The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1879-11-15
Our Washington Letter.

Our Washington Letter.
Important Announcement from Genera
Grant Expected The Elections Louis.
iana's Vote Wanted-The Postal Ser.
vice-Lucky Bads- -schurz on the Ram.
page, etc.
WASHINGTON. D. G., Nov. 5, 1879.
EDITOR CHIEF:
Washington is full of comment this
morning on two subjects first, the
elections Of yesterday, and second,
the following dispatch:
CHICAGO, Nov. At is stated that
Gen. Sherman has written to a military
friend in this city that Gen. Grant has
an important message to deliver to the
people of the United States, which he
will first give to them when he reaches
this city.
OF the dispatch it may be said that
no one doubts it's authenticity, and
no one doubts that Gen. Grant will
on that occasion decline to become a
candidate for re- election to the presi-
dency. This, in view of the unques-
toned fact that he has of late gained
great strength among Republicans,
must 10 considered very important.
1t has been suggested that he might,
however, attempt to dictate a candi-
date-Washburne, for instance-but
those who know the General best say,
that after retiring from the race, he
will take no part thereafter except to
cast bis individual vote.
Of the result of the elections. it
may be said that every body in Wash
ington believes it left the question of
the candidates of the two parties pre-
cisely where it was before. No boom
could, lastscvening, be manufactured
for anybody. The withdrawal of
Grant, however, complicates the Re
publican case somewhat. It will tend
to give greater prominence to several
candidates, notably Senator Window
of Minnesota, who has real strength,
if the contest is to be letween civil
ians. On the whole, it remains neces-
f<, vuniE f.>n A1,D
ventions.
The saving of eight electoral votes
in Louisiana is greatly to be desi, ed,
and as the election in that State does
not occur until December the Repub-
lican Congressional Committee, will,
if the funds are supplied, send some
of the ablest orators and statesmen
into that State to speak during the
coming campaign. This is a most
important step, as it will greatly eu-
courage the Republicans in other
Southern States in perfecting their
organizations preparatory to the cam
paign of 1880.
The report Of the Postmaster Gen
eral shows that Uncle Sam has in his
employ in the postal service 100, 900
persons. There are 40, ,855 post Offices,
2l76 of which were established dur
ing last year. The President appoints
I'LL Of the postmasters and the bal
ance 39, l44 are commissioned by the
Postmaster General. Sixteen thou.
sand other persons are employed by
the Postmaster General, or his assis.
tants, distributed as follows: Ala in
the Post Office Department in Wash
ington, 4549 clerks in post-offices OF
first and second class, 1859 letter car
riers, 50 special agents, 2609 employees
of the railway mail service, 5659 mai]
contractors, and over so, coo clerks in
the third and fourth class Offices, VIII,
are paid directly by the local post
master. With the rapid expansion O
our country, not many years vii
e|apse before the furce now employed
! will be doubled and the post office!
| will reach 100000.
The public debt il ten millions les.
than it was Il month ago AID the gov
ernme''t receipts are unexpected,
large, and are increasing.
| Capt. James 3. Eads is certainly
fortunate man. An attempt was mad
the other day to prevent the pay men
to him Of AL instalnent on his lett,
contract, failure to keep up the re
quired depth of twenty five feet il
the channel being alleged. 1t hap
pened, however, that on the same da
J a vessel drawing that number of fee
passed through without hindranct
demonstrating even greater dept
than required. The increase in shin
ping at New Orleans since the jettie
we're completed is wonderful.
| The sudden death of Hon. Zacharia
!; Chandler, Senate; from Michigan
created a profound sensation at I'll
capital. Draped public buildings an
q closed Departments evidenced I'll
deep grief that pervade.l all classe
Itis said here that the Senator, tl,oua
he had declared himself in favor
another party, WAS in reality cngag.
in an earnest effort to make himse