Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1898-02-17

that under the most favorable circum-
stances this investigation cannot be
made for several days. Fear is ex.
pressed by the older officers at the
Navy Department that the destruction
of the Maine had been 30 complete that
it will be impossible to find sufficient
evidence in the wreck of the hull to be
able to declare with certainty the cause
Of the disaster. II may be said,
however, that nothing has yet
developed in the news from
Havana as to the appearance of the
wreck or in the conflicting stories of the
survivors to change the opinion OF the
majority of the officers stationed in the
Navy Department that the Maine sunk
as the result of an internal explosion.
The Maine took 3n $50 tons of coal in
December and, in January before she
left for Havana she loaded up with 27l
tons more. This coal at Key West is
kept behind picket fence very much
exposed to any evil minded person who
might desire to conceal bomb therein.
Numerous Inquiries are being received
at the Navy Department from the
asking whether the bodies OF the
drowned will be brought to this country
for interment The general reply Is
that it is not likely the remains will be
shipped here, but that the bodies of the
men Will probably be buried in the
cemetery at Havana at the expense OF
the government. 1t is probable that
the families Of the victims OF the Maine
disaster will be cared for by the gov
eminent as were the survivors Of those
who were lost in the Samoan hurricane
several years ago. Admiral Scard
telegraphed Secretary Long from Key
West this afternoon as follows: In
the opinion of Lieut.. John Hood. of the
Maine, who has just arrived from Hav-
ana, the Maine can never again be
utilized as q ship. He describes the
whole forward body of the ship as COM
pletely collapsed where the shock of
explosion was heaviest. Photographs
of the wreck will be sent to the depart
ment to-day"
10 execution of the decision of the
President last evening to have ma
tional observance ofmourning, an order
was issued to-day that the flags at all
army headquarters, military posts and
on army and public buildings be dis
played from sunrise to sunset at half
staff until further orders.
The resolution declaring that the
sale OF the Kansas Pacific Railroad
ought not to be confirmed passed the
Senate this evening by vote of "a
10 %
The fact that the Kansas Pacific
Railroad, valued at thirty million dol
lars, was sold yesterday, by the COL
sent of the administration, for six and
third million, thereby destroying
the governments lien on the Union Pa
cifc, is said to be one of the most pat
ent public steals of this stealing age.
Intelligence here today is to the eff
feet that flibustering expedition has
been seized and detained in Jamaica
This is the only country from which
such expeditions sail with imDunity.
Among the visitors at the Capitol to-
day was ex-Congressman George Wise
of Richmond. who is looking as we'll as
he did when ne was member of the
House several years ago. He had an
agreeable talk with Capt. Lamb, VINO
now fills his seat Mr. Wise came here
TO attend the funeral this morning OF
his first cousin, Mrs. DR.. Garnett, at
which were present all the four remain.
ing children of the late Gov. Henry A.
Wise, two sous and two daughters.
II the House to-day MIR. Lamb oil
Virginia introduced bill to pay the es
tate 0: the late MI O'Daa of Richmond
$l1. SS5, for stores taken by the federal
army. In the Senate to-day Mr.. Mar
tin presented resolutions in favor Of
making a national park out of the bat
tlefelds near Fredericksburg, and called
up and had passed his resolution for q
survey of Deep Creek, Virginia.
The President to day sent to the Sen
ate these nominations: George H.
Lyman, of Massachusetts TO be collec-
tor of customs, distric. of Boston and
Charlestown, Mass John T. Williams,
of North Carolina, to be consul at
Sierra Leone, Africa; ]. f. Anderson
and l.. l.. Lumsden, of Virginia. to be
assistant surgeons Of the marine hos
pital service.
The loss OF the Maine is an opportu
nifty that has been availed of by the
contractors and lobbyists for urging in
creased appropriations for additional
ships and Notifications.
Congressman Rixey says that as soon
as the Alexan6rians notify him that
they can come here and go before COM
mittees of the House to ask for appro-
prations for dredging the Potomac at
the Kettle Bottoms and Mattiwoman,
and for bridge across the Potomac at
Arlington, he will see the chairmen Of
those committees aud try to make an
appointment for them to do so.
Thomas Jeiferson's birthday anniversary
will be &C ebIated on April 13 by the National
Association OF Democratic Clubs with sub
scription dinner in this city, which in nearly
every respect will be repetition OF the ia.
nous dinner here in 1897. As was the case
last year. Mr. Bryan will be the principal
speaker this year. He hiss already accepted
tho invitation of President Chauncey F.
Black
A Virginia republican here to-day, who
processes TO know what he is talking about.
says that, contrary to the prevalent opinion
in respect of the contested election cases from
his tate, the report of the elections COM
mittee in the Brown. Swanson case will not
be in favor of the contestant, as two Of the
republican menbers, Cochrane Of New York
and Kirk patrick OF Pennsylvania are opposed
to him, but that in the Wise. Young case, the
report will be- in the contestants favor.