West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1889-11-21
NEW YORK LETTER.

New YORK, Nov. Is, 1889.
A few days ago the Board Of Al
dermen passed an ordinance prohl-
biting organ grinding, or the play
ing of any musical instrument, in
the streets of this city, excepting
in parades etc, under penalty of
fine or imprisonment. The inten-
ton was to stop the alleged annoy
ance caused by the everlasting grin
ding Of hand-organs and the footing
of the "little German band'; but
events have proven that our plebeon
populace do not consider it much of
II nuisance after all. In fact they
rather like the music, and are COM
ing to the rescue of the musicians
by demanding an amendment to the
law, which will allow them to follow
their old time occupation with some
restrictions. For this purpose q
mass-mecting will be held to night
in Brooks Assembly Rooms. when,
no doubt, there will be much music
in the air. The number of people
who gain n livelihood by'this means
must be very large, as they can be
seen on almost every block, with a
crowd Of children waltzing about
them, which crowd varies in size
according as the music is furnished
by Il regular uniform German
"mud-gutter' band, or by an or
binary Italian h%and-organ. In Ell
Their case the children are vastly
interested and, whether the tune is
"Where Did You Get that Hat ?'
err Home Sweet Home" the per-
formers are always sure Of an audi
ence of little ones who appreciate
their efforts.
PAYING INVESTMENT
On the heels of the report that
the Broadway Railroad Company
had made application for permits
sion to change its motor power from
horses to cable, comes the announce
ment that the elevated railroads
carried during the past year nearly
$50 million passengers this is an
average Of half a million a day. or
in other words, the receipts were
more than q thousand dollars an
hour, night and day. In return for
all this money, the company gives
very poor accommodations !; IL is
very lucky if he can get a seat in
the morning or evening and if he
does, lie is not sure whether he will
be roasted or frozen to death before
he arrives at the end Of his journey.
Often on the coolest days III winter
there is not a yostige Of heat in the
car, while on a mild day the heat is
sometimes officiating besides thes,
the speed is but little better than
that of the horso cars, being less
than ten miles an hour at best.
''Repid transit" so long talked Of,
and which we thought we had, is
still in the future.
REMARKABLE STAGE MACHINERY.
The mechanical arrangement for
reproducing q horse race on the
stage, which Us done in the County
Fare now running at the Union
Square Thea or, is a. remarkable
piece OF stage machinery. 1t it not
% brand new device, but the pro
priotor and chief actor. Neil Bur
CESS, has greatly improved on it
since 10 was seen here last spring.
The effect Of the horse running at
full speed aud not getting ahead, is
produced by the revolving stage"
which The horse keeps pushing from
under him. The moyejng panorama
at the back has been arranged, and
the arrangement is so clover and are
hs.Ic that It gives the impression Of
Cine landscape flying back from fhc
hec.1 OF the horses precisely as in q
genuine equine contest. The front
panoramic, which used to bs the
picture Of @ fence has been trans
formed into % practical fence and
greatly assists Che illusion. Alto
0cther it ls au ingenious arrange
ment, and should sorvo G., stimulate
other Inventions of similarnaturc.
Lp#fE ARLINGTON.