The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1860-11-02
LOCAL MATTERS.

hrst Insertlon, anu - cents lot eaeh contnuance
LOCAL MATTERS
Thank.giring Dny.-we are not In favor Of
the Pnritaric custom Of appointing day OF
Thanksgiving, by the proclamation of the
dovernor; for, however excellent Its purpose
may be, there Is nothing virtuous la Its OBJ
servance. In the land OF the Yankees whence
the custom sprung, II is day of gormapdiziDG
and frolicking, utterly at variance with all
thoughts of gratitude for blessings bestowed.
Still, there is something pleasing in the idea
Of the assembling of a congregation of people.
uninfluenced by an Executive mandate, to re-
turn thanks for the various mercies which
have caused the plants TO grow in beauty, ma
tured the grain and crowned all with kindly
harvest. When the well filled barns of the
husbandman bespeak his thrift, and plenty
smiles abroad IL is surely a proper time for
those who participate in the general bounty
TO make their gratitude manifest. Yesterday
was thus observed by the Episcopal Church in
James Church, and an appropriate sermon
seiivered by the assistant rector, the Rev. Mr..
Deshiel. We devoutiv hope that the clouds
impending over this fair Republic may dsap-
pear, and that to the end of time her inhabit-
ant may have cause for true thanksgiving in
the reign of peace, plenty and prosperity.
Midnigh. Cries-The cry of murder" or
fire" or even the wall OF n disconsolate fe-
line, at the hour of midnight, is calculated 70
siartle the timid and make whole neighbor-
hoods jump out OF bed with fearful apprehen-
sions. On Tuesday night last the inhabitants
Of one portion of Broad street were aroused
from their slumber by prolonged shouts which
by some were in terpreted as cry OF murder,
and the development of bloody tragedy was
naturally expected. 1t turns out, however,
that a servant of Col. Bigger discovered a ne
gro making his entrance into the Colonel's
back lot and forthwith gave chase, crying
'robber ~ with all the power of his lungs
The intruder was pursued down Broad street
almost u Shockoe Greek, when he descended
the steps leading into the valley and made his
escape. Col. BIS servant hoped 10 attract the
at ention of some of the night watch by his
shouts, but did not succeed.
Freedom of Speech.-John Hagan, charged
with being disorderly and using profane Ian
guage in the street, appeared before the Mayor
1t seems that John, who Is an ar
dent Breckenridge man, was talking politics
with his aCQuaintances, when officer Seal
came along and Informed them that they we're
too boisterous, and must desist. MIR. Hagan
claimed the right of speech; words waxed
warm between them, and, IL was deposed, he
cRSSed the officer. He was then taken from his
buggy by the policemen who had assembled,
and escorted TO the watch house. The Mayor
would doubtless have disposed Of the case in
his Court, but the accused expressed a willing
ness to have the question OF his constitutional
rights tested and ii was thereupon sent TO the
Grand Jury. Mr.. Hagan maintains that in
this time of political excitement, all citizens
have the privilege OF u free and loud express
SION CT opinion.
C2e~ranees for Foreign Poyts.-During the
month of October, the folio owing vessels
cleared at the Custom House in this city, for
foreign ports:
schr. Mary Helen, for Rio Grande, with
1898 bbls. flour Br. schr. Truro, for Halifax,
N. S, with 1850 bbls. -four; Italian bark
Anomino, for Genoa, with 2i5 hhds. leaf to-
bacco; bark Abigail, for Rio de Janeiro, with
3, $40 bbis -four BARK Gen. Cobb, for Genoa,
with $40 hhds. tobacco; bark Ann Z. Grant
for Rio de Jaueiro, with 3,71O bbls. fonr; Br.
brig Time, for Halifax, N. s, with ,56i bbs.
-four; brig Amy Warwick, for Rio de Janeiro,
with 2S25 bbls. -four and 293 bales cotton goods;
Brem. ship Hermine, for Bremen, with 73l
with 432 hhds. and la5 boxes tobacco, 200 bbls.
flour and ll0 bales cotton ship Alexander, for
Genoa, with $40 hhds. tobacco.
