Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1899-11-27
F.olu GASHlNGTUN.
O,rre.pondsnce OF tho Alexandra Gazette.
Washington, November 81.

Washington, November 81.
General Otis reports from Manila to-
lay that Second Lieut.. Charles M.
Smith, of the Eighteenth infantry died
November %, vt 1loilo, the result OF
gunshot wound received in action.
Lieut.. Smith came of Virginia stock.
His grandfather was United States Sen
ator Lewis, OF Virginia, and his father
was John Amber Smith, of Richmond,
Va, who was well known as politi-
clan and lawyer. The grandfather
and father are both dead. Lieutenant
smith served as private with the Dis
trict of Columbia regiment through the
Cuban campaign. He was appointed a
second lieutenant on July l, 1899, and
assigned to the 18Th infantry.
Admiral Dewey called at the White
House today to see the President about
personal matter, and when be came
out he said: II want to see Mr.. Nc
Kinley take second term, The Fresi-
ient is good friend of mine, and l
don't want to hear of any one attempt
ing to rob him of the place. l shall
never cease to thank him for the noble
cheering messages he sent me when
was at Manila. l have them all home
and shall keep them as long as I live."
When asked about the Presidential
Doom be said: "No, No, No! 1 have
no Presidential boom of any sort. The
American people have too much sense
to do anything like that. think that
these so-called heroes of battle make
mighty poor Presidents. Look at poor
old Taylor. The office did not
DO him any good. And Grant, l think
ne made a very bad President, to speak
plainly. The President of the United
States ought to be statesman trained
20 the business. Let the army officers
and the naval officers stay where they
belong. am much pleased to see the
War in the Philippines winding up. II
he same vigorous active measures that
our men over there are taking now
aud been taken a year ago the insurec-
ion might have been ended there"
When asked what will be done with
Aguinaldo if he is caught, he said:
II hope-he wont be caught; 1 hope he
will make his escape from the country
aud thus rid us of the problem. If be
is captured, though, we are too humane
victors to do anything to punish him.
We will let him live out his years in
peace, like we did JEFF Davis. We'll
hot hang him or imprison him for
hfe, as perhaps he deserves"
But few congressman have yet reach.
ed the city, and many, especially from
me North, will not be here until after
Thanksgiving Day. The republican
CAUCUS of the House will be held Satur-
lay afternoon, and that of the demo-
Gratis on Saturday night. There will be
40 contest for any of the Offices of the
House except for that o. sergeant-at-
irms, as the Speaker has already been
elected, and all the other old officers
will be reelected. In the Senateit will
% different. There, it is generally un-
derstood that Mr.. J. S. Clarkson will
take the place of Mr.. Cox as secretary,
and Mr.. A. 81. Stewart may possibly be |
elected SER eant-st-arms, though Col
oDel Bright has rendered himself so
popular with all the members OF that
body that he may be retained,
temporarily at least. The leader
ship of the democratic minori |
ty in the House is as uncertain
today as ever. Mr.. Richardson this |
morning engaged two rooms at the
Metropolitan Hotel and opened head
quarters there, and the talk on the
street is to the effect that he will be Sc.
lected. Many democrats, however,
think a man of different mould
should occupy that position, and that
If Mr.. Bailey WON'T accept, Mr.. Dear
mond would fill it better than either
Bankhead or Sulzer, who are candi-
dates Tor 1t. AS on Saturday, the in
formation is tina. the Sulzer strength
will go to Bankhead. The chairman
ships OF the committees will occasion
Speaker Henderson no little trouble.
those of the river and har-
Dor, and naval committees, as great Cd.
position has manifested itself to Messrs.
Burton and Boutelle, who now hold
those places.
Congressman Rxey and Swanson, of
Virginia, are here now and Messrs. Hay
and Jones are expected tomorrow.
Several well-known Virginians, here
today, say they have received, from
the same source in Richmond, dis
patches asking their views in respect of
nominating Senator Daniel for the