Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1880-02-23
CHICAGO LETTER.

CHICAGO, February Is. Within
twenty-four hours the weather in thi
region has changed from balmy spring
to blizzard winter. Yesterday morn
ing it was very pleasant; about noon
the wind began to howl, and by night
the rain came down in torrents. This
morning the early bird found tn
earth covered with snow, and the sev-e
eral pools of water made by the rain
thickly frozen; and all day it has been
freezing aud blowing, and as l write
it being late in the afternoon-it is
piercing cold the streets are nearly
deserted, and every one is seeking the
luxury Of a fire. Such another change
able climate it would be hard to find.
Il is more than likely Chicago will
soon enjoy another great boon. 1t is
proposed, by a moneyed company,
to heat the city by steam. 1t
is intended to establish a number
of extensive furnaces in different Sec
tions Of the city. In each of these
steam is to be generated and furnished
to consumers by means Of ground
pipes similar to those used for gas.
The cost Of this heat will be small.
The novelty will be delightful for
housekeepers, because 1t will do away
with the bother Of making fires and
handling nasty coal. The steam
can be used for ordinary heating pur-
poses, as we'll as for cooking. and can
beregulated as easily as a water-faucet.
OF course this new application of
fiery water will do away with the
present form Of stove end will call in
play inventive genius to create one
suitable to the requirements of steam.
With this new departure and the
electric light the garden city should
most certainly, be the place for the
national democratic nominating con-
v%ention to assemble. 1t would
seem meet that Chicago should
be the rallying point Of the leaders of
the two great parties Of the country
who are soon to be called upon to Sc
lect their best men as standard- bearers
in the coming peaceful Git is to be
hoped) struggle for the presidency.
1t was a Chicago convention that fur
nished the man whose election pre-
cipitated the country in a terrible
war; and it may now be its turn to
furnish a savior for the people-a
man hat will perform his duty as en-
Joined by his oath of Office, for the
benefit of the nation at large, and
scorn to be the tool of any party. Let
the democratic convention be held in
the phoenix city and let it select
Hon. David Davis, of Illinois, its
standard bearer, if a compromise"
candidate is believed necessary to
rally under one banner the opponents
Of radical republication.
John Calhoun brought the first
printing press to Chicago, and estab-
lisbed the Democrat. His widow was
Yesterday elected a member Of the
Historical Society Of this city.
The straight-laced clergy Of Chicago
are making another effort to Rave
Sunday observed by the public more
in accordance with the ideas of the
church than it is at present. 1t is
proposed that saloons be closed, the
aters ditto, other places of amusement
likewise, and professions to steer
clear OF churches when under march
ing orders. Chicago is too far gone
for such innovation.
The Parnell-D Dillon ovation in Ex-
position hall next Monday will be a
grand affair. The admission will be
fifty cents. The tickets have been
out several days. Thousands will be
sold, the holders of which will not be
able to get standing room in the
building. Among the distinguished
foreigners" other than Parnell &
Dillon, that will be present and ad-
dress the multitude, will be Mr.. Muir
dOch. of Scotland, editor Of the High
lander, a staunch supporter of the
Parnell policy. 1t is likely Colonel
Bob Ingersoll will be among
the distinguished orators. An
original poem, written for the &C.
c%ssion, will be delivered by Miss En-
lie Gavin, one of Chicago's talented
young luminaries, who has recently
been added to the great galaxy of the
nations dramatic geniuses. The dem
onstration will be a grand rebuke to
British tyranny.
NJ. Van Hessler, one Of Chicago's
most noted scoundrels, wasfatally shot
last night.
Out Of Joliet penitentiary David
Parker recently sawed his way. But
he has been gobbled up here, and will
soon be back to his old home, behind
the bars.
Ex-President JEFF. Davis certificate
Of election to congress in lS45, and his
commission as colonel Of the LIST Mis-
sissippi rifles, dated 1916, are in DOS
session Of the Times, Of this city.
While these documents are Of
national interest, it would only
be honorable to return them
to the proper owner. They be.
long to the hero Of Buena Vista, tc
the gallant colonel who at the head Of
the inyincible First Miss. regiment
E wrested victory from the very jaws o,
defeat. Some Of the dashing soldiers
, letters to Mrs. Davis, written on tn,
, bloody fields Of Mexico, are also il
. possession Of that paper.
, Illinois state tax is $50 mills OF
the dollar against $50 mills in KansaI
: and 400 in Missouri. Indiana onl,
] pays 100 mills, the least Of any Of tn
0 western states.
q Smallpox and scarlet fever ar
making things lively in Chicago.
Moses Young, a colored waiter, i
0 now an angel. Moses carried To-
many dishes on his head some Tim
ago. This induced "aneurism Of tn
carotid " In okhor words etrainn