The Green Forest tribune., 1899-02-02
Birds Eye View of Chicago.

 nor the many pleasant incidents of other days that had so much to do with our ocial relations with a gener- ons people.
 M y thoughts often run back to my old time surroundings, though humble was home sweet home. The South has an enchanting climate, full of poetry and song This mysterious in fiuence called enehantment has magic power that blends with the whisperings of nature and gives to the South one ofits greatest charms.
 There is strong faci nation in the soft southern breezes and the singing of the red birds, once so delightful where my thoughts still finger like the evening twilight reflected from the sun. But time brings it's changes, so the world moves on.
 We see much in Chicago that is amusing, but what is more noticeable is the building up of the city is the energy and push to be seen in every part Of this great metropolis.
 In looking over the city, we have been particularly interested in the lofty appearance of the business houses The talest building that l have seen is the Masonic Temple. This grand emporium was erected at cost of *l POO ,000 and with it's twenty stories and a flower garden on the top of that, stands without rival and points to 8 strong Brotherhood. This splendid building is supplied with elevators capable of handling 5000 customers, and the amount of busine ess is simply immense.
 Chicago has all the facilities and appliances for making one of the great est cities in the world. IL alread contains population of ,600, GOO and 2n erea to equal to seven town ships six miles square. or 252 square mi les. What is surprising to me is the amount of mail handled in this city. oiii iAiioA btCN 'y q iViIctDlC 6iii plOy Ol the post office department that 220 tons of mail IS handled daily. Of course all this mai is not intended for the city; 1t is sent out in every direction, but 1t
 fquires ,500 letter carriers to dis
 kibute the city mail
 : I The foreign element Tn this city is li,r., l.,
 s Chicago is the dumping grounds for : ll Europe.
 1t should not be understood, hoWev- , br, that foreigners do not make good 4itzens, for thousands of them make r Inc best of citizens. It is only the criminals that are objectionable. ; Chicago is noted for criminals. Some 5ne Is robbed or killed every day and } sometimes two or three business elouses are robbed in open day light. 5 Street cars and persons on the streets Ire held up and robbed, but in 8 city ' nany Of these things are soon forgotten !. md tue crowd moves on Co view other }bictures i'll the great drama of city .nfe.
 t The police in this city number 3, ,400 mostly foreigners, and ale splendid alooking set of men. in the prime of life !aLd much above the average in size. These men are selected for desperate lw0rk and occasionally one gets killed { Chicago Is supplied with 6 ,3U0 saloons and they, too, are in the main conduct- ed by foreigners, but before 1 speak of these things, let me say here, that there Is a class of men who occasiUual- Sly take little whIstley and 1t does not jhurt them. These men are always ssoOer and should be honoset: for their lsobrlety and good sense. The saloons lof Chicago are d disturblng element lu the city government and they have the must be endured. Many of these saloons are elegantly fitted up. They Eemlnd lne of the Whlteued sepulCher, beautiful without, full of dead men 5 t4ones. Many of these saloons are resorts for all kinds of criminals, aud It is d question with nle which is the 9reatest cri minal-the saloon keeper or lthe one that gives the license. We hre told that saloons pay a big license and are doing legitimate business. but who does not knew that all this money comes from tine drinking class and that business that lowers the morals of society is not a legitimate business There is no mystery about