Arizona republican., 1890-07-13
ON THE CURBSTONE.


 marked to me the other day: "I can hardly find terms to express my high appreciation of your valley in one respect. It is blessed in the absence of that curse of the Pacific Coast, the flea. l believe l brought fifty of them with me from Los Angeles, but they left me shortly after arrival here. 1 came by way of Prescott and there was almost devoured by bed bugs, the night l spent in the hotel, but am pleased to note that Phoenix is also minus these pests of the night"
 FEW are aware of how strong, numerically, the temperance Cor prohibit tion) movement is in this valley. In Phoenix, Garden Valley Lodge of Good Templars claims a membership of l30; Cartwright Lodge, few miles west of the city, has l25 enrolled; Mesopotamia Lodge, two miles north, has sixty mem- bers; Unity Lodge, at the Wilson schoolhouse, new organization, has thirty members; Tempe Lodge, about sixty. This membership is large< made up of women and young fclks, yet shows that much interest is being taken in the objects of the order. The work done is not very apparent. The saloons of Phoenix appear to do rushing business under the attractions of pleasing music and cooling drinks. One of the best ways my temperance friends could find to combat the liquor interest would be to place at several points on Washing ton street, rough drinking fountains, where the thirsty people might find cooling drink without visiting the sa- looms. The cost need not be great. It would largely decrease the consumption of beer and "long drinks"
 OFTEN hear people say, as they look at some especially expensive building or piece of work, "Ah, what a pile of money has been sunk in thatn They seem to take the view that all money put in, say, brick block is tied up forever in that building. Nothing to me appears more absurd. Every time critically survey large building, like the Monihon block, for instance, real ize that its erection has let loose in the community large sum Of money, which might, instead, have remained idle in the bank. The local architect, the brickmaker, the mason, the car penter, the painter, the plasterer, the plumber, each and many more, have had share of the money expended, and this money has gone directly into circulation. Of the amount secured by the lumber dealer and merchant, a large proportion is, of course, sent away, but the profits remain.
 "WHEN the cats away, the mice will play" The local ''grass-widowers" seem to fully appreciate the truth of the old rhyme. They seem to enjoy their wives vacation.
 IT IS perhaps little early in the season to speak of such matters, but l believe that protest is in order againt the average ''sociable," entertainment, concert or fair given for sweet charity" 1 1 don't believe that charity actuates in the least the movers in such matters. They want, as rule, to show themselves and their requirements on the stage and to receive the incense of tlattery and applause. Take, for instance, an entertainment in aid of some destitute family. The admission price will be twenty-five cents, the house crowded. There will have been, as demanded by an appearance in public assembly or upon a public stage, an extra expenditure entailed of surely $2O0, upon dress alone among those in attendance. The hall rent is at least $25 and decorations and other ex' penses fully $50 more. The net sum secured after weeks of preparation and much tribulation rarely exceeds $50 This amount is handed over, amidst q flourish of triumpets. to the recipients of the charity" publicly pauperized that the vanity of a few might be satis fled. Would it not be more noble, more Christlike, for those who wold emulate the Good Samaritan to place directly and unOstentatiously in the hands O the needy ones the aid deserved? Bu you ask, Chow about society,"" Society is one thing, charity another. Charit! to be Christian-like should be secret.
 A LADY, not long from the East, re marked to me: "iow peaceable and quiet the cHlluren ol InelilA appear t' be. "Now, back home the boys seen , to fight and row continually, but here have yet to see two boys at fisticutts. It may be that the boys of Phoenix have as much of the Old Nick in their com position as those of other portions of th' Union, but if they have they ,lo not shov it.
 CARLOS. l THE MARKETS.