Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1904-05-17
From Washington.
Correspondence of the Alexandria Gazette
Washington, d. c., May IL.

Washington, d. c., May II.
The Cabinet makers are busy this
morning. and the sound of the political
hammer and saw can be heard in the
land The selection of Secretary Cor
telyou, of the Department of Commerce
and Labor, to be chairman of the re-
publican national committee has set the
eossips specializing over his successor
An entire Encouragement of the Presi-
dents official family. is not unlikely.
Many of the changes, however, will not
take place before the 4th day OF next
March, when President Roosevelfs pres
ent term will expire and, ifhe is elected
to- succeed himself, his new term will
begin. His new selection will be based
on revised political economical and per-
sonal views. From the most authentic
information at hand, Secretary Cortel-
you's retirement from the Cabinet will be
but temporary. As soon as the battle OF
ballots is ended, President Roosevelt will
probably offer him the pOstofiice port
folio. Henry G. Payne, of Wisconsin,
the present Postmaster General, VIII
have rendered his resignation. Mr.
PAYNE has been anxious to retire for
over year or more on account OF the
precarious state II his health He would
undoubtedly have severed his connection
with the department long ago had 1t not
been for the scandals that disturbed his
administration. To leave while the in
vcstigations were still going on would
have looked too much ike retirement
under fire. Mr.. Cortelyou is already
well versed in postal affairs. He was
priyate secretary to the 4th Assistant
Postmaster General under President
Cleveland and while in the department
became thoroughly conversant with the
routine in that important branch OF the
service. As Secretary Cortelyon is a
comparatively poor man, with nothing
but his salary to depend upon, it is like
ly that before he accepts the committee
craftsmanship, which is berth without
remuneration, he will receive assurances
Of something equally as good' as the
place in the Department of Commerce
and Labor.
Mr.. CortelyOu this morning declined
TO discuss the matter of his selection as
national chairman. 1t is generally be-
lieved, however, that he will accept the
offer
The Canadian POstoflice Department
has inaugurated system of letter in
surance that goes just little farther
than our registry plan. The scheme
also costs more. Under the new
regulations letter may be insured for
sums ranging from $40 to S25, the
amount of insurance being governed by
the price paid by the sender. For in
stance, to send a so insured letter, the
cost would be two cents for the regular
postage, if it was not Overweight" five
cents for registration, and three cents
for the insurance, making ten cents in
all. For a $15 letter the insurance
charge would be four cents for $50 five
cents and for $25, six cents. Upon
paying the amount required the person
sending the letter receives special re-
ceipt from the postmaster and the
letter itself receives a red seal which is
affixed to the envelope. A letter ten
dered for insurance must be inclosed in
a strong envelope and properly fastened
with gum or wax.
Chas. II. Mann, in charge of the House
Press, Washington, who has been desig-
mated to receive applications to press
seats at the democratic national conven-
ton announces that no more applications
will be received after June s.
Fire last night in the building No. 61O
Twelfth street northwest, owned and &C.
cupied by Wurderman & Co., decorators
and furnishers, did damage estimated at
from SO, 900 to IS, 900.
Two former Postmasters General
Charles Emory Smith, of Philadelphia,
and James A. Gary, of Maryland, were
witnesses in the Tyner-Barrett trial to-
day. Both were called by the defense
and proved strong witnesses.