Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1884-10-01
LOCAL MATTERS.


For the Middle Atlantic States generally fair
weather light variable winds, generally norther-
ly, nearly stationary temperature. For Thursday
generally fair weather aud stationary temperature
is indicated.
THE BLAINE CLUB met last night to
hear the tariff Explained as Mr. Blaine I'M
derstood it," The audience was larger than
last week, but some disappointment was felt
at Hobduy's absence The usual number
Of the club was present. The first bust
ness was the report Of the uniform
committee, but that committee was
"contiuued,' and The audience began
to think they would have no. fun, when
Col" Swadley arose and began the task OF
the eveniyg--the explanation OF the tariff.
He commenced by saying she had gone too
deep and had DOL got it yet" and before be
finished the audience were OF the same opln-
ion. His speech, which he read in hum
drum, school boysh way had about rs much
bearing on the tariff as the heading OF
parent medicine advertisement has on the
contents, and Immediately on its compile
ion Hannibal King (who last week moved
that some one be invited to explain the tar
iirl moved to adjourn. This was severe
blow to Swadley The speech was one OF
facts and figures" and the average negro
can not long be kept awake by such recitals.
One time they pricked up their ears, bow
ever. and it was when the speaker said IN
free trade Switzerland mothers deadened
the appetites of their children by giving
them brandy while they went out to work. =
Knowing that in this country brandy costs
from % TO 40 cents drink, Swadley's hear
ers could not understand how such poor
people could afford to buy such expensive
liquors, and thought the reader had
got mixed In the middle of the
reading Swadley mentioned Mahone's
name when II call you Gaines" gave a
tremendous veil, which so startled the
reader that he lost his place. Indeed, that
veil for a moment unsettled the nerves OF
everyone in the room and the wish that it
would not be repeated without warning was
general. But the wish was UNDECIDED. An
ass can attract attention by its bray, and 1t
knows it.
After attracting so much attention, Gaines
thought it incumbent on himself to make a
speech. particularly as Holiday was not
there. He brayed for some time, said he
did not know what to say, convinced his
hearers that he did not, and sat down with
out knowing what he had said. His sitting
down was relief to the ears of all. Then
President Hughes said in a grave way: III
anyone else in the room wishes to join the
club he can now sign his name to the roll.
We want few more to make the even
hundred" Postmaster Windsor at once
corrected him by saying, you mean even
five hundred" but it was too late, the presl-
dent had ''given the thing away" and so it
turns out that the Alexandria Blaine Club,
after all organization of over three months,
has less than one hundred names on the
roll. nine teuths of which are negroes.
Mr.. K. Henry Simpson was then called
on and responded. Now, although Mr..
Simpson has lived in this city for over forty
wears, but few people know he can make a
speech. But he can make his kind Of q
speech, that is he can talk, and this the
people do know. MIR. Simpson buttoncd
his coat around him, stuck one hand
between the button holes, advanced ma
jestically to the platform and said: Gen
tlemen. it gives me pleasure to address an
audience Of this size and import J" be
then said his friend Swadley, who was from
California, where they raised big men and
big trees, and who was no key cannon, had
so thoroughly gone over the ground as to
leave him nothing to say, and then, to the
delight of the audience but to the mortlfica-
ton of few of his friends who were pre-.
sent proved that he himself was keycan
natural orator-that is he is of command
ing appearance, has bold, bad swagger, q
loud voice, uses large words, but is "a little
of, YOU know" and makes of himself what
every one else does who attempts to do
what they can't and what nature never in
tended thew should do. His reputation for
loouacity will outlive that as an orator.
Swadey's speech might be used as demo.
cratic campaign document, but Simpson
could never harm or benefit any party.
Postmaster Windsor promised to speak at
the next meeting, and the crowd dispersed
One of the most prominent members OF the
club when asked by the reporter what was
his candid opinion of the speakers replied
"Well the fool killer must be in good
humor, or he would not stand this"
F1RE.-Mr. T. V. RisheilPs saw and
planning mill, at the northeastern corner o.
Fairfax and Queen streets, together with
its contents Of machinery and lumber, was
totally destroyed by fire early this morning
the result it is believed of incendiarism
The alarm was sounded at half past one
o'clock and notwithstanding the hour
the fire department responded prompt
", but owing to the inflammable nature Of
the building and it's contents it was found
impossible to do more than ronfine the
flames within the building in which they
originated. Though the fire was one Of the
hottestand most stubborn that ever occurred
here, through the exertion of the firemeu
who worked nobly, no other property was
injured. The Insurance was as follows: On
the building and machinery 81 900 in the
Civ of London $500 in the North British
and Mercantile companies, payable te
Messrs. l. Eichberg and r. Portner, who
held need of trust on the property OF
two planning machines, $3.50 in the Norwich
Union and $500 in the Alexandria company
payable TO Perry, Smoot y Co. For all Q
these companies Messrs. Wise & Co., are tn,
Alexandria agents. Mr.. Risheill holds NJ
insurance policy and he feels his loss severe
ly, Messrs. Perry, Smoot & Co., lose abou
$3.50 on quantity of lumber which was a
the mill for dressing and Mr.. J. E. Ros
sustains slight loss on some machinery
and cut wood which were 10 shed adjoin
inc H., ,,;Il Tbcra 10 M elmo IN he luppn