Evening Star Newspaper, January 1, 1896, Page 5

= EDUCATIONAL. IN WASHisGTON, . TOWNSEND, MiSs ADA LOUISE TOWNSEND. Voice Culture, Grace. The Mount Vernon, cor. 9th and N. ¥. ave. Flat No. 20. jal-f 7, Miss Sherman’s School For girts, corner of Jefferson meee Dance st. Prit ', Preparatory and Academ! College preparation. - nog0-2m, wks Learn to be a Draughtsman! PIANOS AND ORGANS. Two Specials in KIMBALL PIANOS. —We're aiming for a piano trade and riday ‘to Nomini Cre: ¥ afternoon for riv jorning. Saturdays for riv and St. Clement's Bay In effect Nov. ‘ives Sunday afterncon. 4, 1805. ¢ schedule. 0. W. RIDLEY, Gen. ‘Man. nol-tt E. 3. RANDALL POTOMAC RIVER LINE— Gteamer Harry Randall leaves River View Wharf, ‘Th street, Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday, at + @.m., landing at all wharves as far down aa Mad- @x creek, including Chapel Point and Colonial returning on Momlays, Wednesdays and pa. Passenger accommodations first- ‘reight received until hour of sailing. Tele TEED & CO., E. S. RANDALL, ‘Agente, Alexandria. Fropiectne and Manager. GED. 0. CARPINTER, Gen. A, git Washington, B.C. Evening lessons in draught apd mathematics. Cg See See bectes ae Cat ith at. we. that'll be the envy of the town— — <a + + BUSINESS COUKSE, DAY Olt NIGHT, $25 A YEAL and we're aan the right nies ie * Any ject, $1 a month. E The typewriting’ apa shorthand course, 2B. get it. Offering Pianos of we Ivy Institute Business College, Sth and K n.w. 428 known superiority—Pianos with “aay of bogies Wass soak <z| reputations—at prices way under ee el list figures. AMATEU SoD, S Eon” Stitt atten 300 wood cise, 71-3 octaves, 3 pedals— splendid tone. Fe $650 1 Kimball Cabinet in y ITH, Supt. $400 Grand, with 3 pedals, beautiful oak FRENCH TAUGHT TO BE PRO: =D case—handsomely carved. well, spoken, read ard upderstoed in SO lessons, = SDs ow 7 ete ime Pietzerot wuste Oo The Stuart Scnool, : FOR GIRLS, PAY AND Lata ran All the Latest Sheet Music. Jegiate; academic: preparatory; rgarten. 1224 AND 1226 15TH -W., COR. MASS. AVE. St W & 63-4 MISS CLAUDIA STUAE t, Principal IO F se aa N. UY COMPETENT AND | EXPERIED zp TEACHER bis Will give lessons, at own or pupils ence, in 7 Ruste, languages auv peclating: piano and guitar; “Open howise”’ here Spanish, “Beene, Portuguese | amd Euclish With oli jc for. all ranches. Best- methods use Call or address TEACHERS, 1 See ee 0 SS SS eee comers. These receptions are Ek ition and D We A deep breathing, ex- i y i a Fete eerie eae, hates | entirely informal, and you are anes —— = eet invited. Drop in any time. MK. PRANK GEBEST, LATE OF BERLIN, THE - newly pom cgrpimlit oe Calvary Baptia shall not assume that sou are burch, has cms it 9 n.w., for a straction im pisao. organ and teury, Best lent. going to buy merely because jonials and most thorough: iostruction, dlstojall* you call. Okeley Schooi for Girls, The best musicians enjoy the \ {iy Madison st, Dupont Circle, | Private pupils, Acolian—also those who don’t sexes; ev 3 i ay “2 p attain = know a note. Anybody can Education for Real Life. play it after a few days’ practice. 1804, FOR SUNS AXD DAUGIITERS. 1805. It is not an automatom, how- 1 Spencerian Business College, National Bank of the Republic building, cor. 7th ever. The performer controls and D ow. Day and night sessions. : In the national capital und throughout tbe country all changes of tone and time. 3 & Houreboid word, asiociated ‘with thorough bust: The Aeolian occupies a field Ress tra resp reer. P 2 ., Boe raat senolaate ear of thie popalns in all its own. It’s equal has been s Lay, mber 2. 2 iv 4 7 ‘Separtmen Tes z Practical Busines, Inetading attempted, but never attained. complete ping course, Fapid cal-~- Iations, rapid wrifing, it and social culture, Dearie “aatem ctv expreaionewvies, pacial | anders & Stayman, Sith initiatery bookcepings Shorthaud and. ype: + Writing, including Engiish; ‘Spencerian Rapid writ. | Leading Pianos, Organs and Music, ing, Mechanical and Architectural Drawing. Full = Srl of thoroughly trained teachers. Location cen- 934 F Street Northwest. Spucious, brilliantly lighted, handsome balls and ints, gin Serres of graduates aivame a de: | Percy S, Foster, Manager. t cheap school ite leading business men of Wash Baltimore Store, 13 North Charles strect. ja1-5od ington ‘were trained 12 this and sei 2 : sons and daughters and candidates’ for employment 365 Reasons Pigndes and Masia’ at *efhls college recetved from the World's Columbian DOO oe Ee are nS ee Borer; Recause Droop's is the ol Sore sean Cplame fw “Enceitence of Students’ | REASON I. 2s and moet reltable Piano of the students received silver medals for superior house in ston. Work ip *h~ “Living Edw ational Exhibit.” For more than thirty-five years we have handled Offive open every business day and night. the World’ Standard Piano, the peated gt te ag a St i easter Jp einway. The Steinway Piano a dee and richer Chevy Chase School _| son cuity tas af attrannDe and ich and fs therefore imitated as closely as possible by Crecmenty ‘Chery Conse: Ino) all manufacturers. None approach closer to. the French and English School Steinway ‘one than the For Young Ladies; half en hour from ington. I _ BE ix elgetric cars. “French the language of Gab er, ean EE Ee See ce a. Apa, ts entire method of construction, Is, shaped + SS | after the Steinwav system. ‘The result Ix that Fou SCH Xi E .— | have a Piano whict combines with unending dura- sel i. Pee ee De aailiont 1 et je- | dility a most lovely action, elastic and pilients and | Zale, Suthor and originator of a new, scientific | singing sympathetic tonal beauty. "The and colloguial met mee | edu- “GAB! is not the cheapest Plano, by any ators of France, land America, patro- | means, but it is the most Cringe reer high- nized LS the elite of Washington. (See circular.) | grade Piano made, and one which will withstand dei3-6t: = pry of wear and tear. It may be seen SHORTHAND AND TYPEWRITING.