Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1898-03-17
FROM WASHlNGT0
,Orrespondence OF the Alexandria Gazette.

Inc PreSlueQU Ok peClS Tue IepoiV VI
the court of inquiry to morrow or next
day. 1t may even now be on its way
from Key West to Washington. Both
the President and the Secretary OF the
NAVY are determined that no efforts be
spared to maintain the secrecy OF the
courts verdict until they themselves
have determined to give 1t publicity y.
Ii is not even known positively that the
courts conclusions are final, but II the
ordinary routine of the courts inquiry
has been followed in this case they
probably are so, unless the Secretary OF
the Navy believes, after looking into
the testimony, that some lines OF lnves-
tigation should be further pursued. AS
before stated, every precaution will be
adopted to safeguard the report to pre-
vent any publication that may inter.
fere with the successful working out OF
the policy of the administration.
Representative Hull, OF Iowa, chair
man of the House committee on mill
tary affairs, introduced to-day hill re-
organizing the line Of the army. 1t is
sweeping measure, making many
changes in the existing system.
The first disbursement under the re-
cent act of Congress appropriating $50
600 ,O0O for the national defense has
been made by the Treasury Depart
ment on an executive order for $l45,-
995, to be cabled to London to the
credit OF Sir William Armstrong, in
part payment for twelve rapid fire
guns. In addition to this payment the
Treasury Department will cable Roths-
childs at London 81 6S9,621, in full
payment for the Brazilian cruiser Anna
zonas and in part payment for the
Abreuall.
The Senate committee on commerce
to-day authorized favorable report on
Senator Frye's proposed amendment to
the :undry civil appropriation bill pro-
viding for the construction of five new
revenue cutters, to be located as fol-
lows One en- the Oregon coast, one on
the Gulf Of Mexico, one for the Char
lesion, S. c., district and one each for
BJston and Philadelphia herbors.
The largest measure of preparation
yet made by the War Department to
meet the contingencies Of the future
probably has just been completed. 1t
i the preparation of bill providing
among other sections for the placing of
the army on war footing for the full
strength of 104, 600 men. The bill has
been gone over by the War Department
and will be introduced in the House by
Representative Hull, chairman Of the
House committee on military affairs.
The Spanish minister received dis
patch to day from Captain General
Blanco announcing that the council of
secretaries has resolved to prorOgue in
all parts of Cuba up to March 81, 1899,
decree of April, 1897, relative to the
suspension proceedings against landed
estates, unless the insular legislature
takes special action on the subject.
The House committee on naval sf-
fairs has about disposed of the question
of increases in the vessels of the navy.
The committee by unanimous vote
adopted motion to authorize the con-
struction Of six torpedo boats and six
torpedo boat destroyers and the pro-
vision for this has been incorporated in
the naval bill. 1t is said the torpedo
boats will cost in the neighborhood Of
800, 600 each. A member of the COM
mittee stated that the torpedo boat de
stroyers may cost between 100000 and
$3.50, 900 each.
Representative Wheeler, of Alabama,
to-day introduced joint resolution
that a joint committee be created to re-
port without delay to the two Houses
an address to the government OF Spain
declaring in firm and diplomatic Ian
guage that Americans and American
interests in Cuba must be protected
aud that the atrocities now being per-
petrated in that island must cease; also
that the executive be requested to i'm
mediately transmit this address to the
government of Spain by such methods
as he may deem most advisable, togeth-
err with q letter of endorsement and ap
prevail of this action on the part of Con-
gress.
Blanche K. Bruce, Register of the
Treasury, died this morning at S:l5
o'clock. His death had been expected
for several days. Bruce was born in
Prince f iward county, Virginia, March
l, 1871. He was of African descent,
was born slave, aud received the rudi-
ments of education from the tutor Of
his masters son. He taught school for
a time in Hannibal, Mo-, and latter be-
came student at Obarlin. 10 1869 he
became planter in Mississippi and was
appointed member of the Mississippi
levee board. He was elected sheriff OF
his county aud subsequently superin.
tendent of education. In 1875 he was
elected United States Senator as re.
publican and served until March 8,
1881. He was member of every re.
publican national convention held since
1865. In 1881 he was appointed by
President Garfield Register of the
Treasury and later was appointed Re
corder of Deeds of the District of Co.
lumbia. About six months ago he was
again appointed Register of the Treas
ury BY President Mckinley. Next at.
ter Fred Douglass, Bruce had long
been regarded as perhaps the most con.
spicuous man of his race. The funeral
will take place on Monday. the services
being held at the Metropolitan Metho-
dist Episcopal Church (colored).
Senator Stewart to-day gave notice
of an amendment he will offer to the
naval appropriation bill pooviding for
the construction of is coast defense
monitors and appropriating 81 100000
with which to begin the work.
The House committee on elections
No. to-day decided the contested cleo.
ton case of A. T. Goodwin against
Willis Brewer, 10 the fifth Alabama dis.