Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1871-08-08
VIRGINIA NEWS.

| ~ numpCr OF new houses Have lalclS pccH
erected at Shipping Point for the accommoda-
ton of the business Of the Alexandria and
Fredericksburg railroad This, road is under
stood to be pushed forward under the auspices
of the Pennsylvania Central, and is making
satisfactory progress.
Rev. DIR. j. L. NJ Curry, ofRichmoud COL
legc, has declined the Presidency Of Mercer
University, Georgia, to which he was recently
elected He had previously declined the same
office in Georgetown College, Kentucky and
the University of Alabama.
\ coored girl living at Hungary Station on
the r., f. 4 P. r. r., committed suicide by
hanging herself from the rafters of the house
of her mother last Friday. Another colored
girl attempted to commit suicide in Richmond
on Sunday
That usually fertile valley, in the Sou Invest,
from Salem almost to Chrlstiansburg is suffering
| from the effects of severe drought. No rain of
any consequence has fallen there for two months.
y colored girl, in Richmond, yesterday at
tempted to commit suicide, first by cutting her
| throat and then by taking arsenic. She failed
| in both cases.
Last Friday 4 colorcd woman in llenrlco
county, becoming insane from religious excite
mcnt hung herself.
WHAT New YORK IS WoRTH-The fixed
valuation OF the city makes the splendid aggrc-
gate Of 81 ,07j. 600 900, and the amount raised
this year by taxation is SO, BOZ, 900, (eGual to
the entire expenses of the general government
only Il few years ago, OF which about $4,000,
600 is for interest, 81, 500, 900 for education,
So 900, 900 for police, $ 900 900 for public char
tiles, and another million for the fire depart
ment Including the internal revenue collec-
| tons, New York city pays taxes amounting to
| $50 ,0On, 900 per annum. And yet the evidence
| is indubiable that, notwithstanding this severe
depletion, so vast is the tide Of in-rolng wealth
that citizens of the opulent class live in style
of luxury scarce y equalled in the palmy days
Of Rome. According to recent estimates, the
expenditure IS $4,000, 900 per annum tor the
single item of velvet and dress silks. Then,
look ut the palatial residences Of the upper
| wards. and the euuipages which roll in magniti-
ceuce through Central Park, filling broad ave-
nues and flashing sunbeams from their gold
plated harness iShoddyl .-N. !. Commercial.
EVIL FRUIT. -Plundcr, like murder, will out, "
for what is the use OF peculatlon or theft it you
| do not enjoy the fruits of your infamy? Shall
happens that the man who gets money by dis
honest means always betrays himself whether
he operates on Black Friday in Wall street,
from lofty position, or takes brides in State
Assembly. These reflections constitute a just
introduction to the following paragraph from
recent letter in the Petersburg Index from the
pen of its Richmond correspondent, who gives
us the following bit of news: -Nolyoh TW.
Several of the Radical members of the Leg
islature, says this writer, have lately exhibited
signs of having become recently rich. The
funds collected by them at the last session of
the Legislature, which have been boarded to
quiet suspicion, are now being spent and mem
bers begin to indulge in the Injuries of life. One
colored gent sports his carriage, several have
bought lane, and some are building houses. The
fruits of evil rule now begin to show.
WASHINGTON IrEMs.-The number of
dwelling houses erected this year it is believed
will exceed the number built last year which
was thought to be the most remarkable year
in that respect in the history of the capital. -
There is also noticeable improvement in the
character of the houses now going up Last year
there were great many blocks of cheap houses,
built to rent or to sell on speculation but this
season the new buildings are chiefly separate
dwellings, intended for homes for those who
built them, and ranging in value from $4,000
to $50, 900.
John II. Wise, an old and well-known police
constable and detective, and a lifetime resident
of the District of Columbia, died on Friday
night, and was buried by the Odd-Fellows yes
terday.
Mr. James Gray, former purser Of the stea-
mer Lady of the Lake, has been promoted to
be captain of that boat, in place Of Captain
Charles Mitchell
Gen. Spinner writes that he will return home
by the first of September He seems to be
pleasuriug altogether and as he makes no men,
ton of the new loan, it is probable he has not