Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1884-02-16
LETTER FROM RICHMOND.

Especial Correspondence OF the Alexandria 6AzErrEI
RICHMOND, Va, Feb. 15.-Whilc hostility
is manifested to several measures which
seeem to give monopolies too much power,
there seems to be a disposition manifested by
members of the Legislature to encourage al
legitimate enterprises. Several discomfort
ed monopolists have, however, sci forth the
report that it is needless for any railroad or
other large corporation to expect cncour-
agement at the hands of this General AS
sembly. Such utterances are, of course,
merely malicious, and do not merit serious
consideration. They have the effect, how
er, of discouraging some parties from at
tempting to get their schemes through, nut
all such are those whose enterprises Will
not bear scrutiny. The contrast III this re-
spcct between the present and the Legisla-
ture of last session is very striking. Then
only monopoly with ready cash could gel
its schemes through, and no matter how
honest the opposition might be, II that oppo
sition had not money it was unavalllng.
Ex-Governor Smith has been spending
some time in the city, and has been an in
terested observer Of the proceedings OF the
Legislature. lie is as clcar-hraded and lorcl'
bic rs ever, and shows lively appreciation
of he state of affairs throughout the country
In appearance he looks younger than when
he was in the Legislature some years ago,
and in vigor of mind and ability IN discussion
he is even better than Of old. 1t has becn Il
sad reflection that the period of the death
of some of the venerable Nirginians fell
during the last four years. 1t seems hard
that the lives Of men who had seen so much
of The glory of the State should have been
cjipped at the very time when the Com
monwealth's clouds were darkest. 1t seems
sad to lls now when the bright light OF this
day is contrasted with the night OF the Ma
hone dynasty that all who had known Nir-
uinia i'm her glory should not have lived
through those troublons times to this golden
age Yet there were two of our great anu
Loves! men who saw The sun rlse--EX-t'ov.
Letcher and ex-Gov. Smith. The former
has left as the new light broke on him, and
the other remains, aud may he long remain.
Some Of the Malone members are getting
| very sick of the attempts at lilibu5lerlng
made by some of their brethren They
think such things are simply time thrown
| away
The friends Of Judge Shell, of Dinwidlie,
are very much surprised and do not conceal
| their qualification at the action of the Com
| They deal handsomely with him, though
| lenienty, for the law cannot take cognlzance
of sickness in an investigation ofthis nature
But vet there is that in the case which ap-
| meals to what is best in mans nature--the
| irte, vet always commcndablc sentiment
| "don't tread on q man when he's down.
The report of the COMMITTEE expressing
this idea was received with applause. The
democratic party never makes war upon Il
| sick man or upon women. Herein it differs
| from the Malone cong Generation, some.
times called party. Judge Shell will not
be troubled "a long as he is sick.
| Second Auditor Dyson still fingers here.
He and Senator TONNES were at a
music store tonight and something was
said about banjo playing. Dyson thought
he could make the Senator enyious
and took the banjo and did some live
| ly playing But when tie fat legislator
caught hold Of that instrument and began
bringing down his forty pound foot to the
time of the wild Virginia melodies, the list
eners had TO acknowledge that they had
never heard such playing before. He far
ley made dot BAN o talk" remarked an en-
thusiaslic colored auditor. legislator
when told of the concert remarked that
| there was no man ever seen from Southside
Virginia that could not play lne DanJo. MT
! Peter j. burton of tho D;-f,"ich, can handle
the banjo and fiddle also. He is a South
side man also. Mr.. Burton states that in
| the county where he came from they hand
the banjo around like they pass gourd at
well.
The House agreed tonight to allow each
member 10 call up one private bill to be
| passed upon. This goes into effect after to-
morrow. This is new idea i'll the legisla-
ture and is initiated from Congress. Ma
hone and Nalaski Walden reached this city
| tonight. Malone has. it. is understood,
sent out many urgent letters to his friends
to meet him tomorrow, but few have re-
sponded The gathering will be very weak.
Malone is not the Boss he was, and puts OH
fewer airs, but his complaisance does not
aid him now. He is very gentle and sml
ing. The situation as compared with SINH
lar meetings of two years ago is this then
the members Of these meetings came
up smiling but the boss scowled now Ma
hone meets them smiling and the members
scowl.
STRONGBow.