Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1905-12-09
From Washington.
Correspondence of the Alexandria Gazette. }
Washington. ID. O.. Dec. 9.

w ~ Oss wv
Democrats of the House and Senate
are quite determined to push Panama
canal affairs to the front during this
session of Congress. Resolutions have
been prepared, and one has already been
introduced in the House, looking to an
investigation Of the financial status OF
the venture, and although no decided
step will be taken before the holidays,
the debate will turn on resolutions OF
this character before long. 1t is not
believed that the republicans of the
House, in which the subject will proba-
bly, be first brought up, will agree to the
appointment of an investigating commits
sion. 1t mist be considered, however,
that there is good deal of dissatisfac-
ton with canal affairs among republi-
cans as well as democrats, and that the
former will have to be Modified as much
as the latter, to prevent an investigation.
A virulent case of smallpox was Ie-
ported to the Health Officer today from
the Presidents yacht Sylpb, now lying
at the navy yard, this city. Clarence
Mario, a negro sailor, was first stricken
shortly after the return of the Presi-
dents yacht to this city from an excur-
sion which Mrs. Roosevelt took down
the Potomac several weeks ago. All
suspects were Immediately transferred to
the Navy Yard Hospital while Mario
was sent to the District detention camp.
The Yacht will be thoroughly fumigated
before being put into commission again.
The United States Senate will not be
represented at the funeral of the late
Senator Mitchell, of Oregon, either in
the persons Of committee of IFS men,
bers or by social official Of the State
designated for that purpose. The an
nouncement OF this determination was
made this morning after conference be
tween Vice President Fairbanks anu
Sergeant-at-Arm Ransdell in a brief
statement which says that the friends
of the Senator will not ask fer the APP
pointment of such committee, or the des-
gnation of such official. 1t is pointed
out that even were a committee of Sena-
tors appointed, it could not possibly
reach Oregon in time to attend the
funeral. With regard to the failure to
drape the Senator's desk, it is stated
that it is only customary to drape the
seats of deceased Senators af,er the for
NAL notification of death has been made
to the Senate, and then only up to the
time If burial. The Senate will not
meet until uoon next Monday, by which
time the funeral will probably have
taken place. No formal notification OF
the death of Senator Mitchell has been
made to the Senate. Whether or not
the Senate will recess on Monday out OF
respect to the memory OF the deceased,
and whether formal eulogies shall be
pronounced on The floor at a later date
has not yet been determined. The
probabilities are, however, that the Gus
tomary enlogies will in this case be
omitted.
President Roosevelt received call to-
day from Prof. Frank II. Roberts of the
University Of Colorado, who has just re-
turned from an extended tour abroad
during which he studied the municipal
ownership of utilities. ln general, Prof
Roberts told the President he found
that public ownership does not pay and
is bound to fail in the long run with
in ten years the conservative party in
England will be declaring against public
ownership" said Profess or Roberts.
"The principal reason that the munich
pal ownership schemes that have been
thus far tried seems { show on their face
a gain or a profit, is that they are not
run on a business basis. Legitimate ex-
penses are not paid and they are cred
tied with unreal profits. Thinking
politicians in Englandadmit that munic-
ipal ownership has not paid and is bound
to be cast aside in short time"
Senator Foster, accompanied by men,
bers of the Louisiana congressional dele
CATION, called on the President this morn
ing to make inquiries regarding the SEN
tence by the court martial upon Midship-
man Meriweather The President in
formed his caller that he has not yet re-
ceived the report of the court marital
and knew no more about it's findings
than they do. The Louisiana delegation
is of the opinion that no punishment
should be imposed and served notice on
the President that if any penalty was
recommended by the court martial they
wished to be heard in opposition.
The annual accumulation Of articles in the |
dead lett Office will be sold at auction, be-
ginning next Monday morning. 1t consists
Of 5, 162 packages, representing just that many |
instances Of careleSsness in addressing or
wrapping on TIE part of the senders. Many !
of the packages contain miscellaneous as
sOrtment Of trinkets, bringing up the tot j |
number Of articles 10 more than 10000. Each |
package will be sold 10 the highest bidder, |
regardless of the amount The sale will oc-
cupy a week or ten days.
Scarlet fever has made its appearance III |
the home of the newly arrived Mexican Am
bassadOr, Don Joaquin d. Casasns, and The |
Embassy is under quarantine. Three OF the !
children have fallen victims
The President today received visit from |
the committee appointed by the Interstate |
Commerce Law Convention recently held Ia |
Chicago, which handed him set Of resolu- |