The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1898-03-04
OUR BOSTON LETTER.
War Talk Has Largely Sub
sided During Past Week.

War ak has Largely OuD-
sided During Past Week.
Most Now Heard Comes From Political
Opponents of the Administration-slI-
verites See In War "a Contamination OF
Their Hopes-EForts Still Going on to
Save FaneuiI Hall An Experts Opinion
Most of Our Old Landmarks Have Dis
appeared-This Is Particularly True Oh
Old Inns-A Glance at History-Dra-
matte and Personal.
The war talk, which mentioned las
week as being the leading topic OF inter-
est in this city, has materially supslueu'
the jingoes, for there are many, keeping
more quiet than at first Investigation
into the furore shows that the strongest
advocates of a vigorous policy are those
who are not politically in sympathy with
the present administration Repuph-
cans generally and the bankers and con-
sentative business men are strong IN
their advocacy of the position taken by
the president and his cabinet, While the
silver wing of the Democratic party is
vigorously shouting for revenge Tor the
loss of the Maine and her gallant tars.
I do not mean to assert or imply that the
feeling of sorrow for the disaster is not
universal, but that a conservative
course is urged by one class and radical
tod nNTth pn of
1t is noticeable that several bankers
and business men have declared that war
means a return to the free coinage OF
silver, and it is, of course, but fair to as
sumo that the friends of the white metal
regard it in the same light and, there
fore, are not averse to a course of events
that will bring about a contamination of
their hopes. OF course, it is hardly nee
essary to add that majority of Bosto-
mans do not desire a financial reVolu-
ton sufficiently to obtain it by the hor-
rors of war, but prefer the more conser-
vative course marked out by the gov
eminent. The feeling that we have moth
ing to gain by war with Spain is too
strong to be overcome unless different
course would bring with it national dis
honor.
1t is pleasing to notice that the agita-
ton begun sometime ago by the Ancient
and Honorable company to preserve and
perpetuate Faneuil hall is not to be
allowed to die out without bearing
some fruit. Just as soon as the condi-
ton of the building was called to public
attention, experts cast their eagle
chances at the structure, and strange to
say they are almost a unit in favor of
decisive action if the old cradle of lib
erty" is to be saved to the world. The
better opinion seems to be that the only
proper method of preserving the build
ing is to make it into a fireproof struct-
ure after the manner of the State
House There should be steam heating
and ventilating plant to serve the entire
building and a, refrigerator plant to
serve the market. The estimated cost
would be about $4,000.
F. w. Chandler, a we'll known con-
sulting architect and authority, goes
further and says that at present the
greatest danger comes from the occu-
pancy of the first story and basement,
and these should be vacated. Sheathlng
and Iathing should be stripped off and
replaced with metal lathing and plaster,
and a system of sprinklers installed.
Fire stops should be built in at once, for
at present there is nothing to prevent
the fire from communicating immedi-
ately with the roof. Gas is used for
heating in the floor occupied by the An
clients, and all gas pipes should be re-
moved at once, electric lights and steam
heat being substituted. Professor
Chandler says that the building is en-
tirely lacking in fire escapes. 1t should
have galleries built on the level of the
window stills of each story, extending
the length of the two Sides and con-
nected with each other and the ground
by iron stairs.
The movement to save the old hall
comes none too quickly, for it is veri-
table firetrap at present 1t is one of the
chief points of historic interest to Wis
fors to the city, and annually nearly
100000 persons are said to visit it. A
register is kept where the autographs OF
til .se who inspect the building are de-
sired, but only about one person in six
complies with the request Even with
this lack of respect to the desire of those
who have charge of the building as
many as IA 900 names are registered in
ordinary years, and these figures are
greatly increased when some great con-
vention or gathering is held in Boston,
Save Faneuil hall as step in the direc-
ton of more properly caring for the
buildings that connect us with the days
of the fathers of the republic.
Boston in the past has been too care
lesss of her old landmarks and has al
lowed them to go to ruin or to be torn
down without mercy. The patriots OF
the olden time gave public expression to
their sentiments in the old cradle of lib
erty" but the Tories feared far more
thai these public meetings the secret
gatherings holden in the various hotels
or taverns of the time. Some of these
are noted in history and made famous
in song and story, but not one of them
remains so far as l know to be preserved
to future generations. 1t was in these
"ordinaries" that treason" as it was
thei called, was plotted, and such di
versions as the now celebrated tea party
MANNED and put into execution. Al