Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1900-08-15

G0rnam, oX-Secretary OF the u. >. sem
ate. Mr.. Gorham is strong opponent
OF the present administration, on ac-
count of its Imperialism, and says II it
can make war without the approval OF
Congress, 1t can as well impose taxes.
Mr.. Gorham, who is as well aware OF
the real condition OF the country as
any other man in it, says all the visible
indications now point TO decisive
democratic victory next November.
Chairman Richardson, OF the demo-
cratic congressional campaign commit
tee, also said that all his information
was 10 the same effect.
Prince William county, Virginia,
democrats, here to day, say demo-
cratic rally will be held at Gainesville,
10 their county, on the Sth proximo, at
which speeches will be made by At
rorney General Montague, ex-State
Senator Moore OF Fairfax county and
Mr. Eppa Hunton. Mr.. K. n. Harper,
president of the Virginia democratic
club, of this city, has been invited TO
preside at the meeting.
Mr.. l.. @. Washington, who was at
democratic headquarters here this
morning, speaking of the late &. Z.
Huntington, said: Mr.. Huntington
was a very able man and deserves great
credit for bis ssgacity and energy in
developing Newport's News. but the
work done by others ought not to be
forgotten. The natural advantages of
that place were obvious long ago to
many minds. One OF the first persons
TO recognize the value of Newport's
News as great shipping point and the
natural terminus of a railroad system
was Mr.. Thomas H. Wynne, of Rich
mond. AS O Richmond man it might
be expected that he would take the
view that Richmond was the true ship
ping point. But as early as 1866, when
Virginia like the whole South was o
mere wreck Mr.. Wynne, though &C.
lively engaged in other business enter
prises, devoted himself to the private
project of connecting Richmond and
Newport's News by rail. He was presi
dent of the fret company formed for
that purpose. But the South then had
little capital and less credit. Northern
men were not willing to go in. They
preferred to buy existing lines at low
figure, far below the sums already ex-
pended on them. So the Viewpoints
News project fell through. 1t was
wears and years after this that the ex-
listing railroad line from Richmond via.
Charlottesville was acquired and the
project of grand route to the Ohio
river valley carried out. When this
was effected 1t was natural and easy
step to develop the old scheme
OF connecting line to the
Seaboard at Newport's News. 10
the mastery preliminary report made
March, 1869 by Commodore NJ. F. Msury,
Professor Of Physics at the Virgins Military
! Institute. upon the geographical position
and commercial advantages of Virginia there
i, statement of the projected railroads OF
Virginia. In this list there figures the Rich.
mond and Newport's News Z. E., length 70
miles, with projected cspital OF So OOO,OO
Commodore Msury speaks in this report OF
Hampton Roads as "a lower harbor" for Nor
folk. In this hsrbor he said there was water
and berths for all the ships Of commerce and
the navies of the world. These subjects were
all we'll understood and clearly presented by
the eminent Virginians and by the enteprisiDg
men of that period. but they conld not com.
msnd the capital to carry out their project.
Capital might we'll hesitate before going to a
land desolsted by war and hate, negro enan.
cipstion and suffrage and rscked by recon-
struction. But with liberal and just ma
tional government OF with pity or even com.
mon sense on the part Of the dominant Sec
IL. L H. loof taKa
fifteen wears might have been accomplished
by 1870, full 30 years ago. 1t is no dispar-
agement to the remarkable force Of Mr.. Hunt.
ington's career. tc recognize also the abilities,
sagscty and public spirit of such VirRinians
as Matthew F. Msury, Thomas Fl. Wynne,
John s. Barbour, Chas. s. Darlington, Fon-
tame and others in this great worn of restor-
ing and developing the South.
The death OF the late Mr.. Huntington re-
wives the memory Of many incidents in his
strange, eventful history. One ig that when
his bill for the refunding Of the Pacific Rsil-
road debt was before the u. s. Senate aud
when msny Of the Senators had his money
In their pockets, one Senator. to secure its
passage, Just before his vote was taken, rose
aud stated that in nsequence Of the current
reports of bribery and corruption, il it should
be defeated. he would move that committee
be appointed to make a thorough investiga-
tion Of the whole matter
Ex-Msyor Downhsm and Alderman Hill of
Alexandria passed through here today for
Atlantic City.
Mr.. B. II. Fowle, formerly Of Alexandria,
is the appointment clerk of the census bureau
1t is stated at democratic headquarters here
today that the reports, first printed In North
'rn republican newspapers, to the effect that
U. s. Senators Stewart and Jones will sup
port Mr. Mckinley, arc entirely without
foundation.
Stocks at the brokers' offices here today
were qooted as strong wheat as steady and
corn as higher.