Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1879-02-04
tuesday Evening. Feb. 4, 1879.
FROM CHICAGO.
Correspondence Of the Ledger.

CHlCA6O, january OV, lOfJ.-lne
commission to investigate the charges
against Judge Blodgett, of the United
States District Court, is now hard at
work. 1t consists Of Hon. Proctor
Knott, chairman; and Hons. d. B,
Cuibertson and Il. G.. Lapman, with
G.. P. Beckham, recording clerk B. D.
Jerry, sergeant-at-arms, and Messrs.
+. G. Griffith, j. I. Hood and III. NJ.
SehoOley as reporters. The " investi-
gators occupy ;;parlors i N D and &,
of abe palatial Palmer House. To SAY
the least, they are sumpt1ously loca-
ted. So far the case looks very black
against the Judge. Unless a good deal
Of irst-class perjury has been intro
duced, a serious case will be made
against him. 1t would appear that he
has been guilty of gross m~isfeasance
and malfeasance in Office, by acting in
collision with parties to causes
before his court for the purpose
of defrauding creditors. 1t is to
be hoped that his honor will be
able to clear his ermine OF
any stain that may unjustly be cast
upon it. When | say he occupies
rather an unenviable position | speak
from the lights before me, and not
from malice or any desire to misrepre-
sent the judge. The Evening News. a
liberal thinker, asserts tonight the
judge is, most certainly, " %squarely in
yolyed." But it is to be hoped the
News is mistaken. 1t would be a sad
thing for society to witness any cor.
ruption in the judiciary.
Miss May Brown was the victim o
a horrible abortion Monday. TIL,
child, of course, is dead, but tn,
mother may recover. The coroner
jury held one " Dr." James Ward t
the Criminal Court without bail. Two
parties named Chubuek and Sherwood
were also held as accessories. The
crime of abortion is practiced here IN
all grades Of society-from the highest
to the lowest-and especially in the
higher walks.
James Walsh ct al, doing business
at 80 West Madison street, was be-
fore Commissioner Hoyne yesterday.
charged as a crook" because Of
keeping a secret still for the manufac-
ture Of alcoholic liquors. think il
will 60 hard with Jeems.n
Death visited the Grifiths mansion.
lS9 Vernon avenue, Monday in a sad
and curious way. John Il. Grihiths
had been Ill a short time. and quietly
passed into the shadowy land with on
ly twenty-five summers having thrown
warmth upon his life. His father.
Edwin Graifiths, was also confined
to his bed at the time. When his only
remaining child had been placed in
the coffin, he left his bed and kissed
the lips cold in death. Then he re.
turned to his couch, and before the
funeral cortege had gone far upon its
sad mission be had crossed the dark
river. Mr., Grifiths was a newspaper
mar of remarkable ability. His son.
Harry, who died some years ago. wa,
one of the most brilliant writer's OF
the Chicago press. A bereayed wifi
and mother is left behind to mourn the
loss of an afiectionate husband and
loving children. Peace to their ashes
The Illinois legislature is going to
pass some law to cover the tramp nuts.
ance. This city, and State, is oyerrur
by tramps, sneak thieves, highwa,
robbers, burglars, thugs and ineendia.
ries Of the most yillainous stamp.
The /. o. o. F's Of Illinois are in
session here celebrating as to the
ittest way TO celebrate the sixtieth
anniversary Of the order. Delegates
from twenty-seven lodges and Six
encampments are present and number
about two hundred. The celebration
will take place Monday, April q, anC
will consist Of a procession, ORATOR
and a grand banquet.
The Owl Club made up of Jour
n%alists, still hourishes. At am cleo.
ton OF officers the other evening Mr.
Medill, of the Tribune. and Mr.
Brock Ne Wicker, a poet of note. ant
brother Of McVicker, of McVieker,
grand theater, were elected president
and vice-president, and Mr.. i. l.
Sharpe was continued as secretary. A
number of actors and musicians arc
also members Of the 4" Owls"
John L. Finerty, Esq, representa-.
tue Times, of this city, at the CITY O
Mexico with the United States com
mercial delegation, is writing som,
splendid descriptive letters to hi
paper, which are attracting a grea
deal Of interest because of the vas
amount Of information they contain
about a comparatively unknown coun
try. He thinks, however, that Mex
leo has no market for, as he says
E" Yankee wares. He speaks in higl
terms Of the Mexican president anC
other %dignitaries with whom he ha,
come in contact.
Colonel NJ. L. Sullivant, of Illinois
died recently on board the steamer
Guthrie, on the Ohio river. He wa.
the largest land owner in the State
being the proprietor Of over $4,000
acres Of fern land at the time of his
decease. His loss is much dcplored.
Madame La Chapelle still holds out
pluckily at her tiresome walk against
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