Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1903-07-09
FROM WASHINGTON.
Correspondence Of the Alexandria Gazette.I
Washington, ID. c., July 8.

Washington late yesterday AFTERNOON 10
remain until after the Jewish petition to
the Gar has been dispatched and reply
received. 1t is now thought probable
that the petition will be taken to Russia
bv Assistant Secretary Pierce, who starts
for that country July 20. Mr. Pierce
visit will be entirely unofficial, but ne
can be made the bearer OF official docu-
ments. and ensure their safe delivery;
The report that Secretary Hay intended
resigning is ridiculed here.
Simon Wolf, of the BNai Birth
called on Secretary of State Hay this
morning and said that the petition to
the Car concerning the treatment OF the
Jews in Russia would be ready next
week. He will visit the President at
Sycamore Hill on Tuesday and VIII
probably present the document at that
time.
In connection with the preparations
at the War Department for the particiP-
alton of portions of the organized militia
of the various States and Territories IN
the several encampments, maneuyres
and field instruction of regular army
troops at the army posts Of the country,
a ruling has been made by the acting
Comptroller of the Treasury on the sub
iect of the proper pay and allowance to
such State troops. The Acting Comp
troller holds that in computing the pay
Of officers and enlisted men Of the
organized militia for the period passed
by them in the camps, no account can
be taken of any previous service either
in the regular army or volunteer forces
of the United States. One Of the
points raised in a communication from
the Secretary of War was as to whether
members of the militia could lawfully
claim increased pay in cases where they
had served continuously in the regular
army for over f7e years and sought the
benefits allowed in regular service under
the name of "re-enlistment pay" The
Acting Comptroller holds that such
service does not give any extra claim
out side of the regular army. The in
curry by the War Department was made
at this time to forstall great num-
ber of small claims for additional emolu-
ments.
Postmaster General Payne was at the
department this morning after five days
absence and expressed himself as feeling
much stronger. Mr.. Payne announced
that if the inspectors had completed
their report of the investigation of the
charges of the existence of promotion
rings" in the New York city and Brook
lyn postoilices, it had not yet reached
him. The postofice authorities are
known to be restless over the delay of
the federal grand jury in acting upon
several important postal cases which
have been before it for the past two
weeks. 1t is believed that if indictments
are not handed down within a few days
the President will be again consulted
with view of securing expedition.
No special action has been taken by
the State Department in regard to the
reported seizure of American shipping
by Venezuela, both government and
rebels being accused. Several weeks ago
the State Department reported the
situation to the Navy and it was then
determined to turn the matter over to
the Bancroft. She arrived last night at
the Port of Spain, Trinidad, and will
proceed up the OrinOco to investigate
conditions and protect American in
terests.
Secretary Root this afternoon granted
hearing to Bishop james NJ. ThOburn,
Of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and
Wilbur F. Crafts, of the Evangelical
Reform League, who called to protest
against the passage of the opium bill
now before the Philippine commission.
1t is the purpose of the bill to create a
monopoly in the opium trade by farming
ont the right to handle the drug to the
highest bidder, the revenue thus obtain
ed to be devoted to educational purposes.
Those who favor the bill contend that it
will cOnfne the use of opium to the
Chinese and restrict its sale to Amer
leans and Filipinos. Bishop Ihoburn
and Mr.. Crafts oppose this plan and
favor the japanese law which permits
the sale of the drug only on an order
from physician. Secretary Root list
ened to the arguments presented and will
take the matter under advisement.
Consul General McWade at Canton
cables the State Department under date
of July as follows: In consequence Of
general disturbances, 1900 braves having
deserted to the rebel arms, Admiral HO
left here for Kwangoi with 2000 soldiers.
VicerOy Isen telegraphs that conditions
in Kwangoi are now improving owing |
to American relief
John NJ. Riddle, secretary of legation |
and charge daflaires at st. Petersburg,
informs the State Department that Mr..
chamberlain to the |
Gar, has been appointed general COM
missioner for Russia to the St. Louis ex
position.
The Postofiice Department today issued |
a fraud order against the Cambridge |
Grocery Co., of Boston, which did
mail order business and frequently |
neglected to ship goods after a remit
tance had been received.
The Navy Department has issued orders 20
the Bancroft, now at Port of Spain, Trinidad,
to proceed up the Orinoco 10 investigate con-
ditions there and protect American interests
which are said to be endangered on account
Ofthe Venezuelan revolution. Several Ameri-
can vessels have been seized in the Orinoco
some by the rebels and some by the govern
ment.
The appointment of Alexander Mckenzie
to be District Auditor, vice Petty, removed,
may be held up because Of McKenzie's ap.
proval of vouchers amounting TO thousands e
dollars in favor of the Washington Asphalt,
Block and Tile Co., Of which he is secretary.