Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1896-12-29
FROM WASHINGTON.
Correspondence of the Alexandria Gazette.]
WASHINGTON, Dec. 30.


The President to-day amended the
civil service rules so IS to include in
this service all employees of govern
ment peniteutiaries in the United States
who are subject to classification.
Comptroller Eckels says that the
failure of the Columbia National Bank
of Minneapolis was due to slow assets
that could not be converted into
money. No return from Minneapolis
under the general call of the comptrol-
Ter of the currency for the condition OF
national banks at the Close of business
December 18th has been received at
the comptroller's Office. The return on
the condition of the Columbia Bank
on October 9Th, the date of the proceed
ing call, showed that it had assets, iD-
Guiding bonds for circulation, amount
ing to S641, 900; liabilities, $3.50, 900.
At the State Department it is declar-
ed that there has been no substantial
alteration whatever in the international
aspect of the Cuban question since
President Cleveland wrote his annual
message of December 9TH.
The second day of the six day bicy-
Gle races started at Up. m. to day. The
racers will ride from two to ten each
day. The score at 8 p. N. was as fol-
lows: Waller, 157 miles; Maddox, 157;
Ashinger, 156; Hunter, 154; Lawson,
l54; Ball, 152; Chapple, 1872; Foster,
l52; Albert, 40. Schock d opped out
shortly after , p. m. to day with 1872
miles to his credit. His withdrawal
was due to injuries received in COL
lision on the track yesterday.
The friends of the Memorial bridge
across the Potomac at Arlington have
arranged to concentrate their influences
upon Mr.. Speaker Reed and induce him,
il possible, to allow the bill for that
bridge to be called up the day after
Congress shall reconvene. Ex-U. s.
Senator Henderson of Missouri, now q
resident of Alexandria county, and a
very rich man, says he will give the
government a million dollars for the
thousand acres of land it owns between
Arlington and the river, and for which
it has no use, if it will pass the bill re-
ferred to, which only appropriates
100000. The G. A. R. and the War
Department, both of which need the
bridge for transportation to Arlington
and Fort Myer, will do all they can to
help the other friends of the bill.
Judge Thomas Smith of New Mexico
and his wife passed through here to.
day on their way to visit their old
home, Warrenton, Virginia.
The House ways aud means commit
tee to-day resumed their tariff hear
inss. The cotton manufacturers of the
North appeared before them in force,
and urged the imposition of higher tax
on imported goods such as they make.
9. P. Baker, treasurer of the Lawrence
Manufacturing Co., said the American
cotton growers should favor q
tariff on their product to keep
out Egyptian cotton. Mr.. Wheeler
of Alabama, member of the commit.
tee, euquired if the South would not
be selling its birthright for a mess Of
pottage to ask for this. Mr.. Baker
said he would not like to say. Mr..
Wheeler was asked what this birth
right was. He replied: Free trade
and free institutions"
Ut. T.. /. covers, WHOSE HouSe Was
badly damaged by the fire here last
night, came here from Clarke county,
Virginia. He now has probably as
large practice as any other physician
in the city. When the alarm was made,
he stepped out of his Office wearing his
smoking jacket. When he returned, a
few moments later, his coat was gone.
A rumor was current here last night
and this morning, to the effect that
Mr.. Julius Lansburg, the proprietor OF
the large store known as the Rink, that
was burned yesterday evening, had
been arrested as the incendiary, but
there was not the slightest ground for
it, and the businesslcommunity here,
with whom Mr.. Lansburg stands high,
denounce it as a great shame and out
rage upon q most reputable merchant.