Daily tobacco leaf-chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1890-1895, 1891-08-11
PERFECTLY SAFE.
The Untold Millions of Uncle
Sam in the Treasury Vaults.
No City in the World Better Pro-
teCted Than Washington.

Any Attempt to Rob the Treasury by Amy
Means Whatever Would Result in the
be Looters-sad Experience of Balti,
more Toughs In 1851
WASHINGTON, Aug. ll.-Next TO the
perennial resignation stories one OF the
most frequent alarms is the story of the
gang of robbers who are coming TO
Washington to rob the treasury Ona
of these robbers always considerably
sends word to the secretary of the treas
ury in advance and carefully details the
plan by which the untold millions in the
treasury are to be looted. Secretary
Foster has, in the past few days, re-
ceived letter from the king of
Tramps," in which the coming raid is
again announced. as usual the city is
to be set afire at several points and
riot is to be raised in distant portion of
the city, and during the excitement en-
suing in extinguishing the fire and quell-
ing the riot the treasury is to be broken
into and robbed
no ClIy beLber protected
AS a matter of fact, there is no city in
the country, or even in the world, that
is better protected than is Washington.
Danger against fire is prevented by the
presence of good fire department. AS
for the matter of riots, so overwhelming
is the military force that can be hurled
upon the streets of Washington Mt al.
most a moments notice that riot is a
simple impossibility in Washington. To
speak of raising riot in Washington is
to speak without knowing thing of the
military resources at the hand of the
government, Within half an hour the
secretary of war could put upon the
streets nearly 800 veteran artillerymen,
who are stationed at the arsenal. A
dispatch to Arlington, across the river,
would bring galloping into city through
Georgetown two troops of cavalrymen
who have served years after years upon
the plains. An order from the secretary
of the navy would bring up from the
marine barracks soue 300 marines,
the finest drilled soldiers in the
world. AT the arsenal are packed
dozens of cannons and series of
Gatling guns, while at the navy yard are
any number of Hotchkiss and other
rapid firing guns, all of which, manned
by men who know how to handle them.
could be concentrated for deadly work
within half an hour after the chief of
police saw that his authority was at an
end. Indeed, the very police force is in
itself guarantee against a riot, for the
mounted police consist of former cav
alrymen and all the other patrolmen
must by law be chosen from men who
have served in the United States army,
so that the police force itself is body of
soldiers. In addition to this there are at
Baltimore, which is only forty five min
utes' run from Washington, two batter
les of the Third artillery, now stationed
at Fort McKendry, and at Annapolis,
Md, an hours ride from Washington,
there is very strong detail of marines |
and some hundred sailors. All these are |
regulars in the United States service,
and experience in past riots has attesteti |
again and again that the mere appear
ance of regular soldiers is sufficient in |
most cases to put an end to any impend- |
ing trouble.
In addition to all these regulars who |
can be brought here, there is a militia
force here in the city of nearly 1000 |
men, well drilled and thoroughly |
equipped, besides independent troops OF |
cavalry and batteries of artillery. In
the treasury building itself there is
company of militiamen made up of |
treasury employees, nearly all of whom
are veterans. All these militiamen could |
be depended upon in case Of any riot
Indeed, they have been thoroughly |
drilled, wit a view to such possibility.
1t is a matter of fact that there are now
In President Harrison's hands series of
formal charges, preferred by certain la
Dor leaders of Washington against Gen
eral Ordway, the commander of the Dis
trict National guard, for the very reason
that he has instructed the officers and
men how to suppress any riotous demon
strations that might arise here. The la
Dor men have based their charges on
certain utterances that General Ordway
made during his Instructions, which
were interpreted as rejecting upon the
Nobody 10 Form n Nab.
Finally as to the mob itself. There is
absolutely no hope of getting up mob
in Washington. There are none of the
mob elements in Washington. 1t is the
direct personal interest of almost every
man, woman and child in Washington
TO uphold the administration which fur
nishes the daily bread. The small force
Of roughs and idlers that may drift here
could not Withstand the charge of sin
gle platoon of police The treasury is
in no danger from any mob or
not.
Soon Settled.
When in 1877 there seemed to be a
general uprising of riots all over the
country, Washington alone remained
luiet. The nearest attempt at disturb
ance was a gathering of some 800
negroes and roughs near the Balti-
more and Ohio freight yards. A single
charge from the squadron of mounted
police dispelled the crowd.