New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-12-02
ing the spot might in measure protect 1t
from ruin.

ing the spot might in measure protect 1t
from ruin.
The reports of the Inspectors Of the Bureau OF
Buildings, in regard to the precautions against
danger from fire in theatres, do not offer great
deal of encouragement for playgoers. Out OF
eighteen buildings examined only two have all
the conditions of safety required These arc
Wallack's new house and llarrlSan ana liarts'
They deserve to be corspicuously pointed ONT
in recognition of their merits. These theatres
have the fre-proOf proscenium wall, the SELF
acting skylights over the stage, and all the ar
rangements that have been suggested to eX-
tinguish % fire on the stage itself. The other
play-houses are of various degrees OF dement,
ranging from the Madison Square, which is
nearly perfect to variety theatre 10 th7
Bowery, where notOne of the three essentials Is
to be found. And this state of affairs Is all that
has been accomplished by the discussion, COM
plants and disasters of the last xyears7 Could
a stronger argument in favor of such laws az In
spector Esterbrook wants passed be advancedi II
the members of the State Legislature do not pass
the requisite measures this winter the Ccroners
Jury which inquiries into the next great disaster
49,
make its censure reaching enough to take
in the Assemblymen.
Mr.. Stephen w. Dorsey repeats his plea OF
not guilty in connection with Star Route con-
tracts, and at this late day makes public long
statement explaining what he had to do with
the matter. In 1881, he says, he asked au IN
vestigaton of charges which were then clIcu-
lating about him, and it was promised ny
President Garfield. When Mr. James and Mr.
MacVeagh declared there was nothing to In
vestigate, Dorsey fully explained to them his
relations to the Star Route bids. This expla-
nation was shown to the President, the Vice
President, to Mr.. Conllling and others 1t was
understood that it was to be regarded as conf
dental: but Mr.. James and Mr. MacVeagh, ont
of malice and personal animOsty," set 10 woIk
to prove that it WAS not in accordance WIN
the records Touching the contracts. Mr.. Dor
sey SAYS while in Congress he tried to keep MS
brother and brother-in-law FROM making BIDS
but in vain. After his term had expired, Vale
and Miner turned over to him certain con-
tracts which they had made with the Govern
ment in payment Of a Just debt. The rest OF
Mr.. Dorsey's last explanation is devoted to
matters of detail to sustain these assertions. 1t
will be found elsewhere in HE TRIBUNE
this morning.
The report of the Life Saving Service
of which we printed an abstract day or two
ago, shows a decided improvement in the
work of the department which is DOUBT
less largely due to the improved morale
of the force. With better wages last year
came better men, and an increased energy and
devotion TO their work in the crews already
employed. With each year there has been
nearer approach to perfection in the working
of the details Of the system, greater
skill in the crews, and increased confidence
between them and the official managers. None
Of thesere would have ensued if this service
had not been kept wholly free from political
influence. 1t is the only branch of Government
service which has been kept thus free. Super
nitendcnt Kimball, to whom the organization of
the system as a whole, and its management i'll
detail from the beginning, is due, is a man of
one idea. and that is this service. This enthusl-
asm infects his agents. aud heretofore Demo
Gratis and Republicans in this work have
strivcn zealously together to keep it free
from corruption. No more inapprt pirate
time could have been chosen for the
proposition which the Secretary of the Navy
is said to favor, which would remove
this service, with the Coast Survey and Rev
enue Marine, out of the Treasury Department
and place it under his control The people,
whatever their political preferences fully ap-
precate the propriety Of keeping this work at
least in the hands Of skilled, honest managers
and practised snrf-men, and will not consent
to see it torn to pieces and its work in Wash
ington or in the station made a prey for
greedy and Ignorant politicians.