The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1884-04-12
THE NATIONAL CAPITAL.
SUMMARY or FACT AND GOSSIP.
James-River tmprovement-rhc soldiers
Rome az Hampsen-Seaboard Defence
Personal Items.


Rome az Hampsen-seaboard Defence
Personal Items.
Iron Our Reeular Correspondcnt.l
WASHINGTON, April 1.-THE Rivers and
Harbors Committee gave hearing to-day
20 the Virginia delegation. Judge Garri-
son made an argument in favor Of liberal
appropriation TO the Rappahannock and
York and other improvements in his dis
trict, aud Mr.. Barbour Joined him in urg-
ing that an ice-breakwater, in accordance
with the recommendation OF naval officers,
be constructed at Quantico. Hon. George
n. Wise and Colonel Frank Ruflin set forth
fully the claims OF James river as part OF
great national line OF transportation.
They stated that Richmond Is nearer to
Chesapeake bay than Baltimore, and nearer
San Francisco by seventy miles than New
York by existing lines Of railway. II will
only take. however, they said, the compile
ton Of less than 200 miles of road TO make
It 400 miles nearer the metropolis of the
Pacific coast OF the United States than
New York is. They advocated giving a
depth to the James Of 22s feet at low
water, and quoted the engineers TO show
that this could be done at cost Of
100000. They only wanted Richmond TO
receive what had been voted Baltimore.
The committee showed its interest by ask
ing questions. which were promptly
answered. Richmond Is fortunate in hav-
ing on the committee Mr.. Jones, OF Ala
hama. q nephew OF the late William +.
Taylor. and Mr.: Breckenridge, 4 son
Of the great kentuckian. Both indi-
Gated an interest in this improve.
mCnt. The West Virginia rivers were
subsequently considered. and Mr.. Snyder
very clearly set forth the importance OF
eOnlinuiag appropriations for the improve
mentS in his district. Mr. Wilson spoke
in behalf Of Monongahela river. Senator
Kcnna, WHO was. when in the House. a
member 81 the committee in charge Of the
river and harbor bill. made r statement to
the committee IN regard to the improve
ments in West Virginia that could not have
been more to the point. 1t looked As if he
about convinced the committee that the Mis-
sissippi. OHIO. &c, are Insignificant, COM
percd 10 the Great kanawha.
LIBERAL. AID FOR TIE HAMPTON SOLDIERS
HOME.
General Neagly, who is president Of the
Board Oi Managers of the National Sol
diers' Homes, went before the Military
Committee OF the House to-day, and urged
that an appropriation OF $4,000 he recOm-
mended for the enlargement OF the Sol
diers' Home at Hampton. Va. This looks
rs il the Board was satisfied with the pres
ent management of the institution, as they
have Just visited it. The indications are
that the committee will make the recon-
mendatiOn.
THE DEFENCE OF OUR SEABOARD.
II may be that when the Senate returns
10 the House the naval appropriation bill
with an amendment for the construction OF
the steel cruisers that the proposition Of
the subcommittee Of the House ApprOpria-
tons Committee 10 make liberal nppropria
tons for the defence Of HamptOn-ROads,
Portland. Me-. New York, Philadelphia,
New Orleans. and San Francisco Will be
offered rs a substitute.
Nj. RANDALL WILL FIGHT CONSIDERATION.
| have heard it stated recently at the
Capitol tDat number OF anti-taritf-agita-
ton Democrats had said that they were
willing 10 permit a consideration Of the
Morrison bill, but Dir. Randall, it is re-
ported. announces to his friends that he
means TO fight the question OF considera-
ton next Tuesday. He says, hear, he
has fifty-eight Democrats who will vote
with him. If this is the case the Morrison
bill cannot be taken up ii it has the united
Republican opposition accorded it. i do
not wonder nj the statement that its
friends are willing to strike out the free
list and add to the bill provisions for the
abolition of the tobaccO-taX and the reduc-
ton OF the tax on fruit-5randy in order TO
gain votes.
THE BANKRUPT BILL.
The judiciary Committee has directed
Representative Patrick Collins (Democrat),
of Boston, to move in the House week
from Monday that il fix q day for consider
iug the bankrupt bill.
4 DULL DAY AT THE CAPITOL.
The Senate observed Good Friday, and
there was but one Senate committee in
session. The House considered private
bills OF an unimpOrtant character, and the
weather was not bad enough TO make
homeless people OvercroWd its galleries.
The adoption of the resolution eX0neratIng
General Boynton. and Of course condemn
Ing eX-Spclker Keller, was the only Incl
dent OF the day that attracted attention.
Mr.. Hiscock and few others voted against
the committees report. Ohio people say
that Mr.. Keller will be returned.
THE REPUBLICAN DELEGATES TO THE CHICAGO
CONVENTION.
The StraightOut Virginia Republicans
here are very much encouraged, and evil
IDENTIFY think they are TO have at least par
tial representation i'm the Chicago COnven
ton. one OF them to-day, who seemed to
know more than he would tell, said "lf
the Coalition Convention doesn't listen to
a compromise. YOU will see that the Re-
pubicans will leave it, and the Readiusters
will find themselves in lonesome condi-
ton" 1t looks as If they have strong en-
couragement from northern sympathizers.
BRIEF NEWS ITEMS.
Government receipts to-day: Customs,
2Gl7.572: internal revenue, S349, 24.
Senators Hawley, Sherman. and Sabln
are In New York. Colonel Bob IngersoH
has also gone there.
Adam Badeau has resigned his position
as Consul General at Havana. The climate
is not good, and ilibusters are active.
Statesman Bei0rd, whose liver continues
out OF order, says either Grant or Blame
will be nominated. lie does not think
Arthur has any more chance than he has.
The work on the Potomac river i'm
proyemeut is now going on rapidly.
The Cabinet did not meet to-day because |
IL was Good Friday.
The Navy Department has issued orders
10 iii out the Montauk, Passaic. and Nan
tucket for a summer cruise.
Henry r. Wickham, who was here to-
day. left this evening for home.
The Speed veil left to-day for Norfolk
with the tug MayfOwer in tow The Tor |
mer will remain there permanently and the
latter is 20 be repaired. 4
W. Il. Brown has been commissioned