The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1888-02-18
OUR PHILADELPHIA LETTER
PnnADELpmA Pa, Feb. Is, 'ss

Drancn OF the government service rs IL
alone pertains to Philadelphia is something
wonderful. In order to transact or proper
ly conduct this department, besides the
letter carriers, some 600 additional indi-
viduals, such as clerks, ,chasers, &C., are re-
quired. The man at the head of such an
Institution truly requires good executive
ability, tact and much activity to keep the
machine In good running order. Just such
a man is at the head of the Philadelphia
office In the person of W. F. Harrity.
The Brooks license law plays hayoc with
many Philadelphia saloon keepers. In 1887
there were 5,779 licensed places. Through
the application of the new law there will at
the most be only for 1888, 1925 licenses
granted making reduction Of 1854 places
The effect is sslutary one, Cor public NOR
ais But there is lots of bowling on ac-
count of it, especially amongst that great
proportion Of innkeepers who have uni
formly been voting the Republican ticket
It is singular, yet it is a fact, that three
fourths of the "wet grocery men" of phila-
delphia have been active Republican par
tlsans. If the maledictions that haYe been
rained down on the heads of the leaders of
the majority party, by those particularly
affected by this license law, will be carried
into effect in the forthcoming campaign,
then the majority of the Republicans in
Philadelphia will be very materially re-
duced. "Let her rip"
The transfer of Hood, Bonbright & Co. s
wholesale dry goods business to John Wan
namaker during the past week caused a
decided sensation in commercial circles.
The firm of H., B. & Co. had its COM
mencement way back in the '30's. Its
reputation and business transactions have
been national The sales of this house last
year amounted to S9,000,000. The acquis-
ition of this trade by Wannamaker makes
him not only the king of retail merchants
but places him way at the front of whole
sale merchants in America Wannamaker
besides his retail trade had already whole
sale trade established netting per annum
s7,Oo0,0OO. The merging of the two firms
gives the new concern start or field en-
bracing 100000 of trade. But it is safe
to say that in the hands Of the "imperial
merchant, with his vim, pluck and courage
in commercial circles, the maximum Of his
wholesale business will not stop at S16,-
100000 per annum but will be largely in
creased. John Wannamaker Is indeed a
remarkable person; great in the achieve
ment of gigantic commercial transactions,
bold in his methods, fearless in his under.
takings, and eyer successful in his aims.
1t is not yet thirty years ago when as a
poor boy he commenced his remarkable
business career, as a clerk in clothing
store at 9th and Market street, with a SAL
ary barely sufficient to maintain himself.
What tribute this mans life Is to Amerl-
can opportunity; what ar incentive to his
fellow men and how it must inspire all
such as may be observers of his greatness
not only as a merchant but also as one OF
the foremost Of American citizens. The
achievements of Wannamaker are clearly
attributable to those characteristics SC
strongly exemplifed in all his life, honesty,
confidence, perseverance, christian fortitude
and fair dealing with his fellows Phila
delphians are justly proud of this man, fol
his fame is the fame of the City of Broth
erly Love, and his success is the success Of
many of Its citizens Long liye Wanna
maker.
Henry Z. Reese is the name Of monu
mental imposter, hypocrite, embezzler snt
aduterer, whose unholy and reprehensibl,
transactions were exposed during the pas
week. This mans life has been one O.
crime, shameless crime. How he coulG
manage to carry on his fraud and yet re
sponsible relations with creditable men is .
great mystery. Confidence in his profes
sions no doubt sums IL up. Reese's lif,
was double-a Dr. Jekyll and a Mr.
Hyde-on the one hand he was an exem
plary man, kind husband, trusted agent anC
a practicing, protesting devout christian
leading in objects of charity, church worl
and teacher and exhorter in Sunda,
school evangelism. On the other hand h,
was a thief, embezzler, confidence man
debauchee and libertine, thorough hypo
crite and positively wicked man. Hi
latest crime brought to the surface some o
his former swindling operations. Som,
fifteen years ago he robbed and defrauded
while acting as confidential clerk and cash
Ter, the firm of Charles McGorge & Co. ,ou
of $4,000, thereby wrecking and ruininl
them. When his pilferings we're discoyereC
the firm was on the verge of ruin. His OK
posure would have led to its immediate in
solyency, in consequence, by his making
confession and such restitution as was II
his power he escaped punishment and ex
posure. Hisnex venture was with Clugs
ton, the Montgomery county person witt
was so cruelty murdered. His connection
wi h this individual proved him again t,
be thief. The murder was a fortunat
circumstance for him because II saved hin
from exposure. His last criminal operation
which landed him in prison and placed hin
In his true light before the world, was tn
embezzlemeot of $1,000 from C. E. Kings
lev & Co., propuetors of the Contlnenta
Hotel. At this hotel he again occupied tn
position Of confidential clerk and cashier
He received all monies and made all depos
itsi somewhat over week ago he went t,
the bank and deposited some money ant
on his return In crediting 1t on the hote
book accounted for 81 900 more than de
posit. One Of the proprietors accidentally
looked oyer this book and noted discrepan
cy with the bank account. The result wa
an examination and the discovery that h
had proven thief 10 the amount of IS, 600
He of course landed in prison-a place h
should have occupied many years before
The money thus attained he expended Il
dissipation, fast living and the keeping O
handsome blonde named Jennie Kurty