Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1872-12-16
WASHINGTON Items.

1t is given out that the House special com
mittce on the reorganization OF the civil service
have about finished the consideration Of the
bill which they have had in preparation to
carry out the object Of their appointment. The
measure may possibly be reported to the House
before the holiday recess.
Robert NJ. and Stephen A. Douglas, sons OF
the late Senator Douglas have prepared and
will present to Congress, on Monday, claim
for $3.50, 900, Tor their private cotton and other
property taken, used and appropriated In
March, 1868, iu Mississippi, by portion of
the army of the United States.
Senator Norwood, Of Georgia, will tomorrow,
or at the first favorable opportunity, move to take
up the bill prepared by Senator Hill and him
self at the last session, to remove the disabil.
ties of some of the few prominent Georgians
who are yet under the ban of political pro-
scription.
The committee on military affairs of the
House is preparing bill for the erection OF
headstones in the national cemeteries which is
intended to meet the defects Of the bill passed
last session. A much larger appropriation will
be required than was contemplated.
The President has concluded to pardon all
persons now under conviction for Kuklux Of
fences, where such is asked for by their repu-
table neighbors.
CLIFTON, FAIRFAX Co., VA.-[From the
Amherst Enterprise. w. A. Staples writes
from his new home near Clifton Station, Fair
fax county:
1--WE arrived here on Monday morning aud
occupied the new house just completed by my
predecessor THE neighbors gave us cordial
welcome. The very next morning our house
was in ashes-a spark from the chimney must
have fallen on the roof. House insured. We
shall occupy another good one on another part
OF the farm
The lands here are very fine, settled up
mostly by men of means, who have built fine
mansion dwellings, barns, &c. 1t is always a
pleasure to drive over such roads as these:
Society here is principally northern-retired
cal farmers from New York, and New Jersey
are represented. Free schools, select schools,
fine churches with settled ministers, are here,
and not languishing for want Of support A
fine hotel crowded all summer with boarders
from Washington, stores, steam Mills spoke
factory, &c. Large orchards, vineyards, &C.
[ set this down as very thriving commu-
nifty. Its Growing excellence is the virtue, re-
fnemcnt, aud liberal, sociable character Of the
people.
TUE GRAND ROYAL ARCH CHAPTER OF
VIRGINIA met at Saint Adams Hall, Rich
mond, on Friday, and elected the following Of
icers for the ensuing twelve months;
NJ. f., Robert Il. Withers Grand High
Priest NJ. f., Benjamin NJ. Harris, Grand
King NJ f., VIM. H. Lambert, Grand
Scribe !: E., Thomas U. Dudley, Grand Urea.
surer ; f., John Dove, Grand Secretary f.,
Samuel kennerly. Grand Captain of Host ; f.,
Alfred s. Lee, Grand Principal Sojourner
E., S. NJ Bowman, Grand Royal Arch Cap
tain f., H. NJ. Brent jr., Grand Master, Sd
Veil 4 Peyton S. Coles, Grand Master, I'd
Veil f., H. c. Stenvens, Grand Master, lst
Veil f., e. ". Dame, Grand Chaplain Z
j. II. Dowell, Grand Lecturer f., James NJ.
Taylor, Grand Janitor.
After very harmonious session the Grand
Chapter was closed until Thursday after the
second Monday in December, 1873.
The Postmaster at Bolton, Mississippi, and
-, J,,,ty houo hoop committed m nj, IN tha