Baltimore daily commercial. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1865-1867, 1866-01-06
CORRESPONDENCE.


: IFWQeTy ITo-fT9W!nUI
Reckiessness Of q House icsat-Seatsnce Of Eacar,l
B. Ketchue-hforts 10 Secure has Pardon.
| The latest of our numerous recent dcfacatiors is
| that of Dr. r. B. Bradford, our city's public admin
strator. In remarkably cool communication to the
Common Council he stated that he had lost in snec-
aton $4,000 Of the money entrusted to his care and
that to make good the amount he had made an as
signment of his own property and of that of his wife
People laughed at the impudenee of the Doctor, as
those who are at all acquainted with his affairs knew
that all his property stood in his wifes name. and
that for some time past he had been induging in a
style of living entirely unwarranted by his income
IT was also known however that his wife rejored
| in the relationship of moderately wealthy aunt
who was disposed to be generous, and any eztraordi
nary extravaganza was usually attributed to fresh
access ofherality the part of the aforesaid Tea-
| tive: The Doctor while putting such bold front on
his deiinquencies TO the City Fathers was secretly
preparing for fight and, it is understood, actually
ssson not seeing the light until Saturday. Invest eS
cations into the condition of the Bureau at once
commenced, and IS already asserted that the Doc
tor was far too modest in his statement the deficit
heng nearer 100000 than $4,000 In the est tcs Of
British subjects alone $4,000 said be accounted
for, and the management of the office is said to have
| been corrupt in the extreme The Doctor was
| didate for, and very anxious to be elected to the
Assembly at the recent election but sustained defeat
! About the middle of last November. The Citizen
alleged that there was trouble in the Office Of the Cor
poration Counsel and that the Doctors anxiety TO
be sent TO the Legislature was from desire to pro-
| cureIhe passage Of bill that would cover up his
| miSdeeds as Public Administrator. Dr. Bradford is
a prominent Democrat here, of a good family and
| moving in our best society He is young man. of
fine personal appearance Nirginian by birth, ard
was appointed TO his late office Jan. 1853. Gen. h
| d. Davis, DR., has been named as his successor.
OUR STATE.
Gov. tentons message Is generally conceded to be
impartial expose of facts although its staemc is
not of the most cheering character. The candi
tlon OF our State canals, for example, is not atteT
ing. lille the receipts for tolls ouly S35l694S
more than half that amount-$l 1872 0S4-has been
expended for repairs. The Tribune asserts that there
has been Wholesale gigantic. atroeinus swnding in
stop to it. By the report of Comptroller Robinson
We learn that the Har has cost the State about $50
00O000S20 100000 having been already paid directly
out of the treasury. Apart from the war the actual
receipts for 1865 amounted TO $l 9l2 99648 $685.
felt explained by the statement that this city has
war the State debt was 8 642 9S5 & now it S5I 04i
531 So, which increase will augment already high
taxes to FIVE mills tho dollar So you SEQ our
finances do not at present wear co,eur de rose as
as the case of DR.. Bradford testifes.
OUR CITY.
While on the subject of statistics, mar as well
mention the message OF our new Mayor. From it
we learn that the net Indebtedness of our city and
@e9pnty coy y IS S5l " this large aggregate Sl4,
3Sa goo were expended for war purposes and $50
100000 for the Croton Water Works and the Central
Park. The Mayor asserts that much of his official
power has been curtaIled by the unwarranted action
of the Legislature; recommends selling large por-
tions of the unimproyed real estate belonging to the
cty ganceS at the dsgraceiul condition Of our piers
gives some good advice concerning the cholera and
sanitary regulations, and devoteS few words to city
improvements.
THE FRENCH THEATRE.
had the pleasure of attending on Saturday even
ing last the second performance of NJ. NJ. Juigues
and Drivets French theatrical company. 1t has
been reorganized for the present season. and is now
Stro9ger-eSpecially in adieS-than ever before As
helleve have already mentioned, a theatre is now
building on Fourteenth street, near Sixth avenue,
which will DO occupied by the troupe IN alternate
management of Mr.. L. L. Davenport.
The entertainment on Saturday was unexcepton-
each N her poey 4ey R6 dReF4G m
comedienne, or as the bill designate her premiere
son6re'to Dedset from the Paris Varieties, is by far
the best actress in that line who has yet appeared
this country. Taking the part of the Duke" IN the
piece known to the English stage as the Youuger
city to the personation, and displayed sympathy
with the character that rendered her performance
inimtable. The costumes of the artists were alsc
remarkable for their accuracy and elegance ard the
scenery apart. which was the poor stock OF our
Academy Of Music, the scenes were faithful repre-
senstons of the French Court at Versailles in I'LL
When the theatre is to be completed is cues
ton that can only be answered BY tie builder who is
movements; but We fear it viii not be until the sea-
son IS too far advanced to allow us to enjoy many re-
presentations Oy this excellent company.
THE STRONG DIVORCE CASE.
