The republic., 1851-03-20
Local Matters.

The OrERATIC CoNcERr to be given this evening
at National Hall promises to be one Of the richest
musical exhibitions ever offered in this city. Pa
RoDI, with her extraordinary sweetness of voice
and acknowledged brillancy of execution, is TO be
the bright particular star Of the occasion. Then,
STRAxoscH is 70 preside at the piano, who will at
times pour forth strain Of softest melody, falling
upon the and heart like the mild May shower
ON bank Of flowrets, and anon will startc and
amaze with his notes Of wondrous power. HAU-
SER too the wizard Of the violin, in the chambers
of whose instrument scems to lurk an invisible
spirit mngling its magic tones with the silvery
music of the instrument itself, will at cnchant
and elcctrify the audience. Then there Signo
and Sgnor PATTI, the voice Of the former being,
like her own sweet character, of an unruiled sweet
ness. Then have also Signor AviaNoNE, "a barry
tone Of unusual power. To this extraordinary con-
stellation of talent will be added the entire Ger
mania band. The performers are to appear in
costume in the operatic pieces, which will add
wonderfully to the attractions of PARopI, whose
dramatic abilities nearly, If not quite, equal to
her vocal Ones
Tho prices have been lowered to standard
which will scarcely rcmunerate the manager; for
any one can judge that the expenses of one two
concerts are necessarily much greater, in proper
ton, than those Of a series would be- II will be
membercd also that dollar has been ordinary
charge heretofore for concert where only
two persons at most have been performing, and
they, very often, of no extraordinary fame abii
ty. Tho reduced ratee, therefore, may be con-
sidcred quite low.
The GRAND JuaY for Washington county were
finally discharged on Tuesday, by the criminal
court. having finished the business appcrtaining to
their Office. Judge Crawford complrncntcd them
on the prompt and becoming manner in which
they had performed their duties, and rendered to
them the thanks of the court.
CONDITION THE JAIL.-Among other duties
devolving on them, the Grand Jury for the county
of Washington not unmindful Of this sub
jcct as will be seen from the following. namely:
The undersigned. having been appointed by the
Grand Jury of the county of Washington to
amino the Jail of said county, as it respects its
persons charged with crime, or OF those who may
be sentenced thereto for punishment, as well as
their treatment by the officers having charge there
Of, respectfully report
That the building at present occupied as Jail
WINS erected for that purpose in 1888, and was de-
signed and constructed for the safe keeping Of
debtors. as we'll Of those charged with crime;
and onc-half of which seems to have been con-
structcd specially for that object; and that, since
the abolishment of imprisonment for debt within
this District consequently this portion of the build
inB po1 oecE uiiiloot eiurciy uIiu5eu. Anu siAVe
the period Of the erection of this building the
ty OF Washington has increased in population in
an unprecedented degree in ts history, and which
has brought with it, panied TO say, the usual
attendant upon dense population crime, in all
its various grades; until the capacity OF that por
ton designed for prison is adequate for the
accommodation of the number of persons usually
confined therein. The prisoners at times are COM
PEELED to be crowded together in one heterogeneous
mass-scx and color only being rcspccted-with-
out regard to the character of those charged with
crime or the cnormity OF the crime with which
they are charged. In addition to the greater evil
of placing within the rench and influence of the
most hardened and vicious Of mankind persons
who may be, and no doubt are, easily moulded TO
their criminal schemes, this practice affords gene
rally too strong contract to the comforts convc-
niences, care OF health, and general discipline fur
nishcd at this day in the establishments designed
for the punishsnf of persons convicted Of offences
10 pass unnoticcd by the Grand Jury.
Notwithstanding the short period since the ercc-
ton of this building, its external and internal APP
dation and decay to such an extent (as experience
has often dcmonstrated) that il is entirely unsqe
and We have no hesitation in saying, for the req
assigned, also unfit for the purposes for which
| ii is now used.
| But we have great pleasure in reporting, after
| proper examination and inquiry, that the officers
charged with the management Of the prison
tend every kindness and consideration to the per-
under their charge which is within their pro-
vince TO allow; that the provisions furnished are
wholesome, abundant, and we'll prepared, and the
building and premises generally in as clean and
| well l-ordcrcd condition possible; but thero ap-
pearcd 70 us to be total abscnco Of many small
convenience, (not within the province Of the 9TH