The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1877-12-22
LETTER FROM BALTIMORE.
The Christmas Holidays-The Glut of
Poultry in the arkets-Tramps-
The Next Legislature-Busi-
ness, &C., &c., &c.

BALTIMORE, December 10Th, 1871
Before l write you again the Christmas holidays
will be upon us. Even now evidences of Their
approach are everywhere seen. The ever
lasting and ominous horn, or ''toot- toot," which
boys blow a forerunner, is making night hide
GUS There seems no cessation to its blowing and
noise. The various school-holidays, until after
New Years, commence on Saturday. As a conse
quence our streets and thoroughfares are likely to
be literally thronged with Juveniles whose hopes
and anticipations are especially bright. 1t is
quite treat at present to walk out and see the
numerous shops and fancy stores with their beau
tful displays of handsome articles, some of which
are peculiarly tasteful and costly particularly in
iewelry establishments. Silver tea-sets are dis
played valued at a thousand to two thousand dol
lars. Show windows filled with all sorts of
notions. The sidewalks are thronged with thOus
ands out shopping, purchasing presents or looking
at them to crafty curiosity. Ifear however, sales
will not be so active or large as anticipated. Thus
far they have fallen short materially as compared
with other seasons Our jewellers and others who
had laid in or prepared large stocks and ass0rt-
ments for holiday purposes are likely to find many
of them on hand unsold when the new year sets
in. Those who have plenty of money boarded up
through misery are too stingy to spend it for
such notions, and others, more liberal, willing to
do so if able have nothing to spare from lies alb
solute necessities. Under such circumstances
fear both dealers and expectants of gifts will ind
themselves in the vocative. Nevertheless, by some
means or other Christmas cannot pass without
having its share of pleasure and distribution Of
p esents however small, to the little ones-Kris
Kringle must be about. Permit me- therefore, to
wish merry, happy, jolly Christmas to all who
have any regard for Nestor, and to your many
friends and readers.
Our city markets most a5undantly supplied
with all kinds of poultry. They aye completely
packed with turkeys ducks chickens and game,
which have become almost drug, and sell at un-
usually low prices. This is partially owing TO the
mild weather adverse to their keeping. Turkeys
can be had at much lower rates than roast beef
Canvass-backs, terrapins, oysters, fish, etc, are
likewise very plentiful, selling at moderate terms
Never before at the approach or eve of the holiday
season have noticed such large luxurient sup
plies in our city markets. Hucksters are "gettn 3
bit" and don't pity them.
The tramp convention which assemblies here
this week will attract considerable attention, and
"a properly managed tend toward doing good. If
delegates thereto of the right kind and unde--
sand the problems before them, they no doubt
can suggest such measures as may abate the iu-
tolerable tramp nuisance with which our whole
country is pestiferously afflicted. If no other
means can be found, put ball and chain to their
legs and make them work to earn bread. They
are all lazy, however, and four ffths of them reg
ular bummeis and drunkards, whilst three fourths
at least are thieves, outside the pale of pity or
charitable observance.
Among the questions likely to cause good deal
of discussion this session in our Legislature will
be the expenditure of so large an amount of money
employing troops during the recent railroad
strikes and riots; also to ascertain how far tie
Governor has power to do SO; or if he did not
over-reach his authority under the law aud con-
s;itution by doing what he did, There are men,
bers determined to sift this matter thoroughly
A new police bill for Baltimore, materially
changing the present police system, will also be
agitated and probably passed. The question too
of making a very material alteration in our judi
ciary system throughout the State will demand at
tenton, and, possibly, secure such action as will
thoroughly change and improve it. Efforts are
also to be made towards extending the limits of
Baltimore into the county as hitherto proposed
The election of United States Senator in place
of DR.. Dennis, at the expiration of his term,
March 4th, 1879, takes place. As the law now is
the choice must come from The Eastern Shore, bet
Hon. Montgomery Blair, wanting it himself will
strive to get the law changed. Ex-Gov. Groom,
DR.. Dennis, Ex-GOv. Thomas, Judge Robinson,
Richard 7. Hynson and Hon. Sam1 Hambleton
the prominent asprants Hon. S. Teackle
Wallis of Baltimore, is also spoken Of 1t is said
Senator Pinkney Whyte holds the cards and will
re-elect DR.. Dennis or go up in balloon.
Last year at this time most of the dealers and
others had put up their ice. Thus far the present
winter not bushel of it has been housed, because
of none having been made. The weather continues
unusually mild, but perfect healthfuness prevails.
am glad to notice that the Waverley people
have walked up to the importance of forming a fl e
department. The sooner they do so the better
Towsontown ought to give its attention to the
same subject, and in like manner those who in
habit that rapidly improving section just outside
Baltimore's limits in the belt.
Business here is dull except in holiday trade
Tl,o dc 10 let,,
provisions, etc. It would seem that peace will be
forced before long between Russia and Turkey on
account of serious reverses to the latter.
Money is plenty and easily obtained good
securities, but very scarce among the industrial
and business classes. NEsToR.