davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1903-08-12

To SPRINT FOR OFFICE.-Notice was
given yesterday of the most unique po'
litical contest in the history of-Henrico
county. Fairfield district, just outside
the Richmond city limits, has six candi-
dates for constable and to avoid the
difficulties of the primary they have de-
cided to settle it with footrace over a
measured course Of half mile. There
will be big political meeting at Hardin
Shop tomorrow afternoon, and the voters
will be the judges and will declare the
man who crosses the line first the win
ner. The contestants are T. II. Frank
lin, Samuel Brothers, E. J. Ness, r. II.
Hobson, A. 7. Crabbins and John
Camp. All are young and active men.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1903-08-12
Missing Man.

A dispatch from Newport News says
William Hollett, an Alexandrian. is
missing and his disappearance is giving
his relatives and friends much anxiety.
He has not been seen since saturday
last, and it is feared he has met with
foul play.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1903-08-12
Death of MIR. Leadman.

Mr.. L. Ledman, proprietor ofthe hotel
Alton, Occoquan, Va, died Sunday,
August 8, after lingering illness. He
was well known, highly esteemed and
respected citizen. His wife, six sons
and two daughters survive him.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1903-08-12

Persons leaving the city for the sum-
mer or for any length of time can have
the Gazette mailed to them for ten cents
q waak
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1903-08-12

WEATHER PRoBABILITIE s.-for this sec
ton fair tonight. Thursday increasing ciouoi
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1903-08-12
LOCAL NEWS.

sun rises tomorrow at SIG a. m. and sets
7:04 p. m. High water at lO;Zo p H. anu
IO.55 d. IN
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1903-08-12

he will be in a position to meet Santos
Dumont, the Brazilian aeronaut, and
compete, with him in the aerial races at
the ST. Louis Exposition.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1903-08-12

The weather today has been clear and cool
with stiff northwesterly breeze.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1903-08-12
Mattings at
Clearance Prices

THERE are still a few good patterns left of
the marked-down Mattings. As long as
they last we will sell them at off regular
prices. Sold only by the roll or piece,
roll 40c Mating, 30 a yard.
rolls Sc Mating, 23c a yard.
rolls SOC Mating, &c yard.
roll27Ic Mating. fSc yard.
rolls 25c Mating, 17c a yard.
rolls 22ie Mating, l5ic yard
roll 800 Mating. 13io yard.
All small pieces (undsr IS yards) are mark
ed at exactly half price.
They are all fresh Mattings. produced for
this season, and the patterns and solorings are
the best.
Second hoor-New bldg.
New-York tribune., 1903-02-11
NOTES OF SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON.

Washington Feb 10 (SpeciaD.-Soctety was m
debted to General and Mrs. William T. Draper "
night for a large and beautifully appointed coeiio"
The dance signazed the opening OF the whte anu
gold ballroom which was added to their Confecu-
cut-ave. house last summer Whie lheE W.
abroad 1t is unusually large, even Tor d "a'H-
ington ballroom and is hung with htteentn century
tapestres of Flemish weave. There are toufteoi
-, +bas. oIy,ost priceIess haugiugs. The host ana
hostess the latter wearing white, with DIAMONDS
and IearIs received in the salon adjoining tue oi'
room. Theye assisted by their mouse gusts
Mr.. and Mrs. George a. Draper OF 6ost"n' W.
Draper is a brother OF General Draper. ana ms
wife is Mrs Drapers sister. Official and diplo-
matte society was brilliantly represented among
the 80 guests. Van Ness Philip led the cotioH
with Miss Alice Roosevelt and music was lui'
nished by an orchestra selected from the 1adf'nT
Rand The favors for the five figures. which con-
sisted of gay wands. umbrellas and butteFthes ipI
the women and paper cutters. knives and canes
for tke men, were dainty trifes from Paris Ddhe-
ing began at 10 o'clock, supper was served at L."
o'clock at small stables in the ballroom ana 'Hs
c1tillon began at / 30 O'Clock
Senator and Mrs Hanna gave another large din-
ner tonight. Their guests were the Italian AM
bassador and Signora Mayor des Piaachss' INC
British Ambassador and Lady Herbert the AUS
trian Ambassador and Nine Hengeimuier' oeu-
ator and Mrs Wetmore. Senator and Mrs. DepeW
Senator and Mrs. Foraker. PaymasteT General and
Mrs Bates, Mrs. Sheldon, OF Detroit; Mrs Audeh-
ried Mr. and Mrs. Robert Patterson, Mrs Cameron
sister Of the Postmaster General; MISS Patteh'
Miss Lucy Kean, Miss Phelps, Secretary WILSON,
Justice Brown. Representative Hit and MI.
Boardman.
Ex-senator and Mrs John 3. Henderson gave
dinner tonight in honor of their son. John b.
Henderson, and Miss Angelica Crosby, whose mar
riage will take place Thursday The other
guests were Mr.. and Mrs Henry Burden. Miss
Preston, Miss Jay, Miss Oakney. Miss Thompson
Miss Frances Arnold. Arthur Walcott and Henry
Arnold, all of New-York; Mr.. and Mrs Henry Van
Rensselaer, of Albany; Leland Thompson, Of Troy
Mr. and Mrs. Steven Van Rensselaer, Crosby iran
els Sears and John Burnett. of Boston; Countess
Cassini Miss Natalie Berry, Miss de Smrnon VINO
is spending the winter with her aunt, Mrs HERBERT
IVarisWorth Count Won MontgeiaS, OF the Ger
man Embassy; Jerome Bonaparte and Mr. Ban
croft After dinner the guests attended the Draper
New-York tribune., 1903-02-11
THE QUESTION OF EXPENSE.

