The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-05-07

OF Mr. Secretary Marcy. The asst named ge teman
insisted on getting into the Office BY means Of the
letter. viii st the former, If fond Of the spois re-
fused to give up his appointment.
The Madras AthGnemn contains a 'ement Of the
extent and value of the erritory of Nagpore Cor
Berar) which has just apsed to the British Crown.
The extract is given elsewhere.
There was no change of moment in breadstufis
yesterday. One Of our leading firms purchased
three thousand erces of smoked hams for export to
California but the terms did not transpire. The
bulk of it bought on the spot and the remainder
to arrive. his probably is among the largest sales
ever made of this article in this city in single day.
The Late Inquest-The Fire Departments
What II Is and What 1t Ought TO BE.
The verdict on the bodies of the eleven men
who lost their lives at the fire at 23l Broadway
must not be laid aside and forgotten like the
verdict of an ordinary Coroner's inquest. Be-
sides the loss of life caused by that disaster,
other subjects are involved in the evidence
taken at the inquest, on which it is wholesome
and proper that the public mind should be
brought to dwell. Paramount above all others,
two questions each Of the highest moment, were
naturally suggested by the accident; and
though there can be but little difference of
opinion with respect to the answer to either, we
cannot afford to let them rest with simple ex-
preston of opinion. We must have action on
both. The first relates to the construction of
buildings in this city; the second to the organ
ization of the Fire Department.
1t is proven in evidence that had the build
ing No. 23l Broadway been erected for the pur
pose of catching men, and crushing them to
death, it could not have been built more suita-
bly, than it was. This point is sworn to by Sc
yeral competent men, and has been formally
placed on record by the verdict at the inquest.
Interior proceedings have followed. One of
the injured iiremen has instituted legal pro-
ceedngs against the proprietor of the building
to recover damages for broken thigh and
the question whether it be lawful to build such
man-traps will thus be fairly raised in a court
Of justice. We have no wish either on the
one side to anticipate its decision, or on
the other to take part in the controversy
which has arisen between the jury and the
mechanics who were employed in build
ing the burnt house. The past is gone let
us look to the future. In that future are
clearly foreshadowed many more disasters of
precisely similar character to the recent one at
PSI Broadway unless we bestr ourselves ac-
lively to prevent them There is but one way
in which that can be done and that is by en-
larging the number and powers of our Fire
Wardens. and compelling them to do their
duty. 1t is not our province to say how many
inches thick walls should be, nor how the
49, ~. xl,.:x
giving way any practical mason or architect
could lay down safe rule in these cases. We
demand that such rule be established
the number OF Fire Wardens be such that no
house can be erected in New Yorl, without their
inspection-that they be authorized to stop
the workmen on any building which is being
erected in contrayention to the law, and to pull
down the part already built up-and that every
householder in the city be compelled to have
register from them, certifying that his house is
built in proper manner, just as every steam
boat owner has a certificate that his steamer is
seaworthy and her boiler sound Here is a
practical reform, for which the whole city is
crying aloud. Let us see whether the noisy
crew who compose the Boards OF Councilmen
and Aldermen win try 10 carry it out
If they have sufficient zeal to undertake
the attempt the condition of The Fire De-
pariment ought next to engage their atten-
ton. This is q matter which they will
probably let alone. II requires some
nerve. some courage, some perseverance
TO take it in hand and none Of these
are qualities for which the Common Council
has ever been remarkable. As il il, however.
of moment to the community that this topic
should be freely discussed and agitated. we are
ready TO assume the responsibility of taking q
prominent part in the movement and we do so
the more cheerfully from The knowledge that
The whole press Of New York with one or two
unimportant exceptions. has adopted the views
which we advocate.
The net result Of the inquest 50 Gar as the
Fire Department is concerned, may he summed
up in few words. II i proven that thieves
can avail themselves Of lircmens badges, and
enter burning houses for purposes of plumber;
that they habitually DO so; that thieves can
and have obtained admission into The depart
mcnt a. members, and that no adequate au-
thority is vested in the Chief Engineer to expel
them: That half the fires are the work Of incen-
diaries. 1t is presumed though not proven,
that these latter arc in fact The same men who
personate the iiremen, Or connect themscl9e
With the Ere companies for the purpose Of
yteaiirg.
Here are grave and crying evils. II is pro-
posed on the enc side, to remedy them by max
;na Il nenal to usurp hrcman's badge. But
an enactment Of this kind could never be any
thing but comminstory NAois going to keep
watch at IRE 10 detect The intruders who
force their way through the police, and demand
eagerly 10 be allowed to Join their company?
Who knows the faces Of al the New York fire
men well enough to discover Al interlcper: We