Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1904-01-27
FROM WASHINGTON.
Correspondence Of the Alexandria Gazette.
Washington, Jan. 81.

Correspondence OF the Alexandria Oazette.J
Washington, Jan. u.
Comptroller of the Currency Ridgely
has prepared a report on the bill which
proposes to allow national banks, under
certain conditions, to lend money on
rural farm lands, which was referred to
him by the Senate committee on finance
for an expression of opinion. Under the
present law no national banks permitted
to loan on real estate. Comptroller
Ridgely favors the suggested amendment
to the banking laws. He has been en-
gagged ip banking in Illinois, and regards
agricultural lands in such a State as
that as among the most trustworthy of
all securities. His report, which is now
in the hands of Secretary Shaw, will soon
be transmitted to the Senate where Mr..
Nelson, of Minnesota, the author OF the
bill, is pushing the project vigorously.
Many of the western Senators are strong
ly in its favor. Meanwhile the House
committee has been moving along the
| same line. Conservative eastern Senators
look upon this scheme with great disfayor,
and their purpose would be to hold 1t
back for the present at least.
Mrs. Clara II. Owens and Mrs. lnez
Maeder, both of Baltimore, were fined $50
with an alternative sentence of 4 months
in Jail by Judge Scott this morning. Ine
Young women obtained goods valued at
| S1O7 so from various stores in this city
and requested that several OF the pur-
cha~es be CHARGED to Col. Pendleton, a
member If The Metropolitan Club, and
that TWO purchases be charged to Mr..
Fatty, a well known sportsman and race
horse owner. All the goods purchased
by the young women were recovered.
Senator Hanna, who has been suffering
with the grip and an liberated tooth, is
reported to be much better today. He
left his bed this morning for the first
time in several days. 1t will be several
DAYS. however, before his physician, DR..
Rixey, will allow him to leave his apart
meats.
The Senate committee on foreign
relations this morning rescinded its
former action in proposing amendments
to the Panama Canal treaty and will
recommend that the Senate should ac-
cept the treaty as it stands without
change. The decision Of the committee
is said to rest on the fear of the republi-
can leaders, that if the treaty should be
sent to Panama for ratification las would
be necessary if amendments were adopted
here) by a constitutional convention COM
posed of men new to International affairs
and eager to make namesfor themselves,
the chances are that other amendments
would be engrafted on the document
which would require future action by the
United States government. This would
delay the beginning of the construction
of the canal. The State Department has
received a dispatch from Minister Buch-
anan, at Panama, urging that the treaty
be ratified without amendment and CIV
ing reasons therefore. As sOon as the
Senate convened today Mr.. Morgan pre-
septed a resolution calling upon the de-
partment for a copy Of that dispatch
which was dated January 22nd.
According to the bureau of statistics
of the Agriculture Department. the domes-
tie e. of the farm products of this
country reached a higher figure in the
year ended June 80, 1908, than was
ever before reached in n year, except
ing 1901. The amount, 1878, 479,45l,
is larger than the average of the preced-
ing FIVE years by $l7, AL, 636.
The President today nominated VIM
B. Martin (white) to be postmaster at
Indianola, Miss. He will take the place
of Minnie Cox (colored) whose resigna-
ton was demanded some time ago by
white citizens of the town, resulting in
the discontinuence of the postofice there.
The term OF Minnie Cox has expired
and she positively refused to accept a
re~appointment and made the request for
the appointment of Mr.. Martin, one of
her bondsmen and staunch friends.
The State Department has been i'll
formed that the Russian reply to the
japanese note is expected at Toxic with
in a very short time.
Capitol policemen today arrested F. E, Me-
Kesson. of New York, representing the
"Writers Press Association who has been
soliciting money from members Of Congaess
for a book, said TO be gotten out under news
paper auspices, for which their pictures were
solicited.
The proceedings in the postofice conspiracy
trial today were of an uninteresting nature
although some Of the testimony for the gov
,rnment wa> thought 10 be important. Post
Office Inspector Mayer Was cross-examined by
Mr.. Douglass
prominent Tidewater citizens announcing his
candidacy