It may he that the Assembly resolution for
fresh inquiry into the cost of carrying OUT tne
canal Improvement plan will be made TO ser'e'
if it does not signify. hostile purpose: Dut in-
asmuch as honest doubt exists as 10 lhe az
curacy of the estimates, they should De SUI
jected to further scrutiny. In our opinion tne
legislature ought to devolve on the people TINS
year the responsibility of determining WHAT they
want to have done with their canals The ques-
ton has been long and elaborately discussed In
the messages of Governors the reports OF COM
missions and by commercial bodies. II the pun
lie has not followed the debate with interest
and attention hitherto, a campaign deVoeeu
largely to that issue would presumably qualify
the voters to decide intelligently next Novem-
her. If not, longer postponement would be
unlikely 70 inform and settle their MINDS Bnt
they are entitled to know, instead of guessing
what the proposed improvement would cost
Years ago they were asked TO make an invest
ment of S9OOoOOp. Long after they had con-
scented they ascertained not only that $9,0o0,oOo
was not much more than half enough, but that
q large deficiency had been foreseen and the
miscaIculation concealed in fear of an adverse
decision They want no repetition of that eA-
perience.
Doubtless the estimate of So, 100000 as the
cost of a 1.O0O-ton barge canal was made In
good faith but the question is properly ralseo
whether conditions have not so changed as 10
require revision of the figures. 1t is suggested
that the prices of labor and material have risen
since 1900 and would be likely to keep on rising
during the progress OF the work: that the cost
of an additional water supply may not nave
been duly considered that a sufficient allow
ance for bridges, dams and riparian rights may
not have been made and that the margin Tor
unforeseen contingencies may not be large
enough. We hope there is no reason for appre-
hension in respect to these points, but whether
such questions are asked in friendly or III an
unfriendIy spirit, they ought to be answered
with scrupulous care and without the slightest
regard to the consequences. If, In pursuance
of the resolution unanimously adopted by the
Assembly yesterday, the State Engineer is able
TO give a new assurance that SS2,OOo,00G VIII
suffice the advocates of the plan under consid-
Grafton will be gratifed and their position VIII
probably be strengthened. If he should be COM
PEELED to report that the estimate ought to De
raised to a certain figure for whatever reasons,
the legislature and the public would then be-
come possessed of facts relating to the present
and prospective situation which might not re-
feet the slightest discredit on the earlier COM
putation, but which they imperatively need to
possess
Let us have the whole and exact truth, and
then vote on a canal policy for the State Of
New-York
New-York tribune., 1903-02-11
THE TAX ON BARROOMS.

