Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-05-12
PLEAsANTs SUCCESSOR.
J. H. Wimberly the Man Most Spoke
of at the CaDitaI

of at the Capital.
WASHINGTON, May 11.-Nothing has
been heard at the Treasury Department
concerning Peasants bond since the last
instrument Of that character was disap-
proved. No action will be taken until
Darnell is heard from. The course in such
matters is for the District Attorney to in
form the delinquent that his bond is not
good, and to report whether he is capable
OF complying with the law. As indicated
Darnell has not vet reported. 1t is
almost an accepted conclusion among
Treasury officials concerned that
Pleasant cannot make good
bond. Talk of his probable suc-
cessor IS therefore INDUCED in. J. II.
W imberly is the man most spoken of,
lie Is not as strong in the estimation of
Secretary Folger as he once was, but he
IS strong. OF all who have been men,
toned since Pleasant made his first-bad
official break Wimberly stands to the fore
He would have been appointed long ago
mad II not been for a certain personal un-
certainty OF purpose. Unless Pleasant
can give good bond at an early dav il is
pretty certain that Wimberly will succeed
him.
The city is unusually active and lively
Tor this time of the year. The weather is
hot and enervating, and the customary
W ashingtOn companion is dullness and
quletude. But two incentives there are
which keep life busy. The approaching
spring meeting of the National Jockey
Club and the near-at-hand reunion of the
Grand Army of the Potomac cause ac-
tiVity when there would otherwise be a
dull and dTeary routine outside of official
existence. Washington succeeded wonder
FrFNN ffEA ~ 4
racing calendar, ,and makes a great deal out
of its two meetings a year. 1t offers good
purses, presents very good track, and
crowds the grand stand and the quarter
stretch. In the way OF entertaining
large bodies it has of recent years been
very attentive, and as a consequence is
being favored by those societies which
hold annual reunions. 1t Will spread it.
self upon the occasion of the annual gath
ering of the Army of the Potomac. and
intends to make that body sorry that it
ever met anywhere else. The business
men, usually very backward and cOnser-
vative as regards hospitality. have been
taking hold of things very commercially.
They are succeeding in giving the city a
prestige that has long been wanting. If
they keep on they Will succeed at no dis
tant day in having Presidential COnven-
tlOn-the ambition of all large and we'll
organized cities-held here.
Talking with General Wright. Chief
Engineer United States Army to-day. the
topic turned on the question of river and
harbOr improvements. General Wright
said that although no appropriation for
work during the fiscal year ending June
30th, 1884, had been made, sufficient
money would be holding over from 1883 to
keep his department pretty busy. There
Will, however. be much actual loss to the
government because of the failure of Con-
gTess to make river and harbOr apprO-
priatiOn. The loss will be not only from
delay of works which are important and
absolutely necessary, but from the work
of deterioration on account of idleneSS.
The rust of inactivity and the temporary
abandonment Of many plants for improve
ment. will cost thousands of dollars. This
will be actual loss. without considering
the damage which commerce must sustain.
General Wright advanced the opinion
unequivOcally, that it would be a long
time before Congress again failed to pass
a river and harbOr bill. He based that
opinion, he said, not only upon a general
hypothesis, but upon letters eff which he
is daily in receipt from all parts of the
country. In fact thepeOple begin to rea-
lie what the damage a cessation of i'm
prOVements may work. There are doubt
less. General Wright said, many improve
ments which have been ordered by Con-
gress. that are ill-cOnsidered and eXtrav-
agant, but he holds that it is evident that
the country will not submit to total ne
glect iE this particular, because Of the cry
of steal" by which the good as well as
the bad has been characterized.