The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1882-01-21

at his back, is as potent factor in New
York politics to-day as any imperial dic-
tator. He tells the half million Demo.
Gratis Of the State what they must do
and they do it-or if they don't, he aogs
them for their presumption. What the
upshot of this rule will be no one can
forecast. One thing is certain, it can not
go on forever; the reeds Of ilissension are
already sown inside of Tammany Hall,
but enough of the rank and file remain
faithful to the great Sycamore to enable
him to hurl defiance in tho face Of his
enemies. It is the story of the cold Man
of the Sea" over again. He has got on
the back Of the Democracy of New York,
and whether ho will ever get off is only
known to that inacrutable Providence
that watcheth the sparrows fall.
The message of the new Mayor of
Brooklyn will make country people quite
satisfied to live at home, and bless their
lucky stars that their lot is not cast at or
near the metropolis. The assessed value
of the property of Brooklyn is about two
hundred millions; the city debt is forty
three millions in other words, if the
people were called upon to pay their
debts it would take twenty-three per
cent. Of the entire property of tho city to
do it. Municipal and State government
will cost in the cities of New York and
Brooklyn not far from thirty dollars per
head, and if the inhabitants were taxed
by the United States, as they are by their
own local governments, We could pay off
the National debt in six months.
This week saw the last Of the "ring"
thieves, nolle psosequi having been en-
tered in the case of Peter B. Sweeney,
who might be called the brains of the
robber band. Peter was a pious Chris
tian, and owned front pew in the Cathe.
dral. He was sheet anchor for Sisters
Of Charity, and always went with a
rosary in his pocket, and to this day, l
believe, wears scapular to preserve him
from temptation. By agreement with
the District Attorney, Peter came back
for trial several years ago. He restored
to the city nearly half million Of his
stealings, but kept enough to save him
self from tho poor-house, and has been
living in clover in Puris ever since. The
secret of his discharge lies in the fact
that he has made partial restitution, and
the new District Attorney, Jno. McKeon
was Sweeney's counsel when the city
prosecuted,h him.
We are now fairly launched in the
New Year, and, like young Bar, our
troubles are before us. The fashions are
stunning; never in the memory of men
were styles in dress as loud and as Aashy
as they are at the present hour. saw a
young lady with tiger-skin dress the
other day, and the animals heads grinned
at me from every possible point Of van
tage. Mary and her little lamb would
have fed in alright from this metropoli-
tan beauty, and was not at all aston
ished when I saw black and tan terrier
barking at her, and even the vagrant
goats scampered off around the corner as
ii The was after them.
Brother Beecher raised a hornets nest
about his cars by asserting from his pull
pit that the Board of Education of
Brooklyn was not a bit better than it
should be. The Loard passed resolu-
ton to find out what he meant by it !;
but it is one of those delicate matters
that tue least said about it will be the
soonest mended. The new Mayor Of
Brooklyn was so impressed with their
insuficiency that he cut off the heads Of
fourteen at clip, and appointed new
men in their places.
Winter has tumblcd down upon us all
in heap, the change in the thermometer
being nearly forty degrees. The pros
pective visit of the icemen next Summer
is no longer terror, as the crop prom
ises to he all that could he desired.
Business is fat. Stocks away, away
down. The triumphant "bears" in pos
session of Broad street, with not bull !"
in sight; perhaps they are looking down
from the hill.tops on this valley of dry
bones, aud are whispering to themselves !:
"Tbere may yet be balm in Gilead.n
Truly YOURS, BROADBRIM.