The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1905-02-18


MessTs. Editors Lord Baltimore, at the mo-
ment. finds in his hands peculiar anomaly-a
situation almost without precedent for the gen.
eral interest which it offers. yet situation in
which the average citizen Is taking no interest
whatever. A far-reachfng scheme for public
Improvement is well under way; great many
millions of money are soon to be invested the
taxable basis is to be largely increased; vast
changes are to be made; every man Is to be
touched in one way or another through that
most sensitive of all nerves. the pocket. and still
the city is listless. Mr. Rasin, foremost among
appraisers of Maryland situations. summed the
matter up in word but few days ago: II do
not believe that any large amount of interest
has been taken. or is being taken, in the public
improvements or anything else. There lisa great
deal Of apathy in spite of all the stuff the papers
are publishing. have never seen anything to
equal it."
Governor Warfleld, in his recent speech, SEEM
ed to strike responsive chord when he called
for a non-partisan, business Council, and the
Municipal League, In course Of construction, Is
apparently the result. And yet in spite Of the
demand for clear-headed city fathers to direct
events, and honest ones TO spend the improve
ment sums. not more concern is being mani
tested in who shall be chosen for city govern
State control in November. Mr.. Rasin's Il
don't know what's the matter with the people,"
seems about as good an explanation for the
phenomena as any other.
More distant matters, however, are not so
treated. With two years to wait certainly as
much popular attention is being turned upon
the Governorship as upon either Of the nearer
issues. So far General L. Victor Baughman is
the only avowed candidate, but it is generally
understood that Colonel Spencer c. Jones will
also be in the running. With the Republicans
there is no inevitable candidate, as there would
have been had Governor Lowndes lived. his
death causing sad vacancy in his party as it
has in many business enterprises, and in the
hearts of his friends. 1t is doubtful if Mr.. Will
liams will accept the nomination again, and ex-
cepting Congressman William Fl. Jackson. no
one is even mentioned from his party.
Although the next session of the General As
sembly is still year in the future, great deal
of quiet work is even now being done in Balti-
more by the advocates Of leasing the oyster
beds. A less radical measure than the Hannah
red rag will probably be waved in the face of
the Eastern Shore bull, but oyster legislation of
some kind may almost certainly be counted
upon for the next session. Friends and foes
alike of the measures heretofore presented are
agreed upon one thing-that something should
be done.
Not in years have the city thoroughfares been
in such deplorable condition. Every alley is a
glacier; every sidewalk is a drift of dirty ice.
While the cold holds the:situation has probably
not reached its worst. When the thaw sets in
the glaciers will be transformed to rivers of
slush. The street ice, as 1t is, quickly turns to
black mud. Conditions might be bettered were
the sidewalk clearing ordinances rigidly en-
forced. And yet the city itself sets no good ex-
ample. Certainly in times of such general dis
tress among the poor much good might be ac-
complshed, both for the out-of-work and the
city, and in very practical way. If Waring
cleaned New York in day following great
storm-why didn't the Baltimore unemployed
be given chance to help the city and them
selves in the same way7
Despite the forebodings of the managers just
after the fire last year. the theatres of the city,
save one, have never played to better business
than they have this season. The ever popular
Fords has been crowded almost nightly since
the beginning. This week George NJ Cohan is
drawing immense crowds to the theatre, with q
clever comedy of his own making. 1t gives way
to q Victor Herbert musical comedy, "Babes in
Toyland." next week. Chase's, the medium
priced Charles street playhouse, has given a
series of really notable productions the entire
season. Plays that the growing generation hear
spoken OF as somethingEapart from the epheme-
ralia, are put on week after week by the stock
company, if not at times really brilliantly, at
least always creditably, and in manner to hold
attention. East Lynn" is the present bill max
ing way for the less widely-known Forbidden
Fruit" to be played there next week. Every
one Of the Herman theatres-especially that
home of first-class vaudeville the Maryland
have been doing well. 1.-THE Player Maid,' a
new romantic comedy by Miss Louise Malloy, of
the Baltimore american, will be produced at the
Academy Of Music the week beginning March
9th.
In newspaper circles the Herald is preparing
to celebrate the first half-year of its afternoon
existence. The american has moved into its
great new building on its old site. The Sun and
the Nea0s are both still appearing from tempo
rary establishments pending the completion of
very solid and beautiful new structures. All of
the papers are vigorously interested in improve
ments. The Nta0s and the Herald have both
dealt lately with the question of capital punish
ment (editorily), neither, apparently, arriving
at any conclusion other than that it is doubtful
whether this is or is not a relic of barbarism,
but agreeing that there should be less uncer-
tanty about its being inflicted. so long as it does
stand upon the statute books in punishment of
certain crimes. P.W.