The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1854-03-15

IHE DREDGING MAcHiNE.-The FIRST
ATTACK Upon THE Ban AT MAawrcx ,-Ercoun-
AGING REsbLr - Yesterday morning the new
Dredging Boat which we described on Monday
went down the river to Warwick Bar-well known,
since Mr.. JAMES BRooKs gaveit that name az the
Constitutional Bar---with the view of feeling il
little just to see what kind Of stuff il is made Of
Il number of gentlemen, among whom were seve-
raj members OF the Council, Colonel DERUssY
and Mr.. PAWN the constructor of the boat. were
on board. All present exhibited the deepest inter.
est in the experiment and it was well deserving
their socifude since tnvoves the interests of this
city, and every man, woman and child in it.
The boat was anchored on the bar and soon com
menced operations The buckets brought u6 pure
sand for some time and after getting down few
feet there appeared larger gravel with occasional
white rotted stones. This was the character of the
contents OF the buckets until they had gone down
to depth OF EIGHTEEN FEET, the water then being
at halt tide. This would give at that point depth
OF sireen feet at lo tide and at least tmentv at or
binary high tide. There appeared no signs of
change in the bed of the river at the lowest point
reached by the buckets.
We need hardly say that those who witnessed the
experiment were rejoiced at the result 1t had
been coniectured by many that there were rocks
either very large and massive ones, or a ledge at
the bar, and there were those who feared that after
scraping away foot or two of sand the buckets
would strike the rock. But they were most aereea-
bly, disappointed. We cannot say that there
who seem to understand what they say expressed
the opinion from the appearance of the deposite
brought up by the buckets that there is no ledge of
rocks in the bar at ALL Ifthere is not, and we have
such bed as that we dug into yesterday. the exc
Grated bar will be removed in very short time
This second trial of the machine was equally sa-
tlsfactory with the first while there was the added
qualification derived from the first attack upon that
bar, and the proofs afforded of its nature and the
ease with which it be put out of the way of ma
a a INN pnnoYr1 vent
will be made upon it, and we hope to have nothing
to report but triumph from the beginning to the
end.
Weshould not omit to say that very considerate
and liberal preparation had been made, and that
fine collation. was served up and very heartily en-
joyed by the company.
PRIMARY ScHooLs-Mr. Scott from the
Committee on Primary Schools, presented a re-
port to the Council, at its last meeting, showing
the condition of the Ward Schools to be very en-
courageing. As instance:
In Monroe Ward School, which is under the
management of Mr.. McNUTT, there are 90 schola RS
TO boys and 80 girs-with an average daily at
tendance of 81.
In the Marshall Ward School, under the manage
ment of Miss BASS, there are so scholastic boys
and 40 girls-with an average daily attendance of
65. In addition to these Miss B. has 80 scholars
which were entered by the State Commissioner
making total of 100 pupils in her school
Madison Ward School, under the charge of Miss
WATKINS, Interrupted for time in conse-
quence of its being removed from its former loca-
ton to the one it now occupies. For some time
the attendance was quite small, but it has been
gradually increasing, and there now Il scho
lars in it.
Jefferson Ward School, under the charge of Mrs
New, up to the 23d of December last, numbered
l43 scholars-60 boys and 60 girls-with an average
attendance daily of Is. From the 1st of January
to the present time, 60 scholars have been entered
making total OF 2l2.
Bya comparison of the reports of this and the
last year, it will be seen that the number of chill
dren in attendance upon these schools has largely
increased, and that the Council acted noby in rails
ing the appropriation
A portion OF the Committee were in favor of
adopting uniform set of books for Ward Schools
and therefore secured the appointment of a sub
committee to enquire into the eXpedency of car
rying out their plan. We really hope this recon-
mendation may be adopted, and that the Commit
tee may take another important step and declare
that school books, published in the South shall be
given the preference over those published at the
North We are always resolving for Southern
Rights and Southern Interests, and promises upon
promises are continually piled upon each other
to support our own institutions in preference to
Northern ones, and yet we venture to assert that
there is not school in this city where Southern
books are given the preference over Northern ones
VIII not the people OF Richmond give their own
publishers preference over Northern onesf Ifthey
will then five years will not elapse before publica-
ton houses will be established i'll Virginia, South
Carolina, Louisiana and other slavehodng States,
of ample capacities to supply every scholar who
stands on Southern soil, with all the books OF know
ledge he may desire II they will not, then let us
hear no more prating about Northern schools and
colleges. and Northern tanatical publications.
Police ORDINANcE.-At the last meet
ing of the Council ordinance was reported by
the Chairman of the Police Committee, appointing
the five day officers and the keeper of the City
Hail. Constables, to serve criminal warrants and to
receive the fees under the requirements of the city
charter This ordinance, if we understand the
wish of the Mayor and the desire of the police
committee, is intended TO separate and define the
duties of the day and night police, that each may
perform It's service, without coming in conflict with
the other and that the city may always have at
command competent and efficient men for active
duty. The members Of the police committee know
that officers require rest just much other men;
nEt the rLt