Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1874-05-01
LOCAL NEWS.

ALARM OF FlRE.-The alarm of fire between
nine and ten o'clock last night was caused by
,be martial burning of small portion of the
weather. boarding of the old building on Royal
street, between King and Prince, belonging to
Mr, Arthur Taylor, and formerly known as the
civ suur-house. The flames were detected,
b,iore they had spread to any extent, by Mai
OnH.y, who happen to be standing at the
intersection of King and Royal streets, and
who INSTANTLY rau 10 the scene, and with the
assistance OF a boy extugulshed them by pull
ing off the igui,ed planks. The fire depart
uent was speedily out, but its services were
not required. The fire was the work Of an IT,
cendHry-a large ql.utl,y Ut candle wick, sat
urated with coal OIL having been discovered at
the base Of the flames Considering the hour,
the agreeable temperature, the numbers OF
ncope out on the streets or sitting at their
wi,Ioys ncar the scene, the location, and the
no.iou of the building fired, this was one of
Ri, bvldcst attempts at incendlarlsm on record.
ION, EVER Thus. Disappointment is the
lat of man-and woman. The Lone Star So
Gals club OF young gentlemen, were to have
rIven a soree at their hall, in Stewards build
ing, last night. The room was brilliantly illu-
minated, and the compiny-b bellies aud beaux-
mad arrived, but Cooks baud, Of Washington,
which had been engaged to furnish the music,
failed to appear, and SO the assemblage, hav-
hearing bugle horn announcing the approach
Of the band, silently went home, sume OF them
murmurlng
'sOh, ever thus from childhood's hour
I've seen my fondest hopes decay"
l>o1, &c ,u;to3 r,ac,, from, W.ch
ipg,ou arrived late, aud their disappointment
was, if anything, greater than that Of the pa
tlyeS.
FlsurowN Appearance at Fshtown this
morning we're gloomy enough to satisfy the
most ardent reaDnexationists, ard agents, pack
ers, buck sters, cleaners, booth keepers, and ali
engaged in operations there looked sufficiently
miserable to gladly apply wings to themselves
and fly at 0; CO into the District of Columbia.
The fishing season OF 1874, it is now conceded,
will be- unless the future receipts prove unpre-
cedsutaly large, the greatest failure on record
that is as regards the catch, for, fortunately,
prices have ruled high, and those fishermen
VIII, have sent any f,h 10 market have made
money. Owing to the favorable change 10 the
weather Yesterday it was expected that the re-
cent, to-day would be large, bets having been
offered that at least 100000 herring would be
landed at the wharf, aud the disappointment
was great when that expectation was not real
lied by 100000 40 900 comprising the re-
celpts.
STATE TAX BILL.--The new State tax bill,
published in yesterdays Gazette Simultaneous
Is with the telegram announcing its having re-
ceived the signature Of the Governor, raised a
connection amoug the merchants, the like Of
which has been rarely seen. The new law is
the topic of general conversation, and, among
the class affected by it, of general coudemna-
,Ou A. the meeting Of the Commercial Ex-
c'aure, this morning, the question OF calling a
meeting TO lake steps with regard TO raising a
fund 10 test the validity Of the new law, Was
Informally discussed, and though no definite
action was taken, it is by no means improbable
that SUE meeting will be convened. The
ccusures cast upon the Governor for signing
the bilI aud upon thosc members Of the Leg
stature who voted for it, are by no uleaDs
sight, aud anu. xation TO the District of Colum-
hla is freely canvassed as & meaus Of escape
FROM the oucrUus taxation.