The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-08-14

rent, and was in all respects well to do. We will
take close observation of her the next time she
hovers near us, and try descriptive powers
thereafter for the public benefit; but in the mean
time, we would put our readers their guard, or
rather advise them to put guard their evies,
when assailed by the aforenamed thin, dark, glib
old lady, who will be very apt to approach them
with the remark, "Look a here, honey, can't you
spare poor old woman trife?' Do the police
know her?
MURDER OF RAaAs.-The coroner's jury met
again yesterday afternoon, at 5o'olock, and, after
thcurther examination greed upon the
following verdict "That the said Martin Raglan was
found lying in street, between Eleventh and
Twelfth streets. between and o'clock on the
morning of the 18th of August, 1850. When found
he was in dying state, unable to speak, and died
in about ten minutes. On examining the body, a
deep stab was discovered in the right breast, caused
by dirk or some other sharp instrument, about
an inch wide, and penetrating across the breast
and entering the heart, from which wound the said
Martin Ragan came to his death. And the jury
are unable to say, from the evidence, by whose
hand the said mortal wound was inflicted"
1t is necessary to explain that the following ar
tice was prepared for Tuesdays ISSUE but unavoid-
ably deferred
The FInE DEPARTMENr.-We yesterday gave
expression to some remarks relating to the abuses
existing in this establishment and we ventured to
call aloud for reform While we were writing
those remarks, and few hours afterward, scenes
were enacted in our city that would disgrace the
most degraded community in the civilized world
On Sabbath evening false alarm of fire was
raised, and portions of different companies came
forth with pieces of apparatus and the streets
at once thronged with the most wicked and vindc
tive combatants, and the air darkened with
their missiles. But the object was not fully
complished, and few hours later fire, evidently
the work of an incendiary, called forth the compa
mics again; and although the engines did not all
appear, and the hostile parties did not again come
into contact, yet the feeling of rufiianism existed,
and murder was committed in the public streets.
We have demanded, in the name of the people
of this city, thorough reform. We repeat that
demand, and enforce it by the bitter experience of
the last eight and forty hours. Under the exist
ing state of things, incendiarism, violence, and
murder will be constantly repeated; and any change
must prove a reform, even if it lead 10 the annihi-
lation of every engine in the city.
While the recent events fresh before us ia the
time for action; and we call upon the experienced
and intelligent amongst our fellow citizens for
submit to their consideration the following extracts
from two communications that appeared in the
National EateIigencer the 23d and Goth of April
last. We not TO be understood as giving to
them our assent, but they comprise the only coun-
sells have of late offered to the public con-
sideration The writer says:
sIn 1877 Congress passed act organizing the
] fire companies of Washington and Georgetown, a
! prominent provision of which was the exemption
| of certain number OF men from militia duty upon
! their enrolling themselves members of fire
company, and performing their duty faithfully as
! fremen, and for neglect of which they were
! thrown out and reported for militia duty again.
Such was the dislike to perform militia duty, that
the fire companies had the pick of the citizens for
| fremen. The enforcement of the militia law was
altogether sufficient TO Efficient and re-
specialize body of men from all classes Of society
fremen; but, as a further incentive TO a faithful
discharge OF this duty, Congress formed the vari-
/ Gus companies into an insurance company, the
stock of which should be held only by hremcn.
The existence Of the militia act, and the consodat-
! ing Of the different companies into insur-,o
company, the risks Of which for probt or los, 49,
deemed amply sufficient 10 prod, aetivitv s,fii
ency, and harmony on tie part Of each and between
all the companies. he basis Of an efficient organi
cation oil the companies admirably calculated 10
ensure the oplect contemplated and did the
TIRE sausiacton OF every one as long as they were
active ageats. Bot the militia training ceased 10
be eniVrcedi and, that was the case men
/ began 20 withdraw from the FIRE companies tho
stock which they held In the insurance company
belng, IN many cases too small 10 induce them 10
hold on In time the stock found its way into the
hands OF lew persons, most Of whom had ceased
10 be active members, but were enrolled as honora-
| ry members by fee or long services The militia
law having ceased TO operate at all, and the in
surance stock having become concentrated in the
hands OF men no longer efficient as frcmen, the
pillars upon which the organization Of the compa-
nloa vas based have given away, and the organiza-
linz fl.E
] ia how very much at the mercy Of the indiscrect
youths, becoming reckless and mischicvous in pro-
/ portion as their parents and guardians withdraw
/ their experimenting care Of them as well az the
apparatus. The most Of the apparatus which Ia
| now in JSc provided by the Unitod States, but
l IL may be questioned whether they will continue
10 provide fer ps any longer. When they cease tho
corporate authorities must commence, and IL will
\ be very expensive item under the best manage
ment"
The plan laid down by the writer Ia as follows.
"Let the city ask and obtain power to levy an
additional tax on all dwellings and places Of bust
assessed at about the rate Of three ourth'
Of what ia paid by most Of the citizens 10 ia,
Insurance Companies, Of this and other places, for
the insurance Of their property, and the City Cor,
porstiOn become the insurers against FIRE, on pro
perry within its corporate limits. Lee the income
from this additional tax be pledged as follows:
/ 81. To meet losses caused by ire.
/ 80. To pay sufficient number Of able bodied
men and taxable citizens, sufficient 10 control the
| fire apparatus committed 10 their care.
90. To the repairing Of old, aud the purchase oil
/ new apparatus; and
"a. Whenever the. income from this source Of
revenue shall exceed a certain sum, deemed neces.
sary 10 meet the legitimate demands on Il, let The
excess be carried TO the general fund.- and the gene
raj fund be made liable 20 meet any deficiency in
the insurance fund. For tins purpose debit and
| credit account should be kept between the two
funds, which would enable you, at any time, "a
ascertain 10 what amount one was indebted to the
| other.
81 believe that the insurance tax would be suffi-
1 cient 10 sustain all the purposes above indicated
| fund.
Besides, II necessary, the men employed 20 take
charge Of and control the fire apparatus might, 70
a certain extent, have police powers conferred on
them, thereby ensuring not only efficient Fire
| Department, but much better police than we
| now have"