Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-12-11
WASHINGTON C ITY.
VIRGINIA AND NORTH CAROLINA
MEMBERS READ LETTERS.
nearly All of Them Applications and
Recommendation for Ofhce-Norfolk
and Westerns Right of Way.
From Our Regular Correspondent


WASHINGTON. December 1O.-Neither
branch of Congress was in session to-day.
The Virginia and North Carolina members.
therefore, had more time in which TO read
their letters and try TO devise some means
OF answering the Thousands of communi-
cations that have rolled IN upon chem SINCE
the election in November. In addition TO
the usual correspondence which repre-
sentative in Congress has to carry on with
his constituents the members have a heavy
percentage additional relating almost en-
tlrely TO the question of securing positions
under the approaching Democratic admin
istratlon. Just how to answer the thousands
OF letters that have come IN from Virginia
and North Carolina the representatives are
at loss to determine. ltismOre than three
months before the changes in the Offices
will really begin, and then necessarily IL
will be slow work for the higher officials
here 10 get every thing in shape 20 select
Democrats for the positions that are not
embraced under the civil-servlce laws, and
out OF which Republicans can be kicked
unceremoniously.
A DIFFICULT TASK.
The Virginia members have tried their
level best TO keep up with their correspond
ence, but il is so heavy they are literally
swamped, and they have, as a rule, been
compelled TO file away most of the letters
and petitions bearing on the question or
Federal patronage. In time they can get
around 10 these matters. but just now II
Is impossible for one man to write against
hundred, aud for several weeks the mail
of a Democratic congressman was some
thing like that proportion. The writers
in the States will simply have 10 DO pa
tient and not expect their members on the
opening of a session of Congress TO answer
communications promptly when there mas
been such an avalanche OF letters.
NOT CERTAIN or SUCCESS.
Monday will be District.day in the House,
and the friends OF the Norfolk and West
ern railroad bill will endeayor to call up
the measure, but they are by no means
certain Of success.
As soon as Representative Wise's COM
mittee is called In the House, when VIII
probably be early next week, he Will move
TO pass the bill In the interest OF CONNER
cial travellers. This measure proposes to
amend tho law so that these travelling
men can carry more baggage. The bill 10
urged by Richmond and other southern
associations.
BY DIRECT VOTE.
Representative Tucker seems 10 think
| that the committee viii act favorably on
| the bill providing for the election OF Fresl-
dent by direct vote of the people.
The friends of Congressman Meredith
continue TO pay HIM visits, and they are
glad to know that he is slowly but surely
recovering.
VISITORS.
Among North Carollnlans IN the city to-
day were L. j. Scales. of Statesylle; ). -.
Murphy. Of Asheville; L. W. Barnes, Miss
Alice Berry. and Miss Lucy Whitehead, OF
Wilson, aud ). G. Pool. of Greensboro.
Ex-State-Senator Marshall McCormlck'
of Clarke county, is in the city.
A post-ofiice to be- known as Gent has
been established III Russell county, Va.
with James n. Rosnake as postmaster.