davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-02-17
The Public PYintins.

When the Legislature assembled, there was
much said about the sxtravaGant price which
had been paid for the public printing, and
economy. Much was TO 6s saved the Con.
monwealth. In this day Of poverty and dts
tress, by putting ont the public printing by
three months have elapsed without any re.
suit. Is there any good reason for this delay
The small difference between the two Houses
In regard to the manner OF having the work
executed should be readily adjusted. The
House demands . change Of system. 1t
believes the work can be done on better
terms under the contract system; and
that q Superintendent, having no In.
terest in any printing establishment TO bias
his Judgment or lead him into temptation or
corruption, Is the proper person to snperintend
the work. The Senate yields to the principle
Of the contract system so far as 70 allow the
printing Of the House Of Delegates and all tho
other public printing heretofore done, by .
"Public Printer" to be done under the new
system; that is, by contract. The Senate also
yields to the suggestion Of having the work
done by Superintendent. But II adheres'to
o isf oa al he
to all printers-whether connected or uncon.
nected with printing establishments-to fill
the office Of Superintendent. Thus the Senate
has presented q compromise which, we think,
might well be yielded to on the part Of the
House. II the House thinks Superintendent
could be selected who Is removed from tempta.
tation, 1t can do SO, even IL the door be left
open to all competitors.
The Senate printing, compared with the
amount Of the House printing, and to the
printing of all the other departments Of go-
vernment (all of which goes into the hands OF
the Superintendent Is bnt m atom In the
balance. And would IL not be well TO let the
TWO systems-the contract system and that at
!" prices paid for printing by private indi-
tried, side by side, at least unAl
another Legislature assemblies BY that time
it will be seen which of the two Is the cheapest
and best system. The risk with the private
system will be small, as the Senate
printing Is but trife In amount. 1t Is com.
paratiyely almost nothing TO oil the work
which will be done under the contract system.
Ii, at the end Of twelve months, Ii shall appear
that the contract system is the BEST then the
Senate will have the advantage Of that fact to
govern them on the subject II the House
shall find that the "price paid private indi-
yiduals' is the best, then the House will have
that fact to govern 1t in the future.
We repeat, let the two systems be tried. 1t
can be done on the terms proposed by the
Senate with but little risk to the interests Of
the State; and thus, for the present, this yexed
question Of the public printing will be settled.
think there Is no good reason why the two
Houses should not agree, even upon the COM
promise basis proposed by the Senate. -
The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-02-17
The Methodist Conference at Alexandria
Eighth Day.


The Conference reassembled this morning at
9 o'clock and was opened with religious SER
vices, conducted by Rev. ). keppler.
The name of Rev. Charles G. Linthicum was
en- tered as having Withdrawn. Rev. Bernard
Houghs character was passed, ana ne was
continued on trial.
The committee TO prepare pastoral address
to the people, through their chairman, Rev.
N. Wilson, submitted an address explanatory
of the course of the Conference in separating
from the Methodist Episcopal Church and
uniting with the Church South; setting forth
that by remaining with the North they would
save every thing but their honor, and by going
to the Church South, save nothing except that
The report deprecates the action of the Church
North in introducing politics into It's plscl
pine, and its action in turning them out OF their
places of worship, and forcing them, win tne
assistance of Government soldiers, TO the
| fields and woods to hold their service. They
now ask the people simply to receive them as
ministers Of the gospel.
The report was adopted and ordered 10 De
| signed by the President and Secretary Of the
Rev. j. Nj. Spangler, formerly of the East
Baltimore Conference, from which ne Win
drew several years ago, and has since peeh
serving the Independent hethodlsts In baiu,
more. was rsadmtted 10 the Conference ana
| granted a supernumerary relation.
Rev Stephen Smiths relation was changed
| from effective TO supernumerary
On motion of Rev. A. w. wilson, resolu-
| 10 publish the pastoral address:
The resolution offered yesterday In reiatieh
TO the time for holding the Conference, recon-
mending the meeting i'll November, was taken
up. and after some explanatory remarks oy
| Bishop Early, Rev. n. Wilson moved TO insert
March the most proper time and tns os ocso eo
/ ber. The amendment. of Rev. Mr.. wilson,
| inserting March instead OF November was
| adopted. 4,
| Rev J. w. Bull reported that he had In
hand four hundred and forty eight dollars ana
| forty nine cents, missionary money, OF Wnich
! two hundred dollars had been appropIiat.rnuu, .nu y,
| The balance was ordered 10 be pala ~ TIC
| Chairman of The Committee on Missions.
| On motion of Rev $. Register, committees
| was appointed 10 examine the fnanclal con.
dition of the Oiin and Preston Institute ~
| Blacksbnrg. :.
| On motion Of Rev. DIR. Bull, the thanks OF
| the Conference were rendered 10 the lay brelh-
| rem. and particularly to the brethren Of Alex
| nndria, for their liberal contributions TO the
!! missionary cause.
Rev. M Roszell offered q resolution tender
| tng the thanks Of the Conference TO the Presi,
dent, Rev. Bishop Early, which was adopted
| by rising vote
The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-02-17
Senator Snrau,ye.

