Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1893-08-02

will he increased when Congress con-
v,nes and it is claimed by the experts
WHO have it in charge that the change
viii GO, rect the evils that were COM
NAMED of at the last session. The
plumbing throughout the Senate wing
has been altered in accordance with
the report of the experts appointed by
the last session ut cost of 500, 900. On
the House side the same class of work
has been carried on, and the plumbing
has been thoroughly overhauled and
changed. The chamber of the House
is ready, but as much cannot be said of
the rest the of rooms, although the end
of the week will find things in pretty
GOOD condition. The next House will
consist of $50 members, an increase OF
IS over the SIND Congress. In order to
accommodate these new members seats
have been provided, and at the same
lime the wants of the future have been
anticipated by providing eight addi-
lional seats. The new carpet is of a
dark green design with crimson hg-
ure, relieved by an orange and cream
colored star. Sixteen hundred yards
were required to cover the floor. The
desks and Speakers table are covered
with rich dark green broadcloth, and
in the piess gallery new carpet, of
the same design as that placed on the
floor of the House, has been put down.
Gideon C. Bantz, of Maryland, teller
in the Office of the U. S. Treasurer, was
to-day promoted to be assistant CASH
Ter, vice Meline promoted to be as
sistant treasurer. Mr.. Bantz's new
salary is $500.
Owing to the Discrimination of the
national banks of the country to part
with their currency at this time, 1t ls
probable that pensioners who are to be
paid this mouth will experience delay
in receiving their money. This state Ct
affairs is brought about by the banks,
which have heretofore cashed readily
all pension checks presented, but now
several of the more prominent banks in
the West have notified the Treasury
Department that in view of the fnan-
ciaI stringency they do not feel justified
in continuing at present the policy pur-
sued by them in the past.
4 report received by the Secretary
of State from U. S. Consul states that
the Venezuelan government has closed
to commerce all entrances at the mouth
of the OronOco river except the "Boca
Crande" or main mouth. This action
was taken with view to stopping
smuggling, which the several channels
of the Oronoco delta have made so easy
Mr.. Wexford Corbin of King George
county, Virginia, will be here on or
about the 7th. to see what is going to be
done with the place of Assistant Secre-
tary of Agriculture, for which he Is an
applicant, and for which no man could
be better endorsed.
The total number of fourth class post
masters appointed to-day was ll9, of
whom 81 will fill the places of removed
republicans. The changes in Virginia
were as follows Fairfax Station, Fair
fax county, E. r. Swetnam appointed
postmaster. vice J. r. Taylor, removed !;
Fredericks Hall, Louisa county, I. e.
Beckham, vice J. J. Trice, removed.
Among the new members of the
House who have arrived here is Mr..
Albert S. Berry Of Kentucky, who is a
descendent of the late Nathaniel c.
Wise of Alexandria, q lawyer, who, with
his family, moved from that city to Ken
lucky in 1888.
Three democratic applicants for a
place as member of the board of pension
appeals stood a competitive examination
last week. Not one attained the re-
uuired standing, though two are gradu-
ates of law colleges, and one a we'll
educated ex-army officer They were
asked quiz questions for school boys,
the answers to which they once knew,
but had long since forgotten, as they
never had occasion to remember them.
Representative Meredith was here to-
day, and had q large number of his
office seeking constituent 10 meet him.
He visited ali the departments and the
navy yard in their behalf, but was una
BILE to obtain places tor any of them.
Senator Hunton was also here and call
ed at the Treasury and Interior depart
ments in the interest of people from his
State.
Mr.. Edmund Burke, one of the coun-
sci in the Phillips murder case in Alex
andria says all the papers for an appli-
cation for an appeal in that case have
been prepared, and that they will be
presented to Judge Fauntleioy of the
Virginia Court of Appeals in Richmond
this week.
'rhe increase in the public debt last
month was over four and quarter
million dollars, and the cash in the
treasury decreased over four and hall
million, and the receipts were nine
million less than the expenses. The
financial news from New York received
up to two o'clock this afternoon was to
the following effect: Money on call, SIX
per cent; no sales of silver reported,
and stocks stronger. Three national
banks failed, one in Alabama, one in
Texas, and one in Wisconsin, and three
large firms failed in Chicago.
The lobby of the Metropolitan Hotel
is the place here the appearance OF
which indicates the near approach of a
session of Congress. 1t is filled with
Congressman, with the candidates for
the elective offices of Congress, and
with applicants for its subordinate
places.
The prevailing feeling among the
southern and western Congressman
who have arrived here, on the subject
referred to, seems to be in favor of the
repeal of the Sherman silver act, but
that in place thereof there must be free
silver coinage and the removal of the
tax on State banks. They say their