Even in country towns in Massachusetts
which have voted in favor of license under the
local option law the rate for the privilege OF
keeping barroom is in many cases above that
now in force in this great city, and ranges
from 81 900 year to s., 600, or even more. The
suggestion made by a member of the present
legislature that both the State and the city
would obtain welcome and needed increase of
revenue by the raising Of the cost of saloon
licenses from $500 TO $1,000 may be productive
of thought. Suppose such an advance should
lessen by some hundreds or more the number
of dramshops within our municipal limits,
would not the results be Of advantage to the
great majority of people? Four barrooms at
the four corners of the crossings of avenues
and streets can be found in formidable array
in localities not few, with additional saloons
In the middle of even short blocks.
Who that studies the conditions of city life
and sees the clusters and groups Of saloons in
so many places is prepared to argue that the
masses Of New YOrkers and visitors to New
York would not be better off, provided a raising
of the excise impost by 25 per cent were estab-
lished? Might not every barroom which was
forced to close its doors by such an advance be
readily spared? 1t is practically certain more
over that there would be an enlargement of In
come for city and State were the tax made
higher
New-York tribune., 1903-02-11
TROLLEY FREIGHT SERVICE.

In the rural districts as well In the large
cities of the United States there is a steady
increase in the use of trolley lines for trans
porting express and mail matter. At large
centres of population special cars for such SER
vice have long been familiar sight. In the
country the evolution has not gone quite so far,
although for years it has been customary to
carry trunks, mail bags and baskets of fruit
and vegetables on the front platforms of pas
senger cars, either into or out of town. An
appreciable advance is close at hand, however
and it may not be many years before the coun-
try outs1ips the city in this application of cleo
tricity to the needs Of local commerce For
one of the great interurban systems out in
Ohio, embracing three long lines which con-
centrate at Cincinnati, six story terminal sta
ton is now going up In that city. Besides the
usual waiting rooms and toilet accommodations
for passengers and suitable apartment for the
storage of express matter, there will be she'd
measuring 90 by so feet exclusively for light
freight. The latter merchandise will not be
collected in one part of town and carried by
trolley to another, but it will come from farms
and gardens anywhere from five to thirty miles
away, and On reaching Cincinnati is to be dis
tlibuted by teams.
With a reasonable hope of success. the COM
pany which is furnishing these facilities might
look for q large development OF patronage
without taking further steps Still, it has
planned to meet the farmer more than half
way. Elaborate provision is being made In the
surrounding country for the coveted traffic. In
front of important farms which adjoin any Of
the compaLy's tracks platforms will be con-
structed for the deposit Of milk cans. vegetable
crates, fruit baskets and other parcels OF prod
uce. Wagons will bring freight to a few sta
tions from points a mile or two distant Special
New-York tribune., 1903-02-11
NOT 4 PERSONAL NATTER.

1t is difficult to believe the reports from AL
bany that the sinking fund bill is being held
up in the Assembly Cities Committee through
fear Of giving Controller Grout too much repu-
tation It is even more difficult to believe that
in serious doubt about the wisdom Of the bill
already passed by the Senate, the Assembly
leaders are planning bill of their own TO turn
into the city treasury directly the surplus Of
the sinking fund. They must know that such
q thing is impossible. The cid law setting
aside the city's present income is not merely a
statute which can be repealed and result in
freeing part or all of that income. 1t created.
contract obligation between the city and the
bondholders which the legislature cannot break.
The contract would be enforced by the Su-
pre1ne Court of the United States. All that can
be done is TO invest the surplus according TO the
terms of the contract in bonds OF the city of
New York BY issuing those bonds for the gen.
eraI fund the security is untouched, the con-
tract is kept and the taxpayers are relieved
That is what the bill now held up in the AS
sembly proposes TO do.
That bill is no more Controller Grout's bill
than il is Mayor Lows bill If there is any
political advantage TO be gained from so ex-
ceIIent measure it should come TO the Mayor
as well as the Controller and be an asset Of
The administration in general, the success Of
which we believe, Governor Odell and the
whole Republican organization much desire.
The plan for the sinking fund reform originated
with Deputy Controller Stevenson. II anybody
is 10 get personal glory from it he should be the
man. Mr.. Grout examined and approved the
plan when il came TO him in due course OF
business, and then Afr. Low did the same. After
that number OF former Controllers and promi-
nent bankers and lawyers declared In favor OF
H. II it is 10 be killed for the friends it has
made then IL would seem that the way 10 Sc
cure desirable legislation from our perspicacious
lawmakers is violently to oppose it,
But what If Mr.. Grout does get some glory
out Of reform in his Department. Is that any
reason why the legislature should refuse to
relieve the taxpayers of this city of sso00'ooo
q wear of unnecessary taxation? Is this the
size of the statesmen in control OF the affairs
Of q great commonwealth? We cannot believe
that such pettiness prevails among them. Mr..
C.rout Is a member Of a non-partisan admin
sstration, at the head OF which is Mayor Low,
q Republican. That administration to-day
speaks for the interests of the city Of New
York The notion that finances must not be
reformed lest Mr. Grout may get some political
New-York tribune., 1903-02-11
nrrv ro RE DoyE m ELM STREET

