The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1885-12-12
Correspondence Baltimore County Union.
LETTER FROM BALTIMORE.
Preparing for Christmas The County,
Field Day-The Presidents Message
Mr.. "Pink" West, &c, &c., &c.

BALTIMORE, December 8th 1885
Messrs. Editors Winter seems to have set in
earnestly. For some days we have had the Their
mometer considerably below freezing point. 1t is
now cold enough to freeze the horns off muey
COW. There is considerable ice in the cutters and
more being made. 1t looks as if old Kris Kiugle
was getting ready for Christmas in earnest. The
fancy shops and other places where holiday mat
tiers are kept are filling up rapidly with all sorts
of notions. Already may be seen crowds of peo-
ple-ladies and gentemen-on the prominent
streets and thoroughfares, who are on the qm vige
looking where they can be best suited when the
time comes to make selections and purchases of
presents and such matters as best suit them. 1t
looks as if we would have busy time The little
ones are bound to have good time of it, and, if
possible, get what they most desire There's no
use in trying to put them off. Christmas comes
but once year, and that, they think, is not half
often enough. Then again they are looking for
the holidays, which give them freedom from the
confines of school. To them, of all Others it is a
jolly and splendid occasion. say, therefore. let
them have it. Such are the sentiments of ones
tor" who, from his name, ought to be old enough
to know.
Saturday last was again quite "feld day" for
Baltimore countians at Barnum's., They turned
out in large numbers looking hearty and happy.
1t now seems to be quite a favorts place for them
to see each other and talk over matters. Then
again they are of finding nice accommoda-
lions there in the way-if they want it-of cold
water or hot tea. Among the many others of your
county, had the pleasure of seeing my friend ex-
Congressman j. Fred. c. Talbot, who it is said
is to be our Internal Revenue Collector and who
will make frst.rate one.
Congress assemble yesterday in its Forty ninth
session. The Senate appropriately recognized the
death of its late President, Mr.. Hendricks, and
elected Hon. John Sherman in his place, than
whom no member of the Republican party could
be better suited. He is all that could be desired
to discharge the duties of so high an office should
it unfortunately be SO that he-by the accident Of
death-rise to the position of President, in
place of Mr.. Cleveland. None perchance~ cousJ
better fill it, Let us hope, however such may not
be the case, but that Mr.. Cleveland will live with
good health to the end of his term and many years
after it expires.
The Presidents message was sent in to Congress
to-day and read. 1t is reasonably brief paper,
containing many subjects, though sufficiently diff
fuse and elaborate. have not had time to give
it careful perusal-shall reserve that for another
occasion CHANGING over it as have, l can say
it is well and carefully written, showing solid
judgment and good taste. The subject, are we'll
set orth and must command careful reviews and
attention. The President pays considerable time
and space to the important problem of Civil Ser
vice Reform, and treats it in conformity to his
just and well-known views As general thing,
it will be well received by the country.
learn that the great millionaire, VIM. II. Van
derblt, died suddenly of apploxy, at his residence
in New York, this afternoon. He was about sixty
five years of age and the richest man in the United
States. His sudden demise must have quite an
effect on the money and stock markets. 1t shows
US very plainly and emphatically that wealth can
not save human life. His immense fortune is nc
longer useful to him individually than was the
widows mite to her-possibIy not so much SO. He
Is gone and is now in another sphere.
met few days ago our we'll known citizen
Mr.. d. Pinkney West, of the celebrated detective
firm of Smith, West & Lyon, which is known al
over the country and in very high repute.
know them all quite well and speak commercially
of them as worthy of full confidence. Mr. Wes
AS he is generally called "Pink" in brevity-I
have known ever since he was very young, en-
gagged as a messenger-boy at the Morse telegraph
soon after it went into operation. He was ther
very sprightly, active, honest and capable, as he
ever since has been known in whatever he under.
takes. He was born and brought up in Baltimore
and, believe, lives in and owns the residence in
which he was born. When a candidate for sheriff
of our city some years ago as Republican, ht
ran largely ahead of his ticket. This he has in
variably done when out as as a candidate. He il
very popular with all parties and much liked
There is probably no more popular-and deserv-
eddy so-young man in Baltimore or harder tt
beat. When he was a youth and carried tele
graphs often to me as (then) telegraph agent fol
the press of the United States and many parts Of
Europe, I frequently made him presents of quar-.
ter and halfdollars for his faithful services and
promptness, which, he says, looked to him Their
as big as cart-wheels. He never forgets it and
even now calls me "Boss." He is a most worthy
man and maintains full respect wish him well
He belongs to an excellent firm, which stand:
head in its profession. Mr.. Lyon was once high
constable of Baltimore. Mr.. Smith is "wheel
horse" and much esteemed. The rogue whom
they cannot catch almost deserves going free.
NEsToR.