Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1874-01-19
FROM RICHMOND.

R1csuoSD. Jan. l7.-Now that the Sena-
torial contest is over it may uot be out OF place
to mentiou fact in connection with the luaug-
ura,iou of Gov. Keeper, which has given rise
to some i'll feeling among the citizens OF THIS
place on account of misunderstanding OF the
facts; and as peace and harm my are at II times
desirable ''in the family" | give you the facts:
Gov Walker offered Gen. kempsr demon
s,ration on his inauguration, but the General
heing one of those ante fuss and feathers
sort of uen, and not feeling inclined to break
through the accustomed usages of old Virginia.
declined the pruffered compliment On the
first of January the lst Va. Regiment rendered
sereuade to both the Governors at the Ex-
change Hotel. Gvp. kemper sent for CoIonel
Sloan and told him that he must decllne the
compliment for several reasons, chief among
which was his desire to eschew all parade. az
there was nothing IN the past which he coulo
accent as an example, and because ne ala not
desire to take part directly or Indirectly 10 the
| Senatorial contest that were ne to accept the
proffered compliment and be serenaded con-
Jointly with Gov Walker it would become ln'
cumbent upon him to compliment the ACTIONS
OF that gentleman and in turn Gov: Walker
would, in all probability, compliment him, aud
the world might say it was mutual admra'
ton society, which would be distatetul alike to
both himself and Cos. Walker. Again, we're
he to compliment Gov. Walker (which he could
under other circumstances do most cheertully)
the friends of each of the other asplrants Tor
Senatorial honors would say he was lending
the Influence of his office to elect Gov. Walker;
that he had no idea Of lending the luhu-
ence of the gubernatorial Office to aid any as
uirant. Gov Kemper carried this theory OF
| his so far as to decline to let Judge Christian
| tanothcr Senatorial aspiraDt) administer to him
the oath of ofi e, aud while the contest was 10
progress the friends of several parties calling
on him to consult as to the best method OF pro
cedure, we're uuhesitatingy Informed that Jas
/. Kcmper had nothing whatever to DO with
the contest. But to return: Ou the ulght OF the
first the lst Va. Regiment marched to the TX
change and serenadcd Governor Walker, alter
which that gentleman appeared and made
short and appropriate speech. Loud calls were
made for Kcmper. Col. S. simply informed
his men that Gov. Kempcr was ''out Of town
and marched them off Now had the Governor
known that he would have been called on, aite
expressing his desire to the contrary, ne Woulc
have been on hand if only to return thanks tol
the compliment and explain his reasons To-
declining the sereDade. The good people o.
Richmond are very cxcitable, and when they
thought their new Governor had "snubbed'
them through their crack regiment they
we're by no means pleased, aud desiring to re-
store harmony, | send TO the Gazette, the old
est daily in the Commonwealth, full and true
account Of the whole affair.
\ large number Of the members Of the Leg
islature have gone home to spend the recess.
The House will meet ucXt week at o clock
The committees arc hard at work.
4 decided effort is to be made to curtall the
authority Of the Superintendent OF Public ln
structou