The last number of the Providence Journal
comes to us filled with majority and minority
reports of committee appointed by the
Legislature of Rhode Island TO investigate
certain business transactions during the war,
10 which transactions Senator SPRAGUE, Mr..
CHAsEs son-in-law, seems to have been
party. The Journal says the whole proceeding
was instigated by the desire Of some person
In authority to succeed Mr.. SPRAGuE rs United
States Senator. We know nothing as to the
merits of the case, but we have little conf
dence in the integrity of shoddy or any other
contractors who made so much money out OF
the war.
The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-02-17

MAYORS Court, FRIDAY MoRyIEd.-The fol-
lowing cases were disposed Of by Mayor Saun.
ders this morning
Frank Chidress, seedy- looking individual,
was charged with being drunk and threaten.
ing the life of his son. The son of the accused
testified that his father got beastly drunk on
the night of Thursday, and attacked him two
or three times; but he was confident that he
didn't know what he was doing. The Mayor
discharged him on promise that he wouldn't
drink any mere.
Alice Hardgroye, charged with being drunk
and disorderly, was dismissed in the absence
of witnesses for the prosecution.
Wilson Coots was charged with being drunk
and breaking up his wifes furniture. Mrs.
Coots testified that her husband had often
threatened to kill her while under the infiu-
ence of liquor. On the afternoon of the occur
renee in question he came into the house
drunk and she, upon seeing his condition. left
the house in charge of one - Vest. Vest
stated that Coots had broken up several things
and cut the bed down. The Mayor sent the
case on for further trial.
The warrants against the parties already
named for keeping gambling houses were dis
missed in consequence Of the action of the
Grand Jury in similar cases.
The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-02-17
The Two counecticut Conventions.

We published, three days ago, 'the resolu-
tions of the Connecticut Democratic State
Convention cordially endorsing President
JoHysoS.s policy for the restoration OF the
Union. knowing that the Republican State
Conven ton was soon to assemble, and that it
was next TO impossible that it could also en-
dorse the same policy, yet that the members
would be afraid to come out against IL, we
have looked with some interest for thereport
of the proceedings, in order TO see how the
conflict would be avoided The latter conven.
tion passed the following resolution:
.Resolped, That we gladly express our conf
tence in the integrity, ability, and patrlotism,
of his successor Andrew Johnson, who braVed
bellion in Tennessee; who sprang from the
people, and is identified with all their lnte-
rests; and we do pledge him our hearty sup
port in his labors for a just, complete, and per-
manent, res storation OF the Unlon.'
"Excellently done, i faith" They have
conf fidence in the integrity, ability, and pa
triotism," of the President, but none in his
policy for reconstructing the Union; ana
therefore they proceed 10 give pledge that
they will support him in his ldborS for "just,
complete, and permanent restoration OF the
Union"
Well. we have confidence in the Presidents
"ability'' TO understand exactly the meaning
of this resolution and we are pretty sure that
he will not be deceived by such professions.
If the members mean TO sustain his present
policy, why did they not say so In plain
terms? We shall soon ascertain whether they
will stand by him. The issue between him
and Radicalism cannot much longer be left In
its present state
That Mr. GREELEY, who Is an honest fana-
tic, and speaks his opinion very freely, under
stands this resolution exactly as we do, Is
evidenced by the following quiet remarks
He says:
att gives pledge Of support TO the Presi-
dent in his labors for just, complete, ana
permanent restoration of the Union, 10
which we all can certainly agree
1--WE do not see how any good end Is 10 De
achieved by likening the President OF the
United States TO Benedict Arnold or TO Aaron
Burr We differ with him on some points
our difference may widen into alienation II
So we intend that the world shall see ana ipei
that zoe did not invite that catastrophe. Inc
President may be a very good Unionist, yeI
cherish views on many points from which we
dissent So long as he does not make agree
ment on those points of difference vital, we
shall not do SO. The Union party was formed
of those who agreed TO differ and 70 tolerate
differences; and we adhere 10 Iheir iailn.
While IL is our joyful, undoubting conviction
thai the end of these differences. as OF all our
troubles must be a recognition and acceptance
~ the grand inspiring truth that all men are
eouai i'm natural right, and that the law
should affirm and enforce this equaity we do
not insist on erecting that faitn INTO Snlooo
leth, and anathematizing all VINO aisssn
yro,n q, 1nr confidence that II must nil.
mateIy triumph renders us tolerant OF present
demur To L. ~
The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-02-17

