The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1884-01-15
From Our Regular Correspondent,

NNEAfHrt'fsNs-fs'''f
WASHINGTON, January lt.-To-day the
Republican senatorial caucus held meet
ing and settled the question OF the presi-
dcncy pro tenn. Of the Senate. Mr.. An
thony was nominated for the position sub
seouently IN the Senate by Mr.. Sherman
and was elected over Mr.. Bayard, who re-
cciycd the solid vote Of the Democrats.
As was known In advance, the venerable
Rhode Island Senator, who has been elected
rs often 10 the body as Thomas ii. benton
was. declined the honor in ieelng ana
appropriate speech. II had been Thought
hy people generally here that MI. Ed
minds would not accept the position, and
,ha; the contest in caucus would be be-
tween Senators sherman and INGALLS,.
When Mr.. sherman, therefore, arose in the
senate and nominated him, II occasioned
some surprise. The Democrats voted for
Mr. Pendlcfon. and the Vermont Senator
was elected by party vote. MessrS. Rid
dlehe.ger and Williams OF Kentucky were
naired on this question. senator Mahone
was present. and voted for Mcssrs. An
,hony and Edmunds. In the event OF the
death. resignation, or removal OF President
Ar,bur Nj. EdmundS will become Presi-
dent Of the United States.
TIE SUMATRA DECISION REVERSED.
The Treasury Department has reversed
the decision made by Judge French, in No
yemher. in regard 10 Sumatra tobacco, and
hereafter the sumatra leaf, even when con-
,tjtutine less than So per cent. OF apackage,
will nay seventy-iye cents a pound duty.
while the filing packed around it will pay
only thirty-five Gems a pound. This Geci-
sion will I've hailed with satisfaction in New
York. where large quantities of Sumatra
leaf are held. The great tobacco districts
81 the south and West, however. have no
interest in this question, as Sumatra leaf
only comes in competition with the seed leaf
Of Wisconsin, Connecticut, and that part OF
Pennsylvania in the neighborhood OF Lam
caster. This decision will make a differ
ence in bale containing SOC pounds oil
$40. The decision, Of course, affects the
cigar interest Of the entire country.
THE SOUTHWESTERN PUBLIC BUILDING.
II will be remembered that Congress has
appropriated money for building post
Office aud United States courtroom at
Abingdon. but there is now an effort on
foot 10 get il 10 change the location OF this
nnblic building TO Wytheyile. General
lanes 4. Walker, Colonel Robert Sayers,
and Major George X. Dunn. OF Wythe,
are here in the interest OF the proposed
change. The WashngtOn-county people
and others interested i'm having the build
ing al Abingdon are also at work. As
both places are in Congressman BOwen's
district. he will have 10 act with caution in
the matter.
VIRGINIA MATTERS N CONGRESS.
Senator Malone to-day introduced Il bill
10 nav Judge Il. W. Hughes at the rate OF
$3.50 per annum for acting as Judge OF the
Western district OF Virginia from August
|. 1882. to September 5, 1888. This was
the period between the resignation OF
Judge Alexander Rlyes and the qualitica-
ton of his successor. Judge Paul. Judge
Hughes was requested by the Attorney
General of the United states. in accordance
with section COB, Revised Statutes of the
United States, TO perform the duties for
which paw is now asked. \ petition to
Congress from Judge Hughes, setting forth
all of the facts OF the case. accompanied
Senator Mahone's bill. The same Senator
also introduced bill 10 so amend section
i4l4 OF the Revised Statutes as 10 give the
inspector of boilers and bulls at Norfolk
$4,000 a year instead OF $1,000. TIE salary
be now receives.
PERSONAL NEWS ITEMS.
General Roger A. Pryor opened the ar
gument before the House Committee on
Public Lands &c -day against the forfeiture
Of the TeXas-Pacific land grant. His speech
was worthy OF his distinguished reputa-
ZION a. = lawyer. and he has not forgotten
how to be eloquent. General Joseph T..
Johnston was at the Capitol to-day, and
looked well. Senator Pendleton occupied
his seat to-day for the first time since re-
cess. Nobody seems able to make a pre-
diction in regard to the Maryland
senatorship. The balloting will COM
mence tomorrow. Mr.. Mckee, OF the
New York Associated Press, gave a
splendid entertainment at his fine resi-
dence, on Rhode Island avenue, to the lead
Ing journalists here Saturday night. 1t
was one OF the social events OF the season.
DIR. Strayer and Mr.. John Keller, OF Shen-
andoah, will have places under the new
Senate organization. The President did
moi to-day send in the name OF United
States District attorney for the District OF
Columbia, as was expected. Generals
Sherman and Sheridan have had long
talk on army matters. The Secretary OF
the Navy to-day submitted to Congress the
reports Of the commission on the various
nayy-yards. MIR. Randall says he means to
pursue the even tenor OF his way, without
regard to what anybody says. EX-Speaker
Keller says there will not be 4 bolt in the
Ohio Legislature, and Payne will be elected.
Representative Hill, Of Ohio, SAYS he has
not the slightest idea that Dir. Payne will
decline the senatorship when elected. The
report tonight Is that District-Attornev
Corkill is in danger. Collector W. +.
craig, OF Augusta, is here.
IMPROVEMENT OF THE CAPITOL.
The Senate Committee on Public Build
lngs TODAY reported bill appropriating
si1I,5SS for the construction OF terraces
along the north, south, and west fronts OF
The Capitol. and for two grand stairyays
at the western front at the head OF Penn.
sylyania and Maryland avenues. These
improvements will not ONLY add 10 fhe ao-
pearance OF the Capitol and grounds. Int
viii make the building look a story higher.
BRIEF NEWS ITEMS.
The senate in executive session this a..
ternoon discussed the Mexican treaty.
There were 475 bills introduced i'm the
House to-day.
Representative Hill. OF Ohio, introduced
bill to-day abolishing the tariff on sugar
and molasses.
Government receipts to-day: Customs
sj31 1888: internal revenue, S816,056.
The House Appropriations Committee