, 1872-12-21

Frankfort, it is said, not single murder has
been committed for a hundred years. # any
thing should have opened our eyes, it should
have been our Great Fire.
70 be burned again would be an actual dis
grace II Chicago has the energy to manifest
to the world the most wonderful Instance OF re-
euporatlol ever known, has sle not the wisdom
to guard herself absolutely against the possibil-
lty Of o similar calamity?
What is the use Of building such numerous
and splendid structures if ne hare not the forco
and power to ronder them secure2 They can be
rendered secure, and ample preparation must be
made or, as certain as the sun rolls, Chicago
(with its thousands Of combustible buildings
ind its swarm Of incendiaries, and burglars, and
murderers, and thieves, and yagabonds) will ex-
perlence far more disastrous condag1atiou than
the first.
The two arms Of security upon which We must
departments should be- brought to the utmost
scientific perfection. Discipline is the thing
The police force should be Increased. The extra
cost would be true economy in the end. The
members OF the force should be bound by
stringent rules, but should be well paid for OBJ
serving them. It should be credit to man to
be member OF the police but how can this bo
when 30 many incompetent men get themselves
appointed, and thus bring tho entire force into
disrepute?
It Is to be hoped that the present superin-
tendent (who, it may be sale, il on trial himselD
may be able to weed out the vagabonds who
have disgraced IT, and bring our police force to
degree Of efficiency that will render it an honor
to tho city. He will then be entitled to tho
highest honor himself.
The Fire Department also should be greatly
strengthened, and itB means Of extinguishing
fires should be largely increased.
We not only need more engines and hose, but
more men, more horses, small hand.engines,
fre-escapes, e1tnguishers, etc. The whole city
should more carefully be parcelled out. Let q
fire break out where it will, the police and the
fremen should be on hand within five minutes
from the first alarm. any delay should bo re-
mission.
Water should be far more abundant. A hun
dred wells, connected with the river or lake, and
thus rendered inexhaustible, should be scat
the Water Works supply alone. Only few en-
gines can be used at the same time without
diminishing it's flow, or bead, thus making it
impossible to throw much water upon the
ee been ct asd5 tho bi hhsst II 9Sdngs TaN on niz
twelve engines can bo used efficiently
at the same time. The main object of having q
large number OF engines ia to savo time and
distance. One engine that arrives at the scene
of action in three minutes is better than half-a-
dozen or more engines that lag along in half-an-
| hour.
Fires must bo attacked at once, and in the
front; and, in such cases, they are speedily
overcome. Our Great Fire was fought in the
rear, and, as matter Of course, it was VIC
torious.
trust, B1r. Editor, you will excuse these sug-
gestions. It is best to keep the subject alive.
Our people arc SO busy that We are in danger,
I from sheer negligence, Of omitting to take such
stops for self-protection as it seems to me are
impeEatiyely required.
! It is true wo have IN excellent officer at the
head Of our City Government but he is neither
! o1nnipotont nor omnipresent. and must rely,
| and does rely, upon all 1aw-abiding citizens for
| encouragement and support, which, without
| stint, he should receive.
J. EsAIis WAnnEN.
CHICAGO, Dec. 10, 1872.