Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1901-12-02
FROM WASHINGTON.
ICorsspsndence Of the Alexandria Gssetts.
Washington. December 2.

INCONSISTENCIES
Washington. December 2.
The bill to grant the widow Of Presi-
dent Mckinley q pension will not 60
through Congress without discussion
II IL learned today that some OF the To-
diana delegation will oppose the meas
ure unless similar provision email DC
made for President Hsrrison's widow.
II ia true that Mr.. Harrison was not
President at the time of his death, Dut
the Indianians argue that this fact
should make no difference at the hands
OF Congress.
Ooly o few OF the Congressional
strspelers, the last to arrive, made
their appearance today and practically
a full attendance was on hand to take
part In the opening exercises OF the
House and Senate. Before ten O'Clock
the curious began to file into the gal
leries. The ladies shimmered 10 pretty
colors and the galleries presented q
picturesque view. Nor were the stage
settings Of the floor Of House and sen.
ate devoid OF attractive dashes OF light
and iridescence. Decks of leaders 10
social and political life creaked under
the burden of flowers, some monster
pieces grazing the places reserved ior
the most prominent, pieces usually
contributed from the wealth oil the
governments botanical garden. Inc
House side seemed 10 attract larger
number of visitors, it being generally
known that proceedings in the Senate
would be short. There are 400 seats 10
the House this year, although the mem
bership ia but 357, and four delegates.
The increase is provided with an eye
to the larger membership which Will
come in the next Congress because OF
the reapportionment. There are,
therefore, 200 seats on republican and
democratic sides, each. Last year
there were but just enough seats for
all. and the sides were divided equally,
numerically, 30 far seating capacity
goes. The republicans having major
ity, some had to fnd places on the
democratic side. The wedge-shaped
space they occupied was known as the
Cherokee strip. 1t is TO be known no
longer, for the 200 seats on the repuoii-
can side furnish ample Accommodations
for the 1877 members OF that political
faith.
The fine weather and the opening OF
Congress brought large number OF
people to Washington today and the
streets were crowded. Senator Martin
and all the members Of the House from
Virginia were present when Congress
met. Senator Daniel, 1t is said, will
probably be here by the end OF the
week. A food Of bills was TO-
troduced In the House. Mr.. Rixey
reintrodUced all the bills OF in
terest to his constituents which were
pending when Congress adjourned last
March, including all those for the re-
lief of Pohick and other churches; also
bills for the relief of Capt. J. V. Davis,
who sustained loss by the burning OF
the lodge at the national cemetery 10
Alexandra some time ago, and to in
crease the pension OF Mrs. ShaddocE, OF
Alexandria.
In the House today Mr.. Cannon
nominated Mr.. Henderson for speaker
and Mr.. Hay, of Virginia, nominated
Mr., Richardson. The vote stood: Hen
derson 100; Richardson 149; Stark l
and Cummings l..
Assistant Secretary of War Sanger has
formulated q plan for the organization with
the authority Of Congress, Of federal mill
tary reserve His idea is to have the new
organization formed from the present State
militia, under the direct control Of the War
department. An advisor board consisting in
part OF officers of the regular army and in
part of the representa- ses Of the State mill
lie, will be SppOined by the President to con-
slider matters pertaining to the reserve. The
bill will also provide that the organization be
equipped with the most modern wespons
used by the regular army and that the officers
of the reserve be carried as such on the army
register. Nominaly the reserve will retain
Its State affiliations, and yet be 80 organised
that it can be controlled from the war depart
msnt. 1t is proposed to have the reserve con-
sist OF well trained soldiers capable OF being
called into action upon the shortest notice in
cases OF emergency. Secretary Boot has
given his hearty approval to the scheme and
will urge Congress to legislate fsvorably for
its adoption.
Tho estimate Of the Treasury department
for all government appropriations for the
fiscal yeesr ending JuPe 30, 1908, aggre'
gate $610, 1927 ,6S8 as compared with $685.
500, 977 appropriated for 1892.
Among the early measures to be intro
duced in the House will DO bill to reimburse
the Pan.American Exposition Company in
rhe sum Of 100000. intended to cover par.
of it's losses on account Of the falling of Of
business at the exposition during the last
days Of President McKinley's life.
The ommittaes apnointed toiay by the
House and Senate to notify the President
that Congress has assembled and Is ready to
receive any message he may have to commu'
nicate, will meet at the White House at
eleven o'clock tomorrow morning, and will
L. In hnd1