Washington sentinel., 1855-03-11
Gotal anO Ysrsonal.

next fiscal year for public improvements, includ-
ing $325,0O0 for the Capitol extension, 100000
for new dome, 100000 for the enlargement Of
The Treasury and Post Office buildings, $250,OO0
for the continuation OF the Washington aqaeduct,
and $4,000 toward the completion Of the east
wing of the Patent Office.
A copious and unfaing supply OF water is re-
quired by the Government both for the individual |
use of its officers and the suppression Of fire,
should any Of the public buildings ever again be
the food for the devouring flame. Beside, at least
one hundred thousand persons from oil parts Of
the Union resort TO Washington during year, |
either on business or for pleasure. Provision for
the Government was the first consideration which |
prompted the appropriation for the aqueduci,
though our permanent population viii have the
privilege Of enjoying the liquid supply from the
Great Falls Of the Potomac
The enlargement Of the Capitol the Patent
Office, and Of the Post Office and Treasury Depart
ments, is demanded by the constantly increasing |
business Of the country; and hence The aPpropria-
lions for this purpose. As for the Improvement Of
public grounds, the health Of citizens well AZ
oi sojourners has been consulted; beauty in the
arrangement being an important incident.
While many Of our resident population will be
benefited by the liberal appropriations Of money
10 be expended in this District, we would, il we
could, disabuse the minds of those who have has.
lily concluded that the million and halt Of money
was especially designed for the District of Colum-
bia, though its interests will be considerably ad
vanced, while The General Government will reap
advantages which were designed in making the
appropriations
Dust.--If, on Friday and yesterday, the thou.
sands OF persons, who, during the early part Of
the week. AFTER the adjournment of Congress,
hastily left the city for their homes, had been
gifted with the power Of clairvoyance, they,
viewing the appearance Of the city through that
medium, would doubtless, have congratulated
themselves that they had made timely escape
from the dense clouds of gritty dust formed by
The fierce. violent, bowling winds Along the
line of Pennsylvania avenue, from the Treasury
Department TO the CAPITOL especially, the com
bined earthly particles had full play, occasionally
ntercep,ing the view OF that spacious and world
renowned ,horoughfare. The binding of eyes,
and the bowing-of OF hats were among the Incl
dents Nobody seemed inclined TO loler on the
way
Washington and Alexandria Railroad
We learn that surveys for this road between these
Two cities have been commenced, with q view 10
early operations in the laying of the rails; and
that the design is to have the work completed
early next summer-perhaps by the first Of July.
Passengers will be carried over the Long Bridge
in omnibuses, until structprc over the Potomac
river more permanent than the present shall be
provided, to warrant continuous or uninterrup-
ted railway along the entire line.
Water, saws the Charleston Courier, should
never be applied 10 the top Of burning building
If there is any possibility Of getting II at the bot
tom of the ire. This secret of playing low is
worth more than Philips's fire annihilator.
Water applied at the top runs very little chance
of reaching the central and hottest part Of the fire
while applied at the bottom reaches at least
an the form of steam every part Of the fire.
We believe in the truth Of these remarks and
thai the many persons who, recently, witnessed
the FIRE al Colonel Benton's residence, will come
to the same conclusion. The water "applied TO
the top of the burning building" may have pre-
vented the flames from communicating TO the ad-
joining houses, but il did not avert the entire de-
struction of everything Of an inhammable charac-
ser within the walls, and without on the premises.
The Railroad Brake.-Mr. William Lough-
bridge, yesterday morning exhibited his recently
patented car brake, in the court yard OF the Ma
tional hotel. The experiments were in the highest
degree successful. Considering the importance
of the subject, and the frequent destruction OF
human life by the collision of cars, which this
brake would doubtless prevent, we trust that rail-
road proprietors, every where, will give il the due
consideration 10 which il is entitled Mr.. Lough- 1
bridge does not present mere theory, but gives
a practical test, on a temporary railroad eighty
feet in length with q model sufficiently large fcpj1
that purpose.
Washington Navy Yard.-The following
item appears in the Navy Appropriation bill, re-
Gently passed by the late Congress, relative to the
Washington navy yard: "For ordnance building,
completing cradle TO marine railway; extension
Of boiershop; conversion of ordnance TO machine
shop forge-shop for new steam hammer; snoring
ways in shiphouse T; lining walls Of slip; pave
ments, drains, and cutters; grading and filing low
places; raising roof Of brass foundry; 6rc-engine
house; dredging channels; reservoir for water;
sssplpes and 6xiurcs; and repairs Of all kinds,
one hundred and ninetyAwo thousand three hun.
dred and cishly-six dollars"
Criminal William Gibbs, tried and
found guilty Of stealing basket Of marketing,
was sentenced TO nine months imprisonment in
Jail and 10 pay fine OF one dollar.
Peter Douglass and Thomas Pratt were found
guilty Of stealing groceries, valued at 81 30, and
each was sentenced TO years imprisonment
in jail and TO pay fine Of one dollar and costs.
The court was not in session yesterday.
Washington National Monument Society,"
We learn from the hmerican Organ, that cat
meeting Of the board Of managers OF the Society
last Fnday) evening $. 8. Briggs, esq, was ap-
pointed superintendent OF the work, vice William
Doughery, removed
This refers to the action Of the Know.nothing
board OF managers, as the old board have not re-
signed their posts. Mr.. Briggs is a machinisi, (