The republic., 1851-07-10
Local Matters.
Adjutant Genera

MAIL LOCKS AND KEys.--With view TO slbsti-
tute locks and keys of some other kind for those
in use for the mail service Of the United aes,
specimen locks and keys, with proposals to furnish
| the same, received and considered at the
Post Office Departmeir until shc frst Of the pres
ent month. 1t being desirable 10 procure the best
lock at the lowest price, no kind Of lock was pre-
scribed as astandard, the Department rtlying for
a selection on the mechanical skill and Ingenuity
which fair competition might develop. The in
tention is to dsplace, simultaneously all The mail
locks and keys in use, and this will require
about thirty thousand new locks and twenty thou
sand keys, as soon as they can be manufactured
and yearly supply Of them to meet the exigen-
cies of the public service.
| In accordance with the advertisement of the
Postmaster General inviting proposals, there were,
we learn, about thirty-six competitors for the con-
tract, and upwards of one hundred locks we're sub
mitted to the commission appointed to examine
them and test their adaptation TO the service. This
commission consisted Of Mr.. Byington, master
machinist at the arsenal; Mr.. Saxon, Of the coast
survey office; and Mr.. Renwick, an examiner in
the Patent Office. Yesterday they Brought their
abors to close, and, it is said, will recommend
two locks to the consideration of the Postmaster
General, that he may choose between them.
| 1t was required that the locks should possess the
qualifications Of durability uniformity, lightness
and strength. The specimens presented were sub
ected TO test, such picking and being fastened
to mail bags and thrown out the window, as if from
mai-coach. Some of them broke On coming in
contact with the pavement. We were informed
that the competitors were perfectly satisfied with
the manner the commission discharged their duties
which were characterized by patience, skill, and
| care Occunvin nearly ono week
| New GAS HoUsE-The Washington Gaslgh
| Company have commenced the erection of new
buildings, in addition to thepresent, (for the pro
duction of gas from bitumnous coal } in square c.
extending from Maine to Maryland avenues, be-
tween Four a-half and Third streets, few
feet south of the canal The foundations have beer
laid, and The smoke-siack already towers sixty
feet; the height is to be seventy five. The works
will probably be completed by the first of January
next, when the price of gas will be greatly reduced
| CRIMINAL CoURT.-There were no cases of pub
lie Importance tried in this court yesterday. Thos
which occupied its attention for petty assault
and batteries.
A LITHoGRAPHIC HEAD OF LEWIS KossUTH
exhibited in the window of the bookstore of Taylo
& Maury, on Pennsylvania avenue, near Mint
street, and attracts general admiration.
The THERMOMETER indicated ninety-two de
grees, in the shade, near the Centre Market, yes
| terday afternoon, at four o'clock
| The GRAND DIVISION Sons OF TEMPERANCE O
| the District Of Columbia intend to procure mar
bic stone, with appropriate devices and inscrip
! tions, to be placed in the National Monument.
| FoUR-AND-A-HALF STREET BRIpGE.-There hay
just been attached to each end of it two sections 0
substantial iron railing, skiring the canal. They
are Intended to guard against accidents, but, il
addition, they are highly ornamental.
| The INJURED LABOR C learn that Michae
| Hanrahau and the colored man, Samuel Brooks
| (who were injured on Monday at Browns build
ing,) were both better yesterday, but still no
out of danger, and that Thomas Cross had so fal
recovered as to justify removal to his home or
Tuesday night.
| OMNIBUS AcCoMMoDATIoNs.-T There is now
regular omnibus line between the Pcnitentary
and Arsenal, the City Post Office, and the Northern
| Liberties.