Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-03-28
CONSUL GEN'L LEE.
Els Family Soon 10 Return Home From
Habala.
he NAY REMAIN IN OFFICE.
I Is Understood The Administration
May Ask Him to Do So.
HOUSE ELECTION CONTESTS.
Speaker Reed Not Disposed 10 Give
Them Amy observation-disclosures
Epes Case - Confederate Ball
GIyccrinc I'm Tariff mn.


cial)-General Fitzhugh Lees family is
expected home early in April Letters
20 that effect have been received by
friends I'm Iynchburg and Charlottesville,
who viii meet them on their arrival in
this country. The return Of Mrs Lee
and daughter must not be regarded as
any Indication that General Lee is COM
Ing back. however They leave Cuba
solely on account Of the approaching un-
healthy season, and not because of any
dislike Of Habana. where their sojourn
has been exceedingly pleasant. 1t is
generally believed now that General Lee
VIII remain in Cuba for an indefinite pc
rlod. and many say he may be asked by
the President 10 remain there during the
term Of the present administration, II its
policy shall meet his approval. It is
known that the President and Secretary
pf state are in receipt Of the strongest
epdorsatiOns of General Lees course
from the most prominent Republican
sources. and that he Nr. Mckinley is
constantly being urged to retain him, If
possible. as Consui-General at Habana.
A weil-informed gentleman, who visits
the White House and State Department
regularly. says the President is using
the Consul -Generalship at Habana as "a
buffer" against applicants for foreign
missions. When he is approached by one
Of those who want to be an ambassador
or consul-general he replies humorously:
"Wel. now, l was just thinking about
you. ! want a man like you-calm Of
temper. earnest. sound in Judgment. de-
liberate in action. and Of a diplomatic
turn Of mind. You would be the very
man for the most important position in
the service OF the government to-day.
How would you Ike to be Consul-General
~ Habana?"
This usually settles the applicant, and
he wilts-respectfully declines. "NO.
thank you, Mr.. President" he says, Il
have no desire TO 20 TO Cuba under the
present circumstances"
This ends the matter, and the President
ls said TO know exactly upon whom to
use the Habana buffer" II never fails
10 have the desired effect OF course
there are several applicants for the place,
but so far as can be ascertained. none Of
them have received serious consideration.
PALMERITE RECOGNITION.
There is no doubt now that many OF the
uo-cahed "sound-mnney" or gold Demo-
Gratis in the late CAMPAIGN will receive
recognition from Mr.. Mckinley In the
way OF good. fat offices. The selection OF
Mr.. Gage as Secretary OF the Treasury
ls taken 10 be strong Indication OF
this policy. A further proof Of it IS the
retention Of Of Mr. Forman as Commis-
Taoefffon
40 much coveted by National Committee
man n b. Scott. Of West Virginia. An
other case which shows that the Presi-
dent - favorably disposed TO the "BOlto-
rrats" IS his desire TO retain Mr. Claude
NJ. Johnson in his present position Of
Chief Of the Bureau Of Engraving and
Printing. Johnson took quite an active
part I'm the campaign I'm Kentucky,
making speeches there for the gold stand
ard II Is said that the Republican vic
tory In the Blue-Grass State was only
made possible by the work of such Demo
Gratis as Johnson. Mr.. Carlisle is said
70 have appealed to both the President
prd Secretary Gage In behalf Of Johnson
after ne turned over his office TO the
latter and though there are numbers Of
Republicans who want this place. II IS
understood that Johnson will be retained
in IT, or win be as well provided for,
The President is receiving scores OF
appHcations from these so-called Demo-
Gratis. some Of them said 10 come from
Virgiria and II he makes places for all
~ them there will be a big row among
the Republicans. and howl that VIII
make the leaders quake Mr.. Mckinney
viii move slowly. however in making
aruo.ntments from any class oil MS sup
porters. -........,..
A number OF Virginia Republicans VINO
have been lowering about the CAPITOL
roaming the lobbies. and intruding them
solved on the floor Of the House, for the
rast ten DAYS. in the endeavor to con-
vince the Speaker of the necessity OF
taking no the contested election cases
have hocn given a black eye. He mas
positively refused 10 appoint any COM
mittee az the present session Tor thls
purpose The Virginia contestants nave
ex-members Of the House for theiI at-
torneys. who are entitled TO the privileges
OF the h0or Of the House, under certain
conditions They are frequently seen
louneing on the sofas, and, as RepuDh-
can member expressed 81 the other day,
"hounding them 20 death for the
purpose OF securing the 5000 allowed by
Congress for contesting expenses. rms
member further said that If he had ms
way these southern Republicans would
De compelled TO make the fight for their
seats independently Of the prize which is
held out 20 them by Congress
Ir the case OF Virginia, there are three
contested seats. and in each district the
Republican contestant has claimed every
thing in sight In tie case of Mr. Thorp'
from the Fourth District. against Repre-
sentative Epes the former is reported
20 be making the argument that IN the
last Congress the Republican was seated
and therefore he must be seated by TINS
Congress. He also fOrgets to state that
he made his fight FOR denomination on
the ground that he was a Republican sill
Yerite and falling 10 secure II. bOlted the
convention changed front on the imam
cial issue and nominated himself. This
rs SAID TO have placed SIR. Thorp in touch
with the National Committee. and the
regular nominee was induced after time
10 withdraw. IN this way Mr. Thorp
became "sOund money" candidate
and was supplied with Hanna funds,
The POpulists I'm this district withdrew
their candidate I'm favor OF Mr.. Epes, the
Democratic nominee. who secured the
united support Of all the elements-the
Silver Republicans. the Democratic vote
and the solid Populist vote-which elected
him by a handsome majority.
Mr. Thorp's record In the last Congress
Is not a very crodtable one and his re-
cent campaign, when ventilated. will not
show up well before an election com
mittee. Hts congressional career Is only
notable for his conspicuous absence from
the house. and his work on bills or other
wise was mil" Republicans from ms
district looking for offices. never could
discover fsm and they usually leit
for home swearing vengeance Mr
Thorps contest this time VIII prove
signal failure. and It viii probably end
hts .cfftfoai oarfrafious