Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-03-17
LOOKING FOR PLACES
QUA AsplRANTS FOR THE DIPLO-
MATIC AND CONSULAR SERVICE.
Diamond Shoals Light-Houss Problem
Applicants for tho District Dsncb-yir-
ginfans Among the Number.
fFrom Our Regular CORES pond en,.J


WASHINGTON, March 16.-The contingent
Of Virginia and North Carolina visitors is
hardly as large now as it was last week,
but still there are great many people here
from the two States looking out for places
and they keep the Senators and Represen-
tatives busy devising ways and means to
get their applications properly before the
President and Cabinet officers. The con-
sular and diplomatic service is the one
branch that commands the most interest," at
present for the reason that IL Is generally
believed these changes will be made moro
rapidly than others. There is fascina-
ton. too. about going abroad" and
heavy pull will be made by Virginia aud
North Carolina for larger representation
this time in the foreign service.
THE COLON CONSULATE.
At this writing no one from Virginia has
made application for the Colon consulate,
which IL held by q Virginia Republican
named Ashby. He succeeded the late
Colonel Sims, of Danvllle. who died
there because of the bad climate. Mr..
Ashly is home on leave. and will return
and remain until he is relieved. Several ap-
plicants from the far South want the Colon
or Aspinwall consulate. however. and they
will run the risk OF fever TO get the place.
Nick Popham, son of Colonel John X.
Popham. has been down in that country
for several years in the employ OF the gov
ernment. He has held commission that
enabled him 10 go from place to place
along the coast looking after various mat
ters. Nick has proven himself to able to
stand the climate, being one OF the few
who was not knocked out.
DIAMOND SHOALS LIGHT-HoUaL.
m. IL. n - 4
are making preparations to again let the
contract for the construction of the pro-
posed lighthouse at Diamond Shoals off
Cape Hatteras, n. G. 1t will be remem-
bered that about three years ago
Congress voted an APPROPRIATION OF
S5OO,00O for this work. The contract
was let to responsible firm who
had done some of tho most difficult
building of this character ever under
taken. They built the immense caissons
at Norfolk, and the plan was after their
completion to have them towed down. and
when the weather was favorable to put
them in place. On the way, despite q
favorable forecast by the Weather Bureau,
the fleet was struck by terrific gale and
the whole outfit was lost. The firm sus-
tanned heavy loss and threw up the con-
tract.
IMPRACTICAL PLANS.
Then numerous new plans were submit
ted. One was TO erect large electric lights
on piles and connect. the same with the
banks by means of cables. and powerful
dynamo could then supply the light. 1t
was not regarded feasible and was aban-
doned because the shifting of the sand
beds would wash away the piles. Inc
board have tried this plan from Sandy
Hook TO Gedney Point. and 1t does not
give satisfaction.
DIFFICULT UNDERTAKING.
Yesterday the Light-House Board re-
ceived from the Signal Service a CON-
plete record of the weather for the past
twenty years, and charts are being made
TO ascertain. If possible. the safest period
OF the year for transporting the calssons
to Diamond Shoals. when new ones shall
have been built. This Is regarded as the /
most difficult undertaking of the kind that
has ever been attempted, and the board
are determined 10 exhaust every means IN
getting foundation for the proposed
Shoals lighthouse. 1t Is sadly
needed. The money available Will be
ample to commence the structure, but !
when completed il will cost probably at
least II, ,000, 900, but it will be the greatest /
achievement in its line and prove or IN !
calculable benefit to navigation.
VIRGINIA VISITORS.
Mr.. W. -. COpciauu, tultOI VI tuo Ddu- |
vile Register, is in the city.
Among other late arrivals from Virginia /
ire X. j. Anderson. of RocEbrldge Baths, |
md e. Chalmers, of PQcahontas.
Among North Carolinians in the city are |
NJ. /. McCOrkle of Newton. J. 5. Neal of |
Marion. NJ. II. Pinnlx OF Lexington. DR.. G. |
4. Julian of Thomasville, and j. i. Cald- |
we'll of Charlotte.
HARD TO TELL.
The names of thirty or forty gentlemen |
are before the President for appointment |
10 the new District Court of Appeals |
bench. The South is well represented on 4
he list, and it is said that Colonel Thomas I
smith, of Warrenton and MIR. H.O. Claugh- /
ton are two Vlrginians whose fitness and |
standing have been mentioned to the Pres- /
lent The appointments will soon be /
made. but it is hard to tell with any de- |
gree of accuracy Just where the selections
will strike.
OTHER ARRIVALS.
Representative Epes, OF Virginia, re-
turned to the city to-day.
Hon. f. G. Venable, of Petersburg. is
here. He is out of politics so far as want
ng any Office, but takes "A lively interest
m all that Is gong on and Is using his H.
luence in behalf of some friends who are
lspirants.
The North Carolina contingent was
;welled to-day by the arrival OF Messrs.
Sol. G. We'll, Walker Taylor, and E. e.
Parmele, of Wilmington.
r. l.. Ry burn and n. G. Miller, of Shelby,
n. c., are at the Metropolitan.
Mail service IN North Carolina has been
ordered established from Snead's Ferry by
stump Sound 10 FolkstOne Station SIX
lines week from May /. 1888. to June 80,
65G.