Grand Rapids morning telegram., 1885-01-12

lle ferlpaIStic - pleased bsl note tAiot TIC
Board Of Health IS arranging for thorough
inspection of tAe sewers, alleys and all places
where filth is liable 10 accumulate, with
view OF having them cleaned, and pat Ia
such condition as will prevent their being
the medium of promoting diseases. Cholera
j. expected TO arrive in the country, IN the
summer, and unless Grand Rapids Is guard
ed and careful about its sanitary condition II
will be included in the tour of the dreaded
scOuTge.
This is what is termed an open winter and
people are all praying for a change. Those
who have purchased sleighs and sealskin
sacques are writhing with disappointment,
while he whose oyercoat is ticketed smiles
with contentment that Providence has so
favored his misfortune. At any rate the
present temperature aud general aspect OF
the elements carries many disadvantages
with reference both to health and to busi-
ness. Ii is subject so extensively discussed
that il is an infringement upon the
rights of the novitiate IN society,
whose first task is to endeayor TO
frame nicely worded sentences about the
weather An introduction that is not fol-
lowed by discussion on this subject Is rare,
indeed: and this hackneyed topic has been
and is the stepping stone to romances, decla-
rations of love, marriage and divorce.
first-class blizzard with heavy snow storm,
would prove most acceptable TO the farmer
and the community in general.
Manager Powers intimates that if business
at the theatre doesn't take turn for the bet
ter, it will be necessary for him to release
some of the members of his orchestra in or
der to reduce expenses. 1t Is TO be hoped
that this move will not become necessary,
for better organization Is seldom found IN
cities of the size of Grand Rapids. All COM
panies that come here have word of praise
for the orchestra and many have stated that
there are many orchestras in the theaters in
the larger cities that are greatly inferior to
it. To reduce the membership would greatly
weaken its efficiency and ability to play the
class of music now in the repertoire. 1t has
been appreciated by the audiences and to
many has proved charm, and has taken the
curse off of many bad play. The Peripat-
etic hopes that business will improve so as
to insure the maintenance of the present or
ganization complete.
A lady remarked to gentleman last
week: ''Oh, why don't they have something
nice at the theatre SO [ can go?" Now,
which theatre did she mean? Powers's and
RedmOnd's have not given anything that
| could be considered naughty or the opposite
of NICE The lady probably belonged to that
full-dress element-and they have been con-
/ spicuously absent at the theatres so far this
| season-who are attracted to see how each
| other looks in their full society regimentals.
rather than to take an intelligent look at
what is passing on the stage Fortunately,
this is not the element that is critical or Ca
pable of discerning dramatic merit any fur
ther than having an admiration for the
dresses that may be worn in
society drama, still there Is a
! clique in Grand Rapids who consider it ut
| terly improper to attend the theater unless
the elite, or those who have assumed to Sc
clude themselves by fictitious blue-blood
| lineage, are going to be there. The opera
houses are not entirely supported by the
people who can afford the luxury. If the
management was at the mercy of the
wealthier classes for support Grand Rapids
would have long ago been christened, like
Detroit, the theatrical graveyard.
/ There has been some talk lately in refer
ence to extending the city limits. The city
has grown out of its present charter bound
aries. Beyond the eastern limits there is a
! population extending into the thousands,
all of whom are connected with
the industries and affairs of the
| city This is also noticeable beyond
| the northern and southern limits. There
are some manufacturing institutions out
| side of the boundaries and it has been in
| timated that they have located there so they
would not have TO pay city taxes. The
! limits should be extended half a mile in
the directions named. There are more
| good reasons in favor of such an extension
/ than against it. The aldermen should in
/ clude this in their charter amendments and
| if they investigate the source of
! the opposition made to the change
| they will find it to come from large pro-
| perty owners and manufacturing industries
who have selected their location in order to
evade paying the same ratio of tax that the
J people in the city do.
I Having had an opportunity TO get into the
I porlors of some of Grand Rapids respecta-
/ bIe families it was observed by way of hav-
ing an exciting evenings amusement, 'jack
/ pots and four aces were IN some in
stances taking the place of whist
| and progressive euchre. OF course
/ ignoring the evil touching gambling this can
I be overlooked and when confined to the home
circle passed by without serious comment.
/ But. like drinking, gambling grows with
practice. and if a strong will Is not brought