The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1893-01-02
LATEST LONDON GOSSIP.
Gloomy Condition Of Affairs Among
the Poor Of the Great
Metropolis.
The British Nobility Still on the
Hunt for American
Heiresses
Home Rule and Labouc here Bennett for
fSss,, tho Paris Mission--The Queen
w. ss and Organ Grinder.

among the Lancashire cotton operatives
bids fair to reproduce the scenes of misery
and starvation which have made the cotton
famine at the time OF the American Civil
war an unforgetable chapter of social histo-
ry. To add to the misery Of the poor peo-
pie, the weather has been more severe than
usual. with every indication OF a repitition
| of the abnormal winter of 1912. No city
in the world has 30 many charitable in
| stitutions as London. None spends
as much directly and indirectly in
| charitable work. But never before has
there been so great difficulty in drawing
funds from those who have habitually given
of their substance to help the poor and the
afflicted. In truth, hard times have come
| upon more than tho casual laborer. The
building loan society failures have reduced
thousands from comfort to want. idle lands
and the loss of rent have imposed strict
economy upon many who have lived in
afliuence and luxury, while Of tho great
army of investors, the majority draw no re-
turn from their ventures in the regions of
finance, neither are they able to realize on
their capital without submitting to ruinous
loss. This gloomy picture is not over
drawn. Whether it is the outcome of per-
manent conditions or the turning point of
a crisis similar to what have been passed
through before remains to be seen.
It can readily be understood that such
conditions are eminently unfavorable to
that product of modern financial life. the
professional company promoter. Tbs reck-
less explorations of this class are respon-
sible for many failures. but 1t has some
claim on the good will of Americans. 1t
was the professional company promoter
4 who directed such stream of British cap-
ital into syndicate enterprises in the United
| States; who was the prime mover in opera
tions which resulted in the wholesale trans
| fer of breweries and -four mills from Amer
ican to British proprietorship and who ac-
tually planned and directed the creation of
more than one town in the southern states.
Even il there were not another cause at
work, this would point to decided con-
traction of the flow Of British capital to
the states during the coming year.
Whatever view Englishmen may take of
American securities, the American heiress
is in great demand as ever. 1t is reported
that the engagements will shortly be an
nounced of two members of the British no.
billty to two OF Americas fair daughters.
Il The British nation with marriageable
daughters submits with but poor grace to
these cousiny triumphs under any circum-
to realize her feelings when she learns that
the tiance in one of these engagements has
not yet even reached the dignity of a debu-
tante. To be beaten in society's open field
is bad enough, but to have to retreat before
an ''uEsophisticated miss Is too mortifv-
ing for anything.
Nobody outside of the cabinet has def
Mite information about the provisions of
the home-rule bill, but curiosity has been
quickened by letter from sir Edward
Reed, Il Gndstonian. taking up in advance
a uositiou suggestive of revolt. Unfortu-
nately for Sir Edward he is generally re-
ga, ded as one who, to use an American
phrase. 'fell without the breastworks." !"
when Gladstone formed his cabinet, despite
vigorous efforts on his part to get within.
While nobody questions his honesty of pur-
pose, there is a suspicion that its present
activity ia not altogether free from malice.
Sir Edward, however. would count for little
were it not that in his present temper he
may be used by Labouchere. Despite this
latter gentleman's pl otestations that he did
not desire seat in the cabinet. he has
made no effort to conceal his chagrin at not
having the refusal of one. nor of his opin-
ion that the advanced radical party,
, of which he ia foremost representatives. has
not been fairly treated in the distribution
OF offices. Further. he objects TO the policy
of giving home rule precedence over British
social legislation. and further yet de-
!, nouncas in advance what is believed to be
one of Gladstone's absolute conditions of
his home rule measure, representation of
Ireland by members in the imperial parlia-
ment. 1t is significant of the mower for
mischief c edited to Labouchere that in all
discussions OF the prospects, of the home
rule bill, that his probable attitude is the
foremost theme. In season and out of sea-
son, the Daily News has been the most con-
sstent supporter OF Gladstone of all the
J metropolitan press. OF this paper Iabou-
rba waaka prt
owner. Then he sold out to his CO. propri-
J etors becauee of what he considered its
\ slav .sh devotion TO one man. This is in
dicutive of his present mood, also of the
possession of n sound commercial instinct.
( as h. realized $3.50 900 for share which
) cost him originally but S55, 900.
} The height of u theatrical managers am
I bitiun here. ia to have his company dered
to perform befoso the queen. To attain it
he is willing to 90 to heavy expenditure
aud great inconvenience, while the mem
bers of the company ever afterwards swell
visibly, when they talk of the time they
| pc formed before her ma jesty. When they
learn that they share the honor of ''the
queens command" with II common. every
day organ grinder, and his equally common
monkey. they may, perhaps take on less
naughty men. The royal ohildren-a
numerous crowd-were little while ago
treated to the plebaian pleasure of visit
to circus, and oil they saw there. nothing
delighted them moro than the antics of Il
clown, d disguised as an Italian organ grinder
and his monkey. For DAYS after. they
wanted to see again "the gentleman and
his monkey" and her ajssty, to nppaase
them, WAS compelled to order II wandering
musician, whose good star had directed his
footsteps Windsor wards. to appear on the
terrace and petfotm before the nslace
windows Luckily for the organ grinder.
he had little 60 do but turn his handle, ns
tho situation was to him oysrpowering.
The monkey, however. was unabashed. and
got in ail the tricks he knew. The royal
party, which il mny be surmised Was not
entirely composed of children, il said to
have thoroughly enjoyed tho noyeltys con-
ceasion to common humanity gratefully ac-
knowlodeed. and tho organ man was re-
warded with probably moro gold than ho
had ever before possessed at one time.