The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-05-12

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! Local Matters.
| PENrrKNrIARY OF THE DlsrRIcr OF COLUMBIA
| We have been furnished with copy of the annual
report of this institution showing its state and con-
dition. p
A remarkable feature presented in one of the ia
bles Of the clerk the rapid increase in the number
Of the convicts. Twenty-one months since the
number was thirtysix, at the end of the year lS49
was forty six, al the end of the year 1885, it
fifty. seven, and before month Of the present
year expired, it was sixty-cight, an increase of
nearly hundred per cent. in year and half
There have been at least thirteen additional con-
victs received since the report written. or tie
entire number. up to the first OF January, seven
teen were born in Maryland, twenty in Virginia,
and twenty in the District of Columbia. About
one-half Of the inmates of the Penitenary are free
blacks many Of whom, the board of inspectors say,
have probably been attracted this city from the
neghboring States by the milder character of the
laws in respect to this species of population, while
| large proportion of the whites arc from distant
| parts of the Union and no uncomfortable number
from foreign countries.
More than two-thrds of the male convicts nre en-
| gagged at shoemaking; twelve women at tailoring,
shoe binding, washing, mcnding. &c. and car
pentery. blacksmithing. baking, and cooking, pick
| ing oAkum, and laborer's work, complete the de-
scriptions of work performed.
The officers of this institution ares JOS b. Ellis
| Warden; VIM. Towers, Clerk; Thos. Donpho,
Jno. T. Towers, and w. IL. Edes, Inspectors: N.
Young, M. d. Physician of the Pcnitcntiary and
Austin Gray, Chaplain. This last named gentle
man, from his own observation. fully concurs with
his predecessor in opinion, that most of the crime
that ia committed is done by those whose moral and
religious education has been entirely neglected"
We are pleased to learn that the officers, without
exception, while engaged in the faithful perform
ance Of their duties, have in view the moral re-
formation of the prisoners. And DR.. Young, in
his report, says: " The perfect cleanliness of the
buildings and yards, the persona1 neatncss of the
inmates. the regularity of their meals Of whole
some food, in proper quantity, and of the hours of
rest and Proportioned labor, contribute mainly to
the healthfulness of this prison, and it gives me
very great pleasure to testify to the indcfatigablc
industry and correct judgment of the warden and
his officers in efccting these desirable results"
The CAPITOL GRouNps.--We have received
communication signed by CA Lover of Order"
who complains that can infringement and de-
formity about to be consummated upon the
Capitol grounds, by the erection Of n thrce-story
brick building for fire ngine- house, on the spot
which must necessarily be included within these
| grounds at n, distant day, consequent upon the
| enlargement Of the Capitol" Our correspondent
suggests that other site for the engine houee
be chosen in the neighborhood
| Weprcsume that, instead of publishing the entire
communication this reference to it will be sufficient
to awaken further inquiry on tho subject; although
| we have not taken the trouble to convince
selves that, by oversight, &c but very few years
only would clapsc before the engine house would
| have to be taken down and the rubbish removed"
| They who have the superintendent of the work
| are presumed to act in accordance with law and
the public interests.
The CIRCUIT CogRr was not in session on Satur-
day, having on Friday adjourned until to-day. It
| may be Of interest 10 mention that Judge Morsell
stated (Judge Dunlap concurring) that the papers
in which were argued at the last torn, before
a full bench, had been handed to Chief Justice
Cranch for examination. That gentleman being
absent in consequence Of sickness, they had not,
from feelings of delicacy, delivered their opin-
! ion, although they were prepared to do SO. They
| were waiting for him to be in court; but If he
should not be able TO resume his by the first
| Monday in June, thoy would then deliver their
opinion in all the deferred cases.
| CARusi gives his May Festival this evening.
| A on former similar occasions, we anticipate n
large and gay company at his saloon.
| ATTEMPTS AT IwcExprARsm.-Two have re-
Gently been made in the Northern Liberties, but
in both cases, the flames discovered in time TO
| prevent the intended destruction Of property.
| CHANGE OF SwINpLrNs On Saturday morning
| Officer Davis returned from Baltimore, having in
custody ALBERT II. Beach, Of this city, charged
with obtaining twenty dollars from Charles To-
mcy, under false pretenccs, on Thursday night. at
McGrann's hotel, on Pennsylvania avenue. We
learn that Officer Davis was instructed by the
United States District Attorney to pursue the
cuscd, if necessary. TO Now York. Tho arrest,
| however. was made in Baltimore. The prisoner
was brought before Justice Thompson, who, in the
evening, after due examination, committed him
for trial during the June term of tho criminal
| court.
The New THRRR CENT PIEcRs paid out ut
bank on Saturday. Il was not long before they
were circulating throughout the city. They are
favoritcs already. The suggestion has been made
that the cent pieces be reduced to onc-haf their
present size, and particle of silver Incorporated
with the copper.
| FLOUR Our neighbor, Georgetown, seems TO
have all the Wholesale trade in this article Nine
thousand barrels Of il were inspected there during