Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-03-05
e RAILWAY BLACK LIST.
| Not Many Copies Are Printed and Out
siders Seldom See One of Them.

Not Many Copies Are Printed and Out
siders Seldom See One of Them.
! A decidedly queer little pamphlet is
"The Confidential Memorandum, which
is intended 'tfor the exclusive use of
those persons to whom it is sent" The
little book does not bear the name of its
printer, proprietor or compiler, and be-
sides having an exceedingly small circu-
lation it makes its appearance only about
twice year. The persons to whom it
is mysteriously sent keep it under lock
and key and refer to it in surreptitious
manner. 1t passes through the mails in
plain sealed envelope, and letter post
age is paid thereon. Nothing improper
| is printed in the Memorandum, and
yet its pages are guarded with jealous
care.
THE Confidential Memorandum" is
neither more nor less than a railroad
black list, and it contains some startling
! information about various people whose
names are not unknown to the American
public. Only the higher officers of rail-
ways can obtain it. Some persons whose
names are contained therein might con-
J slider the charges brought against chem
| hbelous, and so to avoid responsibility
and evade law suits the names of the
| publishers and the place of publication
are not printed upon the title page.
Nearly every railroad IN the United
States is a part proprietor in the Mem
orandum," and those who compile it
draw their pay and inspiration from the
records Of hundreds of railroads in
! Uncle Sans domain. Little short of
special dispensation Of Providence en-
ables any one except a railroad official
| to see the book
The book contains nineteen pages of
names OF d2linquents and seven pages of
the names Of periodicals and their edit
ors who ;.used the courtesies extended
to them Dy railroads. Notwithstanding
the edicts of the interstate commerce
law an u4commonly large number of
persons other than railroad men secure
passes and reduced rates from railroads,
and it frequently happens that the re-
cipients dispose Of these favors to friends,
scalpers and even to strangers ''for a
| consideration.
| When d person is detected in loaning,
selling, exchanging or altering a pass,
his name appears in the next issue of the
Memorandum" and when he next ap-
plies to any road for favors he is met
with a fixed smile and polite excuse,
but never the true one.
Unhappily there are found on the
black list the names and residences of
several clergymen, as well as statesmen,
who have abused the privilege The
| charges are in some cases stated in an
almost brutally specific manner, and
would prove rather shocking reading to
the wives children or friends of the cul-
prits.
Among the LAS" are twenty-three
names, including that of a clergyman,
who is charged with altering and loan
ing half-fare permits. The list of sixty
eight names commencing with 'tB" de-
scribes one as theatrical agent and
I'd. b., first water"
There are sixty-fve names under the
head Of c." among them is that of
man in Houston, Tex, who represents
himself as a special correspondent of
| New York newspaper, and is summed
is accused of altering a half fare permit
to include his wife, and an ex-represent-
ative in Congress is charged with loan
ing his pass.
A member of Chicagos Citizens
league is known to have sold his pass to
scalper. and SO will get no more such
favors.
Hangers-on of theatrical companies,
member Of the lower legislature and
editors of small journals are mentioned
on the list.-New York World
Miss Bonheur's Costume Makes Trouble.
A young Frenchwoman who is now
married tells a story Of how her engage
ment was nearly broken off through her
acquaintance with Mile. Bonheur, who
at the time was busy on a picture in
Paris, working in the house of the young
Frenchwoman's cousin.
One afternoon the painting did not go
WELL and Nile. Bonheur went to the JAR
din DIES Plantes for information, taking
! the happy girl as companion. Sitting on
bench in the shaded walk they saw in
the distance the girls betrothed, who
! instead of Joining them looked a mo-
ment, then flung away in a passion, and
for the space of a week was not heard
from, Then finally he paid a sulky
visit, demanding an explanation of her
apparently intimate relations with an
other man.
GA mani" said the laughing girl, now
comprehending the desertion, ''shall
| call the gentlcInan?"
"What, in your house?" said the mys-
titled caller
A minute later Mile. Bonheur stood in
the doorway listening smilingly to the
ceremony OF presentation.
"Ah," said the only half pacifed
lover, then monsieur
monsieur" interrupted the triumph
ant girl, lis mademoiselle. and if you
like you may come into the studio and
see her latest picture. Cor. New 7 ork
Commercial Advertiser.
| An Unusual War Relic.
DR.. Hall. the popular druggist, has
quite curiosity in the shape of an old,
rusty relic of the late war. 1t is one of