The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1880-02-07
Correspondence Baifir.ors CouHss Unioa.
LETTER FROM BALTIMORE.
he Ground-Hog-Gas Companies-Five-
Cont Feres-Mr. Parnell-
Speculation, &C.

BALTIMORE, February 4th, 1850.
The ground hog has come down upon us with
vengeance. lie came out rs usual, obedent 10 in
stinct, beyond which the memory Of man runneth
not, On the ID inst.-Candlsmas day-and IL be-
ing particularly shiny, seeing his shadow, in
siantly turned back. in doing which lost his tail
aud went again Indignantly into his hole, leaving
the cropped-on appendags outside, thereby inhict-
ing upon us-as the legend goes-six weeks Of
severe winter, which commenced with o driving,
clustering snow on Monday night, falling 20 the
depth Of four inches. IL was accompanied with
sharp freezing followed ON Tuesday with some
rain. slightly mider atmosphere and n regular
slush. peculiaTity Of the special ground hog
which emerged specially from its particular hole
this year, somewhere out in the "Belt." and seen
by several eyewitness, was the loss Of its
immense tail. This appendagc being found by u
deniEcn Of your county, he took II to the Balti-
more SHH Office where Il now be seen and IL
looked upon ne remarkable curiosity, provided
the editors take sufficient trouble to show Il.
have had hints from several quarters that our
old City Gas Company, which already absorbed
one new gas-light enterprise opposing its long
hated monopoly, Is now purchasing all stock they
eau get hold Of offered for sale or placed on the
market by the new Consumer Company, put into
successful operation and competition some two
years ago. lfthis be the fact Il must prove pceu-
liarly unfortunate for our gas consumers and sub
jcct them again to renewed impositions aud ex-
orbitant prices for 50 indispensable necessity rs
light, depending upon merciless monopoly. Let
tue hope, however. there may be some mistake in
the runor. yet fear there may he in Il too zach
truth. II is said the Consumers Company, even
nj the moderate prices cxactcd, has been doing
well. declaring fair dividend TO stockholders.-
The old company, when forced 20 competition, re-
luctantly reduced its rates nearly One.han after
the new one commenced operations. Tho ques-
ton arises. therefore. IL Il does well now wha,
must have been its enormous profits cxtorted from
hard necessity when their price was nearly three
times mere than at present? can only say, how
ever. II Balimorcans allow themselves TO be again
held in bondage 60 a bloatcd gas monopoly for ne
Ilcct of properly and literally encouraging gen
opposition they deserve to DO made sufferers.
] earnestly hope 30 dire n calamity may not bcfall
our people. Let them think Il how little satsfac-
ton they used 10 get under monopoly rule Of the
old company when making complaints Of high.
o,erchargei gas bills. Neither common courtesy
nor the slightest satisfaction were shown given.
The answer was in subs;ancc--or ut least by in
fcrcncc-if you don't like il We will take away
your metre and shut oil the gas and also II you
want 90 &c; /; again you must put up in advance
u bonus. an imposition always exacted by the old
until the new company came into competition
with n. when the r'Tg g'HcroHs rule was-is still
-abandoned. not obcdient 70 the true spirit Of
cummodstion.
our citizens unanimOusly--cxcepta compare
lively few interested in the companics-arc re-
joicoi g. notice that Mr.. james Mcclure. aided by
others In the Legislature. are now earnestly at
work cndeavoring % get bill passed compelling
the Baltimore passenger railway companies 20 re-
ducc their fare from g. cents. or even change.
requiring also that charge be made for transfer
tickets and tina; these shall he good with all lines.
Ninety nine nut Of every hundred citizens are not
only in favor .; this movement but anxious IL
should become law. some of these companies,
h"ldin: A. II were a monopoly Of the streets. are
close corporations and said 90 be coming money.
maxim: immense profits their gross earn
ing. all Of which comes out " the pockets Of
the people least able 10 pay il. Your correspond
cri r.ics ~; less than twelve hundred times year
these railways. II. therefore. the fare were
ducei 90 even tive cents he would save twelve dol
lar per aunum: woali others riding save more
~ less in the same proportion, and be relieved
from the annoyance Of hun;in. about or fumbling
in their pockets for an odd cent. As the passcn-
g.. railway system j. public benefit 60 all cities.
serving o. develop them in expansion. population
AMI material wealth. they should be properly re.
s;Tic;ed AMI made a. rccipToca;c accommodations.
Let ne hope, therefore. the pressure may prove
strong upon our Legislature tina; /; will grant
citizens what they earnestly desire in this mat.
ter. Your county friend. and people generally
will likewise reap advantages thereby. There is
NJ reason why these Passenger railway companies
should receive chartered privileges from n cor.
poraiion withou; being generous and fair to all
citizens in return. | learn that any amount Of
money is now in the hands Of lobbyists at Annapo.
IL 10 defeat Mr.. McClure's fve.cent measure, but
IL has the popular side.
lIy the advertisement which enclose IL will be
seen that Mr. Peter G. Lynch. former partner in
the very popular saloon hitherto known No Lynch
cou.hlan's. No. Is Holiday street. next door %
where the York Road Railroad care stop. has pur-
cha.el the in;eres, e Mr.. Colgh!an therein and
TOW runs !; wholly upoa his own responsibility.
This has become quite fayoriis place Of resort
for citizen. of youF when they 10 Ia IN
AMI from it, careful management secures a large
custom generally. ] can truthiully assert good
things are obtainable there whilst no cleverer
caterer can be foand than Peter Lynch.
Mr.. Parncll. the famed Irish orator and philan.
thropis,. who was o. have addressed our citizens
AZ the Academy of Music on the 9Th inst ill no,
appear there until the 18th. ewing 10 unavoidable
circumstance. Permit tue TO say that this gen.
tlcnan. engaged he il in the great cause Of
philan'hrolhy and human suffering. cannot afford
10 make any mistakes or in the slightest manner
eac'oach upon politics for the purpose % popular
iling the irish vote of our country favorable to
Democracy. II 10 does-or attempts such n thing
all his usefulness will not only prove abortive
bu; rink into naush,. The American heart, ire
spertive of creed or party, is now open to give.
bh; II will only do 50 on square. open principles
of justice.
learn with regre; that Mr.. James ". Clayton,
who resides at 100 Maryland avenue. former Dep
uty Collector of the port Of Baltimore under the
late Col. wilkins. is now lying dangerously and
h,pelessly i'll. no; expected to survive from one
day to the other. Mr.. Clayton was many year.
reading clerk in the House Of Representatives. and
now Though staunch Republican, holds clerk
ship worth $1,000 year in the L. :. Senate.
The speculation in grain under the enormous
syndicate Of milionaircs. alleged 10 have stored
up 5o.O0u.Oo0 bushels in different parts Of our
country, has weakened to some extent, and prices
OF wheat and corn are gradually giving way. Let
u hope these bloaiei monopolists and SPECTATORS
may all NEE, adequate punishment in heavy losses.