The Washington critic., 1885-06-27
LIFE in LUDLOW srRErr.


LIFE IN LUDLOW STREET.
Colonel James ID. Fish, who was the
partner of Ferdinand Ward, and who is
now enjoying life in Ludlow street jail,
assigned great deal of real estate before
the failure. Suit has been brought to set
aside the conveyances, but Colonel Fish
treats the matter very lightly, and thinks
that the conveyances will "hold water"
though we must confess, there being no
stock in them, we cannot see what virtue
there is in their being able to 'hold
water" He made the transfers, he says,
for the benefit of his children, and thinks
that by his generosity to them he has been
actively engaged in "laying up treasures
in Heaven"
OF his prison life he speaks very cheer
fully. With the exception of not being
able to go out of the front door he finds
but little difference between being in Jail
and living in hotel. The prison yard he
pronounces to be well laid out in flowers
and grass. 1t furnishes him very nice
place to promenade in order to get up an
appetite for the excellent breakfast which
he takes at clock. After breakfast he
writes letters and receives his many
friends. He has the newspapers which
aid him to pass portion Of his time quite
pleasantly. For, rs he says, he never
fails to find something IN them about him
self and that is always interesting"
After q dinner, which takes place at
~, Colonel Fish enjoys n siesta, and then
listens to the persuasive pleadings of some
reporter. He is very condescending to-
wards the press, because his matters
''seem to interest the public" He APP
pears to look after the public interest
now he is in Jail. There is only one thing
that the prisoner objects to, and that is
the $l5a week board that he has to pay.
The poor fellow is afraid that his finances
cannot stand it much longer, and that he
will have to leave the warden's table and
take to prison fare. He says plaintively
that S15 week is q great deal of
money these hard times.
In his confidential talks Colonel Fish
says nothing about Ferdinand Ward, who
| is next door, nor about the manner in
| which he and Ward abuse each other
| Nor does he make any reference to the
wel-defned opinion in certain quarters
| in New York that he and Ward have
sequestrated large amounts of money
which they had, but of which no trace
can be found and that their mutual and
somewhat pompous abuse of each other is
part of a scheme fixed up between the
two. No, Mr.. Fish, though captive, is
not an abject of public sympathy.
THE prospects of our having an efficient
navy are Frightening. Jules Verne has
evidently been tackling the problem. The
Navy Department has received plan for
new vessel that will float on the surface
| of the water, in the water beneath and in
| the heavens above Its sails will be
wings. Other schemes of this variety are
also being received. There is, therefore,
one thing certain. If our new navy can
only be run by cranks, the Government
will have no trouble in finding an abund-
ance of motive power.
L
THE elevation of Sir Nathaniel de Roths-
| child to the peerage, and the appoint
| ment of Baron de Worms and Sir Anthony
1 Wolf to Office under the new English Min
istry, are highly gratifying to the Hebrews
and afford strong evidence of the growing
spirit of liberation in Great Britain. The
British Government, besides, knows the
value and importance of standing by the
| great capitalists of the world. Russia
would be wise to follow the example.
| S
| NOTWITHSTANDING the statement recently
sent out that the project for establishing a
new paper in New York has been given
up, it appears that negotiations are still
| rN,, tl,o ol,aa oTt thn
| Congressman Dorsheimcr is one of the
parties interested in the project but it is
not unlikely, as stated, that Mr.. Mclean
ofCncinnati has dropped out Mclean
is clear-headed man and no amateur in
the newspaper business.
i
1T APPEARs that Colonel Fred Burnaby
who was killed at Abu-Klea, left polit
ical novel which will soon be published
Like Gordon's diary, it is bitter arraign
ment of Mr.. Gladstone's policy. And i
might be remarked, en- passant, that it i
decidedly rough on any policy to be de
nounced from the grave.
THE Worlds Bartholdi Pedestal Fun,
had yesterday reached the towering heigh
of $S7,726. Only $12,274 more, and tn
triumph of the best piece of newspape
: enterprise on record will be assured
THE new Drexel building in Philadel
phIa is located on chestnut street. Thf
is strange locality for anything new.
"a Wou1d-be Despot."
EDIToR Critic: Having read the article {
"T Street" In your paper of yesterdays issue,
beg to be permitted, through your yaluab
, paper TO correct the false statement in regar
to the incompetency OF the five teachers re'
5 commended for dismissal by the would-be de
: pot of the public schools of Washington.
''T Street" will investigate the matter he wi
reeommended for dsmissai on account MOI of /
competency, for their schools were up to q
standard at the close of the school year, br
: for having taught In the public schools on
, average OF twenty-five years, That this fa
= does not warrant the dismissal OF n teacher
2 seen by the just and impartial action of n
-. .r.Nt.. q