Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1906-11-26
Fram Washington.
Correspondence Of the Alexandria Ga7stte.l
Washinpton. Nov. &c.

w ANO's
Pfesideut Gompers, Of the American
Federation of Labor, in a signed editor
ial in the December number Of the
American Federstionist charges that
fraud and corruption generally prevailed
in the recent congressional elections.
He says: at IL moro clear now than
ever before how great the resources at
the command Of the corporate interests
of the country. Not only have they I'M
limited money to be used whenever brib'
cry and corruption will be available, but
they have still moro dangerous weapons.
There is not the slightest doubt that In
some congressional districts, the votes
were counted and ths isajorities made
up at the dictation of such interests.
Solicitor General Hoyt today presented
to the Supreme Court the governments
brief in tho contempt case Of Sheriff John
Ship and Others ofChattanooga who al
lowed lynchers to take colored prisoner
named Johnson from them after the lat
ter had been granted stay of execution
by the highest tribunal in the land.
The government claims conspiracy ex-
listed between the sheriff and the lynch
ers and contends that the Supreme Court
has complete Jurisdiction to punish tor
contempt "Of course" reciies the
brief" this shocking occurrence, con-
ceived in lawlessness and revenge, car
ried on by violence, and ending with
murder at The hands of the mob. was an
ofsnse against the State "a well as
against the United States and this Court.
But the same may be a crime both
against c State and The United States,
and the United Staten has full power to
punish whether the State does or mol "
With nearly 800 members in the city,
the biennial convention of the Phi Della
Theta college fraternity. opened ct the
Willard today. Father John S. Lind
ley. the only one of the six men who
founded the fraternity In lS4S now llv-
ing. came on from Fredericksiown, Ohio,
10 deliver the Invocation. The CONVEX
ton will continue through the week. N.
Compton. president OF the Washington
Alumni club, and District Commissioner
II. b F Mac'arlspd made addresses Of
welcome.
Notwithstanding efforts on tho part OF
the War Department to put stop TO
desertions from army, tho rate during
the fiscal year, ending June 30 1906,
WAS painfully larger that during The pre-
cedino fiscal year Gen. Aiusworlh,
military secretary, ia his annual report,
made public today, says that the number
of dese.tjons during the year reached
"A per cent OF the whole number oil
enlisted men. Last year II was only
6.S per cent and the average for the
three years Immediately preceding was
6. l per cent. The number Of assertions
of white soldiers during the year was 3 4
per cent, while that Of colOred soldiers
was 2 3 per cent OF The whole number OF
white and cplored men enlisted, Iespec-
lively, In the service Tho total number
of deaths during the year we're Just $50
enlisted men and q oficer' Despite
additional efforts to secure moro rapid
enlistment, the ranks have not been
filled as fast as vas desired, On account
OF the uninterrupted business property
In the country, says Gen Ainsworth.
The complainanfa side OF the Bassett
divorce case was presented 10 Justice
Gould in the District Supreme Court
today. The relations between Mrs.
Dssaett snd Hunt were discussed in
testimony isEeD before m examiner.
1t showed that Hunt wss frequent visl-
tor at the Bassett apartment in this city
Among the depositlons was one from
Hattie Thompson, q servant in the Bas-
sett apartment, who testified that as soon
90 Mr. Bassstt left for field duty In 1904,
Mr.. Hunt paid visit to the apartment
and thst che was instructed to take the
children out
In accordance with prior arrangements
Secretary OF War Taft this morning gave
a hearing to oil interests desiring to pre-
sent views on the subject Of the trans
mission of electrical power derived from
the Niagara Falls from Canada to the
UGited States or vice versa. This sub
iect, involving as 1t does, the possible
deterioration OF the beauty and gran
deur of the falls, has created widespread
interest among the people at large.
President and Mrs. Roosevelt will re-
tnrn tonight from their journey to the
Islhmus of Panama and Porto Rico. Just
when the MayAower will ito up at the
navy yard wharf il not definitely known.
Dispatches received at the Navy Depart
ment from the Presidents party indicate
that the Louisiana will reach Piney
Point, which ia 100 miles up the Poto-
mac from Cape Henry, at about 3 ?. m.
today. This late arrival will prevent the
President from reaching Washington
until tomorrow morning.
At Benning this evening; first race:
6 ID furlOngs; Pretension, II to 8, and
I to 10 Won; Ayaunter, 7 to 10, place
second; Dolly Spanker, third.
The Supreme Court Of the United States
Will continue on is docket the appeal OF
LAWYER A bert 7, Patrick. sentenced TO die
in ihe electric chair at Sing Sing, despite the
reported promise of Communication 10 life i'm
prisonment by Gov. Higgins. The case >
No. 1886 on the calendar and would probably
not be- reached before the next October term.
steamer Passes WaterspOut.
New York. Nov &c Captain Mora,
OF the Italian steamer Florida. in today
from Genoa, and Naples, believes hiA
vessel holds the record for encountering
gaterspouts, He passed five OF them
on the night of November "a The
Florida had etOrmy passage and from