The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1882-02-25
Correspondence Baltimore County Union.
LETTER FROM BALTIMORE.
Washington's Birthday-The New Collec-
tor of the Port-Trouble in the Dem
ocratic Camp-A Winter Thun-
der Storm, Etc, Etc, Etc.
BALTIMORE, February 22d, 1882.

BALTIMORE, February 22d, 1882.
This being the 22d of February and the 150th
anniversary of the birth of Washngton-"the
father of his country"-it has been quite generally
and appropriately observed holiday. 1t is
legally holiday, secular business being pretty
much suspended. All the public city offices, also
of those of the general government, were closed,
excepting for attending to such matters were
absolutely necessary. The city presented quite
gala, patriotic appearance The National flag
was suspended on different public buildings and
from very many private business places and resi-
dences. Though most of the stores were open
there was comparatively but little business done.
The banks all closed and the courts adjourned.
1t being also the commencement of Lent service
was held in all the Roman Catholic Protestant
Episcopal and some other churches which were
fully attended. 1t was very rare occurrence for
Washingtons birth anniversary and the beginning
OF the Lenten season to come on the same day
1t may be very many years hence before similar
coincidence takes place again. The two events
coming thus together caused doubtless, more
general observance of the day than would other
wise have been given to it. There no militia
ry parade usual ON such occasions but the vari-
Gus theatres and places of amusement were open
afternoon and evening and largely attended,
! Quite large number of strangers, with goody
sprinkling of members of Congress and of the
Legislature, werein the city. The principal hotels
| had considerably than their ordinary supply
of guests. Altogether and in every respect the
anniversary passed off appropriately and harmo-
niously.
| Quite large number of the personal and politi-
cal friends of Col. Edwin H. Webster, who has
just entered upon his duties as Collector of the
| Port of Baltimore, made friendly, congratulatory
calls upon him yesterday and to-day. The greet
ings and interchange of kindly sentiment were
| cordial and hearty. Among these callers were
many influential gentlemen from Baltimore county
and other counties in the State. 1t was rather
too soon to press claims of applicants for Office
This, am info med, Col. Webster will give due
consideration to at the opportune time and with
especial regard to the best interests of the Govern
ment, the Republican party and of the entire peo-
pie. A goodly number of changes will doubt
take place hereafter. Col Webster is by means
stranger in our midst. His good-natured face
and social characteristics familiar to very many
Batimoreans he having resided among and with
us for several years hitherto when holding the
same honorable and responsible position he now
holds. He was then great favorite officially and
personally as l am confident he will continue to
be. pleased to him looking well,
evincing the enjoyment of good health and cheer
full spirits.
At last Governor Hamilton-at almost the last
hour-has sent in his list of State appointments to
the Legislature for confirmation rejection. This
independent act of the Governor-though long de-
ferred-seems to have failed in meeting anything
like the general approval of his party, particular
~ C0dC Wig Vi III Jue ming, eAdcI-
ly pleasing o. L. DIS, supposed to be the Gov
ernor's special friends. 1t appears, indeed, to
have caused great CONSERVATION among the faith
full and falling like bombshell in the Democratic
camp. | cannot better depict the true feeling
caused thereby than by extracting the following
portion of an Annapolis letter by the regular cor
respondent of the Baltimore Gazette, appearing in |
its to days Wednesdays issue. After describ-
ing the feeling and anxiety among the people in
Annapolis and in and about the State House in |
reference to the Governors appointments, the cor
respondent-who is good Democratic authority, as |
is also the G0zette-says:
"There much disappointment when the list |
was made known, and men looked at one another |
in amazement and asked, IF fidelity to party is to
be the certain occasion for removal from Office and
treason to the organization is to be rewarded with
place and power, what is to be the future of the
Democratic party of Maryland?' The correspond |
ing from Baltimore intensified this astonish-
ment and the faithful adherents of the Democratic |
party were lost in bewilderment and regret, while
