The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1884-02-09
Correspondence Baltimore County Union.
LETTER FROM BALTIMORE.
Heavenly Phenomenon-Visit to New Or
leans-Candlemas Day-Political-
Local Option-Improveme
Business, ETC., Etc.

BALTIMORE, February 5th, 1884.
Messrs. Editors Though we have been having
quite bad spell of weather, yet it has not been
entirely unreasonable for this period of the year.
Almost entirely has it been SOTO more or less de-
gree-in past seasons, though we did not exactly
give it notice. All things considered, we have
had it toleraby fair though not quite so pleasant
some former winter seasons. The peculiar
ruddy skies, or sunsets, we have had all the fall
and thus far into the winter, have been markedly
singular-more SO, probably, than ever before seen
in this or any other latitude on the face of the
globe, or perhaps ever will be again. Though
brilliantly seen for long time, and often specu-
lated upon by profound astronomers and others,
yet no one has been able to give satisfactory So
luton thereof. 1t has really) thus far been LETT
q mystery to the mystic universe. Though the
appearances have not been quite so brilliant in
the past few evenings, yetthey-of fair ones-can
be easily seen some thirty or forty minutes after
the God of Day has dipped his plumage beneath
the horizon. / feel quite confident that the new
comet, now quite visible to the naked eye in the
southwestern horizon, has no connection with this
heavenly phenomenon. 1t has come in the ordi-
nary course of events, and will go again in like
manner without giving cause Of alarm. Ii we
take it for granted that comets come into our at
mosphere to distribute certain fluids which the
earth requires at stated periods for her healthful
action, we can-even on this principle alone-ac-
count for the necessity of our having extrenuous
orbs, once in a while, to keep all things right ana
in their place. We certainly have curious ma
chine to regulate and it is ours to do the best we
can with it.
The Fifth Regiment of our city is now fully pre-
paring to visit New Orleans on the 22d inst, and
to assist their New Orleans friends in celebrating
the Mardi Gras. Our regiment will turn out quite
full in numbers and be prepared to make most
commanding and respectable show. They Will be
calamity met at their quarters and be entertained.
It is expected that this seasons Mardi Gras will
be the finest they have ever had in the Crescent
As usual, upon former occasions, very many
watched the movements of our celebrated ground
hog on last Candlemas day, and found him bask-
ing in sunlight, when he Indignantly went back
into his hole again, verifying the old weather
prophecies So we are to have bad weather for
at least six weeks after Candemas. We may just
as we'll take it true as otherwise, for grounding
will have it so anyhow. Thereare some who have
so much faith in the grounding, that If he were
to speak and say who should be the next Presi-
dent, feel almost assured they would be among
the believers. And so with myself, if the ground
hog did talk would believe him.
But who is to be President is an important prob
lem and must be settled before long one way or
the other. There arc certainly good men to
choose from, and a mistake scarcely can be made
when SO many are in the field. One thing is GER
tain, and that is that Republicans must again be
winners. They have done nothing to their in
Jury, but everything in their favor. The time has
not come yet for those to be placed on top who so
lately were doing wrong financially, commercially
and otherwise. There is one thing now quite
sure, that the Republican party is in better con-
dition than it has been for many years, and can
90 toward with perfect confidence in its strength
and integrity. Democracy, as party, is the re-
verse. This is certain
So far as Baltimore is concerned, very little has
been or will be done during the present session OF
our Legislature in either temperance or local OPP
ton, particularly the latter 1t has failed IN I'M
pressing itself upon the people, taking into ac-
count places where it did exist and should have
made its imprint favorably. This has been harm
full rather than otherwise on the cause. 1t was
las seemed) turning good thing to bad account
People drank as much-if not considerably MORE
MANY of them-than they did when free OF all
restraints 1t is great pity that so pressing and
important matter cannot find las yeti the right
instrumentalites. l find On looking over the
legislative proceedings that members-only very
few-giye it any particular account. They take
their bitters-a glass when they want it-and are
inclined to do go. / notice also that efforts are
even now making where local option has prevailed
to have it repealed. 1t does not serve the pur-
pose. The fact is it does not stop persons from
drinking at ALL but rather on the other hand makes
more drinking Of liquor than there used to be-
The people want true and genuine temperance.
learn quite number of new, very valuable
and handsome improvements, both public and
private, will soon be put under way in the Belt
Take these altogether-especially residences
they will make probably fifty or sixty. The num-
Der of houses now in progress just inside the
boundary is some two hundred. Next spring it is
expected the improvement will be immense.
Business is comparatively quiet, and will be so
for fortnight or so. We want better weather.
Transactions are moderate in all kinds of heavy
produce including rather irregularity of prices
Stocks are in good request and fair sales.
NEsToR.