Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1875-02-23

Marriage and Death n otlces nifty Genus. ODltu-
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for notices over four lines.
TRADES UNIONS
Mr. Thurlow Weed condemns labor unions
10 the following Words:
"While I agree and sympathize with you in
all possible efforts to promote the welfare OF
the aboring classes by securing to thcm
steady employment with remuueratlVe wages,
nm quite sure that you will agree with me in
reprobatiug the combinations aud influences
which seek to extort through trades unions the
largest possible amount OF money for the small
est possible equivalent in labor. Ten and eight
hour systems, and the strikes consequent upon
them, have been most prolific source OF mis-
chief and evil, pecuniary and social, to the la.
boring classes. The despotism Of these unions
has become uueudurable. Master mechanics
are not permitted TO labor in their Own work
shops. Less than half the number OF bricks
formerly laid by journeymen are now arbitrarl-
ly held to be days work. And the NUMBER
Of apprentices by whom trades are to be Learn
ed is limited and fixed, not by master mechau-
les, but by the unions" In few years,
therefore, we shall be wholly dependent rpon
foreigners, subject to the control Of trades an
ions, for our mechanical labor.
meantime thourands of boys who ought
and, but for the evil influences just referred
to, would have been learoing trades, by means
of which they would become useful citizens,
are either varously seeking precarious support
from temporary employments, or by uoavoid-
able idleness. acquiring habits which consign
them to our houses of refuge and penitentiar
les. There are at this moment hundreds of
fathers and other hundreds of widowed
mothers looking in anguish and despair upon
the fate which awaits their sons-a tate which
but for the tyranny Of unions 10 preventing
boys from becoming apprentices might be
ayerted. Heretofore the intelligence, enter
prise public spirit, potriotism. and virtue, per-
sonal, political, social, and moral, of the me-
ohanical classes have been our boast and pride.
Through these agencies villages have grown
into cities, and our cities developed into wealth
and power. | knew nothing in early life of
these miserable eight and ten hour systems,
and | owe whatever | have since enjoyed of
success and consideration to the habit, as an
apprentice, a journeyman and small be-
ginner on my own account, OF devotlng from
eleven to twelve hours day diligently and
chcerfully to active and healthtul physical
labor.
FERocTTY OF THE HAMsTER RAT-This is
the only species of rat found in Europe posses
sing pouches in his cheeks, and is native of
Austria Siesia and parts of Germany. He
feeds on grain, herbs, roots. and at times even
eats flesh The life of Hamster is divided
between eating and fighting. He seems to
have 20 other passion but that of anger, which
induces him to attack every animal th at comes
iu his way, without in the least attending to
the strength of. the enemy. Ignorant of the
art of saving himself by flight, rather than yield
he will allow himself to be beaten to pieces
with stick.
If he seizes mans hand he must be killed
before he will quit his hold. The magnitude
of the horse terri6es him as little as the tena-
city of the dog, which is fond Of hunting him. !
When the Hamster rerceives dog at dis
tance, he begins by emptying his cheek and
pouches, if they happen to be filled with grain;
he then blows them out so prodigiously that |
the size of his head and neck greatly exceeds
self on his hind legs, aud thus darts upon the |
enemy. If he catches hold, he never quits his
foe but with the loss of life.
The ferocious disposition prevents the Ham, |
ster from being at peace with any animal, even |
with his own species. When two Hamsters
meet they never fail to attack each other, and |
the stronger always devours the weaker. A |
combat between male and female usually lasts !
longer than that between two males. They be. |
gin by pursuing and biting each other; then |
each of them retires aside, as if 10 take breath
After short interval they renew the combat |
aud continue to fight till one of them falls. The |
vanquished animal uniformly serves for re-
past to the conqueror.
THE INCOMING SENATE.-The election of
Mcmillan in Minnesota completes the member
ship of the next United States Senate, except
in the case of Pinchback, of Louisiana, where
there is contest that is equal to a vacancy.
exhibit of the political division of that body as
begun to act on political questions:
Straight out Radicals. -Hamlin, Morrill,,
Cragiu. Wadleigh, Morrill,, Edmunds, Bout
veil, Dawes, Anthony, Burnside, Conkling,
Erelinghuysen, Cameron, of Pennsylvania;
Patterson, Conover, Spencer, Bruce, West,
Clayton, Dorsey, Sherman, Morton, Logan,
Oglesby, Aowe, Ferry, Wright, Allison, Win
dom. Ingalls, Harvey, Hitchcock, Sargent,
Mitchell, Jones' Of Nevada; Sharon-36.
Democrats.-E Eaton, Kernan, Randolph,
Wallace, Bayard, Salisbury Dennis, Whyte,
Johnston, Wlthers, Ransom, Merrmon, Nor.
Moxy, Bogy, Cockerill, Cooper, Johnson, Nc,
Creery, Stevenson, Davis, Caperton, Thur
man, McDo1ald, Kelley-2S.
Independent. Doubtful, or Coalition Repub.
cans.-Ferry, Robertson, Alcorn, Hamilton
Cameron. of Wisconsin; Christiancy, McMil-
Ian, Paddock. Booth--9.
Probably six of the nine uncertain Ropub-
leans will go into caucus and act with the reg
ulars, giving them the organization of the |
Senate.
STEALING A PRINTING OFFIcE.-On the |!
l7th instant, at Montgomery, Alabama, the /
office of the Morning News was entered by a 1
discharged oompositor, and two of the newsps- |
per forms were carried off thus preventing
the next days issue of the paper. The forms
al ;rk khn &c IL lo.n hon