Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1899-12-21
FROM WASHINGTON.
Correspondence of the Alexandria Gazette.]
Washington, December 81.


The Virginia legislature adjourned
today. and several of its members from
the northern part of the State passed
through here on their way home. They
say they will have smooth and un-
evsntful session, and that not having
much to demand their attention several
of their colleagues are devoting some OF
their time to plans for political promo
ton in their respective districts.
Loudoun county people here today
say that the many friends of Mr.. Ryan,
ex-Speaker of the Virginia House OF
Delegates, not only in that county, but
W some of the others of bis district are
liking about presenting his name to
rae next congressional convention IN
t1at district. If that be 80, there will
b. two Loudoun county candidates tor
tie nomination Of that convention, as
Judge McCabe has long ago announced
hi nself as one.
The insular committee of the
House, of which Mr.. Jones, of Virginia,
l. member, will commence its sessions
lnme diaiely after the recess. Its dem
ccralic members have great RESPONSE
bility, for il i, upon them that the coun'
try has to repend for most OF the reliable
Information about the recently-acquired
provinces, and it will require the exer-
else of all their ability to exact that in
formation from the departments and to
apply it to the benefit of the country,
aud not to that of the republican party,
as their astute republican colleagues
will try to do. :,
Influential democratic from Maryland
here today, talking about the proposed
resignation OF Representative Smith, OF
their State, now Governor.ele there
of, say he would have proved himself Il
wiser man if he had resigned before be
lodged the vote on the currency bill
last Monday.
C. II. Hamilton OF Milwaukee has
sent President Mckinley 81, 900 for the
Lawton fund, and subscriptions OF SlOO
.acn TO the same iuod have been made
oy Secretaries Hay and Root, and by
he wife of the Presidents secretary.
The State Departures t has cabled to
Consul Mitchell, at San Pedro, Sula.
Spanish Honduras, requesting him to
inquire into the killing OF Captain Jack
Imboden end the wounding OF William
Gold, both of Virginia, by a ma
tive of Honduras. Captain lmboden
was son of the late General ImbodeD,
of Virginia, who was noted Confede-
rate leader,
Because of the condition of Mrs. Nc
Kinley's health the usual Christmas
festivities at the White House will be
largely dispensed With. Abner Nc
Kinley and wife will eat dinner with
the President, and Misses Grace Nc
Kinley aud Mabel Duncan, nieces OF
the President will spend part of the
holidays at the White House. Many
nail sud express packages from all
carts OF the country are arriving at the
White House containing gifts for the
President and Mrs. Mckinley.
Swift g. Company will receive pay
for the 800 pounds OF refrigerated
beef that was cent to Gen. Miles's SOL
diers in Porto Rico and spoiled before
it could be distributed. The auditor
for the War Department disaliowed
he claim, but the comptroller has de-
cijed thai it should be paid.
The Capitol presented deserted appear
ance today, az pesr'y the members OF both
houses of Congress who intend to spend their
Christmas IN their own States hsd already
eft the city or were down town maxi, ar
IA ogements to DO so Immediately. Repfe.
.ent.tive Rixey OF Virginia drove up there
in his drag and had short talk with his
colleague, Mr.. Jones, who was preparing to
20 home, and Mr.. Hay of the 7th district
was also there for short time; but excepting
them, no other Virginia congressman were in
sight
Considerable excitement was caused in the
government printing office i'll Washington
atout 9:15 o'clock this morning by slight
blaze in the stereotypirg department. The
VOID work around the heater caught fire but
was exlinguished before auy damage was
done.
Troy NJ. Sheets was appointed postn aster
1T White Top, Grayson county, Va, today,
vice H. c. Weaver, resigned.
Mr. othrop of this city, chairman of tie
Alexandria County Development association,
this morning appointed the following com.
nittee to consider and report upon the plopo-
;...ion to bond the county for the improve
meQt OF tuS IVtsuS tucieOi. hoeu-buo DR''oi
". w. Douglass, j. = Clements, DR.. ]. Tabor
johnson, G. q. Boteer. E. N Saegmuller, N.
B Graham, G. 81. Fucker and Frank hume
Their report is ID be made on the third Non.
day of next month. Its chairman, Mr. Davls,
ia understood to be opposed to the proposition.
WINTER BEGINS TODAY.-The time
between the rising sun and the setting
sun has been gradually dwindling for
months past until today, which is the
shortest day in the year. 1t is also,
properly speaking, the first day of win
ter, although the whole of December is
regarded as winter month. At this
time the sun, in its southern course, is
at it's most distant point from the equa
tor and casts its light upon us 10 a
slant. From this time on it will begin
to approach us until, on June 81, the
longest day ip the year, it will attain
its highest point north of the equator.
The sun rose this morning at 1924
o'clock and will set at 4:46 o'clock maxi
ing the day just nine hours and % min
utes long.
So far the present season has been
unusually mild averaging 40 daily above
the normal temperature for this time of
year and being 50 daily warmer than the
corresponding season of last year. The
lowest tempera ure yet registered was
on December 7, when the themome.