AN ExcuasroS.-General Malone, in be.
half of the Norfolk and Petersburg Railroad
Company, has invited the members OF the Ge-
neral Assembly TO make an excursion TO Nor.
folk o-day We understand that majority
of both Houses will, in all probability, accept
the invitation. The excursionists will leave
on the Petersburg train at half past o'clock.
They will leave Petersburg at o'clock, and
arrive In Norfolk AT go tonight. To-mor-
row morning at 10 o'clock they will make an
excursion down the harbor Of Norfolk on the
New Line steamers, which have been kindly
rendered for their pleasure. At o'clock they
will leave Norfolk and arrive in Richmond by
the evening train from Petersburg. plea
SAINT trip is looked forward TO by all the party
who purpose going.
The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-02-17

THIEVES AND VAGABOyDs UPON THE RIVER.
For some days there have been reports depre-
dations committed by thieves and robbers on
both sides of the river On Wednesday our
marine reporter went down the river to make
observations and gather all the facts he could.
At the first bridge below Warwick bar there
were several boats, with men engaged in cut
ting off the upper piles of the bridge, (Which
had been stopped the day before by an officer
of our port, and, If continued, will greatly
endanger steamers and other vessels running
up and down the river at night below the
bar Between Drewrys Bluff and Bermuda
Hundreds he counted over thirty or forty boats
of all kinds and descriptions, the larger num-
Der of which were pontoon boats belonging
10 the bridges erected on the river by both the
United States and Confederate Governments,
besides numerous camps, with and without
tents or huts on the river bank, occupied by
men and women. There were, at different
points, Two pontoon boats, and large ba-
teaux, planked over, with a stove for cook
ing, all having men on board both whites and
blacks, and some few, near Dutch Gap, had
men, women, and children-white and black
mixed up promiscuously. At one of the land
inrs. In conversation with two farmers residing
on the river, he learned that they had lost
nearly all their poultry, pigs, lambs, ana
calves, in n few nights. One remarked that IN
one night he had lost five shoats, two lambs, and
one calf, and tracing them 10 a boat short dis.
tance above his landing, he saw and recognized
them on board and on claiming them he was
told by the crew OF the boat two white men
and one black NAM that if he did not leave the
landing they would put bullet through him,
at the same time pointing their muskets ut
him. This gentleman pointed out 70 rs the
boat, living on the other side Of the river In
creek, and said that he could get no redress.
We returned TO the city in one Of the river
tow w-boats in order TO get a better and more
accurate observation, and saw boats OF yari-
Gus descriptions in nearly every creek. inlet,
and swamp, this side Of Bermuda Hundreds.
They are rarely ever seen on the river during
the day, but captains OF steamers report that
they can see their lights, passing toiind fro, at
all hours Of the night, and they have given
them the name OF "River Pirates" III they
are allowed to go on and accumulate In force
they fear that they will board come OF the
steamers going down the river with vessels In
tow at night. We pity the farmers on the
river, for, II q stop Is not pnt 10 this river
piracy, the consequences win be most serious.
The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-02-17

A FREE FIGHT IN THE CoUNTY.-Five or six
Dutchmen got into big row in the suburbs
yesterday, and were about to do something
desperate, when Constable Cole settled the diff
ference by escorting them to Justice Wade, to
answer the charge of creating disturbance
and threatening each others lives. They
there commenced free fight with their
tongues, and kept up such racket that the
Justice had to threaten them with the Gala
boose. After they were quieted, they were
bound over to keep the peace, and went on
their way rejoicing.
The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-02-17
WIN. KNABE & CO.,
w MAxUHAcfURERs OF
FIRST PREMIUM, GOLD MEDAL, y
GRAND. SQUARE,
AND UPRIGHT
AN " INIUHx
q 4 a NJ n 9

