The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1885-03-26

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Of Wythe; Mr.. Ayers, of Scott, and Capt.
J. H. H. Figgatt,of Botetourt. ARE reported
to be after the District Attorneyship,
now held by ,. Sheffey Lewis, ESQ.,, but
the indications are that Mr.. Lewis will be
permitted to serve out his term. which
will expire in about eighteen months.
The caucus Of congressman, it is
stated, recommended Ex-senator r. +.
Withers for the position OF Commissioner
of Agriculture. The other name before
them was Col Robert Beverly. The Sc
lection in this instance. shows how much
the caucus cared for the service to be per-
formed. Col. Withers is gentleman of
hi Oh standing, stern, if not bitter party
man, with practical qualifications for the
office secondary Col. Beverly is proba-
bly one of the best qualified men in the
country for the position. He, is large
stock raiser and farmer; President OF the
National Agricultural Society; has had
lifetime of intelligent training in agrl-
cultural pursuits is gentleman of ex-
cellent education, enlarged information
and noted administrative abilities. Yet
preference was given.by the caucus to the
politician over the practical farmer in the
interest of reform -
Brick Pomeroy' United States Demo
craft has made it's appearance. 1t is an
eight-page weekly, we'll gotten up and
promises to be success. Alex. Hunter,
of Virginia, is associate editor. This Sc
lection does credit to Mr.. Pomeroy's
sagacity Alex. Hunter is one of the
most popular and classical writers who
have been connected with the Virginia
press and he is highly esteemed by the fra
ternity for his brilliant talent, fchivalrons
character and manly bearing. The third
numbersof the Democrat contains the first
of a series of articles from his pen ovel
the caption of -Four Years in the Ranks. >
They are war sketches, and written in Mr.
Hunters happiest and most attractive
style. They will command large circle
of readers.
! The President, on Monday last, sent ir
another batch of surprises and disappoint-
ments, which indicate that he has a mint
of his own. For the mission to England
Edward J. Phelps, of Vermont, one of thu
most solid Republican States in the Union
was nominated. For the. German mission
Geo. III. Pendleton. of Ohio: France
Gov. Rob't NJ. McLane, of Md. Mexico
Geo. R. Jackson. of Georgia. The latte
| gentleman was leader in the secession
movement in the Charleston Convention
in 1860 and was a Confederate General
serving part of the time in the campaigns
in the Western part of Virginia. He il
a gentleman of ability and lawyer of dis
tinction. The Kentucky delegation ex
perienced another rebuff in this selection
as Ex-senator Williams, known as Cerr'
Gordo Williams. was presented by then
for this position. On Tuesday, lHenry L
Muldrow. of Miss, was nominated TO
Assistant Secretary Of the interior, vic
Mr.. Clarke recently deceased !; w. A. }
Sparks, of ILL.,, for Commissioner of tn
General Land Office, and Daniel McCon
vile, of Ohio. Auditor of the Treasury TO
the p. o. Department.
Such surprises disturb the serenity 0
the Congressional syndicates, and ough
to furnish lesson to profit by.
The Virginia coupon cases pending be
fore the Supreme Court were taken up OF
| Friday last, w. l.. Royal addressed tn
court in behalf of the bondholders Attor
ney-General Blair followed for the State
On Monday Capt. Blair finished his argu
ment, and was followed by EX-Gov. d. III
Chamberlain for the bondholders and r
T. Merrick for Virginia. Mr.. Merrick di
not conclude his argument on Monday, blu
in what he said he contended that tn
funding bill of 1871. which created tn
coupons, was unconstitutional, for tw'
reasons-irst, because by providing tina
coupons should be receivable by the Stat
Collectors for all debts, dues and demands
it practically deprived future legislature
of the right to provide as they should SCI
fit for collecting revenues for the State
and, secondly. because it falls within tn
inhibition of the provision of the consti
tuition which forbids State to emit bill
of credit. He argued at great length tina
the coupons provided for by the funding
bill of 1871 are really bills of credit. l
was thought the argument would be con
cluded on Tuesday and the case submitted
In view of the Importance of the question
to the State, it was believed the Cour
would render decree at the present term
probably some time early in April