Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-09-10
LETTER FROM RICHMOND.


CITY-BABIEs TILL you CANT REST GAM
BLING FOR SWEET CHARITY's sAKB-A SOUR
MILK INVESTIGATION - A HOME FOR ADAM
DoNED woMEN-A PETERSBURG SCANDAL.
RICHMOND, September 5, 1874.
Dear Star: found considerable business ac-
tivity in Richmond on my flying visit here this
week, although there are still many signs of
slowness, such as their one line of diminutive
horse cars, which charge 10 cents fare and stop
running at p. m, about the time when travei
is getting bIiskest in most wide-awake cities
Then, too, the streets are in bad condition for
easy walking or comfortable driving, and sadly
need the attention of Board of PuDlic Works
As against these symptoms " old-fogYism, there
are hopeful counter
INDICATIONS OF PROGRESS
in the large number of neat dwellings lately
built or in process of erection. These new build
Ings are mostly In uniform rows, showing that
ground is becoming too valuable to admit Of an
open space all around the house, As is the case
with most of the old residences. So many OF
these stately old mansions in the midst OF green
lawns and shade trees are a distinctive and
beautiful feature OF the city. Since the first OF
January of this year 229 new houses have been
built, and III are DOW under way. AS there are
2O9 vacant houses in the city, rents are much
lover than in Washington.
The Richmond papers have for a long time
carried Oh a vigorous but so far ineffective cru
sade
AGAINST BABY CARRIAGES.
A walk through the principal thoroughfares
soon impresses stranger with the necessity for
such a campaign, but at the same time con-
vinces him Of its hOpelessness. The Juvenile
army and its adult defenders are too strong. No
other city of like population turns ont 50 many
babies. White babies, black babies, yellow
babies, cream colOred babies. bald babies aud
babies with hair, fat cherubs and lean cherabs,
long ones and short ones, clean ones and dirty
ones, "babies till you can't rest, !" are truudled
about the principal streets and through the
public squares in droves and dOcks Not single
babies only, but twins. And double carriages
for these abound. Married ladies who like one
l know, fear the twin complaint is catching,
had better stay away.
was sorry to find Richmond indulging in
THAT MEAsKsT KIND OF GAMBLISG-A LOT
Terry.
1t ia run under the auspices of sthe association
for the benefit OF the widows and orphans OF
the southern states" an institution which has
doubtless done some good, having contributed
literally for several years TO the female homes,
orphan asylums, &C., in the state. It's corpO-
rators are some of the best men in the common
wealth, and ii is a wonder they will lend their
countenaDee to scheme which, under the
grise of charity, Is learning everybody TO Am
bic. Tickets are as low as hve cents, aud every
body goes III. Church members think it all
right, plous ladies 60 into IL in reckless fash
ion, and children spend their money for a lot
terry ticket instead OF for sweetmeats 1t Is a
contemplate and demOraliZing business, and IL
is TO be hoped the people will find some other
means OF helping worthy charity than one
which puts the larger share of the receipts into
the hands Of "agentsn and other bummers who
want to make living without working for it..
INVESTIGATIONS
are in fashion, and Richmond couldn't get
along without one. The almshOuse here is one
worthy OF any city, and its satisfactory manage
ment by the present superintent, Capt. Oh aries
p. Bigger, and his assistant, Capt. VIM. Jas.
Eppes, now unfortunately seriously ill with
COnsumption,) has been the subject of COM
and StFanpAFS WAplx
is at the bottom of the trouble-Mrs. PooFe, the
late matTOD, who for some reason at the late
election OF city officers Was dropped by the
councils and another matron appointed in her
place. For this she blamed the superintendent
and alsmhouse committee, and published tart
card IL the Richmond papers appealing TO the
masonic fraternity and the Z, T. VS. for sym
patty, because she was the widow Of a mason
and the sister of cOnledeTa ate general (Magru-
der; all well enough, but not essential qualffi-
cations, one would think, for the position. She
brought charges of corruption against the super
!nteDGeEt, ana he asked an Investigation, which
WAS granted by Mayor Kelly, who conducted il
himself. MI Allan b. Msgruder, a lawyer of
Baltimore, appeared as counsel for bis sister
Mrs. Poore. The testimony for the prosecution
narrowed the case down TO one of sour milk sup
pied 10 sick babies, almost unavoidable il hot
Eeather, and Mr. MagrUder thereuDOn with
drew from il, and in a letter to the mayor init
uated that they couldn't get a fair trial from
him. The mayor has not made his report vet,
but when he does it is likely he will make it
warm for NagrudeT, as he is a writer of very
decided ability, and fully competent to take
care OF his reputation.
HOME FOR ABANDONED WOMEN
is one of the new Institutions here. It is under
the supertntendence of DIR. w. W. Parker q
welfknown phiIanthropist, and a worthy lady
has accepted the matrOnship. It contains so
far only one inmate, who has been rescued
from one Of the yilest dens OF Richmond. She
was the child of respectable people, and for
meTly strict church member, ana it is believed
on account Of her early associations that her
reformation is thorough. Lynchburg is shortly
expected TO send one and StauntOn two unrOT.
tunstes to find refuge in the Home.
A SCANDAL
has been in circulation here in reference to a
young man of Petersburg, (brother OF An OIL ctal
there,) to the effect that he committed all in
famous outrage on the person OF a respectable
young white girl fifteen years of age. His
friends stoutiy deny that there is any truth IN
the story; but in spite of this denial some peo-
pie think it was all true, but hushed up because
Of his standing III the community, and because
she was - only poor girl anyhow" w.R.C.