Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1881-12-12
CHICAGO LETTER
Orrespondence PunLIo LEpoEa.l

Cllls Luz mCshdSo VI ANoANSut
Arthur is variously commented upon;
but, as a general thing, it is well re-
ceived; and especially those portions
referring to the establishment OF in
formal revenue on certain articles and
civil service reform. However, very
little good is expected to result from
any attempt on the part OF Congress
to make a law pattering after Great
Britain in her treatment other worthy
and honest public servants. AS the
head Of our government is changed 80
frequently, and each new incumbent
has different notions from his prede-
cessor, and is generally partial TO
friends, and under obligations to the
political party that elected him chief
executive Of the country, it is natural
to look for and expect rotation" of
office in tho different departments of
the government. This being the case,
it is more than likely this Congress
will not interfere with ''civil service
dilemma. What would be the use of
wasting time constructing an ''edifce"
that would be pulled down by the next
Congressional majority. Kisses 60
by favors.p Such has always been,
aud will continue to be the case under
our form of government. The party
in power rules the roostp and is en-
titled to ali the offices. In tho Ian
guage of the celebrated Texan Repub-
lican: What are the Republicans in
power for, ifnot for the ofices?" Pre-
sumably, Mr.. Reagan was about right.
There is no eyading the national
policy. that ito the victor belongs the
spoils,' politically,
A new telephone. appliance or con
tact has been lately invented by MIR.
Francis de Hondt, of Chicago. 1t is
destined to work quite a revolution in
the telephone business. The in
vention is a radical i'm
provement on all other telephonef.
This is the description Of it To one
end of a permanent magnet is attached
at right angle a perforated iron core
carrying the usual bobbin of fine wire.
Facing the core is the diaphragm, so
arranged that when the diaphragm is
placed in position it contracts with a
slender rod held within the core, so
that the circuit is closed by the mu-
tual action Of the m~agnetized core and
diaphragm c%rowding the slender rod
against a key. The instrument re
ceives and sends perfectly. The
mouth piece in this instrument is of
metal, aud is finely finished through
out.
The robbers of the Belvidere, Ills :,
postofice are in Chicago, in the hands
of United States officers. The male
factors are named James Rorers,
Charles Wilson and William Meteor
mack. Rogers has a swelled head. In
trying to get away from the officers
he received several blows from a club.
The Horticultural Society of Hi
nois is in session in Chicago. Fruit
culture is the main topic being dis
cussed. The attendance is large. A
number of gentlemen from other State
societies are present.
Smallpox is scourging Chicago.
Most of the cases are among late ar.
| rivals from NOthern Europe. The
hospital is full and flowing over with
patients. and the Board of Health is
asking for more accommodations. If
this state of affairs lasts much longer,
the damage to business will be very
serious.
Vice President Dsvid Davis is a
queer character or more cor
rectly speaking, he has a strange
role to enact as President Of the Sen
ate. Before his term expires there is
scarcely a doubt but he will be an In
dependent, a Republican and a Demo
crat. Or, to be more explicit, it is
more than likely he will vote for and
against these parties at various and
sundry times. Consequently he may
be styled a Republican, Democrat, in
deDendent heavy weight champion.
The earnings Of the Chicago & st.
Paul railroad for the year ending, will
be about S18, 600, 900.
Nearly killed by mistake, was Tom
Parks, a Baltimore & Ohio railroad
engineer, the other night, by a party
Of South Chicago thugs. 1t is likely
he will die. The scoundrels took him
for a special policeman, against whom
they had a grudge. After beating him
to death, as they thought, they robbed
him, and then tumbled him into a
ditch. The feGds are still &c large.
Garfield" is the name Of the
latest addition to Chicago's many su
burbs. The site Of the town is sit.
uated on the northwestern limit
just north Of Humboldt Park, one of
Chicago's most delightful attractions.
At this new venture for city honors
there will soon be erected mammoth
locomotive and other works. Prop
erty in the vicinity is now rated at
$1,000 that could have easily beea
bought for 800 three weeks agl.
New York will soon have TO take q
second place as to population.
In a former letter to the LEDGER
| predicted that James B. Doyle.
charged with counterfeiting and circu
lating spurious U. S. bonds, and who
was tried and found guilty OF said Of
feBse, because he had quite a number
Of Eaid o-be-counterfeit bonds 10 bis
possession when arrested, was innocent
as charged. Now he has been granted
3 new trial on a writ Of error. l still
believe him innocent, and look for his
discharge By the next jury that sits on
bis ease. Dozens Of the most respect
able citizens Of Illinois. who knew Mr..
Doyle for years, testified to his high
moral character. And he readily ex-
plained how he came in possession of
the n hundred and thirty one thou
sand dollar bonds found in his satchel.
He was a business man, and travelled
a great deal; while East he met
with Brockway, tho notorious forger,
at some watering place. Their ac-
quaintance ripened into business
friendship, and Brockway, who was
sailing under an alias, advanced this
large sum Of money to be invested out
West. However, this explanation
and the splendid character given him
by those who knew him best
in business and socially,
awaited nothing. He was found
guilty and sentenced to ten years 10 the
p~enitentiary. But now the wheel will
turn in his favor, and he will soon step
NaHNh N NaaA Haan