PI A N o 8
These instruments having been before the pub.
lie for the past thirty years, have, upon their sx-
cellence alone, attained IN uSPuRcHAsED PRE.
gxIsgycH that pronOunces them unequailsd. Their
TONE
combines great power, richness, sweetness, and
ane singing quality, as well - great purity Of
information and hsrmoniousness throughost the
entire scale. Their
is plant and elastic, and s entirely free nom the
stiffness found in so many pianos, which causes
the performer to 30 easily trS. In
WORKMANSHIP
they cannot be sxcelled. Their sction = con.
structed with . care and attention TO every part
therein that charscterises the finest mechanism.
None but the best seasoned material 10 used In their
manufacture. and they win accept the hard usages
Of the concert-room with that Of the parior upon
an equality-unafec In their melody; In fact,
they are constructed
mot FOR YRAR-BUT FOR EVER"
All our Square Pianos hare our new improved
Grand Scale and the Agra6s Treble.
Every Piano fnlly warranted Tor FIVE TEARS.
WAREROOMS: $50 WEST BALTIMORE STREET,
IA s-sm BALTIMORE.
The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-02-17
yohn M. Bolts ON Reconstructsen'
~. l. Lt,sx Star 4

A publication has just appeared, unders.ooo
TO be from the pen OF Hon. John Minor not.s M
OF Virginia, entitled "a Few Plain ronuep,
Axioms that cannot be successfully aisputea
or denied and which seem TO solve the per
pleYed problem of the status OF the states
aud the people OF the States, lately In repei,
lion Against the authority of the United
states The points he makes may be thus
briefly stated:
The right Of secession 10 not only not autho-
rized. but ID expressly forbidden by the Con.
stitution of the United States. II follows
thst az ordinances Of secession adopted BY
The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-02-17

TIE POLICE Force OF RrcHxoxD.-When the
new police force, commanded by Major Clai
borne, commenced their duties in this city, the
State was still in that condition Of turbulence
and disorder which Is naturally caused by the
termination Of terrible war, the disbanding
Of large bodies of men accustomed to the
liberty and laxity of an army life, and the
emancipation of hundreds Of thousands OF
slaves. The Provost Court was In active ope-
ration, the department commander was su-
preme, and civil law had no existence but in
name. Federal officers had nervous dread
that enlisted uen would be ill-treated and
abused If placed in the slightest degree In the
power of a Virginia police, and the citizens, on
the other hand, feared that some unknown
laws and regulations might be brought to light
to prevent the police frem exercising their
authority, and restoring order and quiet to the
community. In an extremely difficult and deli
cate position, the police have conducted them.
selves with singular prudence and good sense !;
and instead Of falling to the ground between
two Shots they have succeeded in gaining the
good will of the citizens and the respect and
cooperation of the military authorities. From
General Terry and the Judge ofsthe Provost
Court the Chief of Police has received many
evidences of cour teous consideration, and in
no instance which has come to our knowledge
has there been any collision between the civil
and military officers. Day by day the number
of arrests has decreased, some houses Of impro.
per characters have been broken up, and many
haunt Of the hoary and unrepentant would
have been summarily closed had the Chief
of Police, under the law, been invested
with more plenary powers. It Is not
the fact alone that no arrests are made which
causes our congratulations In this city, all
the elements of crime still exist; gamblers,
horse-thieyes, garroters, burglars, are still
here, and are only repressed and kept in sub
lection by the constant and yigilant super
vision of the police. 1t is fair 10 assume,
therefore, that if the city is more secure and
peaceable than it has been for years, it is not
on account of the absence of criminals, but
because we have, for the first time, a tho
roughly organized and efficient police force.
auerulous complaints have been made of the
expense Of keeping up the police, but that this
is not the feeling Of the mass of the people Is
shown by the eagerness with which even the
poorest citizens have subscribed to pay for the
new uniforms of the men and, singularly
enough, some of those who have been arrested
for petty law -breakings have themselves been
among the first to enter their subscriptions to
the fund. The citizens of Richmond are con-
tent to pay we'll If they, as now, obtain the
value of their money. Our police have already
won golden opinions for themselves, and If
they and their officers will 60 on as they have
begun, they will continue to possess the firm
confidence and admiration Of the people,
whose lives and property they have protected
so well.
The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-02-17