—MISS ANNA M. LAISE, 1333 12th st. n.w. Pitman shorthand by NEW and RAPID method, jaers apd dic- 9 bag ‘Stenographic and typewritten work done. 2 ee ees Washington Seminary, z ae 1588-40 st. Sele-t boarding and day school. ant oan Collegiate and ory ‘German-English | _1t 925 PENNA. AVENUE. < Kindergarten. Primary. Wis. & MresiaLL WOOD, GUNSTON INSTITUTE, $ 6 Cc h 4212 and 1214 14th at. aw. e 100 asin. ‘second term received Jani ° e TE ree = eee Upright Piano. = 1350 eee Sg ae Not ‘ly in beautiful mditic yal ave. uw. ent new; tiful condition—only a Sehool for Girls. Stage for Day wis. | been used months—handsot it yh yf ma- fy MISS FRANCIS MARTES Pole: Segauy enon; ‘i, sweet teneall the latest i Tl Bimainwac Educating, | movements,” A rare Darga closing out sule A Business Education. | trai’ seconatana pianos COLUMBIA COLLEGE oF COMMERCE, 40T Seventh street northwest. a eh The Piano Exchange, The school ness ‘de81-: ‘Highest ai le grade of instruction at mod- Ss Spee Venti =e, erate cost. Situations for graiuates. polS-tf os CASH WILL BUY AN pete SE soot mabe piano; uns: In tone; cost . Wood’s Commercial College | erty tcaving -ity: Inquire S010 Ika ‘st. ow. Inparts 2 tnoorath mak kaomiee cn tis COMMER- = E Gk Stops at the cost of less time anil mone, ‘secure positions 7! fede ih year. Day and evening sessions. 9 ‘ _ Send for circulars. nolé-tf 6 CENTS PER COPY. 01 = HUG! RCH, Friends’ Select School, 3780-608 O24 7th ee mw. 1811 I ST. N.W. gacoei a i Happy New Year! No cha for text . : asgatalonten nent on aplication. You are specially invited to call ———— 4. Principal} and examine our complete stock of Norwood | Institute, La beautiful Upright and Grand Pianos! ‘hoo! c Full . E Academic and Graduating Course. Mrs. Wo. D.| We keep only reliable instruments, CABELL, Principal, 1761 N. near Conn. ave. 010-3m and our prices are reasonable and \CADEMY OF THE HOLY CROss, o “Gn gitssuchusetts avenue, Washington, D.C. terms easy. Extra discounts for cash * wp’ addition "to ‘a. thorongh course, in Engiian. | OF large payments. A few bargains Peg vuusieat | ON hand. Ask to see them. Pianos departments. rten has been opened ii . ccanectien with the ntaioen Serg,2 | moved, tuned and Tepaired. ‘< =F John F. Ellis & Co., A 0 | 937 Pa. Ave. N.W. THE BERLITZ SCHOOL OF LANGUAGES, ae 723 14th st. nw. Branches in the principal American and Enropean eities. Best instruction by superior native teach- ers. Conversation from start. $12 per term in amall classes, day o evening; also [anklet les- I a eer PIANOS. = —— ized ndard of MR. PUTNAM'S SCHOOL FOR YOUNG MEN AND The recogn c ae d : — vill bite aio ot aon ee = modern piano manufacture in colleges, anive: cba s, : A fer bexdnces| pucaitte, Private tultion teenfahed: | musical and mechanical develop- = ASST Taine. ae! WME FULSAM | ment and artistic architecture in all CLNEY SCHOOL, FOR GIRLS—1827 sr. styles and woods. special advantages for st of modern !a “PIANOS OF thenics, drawing, Latin and French or German ‘ included tn the regular ¢ Wm. Knabe & Co., au2t+tft MISS VIR IA MASON DORSEY, Prin. 1422 PENNA. AVE N.W. 3 = 2 Teleghone call No. 1787. ol or HEN le acne ag bed beste RSTeR SECOND-HAND GRAND, UPRIGHT AND SQUARE ERSTOWN, MARYL PIANOS OF DIFFERENT MAKES FE. 14TH YEAR. — y AT ALL PRICES. Ithfulness unsurpassed. Parents wishinz to PIANOS FOR RENT. vet wil tnd thts tnogt desirable home ‘and Toning and Kepairing by Factory Experta, school for their ebitd ferms moderate. € Feferinees, MISS. MAIRTHLA DABNEY SIV-ARE m. Knabe & Co., Prin i. Miss Stuart will meet in Washington 1422 PENNA AVE. N. W. parties desiring a personal interview. de25-6t* ‘Telephone call No. 1737. no22-tf —— —— = 3 G. L. WILD’S BROS. & CO. MISS LAURA CAD anes Goa iboeet, : TeoMiohnes “ie Hesse’? & Specialty. Work done | day’ festivities. Great reduction in prices for et residences if desired. Bra! refixed and ba: -2w* 6 = 1207 t. wie ‘aecstim the next 30 days. 21-2w' 7] 7 VRP Boar 2 +4 POTOMAC RIVER Boats. | Upright THE WEEMS STEAMBOAT CO. WINTER SCHED- e ule.—Steamer Potomac will leave Stephenson's Pi ano. wharf, foot 7th st., every Sunday at 4 p.m., for 9 Baltimore and river landings. Accommodations ae ae Ape ecren Hs meee ‘Two months old, ndings on Saturday and must be prepaid. Rat hogany case, en Baltimore freight. SHEPENSON. z pases poe aa ig ee Otfice, 910 Pa. ave. Telephone 745. utely guaranteed. y TON STEAMBOAT CO., ~ $145 Cash. rom 7th st. Ferry i os. oath wens tol ioe et 21D), G. Pfeiffer &C gor Meals gr shee Roangs (ost eae’ |W). i, F Teller &Co., rete iy al x int © ett i. -$ . NW. A getlica Ticats afternoua. | Wedneatays ee | ee lings to Breton’ and X Creek: fo Piney ulus Seo Gedrgon Sette: Sank eee PIANO TUNING. = Yeocomled rivers, returning, leaves Nomini . J. BECKER, PROFESSIONAL PIANO TUNER; bry Work; satisfaction given: terms moderat ‘805 11th st. nw ‘wols-tf HAVE YOU A KRAKAUER PIANO? CALL AND these noble pianos with others, and thelr prices. 1200'G std. H. KUHN, est 1872, Fine ting. o-8m DENTISTRY. FREE DENTAL INFIRMARY, DENTAL DEPT. OF the Columbian University, No. 1325 I st. n.w.— Open daily from 1 to 5 p.m. All operations at cost of the material uwd. Extracting free.d31-tf FREE DENTAL INFIRMARY, 625 Mass. ave, Hi ithie Dispensary bldg. Qpen daily from 10 to 12 a.m., and 2 to 5 p.m. fo charge exce "used. free. pt for mat Extracting Bree Dispensary, 2 5 dally. 5¢26- THE EVENING STAR, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 1, 1896-TWELVE PAGES. THE DISTRICT IN 1895. The Evening Star's Review of the of the Year Just Closed, : : toa Events TWELVE MONTHS OF LOCAL HISTORY Progress Made in Many Fields of Effort and Enterprise. A SATISFACTORY In the various secti®hs of the article which follows will be found a history of the District of Columbia for the year 1895, containing a valuable amourt of readily digested information upon the subjects most interesting to those who have at heart the best interests of the national capital. Every department of the publie system has been. gleaned of its more important events and the tale of a year of progress and advancement has been told in an epito- mized form that will be found both inter- esting and educational on perusal. < The District Government. Many important matters were considered and disposed of in one way or another dur- ing the year by the District Commissioners, and a great many others are still in pro- cess of settlement. Among the latter is the absorbing problem relating to the le sal of garbage, which came over wit! q5 as ma unsolved heritage of former years and goes into 1806 in the same un- satisfactory condition. The more decisive measures taken included the imposition of a penalty of two per cent on overdue taxes; the decision to place water meters in build- ings where there is a large consumption of water; the clearance of the streets and avenues of such obstructions as fruit stands, boot black chairs, swinging signs, barber poles, etc., and the requirement of street car companies using rapid transit modes of locomotion t@ equip their cars with safety fenders and wheel guards. The civil service was extended te em- ployes to be hereafter appointed under the District government, and