Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1897-05-10
FROM. WASHINGTON.
Correspondence Of the Alexandria Gazette
WASHINGTON. MAY 10.

the month of May, SIS prepared by the
Department of Agriculture, the tx-
tent of the proposed breadth alreat y
D auted on the first day of May W.
SIG against S7.9 per cent last year.
This figure is several points below the
amount usually planted at this date.
The general average per cent already
planted 1st day of May is S1.9 against
81 per cent last year.
In the U. S. Supreme Court to-day
the Bell Telephone Company won the
case brought against it by the United
States to annul tho last Berliner patent.
This decision has the effect of contlnu-
ing the control of the telephone by the
Bell Company for II years from the
date of the last patent, which was
granted in 1895. The government ask
ed to have the patent of 1895 set asi, e
on the ground that the delay of 49, eais
in the latent Office was fraudulent and
through the fault of the telephone COM
pany and that the patent issued in 1850
covered the same ground on which the
new patent was applied for in 1891.
By appointment large delegation OF
western Senators and Representatives
and prominent men called upon the
President Just before ten o'clock this
morning to invite him to attend the
semi-centennary celebration of the
founding of Salt Lake City, Utah. Mr..
Mckinley listed with interest to all that
was said, and promised to attend the
celebration if at the time set Congress
we're not in session and the state Of
the public bushes would permit.
Commander w. P. Graves and Adju-
tant ]. 3. Davis, of Thomas p. Davis
Post, G. A. R., of Alexandra, Virginia,
called at the White House to day and
invited the President to attend the dec
Grafton services in that city on the 3lst
instant. The President received them
very courteously and said that while
he had to go to West Point this year
he might accept their kind invitation
next year.
Gov. OFerrall of Virginia arrived
here to-day.
Virginia republicans here to-day say
now that Congressman Walker has
Joined hands with the diamond four"
he has been assured of the marshalship
of the western district of their State, or
OF place ''just as good" Mr.. Clay
they say will be collector Of the port and
Mr.. Reed, postmaster at Newport's
News; that DR.. Wise will be allowed
the postmaster at Williamsburg, but
that the fourth-class postmasters in the
I'd district will be at the disposal of Mr..
Bowden. The postoffice at Suffolk will
be given to q personal friend of the
Postmaster General. They also say
that ex Congressman Libby of the Nor
folk district is an applicant for the
postoffice at Fortress Monroe.
Virginia republicans here say that
Mr.. CAST will be inspector of bulls at
Norfolk.
In the House to-day Mr.. Rixey, of
Virginia, introduced bill for the re-
lief of J. w. Buchanan, of Culpeper.
Mr.. Otey of the same State presented
numerous petitions for the restriction
of immigration.
In response to Senate resolution as to
the effect of the present rate of internal
revenue tax on distilled spirits, the col
lection of revenue, &C., Secretary Gage
to-day replied that according to the
tables of previous years the highest
revenue rate would be 70 cents per gal
lon. He recommends rate of 80 cents,
and if the reduction be made a return
to the bonded period of three years.
Among other changes he recon-
mends is that special tax Of
not less than $500 or more 81 900 per
annum be imposed on the industry Of
distilling, to be determined by the Ca
pacity OF the distillery; that only stills
having capacity of 20 gallons or more
shall be entitled to registry and per-
mitted to operate. The Secretary says
the present rate of tax has had the eff
feet of greatly increasing illicit distill-
ing.
The sugar schedule of the new tariff
bill is so Objectionable that there is a
rumor current at the Capitol to-day
that it will have to be amended before
that bill can be passed.
1t was stated at the White House
today that SO far, no formal application
has been received for the pardon OF
Elverton Chapman, the recusant wit.
ness, under sentence of confinement for
refusal to testify before Senate con-
mittee.
The political condition of the repub-
licans in the Second district of Virginia
seems to be still in an unsettled state.
The Bowden wing, or the administra-
ton party, as they term themselves,
had an interview with the Postmaster
General Saturday and refuted some of
the charges made one week ago by the
Wise faction. The offices seem to be
the bone of contention. There is also
another ve1ed question to be settled
by the Lamb and Bowden factions,
that is the distribution of consular APP
pointments. 1t is said the administra-
lion has determined to give Virginia
four consulates. Now comes the strug-
gle as to who shall have them. There
are two applicants from the Eighth dis
trict-Capt. Zerega, of Loudoun, and
Mr.. Pat McCaull, of Culpeper. Zerega
IS strongly urged by Mr.. Park Agnew
and the State executive committee for
consul to Antwerp. They claim that
he Is thoroughly qualified for the place
on account of his long experience in
the shipping trade with that portion of
Europe; besides, that he speaks the Ian
guage of the country. Mr.. McCaull, it
is reported, wants to go to Persia, but
the fact that he cannot speak the Ian
guage of that nation will mill
tate against him for that appointment,
- Iok