Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1856-12-31
EV ENTNG STAR.
LOCAL INTELLIGENCE.

RsyoRr OF THE COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC
y BUILDINGS FOR THE YEAR 1856 The annual
report Of the Commissioner of Public Buildings
presents much interesting and valuable mat.
ter, which We regret not having space to-day
to give in detail. It presents general view
Of the repairs and Improvements of the Capt.
toll, Presidents House, public grounds, ave-
nues, DC rensws the recommendations of the
last report which were not acted upon by Cor.
gress viz: An addition to the court-hous
portion of the City Hail. the erection af a new
Jail; the improvement of Franklin square, the
triangular spaces formed by the intersection
Of New York and Massachusetts, avenues and
Tenth and Twelfth streets, the triangular
spaces on Pennsylvania avenue, between III
and Nineteenth streets, and the space on the
south side of Pennsylvania avenue, between
Twentieth and Twenty first streets the gra-
ding of North Capitol street, from street to
Massachusetts avenue the removal of the
naval monument; and the purchase of lot
and erection of house for the keeper of the
upper Eastern Branch bridge.
States that diversity of opinion exists as
to the extension of the Capitol grounds west
wardly, but that there is general concurrence
that squsres numbered 6S7 and ooo ought to
beiRcluded in the eastern enclosure that the
revenue arising from sales Of government lots
has ceased, and that means for making the
improvements required by the 18th section of
the city charter Of 1920, and the 18th section
of the amended charter of lS48, must be pro
vided in some other way; and that there has
been q reduction in the price of gas to the
government and private consumers.
Commends highly the annual appropri alton
msde by Congress for the medical treatment
of sick nonresident paupers, and expresses an
earnest hope for its increase.
Maintains the right Of the government to re-
move tee Centre Market-house and take pos
session Of the reservations occupied by 1t
Processes to have no knowledge of the move
ments Of the auxiliary guard, and insists upon
the incongruity in their manner of appoint
ment and payment.
Argues to show that the fee simple to the
avenues and streets is in the Government, and
that, as a consequence, the Government ought
20 open and grade such as lead directly to the
Capitol and Presidents House.
Recommends the completion Of Now jersey
avenue from ID street to New York avenue
the grading Of Delaware avenue from to d
street north and the opening and grading of
Sixteenth street west from K to Boundary
street
Urges the importance of a civil engineer
being attached to the office, and the necessity
of an additional clerk, and gives due praise
to the employees under the direction Of the
Commissioner for fidelity in the discharge of
sheir duties -
HOOD JEwELRY AND MANUFACTURING Els.
TABLIsHxENr.-Dsy by day it is satisfactory
to note the evidences of the growth and pros
perity of the city as indicated by new manu-
featuring and business enterprises projected
and carried out by companies or individuals
In q call lately made at the jewelry establish.
msnt of H. o. Hood b Co. we were greatly
pleased with a variety Of beautifully designed
articles Of silverware, manufactured upon the
premises, and of a class the manufacture of
which, We believe, has never before been un-
dertaken in this city The patterns of many
- hnoa rielos TOrIr 1olt
butter, fish and jelly knives crumb-scrapers,
napkin-rings, &c are truly exquisite, and,
as they are patented by Messrs Hood & Co.,
can be procured nowhere else. We advise our
readers to call and see for themselves. An
admirably working stationary engine upon
the premises, manufactured by VIM. Brown,
of Concord, N. III. turns a rolling mill, which
reduces the tough bars of silver to the requi
ate thinness, aud also the polishing apparatus
which brings tie manufactured ware to a mir
ror-liks lustre. Hood Co. have also large
assortment of watches and jewelry; but it is
of their manufacturing operations We design
to speak more especially at this time.
CIRCUIT CoURr.-A very interesting 10 after
was before the Court yesterday, growing out
of q memorial fled by the Hon Richard w.
Thompson, of Indiana, praying the Court TO
grant Q rule upon the Secretary Of the Treas
ury to Stow cause why a mandamus Of the
Court should not issue against himself to COM
pei the payment of about $40, 900 to Mr.
Thompson under an appropriation by Congress
on Indian account. The relator was repre-
scented by Hon. Reverdy johnson, who ad-
dressed the Court for about tWe hours in sup
port Of the memorial The cases cited upon
which to ground the desired action Of the Court
were that of Stockton and Stokes against Ken
dell, that Of Marbury Madison and Mrs. Deca-
tur against tie Secretary Of the Navy. The
gist Of the honorable gentlema9's argument
appeared to be that the function Of tbs Secre-
tary Of the Treasury Az respect to the case in
hand ia simply ministerial, and in no manner
or degree discretionary .-IHteE gsncsr
THEDIsrRIcr IN CoSGREss.-In the Senate,
yesterday, Mr.. Brown presented a petition
from citizens of Washington, ID. G asking an
appropriation for grading and paving Mary
land avenue, between Eleventh street west
and the Potomac bridge, in this city. The
memorials set forth that the condition of the
avenue is one of great public izsonvenience
and Of especial injury to the owners OF prop
erty residing on the same. They say thst
there is no mode by which that pavement can
be adjusted - the proper grade except by an
appropriation from Congress, the expense
thereof being properly chargeabie TO the
United States and not TO the Corporation Of
Washington, unless the eGst be borne by the
holders of property, which would be manifest
ly unjust, inasmuch as Congress undertook to
grade the avenue, buf lett IL In It's present Sis
creditsble condition, because of the insuft-
cheney OF the appropriation.
SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTE will De no
lecture TO night The lecture of John e.
Thompson, Esq editor of the " Southern
Literary Messenger" upon European Jour-
mails" drew a large assemblsge on Monday
night. In the course Of his able por,raisure
of that powerful but soulless journal, the Lon
don Times a passing allusion Of the lecturer
20 the famous /" Arrowsmith Hoax" elected
heartiness Of applause which indicated the
relish with which Americans view the fact Of
the 8 great thunderer" being victimiIed IL
its greedy swallowing this series of astounding
Munehausenism to the discredit Of this coun-
try.
PREsrO, cHASGE!-As one Of the burly bur