Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-01-25

LEAGUE cLUB-THE EMPIRE STATE HORN OF
PLENTY.
Special Correspondence Of THE EVENING STAR
New YORK, Jan. A.-By the time this 10 seen
in print your readers will either have learned
good news from the missing Erin or had their
fears confirmed by . silence that has already
become oppressive. Will the stout old ahip
pull through, or has the new year opened with
tragedy Of the sea? This question is one that
Ia rapidly rising to the chief place in the minds
OF those New Workers whose mental horizon ex-
pands teyond the petty circle of routine.
As We keep almosta human interest in good
ship that has borne us safely from port to port,
l am particularly concerned in the fate Of the
Erin, as many years ago I crossed the ocean
ferry in her. She was a strong, plump old tub,
with no six-day greyhound nonsense about her,
aud chose her partly on that account, being
anxious to get my limited moneys worth of
fresh air and salt water. We logged peace
ably across. taking sixteen days, l think, and
calling that very fair passage. That was in
the era when the Greece and the Egypt of the
same line ranked among the crack ships and
the Erin was by no means out Of the account,
though never charged with being fast even in
Its glddy youth. Subsequently she was de-
graded to the cattle trade, and now, perhaps,
has gone to Davy Jones locker. If so, she is
the second ship that has carried me and then
ioundered. 1t may be that am a Jonah at
long range.
THE sHIPwREcK REPORTER HAPPY.
But what is one man food is another's poison.
Thus l found today one man who revels in ma
rlne disasters. He is q friend of mine, who
reports specially the mishaps which befall
commerce. Just now, with a feet of q dozen
ships ominously over due and two or three ves-
sells quite probably lost, he is in the highest
spirits. His pencil flies at good space rates,
and when met him he was busy he asked
me to light his cigarette for him while another
nelghbor sharpened his lead pencil.
REAL BowERY SITUATION.
According to the court reports in the news
papers we had scene in the suburbs Thursday
that was worthy of the most blood-curdling
melodrama. It seems that train was APP
proaching an open draw at full speed the en-
gneer and fireman oblivious to the danger,
when the keeper Of the draw bridge. seizing
the situation, rushed to the crank and by super
human exertions closed the draw with a bang
when the locomotive was within ten feet of it.
This would be effective on the stage and is sus-
ceptible Of many variations to enhance the
thrill" Of course, in the Bowery. the bridge
keepers sweetheart would be on the train and
he would be bound to a staple by the villain,
but would burst his straps by herculean effort
and then swing to his gate with a victorious ha!
Ia! while the viilainwoufd stink away muttering,
Courses on the fool why was he SO strong! But
ne shall not always escape me thus!'
THE FIaHT FOR THE STANDARDS.
All the week a battle royal has ragged in the
New York Presbytery over the details of re-
vision. 1t was voted to revise some weeks ago,
but the real trouble began when the time came
TO say just what the revision should be. The
controversy has been learned and earnest and,
to use the congressional phrase, the general de-
bate has not yet been exhausted. Next Mon
day, 1t Is thought, the voting will begin. Among
the leading disputants have been Drs. C. s.
Robinson, John Hall and Professor Briggs and
Brown, special interest centering onDr. Briggs
speech on account of his famous whittier"
The trend OF the debate is evidently toward q
substantial revision in the line of liberalism.
but in advance Of the votes it would be rash to
predict what changes will be made
REFORM ON THE WATER FRONT.
A new building that is significant Of q great
and long-needed reform is starting skyward on
West street opposite the Jersey City ferries
at the foot Of CORTLAND and Liberty streets,
This is the ten-story and modern palace Of the
Central railroad Of New Jersey. It's erection
marks the opening of a new epoch in New
York s city architecture much as did the pioneer
structure Of the sort on street in Wash
lngton. Everybody from the south, not to
speak OF the natives, is familiar with the squalid
character of the structures facing the piers
The finest water front in the world perhaps,
is monopolized by dingy ware houses. market
stalls and gin mills. But this is now to be
changed. An Office building as lofty and
superb as any of the palaces Of trade that clus-
ter upon lower Broadway and its tributary
streets is now rising and the example cannot
fail to be contagious. Before long we shall see
on the North river front line of magnificent
structures in place of shanties and ruins. The
effect will be very impressive.
"A GREAT ROW IN THE UNION LEAGUE.
There are sharp hostilities and bitter feelings
in the splendid Union league club house on 5th
avenue. The members are ranging themselves
in one Of two factions, one assuming to repre-
sent the administration and the other standing
for the conservative traditions Of the club,
which are to champion republican principles
without mixing up with partizan machines
For the moment the administration faction,
under the leadership of the local federal Of
icers, is on top but the conservatives include
a host Of strong men who are not to be put
down. The president of the club is Chauncey NJ
Depew but he is too shrewd man to allow
himself to be involved in the fight. He says he
doesn't understand what the quarrel is all
about, and what il more. he doesn't want to
know.
THE STATES HORN OF PLENTY
We hear so much about the surplus at Wash
ington that you should understand we have a
surplus, too, New York state ia appArently a