The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-03-08
TaE DISTRICT CLAIMS IT
The Title 10 Alexander Island 10 be Set
tied BY The Courts.
THE INCOME Tx CASES NOT REACHED.
The BENEFIT Given Yosng George Bahen
Last Night in Vs'h,nston-Those
Who Took Part.
TIMES BunrAu. RAPLEY BUILDING. |


was presented at about midnight of the
sunday-evening session. The urgent de-
fciency bill was before the body, and
there were many amendments accepted
and refused In the Conference Commit
tee.
Colonel W. C. p. Breckenridge had
charge of the bill, and there was no end
TO the contention that seemed likely to
arise.
on the reporting of the $500 allow
ance to three OF the contestants before
the elections committee both representa-
tiyes George ID. Wise and w. A. Jones
had mercilessly assailed the provision,
and the House was in a divided and un-
certain state. The galleries were packed
to suffocation and men and women
leaned far over the railing eagerly catch
ing the spirit Of unrest and intently lis
tening for each word OF the animated
debate.
Then Colonel Breckenridge, arising, de-
monstrated, possibly for his last time, that
the title of the "silver-tongued orator"
was his far more by divine right than
by the desultory designation OF man.
For the first time since the unhappy
occurrences Of last spring his wife &C.
cupied a place in the members gallery,
and as the frost-crowned Kentuckian ad-
vanced down the aisle she leaned forward
in her seat to catch his words. With
uplifted hand he stood and there was
silence on the floor. In the galleries
the hurried whisper of his name died
away among the marble recesses as the
echo rs lost on the landscape or the
sound Of the bell fades Ger the waste OF
the waters.
Breckenridge was making his last APP
peal 10 the House. The gifted man from
Kentucky was speaking possibly for the
last time of earth to his colleagues in
Congress.
Slowly and with visible emotion he
began. There was 10 defiance I'm his
tones, for his voice was now as patheti-
cally attuned to pathos as the song OF
the singer. He referred TO his long SER
vice I'm the House, and declared that
around his committee table not one Of his
associates could claim that personal greed
or partisan gain had ever touched the
consideration of any appropriation. He
spoke touchingly Of the close OF his con-
gressional career and appealed TO the
House to support this, his last report. He
asked for a vote and stood while the
Speaker put the question. The bill was
passed and amid the applause that fol-
lowed, he turned 10 his seat,
His eyes were raised to the gallery
above him and a wave of the handker-
chief brought him the approval OF his
wife.
She arose and, passing out Of the gal
lery Joined him below, and together they
passed out of Congress into the silent
night
Mr.. sIBLEY's BOOM.
The nomination of ex-Congressman Jo-
seph G.. Sibley, of Pennsylvania, for
President, which was forecasted In this
correspondence some days ago, is regard
ed here as a huge Joke by nearly every
one. In fact, the only person who seems
TO regard 1t in serious light is that
erratic visionary himself. Although ear
nest efforts were made to complete the
ticket, no one could be found who would
form the tailpiece, and the bimetallic
league was forced to adjourn without Sc
lecting a candidate for the vlce-presi-
dency. Hatch and Bland, OF Missouri,
could have had the place for the ask
ing. The name of Judge II. w. Hughes,
of Virginia vas also considered, but as
all of these gentlemen, either personally
or through their friends and representa-
tives, declined the honor the league
agreed to allow the ticket to be COM
pleted by the people without reference
to convention or caucus.
TIE INCOME TAX CASES.
The income tax cases were rot reached
by the United States Supreme Court
until Just before adjournment to-day, con-
seuuently the argument which VIII con-
sumo several days, was only begun. rive
hours have been allowed counsel on each
side. but as the court only sits about
four hours each day the cases cannot
be concluded before next week. These
cases have created considerable interest
here which is enhanced by the prominent
80, % council ON both sides. So
licitor-General Holmes Conrad VIII not
appear for the Government, Tor the Ied-
son that his engagements In other I'M
nortant cases will not permit him 10 DO
So Messrs. Joseph II. Choate, Seward
and ex-senator Edmunds, OF vermont
will argue for the appellants ana non,
lanes c. Carter and Acknowledgement
Olney for the Government ana III iaNor
of the law. AS this Will be the Attor-
rev-GcneraTs first appearance in the SUI
frame Court since he has been in Office
his enaech is looked for with great IN
terest by the many prominent lawyers
drawn here by the prominence OF inc
pending cases.
NO TRUTH IN TIE REPORT.
There is nothing in the statement poO-
uehad Yesterday In the New York dailies
that IL was probable that the IIe9'uene
would he called upon to settle the
boundary dispute between the state
~ Virginia and the District of Columbia.
7, 10 true that some time ago threaten
oh nabeas corpus proceedings TO test tue
Jurisdiction OF the Alexandra county
Court In a criminal case on trial IN that
court raised the question OF the title 10
the nroperty known as Alexander lslahu'
an which the Old Dominion race course
&c located. Judg. Kimball and other
Washington lawyers eXpresiei the opll-
ion that Wy the fetrOcession act this
Property being on ar island was ctded by
the State of Virginia TO the District. Ihe
case was referred 10 the De- artment OF
Justice, and United states Dlstrlct Al
tornev Birnsy was requested TO examine
into the matter and to report TO the de-
rartment. This he did, giving as his opin-
ion that the island rightfully belonged
10 the District. and that a suit should be
brought I'm the United States Supreme
Court TO establish the title. This suit he
was ordered to bring forthwith, but as
the United States Attorney for the Dis
trict of Columbia is not entitled 10 APP
pear In the Supreme Court OF the United
States the matter was again referred to
The Department of Justice, where IL now
rests.
Solicltor-General Conrad is OF the opin-
ion that the District does not possess the
shadow of title to the property, and
that the suit will amount to nothing. AT
any rate, the question can only be settled
by the United States Supreme Court.
and as the State of Virginia VIII hardly
relnquish possession OF any portion OF
re- domain without a struggle the suit
II il is ever brought, will be an interest