Weekly American. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1858-1858, 1858-03-20

| FIREs.-0n Tuesday morning, between twelve
and one o'clock, a fire broke out in the black
smiths shop Of Mr. Betzar, on Water street,
Georgctown, just west of the lowest bridgeo over
Rock creek. II communicated to the neigh
boring shop Of Mr.. HachteI, which was also
consumed. A great quantity Of tools was de-
stroyed. The fire was incendiary.
About two hours after second fire took
place on p street, near the city boundary,
whereby the stable Of Mr.. johnson, together
with horse and COW and quantity Of poul-
try, were consumed. There seems to be no
doubt Of the criminal origin of the fire.
On Sunday night, between eight and nine
o'clock, a fire broke out on the corner of Third
and @ streets south, destroying two story
frame dwelling occupied by some females Of
doubtful reputation. 1t was the work Of an
incendiary.
Between one and two o'clock, two-story
frame dwelling owned by VIM. p. Particle
esq, and occupied by Mr.. Ii. Pinkerton, was
also burnt. The fire was evidcatly set by
means of turpentine, inserted through knot
was first discovered before the whole house
was envelopcd in flames. Mr.. Pinkerton, his
wife, and her sister, had barely time to escape
in their night-clothes. The house and all its
contents were entirely destroyed. Mr.. Partel-
los loss is about $500, with partial insurance
Mr.. Pinkertons loss will possibly amount to
$500 or $500.
BEaGARs.--Our city is fast becoming infested
with beggars--constitutione beggars-educa.
ted beggars, graduated in the schools of the
old world In Europe, beggary is science.
In London and all the principle cities of Eng
land and Ireland, as every enc knows, who has
yitited these places, the swans Of beggars who
blockade the houses in which stranger is
known to lodge, waiting for his issuing forth,
| and who throng his person and dog his steps,
is nuisance and an outrage. 1t will soon be
as bad in Washington. Men and women, able
hearty, and strong counterfeit lameness, tie up
their legs and walk on crutches all the day,
and at night, revel upon the charity bestowed
upon them by those upon whom they have i'm
posed An instance has come to our knowl-
edge, where one legged man was seen to hide
his crutch upon which he had been hobbing
all day, and walk off upon two as sound and
| substantial limbs as are to be found in Wash
| ton. These are imported habits-some IF the
fruits of wholesale emigration to this country
Of the pauper population, and the vile and
pestiferous contents of European prison houses.
"When shall these "mischiefs" have an end ?"
W- The police Of New York, under the
lead of their efficient Mayor are fast Kidding
that city of many of the nuisances which infest
| it. On Saturday they took the gambling estab-
lshment at No. 214 Broadway, by storm. 1t
is said to have been one of the oldest faro banks
| in the city and fayorite resort of Brotherson,
the defaulting book keeper Of the Union bank.
The party, some twenty in number, were po-
ltely invited to accompany the officers to the
Mayors Office, where their names and occupa-
lions were given, most of these gentlemen were
married men.
The difference between the Mayor of Wash
ington and the Mayor of New York, in thi:
respect, is that the former is too fond of the
"sport" himself to hinder others from enjoy.
ing it.
| CRIMINAL CoURr.-Thc court met at 10 o.
clock, Thursday, and Judge Crawford stated
| A. A. ;,,.,, A.. 10 ,,ra,n,,ol tba,, ,-oro Ill