Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1863-10-08
LOCAL NEWS.

VISIT TO THE ALMsHoUsR.-The usual an
nual visit of the municipal authorities and
others to the city almshouse was paid yesterday
afternoon, per in vitation of the officials of the
institution, and it was vastly pleasant and
Satisfactory fair all around.
Mayor Wallach was present, together with
Col. TAFT, Police Superintendent Webb, Messrs.
McDevitt, Newman, and Slater, Commission
ers of the Asylum; Asbury Lloyd, Esq, Pres
ident of the Board OF Common Council, and
also about all the good looking members of both
boards OF the Councils.
Some time was spent in inspecting the
grounds market and flower gardens, vegetib BILE
houses, larm. &c, all OF which were in excel
lent condition, and do credit to the Intandant
of the Asylum. Mr.. Josias Adams and his as
sistants. They have very nice srt Gle of
white turnip down there and many D, ople
like them raw. Thus it was that those grave
city fathers were seen mcandering over tie
lawns, each munching a turnip. Eoque-s, too,
had they,--dahlias and other things, but espe-
cially dahlias.
Next the visiting party passed through the
Almshouse, and the Workhouse-so called.
Cleanliness, ttdiness. good order, was the rule;
rooms well ventilated, &c, IN fact all that can
be effected in an establishment where the sys.
tenn worked on IS radically wrong, is done
here by the capable officials. But it is quit,
apparent as set forth so effectively in Super.
intendent Webbs able police report for the last
quarter, the name of ssworkhouse" is a misno.
mer;-we have no work- horse.
The Commissioners of the Asylum are by
law required to find work for all convicts sent
down. but this is simply impossible. No
manufacturing operations are carried on, and
the larm of fifty acres will hardly afford occu-
patton for half a dozen men. Conseq uently, the
con Ticts find it rather a pleasant affair to be
"sent down" Tor a season of genteel leisure :;
whereas were they put at hard work on their
arrival. they would no., as many now do seek
a commitment.
l. is time that this question should be taken
in hand, and a workhouse in reality be put in
operation, with the requisite buildings and
appliances TO carry on various branches of
mechanical industry appropriate for convict
labor, such as broom N akiDg, mattress making
shoe making, &c, DC. The convicts at present
are necessarily thrown together for want of
room, sometimes at the rate of six or eight
beds in the same apartment,) and the older
criminals post the younger ones up in rascali-
~, and those who enter the building only hal
inclined to vice are pretty sure to come out ir-
recla'mable Hence the necessity for Reform
School. where juvenile offenders can be re-
claimed and made useful members of society
The necessity for gas and water in the build
ing Is quite apparent. Gas might perhaps be
manufactured at the institution more cheapIy
than TO lay pipes that distance, unless an
arrangement could be effected to convey it from
the pipes which take it to the neighborng
Government hospitals Water might be raisc
from the river by windmill or hydraulic ram
A handsome entertainment concluded the
exercises Of the evening; and Mr.. Adams hos
pitable table shouldered more good things, in
the way Of edibles and drinkables, than we
have time to mention; but their memory is EN- !.
b-lm I'd in the hearts of the recipients.
Chs rles LIMB, himself, would have lin gered
lovingly over that divine roast pig