Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1873-01-28
WASHINGTON Items.

aS an csc TT to the funeral!
Catherine johnson, of Baltimore, has enter
| cd suit against the Washington Gas-lisht Com
pany claiming $1,000 damages for injuries sus
tanned by falling into an excavation opened for
the purpose of putting down q gas pipe.
| Since the enforcement of the Sunday law
favorte walk is that which leads across the
Long Bridge to jackson City, where there is no
Sunday law. "".
Vim. A. Gleason, was arrested some days
since on complaint of Dir. keane, member OF
the Society Tor the Prevention of Cruelty to
Animals, charged with fighting chickens, and
detained until the charge. wasinvestigated and
then ulsuIsscd. it appearing that he had nolh-
ing whatever to do with the chicken fight He
has instituted suit against Mr. Keane for false
| imprisonment
y stupid hoax was perpctrated 4 day or two
ago by some utantile seusationaist, and tele-
graphcd all over the country, to the effect that
| President Grant had been assassinated.
FARMERS CONVENTIONAL Farmers Con.
vcnion composed Of delegates from the South
Western counties of Virginia, was recently
held at Wytheville. 1t was attended by dele.
gates from Montgomery, Boutetort, Pulaski,
Washington, Graysou, Smyth, Wythe and
Bland counties The Convention passed Sc
ries of resolutions; among them, the following
| That the Legislature be requested to encour-
age, by appropriate Legislation, the manutlctur-
| ing interests of the State and especially by ex-
cmpting the capital Of all new companies
engaged in manufacturing for the space Of
three years at least, so far as such exemption
may not be 10 conflict with the Constitution Of
| the State
That the State Legislature be requested to
inquire into the cxpediency OF reducing way
frciyhts, as far as practicable, considering the
present charges excessive is compared with
through rates, and that the railroads of the
State in moving freight, shall be required to
rive preference to way freight. .... ~.
| That this Convention memorabilia the Legls-
atllrc as to the cxpedicncy Of passing law
making it penal offence for a commission
merchant to convert the proceeds of sales made
| on cons gnmeDts to his own use
In Investigating the subject Of sheep raising,
! the Convention recommend that the Legisla-
turc pass law making dogs common nuis-
ance, and authorizing any person to Kill such
when found at large.
That it is the sense of the Convention that
the railroads running through the State and
on each side Of said road shall be required by
law to share equally with the landowners along
their lines the expense offcnciug the same, and
that the said law shall also apply to individuals
as TO their llne-ienccs
/ That the completion of the Valley and Shen-
andoah Valley railroads are measures Of the
greatest importance to the agricultural interest
of Southwest Virginia, and that this Conven-
ton recommend the adoption Of such measures
by the county authorities o. this section us will
secure their construction at an early day.
Resolutions were also passed 10 favor of en-
couraging immigration; and in favor of getting
rid of the present township system.
Rich MEN OF New YoRK.-Thcrc arc some
very wealthy individuals in New York city.
VIM B. Astor aud n. T. Stewart and Cor
nelius Vanderbilt are supposed to be worth
over fifty millions of dollars each Daniel Drew
is variousIy estimated, and is generally be-
lieved to be the possessor of ut least forty mil
lions. He is much dreaded in Wall street,
where he operates occasionally to the great de-
struction of small capitalists. Jay Gould is
figured up to fifteen millions by the knowing
ones, and H. n Smith, too, is reported at
about ten millions; still, these figures Mi ght
be difficult 10 authenticate The two brothers
Stuart, who commenced life in New York city
as candy peld!ers, are presumed to be worth
from four to five millions each. So we see that
sugar refining is profitable business.
George Law is believed to be the posscssor
of over six millions Of dollars The bankers,
Brown Brothers, are set down at fully twelve
millions each, and Peter Cooper at nearly five
millions. Horace B. Clahin, Of the firm Of II.
B. Clafin l. Co., the second largest dry goods
! establishment 10 town, has an individual prop
erty valued at from SIS 900, 900 to $50 900 900.
&c is native Of New England, aud has the
appearance and bearing Of a genuine Yam
kee. " Lie is much more popular than his rival,
A. L. Stewart, and seems 10 be q man Of much
broader sympathies and more generous in
stinct>. Abel A. Low, long the President Of
the Chamber OF Commerce. and the great tea
importer, has very long purse very full OF Sc
qulns. He may be set down in figures at S.
UOO. 900 or 900. aud this is rather on
under than an over estimate. h. S. Jatfray the
Broadway importer. is Of Scotch extraction,
and rich as Jew No one knows the exact
extent Of his worldly goods though it is pre-
surued they would represent in cash 81, OOO, 900
or 5000 900 to $4,000. 600. 1t is estimated
that there are Some two hundred citizens of
the metropolis worth over Que million Of dol
lars. -Bostm Globc.
TRANSIT OF VENUS. The transit of Venus
across the sun happens upon the eighth day Of
December, 1874. Arrangements are now being
made for its proper scientific observation in
nearly every portion of the globe. Russia, Ger
many Austria, France, Italy and England have
made liberal appropriations for d"fraying the
expenses OF the various scientific expeditions
to be sent out, and Congress has lately appro
priatcd $4,000 for carrying out the same pur
poses in the United States. The observations
of the solar eclipse two years ago, by Amerl.
can astronomers we're universally acknowled gcd
to be equal in value TO any studies Of the like
phenomenon ever made in Europe.
The general reader, We oplue, has very
vague aud indefinite idea Of the particular re-
suits which are expected to be attained by the
proposed expeditions. The direct object aimed
at, OF course, is to determine the exact distance
of the sun from the earth This knowledge
secured, the astronomer holds in his hands
key which unlocks the mysteries of the visible
heavens. and enables him to calculate the dis
,ancc from planet to planet as accurately as the