Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1902-12-19
FROM WASHINGTON.
CORRESPONDENCE of the Alexandria Gazette. ]

garded as favorable development but
only to a limited degree, since according
to dispatches from Caracas the Venezue-
Ian officials insist that such a settlement
can only be upon an arbitration basis.
Great Britain has already signified her
willingness to accept arbitration for her
self, but in this she is restrained by
Germany, who demands an apology
from Castro in advance of arbitration,
indemnity for occurrences since her fleet
began operations and a guarantee that
her award will be promptly paid. Al
though public sentiment in England
seems very strong against continuing
with Germany, it is believed here
that the foreign Offices of the two
countries have 80 mutually bound them
selves that a break in the present
concerted action will be impossible.
Meanwhile, France, as predicted, has
entered the field with very positive
declaration that she has priority of lien
upon the revenues of Venezuela and that
she proposes enforcing such rights in
case blockade is enforced by the joint
feet. On the part of the latter, notice
has been served on neutral nations that
the blockade will take effect at O'Clock
tomorrow afternoon and that it will be
in character one of war. No objection
will be made to this by the United States
provided the blockadcis equally enforced.
1t il the belize of the State Department
that should the powers agree to arbl-
tration OF their claims at this point,
Venezuela would pay themin full. Con-
tinuation of the blockade and the state
of war would make this impossible.
The growing impression among Vir-
ginians here is that Colonel Slemp, the
only republican Congressman-elect from
their State, will manage the federal pa
tronage of Virginia to suit himself. This
is considered to be the right of States
representative in Congress, and as Col.
Slemp is the only one from Virginia
he will, it is said have charge of the
"whole thing" There is no break be-
tween the colonel and Mr. Park Agnew,
the chairman of the State republican
committee, who, with Mr.. Bowden, of
Norfolk, has for long time past con-
trolled the patronage, but at present
COL Slemp is in the ascendant and diff
ferences of opinion may arise and-then
what?
Favorable action on the department
of commerce bill, as reported by sub
committee, was taken by the House
committee on interstate and foreign
commerce today. The bill, as it will
be reported to the House, will provide
for a new department, whose important
bureaus will be the immigration bureau;
now under the Secretary of the Treasury;
the census bureau, now under the Sec
rotary of the Interior; the bureau Of
statistics, of the Treasury Department;
the independent labor bureau; the bureau
of foreign commerce of the State Depart
ment; lighthouse board; light house
service; national bureau of standards;
coast and geodetic survey; fish commits
sion and the salmon and fur seal in
terests of Alaska. Three new bureaus
are created-the bureaus of manufac-
lures, insurance, and corporations. One
of the amendments adopted authorizes
the President at any time in the future
to transfer any bureau to the new De-
partment
The condition of Postmaster General
PAYNE who was taken i'll on his way to
the White House yesterday is much i'm
proved this morning and he was able
to attend to some of his official duties.
The illness was stated by his physicians
to have been acute indigestion, but before
receiving professional attention the
family was much alarmed at the sud den
attack.
A gruesome package was delivered
to Congressman Brown, of Wisconsin,
today. He found it, neatly wrapped, in
his postoffice box, and visions of a
happy Christmas arose before him. In
his committee room he deity undid the
bundle and the stencil that greeted his
nostrils nearly unnerved him. From
the folds he removed a human hand
badly decomrosed. An accompanying
letter proved that it was no attempt at a
practical joke. 1t was the hand of
Adam Goshege, of Waukesha, Union
soldier, who had been wounded in the
war. and whose hand was amputated as
consequence some years ago. Cos
hege's claim for pension is still pend
ing and his view of The situation led
him to believe that his case might be
expedited if ocular proof of his infrmi-
ties should be presented. So he took
the hand out of pickle and forwarded it
to his Congressman. Mr.. Brown, al
though greatly shocked, will do what
he can for his constituent.
Clerks in the State Department we're
busy this afternoon putting into cipher
the replies of the three powers for trans
mission by cable to Minister Bowen. 1t
is not likely that the text of the replies
will be made public until Secretary Hay
sends to Congress the full correspondence
on the subject, which was requested in
the resolution passed by the House yes
terday.
The following appointments of fourth
class postmasters in Virginia were made
today: Crest, Stafford county, Abner
O'Bryhim; Regina, Northumberland
county, Y. A. Forester; Sealston, King
George county, Brodie H. Chinn; Sc
Wells Point, Norfolk county, John L.
Cox.
Col. J. S. Mosby, who reached here a
few days since, says the date of his re-
turn to the west depends upon the Presi-
dents wishes.
Senator Hoar, is preparing an anti
trust bill. On the subject he says:
''The subject of trust legislation is very
important, affecting our vast domestic