The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1896-12-03
The Horseless Mail Carriage.

It Is rather surprising that the mo-
tor vehicle, which attracted so much
attention in Europe and this country
year ago, has entirely failed to take
with the public. There were public
competitors in Paris and Chicago, rival
makers advertised the merits of their
designs largely, and it was freely pre-
dicted that the horseless vehicles would
soon be common on our streets. 1t ap-
pears that the obstacle is in the cost
rather in the merits of the new vehi-
cles. The present prices for a motor
carriage range from $4,000 to $4,000,
and 1t is needless to say that the cost
is practically prohibitory. 1t is prob
able, however, that the motor vehicle
will soon begin to mote" Manufac-
turers have seriously taken hold of the
problem OF producing a cheap vehicle.
A Brooklyn concern promises to soon
have a practical carriage on the mar
ket at cost of $500. 1t is also stated
that Second Assistant Postmaster
General Nelson, who has made a spe-
cial study of the subject, has a scheme
to use a horseless mail carriage in this
city. One OF the vehicles Is now in
course of construction, and II 1t should
prove success, it is proposed to have
number of them, and mail matter
will be taken directly from the street
boxes, sorted during collection from
box to box, and then carried directly
to the postal cars at the various rail-
road stations. This change would re-
lieve the pressure at the branch sta
tions and at the General Post-office.
Rumors of changes in the excise laws
this winter are exciting the liquor deal
ers of this city. 1t may be said that
the Raines bill contained no serious OBJ
stacle to the prosecution of the usual
saloon trade. Under the hotel features
Of that law, the saloons were all rap
idly transformed into hotels" and in
this way secured an immunity for all
night and Sunday selling such as had
not been enjoyed in years. President
Roosevelts police spies ceased to be
terror, and wave OF peace and con-
tentment spread over the liquor-dis-
pensing fraternity that obliterated the
recollection even OF the big State tax
fee. The Raines law hotel has become
a feature of our city life. 1t abounds
everywhere. But 1t is only fair to say
that never was the traffic more quietly
evidence from the outside OF the evils
which certain aggressive reformers de-
clare the new law has produced. The
threats that the law will be so amend
ed this winter as to wipe out most OF
the present hotels" as we'll as in
creasing the tax, has produced no little
"ommotion. and 1t Is probable that the
strange spectacle will be presented OF
The saloon interests arousing them
selves to fight as earnestly for the pres
sryation OF the present Raines law az
they did against It's passage last winter.
Senator Raines 10 said to favor re-
form of his own law. He is chairman
OF a special Senatorial committee, APP
pointed last year for the ostensible
purpose OF studying the operations or
the new law. 1t Is reported that the
committee will soon begin public ses-
sions. Among the changes Senator
Raines Is said to favor is one increas-
Ing the number of rooms necessary TO
constitute hotel. The present law
requires only ten rooms even In large
cities. It is proposed to require at least
twenty-five rooms for each hotel In
cities OF the first-class. iifteen In cities
Of the second class and tan In all other