The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-12-19
WANTS A PIECE OF va.
UNCLE SAN TRYING 10 GET BACK
ALEXANDRIA COUNTY.
The Senate Agrees to "a Resolution on the
subject-virginians Opposed to Giving
Up Any of Her Territory.

The Senate has agreed TO resolution
Of inquiry about the acquisition OF the
territory in Virginia, which was once
part Of the District OF Columbia. This
territory was ceded back to Virginia.
and the project is to have il brought
again within tho jurisdiction of the
district. The subject has often been
discussed In the district. and eminent
lawyers have thought that the territory
could never be acquired again EXCEPT
by the consent of the people OF Nir-
rinia. But there has always been
difference Of opinion, which will proba-
bly, lead TO further agitation OF the mat
ter in and out of Congress.
THE RESOLUTION.
The resolution. which was introduced
by Senator Mcmillan, Of Michigan, Is as
follows:
Whereas. the United States has ac-
quired large holdings Of land on and
near the south bank of the Potomac river
in that portion of the State of Virginia
originally comprised within the District
of Columbia and.
Whereas il is proposed TO build me-
mortal bridge across said river 10 con-
meet the city of Washington with Airing
ton Cemetery; and,
Whereas the United States maintains
the roads leading from the Aqueduct
bridge to the said cemetery, therefore,
be it
Resolved. That the Acknowledgement
be and he is hereby instructed 10 report
10 the Senate-irst what proportion the
present holdings Of the United states IN
the State of Virginia. and within the for
mer limits Of the District Of Columbia
bear TO the whole territory originally
coded by that State TO the United States;
secondly. by virtue of what legislation
the Virginia portion OF the original Dis
tfict was retroceded TO the SAID state;
thirdly. whether the consututionality OF
such acts of retrOcession has been judi
cialy determined. fourthy, what legisla-
ton is necessary again 10 secure 10 the
government exclusive jurisdiction over
either the whole or "a part Of such ter
ritory orginally included in the District
az Columbia as is now embraced IN the
0PPOsED TO TT.
The prouositiOn, which is being gen
orally discussed. and which Is gradually
developing into political movement
TO retrOccde Alexandria county TO the
United States Government, meets WIN
strong opus Siti0n IN this city ny the
prominent gentlemen with whom | have
talked. u ls more than probable tnAt
DO the proposition Is brought before tic
Nir-lnla Legislature, that body VIII re-
jet IL.
The Oldest residents will remember that
years before the war the United states
Congress passed an act giving back 10
virginia Alexandria county. which had
been granted to the United States Gov
eminent by this State. Maryland had
also given a portion Of her territory 10
the District. The territory altogether
was ten miles square. The movement
now on foot Is for Virginia 20 rctroceae
Alexandria county. IL Is believed that
the Federal Government wishes TO get
back that territory so as to put II under
extensive police regulations. and break
up entirely the outrageous violations Of
law in tho way Of gambling, ETC., which
have long made Alexandria county IA
nous.
THE GOVERNORS VIEWS.
Gov. O'Ferrali yesterday. when inter-
viewed on the question, said. Al Gov
ornor Of Virginia, l would. of course De
opposed 10 giving up any Of the territory
of the State. This question would be
brought before the State Legislature be-
fore any movement could be made. and
do not believe the Legislature would
favor this. Indeed. I believe they would
oppose it. The object Of this movement
/ take 10. is to have Alexandria county
supplied with police from the other side
bling. and other violations Of the law
which have made that part Of tho State
notorious for years. The people i'm Tie
District should remember. however, that
nearly an the crooks and criminals in
Alexandria county. who carry ON their
nofariOus business there. come from tine
WASHINGTON side There is equally as
much devilmeut going on on the Mary
land side n they want 10 stop the viola
tions Of law going on there. they should
stop sending their lawless people over
10 tho Virginia side. / have given n
great deal Of my time and labor to the
breaking up of the lawlessncss In Alex
andria county. and I think the condition
of things mp there is greatly improved
though. ~ course. there is some little
lawlossnoss being carried on In clandes-
tine way. am opposed to amy territory
from Virginia being given away"
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL.
Attorncy-General Scott stated that be
was not familiar with the movement To-
rotrocode any portion OF Virginia 20 the
United States. but he had heard and read
about so many proportions Of this kind
which always turned ont 10 he mere talk
with 10 reasonable possibility Of being
passed. that the thing was getting 10 Bee
a huge joke. lie was sure the Legisla-
ture Of Virginia would not seriously en-
terrain any such proposition. and be was
Of the opinion that intelligent Nir-iuilns
would oppose the movement from the
start. Il am opposed 20 amy proposition
T. surrender any Virginia territory 10 any
governments We have no more territory
than we can take care of. and when the
proposition comes up. ~ 10 ever does, there
viii Doe 3D. general fight against IL. IL Will
De- colder day than this, and / Will bee
much older man when Virginia gives amy
Of her territory away
CAPT GEORGE d. WISE.
Hon George -. Wise. when seen. said:
OF am opposed 20 the proposition. II
would never De carried through the Viz
einia Legislature. / am sure. Virginia
has already lost too much OF her terri
tory She was one Of the original Thir-
teen States. and did more towards OPP
RANKING the Union than any other three
States. She lot GO Wisconsin. Minnesota.
and an that Northwestern territory. and
the picrnout Legislature M Alexandria
dismembored Virginia by making West
Virginia u separate State This was I'M
constitutional. II Virginia was dismem-
lerod legally then. why was the Pier
pOnt Government set up I'm this State
during the war II the membering Of
Virginia had been legal. the Pier
pont Government was unconstitutional.
virginia was robbed Of West Virginia.
IL am unalterably opposed % this State
losing any Of her territory. and am sure
this proposition will never go through.
We want all the territory we have
Hon Morton Narye. Auditor OF Public