the civil serv- ive commission was asked to take charge of all applications for positions. The police regulations were amended so that all rapid transit cars must shortly come to a stop on the near side of streets intersecting the tracks and their speed allowance in- creased to ten miles an hour. The con- tract for the coliection and removal of garbage within the city limits for a period of five years was awarded to Mr. Josiah Warfleid, and it was decided to erect three crematories to destroy the refuse, one plant- to be selected by the contractor, one by the Commissioners and the third to be the best system found after the trial. The contractor selected the Brown system, and it has been located at the foot of South Capitol street. ‘The Conimissioners chose the Smith system, but the plant has not yet been set up, owing to the objections raised by property holders to the several sites that have been, one after another, selected. The first and second -sections of the Dis- trict outside of the city limits were mapped out under the provisions of the street ex- tension act and approved by the highway commission, and legal steps looking to the condemmation of certain property in the first section were hegun. Important amendments were made to the plumbing regulations in the interest of public health, and an examining hoard was appointed to conduct the physical examinations for all persons applying for positions in the po- lice and fire departments. Other uctions of the Commissioners are noted in other departmenis of this review. The attorney for the District was kept busy examining the legal aspcts of ques- tions submitted to him. He upheld the position of the Commissioners in Imposing the two per cent penalty on overdue taxes; decided that where a signer to a liquor license desired to withdraw his signature he must first get the consent of the excise board; held that bona fide clubs did not re- quire a liquor license, and gave it as his opinion that the Baltimore and Ohio Rail- road Company must protect its grade crossings day and night, and that it could be successfully proceeded against under the act of the legislative assembly if it did not do so. The attorney also held that the law regulating the sale of liquors within 400 feet of school houses did not apply to hotels. The excise board gave evidence of a praiseworthy determination to govern the selling of liquor with a full regard for-the law and a common sense understanding of the conditions surrounding the traffic. It decide@ to grant no more licenses in the section known as the Division, south cf the avenue, and between 12th street and the Wiite Lot, where the depraved element of the community has been accustomed to congregate for many years, and recom- mended to the Commissioners an increase in the license fee. It also determined to abolish all places where impure liquors | were sold, and for the purpose of aiding in this intention it has secured, through its inspectors, samples of the liquor sold in numerous saloons, which are now being examined. During the year the District government moved its offices to the Walker building, on Louisiana avenue near the city hall. The anual report of the Commissioners con- tained many valvable r-commenidations to Congress, besides the estimates of the ap- Propri.tions necessary for the next fiscal year. District Legislation. ‘The year was not prolific in congressional legislation for the District. Congress was in session but a short time early in the year, closing its deliberations March 4 last. Among the meesures that were passed and received the signature of the President at the short session were the following: Amending the act creating the Court of Ap- peals for the District; appropriating $10,000 for the relief of the suffering poor; abolish- ing Georgetown as a separate title; amend- ing the act relating to claims against the District growing out of the operations of the old board of public works; appropriating $5,000 to clear the Potomac of ice; extend- ing the jurisdiction of justices of the peace; amending the charter of the Metropolitan railway by altering the western and south- ern terminals of that road; preventing the desecration of graves in the District; au- thorizing the erection of a statue to Dr. Samuel Gross; establishing harbor regula- tions for the District; providing regulations for the removal of snow and ice from side- walks; regulating the sale of milk in the District; incorporating the Capital Traction Company. Temporary provision was made in the sundry civil appropriation bill for an add!- tional building for the government printing office adjoining the existing structure. Con- gress appropriated $120,000 to patch up the old building. Thero was an increase in the amount of District appropriations over former years. The appropriation bill, as it became a law, amounted to $5,916,533. The average appropriations for previous ycars was $5,548,347. The Fifty-fourth Congress assembled De- cember 2. The Senate District committee was organized first with Mr. McMillan of Michigan as chairman. The House commit- tee as now constituted is presided over by Mr. Babcock of Wisconsin. The Senate early in the present session passed an amendment to the highway act, which fixes jurisdiction in cases arising in the courts here under this act. The bill is now before the District committee of the ‘House. The Metropolitan Police. During the year just closed the metro- Politan police of the District has maintained that high-grade standing which has char- acterized it in the past. With an area of nearly seventy-three square miles, and a patrol force of less than 400 officers, so divided in their service that the greatest number on duty at one time is but 150, it is remarkable that peace and good order is so generally preserved. In addition to their duties as officers, the policemen have had during the past year additional labor placed upon them in the ANNUAL REPORT. Service of notices of all kinds, and they have been requirad to give clese inspection to hundreds of miscellaneous items which con- cern the appearance of the city and District. A primary duty was the enforcement of the obstruction order, requiring the removal of stands, signs, show cases and the like from within four feet of the building line. The police patrol boat and its crew proved of valuable service in assisting at the work of clearing the harbor of ice during the ex- treme cold weather. Several new features were introduced into the manual governing the force, one paragraph requiring the lieu- tenants