The Baltimore County union., 1883-02-03
Correspondence Baifinors coHniy UnioM.
LETTER FROM BALTIMORE.
" Old Probabilities Growing
Less-Mayor whyt0's Message
Col. Ditty and the Internal
Revenue Collector
ship, &C., sc.

BALTIMORE, January 3lIt, lss3.
Though Old Probabilities predicted for to-day
increasing eloudiness, followed by clear weather
to.moFrow, facts show TO the contrary. So far as
this immediate vicinity Of Baltimore ami doubt
less the adjoining counties Of Baltimore, Hartford,
Howard aud Anne Arundel arc concerned, IL has
been sunshiny and with scarcely n cloud visible.
The truth Is the guesscs Of meteorological reg
ulator of the weather, for any comparatively lin.
i,ed locality, frequently misses his calculations,
but taking sweep, covering several States
and Territories. he can hardly fail In hitting u at
some points within 80 vast range. These seem
ng) uncertainties in the weather indications ocsa-
sionally produce u little weakening Of confidence
In the representations Of that very popular and
familiar old gentleman abbreviated as "Prob."-
Nevertheless he has-and justly too-friends who
rely upoR him even to the carrying Of umbrellas,
Overcoas and other appliances against rain, snow,
cold. etc.. when seemingly not necessary, but ere
the day ends they are all brought into very com.
Portable use. lie is also especially popular with
sca-captains, who rarely fail in taking advantage
Of his useful hints and information. There are
times and circumstances when he may be \ little
careless. but a. ho the public gratuitously
turn him over 20 "Unclc Sam" for CORRECTION
Performing his work very late at night he posi-
bly, takes an occasional nap and misses q few
minor points. All and in all his Is . most valua-
bic and important institution, which. let me hope
may not be contaminated with partiEan politics
under any Civil Service Reform bill.
The smallpox still exists 10 some extent with
few cases in those sections Of the city where
II first appeared, though the malAdy IL rapidly de-
creasing. Il j. confidently hoped and believed
that In u comparatively short time hence the last
vestagc of Il will be stamped out. There 10 no
doubt whatever that its existence in the city aud
exaggerated reports published regarding II all
over the country, have tended 10 greatly injufe
business here in every department by preventing
strangers coming 10 town. Ills known that many
who would have come TO Baltimore with their
goods for sale and to make purchases went TO
other markets as a matter Of prudential precau-
tion. The truth u there Is much more dread Of
the disease among strangers and more talk about
10 than with our own residents. who scarcely think
Of the matter. Compulsory vaccination 10 still
being enforced. II is believed that at least $780,
900 persons in the city have been vaccinatei In
the past few months Great good has thus been
effected toward both present and future.
Mayor Whyte is still confined to his house with
erysipelas. complaint he l. occasionally subject.
cd TO. learn, however. he IL considerably better
but cannot venture out for some days 10 come
His reccn; message. being previously prepared.
was sent in 10 the City Council and u satisfac-
tory document. especially to his partirau friends.
The message shows the funded debt of the city
Dec. ~. lSS2. 90 have been gt5.69i.1j. being
an increase during the year Of Si59 500, account
cd for by the issue of 500 Of Jones falls loan
100000 of the rcpaving loan, aud $37 900 OF the
Western Maryland Railroad loan: loans already
authorized TO be issued. -. .l99. 800. which. when
issued. will bring up the aggregate Of the city's
funded debt to S39t+j.lg upon n taxable
basis Of about S2i6.uNu.OOO. The actual revenue
of the city in lSS2 is pu, At S3.S9s.s .s67li. a dc.
crease Of S3il.jJG.ij. as compared with ISL
The expenses of the city government for lSS2 are
pu, at Si.los.issg0. an increase Of 81 l93O.O6. as
compared with those Of 1851. OF this increase
$4,000 was required 10 meet extraordinary dc.
manis upon the health department. But for
this the amount would have been So. .069.9i less
than lNsl. A. many Of your readers and citizens
OF the state generally capitalists At least and
owners Of stocks. bonds and other city property
have an especial financial interest In our great
metropolis and her finances. il will be interesting
30 them to learn the city's condition a. thus set
forth. which shows soundness and increasing
wealth.
Charlie, Footc. the coorcd man who after sery-
ing sentence Of sixty days in jail and iapered off
two days ago with being whipped seven lashcs
well laid with a cowhidc. was scarcely out and
ai liberty until he rearrested aud is again in
Jail for want Of security. on charge Of threaten
ing 20 beat and otherwise assault his wife. lie
still suffers from the stripes inflicted upon him.
but Il seems no, sufficiently 10 cause repentance.
II Is hoped the next time he may realize the full
forty. nine. or a double dose laid on with IN
creased visor and effect.
No further movements are reported regarding
the resignation OF Col Dtty as Collector nf Inter-
nal Revenue on accoun, Of declining health
That he is feeble there l. no doubt, but whether
too much 80 % discharge fully the duties Of his
Office has not been conceded by Mr.. Diity up 90
the present time. so well l. Col. Ditty known for
strict honor AMI faithfulness TO duty that " be
feels himself incapabls from sickness aud failing
health TO iul6ll official of the TO, eminent
that he will himself be prompt in giving notice Of
that fact and misfortune. There are already
eral names mentioned expectants Of the posi-
ti9n and urged for Il in case Mr.. Ditty Is obliged
10 retire. prominent among whom Is Col. J. II.
Sellman. very worthy. accomplished. influential
gentleman of Anne Arundel county. lie is back.
el BY strong friend. and popular Republican,
lie has been in Baltimore during the past few
days in company with Mr.. IIolion. the member Of
Congress elect from the Fifth district. lie says.
however. he make. claims upon u place not
yet made vacant.
Mr. CaiWallaier. the very eiicicn; letter carrier
Of the pos,oice. residing q, the corner of Green
noun, avenue and Townsend streets, has been
quite III for ten days pas, with pneumonia. but is
now better. hoping 10 be again on duty soon.
NEsToH.