The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1883-01-19
NEW YORK LETTER.

appointment to even his own party.
1t was sensible enough in a quiet sort
Of a way, and made some excellent
suggestions. But as Mr.. Cleveland
has for over two months beei- en-
gagged in playing the silent observing
philosopher, it was to be expected that
MS first State paper would show the
result of his observations. In this
he has disappointed everybody.
The message is essentially common
place in thought, observation and ex-
preston and stamps the author as 4
man in no way above the average.
One cannot help thinking what a
wealth of observations and suggestions
Secretary Folger would have given
US, had not the sins of Others in the
party handicapped him out of the
race. Perhaps the most sensible and
practical suggestion Of Mr.. Cleve-
lands is that effecting the manage
ment of state prisons. The Govern
or thinks that they ought to be self
sustaining, but should not be con-
Quoted in way to make money, thus
closing legitimate channels of work
to honest labor. Every man in the
state will agree with him, excepting
perhaps the contractors.
Our country cousins who generally
pay Gotham a visit during holiday
week, have gone. and much as we
enjoy their company and their adj
miration and wonder for things in
general, we cannot but feel relieved
over the fact. To serve as cicerone
for any extended period is apt to be-
come tedious. The one thing that
seemed to attract most IF their atten-
ton was the Brooklyn Bridge. Its
massive towers which are monu-
ment to the ingenuity of men to
spend millions when they belong to
public funds, its swaying span which
will eventually destroy Brooklyn as a
distinct city and make it part of the
metropolis as the territory above the
Harlem river, and the suggestion of
its foundation above the river bed,
which cost so many lives, all COM
bined inspire species Of awe which
Philadelphian would give great
deal to arouse in the Quaker City.
The date of opening it has been SO
often postponed that one ceases to
believe the announcements of the
Commissioners. Yet, it is pretty
definitely settled now that pedestrians
will have an opportunity to cross the
bridge by the first Of next month.
People have ceased to believe that
the bridge will be practical benefit
to the citizens of either city at any
other time than perhaps in winter.
Pedestrians by walking fast will be
enabled to save five minutes by using
it instead of the ferry, but this gain
will hardly be sufficient to recon-
mend it generally, particularly as the
ascending of staircases means ply
steal exertion which you are spared
by the ferry boat. TO sightseer's
however, the bridge proper will be
invaluable since the view from the
centre of it, down the bay and up
the East River to the Sound will be
superb.
Those accomplished gentlemen
who live by their wits, the.confidence
swindlers, or ''bunco steerers" as
they are euphoniously termed in the
vernacular Of the police, will regret
the departure OF the out-of-town VS.
itor. To their eyes he is legitimate
prey. | am assured by police cap
tain that these insinuating swindlers
who recognize an old and dear
friend in every contemplative and
curious countryman who seems to
possess money have enjoyed a har-
vest of exceptienalrichness. So auda-
cious in fact did they become that
they grew careless and piled their
arts on elderly men, residents Of the
city who are fully up to the snares
and decisions Of the great city.
President Sharp, of the Third avenue
car line, was attacked one day by