The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1877-12-15


near the holidays, evidences increase that Christ
mas cannot be far off. The show windows of fancy
stores and places where all sorts of notions can be
had for presents present a very ominOus display.
Every conceivable kind of jimcrank calculated to
please the Juvenile generation, from candies, dan
dy jacks up to double jumpers and thousand
other notions are displayed in all directions
Though times called hard, yet | have never
seen the coming of holidays when money was not
apparently plenty to get all-nearly sO-the young
ones wanted. Their stockings must be filled and
good old Santa Clause will have it though he go
in debt strain his credit to get the same. There
is no in attempting to make excuses of any
kind. The little ones will have Christmas gift
come what may. If not forthcoming their mas,
pas and friends had better stand aside for all time
to come l always have been a believer in Kris
kringle or Beltschnickle and know of no argu-
ments to gainsay such claims.
As winter has come upon us and fires are more
likely to occur, feel compelled to make allusion
to the woeful neglect for want of fire plugs and
fire apparatus in what is termed the "belt," in Bal
timOre county, out north Charles, Calvert, ST. Paul,
Eager and North streets, in the county beyond
Boundary avenue. If fire were to break out In
some of those superb, costly and beautiful blocks
of residences in that vicinity, nothing could save
them. They with their contents must become
total loss. l would therefore, suggest the propri-
ETY. of having steam fire engine procured partlc-
ularIy for use in that region, and more fire plugs
than-only three of them-now exist. Unless
something is done you will, in all probability, hear
of a big cOn1agration there before long, which
will materially reduce the basis of your county
taxation. At Canton and in that region they are
better off, having our city engines-though not
obliged to go outside the city limits-more con-
venient. Property holders and the county author
tiles should look to this matter without moments
delay. Let them reflect upon what occurred at
Waverley few nights ago, when, except by good
fortune, owing to want of proper fire apparatus,
the whole town might have been consumed. Even
in Towsontown there is not such provision against
fires as should be for confidential safety. More
police, too, arc needed in the "bet" to guard
against the depredations of thieves, tramps, muir
derers and robbers. They prowl about nightly
and no one residing there can feel secure. It's a
burning bistering shame to allow such neglect in
a section of the county SO rapidly improving and
of such importance.
There are now over two millions dollars worth
of taxable property contained within the "belt''
or county area of which l speak. A few years
hence, if proper encouragement be given to owners
of lots and real estate within that portion of the
eounty-really Baltimores suburbs-the taxable
basis of your county will go up to ten or fifteen
millions of dollars. 1t has already becOmc-wlll
more so-the choice region of pleasurable and
fashionable residence. Among the best built
houses in every respect, complete throughout,
solid substantial, convenient, well appointed and
superbly furnished the now nearly finished
marble block of six residences put up during last
summer by Mr.. A. S. Abel, of the Baltimore Sun,
only few steps south of Boundary avenue-on
Charles street. If he meets favorable sale for
them it is his purpose to go on building largely
in and outside the city's limits. Houses so per
feet cannot fail of commanding attention and
good prices 1t is worthy of note that the tide OF
Improvement rapidly sets in that direction and
must continue so to do until even TowsontOwn is
encompassed. The very best people of Baltimore
are taking up their abodes there. 1t is entirely
heathful section and altogether attractive.
learn that Z. Beatty Graft ESQ., who was un-
tremendously deposed from the Police Magistracy
of the Middle district by Gov. Carroll because he
was too honest to disobey law and yield to under
ground manipulations is now an appEcant-or
will be-before the Legislature for Police Com
missioner. He has framed a new police bill
which he designes presenting for consideration and
adoption, which is pronounced excellent. If there
is an honest Democrat in Baltimore Mr. Graf is
one of them. He sacrificed good place and
good living because he could not yield to what he
supposed was wrong.
A motion for new trial has been made in the
case of BloOmer, convicted last week ''scalper,
cOnspiring to defraud certain railroad companies.
Under any circumstances his case Will be carried
to the Court of Appeals.
1t is now generally understood in Democratic
circles that our young talented and rising lawyer,
member elect to the Legislature, Fetter ). Hob
litsell will be made Speaker of the next House OF
Delegates If so the honor will be meritoriously
conferred. He is very clever, energetic and
obliging gentleman, and, from past experience,
thoroughly competent. The entire Baltimore del
egation will support him. 1t is supposed ex-Gov.
Groome stands good chance of being the next U.
s. Senator in place of DR.. Dennis. Montgomery
Blair ex- Gov. Thomas and some Others-also DIR.
Dennis-are aspirants for the same honor. 1t is
said Hon. Pnkney Whyte favors DR.. Dennis re-
tention, but his political power is on the wane
The recent Russian successes, including the fall
of Plevna forcibly indicative of peace between
Turkey and Russia being not far distant. Let us
hope so. There has been enough of bloodshed and
misery with those belligerants.
Recent conversations with several Hartford
county and other gentlemen of the rural districts
in the region through which the contemplated
narrow gauge Railroad so often spoken OF, is to
pass, connecting with Baltimore, give confident
hopes of the enterprise being finally cOnsummated
1t is good thing, will pay, and ought to be put
into operation early as possible.
was one among the enraptured admirers of
Venus occultation by the Moon last Saturday
evening. Such occurrences are rare, and to one
like myself peculiarly interesting.
Business is rather quiet. The late European
news of Russias triumphs, giving hope of peace,
has caused a depression in the prices of flour,
grain and provisions. The exchange market,
therefore, may be put down as fiat. NEsToR.