Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1898-05-20
FROM WASHINGTON.
of the Alexandria Gazette

vet uncertain as to the precise date on
which he will sail for the Philippines.
The General expects that he will have
an ample force of men to establish the
mission on which he is sent. Between
Is, 900 and 1900 troops, ne thinks,
will be allotted him. Of this number
be hopes there may be 5000 soldiers OF
the regular army.
Senator Shoup of Idaho said to-day he
thought the indications were that the
war might last year. Senator Mel
son of Minnesota said he believed Con-
gress would adjourn within month.
The Senate committee on finance
finds it necessary to make additional
amendments of the war revenue bill be-
fore proceeding farther with the mea-
sure, and an adjournment of the Senate
will be taken at the close of to-day's
session until Monday in order to allow
the committee to devote the entire day
to morrow to this work. A session of
the committee was held to day but
there was not sufficient time to reach
a conclusion, aud the entire meeting
was given up to discussion of the
changes necessary and in trying to ar
rive at an understanding of what should
be done to perfect the bill. There is no
division Cd party lines on most of the
changes required, as they are largely OF
technical character. The most i'm
portant change which has been urged
and which now seems likely to be made
is that altering the tobacco schedule. 1t
now looks as if the House rate of
twelve cents pound would be res!or-
ed on manufactured tobacco and as if
there would also be change in the
schedule as it affects cigarettes. There
is desire to have mutual life insurance
companies exempted from some OF the
requirements OF the provision in regard
to insurance organizations and move
ment to restore the provision relating
to building and loan associations.
Two members of the New Jersey
volunteers which stopped in this city
were arrested here to-day by the civil
authorities On charge of vandalism.
They had defaced the much priced
bronze doors on the east side Of the
Senate wing by scratching their names
on the doors and the breaking of of
one of the few pistol points left by
other vandals. The names left on the
doors were those of Robert Kellett and
Il. Hyland. They were traced to their
headquarters and when demand was
made for their surrender no objection
was made. The doors are considered
very foe work OF art. They cost origi-
ually $50 900 and it will be very diff
cult to erase the names as they were
written in deeply.
The House committee on military az
fairs to-day agreed to report bill pro.
viding for the pay of volunteers for the
interval between their enrolment and
muster into service; also the Senate bill
providing that officers of the regular
army may accept positions in the vol
unteer service during the war without
losing their relative rank IN the regu-
lar army.
If the Spanish fleet is at Santiago de
Cuba the fact probably is not known
officially to the Navy Department this
morning, Notwithstanding the fact that
the Department has been using all OF
the machinery OF the consular service.
in addition to the services of numerous
scouting vessels, to get and keep track
OF that fleet
Representative Otey, of Virginia, and
others, called at the White House to
day to urge the candidacy of Adjutant
General Male, of Virginia, whose papers
for brigadier generalship are now be
fore Secretary Alger for action. The
President stated that he was much
pleased with General Males endorse
ments but that he was not yet ready to
take up the civil list OF army appoint
ments but would do so as soon as pos
sible.
By direction of the President the as
signment of Brigadier General Francis
l.. Guenther to the Second corps, Falls
Church, Va, was made to-day.
Gen. Fizhugh Lee left here this
morning for Richmond, and from there
will proceed, unless otherwise ordered,
to Tampa. The only members of his
staff selected by himselfare Lieutenants
Algernou Sartoris and Fitzhugh Lee,
jr. The others will be detailed from
the list of army officers.
Congressman Yost, of the 10th Vir
GINA district, says he still thinks that
Glasgow will be the democratic nomi-
nee for Congress in that district and that
the Quarles men from Augusta county
will go for him as their second choice.
He says that Messrs. Rivercomb and
Franklin are the only ones he hears OF
as candidates for the republican nomi-
nation, and that he doesn't know
whether either one of them wants it.
Among the nominations the Presi.
dent sent to the Senate to-day were
the following: Captain Patrick Henry
Ray, Sth U. S, infantry to be colonel of
3rd regiment q. S. volunteer infantry;
to be assistant adjutant general with
rank of msjor, h. Kyd Douglas, of
Maryland; TO be captain in the signal
corps, Benjamin F. Montgomery, of
Virginia.
Secretary Long to-day issued an or
der for the Marine Band to play in the
Presidents grounds every Saturday
afternoon beginning June 4th until
oath. Although no orders to
that effect have been issued it is expect
ed tia the band will give its concerts |
at the Capitol grounds as usual every |
Wednesday afternoon during the sum.
mer. The band has been ordered 10
take part in the memorial exercises at |
Arlington cemetery on Decoration Day. |
Secretary Alger has sent to Congress
sunnl eme entail estimates of opnronrio