Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-02-08

B~ittmeze Correspondence.
- -
Methodi3 Conf ference Report of the School Com
Dsissionsrs--1its opnsr found Navigation iSus-
pended
81 BALTIMORE, Feb a.
The next annual conference OF the Methodist
Episcopal Church win assemble in Monument Street
Church in this city on Wednesday the 7th of
March, and the permanent Methodist families here
are actively engaged in making the necessary ar
rangements for the accommodation Of preachers
and their families. The body is composed of moro
than three hundred itinerant preachers, represent
ing nearly all the State Of Maryland the District
Of Columbia, and portions Of Pennsylvania and
Virginia Bishop Waugh, assisted by other bishops,
viii preside, and as there are no very important
cases for Indication, the sessions will probably not
be prolonged beyond eight or ten days
The report of the Commissioners of Public
Schools has just been presented to the City Coun-
Gil. 1t represents the schools to be in most pros
porous condition. There are in active operation
sixty-two schools--twenty male and forty-two fe-
male--haying enrolled 9,7l7 pupils at the end Of
the past year, showing an increase Of go pupils
during that period as compared with the previous
year. These schools are taught by 200 teachers,
thirtysix males and one hundred and seventy-three
females, the number having been increased twenty
one during the year in order to render the system
more effective and advantageous to the pupils.
Altogether the success Of the public school system
in this city is full Of encouragement to the friends
of popular education; and the earnest appeal which
the commissioners make to the City Council to
take measures for still more widely extending the
inestimable advantages of education until eventu-
ally they shall be placed within the reach Of every
child in the city, is deserving Of serious considera-
ton and active cooperation
The thousand dollar note found many years ago
by colored woman, and placed in the hands Of
the city by the grocer who stopped It, and which
few days since was claimed by the colored woman,
has brought to light the loser of the note at least
the party who claims to be the loser--Wm. s.
Messerly, of Salem, Massachusetts,. He has written
to the Mayor and Council, to delay action on the
claim until he procure proof that it is his. He
does not say how he lost it, nor where; but there
is sequel to the affair, it is said, which the loser
may not now be too modest to disclose. The story
is, that the note was not found, but was given to
the colored woman in mistake for a 81 railroad
note; and the woman did not know its value until
she offered it to the grocer who stopped it, and,
after advertising it according to law, placed it in
the care Of the city. The affair happened eighteen
years ago. H gH ~
The severe cold weather Of the past few days,
has caused an immense amount Of ice to form in
our harbor and at this writing navigation is entire
ly suspended. The bay boats could not make their
way out yesterday. The steamer Hugh Jenkins,
after vainy striving to break her way through tho
ice, had to return, receiving much damage in the
attempt AAERIcUs
Sunday Street Music--The Work of Charity
3 Timely Relief Visit to the House of Refuge
Mayors Appointmerts dc.
BALTIMORE, Feb. 8, 1856
An ordinance was introduced into the City Coun-
Gil yesterday afternoon, to prevent street music on
Sunday. This matter Of having bands of music
performing at funeral professions on Sunday as is
the present practice of the Odd Fellows and other
benevolent associations in this city has long been
regarded by great majority Of the religious por-
ton of the community, as great nuisance. 1t
certainly intrenches upon the quiet of the day;
and, in many instances has proved serious an
noyance to congregations assembled for religious
worship.
The work of relieving the sufferings Of many
poor and destitute families in this city goes brayely
on. Willing hands are found to engage earnestly
and zealously in hunting up, investigating, and
distributing the relief SO bountfdlly supplied by
warm sympathizing hearts
In many cases the relief extended has arrived
inst in time TO avert actual starvation or death from
cold. Just as the last stick of wood has cast its
feeble glow of warmth among the shivering group
beside a desolate hcarthstone, where helpless in
fancy and guiltless childhood vany cry for food to
their despairing and wen nigh hope-forsaken pa
rents, have these managers Of consolation arrived;
and who can tell or describe these joyful transitions
from hunger, cold, nakedness, despair, and burn
ing anguish, which these dispensers of charity
have witnessed
Among the many cases relieved yesterday was
that of poor consumptive widow, with several
young children. Her husband had recently been
killed on the railroad and thus deprived Of her only
support, though possessed Of the small house she
lived in, generously purchased for her at the time
by the employees of the road, was reduced to the
gone and she had scarcely sufficient food for her
self and dependent children to sustain life. The
whole family had been forced to sleep in one scany
bed, with such insuficiency of clothing that,
she informed her visitors, she and the children had
been shivering with cold throughout the recent
severe nights
Fortunately, shall say-nay, Providentiaiiy--
some warm-hearted citizen had just placed in tho
hands Of these visiters two large heavy blankets,
and here were they bestowed, along with money to
replenish the empty arder and re-kindlc the dying
embers on the hearth.
| The poor widow, to describe her joy and thank
fitness, as she received these creature comforts,
was quite beyond the power Of those who saw and
heard her. Tonight she and her little ones bless
their benefactors they lie snugly shielded from