Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1897-02-18
FROM WASHINGTON.
Correspondence Of the Alexandria Gazette. ]
WASHINGTON, Feb. Is.

Jugs and many OF the private houses
given over to the decorators and scstfold
builders, is distinctly conscious of the
presence of the Congress of Mothers.
They are visible everywhere in groups
of a hundred or less, taking in the
sights of the capital in the intervals be-
tween more serious business. Those in
tervals, however, are very brief, for the
Congress begins work at nine i'll the
morning and keeps it up till late at
night. This morning, for instance, in
addition to the general meeting of the
Congress, held in the capacious First
Baptist Church (Which began at
1880, there were preliminary con
ferences or, as they were other
wise called, 'round table talks"
aud ''heart to heart meetings"
At one of these held in the great ban
quet hall of the Arlington, which, not
withstanding its large seating capacity,
was found all too small for the general
congress, an address was delivered by
DR.. Ada l.. Thomas on "accidents-what
to DO before the doctor comes," which
was followed up by a brief discussion.
Then three members of the Anthropo-
logical Society, Mrs. Hampeen, Mrs.
Hegelsberger and Miss Alice Fletcher,
discussed the question of "fear-how to
overcome it in children" Prior to the
reassembling OF the General Congress
there was brief conference in the Bap.
fist Church in which Miss Jeanette
Richards discussed the necessity OF
schools for trained nurses, and
Mrs. Putnam spoke on the ques-
ton of punishment for children"
To-day's programme Of the Congress
included addresses on dietetics; moth
er's relation to the sound physical de-
velopment of her child; the moral re.
sponsibility of women in heredity; the
mothers greatest needs; play grounds;
some practical results of child study;
reading courses for mothers; how to
guard our youth against bad literature;
reproduction and natural law.
The Supreme Council of the National
Farmers Alliance in session here has
decided that the question of the aid
degree having a charter of its own, or
continuing to operate under the charter
of the alliance, should be referred to
the aid degree for vote, and the
council agreed to abide by the result OF
the vote. A resolution was adopted to
petition Congress to retain gypsum
rock or land plaster upon the free list.
The list of demands adopted a year ago
was reaflirmed.
Among the ladies attending Tie
NIotbare1 Con~race. bara q, Mr., Mitcbal II
of Atlanta, daughter of Congressman
Otey of Virginia. Her mother, Mrs.
Otey, is also here, but says she is attend
lg neither the Mothers nor the Grand
Mothers Congress.
Postmaster General Wilson this af-
ternoon announced that he had accept
ed the presidency Of the Washington
and Lee University at Lexington, Va.
A sub committee OF the Senate Judi
ciarv committee, composed of Senators
Hill and Hoar, continued to-day their
examination of the charges against Mr..
Davis, who has been nominated by the
President for U. 5. attorney for the
District of Columbia. Mr.. ]. l.. Norris
of this city appeared before them with
extracts from the speeches of MIR. Davis,
made during the late campaign in
which he had spoken in the most dis
respectful terms of those democrats
wlo had stood by their party, and with
other evidence in support OF the charges.
II is said to-day that the chances against
the confirmation of Mr.. Davis are
stronger than they have been. As some
A II Il hoy
mittee that Mr.. Davis said nothing de-
rogatory Of the democrats who sup.
ported their party in his speech in their
city, the committee have been notified
that democrats from that city, who
heard that speech, are willing to appear
before them and testify that Mr.. Davis
did speak of the supporters of Bryan as
populists and anarchists.
The President to-day nominated
Thomas Willing Peters, of the District
OF Columb ia, to be United States con-
sui at Plauen, Germany.
Among the items in the general de-
ficiency bill is one to restore the COM
pensation OF Treasury employees at
many ports, including Viewpoints News,
Virginia.
The Secretary of War issued an order
to-day for the battalion of engineers to
participate in the inaugural ceremonies;
also for the company of soldiers at
West Point to do likewise.
The President to-day pardoned w.
Il. Gibbs of Mississippi, convicted of
embezzlepent of postoffice funds, and
committed the sentence of ]. H. Gran.
dali, president of the national bank at
Johnson City, Tenn, but refused to
pardon John w. Bowman of Virginia,
poor moonshiner.
A consular report received at the
Treasury Department to-day says that
not q single vessel flying the U. S. flag
passed through the Suez canal last
year, though more ships went through
it then than in any previous year.
The resolution before the Senate
committee on military affairs providing
for the presence of the West Point
cadets at the Inauguration appears to
make but little Roadway. The subject
was brought up this morning, but no
action was taken. The committee ap
pears to be about evenly divided, but
Mr.. Hawley hopes to get favorable
report at q special meeting to be held
next Monday. Meanwhile he has been
in communication with the railroads
for the purpose of fixing as low rate
as possible for the boys. He has been
successful in this and believes that the
committee will eventually order fav-