OUR AMERICAN LETTER.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVI, Issue 45, 22 February 1905, Page 3

OUR AMERICAN LETTER.

CSnxm Onr Special Correspamleiit.) NSW YORK, January 28. THE CRIMINAL ELEMENT IN NEW YORK. With 21 persons in the city prisoa under charges of murder, and frequent eases of highway robbery, burglary and incendiarism, the American metropolis hs« this winter accomplished a record of dariag crime for which it is diScnlt to aeco-unt. Some blame it upon the European immigration, which, in spite of all restrictions, must include many undesirable specimens from the Oid Country. Other critics blame the lax vigilance of the police and las enforcement of law by the courts, while the authorifcies of the latter services assert tha.t in the winter the scam of the nation -who live by their wits flock to

the city to collect the "living the work! o\pes then,"' and that with the coming of spring this element will be redistiihuted abroad., to the relief of the city dwellers. Doubtless there is some truth in each of these explanations, but with a reecrd of more than ten thousand bodies taken to th,e city morgne during 1904. a. large proportion of which were unidentified. u_ud a very considerable percentage certainly the victims of unpunished. crime, the assertion seems to be demonstrated that New York is not the safest place in the world hi which to roam at targe. An able-bodied sensible man, who always keeps his senses and who steers clear of interfering with otheT people's business, may live as long and as quietly and comfortably here as elsewhere; but give an impetuous careless, youngster a few hundred dollars in cash, or let him win it at a race track or in a pooi-room, and the best of guardian-s-hip may not be able to prevent his mysterious disappearance. The frequent stories in the newspapers of people who have gone a-missing often imply tragedies, but sometimes only romances. The other day a man turned up at his old home to 'find that his wife had collected his life msnraßce and married another on the assumption that be was dead. The last she had heard from him was three years ago, when he had gone to a suburban town to finish some business with Italians. Prom that town all trace of him was lost, bat he had returned to New York, decided that he wanted a change, took passage on an outward bound steamer, worked in many places, travelled to Australia and as suddenly becoming home-sick, returned. Criminality, on the other hand, is not always mysterious. A woman the other day drew 600dols from a bank, and claims that it was taken from her in a Fifth Avenue 'bus by a thief who followed her and proved to be the only other passenger. The detectives assert that ■•he may have known more about this alleged thief than she chose to tell when accounting to her frashand ior the loss of iJie money, but there are many equally :;i»ring instances of bold hold-ap-;. A man entered the house of a prominent citizen last week when he was dressing for dinner, pushed pa.se the servant, reached the householders room unnolesttd and demandod lOOdols in cash it the pistol point. He got it and tied. Yet it is not only villains who accomplish viliany. In one of the "best residential sections of Brooklyn during , the oast few months there have been scores of fires in apartment houses, some of them with fatal results, and the best ■solution of the police is that delivery boya from grocery stores have kindled the fires in the dum-warter shafts in the basements after delivering goods, actuated purely by a spirit of mischief. The laxity and delays of law enforcements naturally tend to aggravate crime, and probably in no place more than in New York is this to be emphasised. A magistrate will not promptly try a case, but hold the prisoner in bail; sometimes the case comes to trial, ami often it is delayed until the evidence is unavailable or becomes unable to convict. A LOW STANDARD OF HONESTY. Behind all the criminality of modern American life, however, is the standard of unscrapuioosness that characterises the people to a notable extent. It nrcy not be the right thing to say that people arc exactly dishonest, but it is at least fcrtain that the standard of right living as set forth, for instance, in the sturdy interpretation of the great law of life givey. by the old Scottish Shorter Catechism would be roundly laughed at by 90 per cent, of the American urban citizenship of to-day. Take that noble opposition of the Fourth Commandment:

