New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-03-30
ST. LOUIS.
ROBBERIES -FIRES-FIGHTlNG CHICAGO
BUILDING-POLITICS.


BUILDING-POLITlCS.
rrRoM An OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUNE.
81. LOUIS, March 27.-The case of Tiler,
the express robber who is up the -Four Courts
building with his confederate McFadden. who was
brought up from sherman. Texas. last week. con
tnucs to attract attention partly because OF the mystery
connected with the cngcndcred by the express com
panys efforts keep the facts away from the public but
more on account Of the extraordinary revelations when
been made regarding the manner I'm which the
thieves accomplished their theft and concealed their
plumber. People startled to learn that the thieves
remained city FOR three days after the robbery was
committed. and only very thiny disguised moved about
in daylight in Ia most public places and succeeded IN
shipping their plumber abroad Of by the very eN-
press company they had robbed Tnler reported rs
being penitenial and anxious to relieve all suspects
Of completely with his crime. while McFadden protests
nj. innocence stoutly The express company however
while declining to tell what they know, claim that they
have Overwhelming testimony against both prisoners ana
create the impression that they are working quietly to
secure all the parties to what they believe TO DC WHO
spread conspiracy to rob them.
The meeting of the National Board OF Underwriters has
been watched with great interest by ST. Louis business
men who have rcstve OF late under the often re-
heated threat that the frequency of fires and neicency
OF the Fire Department in this city would before long re-
suit in Il serious advance in rates for insurance. The
threat had several times been made before coupled Win
ho
brought MP standard obtaining I'm other large cities
the advance would not be made. quite sentimental re
gard however f. felt by the ruling classes here for the
venerable Fire Chief H. Clay Sexton who Is Of the Moss
back school Democracy, and whose modes OF fire ek-
tnguisnmen antiquatcd the political methods
low whifh he makes his department valuable auxiliary
OF his party and time again the business and In
.urance men have combined in endeavor TO secure the
rclnodong OF the Fire Department, but tho effort has
only caused Old Clay5" friends to rally to his relief
aud political sympathies have every time overcome bus-
ness requirements. Each victory OF this kind on the part
OF venerable Fire Chiefs friends has been followed by
rise I'm the insurance rates which are now very much
higher than those OF any other city Of like character In
the country II the National Board undertakes
to force the rates s higher another attempt
win be made 20 improve the Department but
there Is little hope Of IT. until the generation OF
Southern synpaizcrs who still hold sway here passes
AWAY benefit which will hardly arrive for some years
yet. large proportion OF them DeiohS 10 the long
lived race OF Ollico-noiders
About two years ago business men here made the dis
coyory that Chicago deprying them of a vast
omount of business by sending broadcast through the
territory commercially tributary to ST. Louis free passes
which took the Illinois metropolis country merchants
who bought their goods there instead OF here 1t was
unanimously resolved AT the time that it was essentially
improper in CHICAGO TO do this but the resolution did not
1aye the elect Of bringing the nscrupulous Chcagoans
asses auc selling goods under the noses OF IT. Louis
Wholesaler who at last came to the conclusion that cure
- re;alia better than remOnstrince by Iesou-
.io. ul 50 q few weeks ago they took up subscriptions
for purpose sending ont special trains to gather up
the nycr- II Goods In the districts invaded by Chicago
Gninuer- a.. bring them to st. Louis Two OF these
rains nave brought "a their load OF business men-0ne
from Kansas the Otarr from Iowa-and the Dement'S re
sutinV have been tikcd that the merchants are now
4Siing TIE Iucsuo 4 .HC ~ the Fntmr% svstema
g ktttln rnT
of merchants doing business ia the surrounding country
The J. OF the trips ms been SO great ln3t II Is ng
ing Chicago's obnoxious commercial agsressiveneSs.
building boom has set In which far SURPRISES any
previous activity Of the kind nt tins time o. year III 81
inuls More than 60 new houses nave been started
since the New Year and the applications foI permits are
rolling in at the City Hall The architects report mat
they crowded vat orders ana are preparing plais
and estimates Tor vast amount OF ne" NOTk lHic As
Just drawbac! to this pleasant outlook. crave leaIs
OF troubles with their worklngmen mar tie h9pes OF to
builders. They alrc dy report that there Is disposition
strike on the part OF nisOns anu caiPnHLs' VINO are
limiting at tho necessity oil Yer! cohsordoe "u'oe
in wages
Politics have been very interesting here since Senator
Vest startled his Democratic followers 10y pronohenS
standing. The Tdcn calse has strong following mere.
but should he fatty decline the nomination Morrison OF
Southern Illinois. would DC next choice with Mcdonald
next The talk Of the old ticket hndnS favor mere is u-
founded. As Hendrickss refusal IN losV TO take te
the credit throughout Missouri OF having defeated the
are Working hard both here and in Illinois. and there Is
good chance OF his securing the solid vote OF both dele
liens The appointment OF Rodney d. Wells rs POST
master OF ST. Louis has arrayed the powerful tley
influence against Arthur and IN support OF Logan The
Gobe Dettocra virtually declared for Arthur In ats
editorial columns but while The literary department OF
t, paIer il given full swing to elect Presidents some
months before election takes place, when matters be
come really Interesting the helm assumed quietly by
D. NJ Hoiser, president OF the Globe Democrat Com
many who has hitherto kept his counsel CARDS Presi
dental preferences but whose dictum the most lntuen-
al Republican leader in the State will not be withheld
much longer.