The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1884-08-23

My dearest, know that you would not break,
For, though life was full of things that bless
have never till now known happiness.
Then dried my tears, and with lifted head
I left my mother, the beauti ful dead.
OUR NEW ORLEANS LETTER.
Music and Cool Weather-The Exposition
Buildings and Grounds The Post-O Office
Matter Candidates aud the,
Political Canvass.
NEY ORLEANS, Aug. 15 1884.
A perceptible cooling of the atmosphere
for the past two weeks came as q grateful
relief to long suffering humanity. The
breezes at the Lake resorts are little fresh
or, but the crowds are not smaller. The
two opera houses, andoa variety perform
ance afford delightful amusement at cheap
prices. A man with music in his soul, and
small amount of cash in his pocket can
easily enjoy himself.
The Exposition building consumes guam
titles of lumber, giving employment to
many workmen who would otherwise be
next door to starvation. The sight seers
are going in crowds to look on the impo-
sing structures that occupy SO prominent a
place in the Park. The dealers in refresh
ments and small wares are dotting the land
scape with their booths, and are reaping a
rich harvest. The landlords of the city be-
lieve their opportunity has come and a
general rise of rents is going on. The COM
mittee in charge of the accommodation
bureau find people with spare rooms at dis
posal of Exposition visitors 10th to fix a
price for them. They appear to think there
are millions ahead, and the incoming
crowds will afford a golden fleece. Leave
them alone, without exhortation to mend
their ways, and the householders and land
lords would about ruin Exposition pros
poets. Thousands will come here or not,
according to the costs; put up the rents
and the price of board and they will not
come at all. 1t is possible that common
sense will prevail over the spirit of greed,
and quarters for The world at moderate
prices will be found. IF necessary few
capitalists could run up some temporary
hotels and defeat the schemes of the sharps.
The political sensation has been the re-
port of post-office inspectors concerning
alleged Iooseness of administration by Post
master Merchant. They charge him with
being unfamiliar with the duties of his of
fee, etc. Mr.. Merchant in a published let
ter admitted that lie kept some unfit per-
sons on the rolls, at the request Of those
high i'll political influence, and this did not
help the case bit. 1t was at once con
strued as an admission of the main charges
of the inspectors, and produced marked
change in public sentiment on the subject.
Petitions are in circulation for signature
by patrons of the post-office, expressing
confidence in Mr.. Merchants adn,inistra-
ton, which it is proposed to forward to the
Postmaster General to counteract the in
spectors' report. They are not being either
heartily or numerously signed, and the pre-
vailing belief is that Mr.. Merchant has
fallen under the displeasure of Mr. Kellogg
and his official career is about terminated.
There is much stress laid on the fact that
Mr.. Kellogg was in Washington at the time
the charges against Mr.. Merchant and Mr..
Martinez were presented to the depart
ments. Those gentlemen were promi-
nent in opposition to his reelection, and
on dit the success of the party in the Third
district demanded a change in the Federal
Offices which these Third district represen-
tatives occupied. Mr.. Merchant labors
under strong disadvantages. He has not
only to contend against the official report
OF inspectors, but has failed to secure the
good will of his associates in Federal Offices
Or the rank and file of his party generally.
This makes his chances for retention of
Office slim.
The rapidity with which Mr.. Blaine
brought libel suit against the first scandal
monger of any responsibility, who dared to
frame an accusation against his family or
personal purity is hailed with delight here.
Several weeks have passed since reputable
Buffalo clergymen, over their signatures,
vouched for the truth of the statements of
a paper published at Clsyeland's own
home. which were calculated to arouse n
personal spirit Of pride and elicit demand
for retraction. Sixteen persons, unknown
to the general public. have signed a docu-
ment of general denial; but this has mere
ly led from doubt to conviction of GIeye-
lands personal impurity. The charges
against him continue to be supported by
responsible parties, with names and dates
specifically given; the denial is general. He
has gone to the woods of Northern New
York leaving the public to draw their own
conclusions, without word or action on
Ills part. His canvass has been irreparably
damaged. and the result is concentration
OF dlsaffected elements of his party under
the leadership of Gen. Butler, who will poll
large popular vote beyond any question,
The Presidential campaign increases in in
lesest, and Blaine has many admirers amone
prominent business men of this CITY. More
anon. GENERAL OBSERVER.
a German colony is about to be esta-
alished at Angra Peeuena, South Africa, and
q corvette has gone to take formal posses.