Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1896-02-18

were provided with better places ana
the congress, after hearing the report
of the credentials committee, adjourned
for luncheon.
The Secretary of the Interior has
sent to the Senate committee on pn6tllc
lands his view on the bill to equallze
the several States of the Union IN The
grant of lands for public school pur-
poses. He says California has received
az its portion 6,719 324 acres and it
would require 240 100000 acres TO
eoualize grants to other States in pro-
portion to what California has received.
The Secretary reviews the measure IN
which he 6nds many defects and con
cludes with the statement that 1t Is
crude. imperfect and impracticabie, ana
hopes his candid criticism would ala
the committee in framing hill that
would accomplish the end in view.
The State Department is now III cor
respondence with the British foreign
Office booking to the appointment
of a Joint commission to investl'
gate ali the conditions connected with
the fur seal industry in Boring sea and
Z, consider and report what further
regulations are necessary for their
preservation. In order that the work
of such a commission should be effect
i've. it is desirable that Russia and ia
nan NAV also become parties thereto.
but their consent it is we'll known Can
be easily secured.
The examination of c. P. Hunting
ton of the Southern Pacific Railroad by
Senator Morgan was resumed this
morning before the Sepate Pacific Rail
road committee. Mr.. Morgan directed
his INQUIRY toward the relations be-
tween the Contract and Finance Com
PAW and the Central Pacific and the
destruction of the books of the former
company. The books were burned,
Mr.. Huntington said, because the com
papy was disincorporated and there
was no use in keeping them, as the &C.
counts were closed. Mr.. Morgan then
read the resolutions adopted at the mass
meeting held recently in San Francisco
to protest to Congress against the ex-
tension of the debt of the Pacific Rail
roads, and Mr.. Huntington said IL must
have been very large and enthusiastic
meeting, for he had been informed
there were just fifty two persons pre-
sent at what be termed that Sutro
meeting. The call had been issued to
all the counties in the State and but
FIVE of them were represented there.
The representation was largely con-
fined to San Francisco aud Oakland.
The annual conference of the Wash
ington and Baltimore Congregational
churches began its session here to-day.
Mr.. John B. Hess, of Baltimore. presid
ing as moderator. There was full at
tendance of delegates. The morning
session was devoted TO organization, re-
ports of committees, and a home mis-
sionary meeting. All churches report
ed commendable progress, spiritually
and financially.
The minority report on the DapoI t
case was laid before the Senate this
morning. 1t is signed by the four dem
ocratic members of the committee.
The report sets forth the records, which.
it says, shows that on the last ballot 80
votes were cast and of thts. Dupont re-
ceived only Is. which was less than a
majority. The vote of Governor Wat
son, who had been elected as Senator
and subsequently, succeed to the gov
ernorship, is counted 10 the record.
The Senate immigration committee
to-day reported bill adding to the class
of aliens already excluded, all over
fourteen years of age who cannot read
and write the language of their native
country.
The Senate committee on immigra.
ton has reported a bill providing for
the illiteracy test.
The House military committee agreed
this morning to report favorably the
bill to admit into the Soldiers HOMES
veterans of the war of 1912 and of the
Mexican war, who subsequently entered
the service of the Confederate States.
President Boatright and Professor
Ragland of Richmond college were al
the Capitol to-day in the interest of the
bill to reimburse that college for the
damage it sustained by federal occups-
ton during the war between the States.
1t is the prevailing impression here
that Mr.. Speaker Reed and MIR. Allison,
chairman of the Senate appropriations
committee, have agreed that this ses-
sion of Congress shall adj ourn not later
than the 1st of June. 1t is also believ
ed that nothing will be done with
either the tariff or the currency ques-
ton at this session.
In the Senate to-day Mr.. Martin in
troduced q bill 70 restore Major r. P.
Barry, now of the Sth Virginia district,
an officer in the 10th U. S. Infantry
during the war between the States, to
his rank and to retire him with that
rank. Mr.. Daniel introduced resolu
ton for improving the western branch
of Elizabeth river to the terminus of the
Atlantic and Danville Railroad.
It is rumored at the Capitol that
while the petition of MIR. Hoge for more
time in which to take testimony in his
contest for MIR. Otey's seat from the
Lynchburg, Virginia, district, will not
be granted by the House elections COM
mittee, the committee will hear argu-
msnt in his case on the testimony al
ready submitted also that the CON-
mittee will report against the contest
ant in the case of Cornett vs.. Swanson,
from the Danville district. and in favor
of the contestant in the case of Tnorp
VS.. McKenney.
The present democratic administra-
ton will only last year longer, but
the republican postmaster at Franklin,
Virginia. still holds his place, and it is