The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1904-12-31
TEE OLD YnAR AND rHE NEW.

fire in Baltimore, the Slocum disaster and
long list of minor disasters are fresh in
the minds of the people, At home and
abroad the Russo-J Japanese war, with its
sieges, battles and carnage, the greatest in
the worlds history, has caused nations to
wonder. While the white wings of Peace
have lowered over our own country, Death
on his pale horse has had busy season.
The vacant chair" and absence Of some
dear familiar face in many household at
tests his presence. Notable men and wo-
men, whose names will be enrolled in
their country's history, have been taken
within his fold.
Although the year has brought sorrow
to many, it has brought it blessings as well.
Abundant harvests have crowned the eff
forts of the farmer and the good prices OBJ
tanned for his products may cause him to
forget the lean years of the past. There
has been no great strife between labor and
capital and the wheels of industry have
been set humming by their cooperation.
and across the sea have been conducted on
friendly terms and our commerce extended
in all directions. Our exports far exceed
our imports and our trade balance is large
ly in our favor. Millions of freemen have
been called on to select a Chief Executive
and without friction or discord have again
demonstrated the strength and perpetuity
of Democratic government. Science has
made many wonderful discoveries and ma
ture, time and space have been called on to
disclose valuable secrets to be applied for
mems uses. All trades and all stations
have felt the impulse and progress and
prosperity have crowned the year.
In casting up our individual accounts,
while joy and sorrow may have intermin-
gled, we will find cause to be thankful for.
departing guest and welcome his successor,
hoping that he may deal as kindly. May
the New Year be one of happiness and
prosperity for all the readers of THE UNION.
IT Is thought by many. that Mr.. Charles j..
Bonaparte, who is personal friend of Presi-
dent Roosevelt, had much to do with the selec-
ton of Mr.. w. Hall Harris as postmaster Of
Baltimore city. In an interview on Monday,
after the announcement of the nomination,
Mr.. Bonaparte said: IT have been associated
with Mr.. Harris in various professional mat
ters and have known him we'll, as have al
ready said for more than thirty years. 1 con-
slider him man of decided executive ability,
in dealing with questions of order
and detail, and of rather conspicuous fitness
for the special duties of a postmaster; he is
also man of the highest personal character.
Of course the appointment is distinctly nom
political. Mr.. Harris has, indeed, always been
a Republican, inheritiig his party Affiliations
from his father but he has never been poll
tician or candidate for Office. For me, how
ever, these facts are no drawbacks to his fit
ness, and 1 do not thinkthey will be for public
The pickering Republican politi-
clans Of Baltimore city have received distinct
slap in the face by the appointment of Mr..
Harris and it is hoped they have been taught
a lesson that they will not forget very soon.
ADrspATcH from Hanover, Pa, says: MARY
Scheivert, 17-month.old girl of this place.
rxa.- IL
gift from her great-greatgrandmother, proba-
bly, the only child in Pennsylvania with such
a relative The birth of the Scheivert baby
constituted representation of five generations
in one family, all the members of which are
feminine. There are very few instances on
record where five generations exist, and this
does not indicate race suicide in York county"
THE GROSS receipts of the Hagerstown Fair
of 1904 were $27, 871.46, and the expenditures
were 26,26819, the net profit being 81, 603.27.
Relatively this is not as good afinancial show
ing as that made this year by the Baltimore
County Agricultural Society, although, of
course, it is highly creditable. The Hagers-
town fair managers spend large sums annually
for diversions and amusements of various
kinds and this is what serves to cut down the
net receipts of the fairs.
Mr.. JOHN REILLY, who has conducted a
restaurant at the northeast corner of Fayette
and Holiday streets, Baltimore, many years,
will soon vacate the premises, his lease of the
property having expired. Mr.. Reilly has in
bis place large collection of relics and curios
that are highly priced by him. His many
Baltimore county friends and patrons will re-
greet the necessity for his change of base, and
they wish him success wherever he may locate.
A BILL has been introduced in Congress pro-
viding that packages up to 200 pounds and in
dimensions up to barrel, shall be carried by
mails to points where there is rural free de-
livery service Rates are to be-: One cent for
8 ounces, or less, 2 cents pound, cents for
10 IL pounds, 10 cents for halfsbushel, 80
pounds, Is cents for bushel, 20 cents for
lf-barrel, and % cents for barrel.
THE WELL known Baltimore law firm of
Steele, Semmes g. Carey has been dissolved by
mutual consent, and Messrs. John N. Steele
and John E. Semmes will continue to practice
law QQOer tue IlrIu udIIc VI Otcclc " CcAu
Mr.. s. Tagart Steele will be associated with
the firm, whose present Offices are located at
SOS to 500 Calvert Building
LIVING NEAR Richmond, Va, is an aged
weather prophet named Thomas Corklecorb,
who is said to have always been close obser-
yer of natures signs and hence an accurate
forecaster. He says that to see heavy
sleet hanging on the trees early in the
winter is never-failing sign of big fruit
crop the coming season.
Our GOVERNMENT has had schools after the
American pattern in the Philippines about
three and a-half years, and such has been the
progress of the scholars that now 100000 Fill
ipinos can write and converse more or less in
in the English tongue. All ofwhich
is encouraging and promises big things for the
next half century.
THIS STORY comes from Essex county, Va.
A hunter there has new way of catching
birds He has a well-trained softer dog and