to report to the superintendent once each month the standing of the ii vidual members of each precinct, with ard to appearance and efficiency. Another para- graph forbids the use of intoxicating liquor by a member of the force while off or on duty, In a public place, and the first case of its enforcement resulted in a member being fined $25 for drinking a glass of beer in a bar room while off duty. A second night in- spector was placed on duty last July, there- by securing a closer scrutiny of the work of the force. The requirement was also made that applicants for the police force should be required to pass a civil as well 28 physi- cal examination for appointment on the force. The plan gives satisfaction, and is now applied to all vacancies in the depart- ment above laborers and messengers. Among the prominent changes in the de- pertment was the promotion of Sergt. Cress to-the position of night inspector, with the rank of lieutenant; the retirement of Detective George L. Wheeler on account of physical disability, and the detail of Private Edward Horne to the vacancy. Ed- ward Hesse, clerk in the office of the chief clerk, resigned to accept the secretaryship of the fire department, and was succeeded by Frank Wollard. Martin Conboy, who had been messenger for twelve years, was , and Emmet Thompson appointed In_his stead. The changes in the force during the calendar year were: Removed, 15; resigned, G, and retired, 2. There were five deaths, including Sergt. Kerby and Privates John McCabe, Thomas Halsey, G. T. Parker and G. R. Ash. ‘The police pension fund, which has been on the verge of bankruptcy. for several years for want of funds, recbived its first assistance from Congress during the year, a law being enacted for the’earrying into effect of the statute for the retirement of disabled and invalid policemey{: The initial sum appropriated was $4,000, which, with the deposit from the police pay roll and fires and rewards, enabled the pensioners to receive sixty per cent*of their allow- ances. In the cases of women and children the department made up..the deficiency from steamboat excursion receipts. The arrests for the year numbered about 2,300, of which fifty-three per cent were colcred and forty-seven whité Last spring, while the smallpox prevailed to some extent, the police were utilized in preventing contageon by isolating persons liable to be contaminated, ‘and the entire ferce was Inoculated by the police sur- gecns, v The relief of the poor throughout the wintry months of January, February and March, a work condueted“pnder the im- mediate direction of Mr. Richard Sylvester, chief clerk, was a gigantie task and capa-| tly managed. During the cold snap 10,380 orders were given worthy poor, rendering aid to’ 41,520 persons. The patrol wagons, members of the force on their beats, were all brought into play and rendered heroic service. The Police Census. In this same period the poljce census of the District of Columbia was finally com- pleted-and published, the work being com- piled in detail, blocks, roads and villages. A general summary is as follows: Births since January 1, 1894 White . Colored . Total..... White: Under fifteen ye: + 27,502 Fifteen years and o 136,416 Total.. 180,241 Male .. = 87,384 Female + 92\857 Total. 180,241 Colored: Under six years.. 8,284 Under fifteen years. 14,554 Fifteen years and over. 62,105 Mr. Sylvester,who compiled the statistics, judging by the past estimates the District Foepulation at the close of the year 1895 at The detective branch of the service, though small in respect to its numbers, has made its usual commendable showing, es- recially with respect to the recovery of stolen property. While there were no large gatherings at the capital during the year, the force was active and zealous in pushing the many cases of theft, which are more largely petty than in any other juris- diction in the United States, with satisfac- tery results. Among the more important cases handled by the detective force, under Ifeutenant and Inspector. Hollinberger, were these of Mary Delancy, charged with setting fire to St. Patrick’s and St! Domi- nic’s Churches, and sent to the insane asylum; Valonia Ryan and her husband, Robert, who robbed Dyrenforth & Co. of 3600 worth of clothing; John Q. Byler, charged with the theft of $1,600 from Nicholas Holeer; Billy Williams and others, -n connection with the robbery of the Alex- andria Ferry Company, iron safe, box and valuable papers being found: by the officers in the bottom of the Potomac river, and “Blood’’ Jones and Levi Poindexter, who robbed the store of Dominic Rickenbacher of fifteen gold watches, which. they carried to Baltimore. These are but a few of the important cases made by the detectives, The whole number of grand larceny, petit larceny, embezzlement and similar character cases made during the year, where convictions were secured, numbered 284, ° The Fire Department, The city was particularly fértunate dur- ing the year as far as the fire record is concerned, although there was a total of 318 alarms responded to by the different ccmpanies, including 257 regular or bell alarms and 261 local or still elarms. Ac- cording to the report of Fire Marshal Drew, the total loss amounted to $226,538,on which there was an insurance of $135,547. The fires, losses and insurance given by months {s as follows: Month, [Alarms.| 1 Ine, F? 88 $5,455 February bz 5,850 March . 60 26,125 April 48 11,345 May . 27 25,190 June 87 11,785 July 82 27,780 Al it 88 8,370 September 87 ‘975 October ... 53 5,917 November 47 ag roo December a4 025 The fire at the Ivy City Brick Company’s works was the largest conflagration during the year, the loss amounting to $50,000, while the amount of damage to the Young Men's Christian Association building and adjoining property amounted to $47,500. Fires at the residence of BH. ough and at the storesof proved destructive, the damage to the dence amounting to $10,000, while at the store the loss was $10,000. There were four deaths at fires during the year. At a fire in a boarding house at 724 12th street a Woman was burned to death, while a boy was so badly burned at 938 F street that death resulted. Mrs. Ramey was so badly burned at No. 1007 Delaware avenue that she subsequently died, while Mr. Lully died from suffocation at No. 1108 New Jer- sey avenue. At the patent office there was an explosion of ether in the photograph gallery, and three men were burned and a lady was seriously injured. At a fire in house No, 921 12th street southeast the ex- plosion of a gasoline