Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1897-12-18
FROM WASHINGTON.
Correspondence Of the Alexandria Gazette
UAcurncrOr Dac 1S

ing nominations among others 10 the
Senate: Frank w. Parker and John
Z. McFie to be associate justices of the
Supreme Court OF New Mexico.
The Secretary Of State has decided to
omit the diplomatic breakfast usually
given to the Diplomatic Corps on New
Years day in view OF the death o. the
Presidents mother.
Senator Teller said to-day he would
oppose the confirmation of the nomina-
ton OF Mr.. Charles Page Bryan to be
minister to China. 81 have" be said,
"known Mr.. Bryan for many years, as
he was formerly resident of Colorado,
and my personal relations with him
have always been amicable. My oppo.
sition to his confirmation is based sole
" upon the ground that be has had no
experience or training that would justi'
fy this government in selecting him for
the most important mission we have at
the present time. Il cannot be doubt
ed that certain European countries IL
tend, if they can possibly find an eZ-
case for so doing, to dsmember China
aud divide up that great territory be-
tween them. l do not believe that
such high-hsnded outrage should be
perpetrated and if it is attempted l
think that other self respecting nations
not engaged in the division of the
spoils should enter q vigorous protest.
This attempt at the ACKNOWLEDGMENT of
China will in all likelihood give rise to
a serious and complicated diplomatic
controversy, in which this country will
be involved. 1t is hardly to be sup
posed that under the circumstances we
would be uuconcerned spectators OF
such proceedings. For this reason we
should have in China one OF the ablest
and most experienced Of public meD.
The mission to England, France, or
Russia is at this time ofless importance
than is the Chinese mission. My oppo-
sition to Mr.. Bryan grows out of the
recognized necessity of having strong
man at this important post, and l do
not believe that the friends OF Mr..
BRYAN will contend that he meets these
requirements"
The republican members ofthe House
who are framing bill to reform the
civil service law, have not yet got to-
gether to draft their measure. Chair
man Hepburn of the special committee
having the matter in charge says he
expects the bill to be mstured soon al
ter TIE holiday recess closes. Repre-
sentative Tawney, who is chairman Of
the committee to look up evidence OF
the maladministration of the present
law, is making al elaborate collection OF
the material calculated to show defects
in the law and its enforcement.
In the Senate to-day Mr.. Daniel in-
troduced bill for the erection of q mon
ument to General Joseph Warren of
Massachusetts at Bunker Hill, and one
TO General Hugh Mercer OF Fredericks-
burg at Princeton, in fulfillment of an
order of the Continental Congress to
that effect 1t was referred to the libra
re committee. Mr.. Daniel also intro.
duced q bill to pay the claim of the
estate of Dennis O'Dea of Richmond,
amounting to 81, SS5 for property DE-
stroyed by federal soldiers. 1t was re-
.erred to the claims committee.
II the House to-day MIR. Rixey il
olucad bill for the relief of Fletcher
Chapel, a Baptist church in King
George county, Vs., injured by the fed
eral army during the war between the
States.
Congressman Lamb of Richmond has
:. ceiyed letter from General Fllz John
Porter, complimenting him upon his ad-
miratle address on the battle of Nal.
vern Hill, aud extolling the gallantry
exhibited by the Confederate soldiers
q that sanguinary engagement.
The executive committee OF the re-
publican party of Virginia and many
republican Office seekers from that
State are here to-day, the Hotel John
sou, their headquarters, being lively
with them. The intention Of the com :.
N ttee was to call upon the President
nd urge him to appoint the men they
have recommended to the federal offices
ia Virginia, that is, if Senator Hanna,
without whose advice they do nothing,
should think such a call advisable.
They all seem to be hopeful OF having
their own way, and pay little or no
regard to the wishes of the other wing
of their party. 1t is reported that if
Mr. Bowen, General Walkers candi-
date, be not appointed marshal of the
western district of their State, the
General will not endorse Mr.. Yost's
candidate for the district attorneysbip,
Mr.. Franklin. The committee say
neither one OF these applicants will be
appointed.
There is some talk here about one of
the Episcopal churches in this city fol-
lowing the example of New York
church of the same denomination, and
forming dancing class for the young
peopla OF its congregation.
Senator Perkins of California went
to The White House to-day to see the
President 10 reference to Colonel Mos
by, who will so IN return to San Fran.
cisco, and find out, if possible, why Mr..
Mckinley after promising him and Sen
ator Proctor that the Colonel should be
we'll pr.vided for, has failed to fulfill
that promise, but there was such
crowd of mportunates there that he
hadn't time to wait for his turn.
An Ohio democrat here to-day says Mr..
Hanna is already beaten by his own party,
and that now his only hopo of election de-
ponds upon the number Of democratic mem.
bers of the legislature he can buy. He says
this is true sad as it may re.
There were few members in either house of
Congress to-day, most Of the members having
already gone home to spend the holidays.
Senator Daniel is still here. but his colleague,
Mr.. Martin. has left.
The Senate in executive session to day con-
fr,nnd q laree nnmher of foreign anpoint