Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1898-12-21
FROM WASHINGTON.
Correspondence Of the Alexandria GaEette.l
WASHINGTON, Dec. 81.

Representative Evans, OF Kentucky,
has introduced bill to amend the war
revenue law so that so much of sched9ie
B as relates to the rate at which articles
shall be taxed, is changed SO that Inc
rate shall be one-eighth of one cent on
the retail price or value OF hVe cents
and one-eighth of one cent on eacn ao-
ditional multiple of five cents.
General Miles was on the stand before
the War Investigation Committee this
morning. He refused to be sworn, say,
inc he could tell ell he wished to tell
without taking an oath. The bitterness
he felt towards the Secretary of War
and Adiutant General for giving orders
over his head was evident all through.
He told of the awful condition OF the
hospital and the Commissary Depart
ment in Skaters oommsnd and how,
at Las Quasimas, General Young
had plunged into q battle In
defiance of orders. The balk in
the landing of the troops at Santiago
were entirely due to Skaters neglect
in not providing proper lighters and
tugs. The rations sent to the soldiers
in Cuba and Porto Rico were unit to
be eaten, especially the canned fresh
beef and the refrigerated articles. Near
ly 100000 pounds of the former were
shipped to the soldiers and it was total
" unfit for use. "Whc was to blame
for making it part of the army ra'
ton" ? asked Captain Howell. ASK the
Secretary Of War;" replied Gen. Miles.
While the Senate was in executive
session to-day Mr.. Morgan introduced
and had passed resolution authorlz
ing the Nicaragua canal committee to
sit during the holiday recess of Congress
for the purpose OF investigating the
Grace syndicate that has a concession
in Nicarafua.
Assistant Secretary of the Treasury
Howell has rendered decision that
under the Dingley law there shall be
admitted free into this country all
works of art made by American artist
who have not renowned their citizen
ship and svow their intention OF re-
turning to the United States.
There was another discussion of the
civil service order at the cabinet meet
ing to-day. One point settled is that
deputy collectors shall be removed
from the civil service regulations. There
has been a question whether they could
legally be classed under the civil ser.
vice law and the Presidedt will settle
the question in this order.
Mr.. Ethan Allen Hitchcock, at pres
ent Ambassador to Russia, was nomi-
mated to-day for Secretary of the Inte'
rior, vice Secretary Bliss, resigned.
Mr.. Hitchcock is St. Louis manufac-
turer, is personal friend of Mr.. Nc
Kinley, and subscribed largely to the
fund by which he was elected. There
are now two vacant ambassadorships-
one al London and the other at st. Pc
tersburg.
Congressman Hay, of Virginia, has
been designated by the democratic
members OF the House military com
mittee TO prepare the minority report
on the army bill, and been given five
days from yesterday in which to file it.
| Col. Bryan's advice to the effect that
the Spanish treaty should be ratified, is
not regarded as wise by many members
of his party in Congress; his anti-expan'
sion ideas, on the contrary, are en-
dorsed by nearly all of them.
After several attempts to call up the
Proctor resolution for Senatorial COM
mission to go to Cuba, Mr.. Daniel final
| ly succeeded to-day, but only to have il
| defeated.
Representative Allen, of Mississippi
vino has been invited to attend the
banquet of Lee Camp of ex-Confeder-
etes of Alexandria on the 18th proximo
says he will try to be there.
The Virginia Senators now hope that
they may be enabled to so amend one
of the several appropriation bills as &c
provide for the payment of the amount
| advanced by Virginia for equipping the
| soldiers OF that State enlisted for the
Spanish war.
In the House to day the Bailey res
olution instructing the judiciary com
mittee to inquire into the right of Gen
Wheeler to hold at the same time 8
commission in the army and seat in
the HOUSE, was reported favorably.
During the recent trial of the case o.
Marie 2. E.Evsns vs.. the United States
for half million of dollars worth Of
property in Louisiana appropriated by
q. S. forces in the war between the
States, Assistant Attorner General
Pradt spoke of the claimant as forger
On the instant her son, boy, who was
sitting, by his mothers side, exclaimed
you are liar" For moment every
thing was silent, everybody apparent
| IL being lost in amazement. MIR. Pradt
then walked over to where the boy
was standing and asked him what was
that he said. The response came
| at once. ~ said you were liar
| and cowardly liar, and stand by it,"
Mr.. Pradt demanded that he be arrest
ed and the court SO ordered. When
brought before the bar, Justice Mott
said "Young man, your language is
in contempt of the court, and 1 admon-
ish you not to repeat it, but consider
ing your youth and the provocation, l
will let you off with warning. Gen.
EDpa Hunton of Virginia, who was
counsel in the case, walked up to the
youDgster and said, "My boy, I want
to hug you," and did SO, saying to
those who heard him, ST admire boy
who defends his mother"
Ex-Speaker Alexander Boxwell of
the Ohio House of Representatives,
was one of the Presidents visitors to.
DAY. He has the endorsement of the
Ohio congressional delegation for the
appointment as Chief of the Bureau of
Engraving and Printing.
Tho following changes in the fOurth class