National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1875-01-01
POLICE DEpARTHFVT

This like all other cities is not exempt from
crime, although in serious cases It has been less
noted during the past year than any locality ap-
proximating the same size and containing equally
as many inhabitants. The Board OF Police CON-
missipners have repeatedly, in their annual re-
ports to the Attorney General, urged the neees-
sity of an increased fo-ce for the District. The
increase Of population and wealth, together with
should add weight and importance to the neces-
sity Of that demand and the prompt action Of
Cengress in the direction Of supplying the relief
asked for.
Deducting the permanent detail (2s men) from
the 200 privates, the maximum number Of patrol
men allowed BY law, but ia privates remain for
regular patrol duty. The population Of the Dis
trct, rs shown by the census Of 1870 Is 49,, 100;
and comparing the population with the number
o. az ,Sos Fly tne 11sS VIII
age of one policeman to each 100 Inhabitants.
There can be no doubt that at the present time
hundred and fifty thousand, which gives one
private TO every nine hundred Inhabitants, very
nearly. And, take into estimate the TACT that
there are constantly in our midst large num-
ber Of transient residents Il Will be safe to state
that there is but one patrOlman TO each one thou
sand Inhabitants. Large detaehments are con-
tinuRlly made from the patrOl force during the
winter season, to attend At public receptions OF
officers of the Government, foreign ambassadors,
prominent citizens, and residents at the Capital.
The demands upon the force from these causes
are so pressing that frequently II ! found neces-
sary to almost entirely uncover streets, leav-
ing but three or four policemen to guard entire
precincts, and that, too, at night, and during a
season OF the year when police Surveillance should
be most strict and effective.
In the city Of ashington there are three hun
dred and thirty miles OF streets and alleys to be
patrolled. The building squares, as numbered,
Of the plat Of the city, are lilo, aording build
SIDES this there are within the limits Of the city
public grounds and reservations covering an area
about one fourth as great as that Of the building
The present metropolitan police force has been
in existence over thirteen years, having been
organized in September, 1851. Quite number
OF the present members Of the force were ap-
pointed at It's organization, and the fact that they
are now members Is conclusive evidence that they
have performed faithful service during this term
During the part year the board has renewed
the lines Of the police telegraph throughout the
entire District. This renewal had become ALSO
lutely necessary on account Of the dilapidated
condition Of the line, resulting from the wires
being attached 10 chimneys and roofs of houses,
instead Of poles erected for the purpose. The
old line had also been in nearly twelve years,
and, as . consequence, the wires had become cor
roded and unreliable. The board has also ex-
tended its lines TO Tennallytoun, BrightWood,
the Reform school and BenninRis station, across
the Eastern branch Of the Potomac. All the i'm
portent objective points within the District are
tiers by telegraph. The entire line Of wire is now
attached to poles erected for the purpose.
anpIicat made for he apoTovsl Of licenses for
the retail sale Of Intoxicating liquors, viZS Num-
Der Of applications made, 41Q; applications ap-
proved, $40; applications disnPproTed, %; trans
iers approved, 10.
The number Of applications made this year is
one more than last year. The number approved
Is hfty-one less than last year. The number Of
disapproved is hfty-two moro than last year, and
the number oftransters approved Is TWENTY-FIVE
less this year tran last.
branch Of the service shows the number Of rob
berries reported to be SOS; number Of arrests made
612; amount OF property reported lost or stolen,
t2941149; property recovered, 59o46 SO; property
turned oyer to property clerk, e10165; property
turned over 10 oWners e25, 50; property taken
from persons and returned to the same, t2,e 67.02
The following Is the result Of the sanitary work
IN which only one private ofhcor, John Ccnnell,
has been actively engaged:
Number Of non-geDldent paupeF1 furnished With