The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1878-12-26
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.

3
To THE EDITOR OF THE NEW NORTHWEST:
II Is subject OF remark here that
none oI the military companies visiting
" "ashlhSton from Southern cities carry
an American flag. They march under
guidons or local banners, but the stars
and stripes are eeonspieuouslv absent A
few days since a company Of well-drilled
aud disciplined cadets paid US a visit
and were reviewed aud then received bv
the President, who made them a short
patriotic address. But it seems to Us
strange indeed that be could extend
such marked courtesy to citizen SOL
diers who would refuse to display the na-
tional flag. A foreign body Of soldiers,
even at war with Us, would not under
such circumstances have been guilty of
such diseourtesy, and we are surprised
that Mr.. Hayes did not resent the insult
by refusing recognition in any wise. As
military, these soldiers were bound by
military regulations, which necessarily
involves display of more than mere gui-
dons, and he as eommander-in-ehief
should have taught them one Of the first
lessons Of a soldier, the imperative force
of military regulations. He should
further proclaim that hereafter be will
recognize only those who are disposed
to treat him with at least common eour-
tesy, and that if, from any cause, his
flag is to be ignored, the White House
shall not furnish prominent place for
the indignity.
/ For the benefit of your many readers,
we announce that all unfinished busi-
ness Of the last session Of Congress will
be taken up where it was left of, Just
as though Congress had only adjourned
/ for one day. All business pending at
the adjournment next fourth Of March
dies, and must be introduced again at
the following session as new business,
or orabandoned. Much Misunderstanding
prevails through this rule of the House,
aud many serious disappointments often
occur, for claimants, who do not come
here in person to be taught by bitter
experience, cannot realize that each
Congress is a separate legislative body
Hundreds Of the thousands Of bills now
on the calendars of the Senate and the
House, have been introduced again and
again since the war closed and appar-
emily will repeat the same screed during
the lifetime of the claimant, or until his
finances are exhausted.
In our last we announced that the
Congressional cauldron was steamipg
up to a white heat, or words TO that ef-
feet, and we see no reason at present to
relinquish our assertion, for the vast
avalanche OF mem bers and Senators with
their attendant eamp-foilOwers that
have poured in among us this week only
serves to make our representation the
more binding Even society folks are
rushing in upon US in almost breathless
haste, and are making extensive prepa-
ratious for rousing time this winter,
and are evidently bent upon making up
for the long dreariness of the last sum-
mer, which our beautiful autumnaI
weather, with its bright, warm, sun
shine days so invitingly propose.
Our gasOmeter on the hill, commonly
known as the Capitol, is to be SUPER
seeded in its luminary properties of gas,
with that of Professor ElisOn's wonder
fol invention, ''eleetric light" We have
thought for some time that there was
too much gas up there, aud it now seems
that that's what's the matter" All
possible dispatch is being employed to
have the building lit up by this new
method by the time our solons convene
and should this experiment prove a suu-
cess, We will, in our next, give full de-
tails, as We are deeply interested in any
scheme which promises to check the ex-
orbitant demands Of gas monopoly.
Our navy department has been very
much agitated over the attempt of a
i pretended sold tar" to capture the whole
American navy, fore-top gallant sail
aud all, by claiming to be a survivor OF
the Huron disaster, aud demanding his
> back pay. But our gallant Secretary.
who manages the helm Of our national
bark, "smelled a MICE aud cheek-nated
the old scamp. Had it not been for the
7 - ~'ettDA ~ Aai scig ueFelupeQ IN
the eerebrlm Of our worthy Secretary.
the finances Of Uncle sam would have
been diminished by the "old salt" to the
extent OF some 81 800, more or less.
Our Interior Secretary, Schurz. is
worried no little over the accusations of
General Sheridan concerning the ad-
! ministration Of thelTudian service. and
] the Secretary cordially invites the Cen
eral to place himself rectus in euria. be-
fore making his broad assertions. There
seems to he considerable unpleasant
= ness between the Army and Indian
Bureau constantly going on, and we
only await the report Of the Congress
sional committee to see whether brother
10 Is to be turned over to the tender
mereies of the war department, or con-
tinue requiscat in pace in the arms OF
the Secretary Of the Interior.
FELIX.
Washington, November %, 1879.
When our soul shall leave this dwell
ing, the glory of one fair and virtuous
act is above all eschutcheOns on our
tomb Of silken banners DER us--.SAfTeiy-