The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1857-02-19
LOCAL MATTERS.

Worfing Prisoners We have often heard fbe
question asked, has country iailer the right TO
put the Common wealths prisoners under his
charge to work unless directed so to do by tho
CourtT 1t jailer compel a prisoner to cock
wash, cut wood make fires, attend garden labor
in field, or perform any other manual ser vice
for his benefit, could he not be made to pay for
that servicef These questions, it seems to us.
should be decided by the courts because if the
custodian of prisoner has right to employ him
at one branch of industry, he has at another, and
may there re tend farm. make roads or dig ca.
mails for bis own profit, the Commonw ,ath fur.
nishing the laborers and feeding them at the same
time.
The Chinch BHgs-These destructive ipsects
which for years past have proved annoying 10
armeTs generally, seem to be proof against all
sorts of weather. whether wet or dry, bot or cold
Not only have they ravsged the wheat and corn
fields, and laid waste gardens and clover patches
but they have vigorously attacked the trees of the
forest and after fattening upon the tender shoots
and branches, have worked their way beneath the
bark, and there taken up winter quarters. A
gentleman owning small farm east If this city
informs us that in cutting wood myriads Of these
pes;iferous gourmands have been discovered be-
tween the bark aud trunk IF trees; and that on
Sunday last, he saw several of them in bis wheat
field as busily engaged as if the month OF April
had arrived If they have commenced their ope.
rations thus early. there is telling what rury
the wheat is to sustain by them the coming sea
son.
RMust Be So Some of the residents cf Cover.
street are new complaining of its bad condition
and Of the annoy ances TO which they are subjected
by rubbish, stones &c, which block up the high
way. What folly to murmur now when that
thoroughfare is less obstructed at this time than
we have ever known 1t to be. Why, the oldest 10.
habtant. since the street was nothing bat county
road has always known it by its hills and vales-
its artificial mounds created by the contents OF
some back yard, or the dirt from a sewer bed, the
kr:xl
building. Governor street would not be Governor
street but for the temporary obstructions TO be
found in it. and whenever they are entirely re-
moved, those who have once known it will know
it no more.
4 Sudden Plunge-Last Tuesday afternoon, as
a negro man was passing along the northern mar.
gin of the Dock, near 23d street, he walked too
near the edge in attempting to get around pile
plaster, and striking his feet against small boul-
der, suddenly pitched into the Wi ater head
foremost Ebo after finding the bottom soon rose
to the top; but being unable TO swim, was fast dis
pearing again, when a number of persons hastened
to bis assistance and drew him on shore, just in
time to save his life
Petty 7aed.-Wiliam Shelton, alias Rouse, was
examined before the Mayor yesterday on tn
charge of stealing a rule from Edward Eurough
ty and remsnded to answer an Indictment at the
May term of the Hastings Court.
Let aof- Dick Abrams, the free negro, who was
handsomely striped last Tuesday Tor assanitir
Henry Saai, white man, came again before the
Mayor yesterday, and on promising TO lead . bet
ter life hereafter, was discharged.
Dismissed.-The summons against John A. Bel
vim for creating an obstruction in Governor street
was dismissed by the Mayor the cause Of the CON-
plaint having been removed.
Hard at The city convicts, under overseer
Pearee, have been pulling out" msnfuily for two
or taree days past, and seem to be ss happy ~
dead kittens In . mill posd. MIR. Pearce Is firm
cool and system stic man, and will be apt to mar.
sge the prisoner, under him with credit to hmss Il
and profit to the city.
Coming the Dodse.-San Patch, q free negro oi
notorious bad character escaped from the taller oil
Henrico county last Tuesday. and 10 yet at large
Sam was taken f.om prison into the courthouse to
remove the carPeting, and while thus employed
managed to give the jaiier the slip and cut sticks
Blats' Ball The managers of this Rail are rt.
quested to meet at the American Hotel this after~
noon, At o'clock. See the advertisement In an
other colnmn and attend promptly.
Vorkes Oat-William Curfaia aud Francis
BiidgewAfer. ex m {. &. were both reieased from
prison ythe Mayor. yesterday. They have 70
bored faithfully on the pubic sirssis since nfss
put there, and, - . consequence, have had theis
Terms Of sentence shortencd.