Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1879-02-08

FROM CHICAGO.

Correspondence of the Ledger,
CHICAGO, February 4, 1S79.-The
LEDGER reaches me regularly, and is
always a welcome guest, Its last visit
brought with it a cloud, however, and
one that | was sorry to notice-that of
the dissolution or abolition of the city
government. However, it may be for
the best. | cannot sympathize with
the money usurers who drove her to
such a step in the hour of her
greatest travail. God only knows
what the dear old Bluff City has suf-
fered during the past eighteen years.
Her misery has been without a paral-
lei, But, as it is said the darkest
hour is before day, 1t is to be hoped
that this will be a true prophecy in
her case. All interested have my
deepest and warmest sympathies.
The investigation of Judge Blod-
gets official conduct of late is
the great sensation of the hour.
To-day the courtroom Tor the
superb parlors of the Palmer
Housed was well filed; among the
audience a number of richly dressed
and beautiful ladies being center
figures. The cloud still hangs threat
eningly over the accused, and unless
the defense be very strong, there will
be just grounds for a presentation Of
the facts to the grand jury for investi-
cation. The strongest witness against
the judge is A. G. Hessing, the old
boss of the German element of Chi
cage, and editor Of the Stats Zetune
of this city. But no credence should
be given to his statements, for he is a
self-conyicted perjurer and ex-convici
of the whisky ring of Illinois. He i,
now entirely without character, and
should not be tolerated where truth
was expected. Furthermore, in thi,
matter he has personal revenge ia
satisfy against Judge Blodsetr.
The Custer massacre investigators
are still banging away at a shadow.
| think Mr.. Whitaker. the author of
Clusters Life, was a little of when he
agitated the public to make a target Of
General Reno. This ~canvassing of
the events of those fatal days, when
so many brave souls were so hurriedly
sent into eternity, could not have been
expected to result in good. On the
contrary. the investigation Of a brave
soldier conduct, and the attempt TO
cast Odium upon him, from the facts
before me, was beyond the pale Of
business, and its expense a great hard
ship upon the taxpayers of the
country.
This evenings News says that al
though Chicago owes $4,000 900, still
she will not lose her identity as has
Memphis. The News forgets that
Memphis was pressed TO the wall by
her creditors. Would not the same
result follow if Chicago's creditors
would do likewise? The News should
not parade its pet ideas as reflections
upon a city that has suffered the hor-
rors that have lately Oyertaken Mem
phis. Mans inhumanity to man.
etc, covers the News case.
Highway robberies, burglaries.
thuggings, head-smashings. arsons.
and every other crime up to murder.
are prominent features Of Chicago life.
After dark no pedestrian is safe. The
city is packed with scoundrels Of the
most infamous stamp. Unless Judge
Lync1 takes matters in hand. there Is
no telling the calamities that will
occur.
The Palmer House robber. Charles
Alexander, started to-day for a two
years sojourn in the Joliet peniten-
tiary.
George Delcher. one Of the most
dangerous and desperate robbers in
this section, is in the cooler at last
Officers H. +. Smith and j. T. Jen.
nings did the work. George will hay,
to remain behind the bars until mex
session Of the Criminal Court, as il il
impossible for him to make the $l0,50
bonds required.
j. j. Schmidt and r. X. Richard.
son, members of the grand jury, arr
being Investigated on a charge of cor
ruption in the discharge of their duty
1t is likely to go hard with them.
The honors recently bestowed By
Baltimoreans upon Congressman Gen
eral Carter Harrison, Of Illinois
tickles his friends here immensely
Tally another for Our Carter, F" as ht
is dubbed by his acquaintance.
Tom Paine. The admirers of thil
great free-thinker celebrated the an
niversary of his birthday last Satur
day night at Turner Hall, on Nil.
waukee avenue. The occasion wal
quite enjoyable.
Your readers will remember the
Richardson Mcfarland tragedy that
occurred a few years agoin New York
which resulted in the killing of Mr.
Richardson, a Tribune editor, by Nc.
Farland, aud the latter subsequent
acquittal on the grounds Of emotional
insanity. And also Of the romantic
marriage of Mrs. McFarland-that
was before she get divorced - tc
Richardson a few minutes before his
death. Well, Mrs. Abbie Sage Nc.
Farland-R Richardson has written q PLAY
called Two Women. ltwas presented
at McVicker's last week, and proved
grand success. Il is 4 drama of the
modern school, and seasoned highl,
...4l. V.o,aLv uansofion II Mrc M