Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1906-02-07
From Washington.
Correspondence Of the Alexandria GsEetie.I
Washington, Feb. z.

and elections today again took up the
case of Senator Reed Smoot, whose right
to bis seat as Senator from Utah is con-
tested. the investigation of which was
interrupted by the adjournment last
March. Senator symoot Was present, ac'
companied by several prominent Nor
mons, including Apostle Smith. A. 5.
Worthington, appeared for the Senator.
and John G.. Carlisle represents the
prosecution. There was big attendance
of visitors, chiefly women. Today's
witness for the prosecution was Walter
w. Wolfe, Mormon and formerly pro-
lessor Of the Brigham Young College at
Provo, Utah. The witness related two
instances of polygsmous marriages which
had come to the attention of the church
authorities and in way received their
approval.
President Roosevelt with Senator Clark
of Montana, in the latter's carriage, this
morning went to the Corcoran Art Gal
Iery TO view collection of paintings
which the "copper" king" has made tor
his New York mansion. The President
remained at the gallery for about halt an
hour and was most enthusiastic In his
praise of the collection. The Clark COL
lection comprises about 60 subjects and
was gathered in Europe during the last
year by the Senator and his agents.
Secretary Metcalf, of the Department
of Commerce and Labor, today issued in
structions to the federal commission OF
investigation upon the wreck OF the
steamer Valencia off Vancouver Island.
The investigation will cover not only the
conduct of licensed officers of vessels on
the Valencia" Queen" Topeka"
and others connected with the disaster,
and the relstions of the steamboat in
spection service thereto, but also the gen.
eral management of the Valencia, her
equipment and operation.
Joseph Giles, former inmate OF st.
Elizabeth asylum, called at the White
House this morning. He says that he
has received numerous communications
from God Almighty that if he would see
the Presid; Mt, help would be extended
to him. He was arrested.
President Castro, of Venezuela, will
shortly receive from Minister Russell a
newly framed statement of the claim by
this government on behalf of the New
York & Bermudez Asphalt Company.
As has been forecasted, Secretary Roots
reading of the Calhoun report on the
rights and equities Of the asphalt COM
pany will result in the scaling down OF
certain claims formerly pressed against
the Venezuelan government in connec.
lion with the asphalt concession, and
still other phases of the controversy will
be entirely abandoned. In those mat
tiers in which the State Department
will continue to insist on separation
to the company, much stronger
case will be presented in view OF
Judge Calhoun's findings of fact.
The asphalt claim is deeply involved,
both in matters of law aud OF fact, but
Judge Calhoun's exhaustive study Of the
case has to the satisfaction OF Secretary
Roo; separated the wheat from the chat,
and the departments stand will be all
the more vigorous on the points where
The justice OF the case seems to be with
the claimant because of the abandonment
of the other matters. In support OF the
reframed statement of the case Minister
Russell will be supplied with mass OF
facts which he will be able to append to
the claim in the nature of a bill OF
particulars. This will Obviate one
defect previously existing in the
asphalt compsny's demands. They
were couched in such generalties that
the Venezuelan government was justl-
fisd in discarding some of them of hand 9.
With the authenticated facts to support
those points on which the State Depart
ment will adhere for a settlement on BE-
half OF the company, Castro's lawyers
will find it difficult to dismiss the new
C aim with a semblance of justice. The
Critchfield claim is to be presented to
Venezuela practically in conjunction
with the amended bill in the asphalt
case. This is The claim in which min
ing company under contract with
the Venezuelan government spent a
great sum in opening mines and build
Jog freight road to port under promise
of exemption from taxation, the railroad
to revert to the government in sixty
years. For the past fourteen months
operations have been suspended because
Castro imposed a prohibitive tonnage
tax on all goods handled. The best
lawyer in the State Department believes
that in this case President Castro adopt
ed purely conhscstory methods against
property owned by Americans, and as
this IS the most worthy claim this gov
eminent has against the Castro govern
ment, it will be urged by the most ex-
IRENE measures, if necessary.
The Venezuelan government has re-
quested the United States to take charge
of the records and effects OF the Vene-
zuelan legation at Paris.
The House committee on military atisirs
has voted 10 report favorably resolution to
turn over TO the Confederate Memorial Liter
ary Society the 2S8 unidentified Confederate
flags which still remain in the custody OF the
War Department.
There are rumors current here Of big street
railroad consolidation involving some of the
suburban lines on the Virginia side of the
river. Millions of dollars, it is said, are he
hind the movement.
In the government printing Office silence is
maintained relative TO the upheaval that IS
expected soon to take place and the effect OF
which, according TO rumors, will be a thorough
wedding out Of many superfiuous men and a
very material reduction in the expense OF
printing.
The President sent the following nomina-
tions to the Senate today: To be Major Gen