The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-02-04
Washington .

SILVER BILL REPORTED ADVERSkLY--TARlFI
ON STEEL RAILS-THE VIRGINIA MILITARY
lNSTITUrE-MR. ELL-CoMMERCIA
MATTERS-v VARIOUS MINOR ITEMS.
From our Regular Correspondent
WASHINGTON, February In a CONVEX
sation in regard TO The political situation IN
Virginia General Joseph i. Johnston to-
day expressed himself very freely As to tbt
duty OF the Conservatives. He thinks that
every effort should be made to induce al
men in the State opposed TO Radicl.ism and
in favor of the triumph of the National De.
mocratic party 10 unite in opposition to The
nominees of the Chicago Convention. lie
thinks that difference on State issues should
net drive men apart on questions OF grave
national importance, and alluded to the un-
fortunate condition OF affairs In New York,
where the Democratic party is not divided
even on a S,ate-debt question, but is con-
tending over the presidential aspirations OF
single man. While General Johnston
always expresses himself with so'dierly
decision, be takes the most liberal and con-
seryatiye view OF the complications exist
ing now in the Conservative party Of Nir-
ginia. Senator Johnston, who was pres
ent, seemed highly gratiiied at the senti-
ments OF his distinguished kinsman. be-
cause they were in such perfect accord
with his own views, us heretofore expressed
time and again 10 your correspondent II
tue question Of a union Of all Conservatives
for The good OF Virginia and the entire coun-
try could be left TO a joint committee OF men
on both sides OF the cOnciliatory tendency
OF Senator Johnston it would not take an
hour to reInite the Conservative party OF
Virginia, and make it as solid as a regiment
OF regulars for 1880.
THE VIRGINIA SUPERVISORS OF CENSUS.
! telegraphed you last night that Messrs
Ayers, Cabell, and Lindsey had been con-
| trmed, and | have since ascertalned thai
Senator Johnston was ready to report fayorG'
bly, as to Mr.. Boiling, and vote for his con-
| fiImation, because OF the strong endorse.
| lions he has received from leading COnSel
vatiyes and Republicans OF Petersburg and
vicinity. Senator Withers being absent,
and not having expressed himself definitely
as TO this nomination, Senator Johnston
deemed it best to let it 60 over and not
be reported. Both the senators are fixed in
their strong opposition to the confirmation
OF Mr.. Burton, and will be able 10 defeat
him because the confirmation OF supervisors
rests with the senators OF the State for
which they are nominated. In fact, Senator
Johnston Yesterday called on General Walk
er, Superintendent Of the Census, and re-
quested him to withdraw Mr.. Bristow's
name, telling him frankly that he would be
rejected. General Walker advised the Sen
atOr to see the President, and he would have
done so but for the reason that the Presi-
dent was at Cabinet meeting. He intends
however, having an interview with him as
soon as possible.
THE WARNER SILVER BILL REPORTED AD-
VERSELY.
1t will be remembered that at the extra
session the House passed the Warner silver
bill, the original object of which was TO give
free coinage OF silver. The Senate Finance
Committee failed to report it, and on this
account Mr.. Bayard was severely criticized
by silver congressman generally. To-day
the Senate Finance Committee reported it.,
and its only supporters were Senators
Beck and VOORHEES,. Senators Bayard,
Herman, Wallace, Ferry, Allison, and Nor
rll, were against it. The sllyer.mCn say
they are glad that it is at last before the
Senate, and are prepared TO make fight in
its support. This action on The Warner
bill renders unnecessary the resolution Of
fered by Senator Coke last June. The
Finance Committee still has before it two
bills covering the whole ground OF the War
ner bill, and II occasion arises for legisla-
ton at the present session on the silver
question these bills will be brought forward.
DISCUSSION CT THE TARIFF on STEEL RAILS.
The House Committee Of Ways and
Means took up to-day the question of re-
ducing the duty on steel rails from S2S TO
$40 per ton. A large number Of iron-men
were in attendance, and the subject eXciteS
great interest. Mr.. Poor, the well-knOwn
road journal, gave a most interesting his
tory Of the railroads OF the United States.
He showed that while these railroads have
added one dollar TO their own wealth they
have added ten to the wealth Of the pro-
ducers of the country. BY the proposed re-
ductiOn, he said, two thousand miles Of rail-
way could be built rightaway III Texas alone.
He thought II per cent. OF all the iron rail
in the country ought this year TO be super
seeded by steel rails, and that it would be
done If the duty were reduced. There is
one great steeI.rail establishment at ST.
Louis. He called attention to the increase
in the value of the magnetic and specuar
iron ores, out Of whicl these steel rails are
made, which would follow reduction.
The ores referred 10 are those found IN such
abundance between Richmond and Lynch
burg along the james river. Leading iron
men from Pennsylvania and other States
ire here TO oppose the position Of Mr. |
Poor. Mr.. Kelley, OF Pennsylvania, the !
ather OF the present rate of duty, cross |
Questioned him closely, and Mr.. Tucker |
sked him number Of questions which |
licited interesting facts.
HE VIRGINIA MILITARY INSTITUTE WILL NOT |
GET TENTS.
Mr.. Hnxey, IN reporting to the Senate to-
lay adversely to the application Of the Ylr-
inia Military Institute for tents TO be used
q their summer encampment, stated that
e had written TO the Secretary Of War,
Tho communicated with the Quartermas-