St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1898-04-06
THE CRUISER NEW

in the council have knocked out many
unwise measures. This little minority
of college bred aldermen, all young men,
has done great work at the primaries.
Some of them have preached from the
city pulpits, Others lectured-none dared
not vote and speak tor uprightness.
| The three leaders of this courageous
[ minority are: Walker and Mayor Har-
rison. graduates of Yale. and John May
nard Harlan OF Princeton. The latter is
son OF Justice Harlan OF the United States
Supreme Court. He is one of the four
brothers, all graduates OF Princeton. and
each distinguished in his chosen field.
These three are ably backed by others
who talk less, but with ready brains aid
and support their leaders.
| Harlan is the fighter much as he was
when the mainstay OF his football team
at 'center rush" or as "backstop" on
his base ball team. He it was who made
the phenomenal run Tor mayor at the
last election. Against almost hopeless
odds he polled 10000 votes and aston
ished the natives. Big and burly, &C.
complished as an orator and parlia
mentarian, courageous, morally, as well
as in times OF personal danger he strikes
terror to the gang" whenever he rises
to oppose them. They never kno what
is coming. Quick in repartee, he often
turns the laugh on others, much to their
discontinue and his gain. He leaves the
council. Refusing to be renominated, he
is giving much time in speaking against
unworthy candidates. He devotes much
time to Powers. Ofcourse Powers hates
Harlan.
Powers made himself "solid" in his
ward by giving turkeys and Christmas
dinners each year. A cheap method of
buying votes. But he, in his rage at
Harlan for invading his ward and speak
ing against him, is liable to lose many
votes by threatening to wipe Hull
House out OF existence"
Jane Adams is at the head Of this insti.
tuition which is situated in Powers
ward. Hull House exists. as I under
stand it. to instruct the poorer women
in domestic economy. They learn there
to cook, wash and sew, the sanitary
precautions necessary in home, and in
fact many things which tent to domestic
health and happiness. 1t is one of our
great institutions doing a noble work
and we'll supported by our people. 1t
was foolish threat working harm to
none but the man Powers. In the mean.
time the people are awaiting the fray, in
hopes the shadow will be lifted from our
city, our burdens lighter and our streets
cleaner.
Civil service is success in this city, as
applied to the various branches OF the
municipal government. There is board
of three commissioners who administer
the affairs. Except the fire laddies. every
one from street cleaners up, excepting Of
course the heads of departments are,
after appointments, exempt from removal
for political cause.
Our police department-always the
6nest-is now taken entirely out of poll.
tics, and is more efficient than ever. AL.
ways excepting the disgruntled, every
one is pleased. 1t stands to reason that
the more intelligent are our public ser.
wants, the better service the public gets.
1t is another step forward.
The grand opera season, aside from
the successes OF Melba and Nordica. has
been remarkable chiefly for magnificent
raiment and jewels. Mrs. Celia Wallace
wore on the opening night dress cost
ing $4,000. 1t seems incredible, but it
is fact. Last year on the same occa-
sion she wore costume nearly as costly.
1t will be disappointment to lady read.
ers not to have it described. Did man
ever know enough to accurately relate
what woman wore? However much
OF its cost was in the yards and yards of
rare old lace with which it was trimmed.
Mrs. Wallace is noted Tor keeping in her
rooms at the Auditorium Hotel the most
valuable private collection of gems in
America. She it was who wished to
adopt the Cuban girl Miss Cisneros,
whom the New York Journal reporter
rescued from Cuban dungeon.
l have read that some of our public
men, who have recently been in the East.
have said: There was no war talk in
Chicago" There is not city in the
Union where there is more. Some of the
papers go to extremes; but the talk on
the street is of nothing else. am sure
there are no more loyal people, or people
ready to 60 to the front. Our naval re-
serves are prepared and our soldiers drill
several times week. To Chicago's
lasting shame, her battery was allowed
to move for lack of home. The Calling
guns, which in times OF labor trouble sent
terror to the mobs, are now in the state
capital. The regiment is disbamded and
the city, is to that extent, unprotected.
A few rich men, it seems to me, whose
interests center here, could well have
afforded shelter as selfish investment.
The department store which was FIRST
successfully started in this city now
flourishes in great numbers. In them all
there are acres of floor space covered
with every conceivable class OF merchan-
disc. There are also found under this
one roof, dentists, doctors, photogra.
pliers, intelligence offices, nurseries,
schools, shoemakers, tailors. dress.
makers, liquor dealers, butchers and
wet nurses. They are killing the small
dealer. Each session of the state legis-
lature brings up measures for restricting
them. Whether they are an evil or a
blessing is question hard to answer.
\ Three large fires in a week have kept
the department busy and people en-
ployed down town very much alarmed.
Aside from the frightiul less OF lite and
the destruction of property, the occur
Erenees are remarkable chiefly for the
heroism displayed. An elevator boy