Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1892-10-01
THE RAMBLER:s NOTEBOOK.

in correcting erroneous statements tnf I
/ may make or defining my position on
any question. My object is to do Al
cxahdria what little good | can by call
ing attention to things that come under
my notice that ought net to be and sug-
costing other things that I think would
improve the city. Probably | did the
G. A. r: post here an injustice last
week by my reference to some remarks
made By man whom thought was Il
Grand Army man from the lat he
wore profusion of medals ana badges,
but do not believe that they signify
rs much as one would believe at first
thought and think was a little hasty.
At the time of writing | had overlook
ed the fact that there was Il post i'll this
CITY and the article was certainly not
intended as a reflection on its members.
have since secured list of names Of
the gentlemen who compose the post
here and find that many are among
the most prominent citizens and well
10 do business men, and altogether 1t
is n most conservative body Of men.
They are men who would not brook
such conduct on the part of any of their
members and knowing most OF them
personally | feel that it is no mcr than
right that should make this statement.
The Offices referred to as having been
held by the man i'll question are
neither city nor government posi-
tons, but high and mighty seats
among the rulers of one or two
large organizations of a more private
nature. | would be glad to hear from
any one who has complaint to make
that is for the public good on who feels
that have done him an injustice and
will stick to my promise made ut the
beginning of this article.
4 great deal has been said about the
terrible odors that passengers on the
ferry boats between Alexandria and
Washington have to endure and am
afraid protest from me would do hut
little, if any, good. should think tie
management of the ferry company
would bring every influence 10 bear to
have the "bone factories that line the
MARYLAND shore broken up. They
are certainly the means of preventing
large number of people from travel,
ling on the boats that otherwise would
enjoy the ride on the river.
Another foul smelling breeder of dis
ease and discomfort that want to call
the attention of the chief of police to Is
the oyster shell which is sprung on us
in large numbers and numerous piles
about this season of the year. fail to
see why these oyster dealers should be
allowed to let shells full of decaying
portions of the oyster accumulate all
over town and menace the health ofthe
people who are forced to live in the
neighborhood of the shops. | don't
know whether it is the duty of the city
or the dealers to remove these shells,
but it is matter that should be re-
ported by the police and | hope they
will take steps to have the nuisance
abated at once.
Speaking of the ferry boats, lam told
that it takes the two old boats nearly
forty minutes to run from Washington
to this city while the Columbia makes
the trip in about twenty-five. This is
quite wide difference in time and peo-
plewko travel on the boats are beginning
to complain. Half an hour at the most
is only fair speed, but when it goes over
that passengers can't be blamed for
kicking. The company should look to
their interest by giving better service,
and it is believed that Supt Ridley,
who is ever alive to the requirements
of the public, will soon have his boats
making better time.
Every time have occasion to use
livery vehicle here feel like sponging
out the entire service. 1t reminds me
of the man who went into railroad
lunch room and swept everything off
the counter with his umbrella and eX-
planned his conduct by saying he want
ed the next man that came along to get
something fresh Oh, that could rid
the city of all of these superannuated
horsesand vehicles-that look as though
they were new before the war and that
we find lined up at the depots and
whalves-;o that strangers ~ we'll as
natives could get something decent to
ride in feel positively ashamed when
| think of those ancient teams that so
stumbling around town and the impress
sion they must make upon strangers.
Such places as Leesburg and
Warrenton are farm advance ofus inthe
livery line, and people from any num-
Der of towns even smaller than those
stand by and gaze in wonder at the AL
exandria carriages and buggies as Curl
osities. The younger generation have
never seen anything like them except
here, and they awaken memories ofthe
past in the older ones. And then the
horses / always feel mean when /
ride behind them, as though ought to
get out and walk because the horses are
old. | think of the time when / shall
be old myself mot that expect to be
hauling carriage), and | know shall
be decrepid and weary and want to rest
from the labors of my younger days,
and think these poor old horses ought
to be getting some reward for what they
have done, too 1t is really not right
that people should have such horses
given them when they are paying for
passably good team at least, and have
to take horse that they are ashamed
to drive faster than q walk. hope the
liverymen of this city will catch some
of the fever of Improvement and give
lis better livery service.
THE RAMBLER.
Corbett, the pugilist in II sparring exhibi-
ton at Pittsburg last night said there are
really only two men in the world to-day who