Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1886-01-15
NOTABLE THERMOMETERS IN CHICAGO.
Some Facts about Some who Originated
near Burlington or Elsewhere In Yer
mont.-Some General introductory
Comments.

near Burlington or Elsewhere in YER
mont.-Some General Introductory
Comments.
CHICAGO, ILL.,, Dec. 20, 1889
To the Editor of the Free Press:
Christmas day has past and how was
it observed Quite different from what
it was in the olden time; at least, this is
true of the west, where the manner of
its Observance does not fulfill the real
purpose and significance of the tlay Hun
dreds of thousands of dollars were eX-
pended in the purchase of costly and com
paratively useless presents to friends who
did not want or need them. The festivi.
ties INDUCED i'll here yesterday were of "A
langud, satiated order II day spent in
the contemplation of the surprises
wrought by ones friends, and the de
vouring of Il massive dinner. There were.
however some exceptionally noble cnari-
table deeds. If Christmas means any,
thing beyond the religious observances of
the day, it means good cheer and inno-
cent pleasure among friends thoughtful
and generous remembrances of the Door
and considerable care for the happy merri-
ment of children. Those in comfortable
and independent circumstances bear all
the relations to it of almoners of their
own bounty to children and those less
fortunate than themselves. But the
modern day observance almost compels
an interchange of valuables among those
who have no claim on the day, and to this
extent the real Christmas pensioner is de
frauded am not questioning the right
of any one to do rs he peases. but stating
what | consider the real Significance of
the day and how it was intended nv the
good patriarchs that it should be observ-
ed. AS at present it is IA burden if not an
absolute afflictlon to many, and tends to
develop envy, rivalry, extravaganza, i'll
feeling and many other traits not usually
classed among the Christian virtues The
money spent in this way, too often
is thrown away or misapplied for it
might have been expended where it would
have done great deal Of good. Would
that this brightest and gaddest of all
festival days were restored to its print
tive and legitimate uses.
The people of Chicago have some reas-
ons for good cheer and gladness this holi-
day season. Mackin, the corrupter of the
ballot box has been compelled to doff his
usual elegant and faultless attire and don
the penetentiary stripes for five years, and
is working at stone cutting side by side
with one of his minions in crime The
mavoralty contest which has been pend
ing for months is not yet determined but
light enough has been flashed in upon the
question to satisfy the public that gross
frauds have been committed, and there is
deep seated conviction and well
grounded public belief that the present
mayor was seated through them This
long and and persistent fight made by the
committee of public safety and the author
tiles will eventuate in determining wheth-
er a minority of roughs and repeaters can
defraud a majority of the better classes
out of their rights and control the affairs
of this municipality.
Another cause of good cheer is the fact
that the death of the widow of the late
Chicago millionaire, Walter l. Newbury.
makes Il bequest OF about S3O00,0U0 i'm
inediately available with which to estab-
llsh free library for the city of Chicago,
to be located on the north side. Private
muniicence has never before so literally
endowed library. This institution, ii
properly managed, will be in the ranks of
the foremost libraries in the world in
GLIDING even the state supported institu-
tiOns of Europe. 1t can be made to sur.
pass any American institution of the
kind and to this end it is to be hoped that
the expenditure of the fund and the es-
tablshing of the library will not fall into
the hands of superannuated library
crankS Magnificent possibilities are in
volved in the judicious expenditure of
these millions. The building up of such
library as this, may, and will be, the re-
suit of slow accretion, and will not spring
into existence like an enchanted palace
We shall wait for it to grow-a healthy
growth.
Another cause for congratulation is the
fact that another Chicago millionaire has
died ana made munlticent bequeSt for
the founding and maintenance of Il Poly
teChnc school, an Institution Chicago
needs To meet the demands of Il rapidly
] inn. i,tr 11.fi hi.h
evidenced an inclination to turn aside
from exclusive money getting, and give
more attention than heretofore to the cul-
tivatlon and fostering of literature, art,
science, painting, music and the higher
arts This institution will also soon be in
process OF construction.
Again, we have cause to be happy that
the Chicago health commissioner, DR..
Oscar &. DeWolf, has been vigilant in the
way of putting Il barrier against another
visitation of the smallpox, from Canada
or elsewhere by rigidly enforced system
of vaccination and other preventive meas
ures so that we feel comparatively safe
on this score. He has also adopted and
enforced measures to prevent, as far as
possible. the liability of II visitation OF
! the cholera by removing the causes
which invite and encourage the income
and stay of that scourge He is a Yer
| monter by the way, of whom | have writ
| ten heretofore. There are some reasons
| why we have cause to regret the existence
of many things, but | will not break the
! charm by Il mention of them here. We
| have reason to be thankful that the little
state of Vermont exists, because she has
| furnished us some of our best citizens, rs
! | have often written.
ADELBERT II. TAGERT, NJ. d.
Some of the most eminent physicians
and surgeons in Chicago have come from
hnI nd IL.