Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1877-03-19
LETTER iron, Richmond.

letter from Richmond.
Correspondence of the Alexandria Gazette
RICHMOND, March 17.-On motion Of MIR.
Penn, of Patrick, the Senate 10 day adjourned
at III o'clock ia honor Of St. Pa,rick's Day,
the patron saint Of Ireland, and Of Mr., PeDn's
county, named, as ne says, 10 honor CT the dis
tDgui:hed, though long, dead Irish party.
It seems that VIC are 10 have reorganization
of the Richmond police force, or at any rate
that The police board, which has the appoint.
ment Of policemen, is to be reorganzed. The
opponents Of the board claim that it has yield
ed too much to political Influence in it's appoint
mcuts The Legislative Committee, which has
been considering the matter for several days,
has reported bill favor Of 50 amending the
City Charter as to have the board appointed
by The three judges here Instead of being elect
cd by The Council as now.
hear that Gen. Bradley +. johnson speaks
OF moving from this city and making Washing
ton bis future home.
House bill in relation TO the powers, duties,
&C., Of county officers has been made the spe'
clal order Tor thursday next.
Mr.. George Kuper, one Of the most gallant
members Of Mosby's brave band, died here
Tuesday, OF consumption. He was one CT the
most fearless soldiers in the Confederate army.
Citizens from Petersburg arc delighted with
President Hayes appointment Of Col. Potts
as Postmaster. 1t he will only make such an
appointment 10 Richmond he will give even
greater satisfaction. The indications are, how
ever, that he will not listen to the peoples
voice here
Ia the House, to-day, Senate bill 10 incor-
poratc the Washington City, Cincinnati and
ST. Louis Railroad, with Senate amendments,
was passed.
Mr.. Purcell introduced bill to release Ger.
tain persons 10 Prince William county from
the payment Of delinquent township taxes.
Placed on the calendar.
In the Court Of Appeals, Tayloes executor
vs.. Naglee. Appeal refused to q decree OF the
Circuit Court OF Alexandria.
Virginians aud the New Administers
ton.
The Richmond Enquirer has caused some Of
the leading mcr ofthc State to be interviewed
and gives the following as thei: opinions con-
| carDing the proper course to be pursued by the
Virginia conservatives toward the new admin
istralioa. Governor kemper exhibited grea
reprgnance to appearing in public prial in con
nec:iou with tic subject, but fraily expressed
himself in the following terse manner:
"lhc conservative party of Virginia and TIT
| South ought to preserve lis. organization un
broken. Its position is one Of armed neutrality
ought TO stand ready to support MIR. Hayes IL
all.tbat is right and to oppose him in oil tina
is wrong.
Senator W. II. Il. Lee stated that be hat
rot fully made up lis mind on this subject, anc
was DOT disposed to express crude and unRar
ranted opinion. MIR. Hayes had promised
much, but as yet had performed little. |
was better and safer therefore, to await devel
his promises. At tho first blush, Mr.. Hayes
Southern policy, as viewed from republican
standpoint, promised to be a liberal one, aut
Solar rs it applies to The local governments 0
tue South should he met in the spirit in which
it is offered. lie is doubtful of the success
Mr. ilayes's policy, as be believes that the re
publican party will not sustain him 10 any mill
or coneiiiatoly measures towards the South.
TIE reporter called upon cx. Governor vii
liam Smith, and the following question grew
ous OF the views expressed by the ex Governo
ia The course Of a desulioiy conversation upol
the latest phase of Alr. Hayes policy.
EcpUrter-DO you 10 such observation meal
to express the opinion that Mr.. Hayes is actio,
in good faith to win and deserve the con6dcnc
OF the Southern people, aud not as partisan
playing deep game to divide and break dow
the democracy and restore the falling fortune
CT the republican party!
Ey Governor Smith-Not so. So far as
exp es5 any notion Of Mr.. Hayes's policy, it i
formed 10 accordance with my habit Of con
Strung mems actions charitaby aud upon
presumption OF their sincerity. | hope tha
the most sarguinc among us may realize thci
highest expectations Of the fruitful results o
Mr.. Hayes's policy; but have doubts.
confess, further, that since the appointment
Of Fred. Douglass and Mr. Stone MY hope
have grown weaker. while my doubts have bee
in some measure confirmed. We have not, 81
far, sufficient data on which ito base judg
ment, but | do think, 10 the light Of reccu
events, that MIR. Hayes will prove hnstI
possessed Ct firm and independent spirit.
RepoTtcr-Supposo Mr.. Hayes to be aclinl
in good faith in his Southern policy, how MAJ
il affect the existing status Of the two partie
in the South
TX Governor Smith, have DO fear that tht
Southern people will be divided among them
SELVES. 1t is not possible to create or maintain
= political party by official patronage alone
and az for the sometimes mentioned cxpcdien
OF rcvivinG the old whig party to coalesce viii
the negroes as an administration party, the idet
mag be dismissed as absurd.
The cid wing patty is not sufficiently cOrrup
nor uncnlightcned TO permit Itself to be thu
dealt with, or to enter into associations such
move oil ibis kind would impose upon it. S,
far from It, the old members OF that party
Knowing that's suspicion attaches to them o
an INCLINATION to shake off their democratic az
socialions, would be the more decided and I'd
compromising 10 their opposition 10 repel sucf
suspicious. Besides, | don't think the ole
| Hhlg nartY is DOW an clement Ct suficicn