Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1876-02-19

instructed 10 report unanclal PLATFORM AZ
On adjourned meetingo the caucus on Thurs
day next. More than usual care was taken
to prevent. disclosure Of the proceedings,
but IL Is known that t.e majority who spoke
couaseled Cancellation and harmony, 1t being
absolutely necessary that tho Democracy
should present, il possible, an unbroken
front on the financial question, and frame a
platform which they could present to the en-.
tire country, instead of members vi the par
ty, in different States, separately, attempting
to establish financial principle for the en-
tire party.
The Democratic members, in conversation
today, say they don't there will much diff
Guilty in framing financial plank, as con-
ciliatory spirit pervadtd the caucus last
night The opinion was generally expressed
that Il would be impracticable to resume
specie payments on the LIST OF Jan, 1870, as
provided by the act of Jan. 10TH 1879: there
fore that that provision should be repealed
and measures be taken for gradual resump'
tion Of specie payments by requiring the ma
tional banks to retain percentage OF the
gold received by them as interest on the
bonds deposited with the Treasurer of the
United States as security for their circulating
notes, and also requiring the Secretary to re
tain certain percentage of gold as part OF
the sinking fund, for the purchase or pay
ment of the public deJt This, the Demo
cratsssay, will be the basis of action of the
committee in their report to the adjourned
meeting OF the caucus on Thursday
Final Adjournment OF Congress.
The Democrats in their caucus discussed
ct some length the time OF final adjournment.
Since then several leading Democrats have
conferred upon the subject, and have decided
to introduce resolution fixing the time of
final adjournment, between April LIST and
April 18th. This move contemplates the
passage of the appropriation bills and fl.
nance bill as the only legislation. Randall
says the appropriation bills can all be passed
by April 10Th. The Democrats feel the bad
political effects of Congress, and desire TO
prevent debate on national issues.
Large Demand for Postage Stamps
WASHINGTON, Feb. 12.-During January
the demand for postage stamps, postal cards
and stamped envelopes, reached the UMPIRE
cedentcd amount Of three and half million
dollars worth. These figures are considered
indicative of the rapid revival OF business
throughout the country.
Texas BORDER Outrages.
Gen. Ord, commanding the military de-
partment of Texas, was examined today by
the select committee of the House on the
Texan frontier troubles, and gave very full
ard intelligent account of the cattle raids to
which the rancheros on the American side of
the Rio Grande for about 500 miles along the
river and for $50 miles back. are subjected to-
The country which Is the scene OF these
forays Is separated from the river by an
extensive belt of underground of forest,
which forms shelter for the cattle thieves
and raiders. II is next to impossible for the
military patrols and posts to interfere with
them. There are two classes of Mexicans ON
the Texas side-one are intelligent, honest
raucheros, who are as much opposed to these
raids as the American portion of khe popula-
ton, and the other consisting OF worthless
fellows, mostly outlaws or deserters from the
Mexican army, who generally act as spies for
these companies when they cross the river on
their cattle stealing expeditions. On their
own side of the river these bands, which
sometimes number from 100 to $50 men, are
In league with the local authorities, their
recognized chief being Cortina so that all
facilities are given them for disposlng Of
their plumber. The National Government
OF Mexico ia not TO be blamed in general.
General Ord says the cause of this state of
things Is because the system of the Mexican
Government Is to let each State take care of
its own affairs The only remedy Is that
which the General Is urging on the War de-
partment, viz, to increase the cavalry force
on the Rio Grande and give him authority,
when his troops como on the trail OF these
thieving bands, to let pursuit be continued
to the Mexican side of the river and let the
troops deal out punishment. He states that
he has been in one or more northern States
himself, ami the Mexican commandants have
an arrangement by which such expeditions
are followed on either side of the river, and
on some occasions American and Mexican
troops have co.operated.
Favorable ReRS.s,.'rsSsna. Texas Pacific
WASHINGTON, Feb. 16.-The Chicago
Times Washington special says to-day the
committee on Pacific railroads Will take
action on SCOTS scheme, and from q careful
canvass of the committee there is no doubt
thu. the committee will report favorably on
the bills runners TO tire effect Ssta. the" 6 OH
mitsee will tie on the question, far from being
true; there will be a majority OF three, at
least, Of the 10 members.
Proposed Reduction of Compensation
OF Territorial officers.
The committee on appropriations yerterday
had under consideration the bill referring 10
Territorial governments. 1t was decided 10
cut salaries down to war figures; that Is, to
what they were before the increase four years
ago THIS will make the pay OF governors
$500 instead of $4,000; judges, $4,000
instead of $1,000, and secretaries 5000
instead of 81, 500.
Hard Money, Imitation and Resunip-
t1On.
The.IFsbtu1es washington speciai says Tue
infiaiionists In the House seem to have got
full control of the caucus, as shown by the
complexion of the caucus committee appoint
ed yesterday OF tbs nine members OF the
committee representing the House, five are
infiationlsts and four nominally advocates OF
hard money. The five infiationists are in
favor of the repeal of the act of 1875 re-
quiring resumption of specie payment Jan.
/, 1870, and doing nothing more. They
believe in actual imitation, they say, and If
a positive imitation bill, the hard.money Dem.
ocrats ought to accede to them, and not
attempt to force through any measure look
ing to actual resumption.
Indiana State OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
INprANoPoLIs, Feb. 16.-The State indie
pendent Greenbacks Convention met at 10 A.
N. today. Hon. Arson Waicott, of White
county was chosen president. Resolutions
were adopted demanding the immediate and
unconditional repeal OF the specie resumption
~.