The record-union., 1899-06-25
HOW they DO THINGS THERE
WHAT GEORGE PELTIER SAW
IN EUROPE.
His Impressions Of Foreign Lands
Their Great Centers, Peo-
pies, Customs, Etc.

G. w. Peltier. wife and daughter,
who have been travelling throughout
Europe for eight months, returned 70
their home in Sacramento a few days
ago. During their tour they saw
good part Of the great places OF IN
terest in England, France, Italy, Aus
tria, The Netherlands and Belgium
Though very busy yesterday after
noon, and decidedly averse to anytn1ng
like rushing into print, Mr.. Pelter
granted q Record Union reporter an
interview without assuming to cover
the ground in a thorough. painstaking
or critical way, Mr.. Peltier drew an
Interesting picture Of things as he saw
them, tracing the main features IN
black and white. As a quiet American
business man, he observed what he saw
with considerable minuteness, and ms
conclusions are interesting.
Did you notice the condition OF the
proletariat, the great body Of bread
winners?" he was asked
Yes he replied, land soon discov-
cred that their exact status Is hard to
determine. There is no tramp class.
as we know them In nearly every
| is such surveillance that it Is impossl-
| BILE for the semi criminal outcast or the
mere idler to carry on his plans. IN
Germany, for example, let us suppose
| the case of married woman and chll-
dren, with q lazy, criminal, or d1ssi-
pated husband Do you know what's
done with him? Well, he can't LOAF
and make her work. On complaint he
| is hustled into custody and put at pub
! lie work, the pay for which goes to
his wife and children"
do the rulers seem to care for the
masses?" was asked.
Far more than an American under
stands replied Mr. Peltier, "and the
| Kings and Queens seem to do all in
their power to- make the masses happy.
On the Continent people give far more
attention to pleasure than here. Recre-
alton breaks the monotony, and there
are concerts, music and entertain
ments on all Sides"
How did you find the people regard
ing Americans?" was asked.
well 1 found much interest in Amer
lean affairs. An American Is treated
as we'll as anybody, and better than
of his country in Europe now, and be
proud of it-and this sentiment dates
| from the Spanish American War"
| Mr.. Peltier found the railroads and
| the railroad service across the water
| far inferior to the conditions we are
accustomed to throughout the United
States, the accommodate ions Anticipated
and inferior.
| The English people were more like
us than any, more in sympathy with
American political and business ideas,
but the Germans and Austrians pleased
him greatly. They are fine, magnifi-
cent specimens Of manhood and wo-
manhood" he said, besides people Of
courteous manners and great polite
ness
The Eternal City interested Mr.. and
Mrs. Peltier-the splendid treasures OF
Rome's illustrious past, her storehouse
of art, her wonders Of culture, but Par
| is, delightful, unrivaled Paris, of all
spots, gave the one lasting impression
Of pleasure, of civic splendor.
'aThe people are mercurial," he said,
"but they know how to enjoy life; yet
with all their culture, and amid their
splendid surroundings, one is ever i'm
pressed with the evidences of their
degeneration. T. They are not what they
were
"London's greatness stands unri-
vailed, the great commercial barometer
of the world Her omnibuses are slower
than our overhead cars in New York,
but her underground railways we're a
revelation STILL for rapid transit
America took the palm.
'.As business man and a free man"
said Mr.. Peltier, IT prefer America, my
own home, but if I were living for
pleasure alone should seek Paris, the
gayest, most beautiful Of cities"