The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-03-12
NATIONAL CAPITAL.
Points Political and News General at
Headquarters.
Special to the Star.
THE SpEAKEESInP CONTEST.

THE SpEhKERSIIIP CONTEXT.
WASHINGTON, March 12.-rhe Speaker.
ship contest is becoming the principal topic
for political gossip here, with the return OF
members to Washington. Blackburn ard
Randall have opened house, and the fight
seems to be narrowing down to these two.
While there are quite a number who are
opposed to Randall, and yet who do not
want Blakburn, il is getting to be recognized
that if any change was to have been made
in The opposition candidate, the proper
time for such change has about gone by
The truth is that blackburn and his friends
have secured 50 much strength on their
own account, that the opposition is more or
less forced to adopt him us their candidate.
This is regretted by some OF the
Southern men as well us by some
Northern Democrats, as they feel that
Blackburn is not the best man to represent
the South that he is not conservative
enough, and that there is danger in his i'm
Puisive temperament. There is rumor
no doubt started for effect, that Mr.. Ran
dali had received assurances from the Re
publicans that if the nomination is not set
bCu III tuNtuS-tlIdt IL, IL lUt!c SIlbulu DE
bolting Democrats-he is to receive Repub-
Mean votes in the House, rather than that
u Democrat OF decided Grecnback proclvi-
ties should be elected. This lacks coniirma-
ton. Mr.. Randall and his friends are as
they always are. quiet and confident. An
other feature of the contest is the use made
of the Presidential campaign OF 1880. 1t
is talked good deal that Randall is Tilden
and Blackburn is Thurman. Blackburn is
at least willing to accept the issue. Black
burn has his headquarters at Willard Ho-
Eel, and Randall at the National.
MATTER OF JURISDICTION.
The counsel of the State of Virginia have
their application before the United States
Supreme Court for a rule to issue to Judge
Rives, of the Southern District of Virginia,
to show cause why writ of mandamus
shall not issue to compel the surrender to
the State of the prisoners who were tried
and convicted in the State Courts and re-
leased by Judge Rives. There is question
Us to the power Of the Court to issue the
writ of mandamus. The Supreme Court
has decided that a writ of prohibition can
only issue i'll admiralty cases, but as the
writ of mandamus is affirmative the ques-
lion is regarded as an open one
THE POSTAL SERVICE.
Superintendent Thompson, OF the Rail
way Mail Service, sends letters to all the
Division Superintendcnts regarding further
reduction in the service. Since the lst of
December one hundred and sixteen men
have been retired, yet there remains de-
ticiency to be made up during the fiscal
year. There being but one quarter left in
the year, the Division Superintendcnts are
directed to send Immediately to Washing
ton list of employees that can he dispensed
with. Superintendent Thompson further
says that there can be bat little increase in
the force OF railway post-otiice clerks next
Nycar. as the appropriation for that fund the
present year is $1,3l2, 600, and next wear
will be $1,350, 900, being an increase of
mach less than the natural increase of the |
service demands. The Postmaster General
says that under no circumstances will he
submit to a deficiency at the end of the |
year.