Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-09-23

OF the lav-making power. There should be q
penalty for seduction and adultery in the Dis
children into the world, 70 grow up
IN illiteracy and vice, shouid
be compelled by law 10 take care Of them. The
destruction OF infants is q subject which de-
sible for this character Of crime embrace eyery
means 70 elude detection and are almost invs-
riaoly successful There were n cases wherein
the bodies OF dead infants we're found %
against " In the preceding year
Experience teaches that the greater number
OF deaths OF this kind are due 10 the want Of q
proper asylum for the disposition of children
who are born 10 poor working women. While
proriding place for their care might suggest
further inducement for bringing illegitimste
children into the world il would be Tar more
humane 10 take such means 10 spare infant
life than through neglect TO suffer its destruc-
ton with that premedtation which constitutes
murder. To facilitate the care Of chill
dren the sum of si,OOO was allowed
the national association for the relief OF aged
colored women and children, and il is sug-
gested that further and enlarged sppropris-
ton to this institution, which has afforded
commendable aid 70 this department. would
tend TO diminish this lamentable condition Of
affairs.
THE PoLrcE PATROL BOAT.
Good service has been rendered by the police
patrol boat, as viii be seen by reference 10 the
accompanying report Of the harbor master.
No less than thirty-three persons were rescued
from drowning and five dead bodies were re-
covered; distractions dangerous 70 navigation
have been removed and efforts made 20 enforce
the laws for the protection OF fish and game.
The necessity for an increase in the number
OF horses for use Of the department is urged.
THE PoLIcENES's FUND.
On June 80, 1889, the policemen's fund
amounted to 81, 706.45 The fund has been
increased to some extent during the past two
years by means OF excursions given under the
| auspices of those who are liable TO become
benehciaries. Without such contributions the
amount derived from the sources of revenue
provided by law would not suffice TO meet
| the present drafts Of the pension roll Receipts
from excursions cannot be at all times de-
pended upon, and unless prompt measures are
| taken 70 prevent such a result encroachments
upon the principal cannot be avoided: To
relieve this condition of affairs il is urged that
| Congress be urged TO appropriate an
amount equal to the one dollar each
month assessed by law upon each member
of the department. II this is not satisfactory
| there Is another way and the draft Of a pro-
posed bill is inserted in the report 1t pro-
yides that each policeman in active service
shall be assessed 81 per month; that 65 per
cent Of all funds collected for violations of Dis
| trict ordinances, all rewards, fines imposed for
violation OF the rules and proceeds Of all sales Of
| unclaimed property coming into possession of
| the police shall be added TO and form a part of
the present policemen's relief fund Ii also
| provides that any member OF the force who,
| by reason OF length of service, which shall
not be less than fifteen years, or injury
received or disease contracted in the dis
charge OF duty, shall become permanently
disabled, shall be retired from active ser
| vice, and shall receive compensation
for such injury or for service Of fifteen years
and less than twenty years, s40 per month, and
for service Of twenty years or over ESQ per
month. Other provisions as 10 funeral ex-
penses and the pensioning Of the widows OF
| officers are added.
The amount of money collected for viola
tons OF District ordinances is about S23 7s2- Is.
The pension List foots up 10 S575 per month.
YEARS ARRESTS.
The number of cases charged against per-
sons arrested during the year were q, $50, or
GO more than for the previous year. OF this
number 1922 were dismissed and nolle pressed
as against $3.50 the year preceding, leaving
| IL, 9lS cases which were brought before and dis
posed OF by the Police Court. The cases in
| which colored persons-one-third OF the popu-
| lation-were arrested. constituted about 50 per
cent of the whole number.
PERcEPTIBLE DECREASE OF CRIME,
except in murders and ARRAYS, is exhibited in
the statistics. In population so peculiar as
our own, ARRAYS, which so often lead to muir
der, are very difficult TO prevent, and exceed,
to small extent, those of the year before.
They aggregate during the past year 776-395
being against white and 3sl against colored
persons, and of the whole number 622 were
held by the court. The taking Of life has in-
creased In about the same proportion has
the population during the past three years
two and one-third per cent OF the I9 cases of
arrest for murder. five were white and fourteen
colored; seventeen were held for the charge
after preliminary hearings. Two accessories 10
murder were brought up for hearing while
there was but one the year before, and the
1~a 20 IL A. ia
defendants in all these cases being coiored.
Statistics are given to show marked diminu-
ton IN all other cases of a criminal nature.
NOT so MUCH DRUNKENSEss.
On the whole, he says, there was q reduction
Of 500 in cases Of intoxication, while the same
number (4D were convicted for habituaI
drunkenness, a striking and suggestive coin
cidence. There were ia less cases Of
convict on for cruelty to animals and
s tine same m lumber pH%eer a Of cases Of
cases Of vagrancy and suspicion, due in great
measure to the clearing Of the city Of these
classes during the Inauguration cere-
monies. The statistics suggest that re-
newed efforts should be made. not
courts, to prevent East driving and the carry
ing of concealed weapons, and also to check
| drunkenness and vagrancy. With the in
| creased force provided for the coming year
/ niuCu. ~ ~ uOptu. Will De accomplished TOWARD
| the abatement Of ofenses Of all kinds
PERSONNEL OF THE FORCE.
1t is a pleasure to refer, in terms Of COM
mendation, to the service rendered by the
police during the past year. Strict dis
cipline has been enforced, and all the orders
have been cheerfully complied with by
both officers and men, During the fiscal
year ending June 80, 1886. there
were borne upon the rolls IS privates Of class
one, at $500 each, and l40 Of class two at 81 $50
each. At present the first class numbers 1855,
the second class $50. Promotions are ex-
ceedingly slow, and under the existing
system can hardly be attained by
| the fret class men of recent appointment.
They perform the same duties and incur the
same risks as those Of the better paid class,
and to stimulate them by the hope Of reward
for duty well and faithfully performed il is
recommended that those who prove deserving,
after two years service, shall be advanced 70
| the second class.
A WOMAN WITH A KNIFE