Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1898-03-07
FROM WASHINGTON.
Correspondence OF the Alexandria GaEette.]
WASHINGTON, March Z.

The U. S. Supreme Court to-day
rendered an opinion in the Nebraska
maximum freight rate case. Inc
opinion was handed down by Justice
Harlan, who held that the Nebaska law
was contrary to the 18th amendment in
that it authorized the taking Of property
without due process of law and was
therefore invalid. This case was iusti-
tuted 10 test the validity ola law passed
bv the Nebraska legislature prescribing
the maximum rates for the transporta-
ton of freight by railroads within the
State. the act applies specifically to
freight whose transit begins and ends
in tae State and there was no effort in
its enactment to control interstate
freight. 1t affected all the railroads in
the State and the railroad companies
instituted the proceedings which were
terminated by tc-day's opinion by fling
bill in the Nebraska circuit court soon
after the law was enacted. The object
OF the bill was to secure an order re
strainiug the State officials from putting
the law into force.
Senator Hale, chairman of the Senate
committee on naval affairs and also
chairman OF the subcommittee on ap-
preparations to consider the naval bill,
said to-day he had no doubt that Sec
rotary Long would contract for war
ships and ammunition if necessary. 81
hardly think, however" he said, "that
it will become necessary, for I hope that
there will be NO war. Furthermore, l
doubt the report that Spain has pur-
chased eny war ships"
I. is learned that the Spanish conf
pleiut against Consul General Lee is
based largely upon his sympathy for
the Cubans and some of his utterances
which have found their way into print.
IL is understood that the Spaniards 81
SO take exceptions to the friendly rela.
tions and companionship existing be-
tween General Lee and correspondents
of papers which have been decidedly
unftendly to Spain.
Not since the disaster to the Maine
has the President received so large
number of early callers of prominence
as this morning. Senators Allison and
Hale were among the first to arrive
and they we're Immediately shown into
the Cabinet room. They were soon
Joined by Secretary Long and Repre-
sentatiyes Dingley, Grosvenor and
Cannon. The conference lasted nearly
or quite an hour and at its conclusion
all lsft about the same time. 1t was
learned that the intimation that Spain
was dissatisfied with General Lac and
might ask the President to recall him
came to the Secretary of State last
Saturday through cablegram
from Minister Woodford, and that
in response 20 the Presidents
refusal to consider General Lees recall
the Madrid authorities signi6ed their
acauiescence and this fact was duly
cabled to the Secretary of State. 1t
therefore appears that the status is the
same as before the incident. 1t is now
stated that the request was never put
in the shape of demand, but that it
was merely suggestion on the part of
Spain and when she found that it
would not be pleasantly received by
this country the matter was dropped
The extent of its displeasure was ex-
pressed in an iutimation simply that
Gen. Lees presence in Havana as the
of the U. S. government
was not agreeable to them. The COM
plant against sending relief supplies to
Cuba in war vessels was made through
Mr.. Du Bose, the Spanish charge, but
when the matter was fully explained to
him he freely expressed his entire sat-
with the present arrangement
and animated that he would withdraw
his protest.
The present probability is that gov
eminent tender and not battleship will
carry provisions to Cuba.
The Navy Department announced at
, O'Clock this afternoon that the cruiser
Montgomery would relieve the dis.
patch boat Fern at Havana and that
the Fern would carry provisions and
relief supplies to Matsnzas and Sagua
la Grande. This is understood to be
arrangement to the Spanish
government and will relieve the Incl.
dent of its irritating feature.
There was q conference last evening
at the residence of Senator Hoar, of
Massachusetts, which was attended BY
members Of the cabinet, Senators and
Representatives. Some of those known
TO be present are Secretaries Long and
Alger, Judge Day, Assistant Secretary
of State; Senator Allison, and Repre-.
sentatives Dingley and Cannon. 1t is
also known that some democrats were
present. Assurances were given the
OF the administra
ton that any amount OF funds
that were deemed necessary would he
provided by Congress to put the gov
ernment in a state of defense and that
the administration would be backed rp
in anything that was thought necessary.
The result of the conference last even
ing was meeting of Secretary Alger
and Speaker Reed and conference at
the White House to-day of House and
Senate leaders, followed by the intro.
duction of the s5O,OOO,OO0 defense bill
by Mr.. Cannon to-day. 1t is expected
that the bill will pass the House to.
In the House to-day Mr.. Otey intro.
duced bill for the relief of W. s.
Hodges, of Halifax county, Va, for
S160, for horse, saddle and bride taken
from him BY the 9th cavalry, U. S. A.,
in 1865.
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