The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1883-02-17
Gotham Gossip.
New York, February 9th, 1888.

Governor Cleveland is exceedingly anx
iOus to complete the new capitol at Abs
ny, during his administration. and foI
that reason is DESTROYS of having bnt
but q single commissioner for it, who il
to be directly responsible to him. The ap
pointment of such an officer would furnish
us a possibility of seeing it finished with
in a couple Of years at a cost of three OF
four millions. But the contractors ring
which sees in the removal of the existing
board of commissioners the destruction OF
er quarter Of . century is lighting title
Governor proposition bitterly.
One of the first institutions that the visi
tor to New York calls to sec is our Fire
Department., and in the case of distinguish
ed people from other cities or abroad. one
OF the Commissioner generally takes them
to an engine house. We are Justly proud
of our fire laddies. and the rapidity with
which a company gets ready and starts
for a fire is phenomenal. 1t takes no more
b from " to five seconds for the hor
ses to leave their stalls, harnessed. hitched
to the engine and start out at top speed
with the $500 pound machine after them.
1t is very hard at times on the overwork
ed firelnen to tumble ont of bed at night
and hitch up in order to show some British
Lord. or other distinguished arrival in
town their skill, but they do not mind it
in the least. There is not a man in the
Department who would not be glad to he
placed IN one of the engine houses in the
vicinity Of the hotels, where visitors 50
journ. Tips are plentiful for people as a
rule are appreciative, and thus the men
in the different companies generally make
very respectable side incomes. Persons
fond Of such and horses as we'll. should
not neglect to visit the training stable Of
the Department in One Hundred and
T~wenty-f1fth Street on tho West Side.
Where new horses are broken for their
work. 1t is not large, being able to accom-
modate but eight horses. 1t is in charge
of three firenien admirably suited to the
work before them.
The Fire Department has always in ser
vice about $50 horses aud buys about SO
per annun to replace an equal number
that are worn out or condemned. The
maximum price paid for horses for the De
partment is $500. None is bought out
right, thirty days trial being Invariably
demanded. The main requisite for the
animal outside of speed and strength, is
that it should be absolutely sound and
free from blemishes. 1t must not be a kick
err. nor a bitter. nor show q tendency to
balkiness. The preliminary examination
being satisfactory, the horse is immediate
turned over to the training stable.
Thera the first thing people set out to learn
is whether the animal has quick ~intelli-
gence. If it is unable to grasp after a few
days. the necessity Of jumping out Of the
stall, plunging to its proper place at the
pole Of the engine. and rushing out at full
speed the moment the driver takes up the |
lines. Then he cannot be kept.
The school is fitted up very much like a
regular engine house. In the centre is an
about 1000 pounds lighter than
the ones used for active service. Above it
On opposite sides of the pole, and hanging
by long cords from the ceiling are the sets
If harness ready for instant dropping on
he horses and hitching. A little back Of
The engine are the stalls. All alarm Of
ire is always sent directly to the Central
By means Of a switch it is transmit
ed to every engine house. where it sounds
gong. When these strike they are SO add
listed as to move q system of weights
which fall. thereby pulling a wire and
oosening the horses from their stall. These
!ires are attached to a spring bolt id the
ide of the stall over which the ring in the
s soon os the bolt is pulled. The first
hing done with a green horse is to get him I
0 learn that when he hears the gong it is ,
is dutyt0 goto his place with all the speed !
ossibfe. Tie bell is sounded and a man :
lands ready the moment the halter strap J
lOosened to lead him to his place in o {
emile walk. This may have to be done 4
fly times before he understand the mean I
g of it. After that he Is taught to come '
ut with q gentle trOt and finally at full q
1eed. When he has learned this we'll he =
taught to do it of his own accord with =
Mt beingled. and if he is an intelligent ami :
lal he generally understands at once what
expected Of him. But all is done gently, I
nd the animal is taught to repose every
ontidence in those around him. He is :
opt in the training stable for thirty DAYS. :
by that time he has not mastered his. les
ms he is turned out. If he passes we'll
. is transferred to the engine company
need OF . horse. An hour in this train
. school is one of the most pleasant en-
q visitor in town can find.
The new five cent pieces are us a compar
i've scarcity in town. and for this reason
lterprising bar room keepers and cigar
'alers make good use Of them. On the
st day on which they were to appear.
It fifty dollars worth were received at
e Sub-Treasnry from the Mint. An en-
rprising hotel mar at once seut to Phila
'lphia and purchased $50 worth. In the
ening his place was thronged, every
'dy wanted one Of the pieces in change.
next day a cigar dealer in Broadway
no manages to extract advertisements
It of almost anything did the same, and
as they are more plentiful a number of
cap resorts on the Bowery have signs in
g windows announcing that change will
givent in new coin,
Governor McEnery has sus