Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-04-21

The special committee in the matter OF re-
organizing the fire department of the city oil
Brooklyn having reported in favor OF re-or-
ganiAing it on the paid system, petitions ask
ing the Common Council to adopt that sys-
TEN are now exhibited at the ferries for sig
natures by the residents of Brooklyn as they
pass to and from New York. The committee
who have reported unanimously in favor OF
it, show that in Cincinnati, Providence, Un-
ca, ard wherever else the paid system has
been adopted, there has been great reduc-
ton of the number of fires, and consequently
a reduction in the rates OF insurance.
At the approaching spring Races near
Richmond, an effort will be made TO put on
foot plan for the establishment Of "Na-
tional Club" whose duty it will be to recon-.
mend to the various Clubs of the country
uniform weights and distances. Rerresen-
tatives are expected to be present from Ken
lucky, Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia, S,uth
Carolina, North Carolina, Louisiana, Mary
land, New Jersey, New York, and, perhaps,
other States, who are interested In the con-
templated changes.
The spring flowers remind the President
of the necessity of selecting in time comf1rta-
bic summer quarters. He has directed u
friend to negotiate with Gen. Hiram Wal
bridge for the use of his beautiful villa OF In
gleside during the hot season. lnglesida is
about one mile out Of the city, and imme1i-
ately northward from the White House. 1t is
to be the rural abode OF the Chief Magis-
trate of the country.
The Greek papers contain q paragraph
which shows how they settle breaches OF
promise of Marriage 10 King OthO's civilized
realms. The Tilted maiden took the law into
her own hands, and having watched her OPP
portunity, bounced upon her rival, and cut
her head clean of. Both parti ! were sheE-
herdesses; and this little pastoral drama took
place at Cyparissls, very few staudla from
Athens.
The increasing volume of the Mississippi
river, and the occasional parting 10 the leyee,
and the consequent overflow of the waters
below Vcksburg, are occupying much atten-
ton in New Orleans. The Vicksburg Wing
of Saturday says that the river was rising at
the rate Of an inch in twenty. -four hours, and
was then within twenty-five inches Ot the
high water mark of 1850.
According to the returns of the county as
SCISSORS of Illinois, to the State auditor, the
aggre gate value of real and personal prop
erty in that commonwealth (omitting several
counties not yet received) amounts 10 S4OS,-
| al ,367, being an increase Gf 81, 22I.2 lO
over the total of the year, 1856, or y per
cent difference in two years.
Six hundred barrels of new Bermuda po-
tatJes arrived at New York on Friday =
Some tomatoes from the same place also ar
rived, with new peas from Charleston. To-
matoes at - per box, green peas $40 per
barrel, aud asparagus 5O(G75c. per bunch.
The Hon. Mr.. Pickens, of S. c., Minister
to Russia, has been in New York with his
family en- route to st. Petersburg-but una
BILE to secure satisfactory passage for a
month or more, be has returned to South Caro-
lima to transact some business there before
be sails.
The Zuloaga government in Mexico, has
issued decree abolishing ali State and Ter
ritorial governments and centrali7ing the
administrative power in the general govern
ment.
Capt John Rudd has been ordered to the
command of the hayward at Washington,
on the 18th of May next, vice Com. Lave
ette, ordered to the Wabash.
Ex-Governor Mattesou, of Chicago, has
commissioned Mr. l.. w. VOlk, the sculptor,
to execute for his residence Ife-size statue
of Judge Douglas, in marble.
The people Of Minnesota have ratified the
five million loan BILL recently passed by
the Legislature of that Territory.