The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-11-03


rendered w the Coroners jury on the body Of
one Of the unfortunate Gremen who were crushed
20 death by the falling of The ceilings ofthe two
houses lately burnt in Fulton street.
VERDICT
We, Inc Jaiy, hnd that tie deceased, John Car
nsn, csne . his ceath 10y Injuries and barns ac.i-
dehiaily received AZ the fire corner Of Nassau and
Fulton streets, on the morning o. the 3Oth of octo
Ter iesa. The jury condemn the course lattery
nprsned ~ placing heavy sales on the upper floors
,,a,S, '.gSs, and would earnestly recommend the
srlers ~ 10 pass IA ordinance compelling
tie same - ,be ALI. sio@ are ueed, - place
tsigsea,) l.. stewart, Edward Mc,sIuIn., s,,,.,,.,
n. Rnrrii David Uhl, Edward W. rompkns, WIN.
&. Lyon, l. nericks)n.
10 the jury mean that every man who buys
safe mnst have II buried in the walls of the
'-onseg What. where the safe - taieo a. thick
Is IA, walls. What whore the house II old
and the Proprietor will net suffer il 10 be pulled
down. Or do the jury mean that the law on ght
10 ooligc al proprietors Of buildings used for
Offices, stores. &c, 10 have safes built in the
walls Or, finally AS might be Inferred from
the frs, sentence Of their verdict-would they
compel every one to keep his safe in the cellar.
Whichever way we read ii, the accommodation
Of the Jury Is equally extraordinary. A. we
read the constitution OF the United States
every man has clear right 10 purchase and use
safe and place il where be likes: and IL would
Dc n absurd for the Legislature 10 niertaro
-~;tu as pc1tIoB rs 10 prescribe the place where
a mans looking glass or armchair should be- set
SAFES built in the thick wall, of solid house
are undoubtedly preferable Ia the iron boxes
which are - commonly used. bat arc we TO pull
los oh In,
city. for the purpose Of making safes in the
walls. Or. on the other hand mast house in
which there are twenty Offices there are
many such--hsve twenty large cavities In its
walls,
The jury have not hit the right nail on the
head Whatever blame ensues from the disas-
ter OF Sunday morning, properly belongs to
the architecture Of the building and not TO the
safes i contained If the interiors Of honscs ia
this city were solidly built as they should be.
We should not hear OF beams falling and men
being crushed. Our architects think more of a
handsome front and dainty eornice than Of
solid framework on substantial beams Show
and decoration are their essentials When they
have plastered the front Of a new building !
Win WHlle marble, AMI cut 0ut 4
lofty door and few splendid win
dows, they rest from their labors and
take no concern about the strength on durabi.
lily Of the unseen materials. There are many
fine houses in this city which stranger. are
taken to see. and whose owners boast Of their
appearance hut were you to raise carpet and
flooring, you would discover rotten. fragile
beams and a miserably insufficient, framework
Ceilings have given way before this. not from
the devouring effects Of fire, hui from the much
simpler consequences Of polka overhead and
the only wonder to any one who watches the
interior progress OF housebuilding is that such
accidents do not occur more frequently aud are
not more disastrous.
For our part, II the Legislature have any
thing to say 10 the melancholy accident II san
day. We should suggest that public officer. 10
be called an Inspector Of Buildings, De arpoint-
d; that he visit every building as II progresses
under the hands OF architect and builder: and
hat, II hi report do not certify that interior as
well as exterior are perfect and that solidity
ias been a. much cared Tor n elegance the
'wner be authorized to decline payment 81
heir bills.