Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1853-06-06
LOC cal 4 FAIRS.

would do well to consider: that is, the
course pursued in the United States pri-
son in this city.
Many worthy mechanics have often ex-
pressed the opinion that it is not RIGHT
that they who have served years of honra-
bic apprenticeship should have the value
Of their labor decreased by the government
employing cOnvicts to do the work which
the honest man ought to do Is there no
way Ofemploying conyicts except in max
ing shoes, boots, carriages, etc. Isitright
that the product of the convict's labor
should be offered in the market where
honest men are sellinga Was it intended
that the product Of the conyicts' labor
should be source Of revenue to the GOV
eminent!
1t may be asked, upon what would we
have them employed? We answer, that
we would have them employed upon work
that does not interfere with any mechan-
ical profession. For instance, convicts
might be employed in filling up the low
grounds in the neighborhood Of the pri-
son, and in widening and deepening the
channel Of the river. All the mechanical
operations required and the cleaner labor
ing work necessary could be done by reg
ular mechanics and laborers but the
wheeling of the mud and all the dirty
work would employ all the conyicts for
years to come, and would prevent their
labor from interfering with the trade.
Boots and shoes made in the prison
are sold IN this city, which certainly in
terlcrcs with those who learned the trade
willingly, with a view to make an honest
living by 1t! Does any one pretend that
this is right? We have been under the
impression that the prison was for the
punishment Of such person as had been
convicted of offences against the United
States laws. But it appears that it is
government workshop where thieves and
villains are employed at work which tends
t0depreciate the value Ofhonest toll, and is
made Of no pecuniary benefit to the COM
munity, though it brings in few hundred
dollars to the government. Is this right?
The work We have suggested, would be
beneficial to the District. 1t would bene-
fit the commerce, which has gone down
mainly on account of the distractions in
the channel. Itwould cause the erection OF
good substantial buildings near to the
river in this city. 1t would be doing for
Us what no administratio has vet earn
e5ly undertaken: the placing Of our
merchants and tradesmen in Il position
where they may be able to release them
selves from the penny-grabbing clutches
of selfish capitalists and spectators. 1t
would take from certain naval officers
their argument why they do not want to
come to this city with their ships !; Or
rather take from them their excuse for
not appearing before the Secretary.
We know that there are many who
would object to this, and would 90 to the
President to prevent the commencement
CT anv work of the sort but they are
no friends of the District, and have only
IN view their own self interest, We hope
the President will at any rare order the
stOppage of the present system.
R0ting.-English IIill has been the
rioting ground of nearly all the newly
arrived foreigners in Washington for
many years past. In the last twelve
months riots have been very common,
and frequently persons have been severe
y injured by the missiles thrown by the
lighting parties.
The Irish customs kept up on the hill
give rise to many fights, and last evening
10 one that seemed intended to try the
mettle Of the new Captain of Police. 1t
such was the intention of the cOnbatants,
we think they ought to be satisfied with
the demonstrations Of Captain Birch and
hose who were with him. Several of
the rioters were sent to Jail by Justice
Dom, and many more went OFT with sore
heads
ICendiarism-The alarm at a quarter
to twelve o'clock on Saturday night, was
caused by the burning of a cottage on the
corner of 10th and Boundary streets.
That, at a quarter to two yesterday, by
the burning of some frame buildings on
eth street between I'll and streets. We
10 not know what the loss IS.
Many complaints are made by citizens
residing near Boundary street IN the
Second Ward, of great gangs of rowdles
Gathering around their houses and barns,
lighting, cursing and attempting to burn
Property in the ncighborhood, we will
add, that we believe that they at the
same time are making arrangements to