The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-05-01

| AMERICAN NAVAL OFFICER-PROGRESS
| OF THE EASTERN wAR-SOUTI CARO-
LIMA REPUBLICANS WITHDRAWING
FROM THE CONTEST FOR OFFICE. &C.
| tFrom Our Regular Correspondent
4 PRACTICAL REFORM IN TIE CIVIL SERVICE.
WASHINGTON, April 30.-The removal of
Mr.. Hanscomb, chief Of the Bureau OF Con-
| struction and Repair, is the most practical
reform in the civil service that has taken
place in any department since the new Ad-
ministration came into power. During the
whole OF RobcSon's term as Secretary OF the
Navy there were constant complaints from
all the naval ports along the Atlantic sea-
board Of plundering contracts, upauthor-
ICED sales OF Government property at low
rates to favorite contractors, and pur-
chaScs OF material not needed ut eNor-
bitant prices. Inquiries were instituted
and investigation made by congressional
committees, but somehow Robson and his
followers managed to defeat the develop
ment Of the whole truth. Just enough was
found out to show there was something very
"rottcn in Denmark" and in every case the
names OF Robson and Hanscomb were
FOUND IN SUSPICIOUS CONNECTION
with those of the piundercrs. Secretary
Thompson has been reading up in this
choice literature bcqucathed by his prede-
ceSsor, and had become satisfied the interests
of the Government would be promoted, to
say the least, by the removal OF IIanscomb !;
| l,,t ho 4. nj hr irtn
Of long service would be retired in June
next with the rank and pay Of commodore,
and it would be so much easier to let him
quietly drop out Of sight by reason OF
weight OF years that he has been allowed to
continue in Office even so long as this. A
recent report from board OF inquiry OF
improper transactions at the Boston navy
ward settled the fate OF Hanscomb, and he
will now take 4 back seat, with rank and
pay OF captain. Secretary Thompson de-
clines to say specifically why the removal
was made, but while the facts above refer
red to would have been sufficient the sum-
mary dismissal indicates very plainly that
the Secretary has more direct evidence OF
wron@-doinr than he cares to make public
Just now.
So fur the Administration has moved slowly
in everything, but so prudently as to make
steady gains upon the confidence Of the
public in the business OF its purposes.
LOUISIANA DEMOCRATS SUPPORT THE ADMIN
ISTRATIoN.
Adyiccs from Louisiana indicate that
Democrats in that State are Opposed to sup
port the Administration Of Mr.. Hayes. He
has restored them the right OF sclf-gov-
crnment, and now they hope to obtain from
him and his party the necessary aid for the
Mississippi lcyccs and the Southern Pacific
railroad These schemes were recently adj
vanccd by Garticld's friends as part OF the
tempting bait offered for the votes OF few
| southern congressman in consideration OF
the organization OF the House with Re-
publican speaker, but Garfield soon found
he was not the man to lead the projected
revolution, and Banks having been, with
Thad. Stevens, the main cause Of the de-
feat OF the appropriation for Mississippi
evces several years ago, could not have
much hope Of support from that quarter.
They are all keeping quiet now-Republi-
| can
ASPlRANTs FOR THE sPEAXERSHIP- s..
hoping, even against the apparent proba-
bilties, that the Democrats may fall out in
the scramble for the prize, and an Admins
tration Democrat, if not Republican, win
the gavel. While they are waiting for
the paciticaton oil to operate the DEM
ocratic candidates are actively cam
yassing for votes or forming coubi-
nations which they think will be sure
to win, except Randall, who daily sits in
his Office ut the Capitol writing and dis
patching letters to all parts of the country,
and feeling thoroughly persuaded in his
own mind that he has already won. RAN
dali. Sayler, Cox, Morrison, Buckncr,
Hooker, and Blackburn are few OF the
Democratic aspirants, and Goode, OF Fir-
rinia, and Gibson, OF Louisiana, are fire.
ouently mentioned as the best representa-
tives of the conservative Democracy.
THE RICHMOND PosT-oFFIcE-AGAIN.
Mr.. JefferdS, late assistant postmaster at
Riclmond; Colonel Forbes, register in
bankruptcy; and Mr.. Pelouzc, are in the
city on business in connection with the
disposition Of the Richmond post-office-a
subject which hats come to be such bore
to the authorities that it is quite likely the
contest will be ended this week by the APP
pointment of somebody. Only two or three
of the numerous candidates have ever had
| any prospect of appointment, however
much they may have persuaded them
selves to the contrary. From conversation
with those likely to know the wishes
Of the President and Postmaster-General.I
am led to believe that Miss Van Lew will
not be reappointed, because it would be
entirely inconsistent with the professed de-
sire of the President to cultivate the good
will of Richmond people towards the Gen
eral Government to appoint person who
is obnoxious (whether Justly or not to q
large majority of the people; and that the
chances of Jefferds and Henry Wickham
far exceed those OF any other persons
whose names have been brought to the at
tention OF the President. 1t is scarcely less
well known at the Post-Offlce Depart
ment than in Richmond that JetterdS
has long been the real postmaster, and
ls entitled to the credit for the excellent
management OF the office; and he comes
4