Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1879-08-08
FROM CHICAGO.

80 N~'~A bAHS ANoNuAS y OHO hhO CNSig
thinge else earthly they have taken a seat
behind the present. and the feats of
the feet equines only attract pass
ing notice. That is, with rare excep-
tons, that Of Sleepy Toms brilliant
record as a PAGER, he having made the |
last heat of five in the unequaled
and unparalleled time of 212t, being
the fastest time known to the sporting
fraternity; thus making him the
champion PAGER of the world. Just
think of it, one mile in two minutes
and twelve and quarter seconds
Twenty thousand dollars was offered
for him Immediately, but was refused
by his owner. Sleepy Tom is blind,
consequently is generally spoken Of as
Blind Tom" Tom was bought in
days agone for seven dollars and
bottle of Kentucky whisky. AS to
the turf king, Rarus, must mention
that he, on trial tilt against time,
made quarter of mile at the rate
of2:O5, but in the trot against Hopeful
fell short of his last years record of
2;l3a. However, taking all in all, the
racing season was in every way bril-
liant, and scored the fastest time in
the world for the Chicago track.
The Trowbridge sisters tragedy is
now one of the startling events of the
past. The only thing that keeps it
alive is the fact that the youngest sis
ter is dying, the shock of the terrible
deed having unsettled her mentally
and physically.
The congressional committee is still
in session here endeavoring to find
out the real cause of the hard times
in Chicago. Quite a number of experts
in political economy have been exam
ined as to the cause, and, as usual,
each has different opinion from the
other. 1t seems a piece of tomfoolery
of mammoth proportions to send men
around the country on such mission.
The people have heavy enough bur
den to carry without this additional
per diem that will be squeezed out of
them TO pay these sight-seers. The
simplest school-boy ought to know that
the cause of hard times in Chicago,
and throughout the Union, has been
caused by the sudden contraction of
the financial circulating medium, the
great influx Of immigration, and the
universal introduction of machinery
into all branches of industry.
These are the prime causes of the
deplorable condition of the coun-
try. The mechanic and labor
ing man cry out loudly against
machinery as their greatest enemy.
They claim that the machine neither
eats, drinks, or wears clothes or leather.
Consequently, while it may produce
it cannot consume. Therefore it is
an enemy to mankind. There seems
to be a good deal of logic in this
reasoning.
Officer Frederick Howe has bullet
proof head. The other night he
halted some suspicious looking indi-
viduals in an alley. A shot was the
reply. The bullet struck the officer
square in the forehead, but only en-
tered the skin. His assailants escaped.
During the war he was also struck in
the head, the bullet not entering.
Talking of policemen reminds me
to mention that the official axe of Mayor
HARRISON is daily falling upon the
necks Of members of the force, both
patrolmen, detectives and officers. 1t
is now given as a reason for Assistant
Superintendent DixOn's removal that
he stood i'm with the gamblers and
harlot-house keepers. His honor is
working things lively. And lately
appointed assistant superintendent of
police, O'Donnell, is rapidly clearing
the city of thieves and thugs and
malcontents, including the scarlet
women"
The full bench of circuit judges
have under consideration the recent
test case Of Captain Frank Bielfeldt,
an officer of Socialist military com
pany. The case was ably argued by
eminent counsel The attorneys for
the defense contend that the recent
act Of the Illinois legislature was as to
the regulation of militia " organiza
tions, and cannot be lawfully applied
to private military organizations and
contend that any legislation tending to
deprive citizens of rights guaranteed
by the constitution of the United States
would be in direct violation of that
sacred instrument, which protects
every citizen in the free ownership of
firearms 1t will be several days be-
fore the decision. As the question is
one Of law, the facts being admitted,
your correspondent opines that the
captain will be acquitted, The action
of the legislature in the premises was
simply outrageous--aye, infamous, and