The morning times., 1897-01-02

washington began the new year yester'
day by turning over the proverbiai new lear
and making resolutions to keep out Of
trouble. The police stations were Utmost
deserted, only few travellers, who were
registered as plain drunks," being ac-
modated with temporary lodgings.
or more serious offcnses, however, the
blotters were remarkably free, and up to
midnight such an offense had not been COM
mitted within the District.
or course there was the man who always
makes il a point to indulge to his fullest
capacity onthefirst day of every year. The
police know him and his failing and bear
with him accordingly. When the egg
nogg and the other things in liquid form
had obtained the mastery he was picked
up and given free ride TO the Twelfth
street station.
He gave his name as John Smith, just
as he did last year and the year before,
and told his troubles to the policeman, who
had heard him tell the same story many
times. They locked him up in a witness
room unit! he became sober and then sent
him home in cab.
Policeman His Friend.
Naturally it would not do to give his
name. 1t appears on very prominent sign
up on street, and then his lapse from
abstinence occurs only once year, and
the dssipationis il really very innocent after
all. Today be viii be around with a new
crisp note for the officer who assisted him,
and then their acquaintance will cease un-
til next year.
There are many others who seek the po-
lice stations on the night OF New Year
day beside those who have money and de-
sire to spend il. The police are called
upon to provide for many of the poor and
suffering, and tie demand is usually far
greater than the supply
This wear the sound of paiutiye voices
asking timidly for a Christmas or New
Year gift have not been so numerous. The
unusually mild weather has caused but
litue suffering so far, and the charity
calls on the police department have been
but few
During the holiday season when life holds
more of pleasure for almost everyone than
at any other time OF the year, the officers
are instructed to be as lcnlent as possible
with those who offend against the minor
regulations of the department Especially
is this the case at the opening of the
new year.
on New Years eve and also last night
the licutenants issued instructions to their
mel TO overlook small violations of the rules
and only make an arrest when it was alb
solutely necessary. For this reason many
a citizen whom enthusiasm and liquid re-
freshment had made a disturber Of the
peace was allowed to go home after a
nd
through the bars at 1897.
Quiet Everywhere.
In the more disorderly sections of the
city, such as ''Boodfield, ''swanpoodle, -
''Foggy Bottom and Boston," where
| the tougher element reigns, and trouble is
TO be anticipated on holidays, the New
Year stole in quietly and without undue
commotion. The proverbial murder, which
is supposed 10 inaugurate the advent OF
a new cycle of time, was happily lacking.
The police contend that the weather was
| responsible for the clean record. When
| it is unusually cold or stormy men con
gregate in the saloons, and when a man
has imbibed a certain quantity of South
Washington Gilmore or "Foggy Bot
tom Red Flips," no matter what his
disposition when sober, he becomes a
| trouble-maker. These bar-ronm brawlS
often result in serious affrays and some
times in murder.
At the hospitals the ever-eNpected case
did not make its appearance. Even the
sufferers in the wards seemed to gather
the spirit OF the hour and required but little
attention from the nurses and physicians.
Not an ambulance was called for durin Q
the night; not an accident was reported
TO the police, and altogether the first
night Of 1897 was one OF the most quiet
and orderly ever passed in the city.