Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1901-09-20

OF course, tnat we are DOT ohrTeu from
impesching the report"
Captain HigRinson, OF the Msssachu.
sets, was tho first witness and gave O
detailed description OF the movements
on the part of the United States feet
during the operations 10 Cuba, Captain
Lemly acting es interlocutor. Mr.. Ray.
nor's argument against permitting wit
nesses to give opinions was 10 progress
when at one o'clock the court took re-
GEES for an hour. 1t was decided that
witnesses be not compelled to give
opinions and the question which bad
been put 10 Higginson was withdrawn.
The essence of Higeinson's direct
testimony, from the standpoint OF the
Judge advocate, was: THAT Schley did
not discover the absence OF the Spanish
feet in Ciepfuegos in May, 1898, the dis
coyery being made by Captain McCalls;
thai Scbley held the feet down TO the
slow speed of the Eagle 10 the trip
from Cienfuegos 10 Santiago; that
when Schley ordered the feet
from Santiago to Key West for coal the
Massachusetts had at least 10 days
supply; that even If re-cosliug WAS
necessary, the order TO proceed to Key
West, which was rescinded the next
day, was an error ofjudgmeut because
fuel could be taken from GOLFERS in
Guantanamo Bay, and that Scnley did
not do all that bis duty required in at
tempting to destroy the Colon as she
lay 10 the mouth OF Santiago harbor
May q to 3lst,
Captsin Chester. U. s. N, aud Major
Thomas N. Wood, u. g. NJ. c., were the
next witnesses to take the stand.
The first Cabinet meeting held at the
White House by President Roosevelt
lasted about an hour and a.half. When
the mem bers had gathered at II o'clock
the President made them little
speech. very much like the one at Bnf-
falo. He told them that as he would
strive to carry out the policy and plans
of the dead President be needed their
help and hoped they would remain
throughout bis term. Most of the men,
bers said few words in reply. assur-
Ing the President that they would DO
all 10 thoir power to meet his conf
dence. After briefly discussing the
work at each Of their departments with
the Cabinet members the President
took up the Cuban electoral question
with Secretary Root. After the Cab
met meeting Gen. Wood, who bad call
ed at the White House in the mean
time, held long conference with the
President. The question OF ordering
an election In Cuba will be decided by
the President, probably within few
dsys.
The most important topic discussed
by the Cabinet this morning was the
electoral law formulated by the Cuban
constitutional convention, of which, IL
is understood, the Presidents advisors
expressed their approval.
The first official act performed by
the new President was the signing of
the commission OF Brig. Gen. James M.
Bell, which was done at about 1l:40
this morning. 10 elevatiDg Col. Bell TO
the grade OF brigadier-general Presi-
dent Roosevelt gives the first evidence
of his announced intention of carrying
out the wishes OF his predecessor.
President Roosevelt left the White
House at 1:30 today to 60 to his brother
in-law's residence for lunch. The
President walked and despite the fact
that the frightful event at Buffalo must
be fresh in his mind he went absolutely
unattended. The distance Is six blocks.
Vlreinians here say that the friends
of Judge Edmund Waddill. of the U.
s. District Court, will be glad TO learn
that his condition Is considerably i'm
proved. While he is yet on clutches
as the result of rheumatism, 1t is
thought he will be able to preside over
the sessions OF the federal circuit and
district courts which will held be 10 Oc-
tober.
Senator wellington has written q letter to
friend in Washington snent his alleged at
terances rega ding the Presidents sssas ma
ton, saying that he gave no interview to any
one that he made no such use OF the words
indifferent to the whole matter" as applied
to President Mckinley, but that they were
intended for the reporter. He says that Me-
Kinley did him an injury thst he could never
forgive. but he abhors an assassin and was in
favor of law supp essing anarchy.
Geo. B. CoItelyou is 10 remain secretary to
the President throughout Col. Roosevelts
term. From an authentic source it is under
stood that Mr. Loeb who has been Col. Roose-
vet's confidential secretary for two or three
years will be made assistant secretary. In
order TO sivs him this place, Assistant Secre-
tsry Barnes will be given berth in some
other department and Mr.. Loeb will step into
his shoes