Miss RichingS' Beneft.-The accomplished
actress who has achieved 80 many dramatic
triumphs in Richmond, appears before the
public to- night As beneficiary, and We ex-
pect TO see Il brilliant audience at the Theatre.
The play selected for this occasion Is the
comedy of " Extremes" which has heretofore
been received with marked favor, ard which,
as IL contains some rich scenes from American
political life, is now peculiarly appropriate
Miss Caroline Richings will sing some OF her
best songs, and her father will play that fine
character which is emphaIIcaily his own, OF
Mark May berry. The piece is well cast, and
will be produced with more than usual care.
We sincerely hope that Miss Richings will
have as good a benefit as she deserves, and II
this hope is fulfilled, she will have a crowded
house.
Richmond Circnit Conrt-The fall term of
Judge Mertdith's Court commenced yesterday.
Six persons were admitted to the rights OF citi-
Zenship and some other business ofan unim.
portant character was transacted. No crimi-
nal cases were ubmitted to the Grand Jury.
Il question was raised as TO the trial OF any
such cases sent on to this Court. Messrs.
August and CTopper argued that the Hastings
Court had possessed no right to send crimiaa
to Judge Meredith for trial, since the people
decided upon the establishment of the Court
presided over by Judge Lyons. Mr. Tazewell
argued that Judge Meredith had a right to try
the cases, and that they ought to be tried. The
question will be decided to-day.
JoHv FslIous.-More of those jolly chaps
who spend two-thirds of their time in the
dram shops and the other third in the cutters,
were deposited in the watch-house on Wed
uesday night. One of them, named Samuel
Allen, had been discharged but few hours
previous, when the officers discovered him
taking up more room on the sidewalk than
properly belonged TO two or three. The Mayor
sent him to Jail this time. The vice of intsm-
peragce has so many yotaries, that the city
will soon be at loss for accommodations, and
the Council may make move in the matter OF
new Jail.
PAIRING. - The work of paving Marshall
street is going forward, and its completion will
add much TO the conyeniences of that popular
thoronghfare. In the meantime, wa would
call the attention OF the authorities to the con-
dition of 5th street, near its Intersection with
Marshall. This street was in good condition
before il was dug up for sewerage purposes;
but any one who has passed along that way
since the late rain, will agree with us that il
now needs paving. The eastern sidewalk Of
the same street might also be included in tho
suggestion.
A nf cav aIrv In,
Caroline county having signified an inten tion
of coming TO the encampment, there will be
sixteen com panles in the field on that occasion.
The Governors Guard and the Henrico Light
Dragons were paradfLg yesterday on the old
Fair Grounds, and were instructed In the va
rious movements Of sq uadron drill The pre-
parations for - sncampment are attracting
atten ton In other quarters of the country,
and The result will prove that Virginia is not
unmindful of her interests.
The Steam Fire EHgiHe, which has been ex-
hi ted at the Mechanics Institute is now the
property Of the city, and will henceforth oc-
cupy the house prepared for It's reception on
sd street Whenever the bells sound au alarm
the horses will be attached 10 the machine,
which, in few minutes afterwards, will be
ready TO pour a deiuge Of water upon the fire,
wherever IL may break ont. Progress has
been the order OF the day in Richmond Of late
years.
The Consfmg Con aiet.-The Bell and Everett
men of Richmond are working hard TO give q
strong support 10 their candidates on the day
of eiec ton. II will be seen by the announce
ment In today's paper that the Club House
will be- open on Monday next, and that several
speakers will address the people at night. TIE
tive wings of the Democracy are working with
no less ardor, and all parties will marshal
their forces in full strength on Tuesday next
Seamen's BssAsI-This building is progress
ing towards completion. The bell tower has
been constructed, and will be ready for the
bell as soon as any Of our public spirited cii-
zens are ready 10 present Rev. Mr. Bokss,
the Chaplain, continues 70 n9id regular ser