The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1898-02-18

ton was all the more desptcable since
the people who were fleeced were pool
and needy. The agent paid no attention
to the regulation that was supposed to
prevent his extortion, but got all he
/ could, and far more than was just out
of the man or woman who, unemployed,
was willing to do almost anything and
pay almost any price for chance TIC
earn a living.
The money lender was gentleman
compared to these employment sharks,
and if the new regulations serve to drive
some of them out of the business, as is
expected, it will be good thing for the
community Police regulations of these
so-called agencies should at least pre-
vent the extortion of the past, and the
rules will see to it that a man who APP
plies for a position will get something
for his money, and, if he gets position,
will secure him enough salary the first
week to keep him from starving. There
/ were, of course, reliable agencies under
the old order of things, but they will
not object to the new regime, and the
sharks of the business cannot.
There are great many politician
who are engaged a great portion of their
time in blowing their own horns, but
that is not enough wind music to suit
some of the Boston statesmen. They
want a municipal brass band that will
provide free concerts during the sum-
mer, and, of course, incidentally toot on
great occasions. This, with Mayor
Ouincy's suggestion, that there be es
tablished a department of music, con-
sisting of a board of five members, will
illustrate the kind of freak legislation
that Boston may have dished up to her
during the next two years. If we are to
have municipal brass bands why not
have municipal baseball club, NUM-
cipal circus and other amusement feat
ures? We have clowns enough. to fill
the demand when the circus is an estab-
lished fact.
The resignation of Collector Warren of
the port of Boston came as genuine
surprise to the politicians, partly be-
cause it is so seldom a man who gets
comfortably fixed in a government po-
sition ever gets out of his own volition,
and partly because no resignation was
necessary. The collectors term ex-
pires about the middle of March, and he
would have been replaced by George H.
Lyman at that time anyway. If 1t
makes Mr.. Lyman feel any better to
have it appear that he resigned, bis re-
signation to take effect when his term
expires, no one should begrudge him
that satisfaction. His successor is a
we'll known politician, ex-chairman Of
he of q Pnnmitt6n and
fully competent to discharge the duties
required of him down in the old stone
building. Not only that, but he is a
genial and approachable gentleman and
will have the general confidence of the
business community.
The agitation started by the Ancient
and Honorable artillery looking to
the better protection of historic old
Faneuil Hall will bear good fruit for an
investigation shows the structure to be
in even a worse condition than was first
charged. The plan to make the building
fire proof and safe from other disaster
is one that should appeal strongly and
practically to civic pride and patriot
ism AS has been we'll said: IF the
shocked expressions uttered by visitors
from other cities of the Union who find
this national historic shrine in it's pres
ent unprotected condition could be col
lected, Bostonians would be startled
little way along the path to immediate
and permanent protection of the sacred
cradle" The time to save and preserve
Faneul' Hall is the present. the future
may be too late.
A gentleman was heard to say recently
that about all the people know about
a newspaper is that they pay cents for
it, and after reading 1t throw 1t away"
This may be true to certain extent,
but it surely cannot remain so for any
length of time, judging from the num-
Der of newspaper men in Boston who
have given addresses on the subject oil
THE Press" during the present winter
Many of these lecturers have been hearo
before, but among recent corners upon
the platform is Mr. Ernest l.. Watt NJ
the Associated Press, whose talk upon
THE Newspaper, It's History and Func-
tions" has received merited praise IT.
several New England cities this win.
ter. Mr. Watt Is a newspaper man @,
experience and few are better qualified
to speak on this subject than he. Mr.
Watt was in the Berkshire hills during
the stay of President Mckinley and his
party this fall, and was the personal
guest of the president. In fact. of the
score or more correspondents in Adams
at that time, he was the only one to be
the guest Of the party on it's memorable
coaching trip through the valley. Mr.
Watt is to lecture before the Boston
Young Mems Christian association or
Monday, Feb. 81.
Lillian Russell has not yet decided as
to her plans for next season. She is
contemplating two offers one to head
a company presenting standard operas
like Martha" THE Bohemian Girl'
and Fra Diovolo," and supplemented
by a body of talented singers. Another
offer is to sing in Berlin and other Euro
pean cities in German. Both ideas are
pleasing to her, and she finds it difficult
to make a selection.
Following THE Paradise Lost" at the
Castle Square theater on Monday the
21st inst, there will be made a produc-
ton of Sardou's brilliant society COM
edy, Americans Abroad" This will be
the first production of this celebrated
play at popular prices in this city.
II ie inst bout 10 wears since Julia