The times., 1899-07-05

Noise predomilated in Washington yes
terday. The city was like Bedlam turned
loose. Fathers forgot business cares and
invested profits in huge cannon crackers
that their children might enjoy themselves.
Persons who were not parents purchased
noisy bagatelles OF every describable char
acter and amused one another. Young
men who had been accustomed to carry
cigarettes between their fingers temporari-
ly gave up smoking and carried punk in
stead of the weed. Noise filed the air
and pandemonium reigned.
Accidents occurred frequently. All
streets lead toward the public hospitals
and dispensaries. Extra preparations were
taken to accommodate the injured. LAGER
ated hands, powder burned faces, and
swollen wrists were uncommonly numer-
Gus. Bandaged faces became almost es
dominant as the American flag. Noise and
din burns and bruises were the order of
the day. But the unpleasantne6s of none
of these predominant features served to
cool the ardor of patriotism. 1t seemed to
be deeper rooted in the breast of every
young American than ever before.
1t was the first celebration of the Fourth
under the new order Of things. Fifty years
age the country went wild over the men
and the arms OF the war with Mexico. The
small boy of sand Dewey and Schley
did not then stand up high in the American
Naval Register-had special reasons for be-
ing noisy that year and extracted as much
pleasure from crude Chinese frecrackers
and burning resinous barrels as was pos
sible- That was a memorable Fourth OF
July. Yesterday was another such day.
The nation had emerged from a second
foreign war with victory upon its banners.
The last remnant of a decadent monarchy
had been swept from the shores of the New
World, the modern and medieval civiliza-
tions had struggled and the latter had
been worsted. Cuba no longer suffered un-
der the calling chains of Spanish tyranny,
balmy Porto Rico had become a part OF
the great nation OF the north and Arsari-
lean soldiers and sailors were collaoor-
ating in great work in the Philippines
In brief, the nation had grown and ex-
panded. as much in the admiration of the
world as in the requirement Of territory
and the American small boy had sufficient
cause to be very much more than happy.
Under the circumstances the banging of
explosives was magnifed Thousand times.
New Kinds of Explosives
Monarchs of powder mills had saga
ciolsly anticipated the desires and inten-
iions of the people They set things NOV
ing in their long. low sheds many months
ago, and invented new kinds OF explosives
and frecrackers. The result was the
American could make more noise with
the same amount Of money yesterday than
formerly He could purchase a small
rermillion colored cylinder three inches
long, which would explode with the noise
OF six-pounder, on the Brooklyn. The
Chinese firecracker. loosely wrapped and
meagre-looking. WAS relegated TO the PAST
while the latest improved American can
non-crackers, large and small. held full
sway from midnight until midnight. The
"bing" of the small cracker was scarcely
heard. II made too slight a sound A
heavy bang, boom, bangT was heard all
day long. The cannon cracker predomi-
mated everywhere.
Never in the history of the national
capital has there been such waste of
noise. In every street, avenue. and alley
the cannonading was carried on, reverber-
atiBg through long rows OF stores and
dwellings, and along massive colonnades
OF Government buildings like the rumble
of bombardment. In some parts of the
city men fired pistols and guns Along
street car lines young men and boys tossed
huge Internal cylinders, for such the
largest crackers proved to be. under NOV
ing cars, shocking passengers. Jarring
nerves and almost rending ear-drums.
Everywhere streets were Uttered with be-
smoked. smoldering red-andbrown frag-
ments of paper, showing to what extent
the general carnival OF noise was carried.
while additional tatters few through the
air after each succeeding boom
Many persons rode out on trolley cars
10 eyade the irrepressible small boy and to
avoid the noise. Some relief was found in
the suburbs and at pleasure resorts, but
the cannon cracker fiend was in the count y
as well, though not quite as numerous.
Outing parties crossed the upper PotoIac
at the Chain Bridge and spent the day
among the trees and hills of the Virginia
shore, each after his own manner but
all with a splendid store of ammunition
Now and anon pun of smoke lifted itself
from the dense green foliage Of the river
palisades, and the laundering bang of ex-
ploding crackers recurrentiy Teverberatei
UP and down the river. Those who left the
city with the hope of losing the madden
ing crowd and escaping its deafening noise
realized that there was no such thing as
sweet forgetfulness, with an occasional
bang from one side or another in the coun-
try, and the continual din Of a general
bombardment going on within the city.
In the suburbs the roar and confusion
caused by the deafening sound of explo-
siyes in the heart OF the Capital re-
echoed like the din of distant battle
Little discretion was shown by the vast
majority of celebrators. There were whole
groups OF young men and boys who would
as leave toss light cannon cracker into a
moving vehicle as look at one. No end OF
trouble was caused by the capers of hun
dreds of Just such youngsters. They threw
heavily charged, closely compacted crack
ers and torpedoes under cars and carriages,
almost deafening passengers. Much COM
plant was heard on this score on every
side. II Is indiscretions OF this character
that have instilled in many good citizens
a deep-seated hatred of the manner in
which the day is celebrated.
The Hospitals Full.
Carelessness was another breeder OF
trouble. Boys boldly held large crackers
in their hands. when they should have
hurled them into the street; children drop
ped lighted matches into cans or pans Of
powder Innumerab,e othar things equally
as foolish were attempted. The hospitals
can vouch for all the kindred kinds Of folly
practiced during the day. and the fire.
quency with which "carron OIL" the old
burn remedy, was drawn upon in every
hospital operating loom fully attested the
general extent OF reclSleSsness, and its saa
results Early in the day the stream OF
patients began to pour iE-o the Emergency
and other hospitals. Bruised ami mangled
hands. powder-pitied faces. swollen lips
and eyes, were the painful consequences
experienced by scores. In one instance a
mans lacorated hand had 10 be amputated
and another sufferer had been shct in tho
back. IL was the busiest day In the his
tory of the Emergency Hospital and Other
institutions reported similar conditions
II was a noisy and to many 4 very ju-
bilsnt day. II was likewise expensive.