The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1886-02-20
Correspondence Baltimore County Union.
LETTER FROM BALTIMORE.
The Ice and Floods-The State Convention
Scheme and other Matters of Interest.

BALTIMORE, February 10th, 1886.
Messrs. Editors The ice that was prevailing
in our bay and harbor to fearful extent last
week when l wrote you has now nearly all de-
parted and navigation is again opened. Ice has
moved from the Susquehanna, including other
rivers and streams that the outlook on all sides
is better. At Port Deposit Havre de Grace and
all along the Susquehanna river water has been
from two to three feet higher than ever known be-
fore, and the damage-especially at Port Deposit
very great, reaching nearly or quite 100000.
The people there suffered greatly in loss of proper
ty and subscriptions are being taken up here and
elsewhere for their relief 1t is expected hand
some sum will be raised. The poor and INDECENT
so in Baltimore, to whose hecessreieu sfsassslls
our people gave most generously. Even the little
English sparrows-many of them-were covered
by the snow, starved and died. They could scarce
ly-like Noah's dove-fnd place to rest
Thank Providence the "beautiful snow" is now all
gone and our streets passably pleasant Thlngs
are going on about as usual with inviting pros
poets for the future regarding business and other
matters, which is having good outlook, provided
the grounding behaves himself. st. Valentine
has also been quite liberal in sending to his voteres
over $4,000 friendly or love missives through our
postofice
1 find there is quite diversity of opinion upon
the problem of calling an early State convention
to change or mako new constitution. Those who
early period as possible are they who want by
this sovereign power to legislate persons now hold
ing them out of office so they may either leglslate
themselves others in, securing fat places. This
really the chief design. 1t should be re-
allied that convention of this kind possesses the
highest Importance. 1t becomes sovereign, going
back to the original source of power-the people
and can do almost what it pleases. Its calling,
therefore, ought to be well considered and not
done in hurry, as we can get along very we'll as
we are until something needful is demanded, as
such does not really now exist. much better
time for such convention may come half de-
cade in the future, when it possibly may be
quired. The substantial, solid judgment, there
fore, of our most prominent citizens appear to be
to make haste slowly and wait for q more auspi-
cious season. There are some hungry individuals
less fitted than those now holding them-who
would be mighty glad to get themselves in and
others out of office by new organic laws, when, if
before the people at a popular contest, might be
ignored. Let US, therefore, be cautious in so i'm
portant question as State constitutional con-
venton and take the most time we can get for
proper thought and study in regard to calling
such an assembIage.
The people of Calverton, Baltimore county, and
others interested, who greatly need a new public
school house at that place, should press their just
claims before our Legislature and obtain their de-
sires, otherwise the Legislature meeting only
bi-annually, two more years would have to pass
before they can obtain what they want. In that
time, possibly, the old diapidated structure might
tumble to pieces. There is no time to lose in OBJ
tanning their needs. The building, for the sake
of pupils teachers and the community, ought to
be put up this summer or early as possible. The
people really require and demand it. The village
needs it as also our school system.
Baltimore has gotten Cardinal in the Pope's
selection of Archbishop Gibbons. purer and
better man could not have been chosen. He still,
however, officiates at the cathedral.
The mortal remains of General Hancock have
been consigned to their resting place at Norris
town, Pa. 1t was throughout solemn and i'm
posing scene. He was respected and mourned by
the nation.
The Canton branch of the Pratt Free Library
was opened yesterday with imposing ceremonies.
Mr. Pratt himself was there and many others.
As the weather is thawing rapidly and frost
coming out of the ground, railroads and persons
driving teams should be careful of accidents which
are caused thereby. In some places bricks in our
pavements are seriously raised or upheaved in
consequence.
There have appeared and are still being pub
lished in your paper scientific articles of miscel-
laneous character, signed "* II y" which to me,
as they must be to others, highly interesting and
instructive. Let me hope this writer, whoever
he or she is may continue his labors. The num-
bers are we'll worth perusing.
A tramp tried to drown himself yesterday by
jumping off Baltimore street bridge into Jones's
Falls but got stuck in the mud and was pulled
out alive. Who knows what actuated the poor
creature to do So?
I observe that Hon. John V. L. Findlay has re-
Gently, by truly great speech in Congress, made
his mark on the minds of the people. knew the
speaker when he was Republican. He certainly
deserves credit for his ability and due influence.
Talents cannot be put under.
Our Merchants Club is undergoing reorganiza-
ton and must very soon assume Importance.
The new stables of Mr.. Collin Stewart, corner
of Boundary avenue and McMeckin street, are
completed. They are capacious and handsome,
covering 10 feet each way.
I observe that many of your county residents
mostly Democrats-are holding meetings express
ing opinions of those attending adverse to having
Belt commission, to be given certain powers, not
needed or wanted. think they are right.