Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1902-12-04
FROM WASHINGTON.
Correspondence of the Alexandra Gazette. ]


ments from which he is suffering. 1t is
understood that for some time Mr.. Reed
has been afflicted with Brighfs disease
His doctors admit that complaint
has manifested itself in his kindeys
that threatens TO be more troublesome
than the appendicitis. Mrs. Reed and
her daughter are now at the Arlington
where Mr.. Reed has taken apartments.
The possibility of an operation has not
been preached to the patient in the hope
that it may not be necessary. DIR. Mac
Donald, consulting surgeon in the case,
said this morning that change for the
better or for the worse may occur at any
time now. The appendicitis is abating,
but kidney complaint has manifested
itself. This is, he said, probably more
dangerous than the appendicitis. lie
passed fairly comfortable night and Is
resting easy this morning. Mr.. Reed
does not realize the seriousness OF his
condition and is much opposed to re,
naming in bed, believing that he is well
able to be up and about. The condition
of ex-Speaker Reed is reported to be more
serious this afternoon.
The House committee on approyrla-
tons today finished work on the bill
making appropriations for the payment
of invalid and other pensions for the
fiscal year 1904, which will carry
total OF $1S9, S47, 600. The approprla-
ton for 1908 was s139, S42, 29O.
Among the bills introduced in the
Senate today was one by Mr. Plat
On. W appropriating $50, 900 for the
purchase of painting of the late Presi-
dent Mckinley from the artist Charles
A. Whipple, Of New York.
In executive session of the Senate to-
day. the nomination of Oliver Wendell
Holmes to be an associate justice OF the
Supreme Court, was unanimously con-
firmed. Favorably action was also taken
in the case of H. L. West, to be Commits
sioner of the District ofColumbia. Favor
able reports were made by the Senate
Committee on foreign relations on all
the recess diplomatic and consular noml-
nations sent in by the President
A determined effort will be made at
this session Of Congress to provide a
gold standard for the Philippine Islands,
substantially along the lines provided by
the Philippine bill, as it passed the
House at the last session. On account
of the fall in the price of silver, which
has brought serious loss to the Philippine
government, as well as to American con-
tractors doing business with the islands,
the determined opposition in the Senate
to the establishment of the gold standard
seems to have weakened and the success
of the measure pending is predicted.
The bill makes the United States gold
dollar the standard of value and provides
for the coinage of the silver peso of 4l6
grains to be received for all dues, at the
rate of two pesos for one dollar. 1t
makes the Mexican peso and theSpanish
coins now circulating in the islands, re-
ceivable for public dues at ratio to be
later determined.
Secretary Root has rendered a decision
which will put an end to the practice OF
cadets dropped from West Point because
of deficiency enlisting and in a few
months getting commissions and ranking
with those men formerly their classmates
at the Military Academy. In his de-
cision the Secretary says that it was not
the intent of Congress to include the
attendance Of The cadet at the Military
Academy as any part of the two years
service which is necessary to an enlisted
man to compete for promotion. He is
of the opinion and so decides that the
act of July 80, 1892, in providing that
soldiers who have served honOrably not
less than two years in the army may
compete for promotion refers to enlisted
service only. 1t was designed to benefit
the rank and file of the army and not
the young men who for any cause have
been dropped from West Point classes
before the end of the course.
The War Department makes public
the text of the bill enacted by the Philip
pine commission recently to regulate
cock fighting. This bill meets with
qualified approval of the authorities at
the War Department and by direction of
the President will be strictly enforced.
Heavy penalties are provided in cases of
infractions of the laws.
japanese Minister Takahira called at
the State Department today and inform
ed Secretary Hay of the receipt of dis
patch announcing the sudden death of
Alfred f. Buck, United States Minister
at Toxic. The dispatch said that Min
lister Buck fell dead while out shooting
ducks from boat Mr.. Buck was appoint
ed to the diplomatic post at Toxic, April
13, 1897. He was native of Maine,
but resided in Georgia at the time of his
appointment. Mr. Buck served through
the civil war in the Union army and at
its close settled in Mobile county, Ala.
He took an active part in the reconstruc-
ton OF that State and was there elected
clerk of the Circuit Court. In 1868 be
was elected to Congress from the first
district of Alabama. At the close of his
term, in 1870, he moved TO Atlanta,
Georgia, where he resided until his APP
pointment as Minister.
The Spanish American Nurses As
ISOLATION has declared against the re-es-
adjustment of the army canteen. A reso-
luton favoring the restoration of the
canteen, presented by Miss Jackson who
for the last few years hasI been stationed
at Fort Myer, Virginia, was overwhelm-
ingly voted down when it came before
the convention now meeting here. Dr.
Anita Newcomb MCGEE was unanimous
ly reelected President of the Association
at last nights session. Tomorrow the
delegates will visit Mount Vernon.
Mr.. Hoar offered in the Senate this
morning an amendment which he will
offer tn the immipratiop hill now under