Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1825-12-05
A.EEEAND@IAs
MONDAY, DECEMBER S, 1925.


This is the day appointed by the Constitu-
ton for the meeting Of the Congress OF the
United States. We learn that an unusual
number Of the members Of both Houses are
at their posts, and that quorums will certainly
be present at ~ o. lock. II is known that
the House of Representatives are to elect
Speaker, and that this duty must be perform
ed before the House can receive the annual
communication or message Of the President
of the United States-consequently it IS I'M
certain when that anxiously looked for docu-
ment will meet the public eye. Should the
Speaker be chosen to-day, the message Will
in the usual course approaching, be deliver
ed tomorrow; but we speak the opinion OF
many intelligent gentlemen. when we say that
the chances are against choice on the frst
day. II seems to be generally admitted, that
the leading competitors viii be Mr.. Taylor,
ofNew. York, Mr.. McLane of Delaware, and
Mr. Stephenson Of Virginia; the latst OF
whom, it is supposed. will not be dropped un-
III AFTER several ballotings. We refrain from
any expression of opinion as to the result, fur
ther than conviction that Mr.. Taylor or Mr.
McI.ane will be exalted to that high and I'M
portant station They are both distinguished
men. ofthe first order oftslents. and e'therot
them vii! make an able officer.
Mr.. TAYLOR has been uniformly of the ole!
republican party-Mr McLane ofthe federal
Mr.. Taylor supported the election OF MIR
Adams-Mr McI.ane that Of Mr. Crawford
How far these circumstances may operate up
on the election, We are not prepared to say;
but that they may so operate, and thereby re-
tard the issue, is within the range of proba-
biEties. With regard to the message, We can
only assure our readers, that they shall not be
neglected., nor shall they be behind the pa
irons of any other Journal in receiving SO inn .
portant state paper.
We publish, to-day, for the information and
reference of those who are in the habit OF
reading the proceedings Of Congress, perfect
list of the members Of each house, with the
execution of two vacancies in the Senate
one IN the representationfrom New York-the
other, from Virginia.
A writer in the Richmond Enquirer asks if
Virginia has not an unlimited confidence in
the disinterested attachment of Mr.. Monroe to
the best interests of the State; and if he does
not possess the requisite qualifications for the
able discharge Of the duties ofany office in the
Commonwealth. fit be answered in the at
firmative, as he thinks it must be, he then
asks why not make him Governor TO all
this Nr. Richie says not word-it is prudent
he should not. An expression of his own SEN
timents would most &c rtainly violate the sent.
ments of the state, and that is condition in
which the learned and ingenious editor does
not like to be too often placed.
William w. Andrews, clerk in the Post
Office Of Cabin Point. in Virginia, was lately
tried BY the Circuit Court ofthe United States
now sitting in Richmond, Va. under an in
dictment for purloinins money from letters
which passed through the office. The jury
deemed the evidence conclusive, and imme-
diately brought in verdict of guilty; where
upon the Court sentenced the criminal to ten
years imprisonment.
Another case Of great importance, and one
which has engrossed much Of the public atten-
ton, has also been decided in the same Court.
This is the case of captain John b. medley,
charged by two indictments with designedly
scuttling and sinking the schooner Pacific,
with the sole view of defrsudng the under
writers. The Pacific was owned and cleared
at Boston in July, 1924, and lost in the British
Channel The prisoner confessed his guilt,
but charged the plot upon J. p Froding, late
Swedish Consul at Boston, who was in Eng
land when the vessel was sunk, and who re-
ceived the amount of insurance from the Lon
don Offices, giving the prisonera draft on this
country for 5000. In about An hour after
the jury retired they returned with verdict
ofguilty; but before they were discharged,
nine Of them signed paper recommending
him to the mercy Of the President.
A bill has been reported in the legislature
ofGeorria forming Board of Public Works.
preparatory t9the commencement ofa system
of Internal Improvement. Another bill. lay.
ing off the state into Congressional districts
has been read the first time.
The Dinner which we mentioned would be
given by the citizens of Milledgsville to the
Hon. w. H. CaAwroRD, took place on Tues
day the 18th ultimo, and is said by the Record.