Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-02-21
TO VISIT NORFOLK.
RIVER AND HARBOR COMMITTEE
ACCEPTS THE INVITATION.
HENRY N. SHYTHE.
Request from Haiti That He BE Pro-
NOTED to the Rank of a PIenipo-
tentiary - Applicants for North
Carolina Judgeshfp.

|
Special. 1.-The River and Harbor Commit
tee to-day, by reason Of the persuasive
eloquence of General James A Walker,
decided to accept the invitation Of the
councils and boards of trade Of the cities
| OF Norfolk and Portsmouth to visit Nor
| folk and inspect the harbor and its ap-
proaches, with a view to recommending
an appropriation for it's Improvement. FRI
day next has been named as the day the
committee will start. They will probably
remain over Saturday, and be banqueted
that night In Norfolk An extensive pro-
gramme for the entertainment of the COM
mittee has been arranged In Norfolk, and
an appropriation OF 1900 has been made
to pay the necessary expenses.
Representative Woodard, Of North Caro-
lima, is an applicant for the United States
| judgeship, made vacant by the death OF
Judge Seymour. A number of leading
Democratic representatives, saw the Pres-
dent to-day in his behalf and the Presi-
dent said he would be glad to appoint Mr..
! Woodard II there were any reasonable as
surance of his confirmation. 1t is under
| stood that Senator Butler will not object
TO it, so that the decision in the matter
rests with Senator Pritchard, who Is not
in the city. The opinion, however among
North Carolina Republicans is that Sena-
tor Pritchard will not assent to the con-
| frmation under the circumstances.
Among number of Republican appli-
cants for the judgeship is Representative
/ Settle, of the Fifth North Carolina Dis
trict, whose term expires with this session.
He is son Of the late Judge Thomas Set
tie, who was appointed United States
| judge by President Grant. Mr.. Settle is
held in high esteem, both In the Senate
and in the House by Republicans. and it is
thought here that he is a very strong can
| didate Other applicants not heretofore
mentioned are Judge Robinson, of Colds
/ boro now on the State bench; Mr..
Thomas Purnell, a prominent lawyer OF
Raleigh, and Mr.. Charles Cook. of War
renton. The fact that Mr.. Settle and
other applicants from the Western District
Of the State, who have been mentioned in
this connection, are not residents Of the
Eastern District will be urged against
their appointment
| j. w. ID. Halsey, of Virginia, was ap-
| pointed to-day to place In the secret SER
vice of the Treasury, at a salary OF $40
per annum-
MINISTER SMYTHE.
1t is understood here in diplomatic cir
| cles that the Hon. Henry NJ. Smythe, OF
| Virginia now Minister resident and
Consul-General in Haiti. and Charge
| d'Affaires for San Domingo, is to be adj
vanced before the close OF the present
| administration TO the rank of Minister
| Plenlpotentiary for the former country.
| The State Department is reticent upon
the subject. declining to say anything until
official announcement can be made The
! fact Of the matter, as strongly hiEt1a,
( though, Is that h Haitian Government
/ has ask ID the Ji.4t States Government
/ TO advance Mr. Smytne 20 this, the high
est diplomatic grade The Secretary Of
State, in his annual report, under the
heading, Haiti and San Domingo"
makes what must be to Mr.. Smythe a
very gratifying alluson TO his mission
and the excellence with which It's dut 3
| have been performed. Friends OF this
gentleman here look confidently for this
much deserved promotion.
If Mr.. Smythe is advanced to the
| grade asked for by the Haitian Govern
ment, a State secret for the present, but
one which is broadly hinted at in the
| Secretary's annual report, he will have
| held all the grades OF rank in the con-
sular and diplomatic service. except Am
bassador. within four years. He de-
clined the appointment OF consul at Foo
Chow Nuchua). China, and was offered
the position of Consul-General for Samoa,
and, pending his consideration of that
post, was asked to accept the position
he now holds Of Minister Resident and
Consul-General In Haiti and Charge d'Af-
faires for San Domingo. Mr. Smythe has
made a most excellent record, and the
| State Department officials are justly
proud of IL.
Recent reports from Haiti state that
yellow-fever has entirely disappeared,
and that the country is as quiet ard
peaceful, as n friend remarked as the
county of Buckingham, I'm Virginia The
coffee crop is much better than the ave-
rage and there is every indication Of
contentment and reasonable prosperity.
The government Of General Sam, Presi-
dent of the republic, is strong and pro-
gressive, and the peace is not likely TO
be disturbed In fact, there Is no dis
turbing element
FISH COMSISSIONERSHIP.
There is likely TO be big fight for the
Office OF Fish Commissioner, which was
formerly filled by the late Marshall Nc
Donald, of Virginia, and now by Com
mander ]. J. Brice. Of the United States
navy, retired. There are many appli-
cants in the field, and there is no doubt
that the place. intended for a scientist,
commission, or Marshall Mcdonald. will
be given to a political hack.
1t is expected that the scientists OF
Washington will endeavor to secure the
selection of one OF their class. but that
this will be opposed by those engaged
in the fisheries and in fish culture can
scarcely be doubted.
DANIELS SPEECH.
10 the ratification Of the arbitration
treaty. during the executive session of
the Senate yesterday. is said to have
been one of the most eloquent ever de-
liyered in that body, and to-day the
Senator is being warmly congratulated
on IL.
CIVIL-SERVICE LAW ANNULAfENT.
The pressure from the office-seekers on
the Republican Senators and Represen-
ia tiyes is already being felt, and the
first evidence Of II came yesterday in
an amendment TO the civil-service law,
offered by Senator Chandler Of New
Hampshire. They are going TO make a
desperate effort to oust thousands of
Democrats now in office under the civil
service law Senator Chander's amend
ment authorizes the President 10 ex-
anime and review all the various rules
promulgated since the civil-servlce law
was passed, and to revise. modify. or
enlarge such rules, with view to good
administration and the true purpose
and effect OF this act" II is also made
the duty Of the President to promugate
within two months revised rules for the
classified service. Chandler's amendment
Is so sweeping in its effect that 1t would
be tantamount TO repeal OF the civil
service law, and IL will fail Speaking OF
II. a member OF the Civll-Service Com
mission said to-day: