Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1899-08-01
FROM WASHINGTON.
rCorrespoudance Of the Alexandria Gasetie-l
Washington, August 1.

L
by justice Cole of the Supreme Court
Of the Distr.ct of Columbia 10 the pres
ence of Secretaries Gage and hitchcock,
Generals Corbin aud Riggles, Assistant
Secretary MeiklejohG AID many junior
army officers in full dress uniform, as
we'll as numerous civilians. The retiring
secretary brought his successor 10 the
WarDepartment this morning about half
Dast ten with the intention OF having
the formal transfer at eleven o'clock.
All army officers stationed at Washing
ton had been rected to be present at
tn At hour uniformed. After some gen
eral conversation. Secretary Alger ap
peared to be impatient and suggested
that the formalities might just as well
90 ahead. Mr.. Root readily acquiesced
aud the party walked rapidly into the
main public office where the oath was
promptly taken. This precipitancy ex
plains the absence Of most of the Off
Gers who had not expected the cere-
mony to occur until ten minutes later,
aud made the absence of Major
General Miles and his staff conspicu
Gus. When Mr.. Root had impresslyely
been sworn with uplifted hand, Jus
lice Cole congratulated him heartily.
Secretary Alger then advanced and,
holding mis- successors hand, said he
congratulated him and the country.
Secretaries Gage and Hitchcock, AS
sistant Secretary Meiklejohn, Chief
Clerk Scho6eld and Gen. Corbn fol
lowed, and the new Secretary attached
nis first official signature to the oath OF
office. Within q few minutes the vari-
GUS staff officers began to arrive and be
presented, the line being headed by
Surgeon General Sternberg, Quarter
master General Ludington and Pay.
master General Bates. At promptly II
o'clock Gen. Miles appeared. There
was hush. Followed by his staff he
walked forward in his usual military
manner. He and Gen. Alger met face
20 face. Everybody peered forward
to get better view. There was no
change of expression on the part OF
either. Colby, formally. perfunctorily
they shook hands. Secretary Root,
Gen. Miles," said Secretary Alger.
When he turned his back on Miles,
Miles turned his back on Alger. He
faced Root. They shook hands with
cordially and Secretary Root said: 1--WE
have frequently met at dinner before
but never thought We should meet IN
der such circumstances as these" For
j minute or two they conversed pleas
| antly 10 conventional undertone. Sec
.etary Root showed him evident favor.
Gen. Miles then presented his staff aud
marched solemnly out, followed by his
supporters.
There is no intention here yet awhile
of quaranlining against Virginia points.
All advices indicate that the yellow
fever so far is confined entirely to the
Soldiers Home at Hampton. Trains
BY the Richmond, Fredericksburg and
Potomac line and connections with Old
Point and Newport News are watched
and inspection is observed. The troops
at Fortress Monroe, ordered to Battery
Point, will probably not depart until
tomorrow or the next day. The origi-
nal intention was to send them to Cape
Charles, and thence by rail through
lower Marland and up the State Of
Delaware to destination. Negotiations
were opened today with the Chesa-
| peake and Ohio railroad officials, and
| if tn contract is closed they will be
transported over that line. A number
of Washington, Baltimore and New
York people are detained at Old Point
Comfort 81 the hotels, and they cannot
get out as the railroads are not permit
I'd to send in their trains. As much a.
81 900 was offered here today for a To-
connective and coach, but the officials
are powerless unless the government
authorities will grant permission to let
| the specials enter the reservation.
Tnouph fast steamers run to Norfolk
/ very evening, the War Department
completed arrangements with the
Treasury Department today: looking to
the loan of treasury cutter for the use
Of Surgeon General Sternberg, .. 5. A,
and Surgeon General Wyman U. S.
Marine service, who will probably
leave tomorrow on the cutter for
Hampton, where they are to take per
sonal charge of the yellow fever sltua-
don. Two more nurses were sent
from here to Hampton this morning by
the War Department. Surgeon Gen.
eral Wyman said at one O'Clock
that the work OF inspection and
| disiufection in the neighborhood of the
Hampton Soldiers home was well un-
der way. Thus fsr today / have re
ceived work of no new cases or deaths.
The record stands 81 cases aud I deaths,
As it did last night. The Marine Hos.
oitsl service has turned over to the
Norfolk authorities Craney Island which
they will use a. an isolation station if
they need it. A house to house inspec
ton is going on at Phoebus, the town
between Old Point and Hampton. No
cases have been discovered at Ports
mouth, DR.. Farquhar reports, and no
suspicious cases have been reported
anywhere in the vicinity"
The Comptroller's certificate has to-
day been issued approving the change
in title of "The Planters National
Bank of Danville." to 1.-The First Ns
tional Bank OF Danpille." Va.
Ey Governor Cameron OF Virginia,
who had been here for q day or SO On pri-
vate business.s guest OF then metropolitan
Hotel, left this morning. The Gov
ernor is getting along in years now,
and years with him, as with everybody
else, make themselves visible. A Vir-
ginian who saw him while here says he
doesn't look now az he did when he
challenged General Malone t. fight
duel.