Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1874-06-29
AFRAID OF PROSPERITY. The New York
Journal of Commerce says:

their own conformity to the situation Enor
NOUS harvests are now ingathsring Or ripe for
the sickle. California alone oilers to tue world
a surplus of one hundred million bushels OF
wheat which will cost her people less LABOR f ana
millions of gold The "West" is hoary with the
browning plenty. Health sends It's thrill of joy
through our EXTREMIST borders. With cheap
food, strong hands, and the worlds waiting
markets, what hinders the promised day OF
blessing?
Ask the working man nearest to you, and you
will have the answer. Why is he not st work
Because he will not accept the situation. Ii he
is q skilled mechanic, he must have his SO 5O,
S4 or 81 so per day, rs his Union prcscrlbes, or
he will not lift his finger If ne i on &c. common
laborer, he stipuates Cor 81 81 Is or 81 3D. ac-
cordng to the station, or his spade, plckaxc and
hoe lie idly OH the ground
Capital, in view of cheaper food, will not in
vest in labor 1T these high rates, and labor Is
sullen and cannot soc that employment At any
price is the first step toward recovery. AM not
The technical "laborer" alone, but VII the tollcrs
in every field have too much the same spirit.
They all insist ON sitting idly by till the tide
reaches them and lifts them of their feet IN
stead OF digging as they should in the nearest
sluiceway, To help on the Hood. II all Tue men,
women and children VINO expect to earn their
own living would put their hands to the nearest
and most pressing of the offered cmploymcnts at
the best price to be had, the new day would
send its glory up the eastern sky without Nm
hours delay :,
The same rule applies to tradcsmen and all
classes of business Not to despise small things,
not to refuse trivial engagements, but to lay
hold Of every opportunity, Is the way to rise out
of the depths of depression
The combination among workingmen to re-
strain ali conformity to the situation all conces-
sions TO the requirements of the hour, and to IN
sist that there shall be no return To u neatny
activity throughout tho country except upon
the conditions they have prescribed, must be
broken down before there can be that genera:
prosperity after which all hearts are yenrnhg.
The very thing the workmen seem most to fear,
comes laden with their highest good.
TIE PRESIDENT AT STAUNToN. On the ar
rival of President Grant at Staunton, on Thurs
day last there were some TWO thousand persons
assembled at the depot to give him welcome.
The indicator says Mayor Trout, Rev. DR..
Sears, Judge Fultz, Major Hartman, aud other
citizens went IN the car to pay their respects,
and in u few minutes the mayor appeared with
the President on the rear platform OF the car,
and introduced him to the crowd, which gave
three cheers, which the President acknowledge
ed by raising his hat. tall, white cassmer.
The band Of the "Oid Stonewall Brigade"
posted in the porch OF the American Hotel,
greeted the President with some good music,
and Mayor Trout, in conversation, told him
that that was our last remnant OF the war-thc
band of the Stonewall brigade. The President
said grayey: 1.-THE immortal Jackson.
When the music ceased he took off his hat in
acknowledgment of the attention. He was ire
queutly cheered by the crowd, always taking on
his hat 10 reply, and IN little while the crowd
commenced shaking hands with HIM, which
kept him pretty busy. lie remained on the
rear platform, bowling to the cheering crowd,
until the train was out of sight Gen. Grant
was dressed in linen buster and white hat,
but was without the historic cigar. On the
route from Washington, his coming being un-
known, he got along quietly, but they found
out at Harrisonbure lie was coming. aud there
was large crowd at the depot. He will re-
main at the White Sulphur Springs until the
middle Of next week, when he will return this
way to Washington, and then go to Long
Branch. The party in the Presidents car con-
sisted of himself, his family physician, Mrs.
Grant, her maid, and cook. The car is the
private one OF President Garrett.
THE New DISTRICT GOVERNMENT. - On
Tuesday or Wednesday after the return OF the
President, Cabinet meeting will be held, to
transact the business which has accumulated in
his absence BY that time, it is SUPPOSED he
Commissioners to govern the District Of Col
umba, until Congress shall provide perma-
pent form, will have made up their minds
whether or not they will accept the positions:
The Governor, the Secretary, and the Board
of Public Works having been eglslated out OF
Office, the District is at present without re-
spon.iblc parties to conduct its executive al
fairs tx. Gov. Shepherd, however, eNercls's
an unofficial oversight of the District property,
and the Superintendent Of Police also gives his
attention to its preservation. The public gen.
orally do not feel any Inconvenience from tue
absence of the Commissioners, although their
presence is needed to pay the interest on the
District debt, due on the LIST OF July, and to
pay the debts of the late Government, Con
gress having appropriated 81 300, OO0 Tor these
purposes. Among the debts is over two hun
dred thousand dollars due to the Washington
Gaslight Company.
THE BANK RESERVES. The Comptroller OF
the Currency has written the following letter
giving the construction Of the new currency act
in reference to the reserves required to be held
by the Dational banks
Sir have received your letter Of the oath
instant. My construction of the act OF June
Goth, 1874, iu reference to the reserve OF the
national banks, is that the reserve upon circu-
lation is abolished, but that the national banks
are required to keep the reserve upon deposits
as provided in sections III and l32 OF the Ma
tional Bank act, certain proportion of which
must be kept on hand, and a certain other pro-
portion with the reserve agents In the cities
enumerated in the sections referred to. The
banks are also required to keep an amount equal
to FIVE per cent OF their circulation 90 deposit
with the Treasurer Of the United States, which
amount may be deducted from the aggregate
amount of reserve required to be kept upon
deposits. Very respectfully,
JOHN JAY KNOX.
George Lofts, Cashier Commercial National
Bank, Chicago, Illinois.
A SCIENTIFIC ACCIDENT On Tuesday night
IL T..,.l1,r md Mr. j Oscar