The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-02-27
A Daughter Of the Oldest
Man in Germany.
How the NOLicenSe Movement
Is Progressing Here.
Late Developments at the License
Board Hearings.

Mrs. Sarah Schendel of No. 273 Chalk
stone avenue, has the somewhat unique
distinction OF being daughter OF the
oldest man now living in the German en-
pire. In the country of the Kaiser old
age is much more respected than it gem
orally is i'm this land of the free and hom
of the brave, even the government pro
viding pension for those who attain un-
usual longevity. Levin Solomon Is the
name of Mrs. Schendel's faith r, and he
is now in his 113th year. Mr. Solomon
was born in Nirochen, town OF 5000 in
habitants situated few miles north of
Bromberg. Both these places are In the
province of posen in East Prussia. He be-
san life as a Ieddler and by his industry
and thrift had established prosperous
business while he was Still young man.
Later on he became 1 rye dealer In hon
ey and hides a business which he carried
on until he had passed the century mark.
Mr.. salomon, in the days of his active
participation in mercantile affairs, was
well known throughout Posen and was
generally respected. His only difficulty
with the authorities occurred when he
was more than one hundred years old,
and arose through misapprehension. Af-
ter reaching the century mark he thought
he had right to carry on business with
out taking out the customary license, but
the authorities took different view OF
the matter and arrested him. He was
found guilty and the penalty imposed was
one days confinement. Mr.. Solomon en-
Joys a pension from the Emperor as the
Oldest living inhabitant of the empire.
He had seven children. Two of his sons
and daughter remained with him in
Nirochen. Two other sons, Abram and
l-l f..1 h.tct
ness men in New London, Conn.,, while
his youngest child, Mrs. Schendel, has
for number of years been resident OF
Providence.
Information promulgated by prohibit
tory workers is to the effect tina the pa
pers asking that the question of license
or no license be included the warrant
for the April election in this city are be-
ing largely signed and that there is no
question but that the necessary 1900 viii
be secures. This may be cheering informa-
tion to tse extreme temperance element.
but 1t will hardly strike the average citi-
zen very favorably. Everyone recognizes
the demoralizing influence of the saloon
in politics an yet some of those who are
most strenuous In their denunciation OF ii
are the very ones who make II absolutely
impossible to drive the saloon out of poll
tics. Take the present movement as an
make the saloon element more pernic-
iously active in the coming election than
ever before. This Ia only natural. The
men engaged In the liquor traffic see their
business menaced aud they do what Others
would, confronted by similar danger,
band togethe 10 mutual protection. IL
viii be fight for self-preservation and
those who remember similar cases where
the liquor element was oused to resist
threatened annihilation need not told
what kind of fight may be expected.
And what l. to be gained? III vote
against license would be followed by the
suppression of the liquor traffic; IL the
cause of true temperance wou d be pro-
NOTED a distinct tenett to the community
would be wrought. Unfortunately, past
experience teaches that no such outcome
can be looked for. When the whole force
and power OF the State, With special ma
chinery designed for its enforcement,
could not make a constitutional Drohibi-
tory provision effective, ii Is vain for a
single city TO hope for greater measure
of success. especially when rum will be
SO d openly all around her borders and in
kitchen bars and cellar dives within her
boun daries.
Whatever opinion may have been en-
tertained by the people of this town up
to last Tuesday night about the merits of
the license commission investigation, and
the causes which led 10 Il, there can be
but one conclusion on that point by
those who are capable OF forming a cor
rect judgment from plain and unvarnished
statements then made. If here is one resi-
dent OF this city of Roger Williams
who heard the testimony at the last
hearing given by the committee and
isn't ready to eclare that this whole
business is contemplate outgrowth
of still more c ntemptible petty spite
and spleen then he must be sadly
wanting In comprehension or so OBJ
tuse that even the the X rays would fail
to di cover any filling FOR his brain pan.
Three r puta ble witnesses told in & etail
the story OF the origin OF the fight which
has been dragged int the City Council
for political purposes, but which Is more
likely to cause the overthrow of those
who hoped to profit ty 1t than injnry
to the commission RS, who rave been
made the victims OF a neighborhood
cabal and the but of an inq Try engi-
sneered by more or less cunning poll
ticians.
sifted down TO its essence the testimony