Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1892-06-03
OUR ST. LOUIS LETTER.

The F1oods-The Concord Is Coming
Social Topics-yisiting City Ohicials
from Boston to Denver-Choral SYM
phony Society. Etc.
We have had here this week two
topics of general interest to talk
about, one the freaks of the river, and
the other the Concord. There was
new side to each of these matters every
day, so there has been no danger of
their becoming wearisome. Business
men talked especially of the river;
society of the warship and the gallant
officers whose coming would be sure to
bring about round of gayety such as
the city has not seen since the social
languor following Lent. Every body
understood, of course, that the man-ot
war could venture on the visit only if
the water remained high, and it was
just us we'll known that the rising
river meant loss of money TO many.
The antagonistic connection between
the two things was pretty well illus
strated by u conversation at an after
noon tea in the fashionable West Emo.
Inc hostess was young matron at
whose receptions one is always sure to
find the most distinguished social lions,
whether sprung from the soil or visit
ing the city from the East. She had
her most intimate friend to help her
carry everything off well. Both ladies
are the wives of wealthy men who have
interests which are suffering through
the turbulence of the river. When the
talk and tea-drinking was at it's height,
the entertainer missed her ally. After
while she found her, sitting by her.
self in little recess, and slipping her
tea thoughtfully.
My dear, demonstrated the anxious
hostess, Don't you think you are just
little selfish; when there are so many
people who want to hear you talk,
too?''
81 know replied the other, "but
ran away just a minute to plan our
campaign if the Concord comes"
"O!' exclaimed the hostess, sympa-
thetic at once, won't it be delight
ful?"
"Well, / don't know" doubtfully,
said the one in the corner. 81 was lust
wondering. Mr.. Blank told me this
morning, as he read the paper at the
breakfast table, that every inch the
Mississippi rises costs him thousand
dollars, and i don't know whether |
ought 20 hope most for the river TO go
down or the Concord to come up"
1t has got to be the correct thing for
the aldermen of other big cities in the
country 10 come here for lessons in
various matters appertnining to good
municipal government. Last year Bos-
ton, Chicago, Denver and New Orleans
sent their officials to st. Louis to look
at its streets. it's parks, its water
works and it's other features which
place it at the head of western cities,
and this year Detroit has followed the
example. Its aldermen have Just gone
home, afterseveral days of sightseeing
that taught them something.
The Boston aldermen were struck
with the wide and beautifully paved
streets of St. Louis. The New Orleans
councilmen and Mayor Shakespeare
were impressed with the excellent
sewerage and spent an afternoon driv-
ing about the streets and inspecting
the sprinkling service. The Denver
visitors were especially interested in
The long lines of electric cars, and the
Detroit men came to look at the st.
Louis plan of caring for the garbage,
intending to initiate it.
Joseph Often, the director of the
Choral-Symphony society, is in fair
way to secure an endowment for a per-
manent orchestra here. If he succeeds,
the city need not depend on Nikisch,
in Boston, or Thomas, in Chicago, for
its good music hereafter. st. Louis is
doing more to encourage good music
every year. 1t is now in the regular
musical circuit, and every manager of
company or virtuose will bring his at
traction here hereafter The use of the
Exposition building for these concerts
makes it possible for them to make
money with very small admission fee.