Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-04-02
Generai Washington Notes.
IBy telegraph to the Dispatch

WASHINGTON, April IA. Leo.
Knott, Of Maryland, nominated to be
Second Assistant Postmaster-General,
was born in Baltimore city, Nd, aud is
now fifty-six years old. He was edu-
Gated at st. Mary's College, in Balti-
more, and began life as a teacher OF
classics. Later he became a successful
lawyer. and for three terms offour years
each was prosecuting attorney for the
city of Baltimore. In 1868 he repre-
sented the city of Baltimore in the State
Legislature. He has been delegate to
several national Democratic cOnven-
tons. The nomination Of Henry
G.. Pearson to be postmaster
of New York city was favorably
reported from the Senate Committee on
Post Offices and post-ROads to-day, but
was not acted OH in the Senate. The
Senate Committee on Finance has re-
ported fayorably upon all nominations
referred TO it, the most important being
that of John r. McGraw to be internal
revenue collector for the district Of
West Virginia rice Samuel L. McCOr-
mack. to be removed. There is a pos
sibility of a contest in the Senate over
this nomination, as Mccormack has
been in Office but a short time. The
Office has no fixed term.
The nomination of Lewis McMullen
to be appraiser Of New York has not
been reported from the Senate Commit
tee on Commerce, there having been 10
quorum at the meeting this morning.
There is an inclination among the Re-
publican senator's to make a contest
over this nomination. The Office
has no fixed tenure. and the
present incumbent has filled il many
years. His friends in the Senate say
he has been an excellent offiser, and
that his removal, without cause, merely
TO give place to Democratic subordi-
nate, is inconsistent with the spirit Of
the ciyil-seryice reform. The Republic
cans are, however, not unanimous in
this regard, many deeming it best to
make no contest except in the case Of
removals, without cause, from offices to
which there is no term fixed by law.
The Republicans Of the Senate held a
caucus again upon this subject.
Information comes through private
channels TO senator's that the Presi-
dent does not intend TO make removals
from Offices which have ixed terms.
The question Of final adjournment
hinges upon the decision Of the caucus.
The opinions Of Republican senator's
were divided as between adjournment
on Thursday or Friday and prolonga-
ton Of the session into next week.
Secretary Lamar had so far recovered
from his recent indisposition to-day as
10 be able to visit the Interior Depart
ment during the afternoon.
Secretary Manning has addressed q
circular-letter TO collectors of customs,
appraisers, naval officers, collectors of
internal revenue. assistant treasurers,
custodians of lighthouse boards, super
intendents of liie-saving service, chief
Of revenue marine division. and
surgeon-gencral Of the marine-hos-
piial service. requesting them to
report to him in writing as soon as
practicable TO what extent, in their
opinion, the force employed under their
direction can be reduced without detri-
ment 10 the public service. and whether
The method of doing business can be
simplficd, and in general to make such
suggestions and recommendations as
may occur to them whereby the eff
cheney of the service may be improved
and expenses cnrtailcd.
1t is generally expected the Senate
will adjourn without day tomorrow.
Ii is likely that several pending nomi-
nations viii be protested against by in
diyidual senator's. but it is not known
tina, the opposition to any will be made
upon party lines. 1t is not probable
that any Of the important nominations
will be rejected. but action upon some
may be postponed until December.
Mr.. Beck is credited with the purpose
TO resist with all his yigor the coniirma-
ton of Pearson to be postmaster Of
New York.
Should General Grant die before
noon tomorrow, the Senate would adj
jonrn over as mark Of respect to his
memory; in which case final adjourn
ment will probably take place Friday.