Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1871-08-11
FOREIGN ITEMS.

The Ballot bill was yesterday considered in
the British House of Lords. The Marquis OF
Ripon argued at length in its favor. In the
course of his speech he alluded pleasantly to
his visit to the United States, and compliment
ed its institutions A lively debate followed,
which was participated in by a number of the
Peers, and tolerably strong expressions in rela-
ton to the bill were uttered on all sides. Upon
division it was rejected, the majority against
the Government being AZ.
The French Minister of War has received
dispatch from the General commanding in
Algeria, announcing brilliant victory over the
insurgents. 1t is said they are rapidly submit
ting to the authority Of the Government, and
that there is q continued improvement in the
situation Of affairs
It's stated that motion for the prolonga-
ton of the powers of NJ. Theirs will probably
be made in the National Assembly of France
today, it being provided that he shall resign
if the Assembly is dissolved before his term OF
Office expires.
Roques, who was Mayor of Pateaux, has
been sentenced by the Court Martial at Yer
saics to penal servitude for life, it having been
urged in his behalf that his moderate language
entitled him to some favor.
1t was officially announced yesterday, in the
House of Commons that upon the completion
of the new general office there would be gen.
eral reduction Of the telegraph tolls throughout
the kingdom.
Queen Victoria, in Difference to the condition
of public business, has postponed her departure
| to Balmorai. 1t Isl therefore, uncertain when
Parliament will be prorogued.
The British Secretary of War has defended
the English military system as compared with
that of Prussia, saying the latter would not suit
a free country like England.
No professions will be allowed in London
derry on the anniversary Of the raising OF the
siege of the city in l6S9
REPORTED INTERVIEW WITH PRESIDENT
GRANT. The Southern correspondent OF the
| New York Journal of Commerce has written to
that journal from Washington, under date OF
the Sth instant, an account OF an interview with
| President Grant.
understanding from General Babcock that
the President would be glad to have talk
with me about southern matters your correspon-
dent embraced an opportunity tostep the sane
tum sanctorum Of the White House and indulge
in an interview. Our conversation at hrst was
mere matter of explanation Of affairs IN the
Southern States from the standpoint on which
| | based general conclusions as to the material,
social and political condition Of the different
| States, as shown in letters sent you from the
States themselves. The President listened
attentively, and interposed many questions.
lie seemed particularly anxious to know what
the people there thought Of his appointees in
the custom houses and postof1ices aud other gov
ernment positions. He was answered that the
general complaint against his officers is on po-
litica grounds and that the chief dissatisfaction
at the South is with State and county officials.
| The course Of the Southern people toward gov
crnment officials is generally determined by the
honesty and capacity shown by the incumbent
AS a general thing government officers get
along well with the people, and many of them
are higly respected The men against whom
the people of the South generally show a
viudictive spirit are men who were dishonest
at home in the North, and are now thieves at
the South, conducting their nefarious schemes
under the shield of official position rs repub-
licans, only because they thereby manage to use
the negro votes to elect them to office.
The President admitted u belief that there
are many very bad men in office in the South
claiming to be republicans, but who would be
anything Ill TIC pUuliCdl Hut tItI "oliio ui IhS
their bad dcs gns, and are not therefore, charge
able to the account of the Republican party as u
great political organization. He believes Il
large number Of Ku-Klux outrages have been
committed, but that the gradual advance of Il
better feeling throughout the South, besides
the moral effect of the passage Of the ku-Klux
bill, has stopped Kll-kluxism and outlawry to
Il very great extent. He did not propose, in
making appointments, to consult politicians in
| tile South who vote against the Republican
party any more than he would in the North.
But he was determined to give them honest
and competent government officials, and ne
would take it as favor when men OF any shade
Of politics discover dishonesty or Incompetence
on the part of the appointecs to acquaint, him
with the fact. Well-authenticated complaints
from anyquarter would receive careful attention.
He had removed all Objectionable men from the
New Orleans custom house, and he believed he
had good set OF officials there now. lie re-
garded the condition Of the South generally as
improving.
A MARTINS RoosT-About five years ago
growth of mulberry trees in front ola csidence
on the corner of Hunter and Pryor streets, in At
lanta, Ca, became the resort, or 'roost OF
few martins, who came REGULAR there every
evening during the Summer months. Year
by year the number that resort to these trees
has been on q rapid increase, and now they are
almost innumerable The Era says:
"During the day, not martin can be obser'
we'd in the city limits, but at about six clock in
the evening, they can be seen coming from all
| e,,o r,,,c e bup,jrn1, Thpy collnrt