Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-03-15

OF the diplomatic honors when he came
into office two years ago. but he recently
followed IL up by bestowing one or the
first t-class missions on General Ransom.
The new Minister to Mexico has Tor
several years enjoyed joking his Virginia
friends over the fact that on two oc-
caslons he has been able to get ahead
OF the politicians Of the Old Dominion
in rakiDg in good places for his friends
One sy{ptable instance was when the
Private and Claims Court was organized.
This was during the administration OF
President Harrison. and the law provided
that two Of the judges should be from
tne minority party. General Ransom sue
cecded In having Judge Fuller appointed
and Il was a clever stroke on his part
The Vlreinians were right after hlin'
however, and were then pressing tne
claims of Judge Thomas Smith. now the
Chief Justice of the Supreme Court OF
New Mexico. General Ransom has often
remarked that the Virginians are great
peopIe. and that they like to hold once
hut the record Of late shows that North
Carolina IL no slouch when there Is any
thing good lying around loose
HOUSE CONTESTS.
The reference made In this correspond
ence Yesterday TO the fact that IL mas
been the practice OF the House COMMITTEE
on Elections to stand as n rule by the
State laws in deciding contests is ciea'iy
shown In the case Of Miller agalnst
Elliott. from South Carolina, In the Fifty-
second Congress and that case was very
much like that Of Goode against Epes,
from Virginia. before the last House. and
about which such howl was raised py
certain people in the State. The whole
case hinged on the action OF the can
vassing boards in some OF the counties
of the Fourth District. II was shown by
Judge Mann. OF Nottoway. In his argu-
rent on behalf OF the sitting member'
Mr.. Epes. that the boards merely fol-
lowed the law. and one OF the attorneys
for Colonel Goode. II will be remembered,
took pains to say that he did not charge
fraud.
Three important points were made by
the committee in deciding the South Caro-
lima case Of Miller against Elliott. and
they will go down as authority for many
wears 10 come. They were as follows:
1. The right Of the South Carolina
Legislature TO pass such laws as II en-
acted to regulate tie conduct of elections
Of representatives in Congress cannot be
questioned.
2 Though the Constitution secures the
elector in his elective franchise, he Is
bound to observe the reaulations lawfully
prescribed by the Legislature as to the
time and the method by which he is to
vote: and In order to make his will and
purpose effectual at an election he must
obey the requirements OF the law.
2 Even II the rejection of ballots would
have the effect Of disfranchislng electors.
they should not be counted II they are In
violation Of law. The voter has no right
10 complain at the failure of his vote 10
he counted when his ballot is in violation
Of the statutes under which he Is exer-
clsing the right Of franchise.
POSTAL AND PERSONAL
A post-ofice 10 be known as Octavla
has been established in buckingham
county. Va. with Octavia l.. Cough as
postmaster.
Changes in mail routes have been or
dered as follows by the department:
Observation-Disclosures to Bueni Vista, from
March 18th. curtai service 10 end at Way.
omittlng Buona Vista, decreasing the dis
tance ten miles. and from the same date
reduce service 20 three trips n week be-
tween Way and Pleasant View.
After March 18th. increase service from
Stuat TO Floyd to six times a week
From Peck to Allisonia. after March
18th. increase the service to three trips
week.
North Carolna-After April 1st from
Skyco 10 Stumpy Point. increase the SER
vice 10 three times a week. The schedule
ls also 10 be changed to Monday, Wednes-
day. and Friday.
". 4. Thomson was to-day appointed
postmaster at WoOdleaf. Rowan county.
n. C.. vice J. ". Trice. resigned.
George G. Krieg and Daniel Wheelock
and wife. of Richmond. are registered at
the St James
Hon. George u. Wise, who has been
mere since Congress adjourned. left this
afternoon for Richmond.