Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1880-04-12
CHICAGO LETTER.
sDe,i,l coo,espondonco Public LEDeERl

Special Correspondence Public LEDGER
CHICAGO, April We'll, our To-
cal election is over, and the very little
excitement it created has vanished.
The occasion was unusually quiet,
and but little interest manifested in
the result. This indifference on the
part of those most interested-th tax
payers-resulted in a number Of most
unworthy individuals being elected to
the council. The weather was smiling
ia the morning, but towards evening
the sky darkened, the wind blew cold
and sharp, and a mosthealthful shower
of snow spread it~selfsuddenly over the
face Of nature. This continued at
intervals all night. However, as |
write, old Sol has SMILED it all away.
But in its stead slush has accumulated
extensively. No doubt the sudden
change in the weather kept many away
from the polls. Nevertheless, aside
from any change in the weather,
a light vote was predicted, and the
prognosticators were not disappointed
in their prophecy. | don't believe
more than $4,000 votes were polled.
The city council will now stand. Be
publicans, IL; democrats, II; social
lists, 6-36. Chicago is divided into
three sections called Townsville
south, north and west. These divis-
ions are caused by the conformation of
the Chicago river, which forks in
three directions. Each of these
towns" elects a supervisor, assessor,
collector and clerk. The republicans
have carried the south and west
towns, and the democrats the north
town. The south division is the bus
mess and most wealthy region, and
embraces first five wards; the west
division those from 8 to IA, and is the
most populous region of the city; the
north comprises the wards from II to
Is. 1t is mostly a residence region,
and the less populOus portion Of the
city. The unfdYorable complexion of
some of the incoming members of the
council is due supreme indifference Of
those most interested in having a
spotless set of city fltheFs. 1t
will be seen that the socialists are
fast gaining a foothold IN Chielgo.
Three years ago the idea of one Of the
party being a member OF the city
council never entered any ones mind
But prosecutions OF the laboring ele-
ment by employees aroused their dor.
mant energies, organic ition followed,
and gradually they increased in mum
bers, untlinOw their power is being
felt in the council. 1t is a long stride
from no representation to having six
members Of the city government from
their ranks.
Rev. George Leeming, Just return
lug to England after a ten years stay
10 Australia, is in Chicago, and will
deliver several lectures on Daniel
O'Connell, the great Irish agitator. be-
fore he les9es US. He will have large
audience.
Chicago +, sgitating a new depart.
ure. Ii Is proposed to dry up the
Chicago -,r. and convert it into a
railroad al TO establish a dock
ageor DO, ing along thelake front.
The drying up" OF the river will b.
accomplished by means of a tunnel
which will carry of the waters of the
river, and act as a sewer at the same
time. 1t is contended that the river
has served its purpose and must now
retire. Truly it has been the life
artery Of the city, and has done noble
work. The cost of this change will
be immense, but enterprise here stops
not to consider cost. Consequently il
is more than likely that ere many
years pass away the visitor will look
in vain for the countless hundreds OF
masts and smoke STACKS Of vessels that
0 greets ones eyes no Eatter which
direction helooks.
4 queer case has just occurred ia
Judge Moran's court A jury was
empanelled to try a cause between
Michael Reich and the Pittsburg
Fort Wayne q Chicago railroad. Be.
fore the case was called it was whis.
pered about that the railroad
had fixed one of the jurors
MeAuley, in its Interests. Before
this could be investigated, the said
Nc. was arrested on a charge Of high
way robbery. and now reposes behind
the bars. Judge Moran is making II
very hot FOR Juror fxers' and brib'
, takers, and it will 20 bard with the
AraiIrOad's representatives before hi,
court, if it is found they have beer
krausgressing the laws.
Over one million dollars more stock
: to be issued by the Chicago and AL.