stove resulted in serious injury to a woman. There was also a disastrous fire at Riley’s wharf, where thirteen horses were burned to death, During the year the department was in- creased by two new companies, one steam fire engine company located on Maryland avenue northeast between 13th and 14th streets, and a chemical engine company on i4th street, Mount Pleasant. ‘The last Congress made appropriation for a truck company, to be located near New Jersey avenue and M street. This house is about finished and the truck ordered, but as Congress failed to appropriate for the payment of salaries to firemen, the com- pany will probably not be organized until this necessary money is provided. Chief Engineer Parris has estimated for two new engine companies this year, one for Anacostia and another to be located at North Capitol street and Florida avenue, and a steam engine to take the place of chemical engine No. 2 at Mount Pleasant. He has also asked for the purchase of property at Brightwood, where he wants to locate the chemical engine mentioned. The Health Department. The health of the District for the year compared favorably with former years. The death rate was 2.5 below the normal. The total deaths from all causes was 5,821. This number was 47 less than last year and 375 less than the year before last. During the extremely cold weather at the begin- ning of the year the health of the city was very good. In the early springtime the in- fluenza made its appearance, and after re- maining five or six weeks departed, having carried off 87 victims. These were mostly elderly people. Following this was a low death rate. The contagious diseases were remarkably in abeyance. Typhoid fever fell to almost zero. The summer diar- rhoeas, which usually appear in the last of May or first of June, did not begin until the first of July. They caused 372 deaths, as compared with 519 in the preceding summer, The summer was quite healthy, with few malarial diseases, comparatively, until September, when the mortality from typhoid fever increased to a noticeable de- gree. In September this fever reached its maximum, causing 56 deaths, when it gradually receded to minimum limits. Both diphtherla and scarlet fever were less vir- ulent than in the several previous years. The loss from diphtheria was 25 per cent, or Gt deaths out of 241 cases, as against an annual average loss of 33 per cent. Scarlet fever appeared in a very mild form. There were 419 cases thereof reported, with 17 deaths, thus giving a rate of mortality of about 4 per cent. The constitutional diseases during the year prevailed only to an average extent. The mortality from consumption and kin- dred ailments presented a decreasing ten- dency. Heart and kidney troubles came up to the full average, with a growing ten- dency, showing now the use of ice water, ice mile and ice drinks, together with the wild rush in business life, get in their work, in shortening the average longevity of the human race. The number of persons who died was 5,821, of whom 3,298 were white and 2,523 were colored. Estimating the population of the District at 000, this gives an annual death rate of 21.15, The usual difference between the living power of the white and colored races is shown in the rate of each, that of the white being 7.6 and of the col- ored 28.7. Of all who died 1,963 were un- der five years old, and 1,489 were infants under twelve. months of age, while 1,187 were elderly people, over sixty years old. Early in the year the health authorities directed their attention to the systematic inspection of the probable sources of con- tagion. Hence, the close examination into the milk and water and food supplies, as well as the pollution of the soil by tne in- considerate disposition of disease-breeding matters, was inaugurated. Regulations as to dairies, dairy products and milk delivery have been put into effect- ive operation. By these the dairies and dairymen have been placed under close surveillance, and the physical and sanitary condition of the animals supplying milk are under the certification of veterinary sur- gcons. A comprehensive report on the morbific and infectious nature of milk was prepared for publication under the direc- tion of the health department, and the necessary legislation to improve the water supply and to prevent soil pollution in all parts of the District will be sought for at the hands of Congress. By these effective measures a material lessening of sickness and death in this community {s confidently looked for, and the entry into the new year is made with hopeful anticipations, arising from improved sanitary surroundings and comparative freedom from fear of disease. The District Courts. The year 1895 in the Supreme Court of the District and the Court of Appeals was an unusually important one, both because of the amount of business done and of the im- portance of it. Then, too, some of the most. interesting cases ever before the District courts were disposed of during the year. After escaping punishment for thirteen years, Capt. Henry W. Howgate, at one time disbursing officer of the United States ignal office, and an army officer, was con- yicted last June on two indictments charging him with forgery and falsification of his accounts. His first trial, February last, on two different indictments, resulted in a ver- dict of not guilty. Capt. Howgate is now serving in the Albany penitentiary the sen- tence of cight years imposed upon him by Judge McComas. Four men, James L. Trav- ers, John Harris, Thomas J. Taylor and Jo- seph A. Beam, were convicted of murder. Travers and Beam were hanged last July, Taylor's sentence was commuted to life im- prisopment and Harris is to hang the 31st ef next month. Last spring the long-pend- ing Potomac flats case was heard by the Court in General Term, the case being de- cided in favor of the United States this fall. Wm. Calvin Chase, a colored newspaper man, was convicted of criminally libeling Recorder of Deeds Taylor, and served a sen- tence of ninety days in jail therefor. Celso Caesar Moreno, a well-known Italian-Anicr- ican, is now serviig a like sentence for criminally libeling the Italian ambassador, Baron Fava. In the cast of Fred. T. Miller, the Court of Appeals affirmed Judge Cole's decision that bookmaking, pool selling and like practices are unlawful in the Djstrict. The receipt by the register of wills last August from cn unknown person of an al- leged will of the late judge advocate gen- eral, Joseph Holt, occasioned a cortest over the estate, which Is still