The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1880-05-10
NEWS AT THE CAPITAL.
POstoffice Business for the Last
Quarter.
A General Increase In the Receipts at The
Prominent 0fficss-6snsral los Iohn.
stun's Retirement from Congress
Hamilton Fish Proposed as
Substitute for Grant
General News.
rosrorrrcE BUSINESS.


postal receipts from the postsffices for the
quarter ending March 81, have been re.
ceived at the Department. In Chicago
the receipts for this LAST quarter are the
largest ever known, reaching ss29,55o, or
$500 a day. The increase is $4,000
over the receipts for the quarter ending
June 80, 1879, only nine months before.
The gross receipts for the Chicago post
Office for the year ending March 81, is
sl,lss, ,6o6.7l, which places that Office next
to New York. Two years ago the receipts
for the same four quarters were 1862 $685.
66, showing an increase in twenty-four
months OF S225, ,637.25, or about twenty
five per cent.
In Cincinnati the receipts OF the last
quarter are also the largest ever known,
reaching SlS2,2S4. The receipts for the
quarter ending June 30, 1879, were Sll2,-
S44, showing an increase of about 1000
in nine months. The total receipts for
the year ending with March last were
SIs7, ,276 10. Two years ago, for the same
four quarters, the receipts were Si23,-
499 IS, showing an increase of nearly
S04, 900 In two years. Chicago is prob
lem among postotfices. There is no West
ern city that compares with 1t. The re.
ceipts are as large Us st. Louis and Gin.
cinnati combined, although the popula-
ton Is not. This Is explained on account
OF difference in-character Of the masses Of
population.by which the several cities are
surrounded. The average OF intelligence
among the masses In the Northwest is
higher than in the South and Southwest.
This is shown wherever comparison OF
postal receipts is made. The completion
Of the Cincinnati Southern road had
marked effect on business in Chattanooga,
as seen in the revenues Of the postotiice
OF that city. For the quarter ending with
March last the receipts were twenty-five
per cent. greater than for the previous
quarter.
GEN. JOE JoHEsToN's RETIREMENT.
Gen. Joe Johnston says he will retire
from public life at the end OF his present
term. He has received many letters from
Virginia, asking him te reconsider and
remain in Congress, but he will peremp-
torily decline denomination. He could
get it without even the asking, but Wash
ington political life Is not to his taste. He
saws he owes much OF the activity and
yigor OF his old age to an outdoor life,
and he finds the duties OF member of
Congress too contining. Besides, he has
no taste fori 1t. During his brief service in
Congress, General Johnston has made
himself very popular with both parties.
He is particularly popular with the Army
officers, for his course as member OF the
Military Committee has been very liberal
toward the Army, and he has welded a
good deal OF influence among the Demo.
Gratis. It is probable that General John
ston will resume insurance business in
Richmond.
FISH AS A CANDIDATE.
An influential friend of General Grant,
but who is in great doubt as to the expe-
dIency Of nominating him at the present
time, owing to the strong sentiment
againsta third term, said this afternoon
that negotiations were now going on with
a view to the withdrawal OF General
Grant and the substitution Of ex-Secretary
Hamilton Fish, and the shrewdest men in
the party believe in the wisdom Of this
course, Ii it is desired to secure the defeat
Of Blaine at the Chicago Convention; that
it was believed that all the discordant ele-
ments in the Republican party could be
concentrated upon Mr.. Fish; that efforts
were now being Nude, and 1t is generally
believed that in certain contingency Mr..
Fish will be brought forward. ltisknown
that many Of the members OF the present
Administration think well Of MIR. Fish,
and even Secretary Sherman, in the event
Of his failing to see the prospect Of his
own nomination, will instruct his friends
to swing his strength into the kish column.