The Baltimore County union., 1882-12-16
Correspondence Baiiia0rs couniy Uaion.
LETTER FROM BALTIMORE.
Tho Hoiidays-Acquittal OF Dignan-Tho
Criminal Court and Judge Phelps
Death ofa Well Known Citizen
Needed improvements,
Etc, Etc, Etc.
BALrtuoaK. December IAN. 1859

BALTIMORE, December 18th, 1889.
AZ time advances the moro evident Il becomes
that tue Christmas holidays will very soon be upon
u.s. There are significant evidences even nov In
all directions that old Santa Claus will be on his
regular holiday rounds with packs on his back
lled with sweeimeais and ell sorts Of good things
20 generously distribute among his neyer-to. be-
forgotten friends. Not only these mystic elfs but
others moro tangible In shape and foFm-givers
and receivers-aFe in anticipation Of having be.
slowed upon them, or of obtaining choice bcstow-
ments, as kindly "reminiscences incident 10 thosE
memorable days Of haicyon delights. Rarely have
I witnessed such extensive preparations among
the fancy dealers In all parts Of Baltimore 20 sup
ply the demand for Christmas presents as may
nov be noticed in the various show windows all
over town. IL the weather proves favorable on
Christmas day, whom Il comes. there IL likely 10
beA jolly. happy holiday. Things look propitious
toward such result, and let me hope none will
be disappointed.
The jury In our Criminal Court acquitted John
DignAn Of the alleged murder Of young Edward
II. Frames last June, whilst "POliy" Hopkins, in
dieled n an accessory In the same murder, was
found guilty by . jury at ToWsontown n short
time ago, when the testimony In both cases was
nearly the same. II Is now said the counsel and
friends Of Hopkins purpose applying for his par
don from the penitentary 90 which he was sen
fenced for fifteen years for murder In the second
degree. The girl. who was principal witness In
the case, appears TO have sworn TO contrad.ctory
stories.
Judge Phelps has In his brief sitting in the
Criminal Court gained high plaudits from the
community for the justness Of his decisions and
prompt action 10 bringing criminals TO justice
New bfooms, they say, sueep clean. Let us hope,
therefore, that the bro0ms of our most excellent
Judges-especiaily Judge Pheips-may never be
allowed 10 &c, old. There l. nothing more desir.
able and necessary to great city like ours than
hrn. determined. independent. vigorous, intelli( Z
gent and honest Judge 20 preside In the Crimirs,
Court. The Criminal Court of Baltimore has
hitherto had by far too much influence in political
matters ~ be useful and desirable. This eondi.
ton of affairs vas brought about by inperceptible
degrees until u become almost A. n matter of
course. There Werc also certain other objection.
able features that are likely 90 meet speedy RENE
dy. The last thing a. be tampered with Is a tri.
bunal devoted 10 the enforcement Of criminal
juri'Prudrnse and the preservation Of good order
IN . community. Judge Phelps L. inst the man
fer the place he now ilis.
The sudicn death a few days ago of our we'll
known and universally esteemed citizen. James
H. Barny, from heart disease. has caused deep re-
srcis among his many friends and citiIens oi Bal.
tHiofc generally. lie va. known by almos, every
one. No gentleman stood higher in business re.
iaiions aud personally. I have known him well
and intimately for many years and can freely say
] rarely ever met one who impressed me more
favorably.
Strong efforts are being made by property own
cr. on North. Lanvale, Barclay. Townsend and
other streets aud avenues in that portion Of the
city Immediately south Of boundary avenue to
have them better graded. The desire il 10 have
cl,; Townsend street, portions of North street and
other contiguous streets and alleys cut down at
the highest points some eight or ten feet below
the pte.ent grading 80 n 10 make better drain
age, more desirable view, and a grading less
fiiieuing to ascend and descend. There can be
NJ doubt whatever that such improV eusaA
would No, "niy greatly enhance the value Of prop
siy there. bu, materially add 90 the entire neigh
boihpol in point of attTaetivcness. As there have
been bu; few buildings erected yet the streets
which would have 10 be lug down and graded, the
cost would be moderate compared with what IL
would be after the streets we're built upon. The
property owners. learn. will bear the expensc
themselves IL the City Council will only grant the
privilege Of 80 doing.
As among those of your customers in and ad-
joining the Belt Who advertise In TuE USioS, and
who are prepared TO supply handsome holiday
good.. may refer 60 Messrs. Coleman 4 Rogers
and Mr.. Schroeder. pharmacists, and the Messrs.
Ditch. ccnfcetioncrs. They have on hand an
abundance of choice articles suited 10 the times,
pleasing both TO eye aud appetite.
! regret 10 learn that the smallpox prevails in
our city TO \ greater extent than l. generally
known. mainly on Fell's Point and Federal Hill
and in parts Of Old Town. There 10 very little in
the northern, northwestern and western sections.
There Is also good ieal Of diphtheria In the city
among both adults and children. NEsToR.