The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1877-06-09
Our Washington Letter.
Affairs Osa GIae Mexican border
New Party EOssfp-MOyesaaent
Nf NIalcOntents-NHt VernOaa
Association.

WASHINGTON, D. G., May 81, 1877.
EDITOR CHIEF:
General Ord, commanding Depart
ment of Texas, is in this city, and his
coming has been productive of par
tial revival of the MEXICAN sensation.
ae was yesterday at the State De-
partment in company with Secretary
McCraFy and long conference was
had with Mr.. Evarts as TO the future
treatment of the Mexican cattle steal
ers, whose exploits have often been
the subject of formal complaint on the
part of our Government to that of
Mexico. General Ord has described
their modus operandi and stated as his
opinion that the raids could not be
efectual!y broken up unless the COM
manding officers of our forces were
authorized to pursue the thieves until
captured, even should it take them
across the Rio Grande. 1t is under
stood that because of the inability or
indifference of the Mexican Govern
ment in the matter, he has for months
been tacitly permitted to do SO to the
extent necessary to recapture the
property stolen, but not to inflict fur
ther punishmentthan was incidentally
required for that purpose. The point
yesterday discussed was whether the
scope of his instructions should be so
enlarged as to include the healthy
chastisement of the yagabonds. No
conclusion was reached, and the mat
ter will he submitted for the Cabinets
decision. ii any instructions were
asked or given in anticipation of an
attempt to cross an invading force
from this side, it has not been made
public. But it has como to be pretty
generally believed that good progress
has been made in the organization of
such force and that Lerdo will make
q move, when fully prepared, to dis
possess Diaz of his usurped authority.
Yesterdays National Repadlioau, in
tone of approval, gave some partic-
nlafs Of tho new purity movement,
which stimulated the gossips, but re-
ceived little credence. 1t stated that
President Hayes and members of his
Cabinet have, during the past six
weeks, held good many confidential
conferences at the White House with
prominent citizens and politicians of
both parties, now supporters of the
Administration, who came and went
silently, without attracting much at
tention to their movements and it
proceeds to say that b large meeting
has been agreed upon at an early day
in New York, when the birth of the
Administration party will be formally
announced aud the bantling COM
mended to the public support. The
most inconsistent and stupid part of
the statement is in conclusion, when
it assures its readerR that the Presi-
dent, after being represented as taking
leading part III tile matter, can not
be justly held responsible, as he
knows next to nothing about it. The
rumors concerning this matter should
be received with allowance. 1t must
be remembered that great parties are,
to large extent, spontaneous pro-
ductiols, AMI can not be willed into
existence tor the convenience or graf
ificatiaA Of any one.
The statement telegraphed all over
the country FRIDAY night, TO the
effect that u Blaine party was formed
the night previous at a meeting of
hundred and fifty eminent politicians,
was founded upon the action of a
half-dozeA notoriety seeking men,
wholly Rnknown to the public and
believed to have heen disappointed
and soured by their failure to obtain
Departmental clerkships. They at
tempted to trade on Mr.. Blaine's rep
utation, hoping thus to give tone to
their proceedings. That, from the
best attainable information, is all
there was to it.
The Ladies' Mt. Vernon. Association
has been in session since Tuesday at
the mansion, and expect to close their
deliberations to-day, when a full re-
port of proceedings and of the tiDap-
cial condition of the Association is
promised. The matter of transport
ing exenrsionists to and fro between
this city and Mt. Vernon, has received
lengthy consideration. This has con-
siderable interest to Wasliingtonians,
as it has imposed some restraint upon
those desiring to- visit Mt. Vernon in
the past by reason of one steamboat
man having monopoly of the right
t0 land passengers on the grounds.
His eight year contract expires next
April and several competitors have
bid for the valuable privilege. some
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