Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1903-11-03
FROM WASHINGTON.
Correspondence Of the Alexandra Gazette-l |
Washington, ID. O., Nov. 3.

AAfcNef
TO consider the question OF reciprocity
with Cuba it will be the l4th extraor-
binary session in the history OF the
country. The last previous extraordl-
nary session was that convened by Presl-
dent Mckinley on March 10, 1897, the
result of which was the passage OF the
Dineley tariff law. Although the
particular purpose of the present session
is the passage Of joint resolution to
make effective the terms of the Cuban
reciprocity treaty passed by the Senate
last spring, there is nothing to prevent
the taking Up of other matters. AS
this Is beginning of new Congress,
the 5Stb, it will be necessary for the
House to elect new officers. The repub-
ican and democratic caUcuses for the
nomination of these officers will be held
on Saturday. The republicans Will
meet in the hall of the House at noon,
the democrats in the evening. The re-
publicans will elect presiding officer
of the caucus to succeed Mr. Cannon,
who will be nominated for Speaker.
Gen. Grosyenor of Ohio is believed to
be slated to succeed him. Besides the
Speakership the other house offices
will be filled. The incumbents will
be chosen to succeed themselves. They
are Alexander Mcdowell, of Pa, clerk;
Henry Casson, of Wisconsin, sergeant
at arms; f. B. Lyon, of New York, door
keeper; Jos. c. McElrey, Of Ohio, post
master: Rev. Henry N. Couden, ofMich-
igan, chaplain. The democratic caucus
will be presided over by Representative
Hay. of Virginia. There will be con-
test for the nomination for Speaker,
which carries with it the floor leader
ship, and Representative Williams, OF
Mississippi, will probably be chosen.
For the compliment of the democratic
nomination for the other offices of the
House, the same men will probably be
selected who were given that empty
honor two years ago-Ex-Representa-
tive Kerr, of Pennsylvania, for Clerk;
x-Representative Brookshire of Indiana,
sergeant at arms; Chas. Edwards, of
Texas, doorkeeper; Jas. S. Jackson, of
Alabama, postmaster, and Rev. E. B.
Bagley, OF Virginia, chaplain. The
republicans being in control of the
House. their ticket will, of course, be
chosen at the session on Monday. Sena-
tor FRYE ofMaine, will continue as Presi-
dent pro TEN ofthe Senate. The last House
of Representatives had 357 members. The
59th Congress elected its members under
the reapportionment based on the 18th
census and the House will have 1856
members, four delegates from territories
and PRESIDENT Commissioner from
Porto Rico, who will have neither voice
nor vote, only seat and the privilege OF
the floor There will be l2O new House
members. GA members who have served
but one term or part of one term. The
political division of the House will be
2OS republicans and 17S democrats. In
the Senate there will be ~ new men,
bers. OF the entire 80 Senators, 80
have seen service in the lower branch.
There will be 81 republicans in the SEN
ate. OF the twelve new members, six
are republicans, six democrats.
Advices received from the Orient by
the State Department indicate that
Russia and Japan have reached an agree
ment by which each gains and China
alone is the loser. By it Japan is to
continue her sway over Korea, supposed
ly independent, and Russia is to similarly
dominate Manchuria. Just bow this
affects the United States or in what
manner this country is to assert its rights
to free trade in Manchuria Secretary
Hav does not define, but it is more than
probable that his interview this morning
with Senator CuIlom in which he urged
upon the chairman of the Senate COM
mittee on foreign relations the necessity
for the speedy ratification of the treaty
with China has unusual significance.
Any delay in the ratification might
mean the total exclusion from Man
churia of American trade and it also
might mean an arrangement between
this country and Russia. Should Rus
STA obtain full sway in Manchuria the
right of the United States to free trade
in Moukden and Antung would be seri-
ously impugned and undoubtedly be
rendered null. The State Department
in such case would hardly go beyond
protests and these with country of
Russia's callousness would hardly be ef-
fectual.
The President has committed the SEN
tence of dismissal recommended by court
martial in the case of Capt. Geo. Il.
French, 10th Infantry, U. S. A., to re-
duction to the foot of the list of captains
where he will remain for five years
Capt. French was found guilty of the
charge of drunkenness. His sentence
will operate to prevent his ever attaining
higher rank than captain in the United
States army.
Senator Cullom, chairman of the Sen
ate committee on foreign relations, was
a visitor at the State Department this
morning. He discussed with Secretary
Hay the newly negotiated commercial
treaty with China and promised that its
ratification should be urged upon the
Senate early in the session.
The Chinese Minister, Sir Chentung
LANG Cheng, calledupon Secretary Hay
this morning to present Mr.. Wong, the
Chinese representative at the st. Louis
exposition. He had heard nothing over
night of the situation in Manchuria.
II is said that the investigation now
in progress in the Office Of the Third
Assistant Postmaster General is more for
the purpose of discovering the extent to
which rare U. S. postage stamps have
heen renrinted than with any idea of