Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1889-01-01
From Washington.
[srcoial Correspondence OF the AloEs. GAzkrfHl
WASHINGTON, d. c., Jnn /, 1883.

WASHINGTON, ID. c., Jnn /, 1888.
A discussion of the divorce question. is
now going on in some of the Northern
newspapers. AS Mr.. John Amber
Smith, Of this city. les appeared Hs counsel
in numerous divorce cases here, the
RTTE's correspondent asked him this
morning why it was that so many divorce
suits we're being filed, and divorces granted
40 easily 10 Washington? He answered
that many good wives ii the States who
had worthless husbands come here to sup
port their families aod rid themselves OF
cruel husbands that after awhile they ind
some oue, usually lady, who takes an IN
terest in them and advises them TO be free.
A divorce suit follows Mr.. Smith says the
laws here ara liberal, but not more so than
some of the State laws. He says the
grounds for divorce in the District Of Co
lumhia are two years desertlOn, uel treat.
10 nj, endnpeeriDg life or health, drunk
en-: ess aud adultery. Mr.. Saith says the
dive rca laws here are as wise ard perfect IS
human reason can ny Ike them.
TO day was more of holiday here than
Christmas. al ofthe public places of bust
ness, aud most of the private places being
closed and the men engaged therein, and
nearly ell the others here, devotirg the day
TO calls upon their lady friends aud &C
ouaintances The reception at the White
House was according to the programme. OF
the Mexican soldiers only fourteen werepres-
ent, among them Capt. VIM. Gary of Alexan-
dria county. The attendance of Senators
and Representatives was very slim and half
OF those who were present were republicans
Among the few democratic Senators present
was Mr.. Daniel of Virginia, accompanied
by his wife in full dress. her gown hsing CT
white silk.
Representative O'Ferral of Virginia is
the only Virginia member of the House who
has returned to the city from his Christina:
holiday at home. He arrived last night
Some, fnot most of the others. will probably
be here by tomorrow, when Congress wi
resume its sessions.
The marble statua of General Cass was
erected in siatuary hall in the Capitol late
Yesterday evening. 1t is of heroic size, ant
is said to be correct likeres of the Gener
al. Cass end Butler, it will be recollected
were the candidates on the national demo
cratic ticket in lS4S, and were defeated
by Taylor and Fillmore. the former receiving
163 and the latter 127 electoral votes. tht
9dsfecton of Vsn Barren, in New Yorl
causing the democrats the loss OF that State
III Is reported mere LDHt Itelutht Wv >
land has fnslly decided to make house or
Georgetown Heights his permaucp
home after his term of ollice shall expite
and that Ok View, his present counir,
home. is for sale at n much higher price
than h > paid for it four years ago.
FIX State Senator Courtney, OF Richmond
Virginia, here to day, in conversation viii
ex Congress man J. A Smith, Of the same
state, sail that Virginia would have gone
republican at the late election had it no
been for General Malone, and that Virgins
democrats there prayed that the Genera
might always remain at the head of the re-
publican party there, as ia that case they
could always count upon success AT thc
same ,imc, Mr.. Courtney said the Genera
was not only tie best, but the most skillfu
politician in his party, bat that the renubl
cans Of the State would net stand his ly
ranny.