Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1881-09-21

Tho Refitted SINNER Machine.
In accordance with the call of its presi-
dent the Empire hook and ladder fire COM
pany held special meeting last evening to
consider the propriety of abandoning the
proposed excursion to Reading to-day, ar
rangements for which have been making
for long time. The matter was fully dis
cussed and finally, by vote of 81 to 1, it
was agreed to go. The meeting passed
fitting resolutions Of respect to the mem
ory Of the president. .
Against 1t.
The following communication headed
" Prettiness VS.. Propriety" and signed
"Citizen," from an intelligent and public
spirited citizen refers to the above action
of the Empire:
"The great national calamity has de-
veloped universal brotherhood of feeling,
and the emblems of sorrow meet the eye
given expression to the bereavement of
all places of amusement has attested the
sense Of propriety in individuals and
both public and private performance in
the universal instinct for solemn quiet
tudt PACVdAo WILL tuOSO Cu0t Ii
is, therefore, with peculiar annoyance
determination of the Empire hook and
ladder company to parade at Reading
this week. Their decision is utterly with
out palliation or excuse. The plea that
" other companies will parade is to con-
fess there is no independence of spirit in
our homo company. The other plea that
" members have expended over six dol
lars each in preparation for the parade and
they should have some return for this
money" is SO selfish ard mercenary that
it excites only disgust wherever it is
urged. When theatrical managers will
close their theatres for a week and thereby
entail great loss upon themselves, and
great business houses will close their doors
to trade, it is shameful beyond expression
that the Empire should urge their mean
excuse. The only way in which their
surprising resolution can u explained is
the fact that the members of the Empire
are the proud possessors of brand new
equipments, and the petted darlings
could never get over the grief of
missing an opportunity of displaying
their pretty clothes. They will 60 to Read
ing and march with flying colors to the
gay music Of a band but, in the name of
all that is decent, let them not parade in
this city which sOlemnly resolved last
night in public meeting to observe tho
proprieties of the occasion by ceasing from
all business on the day of the dead presi.
dents funeral. Every yard of black
drapery that shows its shadow in every
street in Lancaster should mutely appeal
to their patriotism, their manliness and
their sense of decency to spare our city
this outrage and indignity.
CITIZEN.
On tho Other Hand.
In reply to the exceeding bitterness, per-
sonality and one-sided view of the matter
on the part of the above writer, it is fairly
said on behalf of the company that
throughout the country all business is pur-
suing its usual course the theatre man.
ayers above referred to as the single ex-
ceptiOn, it is well-knOwn, close their
houses, in large part, because they know
they would not be patrOnized at
present g; the people and fremen
of Reading have for months been
making arrangements and incurring
expenses for this exposition, and the man
agement there having, in view of all the
circumstances, concluded to 60 on with
the parade, decorously and keeping in
view the nations mourning, the Empire
has no right to break it's engagement even
if it's members were disposed to lose the
large amount of expenses they are already
obligated to meet; tho latter is sacri-
flee that other people are not making,
business houses here and elsewhere
being all open and carrying on their trade
as usual.
1t is unfair to say that any resolution has
been passed by our citizens to cease bust
ness at any time except during the
funeral" and at that time the fremen
propose to make no display. We find TO
evidence that there is any marked general
sentiment in tho community against tho
visit Of the Empire to Reading. in view of
all the facts, and we have no idea that the
above communication represents any but
individual opinion and de gustibus non.
The Company OF.
The Empire company, mastering about
40 men, marshalled by Thos. G. Wiley
and equipped III tho new and beautiful
uniform lately described in these columns,
left for Reading OH the noon train, accom-
panied by Clemmens's band. The Empire
boys will stop at the Grand Central (fOr-
merly Mishler's) hotel in Reading and will
return to this city on Friday evening.
THE sHlFFLEE.
Company Nice lng-rhe Renovated steamer
The Shitiler held a meeting last even-
ing and resolved also to go to Reading, as
originally arranged. They will start to-
morrow and take about 55 men, marshaied
by II. Smeych, and will stop at the Berks
County house. The meeting appointed
George Wall and David Weller to draft
and report resolutions expressing the SYM
pathy of the meeting with the general
nation afiliction. 1t was reported that
the net receipts of the late Shiffler fair
were 81, ,7OO.4O.
The Shifller engine has just been brought
from the shop of Norbeck & Miley, where
it has been repainted. 1t looks very hand
some and it will be on exhibition during
the day.
The wheels arc painted with q rich shade
of carmine striped with broad line of
gold, edged with a deep blue and fine
lines of white the face of the spokcs are
handsomely worked up with gold, ver-
million, carmine, light blue and purple,
high lighted with kings yellow the rims
are scrolled and striped with gold and i'm
itat;On of old gold shaded with asphaltum
and high lighted with Naples yellow the
fire-box is heavily scrolled in gold, shaded
with carmine and asphaltum and high
lighted of Naples yellow, the whole sur
rounding the name Shiiiler in new and
original letters of gold shaded with blue
and purple, the face of the letters
being worked up with two shades
OF asphaltum vermilion and carmine.
Tho painting was done by Eugene Nor