The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1857-01-08

PKlCE ONE CENT
LOCAL MAxxHRa.
adding Crime to CLime--On Tuesday lsss dH.
fculty oceured between two prisoners In the eifv
jsil-Henry Griffin and Francis Bndeewater-
when the former plunged pair Of scissors into the
breast Of the latter inicting painful and serious
wound. Griffin ID one Of the parties concerned In
the attempt to break jail last Thursday night and
Is now in irons for that offence. He suspected
Bridgewater of giving Information to the ailors of
the plan of escape. and for thxt reason stabbed
him. We understand that he has threatened to
take the life of the turnkey the first opportunity
but If properly secured, will not be apt to get.a
chance to execute his threat
IL seems q little strange to US that prisoners In
1ail are allowed the use of weapons of any sort,
ana 1t Is even more remarkable that they are not
properly secured and punished when they exhibit
aspirit of characterization
Iae Work House will probably be completed
carry IN the spring, and then, instead of confinip
aissoiue women in the city jail to eat the bread Of
ioleness, tney can be made to earn their subsis.
renee Dy picking oakum, and by washing and
mending for those prisoners composing the chain
gang Many of the characters now sent to the
Poor House, could be proftably employed in the
above institution.
DestSn.-It is gratifying to witness the zeal
manifested.by the pupils In the School of Design of
gress they are making in their studies OF the
thirty scholars under the charge of Mr. PercivaI
at least two-thirds of them promise to become su-
perior craftsmen in q short time Designing is an
art OF ncaicuable advantage to men of all callings
and professions, but particularly 80 to mechanics
and manufacturers, who can never be complete
masters of their trades without 1t. The time for
uneducated citizens is rapidly feeting, and the
day is not far distant when education will be one
of the requisites to their success Our young IN en-
aDDr0ntica IN md
we are gratifed to find that they are eagerly
availing themselves of all the advantages within
their reach. When the Mechanics Institute gets
hall of its own, with rooms sufficiently large for
lts TWO schools, we have very little doubt that
men of all professions will take lessons in design
ing as an accomplishment, and thus become drafts.
men ard architects
Fotse Alarms are frequently caused by boys,
who, in violation of a city ordinance, get posses
siou of plug snatcher and then dash down the
lcng run and little fun. The officers of the Fire
Department, we are sure, neither wish nor re-
quire the services of mere lads at any time and
would get rid of them If they could; but as they
cannot be at the engine houses always, it is i'm.
possible for them to know who takes out the ma.
chimes We know but one way to put an end to
this nuisance, and that is for the Mayor to direct
the police to arrest and cage all boys caught run
Ling with the engines and reels, who are not mem.
oers of the department Scarcely q Sabbath
given by boys for the sole purpose of having a
race through the public streets, to the ANNOYANCE
OF those OF our citizens who desire to cast off the
world that day and observe it in holy manner
Grabbing Merchants are continually complain.
ing OF having their show goods stolen from their
doors and carried off in the day time, and the police
have been on the alert to detect the thieves, but
thus far have failed to succeed. Many of these
thefts are committed by white boys and negroes,
and the stolen goods are then sold to persons who
deal in such articles, or to boatmen and country
persons at reduced prices. When questionable
characters are seen with articles for SALE th ey
should be arrested and handed over to the police,
whose business 1t is to investigate such matters
Cruelty to Dumb Aaimols is forbidden by law.
aud yet it is no uncommon thing to see stout ne
gro fellow beating mule over the head with the
Drts end OF heavy whip In any of the principal
Streets because the poor animal is unable to per,
form impossibilties. Negroes and mules, it has
been said, were made for each other and csnnoi
live apart. If this be so, the negroes ought q,
least be compelled 20 treat their long-eared asso
ciates in becoming manner.
Not Obsvred-The ordinance forbiddng the de
posting OF trash and waste in the public streets
Is almost a dead letter. and had well be repeal
ed. The cutters of Main and Broad streets arc
filled with the sweeping of stores, from one day
end to another.
Organ Grinders have become SO unpopular in ths
country of late that they are all making tracks
for towns in which to locate during the winte,
months. Several of these travelling ANNOYANCE
have just reached Richmond and commenced ope
| raiions on their ill-tuned Instruments A short az
premiership in the chain gang would induce then
- seek liveiihood In q different way.
Trotting Course.-We have been requested tt
say that effort will be made the appro achips
spring to open trotting course near Richmond
Club is to be formed for the purpose, and an eff
fort will then be made 10 get ground enough q
Fairfield for the track If this cannot be done
| another location will be selected
Stabbing On the 10th of December last. a ne
gro fellow named William, slave to Thos Friend
OF Chesterfield, was severely stabbed by another
negro, in grocery on Byrd street. YESTERDAY
morning, fellow called Henry, the property o
to answer for the felony, but As none of the wit
nesses could identify the prisoner as the person
who committed the deed, be was discharged.
Unlawtm Assem5ly-C Colby, the keeper of ,
| small establishment in the old Academy building
was fined SIS by the May or for permitting an un
lawful assembly of negroes in his house.
Thief Caught.-A slave, named jim, the proper
~ of Mrs. Elizabeth King, was convicted befor
the Mayor, yesterday, of stealing shawl from tn
door Of MIR. r. Moore, and ordered to be punished
No Papys-John Mason, free negro, employe,
on one of the vessels now lying in the dock, wa
Gagged last Tuesday night for want of register
Yesterday morning the Captain came forward
paid the fine of S. for employing the boy and TOOL
him in charge.
The Night School for apprentices, under charge
of Mr.. C. p. Burruss, will be resumed about the
18th of this month.
Blocking Up The river at Rockets yesterday
morning was covered over with sheet of ice, anG
as the weather was extremely cold, fears were en-
tertained that navigation would have to be sus
pended for time.
NtD Business-The Messrs. Woodward have JUS
established public laundry in this city, and are
offering to do the washing for families at node
rate prices The enterprise is one that should be
encouraged on the score of economy.
Fire Proof Building The County Court of Hen
rico passed q resolution yesterday requir-
ing the summoning of ali the Justices at the
February term to consider the propriety of erect
ing q fire proof building for the County Court
Clerks office. The books and papers now In tbe
court house. are liable to be destroyed at any time
and it Is therefore important that steps should be
taken TO guard against such calamity.
SkatinS.-The boys were having fine times or
the basin and neighboring ponds yesterday after
noon, with their skates.
4 Floral Concert, will be given tonight OF
Church Hill, when the young ladies CONNECTED
with the Sabbath School Of the Leigh street Bxp'
tist Church, will sing the "Cantata Of Florsls Fes
tval" assisted by ladies and gentlemen of the city
under the direction Of VIM. Mingle.