Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1853-11-22
WASHINGTON NEWS AND GOSSIP

W. Forney continues to be the only avowed
candidate for this position, Notwithstanding
some of the qnid nuacs of the press are cud-
jeling their brains to get up paragraphs upon
the probability Of his triumph or defeat. We
said weeks ago that there would be DO serious
opposition to his reelection, and up to this
moment nothing has come to the knowledge of
the public here to shake our confidence in the
correctness Of that anticipation. There
will doubtless be half a dozen ex-mem-
bers on hand, looking wistfully towards the
post Yet as they will nearly all be notorious
! drummers for any and all spectators On the
Treasury who will pay something handsomein
| advance, and go snacks in the plumber when
grabbed from Uncle Sans strong box, we
fancy they will prove of too light weight to
stand the slightest possible chance for success
in such a contest. However, as they come to
Washington rather to follow the drumming
business, few of them will make serious efforts
| for the clerkship; when as they must know,
the House are apparently very unanimous in
favor of the re. election of the late clerk.
SENATOR DOUGLASS AND THE ADMINISTRA-
rIoS.-Among the silly stories tslcgraphed
(or pretended to BIO telesraphed from Wash
ington of late) is one saying that Senator
Douglass stands in an attitude of quasi hos
tility towards the Administration. This is
untrue his expressions towards its policy as
well as towards its several members, are as
kind as ever they were. The judge has IL tu-
ture before him. and is possessed of much too
large a fund of common sense to throw it
away by undertaking, at his time Of life, to
get into a quarrel win the largest portion of
the political party to which he is attached.
A SINGULAR OMIsSloS.-We hear that the
Secretary of the Treasury has of late devoted
much time to a revision of the titles to much
of the real estate long held by the Government
for Custom House purposes, &c. In the course
of this examination, it has become manifest
that the General Government lost the usual
exclusive jurisdiction over the Custom House
at Alexandria, Va, by the % act of retroces-
sion passed in 1916, it will be remembered.
The property on which the building stands
was purchased by the Government in 1920,
when Alexandria formed part of the District
of Columbia, which precluded necessity TO-:
an application to the State of Virginia to vest
in the United States exclusive jurisdiction
over it. In drawing up the act of rctroces-
sion, the title to the property itself was only
secured to the General Government, the juris-
diction being coded back with that of the rest
of Alexandria county. The remedy i. an APP
plication to the State of Virginia to pass an
act again according the requisite jurisdiction
to the General Government, which, we under
stand is now being prepared in the Treasury
Department.
) AMERICAN INFLUENCE IN SPANISH AMERICAN
CoUNTRIEs.-1t is the settled conviction oil
those in authority here. we apprehend, tina,
the governments and peoples of South America
arc rapidly becoming anxious for the exten
sion of commercial relations with the United
States, and indeed, any and every possible in
crease of association with Us likely to identif,
. them with us more Immediately in interests
This state of things is believed to be the resul
f of the Americanization of Texas and Califor
|
Of our Mexican war upon the minds of tn,
$ Snanish American race, SO plainly tells the
tale of the better economy public and private
of the laws and institutions Of our country
Indeed, even in the heart OF Mexico the sen
tinent to which We refer above is undoubtedl,
spreading among all classes of the people.
The result of this growing feeling can hard
ly fail to manifest itself shortly in our com
mercal and diplomatic transactions will
South America, where wo should rightfull,
| have much more extended markets than a
4 present.
The REPAIRS AT THE PRESIDENTS HOUSE
5 are progressing rapidly under the direction
of Capt. T. j. Lee, of the Typographical
Corps Of the L. S. Army. By the languag,
of the act making the appropriation for re
pairs and furniture, &c, Congress provided
that the money be expended under the direc
ton of the President, and he assigned tn.
entire duty to Captain Lee. Frsm what VI,
have seen from day to day, We are satisfied
r. that the money has been expended with judg
ment and prudence. The great item of OK
pense has been the heating apparatus fo
warming the house. All who have hnd occa
sion to visit the Presidents house in the win
ter season, are aware how imperfoctly al
previous arrangements for heating have sue
ceeded. The present, we have no doubt, viii
work admirably. 1t was selected by Captain
Lee, and put up by Messrs. Walworth and
Mason of Boston, Mass
The decorations Of the house, designed b,
direction of the officer in charge, including
painting Of ceiling, &c. are simple and il
excellent taste.
The carpets and tapestry furnished by
Messrs. A. T. Stewart & Co, of New York
are substantial and serriceable. They are
not so elegant and expensive, perhaps, as are
to be found in many private houses Of wealthy
gentlemen in our large cities, but are fitting
and proper, both in design and material.
Much credit is due to Mr. Strickland of the
house of Messrs. Stewart 4 Co., for his prompt.
ness and unwearied efforts in advancing the
work, and experimenting the hanging of the
tapestry.
Nothing has been done to the portion of the
House occupied by the President for his bust
ness and reception rooms He preferred that
so far as he personally was concerned. things