The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-04-19
From Our Regular Correspondent

OF talk about clVli-ScrVlcc reforms LII III Tue
departments. The Secretaries promise to
purify the streams Of official life whose cur
rent they direct, and imposing preparations
are announced for examinations and boards,
and all that sort OF thing, to sift the good
from the worthless servants, but nothing
has been done except to discharge few
women who have not sufficient political i'll
tIucncc 10 sustain them. Nobody antici-
patcS thorough publication OF the service,
for that can only be accomplished by first
removing many OF the heads OF bureaus, al
most all OF whom, it is Il notorious fact,
stand in the way OF all practical reform.
They are the
REPRESENTATIVES, OF TIE STRONGEST POLL
TICIASs,
and are the protectors Of the friends, de-
pendent>. and relatives OF leading politi-
clans against DEGREES for dccapitation OF in
compctcntS. Ii the Secretaries should touch
this class among their underllngS they
would stir up nest OF political hornets
who would force a retreat or break into
open rebellion against the Administration.
1t is Il wcll-known fact here in Washing
ton that this power Of politicians is pros
ttutcd to the most fragrant abuses, eSpe-
cially in regard to the appointment OF fc-
males. many OF whom are given remunera-
tive places, and often promotion, without the
least fitness merely, because Of peculiar rcG-
tionShiD to members of Congress or officers
OF the Government.
There is Il great TODD about
TIE EMPLOYMENT OF MORE CLERKS
1han are needed for the service performed,
and great credit is assumed by those who
profess to have Just found out this fact for
the reductions about 10 take place, which in
rcalityiS caused by the rapid dimnution Of
appropriations. The money won't go around,
and the discharge of those without influence
will leave an abundance to pay liberal sale
ries TO those who have the backing.
Some time ago Il clerk who for nearly
forty years had performed alone hut salts
iacturilv The duties OF a certain office in the
Treasury Department, at a salary Of - 500,
died. His office has since been created 4
department. and the duties he discharged
for $1,000 per year are now performed by a
chief and several assistants whose salaries
aggregate $4,000.
THE RUSSIAN GRAND DUKES IN WASHINGTON.
The Russian Grand Dukes Alexis and
Constantine arrived here last evening from
New York. They were accompanied by the
Russian Ambassador, Admiral Bonatahoh,
u. L.; oAf re bn
Russian feet. The Russian Minister re-
ceiycd and welcomed them, after which the
Grand Dukes were driven to the Minister'S
residence, the remaining members OF the
party being qun'tered mt the Riggs House.
To-day at II O'Clock the royal party were
received by the President, their visit being
attended with considerable display. They
were met in the restibule Of the White
House by Secretary Evarts, who conducted
them to the Blue Parlor, where President
HAYES was in waiting to receive them.
There was little stiffness or formality about
the affair. When the President was pre-
scntcd to the Grand Duke Alexis he pro-
ceedcd to chat with him in an easy way, as
ordinary mortals are wont to do. 1t was 4
quiet little party getting acquainted one
with another, because they wanted to, and
not because etiquette said they should.
The Ducal party renamed with the Pres
idcnt about hall an hour, engaged in con-
vcrsation. Tomorrow night diplomatic
dinner will be given in honor Of the visit
ors. \ trip to Mount Vernon is contem-
plated on Friday. 1t is not definitely
known yet how long the Dukes will remain
or just how they will be entertained.
ASSOCIATED Press Reports, by telegraph to the
Dispatch.I $3.50 ..~.
LOUISIANA PROCEEDINGS AS VIEWED FROM
WASHINGTON. a.. ........ =
AS viewed from here the proceedings in
Joint session OF the Packard Legislature wi
result in compromise outside OF the COM
mission. Those entitled to seats or claiming
them in the Nichols Legislature will present
themselves and make the best terms they
can without interference from the commits
sion. Packards people seem disposed, as
their friends here represent, to take self
government by the horns and leave the
commission to mind their own business,
whatever that may be.
ANTE.BELLUM MAIL CLAIMS.
Sixth Auditor McGrew to-day began
sending out circular to the claimants for
compensation for ante-beltum mail service,
incorporating the clause Of the sundry civil
appropriation bill appropriating S375,Ooo
for the purpose named. The contract was
placed on it by the Solicitor and tue Sccre-
tary OF the Treasury and rules governing
the filing of claims. The amount appro-
priated is insufficient to pay all these claims.
The Auditor estimates that at least $780, 0O
will be required. No money can be pal q
until all the claims are received and adj
iusted.
EIGHT HOURS WORK BUT NOT TEN HOURS, PAY
The Supreme Court having decided thai
the law declaring eight hours to be days
work for the Government workmen i
merely a direction by the Government to
eli it's agents. and not contract with the
Iaborers. The Secretary Of the Treasury
will issue an order announcing this deci-
sion. and directing its officers not to pay
hereaiter ten hours wages for eight hours
labor. The order given by President Grant
that eight hours Shall constitute a days
work for all Government men VIII be re.
yoked, and no additional pay will be al.
lowed those who work longer t3an eight
hours. A delegation OF coiored laborers
called on the President to-day to protest
against being compelled to work ten hours.
MINISTER MORRILL, PARALYzED, ETC.
The Secretary OF State has advices that
Hon. Ayres D. Morrill,. Minister resident al
Brussels, has been stricken with paralysis,
probably not fatal
Owing to the loss OF the Leo the pro
gramme for Bahia mails has been changed