Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1900-12-29

ed with the Cnlnese peace representa-
tives. Minister Conger's friends say
that the minister is not likely 10 await
the arrival of these commissioners. They
expect him to apply soon TO the State
department for leave of absence on
the ground OF i'll health. He will then,
it is said, return to the United States
and hand in his resignation. Mean
while, the legation in Pekin would be
in the hands of Secretary Squires and
Special Commissioner w. w. Rockhill.
a subcommittee of the river and
hsrbor committee of the House. CON-
posed of Chairman Burton and Gem-
bers Bishop, Tongue, Catchings and
Ball began work this morning upon the
last touches of the river and harbor
bill. They are overhauliug the bill for
errors and looking to the proper word
ing of the measure, but will make no
changes in the figures slresly reported.
Their work will be completed in time
to report the bill to the House upon the
first day OF the meeting.
President Mckinley spent half an
hour today chatting with bis double,
DIR. Luther H. Bugbee, of New York,
who resembles Mr.. Mckinley go much
that he Is a marked man wherever he
goes, He receives obsequious bows
and attentions from the populace, which
is gratifying, but quite as often encount-
ers the more disagreeable opportunities
of those who want jobs from the chief
magistrate. 81 don't dare to wear a
plug hat in Washington" said
DR.. Bugbee today. IF l did I'd
not be able to move out with any
peace at all. It's right pleasant at
times to be taken for the President of
the United States, but sometimes it's
not so agreeable. One day out in
Chicago, during the campaign, was
waiting for street car. | had been
waiting for fifteen minutes. guess, as
was in hurry and was not in a good
humor. Just as my Car finally came
along and | was about to get aboard, a
policeman stepped up behind me, tap
ped me on the back, and said, as he
touched his hat: Il just wanted to tell
you, Mr.. Mckinley, that the boys are all
with you. You'll get all our votes to
man. / looked around again OF my
car, saw it half a block up the street
and turned on the smiling copper with
the reply: Vote and be- Well sir
you should have seen that fellow stare"
u. S. Minister Swepson, at Copen-
hagen, has opened negotiations with
the Danish government for the pur-
chase by the United States of the Dan
ish West Indies. There have been
many false rumors to this effect but the
State department today announces that
the negotiations are actually on foot.
The principal question is as to the price
to be paid. Denmark, it ia understood,
| wants 81 900, 900 and the United States
is willing TO give half that amount.
Mr.. Swenson has been instructed as TO
the maximum amount this country
would give under any circumstances.
The United : stes is ready to agree to
pay 50 100000 for the isls' Dis and
might stretch this TO 81 ,000, 900. The
Danish goyerDment wanted this gov
ernment to give assurances that any
treaty It entered into for the sale of the
islands would be ratified and not re-
iected as the Seward treaty WAS.
Because the Senate is part OF the
treaty making power, the State De-
partment could not, OF course, give such
assurances. 10 the absence OF them,
however, Denmark has consented to
enter into another treaty. believing that
this is an apt time and realizing that
the United States would not consent to
the sale of the islands to Germany or
any other European power.
A member of the executive republi.
can committee of Virginia, here today,
says he has seen by the Gazette that
some body in Charlottesville says MIR.
Hufish will not be appointed post
master at that place, but that as Mr..
Hul6sh has the endorsement OF the
committee referred 10, and as its en-.
dorsement has always been effective
heretofore, he sees no reason why 1t
should not be in this case also,
though Vice President elect Roose-
welt may have endorsed some body else.
He also says that as Mr.. Roose-
yelt has called the President
chocolate back" he sees
no reason why his endorsement should
override that of the recognized repre-
sentatives of the whole republican party
of Virginia in respect of Virginia
Office.
An Office holder here from Fredericks
burg, Virginia, is in sore straits today.
He had rooms on the upper floor OF
building In which member OF a family
below developed smallpox. He didn't
know the people and had nothing to do
with them, but hearing that there was
o case,of smallpox among them, he went
70 the health Office to enquire il 1t would
be wrong for him to go TO his Office.
He had no sooner, however, reported
his case than be was Immediately seiz-
ed and taken.to house of detentiop, to
which even the physician who was at
tending him for another disease ia not
admitted.
Sir Julian Psuncefote, the British Ambss.
sador, called at the Posioffice Department to-
day in the interest OF parcels post conven.
ton which Great britain has been seeking
the past ten years. Assistant Postmaster
General Shsllenberger told him that the de-
psrtment would take no action until it should
have received report on the operation for
the past year of the convention between this
country and Germany. This report will be
made the LIST Of January, and he informed
the Ambassador that by the LIST of February
tho department would give its snswer.
Senator Hawley, chairman of the Senate
committee on military affairs. called at the
White House today and had a long converse
ton with the President about the army bill
III do not apprehend that any flibustering
will be done to prevent the passage of the
measure" he said before he left the Execu-
tive Mansion "Nor do thiuk that we will
have any disagreement with the ship subsidy
bills friends regarding the right Of way.
will bring the h;ll up IS soon as the Senate
reconvenes and will do my best to hurry it
through as rapidly as possible"
Stocks were quoted as strong at the brokers'