Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1886-02-22
PROM WASHINGTON.
Especial Correspondence of the Alc1a. GAZETTE.
WASHINGTON, d. c., Feb. %, 1856.

rSpeeial Correspondence of the AlcIa. GAzETTE.]
WASHINGTON, D. c., Feb. %, 1856.
To day was observed here as general
holiday. Neither house Of Congress was in
session, and all the departments and all the
district Offices were closed. The weather
was bright and, in the sunshine, warm, and
PENNSYLVANIA avenue was crowded. One
of the volunteer military companies
Of this city, aud some others, went to Mt.
Vernon on the steamer Corcoran. Among
the guests were Congr essmcn Cabell,
of Virginia, and Compton, of Maryland,
who delivered appropriate speeches. An
other military company made parade on
the avenue this afternoon.
1t seems to DO the impression in the room
of the Shipping Committee Of the House
that the bill to abolish compulsory pilotage
will not become law at this session.
1t is understood that the House labor COM
mittee will report favorably Mr.. Gibson's bill
allowing the heads of departments to ap.
point laborers without competitive exami-
nation, and then to assign such appointees
to clerical work. II such bill become
law it will enable heads of departments to
knock the civil service law sky high though,
Judging from the past, it is highly probable
they would not do 1t, as they, at least those
from the South, seem to De even more in.
fatuated with that law than the President.
1t is said to day that Mr.. Wise will not
reply to Mr.. Brady's recent speech until the
Secretary of the Navy shall have replied to
the resolution adopted by the House asking
for information respecting the obliteration
of inscriptions aud the removal of Union
soldiers from, and the appointment of e1
rebels at The Norfolk navy yard.
1t is expected that the House Committee
on the District of Columbia will report
against the bill which gives every body hay
ing claim sgains, contractor for mate
rial used in house that he has built, a lien
on that house for the amount of his claim,
that will enable him to make the owner OF
the house pay the same, though he may
have already paid the contractor, thus, in
fact, paying twice for the same thing.
The House Postoffice Committee was in
session to day trying to get the postoffice
appropriation bill ready to be reported to-
morrow. This is one OF the bills that have
been taken away from the Appropriations
Committee.
The friends of Senator Jones, of Florida,
say his mind has been turned on the sub
ject of sweethearts He has laid siege to
one in Michigan, but, though closely block
AIDED, she has held out for three months,
and expresses determination to do so in
definitely. During all this time the Sena-
tors seat in the Capitol is vacant.
The following changes in the fourth class
postoflices in Virginia were made Saturday
evening: H. F. Robertson appointed post.
master at Broad Run, Fauquer county; Mrs.
S. C. Roach, at Hop Yard, King George
county, and Mrs. B. L. Lynn, at Lands
down, Prince William county.
The House Shipping Committee was in
session to-day considering the bill allowing
American registers to two foreign made
ships. 1t will probably report favorably.
1t seems to be pretty generally understood
here that among the Presidents appointees
of the Senate Judiciary Committee have
General Goode, of Virginia. One of the
members referred to is said to be the author
of the statement which gave rise to this i'm
preston. A democratic Senator also says
the Senate has right to see all the official
papers relating to changes in the offices. and
that if the few changes that have taken
place had been made for the good and suf-
tcient reason that the removed officials were |
republicans, and that democratic admins
tration wanted its policy carried out by
democrats, none of the fuss about confrma'
tions that has been going on ever since Con.
gress met would have occurred. The fault
was In ascribing removals to other than po-
lit:caL causes.
MT Brady has introduced in the House
tne petition OF W. A. Pattie, late postmas-
ter at Warrenton, for difference in salary
claimed TO be due him.
Congressman Gibson, of West Virginia is
greatly interested in the proposition TO "a
piEe the shook business in which his State
as we'll as Virginia, is so much concerned
and will see sonae of the democratic mem.
bers of the House Ways and Means Com.
mittee, who are now opposed to that prop
osition and urge them to support it.