Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1869-09-03
ICOMMCNICATED.

A Great deal of holy horror has been expressed
Of the idea of introducing convicts into the
country to work on our turnpikes, and some
timid people imagine that We are all to be muir
dered or robbed in consequence OF ther pelng
EMPLOYED. 1t may be well to state Tor the IN
formation of those having reasonable apprehen
sions on the subject, that IN the hrSt pace
there are no murderers among them, they not
being allowed to leave the walls OF the penlteh'
tiary. Permission is only granted to conVicts
who have been imprisoned for THEFT, to Work on
the CAPITOL hill at Richmond and the public
works Of the State, and the poor creatures are
only too glad to labor in the open air, instead
of being confined in their lonely cells. 1t they
attempt to escape their term Is lengthenea' anu
they 20 back to their dungeons to remain till
they have served out their time. A heavy
guard is kept over them day and night, and
they work at the point OF the bayonet. AT
night they are put in limbo, and would DE sno.
at if they tried to escape, and II they succeedeo
would make Tor parts unknown IN all proDaoii'
ty, instead OF remaining IN the nelghoorhooG'
The contractor would be liable, on his bona,
under heavy penalty il convict escaped but
if he did, and remained, would he be the only
darkey in the neighborhood that would take
things" and rob hen-roosts? Would a
chicken have to roost any higher than he does
now for safety? These convicts are all blacks
;mnrisoned for stealing, and | know some very
sensible, good people in Virginia, who have
known Cuffee we'll all their lives, who believe
that american citizens Of African descent
have many of them weakness on that suoJect;
| shall express no opinion, but only say that
remember the lines of song once suog at u
constructing 10 Fauquler, on that subject -,
Really, have no doubt that these men VIII
give us less trouble than q like number OF such
people as generally work on our internal I'M
provements, who would be roaming about, and
some OF them drinking, fighting, and stealing,
and annoying our citizens These men are
kept in place and made to behave themselves:
and we have the testimony OF the people along
the line of the Chesapeake and Ohio railroad,
which has lust been finished by our contractor
to the White Sulphur Springs, that these
hands who were employed there gave no trouble
at all to the community.
The pleasure which our people experience
at the prospect Of the early completion OF the
Middeturg and Plains turnpike ought not TO
be married by any such ridiculous tears as to
the convicts employed, but we should all regard
it, and the ladies' especially, as our first oppor-
tunity to derive any benefit from one of the re-
suits of the late war, in this cheap labor thus
afforded 10 construct long needed improve
ment.
From seeming evil still educing good
VINE HILL, MDDLEBURG. VA, Sept. l,
COMMUNICATED.
FRUIT AND AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY," An
adjourned meeting Of this society was convened
in the Baptist Church at Falls Church Vii
age, Fairfax county, Va, on Saturday last.
Rev. f. NJ Mills was called to the chair, and
secretary appointed, alter which the meeting
proceeded to business.
The members we're cnlivcned by short ad
dresses from Rev. Mr.. Smith, Rev. +. NJ.
Mills, DR.. l. Lloyd and other persons, plant
defining the position OF this society IN the
adoption Of their new constitution.
The articles were taken up separately, ana
thoroughly considered. All present were hleh
~ interested, and the greatest unity OF feeling
prevailed.
After portion of the constitution was adopt
cd the meeting ad journcd TO meet at the same
place on Monday, September 9Th, at l:3O
o 'cock p M, at which time the adoption OF
the constitution will be continued. IL. L.
WAsHNGroN ITEMs.--It is stated that
several prominent citizens OF the District, and
large property holders here, are contemplating
permanent location in Baltimore the anoma-
Gus state Of affairs in Washington impeng
them to this step.
Two clerks in the sixth auditors Office have
been dismissed for too free indulgence in the
bowl, and fifteen have had deductions made in
their pay for time lost by late arrivals at or
early departures from the office.
John Thomas, charged with horse stealing,
was brought up on requisltion from the Gov
ernor CT West Virginia, and admitting his
identity. he was committed TO the custody Of
7. W. PotterGeld, sheriff of Jefferson county.
A radical meeting IS to be held in the fifth
ward. 1t is probable thatresolutions denounc'
ing the mayor for his connection with the al
legged grading swindle will be presented.
ACCIDENTS Alta TOURNAMENT.-The Clark
County Courier gives a graphic account OF a
tournament recently held near Mlllwood.
Nothing occurred to mar the pleasure OF the
day, until after the coronation ceremonies. when
the fiery Arabian steed OF MIR. IL. NJ Nelson,
became very unmanageable, and while MIR. n.
with characteristic gallantry, was striving to
avoid any alarm to some ladies standing near,
the furious animal threw himself violently
against the pole Of Maj. Randolph's carriage,
inhicting severe wound on Mir. Ms thigh.
In the same way the horse Of Mr.. Powell Page
inflicted painful blow on his riders foot.
After being struck from his horse, Mr.. N, to
relieve his friends from uneasnes', lcmount-
ed and rode off with the other knights, though
he must have suffered agony. He will prob
ably be confined to his bed for some time from
his injuries
THE NATIONAL CAPTTAL.-The national
capital committee at St. Louis are beginning
to receive answers from the Governors Of
States whom they have requested to express
their opinion on the subject Of the removal OF
the capital, and also to appoint delegations to
the convention which is to be held at ST. Louis
to agitatc the subject. Governor Harvey, OF
Kansas, writes that he will be present in per.
son at the approaching convention, and that
he will also appoint o strong delegation to
represent that State. The response Of Cover
nor Geary, of Pennsylvania, would seem to be
not in favor of removal until the national debt
is paid. No delegation from that State will be
appointed.
TURNED UP.-BRANDT the so called Luthc
ran preacher and supposed "suicidist," has,
Just as We expected, turned up, aud very near
here too. On Saturday last a man answering