Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-12-27
A COMPROMISE MADE.
WOMEN AND CHILDREN NOT TO Be
WORKED OVER TEN HOURS.
A Negro Footpsd swims the Appomaftox
and Escapes-Residences Fired Into
The Grand Master Toasted.


PETERSBURG, VA, December 26.-
(Special)-In the Mayors Court this
morning the case OF the Commonwealth
against the Pocahontas Cotton Mills in
this city. charged with violating the State
law In working women and children
more than ten hours In day. was called
ior examination. Mr.. w. II. Jones, the
Commemorative Attorney, appeared for
the State. and MIR. Richard b. Davis was
present as counsel for the defendant
company. The case was fully argued.
Mr. Davis stated that previous to the
issue Of the warrant against the company
he had, as counsel. been consulted as to
the hours OF employment Of females and
children In factories for the period OF
over ten hours per day, and his advice
was that If they voluntarily chose to
work over ten hours time. without force
or requirement on the part Of the en-
ployers, there was no violation Of the law.
The Commonwealth Attorney declared
that the law had been violated but that
In view Of the statement Of the counsel
Tor the defence. the Commonwealth would
be satisfied with dismissal Of the case
providing the mill owners would agree not
to allow any women or children In future
10 work In the factory over ten hours
per day. This was acceptable TO the
defence. and the Mayor, on the sugges-
ton of the States Attorney, dismissed
the case Thereupon. In open court. the
superintendent Of the mills was advised
by the attorney for the company not 10
work any women or children employees In
his factory hereafter for more than ten
hours a day under any circumstances.
rhis Is the first case under this law that
has arisen in Petersburg.
A LARGE STORE BURNED.
The large general merchandise store Of
Mr.. Max Steinman, at Windsor, In South
ampton county, was destroyed by fire
on Sunday morning. 1t 10 understood
that Mr.. Steinman had on hand a large
stock of goods but II Is not known wheth-
er he had any insurance.
On Chrlstmas-eve James GOODWIN (col-
ored). during a personal difficulty on
Halifax street. had his skull fractured with
a brick thrown by one Charles Lockett
(coloreO, and he is now in a very critical
condition. The brick struck Goodwin
square In the forehead. Lockett has not
yet been arrested.
On Christmas-day two unknown negroes,
supposed to be employees of the Atlantic
Coast Line railroad, in the construction
Of the belt-lins around the city, attacked
and assaulted Mr.. Richard Taten, on OH
street. They knocked the old gentleman
down and kicked and bruised him, and
then fled in different directions. One OF
the parties was pursued by Officer Young
and Chief Farley, OF the fire depart
ment. They ran him to the river banks.
The fugitive jumped into the river and
swan across 10 the Chesterfield side-a
distance Of fully 40 yards. The officers
procured boat to follow him, but were
somewhat delayed in getting it. Mean
while the negro, when he landed on the
opposite shore. placed his fingers 10 his
nose and calling the officers fools-with
prOfane ~refix-dsappeared over the
heights OF Chesterfield, and has since been
seen.
OUTRAGEOUS CONDUCT.
Some of the over-be-joyful people Of
the City-Whether white or colored is not
knOwn--were guilty Of eXtravagant and
outrageous conduct on Christmas MORN
ing Through the chamber windows OF
the residences of City-Treasurer Slaugh-
ter, on High street, and Mr.. r T.. Stroud,
on Halifax street, bullets were fired. The
windows were broken and the balls lodged
in the walls. In the former case the
ball passed just above the cradle in which
was sleeping child.
Edward Hite a negro of notoriously
bad character. was this morning sent on
10 the Hastings Court for trial by the
Mayor on three charges of assault and
battery. Three dusky damsels were the
victims. and each appeared in court with
swollen and blackened eyes to testify
against the accused.
Mr.. Robert Page. while talking with
some friends last night at the corner of
Bank and Market streets, was struck in
the neck by an exploding Roman candle,
and was severely hurt and burned.
AN INVESTIGATION.
1t is understood that the recent trou-
BILE between Police-Ofcers Chandle and
Ragland, will be the subject of an in
vestigation tomorrow afternoon by the
Board of Police Commissioners.
A tenement building on Mercury street
owned and occupied by a colored woman
named Jane Shelley, was destroyed by
fire at an early hour this morning. In
surance, $3.50.
This afternoon a fire was discovered
I'm Clementss Cafe, on Sycamore street
but very little damage was done The
fire is supposed TO have been caused by
ings.
TOAST AND RESPONSE.
The Knights Templars of AppomattoI
Commandery, No. g. assembled in their
hall at noon on Christmas-day, in con-
junction with their fraters all through
the United States, and offered libation
to the grand commander of the order.
Champagne filed the glasses. and the
following toast was drunk: ITO Our
Most Eminent Grand Master, Hugh Nc
Curdy. the Head of American Templar
Masonry, Who Holds All Templars'
Hearts"
The following response from the Grand
master was read: ITO the great heart
of Templar Masonry. and to every
Templar-Ma heart-one and insepa-
rable-
'Tis the heart and not the brain
That to the Highest doth attain:
And he who followeth loves behest
Far excelleth all the rest"
Judge Rives, of the County Court OF
Surry. yesterday appointed Mr.. G.. +.
Maynard as State Assessor OF Lands.
The appolntment Is regarded as most
excellent one. 1t is said that there were
ten or a dozen applicants for the Office
from among the most honored and repu-
table citizens Of the county.
Mr.. ]. r. Townes and wife. OF Chicago,
are spending their Christmas in this city,
as the guests Of Mr.. John Il. Townes.
THORP'S hackers.
II Is understood that both General
Malone and Colonel James ID. Brady are
backing Mr.. II. T. Thorpe in his contest
against Hon. W. r. McKenney for the
seat in the next Congress from this dis
trict, and both have. no doubt, been con-
suited in the preparation of the notice
of contest Colonel Brady. 1t is reported,
will be one of Mr.. Thorp's active counsel
when the case is heard. And in this con-
nection II may be stated that Mr.. Thorp's
reflections on the Electoral Board of this
city have created great indignation among
the members Of the board.
Snow, hail, and rain have alternated
here to-day.