The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1873-03-29
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
wAsn1seros, D. c., March

snow still remains have SO cooled the
atmosphere that the weather is any
thing but agreeable. This morning
it appears that ice had frozen a half
an inch thick and those who only yes
terday were to be seen in the streets
promenading in spring snits, had their
overcoats on as though it were stern
winter. 4.M.-..
Most Senators and Representatives
who anticipated bringing their fami-
lies with them next session, have al
ready engaged quarters for them.
Several have leased furnished houses
for year, re-renting to reliable par
ties through tie Summer. This way
is deemed the most safe and econom-
zeal.
Mr.. Boutwell's transfer from the
Treasury to the Senate is the most
noticeable event Of the week. He
leaves in Judge Richardson Il SYM
pathising successor who will carry
out his policy into detail. In spite Of
sensational reports in the daily press
our friends in the "rural districts"
may be well assured that no change
in the policy Of this Administration
is contemplated. The three great
parts Of that policy are the reduction
of the public debt, the enhancement
of the national currency to a gold
value, and a return to specie payments
at the earliest safe and practicable
moment.
O'Brien, ex-policeman Of George
town, D. c., who shot and killed Mr..
Cunningham several months since,
sentenced to he hung on the 25th inst,
was relieved yesterday with the news
that the President had committed his
sentence toimprisonmentforlife Cen
eral Butler argued before full bench
Of the District Supreme Court a mo-
ton for new trial. The motion was
dismissed-the only judge dissenting
was Judge Carter, the Chief Justice
of the court. There is now only one
more murder case on calendar for this
term. This one is man, desperate,
six feet and some inches tall, weigh
ing over two hundred pounds, by the
Aame of Tom Wright, who is charged
with killing u peddler and MASKING
his face, SO Disgusting it that it was a
difficult matter to recognize him. Wit
nesses in this case are retained in Jail
in default of several thousand dollars
bail.
The vote by which Congress passed
the retroactive salary clause was SO to
96. Of the majority Sc we're from the
South, and the NOrthen voters were
mostly Credit Mobilicr men or Demo-
Gratis. The very large number of alb
scntees indicates a purpose to dodge
this important issue by many honora-
BILE gentlemen, who should have been
in their seats toprevent the spoliation
of the Treasury inflicted by this high
handed measure.
Republicans here from the Southern
States are much disappointed that the
President did not select at least one
member of his cabinet from the South.
Ex-senator Pool of South Carolina
was urged as a representative man on
whom all the South would unite in
endorsing.
The Commissioner of Agriculture
has received reports showing that the
COTTON crop Of the present year has
greatly declined in quality below that
realized in former years and especially
before the war. The Commissioner
has directed a correspondence with
the leading cotton spinners of the
United States with view of learning
the truth of these reports. There is
10 doubt that the conditions of pro-
duction, the past season, were very
exceptional, resulting III marked
changes in the character of the staple.
The cotton production industry has
ever been a feverish affair, very little
quoted by general science, and look
ing to sudden and rapid realization Of
profits by the exhaustion Of the soil
rather than to permanent production.
The Agricultural Department lately
inquired Of its correspondents in 1900
counties in regard to the encourage
ment or Encouragement Of farming