Birmingham state herald., 1896-01-17
Oyster cocktails at the Met rOpoIitan bar. 11-12-f
AT THE NATIONAL CAPITAL,
How the Presidents Annual Address Becam Message-Alabama Election
 Cases.

Washington, Jan. 15.-(Special Corre- e.)-Representative Richardson Of Tennessee, who was appointed by the last congress to compile all the messages, annual and special, sent to congress by all the presidents of the United States has made discovery that Is not gener- ally known to the public-in fact, it is doubtful if even nine out of ten well in formed men know of the matter
 In Washingtons and Adams time it was customary for the president to ap- pear before congress In person and de- liver orally his annual address. The sen- ate through a committee replied to the address of the president, to which reply the president sent in writing a short answer. When Thomas Jefferson was in- augurated he informed the senate that he would communicate with that body, and that body only, and from that day to the present time the annual address, of the president has been called the mes sage" The senate made no reply to Jefferson's message, and with the pass ing of Adams the reply to the president was abandoned.
 Representative Richardson also noted that the first message sent to the senate by Andrew Jackson was very brief and simply said: You will consider all ap- pointments made during the recess and not confirmed as recalled" Old Hickory commenced his administration with ito the vietors belong the spoils,'' and kept it up throughout.
 Contested Election Cases From Alabama.
 The Fifty-fourth congress seems de- termined to pass upon the contested cleo ton cases in that body in short order as was evidenced by the appointment of three committees on elections.
 On last Friday the Ynattar in tha oac co of w. F. Aldrich vs. G. A. Robbins, from the Fourth Alabama district, was taken up. MT. Aldrich was represented by P. G. Bowman, while Mir. Robbins was rep- resented by General Shelley and MT. Fay. the latter of New York. MT Bowman consumed nearly two hours on Friday in his argument for the contestant. On Saturday MT. Fay made his argument for the contestee making logical and forceful effort. Twelve o'clock came be- fore he had finished, and on Monday he concluded, after which MT. Bowman closed in a half hours argument, devoted mainly to the same old accusation of bal lot box stuffing that is so threadbare down in Alabama. The case was then submitted to the committee. It Is re- ported that on Friday next a sub-com- mittee of three will be appointed to ex- anime into the testimony and report their finding to the full committee, after which a report will be made to the house.
 At this time 1t would not be in place to forestall the verdict of the commit tee, but the general impression prevails that the contestee will not be pnseated.
 On Friday next the case of Robinson vs. Harrison, from the Third Alabama district. will be up before the committee. and on the Tuesday following the case of Goodwin vs. Cobb, from the Fifth Ala bama district, will be heard
 The case of Aldrich vs Underwood, from the Ninth Alabama district, has not been set yet but the prospect is that 1t will be in e few dayA