National Republican., 1883-11-28

warrants them at the present time in asking
that existing license laws should bo SO
amended as to embrace such pursuits and oc-
cupatons rs directly require the supervision
OF the police and sanitary authorities, and
also include others cntailing special charge
and expense. Considered with reference to
the revenues Of tho district, such method
embracing in its details a largely increased
license tax uron tho liquor traffic, would
greatly augment the aggregate receipts from
licenses, while only q small loss would be in
CURED by the abolition of many minor yot
vexatious impositions upon business men who
arc no moro q special charge upon the public
purse than nrc individuals of independent
incomes. Tho provisions of the license law
applying to the regulation and control of tho
wholesale and retail liquor traffic arc de-
fectivc and permit OF evasion.
Charity, rs administered in this district
through private institutions, by separate vol
unteer boards, without correlation or unity
of purpose, is necessarily fragmcntary and
incomplete, as we'll rs less easily supervised
than it would be If all were subject to n COM
mon control. Until better systcm can bo
devised the commissioners recommend that
they be authorized to appoint an inspector of
charities who shall devote his time thereto,
and report thereon as required, and upon
whose recommendation moneys appropriated
may be paid or withheld, and relief be given
in needed cases not specially provided for,
and mendcancy driven from the streets.
The commissioners have submitted for
consideration on enlarged estimate for the
Industrial Home school, believing that n
practical training of destitute children in the
Industrial arts is the best means of securing
them homes and employment at an early age
and the most ciicctunl to keep thom from the
temptations of crime, and that money $ cx-
pended accords with economy and good gov
crnment.
In tho report relating TO Columbia hos
pital, the commissioners desire to call special
attention to SO much as relates to the non
payment of taxes due on the hospital lands
ut tho date OF its purchase, in 1915, when
title passed to the United States; part of
these taxes arc covered by lions held by third
parties and in order to clear tho property
title to which is in the United States, it will
be necessary to buy III these liens. IL is
therefore, recommended that suitable provis-
ion for this purpose be made Mt the ensuing
sessi0n-the sum required being about $1,000.
The almshouse shelters number OF unfor-
tnnate but deserving inmates, wcll provided
with quarters, food, and comfortable clothing
who as far as investigation by the commits
sioners disclose, arc c0ntented with the sup
plies afforded them and in general with their
treatment.
Tho recommendations of tho intendant
with respect to separate building for female
prisoners together with his suggestion that
other provisions should be made for u Potter s
= held ana pest hon6e, meet the warm approval
of tho commissioners.
1t is with much regret that the commission
ers are compelled TO experience altogether in
adequate and unsuitable accommodations for
the sick ana afflicted in the hospital attached
to the asylum. With the means at their com
mand tho commissioners have endcavored,
and have succeeded to somo extent, in ame-
liorating this unfortunate condition of affairs,
but while they feel reasonably satisfied with
the accommodations existing in tho other
branches of the asylum, they can only regard
those provided for the sick AS reproach, from
which, for humanity's sake, the district gov
ernment should be relieved at the earliest
practicable moment.
The former inadequacy of school accommo-
dations aud the growing popularity of the
public schools for tho last few years have
caused very large increase in attendance,
and it is estimated that at least $4,000 chill
dren will be enrolled during tho present year,
which will be an increase over last year of
about 500 pupils. New buildings will, of
course, be required each year to accommodate
the increased attendance.
1t is considered desirable TO continue the
policy of erecting new buildings for school
purposes until all rented premises can be dis
pcnsed with. These latter arc expensive very
rarely properly suited TO tho purpose, being
poorly arranged and badly ventilated and
lighted. A by no means trivial responsibility
will devolve upon au thority in some quarter IL
the lives and health Of pupils shall be sacrificed
by reason Of appropriations being insufficient
to guard against injury and possible disaster.
During the past year the police department.
has been partially reorganizcd with manfcstly
good results. The zeal now displayed by
both officers and men In tho performance OF
their duty is worty of commendation. The
commissioners approve tho recommendation
of the major of police, that u higher number
of police be provided for
lie tafY, md hat IA 1ot,y b
suppress Sunday traffic in Washington is void
because not completely enacted This defect
should be remedie. Tho law against disor-
derly and suspected persons provides that
punishment may be avoided by giving bond
for $50. This enables the most dangerous OF
those classes TO escape after conviction, and
the commissioners recommend a modification
OF the law.
Congress has prohibited lotteries, and de.
clared the sale OF tickets in this district to be
crime, but has omitted, what has been found
necessary in most of the states In order tC
make the probation etiectual to forbid the
advertising of lottery schemes and drawings,
or to prohibit the importation and purchase
of tickets by mall
Concupring and almost universal legislation
has driven lottery advertising to this district,
where, through nearly all Of the newspapers,
the Havana and New Orleans lottery compa,
mics not only reach the pc ople and evade The
through tho mails, take large sums from the
district, and especially from the improvident
and poor, and hold high carnival Mt the CAPT
tal, despite the intended prohibition by con-
gross. The commissioners therefore approve
OF the request of the major of police for such
legislation as will enectually suppress the
advertising of and traffic in lotteries, policy
games, gift enterprises, and all other schemes
and vocations declared by the statute to be
criminal.
The major of police has set forth more par
ticularly in his report the necessity for fur
ther legislation respecting pawnbrokers
also respecting those suspected of being crimi-
nails, aud having in their possession tools
peculiar to burglary or other criminal prac'
tices. The commissioners approve the recon-
mendations of the report in those respects
1t would, in the opinion OF tho commits
sioners, contribute greatly to the safety,
security, and comfort of the people of the
district If moro enlarged powers Of regulation
We're conferred upon them. The important
subjects of building and plumbing regula'
tions, and TO some extent the health, police
and fro are already under their control, but
the ordinances are in many cases unsuited Il
the existing state Of affairs. Power to change
and amend the ordinances of the former cor
poration Of the district and OF the Legislative
assembly solely wherein they relate to police
health, and fire regulations, and not directly
enacted by congress, would enable the com
missioneTs to remedy many minor evils and
abuses without either troubling congress
with such details, or subjecting the people
hero to tho unavoidable delay Of action by
that body.