Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-01-31
NATIONAL CAPITOL.
80, ,ssosBISG TOPIC OF coEvERsA-
IN" qIox Ak0Na DEMOCRATS.
o...,sar HIS Observation-Disclosures
o,.,nt visitors-what Engineer Mel.
ville says Personals and Briefs.

p.,enY NiNtorh-NbAt Engineer Mel
rills says- Personals and Briefs.
IRON our Regular Correspondent
WASHINGTON, January S0.-The alb
thing topic of conversation here now
- Democrats is the recentlv.de.
''ioncl candidacy OF Governor Hill for
w. rrs>idency. II has been believed
rra long time by great many that the
Governor had presidential bee in his
Lonnct bat It had been generally sun
,o.ci that there was at least an
understanding between him and Mir
Clrycland's friends that Hill would
vst until 1892 for the fnli.
ton of his hopes. But the
deadlock in the New York Demo-
crafic state Committee last week on the
election of the New York member Of
ibe National Democratic Committee
slows that the friends OF Governor Hill
.ra intent on pushing his candidacy at
once. and 1t also shows, it is claimed.
iiat his strength with the New York
Democracy. even in opposition to MIR.
Cleveland is much greater than has been
generally supposed, at least outside Of
tll State
BICHMoND's RECENT VISITORS.
The party of senator's, representatives.
ani naval officials who visited Richmond
returned here Sunday morning about 2
o'clock, the train being three hours be-
lind time. They all seem very much
pleased with their visit and well satisfied
r,l what they saw as to the capacity of
tho Richmond Locomotive and Engine
Works to do the work for which they
propose TO become contractors. called
on hief-EnRineer Melville and Chief
loustructor Wilson at the Navy Depart
ment this morning, aud asked their
impressions on this subject They
agreed in the opinion that the shops of
the company were ample, convenient,
and well provided for the frst-class exc
cution of such work as they have been
making. Chief Engineer Melville said :
They have splendid power, their ma
chinery aud tools are first-class, and they
are fully as well prepared for work as
some contractors who have under
taken TO work for the Government. For
the manufacture of the engines and ma
chinery of the cruisers they would pro-
baby have 10 increase their present plant,
hut their shops are 50 constructed that this
can be very easily done, and they would
have no difficulty in obtaining the
necessary plant in time for the cOnstrnc-
ton of the required work. am now
preparing specifications for the required
machinery, and as soon rs they are ready
the Richmond company will be notified,
end hope they will be among the bid
dors for the work. The Government
wants as many competitors rs possible.
In reference TO the pleasures of the
trip, all the visitors seem to have enjoyed
1t greatly, and are loud in their praises
Of the courteous hospitality of yOur cih-
zcns. Chicf-Engineer Melville said Il
understand they have but two ways of
treating visitors in Richmond. If they
-are all right they take them to their
homes if not, they put thom in jail As
they did not put ms in jail, but enter
tanned Us in a most prIncely manner, /
suppose we may be considered as having
passed a satisfactory examination.
HE II bAiA iiNiiis.
The presentation of the report Of the
Public Printer IN the House to-day was
made the occasion of an onslaught upon
Mr.. Benedict by the Republican side of
the House, which was participated in by
several OF their number, who denounced
him for being behind hand in his work,
and charged that the cause OF the delay
was that he had discharged numbers of
competent printers because they were
Republicans. and filled their places with
incompetent Democrats They also
charged that De had d.scrlminated against
Union veterans end the widows and
orphans of Union soldiers. Mr.. Springer
in defending Mr.. Benedict, said that he
hoped the matter would be fully investi-
gated, and was satisfied that 1t would be
proved that Mr.. Benedict had done more
work in less timo, with fewer employees,
and at a far less cost to the Government,
then his predccessor-an that there were
now employed by Mr.. Benedict more
Union veterans and widows aud children
a Union soldiers than ever had been be-
fore.
Senator Riddleberger has entirely re-
covered from his recent attack of ton
sntis. called on him yesterday and
found that Mrs. Riddleberger had come
ON 10 spend week or ten days with HIM.
They are very pleasantly located at llOf
& street. The Senator has received a
GREAT many letters from all parts OF the
country congratulating him on the pa
triotic and manly cOursepursned by nm
IN the Lamar case, and ne Is now IN the
happy state Of mind OF the man who re-
celves the plaudits not only oil the pub
lie but of hIs own conscience.
Some anxiety is felt by the merchants
here of an ice freshet. These freshets IN
past wears have sometimes worked enor-
mons damage. The ice above the Long
bridge has not yet begun to move, but II
the warm weather of to-day should con.
tinue for two or three days 1t Is feared
that the streets on the river front may be
overlooked, and IN that case much INJURY
done 10 goods stored on the ground
floors. Being forewarned, however,
parties Interested viii take steps to re-
move their goods IN case the danger IN
creascs.
THE FIFTIETH CONGRESS.
WASHINGTON, January 80, 1888.