Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1899-12-09

tlcularly true vi WOOl01s, Silks auu Col-
ton fabrics. Kitchen utensils OF the
metal variety now retail for less than
what they sold for in 1880; wooden
ware had been reduced so per
cent. in Is years, aud glass,
china, etc, were 25 per cent. less
than they were ten years ago. His es-
innate was that the profits CT the great
retail stores varied from to 6per cent.
only. Toe reduction il prices of goods
had stimulated competition, and the
large department stores furnished en-
ployment to an enormous army OF men,
women and children. Mr.. Wanamaker
further stated that the comfort and
convenience enjoyed by the public in
shopping, the saving of wear and tear
Of body and MUD, the educating power
Of well displayed collections OF the
products of the fine and useful arts are
incidents in the system of modern re-
failing that will 20 far toward justify
Jog its present phase of development.
Wien the House special committee
% investigate the Roberts case met
this morning, Mr.. Roberts submitted 6
number OF legal documents in the
shape of demurrers and objections. He
then made statement to the commit
tee, 10 which he denied the charges
against hin. He told the committee
he had exactly the same right to seat
in the House that any one of them had
and that in striking him they were
striking at the Constitution. A dele
cation from Utah were present to testify
against MIR. Roberts, ell of whom are
his personal, and most of them his pc
litical enemies. 1t was reported at the
Capitol this morning that the commit
zee would report in favor OF allowing
Mr.. Roberts to be sworn ip.
At the afternoon session A. T.
Schroeder appeared to state the case OF
chose who are opposed to the seating Of
Roberts Roberts objected on the
ground that Schroeder is unfit to ap
pear before the committee in eny ca
pacity, and he would show by the rec.
DDS OF the Supreme Court of Utah that
he is under censure for unprofessional
conduct.
Chairman Tayler decided Schroeder
should be heard. Schroeder said those
opposed to Roberts would undertake to
prove that he had the status of q polye-
amist; that as late as August, 1897
twins were born to Cecilia Rob.
erts whom he held as his second wife
Schroeder asked that the friends and
relatives of Roberts should be sum.
moned. He suggested as one of them
Ada Roberts, daughter of Roberts, who
is now in the city. Mr.. Mcpherson, o.
the committee, suggested that pre-
iminary to the investigation Roberts
should be called upon for complete
statement of his position.
Roberts stated that the burden O
proof rested upon those who made th'
charges. He would decline to testify
until the pres oution had presented it
case.
A committee of the National Bankers
| Association appeared before Assistan
Attorney General Boyd this morning
to attempt to pursuade him to compe
the express companies of the country
TO pay brokerage tax. The bankers
argument was to the effect that thu
money orders issued by the expires!
| companies are in effect bills of ex
change and every express agent who is
sues one is liable to the tax. The OK
press companies asserted on the othe
baud that money orders are not bill
OF exchange, checks or any other 10
struments, but constituted distinctive
class of documents. Mr.. Nice ,ok also
pleaded that if the express ,ents werl
prohibited from issuing money orders
by the heavy tax, large sections of The
country would be paralyzed.
Senator Burrows today presented tt
the President petition signed by 6
| committee representing Hollanders o
| Michigan, asking that the President
tender the good Offices of the United
States in the settlement of the difficulty
bstween Great Britain and the Beers.
People from Alexandria county here
today say the proposition to issue bond!
70 improve the roads thereof is the alb
sorbiog topic of local talk there now
and that the majority OF the people
there seem to be in favor of it.
Among the bills introduced in thu
House during yesterdays session wal
one by Mr.. Hay, of the 9TH Virgins
district, for the relief of the Methods
Episcopal Church of Winchester.
A Spanish war pension has beer
GRANTED to Sidney M. Trammill, o
! Chantilly, Va.
Senator Daniel intended going home
today, but remained here to attend thu
banquet of the Virginia democratic as
ISOLATION of this city next Monday
| night. After that he will 60 to Lynch
burg and remain there until after ths
holidays, as there is nothing to detair
him here.
The House committees have been nIacti
| cally completed with the exception of the
rev one, the colonial, created yesterday
There is great rush for membership on it
| aud, strange as it may appear to some, many
Southern members are even asking to bt
transferred 10 it from those on which they
have been placed. The possibilities of the
| new colonies sre immense.
Republican majorities will be placed il
control Of all the important committees, and
NF. OOA, vi NOIsu CaIOlllld, Iuo PIoeou
democratic secretary of the Senate will be dis
placed, it is expected, next week by Mr.
rlslkson, of Iowa. though it is reported thai
the latter is not agreeable to some Of the re.
publican Senators.
Senator Haw'ey, chairman of the military
affairs committee. will introduce bill on
Monday to provide for chaplains for the Phil.
ippne army. 1t will provide that chaplsins
in tho regular army shall receive $4,000 a
year. the same as in the volunteer army in.
stead of only 81 500 as at present.