The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-05-02
DEARTH OF VIRGINIANS
yERY FEW or OUR CONGRESSMEN
NOW IN WAsHIyGTON.
The Candidacy of Messrs. johnson and
Morgan, of Norfolk-Mr. swansont
View ola Congressman's Duties.
TnNys BUREAU, RAPLTr BUILDING,
W1sHTNoToN. May i. 1898. }

CAPTAIN ". Y. Johnson and Mr.. Morgan
both OF Norfolk, had Withdrawn from the
contest for the position Of supervising
inspector OF steam vessels was made be-
cause OF the fact that each OF them
had written TO Congressman Tyler re-
questlng a return OF their papers As
Representative Tyler and both the sena-
tors have Endorsed Captain Murdough, OF
Portsmouth. for this place, it was at
least reasonable TO suppose that these
gentlemen intended TO withdraw by ask
ing a return Of their papers. The state
ment was certainly made without any
earthly intent 10 do injustice 10 either
Of the applicants. as they surely have
every right TO apply and be heard In
whatever manner they deem best.
There IS a dearth OF Virginia congress-
men here to-day. but those on the ground
are doing all the work they possibly can
for their constituents. The President Is
pressing the button" In Chicago to-day.
and the congressman and ofhce-seekefs
here ARE doing the rest" until he re-
turns.
Congressman Swanson was about the
hotel lobby early this morning with his
customary budget Of applications. just
waiting for the heads % the depart
ments 10 settle down 10 their daily work.
lie was talking with several members Of
Congress- who were complaining just a
little about the Importantly Of some Of
their constituents.
well" replied the young representa-
tive, "the office Of congressman In our
State does not go begging, nor is It
often thrust upon anybody, and | believe
that when a man has been elected that
all Of the duties should be willingly as
sumed by him. ] am going 10 stay right
here just as long as a man In my dis
trict has an application 10 be filed or
petition TO be presented.
my quota Of seeds and documents will
not come until the next Congress CON
venes, but whenever ] find a city fellow
who cannot use his allowance Of seeds
] can always find a place for them, but
! get really none now
Then the energetic legislator hustled out
Of the hotel. and began his work by filing
in the Postofiice Department the applica-
ton OF Mr. &. S. Greer, Of Franklin
county. for a position as inspector IN the
department. He also had n petition sign
ed by State Senator Hatcher and others
for increased mail service between Bed
ford City and Rocky Mount. and an APP
plication for the appointment Of Mrs.
NJ. A. Hollins as postmistress at Sonans,
Pittsylvania county.
Congressman Marshall was also an early
caller at the Postofice Department, and
had appiica lions for four postmasters, all
of whom held the offices before. Mr.
Maxwell did not seem to enthuse very
much as he forced this admission, and
he asked very significantly If there were
nobody else applying for the same places
AS a "headsman" Mr. Maxwell Is doing
very well. and seems anxious TO help all
he can i'm the matter Of changes, but he
certainly does not take very kindly to
the requests TO break the Eek rule.
Colonel L. W. Reid. Of Alexandria, who
was the assistant register Of the Treasury
under the former administration. and who
was succeeded by Mr. Henry II. Smith,
of Michigan, is an applicant for his for
mer position. Colonel Reid proved an
excellent and efficient officer and is highly
recommended by all Of the gentlemen
who were formerly associated with him in
the work Of this department.
The application of Mr.. Charles NJ. Hurt
OF Franklin county. for appointment as
n post trader among the Usage Indians.
was filed in the Interior Department by
Congressman Swanson to-day.
Colonel r.. G. Marshall Of Portsmouth,
passed through the city to-day TO visit
his son, in Fauquier county. lie was not
disposed 10 discuss at much length The
accommodating rumors as TO his strength
for the next senatorial contest. but one
OF his friends in the hotel lobby remark
ed. as Captain Marshall passed out; 'lf
there IS any gratitude left IN Virginia
for party men. they should send mat
man to the Senate and If legal attain
ments and old school courage and man
ners are yet strong with our people he
will doubtless be the logical candidate
There are still in the departments many
important positions, Of such high rank
that they are named by the President,
that are to be filed, the Republican IN
cumbents holding over on account OF
the delicate duties that for some time
have been under their care in preparing
the Government exhibits at the Worlds
Fair in Chicago, opened to-day Now
that these displays are nearly completed
attention naturally turns TO the places
soon to be made vacant for Democratic
asnirauts Three Of these are the As
sistant Secretary of Agriculture, the
Statistician Of the Interior Department
and the Statistician of the Treasury De-
partment.
In one OF these at least Virginia is very
largely interested-that Of Assistant
Secretary of Agriculture-for which Mr.
S. Wexford Corbn is being advocated
by a strong following.
The Presidents absence from the city
makes things very dull at the White
House Just at present. and the absence
from the city Of most Of the secretaries
with him has the same effect around th'
departments. Congressman are becoming
rare. and even the offce-seekers hold OF
in very reduced numbers, hoping agains
hope that the President. refreshed ana IN
vigorated after weeks rest from theI
opportunities. may listen with more KIM
" ear TO their appeals
Private Secretary Thurber ana the pr
waite secretaries to the various head
of the departments are taking advantag
of this lull TO get up the work that ha
beep accommodating for the past tw
weeks. and Mr.. Cleveland and his Cabi
not ,yil return to their desks Wednesda
morning to find them practically clear o
all matters not needing their personal al
fention. and such things as do Will be /
such shape that they VIII be easily dis
patched
The hoard OF trustees Of the Presbyte
rian Union Theological Seminary a
Hampden-Sidney will meet this week 70
the purpose of filling a vacancy in IN
faculty of that institution that has eH
istad for a long while. The place 10 b
Nued is that popularity known as IN
NTH professorship. or the chair of III
English Bible This is a difficult chat
10 hold. and the board will not besto'
n thoughtlessly for this reason, and thos
who have hitherto been elected have do
clined for the reason that they were No
willing 10 give up their congregation
which had become very much endeared
them. 10 accept the laborious duties {
the nrofessorship. IL is learned that Re-
Theron II. Rice, pastor OF the Secon
PRESBYTERIAN church Of Alexandria. wi
-. have the refusal of the professor