Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-12-20
.fatal anO 4trsoaaL.


Sentatlves Tor the espectal CONSIDERATION OF Dusi-
ness relsSng 10 the District of Columbia. Seve-
| raj bills were laid aside, in Committee Of the
! Whole on The state Of the Union, to be reported
] 10 the House, and among them that granting
certain additional powers 10 the Corporation Of
| Washington"
| As this bill will probably soon become law, a
brief synopsis of its provisions may prove inter
esiing TO our readers.
The FIRST section provides for the election, by
the people, of all officers Of the Corporation moi
now elective under the existing charter. This is
desirable; and the citizens, several years ago. so
expressed themselves at the ballotbox, in accord
ance with which the committee of the councils,
whose duty il is TO attend TO the Interests OF
Washington before Congress, made application to-
the National Legislature TO amend our charter ac-
cordingly. Police officers and police magistrates
will, in the event Of the passage Of the bill, be-
come elective. .sN5
The second section authorizes the corporation
to cause any streets, or the carriage-ways or the
foot-ways thereof, of any portion of the same,
TO be paved, graded, or otherwise improved; to
construct drains and sewers, and TO cause the
streets to be lighted with gas, and 10 provide for
the expense of any such works or Improvements
either by a special tax out of its corporate
funds, or both, at its discretion. And extends
the jurisdiction Of the corporation over the whole
extent of the bridges and abutments which are
now or may hereafter be constructed, from this
city across the Eastern Branch or the Potomac
| river, with full power to adopt and enforce such
rules and regulations as it may deem necessary
for the safety and security Of property and Of
persons passing over the bridges
The third section gives discretion 10 open new
alleys, and from time TO time to open, extend,
change, or close those already laid out, and to
dispose of the ground occupied by any alleys
which may be closed.
The fourth section gives the Corporation the
power to establish police and municipal courts,
and to establish house or houses Of refuge or
correction for Juvenile or other offenders, and TO
provide for the support and government Of the
same by special tax, out ofits corporate funds,
or otherwise and 10 pass any and all laws, not
inconsistent with the Constitution and laws of the
United States, for the establishment Of efficient
police, for the maintenance Of order, the protec-
lion Of Tersons and property, and for the punish
ment, by fine or imprisonment, both, Of offences
against the ordinances and police regulations of
the Corporation; such imprisonment TO be either
in the county Jail, or in such municipal establish
ments, warehouses;, houses Of correction, Of
refuge, as may be provided by the Corporation for
that purpose ; and the Marshal of the District Of
Columbia shall receive and safely keep within the
jail for the county Of Washington, at the expense
of the Corporation, all persons committed under
or by authority Of the provisions OF this act.
rrl- O. H.. II
collecting powers, and
The sixth authorizes the corporation 10 organize
a fire department, and TO appoint one or more en-
gneers, directors, other officers, for the super
intendence and direction the fremen, fire COM.
panies, engines, hose, and fire apparatus, at all
fires or alarms Of fires occurring in this city, and
also 10 pass all laws or police regulations which
may be deemed necessary expedent for the re-
gulation, CONTROL and management of all fire CON-
panies now existing or hereafter 10 be incorpora-
ted, or otherwise established in the city, or the
members thereof, anything in any existing law or
charter to the contrary notwithstanding.
The seventh section authorizes and empowers
the corporation TO pass all laws, ordinances and
regulations which may be necessary TO carry into
effect the hereinbefore granted powers and
every one OF them"
Family Jars.-on Monday night, at late
hour, man aged sixty-one years, turned his wife
pen years his junior out Of bed and out of DOORS
Barefoot and thinly clad, she was exposed 10 the
| freezing atmosphere, until the arrival Of the
Auxiliary Guard, who conveyed the unhappy
| couple 10 the watch-house. Yesterday morning
they were fined by the presiding justice, as both
were not considered guililess. The husband paid
the fine and costs only TO keep his wife from being
| sent to the workhouse, but informed her that she
should never again enter his dwelling. They had
lived together twenty-seven years; and now, to-
wards the close Of their existence they separated,
| perhaps forever. II was a melancholy spectacle,
and one which excited the pity Of the beholders.
Concert for the Poor.-For some weeks past,
large number Of ladies' and gentlemen have been
practicng for concert, TO be given in the hall Of
the Smithsonian Institution, for the benefit Of the
poor Il was to have taken place tonight, but has
been postponed until the 10Th instant. A fine
treat of vocal melody is in for our citizens.
who, while they cannot fail 10 be delighted with
the choice entertainment, WILL by pstronixing the
concert, be the means Of alleviating the distress
which largely prevails in the community during
] this, TO the necessitous unwelcome season.
Suppression Of Small Notos as a Currency.
The Senate bill for this purpose, to operate in
the District Of Columbia, was considered in the
House OF Representatives yesterday, but not
finally acted upon. II seemed to be agreed by
nearly IL not quite, all the members who INDUCED
| in the debate, that measure of the kind should
be enacted into law, 10 prevent the citizens Of
this District and others from being 6eecedby ire
sponslbe persons, acting in defiance Of legal au-
ihority, aud thrusting their trash on the commu-
nifty.
Young Mems Christian Association.--on
Monday night the following named gentlemen
were elected officers for the ensuing year o. G.
Wight, president; DR.. Edwards, ii. ]. Kershaw,
T. j. Magruder, WI. Rhees, and Rev. J. @.
Butler, vice presidents; r. s. II. Mirick, cores
pondng secretary; J. M. Bradley, recording secre-