Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1884-02-27
FROM WASHINGTON.
Especial Correspondence OF the ALEXANDRA Gazette.

Especial Correspondence OF the ALEXANDRA Gazette
WASHINGTON, d. c., Feb. p, 1854.
The Dauville investigation was brought
TO u close this morning after the examina-
ton of some negro witnesses, whose testimo-
nv was SIMILAR 10 that Of all their race VINO
had preceded them in that, though shown
10 be false upon cross EXAMINATION, was
siveu as glbly as though true IS Gospel.
The reason for the closing is the expendl-
ture of the sum originally appropriated for
the committe. Inaddtion TO the witnesses al
ready examined, one hundred and sixteen
more have been summoned They are
ordered to report every morning until the
House shall concur with the Senate resolu
ton appropriating more money, about
which there is no little doubt. Indeed a
republican member of the House Appropri-
atoms Committee said this morning that that
committee would set down on the eXpendl-
turc of any more money for any such OBJ
iect, as its republican as we'll as democratic
members were tired Oft, and besides, thought
it was subject with which Congress had
nothing whatever to do. The coaching TO
which the negro witnesses in this
case have been treated is the sub
iect Of general remark about the CON-
mittee room. 1t is said that two Danville
negroes have been here for three weeks,
teaching the negro witnesses the story
they shall tell; and Raulston, the collector
of internal revenue at Danville, is in the
committee room daily and is seen to take
each witness into the corridor before he goes
upon the stand, going into the committee
room and leading him out if necessary, have
a private conversation with him, and then
as the witness takes his seat n the chair, go
directly to Sherman and Lapham and whis
per to them. The way in which these two
Senators conduct the examination is also
the subject of much remark. Instead of
trying to get at the truth, it Is apparent to
the leas observant spectator that they do
all they can TO hide the truth, shaping their
questions for that purpose, and stopping the
witnesses when they unintentionally COM
mence to say something that would exhibit
the Danville riot in its proper light.
The question of land grants to railroads
is engaging the attention both Of Congress
aud the people. The brief of ex Senator
Johnston. Of Virginia, counsel for the North
EN- Pacific, certainly puts that road on all
entirely different footing from all others as
to the grant Of land. He demonstrates
from the charter itself, from the debates in
Congress and from legal authorities, that
the land grant was irrevocable, and was in
tended t, be devoted under all circumstances
to the completion of the road, and cannot
now be withdrawn.
The counsel for the defence Of young
Mutt for killing Dukes in Youngstown, Pa,
has written to the Postotlice Department
here advising that the trouble about the up.
pointment of postmaster at that place be
settled By the appointment of Miss Lizzie
Mutt.
An ex-member of the Virginia Legsa-
ture, a republican Of strong Mahoneite pro-
civities, who was sitting in the gallery Of
the Senate o-day, was so overcome by the
soportic fog pervading that chamber that
he took a quiet little nap.
In the Senate to day General Malone in-
troduced a bill for the relief Of w. B. Isaacs
and others of Richmond for the rent of
buildings occupied by the Government at
the close Of the war.
The House to day, after the morning
hour, re uned the consideration of the
pleulo-pneumonia bill, Mr.. Tucker, of Va,
making a speech against it, because it con-
ferred upon the Commissioner of Agrcul-
ture the power to send his agents into the
States and take and slaughter such cattle as
might suit his fancy under the pretense that
they were afflicted with the disease Mr..
Tucker wants the execution of the law ex-
ecuted by State officials. The Senate took
up the Forestry bill, Mr. Ingalls, opposing it,
and saying it was the most stupendous and
gigantic fraud on record, and that for every
tree planted ten thousand acres of land
were distracted from the public domain.
The House Committee on appropriations
agreed to day to fix the postotfice appropri.
alton at fnriy-seven million, two million
more than that OF last year. But the re-
cepts are estimated at fifty million, which
looks as if the postotlce were selfsupport-
ing Notwithstanding the reduction in post
age rates.
The House Committee on Railways and
canals agreed to-day TO report favorably the
bill for connecting the waters Of the Chesa.
peake with those Of Delaware Bay. Should
the bill become law, ofwhich there is much
doubt, it is understood the route will be by
the Choptank river.
The House Banking and Currency Com
mittee has agreed to report favorably the
Potter bill which provides for refunding the
public debt in long ,! per cent. bonds.
General Longstreet United States Marshal OF
the Northern District If Georgia. was examined
to-day by the committee engaged in investigating
the expenditures in the Department of Justice.
He produced letter written to the Attorney
General i'll June 1857, in which he said it was
one year less twenty-five days since he had taken
charge of the Office and during that time he had
received no instructions as to his work or man
ner of making accounts. He asked that an ex-
amiucr be sent to look into the accounts of the
Marshals Office before the close Of the fiscal year.
The Attorney General complied with the request
and sent an examiner to Atlanta. General Long
street said the examiner called at his Office and
remained but few moments, and failed to give
any Instructions The accounts of that year, the
with testified have not yet been settled.
Statements were produced showing that the
charges made by the Marshal in civil cases were
the same as those made by the sheriffs In Geor-
ga. The General said that a combination had
been formed against him in 1882 to effect his re-
moval, and secure the appointment as marshal Of j.
E. Bryant, aud rs chief deputy examiner BALM.
A cablegram received by the Secretary of State
this morning from st. Petersburg announcing the
death of Minister Hunt, says: Mr.. Hunt died
from dropsy, superinduced by chronic inhamma-
ton of the liver.
In the Criminal Court here this morning Al.
pheus Brown was acquitted of the charge of forg-