Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1903-02-23
FROM WASHINGTON.
Correspondence of the Alexandria Gazette.
Mra.L;n.xton II o Eah %

Correspondence Of the Alexandria Gazette.l
Washington, d. c., Feb. 20.
An enthusiastic host of delegates to
the 18th Continental Congress OF the
Daughters of the American Revolution
has gathered in Washington, and Chase S
Theater was crowded this morning when
Mrs. Fairbanks, wife of Senator Fair
banks, of Indiana, and president general
of the society, at 10 O'Clock opened the
convention. Much discussion among
the delegates has resulted from the in
tention of faction to offer an amend
ment to the constitution making it pos
sible to reflect Mrs. Fairbanks. As
the constitution now stands, "po person
shall hold Office more than two terms
successfully" Many of the delegates
hold that as Mrs. Fairbanks has served
one term as ce-president general and
one term as president general she is de-
barred from reelection to the latter
Office. The proposed amendment pro-
provides that person may serve two
terms in the same Office successfully
The consideration of this and other
amendments, will be the regular order
of business this afternoon after the re-
port of the credentials committee. Elec-
tioneering has been going on with Mrs.
Donald Mclean, of New York, again
prominent candidate for nomination to the
office of President General. Mrs. Fair
banks began her address of welcome al
10. 80 o'clock. The theatre was packed
from the stage to the top gallery, there
being about 1900 delegates and their
friends in attendance. She was heartily
applauded when she spoke Of the growth
OF the society and the success of its
patriotic work. Reference to the cree
ton of monuments and tablets to the
memory of Revolutionary heroes, the
organization of the Children of the Rev
olution and kindred matters that serve
to keep alive the spirit of patriotism
was greeted with great enthusiasm.
She advocated a changed date of the
annual congress from the 22d OF February
to the 1st of May, the usually Indictment
weather at the first mentioned date being
her reason for suggesting the change.
Reed Smoot, of Utah, newly-elected
Senator, is here and will remain until
Congress adjourns on March 4. His
credentials will be presented early this
week by Senator Rawlins, and Mr.. Smoot
does not expect there will be the slight
est objection. Senator Smoot is Al years
old, but does not look to be more than
35. He is afable, unassuming and soci-
able. One of the first things he did after
his arrival was to hold an informal re-
ception in his apartment. Everybody
was invited to "come up" Senator
Smoot is more than six feet in height,
broad-shouldered and erect. He wears a
heavy moustache and brushes his hair up
on the right side ofhis head. He is con-
fident of favorable action upon his Gre
dentials.
Whether or not there will be an extra
session of the Senate will probably be
determined by the developments Of
today. The fate of the Panama canal
treaty and the Cuban reciprocity treaty,
besides the question as to whether new
States shall be admitted, are also in the
balance and will probably be known be-
fore sun rises. The republican leaders
have prepared compromise PROPOSE
ton on the statehood question, 1t has
been fixed up by Senators Aldrich and
Spooner, representing the ant-statehood
men, and Senators Quay and Gal
linger, representing the other side.
1t will be submitted to the democrats
today. If they accept it, it will be at
once put through. If they reject it, the
consideration of treaties and statehood
will be postponed, and the Senate will
get down to work on the appropriation
bills, with the certainty that an extra
session of the Senate will be called to
complete the treaties. There is a strong
belief, however, that the democrats
will accept the statehood compromise
and that all the pressing business
will be completed before the present
session ends on March 4. Bar
ring details, the plan is to admit
two states now, Oklahoma, with con-
tiguous portions of Indian Territory,
and New Mexico and Arizona, under the
name of MOntezuma, with the provision
that when the two sections shall have at
tanned certain population they shall be-
come two separate states. Indian Terri
tory is also to be separated from Okla
homa and will become an independent
state when it has a stipulated population.
Mr.. Littlefeld, chairman of the sub
committee of the House committee on
merchant marine and fisheries, which
went to Boston toinvestigate thequestion
of coal transportation, made a report to
the full committee on behalf of the sub
committee today. The report deals with
the subject of the investigation but sub
mits no conclusions. The committee rec
commended that the proposed hearings
at New York and Philadelphia be aban-
doned. 1t was so ordered.
The anniversary of the birth Of Wash
ington is being celebrated in this city
today by the closing of the executive de-
partments, and partial suspension of
business. The Oldest Inhabitant Asso-
citation ia holding its annual meeting