The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-11-16


OPPOSING DEMOCRATIC AFPoINTMENTS-THE
roS1MASTER-GESERhI|S FORTHCOMING EE-
roET-vAHIoCS ITEMS.
from Our Regular Correspondents
WASHINGTON. November 15.-There is
considerable opposition to the confirmation
OF Brady to be collector at Petersburg.
Brady is here, and expected bis name would
be reported to-day from the Senate Commit.
tee on Finance; but there is hitch some
where. and it did net come in. 1t is III.
morcd that charge has been preferred thai
Brady used money to secure his appoint
mcnt. The matter has been discussed al
the Department, and il the charge should
be sustained Mr.. Brady will not be con-
tirmed. ms both the President and Postmas.
ter-Gcnera! declare that any man who will
Use money to secure an appointment is un.
worthy of Office.
There is also considerable.
OPPOSITION TO SOME OF THE OTHER VIRGINIA
APPOINTMENTS,
notably to that Of the postmaster ut Peters
burg. and likewise to the confirmation OF
the appointee for the post-ofhcc at Ashrtlle,
NC. 1t can be stated positively the Conk-
ling is opposing the confirmation OF any
Democratic appointment ut the South, and
is using his influence to persuade the few
southern Republicans in Congress TO join
him in such opposition. 1t begins TO look
rs though the Radical senator's have virtu.
allr succeeded in their efforts to bulldoZe
in, nj a
tronage, which is the only rea!
point they are fighting. The COM
mittec OF Republicans senators who called
on him to argue with him on the sub
ject received but cold comfort, as the Pre-
sidcnt reiterated his previously declared in
tcntion 10 reform the civil service, but yes
tcrday he rcappointed Filley to be post
master at st. Louis. Fillcy is the most ac-
tive Republican rmchine-politician in st.
Louis. and his disappointment has been bit
terly opposed by Schurz. His appointment,
therefore. does not exactly accord with the
Presidents civil-Service professions, as it is
a defeat for SchurZ and 4 victory for the
Radicals.
SALARIES or SMALL P0STMASTERS.
The Postmaster. General, in his forthcom-
ing report, Is preparing an onslaught upon
a curious abuse which has grown up under
the present law in regard to the regulation
of the salaries OF small poStmasters. Under
the law as it stands ut present the salaries
OF postmasters in small Offices has been
graded according to the number OF stamps
sold. As an increased sale OF stamps means
an increased salary TO such postmasters, the
temptation has, OF course, been very
streng to force sales OF stamps be-
yond the amounts sold in the way
OF legitimate business. AS all such post
masters are allowed large commission
on all stamps sold they have been able to
them to buy blocks OF stamps, which they
in -tt,rn would work of in trade rs small
change. This has been the most common
method OF increasing sales; but the Depart
mcnt is in possession OF indisputable evil
dence that more curious and more ques-
tionable methods have been practiced very
extensively. One scheme which has been
worked up in Little Rock, Ark, and prac-
ticed mainly in Arkansas and Tennessee, is
worthy of note on account Of its
UNBLUSHING AUDACIrY.
1t appears that q sewng-machine agent in
Little Rock has issued printed circulars,
headed "StIictly Private and Confidential"
and "For Postmasters Only" in which
he coolly proposes to sell to postmasters
"S1OO sewing-machines for $780," and
agrees to take his pay in postage-stamps.
lie argues to them in plain English that
the stamps will cost them only $13,
and sets forth the advantage it will be to
them TO increase their sales OF stamps.
Another proposition which he makes is
broader still. He agrees to take $50 worth
Of stamps If the postmaster will take in
payment s24 in cash and $50 sewing-ma-
chine. In this case he argues that the 524
is all the postmaster will nave to pay the
Government, and hence he will get the ma
chine tTce. Furthermore, to allay any ner-
vous apprehensions,' the agent says he has
good, legal authority for the assertion that
the transaction is not Illegal, and urges
haste, because, he says, Congress will soon
change the law. The Postmaster G. neral
intends to get the law changed, IL he can,
and will recommend q return to the old
system OF grading salaries by the amount of
stamps cancelled instead OF by the number
sold.
Congressman Waddell, OF North Carolina,
has drafted bill, which he will present to-
morrow, appropriating s250,0oo to establish
q iast-mail service between the commercial
centres OF the South and Southwest and
Washington. ..... ..-.... g..
The same gentleman has introduced bill
to authorize the Secretary OF War to re.
open the settlements made by the United
States Government with the Selma and Ne
ridian, the New Orleans, Opelousa and
Great Western, the Atlantic and North
Carolina, the New Orleans, Jackson and
Great Northern, the Mississippi and Ten.
nessee, the Orange and Alexandria, and
such other railroad companies rs purchased
and have made full payment for locomotive
engines, rolling-stock, and other railroad
materials sold to said companies by the
United States In the years 1866, and t.
adjust the same upon the basis and the plar
OF settlement made by the Secretary Of Wa
with the Western and Atlantic railroad.
The Appropriations Committee ha'
agreed upon Isl.
A TUJRp DEFICIENCY BILL.