Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1881-07-21
CHICAGO LETTER.
Correspondence Public Ledger

Correspondence Public Ledger
CHICAGO, July II, 1881.
This is Sunday. Aside from its
religious significance it is the much
looked for event in the existence oil
most Chicagoans, and especially OF the
German element, which is very nu'
merous. With the latter class it is q
gala holiday. one of general rejoicing,
Truly our Teutonic citizens and resi-
dents are happy-aye, very happy
people. AT least such is the impress
sion of your correspondent, who mas
frequently noticed how supremely
happy they appear when attending all
sorts of social frolics. All business
care and worry seems forgotten as
| they laugh and sing, and chat and
drink their lager. And it is very evil
dent that those of other nationalities,
including Americans, are rapidly tall,
ing into the gay and happy" ways OF
their German neighbers. know first
class ladies to-day Of the Oldest
| American families who have no hest
fancy in accompanying their escort
under beer tent" and taking glass
of lager, who, few years back, would
have branded such a proceeding as
extremely fast" In fact, social Ii
cense is so liberal that when out
strolling the gentleman has no scru-
nlts about saying: Excuse me, Miss,
but | will step into this saloon, take a
cigar, etc., and bring you anything
| you choose" The lady generally Sc
lects lager, ginger ale or sherry aud
| ice. which she disposes of from be.
meath her sun shade. When viewed
with a liberal eye, it appears that
there is nothing remarkable about
such proceedings, save an independ-
ence that should be purely American
instead of foreign Importation.
To-day the weather is simply lovely,
and everybody is out in the very best
selection from her or his wardrobe.
The parks, boulevards and streets are
packed with young and old, and the
display of millinery, dry goods,
etc, presents picture of loneliness
very bewitching. Some of the toilets
are marvels as to design, richness of
texture and fabulous cost. One is at
once lost in wonder at the magnificent
panorama, and much perplexed to dis
cover from whence comes the wealth
to purchase such costly raiment. Out
wardly, all seems virtue and bappi
ness, and it is to be hoped that such
is the condition of inner humanity.
However, if the true inwardness of
the cause of the great number Of en-
bezzlements that daily agitate society
was probed to the bottom, it might re-
Quire a not very learned or observing
person to trace the disgrace to the
mania for fine dress. Society is ter
ribly defective in this matter. And
there is every evidence to warrant the
assertion that a great deal Of honor
and virtue is sacrificed that the appe-
tite for dress may be satisfied. PITY
tbs; It's pity tbs true"
The new courthouse Of Cook coun-
ty, Illinois, is situated in Chicago ana
occupies the east half of the block
bounded by Clark, La Sale, Wash
ington and Randolph streets. Its
front is 1858 feet, and its depth about
half this distance. The height from
the sidewalk to the top of the main
cornice is about l25 feet. The struc-
ture is nearly completed, and, when
finished, will be one Of the finest edi-
fees in the country. The city
hall will occupy the west
half Of the block, and, when fin
ished, will be equally as splendid an
ornament to the city as the court
house. The furnishings OF both build
ings will be on a magnificent scale, and
complete in every minutial. 1t will
be happy change for the officers,
and the public generally, from the
'old rOOkeries," rented after the
great fire" to the splendid new quar-
ters.
The Chicago postofice has been the
scene, for some time, of petty
mail robberieg, Some of these
infractions have besl commit
ted by members Of tony" families.
These favored scions have generally
squeezed out of the clutches Of the
law, while the miscreant without in
auence and money has had to go
down" to a felon's cell. To use the
religious" expression Of an acquaint-
ance: This world seems id badly
constructed" Some people steal when
not needing the fruits of their wrong
doing, and go scott free; while those
who commit crime through force Of
circumstance got the full penalty of
the law. Taxing liberal view of the
situation, / conclude that one cFimi-
nal is fortunate and the other in very
bad luck. There is one thing that is
as true as our existence, and it is this:
If this worlds goods we're more evenly
distributed crime would be very
scarce. In other words, if there
we're no millionaires or monster cor
porations, and the vast wealth of the
world not within the grasp of the few,
but scattered among all the worthy in
suitable SUMS, then poorhouseS
and jails and judges and criminals
would pass out of existence, end this
would be as if one vast happy family
only occupied it. Monopoly is the
Nemesis that is destroying the world,
that is, so far as the people are con
cerned When | say people" | wish
to be understood as referring to the
millions who are now compelled to
toll. toll, toll, from the beginning 70
the end of life for a mere subsistence,
while q very few af their fellows