Wilmington daily commercial., 1875-11-06
FIRST EDITION.
philadelphia.
OUR SATuR DAY LETTE

| surprises even the most enthusiastic members
Of the party. Everybody knew, Democrats in
cluded, that the Republican ticket would win,
but the result as now seen was unexpected, and
in more ways than one. 1t WAS believed for in
stance that Governor Hartranft would lead the
ticket, instead of which lie runs 2300 votes be-
hind Judge Bddle, for the Common Pleas. Still.
the majority Of 1880 is a magnificent endorse
ment by Philadelphia of the ability and honesty
OF General HGrtranft, for whom no more than
$1,000 majority in the city had been claimed by
the shrewdest calcuators. Thon, again it was
feared with apparent reason, that the hostile at
titude OF the Union League IN relation to Gen.
Bingham and o her nominees the City
Ticket would res, 1t in C, tting down the
msjorities in those instances TO dangers
ous thinness Indeed many Republican
anticipated the defeat OF Bingham, against
whom the attack was principally directed. Yet
his majoriry, though small AZ compared with the
heaviest figures in the returus, ID larger than
has often been scored in contests whose results
have occasioned but little remark. In itself,
Bingham's majority, (66S0 votes) is a fine one,
and it is particularly significant rs showing the
Republican strength after every possible effort
has been made to its dlsparagement. Lane for
Recorder OF Deeds and Wetter for City Com
balled by the League, which succeeded even
worse in their casea than it did n the instance
Of Gen. Bingham. Lanes majority is ii. 312 and
Wetter's 49, 098. The defeat of the League, Or
rather OF one wing OF it, s thus seen to be one OF
the most interesting phases Of the situation. The
opposition to candidates who are seen to have
the confidence of preponderatlng part OF the
community WAS piece of very poor Judgment,
and II the League had been united in the black
balling policy it's political influence would be
q ute destroyed. But, as it showed prior to the
election, the offensive restriction was the work
OF only minor party in tho club. The whole
tone Of feeling over the result OF Tuesday il
that OF unqualified relief and satisfaction
The fire at the Carleton Mills Cor, as they are
popularity termed, Burners Mlls) must be rated
as public calamity. Most disasters by fire are
matters OF industrial concern only, even when
losses are heavy, but accidents like this strongly
affect the manufacturing interest, which is the
backbone OF Philadephias prosperity. con-
cern like that Of Messrs T. q. Garrett Il Co., en-
plOynR hands sufficient in number to make
good sized town, is more than mere agency
for making money for it's proprietors it id
social institution. and whatever Affects 1t affects
hundreds Of homes, and through those homes
tue retail business OF whole section The pro-
peetors are rendered safe by the insurance
Companies, but what is there to insure against
privation and suffering the many work-people
thrown out Of employment on the threshold or
OF hard winter There were nine hundred
men, women and half grown persons employed
in these mills, which were running oil full time,
with prospect OF keeping it up all the season.
have knowledge Of one young man who had
been out of work for several months and who
had just secured employment at the mills. Only
day or two before the fire he was expressing
to me his relief OF mind over the long soughJ
opportunity to make himself useful. And that
ia but one case in many. The fire was a terrible
alliction, the record OF which will never be writ
ten.
The criticism made in this correspondence,
long since, OF the value OF the Forrest bequest
to "decayed actors has been proved well found
ed. 1t is now announced that the Executors,
while founding all Actors Home, according to
the terms OF the bequest, will not put up a
building but will adapt the old farm house at
Springbrook for the use in question. This
house it il stated will be sufficient for all the
demands made upon it under the Will or that
there can be no doubt. or course there are
some decrepit and destitute members OF the
theatrical profession but 1t i'd 30 limited fratefn-
| ty there can never be many such at any time, -
II we restrict candidates to those who are worthy
| and to American actors. Men and women rare
ly stay in the theatrical profession to an advanc
| ed age unless they have abilities which by the
| time of their decline have resulted in earning
| them competence. Naturally there are ex-
ceptions to this rule, but they are comparatively
| 30 few that Mr. Forrest would have both &c.
cured his purpose by leaving liberal request to
| the Old Mems Home, through which provision
| could have been secured for as many aged play
i er6 aB WOulu Dc ukoly W ChH lur <hb ihr ab
| obligation goes it is charity in any event, and
| class restriction is not q necessary thing. The
| merchants and old artisans are content to meet
at the Old Mems Home, nor ask for separate ac-
i commodation, and Mr., Forrest could have made
| the old actors comfortable in the same way,
| locating the women In other Of our various es-
tablished charities, and preserving the bulk OF
| his fortune for separate uses.
The Hanley homicide WAS one of the most de-
liberate and desperate of recent local crimes
| IA t1,o ,,lt OF
can be anything but murder in the first degree.
Hanley, who was member of the Fire Depart
ment was called out OF the engine house at I'd
and Queen streets, on Wednesday evening, by
messenger who said that man named George
Fletcher desired to see him at the door, Res-
popdipg to the suAmons,he WAS met by Fletcher.
| who presented pistol and shot him dead on the
instant. There WAS no struggle nor any provo
cation such as the law takes cognizance OF. The
men had quarrelled previously, but AZ FAR as the
murder ia concerned it is shown that Fletcher
came to the engine house prepared for, and IN
tending the crime. II it ID not "hrst degree
there never was such case, yet It ID whispered
already that political influence will save Fletch-
er from the gaows He il strong with the
.mauagers" of his section aud it is believed
would never have gone to such lengths but fol
his confident belief in the authority OF hif
friends. II is this complication which gives the
case good part OF its interest," Inc piihelpAis
belong to the under class among whom shooting
affairs are common and whose quarIels do mol
greatly disturb society, but it remains to be
seen whether political power can be used te
shield an act Of such deliberate villainy.
Judge Ludlow has delivered an opinion rela
tive to the proposed widening OF Chestnut st.
between 9th and 18th streets, which is import
ant as taking issue with enterprising builder
and proprietors who would readjust the build
ing line OF the streets to suit their own views Of
convenience. few capitalists in the neghbor
! hood mentioned have of late years, put NJ
buildings back OF the average line, and there
fore have attempted to make other owners con
, form to the new order They succeeded IN hav
/ ing Jury of inspection appointed, which 1ur.
has reported in their favor. But Judge Ludlow
before whom the case came, failed to see it II
the desired light. Undoubtedly the aspect o
CHESTNUT street would be improved II the side
, walks we're uniformly wide, but there is no par
ticuiar call for the extra width at the point III
dicated over squares above and below, excer
flat the post office is to be located thefeaDontt
: Judge Ludlow rightly decided that coniirma
! tion of the jury's report was inexpedent III Vie'
: of the facts Of the great expense attending th
improyements if made and of the questlonabl
condition Of the 0ity'a finances, with the Center
nial close upon us. He further said that the re
mort was the result of petition Of u few ind
yyiduais only and that neither the civic author
Q tes nor any largo number Of citizens have d.
/ msnded the reform. Builders who choose
n sacrifice part of their frontage must not thin
J. that all other owners must necessarily iolo
y suit. :,