Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1896-12-22
FROM WASHINGTON.
rCorresnondencs Of the Alexandria Gszette.
WASHINGTON. Dec. %.

o'clock this morning to secure early
presidential action on the Nashville
centennial exposition bill, which was
sent to Mr.. Cleveland yesterday. The
President asked a few questions to sat
i,fy himself that the provisions of the
bill had been fully complied with, and
upon being answered in the affirmative
he signed the measure without further
delay. The purpose of the exposition
is to commemorate the one hundredth
anniversary of the admission of Ten
nessee as STATE. 1t will open on the
first of May, 1897, and continue unin-
terruptedly until the following Novem-
Der.
A dispatch was received in the Senate
this morning from Senator Warren, OF
Wyoming, who was taken i'll, in Chi
cago, on his way east, and operated
upon for appendicitis, stating that from
present appearances care and time were
oil that was necessary TO bring about a
complete recovery.
Senator Butler, who, since his en-
trance in the Senate, has occupied a
seat on the republican side of the
chamber, will change after the fourth
of March. MIR. Butler has filed claim
for the seat Oh the democratic side &C.
cupied by General Gordon, of Georgia,
which will be vacated by that Senator
at the expiration of his term in March.
The public galleries were filled when
the Senate assembled to-day for its last
session prior to the holiday recess, and
there were several attaches of the dip
lomatic corps in the gallery assigned to
the exclusive occupancy of that body.
Of course the exciting anticipation was
that Senator Vest would resume his at
tack on the Administrations Cuban
policy, which was interrupted by q
point of order yesterday. But, early in
the day, the statement was passed
around that Senator Hale, who is OPP.
posed to Cuban recognition under ex-
listing circumstances, would demand a
quorum if the debate was resumed
and that doubling his ability to COM
mand a quorum, so many Senators
having left the city, Mr.. Vest had de-
termined to postpone his effort till after
the recess. After this impression had
gained ground the proceedings rapidly
assumed listless air, which intensified
when Mr.. Hale called up one of the ap.
preparation bills.
Senator Daniel, of Virginia, being
asked to-day what ne thought of Mr..
McMllan's resolution in respect of the
retrocession of Alexandria, said it
wouldn't amount to any thing, as the
Constitution gave Congress control OF
the territory, and Congress had only
acted as it had perfect right to do
when it retroceded Alexandria to
Virginia. He also said he didn't under
stand why any Virginian should want
his State to relinquish any more of her
territory. When the debate on the
Cuban question shall take place, after
the recess, Senator Daniel will be heard,
not in favor of recognizing the indepen-
dence of the insurgents, but of allowing
them the rights of belligerents.
Among the visitors at the Capitol to-
day was General Edgar Allen of Vir-
ginia. He was there to serve notice
upon Congressman Swanson in the
contested election case of Brown
vs. Swanson, from the 9Th Vir-
GINA district. The General being
asked about the reported quietness and
pleasantness that prevailed at the
late meeting of the republican commit
tee of his State, said yes, it was the
quiet of death and the most pleasant
row he had ever witnessed.
The war cloud that recently lowered
over the Capitol has been almost en-
tirely dissipated, and the heat of the
fiery fighters in both branches of Con,
gress been assauged by the cold douche
administered by Secretary Olney, as
sisted by both the President and Mr..
Speaker Reed. But the warriors, not
being able to get at General Weyler,
will now turn their attention to the
Secretary of State and, as one of them
said to-day, will find out whether
this is republican form of government,
or know the reason why. Indeed the
whole Cuban question has been chang
ed and the matter at issue in Congress
now seems to be not whether the in
dependence of Cuba shall be recognized,
but whether Secretary Olney had the
right to do as he has done in the case.
The following changes in the fourth
class postoffices of Virginia were made
to-day: At Alumine, Franklin county,
J. F. Martin appointed postmaster, vice
8. Dyer, resigned; Hardie, Henry coun-
ty, ]. A. Hardie, vice 81. A. Hardie,
resigned; Rockhouse, Russell county,
A. L. Kiser, vice Mrs. E. ]. Kiser, re.
moved; Shoots, Caroline county, w. o.
Gibson. vice S. L. Coghill, resigned;
Washington, Rsppahannock county,
Miss ]. F. West, vice Mrs. B. F. West,
dead.
The House committee on military af-
fairs has ordered a favorable report on
the Senate bill authorizing the Secre-
tary of War to issue Springfield rifles
to each State and Territory for its pa-
tional guards. The report shows the
total strength of the national guard
to be 1889 mer and officers.
inese are armed with old Springfield
rines and other arms of various makes,
ana permission has been asked by
many States to turn in the old arms in
exchange for the modern Springfield
calibre 40. 1t is estimated that about
$4,000 modern Sprine6elds will be re
quired.
The President to-day nominated Col
Chas. G.. Sawtelle for Brig. General
and Quartermaster General, and Capt.
Arthur L. Wagner, Sixth Infantry, to
be Msjor and Assistant Adjntant Gen.