Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-03-31
gotal am ptrsonal.



Bounty Lands.--Th- passage Of the Old Sol
ders' bill, approved March 3, 1885, has produced
busy times not only among those whom the law
is designed 10 benefit, but among claim agents
and attorneys, and at the Pens Office Twenty
four thousand and eight hundred applications have
already been received at that well-regulated
bureau; and of this number twenty-five hundred
came in during Thursday last!
This fact will give idea of the present extent
of the operations, and show that the act of Con-
gress is not condemned by those who merely
shouldered a musket for fourteen days, or for any
period, how short soever, were in actual battle
during the Of the republic-w neither on land
or the water, and against either white or red
skins.
The late Eighth Of January Convention in this
city assisted considerably, if not mainly, in the
passage of the Old Soldiers bill.
Members OF Congress, for the greater part
merely talked in the Capitol occasionally, about
"doing them justice" but when the cockaded and
blue-riband badged delegates hither, they
pressed representative dgnitares to action, and
the bill passed triumphantlv Thus they
conquered in peace and as they did in war.
II is estimated that thirtysix millions Of acres
of public lands will be called for Under the Bounty
Land act.
The Penalty for Breaking Jail.-About two
weeks ago, we published the particulars concern
ing The escape oftwo young men, named, respec-
lively, Michael Murphy and Samuel Umberfeld,
from the county Jail-lhey having effected their
liberty by saving away the iron box-ock of their
cell door well bar of the window, and
scaling the wall by means Of the pump-rod. They
were arrested the next day, and brought back. to
their old quarters.
| On Thursday they were tried for breaking Jail
and, having been adjudged guilty of the offence,
Judge Crawford sentenced them, each, 10 nine
months imprisonment in Jail. This is the first
trial and sentence Of the kind since Judge Craw-
ford has occupied seat in the Criminal Court
Previous to their escape they had been
fenced to twelve months Imprisonment for knock
ing down and robbing in open day, in the
1 First ward.
They are both young men apparently, neither
Of them is over twenty-one years Of age. II is
mournful spectacle. Fair character, which is
better than gold, is thus lost at a period of life
when hope should gild their future prospects.
| EVIL communications now, as heretofore, g cor
rupt good manners" a fact which every youth of
the country should always bear in mind,
warning against the ruinous temptations 10 which
the unrefeclng and thoughless are ever ex-
posed
Addition to the Capitol.-The work is pro.
crossing steadily, and, by the session of the next
/ Congress, provided material shall arrive fast
enough TO keep the hundreds of workmen en-
ployed during the present recess the wings will be
ready for The occupancy of the two branches OF
Legislators al that time.
There is comparatively very little bricklaying
force now required the preparation and the set
ting OF The marble comprise the greater part OF the
business 10 be performed In this department,
Messrs. Provost and Winter, contractors employ
two hundred journeymen, seventy seven of whom
are engaged in carving the window heads, door
jambs, and capitals of the columns and plasters.
They who admire such arts should visit the Capt.
tol premises and see the elegant cuttings in those
objects, which are adorned with representations
of the corn and the grape, typical Of pros
periiy and plenty Beside, there are ninety-fve
| laborers
The carpenters blac ksmiihs, and other mechan-
les, preparing their respective parts Of the
building; and we feel warranted in making the
assertion, from a review of their operations, that
they will not be chargeable with delay in the fur
therance Of the great work.
Workmen now engaged in erecting the pill
lars and plasters for the grand stair-cases in the
veslibues on the east side Of the wings.
When finished the people of the country may
justly be proud Of their National Capitol
Criminal Court.-The trial of Pharnella Skin
ker (white) and Della Hazel, (coloredJ charged
with poisoning Classy Williams and her family,
about two weeks ago, was commenced, in the
criminal court on Tuesday, and terminated on
Thursday.
II was proved by Mrs. Williams that PharneIa
Skinker and herself had quarrel week before
the poisoning, and that the accused, after pursu-
ing her with a bottle, threatened 10 have satislac
ton, seven if she went TO the Penitentiary for
nn
Il was given in evidence that the meat Of which
Mrs. Williams and her family partook had been
sprinkled with arsenic, DR.. Gayle 1--WE believe)
having made chemical analysis the substance; ;
and il likewise proved that boy, living in
the same house with Della Hazel bought the drug
from Mr.. Callans store.
There was no testimony Of direct character
against the accused, concerning the administra-
ton OF the poison.
The parties lived next door door neighbors, and
had NOT been on friendly terms
The jury retired TO their room on Thursday
morning, about eleven O'Clock, but at the time the
court adjourned yesterday had not agreed on
verdict; nor according 10 present appearances, is
II likely they ever will.
A Grand Musical Convention is TO be held
in this city, commencing on the eighth Of May, to
continue for four successive days, and to close
with public concert All the sacred music so.
cieties throughout the country invited to send
delegates
The Union Choir Association Of Washington,