The National tribune., 1909-06-17

ton cloths to 10 couhffies. 9and binder
twine to 20 countries.Df
e nj
Peter D. overfield,, onerfime noted
football star of the University of Penn
sylvania, for three years Vi practicing
attorney at Nome, Aasksi has been
named by President Taft AS Judge of
the Third Judicial District of Alaska,
succeeding Judge Silas u Reid, re-
signed under compulsion. 50
Mr.. overfield is selection of the two
strong factions in the Territory. one
headed by Delegate fWickersham and
the other by National Committeeman
| ShackIeford. Mr.. Overffe dis about 35
years old, and was formerly a citizen of
Pennsylvania.
Senator Elmer J. Burkett. of Nebras.
ka, has but one year more to serve as a
Senator from his State, according to the
latest adyices Mr.. Bryan, who has
waited and waited and waited for some.
one to bring him out as a candidate
for the United States Senate, has con-
cluded to offer himself a willing sacr.-
flee upon the altar of his country" ard
will make the race for the Senatorship
in 1911. Mr.. Bryan has always said
that he was not seeking office, but that
when it seemed right that he should
throw himself into the breach he was
willing to do So Nobody found a
breach, so he poked around till he
thinks he has found one. His friends
think he Is as good as elected, since he
has announced himself. Well, mebby
so; and then, again, mebby he amt"
President Taft is interested in the
coming Exposition at Brussels and will
ask Congress for an appropriation of
100000 for a United States exhibit
there. OF course, there VIII be a Kick
coming from good many; but, just the
same, nothing in the world SO well ad-
vertises our industries TO the people of
the world as our exhibits at a we'll
planned Exposition.
Our Government is planning the larg-
est drydock in the world. 1t is to be at
Norfolk, Va. The plans call for struc-
ture about 1000 feet long. 100 feet
wide at the gate, and 40 feet deep over
the sills. The cost of the dock will be
between S7.500,000 and $4,000, 600,
and when completed it will be large
enough to hold any two of the present
American battleships or any craft of
the Dreadnought type that has been
contemplated. The location for the pro-
posed dock will be- on the Schmoele
tract which was acquired by the Gov
ernment few years age. and which
adjoins the Navy Yard.
We Won't Get 1t.
California would seem Ito have her
hands quite full with her Japanese
problem, but she hasn't. Representa-
tive Hayes, of the Golden State. Is now
after the District of Columbia cession
Originally the District of Columbia
comprised land on both sides of the
Potomac-land ceded by the States ccn-
cerned, on the condition that Congress
or the United States. should exercise
exclusive control over, II, forever. Mary
land ceded G4 square miles (fnciuding
the whole County of Washing
ton, and Virginia cedeil asasuuare miles
Alexandria County. IN Ifpt8t6 as no
buildings had been erected
on the Virginia side. M drdria was
ImmediaseIs af' the close
Of the Revolution there was much dis-
cussion about location of "A permane.l
seat of Government. and after the adop
ton of the Constitution in 1883 this
question gave rise to,,the fxst debate iii
Congress and aroused bitter sectional
feeling. Finally. on June %, 1890, after
the claims of New Kerks Philadelphia,
Germantown, Baltimore sand several
other places had ,baen, carefully con-
Congress deeidcdi that, after
1900 the Federal, Capital should be re-
moved to a .:distrieta or territory not
exceeding 10 miles sHaareson the River
Potomac. between the eastern mouth
cf the Eastern Branch and Conogo-
:league."
1t is stated that this decision was
reached partly as a compromise and
argely in Difference to the wishes of /
1t is known that Wash |
ngton was a pretty good business man. |
md as all his property lay close to
it must be enhanced by |
he nearness of the National Capital.
The land upon which the National |
Capital stands was originally the grant |
20 one Francis Pope, an Englishman.
Georgetown WIS flourishing town long !
before the Revolution. Settlers came |
% the site of the town as early as 1865, |
and Capt. John Smith visited Powhat- |
an in his village at what is now Ana |
,ostia, part of the District of Column |
Dia. and the town of Georgetown was |
aid out in 1851.
SO in going after the Virginia cession |
IF land Mr.. Hayes has whole lot of !
history to look up, and the documents |
hat go with it. The cession he is after !
the whole of the. town of |,
and the greater part of |
County. Mr.. Hayes says:
II am convinced that the land first |
,eded by Virginia is still legally part |
If the District of Columbia. The Con- |
more than 10 miles square shall be the |
Capital of the United States, under the |
of Congress. This Virginia |
and was ceded to the Government for |
he District of Columbia, and there was |
ind is no authority for its transfer back |
% Virginia. Since my bill was intro
iuced | have become convinced that if !
he land is reclaimed by the Govern |
nent the town of Alexandria must be |
included in the transfer. ] intend to |
)ush my measure at the next session, |
md j believe that the land will come |
)ack to the District. Certainly no law
'er VIII contend for a moment that II |
'ightfuily belongs to the Dominion
state, and / do not see how Congress
,an act otherwise than to restore the |
and to the jurisdiction of Congress-"
The President said In his speech that |
he city of Alexandria should be al I
owed to remain in Virginia. but menu
)ers OF Congress are of the opinion that |
+ 1t is unconstitutional for the tract to |
'emain in Virginia it is also unconsti- /
utional for part of the tract to remain
n the State. Residents of Alexandria
undoubtedly would fight vigorously the
olan 10 incorporate their city in the
district, since they would lose the right |
II suffrage Tor which many Washing
onians are now making n pIea.
1t is thought probable that the legal
ty of the transfer tof the land to Vir-
,inia will be tested, soon either by leg
slative or judicial actioa,
Ancient History Lost.
Mr.. Charles NJ. Brown of Baltimore,
Who has been for the last three years