Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1885-05-30
FROM WASHINGTON.
WASHINGTON. D. c., May 80, 1886.

WASHINGTON. D. c.. May 80, 1886.
Mr.. Gray, the collector of customs at
Alexandria, is in the city to-day. He says
the reason he informed the Treasury De-
partment that the inspectorship at that port
could be done away with was the fact that
under the new shipping law, which only
went into effect this spring, the duties OF
that position were practically abolished. He
saws. however, that under that law, when
ever there may be need for an Inspector
the collector is authorized to employ one
temporarily. Mr.. Gray also says that, owing
| to the reductions in the fees made by the
law referred to- the collectorship at Alex
andra is only worth about three hundred
dollars year, but that as the collector is
also the custodian Of the public building,
under another law it is discretionary with
the Secretary of the Treasury to allow him
sum not exceeding four hundred dollars
wear for performing the duties of the latter
position, and that if his successor Will take
the proper steps he will accept the Office with
that understanding and will consequently
be entitled to that amount. Mr.. Gray also
saws the administration seems to be moving
very slowly, for though his term expired
week ago his successor has not yet been ap
nointed. and that if pleasure or business
called him away he would either shut up
his office, or else, as the more respectful
proceeding, turn it over to his deputy and
ask for leave of absence, as his bond holds
him until relieved by his successor.
Congressman Mills, of Texas, who in
speech delivered 10 the House of Represent
alives Just before the adjournment OF the
last session of Congress- spoke of MIR. Cleve-
land as 1.-The republican democratic Presl'
dent" went to the White House and Post
office Department yesterday to see about
his home postoflice, but got such short COM
mons at both that he came away no better
disposed toward the administration than
when he went.
A gentleman from Liberty, Bedford coun..
tx. Virginia, here TO day, says that several
people in that town are suspected OF com
) plicity 10 the recent lynching of young Ter
nv. aud that he understands some IN the al
Joining country don't attempt to conceal
theirs, but that it would be dangerous Tor
the law officers to attempt to arrest them.
It is learned at the Postotiice Department
to day that Col. l.. w. Reid is not an appl-
cant for the postotfice at Alexandria, as was
generally reported both here and in Alex
andria, and that the only applicants for
that position are Major Herbert, Mr. Cation
and Mr.. Van Auken, with chances consid
erably in favor of the former
It said here by those who know that
great deal OF the blame that is cast upon
The President for the distribution Of the
federal ptronage belongs to certain demo-
cratic members Of Congress who, while
really opposed to the Presidents conserva-
tive policy in that respect, and so express
thems elves to their friends, go to the White
House and flatter him by telling him that
that policy is the wisest he can p,rs,in arid
f is giving general satisfaction, and that he
need give himself no concern about the ad-
verse criticism Of certain newspapers, and
, that, too, though these papers are the best
and truest democratic papers in the country.
Having given him all the tally he will take,
they then ask either for the retention of a
republican otliceholher or the appointment
of an unfit or undeserviug democrat, leav-
, ing the applications of the working, ellec-
tive and deserving members of their party
to the fatal pigeon. hole.
Col Robert Boiling, of Petersburg, an old
imeVirginia republican, Who is in the city to-
, day, says that he and twenty thousand other
good aud true republicans of his State are
grossly insuled by the prevailing impression
that thew believe in Mahone's reputation
schemes and accept him as their leader, and
, that they will make that fact patent at the
, next election. He says that while the
straighout republicans of Virginia have re-
publican principles, Malone is a republican
) with democratic principles. He also says
!. that Governor Cameron will support Ma
hone next fall, and that he only opposes
him now because Malone is doing what he,
Cameron, wants to do.
II is currently reported here that the rea-
son Mr.. Lock wood chief clerk Of the Inte-
rior Department, is retained, is because his
retention is asked by many democratic
members of Congress 1t is also said that
Mr.. Lock wood knows all about every land
grabbing scheme that has passed through
that department since it fell into the hands
of the republicans.
Mr.. Stoll, an old and well-kuown news.
paper man of Indiana, will, it is said to-day,
be made Public Printer, provided Mr..
Rounds, who has strong democratic back
ing, be removed
The order of the Secretary of War to re-
lease Riel's murderers and incendiaries who
crossed the border and were arrested by
the IT, S. troops, is the suhjec of much adj
verse criticism here.
Decoration Day was less observed here
than on any previous occasion. Usually
the holiday is general, aud business Of all
sorts entirely suspended. and there is q
general exodus to soldiers grave yards or
to country resorts But IL was not 80 TO-
day, for most of the stores, many Of the
banks, and even some of the District Offices
were open, the streets presented their every
day appearance, and but few people went to
the country and fewer still to he cemeteries.
Among the employees in the Interior Depart
ment claiming to be from Virginia are fourteen
from the 4th Congressional Observation-Disclosures:
In the Secretary's office. one messenger, $500; in
the Land Office two clerks, 5000 each; in the
Pension Office. seven clerks, $500 to 81 800 each;
in the Patent Office, three clerks $500 to 200
each; in the Survey Office, one clerk, 5000. In
the I'd Congressional district (Libbys) there are
thirteen. In the Land Office, one coryist at $500;
Pension Office, eight clerks. 5000 to 81 600;
Patent Office. two clerks, 81 POO TO 81 400; Edu
cation, one clerk, 5000; Geological Survey, one
clerk, 81 500.
Mr. DENLY, of Indiana. recently appointed
minister to China. is native of Virginia. his
father was of the old business firm of Lancaster,
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