The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1896-01-17
A Letter from the Hub.

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BosToN, Mass. January 9Th, 1895.
Silently and without display the old year
of 1895 has passed into history, and the new
year of 1896 is before us.
The year just gone has witnessed peculiar
conditions and results in the commercial
relations between the different countries
AS a whole the year of 1896 has been a
fairly prosperous one for Boston as com
AIRED with other cities. especially along
lines of real estate develope ment Capital
is now seeking conservative investment
near home instead of in the west, as in
years past. This fact alone makes the rea
son apparent why business in this line has
been held steady in spite of dull times.
CHRISTMAS IN BOSTON.
The observation of Christmas was of q
very pleasant and satisfactory nature. es-
pecially as it brought happiness to both
rich and poor. In Boston and many
suburbs the christian spirit of the people
was evidenced by the giving of gift and
fine dinners to hundreds of poor children
whose lives are so shrOuded as to prevent
their enjoying such blessings and comforts.
IN BEHALF OF ARMENIA.
The continued horrible reports of the
massacre of ArmenianS has aroused the in
tereSt of clergy, press and people, and pub
lie meetings are being held for the purpose
of raising funds to be used to alleviate the
SuutTluRS VI tu6Sc uulOIIuldIc pcOplC.
THE RED CROSS SOCIETY.
This society is to carry on the work of
relief, and the movement is headed by that
heroic christian worker Miss Clara Barton,
who will 80 to Constantinople to personally
supervise the distribution of funds to pro-
vide for food and shelter.
1t is hoped that at least $4,000, 900 will be
raised to carry forward this good work.
BaLMY WEATHER.
That the month of December of 1895
eclipses all previous records for balmy
weather is beyond dispute.
To see green grass and blooming flowers
during the last week of December is GER
tainly rare sight, but it is fact that vio-
let's and panSieS were picked in Boston gar
dens last tuesday.
IMMIGRATION FACTS FOR 1895.
There landed in Boston, during 1895. 49,,
700 people from foreign countries, the num-
Der for 1894 was about 29, 900. These figures
do not include those coming from Canada
or the Maritime Provinces. Nearly all those
who came during 1895 have relatives living
in this country.
CANADIAN TRADE.
The animal report OF Dominion trade and
navigation shows the aggregate to have
been 1924, 100000, as compared with $780,
0O0,00O previous year.
BOSTON FIRES OF 1895.
Eleven fires only during 1895 showed
losses amounting to many thousands. The
total estimated losses for the past year
aggregate $l,055,094.
CUSTOM HOUSE FIGURES.
The receipts at the Custom house during
1895 amounted to over $1,000 600, for 1894
figures were $S, 1856, 112, land for 1893, $l2 744,-
795.
BOsTON's SUBWAY.
Work on BostOns fine subway is progress.
sing even during cold weather. Modern
methods of engineering overcome easily
seeming obstacles and already a section
directly under fremont street near Park
Street church is COMPLETED The subway
is no longer problem; it can be accepted
as a settled fact that the work will be vigOr-
Ously pushed to it's completion.
THE WAR SCARE OVER.
The excitement created by the Presidents
special message about Venezuelan affairs
has apparently subsidized in all parts of the
country. The sober second thought of the
people-that is of those who do think, has
made itself heard; and that same thought
objects to any form of settlement of mat
tiers in question, between this country and
Great Britain, other than by true diplomacy.
be message has maze IL clear To foreign
dipomatists that this country is sensitive
about the Monroe doctrine. The general
sentiment OF the country seems to reaffirm
the Monroe doctrine as national policy,
but disavowS entirely the belligerent spirit
The commission appointed to act in the
VENEZUELAN controversy is composed of men
of national reputation and sterling worth,
and the public need not fear war so long
as the common sense of these men shall
assert itself in behalf of this country.
LEGISLATION.
The Ways and Means Committee acted
quick in response to the Presidents call for
legislation to relieve the Treasury's embar-
rasments, The situation was, that since
1893 there has been deficit in revenue of
about 800, 100000, within anne period APP
prOximately $3.50, 900 in gold has been
borrowed. While there has been Treas
ury surplus increase of S80000,000 which
now Strands at about 800, 600, 900, there has
been no increase IN gold reserve. The pre-
sent surplus practically consists of notes
presented for redemption, and the gold re-
serve is now less than $65,000,000.
Two bills have come before congress,
one
REVENUE BILL.
provides for temporary restoration of sixty
per cent of the Mckinley bill duties on raw
wool and lumber, together with correspOn-
ding Increase of duties on manufactures
thereof. Also the addition of Is per cent to
all Wilson bill notes, except on articles
which by so doing would be made higher
than under the Mckinley bill schedule.
The second, or Bond bill, has two indie
pendent clauses-frst to allow Secretary of
Treasury to issue per cent bonds to be sold
at not less than par, to be redeemable at
pleasure of the Government after five
years second to allow Secretary of Treas
ury, when needful to avoid temporary de-
fciency, to issue certificates of Indebtedness
TO an amount not to exceed S50,00O,0OO to
run for three years at three per cent.
The result of the vote in the Senate is
looked for with much interest. The result
of these bills of made law will be to restore
the Treasury. and with it general restora-
hon of business confidence.
NICARAGUAN CANAL.
President Cleveland is expected to send
special message to Congress very soon
touching upon this subject Information
in Washington to the effect that an attempt
is being made by English parties to secure
control of this project causes quite a little
uneasiness. 1t is expected that the revOk- |
ing the charter now held by this and the |
granting of new one to a new syndicate |
will be carried out.
BUSINESS NOTES.
The reports from Bradstreets shows that |
trade for last week of 1895 was dull as it is |
usually at that season of the year.
There always occurs a sackenng oftrade |
after holidays and during stock taking sea-