The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1885-03-28
Correspondence Baltimore County Union.
LETTER FROM BALTIMORE.
Presidential Appointments-G Gov McLane
Fire at st Joseph's Academy and
Other Matters of interest.

Other Matters of Interest.
BALTIMORE, March oath, 1885.
Editors Union Things moving quite ac
lively at Washington under the new Democratic
regime. Already President Cleveland has made
four of his most important appointments, being
Hon. Robert M. McLane, of Maryland, Minister
to France; Hon. Edward j. Phelps, of Vermont,
Minister to England Hon. George ii. Pendleton,
of Ohio, Minister to Germany, and Hon. Henry
R. Jackson, of Georgia, Minister to Mexico. They
all taken up in the Senate and Immediately
confirmed. All things considered they are looked
upon as good, discrete appointments, though there
Will, of course, be certain political objections to
all of them by those who had friends from other
States they wanted in their places, yet it is ques
tionable if the President could have done better.
Gov. McLane, at present Governor of our State,
is we'll and widely known, not only in Maryland
but in this and other countries. He has filled
several foreign missions and several offices at
home with credit to himself and others. He is
thorough scholar, gentleman of high talent,
thoroughly conversant with craftsmanship, and
better Minister to France could not have been
chosen. Though opposed to him in politics
could scarcely have been better pleased than to
find the President selecting so accomplished
gentleman from Maryland, our own State, to fill
so important a mission. 1t has been my pleasure
to know him personally and quite intimately for
many years, and seeing him thus signalized, crown
ed with such high honors, gives me great pleasure
1 had the pleasure also of knowing his father
when filling the important position of president OF
the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad many years ago.
He was truly gentleman of especial ability and
of the old school. The son, am confident, will
honor his respected sire. Mr. McLane's educa-
ton in every respect being thoroughly versed in
French and other languages, fits him especially
for the office he has been appointed to fill. There
will, of course, be some jealousy with others who
thought they had prior titles to the position, but
this will soon pass away and our new minister
if mistake not-will give general satisfaction.
The other appointments are all considered good
as could be expected and very important. 1t is a
little singular that Vermont, the lifelong banner
State of Whiggery and Republicanism-where
their stars never set-should have been so widely
| signalized by the appointment of so distinguished
an office as Minister Plenipotentiary to the high
court of St. James Seeing this it rather surprises
US that Kentucky, so overwhelming for many
years in her adhesion to Democracy, has been
snubbed or overlooked. It looks little as if
something out of joint there, and as though
our new President intended not only to do as he
pleased, but intended acting independently, being
President of the whole people, keeping an eye
properly upon the law and principles of Civil
Service Reform to the best of his ability. The
other appointments are also good ones and give
general satisfaction as gentlemen suited to their
mission. The unanimity and promptness with
which the Senate Republican one-acted on
| their confirmation is very good sign.
| The unfortunate confagration at st. Joseph's
Academy, near Emmttsburg, Frederick county,
last Saturday, is deeply regretted. Though de-
stroying some S54 900 worth of property there is
still some three four fne capacious edlfices OF
the institution left, that the operations of the
seminary have not been much interrupted. 1t is
| beautiful, imposing place and in every respect
attractive. 1t has been my pleasure to be there
and through most of the buildings having also a
delightful conversation with the sisters priests
and others stationed there, all of whom were very
agreeable. The structure, l learn, will soon be
rebuilt. 1t is the headquarters of the Sisters of
Charity in the United States and always fully pa
tronized.
notice that Barnum's lower bar, large hand
some, capacious place, supplied with fine cushion
ed sofas and other seats, is now becoming more
and more nucleus of meeting and attraction for
the Baltimore countians, gentlemen from Hartford,
Howard, Carroll and other counties when they
visit our city. 1t is really Baltimore county
field day, particularly on Saturdays. 1t would be
almost impossible to enumerate or call names OF
your county gentlemen who congregate for a time
there. Your people want place to sit down
when wearied, and they get it at Barnum's. They
not expected to get what they want and then CO.
There is still much excitement in city about
the Consolidated Gas Company's stock, and 1t
fuctuates greatly in price. 1t was down yester-
day to so cents per share having fallen ~ and ~
cents. This is brought about by pretty well
authenticated reports of new company about to
be started, which, / think, is ruse and humbug
to get up the stock again to high figures. There
is move in the City Council also to have the gas
works-all of them-owned by the corporation
and prices kept at decent and steady figure
This would certainly be the true and best way.
Some 5000 to 5000 shares have been sold in the
past few days at heavy losses. In the meantime
the new company with their lamps are selling and
putting them up rapidly and giving great salts
faction.
The recent attempted assault on Mrs. E. NJ.
Kirkland, whdsboards at the Hotel Albion, in this
city, by Mr.. j. G. Pearre, son of Judge Pearre of
Cumberland, Md, and member of the Court of
Appeals but now deceased, has not yet been fully
developed. He surrendered himself to-day and
gave bail to answer the charge by the Grand Jury
of felonious assault. There are those who think
he must have been partially demented. When
brought before the court it is likely to make great
excitement. All parties are highly respectable.
In the past few days we read of the most terri
BILE and heaviest snow storms-especiallyn north
that have ever been seen. 1t has been very cold
here and some snow, but to-day slightly modera-
ted. 1t, however, is still cold, but we may expect
spring and the leaves and flowers out in full bloom
soon.
1t has now become fixed fact that there will
be magnificent college, under Methodist man.
agement, built at the corner of St Paul street
tended and Fourth street, in the Belt Work will
be commenced this summer, and it will, when I'm
ished, cost over $3.50, 900. also learn that num-
Der of new residences are to be erected in the
neghborhood. Quite number of houses will be
built the coming season in North Baltimore, near
the boundary, and on the county side. Many of
these will be on lots on Boundary avenue.