The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1865-03-23
Letter from the Empire State.
ALBANY, N. Y, March 10, 1865.
To the Editor Of the Press:

AtbGoL 44OhA pA4O AAmp4kO DldJcs
ALBANY, N. Y, March 10, 1865.
To the Editor Of the Press:
D ALBANY. Ol tssE
risk no reputation for accuracy in saying
that Albany, at the present time, is the most
disgustingly flthy city of our country. Ineie
has not been publication since octooer'-
Ofal Of vegetable and animal rottehness mas
accumulated till the streets reek with nasti-
ness, and the stencil thereof ascends in OBJ
scene mockery to high heaven. The charge
of these matters is condded to the Common
Council--Copper heads-neaIly all Irish and
Dutchmen, who were bred and educated in
the midst of physical and moral pollution.
The above is what an Eastern stranger thinks
of them. ~
THE ICE EXODUS.
For days and even weeks the cutters of
Albany and Of all Northern and Central New
York, have been brooks, pouring their con-
tents into the great -eceptacle-the Hudson.
Last night there was a powerful rain. This
morning about daybreak the ice began its ver-
nal journey southwark. A bend in the river
below the city caused an ice dam, throwing
the water back on the city. Rapidly the
banks, the piers. are overlooked, the muddy
water pours into the cellars and easements of
all the front streets; the first stories are
drowned out, and soon the lower half of
Broadway is under water. About this time
the Mohawk gives way, letting that food
loose, causing an accumulation OF water and
f2n in front 0ff ho off
satisfactory. The DRAWINGS of the flthiest of
the Albany streets are poured into the store
rooms.A tStt sss@ @~&s stA n
When the dam gave way the roar and crash
of the blocks of ice, rolling, plunging-then
rushing on alta racers speed produced specta-
Gle which can only be appreciated by those who
witnessed it. The vapor from the foaming and
boiling water tossed up by the blocks of ice,
rises fifty feet into the air. When two huge
blocks come together one can almost see them
smoke, SO great is the conclusion. While /
was standing near pier in the upper part of
the city, field of ice hitherto unbroken,
coming down the stream at a furious rate
came in contact with the new abutments of
the contemplated Albany bridge. They noblv
withstand the shock, and quickly the acres
OF ice are furrowed by the immovable cutwa-
ter OF the abutments.a IN. 6l
. NATURE. ,o
= is beautiful day, not unlike the DAYS of
early May. as we used to see them forty miles
from the coast, among our native hills of
Maine. It's day which the bellies and beau
ties of Albany like to take advantage Of, 1
, glance up and down street, from my window.
at the moving procession ef-ladies- arrayed
and attired in "gay and festive" colors in end.
less profusion. A sight for one Of natures
admirers, like you, Mr.. Editor would faiu
transport you here, that might hear your
EXPLANATIONS of surprise and admiration.
think it is DIR. Holland who says that women
OF all ages-of all nations, have ever orna-
Mented In brighter colors than men. I have
an exhibition of the colors before me.-~Na-
ture and art are exhausted in presenting the
variety. Autumn leaves" for celors, is no
comparison. He who first used the compare
son of "all the variety of Autumn leaves,n
lived before the days Of petroleum. from
which colors and tints are obtained before up-
conceived of. s,r-,et.. snf.T
once your correspondent wrote to you that
Nature had been negligent of the feminine
part OF Albany. Such was the first impress
sion OF an Eastern man, educated with East
ern notions, tastes and prejudices, and accus.
toned to the Eastern style of beauty, health
and economy. My opinion has not changed,
but l admit that experience and observation
have had the tendency to soften the harder
expressions then used. With all sincerity.
however, would advise my readers to seek
their llfe's joy in Maine those nearer to
their own tastes. and less extravagant in their
views, feelings and sentiments. The thought
OF wife from Albany would be to conceive
OF luxury, for man of limited means and
moderate capacity altogether too expensive
to be entertained for moment.
THE SUBSTITUTE BROKERS' DpMs.
Recruiting has mainly been done in the
evening, by substitute swindlers. Houses of
ill fame have been converted into recruit
ing offices, while plying their ordinary voca-
tion.. Should the secret history of the re-
cruiting by bounty brokers ever be written.
it will reveal record of crime aud misery
horrible to contemplate. In our public streets,
on State street and Broadway, for months may
have been seen the flaming advertisements,
the drummer boys, or the beautiful girls at
the door, playing the guitar or ACCORDION, to
attract the unwary. The unsuspecting are.
allured within. Ale, lager beer, or some other
mild drink is for sale near the door. The ale
is probably half whiskey. The victim is made
drunk, and while in this condition, is enlisted,
induced to put himself into the power of the
broker, is taken by night train to New York
city aud sold. He is swindled out of his
bounty, his family left destitute, and the city
OF Albany has lost a recruit. rT efvw
The latter circumstance moved the city au-
thorities, and this morning every concern Of
the kind in the city which could be found, was
broken up, and a policeman stands guard TO
warn all people away. 1t is hoped that their
efforts win be crowned with success. a9so
Probably not one half the bounty has ever
reached the soldiers or his family's pockets,
while the brokers have been "cothed in pur-
pie and fine linen and Jared sumptuously ev-
cry day." If there is one class of men whom
the devil must delight to honor and whom
one day he will take with him to an uncom-
fortabJy warm locality, that class must be sub
stitute brokers; for verify believe more
diabolic set ofrogues or more graceless lot
Of scoundrels never cheated the gallows of its
Just due and went unhung. HANcE.
JOHN JOSEPH LYNCH. Bishop of Toronto.