The New York herald., 1874-07-16

sttemps uade 10 hgnt from the ront II hall the
engines had been stationed ahead OF the track OF
the Names even though the direct impression
made had been slight, the deuge OF water poured
on the yet untouched buildings would have i'm
peded the advance OF the fiery enemy
most materially. Fire Marshal Benver Is an un-
educated, phlegmatic Teuton, the creature of the
+, political necessity which compelled Mayor Colvin
to make an appointment Of such responsibility
according to the will of the demagogues who ruled
the parnr which elected him. The assistant mar.
shals are slso men notoriousiy lacking In inteii.
gence, cooiness. and fertility Of resource.
These are not reckless cnarges but partial
statements OF status OF municipal affairs which
makes all good citizens groan with Indignation.
II Is well known fact that never has Chicago
been cursed with such . plethora of bold and tri.
umphant vice az now. Drinking places, bagnlos and
gambling hes have been freed from all restrictions
and their proprietors do not even attempt to
mask their business under the veil OF decency.
should not allude to such fact In the pres ent
necsion were IL not that the gross inefflcency Of
the Fire Department is an essential part of the
general system which strikes through and through
ell municipal matters with fatal ary rot.
NEGLECT OF BLOWING UP BUILDINGS.
Mayor COlvin and the Fire Commissioners, at
least two OF whom should have learned something
from their experience in the former great conna-
ing up buildings to impede the progress OF tue
names, though the necessity Of this expedlenr WAS
patent and pressing. There Is no more clearly
established right than the destruction OF
buildings IN such an emergency. That 1t was not
done Is one out OF many exhibitions Of of1cial IN
capacity. 1t Is not uncommon to meet intelligent
and sober minded business men who say with a
bitter sigh, "What Is the use OF Fire Depart
ment what is the use OF any attempt at gov.
ernment when we see such things as these su
One lesson which this nre has taught is the i'm.
portance Of building one or more lofty nreproof
walls in every block. The existence of such wall
on the extreme northeast limit of the
fire furnished the barrier by which the
nremen were reinforced and enabled to
achieve their ultimate success. mum.
Der OF nreproof buildings, so called, had
fallen before the flames; but this one honest wall
suficed for Its purpose. Such q wall located in
the district which was hrst swept BY the fire,
would have saved millions Of dollars worth OF
property 1t remains to be seen whether the les
son win be of any more service than the many so
theoretically taught on former occasion.
TYPOGRAPHICAL REVOLUTIONS PROPOSED.
There Is already much speculation to the
consequences Of the fire IN determining changes
in the business topography Of the city. In VI,
when the old land marks we're so completely
wiped out and the currents OF business were
left to assume new channels. q serious attempt
was made to transform wabash avenue into .
kind OF Broadway. The property rose In value
enormously on the erection OF great number OF
new, costly blocks, and the rents asked vera
something preposterous. As q consequence the
project defeated itself, and business men were
driven away from the avenue sought 70 be made
the great leading thoroughfare. Several promi-
nent and wealthy capitalists and merchants. IN
view CT the reopening Of this agitation, informed
me to-day that the attempt would be now re-
sumed more cautiously and resOlutely. II
this Is successful 1t will be an
important revolution In the condition OF Chicago
business. Most such attempts to force commerce
into arbitrary channels are futile. The direct
eject of the nre on the interests OF Chicago bus-
ness Will be but Slight large proper ton OF
the region ravaged was residence property-not
very eligible at that.
AN OUTLINE OF THE BURNED DISTRICT.
For the interest OF those readers Of the Her AID
somewhat familiar with the topography OF Chicago
l will give the following exact outlines OF the
burned dstrct:-Tne fire from its starting point on
Clark street. near Twelfth, spread soutnward and
westward destroying all the business houses in
the block between Fourth avenue and Clark street.
nearly TO Twelfth and east TO Clark street. On
the latter 1t burned block and q half nearly 70
the OF POLK street. Thence 1t cut diag0nally
across to Fourth avenue, and north along Fourth
avenue to Harrison street, east on both sides OF
Harrison to State, near on the east side
OF state to three doors north OF Van Buren,, along
the south side Of Van Buren, 20 wabash avenue,
down the west side OF Wabash avenue to the cor
along the south side OF Michigan avenue. skipping
the Academy OF Design, on the southwest corner,
on the east and south SIDES, along Michigan ave-
nue. from Van Buren, to ABOVE Congress, west TO
the alley running north and south between Michi-
gan and wabash avenues, south TO Eldridge court
corner Of Clark and Harrison streets.
BUSINESS LOSSES
The most prominent among the business losses
are the st. James Hotel: william Bademann,
druggist the Remington Empire Sewing Machine
pistol manufacturers; p. Smith Co., carriage
manuiacsurers; Rupsnessen Bros. boots and
slodo, carriages: A. Wheeler, hardware; G.. M.
Cheney, sale stables; the prussing vinegar
Glvaudan VH Tusted. rings &C. P NJ pistt cloth.
ing; P. H. Mayes, L. G. Chase Co.. saddles and
harness; A; schrefertein Bro. furniture manu-
Lean 4 Co., stoves and ranges; H. / M NeuOerger,
&c. zenG Beck. billiards; Peters, Muench & Co.,
blacksmiths; Mandel Bros, dry goods; the Bay
Almina, artists materials; B. A. Murphy, cigars,
&c; Freeman 4 Strickland. poultIy , and game; game;
John n Lowry CO.. meal zeal ;Se BigeiSow RsEl1
Delhi. boots and shoes; E. D. Moseby, grocer; sin
clair Brotners, hardware and stoves; MRS: MRS:
and tinware; weber & Luckhardt druggists;
p E. Bolter 4 Co., grocers; G. A. !ammch, tailor;
! O. 3. Lohman photographer; II. c. Klein
| Schmidt watches, &c; J: wingrave, u, Co.,
gas nxtures; the Adelphi Theatre; Pennoyer,
Shaw Co., carriage manufacturers; William Q.
spencer Co, cutlery. DC; Cowpertn watte Co.
publishers; woolworth, Ainswortn Co.. publish
ers s. G. Griggs q Co.. publishers; the Post
once; Carney, Haskell 4 Kearney, painters; Miss
A. T. Ryan, umbrellas, &C.; r N. Fossell photo
fun.be,raan; Ne,o Covenant; chicago Terra Gotta
| Company; Davis Sewing Machine Company; Mrs.
| Slaughter, millinery; Patrick ONeiil, liquors |;
Chicago Fine Art Institutes; M. Root artist;
| Schureman Hand Mantel Company; J. L. SEIZURE
| Decorn; Leonard W. volk, sculptor, &C.; James
| Morris Arnold, artist; Daniel L.. Bgelow. artist !;
A. T. Brooks, artist; Laurts Halst, artist; Arthur
trait artist; Fine Arts Institute Academy; Thomas
| Rraun drIpa. r O. Anthony. livery stable