Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1873-01-23

vincipg statements It is very well understood
that Gov. Walker will be a candidate for the
q. S. Senate, to succeed John Z. Lewis, and
many are OF the opinion W. could have no bet
ter Senator The election will take place next
winter | hear already uamed for the same
nosition Judge A. Is. Cochran, and COL John
r Baldwin. of Stanton; r. 4. Coghill: Of
Amherst Judge Staples. of Montgomery; r..
T Daniel, of Richmond City. and Gen. James
4, Walker. Of Pulaski There WILL no doubt,
be legion before the election takes place.
WASHINGTON & OHIO RAILROAD. ;,
The officers of the Washington 4 Ohio Rail
road seem to have gotten into trouble here.
The time having elapsed when, by the terms of
the original Gourmet. the first payment was to
he made upon the purchase Of the States III
terest in the road. the Board of Public Works
refused to receive the amount due. which Was
tendcred By AIr. Mckenzie a few days slncc.
They allege as justification OF their ac:lon.
that an investigation has been ordered by the
Senate into the affairs of the company. and
that pending the investigation they cannot re-
ceive any money from the company Inc mat
ter will probably have to 90 before The courts.
JUDICIAL SYSTEM.
The bill proposing to curtail tbs number OF
county judges aud their jurisdiction: and to IN
crease the the number Of circuit judges, has
been made the special order for today 1t will
probably be speedily disposed of. The lmprcs,
sion secnls to be that the number Of circuit wall
be increased 1t is proposed to place Alexanc,
dria in a circuit composed of the countles or
Alexandria. Fairfax, Prince William and Stat
ford. Among the gentlemen who are named
for Judge of this circuit should the cha ge be
made. are, Judges H. w. Thomas. Il. ii.
Cockerillc, and Thomas Moore, Of Fairfax;
Judge Aylett Nicol, Of Prince William, aud
Judge Jet, Of Stafford.
RAILROAD FIGHTS.
The railroad fights of the session have fairly
commenced. The advocates OF Free Hall
road law and the opponents OF that measure
are here in full force. The advocates OF the
law seem composed Of the Richmond and Peters
burg aud the Richmond and Danvllle Hall
roads while the opponents embrace the Au"n-
tic, Mississippi and Ohio. the Richmond, Fred
ericksburg and Potomac, and probably the
Orange. Alexandria and Manassas. although
the friends of that road arc keeping very quiet
and no one seems to be aware of their exact
position 1t is said that road holds the balance
of power in the contest.
INTEREST.
The Senate il still hammcring away at the
interest question and it seeuls 10 have afforded
many Senators. who. it is doubtful, have ever
seen work upon Political Economy. au oppor-
tunity to learncily speak upon the greatness
nations have affirmed where there are stringent
usury laws. There seems a determined effort
upon the part of the agricultural portion OF the
State to bring the rate down to 6 per Ct Ii
such legislation Is adopted the effect will be to
drive from the State large amount OF capital
which is now placed here by parties from the
North. tor investment.
PERSONAL DIFFICULTY.
1t is rumored on the streets that there is dan
ger of a personal difficulty between Capt. Ii. II.
Riddlcbarger member Ct the House OF Dele
gates and editor of the Shenandoah Democrat.
and Major r. w. Hunter. OF Winchester; the
cause-criticism upon each other, published IN
their respective papers AS both arc gentlemen
of genial dispositions and undoubted courage.
it is hoped that serious consequences may be
avcrted.
OYSTER BILL.
The House is now engag ed in the discussion
of the bill imposing tax on oysters. The bill
was drawn up BY commission consisting OF
Messrs. Goode, Munford and Lewis. The bill
has many defects. and it is alleged that if passed
in its present form it cannot be carried in-
to effectual operation.
STATE DEBT.
1t is not probable that any action will be
taken upon the State debt until after the mCet-
ing of the boudholdcrs here in February
ADJOURNMENT.
1t seems probable that the Legislature will
continue in session until some time IN April.
G. IL d. Canal.
There was considerable asscmblage ycstcr-
day 10 the room of the committee on the Dis
trict OF Columbia, the harbor improvement
question being under discussion. The Chcsa-
peake and Ohio Canal Company appeared be-
fore the committee by President German. The
question to which he addressed himself was the
proposition to take for the proposed harbor I'M
provement all the river front of the canal lying
from Seventeenth street to Rock creek. Mr..
German said that the company had constructed
the canal on the Washington side Of Rock creek
surprising that it would pay, not from tonnage
passing OVERT, but that the trade coming over
the canal from Cumberland would need as an
outlet the valuable wharf property which this
extension acquired for the canal. Mr.. Eldrldge
asked if the company claimed the right IL use
the bed of the canal and other property there
for other than canal purposes.
Mr. Gorman said he had been informed by
able legal gentlemen that the company held
this property in fee, and could use it for any
purpose.
MIR. E.-What! fill it up and sell it for build
ing lots, if they choose?
MIR. G. continued, SAYING that sluce the orr
giDal subscription the United States had given
the company no assistance. but the company
had expended not only millions 90 the naio
work, but several hundred thousand dollars on
this work The river front now 10 use was
insufficient to accommodate the coal trade.
Arrangements had been made to lock out one
mile above the aqucduct and reach the pro-
posed wharves by the river. The coal is now
brought to mark ct at 10 cts. per ton cheaper
than from any other point in coal-miuing re-
gIons.
The bridges over the canal in Georgetown
were made so low as to prevent the passage Of
many classes oil boats into Rock creek, and so
rendered it impossible to Use the section OF the
canal in Washington. Before this controversy