Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-03-19
NOT A BACKDOWN
so ALTON SAYS REGARD
ING WITHDRAWAL or wARsHIps'
TIRE HAMPTON ROADS SQUADRON.
This ~ strong Card. ~ IL Argued
ubcther spain objects to Fleet ut
Key West or Not-tri'hte b'''s
Again GO over.

the administration that the withdrawal
Of tbe Montgomery from Habana harbol
and the removal Of the feet from Key
West 20 Hampton Roads is not a back
down. and was not done at the Instance
If tho Spanish Government. On the other
hand, they insist, the position Of the
United states Is strengthened by both
uov.s In the event OF war being preci-
inflated. it is claimed that the Mont
gomery by herself would be at the mercy
of the Spanish ships and the forts and
/ submarine mines in Habana harbor. The
uagsine OF the fleet i'm Hampton Roads is
! another strong card. they say, whether
! Spain objects 70 its presence at Key
West or not. II war should be declared,
our fleet would only be thirty hours from
Habaua, while the Spanish fleet,
with the exception of the TWO
ships IN Habana harbor, is nearly too
weeks distant, in the vicinity of the Ca
nary Islands. In the mean time. Key
West ard the Tortugas viii not be left
unprotected. for a number Of monitors
will be on hand for use should occasion
require. The position of the fleet In
Hampton Roads also enables it TO protect
he entire North Atlantic coast, should
an enemy put in an appearance,
1t is given out, however. that there Is
seine uneasiness at the Navy Department
regarding the whereabouts Of the Spanish
dotilla which left Barcelona soon after
the be LONE letter was published. This
feet may be at the Canary Islands, await
jng orders, and it is alleged that il was to
guard against any surprises by 1t on our
coast that the American warships were
transferred from Key West TO Hampton
Roads.
PRIVATE BILLS AGAIN DEFERRED.
The post-ofice appropriation bill occu-
pied the attention Of the House to-day,
and those interested in private bills were
considerably worked UP over the elimina-
ton Of Friday. this week. as the privi-
legged private-bill day. This is the second
or third time during the present session
that this has occurred, and those who
have claims before Congress and appli-
cants for pensions are indignant. They
made quite a fight this morning, and, by
a trade. or deal, secured Monday next as
private-bin day, when an earnest and de-
termined effort will be made to pass the
Richmond Locomotive and Machine
Works and the Richmond College bills,
which are advanced on the calendar.
NORFOLK DRY-DOCK.
The item for the construction Of a new
drv-dock at the navy-yard at NoriOlk
having been stricken out Of the navy APP
propriation bill, Representative Young
win have a hearing before the Naval
Committee of the House tomorrow, to
the Importance Of having 1t re-
stored.
Considering the urgency Of the present
war preparations, Mr.. Young VIII urge
the importance of the original measure,
and if the money for the proposed ne"
drv-dock cannot be carried through, he
viii urge an appropriation for the en-
OF the present existing docks.
lust at this time, the Norfolk navy-yard
and its advantages, under the cireum-
stances, cannot be too highly appreciated.
ELECTION CONTESTS.
Colonel James d. Brady. who has been
here for several days, left for home this
evening. This is a certain indication that
Thorp-Epes contested election case,
from the Fourth Virginia District, will
not come up tomorrow. II is extremely
doubtful if any of the Virginia contests
will be heard until all the Appropriation
bills are disposed Of. The republican
leaders are not disposed to stir up party
feeling in the House, If it can possibly De
avoided.
Personal.
Judge J. r. Farrar delivered one OIL MS
charming and humorous war lectures at
Confederate Veterans Hall. Eleventh ana
e streets. last night to a large audience
Of the vets their wives, and children
The subject Of the lecture was 'LAghts
md Shadows" and the Judge had the
alternately in laughter and in
tears. He was assisted by several ladies.
who sang Dixie" and other confederate
songs. and altogether the occasion was
highly enjoyed by all those present.
Judge Farrar left for home to-day by an
early train.
Joseph w. Button, Clerk of the Nir-
sinia Senate, Is i'm the city, visiting
friends. and will probably return nome
tomorrow night.
President r. w. Burke, or the NaHey
Bank, Staunton. ana Wlle' are
spending some time in the city, stopping
At the Metropolitan.
Mrs. A. d. Wright, Lynchburg; h. L.
North Carolina; w. c. Van Dorm,
Robert l.. Gardner, Pulaski CITY Val
A. Phlegar, Christiansburg, Va; j. j.
Hickock-Mctropolitan.
IA. c. Johnson, Richmond; Il. w. Grigg-
Wellington.
IL. II. Mcknight. Charlotte. n. c.; j.
Shepherd, Raleigh. n. C.-The Raleigh.
Mrs. p. L. Hayes, ID. Hayes. w. Hayes,
Mrs. w. Hayes, Norfolk, Va; NJ. IL. Nc
Hot Springs, Va; j. b. Bastic,
Ashevile, n. c.; w. G. Ashby, w. S.
Norfolk; j, c. Shafer, Rich
James.
c.. c. Lewis, NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS..
II. p. Watson. Hot Springs, Va; j. a.
Alexander, stanton; c. =. Nair, Clifton
Forge, Va; A. Berry, North Carolina;
NJ. Jett. Hilsboro', n. c.; /. II. L.
Harrisonburg, Va.-National.
MI. V. =. Lusk, who was an applicant
Tor the United States judgeship in the
District of North Carolina and
Judge II. CT. Ewart. whose confirmation
or the same position is still hanging fire
II the Judiciary Committee of the Senate,
for home this evening.
POSTAL.
Among the fourth-class postmasters
commissioned March 10th were the fol-