The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-02-22

The Firo MArshaps Report
- 1nu MAYOR, COMMON eOUNCn AND POLICE JUS
TfCES.
n submitting 10 you The usual semi annual report
q the transactions In my department for The six mouths
sndng 3oh Of November, 1882 have 10 solicit your
eful consideration Of The suggestions which contains.
No result Of nve years. observation and inquiry the
several subjects embraced in these Recommendations
have led me 10 conclusions which may be deemed Of
ssne practical value In the discussion Of any fresh egs
Ave measures that may be projected IN regard 70 hem
DANGEROUS BUnDNGA
First Of all would direct your attention 70 The unsaie
hoses and manufactures In many parts o. our city, -
vail ~ OF number in progress Of erection The recent
catastrophe a. which mas Drought desoa-
10 this subject present importance and mPressveness
which, turned 70 account, may have the eject Of avert
hg from similar calamities must NOS be supposed
nat sreecuess of gain reckessness OF human life are
wees confined V Massachusetts mill owners The build
ne spectators Of New York scarcely ess influenced
by criminal cupidity cannot for example be denied
fas the walls and iron supports which put into The
ssy OF he huge piles OF buildings that rising in
principal thoroughfares, are not proportioned In
srengsh u the immense weight that they will have 10
Sss,ain. When an iron safe comes 10 be added 70 each
ut OF eces the several floors, tire nbes 10 think
Ass Eve stories, with this accumulaton Of dead weight
Sssas merely upon such slim oouns.
The truth Of the matter that our city architects pay
brt htte attention TO the principle Of adequate strength In
CONSTRUCTIVE and have no feeling II all ~ TO their moral
accountability for their miscacuauons. They find
external appearance they accommodate themselves
without scrupe their wishes Inc result s the rapid
accumulation Of buildings which continual Of
brros ana CANCER 70 those who occupy them The acct
cent which occurred in Messrs Kent ana LOwbers
Assse IN Bread street. affords proof Of the little attention
y-aA paid 70 their alarms and Inconsistencies.
Although this subject only falls eg,imstely within the
sphere Of my Investigations where danger from IRE In
s.Dsrous complaints LOGGED with IN reference thereto
have examined several OF the premises complained Of
BAD N most instances have found the alarm manifested
5sst,hed Without entering into an enumeration, which
wsoid occupy too much space shall mention two cases.
which viii serve examples OF tho rest No 81 Broadway
Sands the spot occupied by Mr. Jennings building
where many unfortunate hreuen their lives the
n Of 1854. When visited II, found that had set-
ted In which, In the event OF the adjoining building
bepg pulled down, rendered fall matter Of certainty
yssr the statements Of the occupantsl appears tina. Il
b sssing less continually 50 much co. in fact
ss the doors have TO be trimmed By the carpenter every
week or two Under any proper system of supervision
MS 10 clearly building that would not be left standing
shgs day. still less would people be permitted " occupy
u There another dangerous building No. Park
lase respecting which think precautionary steps
ehould Atonce be taken found upon examination that
tAe well hole In the centre OF The store from the second
nDos had settled four i've inches so that very
1e extra weight would cause Il TO give way, carrying
huiIdDg.
Ibsve examined into the law onunsafe buildings, and
md that the only law or ordinance touching these matters
vests power the City Inspector only when
tse osnacr the public; that - TO say, when
wall or baldrg threatens fall outward 10 as TO njure
people passing along the sdewalk In the Of the
refusing to make the necessary REPAIRS the
Sc or rsmsn in The budnS At he rS o. the ves a.
htmeek and others.
his state Of things which should no longer be per-
nhsed 70 exist IN pOpulons community like The
narrow limits within which cramped render II the
marc imperative upon us 70 put end TO it, for where
s Is evident that prudence and considerauoos Of safe
Win be frequently lost sight Of In the anxiety to
IN advantageous situation
seens that meet the nultfOrm dangers arising
om the present reckless system Of construction the fol-
Dwng powers should be vested In the City Inspector or
l. That Of deciding on the suhciency Of the strength
81 the walls and cast iron supports put up in all
That Of entering upon and condemnng all buildings
reported unsafe, Of compelling the occupants quit
wien she danger mmiDent
specifications where they present obvious features If
security, both regards strength and liability fire.
- deemed necessary 70 the security of existing badngs
q that Of shutting up and condemnng al buildings
vhere the owners fail to comply with the requirements
Ma should appear to you these recommendations are
called 10. by The existing condition Of things, think that
time should be lost in pressing them upon the alton
scn Of the legislature Ny daily experience has long
sinec Convinced me Of their necessity and should re-
snDrs being maas to give them the force Of law.
TENEMENT HOUSES.
several Of my former reports took occasion CAL
aeDtton 70 The Diapers arising nom the present or
constructing tenement houses; there being means OF
escape provided in ths event q fire. suggested the
more ron starcases outsde such buildings, balconies
With stairs attached with 70 them from each story
s character, and the severity with which the rents
enforced render 10 my opinon such legal interference
entirely free from the charge OF oppression When the
sreedineAs Of real esate permitted huddle
Sgether under roof crowds Of human beings the L.
Sssare bound to take such measures for their protec
rant
Like most other Of improvement where the
expenditure Of few. collars Is involved sorry 70
say that my propositions have vet received attan
IA the quarter where, in cour1ou humanity, they
bouses themselves The subject hss, ncvertnecss e.
xsed good deal Of uneasness among their tenants, who
ere continually makng representsiions to me On
many Of these tenement houses, whero there but cue
ssacase the scutes On the roof nailed down, and
DE ladder removed, that in OF ire breaking out
below, the known means Of escape would DO cut of.
Wherever these facts have to my knowledge OF
css ,sa my du;y % interfere ana IN most cases The
precautions ehoud not be left 70 the discretion Of either
landlords or tenants. / therefore recommend the pas
aage Of law compelling easy and free aooess 70 the roofs
a ssnemsnt houses the more prompt enforcement
q The ordinance relating thereto and also the erection Of
ono moro iron stairways outside such buildtngsL
OFFENCES PRESENTED
IA my last report ! mentioned tho arrest Of James
1esby for The firing Of hts liquor store in Water street.
1he hnal disposition Of the made the 9th OF
August Recorder barnard, finding that Leahy did NOT
eoufcrm to the conditions Of tho suspension Of Judgment
months in the Pententary.
james Shepherd was found guilty Of arson in the first
tsgfee, In December 1867, aud sentenced 10 be exc
ssted 90 the sth Of February 1853 Council for the
prisoner obtained q stay OF Judgment The case was
reviewed BY the Supreme Court q motion for .
new trial It denied and the Court directed ts Iudg.
uf Of the Court of Sessions To DO carried into effect on
The I'd Of july for the prisoners execution Mr. Ash
mead then counsel for Shepherd carried the case for re-
vision before tho Court Of Appeals, and argued by
that gentleman for the prisonerAr Sedg wick acting for
ae people. Tho Court sustained the law, but granted
new trial on the facts there being clause In the Sessions
s,utes giving the Court Of Appeals power TO review the
1Acss veil AZ the Law.
Thk section Of the Sessions law to highly OBJ
ssstopabe, and ought to be repealed Let how IL
Vurk "A Jury s sworn IN criminal case TO render
verdict according TO both the sw and the evidence They
aro constituted judges OF the facts ana the law they
yecejve from the Court Inasmuch they see the wit
nessss lear their testimony and have opportunity Of