Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1903-08-01
FROM WASHINGTON.
Correspondence of the Alexandria 0Aae''e'l
Washington, d. O., August l. .

rcorrsspondence of the Alexandra Oa1el'e'l
Washington, D. O., August l. :.
w Machen today fled in criminal
conrt No. l a demurrer to the indict-
ment charging him with bribery IN con-
nection with the contracts for letter oox
fasteners. Machen says that the IN
dictments are bad in substance. The
point is made that each one OF the IL
counts of the indictment is fatally de-
fectiye in that each fails to charge the
defendant with the crime of bribery or
with any other crime against the laws OF
the limited States. 1t is contended tnat
counts 2 to II inclusive, of the lndlct-
ment are defective in that each OF the
said counts fails to allege that Machen
was at the time of the commission OF the
alleged crime an officer OF the govern,
ment or that the Croft Bros, knew tnas
Machen was an officer of the government
The Croft Bros, indicted with Machen'
6led demurrer that was similar.
II il charged by officials OF the Post,
office Department that Long in several
instances endeavored to get contracts ior
Inferior articles, a jute Irvine among
them. by representing that his principal
in the affair was Abner Mckinley,
brother of the late President. Post
master General Payne has returned from
his vacation and was at his Office today.
He spent the greater part OF the DAY IN
consultation with assistant Postmasters
General Wynne, Shallenberger and
Bristow. giving most of the time 70
| the latter, who went over the devei-
opments in the investigation with
him. Gen. Payne showed extreme
satisfaction with the trend Of events.
[ don't know that the end is in sight,
he said because you can never tell what
NAV be turned up, but it does seem now
as though the next few weeks would
wind up the affair. President Roose-
welt did not set a date for the close OF the
investigation. He is simply DESTROYS,
| inst as we all are, of getting through as
soon as possible, but not at the expense
of thoroughness in the affair. he was
asked about the mention of Abner Nc
Kinley's name. If Mr.. Mckinley were
involved in any of the frauds. he said,
he would be in no manner protected
Rnt if is fair for him 10 say in the SAME
breath that there has been nothing II
the investigation to implicate him IN the
remotest manner Gen. Payne is greatly
improved in health and appearance.
The State Department is in receipt OF
despatch from the Consul of the Unlte(
States at Managua, under date OF july
II. 1903, in which he reports that a
noon on that day all political prisoner
were liberated and a general amnest.
proclaimed to all enemies OF the MICA
raguan government both at home an'
abroad, and that protection had peer
Guaranteed to all now living abroad OF
account of political differences II thel
return to their country.
E. II. Thomas, acting corporauoi
counsel here has rendered an opinion
which indicates that the Commissioner
had no authority to require Mr.. j. L
Petty, the late auditor to give a bona U
cover the handling of money. =,
The Agricultural Department has call
ed upon the treasury for samples o
recent importations Of German wines 10
the purpose of testing their purity as re
quired under the provisions OF the ne!
pure food law. This is the second requl
= sition of the kind, the first having bee
e samples of imported meat.
Not a gold coin nor a silver dollar wa
coined in the minis of the United State
+ during the month of July. There were
= however. GAO, 800 quarter dollars, l, 100,
r 600 dimes and 8, 331 900 one cent piece
turned out. For the Philippines coinag
system the mint made ], 434, 112 pesos
, 8. 2O5, 600 five centavo pieces 2, $3.50, 90
s one centavos; and 4, 450, 600 half Ger
e tavos pieces. ,,
l. The money report of the ComptrOllC
of the Currency issued today shows thu
y the circulation of national banks VIZ
u increased during July by SO, S75, 80
d and during the preceding II months
Y s54, 362, 900.
n Minister Squiers, at Havana, has IL
formed the State Department that /
Ie learns from the Cuban authorities thi
y little significance is attached to the r.
cent disturbances in Santiago province
. They are characterized as mere brigaI
/ dage.
n Counsel for Congressman Littaur, OF Ne
York, had a conference with Secretary no 40
TODAY. it is reported that the report of &c
Darlington on the glove investigation matt
70 is otaItogether favorable to the COngressma