before the courts. The second trial of the Olmstead will case, after running several weeks, resulted in a disagreement of the jury. The contest for the custody of the children of the late Wm. H. Slack resulted in Judge Hagner sustain- ing applicability here of the statute of Charles JI, whereby a father is empowered to bequeath the custody and tuition of his minor children, even as against their moth- er. The case is still pening, however. Proceedings were commenced in the District Court for the condemnation of land pursu- ant to the provisions of the street extension act, two of the forty-seven subdivisions embraced withig section 1 of the approved plan having already been heard before a jury of seven appraisers. One of the most important habeas corpus cases was that of Maj. George A. Armes, a retired army officer, whose arrest by order of the then acting Secretary of War, Gen. Schofield, was declared by Judge Bradley l- legal. The appeal of the military authorities from that decision is now pending before the Court of Appeals. In the habeas corpus case of Manager Schoepf of the Eckington and Soldiers’ Home Railroad Company, Judge Cole decided that the streets of the city could not be occupied by the overhead wires and poles of the company. The same judge held in the case of two linemen of the Postal Union Telegraph Company that telegraph wires could not be strung across the streets. The grand jury for the April term recom. mended the re-establishment in the District of the whipping post for wife beaters and petty offenders. Miss Elizabeth Flagler was indicted for manslaughter, in shoot- ing Ernest Green, a little colored boy, last August, and also several dealers in alleged impure butter. Indictments were also re- turned against keepers of alleged bucket shops. The cases of the alleged sugar trust contumacious witnesses are still pending, and are expected to be tried early this month. During the year 1895 1,725 law suits were filed, as against 2,014 filed in 1894. The rumber of equity suits filed was 935, of which 221 were divorce suits. Last year $92 equity suits were filed, 162 of them be- ing divorce sults. The criminal cases tried during 1895 resulted in 240 convictions and 67 acquittals. In 5,443 marriage EK. Goldsbor- H. Harrison ber in 185 7.800, the great Increars ber being 7, great increase being due to the enforcement of the Utah or egainst adultery, fornication snd similar offenses, which law the Court of several weeks ago held to be ap- Plicable in the District. Tke Police Court. The work of the Police Court for was not far short of the amount done in 1804. There were disposed of during the year 16,453 cases, including 5,292, against the laws of the United States, and 10,161 against the ordinences of the District. From a financial point of vizw the court was by no means a success, for the amount of cash paid in, $20,938.56, was more than $10,000 short of the preceding year. Of this amount the District coilected $18,972.73, while the United States received in fines $10,965.83, The particular feature of the year’s work was the success -of Prosecuting Attorney Pugh in his fight against the occupants of sidewalks on Louisiana. avenue, as well as in other sections of the city, and also the fight against the overhead trolley line on New York avenue. Prosecutions of the same kind were brought against thé telegraph and telephone companies for stringing wires overhead on their poles, and in all these cases the prosecuting attorney was sustained by the upper court. It was due to these prosecutions that the Eckington and Soldiers’ Home railroad had to remove the overhead trolley from New York ave- nue and the telephone and telegraph com.- Panies were forced to stop putting up wires. Besides these cases there were 101 liquor prosecutions instituted, and in the cases of those convicted fines amounting to $10,160 were imposed. There were about 2,400 vagrancy cases disposed of, and fully 5,000 persons were tried for disorderly con- duct. Included in the vagrancy cases were many persons suspected of being impli- cated in some way in the policy business across the river, and it is due to Judge Kimball's rulings in these cases that the business was considerably lessened. In Judge Miller’s court, where United States and jury trial cases of ail kinds are heard the amount of fines imposed was much less than in the other court. Prose- cuting Attorney Mullowny gaired a signal victory over the policy people by securing the conviction of the “king of the policy men,” as well as in successfully prosecut- ing all classes of offenders. A number of cases involving false and forged checks Were presented to the court during the s year, more than the usual number, including a number of colored de- fendanis whe had resorted to minor offenses during previous years. Then, too, several Ibel cases were heard and held for the grand jury and two of the oftend- ers were given terms in ja‘l. Building Operation: A comparison of the building records of the District during the year 18%, with those of 1894. shows a surprising similar- ity between the two years. According to the reports of Building Inspector John B. Brady the year just closed shows a slight increase over the preceding year, but not enough to warrant speaking of a boom. During 1895 1,200 permits were taken out for new buildings within the District, which Was an .ncrease of just fifty over 1994. While the results have not all been foot- ed up, so as to give the value of the new buildings it Is generally believed that they were of a better quality than marked those of the year before, and that the total value of the work begun or completed in 1895 will go consideratly ahead of that of 1894. A comparison of the months of August, September and October shows that there was something of a falling off for 1895, but a better condition of affairs prevailed in November and December. Owing to the fact that the winter so far has been un- usually favorable for outdoor work, it is Probable that a much larger number of buildings are now in course of actual con- struction than was the case last year at the sam» time. A detailed statement of new buildings for the two years follows: 1895, 3 ob 158 151 81 14 119 1,200 During the year 1894 1,488 permits for re- pairs were issued, as against 1,364 for the year just closed. It is thought, however, that the value of these improvements for the year 1805 considerably exceeds that ot the preceding year. During the year the work on the new Con- gressional Library building, the addition to the government