Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1898-04-27
FROM WASHINGTON.
Correspondence Of the Alexandra Gazette.]
WASHINGTON, April q.

taking up the question OF annexing the
Hawaiian Islands. He said the islands
were essential to the United States in
view of the war with Spain and that 20
time should be lost ia perfecting the
treaty. Other members of the commit
tee expressed the opinion that it was
impracticable to proceed with the
question at present.
Among the nominations sent to the
Senate today were Col. w. Il. Nash
to be commissary general of subsistence
with rank of brigadier general, and
Wm. 5. Ballard, of the District OF Co
lumbia, to be assistant agent at the
salmon fisheries of Alaska; P. R. Ward,
OF New York, to be second lieutenant
of artillery.
Numerous complaints have been re-
ceived at the War Department against
the regulations issued by the engineers
Office requiring that vessels Stall not
enter or leave port between sunset and
sunrise at many of the coast cities in
the United States. This regulation was
issued by the office because Of the plac-
ing of submarine mines in the harbors
and was intended as measure OF safety
both for the vessels and for the mines
themselves. Patrol boats are located
at the entrance to the harbors to warn
approaching vessels. The other day a
vessel coming up to Baltimore got her
screw entangled in the cable that had
been laid to connect the submarine
mines with the shore battery. The
cable was dragged about 700 feet before
it became disconnected from the screw,
and in consequence the engineer Off.
Gals were put TO considerable trouble
ia re-esta blishing it in the location pre-
viously occupied. a similar incident
occurred in the harbor Of New York
last night, when an incoming vessel
dragged the cables and displaced sever
al mines. Consideral damage was done
TO the system; but it is remarkable that
none Of the mines exploded and the yes
sci escaped injury. Urgent requests are
being made upon the secretary for q
modification of the original order,
though the GREATEST concession that
may be made, if any ct all is made,
probably will be to extend the hours of
egress and ingress from daylight to
darkness.
Gov Oates, OF Alabama, had con
ference to-day with the President aud
also with secretary Alger. He urged
TIE appointment of Gen. Fitzhugh Lee
ard Gen. Joseph Wheeler as maj or
generals CT volunteers. Subsequently
be said be regarded these two appoint
ments as certain to be among the first
sent ia When the question of age was
raised Gov. Oates poioted out that Gen.
Robert e. Lee was IS years old at the
close of the war Gems. Lee and
Wheeler are past the sxties aud each
is we'll preserved. Gov. Oates says
that age is less of an objection to a
major general than to brlgadier gen.
eral, as the latter is brought into more
active association with the troops. The
President asked Gov. Oates if he had
considered entering the military serv.
ice, TO which he ansWered that he was
ready if his services were needed, al
though he had not sought to return to
military life. Gov. Oates is q one.arm-
ed Confederate veteran.
While there is bo doubt that the
Senators of all parties who advocate
the free coinage of silver will oppose
the bond feature of the war revenue
bill the present prospect is that they
will not seek to delay its passage on
account of that provision. Senators
Teller, Pettigrew and Butler all ex-
pressed the opinion to-day that this
would be the course pursued. Senator
Jones of Nevada, silver republican, is
counted upon to support motion to
eliminate the bond feature. His vote
would be decisive, as he holds the bal
ance of power in the committee. The
present idea of the silver republicans
and populists is to let the a,aj ority pass
the bill in the shape that suits them,
after comparatively brief debate.
Hon. Jay L. Torrey of Wyoming will
be given permission by the President
to raise one of the independent regi-
ments provided for in the volunteer
army act. Mr.. Torrey ia a wealthy
ranch owner but spends the winters
in Washington pressing bankruptcy
legislation. The regiment he will en-.
list will be composed Of frontiersmen
who have special qualifications in
Craftsmanship and Workmanship. He
has been engaged for several weeks
in getting together q number of men
to form the regiment, and hopes to
have them ready so that they may be
among the first to embark for Cuban
soil. He will leaye for the West to
take formal command. Mr. Grigsby,
q warm friend of Senator Kyle, is seek
ing permission to raise the third indie,
pendent regiment provided for by the
VOLUNTEER army act cpd Governor Oates
of Alabama talked with the President
to day regarding the qualification o. a
southern man. whose name is not dis
closed, as commander OF one Of the in
dependent regiments.
a wise Southern Senator, talking to
the Gazette's correspondent to-day. seid
Congress was not responsible for the
present gar, as it could not avoid do
ing what it did do otter the President
sent his message to Congress, stating
that he could do nothing more 10 stop
the evils complained OF, by diplomacy.
He also said he did not agree with the
President and thought that great deal
more could have been done by diplo.
macy, and also, that the people Of his
State. nor OF any other Southern State,
so far IS he had hesrd OF, we're in favor
of the war.
All the members of the House from
Virginia signed paper today asking
tie Secretary of War 10 select Rich
mond fer one of the points for the mo-