I —'""The Sabbath is to be sanctified by a holy resting all that day, even from such worldly employments and recreations as are lawful on other days, and spending the whole time in the public and private axereist , of God's worship, except so much as is taken up in the works of necessity and mercy." Can it be denied that a. people who would observe the spirit' of that dictum would be in the main free from vice and immorality? Compare the lack of knowledge of this dictum and, much more, the lack of appreciation of it, with actual conditions in American, cities to-day and one may to some extent realise the meaning of a charge of national unsenrplousr.ess. An illustration or two. The wife of George J. Goald, son of the late Jay Gould, is being sued by an artist for the price of a portrait of herself which she had refused to accept. She stated that the I portrait had been ordered as a surprise pift for her husband, but after one or two sittings she found that the artist had broken faith with her and made public the news of his contract, even telling her husband, so that she refused to pose further, and the portrait was completed without her permission. The artist does not realise that he has been at all nnscrtrpulous. A university graduate, son of a clergyman and himself some time an usher in a famous church, obtains a position in reply to an advertisement for an editorial assistant on a weekly paper. He promptly (without asking authority) hay, cards engraved as "managing editor," and by his appearance and '-bold front" sells contributions to other periodicals and obtahis favours from people with whom he never would have been brongat into contact but for his professional connection. Of course he does not last very long, despite his educational and other talents, and it is on account of his uascrtrpulousness, which he himself cannot see. The looking out for self, regardless of the best interests of one's employers, is the cause of so many changes of position in New York, but that there is another and a brighter story for the faithful few of good record anyone who investigates may easily demonstrate. I was told by a merchant of international business reputation that he was obliged this month, in justice to himself and his business, to increase the wages of 27 of his ofSee staff of 35 breiusa of their long and good service and fidelity to the [interests of the business.