printing office and the new Corcoran Art Gallery building was rapidly advanced. Real Estate. While there was not a great amount of activity in the real estate market during the year, yet as compared with the pre- ceding year the improvement was marked. The investor appeared in the market and the volume of transactions was fairly good. Prices remained firm, and although there was no great demand for property of any kind, yet there was no disposition manifested to dispos» of holdings at a sac- rifice. Property holders, especially those in the suburbs, and citizens generally, re- garded the action of the Commissioners in completing their plan of street exten- sion as an important step toward the dis- position of this important matter. A re- vision of the building regulations, under direction of the Commissioners, involved a number of changes which were of im- portance to property holders. The Pablic Schools. The principal feature of the past year as regards the public schools of the District ‘of Columbia was the appointment of wo- men by the Commissioners as members of the board of school trustees. This innova- tion occurred in September, when Mrs. L. R. Stowell and Mrs. M. C. Terrell (colored) were named to serve on the board. Later all the members, whose terms expired, Were reappointed as follows: James W. Whelpley, president; J. J. Darlington, Geo. H. Harries, Mrs. L. R. well, D. H. Hazen, Jesse H. Wilson, A. H. Witmer, F. J. Shadd, B. K. Bruce, Mrs. M. C. Ter- rell and L. A. Cornish, with J. G. Falck, secretary. The board has under coygidera- tion a number of important changes in the rules governing the schools. During the year a new cuiting and fitting school was established in Georgetown and new manual training and cooking schools in Mount Pleasant. An eight-room steam- heated school building repiaced a four- room stove-heated structure at Bright- wood and a new two-room building was es- tablished at Ivy City. At the close of the year additions to the school buildings at Brookland and Tenleytown were well under way, a8 was a new four-room building at Congress Heights, which is to take the place of a two-room frame building. A new building in the southwest section of the city was also well under way. The records and the necessity for new build- ings demonstrate that the increase in at- tendauce over the last school year was marked. Directly related to the schools was a big bazaar, under the auspices of the Teachers’ Annuity and Aid Association. This was held in Convention Hall during the first two weeks in December, and proved an un- precedented success, it being n to close the doors every evening, and thereby shut out thousands who sought admission. About $17,000 was netted by the enterprise. The National Guard. ‘The twelve months since January 1, 1895, have been marked by more incidents of in- terest and importance than any other year in the history of the District of Columbia National Guard. In February possession was taken of a new armory building, spe- cially erected, at 446 L street northwest, and the troops, with the exception of the first battalion and the first separate battalion, were removed there from the old Center Market armory and other armories scat- tered about the city. Convention Hall has been used as a drill ground, a bridge con- necting the auditorium with the armory building. In the order providing for the removal to the new armory, the designations of company B and company D, second bat- talion, were changed, respectively, to com- pany A and company D, third battalion. A long felt want was filled by the estab- lishment of an outdoor rifle range, fully equipped, at Ordway, near Magruder sta- tion, Md. The reputation of the District Guard in interstate competitive drills was fully sus- tained at Memphis, Tenn., during the con- tests there from May 11 to 21. Company A, third battalion—the Morton Cadets—end company C, second battalion—the National Fencibles—attended from this city. The Morton Cadets carried off second prize in the interstate, first prize in the class to companies that had never won first or Second orize in an interstate drill, and sec- ond prize in the maiden class, in all amount- ing to $2,250 in cash, and at the same time garned national reputation. The National Fencibles, who twice in succession won the championship of the United States, s sixth at Memphis, owing to an unfortunate ‘The companies were accorded an elaborate reception on their return. ‘The brigade went in to camp at Fort Wash- ten days, beginning June 13, it being the first outing under canvas as a brigade since 18%). A number of new fea- and the White Lot. C; Constantine Chase and Lieut. Gordon "a. He‘ner of the fourth United States artillery Were detailed to attend the encampment as instructors, and in his report io the Secre- tafy of War, Capt. Chase spoke in the nigh- est terms of the efficiency of the brigade, end did not make one unfavorable criticism. About the time of the encampment troop A and light battery A both indulged in ex- tended practice marches. After persisting for eight years in voting to remain an “independent’ military com- pany, the National Rifies, through the ef- forts of certain of the members, changed its policy, and in June was formally mustered into the National Guard and assigned as company B, second battalion. The com- Dany sent a team to the St. Louis intersiate "pean a, — won third prize in the in- ‘State class and second pri eres — $1,350 in cash vad hentesaege letachment of rifiemen de} 31 for the matches at Sea Grex aa brigade team again won the Hilton trophy, breaking the world’s record in doing so. The engineer team carried off the regi- @ goodly share of the individual prizes also came to the District. The brigade team was Properly welcomed on its return. some magnitude occurred in Teview was held on A stir-up of November, when company B, fourth bat- a and company A. sixth battalion, were disbanded, and companies B and Cc, third battalion, were consolidated with companies A and D, third battalion. The practical dis- bandment of company C, first battalion, early in December was a generat Surprise. The inauguration of a series of rifle ma~ nes between company, battalion and regimental teams, made compulsory by general orders, Was an interesting feature that marked the ciose of the year. Street Rallways. In the street railway world the year 1895 was fraught wita events of momentous im- portance to the various systems opersted within the District of Columbia and the public who patronized them. The month of September