Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1897-02-08
FROM WASHINGTON.
+ Correspondence OF the Alexandria Gazette
WASHINGTON, Feb. S.

| WASHINGTON, Feb. 5.
Judge Charles G. Mott, of the .. S.
Court of Claims, was to-day sworn in
as chief Justice of that tribunal, vice
William q. Richardson, deceased. The
oath was administered by Judge Wei
don and the new chief justice then ad-
ministered it to Mr.. Charles B. Howry
of Mississippi, formerly assistant attor-
ney general, who was recently appoint
ed to fill the vacancy caused by the
promotion of Judge Mott. The chief
justice Oh taking his place on the bench
made short address to the members
of the bar present in which he said he
would continue his efforts to expedite
the business of the court. Chief JUS
tice Mott has been member of the
Court of Claims for thirty years.
A newspaper story recently publish
ed that the President and Mrs. Cleve-
land were distributing a vast accumu-
lation of articles received at the White
House during the past four years has
been the cause of flood of applica-
tons for a share of the distribution.
Many of those who have made per
sonal or written opportunities name the
specific things they want. Among a
number of applications received to-day
three were for shot guns from the
Presidents collection.
The Senate committee on interstate
commerce took the anti-scaiping bill
up this morning and after an informal
discussion agreed that it would be i'm
possible to pass the bill at this
session and that any report that might
be made would be useless. The House
has refused to give the bill day for
consideration.
Capt. Taylor has been ordered to go
to sea with the battleship Indiana and
Join Admiral Bunce's squadron as soon
as the weather moderates. The conclu
sion has been reached that the return Of
the ship to Hampton Roads was I'M
necessary, and it is thought that Admi-
raj Bunce, as soon as opportunity offers,
will have court Of inquiry into the
affair. The Indiana may go to sea to-
night.
In accordance with his notice Mr..
Sherman moved an executive session
few minutes after o'clock at the con-
clusion of the morning business, and
the doors were closed for the considera-
ton of the arbitration treaty with Great
Britain. Mr.. Hill, of New York, at
once made motion that the doors be
opened and the debate proceed in the
presence of the public. He laid some
stress upon the Righteousness of de-
bate upon matter the text of which
was in possession of the public; not only
the text but the amendments proposed
by the committee which were publish
ed in full despite the refusal of the
Senate to remove the injunction Of
secrecy therefrom. The motion was
antagonized not only upon parliamen-
tary grounds but for the reason that it
would be against public policy for such
proceedings to be permitted. Mr..
Gray, of Delaware, was the first speaker
to antagonize the motion of the Senator
from New York. The debate on this
motion will probably consume consider
able time and prevent much attention
being given to the merits of the treaty
this afternoon. Senator Gray was fol-
lowed by Senators Lodge and Sher-
man, who likewise opposed the motion
of Senator Hill. Both these members
Of the foreign relations committee took
the grounds that such proceeding was
against the established precedents of
the Senate, and if it was agreed to
could only lead to i'll results.
Treaties were solemn compacts with
other powers, and whatever was said
in the consideration of their merits or
dement's ought to be said behind closed
doors. If there was to be criticism it
ought not to be in public places, where
the heat of debate might lead to the
utterance Of sentiments that might be
prejudicial to the friendliness now ex-
listing between the two nations.
A prominent republican from the 9th
congressional district of Virginia here
to. day says there are no less than four
applicants in his district for the place
OF U. S. marshal, Messrs. Mccoy, Por-