Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1877-07-11
Our Washington Letter.
w WASHINGTON, july 3.

whaling schooner "Ellen Rizpah,"
Capt. Durham, of Provincetown, Mass.
has directed attention anew to the Ad.
ministration Of our State Department.
The facts relative to this vessel as Civ
en- at the State Department are about
as follows While south of Cuba she
was overhauled by Spanish cruiser.
boarded, her papers demanded, and not
proving satisfactory the commander was
placed in confinement and his vessel
detained Four days subsequently
Spanish Frigate arrived, and after an
other examination Of the schooner's
papers, Dunham's release was ordered
and he permitted to resume his voyage.
On his arrival at Key West he reported
these facts to the Custom House official
there who in turn communicated them
to the State Department. After exam
ination revenue steamer was sent to
obtain Capt. Dunham's affidavit, who,
in the meantime had sailed again from
Key West. The search Was unsuccess-
full, and Mr.. Evarts, acting on the in
formation already in hand. demanded
indemnity for the vessels detention
and an apology and promise of good
behavior for the future, all Of which
were promised by the Madrid Govern
ment. The course pursued is generally
commended.
While the Presidents late order,
prohibiting Federal officials from any
but the most nominal participation in
partisan affairs, has attracted only
moderate criticism and very little ex-
element among Departmental officials
here, the response from other points
where officials live more Immediately in
contact with the voters, many of them
old time leaders, indicates a good deal
of dissatisfa ction; and there is much
curiosity manifested to learn the Presi-
dents intentions towards Mr.. Wilson,
President of the late Republican State
Convention at Des Moines, Iowa.
That gentleman is government direct
or of the Union Pacific Railroad and
the prominent part he took in the Con-
vention will oblige the President to no.
tice the violation of the order as any
other course would be regarded as a
confession of defeat without an effort to
enforce his authority. Ct is generally
understood here that Sec'y McCrary
left Washington for the purpose of
quieting any feeling of resentment
toward the Administration OF account
Of the Southern policy before it had
time to formally express itself through
the convention; and it is urged that
the President is estopped from any in
reference with Mr.. Wilson until he
shall have disciplined the members cf
his own official household who so
grossly diaregarded orders. On the
whole, while there are very few here
sufficiently devoted "to kick against the
pricks" thereby jeopardizing their ofic-
ial heads, the tenor of advices from the
country at large seem to indicate that a
goodly number will embrace theoppor-
tunity to earn a martyrs crown.
There is good deal of anxiety felt
here in army circles and by the public
regarding Gen. Howard and his little
army. The disparity between the
number Of his men and the force it is
believed Chief Joseph can concentrate,
justifes the apprehensions often ex-
pressed. Had he every man available
for the purpose with him, he would not
be very we'll prepared to meet the
thoroughly aroused savages. Bat he
has not. They are scattered over a
wide extent of territory, SO rough that
concentration is very difficult with his
deficient means of transportation, and
can only be accomplished after the lapse
of considerable time. His stores must be
transported more than hundred miles
On the backs Of his horses and mules.
both insufficient in number. On the
contrary, the Indians ale thoroughly
acquainted with the country and will
choose their own position. Their stores
are reported as ample and they are
uoll orcood 81 Ia l. n. .