Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1898-03-05
FROM WASHING ION.
Correspondence OF the Alexandria Gazette.
WASHINGTON, March 5.

WASHINGTON, March 5.
The proposed transfer of Dry Tor
tugas, which is now regarded as the
most important quarantine station off
our southern coast, to the War De-
partment would necessitate the imme'
date selection of another location for
station off the coast Of Florida. The
quarantine season begins April l, 80
mat if the War Department decides to
resume control over Dry Tortugas and
Fort Jefferson, which is located there,
30 time will be lost by the Marine Hos
pital officials in fitting out another sta
ton. The same advantages claimed for
Dry Tortugas as point for quarantine
station are claimed for it as strategic
poiut for base for fleet operating
against Cuba. 1t was used during the
war between the States as base Of
operations against the Confederate
States. The group of keys, or islets, of
which Gorden Key, upon which the
station is located, is the centre, cover an
area OF Il square miles. Gorden Key
consists of 10 acres. On it are the old
fort, Tortugas harbor light, having a
range of Is miles, and the quarantine
station.
The developments at the State, War
aud Navy Departments in connection
with the Spanish situation have divid-
ed themselves into two distinct
branches, one relating to the Maine
court of inquiry and the other the
ra,ural and necessary steps to place
the naval and military arms of the SER
vice on an efficient basis. Concerning
the court and its work the information
reaching the authorities here is of the
most fragmentary character and the
highest naval officials reiterate that
nothing is at hand to indicate even the
tendencies of the members of the court
from the evidence they have thus far
received. Admiral Sicard's telegram
last night gives the only clue as to the
plans OF the court, and this in effect is
that it will be some time before the testi-
mouy of divers and other witnesses can
be taken, and an idea formed as to the
date of submitting the report. 1t is
felt ct the Navy Department that this
will leave the question, so far as the
court s concerned, in state of doubt
for some days longer, probably a week
or ten days.
The subcommittee of the Senate com.
mittee on judiciary conducting the in
vestigation into the charges against
Judge Ewart, republican, of North
Carolina, was 10 session to-day. Sen
ator Butler, populist, who is the author
of the charges, sat with the committee
aud asked the witnesses many ques-
tons.
Thomas J. Miller was appointed post.
master at Honaker, Va, to-day.
The Navy Department is embarrass-
ed by the lack of seamen necessary to
gill the complement of ships already or
about to go into commission and, in
view of the shortage, the officials in
charge of the recruiting stations at
League Island, Norfolk and New York
have been instructed to enlist such sea-
men az may be available and not con
fine themselves to persons who have
heretofore been in the navy.
Probably everybody who has o ship
under construction which by any pos
sibility could be metamorphosed into
war craft has written to the Navy De.
partment offering their ships for sale to
the government. There is o strong
tncture of war prices" in the figures
named by many of these patriotic cti-
zans as a selling price for that craft.
Senior Du Bose, the Spanish charge
d'atfaires. called at the State
Department this morning and had
short talk. with Judge Day con.
corning recent flibustering move.
ments. The department desired to get
fuller information than had thus far
been furnished. 1t is understood that
Spain's purchase OF warships and other
subjects which have attracted much in.
terest within the last few days were in
no way referred to, as Mr.. DuBosc has
received no information on these SUBJ
jects and they are not open to diplomat
ic negotiations.
Amcng the officers Of the national
pure food and drug association that
was organized here yesterday are Mr..
Tauh anu I'LL LII. ~. vi
this city, the former having been elect
vice president and the latter treasurer.
An executive committee was appoint.
ed to urge upon Congress the import
ance of passing bill to effect the OBJ
ject of the association.
Neither house of Congress was in
session to-day and the only Virginia
congressman seen at the Capitol were
Messrs. Lamb and Epes. The former
will on Monday present the petition OF
the Fredericksburg Battlefield Park
Association in favor OF the passage of
the bill to create that park.
Judge Bradley in the Criminal Court hero
yesterday, in sentencing to bs hanged an in
solent negro murderer, said from the bench
81 do not know of case in which the COM
munity should be more deeply congratulated
in being rid of such man as that. Lynching,
probably, would be better than putting the
government to the expense OF keeping snd
hanging than brute"
At the executive session of the Senate yes
terdsy the nominations of Mr. Crupper as
postmaster at Alexandria, and Mr.. Cobbs rs
consul ST Colon were confirmed.
L large delegation Of people from Norfolk
~. -. 49,