Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1868-11-19
VIRGINIA NEWS.

Yesterday the foreman Oh Tie UTauu Jury IT,
ported that until the testimony of several i'm
portant witnesses, in the alleged Revenue
frauds. who had been summoned but had not
vet appeared, was heard, he would decline
making any report. The u. S. Marshal stated
that special efforts had been made to secure
their attendance, but as yet he has not been
able to bring them before the Grand Jury, one
OF them not being in his jurisdiction, and the
other concealing himself from service of the
writ He had, however ascertalned his where
abouts, and telegraphed for his arrest. lie
hoped to produce him at once. It IS under
stood that j. Harmer Gilmer, sr., and Henry
Smith are the parties to whom reference was
made Smith has already been indicted In this
Court for permitting the illegal use OF his
brands whilst u. S. General Inspector of this
District.
There are in the Richmond internal revenue
district ffty-three tobacco factories. Only
small fraction of this number are in full opera
ton, the others being engaged in cleaning up
for the winter getting rid of all their surplus
stock. Probably not one Of the whole number
will be at work six weeks from this time, and
the large number of hands which have been
EMPLOYED in them, will be thrown out OF
work
A farmer near Richmond, Va, has raised
two crops Of potatoes and one crop of turnips
from the same piece ofground during the pres
spring, and gathered fine crop. lie then re-
moved the vines, prepared the land, and plant
ed it in turnips. The last crop of potatoes be-
gan growing on the 18th of August.
Ia the U. S. Circuit Court in Richmond, the
case ofCesar Griffin, will be taken up again to-
day when T. r. Bowden, the Attorney General,
and Bradley T. johnson, will speak on behalf
of the State They will be followed by Mr..
Chandler. Mr.. Neeson will then close the ar
gument for the State, land Mr.. Bundy will sum
up on behalf Of the petitioner.
FIRST MILITARY DIsTRICT--REpoRT OF
GEN SToNEMAN.-T report of Gen. Stone
man, commander of the First Military District,
has been forwarded to the Secretary of War.
Gen. Stoneman states that he has substan-
TALLY carried out the policy Of MS predecessor,
Gen. Schofeld, now Secretary of War, with
such notifications as circumstances rendered
absolutely necessary.
Since August last material reduction has
been made in the forces under his command,
One squadron OF cavalry was sent tie the Plans,
one battery of artillery to the West, and the
Doth infantry to Tennessee, whence they are
to be sent to Texas The troops remaining
on duty have been much depleted on account
Of the expiration of the term of service.
The General alluds to the controversy in the
Methodist Episcopal Church in the State of
Virginia, and states that, in his opinion, after
Thorough investigation by Judge Adv. Burn
ham, the time has not yet arrived for him to
make an order upon the subject, the lnyestlga-
ton showing that many questions OF delicate
legal character are involved both Of ecclesiastical
and statute law, the solution OF which will, 10
all probability, be left to the decision OF the
highest judicial tribunal or legislative enact
ment
Arrangements have been made with most OF
the railroad companies on terms advantageous
both to them and the State, by which it IS
hoped that within reasonable time they will
be able to pay into the State treasury the
amount of their Indebtedness. The arrange
ment cOntemplates that they pay in one third
In currency and the remaining tWo-thlrds In
State bonds.
The report contains the correspondence be-
tween Hon. r. o. Ould, General Marmaduke
johnson, and Thos j. Evans in regard to the
question as to the right Of Virginia to cast her
electoral votes in the late Presidential election.
In response to this correspondence, General
Stoueman, without expressing an opinion as to
the right in question, suggests an inquiry as to
whether it would be wise or judicious to excite
the public mind, and possibly create distrust,
by insisting upon holding an election IN OPPOSE
ton to the terms OF the reconstruction laws.
General Stonemau concludes his report by
paying compliment to the judicous manage
ment of the FreeGmens Bureau, AID says that
to the respect of the people, both white and
black, to the laws, and their innate love OF JUS
tice, is due the quiet and good order that reigns
in the good old COMMONWEALTH of Virginia.
DEATH OF RoCSINI.-The musical career Of
the great composer whose death. in Paris, is an
nounced by the Atlantic cable, belongs to a
past generation For the last thirty years
Rosssini has lived 90 the reputation of his ear
lier days-of that marvellous youth and early
manhood during which he produced the glori-
Gus compositions which have made his name
classic one even during his own lifetime. His
later years have been spent IN luxurious repose
in Paris, where his table and his witticlsms
have been alike celebrated, and where he has
received the homage of the civilized world.
The great Rossini was born at Pesaro, in
Italy, in 1892, and as a boy singer attracted
considerable attention, singing In operas with
a strolling company. When his voice broke,
in his fifteenth year, he was obliged to content
himself with the position of French horn player
in the orchestra. Tired of this, he determined
greatly to the Indignation of his farther-to be
a composer.
a wealthy amateur of Pesaro sent him to the
Bologna Conservatory and in his eighteenth
year he wrote his first opera, "Cambiale di
Matrimonial In 1872, the "lngannio Felice'
was produced and in 1913 the "Tancredi' of
the young com poser spread his fame over the
musical world, This opera still retains its place
on the Italian stage Rossini next composed
some halt dozen operas which are now quite
forgotten.
From 1914 to 1922 Rossini was director Of
the San Carlo, at Naples and at this period
he produced those magnificent works, "Moses
in Egypt "Otello,'' and LA Donna del
Lago, besides the less known operas" Armida,
''Ricciardo and Zoraida," ''zelmira," and
"Maometta Secondo;" and to these must be
added that ever popular musical comedy, the