Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1905-09-07
+ rom Washington
Correspondence of the Alexandria Gazette.
Washington. d. c., Sept. Z.

tCorrespondence of the Alexandria Gazette
Washington. d. c., Sept. Z.
Friends of Oscar J. Ricketts,, foreman
of printing OF the government printing
Office and candidate for the position OF
Public Printer to succeed Frank W.
Palmer, whose resignation has been re-
quested, are claiming the support Of every
member of the Senate committee on
printing for Ricketts,. 1t is said that
Chairman Platt, of New York, intimated
10 the President, when it became known
that Palmer would be asked to step out,
that he would be pleased to see Ricketts,
appointed. Within the last few days
Senators Elkins and German have writ
ten to the President, it is said, in the
foreman's behalf. Chairman Keep, OF
the commission, to which the charges OF
characterization brought by Palmer
against Ricketts, and Foreman L. G. Hays
were referred, has not received further
instructions as to the desire of the Presi-
dent to have the commission pursue the
investigation in view of the fact that ne
has asked for Palmer's resignation.
Commissioner Cooley of the Civil Ser
vice Commission stated this morning
that the report of L. s. Fisher, special
agent of the commission who was sent
to Newport News, Va, to investigate the
charges preferred by Congressman May
nard and other leading democrats of
Virginia against Collector of Customs
]. E. B. Stuart at Newport News, would
be sent TO the President for his dispo-
sition.
Commissioner of Pensions Warner to-
day made public his annual report for
the fiscal year ended June 80, 1908.
The number of pensioners on the rolls
at the Office at the close of the fiscal
year was 99S, AL an increase Of 1873.
/ he maximum of pensioners was attain
ed in January 1905, when the number
was ,004, 1876. The sum of Sal, l42,
SCI was iisbursed for pensions during
the past year, 1888, O22, 10 to survivors
of tho civil war. The total amount paid
for pensions since the foundation of the
government was 1920, $50, 022 and OF
this amount SO, IA, 1895, 405 were paid
on account of the civilswar.
Mr.. j. Martin Miller, the former
newspaper man who was appointedUnlted
States Consul at Aix.la. Chappelle, Ger
many, and to whom the German govern
ment has thus far declined to give an
exequatur, called at the State Depart
ment this morning for the purpose OF
explaining to acting Secretary LOOMS
the reasons assigned by Germany for re-
fusing 20 grant his exequatuF. When
Mr.. Miller was a war correspondent in
China during the Boxer uprisings OF
1900 he wrote several articles severely
criticizing the German military authOri-
ties for executing several alleged Boxers.
Mr.. Miller then stated that these men
were innocent and should not have
been shot by the Germans. A few
wears ago Mr.. Miller also wrote
an interview with Admiral Dewey in
which be quoted the Admiral as critics.
ing the Germans in Manila Bag. To
both of these articles Germany, it seems.
has objected. 1t also seems that Ger
many objects to the appointment OF
American newspaper men to consul posi-
tons on the ground that they are en-
tirely too inquisitive in investigating the
commercial relations of Germany with
other countries. At the conclusion OF
his interview with Mr.. Miller acting
Secretary LoOmis said that no decision
had as yet been reached regarding his
case. 1t is thought probable, however,
that Mr.. Miller will be transferred to
another post.
The return to this country of Mr..
Grip, Minister of Norway and Sweden,
has occasioned no little surprise among
officials of the State Department Mr.
Grip was an early caller at the State
Department this morning, having just
returned to this city from visit to Nor
way and Sweden, and explained to act
ing Secretary LOOMS that his status was
at yet unchanged and that he still rep
resented Norway aud Sweden as one
nation. When Mr.. Grip hurriedlY and
Unexpectedly left this country several
weeks ago it was not believed that he
would return in his ministerial capacity.
He is a Norwegian and it was thought at
the time of his departure that he would
throw his lot with Norway as an indie
pendent sovereignty.
Secretary Wilson of the Department
of Agriculture left last night for Huron,
S. D., where he will make an address OF
an informal nature at the State fair on
Monday. On his return trip to Wash
ington he will spend few days at his
home in Iowa and will probably be alb
sent for ten or fifteen days. For the first
time this summer Washington is abso-
lutely deserted by the high officials Of
the government The White House is
located temporarily at Oyster Bay and
every Cabinet official is away on vaca-
ton.
Morgan H. Beach, who recently re-
signed as U. S. Attorney for the District
ofColumbia, has been appointed special
assistant to the Attorney General for
the purpose of conducting the govern
ment's case in the cotton report scandal.
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