LUKE'S FAILURES A3FD THE WINTER SEASON. If tbe army oi men readily accessible lor employment by this city as a. mini-1 mum wage as snow-shovellers to tie streets after every storm could explain, their lack of success in life, there wodd be many thrilling stories, but what proportion of failures due to erinie it is difficult to gttess. The severe and repeated snow storms of this winter make pertinent seen reflections. Where all "the men eorae from seems extraordinary. Of course the clearing of the street care lines is the first thing, for while the car management sweep their rails, the sides of the streets must be kept free for vehicles. This erty, always within three days of famine, has lately had some perilously close calls at inconvenience in the food supply, caused by storms -winch snowed up trains, prevented nrilk and meat from reaching the delivery centres and also prevented deliveries, for horses cannot haul wh-eeled vehides through snowdrifts several feet deep, and there are no sleighs in business here. During these storms the subway h;is proved iteelf a gTeat advantage, and stimulated a demand for more tunnels for transportation which are now planned in every direction. Perhaps, speaking of failures in life, it may be j of interest to note the death of a man who may have been known to even travellers from New Zealand. Locally be was known as ' ; the only • William." and during his 20 years residence here he attained a famous reputation, as the greatest artist in the concoction of mixed drinks. The original preparations riesuiting from his studies and experiments he dubbed -with familiar names, such as "the dreaan of a thousand, angels" and '"a symphony of moist joy," and summed up the results of his researcites in liquid possibilities by writing a book entitled "The Flowing Bowl." But he died in a public hospital, of senile dementia, at the age of 56, unmarried and penniless, to be buried by the su-bscriptions of those who remembered his desire to please his patrons, THE SOCIAL SEASON. The winter has thus far 'been very- active socially, without any notable sadness to mar the proceedings. Societies, clubs, and associations have had, and are having their annual reunions and receptions, and professional orchestras, vaudeville performers and private entertainers arc making good money. In the co-lauTin*r of ladies 5 costumes and decorations at these events red predominates, and all sorts of red dresses are in vogue, both for society functions and street wear. It is even hinted by those whose knowledge may extend beyond the displays in the shop windows that the craze for scarlet and cardinal extends to ho-TJery and other invisible comforts of the ladies. So far as other fashions that ssrike a man are concerned, it may be remarked that triangular soft felt hats, in a variety of styles and shades, seen to be tiie nattiest thing , for girls, and are I also worn to a considerable extent by ! yojmgstexs in short frocks. Speaking J of societies it may be remarked that the Australian Society of this city celebrated the 17th anniversary of the first setlement in Australia with a dinner) at the Hotel Vendomc last week. Seventy men and women attended. Dr. G. ■J. Laffin, the president of the society, vraa the toajt-master. and speeches were made by B. B. Valentine, H. Gray ! and W. J., Kent. The diners drank a toast to the President of the United States and to King Edward. The President was toasted first. THE CAT SHOW. I Among the exhibitions thai have developed into an annual specialty in this and other cities in recent years are the cat shows. Sometimes they are affil- | iated with dog shows, but more often, ! for some unaccountable reason, with poultry. The meeting of the Atlantic Ca-t Club just closed at the Madison Square Garden brought forward the fa-et of much public interest that there are other cat dabs in the country, in fact, a very considerable number o-f them, standing as the attestation of a lively popular interest in the animaL No register of all the cat dubs in the country has, so far as we know, beenyet attempted. Some of them may be small neighbourhood affairs just taking in the kitty-loving spinsters of a Commune or a shire town; but there are oh-viously a goodly member oi more extended societies havmjr in view the protection of all the interests of eatlaad and the perio-c&al exhibition of the outward and celebration of the inward graces of its softly mewing inhabitants. On the hearthrug, caressing with velvet paw its whiskered nose, the cat is perhaps as fit an emblem of peace as could be found among all the animals that went with Noah into the ark, or which subsequent processes of evolution may have aided to them. But when it is made part of a show and enters the lists of competition, it seeme, without any malicious intention of its own, to become at once a breeder of strife, and the origin of official heartburnings without end. Thus at the meeting just closed a funous warfare raged around the secretary of the society, who loved cats, and that is why he was there. He had given his days and nights, "nil his substance as well, to their an -he club's welfare; but even this gen- !ty of varied service could not shelter him from the generosity of varied service could not shelter him from the animosity of an up-State female cat breeder, who got up and left the roam every time he entered it, and in other ways "pnt rancors in the vessel erf his peace," till the club as a body took the matter up and voted as a unit for ncr expulsion. As kitty is a universal favourite, it would be a perverted nature which did not love the gentle and graceful and useful animal, full of ail kinds of soft, tmobtrusive friendships and pretty little amicable and propitiatory ways—it seems unfortunate that she should become on any occasion the storm centre of strife, as she did at the recent club meeting, and it is to be hoped that New Zealand cat lovers will more greatly emulate the peaceful traits of their furry pets. CAXADIAJf AMD STATE POETICS. • Politics, both at Washington and Ottawa, seem at present to be without international importance. It appears very improbable that the proposed legislation for the encouragement of the American merchant marine will receive any action at the present session of Congress, and there is nothing else outside of routine business and the customary squabbles over appropriations which seems to be of international interest, save the further prosecution of the policy of expansion Chat seems to be inherent in the present administration. The protectorate over the West India Island nation of San Doming-, just proclaimed by the United States, appears to be meeting with Iceal opposition, and while it is welcosced by financiers and commercial men

of all nations who have interests there, it is likely to be resented by the natives as interfering permanently with their right to t: revoiute" instead of conduct an election on. modern peaceful lines whenever they feel disposed. The protectorate proposes to take charge of the country's customs revenues and allow only a irrinhnrmi for administration of government until the national nnaneers are got into better shape. The advent of Earl Grey as the new Governor-General at Canada, has been hailed with great satisfaction, and it is saitl that he and big family -circle will be more popular than any viee-regai regime since Dufferin. The growth and expansion of the Dominion are further illustrated in the statement thart, it has been pretty well decided that there will be two provinces carved out of what is now the North-west Territories in the Autonomy Bill. The dividing Koe will run north, and south. North-west representatives are beginning to take this view of it.

