The daily comet. [volume] (Baton Rouge, La.) 1850-1856, 1854-07-25
CORRESPONDENCE.

/ coRRE PoNDENcE.
| New ORLEANS, July Goth, 1854.
Dear C0met.-Why is it that &C
many incendiary fires occur just NOW
in this city, and in fact all over the
Union +? We have had four or five
fires here lately, the origin Of which,
appearances and circumstances com
bine to fix upon incendiaries. Arrests
are made, examinations had before
the courts, but as yet no one has been
found guilty of the charge Of arson,
and consequently they are let of: A
week or ten days ago, fire occurred
in Camp st., which burned out the
hat store Of one Durbridge, and it is
a matter of common talk everywhere,
that he was the instigator, if not the
real maker Of the fire, and which very
nearly cost the life of a young man in
his employ. The rope work of Mr..
Millbank was iset on fire by some one,
and suspicion rests heavily upon Ger
thain parties, but the absolste 4voof
is wanting to convict them, so they
escape the blows of Justice now, to
try their hands at the same business
another time.
That fire too, came within an ace
Of sacrificing several lives. A few
nights ago the large drug store at the
corner IF Baronne and Poydras sts.,
was set on fire, simultaneously in the
first and third stories, and the flames
burst forth with such suddenness and
fury, that the occupants of the second
story-consisting Of a wife, children
and servants Of The proprietor, escaped
with the greatest difficulty. The pro-
prietor and his clerk was arrested
and tried before the Recorder, but as
no positive proof Of their guilt could
be adduced, they were discharged,
but what / witnessed on the ground
near the fire, it is my opinion that
both Of them owe the state some SER
vice" in certain building not far
from your Office. Other fires have
occurred hers within the last few
months, the origin of which has been
20 mysterious, that there could be but
little doubt in each case. that some
lend in human shape, applied the
orch. It is high time that this
should be stopped, if it be in the pow
n of the community, aided by an &C
i've an vigilent police, to do it. |
The manner in which Insurance
'@ces in too many cases, sell their
policies to parties doing business, Of
ers a premium upon the crime Of
'rson. Inscriptions Williams too, Of
en- take advantage Of a generous con-
ldence on the part of the agents or
Ulcers, and take out policies for five
imes the value. Of the property in
ured, and the very first fair opportu-
ity that offers, it is set on fire, con-
umed, and finally paid for. Every
ealousy and revenge no doubt, con-
ribute their part Of the many confa-
rations that take place in our cities,
nd unless the crime is arrested in
ome way or other, no one will be
bic to say when he lies down for the
light, that he will not wake up ere
ae morning, in sea Of flames.
A city contemporary notices the
Little Joker" Of Baton Rouge, and
alls it "Know Nothing" paper. I
ave not seen the Little Joker as vet. .
ut from all accounts the Know Moth
'g folks will play serious joke upon
lie old political staggers in this State ,
efore long. A prominent Democrat !.
member of the Legislature, yester-
lowed me a letter he had just re-
eived from country friend in the I
ed river region, the closing remarks :
: which indicate that in that part of :
le State, the Know Nothings are :
rong and growing stronger daily. !.
[e says the *. N. are flourishing in !:
lis vacinity, and I fear that all Of US
i'll know nothing about the next cleo .
on until the day after it is over" The '
ms and principles Of the K. Ms. =
I'VE been the subject of discussion in =
. S. Senate, during the debate upon 6
e "free farm bill," as it it is called. =
# nothing turns up to prevent the : !,