The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-11-17
NEW COURTHOUSE
FOR ALEXANDRIA.
The Historical County Dedicates Its
New Seat With Due Ceremony.
GOV. TYLER WAS THE ORATOR.
His Speech Was Appropriate """ "'
Received The New Building Is
One of the Best of It's hi"d'
Many Distinguished Visitors

new Alexandria County t0uft10a9f az
Fort Never Heights Just across the
river. on the Virginia side, was dedicated
This afternoon with appropriate exercises
The Measure OF the day, however was
marred by the dun. leaden sky aud chilly
atmosphere which made those present
very uncomfortable and kept the atten-
dance down to about 800. Had the day
been more auspicious n great throns
would have erected Governor Tyler ana
the other speakers.
SPOKE OUT DOORS.
The speech-making took place out-oi-
doors. a raised platform having been
provided for the speakers and some OF
the invited guests.
Governor Tyler arrived shortly before
2 o'clock, the hour set for tie exercises
TO begin. lie was accompanied by Col
onel SHELTON, Of his stan, and Messrs.
j. G. Clements and Frank Hume, OF
Alexandria After greeting a rev OF
those present Governor Tyler proceeded
10 tho stand.
Mr.. George n Saegmuller, chairman
Of the Executive Committee, called the
meeting to order. and In the absence OF
Mr.. j. T. Clements. of Alexandra, VINO
was chosen for the duty, briefly intro
duced tho Governor.
THE GOVERNORS ADDRESS.
Governor Tyler said:
Standing here I'm the presence OF this
vast assemblage Of representative people.
and at this magnificent building. which
is hereafter 20 be a place for the dis
pensatlon Of justice. and as | gaze upon
the faces Of so many people VINO are
eager to hear all that IS said upon tins
notable occasion, ] am forcibly Impress
ed with the situation of that poor fellow
who was brought into court for trial.
The Jury had been empanelled, and the
prisoner who. perhaps, had previously
had touch of public speaking. was ask
ed to make his plea. Rising TO his iull
height and giving emphasis 10 each
word. he said: If your Honor please,
and gentlemen of the jury. this is an in
stance in which the place sought the
man, and not the man the place. or
course, when he was convicted and sent
10 iail. he repeated the assertion.
My friends, l was not a candidate FOR
this place, but since by the kindness OF
the good people Of this county and the
earnest persuasion of your committee, i
was sought 10 come here and add a few
words TO what may be said upon this
great occasion by others, j felt that !
could not decline. and I am therefore with
you, even though l come 20 speak brief
w. You all must know how eXacting,
DtTUtAlIbf anu lNiiS AtA' 'NNA my ~
fetal duties since this little unpleasant
ness" with Spain began, that # has been
impossible for me TO find time 10 prepare
an address that would comport with this
notable event. SO many applications for
positions I'm the volunteer army, so many
appeals from parent TO have their sons
discharged from the service. and so many
other applications of various sorts have
been pouring into the Executive office,
I find time II slim
away from Richmond to be with you even
for a short while to-day
In the shadow Of the great Capitol at
Washington you have erected this impos-
ing structure. which. while IL Will be
a monument 10 your enterprise ana pub
lie spirit, viii also be a testimonial
through years 20 come TO the devotion
OF your people 20 justice, law, and order
We are here upon historic ground and
may Inspiration from the past constrain
those of the present and the future TO
walk uprightly and dispense justice with
an even hand, and declare the law with
out fear and without favor. Let II for
ever be that here will stand
Poetic Justice. with her lifted scale.
Wherein nice balance truth with gold
she weighs"
AS TWIN SISTERS.
For many years, 7 am told, you have
been striving to have u courthouse built
in a more convenient locality than the
one you have been using since the forma-
ton of your county. This movement has
not been prompted by desire to separate
yourselves from your own beautiful city,
and It will IN no wise weaken the tie that
has bound YOU together Instead OF
standing as one strong pillar of protec-
ion. henceforth you VIII be as twin SIS
ters united I'm one common endeaNor 10
preserve law and order in your section.
You have reared this temple on the
banks of this beautiful river, whose
waters have rippled IN musical notes,
telling in ceascless songs Of the grandeur
OF the scenery along their banks, and OF
the glory of the men and loneliness OF the
women who have enlivened and made
glorious these historic hills and plains
cultivate these grounds. adorn and beau
tify them and make this a fit set
ting among the other Jewels with which
art and nature have beautihed this favor
ed locality.
BY concurrent action Of the United
States Congress. and the Legislature Of
virginia. maue known by proclamation
OF the President of the United States. this
portion OF the District Of Columbia,
which. by an act of the General Assem-
bly, of Virginia. passed the 5rd day OF
December 1889 was coded, or given, 10
the United States and all the rights and
jurisdiction herewith given over the
same. having with the assent OF the peo-
pie OF tho county and town OF AieXan-
dria, ascertained. as prescribed by an
act of Congress. approved the 9Th day OF
July, 1886. was given back and forever
relinquished unto the state OF Virginia
In full and absolute right and jurisdiction,
as wen OF soil as of persons residing or
10 reside therein And II was declared
that the same be reannexed to the Com
monwealth of Virginia. and 10 constitute
part thereof, subject TO such reserva-
ton and provisions respecting the public
property OF the United states as Congress
had enacted In its act Of recession This
portion retroceded by the United states
TO Virginia. was called Alexandria city
and county
1t IS an int~esting coincident that the
Governor OF Virginia, who stands with
you to-day, helping I'm the dedication ser
vices Of this building was born in the
same year and almost on tho same DAY
this county was formed: but 1 must insist
that no one will consider me as old or as
great as this historic county.
REVERENCE FOR LAW.
This Is not only the nearest temple Of
Justice that Virginia has to our great ma
tons capital. but is the nearest public
structure she has 20 Arlington. the home
Of our peerless Lee May the memory of
the nlustrious hero be a constant inspi-
ration IN the performance OF all obliCa-
lions by those who Will preside within
III "a 49,