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ere not drank); including the public schools; give a good suit of clothes to every poor person of both sexes; a barrel of flour to every poor family living within its municipal boundaries; and leave a handsome surplus on hand。 Our enormous expenses for the trial and punishment of criminals; as well as for the support of the poor; are mainly caused by this traffic。 Surely; then; it is our duty to do all we can; legally; to limit and mitigate its evil。 As no person ever became a drunkard who did not sincerely regret that he or she ever tasted intoxicating drinks; it is a work of mercy; as well as justice; to do all in our power to lessen this leprous hindrance to happiness。 We should strive to exterminate gambling; prostitution and other crimes which have not yet attained to the dignity of a 〃license。〃
The public health demands that we should pay attention to necessary drainage; and prevent the sale of adulterated food。 The invigorating breezes from Long Island Sound; and the absence of miasmatic marshes serve to make ours one of the most healthy cities in America。 Scientific experiments made daily during the whole of last year have established the fact that our atmosphere is impregnated with OZONE; or concentrated oxygen; to an extent not hitherto discovered on this continent。 No city of the same size in America is so extensively known throughout our own land and in Europe as Bridgeport。 It should be our pleasure to strengthen all natural advantages which we possess as a city by maintaining a government of corresponding excellence。
It is painful to the industrious and moral portions of our people to see so many loungers about the streets; and such a multitude whose highest aspirations seem to be to waste their time in idleness; or at base ball; billiards; etc。
No person needs to be unemployed who is not over fastidious about the kind of occupation。 There are too many soft hands (and heads) waiting for light work and heavy pay。 Better work for half a loaf than beg or steal a whole one。 Mother earth is always near by; and ready to respond to reasonable drafts on her never…failing treasury。 A patch of potatoes raised 〃on shares〃 is preferable to a poulticed pate earned in a whisky scrimmage。 Some modern Micawbers stand with folded hands waiting for the panic to pass; as the foolish man waited for the river to run dry and allow him to walk over。
The soil is the foundation of American prosperity。 When multitudes of our consumers become producers; when fashion teaches economy; instead of expending for a gaudy dress what would comfortably clothe the family; when people learn to walk until they can afford to ride; when the poor man ceases to spend more for tobacco than for bread; when those who complain of panics learn that 〃we cannot eat our cake and keep it;〃 that a sieve will not hold water; that we must rely on our own exertions and earn before we expend; then will panics cease and prosperity return。 While we should by no means unreasonably restrict healthy recreation; we should remember that 〃time is money;〃 that idleness leads to immoral habits; and that the peace; prosperity and character of a city depend on the intelligence; integrity; industry and frugality of its inhabitants。
Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper of July 24th; contained a picture entitled 〃His Honor; P。 T。 Barnum; Mayor of Bridgeport; Presiding at a Meeting of the Common Council of that City。〃 The editor's remarks are as follows:〃Mayor Barnum's message was a model of brevity and practical thought。 Having at the beginning of his official career declared war against the whisky dealers; he next proceeded to open the struggle。 For twenty years the saloons had been kept open on Sundays; and it was declared impossible to close them。 Mr。 Barnum has all his life acted upon the quaint French aphorism that 'nothing is so possible as the impossible。' He gave notice that the saloons must be closed。 A select committee of citizens volunteered to aid in collecting testimony in case the sellers should disregard the proclamation; and leave the latch…string to their back doors displayed on the outside。 Although the doors were open; the keepers refused to sell except to personal friends。 The committee…men stood opposite the saloons; and took the names of a dozen or so who were admitted。 The next morning the saloon…keepers were arrested; and when they found their 'friends' had been subpoenaed to appear as witnesses; they pleaded guilty and immediately brought out their pocket…books to pay the judicial 'shot。' This plan effectually broke up Sunday traffic in liquor; thus insuring a quiet day for the citizens; and greatly accommodating the saloon…keepers; the best portion of whom really favor a general closing on Sunday。
〃By nature an organizer of men and systems; he is his own best executive officer。 No one knows so well as he how men may be best governed; and no one can so pleasantly polish off the rough sides of mankind。 Successful beyond the usual measure as an intelligent; courteous and considerate showman; he has already proved himself the most acceptable of Mayors。〃
In 1875; the Hippodrome was transported by rail throughout the United States; going as far east as Portland; Maine; and west to Kansas City; Missouri。 Notwithstanding the depressed state of finances generally that year; the season was a fairly profitable one。
A very painful event in connection with the show; occurred in July。 The aeronaut; Donaldson; made his customary daily ascension from the Hippodrome grounds at Chicago; and was never heard from afterward。 He took with him Mr。 N。 S。 Grimwood; a reporter of the Chicago Journal; whose body was found a few weeks later in Lake Michigan。 There was a terrible storm the night of the ascension and it was doubtless then that the men perished。
About the middle of June Barnum visited Niagara Falls with Mrs。 Barnum and a party of English friends。 Leaving the party at Niagara; Mr。 and Mrs。 Barnum went to Akron; Ohio; where the 〃Travelling World's Fair〃 was to exhibit。 The Mayor of Akron called upon them and invited them to a concert; where; in response to loud calls; Barnum gave a short speech; they were afterward tendered a reception and a serenade at the hotel。 The next day they were escorted to Buchtel College by the founder of the institution; Mr。 J。 R。 Buchtel; and the Reverend D。 C。 Tomlinson。 The students received Barnum enthusiastically; and he gave them one of his delightful speeches。
Returning to Buffalo; they rejoined their friends; and also met the Hippodrome。 Early in the morning of the second day of the exhibition Barnum despatched a special train to Niagara Falls; with some hundreds of the Hippodrome Company; to whom he wished to give the pleasure of viewing the cataract。 The band which accompanied them crossed Suspension Bridge playing 〃God Save the Queen;〃 and 〃Yankee Doodle;〃 and returned to Buffalo in time for the afternoon performance。 In July; Barnum visited the Hippodrome at St Louis and Chicago; and then returned to Waldemere for the rest of the summer。
During the autumn of 1875; under the auspices of the Redpath Lyceum Bureau; in Boston; Mr。 Barnum found time to deliver some thirty times; a lecture on 〃The World and How