A bill to amend the Lkruccr License Act of Manitoba has been in-traduced in the Legislature of that provtaee fry Attorney J .Gemeral Campbell. The following changes are proposedt 'He granting of restaurant licenses is abolished. No wholesale licenses can be issued in a village- No licenses in Winnipeg are issued to houses of leas than" fifty bedrooms. In Winnipeg the standard for Heenses is raised from one in live hundred to one in twelve hundred of population. In Winnipeg the fee is S500; in cities between, five and ten thousand, 5350; in towns and villages between -2500 and 5000, $300: less than 2500. 1250, and in rural municipalities, S2OO. The age limit of boys employed in hotels is raised from 16 at present to 18 years. Free lunches are abolished.

SOME CANJLDIAN STATISTICS. It is officially announced that the Canadian Northern, Railway will reach Edmonton in August, and. "will consequently be able to move next season's wheat crop from that district. When Edmonton, is reached, the Canadian Northern -will have a clear stretch of track from Lake Superior to the Saskatchewan, or 1500 miles.

Canada has 0241 miles of telegraph wires, which will be extended this year to G534 miles, owned by the Government, in addition to the private lines of the Western Union and other compaaiies. The Government has 299 offices, which is 40 more than last year, and its lines are built into districts where private companies find it unprofitable. The wireless telegraph system is also used extensively by the Grovernineztt. and is- open for commercial as well as Government use. The folkrwing statement of the number of post offices and letters forwarded from each province during- the year 1904 may be of interest, the comparison showing that it is not •necessarily th-e places with the greatest population •which have the greatest number of letters:

Province. Post Offices. Letters. Ontario ... 3392 125,068.000 Quebec . 1989 55.143,000 Nova Scotia 1S3(» 1S T OS8.O1X) New Brunswick 1272 11,945,000 P. E. Island 426 2JB(X000 British Cotamuia 406 1(5,637,000 Manitoba, and territories 1139 29,358,000 Total_.___ 10,460 :259,190j000 People wh-o imagine the older " provinces of Canada to have been rid of dangerous wild animals may be interested to learn that even in the County of Halifax, within a radina of 50 miles of the centre of Nova Scotia, bounties were paid during the month of December for the killing of 53 wild cats, and so destructive were these animals to sheep and lambs, as well as poultry, that it was resolved to increase the bounty to $2 per head instead of $1.50, and also to increase the bounty on bears from $3 to §4. In the State of Maine porcupines seem to be the most predatory of the wild creatures, the number killed in the last two years having been 147,492. The Legislature of that State also pays bounties for the destruction of these animals, which aggregated last year $16,935, and tie prevkrus year $19,938. MESCFJT.T/ANEODS ITEMS. An interesting reminiscence was recorded in New York papers the other day, when Mrs M. A. Saunders received from the Remington Typewriter Co. a fine gold watch in token of her having operated the first commercial tvpewxiter put upon the market just 30 year 3 ago, January 18, 1875. The lady happens to be a Nova Scotian, and had come to New York hoping to get a position as church organist. The marvellous sale of typewriting machines since that date is another Illustration of modern development in laiwur-sav-ing devices.

Under the heading of "Piscatorial Reciprocity" a leading daily cites the export of white fish eggs to New Zealand from this country, and the remarkable success attained in their propagation. The acclimatisation of trout in your colony is also extensively commented upon, and in this connection a great deal has lately been printed 'in regard to New Zealand as a paradise for sport and a place for emulation in domestic enterprise. The abandonment of the dock yards at Halifax, Bermuda, and Esquimalt, 8.C., by the British. Government has been a severe blow to the places where those institutions have been so lon<r mauxtained. The officers in charge have been removed to the four corners of the earth, where other naval establishments are maintained by the British authorities, but it is stated that the Canadian and Bermuda yards will be kept available for re-equipment in ease of emergency at any time, and will continue to be used as eoafing stations.