The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-05-21
LOCAL MATTERS.

CoLoyEI,W. w. FORBES APPOINTED POST
N.sTERror gR1cHMoND-THE OLD AND THE
NEW ADMIN1sTRATIoS-W WHO WILL BE THE
NEXT REGISTER -Saturda afternoon q tele-
gram from Colonel John r. Popham to
,Judpe Hughes informed the latter that Colo
mel w. w. Forbes, now register in bank
ruptcy here, had been appointed postmaster
of Richmond, in place. Of Miss E. l.. Van
Lew. term expired. This result OF the con-
test for the post Office was foreshadowed in
orr washington specials several days ago;
so the news aud confirmation OF it Saturday
did not, therefore, cause any very great sur
prise. The appointment was by no means
regarded as fixed, but was looked upon as
decidedly probable. It had been apparent
for some weeks that Miss Van Lew could
not hope to be reappointed. In that aspect
Of the case she and her friends seemed to
be inclined towards Colonel Forbes rather
than towards Mr. Jetferds, the other most
prominent candidate.
A prominent gentleman who had con-
versation with bliss Van Lew Saturday eve
ming said she received the news OF the
change so quietly that he was convinced
she had assurances from washington that
she would be provided for elsewhere In
satisfactory manner.
Miss Van Lew has been postmaster eight
years. hereeaixed the appointment from
General Grant upon his coming into the
presidency, in consideration OF services
rendered by her to the Union cause during
the war. In the main, during her term, the
office has been we'll conducted. How much
of that is due to Miss Van Lew, and how
much to Mr. Jefferds and his assistants, it
is impossible for outsiders to decide with
precision.
Colonel Forbes, the new appointee, is nearly
sixty years of age, though he is so straight
and stalwart he would easily pass for fifty.
He is about six feet two inches high. Buck
ingham county is the place OF his birth, and
in dnte-bellum days he was prominent
Whig. He was county sheriff. member OF
the Legislature, member OF the convention
OF 1S60-'G1, and in the intervals was con-
spicuous in party service and enjoyed great
popularity. He has been register in bank
ruptcv here some seven or eight years, and
was before that time register at Farmville.
The intelligence of the appointment Of
Colonel Forbes was received with gratitica-
ton by most OF our people, Miss Van Lew
having become very obnoxious on account
OF her extreme views in regard to the
"rebel" element in Richmond. There was,
however, fear expressed that the President
might change his mind in this instance, as
he did with reference to the appointments
OF postmasters at Petersburg and Lynch
burg. II the President "sticks" " to his
expressed purpose in this matter there will
hardly be much trouble in getting Colonel
Forbes confirmed, as he has the support or
Judge Hughes, Colonel Popham, and the
most important men in the party in Virginia.
The post-office employees were not in
iubilant mood Saturday. They do not know
what changes Colonel Forbes may desire TO
make, and will for some time be forced 10
endure very vexatious suspense. In other
words, they cannot foresee where lightning
may strike. Saturday evening several gen.
tlemen were engaged getting up recommen-
dations for places under the new postmas-
ter. They will no doubt have the modesty
not to present them until Colonel FORBES
has his commission in hand. No man Is
certain OF Federal office until he has hls
commission. After that it is as much as ne
can do to hold.
Colonel Forbes's present Office (register
in bankruptcy is quite good one, but
there is prospect that Congress will repeal
the bankruptcy act at the next session, IN
which case the income OF the office will be
largely abbreviated. Among members OF
the bar and citizens having business with
the bankruptcy court, there is a strong de-
sire that Mr.. Thomas S. Atkins, OF the
United States District Court, shall have the
place when Colonel Forbes leaves it. Judge
Hughes recommends and Chief-Justlce
Waite appoints.
The popular idea is that the position is
now worth about $4,000 per annum.
Mr.. Emmett Crump, clerk in the regis
ter's Office, it seems understood, will be
provided for in the post-office under the
new management.
Colonel Forbes returned to the city from
Washington Saturday night.
Late Saturday evening a telegram was re-
ceiyed by Richmond gentleman from Mr.
Jefferds, who is now in Washington, stating
that it was not yet impossible to stop the
appointment OF Colonel Forbes, or words to
that effect.
But Colonel Forbes says that the Post
master-General informed him that he was
appointed, and that the matter is settled
in fact, that he could have gotten his COM
mission Saturday evening had he waited
for it. He will return to Washington to-
day and lose no time in preparing bis BOND.