The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1889-04-27
BROADBRIM'S N. Y. LETTER

As matter of course almost everything
in the way of business and pleasure has to
give way to the coming Centennial cele-
bratisn. 1t grows upon us day by day, and
we are beginning to realize that we are
shortly to witness one Of the greatest civic
and military pageants of the century. In
carrying out a plan so comprehensive and
vast there are unavoidable Earrings and con
ffcts of authority, but these are minor
sffsars and will in nowise affect the ulti-
mate success of the celebration. In regard
to the assumed prominence of mir. Ward
McAllister and his disagreement with Mr.
Fish, o word of explanation may not be out
of place at this time. For number of
years past we have had every winter a
series of balls which were given by the
elite to their friends, and were supposed TO
embrace the very best of our old blue blood
and composed that social sanhedrim which
has been publicly recognized by the press
~ Mr.. McAllister's four hundred. Every
fall a meeting was called of fifty gentlemen
who bore the goldsmiIh's stamp, and they
subscribed certain sum of money which
was turned over to Mr.. McAllister, who
personally undertook every detail of the
ball and managed 1t from beginning to end
He issued the invitations, he engaged the
music, he suggested the menu, he ordered
the wines, In short he was the general
factotum of the entire affair. Nobod, ever
thought of calling on him for an account
ing, and he considered 1t beneath him as a
gentleman to make any reference TO the
cost. II there was little surplus IL was
held for future use; If there was shortage
he drew on the fifty gentlemen for the
amount, and his checks were promptly
cashed and no questions asked. The fouI
hundred were out for an enjoyable evening
en- .fdmilie, and they got 1t every time.
When the Centennial bail was spoken OF
Mr.. McAllister was at once chosen to take
the lead In that affair, and while boedown
at a country tavern may be very easily goI
along with, ball of the magnitude Of the
Centennial ball is a very different affair.
Everything must be first class and there
will be at least ten thousand invited guests
all of whom are 10 be properly cared for,
At the ball, asidr from dancing, they must
have meat and drink, and lots of IL, for
have always noticed where II is a free blow
and nothing to pay, everybody is very hun
R1y and very thirst. Then comes thr
question of precedence. Whatl in a Re
publican government, say you; where every
fellow is just as good as every other fellowi
Yes, sir; precedence to see who is the
fellow that goes first, and who is the
ICllOW Juht goes ldoJ9 MS udf uOL Sttu
like 3 very serious affair 10 the inhabitanli
of Skaneaseles or Bellows Falls, but IT'S
very serious matter in New York, and is
question that now coDyulses the city lik,
An earthquake. When Mr. McAlliste
undertook his mission he imagined il wal
q sort OF gigantic patriarch's ball, of which
he would arrange all the details and New
York would furnish the money TO pay tn
bills. AS to telling everybody what be hat
done with the money, or that anybod,
would dare 10 ask a gentleman of his stand
ing such an impertinent question, 1t neve
entered into his head. He did not want u
be questioned or catechised about such
vulgar thing as expenses. A GENTLEMAl
gefs what he wants and paws for 1t like
GENTLEMAN; be doesn't go haggliDg wit
q lot of vulgar tradesmeH about fey
paltry dollars. So Mr.. McA4lister utterl
refused the demand of Mr.. Fish for a
accounting. Then war was declared and
has been pretty warm times all about Lh
board ever since. McA!lister thinks Fis
is q snsb, and Fish thinks AeAllister is a
upstart. Fish, however, is on top, an
McAllister, as factor In the Centennia
Is no longer the imposing figure that
was. Notwithstanding the troubles insid
Of the committee, the preparations are b'
ing brushed forward; couriers may be see
dashlng hither and thither on specii
messages. Telephones and telegraphs al
kept constantly at work, and the offices {
the Stewart Building looks like the heaC
quarters of mighty army just going int
action.
A Very serious feature Of the approaehin
celebration Is the great influx Of thieye
and pickpoekets from ether cities. In add
tion 10 our own police force, which is prol
ably the finest in the world, we expect
have special aid from large body of detec
ives from other cities. The policy Of OF
oWn polies force has always been 10 thTe