The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1877-07-05
DUB WASHINGTON LETTER.
WASHINGTON, June so, 1877.

WAsHINGToN, June so, 1877.
The facts relating to the American
whaling schooner s'Rizpah," Capt. Dun
ham, of Provincetown, Mass, appear to
be about as follows Early in June the
vessel was overhauled south of Cuba by
Spanish cruiser, her papers demanded
and not proving satisfa Glory, she was
seized and her commander placed in con-
finement He was released on the ar
rival of Spanish frigate four days after
and allowed to resume his voyage. These
particulars were communicated to the
Custom House officials at Key West by
Durham on his arrival there, and by
them forwarded to Mr.. Evarts. Acting
upon the information in hand, the State
Department directed the Spanish Gov
ernment's attention to the matter through
our Madrid minister, who demanded
payment of damages, an apology and as
surances that the outrage would not be
repeated. The Madrid Government is
reported to have exhibited much sur
prise, by promised compliance with our
demands. After Capt. Durham shall
have been found and his sworn state
ment obtained, it is understood that Mr..
Eyarts will at once file his itemized bill
for damages, and no doubt appears to
be entertained from the temper display
ed in the matter but that 1t will be
promptly settled.
Mr.. Sherman's rule of apportioning
his clerkships among the States at once,
rather than awaiting the reductions
caused by death, etc, has simpiifed the
whole matter at blow and saved him
much annoyance in the future. A man
less resolved than he could never have
reduced that overgrown force which he
found swarming everywhere. He was
always noted for his obstinacy, but we
never realized its near approach to two
mule power until we saw him IN the
midst of his force reducing labors. He
exhibited his popularity particularly
when he refused to receive further dele
cations from Baltimore, for no one but
Sherman could have withstood the APP
proaches of these chronic bores.
we have at last new Commissioner
of Agriculture, w. G. L. Due (pro-
nounced Duke, Of Wisconsin. We knew
him during war times when he was fight
ing with Siegel and under Hooker, gain
ing and meriting we'll earned promotion.
Many soldiers OF the Old 18th Corps
will remember Col LIE Due, and will ap-
preciate that the Agricultural Burea has
now at its head one possessed of rare ex-
ecutive ability and brains, and who
knows how to push things no matter
where he may be placed. Whether an
active, energetic, and thoroughly alive
man like LIE Due, who is posted in ev-
erything pertaining to the Agricultural
interests of the country, and has nerve
enough beside to drive battery through
the slough of Despond, can make any
Roadway in this Bureau remains to be
seen. But if anybody can get any kick
out of that mule, Col. LIE Due is the
man. We rather fancy he will find him
self Napoleon on st. Helena, or a ge-
MUS in prison. But knowing personally
his vim and grit, we will hope he won't,
like one of his predecessors, put his head
among his pumpkins and leave us to
conjecture which has the most brains.
Clark Mills, the sculptor, has been
sent to Florida to take plaster casts Of
so Indians imprisoned there, which casts
are to be placed in the SmiGhscnian In
stitute for preservation. So rapidly is
the Indian disappearing that the govern
ment should take steps to preserve such
memorials of them as will enable future
generations to see what are their distinct
features. It would be interesting, in
deed, had we true types or casts of the
hundreds of tribes who have wholly dis
appeared since the settlement of the
Continent.
Everyone is now watching the Presi-
dent to see what action he viii take in
the case of Hon. Jas. f. Wilson, Presi-
dent of the late Iowa Republican State
Convention, who is claimed to have will
fully ignored the late order prohibiting
Federal officials from active participa-
ton in partizan contests, by his appear
ance at that Convention. He is a Gov
eminent director of the Union Pacific
Rail Road, and prominent politician,
having hosts of friends; and it is a SPLEEN
did opportunity for him to earn a mar
tyr's crown. Thus at the very threshold
of the attempt to inaugurate an innova-
ton that must prove revolutionary in
its effects upon American politics, if es-
tablished, President Hayes is forced to
lock horns with a prominent leader of
his own party, or acknowledge defeat at
the outset. If common report be true.
the action OF Secretary McCrary in the
premises will unpleasantly complicate
matters, and there seems a disposition
to demand that he be first dealt with for
his virtual transgression of the spirit OF
the now famous order. JUNIUs.
The Paramount Park Commissioners,
who represent the city of Philadelphia,