New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-02-21
UIIY ITEMS


| From the di.agreeabe condition of the Streets and
the clear, cold weather now experienced, it seems
probable that top.boos sDd iu6ia-rubbeJs will be in
demand for some time to TIE urss very
slowly except along the sled lines of the railroad
trsckr where small rivers flo wing TO the horror of
all ladies' who have to cross the ayendes broadway
Is 10 shocking condition and it is with great difficulty
that tie poor stage horses perform their daily work.
No attempt is made to keep the crossings clear, except
by the volunteer give-me-a-peuny sweepers, who pay
more attention to their monotonous demand than to
furnishing an equivalent for their fee Mnch ice has
accumulated In the rivers during the past few days,
and yesterday it somewhat mpeded the transit Of
the ferry -boats This Winter has thus far been I'M
ufuay trying to comfort and health, from the contin
uous alterations of slight SHOWS and thaws. Tle
streets have been nearly all the time 10 slushy
oiiion and to the masma and mist arising therefrom
he traced half the scarlet fevec influenza and that
terrible epidemic, diphtheria-whch have dismally
sw elled the weekly reports from the City Inspectors
Office
An earnest effort was made last evening by Mr..
DsIrsQh and others in the Board of Aldermen to put
stop to the practice of sailing the streets, which SO
greatly increases their unwholesomeness. Railroad
influence. was too much for them, however. and this
beneficial measure voted down.
AWAY out of town, on the roads where the salt
plague has not broken out toward Fordham flights,
High Bridge, Kngsbridge, and all the way to fonkcrs,
merry sleighing parties enjoyed the brief season oil
snow, gathering health and pleasure in the exciting re-
creation Across the North River to Jersey and over
the Brooklyn Ferries to Rsvenswood road; out to
East New-York, and along the Jamaica turnpike
and hundreds Of parties bed with their trim cut
tsrs, and fast trotters, carrying the noisy city on!
smonQ the quiet country folk. The seighDg in all
these directioDsi superb just now aud doubt for
cay or two the Winter carnival will continue.
The New CHIEF.-Jobn Decker, the newly elected
Chief Of the New York Fire Department wa, sworn
into Office yesterday morning. by Alderman Peck, Act
ing Mayor. Chief Decker has not, as yet, made any
appointments but viii do in tie course Of the next
week.
THr FIRE MARsHALs REroRr.-Tbc Fire Marshal,
in bis semi-annua report to the Mayor Common Coun-
c and Police Justices of the City AMI County of
York, just published concludes his opening chap
ter upon dangerous buildings by stating that the fol-
lowing powers should he vested in the City Inspector
or come other officer specially appointed for the pur-
pose:
Frr That of deciding the suciency Of tho strength Of
the wall; ana c:tIon supports put up in az new 6udOS a,
reported unsafe and Of compelling the occupants TO quit "hon
the dsnfer i. imminent
Tad That forcing builders alter their plans and sPsei-
cson where they obvious features of insecurity both
a regards strength and liability TO Gre
Fourth That Of compelling such repairs or additions as may
be deemed necessary the security Of existing buildings
Fun That Of shutting and condomning all buildings
where the fail to comply with the requirement. and
scIiplions Of the law.
In reference to tenement houses he insist, upon the
adoption of iron saircases outside the building, with
access from each story. During the past six months
ending November, 1859, there % arrest made on
chsrges of arson and attempts to commit that oense.
TIE Grand Jury found bills of indictment against A,
II were dismssed and held to bail. During the
period there were q deaths caused by fire. Steam fire
engines are favora6ly reported and strongly recon-
mended, because the employment Of steam renders a
less number Of engines necessary than under the old
system, Dasmuch as it keeps up continuous stream,
which is Of the utmost importance in checking the
rapidity Of copaagraton.
During the Elk month alluded TO there were l5i res
13 of which were the result Of ncendarism. The
most frequent Of fires chimney iues, 10;
sparks on roof 9; accidents to children with matches
or lights l3; friction of machinery, 8; gas or gas
lights in store windows, Is; combustion and sup
posed combustion, 49, camphene and find lamps, 81
ste am boiiers 4; chimpeys, Is; window curains, 10;
intoxicstion 5; fireworks 81 false alarms, Is. The
total loeses by fire estimated at $3.50 43l The to-
tai amount paid by Insurance Companies was si3,-
567 the Ioss to parties not insured hus amounting to
$3t2,S64.