Evening star., 1899-09-18
AT THE WHITE HOUSE
The President Invited to the Alex
andria Celebration.
PARTICIPATION OF THE GOVERNMENT
Local Delegation Urges L. NJ
Saunders for Commissioner
GAVEL FROM FORT M'CALLA

President Mckinley was today invited to
attend the 10th anniversary of Alexandria.
Va. This sesqui-centennal is to be ceIe-
brated on Thursday, October II At that
time the President will be in the northwest.
He expressed deep regret to the committee
on invitation that he would be unable to
attend, but said that he would cooperate
with the committees in every way possible.
He approved the action of Secretary Root
in ordering soldiers to take part In the par
ade and of the Navy Department in order
ing vessels to be present The delegation
at the White House was composed of Rep
resentative RXcy, Park Agnew, John
Ryan, speaker of the Virginia house of
delegates; S. r. Donohoe, nominee for the
state senate; Frank Hume, nominee for the
house, j. E. Willard, Judge j. X. NJ. Nor
ton, George r. Hin, DIR. William NJ Smith,
Capt. J. e King, John May, Gardner L.
Booth, a. Davis and Alex. j. Wedderburn.
The delegation was highly pleased with
the mornings work and is satisfied that
the success OF the centennial will be be-
yond all expectations.
The District CommissfOnershfp.
DR.. c. b. Purvis, John +. Cook, Rev.
Walter Brooks, NJ. NJ. Holland, DIR. F. J.
Shaud and l.. c. Bailey had an interview
with President Mckinley this morning. The
President listened to the presenta ton Of
the claims of L. NJ. Saunders as a candi-
date Tor District Commissioner, to sue
ceed Commissioner Wight, whose resigna-
ton will shortly take effect.
The President ant the members of the
delegation next talked about the two colored
regiments being organized for the Philip
pines. The President spoke in the highest
terms OF the bravery OF the negro soldier.
Dinner to Dewey.
Partial arrangements have been made at
the White House for the dinner which
President Mckinley will tender Admiral
Dewey. 1t will be given the evening of
october 5, at s clock, in the state dining
room, and the guests will be limited to
fifty.
The list of guests has not been fully made
up No ladies will be present. Besides the
cabinet the majority of those in attendance
Will be prominent officers of the army and
navy and well-known civil officials. A few
of the invitations have already gone out
They are not specially engraved and SIM
ply extend the Presidents invitation to
be present. No members of the diplomatic
corps will be invited, citizens of this coun-
try only being Included.
1t is understood that Mrs. Stanley Mat
theWs will give a breakfast to Admiral
Dewey the morning of October 3.
Gavel of Historic Wood
G., w. Baird. superintendent of the State,
w al 1uu navy puIiulIS, lOudS sent ~ SeC-
retary Porter, to be handed the President.
gavel of historic interest. Mr.. Baird
thought the President could use the gavel
In laying the corner stone of the Federal
building at Chicago, but he will not have
occasion to handle it. Secretary Gage will
preside at the Chicago ceremonies and will
probably use the gavel as presiding officer
The gavel is of caignerau or iron wood.
and is very heavy. Ii was taken from tim
bers Of the old Spanish fort on Guantanamo
bay, Cuba, where the first fight of the
Spanish-American took place. The
American ED was upheld by marines, and
DR.. Gibbs and several soldiers We're killed
The fort was afterward renamed Fort Nc
Gala" Near where the gavel came from
was situated the first Masonic lodge ever
convened in Cuba.
The gavel was made by Gardiner c. Sims,
the chief engineer of the Vulcan