Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1903-01-22
FROM WASHINGTON.
Correspondence of the Alexandria Gazette.
Washington, ID. c.. Jan. 22.

Guests at tonights reception In honor
of the judiciary at the White House,
will have an opportunity for the first
time to see the new $4,000 piano Just
installed in the East Room. The instru-
ment was designed especially for inc
White House and required several months
to build in one of the largest piano
factories in the East In style 1T is
concert grand, and, from the tips OF Its
three carved legs to the last square inch
of its polished cover, it is coated with
cold. The legs are fashioned in the
Shape of eagles with outstretching wings,
and around the sides of the ease are
painted the shields of the original
thirteen states of the Union. A beauti-
full silken cover of golden hue completes
the magnificent outfit. The piano is a
donation to the White House from the
manufacturers, who believe they will be
amply reimbursed by the advertising
they will receive on account of it.
The House today by aunanimous vote
authorized the House committee on
naval affairs to investigate the charge
that an attempt was made to corruptly
influence legislative action of a member
of Congress. The name is not given,
nor are details specifedin the resolution.
Of course the referenceis to Mr.. Lessler,
of New York, who stated that an offer
of a SIS, 900 bride was made him to vote
for the appropriation of more Holland
boats. 1t is known that two men are
named by Mr.. Lessler, ex-Congressman
Lemuel E. Quigg, of New York, and
John McCullagh, State Superintendent
of Elections of New York. Lessler does
not charge them with any attempt at
bribery. He has not giyen out the name
of the individual who confronted him
with the pelf to the alleged amount OF
IS. 900. He says that McCullagh and
Ouigg threatened him with political
humiliation in the event that he should
refuse to support bill making an APP
priation for the construction OF more
Holland submarine boats. According
to testers story to the committee
Doblin claimed to represent ex-Con-
gresham Lemuel Z. Quigg. Mr.. Less
Ter told the committee that at later
period he had conversation with Qulgg,
but that there was no reference in it to
any money offer, although the Holland
boat question was discussed between
them. Rumors today bring a woman
into the case, but her identity or part in
the alleged attempt at bribery is not
well established.
The House committee on naval affairs
met this afternoon to take up the pro-
posed investigation and plan for it. 1t
was decided that it should be held in
open session. Those to be subpoenaed,
it is understood, are Messrs. Quinn,
Aplin, and Eppa Hunton, attorney for
the Holland Company, and ex-senator
from Virginia.
Senator Lodge today reported to the
Senate from his committee the bill
making reductions in the Philippine
tariff. As passed by the House the bill
proposed to allow the Philippine prod
ucts 10 enter the country at % per cent
of the Dingley rates. The Senate COM
mittee has amended it so that it pro-
vides for tariff of so per cent of the
Dingley rates on Philippine sugar and
tobacco, while all other products of the
islands are to come in free.
There is every indication that the
natience of the administration in regard
to Germany's action against Venezuela
is becoming exhausted. The present
policy is to wait the development of pub
lie sentiment not only in the United
States, but abroad, and particularly in
England. The bombardment of Vene-
zuelan ports has aroused official indigna-
ton but this feeling is kept in subsection
n the hope that the initiative will, as
in the Spanish war, be taken by Con-
gress. When the public is agreed, then
t is said this government will enter
formal protest against Germanys action.
1t is feared here precisely the thing APP
pretended from the beginning has oc-
cured, that in the bitterness of defeat
the Germans have gone far beyond their
original intentions or instructions and
are now preparing to enter upon
vindictiye aud recriminative course.
Administration officials say that being
without ability to persuade Venezuela
Germany has committed herself to line
of brute force. President Castro has call
ed the attention of Minister Bowen to the
continued attacks of the German fleet
upon Venezuela and requested that
he make a protest to the allies.
In this connection it is pointed out by
officials here that one of the principles
of international law is that any agree
ment obtained by duress cannot be held
binding as against the party so aggrieved
So it seems possible that Castro may,
after the negotiations are completed, de-
cline to meet his promises, setting up
the iustifable plea that he made them
only through intimidation. Should this
happen, all that preceded would prove
labor lost and it is probable that the
situation would become far more alarm
ing from an American standpoint than
it has so far.
Special policeman Humphrey found
man who gave his name as John W.
Clarke, trying front doors in the neigh
borhood of 18th and H. streets north
west, early today, and placed him under
arrest. Clarke resisted and knocked the
officer down. The officer fired at the
escaping man, bringing him down with
a bullet in the leg.
In view of the claims made by both sides in
the Senatorial contest in Delaware, 1t was
stated today that the President has not inter
ferred in the matter in any way whatever;
Walter Aler, 25 years of age, dropped dead