The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1883-01-12

o6St OsSi3 bSoPisS thS 'StS'"sSN
chant of the Democracy that its days
are numbered. The passage Of the
Pendleton Civil Service Bill in the
Senate, shows that the party sees its
way very clearly to reform in our
political institutions and means to
stick 10 it. During the last two
months the Republican party has
done more to restore itself to public
confidence than its opponents will be
able to do. Intoxicated by the pre-
liminary victories they gained this
autumn, they do not even take the
trouble of covering their true inten-
tions beneath mask Of respectable
ty. The remarks Of "Cerro Gordo
Williams" in the Senate few days
ago that "the only way to reform is
to put good honest Democratic
President in in 1884 then turn on
the hose and give him good hickory
broom and tell him to sweep the
dirt away--that is practical sense,
that is honesty, is perfect marvel of
cynical effrontery. Such an insolent
enunciation of that pernicious doc
trine: "to the victor belong the
spoils," has never yet been uttered
in the Nations halls of Legislature
by public steward and the people
will not soon forget it, for it is the
prospectus Of the Democracy in
nutshell.
aid the Chief of one of the de.
partments largely effected by the
Pendleton bill, 81 am heartily glad
that the Senate had the courage to
force it through and | trust that its
action will exert sufficiently strong
effect on the House to fall in line.
l think the bill good one and bound
to work well. like i, all the better
becanse it is not radical measure,
but works its healthful effect gradn-
ally; as a political movement it will
receive the endorsement OF every
true Republican, since it proves to
tie country that the party is not
afraid to use the lancet on itself and
cut out whatever is unhealthy in its
organism.
The good old Gotham custom for
gentlemen to make New Years Calls
on their lady friends seems to be
dying out and soon 1t will be on
par with that of ladies using the sec
ond OF January as a visiting day,
which is now Renaissance of the
past. Where hundreds once filled
the streets bent on making their
rounds from house to house to present
to their friends til. compliments Of
the season and TO take glass Of wine
at each place, tens were scarcely to
be seen. In upper tendon the Gus
tom has in fact entirely disappeared,
although many ladies would like to
receive were they not afraid that
gentlemen would not come. There
the New Years dinner has taken
the place of the former custom. The
lady or the master of the house in
vites such people as are wanted and
around the festive board the disap-
pointments or successes of the old
year, the hopes and fears for the n( W
year are discussed. Among batcne-
lors the unwrittcn laws of swelldom
require that either party club to-
gelher or some generous amphitryon
provide dinner at one of the hotels.
A growing fashion now is to organ.
ize theater parties. At present Wal
lacks is the favorite establishment,
and the box office books show rows
of seats or boxes engaged for weeks
ahead. Yesterday large party Of
Philadelphians came on III special
train from the city Of Brotherly Love.
They filled four boxes and after the
performance enjoyed capital din
ner at Delmonico's ordered before
hand. This evening Mr.. Gerhard,
(Mrs. Langrrey's friend), Mr.. Wash
ington and Mr.. Phelps give theater
parties at the same house. To.mor-
row evening, Mr.. Lester Wallack will
appear for the first time this season
on the stage of his own theater and
the occasion will be duly solemnized