Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1878-02-07
Letter from Richmond.
| Correspondence Of the Alexandria Gazette. |
RICHMOND. February 6, 1878.

Correspondence Of the Alexandria Gazette. |
RICHMOND, February 6. 1878.
The Mckenzie railroad case has Just been
taken up 10 the Circuit Court and the argu.
ment was begun 10 day. No decision will be
given for some days.
A! last it seems that the members of the
House have about spoken themselves out on
the debt question. No more new arguments
have been advanced on either side. MIR. Henry
has made the best speech on his side-debt
payer-and Mr. Allen has done the same on
the other side Of the readjusters Tonight
Peter j. Carter. the colored member from
Northampton, spoke against the Barbour bill.
Peter is the smarest negro that ever spoke 10
our legislative halls and be is the only colored
man have ever known who could make q
really witty speech. His sarcasm and hits are
admirable, while bis illustrations are all de.
cidedly fresh. 10 his speech to night Peter
ridiculed the address of Mr.. Ficklin, of Rock.
ingbam, delivered last night, and by his satiricaI
hits, brought down tho House more than once.
Peter said ~ have scheme to submit.
I don't claim to be Daniel. but do claim that
when shall make my scheme known no gen.
tleman will controvert it" Their neoks were
| stretched and every BODY waited eagerly to hear
what bis scheme was. Peter then went on -
My scheme is to increase taxes high enough
to do every thing. They all will allow that this
is The only practical scheme by which the obi.
cations of Virginia can be met come right
square up and grasp the bull by the horos and
increase the taxes" Peter then went on to
laugh at the idea that taxes could not bo iI.
creased and took tho ground that an Increase
was necessary to keep what We have. Said he
1T | bad son who was not willing to pay one
dollar for the saving of the Dnety nine | would
take away all he had and give it to somebody
more worthy to have it," lie further contend
eli that there was much that could yet be taxed.
He was for taxing the luXutes OF Firgioia-
would make stamp tax aud impose tax or
| the privilege of selling tobacco. Peter also de
Tended MIR. CoghilI. Of Amherst, against the
charge Of inconsistency ard said if that gentle
man had changed, did not the good book say
that the wise man changes, but the fool Dever
changes"
Peter also ridiculed Mr.. Ficklin for Juggling
in so much history and poetry in his speech
and said, why one would suppose that the gen
tlemsn has never associated with any body but
historians and poets all his life" and theI
\
| the debate king Charles and Cromwell anc
the massacre under st. Bartholomew At thu
last mentioned sccdolliger Mr.. Ficklin turned
pale and though the rest of the house rosred he
never smiled again that evening, unless, indeed
| it was ut the little mechanical figure of Doctor
Mohett explaining the register, which hgure l;
in certain room at the Exchange Hotel.
| The success CT Rev. Mr.. Ksinsford in Rich
moLd has boon entirely unprecedented. Their
are conflicting opinions as to his power as
preachor. Some people have been disappointed
but tho majority are greatly impressed will
him. Everybody has been to hear him e1cep
the members of the Legislature. If youni
gentleman goes calling in the morning he IS tolc
by the servant, young ladies amt in sir ~ ane
when he asks where they are, he il told, "'gon
to hear Mr.. Rsinsford" When the merchant
after good nights rest, comes down. to a COLI
breakfast in tho morning and finds no wife o
! daughter to pour out the coffee he knows whert
they are, and at nil ht when he comes to sup
per. he finds sing s plate on tie tsble and tn
inscription on visiting card. gone to hear Mr.
Rsinsford come for me at TO-"
Mr.. Rainsford, Drs. Hoge Mnnegerode an(
Rev. Mr.. jackson were at the Thursby concer
to. day.
Rev. Dr. Reed regards Mr.. Raipsford as tn
greatest preacher since The days of Paul.
Mr.. Bsrbour's tax bill will pass the House
butthe question as to whether 1t can pass the Sen
ate is q doubtful one. On the other hand Mr.
| Brooke's four per cent bill passed the Senate to
night but it cannot pass the House. So Their
is really some danger Of the matter not bein!
| settled this session.
A young lady ofthis city, who was married 6
short time since, while having her wedding dres
! made had bsbV's dress made along with il
and tho whole charged to her father.
A number Of Congressman from Washington
came down to-day to hear Miss Thursby sing
She received great ovation here.