Worcester morning daily spy., 1898-03-11
CITY HALL NOTES.
The Much Discussed Tablet Or
dered Removed.
Early Applicants for Liquor Licenses
Great Weather for Loafers-sewer
Loan Awarded.

The tablet at the city hall which
states that the building was completed
in 1897 with Gen A. B. R. Sprague as
mayor, was officially ordered removed
by the city hall commission Thursday
The tablet will be removed as speedily
as possible, and the new one put in Its
place upon arrival. In all probability,
this will be done before the hall is dedi-
Gated, and the public eye will never be
allowed to rest on the tablet which has
caused so much discussion. Chairman
Sawyer of the commission has nothing
to say. He says there has been no ill
feeling whatever in the matter, and he
does not consider it of enough import
ance to discuss it for publication. The
job of removing the tablet will be a
difficult one; but 1t Is thought that it
can be accomplished without injury to
the surroundings or building. There may
be some delay in securing the new tab
let, but none is anticipated the tablet
is expected to arrive in the course Of a
few weeks. In the meantime, the hall
is closed up tight, and passes of admis-
sion are issued to no one.
CITY HALL LOAFERS.
These pleasant days, when the air is
laden with the promise Of spring, are
red-letter ones for the crowds which are
always found about the city hall in
greater or less numbers, and are fami-
liarly known as "city hall loafers." This
term, however, is only general one.
Politicians call the men who are to be
found there doing nothing, "citizens."
Labor agitators style them "honest
employment by capitalists, trusts or
political parties. and few call them
buns" But all who visit the city hall
regularly, know them by the more COM
mon term. 1t is an interesting crowd.
1t is composed Of all sects, creeds, colors
and nationalities; but in spite of that,
they represent but one condition-that
of the class Of men who find this world
an easy one, a place in which work Is
not thing to be sought after, but on
the contrary, to be avoided as much as
possible. On sunny days like these, the
crowd gathers like flies about a sugar
vat; but in cloudy weather, only few
of the faithful are on hand to hang
about disconsolately.
At present the work on the city hall
affords entertainment, and the fence in
front of the new building is lined with
the crowd until the sun falls behind the
buildings on the western side of the
street, and casts a cool shadow across.
They are somewhat interested in the
work, but it is doubtful if this interest
would be sufficient to keep them on
hand if it were not for that fence. 1t
affords a brace against which 1t is re-
freshing to lean and bask in the sun
shine. Others are too Indifferent to
watch the work; so they face about and
gaze languidly at the crowds on the op-
posite sidewalk or the teams in the
streets. About the old city hall DOORS
on either side, more are found who bask
in the sunshine and smoke their black
pipes or stand in little groups and dis
cuss various matters of international
Importance, with vigor and enthusi-
asm that betokens genius Of the Ear
rested" sort. One topic that seems to
worry the crowd more than the fear of
war with Spain, is what is to be done
when the new building is completed
They realize that the broad plaza will
not be placed at their disposal, that the
welcome fence will be torn down, and
that the old red building which has
smiled on them for 50 many years, is to
be razed to the ground. And it casts a
shadow over the hitherto unclouded sun
basks.
WANT SOUVENIRS.
Some members of the city government
are planning to secure souvenirs of the
council chambers OF the old city hall
Just what will be done with the fur
of the building no one has at
tempted to decide; but it is generally
understood that, when the time comes,
there will be big auction with plenty
of bargains. Some members Of the
city government are expressing the
opinion that the city ought to present
them with the chairs they have occupied
while in Office as a slight expression of
esteem. Possibly some one may have
the courage to introduce an order to that
effect; but the public might oppose 1t.
realizing that such an order would pre-
vent them from possessing one of the
chairs which, in time, would prove val
liable relics.
THE STREET COMMITTEE.
The street committee held long ses-
sion Thursday night and discussed many
things of interest The main item be-
fore the committee was street sprink-
ling. An order was prepared recon-
mending that the same streets be sprin-
kled this year as last, and that the
street commissioner, under the direction
of the mayor be authorized to advertise
for bids and award the contracts. All
persons who desire sprinkling or wish
to protest against it must do 50 before
May 1.
The petition asking for the paving of
Main street was considered. While no
action was taken the work was dis
cussed The committee looks favorably