Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-01-01

| priation Tor Its maintenance. Inc Dill oio
not pass.
| Early in January Director Merriam of the
! census Office started the examinations
| which were to qualify the clerks who were
nations were successful. about so per cent
| of those who stood the examinations re-
ceiving appointments. The work of taking
| the census started June /.
| On October 80 Director Merriam announced
| the completion of the census. The total
population of the United States is 1925, 20
/ This is gain during the past ten years of
| Il, 225, AGA, or nearly p per cent. The work
| Of the office will continue several years,
| and there Is evidence already that there
will be department Of the census upon
| permanent basis.
The returns of the populat ton for the Dis
| trict of Columbia showed total of 2IS,11S;
| for city of Washington, 21S, 1856; for George
| town, 14,549, and for the remainder of the
District. 45973. The figures showed the
| District as whole had increased 4S,326, or
| 2o.9S per cent, from 1890.
Reform Schools.
| The annual reports of the reform school.
| submitted to Attorney General Griggs only
few weeks ago, give an idea of the val
| liable work that is constantly being done
| and the good that is accomplished for both
| boys and girls. At a meeting of the board
| of trustees of the boys reform school Gen.
Cecil Clay was chosen president James E.
| Fitch. vice president. and Samuel w. Cur
| riden, secretary. 1t was reported that there
We're 215 boys in the school and that the
| health of the inmates was good The new
assembly hall building is about completed.
| and it will probably be occupied next
| month In addition to the auditorium for
Sunday and other services, the basement
room is suitable for military drills and
other physical exercises.
Many important repairs and improve
ments were made during the year.
new building has just been completed
for the girls reform school, which means
increased facilities for the accommoda-
ton of girls who are in need of reformation
Besides the new building, number OF
minor repairs have been made, which Will
add to the comfort of the girls. Incorrig.-
blity larceny and vag1ancy are the
charges upon which most of the girls are
committed and the school is usually with
out many vacancies. There is room in the
old buildings for twenty-seven girls. but
this number has often been exceeded during
the year. The superintendent of the Scnool
in a recent report called attention to the
| necessity for some industry being conduct
ed in connection with the school.
Prison Statistics.
There has been a daily average of 357
prisoners in the District Jail during the
year, the largest number there any one day
being 4O6 and the smallest number 300.
During the months 1GS prisoners were sent
to the penitentiary, to the insane asylum,
4 to the reform school. Four of those who
were sent to the penitentiary were sent to
serve life sentences. There were four
deaths in the prison, ) by hanging and l
from natural causes. There were about
1850 prisoners in the workhouse.
Police Department..
Many interesting events have happened in
connection with the work of the police de-
partment during the past twelve months.
Several changes of Importance have been
made, among them one involving the reduc-
ton of Lieut.. John F. Kelly, who went OH
duty the day the force was organized, and
the promotion of Sergt ]. A. Moore, who
had received his training under Lieut..
Amiss. This change occurred early in
January. and few days later Sergt. Nc
Nicely of the sixth precinct was dismissed
for participating In transaction with a
cOlored man named William Lee. During
the year several changes were made in the
detectives office, but there was scandal
in connection with them. Maj. Sylvester,
in his annual report, showed the workings
of the department and the number of ar
rests that We're made during the fiscal
year. Numerous recommendations We're
made and an argument was advanced to
show why the force should be materially
strengthened in point of numbers. Maj.
Sylvester recently suggested that there
would be no decrease in crime shown for
the year 1900, while the arrests would be
about the same as the preceding year.
While an increase of only fifteen men was
given, the department broadened in other
respects SO that an improved service is
given. The department has been equipped
with gatling gun or field piece, and while
it's use in the near future Is not antici-
pated, the department will have it on hand
should conditions require its use. Posts in
the county have been established and a
new police precinct in the county defined
and station erected. The house of deten-
ton was established and put into success
fIIl ion In a hl Itch hiS
sary branch of the service the matrons
were taken from the stations. Additional
matrons are now wanted, and Congress has
been asked to appropriate for them. Rub
Der tires were placed on the police ambu-
!ances in order to relieve the sick and
wounded in transit. What is known as a
helmet and clothing fund was established
by the superintendent. From this fund,
which is made up of rewards members are
reimbursed for clothing ruined or destroyed
while in the discharge of duty. There has
also been an extension of the patrol ser
vice and electric lighting has been intro
duced into several of the stations. A bill
for the complete reorganization of police
has been drafted and submitted by Mai.
Sylvester The police received a severe set
back in decision rendered in habeas cor
pus case rendered by Justice Bradley of
the District Supreme Court. Two men had
been arrested for the Chicago authorities
because of the receipt of telegram. Be
cause of the decision some difficulty is
likely to be experienced by authorities in
other jurisdictions when they want fug-
tives who have come here. a colored pris-
oner named Harry Glascoe caused some an
noyance by telling of sweat box in the
fourth precinct. but no such place could be
| found by court officials on a VISIT of in
spection. Maj Sylvester took occa sion to
| call the attention of the Commissioners to
| the condition of the policemen's fund, and
| suggested that money from dog tags be APP
| piled to this fund. The annual parade of
| the department took place the 18th of No
vember. the sixth precinct carrying off the
! flag. No. 5 engine company took the fire.
mems flag, having passed the best inspec-
| ton.
District Supreme Court.
The twelve months just ended were re-
| plete with business of interest and i'm
portance. so far as the Supreme Court of
| the District of Columbia is concerned On
| the equity side of the court 80 new cases
| were filed, the record for the year 1893
| being 1.Oo3 new cases There were $40 new
| law cases instituted, as against S74 the pre-
| ceGing year. Marriage licenses were issued
| TO 3 80 applicants. The number issued dur
! ing 1899 was 3,075.
Affecting the public at large was a de-
| cison rendered by Justice Barnard in Euui-
| ~ Court No. 2, in connection with the test
| case brought to determine whether or not
| the act of Congress fixing the maximum
| rate of rental for telephones in the Dis