The daily republic. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1853-1853, 1853-08-08
LOCAL MATTERS.

tached to the Jackson Democratic Association have
been nervously exercised of late in consequence
of the report that Mr.. w. w. Curran, one of the
most active members of the organization, and an
applicant for the situation of Government Super
intendent Of Public Printing, is likely to be dis
appointed by the selection of Mr.. Seaman, of
Connecticut. meeting with reference to the
subject was, we learn, contemplated by the more
impulsiye members on Friday night; but calm
counsels prevailed, and there was postponement
of the convocaton. Mr. Curran has Just resigned
his post as superintendent Of printing in the
Union Office, and is in the field without bust
ness encumbrance. Meantime Mr.. John T. Tow
ers the present Government Superintendent of
Public Printing, is dscharging tho duties of the
office with his usual professional ability, appa-
rently unmoved by the outside agitation which
threatens to shake him from his shoes
| The TELEGRAPH.-In June, 1874, Professor
Morse, it is we'll known, erected the first tele-
graphic line in the United States, between WASH
| ingtoh and Baltimore, distance Of forty miles;
and in about eight years from that time, such be-
came the popularity and necessity of this mode of
INSTRUMENTATION, there were twenty-three
thousand two hundred and eighty-one miles of
wire extended all over the country; and ere long
the incomprehensibly swift and silent electric
agency will convey intelligence even to the Paci-
fc shores.
The business transacted upon the various lines
is immense, and one prominent proof of this ex-
lists in the fact that the associated press of New
York, embracing five newspaper establishments,
paid, during the year ending the first of November
last, nearly fifty thousand dollars for dispatches
and about fourteen thousand dollars for special
and exclusive messages not included in the ex-
penses of the association
But, notwithstanding the patronage hitherto
bestowed upon the telegraphs, it could be render
ed still greater and more profitable to the propre-
tors. Ten words or less, between Washington
and Baltimore, are transmitted at cost oftwen-
ty cents, or double former rates; and to New Or
leans, Louisiana, two dollars and twenty cents.
The distance in the one case is forty, and in the
other fourteen hundred and eight miles. AS un-
der the cheap postage system very many more
letters are sent through the mails than formerly,
and as travel has to great extent increased with
the lessening of the fare from time to time, SO
would the number of messages by telegraph be
largely augmented by reduction of tolls. And
not only this, but the poor generally would be
enabled to share in the blessings and convenences
of the great invention, which are now nearly alto
gether denied.
! A few days ago hboring man in this city had
to pay full day wages for the transmission of
message oftour ,cords to relative in Boston.
And SO it is elsewhere; they who are but slightly
compensated for their toll must either submit to
exorbitant rates, or forego the advantages of the
telegraph.
| In these days of reductions" we cannot con-
ceive why the electric tolls should not be dimn-
ished if for no other reason, the increase of the
number of messages would at least make up Pc
cuniary deficiencies, while the people generally
would be enabled the more easily to avail them
selves of this means correspondence.
| RIoToUs CONDUCT colored people s camp
meeting, short distance over the Eastern Branch,
yesterday was numerously attended by persons
from Washington, Georgetown, and the sur
rounding country. Some of the whites avaed
themselves of the Intoxicating facilities plenti-
4 fully afforded by vendors of spirituous drinks
without the camp line, and the consequence
was several desperate fights. Four or FIVE of the
rioters were arrested, and held to bail for their
| appearance at court.
| Doc-KMLMa.--A police officer informs us that
good many dogs have been killed by him and
his official companions during the last two weeks.
| Did not the information come from a quarter in
which reliance can be placed, we should doubt
the statement, as see no diminution of the
number of CANNES enjoying the "freedom of the
city, The quiet and refined Italian method O.
{ poisoning is preferred to the noisy and vulga1
pistol.
I A CASE OF CoNscrENcE.-A gentleman of thi
city not long since received through the post of
fee an anonymous note, to the effect that the
writer was indebted to the person to whom it was
addressed the sum of upwards of fifty cents; and
to pay this, with interest, were enclosed twenty
three-cent postage stamps.
PAvEMENTs-We notice that the WORKOUT
side pavements throughout the city are in the
course of being replaced by new ones, in compli-
ance with municipal law. This description OF
work has been fairly commenced on Pennsylvania
avenue, beginning on the north side near the Cap
tol, and proceeding westwards.
DANIEL T. WooDwARD.-A friend who yester-
day visited this individual, now under sentence OF
death for the murder of his wife, informs us that
he does not yet seem to realize the awfulness OF
the event which awaits him, and that he yet pre-
fers hanging to communication of his sentence to
imprisonment in the penitentiary. Banshment
. beyond the limits of the territory of the United
States, or death upon the scaffold, is tho issue
which he himself presents The memorial to the
President of the United States, now circulating
for signatures, however, asks for Punishment or
confinement in the penitentiary.
APPROPRIATE NAMEs.-On Saturday, ap-
pears from the official police reports, Bill Drink
ard and Thomas GuzSlc were, in company with
others, both sent to the workhouse for thirty days
| for being DRUNK ,a