Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1876-01-17

brr,h in both the Iuman and Cuuard lines Of
is already engaged for next summer.
and THAT the number of Europeans who will
visit the Centennial can only be guaged by the
oapacity of the steamers for transportation.
Still, whilst this is very encouraging TO Phlla-
jelphia, it does not advance the project in the
other sections of the country. The South can
not 'enthuse'' over it, and the West is Gu
prcmcly Indifferent. As for the late rebel
lions States" as Senator Morton still calls them,
how they can ioiu 10 the Natioual hymn Of praise,
and thank God for a uuited peaceful country. is
more than any mortal of ordinary intelligence
can understand. Gen. ShermaD's loyal speech
cs, Mr.. Forts resolution, Hyena BIaine's An
dersopvll!e grave opening, aud the decided dis.
inclination Of the North for the Confederate
soldiers to have even so much as one crumb
that falls from the political table, all show that
they are not willing to give equal rights to the
people south Of Mason's and Dlxon's line, who
will have to help to pay the fiddler, and then
for doing their best will have to be damned
with most faint praise. But it is the role OF
the South 10 be polite, and the Machlavellao
course is the best and safest it can pursue.
The Metropolitan police headquarters is a
superb building, marble front, and looks more
like a grand hotel. The detective system OF a
city is vast indeed, and requires a Napoleo1lc
talent to arrange and carry out the different de-
tails, and to watch with an ever VIgllant eye
the doipgs of the law breaking class, and to
close the iron band of the law at the right
miuute upon the wrong doer. The headquarters
is in Mulberry street, about the centre or the
.ity, and the Chief can sit at his table, with
his eye on the telegraphic index, and see, as 1t
we're, into every nook and Granny OF the vast
49,. ool elo,,lI cuap q cimnIo tranaS. a hpht.
or 40 accident occur, within five minutes, though
it be miles away, sitting there at his ease, chat
ting and talking, apparently never heedlng, the
quick car has mastered all the details, and the
decisive Judgment has sent a reply,lf one were
needed. 1t is marvellous; it is like sorcery. 4
woman came 10 The Office weeping bitterly, her
boy was lost. Take a seat madam said the
Chief, describe your son." Il was done, and as
the words fell from the woman lips, the wires
flashed them over the city, aud a thousand eyes
watched and looked for the runaway. In q halt
hour the Superintendent turned to the sobblng
woman and said, Madam, your son is found,
aud will be here in five minutes" and 80 1t
proved. Verify, the genii of Aladdan's Won
dertul lamp seem tobe invoked in this age we
live 10.
New York is, as far as its police and detec.
tive branches are concerned, the best gov
erued city in the world. 10 its midst are found
the most hardened, desperate, and brutal class
Of criminals of all nationalities, who sickle at
no crime and shrink from no vice. Yet the
system of police is so perfect, so strict, and so
thorough, that this army of criminals is made
to observe the laws, and each one knows that
he is ever watched, and he is safe only so long
as he ~refraius from outraging the code. This
efficiency of the police is due to the comblna-
ton talent and practical good sense of the
present superintendent, George Walling. 1t
was his genius that moulded and welded this
iosurbordiDate police together and purged
it of its great faults. Having occasion for the
service Of the New York detectives [ called 90
the superintendent, and found him a pleasant
and genial gentleman. He told me that he
had been CD the force for twenty. eight years,
and rose to his present high position from the
racks. His experience has been so varied,
and the dark side of human nature so con-
help believing 10 the doctrine of the total de-
pravity of man." Every crime and SIP, every
repulsive vice is brought before his eyes daily,
and with all this he is as mild and gentle as
the most rural old gentleman from the back
woods. In conversing on the subject OF the
criminal classes | told him that l had often
heard that for squalor, poverty, vice and crime
New York surpassed even London and Paris,
and asked him to detail an officer to accom-.
pany me on the rounds. He cheerfully COM
piled and summoned his especial detective
O'Brien of the force. This officer made his
appearance instantly. He was a determined,
square built young fellow of some FIVE and
twenty years, with clear, quick, %glanciDg grey
eyes. rs it your off night O'Brien? ?" the
superintendent asked. 1T is, sir" was the
reply. "Well at nine o'clock this evening take
this gentleman and show him around New
York. Commence at the highest and end at
the lowest. He wants to see New York by
gaslight understand? ?" Eyes sir = Then turn
Ing to me, Mr.. Mailing said: "This officer
knows New York like a book. He has been
on the force for eight years, aud be is the best
man to whom I can con6de you" Well at
nine that night in company with O'Brieu and
another detective, O'Lauglin by name, we set
out % our ranbles. Il am going to carry you
first to Harry Hills saloon.
He has had the reputation for the last ten years
of being the wickedest man 10 New York and
is without a rival" So 10 few minutes We we're
in his free and easy saloon. 1t is a large room,
brilliantly lighted, with a stage at one end, ia
b!es scattered around, a bar at one side and an
eating counter on the other. This is one of the
best conducted and most orderly places in New
York, and is much frequented by the young
hoods of the city, who have more money than
brains. The music aud dancing are on the
floor, and the spectacular drama on the stage
commences at 8 p. N. and lasts until three
o'clock in the morning. Harry Hill himself
knocks in the head all ideas formed upon the
theory that wickeduess stamps itselfupon face
and form. He glories in his title of being the
most wicked man in America, aad has proba-
bly, been the author of as much devilment in
others, as any man in the Uoion. There have
been more promising young men ruined by him =
body and soul --than can be computed; more
tears, trouble aud sorrow, than the recording an
gel can ever blot out. and yet be does not 60 out
Of his way one Inch to do it. He merely makes
tie temptation and lures through all the pleas
ur"s that can csptivate the imagination and en-
tbral the passions. He is not the kind of man
that aoy one would expect to see; 20 beetle
browed, bull necked ruthao, but instead, a man
Of about tOrty-seVen, looking for all the world
like an unsophisticated countrynan. He has the
miidest face, without q wrinkle or a line marked
unon II. ami his apas are as snft "a a girls. phV-