the Republicans were jubiant and the representa-
tives of the disaffected element in the city and |
several counties were also overjoyed. Treason |
reared its head triumphant, while the veteran |
legions who had never swerved from the path of
duty turned sadly from the The stragglers, |
the deserters and the skulkers have received the |
crosses and the decorations, while the of the |
Macedonian phalanxes of the Democracy, the |
eagle. bearers and those who have borne the brunt
of battle have the fruits of their valor dis
tributed to those who in the previous history of
the world had always deserved and met condgn |
condemnation and punishment Tt remeins to be |
seen what will be the result of such policy I'M |
precedented in the annals of the land Remark |
able as it is there is q wonderful coincidence in |
the similarity of the action of the Governor and |
the Mayor of Baltimore While the one here has |
removed Democrats who supported the nominees |
of the party at the late election, and appointed |
h. aha1k
ed from voting, SO that Republicans were elected |
or the election of the Democratic nominees was |
imperied, the other in Baltimore has appointed |
members of the o. L. D. faction to Office and thor
oughly identified himself with those who for the |
past year have done all in their power to disrupt
and destroy the party in Baltimore"
The correspondent seems himself to mourn over |
this calamity to his party apprehending the most
dreful results not only in the future triumph of |
Repubcanism, but the coming defeat of |
Democracy throughout Maryland. 1t will be well,
therefore, for Republicans to study the lessons
here taught and take judicious advantage of them.
The recent city appointments in Baltimore of
Mayor Whyte to a very great extent also to
have caused much dissatisfaction, causing a
bombshe explosion nearly as great, if not quite
as disturbing as that produced by the late dyna-
mite rupture still reverberating at Annapolis all
over Maryland. There is also a strong probable
ity of its being felt not unlike little earthquake
SHOch III DdlLlInOT0 county before auOIler year
rolls away.
There are some enthusiastic and honest Demo-
Gratis who judicousy approve Gov. HamtOns in
dependent act in appointing our noble, munfcent
citizen, Mr.. Enoch Pratt, to an important Office
because he is Republican, whilst others, not able
to find any real fault, except his not being of their
party think it very Objectionable After what
Mr.. Pratt has done in his noble act of donating
million Of dollars to the establishing free cir
culating library for the pure and absolute advan
tage of the whole people of Baltimore and of the
State-of the public at large-it must, indeed, be
person of small soul and illiberal procIivites
who would object to such gentleman as Mr.. Pratt
being placed in any position of honor and trust
within the bestowment of the entire citizenship of
our Commonwealth. There are intimations, how
ever, good and generous as he has been and is
worthy of all praise, respect and commendation-
efforts will be made to have him rejected merely
because he does not chance to be a Democrat To
"turn down" such a man, in all respects fitted for
the position to which Gov. Hamilton has appoint
ed him, would not only be disgrace but blister
ing shame. Let us upon the of pure merit
hope such may not be the case.
We have had rain almost daily since Sunday
last large amount falling. There was quite
heavy thunderstorm yesterday afternoon-the
first of the season-with sharp lightning and a
material change in the atmosphere for colder. At
one time, about three o'clock in the afternoon,
when the thunderstorm was prevailing, it sudden
ly grew dark for fifteen twenty minutes almost
as night and people could scarcely see to read or
write. 1t was singulary gloomy. To-day the
weather, though partially cloudy, is pleasantly
cool and bracing. There are some who predict we
are to have an early spring and suppose snakes
and toads were walked from their long sleep by the
thunder of yesterday.
There now appears to be no hope of securing in
latitude the luxury of ice to any desirable
tent this season. Comparatively very little has
thus far been housed. Ice dealers are already
putting up the price of that article. The belief is
it will be at least double the price it was last year.
1t is both complimentary and gratifying to no.
tice that the members of our Baltimore Order of
the Oriole, who visited New Orleans recently to
attend the Mardi Gras carnival or jubilee there,
have been most signaly honored and treated by
the people of the Crescent City, They were liter
all haIn nd md