Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1866-12-04


Tor feDnsylvania avenue has Scarcely i'm
proved lis general aspect The proprie;y OF
providing the means for paving it in the most
side ration. --- =
The appropriation OF ten thousand dollars
for the repair OF Long Bridge has been ex
pended, but the sum was VIII olly inadeQ nate
Ior the purpose. II is estimated that twenty
thousand dollars more will be required to put
1t in proper order. A like som is needed to
properly repair the bridge at Little Falls,
known as the Chain Bridge The Navy Yard
bridge Is in good condition, and the new draw ~
In IL Will be soon completed. The improve.
ment OF Franklin Square has commenced, and
IN time grass, shruboery, trees, and walks will
render Ii an ornament TO the part of the city in
which it is situated Appropriations will be
necessary for the improvement OF lincoln
the botanic garden, and the construction of an
IRON fence around IT. The opening, grading,
and paving certain streets and avenues men.
toned in the Com missioner report and lead
ing 10 the Capitol, while eminently desirable
on many accounts, will be wholly beyond the
power OF the Corporation of the city. The
propriety OF undertaking these improvements
On the part OF the National Government ia sub
mltted for consideration.
BY the act OF May 5, 1854. the Commissioner
OF Public Buildings is directed TO pay 10 the
proper authorities just proportion of the ex-
pense of improving avenu ues streets, and alleys
passing through or by property belonging TO
the United States. A large amount ia ne from
the Government for such improvements. The
means 10 meet it should be At once provided
The Commissioner recommends further ap-
preparation of one hundred thousand dollars
10 enable him TO meet similar liabilities in fu-
ture.
The number OF patients which Congress a,
its last session, ordered 10 be constantly kept
Al Providence Hospital at the expense OF the
United STATES was fifty per cent. greater than
that OF the preceding year. while the sum ap-
propriated for their maintenance remains the
same.
The relations of the general government To
this District, and the duties resulting there
from, have been fully and elaborately dis
cussed IN the recent annual reports OF this DO
partment. i cordially commend TO favorable
consideration the carefully considered views
there advanced
Congress made provisions a. its last Sc ssion
for the completion OF the cut-stone dam from
the Mary land shore to Conn island, and for
oi bsr portions OF the Washington aauednct
The work on The dam was resumed in August
last, and has been vigorously prosecuted. The
foundation masonry Will BE- completed at an
early day. The temporary dam At that point
was washed away by the spring freshet. Ii
has been rebuilt, and will probably require no
further expenditure. The connecting conduit
is rapidly approaching completion. The work
on the gate house at Great Falls ba. been un-
avoldabiy deferred. The appropriation was
made at so late a period of the session that IL
could not be adyantageousIy used during the
present season. An urgent necessity exists
tor eereniDg the distributing reservoir and
protecting, by n rubble wall. its interior or
water slopes. L respectfully recommend that
an appropriation be made tor this and such
nermanpnt.
~, and TO the greatest available extent, Sc
cure 10 the national capital all the benefits
which The hberality of Congress proposed TO
confer by this Improvement
The report of the warden shows that on the
1st OF November there were confined in the
District Jail one hundred and thirty prisoners,
OF whom foriy-Dine We're white and eighty
one were coiored. The average number during
the year was one hundred and fifty: six en-
tered The Insane Asylum and three died Eight
white boys were sentenced by the courts OF the
lie fr~nf IN fhab balN
" as mpTactIcable To make such an arrange
ment for the detention of young colored con
viets. they have been, therefore, q dIsmIssed
by order of the court, after a short inclrcera-
uOn. The officers are a warden and nine
guards; and although the building is not in all
respects secure, no prisoner has escaDed dur-
ing me past fourteen months. There pre- vailed
last spring IN The prison mild form of typhus
reNer, which the attending physician ascribes
10 local causes, since removed. Efforts have
been mace TO promote habits of Industry among
the inmates, and 10 lmPaTt 10 Them The benefits
OF religious instruction. During the wear end
Ing November I. there were TWO thousand and
slxty-fye commitments for various oftss-s
be tota expense of the jail. including the cost
OF transportation of cCDvicts sentenced TO tha
penitentiary at Albany, was thirty-two thon-
sand six hundred and rwenty-si dollars and
Pursuant 10 the authority conferred by an
act OF Congress, approved July -, 1866, my
predecessor designated a site for a new laiI In
the District. i have selected a plan and en-
ployed a competent architect 10 prepare de-
sign and descriptive plans OF the building
with complete speeifCa CatIons of the work re-
CURED and the materials 10 be used. Notice
OF public letting OF the contract for the erec-
ton OF the building will be given In the man
ner prescribed by Congress. .,.# aF0
The board of trusiefs appointed and com.
missiosed conformably to the recent act TO es-
tabiish In this District house OF correc ton for
boys have been duly erganized but the limited
means al their disposal, and circumstances be-
ycnd their control, have rendered il impracu-
cable 10 prepare the req guiste permanent build
lngs for the reception OF inmates. Boys under
me age OF sixteen convicted OF crime punish
able by imprisonment may be sentenced by the
courts OF this District 10 the Institution. The
directors tuggest that its benefits should NOT he
confined 10 one sex, and that children of con-
frmed vicious habits, who are beyond domas
tic control, although not convicted of crime
should, on the application and at the expense
OF tneir parents or guardians, be received and
subjected 10 kindly but rIgid discipline. The
act directs that the convict shall be confined
during the STERN of his sentence and thus
pionIbits the directors from OBTAINING him AFTER
or discharging him before, the expiration OF
the specific period fixed by the conrt. They
should, like the officers of similar Institutions
organized under State authority, be authorized
10 exercise discretionary power in this
respect, and to bind the discharged CON yict nv
indentures OF apprenticeship Their report is
submitted, ana trust that their views and
suggestions viii receive the most favorable
(onS nSlderation.
The bourd Of police report that the district il
divided into eight precincts. The levy court
OF the connty OF Washington have declined to
provide station houses within their jurisdic-
uon. They allsge a want of authority, ami l
recommend such legislation as will place them
on the same footing in this respect rs the cor
porations of Washin gton and GEORGETOWN
The sanitary company of the polIce nave
essentially contributed 10 the preservation of
the health of the city. By their agency many
Euisances have been abaied, and incpaased
cleanliness OF The streets and avenues enforced:
but the available means for The ACCOMPLISH
men; of objects of such vital Importance are
lameniably deficient. l cordially unite with
the board IN recommending that a more rigid
and comprehensive code Of sanitary laws be
enacted tor this District,
be board represent that the system tor the
trial OF minor offences is open TO fragrant
abuses. and recommend a reorganization of the
petty courts in the District. They are of opin-
ION that properly organized police court
could promptly and efficiently dispose of all
criminal cases OF an inferior grade Ii is be-
heved tba, the establishment of such a court
VIII promote economy. tend to the suppress ssion
OF crime, and secnre 10 the Aeon sed a speedier
trial than - now obtained.
The 9TH section of an act entitled .SAn act
mi king appropriations for snpdry civil ex-
renses Of the government for the wear ending
June thIrtieib, eighteen hundred and sixtv-
seven, and for other purposes" approved J uly
=, l>t6. increased The pay Of the METROPOLITAN