, 1867-01-18

tne Ooiumoia hifer Is sliii open; and rom the
immense amount Of rain that has fallen here,
l should judge that rain is the order Of the day
throughout the whole Pacific coast, as no other
news reaches Us from all quarters, but rain,
rain; as though the very heavens were weeping
for our poor distracted couotry, now on the eve
of political erurtioa. If our continued rains
will only contribute towards washing some Of
Of Our political powers and asPirants clean of
foul fanaticism, l hope aud pray the shower will
continue for "forty days and forty nights" and
then not stop until our political horizon presents
clear sky.
sWINpLIEa THE GOVERNMENT.
The late development Of Government swim
dles-that is, SwindleS perpetrated upon the
Government-in this gOodly city, is enough to
stagger the honest belief, of any one, who may
be foolish enough to think, that the wheels Of
Government can be kept in motion without some
greasy swindls to facilitate 1t speedily to dss-
truction.
Not many months ago the Government at
Washington appointed man from this city to
kind of "Delason Smith" roviig commission,
which even extended into France, to look up
swindles that were daily being perpetrated upon
the Oustom-houses along the Atlantic and Pa
cifc coasts in the shipment of wines. The agent
10 prosecuting his lsbors along the Eastern
coast, found out 10y accideutl that certain par
ties in Boston, Il Hub were permitted to manufac-
ture liquors of various kinds, under protection
of Government officers. This not being in bis
line of business he turned that job over to other
parties, but it was impossible to bring the often
ders to justice, the svindles proved to be too
near the powers of the land, who under cover of
their offices, could not be reached. So "New
England rum" may be said to be on the free list.
The agent aforesaid, however, turned his atten-
ton to the merchants of the SHub" and by so
doing be found about $5OOOOO worth of swim
dies in one importing house but in bringing it
to the surface. one of the firm died from pure
fright, and the other committed suicide, and
about $l35, 900 was all that was obtained.
THE FREIGHrING BUSINESS
up and down the coast still remains good, and
learn from parties from your section of the
country and Boise, that the heavy rains whirh
have swept the Valleys of Washington and Ida
ho Territories, have kept the snow down and
the streams up, that there is no ice in the CO.
lumbia as yet, nor likely to be. This open
winter all round, has rather staggered shippers
from this city, particularly those who thought
to steal march on your section of the country,
by shipping largely uiG Chico, early in 1861
But now they find that steamers are likely to
| ~. ~. =. E. Ill. III
ter, they are at a stand still. 1t is also currently
reported that not less than FIVE hundred pack
trains are wintering in the Walla WalIa Valley,
who will be ready to start at a moments notice
10 the spring.
THE ROUTES TO MONTANA.
notice that your Legislature has memoriali-
zed Congress to open the Mullan road. This is
step in the right direction, aud should have
been done two years ago. also learn that Mon
tana Territory will memorialize Congress, to
open either the Mullan or the Lake route, either
of which will be beneficial to Wslla WAiia val>
ley, as it is a pretty sure thing, that all the
goods for Western Montana, and large proper.
ton of Boise, this coming season will be landed
at Wallula, and consequently, pass through
Walla Walla Valley. 1t is well known here
that Wallula is the nearest, and may say the
only point on the Columbia River, where goods
can or will be landed for the Western Montana
market.
STEAMBOAT AFFAIRS.
Our steamboat matters remain about the same
as when wrote you last. As the purchasers Of
the o. S. N. Co.'s did not expect to run their
boats all winter, no definite arrangements have
| I Ark ad in
my last still holds good, to make st. Helens or
Vancouver the terminus of the ocean steamers.
The prelimiuaries are still IN StGtu quo. 1t has
leaked out, however, that soome one fthe Com,
pany will be stationed at st. Helens or Van
couver, to receive aad dispatch the Company's
boat, and that there will be general travelling
agent appointed to look after the Company's in
terest on the upper River, who will have full
charge Of, and the appointing of all agents above
the ocean terminus. This seems to be the set
tied conviction of the outsiders-of course 1
don't say it will be the policy pursued-but it
certainly would be good for the Company and
beneficial to shippers and consignees. This will
be an important position, aud one perhaps not
easily filed, for it will require man fully yersed
in steamboat matters and mercantile transsc>
tions, and we'll acquainted with the people and
routes. Aud of nine.tenths of those have
talked with from your section of the country
and River, all point to the man capable of FILL
ing this arduOuS position Of general agent-a
man in which all would be satisfied, and that is
Col. J. s. Ruckel, late general agent, and at one
time President Of the o. s. N. Co. For my part,
l endorse him to the fullest extent In fact, he
is the only man know Of in the upper country
possessed Of all the varied knowledge necessa-
ry for that position. But | see that this is get
ting too long so will close. Don't fail to send
me your paper as heretofore. TRAVELLER.
~~~S~~~~~SO~-~~>~~~~~
WINTER IN MONTANA. The Post refers
to the unusual mildness of the winter, and says
that on Christmas day there was not sufficient
snow for sleigh-riding. Cattle wintered in the
mountains have done well, and when brought to
marke: are in as good condition as stall fed
cattle in the Eastern States. The Post gives
1898 pounds as the average weight of nine head