Year: 1876

1t is not impossible that some of the hot
blooded, reckless and desperate partisans OF
the candidate who is most IN favor with the
people of the adjoining States of Virginia
and Maryland might make 4 dash into the
city of Washington, to thereby etfectually
destroy their cause and that Of their candi
date. Baltimore has hundreds Of such mad
spirits, and the country to the south of Wash
ington would send them plenty of company,
no matter how much their Presidential leader
might disavow their conduct, and no matter
how fruitless might be such an enterprise
eventually. 1t would in the heretofore de-
fenseless condition of the city have put its
buildings and public property at their mercy;
again desperate fray Of this kind might sac
ritice the President to its rage. 1t is no secret
that detectives have already warned the Presi-
dent that he should be cautious in his move
ments and not expose himself in situations
where he might be made the victim of plot
against his personal safety. The treasury
building alone would be 4 tempting object to
a band of desperadoes, cloaking their pur-
pose under the disguise of political
partisanship. It's one hundred million dol
lars of gold, silver, currency and bonds would
alone be a prize rich enough to tempt rad.
In short, the mischief and injury such an en-
terprise might accomplish is incalculable.
But while the administration seems justified
in precautionary measures, it is doing little
stroke of business for itself and the candi-
date with whom its sympathies lie. As a
lawyer would say, the Republicans are making
Il case with the people against the supporter
of the other candidate, whose followers are
put in the light of factious and revOlu-
tiOnary party whose menaces have III turn
rendered Necessary the presence of troops in
Washington to protect the city against vio-
lence It is in this spirit of prOpriety and Of
policy combined that measures Of protection
and defense have been taken by the govern
ment.


EXAGGERATED REPORTS or EXCITEMENT.


1t should be said, meantime, that the re-
ports of excitement in Washington are great
" exaggerated The arrival of the troops on
Sunday night was known to comparatively
few people in the city, and escaped the OBJ
servation altogether of the local papers. 1t
was not until the New York papers got here
this afternoon that anything like commo-
ton was created. The plan for the prOtec-
ton of the city has not developed itself to the
public eye, and whatever it may be is kept IL
secret by the military and naval authorities.
The points to be covered are many, and III
case Of an extensive programme OF defense
would require more than the handful OF men
who are now in the arsenal grounds.


THE PROGRAMME OF DEFENSE.


Indeed, the protective movement already
embraces requisitiOn on the forces Of the
navy department; indeed, the officers OF the
Washington navy-yard are making active
preparations to defend that establishment
against a possible attack. The marine guard
within the inclosure, has been increased to
one hundred and twenty men, In the ord
nance department wOrbmen are buSily en-
gagged in selecting ammunition for the how
itzer and Gatlmg guns. Preparations are
also being made to swing one of the men-Of-
WIZ, now lying at the dock, broadside to the
Anacostia bridge, thus defending the ap-
proach from the counties of eastern Mary
land. This Is the same structure that Wilkes
Booth crossed over on the night he assassin
ated President Lincoln. The vessel will be
moored N such u position that her guns can
be trained upon it. The marines and crews
of the United States steamers Despatch and
TaIlapoosa are to be restricted in their leaves
of absence, and only limited number will
be allowed liberty each afternoon,
and these are required to be at their
barracks or on shipboard before mid
night Companies are TO be formed to man
the howitzers and Gatling guns in case Of
emergency. The total number of sailors and
marines within the yard is two hundred and
seventy. In addition to these there are over
one hundred wOrkmen in the ordnance de
partinent, who are well trained in the use oi
held pieces.


THE MARINE HEADQUARTERS.


At the headquarters of the marine corps
on Eighth street, activity reigns The gar
rison numbers about one hundred and seven
ty-tiye men, who are restricted In the SAINT
manner as those at the navy-yard. Rem
f0rCPments are expected at these headquar
ters within lew DAYS from the different sta


ti0ns along The Atlantic coast. visit /,
/ the arsenal grounds this evening showed act
i've work going on to make the soldiers Their
a. comfortable aS possible under the cirum