saw the last act in a struggle that had been waged for years against the continuance ‘n the national capital of the outrageous nuisance known as the overhead trolley. The Evening Star had been the most vigorous champion e! on the side of law and intelligence in this pro- tracted fight, and its incessant attacks eventually won the victory that so many had despaired of ever being reached. This achievement may be properly set down 8s the most important event of the year, be- cause it effectually put an end to the hopes and intentions of those who had fondly an- ticipated ccvering the city with the system and destroying the beauty of its streets, while endangering the life and property of its citizens. A law had been passed at the last session of the Fifty-third directing that the poles and overhead wires erected and used by the Eckington and Sol- diers’ Home Railroad Company should be taken down on or before June 30, 1895. The company, however, failed to comply with this direct mandate, and gave various ex- cuses for its refusal to do so, but the courts moving the obstructions, and a few deys later saw the last treiley pole within the city limits removed for good. In February arrangements were made by several of the street and suburban railweys for a system of tramsfers, which resulted in a great improvement to the comfort and convenience of their patrons, and this agree- ment was in force until recently, when the Metropolitan road retired from its under- standing with the Belt and Eckington lines where those roads intersect. In March the Belt line changed the running of its cars as a belt system, and great complaint resulted. During the summer the old order of things was restored, but in November the return ‘was made to the disconnected mode of run- ning the cars, and this is still in 0; y March was also significant for two impor tant changes. The Herdic Company reduc- ed the fares on its coaches to 3 cents and immediateiy began to receive a substantial increase in patronage. The Metropolitan Company ziso began to place an electric un- dergroand system on its 9th street branch, being an improvement on the famous Buda- Pesth system, which had been so successfal in Europe, due to inventions of Engineer Connett of the Metropolitan Company. The work was rapidly pushed, and in August the line was fully completed and equipped. It has been successful from the start, and the same system is now being placed on t! main branch of the Metropolitan road. from West Washington to the far eastern portion of the city. Owing to the danger arising from rapidiy moving cars through the city streets to pedestrians crossing in front of them the District Commissioners in April took up the subject of car fenders, and shortly afterward an order was issued com- pelling all cable and electric cars to be sup- Plied with safety fenders and wheel guards. In the course of a few months this order was generally complied with. In April also the Jong-expected trouble which had been brewing between the employes and the off- cials of the Anacostia railroad culminated in a strike, which was continued for some days, and resulted in the complete tie-up of the rond. A temporary truce was secured, but in July the strike was repeated, and again on October 30 the difficulty was re- newed. This trouble is not yet settled. The company is operating its cars, but the strik- ing employes are running a line of "buses, which are generally patronized by the resi- dents of Anacostia, who sympathize with the former employes. In July the Washington and Georgetown Railroad Company issued $500,000 in bonds to pay extraordinary expenses incurred in changing its lines from a horse to « cable system, and about the same time rumors began to be spread regarding the consolida- tion of that road with the Rock Creek and Chevy Chase Company. On September 2i this consolidation was accomplished, and the Washington and Georgetown ard the ‘Chevy Chase properties became the Capital Traction Company, with a capital of $12,- 000,000, divided into shares, which were ex- changed for the stock and bonds of the Washington and Georgetown and for the stock of the Rock Creek and Chevy Chase Company. In October the Metropolitan Company be- gan to put in the Connett electric under- ground system on its main nes, traversing the city from east to west, and this work is now in progress. In November the Ecking- ton Company announced that it proposed to experiment with compressed-air motors on its Mines, and the project is still under con- sideration. During the year the Washing- ton and Georgetown railroad began the erection of a union depot in West Washing- ton, and the foundation is now comple! The kington and Belt lines changed hands during the year, the formers owners, Messrs. Widener, Dolan and Elkins of Phila- detphia, disposing of their interests to Balti- mcre capitalists, who are the projectors of the electric railway known as the Maryland and Washington, now being constructed be- tween this city and Baltimore. The local roads are to be used in connection with this road when it is finished. There wis also @ change in the ownership of the George- town and Tenleytown electric road, and a new suburban line of electric road running from West Washington to Great Falls was commenced and has been constructed for a considerable distance. Many other electric lines have been projected in the territory around Washing:on, upon some of which it is expected work will be begun in the spring of 1896. The Washington and Mount Vernon eles- tric read is sso pushing forward its con- nection between the bome of Washington and the city he founded, and in a short while all-rail communication between the two places will be established. Within the past week a bill has been introduced in Con- gress looking to the consolidation of the Metropolitan and the Columbia Street Rail- way companies, under the name of the Met- roepolitan Traction Company, and providing for an extension of the Columbia system through the section of the city south of the avenue and west of 17th street. Steam Railroads. The most important event in the local history of the steam railroads entering the District was the virtual entrance of the Baltimore and Ohio railroad inte George- town and the defining of its right to run its cars on Water street to the ji at Rock creek. The significance of this move & ment will, it is believed, be shown in the course of the next few months, when, it believed, arrangements will be made iy which the Baltimore and Ohio will secure “—~"“‘Gortinved on Ninth Page)