Washington sentinel., 1853-10-12
gofal ann 4ersonal.

U*"' ""~ qc"N"o""N'
The City Post Observation-Disclosures the
press and the public have so repeatedly spoken in
praise of the improvements recently made IN the
post office, by its efficient chief, Colonel Berret,
we may, not inappropriately add word IN com
mendation of his well-directed efforts TO effect
reform SO much needed, and heretofore so loudly
demanded by the community,
Less than a year ago. the inconvenience OF the
Office and its contracted dimensions were dis
creditable 10 the political metropolis of the Union
A small room divided, by fences, into entrance
and exit ways, was all the space afforded for the
customers in waiting The atmosphere was often
rendered intolerabe by the fumes of smoke, not
proceeding from choice Havana brands; while the
rude conduct Of servants and others, in that pent
up place. was, in the extreme, disagreeabe. 1t
was indeed seldom that a lady ventured in the
midst of the nightly promiscuous crowds. But
now there is none Of those Objectionable features.
The enlarged premises the arrangements gener-
ally, the system of letter deposit and delivery, the
promptness of the clerks, the neat and handsome
appearance of the iixtures-all these are matter
for congratulation Instead of the post Office be-
ing scandal it is praise and ornament TO the
city.
Obstructing the Sidewalks.--Some contro-
versy has arisen as to the right of Captain Birch
10 dispense the crowd on Pennsylvania avenue,
last Sunday afternoon, during the delivery of
public address by temperance lecturer. The au-
thorty under which he acted is to be found in the
law ofthe corporation, passed the third of June,
1858; which, among otherthings, provides penalty
Of FIVE dollars for obstructing the foot-pavements,
and thus ncommoding pedestrians. The prompt
ness and delicacy with which the captain of the
auxiliary guard performed his duty was credtable
TO him as an officer, while those under whose aus
pices the meeting was held submitted without
murmur; thus evincing their respect for the law.
No Cases for Trial.o--Such was the re-
sponse to inquiry at the Central Watch-house,
both on Monday and Tuesday morning; fact
which must be gratifying TO order-oving cit
izens.
Complain, as some persons may, OF the worth
lessness Of the police, we have reason to believe
that, considering the wide field of their labors,
they are at least efficient any similar body Of
men to be found elsewhere. Withdraw this force
from service remove the check 10 wrong-doing,
and let it be proclaimed that there is especial
protection to life and property officially provided,
and we would soon have condition of affairs
which all would deplore. In this, as in all other
communities lawlessness only awaits proper
opportunity for its development, and evil passion
an unobstructed vent. That much more may be
done by both the night and day forces than they
now perform, is question which we unable
TO decide. However, we arc at all times disposed
TO give them credit proporionate TO their services,
and TO condemn where remissness of duty is
palpable
Legislative Courtesy.--On Monday night the
Mayor Of Washington sent communication to the
board Of aldermen, informing them that Mr.. David
Hepburn had resigned his appointment as assessor
for the seventh ward and that the law of Congress
requires all such vacancies to be filed without
delay resolution was therefore, adopted, pro
viding that the two boards have joint meeting,
for that purpose, at halfpast eight o'clock. This
resolution was despatched to the board of common
council for their concurrence. Anon a motion
made by an alderman, that the lower board
be informed that the upper board were now pre-
pared TO receive them. But as the aldermen had
not yet heard whether the common councilmen
had concurred in the resolution, the motion was
waived.
AT nine O'clock we happened 10 be in the lower
chamber, when the resolution from the upper board
was passed. motion was made that the COM
mon council now proceed to the aldermen's room,
for the purpose Of assisting supply the aforesaid
vacancy; but this was strenuously objected TO by
professional gentleman from the sixth ward for
the reason that the aldermen had not extended TO
~ &C.
TO inform them that they now ready to re-
ceve thems And he took occasion 10 remind the
body that this was not the first time the aldermen
had treated the common councilmen with unpar-
donable indgnity. The "whiskey bill' was taken
up amid the confusion and the president of the
board had scarcely completed the reading Of it,
when committee from the upper board made their
appearance and, in dignifed manner, informed
the complaining board that the aldermen We're now
ready to receive them. This was balm 10 wound
ed honor. So, in great haste, the further consid-
Grafton Of the bill was postponed until Monday
next, a recess was declared, and the members hur
ried up stairs; and, in combination with the alder
men, elected Mr.. Peter M. Pearson to fill the va
cancy occasoned by the resignation of Mr. Hep
burn ta.
Music for "the Miilion."--So far as our OBJ
servation extends, there are now at least twelve
organists, who supply our citizens, both day and
night, with this description of cheap music. Like
other caterers to the public taste those tncrsnts
furnish the latest and more popular tunes; the ia
cilities for procuring instruments, with all the
modern improvements, being ample at the north.
The prices for them range from thirty TO hundred
ALL, fbe Of Mrs