St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-07-07
CASUAL CHATTER.

Postmaster William Lee-COngreSs
passed the eight-hour law for carriers
late in May. 1t was to go into effect
July l, but it will be a month before it
takes effect in this office. Upon investi-
cation we found that the boys were
averaging about nine hours and twenty
minutes per day, or about fifteen per
cent more than the new law calls for.
Owing to the lesser hours put in by the
carriers it will be necessary to increase
the force. There are fifty-three men in
the Office at present, and L have made a
request for fifteen more. The kick for
eight hours was started in the New
York Office. Our boys never COM
planned.
1--WE have just received authentic in
formation that more than 10000 bushels
of grasshOppers have been destroyed so
far this season in the portions of our
state afflicted with the pests" said
Gov. McGill yesterday. 1.-The grass
hopper problem has been solved for
Minnesota, and we shall be ready for
thepests in the future"
~
"If A. R. Whitney, of New York, is
so anxious to bet $4,000 to $1,000 on the
certainty of Harrison'S election" re-
eral building, yesterday afternoon, Il
know two very good men who will be
glad to take him up. and deposit the
money either in st. Paul or New York."
All that he has to do is to address Hon.
Micnael Doran. chairman of the Demo-
cratic state committee, and he can be
accommodated Tor the whole amount or
any portion"
''Do you see that medal?" asked Capt
George Hays yesterday. Robinson, of
New York, the supervising inspector of
steam vessels there, sent that to me,
and another smaller than that which |
have loaned temporarily, l hope, to Ed
Durant." 1t was a magnificent medal.
Upon a scarlet silk ground was the gold
likeness of President Cleveland, encir-
cled by gold disc. Engraved upon the
disc was the legend: "Cleveland,
Democracy, 1sS4-1SS8." Then there was
a blue silk pendant with gold-fringed
ends and bearing the likeness of buff
falo in gold. Mr.. Robinson was men,
Der of the old Buffalo club, which Sc
cured Cleveland'S nomination there for
sheriff.
'sFor the six months ending June 30"
Capt. Hays went on. relapsing into
business details, 1.-The number of
steamers on the Mississippi has in
creased fifteen over the same period of
time last year. This represents an in
crease of tonnage of LOGO tons. The
gauge has not showed as high water
since 1872, that is in any year since
navigation opened"
~
J. 7. Clarke, superintendent of the
Milwaukee IL st. Paul road, was in
Pittsburg the 9Th inst, where he was
interviewed. In the course of his re-
marks he said:
Business is dull at present The
greatest difficulty with which we have
to contend is the cutting of freight
rates. The Eastern people have no idea
of how seriously this affects the roads
of the West. 1t is particularly felt in
the territory between Chicago and the
Missouri river. | cannot say that there
IS any Immediate prospect of restoring
rates. | am afraid the war will last all
summer. If the legislatures of the diff
ferent Western states would stop law
making means might be found to put
stop to this throat-cutting business"
~
Ole Bull was delighted with the old
opera house of this city. The stage
was shut in with box scenery, and
sounding board had been constructed
overhead. His agent, Mr.. Turnbuil,
selected it of all the places here for the
artist, and the old vIolinist told the
manager afterward, at billiards, that he
had played in very few opera houses
where he could make his instrument
produce such effects. The scenery is
the difficulty which prevents the per-
feet combination of opera house and
music hall.
Robert G. Ingersoll's success as
speaker is largely due to his fine ear.
When he begins his speech he seems to
measure the acoustic effect of his first
few words in the hall; then he is ready,
and every word can be heard in every
part of the building until he closes. He
stands well forward upon the stage
when addressing an audience.
There is something very peculiar
about the acoustic properties of build
ing. The first Christ church building
in this city was considered the best
place to speak, sing, or play music in.
When it was burned down the new
building was made an exact counter
part of the old. And then DR.. McMas-
tiers had to have sounding board put
over the chancel, so that his voice could
be heard at all.
hn a2,rar IN, G,,nd ~