Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-02-21
M'MURRAN'S DINNER.
HOW CHAIRMAN BASIL 3. GOR0ONS
ASPIRATIONS LEAKED OUT.
Quiet but Vigorous Work Being Done to
Secure Him the Mexican Mission
Applicants for ConsuIships.
IRON onr Regular Correspondent.


WASHINGTON. February 20.-It was noted
in this correspondence Saturday that
State-Senator Basil B. Gordon, of Kappa
hammock county. Va, was in the city. The
same evening Mr.. Royal McMurran, for
merly of Virginia. but for the past eight
years resident of ST. Paul, Mimi. met
Mr.. Gordon and was anxious TO tender him
dinner at Chamberlin's. but the latter
had an engagement and was compelled to
forego the pleasure of meeting a num-
Der OF prominent gentlemen that
Mr.. McMurran proposed TO have
gather around the festive board TO meet
the chairman of the Virginia Democratic
State Central Committee. Chamberlln's s
is place where q great deal Of political
news leaks out, and as McMurran was
bound TO a give dinner Saturday eve
ming Delegate Mark Smith, OF Arizona.
was made the special guest OF the evening,
and Private" John Allen. Of Mississippi,
and other well-known statesmen were at
hand.
OUR cHAIRMAN's ASPIRATIONS.
II was learned yesterday that in addition
10 the high personal regard that Mr.. Nc
Murran has for Mr.. Gordon the latter Is
being pressed for Minister To Mexico un-
der the Cleveland Administration. The
movement has been gently started. and
some people have apparently been keeping
the matter rather dark. but Mr.. McMur-
ran and his friends. not knowing
that there was anv secret ABOUT u,
got TO talking, and therefore Mr.. Gordon's
aspirations bectm3 known publicly ana
was the subject Yesterday at Chamberlin' 8
of much conversation among the proml-
nent men who are in the habit OF congre-
eating at that place.
FIRsT-CLAss MISSION.
The Mexican mission paws Sl7.500 per
wear. IL was raised TO the dignity oil first
class mission by the Ffty-frst Congress.
There are only four other frst-class mis-.
sionJ provided tor by our government, and
they are Great Britain, France. Germany.
and Russia. During the last Cleveland
administration one southern man was
honored with one OF the higher missions
Ex-Governor McLane, of Maryland, who
represented the government at Paris. IT
j. presumed that the South will get at
least one aud probably more, for 1t will be
remembered that General Lawton, of
Georgia, was sent TO Russin after MIR. lo-
throp. of Michigan, resigned the Russian
mission.
OTHER APPLICANTS.
There ore half dozen or more appli-
cants for the Mexican mission. one or the
most formidable being Congressman
"Buck" Kilgore, Of Texas, close
and ultimate political and personal
friend of Mr.. Cleveland. IL Is
held. however. that he IS not as
well qualified for the duties rs be might
be. and Mr. Cleveland may possibly CON
clude that Colonel kilgore is more yalu-
able to his administration on the floor
of the House. 1t is conceded that
Mr.. Gordon is well qualified for
a diplomatic mission. He is gentleman
of culture. experience. and ample means
and wonld reflect credit on the admlnistra-
tion. Mr. Cleveland has met Mr. Gordon,
and. of course, he ls liked by the Virginia
Senators and Representatives.
OUT OF POLITICS.
The fact that Mr.. Gordon is willing TO
enter the diplomatic service II Mr. CieVe-
land sees fit t. appoint him removes him
from anv of the political contests IN I!r-
plnia III the event of his selection BY Mr.
! Cleveland If he il appointed II will be a
! big stroke in the wav of patronage for
! Viryinla in the service, and naturally
| will reduce the general representation OF
| the State in the consular service. Not less
| than one hundred Nirginians are aspi-
rants for consular positions. during
tile last Cleveland administration Viz
pInia had the Spanish and United
.
respectively by DIR. Curry and General u.
II. Maurv. Judge Kelley, Of Richmond,
was also nominated TO both the Italian
and Austrian missions, but was rejected
by both countries.
INJURIrs SERIOUS.
Representative O'Ferrall was more seri-
ously injured by his fall on the ice-coyered
steps Friday night than was at first sup
pOsed. Yesterday he was compelled to
send for physlcIan, and since Satur-
dav night he has been IN bed,
helng too sore TO walk about.
His phvAcian says that IN addition to the
! bad bruises and severe strain consequent
upon such violent fall the sciatlo nerves
| are affected. 1t will be several days be.
fore Colonel O'Ferrall can hope to attend
to anv of his work, and it may be Week
before he is able to SO 10 the Capitol
again.
Southern war-claims were before the
House again, but met with heavy opposi-
ton.
MAIL MATTERS.
Post-offices established IN North Caro-
lima as follows: Lithia, Polk county, Lewis
| Il. Wilkins, Postmaster; Laureton, Madi-
son county, Dean w. 1ainter, Postmaster.
Changes ordered IN North Carolina mail
routes as follows:
Mantoe to Harbinger. From February
| II, 1898, change service so as TO supply
| COlington at its new site, increasing dis
! tance three miles.
Columbia to Gum Neck. Service con-
tinued to June 80. 1896.
THE HAWAII MATTER.