Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1885-01-08

is certainly most novel, and seems more
like realization of some fairy-land,
| fireside romance. than one could ever
suppose. But enough of this prelude,
and more of interest to those who may
be interested in the Exposition Every
thing is in most unfinished state
Many of the buildings not nearly in
closed as yet. The government build
ing, the main building, Horticultural
Hall, and some one or two other small
buildings are so nearly finished that
goods designed for exhibition are being
rapidly put into place. but do not
think that there is one single depart
ment representing any particular in
| dustry, or the show of any state or
territory that's one-half completed. /
am perfectly safe in saying that thirty
| days from now will not see all of the
goods disposed of to good advantage,
although one day makes almost magical
| difference in the display of many depart
| ments. The rain has interfered very
much with the erection of many of the
buildings. The management has not
been altogether vigorous or harmonious.
The means for transporting goods from
the city to the Exposition grounds is
exceedingly limited and insufficient;
and the amount of ''red tape required
in order to have any business trans
acted, simply intolerable. The grounds
are some six OIL seven miles from the
| business part of the city, and all who
visit them are under the necessity of
either taking steamboat which is ex-
ceedIngly tedious and at the best I'M
certain, after the manner of most
ferries, or the street cars. Now, there
are not one half enough cars to accom-
modate all who will be here after the
Exposition is fairly under way, and no
one who has not been there can imagine
the crowding and general rush that
takes place in the evening, when the
Exposition closes for the day. A
regular railroad train will be put into
operation before long that will do very
much to alleviate this now unpleasant
state of affairs. There were good
many on the grounds last Saturday,
afternoon and toward dark, and the
rain poured down in torrents. 1t was
intended to have a Christmas tree and
a grand band concert commencing at
eight p. M. wish just here to men
ton that two exceedingly fine bands,
one from Cincinnati, and the National
band from Mexico, are engaged for the
entire season of the Exposition. The
Mexican band numbers about so pieces,
and the Cincinnati about 60.
Emerson is here with his cornet, and
Currier with his trombone. / shall not
attempt to tell you of this music, for
can't do it. 1t is simply grand, and
will put the most cross-grained DISPOSE
toned man in Christendom into good
humor with himself and all mankind in
two minutes. Well, back to Saturday
again: Just in the midst of rain and
darkness, word was circulated that the
car drivers had all struck for higher
wages. This news was only partly
true, one line still sticking to duty, but
no one could tell what moment they
would stop. The hurrying in hot
haste. the anxious questionings, the
various and conflicting rumors, the
perplexity and doubt depicted on the
countenances Of men and women, par
ticularly those who were without Cos
samers and umbrellas, were enough to
make the whole thing absurdly redicu-
lous to any uninterested party. did
not see any such fellow, however, and
don't think he was there, so, much of
the absurdity was lost on the crowd.
Good fortune favored us, however, and
the city was reached all right, and with
gratitude to the driver who did not
strike. These drivers can not be
blamed for their conduct They are
paid forty dollars per month and work
eighteen hours, many times more, per
day. The strike is now general so far
as all Exposition lines are concerned
There are only a few cars running to
different points in the city. Crowds of
drivers, with a sprinkling of police,
block the way on Canal Street The
police trying to preserve order, and the
drivers doing their level best, by threats
and persuasion, to induce the few work.
ing drivers to quit. 1t is to be hoped
that some amicable adjustment will be
reached immediately, since there is
now no cheap means of reaching the
Exposition grounds. Hack-drivers are
reaping silver harvest, charging a
dollar apiece, and sometimes more, to
take load to the grounds. Four
young fellows were caught on their way
home from the barracks about tour
miles from the city, and it cost them
thirteen dollars to get home. There
are very many things in and about the
city that are of great interest to visitors,
and well worth mentioning, but will
not attempt to speak of them now.
Ifyou think il worth while, may do
so at some future time. 1t seems al
most incredible to a Northerner that a
great city like New Orleans should
escape regular annual visitation of
some destructive plague. The drainage
is very poor. the streets narrow, many
of them unpaved, garbage of all kinds
thrown in all places and seemingly no
special precaution taken TO prevent
disease. In many parts of the town,
the odors that seize ones nose as he
passes by strike terror to the smeller and
nausea to the stomach. In fact, if a
person were suitably constituted he
would find no difficulty in living on
smells, SO pregnant are they of strength
In many parts of the town may also be
found the most dilapidated quarters
imaginable, and poverty apparently
reigns supreme; but this can not be