The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-10-28


that the armory Of the Howitzers has
been pronounced unsafe, and that COM
mittee OF the Council IS now looking for
a site for a new building which is alto
gether right and proper, and all good ana
patriotic citizens win approve the move
ment.
We have only one Howitzer, and 1t is
NOT rrobabia that We shall ever have an
other Of the same sOrt-that Is 10 say,
we have only one company, and they VIII
have no successors OF equal merit ana
brilliancv. and who Will reflect such shin
ing lrstre on the city They ought to be
we'll taken care Of, and handed tenderiy'
The winds Of heaven ought not 20 De al
lowed 60 blow on them too roughly much
less should they be exposed TO the dah-
gers Of falling walls and torn streets
and caving tunnels. Moreover. another
danger has threatened them for long
time. They have been exposed TO the IN
cursions Of the hostile and ubiquitous and
irreDressible boy; between whom ana
themselves a bitter feud has existed for
many years. sometimes breaking out into
open and violent war OF words, thereby
alarming and disquieting the peaceful peo-
pie in the neighbOrhOod. These people
are a quiet folk, not given TO much phil
andering about the streets and reasona-
bly, free from the vanities Of this evil
world having, as 1 hope, laid up treas
ures above, content to pursue placidly and
quietly the even tenor Of their way, and
consequently are easily disturbed by this
interneciue strife, and the frequent en-
counters between these belligerents. And
here let me suggest 10 this company that
now IS their golden opportunity. Revenge
is sweet Let them donate this building
% these al q
less Of danger. They know not fear.
That boy in Boston who defied Cen
eral Gage, in IT'S, has innumerable sue
cessors In these later days. and they viii
not allow their snowman 10 be thrown
down, nor their backgrounds TO be invaded
with impunity. Therefore, we may rea-
sonably indulge the hope that on some
night in the not distant future when a
crowd of them are assembled I'm this build
ing, singing MoOdy's gospel hymns. and
rehearsing their mild jokes, the wild and
angry winds, escaping from the cave Of
Eolus, will suddenly without note Of
warning dash themselves with madness
and fury against these crumbling walls;
and great will be the fall thereof, and the
irrepressibie boy will, at least, be silenced
forever, and will never more trouble and
harrass these valiant soldiers. Therefore,
let us ind as soon as possible safer and
more commodious and salubrOus quarters
Tor these soldiers, and when they are
securely established under the shelter of
the guns Of the First Regiment, then, in
deed, may they forever abide I'm peace
and tranquility. and we will rejoice, and
devoutly pray, "Requiescat in pace" And
now, after the happy termination Of this
impending calamity. what shall be done
with the people who live in that same
district. and on the brink. as It were, Of
this yawning abyss and whose dwellings
are in far worse condition than the ar
mOry? Three years ago they were pro-
nounced unsafe by our wise City Engineer.
and the occupants advised 10 leave them.
which some az them did, under the i'm
piled promise as they understood, that the
city would reimburse them for any ex-
pense thereby incurred. which has not
been done; but much the larger number
were unwilling 20 trust such an uncertain
hope, and. with a courage born of de-
spair, preferred 10 remain I'm their homes.
exposed though they were to constant
damage by day and by night, liable AT
any moment TO be precipitated to UNI
known depths I'm the great chasms I'm
their yards, and exposed 10 the bleak
and chilling blasts Of winter through the
wide assures i'm the walls Of their houses.
For six years the street has been In a
dilapidated and unsightly condition: water
and gas pipes broken and the sewers
emitting foul doors: and this has been a
continual menace to the health Of the
people. But as I said before. these peo-
pie are a quiet folk. Like a lamb led 10
the slaughter they have opened not their
mouths, or IL with fear and trembling
they have ventured TO address a mild and
humble petition 10 the Council hoping 10
secure a few crumbs which fell from their
masters table, they have been doomed
to disappointment and have met only
with neglect and refusal. Our city fathers
are wise in their day and generation.
They know where 10 centre their faVors.
Most Of these people are women and chill
dren, and have no votes, and are Of small
account In the worlds affairs Let them
go, but let them these city fathers be-
ware; when the end shall at last come:
when these houses and their occupants
shall be swallowed up In the devOurng
tunnel; when all are overwhelmed in one
vast and irreparable ruin, and when the
disembodied spirit OF these unhappy peO-
pie shall revisit the scenes Of their for
mer sufferiugs. and appear In the gloomy
watches Of the night beside the touches
of these slumbering fathers: then will be
heard the voices of woe and lamentation,
and with shrieks Of despair and remorse.
they viii cry, "Avaunt. We monsters.
Shake not your gray locks at us. Ye can
not say we did IT,"
ONE OF THE SUFFERERS.
An Interesting Rebate Expected.