Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1877-01-18
Letter from Richmond.

RICHMOND. VA, Jan. II. lS77.-That the
times are pretty hard is evidenced by the fact
that the party season here is nearly over, aud
we have had only two or three parties. Par
ties when given COW are, as general thing,
conducted on the confederate plan -that is,
for refreshments, q big cooler of nice and pure
icc.watcr, and as much room to dance 10 as
you want. There have been more brilliant
parties here before and since the time OF those
confederate parties, but I question whether
any Of them were more enjoyable. The ice
water was donated with alacrity, and dancing
was always kept up until early morning. And
I doubt whether on any occasion graodcr
galaxy Of beauty ever gathered at ball. More
than one lovely refugee from Alexandria was
present at those gatherings, whose names 1
could mcution aud whose sweet faces | now
recall.
The case of George Stuart, white, and Ro-
berta Mcpherson, colored, who were married
in Washington, will be novel one. The law
yers for Stuart allege that his bride Is an
octoroon, and therefore not negro. The law
sets down woman who has oDe.iourth negro
blood in her veins as negro. but one with
one eighth negro blood in her veins comes un-
der the head Of white. Stuart's counsel will
claim that Roberta has only onc.eighth negro
blood ID her veins. How this is to be deter
mined | do not comprehend. Manchester Is
considerably excited over the matter.
The case of DR.. Jorgenson vs. the Richmond
DISPATCH comes up in the Circuit Court in
February. 1t will be remembered that the
Dispatch copied statement from the Peters
burg Index, to the effect that Jorgcnsou had
been convicted of misappropriatng money
when he was collector Of the revenue III the
second district. lie sued tho Dispatch for
$4,000 damages.
Nelson comes here next week and gives US
three nights as Juliet. She will do well in
Richmond. The whole Legislature will 60 TO
see Romeo and Juliet" with the same ALAG
rty with which they march to minstrel shows
and refreshments.
Judge Burks, the neWly.elected Judge OF
the Supreme Court will deliver his first de-
cisiou tomorrow morning. Lawyers express
some interest 10 hear him.
The dueliEg amnesty bill came up today
and was defeated, it falling to receive the two
thirds vote. 1t was finally rcconsidered by 4
vote OF IS to "a.
10 the Senate the bill providing for the en-
ployment OF convicts on the Buchanan and
Clifton Forge railway came up and was passed.
4 communication containing some structures
upon the Governor 10 regard to the price paid
Tor. the pedestal OF the Jackson statue has
been industriously circulated among the menu.
bcrs of the Legislature and causes some talk.
This reminds me OF u joke told on a member
of the Senate. He was speaking OF the Jack
son stature. The gentleman with whom he
was conversDg asked him, "Will it be life size
or heroic?" ut vii! be Of bronze, | think, y
he replied.
The proposed visit Of Henry Ward Beecher
to this city has created much indignation
among the church. going public particularly.
The Religious Herald (Baptst) and the Cen
trail PRESBYTERIAN Of to. day have long editorials
depunciatory of Bcecher, and expressing the
hope that the people Of Richmond will not 90
to hear him. Vain hope. He will have the
biggest house Of the season. Everybody will
want to get look at the famous Henry Ward
Becchcr, and his agent knows it. lie wants
the papers to pitch toto him. The Richmoal
papers have received several private letters
from citizens earnestly begging them to warn
the Richmond people not to 60 and hear this
arch enemy Of the South aud adulterer. And
this is Just what Beecher most desires.
The Y. NJ. G. A. Convention held 10 Peters
burg last week created great enthusiasm IN
that city 10 this cause. | trust it may be more
permanent than that created by the General
Convention here two years ago. Then 1t was
announced that well known merchant has
- Inn l. ttoo pot
citation building, and work will be commenced
at once, &C." But We have never seen the
So 900 or heard any more about it. | do not
mean TO say that the association is not doing
good work. Ali honor 10 the noble young men
engaged in it. would like to sec many more.
Col. John S. Barbour, Of the Midland rail.
road, has written a letter to the Senate Com.
mittee on Roads and Internal Navigation, in
oppostiou to the bill for the appointment o.
railroad commissioners.
The Board of Visitors Of William and Mary
College yesterday elected Mr.. Lyon Tyler, a
son OF the late President Tyler, to the chair Of
Moral Philosophy and Political Economy.
Ia the House, to-day, Mr. Bail Introduced
bills for tie working and keeping in order the
public roads of Alexandria county, aad TO
amend the Code in regard to carrying con.
caalcd weapons
The following is the vote by which the duel
ing bill was rejcctcd-uot two-thirds voting in
the Affirmative
Ayes-Mcssrs. Allen, Arthur, -Aylor, Ball,
Barhsm, Barnes. Belts, Bogart, Bohsnnon, 2.
j. Carter, Clay, K. H. Cox, Crank, Curlett,
Dalton, Davis, Dooley, Dunn Edmunds, Flske,
Flood, Gaines, Gilman, Gordon, Gray, Hale,
Hubbard, James, Johnston, Jones, kelIam, La
ey, Lovenstein, Mathews. McGaull, Male, Nee.
Rains, Ronald Henry 4. Smith, Sydney Smith,
Strother Swami, w. T. Taliaferro Tslleey,
Wall Walker, Wallace Watts, White, Charles
U. Williams, 2. B. Williams, Witchcr With
ers Mr.. Spesker-5S.
Noes-Messrs. Armstrong, Berry, Bristow,
Branch, Broaddus, Burks, j. A. Carter, Cosle,
Coleman, Comadore, Connor, Henry Cox, Craig,
Dabbs, Davidson Dyer, Fowler, Gibson Gid
dings, Greer, Hamilton. Hoenniger. Inward,
Jordan, kerrick, kindrick, Lamkn, Leech,
Lennon, Letcher, Lewis, Lipscomb, Lowell,
Massey, McDsnnsld. Moncure j. .. Morris,
Paul. Pierson, Poindex!er. Pophsm, Purcell,
Robnett, Scott Scruggs. Shannon Sibert, j.
W. Smith, r. NJ. Smith, William Smith, Stuart,