The papers have already informed you of the re-
suit OF the Strong divorce trl That result is unex
pecedly favorable to the plaintiff much sympathy
had been excited for the defendant, in spite Of her in
dlscretlOns. The conclusions of the jurors cannot |
therefore be said to have reflected the opinions the
people, and, in fac there strange rumOrs ahoat
regarding the influencing Of those sentiments by |
bribery. Indeed, the foul moral atmosphere ihat |
surrounded the case seemei to affect all who breathei
it. and thus We have charges and counter-charges on
the part of witnesses and lawyers OF ia ,ehOod per
jury and the undue of money T. an extent uI.-
paralleled IN the history Of Judicial proceedings
There is TO be, believe trial, which will let
US nope, be attended with less publicity than the one
Just ended. Ii the parties to the suit have regard
for what they have left of regulations the public |
owes it TO the conseTvatiOn of its morals to throw
Vel as lar as possible over any future revelations
which may be elloted by further legal proceedings
EDWIN BOOTH.
The rentrse OF this distinguished actor on Wednes-
a r. rail hpr
of series of scenes, unparalleled in theatrical
history as were the circumstances under which il |
occurred As the moving scenery disclosed the mean
choy Dane his three thousand admirers their
feet and poured forth cheer after cheer until physical
exhaustion cOmpelled their cessation. Mr. Booth ap
peared at first overwhelmed by empress Of
his enthusiastic friends, but after few moments
each act he also called before the curtain, and
again buried with boquets and dealened by huz2gs
During the progress o the ovation of the gods
in the gallery called for three groans Tor the Her
aa which were given with hearty good will, |
mark Of Odium the immense audience at the close Of
the performance again responded with alaerity to
call for three for Bennett" Had that indi-
Vldua stened TO thtSe expressions OF popular sent
mcnt from the friendly shelter of private box
he could not but have been convinced that his recent
unpToVohed attack on deserving artist and sorrow
stricken man was not only ungenerOus nut mpOilic
The success Herald has heretofore been assured
by the readiness with winch changed its base and
went with the multitude" Its quarrel with the |
managers and assault on Edwin Booth are almost the
sOe instances In which it has departed from this set
tied policy, and the departure promises likely to |
prove what is said to be worse than crme-a blum
der.
The unusually quiet precints of Clinton Hail. Astor
Place, were disturbed on Tuesday by the convenng
OF the Fenian Congress. About four hundred mem
bers appeared the first day, but only temporary
organ eaton was effected. On Tuesday, Mr. Patrick |
COrbet chosen permanent president, and delega-
tion from ireland received. The Congress hardly
be said to be in working order yet but the members
assert their determination to know no faction, whe
ther under the lead rshlP of Roberts or OMahoney.
but to place the Brotherhood an enduring and |
efficient basis Meantime the Senate and its adher-
ents affect to consider the proceedings of the conven-
ton AIRY nothings" but it probable that
two, and be hereafter recognized as the authorized
exponent of American Feniansm.
THE GRAND STREET TRAGEDY.
A Mr. Edwin 3. Hunter, by" too Jealous execution |
Of his duties as house agent for his mother in this
city. has placed himself in rather awkward situa-
ton 1t appears that certain rooms in the building,
persons named McGaghay. and that Hunter request |
ed them to vacate the premises. This they refused
70 10, ana 10 force then 70 comply with his demand.
fire could be built in the apartment occupied as
bedroom S The fire was made, however, by the Nc
Gaghays, and the next morning two of the family, |
Rosa and Francis, were found dead and the other |
two barely living having been sufocaed by the gas
which was denied its ordinary vent. The facts
ELECTED at the coroners inquest, and Hunter ar
rested and committed to awaitth action of the grand
jury. II further investigation proves the accused
to have Wilfully tampered with the lives of his ten
ants 1t is to be hoped that the severet penalty of the
law will be inflicted upon him 1t is time that land
lords and their agents learn that the needy occupants
of our city houses have rights which they
are bound 20 respect.
THE KETCHUH DEFALCATIoS.
Edward B. ketchum, indicted for forgery and en-
bezzlement, was sentenced on Saturday last, by Re
corder, now Mayor Hoffman, to imprisonment for |
four years and six months. strong effort was made
on the part of COUNSEL have the sentence delayed
account Of the important cases involving large
amounts of money. in which the testimony of the |
accused was of vital moment but which, of course
could not be made available after the passing of SEN
tence In spite of the many reasons to the contrary
the Recorder considered that the interests of the
State" required that there should be no further de-
lay. movement is also said to be on foot en-
gineered by George 0pdyke David D. Field aud |
William E; Dodge, to secure the exercise of the gu
herna orai cemency. 1t is stated that the persons
injured by Ketchum together with all the creditors
with single exception unite in urging his lbera-
tion. Indeed, It is the general opinion here that
leased and again enter upon business career among
the lame ducks" of Wall street. What good reason |
there is for his pardon think it would puzzle his
warmest friend to specify and while the deepest |
sympathy cannot but be felt for his grief stricken pa