The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1874-04-25
Letter from Baltimore.
BALTIMORE. Anril 22d. 1871

imPIoVcment, therefore, Is carefully uOuc up anu
laid upon the shelf forever to dry until it becomes
hard The people-tax-payers-w too astute
to vote away their substance in order to keep
few drones and sinecures (democratic) in office
at large salaries for doing nothing. The three
commissioners who got $2 900 year for merely
visiting their office once day, will, doubtless,
be invited to vacate and devote whatever talent
and energy they may possess to better purposes.
If, therefore, nothing else cau be found for some
of them to do, | would advise that they go forth
as itinerant lecturers on temperance. We Of the
Monumental metropolis can easily dispense with
their services. So long as the ''Falls' is doomed
to mud, dead dogs, cats and carcases of other
putrid animals, and no effort is made to remove
them, it makes very little difference what becomes
of the distinguished commissioners.
Thus far about three hundred thousand dollars
all told, have been expended in this huge abor-
ton pay ing saaried officials, and not one cents
worth done of real utility towards improving
that notorious stream, so much needed by citizens
contiguous thereto. The walls remain delapida-
ted, mud is visible, piled up in huge masses at
every point, and sckening effluvium exhales
therefrom, intolerable 10 ones olfactories, dis
gushing also to sensitive visual orbs and sicken-
ing, calculated to breed contageon. This has
been the case ever since the food of 1868. "Ring"
manipulators and hopeful contractors of the DEM
ocratc school, who supposed they could carry
every thing their own way, multi the city into
obligations and expense, finally, of ten millions
dollars to complete this ponderous job, supposed
they would make certain of it by the vote of yes
terday The sovereign people were too wise and
rising in their might irrespective of party, vetoed
the whole scheme Indignantly.
We are now open to other plans and PROPOSE
tions coming within reasonable limits for the i'm
provement of Jones' Falls, and doubt not some
feasible measure will be agreed upon whereby
the work can be properly done at a moderate ex-
pense. AS matters have been going on here dur
ing the past ten years, one-half if not MORE Of
appropriations made for various public enterprises
were gobbled up by contractors and their in
terested political co-workers. Thus if million
dollars were appropriated toward outworking
some public enterprise, the calculation was that
nearly or quite, half oft was expected to go into
the hands of those undertaking the job. Herein
lies a secret which often insures success to DEM
ocracy, known, speaking ironically, by all to be
immaculate and above reproach There was not
faith enough, however, touching the case in point
The people, hitherto deceived, had grown too
wise, and not feeling inclined this time TO be
either driven or led obedent TO ring dctaion
which strove to make the Jones Falls popular
Democratic measure, set upon it the seal of their
emphatic and independent condemnation. So is
it likely to be henceforward regarding other
propositions. Faith has been forfeited, or lost
in the leaders, and instead of controlling US OF
yore, they must take a back seat and submit to
what common justice demands.
There is now existing an available appropria-
ton of two and a-half millions dollars toward
improving the Falls. This can be made use of
or even half of it--whereby that vexatious
stream may be put in such condition as to obvi-
ate floods during the next ten centuries. The
best thing would be to wait year or two until
the Republicans get into power, who are ceebra
ted for their economy, and all will be right
learn that Ex-Mayor Robert 7. Banks has de-
termined TO be in the ring as a candidate for the
next Democratic mayoralty--or nomination there
to-of Baltimore. He believes himself fully en-
titled to the honor and will not stand aside for
any one until the last horn blows. 1t is truth
undeniable that Mr.. Banks is live man and has
scores OF active friends His most prominent
competitors are likely TO be Gen. F. G. Latrobe,
James Hodges, Esq, and Col. S. S. Mills
Others may loom up in the mean time. There
will spring up active contention as we'll in refer
ence to the Mayoralty as for the City Council in
the interim. There is peculiar ambition to be
first among those who officially occupy the new
magnificent City Hall after its inauguration. -
Those enjoying that privilege will become some
what historic and thousand years hence may
have their names referred to in connection there
with.
1t is however by no means certain that the
Democratic party in our metropolis will hold to
gether long enough to accomplish the ambition
of its aspiring leaders. The Republicans and In
dependents, growing stronger daily, may prove
masters of the situation and enjoy those honors
We are to have somewhat sensational lecture
intended to be pronounced 10 Raine's Hail. Bal
timore street, 9Th May next. Mrs John Work
man, formerly Miss Larentrie a highly respecta
l. 4 II Ia: IL
deliver on that occasion discourse descriptive
of the alleged punishment and cruel treatment
inflicted upon her whilst an inmate of Mount
Hope She was educated in the Catholic faith,
and alleges her relatives forced her into The insti
tuition asserting she was insane without reason
or just cause. They retained her there nearly
two years against her will and consent. Since
coming out she renounced Catholicism and Joined
the Presbyterian church. She is about publish
ing book on the subject. give these matters
simply as told to me by herself without comment
pro or con. She has been celebrated as a must
clan and now teaches music.
The best information now at hand leaves it
quite doubtful whether the city extension law
will be ratified at the pending election There
are those in our city and elsewhere who offer to
bet the proposition will be defeated. The lager
beer and liquor dealers restaurant keepers and
their patrons-don' relish the idea of being re-
stricted to our city Sunday law, and say they
will vote against the proposition of extension.
am free to say the Baltimore Sunday law is
an abortion and humbug. The small fry, or
poor devils, who scarcely make living, are
hunted down by espionagtng informers and fined,
taking all the money they have, whilst opulent
hotel keepers and Others able to clear q hundred
or more dollars every Sunday, go scot free, or
are nominally fined and wiuked at by the author
tiles
If next Sabbath be IA fair day and genial our
citizens of both sexes-t those given 10 gaiety and
dress-wil turn out in full spring attire. The
very latest fashions and most gorgeous robings
may then be seen 1t would be worth while, al
most, for denizens OF Towsontown 10 come in
and see the display, especially as it is likely to
appear on the north Charles street fashionable
promenade. | am Told the new styles arc re-
markedly tasteful, rich. gorgeous and inviting.
To what extent tailorS and miliners may suffer,
deponent sayeth not 1t dom; matter much,
however, when legal possession is once had. Ex-
travagance is terrible thing and nigh be lectar-
ed against as well as intemperance of another
kind. Sweeping the Streets with trailing silk
dress at FIVE dollars per yard is neither pous,
prudent nor consistent economy.
There appeared in our Criminal Court this
week new feature in the shape Of Il lady repor
ter. She belongs to the siroug-minded, elderly
maidenschool. Judg" G!mor, obedient to his
proverbial gallantry and polite ness, gave her a
seat and desk inside The law, er's bar and she
went to work. To speak plainly-being lawyer
myself and fond of ladies' think she is wholly
out of place and had better retire soon as possible
There are, necessarily, too many rough things
Transporting in Criminal Court for modest lady
either to hear or report.
Business is dull and back ward Money album
dant and easy.
Advices from all parts OF our State as | gather
them by conversation with farmers and others
are adverse 10 the fruit crop, but very favorable
regarding wheat and rye. NEsToR
Letter from Phitadelphia.
PHILADELPHIA, April Is, 1874.
An interesting insurance case is about to be
tried in the United States Circuit Court of this
city, which involves the amount of 500, 900, and
is connected with many curious circumstances.
o. A