American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-08-30

ments, about. Observation-Disclosures. 100 90
oA .tji @ e. tl1tsg o8l I1" ga4 5000 60
\. e"- it.s' ".2 1890 4O
From which should be deducted sin-4j ta
Macrease Of flicenses, say tl 900 90
Annual cost ~, . !, .... .'.,,i ~, 1890 40
It ia the opinion Of the Chief Of Polio that the re-
ceipts Of the past months DO not firnsh fair
year viii be larger If the amount, however, !.
aboye should prove correct, II is cheap ex
chsnee for tho old system, wittits Ahuaea and eI-
for the appointment of q Lieutenant of Police i
In connexion with this subject, earnestly in
vte your attention TO the necessity of revision Of
the laws in relation to the retail Of liquors. u am
fully satished, not only from the returns Of the POI
lice and asylum, but from my official observation
otherwise, that intemperance Is the cause ainnost
exclusively Of all the disturbances and cpauper|
ism which affiict our community. Our lave
should seek to restrain and not foster evil
Of such frightful magnitude. The charter does
not regard, the retail Of liquors as a business
from which direct revenue is to be drawn but
as an evil to be restrained or prohibited by
the exacton, OF licenses such other means
authorized by it.esWith this important pri,,
cipie IN view, many most necessary changes can be
made and wholesome restraints added. Difficult
as it 10; and may say almost impossible to esta
blsh legal Volationso of the existing laws
can 70 rea9Se e 9S
the number and Glasses of iice,ises, with additional
restrictions upon those which may be granted. In
addition to the forfeiture Of the license upon
cond conviction, ,,ni conformity With existing law,
extend to the Mayor discretionary power to sus-
pend the license for q limited time in cases of fa1
grant violation fthe law, upon the first conyiction
for the sale of liquor without license, infict the Sc
verest practicable penalties which the charter will
allow. In advance of any general action upon this
subject, invite your immediate attention 10 the de-
iects Of the I'd section of the act Of October 26,
q. nd he IF he Of ,hark
1892, in their relation to minors and persons Of
color. 4
suggest that the law approved October 30th,
1923, in reationto billiard tables, be SO amended
as to regulate the license according TO the euumber
of tables used and that the propretors be required
to close their rooms at l2 o'clock at night until the
| next morning. a,,t,,.t ~. ..a...s.t ..uan
Y also seems to me highly proper that the play.
hibted by law should, upon conviction, work q
forfeiture of the license 4 .~"
The present headquarters Of the "Auxiliary
Guard and police force, is wholly unfit both from
want of room for the officers also places of con-
fnement for offenders With the present accom-
modations it will be almost impossible to.execnte
the laws where imprisonment - necessary, Tar ess
the winter THE immediate erection of a new
building should be determined upon, at least an
enlargement of the present one as a temporary arr
| rangement for this winter. fsgs H
- NEW CKNTRE MARKET. tF
Inc SUBJECT OF q new centre market seems 10 me
to be worthy of your consideration at this time.
The present one is not only unseemy in its appear
ance, but it does not furnish accommodations
either sufficiently ample or comfortable, have
had several plans laid before me, at cost of from
S75, 600 to 100000, which would furnish ample
accommodation, for largely increased population,
with range Of stores upon Pennsylvania avenue,
and capacous halls with several offices in the
ond story. 1t is presumed that a daily market
would then be established, and that from such a
building an annual revenue of 900 would be
obtained. The only question doubtless to be con-
sidered ia to the pecunary ability of the Corpo.
ration 10 accomplish it,. The contract for the build
ing might be extended through several years, con-
structing, in the first instance such parts were
most necessary; and in this way bringing the an
nual expenditure within the amount which could
be annually appropriated without much interfe-
renee with other improvements. In my opinion,
however, the best plan would be to submit the
question Of creating "market house debt to the
voters Of the city in the pointed out by the
tenth section of the amended charter the total re-
ceipts less Its current expenses to be set apart as
a sinking fund for the redemption OF principal and
interest ..
As we may feel assured that in short time there
will be a very considerable reduction in the price
of gas light, some effort should be made to encour
age tho enterprise of those engaged in its manu-
facture, and TO secure its benefits more generally
to the city. II is impossible, well know for the
lighting ofany very considerable part Of the city,
but that il must limit itself to few points Of gene
raj thoroughfare and common benefit, such as the
very much could be accomplished towards the
lighting of our streets by the passage Of general
law in conformity with the provisions of the eighth
section of the charter of May, 1890
JUDICIAL REFoRh,
y Believing that the question of judicial reform
properly belongs to the so6P9Tae aushortles, as as
medium of communication with Congress, I de-
sre TO present the subject before you as promi-
nenty as its Importance demands. A formal argu-
all 4k.~
of this measure is acknowledged and demanded by
an almost unanimous public opinion, springinR
from no otemporaryimpuses, but from the pressure
SressSe s his history oour satute aS eosa not fail to
produce a most imperfect incongruous system,
whose practical workings would be but faithful
revelations of its character. Judge Butler, chair
man Of the Judiciary Committcc, in report made
to the Senate last winter, says .The great body of
the statutes in force in this District are the old laws
of Maryland, passed prior TO the cesson, and many
Legislation of Congress has not been directed BY an
system ,ohatsvu, but has been irregular and impul
siye striking atsome special point, without regard
to collateral consequence" Mr.. John Marbury,
of Georgetown, and of high authority upon this
subject, In aletter to Judge Butler, the follow
ing languages. Except so far as they have been
changed by the acts of Congress, (and the in
stances are very few,) the laws OF this District
than fifty years past, TINS changes made BY Con
gress, So far from Improving, hdcs made our code Of
id,o ins,Ifardtie. Such changes have been made
soinetifes TO particular objects without re-
interest OF people oftbe District
language of MIR. Marbury, one Of the Oldest and
worthest members of the District bar, pronouncing
the present system 'insufferable," viii not appear
harsh to those of you having had experience, as
jurors or suitors, OF its ruinous delays and bur
densome' erpenses. The question may be asked,
why has the community so patiently tolerated the
eviia The chief reason may be found In the anorna
lous position in which the District is placed in
its political relations. Senator Butler. in the re-
port above named, frankly Gays; at cannot be de-