The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1868-07-16
Local correspondence.
ALTOONA CITY, July l3. 1868.

ALTOONA ClTT, july Is, 1895.
FRIEND MAc-The upholstery shop of the
Pa. K. r. TO. caught fire on Saturday Eight,
and the material and building considerably
damaged. If il had been for the timely inter
ference OF the fire steamers, under the Efficient
management ef the respective companies, there
is doubt but there would have been a gen
eral conhagration among the COmpany's shops.
1t is almost incredible the short space of time
required by the several companies to get their
engines into operation. Too much praise and
commentator cannot be given to fire de-
paTtm:nt (being comparatively novices i'll the
business) for the energy and skill they display
i'll the working of their engines.
Our mountain city is pretty we'll provided
with fire apparatus. The city has two A No.
Amoskeag fire steamers, one hand engiue, one
hook and ladder company and hose company
Besides these the Pa. Il r. Co. has first class
AmOskeag engine, which they have kindly con-
sented to permit the city TO use in case of a
contlagraton. These several companies are
composed of some of our best and most reliable
and energetic cit zcns.
Mr.. Wong Sakee, a Chinese gentleman,
delivered two lectures here last week. His
subject was '"The Chinese and their Customs. d"
He appeared in Chinese costume, and exhibited
ChiLese emperor's robe laGics' shoes, model
of a Pagoda, and quite number OF other inter
esting articles. His simplicity of style and de
leniation of character were indeed quite inter
esJiug and instructive. l have been informed
that Wong Sakee is studying for the ministry.
On Saturday last the unterrifed of this city
had monster Seymour ana Blair ratification
meeting. To say that it was grand success
would not convey an adequate idea of the i'm
mense crowd of people assembled. The strong
armed, hard working ycomenrv, the honest,
hard fsted mechanic and the brawny, sun burnt
laborer were all there to aid in the good cause
The people evinced by their attention and de-
corum that they were fully alive 10 the mo-
mentous issues involved in the campaign just
opened-a campaig On which is TO decide whether
UuioI.isn shall stand or mongrel radicalism
shall again triumph, with all its attendant evils
and liberty destroying influences. Among the
speakers present was that eble and eloquent
champion of Democratic principles, the fearless
K. Milton Speer, Esq. OF Huntiugcon,-a man
who, in the darkest hour of our nation S peril,
when secessionists at tho south and traitors at
the north We're seeking the otherthrow OF our
republican form of government, stood firm,
turning neither 10 the right nor to the left, but
fearlessly maintaining his integrity and his De
mocracy. This WAS the first time that MIR.
Specr met with the Democracy OF AltOona, ana
be made quite ii favorable impression among
the people here. His speech was free from that
petty slang and personal abuse so common
Radical orators. 1t was able, logical and sound,
aud saLk deeply into the minds of his hearers.
With the financial question he was perfectly
familiar, and his logic was so irresistible ana
his conclusions so forcible that they made some
OF the Radicals vince, twist, snarl and snap Ike
a black snake in the middle Of August. John
F. Barnes, Esq, OF Johnstown, was the next
speaker, and a very forcble and effective one
he is too-perfectly at home in the discussion
Of political questions.
At the conclusion of the speeches a grand
torchlight procession formed and marched thro'
the principal streets of the citv, preceded by
the Mountain City Brass Band which discoursed
uost excellent music. The procession was
under the marshalship of that old war horse OF
Democracy, h. H. Fettinger, Esq. After the
procession the meeting dispersed with three
rousing cheers for Seymour and Blair, the next
President and Vice President of the United
States.
Tlcre was nothing to mar the harmony OF
the occasion except a futile attempt on part OF
few Radical svrigs to create disturbance =
would advise the-e plugs to behave themselves
il the future or they may get into trouble.
Yours &C. 7. l. NJ.