfac-
tory. The lecturer, we understand, did not get
quite through his subject and promised to complete
it at some future time
THE 22D.-The ght Guards of this city
expect to commemorate Washington's birthday
(Which is also the fourth anniversary of their organ
ization by public parade if the weather is favora-