The republic., 1851-08-14
THE REPUBLIC.
Local Matters.

spectors Of this institution, not long since visited,
among other prisons and penitentiaries, those at
Blackwell's Island, Auburn, Albany, Sing Sing,
New York; Weathersfield, Connecticut; Charles
town and Boston, Mass; Concord, N H.; Wind
sor, VT; and Cherry Hill, Philadelphia, which is
conducted on the separate confinement system.
These gentlemen proceeded to the North and East
in official capacity, for the purpose of examin-
ing into the different modes Of prison discipline
and the general management Of those institutions,
with view to introduce into the District penten-
tiary whatever improvements they might meet
with and conceive would be Of advantage to it.
From the conversation which we have casually
had with Messrs. Ellis and Towers, we received
the impression that our penitentiary will compare
favorably with the best abroad all things consid-
cred; that it has good reputation in other cities
for being we'll governed, and is not ''behind the
times" in prison discipline.
Some time since we visited this insttution and
having an opportunity of viewing all the depart
ments, were particularly pleased with the neatness
and cleanliness everywhere perceptiblc, and the
admirable arrangements by which ORDER obedi
ence, and industry among the criminals &C.
cured, while, at the time the pains Of impri-
sonment are ameliorated by humane treatment and
a plentiful supply of good and wholesome food.
We learn that several improvements will be in
troduced; among them, for warming the establish
ment during the winter, and in the cooking appa-
ratus, by which there will be considerable saving
in the article of fuel.
UNITED STATES os. JOHN DAY.--Itis we'll known
that the defendant was, Saturday last convicted
OF the murder of his wife, when his counsel made
a motion for a trial. In support of this mo-
ton they alege the. following reasons which were
EIall
clerks Office, viz:
First-That N. l.. Adams, of the jurors in
said case, did, before he was sworn such, form
aud express an opinion; he having said, with an
oath, to Richard Brooks, that ga who would
shoot his wife, or had shot his wife, as John Day
had done, should be hung without judge or Jury"
or words to that effect. This knowled dge has come
to the knowledge of defendants counsel since said
trial
Second.-That the wife and daughter of Mr..
Wardell, one of the Jurors in said case, did visit
him, the said Wardel in private after the jury had
retired to make up their verdict; and upon one or
occasions during said visits did talk with the
said Wardell concerning the said trial.
Third.-That the said Wardel did communi-
cate part or the whole of these conversations to
Mr.. Mann, one of the jurors in said case, telling
him that the people had said to his (Wardell's)
wife and daughter that he (Mann) had perjured
himself on this case, and urged this on the said
Mann reason why he should convict the de-
fendant.
Fourfh-That newspapers containing remarks
concerning said cSSe were freely obtained by the
jury after they had retired to make up their
dict; and that one of said papers cont tanned
what was believed to be reflections On him for his
answering ''not guilty" when the jury were poed
in court; and the said reflections pressed upon
his attention by some of said jury as reasons why
he should convict the defendant.
FVfh-That the knowledge that there was here
ditary weakness of mind, insanity, in said Days
ancestors, has come to the knowledge ofthe defend
Gft thn nj hon
important evidence.
'MALIcIoUs MIscHIEF'' Yesterday morning
man named Frederick Hager, German, residing
several miles from the city, deliberately shot
valued at fifty dollars, the property of Mr..
Bladen. He assigned reason for the act that
he wished to prevent the animal from entering his
onclosurel Complaint being made to Justice Smith,
he Issued warrant for the arrest of the accused,
and officers Handy and Barnaclo proceeded to the
residence of Hager, and returned with him to
Washington. He committed to prison, in de-
fault of bail, to await trial during the next term of
the criminal court, for what the law in such cases
dcnominates "maicious mischief
New BnIDGE.-It is proposed to erect new iron
foot bridge, light and beautiful in construction,
the canal at 10th street. to conduct through a
way, within the Smithsonian Institution grounds,
planted with shade trees. The length of the bridge
is to be one hundred and fifty feet, with width OF
ten feet to be lighted by three gas lanterns, one at
each end, and one in the centre.
PAsTURAeE.--A friend, who dcvotes nearly all oil
his time to objects having in view the good of his
fellow creatures, has sent to US communication
earnestly inviting the attention OF farmers espe-
cay of the surrounding country, to the subject OF
s'sowing rye during the first second week OF
September in the cornfelds for a crop, and in the
wheat stubble, on which it may be narrowed in, or
on other lands intended for next year. A
little guano will make luxuriant yield for mich
cows sheep, and other stock, and will, no doubt,
pay a handsome profit and fcrtiize the soil.'
Apart from which, he says, 'the green rye cover
ing the fields will look, at distance, like magnif-
cent lawns, and will add greatly to the beauty OF
the country, which generally, in the winter, has
barren aspect."
AccIpENr.--Ye Yesterday evening, at about six
o'clock, Susan, aged nearly five years, daughter
of Mr.. Joshua Gibson, who resides on the southwest
corner of Seventh and L streets, while playing in
the back yard on porch, fourteen feet in height,
from which several pales were broken, fell TO the
pavement. Her descent, it is supposed, was broken
by clothes line. She was taken up by her mother
in state Of insensibility. DR.. Borrows was sent
for and arrived short time after the occurrence.
He discovered that the apparent injuries sustained
were a bruise on the right shoulder and confusion
on the head. The little girl, in consequence, suf-
fered much during last night but we are glad to
learn that no fatal consequences are apparent.
I OsT-A Gold Pen and Pencil Case on which is
IL engraved Nj. &. Buchanan, U. S. n. Any per-
son findiuu the same will be suitably rewarded by