The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-08-21
Local Matters.

As gentlemen of the legal profession refer to the
"Local 1tems'' head for precedents in important
cases. feel IT to be duty to record the mate
tial points in trial which took place yesterday
before John l.. Smith, esq.
gentleman sojourning at Mr.. Beers's Tempe
rance Hotel (Which by the way ID eprinently wor-
thy the patronage of all lovers of good fare and
good order) had appointed day for his departure
to his home afar of, and the day was near at hand
when 10! il was discovered that his little Newfound
land puppy, which he valued very highly, was
missing. Like sensible man, he applied to the
worthy host for counsel, and their consultation
cndcdin fixing picion upon ono William Hanson,
a gentleman of color, aged about 40 years. Their
course of action was now to be determined by the
advice of legal guide, and accordingly they applied
to Justice Smith, giving him the benefit ofall their
suspicons and the grounds thereof. The justice
informed them that the negro guilty Of larceny
or of nothing; that If he had taken article of
value, larceny was his crime; but that dogs were
not esteemed of value in legal sense, and there
fore the taking of them not indictabe
offence. This information appeared like cloud
before the prospects of the complanans, and led
to a momentary expatiation upon the imperfection
of all human laws, when the justice requested a
description of the dog.
81 1t was little black dog with brass collar"
" A what" exclaimed the squire. 90 A collar I. Did
the negro steal your collar? Oh the rogue! The
law now comprchends the deep. turpitude of his
crime" and the indignant minister Of justice
forthwith issued warrant for the apprehension of
the thief This was soon served; and the thief,
and the stolen dog, and the brass collar, all
presented before the justice by officer Handy, who
stated that the little animal had been found securely
chained in stable loft and that several other likely
looking individuals of the canine species occupied
other apartments in the same edifce, doubt
grieving for their real and we'll beloved masters.
Mr.. Hanson had little to say in his own behalf,
and that little he reserved for his defence before
the Criminal Court, for sure enough the Justice
committed him to Jail to await his trial before that
august tribunal.
Our report is made for several good and sufli-
cient reasons, in addition to that already named
| amongst which is the hope that, should any juve-
nile dog who reads this feel aggricved oppressed
by the collar upon his neck, he may be reconced
thereto by the knowledge that his personal safety
is thus assured; and we have Il little twinkle OF
hope, also, that the remaining prisoners at the
bic named may, through our fundamentally, be
restored TO their respective masters and TO the kind
embraces of all the biped juveniles of their early
homes.
our city somewhat active at the present mo-
ment in enforcing the ordinances of the city. Cases
will doubt often in which severity will be
thought by some TO be practised, and instances of
Partially may be imagined; yet there is always
one, and only safe course, and that is to be
found in prompt compliance with the acquisitions
Of the laws
| There is subject to which would direct
| the attention of the commissioners. Ii is the ex
posed condition Of many unfinished buildings, anc
the extensive distractions they occasion in the pub
lie streets In opinion, fences in front Of suci
| buildings should be more general than they now
are, and lamp should be required TO be placed in
| front of them during every dark night, whether
| the almanac indicate moon not.
TIE MARKET YEsTERDAY-There was a great
abundance Of customers and provisions. Peaches
were tolerably free with downsa tendency
milk and sugar being added Apples were proba.
bly, less tempting than that offered by Eve to our
father Adam, but they will rpen The wea-
Their, at the opening Of the market, favorable
to both sellers and buyers, but was falling toward
the close and umbrellas took rise. Fine clothe:
suffered considerable depreciation, and did the
aniable temper of the wearcrs.