Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1877-10-05
From Washington.

SPECIAL DISPATCHES TO THE GAZETTE |
WASHINGTON, D. G., Oot. 5, 1877
GREAT SOUTHERN MAIL VIA VIRGINIA MID
LAND RAILROAD.
| called at the Posto6ice Department yester-
day and had very satisfactory interview with
Col. Vail, Superintendent OF the Railway Mail
Service, on the subject Of lettiog the contract
for tho great Southern mail between Wash
incton ADD New Orleaps. lie stated that the
department had decided to give the contract to
the line that made the best time, closest aud
most reliable connections. lie said the mail
was at present transported by the Virginia
Midland and Kencsaw !nc, via Lynchburg and
Knoxville lie gave as one objection. aud a
most important one, why the Richmond aud
Danvie line should not have it, because they
did not make sure connectons-they had miss.
ed six Southern connections 10 ten daya. 10 view
OF this unreliable state of things the depart
meot would have to contract with the line that
could make the time ard insure close connec.
tons this the Virginia Midland had done via
the kencsaW route, with satisfactory results up
10 the present time.
This does not speak very much for the man.
agement Of the Richmond aud Danville l;nc.
Through passengers will follow the adopted
mail line of all railroads.
Col. Vail seems to be disposed to act fairly
and impart;ally 10 all sucn matters, but looks
strictly to the interest Of the government, and
the people generally, who's, interest he is ca.
trusted TO watch.
CANDIDATES FOR DoORKEEPER OF THE HOUSE
OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
Col. Joho H. Patterson the present Door
keeper of the u. S. House Of Representatives,
will be presented by his delegation for re. cleo
ton. COL Patterson is one Of Jerseys best
types Of true democrat. He has held at
different times various Offices of trust and emol.
ument in his native State, where he has been for
years warm ADD jealous leader of the democrat
ic party 10 Monmoth county. flo has made
good officer in the capacity to which he was
elected by the 44th Congress. He comes into
the field we'll endorsed by large delegation Of
old members from the South, among whom he
is very popular.
Baltimore pr ,seuts one Of her favorite Sous
arrived in the city and taken quarters at the
Metropolitan Hotel where he will receive his
triendsin his usual characteristic style of polite
ness and civility. Ills good judgment aud po-
liticsl sagacity have caused him to take rank
among the leading politicians of tho country.
THE ENATE.-The Senate promises to come
within one vote Of being Democratic at the spc-
cial session, counting with the republicans
Messrs. Booth, Of California. and Davis, of
II ioois The roll fools up forty republicans
to thirty-three democrats. Messrs. Sharon, of
Nevada, and Morton will not be present. and
Patterson, of South Carolina, will probably be
unsvoidabIy absent. or if present will not vote,
it is said, while uuder Indictment. This would
reduce the republican vote to thirty seven. If
the three democratic contestants are admitted,
as they probably will be, the democratic vote is
increased to thirty SIX leaving the republicans
in majority of one. Senator Booth will vote.
it is said, to displace Secretary Gormau, who
has been so thoroughly repudated 10 the de-
feat of the Sargent. Page ring in Callifornia,
and it is not impossible that the December ses
sion will open With complete change 10 the
officers Of the Senate. 1t is only iu case of a
lie that the Vice President votes.