Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-02-17
Y0tal anO 4frsonal.


Spiritual Manifestati0ns.-In the House Of
Representatives, yesterday, the Hon. Mike Walsh
created not little merriment, by rising TO priv
legged question, and asking whether it was proper
for distinguished members of that body to be seek
ing information by communications with the spirit
world on the subject ofthe Nebraska bill. He said
he misunderstood rale had been adopted by the
House excluding the introduction Of spirituous
liquors from the Capitol and he wished 10 know
whether, in the face Of this rule, il was in order
for members to introduce the spirits down stairs
10 consult them on the question now pending Pc
fore the Senate, and which has already created
great deal of excitement in the public mind
On inquiry of a congressional believer in the
spiritual phenomena we learn that the ailuslon
of Mr.. Walsh was TO an assemblage OF upwards OF
thirty members, in one Of the commttee-rooms Of
the Capitol on Wednesday night, to witness the
performances Of two men from the north, one oil
whom processes TO be a writing and the other a
rappinr medium. The subject Of Nebraska was
introduced among other proceedings, and 'ghost'
indirectly foretold the defeat of the bill! II the
exhibition answered no other purpose, il served
TO amuse the company of honorable gentlemen
several of whom have been communing with the
spirits through Miss Fox, who has been rapping
out dollar from every one who has patronized
her entertainments. Novel as the spiritual mani
festatons are claimed 10 be, daily observation
shows that the spirits at restaurants are much
oftener invoked, and more sensiby felt than those
from g the Vastly deep"
Municipal Courts.--We are glad toearn that
E,rf han sfricf of
bia have agreed to recommend an amendment OF
the city charter giving the corporation the power
to establish police and municipal courts.
The want Of such tribunals has long been felt
in Washington, as, without which, the time Oft
United States criminal court has been occupied al
great expense, and in many cases needessly.
We recollect that two years ago man was in
dcted for stealing two chickens worth 375 cents
and that the expense OF trying him cost the gov
ernment about thirty dollars! Besides, individu
ais are often tried for the meret assaults and bat
teries involving the fine of a dollar or fifty cents
or several weeks confinement in jail. Why, then
should not municipalor apolice court have Juris
dicton of such petty cases2 Why should dig
nifed United States court be encountered will
cases which three or seven magistrates, or ever
one, might dispose of at oncea
Under present circumstances, person accused
of petty crime is sent to prison for want Of bail
10 await trial, and after all aquitted, with no re
dress for the incarceration. A magistrates cour
could dispose of many of the trHng cases sum
marly, thus serving the ends of justice both &c
the public and the accused I'll
AS this is a progressive age" we do not see
why Washington should not share in the lega
facilities suggested, and which other cities have
so long enjoyed.
Early Rising.-We have an old friend, who
every morning at sunrise, throughout the year
leaves his dwelling for the yard there to in
quire of the thermometer hung in the open air, the
condition ofthe temperature The rising and falling
of the quicksilver in the tube is accurately noted
by him at other times during the day, and he can
tell 10 nicely the exact State Of the weather fol-
long series Of years. The sun never shows its
welcome face without his being the first to greet
il. He recommends the experiment of early rising
as a sharpener OF the wits well as of the appe,
tile but like most other good advice, fear !,
will be dsregarded.
According to his observations, the Thermometer
at daylight on the 9th instant indicated 3a0; 10Th
a2o; 18th, 24o; 18th, $50; 18th, 33o; 18th, 460j
and, on the 18th, $50.
Death from Wound.-We stated severa
days since that, while the daughter of Mr.. Ris
ton, residing on the Island was engaged in draw
ing water from pump, an Irishman attempted &c
take her bucket from her whereupon she ran tc
her father and informed him of the circumstance
and he armed himself with axe for the pur
pose of defence but that the ruffian subsequently
wrested the instrument from Mr. Riston and in
ficted severe wound with it over his left eye
We have now to add that the wounded man died
in consequence of the injury, on Wednesday
night. The rufian who was the cause of this sad
event is unknown, and therefore, at least for the
present, is in no danger of arrest.
The Gardiner Trial.-When we looked in Q
the courtroom, yesterday, the Hon. Henry May
was earnestly addressing the jury on the part O
the prosecution Heretofore, during the trial Al
the present term, there were not on an average
on any one day, many spectators as there were
persons occupied in the trial; but, yesterday, the
room both within and without the bar was dense
ly crowded, aflording evidence that the interest,"
of the public increases as the trial slowly moves
towards conclusion. According to present ap
pearances, the case will at the commencement o
next week, if not sooner, be given TO the jury.
Thomas Parker, the president Of the Wash
ington and Alexandria Steampacket Company
and the entire board of directors, were recently
reelected. The company already have two fine
and substantial boats, the Thomas Collyer, and the
George Washington, on the line to and from AL
exandria and Mount Vernon but promise add
tional travelling facilities during the approaching
spring and summer.
Poor Relief.-The three hundred and fifty dol
lars appropriated by the city councils for the relic
Of the INDECENT poor has been discussed by the
mayor Of Washington. Although the amount was
small, we learn that it was shared by one hundred
and seventeen persons, who, for the most part
were relieved by supply of wood.