The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1877-07-07
Our Washington Letter.
The Washington lIOAHment-
UnfriendIy Andians-Marsfsssl
DOuglass-SiIver DOIlar,i etc.


UnfriendIy Indians-NHarSlal
DOusIass-SiIV DOIlar,I etc.
WASHINGTON, d. C., June %, 1877.
EDITOR CHIEF:
Almost one year ago, to-wit, July 5,
1876, our present Secretary of the
Treasury, prompted by latent patri-
otism, made active by visit to the
Centennial the day before, moved the
appropriation of $500, 900 for the COM
pletion of the Washington Monument.
The motion was enthusiastically car
cied without opposition, and board
of army officers was at once designated
to test the foundations as to their
suficiency to support the weight OF
the superstructure, completed ac-
cording to the original plan, which
was shaft about so feet square at its
base, to be carried up gradually ta-
pering to height of about 600 feet.
The board set about its work leisurely,
sinking four wells, one on each side
and close to the foundations, to adepth
of 30 feet or more. Reports, probably
unauthorized or conjectures, were
heard from time to time announcing
that every thing had been found solid
and firm, justifying an immediate re-
sumption of the work. Tens of thou
sands of Centennial visitors last season
viewed the ia feet completed nearly
90 years ago, and were virtually unan-
imous in favor of its completion. Every
one was astonisIled when the report
was finally made, to learn that it was
unfayorable. According to it there
was already a DETECTION of several
inches from the perpendicular, a result
so different from those obtained from
several previous examinations that
the association challenged its accura
cy, and it now turns out that the fired
point, stone marking the meridian
of Washington or the District centre
relied upon as the basis of all the
measurements and calculations made,
was moved few years ago, thus bring
ing the whole report into discredit.
The feeling about the War Depart
ment appears favorable to striking the
hostile Idaho Indians crushing blow
when they are next attacked, as the
1 most merciful to all concerned, and
then to completely disarm and Gnhorse
the balance, rendering impossible a
repetition of the present outbreak and
savage butchery of the innocent.
Though it is conceded the present
troubles probably had their origin in
ignoring or actually violating treaty
stipulations, the plan of the Depart
ment seems to be pretty generally
endorsed.
The allegation of ''carpet bagging"
has been SO frequently urged against
faithful and efficient public officers to
secure their removal by men who
would suffer at. every point by com
parison, but longing to. get a pull at
the public teat, that the business has
been oyerdOne, and there appears a
disposition to call halt. Hence !
Judge that many of the tar heel u
statesmen who rushed here in crowd
each hoping to be the fortunate one
to succeed alshal Douglass of theil
State, or to be made IL deputy at least.
will return to their turpentine forest
homes, out of pocket and out OF
patience; for it now appears probable
that his record will have every thing
to do with determining the length oi
his tenure of office.
1t is bow given ont that Secretary
Sherman will gradually yield, point
by point, until he is found standing
shoulder to shoulder with the Presi,
dent in favor of an absolute repeal o1
the demonetiZation act of 1873, and III
harmony with the doctrines of Senator
Jones, who, it is understood, vii
squarclY advocate making the old
silver dollar II legal tender for al
debts, public and private, in his repor
as head of the Silver Commission
Should Congress act favorably upoI
his suggestions making silver the
equal Of geld, the principal of the
per cent. bonds could be redeemed
and their interest paid in silver, as i
is claimed, without invalidating thu
assurances of Mr.. Sherman's late letter
But from the manifest tendency il
high official quarters, there is nota
ble depression among hard none.
men, and it is predicted that the dis
trust of the new loan will increas
rather than diminish.
The absence Of the President ant
! several Cabinet members in Massa
chnsetts, has given the greedy crowd