Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1905-03-11
From Washington.
correspondence of the Alexandra Ga1ette'l
Washington, d. c., March ii.

n VIII w ~~H~@-
correspondence of the Alexandra Ga1ette.l
Washington, d. c., March II.
At today's session of the congess OF
mothers. poIygamy and the fight the
Congress has waged against Senator Reed
Smooi, Of Utah, was the principle topic
of discussion. 1t was brought up 10 the
annual reports Of the national officers.
The mothers congress took the Initiative
in the crusade against Senator Smoot
and the president, Mrs. Schroh, in her
opening address gave detailed account
of it.
Although it is understood thata selec-
ton has been made ola FourthAssistan
Postmaster General to fill the vacancy
caused by the recent retirement OF JOS.
+, Bristow. of Kansas, Postmaster ten
eral Cortelyou is not yet ready to an
nounce the name. Louis A. Coolidge,
the well known newspaper correspon dent
and assistant secretary OF the national
republican committee, could have had
the post, but declined. 1t is currently
reported that Edwin G. Madden, OF
Detroit, third Assistant, and w. ..
Shalleuberger, 2nd Assistant, OF Penn
sylyania, have decided to retire and that
thew will tender their designations to the
Postmaster General within few days.
The Senate was not in session today
and but few people were about the Cap
ito.
Tom Fields, the lawyer against when
there is a charge Of embezzling funds be-
long to the Washington Beneficial En-
dowment Association, who was arrested
in Chatham, N. Y, arrived here last
night and was Immediately taken TO
police headquarters. An effsrt will be
made today 10 secure bail. In case ofcon-
yiction Fields can be sentenced to not
less than two years nor more than Ten
wears. The court this morning fixed
Fields bond at S., 900, and it is now be-
ing executed.
Count Cassini, the Russian Ambas-
sador. does not believe that peace will
follow the battle of Mukden. In speak
ing today OF the probable results OF the
battle, he said "After Lao Yang, there
was talk of peace Russia's answer was
reinforcements. Like Lao Yang, Muk.
den is the scene of another retreat, and
srain Russia's answer will be large
,sinforcements."
Senator EIkins, of West Virginia, had
a talk with the President this morning
on the rate legislation question 1--WE
are going to hold meeting of the COM
mittee on Tuesday, said Senator Elkins,
"and will 60 right ahead from now on
in order TO become thoroughly familiar
with the subject before Congress meets
again. Extra session? | don't know
anything about it and am not going to
inquire. | never disturb a sleeping
dog. As soon as / learned that the dan"
ger of spring session was over ! was
happy enough to let the matter drop. l
should think, though, that November
would be pretty good time for calling
it, if it is to he called.
Vice President Fairbanks and Sena-
tor Foraker, who are both supposed to be
nursing Presidential booms, met in
President Rooseyelts office this morning
and good naturally submitted to the
ickes Of halt dogen Senators and Con-
gressmen gathered there. Neither would
admit, when he emerged from the room,
that he was concerned at all in the
political situation four years hence.
'Gts a long way ahead" said Senator
Foraker, "and I've got lots of trouble
on my hands now-plenty at any rate to
keep me busy" Vice President Fair
banks only smiled when he was asked
about his "bOem."
President Roosevelt has promulgated
several amendments TO the civil-seryice
rules, the general effect of which is to
increase the scope of what is known as
the competitive service, and to make
some changes in permitting appointments
to certain positions ofespecially qualified
persons, without examination. By the
most important of these amendments in
spectors of surveyors general and dis
trict land Offices, and special agents of
general land Office are taken out Of the
excepted classes. These positions were
filled formerly by the Secretary Ofthe In
terror without competition. An excep-
ton is made in the case of five positions
Of special agents OF the general land Office.
These five excepted men are to investi-
gate fraudulent entries and other matters
of criminal nature. They are still to
be appointed without examination. An
other smendmenqprovdes that retired
army officer, who has the required quail
fcations for the position may be ap-
pointed as superintendent Of an Indian
school.
During the session Of Congress just
closed President Roosevelt signed ], S42
bills. The list includes 2SS public bills,
,569 private bills, "a public resolutions
and one private resolution. At the ses-
sion Of the 5Sth Congress, preceding the
last, the President signed 2, 1879 bills.