The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1878-02-01
nnR WASHINGTON LETTER.

ticeable IN contrast Win lhe iusSt-
ness which has prevailed since ad-
journment, December 18th. The rain,
which has been falling for several days,
has ceased, and again the bright rays of
the unelouded sun warm our people into
life and put them upon the streets.
Both Houses of Congress convened
without formality of any kind,'and pro-
ceeded as quietly as had they been at
work yesterday. Few of the Senators
were absent, though many members Of
the House did not respond to the roll
call, or to q vote of ayes and noes.
The great event OF the Capital since
New Years grand receptions has been
the Woman's Rights Convention, and
its descent upon Congress. The sth and
9th were devoted to the Convention at
Lincoln Hall by the delegates, and in
preparation for an attack upon the Cap
itol on the llth. The hall was crowded
with spectators during each day, aud
we never saw more interest manifested
in the past in the proceedings than was
unflaggingly exhibited throughout by
all in attendance. The stage was filled
with delegates, and among them were
many faces rendered familiar in the
past, for year after year they have un-
failiDgly put in their appearance as the
predecessors of the Convention. Mes
DANES Hooker, Stanton, Spencer, Boyn-
ton, Lockwood, and others were among
these, while several others whom we
have never before seen took places with
them. For the first time in the history
of these Conventions colored woman
appeared on the stage as a delegate
Her entry elected much applause from
the spectators, as did that of Fred
Douglass, who by special invitation
made a vigorous speech favoring the
movement. In fact, everything done
seemed to provoke applause, and it is
difficult to say whether it was a telling
point or mere gallantry which induced
the applause. Whenever a diversity OF
opinion appeared among the speakers
leading to a debate, both views were
Justify cheered, aud a reporter could not
indicate the real feelings of the audi
ence, so impartial was it in commenda-
tion Of everything and everybody. The
Inevitable DIR. Mary Walker, with heI
dainty cane and fashionably cut pants,
of course was on hand, and as usual did
not agree with her sister advocates OF
any questions. But her presence GiC
not provoke such decided opposition
and disgust among the delegates, no
did she nave to force herself upon th,
stage, as last year. DIR. Mary has ,
way and will of her own, and Will,
she sees fit to differ in opinion from tn,
whole world, yet she manages to max,
/ the world let her alone in whatever sh,
undertakes to do. So her sister cham
| piOns have necessarily to tolerate he
way of doing things. Did she possess
the intellectual ability OF Mrs. Stanton
or was she the mental equal of a dozen la
dies we saw there, she would not be s,
much the subject Of ridicule she is. Sh,
seems simply and oddity, and gives nC
character by her brains to her doctrines
A Miss CrOcker seems to be another on,
of the irrepressibles. She is an abl,
and vigorous talker, and thinks anC
makes the fur fly, no matter on wha
she speaks, and seems fully the intel
lectual equal Of Mrs. Stanton or Hooker
whose great abilities are indisputable
Our Mrs. Lockwood Of course took 6
prominent part in the proceedings, anC
was accompanied by her legal associate
Mrs. Kicker, whom she recently charac
terized as being "neitber irresponsible
nor shiftless," to the great merriment 0
our dignifed District Court. Mrs
Kicker is a fine-looking lady, of ful
form, with short cut dark hair, whicl
lies in crisp girlish ringlets all over he
head. In accordance with their pro
gramme, the delegates all appeared a
the Senate; but failed to take it 10y
storm, as they bad proposed, as thu
Senators declined not only to ALLOW
them the use Of the Senate chamber
but to grant them a hearing this week
Mr.. Thurman denied that these dele
gates were representatives Of the WON
en- of the United States, a view tha
Senators. Senator Conkling got cap
tured by number Of the delegates il
one OF the corridors, and seemed mucl
nOnplussed by the vigorous attack
made on him by them, much to tn,
amusement Of the spectators. Alto
gether, the ladies have made muct
headway, though they have not come
up to the point which Mrs. Hooker in.
formed US they would attain, by God
When the House convened, Mr.. Kelly
of Pennsylvania, offered the Woman
Suffrage resolutions, but, under the de
mand for the regular order, Mr.. Wood.
Investigation resolutions, filibustereC
over on December 18th by the Republi
cans, came up and occupied the day, t.
the exclusion Of other matters.
Our eolored citizens are much excited
at the course pursued by the whites VIII,
reside in the locality where the Misses
Wilson and Smith were outraged re
Gently by negroes. The whites chargr
virtual completely upon all colored peo
pie, which imputation Of course is in
dignantly denied, and they claim they
would arrest and punish the perpetra
tors as cufaL1r- M tb, ,,,lf.o, .-..r4 .t