The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-03-29
OUR BOSTON LETTER.
SOME EFFECTS OF THE GREAT
CONFLAGRATION.
Tho Foreign Population OF the City-soon
VIII Be Absolute-Ihe Gas War IL
On-Marking Historic. spots.


Of life and property and the suffering it
caused, but there is still another feature
that deserves mention. The consequences
of the fire are still TO be considered First
1t directly caused the erection Of new
buildings and the employment Of lumber
and materials. This is an item of import
ance TO the building world that Is of no
small consequence, for the contracts will,
amount to thousands of dollars Then il
reached up to the state house and has
started legislation looking to the prohib
ton of great floor areas and the prevention
of such great confagrations in the future
This movement Is good one and will
probably succeed. Again, IL operated di-
rectly TO raise the rate for insurance in the
"fire district" and to take thousands of
dollars from thepockets Of property own
ers and transfer them TO the treasures Of
the various insurance companies. The in
crease in rates was of such sudden and
horizontal" character that IL has raised
an indignant protest from some quarters.
The adding of one dollar for each hundred
dollars of insurance TO the previous rate
within certain district looks like a mod.
est performance, but it means much more
than you suppose In the prescribed dis
trict there is carried about Sl30, ,000, 900
worth of insurance. The man who for
merly paid 40 cents as rate of insurance
now pays sl.s0; the rate of 81 becomes 81,
and so on, and as a consequence of this
hasty action of the underwriters there will
be an addition Of about 81 800, 900 TO the
fire insurance premiums collected in Bos-
ton.
This is no modest sum think you will
agree, and yet IL is said that il was a
necessity as otherwise the companies
would withdraw from the city and it's
business portion would be without pro-
lection. The trouble with the raise Is
that 1t is not equitable, even though it
does fall upon the heads of the just and
unjust alike. The buildings with large
areas of flooring and inadequate protection
may deserve the increase, but there are
others that do not. The best suffer the
penalty of the worst and the owners Of the
former have the right TO protest they are
unfairly treated. Schedule rating" as it
is termed, must come to give relief, and
it is promised at an early day.
ing the population of Boston and the ma
tionality Of its citizenss IL you have, il
must have disturbed your old-time notion
that this city was the truly American-or,
strictly speaking, the New England-city
OF the country. New Englanders live here
in great numbers, admit; but, as have
stated in other letters the Bostonian to
the manor born takes back seat. He has
been crowded out, or perhaps it would be
better to say driven into seclusion. Just
note the figures. In this the modern
Athens were found by Uncle Sans hired
men l5s, l72 foreign-born people, including
II AL Irish, 3S, ,294 Canadians and New
foundlanders, 13,454 English, 10,362 Ger
mans and AIS Italians, TO say nothing of
Cinnamon and others who have come in
lesser numbers.
These people are here for the cash They
know dollar when they see il, and they
reach for IL every time. The Yankee may
be looking for sport first, but they are not
They are willing to undertake anything
that promises a fair return, and hard work
has no terrors for them. They are found
learning all kinds of trades, and in some
branches of business are the only hope of
the future. The American boy does not
seek to become machinist, plumber, "A
fireman, an iron worker or a mason, but
the imported boy does, and they are crowd
ing the shops today. They and their chill
dren will be the skilled workmen of the
next generation and the controlling force
in Boston. They boss things today they
will be absolute in 20 years from now, sim
ply because the American boy is so reared
that he thinks it disgrace to soil his
hands.
Another Landmark" in Boston has gone
There were older and grander buildings In
the city than fremont Temple, but few
better known and appreciated. Its history
really begins with the construction of the
theater upon that Site since the first Of the
temples or halls was the old playhouse
with its theatrical equipment removed.
When the building was erected fremont
street was known as Common street. 1t
was placed on lot formerly used as
place for a stable, and the foundation walls
were laid in May 1921 Work was pushed
rapidly, and on the oath of September the
theater was opened. AS a house of amuse-
ment it had a varied career and In ls43 il
was decided to wind up its affairs. Even
Its dying throes were notable for il was
opened TO the public for the last time when
all the patriotic people OF the United |
States focked to hear Daniel Webster's |
great Grafton at Bunker Hill Then came |
its Encouragement, and the first fremont |
Temple was dedicated Dec. Z, lSi3.
Others have followed the old building, |
and IL is gratifying to learn that still an
other Is TO come. fremont Temple will |
rise from the ashes as il has before, and |
with greater regard for beauty and |
safety. There is a sentiment clinging |
about the location that will be respected, |
tven though other and more roomy sites |
are open TO the trustees
That there is an increasing feeling that |
historic spots I'm this city should be marked |
and kept in memory is one of the happy |
signs Of the times If you pass up Winter |
street on your next visit here You will find |
fastened upon the Winter place corner Of |
the Shepard, Norwell q Co. building
handsome bronze tablet placed there by the |
Massachusetts society of the Sons of the
Revolution. You will also learn from its |
I'm CriDtiOn that Samuel A AA.vng ~