The national Republican., 1869-02-22

did not become twenty years VI age, put
only nineteen, and from the day OF his birth,
in 1888, (old style to this present February,
1859, are only 1886 years"
INSPECTION or ENGINE ITOUsEs.-On Sat
urday afternoon Mayor Bowen, Alderman
Larman and Councilman Davis, with Messrs.
Thompson, johnson aud Gorbntt, of the
fire commissioners, Chief Engineer Elwood,
Z. L. Corbin, secretary, and Mr.. Larcombe,
superintendent Of the fire alarm telegraph,
took coaches and visited the several engine
houses Of the department to ascertain their
present condition, and what repairs, II any,
are necessary to be made TO them. The first
visited was Union No. l, which was found
In most excellent condition, with the excep-
tion Of light coat of whitewash to the
engine room. This house contains COM
mOdious room on the second floor, which Is
used for sleeping and sitting purposes, be-
sides bath and wash room. The stable Is In
excellent order, and the horses In fine order.
After looking through the building, the wish
tors were shown the rapidlty with which the
apparatus cosld be gotten out for service In
case of Arc. The Mayor was also shown
here the working of the telegraph by calling
Of the stations or boxes.
The next visited was Hook and Ladder
company No. 1, which was thoroughly in
spected, amer which trial was had, result
ing in the hooking up and getting the truck
and hosc-Carriage on the street In less than
one minute. The house Is in very good con.
ditiOn, but the apparatus sadly needs the
brush Of a painter.
The party then visited Columbia No. 3,
on Capitol Hill. This house needs consider
able repair, and much disadvantage is ex.
perienced by the company 10 regard TO ell.
cheney In getting out Of the house, from the
fact that the stables are In the cellar of the
building, and the horses must mount n steer
hill In getting to the front Of the house, be
sides the apparatus having to be drawn oui
by the hand on the pavement before the
horses can be attached, thus occupying from
a minute and half to two minutes in start
ing from the house, as was demonstrated tC
the visitors. In the second story Is fine
library and sitting-room, as also bunk-room;
for the members. Before leaving the Colum
bia, Mr.. VIM. Sanderson, proprietor Of San
dersons Hotel, nearly opposite, extended M
invitation to the visitors to partake Of hi
hospitalitics, which was accepted, aud tn
party repaired to his fine parlor, where al
acceptable luncheon was soon prepared, an
for which those who partook rendered thank
TO the liberal host.
Franklin Engine No. . was last visited
and here everything was in neat order, an
the trial Of apparatus proved highly satisiaC
tory TO the Mayor, committee and fire com
missioners. The visit having terminated, tn
Mayor expressed Il hope that the condition
OF the corporation finances were such q
would permit more liberal appropriation I
the nre department, and said he would eu
deaVor to see If something could not be don
10 render our department In appearance an
efficiency on the fourth Of March second /
none In the country, and suggested that III
committee and the commissioners woul
meet thla MnnHnVA \ Gar > -.
which was agreed to.
FIRE.-An alarm Of firc was sounded fro
box 10, corner Four-and-a-half street al
Maryland avenue, at 3:l5 Saturday mornin
caused by the burning Of an unoccupicd Oh
story frame building on MARYLAND ayenu
between Four-and-a-half and Sixth stree