The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1888-01-07
OUR PHILADELPHIA LETTER
Pn1LAprLrHIA, Pa., Jan. 4. ,ss

This is 1888. The old has been tolied
out and the new rung in. A festive time
they had in ringing it in, that is, the New
Year clubs. Philadelphia can boast of
about two hundred such clubs, the men,
bers of which, according to custom, rig
themselves up in all sorts of styles and in
every conceivable, ridiculous and sugges-
tive apparel. Much money is expended in
these costumes; one club alone expended
for the first of 1888 over $4,000. 1t is no
unusual thing for such costume to cost
from 500 to $3.50. The paraders appear
upon the streets like kings, priests, parsons,
jockeys, clowns, lackeys, acrobats, cats,
dogs, &c. In these DISCUSSES the streets
are paraded, the curbstone audiences en-
tertained and the night made hideous, by
howls, footing of horns, sounding of SYM
balls, operating musical instruments, dane
ing, jumping, running, believing in short
acting as body of frenzied madmen.
Such is the customary Inauguration of
New Year in Philadelphia. 1t is novel
sight with the graphic thrown in, and to
frantic exhibitions it is strange and new
true to confess.
The Academy of Music, the largest build
ing for public meetings in Philadelphia,
has been engaged for Friday evening, Jan.
27, 1888, for the purpose of holding meet
ing by business men of Philadelphia in ap-
proval Of President Cleveland's tariff re-
form message. The call for this meeting
has been signed by scores of prominent
and extensive business men as well as by
prominent and eminent professional men.
| The message has accelerated great and
profound discussion of that much mooted
question, tariff, its effects, &c. The meet
ing promises to be big affair and the
question will be discussed exhaustiyely and
expounded in all its bearings. 1t is very
remarkable fact to realize the strides that
have been made by the masses in the direc-
tion Of reform of the tariff. Heretofore
if any statesman suggested reduction and
simplification of customs duties lie was de-
nounced as traitor to American industry
and working for some foreign enterprise.
This is changed now, for in every avenue
ly benefited as against the nany, one will
find that lower tariff and an entire abolition
of duty, on articles of consumption and
such raw material as enters into manufac-
tured articles, is advocated and urged
The man of to-day, who thus advocate:
these salutary measures, win be the most
prominent public man of the future. This
meeting is not only intended as an endorse
ment of Cleveland's message but as med
lum of securing healthy expression o.
business men as TO the wherefore of &
proper reduction of our system of taxation
and thereby disabuse the minds of the tim
, i'd who fear consequential results because
their minds have been so much abused b.
tariff shriekers and clacquers. A health!
discussion is promised and much good will
result therefrom.
The Pope's Jubilee proved a great even
In Catholic circles. Commemorative ser
vices of the Pope's fifty years. priesthood
were largely conducted in the churches o
InaI Idltn. Inc ceremonies were elaDOrat
and beautiful. 1t was not only thus elab
: crate in Philadelphia but supremely NOR
: so at Rome, the Catholics Mecca" especi
0 ally when it is taken into consideration
l. that the presents 10 his Holy Pontii
amounted to more than $50, ,0OO,0O0. 500,
0o0,O 900 to one individual and multitude
\ of poor and famishing human beings
: What commentary-and this is called re
It ligion.
= The great strike which is IN progres
e now over the Reading system of Railroad
, is vitality affecting Philadelphia. 1t affect
Y it not only as TO the earnings of the man
, employees of this road but it also cuts int
ls one of the vital and necessary supplies {
al citizens, that of coal. This produc
ever since the Lehigh strike has been
3 scarce commodity in the market and
E consequence the price of this very necessaI
4 fuel has been enhanced beyond all reasol
IN Coal sells here at $3.50 per ton, and now
l. the main supply, that of the SehuylkI
region, is cut on It viii eost more per tOl