Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-03-13


The readiness with which both Houses OF
Congress have taken hold of the matter OF
increasing the District police force wal rants
belief that bill to that effect will be passed
without any unnecessary delay. That larger
number OF police than pow constitutes the force
is essential to the protection Of the very lives of
citizens nobody questions. The Hlrth murder
followed by the brutal assault upon a young
lady, both occurring at an early hour in the
evening and in localities surrounded by resi-
dences, excited feeling of insecurity that has,
apparently, been recognized by Congress. While
upon the subject Of providing for the protection
OF the District against an aggressively lawless
class. would 1T not be well for Congress to
consider whether or not an increase of
the police force is sufficient legislation
In this direction? Some means OF pun
ishment for petty ofrenses that would exer-
else a restraining influence upon that class
would have a beneficial effect In Washington
The jail and workhouse, with.plenty to eat and
nothing to do, have no terrors for the oilers
vagabonds and petty thieves who infest Wash
ton. and they rapidly progress In crime until
they become dangerous. A well-devised vagrant
law rightly enforced would no doubt relieve
this community OF large per centage of Its
worthless population. Persons without visible
means OF support, however, would have to be
sent where they would be required to perform
manual labor, In order to effect any good. The
labor would constitute the punishment and the
average vagrant would leave the city rather
imam De subjected to imprisonment and work.
In the present temper Of Congress the citizens
OF the District could procure almost any legis.
lation, of practical and reasonable character
designed to afford them protection from laWless-
ness, and now is the time for them to move. -
The belief that Ex-Governor Seymour could
poll much larger vote than any other man in
the party has so firm hold upon the demo-
cratic mind that his simple expression of will
lingness to make the presidential race would. In
all probability, procure for him the nomination.
Among democratic Congressman the sentiment
in favor OF Seymour is as apparent as Is that of
hostility to Tilden. Put the question OF "Who is
the best man to nominate for President to every
democratic member Of Congress, and probably
thTee-fourths OF them would answer "Seymour
Is the strongest man If he would rum" This Is
an expression heard so frequently from the
democrats that 1t warrants the estimate here
made-that three out Of every four would SUP
port Seymour If he would consent to become the
candidate. In estimating the possibilities of
the democratic convention it is well, too to
consider Seymour, in spite Of his declaration
mat he would not and could not accept the
nomination. He appears to be acceptable to the
T1lden and -Tilden wings of the party
and should the warfare OF factions con,
anue and keep open the division now
existing, there will be general and
united EFFORT to induce Seymour to accept
the nomination. No other man Is suggested as
a compromise candidate who could efectuaIly
unl1e tne party, and the democrats realize that
tney must go Into the canvass with solid
'front.' In order to stand the ghost of chance to
VIII. The Virginia democrats in Congress and
out OF II, assert that no man could so surely
carry their state for the democrats as Seymour
ana the fear OF losing Virginia is disturbing the
democracy very considerably of late. Mr. Sey-
nour mas In the past, been persuaded to recon-
slider his determination that he would not be a
candidate, and he may be again.
Destructive fires occur much more frequently
In Paris than one would suppose, considering
the precautions taken there in the construction
of buildings and otherwise to prevent them, and
especially In view Of the small number and In
significant character Of fires built and used In
that city for the purpose of heating dwelling
houses, Offices, etc. During last year there were
no fewer than 2, $40 accidental OR incendiary
fires, doing more or less damage; but Of this
number !, 049 were described as .'fires In chin
neys," which we suppose is equivalent to what
we call burning out chimneys in this country
1t Is In the matter Oh loss, however that the
point emphasized by the inquiry of NJ. de Les
seps at fire in New York, the other day, when
he asked why we do not build more substantI-
ally and securely In America, Is made apparent
By the 1,291 Partisan CONGREGATIONS which were
classed as destructive, damage to the extent OF
only 5,4s5, 54 francs was sustained, or an aver
age Of about $3.50 each. What the statistics =,
fires in our large cities would show the averao.
oss ~ =. We na.. NV q. ~ ese' the means for
t .,, . ., W. IL nuse very much larger
o,,. ,o..o 70 ,o' Led by Paris, in spite of
.snr ,oo,,it, ed fire departments and supe-
a'.n aaanD for eXtingulshing fires after they
,erously under way.