The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1884-03-25
THE NATIONAL CAPITAL.
suMaARr on RAcT AND eosslp,
TIE Cemisz Caucus and the Tariff Bii-The
whiskey-aen committee Matters - Per-
soaai-Brief News Items,

t&rlB plank OF the Virginia Democratic
platform, and is opposed 10 an agitation Of
the tariff question at this time. Like al
most everybody else, he thinks the present
tariff has Objectionable features. but now
is not the time to rectify them. He said
this much because statements As 10 his posi.
ton have been published which. do not cor.
rectly represent bis views.
REIRP DENIED NEW ORLEANS.
Representative Ellis, of New Orleans
to-day introduced a resolution annro'
priating $500. 600 for the immediate rel,o,
az New Orleans. II had been informoIlv
considered by the Appropriations Com.
mIiice and received their unanimous an
proval. Mr.. Ellis gave a gloomy nicf1re
Of New Orleans, with only dirt wall he
tween that city and destruction, and with
no hills for It's people 10 flee 10 in case OF
inuudation. He bad made a good impres-
sion. and called the previous question. but
his colleague. Mr.. Hunt, got him 10 with.
draw il that he might make s speech. In
doing this he offended Mr.. Rusk. of Arkan-
saS. and paved the way for other remarks
and suggestions. The resolution was de-
feated-ayes, IS; noes, lis.
TIE DEMOCRATIC Caucus TOMORROW NIGHT.
There are speculatious without number
in regard 20 the caucus which is 10 meet
tomorrow night. II Is conceded that the
Morrison men win. whatever concessions
Il may require, endeayor 10 get their bill
endorsed. The Randall men seem satisfied
that the caucus cannot bind them on a
tariff bill. A most sensible tariff reformer,
who i giving the question good deal OF
thought. and whose views are published in
the leading commercial and financial Jour
nal OF the country, said To me to-day: d" II
looks 10 me that the whole question Of the
abolition OF internal revenue nav come
before the caucus. and il msy become ne
CeSSary for the friends Of the bin TO
make important concessions TO the advo-
estes of the abolition Of internal reve-
nue." One proposition is 10 amend il by
wiping out the tax on tobacco and fruit
brandy, and another i 20 abolish the whole
system. In the event the former prevails
an effort will be made to simplify the col
lection Of the tax on whiskey and dispense
with large number OF revenue officials.
Those who think that the caucus will meet,
endorse The Morrison bill. and then rally
to lis support The entire Democratic vote
Of the House, will fnd themselves much
mistaken, for neither Mr.. Randall nor
Mr.. Morrison can tel in advance what viii
De said or done tomorrow night. In the
mean while Democrats who are concerned
about their party hope for the best. but
cannot help feeling great anxiety. Repub-
licans. Of course, are hoping for the worst.
Representatives Nichols. OF Georgia, and
Caldwell, Of Tennessee. predicted tonight
that calm counsels viii prevail in caucus.
TIE wHISKEY BILL-ITS DEFEAT A QUESTION
or DAYS.
The general opinion is that 4 vote on the
whiskey bill viii be deferred. II possible,
un;ll after the caucus. The first reason
assigned is that Mr.. Morrison does not
want TO 90 into caucus handicapped by its
defeat. The second reason given Is that
its friends hope 10 gain strength by the
action Of the caucus. The whiskey-men
say that they are encouraged by the devel-
oprents Of yesterday, but it is evident 10
impartial observers that MesSrs. Randall
and Blount are about right when they pre-
diet that If viii be beaten in the House
over twenty votes. Mr.. Tucker is the only
Democrat from Virginia who favors Its
passage. Those actively NJ work for the
abolition Of internal revenue think its de-
feat will greatly help their cause. They
say why collect money from tobacco and
lend il 10 the owners Of Kentucky whiskey.
COMMITTEE MATTERS.
The House Elections Committee to-day
debated with closed doors the report on the
O'Ferrall case. Ii is hoped vote may be
reached Wednesday. The arguments in
the keifer-BoyDtOn case were presented
TO-DAY and report is expected next week.
The Springer committee will not meet
again fo- some days. The impression
grows that The House Pacific Railroad Com
mittee will not report any bills that will get
through Congress this session. The House
Appropriations Committee agreed to-day
10 disagree TO all but one Of the Senate's
amendments TO the "urgency deficiency
bill"
Personal NEWS ITEMS.
Hon. J.L.N Curry is here, and is much
interested In the passage Of the Blair edu-
cational bill. Major Page McCarty was in
the city yesterday. some one remarked to
Representative Reed to-day that the Senate
was a sleepy body. He replied, You
ought not 10 speak dlsreSpectfully OF the
senate. for there is where all good poll
iicians 20 when they are dead" Mr..
Ochiltree is of resting on his iaurels, and
Mr.. Beford was hoarse to-day. Mr.. White.
OF Kentucky, is reserving his wrath Tor the
final battle over Bourbon whiskey.
COMPTROLLER KNOX on THE RAMPAGE.
II seems that W. J. Best, OF Boston.
known in Virginia, some time ago wrote
pamphlet in which he attacked Comptroller
Knox in connection with the Pacitc-Bank
matter. To-day Mr.. Knox was before the
Banking and Currency COMMITTEE, ana
after saying a number OF uncomplimentary
things about Mr.. Best added that he had
orlv IN
ought 10 have stuck 10 his trade. Another
charge was that Best, who is living here
this winter in 4 fine house, gives dinners
and mathematics 10 journalists. Mr..
Best is now in New York, but will reply
10 the Comptroller on his return. THESE
polite cOurtesies tend 10 enliyen committee
meetings good deal.
BRIEF NEWS ITEMS.
Commissions have been issued to the 1oi-
lowing Virginia postmasters: W. >. Chl-
Senhull, Rye Valley, Smyth county MIS-.
L. n. Groseclose, Ceres, Blanc county; >.
]. TinsIey. Hunslet, Henrico county; u.
b. Wells. Fritz, Lee county.
The officers of the Artillery school at
Fortress Monroe visited the Washington
nayY-yard to-day and made an inspection OF
the shops. They Will visit Midyale Iron
Works and Frankford arsenal before re-
turning to Old Point.
The clerical force Of the Census Once,
los in number, on furlough, were ordered
back 10 duty to-day.
Ex-senator Rarnum was at the Capitol
today. and had long talk with Demo
cratic leaders.
The Senate adopted resolution OF Sena-
tor Riddleberger instructing the Commerce
Committee 10 investigate gas as an lllumi-
Daifng ued;nro for huovg beacons, &c.