Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-02-14
SELL NAVY YARDS.
Or Else Abolish the Eisht-HOur Law,
They Say.
MESSAGES TO coNGREssnES.
They Are Being Received from All
Parts of the Country to Eject
Above Indicated - Locomotive
Works Claim.

various parts OF the country W e"c e"AS
of congressman, "Sell the navy-yards or
abolish the eight-hour law" People living
I'm the vicinity Of the government navy
yards. and the communities which are
deDendent I'm great measure upon ther
active operation. look with alarm upon
the gloomy prospect in store for them, as
indicated by the Secretary OF the Navy
in his recent interview with the delegation
of businessmen from Norfolk Ports
mouth. and Berkeley. They asked tnat at
least one Of the new battleships pro-
posed to be built by this Congress De
constructed at the Norfolk navy-yard.
Mr.. Herbert very coolly Informed them
that the department had found II more
economical TO build battleships at pri-
yate ship-yards by contract than at
the government yards. and he could see
no necessity for making an exception
in favor OF the yard at Norfolk. This an
nouncement, coming from the head OF the
Navy Department, was equivalent TO
serving notice upon the people living
in the vicinity of all the government
navy-yards, and dependent thereupon.
that they had better settle up their busi-
ness and remove 10 localities more Ia
vored by the powers that be.
1t is well known that the government
yards are thoroughly equipped with mod
ern machinery, and use the most ap-
proved methods; that they are directed
by the best naval architects, ana have
the best mechanics for constructing new
warships. The question then arises among
the people, Why is it that the cost OF con-
struction at the navy-yards is greater
than that of work done at the private
ship-yards?
EIGHT-HOUR LAW.
In reply to this, naval officials say that
it IS mainly owing to the fewer number
of hours worked daily at the navy-yards
than at the private yards The govern
ment gets less work done, the workmen
gets less pay, and the cost Of ship
building is thus increased. The eight
hour-law is said to be the cause Of the
difference between the public and private
yards In the matter of cost. In other
words. as a letter received here said: II
the eight-hour-law causes the government
to have it's ships constructed az private
shlp-yards, instead OF at the navy-yards,
Of what practical benefit to workingmen
is such a lawY'
Inquiries such as these are constantly
being received here by congressman from
various parts Of the country, and the de-
mand is being heard. Sell the yards. II IS
being said, or operate them to ad-
yantage-if in no other way, some say,
why not abolish the eight-hour-law? AS
it Is at present. the only prospect for the
navy-yards is that they will be used solely
for the repair of warships. and
probably. no great quantity OF
this sort Of work will be done.
1t is apparent now that our big ships Will
have to be sent to private yards for dock
ing, If the government abandons the build
ing of such vessels, for those In the yards
viii go to decay and be unfit for use.
why not, then, sell the yards at once,
said a Congressman the other day, and let
some private companies take hold of
them, and maintain their advantages to
the communities in which they are loca-
ted? No doubt a bill with this object in
view will be introduced at an early day.
BRILLIANT WEDDING.
The marriage Of Miss Elsie Dariette
Corbell, slaughter Of Dr. Corbell, OF New
port News, and niece of Mrs. General
George T.. Pickett. and Mr.. Samuel Pam
nell Ficklin, was solemnZed last night at
St. Pauls Episcopal church. Rev. DIR.
Hording. assisted by the Rev. James
Craighill, ofnciated.
The bride wore a Felix gown OF peach
blossom tint, and veil Of blush tulle,
caught with natural peach blossoms. The
bridesmaids wore gowns Of white organ
die, with Berthas Of satin and lace, tulle
wells, and orange-blossoms
Among those present were Mr.. Il. Ban
croft Ficklin, OF Danyille, Va; DR.. Talia-
ferro Clarke. Mr.. J. Bailey Norton. Mr..
Henry ~ Clapp, Mr.. Edgar H. Hubbell,
Mr.. Il. ID. Appleton, Mr.. Henry c. Mac
con, Mr. r. Douglas Sims, Mrs George
E. Pickett. Of Washington; Mr.. Richard
p. Camden. Of New York, and Mr.. j.
Leighton Hubbard of Norfolk.
Among the ladies were Miss Winnie
Letcher Ficklin. Miss Sallie Ely, Miss
Caskie Miss Mary Trist Miss Lizzie
Pickett, Miss Craighill, Miss Heth. Miss
Gambrill Miss Ford. Miss Maize Mitchell.
Miss Tanner, and Miss Elsie McElroy.
1t was one OF the most brilliant social
events OF the season, the ceremony being
followed by a reception. After a bridal
tour South, which will include a brief
stop In Richmond. the couple will reside
in this city, where Mr. Ficklin is in
business.
POSTAL NOTES.
A new post-office has been established
at Stonega, Wise county. Va, with VIII
liam T. Goodloe as postmaster.
The office at HoIstein Springs, Scott
county. Va, has been discontinued. Mail
now goes to Yuma.
Star service has been changed as fol-
lows: Floyd TO Evansville. Va, from
February H. 1896; change service so as TO
supply Starkey. between Haycock and
Charity. without change in distance.
Brentsville TO Bristow; leave Brentsville
daily except Sunday at 11:30 A. NJ. and
$50 F. NJ. arrive Bristow by 1890 p. NJ.
and 430 p. NJ; leave Bristow daily ex-
cept Sunday at 10 A. NJ. and l p. NJ. ar
rive Brentsville by II A. NJ. and 2 p. NJ.
Marion T. Martin has been commits
stoned postmaster at Beverley, N. c.;
Louisa L. Richardson at Brewers Mills.
n. c.. and Rufus II. Blackwell at East
land N. C.
j. f. West has been appointed fourth
class postmaster vice j. NJ. Williams. re-
moved, at Hopeful. Louisa county. Va.
Jennie f. Florence has been commits
stoned postmaster at HIllsdale. n. c.
Mail messenger service has been estab-
lished in North Carolina on Route 2S05S-
Calhoun, Pennsylvania county from Hen
dersonville and Brevard Railway, Tele-
graph and Telephone Company. Route
l1S05S, at Penrose Station l.5i miles, often
as required. From February IA. 1886.
Mail-nessenger service has been dis
continued in North Carolina on route
2lSl5f-Tomotla. Cherokee county. from
Southern railway. Route 1ls0l6. From
February 10. 1896.
PERSONAL.
Colonel ]. A. August, OF the Hot
Springs, Va, Is registered at the Ra-
leigh.
DIR. s. s. Savage. OF Suffolk. is In the
city, stopping at the Howard House.
Colonel C. Cannady, Of the National
Soldiers Home, at Hampton, Va. Is In
the city registered at the Hotel john