The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1886-01-23
Correspondence Baltimore County Union.
LETTER FROM BALTIMORE.
The Snow and Ice Blockade-A Great An
noyance to House-Keepers-No Sun
day Delivery-The Silver CUES.
ton, Etc, ETC., Etc.


MessrS. Editors The winter blockade of snow,
ran ice, cold &C., still continues with us, though
it is milder. Navigation in our harbor, on the
Chesapeake bay and in tributary rivers, has been
almost entirely suspended, owing to ice and freez-
ing, reaching thickness of five to ten inches
AS consequence business on the wharves, de-
pendent upon marine trade, has been very quiet,
scarcely anything being done for several days.
There is some hopes, however, of things getting
better, as the thermometer is now above freezing
point, unless the cold wave again reported by
Probabilities as coming from the North and West
overtakes US. Some thawing and good deal of
slush has been on streets, and at times almost
an embargo of sleet, which made them nearly i'm
passabe for pedestrians. This lasted several days.
The greatest annoyance that housekeepers en-
countered during this cold has been the freezing
up and bursting of water pipes to their houses
This was particularly felt in parts Of the city
where very many tenant and other houses were
built in the past year and recently occupied~
Nave been erected In the same vicinity covering
many lots and possibly built for sale, there was
an almost intolerable nuisance and annoyance in
the past eight or ten days on this account. At
the very time when water most needed there
was none to be had, it being necessary to shut it
off two or three days because of the pipes freezing
day and night and bursting. The truth is there
exists an egregrious fault somewhere. The water
pipes ought to be put in such place and position
as to protect them from freezing during intensely
cold weather, such as we have had. This could
be done easily by little more trouble, care and
expense. They should be put in buildings with
an eye in reference thereto. 1t would be we'll to
put pipes containing hot water from kitchens,
bath rooms, &C., along side of pipes conveying
the cold, letting the hot water run at intervals
during very cold spells. Then again these pipes
ought to be put at a place where they would be
most guarded from the cold. These pipes con-
tanning hot water might be made to use only in
cold weather, expressly to obviate freezing. They
might be put aside the regular pipes throughout
the whole house and hot or any kind of water be
turned off from them entirely during the summer
or mild weather. If persons who build houses for
sale or rent will adopt some plan by which water
pipes in them will not be liable to freeze, they
would certainly gain preference in either leasing,
renting or selling their property. 1t will not do
henceforward to be annoyed with such discomforts
as we were in the past few days by bursting pipes
when with proper attention it might be averted.
A house becomes really untenantable under such
circumstances, in legal point of view, aside from
the misery it produces. 1t might continue six
weeks or more. Let some of our builders take up
the subject and he who supplies the best build
ings, free from the annoyance here complained of,
will unquestionably secure a profitable reputation
as an artist.
The Postmaster-Gen has decided to with
u
ry of letters, etc. to the people of Baltimore. Our
pious ctizens-preachers and others-were much
opposed thereto. 1 recollect very we'll when sim
liar objections were made to the running of city
passenger cars on Sunday-even to church-but
now as they do run very good people and minis
tiers who objected are glad to avail of the Sunday
cars even in going to church. 1t is well, how
ever, to have if we get it, rest of one day in
seven from secular labors, both for man and beast
An effort will be made by our State Legislature
to concoct and pass new police bill, but there
doubts if it can be done this session.
Our philanthropists have been doing nobly for
the poor and INDECENT during the past unfavorable
weather. Some $1,000 have been raised for them
in various ways and the good work goes on.
There are two sides to the silver question now
before Congress. The fact is if silver cannot be
had for change we will be obliged soon to go back
again to rag money. AS general thing people
prefer the hard, solid stuff, but give it to us at an
honest valuation. Stop coming silver and before
long there will possibly be premium demanded
for god The qsss is one Tb a5h
risks for what is doubtful.
Mr.. John King, president of the Erie Railroad,
and Mr.. Robert Garrett president of the Balti-
more and Ohio, have had a social meeting IN the
past few days upon important subjects. Mr.. King,
whom I have long known, looks remarkably well.
II is earnestly hoped Congress will aid in giving
means to erect a monument in Patterson Park, to
the memory of Mr. Francis S. Key, author of the
"Star Spangled Banner" 1t is most fitting
place, in sight of where his immortal lines were
composed. 1t was my pleasure to know him well.
Mayor Hodges has appointed ex-Sheriff Smyrk
City Commissioner, in place OF Mr.. Thos. 5. Will
kinson, resigned. 1t is an excellent selection.
have long known Mr.. Smyrk intimately and most
favorably. NEsToR.