New-York tribune., 1880-03-02
A SHOCKING HIGHWAY OUTRAGE.

a YOUNG WOMAN so INJURED BY A NEGRO THAT
SHE DIEs-sENATOR EDMUNDs DEMANDS A BET
TER POLICE FORCE.
TBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRTEuNrl
WASHINGTON. March 1.-SenatOr Edmunds intro
duced bill to-day to increase the police force Of
this city. Pressing it upon the attention of the Dis
trict Of Columbia Committee be asked that action
be not DELAYED.
There is probably no city in the country some
IT'S of which life and property SO insecure as
at the National Capital. The police force is en-
trcly inadequate and Las been ioT years, and
there is an element III the population OF Washing
ton, composed of negro rou2hs, who commit crimes
of the most cold-booded character.
! il is not long ago that 4 young man named llirth
while passing along a street only few rods from
one of the principal thOroughfares of the city early
! in the evening, was set upon and murdered 10y four
| negroes. three OF whom were convicted Of murder
! in the first degree this morning.
! Last Friday evening about O'Clock, respeca-
bic young white woman was passing along public
street on Capitol Hill in the vicinity of and
! houses when she was knocked down by brutal
negro and then dragged to a vacant lot where she
was bTutally treated She insenSible for an
hour and half, and upon recovering consciousness
she managed to get away from the negro and reach
her home. She died from the effects of her injuries
this afternoon. 4 negro named Smothers has been
arrested and fully identified as having been on the
spot where the woman was attacked few minutes
before she came along.
The indignation of the people at the crime is very
great. A hundred men marched to the Seventh Dis
trict Station House at midnight last night and de-
manded the prisoner but he had bean removed 10
another place large force of policemen is now re-
Quired 90 guard the prisoner and save him from
being lynched.
OF minor crimes there has been no end during he
past Winter. In several instances men passing
through the Smithsonian Agricultural Depart
mont grounds in tho evening have been seized by
negroes and striped OF all their clothing. Bur
glaTles of nightly occurrence. and highway rob
berries frequent Rarely is policeman 10 be found
or heard of when crimes OF tins kind are committed
and this is not the fault OF the Police Department.
which sluguary efficient as far as II ~ furnished
with men: The trouble is caused by the long beats
over which each patrolman has 10 walk. In soIno
instances beat Is nine miles long IN unfrequeIted
and sparsely built parts OF the city me fault -
that of Congress, which determines how much
money shall be spent fcr police.
Two years ago. when there was series OF crimes
similar to those which have recently occurred there
was serious tall, Of n vigilance committee. The
temper of the people Of Capitol Hill IL now such
that an organization Of that character will cert any
be formed unless some measure OF prevention Is
adopted by the authorities.
BPORTATIONS TO INTERIOR PORTS.
VIEWS OF SECRETARY sHEEMAS Oh HE HoUsE
BILL RELATING TO HE IMMEDIATE TKANsPoR
TATIOS OF DUTIABLE GOODS.
lBr TELEGRAPH TO THE TRlBrNRl
WASHINGTON. March 1.-The Hon. Fernando
Wood has received from Secretary Sherman letter
in reply TO asking the Secretary's views on the
House bill in relation the immediate transporta
tiOn of dutiabe goods.
The bill proposes several changes i'm tho present
law respecting the transportation Of merchandise
and appraisement. In regard to these changes tho
Secretary says:
There is no objection the OF the privileges
OF immediate transportation 70 wine, distilled spirits
and pcTisabe articles but articles IN NIX ana explosive
articles should stlll be excepted. The words
used IN the present Law" Invoice or bill Of adng and
manifest "-sbOuld be retained for the reason that
proper record merchandise delivered for transpOrH
lion cannot be made without IN" iuiormauon 'uliished
by these papers. II such entries arc not pre-
pared by the shipper would be necessary that the Gus
toms officers prepare them IN order 10 complete me
record. This would cause delay 20 inc supper. .
There is objection 10 dispensing with the special
bond now gwen IN racn shipment an" hoIlng Tue car
liable under their bonds Tor t safe delivery or TIC
goods. The Department sees 40 objection to the amend
ment authorizing the transportation Of rnorcardi-e bI
express companies on passenger trains under customs
locks and seals.
The BIN omits the provision contained in the present
law relating to tie Of III led warehouses; specially
nnG Sxgg, TS ] ir tI i " condrS Gi S
important 1t il. however, recommended tina, all
chaudise not shipped within ten days shall he sent 10
the bonded warehouse and held until legally entered
and appraised.
1t is recommended that authority be given 10
transfer the contents of when necessary under
the proper supervision Of customs officers. II Is
suggested that piG-ir0n, iron ore. and similar ar
tieles might be transported upon platform or fat
cars the weight TO be ascertaiued before ship
ment.
The Secretary SAYS that within ten years goods
aQgregating 500, 900 have been transported
to- and duties asccrtained and collected thereon. at
interior ports without any known loss to the rev.
enuc.