Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1904-03-05
From Washington.
Correspondence of the Alexandria Gazette.
Washington, March 8.


Washington, March 8.
Appropriation bills will occupy most
of the time of Congress next week. In the
Senate the army and the Notifications
supply bills will be ready for considera-
ton as soon as the naval bill, now pend
ing, is out of the way. Alaskan legisla-
ton will probably be given day dur
ing the week The nomination OF Gen.
Leonard Wood will be taken up in
executive session on Monday and will
probably provoke a long debate. Though
the vote may be delayed it is already
certain that when it is taken it will re-
suit in the confirmation of the nOmina-
ton. The investigation of Mormon
Church affairs, in connection with the
Reed Smoot case will continue during
all of next week. Most of next week in
the House will be devoted to the con-
,ideration of the pcstoffice appropriation
bill, and the postal frauds will be ven
lilated.
Governor Odell will not be guest at
the White House today as had been
arranged. Last night he telegraphed
the President from New York that owing
to a severe cold he was afraid he could
not keep the engagement. This morning
The President received another message
from Gov. Odell saying that the cold
had developed into the grip, and that
he had returned to Albany.
Justice Pritchard this morning over
ruled the motion for new trial in the
case of Samuel A. Croft, inventor of the
patent letter box fastener, and sentenced
him to 2 years in the Moundsville, W.
Va, penitentiary and to pay a fine of
$40, 600, the same as the other cO-defen-
dants in the postoffice conspiracy trial
gently concluded. Croft was subse-
quently released in s2O,0 bonds pend
ing appeal.
The river and harbor committee of the
House this afternoon agreed to recon-
mend no legislation for new surveys this
year. This will shelve number of i'm
portant projects advanced by various sec
tons of the country.
The investigation into the charge
against Senator Dietrich, of Nebraska,
that be accepted money for the position
of postmaster at Hastings, Neb., and with
being interested in buildings leased for
postoffice purposes, will begin at ten
o clock next Friday morning, before the
subcommittee of the Senate committee
on judiciary appointed for that purpose.
The investigation will be open.
President Smith, of the Mormon
Church, resumed the stand this morning
in the investigation OF the Reed Smoot
case before the Senate committee on privi-
leges and elections, and was examined by
A. S. WorthingtOn, of counsel for the de-
tense. His evidence related mostly to
,olygamous marriage and their decline
in recent years. 1t is believed that
Reed Shoots chances Of retain
ing his seat in the Senate have
been seriously diminished by the
testimony given by President Smith,
1t is the opinion of most of those who
have followed the proceedings that the
committee can do nothing else than find
that Smoot was put in the Senate
through the influence of body of men
whose every day life is that of criminals,
opposed to the laws, and that therefore
he is not entitled to retain his seat.
The House committee on pOstofices
aud postrOads, has decided to report to
the House the Hay resolution calling on
the Postmaster General for information
bearing on the charges that members of
Congress have violated laws or regu-
lations by renting buildings to the De
partmentor by influencing the allowances
Of salary and clerk hire with the recon-
mendation that it lie on the table, and
to accompany the report with the COM
from the Postmaster Gen
eral on the subject, which have already
been received and which are really re-
,ponsive to the inquiry. All this mat
Ter will be made pulic on Monday.
1t is reported here that the retirement |
Of Senator German from the contest for
the presidencyis aquestion of but a short
lime. 1t is furthermore understood that
Senator German will declare in favor of |
lie nomination of Judge Parker, and
sill do all in his power to have the hon
)r conferred upon the New Yorker.
Mr.. Rixey has introduced bill in the
House for the relief of Robert L. Moore.