Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1880-06-25
CHICAGO LETTER.

Special Correspondence PUBLIC LEDGER.l
CHICAGO, June 23.-As | write, the
heat in this region is simply torrid in
its intensity, and every one is swelter-
ing and endeavoring to find a cool re-
treat not a breath Of air tanning the
piercingly intense rays of the sun
that come down with merciless severi-
ty, making poor mortals gasp with
suffocation. This sudden change from
the season of delightful weather, just
passed, makes it felt more distressing
ly, and a great deal of unexpected
sickness and death may be looked tor
while the furnace. like breath tortures
the community. And especially may
this state of affairs be expected when
it is understood that the Chicago
river, which permeates the city in
three directions, is frightfully filthy,
and emits an odor simply villainous.
| presume that by this time Major
Whitmore, the LEDGER's chief pilot,
is at the helm of affairs once more,
after his short stay in this
latitude, a sojourn that could
be nothing else than pleasurable. If
he had acquiesced in the solicitations
of his friends to prolong his trip they
would have exerted all their powers
to make his visit very happy. How
ever, it is safe to say he had a splen-
did time, and was especially delighted
with his piscatory experience at St.
Joseph, Michigan, in company with
Major G. II. Rollins, Of the great
Rollins printing house of Chicago, a
prince OF the social school.
Political circles are very quiet at
this writing, but everybody is on the
qui vive awaiting results at Cincin-
natl. Since the withdrawal of Sey-
mour and Tilden and the apparent
.disafecti6n ofthe New York men as
to Payne, lobbyists are entirely at sea.
Some want Senator David Davis,
others Thurman, more Hendricks, a
few Morrison, and a goodly number
General Hancock. Aside from Sena-
tor Davis as his first choice, your cor
respondent would like to see selected
as democratic standard bearers Gen
eral Hancock and Senator Mcdonald.
This would be pitting Greek against
Greek, in a military sense; because no
man has a more brilliant record as a
soldier than the general; while as a
social gentleman, an erudite scholar,
and 3 patriot he is SAM peur ct sans
reproche. But there is no use here
specializing on the issue, for the die
will be cast ere this reaches you, and
the fate Of the democratic party
staked for the next four years. The
country at large anxiously prays for
deliverance from radical republican
thraldom through the wise action Of
the Cincinnati convention.
A fearful accident overlook Captain
Ed. Smith, Of fire engine No. 8. Sun
day morning, and which resulted 10
death Monday. When an alarm il
sent in, our brigade become wild with
excitement, and with lightning speed
fly to the fire. In enc Of these wild
flights the engine collided with a
plug" and the captain and several
men were suddenly dashed against
the sidewalk. All we're severely in
iured, but poor gallant Smith fatally.
Yesterday his remains were followed
to the grave by a host Of weeping
friends, who mourned him as another
willing martyr TO duty. May the sod
rest lightly on his grave, and may a
kind providence soften the sorrow OF
his afflicted family.
Promoted TO the important position
Of general passenger agent Of the Hi.
nois Central railroad, vice Mr.. w. p,
johnson, is Mr.. A.. H.. Hanson. who
has been for twelve years past promi.
nently connected with the company.
and for the last two years assistant
general passenger agent. MI. Hanson
is considered Of the best men for the
position in the United States, and he
and his numerous friends and we'll.
wishers should feel proud that he
possesses abilities to qualify him for
such a responsible position, and to be
the successor Of such an accomplished
gentleman IS Colonel johnson, whom.