Daily American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1852, 1852-04-02
Communicated.
The Remedy for ImceMdIaries.

| MEssRs EDITORS: Your question as to whether
anything can be done to prevent the frequency of
fires deserves an answer and the answer is af-
frmative. Two methods should be adopted-one
to punish the criminal, and the other (Which is
more effectively to prevent the crime The Mayor
has very properly offered reward of $500 Gt
should have been $500 for the arrest and con-
viction of the person who fired the West Market
house. This is a step taken towards Furnishing
the criminals but this is not sufficient. No ar
rests have been made-none will probably be
made; and if any be made, it is still less proba-
BILE that any conviction will take place There
FORE this endeavor to punish incendiarism is not
sufficient.
We must then try to prevent it. And how is
that to be done? To arrive at proper reply to
this, we should consider who these incendiaries
are. They consist, for the most part, of juvenile
rowdies, between the ages of twelve and twenty
one years, who are neglected or badly trained by
kind and indulgent parents, or who inherit the
vices and acquire the habits of those who are
drunken and worthless. These boys hare no greater
enemies than their parents; and, in this view of the
matter, it would seem proper that the city gov
eminent should take them away from such pa
rents and place them in house of correction. 1t
would be an act of mercy to the boys, and would
prevent the crime of which we are speaking.
This then, is the reply to the question. Pro-
vide house Of correction as soon as possible
make it the duty of police officers, under heavy
penalty for non performance, to arrest all idle or
rowdy boys of the ages referred to, and place
them there until their parents friends, their
own good conduct, shall give some guaranty that
they will no longer be a pest to the community.
Boys of this class are perfectly well known in
every part of the city. There is no installing
them: they form distinct species-a species
which Cuvier if he lived amongst us, would de-
nominate as the genus rowdtensis. They exhibit
their rowdy propensities in various ways their
language, their cornerism, their lazy habits even
their general appearance, indicate the rowdy: so
that police officers would have no excuse for nom
performance of duty.
The method adopted in some cities, of simply
requiring idlers to show how they support them
selves, is not sufficient, because these boys can
show that they are supported by their parents,
and thus the evil would not be reached
We are too Indifferent to this matter. Every
body admits that something ought to be done
yet nobody is disposed to take the initiative.
Let US see if we can't make it somebody's interest
to take the initiative. Every good citizen de-
sires that some effective measures be taken to
prevent fres-therefore, the taking Of effective
measures to prevent fires will be popular.
If the above measures be effective, he who adj
advocates them will therefore advocate popular
measures. Without further pursuing the syllo-
CYSTIC form, it is sufficient to remark that the
municipal election is not far off. Has any can
didate for either or both of the Boards or the
Mayoralty, the courage to come out and declare
his determination to urge these measures, in case
of election, with all his ability? If he has, he
will doubtless be elected !, for one will give him
pLUMpER