The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1854-01-18
0ND, VA
WEDNESDAY MORNING, JANUARY ia. 1884.
SPIRIT OF THE PRESS.

The M1ii, of yesterday, has an editorial on the
recent treaty with Mexico, by which we obtain
thirty nine millions of acres al Mexican territory
for the sum of twenty millions of dollars. We
quote portion of the article:
If the public lands we havs already are source
ofsuch discord among the Democracy, how win il
be when forty or fifty more millions of acres are
added on to them3 And here let direct attention
to the point that while the idea of appropriating
twenty millions directly from the Treasury to
build railroads in the West would be secuted by
the Democracy, the building OF them by appropria-
ting the land bought Nth the money is looked upon
by some OF them as just the thing. Where's the
difference, we should like to knowf
The Penny Post publishes an extract from John
Mitchells newspaper fgiven yesterday in the Dis
patch,l defining that gentlemans position on the
slavery question. While the Post is decidedly
averse to the doctrine which Mr.. Mitchell avowed
in his New York speech. that it is duty 10 inter
fere in the quarrels of Europe, the resolute man
ner in which he has turned his back upon the abol
tionsts fairly entities him to the thanks, not only of
every Southern man, but OF every American who
loves his country, let his residence be in what at
tude it may
The Examiner comments freely the proceed
iugs of the recent meeting of stockholders in the
James River and Kanawha Company. Whilst it
has never approved of the method in which the
affairs of the Company have been conducted, it
sincerely rejoices at the failure of the Board of
Public Works to get the Canal under their control
The Examiner concludes:
If faithful and wise, we shall stand always pre-
pared to defend the B6ard but one thing is certain
and that is, whether good or bad, we shall oppose
any increase OF their power, and we shall watch
narrowly every attempt to place too many lines OF
internal Improvement completely under the con-
troll OF that body, and oppose it with all power.
The Whfg has prolonged article on the gauge
on the Covington and Ohio Railroad" 1t says that
whenever this question has been discussed the
wide gauge has alwnys carried the day. I'VE fully
agree with our neighbor in its opinion, expressed
in another article that the subject is fruitful but
very dryl
The Enquirer alludes briefly to the Cabinet
changes We copy the following:
The rumor of the election of Gov. Brown to the
Senate from Mississippi is discredited We have
now authentic intelligence of the election of Jeter
son Davis. This announcement has set the quid-
nuncs about Washington speculating as to the sue
cessor of Col Davis in the Cabinet. Already ha We
we assurances that Mr.. Jere Clemens, OF Alabama
VIII be made Secretary of War; We do not be-
Heve this story for good and sufficient reasons.
He is utterly devoid of streL 9Th or position
In bis own State, while to the South generally, he
Is extremely obnoxious We do not doubt that ii
Mr.. Davis should leave the Cabinet the President
wllisupply the vacancy with man who enjoys the
confidence of his party and the respect OF the
country