Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-10-24
HANNA UNPOPULAR.
His Hold On Mckinley DiSIiked
by Republicans
ITS DEFEAT THOUGHT PROBABLE.
Etmbrs Of Ills Own Party Hope II
Nay EaterlaliZ9 Into Fact.
THE BEET SUGAR INDUSTRY.
Production of Beet seed-Process OF
Selection With This In Nicws+Hcw
Washington Wntering-P1Rce-Pe
canal Notes.
sonal Notes.

WASHINGTON. ID. c., October o.
Special 1.-THE White House doors are
practically closed to ofiice-seekers until
Congress meets In December. The
President goes 10 Ohio on Wednesday.
ard will be absent ten days When he
returns the preparation OF his message
10 Congress involving study OF the
annual reports OF the heads Of the diffo-
rent departments, and the consideration
OF the report OF the international Bime-
talMc Commission, viii occupy most of
his time until Congress couvenes. II Is
given out semi-oficially, therefore, that
consideration will be given to the Office
seekers only where vacancies make new
appointments absolutely necessary, and
where there is no contest over the APP
pointment This rule effectually ignores
the ohlce-seeker in these sad autumnai
DAYS. and many Of them are here secretly
praying for Hanna's defeat in the pend
ing Ohio election.
But this feeling is not confined to
ofice-scokmg Republicans. 1t is the
often and publicly expressed wish OF
prominent Republicans that Hanna may
be defeated. His domination at the
White Hose they declare. is serious
imputation upon the self-respect and IN
tegrity OF the Republican party. IT is
noted that Mckinley is the first occu-
pant Of the White House TO acknowledge
a copartncrship in the administration OF
the executive Office.
Hanna's endorsement is considered
sine qua non 10 appointment to Office
and no office-seel<er feels safe without 1t.
In very many cases, too, his signature
IS n necessary preliminary TO a private
audience with the President. This is
irritating 10 Republicans who do not APP
prove Of Hanna's methods. and is hurnil-
lating to Republican pride. II is every
day the subject of more or less uncom-
plimentary mention at the White House
Republicans, consequently, who are not
Indifferent. are really hostile 10 Hanna's
election to the Senate.
THE OHIO SITUATION.
This feeling. Ohio people say, obtains
largely among Ohio Republicans, and ac-
counts for the apathy that threatens the
Republican State ticket with defeat.
Speaking OF the Ohio election the most
sanguine administration Republicans con-
fess great doubt about the result. They
reluctantly admit the probability Of Bush
nells election as Governor, and the pos
sibility Of the election of a Hanna Legis-
lature They would reverse the condi-
lions and chances. and 1t is the intention
Of the Hanna machine to knife Bushnell
A. his sacrifice is necessary to elect Han
ma. Forewarned. the Bushnell crowd Is
playing at the same game, and the war
Of determination has gone far enough
10 Justify the confident Democratic pre-
diction that Hanna is already defeated.
IL is the Ohio idea. moreover &c divide
the senators between the two parties.
a Democratic contemporary i'm the Senate
would make Foraker absolute dictator
OF Ohio Federal patronage, and that is
what the Foraker people most want.
The belief Is expressed here generally
that the Democrats will carry Maryland
Kentucky, Nebraska, and Virginia, with
a big fighting chance in Iowa. Mr.. Bryan
is privately quoted as saying that the
chances in Iowa are about even. The
situation all around now has the alarming
look Of an administration Waterloo.
Senator Pritchard, of North Carolina,
Is expected here on Wednesday next
from Omaha. North Carolina matters
viii. 1t is understood. so over until tho
Presidents return from Ohio.
OFFICE-SEEKERS SCARCE!
There has not been a Virginia office
seeker. except Mr.. a. G, Peachy, DR..
Dick Wises brother-in-law, or a member
OF either the Lamb or the machine EXecu-
tive Committee. here for week Ma
tional- Bowden, after Sc
curing some forty post-ofiice appoint
ments. was the last TO leave for Norfolk
on Saturday evening a week ago.
IL is not probable that either office
seekers or committeeman will put in an
appearance until after the election, when
the Virginia Republican faction fight will
be renewed at the departments here, and
the White House, If poss.ble.N A great
deal depends upon the vote for McCaull
ticket will get, but it is almost safe TO
predict that the machine will continue in
the saddle.
CONGRESSMAN JONES'S CANVASS.
Representative william A. Jones passed
through the city on Thursday on his way
10 oil appointments TO speak in Mathews
and Gloucester next week. He had just
come from Clarke and Warren, where ne
addressed fairly good crowds ana
where barring some local disputes De-
tween opposing candidates FOR nominal
ton. the party is in good trim ana soma
on the State ticket. Mr.. Jones ala not
think the Republican ticket would poll
ANYTHING like its usual vote, but he coun-
selled the Democrats to turn out on the
"a OF November and poll every vote lot
Tyler Echols, and Montague.
He said the election Of United States
senators by primaries was popular
measure. but he did not wish TO discuss
the matter at the present time,
DEFENCES AT OLD POINT.
General Wilson. Chief Of Engineers. in
his report TO the Secretary OF War, says
with references to the defences at Old
Point:
The three emplacements for lO-inch
guns OF disappearing carriages mentioned
IN the last annual report were completsl
In most OF their minor details and their
armament put In position by aftlheIE
troops. The mortar battery for sixteen
lC-inch mortars. which had been COM
menced during the previous hscal year
has progressed IN satisfactory manner
Practically all the masonry IL completed
%. 4O5 cubic yards OF concrete having Deeh
placed during the year. A portion Of the
sand embankment is also In place. me
platforms are all completed, and nave
rings set. The carriages are being as
sembled by the artillery. with tunds
from the act of March 3. 1897. IL Is pro-
posed TO construct one emp'acement TOT
i0lnch gun on disappearing carriage. Inc
plans for this work were IN course VI
PREPARATION at the close OF the year
"rhe sewerage system, with nushils
arrangement complete. was tutheu w
10 the post Quartermaster for opeietion
and maintenance on September l, 1917, ia
accordance with authority from the Ss'