Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1866-07-05
LOCAL n EWS.

CITY ALIS dOuSE.--GASSUAL~~ lSlJ. IL
had grown to be custom before the late war
for the city authorities to make an annual visit
to the Superintendent of the Poor's House for
the purpose Of examining into the condition Of
the institution, and Of being eye8itnesses of
the progress made during the year. This eus-
tom was re-inaugurated yesterday by the
Mayor and quite humber Of gentlemen con-
nected with the City Council and other depart
ments of the municipality. We found the
visiting party, some twelve or fourteenth num-
Der, about noon, refreshing themselves in the
portico after their arrival from the city. They
had taken an omnibus from town, and been
warmly welcomed by Superintendent Stephen
SOD, who was explaining to them the improve.
ments effected during the short time since the
Institution has been restored to his management
large kitchen garden of several acres, now
in most fourishing condition-5tocked with
some of the fines, vegetables we have seen this
year, had been prepared from waste ground,
fences erected, beds laid, out and horticuturaim-
plemeDts procured, within the few months past.
It was explained that this garden enabled the
Superintendent to avail himself Of that species
of labor which such Institutions frequently fur
nish too inGrm for u day S work, but ample to
light jobs of few hours duration. The feds
with i,tlo additional labor have fur
nished hay enough to yield handsome profit,
and many OF the visitors expressed the opinion
that if some legal method could be devised by
viii h the thriftless and vicious negroes, who
fill the county Jail could be sent here to labor
for season. In tbisway the enormous county
levy might be largely diminished, and a party
convicted of misdemeanor, instead OF being re-
stead of being remsnded to-. jail land lie idle
there, boarding at an expense on the tax-pay
ers of 6tteen dollars month might be put here
to hard labor, and made to earn his keep.
1t was suggested, too, that if some Of the
improbable real estate Of the city were sold,
and the proceeds properly invested in land,
large farm might be carried On in this way
Some of the visitors then applied themselves
to more minute examination Of the premises,
aud the experience thus acquired will doubtless
prove of service in municipal legislation
By invitation the visitors dined with the Su-
periDtendent.
The feast was spread, the grace was said:
And many merry sentiment,
And every time the Chairman spoke,
Whether in earnest or in joke,
There came responses eloquent"
The city finances, health, fire department,
&c., we're all discussed around the board, and
all did ample justice to good dinner.
TIE Mayor and portion of the visitors &C
companied by the Superintendent then visited
the various apartments of the Institution, and
conversed with the inmates. TIE building and
its appointments were extremely clean, and
the inmates apparently looked after with care.
More than one Instance came under the notice
OF the visitors to prove how much suffering the
institution has prevented In the lower stories
where the colored people find shelter and food.
One garrullous old lady OF color informed tn
company that she had ut had her dinner yet. y
but that "spect it would come along after
awhile, aud, also, that "her missus used to
glib her two pair of woolcn stockings every win
ter, but she had give none this year.
The whole number of inmates now was sta
ted to be ffty,fve, including one person in the
work house.
Before leaving the following resolution was
unanimously adopted:
Resolved, That in the judgment Of the risi-
tors to the City Aims House, on the 4th Of
July, 1866, the grounds are in excellent order;
the building clean and we'll kept; the inmates
properly cared for; and in fine the whole man
agement of the institution reflects great credit
upon the superintendent, John Stephenson,
and proves him to be the right man in the
right place. ~
And after thanking Mr.. Stephenson and his
excellent lady for their attention and hosritali-
ty, the visitors returned to the city.
FOURTH OF JULY-There was no public or
general celebration of the day in this city. Bus
mess was, however, partially suspended, and most
of the stores were closed. The vessels in port
were decorated with flags, and the national flag
yas disDlayed upon several public buildings