Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1888-02-06
Letter from Richmond.


RICHMOND, Va, Feb. 5.-The penitentia-
~ fire investigation will end to morrow 10
fact it has virtually ended now but the sub
committee will not make their report until
tomorrow or Tuesday. Much testimony
has been taken ard the subcommittee have
tried hard to tlRca the origin of the fire, but
without success one OF the witnesses who
wac examined yesterday afternoon said that
The mysterious explosion which occurred
previous to the sudden bursting Of the flames
through the wiadows was nothing more or
less Than low rumbliOg sound like hitting
feather tick with heavy stick." The
committee tried hard to make the witness
be little more explicit but be stuck to his
feather tick theory like Trojan, and init
mated that there was no other noise as dead
or as mysterious as that produced by beating
feather tick with.a heavy stick" Thun
der bears no resem blsnce 10 1t whatever,
nor Ia it at all like the sound produced by
filing saw The feather tick sound stands
out 10 its own originality and must hereafter
date it's birth from the peuitentiary fire ind
go down into history as one OF the most
weird, mysterious and peculiar noises that
can be produced. There are not g few legis-
lators who would like to nave this matter Of
rebuilding the pententiary left With the
board of directors of that institution. as sug-
gested by Mr.. Davis, the senior member of
the Davis shoe factory. AS matters now
stand tho State OF Virginia is losing $4,000
month by the peniteutiary fire. In giving
10 his evidence Mr.. Davis advanced the
opinion that he could make shoes in the
New England States cheaper with
free labor than he can here with convict
labor and yet he has made money in New
England.
The Joint committee OF conference on the
part of the Senate and House to be appoint
ed to consider the disagreement between
the two houaes on tho Mount Vernon Ave-
nue. bill are expected to meet Wednesday or
Thursday. Seuator Moore will not be here
then, as be goes to Roanoke with the Ellis
Houston committee, bat his position upon
the measure will be announced by some
Senator. PROBABLY Senator Heaton. Those
who are opposed to the amendment offered
in the House by MIR. Corbet should put in
their work at the meeting of the conference
committee, or else the bill will be delayed.
There are no less than ten delegates and
seven Senators who are waiting to discuss
the fish question. There is strong desire
Oh lu6 DhTb Vi iucoo kCutiSnicu W PiOtOCL
fish above tidewater, but as yet no Senator
or Delegate has come forward to introduce
a bill to protect the diamond back terrspin
which is having "such run" in our restau.
rants. The diamond back terrapin has as
much claim for legislative protection as the
herring, but our law makers do not seem to
comprehend this.
Although the gubernatorial election is
some time ahead, yet the politicians here
are beginning to talk about it, and they talk
with considerable earnestness. The young
legislators, who glory in the name of oung
Democracy" regard Col. Richard F. Beirne,
of Hanover, as the most prominent candi-
date, and in this they are backed up by
some old democratic war horses, who de.
clare that in the brilliant editor of the Rich
mond State the farmers of the Common.
wealth find their truest friend. Col. A. S.
Buford, of Richmond, is also spoken of as q
possible candidate, and man we'll fitted for
the place. while Capt. Phil. Mckinney has
many old and true friends who are sounding
his praises. The impression here is that
Congressman OFerrail will not enter the
race for Governor, but will start again for
Congress.
Prospective candidates for Attorney Gen
eral are few, but there are several who are
now looking at the Office of Lieutenant Gov
ernor with an expectant eye.