DTTY TO BE DONE N ELM STREET.
The nublic will be glad to hear that the COM
missioner of Street Cleaning has been attentive
II considering the condition of Elm-St- ana Is
likely to make strong presentation OH 'l'i'
subject 10 the responsible authorities as he
properly can. DR.. Woodbury. IS an ingenious
and energetic man of clear ideas, whose inter
est il is generally useful to enlist in support OF
a desirable object. The spokesmen of the Met
ropolitan company are endeavorlng, WITH coh-
siderable reason 10 excuse the unsatisfactory
oneration of its cars. especially in Broadway.
on the ground that the congestion of traffic. for
which they are not responsible, is great I'M
pediment: that trucks constantly get in the way
of the cars and are often wilful'y kept there by
obstinate drivers and that it will not be pos
sibIe 10 improve the service TO any great extent
at certain hours until the municipality has bet
ter regulated the movement of vehicles IN
crowded thoroughfares
1t is doubtless fact that some hindrances OF
this sort can be got rid of by an ordinance, Dut
1t would be folly to stop there when dlligent
and systematic work might In no long time
open a natural outlet for large part OF the
traffic which by clogging Broadway for the
space of more than a mile creates trouble over
q much longer distance. The Elm-st improve
actly such q situation. but it has been managed
with extraordinary lack of intelligence anu good
faith It is exasperating TO think of the chaos
which has existed in Elm-st. for years, and OF
the money it has cost TO keep the street chaotic.
Still more exasperating is it to hear suggestions
of liberation for the Metropolitan company
scheme to appropriate Elm-St to its own pur-
poses. 1t is not surprising that such an idea is
cherished by that ayaricious corporation, but II
would be Il fantastic betrayal of the public IN
terests-of the very interests which have been
complaining more bitterly and justly than ever
during the last three months of the conditions
Droduced by overcroWding-if q reform admins
tration should show the least favor TO the plan
for perverting Elm-st. from the use which 1t
was designed to serve, is capable of serving and
might have been serving for almost decade If
successive city governments had done their
duty The thing to do is to put 1t in order at
the earliest possible moment and, 10y keeping
streetcars off ii forever, TO attract heavy trafc
from Broadway and give the existing lines OF
transportation a fair chance to vindicatc the
company's professions Of socitude for the pub
lie convenience.
New-York tribune., 1903-02-11

otherwise Thus, the law now requires court
hv IA feet when the apartment is pul'
AGAINST the blank wall of a factory "heh
tyo fats come together the size or the court
&c doubled. A double court of. say, j. by II
feet would give more light and air 10 poin
fats than the law requires for the nat pniil
alone. and would give larger rooms. we do not
sav tbis change is wise, but merely that niue
concessions to make houses more attracti'e
might be safe But certainly no vital chahge
in the scope of the law should be permitteu'
Reasonable builders who have detailed COM
plaints to make should, and no DOUBT WILL pe
listened TO, but the keepers of the ola denS anu
the builders who merely want to 40 Us 'he!
pIease" are entitled TO no consideration n sre'i'
deal of the trouble over the new law appears
to come from the failure Of architecIs 10 auap'
their plans to get the most cut OF IL. "hen
ingenuity has been shown good results nave
been achieved. The builder or the ltusseiis''
flats. for instance has by his arrangement ac-
complshed under the law substantially Whal
a plan recently put out on behalf OF puiioers
secured by halving the required courts
New-York tribune., 1903-02-11

