The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-05-18
DER LAND AND SEA.
VAR NEWS FROM THE EAST
-o,,res in rrancc..tsrent Excitement
I'm Pnrts--Thc Ncw Cabinet.

rn,-sr-TuE PRESIDENT RETURNS TT
,,,su,SGToN-UNITED STATES OFFICERS
.,,n,, " THE DISCHARGE OF THEIR Du'
r,rs-rIIE roSTMAsTER-GESERAL AM
Tnsru COMMISSION COMING soUTi-AR'
orSr or CANDY MANUFACTURERS IN
rosToN-EX- PRESIDENT GRANT SAILED
rnp rI-EOPE-THE RUSSIANS ADVANCING
IIST-A RATTLE IMMINENT
r,rTI.EE OF sooKGoOM KALE AND THE
rrs,>c OF THE CIReAsSIANs CONFIRM
rD-REpoRTED ENGAGEMENT AT pA'
EcoDsCHA CoNTRADlCTED-MoFE
OF THE TrRKS-M. GAMBETTA'S REMARKS
~ THE SITUATION IN FRANCE-TIlE
PARIS PRESS on TIE GARNET CRISIS
rrSCl'r or SEAAIEN-TEIE RU SS1A \
,1rrT SAILED UNDER SEALED ORDERS
TrorRLES IN SECRET ORDER, ETC. ETC
.yyrru OF SECRETARY THoMPSoN--A THO'
rarGN REFORM IN THE NAVY DEPARTMENT
ri,E CnNTgACr-SYSTEM SHOWN Ur-THE
GOVERNMENT TO DO ITS OWN WORK.
from cur Regular Correspondent
WASHINGTON, May l1.-Secrctary Thomp
son. one OF the most approachable OF the
cabinet ministers. is ehatty and agreeable
old gentleman; wears rather long, gray
hair: shavcs clean. in the almost universe
custom OF thirty years ago; and LOOKS nj
yon with pair OF dark. mournful eyes,
and talks in Il quiet, easy style while
he holds lighted cigar in his mouth
He saws he intends to examine thoroughly
Ill The navv-yardS just as he has done those
g. Norfolk and Washington, but is sc
dressed for time that he cannot say when he
will make the rounds. He appears to have
been particularly struck by the negligence
and extravaganza which permitted ;
partlv-huilt ship at Norfolk to remain month
after month exposed to the weather unit
many OF the timbers in the unfinished hulk
have begun TO decay. This ship Is about
,ayaia gueSS-one third built, and no work
has been done upon it for long time
Another steamer. at the Washington yard
Ha> neglected on the stocks, and is almost
ready 10 be launched, but not Il mechanic Is
2. work upon her. This one is protected
from the weather by Il roof, and the Secretary
thinks OF directing that work be resumed
l!,on her soon after the beginning OF the
next fiscal wear. aud she can be made ready
- launch within 4 month thereafter.
The Secretary breatheS the spirit OF re-
form. which seems TO actuatc all the Ca5l.
net even sherman. OF whom nothing was
rxpccicdl, and has faithfully set himself to
wcr,. to become familiar with all the affairs
If his Department and everything that Is
likely 10 come under his supervision. He
iojnd the Department conducted in all its
details with remarkable disregard OF sys-
TEN, and he began at once TO correct abuses
and stop the leaks. lie says he don't see
why his Department should not be operated
upon plain business principles, and believes
when it is brought 10 that basis, and every
official is held strictly accountable for his
conformity to law, the concern will almost
run itself.
The execution OF all contracts made con-
.rarv 10 law the Secretary peremptorily
stopped. though the work done and mate
rial furnished under these iobling contracts
amounts to about half million dollars, and
there is no money and no authority Of law
for the PAYMENT. The recourse OF the con.
tractors must be to special legislation by
Congress. unless Mr.. Thompson should de.
eide 10 include the half million in his re.
por, OF deficiency. But there is small
chance for that, because, besides the doubt
that rests upon the claim, he desires to re-
port as small deficiency as possible, and
means to commence the next fiscal year with
4 clean haancc-shcct.
The Government has ut il yards all the
expensive machinery and appliances for the
production OF everything necessary for the
construction OF ships; yet, under the late
rs,ijme the yards We're allowed to remain
idle. except immediately before an election,
while the ship-buildins was chiefly given
under iobbing contracts to private builders.
Nr. Thompson will probably recommend
that the Government do its own work
IN future or that the yards be alto.
-cther abandoned; and when contracts
for any work are TO be let it will be
o1ened for fair competition by all parties
who chose TO compete. He strongly con-
dennis the practice, which has tended to
render inefficient the discipline and work
a, the yards, OF employing mechanics and
iaborers solely because OF their political
opinions. II the politicians will allow him
TO control the matter lie will abolish the pc
.!ical test. and leave TO those who superin
L. - l, fn ,vlo hn hns
!Lcn they can get. "
Associated Press Reports by telegraph TO the Dis
patch.l
CN!TEp STATES OFFICERS IN LEE COUNTY, VA.
SHOT WHILE ~ THE DISCHARGE OF THEII
DrTlEs-oN MORALLY WOUNDED.
WASHINGTON. May Id. II. Riycs, col
cc,or Of the Fifth Virginia district, tele.
-raphs that Deputy Collcctor Josylin and
Deputy-Marshal Austin and three Others
have been shot in Lee county while dis.
charging their duty-one mortally.
TIE POSTAL COMMISSION COMING SOUTH.
The Postal Commission are preparing to
complete their investigation in the southern
states by trip over the Airline to Allan
Ia. They start on the oath. Postmaster
General Key accompanies them.
VARIOUS ITEMS.
WASHINGTON, May 17.-Presdent Hayes
has returned TO the city.
Count Lctta has charge OF the Italian
mission during the absence OF Baron Blancs.
Secretary McCrary and staff departed on
an inspection tour Of northeastern forts.
The removal OF 1,4O0 Cheyennes to the
southern agency at Fort Reno, in the In
dian Territory, is imminent. They are
n &c
sioner gives word. --..-
Past-Assistant j. c. Boyd is ordered to
ne receiving-ship Franklin, at Norfolk.
United States Marshal Smith NJ Eenrpia