The Evening critic. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1881-1885, 1881-06-23
The Now Police station.

1t was stated In yesterdays Critic that
the Commissioners had decided to adopt the
plans for the new station-house without al
teration. The statement was gladly received
by all those who realize that this action
of the Commissioners will give the District
the finest building for this purpose to be
found outside of New York city
The project has had many difficulties to
surmount first, owing to a doubt whether
the District authorities were authorized by
the act of Congress to purchase Site and
subsequently by other difficulties, princi-
pally in finding location.
Seventh and o streets seemed the only
place available and suitable, and its sclcc-
ton caused strong opposition the erection
of u station-housc between two large
schools called forth very sensible and
logical list of objections from the school
trustees, who revolted ut the idea of drag
ging drunkards and thieves under the noses
of the children and bringing the innocent
involuntarily into the presence of the crimi
nal classes; the removal of prisoners from
cell to van always lends an unwholesomc
charm to the passer-by, and the screams
and shrieks of the intoxicated or insane arc
not good music for the juvenile ear.
These reasons were all forcibly presented.
but were met by other arguments. Many
persons held that if it was not suitable to
have police stations adjoining schools, it GER
tainly was to have them near markets, as
would be the case at Seventh and o streets;
Others stated their belief that police vigil
lance was very necessary for the exterior of
schools and always welcomed by the teacher
as q protection from insult, especially to fe-
male pupils. Besides the pupils are apt to
depredate our trees and other property, and
the proximity of police station II Is be-
lieved, would tend to prevent that.
The new police station is not to be ranked
with the old ones, which are in measure
public nuisances 1t will be free from many
of the old faults, the prisoners will be con-
veyed from and to the van into yard hid
den from the public streets, and the station
built with view to quiet, order and clean
illness.
The plans which Mr.. Lauritzcn has made
have met with high praise from Major
Twining and all others who have seen
them, and the building when completed
will be an ornament to the city.
In this connection we have received the
following communication from gentleman
deeply interested in the schools:
To The Editor of the Critic:
The place named is the lot on Seventh
street originally purchased of Mr.. Cor
coran for u market. On this lot, which
comprises the Scventh-street half of square
No 446, now stands the Henry school build
ing, nearly completed, and here Congress
has ordered the new high-school building
to be located. These two buildings will
accommodate between sixteen hundred and
two thousand pupils; and now come the
Commissioners and propose to erect on the
same lot, side by side with these school
buildings, a police station-llouse, with all
accessories, such as prisOn-cells, stables, &c.
Here will be brought all the drunkards,
thieves, prostitutes, and murderers which
may be found in that part of the city for
temporary confinement. Here these two
thousand school children will learn from
actual observation the ways of crime and
criminals. They cannot help seeing and
hearing what is brought so directly under
their notice. 1t only remains to erect a
smallpox hospital on the other corner of
the lot to make the facilities for practical
education of these children complete. Their
bodies as well us morals will then be pro.
vided for SECOND DIVISION.
a