cera ant f.ucks like those used Tor express
service 90, eiactric roads in cities, VIII be put
I'm ourratiq and at certain seasons htteeh
minnie ssbets ale will probably he feasible.
yc.,,,,or freight tarin has been worked out, ana
stnmps viii bc sold for prepayment OF charges
As an additional attraction, the company VIII
odopt ii o woyblll system TO insure protection
tn ship,,,rs In short. it will do as much rs, or
cvop more than the steam railroad companies
for its patrons.
OF hundreds of rural trolley lines which al
rnadv handle little of this sort of business,
selves uss how far it would be judicious TO go
In the creation, Of special facilities. In sparseiy
settled regions, or where the officials were
timid the question has not been seriously con-
sidered nerhaps. Elsewhere larger possibilities
have been recognized and bolder spirit hao
nrevailed. vet without active measures being
taken ike those reported from Southern ONO.
Practical experiment goes so much furthef thah
theory that most of these people have waited
for some one else to make the test. Wlthln
tho next wear or two. therefore, demonstra-
tiou of great value will be afforded. The coun-
trv will soon have chance to learn Whether
II navs thus TO cater TO patrons or not, and 10
inst what degree it will be safe TO follow the
example now about to be set AS to the out
come there can he little doubt, There Is an
immense amount of produce needing uanspor-
tation TO great railway centres, and electricity
can do the work cheaper and quicker than
horses can: hence it is only question or tllnc
when it will perform the service, and when all
the incidental expenses Of the new system VIII
be readily met.
New-York tribune., 1903-02-11
Amnsemenfs.

ACADEMY OF Observation-Disclosures,
AMERICAN NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
Darling OF me GoOh
4S71aTs TIE -2o--The Bird in the Case
BROADWAY TfEAfRh=-s-s-Ihc Silver slipper
CASINo-e:f5-A Chinese Honeymoon.
t,THf~f.N. Ta41cATRE-2-S-NaudeNiile-
CRITERION THEATEE-S-The Little Princess
Tne Cavalier.
DAl.Y-s T14EATREc-2:i5 -S:l5-The Bihonaire.
TcTgFal Nj -SE ES-2-S-Ihe World in Wax.
EMPIRE TEEATRFs-2:15-- .20--The Unforeseen
GARDEN THEATRE-S-If Were King
GAKRfCK THEATREs-2- -15--S:i5--Mice and Men
HARLEM OPERA dOI,SE I,SE--S:l5-lmpruoence
HERALD SQUARE THEATRE-scI5-Mr. Pick~iek
IRVING PLACE THEATRES S-2o-Der Fastefssoii'-
KEITH Performance
FRROCKER THFATRk--2--e--AlT- Eloe ped1e-
MADISON SQUARE TIIEATIlIcS .i5--The kfall OF fa"-
fncket.
MAJESTIC THEATRE-e-s-The Wizard of o.
MANHATTAN TBiEATRE-s-Mary OF Magdaia ~
MADISON SQUARE GARDEN-a a. m 20 IL ?. n---D's
METROPOLITAN OPERA EEOCSE-S-lohenSrln.
MURRAY EILIE-2-S-Alahalna. ,-,o.
SANQN-.:J5-S-20-The Girl with the
Johnny Comes MARCHING A1e''N'
PASTOR 'S-Coujnuous Performance ,A~o,
PRINCESS lrfsky MS.
ST NICHOLAS SKATING RINK-Hooasey ila'OA
TsROCToRrS NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS..
NrCT0RIk--s:l5-The Eternal City. - S,,,u
vrAL,T.ACk'S THEATRE-e-S.ia-Ihe SHIt'A" O ND-1-
WEST END TFsEATRE-e-s-The Ciinpeis.
New-York tribune., 1903-02-11

canjtaI for the future from the good results
achieved in his department wouid hkeWlse
nrompt efforts TO keep abuses intrencheo III
other departments headed by Democrats ana
reduce their work to failure. Such an alltu'e
would be one Of enmity 10 the whoie CIT! OIL
New-York The Republican taxpayers OF uhis
CITY are Just as much concerned as the Deino-
Gratis for the saving of money ana the success
ful administration of the FINANCE department
They want TO see every braneh OF me lnuiiici-
pal service we'll administered; ana an oostacIe
put in the path of any Official Democrat VI
RepIhlican in his attempts 10 serve them is
an affront 10 them. The Senate bill should ne
totan m nromptly by the Assembly and