The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1856-04-24
LOCAL MATTERS.

Tie Opsrs-Sscoad Nighs--Auber's opera q
the Grown Dismonds'' WAS rendered last ever
ing at the Theatre by the "Pyne and Harrison
Troupe. The style Of this music, which Is bril-
hans and sparkling, IL essentially different from
the smooth, flowing. cantabile of the Italial
school, hence We have now had an opportunity o
hearing these charming Artists in the gay ans
the grave, and we record with pleasure that the,
are admirable in both-Miss Louisa Pyue "a ths
heroine of the Grown Diamonds'' Impressed n,
with the conviction of her great requirements
not only unapproachable as a Vocalist. but as ~
actress far above the average class of great Primo
Donni-her Introduction Of the Sky Lark" with
which her name Is identified, is wonderful ef
fort of vocalization, and we had imagined in this
song that the human voice in execution had reach.
ed its eliminating point-bat it was reserved for
her further introduced Air of Rodes variations To
assure us her resources are illimitable It Is 10
the costume of this Opera, in which her wonderful
resemblance to the pictures of Queen Victoria in
early life, is so remarkable.
Mr.. Harrison, as the dashing young Count
proved himself light comedian Of high class
and as vocalist fully sustained his reputation
his introduced song of "oh whisper what thou
feelest, was exquisitely rendered
The opera was exceedingly well put upou the
stage. and the entire entertainment, which was of
the highest class, perfect success -
This evening the Bohemian Girl" and on Fri
day Wallace's opera of Mariana, being the last
nignt out one OF the engagement of the Opera
Troupe.
Hncksterang, in our markets, has been reduced to
such nicely, that even the lynxeyed clerk of the
first market, with all his shrewdness and energy
finds it impossible to enforce the ordinances and
prevent the people from being continually imposed
upon by designing spectators, who are always on
the look out for the necessares of ife by the pur
oh nf hfah ttoxy
the market, and extort enormous profits The
present ordinance declares, that if any person l.
convicted Of purchasing fish, fowls, vegetables.
butter, eggs, etc. 10 the city, or within six miles
of its limits and offering the same for sale again
the articles purchased shall be forfeited to the
city, and the person SO convicted ever after pro.
hibited from selling in the market Now, If this
ordinance could be rigidly enforced hucksterinp
could be .prevented-but as there are so many
ways to evade its provisions, and it is very diff.
cult Tor the CLERK OF the market to catch the par
ties when buying and selling, the ordinance is
rendered almost a dead letter and had therefore
as well be repealed We have watched the opera
tions of market traficers for years. and have come
to the conclusion that the only way to prevent huck
stering is to make the market free for all who
choose to sell in it; remove the tax on all who
sell what they produce or bring from the country,
and treble the tax on speculators. Ifsome induce
ment was held out to persons living in the country
to bring their products to market and sell them
ro30lY
so; but under the present ordinance they are una.
bic to compete with the SPECTATORS and therefore
sell out to them by wholesale, to avoid annoyance
and trouble.
Schooling Appreatices.-If the citizens of Rich.
mond desire to see the working classes improved
they should make up their minds to aid liberaIy
the Mechanics Institute in raising means for car.
rying ON their night schools next fall in the most
approved manner. From the large number of
apprentices who attended the school last season. ii
is generally believed that $50 or 800 pupils can be
secured the next session, and as me ans will be re-
quired to pay the teachers rent, etc. every friend
ofths mechanic should hold himself in readiness
to contribute to that object. The working men
of the South are behind their brethren Of the
North, because they are uneducated, but give
them the advantage of learning, and they will
soon have no superiors Let our readers bear
these facts in mind and when called upon, contri-
butte of their means to good cause.
Public Meaing.-We have been requested to re.
mind our readers ofthe fact, that q mass m Getting
will be held at the African church tomorrow night
to select a suitable candidate for the office of She
riff. The candidates to be;selected from are Messrs
Winston, Hutcheson. Eyson and Bridges
All of them are well known to our citizens
Free Plug The City Council should either es
tabsh free water plugs for the of the poor, OF
make some arrangement in various sections Of the
city, by which that class of persons can have nc.
cess to water. Under the present ARRANGEMENT
many of these persons are actually forced to vio
late the ordinances daily, because they are unable
to pay the required tax, and must have water to
drink, wash and cook with. plentiful supply O;
water is essentialto health and where any portion
of the community arc too poor to pay for it, the
city should furnish them gratutously We ask
the attention of the chairman of the watering COM
mittee to this subject with the hope that he win give
it proper consideration and then bring it before
the Council
Equal Salaries-It has been a matter of surprise
to US that theCity Watchmen, most of whom are
men of families, have been able to procure the ne
cessaries Of life at the wages they are now re
ceiving. "A Watchman must enjoy unusual health
if he can be on duty six nights In week. for which
the city pays him 81 50 per night Out of this
amount all his expenses are to be paid or he must
90 in debt for what he wants-and If he does get
in debt, it is impossible for him to get out again.
We have frequently advocated the rights OF these
men to an increase Of pay, because we believed
their services were worth enoagh to support them,
and because we did not believe th at the city had
the right to retain men In her service on such sal
aries as must compel chem to get In debt without
the hope of ever being able TO pay. At late
meeting of the council, Mr. r. G.. Morriss gave no.
tjce of his intention to overhaul and eaualise the
in doing SO, it is to be hoped that the poor watch
men will be remembered, and for once have jus.
tice done them. fa
James Riuer Improvement. Unless the City Coun-
ell will provide the means to keep the wheels in
motion, the dredging operations on the bar below
Rockets w III have to be suspended. The city, we
believe. has already expended $22 900 on this
work. and if 1t is suspended, the dredge boats
and other apparatus viii soon become ivalneless
from want of use. At the last meeting of the
Council an appropriation of 81, 600 asked for,
to keep the work progressing until 1t be deter
preparation for cleaning out James river II 10
does then the money advanced bY the city Will DO