Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1897-12-02
FROM WASHINGTON.
CORRESPONDENCE Of the Alexandria Gazette.]
WASHINGTON, Dec. 2.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 2.
The message of President Mckinley
will be devoted practically to the sub.
iect of our foreign relations and the
currency problem. 1t is stated that the
President will agree with the views
submitted by Secretary Gage, though
as to details he leaves himself freedom
of action by not taking any position
with reference to several features OF
the Secretary's plan. Congress is urged
10 take immediate action by ratification
of the treaty for the annexation OF
Hawaii. AS to Cuba the message calls
attention to the recent trend of affairs
on the island, refers to the scheme OF
autonomy just offered by Spain and,
after reciting other developments in the
situation, reaches the virtual conclusion
that existing circumstances do not war
rant interference in the affairs of the
island. Considerable attention is paid
to the subject of the reciprocity nego'
tia:ions with various countries IN Eu-
rope, and the President expresses the
hone of the administration 10 secure
satisfactory results in the future. The
policy of the administration on this SUBJ
iect is outlined and, citing French
champagnes as an illustration, the point
is made that if special conces-
sions are given any foreign products
the United States must be given equal
treatment by reciprocal concessions.
The Alaskan problem is discussed at
some length and O plan is made for con-
gressional legislation including the ex.
tension of the operation of the public
land laws and the granting of rights Of
way for roads by which all parts OF the
country may be made more accessible.
The annual reports OF Indian schools
show that the total enrolment at the
Hampton Institute is 1873, embracing
representatives of thirteen tribes.
Owing to the illness of the civil engi-
neer who was to take charge OF the
field parties with the Nicaraguan Canal
Commission, it has been found neces
sary to secure the services of another
engineer and the departure of the COM
mission has again been delayed.
Assistant Secretary Day received the
memb rs CT the diplomatic corps who
called this morning, this being diplo-
matte day at the State Department
Among his callers were the German
Ambassador, the Spanish Minister. the
Dutch Minister. the Peruvian Minister
and the charge d'atfairs of the French
embassy. :,
The President to-day appointed
Blanche <. Bruce, of Mississippi, me-
gro, to be Register of the Treasury. The
position is sinecure, but has large
alary attached to it.
President Mckinley has completed
bis message and to-day listened to APP
peals for office from number of Sena-
ators and Representatives in behalf of
constituents anxious that their nomina-
lions shall be sent to Congress soon
a ter it convenes. Charles Page Bryan,
Chicago, who has recently been APP
D tinted minister to China, called and
thanked the President for his appoint
ment. He will remain to get his ill.,
struc,ions at the State Department and
expects to leave for China in about two
weeks. Representative Pierce, OF Hi
nois, introduced George A. Lawrence,
of GalesbuIg, who is candidate to
succeed William r. Morrison on the
Interstate Commerce Commission.
The first thing that Congress does On
assembling is tc send committee from
each house to notify the President
that it has met and is ready to
proceed to business. A recess is
then taken by each house to await
the return of the committee. Just
what would be done next Monday,
in case the President is away from the
capital on account of his mothers i'll.
ness is not known, as no case OF that
kind can be recalled. Should Mrs.
Mckinley grow no worse the President
either will make flying trip to Canton
or defer visiting his mother until next
week.
Chairman Agnew of the Virginia re.
publican committee called at the State
Department yesterday with Mr.. Zsrega
of Aide, Virginia, who was an appli-
cant for consulate, but all the places
for which he had applied had been dis
posed of. Assistant Secretary Day Of
Tered him one in South America, but
he declined to accept it. General
Groner, of Norfolk, same State, was
promised consulate six months ago,
but is still waiting for it. He has been
here several times, and is here now,
but will go back home 10 night unless
he shall be informed that it will be well
for him to stay.
The director of the mint, who has
been before the House committee on
appropriations, said to-day it was plain
to him that the expenditures to be
called for by that com mittee will be cut
down to the lowest possible point.
The hearing given by the Interstate
Commerce Commission to tie repre-.
sentatives of the railroads which have
petitioned for an extension Of time in
which to comply with the car coupler
law passed in 1898 was resumed to-day.
all the roads asked for FIVE year ex-
tension, and assigned reduced earn.
ings as the reason therefor. A state
ment to the effect that Mr..
Morrisey and the other officials of or
ganized labor present did not represent
the employees of the Southern Pacific
drew from Mr.. Molrisey plea tor fair
play in the hearing. He deprecated
the insinustions, the threats and the
attempts to diseredit the credited pow
ers of the labor representatives in
which he said some of the railroad mon
had INDUCED, and assured both the
commission and the railroad men tbs t
he and his associates desired only JUS
tice.