THE MUSICAL SoIREEs. .-Messrs. John w.
Davies s. Sons will find many difficulties in
their way in carrying out their plan of giving
private musical soirees "for the entertain
ment and edification of the lovers of music
and song" The amateurs in this city are all
of them willing TO hear and criticise any musi-
cal performance, but many of them are some
what chary of rendering their personal all
and advice in making that performance RS
complete rs possible On Thursday night the
Musical Soiree was opened with an original
fantasia for the piano-forte, which was
played with great ability by the composer
Professor Ambold. Robert tOi que Jaime and
4 cavatna from II Trdcdtore were well sung by
lady amateurs; and Tn, Sitting on the Stik,
Mary, was very sweetly rendered by gentle
man amateur. The Maniac and Schuberts
ganderer were sung with great power and
force by an amateur basso, who will perhaps
pardon the suggestion that his voice should
be occasionally more subdued, so as to give
the full contrast Of light and shade, without
which all singing must be tiring and monoto-
nous. The Philharmonics were weak, and
rather faulty in both time and intonation.
little work and study will remedy every
fault, and if the Richmond amateurs will dc
rs much for themselves as Messrs. Davies
Sons have done for them, the musical soiree:
will become even more edifying and more
entertaining than they have hitherto been.
The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-02-17

TIE THEArRs-" Lost In London was pro.
duced at the Theatre last night. Want OF
space precludes any further remarks as regards
the acting. To night, Miss Carson will have
a benefit, and we hope 1t will be crowded
one. Miss Carson has appeared during tho
present season In wide range Of character,
and her appearance has given much pleasure
She appears tonight as the kipsy Cynthia IN
the beautiful play Of the "Fiowsrs OF tho
Forest" and 10 Msrgsry In the Rough
Diamond" Let this lady receive the COM
mendation and encouragement which she
deserves
The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-02-17
DICHMoND DISQUALIFICATION
~ ,ss MAIN STREET.
ssAa TEE Posr-oYvicB.
JOHN ". DAvIBs 4 soHs.
MUSIC PUBLISHERS.

have constantly on hand In addition 70 their large
stock OF SHEET MUSIC and MUSIC BOOKS. . fall
assortment of PIAN0-FORTEs. CABINET Oh.
CANS and MEL0DE0NS, whieh they oGsr for ssls
at low prices; also. NARTIHe CHkDRATgD
GUITARS; and sre prepared 70 faSnish every vaxi.
ETY. Of BRASS, eTRIN0 and WILD lMsIKU.
nENTS u the noss spSeovsd nakess; vI0LInss
FLUTES, CLARI0NET4. YLAGR0Lx1es pkUaA
YIHEs, CONcRRfIAAs, ILur11Ae ACCot.
DE0Ns, &C., and would call ssSssial eessnno. y
their unsivallsd assertnsss g w 4, c.s., rsn,vs
STRIN0s for the VIOLIN. GUITAR, VO1OAs.L
10 ana HARP NuGI0 rOLio0. - evyEy ~
BLANK MUSIC PAPER. HLAHK nvolC 10oo
ana CARDS for BANps saA c. 5xsss
Music sTOOES, PITCH rIPxs. 1yusxe %
~ HaNNRRs, cIAniONB5 n11Io -:
The spesdal s11sniipA q -. y. - =.
pirG. TsACnenA ng9cA4
orOiRs. ANA91uR c&pne - ~ yss.eee
,ssssssssa 4 Muslo. = nspss ~ selis.ls1 : :.
sAs assarasa .aivaaaaees sasessA = - = ~
'';::s:ss:;sss ss::s ii ,r1Aass ~ ! ]! !! ,s.:s
gs,p ~ ~ sss .5qs ~ - - g ST
The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-02-17

THE UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURcn.-ln
these hard times, those irrepressibie swindlers
who annoy every city Of magnitude are driven
out of their usual track and are compelled TO
adopt new schemes Of turning dishonest
penny. 1t is well known that efforts are now
being made to rebuild the United Presbyterian
Church, and we learn with regret that num-
Der of subscriptions, nominally for this pur.
pose, have been collected by persons who had
not one shadow of authority for so doing, their
only object being 10 pocket quietly the dona.
tions of the charitable. We are now desired
to request that no contributions in aid Of the
fund for rebuilding the United Presbyterian
Church be made to any but those persons who
are regularly authorized to receive them and
1t is suggested that it would be well to pub
lish a list Of the names Of all authorized col.
lectors.