Evening star., 1898-11-16

pi oper steps could be completed for the re-
cepticn of the crowd expected at O'Clock
this afternoon. For weeks past the execu-
tive committee has shown praisew by
erergy in perfecting plans for the dedica-
ton cera mol les.
The Speakers.
AS previously announced, Governor Tyler
accepted an invitation to be present and
make an address. did also Senator
Daniel and Representative Rixly of Vir-
ginia and Messrs. A. A. Lipscomb and ].
E. Clements. attorneys of this city, resid-
ing in Alexandria county.
When reporter of The Star reached the
court house, about II O'Clock this morning
he found a small crowd already gathered
engaged in a more or less critical examina-
tion of the new structure. This handsome
temple of justice is regarded by many,
however, as a model of present-day archf-
lecture, being built of red pressed brick
trimmed with stone w!ijs. fine clock
tower rises to q height of $50 feet from the
ground, giving style and symmetry to the
building from all points of view. The
ground for the site was donated to the
county by Messrs. George P. Robinson.
Daniel X. Trimmer and l.. A. Lodge
The weather this morning, while some-
what threatening, did not affect the at
tendance to any marked extent, and at
noon the prospect was encoura ging for a
successful event.
The program, as heretofore printed in
The Star, was in the main carried out. The
addresses were congratulatory to the citi-
zens OF the county upon having 50 success
fully accomplished the long-deferred pur-
pose of securing a modern temple of JUS
tice, and the building was declared TO be
worthy of the county and its people.
Commissioner WiGhfs Address.
Among the speakers was Commissioner
Wight of the District of Columbia. In the
course of his address Mr. Wight said:
THE District of Columbia extends its
&C ongratulations to the people of Alexandria
county upon the completion of this beauti-
ful building, the establishment of which
is no doubt a matter of very great interest
and pleasure, and which l trust will not
only be matter of considerable Importance
to you, but to those OF us who live across
the river.
There are very strong ties of affinity
binding the people of the District of Column
bia with those of this portion of the COM
monwealth of Virginia. We cannot forget
that your chief citizen, the immortal Wash.
irston, was so largee instrumental in es-
tablishing there the seat of the national
capital, that was for time his official
home, and that he took so great an inter-
est in the wise planning of the city. Nor
can we forget that the commonwealth of
territory for the establishment of the Dis
trlct of Columbia
Pleasant Relations Existing.
The relations which have existed be-
tween the people of the District of Colum-
bia and the people of your county have
been, 1 believe, very pleasant. Some Of
our leading merchants have their residences
here, and near this spot where We are AS
sembled today lie the sacred remains of
thousands of brave soldiers. We extend
oLr congratulations this auspicious occa-
sion and trust that this court house will
prove in every way as beneficial as YOU
hope TO have 1t.
There is another bond OF affinity exist
ing between the two places that is not so
creditable or desirable. Our gamb'e eHd
your hospitabl shores produce rompina-
ton that is disgraceful to us and a stain
upon the fair name of your state. Efforts
were made a short time ago, and with cor
siderable success. TO remedy this condi-
ton, but a good deal may yet be done with
proper cooperation between the District
officials and the officials Of this county.
II am sure that / speak not only Of
ficially, but for the entire element of good
citizenship in the District of Columbia
when l say that we shall be most happy
to cooperate with you in any way posi-
BILE to remedy this evil.
I'm the name of the Commissioners and
the citizens of the District of Columbia, /
again extend our most sincere congratula-
tons