The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1856-03-14
LOCAL MATTERS.

Improving James Rtrr-H the General Govern.
ment fails to make an appropriation for the i'm.
provement of James River, the city of Richmond
ought to take the matter in hand, and regardless
of cost or labor, resolve to deepen the channel
from Rockets to City Point, SO that vessels of ff
teen hundred tons burthen can come into our port
and discharge and receive their cargoes. If Rich
| mond expects to advance her commercial prosperi
ty, she must deepen the waters of the James river
80 as 10 admit large vessels into her port, even
though she has TO lay special tax to carry out
that object. We know that our people, and espe.
cialy the mercantile portion, are taxed unto death,
and that they groan under that burthep night and
day; but if they can now bear the weight i'm
posed upon them how much more easily will they
be enabled to do so when the leading lines Of i'm
proyement shall be opened to the Ohio river ena.
bling the railroads to pour into the lap of Rich.
| mond the treasures of the far West, while her
river has been sufficiently deepened to admit the
arrival into her port of large class vessels laden
with the wealth and industry of the cid world in
exchange for the vast treasures brought to our
doors, to be reshipped for other and distant cmes
By the expenditure of 100000 from fifteen to
seventeen feet of water can be secured between
here and City Point. Indeed, some gentlemen
who have given the subject much thought believe
that the improvement can be completed for
$4,000. But whether this is so or not, our people
should make up their minds to have the river deep.
ened, and that, too, without an hours delay.
Heary Sacrifces-No other portion of this com
munity is called upon to make as many and as
given day or night in hot weather or cold, fair
weather or foul, and every fireman is expected to
be promptly at his post and ready for action. re-
gardless of the dangers to life and limbs that they
are continually compelled to face. Most of our
firemen are young men, in moderate circumstances
who have no property to protect, and no interest
in the sacrifices they are making other than bene
fitting their fellows better off in worldly goods
than themselves. Under these circumstances, it
seems to US that private fund should be raised
for the support of those who are sometimes Grip
pied for life, and that every citizen should contr
butte literally to that fund.
Madame Adolphc, the phrenologist, continues to
receive crowds of visitors, many of whom speak
in amazement of the wondrous revelations made
to them of the past the present ana that which Is
to come. We have not consulted the Madame as
to the past of the present. but would advise the
various Office seekers to give her CALL by way OF
ascertaining what are their chances OF success IN
the future.
Monroe Ward stands very much in need of
large public hall in which its citizens can hold
meetings, elections etc., and as the city owns
sufficiency of ground Marshall street, on which
to have suitable building for this purpose erect
ed the representatives of that Ward in the City
Council should endeavor to secure to their constr
tuents at an early day, suitable public edifee.-
Without entering into any calculations upon the
subject to be relied upon, it seems to us that sub
stantial building might be erected upon the lot ad-
Joining the new market for $I0,UO0, that would
readily yield an income of six per cent and at tue
same time furnish hall sufficiently large for all
the wants of that section OF the city.
Interesting Lecture-Rev. ]. ID. Kelley of Peters
burg will deliver a lecture tonight before the Odd
Fellows of this city in Aurora Lodge, Corinthian
Hall: Subject, 1.-THE Mysteries Of the Hebrews.
II has not been our good fortune to hear either OF
the three lectures delivered by this learned Divine,
but we aie assured by friends who were present
on those occasions, that the subject matter was OF
the most interesting character, and that the Lee
zolf eradit in ms M
presenting it. Surely every Odd Fellow IN the
city will avail himself of the privilege of hearing
the lecture tonight.
Civil Business occupied the Mayor the greater
porten of Yesterday morning, the High Constable
having docket to dispose of nearly as long az
tape line.
Danpeyous-A few bricks have sunk down on
tho north sidewalk of Main street near 9th, ma.
king a very dangerous trap for persons passing
along that street. If not attended 10 in time, 1t
NAV lead TO tho erippling for life of some passer
by.
Mr.. A. Iysflr who was crippled by the falling Of
a chimney on the night that Mr. Belvins ware
room was destroyed by fire, is yet lying in help
les. condition. with but slight hopes Of his final re-
coYery.
Diausire Daylight Reflector - Some few days
since we met with one of our old townsmen, Mr..
Hyneman, now residing In Philadelphia, VINO Is
selling the right to b. Goetzs Diffusive Daylight
Reflector, an invention which must prove invaiua-
BILE In large Cities 1t u designed TO improve me
Iight of stores and rooms whose length renders
them dark at all times. and not unfrequentiy re-
quires the use Of gas at midday. The apparatus
consists Of frame. the size Of 2 window, ana =
suspended at an angle of forty -hve degrees Ine
upper side Is composed of briaht metallic SUD
stance, covered with glass. TO prevent corrosion
The metal surface, into which silver enters, y.
tracts and collects the daylight and causes ~ dif
fusion throughout the reom. As yet none OF ne
refectors have been used in our city, and We can.
not, therefore, speak adviaedly Of their effect Du.
we understand few of them win be pus up 10
short time, when our readers will have an opPe.
tunity Of deciding upon their inertia y ne ~ =
vention proves equal 10 the represenfassons =. -
many of our merchants win gladly svAh snses
selves Of its aid In lighting their dark store s001''
In the day time.
TAe scssve.-Mr. Egsslins. the SuperintendenL
tis busily engaged In improving aud bsaufnyns ~
CAPITOL Square. and Il permitted 20 continue nls
operations, win have II IN apple pie order os'ose
the summer sets In.