Evening star., 1863-03-31

and evening.
NEwsROYs' AID SocIETY.-A meeting Of this
society was held at Wizards Hall last night,
the use of that room having been generously
given for the purpose by MessrE. Chadwick i
Sykes.
Mayor Wallach presided, and the meeting
was opened with prayer by Rev. DIR. Sunder.
land, after which Rev. Mr.. Reed lex prisoner
at Rlchmond) gave some particulars of the
doings Of the society since its organization. II
mad been ascertainPd that some one hundred
and fifty boys. from ten to sixteen years of age,
occupying themselves yariously as newsboys
bootblacks, and crossing sWeepprs are home
less. A lot of ground has been secured. 81 ,25C
raised, {besides subscriptions not collected,
and building will be erected during the COM
ing summer. Meantime, it was proposed to
Immediately fit up the rooms offered for their
present use by the MesSrs. Willard, in the old
Mansion House. These will accommodate
.i.l-. = 49, A., ana me ne" building as
the society were not restricted to newsboys,
but would in clude all homeless boys 1t was
proposed 10 afford them comfortable lodgings.
library, school and play rooms, bathing facili-
ties, &c. &c.
DIR. Sunderland said q good word for the
newsboys. Accommodating and forbearing TO
one another active. keen and shrewd beyond
their years, they Were ready fer any and every
thing. The words OF scripture, s.Many run to
and fro and knowledge shall be increased y
would seem 10 have reference to them [I.augh-
teri Lft them feel that they were not unca cared
Tor. He W as sure he could say for the minis
tars OF the city that they would give their cor
dial cooperation in the movement.
Dr. Charming followed, relating numerous
instances of the Shrpwdness, energy and hero
ism OF these little fellows. Society should do
something for them, homeless and parentless as
most of them are. Some of them ALREADY are
trying to get schooling in the leisure time they
have, which is usually from ten or eleven
O'Clock IN the morning, when they have finished
sales with the Philadelphia papers, until two
p. m, when they commence with the Erening
He thought the nsttution shoul Id be nut upon
permanent basis by annual subscriptions
and pledged himself when action should be
taken in the churches, to do what Law in his
power in its behalf
District Attorney Darlington spoke of his
experiences as a prosecuting officer as showing
the great need of some such scheme in behalf Of
homeless youth; and commented in animated
Hberality with which large sums are contrib.
uted for outside heather, while our own are
permitted to go qncared for,to find their way to
1t was announced before the adjournment
that free supper would be given to the
newsboys on Thursday afternoon at five
O'clock -
The Society expected to have had present
quite number of the neWsboys last night but
only succeeded in caging three crop haired
young gentlemen, who seemed q little uneasy
In the presence OF so much broadcloth. From
remark of Mr.Reed, we judge that the " Home"
is to be conducted on a plan to make the lit.
tie fellows teel really at home; and if the
scheme is carried out in this spirit eschewing
Pardlggle-lsN and over many "tracts," it will
do good work.
FIRE DEPARTMRNT-The regular monthly
meeting of the Fire Department was held last
evening at the hall of the Perseverance, En-
gine-house, and was fully attended, all the
companies being represented. The President
Mr.. Sessford, of the Franklin, presided
The report of the Chief Engineer (J. J. Pea
hndy ny WAC po oofa toe hot
lumbia's and Franklln's apparatus is In good
working order; the Union in the same con-
dition as at the last report; the Anacostia's
suction is in Baltimore, undergoing repairs
the rest of the apparatus is in the same con-
dition as last reported; the perseverance sue
tion is undergoing repairs, and their hose and
hose carriages are in working order Western
Hose in the same condition as last reported
the chief recommends that the councils pass
bill TO build house for the company to house
their apparatus the Metropolitan Hook and
Ladders truck is undergoing a general over
hauling to At it for service; the truck of the
American Hook and Ladder is in the same
condition as at the last report. The councils
have passed bill to erect a temporary house
for the company, and the chief engineer sug.
gests that the money be expended to put their
truck in order, and that an appropriation be
made to build a permanent house at or near
the corner OF Sixth street east and f street
south.
The chief calls attention to that part of his
first report relating to a central alarm bell, as
it is OF the utmost importance that some means
be adopted for gi ing general alarms. II his
sugge stIon were carried ont many false alarms
would be prevented.
Since the last report nine alarms of fire have
occurred, four OF which were false, one from a
foul chimney, one from setting off firew orks,
one in Georgetown. and two actual fires in the
city.
Tue report Of the chief engineer In relation to
companies ringing false alarms was taken M.
and the Columbia, Franklin and .acostia
We re each fred.
T. committee imposed Of the presidents Of
the different companies was appointed to wait
on !ba authorities and ascertain whether it is
contemplated to raise the statue of Freedom on
the dome OF the Capitol on the 4th of Jniy, ann
II such is the case TO make arrangement for 4