Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1904-01-16
FROM WASHINGTON.
Correspondence Of the Alexandria Gazette'l
Washington, Jan. 10.

Correspondence Of the AIe1hnufia O"Ae''e'J
Washington, Jan. 10.
The important feature ofthe weeks
work in the House was the passageof the
legislature, executive and judicial appro-
p%riation bill coupled with the usual vain
attempt to eliminate the appropriation
for the maintenance of the civil service
commission. Next week the army ap-
proprietion bill will have the floor and
most of the week will be devoted to its
discussion. If any time remains, the
appropriation committee will present the
argent deficiency appropriation bill.
Ex-First Assistant Postmaster Gen.
eral johnson returned to the stand this
morning for cross examination In the
Machen trial. Holmes Conrad, OF New
York, special counsel OF the govern
ment, is confined to his hotel with a seri-
GUS illness, being threatened with pneu-
monia. Assistant Attorney General
Purdy has taken his place as advisor to
the district attorney and his assistants.
Mr.. johnson was examined at length
on the method of initiating letters and
orders. He verified the statements OF
previous witnesses on the practice In the
Postofice Department. Mr.. JOhnson's
testimony was stronger for the prosecu-
ton than any which preceded. An at
tempt was made to lead Mr.. Johnson in
to testimony showing that the extensive
installation of Croft fasteners was in line
with the best policy of the Postofice
Department and justified by the inter-
ests of the service. The witness either
denied the truth of the proposition or
pleaded ignorance. In his redirect ex-
animation, Mr.. johnson said the pur-
chase of Croft fasteners under the eXi-
gency clause was approved by the Comp
troller of the Treasury because Croft
fasteners were patented and obviously
could not be obtained in competitive
bidding for the contract, The court
subsequently adjourned until Monday.
Discussion of the Panama situation
and the question as to whether the Pres
idents course in connection with the
revolution there should or should not be
approved occupied the Senate this week
practically to the exclusion of everything
else. With the exception of the few min
ntes given each day to the introduction OF
oils and the passage of those to which
there was ~ objection, and a few more
minutes each afternoon spent in the o
s,deration behind closed doors of nOmi-
nations to office, the time OF the Senate
has been exclusively given to isthmian
affairs.
The committee expects to be able to
report the canal treaty to the Senate on
Wednesday.
The resolution proposing an investiga-
ton oft postofice frauds by the postal
committee will be disposed of on Monday
and it is probable that much work will
be done in the consideration in executive
session of the nomination of General
Leonard Wood.
Arguments in the case involving the
rights of Senator Smoot, of Utah, to re-
tain his seat in the Senate were heard to-
day by the Senate committee on privi-
leges and elections. .
Congress was not in session today, and
about the Capitol were quiet.
Senator Hanna returned from the
West today, asked concerning the delay
in issuing the call for the republican
national convention, he declared that
there was no dire sinister motive therein.