Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-04-08
WASHINGTON.
DISCUSSING THE ELECTION NEWS IN
AND ABOUT THE CAPITOL.
A Decided somersault and It's Alleged
Cause-Mr. cabell and the Revenue
Raiders Personal.
lFrom our Regular Convspondent.l

tFrom Our Regular Correspondence
WASHINGTON, April The cleo
ton news from different parts OF the
country was pretty generally discussed
about the corridors and the committee
rooms to-day. One of the most CON-
pls,e somersaults in the political arena
has occurred in Madison, Wis, the
home of postmsster-General Villas.
That city has population Of $4,000,
ard has never since the war
fallen below 800 in its Demo-
cratic majority, and has on seve-
rel occasions increased it TO 1900.
At the election on Tuesday last the
Republicans carried the city by 500
majority, notwithstanding the Demo-
cratic candidate for mayor was the
most popular man in the city, and had
been elected TO the position on several
occasions. The reasons ascribed for
the sweeping Republican victory is
general spatby on the part Of Demo-
Gratis caused by the refusal Of the
President TO recognize the party in the
distribution Of public patronage.
Hon. George Z. Cabell called on
Commissioner OF Internal Revenue
Miller this morning in regard to the
raids by special revenue agents with
armed posses recently conducted in
several Of the counties Of his district.
Mr.. Cabell claims that these raids we're
improsident, il not useless that the
work done by the raiders could have
been accomplished in better and more
humane way by local officers, and he
protested in the strongest terms against
any continuance Of such course.
The post-ofiice appropriation bill,
which passed the House to-day, per-
petuates a popularity that has existed
since 1876. In that year the amount
set apart for the salaries Of the clerks
in the railway mail service was not
sufficient to pay them in full according
to classification. In view Of this Gen.
eral-Superintendent Thompson made
an agreement with the men to
pay the $1,000 class sl,150 and
the 81, 400 class $1,000 per year.
Since then the appropriation bills for
this branch Of the service have provided
for pay ing these men not to exceed
Ell, 200 and 81, 400. This "not to ex-
coed" has kept the salaries at sl,150
and 800. Not only this, but for
long time there was an order in vogue
forbiddiDg the men to petition Congress
for a restitution Of their salaries under
penalty of discharge. This order was
carried into effect in the case Of at least
one petitioner.
The claim Of the Fairfax Seminary
for $4,000 for rent of its property to
the Government for four years for hos
pitsl purposes has been cut down. The
trustees put in a claim of 5000 per
year, but the Court of Claims would
allow but $1,000. The finding Of the
court has been sent to the committee
on War Claims of the House.
The Committee on Commerce Of the
House has reported substitute for the
bill sppropriating 100000 for light
ship at the mouth Of the Chesapeake
bay. The substitute merely lops off
the appropriation, which properly be-
longs to the Committee on Rivers and
HaIbors. The report accompanying
the new bill is made up Of letters from
the Lighthouse Board setting forth
that the commerce between Capes
Henry and Charles and the cities of
Richmond, Baltimore, and Norfolk,
render a light-ship at the point indi-
Gated absolutely necessary to the ship
ping Of those cities.
Hon. G. T. O'Ferrall is in hopes Of
being able to secure an adverse report
from the Committee Of Commerce on
the bill providing for free fishing in all
the streams in the United States. The
measure, should it be adopted, would
work great injustice to the State Of
Virginia in particular. Mr.. O'Ferrall
is also opposing the bill allowing COM
mercial travellers to exhibit sam
pies and dispose Of goods in all
States and cities without pro-
curing a license to do so, as now re-
quned by law in many localities. He
takes the ground that the General Gov
eminent has no right to NEEDLE with
the matter, and that by doing away
with the license considerable revenue
would be cut off, which would have to
be made good by direct taxation.
ii. S. Menifee, a prominent citizen Of
Rsppahannock county, formerly mem-
Der of the Virginia Legislature, fell and
broke his leg last night, while on a visit
in this city.
The House is in session this evening
discussing the silver question. The
bill has clear field until tomorrow at
3 O'Clock, when, under previous order,
the previous question will be called.
The mails have been flooded with silver
speeches for weeks, the force at
the city post-oilice being unequal
to the task Of getting them
out OF the way. Some Of the clerks
have not had a Sunday off for seven
weeks, and yet 400 bags have accumu-
lated and await distribution. Many of
the employees have succumbed to over
work and are at home sick.