The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1870-09-09
wAsnIyoroS CONTEMPORARIES.
wAsnrSorox. Sept. 6. 1871

EprroR or THE UNION AND JOURNAL The
enthusiasm among the Germans Of this city up.
on the receipt or the Intelligence. upon last
Saturday, that the Emperor Napoleon had sur
rendered to King William, vas intense. A
sernnade was given to the Prussian Legation,
the Minister being out Of town. Seventh street,
the business portion being largely composed OF
Germans, was brilliantly Illuminated, rockets
were thrown up, and lager beer turned down,
and NJ q matter OF course, late In the evening
hilarity and boisterous good humor prevailed
10 great extent among the Germans OF the city.
Yesterday. notwithstanding II was the Sabbath.
their arior and enthusiasm could not be re-
strained, and the Parks were overlooking with
excited crowds who spent the day In speech
making. chorosses and patriotic sentiments.
The Treasury Department at the present time
|, supplying the various Custom Houses through
out the country with blanks, books and station
ery Of all kinds, and the cost Of supplying the
entire number will not exceed the amount that
has been expended In previous years In supply.
ing the New York Custom House alone. In
credible rs this statement may appear yet am
informed from reliable authority that 1t Is cor
rect. II has been customary for each Custom
House to provide itself, making It's own contract
far stationery, until recently. A great deal OF
dissatisfaction is expressed ut this new arrange
ment for supplying stationery and the reader
can imagine that the perquisites attachlhg 10
certain officers Is materially reduced. ''
There has recently been quite stir occa-
stoned In the Quarter Master Generals otfce,
by the displacement Of quite number OF the
chiefs of bureaus, reducing them to SlZOop per
year. The cause Of this change was accasioned
BY the circulatory manner in which business has
been conducted. lin any Of the bureaus OF
the government red tape abounds and the tech
nicslities Of forms are held to with the greatest
tenacity, Il |. In the war departments. Secre-
tary Belknap from the FIRST Of his administra-
ton of the war department commenced reform
In this particular, which indicated to some
degree, that the mode Of conducting the official
business Of the cfice whould be naturally mod
lied. To effect this change certain routine
officials had to he dispensed with. 1t Is said
that Gen. Meigs will be retained In his present
position-Quarter Master General, but am
Of the opinion that he will eventually be re-
lieyed. r. r.,.. .... ....
There Is great deal Of talk at the present
time. upon the Chinese question-whether the
iarre influx OF this class will prove detrimental
or beneficial TO the aboring classes Of the country
I am inclined TO the latter opinion. confirmed
by personal observation Of the Introduction oil
colored labor into this city.
Some three years ago there were but Few COL
ored boys that performed the labor OF :" boot
blacks" In this city, the white boys almost en-
tirely monopoli,ing the business. Now white
boy can hardly be found engaged In the BUSH
ness. One year ago not single oolored boy
could be seen upon our streets selling newsps-
pers, whilst at the present time they are largely
In the majority. ID. ..-L
There Is no more suffering or poverty among
the white boys by reason Of this change than be
fore. but on the contrary there Is less, and the
white boys emerging from the lower strata OF
life, are occupying better positions and rcceiv-
ing better pay. Why will not the same princi'
ple apply to the laboring classes II Chinese labor
Is introduccdl Will II not raise up the lower
Glasses 10 become more skillful artizans, thereby
receiving an increase Of compensation. "Uncle
Sam is rich enough to give Us oil farm, not
vithstandng the millions that have been given
TO assist great enterprises, and II cheaper labor
In the east should cause migration Of thousands
% the west the nation would be Weather for
It 90, -.
In different portions Of Maryland and Vir-
pinja storm signsl posts have been established
under the direction Of Gen. Myers, chief Of the
signal corps, as an experiment. and u success
full Il will not be long before from the broad
urairies Of the west TO Aroostook county In the
cast. the approaching storm can be signaled and
preparation made to receive II. Gen. Myers has
The greatest confidence in the success OF this
new enterprise. The loss In harvesting by the
farmers from storms, aud foul weather Is great
annual sum, which IL Il could be saved would
add largely to the material wealth of the ma
ton, and any means that can be adopted to save
this great loss would be q national blessing.
Arrangements have been made for the Maine
voters residing In this city to pass over the Air
Line railroad from this city to New York. and
by the Neptune Line Of steamers to Boston at
reduced rates Of fair. II Is understood here
that reduction has been made over the eastern
rnads COY .I PnESTIss.