The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1877-09-01
Our Washington Letter.
Important AstrOnOmic DiscOY-
lean Observation-Disclosures.

Rear Admiral Rogers, Superln
tendent of the Washington Naval OBJ
serVatory, in formally notifying the
Secretary of the Navy OF the discovery
OF two satellites Of Mars last Thurs
day night by Professor Hall of the
Observatory, says: 9 The satellite
which was at first discovered, and
which he supposes was seen for the
first time August Is, at / hours, forty
two minutes, had been, in fact, OBJ
served August ii at IA hours forty
minutes" It's apparent distance from
Mars centre is given as 81 degrees,
time of revolution around the planet,
80 hours estimated magnitude, thir
teenth or fourteenth degree; plane of
orbit has now quite an inclination
from the line of sight from earth to
Mars at its elongations angles of
position 70 degrees and 252 degrees.
The second satellite was discovered,
18th inst. at 10 hours, appearing quite
as bright as its fellow. Its elonga
tons have nearly the same angles of
position, corresponding to Mars equa-
tor; apparent distance at efongation
periodic time not yet definitely ascer-
tanned. Preliminary elements of outer
satellite as calculated by Prof. New
comb major axis 70 and $50 de-
grees; minor axis % degrees passage
of satellite through western axis 10th
inst. at Is hours and 40 minutes. The
period of the inner satellite or satel-
lites is stated to be short probably
less than an hour-that it has not yet
been fixed. This American discovery
is regarded as one of the most i'm.
portant of the present generation and
forever fixes the name of Hall high
among the astronomical discoveries of
tile preceding generations.
The absence of the President and
every member of the Cabinet save
Mr.. Scliurz, renders this always dull
season in Washington superlatiyely
so. The most, in fact all, that can be
learned of the hostiles leaves them in
the neighborhood of Hole-in- the Rock
Stage Station, idaho, with their horses
broken down, and carrying along in
their leisurely retreat their wounded
of the late battle. Sheridan telegraphs
here that he believes Howard close
to them and intelligence of another
engagement is looked for soon.
1t appears that the Mexican author
tiles about Camargo have honestly
set to work to capture the desperadoes
That raided Rio Grande City a few
days since, releasing two noted erim-
illals from Jail. Several Of the ma
rauders have been captured and it is
thought the balance, including the
Jail birds, mag soon be secured, The
forces of Generals Ord and Trevino,
with only the boundary river between
them, are apparently on good terms,
quite willing evidently to avoid all
initiating international controversies
that m light lead to breach of the
peace.
Evidences multiply, showing that
the werkingmen's movement toward
political organization is likely to be-
come general and unless the strate-
gists of the two old parties are able
to make good many captives, allow
ance must be made for new and
perhaps important factor in casting
the horoscope of our political future.
Efforts il this direction are already
perceptible. But more serious evil
menaces the. yet inchoate mass, and
that is its liability to fall into the
hands of the arrant demagogues al
ways lying in wait for such opportu-
mites, who would mould the plastic
material into such forms as would in.
sure the promotion of these political
soldiers of fortune, adventures and
free hooters, at the sacrifice of every
prir ciple which animates the honest
men Unidentified with the movement.
A good deal of curiosity is mani
tested here to see what disposition
the President will make of Mr.. Cor
nell. The contemptuous treatment
accorded by him TO Mr.. Hayes order
has been one Of the most prolific SUBJ
jects of conversation for some days in