Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1885-12-24
FROM WASHINGTON.

Especial Correspondence of the Alexa GAzErTE]
WASHINGTON, D. c., Dec. "a, 1885.
The engineer in charge of the improve
ments of the harbor Of the District of Colum-
bia recommends the construction of new
bridge on the site of the present Long
Bridge across the Potomac river, which
shall be several feet higher than the present
bridge, and the spans Of which shall be
longer and piers so built as to afford the
least obstruction to the flow of ice and
drift. He recommends the removal of the
auueduct from the Aqueduct bridge at
Georgetown, and the construction of draw
in that bridge so that vessels may pass
through it.
Mr.. Speaker Carlisle has consulted the
members of the Cabinet with reference not
only to the appointment of the chairmen OF
the House committees which will prepare
the several appropriation bills, but also as
to the selection of all the members of those
committees, and has endeavored, as far as
possible, to conform to their recommends
lions. His chief trouble is to so form the
committees on banking and coinage as to
make them impartial, to represent fairly
both sides on the bills that will be referred
to them, and to prevent any cause for an
omen difference between the President and
bis party in the House. Nearly all the old
chairmen who were reelected will be reap
pointed to the same committees. There is
nothing ito" the report that Mr.. Randall
will be made chairman Of the naval COM
mittee, which place Mr.. Hewitt will proba-
bly, have, Mr.. Randall having his old COM
mittee, that on appropriations. Should Mr..
Curtin not have bis old committee, that on
foreign affairs, he will have the military
committee, in accordance with the wishes of
the friends of Fitz John Porter. and Mr..
Perry Belmont be given foreign affairs.
1t is reported that among the democrats
in the Senate Messrs. Mcpherson, German,
Butler, Hampton, Ransom and probably q
few others will support the Presidents ideas
on the silver question, but that most of the
others will oppose him, Mr.. Eustis following
Mr.. Beck, and on the same line, soon after
the Christmas recess. 1t is reported that
thousands of Mr.. Beck's recent speech on
silver have been printed and distributed
all through the South and West.
In the United States Circuit Court of Bal
timore yesterday before Judges Bond and
and Paul, the claim of W. E. Sims, of Dan
Vile, Va, assignee of S. G. Tardy, of Lynch
burg, for commissions amounting to $13 900,
for the sale of the Hot Springs, was argued
by Messrs. o. G. Kean, for the claimant,
and Wood Bouldin and G. w. Williams
against him.
Tt was stated in this correspondence yes.
terday that the 9Th congressional district
was charged with more appointees in the
| departments here than any other district in
| Virginia. This is always told Mr.. Barbour
when he goes to the departments to see
about getting positions for his constituents.
But he invariably responds to the effect that
if that be so, the appointees were put in
under republican administrations and should
be removed at once, in order that he may
fill their places with good and true demo
Gratis.
The President has signed the bill pension.
ing Mrs. Grant, so that it is now law, and
she will have her pension as Christmas gift
The prevailing impression here now is
that the Blair educational bill will certainly
be passed at this session of Congress.