The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1884-02-13
fFrom Our Rernln, correspondent.I

ployes for election purposes, but then 1t |;
evaded by what arc known as voluntary
contributions, They are known to be,
however, compulsory, and to-day Senator
voorhees, introduced bill to remedy the
evil by Furnishing all employees Of the Gov.
eminent who shall, under any circum'
stances, contribute TO election-funds.
Should II become law, employees could
say to canyassers, we can't contribute even
voluntarily, for II we do we will lose our
places. BY general consent this bill gave
rise to an entertaining debate, which In a
measure compensated for the failure OF the
Senate TO take up the Riddleberger resolu-
ton with the Vestamendment. Mr.. VOORHEES,
In graphic language pictured the means
used to rob the poor clerks by the can
yassers OF the party IN power, and appealed
to the Senate to protect them from further
robbery. He referred to the time when
elections were conducted as the gospel was
preached, without money and without
price. Mr.. Beck. neutrality-suspicious.,
asserted that officers have been before the
Finance Committee OF the Senate for con-
| frmation who have kept back 10 per cent
of the pay OF Government employees under
them for election purposes. This caused an
excitement. and Mr.. Dawes wanted TO
know IL the Kentucky Senator knew
this damaging fact Of his own knowledge.
Mr.. Beck, In reply, caused general laugh
when he said, Certainly do, and so does
every member Of the Finance Committee"
Governor Vance followed this up with the
declaration that in North Carolina revenue
officers have kept back q months pay OF
their employees for election contributions.
Why" he added, "the testimony OF
sworn witnesses taken before q committee
of the Senate Is now in PRINT In the
document-room, showing what q large
percentage of the revenue collected in
North Carolina went to aid in carrying
elections" Senator Harrison. OF Indiana,
charged back that Democrats used to col
lect money from Government clerks for
party purposes. He wanted everybody TO
be free to give in aid OF carrying their
principles. The bill, at the suggestion OF
Mr.. Voorhees,, went to the judiciary Com
mittee.
THE SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE AND THE
COINAGE.
To-day the Senate Finance Committee
agreed TO the 1st section and no more of
Mr.. Morrilps bill for the improvement Of
the coinage. 1t authorizes and directs the
Director OF the Mint TO employ temporarily
five artists or persons distinguished in the
DEPARTMENT of art or in knowledge Of
coinage and medals to be appointed by
the Secretary of the Treasury, who
shall investigate and examine the
whole subject OF our existing sys-
tenn OF coinage, with q view to its
improvement and greater perfection OF ex-
ecutloD as to metals, relative value, and
also as to devices. legends, and inscrip-
tions; and the artists or persons so en-
ployed shall each be paid out OF the con-
tingent fund provided for the support OF
the mint the sum of $4,000; and any artist
or person whose designs for any coin shah
be accepted and adopted shall be paid $3.50
for each design so accepted and adopted.
COMMITTEE MATTERS TO-DAY.
The subcommittee TO investigate Copiah
left to-day for New Orleans. 1t will fur
nish the usual amount OF bloody-shirt
literature. The House Committee on For
eign Affairs discussed the Chinese ques-
tion, and the Ways and Means heard Re-
representatives. Broadhead, FOllett. and
others argue the bonded whiskey bill.
Although the Committee on Banking and
Currency had a bill in the hands Of Mr..
Ermintrout. OF Pennsylvania, who was
ready to report 1t for the redemption CT
trade-dolars, the House decided to take
the question from that committee and send
it to the Coinage Committee. 1t also de-
cided that motion to change reference is
q privileged one. Mr.. Randall in the
4Gth decided the same way.
THE VIRGINIA ELECTION CASES.
To-day was the last day left for Paul to
file his reply to O'FerralPs brief, and up to
4 O'Clock the clerk OF the committee had
not received it. He has until 12o'clock to-
night, however. The first meeting Of the
subcommittee in this case was set for
Thursday. II will be week before the re-
cord in the Massey-Wise case Is printed.
Judge Garrison's brief has not yet been
filed. 1t is still claimed that the 'Republi- |
cans have more power on this committee
than they ought to have.
THE INTERSTATE COMMERCE BILLS.
The House Commerce Committee, which
have been for weeks considering the Rea- |
gan and other Interstate commerce bills, |
have up to tonight determined on three |
points 1st, that there shall be remedial |
legislation; Cd. that there shall be COM
mission, and Sd, that the bill shall not ap- |
ply to water-courses.
PERSONAL NEWS ITEMS.
Senator Riddleberger looks 10 one sit |
ting in the correspondents gallery as II he |
felt that the Republican side is not backing |
up his resolution properly. IL is said that |
there is not more than one member of the |
Finance Committee OF the Senate who IA
yors the Morrison bill. An Apache dele |
CATION called on the President to-day. |
Mayor Yost, OF Staunton. Holmes Boyd, |
of Winchester, and Hon. John +. Lewis |
were In the city to-day. Ex-senator Me-
Donald, OF Indiana, was at the Senate |
chamber to-day. An officer has gone to |
DanvilIe TO summon twenty-four witnesses
to testify in the Danville investigation
which commences here Thursday. The
Keifer- Boynton investigation commences
Hon. Charles James Faulkner, Of |
West Virginia, and General Jno. b. Gordon |
and wife are here. John G.. Thompson is
Patents were issued to-day to |
b. w. Binford, of Richmond, for potato |
digger and ridger; John M. Staples, Rose |
Mills, Va, velocipede; James NJ. More
head, The Plains, Va, saw-set. Mr.. Calk-
ins, Of Indiana, says General Sherman is q
and ought to be nominated for
the presidency.
BRIEF NEWS ITEMS.
Commissions were issued to-day to the
Virginia postmasters p. Carter,
Duncan's Mills; w. X. Davis, Swords |
Creek; w. Il. Larkin. Ella.
Captain Wells ID. Willard, Of the Com
missary Department, has been ordered to |
Fortress Monroe as depot and commissary
- IL