Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-12-17
he following from Virginia and North

tho following IRON virginia ana Nortn
Carolina:
Virginia-Elizabeth C. Adams, Radford ;
Rufus X. Sanders, Saltville; John w.
Carroll. Cape Charles: Mildred II. Davis.
Manassas: William Graham, Orange
North Carolina-Ben. II. Bum, Rocky
Mount: John w. Kirby. Lenoir.
BATTLESHIp TEXAS,
Representative Bailey. OF Texas, this
morning introduced resolution. when
was somewhat superfiuous, asking for an
investigation into the alleged defects IN
the construction OF the battleship Texas.
The resolution provides that the invesu-
cation shall be conducted by sub-com-
mittee OF the House Committee on Naval
Affairs, and IL appropriatcs $500 Tor eN-
pens,s 1t is not known what prompted
Mr. Bailey TO Offer this resolution. oh
objection made by Mr.. Dinghy, of Maine
II was referred to the committee, without
action. and will probably never be heard
Of again. This "a the more manifest III
view OF the official statement issued TO-
day by the Navy Department, which
demonstrates that the battleship Texas,
instead Of being I'm any degree failure
ranks with the finest warships In the
world and. as has always been claimed
In this correspondence. is not surpassed
by any American naval vessel anoat.
IL may also be reiterated that the
machinery of the Texas. which was puiit
at Richmond. is pronounced by the pest
naval experts 10 be complete, substantial,
and in the most thorough working ORDER
ard that for speed strength, ana dura-
blity II will prove superior to that OF
any other In the navy. AS FAR as an III
vcstigation is concerned, the Richmond
firm that built the machinery courts 1t,
cd
as 10 the efficiency of their work from the
highest authorities In the Navy Depart
ment.
While the court Of inquiry which IN
ves,igated the sinking Of the Texas on
November 9th attached no blame to any
one for the accident, which IT FOUND que
TO the wrong sort Of a casting In valve
yoke. and the possible existence OF open
valves between compartments. Secretary
Herbert. on the recommendation of the
Judge Advocate-General finds Chief-En-
eineers Moore. of the ship, ana Farmer
OF the navy-yard 'reprehensibly care
less" and if they had not each failed In
his duty this accident could not have
happened"
4 mild reprimand, In the form OF
COPY OF these findings. has been sent TO
the two affected officers.
As will be seen from the press dis
patches. the Cramps have found 1t ne
cessary to defend themselves against tho
charge Of conspiracy on the part Of the
private ship-yards In the North against
the Norfolk favy-yard. which was based
on the mishaps and alleged accidents TO
the Texas I'm New York harbor.
NEW INDUSTRY.
A new industry has developed in the
shipping of holly for Christmas and New
Years decorations TO the North from the
Virginia and Maryland counties surround
ing Washington.
DR. W. c. p. Brock and Mr. II. Jacobs.
OF Richmond. who have been witnesses
in a court here in a suit for damages
against the Chesapeake and Ohio rail-
road. having completed their testimony,
left for home this evening. Assistant
Pessenger-Ag Agent John ID. Potts, who was
on the stand in the same case to-day.
and who proved himself an excellent wit
ness. and was complimented for his
prompt. straightforward, and effective
replies TO all questions of counsel Is
still here.
General S. b. Buckner. of Kentucky,
who figured as the BoltOcrat candidate
for Vice-President in the late election;
| Mrs. Buckner QoTmerly Miss Claiborne,
/ of Richmond), and Master :. b. Buckner.
| their son, are in the city, stopping at the
| Metropolitan.
Hon. Beverley Harrison, member of the
| Virginia House Of Delegates for the
county Of Amherst, and Mr. W. I.
/ Shields. Of Lexington. were among Sena-
tor Martins callers to-day.