The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1879-10-16
Tho Post.OaIce OficIaIs.


OF DOUBLE DAILY NAH. ON THE DANvrLLE
ROAD.
Yesterday morning the Postmaster. Gene
raj, Colonel W. B. Thompson, chief OF the
Railway Postal Service, and Colonel David
b. Parker, chief OF the special agents OF
the PoSt-Ofice Department., were taken in
charge by Postmaster Forbes and Superin-
tendent Bailey for drive through the prin.
cipal streets OF the city. They then accept
ed an invitation to take lunch at the Com
mercial Club at O'Clock, and at that hour
met there"a number Of our representative
businessmen.
Mr.. Claiborne Watkins, president Of the
Club, cordially extended to the visitors
can Old Virginia welcome"
The Postmaster-G General very briefly re-
turned thanks, saying that he bad met many
OF the Richmond merchants before, and
knew them WELL The company were then
seated-Mr. Watkins occupying the head OF
the table, with the Postmaster-Generalo on
his right and Judge Bughes On bis left.
After the sora and oysters had been test
ed, aud
CHAMPAGNE-B0TTLES UNC0RKED,
Mr.. Watkins suggested that Vice-President
j. PendIetoa Rogers offer a sentiment .apr
prorriate to the occasion; whereupon that
gentle Ieman read the following:
Our Postmaster. General: This Key.
which has opened the hearts OF the solid
South, may it never rust, but wear out in
the service OF our common country. [Ap-
plause.]
Mr.. Charles U. Williams was called upon
to respond. After touching upon the po-
Iitical condition OF the country, and the
fact that living issues rather than exact
n
gress, he said Of Mr.. Key that be went into
the Cabinet of President Hayes as the rep
resentatlve Of the so-called solid South, and
the man has not yet been found who can
put his finger on one blot Of his personal
or official character. Mr.. Williams well
coined him here on behalf OF the Club, OF the
citizens of Richmond, and OF the solid
South. We respect him for himself, and
also as the representative OF that Admins
tration from whose mandates we take our
duty and enjoy benefits. Mr.. Williams
thanked God that his native State and the
people Of the whole Union gould look upon
the Postmaster General wialout fear that
he would dscredit the people or nation
whom he repres ents.
MR.. KEY SAID
no one could more highly appreciate the
compliments of his friends. He did not
know that the southern people altogether
appreciated his position. The tender OF
office he now holds took him by surprise.
| It seemed 10 be an offer OF friendship to the
South and while apprehensiye that his ac-
ceptance would be misunderstood, he fear
ed that his refusal OF it would do US harm.
He had been thoroughly identified with our
cause; had gone into camp with the boys,
fought with and slept with the boys Zap
| 49,. 1>,,k l,, Nf vi a
out whipped. He believed the war settled
something. 1t was great issue referred TO
arms as his friend Judge Hughes would
refer a case to jury; it was the
final test. He had, therefore, concluded
that it was his duty to accept; and from
that motive, the desire to serve his country
and section-not personal ambition-le
went into the Cabinet. TO Washington he
went with fear and trembling, so impressed
was he with the responsibilities OF his posi-
ton. He told them there that il General
Joe Johnston (then spoken of or any other
Democrat would take a position he would
give way. However, he was chosen. He
had been loyal to the Administration so far,
and expected to continue so. The Admin
istration had done as much for his people
as he could reasonably expect. We CON-
planned OF troops in the State-houscs at Co
lumbia and New Orleans. They were re-
moved. They are not there to-day, and will
not he there again during this Admlnlstra-
ton. In his own Department our people
have been literally treated. He had not
asked OF the northern people or representa-
tves anything they refused to give the
South. Such obstacles as he had met had
been chiefly from our own people.
MR.. KEY THEN WENT
on to show what had been done OF late to
improve the service on star routes and fast
mails, and how Congress had restricted the
Department in funds. There YVES special
fund allowed them. They would meet with
railroads not able to carry the mail for the
sums allowed, and they had the discretion to
helm out the railroads from this fund, which
amounted to S150,000. From this the Vir-
cinia Midland gets $4,000 for special train
Contracted for by the Department to secure
double daily mail to LyDchburg. Mr.. Key
was understood as saying that this special
fund was fixed at 100000 by the Sen.
ate, but was cut down to Sl50,00O by
the House. lie had found the Virginia
representatives liberal; but not 80 all
the southern members. Away down IN the
piue woods there were gentlemen who do
not need these nails, and who think we
don't need. them anywhere else. The De-
partment had been as liberal with the rall'
roads rs possible, and the simple questions
:. Have We sufficient appropriations for these
extra scrYices:" Blaine and Hamiin, fel'
lows that we hear so much abused, had been
very liberal in these matters. What ap'
reared odd to Mr.. Key was that men who
tIied to break up the Government should
now be so economical with its money
ILaugbter.l But he supposed they were
going on with the zeal Of all new converts
Mr.. Key kindly alluded to his companions.
MEssRS. THOMPSON AND PARKER,
and said that both OF them had been in the
!. Federal army, and were his friends.
mr. Key had 4 great deal OF respect foI
Ricbmond-for the capital OF the old Con-
federaev. His sympathy with our people
was strong. He didn't know but that we
OF the South were at fault in bringing on
the war; we were pretty plucky, and said
that this thing had been going on long
enough, and that We'had just as we'll fight
it out. [Laushter.]
| In one of his remarks Mr.. Key incident
ally let out that he was in sympathy with
the Debt-Paying party here.
COLONEL TALCoTT,
superintendent OF the Danville road, was
called uron and made neat and concise
statement OF the mail wants OF the people
of his road. Beyond Danville we have &
double daily mail now. What we want i:
q double daily mail between Richmond ano
Danylllc. He admitted that the Post Office
Department under Mr.. Key had done muct
for the South, and he doubted not would
now be disposed to accommodate the sec