The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1882-04-22

quite an important part of the summer lie Oh
the people OF the northwest, is at work again
this season, having announced three excursions
on July s. 90 and 27,-tickets good for round
trip from Detroit to Portland, Me- and return
costing $40, the route being combination OF
rail and steamboat travel. Mr.. Brearley sends
his new guide book, with full particulars OF the
trips, on receipt of 80 cts.
*x*
An exchange says: There have been improve
ments in almost everything except country
roads. This is singular, when we consider that
the minds OF the best inventors Of the world have
been devoted to the matter Of improved loeomo-
ton. During the past fifty years almost all the
great improvements In travel and transportation
have been made; but during that time the coun
try roads have not improved. Indeed an old resi-
| dent OF this state declares they are worse than
they were thirty or forty years ago; for, he says
the constant tread Of horses and the passage OF
wheels makes the condition OF the earth worse
every year." In the southern part of the state
the people are discussing the project Of building
sheds over their country roads as preventive
Of mud.
| When the Ottawa man sets the example OF
making an exhibition OF himself, there is sure
to be some one to keep him company in the sub
urbs. The Mendoza Bulletin comes to the res
cue of the Times in this way: at looks like the
taxpayers are to be bled another $4,000 on ac-
count of that new ornament the county is plac-
ing on that plat of ground IN Ottawa which Is
called the public square, but is more the shape OF
bowling alley. Some one down there has sud
denly discovered that the roof to be put on the
new court house will be a regular finder box;
that the vault for the circuit clerk Is entirely too
small; that two cubby-holes, dark and 80
damp as to endanger the records, are all allow
ed the recorder; that there Is to be no ventila-
| ton and in many other respects the house is not
gong to be what 1t should be. To remedy these
defects a call is out for special meeting OF the
board of supervisors, which we suppose means
another levy of not less than $4,000. AS these
detects were all seen and pointed out in the plans
and specifications, and it is claimed the contrac
tors are not working according to the specifca
tions, 1t looks as though the Ottawa crowd has
canvassed the complexion and Instability OF the
new board and concluded TO tap them for all
they think they will stand, to make the building
30 safe at least not to endanger the property OF
the precious set who own the buildings around
1.-The court house lot, and we may hint, also own
the building committee" Having repeated that
1--WE told you So" the Bulletin adds: I'VE feel
like saving the Ottawa crowd shave made their
bed, now let them lie in It," They got all they
asked and should be satisfied. We believe the
sentiment of the taxpayers of this section, and all
outside little ring at Ottawa, is TO say to the
board go on and complete the building within
the appropriation already made"
) Was there ever anything more ridiculous?
However, they had an election in Mendoza last
week in which Ruggles was very much interest
ed. and it is not surprising that his mind should
give way on the consummation of his desire to
have the "Nare" buried.
Il -"
One Of the noticeable improvements lately 10
Ottawa is in the orchestra at the Opera House
There is no more excuse for a professional or
chestra's repeating trite music than there would
be in the managers having one company repeat
ing the same play three times week for six
months in succession and forcing the people to
8 listen to it or Of newspapers stereotypng and
repeating the tpye of one issue week after week
for months in succession. And yet this orches
ira did do pretty much that very thing. 1t seem
ed as though they never would take a header; ,
and were in fair way of becoming an intolera
BILE nuisance But something has struck them, "
and we hasten to notice most decided improve
ment. The number of instruments has been in
creased to eight, making n well balanced party
and much new and good music has been giver
during the past month or six weeks. And tht
patrons of the house appreciate it. The et,
acts may be somewhat enjoyed as they should be
The orchestra has the material and there is NJ
7 reason why an Ottawa orchestra should not bt
q as good as any usual orchestra Of its size. Ant
the improvement does not stop here, we ART
2 pleased to note, but has invaded the domain o
70 dance music-and nowhere was new deal more
b needed for it must be admitted that with thu
Il repetition of the DID, worn out, dead land should
have been bured) music heard at dances during
3 the past few years In Ottawa, the dancing public
u had become thoroughly disguised. Here an en-
+, trely new deal has been made and on the las
- two occasions the music has been new and gooC
= enough TO satisfy anyone. Both orchestra an(
j. public arc to be congratulated.
The La Sale Co. s. s. Assn will hold a conven
ton in Mendoza, Sept, 81 and %.
= The new train over the Kankakee & Senec
road, spoken of last week, began running OIL
J. Monday. 1t goes cast from Seueca at 7:45A. NJ.