Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1878-01-30
letter from Richmond.
| Correspondence of the Alexandra Gazette

Correspondence OF the Alexandra UaZstte'l
RICHMOND. January %, 1878.
!he case CT the city OF Alexandria Ve. the
Washinrtop aud Lee University has been set
fer hearing io the Court Of Appeals to-day, but
in CONSEQUENCES Of the death of MIR. Beach,
wife, and the fact that q case involving the
same question is now under argument 10 the
Supreme Court Of the United States, the case
was laid ever The case involves the right OF
the CORPORATION to tax its own bonds in the
hands of holder for value
The House, TO- day, had its time taken up 10
a long discussion IS to whether the report. OF
the Fiaancc Committee giving the amount OF
the State debt should be printed, or rather
whether 5000 copies should be printed. About
one thousand dollars was spent in discussing
the expenditure of $40. It's only use was to
give the members an opportunity to air their
| opinions 10 speeches having no bearing what"
ever upon the sutject. Mr.. Popham 10 the
debate spoke Of Alexandria city that loyal old
town resting on the broad banks OF the Poto
mac. vino was the avant courier of Southern
sentiment of a6justment:of her debts, and who
bv her representatives camo on the floor OF the
| House and said that ancient city did not desire
to renudiate enc cent of her debt, but simply
| tn ray ever to her creditors all she had lett att sr
having for the expense of Go7erment-to scale
| the debt at least half and to guarantee to her
creditors the future payment Of her lew bonds.
Sir that is just what the State of Virginia pro,
poses to do. and her people will demand and
enforce it,.
Just now many Of the members are put at
great inconvenience. Not one cent IN the treas
ury, and don't know when there will be any.
Miss Fannie Davenport playing at the threatre,
| 10 money to buy ticket wasbcrWoman's bill
due last Saturday ; the country going to the
devil-the debt question must be settled and
that sooD. Let the farmer and the laborlng
man pause and think when he has time-Say
one O clock, when be goes to dinner-let him
pause and consider those Thugs. and he will
see that the legislators depressed and overcome
by clres CT State, as we'll as great personal
solisitude. The salary brokers have their hands
full CT uopaid certificates, and they refuse to
raise a ripple now. Let the constituents sigh
for their representatives and send them some
loose change until money once moro finds lts
way into the treasury.
This week war has been going on in society
between Rev. Mr. Rainsford, the distinguished
English divine, and Miss Fanny Davenport ct
the theatre aud-Nlr. Ranstord has woD. Not
that | would say that Mr. Rainsford has been
fighting the theatre, but society has been
divided between the attractions OF his eloquent
sermons ard Miss DaVenport's pretty face and
good aciog. The result is that the tide has
been 10 favor of the Church against the stage
and Miss Davenport ooses while she played
Lady TeSze 10 the School for Scandal to only
tolerable house To night St. Paups church
was packed and iamned, standing room not
even available. All denominations have been
attracted 10 the sacred house to hear the elo-
aucbt preaching of the Eoglsh evangelist. BY
seven o'clock to uight admittance could not be
had 10 the church. Mr. Ranslord's morning
bible readings ere attended with the samc sue.
cess. They were first held in the Sunday
school room but 10 consequence of the large
crowd they were adjourned to the church.
There has bacn some discussion and no little
feeling shown by the friends Of Washiogton and
Lee University and the University OF Virginia
as TO who the great Mccormick telescope has
been given. MIR. Bcoock this afternoon showed
them the following telegram from MIR. Meteor
mick which settles the matter -
"Cn1CAao, Jau 25.-No gift to the Wash
iugton and Lee University. 1fyou fail, expect
it will leave the State. Wishing you success.
H. G. MCCORMICK"
Now this is 90 ordinary gift to ViTgiOla. 1t
is one of the largest telescopes 10 the world and
the finest 10 the Uoited States. 1t will be given
by Mr.. Mccormick % condition that the Uni,
versity will build au observatory for it. And
yet the indication is that the Legislature will
laugh at the idea and we will loose it. The
State will throw away this great treasure and
thus loose the opportunity OF giving her great
seat of learning an advantage over all the others.
Who shall say that Virginia appreciates learn
| ing and desires to advance in the sciences?
The Governor to day appointed Gen: Joseph
f. Johnston FIRST commissioner to the Paris ex-
position.
Gov Holiday has reached the Rs and is
nearly through the alphabet. The members of
the General Assembly enjoy his dinners hugely:
The Governor is an excellent host. The SIS .
and consequently the Smiths will be reached
next, and they will ill tho table themselves.
| S,rJ,