The Press., 1885-05-14

Hartford Times One of the charges ] brought agalnst the European sparrow by many persons who have been made to la ment that that fussily nuisy little nuisance ever was imported into this country, has been the accusation that he never has in any way served the first purpose of his importation that is to say, that he never deyours the destructive canker-worms that so spoil our elms and apple trees. In addition to the change of this negative worthlessness the sparrow IS accused, and with too much cause, of several positive offences of a serious character Aside from his dirty habits, he does destroy fruit buds-apd he does 1t wantonly, just for mischief But we can now g1ve him at least a good character ill one respect, and this, foo, in matter which affects the accusation we have mentioned. Although this imported sparrow is chiefly known as subsisting exclusively on grain and other vegetable food, and as refusing to attack the canker-worms, we can vOuch for the fact that he does attack and consume great quantities of the gray moth-millef, which produces these pests. Sparrows killed and examined in April (and in most sea- sons in March, ,also), when the e.wingless fe- male moth is ascending the trees in thou sands, and the flying male is everywhere met with, will in many instances be found with their crops full of these parents of the canker-worm. By watching the spar rows habits and actions one may often see him with moth miller, just captured, in his bill We find confirmation of this observation, in the person of so good a witness as Peter Henderson, the New York florist. That careful observer says l1- ok <,F these prolific parents of the apple tree pest. and that therefore he should not be killed
 Amidst the general hue and cry against the sparrows, this testimony to his servi- ces should in justice be given. He has faults enough, no doubt, to justify the present denunciations of him by country which only twenty years ago was putting up special devices for his protection, con- fort and encourag cement, in the shape of bird houses in the trees, ill all the. cities and chief towns. He is a nuisance. But, whether he really deserves extermination, may be regarded as doubtful, in view of his services in aiding the clumsier and costlier devices of man in keeping down the moth -millers who produce the worm pests of our orchards and shade trees.
 Boston AQy0ftlS0F NO one Cau f0RafQ the repeated calls..Rpon the militia of var1- ous states to check lfoting among striking laborers without regret and raisgiyings for the future These events are becoming numerous so common, indeed, that 8 public which would have once been shock ed is now soareely interested to hear that the Illinois militia have charged with bay onets on crowds of men and women, and then fired among them, killing and wound ing several. The facts are simple enough ]; Laborers, speaking foreign languages and wholly unacquainted with our laws or prin- ciples, are dissatisfied with their wages. They strike, force others 10 stop work, seize the property of the capitalist, and then, when the court and it's ordinary ser wants are powerless, and the local army is called in, they fight. The sole cure for this evil ls enlightenment.
 The new revision of the old Testament will be published in this country May 21st, The Henry Bills Publishing Co are get ting fine edition ready to deliver on that day, and advertise in another column for agents.
 John Boyle O'Reilly cannot go into Canada to lecture, being out-lawed by the British. government, but he spoke last week at Calais, Maine, and q host of his admir- CTS aocked over the border to hear him.