The New York herald., 1876-07-04
Centennial Precautions Against Fire
and Thfeving.

Centennial Precautions Against Fire
and Thieving.
We have taken occasion several times re-
Gently to warn the authorities and the pub
lie against grave danger, which, in the alb
sence of proper precautionary measures, is
not only possibility for our city during the
Centennial celebration, but also a decided
probability. New York is just now vast
tinder-box, filled in every corner with the
most highly inAammnble and explosive ma
terials and substances such as bunting, dra-
peries, light woodwork, illuminating oils and
every form of pyrotechnic composition.
prolonged period of intensely hot and rain
less weather has dried the buildings until
they have attained at the present time the
highest degree of tcombustibility, and the city
is swept by IL high wind which is likely to
continue during to-day and tomorrow, and
which would quickly convert an insignif-
cant fire into conhagration that, might de-
YOUR the entire metropolis. The high state
of enthusiasm to which our people are
aroused by the celebration Of the Centen-
NAL of American independence, will cause
many to neglect the commonest precautions
against fire which at other times they would
deem indispensable to safety. To-day and
particles Of matter from exploding fireworks,
which will readily communicate fire to the
woodwork or other inhammable substances
on which they may descend.
While we applaud the patriotism which
finds such a grand expression in the spon-
taneous rejoicings of an entire people over
an event of almost unparalleled Importance
to civilization, We must repeat the warnings
we have already given of the dangers that
will arise from any neglect of the precau-
tions which we instinctively adopt at all
other times when the public mind is unin-
fluenced by extraordinary emotions. To
guard against this danger of great fire in
New York, without seriously interfering
with the exhibition of popular JOY over the
nations hundredth birthday, we need only
the strictest vigilance to be intelligently
and inoffensively exercised by the authori-
ties in every quarter of the city of New York
Under no pretence whatever short Of physi-
cal disability, should any member of either
the Police or Fire department be permitted
to be absent from duty during the days of
the celebration exercises. The police should
vigorously prevent the discharge of all kinds
of projectile fireworks except in open spaces,
and where the displays are conducted by
persons qualified to direct them with safety.
The superfuous enthusiasm Of the young
i Il. Il.
in noise and glare, can find fitting vent in
the unlimited firing of crackers and tor
pedoes, the burning of colored fires and
other comparatively safe displays of pyro-
techny. The members of the Fire Depart
ment should patrol the streets and carefully
where necessary to any householders or
others who create danger of fire by an
incautious or improper arrangement Of
lights and draperies, bunting, &c.
Apart from those productive of destructive
fires, although dependent on such calamities
for its measure of evil, is another danger
which must not be overlooked. The break
ing out of an extensive fire would be the
signal for the assemblage of all the danger
Gus classes in our population, who
would hail the calamity as presenting
the much desired opportunity for plunder
and outrage Indeed, there is always GER
tain danger that on occasions like the pres
ent one great fires might even be started by
the thieves themselves in order to create
panic and give them a chance to make
general raid on property throughout the city.
Now, in view of this possibility and to main
tain public confidence, the militia regiments
that will take part in the parades and other
exercises should be held in constant readi-
ness to suppress any attempt at an outbreak
of the dangerous classes. 1t would not ne
cesstate any extraordinary performance of
duty for our citizen soldiers if each
regiment was represented at its armory
during the celebration by at least o
arms Each company would be relieved
after four hours duty, while only two hours
would be spent in active guard duty, one
company relieving the other. We would
thus have sufficient forse always ready to
suppress disorder and protect property and
so add another important element to the
neces sary precautions against fire and thiev-
ing during the Centennial celebration.
Now York and Brooklyn Last Night.
Both cities were lighted up with the torch
of patriotism, and the streets were fairly
thronged with eager, pushing but well or
dered crowds of citizens anxious to enjoy O
full view of the remarkable scene that was