The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-03-11
THE COMING STRUGGLE.
Notes OF Preparation for the Spring
Campaign.
THE STATEsArANAB NABRoAD-HECALLsU UPON
THE CANDIDATES FOR OFFrcE-THE Of
FrCEs TO DE FTLLED AND WHAT THEY
ARE wokIH-THE coUNC AND THE
TEST QUESTIONS.

| seats himself In a BARRIERS chair, or stops
| to buy roast from his butcher, Oh
goes to purchase cigar, or takes glass
| OF beer, finds staring him in the face
stuck into the frame Of the mirror OF
tackled upon the wall, or fixed in the
show-c -case-cards announcing that so and
So are candidates for such and such offices.
1t seems to be fine season for the Job
printers. Their biggest type and choicest
colored card-boards have been brought into
requisition. A few weeks ago the candi-
dates were content with cards OF the time
honored size, but some one, fearing per-
haps that his name would be overlooked il
so modestly given to the public, resorted to
larger cards and bolder type. Since then a
rivalry has been going on with the object,
it would seem, to ascertain which car
didatc can send out the largest card.
Allowing that the cards will con-
tinue to increase in size with past speed till
the day of election. we may reasonably eX-
pect to see them in May grown to dimeu-
sions too big for mirrors-too big for any
thing short OF Billy Wade's bill:posting
boards. ..as..@.z
How much Of happiness, what cups OF
sorrow, those cards presage, we dare not
suggest. Some who seem now to have a
smooth road before them may ere long, for
getting the intricacies and uncertainties OF
politics, see themselves stumbling and fall
inc. Others may find their paths growing
smoother and smoother rs they advance.
But all are doomed to trials and veXationS,
more or less.
The city I" statesman ~ is already waking
from his slumber. He is man who (meta-
phorically) carries his ward in his pocket.
He knows all "the boys" They love him,
and he loves them, I" and they love one an
other" lin the language OF popular bur-
lesque), and fearful is his wrath towards an
enemy; wonderful, indeed, his devotion
where circumstances conspire to attract
his affection to candidate. He comes
forth with the budding Of the trees and the
greening Of the grass. He mingles
his cheerful whistle with the notes of the
blue-blrds. 1t is now his chiefest desire and
delight to make the acquaintance OF the can
didate. Forms are nothing to him. Letters
Of introduction are not necessary. He is
gay and good-natured, generally a ready
talker, sometimes serviceable, Cften other
wisa-always ready to discuss the situation
over a glass of beer. The candidate, likely
as not, NAV find him knocking at the door
OF his residence by daybreak, or may be
stopped by him as he hurries to church, or
stumble upon him at the back door OF his
Office, whittier he has gone in vain effort to
flank him. Once the candidates card is sent
forth, each "statesman considers himself
invited to share his hospitality, and will not
be angry W hen in those moments OF supreme
satisfaction and amiable confidence the can
didate offers to divide his currency with
him, or slings out S5-note and tells him to
90 to IS and buy new spring hat.
Now bursting out OF the environments OF
the statesman" leaping over the rough
hurdle OF the primary election, dashing past
the final conflict at the regular election, the
prophetic eve OF the candidate ranges and
rests upon the reward of his labors-vul-
carly called loaves and fishes, or pay.
The City Council recently gave ten or
fifteen-per-cent. whack at the city officials.
The Legislature is pursuing the same plan,
only with sterner and fiercer determination
to retrench, and places once regarded as
..fat'' have been necessarily put into the
ranks OF the "lean" kind. The reduced
pav will commence with the new term, 1st
OF July.
OFFICES TO BE FILLED BY PEOPLE.
Navor.-The salary Of this officer two
wears ago was $500. The Council cut it
down 10 $1,000 before the last election.
Under the general retrenchment bill lately
passed by the Council it will be after 1st
july only $1,350 per annum. So far as at
present appears Mayor Darlington has no
Iuditor.-Pay, 5000. Mr.. j. B. Royster
incumbent.
Commissioner of the Reuenue.-R. B.
Munford incumbent. Fees, five eighths OF
one per centum on assessments.
Both of above incumbents are candidates
for reelection. No opposition has yet ap-
peared.
Hiqh Constable.-Fees-Th The present in
cumbent, Mr.. Il. L. Whiting, is cand-
date for reelection. The Office is regarded
rs first rate one; as good as any here pro-
babIv. The other candidates are c. t. Bin
ford. S. II. CorDick, A. B. Duesberry, John
E. Epps, and George F. Norton.
Citu Sergeant. has in times
gone by been very fine office. Some years
AGO the average number Of prisoners was
from 125 to $50. The pay for them was
once fifty cents per day, and is now 40,
while the present average OF prisoners
is about 80. The bill which has passed
the Senate and is now being. con-
sidered by the House abolisbes impri.
sonment for many petty offences, and
reduces pay for prisoners to twenty-five
cents per uaS. IL tuC SeA s1Sht ID tSdoi. ~
to keep the present number OF deputies,
which Judge Guigon said was indispensa-
BILE, the profits, if anything, will be trifllng.
CAPTAIN James NJ. Tyler is a candidate for
reelection. The others in the field are F.
w. Chamberlayne, John II. Claiborne, W..
J. Gentry, n. NJ. Lee, Samuel Maccubbin,
7, n. Moore. and w. ". Phillips.
ron Saturday night the House amended
the Senate bill revising the criminal laws SO
as to allow the Judge Of the Hastings
Court, acith the consent Of the CitV Council
to make suitable allowance for the Ser
geant's deputies. That improves prospects
considerably
Commemorative Attornep.-Captain
George D. Wise is the present incumbent.
There is some prospect that there will be
more than one candidate for this office, but
no public announcements have yet been
made.
Citu ColLector.-Fees Seyen.eighJhs OF
one per cent. on collections. Mr.. Avlett
q. Woodson is candidate for reelection.
Mr.. John f. Regnault, who preceded Mr..
Woodson in the Office, is also acandidate.
Sheriff. John w. Wright. Fees: Here
the pay is very moderate, the bond very
big, and the incumbent very formidable.
At the time the above offices are chosen
all the members Of the Common Council
and one half OF the members Of the Board
of Aldermen will be elected. The question
OF voting sufficient money-suppIies to keep
the free-schools going the full term, and to
make ample provision for all children wish.
ing to attend them, combined with the issue
| about making the city pay property owners
where their property Is damaged by change