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

Washington, December IL.
At the meeting of the Roberts in
yestieating committee today it was de.
cided to have an open session tomor-
row. Witnesses will be called and
the taking of testimony will probably
be begun at once. 1t was decided, if
possible, to avoid going to Utah.
a motion was made at today's execu-
tive session to compel Roberts to take
the stand as witness, but the commit
tee rejected the proposition fearingthat
Injustice might thus be done him.
The following changes in the fourth
class postof6ces of Virginia we're made
Today: Fontella. Bedford county, NJ.
G. Murrell appointed postmaster, vice
G. E. Murrsll, resigned; Mount Viii
liams, Frederick county, ]. NJ. Ora
dorff. vice G. A. Cammer, removed.
Ex-Congressman Bowden, postmas-
tiers Kimberley and Reed, and other
prominent republican otficeholders from
The Norfolk district of Virginia, were
here today in reference to recent post
Office order respecting the registration
of letters.
Another dispatch to the effect that
the Philippine instruction" would
soon be thing of the past was received
from Gen. Otis today.
At the cabinet meeting today it was
agreed that ell the members with the
possible exception of the Secretary of
War will visit Washington's tomb
Thursday with the President. The
need of some legislation for Porto Rico
was considered. Letters from Cover
nor General Davis were read in which
he described the conditions of the mer-
chants, planters and natives in general
as being very pitiful indeed "They
have all the disadvantages of be-
ing foreignere with none OF
the benefits enjoyed by our own people," said
secretary Gage, after the meeting. "As things
are going there now the Porto Ricans can
make no contracts between themselves or
others; they have no modern laws in opera-
ton except the military authority that they
know to be but q temporary makeshlft, and
in the way OF customs, taxes, schools and
municipal ordinances they sre exactly where
they were before the war with Spain began"
AS soon as the proper committees of the pres
emit Congress are appointed the President will
ask for the framing and passage Of bill that
will place Porto Rico upon an equsl footing
with the States of the Union.
Adelbert S. Hay, son OF the Secretary OF
State, who will succeed Consul Macrum at
Pretoria, is in New York preparing to leave
| for London tomorrow. He will proceed from
there immediately for Cape Town. Mr.. Hay
is smooth-faced boy OF 23. 1t is believed
he carries minute instructions as to his new
duties from his father.
Congressman Bailey says the newspaper
talk about Gen. Wheeler resuming his seat in
| the House amounts to nothing, se when the
resignation OF his commission in the army, ii
| rendered before the commencement of the
session, would have permitted him to take
| his seat, it wouldn't do so now.
At the democratic banquet last night Con-
gresham Lamb Of Virginia said Senator
Daniel was an elder in the Presbyterian
Church. Representative Jonfs, deacon In the
Baptist Church, and that all the other Vir-
| GINA Congressman were good enough to be
| bishops, as none of them had more than one
wife.
The bankers of New York have lobby
| here to try to induce the democratic Con.
gressmen from New York to vote for the re-
| publican currency bill.
1t is said at the Treasury today that Secre'
| tary Cages plan for relieving the stringency
| OF the money market by purchasing twenty.
| FIVE million worth of outstanding bonds i:
goiog to fall through, as wiser men than the
Secretary said it would when ii was first pro-
pOSed